itt make ur 07-08 ~*PrEdIcTiOnS*~

AFC West: i was gonna say broncos but now that half of them are dead/injured idk. Raiders!!!!!!

How much does Russell want to be paid, ffs?!

i didnt hear that! depending on what they get for him that might be a great idea tho!

NFC
East: Philly
Central: Bears
West: Hawks
South: Carolina
WC1: Dallas
WC2: STL

AFC
East: Pats
Central: Cincy
West: Bolts
South: Indy
WC1: Steel
WC2: Jags

AFC Champs: Bolts over Indy
NFC Champs: Iggles over Chitown
SB: Chargers over Iggles
MVP: LDT

Boring picks, I know, I know.

lol i saw this thing on sportscenter a week or two ago about how brady quinn and larry johnson were like living together in arizona while they both held out. LJ, if you don't know, is in a really shitty position because he's still on his rookie contract but he's in his prime and playing as well as anyone except LT. apparently LJ convinced quinn even more that he needs to hold out for every penny cuz u never know how long u gonna last!!!! i cant fault a dude for that.

not even a WC for the saints?? bold clams!!! love the shoutout to central btw

i didnt hear that! depending on what they get for him that might be a great idea tho!

They should trade him for Cleo Lemon, an offensive lineman and high picks.

not even a WC for the saints?? bold clams!!! love the shoutout to central btw

I just didn't think they were a very good team last year. They had the easy schedule and took advantage. I think they'll be a 9-7/8-8 team this year.

Actually it's not JR holding out for scandalous wads (I think I heard $30 mil guaranteed), it's Al Davis being senile and wanting to unguarantee monies in case JR busts out, gets injured, or arrested.

I'ma cut all of you turds who don't put 9ers down for the West!!

I'ma cut all of you turds who don't put 9ers down for the West!!

They'll be better, but I thought their wins last year were fluky. They were a 5-11 team with an 8-8 record. I think they'll earn their 8-8 this year, and be a playoff team in 2008 if they keep improving. Still not sold on the offensive line ... the rookies need to develop. Losing Norv will hurt the offense even though a better cast of characters will help. Receiving corps still pretty bad unless Jackson can return to form.

NFC East: Iggles
NFC South: Saints
NFC West: Niners (yes, I said it!)
NFC North: Bears
WC1: Cowboys
WC2: Hawks

AFC East: Pats
AFC South: Colts
AFC West: Chargers
AFC North: Ravens
WC1: Broncos
WC2: Bills

NFC championship: Bears v Saints
AFC championship: Chargers v Pats

Superbowl XLII: Chargers v Saints

MVP - LDT

i dont buy into the nu-look niners for one second. i look forward to their 4-12 season

the saints were actually good last year! like, the titans and the jets and even the chargers, these are teams that overachieved a little imo (tho i was REALLY rooting for the titans to get that wild card, they were a game away!) but you can just tell that NO is legit. their really shitty defense will continue to be really shitty and the schedule will be tougher, but barring injury the offense shd be fine, they're in a weak division (ppl really need to stop talking abt the nfc south like it's actually competetive or anything) and they're just in great shape to contend

I have no tangible evidence to support my Niners enthusiasm this year. Just gut.

The 9ers were 7-9 last year! I don't think it was necessarily fluky, either, esp. not with Gore's first year of starting, and aside from a couple turds laid against the Cardinals, they could've easily been 9-7. I'm going to say, based on nothing but my own fondest wishes, that 9-7 wins the West, and SF is definitely capable of that.

What I don't like is Nolan's insistence on going to a 3-4; why not go with what suits your personnel, instead of giving starting jobs to nice fill-in guys?

i just hate me some niners, dont mind me

i do think the division is a lot tougher now tho. the rams are like a sucky version of the saints, great offense and UNBELIEVABLY BAD defense. they dont have their shit together but they are still pretty dangerous. the cardinals i like in a year or two, and the seahawks honestly should be better and they were a playoff team last year~~

Rookie of the year

http://www.goteamsgo.com/images/bradyquinn-myspace1.jpg

I'll have to think about things for a day or so before putting in my full predictions. I can't tell from anything how good some of these clubs are going to be. AFC North, NFC East, NFC West, AFC West--- I have no idea at this point who should be the favorites in these divisions.

