2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[TitansFan4Life]

Originally Posted by MaCruz

Back then, networks like ESPN didn't talk or give the Jaguars credit even though we had the best record in the NFL. Everyone was talking about that vertical passing offense of the Rams. The Jags were known as the team that pulled the upset against the Bills and the Broncos in the playoffs, nothing else.

We were a pretty good football team from the time of our inaugural season all the way to 1999 because Coughlin spent the money signing key veterans but then salary cap issues crept up and led to his downfall and was fired. Our share of bad draft picks, and lack of talent hurt us for a good decade which resulted losing a lot of our fan base. If Tom Coughlin was still our couch during the bad times, I wonder if he would of led us to the promise land.

It's great to talk about the past, but I'm ready for the future of our franchise. I'm pumped!

Well, we're in the same boat...

Because nobody in the history of mankind (on TV) ever gave the Titans their due credit in 1999 (13-3), 2000 (13-3), 2002 (11-5), 2003 (12-4), or 2008 (13-3).

2000 and 2008 were both Super Bowl caliber teams, but we went one and done. We beat ourselves and let the Ravens steal our glory... both times. AT HOME. Absolutely crushing.

That 2000 Ravens defense that everyone creams their pants over... Ours was statistically better, and it would've been us people would've been comparing to the Bears if Al Del Greco didn't suck a fat dong. Glad that guy was smart enough to leave the state.

If Ray Lewis had gone to prison where he belongs, the Titans would have two rings!

But yea... Brighter days ahead for both franchises. I think the Jags win the division this season. And I expect us to make a playoff run in 2017.

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by MaCruz

Back then, networks like ESPN didn't talk or give the Jaguars credit

Originally Posted by TitansFan4Life

Well, we're in the same boat...

Problem is theyre both boring from a national perspective & tv angle.
Thats why even though they should both be improved they each only got the 1 mandatory primetime tv game.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by JC_20010

I had no idea the jaguars were ever great

The best ive known them to be involved David Garrard

Awe come on man. We were really good in the mid-late 90's. I was at the Jags 1999 playoff games. Just couldn't get over the hump against Tennessee.

Hard to believe it's been 16 friggin years since that peak. Downhill ever since.

[JC_20010]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Awe come on man. We were really good in the mid-late 90's. I was at the Jags 1999 playoff games. Just couldn't get over the hump against Tennessee.

Hard to believe it's been 16 friggin years since that peak. Downhill ever since.

Well I am 25 and didn't start watching until 2005, I really have never known them to be dominant but neither have my Cowboys since I have been an NFL fan.

[AronofskyFan]

Originally Posted by TitansFan4Life

Well, we're in the same boat...

Because nobody in the history of mankind (on TV) ever gave the Titans their due credit in 1999 (13-3), 2000 (13-3), 2002 (11-5), 2003 (12-4), or 2008 (13-3).

2000 and 2008 were both Super Bowl caliber teams, but we went one and done. We beat ourselves and let the Ravens steal our glory... both times. AT HOME. Absolutely crushing.

That 2000 Ravens defense that everyone creams their pants over... Ours was statistically better, and it would've been us people would've been comparing to the Bears if Al Del Greco didn't suck a fat dong. Glad that guy was smart enough to leave the state.

If Ray Lewis had gone to prison where he belongs, the Titans would have two rings!

But yea... Brighter days ahead for both franchises. I think the Jags win the division this season. And I expect us to make a playoff run in 2017.

Yep, I hate the Titans, but we are both setting ourselves up to be pretty good for a while. Should be some classic games in the coming years.

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Awe come on man. We were really good in the mid-late 90's. I was at the Jags 1999 playoff games. Just couldn't get over the hump against Tennessee.

Hard to believe it's been 16 friggin years since that peak. Downhill ever since.

I was 9 in 1999 , feels like an eternity since we were good other than the one year we beat the Steelers in the playoffs.

[BizCat]

Hey, that's better compared to my Lions!

[West E]

anyone watch West Virginia the past few seasons? I never did. Trying to get a handle on how Karl Joseph actually plays. All I see are highlight reels of big hits. Does he take too many chances? etc

[jwerk]

Originally Posted by West E

anyone watch West Virginia the past few seasons? I never did. Trying to get a handle on how Karl Joseph actually plays. All I see are highlight reels of big hits. Does he take too many chances? etc

I don't watch WV, but I watched a lot of Joseph this offseason because I wanted my team to take him. This guy is a maniac (in a good way). But to answer your question, from what I've seen: Yes, he takes too many chances. In more ways than one. He'll get stuck on a path to the ballcarrier and have a hard time changing direction. He'll overshoot his target sometimes. He also takes too many chances trying to make a big hit. He shoots himself around the field like a torpedo and I worried about his style in the NFL. Might cause too many injuries or penalties (defenseless receiver, leading with the crown of the helmet, etc)

[fatediesel]

ESPN is making an official announcement today that Sean McDonough will be taking Mike Tirico's spot on Monday Night Football.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

ESPN is making an official announcement today that Sean McDonough will be taking Mike Tirico's spot on Monday Night Football.

Not remotely familiar with his work, is he any good?

[rickah88]

Seems like ESPN has a bit of an exodus going on right now.
At least the Monday night games seem better than last season.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Seems like ESPN has a bit of an exodus going on right now.

