2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[ChadFL]

I'll give Tom Coughlin credit here. I've frequently criticized him in the past but this is the 3rd time he's taken teams without a lot of talent deep into the playoffs. First time was 1996 when he took a mediocre Jags team to the AFC Title Game and now twice he's taken the Giants to the Super Bowl. It takes more than good luck to accomplish that. He's a very good coach.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by MaCruz

It would of helped if the Niners converted at least 50% of their 3rd downs. It could of been a different outcome.

They were still winning anyway until that moron didn't know what the hell to do with himself. Playing pocket pool or something? You know the people of SF are gonna hate F*** the hell out of that guy. So much that he'll wanna leave.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by ran94

Missed the game except for the game winning fg. Did Crabtree get hurt as I see he had one catch for 3 yards.

I don't think he got hurt. It's just that Alex Smith can't hit the broad side of a barn.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

I'll give Tom Coughlin credit here. I've frequently criticized him in the past but this is the 3rd time he's taken teams without a lot of talent deep into the playoffs. First time was 1996 when he took a mediocre Jags team to the AFC Title Game and now twice he's taken the Giants to the Super Bowl. It takes more than good luck to accomplish that. He's a very good coach.

Giants have excellent offensive and defensive lines and possibly the best WR corp in the NFL. That defensive back group is also under-rated. I don't like to admit it because I'm a Cowboys fan but while the Giants went 9-7 in the regular season, they went 3-0 in the play-offs and are about to play for the championship.

[Terjyn]

My early prediction is Giants 24 Pats 17.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

They were still winning anyway until that moron didn't know what the hell to do with himself. Playing pocket pool or something? You know the people of SF are gonna hate F*** the hell out of that guy. So much that he'll wanna leave.

Is Alex Smith a free agent this offseason? I'll bet the 49'ers end up overpaying. I think if I'm the Niners I'd pay up for Matt Flynn before I'd throw a ton of cash at Alex Smith.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

I don't think he got hurt. It's just that Alex Smith can't hit the broad side of a barn.

Yeah everyone wonders why he went from a sensational college talent to an afterthought in the NFL, I don't think it's his fault, I blame his QB for being a bum. I just wonder if the 49ers fans I know will keep defending Alex Smith after that debacle.

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Is Alex Smith a free agent this offseason? I'll bet the 49'ers end up overpaying. I think if I'm the Niners I'd pay up for Matt Flynn before I'd throw a ton of cash at Alex Smith.

They signed him to a 1 year extension before this season.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Tell me about it. If I'm Willis or McDonald I'd have a hard time not punching out Alex Smith in the locker room post game.

Why blame the QB? Blame the guy who made two massive boners that cause the game. They were still atleast winning before it happen. And what makes you think they are gonna punch the guy?

If that was the case I'm sure the entire bronco's would wanna punch Tebow and the ravens to Flaco.

The flat of the matter is you guys like to talk shit on these players like you think you could do any better. But none of you can do what they can do. No matter how bad you think they are. And it should be a feat for a first year coach to take a 6-10 the previous year to a 13-3 record all the way to the championship. Your on the bandwagon and as soon as someone loses you tear into them like a pack of jackals.

But hey it's the internet so i guess that always people to be obnoxious douche bag know it all's.

So I guess there's no need to come into this thread anymore. So bye. Talk your little talk.

[ChadFL]

If I'm not mistaken the NFL minimum team salary cap goes into effect in 2012, right? Some of these teams are going to have to really jack their team salary up, namely the Tampa Bay Bucs who have been incredibly far below the cap for years now.

[Jennifer Lawrence Fan]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Is Alex Smith a free agent this offseason? I'll bet the 49'ers end up overpaying. I think if I'm the Niners I'd pay up for Matt Flynn before I'd throw a ton of cash at Alex Smith.

I wasn't talking about Smith, I was talking about the Williams guys.

