NFC Preview
Here it is, as promised an attempt to predict the upcoming NFL season. We will take a look at each Division with the teams listed in order of finish and then give you the playoff predictions. NFC today and AFC tomorrow.
NFC EAST
I’m buying the Dallas Cowboys. When it comes to Parcells I just find it hard to bet against him. He always has a plan, and now that he was finally able to cast away some of the dead weight in Dallas he has his guys in place to make this thing work. The obvious addition of Bledsoe will help, a veteran QB who understands Parcells. The have weapons on offense with Meshayn, Pearless Price and second year back Julius Jones (who will lead the league in rushing) and don’t forget Jason Witten who will emerge as the leagues best tight end (see Mark Bavaro & Ben Coates). Defensively this team is going to have a great year, the addition of DeMarcus Ware as the speed rush OLB and the steady play of Dat Ngyuen and La’Roi Glover up the middle and Parcells 3-4 alignment. I worry about their secondary a little and their schedule (at Oakland, Carolina, & San Diego) but if the get pressure on the QB like they should Parcells will have 12 wins and a division title.
I am not sure what to make of Philadelphia Eagles this season. Obviously there is all the off the field issues with TO and that garbage. Bryan Westbrook is going to have to shoulder a huge load with the lack of RB depth and WR experience. On defense I am not sold on their line, which is what controls the games; I am not sure they can stop the run consistently. Also their schedule proves to be very hard on the road, with trips to Atlanta, Denver, St. Louis and Kansas City, which could be 4 losses right there, and that is not including any division games yet. I give them 9 wins and an outside shot at the playoffs.
I feel the New York Giants are a year away from big things. Some people are expecting those big things this season, especially with the additions of Kareem McKenzie at right tackle, Plaxico Burress at WR, and Antonio Pierce at MLB. On defense the need to get production from their inexperienced DT’s Kendrick Clancy and Fred Robbins who combined for 46 tackles last season. Offensively their line is pretty much in tact so as long as the stay healthy Tiki Barber should have another good year, but Manning still has some happy feet back in the pocket and has not really developed a rapport with any one of his targets; Burress, Shockey, or Toomer. The schedule gets a little favorable in the latter part of the season because Kansas City and Minnesota have to travel to East Rutherford and try to fire up their offense’s in the frigid winter air. Like the Eagles I see 9 wins and a shot at a wild card spot.
Hey Coach Gibbs, go back to NASCAR because you are not getting it done with the Washington Redskins. They really added no significant players to their team this off-season. The have their entire line back and Clinton Portis on offense, however Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell are still the QB’s. The only thing worse than that is that they have the 3 best #3 receivers in the game, Santana Moss, James Thrash, and David Patten. Gibbs and Daniel Snyder are going to have a long season here in the nation’s capital, as I see it they are going to go winless on the road this season, having to travel to Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Arizona, and Tampa Bay. I see a 4 or 5 win season in store for the Skins and some major off-season overhaul; maybe have Snyder sell the team for a start.
NFC SOUTH
The Carolina Panthers are for real. This team was no fluke when they came within a minute of winning the Super Bowl two seasons ago. They are a soundly coached as any team in the NFL by Mike Fox. On offense they are deep and talented. Their offensive line started 71 of a possible 80 games last season. Jake Delhomme is no one hit wonder this guy is tough, competitive and very talented. They added Rod Gardner to replace Mushin Muhammed and bring back Steve Smith, Keary Colbert, Ricky Proehl, Chris Mangum at TE and Deshaun Foster and Stephen Davis in the backfield. With the best offensive line in football and those skill players they can score on anyone. And the best part of their team is the defense. As long as Peppers and Kris Jenkins get back healthy this defense is as good as any in football. I can see this team winning 13 to 14 games and thinking Super Bowl, especially looking at their road schedule which includes trips to Miami, Chicago and Buffalo.
If I am buying the Panthers, than I am certainly selling the Atlanta Falcons. I do not think Michael Vick is that good; he brings excitement to the game and he can sometimes pull of the spectacular, but he can also kill you with his inability to throw the ball. I think they have a serious problem at Wide Receiver with Dez White, Michael Jenkins, and Brian Finneran who caught a total of 60 balls last season. There running game is solid because of Vick. On defense I think they lack fire power. Keith Brooking, Brady Smith and Patrick Kearny are all solid players, but not game changers. In the Secondary they have nobody that scares you either, of the 10 DB’s on their depth chart they had a total of 9 INT’s last season season. I just don’t see them winning a ton of games and being legit Super Bowl contenders, maybe 9-10 wins and a wild card slot.
