2018 NFL Week 1 Thoughts

[Bryan]

Week 1 NFL Thoughts

*Falcons continue to have massive red-zone issues, all the more puzzling considering the presence of Julio Jones. Matt Ryan’s 2016 season is looking more like a “fluke” and less like “the next step”. When Atlanta’s offense was clicking, both Freeman and Coleman were churning out yards on the ground and scoring red zone TDs. They’ve both been surprisingly ineffective, and Matt Ryan can’t pick up the slack.

*Dolphins-Titans took a very long time to decide which team will be more irrelevant this year. At least the Dolphins aren’t going with Jay Cutler at QB this year.

*Steelers tying the Browns was a surprise, but the Steelers don’t have much talent outside their skill positions. Not sure how far Pittsburgh will go this year.

*The Bills may have the worst proactive QB situation to start a season in NFL history. Its not like the regular starter got injured or their top rookie QB is holding out…they chose to start an NFL season with Nathan Peterman backed up by Josh Allen. The only redeeming quality of Josh Allen is that he illustrates Mel Kiper’s fraudulent idiocy.

*Jags defense will be tough again this year, and Jags already know you can’t trust Bortles to do anything. Should be an interesting season for them.

*Rob Gronkowski…greatest TE ever?

*I always thought Jameis Winston was overrated, even in college. I think any decent NFL QB should put up big numbers throwing to Evans, DeSean Jackson, OJ Howard. Fitzpatrick is the definition of ‘decent’, and he’s perhaps an improvement over Winston. The flipside to this is that some media people were predicting the Saints to win the Super Bowl this year…looks like their defense regressed to early 2017.

*Phillip Rivers continues to impress me…if only he were on a better team.

*Vikings-Niners was a slugfest…I think Vikings are the favorite to represent the NFC this year. Rams and Eagles could also make noise.

*Speaking of the NFC playoff contenders…Dallas looked terrible and Seattle is basically Russell Wilson and some bodies. The luster is completely off Dak Prescott, and he’s basically Tyrod Taylor on a better team…but in Prescott’s defense, its probably not good when people are trying to talk up Allen Hurns as the big offseason acquisition.

*Cardinals and Lions looked putrid.

*Quite the Larry Bird v. Pacers performance by Aaron Rodgers. Khalil Mack dominated the 1st half for the Bears, and apparently got ‘winded’ in the 2nd half. Bears D could be top notch this year, but its sad when people begin to say that Mitch Trubisky’s ceiling is “Alex Smith”. Bears should start looking at new QB options for 2019.

[JWL]

Week 1 NFL Thoughts

*Steelers tying the Browns was a surprise, but the Steelers don’t have much talent outside their skill positions. Not sure how far Pittsburgh will go this year.

*Rob Gronkowski…greatest TE ever?

RE: Pitt- I didn't pick them to win their division. The head coach gets weirder by the year. The quarterback threatens retirement and then gets mad when the team drafts a backup quarterback. The RB is not signed (yes, Pitt has won games here and there without him but it is a bit difficult to argue on one hand that Bell is a unique and top 5 RB and then on the other hand say the team can do fine without him and it is no big deal if he comes back in Week 10). The defense has good players here and there but I don't see it as a strong defense 1-11 in the starting lineup. The fact that they struggled vs the Browns actually did not surprise me. This all said, Pitt should get to 9 wins or maybe 10.

Re: Gronkowski- I rate him as a the greatest tight end. His catching is probably the best even if you want to ding him a little for playing in the current passing environment. His blocking is also top notch. Tony Gonzalez might be close to Gronkowski in catching but he can't match him in blocking.

[sheajets]

I don't know about Miami. Would love to see them fall on their faces but they have a fairly strong secondary and good talent across their entire roster. They feel like 8-8 to me but could be better with some luck

Steelers always find a way to piece it together so I wouldn't give up on them yet. Ultimately I see Baltimore taking it.

