2016 - NFL

[Man in Black]

I'm not going into it right now, because it gets me so frustrated... and I don't need that right now... but I've about had enough of football with all the National Anthem stuff. I don't think I can pull for my Dolphins as long as those 4 who pulled that stunt on 9-11 are playing for them. That was a disgusting act and I'm very disappointed in Arian Foster. All I have to say about it really - You can't argue logic against absolute ignorance and disrespect... there's no point.

[Jason]

Yeah. It's enraging to see all these players pulling that crap. And all it's doing is encouraging those thugs to pull these "peaceful riots" like the one in Charlotte. The double standard by the NFL is ridiculous, too. You can protest the anthem, but if you wear red white and blue cleats or a blue stripe in honor of the police, you'll get fined.

The most infuriating thing of all was the MLB banning that Mariners player for life for calling the rioters in Charlotte animals. Banned for life from baseball. I guess freedom of speech doesn't exist if the left-wing social justice warriors disagree with it. Ended a man's career because of his point of view on a violent riot. Complete horse shit.

I really hope Trump gets elected.

[Man in Black]

I'm going to stay away from the politics this year... not voting.

I wish I had an answer... but I don't. I've prayed hard about it this time and as of now I'm being led not to participate. Doesn't matter anyway, I believe it has already been decided as always and our single votes don't go toward an electing total.

Didn't hear about the Mariners player... but that sucks.

[Man in Black]

Man, I have to stand up for my Panthers just a bit, especially Cam. Here goes... I realize that every team has injuries and that the games go on. BUT... Carolina lost the top corner in the league and then cut their remaining starting CB at season's start... plus Jared Allen retired and they let Roman Harper go. That's a top 5 defense decimated. Add to that that Carolina's best player and imo the best defender in the NFL has been on the bench for a month - Keuchly.

As far as the offense goes. They've never had a #1 wr since Smith left. Greg Olsen is great, but he's their only threat. Stewart has been hurt half the year. The thing that has kept this team completely out of it is an ailment that has held many good teams down... the O-Line is DEAD. The leader of the offense center Kalil has missed most of the year as have Michael Oher and the other starters - and for multiple games Carolina has started the 4th string center. No team is going to win much with all this crap going on. And it is completely unfair to blame Cam.



Now for a bit of a rant. WTF are the officials and league trying to do by letting Cam Newton be destroyed with constant unflagged late and helmet to helmet hits? I can cite and PROVE over 10 instances where Cam was targeted in the head and no foul was called, plus several late hits on slides - Not to mention I'd be willing to bet that nobody else can find 10 similar cases for every other QB combined this year.

Cam and the coaching staff have all said that we are NOT complaining about any of the legal hits while he is a runner. He initiates contact and likes it. The contention is the continuous launching and using the crown of the helmet when Newton is in the pocket or going to the ground. At no time has anyone from the Panthers said that Cam shouldn't be tackled like a running back or receiver... just call the same f@$kng targeting penalties you would for backs and wrs. And darned sure call the late hits in the pocket that other passers get.

I'm sick of this happening to ANY player. But, this is my Son's favorite player and one of mine and having been around him on several occasions and seen how geniuine he is... it needs to stop. Cam is good for our city and very important to the league. WAKE da fuk up NFL.

Here is me backing up my words:

According to Rule 7, Section 2, Article 1 of the NFL's rulebook: A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide. This does not mean that all contact by a defender is illegal. If a defender has already committed himself, and the contact is unavoidable, it is not a foul unless the defender commits some other act, such as helmet-to-helmet contact or by driving his forearm or shoulder into the head or neck area of the runner.

Nowhere does any rule differentiate between a "running qb" or other position.



So the defender leaves his feet after Newton goes feet first and hits helmet to helmet. This is EXACTLY what has been happening all year and it is by definition of the rule a personal foul on the defender on two counts. So... what happens? Cam gets a 15yd taunting call for slinging the ball out of bounds. ESPN analyst/former official on call Jerry Austin (the referee GOAT btw) cites the rule and says without a doubt it should have been a foul.

And the targeting crown of the helmet deal is across the board for all players. It has nothing to do with position or if the player is runner or passer. In fact, they are even supposed to call RBs that lower their head and intentionally contact defenders with the helmet.

I hate to bring up players I'm known to be... uh, not fond of, but what if this was happening to Tom Brady. I have NEVER not ONCE seen Brady, Rodgers, Brees and even my favorites Manning and Marino take one single hit on one single play as obvious as this one and NOT GET THE CALL. It does not happen. Even before the player safety rules came into being... the play in the vid above is a defensive penalty.

I honestly don't think Cam Newton has many more years left in him if it continues this way... and that is sad.

[Jason]

I've been ranting in my own head about the NFL for like ten years, now. It is a completely different sport than the one I'm accustomed to seeing. And in the worst way. My interest has slowly been fading away for years. Getting Manning helped me to stay invested, but it really only prolonged the inevitable. That KC game was "the straw that broke the camel's back". We had that game won twice over and the referees still made some of the most unreal calls I've ever seen. My "die hard fan" days are definitely over. I'm sure I'll follow the Broncos forever, but my excitement with every victory and deflation after every loss is pretty much gone, now. I'm glad when we win, not broken up about it at all when we lose. Baseball is legitimately my favorite sport, now.

At this point I'm really just counting my blessings as a football fan. I got to watch my team win 3 Super Bowls in 18 years. Most people can't say that. I'm still gonna be watching the games but any emotional investment is long gone.

Let's get one for Detroit, this year.

[Man in Black]

Yeah, you are in the same football boat that I'm in with basketball! My Spurs are a dynasty and the ACC has a chance for a title every year in hoops.

I've been watching football as my favorite sport for 40 years... I've seen my Fins lose a SB twice... the one with Marino against SF hurt as bad as any loss I've ever experienced. He was one man against a super team that could not exist today... a team that operated much as the Pats do today, but with a giant loophole in the salary cap that allowed them to employ the NFC Pro Bowl squad. Then I had to listen to how that loss proved that Montana was a better qb than Dan for years following.

Only the Clemson team of 1981 won it all for me... and I was so young then that I thought it was gonna happen all the time from then on. 35 years later, I'm still waiting for another, or my first SB win. I'm definitely not complaining... I'll take one Dan Marino on my favorite team as opposed to anything and everything the poor Browns fans have had during my life. But... it would mean a lot to get just one.

To go back to what you just posted... it's funny, but this year has made me feel almost identical to what you do. The whole National Anthem thing just killed the 1st half of the season for me. I did do the fantasy and keep up, but just like you my heart was not in it at all... and for the first time in my life I honestly hoped the Dolphins would lose for a few games... as long as Arian Foster was starting or playing. To do what they did on Sept. 11th was the dumbest most selfish act I've ever seen an athlete do at a sporting event. They have absolutely NO idea what the flag means.

I'm still pretty invested in Clemson, I'm not sure anyone can beat Alabama - the NFL's AAA squad. But, I'm darned proud of my Tigers making the Playoff 2 years in a row. And if not for an onsides kick we might have had it last year. My heart is with them... but if I had to bet the farm (petting zoo) I'd have to go with that rat Saban and company.

[Jason]

We're gonna have to hear that crap about Brady being better than Manning. Especially if New England wins another Super Bowl. "Birdy has 5 rings. He is obviously better than everyone, u idiotz. Everyone cheats." That crap certainly doesn't make it any easier to be a fan.

Brandon Marshall of Denver was the only guy on the team who kneel'd during the National Anthem, but a few games in he gave it up. I'm glad, but that "Kaepernick stunt" will always leave me a little bit sour on him.

I'll always love Dan, though.