Around the AFCN

[ATL96Steeler]

Some of the Bengals vets played like they had a pulse yesterday. Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap were causing some troubles. Mixon had another nice game. Finley is failing his opportunity to turn heads, which should ensure that the Bengals take a qb with their top pick.

I tend to agree on the draft...I always felt that Joe Burrow might be the target...especially now with Tua going down.

MIA May be able to get Edge with their pick and still get Tua.

 

[TheBurgh88]

They way they do challenges is fucking stupid.

The official who reviews it should not know the ruling on the field, and is instead asked to make a blind ruling watching the play. Maybe have two or three officials do that and go with the majority.

As it is, they are just supporting the refs club that they belong to.

I know the standard is 'incontrovertible evidence for overturn.' But that standard should change for a new way.

The NFL loves this and anything that is a so called gray area.

It allows the league to push their agenda and push certain "favorites" to affect wins/losses. No other reasonable explanation makes sense. A call like that would NEVER go against New England or Baltimore. Those owners are tight with GODdell.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Every year I blow it on the BAL projection.

Lamar Jackson is making the headlines as he should with a #1 rank OFC, but the Ravens DEF is playing some serious ball as well...currently 6th overall. In 7 of the 10 games, the opponent has scored 20 or less points.

Didn't see either playing out like this.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Every year I blow it on the BAL projection.

Lamar Jackson is making the headlines as he should with a #1 rank OFC, but the Ravens DEF is playing some serious ball as well...currently 6th overall. In 7 of the 10 games, the opponent has scored 20 or less points.

Didn't see either playing out like this.

I had a feeling their defense was going to be solid, because every year no matter the departures or IR list they produce a solid defensive unit. The offense however... Don't think anyone could have predicted the leap that Jackson took. He went from a run-first/ball-control specialist to a dynamic playmaker. He still runs a lot, but for good reason and in good situational football. He's just a smarter player now, and his scheme isn't dictating his play. Or maybe it is and the OC is just that much more in-tune with him.

 

[cincygrad]

I think Greg Roman has to get some credit here. The offense that he has designed around Jackson has been fabulous. It's also notable that he designed a lot of great offenses for Jim Harbaugh (both at Stanford and SF). Kaepernick was pretty damn good under him as well. I wonder if he'll get some HC opportunities.

 

[Superbelt]

Tuzar Skipper might be back in Pitt. Not 100% though.

He tweeted he was back, then deleted it.

 

[SteelersPride]

I had a feeling their defense was going to be solid, because every year no matter the departures or IR list they produce a solid defensive unit. The offense however... Don't think anyone could have predicted the leap that Jackson took. He went from a run-first/ball-control specialist to a dynamic playmaker. He still runs a lot, but for good reason and in good situational football. He's just a smarter player now, and his scheme isn't dictating his play. Or maybe it is and the OC is just that much more in-tune with him.

that and truly, quarterbacks do not suddenly improve their passing, their mental game maybe, but their accuracy, passing, no they 95% of the time do not. WHat hes doing is special

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Tuzar Skipper might be back in Pitt. Not 100% though.

He tweeted he was back, then deleted it.

Didn’t Ola get hurt? That would be a good get. Even without the injury. I’m tired of Chickillo

 

[SteelersPride]

Didn’t Ola get hurt? That would be a good get. Even without the injury. I’m tired of Chickillo

yeah he did but i thought they brought back tuzar

 

[thedddd]

yeah he did but i thought they brought back tuzar

Yep he is back: Signed from Giants practice squad, OLB Tuzar Skipper returns to Steelers | TribLIVE.com

 

[Bridgeburner]

The Ravens look like the class of the AFC. I wouldn't bet against Brady and it's still early, but this Ravens team is really coming together. You look at what they did vs. two of the AFC's best (Hou and NE) and it definitely makes you take notice.

