Bunch of Nobodies

Posted: January 15th, 2017 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 255 Comments »

Free agency doesn’t start until March, but there are moves to be made now. The Eagles have added a handful of players already.

WR Dom Williams
WR Rasheed Bailey
FB Andrew Bonnet
OL Josh LeRibeus
CB Mitchell White

So that would be nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody and nobody. Right?

Most signings like this do not pan out. If the team is lucky, the player becomes an effective role player. Most don’t make the team. But every now and then you find a hidden gem. Which WR posted the most yards for the Falcons in Saturday’s playoff win over Seattle? That would be Taylor Gabriel (4-71). He tied for the team lead in TD catches this season and has been a great find for the Falcons. And they aren’t even his first team. He wasn’t good enough for…the Browns.

Note on Gabriel: Wasn't even a UDFA for Browns. Was a tryout body at rookie camp, inj'd in drill, begged Ray Farmer to let him stick to TC.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) January 14, 2017

Farmer did keep Gabriel around and he made the team in 2014. Heck, he was productive (36-621-1). Gabriel’s numbers dropped in 2015. With Farmer out as GM and a coaching change, Gabriel was let go. He got a second chance in Atlanta and has become a key part of their offense. You may remember him burning Leodis McKelvin for a 76-yard TD at The Linc a couple of months back. (Here is a good story on Gabriel and his background if you want to know more)

Sometimes guys just slip through the cracks.

Jimmy Smith was cut by Dallas and the Eagles before he went to Jacksonville and had a great career.

Lin Dawson and Johnny Unitas were both cut by the Steelers. They did okay for themselves.

James Harrison was a UDFA signing by the Steelers. He was on and off their practice squad before going to Baltimore for a while. They sent him to NFL Europe. He ended up back with the Steelers and has had a great career since then.

I think we all know Kurt Warner’s crazy story. He was all over the place before finding a home with the Rams. Even then, it took an injury to Trent Green to get Warner on the field.

Derek Wake went from Penn State to playing in the CFL. He changed his name to Cameron Wake and became one heck of a pass rusher. Miami signed him to see if he could play in the NFL. 81.5 sacks and 21 FFs later, I’d say the answer is yes.

NFL rosters are set at 53 players for the regular season, but are up at 90 for most of the offseason. You don’t just know who the 53 best players are. You need to bring in a bunch of players to find the 53 best. Teams have detailed scouting reports on all of these players, but you never know how they will respond to a given situation. Scheme matters. Coaching matters. Teammates matter. Environment matters.

Evan Mathis was in the NFL for 6 seasons before coming to Philly. He played for 3 teams and started 22 games. He showed flashes of talent, but something still wasn’t clicking. That all changed when he got to play for Howard Mudd in Philly. Mudd’s scheme was perfect for him and Mathis became a Pro Bowl player. The talent was always there, but the circumstances hadn’t been right to get him to perform at his best.

Joselio “MmmBop” Hanson was on SF’s practice squad in 2003. He made their roster in 2004. Hanson got cut in 2005 and went to NFL Europe. The Eagles signed him prior to 2006 and he became a key role player for the next 6 seasons.

The Eagles did have luck with one player from the CFL, DE Phillip Hunt. He was a backup pass rusher in 2011 and 2012, totaling 3 sacks.

There is no reason to get excited by the players the Eagles have added, but the beauty of pro football is that you never know when a nobody will become a somebody.

*****

About 7.5 weeks ago, the Eagles were 4-point favorites against the Packers. GB had lost 4 straight. Beat Eagles, haven't lost since.
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) January 15, 2017

Crazy.

And go Packers!!!