You know kinda how the who town of Chicago hated that guy after he cost the cubs a chance to the world series.I can see it being like that. Plus I think the Niners are gonna keep him cause I feel like Harbaugh is gonna say that's his man. It was a hell of a improvement over last year, can you atleast say that.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Michael Bay Fan

Why blame the QB? Blame the guy who made two massive boners that cause the game. They were still atleast winning before it happen. And what makes you think they are gonna punch the guy?

If that was the case I'm sure the entire bronco's would wanna punch Tebow and the ravens to Flaco.

The flat of the matter is you guys like to talk shit on these players like you think you could do any better. But none of you can do what they can do. No matter how bad you think they are. And it should be a feat for a first year coach to take a 6-10 the previous year to a 13-3 record all the way to the championship. Your on the bandwagon and as soon as someone loses you tear into them like a pack of jackals.

But hey it's the internet so i guess that always people to be obnoxious douche bag know it all's.

So I guess there's no need to come into this thread anymore. So bye. Talk your little talk.

What do you mean "do what they can do"? That's the oldest excuse in the book. Of course I can't do what they do. I'm not a pro football player. If someone sucks in their profession the customers (in this case fans) have every right to criticize.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

What do you mean "do what they can do"? That's the oldest excuse in the book. Of course I can't do what they do. I'm not a pro football player. If someone sucks in their profession the customers (in this case fans) have every right to criticize.

With the game on the line in OT, Smith led them to a punt, he could've lifted his team onto his back and gotten them into the Super Bowl and he didn't, he has to live with that. Is it completely his fault that his team lost? No it's a team game but there will be those that lay it all at his feet.

[tylerdurden10]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

just goes to show u a mediocre QB will only get you so far.

flacco and smith proved it 2x today!!

While normally I would agree with this, Flacco didn't lose this game today, his offense did

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by tylerdurden10

While normally I would agree with this, Flacco didn't lose this game today, his offense did

Guess who's still going to get blamed for it though and as excellent as that defense is, they're going to be one year older next year, as are Boldin and Evans, so who knows if they will get that far again next year.

[TylerDurden]

I'm actually a happy Niner fan. Better to lose in the NFC championship than the superbowl where the 49ers are 5-0. Wouldnt want to taint that record. Now I could care less about the big game but I'm all for the Patriots. Tom Brady bandwagon! All aboard!!!

[Konfusion1230]

Flacco may not be elite, but he is better than a lot of starting QBs. Good QBs don't grow on trees and anyone asking for Flacco to be let go needs to look around the league at the teams that have been looking for a franchise QB for over a decade with no luck and wasted draft picks. Ask those team's fans if they would trade their QB search for what the Ravens have going right now with not only 4 straight playoff seasons, but winning at least 1 game in each of those playoffs. Other than the interception, I was very happy with Flacco's play today. If Lee Evans holds onto that ball, they win. They had a second chance to win if Cundiff makes that kick and they go into OT. This loss is on Cundiff/Evans. Flacco still has a year left on his contract anyway. There is zero chance that they release him and pretty much zero chance they bring in a 3rd QB, especially one who could actually compete for the starting job.

Every year for the past 4-5 years, some "experts" always say Ray Lewis and company will be a year older and there will be a decline. Every year, they have been proven wrong. I guess they will be right eventually Even without Ray Lewis, they would have 3 stud defenders who are among the best at their position. They have a number of young players with potential along with proven veterans who don't get the credit they deserve because the team has 4 star defenders.

Cam Cameron's contract is expired now and he seems unlikely to be brought back. I've been unhappy with his play calling for a couple years now and can't help but believe there are better options to be offensive coordinator.

By my count, Ravens had 8 starting players in a contract year. This is what I would do, assuming it all fits under the cap.

Lardarius Webb - franchise tag candidate/resign long term
Cary Williams - resign short term/let walk if too expensive or if team is comfortable with Jimmy Smith as #2 corner
Ray Rice - franchise tag candidate/resign long term
Cory Redding - let walk unless he's willing to resign cheap/Pernell McPhee can step in as starter.
Jameel McClain - resign cheap/replace in draft with eventual Ray Lewis successor.
Jarret Johnson - resign short term
Ben Grubbs - try hard to resign, but don't overpay.
Matt Birk - will probably retire/replace in draft

A few players that could potentially be released...

