A demonstration of NFL parity in one handy, circular graphic
 

The graphic below was posted on Reddit Tuesday morning by the user danchan22 and it has since become viral.
It shows a circular progression of NFL parity based on head-to-head wins and losses.

http://i52.tinypic.com/mr5zjc.jpg
Here's how to read it: Viewing it clockwise, the team that comes first beat the team next to them
who, in turn, beat the team next to them. It's not as confusing as it sounds. Look at the Steelers
logo at the top. The Steelers beat the Falcons 15-9. The Falcons beat the Bucs 27-21. The Bucs
beat the Browns 17-14. And so on and so forth.


[shutdowncorner.]

^ awesome.

I wonder if such a image could be created from any year (that didn't have a 16-0 or 0-16 team), or if this year is special.

I'm quite sure it could feasibly be done 3 or 4 times in the past decade (the only time we had an undefeated and a winless regular season team in that span was in the same year, 2008); we could work with the most recent year, being that of last season. You'd need to sart with the St. Louis Rams, (1-15 record) and see who they beat, and then upwards on onwards through the league based on winning record, crossing off and checking possible combinations, until you get stuck. Afterwards, do you then go onto the circular logic of a win-lose graph, as previously seen above.

WoW!....the Browns just beat the Panthers!

Gigantic helium-filled pig balloons are flying with iceburgs in tow and dropping 'em smack dap into the middle of Hell!

Plus the Steelers just won, too. This is a banner day in NE Ohio. Yeowzaaa!

This is no longer 2008 - the Browns are now an adequate team (as opposed to a perennial disappointment / embarassment for 75% of the past decade) in the NFL, and the Panthers are now the "banner" team to lay claim that coveted #1 pick come next year's NFL Draft (for whatever that may be worth).

Us Browns fans will gladly take "Adequate"....it sure beats the "Mistake by the Lake"!

For those that might like the feature, I'm currently going to be taking the next three days (off/on) to compile this season's listing of the standout NFL rookie class, as portrayed in order of impact, circumtance, production, and future outlook.

If any one at all would like to chip in a voice and nominate players from their respective teams, I'm wholly receptive to it (though I probably have already them in mind).

Thank you for your patience.

Breaking news: Brett Favre sabotages roof of Metrodome in attempt to extend his consecutive starts record.

;)

I've finally finished. I'll post the listing tomorrow night around halftime, or whenever I get around to touching down and finding a port.

On another note, this was the worst weekend for me as a fan of the NFL. Horrendous weather conditions, atrocious football teams squaring off against the quality, and too many bone-headed miscues to count.

Well, at least three of my teams won today, even if only one of them played what can be deemed 'winning adequately'. I have to go and re-shuffle some pieces.

I'll leave you with a thought: what has surprised you this season? This can be in terms of anything, like coaching, a particular week's win, a season-up-until-this-point that looks promising for (state it here) team, yet you would have never have guess it. Individual player news is okay as well, so long as we can get a little dialogue going.

I hope sal alosi is fired for what he did yesterday, should have been an instant resignation / firing in my book.

Why the hell didn't he immediately resign after the game? How can Ryan not find out what happened (albeit after the press conference since that's essentially where he found out) then pull the guy aside and say "I can either fire you or you can do the right thing and resign."

Oh, and the Bears are who I thought they were.

Totally agreed, Jazz. There's no WAY we should be 12 hours after the episode and he's still an employee. It looks like the Jets are waiting to see what the NFL says before they do anything, which is a classless approach.

Just to continue on the Sal Alosi situation. The minimum acceptable response that I can imagine would have been for the Jets to announce by 10 am this morning that they were suspending Alosi while they considered what their final punishment would be. Obviously, that hasn't happened.

I'm waiting to see what they will do, but I don't imagine that I'll be impressed.

What minimal faith I had in the Jets organization being "classy" has now been completely destroyed. My opinion of them took a nose-dive when they completely mishandled Pennington. After this, they may have replaced the Raiders as the team I hate most. And by that, I mean that I immediately assume that any player on the team or anyone associated with the franchise is a bad human being.

