NFL Week #18 - Wildcard Weekend

[NWB]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

Hey - we're in full agreement!

Same here!

On another note, I wish RGIII a full and speedy recovery. He has my complete respect. I really look forward to seeing him have a long and successful career.

[NWB]

Originally Posted by Waterpilot

...but grass is bound to slow us down a little.

Seattle 24
Redskins 23

Good call on Seattle's score.

Regarding the grass, with leg injuries to RGIII, Chris Clemons, and Steven Hauchka, it can be argued that the field conditions there are possibly responsible for the injuries.

[macaroni tony]

Yeah DC ain't a good area for grass in the winter. Hopefully they will take a good hard look at getting field turf or something

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

What about Doug Martin?

4.6 average, 1454 yards rushing, 49 catches, 470 yds receiving. 150 Yards less rushing than Morris, but 40 more catches!

Interesting note on Doug Martin - he was in my Conceptual Physics class as a senior back when I was teaching. Great kid.

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Shame about RGIII getting re-injured, hopefully it's nothing that'll have serious career implications.

I love everything about RGIII and how he plays the game. But he's got a slight build for a running quarterback and I fear that injuries are going to take a toll on him. I hope he stays healthy but I don't think he's built for the pounding he gets subjected to.

I have similar concerns about Kaepernick but (1) he's a lot bigger than RGIII and (2) he doesn't seem to take the same kind or number of hits.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I love everything about RGIII and how he plays the game. But he's got a slight build for a running quarterback and I fear that injuries are going to take a toll on him. I hope he stays healthy but I don't think he's built for the pounding he gets subjected to.

I have similar concerns about Kaepernick but (1) he's a lot bigger than RGIII and (2) he doesn't seem to take the same kind or number of hits.

I too hope Griff changes something about the way he plays - he looks like a rag doll getting knocked around out there

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Shanahan's an idiot jeopardizing RG3's career like that. Especially when Cousins proved to be a great back up.

Completely agreed.

Kid is so much fun to watch. Really hope we get to for the next 15 years.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I love everything about RGIII and how he plays the game. But he's got a slight build for a running quarterback and I fear that injuries are going to take a toll on him. I hope he stays healthy but I don't think he's built for the pounding he gets subjected to.

I have similar concerns about Kaepernick but (1) he's a lot bigger than RGIII and (2) he doesn't seem to take the same kind or number of hits.

Sadly, you're probably right. He might end up trying to bulk up, but that could cut some of the blistering pace that makes him such a good runner. On the upside, should the running aspect to his game be cut back, he's a quality passer too.

Haven't seen too many 49er games, but I assume they have a much stronger O-line to help Kaepernick avoid those hits?

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

Haven't seen too many 49er games, but I assume they have a much stronger O-line to help Kaepernick avoid those hits?

To a certain extent yes. The 49ers have a strong O-Line who are good pass protectors but better against the run. But the bigger part of it is that the Niners call less designed QB runs and Kaepernick stays in the pocket more going through his reads before taking off and running.

And that's what RGIII needs to do - pick his spots better. Kaepernick has had some huge runs (two 50 yard runs this season) and not a lot of short runs where he's getting hammered by the defense.

[sneha1965]

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

I too hope Griff changes something about the way he plays - he looks like a rag doll getting knocked around out there

I agree 100% with that. He has said he is trying to inspire the team with his play - I'm thinking of the opening scene of Lieutenant Dunbar in "Dances with Wolves". I don't know if he equates inspiration with risky plays? I see guys out there all the time making great inspiring plays without taking unnecessary risks. Of course getting on the field in the NFL is a risk but getting hit while flying through the air seems unnecessary unless your a receiver. I would like to see him start doing things like sliding to the ground after making a first down when someone is coming up to make a hit as opposed to taking a hit head on.

[Darkstrike]

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

To a certain extent yes. The 49ers have a strong O-Line who are good pass protectors but better against the run. But the bigger part of it is that the Niners call less designed QB runs and Kaepernick stays in the pocket more going through his reads before taking off and running.

And that's what RGIII needs to do - pick his spots better. Kaepernick has had some huge runs (two 50 yard runs this season) and not a lot of short runs where he's getting hammered by the defense.

Cheers, I do remember from what bit of him I saw that he didn't run unless there was a nice hole to work with.

