2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by wilky61

Yeah, that sounds right; I can recall the announcer exclaiming "They've just knocked out The Hammer!"

You mentioned Jack Tatum in your previous post; yeah, that's another one of the names noted for his toughness that I recall from watching NFL Films in my childhood.

NFL Films, with the Great John Facenda on narration is AWESOME. I still remember a piece they did on Butkus and Facenda called him "Moby Dick in a goldfish bowl". What a voice.

I remeber when Facenda passed away and the late voice of the Phillies Harry Kalas replaced him. Harry was Great but Facenda was the best.

NFL Film's piece on Dick Butkus by John Facenda:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxR9q...ature=youtu.be
butkus_display_image.jpg

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by filmnut5

Jack played in the Super Bowl against Pittsburgh with a broken bone in his leg...Freeze it and tape it...Great Choice with J.Y., and it doesn't surprise me that he'd Love to get out there again and crack skulls.

That's another thing. Did they even have much in the way of painkillers in those days? Nowadays these players are pumped so full of painkillers it numbs the pain. Back in the old days all I've heard of guys taking were aspirin or cortisone shots. It's hard to imagine. Aspirin barely even helps be with headaches or back pain. I can't imagine it doing anything for something a broken leg.

I guess that's the difference between the NFL and other sports. When you hear about "toughness" in the NBA most people think of Willis Reed playing a few minutes of a game with a torn muscle or Jordan playing with the flu. When we talk about NFL toughness we're talking about people playing multiple games with a broken leg or with a severe concussion. The NFL is on a whole different level of "playing through pain" than other sports like MLB or NBA. Though I'd put hockey up there too, some of those guys have played through massive pain.

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

That's another thing. Did they even have much in the way of painkillers in those days? Nowadays these players are pumped so full of painkillers it numbs the pain. Back in the old days all I've heard of guys taking were aspirin or cortisone shots. It's hard to imagine. Aspirin barely even helps be with headaches or back pain. I can't imagine it doing anything for something a broken leg.

I guess that's the difference between the NFL and other sports. When you hear about "toughness" in the NBA most people think of Willis Reed playing a few minutes of a game with a torn muscle or Jordan playing with the flu. When we talk about NFL toughness we're talking about people playing multiple games with a broken leg or with a severe concussion. The NFL is on a whole different level of "playing through pain" than other sports like MLB or NBA. Though I'd put hockey up there too, some of those guys have played through massive pain.

You're 100% correct. In hockey they never used to wear helmets and goaltenders didn't wear masks. Back then players didn't have an agent, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, or any kind of babysitting/pampering like they do now (Sissy Marys). They were grown men and they played their guts out.

The Late Great Goaltender, Terry Sawchuk. His on and off ice personality was as nasty as his appearance:

SawchuckSCARFACE.jpg

[wilky61]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

That's another thing. Did they even have much in the way of painkillers in those days? Nowadays these players are pumped so full of painkillers it numbs the pain. Back in the old days all I've heard of guys taking were aspirin or cortisone shots. It's hard to imagine. Aspirin barely even helps be with headaches or back pain. I can't imagine it doing anything for something a broken leg.

I guess that's the difference between the NFL and other sports. When you hear about "toughness" in the NBA most people think of Willis Reed playing a few minutes of a game with a torn muscle or Jordan playing with the flu. When we talk about NFL toughness we're talking about people playing multiple games with a broken leg or with a severe concussion. The NFL is on a whole different level of "playing through pain" than other sports like MLB or NBA. Though I'd put hockey up there too, some of those guys have played through massive pain.

No dude, the #1 grittiest NBA performance of all-time is Isiah scoring 25 in the 4th quarter of that 1988ish Finals game six with a badly sprained ankle. His performance while injured is still an all-time Finals record for the most points scored in a quarter.