I do think the Packers defense is going to be pretty good. If they can run the ball, I think they will surprise some people. Their D played pretty well in the second half of the year last year and I think they will have a pretty good pass rush.

The Colts are going to have two new starters on the o-line, which is the most they have had in one year for a decade. They are going to also have half a new defense.

NE should be pretty good as they have bought even more depth.

Miami's D should be pretty good. If they can run the ball, they should be decent. I'm surprised not one of these NFL talking heads has brought up the Indiana U. football connection between Cam Cameron and Trent Green. Both were QBs for the Hoosiers and Cameron was the QB coach way back when Green was with the Redskins. (Antwaan Randle El was Cameron's QB when he was head coach at Indiana.)

Jets...I dunno much about them. They won more games than their stats state they should have. I guess they should be OK.

Ravens...One of these days offensive super-genius Brian Billick might actually have a team that can move the ball. They won a bunch of games, but more than a few were kind of ugly. They should be decent.

Steelers...I can't tell how good they will be at all.

The Raiders are a wreck. You can count them out.

The Broncos are probably right at 8-8 as usual. They might be a game or three better, but it depends on the young guy at QB getting good. Their defense went from being superhuman in the first half to absolutely terrible by the end of last season.

Sports talking heads love Herm Edwards, but they look like a team that is kind of mess to me. Unless their defense is about the best, I don't see them going anywhere.

SD has loads of talent and I could not believe they were able to also hold on to Turner, that guy is a good back. That other RB they had returning punts the other night can fly. If I was their coach, I'd turn into a total ball control offense, as they are as freakin' DEEP at RB as any team I can remember. Norv Turner has not had much luck as a head coach, but I don't think he has had this much offensive talent since the hey day of the Cowboys.

Cincy...This is a make or break year for the Bengals. If they slide, I think they will fire Marvin Lewis. For wrong or right, two of the last three years they went O for 3 at the end of the year with a chance to go to the playoffs. Lewis may not be the reason they have all of the jailbirds, but if they cannot get it together when the playoffs are on the line, that comes down on the head coach.

JAX - who knows. They have good parts and seem to play good teams tough, but then play cruddy against the lame.

Ten - I figure they played over their heads and defense coordinators have been looking at those tapes of Vince Young all summer. I think they will slide somewhat.

Cleve - They are not good at any one thing. I figured Crennel would get their defense together, but it hasn't happened.

ATL - Lots of luck. I would not mind seeing Harrington getting it together and playing well. Their defense really stunk last year and the biggest reason they won with Vick was that D. I'm kind of curious to see how well they run the ball, as that was one they they did well.

Cowboys - I figure they will probably be decent. The thing is that their defense really played like crap in the second half and got lit up a few times. Phillips has done OK as

Bills - I think after Bill Polian left town they have been a team without a clue. JP Losman looks like he might be pretty good. The Bills seem to either be good on offense or good on defense for the past few years, not decent at both.

Min- No idea. I'm not even sure who is going to be their QB.

Hou- I will believe the Texans will win when I see it happen. It might, but I doubt it. Kubiak does look kind of brainy for a coach.

Saints - I would not mind them being good. They should move the ball, but their defense was old last year.

NYG - Tons of press but I don't see it happening.

Wash - 7 and 9 and welcome back to Joe Gibbs Racing. Mediocre to the bone.

Philly - They have been mostly good since Andy Reed became head coach. I figure they will get off to a good start and then #5 will get hurt then the story will be when will #5 come back. I think that is an even odds bet.

Arizona - They definitely look like they should be the good on offense. I will have to see them win before I believe it.

49ers - They seem to be getting solid on both sides of the ball. I kind of fear the rise of the niners, as that brings up bad memories. Walsh was pretty classy guy considering how good they were and if SF gets off to a hot start I'd like to have a buck for every story outlining comparisons between now and then.

Seattle - They should be decent. They were really banged up last year, limped into the playoffs and didn't come far from getting it done last year.

NYFG: this is like make-or-break (not literally, but in the minds of the fans and the press) year for eli. and it's gonna be break because tom coughlin is nü les steckel, plaxico is an overrated piece of shit, amani toomer is 64 years old, shockey is whatever, and removing clubhouse cancer tiki also meant removing the running game.

also, their road unis make them look like a fucking clip-art football team.

http://www.imagedonkey.com/out.php/i432_shockeyshocked.gif
FIRST OF THE YEAR?!?!

