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Post by vladtaltos on Feb 4, 2013 16:58:44 GMT -5
Hey, did you guys know that Ray Lewis is retiring? I think the next stop in his World Tour hits Toronto tomorrow, in case they had forgotten since the last announcement thirty minutes ago.
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Post by darkscar on Feb 5, 2013 11:18:05 GMT -5
And you thought the only rats at the game were (fill in the name of a player or personality here). Roger Goodell?!? That goes out to the Saints' fans. Good one. He's still Public Enemy #1 in N'Orleans.
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Post by darkscar on Feb 5, 2013 11:22:38 GMT -5
Hey, did you guys know that Ray Lewis is retiring? I think the next stop in his World Tour hits Toronto tomorrow, in case they had forgotten since the last announcement thirty minutes ago. Favorite post-game moment: Ray Lewis is being interviewed by Jim Nantz on the field after the game. Lewis makes a grab for the microphone, like he's going to take it away, and Nantz holds on to it for all he's worth. Hilarious! You go, Jim Nantz! I was still rootin' for the Ravens in the game, though, only because the 49ers have 5 SB rings and the younger Harbaugh seems like a... like a...well, I better not say.
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Post by darkscar on Apr 4, 2013 10:41:52 GMT -5
Well, the Saints big off-season signing was CB Keenan Lewis from the Steelers. He should help a secondary (and defense, in general) that was absolutely wretched last year. The biggest move is getting the head coach back. Sean Payton on the sidelines should be worth a few more wins, at least. If Brees can return to the form of a couple of years ago, Payton back, better defense, we should have a winning year, and contend for the playoffs.
Is it strange the most viewed/most popular thread on a RPG board is about football?
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Post by vladtaltos on Apr 5, 2013 10:16:03 GMT -5
The Birds talked Tony Gonzalez into coming back for another year. The three-headed beast of White, Jones, and Gonzalez will be back for one more season.
Their big free agent signings were Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora. Jackson replaces Turner, so the running game will be a touch better. The defense will be slightly better with Umenyiora over Abraham, just because Abraham can no loner play every down and is injury prone; it was a slight miracle that he missed as little time as he did last year.
So, we should be better running the ball, and slightly better at rushing the passer. We've lost some good players. 13 year center Todd McClure has retired and Tyson Clabo won't be on the team next year, nor will All-Pro FS Brent Grimes.
It should be easy to tell where they'll go on draft day. O-line and secondary. They'll be as good as they were last year, but not likely to win another 13 games. The schedule is tougher--we play the Patriots, 49ers, Packers--along with the emergence of the Panthers and Bucs and the re-emergence of the Saints, as darkscar pointed out. It's gonna be tough.
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Post by darkscar on Apr 26, 2013 9:41:11 GMT -5
Looks like both the Saints and Falcons went with secondary help in the first round of the draft. We--the Saints--need all the help we can get on defense. Last year was a disaster on that side of the ball.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Apr 26, 2013 11:49:54 GMT -5
I was hoping the the Lions would get corner help, but this Ziggy kid looks like he has a lot of potential as a pass rusher. We lost a lot of our D-line to free agency, so a decent pick with a lot of potential upside.
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Post by vladtaltos on Apr 26, 2013 13:22:53 GMT -5
The Birds picked up Desmond Trufant out of Washington. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and GM Dimitroff is excited to have him. Smith and Dimitroff haven't made too many mistakes in their five years here, so I can only trust their pick. Word on the street is (i.e. the world wide web), Trufant can cover but goes to the matador school of tackling--a lot of ole's, or whiffs.
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Post by darkscar on Sept 5, 2013 10:00:35 GMT -5
Okay, the NFL season kicks off tonight. It’s time for some predictions. I’m looking at you Mister Frau Blucher. I’m looking at you Vlad Taltos. And I’m looking at anyone else who cares to chime in.
It’s gonna be a crazy Sunday in New Orleans. Sean Payton is back, Drew Brees is back, the Saints are back, and who do we start with...well, lookee there, if it isn’t Vlad’s Dirty Birds.
