The 2011 NFL Playoffs Thread

[Yoda]

Was starting to babble about football in The Shoutbox, so I figured it was worth starting a thread to dump all playoff-related thoughts. So here it is.

[Powdered Water]

Football sucks.

[Yoda]

If it makes you feel any better, Courtney and I spent New Year's with some people, one of whom was a Seahawks fan living here in Pittsburgh. He was pretty pleased with this season and was pretty optimistic about the future of the team.

Of course, in about two weeks when we lose to New England because Roethlisberger's throwing arm is ripped clean off in the win over Denver, I'll probably agree with you.

[Powdered Water]

I think the defense has gotten quite a bit better, obviously, but the offense is terrible. If we're gonna go 7-9 every year then are we really "getting better"?

I'm not sold on Pete Carrol and I will continue to not be until this team shows some discipline. The difference between them being 7-9 and 10-6 can be boiled down to some very rudimentary mistakes and penalties.

If its the same next year I'll be screaming for his head.

[Yoda]

Depressing little blog entry (http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/39384/steelers-have-been-hit-hardest-by-injuries) here detailing some of the Steelers' injury woes. Honestly, I think it's pretty sick that they managed to win 12 games with all this stuff going on. I can't believe they're the #1 defense with Woodley missing a ton of time and both Polamalu and Harrison missing time, as well.

Looks like Mendenhall might be done for the year, too, though I guess that's not quite as terrible as it sounds. Redman should fill in pretty well, though Mendenhall had looked a lot better lately, I'd thought.

I like our chances hanging with absolutely anyone in the AFC if we were moderately healthy, but we're, like, not, and stuff.

[rauldc14]

predictions:

Giants over Falcons
Saints over Lions
Bengals over Texans
Steelers over Broncos

Divisional Round
Patriots over Bengals
Ravens over Steelers
Packers over Giants
49ers over Saints

Champ.
Patriots over Ravens
Packers over 49ers

SB
Packers over Patriots

[Fiscal]

Falcons have a tough one against the Giants who are performing at just the right time. They look damn scary at times.

[Yoda]

Ugh, Pouncey's out. This is looking like a disturbingly winnable game for Denver, unless we get up by double-digit points fairly quickly.

[Powdered Water]

I love it when those big dudes on the D-Line get a TD like that.

[DexterRiley]

The Texans won't win because of their ugly helmets.

texans will win, plus im calling the upset, the Lions are taking out the Saints, the tommorow its The Gmen (srry fiscal) followed by the Steelers in a snoozefest.

[Powdered Water]

This should be a good game.

[Powdered Water]

Drew Brees. Just. Wow.

San Francisco is in serious trouble.

[DexterRiley]

lions were robbed by the zebras

but yeah SF is toast

[Powdered Water]

You have got to be kidding. New Orleans didn't even punt. Not once. Do you know how often that happens?

[Yoda]

Yeah, there were some bad non-calls on holding, but they weren't the difference in the NO-DET game. If the game is called better Detroit covers the spread, but they're not winning that thing.

I'll also echo "Drew Brees. Just. Wow." With the caveat that he'd better throw all over Detroit. If he does even 75% of that against San Francisco, I'll help you build the shrine, though.

[Yoda]

Giants go for it on fourth and it pays off.

For what it's worth, most football statheads say teams should go for it on fourth way more than they do.

[DexterRiley]

Yeah, there were some bad non-calls on holding, but they weren't the difference in the NO-DET game. If the game is called better Detroit covers the spread, but they're not winning that thing.

I'll also echo "Drew Brees. Just. Wow." With the caveat that he'd better throw all over Detroit. If he does even 75% of that against San Francisco, I'll help you build the shrine, though.

the phantom whistle meant the lions dont take a 21-7 lead.

thats huuuuuuuge. Changes the entire dynamic of how a Defense can impose its will. The Saints D is a perfect example of this, they are built to function with a lead. its all blitz all the time.

NFC is downright scary top to "bottem" this playoff season. The only team in the AFC that stands a remote chance of competing is the Pats.

With Schaub, i think Texans could do it maybe, but without, no way jose.

speaking of the Texans..bittersweet to say the least seein Andre Johnson strke the pose.

http://blog.chron.com/jeromesolomon/files/2012/01/Andre-Johnson.jpg

I'd almost forgotten bout FF.

