# Official 2011 NFL Football Thread - Preseason Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 21, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920 "2011-07-21T23:58:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 20
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/381 "2011-08-12T17:57:41Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Here’s a question that could’ve gone in the fantasy discussion, but I’ll probably get better answers here. > > How does the Dallas running game look? Felix Jones had a “meh” season - is he expected to step up? What about Tashard Choice? DeMarco Murray? Is this going to be one of those “start the season with RB by committee, and see what sticks” situations? Jones has the most “upside”, but can’t seem to stay healthy. Remember when at Arkansas with McFadden, Jones was who they ran the “pro-style” offense through. Choice has always been more of a 3rd down type back, he has capable hands, does an adequate job pass-blocking, and can do an average job running the ball. Murray seems to me, to be the question mark. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but can make people miss in the open field. He wasn’t without injury problems in college, but you never know how hard someone was willing to push it, before getting paid. If/when Jones goes down, he will be the one who will benefit the most. But Felix Jones is Jerry Jones’ boy (Arkansas connection), and I think in the end will pressure to have him get a majority of the playing time. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/382 "2011-08-12T18:02:50Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Here’s a question that could’ve gone in the fantasy discussion, but I’ll probably get better answers here. > > How does the Dallas running game look? Felix Jones had a “meh” season - is he expected to step up? What about Tashard Choice? DeMarco Murray? Is this going to be one of those “start the season with RB by committee, and see what sticks” situations? I think it’s going to pretty much suck across the board. They’ll be constantly injured and rotating players. Jones hasn’t ever been a workhorse and I have almost no faith that he can become one, and behind him it’s very unproven. Choice showed some flashes two years ago but he’s also slipping down the depth chart. The rookies Murray and Miller have potential but little else, in this very short training camp rookies will suffer and neither of these guys will be able to pass protect and it’s unlikely they survive the full season without missing time. Jones might break out and become a stud like **RNATB** is speculating, he’s got the ability, but his pass protection, short yardage and durability concerns are all very real. I think the Cowboys will be really gambling if the put Romo’s well being into the hands of this group of RBs, especially if Choice gets the boot. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2011, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/383 "2011-08-13T00:11:27Z")
I’m guessing the price for Orton has just gone up. Henne’s stat line so far: 1 for 4, for 5 yards, 0 td’s and 2 interceptions. ---
**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 13, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/384 "2011-08-13T01:49:35Z")
Cinci looking as awesome as expected. Yeah, I know, the Browns are gonna look like crap tomorrow. But at least it’s against Green Bay and not Detroit. ---
**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 13, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/385 "2011-08-13T02:04:21Z")
I know I asked this question before. When was the last time an NFL head coach was also the OC or DC? I know a lot of head coaches call their own plays, but when was the last time a team simply didn’t have an offensive or defensive coordinator? It seems especially weird for a rookie head coach to have that on his plate. I wonder if that means Holmgren is more involved in the coaching than his position of president indicates. ---
**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 13, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/386 "2011-08-13T03:09:05Z")
Buccaneers pound the Chiefs 25-0 on the road in the preseason opener. It’s preseason, and the Chiefs’ #1 QB, RB and WR didn’t play, but it’s still a good night. > [@SenorBeef](#): > > I know I asked this question before. When was the last time an NFL head coach was also the OC or DC? I know a lot of head coaches call their own plays, but when was the last time a team simply didn’t have an offensive or defensive coordinator? It seems especially weird for a rookie head coach to have that on his plate. I wonder if that means Holmgren is more involved in the coaching than his position of president indicates. Wade Phillips was the defensive coordinator most of his time in Dallas. John Gruden was the offensive coordinator his entire time in Tampa. Officially, we had an offensive coordinator, but he was actually the quarterbacks coach. Raheem Morris is the head coach and defensive coordinator right now, and was last year too (as a rookie HC). Our head coach was hired to be defensive coordinator, and our offensive coordinator (Greg Olson) was hired to be the quarterbacks coach (and was promoted after Jeff Jagodzinski was fired during the 2010 preseason). ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/387 "2011-08-13T10:05:35Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Cinci looking as awesome as expected. > > Yeah, I know, the Browns are gonna look like crap tomorrow. But at least it’s against Green Bay and not Detroit. Well at least it’s fun to see Detroit look solid for a little while. It of course doesn’t feel good for long, knowing it is the Bengals, and the unforgettable memory of 4-0,0-16. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/388 "2011-08-13T12:32:49Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Cinci looking as awesome as expected. > > Yeah, I know, the Browns are gonna look like crap tomorrow. But at least it’s against Green Bay and not Detroit. Jerome Harrison. 6 carries, 8 yards. Against Cincy backups. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/389 "2011-08-13T12:46:39Z")
