Mojo_PeiPei

2004 is to be known as "The Year of The Super Freak".

Expect Randy Moss and Dante Culpecker to rain much death and destruction upon all as we see fit this year. Once we get bored of beating you like that Michael Bennett and the Big O Smith will run the ball any which way. And maybe, just maybe, this year I won't feel the overwhelming need to beat the piss out of our Linebackers.

Go Vikes.

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To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

ReggieTime

Colts or possibly Eagles will win it all.

dylanmarsh

LOL ahhh, man, thanks for the afternoon laugh. see you in the top 10 of the 2005 draft.

crow_daw

Gonna have to side with you on this one, I don't see the Vikes making much of an impact this year, but with the present state of parity in the NFL, you honestly never know.

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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

Mojo_PeiPei

They have like 7-1 odds in Vegas, if the Defense actually shows up I'm saying they will be NFC champs.

*edit* Plus we have Brock Lesnar, fear him.

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To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

Grondar

What a great moment! And such an underserved win!

Ultimately, it seems the Packers have changed their defensive mindset as a result and replaced/fired a few of their coaches.

The Eagles added two big name players this off-season, and I definitely think they will make the playoffs again, and ideally the Bowl, but football is so hard to predict, and it's a good thing.

I still really don't think it's hit me that they have Owens now. Their receiving was so mediocre last year that for them to add a star receiver seems too good to be true.

Owens and McNabb get along now, but when McNabb starts throwing balls at Owens' feet and Reid continues to spread the ball around, all may not be well in TO land.

Regardless, whatever happens should be very interesting and exciting to watch/read. I liked Kearse on the Titans, and would like to see him come back healthy and do well.

Trotter is back for cheap, and will fill a back-up role. And Dawkins is healthy. Dawkins needs to stay healthy so that he can help the younger cornerbacks that really need to step up, and are surrounded with question marks.

It's a really exciting year for the Eagles, regardless of whether they do well or not. But given their talent and drive, they are expected to do well, and should. They Philly media is that added pinch of flavor that will make it a really fun season for the fans of the team.

Also, in a slightly un-related note, what's the deal with draft picks holding out?

Shawn Andrews (offensive lineman) almost held out, and that really boggles my mind.

I understand that all they want is to get paid fairly, but aside from my personal opposition to holdouts, it just seems like a terrible way to start off your service with a team.

Sure, it's just a business, but when you are just starting in the NFL, pretty much unproven, and a rookie among veterans, it just seems that you should play first and demand more money later.

It should be a really exciting season though. It always is, and I love the parity in the NFL and that any team really can win on any given week.

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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

dylanmarsh

why does this reasoning remind me of Jim Carrey's character in "Dumb and Dumber" thinking he has a chance with Lauren Holly's character when she tell him the odds are one in a million that they'll end up together. since we're talking crazy now with the predictions, I'll say the Cardinals will finish with more wins than the Vikings.

also, is Minnesota becoming a refuge for former WWE "stars"? seems like it's becoming a trend.

98MustGT

I hope they do well too. I went to the Chargers mini camp last month and lots of autographs. I hope we can win at least 8 games. I am not real sure about Marty-Ball. Parcels was available at the same time we picked up Marty (would have offered him the world).

Rivers has a heck of an arm however I don't think we should throw him to the wolves quite yet.

Can't remember the name of the rookie kicker we got from Iowa but he was nailing 50 yard field goals! (still never should have got rid of Carney)

It is tough to be a Charger fan

quest1mark

now that all the jaguar rookies have officially signed with the team, i expect the jaguars to be a dominant force in the afc.

jaguars in the superbowl in 05? watch out now...

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Best told at a place called...the TFP.
on a quest...

Rdr4evr

Raiders! Look at my screen name . Cant vote for other team. Seriously though, I think we will be back this season stronger than ever.

VTBrian

I would love nothing more than for my beloved Titans to walk away with the prize. Sadly I belive the loss of Jevan and Robair will be to much. In a deffense that doesn't have a competent nickle corner there is no way they can deffend in a nickle package without the pass rush those to provide, and forget about stoping the run Robair was highly underated in his ability to do that. Pluss how long can Mcnair keep going. He takes poundings like a running back.

As for my actual pick, I'm still likeing the patriots. They have the core pluss Dillon, and don't forget Belicheck. As for you Ravens fans keep dreaming.

gorilla

I hope the Bears do something this year... their offense is going to be more like a west coast and hopefully Urlachers injury wont sideline him too much. I like Lovie's philosophy, I dont know if this is the year of the Bear but I hope its the year of us kickin Green Bay's ass!

