The New Fantastic Four

I agree with your picks.

Starting with our Cowboys. I think Dallas will improve every week. Getting better and better on defense. By the end of the year they could be just plain nasty. Add in a healthy Chris Canty to the DE rotation……..and this team could be dominating on defense.

Carolina was Dr. Jekyl and Mr.Hyde last year. They continue on the momentum they had and get back that DT and some RBs. I think the Stadium Janitor was their starting RB by the end of the season. I also think they found one of the better younger coaches in the league.

Cardinals……Denny Green likes recievers and added I think the Julius Jones of this years Draft……JJ Arrington. Arrington did something that Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson, and Cadillac all failed to do. He ran for 100 yards in every game last year. He is legit.

Raiders………no offense to Norv Turner.(no pun intended) Moss, Porter and Curry are the three best WRs in the NFL. Kerry Collins can still chuck it downfield. He is actually a strong armed QB. However, they will be like the Vikings. They will have to beat teams on offense, and will not stop or threaten anybody on Defense. They added Jordan at RB, but he has never been a feature back so he has something to prove yet. Randy Moss is the most single impact player in the NFL. A close 2nd Might be Vick, you have to scheme and play different for those two guys. Speed kills and they both have it. It will be interesting to see if Turner, Collins, Porter and Moss can all survive. I kind of think Randy needs a Disciplinarian Coach, and Norv ain’t ever been that. Having said that he did more with less in Washington without much credit.

If you go with the Raiders…….why not the Lions. They have also assembled a pretty good Offense. Mariucci has an old vet in Garcia if Harrington fails. Mike Williams, Roy Williams, Mr. Rogers and Kevin Jones………a lot of weapons on that side of the ball. Defense wins Super Bowls, but I think Detroit can win some ball games. I also think they would exit the playoffs in the first round.

My other team that I could see making a jump is Jacksonville. They seem to hang around and are always in tight games even against better teams. I like Del Rio as a coach. I think Leftwich is legit, and they have depth at QB. They got a pretty good Defense. I think Leftwich will win some close ones this year and they notch out 10 or more wins. I would probably rank them higher than the Lions.
  
Giants defense is getting older. Strahan if healthy is one of the best, but he is declining due to age. They did have a pretty good draft considering no first rounders due to Eli. Burress and Eli, if Burress can avoid Jail. An arrest warrant was issued today for reckless driving in Virginia Beach. A charge he picked up about a month ago. He was a no show in court. It was in our local paper. He also had public drunkeness about a year ago or so here. He seems to have some off the field issues, that could haunt him. Maybe it is just me but I see Coughlin, Burress, Shockey and Eli not really as teammates. I think they will have some issues. Not sure just a feeling. NY media is a tough place to play. I am sure Phil, Hosteteler, Collins, or Pennington can attest to that. Not sure the young Manning is ready to lead his Giants anywhere just yet. Eli will be an NFL QB, but I personally do not think adding Burress alone is enough. Shockey is overated…….talented yes…….but he thinks he is better than he is. Tiki is solid and they have some talent on both sides of the ball. Coughlin is a solid coach, if they win a few games and buy into his system they could be dangerous. If they start out slow, the wheels could fall off that train.

Carolina had a very similar year to us last year,

both teams were hit with major injuries we may have actually been in a harder spot. But both of us were playoff teams the year before and then dropped I would expect similar returns. In fact I would expect us to improve or match our 10-6 the year before and Carolina may start out a little stronger than us, but I expect us to finish as strong a team as anyone this year.

I think that Arizona and Oakland are very good picks as well, both have incredible talent at WR with solid vet QB’s tossing the ball. depending on wether or not the cards can protect warner, they may or may not improve into a playoff team. I think the raiders have a ligit shot at second in their division and a wild card in the AFC, K.C. will be improved as well however and the will have to best them.

the Cowboys are the team of these four that I see making the biggest jump. If not in record in terms of talent and potential if we don’t have the best record of these teams ending the year we will end up with the most momentum and potential to improve again in the next year coming , hands down.

My projections with division winners and wildcards:

AFC:
East: New England
North: Pittsburgh, Cincinnatti
South: Indianapolis
West: San Diego, Kansas City
New England and Indianapolis waiting for the wild card winners.

NFC:
East: Philly, Dallas
North: Minnesota
South: Carolina, Atlanta
West: Arizona
Philly and Minnesota waiting for the wild card winners.

So, I can also see 4 losing teams last year bouncing and winning this, and might win big, Carolina’s scary when healthy……….

There are only 7 canadates in the AFC…of them I like KC the best. If Holmes stays healthy thay are a better team then the Raiders.

