2022/23 NFL Thread

[Timberridge]

I'm most concerned with the changes to the run blocking scheme. Reports aren't great.

Sent from my Pixel 5a using Tapatalk

Finally, some insight.

Where are all the Pats fans who used to frequent this thread? They can't be watching Red Sox games.
I have questions looking for answers.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

The Pats coaching situation is being misreported. Not naming a coordinator is nothing new for Belichick. They didn't have an DC last year. Jerod Mayo ran defensive meetings and Steve Belichick called plays on D and they were 2nd in the league in points allowed. Nor is it unusual for them to move coaches from one side of the ball to the other. Bill will be the real boss of the offense, as he was 17 years ago when McDaniels started calling plays without the OC title.

The one coach BB has struggled to replace over the years is retired O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia. He and Alex Gibbs are probably the greatest position coaches in NFL history. The first time he retired the Pats O-line when from great to nothing special. Remember when the Pats couldn't handle the Giants D-line in the Super Bowl? That happened during Scar's first retirement. And it happened again when he retired again a couple years ago. The early reports of Matt Patricia as O line coach aren't all that encouraging.

This is the real coaching issue that could derail the Pats season. If the offense struggles it will be because of inconsistent O-line play and the lack of real pass catching weapons. The media will blame it on the play calling because this has been generating clicks, but talent and communication along the O line are much bigger concerns, in my opinion. Mac Jones looks like he will be somewhere in the Ryan/Dak/Carr/ range. Guys like that need a clean pocket and/or WR's who consistently win their matchups to flourish. Not sure Mac will have either consistently.

Their D will be good again with solid depth all around, but they lack elite talent on that side of the ball as well. They're faster at LB and have better DB depth, but lost their best CB (JC Jackson) in free agency. Call it a wash. They'll shut down the mediocre offenses but get exposed by the QB's who don't get fooled by fancy coverages, as well as the Josh Allens and Lamar Jacksons who can extend plays at will. Again.

I think the team will be a bit better than last season, but their schedule is killer. They'll go 9-8 and miss the playoffs unless a couple of their opponents end up being worse than expected. Even if they sneak in to the playoffs they don't have the talent to hang against the best teams.

AFC Playoff teams:

Bills
Bengals
Chiefs
Colts
Ravens
Raiders
Chargers

Broncos have an overrated roster, the least experienced coaching staff in the NFL and play in a brutal division. I don't trust the Dolphins coaching staff (or Tua) either, especially amid all the ownership controversy and giving a turd like Hill a mega contract. Titans will take a step back, but could sneak in because they have an easy schedule. Browns will have a backup QB for at least 6 games. Any of those teams and the Pats would likely make the playoffs in the NFC. The AFC is loaded.

[Timberridge]

This is more like it, thanks for the update.

I think this situation would be fine if a veteran QB was in place, but this is only McCorkles 2nd yr and you have a leadership committee calling plays. Well, I guess we'll see after the first real games.

[hatchgreenchile]

Pats are a "high floor, low ceiling" club. Same with the Steelers, Colts & Titans. They are ideal wild card weekend opponents.
AFC West is the hardest division to figure out. Will they cannibalize each other? I can see a path of 3 teams making the playoffs from the AFC North.
Only a few weeks to go - I'm stoked!

[TahoeJ]

On ESPN right now: “Is there pressure on Belichick this season to keep his job?”

Lol… man ESPN sucks.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

This is more like it, thanks for the update.

I think this situation would be fine if a veteran QB was in place, but this is only McCorkles 2nd yr and you have a leadership committee calling plays. Well, I guess we'll see after the first real games.

I don't think Mac is a guy who struggles to learn an offense. He had some bad habits and technique to clean up after last season. He stared down receivers too much at times (see the impressive interception by an apparently psychic Micah Hyde) and he struggles to get enough juice on the ball when he can't set his feet, which can be mitigated somewhat with better footwork. There were times when he underestimated how much ground an NFL DB can cover. But his mental game was about as good as it gets for a rookie QB. He was teaching Cam Newton the offense in camp last season. He was teaching new coaches the offense when he was at Alabama.

Belichick will be the boss of the offense, even if he doesn't call plays (which he might). It won't be a mess. This coaching setup won't derail Mac's development. But the lack of a go-to WR and inconsistent pass blocking could stop him from being effective. He doesn't have the legs or arm to consistently make plays when the guys around him aren't winning their matchups. I think he'll have a good year regardless, but they've got eight games against the Bills, Dolphins, Ravens, Packers, Browns and Bengals, teams with good to great DB groups along with a solid pass rush. The Pats receivers probably won't be getting a ton of separation in those games. If the O-line doesn't play great football, Mac will struggle.