I totally disagree with you here. You are not in any part a member of the NFL coaches association, (I'm assuming) or a member of the New York Jets organization. When you implicate and state your broadly-generalized "WE", (-should be 12 hours after...) it comes across that you are only speaking as the general audience of being an NFL fan and/or casual watcher.

Sure, what that assistant did was funny, and at the same time cheap and/or wrong. You can even argue that it was egregious, and a serious issue to which could be cause for termination, but in now way should you (or I, or "WE", as fans) be the sole judge and determinators to what happens to him as a ramification of his actions, and whether or not he is still employed by the NFL.

You have no right to determine his fate by your own moral clause of what you happened to catch on television and/or subsequent highlight (lowlight) reels.

What no one else is willing to take issue with is that the Dolphins speal-teamer in question (Cb Nolan Carroll) was already WAY outside the bounds of play when he was streaking. He was knee deep in sideline white chalk, and was just a step or two from taking a seat on the Jets bench. Now, I'm not defending this Sal guy, for what he did was just a very fine step short of deliberate interference, and he should at the very least be fined for his contemptible actions (and my guess is he will be handed a end-of-year suspension from the NFL board, and regarding his fate with the Jets, it's a 60/40 split in my mind that he will be fired within a two-week period).


I just don't see the blatant outrage and undue entitlement that a few folks like yoursleves have to pass down instant Roman Emperor judgment ('thumbs down'). I can see having an opinion on the matter, and if you think this is the most important talking point from the weekend, so be it. That's your right to free thought. But I don't understand whatsoever what role any of us have as fans (or a "rival" team fan) have to castigate him any further than what he already (likely) has coming to him. His life, role, and particular one-noteworthy actions probably never affected you before yesterday, nor will ever again. I just can't see why others won't let it go (I'm speaking very-broad here, and while I'm encompassing a couple few replies above here, it's more an essay on what other anonymous voices are crying out about, and on mainstream {ESPN} media).


Have some more fun hate beating down on the horse, if you so choose, I guess.

ROOKIES (The long delay is over)
 

The NFL's Exceptional Rookie Class: 2010 ... (Just based on my observations and research)


AFC

East
New York Jets - no notable instances
Miami Dolphins - OFF. no notable instances ; DEF. Koa Misi, LB (#) ; ST Nolan Carroll, KR/CB (#)
Buffalo Bills - OFF. David Nelson, WR (##) ; ST/OFF. C.J. Spiller, KR/RB (##) ; DEF. no notable instances
New England Patriots - OFF. Rob Gronkowski, TE ; OFF. Aaron Hernandez, TE ; DEF. Devin McCourty, CB ; DEF. Brandon Spikes, LB ; ST/OFF. Brandon Tate, KR/WR

West
Denver Broncos - OFF. J.D. Walton, C ; DEF. Perrish Cox, CB ; OFF./ST Demaryius Thomas, WR/KR (##) ; OFF. Zane Beadles, OT (#)
Kansas City Chiefs - OFF. Tony Moeaki, TE ; DEF. Eric Berry, S ; DEF./ST Javier Arenas, CB/KR (#) ; ST/OFF. Dexter McCluster, KR/RB/WR (##) ; OFF. Jon Asamoah, OG (#)
Oakland Raiders - OFF./ST Jacoby Ford, KR/WR (#) ; DEF. Rolando McClain, LB ; DEF. Lamarr Houston, DE ; OFF. Jared Veldheer, OT
San Diego Chargers - OFF. Ryan Mathews (##) ; DEF. no notable instances

North
Baltimore Ravens - no notable instances
Cincinnati Bengals - OFF. Jermaine Gresham, TE ; OFF. Jordan Shipley, WR ; DEF. Carlos Dunlap, DE (##)
Cleveland Browns - OFF. Colt McCoy, QB ; DEF. T.J. Ward, S ; DEF. Joe Haden, CB
Pittsburgh Steelers - OFF. Maurkice Pouncey, C ; ST/OFF. Emmanuel Sanders, KR/WR ; DEF. no notable instances

