Yeah. The best thing about Greene's elbow in that gif is that clearly none of the Eagles players wanted a piece of him. I think that was Greene's rookie year, too.
This happened in a SB, IIRC. Cliff Harris patted the Roy Gerela, the Steelers kicker, on the head and got in his face after missing a FG, and Mr. Lambert pointed out that it was inappropriate behavior.
Lambert wasn't flagged on the play.
That team had a different kind of player though too...there were bada$$es up and down the roster. Ernie Holmes, one of the DTs on the Steel Curtain, spent some time in a psychiatric hospital after shooting at a police helicopter.
That's the kind of intensity I want in the trenches.
Yeah. The best thing about Greene's elbow in that gif is that clearly none of the Eagles players wanted a piece of him. I think that was Greene's rookie year, too.
This happened in a SB, IIRC. Cliff Harris patted the Roy Gerela, the Steelers kicker, on the head and got in his face after missing a FG, and Mr. Lambert pointed out that it was inappropriate behavior.
Lambert wasn't flagged on the play.
That team had a different kind of player though too...there were bada$$es up and down the roster. Ernie Holmes, one of the DTs on the Steel Curtain, spent some time in a psychiatric hospital after shooting at a police helicopter.
That's the kind of intensity I want in the trenches.
That's what I'm sayin... the gif of Antonio Brown simply does not compare to the era in which the Steel Curtain was a thing.... Add on to that, you had guys like Jack Tatum, Jack Youngblood, Bob Lilly, Alan Paige, Merlin Olsen, Ed "too tall" Jones, and so many more across the league that I think looking at the Steelers defensive lineup in the 70s is remarkable not because they are hard as nails badasses... but that there's simply more of them collected onto one team than seemingly any other team aside from maybe the Raiders.
Steelers' D isn't what it used to be, not just the Steel Curtain years but also the Rod Woodson, Levon Kirkland, Lloyd & Greene and Polamalu years, but what can you expect when their best LB is now an OSU product (with apologies to James Harrison, don't want to make that dude mad).
Prestor Jon wrote: Steelers' D isn't what it used to be, not just the Steel Curtain years but also the Rod Woodson, Levon Kirkland, Lloyd & Greene and Polamalu years, but what can you expect when their best LB is now an OSU product (with apologies to James Harrison, don't want to make that dude mad).
They aren't there yet, but they're getting better. In their last 10 games, they've racked up 33 sacks and 19 turnovers. People talk about Harrison, but it's really the the young guys like Shazier, Burns, Davis, Dupree, Hargrave, etc. that have added a lot of speed and playmaking ability. It's a young defense overall...they start 3 rookies. I think next year is when we'll see things really come together, but things are definitely trending positively for them.
Prestor Jon wrote: Steelers' D isn't what it used to be, not just the Steel Curtain years but also the Rod Woodson, Levon Kirkland, Lloyd & Greene and Polamalu years, but what can you expect when their best LB is now an OSU product (with apologies to James Harrison, don't want to make that dude mad).
They aren't there yet, but they're getting better. In their last 10 games, they've racked up 33 sacks and 19 turnovers. People talk about Harrison, but it's really the the young guys like Shazier, Burns, Davis, Dupree, Hargrave, etc. that have added a lot of speed and playmaking ability. It's a young defense overall...they start 3 rookies. I think next year is when we'll see things really come together, but things are definitely trending positively for them.
Harrison is still "the man," not because of his skill and abilities at his age... it's his preparation and leadership that he brings to the youngsters. And yeah, watching the young speedy guys like Shazier leads me to think that Pittsburgh defense will remain dominant for years to come, even if they... lack... certain characteristics of yesteryear.
Wow, I did not expect either GB or the Steelers to get thrashed so thoroughly! Both were very strong teams. This could be a very impressive Superbowl, and not just on offense- both defenses played very well, shutting down top tier quarterbacks. Jones was unstoppable, though.
