Best on paper

Who looks to have the strongest teams on paper in each division right now?

My picks:

AFC East: Buffalo

Yeah, that’s right. It’s put up time for this squad. I love their skill players, their backs and recievers. They just had a horrible line and an inconsistent QB. Now they have a line, spending money on arguably the best LT in Free Agency in Teague (Roaf has injury concerns) and spending the #4 overall draft pick on Mike Williams.

So no more excuses Drew. Last couple of years, you’ve had the “bad offensive line, no recievers” excuse. Now you’ve got Ries, Moulds, Price, Reed, and Centers, plus Bryson and Henry to run the ball.

Miami may be a more balanced team, but offensively, the Bills look exciting.

AFC South: The Colts

If the Edge is healthy, they could just outscore teams again. Well see how Freeney does, it sounds like Dungy wants to use him as a smallish “Little” like DE on the strong side, using the bigger Washington as the Strong side backer. Regardless, a lot of the teams on their schedule don’t look to have the strongest secondaries. Leave the O alone, Tony. If Manning doesn’t feel he has to score 30 a game to win, they’ll be fine.

AFC North: The Browns

My second upstart pick. This team had some lousy luck last year, and still found themselves contending in December. The Bears game was horrid luck, losing 3 defensive lineman to injury, no running game. And yet they still pulled a 7-9 record. Odds are luck will be with them this time around.

AFC West: Raiders

Still a good team, infused some real defensive talent with the draft to go with these Senior Citezens. Not crazy about any of the other teams, particuarly any of the offensive lines other than the Raiders. The old men still have the edge.

NFC East: Eagles

My superbowl pick from last year nearly made it. Not truly dominant in any phase, but no weaknesses. Donovan is a class above, but needs to play at a high level for 4 QTRS. They have a serviceable running game, but not a great one. So when he’s off, they are. He’s usually on.

NFC South: The Bucs

I think they are the most vulnerable of these 8 teams. Their line is better, but not great. Brad Johnson played very conservatively last year, trying not to lose games.

But everyone else has even more questions. They still have a pretty good defense, even if it lost a little depth. The Saints losses make them look average, and I’m not sure if the Falcons have the offensive or defensive lines to accomplish what they want to do. I expect us to be better, and we may win some division games if the gamble with Peppers pays off quickly. But we don’t match up that well with the Bucs.

NFC South: The Rams

Their last hurrah. Their only real loss was their middle linebacker, and Robert Thomas should be adequate. Next year, they are going to be over the cap badly, and this team may be dismantled. Held over, the Greatest Show on Earth will be starting their finale performance next season. Get your tickets now.

 

You forgot NFC North. Or.....do you hate the yanks that much? lol

 

Oh yeah.

Interesting division. I'm going to say Pack for now, with the pass rush they have.

 

Can't really quibble too much there Piper. I will though....

Seriously....these are the same teams I scribbled down except for the Bills and Browns. I tend to think they are still a year away, although both are improving rapidly. The Bills remind me of San Fran from a few years back. They have/had those truckload of 1st and 2nd year players that got a lot of playing time last year, but didn't win many games. They will be better this year and have a shit schedule so they may mature even quicker.

As for the Browns, they were just pitiful on offense and faded down the stretch miserably. (No depth yet?) That unbelievable sorry ass finish in Chicago cost me some serious bucks too. So maybe I'm still pissed at them. I can't even remember how many games they won (6? 7?), but they should win more next year. I wonder if it will be enough to get them in the playoffs though.

Also, I may have asked this before, but do you gamble at all? Some of you guys spend an awful lot of time on the game to be just casual fans.

 

Now and then. Me and some guys are talking about a Vegas trip.

The Browns won 7 games. They didn't have many offensive weapons, and their strength was their defensive line play. Three of those starters, including Courtney Brown, got hurt, so you imagine what they did defensively after that.

I'm betting that William Green is good. And that Quincy Morgan will be a more consistent playmaker at Wide Reciever. With some due luck regarding injuries, and if Couch can be more consistent, this team is a good bet for 10-6 or 11-5.

The one thing about the Bills is the defense. Very young. Some talent, but like San Fran a few years ago, young. London Fletcher should add some veteran leadership though.

 

NFC
Carolina Panthers should be written up as 2nd place in the NFC, perhaps 3rd.

If we can keep 90% of our starting defense healthy (Dan Morgan being in that 90%) and if JP backs up his verbal ambitions after being drafted, look for a fast hard hitting defense. (Of course this means I will be wrong about JP doing well his first few years).

With Del Rio and Fox in our house, I fully excect our defense to make a huge jump, year 1.

Offense - even though I have been outspoken about a certain position, I think between Foster & Smith (maybe Brown) we will have the best running game in Panther History. Also moving S Smith into more WR activity will only help.

For me, on paper, the Panthers should be in great shape in the NFC South, winning our small 4 team division should be a lay down. In Tampa, it will take Gruden longer, things are a little slower pace down there. Atlanta - I like a lot of the peices to the puzzle but not sure coaching is right for a lot of the players. New Orleans - well they signed Jeff Lewis right?

The Eagles, Packers, Rams (or 49ers) will take the rest of the NFC.

 

Obviously, no one takes much stock in what the Bears did last year. I do.

Even though they were *lucky* several games (a fact I do not dispute), there are several reasons why they will actually be better this year.

1. With their offensive line drafts, it should be better.
2. Anthony Thomas will run better due to the better o-line as well as more experience.
3. Jim Miller played for most of the year. He now actually has experience as the lead quarterback.
4. The addition of Chris Chandler gives the team a real backup. He can lead this team if Jim Miller gets hurt.
5. Finally, with the experience of winning games last year plus making the playoffs will push this team over the top.

 

I have a really hard time thinking that Buffalo is going to be a factor against an improved Jets, a more improved Miami, and Champion SB Pats. It's a tough call, but only between those three. I'd have to go with NE, they are for real, and still will be.

I also like Chicago winning the division over GB.

Eagles are about to turn the corner if they decided who's going to run the ball. I can't see the Giants, Cowboys, or Redskins giving them any problems. The Eagles might come real close to sweeping this division. McNabb possible MVP.

Pittsburgh Steelers. It could finally be their year.

Titans. Well, ain't that conveinent for Mr. Dungy. Jags going through a salary cap purge, expansion Texans, and an possible 8-8 Titans team. I really hope the Titans defense gets it together this year and Eddie George just pounds 'em. This could be your 9-7 divisional winner.

Broncos. Still building Chargers and Chiefs will leave it up to the new coach of the Raiders, but the players still play, and they ain't gettin' any younger.

SF 49ers. Yep, over the Rams. I think Warner luck will finally run out and Mariucci has a solid team for him this year, since he's on his way out. Poor poor Cards, they just weren't dealt a good hand.

Panthers. Hey! You just never know!

Super Bowl - Pitt over Philly

 

Thats the main reason I would expect them to not do so good... God forbid Chandler comes in... just don't think he has much left in the way of adding value behind the snap.

Chicago must rely on that just in time interception guy... or was that a year ago...

 

Not blowing off da Bears, but they've got to beat the Pack before I can put them over. They reached for a lineman to replace Brockenmeyer, always a risky proposition to have a rookie LT and two injury plauged QBs. I wonder who their 3rd stringer is? He may see some action.

They'll contend with that defense and A-Train, but they need a pass rusher to put them over the top. The X factor is Alex Brown. 1st round talent, but attitude and his occassional dissapearances let him drop into the 4th round.