Ahhh, I've missed the Shockey gif all summer! :D

1. Randy Moss will be a huge flop in New England.
2. The Browns will go 4-12.
3. Colts will repeat.

ah mr. snrub, just as otm as ever

WC2: o man i dunno, bills, bengals, steelers and broncos all seem possible 2 me. let's say BILLS

LET'S!

2. The Browns will go 4-12.

ATTN: BROWNIE/LAWRENCE KANSAS!!!

if SF gets off to a hot start I'd like to have a buck for every story outlining comparisons between now and then.

The Browns have to play Pitt, Cinci and Baltimore in the first month of the season. Ken Dorsey will lead them to a 2-1 record mark my words.

Although their defense looked weak against the Lions Saturday. KitKatna looked unstoppable.

NFC
East: Giants
North: Bears
West: Cardinals
South: Saints
WC1: Seahawks
WC2: Cowboys

AFC
East: Pats
North: Steelers
West: Chargers
South: Colts
WC1: Ravens
WC2: Titans

AFC Champs: Colts
NFC Champs: Saints
SB: Colts repeat
MVP: Vinatieri

SD has loads of talent and I could not believe they were able to also hold on to Turner, that guy is a good back. That other RB they had returning punts the other night can fly. If I was their coach, I'd turn into a total ball control offense, as they are as freakin' DEEP at RB as any team I can remember. Norv Turner has not had much luck as a head coach, but I don't think he has had this much offensive talent since the hey day of the Cowboys.

I don't want a ball control offense. That's Martyball, and look how well that turned out. I'm fine with playing possession football, but the important thing for me is getting the receivers involved in the regular season so the team can counterattack when playoff teams are putting eight in the box. If they can't get production from Jackson/Davis/etc., they're going to fail in the playoffs again.

However, Turner's best gift is working with quarterbacks, so I'm not too concerned about it. I think the offense will be balanced. I actually think the passing game will be a pleasant surprise this year, but then again I'm a mega-fan so grains of salt are advisable.

I would like to see more split back looks with Turner in the backfield with LT.

The little guy is Darren Sproles, who was amazing in college, but missed last season due to a leg injury and is too short/small to be a featured back. I am psyched about him on special teams, especially if it means Cromartie/Parker can concentrate on their main duties. I think Sproles has a lot of Dave Meggett in him.

I'm especially pumped about Eric Weddle at safety; he has been excellent so far this preseason. He reminds me a lot of John Lynch.

dang earl that is a lot to chew on

indy will be fine, they are too consistent offensively for even a new blind side tackle to make a huge difference. last year they shit all over my i-believe-this-like-it-is-bible-fucking-law conviction that DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS (well, it still does) so i am not ruling anything out.

philly released trotter today, kind of an iffy move. linebackers are that defense's weakest link by a huge margin - look back at the playoff loss to the saints and you will see NO consistently isolating their guys on the LBs and forcing them to make the solo tackle. trot was great in the first half of this last season, but slowed down tremendously after that. what makes this weird for the eagles is that they dont have anyone to replace him. a sloth-like jeremiah trotter is still about as solid a starter as they have at the position.

They released Trotter today? Wow. Andy Reid must be huffing scotchguard.

I am feeling much, much better about the NYFFG since Eli took his big passive-aggressive bitch shit on Tiki.

OTOH we still have coughlin in charge and n00b ownerz so fuck it who am I kidding.

Eli took his big passive-aggressive bitch shit on Tiki.

what happened?

yeah idk what that even means!

i'm sorta warming up to coughlin, i now firmly believe gruden to be the worst HC in the league. biggest problem for the giants is that they no longer have their leading rusher AND their best receiver (same dude obv)

Ravens - I think they're in position to be way better than 'decent'! defense was easily the best in league last year, new 1st round o-lineman and an upgrade at RB possibly means they'll actually be able to move the ball on indy in the playoffs. pitt and cinci will definately be competetive teams but i feel like it's baltisnore's (lololo) division 2 lose.