Jon Gruden got the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Dungy’s Super Bowl Championship but as for his team with his players, things don’t look so good. Offensively they seem to be running in place, mainly because of the lack of quality offensive lineman. Brian Griese has been a below average QB his whole career, Chris Simms may be worth giving a shot too later in the season. At the skill positions they are young and improving with Michael Clayton and Cadillac Williams, but a poor offensive line will hurt their production. Their defense is still solid but no longer exceptional, especially the front four. Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Shelton Quarles, and Brian Kelley will make some plays to make their record decent, but I see no more than 7 or 8 wins.
It is almost impossible to predict the New Orleans Saints season. On paper this team was pretty bad to begin with, but with all that has gone on and the fact that they have no idea where they are going from week to week it would be unfathomable to think this team has any success this year. Aaron Brooks and Jim Haslett have not got the job done their over the last 3 seasons and with the situation they are in I do not see them getting it done this season. With all that is going on I can see this team have a 3-6 win season, but no more than that.
NFC NORTH
Two of this years sexy picks are in this Division, first is the Minnesota Vikings to go all the way. Culpepper still has plenty of people to throw the ball too, with the additions of Troy Williamson and Travis Taylor. And though they seem thin at running back somebody always steps forward and has a few big games. But their main problem is along the offensive line, where they have 3 new starters. The biggest loss was Matt Birk the best center in the game who was the anchor on that offensive line. However, their defense can pick up some of the slack, finally. Second year Coordinator Ted Cotrell has added some guys in the draft and this season acquired Napolean Harris at LB and Darren Sharper, Antoine Winfield, and Fred Smoot in the defensive backfield. They will be a solid 11-12 win team with a Division title in their back pocket.
The other sexy pick is the Detroit Lions. Put me on the band wagon. Steve Mariucci and crowd gave me every reason to jump off in pre-season. But I have a blind faith in Joey Harrington. The weapons are there, Kevin Jones is a superstar waiting to happen at tailback and their receivers are all big strong and fast. Their offensive line is a little suspect. Defensively I think they are better than people are giving them credit for, I think Mariucci is really going to have a strong year with 10 wins and a wild card berth.
Brett Favre is in the twilight of his career and that is where the Green Bay Packers will end up, in the twilight. Their running game with Ahman Green will be slowed this year by an inexperienced offensive line; rookie William Whitticker will start at right guard and newcomer Adrian Klemm (10 starts in 6 seasons) at left guard. Favre did discover Javon Walker a year after he discovered Donald Driver, but if they cannot run the ball than their passing game will be ineffective. Defensively they have been bad recently, but always had Darren Sharper to correct mistakes at Free Safety, he is now with Minnesota. Nick Barnett at MLB and KGB rushing the passer will not be enough to slow opposing teams down. Under .500 or right at 8 wins is where the Pack will be this year.
The Chicago Bears may go from bad to worse for Coach Lovie Smith. This is their QB depth chart; Kyle Orton, Jeff Blake, and Kirk Kittner, who combined last season for 126 yards and 1 TD pass (and that was all Blake). Really that is all I can say about this team, 4-6 wins is a max year for them, and if they get that Coach Smith should get a monument erected in his honor.
NFC WEST
The St. Louis Rams and the greatest show on turf is back, albeit with a slightly different cast of characters. Marshall Faulk has deferred to second year back Stephen Jackson, and that leaves Faulk as the third down back. Mark Bulger still has the weapons downfield with Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce (Mike Burke loved that guy), and a greta line to protect him with veterans Orlando Pace, Adam Timmerman, and Andy McCollum. Defensively I think they have the fastest linebackers in football with Chris Claiborne, Dexter Coakley, and Pisa Tinoisamoa, and speed kills in the NFL. Their defense will be solid and not spectacular while their offense rolls up the points to the tune of 12 wins and a playoff spot.
Yes I am sort of on the Arizona Cardinals band wagon. Denny Green can coach em up as the say, and he now has a QB to whip the ball around to his young talented receivers; Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Reggie Swinton. Their offensive line is solid and will protect Warner and open some holes for rookie RB JJ Arrington. On defense they have a good unit led by guys who are not household names yet but soon will be; linebackers James Darling and KArlos Dansby and rookie CB Antrell Rolle. They could win 10 games and sneak into the playoffs.
