# NFL Training camps and preseason **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 2, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059 "2009-08-02T14:55:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/21 "2009-08-03T14:26:20Z")
Looks like Shaun Rogers’ injury is a minor ankle tweak. Whew. I know I can’t shut up about Rogers on these boards but he is seriously the most fun football player I’ve ever watched. Maybe except for Vick. He’s superhuman half the time. Who’d have thought a nose tackle would be more fun and exciting to watch than a star receiver, quarterback, or running back? But he is. I don’t know how the Lions got rid of him - it should be looked at as one of those historically bad trades. My favorite moment with him - I can’t remember what team it was last year, but it was somewhere around week 10-14… when the wheels had already come off and he had no real reason to care… he was ripping up the other team’s center/guard double team so bad that they actually began to triple team him with the center and both guards. Their quarterback drops back, the offensive tackles both go outside to handle the DEs, and all you have in the middle of the line Shaun Rogers, a 260+ pound center, and two 300+ pound guards with their hands on him. He did not split the triple team, working his way through the gaps - they had their hands on him solidly. So he hulked out and simply drove the 800+ pound mass of professional athletes in front of him backwards. The entire triple team just got knocked back like a 200 pound RB trying to block a 280 pound DE. Dealing with his center and guards being pushed onto his feet, the quarterback just threw the ball away. Edit: Oh, and I remember how he was traded to the Bengals for like a day, before everyone involved said “Oh, lol, the bengals” and cancelled the trade. ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/22 "2009-08-03T15:00:18Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I just got back from my surprise 40th birthday party (my actual bday is on the 6th, but we had it today at my parent’s house because they are going out of town tomorrow), and man, I got some cool stuff. > > My SIL is a pastry chef/diva at the Palace restaurant/hotel, which is one of the ritzier places to eat in Cincinnati. She recently worked the “Taste Of The NFL” event we had here, with various Bengals luminaries present…she got me an authentic #40 jersey with my name on the back, signed by MArvin Lewis, Andrew Whitworth, Shayne Graham (whom wrote under his signature “Your sister in law kicks ass”), Chris Henry, and several other players. > > I got a few other random knicknacks, but the coolest thing was my cake my SIL made by hand. Bottom layer is an edible-confetti stuffed vanilla cake, middle layer is a raspberry-infused chocolate cake, and the top layer was an awesome carrot cake. > > All the decoration was hand cut by her with an exacto knife. Check it out! > > [http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/BengalsCake.jpg](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/BengalsCake.jpg) > > And yes, the “grass” is frosting! This would be a great cake to submit to [Cake Wrecks](http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/), along with a suggestion that she have an NFL cakes feature for the Sunday Sweets column. That cake is just too cool! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/23 "2009-08-03T15:55:54Z")
> [@Chanteuse](#): > > This would be a great cake to submit to [Cake Wrecks](http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/), along with a suggestion that she have an NFL cakes feature for the Sunday Sweets column. > > That cake is just too cool! Done and done! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/24 "2009-08-03T16:23:11Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Haven’t heard too much about my Steelers except for the crap with Big Ben. He hasn’t denied sleeping with her, just that he raped her. I think this might be Kobe part 2, only with an earlier, smaller settlement. > [@Stringer](#): > > It astounds me that Dick Jauron has been coaching in this league going on 10 years. The man is 57-76 and has only fielded one winning team – the 2001 Bears team which I consider the flukiest 13-win team I’ve ever seen, who were rightfully blown out in their only playoff game. Need to hire an NFL coach but ensure you can play golf in January? Choose mediocrity. Choose Jauron! ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/25 "2009-08-03T17:06:56Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > Already there have been injuries on the OLine, and that of Shawn Andrews is particularly scary. Hopefully it’s nothing. The OLine will be where this season is won or lost. Nothing else is as important. The ESPN radio affiliate in Philly is reporting that the Eagles’ starting MLB, Stewart Bradley (who was ready to become one of the better MLBs in the NFC) is likely out for the season with a torn ACL. Yep… it’s fun to be an Eagles fan. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/26 "2009-08-03T17:23:08Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Looks like Shaun Rogers’ injury is a minor ankle tweak. Whew. > > I know I can’t shut up about Rogers on these boards but he is seriously the most fun football player I’ve ever watched. Maybe except for Vick. He’s superhuman half the time. Who’d have thought a nose tackle would be more fun and exciting to watch than a star receiver, quarterback, or running back? But he is. I don’t know how the Lions got rid of him - it should be looked at as one of those historically bad trades. > > My favorite moment with him - I can’t remember what team it was last year, but it was somewhere around week 10-14… when the wheels had already come off and he had no real reason to care… he was ripping up the other team’s center/guard double team so bad that they actually began to triple team him with the center and both guards. > > Their quarterback drops back, the offensive tackles both go outside to handle the DEs, and all you have in the middle of the line Shaun Rogers, a 260+ pound center, and two 300+ pound guards with their hands on him. He did not split the triple team, working his way through the gaps - they had their hands on him solidly. So he hulked out and simply drove the 800+ pound mass of professional athletes in front of him backwards. The entire triple team just got knocked back like a 200 pound RB trying to block a 280 pound DE. Dealing with his center and guards being pushed onto his feet, the quarterback just threw the ball away. > > Edit: Oh, and I remember how he was traded to the Bengals for like a day, before everyone involved said “Oh, lol, the bengals” and cancelled the trade. Told you Shawn Rogers was a beast. He could very well be the best player in football, when properly motivated. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/27 "2009-08-03T17:25:08Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I just got back from my surprise 40th birthday party (my actual bday is on the 6th, but we had it today at my parent’s house because they are going out of town tomorrow), and man, I got some cool stuff. > > My SIL is a pastry chef/diva at the Palace restaurant/hotel, which is one of the ritzier places to eat in Cincinnati. She recently worked the “Taste Of The NFL” event we had here, with various Bengals luminaries present…she got me an authentic #40 jersey with my name on the back, signed by MArvin Lewis, Andrew Whitworth, Shayne Graham (whom wrote under his signature “Your sister in law kicks ass”), Chris Henry, and several other players. > > I got a few other random knicknacks, but the coolest thing was my cake my SIL made by hand. Bottom layer is an edible-confetti stuffed vanilla cake, middle layer is a raspberry-infused chocolate cake, and the top layer was an awesome carrot cake. > > All the decoration was hand cut by her with an exacto knife. Check it out! > > [http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/BengalsCake.jpg](http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/sgenetti77/BengalsCake.jpg) > > And yes, the “grass” is frosting! That’s super sweet, even though a Bengals cake should be about two steps up from a Lions cake, which should be a giant turd, covered in blue and black sprinkles. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/28 "2009-08-03T17:25:45Z")
Yeah, you were totally right. It’s utterly bizarre to me that your team would get rid of him - he must’ve been the only good thing they had going. He should’ve gotten serious consideration for DPOY last year, but those are popularity contests that require you to be on a good and/or popular team. “When properly motivated” … I’m not sure what his motivations are, but my team sucked ass through most of last season and he was playing well throughout. If he can still put forth effort when the team hasn’t put up a touchdown in 6 games, I’m not sure what would cause him to dog it. Your franchise must’ve been an even greater hole of suck! 😛 Edit: Another favorite moment. During one of the games the Browns randomly ran the UFO defense for one play - the D-line and linebackers all just sort of randomly scrambled around. When the ball was snapped, Rogers was standing over the right tackle and just got a running start at him. I thought that was just mean, like it should be banned in the rules of warfare or something. They should do that more often… give Shaun Rogers a running start at a random O-lineman depending on when the ball is snapped, like musical chairs… ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/29 "2009-08-03T17:31:29Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Yeah, you were totally right. It’s utterly bizarre to me that your team would get rid of him - he must’ve been the only good thing they had going. He should’ve gotten serious consideration for DPOY last year, but those are popularity contests that require you to be on a good and/or popular team. > > “When properly motivated” … I’m not sure what his motivations are, but my team sucked ass through most of last season and he was playing well throughout. If he can still put forth effort when the team hasn’t put up a touchdown in 6 games, I’m not sure what would cause him to dog it. > > Your franchise must’ve been an even greater hole of suck! 😛 > Edit: Another favorite moment. During one of the games the Browns randomly ran the UFO defense for one play - the D-line and linebackers all just sort of randomly scrambled around. When the ball was snapped, Rogers was standing over the right tackle and just got a running start at him. I thought that was just mean, like it should be banned in the rules of warfare or something. They should do that more often… give Shaun Rogers a running start at a random O-lineman depending on when the ball is snapped, like musical chairs… He was a bit of a malcontent in the locker room and we looked poised to lose him via free agency. The worst thing is that we didn’t get fair value for him, and with his lack of motivation, we couldn’t have. Don’t forget. Barry Sanders quit the Lions via fax 10 years ago on the eve of training camp, so yeah. Could you imagine Mr. Rogers in a top-5 defense? Baltimore? New England? Philly? Indianapolis? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/30 "2009-08-03T17:44:42Z")
