NFL: Who will surprise, who will regress?

[HD MM]

Surprise:

1. Seattle Seahawks- I expect Seattle to be much improved, possibly even taking the NFC West this year. The O-Line has been improved, they got help at RB (Washington), WR (Tate, assuming he can be an impact rookie), and if Hasselbeck is healthy, this team should be much better than last year. They play in one of the weaker divisions in football and I don't think 8-9 wins is out of the question for them.

2. Detroit Lions- The Lions have been piecing together a formidable team the last few years. Matt Stafford will only be better this year. Suh (if he signs) will be unblockable. 7 wins would be huge for the city of Detroit.

3. Washington Redskins- New QB, new coach, new scheme. This could either be a disaster or a raging success. I think it'll payoff quicker than one expects. Shanny will bring his bag of tricks to an offense that greatly needs it. McNabb knows the opposing inter-divisional teams and how to beat them better than anyone else.

Regress:

1. Arizona Cardinals- The loss of Kurt Warner is going to hurt bad. Matt Leinart has been escaping the "bust" title for all too long by hiding in the shadow of Warner. This year, he's exposed.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers- Their franchise QB is suspended at least 4 weeks, possibly 6. Their horrid offensive line took another hit by the season ending injury to Willie Colon. They traded away Santonio Holmes and Fast Willie Parker. This team is regressing while the rest of the division is getting better. Smells like trouble to me.

3. NY Jets- Rex Ryan surprised a lot of people last year.... with Eric Mangini's players. Let's see how he does on his second go round. When there are actually, you know... expectations. Can Shonn Greene handle the workload? Will Sanchez suffer from a sophomore slump? Can they get Darelle Revis in camp? Some are considering this team Super Bowl worthy. Me? I think they miss the playoffs.

 

[Jimbo]

Surprise:
Regress:

2. Pittsburgh Steelers- Their franchise QB is suspended at least 4 weeks, possibly 6. Their horrid offensive line took another hit by the season ending injury to Willie Colon. They traded away Santonio Holmes and Fast Willie Parker. This team is regressing while the rest of the division is getting better. Smells like trouble to me.

I think the Steelers address most of them ....

Leftwitch will probably start the first 4 games, unless he stinks it up, but he's got good history with this team.
(I want to see Dixon play).

O Line, yes they have issues, just like EVERY YEAR.

Holmes .... Mike Wallace will fill Santonio's role easily, he was VERY effective last year and should only improve this year.
(I hate the fact that Holmes is gone ... for next to NOTHING mind you, but trouble seemed to follow him and the Steeler's didn't want any more than they already have)

Fast Willie Parker .... he's really FAST when he has a hole in front of him, otherwise , he runs into his blocks and goes down, for all that speed, he rarely made his own plays.
Mendenhaul will fill in very nice.
(Provided he can stay healthy)

They will do fine ..... 9-10 wins and make the playoffs if they get to 10.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

Surprise:

1. Seattle Seahawks- I expect Seattle to be much improved, possibly even taking the NFC West this year. The O-Line has been improved, they got help at RB (Washington), WR (Tate, assuming he can be an impact rookie), and if Hasselbeck is healthy, this team should be much better than last year. They play in one of the weaker divisions in football and I don't think 8-9 wins is out of the question for them.

2. Detroit Lions- The Lions have been piecing together a formidable team the last few years. Matt Stafford will only be better this year. Suh (if he signs) will be unblockable. 7 wins would be huge for the city of Detroit.

3. Washington Redskins- New QB, new coach, new scheme. This could either be a disaster or a raging success. I think it'll payoff quicker than one expects. Shanny will bring his bag of tricks to an offense that greatly needs it. McNabb knows the opposing inter-divisional teams and how to beat them better than anyone else.

Regress:

1. Arizona Cardinals- The loss of Kurt Warner is going to hurt bad. Matt Leinart has been escaping the "bust" title for all too long by hiding in the shadow of Warner. This year, he's exposed.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers- Their franchise QB is suspended at least 4 weeks, possibly 6. Their horrid offensive line took another hit by the season ending injury to Willie Colon. They traded away Santonio Holmes and Fast Willie Parker. This team is regressing while the rest of the division is getting better. Smells like trouble to me.

