The NFL Thread - Root for your favorite team (or laugh at the Browns, whichever's easier)

[Just Want 2 Read]

Aaron Rodgers is the best option imo. The QB class was absolutely shit this year as was the FA QB class. What the fuck else were they gonna do?

It amuses me how pissed it makes the media here. There are definitely quite a few proto lolcows among the Pittsburgh sports media, and watching them get triggered makes the signing worth it. But as for X's and O's Rodgers is the best quarterback they have brought in post Ben. Yeah Aaron struggled with a bad Jets team. Let's see what he does with a team that has had a winning record and scrapped into the playoffs the last two years with subpar quarterback play.

Go back in time, not run Pickett out of town, and try to develop him instead. He's not a high end starter or anything, but he had Matt Canada, a new coordinator and QB coach, limited weapons, and got hurt all in two seasons at the Burg. I assume some of it had to do with attitude towards the org, but they didn't exactly set him up for success. The Colts-esque carousel they've been on is proof enough they don't know what the fuck to do with QBs who aren't first ballot HoFers.

I kinda feel bad for how things went in Philly because he never got a fair shake from the fans. We all wanted The Mormon Missile to be #2, but he got a ring out of it and has had good things to say about the organization after leaving.

Kenny Pickett was/is not NFL starter caliber. He doesn't have the arm for it, and doesn't have the elite decision making to make up for a poor arm. A lot of that move can probably be chalked up to Kevin Colbert wanting one more notch on his belt before he left, and they absolutely forced a pick for position rather than best player available. Maybe the best thing about signing Rodgers is how variable his floor and ceiling is. If he recaptures what he was before the Achilles injury then the Steelers can be a legitimate dark horse in the AFC. If he is a bust then hopefully they secure a high draft pick in a draft class that is thought to be strong at the Quarterback position. I firmly believe most of the negativity around Rodgers comes from the fact the media hates his politics. Most sports journalists won't be truthful about that, and instead act like their criticisms are entirely unbiased, but we all know that TJD is long overdue.

 

[break these cuffs]

Kenny Pickett was/is not NFL starter caliber. He doesn't have the arm for it, and doesn't have the elite decision making to make up for a poor arm. A lot of that move can probably be chalked up to Kevin Colbert wanting one more notch on his belt before he left, and they absolutely forced a pick for position rather than best player available. Maybe the best thing about signing Rodgers is how variable his floor and ceiling is. If he recaptures what he was before the Achilles injury then the Steelers can be a legitimate dark horse in the AFC. If he is a bust then hopefully they secure a high draft pick in a draft class that is thought to be strong at the Quarterback position. I firmly believe most of the negativity around Rodgers comes from the fact the media hates his politics. Most sports journalists won't be truthful about that, and instead act like their criticisms are entirely unbiased, but we all know that TJD is long overdue.

Kenny would be far from the only non-starter caliber starting quarterback in the NFL and he'd get Tomlin his winning seasons nonetheless. It would have saved on the drama and retardation. A lot of the Rodgers hate is for his politics, but he also brings baggage. All the ex-Packers he wants, needing Hackett, needing to run his "offense" which isn't actually a scheme and just plays he likes. Having to miss mandatory minicamp so he can go to Egypt on 6/12/24 because it's a once in a lifetime opporitunity he planned for years. Him needing to drag this signing process out like he's the only player who's ever considered retirement or dealth with health crises among people he cared about.

The Steelers aren't some stacked loaded roster he just needs to stand and deliver for. I honestly don't think it's going to be some epic collapse or complete shitshow. It's just going to be another Tomlin Special.

 

[Just Want 2 Read]

Kenny would be far from the only non-starter caliber starting quarterback in the NFL and he'd get Tomlin his winning seasons nonetheless. It would have saved on the drama and retardation. A lot of the Rodgers hate is for his politics, but he also brings baggage. All the ex-Packers he wants, needing Hackett, needing to run his "offense" which isn't actually a scheme and just plays he likes. Having to miss mandatory minicamp so he can go to Egypt on 6/12/24 because it's a once in a lifetime opporitunity he planned for years. Him needing to drag this signing process out like he's the only player who's ever considered retirement or dealth with health crises among people he cared about.

The Steelers aren't some stacked loaded roster he just needs to stand and deliver for. I honestly don't think it's going to be some epic collapse or complete shitshow. It's just going to be another Tomlin Special.

