<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>1 ColtsAs long as Manning is throwing to those receivers, they are still the team to beat. The losses they've suffered are overrated. 2 PatriotsI love all the moves on offense, but have they really helped the defense all that much? That was the trouble spot in the loss to the Colts. 3 ChargersThis is a strong team that will be there in the end. But the big changes on the coaching staff could be felt. Chemistry is an issue. 4 BroncosThe big issue for the Broncos is what kind of jump Jay Cutler makes in his second season. If he makes a big one, they could be a deep playoff team. 5 BearsWhen you play the style of football they do, the margin for error is small. Everything will have to go right for the Bears to be back in the Super Bowl. That rarely happens. 6 RavensWe know the defense will be good, and McGahee will help the offense, but how much does Steve McNair have left? 7 SaintsThey will again be explosive on offense, but for this team to get to the Super Bowl the defense has to be better. They've made some decent additions, but are they enough? 8 EaglesIf Donovan McNabb returns healthy with no problems, they are the team to beat in the NFC East. If not, they could be in for a long season. 9 CowboysWill the real Tony Romo step up? Is he the Romo who played lights out after taking over as starter or is he the Romo who struggled down the stretch? 10 BengalsHave they done enough to improve their defense? With Carson Palmer another year removed from knee surgery, the offense should be even better. 11 SteelersNew coach Mike Tomlin inherits a good team, and you know they will play a tough brand of football, but can they shake off the 2006 Super hangover? 12 JaguarsIt's all on quarterback Byron Leftwich. If he's good, they can be a deep playoff team. If not, they'll struggle. The defense will be suffocating. 13 CardinalsThey've added a lot of good football players to a team that had talent to begin with. They just might be the best team in the NFC West. 14 GiantsIt's all on Eli Manning. Either he goes to the next level or the Giants won't be in the playoffs again. Brandon Jacobs has to be good, too. 15 SeahawksTheir division is much tougher now, which will make it a lot tougher to get to the playoffs. They must have a healthy Matt Hasselbeck. It doesn't help that Shaun Alexander's foot is still problem. 16 JetsThey added two nice defensive pieces (Darrelle Revis and David Harris) in the draft and Thomas Jones will help the running game. This team might still be a year away from really being playoff-ready. 17 RamsThe key will be whether the defense improves. The addition of Adam Carriker will help. They have to stop the run better. 18 FalconsNew coach Bob Petrino has to make Mike Vick a better passer. If he does, and that's a huge if, they could be back in the playoffs. 19 49ersThey've made some nice moves in the offseason and could be a 9-7 team. I think this is a team that will really take off in 2008. 20 BillsThey made some strange moves this offseason, getting rid of some key players. But if J.P. Losman improves, they will improve as well. 21 PanthersThis seems like a team going in the wrong direction. If Jake Delhomme struggles early, David Carr will be in the lineup quickly. 22 PackersThere is some good, young talent on this team. But are they ready to take the next step as Brett Favre holds on for dear life? 23 VikingsIt's all about the quarterback here. Is Tarvaris Jackson ready to take over as the starter like Brad Childress think he is? 24 DolphinsThe million-dollar question remains who will be the quarterback. Until that is settled, this team has the look of a six-victory group. 25 BuccaneersThey've added some good football players, but now comes the tough part: Do the old guys hold on? Plus, they have to settle on a quarterback, and it should be Chris Simms. 26 ChiefsYet another team that has quarterback issues. Who will it be? Not only that, but the defense isn't exactly capable of carrying the team until the quarterback is settled. 27 LionsCan Jon Kitna have another big year throwing the football? If he does, they will surprise a lot of teams and could be a .500 team. If not, Drew Stanton is waiting. 28 RedskinsThey haven't done a lot to make this team better -- surprise, surprise, they didn't spend much -- and that will put a lot of pressure on Jason Campbell, now the full-time starter. Bill Cowher in 2008? 29 TitansVince Young played well, but not nearly as well as the hype. He may be forced to do even more, however, because this team hasn't made a lot of improvements and lost some key people. 30 TexansMatt Schaub takes over as quarterback and now he will find out what David Carr learned: It's hard to win without more than one weapon. 