Hey, Steve, it's good to see you online in the football thread. Congrats again on your success. You're missed around here.

Best,

Geoff

...Or, to put it one last way one last time:

# of Pro Bowlers on the four teams the Giants beat in the postseason: 26 (!!!!)

(Dude, correct me if I am wrong but that is more than 6 per squad, and TB only has one, so it is worse than it appears!)

# of Giants in the Pro Bowl: 1 (!!!)

The happiest one, tho.

Congratulations to the New York Giants and their fans! I can't add much more to what has already been said. I saw bits of the 4th quarter in Hong Kong. I forgot if it was an Australian, Japanese, or Chinese channel that carried the game, but the broadcast never switched to commercials, even during the breaks between kick/punt returns and the offense coming onto the field.

I'm proud of my Chargers for advancing further in the playoffs this year and showing me some positives to build on for next season - an improved secondary that led the NFL in picks, the emergence of a WR corps that can fill in capably when LT and Gates can't play, etc. I'm sure I'll also be proud of their effort against the Pats once I finish reviewing video of the AFC championship game. It was weird to see the final score be the title of a Rush album. I heard Rivers was unable to capitalize on opportunities presented by the defense (3 picks of Brady, etc.) and that our run D was a bit disappointing. But I'm sure I'll see all the details in the video. Based on what I read, Rivers with his torn ACL shouldn't have even played, but oh well.

Jim Zorn the Skins new coach.

Story Here

Very happy for Zorn. I got to meet him years ago (at football camp while in H.S.) when he was QB for the Seahawks. Super nice guy.

I've never seen this Pro Bowl thing. Is it worth my time? Anyone care to break it down a little bit for an NFL newbie?

Thanks!
Eric

No.

It is the worst all star game in all of professional sports (which is saying something). It's the the only one that happens after the season is over. Plus football is the least suited to all star "pickup" play, both because it is so complex and so violent.

You might like the shirts....

I agree with Magpel. I just don't like watching it at all. At least the NBA has fun looking plays, sort of looking like a super fun pick-up game with really talented people.

I'm the only one participating in this thread so far who's expressed an affinity for the Pro Bowl. Even today's players don't take it as seriously as players of the past did, and each network that airs the Pro Bowl practically ignores the game in favor of interviewing the players on the sidelines.

That said, the Pro Bowl gives you a chance to see more talent on a football field than at any other point in the season. The stakes are conference pride and money -- enough money to make most linemen show up but not enough to motivate some of the higher paid players in star positions to participate.

It's also Hawaii's only annual chance to see any professional sport first-hand and our chance to see establishing shots of Hawaii.

The Pro Bowl is the only all star game I watch with any regularity; and I certainly like it better than most NFL exhibition games or no football at all, which is what we'll have for the next half year once the Pro Bowl is over...

For some of us who are old enough to remember the fierce rivalry that existed between the NFL and AFL -- before the two leagues merged and created the NFC and AFC -- conference rivalry is a pretty big deal. Unfortunately, none of today's players are old enough to remember when there were two leagues; and most weren't even born until after the two leagues merged. These days, many people believe that this game that once meant something has outlived its usefulness; and there's serious talk of scrapping the Pro Bowl altogether, which is another great reason to watch it while you can.

Go NFC!!!

Best,

Geoff

Geoff, thanks for the info on the Pro Bowl. I think I'll check it out. I'm not up to speed on teams in NFC vs. AFC, but I suppose I'll figure that out soon enough or maybe I can do some Google searching to get a better grip (my first year actually following NFL).

Regards,
Eric

The NFC vs. AFC used to be a *huge* rivalry, and my Dad is still a huge NFC fan, roots for them, everything. I remember him watching Pro Bowl games and really getting into them. There used to be a much larger rivalry.

If memory serves, there used to be (still is?) some sort of game in which a college team plays the pros?

Ken, are you thinking of the College All-Star Game, played annually (except in 1974) from 1934 to 1976?

Best,

Geoff

Every Detroit Lions game..

NFC sweeps the season having won both the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl.

In other news, I'm going to try reserving judgment with the Skins' HC decision until the pre-season.

Noah, if our team bears any semblance to the 2007 Dolphins, a drive-by might be on tap.

I watched the first half live, but I had to tape the second half.

It's fun to see players who aren't normally on the same team work together against players they only see once every four years (outside of the Super Bowl and the Pro Bowl). It's also bizarre to watch players who make mistakes smile afterwards.

If you enjoy novelty, it's a fun game to watch.

Best,

Geoff

Welcome back, Governor Silver, and congratulations on your Chargers' improved postseason performance.

Best,

Geoff

...And once again, the season is over.

We may have to wait another half year to watch NFL football again, but we don't have to wait that long to discuss it.

It's been a lot of fun guys, and I look forward to seeing you in the Official NFL 2008-2009 Thread.

Best,

Geoff

iTunes has a one hour six minute NFL Network RePlay movie of the Super Bowl up for $2.99

That has to be it, Geoff. And I grew up in Chicago, where I seem to remember it being a really big deal. I more remember my Dad telling me about it than anything else, so I don't have any recollection of watching any of the games themselves.

I'm sure this thread will keep going when people start talking about trades and whatnot.

Anyway, a lot of good games this year.

Couldn't resist relaying this one:

"We were going to make Bill Belichick the director of the CIA. But you know what? His covert operations weren't so good.''

--New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, at the Giants' victory celebration on the steps of City Hall last Tuesday.

As far as the Chargers offseason goes, I'm already excited about Charlie Joiner coming home to be the new WR coach. HOF players aren't always guaranteed to be great coaches, but Charlie has an excellent track record developing young WRs, with his latest accomplishment being Dwayne Bowe.

I watched the Pro Bowl for the first time and enjoyed it. Seemed like everyone was having fun and pretty laid back. Nothing like a real game, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Probably not.

The first good trade of the off season is frequently what starts the next year's thread. Jim Zorn getting the Redskins coaching job almost did it...

dB

Good call here. Kind of flew under the radar. I think he's a great fit for the Chargers and I will be really interested to see what he does with Davis and Jackson.

...but he carnage down in Miami seems as good a place to start as any.

dB