NFL Discussion Forumtable

[snuffbox 0]

I'm happy with 1996. That was an incredible year...another MVP trophy for Favre, dominant on both offense & defense, huge wins through the 'offs and the SB, and all the emotion of winning after the 30 year drought. Plus, the two years before they had gotten so close only to lose to Dallas in the playoffs and the year after XXXI they barely lost one of the 3 best SuperBowl games ever so it wasn't like it was one great year only.

 

I'm not frustrated with the Packers ledger with Favre having only one SB win. They've had other playoff success, legendary regular season games, and lots of stat success with him. And, besides, one Lombardi Trophy is still more than Dan Marino and the Minnesota Vikings franchise combined.

 

I'm not sure if they will be a "SuperBowl Contender" next year but, if Brett does return, I definitly think they can make a serious playoff run at the very least. Especially in the NFC which wont be magically better next season. These rookie receivers and O-line will be more experienced and confidant...and in December, Green Bay's D was one of, if not the, best in the NFL. Couple big plays given to SF, 3 field goals for Detroit, no points and miniscule yardage to Vikes, and one big play from the Bars trumped by about a half dozen turnovers. The defense could be grossly underrated going into the '07 season.

 

Edit - Also, they reached that mid-late 90s pinnacle without Sterling Sharpe. SuperBowls 30 & 32 may have been different had he not had to retire. And the only reason that The Catch v.2 happened and GB didn't make it to at least the Divisional round in '98 was that horribly botched call on Jerry Rice's fumble.

[dh86 0]

Jon Kitna is too competitive to let that happen.

 

him and his 30 turnovers are gonna lead us places

[Guest "Go, Mordecai!"]

POTENTIAL, THOUGH RICKETY, SEGUES THAT JOE BUCK IS PLANNING

TO USE FOR SUNDAY'S SEAHAWKS-BEARS GAME, SHOULD HE BE ASSIGNED

TO THE BOOTH FOR THAT PARTICULAR FOX BROADCAST.

 

"We're here in Chicago, the home of the Bears, and also the Cubs. Things did not go so well for the Cubs in the playoffs, as you can see here..."

 

"Many people don't know this, but the Bears played at Wrigley Field until 1970. They were not there in 2003, however, when this happened..."

 

"That interception by Seattle is strangely reminiscent of another kind of interception, one from Steve Bartman, as you can see here..."

 

"The Bears are five minutes away from winning this game, but remember, the Cubs were five outs away from winning the game, when this happened..."

 

"Lovie Smith is unusually calm here, much like another Chicago coach was calm in adversity, when this happened in game 6 of the 2003 NLCS..."

 

"Seattle starts with an S, and so does Steve, as in Steve Bartman. Perhaps you remember this moment..."

 

"Roll the footage"

[Guest Vitamin X]

Good list.

 

Anyways, I could say I'm happy with the 96 Packers playoff runs considering they were a well put together team of veterans, but disappointed because I was pretty young at the time and couldn't savor that win as much as I could in the last couple years. But for all the credit Ron Wolf received for being the first big "winner" of free agency, he really fucked up after the Super Bowl years, as the team went into rebuilding mode quickly. There were several big mistakes, like letting Holmgren go because Mike wanted GM duties... and then hiring Mike Sherman, giving HIM the dual roles, and he became quite possibly the worst NFL GM of all time. It would've been great to have someone smart like Scott Pioli on board who knew how to build a team and get the best bang for your buck.

 

Also, call me crazy, but I think Green Bay might actually have a better chance next year without Favre. Simply put, while Brett can on his own win games for the Pack, he can also singlehandedly lose them. It depends more on what kind of running game Green Bay puts out next year. Rodgers or Favre, Green Bay won't do much if they only muster 30-something yards on the ground like they did against the Pats or Jets, or in the first Bears game. When you have Favre shoulder the load too much, and the team is down by double digits, he'll start forcing throws (and his accuracy ain't what it used to be- not that it was ever great) and then the INT's and a loss will follow.

