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notahomer
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South Pender wrote:... A bit of a surprising pickup by the Seahawks given their strength at CB,....
You are READING MY MIND, South P :wink: It was baffling to me simply because of the Seahawks strength on Defence/CB. But thats why they get paid and I'm just a fan. Probably makes total sense in the grand scheme especially if they can use him to do the job of someone making more money when it comes time to pay their QB?

IMO, the Seahawks have some nice problems to sort out compared to some NFL teams. This coaching/managment group really allows their players to succeed.
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Some nastiness in Big D (from our Profiles in Egotism file):

Jerry Jones: I don’t plan to put Jimmy Johnson in Ring of Honor

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 31, 2014, 9:55 AM EDT

Jimmy Johnson, the coach who led the Cowboys to two championships before leaving the team after a falling out with owner Jerry Jones, has said that he has an assurance from Jones that he will eventually be inducted in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor. Jones apparently doesn’t recall giving Johnson any such assurance.

In an interview on Outside the Lines, Jones became visibly agitated when he was asked about Johnson, and Jones said he has no intention of giving Johnson the Cowboys’ highest honor.

“I don’t have plans for Jimmy to be in the Ring of Honor. The criteria that I’m interested in have more to the guys that were on the field making the plays,” Jones said.

If the Ring of Honor were solely for Cowboys who had made plays on the field, Jones’s comments would make sense. But former Cowboys coach Tom Landry and former Cowboys G.M. Tex Schramm are both in the Ring of Honor. So why no space for Johnson, who twice hoisted the Lombardi Trophy along with Jones, and whose personnel decisions played a large part in a third Cowboys title after Johnson left the team?

Jones doesn’t have any real answer to that, other than that the decision belongs to Jones, and Jones doesn’t think Johnson is worthy of the Ring of Honor.

“To have that kind of recognition for a coach, I know that’s there, on the other hand, I get to make that decision,” Jones said.

The bottom line is that Jones doesn’t want Johnson getting too much recognition, because Jones wants the credit for those three Cowboys championships in the 1990s. Giving Johnson a permanent place in Jones’s football palace would be a little too much like giving Johnson the credit for building those championship teams. And Jones would rather have that credit for himself.
__________________________________________________________________

And Jimmy Johnson`s response:

Jimmy Johnson says old boss “comes across as a rich a–hole”
Posted by Darin Gantt on August 31, 2014, 11:42 AM EDT

It’s clear that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t want former coach Jimmy Johnson getting too much credit for winning Super Bowls.

And it’s just as clear how Johnson feels about his former boss.

Bob West of the Port Arthur (Texas) News apparently tried to broker an interview between Johnson and Don Van Natta for the recent ESPN magazine story on Jones, to no avail.

But Johnson made his feelings known to West after reading the piece.

“About like I expected,” Johnson said in an e-mail. “Jerry comes across as a rich a–hole.”

Jones has always been more partial to “glory hole,” but it’s obvious these two have no use for each other.

It’s almost like there was a little too much testosterone (or something) in the room for these two to ever co-exist for long.
_________________________________________________________________

And finally this--as strong an endorsement for a salary cap in sports as I've seen:

Jones would spend a lot for a Super Bowl
Posted by Mike Florio on August 31, 2014, 11:59 AM EDT

In a lengthy video profile of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to bookend the lengthy written profile of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, the man in charge of America’s Team talks among other things about the lengths to which he’d go to achieve ultimate glory in America’s Game.

“You wouldn’t want to see the size of the check that I would write if it would for sure get the Dallas Cowboys a Super Bowl,”
Jones says.

That attitude reconfirms the importance of a salary cap to the ongoing competitive balance of the league. If/when the spending ceiling ever went away, guys like Jones would try to buy a Super Bowl win. And then others would join in. And then teams that don’t make the same amount of money wouldn’t. And then the better players would end up with the teams spending like crazy to compete.

And then football would become baseball.

The NFL caught a glimpse of life without a salary cap in 2010, when the league reportedly told the teams to respect certain unwritten procedures that operates to cap the otherwise uncapped year. It’s no surprise that the two teams run by the men most driven to secure multiple titles — Dallas and Washington — were later smacked by the league office for treating the uncapped year as being actually uncapped.

It’s still unclear whether the unrestrained ability to buy players would result in a team that would achieve automatic success at the highest level of the sport. The NFL has no interest in testing that theory, however. Even if Jones would surely love to give it a try.
_________________________________________________________________

Not at all surprising that it was Jerry Jones and Daniel Snyder who overspent when a tiny window presented itself to do so.

Jerry Jones and Daniel Snyder: Are these guys the most loathsome owners in sports or just in football?
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Jerry Jones has an ego the size of Texas. He's a pompass ass.
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KnowItAll
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TheLionKing wrote:Jerry Jones has an ego the size of Texas. He's a pompass ass.
you mean he is a pompass tex-ass :wink:
Every day that passes is one you can't get back
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Here's the NFL Week 1 schedule:

http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2014/REG1

The Thursday night opener with the Packers visiting the Seahawks should be a doozy. They're my two favorite NFL teams, so it will be a good news/bad news day for me (unless it's a tie :wink: ).

