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Seems to be growing dissatisfaction with Jay Cutler in Chicago. He is maddeningly uneven in his play, ranging from great to really bad, with a lot of turnovers this year (as in the past). Seems to be a guy with a real cannon for an arm, but with only-mediocre decision-making abilities and a penchant for losing the football (and getting injured). With the receivers he has--Marshall, Jeffrey, and Bennett--the Bears' air attack should be unstoppable (with credible play-action involving Matt Forte), but here they are at 3-4,looking up at the Packers and Lions (both 5-2). The fact that Cutler often behaves like a colossal a**hole also doesn't help with the fans. Here's a piece from Pro Football Talk, on GM Phil Emery defending Cutler:

Phil Emery defends Jay Cutler as a “winning quarterback”
Posted by Josh Alper on October 21, 2014, 4:48 PM EDT

There’s a lot of negative feelings about Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in Chicago right now and some of the aggrieved parties got a chance to air their grievances directly to management on Tuesday.

Bears General Manager Phil Emery took part in an online chat on the team’s website and predictably faced many questions about his quarterback, who has turned the ball over 10 times this season. Among the questions Emery fielded was one asking for his take on Cutler’s performance in light of the “enormous contract” the quarterback signed in the offseason.

“Jay Cutler is a winning quarterback in this league and no matter how you analyze the history of quarterbacks in the NFL, if you have a winning record you are an elite player at that position,” Emery wrote. “I’ll say it again: Jay has enormous skills and he continues to improve in all areas as a football player. I know he has some throws he would like to have back, but all of our players have had plays that they would like to have back.”

Giving quarterbacks won-loss records ignores too much of what goes into winning and losing games, but Emery is using it as criteria so it bears mentioning that the Bears are 8-10 with Cutler at the helm over the last two years. It also seems a stretch to think that Cutler is going to morph into a dramatically different quarterback nine years into a career that has been marked by the same kinds of swings between good play and crushing mistakes.

That’s not the worst thing in the world. Cutler is completing more passes than ever and actually has a lower interception percentage than the last two seasons, but that still comes with downsides that have gotten in the way of the winning quarterback leading a team with a winning record.
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notahomer
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Couple of great special teams fakes by the RAMS to beat the Seahawks.

First was a punt. Rams returner on one side makes it look like he's the guy catching the punt (KICKED BY THE SEATTLE PUNTER), so everything flows to him, but his partner is the one whom actually catches the punt and goes for a nice run....

Second, one was also a classic. fourth and short with just late in the game, leading by 2 points. Punter looks like he's punting but one of his blockers runs out leftside of the back field and takes a short dump pass for about five yards. Rams keep the ball and are able to run out the clock.....
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notahomer
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http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html

IF, and only IF, he exhausts his NFL options, does he get a shot up here in the CFL? Not surprised the Cowboys do not need him, they are playing well so far this year and THEIR OFFENCE has taken a lot of heat that probably would have otherwise fallen on the defence.
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Apparently (sorry no source) Commisioner Goodell will be required to testify in the investigation into how the NFL handled Rice's suspension.....
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notahomer wrote:http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html

IF, and only IF, he exhausts his NFL options, does he get a shot up here in the CFL? Not surprised the Cowboys do not need him, they are playing well so far this year and THEIR OFFENCE has taken a lot of heat that probably would have otherwise fallen on the defence.

Thanks for posting that, nota. You start to think that Michael Sam may just not be that good (by NFL standards), despite all the fanfare and focus on his sexual orientation. I suppose he could catch on to the practice squad of another NFL team, but his chances seem to be decreasing. Would not be too surprised to see him in Montreal at some point.
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Tonight's Chargers at Broncos game might be a good one. Here's the preview:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410230 ... ab=preview; odds: Broncos by 9
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Broncos 35-21 over the Chargers. Manning had a good night, going 25 for 35 and 286 yards. Rivers not so much, with two interceptions. The Broncos seem to have found a ground game, and, by all accounts, are stronger offensively than last year. Here's the game recap:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410230 ... &tab=recap
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notahomer
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Broncos won easy......... One of these weeks we are going to have full slate of watcchable night games, I hope?
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Toppy Vann
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notahomer wrote:http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html