 

The best year they had recently to win a championship was the 4th and 26 year (2003). Had the Packers advanced, they would've been able to nullify Carolina's d-line as Green Bay had one of the best offensive lines in the league at the time, and probably could've beat the Patriots too, although Sherman would've played the game to go down to the last kick as he did many many times in his career, and we all know that doesn't work against New England.

 

The one thing I do miss is the lack of a REALLY satisfying win. I haven't watched a great Green Bay game in years, it feels like. And the only ones I've seen include all of us losing. No dramatic comebacks or field goals to speak of, and this is supposed to be a team with a quarterback who can make those kinds of things happen. I think one of my favorite regular season wins that I can remember to date was the Antonio Freeman freak catch in overtime against the Vikings, which I believe was in 2000, or 2001. But since then, I can't remember the last time I felt really elated after an important comeback for a win.

[snuffbox 0]

2003

Favre crushes Oakland after his Pops dies - MNF

The blowout of Denver/Vikings choking vs. the Cards to get into the playoffs

The great wildcard game with Seattle at Lambaeu with Al Harris's pick/td

 

2004

Opening game beating of the Panthers in Charlotte on MNF

The mauling of Dallas at home

The end of regular season game against the Bears. I think the Packers D had like 9 sacks that day

Brett Favre led comebacks that finished in game winning field goals vs. Vikings twisce & Texans

 

2005

Strike shortened year, IIRC.

 

This year

Sweep of Minnesota, with the second seeing a Favre-led drive ending with FG to win game

Finally winning in Miami

The revenge game against duh Bears

 

Those are the regular season, and one postseason, games that I remember instantly as 'great satisfying games'

[naiwf 0]

So Coughlin gets an extension. Fucking great. I knew it was coming and yet it still disgusts me.

[bob_barron 0]

I think they'll keep him around, tank the season, and then hire Cowher.

 

That's got to be the plan!

[Guest Princess Leena]

Or get Saban next year.

 

I don't know the Giants even considered keeping Coughlin. What's the point? His discipline isn't working at all. Eli doesn't respond well to him. The players threw him under the bus. Ugh.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

And, besides, one Lombardi Trophy is still more than Dan Marino and the Minnesota Vikings franchise combined.

 

Hell, that one win equals the rest of the entire NFC North combined!

[KingPK 0]

They are probably just leaving it up to the new GM to make the final decision on the head coach. Coughlin's basically a lame duck unless they pull something big off in '07.

[Guest Princess Leena]

So, they're basically throwing away a season in New York? I don't know how well that will go over.

[Hawk 34 0]

So, they're basically throwing away a season in New York? I don't know how well that will go over.

 

The players didn't care this year and made the playoffs. Might as well give it another go.

[Red Baron 0]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions finish ahead of Minnesota somehow next year. Vikings really mailed it in the last couple months.

 

Minnesota will be 6-0 then loose eight of the remaining ten to finish at 8-8.

[naiwf 0]

So, they're basically throwing away a season in New York? I don't know how well that will go over.

 

Basically no one wants to give him the axe since Wellington passed on and Coughlin was "his guy". Giants fans definitely don't like it, I'm pretty sure Giants management doesn't like it either but that's the rationale. Having said that, 5-11 or 6-10 looks very likely next year with Tiki saving network news, Eli regressing to a JV level QB and everyone else on offense getting a year older and more pissed off at Tommy Boy, Inaccurate Eli and the shitty playcalling.

[Slayer 0]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lions finish ahead of Minnesota somehow next year. Vikings really mailed it in the last couple months.

Minnesota will be 6-0 then loose eight of the remaining ten to finish at 8-8.

Denny-ball lives on!

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Jeremy Shockey reportedly told one of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, I forget which player, that he'd "love to play in Philadelphia one day".

 

- 610 WIP News

 

While Shockey's locked in NY 'til forever, I agree, Shockey definately would fit in a lot better with the Eagles than on the Giants.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Jerry Reese was promoted to Giants GM.

