NFL Thread XXXII - Divisional Round III

[MGH]

For the sake of everyone wanting to actually discuss current and relevant football, can we please keep this a Tebow free zone for the afternoon? Thank you.

[Steveweiser]

Armond Armstead eyed by NFL teams
By Adam Schefter | ESPN

After the Miami Dolphins found pass rusher Cameron Wake in Canada and the Indianapolis Colts did the same with linebacker Jerrell Freeman, teams now are looking closely at former USC and Toronto Argonauts standout defensive tackle Armond Armstead, according to sources.

Last week Armstead visited with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Colts, and might make more visits this week before making a decision about where to sign, which is expected to take place this week.

In the 6-foot-5, 300-pound, Armstead an NFL team twill be getting the equivalent of a high draft pick months before the April draft.

The 22-year-old former USC standout went to Canada to prove he was healthy enough to play football again after suffering a heart attack, the subject of a lawsuit against the school in which Armstead alleges the attack was brought on by painkillers.

Armstead played three seasons for USC (2008-10), starting 17 games and recording 59 tackles. He did not suit up for the Trojans in 2011 because he was not medically cleared for competition and then went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft.

Playing for Toronto this season, Armstead had six sacks and helped the Argonauts win the Grey Cup. Toronto released him earlier this month, reportedly so he could pursue a spot in the NFL.

Wake has 43 sacks since signing with Miami before the 2009 season, including 15 this season. Freeman had 145 tackles, 2 sacks and an interception in his rookie season with the Colts in 2012.

Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Pedro Moura was used in this report.

[Toxik916]

Jan 13, 2013 10:32:36 GMT -5 Steveweiser said:

Armond Armstead eyed by NFL teams
By Adam Schefter | ESPN

After the Miami Dolphins found pass rusher Cameron Wake in Canada and the Indianapolis Colts did the same with linebacker Jerrell Freeman, teams now are looking closely at former USC and Toronto Argonauts standout defensive tackle Armond Armstead, according to sources.

Last week Armstead visited with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Colts, and might make more visits this week before making a decision about where to sign, which is expected to take place this week.

In the 6-foot-5, 300-pound, Armstead an NFL team twill be getting the equivalent of a high draft pick months before the April draft.

The 22-year-old former USC standout went to Canada to prove he was healthy enough to play football again after suffering a heart attack, the subject of a lawsuit against the school in which Armstead alleges the attack was brought on by painkillers.

Armstead played three seasons for USC (2008-10), starting 17 games and recording 59 tackles. He did not suit up for the Trojans in 2011 because he was not medically cleared for competition and then went undrafted in the 2012 NFL draft.

Playing for Toronto this season, Armstead had six sacks and helped the Argonauts win the Grey Cup. Toronto released him earlier this month, reportedly so he could pursue a spot in the NFL.

Wake has 43 sacks since signing with Miami before the 2009 season, including 15 this season. Freeman had 145 tackles, 2 sacks and an interception in his rookie season with the Colts in 2012.

Information from ESPNLosAngeles.com's Pedro Moura was used in this report.

That's awesome! My coworker is his cousin so I hope he makes an nfl team.

[JTH]

It'll be interesting to see how Seattle fairs. I firmly believed it was hard to take anything from the Washington game on account that the field was so terrible, everyone looked slow and trying to protect themselves and trying to go all out at the same time.

Seattle playing on a good field and playing a lesser defense, I could see Seattle running away with this game if Atlanta doesn't start fast.

[Red Impact]

I want to believe in Atlanta, but I can't. I think Seattle routs them, honestly.

[Toxik916]

I want Seattle at Candlestick so bad, but I really don't care who wins because I'm confident the Niners can beat either team.

[JTH]

Skip Bayless praises Joe Flacco after Ravens' win in Denver. Hail Flacco!
www.tout.com/m/kh0s00?ref=twma8woh

Shocking to me.

[WorkingInAColeMine]

[Unocal 76]

I know ATL has playoff woes, but I feel we've turned the Seahawks into the 1985 Bears.

[JTH]

Jan 13, 2013 12:21:19 GMT -5 Unocal 76 said:

I know ATL has playoff woes, but I feel we've turned the Seahawks into the 1985 Bears.