I am giving the edge to the Pats for the SB- if they can adjust to the Falcons offense like they did to the Steelers, they will dominate. I think Brady has too many options for Atlanta to contain, however if they can keep pressure on him like they did Rodgers, they could very well take it.
If the Pats defense can keep the Falcons contained early they should be able to establish a running game and control the time of possession. GB was an injury riddled mess that had trouble running the ball even when they were healthy early in the season. The Falcons have a legit pass rush which is another reason why I think we'll see Brady hand off the ball quite a bit in Superbowl LI.
Texans are certainly a super legit defense. But if the offense turns the ball over 3 times in 1 quarter, especially in their own red zone twice, it doesn't matter how studly you are.
I think this will end up being a higher scoring game, and I'm a bit worried about the Pats' ability to deal with that.
Ryan is like...a healthy Rodgers!
Texans did a good job scheming up pressure with their LBs but with Watt hurt they don't have anyone with the pass rush skills of Atlanta's Vic Beasley. Having a player that can consistently demand double teams puts a strain on a lot of the pass protection sets the Patriots like to run, especially when you have a rusher that can play inside, it's why they lost to the Giants twice. Justin Tuck tore up the Pats O-line in both superbowls.
The Pats O-line is fantastic, running backs are good, excellent wide receivers and they've got the best QB of all time, as well as an all time great head coach.
It is all going to come down to the defense though.
I think the Steelers had a great plan - they were clearly picking on #25, Eric Rowe. And if not for quite a few drops and near misses, it is a different game.
The Pats O-line is fantastic, running backs are good, excellent wide receivers and they've got the best QB of all time, as well as an all time great head coach.
It is all going to come down to the defense though.
I think the Steelers had a great plan - they were clearly picking on #25, Eric Rowe. And if not for quite a few drops and near misses, it is a different game.
So the Pats secondary vs. Ryan and the Falcons?
We'll see!
...ditto.
Ex-rammies Chris Long and Danny Amendola are really good dudes... be nice if they win the trophy.
He's an overall really good 'Football Guy' but yes, 'known' for his defense.
I've heard it bandied about that this would be another 'legacy point' if he's able to stop the high flying Falcons, like the Pats did to the Greatest Show on Turf.
But even that was a different NFL, where you could really manhandle receivers...
I gotta say, go Falcons! Anybody but the Patriots...
That said, it should be a pretty good game. Even if the Patriots do win, I won't exactly be too broken up about it (despite my above comment), as it would be alright to see Tom Brady get yet another ring.
ZergSmasher wrote: Well, I don't guess I care who wins now that the Chiefs are out. I really should have expected it given their playoff record, but I'm still pissed. They could have won it, but they choked.
I'm pretty mad now that the Cowboys are out.
I don't care who wins, as long as it's not the patriots.
On that, we can agree! Anybody but the Patriots.
ZergSmasher wrote:I gotta say, go Falcons! Anybody but the Patriots...
That said, it should be a pretty good game.
Yes, you've already let us know!
ZergSmasher wrote:Even if the Patriots do win, I won't exactly be too broken up about it (despite my above comment), as it would be alright to see Tom Brady get yet another ring.
Alpharius wrote: I know Seattle has a fair amount of green in their uniforms but - wow!
That's a 'Color Rush' level jealous meltdown at the nuclear overreactor there!
Hey, hating the Patriots is a proud Peregrine family tradition going back way before I cared about football. My mom grew up in New England and had the basic decency to understand that the Patriots are the lowest of scum.
The Pats O-line is fantastic, running backs are good, excellent wide receivers and they've got the best QB of all time, as well as an all time great head coach.
It is all going to come down to the defense though.
I think the Steelers had a great plan - they were clearly picking on #25, Eric Rowe. And if not for quite a few drops and near misses, it is a different game.
So the Pats secondary vs. Ryan and the Falcons?
We'll see!
Unfortunately, they didn't have enough horses. The #2 WR spot was an issue all year long, with Bryant out all season, Wheaton hurt basically all season, and Stonehands and Heyward-Bey also missing large chunks of time. When Bell went out almost immediately, I knew they were in trouble. They had to win that game in a shootout, and that wasn't happening with only 1 bonafide weapon, even if that weapon is AB.
