2018 - 2019 NFL Thread.

Today starts the opening of practice for NFL teams. So let's open our forum here and start right with them.

We all have all the same hopes and dreams they do and like them our dreams will eventually get crushed as some other team wins the superbowl.

But until that happens let's get ready to rumble!

No Quoll Poll?

Too early Baptist. Let's see how the teams look in preseason and come out healthwise.

But if you want you can pencil in a superbowl rematch and have a pretty good shot at it.

Ain't nothing changed about my Cowboys. Still drama in Big D....lol. Jerry Jones talking about the anthem and wouldn't remove his hat after his son asked him to. Dez tweeting about how Sean Lee calling him a snake, etc. Boy it never ends.

As a football fan though, really want to see how Baker impacts the Browns.....Saquon impacts the Giants.

Pete,

I think the Giants made a huge mistake passing on Sam Darnold. I don't care how great Barkley is and I think he is great, nothing trumps a franchise QB which I think he is.

And unless Mayfield becomes real good they screwed up too.

I just think Darnold will be special.

Oh make no mistake about it, I think they should've taken Darnold. I've was telling all my friends that I think he is special as well. What he did in that comeback against Penn State in that 2016-2017 Rose Bowl game sold me 100%.

Pete,

Both of us can be happy that the Giants and Cleveland passed on him. NE fans are going to learn to love him the next twelve or so years lol. Things will start to turn in that division soon for a long time.

Yep, he was amazing in that PSU game and looked really good last night. He just has all the physical tools and demeanor. You can see it clearly. I really don't have a clue how the Giants could have been that dumb. Cleveland should have taken him too but at least they did draft a QB who might be very good. But the Giants with a 36 year old Manning? Wow, that's a franchise killer mistake. They will pay for that mistake for a long time.

The worst part is both teams are from New York so every great Darnold game will be right in the Giant's face and the NY media's stories game after game. That's going to get brutal.

So, The final cuts are in and a bit of big business was done today with Raider trading Mack and the Rams signing Donald, two of the best defensive players in the game. For the Rams it completes the building of the team that many media types say are the favorite to win the Super Bowl. For the Raiders a hard bit of business that had to be consummated simply because they could not spend all that money on Carr and Mack and hope to have a team that can compete. With the return of two number ones and a three the Raiders did get fair value if such a thing is possible with a player of Macks caliber but why did they give up the second round pick? Now they need to hope the Bears stink for a couple of years and that their drafting department is up to snuff. If they convert those picks into top player this is the kind of trade that can really make them a power for years to come if Carr and Gruden come through as hoped. The last bit of business to be had will come Monday when Leveon Bell returns to the Steelers. Some nice games this week: The new season starts off with a bang Thursday night when the Eagles play at home against Atlanta, the team that gave them and Foles their toughest test getting to the Super Bowl. Both teams are high on the list of favorites to get to the big show so this will be a great start to the season for football starved fans. My Steelers will take on the new look Browns who should be getting better. The Vikings play at home against Frisco. The same Frisco who went undefeated with Jimmy G at quarterback. Houston and the return of last years....

Ahhhh! The Quoll Poll..

Good Job Quollman!

Thank you Baptist!

It's funny how the Bears went from 100-1 odds to 40-1 odds with the addition of Mack. Hope he has the impact they're hoping for. I'm just ready for some football!!!!!

Pete,

That is funny. I would make them infinity to 1 because they have no chance even with Mack.

Hey SPQR,

I thought CLE was going to gut it out with those takeaways they had. I guess it had to end in a draw with the mistakes made on both sides.

As for my Cowboys, Dak looks ike he's regressed from his rookie season. Man he was awful to me. Oh well, I like that run I saw from Saquon. Man he's explosive.

Oh and Khalil Mack was a beast. Bot the Raider better hope they get something out those future picks.

Pete,

I read an article years ago that said if you give up three turnovers your chances of winning a game is around 15%

So if you give up six what are your chances, zero? lol.