Raiders - still horrible QB sitch (i promise you JM will be a bust, and culpep doesn't have a ton of time to get enough reps and learn the playbook), rookie HC who will probably suck, GREG KNAPP, yet I'm starting to buy into them a little. the depth is way better on both sides of the ball and the defense is great. if they can just improve the offense even a little bit (and it cant get worse) they can be a competetive team. i'm not really stoked about the rest of the division anyway.

broncos - crapshoot but i'm erring on the side of "enhhh." i have no idea what to expect from the defense - new coordinator, no al wilson, one d-lineman traded, another on IR for the year. also, two RBs and two receivers already hurt (stokely & smith)

SD - the meme about how ridiculously talented they are is a little weird to me, i especially loved when it was brought up wrt the playoff loss against the Pats. i thought it was clear in the game that NE just had superior talent, while SD was actually the team that made better in-game adjustments. the o-line overachieved a little, secondary sucks, receivers suck (i don't buy into VJ for 1 second). what should be really agonizing to charger fans is that they were on the precipice of joining the group of franchises that are competetive year in and year out (philly, denver, NE, indy, pitt), and what distinguishes those teams is stability/continuity on the coaching staff. say what you will about marty but he is brilliant when it comes to team building and i think they would've had a markedly better chance at the Superbowl this year if they kept him.

Cleveland - I love crennel but i am starting to think he's another case of a brilliant coordinator who was overpromoted. he's as good as anyone at defensive gameplanning (prob better than belichick) but that is a pretty small part of a HC's job.

ATL - lol.

Dallas - good defense, mediocre everything else.

Bills - goddd who knows. they end up having to dump a lot of their 'name' players because of their small-market revenue but it doesn't look like they've gotten very good value from most of their deals. seems like they're on the move up tho!

Min- lol.

Hou- ugh i bet schaub will win the passing title or something.

Saints - they don't have a #1 receiver (haha maybe bush) but they're also the kind of team that doesn't necessarily need one; coach who excels at creating and exploiting mismatches and a quarterback who you can count on to make great pre-snap reads and quick decisions. this was NE's offense last year, the receivers couldn't get consistent seperation so the coaches counted on scheme a lot to produce open looks - this is a lot more work for the QB and you need a guy like brady or brees to really make it possible. defense will continue to blow, i think that unit overachieved last year and they were STILL pretty bad.

NYG - :'(

Wash - lol.

Philly - they made a lot of shaky decisions this offseason (right up to waiting until preseason to release trot) and you can't love the kolb pick too much, but i think the dude will be a baller. the ideal situation is that mcnabb stays healthy (he should have another 4-5 years in the tank at this level of play) and meanwhile they have a star QB marinating in the background. linebackers still suck but mb they can afford to have shittier-than-usual LBs since dawkins can clean up for them most of the time.

Arizona - i dunno! i buy into them more than last year i guess. they definately have their heart in the right place. wisenhunt & the pittsburgh guys were brought in largely to remodel the entire organization, and in the long term that is the most important thing they bring to the table. pit's a model of consistency that a lot of franchises should pattern themselves after (probably easier said than done)

49ers - NOT BUYIN IT

Seattle - who cares it's on the west coast~

Saints - they don't have a #1 receiver (haha maybe bush) but they're also the kind of team that doesn't necessarily need one; coach who excels at creating and exploiting mismatches...

With the giants I have high hopes for Jacobs if he can play past the first eight games.

I'll agree with the saints=warriors comparison

Times Sports page today:
ALBANY, Aug. 21 — For most of his closely scrutinized Giants career, quarterback Eli Manning has chosen to let the debate about his laid-back personality and his leadership skills swirl without adding much in his defense. He has stayed true to his low-key demeanor, hoping one day his on-field success will render the debate moot.

So it was notable that Manning decided to fire back at one of his detractors Tuesday, although he did so in his own understated style. Without so much as raising his voice or arching an eyebrow, Manning acknowledged the former running back Tiki Barber’s comments that Manning was “uncomfortable” with leadership and he shot right back at Barber.

“I’m not going to lose any sleep about what Tiki has to say,” Manning said between training camp practices Tuesday afternoon. “I guess I could have questioned his leadership skills last year about him calling out the coach and having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season, that he’s lost the heart. It’s tough as a quarterback to read that your running back’s lost the heart in playing the game and it’s the 10th week.”

