I believe... (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

The pre-season is for all intents and purposes over. Most of us pride ourselves on trying to stay ahead of the curve and most of us have pretty strong feelings about players we like and dislike.

So here's your chance to put your keyboard where your mouth is. Go as far out on the limb as you wish and take a stand. Predictions, statements, gut feelings, whatever. Be prepared to get called out and asked to defend your thoughts. Then reap the praise when you're spot on...or get killed when you're not.

Let the fun (and discussion) begin.

I'll start:

I believe…

…AJ Hawk won’t live up to his pre-draft hype and become a top fifteen LB in 2006…or in any future season.

…Donnie Edwards will not be traded this week and will have another top five fantasy season as he tries to stick it to AJ Smith.

…that Roman Harper will lead the Saints in tackles this season.

…it’s possible that the Falcons could have three top twenty defensive linemen in 2006.

…Kirk Morrison will make 100 solo tackles and become a top twelve linebacker this season.

…Mike Brown, Karlos Dansby, and Shawn Springs are hurt worse than currently believed and will be slowed all year long.

…Sammy Knight, barring injury, holds off Bernard Pollard for at least eight games if not the entire season.

…Darren Sharper, James Hall, and Julian Peterson are the three players from each position that owners will wish they drafted.

…AJ Hawk, Jared Allen, and Mike Brown are the three players from each position that owners drafted but will wish they hadn’t.

…Odell Thurman comes back strong by mid-season and helps a few teams to the playoffs.

…Terrell Suggs has a legitimate shot at finishing as the #1 overall defensive lineman in 2006.

…Champ Bailey will not finish among the top 50 defensive backs this season.

…neither Adam Archuleta nor Sean Taylor will finish among the top twenty defensive backs this season.

…Terrence Kiel keeps the starting job all season and finishes among the top 25 defensive backs.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I'll play, but later.

I agree and disagree on several of yours. So, comments on a few for now.

Hawk will one day be an excellent IDP.

Morrison is a stud.

Suggs has been DL1 in my rankings since spring. (In two redrafts, I have yet to land him, but Tuesday I auction locally, and I WILL HAVE HIM.)

Harper will be in and out of the lineup after going into the doghouse early.

Archuleta finishes in the top 25, Kiel doesn't.

 

[WhoDat]

The Cowboys end the year with the NFL's best defense and it is not even close. Roy Williams' play is one of the reasons and he is Uber Stud in IDP play. D. Ware has a special year also. Williams finally has that kind of season.

A guy that many of us have pimped since the draft, D. Ryans, runs away with DROY. A valuable lesson is learned by those that believed his straight line speed...40 time...was too slow and his size would mean he could not play MLB in the NFL. Instincts, intelligence and the ability to tackle are and will continue to be what NFL teams seek in players potentially slated for inside play. B. Ruud owners, don't worry. His day is coming.

Due to the fact the team is so bad on defense and lacks talent, M. Huff's rookie season is spent at multiple positions. While his ability to play corner and safety were considered a strength, the Raiders move him around too often and it stunts his development. He has a less that stellar rookie season.

Hawk's owners begin to bail and panic by mid season. Go trade for him. He can play. The learning curve, though, is a little steep. He starts paying dividends next year.

The Browns team defense is one of the most improved in the NFL. Brodney Pool and A. Davis owners get ready.

Anyone that sold Thurman is living with regret and denial up on his return. Anyone that bought is extremely happy.

Lewis, Brooks, Edwards, Thomas, Strahan and Taylor start showing their ages.

 

[brianj74]

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed become the two most overrated IDP in the league. With Sean Taylor and Adam Archuleta a close second.

John Abraham becomes Edgerton Hartwell, Part II (ie. free agent bust).

Odell Thurman obviously won't start the year and won't finish it either due to drugs and/or injury.

DeMeco Ryans wins DROY, easily.

Boss Bailey gets injuried, again, and never plays, again.

Aaron Kampman, the Rodney Dangerfield of D-linemen.

Abdul Hodge is starting by week 8.

After being torched for over 200 yards by Steve Smith last year, Fred Smoot holds him to less than 100 in week 2 this year.

Kawika Mitchell is a top 10 LB by years end.

Antrel Rolle is a top 10 DB by years end.

 

[The Gator]

I believe . . .

. . . Charles grant will end up a top 5 DE.

. . . Erasmus James ends up in the top 15 of DE.

. . . Dwight Freeney will single handedly win his owner three games, and not end up in the top 15 of DE.

. . . Tony Hargrove will be a top 20 DE.

. . . Barret Ruud will be starting by week 5.

. . . Greg Wesley will be a top 10 S.

. . . Charles Woodson will get torched repeatedly and fake another injury.

. . . Ed Hartwell will not play a full season a D. Williams will replace him and help a team to the playoffs.

 

[Rovers]

The Jets defense finishes in the top ten.