Cleveland! Okay, maybe not. But Rogers is almost a top 20 defense by himself. If I had to pick between Denver’s starting 11 to be on the field, or Rogers… I’d go with Rogers. With coach creampuff out of the way, we’re going to see a pretty substantial improvement in Cleveland’s defense. Top 5, no, but possibly top 15. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/31 "2009-08-03T18:03:32Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Cleveland! > > Okay, maybe not. But Rogers is almost a top 20 defense by himself. If I had to pick between Denver’s starting 11 to be on the field, or Rogers… I’d go with Rogers. > > With coach creampuff out of the way, we’re going to see a pretty substantial improvement in Cleveland’s defense. Top 5, no, but possibly top 15. You know how these things go. Optimism during training camp, heartbreak during the season. Mr. Rogers was worth at least one win to us in the previous year, I think that’s certain. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/32 "2009-08-03T18:13:13Z")
Maybe you’re a perpetual 0-16 team that’s been winning 4-6 games a year due to the Herculean efforts of Rogers 😛 Actually, I shouldn’t be so mean, Detroit fans have gotten a raw deal and are still pretty good. In fact, if you didn’t have that pussy dome on your stadium, I’d probably respect your franchise as an old school franchise with fans that stick with the team through huge adversity. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/33 "2009-08-03T18:43:35Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Maybe you’re a perpetual 0-16 team that’s been winning 4-6 games a year due to the Herculean efforts of Rogers 😛 > > Actually, I shouldn’t be so mean, Detroit fans have gotten a raw deal and are still pretty good. In fact, if you didn’t have that pussy dome on your stadium, I’d probably respect your franchise as an old school franchise with fans that stick with the team through huge adversity. I hate Ford Field. It’s a concert venue made up to be a football stadium. There’s no home-field advantage there. I can have a conversation with the person next to me without having to scream on 3rd and 1, which I have no business doing. Respect the team and the fans (okay, just the fans), but Ford Field is bad. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/34 "2009-08-03T18:58:16Z")
In fairness, the team _does_ represent Detroit fairly well. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/35 "2009-08-03T19:18:29Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > In fairness, the team _does_ represent Detroit fairly well. Zing. ---
**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:** [August 3, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/36 "2009-08-03T19:19:11Z")
Looks like the Giants dodged the bullet that I had been fearing: [Antonio Pierce will not be indicted in connection with the Plaxico Burress gun case](http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/08/03/no-indictment-for-pierce/) \ ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/37 "2009-08-03T19:21:26Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > Looks like the Giants dodged the bullet… Oh, that’s bad. The pain, the pain… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/38 "2009-08-03T20:31:57Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > I hate Ford Field. It’s a concert venue made up to be a football stadium. There’s no home-field advantage there. I can have a conversation with the person next to me without having to scream on 3rd and 1, which I have no business doing. > > Respect the team and the fans (okay, just the fans), but Ford Field is bad. You really think so? I’ve never been to a Lions’ game there, but I’ve been to several Motor City Bowl games (BC v. Toledo, CMU v. Purdue and CMU v. Middle Tennessee State) and thought it was a great place to see a game. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/39 "2009-08-03T20:47:27Z")
In NE, there was briefly a rumor about the Pats bringing in Vick as a backup to Brady, but that seems to have been quickly squashed. Now the speculation is that they will bring in Cleo Lemon, who worked out for the team Friday. [This Globe article](http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2009/08/03/oconnell_on_track_as_patriots_backup_qb/) suggests that the existing backup - Kevin O’Connell - is still the #2 to beat, even with Lemon. In other news, everything I hear is that Brady looks like Brady (i.e. very good). Personally, I’ll believe it when I see it on the field. I’m interested to see how the Pats backfield shapes up this season. The Pats have been favoring a committee approach recently, whether on purpose or due to injury, I don’t know. They certainly don’t seem to have a standout feature back this year either, unless Maroney finally gets over the injury bug and breaks out (possible, if unlikely). I suspect that it’s going to be a situation where they put in certain backs against certain teams based on game planning, making it impossible for fantasy owners 😉 (Not that you’d necessarily want a NE running back on your fantasy team anyway). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059/40 "2009-08-03T20:50:11Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Associated Press > BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Browns Pro Bowl nose tackle Shaun Rogers was limited during practice on Sunday with an unspecified injury. > NOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo > > God I hope it’s minor. Last year I had to sit through the perpetual kick in the balls that was the '08 Browns season and the only thing I really found enjoyable was watching Shaun Rogers beat the shit out of everyone who dared get within 5 yards of him. He is brutal ass kicking in its most pure form. [Joe Thomas](http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=8105) is back again, and bigger than last year. So we have that to look forward to. But you are correct - last year was painful for the Brownies. Regards, Shodan [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-training-camps-and-preseason/505059.md?page=3)