2016 NFL Week 3

[Butter]

National games:
Texans v. Patriots - Thursday night
Steelers v. Eagles - Sunday afternoon late
Bears v. Cowboys - Sunday night
Falcons v. Saints - Monday night.


Carson Wentz can add to his growing legend with a win here.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Ugh. Ever since I read Carson Wentz's Players Tribune thing, I have found him insufferable.

And the Lions and all of their stupid penalties and all of their injuries and everything about them suck.

[mckerney]

The NFL is considering moving the Vikings @ Panthers game out of Charolette.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by mckerney

The NFL is considering moving the Vikings @ Panthers game out of Charolette.

It would be an incredible venue for real TV violence.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Ugh. Ever since I read Carson Wentz's Players Tribune thing, I have found him insufferable.

And the Lions and all of their stupid penalties and all of their injuries and everything about them suck.

??? what thing about Carson Wentz?

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by mckerney

The NFL is considering moving the Vikings @ Panthers game out of Charolette.

And now they are not:

NFL plans to play Vikings-Panthers in Charlotte - NFL.com

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

??? what thing about Carson Wentz?

This thing about Carson Wentz:

How We Play Football in North Dakota | The Players' Tribune

Technically, it's this thing by Carson Wentz that annoys me.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

This thing about Carson Wentz:

How We Play Football in North Dakota | The Players' Tribune

Technically, it's this thing by Carson Wentz that annoys me.

Hmmm, I can kinda see where he comes off arrogant and cocky I guess, but he's also extremely self-confidant. Not a bad attitude for a starting QB in the NFL to have.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Hmmm, I can kinda see where he comes off arrogant and cocky I guess, but he's also extremely self-confidant. Not a bad attitude for a starting QB in the NFL to have.

It really has nothing at all to do with arrogance or cockiness. Just overall bullshittery nonsense.

My man Drew Magary can explain it better:

It’s Carson Wentz! Yes, the presumed Eagles savior(’s agent) blogged a blog over at Jeterland. I hope you’re as excited as I am for the coming of Football Adam LaRoche.

How We Play Football in North Dakota

Upside down? With frost bears playing offensive line? In heavy fabric tutus?

You don’t get through winters with an average temperature of 12.8° without being a certain kind of tough — the cracked-skin-dried-blood kind of tough.

GRRRRRR I AM A MAN BUT I AM ALSO A PICK-UP TRUCK.

That toughness comes in handy in a place like North Dakota. You see, up there, jamming your numb fingers against someone’s ice-cold helmet happens every practice. Getting decked on the cement-like dirt is just how a play ends.

As half of Twitter pointed out, North Dakota State played all their home games in… the Fargodome. “When you get driven into a cushy layer of Fieldturf at room temperature, it makes a man of ya.”

And here’s the thing: I love it.

Listen man, you’re a quarterback. Your coach isn’t gonna want you jamming your fingers into frozen earholes with no gloves on. You’re getting a hand muff and a red practice jersey and you’re gonna fucking LIKE IT.

Because in North Dakota, we don’t care for flash or dazzle.

Or electricity. Or running water. Or FURRINERS.

That’s not our game. We don’t do things the fanciest way. We do them the right way.

I know that The Player’s Tribune is written entirely by a group of Gatorade copywriters, but who does this help? Wentz is gonna have 49 teammates who did NOT play in Bumblefuck, North Dakota. Were they doing it the wrong way this whole time?

Let me tell you right now — football is football, no matter if it’s played in the Rose Bowl or on a dusty field in Bismarck. Those warm southern states may produce the most NFL talent, but there’s a special brand of football going on up north.

Yes. Bad football. Remarkably shitty, slow, unwatchable football.

When I started out in the Bismarck youth football league, I was a running back. Now, I wasn’t a shifty, finesse running back.

Then what kind were you?

I was an up-the-gut…

Oh no. Don’t…

…everyone-knows-where-the-ball-is-going…

Oh God. You’re gonna talk about punching people in the mouth, aren’t you?

punch-you-in-the-mouth running back.

UGH CHRIST. Every slow running back thinks he’s a bruiser. Like, what other choice is there? If you’re too slow to outrun defenders, you guys are gonna hit each other. I’m not giving you points for being Tommy Vardell in a former life.

There’s no love lost between the cities of Fargo and Bismarck, I can assure you that.

Oh it is LIT.

Man, we wanted to beat those guys.

Man… we really wanted to WIN, which is a unique quality among athletes.

North Dakota State football is a perfect representation of the grit and work ethic that makes where I’m from a special place.

I think we should annex it and build a Wegman’s on it.

Our offense might have reminded you a bit of Alabama or Stanford.

But bad.

The best way to learn how to win is to be around winners.

Well then, Philly’s gonna be a rough town for you, Trump Junior.

