NFL 2012-2013 Thread

Hah, oh ok I didn't realize he was a Giants guy.

He's like option F right now, basically the fallback to the fallback (which is why his interview is the last one scheduled).

I doubt he's going to be hired by the Jets.

I am suitably terrified for this game. RGIII is a freak of nature, and I do not like the fact that the Seahawks seem to be getting favored by everyone. I liked it better when we were underrated.

That said, as afraid as I am of RGIII, I hope all Redskins fans are as afraid of RGIII foolishly attempting to gain extra yardage on foot versus this defense. Chancellor might leave him a cripple.

In case people are concerned about the future of the New York Football Giants, here is a brief recap of the nation's favorite underdog story the past half-decade:

Despite not having a losing season since 2004 and winning 2 Super Bowls over the last 6 years, the giants have managed to miss the playoffs 3 of the last 4 seasons. (36-28 combined W-L). Although this may be disconcerting for a fair-weather Giants fan, there is reason to be optimistic.

Offense
Obviously, our success has come largely at the hands of Eli Manning who is a top 6 QB in the NFL. Eli is the active league leader for consecutive starts at QB at 100+ games, and hasn't missed a game in his career. Coming off his 4th season with 25+ TDs, Eli will be a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come.

Likewise, the receiving corps is one of the best in the league, boasting pro-bowl talents Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Rookie WR Reuben Randle out of LSU (2nd Round) finished the season strong, gathering 140 yards and 3 TDs on 8 receptions in his last 4 games played.

The running attack is more suspect, but should be fine. Ahmad Bradshaw has two years left on his contract ($3.5 and $4 mill) after posting yet another 1,000 yard rushing season. However, due to his chronic foot injuries and the emergence of David Wilson, he is likely to see a reduced workload next year. The electric first round pick David Wilson showed flashes of brilliance this year, especially in the second half. In 5 December games, he posted 282 rushing/receiving yards and 5 TDs (including one 97-yard return TD). Wilson may be looking at 15 touches per game for next season.

The offensive line has the same questions every year, often consisting of aging veterans and scrap heap FA pick ups. Usually it's not worth discussing because the Giants o-line seems to make it work year in and year out. But with a visibly aging David Diehl and oft-injured LT William Beatty, the Giants would be wise to finally make an early round selection on a lineman. RG Chris Snee (son-in-law of Coach Coughlin) was selected to the pro bowl yet again.

Finally, project TE Martellus Bennet should be brought back if the price is right. If we lose him to free agency, the Giants will be forced scramble once again, but given their track record of turning dirt into gold (Kevin Boss, Jake Ballard, Martellus Bennet), I'm not overly concerned.

Defense
The defensive line will be fine. Pundits continue to point at the lack of QB pressure when explaining the Giants "demise" this year, but their ineffectiveness was moreso a result of ineptitude in the back 7.

Jason Pierre-Paul was selected to another Pro Bowl this year and has a bright future. Team leader Justin Tuck will return at a moderately prohibitive $4 million given his second down year in a row. But look for FA Osi Umenyiora to don a new uniform next year, who will turn 32 during the season. Our DTs are usually solid at stopping the run, and I expect more of the same from our big uglies Chris Canty and Linval Joseph.

The real trouble arises with our atrocious linebacker and secondary performances. The Giants will be fine at Safety with pro-bowl talent Antrel Rolle and diamond in the rough Stevie Brown. The scrap heap pick-up Brown had 8 INTs this year, and had the most interception return yardage in the NFL (307) since Darren Sharper in 2009. These inflated numbers were probably the result of a miserable season from "#1" CB Corey Webster. His precipitous decline in skill became obvious to the league within a few weeks, and teams quickly began to target him in their game plans. He is due a cap crushing $7 million next year, and the Giants will depend on youngins Prince Amukamara and Jayron Hosley to step up their play next season if they hope to defend the pass at all.

All-in-all, the linebacking corps is probably the most troublesome. This position MUST be addressed in the draft early. DE turned LB Matthias Kiwanuka is better suited as a down rusher, especially with the impending departure of Osi Umenyiora. Michael Boley is useful as a coverage LB, but his age is starting to show. And MLB Chase Blackburn, despite previously being a ST captain for the Giants in 2007 and being a pro-bowl selection in that capacity, simply isn't cut out to start in the NFL. Our "depth" consists of re-treads Keith Rivers, Mark Herzlich, among others that most people have never heard of. If there is one position the Giants should spend money on in Free Agency this off-season, LB is it.

Coaching
Tom Coughlin is the man. Perry Fewell should be fired for a DC that can get consistent play, but he won't be.

Conclusions
The Giants will continue to mosey on without any major changes. The team is loaded with talent and is largely built to last over the long haul thanks to strong drafting by Jerry Reese. While many fans would panic after missing the post-season yet again, I know the Giants are just as likely as any team to make a run at the Super Bowl next year. Plus the 2 recent Super Bowls don't hurt.


F*ck the Cowboys. F*ck the Eagles. I guess F*ck the Redskins too since they are competent for the first time in my lifetime.

;D

The Colts will probably beat the Ravens

I might argue Cincy can knock off Houston, but I'm less confident there.

Why will the Colts "probably" win?

I wouldn't bet on this game. For me the variable is Flacco. Good Flacco, Ravens win. Bad Flacco, Ravens lose (badly). Flip a coin.

Cincy is much more than just AJ Green. They're a balanced offense with multiple weapons and a kickass defense. I expect the Bengals to advance even though they're on the road.

Cinci's defense is very good. If Schaub continues to play poorly I could certainly see Cinci winning.

But besides A.J. Green, they don't have an above average offensive skill player. BJGE is totally bland. Dalton is what, like, the 20th best QB in the NFL? They could barely move the ball on Baltimore's reserve defense in a game Baltimore clearly didn't care about. They didn't score an offensive touchdown against the Steelers in the playoff berth-clinching win, and blew a ton of opportunities to beat an average Cowboys team the week before that. I just don't see them moving the ball against Houston.

Edit: Damnit, flanz.

Why?

I think you're giving the Redskins way too much credit.

Edit: Seahawks 27 Redskins 17

Bold prediction: The winner of the seahawks v redskins game is going to the superbowl.

The redskins have still won 7 in a row. Though I think the Seahawks will beat them.

Whoever wins that is probably going to be facing the Falcons. Seattle can beat the Falcons at home, I don't think there is a chance in hell that the Skins could.

The first 20 minutes of this game could not be more unsurprising.