NFL 2010

[Harold Baines]

Sorry, Jon.

People have said a lot of things about Cutler. Lack of toughness is not one of them. And he has never thrown a Bear teammate under the bus.

"The Bears quarterback will undergo an MRI on the injury Monday, and teammates Olin Kreutz and Brian Urlacher talked about the possibility of a torn MCL.

"'He walked into the huddle, I could see his knee,' center Olin Kreutz said. 'When you tear a ligament it feels like there is nothing there and it's like it's wobbling and it gives out on you. If you don't have an MCL injury or whatever he has, then you don't understand.' "

[jon abbey]

thanks, Chris, same to you. I think the better teams won in both games, which doesn't really make it less frustrating.

Well, in all fairness the Jets are still a young and inexperienced team from top to bottom. The fact that they've made the championship game two years in a row should scare the fuck out of everybody.

that's really mostly true for Sanchez, they have been relying on a ton of old guys, have a lot of key free agents (Holmes, Edwards, Cromartie, Brad Smith) and the Pats have way more high draft picks then them. Greene took a step back this year, they need someone better to split time with him.

anyway, let's see if there's a season first.

[Captain Hate]

http://www.twitvid.com/TAN0X

[Mo Noyz]

that's really mostly true for Sanchez, they have been relying on a ton of old guys, have a lot of key free agents (Holmes, Edwards, Cromartie, Brad Smith) and the Pats have way more high draft picks then them. Greene took a step back this year, they need someone better to split time with him.

anyway, let's see if there's a season first.

Let me clarify: they are a young and inexperienced team not just because of the younger players, but because the team itself hasn't played together very much.

Think about it like this: Jericho Cotchery is the veteran Jet. This current team, by and large, hasn't even played together a full two seasons yet.

Now, there will always be exceptions, but most Superbowl teams (winners, or not) are experienced teams that have a core group that has played together for many years. Think about the Pats, Colts, and Steelers. Even the vets on the Jets haven't been there very long.

And their core is still relatively young.

The Jets, right now, remind me of the Bucs of the late 90's. Very young, and very good right out of the gate. But, look how long it took them to finally win it all.

[Captain Hate]

Was it just me or did it seem to anybody else that Hochuli and his crew of idiots missed a lot of helmet to helmets?

[jon abbey]

young and inexperienced together are very different things. Jason Taylor has only been there one season, but in no way should be referred to as young. that TB team had a lot of young talent in place, I don't think the Jets really do. this was their go for it year, they came up a little short again.

[jon abbey]

Was it just me or did it seem to anybody else that Hochuli and his crew of idiots missed a lot of helmet to helmets?

they could call those endlessly in every game if they really want, just a few more replays today.

[Mo Noyz]

Jon, do you know how many teams have successfully brought in a bunch of hired guns and won it all right away? The 49ers did it back in '94. That's the only instance I can think of.

It simply doesn't work that way in the NFL. Schemes are far too complicated and it normally takes many years of a core group of players playing together to see even the level of success this current Jets team has already seen. And taking that into consideration, there isn't much of a difference between youth and inexperience.

Players like Taylor, Tomlinson, and Richardson can bring a lot of experience to the locker room and help instill a higher level of work ethic, etc. with younger players, but they're still learning a new system just like the other players are.

What you saw on that goal line situation was all about inexperienced players and coaches within the system.

[jon abbey]

yes, I know all that, they rolled the dice on a low percentage strategy and were somewhat lucky to get even this far. all I'm saying is they're not young, their future isn't really that promising (although who knows what the new CBA will be).

[Mo Noyz]

yes, I know all that, they rolled the dice on a low percentage strategy and were somewhat lucky to get even this far. all I'm saying is they're not young, their future isn't really that promising (although who knows what the new CBA will be).

Sorry, I just don't understand what you're saying here.

Jericho Cotchery is your oldest skill player on offense at 28. Edwards, Holmes, Keller, and Sanchez are all younger than that.

Your secondary is one of the youngest, and most talented in the league. Comartie is the grandfather of that crew at 26. Revis and Pool are both younger than that, and from what little I saw of Wilson this year he shows a lot of promise.

The front seven is older, but how old was the front seven of the Pats when they finally won it all?

I suppose you're being a little bit harder on the team because you're a fan, but it seems as though you're missing the bigger picture here. This is indeed a young and promising team.

[The G Man]

The Packers dominated but almost lost because of poor execution after going up 14-0, especially on third and short plays past midfield. McCarthy was too conservative on 4th and 1 from the Bear 35 up 14-0 when he punted.

I hate when an athlete is hurting badly yet his toughness is questioned. Cutler would have come back in the game if he was healthy enough to help his team. Period. That said, wtf is Todd Collins doing as anybody's #2 QB? He's 39 years old, immobile and was only a #1 QB in 1997.

I expect Jason Taylor and possibly LT to retire. They need to draft a pash rusher high and a receiver unless they think they will resign both Edwards and Holmes and I'm not sure either is worth big bucks especially Edwards. They could also use a shifty, pass catching RB to replace LT.

Is anybody rooting for Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl?
I like GB and would like to see Rodgers have a big game. Packers are 3 pt favorites, which seems about right.

[Mo Noyz]

I don't know, as much as I like the Packers I think the Steelers experience on this stage, as well as their nasty, physical style will probably win it.

The Packers don't strike me as physical enough to pull this one out.

[MRS]

Packers are 3 pt favorites, which seems about right.

I couldn't, and if it stays that way, will not disagree more.

[The G Man]

Packers are 3 pt favorites, which seems about right.

I couldn't, and if it stays that way, will not disagree more.

The line is a weak three, so if you want to take the points, I'd advise getting down early because the line could very easily go down to 2.5 or 2.

I guess the perception is that the Steelers are much more reliable in close games and are more battle tested, having recently won a SB, but I think GB's got a lot more offensive talent. Both teams play excellent defense.

[Mo Noyz]

I hate when an athlete is hurting badly yet his toughness is questioned. Cutler would have come back in the game if he was healthy enough to help his team. Period.

Much as I hate to (just because of how much I dislike the cat), I have to agree with this assessment.

[Mo Noyz]

I guess the perception is that the Steelers are much more reliable in close games and are more battle tested, having recently won a SB, but I think GB's got a lot more offensive talent. Both teams play excellent defense.

My perception is that Forte isn't a strong runner, but he looked very good out of the backfield today.

How are they going to handle Mendenhall? I just don't see it happening.

As for GB having more talent on offense, I'm not convinced of that either. Rodgers is definitely the superior raw talent of the two QBs, but do you think Starks is better than Mendenhall? Ward and Jennings is a push. And with no Jermichael Findley, I'll take Miller. And Wallace presents a potentially dangerous deep threat that can't be matched on the GB side.

[The G Man]

I think Rex Ryan's inspirational coaching got the Jets to play a little over their heads. Will he be as effective next season? We'll see.

[Mo Noyz]

My boy Eric Berry replaces Polamalu in the Pro Bowl!!

Wow!

I still grow more impressed with him, and his season was over weeks ago!

[MRS]

I guess the perception is that the Steelers are much more reliable in close games and are more battle tested, having recently won a SB, but I think GB's got a lot more offensive talent. Both teams play excellent defense.

If Vegas goes less than a FG in the next two weeks (which it will by the time I get to the office tomorrow morning) then of course the angle shifts. But I can see James Harrison catch Rodgers peeking right now.

[MRS]

because I'm a KARATE MAN, a KARATE MAN bruise on the INSIDE