[Jawbone]

Can RG III sue Shanahan? I would.

[macaroni tony]

Originally Posted by sneha1965

I agree 100% with that. He has said he is trying to inspire the team with his play - I'm thinking of the opening scene of Lieutenant Dunbar in "Dances with Wolves". I don't know if he equates inspiration with risky plays? I see guys out there all the time making great inspiring plays without taking unnecessary risks. Of course getting on the field in the NFL is a risk but getting hit while flying through the air seems unnecessary. I would like to see him start doing things like sliding to the ground after making a first down when someone is coming up to make a hit as opposed to taking a hit head on.

Yeah must be the 20-year-old bravado. I thought I was invincible at that age too

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Shanahan's an idiot jeopardizing RG3's career like that. Especially when Cousins proved to be a great back up.

+1,.... ABSOLUTELY!!!

i kept telling my son that RGIII needed to be taken out after the 14pt lead. and today the media seems to be shielding Shanahan's decision.

BTW, PackerGuy,... (i live in central & northern Cali) while driving today i hear the local AM sports channel shaking in their boots over this Niner-Packers game on Saturday! they are the official 49'ers station and were apologising to listeners for picking the Pack to win.

the lead DJ even asked a caller if he wanted a station that has blind loyalty or one with honest opinions. too funny! needless to say, die-hard callers were pissed!

[mrpackerguy]

Originally Posted by pacojas

+1,.... ABSOLUTELY!!!

i kept telling my son that RGIII needed to be taken out after the 14pt lead. and today the media seems to be shielding Shanahan's decision.

BTW, PackerGuy,... (i live in central & northern Cali) while driving today i hear the local AM sports channel shaking in their boots over this Niner-Packers game on Saturday! they are the official 49'ers station and were apologising to listeners for picking the Pack to win.

the lead DJ even asked a caller if he wanted a station that has blind loyalty or one with honest opinions. too funny! needless to say, die-hard callers were pissed!

Will be a close one I think. Rodgers has stopped short of saying he has a chip on his shoulder. He's going to be playing with an extra gear of intensity. Here, they are talking about fearing the niner's D, and the running ability of Kaepernick, but saying last weekend's tilt with the Vikes was a nice warm up game for that style of QB'ing

[GregC]

Packers-Niners should be a great game.

[Jared Lash]

Originally Posted by mrpackerguy

Here, they are talking about fearing the niner's D, and the running ability of Kaepernick, but saying last weekend's tilt with the Vikes was a nice warm up game for that style of QB'ing

Yes and no. Joe Webb looked like a deer in headlight and struggled to complete any passes. The concerning thing for me if I were a Green Bay fan is that the one thing that consistently got the Vikes yardage from Webb was the read option which they ran pretty successfully.

Kaepernick can certainly run:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls_VA93sMhE

But he also has a strong arm and very good accuracy and is showing more and more touch when he needs it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kibSOW2BVX0

With or without Ponder the Vikes are tough (and Adrian Peterson is flat out amazing) but Webb isn't Kaepernick.

That said, I'm still concerned by the drubbing the Niners got in Seattle so I'm certainly not convinced they beat the pack on Sunday.

[tastybasslines]

Griffin - Torn ACL and MCL.

Completely mismanaged by Shannahan. Fireable IMO.

[JimB52]

Originally Posted by fisticuffs

Who's the Vikes 3rd string? Can he throw a pass?

Had to look it up Saturday - McLeod John Baltazar Bethel-Thompson. Never threw a pass in 2012.

Originally Posted by macaroni tony

Yeah DC ain't a good area for grass in the winter. Hopefully they will take a good hard look at getting field turf or something

Could be the grounds crew. The Philadelphia Eagles' field was in great shape at the end of December, and that's 100 miles north of DC

.

[basstotheface]

Originally Posted by tastybasslines

Griffin - Torn ACL and MCL.

Completely mismanaged by Shannahan. Fireable IMO.

I don't see that confirmed anywhere. Also haven't seen the MCL mentioned but instead the LCL.

I'm hearing at worst it's a partial tear. Which is still a big deal.

[basstotheface]

GB (+3) over Niners
Baltimore (+8.5) over Denver
Atlanta (-2.5) over Seattle
Houston (+9) over NE