And here are the Week 1 odds from Footballlocks.com:

http://www.footballlocks.com/nfl_odds.shtml

And here's a pretty detailed preview of the Packers-Seahawks match-up on Thursday night:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201409040 ... ab=preview
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Any Baltimore Ravens fans here?

Here's an analysis--in Pro Football Talk's "Five Questions" format--of the 2014 edition of the Ravens.

Five questions: Baltimore Ravens

Posted by Mike Florio on September 1, 2014, 1:40 PM EDT

The Ravens followed a five-year run of playoff berths and a Super Bowl win by missing the postseason completely. With a new offense and a defense that remains stout even amid plenty of changes, the Ravens could be closer to what they were in 2012 than what they were in 2013. Whether they get back to the playoffs and succeed there hinges on several questions.

Five, to be exact.

That’s convenient.

1. Will new offense work?

A year after winning the Super Bowl, Baltimore’s offense struggled under coordinator Jim Caldwell. Though he wasn’t in danger of being fired (as far as anyone knows), his elevation to head coach in Detroit opened the door for a new approach.

Enter former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, and his zone-blocking, one-cut, rollout pass, West Coast-influenced attack.

It requires an adjustment for everyone on the offense, and it could result in players unable to make the adjustment landing on the bench, or worse.

2. Did they pay Joe Flacco too much money?


The starting quarterback won’t be landing on the bench or worse, not with his $120.6 million contract. More than a year after Flacco had the team over a barrel and took full advantage of the situation, the team awaits full return on the investment.

Sure, they won a Super Bowl. But that trophy was already in the case before they committed to depositing so many millions into Flacco’s vault. Last year, he didn’t perform like a short-list franchise quarterback. This year, he needs to; otherwise, the Ravens will have to start considering their options as the cap numbers begin to grow in the latter years of the deal.

Specifically, the cap number shoots from $14 million and change in 2014 and 2015 to $28 million and change in 2016, setting the stage for another potential showdown in 18 months.

3. Is Ray Rice declining?

Big dollars in the out years of Ray Rice’s contract won’t be an issue. His new deal, signed in July 2012, gave him $25 million in the first two seasons.

That makes is easier to keep him around now, even if Rice has begun the inevitable running-back backslide as the 30th anniversary of his birth approaches. Also, Bernard Pierce may be a better fit for the new offense. And he’ll get two weeks to prove that he is, thanks to Rice’s suspension.

Yes, the suspension. No matter how much the Ravens dig in publicly regarding their support for Rice, surely some in the organization are sufficiently troubled by the events leading to the suspension to result in Rice getting no benefit of the doubt when the time comes to make an objective, detached football decision about his future with the franchise.

Beyond 2014, he possibly won’t have one.

4. How much does Steve Smith have left?


Steve Smith had no future in Carolina beyond 2013, and it made plenty of sense for him to come to Baltimore. Good as he is, Torrey Smith may never develop into a guy who effectively runs every route. Steve Smith can, even if it means stepping on a few sporks.

It’s presumed that Smith, at age 35 and with a possibly nagging knee problem, can still play like he did in Carolina. The folks in Carolina decided that he didn’t merit another $4 million beyond the guaranteed $3 million he’ll earn from the Panthers for 2014. Even though the team reportedly hoped that removing Smith’s big personality would allow younger ones to blossom, the Panthers would have gladly paid the money if they thought Smith’s performance would merit it.

A need for more talent and a lot of toughness at the receiver position, the Ravens didn’t hesitate. Even if Smith can’t play like he used to, the fire remains — and the Ravens are banking on it being contagious.

5. How good is the defense?


Smith’s influence won’t be needed on the defensive side of the ball. Even with the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed long gone, the defense continues to be the soul and the strength of the team.

Defensive lineman Haloti Ngata still anchors the line, with Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, and Courtney Upshaw providing the pressure from the outside. And while no one expects C.J. Mosley to become the next Ray Lewis, Mosley and 2013 rookie Arthur Brown could push each other to become, in combination, almost as effective.

With a great front seven, the secondary doesn’t need to be. But veteran cornerback Lardarius Webb and second-year safety Matt Elam move the needle in that direction.

Coach John Harbaugh has said that defense aims for a top-five finish every year. This year, the Ravens have a better chance of getting there than most realize.
_________________________________________________________________

I think everyone (except maybe for a few Ravens stalwarts) knows the answer to Question 2.
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KnowItAll wrote:
TheLionKing wrote:Jerry Jones has an ego the size of Texas. He's a pompass ass.
you mean he is a pompass tex-ass :wink:
:wink: :wink:
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Interesting analysis here of the situation with Michael Sam. Sam wasn't signed to the Rams 10-man practice squad (nor to anyone else's), but as Jason LaCanfora points out, there may well still be a place in the NFL for him. Seems Sam is not quite big/strong enough to be an every-down DE and not quite fast enough to thrive at OLB. Probably best in a 3-4 defense, not what the Rams run.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jas ... ichael-sam
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And here's Pro Football Talk's "Five Questions" analysis of the Green Bay Packers, 2014 edition.