31 RaidersThe defense could be suffocating, which means if JaMarcus Russell is what everyone thinks he can be, this can possibly be a .500 team. 32 BrownsThere is some young talent on the team, but they are still a long ways away from competing for a playoff spot. Throw Brady Quinn in there and chalk it up as a learning year.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ May 9 2007, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'> 16 JetsThey added two nice defensive pieces (Darrelle Revis and David Harris) in the draft and Thomas Jones will help the running game. This team might still be a year away from really being playoff-ready.</div></div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ May 9 2007, 11:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ May 9 2007, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'> 16 JetsThey added two nice defensive pieces (Darrelle Revis and David Harris) in the draft and Thomas Jones will help the running game. This team might still be a year away from really being playoff-ready.</div></div></div>Whoever wrote that should check last years playoff teams. :thumbsup: I think the Cardinals, Jaguars and Bengals are too high, Jets, 49ers, and Seahawks are too low.I'm just not sold on the Cardinals, they lost their best Offensive Lineman (Which they didn't have much of to begin with) in Leonard Davis and replaced him with Levi Brown, who is nice, but they're essentially just treading water there and not providing an actual upgrade. They should have Franchised Davis, as they have the money and then they could have added a much-needed Defensive Player.The Jaguars don't have enough offensively to sell me on their chances. Fred Taylor is old and has been injury prone through most of his career. If he loses a step or gets hurt again they are in trouble. Jones-Drew was good in part-time duty, but I don't think he can hold up to 300 carries a season in the NFL. I'm not sold on either of their QB's being able to step it up and play good enough to lead a team into the playoffs, and their WR core is nothing to write home about either, although there is still alot of promise there. And the Bengals...I just don't trust a team who has half of their team either coming or going into Jail, and the other half of the team had their chance to go to the Playoffs last year and choked it away by losing their last 3 games in a row.Jets and 49ers are up and coming teams in my eyes....as for the Seahawks, they had all the talent to make the Superbowl last year, they just couldn't all be healthy at the same time thanks to the Superbowl Runner-up curse and Madden Curse, I guess. But when healthy I think they are the best team in the NFC.
BRONCOS 4TH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Cutler has started a whole 8 games? He'll still get devoured by defenses.Com'on Ravens are the 3rd best team in the AFC, tied with San Diego.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ May 9 2007, 02:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ May 9 2007, 12:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'> 16 JetsThey added two nice defensive pieces (Darrelle Revis and David Harris) in the draft and Thomas Jones will help the running game. This team might still be a year away from really being playoff-ready.</div></div></div>I see a few teams out of place. Funny because I was having a discussion about the Jets today because I believe you'll get in the post season. Especially with Thomas Jones and Pennington staying health and the draft...you guys IMO are ready to make the playoffs. Not sure how far but...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 9 2007, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So the Redskins are worse than last year? lol..Ravens should be top 3. Colts suck. Chargers suck.</div>yeah, they only won the superbowl.no way are the ravens top 3.top 5 maybe. not top 3.49ers and Jets should deff be higher.bills should be lower, all i gotta say.
[quote name='CipherCowboy' post='92096' date='May 9 2007, 08:09 PM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='92035' date='May 9 2007, 02:07 PM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='92033' date='May 9 2007, 12:02 PM'] [/quote][/quote]I see a few teams out of place. Funny because I was having a discussion about the Jets today because I believe you'll get in the post season. Especially with Thomas Jones and Pennington staying health and the draft...you guys IMO are ready to make the playoffs. Not sure how far but...[/quote]The thing is, we are a returning playof team that he even agrees has improved from last year. "might STILL be a year away" ? Lol.
[quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='92107' date='May 9 2007, 11:51 PM'][quote name='CipherCowboy' post='92096' date='May 9 2007, 08:09 PM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='92035' date='May 9 2007, 02:07 PM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='92033' date='May 9 2007, 12:02 PM'] [/quote][/quote]I see a few teams out of place. Funny because I was having a discussion about the Jets today because I believe you'll get in the post season. Especially with Thomas Jones and Pennington staying health and the draft...you guys IMO are ready to make the playoffs. Not sure how far but...[/quote]The thing is, we are a returning playof team that he even agrees has improved from last year. "might STILL be a year away" ? Lol.[/quote]The Jets had a pretty good draft. You guys picked up a receiver I think his name is Stucky. I think he's going to be pretty good. I met him a few years back and he's good and could get better if he's with the right people. And he just might give the Jets enough confidence to let McCareins go. Again, I think the Jets are going to be BETTER and I'm not sure what he was talking but that's why they play the games.
It just occured to me that this is a Prisco article. No suprise then, #2 Jets Hater out there (Behind Peter King)....If I remember correctly, Prisco had the Jets ranked 31st last year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ May 10 2007, 11:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>It just occured to me that this is a Prisco article. No suprise then, #2 Jets Hater out there (Behind Peter King)....If I remember correctly, Prisco had the Jets ranked 31st last year.</div>Although no one is harder on the Jets from the local media than Tom Rock. I love that I've been right and he's been wrong on everything we've disagreed on. Trading two 1's and a two for Reggie Bush (essentially would have cost us D'Brick, Mangold, Clemens, and Harris). Moss-for-Coles being a good trade, and not a bad trade. Keeping Pennington rather than cutting him and rolling with Ramsey + Clemens. Adrian Jones being the future at Left Tackle.Tom Rock is a moron who hates on the Jets more than a Pats' fan.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (iknobaer @ May 9 2007, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 9 2007, 07:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>So the Redskins are worse than last year? lol..Ravens should be top 3. Colts suck. Chargers suck.</div>yeah, they only won the superbowl.no way are the ravens top 3.top 5 maybe. not top 3.49ers and Jets should deff be higher.bills should be lower, all i gotta say.</div>Colts got worse...Yeah, 49ers should be higher though. They finally got a great WR.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ May 10 2007, 04:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Colts got worse...</div>They did?Cato June and Rhodes are gone, that's it. Rhodes doesn't matter, but June wasn't the entire defense, so no.
Let's see...Dominic Rhodes was a huge part of their success last year.Cato June was their best LB.Gilbert Garnder was their other LB.Jason David was their starting CB.Nick Harper was their other starting CB.Mike Doss was injured, but was their starting S.Brandon Stokley was injured, but was their slot WR.Yeah, I think they got worse. Anthony Gonzalez and Quinn Pitcock won't help their overall defense or running game.
[quote name='The Punisher' post='92137' date='May 10 2007, 12:50 PM']Let's see...Dominic Rhodes was a huge part of their success last year.[/quote]Dominic Rhodes averaged 3.4 yards a carry last year, which is a terrible number. Hardly a 'huge part' of their success. He just picked up a bunch of carries late in games which were already well decided (With Joseph Addai at the Runningback Position) by that point. So were David Thornton, Mike Peterson, and Marcus Washington before them. The Colts have had a long history of replacing 'great linebackers' with guys that the developed through the mid-rounds of the draft and not missing a beat. Cato June was a system linebacker to begin with, the guy is too small to play in almost any other defense in the NFL, and his lack of size was one of the reasons the Colts have had trouble stopping the run all season long. I'd expect Freddy Keiaho to step up and replace June nicely, as they are very similar players. Cover 2 Corners are overrated to begin with, as all they have to do is to be able to play a Simple Zone Defense. And you don't think Indianapolis prepared for this already when they selected Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden in the First 2 Rounds of the 2005 draft, and when they selected Tim Jennings in the Second Round of the 2006 draft, and when they selected Daymeion Hughes in the Third Round of the 2007 Draft. That would be 4 cornerbacks taken within the First Day in the past 3 years, 3 of which have been sitting on the bench learning from Harper and David waiting for their chance, which is now. No he wasn't. Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea are the Starters at Saftey for Indianapolis. The only reason Doss started any games for the Colts last year was after Bob Sanders had gotten injured. Enter Anthony Gonzalez, and I would argue that this is an upgrade over Stokley.In other words, I tend to think that their 'losses' are overrated and that the Colts are still the best team in the NFL.
