***the Official N F L 11/12 Season Thread***

[TheBluebells 6,898]

£157?

Bought two tickets though. One for me and the other for a lucky bastard who gets to go with me.

Hopefully the football is on that weekend and might nick down to watch one of the big London Clubs

Fuck that's dear, be worth it for the trip though

Will see if Compton is maybe interested in heading down, even if he is a taig.

[Clemdog 39,389]

Fuck that's dear, be worth it for the trip though

Will see if Compton is maybe interested in heading down, even if he is a taig.

Hopefully

I don't really mind paying for the tickets as such, as it'll be something off the bucket list. It's the fucking booking fees I hate, about £20 all together. Absolute scandal.

You should definitely think about it mate.

[disgruntled_bear 157]

DB when abouts did your tickets arrive in the past?

I'm guessing yours haven't arrived either, I'm not too worried just wondering

Tickets won't be sent out until roundabout September, that's what they have done in the past.

[18DerGoalie72 26]

The RM NFL section just carrys on? I thought it was gone after the season ends.... finally something to take my mind off HMRC, Craig Whyte, Duff & Phelps, PAYE, VAT, The Blue Knights etc

Mario Manningham is set to the hit the Free-Agent market... can't say I'm bothered. We're stacked at WR, best of luck to him - he got the ring now he's going for the $$$

Hoping the Giants get a TE. We need one. Anyone but Shockey though.

[Clemdog 39,389]

Tickets won't be sent out until roundabout September, that's what they have done in the past.

Cheers mate

[rfc_no1fan 13]

DB when abouts did your tickets arrive in the past?

I'm guessing yours haven't arrived either, I'm not too worried just wondering

I have been 3 times.

They start sending out about September time.

However they do them in batches, so you might find others have tickets and you don't.

When I went to the Saints vs Chargers game, I didnt receive my tickets until the Tuesday before the game.

Where are you sitting?

[rfc_no1fan 13]

The draft is going to be interesting this year.

With only 2 "Elite" quarterbacks coming out of college this year, I think the 2nd pick is more valuable than the 1st. Something that never happens.

The Colts will take a quarterback, the only debate is whether they fall in love with Andrew Luck or Robert Griffen III.

Either way, the Rams hold all the aces. Having already drafted Bradford 2 years ago, they are not looking to strenghten at that area and will no doubt be looking to trade that pick to the highest bidder.

The Browns have the most to offer this year with the 4th and 22nd pick in the 1st round of the draft. Also, Pat Shurmur used to be Offensive Co-ordintator at the Rams and could make the call.

However, The Redskins and Dolphins are also eager to get a franchise Quarterback.

Should be interesting

[cstamomusa 3,809]

Don’t be shocked. Don’t be surprised. Don’t even ask how. Football, the false American dream, has struck again. That’s all.

BOUNTY ON WARNER?

The former Cardinals QB was injured in a 2010 playoff game against the Saints.In 2009, we thought the New Orleans Saints were the cuddly, feel-good story of the NFL, winning the Super Bowl for a town that needed something to cheer for after Hurricane Katrina.

Turns out, according to an NFL investigation released Friday, that was the year a bounty system, administered by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, reached its height — a system that, over three years, included between 22 and 27 players and totaled up to $50,000.

It gave players cash rewards for hurting opponents — a thousand bucks for a knockout, $1,500 for a cart-off.

The report says that Saints head coach Sean Payton didn’t help to put the system in place, but did nothing when he found out about it.

Nothing. Didn’t stop it. Didn’t look into it. Didn’t tell anyone that they shouldn’t do it.

If that’s true, then Sean Payton should be fired.

Already, players are looking back, wondering publicly if they were victims of the bounty system. Kurt Warner took a big hit from the Saints in the 2010 playoffs. Was he a target? Jay Cutler? Adrian Peterson?

Before the NFC Championship Game in 2010, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma offered a $10,000 bounty — according to Sports Illustrated — to knock Brett Favre out of the game.

