I am impressed - there has been a noticable quiet from Winter Park this year. I'm used to hearing about at least 1 or 2 DWI's, a couple of domestic abuse cases and the occassional Whizzinator, but this off-season has been relatively tame. The word from the minicamps is that everyone has been extremely serious, very focused on learning the new systems being put in place. Of course, every offseason there is reason for optimism, but at least we are starting out somewhat stable. If things keep quiet, I might start to get suspicious....
Only thing Vikings should be worried about is their QB. Brad Johnson will be fine now but I thought the Jackson pick was a full round early and I think he's a huge project. I think it was a bad pick that could set this team back. Overall though I think the NFC North is going to be extremely tight this year. I think Chicago wins it but I think it'll take them to the final weeks of the season to clinch it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Only thing Vikings should be worried about is their QB. Brad Johnson will be fine now but I thought the Jackson pick was a full round early and I think he's a huge project. I think it was a bad pick that could set this team back. Overall though I think the NFC North is going to be extremely tight this year. I think Chicago wins it but I think it'll take them to the final weeks of the season to clinch it.</div> QB situation is soooo bad for them. They dont have a player to get it done. The streak at the end of last year was a fluke. They will be bad this year
I agree that the QB situation is bad, and I also think that the Jackson pick was a HUGE gamble. My guess is that we will turn into a poor man's Baltimore - decent defense with absolutely no offense to speak of save a marginal running game. The only upside for this year's QB spot is that Johnson does not make many mistakes (historically speaking). To balance that optimism out, though, Johnson also doesn't make many plays either. Next year we will have to take a QB. I just hope its not too late to let a young QB develop. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>QB situation is soooo bad for them. They dont have a player to get it done. The streak at the end of last year was a fluke. They will be bad this year</div> That's one of the funniest things I've read coming from a Bears fan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>I think Chicago wins it but I think it'll take them to the final weeks of the season to clinch it.</div> Da Bears IMO won't win the division by week 9 nor will it go down to the wire. GB & Minny have enough "uncertainties" to be legitimate contenders @ this point in time. I doubt Detroit will rise up but anything is possible?
This division will once again show why it earned the title of Black and Blue division this year, it'll be a defensive struggle between these four, anyone else notice that 3 of the 4 teams are using the Cover-2 Defense this year? the Packers are the only ones not using it!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FLORIDA PACKER)</div><div class='quotemain'>anyone else notice that 3 of the 4 teams are using the Cover-2 Defense this year? the Packers are the only ones not using it!</div> I did not thanks for pointing that out. GB has always been one of my favorite teams. Their not running this goofy Defensive scheme is yet another reason to cheer for them IMO.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FLORIDA PACKER)</div><div class='quotemain'>anyone else notice that 3 of the 4 teams are using the Cover-2 Defense this year? the Packers are the only ones not using it!</div> I did not thanks for pointing that out. GB has always been one of my favorite teams. Their not running this goofy Defensive scheme is yet another reason to cheer for them IMO.</div> It is a trend league
I think that's the luxary of Al Harris now being able to cover almost anyone in the league now 1on1 even though speed can sometime hurt them. Now with the Woodson signing this division that use to have little defense actually has a lot of the top cornerbacks in the league. I got to admit Winfield in Minny is still a guy I'd love to have on my team. Smoot last year dropped his stock in my eyes but maybe cause he dropped something else on the boat.
The one stat i was surpised about the packers from last year was they were #1 in pass defense. TT is a dumbass not to make bates the coach. That entire defense overachieved, and it was mostly due to Bates as the d corridnator
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>The one stat i was surpised about the packers from last year was they were #1 in pass defense. TT is a dumbass not to make bates the coach. That entire defense overachieved, and it was mostly due to Bates as the d corridnator</div> Bates should've been head coach. The guy TT wanted though was Iowa coach Kirk Ferientz. As soon as he signed a 5 year extension with Iowa, hours later TT named McCarthy head coach. Frankly I wanted Ferientz as well. As for the stat. To the naked eye it looks great but reality, GB only was that high in pass because they were always losing and couldn't stop the run. Teams just got up and ran the ball. I'd say they rank in about the middle of pass defense. This year though, I think our D has a lot of potential.
Harris and Antoine Winfield are the best Corners in the division and two of the best in the league. Dre Bly is also up there, Nathan Vasher does not impress me and I think he's over rated but he's got some Ball Hawking skills. NFC North is going to return once more to the Black and Blue division this year, Defenses will rule the division.
