NFL 2017 - Week 1 - Where have you gone Bernard Pollard?

rass · Post by **rass** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 6:58 pm

Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you....

Johnny Carwash · Post by **Johnny Carwash** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:34 pm

Question I guess for Johnnie: Is Marky Mark actually as popular in Boston as he is portrayed by the national media? I never got the impression he was, but maybe that's a perspective I can't fully see from here in the WASPy neighbor to the north.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:49 pm

I haven't lived in Boston for 16 years. From what I knew of that family growing up, they were drug addicts from Dorchester.

But their brother's burger joint and tv show from it bumped their notoriety. Plus he's the highest paid actor right now, so maybe they just latch on and ride the hype.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:50 pm

Johnnie may have a different perspective but I'd say it's a strong no. He doesn't seem disliked or anything, but it's not like NJ where people would pick Springsteen over their own mothers.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:53 pm

^ has lived in Massachusetts more recently than me. I'll trust his words.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:30 pm

But I lived in the transient asshole part.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:45 pm

We gave up a 5th rounder for Gillislee. Nice. Lol @ Buffalo.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:50 pm

And the season's first meme is born! Alex Smith tripping over his feet under excellent pass protection.

Joe K · Post by **Joe K** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:57 pm

Johnnie wrote:And the season's first meme is born! Alex Smith tripping over his feet under excellent pass protection.

Not watching the game but just want to chime in with my (hot?) take that Alex Smith is not a good quarterback. At all. He's hugely benefited from playing under two great, offensive-minded head coaches in Harbaugh and Reid*, but I'm convinced he's a well-below average NFL starter.

*For as much as Andy Reid is mocked his regular season track record is excellent.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 8:59 pm

I know Magary's Deadspin posts are mostly sarcastic in his over the top writing style, but I'm pretty sure he's right about Gronk getting traded this year.

No reason he should be on the sideline with his helmet off during the first game of the season.

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:14 pm

I think Alex Smith's average distance downfield per pass is like 2.5 yards.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:35 pm

Which actually can work in your favor when most of the other team's linebackers are running around like human Riddler outfits

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:42 pm

19-NO.

Lucky that this is Kansas City tonight and not someone better. Brady's off.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 9:55 pm

And Dont'a is done. Fuuuuck.

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:11 pm

Would be interesting to see the Pats play in a division that isn't a dumpster fire.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:14 pm

Wait a second, is there no longer a roughing the kicker penalty?

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:51 pm

I don't think the Pats are going 19-0, you guys.

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:06 pm

Any #MACtion tonight?

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:08 pm

God damn this game is a delight.

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:09 pm

The Pats quitting was a beautiful touch.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:11 pm

I think we're seeing the real Patriots tonight.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:13 pm

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:14 pm

Fair point:

https://twitter.com/DragonflyJonez/stat ... 8810762240

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 11:21 pm

There will be some overreactions to this game but the Pats should be legit worried about Brady's age and their apparent lack of depth.

ETA: Especially on defense. Someone like Van Noy should not be a starter for a Super Bowl caliber team. If Hightower is seriously injured they're in bad shape.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 12:20 am

Van Noy was a very important part of the defense last year, BTW.

Not sure how well many teams would do losing their 2 WR in the course of a few weeks, then another in-game.
LB is a little tough, but Nink has said he may unretire, and Freeney is still a FA, no? He'd at least improve the pass rush..which I think is the #1 problem.

Didn't see/hear much of David Harris in the game (looks like he had 1 whole tackle.)

Too much roster turn over and facing a team that was the #2 seed and brought back basically the same team as last year. AND typically match up well against the Pats.

The call back on the Gronk TD (right call) and the shitty play call on the 4th down really emboldened the Chiefs. If the Pats had been able to go up 14-0 or even 10-0 it's a different ball game.

The D wasn't going to be amazing, and the offense should make up for it. Hurt by losing the safety valve that is Edelman.

