Looks like Jordan Mailata is entrenched now at the Philadelphia Eagles at Left Tackle. And the Philly Eagles, after a poor start, are now in the hunt for a wild card spot for the playoffs. At least 1 poster on this site won't want them to succeed. To make the playoffs, Philly needs to take the spot currently occupied by Minnesota Vikings. The stats site 538 crunched the numbers and gives Philly a 38% chance of doing just that.
Jordan Mailata is a former Rugby player from Sydney who participated in the NFL's International Player Pathway (which entailed being on a TV documentary following around the contenders). He ended up being drafted in the 7th round of the 2018 draft by Philly. At 203 cm and 165 kg, he was at least the right size for the job. Injuries and a lack of experience meant he didn't get much of a look-in until last year but he showed enough that Philly gave him an $US80m contract just before the start of this season, $US40.25m of which was guaranteed. They also gave him the LT spot (made famous by the movie "The Blind Side") instead of their 2019 1st round pick Andre Dillard. His performances have driven some commentators to say that Philly got a steal, saying they'd have to pay twice as much if they hadn't signed him up early. As 1 guy put it:
The 24-year-old Mailata was a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft who now routinely dominates first-round defensive ends, linebackers and edge rushers. His overall PFF grade of 82.8 puts him in the top 10 among offensive tackles this season.
Over 719 snaps in 2021 (a Week 15 game not yet included), Mailata has surrendered just two sacks and one QB hit. He has surrendered 18 pressures but seven of those came during an off-game in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders (he also surrendered a sack and a QB hit in that game).
ProFootballFocus.com actually graded Mailata as the 4th best Tackle in the NFL.
He has also impressed fans with his ability to run through opponents. Early in the season, he pancaked a cornerback to free up a touchdown run and he put NY Giant Darnay Holmes in hospital with broken ribs when he hit him at speed: see the video of that hit at
https://twitter.com/i/status/1465025423973261312 (https://twitter.com/i/status/1465025423973261312)
As time has gone on, the offence has clicked into gear despite trading away Tight End Zach Ertz to the Cardinals. Their running back has now set a record by running more than 200 yards in 5 games this season. And the most recent game against Washington saw an interesting rugby play that utilises Mailata's size and power. The Quarterback, Jaelen Hurts, rushed 2 touchdowns in goal line stands where the offensive line pushed forward like a rugby scrum allowing Hurts to jump over the left side of the offensive line. Mailata might find it harder to stop an edge-rusher with dancing feet and spin moves, but he has no trouble bulldozing his opponent in a tight line.
The only downside is that it looks like he's battling an ankle injury in a bid to take on the Giants on 27 December.
Looks like Jordan Mailata is entrenched now at the Philadelphia Eagles at Left Tackle. And the Philly Eagles, after a poor start, are now in the hunt for a wild card spot for the playoffs. At least 1 poster on this site won't want them to succeed. To make the playoffs, Philly needs to take the spot currently occupied by Minnesota Vikings. The stats site 538 crunched the numbers and gives Philly a 38% chance of doing just that.
After MNF the stats had the vikings (after winning) only a 39% chance of taking the spot.
We (vikings) play the 10-4 rams this week and will have to do it without at least our star running back who is on the Covid list. Thankfully, his backup Mattison, will be coming back into the lineup from the covid list. We've been hit by a quite a few players going onto the covid list of late. We also play the NFC leading Packers again (although we beat them first time round) this time @ lambeau though.
Eagles have an easier draw, but i think its the Saints who might pip all the above as they have an even easier draw.
Don't know much Mailata TBH.
Philly has the advantage against Saints as they beat them the only time they've played. On the other hand, Vikings have the advantage over Philly.
Philly's only real obstacle is Dallas in the last week. They should beat Giants and Washington as they've beaten both before (although Washington had a problem with the Covid protocols, including losing their QB & going with a 3rd stringer).