With the slyest of smiles, Manning added, “I’m just happy for Tiki that he’s making a smooth transition to the media.”

Barber’s comments came during “Sunday Night Football” in his new role working for NBC, after his retirement from the N.F.L. after last season. Barber said some of Manning’s comments to the Giants seemed “almost comical” and he questioned whether Manning would ever be a vocal enough leader.

Manning, though, was making perhaps a larger statement. First, he led the Giants to a 13-12 victory in a preseason game Sunday over the Ravens, whose defense once tormented him. And he did not seem uncomfortable throwing a shot back at Barber, a player who despite his success has left some bitterness among his former teammates with comments critical of Coach Tom Coughlin and now Manning.

“It’s hard for me to listen to that kind of stuff when last year at this same time when he was on our team he was talking about how great Eli was,” receiver Amani Toomer said Tuesday, saying that he thought Barber and Manning were friends off the field. “I just kind of don’t know where that came from.”

Barber said on a radio show Tuesday night that his comments were not “said maliciously.”

Whatever Barber’s motivations, Manning seemed intent on standing up for himself, in his own way.

“He thought about what he was going to do, and he decided he would say exactly what he felt,” Coughlin said.

From the Giants’ perspective, it is another step in the maturation of Manning, who is entering his fourth N.F.L. season and his third as the starter. Questions about his on-field development remain — particularly his dismal 54.1 percent career completion percentage — but the leadership issue is a trickier one to answer.

Manning realizes he will not satisfy anyone looking for a fiery, public leader. He said he only hoped he satisfied his teammates.

“I don’t have any problem with Eli’s leadership,” center Shaun O’Hara said. “He’s doing it his way. Players appreciate that. It’s a shame that everybody wants Eli to be somebody that they think he should be instead of just letting him be himself.”

Manning played well against Baltimore, when he was 10 of 13 for 114 yards and a touchdown pass despite losing two fumbles. That performance might be more important to Manning than verbally fending off criticism. It had been the Ravens, after all, who had delivered his worst day as a pro. In his rookie season, Manning was 4 of 18 with two interceptions and a zero quarterback rating in a 37-14 loss. The Ravens disguised their defenses and blitzed him mercilessly. Coughlin pulled him in the fourth quarter.

“It’s your rookie season and it’s one of your first starts and you’re playing against a tough defense,” Manning said. “You kind of think about it now, how things have gotten easier to read. They were still running around but you have a better feel for your offense and you’re not really worried about what you’re looking at. It’s just how I’ve progressed as a quarterback.”

Although it was only a preseason game, O’Hara said he believed it was a significant step. “I think it’s great to see the confidence that he has now going back there, three or four years later,” he said. “It’s a different guy.”

as a homer, non-cleveland football teams confuse and frighten me

Cleveland:

Pros: Jamal Lewis is our only running back but I'll take him over Droughns any day of the week but especially on sunday. Winslow and Jurevicious are good, Braylon Edwards has had a good preseason but the jury is still out as they say.

The O-line has Joe Thomas starting along with Kevin Schaffer and Eric Steinbach (picked up from cinci). If LeCharles Bentley was 100% this would be a very good line, instead it's unproven with potential.

Defense- Wimbley is a good pass rusher. Not much of a line though and the secondary needs corners. Gary Baxter, who snapped BOTH patella tendons on the same play might be coming back to play corner, this is how desperate we are. Safeties are good. Linebackers are ok I don't know if D'Qwell Jackson can hack it in the NFL. He seems a little small.

Cons- Cankles is right about Crennel.

QB- Charlie Frye will get the starting job without actually doing anything to justify the decision. Clevelanders are begging Crennel to play Brady Sizemore the whole game on Saturday and run for mayor on Monday etc This has all the makings of 1999 when Ty Detmer ;_; was benched after the first game and Couch put in as starter. Couch was then pummeled to the ground on every single play for the rest of his career.

