2023-2024 NFL Thread

[Gestopft]

I think that's the first time I've ever seen a delay of game on the defense

[Deus Mortis]

Wow Titans actually came back and won that.

[draynay]

Dolphins out with a whimper.

[Vetali]

Some good games for that slate that I expected to be barn burners. Dolphins confirming their fraud status and Giants showed up big.

[eschatological]

Dolphins football in December is always a trip. Just need them to lose one more before week 18, and the Bills can still win the division if they win out. And they've got the Jets defense, Cowboys, and Ravens on the schedule.

Our biggest hurdle before week 18 is next week, Cowboys at home. Then we get a probably Herbert-less Chargers, and the Patriots before the Dolphins in week 18.

[draynay]

Dolphins football in December is always a trip. Just need them to lose one more before week 18, and the Bills can still win the division if they win out. And they've got the Jets defense, Cowboys, and Ravens on the schedule.

Our biggest hurdle before week 18 is next week, Cowboys at home. Then we get a probably Herbert-less Chargers, and the Patriots before the Dolphins in week 18.

I was really hoping Herbert would be available given the inherently chaotic nature of both QBs, but it's sounding like season-ending surgery, which is a real bummer.

Although, the inevitable slide to come could finally spell the end for their awful coach.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

I was really hoping Herbert would be available given the inherently chaotic nature of both QBs, but it's sounding like season-ending surgery, which is a real bummer.

Although, the inevitable slide to come could finally spell the end for their awful coach.

I mean if this last game didn't spell the end nothing will.

[eschatological]

I'm sure Staley will be fired at the end of the season, some owners just don't believe in midseason firings.

[dwightyo39]

The Bills have the abilty to make me rage way more than any sports team should be able to yet I can't get rid of my 30+ year emotional investment in them. It's like a toxic marriage.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

Looks like it's starting to come out that Kraft has made the decision that Bill's done after the season.

[cordrann]

Looks like it's starting to come out that Kraft has made the decision that Bill's done after the season.

That's mostly coming from Tom Curran having "conversations with people he knows", so take it with a massive grain of salt as there is a high probability it is just speculation. The only people who have any idea what's going to happen with Belichick are Jonathan and Robert Kraft, and those two are not going to say anything until they do it.

[xskarma]

That's mostly coming from Tom Curran having "conversations with people he knows", so take it with a massive grain of salt as there is a high probability it is just speculation. The only people who have any idea what's going to happen with Belichick are Jonathan and Robert Kraft, and those two are not going to say anything until they do it.

I agree with you, buuuuuuuuut...

The writing has been on the wall for like a year+. Kraft's comments since late last year, in a letter to Season ticket holders, and public comments during this season all indicate that he has had enough of losing and the team looking bad. If he was upset last year after a lackluster finish, and commented at least twice this year that this was not the year they had envisioned and that he VERY much hoped things would improve (only for things to get worse) that he's only going to be MORE upset by now.

And upset owners usually get rid of the cause, especially if said cause has had 4 years to right the ship and things have only gotten worse.

So, he's not going to have told anyone what he's going to do, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is likely it for Belichick barring some utter miracle.



On the upside, maybe the OTHER rumor this week is true and we can trade Bill to Carolina. xD


EDIT: just realized my signature is Bill and Mac Jones. Guess I'll need to make a new one next season...

[Vetali]

If an owner is saying in public that hes already made his decision... yeah... BB is out.

5D Jailer chess tier would be for Kraft to have BB "retire" a season, then trade him for draft picks. I think at his age though he can't afford to skip a season if hes gonna continue.

Had a discussion at work about it. Chargers would be a plug and play for BB with a team fringe-y enough for BB to elevate to being competitive. Can't really think of another team off the top of my head.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

If an owner is saying in public that hes already made his decision... yeah... BB is out.

5D Jailer chess tier would be for Kraft to have BB "retire" a season, then trade him for draft picks. I think at his age though he can't afford to skip a season if hes gonna continue.

Had a discussion at work about it. Chargers would be a plug and play for BB with a team fringe-y enough for BB to elevate to being competitive. Can't really think of another team off the top of my head.

