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NFL Sunday Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 08:49:11 AM EST
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Amato and Armando NFL Show:

Our picks (marked J for John and A for Armando, disagreements in BOLD) - Dallas (-4) over Rams (J, A), Giants (-2) over Carolina (J, A), Vikings (-7) (J), Browns (+7)(A), Detroit over Washington (Pick) (J, A), New England )-7) (J), Tampa Bay (+7) (A), Houston (-3) over Ravens(J, A), Titans (-3) over Chargers (J, A), Saints (-7) over Cardinals (J, A), Packers (-3) (J), Bengals (+3) (A), Dolphins over Falcons (No Line) (J, A), Niners (-10) over Colts, Bills (+3) (J), Jets (-3) (A), Bears(-3) over Steelers (J, A).

I went 10-2-1, plus 17 units yesterday in my college picks. That's 20-5-2 and plus 31 units the last 2 weeks.

Open Thread.

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    NFL Sunday Open Thread | 45 comments (45 topical)

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    AN AXE LENGTH AWAY, vol. 135 (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 09:30:29 AM EST
    She pounded the keys, he stroked her desires. (link)

    And here's last week's comics, in case you missed any.

    Vol. 134
    Vol. 133
    Vol. 132
    Vol. 131
    Vol. 130
    Vol. 129

    Go Niners! (And Chargers!)

    My brother-in-law on the Emmys tonight (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 09:55:04 AM EST
    The hyper-talented Scott May wll be playing sax and flute in the Emmy house band tonight. He sent me these photos from rehearsal.

    The Horn Station
    Rehearsal (he's playing flute on the far right)
    Portrait of the artist with saxophone.

    And check out/buy his new album, TESTIMONY. (link)

    Peace out, y'all.

    That's MayO, Scott Mayo (none / 0) (#5)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 10:33:29 AM EST
    Oy, nice in-law I am.

    Parent
    Is he the one... (none / 0) (#15)
    by unitron on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 05:25:36 AM EST
    ...recreating the sax solo from the Saturday Night Live theme?

    Parent
    Didn't see that (none / 0) (#17)
    by Dadler on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 09:30:47 AM EST
    If he had his dreadlocks pulled back for that "neat and formal" look, that's him.

    Parent
    Talk about a brave 16 year-old (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 04:00:21 PM EST
    Transgender high school homecoming queen. In Orange County, no less. (link)

    NFL is Technically Classified as a... (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 11:24:28 AM EST
    ... 501(c)6 organization, aka nonprofit organization.

    You may not know it, but the National Football League is a nonprofit organization. It may seem absurd that a collection of teams that generated at least $9 billion in revenue last season would be given tax-exempt status, but the NFL is technically classified as a 501(c)6 organization. Here's how the IRS describes 501(c)6 tax-exempt status:

    Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code provides for the exemption of business leagues, chambers of commerce, real estate boards, boards of trade and professional football leagues, which are not organized for profit and no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.

    In 2010, Andrew Delaney, a Vermont Law School student, put together a fascinating paper examining the tax status of the NFL and found that the NFL was working like a "glorified tax shelter." Delaney explains:

    Through for-profit companies, the NFL sells licenses to use NFL intellectual property, broadcast games, etcetera, making a ton of money. That money is then distributed to the individual teams. The individual teams, in turn, pay their "dues and assessments" to the NFL. I don't intend to mislead--some taxes certainly get paid here. The teams are considered for-profit and pay regular taxes. The teams' tax liability is significantly reduced, however, when they pay their tax-deductible "dues and assessments." How much and what gets taxed is just not publicly available. And it should be if the NFL is going to enjoy tax-exempt status.


    UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE

    I'm surprised... (none / 0) (#31)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 01:14:22 PM EST
    the NFL isn't based in the Caymans.  You can't make this sh*t up.

    Parent
    Jacoby 'Sweat Pea' Jones... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 04:05:19 PM EST
    ...this hilarious story is at TMZ, and I will leave it at that.  

    Good show, BTD (none / 0) (#2)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 09:31:23 AM EST
    I really enjoy it every time I catch it. Kudos.

    Do you think he's looking to (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 09:33:37 AM EST
    quit his day job?  Pretty good audition tape.

    Parent
    I hope you're right about the Detroit game (none / 0) (#6)
    by AmericanPsycho on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 10:56:09 AM EST
    but as a seasoned Lions fan I'm expecting a loss. Schwartz and the rest of the coaches are experts at turning a winning situation into a total loser.

