The 2019-2020 NFL Season - Super Bowl LIV - 49ers vs. Chiefs

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**Xenomancers**

helgrenze wrote:
It's basically as an alternate to the On-side Kick. Variations have been proposed before mostly taking the ball at the 35 for a 4 and 15 play.
The changes they made to the way the kicking team lines up have caused on-side Kicks to fail something like 90% of the time where it used to be closer to 75%.

Well a 4th and 15 is likely a lot higher odds than an onside kick. Though the penalty is also much greater starting the opponent in field goal range. It is scary though to think of Lamar Jackson or Jake Mahomes having the opportunity to keep the ball all game and all they need to do is complete a 15 yard pass to get a first down. Not to mention the opposing team ends up in a really tough spot if you try to go for a 30-40 yard pass with 1 shot. I think it is too much to give a team a free other possession even it it is only a 4th down. It will be interesting to see.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Grey Templar wrote:
That second rule change is interesting...

I wonder how often that would be taken.

I think with the opportunity to possess the ball will be preferable over an onside kick.

Though the other rule taking away the kick off - I think that is just a great idea. Kick offs are unnecessarily dangerous and most of the time you'd be better of just taking the touch back. Though - I would think starting them at the 30 would be more fair as some teams have great kick returners which can really influence a game.

**Grey Templar**

Yeah but 4th and 15 on your 25 yard line is risky.

**Ensis Ferrae**

Easy E wrote:
Interesting changes for kick-offs. I have often thought they were pointless and needlessly dangerous. Especially now that most kickers can boot it out of the endzone at will.

Once upon a time, when American football more closely resembled its rugby union parent, the kickoff had a purpose. But, since the american version of the game introduced concepts such as blocking, it has indeed become rather pointless.

Further to your point about kickers' leg strength, it was within my living memory that various kickers could/would intentionally kick the ball a certain way in order to run more time off the clock. I think with some timing rule changes, as well as the much more explosive nature of today's offenses (in general), the idea of a squib kick to burn more time, but give the opposition potentially better field position became less and less popular to the point where its all but disappeared.

**helgrenze**

Kansas City Chiefs 31 San Francisco 49ers 20.

Congrats to Andy "Big Red" Reid and the Chiefs.

On that note I suppose this thread is brought to an end.

See Y'all Next Season.

**ZergSmasher**

WHOOOOO CHIEFS!!!

**Easy E**

That was a good Super Bowl. I enjoyed watching it.

Once I knew the game rested on Jimmy G's arm, I figured it was over. Chiefs did a decent job of shutting down the play action, even if their run defense was a bit poor. I am unsure how much of their success was the pass rush vs. Jimmy G not really being that great.

**Alpharius**

While I agree that he's not that great (especially vs. Mahomes, who is clearly a special talent), Jimmy G was one slight overthrow from getting the job done!

**gorgon**

Garoppolo outplayed Mahomes for three quarters. Then he missed some throws down the stretch and Mahomes started making plays.

Not sure how Mahomes was MVP over Williams.

**nels1031**

Kind of cliche, but Reid outcoached (or at least made better decisions) Shanahan as well imo. Letting the clock run down in the first half was a bit of a head scratcher.

**Xenomancers**

Refs stayed out of it for most the game but had to interject with a crucial terrible PA call on what was probably the best play of the game. Kettle picked up a huge 41 yard gain and the refs called a push off when in fact this was routine WR DB hand scuffling and the extended arm did not create any distance anyways. The play put them in FG range for an easy FG but nullified by terrible call. It ended up changing the game quite a bit as the 49ers final drive before the INT a FG would have been enough to win the game which would have changed the defensive scheme drastically for KC.

**nels1031**

Going to be an interesting off-season.

Dak Prescott may get franchise tagged by the Cowboys, Brady could (I personally doubt it) finish out his career somewhere other than New England, Antonio Brown will still be a one man circus and it seems like a bunch of older QBs could be phased out.