The problem with the Steelers is Big Hen, as I have been saying for years. He is just too inconsistent. We lose games like this every year against crap teams, last year Chicago, because he has one or more of those games. And that plays out with NE getting home field because Brady never plays like that, let alone against bad teams.

I don't see how the Steelers will every win another super bowl with Hen there.

Mack was terrific and I think his trade was ultimately a mistake. Some would say they needed that money and they have a point. But then you ask, what players will you give that money to who will make a bigger impact than Mack?

They better draft real good with those Bear picks to even come close to making up for Mack.

Barkley will be a great player, No news there. But there is irony in that. Because while he has his great career the Giant fans will have to watch Darnold dominate the league like no runner can. Barkley's career will be bitter for them because of who they could have and should drafted.

Darnold missed most of camp and he is killing the Lions tonight. He is 21 years old and missed most of camp, lol. He and Wentz will be the future of this league if the Jets and Eagles can keep good players around them. Those two guys are going to be the next generations Brady and Rodgers.

I can't get over how dumb football people are for Cleveland and the Giants to pass on him. I should have gone into the GM business because dealing with those idiots would have been easy.

I like Baker Mayfield but you'd think CLE would've gotten this all the way right after passing on Wentz. And as for myself, I thought if CLE passed on Darnorld, the Giants would be licking there chops to get him but they chose to pass as well....smh. Oh well. You know what though, somehow it seems Baker is made for CLE and Darnold is made for the bright lights of New York.

Pete, Mayfield looked good in preseason. I don't think it will be long before he ascends to the starter spot from what I saw of Taylor last week. So there were some interesting results this week that will predicate some movement in my top ten. Philly repeated their playoff win over Atlanta in what was almost an exact replica of last years playoff game. It also showed why they really need Wentz back as soon as possible. Foles did enough to help win...but barely. The Steelers of course lost by tying with Cleveland. If you want home field in the playoffs or even to win the division you have to beat that team. Miami surprise Tennessee (but not me). When will the so called experts start to realize that Mariotta is a very limited QB? The biggest upset this week had to be Tampa scoring 48 beating the Saints. Man that Fitzgerald. He can kill you with a great game and four TDs then the next week kill his team with four picks. Unfortunately for the Saints it was the good Fitz this week. That home loss to that team hurt. KC whipped the Chargers 38-28 in Rick Mahoomes debut. He looked good. The Chargers once again started that same old pattern of bad starts. Can they at least beat inept Buffalo this week? If they don't it's already over for them. The Panthers beat Dallas in a showdown of the offensive-less. Russell Wilson now has to carry his team since that great defense is gone. As I have been saying for years, he can't. And he showed it again throwing two pics in a 27-24 loss to the Broncos. The Rams showed their power on both sides of the ball crushing Oakland in Oakland 33-13. This team is freaking stacked man. Carr is starting to look like the new....

CLE to release or trade Josh Gordon....Man I hate to say it but I hope my Cowboys get him SPQR. Shame on me....lol!!!

Pete,

I gotta tell you when I heard Gordon was leaving the first team that came to my mind was New England and if you watched the Jacksonville game you know why. They doubled and tripled Gronk and the other guys didn't do a thing.

The second team I thought of was your Cowboys because they don't have play makers either.

But in the end it was a no brainer for even Gordon who has shown very little brain over the years.

I mean it's the Patriots and Bellichick and Brady.

Doesn't mean it will work though. Cleveland got rid of him for a reason.

I am sorry you didn't get your wish. I don't blame you for wanting him. I would too.

Lol....Those are the breaks I tell ya.

On another note, are the Seahawks going back to the old Seahawks of the past? The Bears and Kahlil were all over them.

Pete,

The Seahawks are done. They don't have that great defense to give them that huge edge anymore, the offensive line is crummy as usual and despite popular media myth Wilson is not a franchise QB who can carry a team on his back.

To make matters worse they are stuck with the Rams and one of the best coaches in the league.

Carroll and the FO are going to have to make some real smart moves over the next few years to turn this around. On the bright side their draft position should improve considerably lol.

Do you think they eventually part ways with Carroll? Also, man what's going on with your Steelers and the drama? What's going on with AB?

