NFL 2021 Postseason

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 10:42 am

Apparently he was a coach for the Bears a couple of years ago. I have no recollection of him.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:17 am

Raiders being the Raiders, they fire their DC to go hire a DC who lost like 8 games in the last 5 minutes of the game. Figure that one out!

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:20 pm

The Athletic (paid, link) making Deshaun Watson trades scenarios out of Houston:

Trade No. 4: Watson to Lions
Deshaun Watson◄

Matthew Stafford►

2021 1st (No. 7)►

2022 1st►

2022 2nd►

Matthew Stafford would head home to Texas under this scenario, finally escaping Detroit, only to land with a franchise that appears to have sunk lower. Houston would regain some of the draft capital needed to refortify its offensive line and defense over the next couple of seasons. Would Watson approve a trade to Detroit? That’s a question for another day.

“I like this deal best of the five,” an exec said. “Stafford is only 32 and can play another five years, at least. You might not get a quarterback at seven if you are Houston, but you wouldn’t need one.”

I'm down.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 2:30 pm

The Meal wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:20 pm
stuff

As someone who has been listening occasionally but not watching since the tail end of the Caldwell years, and then found himself completely divorced from the team during Quinn's give away everything to the Pats years, that's a big ask. The Lions need assets and they just hired a GM that specializes in evaluating draft talent.

The Quinn hire forward was such a shame. I really think Schwartz was the right hire for the time and did everything he could. He set a fire and put a chip on the organization's shoulder. I really think Caldwell was the right hire for the time and did everything he could. He tamed the fire Schwartz set and the team learned how not their passions destroy their ability to perform. But the Caldwell/Mayhew combo could not put a team on the field to adapt to the in game situation. Then Quinn happened and set us back 12 years when it comes to a losing culture across the board. So the culture is gone and the assets have all been depleted.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Tue Jan 19, 2021 9:57 pm

If I was Watson the only way I'd want to go to Detroit is if I was completely desperate to leave Houston no matter where I wind up. In my opinion Stafford is an effective quarterback and Detroit has gotten nowhere with him. I see no reason to think Detroit would do better with Watson. He'd be leaving one circle of hell for another one.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:26 am

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:55 am

It would be the most Bears thing ever to trade multiple draft picks for Watson after trading three draft picks in 2017 to move up one spot in the draft to pick Trubisky with Watson still on the board.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:56 am

Rivers just retired. Colts seem like a good fit but I wouldn't think Houston would want to trade him within division. Maybe New Orleans if Brees retires?

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:57 am

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:55 am It would be the most Bears thing ever to trade multiple draft picks for Watson after trading three draft picks in 2017 to move up one spot in the draft to pick Trubisky with Watson still on the board.

To really perfect it one of the picks that the Bears trade would have to turn into a star QB for the other team.

But really, I think we can all agree that the Patriots playoff draught has gone on too long, and that the Patriots deserve to get Watson.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:12 am

ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:55 am It would be the most Bears thing ever to trade multiple draft picks for Watson after trading three draft picks in 2017 to move up one spot in the draft to pick Trubisky with Watson still on the board.

Wait, what? The Bears have draft picks?

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Wed Jan 20, 2021 11:56 am

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:56 am Rivers just retired. Colts seem like a good fit but I wouldn't think Houston would want to trade him within division. Maybe New Orleans if Brees retires?

Bummer! Rivers could have replaced Brees in NO for an historic repeat.

naednek · Post by **naednek** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:00 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:56 am Rivers just retired. Colts seem like a good fit but I wouldn't think Houston would want to trade him within division. Maybe New Orleans if Brees retires?

Impossible. Brees told Winston on the sidelines that it was his team now

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 1:12 pm

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:56 am Rivers just retired. Colts seem like a good fit but I wouldn't think Houston would want to trade him within division. Maybe New Orleans if Brees retires?

Speculation is shopping Stafford to the Colts for draft capital. I like the idea but I don't know how much draft capital the Colts would give, especially after the Leos did not draft a QB last year.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:18 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:57 am
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:55 am It would be the most Bears thing ever to trade multiple draft picks for Watson after trading three draft picks in 2017 to move up one spot in the draft to pick Trubisky with Watson still on the board.
To really perfect it one of the picks that the Bears trade would have to turn into a star QB for the other team.

But really, I think we can all agree that the Patriots playoff draught has gone on too long, and that the Patriots deserve to get Watson.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:20 pm

Lorini wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:18 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:57 am
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:55 am It would be the most Bears thing ever to trade multiple draft picks for Watson after trading three draft picks in 2017 to move up one spot in the draft to pick Trubisky with Watson still on the board.
To really perfect it one of the picks that the Bears trade would have to turn into a star QB for the other team.

