Here We go with some Pre-Camp Predictions for the AFC North Bengals-11-5- Marvin Lewis is driving these boys to the top, with Carson Palmer having an excellent Second Half of the season until he was injured the Bengals should continue to rise up, They have all the weapons, A Downhill Running Back in Rudi Johnson, a 5 Headed Monster at Wide out with Chad Johnson, T.J Houshmenzedah, Peter Warrick, Kelley Washington, and Rookie Chris Henry A young and promising QB with a helluva back up in John Kitna, a New Runstuffer in the middle of their D line with Bryan Robinsion, New Rookies David Pollack and Odell Thurman are expected to start at Linbacker and are making some real noise, An incredbile Corner Tandem of Tory James and Deltha Oneal along with Nickle Back Keiwan Ratliff and Safties Kim Herring, and Madieu Williams makes the Bengals Defense a very solid unit and should be more than enough to aid the offense in taking over games. 11-5 and a Division title Ravens-10-6- With all of the additions they brought in during the offseason this team is gonna be tough, they are gonna be right in the thick of the Division title race with Cinci and Pitt. Derrick Mason and Samari Rolle both former Titans give the Ravens an awsome Go to guy their offense has so depseratley needed and helps form the best Corner tandem in the league with Rolle and Mcalister, The Defense has shifted into the 46 Defense in which Middle Lineback Ray Lewis should thrive in, Along with Ed Reed, the Corner Tandem of Rolle and Mcalister and Dieon Sanders (playing in Dime and Nickle situations), the D should have no problems. The O is the only question, Can and will Boller step up? Billick has a nack of killing QBs and this could be another case, If Boller can at least play at a decent level the O may be able to lean on Jamal Lewis to carry them, however this is the main reason they lose out on the Division title. 10-6 Possible Wild Card Steelers-9-7 Losing Plaxico Burress and not getting a replacement even close to his level is going to hurt the Steelers in a bigway giving Big Ben his dreaded sophmore jinx, Ben should still play at a decent level but without one of his favorite targets I expect him to struggle a bit, However he still has one of the best if not the best in the game in Hines Ward, He has Speedster Antwan Randel El opposite of Ward, with Cedrick Wilson and Lee Mays competing for the 3rd spot. The Bus is comin back and the duo of him and Duce Staley is nearly invincible, Rookie Tight End Heath Miller should make an impact right away. Defense Wise they have great Line Backers, a very good D-line, and a very good safety core, However their Corner situation is up in the air, will Townsend be starting again? Who will start opposite of him? Willie Williams? The Steelers are still an excellent team and will be tough to beat but mainly due to the Steelers habit of having one immaculate season and then collapsing the next I put them here, However some have them heading to the big dance next year, only time will tell if Big Ben's second season is Curse or a Blessing. 9-7 Possible Wild Card Browns-5-11 The Browns are Strictly Rebuilding, I expect them to hang on and take a few games their not supposed to win but I really don't them doing too much until next year. A revamped D-Line, Secondary, and Line Backing core pretty much makes this a Revamped Defense, the unit should hold up but don't expect monster things from it this year. The offense is in question, Trent Dilfer a great Stop gap QB has been given the reigns to this offense, At Running back it is expected that Ruben Droughns will take over the starting job with William Green and Lee Suggs fighting for back up spots. Rookie Wide Receiver Braylon Edwards brings an immediate home run threat to the offense, With K2 out for the year the browns have nothing even remotley threatning at the Tight end spot except for Steve Heiden who sometimes serves as a Fullback but he's more of a blocker. The O-line is pretty much all new except for a few members, Joe Andruzzi, L.J Shelton, and Cosey Coleman should all be starting with Tucker by opening Day. The Browns are in for a long cold Season but it will get much brighter on down the road with a young and talented QB in th wings. 5-11 Last place in division.
AFC North Subject to change because injuries will happen Pittsburgh 11-5 Big Ben has a year under his belt and should be better this year. They won't miss Plaxico as much as most think. Cincy 10-6 Marvin Lewis has done a superb job in Cincy. Palmer is going to be great. Wild Card for Cincy. Baltimore 9-7 I like there team but Kyle Boller isn't going to be good enough to get the Ravens in the playoffs. a tough divison and confernce will hold the Ravens back in 05. Clevland 3-13 What's there to say the Browns are rebuilding.
