NFL '22 Season Thread

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35392368/nfl-approves-plan-possible-neutral-site-afc-title-game

Planning for how to proceed in light of the canceled Bills-Bengals game continues. There are scenarios under which the AFC Championship game will be played at a neutral site.

 

[BCT]

The Bills are acting like an entitled franchise. How much help do they expect?

 

[The Yak]

The Associated Press 2022 NFL All-Pro Team:

OFFENSE
Quarterback — Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City; Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia
Running Back — Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas; Nick Chubb, Cleveland
Tight End — Travis Kelce, Kansas City; George Kittle, San Francisco
Wide Receivers — Justin Jefferson, Minnesota; Tyreek Hill, Miami; Davante Adams, Las Vegas; AJ Brown, Philadelphia; Stefon Diggs, Buffalo; CeeDee Lamb, Dallas
Left Tackle — Trent Williams, San Francisco; Andrew Thomas, New York Giants
Right Tackle — Lane Johnson, Philadelphia; Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay
Left Guard — Joel Bitonio, Cleveland; Joe Thuney, Kansas City
Right Guard — Zack Martin, Dallas; Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta
Center — Jason Kelce, Philadelphia; Creed Humphrey, Kansas City

DEFENSE
Edge Rushers — Nick Bosa, San Francisco; Micah Parsons, Dallas; Myles Garrett, Cleveland; Haason Reddick, Philadelphia
Interior Linemen — Chris Jones, Kansas City; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets; Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants; Jeffrey Simmons, Tennessee
Linebackers — Fred Warner, San Francisco; Roquan Smith, Baltimore; Matt Milano, Buffalo; Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles Rams; CJ Mosley, New York Jets; Demario Davis, New Orleans.
Cornerbacks — Sauce Gardner, New York Jets; Patrick Surtain II, Denver; Jaire Alexander, Green Bay; James Bradberry, Philadelphia
Safeties — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh; Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco; Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers; Justin Simmons, Denver

SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker — Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas; Justin Tucker, Baltimore
Punter — Tommy Townsend, Kansas City; Ryan Stonehouse, Tennessee
Kick Returner — Keisean Nixon, Green Bay; Kene Nwangwu, Minnesota
Punt Returner — Marcus Jones, New England; Kalif Raymond, Detroit
Special Teamer — Jeremy Reaves, Washington; George Odum, San Francisco
Long Snapper — Andrew DePaola, Minnesota; Nick Moore, Baltimore

 

[Duke Klingenpooper]

Down to the Kansas City Chiefs and the aged veteran Patrick Mahomes vs the perpetually discounted, disrespected, oft-underachieving Bengals and Joe Money Burrow, a QB greater already than 'natti's past signal-callers, Palmer, Esiason, Anderson - the Bengals have their Peyton, their Favre, their Montana. AFC title game is SB 1a

The NFC offers the Philadelphia Eagles and inarguably the most rounded, top-performing team in the NFC, from wire to wire. The Eagles belong there. The San Francisco 49ers are light years from the squad we thought we were starting the year with, and make one of the most improbable stories in recent seasons - fans not necessarily shocked that they're there, just surprised at how. Gotta love Purdy, but everyone comes down to earth. Right? Romo was a house on fire, to start. Remember Parcells saying not to saint him just yet, about 6 games in?

SB Prediction - Eagles vs Bengals

Prediction - Cincinnati finally has a Super Bowl trophy to put in their case, Bengals 29, Eagles 22

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35532019/panthers-hire-ex-colts-coach-frank-reich-new-head-coach

Frank Reich to be Carolina's next head coach. I like this pick. Wanted an offensive minded guy. He has had success as a head coach and won a Super Bowl as a member of Philadelphia's staff. Interestingly enough, Reich also was the first quarterback to start a game in Panthers' history and threw the team's first touchdown pass.

Interim coach Steve Wilks did a hell of a job (the team showed instant improvement when he took over for fired coach Matt Rhule even if that improvement did not always translate into wins). That being said, I think there is a ceiling in terms of how successful a team can be in the modern NFL with one of those old-school, defensive minded, ground-and-pound types. It puts the team in a situation where there is very little margin for error and not built to come back.

Anyway, cautiously optimistic about the new administration in Charlotte.

 

[Pornfan99]

"old-school, defensive minded, ground-and-pound types." Uh - that does NOT describe Frank Reich. Last off-season, he was ADAMANT about finding a solid quarterback. He is well aware that to go deep into the post-season, one needs a strong passing attack.

 

[Duke Klingenpooper]

"old-school, defensive minded, ground-and-pound types." Uh - that does NOT describe Frank Reich. Last off-season, he was ADAMANT about finding a solid quarterback. He is well aware that to go deep into the post-season, one needs a strong passing attack.