**gorgon**

Xenomancers wrote:
Refs stayed out of it for most the game but had to interject with a crucial terrible PA call on what was probably the best play of the game. Kettle picked up a huge 41 yard gain and the refs called a push off when in fact this was routine WR DB hand scuffling and the extended arm did not create any distance anyways. The play put them in FG range for an easy FG but nullified by terrible call. It ended up changing the game quite a bit as the 49ers final drive before the INT a FG would have been enough to win the game which would have changed the defensive scheme drastically for KC.

Can't extend your arm like that, though. It's a visual cue that will draw the flag. You can shove them pretty good in the lower back, etc. with a bent arm. Just how the game is called.

**Alpharius**

Yup, agreed!

The "Extended Arm" is a no-no almost every time...

Still, it was a 'good' (close?) game, so...

...on to 2020 - 2021 Season!!!

**helgrenze**

Since this thread is still active...

The Cowboys reportedly offered Dak Prescott $33m/yr, That's more than Wentz and comparable to Goff and Rodgers.
He turned it down. Apparently, Dak wants Russel Wilson money, roughly $35m/yr.
He isn't worth it. Even with healthy receivers and having Elliot, he couldn't make the playoffs this season. He only has 1 post season win.
The salary cap issues that arise even at only $33m/yr. The Cowboys have @$73M available and still have other players to consider, like Cooper, Austin, Cobb, Heath, Rush, and Sean Lee.
Going to be interesting to see if they franchise tag Dak, or Cooper.

**nels1031**

Chargers have parted ways with Phillip Rivers. Apparently a mutual agreement. Will be interesting to see who they sign/draft and where Rivers will end up, if he doesn't retire.

**gorgon**

nels1031 wrote:
Chargers have parted ways with Phillip Rivers. Apparently a mutual agreement. Will be interesting to see who they sign/draft and where Rivers will end up, if he doesn't retire.

Brady to the Chargers continues to seem like a real possibility.

**Easy E**

So, did anyone watch any of the XFL? I did not..... but was curious what NFL fans may have thought.

**nels1031**

Easy E wrote:
So, did anyone watch any of the XFL? I did not..... but was curious what NFL fans may have thought.

Zero interest from me.

There's just too much good TV out right now for me to waste on whats essentially a minor league. Probably worse than a minor league, actually. Though I do think XFL could be a good litmus test on some rule changes/tweaks and NFL proper will gauge public interest in that..

Plus, baseball in a few weeks!

**Ensis Ferrae**

nels1031 wrote:
Easy E wrote:
So, did anyone watch any of the XFL? I did not..... but was curious what NFL fans may have thought.

Zero interest from me.

There's just too much good TV out right now for me to waste on whats essentially a minor league. Probably worse than a minor league, actually. Though I do think XFL could be a good litmus test on some rule changes/tweaks and NFL proper will gauge public interest in that..

Plus, baseball in a few weeks!

Umm. . . . 6 Nations >>>>>>> XFL. And even if there weren't 6 Nations, MLR kicked back up, both of which are miles better than some spring football. And then there's the baseball thing, and we've already had the first of the major motor races on the calendar year (Daytona 24 hour), plus all the other shows, documentaries and everything else in life. I really don't want, or need any more football

**Xenomancers**

helgrenze wrote:
Since this thread is still active...

The Cowboys reportedly offered Dak Prescott $33m/yr, That's more than Wentz and comparable to Goff and Rodgers.
He turned it down. Apparently, Dak wants Russel Wilson money, roughly $35m/yr.
He isn't worth it. Even with healthy receivers and having Elliot, he couldn't make the playoffs this season. He only has 1 post season win.
The salary cap issues that arise even at only $33m/yr. The Cowboys have @$73M available and still have other players to consider, like Cooper, Austin, Cobb, Heath, Rush, and Sean Lee.
Going to be interesting to see if they franchise tag Dak, or Cooper.

Dak proving to be a real Diva. He posts some okay numbers but Russle Wilson money? HAHA. Wilson is top tier.

