NFL 2015 THREAD

[SNESdrunk]

Fuck deadspin.

Fuck Gawker, but between them and the New York Daily News (who had the picture), I chose the lesser of two evils.

As someone who has lost some digits, I find it super tacky to describe his hand as "gross" and "disgusting". It doesn't bother or upset me personally, but it sends a terrible message to kids with upper limb disabilities.

One of the dudes I mentor lost a few fingers on July 4th as well, and he's a grown man, and the article on Deadspin hit him hard and left a bit down in the dumps.

...moving on...

All Day. Is a comeback for Peterson possible? I'd rather not be a naysayer, but I think his career in the NFL is close to kaput.

The implication from me wasn't "EEwwww look at his hand!" It was "That is a lot worse than I had been led to believe, and I don't think he can keep playing like that." If it came across any other way, sorry. I can't speak for what I linked though.

I don't care for Adrian Peterson, even being a life long Vikings fan. I'm still bummed they didn't trade him. And I agree, he's entered the "Emmitt Smith on the Cardinals" phase of his career.

[Luke]

The implication from me wasn't "EEwwww look at his hand!" It was "That is a lot worse than I had been led to believe, and I don't think he can keep playing like that." If it came across any other way, sorry. I can't speak for what I linked though.

No need to apologize whatsoever. And this is all a matter of perspective (or "optics" as they like to say on ESPN). And yeah, I don't like the phrase " a lot worse.." because even if the guy lost his entire hand he could still adapt. But that's because my job as a mentor is to always keep the glass half full.

All it takes is one negative word to bring a guy in his situation down to the ground, and there hasn't been any positive press that I've read about him healing emotionally and physically. And for his injury, in my limited experience, it usually takes people at least eighteen months to heal emotionally (some never do). Physically, about a year, if no prosthetic devices are involved.

Yes we are dealing with professional athletes and being sustainable in a violent sport isn't easy and where having ten fingers is a plus. That in mind, the Giants owe a superbowl win due to a guy catching a ball with his helmet. Plus John Madden would coach you to always catch the ball with your body, not your hands. If you can put one finger on the ball and tuck it in, that is a catch. If you can catch the ball with a forearm (which I often do) and pull it in, it's a catch.

It's also true that reach plays a role too, but I say give the guy a chance before counting him out.

[stickem]

I don't think his hand is a big deal as far as playing his position. The first thing I thought of was if he could still lift weights to be in football shape.

[Jmustang1968]

Dlinemen need their hands for things other than catching the ball. They use their hands to manipulate offensive linemen. Grip strength is important to how well he will function. This is also the NFL and he is a highly paid player. He doesnt just have to be able to do it, he needs to function at a high or elite level.

The reason they use a lot worse is that he and his people have downplayed the injury some. He is trying to get a contract from the Giants. He showed up saying he was ready to play (get paid while injured and not playing) and they were surprised that there was damage to multiple digits and not just the 1.

[Jmustang1968]

I dont think Peterson is done either. He had 10-11 carries. RBs like AP need more carries to get going.

[Luke]

Dlinemen need there hands for things other than catching the ball.

You don't say.

So people downplayed his injuries. One digit, two digit, three digit, four, doesn't equate to that he can't play anymore.

I'll try my best to use a great economy of words to say what exactly my point is:

"I don't like journalists saying that his injury is worse, but am totally fine with them saying his chances of playing in the NFL are now not as promising"

Does that make any sense? I understand if it doesn't because I get the difference between losing a toe and losing a leg, but it seems people are limiting his abilities on an injury that I don't seem to be that bad.

Again, Jim Abbot had only five fingers and threw a no-hitter in the MLB. People could argue "Well, he needs that hand so he can use a glove to catch a foul or pop-up"...no he didn't. Dude was an ace.

If I heard correctly this morning, Johnathan Manziel will be the starting QB for the Browns on Sunday. In related news, the Titans may go 2-0 for the first time in years.

[Luke]

Steelers:

Starting QB = Rapist

Back Up QB = Murderer

I enjoy watching them lose.



Even at 3-0, I don't think the Panthers will fair well in the playoffs. Good chance of winning the division, bad chance of winning the conference.

If someone would give me 100-1 odds that the Patriots will win the Super Bowl, I'd empty my wallet. Because of deflating stuff, the NFL has been the dominating sports conversation to the point that I didn't realize football stopped this year.

The Pats have had a "screw you" attitude for over a decade, but now they seem as if they are almost on a mission. Not the usual "Rah-rah!" approach, but they seem to want to win, and prove something. What they want to prove I don't know, but they are playing as being pissed off, and sometimes that can work in your favor.

Wish Peyton would take a powder. Never been a fan of his celebrity status, but he seems like an awesome person. He's not going to win another Super Bowl, and ugh...his health is a bit of a concern. If I could meet the guy and shake his hand I'd say "You are one of the best, but put family before football". He's had three surgeries on his neck, one of which included opening and exposing his neck and scraping off tissue from damaged nerves.

That's gross.

You have more money than you can spend. Retire and keep making insurance commercials.

[SNESdrunk]

My two Steelers fan friends are apoplectic, 3-7 against the Ravens the last 10. How do you not give the the ball to the best running back in football on 3rd- or 4th-and-short multiple times? Blows the mind

[Luke]

My two Steelers fan friends are apoplectic, 3-7 against the Ravens the last 10. How do you not give the the ball to the best running back in football on 3rd- or 4th-and-short multiple times? Blows the mind

I kinda got the feeling that vick was pointing the finger at tomlin, and vice versa.

I'll say that flat out, vick is a terrible person, a terrific athlete, and the most overrated qb ever. vick has never been but always has expected to be the vick from the Madden games.

Fun to watch? check
Incredible arm strength? check

But the best thing he's ever done is go to prison.

[SNESdrunk]

I'll say that flat out, vick is a terrible person, a terrific athlete, and the most overrated qb ever.

I have a Jets fan friend who was over the moon when they signed him a couple years ago . Million dollar arm, amazing athlete, but a 10 cent brain and morally bankrupt.

As a QB though I think most people saw through him. Fun fact: in his 10 years as a full time starter, he threw for 3000+ yards only twice. That's as many times as Gus Frerotte. Even Chad Pennington had better pure QB numbers than Vick.