Smuts' NFL Thread

[Lineker's Lugs]

1 minute ago, Golden Fox said:

Massive news in the NFL today:

https://uni-watch.com/2024/04/26/nfl-bombshell-players-can-now-wear-guardian-caps-in-games/

Looks like we might be seeing guardian caps on the field this year. 

 

I love the aesthetics of the NFL, and the helmet is the most important part of that, so it would be a radical departure. 

 

But its such a brutal sport, anything to make it safer has to be applauded as a step forward. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

[Golden Fox]

4 minutes ago, Lineker's Lugs said:

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

I'm not so sure. I think there has been a sea change over the last 10 years or so. Players like Andrew Luck (and Chris Borland who retired after 1 season with the 49ers) show players are more aware of the long term damage the game can cause and willing to act on it. I'm sure a lot of players will succumb to peer pressure, but I think there will be a few who wear them. 

 

Technology is improving all the time - I'm sure existing manufacturers will say their new helmets are as safe, but the theory that a softer outer shell absorbs more impact than a hard shell makes sense to me, to the players and the NFL. Will be interesting to watch how this develops.

[SouthStandUpperTier]

On 27/04/2024 at 19:21, Lineker's Lugs said:

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

I think another reason why take-up will be small to non-existent is the same reason amateur male boxers lobbied to get rid of headguards - they make your head a bigger target. 

 

Even if they lessen the impact of blows to the head, that will be offset by the extra glancing blows you take just by wearing one.

[Lillehamring]

On 27/04/2024 at 20:39, Golden Fox said:

I'm not so sure. I think there has been a sea change over the last 10 years or so. Players like Andrew Luck (and Chris Borland who retired after 1 season with the 49ers) show players are more aware of the long term damage the game can cause and willing to act on it. I'm sure a lot of players will succumb to peer pressure, but I think there will be a few who wear them. 

 

Technology is improving all the time - I'm sure existing manufacturers will say their new helmets are as safe, but the theory that a softer outer shell absorbs more impact than a hard shell makes sense to me, to the players and the NFL. Will be interesting to watch how this develops.

I suspect long term, t hen, that'll they'll end up with some kind of hybrid, or a design with some kind of space age material.  You have to ask - if the normal helmet needs this much extra padding, then it can't really be doing much in the first place?

[Lillehamring]

On 27/04/2024 at 20:21, Lineker's Lugs said:

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

They have tried to introduce a padded cap typle helmet for pitchers in baseball, i don't think anyone uses them - they were nasty looking things

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-pitcher-head-protection-coming-in-spring-c164382304

[Lako42]

Not much longer now. 

 

I think I'm looking forward to this more than our own football season as it's much lighter hearted watching from afar. 

 

Anyone got a fantasy league? 

[FOXYTALK]

4 hours ago, Lako42 said:

Not much longer now. 

 

I think I'm looking forward to this more than our own football season as it's much lighter hearted watching from afar. 

 

Anyone got a fantasy league? 

Yes I run one on NFL fantasy. DM me if your interested. 

[The Bear]

35 minutes ago, FOXYTALK said:

Yes I run one on NFL fantasy. DM me if your interested. 

Is it a weekly selection thing or a draft game? 

[FOXYTALK]

30 minutes ago, The Bear said:

Is it a weekly selection thing or a draft game? 

Draft game. 

[Lako42]

3 hours ago, FOXYTALK said:

Draft game. 

Auto draft or do you do a manual one? 

[FOXYTALK]

Manual. All members of the league are known and verified. Small trophy for the winner. 

[Lako42]

Would anyone be interested in a Foxestalk fantasy league on the NFL app? 

 

Ideally we'd need 8 people minimum 

[Golden Fox]

On 27/04/2024 at 19:21, Lineker's Lugs said:

I wouldn't be surprised if a bit of macho peer pressure means no-one actually wears them in a game.  Apparently the new helmets are as safe as these anyway.

Looks like we might both be right... Danielle Hunter of the Pittsburgh Steelers has worn one in a preseason game: https://uni-watch.com/2024/08/10/steelers-daniels-wears-guardian-cap-in-game/ but the NFL has now approved 6 helmets that give the same protection levels as guardian caps, so it looks as though their advantages may have been oversold. As the article says, they could end up being a mid-2020s quirk in NFL helmet history.

[Lako42]

On 09/08/2024 at 11:29, Lako42 said:

Would anyone be interested in a Foxestalk fantasy league on the NFL app? 