**helgrenze**

Xenomancers wrote:
helgrenze wrote:
Since this thread is still active...

The Cowboys reportedly offered Dak Prescott $33m/yr, That's more than Wentz and comparable to Goff and Rodgers.
He turned it down. Apparently, Dak wants Russel Wilson money, roughly $35m/yr.
He isn't worth it. Even with healthy receivers and having Elliot, he couldn't make the playoffs this season. He only has 1 post season win.
The salary cap issues that arise even at only $33m/yr. The Cowboys have @$73M available and still have other players to consider, like Cooper, Austin, Cobb, Heath, Rush, and Sean Lee.
Going to be interesting to see if they franchise tag Dak, or Cooper.

Dak proving to be a real Diva. He posts some okay numbers but Russle Wilson money? HAHA. Wilson is top tier.

One story had Dak asking for $40mil, which would leave @$33mil for everyone else. Think Cooper stays for less than $20mil? He made $13M last year. Even restructuring some of their contracts, those two are gonna take a big bite.

**Xenomancers**

helgrenze wrote:
Xenomancers wrote:
helgrenze wrote:
Since this thread is still active...

The Cowboys reportedly offered Dak Prescott $33m/yr, That's more than Wentz and comparable to Goff and Rodgers.
He turned it down. Apparently, Dak wants Russel Wilson money, roughly $35m/yr.
He isn't worth it. Even with healthy receivers and having Elliot, he couldn't make the playoffs this season. He only has 1 post season win.
The salary cap issues that arise even at only $33m/yr. The Cowboys have @$73M available and still have other players to consider, like Cooper, Austin, Cobb, Heath, Rush, and Sean Lee.
Going to be interesting to see if they franchise tag Dak, or Cooper.

Dak proving to be a real Diva. He posts some okay numbers but Russle Wilson money? HAHA. Wilson is top tier.

One story had Dak asking for $40mil, which would leave @$33mil for everyone else. Think Cooper stays for less than $20mil? He made $13M last year. Even restructuring some of their contracts, those two are gonna take a big bite.

IMO Cooper is a must sign. Dak? Let him try out the free agent money. No one else is going to offer him 33 million.

**gorgon**

I wouldn't overpay Cooper any more than overpay Prescott. Hell, especially if you choose not to pay Prescott and want to wander the no-QB wilderness.

Cooper has consistently been a 70 catch, 1000-1100 yard, 7 TD kind of player. That fact that he might set the market for the position demonstrates everything that's stupid about free agency and how some teams operate.

It's easier to replace Cooper's production with Prescott in the fold than Prescott's production with Cooper in the fold. Prescott's demands may get outrageous and that may be a problem, but the overall priority is pretty easy and clear.

**helgrenze**

Considering there are 36 QBs available in FA and the big three of Brees, Rivers, and Brady... Ok, those three are in the 38+, end of carreer club.
Still, there are a lot of guys (@20) under 30 who might be a better fit than Dak, especially with a new coach in Dallas.
Winston just had Lasic to correct his vision, fixing the need to squint to see the sidelines. Should also fix the INT problems he had.
Dallas also has 31 players including their top 3 Receivers: Cooper, Cobb, and Austin, Plus Witten, and Jarwin hitting FA. They don't have the money to pay them all.
By contrast, Philadelphia has 20 going FA and only a handful of "Must Signs", mainly Bradham and Jenkins, and a lot of the others being fairly young and cheap to resign.

**nels1031**

Hooooooooolllly gak!

He did it, the madman.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2684068-tom-brady-announces-he-will-not-return-to-patriots-forever-a-patriot?fbclid=IwAR2X2ilCPrLnXsdtBTctsLGE9j1hhLWOWtMcqwGI2xhT2rgPdPYmPvzrg3A

For the first time in his career, Tom Brady will play his home games outside Foxborough, Massachusetts, after he announced via Twitter he will not return to the New England Patriots:

https://twitter.com/tombrady/status/1239895697207549952?s=21

Brady, 42, will go down as arguably the greatest quarterback, and perhaps player, in NFL history. The superstar is a six-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Super Bowl MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL MVP. Since becoming a starter in 2001, he led the Patriots to 17 AFC East titles, 17 postseason berths and nine trips to the Super Bowl.