:laugh:

[Powdered Water]

It'll be a game in San Fran because of where it is but if SF doesn't score some points then they will be in trouble. Offense is SO far ahead of Defense this season that the only way I think SF can win is if Brees has his worst day of the season. I don't think so. This guy is unbelievable. No one can stop that offense and I hope its him against Rodgers for the NFC Championship. What a great game that will be. Slight edge to Green Bay because they will be at home. Slight.

[Yoda]

I think New Orleans comes back anyway, easy, but I guess we'll never know.

Re: FF. Yeah, weird how quickly football changes late in the season, eh? It was bizarre watching the HOU-CIN game last night and not really being sure who to root for.

[DexterRiley]

Saints are gonna light up the 49ers like the 4th of July.

I'll give away 10.5 in a heartbeat, right here right now if any mofos wanna lay some green on the game.

[Yoda]

You'd give 10.5 against San Francisco? Wow. I'd assume the line'll be less than half that, if even that.

[Yoda]

D'oh, dunno why I didn't realize I could already check the line. Looks like Saints by 3.5 and at the moment.

[Powdered Water]

Yeah, that sounds right. Playing in SF will be a big help, but in the end they just won't be able to score enough.

[DexterRiley]

I'll even accept American money when you lose.

Am i not merciful.

:D

Actually, screw that, I'll take a DVD tyvm.

are you down YodaSan?

[Yoda]

Hmmm, lemme think about that. The DVD thing might do it for me; feels a bit more fun if we're not wagering just plain old cash.

I'll get back to you in a day or two, but I think a DVD bet might be fun, and you're indeed being very generous on the points.

[DexterRiley]

The 10.5 is me in the moment. its on the table for today.

tomorrow, we'll go with 3.5.

:D

[Yoda]

Hahaha. Okay, fair enough, I'll let you know by the end of the day.

The more I think about it the more I think, while it's clearly high, it might not be crazy high. I know it's 3.5 now, but man, it wouldn't shock me if that line moved another 2 and a half points, as unusual as that is.

[Powdered Water]

The guys in Vegas know. They always know.

[Yoda]

Aye, but they know a lot more eventually. Early lines can move a fair bit, and I'll bet lots of people are betting the Saints heavy right now. They'll push that line up.

[Powdered Water]

Oh for sure. Actually, I'm surprised there's already a line out. Thought they didn't put one out till Monday. But yeah...

[DexterRiley]

The early line is designed to get action happenen. Saints will get heavy action at 3.5. The California money will flood in @ about 5 and change.

Vegas wins either way.

[Powdered Water]

In other news... I really don't enjoy watching the New York Giants play. Not sure why exactly, just don't like em'.

[DexterRiley]

Manningham with a TD.. Fantasy Gods are twisten the knife now.

:facepalm:

[DexterRiley]

today we will know if Chris can outpray Tebow.

i think he can.

Steelers win. (they down 17-6 atm)

Am Shaken to my Core.

[Yoda]

Man, what a brutal second quarter. I started mentally preparing myself for a Steelers loss way back on Wednesday when it came out both that Ben had a setback with his ankle and Pouncey wouldn't play. Well, you see the fruits of that second injury in that bad snap just now, which probably cost us at least 3 points.

We've also lost two defensive linemen in this game already. Our entire defensive line is now made up of backups. And, good as Ben is when he can scramble, he's pretty average when he's forced to stand in one place.

Still think we've got a fighting chance, because I expect some strong second-half adjustments on the defensive side, but man, all the injuries are coming to a head at once, and right now it just looks like too much.

[DexterRiley]

Steelers have it in the bag, dont sweat it Chris.


btw did Courtney give u permission to wager the DVD ?

:D

[Yoda]

That score just now sure helps. Definitely still a game. What a run by Redman!

Didn't ask her, but sure, let's go for it. :) Even if the line doubles, that's a generous line. Even if I'd only win it 60% of the time, I gotta take a line that good. Should be a fun little thing to make the game more interesting. Though it'll be weird because I'll ultimately be rooting for New Orleans to win, anyway, because I want that GB-NO matchup as much as everyone else.

[Yoda]

C'mon. Taylor was playing the ball!

[Yoda]

Defense definitely looking better. But there isn't much margin now.