Buffalo was 9-7 so they do not qualify, but they should improve and make playoffs unless they swaped out QB too early.

Baltimore will also be a dangerous team and compete for a playoff spot

In the NFC Cowboys and Panthers seem very likely to improve. I for one doubt that Arizona will post a winning record. The Rams will be improved but still close to 9-7 because the NFC outside the East is still weak.

Teams to drop back down:
AFC: Jets, SD and Pitt
NFC: Packers

I think Baltimore is going to the playoffs this year. I dont care if they have Boller, the guys horrible, but the defense can carry them. Who is going to be able to throw on them?? Ed Reed, probably the best defender in the league, Chris McAllister, Samari Rolle, Deion Sanders in the nickel, and I think Gary Baxter at the other S spot. Ogden is healthy and Lewis should come back strong. I know hes overrated, but they have Heap back healthy, and drafted Mark Clayton who I liked.

Baxter is long gone dude

I think teams that will disappoint will be

Pittsburgh……… when is an 11 win season a major disappointment………when you won 15 the year before.

Green Bay……Farve is the man and all but Rivera and Wahle are too much too lose in protection. Carolina will take their wild card spot in the playoffs.

New England……….following their first Super Bowl they had a major disappointing season. Bruschi was important. Ty Law was important. WRs defected. Seymour unhappy with contract. This team is still good and still well coached, but I do not think they will be as dominant. Crennel and Wise are gone. This team looks reminescent of the Dallas Cowboys of a decade ago. Fading into the sunset and being competitive but no longer dominant with a change in coaching staffs and player defecting to free agency. Miami is not going to be great anytime soon, but if you think Nick Saban is not going to give Belichek some sleepless nights twice a year you got another thing coming. Miami as bad as they were beat the Pats last year.

Eagles……..the division is getting tougher and tougher. With Dallas Taking a game from the Ealges this year and contending for the division. The Super Bowl Chumps will fail to reach the NFC title game. You only get so many shots in life, and I think McNabb and company are about to realize they should have made the best of previous opportunities.

Buffalo will not finish higher than 8-8. Loss of Defense and Bledsoe. Losman is young and inexperienced. Very few QBs are 8+ game winners in their first season as a starter. Buffalo has a decent RB. Other than that they ain’t hitting on much. I think they made the move too early on Bledsoe, they will regret it this year. I doubt Losman plays all 16, he will get injured.

Jets will do what they did last year be good and solid but not great. They will miss Jordan and Ferguson. A lot hinges on the arm of Pennington and the legs of Martin. If those two are healthy all year this is a playoff team. Herman Edwards is one of those coaches you want to see do well. He just has that competitive fire in him, and makes for great press conferences.

SD will have a setback due to the QB controversy. TNew has two picks for TDs in game one and Brees is benched. Marty ball will be forced to take a look at Rivers in real games. Unfortunatley for Brees the first game he struggles in he gets benched. Rivers will struggle and Drew Brees will leave town or be a trade option if they re option the Franchise for him. They played a weak scehdule last year. LT is as good as any back in the NFL period. However, SD will start out with a loss in week one and never get the momentum they had last year. The QB controversy will remind Cowboy fans of the Hogeboom years…….to Hogeboom or not to Hogeboom. It will not be a pleasant year in SD. Marty gets fired after failing to make the playoffs.

Chandus,

I agree with you that Carolina is scary. Right now, they’re my pick to win the NFC. John Fox did in ‘03 what Parcells is trying to do in Dallas; win with a nasty defense, led by a strong pass rush and a power running game. Even before the injuries, their weaknesses were secondary and o-line. They signed Mike Wahle and Ken Lucas in free agency, which fills two huge needs. They drafted Thomas Davis, who will help as either a WOLB or SS and they got another power back in Eric Shelton, should Stephen Davis be done. They’re already beaten the Eagles once in a championship game. If they’re healthy, they can do it again.

they were also only a field goal away from beating the New England Pats……….for the Super Bowl. Ricky Proehl scored too quickly.

Delhomme reminds me of a young Favre. He has that fire in him when he gets the ball in his hand.

I no they lost Muhammad. Did they add anything at WR. I know they had a guy out with injury too. So maybe not as big an issue. Carolina showed in the 2nd half what kind of team they were. And despite injuries did not quit.

lol I liked this so much I had to re-post I would like all of these scenarios

it would be even better if the chargers don’t have merriman signed before the game or he is playing and gets run over by Dan cambell and is done for the season, kinda like kellen winslow last year

Jon Says:

June 16th, 2005 at 5:40 pm
I think teams that will disappoint will be

Pittsburgh……… when is an 11 win season a major disappointment………when you won 15 the year before.

