2020 NFL Thread

[LedZeppfan1977]

Andy Dalton signs with Dallas!  A clear message from JJ that Dak Prescott will not get what he wants financially!!!!  For the first time ever I am on the owners side.

[Strider]

It's Sunday and I'm ready for some football. So it's back in the wayback machine to continue marching through the 1983 Raiders season.

October 23, 1983. It's week 8 and the Raiders make their first visit to Texas Stadium to play the Dallas Cowboys. As Frank Gifford jokes, it's as if Darth Vader has come to kidnap Little Orphan Annie.

After starting 4-0 the Raiders dropped two of their next three games (close losses to the Redskins and Seahawks) and QB Jim Plunkett looked shakey. So for this primetime matchup on ABC's Sunday Night Football (yes...every now and then ABC would have a Saturday Night or Sunday Night game along with their usual Monday Night Football slot), the Raiders started Marc Wilson instead of Plunkett.

Danny White was the QB for the undefeated Dallas Cowboys (7-0).

Count the number of Hall of Famers on the field for both teams. A wild fun game to watch...much like the Raiders-Redskins game earlier.

Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, and OJ Simpson on the call. Where was Howard Cosell, you ask? Covering the 1983 World Series between Philadelphia and Baltimore.

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by Strider

[Strider]

Sad news from Miami. The legend is dead. Don Shula has passed away at age 90. R.I.P.

After the Raiders, the Miami Dolphins were my second-favourite team in the NFL. Especially the 1970s Dolphins, when their games would be on nearly every other week. Cowboys, Dolphins, Steelers, and Raiders...you could count on one of those teams being on tv every week.

Don Shula looked like a football coach. When you thought of a what a football coach should be, you probably either pictured Vince Lombardi or Don Shula in your mind.

What a profile that guy had.

Poor Paul, the biggest Dolphins fan on this forum.

Of course, some people may prefer to remember Don Shula as coach of the Baltimore Colts.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article242480281.html

Edited May 4, 2020 by Strider

[LedZeppfan1977]

55 minutes ago, Strider said:

Sad news from Miami. The legend is dead. Don Shula has passed away at age 90. R.I.P.

After the Raiders, the Miami Dolphins were my second-favourite team in the NFL. Especially the 1970s Dolphins, when their games would be on nearly every other week. Cowboys, Dolphins, Steelers, and Raiders...you could count on one of those teams being on tv every week.

Don Shula looked like a football coach. When you thought of a what a football coach should be, you probably either pictured Vince Lombardi or Don Shula in your mind.

What a profile that guy had.

Poor Paul, the biggest Dolphins fan on this forum.

Of course, some people may prefer to remember Don Shula as coach of the Baltimore Colts.

https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article242480281.html

I was shocked to see this.  I was at the last game Shula ever coached, a playoff game in Buffalo.  Great coach and innovator of the game.  He took the Colts to that famous Super Bowl 3 also lets not forget before his great years in Miami.  You cannot forget the Baltimore Colts and Browns in the old days Sean. Both were powerhouse teams. Its a shame to see Don go.

[LedZeppfan1977]

Bills on MNF twice. No snub this year.  At 49ers and NE.  We are going to win the East.  Book it

[Walter]

Cowboys v Lambs - week 1

[Strider]

49 minutes ago, Walter said:

Cowboys v Lambs - week 1

Yeah....but what year?

[Walter]

Just now, Strider said:

Yeah....but what year?

Didn’t you hear? The King has proclaimed the season will start on time....

[Strider]

The Las Vegas Raiders. Ugh, I just can't...Las Vegas is one of my least favourite cities.

[Walter]

5 hours ago, Strider said:

The Las Vegas Raiders. Ugh, I just can't...Las Vegas is one of my least favourite cities.

Are you now a free agent fan? 

[Strider]

2 hours ago, Walter said:

Are you now a free agent fan? 

Good question. It would appear so. I know one thing...there is no way in hell I can switch to the Lambs or the Chargers. I have hated them all of my life.

San Francisco...I have no hatred for but no ties either. Whereas I am surrounded by Seattle fans. My mom, half-brother, best bud, godson, sister and brother-in-law, various cousins...even your Junior, haha...are all part of the Seahawks flock.

It would be simpler and cause less friction in the family if I started cheering for the Seahawks.

 

[Walter]

2 hours ago, Strider said:

Good question. It would appear so. I know one thing...there is no way in hell I can switch to the Lambs or the Chargers. I have hated them all of my life.