[DexterRiley]

sweet run,

Chris, dont sweat it. this is the time where u can look back and say, i knew it all along (that they would come back).

and be right.

because, they gonna win. (by 4)

[Yoda]

Ha. Hope you're right.

They looked really good on this last drive again, but I'm surprised they had to settle for 3. Still, game still looks very winnable.

[DexterRiley]

Defense time to shine.

not sure if its a pick 6 or a fumble recovery, but its comen,

tick tock.

[DexterRiley]

ta daaaaaa

[Yoda]

! ! !

I think that stands.

[DexterRiley]

was literally a minute before it happened.

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=6822&d=1283916602

[Yoda]

Yeah, that was pretty freaky.

[DexterRiley]

the place where i came up with that call, is the same feeling that said yep 10.5 pts for a dvd,

:laugh:

[DexterRiley]

boom shaka laka

[Yoda]

TIED! All on the defense now!

[DexterRiley]

today we will know if Chris can outpray Tebow.

i think he can.

Steelers win. (they down 17-6 atm)

Steelers have it in the bag, dont sweat it Chris.




breath easy sir.

[Yoda]

Ahhhhhhhhhh

[DexterRiley]

it would appear i was wrong about the margin of victory. it won't be 4 after all.

Steelers still win though.

[Yoda]

the place where i came up with that call, is the same feeling that said yep 10.5 pts for a dvd,

:laugh:
Well, I certainly hope so, now.

[DexterRiley]

holy *****

Shower Curtain Defense rears its ugly head once again.

[Yoda]

Man, I cannot figure out how that play even happened. :laugh: Congrats to the Broncos. If we have to lose I'm glad it's to Tebow, compared to our other options in the AFC. Here's hoping they make a little more noise next week.

Anyway, I'm disappointed, but genuinely unsurprised. The injuries the past few weeks have just been brutal, and they easily made the difference today.

[Yoda]

By the way, with another upset the Pats might find their route to the Super Bowl consisting of only Denver and Houston. They might really luck out if Houston can top Baltimore. They've already got to be thrilled with drawing Denver over the Steelers. They've got some crucial weaknesses on defense but it's entirely possible they won't be exploited until the Super Bowl.

[DexterRiley]

Man, I cannot figure out how that play even happened. :laugh: Congrats to the Broncos. If we have to lose I'm glad it's to Tebow, compared to our other options in the AFC. Here's hoping they make a little more noise next week.

Anyway, I'm disappointed, but genuinely unsurprised. The injuries the past few weeks have just been brutal, and they easily made the difference today.

baloney injuries played no part in teh defensive break down in OT.

they screwed the pooch plain and simple.

[Yoda]

Of course not, but without the injuries it doesn't go to OT. In a game this close, it's pretty safe to say a little thing like not having a single starter left on the defensive line and a hobbled QB known for his scrambling affected the outcome.

[Holden Pike]

It wasn't the injuries, it was Divine Intervention. Sorry, Heathens.

[Yoda]

Maybe God caused the injuries.

Betcha never thought of that.

[Holden Pike]

Oh, I hear he works in mysterious ways all the time. Sounds like his M.O.

[DexterRiley]

maybe it does maybe it doesnt, we dont know. What we do know is they had a chance @ OT vs an offense that hadnt done squat in 3rd quarter, and they blew it.

Brutal coverage. Dick Leboe deserved better.

[Yoda]

Oh, I hear he works in mysterious ways all the time. Sounds like his M.O.
And there's nothing more mysterious than a 300 pound man crashing into your ankle.

[Yoda]

maybe it does maybe it doesnt, we dont know. What we do know is they had a chance @ OT vs an offense that hadnt done squat in 3rd quarter, and they blew it.

Brutal coverage. Dick Leboe deserved better.
I hope LeBeau doesn't retire. I've worried about that every year for the last several years. He's still got it; this is an aging defensive squad and its three best players missed significant time, and he still took them to #1, so here's hoping he comes back again.

[Yoda]

Just remembered safety Ryan Clark missed this game because of his sickle cell trait; last time he played in Denver he lost his spleen.

Meanwhile, cue another week of Tebowmania, though I don't think it'll be too crazy; at least, no more than it was during the winning/comeback streak earlier in the year. It'll only reach new heights if he actually beats New England. If that happens, everybody really flips out.

