The OFFICIAL 2013 NFL SEASON Thread

[RVR II]

Seems the Finns have some internal issues..

Dolphins lineman sent threatening, racially-charged messages to teammate, sources say
Published November 04, 2013


Miami Dolphins Guard Richie Incognito – who was suspended by the team on Sunday -- sent teammate Jonathan Martin text messages and voicemails that were threatening and racially charged in nature, multiple sources have told Fox Sports.

The sources said the team and the NFL Players Association were notified about the messages and they will be shared with the league as part of an investigation.

The Miami Dolphins suspended guard Incognito late Sunday for misconduct related to the treatment of Martin, who abruptly left the team a week ago to receive help for emotional issues.

"We believe in maintaining a culture of respect for one another," the Dolphins said in a statement released shortly before midnight, "and as a result we believe this decision is in the best interest of the organization at this time. ... We will continue to work with the league on this matter."

The move capped a bizarre Sunday for the Dolphins, even though their players were off. First the team released a statement saying Martin had not complained to the organization about bullying by other players. Hours later, the Dolphins said they and the NFL were investigating allegations of misconduct made Sunday by representatives of Martin.

A source who is described as having direct knowledge of the situation told the Miami Herald that younger players on the Dolphins team are under pressure to pay for veterans' social outings, likening them to personal ATMs.

The source said younger players – some of whom make around $400,000 a year – were handed the tab for a $30,000 team dinner. One defensive player whose privacy is being protected is on his way to becoming broke for not being able to say no to the older players' demands, the source added.

"Everything tastes better when rookies pay for it," veteran Miami defensive lineman Jared Odrick tweeted Friday.

Sources also told ESPN that Incognito asked Martin to contribute $15,000 to finance a trip to Las Vegas by some Dolphins players in 2012. Martin reportedly did not travel with the group.

Incognito posted several tweets Sunday saying he wanted his name cleared from reports linking him to the Martin matter. Then came the announcement of his suspension.

An NFL spokesman said the league will conduct a "thorough review" of the situation, but declined to talk about the specifics of the case, according to Fox Sports.

Martin, who is an offensive tackle, left the Dolphins on Oct. 28, raising questions about the role harassment from teammates played in his departure. It's unclear whether or when he's expected back.

Martin's agent, Kenneth Zuckerman, declined to comment Sunday. The Dolphins resume practice Monday after three days off.

Martin left the team on the heels of a four-game losing streak.  The Dolphins (4-4), who beat Cincinnati on Thursday, next play at Tampa Bay on Nov. 11.

Incognito, a ninth-year pro, earned a reputation as one of the NFL's dirtiest players when he was with the St. Louis Rams. But he has won frequent praise for his leadership since joining the Dolphins in 2010, and this year he was voted by teammates to serve as a member of the Dolphins' player council.

The Dolphins have attributed Martin's absence to an illness not tied to football. On Sunday they said the team, "including coach Joe Philbin and Jonathan's teammates, have been in communication with Jonathan and his family since his departure from the club, and continue to be in contact. Our primary concern for Jonathan is his overall health and well-being."

Martin, a second-year pro from Stanford, played in Miami's loss at New England on Oct. 27 and was at the Dolphins' complex the next day before leaving the team. He missed the victory over Cincinnati.

[Bob]

Ritchie being an asshole is why the rams cut him after a game two years ago.  Why the dolphins hired him is still a mystery of brains.

[RVR II]

Ritchie being an asshole is why the rams cut him after a game two years ago.  Why the dolphins hired him is still a mystery of brains.

Well He might be looking for a new job now.. Maybe a jail guard

[RVR II]

PFFT! Really??

Broncos' John Moffitt walks away from NFL, $1 million over 'madness' of risking health
Published November 06, 2013
Associated Press


ENGLEWOOD, Colo. –  John Moffitt wasn't unhappy with a lack of playing time in Denver. He quit the NFL because he'd lost his love for the game and was tired of risking his health.

The third-year guard from Wisconsin called the Broncos from his home in Seattle this week to notify them he wouldn't be returning to the team following its bye.

Then he announced on Twitter that he was calling it a career, saying, "Football was fun but my head hurts-haha kidding roger goodell. I'm on to new things, thanks to everyone along the way!!!"

The Broncos put him on their reserve/left team list on Tuesday when they activated center J.D. Walton from the physically unable to perform list.

They have five days to formally release Moffitt, who left more than $1 million on the table, including about $312,000 for the remainder of this season and more than $700,000 in salary next season.

Moffitt said he knows teammates and fans don't understand how he could forgo the fame and fortune of pro football.

"I just really thought about it and decided I'm not happy. I'm not happy at all," Moffitt told The Associated Press in a phone interview from Seattle. "And I think it's really madness to risk your body, risk your well-being and risk your happiness for money."

"Everybody, they just don't get it and they think it's crazy. But I think what I was doing is crazy."

He said he didn't want to see things through this season for the shot at a Super Bowl.

"I don't care about the Super Bowl. I don't," Moffitt insisted. "I used to. I mean, anytime I played this game, I gave my heart to it and I'm a person that does thing with his heart. ... I don't need the Super Bowl experience. I played in great stadiums and I played against great players. And I had that experience and it's enough."

