Month: April 2016

Are You Really Learning From This Site?

I know many people who come here to Thin Air, and who visited the sites before that they enjoyed, aren’t always interested in discussing things outside of the sports realm, but as we are finding out, it’s not always possible to avoid this.

The biggest example is the shooting death of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith. It’s already drawn non-football-related diatribes ranging from quarterback Drew Brees talking about his Christian beliefs to head coach Sean Payton talking about how he doesn’t like guns.

Rather than talk specifically about that issue, though, I wanted to talk to everybody about some things to keep in mind about what everyone who comes to this site have learned over time about how to think about things, dating back to those who you liked to follow on Mile High Report, then followed them when they launched It’s All Over Fat Man, and how your desire to keep a community together led to the launch of Thin Air.
Continue reading Are You Really Learning From This Site?

7th Seeds In NFL History

I’ve long had ardent opposition to the expansion of the NFL playoffs from 12 teams to 14.  Yet this is an idea that refuses to die, and it seems like it will be an inevitability. If I were an NFL owner, I would still vote against it.  However, in recent years I have slightly softened my opposition.  The main reason why is because if we’re still going to retain giving division winners automatic home playoff games, no matter how terrible the division is (one of my most hated rules in the NFL), expanding the field to 14 would at least ease the pain for one team who put together a good record in a tough division, but would be at risk of missing the playoffs in favor of a mediocre division winner.

The above paragraph, of course, consists of opinions (my own and those of the Competition Committee), so I decided to add a bit of objectivity to determine just how wise of an idea this would be.  Beyond the fold I have constructed a table listing out all of the 52 games that would have taken place since 1990 (when the playoffs expanded from 10 to 12 teams) if the #7 seed was granted entry into the playoffs against the #2 seed.  Included are the teams’ records, as well as Football Outsiders’ DVOA ratings to add a little extra depth.  At the end, I’ll add some commentary for the most notable hypothetical games Continue reading 7th Seeds In NFL History

Broncos Draft Preview, 2016: Part 2 – Defensive Roster and Needs Analysis

As the NFL Draft inches ever closer, I’ll continue to post installments of the Broncos Draft Preview, 2016. Last week I dissected the offensive roster and identified which positions the Broncos need to improve through the draft, and I defined the three categories of needs. This week I’ll dive into the defensive side of the ball, and I’ll throw the specialists in for good measure as well. So let’s get to it.

Continue reading Broncos Draft Preview, 2016: Part 2 – Defensive Roster and Needs Analysis

Broncos Trade Ryan Clady To The Jets

By trading Clady, the Broncos will gain $8.9 million in 2016 cap space while carrying $1.2 million in dead money from Clady’s remaining prorated bonuses.  This should give the Broncos something close to $10 million in 2016 cap space.

The Jets’ 5th round pick is #157 overall.  At this time, it is unclear which of the three of the Broncos’ 7th round picks (#228, #235, or #253) they gave up.

The NFL body – Achieving Your Goals

Prelude:

Some of the information below may be contrary to things you have read or heard throughout your life as it relates to fitness and health.  I will be happy to discuss those items with anyone who wants more info or have a friendly debate.  Keep in mind that many of the fitness or health topics you have read in your life are designed for one goal: to sell a product.  So take them with a grain of salt.

 Introduction:

Let’s start with a paraphrasing of something John Fox use to say, “It takes a year to get an NFL body”.  To put this into some perspective he is not referring to you or me.  He is referring to a three to five year college player who has just entered the NFL.  In essence, he is saying that it takes a guy who has been weight training in some sort of football aspect since the age of sixteen a year to get an NFL body.

That is a significant amount of training before these individuals enter the NFL.  However, the coaching, dedication, and understanding of that training can vary wildly.  Except in extreme cases, these players are not solely focused on that training.  They have school, social lives, training not related to muscle building and other distractions along the way. Continue reading The NFL body – Achieving Your Goals