AFC South Colts-12-4- Even though their defense has been a problem for the past few years, Indy's Offense is way too powerful to be solwed down by it too much at least in the regular season that is. This team under the leadership of Peyton Manning should have another outstanding year with Peyton throwing for 39+ Tds atleast. The only question on Offense is Edgerian James refusal to sign his Franchise Tender, he is the most dominating back in the conference and one of the top backs in the nfl, It appears Dominic Rhodes is ready to take the helm if James continues to hold out for a long term deal, he has put up 1000 yards before and there is no reason with Indy's triple threat at wide out that he could not do it again. The defense will once again be the downer on this team, Drafting Marlin Jackson was a start but they have done little else to correct this matter and chose to continue to bolster their offense instead, Indy will make it deep into the playoffs but if they have to face complex Defenses like the Patriots or the Steelers then they will struggle, it may be only a matter of time before D coordinators begin figuring out ways to stop Indy's offense. 12-4 Division Title Jaguars-11-5 If only the Colts could get ahold of a Defensive unit like the Jags have, then they would be unstoppable! The Jags are definatley a Defensive power house and that is the reason they will be in the playoffs, adding great depth to the DE spot with Marcellus Wiley was a smart low risk move, Nate Wayne the former oft injured Philly Linebacker used to be an incredible playmaker, hoepfully a fresh start in J Vill will bring him back to his glory days. Adding Terry Cousin at Corner provides nice depth and an insuance policy if their young corners dot pan out this year. On Offense however there are a few questions. Byron Leftwich is a born leader and a very tough guy, he has an odd throwing motion but it appears to work for him, Freddie Talyor maye be out fo awhile but 2nd Year 250 poind mammoth back Greg Jones should be just what the doctor ordered, The addition of Travis Henry or Shaun Alexander is possible but no more than mere interest has been truly shown, Reggie Williams was a bust last year but he will have a chance to redeem himself this year, The Ageless wonder Jimmy Smith adds leadership to the Wide out core and along with 1st round draft pick Matt Jones this group may even rival that of the Colts. However to really do well in the playoffs they Jags are gonna need to start putting up more points, They can have the best D in the world but if they cannot score than the D gonna be in a hardspot. 11-5 Possible Wild Card Texans-8-8 The Texans are on the verge of becoming a very good team, David Carr is a great young QB who seems to be developing into a star, With a great Wide out core and another all pro performance by Andre Johnson the offense should do fine with the only real question being the O-line that has been very inconsistent and has given poor Carr a hard time.Some new guys were brought in to compete but a good left tackle either needs to emerge or be signed if they want Carr to bring his very best. If they give some more balls to Dominic Davis he has the potential to gain over 2000 Total yards rushing and Receiving. Defensivly the Texans are very Solid, With youngsters Dunta Robinson and Phillip Buchanon at Corner they will be able to terrorize the passing game for years to come. They Signed Linebacker Marlon Greenwood away from Miami and he is expected to start. Their D Line is a very solid unit with some interchangeble players. The safety position may be the only real question for them on D. 8-8 Titans-4-12- The Titans are another team strictly in rebuilding mode, They still have Stever "air" Mcnair along with a solid O-line and Tight End core. Tyrone Calico is going to have to step it up opposite from Drew Bennett if they want to continue to dominate in the passing game without Derrick Mason. Ben Troupe should have a more active role in the offense this season. Chris Brown is being questioned as a full time starte due to his physical and Draining running style which seems to hurt him in the durabillity department, Jarrett Payton fresh from a great season in NFL europe should provide a great change of pace back for Brown and should help to keep him healthy.Defensivly they lost Kevin Carter, Samari Rolle, and Lance Schulters to name a few. The Defense is strictly rebuilding and will not be enough to hold off offensive powerhouses like Colts. Even with the addition of Adam "Pac Man" Jones they will struggle. Due to salary Cap Reasons this seam was pushed prematurley into rebuilding mode. 4-12 Last in Division
AFC South Colts 12-4 Still kept that offense together and Peyton is looking for a 3rd strait MVP. Only Brett Favre has done that. Only question is if they can get by NE. Jags 9-7 Strong team coming back. I hope they sign Law. They need Fred Taylor to stay healthy so a running game can take pressure off of Leftwitch. They just miss the playoffs. again. Texans 8-8 They are on the rise. They don't have the o-line or defense to hold up against Jacksonville and Indy. Look for them to just keep on getting better. Titans 6-10 McNair will win a few games for them. If Brown can stay healthy they might do better than this. There defense is a big question right now. Haynesworth and Bullock is all they got.
10-6 and 9-7? Are you guys smoking? It should be 11-5 due to some of the games we have even against the Packers! Sure Boller will suck, but come on, we have an amazing defense to hold many teams under lower points and will cause turnovers with Ray Lewis handling the running backs or the threesome cornerbacks getting interceptions along with Demps and Reed. Boller will produce and if he doesn't he will be replaced with Anthony Wright who actually have a chance due to the improvements he has done in the training camps 7 on 7 drills. Let's see what you guys say about Packers, because I hope you are going to agree that they are going to be an 8-8 team this year due to Favres growing age and the lack of players on the defensive side of the ball.