I am never ever buying a team in the NFL who has a QB named Hasselback, and the Seattle Seahawks have Matt Hasselback. Just happens to be a rule I live by. Here is a trivia question, who are Hasselback’s back ups and how many NFL passes have they thrown? I’ll give you a hint, one of the answers is zero. Shaun Alexander is a great numbers guy, but what has he ever done in a clutch spot for this team? The still have big problems at receiver, so much so that they signed Peter Warrick who the Bungals cut. Holmgren will mercifully miss the playoffs with this team and hopefully, for the Seahawk faithful, try and retool this team soon.
And yes the San Francisco 49ers will be required to play 16 games this season.
EAST- Dallas Cowboys
SOUTH- Carolina Panthers
NORTH- Minnesota Vikings
WEST- St. Louis Rams
WILD CARD- Philadelphia Eagles & Detroit Lions
CHAMPIONS- Carolina Panthers
NFC EAST
I’m buying the Dallas Cowboys. When it comes to Parcells I just find it hard to bet against him. He always has a plan, and now that he was finally able to cast away some of the dead weight in Dallas he has his guys in place to make this thing work. The obvious addition of Bledsoe will help, a veteran QB who understands Parcells. The have weapons on offense with Meshayn, Pearless Price and second year back Julius Jones (who will lead the league in rushing) and don’t forget Jason Witten who will emerge as the leagues best tight end (see Mark Bavaro & Ben Coates). Defensively this team is going to have a great year, the addition of DeMarcus Ware as the speed rush OLB and the steady play of Dat Ngyuen and La’Roi Glover up the middle and Parcells 3-4 alignment. I worry about their secondary a little and their schedule (at Oakland, Carolina, & San Diego) but if the get pressure on the QB like they should Parcells will have 12 wins and a division title.
I am not sure what to make of Philadelphia Eagles this season. Obviously there is all the off the field issues with TO and that garbage. Bryan Westbrook is going to have to shoulder a huge load with the lack of RB depth and WR experience. On defense I am not sold on their line, which is what controls the games; I am not sure they can stop the run consistently. Also their schedule proves to be very hard on the road, with trips to Atlanta, Denver, St. Louis and Kansas City, which could be 4 losses right there, and that is not including any division games yet. I give them 9 wins and an outside shot at the playoffs.
I feel the New York Giants are a year away from big things. Some people are expecting those big things this season, especially with the additions of Kareem McKenzie at right tackle, Plaxico Burress at WR, and Antonio Pierce at MLB. On defense the need to get production from their inexperienced DT’s Kendrick Clancy and Fred Robbins who combined for 46 tackles last season. Offensively their line is pretty much in tact so as long as the stay healthy Tiki Barber should have another good year, but Manning still has some happy feet back in the pocket and has not really developed a rapport with any one of his targets; Burress, Shockey, or Toomer. The schedule gets a little favorable in the latter part of the season because Kansas City and Minnesota have to travel to East Rutherford and try to fire up their offense’s in the frigid winter air. Like the Eagles I see 9 wins and a shot at a wild card spot.
Hey Coach Gibbs, go back to NASCAR because you are not getting it done with the Washington Redskins. They really added no significant players to their team this off-season. The have their entire line back and Clinton Portis on offense, however Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell are still the QB’s. The only thing worse than that is that they have the 3 best #3 receivers in the game, Santana Moss, James Thrash, and David Patten. Gibbs and Daniel Snyder are going to have a long season here in the nation’s capital, as I see it they are going to go winless on the road this season, having to travel to Denver, Kansas City, St. Louis, Arizona, and Tampa Bay. I see a 4 or 5 win season in store for the Skins and some major off-season overhaul; maybe have Snyder sell the team for a start.
NFC SOUTH
The Carolina Panthers are for real. This team was no fluke when they came within a minute of winning the Super Bowl two seasons ago. They are a soundly coached as any team in the NFL by Mike Fox. On offense they are deep and talented. Their offensive line started 71 of a possible 80 games last season. Jake Delhomme is no one hit wonder this guy is tough, competitive and very talented. They added Rod Gardner to replace Mushin Muhammed and bring back Steve Smith, Keary Colbert, Ricky Proehl, Chris Mangum at TE and Deshaun Foster and Stephen Davis in the backfield. With the best offensive line in football and those skill players they can score on anyone. And the best part of their team is the defense. As long as Peppers and Kris Jenkins get back healthy this defense is as good as any in football. I can see this team winning 13 to 14 games and thinking Super Bowl, especially looking at their road schedule which includes trips to Miami, Chicago and Buffalo.