Sure does. Maybe someone finally realized how crappy a network it was.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by RageATL

Not remotely familiar with his work, is he any good?

He's got experience doing virtually every sport and has been one of ESPN's top college football announcers. I've never had any problems with him, he does a pretty good job of not talking too much. We'll see how he gels with Gruden though.

Originally Posted by rickah88

Seems like ESPN has a bit of an exodus going on right now.
At least the Monday night games seem better than last season.

ESPN has done some major cost-cutting as they've lost millions of subscribers. They didn't want to lose Tirico, Colin Cowherd, or Skip Bayless but they got outbid, and they got outbid for the Big Ten rights. A few years back ESPN never got outbid if they truly wanted something. They've got so much money locked up in long-term contracts with the NFL, NBA, and MLB that they have to be more selective with what they bid on and can't overpay like they did in the past.

[fatediesel]

More changes at ESPN:

ESPN’s NFL coverage will look dramatically different next year. Our site already reported that Mike Ditka is out from his Countdown gig (though will remain with the network in an emeritus role), and that Matt Hasselbeck and Charles Woodson are on their way in.

Trent Dilfer has also been widely reported to be leaving Bristol. In addition to this, The Big Lead has learned that Cris Carter and Ray Lewis are also expected to be on their way out, and that Randy Moss is expected to be on his way in. Moss spent last season at Fox Sports, appearing on the pre pre show that pitted him in debates with Colin Cowherd.

http://thebiglead.com/2016/05/09/maj...randy-moss-in/

[TitansFan4Life]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

More changes at ESPN:



http://thebiglead.com/2016/05/09/maj...randy-moss-in/

Ditka, Lewis, and Carter are all horrific, so I hope this is true.

Hasselbeck is great and I expect Woodson to be as well... Randy Moss is awesome.

Would really love all those changes.

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

He's got experience doing virtually every sport and has been one of ESPN's top college football announcers. I've never had any problems with him, he does a pretty good job of not talking too much. We'll see how he gels with Gruden though.



ESPN has done some major cost-cutting as they've lost millions of subscribers. They didn't want to lose Tirico, Colin Cowherd, or Skip Bayless but they got outbid, and they got outbid for the Big Ten rights. A few years back ESPN never got outbid if they truly wanted something. They've got so much money locked up in long-term contracts with the NFL, NBA, and MLB that they have to be more selective with what they bid on and can't overpay like they did in the past.

I enjoy Cowherd! Although I thought he was either fired, or let go after his comments about the Dominican Republic(when discussing MLB)?
How is Berman still there? He was great in his heyday, but now he just looks miserable. Like he doesn't want to be there.

[Tony208]

Might tune in to new crew

I've been on NFLN for a while now

[Moviefan1203]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

He's got experience doing virtually every sport and has been one of ESPN's top college football announcers. I've never had any problems with him, he does a pretty good job of not talking too much. We'll see how he gels with Gruden though.



ESPN has done some major cost-cutting as they've lost millions of subscribers. They didn't want to lose Tirico, Colin Cowherd, or Skip Bayless but they got outbid, and they got outbid for the Big Ten rights. A few years back ESPN never got outbid if they truly wanted something. They've got so much money locked up in long-term contracts with the NFL, NBA, and MLB that they have to be more selective with what they bid on and can't overpay like they did in the past.

Who got Big Ten? That's a big loss for ESPN.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by rickah88

I enjoy Cowherd! Although I thought he was either fired, or let go after his comments about the Dominican Republic(when discussing MLB)?
How is Berman still there? He was great in his heyday, but now he just looks miserable. Like he doesn't want to be there.

Cowherd had already announced he was leaving for Fox when he made the comments about Dominican players. After the comments ESPN moved his final day with the network up a week. His comments about Dominicans were nothing worse than things he's said plenty of times over the years, but since he was leaving anyway ESPN wanted to make it seem like they were punishing Cowherd.

Berman came close to leaving a few years back. DirecTV and the NFL Network tried to put a package together where Berman could have a radio show/TV simulcast that would air on DirecTV after The Dan Patrick Show (which Rich Eisen ended up doing), and then do NFL work for the NFL Network. Apparently it's well-known within the industry that Berman has always wanted to live in Hawaii so with the DTV/NFLN package he could have lived in Hawaii and just travel to LA for Sundays during the NFL season and other special events. Apparently Berman gave it serious consideration but decided he wanted to remain with ESPN because he enjoys doing baseball work in addition to his NFL duties.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Moviefan1203

Who got Big Ten? That's a big loss for ESPN.

The Big Ten is bidding out their TV package in two parts, and Fox got the first part. It wasn't a surprise that Fox was the high bidder because they've been trying to get some more high-end games and already has a relationship with the conference since it owns 51% of the Big Ten Network.

Bidding hasn't begun on the second part yet so it's possible that ESPN could keep some of the rights. It's also rumored that CBS and Turner might make a joint bid similar to how they do the NCAA tournament with CBS and TBS or TNT splitting the package. Fox will also likely bid on the second package.

Note: This TV contract doesn't begin until 2017. ESPN/ABC will still have the same rights as the past for the 2016-2017 school year.