Defense- can't stop the run or the pass. TED WASHINGTON (all 51 yrs od and 633lbs of him) is starting. Corners with DOUBLE PATELLA TENDON SNAPPAGE are vying for the #1 job. These are troubled times.

browns go 13-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w91-GMc3j7I

hey can we have a DINGARING RONG thread fr NFL ppl being INKARECT btw

I mean I know I could start one but all my threads on boards other than ILG die lonely sad deaths unless they are total nonsense

I'd like to give the Saints a time machine to give that great defense they had back when Mora was the coach the offense they have now. They had some great linebackers. Sam Mills R.I.P. That dude played huge for his size.

The thing with picking teams these days is that the difference between going 11-5 and 5-11 is pretty small these days. Back in the 80s or early 90s, there were clubs like the 49ers, Cowboys or Bills that you could pencil into the playoffs. I'd say the Pats and Colts that looks possible, but their margins are much more tight than those old warhorses.

AFC East - Pats
I don't know about the Jets and unless everything comes together perfect, I cannot see the Bills or Dolphins.

AFC North - Ravens
I think this will again be a competitive division. I'm not sure how good the Steelers will be. The Ravens have less questions than the other clubs.

AFC South - Colts
Until Jacksonville or Tennessee step to up challenge, this division is the Colts' to lose.

AFC West - Broncos
I like the Chargers, but I figure I have to pick one upset of some kind.

WC- Bengals
WC- Chargers

NFC East - Eagles
It will be close with the Cowboys

NFC North - Packers
I figure the Bears are due for some bad luck.

NFC West- Seahawks
They don't impress me, but they did OK considering everything that went wrong last year. I figure they will bounce back.

NFC South- Panthers
I figure the Saints will probably slide back a bit.

WC- Cowboys
WC- Rams

NFC
East: Dallas (NFC's most complete team)
West: Seattle
North: Detroit
South: Saints (Don't think they are that great, but the South has def. fallen off)
WC: Philadelphia
WC: San Fran

(the NFC is such a wash this year)

AFC
East: New England
West: Denver
North: Baltimore (McNair has to completely break down sometime though, right?)
South: Indianapolis
WC: Buffalo (I think they Leap this year)
WC: San Diego (they'll probably have the 3rd-4th best record, though)

Championships
NFC: Dallas over New Orleans (something about the Saints is off to me)
AFC: New England over Indianapolis (I think Indy's win last year was an abberation, not the dethroning)

Super Bowl
New England over Dallas (I'd be rooting hard here for Romo/T.O./Glenn, but NE seems kinda invincible to me right now)

MVP: Tom Brady
ROY: Adrian Peterson (1,600+)

also, yes, i'm aware that dallas' coach is wade phillips.

SD - the meme about how ridiculously talented they are is a little weird to me, i especially loved when it was brought up wrt the playoff loss against the Pats. i thought it was clear in the game that NE just had superior talent, while SD was actually the team that made better in-game adjustments. the o-line overachieved a little, secondary sucks, receivers suck (i don't buy into VJ for 1 second). what should be really agonizing to charger fans is that they were on the precipice of joining the group of franchises that are competetive year in and year out (philly, denver, NE, indy, pitt), and what distinguishes those teams is stability/continuity on the coaching staff. say what you will about marty but he is brilliant when it comes to team building and i think they would've had a markedly better chance at the Superbowl this year if they kept him.

Everyone says this, especially the national media, but you'll be hard pressed to find one Charger fan who was upset about losing Marty. I was much more upset about losing Cameron and Phillips.

I think you're wrong about the talent too. I think the Chargers had (past tense) better talent AND better decision making, but with the game in hand they just made one dumb mistake after another, which any Charger fan can recognize as a hallmark of the Schottenheimer era. (In the previous era, the Chargers just lost every game by halftime.)

Schottenheimer isn't a team builder, he's a motivator. AJ Smith is the guy who insisted Dielman could play on the offensive line, who gave Gates a chance, who etc., etc. Schottenheimer helped teach the kids to be pros, but he's not a guy I trust with the keys once the team has matured. I don't like Norv Turner either, though. In Turner's defense, when he's had a good team, they've won. When he's had bad teams, they've lost.