    Tied up at 17 after the half (none / 0) (#7)
    by AmericanPsycho on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 01:55:47 PM EST
    This is how I expected it go down.  Expect a Lions meltdown and suddenly RG3 will be running the 100 meter in 9 seconds..  this frachise is cursed.

    Parent
    calm down... (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by fishcamp on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 02:12:31 PM EST
    you could be a Marlin's fan...

    Parent
    Calm down fishcamp;)... (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 10:11:09 AM EST
    2 World Series titles in only 20 years of existence...lots of suffering fan bases would sign up for that deal in a heartbeat....your suffering ain't got nothing on the Lions fans.

    Parent
    I know I know (none / 0) (#9)
    by AmericanPsycho on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 02:43:30 PM EST
    but it's hard after watching them go 0-16 and not having won at Washington in 185 years. I'm still bewildered as to why Schwartz wasn't fired after the last season.. only in Detroit.

    And then the Ford family... maybe that's the curse that..  touchdown Washington

    Parent

    Woops.. (none / 0) (#10)
    by AmericanPsycho on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 02:48:54 PM EST
    Spoke a bit too soon. tsk tsk

    Parent
    Whew (none / 0) (#12)
    by AmericanPsycho on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 03:52:31 PM EST
    breathing a deep sigh of relief.

    Parent
    You Might Like... (none / 0) (#18)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 10:00:50 AM EST
    ...this.

    As a Packer fan with a lot of relatives in the UP, I concur.

    Parent

    Thanks for that! (none / 0) (#32)
    by AmericanPsycho on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 01:19:21 PM EST
    So true, that made my day :)

    Parent
    Open thread, so (none / 0) (#11)
    by Mikado Cat on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 03:39:53 PM EST
    I'll toss out a question. How does it work with the Federal Reserve buying a trillion dollars a year in tbills?

    Where does the money to buy the debt come from?
    Where does the interest etc. go?
    What would happen if we defaulted on that debt?

    1. They 'print' it (as bits in a computer) (none / 0) (#20)
    by Edger on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 10:17:16 AM EST
     2. To them.
     3. They'd get mad and stop funding the politicians who didn't obey.

    and 4. Everybody else would pay through the nose, with blood.

    Parent

    Houston over Baltimore???? (none / 0) (#13)
    by Chuck0 on Sun Sep 22, 2013 at 03:57:42 PM EST
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! In Baltimore. I want what you're smoking. Try 30-9. A complete rout. Two weeks running and no one has scored a TD against the Ravens.

    The NSA Tapes Infomercial (none / 0) (#16)
    by Edger on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 09:13:28 AM EST
    ZeroHedge
    Do you know me? Well, I know you. (He wags his finger as if counting)

    Each and every one of you.

    I know everything there is to know about you. But enough about that. I'm here today to tell you about a special offer, a first time offer never before available to the general public.

    (Man assumes a more relaxed mien, stands and walks slowly toward camera)

    Hi, I'm General Keith Alexander, coming to you from the flight deck of the starship... .well, it's just my office, but it's The Bomb, no? Hey, don't you repeat that or you might get some unwanted attention. I want to tell you today about something we call simply: The NSA Tapes. This is the greatest and most complete collection of audio and video recordings every assembled anywhere in one place. You cannot buy this in stores, or over the internet. Only here, at the NSA, does the technology exist to capture at this level and at this quality.
    [...snip...]
    And if you order in the next ten minutes, we'll also throw in, just to say thanks, a one year supply of bathroom tissue, each sheet embossed with the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of this once great nation.

    Call now. Our operators are already listening.
    F*ckin' Vikings... (none / 0) (#21)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 10:26:19 AM EST
    and I'm outta my Survivor Pool in Week 3...that's what I get for getting cute too soon, shoulda went with the consensus Seahawks...stupid stupid stupid.

    On the brightside, the Jets may still be short on offensive talent, but at least we have a legitimate pro offense installed now...thank you Marty Mornhinweg!  What a difference from Tony Sparano...receivers are actually open and stuff, and running backs are finding holes.  Coupled with the new NY Sack Exchange we can at least expect to be somewhat competitive.

    I don't Know What... (none / 0) (#22)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 11:08:30 AM EST
    ...you are complaining about, of 6 teams with a better record than the Jets.

    On the Vikes:

    But a rule change this offseason - the so-called ''Jim Schwartz rule'' which was written after the Lions coach challenged a touchdown last season -says the Vikings should have been charged a timeout and not penalized the yardage.