But really, I think we can all agree that the Patriots playoff draught has gone on too long, and that the Patriots deserve to get Watson.

I know it's hard to wrap one's head around this, but if you can believe it the Patriots last made the playoffs so long ago, that *Donald Trump* was president when they last qualified for the playoffs.

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:21 pm

El Guapo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:20 pm
Lorini wrote: ↑Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:18 pm
El Guapo wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:57 am
ImLawBoy wrote: ↑Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:55 am It would be the most Bears thing ever to trade multiple draft picks for Watson after trading three draft picks in 2017 to move up one spot in the draft to pick Trubisky with Watson still on the board.
To really perfect it one of the picks that the Bears trade would have to turn into a star QB for the other team.

But really, I think we can all agree that the Patriots playoff draught has gone on too long, and that the Patriots deserve to get Watson.

I know it's hard to wrap one's head around this, but if you can believe it the Patriots last made the playoffs so long ago, that *Donald Trump* was president when they last qualified for the playoffs.

LOL!!!!

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:30 am

Re: Lions newly hired head coach, Dan Campbell [paywall]:

The Athletic wrote:“I can give you, ‘Hey, we’re going to win this many games,’ but none of that matters and you guys don’t want to hear it anyway,” Campbell said, speaking rather directly to the fans. “You’ve had enough of that shit. Excuse my language.

“Here’s what I do know: This team is going to take on the identity of this city. And this city has been down, but it found a way to get up. It’s found a way to overcome adversity. This team is going to be built on, we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right? And when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re going to get up, and on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off. We’re going to stand up, and then it’s going to take two more shots to knock us down. And on the way up, we’re going to take your other kneecap, and we’re going to get up and it’s going to take three shots to get us down. And when we do (get up), we’re going to take another hunk out of you.

“Before long, we’re going to be the last one standing. That’s going to be the mentality.”

There ya go. That is why Dan Campbell is the Detroit Lions’ head coach.

OK, biting off opponents’ kneecaps probably didn’t come up in his interviews — although, maybe it did; Campbell’s resting heart rate appears to be “Kool-Aid Man right before he bursts through a wall.” The overall message, however, is what spoke to owner Sheila Ford Hamp, team president Rod Wood and, without question, special assistant and former linebacker Chris Spielman.

(Empahsis mine).

Oh yeah.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:54 am

Finally someone acknowledges the strategic importance of kneecaps!

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:59 am

Jaymann wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:54 am Finally someone acknowledges the strategic importance of kneecaps!

A welcome shift from head and groin.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:01 pm

The Meal wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:30 am Re: Lions newly hired head coach, Dan Campbell [paywall]:

The Athletic wrote:“I can give you, ‘Hey, we’re going to win this many games,’ but none of that matters and you guys don’t want to hear it anyway,” Campbell said, speaking rather directly to the fans. “You’ve had enough of that shit. Excuse my language.

“Here’s what I do know: This team is going to take on the identity of this city. And this city has been down, but it found a way to get up. It’s found a way to overcome adversity. This team is going to be built on, we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right? And when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re going to get up, and on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off. We’re going to stand up, and then it’s going to take two more shots to knock us down. And on the way up, we’re going to take your other kneecap, and we’re going to get up and it’s going to take three shots to get us down. And when we do (get up), we’re going to take another hunk out of you.

“Before long, we’re going to be the last one standing. That’s going to be the mentality.”

There ya go. That is why Dan Campbell is the Detroit Lions’ head coach.

OK, biting off opponents’ kneecaps probably didn’t come up in his interviews — although, maybe it did; Campbell’s resting heart rate appears to be “Kool-Aid Man right before he bursts through a wall.” The overall message, however, is what spoke to owner Sheila Ford Hamp, team president Rod Wood and, without question, special assistant and former linebacker Chris Spielman.
(Empahsis mine).

Oh yeah.

So we're back to the Schwartz mentality. Sadly, I agree with this mentality (assuming we don't just go thug and then be done with it). Quinntricia destroyed the gains of the decade that brought them handily. If nothing else, at least I watch the season opener again and see how it plays out.

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Fri Jan 22, 2021 12:28 pm

The comment section (which is generally reasonable in The Athletic, considering it's behind a paywall) was generally along the lines of "at least it'll be an entertaining 4-12 season rather than a lackluster 7-9 year."