Pete,

That's a very good question about Carroll. Because of the issues in Seattle and the presence of the Rams he is set up in a precarious situation. So is the GM who may be the fall guy first. I wonder how patient that owner is. Or how he views Carroll. I would say Carroll better turn this around in the next two years and at least make the playoffs as a wild card.

As to Brown. He's an egomaniac. He wants to lead the team in catches and yards every damn game. He's been like that for years. He doesn't care if he has double coverage and others are open.

When Martavis Bryant had that great rookie year I told friends if he became a star Brown would freak out. Now that Ju Ju Smith is becoming that it's happening.

I guess a good analogy would be to Kobe. Above all else he has to be the man or he isn't happy.

It's a big problem.

Point Taken. Something's telling me that Caroll would be the fall guy because he's basically steering this thing even though they have GM. I don't know. time will tell.

As for your Steelers, I hope they right the ship before it gets out of control. That's kind of the deal when you allow players to have their own personalities on a team. Ask Caroll with the Legion of Boom.

As for Kobe, if he wants that, he should go to the Browns....lol.

Week three has ended and lets look at some of the more interesting results and happenings. Cinci jumps to 2-0 and in the lead of the AFC North by beating up the Ravens. Rick Mahoomes mauled my Steelers to the tune of 42 points. Mahoomes impressed me greatly. He has the strongest arm in the league and looked very calm and poised. Of course I never really like to make judgements on QBs until their second year when teams have plenty of tape to study and try to force the QB to start doing things he does not like and attack their weaknesses but Mahoomes right now has become this years Deshaun Watson but so much more accurate and with such a stronger arm. If this guy ends up being what he looks right now the Chiefs are going to have a killer at QB and the other teams in the AFC West will have big headache to deal with for a decade. KC moves to 2-0 with the win. Atlanta got by Carolina 31-24 at home. In the biggest game of the week the Vikings tied Green Bay in Green Bay. That is almost like win for the Vikings. It was also the best game of the week. Miami moved to 2-0 beating the Jets and their rookie QB Darnold. In the biggest shocker of the week the Bucs moved to 2-0 beating the champion Eagles. Carson Wentz returns this week and it is just in time. The Broncos made the return of Chucky fall to 0-2 with a close 20-19 win in Denver. The Broncos go to 2-0. And the Pats lose in Jacksonville 20-31 and show why they immediately got Josh Gordan from the Browns. Besides Gronk this team has zero play makers on offense. The biggest news of the week of course is red....

I tell you one thing, I didn't see the Lions stomping on the Patriots like that. Buffalo stomping Minny and Titans beating the Jags....wow!!!!

Pete,

The Viking game shocked the **** out of me. That was the biggest upset against the spot, 17, in ironically, 17 years. Never imagined that could happen with those two teams.

The Pats and Jacksonville games not such a surprise to me. NE has zero play-makers on offense except Gronk. Detroit did exactly what Jacksonville did a week earlier. They doubled Gronk and dared the other guys to beat them and they couldn't.

I guess the bit of hopeful news for Pats fans is Edelman coming back in two weeks and if Gordon is anything like he used to be, a big if, and he has his head together, another big if, then the offense should improve considerably.

The other problem they have that won't go away is they have no play-makers on defense either. I blame that on Bellichicks drafting the one area where I think he is subpar. So the offense better come around or it could be a long year there.

As for Jacksonville, well, it's hit or miss with Bortles. When he is on they can beat any team in the league but when he is off they can lose to any team. It's not a great recipe to win a super bowl with. He would have to play three real good games in a row. That is a tall order for Bortles from what he has shown in his career thus far.

I did think NE and Jacksonville would win but I was not shocked to see them lose. The Viking game was as big a stunner as I have ever seen in my entire life. Zimmer will have a hard time living that one down and it makes one wonder if he is the guy to take them to the final level.

^^^

No doubt. Hey man that Steelers/Bucs games was exciting as hell. Really enjoyed it.

