NFL 2023

[stroker]

Okay, the 2023 Draft is in the rear view mirror. I wanted to give all my Ohio OC peeps the opportunity to lay the groundwork for their annual hair-rending disappointment.

We Cheeseheads have modest expectations...

[nrc]

I'm ok. The Bengals addressed their biggest problem on the Oline in free agency so I think they were well positioned to take the best players. I also think all these high powered offenses are putting a premium on defensive backs and pass rushers.

Hubbard and Hendrickson have been effective but we've seen them running out of gas late in the game so more depth in the pass rush with Myles Murphy is good. Anarumo has been really creative with backs and safeties so depth there is critical in his defense. I was impressed by safety Jordan Battle's film. He looks like a steal on the field but I guess his measureables didn't impress scouts.

The Bengals struggled on special teams last year which is unusual. They like a directional kicker so they took the kicker out of Michigan in the 6th. I just remember him skying their kicks against the Buckeyes so they had zero returns and terrible field position all day.

A lot of Bengals fans were frustrated that they didn't make a move to get a tight end. The Bengals just don't seem to value that position much.

[TravelGal]

I love this thread and wish more of youse guys would reply. It seemed to me that GMen didn't do themselves any huge favors but that's more what the local pundits said (Rams/Chargers territory) than what I actually know.

[WickerBill]

If you include a hopefully rejuvenated Russel Wilson and Sean Payton in our draft (since we gave away almost the entire draft to get them), then my Broncos did okay.

[nrc]

Holy cow! Fair catches in the field of play on kick-offs? Seriously?!

I'm with Pat McAfee on this. I'm paying to see a professional football game, not some ******** Mickey Mouse scrimmage. (Video contains NSFW language).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzAbCzxNH0U

I just wonder if any teams will try to game this with some kind of squib kick. The dirty little secret here is that long pass plays are probably just as risky but the NFL loves those so they keep it hidden in the numbers.

[stroker]

They might as well just delete kickoffs entirely and start every drive on the 25.

[TravelGal]

Holy cow! Fair catches in the field of play on kick-offs? Seriously?!

I'm with Pat McAfee on this. I'm paying to see a professional football game, not some ******** Mickey Mouse scrimmage. (Video contains NSFW language).

I just wonder if any teams will try to game this with some kind of squib kick. The dirty little secret here is that long pass plays are probably just as risky but the NFL loves those so they keep it hidden in the numbers.


They might as well just delete kickoffs entirely and start every drive on the 25.

Agree with Stroker. Long returns are exciting. Long kick off returns are THE most exciting play in football because they are so unexpected. WTF are these guys thinking? Decades ago, my Welsh boss called football "chess with humans." It approaches with every rule change. Just put the guys here or there and then let them make a move. Then put them there or here and let them move again. :flaming:

[SteveH]

Oh oh, Joe
https://twitter.com/Trags/status/1684654836736839680?s=20

Thoughts and prayers, Bengal fans

[nrc]

Oh oh, Joe
https://twitter.com/Trags/status/1684654836736839680?s=20

Thoughts and prayers, Bengal fans

Word right now is encouraging. Supposedly just a calf strain. Fingers crossed.

[SteveH]

Word right now is encouraging. Supposedly just a calf strain. Fingers crossed.

Good news! I really like Joe. Has impressed me since day 1.

[nrc]

1208

https://twitter.com/Bengals/status/1684919943819571200

[stroker]

Well, everyone, it's cut down day. The teams have to drop down to 53 plus their practice squad (16?) by tomorrow. Who amongst us is optimistic/pessimistic?

I think the Packers are going to surprise people.

[WickerBill]

I'm optimistic Denver can get to 7 or 8 wins this year. Some might call that pessimism, though. :)

I think Washington's offense is going to be annoyingly good (I really believe in Eric Bienemy), and the AFC East is truly a "who knows??" division that'll be fun to watch.

[stroker]

... and the AFC East is truly a "who knows??" division that'll be fun to watch.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/wisconsin-bar-offering-deal-of-a-lifetime-when-aaron-rodgers-loses-this-season/ar-AA1fTyKQ?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=04318630a1774cc3afa5a282feb3a35d&ei=13

[SteveH]

https://x.com/pauldehnerjr/status/1699945044780765639?s=61&t=oFXcsN2wTfApq6UdUB40Qg

Wow, congrats Joe

[nrc]

Burrow signs and the Chiefs lose. Happy dance. Now we just need to beat the Browns and week one will be complete.

1213

[TKGAngel]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/wisconsin-bar-offering-deal-of-a-lifetime-when-aaron-rodgers-loses-this-season/ar-AA1fTyKQ?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=04318630a1774cc3afa5a282feb3a35d&ei=13

Follow up after last night's game, including live video of the crowd after the OT Touchdown: https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2023/09/12/jets-aaron-rodgers-milwaukee-bar-free-drinks

[nrc]

Fins hang 70 on the Broncos? :eek: Ouch. Sorry for your loss, WB.

The Bengals will try to avoid joining them at 0-3 tonight. Burrow is going to tough it out and try to go. It's risky with his calf strain but I think they know that if they can't put some wins up now they're probably out of the running for the division. At that point they'll probably just sit him and hope they can be in the mix for a WC spot.

In any case, I hope they can see that they need to change something about their preparation for the openers. Some of Burrow's early struggles have been beyond their control but the whole offense has started poorly every season under Taylor.

[SteveH]

Fins hang 70 on the Broncos? :eek: Ouch. Sorry for your loss, WB.

But fear not, the Broncos are favored over the Bears next Sunday at Soldier Field. (https://www.milehighreport.com/2023/9/24/23888284/broncos-vs-bears-opening-odds-week-4)

[stroker]

The Bears remind me of episode 6 of "Chernobyl". They're like watching a cascading critical failure sequence in slow motion...