The receivers only suck if you don't include Gates and Tomlinson and Turner as receivers, because those are the guys catching the vast majority of the passes. I'm not going to say Jackson/Floyd/Davis suck, but they certainly haven't proved anything yet.

what distinguishes those teams is stability/continuity on the coaching staff

Once the staff had lost like five guys to other teams, the stability of the coaching staff was already shot. Might as well bring in some friendly faces and get rid of the GM's worst enemy at that point, because Schottenheimer's array of brothers and sons were not going to get it done at the coordinator positions.

what should be really agonizing to charger fans is that they were on the precipice of joining the group of franchises that are competetive year in and year out

I'm not agonizing at all. Maybe the staff has changed, but the core of the team is young, ultra-talented, and signed long-term. They're still running the exact same offense and defense since Turner installed this offense in the first place, and Cottrell was Phillips' DC in Buffalo. (Ron Rivera will hopefully keep Cottrell from eating the playbook.)

Ravens - I think they're in position to be way better than 'decent'! defense was easily the best in league last year, new 1st round o-lineman and an upgrade at RB possibly means they'll actually be able to move the ball on indy in the playoffs. pitt and cinci will definately be competetive teams but i feel like it's baltisnore's (lololo) division 2 lose.

I don't trust Ancient Steve McNair to last the season, and my boyfriend Kyle Boller isn't any good at football. As good as the defense is, the passing offense just stinks. MacGahee is gonna go hog wild though.

hey can we have a DINGARING RONG thread fr NFL ppl being INKARECT btw

REVIVE

oh, whatever:
Dude... YOU said it.

tombot plz start hell of threads, i already feel like a doof for being the only dude on here yakking all the time

you'll be hard pressed to find one Charger fan who was upset about losing Marty.

yeah, cuz charger fans don't get worked up abt anything!

the pats had better corners, safeties, defensive linemen, QB and overall much better depth. chargers get a slight edge in o-line and obviously a much bigger edge in RB/TE, but there were a bunch of units on the team with a drop-off in quality; SD has more all-pros but the drop off after that point is greater. the chargers seemed better prepared tho, which runs counter to the cw that the patriots will outfox everyone with their veteran savvy or what the fuck ever.

if the choice is between keeping the great coach or the great GM, i go with the coach every time. they should've shitcanned AJ, not the other way around. losing the coordinators did suck and would've represented a setback in of itself, but let marty pick some coaches and move on. the crucial difference is that blowing up the coaching staff fucks with the team's performance THIS YEAR. the effects of replacing the GM won't be felt for years, and a winning team can afford to coast a little bit with a less-than-ideal GM. losing makes the front office's job a million times harder tho, draft position starts working against you, you have fewer liberties in terms of draft strategy, and evaluating your own players becomes harder. and don't forget that LT is in his prime, if ever there is a window where you want to maximize your immediate chances of winning it is now.

saints:warriors doesnt work btw cuz the warriors basically run a college offense, one dude does all the scoring while everyone else jacks threes! falcons w/vick are probably a lot closer.

brownie, you forgot leigh bodden!

if the choice is between keeping the great coach or the great GM, i go with the coach every time.

I really couldn't disagree more, but okay. I mean, first, I don't think he's a great coach. I think he's just a good one. I think he's suffered a few unlucky breaks, and should have a few rings at this point, but watching him on a day to day basis, he does not instill confidence. The team always seemed to be winning in spite of him, even though they loved him in a Vermeil sorta way.

but let marty pick some coaches and move on.

No. The choices that Marty offered up for his staff were unacceptable, and he was completely intractable about them. Ultimately, Smith picked both Cameron and Phillips, not Marty, and they were overwhelmingly successful. I don't trust Marty to assemble his own staff, and I'm glad I don't have to see it realized.

the crucial difference is that blowing up the coaching staff fucks with the team's performance THIS YEAR.

Once they lost every other important guy from the staff, the coaching staff was already blown up. And when the only guy left is at odds with the front office, it just doesn't make sense to keep him.

the effects of replacing the GM won't be felt for years, and a winning team can afford to coast a little bit with a less-than-ideal GM.

I don't care. The players play the games, and I would prefer the guy who knows how to find good players.

and don't forget that LT is in his prime, if ever there is a window where you want to maximize your immediate chances of winning it is now.

Maybe I'm naive, but I honestly think this team will still be really good in five years. Their core is all young, and all signed long-term.