WHO'S OUT THERE?

Looking for a signal-caller? There are plenty of free-agent options out there for the taking.Bounties aren’t new in the NFL. What’s new is medical fears about the game. What’s new is Dave Duerson committing suicide because he was forgetting phone numbers and addresses and addition and subtraction. He couldn’t face the future. What’s new is the knowledge about the connection between football and concussions and former players’ brains turning to mush.

So why does anyone do this? It’s the NFL, that’s why. It’s the culture not only of the league, but also of the sport that parents across the country are dying to put their kids into. Think again, parents.

Football glory is a big lie.

"It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of the game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety, and we are not going to relent."

Progress in changing the culture? Oh, please.

Yes, Goodell put in rules against head shots. But let’s be real: The offensive and defensive linemen are smashing heads the whole game. The only people who aren’t allowed to do it now are the ones people clearly see when they’re watching games on TV.

The culture has not changed. And if you’re shocked by what the Saints have done, then you’re going to accept the pitch to blame the whole thing on Williams. See, if it’s the fault of one person, or a small group, then you can get rid of those individuals and everything looks clean, right?

Scout.com ranks the top 50 draft picks by talent. Who tops the list?The Washington Post reported that Williams had a similar program in place when he was the defensive coordinator for the Redskins, too. But look, he didn’t invent the idea. And these players are not children. They know that players from the past are drooling on themselves now, and today's players didn’t have any problem ponying up for the bounty pool.

Apparently, real men turn other men into vegetables.

Those players all need to be suspended, and fined. The NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 over Spygate in 2007. Spygate was nothing compared to this.

These fines are going to hit seven figures.

As for Williams, now the coordinator with the Rams, he needs to be kicked out. He issued this apology, through the Rams:

"It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry."

It would be nice if Payton would say something like that, too.

Are we supposed to think the Saints are dirtier than other teams now? That’s what the NFL is going to want you to think. Don’t kid yourself.

"It’s definitely disappointing, but I won’t say that I’m completely surprised," Warner told KTAR Radio in Phoenix, via ProFootballTalk.com.

"And, again, not necessarily the Saints, but I’m not surprised that there were teams out there doing those kinds of things behind closed doors … I think that’s part of the game, and I think that’s part of the mindset."

This is a sport built on aggression and pain and testosterone. You can’t take all of that out of the game. All the league can do — for fans and NFL attorneys in future lawsuits — is make it appear that it is doing all it can do.

The problem is that the lawsuits from ex-players are going to start rolling in, especially if the Duerson family wins big. Meanwhile, studies are starting to see an increase in parents who don’t want their kids playing football.

Researchers at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest did a study measuring the head impact on youth football players. It was believed to be the first such study on youth football. It looked at seven players, ages 7 and 8, in Virginia.

As reported by ESPN, the study showed that the average player suffered 107 shots to the head over the course of 9.4 practices and 4.7 games.

This is a serious threat to the NFL. It’s the players of the past and the future attacking at the same time. At some point, people might start feeling sick to their stomachs when watching the game, cheering big hits and wondering what happens to a brain as it crashes off one side of the skull.

That’s what makes the Saints scandal so awful. The players knew.

Williams knew. Payton knew. Players and coaches around the league know.

They can’t help themselves. So, $1,500 for a cart-off? This is what they were taught, what they were groomed for. It is their dream.

• NFL: Saints paid players to hurt opponents| Warner a target?
• Marvez: Who is most likely to be tagged by deadline?

[cstamomusa 3,809]

Tickets won't be sent out until roundabout September, that's what they have done in the past.

March 6, 2012

Reports: Colts will release Manning

The Colts are set to release quarterback Peyton Manning, according to multiple outlets, with the franchise making the official announcement on Wednesday.

