crow_daw

Well, I know its super early, but I just had a hardcore jones for football season. It's by far my favorite sport and I hate the offseason. I felt that everyone could benefit from a little football talk. So I hope you guys agree.

In light of the draft, who's gonna take it to the house in 2004/2005? Everyone name your favorite team, and make a believable case for their success this year. And feel free to debate everyone else's replies. I'm sure that mine will probably draw some naysaying.

Raiders: I thought they would all leave, but the old guys are sticking around. Most people blame their dismal season last year on their age. While it is a factor, I always thought that Callahan just completely lost control. With him gone, and the genius additions of Robert Gallery and Jake Grove, they got one final shot in them.

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

Ace_O_Spades

Yeah I hate the offseason as well... But here goes.

I don't see my Packers taking it to the house this year, but I see them making the playoffs behind their strong O-Line and Ahman Green... Is this Favre's last year? He's getting on, but he might still have a little magic left in his body.

We've got lots of new faces, some familiar old ones, I'm pretty happy with our 2004 team. I can't wait!

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Feh.

Grondar

The Eagles made it to the NFC Championship the last 3 years with their top 2 receivers catching just 3 TD passes during the regular season.

Now they have a happy Terrell Owens, and a healthy Jevon Kearse.

As long as McNabb doesn't throw too many balls over TO's dome, they should be ready to take the next step.

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"Yes, I rather like this God fellow. He's very theatrical, you know, a pestilence here, a plague there. Omnipotence. Gotta get me some of that." -Stewie

Nimbletoe

My Lions owned it up in the draft this year, but are still too young of a team this year. They'll do better, but not great.

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Go Pistons!

djtestudo

Baltimore Ravens.

The defense still has Ray Lewis. If you need more reason, Terrell Suggs, Gary Baxter and Ed Reed are a year more experianced, Peter Boulware and Ed Hartwell finish out the best LB corps in the league, and Chris McAlister is looking for a big contract.

The offense is still a little suspect, but much less so then last year. The offensive line will dominate again. Jamal Lewis running behind that line is as potent a threat as any in football. Kyle Boller got eight games of experiance last year, and has real weapons to throw to in Travis Taylor, Kevin Johnson, and Devard Darling.

I predict 6-2 in the division, and 11-5 overall.

Realistic prediction: AFC Championship game loss to Patriots.

Fan prediction: Super Bowl XXXIX Champions.

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"Final thought: I just rented Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine. Frankly, it was the worst sports movie I've ever seen."
--Peter Schmuck, The (Baltimore) Sun

bellzboy

bears: solid core of good young players, new coach who knows what hes doing, qb with an arm and targets to throw to. Can be this years panthers.

im tired, forgive me for the shortness.

bparker805

New Orleans Saints

We ain't gonna own shit! Just like every year! Maybe .500. We'll show some signs of brilliance but just fade out come December...

Hrothgar

Scared to since I don't want to jinx my team.

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The fortunes of war favored Hrothgar.

Kurant

I completely disagree with you about the Lions.

Being a Vikings fan, and not stuck on how great my team is, I will tell you this. The Vikings by far have the best talent level in the division, maybe even in the NFL. But until Big Mike gets that defense under control, they will never win. Culpepper needs to grow a brain.

Greey Bay will be even further depleated. The Bears, well, what else is there to say.

If the Lions are going to take advantage of that young team, this is the year. With Green Bay aging yet another year (But, how can you bet against 'ol Brett?) and the Vikings inability to play defense thus far, don't be surprised if the Lions make alot of noise in that division come December.

Nimbletoe

I guess we'll just have to wait and see then~

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Go Pistons!

crow_daw

Not gonna lie to you, I hate the Eagles more than any other team in existence, but hey, no knock against you, I just hate them. With that said, I don't really think that their problem has been the receivers, I think that they are just flat out choke artists. But thats just my opinion.

Also, I don't think TO is that big of a help to any team. I think that selfish, hotdog players like him are only detrimental to a team in the long run. However, I would have said the same of Warren Sapp, but of course now I like him, cause he donned the Silver and Black. Also, my other favorite team is the Titans, and I just want to warn you, Jevon hasn't been the same since his rookie year, and probably won't ever be. He just gets hurt too damn much.

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

H12

Badda-bing, badda-bang. Jevon won't be like he once was again.

Titans...we have the tough-as-nails co-MVP Air McNair coming back, plus the welcome addition of Ben Troupe will help Tennessee pack some heat this year. I guess what I'm trying to say is this:

Titans > your team




...Not really, but the Titans will do good again this year.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle

jobu

I LOVE FOOTBALL TALK!