South
Houston Texans - OFF. Arian Foster, RB (*) [the only second-year NFLer. He joined the Texans starting roster after the mid-point of last season, so in my opinion, he still has less than 1 year of NFL experience]
Indianapolis Colts - OFF. Blair White, WR (##) ; DEF. Pat Angerer, LB
Tennessee Titans - DEF. Alterraun Verner, CB ; ST Marc Mariani, KR/WR
Jacksonville Jaguars - OFF. no notable instances ; DEF. Tyson Alualu, DT ; ST Deji Karim, KR/RB

NFC

East
Washington Redskins - OFF. Anthony Armstrong, WR (#) ; OFF. Trent Williams, OT ; ST/OFF. Brandon Banks, KR/WR ; OFF. Keiland Williams, RB (##)
New York Giants - DEF. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE ; ST Matt Dodge P
Philadelphia Eagles - OFF. no notable instances ; DEF. Nate Allen, S
Dallas Cowboys - OFF./ST Dez Bryant, WR/KR ; DEF./ST Bryan McCann, CB/KR ; ST/DEF. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, DB

West
Arizona Cardinals - OFF. no notable instances ; DEF. Daryl Washington, LB (#)
San Francisco 49ers - OFF. Anthony Davis, OT ; OFF. Mike Iupati, OT (#) ; DEF. Taylor Mays, S (#)
St. Louis Rams - OFF. Sam Bradford, QB ; OFF. Rodger Saffold, OT ; OFF. Michael Hoomanawanui, TE (#) ; DEF. no notable instances
Seattle Seahawks - OFF. no notable instances ; DEF. Earl Thomas, S

North
Minnesota Vikings - no notable instances
Detriot Lions - OFF. Jahvid Best, RB (#) ; DEF. Ndamukong Suh, DT ; DEF. Amari Spievey, S
Green Bay Packers - OFF. Bryan Bulaga, OT (#) ; DEF. Morgan Burnett, S (##)
Chicago Bears - OFF. J’Marcus Webb, OT (#) ; no notable instances

South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - OFF. Mike Williams, WR ; DEF. Cody Grimm, S ; DEF. Gerald McCoy, DT (#) ; OFF. LeGarrette Blount, RB (*) ; OFF. Arrelious Benn, WR (#)
Carolina Panthers - OFF. Jimmy Clausen, QB (##) ; OFF. David Gettis, WR (##) ; DEF. Greg Hardy, DE (#)
Atlanta Falcons - OFF. no notable instances ; DEF. Corey Peters, DT ; DEF. Sean Weatherspoon, LB
New Orleans Saints - OFF. Christopher Ivory, RB (*) ; OFF. Jimmy Graham, TE (#) ; DEF. Patrick Robinson, CB (#)

-- (to note: I have tried to list this year's rookie crop in order of impact in their respective divisions, by level of production on the field, and the importance to which their individual role factors into the team as a playmaker.
A subjective listing - feel free to add any commentary.)

- - - - -

additional(s):
(*) UDFA (undrafted free agent) Rookie Acquisition AND/OR [half-]second-year player.
(#) unespecially notables, either due to: sporadic team production, sub-par starter's performance (i.e., not very good, save for one or two instances all season) and/or lingering injuries. Two [##] means so long as the rookie started maybe two games, and an okay outing in one of them, they qualify. Basically, they're The Replacements.

Note: I tried to figure at least one offensive and defensive player on each team, yet some are just shown with a caveat (they may have had 1 average game and 1 great, promising day, but have been inconsistent in all others). With some teams (like the NE Patriots) I decided to showcase only the 5most prominent rookie contributors. That team is DEEP with young talent. All teams are capped at a maximum of five bright rookies to watch for, but not all teams met the minimum requirements of two (1 OFF., 1 DEF.).


-- The above listing was aided by the following resources: 1, 2, & 3.