After not missing a start since he entered the league as a rookie in 1998, the four-time MVP missed the entire 2011 season after his third neck surgery in 19 months, leaving his future in doubt. However, it was revealed Tuesday afternoon that Indianapolis will not pick up the final four years remaining on Manning's contract, which will allow the quarterback to become a free agent and take the Colts off the hook when it comes to the $28 million bonus that would have been due to the quarterback if he was on the roster going forward.

The 35-year-old Manning, the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft, has broken all of the Colts' franchise passing records. In addition, he has taken Indianapolis to the playoffs 11 times, and led the Colts to seven division titles in the last eight seasons. Manning has also led Indianapolis to a pair of AFC championships, as well as a victory in Super Bowl XLI.

For more on this story, visit <a href="http://links.mkt3622.com/ctt?kn=10&ms=MzgzNjQ4NQS2&r=NTgwNDk2NDQ2S0&b=0&j=MzkyNDI5MjUS1&mt=1&rt=0" target="_blank">WEEI.com.

[Gazzalivesforever 1,987]

That's a sin. I think manning still has a lot to give.

[jafrfc 614]

That's a sin. I think manning still has a lot to give.

He was about to get a 28 million dollar bonus and has been hampered by that neck injury for the last year. Makes sense to me.

[Clemdog 39,389]

And he's gone..

[disgruntled_bear 157]

End of a era, but it's the right move for my team.

[The Hammer 11 2,579]

Don’t be shocked. Don’t be surprised. Don’t even ask how. Football, the false American dream, has struck again. That’s all.

BOUNTY ON WARNER?

The former Cardinals QB was injured in a 2010 playoff game against the Saints.In 2009, we thought the New Orleans Saints were the cuddly, feel-good story of the NFL, winning the Super Bowl for a town that needed something to cheer for after Hurricane Katrina.

Turns out, according to an NFL investigation released Friday, that was the year a bounty system, administered by defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, reached its height — a system that, over three years, included between 22 and 27 players and totaled up to $50,000.

It gave players cash rewards for hurting opponents — a thousand bucks for a knockout, $1,500 for a cart-off.

The report says that Saints head coach Sean Payton didn’t help to put the system in place, but did nothing when he found out about it.

Nothing. Didn’t stop it. Didn’t look into it. Didn’t tell anyone that they shouldn’t do it.

If that’s true, then Sean Payton should be fired.

Already, players are looking back, wondering publicly if they were victims of the bounty system. Kurt Warner took a big hit from the Saints in the 2010 playoffs. Was he a target? Jay Cutler? Adrian Peterson?

Before the NFC Championship Game in 2010, Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma offered a $10,000 bounty — according to Sports Illustrated — to knock Brett Favre out of the game.

WHO'S OUT THERE?

Looking for a signal-caller? There are plenty of free-agent options out there for the taking.Bounties aren’t new in the NFL. What’s new is medical fears about the game. What’s new is Dave Duerson committing suicide because he was forgetting phone numbers and addresses and addition and subtraction. He couldn’t face the future. What’s new is the knowledge about the connection between football and concussions and former players’ brains turning to mush.

So why does anyone do this? It’s the NFL, that’s why. It’s the culture not only of the league, but also of the sport that parents across the country are dying to put their kids into. Think again, parents.

Football glory is a big lie.

"It is our responsibility to protect player safety and the integrity of the game, and this type of conduct will not be tolerated," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We have made significant progress in changing the culture with respect to player safety, and we are not going to relent."

Progress in changing the culture? Oh, please.

Yes, Goodell put in rules against head shots. But let’s be real: The offensive and defensive linemen are smashing heads the whole game. The only people who aren’t allowed to do it now are the ones people clearly see when they’re watching games on TV.

The culture has not changed. And if you’re shocked by what the Saints have done, then you’re going to accept the pitch to blame the whole thing on Williams. See, if it’s the fault of one person, or a small group, then you can get rid of those individuals and everything looks clean, right?