The early line on that game, by the way, is New England by 14.

[Holden Pike]

If the Broncos beat the Pats next week, Tebow may actually get some converts.

[DexterRiley]

people are dumb. but not that dumb.

[Yoda]

He'd win "converts" in the sense that a lot of people would have to conclude he's actually a good quarterback. There are still a fair number of holdouts on that front.

Tough as it is losing for us Steeler fans, it's compounded by the fact that we generally hate the two best teams left in the AFC. Here's hoping for the hysterical possibility of a Tim Tebow-T.J Yates championship game in one conference, and Brees-Rodgers in the other.

[Yoda]

Nice tweet from Drew M.:

Does God love Tebow or does he just really enjoy screwing around with John Elway?

[Yoda]

Another gem, from the irreplacable Iowahawk. :D

Tim Tebow has the miraculous power to cause ******** to self-identify.

[Yoda]

Well, unless I'm mistaken Dex and I are on for a DVD; he's got New Orleans giving 10.5 points.

Amazingly, the general line of 3.5 has held. I didn't think it'd get anywhere near 10.5, but I thought it might go up a couple. I guess they really care about that home field advantage. San Francisco plays on grass, and it's easy to see that slowing New Orleans down a little. Guess we'll see.

[DexterRiley]

Well, unless I'm mistaken Dex and I are on for a DVD; he's got New Orleans giving 10.5 points.

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o0V6VPX_E0

[Yoda]

Sure started great with San Francisco jumping out to a 17-0 lead. The Saints have scored twice since to keep things interesting, but so far, so good.

[DexterRiley]

Did u see that lick on Frenchy?

for a moment he was closer to God than Tebow.

:laugh:

[Powdered Water]

Meh... now New York will probably win and we'll get to watch New York come to San Fran and play a riveting 13 to 10 game to go to the Superbowl.

[DexterRiley]

what game did u just watch? that wasnt a 13-10 snoozer.

Vernon Davis statement game that was.

Anyways, Yodes pm your particulars, and i'll get to DVD shoppen for yinz.

[Yoda]

Sure thing; hats off on the gutsy bet, by the way. It was bold enough that I actually had to stop and think twice, despite the generous line.

Meanwhile, the Tebow rollercoaster has completed. Thank you for keeping your arms and legs inside the car at all times; please enjoy the rest of your season.

[Yoda]

One fun addendum: how much will the playoffs change fantasy draft positions next season? It's not entirely clear how much they should, but they probably will. Anyone unsure of whether or not Gronk should be mixed in with the elite RBs and WRs will probably be assuaged by his performance (if it keeps up), and it's easy to imagine a guy like Vernon Davis getting a lot more preseason buzz as a result, too. There'll probably be some value opportunities, as well, for guys who have one bad game and go bust.

[Yoda]

Meh... now New York will probably win and we'll get to watch New York come to San Fran and play a riveting 13 to 10 game to go to the Superbowl.
What, you're not excited by that, or the possibility of a T.J. Yates-Alex Smith Super Bowl? :laugh:

[rauldc14]

The Packers will win. The Giants are overhyped and we will see the results soon enough.

[Yoda]

Could be. But a Packers fan is about the last person in the world I'd ask to make that judgment. ;)

[rauldc14]

Oh, come on. I'm not biased at all!:p

[Yoda]

Ruh-roh! Nicks with a Hail Mary grab to end the half!

I think Green Bay probably holds the lead if not for those turnovers, but then, they did get away with one on that Jennings fumble, and New York's passing game is driving very effectively, so even flipping one or two, this would probably still be a pretty close game. But 10 points is nothing for an offense like Green Bay's, so Eli's going to need to keep it up.

Really entertaining game so far. Lots of big, dramatic "splash" plays.

[Yoda]

Wow.

Giants look like they just put this game away. If anything, they were underhyped. Assuming they do, in fact, hang on, any of the four remaining teams could easily take the whole thing. It's suddenly wide open.

[Yoda]

It's in the books, 37-20.

Pats-Ravens and 49ers-Giants. I guess the Pats have to be the favorites, though with that secondary it's still awfully hard to back them. Wouldn't shock me at all if any of these four remaining teams won it. I'll definitely be pulling for whoever represents the NFC this year, though I don't feel too strongly about who I'd like that to be.

