2015 NFL Season

[Coach]

For many years, the Patriots were the laughing-stock of the AFL/NFL. They did not win a playoff game until 1985. They were created in 1960.

Also in 1985: We were kicked off Monday Night Football for more than a decade after unruly fans stormed the field, grabbed the goalpost, and carried it down Rt. 1. The goalpost hit electric wires and one fan was killed while several were injured. Later that year, the Pats - at the time - suffered the worst Super Bowl beating ever when they lost to the Bears - 46-10. I still remember the Pats leading the game 3-0 and being very excited and then crushed.

If you search or Google further, you will find that the Pats once employed a coach who delivered his press conferences in tighty-whities inside his coach's office. Just plain weird, right?

You'll also discover that after that the Pats - on the eve of their new stadium opening several years back - were forced to ask reporters to visit various bathrooms and flush the toilets all at the same time to ensure the plumbing worked and to pass city guidelines.

I could go on and on w/ New England's colored past and ineptitude, but the point is this NFL fans: Futility can last awhile, but at some point it might turn around. Hang in there, Detroit.

[E.H. Ruddock]

For many years, the Patriots were the laughing-stock of the AFL/NFL. They did not win a playoff game until 1985. They were created in 1960.

Also in 1985: We were kicked off Monday Night Football for more than a decade after unruly fans stormed the field, grabbed the goalpost, and carried it down Rt. 1. The goalpost hit electric wires and one fan was killed while several were injured. Later that year, the Pats - at the time - suffered the worst Super Bowl beating ever when they lost to the Bears - 46-10. I still remember the Pats leading the game 3-0 and being very excited and then crushed.

If you search or Google further, you will find that the Pats once employed a coach who delivered his press conferences in tighty-whities inside his coach's office. Just plain weird, right?

You'll also discover that after that the Pats - on the eve of their new stadium opening several years back - were forced to ask reporters to visit various bathrooms and flush the toilets all at the same time to ensure the plumbing worked and to pass city guidelines.

I could go on and on w/ New England's colored past and ineptitude, but the point is this NFL fans: Futility can last awhile, but at some point it might turn around. Hang in there, Detroit.

Except that Detroit's futility has lasted as long as there has been pro football.

[Green Habit]

For many years, the Patriots were the laughing-stock of the AFL/NFL. They did not win a playoff game until 1985. They were created in 1960.

Also in 1985: We were kicked off Monday Night Football for more than a decade after unruly fans stormed the field, grabbed the goalpost, and carried it down Rt. 1. The goalpost hit electric wires and one fan was killed while several were injured. Later that year, the Pats - at the time - suffered the worst Super Bowl beating ever when they lost to the Bears - 46-10. I still remember the Pats leading the game 3-0 and being very excited and then crushed.

If you search or Google further, you will find that the Pats once employed a coach who delivered his press conferences in tighty-whities inside his coach's office. Just plain weird, right?

You'll also discover that after that the Pats - on the eve of their new stadium opening several years back - were forced to ask reporters to visit various bathrooms and flush the toilets all at the same time to ensure the plumbing worked and to pass city guidelines.

I could go on and on w/ New England's colored past and ineptitude, but the point is this NFL fans: Futility can last awhile, but at some point it might turn around. Hang in there, Detroit.

Except that Detroit's futility has lasted as long as there has been pro football.

They were pretty dang good in the 1950s.

I think the one piece that's missing from Coach's post is the ownership factor. The reason the Pats were a laughingstock until the mid 1990s was because they didn't have Bob Kraft. The reason why the Lions have been a joke for 50 years is because it coincided with William Clay Ford's ownership of the team. Being 90, Martha Firestone Ford isn't going to be around much longer, either. Depending on who gets control of the Lions after she's gone, they could either turn around really quickly or continue their futile ways.

[nyquillyn]

The Cardinals have been in existence since 1898 and are 6-8 all-time in the playoffs and 3 of those wins came in their 2008 run. Their winningest coach is Wisenhunt with 45 wins.

[lennytheweedwhacker]

The Cardinals have been in existence since 1898 and are 6-8 all-time in the playoffs and 3 of those wins came in their 2008 run. Their winningest coach is Wisenhunt with 45 wins.

wow...i think belichick has won that many games in one season

[Electromatic]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/03/nfl- ... undefeated

This was interesting. Again, I think there's an outside perception that the Panthers aren't focused, I think Roman Harper knows a thing or two about being unfocused.

[Electromatic]

The Cardinals have been in existence since 1898 and are 6-8 all-time in the playoffs and 3 of those wins came in their 2008 run. Their winningest coach is Wisenhunt with 45 wins.

Yeah, but you had a super bowl won without an insanely ridiculous catch at the end.