He's also second all-time in passing touchdowns (541) and second in passing yards (74,571). No coach and quarterback duo has won more regular-season games (219) and postseason games (30) than Bill Belichick and Brady, and it's not close.

Brady famously was a sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft (No. 199 overall) and started his career as Drew Bledsoe's backup. When Bledsoe was injured in the second game of the 2001 season, Brady stepped in and promptly led the team to an 11-3 record the rest of the regular season and a Super Bowl title.

The starting job has been Brady's since, marking one of the longest stretches of dominance in professional sports.

The only blights on Brady's resume are the two major Patriots scandals throughout the years, Spygate and Deflategate, with the latter directly involving the signal-caller. But his composure under pressure in late-game situations, and his longevity, consistency and success make him perhaps the most decorated player in NFL history.

His eschewing retirement for at least another season won't surprise many. But his leaving the Patriots is a surprise. Seeing Brady playing for a new team will be strange in 2020. New decade, new Brady.

**helgrenze**

nels1031 wrote:
Hooooooooolllly gak!

He did it, the madman.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2684068-tom-brady-announces-he-will-not-return-to-patriots-forever-a-patriot?fbclid=IwAR2X2ilCPrLnXsdtBTctsLGE9j1hhLWOWtMcqwGI2xhT2rgPdPYmPvzrg3A

For the first time in his career, Tom Brady will play his home games outside Foxborough, Massachusetts, after he announced via Twitter he will not return to the New England Patriots:

https://twitter.com/tombrady/status/1239895697207549952?s=21

Brady, 42, will go down as arguably the greatest quarterback, and perhaps player, in NFL history. The superstar is a six-time Super Bowl champion, four-time Super Bowl MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL MVP. Since becoming a starter in 2001, he led the Patriots to 17 AFC East titles, 17 postseason berths and nine trips to the Super Bowl.

He's also second all-time in passing touchdowns (541) and second in passing yards (74,571). No coach and quarterback duo has won more regular-season games (219) and postseason games (30) than Bill Belichick and Brady, and it's not close.

Brady famously was a sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL draft (No. 199 overall) and started his career as Drew Bledsoe's backup. When Bledsoe was injured in the second game of the 2001 season, Brady stepped in and promptly led the team to an 11-3 record the rest of the regular season and a Super Bowl title.

The starting job has been Brady's since, marking one of the longest stretches of dominance in professional sports.

The only blights on Brady's resume are the two major Patriots scandals throughout the years, Spygate and Deflategate, with the latter directly involving the signal-caller. But his composure under pressure in late-game situations, and his longevity, consistency and success make him perhaps the most decorated player in NFL history.

His eschewing retirement for at least another season won't surprise many. But his leaving the Patriots is a surprise. Seeing Brady playing for a new team will be strange in 2020. New decade, new Brady.

Better yet, he signed with Tampa Bay.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tom-brady-to-join-buccaneers-bruce-arians-brings-experience-with-manning-big-ben-and-other-franchise-qbs/

**Easy E**

If there even is a season this year! <Dramatic Cord>

**RiTides**

I'm near Tampa Bay (despite being a Ravens fan) and folks around here are losing their minds! It's the perfect time for some good news, and man was this it as far as sports go

**helgrenze**

It's just as likely to be a sideshow. Brady is going to butt heads with Arians, a "quarterbacks coach". Arians won't want to just let Tom be Tom, he's going to try to "coach him up".

**Alpharius**

Maybe, but I think Bruce will let him have his way for at least the first year.

Bruce is on the Back 9, maybe on the 17th hole himself in terms of NFL coaching and a chance to win a Super Bowl.

Not saying that 'just Tom' will be enough to get it done, but if he can focus on the defense more now?

Maybe, just maybe....I'm saying he has a chance!