2009 NFL Season has started!

[The Grue]

Being a Lions fan, I take offense at the highlighted statement!  Your comparison demeans the incredible acheivements the Lions franchise has accomplished for over 5 decades.  No one sucks on a Lions level except the Detroit Lions.  Now if you said on a Buccaneers level Id agree

They've won a Super Bowl.  Nobody has sucked liked the Lions and Saints.  I am hoping the Saints no longer have to make that claim.

[Devil]

Devil you're starting to sound like a maniac.

Ah well, you're probably right!

I guess I'm alone in this, but it's not going to stop me from bringing it up when the situation arises (which should be a lot)!

 

[The Grue]

Grue - I mentioned that above. I criticized the fact that there was no outrage over the Colts resting their starters. I didn't question their right to do it. They can certainly do whatever they want. This is EXACTLY my point. The Colts throw a game to better their situation and it's OK. Belichick hides an injury to better their situation and he's murdering puppies.

I was talking about your take.  Colts trying to win by resting starters = bad.  Patriots trying to win by lying about injuries = fine.  Both are examples of them trying to win.  If the object is to just win, you need to like both.

[Owain]

Grue - I mentioned that above. I criticized the fact that there was no outrage over the Colts resting their starters. I didn't question their right to do it. They can certainly do whatever they want. This is EXACTLY my point. The Colts throw a game to better their situation and it's OK. Belichick hides an injury to better their situation and he's murdering puppies.

I was talking about your take.  Colts trying to win by resting starters = bad.  Patriots trying to win by lying about injuries = fine.  Both are examples of them trying to win.  If the object is to just win, you need to like both.

I was reading the whole thing thinking that there is no rule about resting players but there is for falsifying an injury report.  Remember the Jets and Mangini got hit with $125,000 in fines back in September for hiding an injury to Favre in 2008.  Goodell also sent out a memo to every team about proper reporting and what is expected.

Who knows after the hoopla this year there may be a rule against resting players next year... I know it was at least mentioned.

[Harkonis]

there is a hurricane heading to Miami, they just got a sat photo of it...

[Owain]

there is a hurricane heading to Miami, they just got a sat photo of it...

WTF?  Did the Colts decide to go work on offshore oil rigs during their off week?  They don't need to mess up NO since I am pretty sure their fans are going to cause mayhem and destruction win or lose on Sunday.

[Isgrimnur]

Wrong on so many levels...

[Devil]

I was talking about your take.  Colts trying to win by resting starters = bad.  Patriots trying to win by lying about injuries = fine.  Both are examples of them trying to win.  If the object is to just win, you need to like both.

No No! That was my point. They are both fine. What I'm saying is that the Patriots would get crucified for it while the Colts get praise.

Just wanted to be clear. Colts have every right to do it, and should if they think it helps. It's well within the rules like being silent on an injury.

But, I ask you, which has a bigger impact on the league?

Wait, I'm not asking! I'm dropping this!

Go Colts...or Saints!

[ATB]

Prediction time:

I still think the Colts have the defense capable of periodically stopping the Saint's O more than I the Saints can stop the Colts.  While a prediction of 55-50 is potentially valid for this game, I'm going to go with 29-24 Colts.

That said, I'll be happy with either team winning...but also know there's no way this game can top last year's SB.

[denoginizer]

Just wanted to be clear. Colts have every right to do it, and should if they think it helps. It's well within the rules like being silent on an injury.

Just to clarify.  I don't have a problem with teams not announcing injuries we are not aware of.  It's just the denying of the obvious that I find insulting.  If a guy is walking around on crutches it is idiotic to deny that he is not hurt.  It doesn't help you win.  If I as a fan know that Tom Brady's ankle was in a cast, do you honestly think the Giants were fooled or impacted in any way by the Patriots denial?  It's the growing super secret mindset in the NFL that bugs me.  As an example in the Pro Bowl the QBs and the coaches were wired.  Everyone watching on TV could hear what they were calling.  Yet I saw Norv Turner covering his mouth with the play sheet when calling plays trying to keep it secret.  It's just ingrained into them.