I boldly predict a win on Sunday for the Saints. I know, we’ve been terrible on opening day vs the Birds, 0-6 with five of those losses coming in N’Orleans. All that’s gotta change and change on Sunday. In a crazy, offensive game, it’s the Saints 34, Falcons 31.
Okay, time to calm down and make some predictions for the season. The Saints still have some problems on defense, but enough has been corrected for them to make the playoffs.
The so-called “experts” are fawning over the Seahawks and 49ers. That means don’t pick the Seahawks or 49ers to go to the Super Bowl. Instead, go for the surprise, a team that will get hot in the post-season and carry it through--that’s right, the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints versus the Broncos in the Super Bowl. Brees gets to beat Manning for a second time in the big game. I can’t wait.
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Post by vladtaltos on Sept 5, 2013 14:32:51 GMT -5
I'm one of the those strange fans that believes you can get something out of watching pre-season games, particularly by watching the starters, well only the starters. When the subs come in, it's best to turn off the TV, because the games get really bad. Last year at this time I was giddy over the Birds' prospects. They looked sharp on the first drive of preseason game 1, and it carried through to an 8-0 start. This year...eh, not so much. The starters will do fine. The offense should be pretty good. It's the defense I'm worried about. We've got two rookies starting at CB. They'll be toast midway through the Saints' game. I don't see them taking away anything in the passing game. Speaking of this game on Sunday...we get the Saints in their place when Payton comes back? This reminds me of when we got the Saints in their first home game after Katrina. No one could have beaten them that night. I see a similar scenario here. The Birds are walking into another trap. After Sunday, the Birds will do okay record-wise. I see them at 10-6, squeaking out a division title over the Saints and Panthers. They'll win games in spite of the defense. After that, probably a quick exit in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Looking at the NFC, I'm still drawn to the Packers, like last year. I think they're flying under the radar with all the buzz surrounding the 49ers and Seahawks. Rodgers is still 1 or 2 in the NFC at QB in my book. I don't see that changing. In the AFC, I'm still looking at the Texans, like last year. There's no reason they shouldn't be winning big. If their QB can get over the jitters in the big games, Houston will go places. So, I see a Packers-Texans, or maybe a Packers-Broncos Super Bowl. darkscar--the Saints will push the Birds, but probably finish 9-7, a game short. MFB--the Lions. I see them better this year, and pushing the Packers, but still falling behind them and maybe a game or so behind the Bears, but with a decent record, maybe 8-8 or 9-7. The Vikings will be the surprise last place team in that division. They looked dysfunctional on offense in the pre-season. Adrian Peterson is their only threat now. Darkhorses. I know darkscar doesn't think much of those so-called experts and their lazy tendency to pick last year's contenders as this years contenders (which is a legitimate beef), so here's a couple of teams in each conference that may surprise. NFC...the Rams. I really like their coach. He seems to get the most out of his team wherever he goes. The Rams took it to the 49ers twice last year, each game going to OT, and pulled out a win and a draw. Don't be surprised if they usurp the 49ers or Seahawks for second place in the NFC West. AFC...the Colts. I like this Andrew Luck kid at QB. I can see him taking this team deep into the playoffs, and knocking off some big teams along the way. The Colts, a darkhorse, may find their way into the AFC Champ. game, pushing the Texans all the way. Surprising dudsNFC...Are you sold on the Redskins? I'm not. Their QB has nice skills, it's not that. Instead, he reminds me of a more fragile version of Mike Vick. He takes a good lick, they're through. Are you sold on their coach? I'm not. The whole thing at the end of last year really puts him in a negative, me-first, light. Look for the 'Skins to be less than impressive this year. AFC...it's time. They're past due. The Patriots--if they weren't in such a weak division they'd be done. The Dolphins will push them for the title, but when the year is out, the Pats will finish first, and then surprisingly get hammered in the first round of the playoffs against whoever they play, losing by three TDs. You heard it here first. I'm anxious for the start of the season, too. But for all you Bird fans, don't get too stressed when they lose game 1. The NFL schedule makers did it to us again, putting us in a trap game ;D
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Post by darkscar on Sept 9, 2013 8:08:49 GMT -5
Great game yesterday, vlad. It went down to the last play, and the Saints were lucky to pull it out. What really surprised me was how well both defenses played. I was expecting a game in the thirties, but the winning team barely broke 20. We were rough, didn’t really seem to gel offensively till the second quarter and then only in spots. We definitely have a lot of room for improvement.
