Chris25 @ 16/3/2014 4:46

Simplton @ 14/3/2014 17:07 Monroe, Smith, Smith, Jones, and Pitta. And we have a mid round draft pick. Pretty good off season so far. :) The only one of that group that I've even heard of is steve smith and the only reason is because he was a superstar like 10 years ago. Their defense went downhill when lewis and reed left and the fact that they spent so much money of Flacco last year just goes to show how mediocre this team is going to be over the next 5ish years.

Except their defense was not a problem at all. Most of their games and losses were not by very much. It was their offense specifically their running game especially that suffered. Matt Elam did a serviceable job stepping in for Ed Reed. And Daryl Smith was the defensive leader replacing Ray Lewis. Get your facts straight. Just because they lost 2 big names doesn't automatically mean they got worse. That's a simple minded take on the situation. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis were on the decline even if they had stayed with the Ravens. Ed Reed can't even land a job. We need younger and new blood. Keeping them would be worse than replacing them. Better to start fresh as soon as possible then to dwell on the past.

Also Monroe was one of the most sought after free agents on the market only behind Alex Mack as far as linemen go. Pitta was hurt all last season but is a pretty good catching tight end and a staple of our passing game. Jacoby Jones single handley kept us in games with his returns and return TDs. And I already said Daryl Smith was the best defensive player we had.

The only thing I can agree with is that we over paid Joe Flacco for one good post season. I don't like him. I appreciate the ring I suppose but paying for mediocrity because of fear of not finding someone else I can't agree with. But if we surround him with a good line (probably our worst overall position) and a set of skilled receivers he will do fine and be a game manager at the worst and a game changer possibly at the best.

They are saying Eagles are super bowl contenders now.

Better bring out the dream team t-shirts.

Quote

Just because they lost 2 big names doesn't automatically mean they got worse..

No, the fact that they went from the super bowl to not even making the playoffs means they got worse

Chris25 @ 16/3/2014 8:25

Quote Just because they lost 2 big names doesn't automatically mean they got worse.. No, the fact that they went from the super bowl to not even making the playoffs means they got worse

...

Simplton @ 16/3/2014 8:50

Chris25 @ 16/3/2014 8:25 Quote Just because they lost 2 big names doesn't automatically mean they got worse.. No, the fact that they went from the super bowl to not even making the playoffs means they got worse ...

Chris now you're just playing dumb. You knew it was implied that I meant on defense since that is what you were arguing with the loss of those 2. Those 2 losses were not the main reason we did not make the playoffs.

Lol, Broncos are looking at Jared Allen now... they might as well open a retirement center next to the stadium now. I did like their signing of Sanders to somewhat replace Decker, but Decker was a red-zone target and Sanders is not, but Thomas can easily fill that role.

also, lol @ Panthers. Now they lost LaFell to Patriots. Cut Smith. Lost Ginn to Cardinals. Couldn't sign Nicks. Hell, they even lost their 4th receiver to another team. they have 0 receivers now. Not a good way to keep Newton happy. And on D they let Mitchell and Munnerlyn go. I hate to say it but there is no way they make the playoffs now unless they make some trades and acquire talent, since the FA pool for the positions they need is drying up and they can only do so much from the draft. Oh yeah, and Gross retired so they need to replace him too, easier said then done.

Yeah sad to say I think the Panthers are going back to the basement next year. Saints got better, Bucs got much better, and I think the Falcons will bounce back

Yeah, NFC is stacked and with only 6 spots I don't see them making it. Just based on overall team and the moves they've made so far I would say these teams make it barring major injuries -

Seahawks
Saints
Eagles
Packers
Niners
Last spot could be Bears, or, if Lovie Smith works his magic... the Bucs.



Cowboys suck and haven't done squat. They will get worse.
Giants.... yeah, no.
Redskins, new coach and a lot of holes.

Vikings need Jennings to step it up but that also falls to their QB, whether it's Cassel again in which case no shot at playoffs, or maybe if they land Vick and he stays healthy, then they could push for that last wildcard spot.
Bears need to revamp their defence, their O is fine.
Lions - I am not sold on Stafford or their defence yet. Tate should be an interesting addition though.

I think Bucs could make some noise and fight for that last spot.
Falcons, not with their division, Bucs will be better defensively, Panthers front 4 and linebackers wreck havoc and Saints got a lot better defensively and their offense is always on fire, no shot for them.
Panthers - Newton can't throw to himself, Williams and Stewart aren't getting any younger. 0 receivers and no secondary.

Rams - I like their D but with Seahawks, Niners and Cards in their division they will be last.
Cards - lost some veterans, Palmer is older, probably do good but fall short again.

AFC -

Broncos - obv.
Patriots - Brady.
Colts - Luck. + their division sucks.
Ravens - Not sold on Steelers.
Bengals as wildcard
Chiefs as wildcard.

Jets - Growing pains with Geno.
Bills - Nope.
Dolphins could fight for that last wildcard spot again if Tannehil improves his deep throws.

Browns could be better but not enough to fight for playoffs I think, especially with a new coach again.

Titans/Jags/Texans - Nope.

Chargers could also be a wildcard, depends on what Rivers shows up this season.
Raiders - ha.

Raptor @ 16/3/2014 14:01

AFC - Broncos - obv. Patriots - Brady. Colts - Luck. + their division sucks. Ravens - Not sold on Steelers. Bengals as wildcard Chiefs as wildcard. Jets - Growing pains with Geno. Bills - Nope. Dolphins could fight for that last wildcard spot again if Tannehil improves his deep throws. Browns could be better but not enough to fight for playoffs I think, especially with a new coach again. Titans/Jags/Texans - Nope. Chargers could also be a wildcard, depends on what Rivers shows up this season. Raiders - ha.

You put Ravens in there. Thanks for the vote of confidence. <3

Raptor @ 16/3/2014 15:01

Dolphins could fight for that last wildcard spot again if Tannehil improves his deep throws.

I would revise this to "if Tannehill has actual protection this year"

Boc @ 16/3/2014 16:14

Raptor @ 16/3/2014 15:01 Dolphins could fight for that last wildcard spot again if Tannehil improves his deep throws. I would revise this to "if Tannehill has actual protection this year"

Signing Brandon Albert away from the Chiefs should help a little. Minus the locker room drama.

Patriots secondary looks really good now.
Revis was PFF top corner last year.
Browner is an above average.
McCourty is a pro-bowler.
They also have really good depth with Arrington, Ryan, and Denard.

Seahawks are still better, but the Patriots can now contend with the Bronco's WR's.

Football is back! Great game to start the season but Seahawks should win this easy.

I've been waiting for this moment.....