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I'll bet you $5 that you read the previous word...

Sargeman

I have to go with the Titans and Pats in the AFC championship game with the, as much as I would love for the Titans to win, Pats should be in the SB. I don't think they've done anything with their team but become better. Unless the Titans step it up on offense I don't think they'll go to the SB.

In the NFC, I think it will be the Eagles and Panthers with the Eagles edging them out. Again, I think the Eagles have done nothing but improved their team with Terrell Owens and Jevon Kearse(providing he can stay healthy. But even if he only played 3/4ths of the season JK is still better than most defensive ends.

I think the Eagles will beat the Pats in the SB. That is the "logical" and "on paper" thinking of me.

Now as to who I want, it will be the TITANS and Panthers with the TITANS winnning it all.

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...because there are no facts, there is no truth, just data to be manipulated. I can get you any results you like, what's it worth to you.....

pixelbend

Packers all the way this year. No, really...I mean it. Stop looking at me that way.

Packers will be carried by Ahman Green on the ground this year with Favre playing a secondary role.

Go get 'em!

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cameroncrazy822

Barring the MAdden cover jinx I like the Ravens as an underdog favorite. I think Boller will have a breakthrough year and Ray Lweis will finally quash the curse by having a stellar year. My fingers are crossed. If the Raven's don't take it there is no other team I'd like to see win it besides the Packers. Favre is a great competitor and player.

Jesus Malverde

The god damn Eagles will win the NFC East (AGAIN) with an 11-5 record, only to choke in the divisional playoff round this time, not the NFC Championship Game.

My favorite team, "America's Team," The Dallas Cowboys will go 9-7, one win less than last year, but they will absolutely not lose twice to any NFC East team. Parcells is lauded for his superior coaching as he leads them to the playoffs with a 40 year old QB and a rookie RB. They go 1-1 against the Eagles, 'Skins and Giants.

'Skins and Giants finish 8-8 and 6-10, respectively.

Dallas loses in the wild card playoff round (sigh), and here is my Super Duper NFL Super Bowl XXXIX Prediction!!!:

Indianapolis 27, Green Bay 24.

In the greatest Super Bowl ever, Peyton Manning leads the Colts on a 63 yard, five minute march down the field that culminates in a 2 yard HB Dive by Edgerrin James with 07 seconds left. Brett Favre , after throwing for 223 yards three TD's with no INT's is heartbroken, but retires as one of the greatest QB's ever.

Peyton Manning wins his first Super Bowl. Younger brother Eli is lost for the season in Week 10, his second start.

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...I'm that cat by the bar toasting to the good life...

filtherton

Minnesota isn't a refuge for wwe stars, we produce them en masse. They are our prodigal children.

The vikes have a tough schedule this year, and they always find a way to dissapoint. Even so, i predict at the very least a trip to the playoffs. The NFC north is weak this year, as usual.

inferno360

Falcons. Wishful thinking.

and Cowboys, again wishful thinking.

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If it's stupid but it works, it's not stupid.

Delvid

It is hard to tell who will go the distance. I can tell you who won't - my Rams.

edmos1

AFC Patriots and Colts
NFC Vikings, Seahawks

Patriots over the Vikings in the superbowl

This is assuming the cancer that is Corey Dillon does not kill the Pats

other teams of mention cardinals (assuming Q is ok) Eagles do not know how bad mcknabb is at qb and how many TO will drop, Jets are going to surprise alot, Tennesee needs a stud WR and Smith at RB to work out, Ravens need Jamal to clear his name but he is a felon.

the niners may be the worst team in the league, congrats to the Chargers for getting out of the basement

The Raiders When did Norv Turner become an offensive genious? Cowboys, with the best offensive line ever, and hall of famers on both sides off the ball
Redskins? ummm, did they have a winning record?
Dolphins? granted he did have Fiedler, but...
That being said the Raiders have done a lot of free agent moves, and I expect them to narrowly miss the playoffs.

and I am a Raider fan.

Jeff

Mon Sep 29 - Green Bay 38, Chicago 23
Sun Dec 7 - Green Bay 34, Chicago 21

/me does a happier dance

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For those who believe in God, most of the big questions are answered. But for those of us who can't readily accept the God formula, the big answers don't remain stone-written. We adjust to new conditions and discoveries. We are pliable. Love need not be a command or faith a dictum. I am my own God. We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our educational system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us.
--Charles Bukowski

Rdr4evr

Its not that Turner is an offensive genius, its the fact that his vertical game is a much needed change for the silver and black. Now that we got the speed back on our receiving end, its going to be an entirely different offensive deep attack. No more of the 10 yard short yardage BS. Although that worked to perfection in '02, it failed Miserably last season. Norv is not the key reason we will be back in '04, dont forget about Joe Avezzano, Rob Ryan and Jimmy Ray.