Five questions: Green Bay Packers

Posted by Mike Florio on September 1, 2014, 10:18 PM EDT

Since winning the Super Bowl to cap the 2010 season, the Packers have made it back to the playoffs three straight years. But they haven’t made it past the divisional round.

The ability to consistently contend is a testament to franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The inability to get with a game of the Super Bowl is an indictment of the defense. Whether Titletown’s can get close to the title game again hinges on a few questions.

How about five of them?

Yeah, five will be good.

1. Will Aaron Rodgers stay healthy?

For his first five years as a starter, Rodgers missed only one game, due to a concussion. Last year, a broken collarbone derailed the team’s season and nearly cost the Packers a playoff berth.

This year, Rodgers needs to avoid a similar outcome. Which may not be easy, with the team breaking in a new center. The rest of the line has shown signs of encouragement, however, the Packers effectively can replace Evan Dietrich-Smith, Rodgers’ safety will depend more heavily on his ability to protect himself. (With starting center J.C. Tretter gone for multiple weeks with a knee injury, that’ll be a challenge, at least early in the season.)

If he can, the Packers can shake things up in the NFC, starting with the first game of the regular season at Seattle. If he can’t, they’ll need Scott Tolzien or Matt Flynn to do far better than Rodgers’ backups did in 2013.

2. How big of a contract year will Randall Cobb have?


Receiver Jordy Nelson got his big contract. Receiver Randall Cobb hasn’t. He has said he wants to earn it.

So will he?

Cobb definitely has the incentive to put up big numbers. A lot of it depends on whether defenses shade coverage to Nelson or to Cobb, and whether Cobb can stay healthy, a year after missing 10 games due to injury.

3. Is Eddie Lacy ready for stardom?

The truly great running backs in the NFL hand can be listed on one hand. Even if that hand has been partially reconfigured by a table saw.

The Packers believe Eddie Lacy can join them. And he possibly can, given the manner in which he performed last year, especially after Rodgers was injured.

Much of Lacy’s ultimate production will hinge on the run-pass mix. With the Packers inclined to throw the ball a lot, Lacy simply may not get the touches necessary to rack up the kind of yards that would allow him to join the likes of Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, and . . . and . . . .

OK, that hand can lose three fingers.

4. How much will they miss Jermichael Finley?

Lacy could get more opportunities because the passing game will be missing a key component in 2014. Tight end Jermichael Finley is gone, and in recent weeks there has been no talk of a return, to Green Bay or elsewhere.

It’s possible that Finley has fallen quiet because his camp is pursuing that $10 million tax-free disability policy. If/when it appears that Finley won’t be getting the money because his injury ultimately wasn’t career ending, he may decide to play. Which doesn’t mean the Packers will decide to embrace the risk of further injury.

Regardless, they need someone to fill the void. Currently, they simply don’t have anyone who clearly will fill Finley’s shoes.

5. Can Julius Peppers make a difference on defense?


Last year, in his final season with the Bears, Peppers looked like something other than what he has been when he’s been at his best. This year, the Packers are confident Peppers will be much more than he was in 2013, even though it’s his first foray in the 3-4.

The defense desperately needs it, given the loss of B.J. Raji for the year. Peppers on one side and Clay Matthews on the other need to create mayhem in the backfield, which will help the rest of the defense be something other than it has been when it’s been at its best.

Which has been a while.
_________________________________________________________________

I think that the real question is whether the defense (not just Peppers) will be tough this season. The Packer offense has been very good for some time and has who I think is the top quarterback in the game in Aaron Rodgers. The defense has been lousy at times, though, and it will take more than Peppers to fix that. Looks as if the NFC-North will be a dogfight this season between the Packers and Bears.
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Goodell announces Jim Irsay punishment for DUI:

Jim Irsay suspended six games, fined $500,000
Posted by Darin Gantt on September 2, 2014, 2:38 PM EDT

It’s not Friday, and it’s not 5 p.m., but the NFL has tied up the one messy piece of business it had to do before games start this week.

The league announced that Colts owner Jim Irsay had been suspended for the team’s first six games and fined $500,000 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor account of driving while impaired.

The suspension begins tomorrow at 5 p.m., and Irsay “may not be present at the club’s facility, may not attend any practices or games, may not represent the club at league or league committee meetings or at any other team or league event, and may not conduct media interviews or engage in social media regarding any team or league matters.”

The Twitter ban is going to sting, more than the half-million fine, which is the most allowed under the league’s constitution and by-laws.

The league also noted that “Mr. Irsay will be subject to ongoing treatment, counseling, and testing as determined by medical professionals and the Indiana court.”

Drug testing is a condition of his probation, which he was sentenced to as part of the deal.

“I have stated on numerous occasions that owners, management personnel and coaches must be held to a higher standard than players,” Goodell said in his letter to Irsay. “We discussed this during our meeting and you expressed your support for that view, volunteering that owners should be held to the highest standard.”