3. NY Jets- Rex Ryan surprised a lot of people last year.... with Eric Mangini's players. Let's see how he does on his second go round. When there are actually, you know... expectations. Can Shonn Greene handle the workload? Will Sanchez suffer from a sophomore slump? Can they get Darelle Revis in camp? Some are considering this team Super Bowl worthy. Me? I think they miss the playoffs.

We'll have a ticker tape parade if they win that many! Believe it or not, I think a .500 season is possible this year. Upper management has shown signs of intelligence in the last two seasons.

 

[Jimbo]

We'll have a ticker tape parade if they win that many! Believe it or not, I think a .500 season is possible this year. Upper management has shown signs of intelligence in the last two seasons.

You mean Post Millen

 

[SabresRule]

Surprise:

1. Kansas City Chiefs. Jamall Charles was a beast down the stretch, they acquired a proven RB in Thomas Jones, they got Crennel/Weis as assistant coaches (what they're very good at), and Cassel has nowhere to go but up.

2. Oakland Raiders: Getting rid of JaMarcus Russell was enough of an improvement. Going for a proven QB like Jason Campbell- even better. Combine that with an easy schedule and the Raiders have nowhere to go but up.

Regress:

1. Philadelphia Eagles. Trading McNabb will go down as a big-time blunder.

2. Denver Broncos. Marshall, Cutler, and Scheffter are all gone. It seems like the Broncos are more concerned with character than win-loss record. They'll be the most likeable 4-12 team of all time!

 

[salsadancer7]

Surprise:

Oakland....They have been AWFUL when there was issues at the most important position on the team....QB. When they got decent to good QB play(that INCLUDES Russell) the Raiders were and good enough to beat some good playoff team BOTH at home and on the road. Some stability in the front office, a good draft, not over spending on free agents and bring in folks to develope the very young players...has 'changed the culture' at Oakland.

Jets....YES, I know they made it to the AFC championship game, but many folks know that back into the playoffs with help...and MANY also believe it was a fluke. I am positive it was not. Revis not being in camp is huge. Sanchez is the luckiest player in the NFL. Comes to an establised team that had one of the top offensives lines, one of the top running games and one of the top defensive teams in the league. He will improve, but they will STILL win INSPITE of hime because he will have a very tough schedule to deal with.

Bengals....YES tthey made the playoffs, but they will be even BETTER and will win the division and steal it from Baltimore. The addition of T.O. is bigger than people think and Ocho Cinco will have the best season he has ever had. Carson Palmer will have the best season of his career and get MVP votes. The Bengals are my dark horse to go to the Super Bowl.

Chiefs...The upside is probably matched only by their Raiders and Jets. The Chiefs brought in Charlie Weis to run the offense and Romeo Crennel to take over the defense, both are former coordinators of the New England Patriots..and in a copycat league the NFL, expect very good things....and I HATE the Pats! But I will give the devil his due. Thomas Jones and Jaamal Charles....that could be THE scariest running tadem in the NFL! IF Cassell can have a season with more ups than downs....they will be very dangerous.

Regress:

Eagles.... Quite possibly the best QB in the NFL only behind Manning and Brady...and you trade him for 'a change of pace'?! Especially when they finally have a cohesive WR group that did not have someone trying to steal the spotlight?! The QB is the most important position on the field...get rid of a vet that can't play or a youngster who does not get it....not a vet with PLENTY of VERY good years left. The team almost deserves bad karma...

Steelers.... There is NO WAY you can expect that the Steelers will do well while the rap...ah....confused(LOL!) Big Ben is serving his suspension. The better HOPE that they start the season 2-2....if not, panic city friends.

 

[salsadancer7]

2. Denver Broncos. Marshall, Cutler, and Scheffter are all gone. It seems like the Broncos are more concerned with character than win-loss record. They'll be the most likeable 4-12 team of all time!