San Francisco...I have no hatred for but no ties either. Whereas I am surrounded by Seattle fans. My mom, half-brother, best bud, godson, sister and brother-in-law, various cousins...even your Junior, haha...are all part of the Seahawks flock.

It would be simpler and cause less friction in the family if I started cheering for the Seahawks.

 

Easy and simpler doesn’t make it right.... Go Cowboys! 🤩

[Badgeholder Still]

8 hours ago, Strider said:

Good question. It would appear so. I know one thing...there is no way in hell I can switch to the Lambs or the Chargers. I have hated them all of my life.

San Francisco...I have no hatred for but no ties either. Whereas I am surrounded by Seattle fans. My mom, half-brother, best bud, godson, sister and brother-in-law, various cousins...even your Junior, haha...are all part of the Seahawks flock.

It would be simpler and cause less friction in the family if I started cheering for the Seahawks.

It appears you've been a Raider fan since long before they were in L.A. What difference does Vegas make? They're still the Raiders. Tradition, loyalty and personal history have no impact here? 

A mute point for now. I don't expect there will be a season this year. 

[Bong-Man]

I think there's going to be an NFL season.  People were laughing at the NFL 3 weeks before holding the draft, and they pulled that off.  I actually enjoyed the broadcast more than usual.  Instead of all the fluff, we got pure football.  However if I was the player's union, and considering the monetary size of the tv contracts, I wouldn't step on the field without testing before every game. 

Besides, Todd Gurley's ex-wife really needs the cash.  

[Strider]

5 hours ago, Badgeholder Still said:

It appears you've been a Raider fan since long before they were in L.A. What difference does Vegas make? They're still the Raiders. Tradition, loyalty and personal history have no impact here? 

A mute point for now. I don't expect there will be a season this year. 

Yes. But here's the thing...whether in Oakland or Los Angeles, they were still in California and still on the coast. If they had moved to San Diego or San Jose or Anaheim or anywhere within the Golden State, I would have had no problem. 

But Las Vegas is a different kettle of fish. 

I'm not going to root against them. My heartstrings will still tug when I see the Raider logo and silver and black uniforms. I hope they aren't changing the uniforms.

But I don't think I'll have the same passion. In fact, I don't think I'll have a passion for any team now. I'll watch and enjoy the games as a fan of football and will still wish the Raiders well.

But am I going to buy Las Vegas Raider gear? No. I'll stick with my old Raider gear.

[Strider]

13 hours ago, Walter said:

Easy and simpler doesn’t make it right.... Go Cowboys! 🤩

Ha. If I really wanted to make my life easier I would switch to my girlfriend's team...New England. Somehow, I think you would like that even less than me cheering for the Seahawks.

The Patriot fans here would probably love it, though.

[Badgeholder Still]

23 hours ago, Strider said:

Yes. But here's the thing...whether in Oakland or Los Angeles, they were still in California and still on the coast. If they had moved to San Diego or San Jose or Anaheim or anywhere within the Golden State, I would have had no problem. 

But Las Vegas is a different kettle of fish. 

I'm not going to root against them. My heartstrings will still tug when I see the Raider logo and silver and black uniforms. I hope they aren't changing the uniforms.

But I don't think I'll have the same passion. In fact, I don't think I'll have a passion for any team now. I'll watch and enjoy the games as a fan of football and will still wish the Raiders well.

But am I going to buy Las Vegas Raider gear? No. I'll stick with my old Raider gear.

That's fair. After 40 years, i only watch with 0 expectations and hopes for the best.

But if my team, the Vikings, decides to relocate, and it's, say, Portland, Boise or Vegas.. fuckin a.. I'm interested to see what an NFL package to Vegas is like. 

As someone who doesn't gamble, i was forever not interested in Vegas. I ended up flying in in 2014 to see Motorhead open for Megadeth and had a blast. They didn't know i wasn't going to leave my money behind, but they still treated me as a valued customer. 24 hour food, drink.. now weed's legal. Dunno what took so long, but i seems like perfect timing for Vegas and the NFL to fly me in for a good time. I'm definitely more likely to fly into Vegas than Minneapolis for a game. And to coordinate a show with a game, let's do it.

And your team relocated there. Like, congratulations.

[Strider]

The only NFL pregame show that mattered. R.I.P. Phyllis George. 

And she was married briefly to wild man Hollywood producer Robert Evans. Man, that must have been a wild courtship.

Brent, Phyllis, Irv, and Jimmy the Greek on CBS every Sunday morning from September to January. There isn't a woman in sports television today that doesn't owe a debt of gratitude to Phyllis George.