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:54 am

Lions trade Stanford to the Rams for Goff, two first rounders, and a third rounder. A lot for LA to give
up, but I guess they’re in win-now mode. I wonder if the Lions will keep Goff; his contract is onerous and he’s been pretty bad the last few years.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:06 am

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:54 am Lions trade Stanford to the Rams for Goff, two first rounders, and a third rounder. A lot for LA to give
up, but I guess they’re in win-now mode. I wonder if the Lions will keep Goff; his contract is onerous and he’s been pretty bad the last few years.

Seems a bad deal for both teams.

Kurth · Post by **Kurth** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:29 am

The Meal wrote: ↑Fri Jan 22, 2021 11:30 am Re: Lions newly hired head coach, Dan Campbell [paywall]:

The Athletic wrote:“I can give you, ‘Hey, we’re going to win this many games,’ but none of that matters and you guys don’t want to hear it anyway,” Campbell said, speaking rather directly to the fans. “You’ve had enough of that shit. Excuse my language.

“Here’s what I do know: This team is going to take on the identity of this city. And this city has been down, but it found a way to get up. It’s found a way to overcome adversity. This team is going to be built on, we’re going to kick you in the teeth, all right? And when you punch us back, we’re going to smile at you. And when you knock us down, we’re going to get up, and on the way up, we’re going to bite a kneecap off. We’re going to stand up, and then it’s going to take two more shots to knock us down. And on the way up, we’re going to take your other kneecap, and we’re going to get up and it’s going to take three shots to get us down. And when we do (get up), we’re going to take another hunk out of you.

“Before long, we’re going to be the last one standing. That’s going to be the mentality.”

There ya go. That is why Dan Campbell is the Detroit Lions’ head coach.

OK, biting off opponents’ kneecaps probably didn’t come up in his interviews — although, maybe it did; Campbell’s resting heart rate appears to be “Kool-Aid Man right before he bursts through a wall.” The overall message, however, is what spoke to owner Sheila Ford Hamp, team president Rod Wood and, without question, special assistant and former linebacker Chris Spielman.
(Empahsis mine).

Oh yeah.

I could not love this post any more. So reminds me of the classic words of Ray Rhodes:

"I don't like losing in my home," the beleaguered coach said yesterday in has weekly day-after press conference in Veterans Stadium.

But fear not. Rhodes' wife, Carmen, and his daughters are safe and sound in their Mount Laurel, N.J., home.

The "home" Rhodes is talking about is Veterans Stadium, the place where he spends more time than he does in Mount Laurel.

His Eagles have lost three of their four games at The Vet this season, including the last two Sundays. "Those are the type of things that drive me crazy," Rhodes said.

He said he tells his team, "You've gotta defend your home."

In his typically florid style of speech, he said he tells them, "People are coming to your house, trying to break into your house, probably sodomize your wife and kids and you don't do anything about it."

So now he thinks it's time to fight back. "We have to get our toughness back," Rhodes said.

Detroit just needs some juice!

Lorini · Post by **Lorini** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:28 am

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:54 am Lions trade Stanford to the Rams for Goff, two first rounders, and a third rounder. A lot for LA to give
up, but I guess they’re in win-now mode. I wonder if the Lions will keep Goff; his contract is onerous and he’s been pretty bad the last few years.

I wish they'd given Wolford a shot.

RunningMn9 · Post by **RunningMn9** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:36 am

Ralph-Wiggum wrote:Lions trade Stanford to the Rams for Goff, two first rounders, and a third rounder. A lot for LA to give
up, but I guess they’re in win-now mode. I wonder if the Lions will keep Goff; his contract is onerous and he’s been pretty bad the last few years.

I don’t think they can cut him. Unless spotrac still has some updating to do, his cap charge this year is $27M, but cutting him leaves a $43M dead cap charge. I’m not sure if they need to clean that up because any dead cap associated with bonuses stays with the Rams.

His average annual cost from here on out is like $26M per year, which isn’t that high anymore for your starting QB.

That said - that is an *insane* amount of compensation to give up for Stafford. Scale that to Deshaun Watson and what are we talking? 7 first rounders and half your roster?

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:51 am

I would assume the Rams must have first approached Houston with a similar offer. Which, if so, means the price for Watson is going to be too high for almost any team.

The Meal · Post by **The Meal** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:52 am

I'll be a Rams fan for as long as #9 is hucking their ball. I hope he gets a trip to Super Bowl.

Biyobi · Post by **Biyobi** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:43 pm

The Meal wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:52 am I'll be a Rams fan for as long as #9 is hucking their ball. I hope he gets a trip to Super Bowl.