[CrescentMoonie]

Tommy Vardell references always win.

[bhlloy]

I've missed Drew ever since he left KSK, who does he write for now?

And yeah, that piece is a laughable cliche ridden turd.

[dfisher]

All that does is make me dislike Drew Magary. Do people have to be a cynical asshole about everything?

[bhlloy]

DOLA - I'm also surprised that his PR guy or the Eagles haven't made him take it down - as Magary noted, there's some overtones in there that wouldn't play very well in an NFL locker room

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by dfisher

All that does is make me dislike Drew Magary. Do people have to be a cynical asshole about everything?

Nah ... just those who like to try to be some form of "hip".

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by bhlloy

as Magary noted, there's some overtones in there that wouldn't play very well in an NFL locker room

Yes, but that says more about the lack of character in a lot of NFL locker rooms than it does about the writing.

No shortages of worthless p.o.s. in those places these days apparently, anything worth half a damn would like not play very well.

[TroyF]

Count me among the people who don't get the Wentz hate for that article. The fact he played in a dome does make some of it dumb, but the rest? He's trying to show that playing in North Dakota doesn't mean he can't play in the NFL. He's protecting HIS conference, the rivalries HE played in.

The one thing I will say after watching him play on Monday night, is the NFL isn't the high school/low college defense tackling him as a running back or QB. These guys will gut you. He took multiple hard hits in that game and he isn't surviving a season in the NFL taking those types of shots. Don't be Mr. Toughman QB. It doesn't play well in this league.

[Fidatelo]

To be fair to Wentz about the dome thing, he grew up in Bizmark and would have played (and practiced) most or all of his high-school football outdoors I imagine.

[BishopMVP]

Hightower out tonight as well. Gronk active, Julian Edelman officially the backup QB. I wouldn't say I'm rooting for a Brissett injury now... but I wouldn't 100% hate it!

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by CrescentMoonie

Tommy Vardell references always win.

As is Wegman's. "Discovered" this last week. Most amazing grocery store ever.

[SirFozzie]

Good start so far.

[wustin]

Jacoby Vick

[Suicane75]

I realize it's a very small sample size, but with Prescott and Brisette looking completely competent, I find it rather humorous thinking back to all the Weinkes and Weedens and wasted 1st round draft picks teams have made on QB's over the past 10 years.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

I realize it's a very small sample size, but with Prescott and Brisette looking completely competent, I find it rather humorous thinking back to all the Weinkes and Weedens and wasted 1st round draft picks teams have made on QB's over the past 10 years.

Ehh, half of it is context... Put Brissett or Prescott into a dumpster fire of an organization & they'd look bad too. Ask Belichick or Garrett to design a limited game plan to Weeden or Weinke's strengths & I bet they'd look competent for a game or two. Heck, look at Alex Smith's career - he was a laughable bust under terrible coaches & a good QB under Harbaugh & Reid.

[Suicane75]

For god sakes, we saw the first replay of the "fumble" like 7 minutes ago and they're just now running the next play. How friggin hard is it to have 1 replay official at each game, phone the fuck down on the field when he sees something, and set it right. Why the hell are they still using headsets and looking into monitors and taking half a fucking hour on each stupid review?

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Ehh, half of it is context... Put Brissett or Prescott into a dumpster fire of an organization & they'd look bad too. Ask Belichick or Garrett to design a limited game plan to Weeden or Weinke's strengths & I bet they'd look competent for a game or two. Heck, look at Alex Smith's career - he was a laughable bust under terrible coaches & a good QB under Harbaugh & Reid.

While I mostly agree with you, I also think good coaches and organizations aren't touching the Weedens or Weinkes to begin with.

[Thomkal]

Suddenly the Cards loss to the Patriots in week one, doesn't look so bad.

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

Suddenly the Cards loss to the Patriots in week one, doesn't look so bad.

I dont think a loss to the Pats is ever considered "bad." Certainly a game the Cards should have won but highly unlikely that game will hurt the long term chances of the Cards. A loss to the Browns on the other hand.....

[wustin]

The first team to lose to the Browns this season will likely be Washington.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

While I mostly agree with you, I also think good coaches and organizations aren't touching the Weedens or Weinkes to begin with.

Certainly not drafting 27 y/o QB's in the first round! But we had Ryan Lindley as a 3rd string QB at one point last year...get enough injuries and pickings are slim!

[Thomkal]

longest TD run by a NE QB since 1976.

[cuervo72]

Patriots games are still as exciting as watching a computer playing chess.

[wustin]

That Texans kick returner is definitely getting cut if I were in charge.

[Julio Riddols]

Belichick is the best coach ever. This rookie 3rd string starting QB shit would sink any other team. Belichick comes out with his guys and beats the absolute shit out of whoever. Don't know why its so easy for him to stay so far ahead of everyone else, but damn is it going to be a dark day in New England when he retires.