I think Yak was talking about Wilks, and if so, I agree. I know his attys are pissed that he got passed over, and they've flatly stated that it's a race issue, coaching hires - with Wilks it's just not. It's not. He's a good coordinator (not even a great one) and not head coach caliber. In my opinion, and evidently that of the Carolina front office. I think Reich is a great fit there. He had a lot to adjust to with Luck bailing, and the whole thing soured on him. I predict a revival similar to the Jags HC, late of the Eagles. New scenery, new roster, and the guy was always a good coach.

 

[The Yak]

"old-school, defensive minded, ground-and-pound types." Uh - that does NOT describe Frank Reich. Last off-season, he was ADAMANT about finding a solid quarterback. He is well aware that to go deep into the post-season, one needs a strong passing attack.

Don't think you read my post.

 

[BCT]

The Bengals are winning it all, they are a great team but they’re catching all those breaks that World Champions always get. Nobody is beating them.

 

[gmase]

Vontaze Burfict may be gone, but the Bungles still know how to lose a playoff game!

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35564875/sources-broncos-finalizing-deal-saints-sean-payton

Broncos are sending a 2023 1st round pick and a 2024 2nd round pick to New Orleans for Sean Payton.

Seems pretty steep for a coach but it is what it is. Denver does have a good defense and if Payton can get Russell Wilson on the right track . . . one never knows.

 

[The Yak]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35568868/tom-brady-says-retiring-football-good

Tom Brady is retiring. Again.

He ends his career as the most accomplished player to ever set foot on a professional football field. I think the case can be made that he is the most successful athlete in history. I am happy I got to watch him even when I was rooting against him.

7x Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII, LV)
5x Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, LV)
3x NFL Most Valuable Player (2007, 2010, 2017)
2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
3x First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2017)
3x Second-team All-Pro (2005, 2016, 2021)
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
Unanimous NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
Unanimous NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

 

[Duke Klingenpooper]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35568868/tom-brady-says-retiring-football-good

Tom Brady is retiring. Again.

He ends his career as the most accomplished player to ever set foot on a professional football field. I think the case can be made that he is the most successful athlete in history. I am happy I got to watch him even when I was rooting against him.

7x Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII, LV)
5x Super Bowl MVP (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XLIX, LI, LV)
3x NFL Most Valuable Player (2007, 2010, 2017)
2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010)
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
3x First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2017)
3x Second-team All-Pro (2005, 2016, 2021)
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
Unanimous NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
Unanimous NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team

Ironically, I've been a hater on TB for pretty much all of his career, blaming favorable officiating and rule-bending for a majority of his success, and great coaching for the balance, but ironically, ironically - this piss poor year (from a performance standpoint) changed my mind. He's a scrappy af competitor that will out work most anyone, and cares more than nearly everyone on the field, every down. Even this year. Solid all time pro, top 3 qb in my b.

 

[BCT]

Glad to be wrong, whew. Lol

 

[The Yak]

2023 NFL Honors:
MVP - Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive Player of the Year - Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Defensive Player of the Year - Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
Comeback Player of the Year - Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Coach of the Year - Brain Daboll, New York Giants
Walter Payton Man of the Year - Dak Prescot, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023:
Darrelle Revis, CB, Jets, Buccs, Pats, Chiefs
Joe Thomas, LT, Cleveland Browns
Demarcus Ware, LB, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos
Zach Thomas, LD, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys
Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chuck Howley, LB, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys
Ken Riley, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Klecko, DT, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts,
Don Coryell, HC, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers

 

[Duke Klingenpooper]

2023 NFL Honors:
MVP - Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Offensive Player of the Year - Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Defensive Player of the Year - Nick Bosa, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Sauce Gardner, CB, New York Jets
Comeback Player of the Year - Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Coach of the Year - Brain Daboll, New York Giants
Walter Payton Man of the Year - Dak Prescot, QB, Dallas Cowboys

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023:
Darrelle Revis, CB, Jets, Buccs, Pats, Chiefs
Joe Thomas, LT, Cleveland Browns
Demarcus Ware, LB, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos
Zach Thomas, LD, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys
Ronde Barber, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chuck Howley, LB, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys
Ken Riley, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Klecko, DT, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts,
Don Coryell, HC, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers

Without a doubt, Geno deserves that comeback award. I heard persuasive arguments for coach of the year going to Pete Carroll (groan, but yeah, he got a lot out of them) and that little fellow in Miami. I thought Pederson had a chance at it. Can't argue with Daboll though. Not sure I buy Mahomes as MVP - I began the year a bigger Hurts skeptic than anyone, and I thought in the end that he had earned it.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Hey, not bad. Congrats to the Chiefs.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Conrad Dobler died. He was like the Dick Butkus of Offensive Lineman. RIP

https://www.yahoo.com/news/former-cardinals-lineman-conrad-dobler-004632429.html

 

[BCT]

Welp the Chiefs,Raiders, and Broncos all have 3 Lombardi’s a piece. Poor Chargers.