My boys!! 1. Minnesota Vikings- They're awesome. Seriously though, it all really depends on whether Jackson becomes the quarterback that the Vikes hoped for when they drafted him. If they don't finish first, they will finish second due to a sick nasty defense. 2. Chicago Bears- The defense should be back this year. With what seems to be a relatively happy Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, who always comes to perform, I see them doing pretty well. Oh, and if you're worried about the Grossman-Orton issue at qb, just remember, they've won with them before. Even getting to a Super Bowl. 3. Green Bay Packers- I hate the Packers, but Aaron Rodgers looked solid in his only start last season. Doesn't hurt to have Brett Favre as the guy in front of you. 4. Detroit Lions- They suck. Poor Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. Shaun Rodgers got out and went to Cleveland. These guys will have a rough year.
When Tavaris Jackson looks semi like a starting caliber QB I'll buy into the Vikings hype. Outside of that I think they're just following down the same path they did a few years ago when they were the popular pick to go to the Super Bowl and then they were average at best. Green Bay looked like the favorites and I was all set with Rodgers but the recent stuff with Favre makes me wonder if it'll be a distraction full season. Bears have no offense but their defense will keep them in some games. Lions are the Lions. It's a two way race in my opinion with Green Bay and Minnesota. It'll come down to the QB's and I'll take Rodgers over Jackson.
I understand that it's always big to have that Star quarterback to win a Superbowl, but why do so many people seem to forget about Baltimore and Chicago...thier QB's sucked but they were both respectable teams...one winning and both making the Superbowl on the backs of strong Defense. I really wish people would stop hatin' on the Vikings and see they for a solid contending team with a potential top defense in the league
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (NattaNerNuttaMan @ Jul 5 2008, 03:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I understand that it's always big to have that Star quarterback to win a Superbowl, but why do so many people seem to forget about Baltimore and Chicago...thier QB's sucked but they were both respectable teams...one winning and both making the Superbowl on the backs of strong Defense. I really wish people would stop hatin' on the Vikings and see they for a solid contending team with a potential top defense in the league</div> The Ravens had arguably the greatest defense ever so the comparison isn't there. In 2006 when the Bears made it, the NFC was arguably as weak as it ever was. I don't want to take away from the Bears getting to the Super Bowl. They earned it but they also had a much easier path than a lot of other teams. The NFC should be pretty strong again this year. The Vikings have a good defense but it's far from being the caliber of the 2000 Ravens. I think they'll contend in the NFC North with the Packers and they'll be in the wild card hunt if they don't win the division but for a deep playoff run to happen, they'll need a lot of things to go their way in my opinion.
I wouldn't be quick to beat down the Vikings defense until the season is played. They already have the best run defense in the NFL and they added the two biggest holes with and All-Pro (Allen) and a zone cover safety (Williams). I'm not saying that they have the best defenses ever but they could very well prove to be...they have all the pieces. This could be very interesting though
Jackson looked better down the stretch of the season. When he was drafted, it was well known he was raw. Most people thought it would take a couple of years before he was ready to play. He did play at the 1-AA level, after all. His struggles thus far isn't surprising; its expected. It will be interesting to see if he can build upon last season's second half. If he can, he can at least become a viable starting QB. And with their run game coupled with a great DL, that's good enough to get into the playoffs.
Well he's certainly lucked into a helluva situation. He won't be asked to do too much. Just enough to make D's recognize the passing game. I've got it as: Minnesota Green Bay Detroit Chicago The Bears look like a mess both personnel and chemistry-wise.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Chutney @ Jul 5 2008, 06:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Well he's certainly lucked into a helluva situation. He won't be asked to do too much. Just enough to make D's recognize the passing game. I've got it as: Minnesota Green Bay Detroit Chicago The Bears look like a mess both personnel and chemistry-wise.</div> Yepper, that's what I'd pick as well. With Minnesota making it to the NFC finals. Winning the Superbowl...if they get Favre!
Other than the Bears sucking, I'm not sure how the top 3 in this division are going to play out. Any of the 3 could get hot just as easily as they could get cold. Even though most people do, I just can't count out the Lions yet because Kitna can win them some games (although probably not 10)
I think it'll look like this 1. Green Bay 2. Vikings (this will be back and forth with the pack and either one will come out on top by a win or two IMO) 3. Lions (what WR will the pick in the top ten this year? oh wait it may actually be a 10-15 pick this year ) 4. Bears (a royal mess that needs to be blown the hell up)
Dunno. Green Bay should have a solid running game again; Grant fits them very well. And their WR group is very good. IIRC, they had 3 WR in the top 15 for y.a.c., according to either Joyner or F.O. (sorry, I can't remember which). If their OL is solid, there offense will be there. They need to protect a young QB like Rodgers. Defensively, if Harris and Woodson can stay healthy, they'll be fine and can/should win the division. Minnesota... can win the division too... and they are my pick to do so. Minnesota, Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago
