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[Flex]

Ha!

Zimmer is looking to steal Norv from the Browns.

[Shoju]

and we'll probably fire the next coach after next season, because this guy we praised in january / february / mid season, ends up not being the guy to win with either. Seriously, the fan who called them the three stooges was so spot on.

[Shoju]

I'm very pleased with how the super bowl matchup turned out. This is what I wanted.

Going to say right now:

Broncos: 24
Seachickens 21

And it's going to be an ugly mother of a game.

[bldavis]

ill say hawks 24, broncos 17, and i agree, it will be one hell of a game

[Fridmarr]

I still think the Seahawks are the most complete team in the league and should win going away. This is the matchup I wanted, though I'm not looking forward to the Seattle PED discussions that are bound to happen.

But it's the best two teams and it's strength against strength. I just hope that pre-season game they had doesn't foreshadow anything because that ugly watching Denver get manhandled on every play.

[Nakama]

Obviously I'm not happy the Pats missed out, but they deserved to lose that game. They just didn't seem like they were interested in being there, honestly.

I'm going to go with Shoju's score, as I think that Denver operating on all cylinders will beat the Seahawks defense and that Skittles/Beast Mode with Baldwin/Tate isn't quite enough against Denver. I'm sure statistics won't quite back that up, but that's my gut feeling going into it.

--Jed

[Koatanga]

Obviously I'm not happy the Pats missed out, but they deserved to lose that game. They just didn't seem like they were interested in being there, honestly.

I'm going to go with Shoju's score, as I think that Denver operating on all cylinders will beat the Seahawks defense and that Skittles/Beast Mode with Baldwin/Tate isn't quite enough against Denver. I'm sure statistics won't quite back that up, but that's my gut feeling going into it.

--Jed

If it makes any difference, Baldwin/Tate will be upgraded to Baldwin/Tate/Harvin for the Super Bowl. Harvin will be cleared from concussion and be ready to go. In my opinion, that adds an extra dimension to the offense. I believe Wilson extending plays will make Harvin practically uncoverable as a receiver, and I think a defense having to spy Lynch and Wilson has enough on their plate without having to watch for Harvin coming across in motion as a potential runner.

I think Denver did well shutting down the Patriots running game, but Brady was never going to run anywhere. Wilson will.

[Fridmarr]

I just don't think Denver's defense, in its current state, is very good. Seattle should be able to move the ball pretty consistently, and I think Denver is going to have a tough time on offense. Manning is likely be under considerable pressure all game. This is the exact type of offense this defense was built to stop. You can run on Seattle but I don't think Denver/Manning is patient enough for it.

My big worry is Seattle's youth. Seattle tends to open pretty tight in big games and I'm sure they'll be puckering in this one, but as long as it doesn't get away from them, they'll be fine.

[Flex]

If it makes any difference, Baldwin/Tate will be upgraded to Baldwin/Tate/Harvin for the Super Bowl. Harvin will be cleared from concussion and be ready to go.

That will be a nice series before Harvin gets injured again.

[Koatanga]

If it makes any difference, Baldwin/Tate will be upgraded to Baldwin/Tate/Harvin for the Super Bowl. Harvin will be cleared from concussion and be ready to go.

That will be a nice series before Harvin gets injured again.

Reckon it'll be an entire series?

To be fair, concussions are pretty common when receivers get smashed like he did, twice. If Wilson doesn't throw him hospital passes, he might last all game.

[Paxen]

You can run on Seattle but I don't think Denver/Manning is patient enough for it.

Manning loves the run. If it's there, he'll take it every time.

Remember Brady-Manning XIV earlier this year? NE were without Wilfork and their other defensive star (ILB, name escapes me). The Broncos ran it up the gut for 10 yards repeatedly.

[Koatanga]

You can run on Seattle but I don't think Denver/Manning is patient enough for it.

Manning loves the run. If it's there, he'll take it every time.

Remember Brady-Manning XIV earlier this year? NE were without Wilfork and their other defensive star (ILB, name escapes me). The Broncos ran it up the gut for 10 yards repeatedly.