Da Bears - hard to say what they will be like this year with the new coaching staff. a new offensive and defensive system leave a lot of question marks for me.

offense - the best thing the bears have done this off season is add some o-line. they really needed it and hopefully tucker can come back from his injuries. they still need a LT though. maybe they will end up moving tait and using gibson. grossman had flashes of brillance and could end up being the qb the bears have been looking for for the last 20 years. he only played 3 games before getting hurt. he still remains unproven. the coaches don't seem impressed with the a-train and have gone out and gotten an under achieving thomas jones. booker is solid but they need someone to step up and be the 2nd receiver.

defense - again more questions here. we are being told that they will be playing an attacking style defense that focuses on turnovers. this will lead to a lot of one-on-one situations on the corner. the bears finally have a the makings of a shutdown corner in tillman. give him some time and he will be a perennial pro bowler. the biggest problem is the DL. there has been no pash rush since colvin left. it is time for brown and haynes to step up. the bears could have two rookies starting at dt. d-line is probably the weakest/most unproven area on the team.

i would hope to see the bears continue where they left off. they started attacking and playing with some attitude. grossman seemed to put a spark in the offense. i would be happy with 8-8 considering all the question marks. although i could easily see them surprising a lot of teams and going 10-6.

SAM821

The Good:

Coaches: Jerry Sullivan, Mark Trestman
David Boston
Reggie Howard
AJ Feeley
Vernon Carey

The Bad:

Dave Wannstedt Contract Extension
Adewale Ogunleye contract Dispute
Uncertainty on Offensive Line

The Ugly:

Dan Marino resigns from VP
Joe Collier steps down from Offensive Coordinator
Ricky Williams testing positive for 2nd time (one more and he's suspended for 4 games)


Did I leave something out... Its been a Bizzarre off season need I even say what team I am talking about???

Superbelt

Steelers brough back Dick Lebeau as Defensive Coordinator. That's the best move they made all season. This signals a return to Blitzburgh. A return to offenses being afraid of our defense. A blitzing defense will hide and assist what is still a weak secondary. Still, we have several prospects in the secondary. Long shot CB Terry Fair (1st round Lions pick, devestating injury, trying to make a comeback), Ike Taylor, and Polamalu is expected to break out this year.
Defense will be our strong point.

Our problem last year really stemmed from offensive line depth. We had none. That destroyed our running game and took Plax out of the equation. I think we have some this year though.

Our renewed defense alone will take us to the playoffs. If our Offense follows, if the O-line is repaired we will be a playoff threat.

edwhit

Love the Redskins!

Love Joe Gibbs!

The redskins have much talent this year. However, they have had great talent the last few years and have not done well. I contribute the record mainly to lack of consistancy and motivaton. If anyone can bring a team together it's Joe Gibbs and he is a genius with the Xs and Os as well!

I would be surprised if we didn't at least get to the playoffs. However, the NFC East is looking TIGHT this year. Eagles and Giants will be tough to beat and the stinkin no good pain in the ass Cowboys are always an obstacle it seems. Regardless of logic on paper.

Can't wait to see what happens! Skin fans finally have a good reason to look forward to the next season!

GO SKINS!

Jesus Malverde

God DAMN I can't wait until the season starts.

I think the Cowboys are going to finish second in the NFC East. The Eagles are still a good team, and they gave us problems before T.O. and Jevon Kearse were added.

The Cowboys got to the playoffs last year against all odds, so I think we can do it again. There is no more lazy, slow, falling down Troy Hambrick holding back the running game, and this is the FIRST time Quincy Carter will be running the same offense two years in a row. I have to wait and see about Keyshawn, but Glenn and Bryant aren't too shabby. The line should be solid, if no one gets injured in the offseason and we get Larry Allen's head straight.

I'm anxious to see how Julius Jones does, it's been a while since we've had an explosive running back with heart. The defense looks great again, but I don't know how Darren Woodson will hold up in another 16 game season. The CB spot next to Newman is another aspect I've been concernced about. I loved the addition of Marcellus Wiley, but it hasn't really been talked about much by the analysts.

Worst Case scenario is Joe Gibbs pulls a Bill Parcells and turns the Redskins into a playoff team in his first year. Clinton Portis is my favorite running back (Even though I despise Miami), so I'm a little worried this might happen. The Giants are going to be terrible. I'm confident in Quincy Carter's arm, he just needs to show better decision making. If the coaches feel Drew Henson is ready, I'll take their word for it. Parcells knows what he's doing.

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crow_daw

Yeah I forgot to go over the Titans originally. Steve McNair is the toughest man in football, bar none. There is no quarterback in the league that any team would be better off to have in the huddle in a two-minute situation that Steve McNair. Also, I don't know what to think of Eddie George any more. I used to worship him, but he really hasn't been the same since 1999. Every year I think he's going to rebound and kick ass again, but its really yet to happen. I lose more and more faith steadily every year, and I'm about to give up. However, I don't think Eddie will be any worse than he has been, so the Titans should still be in good shape yet again. The loss of Justin McCareins really hurts, but they'll survive that easily, because I think Tyrone Calico is soon to step up and play very well. The Titans won't win it, but they'll be just as big a threat as they always are.