People that were talking 16-0 were idiots. While the league isn't filled with great teams, NE has some big flaws and depth problems, but I think that they'll be top 1-2 teams in the AFC.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 5:21 am

Despite the fact that it took close to 4 hours, that was a really fun game. There will be tons of overreaction, but nice to stop the idiot talk of a 19-0 season before it could even start.

Bills in first!

And concerning Wahlberg - kinda scummy that there he is, basically introducing the team to the home fans (and of course to the viewers) and instead of wearing a Patriots logo, he was wearing a shitty t-shirt with the logo of his "Sports Supplement" company.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:03 am

I don't know how the non-do your job teams would fare after losing their #1 and #3/4 wr, but some may give up less than 42 to Alex Smith.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 7:57 am

Eric Berry's injury is brutal for the Chiefs though. He's the most important part of that defense

Giff · Post by **Giff** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:34 am

No apologies to Alex Smith this morning?

HaulCitgo · Post by **HaulCitgo** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:35 am

Thought the Pats looked pretty decent. KC is a good team. Coverage breakdowns were concerning in that there were numerous big plays. Didnt get much separation from pass catchers but probably a lot to do with coverage scheme. Gilislee looked like a keeper except for 4th down. They are officially thin at LB/DE but they looked like they got after Smith a little. Nothing mind blowing but enough pressure. First games are always kind of a crap shoot. First couple really. So long as they dont dig too deep a hole, they look like what we thought they were. Dont like how roster sizes have you putting guys that dont know the playbook in the first game. Just no reason the NFL doesnt increase roster sizes by 10.

tennbengal · Post by **tennbengal** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:40 am

Gunpowder wrote:I don't know how the non-do your job teams would fare after losing their #1 and #3/4 wr, but some may give up less than 42 to Alex Smith.

LIKE

Jerloma · Post by **Jerloma** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:08 am

"An offsetting penalty that wasn't announced."

That's a thing now.

You shameless twats.

Joe K · Post by **Joe K** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:12 am

Giff wrote:No apologies to Alex Smith this morning?

If Alex Smith is willing to keep taking deep shots, then he'll be a much better player. His historic inability or unwillingness to take those shots has always been my biggest issue with him.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:21 am

Giff wrote:No apologies to Alex Smith this morning?

You're right. I should have picked him up.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:31 am

https://twitter.com/michaelswander/stat ... 2787287040

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:40 am

Brontoburglar wrote:Eric Berry's injury is brutal for the Chiefs though. He's the most important part of that defense

KC looks to be really tough this season, but yeh, that Berry injury is NOT what they needed. Sorry, Bronto. (Or, are you more of a Cowboys fan?)

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:55 am

you all know how i feel about going for 4th down.

Should have kick the FG to make it 10-0, maybe put some doubt into KC after the opening drive fumble and no momentum.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:01 am

sancarlos wrote:
Brontoburglar wrote:Eric Berry's injury is brutal for the Chiefs though. He's the most important part of that defense

KC looks to be really tough this season, but yeh, that Berry injury is NOT what they needed. Sorry, Bronto. (Or, are you more of a Cowboys fan?)

I'll want the Chiefs to beat the Cowboys, so...

But the whole worry about college football 24/7 thing makes a relative lack of emotional investment in the NFL quite freeing

L-Jam3 · Post by **L-Jam3** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:57 am

degenerasian wrote:you all know how i'm wrong about how I feel about going for 4th down.

Should have kick the FG to make it 10-0, maybe put some doubt into KC after the opening drive fumble and no momentum.

FIFY.

It can't be understated how the loss of Berry affects the Chiefs. He was masterful against Gronk last night. Losing Berry brings the Chiefs down from potentially the scariest defense in the league to a good, or maybe very good one. They are still bona fide Super Bowl contenders, but like SC said, they did not need that right now.

Rush2112 · Post by **Rush2112** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 11:18 am

Gunpowder wrote:I don't know how the non-do your job teams would fare after losing their #1 and #3/4 wr, but some may give up less than 42 to Alex Smith.

They gave up 41 to Smith the last time the "Brady's done" crap came up. Remind me again how that season ended?