I'm not exactly sure what he means by patient, but it could have to do with suffering the losses and short gains long enough to wear Seattle's defense down. SF tried running with Gore, but gave up after 11 rushes netted only 14 yards. It's possible the Seahawks would have softened up a bit had SF rushed it a few more times, but I don't think SF could afford the additional negative plays before anything opened up.

Seattle tends to use big bodies to shut down the run, then bring in speed guys once the running game has been abandoned. There are opportunities to run the ball at that point, but many times the opposition sees stats like Gore rushing for 14 yards on 11 plays, and doesn't go back to the run.

I think if you have Peyton Manning on your team and you don't have initial success running the football, you're likely to give up on it and rely on Manning's arm, which is what I think Fridmarr means by not being "patient enough" to run the ball on the Seahawks.

[Klaudandus]

On cleveland brown news
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... r-manziel/
and
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.s ... evela.html


TBH, I'd rather see Manziel with the Cowboys, for lulz

[Fridmarr]

Remember Brady-Manning XIV earlier this year? NE were without Wilfork and their other defensive star (ILB, name escapes me). The Broncos ran it up the gut for 10 yards repeatedly.

Koatanga covered some of it and I agree with his comments, but my primary reason for saying that is a little bit different.

I'm glad you mentioned the regular season NE game, because that's a prime example of what I mean. In that game, they could run the ball at will. They had almost a 6 yard average per carry, and 280 (an absurd number) yards total. NE was totally playing pass D, and Manning was having issues, he ended the game with a paltry 4.2 yard average per attempt (never mind the turnovers on pass plays).

Now here's why he's not committed to the run...On 18 third down attempts, he ran the ball...all of twice. And one of those was on a gimme to setup a field goal (third and goal from the 16), not even an attempt to get a first down. Never mind the 24 point lead. Not on a single third down after the 1st period did they run. They ended up being 1-2 converting third down rushing and 7-16 passing.

They can run on Seattle, but they aren't going to get 5 yards every time they carry, so they're going to hit third downs.

Which brings me to what I actually think is the most important point:

Manning loves the run. If it's there, he'll take it every time.

That's just it, against the Seahawks it's NEVER there. They never line up with 2 safeties, they don't play cover two, they rarely nickel (in a reasonable run situation), and rarely blitz. They play, almost exclusively, press man and that is a pass read, not a run read. If you are going to run at Seattle, you aren't going to win the formation battle because you can't scare them out of man, you have to beat them up front. That's doable, but it's not the style Denver/Manning uses.

[Paxen]

I think if you have Peyton Manning on your team and you don't have initial success running the football, you're likely to give up on it and rely on Manning's arm, which is what I think Fridmarr means by not being "patient enough" to run the ball on the Seahawks.

And if Seattle later on brings in speed guys, Manning is the one person I'm sure will rub his hands in glee and audible into runs.

edit: So if the Seahawks always play run first (and trust their defenders to stop passes out of it)...why is running on them late going to help?

And if you guys have figured out that you can run on Seattle late, don't you think Manning knows that too?

[Fridmarr]

The speed guys are part of their normal rotation. They aren't bad against the run, they are just very good at rushing the QB. If there's one area of the team that Seattle has ridiculous depth, it's the defensive line. They have 5 (maybe 6) guys that would be starters on any other team.

I think Denver will run enough to keep Seattle honest, but that's about it. I would be surprised if they have more than 20 rushes, unless they get out to a big lead or something. They probably shouldn't change who they are anyhow.

Unfortunately for Denver, they'll likely be attacking the teeth of that defense more often than not. Of course, Manning and crew are very good, so maybe they'll be successful doing that. No matter how good a defensive back is, it's hard to beat a well run route, with a well timed and accurate throw. Denver will certainly have some success. I personally, just don't think they'll have it consistently enough to score the points that they will need.

[Shoju]

On cleveland brown news
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... r-manziel/
and
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.s ... evela.html


TBH, I'd rather see Manziel with the Cowboys, for lulz

This is hilarity at it's finest.

The Browns Front Office, is so ready to drop to their knees for Johnny Football, and swallow hard, but they can't seem to find a coach who actually wants the job.