There will be no draft choice forfeiture for the Colts, since his conduct had nothing to do with the competitive balance of the league.
__________________________________________________________________

Doesn't seem unreasonable to me. Not sure how best to punish an owner....
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Another "Five Questions" analysis from Pro Football Talk, this one, by Curtis Crabtree, about the Seattle Seahawks:

Five questions: Seattle Seahawks
Posted by Curtis Crabtree on September 2, 2014, 3:00 PM EDT

The defending Super Bowl champions are quickly closing in on the start of their 2014 season Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.

The Seahawks were able to keep most of their young core in place this offseason and were able to sign Michael Bennett, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin to contract extensions as well. While they did lose some key contributors off their championship team, an inevitability for any team in the salary cap age, Seattle has kept a roster together every bit as a talented as the one the won the title last year.

There aren’t many areas that remain in doubt for the Seahawks as the season gets set to begin. However, we take a look at five questions that could determine if Seattle is able to repeat as champion this season.

1. Could the Seahawks be even better than last season?


If the offense can translate its production from this preseason over to the regular season, they almost certainly will be better.

In 13 offensive drives led by Russell Wilson this preseason, Seattle scored on 11 of them with nine touchdowns, two field goals, a missed field goal and just a single punt. Richard Sherman said Monday that Wilson is being more decisive this season. Head coach Pete Carroll said Wilson has had a near-purrfect offseason. With Percy Harvin fully healthy, the Seahawks offense looks much more explosive.

With a defense that looks to still be a force and a special teams unit that is strong as well, if Seattle’s offense can take several steps forward they could be tremendously difficult to beat this year.

2. Will Seattle’s offensive line hold them back?


The Seahawks offensive line was the one area of the team that underperformed consistently last season. Tackles Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini missed a combined 15 games. Center Max Unger missed three more and the depleted unit struggled mightily in their absence.

This year, Seattle is going to start a rookie at right tackle in second-round pick Justin Britt and Okung is still working into game shape after missing most of the offseason following foot surgery.

On the positive side, left guard James Carpenter has lost a considerable amount of weight and looks more capable of moving adequately this year. Right guard J.R. Sweezy has appeared to take his game up another level as well.

The unit is much more adept at run blocking, which is still going to be the main focus of the team with Marshawn Lynch in the backfield and Percy Harvin potentially being used as a rusher at times as well. If they can adequately provide protection for Russell Wilson in the passing game, the offense should be able to accomplish much more this season.

3. Can the Seahawks get 16 games out of Percy Harvin?

Percy Harvin is noticeably exhausted about answering questions about his health. However, when you miss most of the last two seasons due to injury, it’s one of the only things to ask about.

Harvin has missed 22 regular season games over the last two years due to ankle and hip injuries. He’s only played all 16 games of an NFL season once in his career in 2011 with the Minnesota Vikings. But it’s already evident this preseason that the dynamic athlete that was firmly in the MVP conversation in 2012 is back.

Harvin says he’s as healthy now as he’s been since even before he got to college at the University of Florida. His presence on the field expands the field both horizontally and vertically for Seattle’s offense. The Seahawks are counting on Harvin being a big part of their offense. It’s now on Harvin to see if he can put all those questions about his health in the past.

4. Will the Seahawks run defense take a step back?

The Seahawks cut defensive ends Red Bryant and Chris Clemons this offseason for salary cap reasons. However, both players had been important pieces of Seattle’s run defense the last few seasons.

In their absence, Seattle has toyed with moving tackle Tony McDaniel to end in rushing situations with Kevin Williams replacing McDaniel along the line. There are also some new young cogs in their defensive line rotation as well that will be called upon for increased roles.

The Seahawks allowed Tampa Bay and St. Louis to rush for 200 yards against them in consecutive weeks last season before making an adjustment and getting the run defense righted. With key pieces such as Bryant and Clemons gone, it remains to be seen if they can find similar performance up front against opposing rushing games.

5. How does Seattle handle being the team on top?


It’s a position the franchise has never been in before. Several key players got big paydays this offseason as well.

But Russell Wilson and Earl Thomas swear they will be able to keep the focus in the right direction this season. The two talk about how they are competing on a daily basis to see which one of them is the last player to leave the team’s facility each day. Both players obsess over every minute detail they can find on tape in hopes of being completely prepared for games.

That focus trickles down to the rest of the team and the players and coaches are convinced they have turned the page on last season. The only way to truly know now is to play the games.
__________________________________________________________________

From what I've seen, Question #2 is the big one. We'll know a lot more about the O-line after they face the Packers on Thursday night, with Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews crashing in on Russell Wilson. Will the O-tackles (Russell Okung and rookie Justin Britt) be up to the challenge?
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Interesting in-depth preview of the Seahawks-Packers game on Thursday.