I agree that they were close at hitting some plays, but they also picked the worst time to have their worst defensive effort in 10 weeks. It's true that Brady carves up zones, but there were also blown coverages, missed tackles, etc. that made it far too easy for them.
The Falcons have all their horses, so it'll be interesting to see how the game goes. Although I think that they'll also have to win a high-scoring game. I'm not convinced about their defense.
Oh, look. New England is acting like they're a 4th Quarter team. Well, it's Atlanta's game to lose so they need to stop being happy and start acting like there's still one quarter to go.
What a nuts ending! Falcons choking or Patriots just clutch, some of both I think. I blame super conservative play calls and Matt Ryan freezing up (int and taking sacks). They're playing like a team full of rookies which they are... Overtime!
If Brady drives for the TD here he'll be the undisputed GOAT. I've got Montana over him now but this is just nuts. Down 25 in 3rd quarter, and still 19 just a few minutes before the 4th... just never been done in the playoffs before. Historic possibility here!
I live in CT. I wanna see the Pats lose. I have nothing against the team themselves, but I hate Brady. Ignoring the multiple calls against his cheating, he's a whiny loser. He cries if people don't give him time to throw the ball. Um...that's the goal. Don't give the QB who excels when having all the time in the world...all the time in the world!! It's the name of the game. Sack him, and sack him hard!
Nuuuuuts! Reminds me of my Ravens allllllmost losing the Super Bowl to the 49ers after the blackout. Crazy momentum swing!
That Edelman catch should erase some David Tyree memories for New England fans. How close were their last two SB wins? More than anything, this cements Belichick as GOAT (and definitely the Belichick/Brady combo). I'm no NE fan but those guys deserve this... Congrats guys.
I dunno, Brady won me over, and Belichick, with their comments, but Kraft still couldn't let it go. Just be happy man, this is never going to happen again. Belichick and Brady, just the best ever. Nuts!!! Gotta appreciate greatness when you see it.
I do do think the Patriots have been in some of the best - I think the Giants-Pats in '08 should've been higher than sixth, but that one, 2 years ago and this one were all incredibly close and great games! (He has them ranked 1st, 3rd and 6th)
49 was probably a better overall game, but this one is tough to not put at #1!
And I do like the karmic beauty of that Julian Edelman catch - another contender for greatest Super Bowl catch - nice to be on the plus side of one of those!
Prior to tonight, teams were 0-124 in the playoffs when losing by 17+ in the 4th quarter...
I think not. TBH it's a pretty bad game if you aren't a Patriots fan. The first half or so was a blowout, and the Atlanta collapse was just a cringe-worthy exercise in how badly a team can throw away an easy win. The Patriots didn't win the game, Atlanta committed suicide in the most humiliating way possible.
Alpharius wrote: And I do like the karmic beauty of that Julian Edelman catch - another contender for greatest Super Bowl catch - nice to be on the plus side of one of those!
Prior to tonight, teams were 0-124 in the playoffs when losing by 17+ in the 4th quarter...
Hard to sleep after this one!
Yeah, that catch was unreal, as is that stat! I'm still in shock, but man, what an insane game to have witnessed . And I'm not a Pats fan
I think not. TBH it's a pretty bad game if you aren't a Patriots fan. The first half or so was a blowout, and the Atlanta collapse was just a cringe-worthy exercise in how badly a team can throw away an easy win. The Patriots didn't win the game, Atlanta committed suicide in the most humiliating way possible.
At least it was entertaining up until the end, unlike this one. And there was some justification for the final play call (and the loss in general), unlike the sheer insanity of Atlanta blowing this game.
Sasori wrote: Wow, the Falcons dropped that game harder than Hillary dropped the election...
You had one job Falcons! Now until the next superbowl I have to hear about "Gods Chosen Team" "The Genius that is Belichick" and "Tom Brady"
Ugh!