Green Bay……Farve is the man and all but Rivera and Wahle are too much too lose in protection. Carolina will take their wild card spot in the playoffs.

New England……….following their first Super Bowl they had a major disappointing season. Bruschi was important. Ty Law was important. WRs defected. Seymour unhappy with contract. This team is still good and still well coached, but I do not think they will be as dominant. Crennel and Wise are gone. This team looks reminescent of the Dallas Cowboys of a decade ago. Fading into the sunset and being competitive but no longer dominant with a change in coaching staffs and player defecting to free agency. Miami is not going to be great anytime soon, but if you think Nick Saban is not going to give Belichek some sleepless nights twice a year you got another thing coming. Miami as bad as they were beat the Pats last year.

Eagles……..the division is getting tougher and tougher. With Dallas Taking a game from the Ealges this year and contending for the division. The Super Bowl Chumps will fail to reach the NFC title game. You only get so many shots in life, and I think McNabb and company are about to realize they should have made the best of previous opportunities.

Buffalo will not finish higher than 8-8. Loss of Defense and Bledsoe. Losman is young and inexperienced. Very few QBs are 8+ game winners in their first season as a starter. Buffalo has a decent RB. Other than that they ainâ€â"¢t hitting on much. I think they made the move too early on Bledsoe, they will regret it this year. I doubt Losman plays all 16, he will get injured.

Jets will do what they did last year be good and solid but not great. They will miss Jordan and Ferguson. A lot hinges on the arm of Pennington and the legs of Martin. If those two are healthy all year this is a playoff team. Herman Edwards is one of those coaches you want to see do well. He just has that competitive fire in him, and makes for great press conferences.

SD will have a setback due to the QB controversy. TNew has two picks for TDs in game one and Brees is benched. Marty ball will be forced to take a look at Rivers in real games. Unfortunatley for Brees the first game he struggles in he gets benched. Rivers will struggle and Drew Brees will leave town or be a trade option if they re option the Franchise for him. They played a weak scehdule last year. LT is as good as any back in the NFL period. However, SD will start out with a loss in week one and never get the momentum they had last year. The QB controversy will remind Cowboy fans of the Hogeboom years…….to Hogeboom or not to Hogeboom. It will not be a pleasant year in SD. Marty gets fired after failing to make the playoffs.

Hello, I’m the new guy but I’ve been reading everyones post for a month now and I have to say this is a great site.

First of all I see Baltimore taking Denvers Wildcard from last year.
NY(J) sould hold there spot. The rest of the AFC I think will hold fast.

In the NFC, I think Arizona is ready to take that division as Seatle and
St Loius fall.
 
This may not go over well with everyone esle but, I see Atlanta falling out of the playoffs with an improved New Orleans and Carolina coming out of the South to take the division and a Wildcard (toss a coin but they both make it)

That leaves Philly and Dallas to finish up the p.o.

randall………

denver could be a major disappointment. You don’t rebuild a defensive line starting in Cleveland.

I have always like Jake Plummer but he has yet to prove it in the NFL. They play in a competitive division and yeah Baltimore looks poised to improve. Jim Fassil (not a favorite of mine as a head coach) will take pressure off Billick as the new play caller. Something he was able to do to lead a Kerry Collins led Giant team to a Super Bowl. I think he is an excellent O Coordinator……………..Ray Lewis in a 46 defense……..geez the guy was an animal in the 3-4……..not bad in the 4-3 and now we gotta deal with him in a 46 coached by another Ryan………..geez…….their offense only has to be Ok for them to be competitive………Jamal Lewis makes them ok on offense.

I think Denver is out! replaced by Baltimore.

I think the Steelers will win it all this year. With the removal of our cancer (Burress) we will have better options and speed in our wideouts. We picked up Cedric Wilson from San Fran and of course Randall El. On defense we added Bryant Mcfadden from Florida St. Everyone else will be back, plus Big Ben has a year under his belt.

NFC— I think Philly will be back in an all Pa Super Bowl.

jon,

dont forget that buffalo also has lee evans and eric moulds is still pretty good. and i personally think that mcgahee is more than “decent” he showed alot last year, and i really like him, but dont worry i like JJ so much better. but mcgahee is a darn good back and i think hell get better and better

Jon:

San Diego making a mayor flop? I don’t think so, they are real strong as a team, McCardell catches everything thrown his way, Gates is dangerous in maroon and red zone, LT is dangerous everywhere, the OLine is a pretty good one (with a bunch of no-names) and they have a run-stuffing 3-4 (and they faced a lot of good running teams and weren’t rushed all over), they just need to play better against the pass, Pennington burned them all over. They should keep control of the weak AFC West.