I think it will be a tough game, and I don't predict an easy time for the Seahawks. The Packers are improved over last season, and the Seahawks' O-line will be sorely tested by Julius Peppers and Clay Matthews converging from opposite sides on Russell Wilson. The game could go either way, and, with Aaron Rodgers, the Packers are always in games.

http://blog.seattlepi.com/oregonsportsn ... ng-styles/

On The Attack – The Seattle Seahawks And Green Bay Packers Set To Clash With Opposing Styles
Posted on September 2, 2014 | By Julian Rogers

The Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers concluded the preseason in divergent manners. The Seahawks, previously a well-oiled monster truck, stumbled and bumbled their way through a head-scratching loss to the lowly regarded Oakland Raiders. In contrast, the Packers ended their preseason schedule with a thorough whipping of the Kansas City Chiefs, a playoff team in the last NFL campaign.

The Packers’ 34–14 victory over the Chiefs capped a 3–1 exhibition record and left head coach Mike McCarthy feeling downright exuberant about the Packers (via the Associated Press): “That’s exactly how you want to finish your preseason,” McCarthy said. “I don’t know if I’ve felt this good coming out of a preseason as I do tonight.”

But now it gets real. This game cannot be overhyped. The winner will doubtless be crowned the early season No. 1 in every poll. The Seahawks, as the favorites and the reigning Super Bowl Champions, will not lose ground by beating a quality opponent. On the other hand, should the Packers prevail, it would be impossible to not put them at the top of the NFL’s list if they can knock off the champs at home.

Preseason aside, the Packers and Seahawks come to this week one battle for supremacy with different momentum, different personnel situations — and wildly contrasting styles on both offense and defense.
What about momentum?

The Seahawks say the past is past. The most recent past is the best gauge we have to go on in terms of evaluating each team’s state of readiness. The Packers and Seahawks, not incidentally, concluded the preseason in opposite manners.

High note or low note — either way, it’s good news for both teams. First of all: preseason, shmeseason. The least important statistics that come out of preseason games are won/loss numbers. The preseason is for evaluation — coaching points. In that light, both teams will be using their preseason performances as foundations to build on as they unveil their real plans and personnel for Thursday’s NFL regular season kickoff.

Seahawks fans that watched the Raiders game on television were treated to a whole new slate of facial expressions on head coach Pete Carroll’s face. He looked like a man auditioning for the role of befuddled uncle in a dinner theater production of “Bird Brain: It’s Harder to Stay There than Get There.” Uncle Pete is going to use every one of those opportunities to re-focus the Seahawks on the fundamentals of the task at hand: defend the trophy.

The Packers, on the other hand, are feeling pretty good about themselves. A little too fat and happy, perhaps? I doubt it. The organization and key performers, Aaron Rodgers in particular, have been through too much for too long to get complacent over preseason performance. Success breeds success, however. The Packers are rolling. And they’re about to roll into Seattle.

Without game planning much, the Packers have demonstrated success in a few key areas that will be key points of emphasis for Uncle Pete:

Fast-break, no-huddle offense.
Wide receiver / quarterback timing.
Potent rushing / balanced offensive attack.
Credible pass rush threat.
Competent safety play.

Throughout the preseason, the Packers have shown marked improvement in each of these facets from a season ago. Case in point: The Packers were so shaky at the safety position, they made their first-round draft selection Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix from Alabama. Clinton-Dix, though talented, has yet to crack the starting lineup of the improved 2014 Packers secondary.

On offense, the Packers have revealed their intention to press forward with a very Chip Kelly-esque no-huddle attack. The first team offense found great success through the preseason, with Rodgers racking up 11-of-13 pass attempts in two series against the St. Louis Rams, and another two touchdowns in two series against the Raiders. Very mid-season Rodgers-esque — and also Wilson-esque (read below).

The Packers also stepped out of character in the pass rush department. General manager Ted Thompson went shopping in free agency — a rare occurrence — and brought a big wallet. He got his man: veteran defensive end now hybrid outside linebacker / defensive end / interior pass rusher Julius Peppers. Peppers is thought to be the previously missing bookend piece to Clay Matthews’ pass rushing mayhem. How the two will be paired is yet a mystery, but one the Seahawks will need to solve on Sept. 4.
And for the birds …

The Seahawks demonstrated continued growth throughout the preseason as well, until the final contest against the Raiders. Up to that point, it’s fair to say the entire roster looked undeniably strong in outings against the thoroughly overmatched San Diego Chargers and the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks did, however, revert to losing ways against the Denver Broncos and the upstart Raiders. Will the regular season Seahawks continue to struggle in road games? It’s a legitimate concern.

Fortunately for Seahawks fans, the champs open up the season at home. In the friendly confines of CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks will bring:

An extremely efficient Russell Wilson.
Beast Mode.
A healthy Percy Harvin.
Fully functioning Legion of Boom.
A (mostly) healthy defensive front seven.

A year ago, the Seahawks were gritting their teeth through a spate of injuries to their front seven. This year they’re in far better shape. They come to the clash against the Packers with few — if any — serious health concerns among this stout group (see below).

It should surprise no followers of the Seahawks that Wilson led the NFL in preseason passer rating (133.8), directing the blossoming Seahawks offense to 11 scores on 13 drives. This is not the rookie Russell Wilson the Packers last faced in 2012. There is no longer any reason to think the Seahawks’ 26th-ranked 2013 passing ranking will continue to hold back the Seahawks in 2014. Despite the Seahawks’ preference to run the ball more than almost any other NFL team, the birds should easily rank in the upper third of passing when the season concludes, so long as Wilson, Harvin, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse remain healthy.

