Big Blue Huddle

This year's potential neutral site AFC Championship game has caused discussion about the NFL potentially going to that format for all Conference Championship games. 

According to some this is not just idle talk, but something the NFL office wants to move forward with at some point in the near future.  Pat Kirwan has said recently on NFL Radio that his sources in the NFL office on Park Ave have told him it's not if, it's when. 

It's obviously something they feel will make more money.  I do not understand how moving a game creates more revenue and significant revenues at that.  Personally I hate this idea and am curious how everyone here feels about it. 

Right now there are two advantages to getting the #1 seed: 1) a bye week, 2) home field throughout the playoffs.

This would take one of those advantages away. I suspect in the NFLs never ending drive for more revenue that we will also see an 8th team added to the playoffs at some point which would take away any advantage to being the  #1 seed vs being #2.  Which leads me to this:  If these things do happen, I would fully expect to see more teams resting players in week 18.

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2023/01/21/nfl-ponders-taking-conference-championship-games-to-neutral-sites/

No Giants on the 1st team, but 2 on the 2nd team.

First team:You cannot view this attachment.

Second team:You cannot view this attachment. 

According to Ian Rapoport it looks like Lamar will not be able to play this weekend


https://www.nfl.com/news/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-knee-faces-an-uphill-battle-to-play-vs-bengals

 

Not much to say about the early game 

Watching the 2nd game, cant help but think it's no wonder Clemson won a national title.  Two of the guys from that team are fast rising stars at their positions,  and both are named Lawrence.

Here is the list of finalists (not including coaches, contributors, old-timers):

CB Darrelle Revis
OT Joe Thomas
OT Willie Anderson
WR Torry Holt
WR Reggie Wayne
PR/KR/WR Devin Hester
WR Andre Johnson
DE Jared Allen
DE/LB DeMarcus Ware
LB Zach Thomas
DE Dwight Freeney
CB Albert Lewis
DB Ronde Barber
LB Patrick Willis
S Darren Woodson

Anyone watching?

My first big observation-  both teams wear orange.

This is my first time seeing Joe Milton.  Seems to have a really strong arm. 1st TD pass was pretty.

A couple of good games earlier as well.

Four games left.
Giants control their own destiny.

Remaining schedule:
@ Commanders
@ Viking
Colts
@ Eagles


Wanted to see how everyone feels at this point coming off the worst loss of the season and headed into the final stretch with 3 of 4 on the road.

Thought this was a pretty fun list to look at. 

A couple of long time Giants, and a couple that were with the team for shorter stints

https://rickgosselin.com/the-all-time-nfl-undrafteds-team

I started a MNF thread with this subject as it was the 3rd play of the game.

First I feel bad for him.

Next I have to wonder when he will be ready for the 2023 season. 

Third play of the game and Murray gets carted off from a non-contact injury.

https://twitter.com/nflrums/status/1602479243937845249?t=In59fSXNgwXVHEm9-qrQ8A&s=19

I think I am probably in the minority but I really think signing Barkley to a 4 year extension (or new deal) is the right thing to do. 

First, let's get this out in the open:  I am a huge Barkley fan and loved it when they drafted him.  I watch all Penn St games and was awed by his ability to take over games even with limited blocking. He has said the right things and done the right things as a Giant. He is a local guy as well.  I could go on, but I think the point is made.  I am not denying that my emotion is playing into this thought process.

However, there are certainly logical reasons to sign him. 

He is the offense's MVP and best player(you could argue Andrew Thomas is the best player).  He is elite at his position and is the focal point for opposing defenses' game plan.   In other words, he makes everyone around him better because they have to plan for him. That leaves practice squad receivers single covered.  That gives Daniel Jones extra time to throw when there is a play fake.

When OBJ was jettisoned one of the criticisms was that teams shouldn't get rid of elite difference makers at skill positions.   I think that applies here.  The Giants are building a team, you do that with great cornerstone players and he is absolutely one of them. 

Last year I didn't feel the same way, partially because his play wasn't as well rounded as it is this year.  His blocking was subpar which he turned around and he didn't run downhill, which has also changed.   He makes those tough runs between the tackles that were absent in prior years. Those two things also show he is coachable and a player that is continually looking to improve.  That shouldn't go unnoticed, especially for a guy of his talent. He is a complete RB with absurd abilities for his size and has the right mental makeup.

In terms of cost, the highest paid RB now has a contract that averages 16M/year.  If they offered a contract of 17M/year that is still only about 65% of what teams pay for WRs of the same level (best WRs are averaging 25 - 30 million/year).  And he touches the ball a lot more than any WR. In that way he is an absolute bargain for a difference maker. 

His injuries are a concern but I think we can agree he has fully healed.  Will he have another major injury?  No one knows that.  WRs get injured too (see Jamarr Chase for reference).  I do think he has at least 4 solid years left and for him that means being among the league leaders in yards from scrimmage. He was that as a rookie with an awful line and he is that right now with a better but not great line.  Add a difference maker at WR and this offense could be a juggernaut.   

Let him walk and you get a comp pick and an offense that takes a huge step backwards and probably a lower level of play from guys that benefit from him being there.

Here is the link:
http://m.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-win-title-30-13-35-059-thrilled-fans-mob-heroes-cops-article-1.1999002?utm_content=buffere1c8e&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDNSportsTw