The NFL thread

[MTdemocrat]

I am not sure how much of a following the NFL has on this board. From what I can discern, there probably isn't much of one. However, I am addicted to the NFL and I want to talk about it.

The Broncos look strong again, though there are some people saying they are going to do worse. Somehow, getting rid of Trevor Pryce made our defense worse. never mind the fact that he was a negative influence and was OVERPAID big time. He hasn't had a pro bowl like year in quite some time.

The big question? Javon Walker. Can he come back and be dominant like 2 years ago? Will the rookie corners have another outstanding year (ok now sophmores).

[Announced Tilt]

The Broncos are going to contend with the Chiefs for the West title I believe. I don't know if Rivers will be ready to lead the Bolts into the playoffs.

My team, the Jags, are looking pretty much the same minus Jimmy Smith. Obviously, they will have the Colts to worry about, and with the West looking stronger, I'm not sure they will be able to make the postseason this year.

I'm not an NFC guy, but if I had to guess, I'd say the Seahawks and Panthers will remain strong, as well as the Cowboys and Redskins.

[the alex]

The NFL is so bad right now that it makes for good theatre. The way things look now

AFC
-I like Cincinnati, but they have no D.
-I like the Colts... until they decided to not pay someone to run the football.
-I like San Diego, but a rookie QB puts a ceiling on them, too.

Denver and Pittsburgh, who on paper ignoring the rest of the league, scream mediocrity, yet they're the only complete teams in the AFC besides the Pats. I have problems jumping on the Chiefs bandwagon, but they could limp into the playoffs because of Denver and SD. I think SD's the odd-team out here.

And that's the strong conference.

NFL=bad

I doubt anyone'll stop the Pats this year.

NFC
-I love the way Dallas looks over here, but you never know which D is gonna show up.
-I love my Bears, but that offense is anemic and though we'll be better, it'll still be a bad team with a shiny record in the worst division in football.
-Atlanta's unstoppable when Vick's not on his back, but they can't stop anyone.
-The Giants? Well, they're the Giants. Like the Bears, they'll find a way to fuck up and I'd go so far to say that they're the 3rd best team in their division behind the big D and the Skins.

You can't argue with Carolina or Seattle over here.

I'd rank as such:
AFC
1.) NE
2.) Pittsburgh
3.) Denver
4.) Cincinnati
5.) Indy
6.) KC

NFC
1.) Dallas
2.) Carolina
3.) Washington
4.) Seatlle
5.) Bucs
6.) Bears

Impossible to bring up the NFL offseason without TO and this makes Dallas the best in the NFC. This is a heavily biased opinion because besides Steve Young, my favorite QB ever is Drew Bledsoe. That D is only getting better and consistency is the only issue and better game plans will take care of that issue.

That said, Dallas barely limps into the playoffs in the AFC and everyone but the Patriots in the AFC would have a hard time playing in January in just about any year in the 90's.

[SeanyBullets1]

I got 7 dynasty football leagues this year and can't wait to see my boy Dawkins knock the FUCK out of T.O. this year. I love football...just a little more than baseball...but both above everything else.

[Yvraine]

WHY WHY WHY did we let Vinatieri go?!?

Oh well. In Belichek we trust. He'll pull something out of his hat, unless half the team drops dead again.

[Steve Ruddock]

mostly because he is overpaid as far as kickers go, getting older, and can't get a kickoff past the 10 yard line. And the Pats have one of the brightest young kickers wiling away on their practice squad

That said, Pittsburgh is in trouble this year, they lost too much offense. Although I would consider Rothleisberger the #1 or 2 QB in the league, Brady being the other. Sorry Peyton

Rothlesberger is a question mark for the first few games

The loss of Bettis is going to turn a lot of Steeler touchdowns into Steeler field goals

And they lost Plaxico

Denver had their chance last year. Plummer had his career year and they still couldn't go anywhere(actually they were some weird plays away from losing to NE last year)

New England is well.... New England. Potent offense and either Dillon or Maroney will emerge as a #1 back. If their secondary can stay healthy this year they'll be right up there again



Surorised no one has mentioned Miami, they finally have a QB

NFC, crapshoot as usual. It wouldn't surprise me if the niners were in the superbowl. Although Seattle, Atlanta, and Dallas have good squads on paper.