255 Comments on “Bunch of Nobodies”

1 bdbd20 said at 4:44 PM on January 15th, 2017:
LeRibeus is interesting. Talent there. Played in a wierd environment in WAS. Opportunities will be there for a backup role.
2 Didyouseethesizeofthemchickens said at 4:48 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Joe Buck makes my ears bleed.
3 Ray888 said at 5:14 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He must be adopted. His father was as good as thereever has been; he’s at the other extreme.
4 Insomniac said at 4:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Rodgers is in rhythm early, end it before the half please.
5 Patrick said at 5:18 PM on January 15th, 2017:
God, if Wentz becomes half of that we’ll be in a good place. Holy shit, he is SO good.
6 Dragon_Eagle said at 5:31 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Go pack go.
7 GermanEagle said at 5:42 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dallas sucks.
8 Dragon_Eagle said at 5:44 PM on January 15th, 2017:
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/92af0397ae610d478ea276800b8773ab76a87b310f3b83d900a41a77f5e0b2b2.png
9 anon said at 5:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I’m enjoying this blowout
10 Insomniac said at 5:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
2 more TDs and call it a day. Packers – Falcons will be very entertaining.
11 ACViking said at 5:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
GB v. Dallas . . . so far . . .
B-E-S-T / G-A-M-E / E-V-E-R (non-Eagles)
_______________
Dak Prescott has the 1980 SB Ron Jaworski Deer-in-the-Headlights look.
_______________
Still early.
12 xeynon said at 5:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
We’re about to see Prescott tested for maybe the first time all season.
I don’t want to jinx anything, but watching the expressions of bewilderment and frustration on the Dallas sideline is SOOO enjoyable.
13 Insomniac said at 5:50 PM on January 15th, 2017:
It’s pretty obvious who the rookie of the year is just based on this game alone.
14 xeynon said at 5:53 PM on January 15th, 2017:
The talk of Prescott as ROY or as the #1 pick in a redraft is laughable. He’s fine but Elliott makes their team go.
15 ACViking said at 5:52 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Thanks.
I’ve turned it off.
16 Insomniac said at 5:52 PM on January 15th, 2017:
You jynxed it!!!!!!!!!!
17 Bert's Bells said at 5:51 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Rodgers won’t even need a shower after this game. They might put up 50 without breaking a sweat.
18 xeynon said at 5:53 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dear GB defensive coordinator: no single coverage on Dez Bryant please.
19 GermanEagle said at 5:58 PM on January 15th, 2017:
This game is far from over.
20 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 5:58 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That was almost a disaster
21 FairOaks said at 6:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Yeah, both offenses are pretty explosive. Given some momentum, big leads can shrink in a hurry.
22 Dragon_Eagle said at 5:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
We may have the first competitive playoff game of the season, finally.
23 xeynon said at 6:01 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Jesus Christ does Claiborne commit DPI or holding on EVERY play?
24 GermanEagle said at 6:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
F the NFL. This is fixed.
25 Insomniac said at 6:09 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That was a great hit. Too bad he didn’t cause a fumble.
26 xeynon said at 6:09 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Cole Beasley is a good candidate for CTE later in his life.
27 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 6:11 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That looked like a chest shot
28 FairOaks said at 6:31 PM on January 15th, 2017:
The tackle was aimed shoulder to chest, but as often happens, the helmets hit before the shoulders did. Less force than a direct helmet hit at least.
29 xeynon said at 6:38 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Was more referring to his general style of play. The dude takes a ton of huge hits like that one.
30 Crus57 said at 6:46 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Most slot receivers are probably a good test case group for CTE, I’d guess
31 BobSmith77 said at 7:40 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Wesley Walker who I’m sure will also fall into the group too.
32 Tumtum said at 6:13 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Watching Allision come back to the vision of the QB even though he was open the whole time was a thing of beauty. Don’t just stand there and wave your hand. Of course this is something our WR would never do, because they would never be open in the first place.
33 Koy: The Legend of Neckbeard said at 6:17 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I’d point out that there is a plethora of tall, successful UFA WR’s in the league (besides Geronimo Allison in GB, there’s Tyrell Williams in SD and Cameron Meredith in CHI) and the Eagles have signed the likes of small and slow Paul Turner etc in recent years. Really strange.
34 Call Me Carlos the Dwarf said at 12:56 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Of course, Cole Beasley’s a small, slow UDFA.
No one really knows, haha.
35 Tumtum said at 2:40 PM on January 16th, 2017:
Wonder how long we have been using the scouts who focus WR? Maybe they are problem 1A.
36 Insomniac said at 6:16 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Oof. Cook getting hit right in the helmet reminds me of our WRs.
37 Henly Rodriguez said at 6:32 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Taylor Gabriel actually out-touchdowned Julio Jones 7 to 6 this season. The kid can definitely play. Let’s hope the Eagles get lucky.
38 GermanEagle said at 6:34 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Aaron Rodgers is the best QB of the universe.
39 FairOaks said at 6:35 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He and Brady are on another level.
40 GermanEagle said at 6:36 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If Rodgers was with BB, NE would be winning the Super Bowl 10 years in a row.
41 xeynon said at 6:40 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I think Rodgers >>> Brady. Brady’s great but doesn’t have the amazing improvisational ability of Rodgers. I think if you give Belichick Rodgers he wins 6+ Super Bowls.