BTW, Ray Lewis was a beast as MikeBacker in the 4-3 in 2001 and previous years playing behind Siragusa and Sam Adams, they lost Sam Adams in 2002 and thought that they were better suited to play a 3-4.

Im with you guys as far as Carolina goes. I doubt they’ll mis Muhammed. Anybody no anything about Kerry Colbert? And is Steve Smith still worthy of a mid round pick in fantasy drafts?

People consistently overlook the Bears and you guys will probably think I’m way off, but I like the them to be resurgent and be the surprise of the North, maybe the NFC. The Panther are scary, deep too.

Mike in PA,

Don’t forget Heath Miller! And I like Cedric the Acquisition there too. Good move. Win it all though bro? Philly too? Sounds like a PA wet dream! It could happen. My wifeâ€â"¢s from Pitt and I hear it from her side all the time.

Chandus,

Add the return of a healthy Reche Caldwell to that mix and with Donnie Edwards lighting it up on defense, the Bolts will be tough (and you thought I was going to say electric).

Anyone notice the nifty stuff in store for Sunday Ticket this year? Commercial-free replay of games, view six games at once (equipment cost?) and the Red Zone channel updating big plays from all the games? Nice. (No, Iâ€â"¢m not their spokesman)

Chandus,

I like S.D. too just a few reservations about them:

1) Did they play so well because of fear …i.e. new coach
 everyone is playing for their jobs.

2) I did not like M.S. meltdown on the sideline due to a of
 lack of roughing call against Jets not what i expect from
 a coach in a playoff game especially one whose been
 there before.

Having said that i love L.T.

Forgot #3 and this goes for any team in any sport: IT is one
thing to win when your not expected too it is a whole matter
to win when your supposed too…guess thats why we love
them boys

Just some random thoughts ….For all you who thought
 the cowboys missed the boat by not signing DE J. Kearse
ESPN the mag quotes Eagles defensive coach JJ saying that
J.K. will now play RE to take advantage of slower tackles
66 million for a RDE seems a bit much especially one as injured
as J.K.

P.S. where is oiler troll ????

When I look at Philly, I think of a Mike Tyson from the late 80’s. Big wins on a no name fight card. Look, if you take a look at Philly and who they play this year (and last year) it is nice for rolling up alot of wins. That may even get them homefield in the playoffs but, I think the improved NFC field will expose them this year. I know too many people from Philly and they just can’t see it. This year will still be 10 or 12 wins (they really don’t play anyone) and I’ll still have to listen all year about how great they are. The bottom line, no PA Superbowl. The ice is melting off of the “Birds” mountain!

Randall,

I think Philly will have problems this year.They have alot of
unhappy people :T.O.,Simon,Westbrook(although he signed
it is only for one year)etc. add to that all the new picks I think
the vets see alot of turnover for salary savings which is ok on
a loser but hard to justify on a super bowl team.Second without
T.O.(and i think he deserves a new contract) it will be much harder
for Philly to get leads in games.Philly’s D needs a lead to be at its best
blitzes etc. without a nice lead they are good not dominant.

Hey I agree problems. They just don’t face anyone this year. they are good enough for 10 at least. Let all get this strait. Philly needs T. O. They have to save face though. Remember what was going on in Philly before
T. O. An 70 rating for Mcnabb. Not that Freddy was great, but Pinkston is no lead reciever. Brown, please! If the fans of Philly thought their recieving core was poor 2 years ago? They need him they’ll keep him and everyone will see it. That opens up contract disputes for everyone on that team. The wheels are coming off in Philly but, they get by this year.

STARSTRUCK,

HA HA I Pa wet dream? I have to admit you are right!! But you can go on down the list with Staley,Bettis not to mention our linebackers. The only real problem we have is our secondary. Troy Polamalu is a good safety but our corners give the big play. EVERY YEAR!! lol..

Batimore has made good strides this off season. Cleveland did some good thing by going out and getting Droughns (Denver) then drafting Braylon Edwards(Michigan). But i think the downfall in Cleveland is they got Dilfer for a Qb. Cincy will be a problem. They grow every year.

I am sorry about all the AFC north information, but thats the division we play in so i pay close attension to everything in that division.

One thing i have not heard or seen is anyone talkin on Jerret Payton. He did well in Europe. You guys(or ladies) think he can do it in the NFL?

becker

I read (KFFL) since Westbrook hired a new agent, that they are currently hammering out a long-term contract. So, even if he is happy with that, I still don’t see it making much of a difference to your point.

randall

They have a good upstart receiver in Billy McMullen. He is entering his third year and now that Freddie is gone, he should have a shot at proving himself. But they still need more than that in the absence of TO because Pinkston isn’t scaring anyone.

Mike in PA

Would love to see Paytonâ€â"¢s success in NFLE translate to the NFL. The Titans sure could use it. He is, you know—connected, to Emmitt, who at Walterâ€â"¢s behest, has a vested interest in seeing him do well too. James Farrior rocks! (hometown favorite)

I agree with that Philly has alot of problems. If TO for some reason doesnt play in the regular season I see them struggling. They have a horrible WR corp without them. But their D will keep them in games, they have a real good pass defense and real good blitz schemes. But after this year, and maybe this year, the NFC East crown will be ours.

Im from NJ, anyone know if theres anyway I can catch the preseason games? I want to see all the rookies (esp Ware) and our new guys play. I’ve seen Fergunson play in person the guys the real deal. He’s going to fit in perfectly with Parcells.

I would love to be ale to see the preseason games too! Sounds like somebody out there should be hooking some brothers up!

Star,

Who do the bears have that can throw the ball. If I am not mistaken Chad Hutchinson was a starting QB for them at some point last year. That does not sound like a team bound for the playoffs.

They did add a good WR, and possibly a stellar running to Thomas Jones. A guy I am sure you are familiar with.

I like Lovie Smith, but the Bears are still in rebuild mold. They need another year of a decent draft and a healthy secondary for a full year.

They were decimated by injuries on both sides last year. They could if healthy be a surprise. It was only a few years ago that they went on a tear. I think they are a bubble team 8-8 or 9-7. Favre usually seems to find a way to beat them. Although If memory serves me they beat him on Lambeua last year. A bit of a surprise.

I also agree about Payton. I would like to see the young Payton do well. After watching Eddie George last year, I would enlist Payton over him any day of the week. Give the kid a chance. He looked like a stud in NFLE, that is worthy of at least a roster spot. Walter was a class act.

Jon

I knew someone would take me to task on it! I think Rex Grossman was poised to do very well until injury. That sent that team into a downward spiral and that’s why they have five QBs on the roster, for surety against such collapse in the future. Kurt Kittner had a big season in Europe and I think he’ll stick around, Hutch is seasoned and Lovie likes him and Kyle Orton has rookie promise. I know nothing about Ryan Dinwiddie. One or two of those won’t make the team, I’m sure. Probably RD and either Hutch or Orton, but I like Orton to stay.

I also like their D, especially LB Lance Briggs even though Urlacher is the household name. I like their offensive additions in Muhsin Muhammad, Eddie Berlin and Cedric Benson with TJ should establish a run game. And I love Lovie too (think Beatles). He’s going to be a good, possibly great head coach. I’m thinking along the lines of a Bill Cowher.

That’s my take on them. Plus finishing at 5-11, they and the Lions fit the rebound criteria.

Ummmm Im not so sure about that one…the Bears 8-8 or 9-7…yeah I dont think so. If they get 7 this year I would consider it a success. Their offense is terrible. I’d have to say the Bears and Cowboys game last year had to be the most depressing game Ive seen in quite some time. Absolutley no one could score. Anyways, I expect the Redskins (or Denver…the Redskins made a really dumb trade), Bears, Browns and 49ers to be at the top of the draft boards next year. Like I’ve stated in an earlier post I expect Dallas, Carolina, Detroit, and Arizona as the teams with losing records making the playoffs. Jacksonville and Baltimore will be the other non playoff teams of last year making it this year.

Lets say the Bears are improved, can they pull 4 or 5 divisional games. That will be hard givin an improved Minn d and an improved Detroit team.
Give em 4 (in the division) and maybe Washington and Clevland (both on the road?) San Fransico and Tampa Bay. This is best case and they only get 8. Let’s give them some time.

(off subject) did anyone see the top ten safetys in the nfl on sportsline.com Our boy roy was 7? he was behind Donavan Darious, Michael Lewis,& Adrian Wilson???? I dont under stand what the F is this is this crap. Im never going on that site again the are the most dallas bias site that ive ever been on. Alot like the Hall Of Fame

NFC
   Watch out for tampa ,carolina and possibly the saints. All three came on very strong late last year and if Brian Griese and Arron Brooks pull themselvs together and stay hot (I say hot because its clear that neither of these QBs can stay constint)most of the year there teams will win lots of games. Let me not forget the boys we all know the reasons.
         
AFC
    Look for the steelers to cool off a bit they might still make the playoffs tho and the bengals to heat up with Carson Palmer. I can also see the afc west non playoff contenders(Raiders, KC) beating out the accutal playoff teams(Denver, San diego). Tho i dont know about san diego was it just a team that heated up last year? Much like the bears did a few years back, or are the ligit? A question indeed.

This is way off topic but i had the weirdest dream last night. I dreamt that the Cowboys were playing the Atlanta Falcons and were gettin creamed by Mike Vick and Vince Young, QB of the University of Texas Austin. They were beating us with this duel quarterback set with no half back just two really damn fast quarterbacks. I’ve never played football myself I was just wondering how conceivable this actual is. Starstruck maybe u can enlighten me to how plausible this formation actually is and how effective it could be. Sounds like a great way to disguise your QB, although u would have to run a lot of shotgun sets.

You guys really think that the Lions are going to be better then the Falcons, Saints, St. Louis, and Green Bay for the wildcard? Assuming the Panthers and Minnesota win their divisions, theres no way the Detroit Lions will be better than those teams. There offense isnt the Colts. Roy Williams is a very good reciever, Rogers is hurt and hasnt proved much, and Mike Williams is a rookie and hasn’t proved a thing. Kevin Jones is a very good back, but they have a horrible QB. Garcia’s also washed up. Their defense should have been adressed in the draft. They will finish 3rd, ahead of the Bears but behind the Packers and Vikings IMO. The Panthers will win their division and be very very dangerous come playoff time. The Falcons should be a close second, their d overperformed last year, but they still got Mike Vick, who can change a game single handely.

Green Bay is on the bubble…….lost Wahle and Rivera. Favre is starting to show age, and will show it even more without those two building a pocket. Brett was pretty mobile when he was younger, but he is slowing. I like Favre, he is fun to watch. I think the team lost a lot on the O Line.

Rams are schizophrenic. They are not very good on the road. They have a great offense, but Jackson is not Marshal. Mike Martz needs to spend a little time on Defense and Special Teams. Dexter Coakly will help both but he is only one man. They needed more than a fast linebacker to fix that defense, and special teams.

Saints? Aaron Brooks should be from Missouri and not Virginia. You know why? SHOW ME! He ain’t shown nobody nothing yet. A lot of potential but he makes a lot of mistakes. He is from my Hometown and I root for him and Vick to do well, but he has shown a lot of disappointment so far. Why else would the Saints draft yet another QB, they let Delhomme leave, that was a mistake.

I think the Falcons will be about the same. If Vick is healthy they win 10+ games. Possibly their division.

So do I think the Lions are better, no not necessarily but they sure are in the same class as the Saints, the Packers, and the yes even the Rams. I do not see the Lions as a bad team. They are a .500 team that could sneak a win or two…….or lose some and disappoint.

Look around half the league is in that category which is one reason why I think Dallas can get better this year and compete this year for the NFC Championship. The whole NFC is full of mediocre teams. I think we are better than mediocre if our draft class is what I think they are.

Go Cowboys.

Chris,

Hmm……..I think you should see Jon about that. His office is down the hall to the right.

Clark Judge from sportsline.com says that LB Dexter Coakley is the 10th best OLB in the NFL. I agree with this, Dexter was a real good player and I hated letting him go. But I PROMISE everyone here that if he were still on the Cowboys he would not have been on that list. I promise you.

Starstruck,

                 I know Payton has Emmit to look up to. It would be nice to have the 2 best runningbacks in NFL history to look up to in life. But everyone compares him to his dad, but his style is not his dads.

That is the only down side to having a famous dad. Who is your favorite team?

Yeah, you took the words out of my mouth,

I concur, Dexter is great I wasn’t suprised to see him on that list however I would’ve been more surprised to see him on that list as a cowboy, it amazes me how a guys stock sky rockets once he leaves the boys, I think there is a pretty hard core bias.

I’ve been noticing this in years past and it sounds funny, but every year I play madden and no matter how old the guy is when he leaves the boys his ratings go up, case and point joey galloway, on this game his speed was contained to max 94 the last few years on the boys, then when he switched to tampa they upped his speed again. Keyshawn’s ratings took a hit on this game when he came to big d, was considered one of the better recievers in the game while still on the bucs….

I get pretty tired of seeing this :P

Mike in PA

Mike, buddy, who is my favorite team? You are aware that you’re on a Cowboys blog, right? Umm, “StarStruck”?

I’ll give you a break on this one. I mean you are a Steelers fan and you’re here and I have been advocating the Bears on this thread. But make no mistake, despite my position on Chitown as a possible turnaround team, the only resurgence I care about is the Cowboys’.

I know this is off topic, but has anyone considered picking up Hakim since Detroit dropped him? He could honestly be our 3rd or 4th receiver. He was going to sign with the Chiefs until this ( http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+West/Kansas+City/Features/2005/hakim061705.htm ) happened. Our receivers are getting old. We need depth.

As Rafael noted in his fantastic fours, the Bears went from 5-11 in 2000 (coincidentally their record last year) to 13-3 in 2001. 5-11 to 13-3. This under Master & Commander Dick Jauron, now the Lions defensive coordinator, and his dynamic passing duo of Jim Miller (who endured rumors of steroid usage over his enhanced performance) and—stand aside Dan Marino, Shane Matthews, at the helm of this warship. Add one-thousand-yard cannons in Marty Booker and the A-Train, stir in pro bowl performances from a pair of linemen and one linebacker and you apparently create a blast powerful enough to go three shy of perfect. Hmmm.

The coach and QBs are gone along with most of the team, but remaining are one of those pro bowl linemen, a center named Olin Kreutz, the linebacker, Brian Urlacher, and two others from that turnaround season, Mike Brown & Jerry Azumah. With updated weapons on both sides of the ball, another defensive guru in head coach Lovie Smith, itâ€â"¢s folly to dismiss them outright. The Bears fit the profile. Maybe they arenâ€â"¢t the usual suspects, but if everyone pointed fingers at da Bears, it wouldnâ€â"¢t be a surprise ending.

Do I think 13-3, win the division, make the playoffs? Letâ€â"¢s just say I donâ€â"¢t dismiss the possibility. No more or less than I would for our beloved Cowboys, who also reside in Rafaelâ€â"¢s list along with dem Bears. Intriguingly, the Giants & Falcons make the list twice in a four-year span, once simultaneously. So, precedence exists in this fantastic alignment that may have set Dallas and Chicago on a parallel course toward that promised land.

Chris and Star,

I did propose using Vick in other positions and using Matt Schuab at QB. Maybe lining up Vick as a WR or a RB. The kid at Texas has vick like athletics, isn’t he still in college? I doubt he winds up in Atlanta. I never really thought about Vick and another QB in the backfield with who is the snap going too. But you could do that………line em both up deep vick as a rb the other as a qb……or vice versa if the guy was that athletic. I guess from what I have heard, New Orleans will have two QBs capable of such a thing. However, what do you want out of your QB. Trick plays or 60%= completion rate……….TDs and no INTs.

All those are just trick play formations. And interesting. A guy like Vick is such a special athelete. In the end though he truly does need to develop a pocket passing presence. He can just flick the ball and it goes 75 yards. He is from my Hometown, so I root for the guy and he is fun to watch. However, looking at the only guy I think he compares to Randall Cunningham had his best season ever as a Minnesota Viking as a pocket passer. Randall could run it too, but once he settled into the pocket he became an even greater threat. The will he run it? Was always there.

I remeber a play where the Cowboys handed off to (Ron Springs maybe) and he ran right……….Danny White jogged down the field left. He was not covered and Springs…….it could have been somebody else……..Tossed a pass to the wide open Danny White for a TD. It was classic. If Atlanta has a back or WR that can do that(toss a pass) I would run that play.

However, I have always preferred the team that was just good enough to line up and run the straightforward HB between the tackles or the play action. Think Dallas in the early Nineties. Everybody knew Emmit was going to get 25 carries, yet he still managed 100 yard games regularly and used to roast the Eagles for 200 regularly. I prefer that I am more powerful than you, in your face football. It kills the confidence of the opposing Defense and Coach, and if you play em twice a year all the better. Believe me when I say a team that ran on your for 200+ yards requires more time in the tub and on the massage and chiropractor’s table for the front seven on defense than any other type of game. It kills em. It is why Emmit was the best 4th Quarter RB ever. We had taken the will out of the opponent.

Trick plays and reverses, HB toss, and QB as WR is all great and makes for fun football. It can also work great in certain situations. Players love to run those kind of plays. Some coaches do too…….see Bill Parcells……….but for the most part I like it when the other team knows what you are about to run………and they still cannot stop what is coming. Another handoff to number 22 oops……..this year make that 21.

Star,

Mike Brown personally won like 4 or 5 games that year. He had a bunch of picks and a bunch of picks for TDs. He was absolutely amazing, and was the most dominant and scary DB since Deion was 25 years old. The Bears really did play as a team that year, and it was largely their stingy defense.

I also remember him being hurt last year along with a multitude of other injuries. I do agree the Bears will improve and could see them in the same light as Detroit………up and coming………while I see the Packers as on the Decline……albeit with a dangerous QB named Favre that can at times beat anybody……and the Vikings as a talent rich team built through Free Agency that lost their most dangerous Player MOSS and have a lousy coach in Tice. It would not take much to upset that division. Who is Tice going to blame this year. The Vikings signed every freaking FA they wanted, and go rid of the cancer Moss? Tice gets fired if the Vikings do not advance to the NFC Championship…….which put me down on record as saying they WON’T.

