TEH OFFICIAL 2014 NFL SEASON Thread

[RVR II]

What a Crazy Ass Game in Seattle 

[RVR II]

UN-FUCKING-BELIEVABLE

[JimJ]

I can't root for Indy as a Baltimore fan, and I can't root for the Pats on general principle.  The only way this could be worse is if it was Steelers/Colts.

[Bob]

Green Bay sure gagged that one

[RVR II]

Green Bay sure gagged that one

I'm still stunned

[RVR II]

Oh lookie there.. Another Patriot blowout

I turned it off halfway through the 3rd Qtr

[anais.butterfly]

You FAILED me, Superman!

[RVR II]

Oh Really??

NFL confirms it's investigating Patriots for deflating footballs
NFL
January 19, 2015 1:28 am ET

The Pats are being investigated for deflating footballs.

UPDATE (8:22 a.m. ET Monday): NFL spokesman Michael Signora told NFL Network the league is looking into the apparent use of overly deflated footballs by the Patriots during Sunday's 45-7 AFC title-game win over the Colts at Foxborough, Mass.

Midway through the game, a ball was taken off the field and out of circulation, Signora told Rapoport. NFL rules stipulate game balls must be inflated with between 12.5-13.5 pounds of air. Each team must provide 12 primary balls for testing prior to the game, NFL Network reports.

In the original report, via Bob Kravitz of Indianapolis TV station WTHR, Kravitz reported that if the NFL confirms deflated footballs were used to gain an advantage it could cost the Patriots draft picks.

•••

The NFL is investigating the Patriots for deflating footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Colts, according to a report from Bob Kravitz of WTHR.com in Indianapolis.

Kravitz makes the point no matter what the Pats did it wouldn't have affected the outcome of the game, but the league is still looking into the incident and could dock the Pats draft picks.

The University of Southern California, under Lane Kiffin, was fined for deflating footballs previously. Basically: footballs that are below regulation weight are easier to throw, catch, etc.

This is going to be a HOT topic come Monday morning and throughout the week.

People like to pile on the Pats for their off-field, pre-game shenanigans and this won't be any different should the NFL find any inconsistencies with the way they handled their footballs against the Colts.

[RVR II]

You FAILED me, Superman!

He was busy eating I suppose

[RVR II]

This will be interesting..

Gary Kubiak hired as Denver Broncos head coach
NFL

John Elway believed he needed a new coach to get the Denver Broncos to the "next level." The executive vice president trusts his former backup quarterback to take them to that promised land.

The Broncos announced Monday that Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has been hired as Denver's new head coach on a four year-deal.

Denver will host a press conference Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET to introduce Kubiak.

The 53-year-old Kubiak emerged as Elway's top choice since the team parted ways with John Fox after a disastrous playoff exit. Kubiak spent his entire nine-year playing career as a backup quarterback to Elway in Denver.

In Kubiak, Elway has found a close confidante that believes in similar philosophies. That starts with a dynamic running game and zone-blocking scheme that helped Elway win two titles as a player. In Denver, Houston and then Baltimore, Kubiak's scheme has helped running backs produce massive numbers.

With C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball on the Broncos roster, Kubiak should have plenty of options to ride in Denver. NFL Media's Albert Breer reports Kubiak will likely hire Ravens quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison as the Broncos' offensive coordinator. There's also a good possibility Bengals defensive backs coach Vance Joseph will become the Broncos' defensive coordinator, per Breer.

After a year coaching quarterbacks in San Francisco, Kubiak followed Mike Shanahan to Denver where he spent 11 seasons as the team's offensive coordinator. The coordinator helped Elway capture two Super Bowl Championships in 1997 and 1998.

In eight seasons in Houston, Kubiak compiled a 61-64 regular-season record. Just three of Kubiak's teams in Houston earned a record above .500. However, he led the Texans to two playoff victories in franchise history and 10-plus wins in 2011 and 2012.

The bigger question mark is at quarterback, where all eyes will be on Peyton Manning's decision regarding his future. The 38-year-old quarterback doesn't have the mobility generally needed to run Kubiak's West Coast style of offense, but any decent coach would welcome tailoring his offense to a future Hall of Fame quarterback.

While Manning's decision is pivotal, Elway still has a roster built to win now. He didn't view Fox as the man to push them over that hill and onto the Super Bowl platform. He trusts Kubiak can.

[RVR II]

From head coach to assistant coach

Doug Marrone joins Jags' staff

Updated: January 20, 2015, 2:27 PM ET
ESPN.com

Jags Hire Marrone As Assistant Coach

John Clayton discusses the news that the Jaguars have hired former Bills coach Doug Marrone to be an assistant head coach for offense and offensive line coach.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone to be an assistant head coach for offense and offensive line coach.

Doug Marrone, hired on Tuesday to be the Jaguars' offensive coordinator, has a lot of work ahead of him, writes Michael DiRocco. Story

Marrone went 15-17 in the past two seasons with the Bills before opting out of his contract earlier this month because of uncertainty over possible organizational changes. The clause in his contract that allowed him to do that also guaranteed his $4 million salary in 2015.