Which is good, because …
First team to 30

Think back to nearly one year ago, when the Seahawks eked out a 12–7 victory on the road against the up-and-coming Carolina Panthers to kick off the 2013 season. This Thursday’s game will be nothing like that. The team that wins this game will need 30 points.

The Packers bring a dynamic, potent and balanced offensive attack unlike last season’s opening opponents. Despite starting four quarterbacks in 2013, the Packers still managed to finish sixth in passing — an astonishing accomplishment considering no NFL team keeps four quarterbacks and most teams with “franchise” quarterbacks keep only two (like Seattle). While the Packers were going through passers, they found a running game in Eddie Lacy (NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) and James Starks (5.5 yards per carry).

Aaron Rodgers missed nearly half of last season. If you think Lacy’s productivity will go down because Aaron Rodgers is healthy and in charge, think again. During the five games Rodgers and Lacy played together after Lacy returned from a concussion, Lacy averaged 92 yards per game on the ground. Rodgers was throwing an average of 41 times a game during that span, so clearly his high-volume of pass attempts does not take much away from Lacy’s productivity. In contrast, Marshawn Lynch averaged 78.5 yards per game when he had his starting quarterback playing alongside him.

If recent (regular season) history is any guide — as in the last time the two teams met in Seattle in the “Fail Mary / Replacement Officials Finale” game — The Packers will not stubbornly attempt to spread out the Seahawks on offense and throw all over the field. That strategy was the main culprit in the Seahawks racking up eight first half sacks and making mincemeat of the Packers’ blockers. Expect the Packers, with their now equally potent running game, to play a major factor in a different tone and pace during this contest.

The Packers will do what other teams that have had success against the Seahawks do: They will run right at the defense until they loosen up the coverage. Easier said than done — just ask Peyton Manning — but this time, the Packers have the personnel and the determination to pull it off, unlike in 2012.
Injuries, injuries, injuries

The Packers, despite humming along through the last three games of the preseason, are dealing with a host of problematic injuries. Projected starters nose tackle B.J. Raji, center J.C. Tretter and tight end Brandon Bostick are all unavailable for Sept. 4. In their place will be two (possibly three) rookies: fifth-round draft pick center Corey Linsley, third-round draft pick tight end Richard Rodgers and undrafted rookie nose tackle Mike Pennel. Pennel remains a longshot to start, but he is still in the mix behind disappointing new Packers free agent Letroy Guion and unproven Josh Boyd.

Depth has taken a hit too. A long list of key backups are also on injured reserve, including 2013 starting offensive lineman Don Barclay, promising rookie wide receiver Jared Abbrederis and the intriguing former Oregon Duck, tight end Colt Lyerla (waived/injured).

The Seahawks? A bit more fortunate in the injury department with all projected offensive starters back up to full or near-full health. The only outstanding injury concerns for Seattle include the hamstring health of third-string running back Christine Michael and the not-quite-fully-in-game-shape Russell Okung.

On the defensive side, there are some concerns. Bruce Irvin is still not all the way back from offseason hip surgery. Defensive end Michael Bennett (hamstring) and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (knee) did not travel with the team to Oakland and are question marks for the opener. Backup middle linebacker Heath Farwell is on injured reserve. If we’re being overly cautious, we can wonder about the game-readiness of linebacker Bobby Wagner, who spent much of the preseason out of commission due to a balky hamstring. Assuming Tharold Simon bounces back from a knee issue, the Legion of Boom should be at full boom.
Inside vs. outside

The potential weaknesses of both teams are in stark contrast. If the Seahawks want to exploit the Packers, the way to success is likely up the middle of the field.

With the recent loss of starting nose tackle B.J. Raji, the Packers are in scramble mode to find a reliable replacement, as noted above. Their suddenly shaky nose tackle role exposes the rest of the Packers’ most vulnerable defensive weaknesses: inside linebacker and safety. The Packers’ two starting inside linebackers, A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones, are contrasts in style, themselves.

Hawk, the former first-round draft pick, is steady, reliable and devoid of many impact/splash plays in his NFL career. Jones, a converted outside linebacker, brings more raw talent, foot speed and coverage ability, but can get washed out and is frequently out of position. That is, when he’s on the field. He’s injury prone and currently attempting to come back from a hamstring injury that held him out of preseason action. Their depth is fairly nondescript.

Behind the linebackers, the Packers reluctantly offer their safety group. Last year, the position was a disaster, with poor enough play from three starters that one got cut mid-season (Jerron McMillian) and another got relegated to spot duty and was subsequently released (M.D. Jennings). Holdover Morgan Burnett is expected to bounce back with new talent alongside him: up-and-coming converted nickel back Micah Hyde and 2014 first-round draft pick Clinton-Dix.

