2012 NFL General Thread

[PenPho]

The retired players are now going after the NFL over head injuries.

This could turn very, very big and bad for the NFL, and not just financially.  This could lead to parents preventing their kids from ever getting into the game.  I wouldn't let any of the Murtons do anything beyond field goal kicking.

Maybe this will finally get the PEDs out of the NFL.  Smaller guys would mean less violent impacts and fewer concussions.

Quite possible. I'm more in the group that sees technological advances in protection as the answer. They're already developing headgear that's much more effective, and it's also amazing how simple changes like last year's annoying kick off rule helped to greatless reduce concussions.

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc. 

Still, there's a reason that I put baseball stuff all over my son's walls before he was born.

Because he's Jewish.

[Chuck to Chuck]

[SKO]

I was always amused back in the day when the 2nd or 3rd autocomplete search when you googled Rex Grossman was "Rex Grossman Jewish?." The answer is no, but apparently the Tribe's greed is so insatiable that they're trying to snatch even Rex Grossman within their fiendish claws.

[PenPho]

I was always amused back in the day when the 2nd or 3rd autocomplete search when you googled Rex Grossman was "Rex Grossman Jewish?." The answer is no, but apparently the Tribe's greed is so insatiable that they're trying to snatch even Rex Grossman within their fiendish claws.

In Google's defense, every "Grossman" I've known is Jewish.

That said, "Rex" is not really standard fare.

[Chuck to Chuck]

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc.  

I agree that advanced helmet technology (read: softer, not harder) and larger rosters would do a great deal to help.

And getting back to offensive linemen sizes from the 80's would also help.  Keith Van Horne played at 278 if I recall my Blues Brothers Poster correctly (Huey?).  That would mean stopping PEDs for real.

[Eli]

A friend of mine insists that getting rid of facemasks would stop players from using their helmets as a weapon. I don't think he came up with this.

Someone tell me what to think of that idea.

[PenPho]

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc.  

I agree that advanced helmet technology (read: softer, not harder) and larger rosters would do a great deal to help.

And getting back to offensive linemen sizes from the 80's would also help.  Keith Van Horne played at 278 if I recall my Blues Brothers Poster correctly (Huey?).  That would mean stopping PEDs for real.

PEDs aside, aren't people just generally bigger and stronger?

I've seen those P90x commercials, I know what's going on. 

[Chuck to Chuck]

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc.  

I agree that advanced helmet technology (read: softer, not harder) and larger rosters would do a great deal to help.

And getting back to offensive linemen sizes from the 80's would also help.  Keith Van Horne played at 278 if I recall my Blues Brothers Poster correctly (Huey?).  That would mean stopping PEDs for real.

PEDs aside, aren't people just generally bigger and stronger?

I've seen those P90x commercials, I know what's going on. 

I have a hard time believing it's only better exercise and diet that have taken us from the biggest OTs weighing in at 280 to the smallest at 300+ in only 30 years.

I'd put the odds on it being all natural at about the same as BC joking about menstrual cycles.

[Internet Apex]

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc.  

I agree that advanced helmet technology (read: softer, not harder) and larger rosters would do a great deal to help.

And getting back to offensive linemen sizes from the 80's would also help.  Keith Van Horne played at 278 if I recall my Blues Brothers Poster correctly (Huey?).  That would mean stopping PEDs for real.

PEDs aside, aren't people just generally bigger and stronger?

I've seen those P90x commercials, I know what's going on.  

I have a hard time believing it's only better exercise and diet that have taken us from the biggest OTs weighing in at 280 to the smallest at 300+ in only 30 years.

I'd put the odds on it being all natural at about the same as BC joking about menstrual cycles.