IF, and only IF, he exhausts his NFL options, does he get a shot up here in the CFL? Not surprised the Cowboys do not need him, they are playing well so far this year and THEIR OFFENCE has taken a lot of heat that probably would have otherwise fallen on the defence.
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Apparently (sorry no source) Commisioner Goodell will be required to testify in the investigation into how the NFL handled Rice's suspension.....
I have nothing against his sexual preference but I really thought the timing of his decision to make it an issue was odd and would only serve to be a distraction to him and a team. It's much like when Riley Cooper in July 2013 made racial slurs at a Kenny Chesney concert and it became a huge distraction to the team and they immediately set him off to deal with it.

He's back but comments from his black team mates suggested that relations with him would never be the same.

http://deadspin.com/eagles-wr-riley-coo ... -979470075

While I saw the vids of him out of control that day/night and read the other stories of escapades in bars, I like how the Eagles handled and quite frankly how Cooper dealt with it.

He was sent home and walked out and faced the media IMMEDIATELY and even admitted that was what the team officials told him to do. Indelible was how that was a shame on his parents who never raised him that way. No script, no prepared statement - just pushed out the door to face the national media.

Had all this stuff come out via prepared text and coaching by media specialists I'd have taken his statements with a few grains of salt.

I am curious how he has made out as this guy can play but I wonder if his off field antics ended.

Sam did himself and any team a disservice by making that statement.
"Ability without character will lose." - Marv Levy
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Good points, TV. I agree that Cooper (and the Eagles) handled things well, and he has gone on to be a solid contributor to the Eagles' offense (although the No. 3 or 4 receiver). And true about Michael Sam, I think. It was clear from Day 1 that his presence on any team would be--at least to some extent--a distraction. Still there were teams willing to give him a chance, and now it looks (to me at least) as if he just isn't good enough to crack an NFL roster.
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notahomer
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South Pender wrote:Good points, TV. I agree that Cooper (and the Eagles) handled things well, and he has gone on to be a solid contributor to the Eagles' offense (although the No. 3 or 4 receiver). And true about Michael Sam, I think. It was clear from Day 1 that his presence on any team would be--at least to some extent--a distraction. Still there were teams willing to give him a chance, and now it looks (to me at least) as if he just isn't good enough to crack an NFL roster.
Agree with basis of both of your posts Toppy Vann and South P, regarding Sam.

I don't think the fact he has not been picked up means he isn't good enough to crack an NFL roster. IIRC, he's done better than Cam Wake did until he was given his opportunity to show what he really had up here in Lions orange.

I am not implying I have seen anything of his game (I haven't seen ONE SNAP of Sam in action). I think his timing was WAY OFF with the announcement. Hopefully he's helped a fellow football player down the road make this transition to the pros. Maybe he'll still be the one who 'came out' before catching on. There will come a day when none of this matters but until then it will be a distraction. I still remember some of the battles around female reporters in the locker-room.
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Sunday's game between the Seahawks and Panthers in Charlotte should be a good one. Neither team is playing at the level that had been expected prior to the season, and both are looking to break out of their mediocre play and return to form. Clare Farnsworth has an interesting article on the game given below. For those wondering what became of David Foucault--the highly-rated Canadian in last spring's draft (selected 5th overall by the Alouettes)--he's playing for the Panthers now, and we'll see him on Sunday. He's being thrown into action because of injuries to starters on the Panthers' O-line. Look for Foucault to have his hands full with Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril.

Five matchups to watch: Seahawks at Panthers

Clare Farnsworth Seahawks.com Writer

The Seahawks play the Panthers in Carolina on Sunday for the third consecutive season, and each team needs a victory to avoid dropping its fourth game of the season.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A look at the Seahawks’ Week 8 game against the Panthers, with five matchups that could impact the outcome:

When: Sunday, 10 a.m. PT, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

Records: Seahawks 3-3 and third in the NFC West after last week’s loss to the Rams in St. Louis; Panthers 3-3-1 and first in the NFC South after last week’s loss to the Packers in Green Bay.