These truly are dark times . Falcons where in field goal range and all they needed to do was run the ball and kick it but nope they get both a holding call and sacked to push them well out of field goal range. It was Atlanta's game to lose and they went full Browns.
Yeah, the disparity in number of plays and time of possession is pretty shocking! Pats won it and I'm happy for them in that sense - everything had to go right when down by 19, and the first part of it they got back was just a field goal. In what other situation are you thinking "Uhoh, they're only down 2 touchdowns and 2 two point conversions, watch out!!"
Falcons had a weird mix of playing too conservative and not conservatively enough. The throw to set up the possible field goal was absolutely insane - if you see the replay from Ryan's view, there is totally a defender directly in front of Julio Jones. He tosses it up so only Jones can get it, and the way that catch was made and getting his toes in... looked like that would be it.
So that aggression was good, but then the situational awareness was just really lacking from Ryan - on the next play, throw the ball away, don't take the deep sack! And on his turnover that gave the ball to the Pats on like the 10, it's the opposite - eat the sack, don't try to get the ball out when the guy is already on you.
I actually feel a lot better about Flacco and my Ravens after watching this as Flacco at least does have the "clutch gene" (11 touchdowns and no interceptions in his super bowl run)... but I don't know if Ryan has it. Feel bad for him, but the Pats clearly wanted it more in that second half, and the Falcons D was just too tired out from the massive play differential to stop them.
Yeah I am, and yeah, he hasn't shown much lately but I'm hoping he'll get a fire under him like he did in that contract year, and show us why he got paid in a few years' time...
I'm not deluding myself, I know he's no Brady but that's not the Ravens template anyway. Reasonably OK offense, lock down defense, a la the Giants or sometimes the Steelers. Honestly, the Patriots are the most offensively-focused team that has won championships consistently in my view, and a large part of that is Tom Brady playing for next to nothing and everyone else following suit just to be on that great team!
The thing that stands out to me is how undewhelmingly NE played, not knocking the champs, but their O-line allowed too much pressure...and sackage...on Brady all night, miserable results trying to get the running game going in the first half, the missed extra point...which, at the end of the game, with NE needing the 2pt. conversion to tie was HUGE...the blown opportunity to get something going at the beginning of the second half. I remember that in the latter half of the game, when one of the announcers, I don't remember which, mentioned that Brady had gone just gone over 400 yds. passing...it just didn't seem right. There were so many dropped balls in that first half that I didn't think he was over 200.
BigWaaagh wrote: The thing that stands out to me is how undewhelmingly NE played, n
For me, the thing that stood out was the shoddy officiating...
There may have been a few missed late hit calls (I'll be honest, I have no sympathy, because in most Pats games I've seen the particular player involved is usually whining at officials, so it makes complete sense that they are gonna ignore his whining in the SB) that the Falcons got away with, but especially in the 4th quarter and OT, I saw the easiest holding penalties to call, not being called against the Patriots (including on the "TD" play in OT), and then for them to simply not review the game winning TD?? Wow, that was really bad, especially as it definitely deserved a review.
I know I'll be back in the 2017 thread, because I love the pain/hatred that the NFL's gakky officiating causes... but I really do think I oughta just not watch any football on Sundays/mondays ever again.
So, while much more extreme, this seems like the second year in a row where a team just gave it up at the end to let the Patriots win. There were such easy ways around what ended up happening that even non-football people could see them.
Ahtman wrote: So, while much more extreme, this seems like the second year in a row where a team just gave it up at the end to let the Patriots win.
Are you talking about the last super bowl, or the last Patriots win? If it's the second it was much less "gave it up at the end" and more "key injuries made the game come down to one play instead of being an easy win".
Breotan wrote: Super Bowl quality teams play all four quarters. This is why New England won and Atlanta lost.
Loosing after such a ''huge'' lead is almost impossible.
It reminds me on the loss of Bayern vs ManU in the Champions League. Bayern has led 1:0 in the 90-th min and ManU came back in two or three min winning 2:1.
timetowaste85 wrote: Is it just me, or did the commercials generally SUCK this year?!