[Powdered Water]

Not sure how I feel about this weeks games. It just doesn't make sense to me that New Orleans and Green Bay both lost. I can fathom the NO loss a bit more simply because of where the game was played but even then they still almost won, they just had too many turnovers.


Maybe the bye week really screwed with Green Bay's timing? I'm sure New York deserves some credit, but come on. They are not a very good team and barely even made the playoffs. Whatever, Its ridiculously hard to repeat and the deck was stacked against Green Bay from the start but to go out in the first game and to basically get manhandles is just more proof that the NFL has become almost as big a crap shoot as fantasy football has. I still am not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

[Yoda]

Yeah, we talk about this every year without fail, it seems: there's a lot of randomness. I will say that I think this is slightly less insane than it appears; I know Aaron Schatz, a noteworthy football stathead, had been saying all year that while Green Bay's offense was historically good, it's defense kept it from being an historically great team overall. It's still a big upset, but I think their aura of invincibility was a little overstated to begin with, too. If they go 13-3 instead of 15-1, maybe we're not all quite as shocked.

As for New York...man, you got me there. All I can think of by way of explanation is that they were actually a pretty good team, but just couldn't get their crap together until near the end of the season. The question is, which part was the crap shoot? The Packers losing today, or the Giants seeming so mediocre before?

Anyway, I'm with you on the general thrust: there's a little too much randomness for my taste. You definitely need a good portion of it to keep things interesting and fun and not have too many games become formalities, but if you get too much it stops being fun in the other direction, because you never feel like you have any handle on anything. Were it up to me, I'd have just a bit less of the craziness.

Not planning on ditching the sport, real or fantasy-wise, any time soon, though. I'll complain about the crazy all day, but I still can't tear myself away.

[rauldc14]

The NFL is officially now a crapshoot. Just stuns me how a 9-7 team stuns a 15-1 team at home easily on the road. Credit to the Giants, but the Packers picked the worst time to play their worst game of the season (obviously, since they only had one other loss).

I'm at a loss for words and I really probably won't watch the playoffs anymore.

Only 2 scenarios will make me happy: If the 49ers win it all, or the Pats, but only if that means Gronkowski and Hernandez dominate as I'm a huge fan of them. I hate Brady and Welker and the Pats in general but love their TE's, strange as it may be.

[DexterRiley]

cmon now Rauld, how stunned can you be?

twas just a year ago an 8-6 Pack team peaked at the opportune time after all. Which is to say a superficial glance at year end records doesnt do ya much good.

As to the superbowl..im really really really hoping its Pats/Giants as that matchup promises to be entertaining regardless of the victor.

Which would be the G-men btw,

49ers/Ravens would be the worst possible SB imo. snoozefest city.

[Yoda]

You're in good company with that observation; Bill Barnwell (football stathead guy) just made the exact same observation: he says this year's Giants look a lot like last year's Packers.

[DexterRiley]

I'd go him one better and say these Giants are slightly better than last years packers. The 1-2 punch of Bradshaw and Jacobs being the difference.

Giants Pats make it so.

[Yoda]

The storyline of Eli having arguably his best season, and winning another Super Bowl, right after that preseason goofiness about whether or not he was "elite," would make for a pretty compelling turn of events.

I guess Giants-Pats would, indeed, be the most exciting combination. At least that way I'd have a strong rooting interest. :D I imagine the Pats would be favored...but maybe not by much, and I'm not entirely convinced that'd be a great bet, even straight-up. Check out the last four weeks for New York:

Beat Jets by 15
Beat Cowboys by 17
Beat Falcons by 22
Beat Packers by 17

Pretty sick. I'm inclined to think Green Bay's defense was just a bit liability, and that New York was at least a couple of games better than its record indicated. When they hit their lowpoint at 6-6, it was because they'd lost four straight...but they lost those four to SF, PHI, NO and GB. They lost three other games they should have won, to be sure, but almost half of their losses came at the hands of the NFC's best teams, and only the NO loss was definitive; those other three were all by 7 or less.