TV: CBS (KIRO/7 in Seattle), with Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Dan Fouts (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline)

Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle and 97.3 KIRO FM, with Steve Raible (play-by-play), Warren Moon (analyst) and Jen Mueller (sideline)

Rest of the West: Eagles at Cardinals (5-1) and Rams (2-4) at Chiefs; 49ers (4-3) have their bye

Panthers LB Luke Kuechly vs. Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch:


Kuechly is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and this season leads the league in tackles with 82. Lynch is, well, Beast Mode. It’s not often that one player can bring Lynch down, but that task for the Panthers will start with Kuechly getting to Lynch before the Seahawks’ leading rusher can reach full tackle-busting form. Lynch has had 10 or fewer carries twice this season, and the Seahawks lost both games (to the Chargers and Cowboys). And they’re 2-9 in those limited-Lynch games since he was acquired in a 2010 trade with the Bills. Conversely, the Seahawks are 18-7 in games when Lynch rushes for at least 100 yards. They lost the Rams in St. Louis last week, but could have won the game and gotten Lynch closer to 100 yards, if penalties had not nullified his 15-yard TD run and another 18-yarder. Kuechly is one of those sideline-to-sideline, goal-line-to-goal-line players, so his run-ins with Lynch should come early and often – and be decisive in the outcome, depending on who “wins” most often.
One to Watch

Doug Baldwin vs. the situation
:

Last week, Baldwin got more snaps in the slot – as well as those at flanker – and responded with a seven-catch, 123-yard performance that included a 49-yarder on the Seahawks’ first possession which ended in a field goal and a 9-yarder for a touchdown that cut the Rams’ lead to two points late in the fourth quarter. Baldwin also was targeted a season-high 11 times, five more than his previous high against the Cowboys. The Panthers have allowed 15 TD passes, which ties for the second most in the league. They’re also No. 22 in average passing yards allowed (250.7). They’ve also yielded 100-yard receiving games to the Ravens’ Steve Smith (seven for 139), Packers’ Randall Cobb (six for 121), Bengals’ Mohamed Sanu (10 for 120) and Bears’ Matt Forte (12 for 105). And they’ve also given up TD passes of 61 and 59 yards.

Fun to Watch

Seahawks CB Richard Sherman vs. Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin:[/b]

The Seahawks prefer to have Sherman stay on the left side of the field, but also have used him to shadow opposing receivers on occasions. This might be one of those occasions, at least in certain situations, because of the Panthers’ 6-foot-5, 240-pound rookie receiver. Benjamin could create matchup problems for whoever starts opposite Sherman – Tharold Simon, in what would be his second NFL game; nickel back Marcus Burley, who’s 5-11, 185; or Byron Maxwell, the starter who missed the past game and half because of calf injury and is listed as questionable this week. Sherman led the league with eight interceptions last season, when he was voted All-Pro for the second consecutive season. But he’s still looking for his first pick this season, and matching up with Benjamin could provide more opportunities than he’s been getting.

One Tough Task

The Panthers’ offensive line vs. the Seahawks’ determined pass rush
: The Seahawks have just seven sacks, and they went sack-less last week for the first time since the 2012 season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. The pass-rushers are tired of hearing about it, and talking about it. But the only way to stop the questions is to flip the angle from “Why aren’t you getting more sacks” to “How were you able to produce so many sacks?” The Panthers could provide that opportunity, with the rookie free-agent tandem of David Foucault and Andrew Norwell having to step in last week after tackle Byron Bell and guard Trai Turner went out with injuries. But the Seahawks can’t get overly aggressive in their rushes, because Panthers QB Cam Newton can break from the pocket at any given moment. He leads his team in rushing with 190 rushing yards and a 5.0-yard average.