[Walter]

1 hour ago, Strider said:

The only NFL pregame show that mattered. R.I.P. Phyllis George. 

And she was married briefly to wild man Hollywood producer Robert Evans. Man, that must have been a wild courtship.

Brent, Phyllis, Irv, and Jimmy the Greek on CBS every Sunday morning from September to January. There isn't a woman in sports television today that doesn't owe a debt of gratitude to Phyllis George.

Yup. Back when CBS carried the NFC games and John Madden was revolutionizing broadcasting. Jimmy “The Greek”! 🤣🤣🤣

[LedZeppfan1977]

11 hours ago, Walter said:

Yup. Back when CBS carried the NFC games and John Madden was revolutionizing broadcasting. Jimmy “The Greek”! 🤣🤣🤣

I had black friend who used to bet the games with me, and he said at the time that Jimmy the Greek was railroaded.  He said the Greek was right in everything he said and it was not racist.  Jimmy the Greek said a few things that stuck with me.  One was, "never take a team with the points unless you believe they can win the game out right".  Lots of good advice he had.  He set the bar for all bookies and sports book casino's.  

Now assuming they play, and I do believe they will in some form or another, fans or no fans, my Buffalo Bills are now officially the favorites to win the East.  My best long shot bet for a team getting no respect in Vegas are the Arizona Cardinals.  I believe they are a wild card team for sure. The Falcons and Lions are my other two dogs that could surprise.  Green Bay is way over rated.  The Rams, said to say, are likely in for a long year given the loss of some key players and I hate the new uniforms from what I have seen.  The Rams and Vikings to me have always had the best uniforms in the game.  Why mess with that? And the Rams helmets were fabulous.  I just do not get it

[Strider]

Rick, you might have been at this game.

Week 12: L.A. Raiders @ Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium, November 20, 1983. Joe Ferguson is still the QB for Buffalo (rookie Jim Kelly on the bench) and cornerback Mike Haynes makes his debut for the Raiders after being traded to L.A. by New England. This trade really cemented the Raiders defense, which was already good, and lifted it to elite status. 

 

[LedZeppfan1977]

On 6/14/2020 at 12:29 AM, Strider said:

Rick, you might have been at this game.

Week 12: L.A. Raiders @ Buffalo Bills at Rich Stadium, November 20, 1983. Joe Ferguson is still the QB for Buffalo (rookie Jim Kelly on the bench) and cornerback Mike Haynes makes his debut for the Raiders after being traded to L.A. by New England. This trade really cemented the Raiders defense, which was already good, and lifted it to elite status. 

 

Not at this one. But I was at the Raiders at the Bills in the early 90's playoff game that is officially the third coldest game in NFL history!!!  It was brutal.  Kelly hit Reed in the end zone early in the third quarter to give the Bills the lead for good.  The guy that went with me passed away years ago.  A good friend from work.  Put down lots of beer and schnaups at that one

[Bong-Man]

Rodney Peete, Bob Gagliano, Charlie Batch, & Scott Mitchell.....I still cringe.

[Strider]

PLAYOFFS! 

Since I couldn't find the last couple of 1983 regular season games for the Raiders on YouTube, I am moving on to the 1983 playoffs.

I'll start with the NFC Wild Card game between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams December 26, 1983 at Texas Stadium. The game was played on a Monday as Christmas Day fell on Sunday in 1983. Tony Dorsett vs. Eric Dickerson. Danny White vs. Vince Ferragamo. Tom Landry vs. John Robinson.

Because Dallas was at home and because I grew up watching the Rams usually fail in the playoffs, I really liked Dallas to win this game and put some money on the Cowboys. Dallas was favoured by 8 points. Brent seemed to really like the Rams. 

Note Phyllis George and her brand new baby girl Pamela during the pregame show. Also, Brent, Pat, John, everyone on CBS makes note of how cold it is in Dallas for the game.

Never saw this game until now. I was in Germany at this time, so I only caught the highlights on the news.

First half.

Second half. I'm shocked by all the empty seats.

 

Edited June 21, 2020 by Strider

[Strider]

^^^Man, Danny White was never clutch. Terrible throws all game...and some crucial drops by Cowboys receivers.

Moving on to the 1983 Divisional round. It is New Year's Day...Sunday January 1, 1984. The 12-4 Los Angeles Raiders vs. the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (soon to be home to the 1984 Summer Olympics). I had to stay up to way past midnight local German time to watch this game on Armed Forces TV.