You've got the right to your opinion just like I've got the right to mine. You're correct that he never entered into my sphere of recognition until yesterday, but I don't see how that's in any way relevant. The only reason he did was because he did something that's so outside the recognized rules of conduct both on and off the field that, in my mind, he forfeited his right to his job immediately. He interferred with and attempted to hurt a player from an opposing team. There is no room for that in the game, especially from a coach/staff member. I can't draw a line between what actually happened and taking a folding chair to the back of his head.

As far as saying that there was no deliberate interferrence, well, Sal Alosi disagrees with you since he's already admitted as much.

As for the rest of what you posted blathering about "undue outrage" and Roman emporers, I'm not going to apologize for stating my opinion. I don't care if you agree with me or not, but telling me that I don't get to have one make you look arrogant. You don't own this thread and you don't get to tell folks what they can think.

Sal Alosi did was almost criminal in my mind, he was not a player he was not expecting to be hit by a coach or staff, and it could have severely injured a person. Not even an opposing player, since Sal Alosi is not a player. He physically assaulted and injured a person.

He does not belong on the field in any stadium ever again in my mind, and is lucky he is not talking to the police. Not that I think the NFL would ever allow the police to get involved.

"Funny"? Can you possibly be serious in that opinion?
Of course I have no say in his punishment. Note that I DIDN'T say "fire the bastard". I said that I believed that the Jets organization should have made some serious moves on its own (i.e., not waiting for the NFL as a whole to make a decision) to show that they care about the integrity of the game. I still believe that they should not have waited for someone else to punish him before saying anything.

There are laws/rules, and then there are honorable and dishonorable practices. I believe that Alosi broke a rule, and that the Jets organization did not show honor in their handling of the situation.

I'm not sure what you are getting all riled up about, Jazz, as in no way did anything I write have the inference that your opinion is wrong, and/or unworthy.

And what arrogance am I displayng here? I argued both sides of what the issue was, yet I still believe (as much as it is my right to offer stated opinion here as well) that not a one of us has the authority and/or right connections to decide, based upon what we saw, of whether or not this assistant gets fired, fined, put in jail, and what have you. If it's solely because I stated it was "funny", you can't really believe I'd recant that.

The assistant didn't walk towards the player in any manner, he didn't stick his leg out so blatantly as you'd regularly in Monty Python skits, (45-degree full-leg extension, heel-to-ground) and he was surrounded by other assistants who were just as far out as he was. now, they didn't subtly lean forward and extend their knees as a punt-coverage player was streaking towards them, but again, there was no reason for Carroll to be that far out of bounds. Not that I have to do so, but yeah, Alosi's actions this past weekend were definite grounds for dismissal, and shows in just an infintesimal degree what sort of character of person he could really be.

And I didn't quite state it the way you made it out, Jazz. Of course what Alosi did was interference, but when I added the caveat of "blatant", he didn't run straight at any one Dolphin player and truck him, nor did he ever step foot onto the game field and interrupt process. Additionally, did I even refer to you or call you out on something to get you this upset? I'm talking in generalities here of how most people initially reacted to this, both here, on blogs, messageboards, televsion, and on ESPN; and I don't think I even quoted one word of what you stated above. Like I assumed above, the assistant was both suspended by the Jets organization for he rest of the reason, and then the NFL board ruled a few hours later the same thing (including the playoffs). He's still an employee of the NFL, but it stand to reason he's on very thin ice for a while now (possibly blackballed for the rest of his tenure in the NFL, however long he may wish it to be, for what occurred).

I actually rather stand up for, and call out non-stories, and I haven't watched any television since the weekend (ther than the Monday Night game on my phone) because I knew the media firestorm would only be talking about Favre's consecutive start-streak ending, with just a little bit of this Alosi's verdict sprinkled in to spark controversial thoughts. Is this really the only important thing that happened this past week? I'm not trying to quell the discussion you guys are trying to have about this, but how many ways can you dissect it? And this is the only noteworthy piece of NFL news to happen in the past three weeks - really? (judging by the lack of other responses towards teams, players, coaches, and playoff implications.)