My Steelers did not look good last night, but I don’t mind. First game of preseason might as well be touch football. In fact, I am a little superstitious about them winning in preseason - I get nervous if they do. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/390 "2011-08-13T14:42:40Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > My Steelers did not look good last night, but I don’t mind. First game of preseason might as well be touch football. In fact, I am a little superstitious about them winning in preseason - I get nervous if they do. Wouldn’t worry too much; my Redskins were playing their starters against Pittsburgh’s subs for at least a quarter. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/391 "2011-08-13T17:53:29Z")
The 49ers offense and special teams looked awful against the Saints. Th Defense looked good, keeping Breeze without a first down on three drives and a QB rating as bad as Alex Smith’s. Kaepernick looked like a rookie, no big surprise. It didn’t help that the offensive line was as impenatrable as a slotted spoon. Aldon Smith looked great, got a sack, tied for most tackles, and played smart. He should be a starting OLB by the regular season, and could be a Defensive ROTY candidate. Taylor Mays didn’t help himself by being a half-second late on every play he should have made. The rookie CB, Chris Culliver looked good. ---
**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 13, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/392 "2011-08-13T17:54:39Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Cinci looking as awesome as expected. > > Yeah, I know, the Browns are gonna look like crap tomorrow. But at least it’s against Green Bay and not Detroit. I thought Dalton played well enough after his rough start. Its clear he shook off the early rattling on played with confidence the rest of the way. It doesn’t help when you start off in a 14-0 hole because your UDFA KR fumbles a kickoff after the Lions score and they recover and score again. Dalton’s INT wouldn’t have happened had not Bobbie Williams the RG not apparently put on about 50 extra lbs…Suh just manhandled him the whole game and he smashed Dalton before he could follow through on his pass attempt. Maualuga looked great at MLB, he was everywhere. Benson is a fucking stud as long as he’s not assaulting people off the field (37 yards on 6 carries)…our wideouts are really good…everything is just so new, new QB, new O-coordinator, only two weeks of practice…its preseason… Stafford looked really sharp. Guy is going to be a good one if he doesn’t keep getting hurt. ---
**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 13, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/393 "2011-08-13T17:55:27Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Jerome Harrison. 6 carries, 8 yards. Against Cincy backups. He’s sneaky like that. Once the regular season starts it’s going to be 6 carries, 800 yards. He’s actually going to stretch the field once he gets to the end of it so that he has more yards to rack up. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/394 "2011-08-13T18:44:25Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I know I asked this question before. When was the last time an NFL head coach was also the OC or DC? I know a lot of head coaches call their own plays, but when was the last time a team simply didn’t have an offensive or defensive coordinator? It seems especially weird for a rookie head coach to have that on his plate. I wonder if that means Holmgren is more involved in the coaching than his position of president indicates. Lovie was the DC for the Bears in 2009. It didn’t go real well so they promoted Marinelli from within in 2010. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/395 "2011-08-13T19:10:27Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > It didn’t help that the offensive line was as impenatrable as a slotted spoon. Did Iupati and Davis play? I was under the impression they were going to join forces with Staley and become the bedrock for an outstanding O Line. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2011, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/396 "2011-08-13T19:12:17Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > He’s sneaky like that. Once the regular season starts it’s going to be 6 carries, 800 yards. > > He’s actually going to stretch the field once he gets to the end of it so that he has more yards to rack up. He’ll be so good, the NFL will create, just for him, a HarrisonEndZone, which is 20 yards past the regular end zone and surrounded by alligators. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/398 "2011-08-13T20:09:17Z")
I guess we should feel honored that CBS thinks so highly of this thread, that they spammed it. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/399 "2011-08-13T22:13:32Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > Did Iupati and Davis play? I was under the impression they were going to join forces with Staley and become the bedrock for an outstanding O Line. Yes, they played. I expect the line play to improve soon, but it was just not good Friday. Part of it was the Saints decided to blitz almost every play in the first preseason game, and they didn’t expect that. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee details the failures in [this blog post](http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2011/08/breaking-down-the-o-line-breakdowns.html). All three of the guys you name messed up at some point, and blitz pickup was generally nonexistent. ---
**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 13, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/400 "2011-08-13T23:49:04Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Yeah, I know, the Browns are gonna look like crap tomorrow. But at least it’s against Green Bay and not Detroit. Nevermind. Superbowl. ---
**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 14, 2011, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920/401 "2011-08-14T00:18:33Z")
Thinking of getting on Colt McCoy’s bandwagon. I’ve been cautious about him but it really seems like the offense is designed to his strengths. O-line looking epic. Cutting St. John improved it by 30% alone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-2011-nfl-football-thread-preseason-edition/589920.md?page=21)