Marrone's hiring means offensive line coach George Yarno will not return to the Jaguars in 2015, according to a team spokesman. The Jaguars announced on May 29 that Yarno had been diagnosed with cancer and he continues to receive treatment. He remains under contract.

Marrone, who went 23-25 as Syracuse's head coach from 2009 to 2012, has coached in the NFL for nine seasons, including three seasons as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans (2006-08).

The Jaguars are still searching for an offensive coordinator to replace Jedd Fisch, whom Bradley fired on Dec. 30. Former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase and former Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach Greg Olson appear to be the front-runners.

The Jaguars play the Bills next season in London on Oct. 4.

Great career move there coach

[RVR II]

Oh Really??

NFL confirms it's investigating Patriots for deflating footballs
NFL
January 19, 2015 1:28 am ET

The Pats are being investigated for deflating footballs.

UPDATE (8:22 a.m. ET Monday): NFL spokesman Michael Signora told NFL Network the league is looking into the apparent use of overly deflated footballs by the Patriots during Sunday's 45-7 AFC title-game win over the Colts at Foxborough, Mass.

Midway through the game, a ball was taken off the field and out of circulation, Signora told Rapoport. NFL rules stipulate game balls must be inflated with between 12.5-13.5 pounds of air. Each team must provide 12 primary balls for testing prior to the game, NFL Network reports.

In the original report, via Bob Kravitz of Indianapolis TV station WTHR, Kravitz reported that if the NFL confirms deflated footballs were used to gain an advantage it could cost the Patriots draft picks.

•••

The NFL is investigating the Patriots for deflating footballs during the AFC Championship Game against the Colts, according to a report from Bob Kravitz of WTHR.com in Indianapolis.

Kravitz makes the point no matter what the Pats did it wouldn't have affected the outcome of the game, but the league is still looking into the incident and could dock the Pats draft picks.

The University of Southern California, under Lane Kiffin, was fined for deflating footballs previously. Basically: footballs that are below regulation weight are easier to throw, catch, etc.

This is going to be a HOT topic come Monday morning and throughout the week.

People like to pile on the Pats for their off-field, pre-game shenanigans and this won't be any different should the NFL find any inconsistencies with the way they handled their footballs against the Colts.

Update:

If True, then Brady should Not Play in the Super Bowl!

Belichick subtly points finger at Brady

January 22, 2015, 10:13 AM EST
AP

On Wednesday, Hall of Fame coach John Madden directly pointed to quarterback Tom Brady as the prime suspect in the NFL's investigation of deflated footballs.  On Thursday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick did the same thing, in far more subtle fashion.

Belichick's extensive comments from his Thursday press conference, fully transcribed by MDS, reveal a clear and unequivocal position from the head coach that he has no knowledge of or involvement in football air pressure.  But Belichick also made it abundantly clear that others in the organization may.

"I think we all know that quarterbacks, kickers, specialists have certain preferences on the footballs," Belichick said.  "They know a lot more than I do.  They're a lot more sensitive to it than I am.  I hear them comment on it from time to time, but I can tell you and they will tell you that there's never any sympathy whatsoever from me on that subject.  Zero.  Tom's personal preferences on his footballs are something that he can talk about in much better detail and information than I could possibly provide."

In other words, take it up with Brady.  Brady's the guy whose preferences may have resulted in tampering with the footballs. (Brady said in 2011 that he prefers the balls to be deflated.)

"[M]y overall knowledge of football specifications, the overall process that happens on game day with the footballs, is very limited," Belichick emphasized.  "I would say that during the course of the game, I honestly never — it probably has happened on an incomplete pass or something — I've never touched a game ball. That's not something that I have any familiarity with on that."

But Belichick made it clear that Brady does.  And Brady is now scheduled to meet with the media at 4:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.

[RVR II]

[RVR II]

Cowboys fan sues NFL for $88 billion for overturning Bryant's catch

FOX Sports

JAN 23, 2015 1:57p ET

Not satisfied with the NFL's ruling on Dez Bryant's "Uncatch" against the Packers, a Dallas Cowboys fan is seeking justice through the courts.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Terry C. Hendrix has filed an $88 billion (88 -- Bryant's number, get it?) federal lawsuit against the NFL claiming fraud.

Hendrix names NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, head of officiating Dean Blandino and referee Gene Steratore in the lawsuit.

Bryant's attempt in the playoff game was originally ruled a catch on the field and would have given the Cowboys the ball at the Green Bay goal line late in the fourth quarter. After the call was overturned by a replay review, the Packers ran out the clock for a 26-21 win.

The Uncatch has been a subject of controversy ever since.

However, Hendrix' lawsuit -- filed on behalf of Bryant, all Cowboys fans and "all people in or and from the sovereign Republic of Texas" -- probably won't get very far.

For one, Hendrix is not in Texas. He's incarcerated in a correctional facility in Canon City, Colorado. Also, Hendrix has a history of filing frivolous lawsuits.

But you have to like Hendrix' panache. The exact amount he is asking for in damages is $88,987,654,321.88. Surely, Dez would throw up an "X" for that.

What a Cowchip

[JimJ]