Pete,

Yeah it was terrific. Good thing bad Fitz showed up in the first half or they would have won.

So three weeks are already gone. Football flies by so enjoy it while you can. It just doesn't have that endless feel other leagues have. Upsets galore turned the league on its head this week. The Cleveland Browns finally won a game! No coincidence that Tyrod Taylor got hurt and it was Baker Mayfield that quarterbacked the win. This will officially end Taylor's stint as the starter there, which was dumb from the get go. It always should have been Mayfield. The biggest upset I have ever seen happened when the lowly, pathetic Bills crushed the Vikings in Minnesota. They were 17 point underdogs. Jacksonville lost at home to Tennessee. They scored.....6 points. Green Bay lost to Washington, by 17 points. Detroit hammered the Patriots. Does that even sound right? When was the last time those words were spoken, 1967? The Pat Mahoomes machine just keeps on running as KC destroyed Frisco 38-27. Jimmy G is now out for the year with injury. Boy how the excitement can fade for a city fast. It has now become very apparent that as long as Andy Reid is the coach there KC will always win that division. No other team need apply. The Raiders were officially knocked out the playoffs for this year falling to 0-3 in their loss to Miami. Welcome back Chucky!! Carson Wentz returned to Philly as the beat the Colts in a close game. The Rams continued to look like the best team in football taking out the Chargers 35-23. Detroit throttled NE and man have the Pats ever looked this vulnerable at they fall to 1-2. Is it all finally coming to an end? My Steelers finally got a win in game three defeating the Bucs in Tampa in a real shootout, 30-27. Some big ones coming this week. In the Thursday night game the Vikings try to rebound from the....

The Rams look to be unstoppable. Still early but I'd like to see how they matchup with the Chiefs.

Pete,

They do. They have so many weapons and McVay is so good at scheming them. His offensive mind is so good.

It's gonna take a hell of a team to beat them in the playoffs.

I think the key there would be pressure on Goff. He's been very shaky when that happens including in college.

But on the other side he's getting better and better so that may change too.

Starting to think the Bears are for real. Man they just took down the Bucs like it was child's play.

Oh well I'm just glad the Eagle and Giants lost...lol.

Pete, Yep, seems like the have something going on there. Everything of course being overshadowed by the legend of Pat Mahoomes, lol. Wow. My Steelers were pretty much eliminated from playoff contention with a home loss to resurgent Baltimore and a Joe Flacco who is having his best year since he won the super bowl. The season is still relatively young but with a horrendous defense, confused coaching, erratic Ben and a brutal schedule I just don't see how they can make up the two games on the Bengals and Ravens. There were some ugly things said about Ben and Tomlin in the Burgh after that loss and in my view well deserved and long overdue. Of course we all watched Mahoomes lead that amazing comeback in Denver. It was not his best statistical game but it was his best game because for the first time he faced hard adversity on the road and had to bring his team back to win. This guy throws the football like it is a baseball. I can't remember seeing a stronger arm, ever. Couple that with his exrteme athleticism that allows him to make any throw from any position and it is awesome to watch. If this is the real Mahoomes the KC is looking at many super bowl appearances over the next ten years. The Rams won a terrific game at home 38-31 over the Vikings. What happened to last years Vikings defense? They stink this year. The Bengals won a huge road game in Atlanta to show they are for real. This game was great from start to finish. Chicago continues to win games and converts pounding Tampa 48-10. This game was the end of the road for FitzTragic, something we all knew was coming. The problem for Tampa is Jamies Winston stinks too and already got off....

Man I keep finding myself watching those Browns and Mayfield and that's coming from a Cowboys fan.

The Chiefs are legit and the Steelers just dogged the Falcons.

Poor Giants and OBJ losing on a 63 yard FG!!!!!!….Are you kidding me!!!!!!

Drew Brees put an all world Madden clinic I must say.....

Cowboys basically suck and still might win division. Lol

We definitely need a #1 receiver.

Started to get aboard the fire Jason Garrett bandwagon.