Reports from Green Bay have this position group as the most improved across the team. Of course, they had the farthest to go. An oversized enforcer, the Kam Chancellor-esque Sean Richardson, earned much praise through training camp and is a worthy backup among this supposedly higher functioning group.

We’ll see. Beast Mode is likely to be spending a great deal of his time this Thursday evening introducing himself to the Packers’ inside defenders. If they’ve shored up this obvious weakness, they’ll have opportunities to demonstrate it early and often.

The Seahawks, in contrast, are more vulnerable on the exterior of their formations. The occasionally stellar Russell Okung has yet to show up in a big way at left tackle through training camp and the preseason. This is not a unique situation, as Okung seems to take after his predecessor, Walter Jones, in his disdain for training camp. However, all the time he has missed has not helped prepare him for facing a healthy and energized Clay Matthews.

On the opposite bookend, the Seahawks have plugged in rookie Justin Britt at right tackle. He’s performed largely as expected: like a wall in the run game and, well, like an unmoving wall in the passing game. Speed rushers and exotic stunts have confounded him a bit, leaving Wilson in scramble mode. Fortunately for the Seahawks, Wilson is often at his best in scramble mode, but still, Uncle Pete would probably prefer he exhibit more capable security when protecting the franchise.

With the healthy Max Unger at center, improved J.R. Sweezy at guard and the supposedly rejuvenated James Carpenter at guard, the Packers defense will have less success attacking the middle than they’ll likely generate attacking the edges. The Packers, with their new pass rushing toy in Peppers, are cooking up new formations and plans of attack in their closed practices. The Seahawks can expect the unexpected from this group as they attempt to dial up pressure and penetration past the Seahawks’ offensive line.
What’s in style?

In this clash of contrasting styles, it comes down to execution. Which team will excel best at their trademark styles of play? The Packers saw what happened to the Denver Broncos in February, so they know what’s in for them. Overcoming it is another thing. We do not yet know what impact the new emphasis on illegal contact will have on the passing games, but the Packers are probably hoping for more freedom for their very effective passing attack.

Illegal contact penalties in the final week of preseason were down a bit from the previous weeks. Was this a result of the NFL listening to the outcry of complaints about too many flags, or did the players really adjust their games that much … or both? The Seahawks seem to be adjusting to the new rules emphasis quite well. If that holds through the regular season, the sky is the limit again for the Legion of Boom.

The danger for the Seahawks would be in counting on the Packers being the high-flying, pass-pass-pass Packers of 2012 and not the well-balanced, efficient squad of 2013 and preseason 2014. The danger for the Packers will be if the Seahawks arrive at the game on time.
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notahomer
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Glad to see the NFL is just about to get going. That being said, its going to be a slow week for me to take in games, methinks....

If you had told me a year ago, you'll be passing up the NFL kickoff game where the Seahawks (that I've been following since the year they entered the NFL) would be raising their championship banner, I'd say "NO WAY" but that is our night in Ottawa. We may be shunting our way to/from the stadium etc... Will definately take in the highlights once I get back to the hotel.....

Then there is kickoff Sunday. IIRC, it also features a double header of CFL action. Definately am not going to pass up the so-called Banjo Bowl considering where its participants sit in the west playoff race. So, its looking like Sunday Night football for me (I have a work engagement Monday night). For whatever reason I seem to have lots of stuff to do Thursday nights. Ever since that became a night to catch a football game, I've been sitting at 50/50 of having something to do. Mondays are almost always good. Oh well, can't blame the CFL for scheduling games on SUndays. It only makes sense now the weather is changing.

Lets hope the Seahawks are able to win this one over the Packers without any help from the guys in the black/white jersies :wink: IIRC, that is not how things ended the last time these two butted helmets in Seattle.......
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Anybody like predictions? Despite the fact that they're almost always wrong? Well, here are the 2014 NFL predictions from the six writers at Pro Football Talk.

PFT’s 2014 season predictions
Posted by Michael David Smith on September 3, 2014, 2:16 PM EDT

Every year, we on the PFT staff offers our predictions for how the upcoming season will unfold. Every year, many of you tell us we’re idiots, primarily because we don’t have your favorite team in the playoffs.

One person who can’t be called an idiot is Josh Alper, who last year correctly predicted that the Seahawks would beat the Broncos in the Super Bowl.

Alper got that one right, but we all got plenty of predictions wrong: Notably, not a single one of us had the Panthers in the playoffs, even though they ended up winning the NFC South. And five of us had the Texans in the playoffs, even though they ended up earning the first overall pick. (Alper was the only member of the staff who didn’t have the Texans in the playoffs. He’s good at this. As you’re about to see, that’s good news for Saints fans.)

Feel free to tell us in the comments that we’re idiots, but remember this: Last year, not a single one of the 139 comments on our preseason predictions post disagreed with all of us leaving the Panthers out of the playoffs. And the only comments mentioning the Texans were criticizing Alper for leaving them out.

1. Josh Alper

AFC

Seeds: 1. Patriots; 2. Broncos; 3. Colts; 4. Steelers; 5. Chargers; 6. Bengals.