To be fair, Jordan's flu game is really like #1b. Jordan did a lot of stunning things in his career, but the flu game is in a whole 'nother realm of supernatural.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by wilky61

No dude, the #1 grittiest NBA performance of all-time is Isiah scoring 25 in the 4th quarter of that 1988ish Finals game six with a sprained ankle. His performance while injured is still an all-time Finals record for the most points scored in a quarter.

To be fair, Jordan's flu game is really like #1b. Jordan did a lot of stunning things in his career, but the flu game is in a whole 'nother realm of supernatural.

Oh I know what you mean. Those are gutsy performances. I just have trouble comparing stuff like playing a few minutes with a leg injury or playing with the flu to some of the things NFL guys play through, like broken legs, etc.

[bootsy]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

That's another thing. Did they even have much in the way of painkillers in those days? Nowadays these players are pumped so full of painkillers it numbs the pain. Back in the old days all I've heard of guys taking were aspirin or cortisone shots. It's hard to imagine. Aspirin barely even helps be with headaches or back pain. I can't imagine it doing anything for something a broken leg.

I guess that's the difference between the NFL and other sports. When you hear about "toughness" in the NBA most people think of Willis Reed playing a few minutes of a game with a torn muscle or Jordan playing with the flu. When we talk about NFL toughness we're talking about people playing multiple games with a broken leg or with a severe concussion. The NFL is on a whole different level of "playing through pain" than other sports like MLB or NBA. Though I'd put hockey up there too, some of those guys have played through massive pain.

This makes no sense at all. All athletes NFL, MLB, NBA, whatever sport play through pain some more than others in each sport. Trying to say the NFL is on a whole different level of playing thru pain is nonsense. You or I don't know what any of these athletes play through and how truly bad it is. I do know that they are go thru it some worse than others. You got guys plays with dislocated fingers, broken noses, foot pain in the NBA, MLB not just the freaking NFL. I wish people like you would stop putting the NFL on some kind of pedestal like nothing is even close to it. It may be the most popular sport but that doesn't make it some special sport where they can only play thru pain and others don't. Furthermore how many guys in the NFL or NHL are going to be playing on a broken leg. Not many if at all. You are living in some dream world. That is complete bs what you just posted.

[Batman1980]

The reason I really think what the Saints did to Brees is stupid is what if a team that's just a top 3 QB away like the 49ers or the Ravens(not sure if they have the picks) decides it's worth 2 1sts to get a top 3 QB? Brees and a couple free agent WRs, such as perhaps Marques Colston would make either of those teams probably the team to beat next year.

[StereoMike]

Originally Posted by SleeperAgent

No it isn't. Spying on opposing teams is something that only they did.

And you know that how?

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by bootsy

Furthermore how many guys in the NFL or NHL are going to be playing on a broken leg. Not many if at all. You are living in some dream world. That is complete bs what you just posted.

It most certainly is not BS. Bobby Baun broke a bone in his leg in game 6 of the 1964 Stanley Cup Finals, had them numb it and tape it, then came back and scored the game winner.

It's more difficult to play hockey & football with ANY type of injury as they are heavy collision sports, plus hockey has bare knuckle fighting. BTW, I'm not interested in hearing how physical basketball is, as it's not even close to these two.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

The reason I really think what the Saints did to Brees is stupid is what if a team that's just a top 3 QB away like the 49ers or the Ravens(not sure if they have the picks) decides it's worth 2 1sts to get a top 3 QB? Brees and a couple free agent WRs, such as perhaps Marques Colston would make either of those teams probably the team to beat next year.

Brees got the exclusive franchise tag. No teams can negotiate with him or sign him to an offer sheet.

[TheForce8686]

Originally Posted by bootsy

This makes no sense at all. All athletes NFL, MLB, NBA, whatever sport play through pain some more than others in each sport. Trying to say the NFL is on a whole different level of playing thru pain is nonsense. You or I don't know what any of these athletes play through and how truly bad it is. I do know that they are go thru it some worse than others. You got guys plays with dislocated fingers, broken noses, foot pain in the NBA, MLB not just the freaking NFL. I wish people like you would stop putting the NFL on some kind of pedestal like nothing is even close to it. It may be the most popular sport but that doesn't make it some special sport where they can only play thru pain and others don't. Furthermore how many guys in the NFL or NHL are going to be playing on a broken leg. Not many if at all. You are living in some dream world. That is complete bs what you just posted.

