NFL Thread 2019-2020

[Jockey]

First, I was stunned by the news.

.......

Thanks for the reply, Mike. I figured you'd be pretty tuned in on this.

[MU82]

This paragraph from the column written by the Charlotte newspaper's sports columnist, resonated with me:

If this is what Kuechly wants, more power to him. But his retirement calls into question the long-term survival of football, which in August saw the early retirement of Andrew Luck, another high-profile star, at age 29, due to him getting tired of always having to rehab one injury or another.

[The Sultan]

Football will survive the retirement of Luck and Kuechly. Someone will step up and play.

[MU82]

Football will survive the retirement of Luck and Kuechly. Someone will step up and play.

I tend to agree with this.

But more and more parents are pushing their kids to other sports. Participation in high school football has been declining for a decade.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcook/2019/08/29/high-school-football-participation-is-on-a-decade-long-decline/#11e3781133de

Tackle football youth leagues are on the decline, too. Many opt for flag football up through middle school age, which I would say is an intelligent call.

It's an interesting topic. Not many people loved football more than Luke Kuechly did ... and he walked away from it at age 28. You're probably right that I shouldn't try to make a big-picture thing out of that, but I do still think about it.

[Silkk the Shaka]

This paragraph from the column written by the Charlotte newspaper's sports columnist, resonated with me:

If this is what Kuechly wants, more power to him. But his retirement calls into question the long-term survival of football, which in August saw the early retirement of Andrew Luck, another high-profile star, at age 29, due to him getting tired of always having to rehab one injury or another.

Off the top of my head I can think of Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Calvin Johnson, and Andrew Luck as guys retiring at the top of their games with seemingly several years of quality play left ahead of them. There are probably more that aren't coming to mind. But I think your'e right, this is going to become a trend, especially for guys that have made "set for life" type money by their late 20's (whatever that means for each individual). I think the typical career of even the best players might start to look more like running backs, where they're done by 28/29 (except voluntarily). Not necessarily a bad thing, and probably very smart.

[Pakuni]

Football will survive the retirement of Luck and Kuechly. Someone will step up and play.

Yep. Next man up.
And there's no shortage young, athletic men willing to put their bodies on the line for an NFL career and all that comes with it.

Let's keep in mind that for every Andrew Luck and Luke Kuechly, there's a Tom Brady, Frank Gore, Thomas Davis and Larry Fitzgerald playing into their late 30s and beyond.

[hairy worthen]

Yep. Next man up.
And there's no shortage young, athletic men willing to put their bodies on the line for an NFL career and all that comes with it.

Let's keep in mind that for every Andrew Luck and Luke Kuechly, there's a Tom Brady, Frank Gore, Thomas Davis and Larry Fitzgerald playing into their late 30s and beyond.

Fitzgerald re-upping for another year.

[MU82]

Panthers new OC, Joe Brady, is 30.

He is 37 years younger than their previous OC (Norv Turner) and 5 months younger than Cam Newton.

So I can't accuse the Panthers of refusing to accept "young ideas" going forward!

[Cheeks]

Drew Pearson....one of my childhood idols.  Remains the ONLY player on the 1970's All Decade team not inducted.  Snubbed again today.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Poor MU82 ...
Luke Kuechly just announced he's retiring.

Tough blow for MyPanthers^tm.

[The Sultan]

Drew Pearson....one of my childhood idols.  Remains the ONLY player on the 1970's All Decade team not inducted.  Snubbed again today.

I don't understand Carmichael before Pearson.

[Pakuni]

I don't understand Carmichael before Pearson.

From a pure numbers standpoint, I get it. More catches, more yards, more TDs, more Pro Bowls. And Charmichael never had the luxury of a HOF quarterback throwing to him.
I'd take Cliff Branch over either of them, tbh.
But I don't think any of the three have a particularly strong case for the HOF.

[Cheeks]

From a pure numbers standpoint, I get it. More catches, more yards, more TDs, more Pro Bowls. And Charmichael never had the luxury of a HOF quarterback throwing to him.
I'd take Cliff Branch over either of them, tbh.
But I don't think any of the three have a particularly strong case for the HOF.

Pretty hard to be on the all decade team and not in the HOF....only Pearson from 70's is not.

[The Sultan]

Pretty hard to be on the all decade team and not in the HOF....only Pearson from 70's is not.

There are some from the 60s as well.  Including Boyd Dowler at Flanker.

It's just very hard for receivers who came before the 80s because their numbers pale in comparison.

[CTWarrior]

Very happy that Winston Hill made it, one of the few Jets to truly be HOF-worthy.   But at the same time, it is ridiculous that he had to die at 74 without getting in.  Always wondered what took so long.

[MU82]

It's just very hard for receivers who came before the 80s because their numbers pale in comparison.

Agree 100%.

Anybody who ever saw Paul Warfield play knows he was one of the greatest WRs ever to lace 'em up.

In 1973, he was first-team All-Pro, and deservedly so. He had 29 receptions.

He was an easy, obvious choice for the HoF even though he had fewer catches in his 13-year career than Michael Thomas has had the last 4 seasons.

Might as well be comparing apples to tire irons.

[Billy Hoyle]

Agree 100%.

Anybody who ever saw Paul Warfield play knows he was one of the greatest WRs ever to lace 'em up.

In 1973, he was first-team All-Pro, and deservedly so. He had 29 receptions.

He was an easy, obvious choice for the HoF even though he had fewer catches in his 13-year career than Michael Thomas has had the last 4 seasons.

Might as well be comparing apples to tire irons.

Exactly.  A different era. When Marino threw for 5000 yards in 1984 is was an incredible accomplishment and nobody else was close to 4000. This past season 10 threw for over 4,000 yards (and Jimmy G missed by 22 yards). That season only one receiver had more than 90 receptions and four more with more than 80, this past season 19 had more than 80. Players should be judged by the era in which they played.

[Cheeks]

There are some from the 60s as well.  Including Boyd Dowler at Flanker.

It's just very hard for receivers who came before the 80s because their numbers pale in comparison.

Oh I get it for sure...rules were different, etc.  In my mind it is hard to argue how he can be considered one of the receivers of a decade and not get in, especially with some of the other receivers that have made it.

[MU82]

I picked San Fran to beat KC in the Super Bowl, so I'm sticking with those teams to win this week.

I think KC covers, breaking open a close game with some fireworks and then taking advantage of Tennessee being desperate to catch up. I think GB covers the 7 1/2 but won't quite get er done.

[MU82]

Thrilled to see that McCaffrey, despite being healthy, has opted not to play in the Pro Bowl.

[Pakuni]

Thrilled to see that McCaffrey, despite being healthy, has opted not to play in the Pro Bowl.

Can't believe he quit on his NFC teammates.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Thrilled to see that McCaffrey, despite being healthy, has opted not to play in the Pro Bowl.

I hope they don't pay the bonus.

[MU82]

Youse guys is funny!

[MU82]

Clemson RB Travis Etienne stunned NFL scouts by deciding to stay in school for his senior season.

I do not question his decision. He wants his degree; he wants to set an academic example for young people, especially those in his own family; he wants a shot at another national title.

Scouts were stunned because most RBs who are top-60 draft material want to get their careers started; RBs tend to have very short shelf lives, which can be made even shorter by being a college workhorse.

This decision IMHO does not make him any more "noble" than RBs who decide to leave school for the pros, but I am glad he followed his heart and chose to do what he felt was best for him. Obviously, I hope he gets all he wants out of his senior season. And I especially hope he stays injury-free.

[Sir Lawrence]

SAN FRANCISCO - Before their departure for California on Saturday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers added punter JK Scott to the injury report with an illness.