The Football Thread

[old abe]

Maybe this thread, post, should be in the 'Off Topic' section? But anyway, perhaps some football discussions could put a little spark into the site without doing any harm? It's the time of the year where there's plenty of football to discuss. I can remember this site having some real interesting discussions on this subject. Whitedust, myself, and seems many others really enjoyed such discussions. Even with the snobuilder, as he always lit people, and the whole place up! Yeah he was a piece of work alright, but harmless. Anyone interested???

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Sure, let her rip!
Despite everything wrong with Chicago, they've got a pretty good team and coach this year.
Green Bay does too but they're all on crutches.
What can you say about Indiana Football? What a great story!
Wisconsin Football? Probably not again in our lifetime.
Both Michigan schools have new coaches.
&
We already forgot the name of the DEI Halftime Entertainment in this year's Superbowl.
He no speak English, so it's still the best time to hit the can, grab a beer and score some snacks!​

 

[whitedust]

Well Abe I have had the NFL ticket forever so I watch the best team match ups or games just to see new QBs perform. So I have lots opinions based on what I’ve seen as well as losing or winning trends of teams in playoffs. It’s obvious this season is one of change lots of climbers and decliners and the sudden death playoffs will sort it all out.

 

[pclark]

College football is a mess with NIL I used to love it but it doesn't make a lot of sense anymore, they should all be pro's as most of the good teams are paying some decent salaries to them.

 

[old abe]

Well Abe I have had the NFL ticket forever so I watch the best team match ups or games just to see new QBs perform. So I have lots opinions based on what I’ve seen as well as losing or winning trends of teams in playoffs. It’s obvious this season is one of change lots of climbers and decliners and the sudden death playoffs will sort it all out.

Yup, there were lots of unforeseen surprises this season for sure! And it's now proven that Johnson is the Bears gain, and the Lyons loss. Plus it seems Caleb is fully capable, and I like his winning attitude, believing in his team. Sit back and enjoy, there's a lot of surprises left i believe.

 

[eagle1]

College football is a mess with NIL I used to love it but it doesn't make a lot of sense anymore, they should all be pro's as most of the good teams are paying some decent salaries to them.

Agree with that first statement!!! Ole Miss doesn't even know what coaches are gonna show up next week......players declaring and games still going on..... hahaha, who thought this mess up.

 

[eagle1]

Haha, how about old man Rodgers getting Steelers in playoffs.

 

[garageguy]

Don't "the Bears still suck".

 

[fishcrib]

Don't "the Bears still suck".

We will see Saturday

 

[garageguy]

Great if the pack could pull off an upset. Have my doughts though

 

[indy_500]

Great if the pack could pull off an upset. Have my doughts though

The Packers are actually favored to win right now… if they can pull it off while missing their best player (parsons), their best pass catcher and offensive weapon (Kraft), their best interior D lineman (Wyatt), one of their best O lineman (Jenkins, and possibly Tom) it would be an incredible feat to battle that much adversity and come out ahead.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

​

 

[whitedust]

Bears vs Packers “even “imo pick em. Neither going anywhere imo but fun to watch both 1 or 2 rounds and done. Seahawks probably go all the way be SB champs baring any major injuries in playoffs. This is excellent experience for both Bears and Packers. Bears will be much better next year O second year under Johnson should roll. Bears need more depth and a much better DLine before they can dominate the league

 

[durphee]

Sure, let her rip!
Despite everything wrong with Chicago, they've got a pretty good team and coach this year.
Green Bay does too but they're all on crutches.
What can you say about Indiana Football? What a great story!
Wisconsin Football? Probably not again in our lifetime.
Both Michigan schools have new coaches.
&
We already forgot the name of the DEI Halftime Entertainment in this year's Superbowl.
He no speak English, so it's still the best time to hit the can, grab a beer and​

College football is a mess with NIL I used to love it but it doesn't make a lot of sense anymore, they should all be pro's as most of the good teams are paying some decent salaries to them.

I agree to a point. The NIL has allowed a team like Indiana to prosper. It has spread talent out from the traditional powerhouse schools. But, I wish they would put a cap on what they are allowed to spend, it would make it more equitable for more teams. But let's be real, good players have always been paid...there's just too much money involved with sports and folks want to regardless of legality.

 

[J.Glenn]

I agree to a point. The NIL has allowed a team like Indiana to prosper. It has spread talent out from the traditional powerhouse schools. But, I wish they would put a cap on what they are allowed to spend, it would make it more equitable for more teams. But let's be real, good players have always been paid...there's just too much money involved with sports and folks want to regardless of legality.

The formal NIL is capped. Meaning, each school is capped at 20.5M that they can pay players from ALL sports, which started at some time in 2025. This doesn't factor in external NIL deals players can achieve on their own.

Totally agree with your other comment about players being paid prior to NIL, specifically in the SEC. Now that it's formal/allowed and other conferences can do it, we're finding out the SEC isn't as great as it used to be.

 

[timo]

THE BEARS STILL SUCK
That's all I got.

 

[Snowaddict]

How about opinions on Matt Lefleur? Seems to be able to get the team to the playoffs but not winning the big games or going further. Is he on the hot seat right now?
Can't argue about the current state of the Bears. Hate to admit it, but their coach is good at his job. A little cocky, but good at what he does. Players have bought in. Probably are only going to get better unfortunately. Hoping the Pack pulls off an upset, but it's an uphill battle with all of the injuries.
Verdict is out on NIL. I was a fan at first, but somewhat seems like the Wild West. Maybe it will sort itself out. Kids were getting taken advantage of before, but now things have exploded. Small schools are s.o.l. Lots of older athletes these days that would have normally gone pro by now, but are still in college to get that "bag."

 

[durphee]

The formal NIL is capped. Meaning, each school is capped at 20.5M that they can pay players from ALL sports, which started at some time in 2025. This doesn't factor in external NIL deals players can achieve on their own.

Totally agree with your other comment about players being paid prior to NIL, specifically in the SEC. Now that it's formal/allowed and other conferences can do it, we're finding out the SEC isn't as great as it used to be.

The formal NIL is capped. Meaning, each school is capped at 20.5M that they can pay players from ALL sports, which started at some time in 2025. This doesn't factor in external NIL deals players can achieve on their own.

Totally agree with your other comment about players being paid prior to NIL, specifically in the SEC. Now that it's formal/allowed and other conferences can do it, we're finding out the SEC isn't as great as it used to be.

you are correct on the college formal cap...I meant to say the overall amount they can get including thrid party revenues. Which is obviously extremely difficult to monitor and enforce. With so manu donors with big pockets its becoming unreal. My alumna mater UIUC had a athletic specific donation of over 100 million and I think a donor for MSU did a 401 million donation....lot of money in sports!

 

[fishcrib]

THE BEARS STILL SUCK
That's all I got.

That's all I got.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

How about opinions on Matt Lefleur?

Kind of a hard one to figure. Fire him tomorrow....and he'll have a new job by noon. Hard to judge him this year with so many injuries to the best they've got. So, he held it together despite the loss of Micah and Kraft. With those two, I think Green Bay is at No.2 and the game is in Lambeau.

Kinda surprised that the Pack is, or was a 1.5 point favorite with all things considered.

My Magic Eight Ball says, If it's a close game, Green Bay wins. The Bears used up all their luck in the last one. If the Pack falls behind, I think the Bears hold on, maybe by a wide margin.

Winner goes to Seattle, Yikes!