*Official 2014 NFL WildCard Weekend Thread* - Where Romo Happens..

[Retro Rob]

If you don't understand why intentionally trying to injure players (who aren't even involved in the play anymore) is a lot worse than bagging an interview, I doubt anyone can explain it to you.

Wait, where did I say they were even the same? Of course, hurting a player isn't the same as refusing to talk, but my point was that both constitute not doing your job, either by not playing between the whistles or refusing to answer questions...and both are rightly fineable offenses.

In fact, I'd argue that Lynch's fines are completely avoidable because he's more calm, likely has already showered and is emotionally removed from the game so he has no excuse.

With Suh's ignorance, I can at least defend the fact that he's emotionally wrapped up in the moment and it can be much harder to keep control of yourself.

 

[Retro Rob]

Wow, that is not going to help the NFL here.

You should read the reasoning behind the reversal:

Cottrell, obviously, did not agree with Hanks’ assessment. He wasn’t alone. A number of other individuals, including former NFL executive and current ESPN analyst Bill Polian, former vice president of officiating Mike Pereira and even referee Walt Anderson, who ran the officiating crew of the Lions-Packers game also sided with Suh
"Listen, Suh stepped on Aaron Rodgers and I firmly believe if it wasn't Suh and it was another no-name who didn't have history and it wasn't Aaron Rodgers, it wouldn't have led to any fine at all," Pereira said.
"Referee Walt Anderson, he sent a text into the league after the game saying he saw the whole thing and in real time he never read any intent. Slow motion makes it a little different, but to me, is this egregious for a suspension? No."

http://www.detroitlions.com/news/li...erturned/f36921ea-5acb-4e9e-ac2b-235264438815

By them looking at it as an isolated incident was actually fair to Suh because under any other circumstance, it wouldn't have been a suspension.

If they let the suspension stand, then late-hits on QB's are indeed suspension worthy, or other hits that don't show clear-cut intent.

Thinking about it, I understand the reversal.

 

[Childs]

Wait, where did I say they were even the same? Of course, hurting a player isn't the same as refusing to talk, but my point was that both constitute not doing your job, either by not playing between the whistles or refusing to answer questions...and both are rightly fineable offenses.

In fact, I'd argue that Lynch's fines are completely avoidable because he's more calm, likely has already showered and is emotionally removed from the game so he has no excuse.

With Suh's ignorance, I can at least defend the fact that he's emotionally wrapped up in the moment and it can be much harder to keep control of yourself.

Lynch might have a social anxiety disorder, and Buffalo fans might know more about this but apparently he feels the media in Buffalo took some of his quotes out of context or something so he distrusts the media. Personally, I don't see what the big deal is. Most of the questions they ask are dumb anyways, especially if they watched the game. "how do you feel to have a 80 yard TD run?" They asked Sherman how he feel after he deflected that pass in the playoffs, and he was crushed for saying what was exactly on his mind. People even called him a thug and acted like he was going to rape Erin Andrews. There are plenty of players who are happy to talk to the media, so I don't get why they make the few who don't want to it speak to the media.

 

[Retro Rob]

Lynch might have a social anxiety disorder, and Buffalo fans might know more about this but apparently he feels the media in Buffalo took some of his quotes out of context or something so he distrusts the media. Personally, I don't see what the big deal is. Most of the questions they ask are dumb anyways, especially if they watched the game. "how do you feel to have a 80 yard TD run?" They asked Sherman how he feel after he deflected that pass in the playoffs, and he was crushed for saying what was exactly on his mind. People even called him a thug and acted like he was going to rape Erin Andrews. There are plenty of players who are happy to talk to the media, so I don't get why they make the few who don't want to it speak to the media.

Oh, I am in complete agreement with you here, and they do ask the same dumb questions.

Still, it's a part of the job, and a small part.

 

[darrontrask]

As a Lions fan I am somewhat biased, but these types of things happen on every play. Not so blatantly but they do. I watched Orton get smacked in the head on Sunday, clearly was intentional but not even a flag was thrown. You would think with the NFL's raised awareness of head injuries, that should warrant a much longer suspension and fine.

Why are these treated differently? It happened to the NFL's new "Golden Boy" that's why. And the camera watches Suh's every move.

I didn't like it and thought it was a cheap shot but it is no different than the shit that goes on in that pile of bodies after every play. Eyes gouged, nuts squeezed, elbows to the groin or any other unprotected area, that happens a lot more than most fans realize. Hell I both received and gave that playing in high school.

That being said...I hope they meet again in the playoffs. Go Lions!

 

[Arkaign]

Last showdown Detroit won a squeaker.

Detroit is a better team in some ways this year, though CJ and Stafford have regressed somewhat.

Dallas is MASSIVELY better than last year.

Dallas over Detroit 27-20

Carolina over Arizona 17-6 (ugly game for sure)

Indy over Bungles 38-27 (Hilton is back)

Pittsburgh over Ravens 33-14 (Flacco)

 

[lupi]

Should be a good game to watch, give a slight edge. If Reggie had been healthy most of the year I think it would be a lot closer going in.

 

[lupi]

jags can their OC and redskins need a new DC.

 

[dainthomas]

Lynch might have a social anxiety disorder, and Buffalo fans might know more about this but apparently he feels the media in Buffalo took some of his quotes out of context or something so he distrusts the media. Personally, I don't see what the big deal is. Most of the questions they ask are dumb anyways, especially if they watched the game. "how do you feel to have a 80 yard TD run?" They asked Sherman how he feel after he deflected that pass in the playoffs, and he was crushed for saying what was exactly on his mind. People even called him a thug and acted like he was going to rape Erin Andrews. There are plenty of players who are happy to talk to the media, so I don't get why they make the few who don't want to it speak to the media.

Yeah.

 

[artemicion]

Additional details today reveal more about the Suh decision:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...detroit-lions-says-appeal-feet-were-numb-cold

Apparently, under the new conduct rules, if a player goes 32 games without a violation, they are removed from the "Repeat Offender" list and the punishment for their next violation is given without factoring past violations.

Shockingly, Suh had gone 32 games without a violation, so he wasn't technically a "Repeat Offender" under the rules.

The article doesn't say it explicitly, but I get the sense that the violation was upheld but the punishment was reversed because the original decision-maker violated the 32 game Repeat Offender rule. I don't think it had anything to do with Suh's "my feet were numb" excuse.

 

[lupi]

I get the sense that the violation was upheld but the punishment was reversed because the original decision-maker violated the 32 game Repeat Offender rule.

I think about everyone looking at it objectively believed they did and when the NFL put out the statement that it was not based on previous history those same people expected the suspension to be removed on appeal.

 

[lupi]

bills defacto fire their coach.

 

[TheSandman21]

Sounds more like he quit. Possibly due to the impending return of Bill Polian to run the organization. Hope he brings his kid along with him.

 

[dougp]

Looks like Barry Church wants to lay out Golden Tate.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...ys-vows-payback-hit-golden-tate-detroit-lions

 

[lupi]

Sounds more like he quit. Possibly due to the impending return of Bill Polian to run the organization. Hope he brings his kid along with him.

He said he'd stay if he got an extension, team said no thanks.

 

[JujuFish]

Sounds more like he quit. Possibly due to the impending return of Bill Polian to run the organization. Hope he brings his kid along with him.

Polian isn't going to the Bills' organization. Apparently Marone trashed the Bills in a talk with Bill Polian. Good thing he's such a classy individual.

Also, no one in their right mind would want Chris Polian anywhere near their organization.

 

[KMFJD]

Looks like Barry Church wants to lay out Golden Tate.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story...ys-vows-payback-hit-golden-tate-detroit-lions

Who's Barry Church?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...s-reacts-comments-barry-church-dallas-cowboys

 

[smackababy]

Who's Barry Church?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/201...s-reacts-comments-barry-church-dallas-cowboys

Who's Golden Tate? Oh, the fail mary guy.

 

[MetalMat]

bills defacto fire their coach.

Looks like he just wanted to get out of Buffalo which I am not surprised by. It seemed like he was not getting along with the personnel and players starting last season. He was rather dishonest to the media on player questions as well.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Sounds more like he quit. Possibly due to the impending return of Bill Polian to run the organization. Hope he brings his kid along with him.

I do hope you're kidding. Either that, or you must be a Patriots, Jets, or Dolphins fan and wish the Bills to fail.

If you're NOT kidding, are a Bills fan, and are being serious, take it from me -- I wouldn't want Chris Polian running a pee-wee football team, let alone an NFL team. Remember when the Colts used to draft good talent in the first few rounds (Wayne, Freeney, Clark) and always seemed to find lower-round picks who could step in and play (like Antoine Bethea)? Now, remember when they started missing on the draft big time, especially in the top rounds (hello, Anthony Gonzalez and Donald Brown)? Want to guess why they suddenly started failing in the draft? If you said "Chris Polian took over the drafts," we have a winner!

Bill Polian knows his shit and is awesome. Chris Polian is a clueless dolt riding on dad's coat tails. The rumor is (and I believe it too) that Irsay wanted to keep Bill Polian but wanted him to fire Chris, and he refused so Irsay canned them both. Chris Polian was despised at the Colts complex as well.

Also, no one in their right mind would want Chris Polian anywhere near their organization.

This. The only thing we can thank Chris Polian for is paving the way for Andrew Luck to join the Colts. Had Chris been even semi-competent, the Colts may have had enough talent WITHOUT Manning to win a few more games and miss out on Luck.

 

[smackababy]

The Cards named Lindley to start for the playoff game. I really feel bad for Fitz. He should have had a SB ring, but Big Ben foiled that and this was looking like a good chance until Palmer went down. At least, Carolina looks like they are going to get a playoff win with a losing regular season record. I really don't see them beating Seattle or GB though.

 

[dougp]

The Cards named Lindley to start for the playoff game. I really feel bad for Fitz. He should have had a SB ring, but Big Ben foiled that and this was looking like a good chance until Palmer went down. At least, Carolina looks like they are going to get a playoff win with a losing regular season record. I really don't see them beating Seattle or GB though.

He could still try and sign somewhere like New England or Indy.

 

[smackababy]

He could, but who is going to give him the big bucks? He is already 31 and has a diminished role on the team. If he values a ring over money, I'm sure some big team would love to have him, but who knows. He is already linked with not being a Cardinal next season, if they don't win a championship. I'm sure he'd be great on the Pats and they don't have an elite receiver.

 

[dougp]

He could, but who is going to give him the big bucks? He is already 31 and has a diminished role on the team. If he values a ring over money, I'm sure some big team would love to have him, but who knows. He is already linked with not being a Cardinal next season, if they don't win a championship. I'm sure he'd be great on the Pats and they don't have an elite receiver.

That's my point - Fitz got his big payday, and I'm sure no one would low ball him. He'd get something fair - 31 is still a decent age and another 2-3 years at an optimal performance level if a team conditions him well.

 

[KeithTalent]

I like Fitz. I hope he finally goes somewhere with a decent QB. A real shame because if Palmer had stayed healthy that team could have had a real chance, which is kind of an odd thing to say.

KT