[Yoda]

By the way, here's that Barnwell piece (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7466943/bill-barnwell-delivers-highlights-last-weekend-playoff-action). Well worth the read. He makes the observation that the comparison to the 2007 Giants looks superficially good in part because, just as they lost to the pats 35-38 in the regular season but came back to beat them in the playoffs, they lost to the Packers 35-38 this year only to do the same. Pretty freaky. But anyway, he fleshes out the comparison to last year's Packers team.

Easy to forget that last year's Packers team wasn't seem as too formidable until later in the year, as well. I distinctly recall that they were a popular semi-sleeper pick in the preseason, but people sort of forget about them after they failed to set the world on fire in the first half. They finished 10-6, but were clearly better than their record (like this Giants team), and then rolled in the playoffs. It's an interesting parallel.

[Powdered Water]

I have almost zero interest in Football today.

That being said, how many ad Execs got up and prayed to the football gods in order to get a Tom Brady/Eli Manning Superbowl?

All of them, probably.

Alex Smith vs. Joe Flacco? Yeesh...

[Yoda]

Why so little interest? I mean, it's still football.

[Powdered Water]

Meh. Hate San Fran, hate NY. I guess the Pats are OK and am indifferent about Baltimore.

So yeah, pretty much zero interest.

I'll keep tabs on the games but am not planning the old day around them, that's for sure.

Got a bunch of horror flicks to watch instead.

[Powdered Water]

Watch what I'm gonna do here.

"Baltimore really kicked that game away!"

[Yoda]

I'm just disappointed both teams didn't lose.

[DexterRiley]

I'm just disappointed both teams didn't lose.

Lee Evans was about as effective as he was a fantasy asset.

How a professional football player muffs that is remarkable really.

in other news, ive decided that the Giants must win to settle the age old question, namely which football related image is the most awesome.

the Candidates are,

A- The camera catching Jerry Jones in the pressbox after Romo flubs yet another game. You know the look. He looks like he just swallowed an onion dipped in lemon juice and desparately wants to fart.

or

B- The look on the Dreamy ones face as he valiantly attempts to come to grips with having been bettered by Eli yet again.

Jones is stiff competition, but Brady can do it. Call it the curse of the Expos.

yeah thats right sportsfans, Brady was drafted as a Catcher by the Montreal Expos. (that lil nugget can win yas some cash in bar bets)

[Yoda]

Yeah, I dunno if the Giants have a better chance of winning than the 49ers (and making sure the Pats lose is the only rooting interest I have left ;)), but it'd certainly be more entertaining to see them play the Giants again. I suspect Pats fans want that rematch, though even if they win it can't possibly compare to the Super Bowl 42 loss, for a number of reasons.

Meh. It really looked like we had so many potentially intriguing teams that it was almost a given that we'd have an exciting Super Bowl matchup, but with the Steelers, Packers and Saints all out, we very well may not. Pats-Giants is less interesting than a number of other combinations I'd hoped for. Pats-49ers far less so. On paper, at least; obviously you never know which games are going to be great in practice.

[Yoda]

No one posted about the Super Bowl in here, eh? I guess that's what happens when, like, half of the people in these threads are Patriots fans. Just gotta say, I kinda love that Eli got all that flack for calling himself "elite" in the preseason, and then he goes out and wins another Super Bowl. I am amused by that fact.

ANYWAY, I came in here not to expound on the addition of another chapter to the Book of Eli, but to inform you all that Jaworski has been dropped from the Monday Night Football booth. I am of two minds about this. I liked Jaws fine; did not love nor hate him. The downside of him leaving is that the same amount of airtime will now be split two ways, and Jon Gruden is still in the booth. This could very well mean more Gruden, in which case I'm strongly against it.

On the other hand, maybe Gruden is less of a tool without Jaws there, since they're well-known for trading superlatives about how incredible this or that player is. I'm inclined to think pessimistically and think that less Jaws means more Gruden. Hope I'm wrong, though.

[Sedai]

Yeah, I am still crying into my pillow about my stellar team, The NE Patriots. Once again, I watched the team trot out before the game, and Brady looked like he just wasn't home. So I said the same thing i said in 2007 before THAT game.

"Uh, they won't win this - Brady is in whine-ass mode."

Sometimes, Tongo is right on the money about this guy. When he has a bad day - it's bad.

[rauldc14]

As if we needed Tim Tebow flashbacks, for some reason ESPN is playing up Jeremy Lin as if he's the next Tim Tebow. Wrong sport, ESPN.