NFL Football - 2012 Season Thread

[-Jrabbit]

I would be pretty PO'd if the eliminated kickoffs. One of the most exciting plays in the game.

They should develop a kickoff ball to neutralize the modern kicker's leg strength and move the line up to the 40, old school style. Best of both worlds.

[SlowwHand]

Helmet improvements is all it's going to take. I imagine QB's that came after single bar (and none) face masks have more of their natural teeth.

[H Tower]

wussify football much more and we'll end up with soccer

[Addled Platypus]

bring on blood bowl....hehehehehe

[Lorizael]

bring on blood bowl....hehehehehe

Third Edition.

[Al B. Sure!]

Apparently, concussions have gone down significantly with the reduced number of returns. The existing rules on helmets need to be enforced. Players should not be able to just whip off their helmets; that's not a proper fit. The fastening of the chin straps needs to be emphasized as well as the wearing of those special mouth-guards that reduce concussions. Keep improving helmets and keep making players wear the improved helmets (like the one Aaron Rodgers wore). It's possible to mitigate a lot of the risk without major rule changes.

I do wonder what gives with prize fighting, though? Here we have a sport where the express purpose is to give someone a concussion and no safety gear beyond a mouth-piece is worn. At least Olympic boxers wear headgear.

I can't imagine inner city schools are magically going to have more money for the increased insurance for football programs .

Rural schools are where football players come from. A lot of inner city schools don't even have fields and consequently don't have football programs.

[Al B. Sure!]

No schedule discussion?

Well, since this is Bears Civilization Site...

The Bears will get 5 prime time appearances this season.

[Demonbinder]

OK. I will start it. Bears easily look to have double digit wins this season (if they stay healthy which is a given for any team). Actually looks to be 11-13 wins. You may think I'm drinking the Kool-Aid....

[rah]

Well finishing third helps and the two other conferences the NFC central plays have contributed to an easier schedule. But you never know. As the season goes on, perception changes. Like last year, those that had games with the 49ers probably thought they were going to have an easy win, but that changed quickly.

[Al B. Sure!]

OK. I will start it. Bears easily look to have double digit wins this season (if they stay healthy which is a given for any team). Actually looks to be 11-13 wins. You may think I'm drinking the Kool-Aid....

Of course you'd say this.

Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts W
Week 2: at Green Bay Packers L
Week 3: vs. St. Louis Rams W
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys L
Week 5: at Jacksonville Jaguars W
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions W
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers L
Week 9: at Tennessee Titans W
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans L
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers L
Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings W
Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks L
Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings W
Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers L
Week 16: at Arizona Cardinals W
Week 17: at Detroit Lions L

8-8 (3-3 in NFC North)

[Donegeal]

Week 1: vs. Indianapolis Colts W
Week 2: at Green Bay Packers ?
Week 3: vs. St. Louis Rams W
Week 4: at Dallas Cowboys W
Week 5: at Jacksonville Jaguars W
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions ?
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers W
Week 9: at Tennessee Titans ?
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans ?
Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers ?
Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings W
Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks W
Week 14: at Minnesota Vikings W
Week 15: vs. Green Bay Packers ?
Week 16: at Arizona Cardinals W
Week 17: at Detroit Lions ?

That's 9 wins and 7 toss ups. 12 wins is not outside of the realm of possibilities. However, after going 7-3 and looking dominate until Cutler got injured last year and finishing at 8-8 means that anything is really still within the realm of possibilities.

[Al B. Sure!]

Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers W

oh lord Cammy Cam... don't notch that one as a W.

Week 13: vs. Seattle Seahawks W

The Seahawks seem to do well at Soldier Field lately. They're 2-1 in three games at Chicago the last two seasons. Plus Matt Flynn may actually be good.

[rah]

the Koolaid flows in Chicago. In a poll done by the Chicago Tribune of over 4000 respondents, when asked the number of victories this season.
8 or fewer 7%
9 9%
10 31%
11 or more 53%

So 84% predict 10 or more.
This comes as no surprise since their schedule is easier than last years, and how good they were until Cutler went down.

[ColdWizard]

And they don't need a running back anymore now that they have a real receiver

[Al B. Sure!]

the Koolaid flows in Chicago. In a poll done by the Chicago Tribune of over 4000 respondents, when asked the number of victories this season.
8 or fewer 7%
9 9%
10 31%
11 or more 53%

So 84% predict 10 or more.
This comes as no surprise since their schedule is easier than last years, and how good they were until Cutler went down.

That means 84% predict the playoffs.

Pretty high expectations for a team that averages fewer than 9 wins a season and only 3 playoff appearances during the 8 years of the Lovie Smith administration.

The pieces are there for the Bears to do it but will they execute in that tough division?