Why? Because the growing understanding in Cleveland is that the front office isn't even willing to entertain the idea of the coach having input on personnel. Of course, they aren't going to give him full control, but the growing consensus, going all the way back to training camp, and then the Trich trade, is that the opinions of the coaching staff regarding personnel are not listened to, not valued, not even given a moments notice. 3 sticks, Lombardi, and Banner are calling the shots, and they will "buy the groceries", for the coach to cook with.

And after the failings of the team this past season, they aren't willing to admit that they didn't do enough to build a winner, that they didn't evaluate talent properly (Read: Gordon, Rainey, the guy we released who went to the Jets, and was highly productive after fully recovering from his knee, Mingo, Winn, Sheard, and on and on). They valued people that were not as good as they thought, and didn't value the guys who were good.

And they put that blame on the staff.

Now, the staff isn't without blame. But the front office is just as much to blame.

And no coach wants to walk into a position, where they have no control over personnel at all, and will have a very finite amount of time to construct a winner, or risk getting canned.

I still look back at what Adam Schefter reported. They were mad because of the job that Kelly did in Philly, as opposed to the job that Chud did in Cleveland. It is indicative of the mentality in the front office.

With Turner gone, we don't even have a viable coordinator to promote any longer, and the one and only college coach that even remotely sounded interested in taking the job (Bob Stoops, gave coy non committal answers when pressed about interest in the job), they have said they have no interest in interviewing.

The reason?
Because he's an Ohio guy. And they want to get away from the Ohio guy, who grew up a Browns fan, and the savior complex. This of course, completely dismisses the notion that they have alienated any other type of candidate with even a passing interest.

But hey, Pettine (Buff DC) is back in Cleveland for another interview today. He wasn't the first choice. He wasn't even the 5th choice. But by god, if they hire him, we'll see the same dog and pony show we saw last season with Chud, and when they fail, he'll be given the boot anyway.

Because it all comes down to Curly and Moe. I mean Banner and Lombardi. They are the problem. Jimmy Boy is too busy dealing with the federal probe that is 8 ft up his rectum, and it's apparent to those who follow the local media. I guess I'd be preoccupied with them as well if I had prison time, and the loss of my 1 billion dollar investment on the line.

[Klaudandus]

On more Browns news
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... --nfl.html

Can't say I blame her.

[Shoju]

On more Browns news
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutd ... --nfl.html

Can't say I blame her.

I'm a browns fan, and I sure as shit don't blame her.

[Klaudandus]

someone replaced the broncos with the browns

[Fridmarr]

It's just like their pre-season game. Denver runs the type of offense that this Seattle defense is built to beat...

[Klaudandus]

Two takes from this game
a) Broncos would not be here without Manning, even if he lost the big game, again.
c) Better Seachickens than the Naners. God, I hate that Kaepernick douchebag.

[bldavis]

#1 offense in the league headed by one of the all time great QBs...almost gets shut out

[Klaudandus]

#1 offense in the league headed by one of the all time great QBs...almost gets shut out

[Gracerath]

I've been a Seattle fan pretty much all my life (WA resident born and raised). I'm the worst kind of fan though. I hardly know anyone's names other than the obvious ones. The QB, the coach, maybe a running back on occasion.(All my jerseys are Hasselbeck and Tatupu. I need to update). I rarely watch any games. I prefer to read up on the aftermath of a game cause I get crazy anxiety while watching games. The only games I do watch regularly are playoff type games. Needless to say I was a quivering mess of a man during the 49ers game. The Superbowl was a lot of fun to watch for me. My throat is raw and my head hurts. Lynch is slippery and steady. Seems like it always takes an extra 10 seconds to actually bring him down even in the middle of a huge pile. I got nervous every time Manning got to play. Their only scorring drive was scary cause it really happened quick. We were really far ahead by that time but I always say it aint over til its over. My work supervisor was more confident than I but he watches more games than I do.

I'm not sure where I was going with that but congrats to both teams for making it this year and congrats Seahawks and thanks for giving me my first ever home team pro sports championship.