That's what happens when Taco Bell decides not to buy ad space. Their commercials are always a hoot.
I did enjoy the abundance of politcal tone of most of the commercials. Seems the corporate world doesn't groove on the whole "close the borders" bullgak. Anheuser meeting Busch was particularly enjoyable.
timetowaste85 wrote: Is it just me, or did the commercials generally SUCK this year?!
They were mostly tame to lame. There were a few grins and laughs, but nothing outstanding.
Yeah, the Anheuser/Busch was OK. The Bald Eagle giving the guy with the loud beer can a WTF, DUDE? look was OK. The SNL lady having an orgasm about overage fees like a 50 Shades character was funny. Poor call center guy.
I did like the eagle one but my favorite was "Bai Bai Bai" with Timerlake . Apparently it was the most popular overall, too, at least by one measurement. I can barely remember the others they list in the top 10, though!
Watch the excellence of one team, and the ineptitude of another - the 4th Quarter Highlights for the Greatest COmeback in Super Bowl History:
Hard to believe that with 9:45 left to go, the Patriots were still trailing, 28-12, and if Atlanta manages just one more score, just a field goal, they probably win anyway...
The Monday morning criticism of Atlanta is ridiculous. This is a team with a bunch of young players who dominated the best team in the NFL for half the game and forced them , you know the same team that now holds a record for SB rings, to an overtime victory. The only team in history to have forced such an OT. On their second SB appearance ever. Hardly shabby. There is *always* a loser and to go down in OT is no shame. If anything, I think it was the coaching that let them down as they didn't even try to put up late points with field goals when it was clear the Patriots defenses had adjusted and the Atlanta defense was getting worn out.
The Falcons will have a very strong team next year and Atlanta fans should be proud! I would gladly trade the Texans for that team!
jmurph wrote: The Monday morning criticism of Atlanta is ridiculous. This is a team with a bunch of young players who dominated the best team in the NFL for half the game and forced them , you know the same team that now holds a record for SB rings, to an overtime victory. The only team in history to have forced such an OT. On their second SB appearance ever. Hardly shabby. There is *always* a loser and to go down in OT is no shame. If anything, I think it was the coaching that let them down as they didn't even try to put up late points with field goals when it was clear the Patriots defenses had adjusted and the Atlanta defense was getting worn out.
The Falcons will have a very strong team next year and Atlanta fans should be proud! I would gladly trade the Texans for that team!
The Falcons will be better without Kyle Shanahan making atrocious play calls at key moments in the biggest game of the year. Falcons had 3rd and 1 and they call a 7 step drop pass play that leads to he Hightower strip sack. Disregarding the outcome and just looking at the process, the Falcons were averaging over 6 yards per carry, Freeman still had single digit rushing attempts (he finished with only 11 carries!!) and the Falcons have a lead. The smart play is run the ball, run the clock, get the first down not run a slow developing pass play. Similar problem with the play calling after Julio's great catch. The Falcons are in FG range and a FG puts the game away for them. All they have to do is stay in FG range and make the kick and Shanahan panics after losing 2 yards on the Freeman sweep. Keep running the ball even if you get no gain you stay in FG range, run the clock down and then kick to put the game out of reach. The absolute worst thing that could happen to the Falcons there was to lose a big chunk of yardage and get pushed out of FG range and calling a pass play put Ryan in a situation to get sacked for a big loss and that's what happened. Then since Ryan took the sack they needed to call another pass play to get back into FG range and that led to the holding call when then pushed them back even further so they had to punt the ball away. They got no points, barely ran any time off the clock and gave the ball back to the Patriots for a final drive to tie the game. The Patriots needed a lot of lucky breaks to get back into the game and instead of trying to avoid creating the very situations that could provide those breaks the Falcons played right into their hands.
jmurph wrote: . If anything, I think it was the coaching that let them down as they didn't even try to put up late points with field goals when it was clear the Patriots defenses had adjusted and the Atlanta defense was getting worn out.