Don’t Overlook

Russell Wilson:

In the past three games, the Seahawks’ third-year QB has become the first quarterback in the 45-year history of “Monday Night Football” to rush for more than 100 yards and pass for more than 200 yards against the Redskins, and the first quarterback in the 95-year history of the NFL to rush for more than 100 yards and pass for more than 300 yards in the same game against the Rams. It’s when things break down that Wilson is often at his best. He’ll tell you he doesn’t want to run, but he does have some telling rushing stats – 327 yards to lead all NFL quarterbacks; an 8.6-yard average; and three rushing TDs.

Worth Noting

The Seahawks lead the series 4-2, because they’ve won in Carolina the past two seasons – 12-7 in the opener last season and 16-12 in Week 5 in 2012. … Newton has won nine of his past 10 home starts, and has a 98.3 rating with 16 TD passes and three rushing TDs during that span. … Benjamin leads all NFL rookies with 477 receiving yards, five TD catches and 12 third-down receptions. … The Panthers’ Greg Olsen leads all NFL tight ends in receiving yards (493) and first downs (30), and is tied for the league lead at his position with 41 catches. … Panthers’ punter Brad Nortman is second in the NFL with a 48.8-yard average. … The Seahawks have been penalized 51 times, including 32 in the past three games – and four of those nullified touchdowns. … MLB Bobby Wagner is the Seahawks’ leading tackler (50), but he’ll miss his second consecutive game because of a toe injury. … LB K.J. Wright, who has moved inside to replace Wagner, and SS Kam Chancellor each have 44 tackles.
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notahomer
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Could be a long day if one wishes it to be so......

First game kicks off at 6:30 AM local time. Falcons playing the Lions at Wembley........

So, the usual first game, will be the Seahawks Panthers wrapping up around 1ish......

leading into the afternoon game wrapping up around 4:30ish....

Leading into the Sunday Night BLOWOUT game (Packers DESTROY the Saints in New Orleans, South P. :wink: )... wrapping up about 8:30ish....

IOW, fourteen hours or so of NFL football......(my schedule/sleep needs will probably only allow me to see the last two games out of the four.....)
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Week 8 NFL previews and odds:

1. Sunday, October 26, 6:30 a.m. PDT:

Lions-Falcons (in London): game over, Lions over Falcons 22-21; Recap: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... &tab=recap

2. Sunday, October 26, 10:00 a.m. PDT:


Vikings at Buccaneers: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Odds: Bucs by 2

Bears at Patriots: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Patriots by 6

Rams at Chiefs: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Chiefs by 7

Seahawks at Panthers: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Seahawks by 6

Bills at Jets: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Jets by 3

Dolphins at Jaguars: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Dolphins by 6.5

Texans at Titans: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Texans by 3.5

Ravens at Bengals: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Ravens by 3

3. Sunday, October 26, 1:05 or 1:25 PDT:


Eagles at Cardinals: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... ab=preview; Cardinals by 1

Colts at Steelers: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410261 ... ab=preview; Colts by 3.5

Raiders at Browns: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410261 ... ab=preview; Browns by 6.5

4. Sunday, October 26, 5:30 PDT:


Packers at Saints: http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=& ... 0786,d.cGE; Saints by 2.5

Monday, October 27, 5:30 PDT:

Washington at Cowboys: http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410270 ... ab=preview; Cowboys by 9.5
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notahomer
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Another weird week, IMO, in NFL-land.......

Start with Detroit Lions MISS a field goal but it didn't count due to a previously whistled penalty. Lions moved BACK five yards to rekick and DO SO FOR THE WIN, in London!!!
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Patriots score 51 points in a huge win. Who SCORES FIFTY ONE POINTS!?!?! That must NEVER happen. :wink:
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Andrew Luck throws for over four hundred yards and helps his team score 34 points in a LOSS to BigBen's Steelers who also scored 51!