Give it a rest, Boller is the worst QB in the league and will never be able to hold Favre's jock strap, The Pack will be just fine next year, Favre will play better football at 70 than Boller ever will, The Defense is going to be improved just enough to keep us in games, and with offense still just as high powered we will be marching up and down the field just you watch. Your guys D will be great no doubt about it, but how can you say Favre's aging without saying it about Ray Lewis? Ray seems to be slowing down a bit himself.
I see the Ravens being a 10-6 or 9-7 team, but I don't see the Packers doing any better, if not worse.
The difference between the Packers and Ravens are the Packers are in the cakewalk NFC. The Ravens are in a tough division in a very stacked confernce. The Packers are probably a 9-7 10-6 team because of a easy division(outside of the Vikings) and an easy confernce will get them into a wild card spot. If Wright replaces Boller at QB your season is probably going down the hole. Which means you might even have trouble making the playoffs especailly with a tough confernce that a 10-6 team might not make the playoffs. Another thing even at Farve's age he is still a Pro Bowl type QB. Yes he played bad against the Vikings in the playoffs but I bet he bounces back like he always does. Remember the game against the Rams a couple years ago. His age is just an excuse for other NFL fans to hate on the winniest team in the NFL since 1997. Don't believe me look it up. When your on top of your division and making playoffs outside of your true fans most people start to hate a team. Don't worry the Ravens could easily make the playoffs but I think with the AFC being tough they won't.
AFC WEST Chargers-12-4- The Chargers turned alot of heads last season becoming one of the top teams in the NFL after having the 1st over all pick in the draft. With Drew BRess returning for atleast one more year to lead the team and with the best overall Running Back in the league Ladanian Tomlinson the Chargers are gonna be the best in the west. Wide Reciever Kenan McCardell should be able to produce alot better this season having a full year under his belt in the system, Of course their Best reciever still remains Tight End Antonio Gates. The O-line is full of Giant Maulers just ready to trample opposing D-Lines. The defense is a pretty overall decent unit with few big names on it which is sometimes a good thing. The only problem they really seemed to have last year was at the Safety posistion and by adding athletic and talented but sometimes inconsistent safety/Corner Bawhoa Jue formerly a greenbay packer they hope to fix this. Drafting Shawn Merrimen was a good move but it appears he is holding out, Luis Castillo was another great pick despite his problems and should help shore up this D line for years to come. With Quentin Jammer being one of the toughest and most agressive Corners in the game , and with an outstanding LB core lead by Donnie Edwards and with Run stuffing monster Jammal Williams in the middle of their line the Chargers D should keep them in a race for the Superbowl. 12-4 Division Title Cheifs-10-6- The Cheifs Suffered a major loss last year when Preist Holmes had to call it a season early. With a healthy Holmes and still one of the best O-lines in Football, the Cheifs should be in the faces of many teams this year. Trent Green seems to get better as he ages, Tony Gonzales doesn't seem like he can have a bad season, Even the backfield of the future is filled with promise as young Larry Johnson showed glimpses of being a future all pro. The Wideout core lost its leader in Johnny Morton and gained...gulp First down Freddy Mitchell a loudmouth that has alot of potential but it seems to dissapear within his giant mouth. The Cheifs wide out core is very weak but hey maybe if Freddy shuts up and plays he can turn it around . The Cheifs finally got some brains knocked into their heads and signed some very good Defensive Players in Pat Surtain one of the best Corners in the leauge along with former Steeler run crushing LB Kendrell Bell, The Drafted Derick Johnson from Texas who should make an immediate impact at Linebacker next to Bell and Scott Fujita. The D-line also inherited a great situational Pass Rusher in Carlos Hall. Safety Sammy Knight was also brought in to start and he may push Jerome Woods or Greg Wesly out of their job. The Cheifs have brought alot of help in for their pathetic D and should be vastly improved next season. 10-6 possible Wild Card. Broncos-7-9- The Broncos are still a very good team but under Jake Plummer I do not see them ever getting past the first round of the playoffs. Jake has some amazing games don't get me wrong but Iv'e seen him have pathetic ones aswell, He can be hot one week and then not the very next. Denvers O-line is another incredible one that allows just about any Running back to gain 1000+ Yards behind it. Who will their Starter at Running back be this year? Tatum Bell seems to have an Edge as does Quentin Griffith, Garrison Hearst is still there, not to mention two Big Ten backs in Ron Dayne and Maurice Clarett. Which one of these backs will start and which ones will make the roster? It doesn't seem to matter to the broncos at all as long as they get a solid starter who can follow their line to 1000 yards. Their Wide out core is one of the deepest and most talented in the NFL with the Ageless Wonder Jerry Rice, Rod Smith, Ashley Lelee, and 2nd year Player Darius Watts. However Plummer hasn't showed me he can