As for a prediction I do think it's going to be a closer game than many of the "experts" think.  

Colts 34 Saints 31.

[deadzone]

I have a good feeling about this game for some reason... 

Saints 42 Colts 28.   

[Teggy]

there is a hurricane heading to Miami, they just got a sat photo of it...

Ouch, is that Katrina?

[leo8877]

Oops posted in the off season thread by mistake.   Man does Steve Young like to start some shit on TV or what????  I live in the Bay Area and it still drives me crazy!  In unrelated news, Ditka is smoking a stogey on stage lol!

[The Grue]

Today i so hard for me.  As a life-long Saints fan, the Aints still haunt me and so I can never fully  be confident in them.  I want them to win so bad, though.  I will be a nervous wreck all day.  Just like a Saints fan, though, if they lose, I will still be okay with it.  Just proud they got there.  I always hates some of these teams' fans who get all shitty when their team doesn't take it all.

[leo8877]

US Census Bureau is a sponsor of the pre-game show?  WTH?

[Harkonis]

US Census Bureau is a sponsor of the pre-game show?  WTH?

they need to get their name out there and try to get people to cooperate with the census.  getting people to fill out the forms and return them is like pulling teeth

[deadzone]

WHO DAT?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  "SAINTS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[deadzone]

Oh my, the Saints just won the Superbowl.  I just can't believe it! 

[deadzone]

Don't come a knockin cause New Orleans is going to be a rockin!  

[Devil]

Colts were honest about their injuries, and really, in the end, that's all anyone will remember.
 

[Thin_J]

When Manning threw that interception I actually yelled and started laughing in a manner that could only be called maniacally. I had to stop to breathe so I could laugh some more.

So, so, so so so so so beautiful.

[The Grue]

Wow.  That is all I can say.  I still can't believe it.  Amazing.

[naednek]

Had a couple of friends who were rooting for the Colts at the party I was at. Only one of them were fans, rest were bandwagoners. I was on the Saints bandwagon during the playoffs.

My colts friend thought they got screwed on the 2pt conversion call. They think he never had possession. I felt he at one time lost possession, but regained it before the Colts player kicked it out of his hands.

That right there was the turning point, forcing the Colts to have to score to tie. The INT was the nail in the coffin.

Overall a fun game, a little boring in the 1st half, but made up in the 2nd half. Too bad the commercials sucked

[ATB]

I would have preferred for the scoring duel to continue, but am happy the Saints pulled it out. Go Saints!

[Teggy]

Well, it has to be said, because it's now been proven true without a shadow of a doubt. Resting players the last 2 games of the season was the wrong move.

[The Grue]

Well, it has to be said, because it's now been proven true without a shadow of a doubt. Resting players the last 2 games of the season was the wrong move.

What about resting them one week like the Saints?

[Teggy]

It was a joke.

[Devil]

Manning and Wayne also skipped out of post-game handshakes. Classy!

When Belichick does it, it's a crime against humanity.

[Crux]

Manning and Wayne also skipped out of post-game handshakes. Classy!

When Belichick does it, it's a crime against humanity.

SN: Why did you leave the field immediately after the game without congratulating Brees?
PM: I'll certainly talk to Drew. There's not much consolation for the guys that didn't win. There's the stage that's being set up, and the celebration, and it's time for the Saints to celebrate. It's their field. They deserve the moment. I will speak to Drew Brees, speak to Sean Payton

[leo8877]

I wondered why I didn't see Manning on the field after.  Regardless, Devil's comment is dead on. 

Great NFL season.  I hope the Bengals can build on this year and make the playoffs again.  I am nervous for their chances though.

[deadzone]

My prediction of a 42-28 Saints win was off by final numbers only.  The Saints beat them by 14 anyway.    Wow I am on cloud 9 today. 