Why lament getting rid of a non starting caliber NFL quarterback then? Frankly most of your issues with him seem to me to be the kind that the media hypes and overblows. He waited to sign, and that impacts the Steelers exactly how? Especially when it's pretty obvious they all knew how this was going to go down. And I didn't call the Steelers a loaded roster, but they also certainly aren't bereft of talent either. They have an elite pass rush, overall a good defense, and a young offensive line. As I said, it's to me a high variance approach which is what I think is needed. Middle of the road is the worst place to be in the NFL, and one of their most glaring issues was their quarterback play. So if they get a high ceiling result at the most important position, that actually could make a significant positive difference in their result.

Which the other major change related to the Steelers that doesn't get mentioned is Najee Harris finally being off the roster. He is an atrocious running back, and from what scouts say it would appear Kaleb Johnson is a much better fit.

Of course their biggest issue remains coaching. I think Ben would have had more than two rings had the team gone with either Wisenhunt or Grimm when Cowher retired. Wisenhunt badly out coached Tomlin in the Super Bowl but Tomlin got bailed out by James Harrison.

 

[Electric Mortar & Pestle]

I don't trust any quarterback that wears two gloves.

 

[HackerX]

I don't trust any quarterback that wears two gloves.

That's a red flag on the level of someone whose first and last names alliterate.

 

[break these cuffs]

Why lament getting rid of a non starting caliber NFL quarterback then? Frankly most of your issues with him seem to me to be the kind that the media hypes and overblows. He waited to sign, and that impacts the Steelers exactly how? Especially when it's pretty obvious they all knew how this was going to go down.

I believe there is merit to consistency, stability, and development. The league is "win now" and "what have you done for me lately", so I know my outlook is a pipe dream. Half the issues I listed with Rodgers were football related, I just elaborated on the off the field stuff because I think his ego is obnoxious. Wait until Aaron is calling the same 6, I forget how many it is exactly, plays repeatedly without any sequencing or scheme. That shit's a riot.

He waited to sign, and that impacts the Steelers exactly how? Especially when it's pretty obvious they all knew how this was going to go down.

This honestly comes down to personal bias for me and there no reason to sperg about it here, again. All of my opinions on it are moot anyway if they win because winning cures all in the NFL

And I didn't call the Steelers a loaded roster, but they also certainly aren't bereft of talent either. They have an elite pass rush, overall a good defense, and a young offensive line. As I said, it's to me a high variance approach which is what I think is needed.

You didn't. I just think that's what Rodgers needs to go on a Super Bowl run. Are the Steelers a contender with Rodgers in your opinion? I don't see any point in signing him if they aren't other than ensuring Rudoph doesn't ruin Tomlin's streak. Also, I was unaware they'd resigned TJ. Jk, I know they will, it's just funny.

Middle of the road is the worst place to be in the NFL, and one of their most glaring issues was their quarterback play. So if they get a high ceiling result at the most important position, that actually could make a significant positive difference in their result.

It is and we just fundamentally disagree on Rodgers elevating the roster. I don't think he's that guy anymore. To say he's washed is hyperbolic. I haven't seen much recently to say he's still 2020-2021 Aaron. The Packers should have drafted defense in 2021 after giving up almost 200 rushing yards before contact in teh NFC Championship and gone on another run with him. THe front office decided they wanted it to be their team more than a ring with Rodgers.

Which the other major change related to the Steelers that doesn't get mentioned is Najee Harris finally being off the roster. He is an atrocious running back, and from what scouts say it would appear Kaleb Johnson is a much better fit.

Agreed.

Of course their biggest issue remains coaching. I think Ben would have had more than two rings had the team gone with either Wisenhunt or Grimm when Cowher retired. Wisenhunt badly out coached Tomlin in the Super Bowl but Tomlin got bailed out by James Harrison.

I honestly have not paid attention to the wider NFL until recently so I really don't have anything to say on this.