The Covid protocols are the great randomiser. The odds on every game might swing wildly depending on who has problems.
EDIT: The Giants beat the Eagles a few weeks back.
Saints lost to Dolphins and Vikings lost to Rams, so now 538 estimates there's a 68% chance of Philly making the playoffs. A win next week against Washington would just about seal the deal.
Here's some NFL trivia questions:
1. What State(s) have the most NFL teams?
2. What team plays its home games in Washington?
3. What team(s) play their home games in New York State?
Here's some NFL trivia questions:
1. What State(s) have the most NFL teams?
2. What team plays its home games in Washington?
3. What team(s) play their home games in New York State?
With no thought whatsoever...
1. Texas + California?
2. Seattle
3. Nobody?
1. Florida (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, & Miami Dolphins) & New York State (NY Jets, NY Giants, & Buffalo Bills). California used to have 3 but lost the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas. Texas has 2 as well. EDIT: I failed my own trivia question! California does indeed have 3 teams: LA Chargers, SF 49ers & LA Rams. D'oh! Also, some wouldn't give the Jets & Giants to NY State, but they're based there in the same way that Washington FC is based in Washington DC.
2. Good get. Most would have guessed the obvious: the Washington FC. But they play home games at FedEx Field in neighbouring Maryland.
3. Again, good get that you didn't include NY Jets & Giants as they share a stadium in neighbouring New Jersey, not very far from New York City. But Buffalo Bills play their home games in Buffalo which is in NY State.
1. Florida (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, & Miami Dolphins) & New York State (NY Jets, NY Giants, & Buffalo Bills). California used to have 3 but lost the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas. Texas has 2 as well. EDIT: I failed my own trivia question! California does indeed have 3 teams: LA Chargers, SF 49ers & LA Rams. D'oh! Also, some wouldn't give the Jets & Giants to NY State, but they're based there in the same way that Washington FC is based in Washington DC.
2. Good get. Most would have guessed the obvious: the Washington FC. But they play home games at FedEx Field in neighbouring Maryland.
3. Again, good get that you didn't include NY Jets & Giants as they share a stadium in neighbouring New Jersey, not very far from New York City. But Buffalo Bills play their home games in Buffalo which is in NY State.
I always forget about Buffalo.
I wouldn't include New York in Q1 as you said (and i knew) Jets and Giants play out of New Jersey.
So i'd say California and Florida would be the correct answers. (FWIW, i couldn't tell you where jacksonville is which is why i didn't think of Florida....insignificant in so many ways)
re Texas, they have 3 NBA teams (out of 30) but only 2 NFL teams out of 32
https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/170kg-aussie-sledgehammer-stuns-america-with-viral-touchdown/news-story/a33f629c9f7ad2ba08bc0d36a4d6e7bf
Young kid from Melbourne on his way to the NFL......not as a punter.
I read articles a while back about him as kid. I thought I posted about it but maybe that was on a previous incarnation of this site. The articles noted how he posed an issue for parents of opposing players in rugby where teams were simply divided by age. As a youngster, he was so huge it was like letting an adult play in the U12s etc. Good to see him picking on guys his own size now (or nearer to his own size at least)!
https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nfl/170kg-aussie-sledgehammer-stuns-america-with-viral-touchdown/news-story/a33f629c9f7ad2ba08bc0d36a4d6e7bf
Young kid from Melbourne on his way to the NFL......not as a punter.
I never understand why they paywall stuff that is free on other sites.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/college-football-2021-daniel-faalele-scores-touchdown-in-guaranteed-rate-bowl-170kg-offensive-lineman-nfl-draft-chances-minnesota/news-story/0ab0e0ed62b7ae63435452675dbf9fb0
I never understand why they paywall stuff that is free on other sites.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nfl/college-football-2021-daniel-faalele-scores-touchdown-in-guaranteed-rate-bowl-170kg-offensive-lineman-nfl-draft-chances-minnesota/news-story/0ab0e0ed62b7ae63435452675dbf9fb0
Was no paywall for me.