I only wish my Granddad would be alive to witness this milestone.  He was a Saints season ticket holder for years and his passing away was the only reason he doesn't still have them.  He only missed it by a year and a half.     

[denoginizer]

Manning and Wayne also skipped out of post-game handshakes. Classy!

When Belichick does it, it's a crime against humanity.

I think people outside of New England do not like Belichick and the Patriots because of running up the score, constant information blackout, spygate, Brady special treatment by the refs, etc.  Not because he doesn't always shake hands after the game.  

[Devil]

Manning and Wayne also skipped out of post-game handshakes. Classy!

When Belichick does it, it's a crime against humanity.

I think people outside of New England do not like Belichick and the Patriots because of running up the score, constant information blackout, spygate, Brady special treatment by the refs, etc.  Not because he doesn't always shake hands after the game. 

OK - Everyone hates Belichick (why wouldn't you?). But I'm trying to figure something out:

I've been told, over and over again, about how classy the Colts are and I've heard how it's very unsportsmanlike to leave the field without a handshake to the winner.

Is it now OK to leave the field without a congratulatory handshake or is Peyton Manning not classy?

Or, like I've always assumed, do the Colts do the same things that everyone does but they don't get shit for it?

[ATB]

It was a jerk move anyway you cut it.

You could tell Brees was looking for him.

[rshetts2]

Regarding the 2pt conversion, the score is valid if the player has control of the ball as it crosses the plane of the goal line.  He did.  Whatever happens after that is moot.  Besides Im not sure how that was a game changer as the Colts need a touchdown regardless of whether the Saints were up by 5 or 7.   I think the key play of the game was the opening onside kick.  If that had gone to the Colts I think we would have had a different winner in the SB.  Ballsy and a bit nuts on Sean Paytons part.  Youre going to get second guessed even if you recover it but if you dont you face some seriously harsh and painful fallout.

[The Grue]

Besides Im not sure how that was a game changer as the Colts need a touchdown regardless of whether the Saints were up by 5 or 7.   

It's the difference between a touchdown by the Colts just tying the game and a touchdown by the Colts winning the game.

[denoginizer]

Manning and Wayne also skipped out of post-game handshakes. Classy!

When Belichick does it, it's a crime against humanity.

I think people outside of New England do not like Belichick and the Patriots because of running up the score, constant information blackout, spygate, Brady special treatment by the refs, etc.  Not because he doesn't always shake hands after the game. 

OK - Everyone hates Belichick (why wouldn't you?). But I'm trying to figure something out:

I've been told, over and over again, about how classy the Colts are and I've heard how it's very unsportsmanlike to leave the field without a handshake to the winner.

Is it now OK to leave the field without a congratulatory handshake or is Peyton Manning not classy?

It was not a classy move.  But Manning's history says that it was an exception to his usual behavior. So some of the media might be giving him a pass this time.  Belichick's history going all the way back to his days in Cleveland means he doesn't get a pass with the national media I guess.  Personally I don't think anyone is obligated to shake hands with anybody except in hockey where both teams traditionally line up to shake hands.  When LeBron James didn't shake hands with the Magic last year after the playoffs I didn't have a problem with it.  There is nothing wrong with being enemies with the team you are competing against.  I'm sure Brees had other things to be worried about last night besides waiting for Manning to come shake his hand.

[naednek]

  Besides Im not sure how that was a game changer as the Colts need a touchdown regardless of whether the Saints were up by 5 or 7. 

I already explained why it was a game changer.

[denoginizer]

 Besides Im not sure how that was a game changer as the Colts need a touchdown regardless of whether the Saints were up by 5 or 7.

I already explained why it was a game changer.

I don't see the big difference between 5 and 7 either.  A TD was needed either way. And if they scored, the Saints would have just needed a FG to win when they got the ball back.

[rshetts2]

  Besides Im not sure how that was a game changer as the Colts need a touchdown regardless of whether the Saints were up by 5 or 7. 

I already explained why it was a game changer.

and I explained why I felt it wasnt.