# 2010 NFC North Discussion Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 16, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471 "2010-08-16T23:36:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/461 "2011-01-06T04:47:23Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Suh looks like the real deal, and Spievey, while still learning, can be a quality starter in this league (nice pick on Sunday). I think trading up for Best was a mistake, and they will need more CBs, but I really don’t think you can call this years draft a bust yet. No, not last year. This upcoming one. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/462 "2011-01-08T23:38:45Z")
A little [humor](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FJoRxT6B5g) for the Lion fans out there. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/463 "2011-01-09T03:45:14Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > A little [humor](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FJoRxT6B5g) for the Lion fans out there. Yeah. That’s about right. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/464 "2011-01-10T23:03:36Z")
Well, what do you know. The much maligned NFC North has 2 teams left in the race for the championship, and the NFC East has zero. The Packers got a good win on the road, but, once again, made too many mistakes. It’s really hard to win on the road in the NFL, and all but impossible to win against the top seeds while making mistakes. Either they seriously cut down on the mistakes, or the Falcons will control the game. I still like their chances to win, but they can’t turn the ball over, drop passes, or get flags. The Bears, and that giant horseshoe up their ass, get the ever so powerful, can’t even have a winning season, Seahawks at home. I would love to see the Hawks pound on the Bears, but I just don’t see that happening. The Bears defense is just too good to let Hasselback do what he did to the Saints and they won’t let Lynch break 32 tackles on the way to the end zone. It would be cool to have an all NFC North championship game, though. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/465 "2011-01-10T23:21:48Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Well, what do you know. The much maligned NFC North has 2 teams left in the race for the championship, and the NFC East has zero. > > The Packers got a good win on the road, but, once again, made too many mistakes. It’s really hard to win on the road in the NFL, and all but impossible to win against the top seeds while making mistakes. Either they seriously cut down on the mistakes, or the Falcons will control the game. I still like their chances to win, but they can’t turn the ball over, drop passes, or get flags. > > The Bears, and that giant horseshoe up their ass, get the ever so powerful, can’t even have a winning season, Seahawks at home. I would love to see the Hawks pound on the Bears, but I just don’t see that happening. The Bears defense is just too good to let Hasselback do what he did to the Saints and they won’t let Lynch break 32 tackles on the way to the end zone. > > It would be cool to have an all NFC North championship game, though. I agree, I see no way the Seahwaks can beat the Bears in Chicago. The Packers seemed to have cut down on their penalties, but man the dropped passes are painful. I hope the running game is real and not an illusion created by the ineptness of the Eagles D. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/466 "2011-01-11T04:58:11Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > The Packers seemed to have cut down on their penalties, but man the dropped passes are painful. I seriously wonder if James Jones isn’t playing his way out of Green Bay with these drops. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/467 "2011-01-11T06:32:36Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I seriously wonder if James Jones isn’t playing his way out of Green Bay with these drops. I heard pundits yapping all day about how the Eagles could have won if only Akers didn’t miss those easy field goals, and yet not a peep from them about Jones’ easy touchdown drop. Last I checked, 7 \> 6. Unless the Packers scored on that drive anyway, in which case my bad for mentally lambasting all the pundits. Anyone know if that drive resulted in points? ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/468 "2011-01-11T06:56:34Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Well, what do you know. The much maligned NFC North has 2 teams left in the race for the championship, and the NFC East has zero. > > The Packers got a good win on the road, but, once again, made too many mistakes. It’s really hard to win on the road in the NFL, and all but impossible to win against the top seeds while making mistakes. Either they seriously cut down on the mistakes, or the Falcons will control the game. I still like their chances to win, but they can’t turn the ball over, drop passes, or get flags. > > The Bears, and that giant horseshoe up their ass, get the ever so powerful, can’t even have a winning season, Seahawks at home. I would love to see the Hawks pound on the Bears, but I just don’t see that happening. The Bears defense is just too good to let Hasselback do what he did to the Saints and they won’t let Lynch break 32 tackles on the way to the end zone. > > It would be cool to have an all NFC North championship game, though. I’m sure everyone’s aware what the Seahawks did back in Week 7 in Soldier Field. Saying it’s effectively impossible for them to win in