I spent the entire offseason repeating two things:

1. Lamar Jackson is a terrible QB prospect and the Ravens drafting him would set the team back years.
2. The Ravens would finish third in the division behind the Steelers and Browns.

Shocking, I know, but I may have been wrong.

The Ravens are a hell of a lot better than I ever thought they were and I think they have to be in consideration when talking about the top team in the league at this point.

Still not sold that Jackson will have an all-pro career but he's having an all-pro season for sure.

 

[Superbelt]

The Ravens are a hell of a lot better than I ever thought they were and I think they have to be in consideration when talking about the top team in the league at this point.

If it's between the Ravens and the Patriots: Go Ravens.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I spent the entire offseason repeating two things:

1. Lamar Jackson is a terrible QB prospect and the Ravens drafting him would set the team back years.
2. The Ravens would finish third in the division behind the Steelers and Browns.

Shocking, I know, but I may have been wrong.

The Ravens are a hell of a lot better than I ever thought they were and I think they have to be in consideration when talking about the top team in the league at this point.

Still not sold that Jackson will have an all-pro career but he's having an all-pro season for sure.

I distinctively remember saying BAL would have to change the OFC to more of a pro style OFC for him to be successful. And I said the Suggs move took the heart and soul of the DEF.

Wrong!

The OFC scheme looks very much the same. Mark Ingram has been way better than I thought he'd be, but in general they're just executing it better. Jackson is taking fewer hits, showing pretty good accuracy compared to LY.

DEF...I still don't know how they are doing it. I mean they're getting pressure from Matt Judon, and his group of merry men. Unless you're a hardcore Ravens fans, they might even struggle to know these guys.

Jackson...Idk what to think...at some point he will take a big hit I do know that, but for this season...he's really the MVP of the league so far.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

If it's between the Ravens and the Patriots: Go Ravens.

Real tough call...I'm tired of seeing NE in the SB every year though so very reluctantly...go ravens.

 

[Superbelt]

Real tough call...I'm tired of seeing NE in the SB every year though so very reluctantly...go ravens.

I'll def be team NFC for the Superbowl. But I'll prefer the Ravens over the Pats again.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I'll def be team NFC for the Superbowl. But I'll prefer the Ravens over the Pats again.

I would probably pull for KC...my brother-in-law's team. I like the Mahomes kid a lot, but for all that like to put Andy Reid at the top of the HC conversations...I think he's just okay in big games.

 

[SteelersPride]

I spent the entire offseason repeating two things:

1. Lamar Jackson is a terrible QB prospect and the Ravens drafting him would set the team back years.
2. The Ravens would finish third in the division behind the Steelers and Browns.

Shocking, I know, but I may have been wrong.

The Ravens are a hell of a lot better than I ever thought they were and I think they have to be in consideration when talking about the top team in the league at this point.

Still not sold that Jackson will have an all-pro career but he's having an all-pro season for sure.

i was the same , with all of this. jackson is amazing.

They were talking about it on the radio. Are we gonna find out a year or two from now, ala the browns taking kellen winslow when they needed a qb-leaving ben on the board for us. Are we gonna find out later that some in the organization wanted lamar, but ben wouldnt allow it.

 

[Superbelt]

I would probably pull for KC...my brother-in-law's team. I like the Mahomes kid a lot, but for all that like to put Andy Reid at the top of the HC conversations...I think he's just okay in big games.

Ooh the Pats and Ravens are teams 32 and 31 for me. Anyone but them, but if it's just those two? It's Ravens.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

i was the same , with all of this. jackson is amazing.

They were talking about it on the radio. Are we gonna find out a year or two from now, ala the browns taking kellen winslow when they needed a qb-leaving ben on the board for us. Are we gonna find out later that some in the organization wanted lamar, but ben wouldnt allow it.

No.

Ben has a lot of leeway type privileges, and a big voice on OL FA help in PIT, but not in the draft....not saying he doesn't have any voice in the draft, but very doubtful they would consult with him on a QB.