Saints lost to Dolphins and Vikings lost to Rams, so now 538 estimates there's a 68% chance of Philly making the playoffs. A win next week against Washington would just about seal the deal.
As i said earlier, vikings are very little chance having to come up against Green Bay #Lambeau.
Just to emphasis this, Kirk Cousins has been put on the covid list and we've had to sign a QB to cover.
Already with a few other key injuries means this game could get ugly.....quick.
Thankfully our defense is largely healthy, but i have no faith in our offense to put points on the board.
Philly are in.
There's still a couple of days for things to go belly up for Philly as well.
Let me guess: the Vikings didn't sign Colin Kaepernick to fill in. That's one of the reasons I can't fully embrace the NFL. It's racist to the core. It's not just clowns like Gruden who are the issue. The rich white dudes who own the various franchises form a cartel in conjunction with the NFL. It's pretty hard to ignore the fact that I've got more chance of filling in at QB than Kaepernick.
There's still a couple of days for things to go belly up for Philly as well.
Let me guess: the Vikings didn't sign Colin Kaepernick to fill in. That's one of the reasons I can't fully embrace the NFL. It's racist to the core. It's not just clowns like Gruden who are the issue. The rich white dudes who own the various franchises form a cartel in conjunction with the NFL. It's pretty hard to ignore the fact that I've got more chance of filling in at QB than Kaepernick.
Not quite so political.
Brought back Sean Mannion who has been on the vikings list previously, and practiced with our guys.
He will jump on the list and straight into starting QB, despite having 2 other less experienced options available.
re Philly...
It all depends on this round.
The last round, all of the contenders should win (from memory) but its this round that will cause the dramas. Some, unfavoured, teams get up in unlikely matches (like say vikings over packers) and the whole thing is turned on its head.
After this round, the final round almost becomes irrelevent.
The comment re Kaepernick isn't peculiar to the Vikings. It's directed at the NFL overall. Each franchise would be able to mount an argument as to why it ignored Kaepernick but the fact they all did makes it obvious he's been blackballed when you look as some of the guys who've been rolled out..
It could be argued that the Covid protocol itself pretty much excludes Kaepernick as it would take 6 days for him to become eligible, forcing franchises to look within their own organisations. But these protocols were put in place by the NFL, the same organisation that must have been complicit in Aaron Rodgers sidestepping those same protocols (surely, one of the higher-ups at the NFL and/or Packers must have known & acquiesced). Surely, the NFL could craft protocols that would either allow or prevent Kaepernick from filling in. And I'm guessing the NFL was much more likely to do the latter in order to have a ready-made excuse as to why every franchise has continued to prefer deadbeats to Kaepernick.
Regarding the playoff situation, Philly's game tomorrow is critical as its last game is against the Dallas Cowboys which will no doubt be fully motivated to win as it fights for the best playoff position. If Philly loses to Washington, it may end up on 8-9 and the Saints and Vikings would be in with a shot. I couldn't be bothered trying to understand the tie-breaking procedure. Once I read that the head-to-head test wouldn't apply if 3 or more teams ended up with the same number of wins, I gave up. If Philly ended up in a 2 way tie with the Vikings, the Vikings would apparently get the nod while if it ties only with the Saints, Philly would get in.
And the Washington game is no gimme. They played a couple of weeks ago and Washington jumped to an early 10-0 lead despite losing its starting QB to the Covid protocol. Sure, Philly then got going and won 27-17, but who knows how the rematch will go now Washington seems to be be doing better with Covid roulette.
Philly Eagles just avoided a humiliating loss. After being down 16-7 at half-time, they had eked out a 4 point lead but Washington had driven down to the red zone with 30 seconds to go Then the QB, Heinicke, passed down the middle to the TE but it sailed high and was intercepted by a safety in the end zone to end the game. Looks like the Eagles have sealed a spot in the playoffs given the Vikings are 17 points down at half-time.