42 GermanEagle said at 6:41 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Copy cat. 😉
43 FairOaks said at 6:54 PM on January 15th, 2017:
It’s a fair argument — Rodgers can definitely run better and improvise more. Brady is an amazing technician though, and has probably had much lesser offensive skill talent around him than Rodgers has had. (The period he had Randy Moss, sheesh, that was ridiculous.) But, much better coach as well. Probably an argument that will go on for a long time 🙂
44 BobSmith77 said at 7:34 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Over the entire course of their careers? Nah. Brady has done things that no QB at his age has ever done.
It will be interesting to see what he can do next year too at Age 40.
Only 1 QB in NFL history has only ever even won a single playoff game at 40 (Favre in ’09 with the Vikings vs Boys in the Wildcard round & was 40 1/3 years old). His ’09 season was the greatest season by a QB who was 40 too.
If Brady keeps doing this for another 2-3 years, it will shatter what previous has been done.
45 A_T_G said at 6:38 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If this game continues along this path, it will make me the happiest of any outcome since we played PIT.
46 GermanEagle said at 6:39 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If GB can get a 3&out and put up another TD it will look very very good, my friend..
47 GermanEagle said at 6:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Told you. lol. Sort of.
48 A_T_G said at 6:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Close enough.
49 A_T_G said at 6:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Nice pick. Hopefully that haunts him all offseason and leaves him emotionally fragile and hesitant for years to come.
50 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 6:57 PM on January 15th, 2017:
LOL.
51 Insomniac said at 6:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Finally
52 xeynon said at 6:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dak telegraphed that play. Deserved to throw a pick after that terrible heave into coverage he got away with earlier on this series.
53 A_T_G said at 6:54 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Sean Lee makes a much better Cowboys the years that he doesn’t finish the season.
54 xeynon said at 7:03 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Two questions:
(1) do we have a receiver who’s even 50% as good as Dez Bryant?
(2) how good would Wentz be with the weapons Prescott has to work with?
55 aka said at 7:04 PM on January 15th, 2017:
(1) No
(2) Very
56 daveH said at 7:06 PM on January 15th, 2017:
How good has Dez made Dak .. how good does Julius Jones make matt ice !
A Rod & Brady make their WRs better .. Dez & J Jones make their QB better
57 xeynon said at 7:08 PM on January 15th, 2017:
These teams are both so flawed. Great offenses, can’t play defense for $&#%.
58 scratcherk said at 7:23 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Is a psyche-shattering INT for Dak too much to ask for?
59 scratcherk said at 7:25 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Ugh the cowboys.
60 Crus57 said at 7:26 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Nice of that packer to push Dak into the endzone. Ugh.
61 GENETiC-FREAK said at 7:27 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Fkn Corwgirls!!! Lets go Packers!!!
62 xeynon said at 7:29 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Have to give the Cowboys credit. They have made plays to come back. Now we need Rodgers to get it done.
63 bsuperfi said at 7:29 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If Dallas wins with dak, it’s like Tony Romo loses. If Dallas loses, Dallas has lost and dak Prescott isn’t actually great yet. ! We win either way!
64 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:30 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If Dallas loses Im not sure it will be on Dak
65 xeynon said at 7:31 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I don’t have anything against Romo other than that he’s a Cowboy. Sorry, but scenario (1) does not appeal to me at all.
66 BobSmith77 said at 7:31 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Great game which is nice to see after so many stinkers.
67 xeynon said at 7:32 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Have to disagree.. if Green Bay had continued to pile it on and gone on to win 72-3, with Prescott throwing 5 INTs and Elliott losing 3 fumbles, THAT would have been a great game.
68 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:34 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I’m actually tired of seeing blowouts this postseason. Id rather it be a close game
69 xeynon said at 7:35 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Normally I’d agree, but the Cowboys suffering a humiliating beatdown is the second most satisfying outcome in football (after an Eagles victory of course).
70 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:36 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I think they will be devastated either way
71 BobSmith77 said at 7:37 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I still hoping for a big moment loss and whatever emotion Jerry can show with his Joker-type face.
72 xeynon said at 7:40 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be cracking a bottle of champagne if Dallas loses no matter what. But nothing quite beats the schadenfreude of watching the national media turn on the Boys and eviscerate them after a poor performance.
73 aron said at 7:36 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Cant stand dallas, but rogers is one arrogant punk, go GB
74 scratcherk said at 7:37 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Get er done Aaron.
75 xeynon said at 7:38 PM on January 15th, 2017:
We need not only a score here but also some non-terrible clock management from Mike McCarthy, which is always an iffy ask with him.
76 ACViking said at 7:41 PM on January 15th, 2017:
This game is so depressing at so many levels — even if GB wins.
Prescott. Elliott. Bryant. That O-line. Marinelli.
And the defense is likely to get better over the next 2-3 drafts.
________________
But GB MUST WIN.
77 BobSmith77 said at 7:42 PM on January 15th, 2017:
They still have Jason Garrett. This was the battle of 2 underachieving coaches. Maybe the biggest 2 currently in the NFL.