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Seahawks scored late (missed the game myself). Apparently near the end of the game, sounds like they are back on track...
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Unfortunately the Sunday Night Blowout lived up to my new nickname for the game. Saints 44 Packers 23

Now some interesting stories in this matchup. First of all it was the third game in NFL history to NOT HAVE A PUNT but this was in part to both teams gambling on fourth down in an area of the field only guys like McCarthy/Payton would gamble. I exagerate a little but IMO, a defensive type coach PROBABLY WOULD NOT have gambled even though both gambles made purrfect sense (not so sure on the actual playcalls as both were runs stuffed for a loss).

Rodgers looked good until appeared to tweak his hamstring. Threw TWO interceptions but NEITHER one was his fault, IMO. Both bounced on his catchers hands and into the waiting arms of the saints secondary.

Packers go into their bye and will play the Bears in Green Bay in two weeks in another Sunday Night Blowout matchup :wink:
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I guess we'll see how the Washington/Dallas game turns out. Lots of gossip re the return of RG3 but it won't be in this game, IMO. Hope the game ends in a tie because not a big fan of either teams owner. Lots of exciting players to watch on the field though and Monday Night is a good night to take in another football game. However, it just doesn't seem as big since the Thursday Night game came into play. My bet is Dallas wins easily and needs to keep close to the Eagles....

BTW, I did see parts of the Eagles/Cardinals game too and it was a bomb-fest. I barely caught 10 plays in the few minutes I had it on but I witnessed a Fitzgerald BOMB for 80 yard TD and another Cardinal TD for seventyish yards. And the Eagles did well to make it close. Seattle is going to have trouble with these Cardinals......
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KnowItAll
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God bless the Saints :rockin:
Every day that passes is one you can't get back
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Yep, we can always expected the unexpected somewhere in the NFL on a Sunday. The Seahawks-Panthers game was a defensive slugfest. I didn't think the Seahawks looked anything like Super Bowl champions, but they were missing six starters--three each on offense and defense--so maybe they should be cut some slack. These losses to injury have really had an effect (although not held out as an excuse by Pete Carroll), with the loss of Byron Maxwell at one corner and Bobby Wagner at MLB the most costly for the D. Having Max Unger out at C, Zach Miller at TE, and Derrick Coleman at FB has definitely hurt the offense both rushing and passing. A lot more weight on Russell Wilson's shoulders. I think we'll see improved play from the 'Hawks when some of these guys return, but they've lost 3 now and can't lose many more if they're to make the playoffs. What should be an easy one coming up next Sunday at home against the Raiders (hope it doesn't turn out to be a trap game), so some time for the injured guys to heal up before it gets tough again. Here's the recap of that game, with Pete Carroll's post-game interview,along with some words from Russell Wilson. Wilson always seems to hit the right notes in his interviews--blaming himself for the screw-ups and praising his teammates. He didn't have his best game, but held the team together and was pretty solid:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... e=boxscore

The Eagles-Cardinals game was a good one, competitively. Nick Foles threw for 411 in a losing cause. Here's that recap:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410260 ... &tab=recap
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Another bit of costly celebrating. Bears' DE Lamarr Houston tears his ACL in a celebration after sacking Patriots' backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. How any kind of celebration is called for when your team is down 48-23 with a little over 3 minutes left in the 4th quarter is beyond me, but there it is. Sheer stupidity in my view. Kind of sums up the Bears' season so far. Not only do they get thoroughly crushed, but they lose two starters (the other one is starting left guard Matt Slauson who tore a pectoral muscle).

http://www.nfl.com/videos/chicago-bears ... elebrating
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Monday night shocker (most of which I missed as usual). Cowboys--favored by 9.5 points at home--beaten in OT by, of all teams, Washington! Seems as though Washington may have found a quarterback in Colt McCoy (at least until RGIII is back). Here's the recap:

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201410270 ... &tab=recap
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Today is the NFL trade deadline, so we may see some interesting trades. Personally, I'd like to see the Seahawks trade for Vincent Jackson, as they could use a really big, talented receiver (like they had in Sidney Rice), but the price may be too high. Normally, we don't see much trade action at this point (unlike just before the season begins), but you never know.
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