Not even the Original Wizzinator gets this team to the Super Bowl. that will be a fun division to watch this year. Not unlike the NFC East. A couple of teams on the rise, and an old guard guy that is gettting fat and lazy at the top.

StarStruck,

Good points on the Bears, whom I had dismissed because they looked so awful on Thanksgiving. I think Lovie Smith is a good coach and they have slowly added talent. My problem is that Rex Grossman was only healthy for what, three games last year (?) that I didn’t get a chance to see him play. I have no idea of his upside, though they seem to love him up there.

My biggest problem with a quick Bears turnaround is Jerry Angelo. I’m underwhelmed by his drafts, especially on the offensive side of the ball. He’s lucky the McCaskey family is patient; most other organizations would have run him out a long time ago. We’ll see.

Jon

That was a standout season for Mike Brown. While his tackles declined (from 101 to 67), he had a career highs in sacks (3), Ints (5), PDs (6) & TDs (2). Albeit based on just two games, he was on pace to do about 90 tackles last year until injury. Maybe I have soft spot for the Bears and who wouldn’t be after Brian’s Song and Walter & Ditka’s ’85 team?

During Ditka’s playing career as a Bear, Eagle and Cowboy, he wore a single bar face mask, like Morton Anderson, like a punter. Even more amazing, in his rookie season for the Bears, he had 56 catches for 1076 yds (19.2 avg) & 12 TDs—in 1961! Not surprisingly, he was rookie of the year.

To any of you young people out there unfamiliar with Brian’s Song, you should not be. Go get schooled. And don’t laugh at the obviously dated production, it was powerful award-winning TV drama in 1971. It’s the true story of friendship and courage that impacted many people in my age bracket—indeed, anyone who has seen it.

Rafael

Yeah, I’m with you on Angelo. Some moves look great but others are puzzling. They and Dallas, Julius notwithstanding, looked very, very bad on Thanksgiving and those uniforms could not have helped matters!

To clarify, I love the Cowboys throwback uni’s! In fact, I would not be upset to see them more often if not regularly. I was referring to the Bears uni’s.

Satrstruck,

Well i guess that passed right by me. I just clicked on a site at NFL.com and it brought me here and i liked what i read. So how did Parcells do this off season? With Jones now a rising star in the league, how do you think he will handle things with Bledsoe at the helm & what about that kid that didn’t play since college. Hanson i think his name is but not sure. I like the Cowboys ,we have had some good super bowl memories.

Well, Mike In Pa, from a strategic perspective, they won’t change alot from what we saw last year, maybe with the excemption of Julius Jones not running 30 times a game. And the fact that they might be healthier this year, well I hope so, something worst than what we saw last year is though to match……. Henson should remain in the sideline, learning, as Brady learned while playing behind Bledsoe.

BTW, what ’bout Big Ben? I already know what that D can make…… the only thing that makes me think twice ’bout the Steelers winning the Division is his progress because I believe almost every team took some notes in that New England game.

Star,

You know the Bears the Cubs……..they have always been lovable losers. Until 85 that was. Chicago is a great town, hard not to have a soft spot for those guys. Classy guys like Payton.

Brians Song is worthy of watching………for all.

Ever see the clip of the naked idiot running around the field. Cops chasing him. It goes on and on. All of a sudden out of nowhere DITKA comes over and nails the guy. Then talks smack to him laid out on his back as the cops arrest him. CLASSIC DITKA.

Ask Ditka who a great coach was………he laughs at anybody other than a guy named Landry. He goes now Landry, Knoll, Shula, Halas……..those guy’s could coach. He won’t even put his own name or Parcells or Gibbs names in that class. Ditka is old school.

I believe it will be San Diego in the AFC this year. Last year was just a small glimpse of what this team will become. Drew Brees is still underrated and if he as the same success he did last year San Diego would be making the dumbest move ever in the history of the NFL to trade him to add Rivers to the starting role, who is unproven in the NFL. With the addition of Merriman and Castillo to the D-Line will also improve a defense that was already solid last year. This team has very high hopes just as long as management does not make any stupid moves, which the Chargers, in the past are known to do.

Minnesota, I believe is the team to consider in the NFC. Even though Moss has left the team I believe they will be much better than last year. The offense has already proven to be productive without Moss, maybe not as productive, but still productive. What is going to make the greatest difference is the defense, and it all starts with the addition of Pat Williams. Don’t forget about Smoot either, and also who will be soon an all-pro, Erasmus James, who I believe is the best DE to be drafted in 05. This team is solid.