I think they're more like Miami's No Name Defense in the 70's, a lot of young, unfamiliar names on that team.

[MGH]

Picks for today:

Seattle 24
Atlanta 20

I would be picking this if Atlanta had good playoff history. This isn't a #1 vs #5 in talent. Seattle was an Arizona win in Week 17 from being the #2. Atlanta can't run the ball, and Seattle has the corners to limit the passing game. Atlanta's defense can be ... spotty, and Wilson/Lynch can more than exploit that. It isn't because of Atlanta's playoff history. It's because this is a BAD match up for them.


Houston 24
New England 31

Pats are getting a game today. They're just the better team. I don't see the argument otherwise. Foster would have to have one of those 2009 Ray Rice days for Houston to have a prayer here. If that happens, and Brady has a game like he did against the Jets two years ago, then Houston can do it. I don't think that happens though.

[Sektor]

Jan 13, 2013 12:21:19 GMT -5 Unocal 76 said:

I know ATL has playoff woes, but I feel we've turned the Seahawks into the 1985 Bears.

Their weakest point is their linebackers, and they aren't even weak there, just young. Earl Thomas is the best safety in football, Sherman can lock any receiver up and their line can get to the QB even without Clemons. The offense can attack whatever opposing defenses don't do well (the Falcons don't defend anything well, if we're being honest) and even their special teams have been great.

It's a shock to me that people think of this as an upset game, considering how inconsistent (and sometimes outright bad) the Falcons have been this year.

[JTH]

Jan 13, 2013 12:25:58 GMT -5 MGH said:

Picks for today:

Seattle 24
Atlanta 20

I would be picking this if Atlanta had good playoff history. This isn't a #1 vs #5 in talent. Seattle was an Arizona win in Week 17 from being the #2. Atlanta can't run the ball, and Seattle has the corners to limit the passing game. Atlanta's defense can be ... spotty, and Wilson/Lynch can more than exploit that. It isn't because of Atlanta's playoff history. It's because this is a BAD match up for them.


Houston 24
New England 31

Pats are getting a game today. They're just the better team. I don't see the argument otherwise. Foster would have to have one of those 2009 Ray Rice days for Houston to have a prayer here. If that happens, and Brady has a game like he did against the Jets two years ago, then Houston can do it. I don't think that happens though.

Don't think the game will be as close as the score will be, Atlanta doesn't match up well on either side. SEA's defense is better than ATL's offense, and SEA's offense is much better than ATL's defense.

Seattle 27
Atlanta 20

I picked Houston to win the SB at the start of the year, but seeing MNF against the Pats was hard for me to keep the confidence. This isn't like the BAL-DEN regular season game where BAL had half their defense banged up and out. NE was less healthy than HOU in that game, and it was ugly. I think Houston keeps it close for 3 quarters, then NE pulls away and wins comfortable.

Houston 17
New England 38

[Cyno]

How well the Seahawks do defensively today I think depends on how jumpy the refs are with those flags. The Seahawks D is good, but they can be dirty, too. Especially their secondary. If the refs are like yesterday's crews, I can see Seattle getting a lot of defensive PI calls against them.

[bob]

Jan 13, 2013 11:33:20 GMT -5 JTH said:

Skip Bayless praises Joe Flacco after Ravens' win in Denver. Hail Flacco!
www.tout.com/m/kh0s00?ref=twma8woh

Shocking to me.

I'm more shocked that he knows what Tout is.

[Drink Up Me Cider]

Ugh, still recovering. That sucked last night. Crispy Capers needs his walking papers on Monday. Two years in a row, getting stuffed on defense? It's not good enough. Thanks for the memories, see you later Dom.

All credit to the 49ers, all criticism to Dom Capers and awful game-planning. Worst defense in the history of the Packers in the playoffs...ugh.

[DragonMasterP]

Field goal Falcons, 3-0.

[StuntGranny®]

Well, assuming they make this FG, the Falcons have already surpassed their playoff performance from last year.

[Deleted]

FGs aren't going to get it done Failcons.

[JTH]

Well, Ryan is going to forever be linked with Joe Flacco coming out of the '08 Draft. With Joe winning playoff game after playoff game while is still winless, how is Ryan going to be looked at if they lose again today?