 

D Coordinator Tim Lewis was fired.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Tim Lewis? The same Tim Lewis that had made the Giants D one of the best a few years ago and had even been touted for a head coaching gig for it?

 

This is going to be one of those cases where it was the personnel and not the coach that's the problem, I'm guessing, much like when Green Bay fired Ed Donatell.

[snuffbox 0]

Maybe Al Davis will hire Tim Lewis thinking he'll be the one to get some wins out of his misfit crew.

[Art Sandusky 0]

http://jedifootball.ytmnd.com/

 

Makes a good point that we've been over, but it's still awesome to hear on its own. I miss NBC games.

[Hawk 34 0]

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, one of the hottest candidates during the current NFL hiring cycle, has signed a four-year contract to become the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

 

Whisenhunt will be introduced as the successor to Dennis Green at a Tuesday news conference. Financial details of the contract -- which includes a team option for a fifth year -- were not yet available. Based on what the Cardinals have paid coaches in the past, Whisenhunt probably will earn an annual salary in the $2.5 million range.

 

"It's clear to us that he has all the attributes we were seeking," Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves said in a news release, "in terms of coaching ability, enthusiasm, organizational and leadership skills and the overall ability to lead this team to success immediately and for years to come."

 

Whisenhunt, 44, met for a second time with Arizona officials on Friday, as the Cardinals continued their follow-up round of interviews aimed at finding a new coach. The Cardinals interviewed eight candidates in the initial round, then brought back Houston Texans assistant head coach Mike Sherman and Whisenhunt for second interviews.

 

The second interview went well and the two sides opened negotiations on Saturday. There had been reports the Cardinals first offered the position to Sherman, but team officials denied that.

 

Whisenhunt also interviewed for openings with the Steelers, the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins.

 

An Atlanta native who played collegiately at Georgia Tech, and then played tight end for the Falcons for four (1985-88) of his nine NFL seasons, Whisenhunt certainly seems a good fit for a Cardinals team that is loaded with young offensive talent.

 

Arizona was seeking a coach to work with quarterback Matt Leinart, and Whisenhunt's development of Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh impressed the Cardinals' brass. Arizona also has solid young players on defense and Whisenhunt might retain current coordinator Clancy Pendergast to lead that unit.

 

A fearless playcaller, and adept at creating advantageous matchups, Whisenhunt has been Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator since 2004. Under his stewardship, the Steelers' offense statistically ranked No. 7 in the NFL in 2006. The Steelers were 16th in 2004 and 15th in 2005, when they won Super Bowl XL.

 

Although some perceive Whisenhunt's strengths as the creative use of formations, motion and personnel packages, he also believes in a power-based running game

 

That leaves Miami and Oakland.

[Vampiro69 0]

I am glad to see the Cardinals take a chance with a new coach instead of hiring a retread like Mike Sherman.

[KingPK 0]

Is it pronounced "Wise-en-hunt" or "Whizz-en-hunt" because the second one is funnier.

[2GOLD 0]

Is it pronounced "Wise-en-hunt" or "Whizz-en-hunt" because the second one is funnier.

 

Anytime an announcer said his name on tv, it was the second one.

New question: Is there any chance that Marty loses his job because of the loss to the Patriots?

[KingPK 0]

If all the stories about his job securtity being on the rocks and him not getting along with the GM are true, it's a possibility. I wouldn't be surprised to see SD go for Pete Caroll.

[naiwf 0]

Schottz needs to go. LT will only be all universe for another year or 2 at best and he doesn't know how to use him.

[Guest]

San Diego should wait for another year, then hire Cowher after they lose in the playoffs.

[Hektik 0]

The Chargers are more likely to hire from within. It will either be OC Cam Cameron or DC Wade Phillips.

[KingPK 0]

It better be Cameron, because we all saw the Wade Phillips Experiment in Buffalo already.

[Slayer 0]

Let's not forget his brief tenure in Denver