Again, there are legit concerns for this Patriots team and coaching staff, but I think the media is focused on the wrong things.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

AFC West is the hardest division to figure out.

Yup. I think the Raiders could be pretty damn good. Parker/Waller/Renfrow is a hell of a combo. Carr will put up big numbers. And I think McDaniels will be much less terrible than he was in Denver. He might even be pretty good. If there D can be average they will make the playoffs.

Chargers roster is loaded, but I don't think their coach should be a head coach. And Herbert has been a bit like Andrew luck in that he looks like an all pro most of the time, but pretty ordinary in the big games versus good defenses. But they have one of the best rosters in the league, and Herbert certainly isn't a weakness.

Chiefs won't be as explosive without Hill, but they will be good.

[hatchgreenchile]

Yup. I think the Raiders could be pretty damn good. Parker/Waller/Renfrow is a hell of a combo. Carr will put up big numbers. And I think McDaniels will be much less terrible than he was in Denver. He might even be pretty good. If there D can be average they will make the playoffs.

Chargers roster is loaded, but I don't think their coach should be a head coach. And Herbert has been a bit like Andrew luck in that he looks like an all pro most of the time, but pretty ordinary in the big games versus good defenses. But they have one of the best rosters in the league, and Herbert certainly isn't a weakness.

Chiefs won't be as explosive without Hill, but they will be good.

Carr will never be in a better situation. It's now or never.
Chargers are still a bumbling team, and will be until proven otherwise. Their defense needs to take a massive step forward.
Broncos are so weird to figure out. Seahawks have wanted to move Russ for years. That doesn't happen with franchise QBs. Something is missing here. If Ciara would show up for martinis at the Cruise Room, perhaps she could share some details.

If I was on the spot, I think the Chiefs win 13, the Chargers and Raiders win 10, and the Broncos win 8.

[I've seen black diamonds!]

^^^^^ Chargers added Khalil Mack and JC Jackson. It doesn't get much better than that for turning a D around, but in every Chargers game I watch ed last year I thought they were out-coached.

I think the Seahawks should have fired the coaching staff and kept Russ, even though he's an annoying dude. But the Broncos O-line is mediocre and the hype around their receiver group is more impressive than their production, except for Tim Patrick who just tore his ACL. Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons are the real deal though. I think Surtain might be the best CB in the league this year, and Simmons is one of the best few safeties. If their pass rushers stay healthy and the D coordinator doesn't screw things up, they won't allow many points.

[schindlerpiste]

[el hefe]

^^^ and Calvin Ridley gets 1 yr for gambling on games

[BmillsSkier]

^^^ and Calvin Ridley gets 1 yr for gambling on games

Don't forget to set up your DraftKings sportsbook account, brought to you in partnership with the National Football League, before the season starts!

[BmillsSkier]

Has Tom Brady’s unexplained extended absence from camp been brought up yet?

[Timberridge]

Not yet. I'm thinking Gisele found a bunch of used condoms down at the pool house after AB left and he's in a bit of hot water.

[BmillsSkier]

We all know Tom can't handle his booze too well.

Is it too early in his career for a fall off the wagon type bender?

[TahoeJ]

I don't know, that was a pretty good Lombardi trophy toss while hammered.

[Supermoon]

One of the more interesting theories

https://www.reddit.com/r/DynastyFF/c..._hes_just_off/

[Timberridge]

The comments are great.

[dunfree]

Has Tom Brady’s unexplained extended absence from camp been brought up yet?

< Perkins waitresses have entered the chat >

[BmillsSkier]

One of the more interesting theories

https://www.reddit.com/r/DynastyFF/c..._hes_just_off/

The comments are great.

This is hilarious.

< Perkins waitresses have entered the chat >

So is this.

People underestimate the gaping hole in this target rich demo that was created when Tiger vacated the space.

[SumJongGuy]

One of the more interesting theories

https://www.reddit.com/r/DynastyFF/c..._hes_just_off/

Oh ya he's definitely drunk if he's doing that...

[Supermoon]

Who thought this was a good idea?

https://twitter.com/nfl_memes/status...Put0JeH-tnyHzg

[farmguy]

I forgot to copy the link but search for A Donald swinging a helmet at todays joint practice, A Bengals helmet! 2/3 BIG swings, you can hear the impacts a LONG way away.

[BmillsSkier]

Who thought this was a good idea?

https://twitter.com/nfl_memes/status...Put0JeH-tnyHzg

I forgot to copy the link but search for A Donald swinging a helmet at todays joint practice, A Bengals helmet! 2/3 BIG swings, you can hear the impacts a LONG way away.

First 3 comments are all Myles Garrett jokes. Sometimes you just can’t beat the original.

Donald did however swing the helmet at ALL the Bengals. That is taking it up a notch.

[Supermoon]

At one point he had two helmets too! Innovating!