Chicago is a dicey proposition. Especially after the way they’ve played the last two games. Just about everyone “saw no way” the Saints would lose to the Hawks either. Of course I’m confident and the circumstances are vastly different this time around with the retooled offensive line and more balanced and effective playcalling on offense for the Bears, but Lovie’s damnable Tampa 2 seems to have certain teams that it just doesn’t work against. The Steve Smith Carolina Panthers from 3 or 4 years ago was a classic example. A big, physical, savvy WR can dice that zone up and dominate our corners. That they are coached to essentially let them catch the ball and make the tackle doesn’t help. Tillman can let Donald Drivers of the world catch the ball underneath and them tackle them for a 6 yard gain. Big physical WRs who run like RBs make that strategy flawed and dangerous. Steve Smith killed us with YAC and Mike Williams did too in Week 7. We’ll see if that effort was a fluke or if Williams simply outmatches this scheme. He certainly looked good against the Saints. Also we’ll have to see if Hasselbeck has that Brady gene in which it’s suicide to play a Cover 2 all day long against him. Offensively the Bears should be able to move the ball and they should be able to lean on the running game and score points as long as the blocking issues remain a minor problem instead of a serious one. There’s no way the Seahawks should run the ball on us and we should be able to punish Hasselbeck if they go one dimensional. That said, they solved our pass defense once, we’ll see if they can do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/469 "2011-01-11T13:23:15Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’m sure everyone’s aware what the Seahawks did back in Week 7 in Soldier Field. Saying it’s effectively impossible for them to win in Chicago is a dicey proposition. Especially after the way they’ve played the last two games. Just about everyone “saw no way” the Saints would lose to the Hawks either. I know, I was one of those who said it. And I’d love to see the Bears lose to a sub .500 team at home, in the playoffs. I just don’t think it will happen. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/470 "2011-01-11T14:38:57Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I heard pundits yapping all day about how the Eagles could have won if only Akers didn’t miss those easy field goals, and yet not a peep from them about Jones’ easy touchdown drop. Last I checked, 7 \> 6. I _love_ listening to Philly’s WIP radio just to hear what kind of mind-bogglingly stupid Eagles talk they can come up with. Last night: “…and the really frustrating thing is that we _know_ the Eagles can play better than they did on Sunday. All they had to do was play their best football, and they would have won that easily!” Gee, you fucking well think? You mean, that’s all they had to do? Play as good as they possibly can, and then they would have won?? Wow, you should really talk to Andy Reid and give him that strategy for next season – if they play mistake-free, perfect football, giving 100% of their abilities each and every week, then them Eagles will pull off the big 19-0! There’s no stupid like Mike Missanelli stupid (well, except for Howard Eskin stupid, of course – nothing tops that). ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/471 "2011-01-11T15:30:29Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I heard pundits yapping all day about how the Eagles could have won if only Akers didn’t miss those easy field goals, and yet not a peep from them about Jones’ easy touchdown drop. Last I checked, 7 \> 6. > > Unless the Packers scored on that drive anyway, in which case my bad for mentally lambasting all the pundits. Anyone know if that drive resulted in points? No, they didn’t score on that drive. According to the [detailed stat sheet](http://www.packers.com/assets/docs/gamebooks/2010/110109gamebook_eagles.pdf) (warning: PDF) I found on [Packers.com](http://Packers.com), there was only 0:37 left in the first half when the ball was snapped. The Packers then were called for delay of game (ISTR the announcers noting something about the Packers being so discombobulated by the dropped pass that they were late getting the next play in). With 0:31 left, Rodgers completed an 11-yard pass to Brandon Jackson (which took them to their own 43 yard line), and they then let the half expire. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/472 "2011-01-11T15:33:29Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > The Steve Smith Carolina Panthers from 3 or 4 years ago was a classic example. A big, physical, savvy WR can dice that zone up and dominate our corners. While Steve Smith is certainly a physical player at WR, at 5’9", I’m not sure that I’d call him “big”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/473 "2011-01-11T19:46:05Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I heard pundits yapping all day about how the Eagles could have won if only Akers didn’t miss those easy field goals, and yet not a peep from them about Jones’ easy touchdown drop. Last I checked, 7 \> 6. > > Unless the Packers scored on that drive anyway, in which case my bad for mentally lambasting all the pundits. Anyone know if that drive resulted in points? Missing two chip shot field goals are unforced errors which give back points essentially already earned. Failing to complete a touchdown pass is not on the same level. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/474 "2011-01-11T19:57:20Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Missing two chip shot field goals are unforced errors which give back points essentially already earned. Failing to complete a touchdown pass is not on the same level. I think really one was a chippie, with the wind at his back, but the other not nearly as much going into the wind. Failing to complete a touchdown pass, youa re correct, is not on the same level, except that we are not talking so much about the entire play, but the fact that a perfectly thrown ball was simply dropped, a physical/mental error that is the same as what happened to Akers. Of course, if certainthings had happened a certain way who knows how the game would have played out, so the whole exercise is fairly pointless. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/475 "2011-01-11T20:41:33Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > While Steve Smith is certainly a physical player at WR, at 5’9", I’m not sure that I’d call him “big”. 🙂 I think he’s big. He’s a frigging bowling ball. The guy has made a career of stiff arming DBs into the turf and running through arm tackles. He may not be tall, but he might be one of the strongest WRs out there. Or at least he was when he was in his prime. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/476 "2011-01-11T20:43:36Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I think really one was a chippie, with the wind at his back, but the other not nearly as much going into the wind. Agreed. The first miss was into the wind and longer (41 yards). As the Eagles were lining up for the kick, the announcers did note that it was by no means a guaranteed field goal, due to the wind. The second miss was not only with the wind, but much shorter (34 yards). That’s the one for which there’s far less excuse. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/477 "2011-01-11T20:47:57Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I think he’s big. He’s a frigging bowling ball. The guy has made a career of stiff arming DBs into the turf and running through arm tackles. He may not be tall, but he might be one of the strongest WRs out there. Or at least he was when he was in his prime. I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said about Smith; it’s just that, when I picture a “big WR”, I see a guy who’s probably 6’4" or taller, able to tower over cornerbacks (who are rarely over 6’), and has a physical presence (i.e., strong / muscular, not just tall). But, yeah, Smith “plays big”, as it were. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/478 "2011-01-11T20:49:58Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said about Smith; it’s just that, when I picture a “big WR”, I see a guy who’s probably 6’4" or taller, able to tower over cornerbacks (who are rarely over 6’), and has a physical presence (i.e., strong / muscular, not just tall). But, yeah, Smith “plays big”, as it were. I suppose a better phrasing on my part would have been “powerful”. The point obviously being that WRs who break tackles and make a mockery of the Bears insistence on stripping the ball first, tackling second give them issues. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/479 "2011-01-11T23:13:02Z")
A little more ammo for why Jerry Angelo needs to be fired as quickly as is humanly possible. > **[Bears planned to draft James Starks\*](https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/22507/former-scout-bears-planned-to-draft-james-starks)** > > Here's the kind of blog post you don't read every day.During the 2010 draft, according to the National Football Post, the Chicago Bears called Buffalo tailback James Starks to say they planned to draft him with the No. > [@](#): > > During the 2010 draft, according to the National Football Post, the Chicago Bears called Buffalo tailback James Starks to say they planned to draft him with the No. 181 overall pick. At the last moment, however, general manager Jerry Angelo changed his mind and selected Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour instead. Maybe, just maybe, my frustration with Lovie is somewhat misplaced. I’ve always loathed Angelo and his lying ways but felt that he and Lovie were attached at the hip. Sadly there’s probably little chance that Angelo will be replaced in the near future, partly because of this years success and because his contract extends one year beyond Lovie’s into 2013. I fear the only scenario in which Jerry gets canned is one in which Lovie gets full control of player personnel. ---
**Author:** ![UncleNito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/7cd45c/32.png) [@UncleNito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleNito)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2011, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471/480 "2011-01-12T01:53:53Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Agreed. The first miss was into the wind and longer (41 yards). As the Eagles were lining up for the kick, the announcers did note that it was by no means a guaranteed field goal, due to the wind. > > The second miss was not only with the wind, but much shorter (34 yards). That’s the one for which there’s far less excuse. Well, it is a chip shot if you’re playing on a plastic rug inside a giant inflatable snow globe. It isn’t a chip shot if you’re playing a man’s game on a man’s field, as the announcers (and anyone who knows anything about that stadium) correctly pointed out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2010-nfc-north-discussion-thread/550471.md?page=25)