Agree with you Pete, although they were my Dad's favorite team , I never really watched them. But find myself watching Browns games more and more. Lol

Kkennon1, I think the Eagles will win the division. Wentz is still not all the way back but he should get better and better as things go on. Also, they just have the most talent in that division. I think over the season those factors will cause separation between Philly and the others. The Eagles are lucky they are in that weak division or they would be way behind already. The Patriots look like they are getting it together on offense with the return of Edelman and the integration of Gordon as they exploded on Indy 38-24. My Steelers routed Atlanta 41-17. The Falcons had five starters on defense out . The Bengals came back to beat Miami 27-17. The Dolphins are now primed for their fade after two straight losses. Detroit beat Green Bay 31-23. There is something really wrong in Packer Land. The amazing Rick Mahoomes beat Jacksonville 30-14. He threw some picks but still got it done. The Jaguars may make the playoffs but they are dead with Bortels at quarterback. He as horrific in this game. The Jets shocked Denver 34-16. The AFC West which used to be a strong division is now just Kansas City and a bunch of nothings. The Vikings won the NFC title game rematch with the Eagles 23-21. Too bad it wasn't last year. The Rams beat Seattle in a thriller despite a ton of injuries during the game 33-31. That about sews up the division for the best team in football. The Saints are really rolling crushing the Skins 43-19. Brees becomes the all time NFL passing leader. And Cleveland beat the Ravens. The Browns are now very relevant in the AFC Central. When was the last time we said that? Some of the more notable games coming: In a huge AFC North game its the Steelers traveling to division leader Cincinnati. This....

Man the way the Steelers/Bengals game ended and the Bucs/Falcons game ended...Wow!!!!!.....Talk about thrilling!!!!!

It seems my Cowboys came to play today. We making the Jags look inferior.

Pete,

Huge win for the Steelers. Puts them right back in the division.

You guys eviscerated the Jags. The Cowboys are becoming a terrific home team.

Yeah I hope my guys can take it on the road net week against the Skins. We shall see.

What a game between Pats/Chiefs. Man I tell ya, really enjoyed this weekend of NFL football.

Pete, Just amazing. And those are the two teams I fully expect to be in the AFC title game. If KC has home field that should really be something else. Like Pete said, the game of the year really did turn out to be just that. For a while it looked like the Patriots would run away with it but Mahoomes and the Chiefs fought back with real heart and talent and determination to take the lead. But The Master, Tom Brady brought them back at the end to win. When they got the ball at that last time did anyone watching expect him not to succeed? Thus Mahoomes got his first NFL loss in an amazing effort. But you know, there is a certain poetry to it because now the young man knows how every other quarterback and team has felt for the last fifteen years against Brady and the Pats. The other big game of the week was also very special with the Steelers winning in division leading Cincinnati. Just like in the Patriots game it all came down to who had the ball last, this time the Steelers and they went down field with 108 seconds left to get the winning touchdown. That was a must win game for the Steelers and it puts them back in the division hunt. The Chargers brought Cleveland and Mayfield back to earth with a38-14 pummeling in Cleveland. Mayfield is a rookie, a very good one, but still a rookie and bad games will happen. The Rams, depleted with injuries still had enough to win in Denver 23-20. What makes this doubly impressive is it comes on the heels of their hard road win in Seattle. This team is not only talented, they are tough as nails. The Cowboys looked like a playoff team just mauling Jacksonville 40-7.....

The Rams are a super team

So my boys went out and got Amari Cooper eh. I guess this is JJ's way of saying he should've drafted Ridley. Well Dak is on the hot seat now. Time to put up or shut up.