 

Ideally we'd need 8 people minimum 

That's a no then

[Golden Fox]

5 hours ago, Lako42 said:

That's a no then

I follow the sport through the Niners... watch the odd bits from other games and highlights, but wouldn't have a clue about most their players, so would be hopeless at fantasy!

[Lillehamring]

9 hours ago, Lako42 said:

That's a no then

I'm not that clued up but could probably hold my own at FT level, but i've stopped all fantasy league things as it just became too distracting doing the PL one.

[The Bear]

If it was a weekly DFS league then I'd be up for it. 

[SouthStandUpperTier]

LRZ fails to make the Chiefs' final 53-man roster. He'll probably be stashed on their practice squad as every team has to have at least one international player on their practice squad, but if I were a betting man I'd wager that he'll be back playing Rugby this time next year.

[Lako42]

On 05/08/2024 at 20:46, FOXYTALK said:

Manual. All members of the league are known and verified. Small trophy for the winner. 

You drafted yet? 

[Golden Fox]

2024 roll call...

 

With the 53 man rosters set and the season starting on Thursday night, who's here for another year & how's your team shaping up?

 

 

We should have our usual strong 49er contingent with myself, @Lako42, @Lillehamring decked out in the red and gold, and looking to go one better than that painful OT defeat that ended last year.

 

Team hasn't lost much from last year and with a good rookie class and Purdy having had a full offseason (unlike last year where he spent the off-season recovering from arm surgery) should be stronger. Biggest concerns remain the strength of the offensive line which don't look to be a priority for the team, and the hold outs (ins?) of Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk.

 

Hold outs have been the story of the last couple of off-seasons with first Deebo Samual and then Nick Bosa holding out and missing training camp and having down years as a result. I think Trent Williams gets done quickly, and with his experience, missing training camp won't be a massive factor but Aiyuk is the bigger story. He was the leading receiver last year, but my feeling is that I could do a good job catching if the defence was worrying about McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle, so he is probably valuing himself a bit too high. I think he'll miss some games, and it will either hurt the team or give other receivers the chance to step up.

 

So a 4th straight NFC Championship appearance wouldn't be a surprise and anything could happen from there.

 

But my biggest hope for the season is that the Chiefs crater and miss the play offs and I don't have to put up with bl**dy Mahomes or Taylor Swift smirking on my screen.

[ajthefox]

4 hours ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

LRZ fails to make the Chiefs' final 53-man roster. He'll probably be stashed on their practice squad as every team has to have at least one international player on their practice squad, but if I were a betting man I'd wager that he'll be back playing Rugby this time next year.

Saw a few highlights and his running style seemed notably different to what most running backs look like, which does make sense given there is more requirement for sharp lateral movement that isn't really replicated on a rugby pitch.

 

You'd think if anyone can get a tune out of him the Chiefs would, but it is still early days and you can well see one of the other teams who was interested in him nab him from the practice squad. 

 

I think he'll be around more than the season but wouldn't be surprised if you were right.

[EastAnglianFox]

7 hours ago, SouthStandUpperTier said:

LRZ fails to make the Chiefs' final 53-man roster. He'll probably be stashed on their practice squad as every team has to have at least one international player on their practice squad, but if I were a betting man I'd wager that he'll be back playing Rugby this time next year.

 

How does his contract work now? Was it not for 3 years? I have no idea how it all works but could he still be earning more money on the Chiefs practice squad than if he came back to a European Rugby team?

[ajthefox]

33 minutes ago, EastAnglianFox said:

 

How does his contract work now? Was it not for 3 years? I have no idea how it all works but could he still be earning more money on the Chiefs practice squad than if he came back to a European Rugby team?

In simple terms the contract only really applies subject to them making the roster.

He'll get $12,500 a week this season (no idea how that compares to his rugby wage) and if he gets a roster spot somewhere else I think the team picking him up would have to match the contract.

[SouthStandUpperTier]

LRZ is apparently going to be claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars to be part of their practice squad.

[lildave3]

9 hours ago, Golden Fox said:

2024 roll call...

 

With the 53 man rosters set and the season starting on Thursday night, who's here for another year & how's your team shaping up?

Chargers have completely gutted their offence (including my all time favourite player) and it looks like the game plan is to run, run, run and throw in a few runs. Excited for the coaching to be better, and the year can’t go as badly as last year hopefully. But ultimately when your hopes are pinned on a rookie called Ladd McConkey to be the new Keenan, it’s hard to be too optimistic!