78 xeynon said at 7:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Eh. They have a lot of young talent for sure. However, aside from Romo getting hurt (which turned out to be a blessing in disguise), pretty much everything has gone their way this year. Everybody has stayed healthy, they were playing a last place schedule, etc. It’s really hard to sustain 13-3 type success, especially in the salary cap era.
79 BobSmith77 said at 7:51 PM on January 15th, 2017:
They have all the pieces in place to sustain a 11-12 win range for at least the next 2 season though.
80 Anders said at 3:57 AM on January 16th, 2017:
People thought that after 2014 as well.
The Dallas OL has been above healthy the last 3 seasons and Im not sure that keeps up.
81 scratcherk said at 7:41 PM on January 15th, 2017:
YES YES YES SUCK IT Dallas
82 BobSmith77 said at 7:41 PM on January 15th, 2017:
You could hear the collective sigh over the radio after the crowd knew it was pass inference.
Lowest background noise I can remember for an NFL radio broadcast too.
83 scratcherk said at 7:42 PM on January 15th, 2017:
FUCK YOUUUUUU DALLASSSSSS
84 BobSmith77 said at 7:44 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Good call.
85 scratcherk said at 7:44 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Hate the stretch play there.
86 scratcherk said at 7:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
also hate that call…
87 ACViking said at 7:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Now . . . How ’bout a swing pass to Ty Montgomery?
Maybe 4-5 yards behind the LOS?
88 Insomniac said at 7:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
McCarthy is going to be fired if he loses this somehow. That stretch play is dumb, put the ball in the hands of the guy who brought you here on his back moron.
89 scratcherk said at 7:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Oh thank goodness, wasnt sure there.
90 BobSmith77 said at 7:46 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Stupid to kick here.
91 BobSmith77 said at 7:46 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Oh my god Crosby bailed out McCarthy.
92 scratcherk said at 7:46 PM on January 15th, 2017:
TERRIBLE playcalling there.
93 BobSmith77 said at 7:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
You almost never here Packers’ fans hate on their players/coaches but it seems like McCarthy has as many haters there as Reid ever did here. He has won a SB too.
94 xeynon said at 7:53 PM on January 15th, 2017:
McCarthy is a good play designer but a pretty poor game day coach. I think the criticism he gets is justified.
95 scratcherk said at 7:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Allright Dak, lets see what you got
96 xeynon said at 7:48 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Let’s hope what he has is a soul crushing pick six.
97 ACViking said at 7:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dallas needs only to reach GB’s 43 yard line for Bailey.
This game truly sucks . . .
98 scratcherk said at 7:48 PM on January 15th, 2017:
almost in fg range already.
99 scratcherk said at 7:48 PM on January 15th, 2017:
fucking prevent d
100 kid said at 7:48 PM on January 15th, 2017:
wtf is wrong with dom capers?
101 scratcherk said at 7:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
what a turd.
102 BobSmith77 said at 7:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He is in the ‘Prevent turning the channel’ defense and wants to go into OT.
103 Insomniac said at 7:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
omg
104 ACViking said at 7:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Why does Aaron Rodgers hate winning playoff games?
105 ACViking said at 7:50 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dallas wins, the post-season is over for me.
106 scratcherk said at 7:51 PM on January 15th, 2017:
40 seconds left… for GB
107 Insomniac said at 7:51 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dial up those hail maries. You can’t screw that up McCarthy.
108 ACViking said at 7:52 PM on January 15th, 2017:
FG kickers in the NFL these days are, for the most part, unbelievable.
109 BobSmith77 said at 7:53 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Yeah. I remember even 25 years ago when anything outside of 40-yards especially outside of a dome & in cold weather was a crap shoot.
Norwood’s 47-yard FG miss is a routine make today.
110 scratcherk said at 7:54 PM on January 15th, 2017:
good call.
111 scratcherk said at 7:54 PM on January 15th, 2017:
how do you let that happen….
112 scratcherk said at 7:55 PM on January 15th, 2017:
lucky fucking cowboys.
113 BobSmith77 said at 7:55 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Lucky Packers more like it on that play
114 scratcherk said at 7:56 PM on January 15th, 2017:
YES YES YES
115 kid said at 7:56 PM on January 15th, 2017:
OMG
116 FairOaks said at 7:57 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Damn that’s a catch
117 scratcherk said at 7:57 PM on January 15th, 2017:
great fucking catch
118 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:57 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Oh yeah.
119 scratcherk said at 7:57 PM on January 15th, 2017:
let me make the obligatory — no eagle could make that catch — comment.
120 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 7:58 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Ertz
121 Dragon_Eagle said at 7:58 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Let me make it worse by pointing out that Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant could make that catch.
122 BobSmith77 said at 7:57 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dallas crowd . . .
https://media4.giphy.com/media/mEUvYUO7WnwVG/200_s.gif
123 FairOaks said at 7:58 PM on January 15th, 2017:
FG hasn’t been made yet. Last one almost went wide.
124 BobSmith77 said at 7:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Why the balloon hasn’t popped yet . . .
125 FairOaks said at 8:00 PM on January 15th, 2017:
OK, pop it 🙂
126 Insomniac said at 7:58 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That’s a damn catch
127 ACViking said at 7:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
No one but Rodgers can make that throw.
Can’t think of any other QB in NFL history who can make that throw.
(Marino had the arm and release, but not the mobility)
128 Insomniac said at 7:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Give VIck 10000 tries.