The Broncos acquired Moffitt on Aug. 20 from the Seahawks after he'd lost out on one of two starting guard spots in Seattle during training camp. He played in two games for the Broncos (7-1).

Moffitt, 27, made about $1.5 million before taxes in his 2½ seasons in the NFL.

"I've saved enough. It's not like I'm sitting here and I'm a millionaire," he said. "That's what I kind of realized. I'm sitting here and I got to this point and I was like, what is the number that you need? How much do you really need? What do you want in life? And I decided that I don't really need to be a millionaire.

"I just want to be happy. And I find that people that have the least in life are sometimes the happiest. And I don't have the least in life. I have enough in life. And I won't sacrifice my health for that."

Moffitt stressed that he's not passing judgment on his former colleagues, saying, "This is all my personal stuff and I respect this game and I respect the men in this game."

Although Moffitt never had a history of concussions, he acknowledged all the blows he sustained in practices and games concerned him.

"I'm not trying to be the poster boy for 'Oh, I thought I should leave because of concussions.' I'm just saying, it's a valid point," Moffitt said. "I love the game and I respect the game and everybody who plays it knows what they risk and I knew what I risked when I played, and I'm no longer willing to risk it."

Moffitt majored in sociology at Wisconsin and said his world view was really shaped over the last couple of years when he began studying the writings of the Dalai Lama and Noam Chomsky.

Now that he's out from behind the NFL shield, Moffitt said he's looking forward to speaking his mind on the radio and in podcasts he's going to produce. He said he has plenty of opinions to share on everything from philosophy to politics, although he has less to say about sports.

He said he also wants to go on a diet now that he doesn't have to maintain his 319-pound physique.

"I would like to grow my own food for a while, lose a ton of weight, feel great. And spend time with people I love and be happy," he said.

Moffitt said the timing of his decision had nothing to do with Walton being activated from the reserve/PUP list, although "I'm glad it worked out like that." And he said he felt bad his decision coincided with coach John Fox's heart operation.

He doesn't regret playing football, either.

"Obviously, I wish things worked out better in Seattle. I wish I played more there, but I loved college football. I loved being in Seattle playing football. It wasn't always the easiest, but I live here now and I'm thankful," he said. "I look back and I'm thankful for the whole experience. That's enough for me."

Moffitt said he wants to spend more time with his parents in Connecticut and with his girlfriend and her 5-year-old daughter in Seattle. He said his father is "my best friend and I never get to see him."

Moffitt said he'll miss playing in games and goofing around with the guys, but he's glad the rest of his NFL life is over.

"Once you tear away all the illusions of it, it's hard work. And it's dangerous work. And you're away from your family. And it's not good for families. It's very tough on families," he said.

Moffitt is also glad to leave the league on his terms.

"I'm ready to go to work and start doing other things right now," Moffitt said. "So, it's a smoother transition and I'm still young enough to start a career and my body's healthy and I'm good. I look at it as a great start to life, you know?"

[RVR II]

Week 10 and my 3-6 Bills play the lowely 2-6 Steelers in Pittsburgh
and my 5-3 Panthers play the 6-2 49ers in San Fran

In the words of Norman.. UUUNNGHH!

[Bob]

Week 10 and my 3-6 Bills play the lowely 2-6 Steelers in Pittsburgh
and my 5-3 Panthers play the 6-2 49ers in San Fran

In the words of Norman.. UUUNNGHH!

I am guessing that Pittsburg will continue to stink, so that should make you happy.

I will say nothing about the other game.......oh wait, their coach is now filming his 2000th commercial.

[RVR II]

Hey uh.. Bob!
Who the F*CK are these Rams slaughtering the Colts (currently 35-0)

[Bob]

Hey uh.. Bob!
Who the F*CK are these Rams slaughtering the Colts (currently 35-0)

This is why one should NEVER bet on sports

[RVR II]

WOW WHAT A GAME!!!
Panthers beat the 49ers 10-9 in San Francisco to go 6-3!!

[Nunyerbiz]

Good for Moffitt for walking away when he felt it was his time. I truly think the NFL will be losing some talent to other sports over the coming decades due to the brain trauma concerns. I hardly think the sport is going to wither and die, but I do think a lot of guys who are just natural athletes might decide to focus on baseball or basketball instead. My seven year old is already talking about wanting to play football, as his school has a pretty established program starting with 3rd graders... but I'm pretty sure I'm going to gently nudge him away from football and towards soccer / baseball / basketball.

As far as the whole Incognito mess... Yea, he has a history of asshole behavior. I'll even take him at face value and buy his story that he was just trying to toughen up Martin or whatever... But once you start recording racial slurs on voicemail, well... it's gone too far and you pretty much deserve whatever you get.

[RVR II]

Watching the Ravens @ Bears on CBS and big time storms are nearby Chicago.. Could be interesting

[RVR II]

Watching the Ravens @ Bears on CBS and big time storms are nearby Chicago.. Could be interesting

Game is suspended now and on to the Jets @ Bills 

[RVR II]

And after a nearly 2 hour delay, the game is back on..
And my Bills are stompin a mud hole in the Jets 34-7 currently

[RVR II]

And the Bills WIN

[Bob]

Since I get the DirecTV football package when I get all the games, I am curious about all the lawyer talk when that deal expires in a year.  Should be a LOT of money coming to the NFL for that.