I don't understand this Chuck comparison at all. I also don't think you want to do away with PEDs completely. If you like the sport, and want to see your favorite players compete, you can't do away with drugs that help them heal fast enough to do so. One way or another, we're talking about the end of days for the NFL. At least as far as it being the top sport in the land. The other shoe is about to drop and we can either ignore it and allow these guys to kill themselves for big money or pretend to be outraged when all we want is blood and murder and death. Pick one of those two or watch basketball.

[PenPho]

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc.  

I agree that advanced helmet technology (read: softer, not harder) and larger rosters would do a great deal to help.

And getting back to offensive linemen sizes from the 80's would also help.  Keith Van Horne played at 278 if I recall my Blues Brothers Poster correctly (Huey?).  That would mean stopping PEDs for real.

PEDs aside, aren't people just generally bigger and stronger?

I've seen those P90x commercials, I know what's going on.  

I have a hard time believing it's only better exercise and diet that have taken us from the biggest OTs weighing in at 280 to the smallest at 300+ in only 30 years.

I'd put the odds on it being all natural at about the same as BC joking about menstrual cycles.

I don't understand this Chuck comparison at all. I also don't think you want to do away with PEDs completely. If you like the sport, and want to see your favorite players compete, you can't do away with drugs that help them heal fast enough to do so. One way or another, we're talking about the end of days for the NFL. At least as far as it being the top sport in the land. The other shoe is about to drop and we can either ignore it and allow these guys to kill themselves for big money or pretend to be outraged when all we want is blood and murder and death. Pick one of those two or watch basketball.

So, you put the odds on something that you think is false on the same level as something you know is true?

I don't gamble much, but I don't think it works that way.

[Gilgamesh]

I totally understand Chuck's point, but I think that the injuries caused by stronger, fastest athletes are likely offset by having better diagnoses, more medical staff, mandatory tests for concussions, etc.  

I agree that advanced helmet technology (read: softer, not harder) and larger rosters would do a great deal to help.

And getting back to offensive linemen sizes from the 80's would also help.  Keith Van Horne played at 278 if I recall my Blues Brothers Poster correctly (Huey?).  That would mean stopping PEDs for real.

PEDs aside, aren't people just generally bigger and stronger?

I've seen those P90x commercials, I know what's going on.  

I have a hard time believing it's only better exercise and diet that have taken us from the biggest OTs weighing in at 280 to the smallest at 300+ in only 30 years.

I'd put the odds on it being all natural at about the same as BC joking about menstrual cycles.

I don't understand this Chuck comparison at all. I also don't think you want to do away with PEDs completely. If you like the sport, and want to see your favorite players compete, you can't do away with drugs that help them heal fast enough to do so. One way or another, we're talking about the end of days for the NFL. At least as far as it being the top sport in the land. The other shoe is about to drop and we can either ignore it and allow these guys to kill themselves for big money or pretend to be outraged when all we want is blood and murder and death. Pick one of those two or watch basketball.

So, you put the odds on something that you think is false on the same level as something you know is true?

I don't gamble much, but I don't think it works that way.

I'd like to gamble with Apex.  Do shut up, Pen.

[Chuck to Chuck]

I also don't think you want to do away with PEDs completely. If you like the sport, and want to see your favorite players compete, you can't do away with drugs that help them heal fast enough to do so. One way or another, we're talking about the end of days for the NFL. At least as far as it being the top sport in the land. The other shoe is about to drop and we can either ignore it and allow these guys to kill themselves for big money or pretend to be outraged when all we want is blood and murder and death. Pick one of those two or watch basketball.

I don't care about PEDs.  I'm of the libertarian mindset that if these guys want to trade 20+ years of lifespan and quality of life for millions of dollars, go right ahead.  Who is anyone to tell another what to do with their body?  All I'm saying is that the size and speed of the guys playing today suggest that PED prevention systems in place now don't appear to be working.  Further, if the NFL is serious about reducing its injury liability it may want to really eliminate PEDs and not put on a nice show for the general public.  That would mean real, year round random tests and penalties such as expulsion for players who are caught.