 

[Just Want 2 Read]

@break these cuffs I wouldn't really categorize what I said as sperging out. Frankly it's enjoyable to at least have knowledgeable sports conversation, so kudos for that. I guess where I come down on it is that beyond a preference to run the same six plays (which I honestly haven't followed Rodgers close enough to know) most of the rest just doesn't seem like it would matter much to me. The missing mini camp/delay in signing don't strike me as actually impacting a football team. Cam Hayward was a hold out last year, and had one of his best performances in years last season. Ex-Packers I don't think is going to be much of an issue in Pittsburgh either, and even if they did bring in a preferred Quarterbacks coach it isn't like the Steelers have seen much results from many of their offensive positional coaches.

Does Rodgers make them a Super Bowl contender? I don't know. They have been a playoff team the last two years, and many of their flaws were the result of terrible quarterback play. Would Rodgers make the difference in that? I guess we disagree there because I hold out the possibility of Rodgers performing at an above average level again. If they get better performances out of their backfield, which I anticipate with Kaleb Johnson and Warren, that could make a difference in the AFC. I think there are cracks in KC, McDermott in Buffalo is maybe one of the few long tenured coaches in the NFL who is worse than Tomlin, and playing against a divisional opponent is always a toss up in the NFL playoffs. However what I feel confident in is that Mason Rudolph, Justing Fields, and Russell Wilson have absolutely 0 chance of being good enough to make the Steelers competitive at a high level. So from that perspective Rodgers is the right way to go at quarterback, even if you put his odds at high level quarterback play at only 1 percent.

Also, I haven't mentioned it, but it's also a move that clearly originates from Tomlin. So no matter if it goes great or becomes a disaster Tomlin can't really get away from owning it.

 

[Americunt]

I kinda feel bad for how things went in Philly because he never got a fair shake from the fans. We all wanted The Mormon Missile to be #2, but he got a ring out of it and has had good things to say about the organization after leaving.

Listen it's awesome a kid who grew up an Eagles fan got to beat up on the Cowboys, In Kelly Green no less, but let's be real, Kenny's just not cut out to be a starter. The fact Cleveland took him, then signed Flacc, then drafted TWO more QBs is endlessly hilarous to me, and I hope for his sake he doesn't win that QB compeition and they send him to a slightly less fucked franchise mid-season.

Still wish my joke dream scenario of Big Dickett Pickett came true and somehow against all odds he'd be Super Bowl MVP, legit got kind of spooked we might have to see him try to when Jalen went out Week 16, but even just taking a Snap in the Superbowl is pretty baller for a backup, much less for the team you and your family were raised on.

 

[SteinserGate]

Nick Chubb is signing with the Texans

As a Texans Fan, who needs an O-Line when you can just hand-off the ball into a loaded box with Chubb, right? At least, that's how the Browns used him...

 

[break these cuffs]

I wouldn't really categorize what I said as sperging out.

You werent sperging. I have a real beef with the way a lot of teams are run from ownership on down and have sperged about it at length before. Players speaking on things like culture, leadership, and team morale align with a lot of what I my own life experience has taught me, but we don't actually know what's going in the building unless a team over performs or totally collapses and things come out. The media likes to use a lot of my beliefs as buzzwords and many who rightfully hate the media don't take them seriously. I assume my ranting on them is comes off as yelling at clouds. It very may well not matter at all as you say and it certainly won't if a team is winning.

You seem to have a fundamentally optimistic outlook and I don't. That's entirely fair. I'm also not a Steelers fan and don't know a ton about the team beyond surface level, but I'm willing to learn. I was a very casual football fan until covid when I suddenly needed to fill a lot more time than usual and a bunch of it was with sports podcasts. It took some time weed out out the good from the bad, most of them are Eagles related, and I'll never be dedicated enough to learn how to watch film, but I'm pretty happy with my knowledge base.

Listen it's awesome a kid who grew up an Eagles fan got to beat up on the Cowboys, In Kelly Green no less, but let's be real, Kenny's just not cut out to be a starter. The fact Cleveland took him, then signed Flacc, then drafted TWO more QBs is endlessly hilarous to me, and I hope for his sake he doesn't win that QB compeition and they send him to a slightly less fucked franchise mid-season.

Still wish my joke dream scenario of Big Dickett Pickett came true and somehow against all odds he'd be Super Bowl MVP, legit got kind of spooked we might have to see him try to when Jalen went out Week 16, but even just taking a Snap in the Superbowl is pretty baller for a backup, much less for the team you and your family were raised on.