It is not much of a debate that NFL players are tougher and play through more pain. Baseball players sit out with blisters. NBA games and practices are nothing compared to NFL ones. We play flag football, basketball, and occasionally softball and the soreness after the football is always the worst. It is obviously magnified 10 times or more for professional sports so I am sure football is the toughest on their bodies.

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by TheForce8686

It is not much of a debate that NFL players are tougher and play through more pain. Baseball players sit out with blisters. NBA games and practices are nothing compared to NFL ones. We play flag football, basketball, and occasionally softball and the soreness after the football is always the worst. It is obviously magnified 10 times or more for professional sports so I am sure football is the toughest on their bodies.

Strap on the skates and play a game of full contact hockey sometime. Also make sure you drop the gloves at least once and fight someone (bare knuckles). You'll also be slashed at some point during the game with a stick. Everyone bares the bruises of the occasional two hander across the wrists and/or forearms. Hopefully you won't get cross checked in the face as that hurts (had 6 teeth which required removal after one of those). It's all worth it though, for the shooting, passing, scoring and team comradery part of the game.

[StereoMike]

March 8 - Peyton Manning due $28 million roster bonus

March 13 - Free agency

April 26 - Draft

July - Training camp

August - Preseason

September - Regular season

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by StereoMike

September -

Browns go 4-0.

[TheForce8686]

Originally Posted by filmnut5

Strap on the skates and play a game of full contact hockey sometime. Also make sure you drop the gloves at least once and fight someone (bare knuckles). You'll also be slashed at some point during the game with a stick. Everyone bares the bruises of the occasional two hander across the wrists and/or forearms. Hopefully you won't get cross checked in the face as that hurts (had 6 teeth which required removal after one of those). It's all worth it though, for the shooting, passing, scoring and team comradery part of the game.

Hockey Players are pretty damn tough. I just forgot to count Hockey. When I think about the major sports I sometimes forget it exists. I guess technically we should add MMA to the list (which is awesome) It doesn't get much tougher then that.

[Batman1980]

Adam Schefter ‏ @AdamSchefter Reply Retweet Favorite · Open

Stevie Johnson signed a five-year, $36.25 million deal that includes $19.5 million gtd and over $24 million in deal's first three years.

Source - Twitter

[fatediesel]

A couple running back deals, Arian Foster signed a 5-year extension with the Texans, per Adam Schefter. Terms of the deal are unknown. Marshawn Lynch signed a 4-year, $31 million deal with the Seahawks, with $18 million reportedly guaranteed.

Also, today is the deadline to apply the franchise tag.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

A couple running back deals, Arian Foster signed a 5-year extension with the Texans, per Adam Schefter. Terms of the deal are unknown. Marshawn Lynch signed a 4-year, $31 million deal with the Seahawks, with $18 million reportedly guaranteed.

Also, today is the deadline to apply the franchise tag.

Josh Scobee and Matt Prater got franchised, tentatively add Spencer to that bunch.

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Josh Scobee and Matt Prater got franchised, tentatively add Spencer to that bunch.

Yeah, that makes 4 kickers that have been franchised so far with Mike Nugent and Phil Dawson in addition to Scobee and Prater, and Connor Barth could make 5 if the Bucs franchise him. It makes sense to franchise a kicker because the franchise tag for kickers is only about $2.6 million and there aren't a lot of quality kickers, although Dawson will be getting $3.8 million since he was also franchised last year.

[Batman1980]

Cliff Avril got franchised today too so that's the two best DEs that were due to hit the market out of reach. Almost think I'd rather draft one anyway, like the Texans did last year with game-changer JJ Watt.