In other news, the Packers-49ers really went after each other. That had to be the game of the day. The Titans pulled off the big upset, going into Pitt and shutting down the Steelers. Good stuff.
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Post by mister frau blucher on Sept 9, 2013 9:26:09 GMT -5
Is it too late to make my picks for yesterday's games? ;D
Some great action yesterday, close games and a few surprises. I picked the Jets game, just had a feeling they would pull together for the opener. But they needed a bonehead personal foul by a defender to get into field goal range. They aren't going to do that every week, and they will have a lot of QB drama (both of whom are average at best). This is Rex's last year.
Great game between the birds and the Saints. I hear you about thier potential, darkscar, but I don't see the Saints' defense being strong enough to get to the Superbowl this year. They were good yesterday, and will be good this season, but I don't think it will be quite enough.
As for the Falcs, the new secondary will tighten up by mid-season, and they will go on a serious roll. Gonzo will knock off the rust (picking up blocks, he can still catch) and Jackson was a great pick up. They'll make it to the NFC title game against the Pack. But I see the Pack advancing to the big game.
In the AFC it will be the Texans versus the Broncos, with the Broncs advancing. Broncos win the big game.
I hear you about the Patriots, Vlad. Their talent has thinned out a lot. I can see them certainly getting hot at the right time and making a deep run, but I don't think it will happen.
The Lions are, as usual, frustrating. Too many boneheaded mistakes (11 penalties yetserday, including an obligatory personal foul from Suh). I don't think Schwartz can eliminate those mistakes, so they might make the playoffs, but a one and done. I think they will beat the Bears for second in the division.
Anyway, I think this will be a great season to watch!
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Post by vladtaltos on Sept 9, 2013 12:25:44 GMT -5
Yep, darkscar, very good game. Could've gone either way, but your guys pulled it out again. What are we now, 2-11 vs Payton, but who's counting?
I'm seeing a trend with my Birds and it's losing these games inside the opponents' 10 with seconds left. Last year vs the Saints, vs the 49ers in the NFC title game, and again yesterday. It sure would be nice to start winning some of these; losing's getting old.
Our O-line was terrible. Ryan was sacked three times, and two drives were wasted three-and-outs because Ryan was running for his life after getting the snap.
The defense played better than expected. I wasn't surprised Brees passed for 357, but I was surprised we held them to just 23 points.
A couple of interesting games tonight. The Redskins-Eagles matchup has piqued my interest. I have my questions about the Redskins, and the Eagles are a bit of a curiosity with their new coach, and new offense. I don't know much about the Eagles' defense, but that to me looks like a close game, one the Eagles could pull out.
The Texans, if my thoughts of them being a Super Bowl winner are to come true, have to go into San Diego and win, but winning on the road on Monday Night isn't always the easiest thing to do.
If I'd remembered the Lions had signed Bush I would've picked them higher. I see them now as a definite 9, maybe 10 win team and pushing the Packers in the North.
We'll see how it plays out.
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Post by darkscar on Sept 10, 2013 13:24:28 GMT -5
A couple of interesting games tonight. The Redskins-Eagles matchup has piqued my interest. I have my questions about the Redskins, and the Eagles are a bit of a curiosity with their new coach, and new offense. I don't know much about the Eagles' defense, but that to me looks like a close game, one the Eagles could pull out. Well, vlad, you nailed that one, along with putting the 'Skins as a "Surprising Dud" for this season. Their first half performance was a big dud. But, it's one game. We'll see how they do the rest of the way.
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Post by vladtaltos on Sept 13, 2013 9:31:27 GMT -5
It will be interesting to see if the Eagles can keep up that pace on offense for the season. I saw a lot of tired Eagles players in the second-half of that game. It may take its toll on them by game 9, but as you said, darkscar, we will see.
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