    Same crew that got thee call wrong on the 49er/Pack game.  Good thing you are cool with bad calls...

    The Hawks are no joke and unlike most teams, they should be getting healthier with time.

    Parent

    Beats 0-3... (none / 0) (#25)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 11:43:14 AM EST
    to be sure, but I'm not gonna get exited about wins over the likes of the Bucs and Bills...though 8-8 is looking like a distinct possibility.  And just nice to have a functional pro offense installed as opposed to the Sparano horror show of last year...that sh*t was painful to watch.

    Bad calls...part of the game man, part of the game.  Crying and pouting gets you nowhere.  My own fault for picking a team that doesn't play any damn defense.  Cleveland deserved to win.

    WTF happened to your Texans?  Didn't see that shellacking coming.

    Parent

    Bro... (none / 0) (#26)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 12:30:47 PM EST
    ...my team is the Pack and it was just ugly, 8 turnovers in the game.   The Texans are numero duos for me, and I had the game on with no volume while watching the Pack, which was a great way to watch a team loss badly.

    It's been a long time since my 1 & 2 have both lost in the same week.

    There is only one thing a team can't change, the number of L's on the board.  Lot of teams would love to be at 2-1 right now, including two in the NFC East.

    It's been a weird season so far, a couple 3-0 teams but no one dominating, well Seattle is, but no one knows if they are for real.  And teams who are traditionally good, can't buy a win.

    I can't seem to get into this year, the entire game is hinged on what hits they are going to flag for unsportsmanlike something or another.  15 yards in what seems like descent drive is just too much and the application isn't clear to me, the announcers, or the refs.

    Bad calls are part of the game, but that is not the same as not knowing the rules.  Like where to spot the ball.  It's one thing to see something differently at regular speed or not see something, it's quite another to have rules so complex that their on field interpreters of the rules, keep getting it wrong.

    The NFL used to take baby steps, enacting new rules cautiously, now that it might cost them some real cash, they have throw the every jacked up helmet contact rule formulated.  I am pretty sure it might be illegal for a runner to lead with their head outside the tackle box, at least that is what they indicated last night, but who knows, really.

    Parent

    I hear ya... (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 12:50:20 PM EST
    especially since the officials are part-timers with day jobs...it's gotta be damn near impossible to remember the ins and outs of all them situational rules...the league should be able to streamline and simplify a bit.  As for all the new hitting rules, I think it would be easier just to make every player sign a waiver that this game can seriously f*ck you up and leave you a vegetable to avoid future lawsuits, and offer cadillac healthcare for life to all former players.  And, of course, the stupid fat paychecks.

    As for parity, if it wasn't for Seattle and Jax, this coulda been the year everybody finishes 8-8!

    Parent

    Was totally prepared for the Ravens to (none / 0) (#29)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 12:56:01 PM EST
    lay an egg on Sunday, but I think they are still stinging from that Week 1 beatdown in Denver; whatever the motivation, I'll take the win - every week they come together a little more, and the defense is looking much, much more energized than it did last year.  

    There are a fair number of teams not living up to the sports media hype - not least the 49ers, the Packers and the Texans.  So much for the brilliant Colin Kaepernick, huh?  And if he's not throwing well, they could have 5 Anquan Boldins and it wouldn't matter.

    Officiating is just terrible - worse, I think, than when we had replacement refs.

    Parent

    I wouldn't go that far... (none / 0) (#30)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 01:09:02 PM EST
    I've seen nothing as bad as the replacement refs...we gotta remember this is a tough sport to officiate, especially at NFL speed.  

    Parent
    Anne I may have miscalculated (none / 0) (#33)
    by CoralGables on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 01:25:40 PM EST
    While I was locked into the exorbitant contract given to Flacco, I wasn't paying attention to the money saved from the aging Lewis and Reed. Looks like the Ravens defense has gone younger and hungrier with less cap hit at the top end and it's working.

    Parent
    Well, we have some cap issues (none / 0) (#34)
    by Anne on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 01:55:46 PM EST
    looming next year, some big contracts with ballooning hits (I think the total 2014 cap hit for Ngata, Flacco, Suggs and Lardarius Webb alone is on the order of $53+ million) which I think also was a factor, just trying to plan a little bit ahead...here's a link to a spreadsheet the local cap guru has put together (scroll down for the list of players and $$ amounts).