129 BobSmith77 said at 7:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Early Elway could especially out of that deep shotgun he played but I can’t think of another.
Wasn’t as mobile tough at Rodgers especially at Rodgers’ age.
130 ACViking said at 8:01 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Excellent.
131 BobSmith77 said at 8:04 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He couldn’t do it off his back foot like Rodgers could nor did he have quite the accuracy.
He did have the arm strength and ability to rifle it in unbelievably tight coverage. One of my all time favorite stories about the ‘Three Amigos’ was how they would have bruises on their chest/arms from Elway’s throws especially if they weren’t playing in pads. He threw the ball that hard.
I’d argue Cunningham too in ’89 or ’90 but who knows about the accuracy. Maybe makes that throw 2/10 times.
132 Dave said at 8:08 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I know it was a different era, but Elway was not nearly as accurate as Rodgers.
133 BobSmith77 said at 8:13 PM on January 15th, 2017:
No he didn’t especially on balls that are 20+ yards down the field.
134 Dave said at 9:10 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He didn’t what?
135 Dragon_Eagle said at 8:00 PM on January 15th, 2017:
The better play may honestly have been the sack where he didn’t fumble. That was just as impressive as anything else this game.
136 FairOaks said at 8:00 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Nope. On the other hand, you almost know Brady would have gotten the first down on the last drive, bled the clock, and had a boring short FG for the win with little time left.
137 sonofdman said at 8:16 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Only Rodgers and WENTZ can make that throw! But if Wentz made it the receiver would have dropped it or taken an extra step out of bounds to make sure he didn’t fall over (Matthews).
138 ACViking said at 8:17 PM on January 15th, 2017:
LMFAO!!!
139 BobSmith77 said at 7:59 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Is Rodgers the greatest QB at downfield throws scrambling & outside of the pocket?
140 Insomniac said at 8:00 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Football gods please
141 kid said at 8:00 PM on January 15th, 2017:
YESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
142 Crus57 said at 8:00 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Mason Crosby, you don’t have to buy drinks again.
143 BobSmith77 said at 8:01 PM on January 15th, 2017:
https://media4.giphy.com/media/3oz8xBwn8AU6Bp1hKM/200_s.gif
144 A_T_G said at 8:01 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That is a sad looking ewok.
145 scratcherk said at 8:03 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That kick looked no good for a sec.
146 ACViking said at 8:03 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dallas . . . BLAH BLAH BLAH.
LOSERS.
_________________
Now, the Patriots must be destroyed.
147 FairOaks said at 8:06 PM on January 15th, 2017:
On that score, are you rooting for the Chiefs or Steelers?
148 ACViking said at 8:06 PM on January 15th, 2017:
KC
149 A_T_G said at 8:07 PM on January 15th, 2017:
KC.
150 Howie Littlefinger said at 9:12 PM on January 15th, 2017:
KFC
151 PacificPurl said at 4:41 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Steelers. I do not want Patriots to win another Super Bowl. And out of the teams left the Steelers deserve their success. The team not necessarily individuals.
152 scratcherk said at 8:03 PM on January 15th, 2017:
FUCK YOUUUU DALLLASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS AHHAHAHAHHAHAHAH
153 anon said at 8:04 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Hate to delight in others pain but…
154 Insomniac said at 8:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
they deserve no sympathy.
155 A_T_G said at 8:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
It’s okay, Cowboy fans aren’t real people.
156 Insomniac said at 8:04 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Looking forward to the Packers v Falcons game.
157 ACViking said at 8:04 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Where’s Jerry?
Where’s Jerry to tell us how great his team is?
158 A_T_G said at 8:04 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Ah, feels good knowing I will be able to watch the Super Bowl.
159 Crus57 said at 8:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
and the NFC Championship
160 Dave said at 8:06 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I would need the Patriots to lose next week to truly enjoy the Super Bowl
161 BobSmith77 said at 8:06 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Nah I really want to see Pats-Packers. It was the matchup I wanted to see even before this weekend. Even more so now.
I have no interest in seeing the Falcons.
162 A_T_G said at 8:07 PM on January 15th, 2017:
My nightmare was DAL-NE SB. Now I can at least root against NE.
163 Crus57 said at 8:08 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Steelers / Falcons SB would mean we can take a moral SB win since we beat the both of them fair and square.
164 Dave said at 8:10 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Now that I think about it, you’re right. It’s no fun unless you have a team to root against….because the only team you could truly root for would be the Eagles.
165 sonofdman said at 8:13 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Exactly. I was scared to root against New England, because I thought we might need them as a last resort to stop Dallas. But now I can root against New England and be fine with any other result.
166 Anders said at 3:55 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Honestly Patriots winning does not really affect me where Dallas would just be devastating.
I would hate for Dallas to luck into Presscott and then go an win a SB with him.
I loved Presscott coming out (I thought he was the 3rd best QB after Goff and Wentz), but the Cowboys tried 4 times in the draft to get another QB
167 Dragon_Eagle said at 8:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Go Big Red.
168 Sean Stott said at 8:05 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Feels so good the way Dallas lost. must have been soul crushing.
169 Gary Barnes said at 8:07 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Packers WIn!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fuck you Jerry, Dak, Elliott, Dez, Garrett you puppet and all the rest!!