[Coach]

For many years, the Patriots were the laughing-stock of the AFL/NFL. They did not win a playoff game until 1985. They were created in 1960.

Also in 1985: We were kicked off Monday Night Football for more than a decade after unruly fans stormed the field, grabbed the goalpost, and carried it down Rt. 1. The goalpost hit electric wires and one fan was killed while several were injured. Later that year, the Pats - at the time - suffered the worst Super Bowl beating ever when they lost to the Bears - 46-10. I still remember the Pats leading the game 3-0 and being very excited and then crushed.

If you search or Google further, you will find that the Pats once employed a coach who delivered his press conferences in tighty-whities inside his coach's office. Just plain weird, right?

You'll also discover that after that the Pats - on the eve of their new stadium opening several years back - were forced to ask reporters to visit various bathrooms and flush the toilets all at the same time to ensure the plumbing worked and to pass city guidelines.

I could go on and on w/ New England's colored past and ineptitude, but the point is this NFL fans: Futility can last awhile, but at some point it might turn around. Hang in there, Detroit.

Except that Detroit's futility has lasted as long as there has been pro football.

They were pretty dang good in the 1950s.

I think the one piece that's missing from Coach's post is the ownership factor. The reason the Pats were a laughingstock until the mid 1990s was because they didn't have Bob Kraft. The reason why the Lions have been a joke for 50 years is because it coincided with William Clay Ford's ownership of the team. Being 90, Martha Firestone Ford isn't going to be around much longer, either. Depending on who gets control of the Lions after she's gone, they could either turn around really quickly or continue their futile ways.

Bingo, ownership is key. I had no idea the Lions were essentially owned by the same family all these years. Once Kraft bought the Pats things changed. He did have a slight advantage in that previous ownership had already hired Parcells, who brought legit NFL cred immediately to NE.

[Coach]

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/12/03/nfl-roman-harper-carolina-panthers-undefeated

This was interesting. Again, I think there's an outside perception that the Panthers aren't focused, I think Roman Harper knows a thing or two about being unfocused.

Ugh, this is another red flag re: the Panthers focus. Not sure I want players penning articles like this in the middle of a season. It's one thing to answer reporters' questions re the SB and undefeated season, but to then take the time and publish something like this?

[Chris_H_2]

guys, I'm still pretty upset about last night, even though the lions' season has been in the toilet since the first half of game 1

[Coach]

u have every right to be pissed. that was a tough tough loss. and you guys have now lost two games because of officiating now, right?

[Electromatic]

guys, I'm still pretty upset about last night, even though the lions' season has been in the toilet since the first half of game 1

They out played the Packers the whole game outside of 5 or so plays and by all rights should have swept them for the first time since 1991. I'm just glad you have beer to fall back on.

That was bullshit.

[epilogue]

guys, I'm still pretty upset about last night, even though the lions' season has been in the toilet since the first half of game 1

Yeah, dude, I feel for you. Big time. I wouldn't be over a loss like that for a long, long time.

I'm still not over that playoff loss a couple years ago.

[Green Habit]

Bingo, ownership is key. I had no idea the Lions were essentially owned by the same family all these years.

Not just the same family, but the same person. Sometimes transfer to an heir can make things better or worse. The Bengals are the example to use there: they were actually a decent to good team in the 70s and 80s when Paul Brown was the owner, but then went down the tubes when his idiot son took over, before he finally let both his daughter and Marvin Lewis have more autonomy.

[nyquillyn]

The Cards fortunes started to turn as soon as Bill Bidwell relinquished control over to his son, Michael. The Cards have had 6 winning seasons (of 8) since he took over. They only had 2 winning seasons the previous 20 years.

[Green Habit]

The Cards fortunes started to turn as soon as Bill Bidwell relinquished control over to his son, Michael. The Cards have had 6 winning seasons (of 8) since he took over. They only had 2 winning seasons the previous 20 years.

Yeah, I was curious as to if/when that changing of the guard happened. It'll be real interesting to see what happen when Stephen Jones finally gets to take over for Jerrah in Dallas. It'd be sad if he goes full Al Davis and doesn't realize when he needs to quit.

[EJ]

They only had 2 winning seasons the previous 20 years.

[Coach]

Here's another...the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still sport the worst winning percentage of all-time (.386) among all active AFL/NFL teams, including an inaugural season (1976) that saw them go winless, but they eventually overcame decades of losing to win the SB.

[Green Habit]

Here's another...the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still sport the worst winning percentage of all-time (.386) among all active AFL/NFL teams, including an inaugural season (1976) that saw them go winless, but they eventually overcame decades of losing to win the SB.

Hugh Culverhouse has to be in the running for worst NFL owners.

[Mecca]

winning a super bowl disqualifies any sympathy