Also, you're wrong about the Pats having better d-linemen. The Chargers' front side is as good as anyone's. And the Chargers linebackers were clearly better than the Patriots' last year. Maybe not this year, but last year I think so. I mean, sure, the Patriots had some better units, but I think it's pretty even.

leigh bodden - everytime TOMBOT starts an ILGAMES thread the dude sprains his ankle

it doesn't matter how many great players he finds if he can't get along with the coaches! besides, my point was that winning makes it EASIER to find good players. the GM's role suddenly becomes less important with a good coach. it's the loser's curse. (haha btw if you search wikipedia for loser's curse you get a page abt the san diego sports curse)

I don't trust Marty to assemble his own staff, and I'm glad I don't have to see it realized.

i think if there's one thing MS knows infinitely more abt than AJ Smith, it's picking coaches. he has his own, extensive coaching tree! dungy, cowher (guys who "just couldn't get it done" at one point btw) - THERE'S EVEN A CHART FOR IT ON WIKIPEDIA

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/09/Schottenheimer_Coaching_Tree.GIF

Also, you're wrong about the Pats having better d-linemen.

no u

richard seymour is the best 3-4 lineman in the league. vince wilfork is neck and neck with jamal for best 3-4 nosetackle in the league. ty warren probably played better than either of them last year. jarvis green comes off the bench and he's still good enough to start for a lot of teams. the chargers line is FANTASTIC and deserves to be mentioned with the best, but all of their starters would be depth on the pats.

spanos probably deserves some blame for this too. i have to wonder if all the uncertainty after the season abt the future of the coaching staff made guys like cam and wade more willing to jump ship. someone screwed the pooch there~

holy mackeral that Schottenheimer chart is ridic

PATZ UNDEFEATED SEASON RANDY MOSS 1M TDS FUCK EVERYONE LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL LOL !!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180149052171&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=008

i has on my recent califorina excursion had my picture taken w/my aunt's super bowl ring. will share as soon as aunty emails me.

Poor Corey Harris.

lol tiki barber is such a douche

lol hueg douche

talk abt teh cunt calling the kettle black

man the pats r makin me hell of uncomfortable this year. the way they are set up 2 b OVERWHELMING FAVS, it just seems 2 easy. i like it better when they are all sneaking up on niggas like BLAOW instead of everyone being all like "oh i give up" before the season starts. also i think the nogoodniks on ILNFL are making me hate brady :'(

moss 4 mvp btw

wait did jhosh just call me a douche?

yeah i am pretty impressed wit my babyboy eli, i hope he is fucking furious all year now

xpost yes

lol awesome

yeah i am pretty impressed wit my babyboy eli, i hope he is fucking furious all year now

this would rule! if only because of how much it would discomfit Tiki.

holy cannoli ally how did u change ur name like that :(

SHE AR HAF "SPECIAL" MORODERATA POWAZ.

wait the douche is a moderator now? HOW

\^_^/

wait did jhosh just call me a douche?

lol no but

POST-WEEK 1 PANIC ADJUSTMENTS

NFCE Eagles
NFCW Squawks
NFCN flip a coin between GB and CHI
NFCS Panthers ~_~
WC1 GB/CHI (Chi & GB defense are nearly the same at this point, so it comes down to which offense is less of a liability)
WC2 uh Detroit lol

AFCE NE
AFCW SD
AFCN PIT
AFCS IND
WC1 CIN
WC2 if the AFC is so great why can't I think of a 6th decent team for this shit? let's sayyyy HOUSTON lmbo

ROY: Adrian Peterson (he makes Reggie Bush look like Kevin Faulk) (jk, Reggie Bush makes Reggie Bush look like Kevin Faulk)
DROY: that d-lineman the Packers took in the first round, I forget dude's name

MVP: tombrady

DPOY: probably Merriman even tho he won't deserve it, who knows

NFC CHAMP: Seahawks
AFC CHAMP: Bengals
SBXLII CHAMP: Browns in the upset of the century

WEEK 6 "NO SHIT, DUDE" EDITION

NFCE DAL
NFCW SEA
NFCN GB
NFCS TB
WC1 CHI
WC2 WAS

AFCE NE
AFCW SD
AFCN PIT
AFCS IND
WC1 TEN
WC2 JAX

^^^that's right, you got it right!

honestly i am still undecided between washington and NYG for the second wild card. or mayyyybe even philly. but the giants have won 3 in a row. impastable!