Another key reason is that there were way to much off the field problems with Callahan which found its way on the field. Everyone was on a different page, way too much animosity. Unfortunately the only man who kept the team together has gone to the tampon bay fuccaneers. The new coaching staff is going to make all the difference in the world. Raiders are now a fresh team, and with the addition of Sapp, Washington, along with Parella in the 3-4 defense, they are going to be unstoppable. With Gallery at Tackle, Gannon will actually have more than 2 seconds in the pocket, which was severly lacking last season. Forget what you saw last season, this is the new Raiders. The Raiders we have all come to know and love. (well....maybe not all of us )

jay-g

New England- all the way again
Indy0 2nd best AFC

Philly-over the hump with TO and Kearse
G.B. Packers -2nd best NFC, always a contender with Favre

n1ck31

I'm a diehard rams fan.

AFC i like pats, chiefs, titans, ravens, broncos, colts as possible playoff teams, in that order.

Pats are returning a championship team, and have improved over the offseason, but do have the superbowl curse hanging over them. Repeating is difficult. Chiefs return many starters (missing only Jonathan Tait) and look to improve on the defense that kept them out of the superbowl last year. The titans filled holes in the draft and with Mcnair will be perennial contendors. Ravens have a shutdown D but have questions in the passing game and legal troubles with Jamal. Broncos will, IMO, produce another rusher, but the passing game will need to pick up. A healthy plummer for an entire season will help. D should improve. Colts have an amazing O but lack the D to go deep into the playoffs, IMO. THey could, however, go all the way, 99 rams style. The schedule, especially in their division, however, does not favor such a season.

NFC -

I like the rams, and will discuss them in a later post, for obvious bias reasons.

Seahawks look good but must play well on the road this year. Questions at DT and on D in general are the only shortcomings of what is an offensivly stellar squad. Vikings look improved and moss/culpepper are as fearsome as ever, but will need to overcome last year's embarassing loss. Packers are a solid team that will continue to compete, especially if the defense picks up and holds its own this year. The cowboys have too many questions on offense, with WR and QB being weak. If players break out in those areas, a playoff season could be there, but otherwise this team is 8-8. Eagles are better, but not the automatic pick people think. The NFC east has gotten tougher, (hopefully) and questions at CB will test the Eagles. TO should prove valuable, but is Mcnabb an accurate enough passer to really turn this duo into a force?

Panthers are coming off a superbowl year. I have a feeling statistics and history will be true here, and the team will not do well.

Niners, Cardinals, Gians, and Bears will be awful.

Lions will improve, provided harrington matures with the talent that now surrounds him.

Saints, Bucs... Saints deserve to finally make the playoffs, but a good offense needs some defensive play to carry it into the postseason. This is hopefully the year it comes together. I don't see things going well for the bucs this year. Questions at WR, weak QB, heart and soul of the defense gone, OL completely reworked... too much in one year.

n1ck31

Some AFC Teams i didnt talk about-

Jets - will improve, hopefully challenge the pats for AFC East. I hate the pats.

Bills - with moulds healthy, and a returning solid run game, the offense should be able to rebound and carry a stout defense to at least an 8-8 record, maybe even something like 10-6, esp given Miami's collapse.

Chargers have nothing but LT, who is imo the best RB in the league. Raiders have more this year than last, and could contend in the afc west. Maybe. Texans will be better, as will the jags, but how much remains to be seen. Could one of these teams be this years carolina panthers?

n1ck31

Falcons depend on Vick for the offense to do anything. A succsesful offense will invigorate the D and give it a chance field position wise. SHould improve greatly, a possible playoff team.

I probably missed a team somewhere, now its really late and im getting confused about AFC and NFC and all.

kurtisj

Carolina has been my team since the franchise started, they picked up some defense to strengthen that up a little more, but the lost some OL and that could hurt them a little bit, but it Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster can keep the running game going than they should be fine. They have always had decent recieving, between Mushin Muhammed and Steve Smith they will have good passing game. The real question will be if Jake Delhomme can pull through again and if there OL will hold up. I think the panthers could repeat the super bowl but i feel the patriots taking another super bowl ring now that they have a possible running game.