[jbergey22]

Didnt this Brissett play for NC St and pretty much stink for 2 years?

[Julio Riddols]

I think Belichick could get a defensive lineman ready to start at QB and win if you gave him a bye week to get ready.

[wustin]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

Didnt this Brissett play for NC St and pretty much stink for 2 years?

He was okay, not spectacular. Good enough to get drafted. He's got a big arm but he's not much of a passer.

[EagleFan]

So it is the system...

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

So it is the system...

Yup

[jbergey22]

LOL, Belichek being the mad scientist he is would never pay anyone 25 million a year if he felt the system was more important than the player.

[wustin]

They tried really hard to force Jacoby to pass the ball more but that won't work if you can't stop Blount from trucking over everyone.

[Julio Riddols]

I think Belichick would pay Brady because Brady is the best at executing everything Bill can possibly think of. A guy like Brissett wouldn't be able to win like this every week.. But as a one off, Bill will always be able to wring a decent showing out of just about anyone. Garoppolo is (IMO) a good QB, helped by learning behind Brady and being taught by Belichick for several years now. He already had what he needed as far as mental makeup and physical skill and he brings a dimension with his scrambling ability that Brady really can't do. That's just another toy for Bill to play with that opposing defenses will likely have no answer for. Time will tell if Garoppolo is a long term stud or just a solid QB like Alex Smith, but I think in a small sample size, Bill can make anyone look good. He did it with Mallett and Cassell too. I think a lot of it with Brady is the system, but a lot of it is also talent. If he wasn't able to run anything Bill can throw at him, he wouldn't be getting paid what he is. I don't think he would have been nearly the same QB with a different coach, and I don't think Bill would have had as much success as he has without finding the guy he needs to execute his evil plans as close to perfection as possible.

I find myself excited to see Brady retire and to see how Bill does afterwards to keep that train rolling.

Then again, maybe we just have a Montana/Young situation here.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by EagleFan

So it is the system...

If by the system you mean having a very good defense & special teams unit and taking advantage of mistakes by the other team, yeah, it's the system. Jacoby Brissett had 2 very nice runs and did everything you could ask a later round rookie starting his first career game to do, but he was 11-19 for 103 yards. Tom Brady threw for less than 226 once last year (in week 17, when I believe seeding was virtually locked up).

He did seem to do a very good job on east-west routes (which tracks with his college YPA), has a strong arm, and his mobility is a nice asset, but he had awful touch on anything down the field. Those two fade routes to TE's in the end zone - and the one where Gronk was 1v1 in particular - were terrible. Bullets with no touch. No threat to a healthy Garroppollo for the #2 spot, though he was encouraging enough that I'll have no problem trading Jimmy G this offseason.

[Buccaneer]

Bishop, just got to learn to ignore the comments from the likes of Galaril and EagleFan regarding the Pats. Not worth it, man. Besides, I like what you said.

[wustin]

How many draft picks can the Pats swindle from the Browns for Garoppolo.

[Chief Rum]

Thank you, Houston Texans, for being so absolutely abysmal on offense that, for a few days at least, everyone might forget how terrible my Rams are on offense.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

Belichick is the best coach ever. This rookie 3rd string starting QB shit would sink any other team. Belichick comes out with his guys and beats the absolute shit out of whoever. Don't know why its so easy for him to stay so far ahead of everyone else, but damn is it going to be a dark day in New England when he retires.

Agreed. But on the flip side as a Bengals fan, PLEASE RETIRE.

[albionmoonlight]

Belichick record with Brady: 194-60 (.764)
Belichick record with Cassell, Garoppolo, Brissett: 14-5 (.737)

So that's probably the opening statement in his "greatest coach ever" argument.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Julio Riddols

Belichick is the best coach ever. This rookie 3rd string starting QB shit would sink any other team. Belichick comes out with his guys and beats the absolute shit out of whoever. Don't know why its so easy for him to stay so far ahead of everyone else, but damn is it going to be a dark day in New England when he retires.

::: bows to the altar of Belichick:::

I agree-there's just no way a rookie QB making his first start after starting the season as the 3rd QB should look so poised and the team rallied around him too. I'm betting you can compare this game to Cleveland this week where third string QB and rookie Cody Kessler gets his first start. Texans look like another disppointing team in the AFC (hello Jax and Oak)

[Dutch]

This is all making Brady look less than spectacular. No way he's this good on a lesser coached team. So if nothing else, I will agree, it's Bill first, Brady second.

[albionmoonlight]

My number one NFL "if I had a time machine"

Cleveland drafted Spergon Wynn in the 6th round. Apparently, the team was deciding between Wynn and Brady. I would love to see how the last 16 years would have played out had Cleveland drafted Brady.