Antonio Brown did a Fev, although Fev didn't go quite as far as Antonio ...
Been away for a few days camping with no reception.
Just caught up on all the goings on. Pretty much went as expected.
Vikings no hope without Cousins (and Thielen....and....) and got dominated.
Philly make it.
Interesting about AB. Surely his career is done now. Should've been done a while ago, but he's had more chances than a cat.
CTE is almost certain for him.
Yep, CTE is a nightmare for the NFL. That's the 2nd reason I can't fully invest in NFL. It's a bit like watching boxers go at it: it's hard to ignore that the sport leaves it mark on them and watching it makes you feel a bit guilty.
Aaron Hernandez was a horror story. Geez, if there's anyone you don't want to turn into a homicidal maniac it's a 111 kg ball of muscle with loads of money.
And this loops back to the other problem I have with the NFL. Google race-norming and you'll read plenty about how the NFL & the players' lawyers managed to arrive at a settlement of the CTE litigation which made it harder for black players to make a claim. No surprises that the US is in the middle of a white supremacy fueled drive towards right-wing dictatorship.
Also on CTE, Everson Griffen is a DE who played for the Vikings for years and was a leader at that position. He had a run in or 2 with the law, mainly off the back of some weird psychosis he was experiencing. He ended up getting traded and doing the team to team thing for a couple years. This year he came back to the vikings and all was going well.....until he posted some late night social media content of him alone in his house with his gun talking about how they are all coming to get him. Police standoff resulted and no issues came from it.
He has been MIA since with 'health reasons'.
Most definitely another CTE victim who i think will also have played his last NFL game this year. TBH, i don't expect him to be alive 10 years from now and wouldn't be surprised if he was found dead 5 years from now.
These things are occurring more and more in the NFL and its getting harder and harder to hide and/or cover up.
Despite all the knowledge and work done to limit the big hits in the game, after every play, players are still slapping themselves and eachother on the helmet and headbutting and all that stuff that they should be trying to cut out.....but no.
The CTE issue, which is huge, is still largely being ignored and its going to get a lot worse before it gets better.
On race norming, it seems a bit flaky a term which has the appropriate emotive victimized response we are used to seeing when a particular agenda is raised, but how is this race norming achieved?
Is it discrimination based on race or is it legitimate empirical evidence that shows a pre disposition to certain affliction?
Note: I think that those who play sport knowing that there are these risks later in life should have a limit to being able to sue about it later. They aren't forced into playing, they do so by choice.
That being said, there should be appropriate evidence pointing to why race norming is an appropriate action, else it isn't valid.
If you have Foxtel, you can watch the big fella in action against the Cowboys at 12.15pm tomorrow (Sunday). This is an odd fixture as ordinarily the NFL doesn't play games on Saturday.
Bit of a let down. It's "Rest or Rust" week given both Philly and Dallas have already qualified for next week's Wild Card playoffs. Dallas still has something to gain by winning and securing the 2nd seed (home playoffs in the 1st 2 weeks) but Philly has nothing to play for. And surprise, surprise: Philly has 12 on Covid protocol and they've rested their QB Jaelen Hurts. They played Jason Kelce to keep his 7 year unbroken string of games going but pulled him out after a couple of plays. Mailata is suited up but is watching from the sidelines while the guy he displaced, Andre Dillard, is playing in his place. Still, for all that, Philly has scored a touchdown in their opening drive.
Everyone can watch the big fella on FTA TV (7 Mate) as well as ESPN. Philly Eagles play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday morning at 5 am. Chances are it'll be the only opportunity to see him as Tampa Bay is getting back all of its stars, save for Antonio Brown of course. And the Philly QB, Jaelen Hurts, is battling an ankle injury and his game relies heavily on being able to run.