RollerColt

I agree. There’s a delicate balance between being too lax and being too strict. From everything I’ve heard from players, including on Franklin’s weekly podcast, the players have bought in to more accountability. At least for this season. This all could be a negative thing, but it sounded like Leonard being let go was a huge deal in the locker room, and yet it wasn’t enough of a distraction to the detriment of the team. The entire organization seems pretty rock steady right now and focused. We’ll see how we do with this next chapter of the season.

You could be on to something in a way. Considering it’s a professional sport, and these guys are representing the brand wherever they go, they’ve got to act in a professional manner. I remember last year Joe Burrow talking about how being a professional athlete isn’t for the faint of heart just from the commitment alone to a long NFL season. He said he’s essentially on the clock from OTAs until the Super Bowl. That type of Manning/Brady focus is what it takes. That’s what separates the elite from the rest. We’re making a statement that we’re requiring a full time commitment and backing it up with actual consequences.

That’s a good point.

My guess, and again it’s a guess: they decided to dabble in a substance that is now legal in Ohio but definitely not legal in Indiana. Let me tell ya, you can smell that stuff everywhere in Cincinnati now.

Hahaha glad I could spread a bit of cheer this week! I'm just blown away at the league. They've got the Dolphins and Cowboys facing off in a huge game for each team, and yet let's throw the Mac-Daddyless Pats and broken legged Broncos on not just a Primetime spot, but a Christmas Eve Primetime spot where most families will be watching just for the heck of it? Like come on man... Give us a good game before Santa visits the house!

I imagine we'll see a good mix of all available weapons. We've had good moments with our TEs the past couple of games. Shane is a "take what the defense gives us" type of guy. If the safeties play up for the run, we'll start throwing deep for example. Really the plan hasn't changed much throughout the season: Throw to score, run to win. That said, Steichen was on Pat's show yesterday and said Pittman is doing fine and is the toughest player on the team. I wouldn't be surprised if he's suiting up on Sunday.

Yeah after three straight losses I'm starting to think the Eagles just got lucky against Allen and the Bills. I could see the Eagles getting knocked out in the wildcard round if they don't get their crap together. They need better coordinators on both sides of the ball...

Haha yeah. The Bills are in the same boat as us. Every game is a must win game.

100% take Allen. Agreed.

And I should state, I don't hate the kid or think he's bad. I think he's a good to great QB who is still figuring things out. But I do think he's been overhyped way too much, quite similar to Luck in that regard. He'll have a long (and for us: annoying) career in the league and will win a lot of games. If he gets the Jags to the promised land at some point, I can't lie I'd be happy for the Jacksonville fans.

I just don't see Lawrence doing the things that a #1 overall pick in his 3rd season should be doing. He's still not making his reads correctly which is odd. There were several times that he had his WRs in favorable matchups and he just didn't see it.

Thursday Night Football Saints 16 vs. Rams 24 Festivus Saturday Football Bengals 23 vs. Steelers 10 Bills 74 vs. Chargers 0 Christmas Eve Football Colts 23 vs. Falcons 20 Seahawks 17 vs. Titans 14 Lions 21 vs. Vikings 20 Commanders 9 vs. Jets 12 Packers 20 vs. Panthers 14 Browns 17 vs. Texans 13 Jags 13 vs. Bucs 16 Cards 21 vs. Bears 17 Cowboys 26 vs. Dolphins 27 Christmas Eve Potential Worst Game in History Sunday Night Football Pats 3 vs. Broncos 6 (Pats and Broncos on Primetime... Again... WHY?! Broncos... Let's Cry!) Christmas Day Football Raiders 16 vs. Chiefs 28 Giants 17 vs. Eagles 24 Game of the Year Ravens 34 vs. 49ers 37

I'm gonna disagree with ya there chief, but I respect and understand your position. I just view Herbert with having a similar situation that Manning had in his first years: the wrong coach. The Jags had no business winning that playoff game last year, and Staley with his "genius defensive mind" somehow couldn't stop them once in the second half after picking off Lawrence 4 times. I chose Lawrence as the most overrated because when it comes to big games he craters. He had many chances against the Ravens to score, and made mistake after mistake. As the #1 overall, the expectations are much higher.

I think they were just being cheeky.

Pat McAfee had a good point: all major in season firings seem to happen after losing to a bitter rival badly.

Oh boy. If Boyle ends up paying then their season has gone horribly wrong.

Thats my point, we really don’t know. I fully agree the buck stops with the GM. It’s their job to steer the team in the right direction. For all we know, Ballard and Irsay both made the executive decision to relieve Reich of his duties because the locker room was so bad. For the Colts, it didn’t matter what Frank did years prior. Last season couldn’t be ignored. And even Ballard expected to be fired at the end of it. I think what we’re seeing now is a zero tolerance policy because this is the last chance. It’s why he let Leonard go. He simply can’t afford to deal with locker room problem players this year and I don’t think Steichen cares to deal with it either. This is the type of Patriot Way the Belichick disciples should’ve been following: either do your job or you’ll be let go.

For all we know, Ballard may have been talking with him and he was just not changing his ways. It could be why Ballard was okay and in lock step with Irsay on the mid season firing.

Like… Cincinnati hookers hilarious?

I kinda do.

According to the playoff machine, that is correct. But a lot, and I mean A LOT needs to happen for that scenario to occur. I’ve been going over many scenarios, and the most likely seems to be an all or nothing duel against Houston.

Opposing offenses are now exploiting the Eagles linebacker weaknesses.

Trevor Lawrence.

Tomlin and his crew have been like that for years. They promote vicious unnecessary hits. Always doing shady crap during each game. The most egregious being standing on the field during a live play and trying to trip the ball carrier.

Here's to hoping Robinson fumbles early in the game and Arthur Smith subsequently benching him for the rest of the day. Yes. That really happened. Against the Panthers... In front of all 3 people sitting in the stands...