Scout.com ranks the top 50 draft picks by talent. Who tops the list?The Washington Post reported that Williams had a similar program in place when he was the defensive coordinator for the Redskins, too. But look, he didn’t invent the idea. And these players are not children. They know that players from the past are drooling on themselves now, and today's players didn’t have any problem ponying up for the bounty pool.

Apparently, real men turn other men into vegetables.

Those players all need to be suspended, and fined. The NFL fined Patriots coach Bill Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 over Spygate in 2007. Spygate was nothing compared to this.

These fines are going to hit seven figures.

As for Williams, now the coordinator with the Rams, he needs to be kicked out. He issued this apology, through the Rams:

"It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it. Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry."

It would be nice if Payton would say something like that, too.

Are we supposed to think the Saints are dirtier than other teams now? That’s what the NFL is going to want you to think. Don’t kid yourself.

"It’s definitely disappointing, but I won’t say that I’m completely surprised," Warner told KTAR Radio in Phoenix, via ProFootballTalk.com.

"And, again, not necessarily the Saints, but I’m not surprised that there were teams out there doing those kinds of things behind closed doors … I think that’s part of the game, and I think that’s part of the mindset."

This is a sport built on aggression and pain and testosterone. You can’t take all of that out of the game. All the league can do — for fans and NFL attorneys in future lawsuits — is make it appear that it is doing all it can do.

The problem is that the lawsuits from ex-players are going to start rolling in, especially if the Duerson family wins big. Meanwhile, studies are starting to see an increase in parents who don’t want their kids playing football.

Researchers at Virginia Tech and Wake Forest did a study measuring the head impact on youth football players. It was believed to be the first such study on youth football. It looked at seven players, ages 7 and 8, in Virginia.

As reported by ESPN, the study showed that the average player suffered 107 shots to the head over the course of 9.4 practices and 4.7 games.

This is a serious threat to the NFL. It’s the players of the past and the future attacking at the same time. At some point, people might start feeling sick to their stomachs when watching the game, cheering big hits and wondering what happens to a brain as it crashes off one side of the skull.

That’s what makes the Saints scandal so awful. The players knew.

Williams knew. Payton knew. Players and coaches around the league know.

They can’t help themselves. So, $1,500 for a cart-off? This is what they were taught, what they were groomed for. It is their dream.

• NFL: Saints paid players to hurt opponents| Warner a target?
• Marvez: Who is most likely to be tagged by deadline?

why dont they develop better protection

[18DerGoalie72 26]

The Rams have agreed to a trade with the Redskins giving Washington the #2 draft pick and the rights to draft RG3.

Peyton Manning probably going to sign for the Broncos or the Chiefs

[WelderAce 13]

No more Tebowing for me

However,

WE SUPERBOWL NOW.

[FirrhillLoyal 318]

Tebow for Manning

[gordo7 147]

Manning possibly going to Denver?? Was Elway not showering praise on Tebow at the end of last season, and if Manning does go, will Tebow be happy being a backup. It's a big risk taking on Manning imo, as everyone will be waiting for the first big hit that could end his career (hopefully that'll not happen) .

[WilliamFyfe 1,438]

Didn't know Manning got released by the Colts and can't believe he's going to sign for the Broncos!!!!

[Clemdog 39,389]

Just saw on Ale Bedoya's twitter Chad Ochocinco will be at our game against the minging mhob.

Alejandro it'd be an honor to come watch and support your club, all I need is 1 ticket for the game and I'm there boss.

easy! u got at least 1 ticket on reserve. #Rangers Atmosphere won't let u down man..we'll b ready for ya! @MauriceEdu @BocaBoca3

[.Williamson. 82,208]

Bump.

Cause I want to.

[mingledtrout 7]

Training camp Coming up

[.Williamson. 82,208]

When's this shit start again?

I usually get into it near the end of the season but I'm gonna try and watch from the beginning.

[Gazzalivesforever 1,987]

September 5th, Super Bowl winners the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in the first game

[.Williamson. 82,208]

September 5th, Super Bowl winners the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys in the first game

Cheers bud