[Steve Ruddock]

This is a heavily biased opinion because besides Steve Young, my favorite QB ever is Drew Bledsoe.

OMG, I'm so sorry Alex, so sorry

[MTdemocrat]

I am still baffled by why people say "Denve had their shot". What is Plummer going to fall off the face of the earth now? He's going to magically become the Old Plummer?

Of course he isn't. Why not? Well there are a plethora of reasons.

1.) Dwayne Carswell is back at Tackle, a better O-line.
2.) Javon Walker provides the stretch we have been missing badly
3.) We improved our TE pos. through the draft and Free Agency, except to see Jake have a more consisent safety valve to hit.
4.) The Running game has improved (again). With Dayne and Bell handling the rock, we are going to see higher numbers then last year.
5.) Cutler will force Jake to play even better.

Tell me what has changed so much about the Broncos or the AFC that is going to change anything?? They are still going to win their division. The Raiders are terrible, the Chefs defense would let a High School team score on them at will. SD? They will be tough, but Rivers will have to adjust and will lose a few games at the start of the season, giving Denver the edge.

Last year, Denverll had one of the toughest schedules in the AFC, yet still managed to secure the 2 seed. THis year, the schedule is a touch softer.

Let's talk a little defense

CB's

Champ - It's Champ. Shutdown. Nuff said. No nagging injury this year.
Dominque - Will be improved from last year. Has a bit of inconsistency, but has more than enough talent to handle the #2 receiver
The other second year guy - Probably more talented than Foxworth, but had a nagging injury last year. Will see signifcant time and be a force.

LB

We have the best LB corp in the game.

Front 4

Trevor Pryce leaving is a blessing. He has been highly over paid and rated for the last 2-3 years. His sack numbers have stagnated or dropped every year. He doesn't get consistent pressure.

the question is, can we finally get pressure on the QB? That will be the biggest question.

Safety

Lynch is an animal. His coverage is weak, but that's not why we brought him in. As for the others, they are mediocre.

[Steve Ruddock]

Homer

Because bonds hit 73 one year will he hit 73 every year after that???? Of course not, it was a career year! Plummer played as good as he possibly could last year, he has no room for improvement.

John lynch is 107, and is exposed weekly.

Trevor Pryce wasn't there to get sacks he is a lane clogger, and will be missed in the run defense.

Every team can claim they have the best linebackers in the league, they're a dime a dozen these days. The real test is your front 4. you won't find much better than Wilfork, Warren, Seymour, and whichever LB NE puts up there, be it Colvin, Jarvis Green (DE), or Vrabel

I'll give you walker as an improvement but Denvers whole team is aging before your eyes, no way a bunch of intrical 30 somethings go through an NFL year without injuries.

[MTdemocrat]

Any asshole can be a lane stuffer. Pryce did a fine job of it, but we have plenty of other fat men to do the job. Pryce has been relatively ineffective for 2 years at his job anyway.

Can we stop the Plummer bashing? For godsake, I am so tired of everyone riding Plummer. You make the same argument everyone made last season. AHHHH PLUMMER WILL BLOW IT NEXT WEEK!!!! PLUMMER IS A BUM.

What does this guy have to do to get some respect? I understand he is in Elway's shadow, but come on.

Exposing Lynch? In coverage yes. In blitzing, hardly. We didn't bring him in for coverage anyawy.

Denver has actually gotten younger this year. Especially in the receiver corp. It looks like Watts, Walker, and Smith will be the main 3. Which should give Jake some real options on those 3 and longs, our biggest weakness last year.

Good thread so far