The NFL Thread

[Toon Wolf]

2 bits of very sad news: Buffalo Bills owner and one of the men who founded the NFL as we know it, Ralph Wilson has died today. Also Jim Kelly, the QB who led the Bills to 4 straight Superbowl appearances is seriously ill with cancer. It's been a sad few days for the Bills and the people of Buffalo...

 

[Alan]

They're used to suffering. They live in Buffalo and they're Bills fans.

Joking aside, thoughts out to the Wilsons and Kellys.

 

[Deano]

Will be watching the draft tomorrow.

Follow the Vikings, have absolutely no idea what they will do with 8th pick still, with Zimmer as head coach wouldn't surprise me to see them go defense, if one of the "big 3" QB's falls to 8 they really could do with taking one but also with so many improvements needed it might not be a bad idea to trade back,

 

[Toon Wolf]

Sammy Watkins! Oh yeah! The Bills absolutely nailed this draft IMO. Best WR to enter the NFL since Megatron and 3 top notch o-linemen to block for CJ and EJ. With a defense that ranked 4th against the pass last year I'd expect the Bills to be in the playoff hunt this year...

 

[Deano]

Sammy Watkins! Oh yeah! The Bills absolutely nailed this draft IMO. Best WR to enter the NFL since Megatron and 3 top notch o-linemen to block for CJ and EJ. With a defense that ranked 4th against the pass last year I'd expect the Bills to be in the playoff hunt this year...

Thought you would be happy with Watkins. It cost the Bills quite a bit in terms of picks but apparently they tried to trade up to 1st pick with Houston to get him.

I was happy with Vikings draft, defense shaping up and nice little trade to bring in Bridgewater who cannot be worse than Ponder and worst case scenario he can sit and learn behind Matt Cassel for a year.

 

[Toon Wolf]

Thought you would be happy with Watkins. It cost the Bills quite a bit in terms of picks but apparently they tried to trade up to 1st pick with Houston to get him.

I was happy with Vikings draft, defense shaping up and nice little trade to bring in Bridgewater who cannot be worse than Ponder and worst case scenario he can sit and learn behind Matt Cassel for a year.

Atlanta gave up a LOT more to get Julio Jones a while back, nobody batted an eyelid at that trade. Watkins is potentially a lot better WR than Jones but because it's the Bills they gave up too much according to the so-called experts. All they gave up really was next years 1st round pick, the 4th that they traded they got back in a deal that took Stevie Johnson to the 49ers. It was a bold move and one the Bills have for years shied away from making, a mentality that has got them zero playoff appearances in 15 years. If Watkins helps them make the playoffs it was a price well worth paying. And I think he will.

 

[The Bear]

Finally decided and ordered a NFL jersey to wear for the three London game this year. Decided on Pittsburgh Steelers purely for the Wolves colours! They're bloody expensive but it had to be done.

That'll be three of us going with 49ers, Dolphins and Steelers jerseys. Bring it on!

 

[Alan]

*vomit*

 

[The Bear]

I don't have any affiliation to any NFL team so it was a simple vanity choice.

 

[Alan]

Just giving you a hard time. I despise the Steelers. North Carolina is (oddly) infested with them.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I follow the Redskins but the only shirt I ever owned was a John Elway Denver Broncos blue shirt

 

[Alan]

What's your take on the mascot controversy in DC, Paddy? I imagine "Redskin" as a term must not be as volatile over yonder.

 

[PPB]

I don't have any affiliation to any NFL team so it was a simple vanity choice.

Good choice Bear .

 

[The Bear]

I thought you'd approve Sue.

 

[PPB]

I thought you'd approve Sue.

I have a number 7 one too. We could be twins !

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

What's your take on the mascot controversy in DC, Paddy? I imagine "Redskin" as a term must not be as volatile over yonder.

It is still a pretty difficult word, shall we say. The word appears in the lyrics to "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden, but it is in context there. Using it as the name of a sports franchise does look pretty poor now, but the name has been there for a long time, and it will probably take a lot to change it.

Need to look at things like Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians and see that you can go down that route without using the term "redskin".

Without trivialising a perjorative term, can you imagine a term over here called by a skin colour? I certainly couldn't. However, the Skins are such a MASSIVE franchise I think it will hold on for a while. As a lot of fans, and also fans of other teams refer to them as "the Skins" I see that as a possible final conclusion.

 

[Deano]

Does anyone have gamepass and is it worth it?

I've been considering it as I wouldn't mind watching a few of the pre season games but I'm sure there were a few discount codes that came out a bit closer to the the season last year.

 

[Alan]

I would never in a million years pay extra to watch preseason. I'd wait it out and hope for discounts.

 

[Johnny75]

Does anyone have gamepass and is it worth it?

I've been considering it as I wouldn't mind watching a few of the pre season games but I'm sure there were a few discount codes that came out a bit closer to the the season last year.

The game pass is pretty good value if you're watching a couple of the games a week and the highlights are excellent.

 

[James]

Ravens beat the 49ers 23-3 in the preseason, Flacco looks like he is back on form but I don't see it being another Super Bowl year for us.