170 Sean Stott said at 8:07 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dak seems like a pretty good guy and honestly Garrett does too. Fuck everyone else you mentioned though.
171 Gary Barnes said at 8:22 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Garrett is a stooge who would likely not have a HC job this long anywhere else. He does whatever Jerry wants, licks his boots and keeps his trap shut. He has had 2 winning seasons in 6 and is 1-2 in the playoffs.
172 ACViking said at 8:07 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Jared Cook . . . great catch w/ 3 seconds left (finds space, keeps feet in).
But on Rodgers’ two prior passes, both went right through Cook’s hands.
Remarkable turn.
173 sonofdman said at 8:11 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That catch was amazing! I can’t believe he kept both feet in and his knee up off the ground.
174 Donald Kalinowski said at 8:41 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I thought Jones got away with DPI on that one pass.
175 kajomo said at 8:08 PM on January 15th, 2017:
The world is good again.
176 kajomo said at 8:10 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I would have paid good money to see Jerry’s face.
177 BobSmith77 said at 8:12 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Physical extent of which Jerry is able to express sadness nowadays.
http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/ab/abd5ec52e8c9c5ab160b790cbc2204ecd675eddd8ea5fc1ac8df2afde7fbe302.jpg
178 Crus57 said at 8:15 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He looks a lot like Bishop from Aliens, him being an android would explain a lot.
He definitely looks like he has a room somewhere with a shelf full of spare faces in it.
179 sonofdman said at 8:23 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I don’t know, do androids like prostitutes? https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/725290ee82ba9cbc5c6b835aa174ec734270d9c4c1b021558a55f53b36451d00.jpg
180 Crus57 said at 8:24 PM on January 15th, 2017:
dude, some of us have to sleep soon, and I don’t have enough alcohol in the house to wash that out of my brain.
181 sonofdman said at 8:25 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Sorry 🙂
182 laeagle said at 10:54 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I may never have an erection again…
183 DarthBanner said at 9:38 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I was in Dallas a few years ago for work. A bunch of us went out for dinner and Jones happened to be in the restaurant making out with a much younger woman that was definitely not his wife. One of the people I was with asked him for a picture and the woman scampered to the other end of the bar so as not to be caught in the pic. He was actually really friendly, which was good, as it helped control my natural desire to punch him in the face.
184 DarthBanner said at 8:20 PM on January 15th, 2017:
That was the one disappointment. No camera shot of the Jones box after the field goal.
185 Gary Barnes said at 8:25 PM on January 15th, 2017:
So true, wonder if Chris Christie was with him this time, lol. I hope Jerry goes on a bender again and gets arrested Irsay style
186 BobSmith77 said at 8:10 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Appropriate for Elliott’s playoff record now too!
http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/51/47/53/10910415/6/920×920.jpg
187 ACViking said at 8:16 PM on January 15th, 2017:
When the Eagles lost the Fog Bowl, Reggie White talked about how close they were to winning and how that bitter taste of losing would be a springboard.
Well . . . I hope all the Cowboys are thinking what Reggie thought.
And I hope the Cowboys suffer for the next decade, never getting to a SB.
188 sonofdman said at 8:17 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I wish I could up-vote this more than once.
189 Dragon_Eagle said at 8:18 PM on January 15th, 2017:
You are too kind sir. I hope the Cowboys and their fans suffer for eternity.
190 Will Ft. Daft Punk said at 8:18 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Sadly i think Dallas is right back next year
191 ACViking said at 8:19 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Don’t disagree.
But I want them on the precipice. 1 step away.
And never getting there.
192 Dragon_Eagle said at 8:26 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I want them to become the Cleveland Browns. Nothing but despair.
193 scratcherk said at 8:19 PM on January 15th, 2017:
No major losses this offseason. CLaiborne is a free agent and Gregory gone for the year but thats it.
194 Fufina said at 9:13 PM on January 15th, 2017:
They have a lot of roll players to replace and not much cap to do it with:
Brandon Carr
Barry Church
Morris Claiborne
(3 starters on secondary)
JJ Wilcox (backup safety)
Terrell McClain (starting DT)
Gavin Escobar (2nd TE – at some point Written needs to be replaced)
Ronald Leary (starting LG)
Terrance Williams (no.2 WR), Brice Butler (no.4 WR)
(Assuming they Trade Romo) Kellen Moore is a FA so they will need 2x backup QB’s.
And 12 more depth/special teams guys who are UDFA/RFA are out of contract.
They are $5mil over the cap (only saves $5mil trading Romo), and will need money for draft picks. They can (and will) restructure some money – but they are loosing 3-4 starters, and the same in key depth guys at least this off season without obvious replacements and no cap to get replacements.
The offence will still be legit… defence may see a lot more 30+ point games next year.
195 Dave said at 8:52 PM on January 15th, 2017:
2 words…Salary cap
196 DarthBanner said at 8:19 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Hahahahahahaha. 1 and done. Said it all year long. I wonder where the Cowboys trolls are now?
197 ACViking said at 8:20 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Does any other team beat the Cowboys at home?
Would New England win in Dallas?
Or Atlanta?
May have been a perfect storm sending GB there.
198 Gary Barnes said at 8:28 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Yes, Dallas has been overrated all season. That defense was protected by the offense and having leads just like 2 years ago.
199 scratcherk said at 8:37 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I’d like to think either of those teams would have. Prob not SEA or DET tho.
200 Anders said at 2:43 AM on January 16th, 2017:
The Falcons would tourch the Cowboys defense the way they are playing right now