I'd miss my NFL.  I like seeing guys beat the shit out of each other for 3 feet of grass at a time.  And I like getting paid to lend people money who broadcast it.  But the likely bullshit facade the NFL has created around policing PEDs may actually be placing the whole league at risk.

Ultimately, it's not my money and my career that's at risk.  I'd watch more movies and lend money elsewhere.

[Internet Apex]

I also don't think you want to do away with PEDs completely. If you like the sport, and want to see your favorite players compete, you can't do away with drugs that help them heal fast enough to do so. One way or another, we're talking about the end of days for the NFL. At least as far as it being the top sport in the land. The other shoe is about to drop and we can either ignore it and allow these guys to kill themselves for big money or pretend to be outraged when all we want is blood and murder and death. Pick one of those two or watch basketball.

I don't care about PEDs.  I'm of the libertarian mindset that if these guys want to trade 20+ years of lifespan and quality of life for millions of dollars, go right ahead.  Who is anyone to tell another what to do with their body?  All I'm saying is that the size and speed of the guys playing today suggest that PED prevention systems in place now don't appear to be working.  Further, if the NFL is serious about reducing its injury liability it may want to really eliminate PEDs and not put on a nice show for the general public.  That would mean real, year round random tests and penalties such as expulsion for players who are caught.

I'd miss my NFL.  I like seeing guys beat the shit out of each other for 3 feet of grass at a time.  And I like getting paid to lend people money who broadcast it.  But the likely bullshit facade the NFL has created around policing PEDs may actually be placing the whole league at risk.

Ultimately, it's not my money and my career that's at risk.  I'd watch more movies and lend money elsewhere.

Nobody can say for sure that HGH takes 20+ off of someone's life. The next big thing is right around the corner. It may cure AIDS. Who the fuck knows. People hear PED and they automatically think of anabolic steroids which are known to cause all kinds of horrible shit to happen. But HGH? I don't know.

[Slaky]

I also don't think you want to do away with PEDs completely. If you like the sport, and want to see your favorite players compete, you can't do away with drugs that help them heal fast enough to do so. One way or another, we're talking about the end of days for the NFL. At least as far as it being the top sport in the land. The other shoe is about to drop and we can either ignore it and allow these guys to kill themselves for big money or pretend to be outraged when all we want is blood and murder and death. Pick one of those two or watch basketball.

I don't care about PEDs.  I'm of the libertarian mindset that if these guys want to trade 20+ years of lifespan and quality of life for millions of dollars, go right ahead.  Who is anyone to tell another what to do with their body?  All I'm saying is that the size and speed of the guys playing today suggest that PED prevention systems in place now don't appear to be working.  Further, if the NFL is serious about reducing its injury liability it may want to really eliminate PEDs and not put on a nice show for the general public.  That would mean real, year round random tests and penalties such as expulsion for players who are caught.

I'd miss my NFL.  I like seeing guys beat the shit out of each other for 3 feet of grass at a time.  And I like getting paid to lend people money who broadcast it.  But the likely bullshit facade the NFL has created around policing PEDs may actually be placing the whole league at risk.

Ultimately, it's not my money and my career that's at risk.  I'd watch more movies and lend money elsewhere.

Nobody can say for sure that HGH takes 20+ off of someone's life. The next big thing is right around the corner. It may cure AIDS. Who the fuck knows. People hear PED and they automatically think of anabolic steroids which are known to cause all kinds of horrible shit to happen. But HGH? I don't know.

Good point! **Downs bomber of lukewarm HGH. Punches out horse**

[R-V]

I'm just a simple caveman, but isn't the NFL so jaw-droppingly profitable that the owners could afford to pay several metric shit tons of money in damages to retired players, spend a metric shit ton of money more on gold-plated health insurance for current players, and *still* remain a ridiculously profitable enterprise?

I guess I don't see this as being a GAME CHANGING DEATH BLOW to a league that's more popular than free rim jobs.