I know they had all that depth on defense like you said, but they still got worse, because they had those players last year too.
I whipped this up:1. ColtsSuper Bowl Champs are 1st until they aren't. That's always been my opinion.2. SaintsDrew Brees made all the difference, and they have done nothing to improve. My Superbowl pick as of now.3. PatriotsThey may have sold their souls to the devil, but they'll still be good for at least 1 more year.4. RavensThey improved their greatest weakness, and if McGahee pays off they've improve their 2nd biggest weakness as well.5. ChargersThis team has the most raw talent in the NFL, but under a new head coach with questions remaining at WR, I can't put them any higher.6. EaglesThe Eagles passed on an immediate upgrade for a project QB, but with a healthy McNabb they'll continue to be Rockstars.7. SeahawksAnyone who underestimates Seattle this year is in for a rude awakening if the team can remain healthy.8. BearsThe Superbowl runner ups took a definite step back with losing Thomas Jones and Lance Briggs (yes, I said it).9. BroncosWill Cutler hold up? Will the LB corps be steady? If so, they have the coaching to go all the way.10. JetsThis team has a very solid foundation, and a coach who ain't a rook anymore. Plus they added 3 immediate upgrades through draft picks.11. CowboysThis team would be higher if they didn't have a new head coach and an aging Line.12. RamsTheir offense will be as talented as any, and they've tweeked the defense too.13. BengalsWith Carson fully recovered, and half their team likely to now not to be in prison, they should return to being powerful14. JaguarsThey have every single thing they need to win in this league, if they start to show up when it matters, no team is safe.15. 49ersThis is a team on the way up. If they could girl Smith a top of the line WR threat, they might have a shot at the playoffs.16. GiantsEli is looking more and more like his brother, and I don't mean Peyton. But he has solid surroundings.17. PanthersThe best move of the offseason just may have been the signing of David Carr; who could be starting by week 8.18. SteelersThis team is on a wicked downslide, and it would not be surprising to see them with a top 10 pick.19. VikingsThe Vikings added some weapons but didn't do much in the way of improving the overall quality of their team.20. CardinalsDon't get me wrong, they have tons of potential.... like always. Until they prove it on the field, I won't believe in the paper champions.21. PackersLots of talent in Green Bay, and with their division it wouldn't be impossible to see a playoff run, if Favre can keep the INT's under control that is.22. BuccaneersTampa Bay actually has a lot of talented players, but hasn?t been able to play together as a cohesive team recently.23. LionsThey are still a year or two away, but Millen actually has this team on the right track for once.24. RaidersBarring an unprecedented rookie season (and don't bring up Big Ben) from JaMarcus Russell, the defense will have to wait another year.25. TexansThey made a huge mistake letting Carr go and trading for a backup with less than a season's worth of playing time.26. TitansVince Young is over-hyped and with no PacMan holding down the defense, and no Henry to run the ball, it's going to be a long season.27. FalconsThey are only this high due to a very very good draft. But putting it all on Vick's shoulders in yet another new scheme will lead to a bad season.28. RedskinsWashington would be wise to go the route of the Titans and dump 90% of their players and go through a full 4-5 year overhaul.29. ChiefsBelow average O-line, Poor WR corps, bad QB situation, and Herm Edwards as coach. Larry Johnson isn't carrying this team very far.30. DolphinsIt's no wonder Saban left for a train wreck of a college program, the Dolphins are in a pit with no clear path to dig themselves out.31. BillsThey were a pretty bad team last year.... and they lost half there good players and replaced them with rookies and benchwarmers32. BrownsThey traded away their future for Quinn, which is fine, but they need a lot more to dig themselves out of the cellar.