Well, the Rams are hosting next year so I'm sure they'll let him come.

Pyperkub · Post by **Pyperkub** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:05 pm

RunningMn9 wrote:
Ralph-Wiggum wrote:Lions trade Stanford to the Rams for Goff, two first rounders, and a third rounder. A lot for LA to give
up, but I guess they’re in win-now mode. I wonder if the Lions will keep Goff; his contract is onerous and he’s been pretty bad the last few years.
I don’t think they can cut him. Unless spotrac still has some updating to do, his cap charge this year is $27M, but cutting him leaves a $43M dead cap charge. I’m not sure if they need to clean that up because any dead cap associated with bonuses stays with the Rams.

His average annual cost from here on out is like $26M per year, which isn’t that high anymore for your starting QB.

That said - that is an *insane* amount of compensation to give up for Stafford. Scale that to Deshaun Watson and what are we talking? 7 first rounders and half your roster?

Word is that they'll renegotiate, more years, less cap hit.

The Rams still got fleeced. A starting qb, 2 first round picks AND a third?

That tells me that if the Niners DL doesn't melt down w/o Saleh, the Rams OL will be a mess for years.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:32 pm

People may laugh at this but I think the Rams have been one elite QB away from winning the SB these last couple of years. Goff by himself was not enough to make it happen, which is why they lost to the Patriots. I think Stafford plus this Rams defense plus the new running back the Rams have developed adds up to a SB appearance if not win. Assuming a SB win is a priority then this is a worthwhile deal for them. Detroit comes away with a bunch of top draft picks which is exactly what you want if you're rebuilding, so they did well too.

Ralph-Wiggum · Post by **Ralph-Wiggum** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 9:49 am

I think this is one of those trades that will need to be judged a few years from now, at least for the Rams. If the Rams don't win a SB with Stafford (remember, they got to one with Goff just a few years ago), then it will be a bad trade for them. If they win one, then anything they gave up can be justified. As you say. gameoverman, their defense is stout; it's their offense that has let them down pretty much ever since Gurley got injured their SB year.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:41 am

Ralph-Wiggum wrote: ↑Sun Jan 31, 2021 10:51 am I would assume the Rams must have first approached Houston with a similar offer. Which, if so, means the price for Watson is going to be too high for almost any team.

I'm sure that he'll wind up with the Jets in exchange for substantially all of the Jets draft picks plus Darnold, or something like that. Which will no doubt end well for everyone.

gameoverman · Post by **gameoverman** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 5:33 pm

It's possible Houston messed up. If you're selling something rare but the amount of buyers out there who can pay top dollar is limited, you might be better off accepting the first good offer. That first buyer is obviously a motivated buyer. After that you'll be left with the buyers who are shopping for a good deal. They might not be willing, or able, to offer as much.

noxiousdog · Post by **noxiousdog** » Mon Feb 01, 2021 6:30 pm

gameoverman wrote: ↑Mon Feb 01, 2021 5:33 pm It's possible Houston messed up. If you're selling something rare but the amount of buyers out there who can pay top dollar is limited, you might be better off accepting the first good offer. That first buyer is obviously a motivated buyer. After that you'll be left with the buyers who are shopping for a good deal. They might not be willing, or able, to offer as much.

On the list of mess-ups by Houston, this is way, way down the list.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:43 pm

ESPN

The Houston Texans have released star defensive end J.J. Watt, granting his request.
...
"I have sat down with the McNair family and I have asked them for my release and we have mutually agreed to part ways at this time," Watt said in a video posted to Twitter. "I came here 10 years ago as a kid from Wisconsin who'd never really been to Texas before. And now I can't imagine my life without Texas in it. The way that you guys have treated me, besides draft night. I mean, you guys booed me on draft night. But every day after that, you treated me like family. And I truly feel like you're my family.

Hrothgar · Post by **Hrothgar** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:04 pm

I don't see how the Texans trade Watson. If Houston loses Watt, Hopkins and Watson in a year, there will be a fan revolt.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:07 pm

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:34 pm

Hrothgar wrote: ↑Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:04 pm I don't see how the Texans trade Watson. If Houston loses Watt, Hopkins and Watson in a year, there will be a fan revolt.

I feel like releasing Watt makes it more likely that the Texans trade Watson. First because if you're Watson, doesn't losing *another* super talented teammate mean that you're more likely to hold out if you're not traded? And second because if you're releasing him you might as well go all out on a rebuild - my guess is that the easier message to fans is selling them on a new "the process" where you're going to get a ton of picks and be really good in a couple years.

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:35 pm

Just saying.