Good luck in this upcoming strange as hell season

[Crow-Magnon]

Wow. The NFL season opens in two more days. A month ago it still seemed like a pipe dream (although I believed with all that $$$$$ that would be lost, they’d have players suited up in MOPP gear if they had their way lol). But it is still going to be a strange season. From fewer fans to no fans, football is going to be a quieter affair this year. Very surreal.

But it beats no football!

So I say good luck. I believe the AFCN crown is going to the Ravens this year, unless Ben comes back with a vengeance. Either way, I don’t think the Bengals have a chance (though I wish Burrows well), and Cleveland is, well, Cleveland.

And if things go south, I’ll fish on Sundays lol. I’m crushing these bass down here in Texas!

[Mojouw]

Wow. The NFL season opens in two more days. A month ago it still seemed like a pipe dream (although I believed with all that $$$$$ that would be lost, they’d have players suited up in MOPP gear if they had their way lol). But it is still going to be a strange season. From fewer fans to no fans, football is going to be a quieter affair this year. Very surreal.

But it beats no football!

So I say good luck. I believe the AFCN crown is going to the Ravens this year, unless Ben comes back with a vengeance. Either way, I don’t think the Bengals have a chance (though I wish Burrows well), and Cleveland is, well, Cleveland.

And if things go south, I’ll fish on Sundays lol. I’m crushing these bass down here in Texas!

You, too. That bass fishing sounds like a solid backup plan.

Until the Steelers (or anyone else) consistently beat the Ravens, I gotta go with the Ravens as the favorites for the AFCN. I think the Browns will be better and have the paper talent to be a dominant team. But likely another year of having Browns things happen. Bengals are improved, but still have holes.

Maybe the AFCN sends 3 teams to the expanded playoffs?

[86WARD]

It’s going to be the Steelers or Ravens. Regardless, I think the AFCN is going to be competitive and will have 3 teams on or above .500.

[st33lersguy]

Good luck to you too. Ravens are looking mighty scary this year. Chiefs are the favorite but I think Ravens are 2nd favorite

[FrancoLambert]

Good luck to you too. Ravens are looking mighty scary this year. Chiefs are the favorite but I think Ravens are 2nd favorite

^^THIS^^
Except for the good luck.

[Fire Goodell]

I don't expect a huge season but I'll be happy to just watch football

[Hawkman]

I have a feeling I won’t be invited to the Ravens/Steelers game. Always have a fun time in downtown Baltimore. Only missed two in the last twenty years.

[steel striker]

Good luck Crow and, I think if Ben plays well the Steelers could win the North. Ravens will be tough as usual might depend on how well Lamar plays in the playoff's.

[Crow-Magnon]

You may not under the current situation. Damned COVID!!!

- - - Updated - - -

Good luck Crow and, I think if Ben plays well the Steelers could win the North. Ravens will be tough as usual might depend on how well Lamar plays in the playoff's.

What’s your take on Ben for 2020? Does he seem like he’s in game shape and ready to roll? He’s getting up there and coming off missing most of 2019 due to injury. Are you concerned about his abilities this year?

[EzraTank]

Burrows is going to have a fun time learning that the Steelers and Ravens defenses aren't East Tennessee State. If he survives those 4 games a year and thrives then he's the real deal.

[dislocatedday]

You may not under the current situation. Damned COVID!!!

- - - Updated - - -



What’s your take on Ben for 2020? Does he seem like he’s in game shape and ready to roll? He’s getting up there and coming off missing most of 2019 due to injury. Are you concerned about his abilities this year?

I know you did not ask me for my take on Ben, but I personally am concerned about whether he can still produce. He physically looks in shape to me and appears to be committed to football, so I am hopeful. Most of the reports out of camp regarding his throwing have been positive. I can only find a report of one practice day where it was noted that he seemed to be off and short-arming his throws. There is no indication that it has been a consistent problem.

Still though, being 38 years old and coming back after reconstructive elbow surgery is definitely cause for concern. The flip side is that if his elbow was bothering him for a few years, maybe he actually comes back even better now that is has been cleaned up and repaired. We'll all see soon. Ben has a deep group of receiving options this year, and I personally think the national media is underestimating the Steelers receiving group. I think they are going to have 3 studs this year in JuJu, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool.