I do have some rose colored glasses for Kenny Kitten Mittens as I was one of the fans who loathed seeing him on the field and wanted McKee. I don't think he's a starter either. Neither were the QBs who came before him or the one's who've come after so far. We can look at the last 5 seasons of starting QBs and you'll see a lot of non-starter caliber players running teams. A lot of it comes down to me being a crabbyfuck with outdated beliefs who doesn't like GMs and coaches throwing players against a wall like spaghetti to hoping something sticks in order to save their careers. I think there is too much turnover in the NFL in general.

 

[Squanto Airi]

As a Texans Fan, who needs an O-Line when you can just hand-off the ball into a loaded box with Chubb, right? At least, that's how the Browns used him...

Please don't hurt him. He's the only one of that three headed Dawg rushing attack thats still in the league.
I'm just glad the Browns can't be retarded with him anymore.

 

[Americunt]

Neither were the QBs who came before him or the one's who've come after so far.

I guess we'll need to see more of him, but based off the 1.5 games Mckee's played in, he'll at least be a good interim guy somewhere if we don't hold on to him. Which I secretly hope we do, Jalen's a dawg, but I think he's secretly an injury time-bomb like Tua, except constantly swept under the rug, so when the bottom does fall out eventually it's going to be way more heartbreaking

 

[DSP's Tax Lawyer]

Laughably stupid and proof that nothing is going on right now but I do like how Lions fans are getting their panties in a twist over this

 

[break these cuffs]

Laughably stupid and proof that nothing is going on right now but I do like how Lions fans are getting their panties in a twist over this

Another proposed trade rumor I've seen out there is McLaurin for Aiyuk. Both players are unhappy with their teams. Auyuik played with Daniels and the Commies have Deebo. Commie's GM was with the Niners when they drafted Auiyuk. Pure speculation, but it is a very slow period.

 

[Trombonista]

J. K. Dobbins is signing with the Broncos.

 

[break these cuffs]

The Bungals are at it again! Apparently they want to try out a new style of rookie contract on Shemar Stewart with a clause that would void all future guaranteed money on the contract instead of just voiding the year the contract was defaulted in. Stewart says he will not be the guinea pig for this style of contract and will not play practice until he's signed a contract.

What a great way to start the relationship with their latest 1st round pick!

 

[Squanto Airi]

The Bungals are at it again! Apparently they're want to try out a new style of rookie contract on Shemar Stewart with a clause that would void all future guaranteed money on the contract instead of just voiding the year the contract was defaulted in. Stewart says he will not be the guinea pig for this style of contract and will not play until he's signed a contract.

What a great way to start the relationship with their latest 1st round pick!

As I've said before:

Free my nigga Burrow.

 

[Americunt]

The Bungals are at it again! Apparently they want to try out a new style of rookie contract on Shemar Stewart with a clause that would void all future guaranteed money on the contract instead of just voiding the year the contract was defaulted in. Stewart says he will not be the guinea pig for this style of contract and will not play practice until he's signed a contract.

What a great way to start the relationship with their latest 1st round pick!

Why even own a football franchise if you're going to be so fucking stingy like Mike Brown. On some level I understand weighing your options when re-negotiations come up, how much production vs. value etc. Even though the bengals fuck it up almost every single time and end up having to pay way more because they waited too long. But to be this frugal on a ROOKIE contract? YOU picked this kid in the first round because you thought he was going to be worth something, whether he is or not, you don't get to short-change your own first round pick, what kind of insanity is that? If you wanted someone who was going to roll over to bullshit like this you should have traded back.

 

[HackerX]

Why even own a football franchise if you're going to be so fucking stingy like Mike Brown. On some level I understand weighing your options when re-negotiations come up, how much production vs. value etc. Even though the bengals fuck it up almost every single time and end up having to pay way more because they waited too long. But to be this frugal on a ROOKIE contract? YOU picked this kid in the first round because you thought he was going to be worth something, whether he is or not, you don't get to short-change your own first round pick, what kind of insanity is that? If you wanted someone who was going to roll over to bullshit like this you should have traded back.

The best part is they drafted the guy to effectively replace a guy that is also having a major contract dispute.

 

[Americunt]

The best part is they drafted the guy to effectively replace a guy that is also having a major contract dispute.

And defense is the one thing they can't afford to have any more holes in than they already do, so look forward to Burrow breaking the 7 Touchdowns in one game record next season, only for the Bengals to still lose the game.