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Marvin the Mountie Always Gets His Kurtisj.

SiphonX

going with the colts... the only reason the patriots even won was because ty law played dirty and should have been flagged at least 10 times that game... this year with the new restrictions on DB's on WR's... Harrison is going to have a monster year and get himself a ring in the process hopefully. Dolphins are cool too, I think they'll shock everybody and win 8-9 games, for the first time in a LONG time they have absolutely no pressure to win, they can just go out and have fun which usually results in good game play.

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/Knowledge is Power/

dylanmarsh

The only reason? What about Peyton being sacked 4 times, throwing 4 INT's, and only averaging 4 yards per pass? The Colts shoulda gone to the run a lot more, used more play action, and then try to throw in Law's vacinity. The Pats also had the ball for 5 minutes longer because they established the run. The key to this game was sub-par coaching losing to excellent coaching.

The Colts are a talented team, but they won't go anywhere else they fix their coaching mistakes.

BigGov

The Pats were holding Colts receivers left and right thought. It wouldn't matter what they did to establish the run, cut down on the sacks, or limit the interceptions. If the receivers aren't there, then the Colts offense isn't going anywhere. When the Pats blatantly held the Colts receivers on damn near every play they guarenteed their victory.

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

Shpoop

okay, the dolphins didnt collapse! the dolphins offense collapsed. With our current offense, we definitely can't contend for the superbowl, but with our current defense, theres no way this team could approach anything near as bad as a 6-10 record

SiphonX

morons, all of you, mark this name down now so you'll recognize it when you're reading the headlines, Fred Russell. I don't know why everyone is throwing a shyt fit about the dolphins... no ricky? so what? who cares it has nothing to do with anything, the fins had him for the last couple of years... no playoffs, look at troy hambrick... personally i think he's a mediocre back and still ran for over 950 yards last season, patriots won 2 super bowls w/o a RB i don't see why the dolphins can't. As for David Boston big deal, so what, he isn't an impact receiver, in fact there are only two in the league by the names of Moss and Harrison (Jerry was before but he's old now), just throw the ball to whoever's open, seemed to work for Brady in that short passing game. The point i'm trying to make is that you don't need superstars on your team to win championships, patriots, marlins, pistons.............................................

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/Knowledge is Power/

Esen

Patriots against Seahawks.

Seahawks winningit all.

iI think this is the year that Hassleback proves he isn t a fluke expecially the way he handled himself last year. and lost he kinfd of looked like a fool.
This I beleive will be the Seahawk redemption year.

Their team does have a rather good looking balance to it.

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~Esen
What is everyone doing in my room?

Average_Joe

Honestly, how can you hate the Patriots? Aren't they what team football is all about? Everyone's on the same page, both coaches and players. They have no superstars, except for maybe Brady, who doesn't act like one. They put the best players on the field for every game, not just the highest paid ones.

Please enlighten this New England boy about this unsubstantiated hatred.

Rdr4evr

I despise the Patriots as well, both them and the Ref's they pay off. Robbed the Raiders in 01' with that BS call that should have been a fumble.

EDIT: Brady is way too pretty for the NFL. Mr. Hollywood Bachelor needs to go. "Hi guys, my name is Tom and I need to be on the cover of every magazine." I hate Brady more than I hate the entire team combined. Hopefully they will stay OUT of the Superbowl this season. Im sure my Raiders will take care of them though, so no worries.

98MustGT

As a Charger fan I would like to see Harrison get the big ring as well, Not much chance of my Bolts getting one.

BigGov

Maybe we're just fed up with people who constantly say New England is by far the best team in the league when in reality. If they did not blatantly break the rules, and get some very bullshit calls they would be nowhere. Even when they DO get those breaks, the team STILL has difficulty defeating opponents.

They do not field the best players on the field for every game. They're lucky to have one of their players be vastly superior to his counterpart on the opposing team, and that one is Ty Law.

__________________
One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

dylanmarsh

Say what you will about these mythical bullshit calls the Patriots get game in and game out, 15 straight wins is a pretty good indicator of how well a team plays together and how other teams can't react effectively.

BigGov, the Patriots love you , just let them into your heart and don't be afraid. I'll save you a seat on the bandwagon.

BigGov

Well of COURSE teams can't react effectively when a team grabs, holds, grabs, and holds a little bit more. And the refs don't throw a single damn flag.

And I'm just fine with my floundering Eagles, who will finish ahead of those cheating Patriots this year

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One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

BonesCPA

I'll second that emotion.

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Back into hibernation.