Super Bowl LI

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:22 pm

Preseason schedules are released.

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 18m18 minutes ago
Patriots preseason:
Week 1: vs. Saints (Aug. 11-15)
Week 2: vs. Bears (Aug. 18-22)
Week 3: at Panthers (8/25-28)
Week 4: at Giants (9/1-2)

Week 3 at Carolina...interesting...only 2 hours away...maybe if tickets are cheap.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 4:55 pm

Probably you can find someone desperate to unload them. My biggest gripe about season tickets was the worthless preseason games were a mandatory purchase and cost the same as regular season games.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Wed Apr 13, 2016 3:50 pm

Pats just released Domnique Easley (2014 first round pick). Sure, he finished the last two years on IR, but he was good when in there.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 3:21 pm

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 3:29 pm

NFL schedule will be released tonight in a 3 hour event starting at 8pm EDT.

Someone please watch for me.

Post by **ImLawBoy** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 4:00 pm

stessier wrote:NFL schedule will be released tonight in a 3 hour event starting at 8pm EDT.

Someone please watch for me.

You are officially too much of a fan and have a serious problem if you watch that entire broadcast.

(I assume stessier will be recording it and watching it when he wakes up at 3:00 am.)

Xmann · Post by **Xmann** » Thu Apr 14, 2016 7:41 pm

Broncos will host the Panthers on Thursday Night Football for opening night.

Cam Newton will again be crying like a bitch.

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stessier · Post by **stessier** » Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:42 am

ImLawBoy wrote:
stessier wrote:NFL schedule will be released tonight in a 3 hour event starting at 8pm EDT.

Someone please watch for me.
You are officially too much of a fan and have a serious problem if you watch that entire broadcast.

(I assume stessier will be recording it and watching it when he wakes up at 3:00 am.)

Like I was able to sleep all the way to 3am knowing that Santa had already dropped presents under the tree!!!

(Kidding...I checked it at 5am. Admire my restraint!)

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:29 pm

El Guapo · Post by **El Guapo** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:31 pm

stessier wrote:
ImLawBoy wrote:
stessier wrote:NFL schedule will be released tonight in a 3 hour event starting at 8pm EDT.

Someone please watch for me.
You are officially too much of a fan and have a serious problem if you watch that entire broadcast.

(I assume stessier will be recording it and watching it when he wakes up at 3:00 am.)
Like I was able to sleep all the way to 3am knowing that Santa had already dropped presents under the tree!!!

(Kidding...I checked it at 5am. Admire my restraint!)

What exactly did they include in a three hour scheduling releasing event? Did they read the whole schedule out loud over the course of the three hours?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 2:29 pm

USA Today

Johnny Manziel’s assault case that stems from the allegations made by the former Cleveland Browns quarterback’s ex-girlfriend will be presented to a Texas grand jury later this week, USA TODAY Sports confirmed.

Dallas County District Attorney spokesperson Brittany Dunn said the grand jury would meet on Thursday to hear the case. A decision on whether Manziel will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor assault, which carries a maximum of a year in jail and a $4,000 fine, is expected to be announced within days.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 5:33 pm

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 5:37 pm

What, they are moving up to take whichever quarterback the Rams do not take?

RunningMn9 · Post by **RunningMn9** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 6:29 pm

Wow, Josh Norman was just set loose by the Panthers, after rescinding the franchise tag. That's shocking to me.

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Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 2:29 pm

Ref development

The National Football League and Canadian Football League today announced the formation of the NFL-CFL Officiating Development Program.

Beginning this season, a group of NFL officials will have the opportunity to work as part of CFL crews during preseason and regular-season games in June and July, prior to starting their NFL season at the league's annual officiating clinic in late July.

Several CFL officials will then join the NFL's Officiating Development Program, which is designed to train top officials in all aspects of NFL officiating. Elements of the program include attending NFL minicamps and training camps, officiating preseason games, studying position-specific film with veteran NFL officials, reviewing mechanics and analyzing rules differences between the NFL and other leagues, including the CFL and college football.
...
The NFL officials working in the CFL will be primarily deep wing officials – side judges and field judges – to minimize the impact of some of the rules differences between the two leagues.

Hrothgar · Post by **Hrothgar** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 11:24 pm

Norman signs with the Redskins. $75M contract $51.1M guaranteed, 5 years $15M a season.

You know, with these crazy draft trades and the Norman contract, I'm feeling much better about the Osweiler signing for Houston. I hate to think what it would have been like if they hadn't made a move.

RunningMn9 · Post by **RunningMn9** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 11:36 pm

The Osweiler signing was still a questionable move.

As for Norman, hopefully he had a choice tweet ready for Patrick Peterson.

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Hrothgar · Post by **Hrothgar** » Fri Apr 22, 2016 11:47 pm

A questionable move in a sea of questionable moves doesn't stand out as much.

