The 2013 NFL Season Thread

[Metal Militia]

Football is back FUCK YEAH!!!!!

Huge Bears fan and I'm expecting a huge season. The Lovie Smith era is over and the offensive minded Mark Trestman era has begun. Had some much needed additions to the offensive line such as Jermon Bushrod and Matt Slauson along with drafting Kyle Long. Jay Cutler got a new weapon in the form of TE Martellus Bennet so overall the Bears got better and I'm expecting big things.

Since Jay Cutler is in a contract year, he is gonna have a chip on his shoulder if he wants to get paid.

I feel like The Bears have a good shot to make the playoffs, but are not a championship contender yet.

[dsheinem]

I wouldn't say Paranoid Peter, more like Skeptical Stanley. The NFL is all about making money as it's an entertainment company. Also think about the players who always have and always will take bets and bribes.

When there is money to be made, people make money. Even a fan favorite and loyal teammate Urlacher admitted "we always had a fall guy".

Was it a defensive strategy? Sure. Was it cheating the game? Sure. Was it rigging the game? Questionable. Do I believe some games are rigged for monetary game? Yup.

How many NFL players were arrested last year? You don't think these guys aren't betting on and against themselves?

I think "innocent until proven guilty" applies for stuff like this. The NFL doesn't need "rigging" and so forth to make money, it makes a shit ton even in years where there aren't many upsets, interesting developments, etc. Having a guy that flops to get awarded penalty yards and so forth is gamesmanship and potentially risky, but I find it hard to think of it as "cheating" as it isn't designed to provide an unfair advantage that couldn't be gained right back by the other side.

The regular arrests of players? That has much more to do with bad behavior outside of the game. Some of it might be fueled by steroids and/or participation in a hypercompetitive and violent sport, but those arrests aren't related to stuff on the field.

Skepticism is fine, but it really needs to be rooted in something concrete...

[dsheinem]

Jay Cutler

let me stop you there...

[Metal Militia]

Jay Cutler

let me stop you there...

Yeah I know. Hopefully with an offensive minded head coach like Trestman Jay can flourish.

Bears play the Cowboys week 14 at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football so we will see who is the better team.

[Luke]

Skepticism is fine, but it really needs to be rooted in something concrete...

At least 33 NFL players were arrested during the span of the 2013 Super Bowl and preseason. I think that's a concrete sign that shows that NFL players are indicative to foul behavior. The majority of players are YOLO guys who want to be gangsters and participate in forbidden acts. It would be naive to think they don't gamble, and I believe without a doubt they gamble on their own games. To me, that's rigging a game.

Again, I enjoy the game, but it's a money making vehicle and I wouldn't be surprised if games have been and are still being rigged.

Short: Gambling and sports go together like hustle and flow.

[dsheinem]

Skepticism is fine, but it really needs to be rooted in something concrete...

At least 33 NFL players were arrested during the span of the 2013 Super Bowl and preseason. I think that's a concrete sign that shows that NFL players are indicative to foul behavior. The majority of players are YOLO guys who want to be gangsters and participate in forbidden acts. It would be naive to think they don't gamble, and I believe without a doubt they gamble on their own games. To me, that's rigging a game.

Again, I enjoy the game, but it's a money making vehicle and I wouldn't be surprised if games have been and are still being rigged.

Short: Gambling and sports go together like hustle and flow.

Oh, so now you are going to make blanket assumptions about "NFL players" based on the actions of less than 2% of them?

Maybe some do gamble on their own games but, again, there's no proof of this at all, let alone proof that it is widespread. I just really get pissy when people start seeing conspiracies everywhere (whatever the subject), and I think you are WAY off base here.

[Luke]

Oh, so now you are going to make blanket assumptions about "NFL players" based on the actions of less than 2% of them?

Maybe some do gamble on their own games but, again, there's no proof of this at all, let alone proof that it is widespread. I just really get pissy when people start seeing conspiracies everywhere (whatever the subject), and I think you are WAY off base here.

2% of entire organizations, and not including players who have been cut or not active. It's closer to 10%. 5% is enough in statistics to prove a sustainable and substantial impact.

Anyone in the MLB will lie and then apologize for saying "I don't cheat"...'cause almost all of them cheat. No difference in the NFL. If you don't think some guys are making money on the side, and are trusting of convicted felons, well have fun in dreamland.

And again, it's an business built on entertainment. making money, and putting ais. You think Jones really gives a fudge about another ring? You're fooling yourself. He'd rather have a big screen to attract fans and ticket sales than a superb QB.

You see it sports all the time. Losing can make you plenty of money as long as you keep it interesting. Why else would someone hire Jay Cutler or Ron Artest?

[SpaceBooger]

I live in the Detroit area, so you know how I feel about football. It is so hard to not have a defeatist mindset when it comes to football. Fingers crossed that we don't suck. I will be sitting around in my underwear, cooking food and keeping my screams to a dull roar as my wife tries to get some sleep before working 12 hours overnight.

As a Cleveland fan I hope that the GLC (Great Lakes Classic) was not our (CLE vs DET) only chances of winning some kind of trophy... sadly it probably is. We are in the same boat as fans.

I am excited to see what Wheedon can do under a Chud (made D. Anderson a pro bowler) and a Norv offense. If the Browns can throw the deep ball this should be an interesting season... if not we will just watch T Richardson and Joe Hayden.
I would rather watch the team and not individual players.

[BogusMeatFactory]

If the Browns can throw the deep ball this should be an interesting season... if not we will just watch T Richardson and Joe Hayden.
I would rather watch the team and not individual players.

This is how I feel with the Lions. Calvin Johnson is amazing yes, but he can't seriously carry us. If the preseason was any indication, Stafford is gonna suck. Of course I take that stuff with a grain of salt, but man, when the 2nd string shows you up, you have to start doubting yourself just a little bit.

The Lions are getting close to being a solid team. They are starting to fill those holes that were worse than Michigan's roads. I just hope it actually turns into something tangible and they shake that horrible cloud that hangs over Detroit in almost everything we do... hockey excluded.

Also... why haven't we started a Racketboy Fantasy Football League?!

[dsheinem]

2% of entire organizations, and not including players who have been cut or not active. It's closer to 10%. 5% is enough in statistics to prove a sustainable and substantial impact.

You're losing me here. There are about 1200 starters in the league and about another 1500-2000 other players on the bench or on practice squads. This makes 33 arrests equal to about 3% of starters and about 1% or so of the entire league. I wouldn't be surprised if the percentage of arrests in the stands in any given game is higher. There's no "sustainable and substantial impact" in these numbers. Zilch.

If you don't think some guys are making money on the side, and are trusting of convicted felons, well have fun in dreamland.

I never said that. I said:

Maybe some do gamble on their own games but, again, there's no proof of this at all, let alone proof that it is widespread.

You think Jones really gives a fudge about another ring? You're fooling yourself. He'd rather have a big screen to attract fans and ticket sales than a superb QB.

I think he cares to the extent that it will sell more merchandise and raise the team's profile, but otherwise I agree with you here. I'm under no delusions.