Ravens are still the team to beat as they have won the division the last two years, and Lamar really improved as a passer last year. If he can keep improving in that regard, they are going to be an even tougher team to deal with going forward.

[EzraTank]

I know you did not ask me for my take on Ben, but I personally am concerned about whether he can still produce. He physically looks in shape to me and appears to be committed to football, so I am hopeful. Most of the reports out of camp regarding his throwing have been positive. I can only find a report of one practice day where it was noted that he seemed to be off and short-arming his throws. There is no indication that it has been a consistent problem.

Still though, being 38 years old and coming back after reconstructive elbow surgery is definitely cause for concern. The flip side is that if his elbow was bothering him for a few years, maybe he actually comes back even better now that is has been cleaned up and repaired. We'll all see soon. Ben has a deep group of receiving options this year, and I personally think the national media is underestimating the Steelers receiving group. I think they are going to have 3 studs this year in JuJu, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool.

Ravens are still the team to beat as they have won the division the last two years, and Lamar really improved as a passer last year. If he can keep improving in that regard, they are going to be an even tougher team to deal with going forward.

Valid concerns. Remember Bradshaw's career ended after elbow crap and he was only 35. Now granted that was 1983 and surgery and medicine have come a long way but it's still a concern of mine as well. We'll know within a few weeks though. Either he lights it up or we start looking for a QB in the coming drafts.

[Squeegee Thompson]

Valid concerns. Remember Bradshaw's career ended after elbow crap and he was only 35. Now granted that was 1983 and surgery and medicine have come a long way but it's still a concern of mine as well. We'll know within a few weeks though. Either he lights it up or we start looking for a QB in the coming drafts.

Welp, 21/32, 229yds, 3 TD / 0 INT pretty much should alleviate those concerns. I was expecting a rusty Ben for a game or three, then returning more to form as the season progressed. What I did not expect was that the 'old' Ben would be back before halftime, spreading the ball around, scrambling for 1st downs, and dropping dimes. It's been a year since we've seen what passable NFL QB play looks like, and it was more than on display last night in NY.

[Fire Goodell]

Welp, 21/32, 229yds, 3 TD / 0 INT pretty much should alleviate those concerns. I was expecting a rusty Ben for a game or three, then returning more to form as the season progressed. What I did not expect was that the 'old' Ben would be back before halftime, spreading the ball around, scrambling for 1st downs, and dropping dimes. It's been a year since we've seen what passable NFL QB play looks like, and it was more than on display last night in NY.

Not to mention he looks like he showed up this season in shape. He hasn't looked better in years (no homo) lol

[Crow-Magnon]

Welp, 21/32, 229yds, 3 TD / 0 INT pretty much should alleviate those concerns. I was expecting a rusty Ben for a game or three, then returning more to form as the season progressed. What I did not expect was that the 'old' Ben would be back before halftime, spreading the ball around, scrambling for 1st downs, and dropping dimes. It's been a year since we've seen what passable NFL QB play looks like, and it was more than on display last night in NY.

I saw him limp and grab his knee/leg a couple of times. Any news on that or a non-issue? He started off a bit rusty but picked it up. Not a bad outing for no playing time since last September. The D looks pretty stout. Dupree was on fire.

[Mojouw]

I saw him limp and grab his knee/leg a couple of times. Any news on that or a non-issue? He started off a bit rusty but picked it up. Not a bad outing for no playing time since last September. The D looks pretty stout. Dupree was on fire.

No news on this at present. As worrying as it could seem, clutching, grabbing, wincing, and gimping around has been a weekly feature of post 35 year old Ben R's arsenal. So it is hard to tell when he is just doing because he is old and hits hurt more than in your 20's and when it is an actual cause for concern.

[86WARD]

I saw him limp and grab his knee/leg a couple of times. Any news on that or a non-issue? He started off a bit rusty but picked it up. Not a bad outing for no playing time since last September. The D looks pretty stout. Dupree was on fire.

That was before he scrambled for the 11 yard first down so I would say it’s probably a non-issue.