Yeah. Obviously the raiders will always be in conversations about superstar coaches but would they really fire BB's offensive guru just to trade for BB?

[xskarma]

Yeah. Obviously the raiders will always be in conversations about superstar coaches but would they really fire BB's offensive guru just to trade for BB?

Only in @Northern Goblin 's worst nightmares. xD

[cordrann]

And upset owners usually get rid of the cause, especially if said cause has had 4 years to right the ship and things have only gotten worse.

So, he's not going to have told anyone what he's going to do, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is likely it for Belichick barring some utter miracle.



On the upside, maybe the OTHER rumor this week is true and we can trade Bill to Carolina. xD


EDIT: just realized my signature is Bill and Mac Jones. Guess I'll need to make a new one next season...

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think getting rid of Mac Jones and getting a legitimate starting QB would go a lot further to turning the franchise around than getting rid of Belichick would. Bailey Zappe looks better than Mac Jones did and he did it without Douglas and Bourne. When you consider the reports that Belichick didn't want to draft Jones and was pressured by Kraft into drafting a QB, I think getting rid of Belichick is the worst move Kraft can make. If the team still sucks next year all of a sudden Kraft can't point at Belichick and claim he has total control of football operations.

[draynay]

The way Belichick has been chewing through QB prospects I doubt they're gonna find somebody that works out.

[xskarma]

The way Belichick has been chewing through QB prospects I doubt they're gonna find somebody that works out.

Young QB? Sure, doubt it too. But then see my rant from a while back, allowing Belichick to bring in a veteran QB to take the reigns is just feeding into his comfy old age issue, where he wants to do things on his terms, and doesn't want to deal with (young) people he has no previous bond with and who are not livign up to his (impossible) standards.

I'll die on the hill that Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all time, and did so in the hardest era to be a coach in, but I also think the fit in New England is a bad one, and he needs to be forced out of his comfort zone again to reinvent himself if he wants to continue being a successful coach in the current NFL.

Remember, Andy Reid had to be let go by the Eagles too and find himself again in KC before he ultimately broke through. I think a similar situation is needed for BB too. Cause I definitely think he's still a top 5 coach. Just that he can't be that in NE with everything being to his wishes and demands. He needs to feel the nip on his heels again. Fight for his place.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

Young QB? Sure, doubt it too. But then see my rant from a while back, allowing Belichick to bring in a veteran QB to take the reigns is just feeding into his comfy old age issue, where he wants to do things on his terms, and doesn't want to deal with (young) people he has no previous bond with and who are not livign up to his (impossible) standards.

I'll die on the hill that Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all time, and did so in the hardest era to be a coach in, but I also think the fit in New England is a bad one, and he needs to be forced out of his comfort zone again to reinvent himself if he wants to continue being a successful coach in the current NFL.

Remember, Andy Reid had to be let go by the Eagles too and find himself again in KC before he ultimately broke through. I think a similar situation is needed for BB too. Cause I definitely think he's still a top 5 coach. Just that he can't be that in NE with everything being to his wishes and demands. He needs to feel the nip on his heels again. Fight for his place.

Yeah it tends to happen to coaches after long enough. McCarthy had it too in GB, his system had gotten outpaced by the rest of the league and nobody in the building was really listening to him anymore. Took a year off, got a job with Dallas, and they're probably the 2nd or 3rd best team in the NFC now. And that was with only about 10 years, BB's been in NE what 20 years now?

[xskarma]

Yeah it tends to happen to coaches after long enough. McCarthy had it too in GB, his system had gotten outpaced by the rest of the league and nobody in the building was really listening to him anymore. Took a year off, got a job with Dallas, and they're probably the 2nd or 3rd best team in the NFC now. And that was with only about 10 years, BB's been in NE what 20 years now?

I was actually talking to a Cowboy fan about McCarthy, and that I was ready for him to flame out in Dallas, especially after his disaster first year there. I figured McCarthy was on the fast track to being a media talking head. But he totally turned it around. (though the Cowboys fan I was talking to was quick to point to the DC, Dan Quinn as the main reason for Dallas current strong season.)

But yeah, good point. McCarthy had a similar arc.