201 DJH said at 8:23 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Giants out, Dallas out. Suddenly all is right in the world (of football) again. Sigh.
202 Gary Barnes said at 8:26 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Pats next and all will be well
203 A_T_G said at 8:24 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Eagles are undefeated and the Cowboys are winless in 2017.
204 Dragon_Eagle said at 8:27 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dallas is 0-2 in 2017.
205 ACViking said at 8:27 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Little bit of history . . .
In 1966, Dallas played in their first playoff game in franchise history . . .
At home vs. Lombardi’s Packers. (SB-1 the next week v. KC.)
Cowboys lost on the last play of the game (INT from 6 yd line in GB endzone).
I only mention this because the loss to GB was the start of Dallas’s long playoff run under Tom Landry . . . (Gag!)
And it started the genuine hatred in Philadelphia for that Blue Star.
With this cast of Cowboys, the Hate-meter is gonna be running for awhile.
206 BobSmith77 said at 8:32 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I don’t hate or even dislike Prescott or Elliott. Ditto Garrett.
This isn’t the early 90s Boys.
207 daveH said at 8:48 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Agree… but its still Jerry so that’s where the joy comes in.
208 BobSmith77 said at 9:19 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I was always indifferent to Aikman and always was kind fond of E. Smith especially appreciating what he did as the game went on.
Nah he wasn’t the threat to take it to the house like Sanders but he avoided negative plays, already seemed to stretch/fall forward, and was a much better receiving threat & blitz pickup back.
If you were inside the 10 too, I would rather have Smith. I always thought he did a great job of finding a crease & hitting it right away.
209 daveH said at 9:38 PM on January 15th, 2017:
So few players do i hate .. but coaches and owners are different
210 scratcherk said at 8:37 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Rooting for Andy to win a SB
211 daveH said at 8:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Gross no way.
No pity victories for him.
Wud love to see andy mess up a sure win.
212 A_T_G said at 9:02 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I just don’t get it.
Andy gave this franchise its most sustained success, left respectfully when his time came to an end, and has only shown good will to the players and organization since.
Yet Andy receives vitriol where Buddy receives reverence.
213 daveH said at 9:26 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Hard to debate the way you express it.
Only marv Levy gets any special credit for 2nd place.
214 iceberg584 said at 9:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dude, you don’t make any sense.
215 daveH said at 10:35 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Andy reid in a Rams uniform make any sense?
216 laeagle said at 10:51 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Sorry, but it’s deserved. A little frustration with Reid is understandable. But he’s the best coach this franchise ever had. EVER. That is not subject to debate; you do not pass go, you do not collect $200. If you think otherwise, you have no actual points to make. You are simply an emotion-driven troll who does not understand facts and reason.
217 daveH said at 11:12 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I loved those teams. Loved Jim Johnson.
The unlimited love for him is what creeps me out.
218 Koy: The Legend of Neckbeard said at 10:44 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Dave’s a troll
219 daveH said at 11:36 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Ouch. 12-4 team who cant win a playoff game. Troll deez
220 PacificPurl said at 4:31 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Andy would probably receive more love if he had left 5 years earlier. There were just too many poor decisions during those last years.
221 Anders said at 4:34 AM on January 16th, 2017:
So you didnt like 2008 or 2009 (outside of those 2 last games)?
222 Dragon_Eagle said at 8:39 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Side note. I do find these ads featuring Steve Smith Sr. teaching sportsmanship to be quite funny. (meant Senior, edited).
223 Donald Kalinowski said at 8:43 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I’m Rodgers biggest fan today, but I’m rooting for Atlanta next week. The local kid doesn’t get enough credit for how good of a QB he’s been the last 8 seasons.
224 daveH said at 8:50 PM on January 15th, 2017:
He a HOF qb as long as he has Julius Jones on the team.
225 P_P_K said at 9:28 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I’d be a HOF qb with Jones catching.
226 sonofdman said at 3:00 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Then he must be really good because Julius Jones was a pretty crappy running back before he retired.
227 daveH said at 11:43 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Ooooooops. Yep Julio. Cant mess that up, and cant blame it on spell check.
I do hope julius saved his money I remember a story about all the cars he had
228 Dragon_Eagle said at 9:06 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Eric Berry. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you tackle.
229 BobSmith77 said at 9:21 PM on January 15th, 2017:
They were touting the Chiefs’ red zone defense before the game and it was delivered big time so far (2/3 with 2 FGs only).
Always wanted to know how much of this though is just kind of a fluky thing vs something you can really design a defensive scheme & personnel to really stop it.
230 FairOaks said at 9:33 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Collinsworth just compared Leveon Bell’s running style to how you used to play the Frogger video game. That’s actually kind of inspired.
231 BobSmith77 said at 9:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
KC is really lucky to be in this game yet. If you showed me just the stats and not the score, I would assume Steelers were up at least double digits at half.
232 Fufina said at 10:24 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Got a weird feeling Chiefs get the W. Steelers cannot just kick FG’s all game and pull out the win.