Quollman I'm beginning to get upset with all these analysts taking aim at my HC and defacto GM Jon Gruden. First, it is VERY clear that Gruden wants to run things similarly to the Patriots. Love them or hate them (like i do), there is no denying their philosophical success. We can start with the Khalil Mack stuff. Raiders offered Mack 20 million a season, he turned it down, wanted more than Carr. You cannot have two guys taking up 30% of the salary cap. Mack is great, no doubt, but the defense sucked with him there. Does anyone think Bill Bellichick pays Khalil Mack that insane contract? HE DOES NOT! Now we go into this weeks new kill Gruden tactic . The trading of that delicate little flower Amari Cooper. As we have privately discussed, Cooper has a 13.9 million dollar contract for next season. He averages 4.3 catches per game for his career. Let’s look at his last 28 games. 101 catches 1326yds 11 TDs One of the NFL’s highest drop rates 5 games over 100yds 16 of those 28 under 40yds 9 of those 28 under 20yds 14 of those 28 with 3 or fewer catches. So now I ask you, Did Gruden make a mistake in acquiring a 1st round pick for him? I say HELL NO. There is NO WAY, and The Baptist means NO WAY you can justify paying Cooper 14 million based upon a hope that he’ll eventually stop quitting on routes, stop dropping balls, stop killing drives and start playing like a number 1. We can't be hypocrites! In Gruden I trust. Once we fix the OL, Carr will be fine, the team will be fine. Rich Gannon’s first season in Oakland with Gruden, he was sacked 49x, completed a lousy 59% of his passes, had some horrific games including a 7-28 120yd showing vs GB. I bet everyone....

Baptist, While as you know I am not a proponent of Gruden I have no problem with the trade of Cooper and I think they got a steal with a number one pick for him. As for Mack, well I heard stories they could have gotten him much cheaper last year. If that is true then they should have pulled the trigger. But I am sure you know a lot more about that than I do. Your comparison to the Pats is interesting. I would say this, then I hope they draft better than New England and hope Gruden can coach half as good as Bellicheck. If those things happen things will turn out Ok. Pete, Dak will be on the hot seat as long as Cooper doesn't drop the ball, lol. He does that a lot. Frank Becerra, Yep, the Rams sure do look like super team for sure. Some very interesting results last week. New England won in a classic down Chicago way 38-31. The Pats offfense is back to being terrifying with Edelman and Gordan. Watch out now. Their defense is still horrific. Houston pins another loss on Jacksonville and in doing so is making a strong run at the division. The Jaguars have to ask themselves: Colin Kaepernick anyone? Carolina beat Philly. I am at loss to explain what is going on with the Eagles. A Superbowl hang over? Neither the offense nor the defense look like last years group. New Orleans won a classic in Baltimore and Cinci got crushed by KC. The Chiefs are the AFC's Rams. They have so many weapons and Mahoomes is setting records and is on his way to the NFL MVP. With those losses the Steelers are no atop the division. Coming up tomorrow: Pittsburgh takes on Cleveland at home. The first meeting was a tie in Cleveland. This is a must win for Cleveland. Philadelphia....

So, Let's take a look at some of last weeks results. Houston continues their hot hand dismantling Miami 42-23. The Steelers destroyed Cleveland 33-18 and then the Browns coaches were fired. Suddenly the Steelers are in first place in the North. Philly won in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are in a total tailspin. Carolina beat Baltimore 36-21 at home. The Rams barely beat the Packers 29-27 to stay undefeated in a great game. And how about those Saints? They follow up the road win in Baltimore with a 30-20 win over the Vikings. That double on the road against those teams is very hard to pull off. The Saints are very talented, very tough team. Some good ones coming up: The Steelers and Baltimore. If the Steelers can win they begin to get a grip on the division. If they lose its a three way race with Baltimore and the Bengals. Detroit goes to the Vikings. This division is still up for grabs and this is a big game. A very nice match-up with the Chargers going to Seattle. And now two star power games. New Orleans at the Rams on Sunday at 4:25. It just doesn't get any bigger. The two best teams in the NFC, maybe all of football battling head to head for home field. No way you miss this. And Sunday night the battle of the legends, Tom Brady vs Aaron Rodgers. For the last time. The World Famous Quoll Top Ten this week: Rams. 8-0. The win a tight one at home over the Pack. Next the game of the year on the road against the only team with a chance to take home field from the them, the Saints. If the Rams win this game the Dolphins 72 undefeated season is in jeopardy. Saints. 7-1. After road wins in Baltimore and Vikings I'm moving them up a slot. Next up the home....