Wild card round: Bengals over Colts; Steelers over Chargers.

Divisional round: Patriots over Bengals; Broncos over Steelers.

Conference championship: Patriots over Broncos.

NFC

Seeds: 1. Seahawks; 2. Saints; 3. Eagles; 4. Packers; 5. Bears; 6. Buccaneers.

Wild card round: Eagles over Buccaneers; Packers over Bears.

Divisional round: Saints over Eagles; Packers over Seahawks.

Conference championship: Saints over Packers.

Super Bowl: Saints over Patriots.
_______________________________________________________________

2. Curtis Crabtree

AFC

Seeds: 1. Broncos; 2. Bengals; 3. Patriots; 4. Colts; 5. Steelers; 6. Jaguars.

Wild card round: Patriots over Jaguars; Steelers over Colts.

Divisional round: Steelers over Broncos; Patriots over Bengals.

Conference championship: Patriots over Steelers.

NFC

Seeds: 1. Saints; 2. Seahawks; 3. Packers; 4. Eagles; 5. Lions; 6. Cardinals.

Wild card round: Packers over Cardinals; Eagles over Lions.

Divisional round: Saints over Eagles; Seahawks over Packers.

Conference championship: Seahawks over Saints.

Super Bowl: Seahawks over Patriots.
_________________________________________________________________

3. Mike Florio

AFC

1. Patriots; 2. Colts; 3. Broncos; 4. Steelers; 5. Chargers; 6. Ravens.

Wild card round: Broncos over Ravens, Steelers over Chargers.

Divisional round: Patriots over Steelers, Broncos over Colts.

Conference championship: Patriots over Broncos.

NFC

1. Seahawks; 2. Eagles; 3. Saints; 4. Packers; 5. Bears; 6. Buccaneers.

Wild card round: Saints over Bucs, Packers over Bears.

Divisional round: Saints over Eagles, Seahawks over Packers.

Conference championship: Seahawks over Saints.

Super Bowl: Seahawks over Patriots.
________________________________________________________________

4. Darin Gantt

AFC

Seeds: 1. Broncos; 2. Patriots; 3. Colts; 4. Ravens; 5. Jaguars; 6. Chargers.

Wild card round: Colts over Chargers, Ravens over Jaguars.

Divisional round: Broncos over Ravens, Colts over Patriots.

Conference Championship: Broncos over Colts.

NFC

Seeds: 1. Eagles; 2. Seahawks; 3. Packers; 4. Saints; 5. Bears; 6. Falcons.

Wild card round: Packers over Falcons, Saints over Bears.

Divisional round: Eagles over Saints, Seahawks over Packers.

Conference championship: Eagles over Seahawks.

Super Bowl: Broncos over Eagles.
__________________________________________________________________

5. Michael David Smith

AFC

Seeds: 1. Broncos; 2. Patriots; 3. Bengals; 4. Colts; 5. Dolphins; 6. Texans.

Wild card round: Bengals over Texans; Colts over Dolphins.

Divisional round: Broncos over Colts; Patriots over Bengals.

Conference championship: Broncos over Patriots.

NFC

Seeds: 1. Seahawks; 2. Saints; 3. Packers; 4. Eagles; 5. Giants; 6. Cowboys.

Wild card round: Packers over Cowboys; Eagles over Giants.

Divisional round: Packers over Saints; Eagles over Seahawks.

Conference championship: Packers over Eagles.

Super Bowl: Packers over Broncos.
_________________________________________________________________

6. Mike Wilkening

AFC

Seeds: 1. Bengals; 2. Broncos; 3. Patriots; 4. Colts; 5. Chargers; 6. Jets.

Wild card round: Patriots over Jets; Chargers over Colts.

Divisional round: Bengals over Chargers; Broncos over Patriots.

Conference championship: Bengals over Broncos.

NFC

Seeds: 1. Packers; 2. Seahawks; 3. Saints; 4. Eagles; 5. 49ers; 6. Vikings.

Wild card round: Saints over Vikings; 49ers over Eagles.

Divisional round: Packers over 49ers; Seahawks over Saints.

Conference championship: Packers over Seahawks.

Super Bowl: Bengals over Packers.
__________________________________________________________________

Some interesting observations:

1. The Patriots are picked by 3 of the above to 2 for the Broncos to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

2. For the NFC: 2 chose the Seahawks; 2 chose the Packers; 1 chose the Saints; and 1 chose the Eagles.

Personally, I don't see the Eagles or Bengals as being in the conversation, but all the other picks seem at least reasonable.
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notahomer
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South Pender wrote: Some interesting observations:

1. The Patriots are picked by 3 of the above to 2 for the Broncos to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

2. For the NFC: 2 chose the Seahawks; 2 chose the Packers; 1 chose the Saints; and 1 chose the Eagles.

Personally, I don't see the Eagles or Bengals as being in the conversation, but all the other picks seem at least reasonable.
Won't argue will Alper since he nailed it last year. BENGALS to win the Superbowl? Wilkening must know something I don't.

Hope the Seahawks get back there and win it but they've got a lombardi-bullseye on them!
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