If I am buying the Panthers, than I am certainly selling the Atlanta Falcons. I do not think Michael Vick is that good; he brings excitement to the game and he can sometimes pull of the spectacular, but he can also kill you with his inability to throw the ball. I think they have a serious problem at Wide Receiver with Dez White, Michael Jenkins, and Brian Finneran who caught a total of 60 balls last season. There running game is solid because of Vick. On defense I think they lack fire power. Keith Brooking, Brady Smith and Patrick Kearny are all solid players, but not game changers. In the Secondary they have nobody that scares you either, of the 10 DB’s on their depth chart they had a total of 9 INT’s last season season. I just don’t see them winning a ton of games and being legit Super Bowl contenders, maybe 9-10 wins and a wild card slot.
Jon Gruden got the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tony Dungy’s Super Bowl Championship but as for his team with his players, things don’t look so good. Offensively they seem to be running in place, mainly because of the lack of quality offensive lineman. Brian Griese has been a below average QB his whole career, Chris Simms may be worth giving a shot too later in the season. At the skill positions they are young and improving with Michael Clayton and Cadillac Williams, but a poor offensive line will hurt their production. Their defense is still solid but no longer exceptional, especially the front four. Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber, Shelton Quarles, and Brian Kelley will make some plays to make their record decent, but I see no more than 7 or 8 wins.
It is almost impossible to predict the New Orleans Saints season. On paper this team was pretty bad to begin with, but with all that has gone on and the fact that they have no idea where they are going from week to week it would be unfathomable to think this team has any success this year. Aaron Brooks and Jim Haslett have not got the job done their over the last 3 seasons and with the situation they are in I do not see them getting it done this season. With all that is going on I can see this team have a 3-6 win season, but no more than that.
NFC NORTH
Two of this years sexy picks are in this Division, first is the Minnesota Vikings to go all the way. Culpepper still has plenty of people to throw the ball too, with the additions of Troy Williamson and Travis Taylor. And though they seem thin at running back somebody always steps forward and has a few big games. But their main problem is along the offensive line, where they have 3 new starters. The biggest loss was Matt Birk the best center in the game who was the anchor on that offensive line. However, their defense can pick up some of the slack, finally. Second year Coordinator Ted Cotrell has added some guys in the draft and this season acquired Napolean Harris at LB and Darren Sharper, Antoine Winfield, and Fred Smoot in the defensive backfield. They will be a solid 11-12 win team with a Division title in their back pocket.
The other sexy pick is the Detroit Lions. Put me on the band wagon. Steve Mariucci and crowd gave me every reason to jump off in pre-season. But I have a blind faith in Joey Harrington. The weapons are there, Kevin Jones is a superstar waiting to happen at tailback and their receivers are all big strong and fast. Their offensive line is a little suspect. Defensively I think they are better than people are giving them credit for, I think Mariucci is really going to have a strong year with 10 wins and a wild card berth.
Brett Favre is in the twilight of his career and that is where the Green Bay Packers will end up, in the twilight. Their running game with Ahman Green will be slowed this year by an inexperienced offensive line; rookie William Whitticker will start at right guard and newcomer Adrian Klemm (10 starts in 6 seasons) at left guard. Favre did discover Javon Walker a year after he discovered Donald Driver, but if they cannot run the ball than their passing game will be ineffective. Defensively they have been bad recently, but always had Darren Sharper to correct mistakes at Free Safety, he is now with Minnesota. Nick Barnett at MLB and KGB rushing the passer will not be enough to slow opposing teams down. Under .500 or right at 8 wins is where the Pack will be this year.
The Chicago Bears may go from bad to worse for Coach Lovie Smith. This is their QB depth chart; Kyle Orton, Jeff Blake, and Kirk Kittner, who combined last season for 126 yards and 1 TD pass (and that was all Blake). Really that is all I can say about this team, 4-6 wins is a max year for them, and if they get that Coach Smith should get a monument erected in his honor.
NFC WEST
The St. Louis Rams and the greatest show on turf is back, albeit with a slightly different cast of characters. Marshall Faulk has deferred to second year back Stephen Jackson, and that leaves Faulk as the third down back. Mark Bulger still has the weapons downfield with Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce (Mike Burke loved that guy), and a greta line to protect him with veterans Orlando Pace, Adam Timmerman, and Andy McCollum. Defensively I think they have the fastest linebackers in football with Chris Claiborne, Dexter Coakley, and Pisa Tinoisamoa, and speed kills in the NFL. Their defense will be solid and not spectacular while their offense rolls up the points to the tune of 12 wins and a playoff spot.