:haha:haha:haha ...had to laugh at the analysis...it was spot on hilarious...:up

 

[cybok0]

Surprise:

Oakland....They have been AWFUL when there was issues at the most important position on the team....QB. When they got decent to good QB play(that INCLUDES Russell) the Raiders were and good enough to beat some good playoff team BOTH at home and on the road. Some stability in the front office, a good draft, not over spending on free agents and bring in folks to develope the very young players...has 'changed the culture' at Oakland.

They might win 5 games, I guess that is a surprise for that team

Bengals....YES tthey made the playoffs, but they will be even BETTER and will win the division and steal it from Baltimore. The addition of T.O. is bigger than people think and Ocho Cinco will have the best season he has ever had. Carson Palmer will have the best season of his career and get MVP votes. The Bengals are my dark horse to go to the Super Bowl.

T.O. will bring this team down, third place in division

Steelers.... There is NO WAY you can expect that the Steelers will do well while the rap...ah....confused(LOL!) Big Ben is serving his suspension. The better HOPE that they start the season 2-2....if not, panic city friends.

REALLY?????????????????? Let it go, it's over, stop whining.

 

[cybok0]

I think the Steelers address most of them ....

Leftwitch will probably start the first 4 games, unless he stinks it up, but he's got good history with this team.
(I want to see Dixon play).

O Line, yes they have issues, just like EVERY YEAR.

Holmes .... Mike Wallace will fill Santonio's role easily, he was VERY effective last year and should only improve this year.
(I hate the fact that Holmes is gone ... for next to NOTHING mind you, but trouble seemed to follow him and the Steeler's didn't want any more than they already have)

Fast Willie Parker .... he's really FAST when he has a hole in front of him, otherwise , he runs into his blocks and goes down, for all that speed, he rarely made his own plays.
Mendenhaul will fill in very nice.
(Provided he can stay healthy)

They will do fine ..... 9-10 wins and make the playoffs if they get to 10.

:up:up:up:up:up

I hope every team thinks about the Steelers like people here do, they will surprise them.

 

[HD MM]

:up:up:up:up:up

I hope every team thinks about the Steelers like people here do, they will surprise them.

Browns beat the Stools twice this year, extending their win streak over the urine and black to 3 games. Mark it down Yinz!

 

[Jimbo]

Browns beat the Stools twice this year, extending their win streak over the urine and black to 3 games. Mark it down Yinz!

Yup, this time the Steelers win BOTH games

Browns best chance would have been if they played the Steeler's withOUT Ben.

 

[mccoyrj]

Saints will regress. Don't see them winning it all two years in a row.

 

[stmcld]

IF, Farve does retire, (still a very big IF) I think the Vikes fall big time. I think the Falcons will be better and I do like what Detroit is doing.

 

[HD MM]

Yup, this time the Steelers win BOTH games

Browns best chance would have been if they played the Steeler's withOUT Ben.

We'll take ya with or without him. He played last year and it didn't make much of a difference. What did we have about 7 sacks on Ben in that last game?

 

[Jimbo]

We'll take ya with or without him. He played last year and it didn't make much of a difference. What did we have about 7 sacks on Ben in that last game?

That was SO ... LAST YEAR

 

[FlyingJ]

Surprise:

1. Kansas City Chiefs. Jamall Charles was a beast down the stretch, they acquired a proven RB in Thomas Jones, they got Crennel/Weis as assistant coaches (what they're very good at), and Cassel has nowhere to go but up.

2. Oakland Raiders: Getting rid of JaMarcus Russell was enough of an improvement. Going for a proven QB like Jason Campbell- even better. Combine that with an easy schedule and the Raiders have nowhere to go but up.

Regress:

1. Philadelphia Eagles. Trading McNabb will go down as a big-time blunder.

2. Denver Broncos. Marshall, Cutler, and Scheffter are all gone. It seems like the Broncos are more concerned with character than win-loss record. They'll be the most likeable 4-12 team of all time!

Listen...about those Eagles...

Andy Reid is smarter than the average bear.........now mind you, I didn't say he was smaller than the average bear...just smarter!

 

[Jimbo]

Andy Reid is smarter than the average bear.........now mind you, I didn't say he was smaller than the average bear...just smarter!