233 BobSmith77 said at 10:09 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Eagles never have had a combo of Big Ben, Bell, and Brown at the same time.
Closest was McNabb, Owens, and Westbrook in ’04 and they made the Super Bowl. Maybe you could consider ’80 when they had Jaws, Montgomery, and Carmichael but I wouldn’t.
Owens was a Top 5 WR and maybe even the best WR in ’04. Westbrook was also a Top 5 WR if not top 3 RB.
234 myartz04 said at 10:42 PM on January 15th, 2017:
I think the Eagles can make the playoffs next year but I don’t think they can compete with these teams that have a form of a ‘big 3’. I think Wentz can be one but we don’t have anyone remotely close as an offensive skill position player that is considered one of the best in the league. Ertz has an outside shot, but will he develop any further? I love the way he played after he was called out but would like to see him become a legit threat in the red zone.
235 Fufina said at 10:47 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If the defence is legit enough you can compete. Not that i think the Eagles can get there – they will be relying on rookies at CB/WR in all likelihood and they are some of the hardest positions to get rookie production from.
236 Donald Kalinowski said at 10:45 PM on January 15th, 2017:
The playoffs other than the Packers/Cowboys have been extremely boring.
We all know Pittsburgh is winning this game.
237 BobSmith77 said at 10:49 PM on January 15th, 2017:
If I’m Belicheck, I’m hoping KC pulls out his game. Steelers (as long as Big Ben is upright) should able to move the ball against them and Pats cant get into a shootout.
238 BreakinAnklez said at 6:00 PM on January 16th, 2017:
Didn’t they just drop 38 on the NFL’season #1 defense who has played without its best player all year?
239 BobSmith77 said at 11:20 PM on January 15th, 2017:
Disagree strongly this was an exciting game. It was a close score but only because the Steelers stunk in the red zone.
Curious to see what the line will open up in the AFC Championship. I say it opens with Pats -5
240 PacificPurl said at 4:27 AM on January 16th, 2017:
It was exciting in the sense of who’s going to screw up least.
241 holeplug said at 11:34 PM on January 15th, 2017:
3rd and the season and KC has Justin Houston drop into coverage
242 FairOaks said at 12:37 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Brown would have been open much earlier had Houston rushed — he dropped right where the pass was going to go. Maybe if he had blitzed, but that is often gifting an easy pass to Ben. Tough call all around — by dropping he bought time, but the rush never got there. They force a punt there they were actually in reasonable shape. But they couldn’t stop Pittsburgh outside the red zone all game long.
243 Jeffrey Stover said at 1:12 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Forget all other WR coaching candidates! Can we get the Packers WR coach!?! Now I know they are more talented across the board at that position but with them, the next guy is always ready (Janis, Allison, etc)! They get open and they make the tough grabs! How many times this season did we have guys in similar situations and they actually made the play??? They are so deep that they were even able to spot the RB position a player! And he became the starting running back! Even if just half of that kind of production is coaching, that is the kind of coach we need!
244 Rellihcs said at 4:22 AM on January 16th, 2017:
I believe arod is spoken for.
245 Ryan Rambo said at 1:25 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Interesting read…..
http://phillysportsnetwork.com/2017/01/15/34192/
246 Media Mike said at 6:41 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Thank you for sharing. The athleticism element of playing corner is always interesting when combined with some of the technique / skill / awareness parts of the position.
247 PacificPurl said at 4:26 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Late getting here but, check where Antonio Brown was drafted. As for nobodies, that’s exactly what too many folks called Malcolm Jenkins, remember? And called Kelly some unmentionable things for bringing MJ here. Along with worn out, used up Sproles.
248 Anders said at 4:34 AM on January 16th, 2017:
Check where Tom Brady was drafted!
249 Media Mike said at 5:19 AM on January 16th, 2017:
For the NFC game I’ll be content to see a good game.
I’ll be in the minority here, but I’ll be rooting for New England in the AFC game. Pittsburgh can flat out F OFF. I don’t know a single annoying Patriots fan, but all of PA that is north and west of the Greater Philadelphia Area is full of imbecilic miscreants.
250 BreakinAnklez said at 5:55 PM on January 16th, 2017:
Than you don’t know any Patriots fans. They are worse than Red Sox fans, because they’ve only cared since Brady/Belicheat started winning SB’s
251 Media Mike said at 5:22 AM on January 16th, 2017:
So I missed the end of the game last night, but there seemed to be some crying from idiot Kelce because Fisher was called for holding Harrison using a fully extended arm around Harrison’s neck.
Two quick points;
1) That’s a textbook hold
2) Can I file for 348 retroactive holding calls on Trent Williams’s cheating rear end for all of the times he’s held out DEs with similar fully extended arms? While I’m at it, can I also tack on holding committed by Chris Samuels on our guys as well?
252 FairOaks said at 5:14 PM on January 16th, 2017:
That was a textbook hold and Smith would have been hit before the pass without it. It would have been an awful non-call.
Kelce dropped a long pass right at his waist earlier in the game… if you wanted to change the game, catch that one instead. I feel for Reid, but he just doesn’t have the skill players that Pittsburgh does. Their defense could not get off the field. They held up amazingly well in the red zone, but they needed a bit more. Very good team, but … so is Pittsburgh.
253 BreakinAnklez said at 5:59 PM on January 16th, 2017:
That D is crazy talented. Maclin, Kelce, Ware, Charles (when healthy), Hill. They have weapons. Smith is the problem.
254 FairOaks said at 4:10 PM on January 17th, 2017:
Yep. But that D could not get off the field this game. Pittsburgh punted *once* the entire game. I think they need a healthy Charles to contend if Smith is the QB.
255 BreakinAnklez said at 5:56 PM on January 16th, 2017:
Agree it was a hold. How about all the non-calls in the Dallas game too? Someone shared a screen grab on the Dez TD where it looked like at least 3 of the Packers rushers were being held.