Yes I am sort of on the Arizona Cardinals band wagon. Denny Green can coach em up as the say, and he now has a QB to whip the ball around to his young talented receivers; Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Reggie Swinton. Their offensive line is solid and will protect Warner and open some holes for rookie RB JJ Arrington. On defense they have a good unit led by guys who are not household names yet but soon will be; linebackers James Darling and KArlos Dansby and rookie CB Antrell Rolle. They could win 10 games and sneak into the playoffs.
I am never ever buying a team in the NFL who has a QB named Hasselback, and the Seattle Seahawks have Matt Hasselback. Just happens to be a rule I live by. Here is a trivia question, who are Hasselback’s back ups and how many NFL passes have they thrown? I’ll give you a hint, one of the answers is zero. Shaun Alexander is a great numbers guy, but what has he ever done in a clutch spot for this team? The still have big problems at receiver, so much so that they signed Peter Warrick who the Bungals cut. Holmgren will mercifully miss the playoffs with this team and hopefully, for the Seahawk faithful, try and retool this team soon.
And yes the San Francisco 49ers will be required to play 16 games this season.
EAST- Dallas Cowboys
SOUTH- Carolina Panthers
NORTH- Minnesota Vikings
WEST- St. Louis Rams
WILD CARD- Philadelphia Eagles & Detroit Lions
CHAMPIONS- Carolina Panthers
5 Comments:
First of all, the Panthers coach is John Fox, not Mike Fox
Second, the Ginats d-line is Clancy and William Joseph, and yes they are terrible...but your favorite rotund back QB has made the G-mens roster..Jared Lorenzen..aka..JLoad,Hefty Lefty, The Pillsbury Throwboy. Love to see he and Jacobs in the backfield at the same time!!!
Thirdly, agreed about TBay's defense but Simeon Rice is still very talented and a force on the D
Arizona's third receiver is the talented Bryant Johnson....Reggie Swinton? He blows!
Finally, it's HasselBECK, not BACK
Danny,
I just talked to a guy named Mike Fox yesterday, I fucked that up.
But according to the Giants depth chart on their own website and from everything that has come out of camp William Joseph is listed as the 3rd string D-Tackle.
I could care less how you spell Hasslebacks name, none of them should even be in the fucking league
Did a Hasselbeck deflower your sister or steal the last piece of pizza? Where does your hatred of them find it roots from?
I can't argue any of your selections, but I'll try.
The Cowboys? Really, I agree with zoltan that the recievers are good, but not great enough to change the division's path thru Philadelphia.
I hate the Eagles with a passion about 3/4 the amount that I hate the Braves, but like The Stench of the South, they have great management and coaching. Someday, we're gonna look back and realize that Andy Reid was a fat football genius and didn't get props because he was too quiet.
I don't buy the Lions and the Vikings. Detroit will go as far as Harrington can take them and it might not be until midseason before he gets going right and I just don't buy the Vikes. However, they will dominate a weak division.
What is it that Vick can't throw the ball? It's not that he can't - the guy's got a laser cannon of an arm. It's that he doesn't do it as much as everyone wants him to. He's on my fantasy team, so I'm hoping for a bunch of 225 yards passing 75 yards rushing games and I have a feeling I'm going to get it.
Let's not forget this is the same guy that has WON PLAYOFF GAMES, including at the frozen tundra when that meant something.
The Panthers and the Falcons are the toast of this division with the Boys', Uglies, Rams and Vikes following suit. The Giants will battle for a playoff spot until losing a game in Dec. that they should win and miss by a game, but be a absolute beast next year, kinda like the other baseball team in New York.
Let's all get together and hope that there's no baseball in NYC in October.
Who's with me?
Kurtiss Gregg (remember me) OUT
Slipper, as of Tuesday several NY papers were reporting that Joseph won the job...really though does it matter? They all blow!
Kurtiss, Neither Hasselbeck deflowered the Slippette, that would be our mutual friend Rob....oops, I don't think Kris knew that! Welp, now that the cat's out of the bag we can hate him too I guess! And don't get me started on the Mets..... My kingdom for a closer!!!!!
Sorry for the multiple punctuations Dan the Jew.....I can't help it!!!!???!!::,'~*
The Cowboys?! I don't know if you've been watching the last few seasons but the Eagles have absolutley dominated the NFC East for the last several seasons. While the rest of the division is improved I don't see anyone knocking the Eagles off. And I'm not just being biased. I also like the Lions but I've been waiting for Joey Heisman to come around for 2 years now. Hopefully this is the year. Kevin Jones is a stud and they have a good young recieving core, if they can stay healthy.
TF
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