I'm pretty sure mortgaging their draft to get a top 10 pick and a chance at the third best quarterback would be worse.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:24 pm

The Appeals court ruled 2-1 against Brady and ruled even on things that weren't decided at the trial court level. So barring another appeal, Brady is suspended for the first four games of the season.

noxiousdog · Post by **noxiousdog** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:29 pm

Hrothgar wrote:A questionable move in a sea of questionable moves doesn't stand out as much.

I'm pretty sure mortgaging their draft to get a top 10 pick and a chance at the third best quarterback would be worse.

Concur.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:41 pm

stessier wrote:The Appeals court ruled 2-1 against Brady and ruled even on things that weren't decided at the trial court level. So barring another appeal, Brady is suspended for the first four games of the season.

Jaymann · Post by **Jaymann** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:47 pm

Cheaters never prosper. Well, maybe they do.

EvilHomer3k · Post by **EvilHomer3k** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 12:54 pm

stessier wrote:The Appeals court ruled 2-1 against Brady and ruled even on things that weren't decided at the trial court level. So barring another appeal, Brady is suspended for the first four games of the season.

Maybe he can cheat the system and drag the appeals out until he retires.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:01 pm

He also should be forbidden to tell anyone that the scarlet "C" on his jersey means anything besides "Cheater".

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:03 pm

I do wonder if the NFLPA appeals again. I think they would have more negotiating leverage if they don't have another SCOTUS ruling upholding arbitration. Brady clearly prepared for it with the contract restructuring, so no real pressure there.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:14 pm

stessier wrote:I do wonder if the NFLPA appeals again.

If the NFL let Brady appeal his suspension unto his own retirement (or becoming useless to the franchise) making any resolution nothing but an footnote in his wiki page outside hall of fame, I think they run the risk of alienating too many fans of the league and most especially fans of teams in the AFC East.

stessier · Post by **stessier** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:16 pm

LordMortis wrote:
stessier wrote:I do wonder if the NFLPA appeals again.
If the NFL let Brady appeal his suspension unto his own retirement (or becoming useless to the franchise) making any resolution nothing but an footnote in his wiki page outside hall of fame, I think they run the risk of alienating too many fans of the league and most especially fans of teams in the AFC East.

So much wrong in one post!

The biggest part, though, is that the NFL has no say in this. Appealing is up to Brady and the NFLPA.

RunningMn9 · Post by **RunningMn9** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:26 pm

stessier wrote:I do wonder if the NFLPA appeals again. I think they would have more negotiating leverage if they don't have another SCOTUS ruling upholding arbitration. Brady clearly prepared for it with the contract restructuring, so no real pressure there.

What makes it hard here is that they aren't entitled to an appeal. They can appeal either to the 2nd Circuit en banc, or they can appeal to the Supremes. Both bodies can decline.

I think that appealing to the US Supreme Court isn't happening. I cannot imagine the Court clogging their halls with this nonsense. It's possible that the full 2nd Circuit would hear the appeal, given that the Chief Justice of the circuit was the "1" in the 2-1 decision, but I don't know how that works fully.

Wikipedia tells me this:

wiki wrote:En banc review is often used for unusually complex cases or cases considered to be of greater importance. Appellate courts in the United States sometimes grant rehearing en banc to reconsider a decision of a panel of the court (generally consisting of only three judges) in which the case concerns a matter of exceptional public importance or the panel's decision appears to conflict with a prior decision of the court.

This can't possibly qualify as being unusually complex, or considered to be of greater importance. I have no idea how the panel's decision jives with their prior decisions. The NFL chose this circuit, so I'm guessing this ruling isn't out of left field for them.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 1:38 pm

stessier wrote:The biggest part, though, is that the NFL has no say in this. Appealing is up to Brady and the NFLPA.

The NFLPA have many of the the same goals as the NFL. If they put out a product that alienates fans then the league and its players suffer. So, if you prefer amend that to if the NFLPA work with Brady to drag this on until...

Remus West · Post by **Remus West** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:16 pm

LordMortis wrote:
stessier wrote:The biggest part, though, is that the NFL has no say in this. Appealing is up to Brady and the NFLPA.
The NFLPA have many of the the same goals as the NFL. If they put out a product that alienates fans then the league and its players suffer. So, if you prefer amend that to if the NFLPA work with Brady to drag this on until...

Wrong. The NFLPA's main goal is to protect the players from losing any money. 4 games sets a precedent they don't want in that Brady would lose dollars and any future player accused will as well. As such, expect the PA to come out fully in support of Brady.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:19 pm

Their message being, "cheaters should never be held accountable for their actions."

Remus West · Post by **Remus West** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:21 pm

Jeff V wrote:Their message being, "cheaters should never be held accountable for their actions."

I'm not condoning it merely stating my expectation of their actions.