Maybe I'm just a different breed of fan. I like discussing with people, but not when you get into the hypotheticals and suppositions of what fine or punishment a dirty player or cheating coach may get. That's gossip and rumours. I reserve my participation for the actual game played on the field. I'm sorry if offended you by stating it just so. I'll re-enter this topic when we actually make just a bit of progress back to what occurred when the time is actually ticking down on the game clock. This isn't arrogance. I'm responding am I not? Trying to put forth absurd hypotheticals (my words) just as much as the next, asking questions, and trying to elicit some sort of real opinion. But... yes, I'd much rather it be pertaining to game action and consequences thereof, if only so I can join in on the participation (selfish me) and allow a healthy exchange of ideas.

This news, I agree, was pertinent, but the guy got what was deserving, and I'll re-iterate, it just doesn't make sense to someone like me to invest too much of my time hashing out what happened, or the reasons (excuses) he might have given for what he had done - because in the end, I'll just make myself (and possibly others) upset in trying to play judge, jury and executioner.

Sal alosi, was caught doing more then tripping, he had the players create a wall by the sidelines every punt. Now he is suspended indefinitely.

Lets pretend that Alosi didn't extend his knee. Would "creating the wall" still be a big deal?

It would be a violation of the rules. They were clearly in the area where only coaches and players about to be substituted are supposed to be located. I remembered seeing a chart showing that information (I have an old copy of the NFL rulebook, but can't put my hands on it), and eventually found this description: Boston Sports Media WatchWho Ordered The Jets "Sideline Wall?" Boston Sports Media Watch

However, I don't believe that it would be a huge deal. I doubt that there would be fines involved. Instead, there'd be a letter from the NFL reminding players to keep out of that area, and a penalty (I'm guessing 15 yards) if caught doing it during the game.

Reviving this post because of a point I had forgotten to make: who do you think will win this year's Offensive & Defensive ROY honors?


I had made it a caveat abot three weeks ago that if either St. Louis or Tampa reach the playoffs, whichever one, the OFF. ROY would either go to Sam Bradford (St. Louis) or to Mike Williams (Tampa Bay) because of the recognition either team would get since last year, when neither team even won three games all season..

At this stage however, it seems all but assured Sam Bradford will get the nod and the award, in my estimation. However the DEF. ROY ballot is still open-ended enough to warrant discussion on which rookie's play was exceptional enough to be better than all the rest in the class; who do you suppose that is? In my opinion, either Cleveland defensive back institution (T.J. Ward, S, and Joe Haden, CB) could be on the final ballot, as well as Philly's Nate Allen, S, and perhaps Oakland's Rolando McClain, LB. The runaway first ballot nominee, however, might be the eventual winner de facto: Detriot's Ndamukong Suh, DT.

Thoughts, additions, concerns?

I see no one has posted here in some time. Let's liven up the place a little. Playoff predictions? To make things interesting, I'm willing to hand out $25 out of my own pocket (I'm poor) to whoever can go 11-0. Only rule is that you have to be a full fledged member (500+ posts?) to qualify.

Saints (-10.5) at Seahawks
Jets at Indy (-2.5)
Ravens (-2.5) at Chiefs
Green Bay at Philadelphia (-2.5)

My picks are Saints, Jets, Ravens, Eagles.

I also want to add, fuck Andrew Luck. He's going back to school instead of getting drafted by the Panthers next year. He's an idiot though. If he goes pro now, he can make a ton more before the lockout happens.

This made up for my terrible predictions yesterday at the UFC in spades!

I have no definable emotion at this point, but for the second year in a row (or... since I've started this pre-season ritual) I have correctly predicted the Super Bowl Winning Team.

I did it before most of the other "sports analysts/experts", but it still feels good to be right WIN!


-- (to note: I even correctly called Brady = MVP, Vick = Comeback Player, though in hindsight, I should have actually written it down HERE.)