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

goppers

Fun thread.

My pick (of course) is the New England Patriots.

why? two words - Bill Belichick

ok, now a bunch more words.

I actually think they might not win. As in the 02-03 season everyone was gunning for them, and they didn't make the playoffs. It's really tough for a team to do it twice in a row, and I'm not sure if the Pats will have it in them. That said, I can't pick any other team ahead of them. With Tom Brady leading the O and newly acquired Corey Dillon at RB they should be pretty potent. That is if their offensive line holds up (Yes, mr Sapp, the one with Russ Hochstein, the same guy that helped the pats not allow a sack in the post season).

They drafted D heavy again I seem to recall which is something Belichick likes to do. It honestly doesn't matter to me if Ty Law is on the team or not. If he is he will play for his next contract after he is cut next offseason, and if isn't I trust Belichick to deal with it. Also Colvin should come back which is sort of like picking up another pro-bowl type player, even though he was technically on the team last year. I do hope his hip has recovered though.

anyway, it should be another interesting season for the pats.

Mondak

Redskins!

Why? Because I am the least objective observer in the world! In fact EVERY season I think they are going to win it all. I cannot judge this team and had to put a ban on drafting any 'skins in my FFL draft since I pick them too high every time.

This season was special because for a couple weeks I said that there was NOTHING they could do to convince me this off season that they would be any better. When they fired Spurrier, it is not like I liked the guy, but another coach? The revolving door keep going with no one home.

Then they did the unimaginable. They brough back Gibbs. I stand corrected. That is the ONLY thing that could have gotten me back on board. I am hopeless. I honestly see the 'Skins as a deep playoff team if not better. I love their D (although I miss Champ and don't think we needed to do it). I also love the idea of Portis in a Gibbs offense. That boy is going to see some carries. Add to that two very good WRs and we are in business. I don't think the Brunell thing was needed and I wish we kept the cap space and the pick. Either way, this is going to be good! . . . or not

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First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

edwhit

I agree with you Mondak. I don't think Brunell was needed either. The two qbs we had on board last year did a tremendous job imo. Some say that Brunell can bring experience and help in the "education" of the young boys we have. But I still don't think that his being there will bring anything but a desire to leave for Ramsey and damn but I think I like that kid.

Jadedfox

That was pretty much an excellent summary. I'm hoping for a 10-6 season but I doubt it. 7-9 or 8-8 is more likely, but as long as we beat the packers I'll be happy

--jaded

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crow_daw

Well, I don't like the Pats but I have to agree with you. Belichick is probably the absolute best coach in the entire league. It completely amazed me how much he did with how little he had last season. I hated it, but it amazed me.

And about the Bears jobu, I'm excited to see how Grossman performs too. I loved it when the Bears shocked the hell out of everyone and went 13-3 a couple of years ago, and I'd like to see a repeat performance. But I don' t see it happening. As you said, alot of "?"s. But with parity running absolutely rampant throughout the league, all bets are off from here on out.

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"We each have a star, all we have to do is find it. Once you do, everyone who sees it will be blinded." - Earl Simmons

Mondak

I like Ramsey too. He is tough. With how much he got beat up last year and to do as well as he did? Man - I really think he got the short end of the stick on this. In addition, if you want a second QB like Gibbs says, why did you have to pay so much for one? Brunnell is an NFL starter I think. I know they did not want him to go to the Cowboys, but maybe we could have gotten Warner for cheap. Not that I like him, but what about Collins on the bench for free? How about Chris Chandler or whatever. He is not that good, but he is cheap and experienced.

__________________
All truth passes through three stages:
First it is ridiculed
Second, it is violently opposed and
Third, it is accepted as self-evident.

ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)

grayman

The Rams picked up Chandler, that is another reason that Warner will be available.

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That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U.

jobu

that is why the nfl is the best run league. every year you (the fan) have hope that your team will be able to compete for the title. you can't say that about any of the other sports.

frolichoek

You better hope the Eagle's take it to the house this year. They are going to be in salary cap hell for the next 5.

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Count me in, bra.

fearofmear

The New Orleans Saints:
Why? Because they are God's team and God is sick of them dragging his good name through the mud, moreso then Pat Robertson.

grayman

I'm not so sure about that. The Eagles are very good at working under the cap. Besides, most teams will gleefully endure cap hell for a championship.
I think the Eagles will have more problems from T.O. than the cap.
Just wait until the first time that McNabb and T.O. hook up for 3 or 4 TD 's in a game and the reporters go talk to McNabb.
T.O.

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