LordMortis · Post by **LordMortis** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 2:41 pm

Jeff V wrote:Their message being, "cheaters should never be held accountable for their actions."

Or "we won't even entertain the idea of the possibility of cheating by our most popular asset until there is no real accountability." I don't that attitude is good for the league. Generally (though maybe not for the NFL) that's the sort of thing that is not good for product or brand, which then means you don't spend as much money on your assets.

I would like to think that people would turn their backs on the NFL on these things (and more importantly on its kicking and screaming against frowning on the criminal behavior of players) but when I look for evidence, history shows me I'm wrong, I guess.

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GuidoTKP · Post by **GuidoTKP** » Mon Apr 25, 2016 4:55 pm

RunningMn9 wrote:
stessier wrote:I do wonder if the NFLPA appeals again. I think they would have more negotiating leverage if they don't have another SCOTUS ruling upholding arbitration. Brady clearly prepared for it with the contract restructuring, so no real pressure there.
What makes it hard here is that they aren't entitled to an appeal. They can appeal either to the 2nd Circuit en banc, or they can appeal to the Supremes. Both bodies can decline.

I think that appealing to the US Supreme Court isn't happening. I cannot imagine the Court clogging their halls with this nonsense. It's possible that the full 2nd Circuit would hear the appeal, given that the Chief Justice of the circuit was the "1" in the 2-1 decision, but I don't know how that works fully.

Wikipedia tells me this:

wiki wrote:En banc review is often used for unusually complex cases or cases considered to be of greater importance. Appellate courts in the United States sometimes grant rehearing en banc to reconsider a decision of a panel of the court (generally consisting of only three judges) in which the case concerns a matter of exceptional public importance or the panel's decision appears to conflict with a prior decision of the court.
This can't possibly qualify as being unusually complex, or considered to be of greater importance. I have no idea how the panel's decision jives with their prior decisions. The NFL chose this circuit, so I'm guessing this ruling isn't out of left field for them.

No way they would get en banc review. Maybe if this was the 1st Circuit (which covers Massachusetts) but the 2nd Circuit luuuuuuuuuvs arbitration and wants to cede as much authority as possible to arbitrators to shrink the number of cases hitting the federal dockets. That's why the district court's original ruling was such a head scratcher; it invited participants in arbitration to take a second shot in federal court, something the 2nd Circuit has said over and over again is no bueno. The Supremes won't touch this, even if if hearing the case would save the lives of 10 babies.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Tue Apr 26, 2016 12:18 pm

Manziel indicted. No word on ham sandwich co-conspirator.

A Texas grand jury has indicted free agent quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel on an assault charge, according to Dallas County court records.

Manziel's former girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, accused the former NFL quarterback of restraining, hitting and threatening her during an alleged assault on January 30. She says in an affidavit that Manziel grabbed her by the hair and hit her, causing her to lose her hearing in one ear.

Manziel, 23, has denied hitting Crowley.

The indictment accuses Manziel of "intentionally and knowingly and recklessly (causing) bodily injury to" Crowley.

The NFL also is investigating the incident. He could face a league-imposed suspension if he is found to have violated the personal conduct policy.

rshetts2 · Post by **rshetts2** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 3:07 pm

And its Draft Day!

This is going to be an interesting draft. There is a lot of depth in the first round and teams are going to have a shot at a very good player where ever they pick in the first round. A lot of pundits are saying that defensive players are especially well represented and high quality D players will be available in the 2nd and 3rd rounds as well.
Being a Lions fan I am very interested in how Quinn is going to draft. I figure unless someone like Conklin drops to them they are almost a lock to draft a defensive lineman with their first pick. They have shown some interest in Reggie Ragland the LB from Bama, but I think hes probably a fall back pick if their D line plans fall through. My guess is that they take Shaq Lawson, DE from Clemson.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 3:30 pm

Weather is nasty in Draft Town. Low 40s by the lake with on and off rain. Doesnt look like much relief for the weekend. Was fun while it lasted but it'll move to Vegas or somewhere.

Still, might go down there to heckle Goodell or something.

Jeff V · Post by **Jeff V** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 3:50 pm

rshetts2 wrote: Being a Lions fan I am very interested in how Quinn is going to draft.

Don't you need a new WR now?

The draft is something that 10 years from now I say, "oh, that's where that guy came from. Pretty good pick."

As a Bears fan, those words are hardly ever uttered.

rshetts2 · Post by **rshetts2** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 4:19 pm

Don't you need a new WR now?

Nope we are transitioning to the patented New England Gay offense. You know, the one where you pound the tight end until he breaks.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Thu Apr 28, 2016 4:26 pm

rshetts2 wrote:
Don't you need a new WR now?
Nope we are transitioning to the patented New England Gay offense. You know, the one where you pound the tight end until he breaks.

and then keep pounding them.