American Football

[millers-tach]

Cowboys are having a great season     What is going on there?
 
 
 
Long season but I am pleased to see my two bets are both still in the running (even though i was stupid enough to back two teams in the same division).
 
Why am i posting this? Simple, i cant be arsed reading anymore s**t about Spurs by some internet troll, think i am going to stay off topic now as it is so boring reading his drivel on every other post.

[dedleysting]

Nice one millers
 
Cowboys really suck at the moment without Romo 
 
My moneys on the Bucs     

[SomersetYiddo]

Wilson Jet - Im a big Tampa Bay Devil Rays fan! Gutted we didnt make the world series this year but its good that we are a team on the rise just like Spurs! San Francisco deserved there win last night and i was rooting for them not Texas Rangers. On the basketball front i like Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers, especially when we had Ron Artest and Reggie Miller it was very entertaining!

[SomersetYiddo]

Sundays are great after a weekend of Football then in the evening a load of American Football to watch, i never get anything down on a sunday! My team the New York Giants are doing ok, and my 2nd team Tampa Bay Bucs are doing better this year, there my 2nd team because i went to a open training session in Florida many years ago and got lots of signed photos and memorabilia and i met the players and had a laugh! Good thing none of us support Buffalo! 0-7, they could be as bad as that Detroit team the other year. I watched the game involving them and Kansas City Chiefs on sunday and it went down to the wire in overtime and was very exiting! Bills lost out 13-10 by a late field goal after they had hit the post by a 40 odd yard attempt!

[WilsonJet]

@SomersetYiddo - wow, a shout out to Reggie and Ron-Ron on a Spurs forum. Those were also my favorite two Pacers players!

Don't believe the hype from any of the so-called pundits regarding the downfall of the Colts. Depite the injuries they will have another successful season. As long as the Sheriff is running the offense anything is possible...

Gotta love those Tampa Bay Bucs - they just keep rolling with their youngsters 

[SomersetYiddo]

Its sunday night, ca only mean one thing NFL!!! Also cant wait for Match Of The Day to watch the Toon Army beat the scum at the islington libary! Get In!

[millers-tach]

Was watching a bit of the Dolphins game earlier, plenty of running from both teams.
 
Also watched most of the Fat Zebras earlier, they put on a great display. That boy Carroll should be out no1 target. Perhaps i will start a thread so i can hear what the football oracle thinks about it.

[SomersetYiddo]

Tune into the Giants game there up 21-0 in the first quarter, seattle suck! Go Giants! Shame the Bucs lost.

[WilsonJet]

I'm wondering what you guys think about the ongoing debate regarding helmet-to-helmet hits in the NFL. I've never seen a season like this with players picking up severe concussions on a weekly basis. Don't know if you saw the Colts / Eagles Sunday afternoon, but the hit against Austin Collie is the real talking point. He was clearly knocked unconcious with a shot to the helmet - but what was the intent and is it watering down football to flag hits like that?

For me, I think a first down and 15 yards is a small price to pay for putting a man in the hospital - intentional or not. No fines, no suspensions, no ejections - just 15 yards. I personally think it's outrageous that on one hand former players want to complain about how they are not getting the medical help they need after being physically ravaged by a career in the NFL, but on the other - want to maintain that these type of hits are just part of the game. I am a counselor at a high school in the Atlanta area. Our football team's best player is a student of mine. He's had multiple concussions this season and, unfortunately, I can tell when he "isn't right" because I work with him on a daily basis. The young man is attempting to get an athletic scholarship to a big university but he is subjecting himself to extraordinary risk. I asked him what he thought about the rule and he said "You can't ask me to be something other than what I am. I can't be the player ya'll want me to be and then flip a switch at the last instant."

Thoughts?

[millers-tach]

That is really interesting Wilson, it has only been the last few weeks where i have seen these hits being discussed so much. It could be i just wasnt watching enough NFL in seasons past but i really didnt realise just how much damage these hits were doing.
 
I am going to be honest at this point and say i always thought that compared to Rugby, American Footballers and all their protection seemed a bit gay. Of course i now know that the game is played totally different and comparison is just stupid, you simply dont get guys going for a flying head-butt to take someone out at Rugby!
 
Fans love to see big hits but i dont think anyone takes pleasure in seeing someone really struggle with conciousness (spelling? lol) and the long term impact you are talking about is really serious. It's incredibly brave for someone to keep putting themselves on the line to help achieve their dreams, after all that is what life should be about however the repecussions for long term health might just be too much of a price to pay.
 
It's a real tough one but i think the punishment needs to be upped to try and stem the seemingly increased amount of these tackles.
 
I could be wrong, you might tell me that the game has always been played this way and perhaps its just been unlucky the results of these hits is getting worse?
 
Can i ask you though, would you discourage someone from achieving something brilliant in their life in return for just living your life without risk and perhaps not ever achieving what many would call their pinnacle?
 
 

[WilsonJet]

Great question - you've nailed it. It's difficult to know when the risk is too great because the rare negative outcome has already occurred when the realization is made. For me, I don't think it's too much to ask not to strike a guy in the head when he doesn't expect it. If you're squared off at the line of scrimmage or facing a runner head-to-head that's different.

...And I also have to admit. I never understood why soccer players would go to ground and writhe in agony after getting a kick to the shin or ankle - until I saw Luka Modric and Aaron Ramsey's legs broken. It's a common criticism of the sport over here. However, ask the same guy if he wants to play a pickup game (especially if it's indoor on turf) and he will say "Nooooo - I'll keep my knees and legs intact, thank you", because they do realize how dangerous it is - especially for the untrained. The questionable officiating with no consequences and lack of replay technology for offsides and goals scored is maddening, however. As is the Nil - Nil draw...so unsatisfying.

[millers-tach]

Green Bay are the current favourites with ladbrokes at 6/1 (shop around you maybe able to get 8/1 with other bookies), Giants are 33/1 at the moment just becasue they lost a game they were favoured to win the other day, good each bet at 33/1 though because they will be up and around there at the end. Some of my friends have also put money on the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans as outsiders both with strong squads.

Them Giant Dudes seem to be going great guns. I doubt they are still 33-1
 
And Wilson i love your comparisons, every sport has it's dangers and problems just like you say.
 
Hope the young guy you help makes it in the game, he is lucky to have someone like you trying to help steer him through his school days.

[WilsonJet]

Kind words, my friend. I appreciate ya  Not feeling like much of a role model today, though. The troll has got me fired up - lol.

[millers-tach]

lol, i hear what you are saying.
 
I find it easier to never read anything he says and just post some abuse instead. Childish i know but as i guess he is some 19yr old sado with no real life or friends i think its all he deserves. Life must be sad just fishing on internet forums everyday looking for comments.
 
Other sites i guess he posts on include:
 
Gooner.com
Whats the best porn to watch.com
I have ran out of tissues.com
I am a cock.com
 
 

[SomersetYiddo]

What games are you guys watching tonight? Im watching Bucs / Panthers and then later Giants / Dallas which should be interesting!