Regarding Gronk being the greatest TE ever...I think when he imposes his will on the game he's about as good as anybody who's played the position. Witten, Gonzalez, peak Jimmy Graham. Those guys were monsters as well

[JuggernautJ]

Regarding Gronk being the greatest TE ever...I think when he imposes his will on the game he's about as good as anybody who's played the position. Witten, Gonzalez, peak Jimmy Graham. Those guys were monsters as well

Gronk is almost certainly the best TE playing today (and for the last several years).
And he may be as good as anyone who ever played the position...

But better than Mike Ditka or John Mackey?
I am not willing to go that far...

And Pitt is a college team!!
(It took me several seconds and a re-read to figure out what the heck you were talking about...
but maybe that is regional prejudice on my part.)

[JWL]

Regarding Gronk being the greatest TE ever...I think when he imposes his will on the game he's about as good as anybody who's played the position. Witten, Gonzalez, peak Jimmy Graham. Those guys were monsters as well

Gronk is almost certainly the best TE playing today (and for the last several years).
And he may be as good as anyone who ever played the position...

But better than Mike Ditka or John Mackey?
I am not willing to go that far...

And Pitt is a college team!!
(It took me several seconds and a re-read to figure out what the heck you were talking about...
but maybe that is regional prejudice on my part.)

Some people refer to them as "the 'Burgh" or the Burghers. So, I decided to be weird too.

[rhickok1109]

Regarding Gronk being the greatest TE ever...I think when he imposes his will on the game he's about as good as anybody who's played the position. Witten, Gonzalez, peak Jimmy Graham. Those guys were monsters as well

Gronk is almost certainly the best TE playing today (and for the last several years).
And he may be as good as anyone who ever played the position...

But better than Mike Ditka or John Mackey?
I am not willing to go that far...

He's a better receiver than Ditka and a better blocker than Mackey.

[JuggernautJ]

Regarding Gronk being the greatest TE ever...I think when he imposes his will on the game he's about as good as anybody who's played the position. Witten, Gonzalez, peak Jimmy Graham. Those guys were monsters as well

Gronk is almost certainly the best TE playing today (and for the last several years).
And he may be as good as anyone who ever played the position...

But better than Mike Ditka or John Mackey?
I am not willing to go that far...

He's a better receiver than Ditka and a better blocker than Mackey.

But is he a better receiver than Mackey or a better blocker than Ditka?

It's mostly a matter of opinion and personal preference.
I wouldn't argue with anyone else's personal opinion.
Mine is (adjusted for eras) I'd prefer Mackey and Ditka.

[JuggernautJ]

Some people refer to them as "the 'Burgh" or the Burghers. So, I decided to be weird too.

Being from Pittsburgh I have never heard anyone from there refer to "Pitt" as being anything other than the University of Pittsburgh.

And, while we're at it, having spent the vast majority of my life in the S.F. Bay Area I have never heard anyone from around here call San Francisco "Frisco."

It just isn't proper...
/endpetpeeve

[JohnH19]

Regarding Gronk being the greatest TE ever...I think when he imposes his will on the game he's about as good as anybody who's played the position. Witten, Gonzalez, peak Jimmy Graham. Those guys were monsters as well

Gronk is almost certainly the best TE playing today (and for the last several years).
And he may be as good as anyone who ever played the position...

But better than Mike Ditka or John Mackey?
I am not willing to go that far...

He's a better receiver than Ditka and a better blocker than Mackey.

I have no idea how good a blocker either of them was but didn’t Unitas sometimes get frustrated with the number of balls Mackey dropped? I always thought Ditka was a very good receiver but I haven’t seen a lot of film.

[JWL]

Some people refer to them as "the 'Burgh" or the Burghers. So, I decided to be weird too.

Being from Pittsburgh I have never heard anyone from there refer to "Pitt" as being anything other than the University of Pittsburgh.

And, while we're at it, having spent the vast majority of my life in the S.F. Bay Area I have never heard anyone from around here call San Francisco "Frisco."

It just isn't proper...
/endpetpeeve

Frisco is a terrible shortening of that name. For the lazy person trying to save syllables, "Cisco" would be acceptable to me. Personally, I always say "San Francisco".

I also always say "Philadelphia." I don't like saying "Philly."