Domonique Foxworth
Chris Carr
Lee Evans


Positions I would look for in free agency and draft...

WR, MLB, OLB, OL(All), S

[ran94]

If Flacco gets an offensive co-ordinator to match his ability, he will do fine. Problem with the head coaches in the league is that they play one way (drop back or roll out or run and gun) and the majority of the time, it doesn't suit the quarterback they have. An example is Sanchez...was he not a roll out, play action qb at USC?

How many oc did Alex Smith have prior to this year? With Harbaugh coming in, he knew Smith had limits but he used his strengths this season and got them to NFC title. I don't think it was a fluke that the 9ers got this far. As for today's game, can't comment as I only saw the last play of the game (my kid had a hockey game).

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ran94

If Flacco gets an offensive co-ordinator to match his ability, he will do fine. Problem with the head coaches in the league is that they play one way (drop back or roll out or run and gun) and the majority of the time, it doesn't suit the quarterback they have. An example is Sanchez...was he not a roll out, play action qb at USC?

How many oc did Alex Smith have prior to this year? With Harbaugh coming in, he knew Smith had limits but he used his strengths this season and got them to NFC title. I don't think it was a fluke that the 9ers got this far. As for today's game, can't comment as I only saw the last play of the game (my kid had a hockey game).

Garrett has a horrible offensive mind-set given our personnel. He likes a deep passing game with routes that take time to develop, despite the fact that we have a very inconsistent offensive line. He also goes pass-heavy way too much, except for awhile there when we had Murray. He gets cute at the wrong times and is way too predictable, as pointed out by countless players/coaches since 2007. Hoping the addition of Callahan to the staff will change that or we can expect another frustrating season for the Cowboys, who would probably be better off with a more balanced West Coast type offense than the one we run now.

[Konfusion1230]

Originally Posted by ran94

If Flacco gets an offensive co-ordinator to match his ability, he will do fine. Problem with the head coaches in the league is that they play one way (drop back or roll out or run and gun) and the majority of the time, it doesn't suit the quarterback they have. An example is Sanchez...was he not a roll out, play action qb at USC?

How many oc did Alex Smith have prior to this year? With Harbaugh coming in, he knew Smith had limits but he used his strengths this season and got them to NFC title. I don't think it was a fluke that the 9ers got this far. As for today's game, can't comment as I only saw the last play of the game (my kid had a hockey game).

Another problem is that coaches can become too attached to a quarterback that they draft, or they want to get rid of a quarterback that they didn't draft. Just look at all the teams every year who start the season with a new QB/HC combo. Remember the 49ers drafted a quarterback in the second round of last years draft? "New regimes mean new quarterbacks" is a term I see a lot in the NFL draft community.

I heard a 49ers player today say that Harbaugh has a special connection to the players because he was a player himself not too long ago. Makes a lot of sense to me.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Konfusion1230

Another problem is that coaches can become too attached to a quarterback that they draft, or they want to get rid of a quarterback that they didn't draft. Just look at all the teams every year who start the season with a new QB/HC combo. Remember the 49ers drafted a quarterback in the second round of last years draft? "New regimes mean new quarterbacks" is a term I see a lot in the NFL draft community.

I heard a 49ers player today say that Harbaugh has a special connection to the players because he was a player himself not too long ago. Makes a lot of sense to me.

I'm just not sure why you're defending Joe Flacco, granted the kid played pretty well today. SleeperAgent seems to have an opinion of the guy that's much more in line with that I think of him. Also your defense WILL be a year older, kudos to them if they continue to get it done anyway. Right now I'd have to say though the 49ers probably have the best defense in the league. Well maybe just the best front 7, that secondary is a bit iffy.