Any criticism I've made in this thread about Atlanta has been directed at the coaching. Specifically, the decision not to run the ball when they were already in field goal range to kill the clock or force NE to use their time outs.
Re: Falcons, I don't think you can only blame Shanahan. Matt Ryan also was seriously lacking some situational awareness at the end. Both of them are to blame... but it's very much like the Seahawks two years ago. An aggressive play call is awesome... when it works. But here, it was so easy to ice the game... I was cringing at their offensive play the whole 4th quarter. Just nuts!
I think Shanahan is going to be really good with the 49ers after a few seasons if he can get a QB... can't see Romo wanting to go to a 2-14 team, though
RiTides wrote: but it's very much like the Seahawks two years ago. An aggressive play call is awesome... when it works.
I don't think it's at all like the Seahawks game. In that situation they were down by 4 points with the clock running out, and at least one play would have to be a pass if they wanted to be able to use all four downs. The only question is when Seattle was going to throw the pass and exactly what play they were going to use. And there's a strong argument that throwing early, with the run/pass uncertainty intact, is the right call. The Patriots just out-guessed them and got away with uncalled PI to end the game.
Atlanta, on the other hand, was winning by 8 points with the clock running out. A field goal essentially ends the game, requiring a touchdown drive, a 2-point conversion, a successful onside kick, and then a field goal drive just to tie the game and have a chance at overtime. IOW, virtually impossible with the clock remaining. If Atlanta takes a knee three times and kicks the field goal the game is over. There's no valid reason for even considering any play besides taking a knee, except maybe a run straight up the middle in full "protect the ball" mode. That isn't an aggressive play call, it's committing suicide in humiliating fashion in front of an audience of millions.
I think Shanahan is going to be really good with the 49ers after a few seasons
Lol no. He's gone after a season, South Cleveland does not tolerate concepts like stability in coaching.
RiTides wrote: but it's very much like the Seahawks two years ago. An aggressive play call is awesome... when it works.
I don't think it's at all like the Seahawks game. In that situation they were down by 4 points with the clock running out, and at least one play would have to be a pass if they wanted to be able to use all four downs. The only question is when Seattle was going to throw the pass and exactly what play they were going to use. And there's a strong argument that throwing early, with the run/pass uncertainty intact, is the right call. The Patriots just out-guessed them and got away with uncalled PI to end the game.
Yeah, that was the problem...
Anyway, it will be interesting to see what the teams desperately in need of a QB end up doing:
1) Gambling on the draft?
2) Trading for someone's backup QB?
3) Something else?
It really is a QB driven league - outside of having an absolutely dominating defense - and without one, you're most likely not going to have sustained success.
I'm near D.C., so it's especially interesting to see what's going to happen to Kirk Cousins. Franchise tagging him for a second year in a row is risky for a lot of reasons, not least of which is he can be a true full free agent the next season. Always possible he teams up with Kyle Shanahan again, too, however remote
And Deshaun Watson coming out in the draft! My brother and parents are Clemson alums, so he's obviously a hero around here . Will be interesting to see if he can make the jump to the pro level successfully... hopefully Not on the QB-killer Browns!
jmurph wrote: . If anything, I think it was the coaching that let them down as they didn't even try to put up late points with field goals when it was clear the Patriots defenses had adjusted and the Atlanta defense was getting worn out.
Any criticism I've made in this thread about Atlanta has been directed at the coaching. Specifically, the decision not to run the ball when they were already in field goal range to kill the clock or force NE to use their time outs.
Most of the criticism has been around that.
Yeah, sorry if that came across as a jab at you; I actually had a lot of the online and office chatter in my head when I was typing. You are absolutely right in the playcalling critique.
I think that was Greene's rookie year, too.
the Patriots.
. And I'm not a Pats fan 
. Falcons where in field goal range and all they needed to do was run the ball and kick it but nope they get both a holding call and sacked to push them well out of field goal range. It was Atlanta's game to lose and they went full Browns.