    I think the thing people don't seem to account for is that it does take some time to adjust to new personnel and establish a rhythm and an identity; I feel like the defense is a little farther along in that process - and thank God for it, because otherwise, we'd be looking at 0-3.

    Parent

    Gotta Give the Stinkin' Raven Props... (none / 0) (#35)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 02:23:54 PM EST
    ...the did what few people outside of MD though they could yesterday, embarrass the Texans.

    What is up with Reed, looks like he should on stage for some 70's funkadelic reunion tour.

    Parent

    Von Miller and His Fraud (none / 0) (#23)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 11:15:25 AM EST
    CHARLOTTE -- The NFL wants the world to believe it's tough on drugs, that none of them -- whether recreational or performance-enhancing -- have any place in the sport. The league hails its drug policy as strict and insists it has no tolerance for cheaters.

    Yet they just let Von Miller get away with cheating the system and the game.

    How else to explain what happened with the Denver Broncos linebacker, who was just outed by ESPN on Sunday for his alleged attempt to commit a massive fraud. According to the report, Miller was conspiring with a "star struck" urine collector, who was willing to let someone else -- someone clean -- pee into Miller's cup so the Bronco could avoid the failed drug test he knew was coming.

    LINK

    I would add that they don't test for HGH, which is arguably the most used performance enhancing substance on the planet.

    If I'm not mistaken... (none / 0) (#27)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 12:37:31 PM EST
    in Miller's case we're talking about weed and adderall...I guess you could argue adderall is "performance enhancing", but we ain't talking about 'roids.

    Too funny that the league's own piss collectors don't wanna see a star player suspended over nonsense...the league really needs to stop testing for weed, and maybe adderall too.  Who cares?  Certainly not the fans.

    Parent

    This is Totally a Case of the... (none / 0) (#38)
    by ScottW714 on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 02:43:10 PM EST
    ...coverup being infinity worse than the underlying crime.

    Now they will probably test the testers.

    No drug policy in sports makes any sense if HGH is not tested.  It's clearly a image policy, and it should shredded, and a fair play policy should be implemented.

    Which reminds me, why in the hell didn't Miller get a prescription for probably one of the most over prescribed drugs in the US.  WTF, he could probably do it over the phone, maybe even have someone else do it for him.

    Like the DUI's, it's so hard to understand why people who can easily avoid these situations, don't.

    Parent

    The league... (none / 0) (#39)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 03:04:08 PM EST
    needs to take this up with their piss collectors, not so much Miller.  He just did what any sane person subject to ridiculous rules would do.

    Parent
    Pretty Sure... (none / 0) (#44)
    by ScottW714 on Tue Sep 24, 2013 at 08:59:38 AM EST
    ...of all the tests in all the world, most sane people don't ask the inspector if someone else can take the test for them.

    Most sane people understand that giving up this or that drug for a paycheck isn't a bad deal, and forgo just in case of a test, not try and weasel their way out of their own screw-up by dragging an adoring fan into their mess.

    Parent

    Yeah... (none / 0) (#45)
    by kdog on Tue Sep 24, 2013 at 10:31:15 AM EST
    I guess you're right, the whizzinator or a masking agent makes more sense than asking the piss collector for a favor.  But it is sane and reasonable to find a loophole so you can have it all...your job and your inalienable right to pursue happiness that has absolutely no bearing on your job performance.  Granted, Adderall may be a performance-enhancing grey area...but nothing to get worked up about and test for imo.

    Parent
    Gawd the Giants suck. (none / 0) (#36)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 02:31:43 PM EST
    How did this happen?
    The trenches... (none / 0) (#40)
    by kdog on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 03:05:05 PM EST
    Giants O-Line doesn't seem interested in blocking anybody.

    Parent
    Agreed. And the D-line doesn't seem interested (none / 0) (#41)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 03:35:11 PM EST
    in tackling or sacking anybody.

    Parent
    And nobody's giving props to Cincinnati... (none / 0) (#37)
    by shoephone on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 02:39:27 PM EST
    I now it was a messy game, but...I think the Bengals are proving to be in a fighting mood this season.

    The Bears are 3-0. They won against the (none / 0) (#42)
    by caseyOR on Mon Sep 23, 2013 at 03:48:19 PM EST
    Steelers last night. Cutler looks like he actually has played football before. The D line did not curl up and die when Urlacher left.

    An altogether excellent start for the new head coach and Da Bears.

    And now that baseball's regular season has ended, I don't have to think about the Cubs until February. Thank god.

    NFL Sunday Open Thread | 45 comments (45 topical)

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