2012/2013 NFL Season

[pennywisealfie]

The 4th Superbowl winning season of the Oakland Raiders begins this morning!!!

 

[Fozz]

I think the Canberra Raiders have a better chance.

 

[Charmamba]

30seconds left in Raiders V Cowboys and i'd say the Eels would have a better chance.

 

[Bucking Beads]

3-0 in that game. **** must have been like watching a Broncos training session. Can't score to save themselves.

 

[pennywisealfie]

Defence wins championships guys.

 

[Culhwch]

Defence wins championships guys.

Tell that to the Packers and the Saints. These days I'd suggest a great offense plus an average defense that can manage a couple of key stops wins championships. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, though...

 

[pennywisealfie]

Tell that to the Packers and the Saints. These days I'd suggest a great offense plus an average defense that can manage a couple of key stops wins championships. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, though...

pfft, Aaron Rogers? Drew Brees? Marques Colston? Greg Jennings? yeeeah right, its all about Canton bound Carson and Jacoby on the back of our barely passable defense. RAIDER NATION X

 

[Porthoz]

If the 49'ers renewed receiving corps and the QB click to perform anywhere near their defense, I reckon we'll go very close!
If it wasn't for a certain fellow named Williams, we might be the title holders right now... :001_unsure:

 

[Clintos]

Even with a new receiver group the 49ers will still pound the rock.

 

[Ari Gold]

its all about Canton bound Carson and Jacoby

So Oakland are playing in the HoF game next year then?

 

[Porthoz]

You may be right, especially if Bradshaw keeps showing the early signs.
But hopefully Harbough will give Alex Smith more freedom to throw, now that he has receivers worth their name...

What would otherwise be the reasoning behind the clear strategy to give the QB more options than Vernon Davis and Crabtree when he feels like it...?

 

[pennywisealfie]

So Oakland are playing in the HoF game next year then?

hahahaha. If we're lucky.

 

[dukey]

Even with a new receiver group the 49ers will still pound the rock.

And that will do more to help their receivers than hinder them. A reputation as a rushing team usually works in the favour of the aerial game.
Although that being said, last season was the first time the Giants really deviated from the rush-heavy offence they're famous for, and look what that got us. A Super Bowl victory and a career-best year for Eli.

 

[Clintos]

You may be right, especially if Bradshaw keeps showing the early signs.
But hopefully Harbough will give Alex Smith more freedom to throw, now that he has receivers worth their name...

What would otherwise be the reasoning behind the clear strategy to give the QB more options than Vernon Davis and Crabtree when he feels like it...?

To clear the box to help the running game. Last year opposition just added a few players up front and dared Smith to throw. Defenses can't do that this year with the upgrade at WR.

 

[Fozz]

Tell that to the Packers and the Saints. These days I'd suggest a great offense plus an average defense that can manage a couple of key stops wins championships. Doesn't quite roll off the tongue, though...

Well, they stumbled at the last hurdle when they met superior defense in the Niners and Giants last year.

 

[Culhwch]

If it wasn't for a certain fellow named Williams, we might be the title holders right now... :001_unsure:

Different Williams, but my Saints feel the same way...

But hopefully Harbough will give Alex Smith more freedom to throw, now that he has receivers worth their name...

But do you really want Smith to throw more? I kinda feel they're building this team for Kaepernick's stronger arm. No use stretching the field if the defense knows the QB can't make the throws...

Well, they stumbled at the last hurdle when they met superior defense in the Niners and Giants last year.

The Niners were a quality defense, sure, but the Saints would have beaten them if Willliams hadn't blitzed like it was going out of fashion and let Smith (Smith!) make a couple of fairly easy throws to a wide-open Davis, not to mention that scramble. Not that I'm bitter or anything.

The Giants, however, couldn't really be called a quality defense. The team went 9-7 through the regular season, and ranked in the late twenties in total defense. Just happened the Packers were even worse, and the Giants always seem to be able to rise to the occasion. The Pats also had a shockingly bad defense, but made it to the big dance and beat Baltimore on the way.

Defense is important, and I wish that the Saints had a D like Pittsburgh or Baltimore. We'd have a lot more championships, that's for sure. But these days, in most cases, a quality offense teamed with an average defense tops a quality defense teamed with an average offense. Gotta score points to win the game.

 

[Fozz]

Almost time for kick off! Won't be able to watch the game until the weekend though.

Go G-Men, leave the C-Men all over the field.

And it looks like Rashard is Mendenhalling earlier than everyone expected, that'll be good for the Fudge Packers.

 

[Culhwch]

First kick-off game I've missed watching live for a few years now - although the last two have featured my Saints so I've had more of an incentive to beg off work. Following along on NFL.com. Cowboys really look like they're doing their best to lose it, but the Giants don't appear to be that much more impressive...