consistently deliver the ball to them. Defensivly they brought back Ian Gold after letting the Bucs have him for a season, He, Al Wilson and Dj Williams should give some offenses a major head ache. For some reason Shanahan felt he needed Cleavlands entire rag tag defensive line of underacheiving first round picks. The Line now has alot of depth to it but will they play like they did in cleavland or will they start fresh and finally act like the 1st round talents they were supposed to be. The Secondary should continue to be strong under the leadership of John Lynch and Champ Baily. Denver has alot of talent and my prediction may end up being way off, I just see Shanahan's team falling off this year resulting in his last season as Denver' coach, unless Jake Plummer suddenly transforms into Peyton Manning then this team wont make it into the post season. 7-9 Raiders-5-11- Another team that is now beginning to arrise from the ashes of its former self. Adding Several new offensive Weapons to aid Kerry Collins will ensure a big year for him. Randy Moss although a head case at times is extremely talented and im just thankful he's out of the NFC North! Lamont Jordan has showed flashes of brilliance but has been living in Curtis Martins Shadow up until now. These two should make a huge difference this year. Jerry Porter should become even more effective with Moss Drawing the double teams. The Tight end cup board looks bare but the Tight ends didn't play very important roles in Norv Turner's offense. Zack Crockett should take his rightful place at Full back. Denfesivly the Raiders lost a few things, an Underacheiving Lineback with tremendous upside in Napolean Harris, and A very young and talented corner in Phillip Buchanon are the major losses. However with Charles Woodson still there and with Rookie Fabian Washington the Secondary should be fine. The Linebackers are alot of no names but some have alot of potential. The D line is full of veterans past their prime with Sapp and Ted Washington being the main focus of it. Sapp May still be effective if the Raiders play a 4-3 scheme next year. All in all Norv Turner is still a year or two away from returning the Raiders to their Glory Days but they should make some big strides on offense this year. 5-11 last in divsion
AFC West Chargers 12-4 A lot of the same team is back. I am looking forward to watching the Chargers play this season. They should push for Home field advantage this season. Cheifs 11-5 The Cheifs already have the #1 offense in the NFL and they improved their defense a lot. Patrick Surtain and Sammy Knight will help that secondary out a lot. Kendrell Bell is a great pickup at MLB as well. Look for a wild card for KC in 2005. Broncos 8-8 The Broncos haven't done much this off season besides add the Browns d-line to their deph chart. There is a reason why the Browns had a bad defense. The Broncos are soon to find out. Tatum Bell should be their 1000 yard back this season but it won't be enough to see them in the playoffs. Raiders 6-10 Moss can't do it all. Jordan will be a decent back but Collins will throw as many picks as TD's. The defense has gotten worse especially losing there starting corner in Bucahon and starting MLB in Harris.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Another thing even at Farve's age he is still a Pro Bowl type QB.</div> Was he a pro bowler last year?
No but he was a Pro Bowl aternate and the year before he was a Pro Bowler and didn't go because of his family issues. Do you really think Favre is going to falter this year. Even with all those weapons around him.
idk looks like Martin is doing pretty well against the Ravens defense in this picture i've got. So why not Favre?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>No but he was a Pro Bowl aternate and the year before he was a Pro Bowler and didn't go because of his family issues. Do you really think Favre is going to falter this year. Even with all those weapons around him.</div> I think making the pro-bowl isnt tht big of an achievement. Its all a popularity contest. I think if people would choose by their actual skill Favre would be in last year. I geuss Favre isnt much of a fan fav. anymore.
i wouldn't call not a fan fav. Just people now a days rather see Mike Vick. McNabb and Culpepper had way to good of a season not to make it. Even if Favre were to make it to the Pro Bowl I doubt he would play anymore.
AFC EAST New England 11-5 The Patroits will fall just a little bit in record wise but have you looked at their schedule. It is not pretty. Brady will have another great year but this year I see the Colts and Chargers finishing ahead of NE and Pitt. Weird didn't plan on it that way. New York Jets 10-6 They will not be in the playoffs. AFC is very good and I see a 10-6 team not making it and the Jets are that team. They haven't really added anyone big but they have added deph this offseason through the draft. They need big plays out of Pennington. Bills 9-7 JP will have his growing pains but the Bills will be in most games because of one of the leagues best defenses. I like the Bills a lot next year assuming most of their guys are under contract but this year is for JP to emerge. Kind of like Carson Palmer last season. Miami 6-10 Miami has a lot of work cut out for them. A New coach. They lost one of the best defensive minded coaches in the game. Surtain is gone. Ronnie Brown is a rookie and AJ Feeley or Gus Ferrotte won't cut it. The defense will do decent but they do have some guys who are getting older.
