NFL 2018 Season Thread

[rah]

At least DA Bears were smart enough to lose and get the 11th draft pick instead of the 16th. (assuming the don't screw it up, which is the usual expected result)

[Zopperoni]

Total disaster in a season where the East should have been a breeze for a 10-win team like the Iggles were Chip's first 2 years. And no one else to blame.

Still, he was 7-8. It's not great, but it's not abysmal either. Obviously, there was more going on in the background and the financial picture is a nightmare for the next Eagles GM, but it's not like he went 3-12. There should be an interesting bidding war for his services, but it also depends on who else enters the market.

[rah]

I kind of hope he gets stuck and ends up in Cleveland. That could be the nail in the coffin of his pro career.

[Zopperoni]

Didn't he interview with the Browns before he got "Lurie'd away"?

By the way, the Cleveland Clothing Co. had this gem:

[-Jrabbit]

Another openng:

Coach Tom Coughlin informed the Giants of his resignation.

Change was inevitable after the Giants' third straight losing season. Coughlin won two Super Bowls in 12 years at the helm. It could have been coincidence, but Coughlin's teams have also annually been amongst the most injured in the league. Coughlin is one of the better coaches in league history but, now 69, he's probably roamed his last sideline. If so, Coughlin goes with out a 170-150 career record, and 12-7 playoff mark.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Jan 4 - 2:15 PM

[-Jrabbit]

Currently, there are 6 openings for NFL head coach:

Miami (fired Joe Philbin in October; Dan Campbell is interim)
Tennesse (fired Ken Whisenhunt in November; Mike Mularkey is interim)
Philadelphia (fired Chip Kelly before week 17; Pat Shurmur is interim)
Cleveland (fired Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer today)
San Francisco (fired Jim Tomsula today)
New York Giants (Tom Coughlin retired today)

[Demonbinder]

There are reports that Calvin Johnson is contemplating retirement. Is it something about Detroit (remember Barry Sanders)?

[-Jrabbit]

Maybe it's a bargaining ploy. Or maybe he wants to retire before he's too brain damaged to properly enjoy his life, his family, and his money.

Taking a cue from Chris Borland perhaps...

[-Jrabbit]

Currently, there are 6 openings for NFL head coach:

Miami (fired Joe Philbin in October; Dan Campbell is interim)
Tennesse (fired Ken Whisenhunt in November; Mike Mularkey is interim)
Philadelphia (fired Chip Kelly before week 17; Pat Shurmur is interim)
Cleveland (fired Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer today)
San Francisco (fired Jim Tomsula today)
New York Giants (Tom Coughlin retired today)

Slightly stunning update: Tampa Bay has fired HC Lovie Smith.
Weird. I really thought the arrow was pointing up in Tampa.

[ColdWizard]

There are reports that Calvin Johnson is contemplating retirement. Is it something about Detroit (remember Barry Sanders)?

Pretty sure Detroit sucks the fun out of everything, leaving empty husks.

[rah]

Slightly stunning update: Tampa Bay has fired HC Lovie Smith.
Weird. I really thought the arrow was pointing up in Tampa.

Yeah, this was quit a shocker. My older brother (who works for a TV station in Tampa) said that Lovie was still quite popular down there and that people liked where he was taking the team.
It may increase Winston's value in Fantasy next year.

[Demonbinder]

On the Calvin Johnson front it could be either - a bargaining ploy or he really wants to get out early to save his body. Time will tell on that.

I wonder if they want an offense minded coach in TB to help Winston develop. But just get the right OC or QBC instead of getting rid of the head coach. It did seem they were on the way up in Tampa. I'm sure Lovie will find a DC job somewhere, if not a HC job.

Here is one take on it:

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/01/07/the-bernstein-brief-there-must-be-more-to-lovie-smiths-firing/

[-Jrabbit]

Two theories on Tampa as well:

1. The obvious one: impatient owner.
2. They had good information that they were about to lose their OC, Koetter, and the only way to keep him and have continuity for Jameis was to jettison Lovie and promte Koetter to head coach.

[Ben Kenobi]

Meh, I'm not really surprised Lovie was canned. I don't think Tampa attributes any of their success to him.

I am surprised that the Chargers didn't can John Pagano.

[NICE MOBIUS]

Wouldn't it be ironic if Cincy finally won a playoff game with Dalton crocked?

Either way, I'll hedge my bets by putting money on a Steelers win