Bryan Thomas (if he remains listed as a DE) will be top five.

Demeco Ryans is DROY, in a landslide. Manny lawson is the distant second.

J Vilma drops out of the top ten LB rankings.

Omar Gaither ends the season as Philly's starting MLB, on a defense that surprisingly under performs this year.

Lavar Arrington won't play in more than 8 games, due to his chronic knee condition.

The KC defense will be worse than last year's version.

Ditto for Miami.

Carolina goes to the playoffs, primarilly due to having the best D in the NFL.

Pacman Jones will get arrested.... again.

Cato June will disappoint anyone who drafted him.

Quarles will confound the pundits, and come very close to the point totals he racked up last year.

Glenn Earl will have a huge FF season.

Ty Law will be a bust in KC.

On the flip side, Pollard, being the only bright spot on a bad D, will have more FF's than any other DB in the league.

Warfield will get cut by the Pats.... oh wait, that already happened.

Dan Morgan will get hurt.

Alex lewis will beat out Sims for the starting WLB spot by week 10. Sims gets moved to SLB.

Thomas Howard will be a FF stud.... but will make so many mistakes, he could get benched.

K Mitchell will make those that darfted him very happy.

The Giants could have 3 DL's with double digit sacks. Look for the G men to break the team record for sacks this year.

 

[The Gator]

J Vilma drops out of the top ten LB rankings.

I almost put this in mine.

 

[brianj74]

I believe . . .

. . . Tank Williams will be the best safety in Min.

He's out for the year.

 

[The Gator]

fixed.

 

[gregjcross]

my defense predictionsJames Farrior will regain his form from two years ago and improve his numbersChanning Crowder will climb the charts Donnie Edwards will not play the full season in SD (injured or traded)The Titans will give Bulluck a ton of opportuntiies againJ.Vilma will be just fine in the Jets new system, still top 10 with lots of tacklesK>Dansby has dropped off the map weeks 1-10 (which is unfortunate for me)R.Harper, Donte Whitner and B. POllard will battle for for honors as best Rookie safety AJ Hawk will show a steep learning curve and come on by week 4TEAMSThe Rams defense will be EXTREMELY fun to watch compared tot the last four yearsThe Raiders will show a defensive backbone lead by Howard, Morrison, Huff and F.Washington, i would like to see D. Bing tooThe KC defense will still get run on but improve against the passThe Eagles defense may not be that interesting.Dallas Solid with few IDP stars

fixed.

 

[Jestefarean]

Excellent!

I Believe:

- 5 years from now we are discussing whether Derrick Brooks in his prime or Ernie Simms "now" is better

- Not Huff or Whitner, but Harper will be the top IDP fantasy DB

- Manny Lawson pulls a "Merriman" around week 10 and doesn't look back down the stretch

- AJ Hawk will be considered "average" This years version of EJ Henderson 4 years ago

- Julius Peppers will have a huge year...followed by a terrible one next year

- The Cardinals D will be an excellent fantasy and IDP D based mainly on the offense being really good. Ala the Rams and the Colts their opponents will be playing catch up in the 2nd half and that will result in lots of sacks and turnovers

- Abdul Hodge, Tim Dobbins, James Anderson, and Anthony Smith take over at MLB, MLB, WLB, and FS (respectively) midseason and don't look back.

- Takeo Spikes, DJ Williams, Thomas Davis, and Derrick Johnson will show us that SLB's don't score a lot of points despite their talant.

 

[Lightning-in-a-Bottle]

Excellent!I Believe:- 5 years from now we are discussing whether Derrick Brooks in his prime or Ernie Simms "now" is better- Not Huff or Whitner, but Harper will be the top IDP fantasy DB- Manny Lawson pulls a "Merriman" around week 10 and doesn't look back down the stretch- AJ Hawk will be considered "average" This years version of EJ Henderson 4 years ago- Julius Peppers will have a huge year...followed by a terrible one next year- The Cardinals D will be an excellent fantasy and IDP D based mainly on the offense being really good. Ala the Rams and the Colts their opponents will be playing catch up in the 2nd half and that will result in lots of sacks and turnovers- Abdul Hodge, Tim Dobbins, James Anderson, and Anthony Smith take over at MLB, MLB, WLB, and FS (respectively) midseason and don't look back.- Takeo Spikes, DJ Williams, Thomas Davis, and Derrick Johnson will show us that SLB's don't score a lot of points despite their talant.

I am especially interested in your Tim Dobbins Comment...What about Wilhelm and Cooper? Just curious how Dobbins will leap-frog the 2 everyone is talking about assuming Edwards gets traded...

 

[Jestefarean]

Excellent!I Believe:- 5 years from now we are discussing whether Derrick Brooks in his prime or Ernie Simms "now" is better- Not Huff or Whitner, but Harper will be the top IDP fantasy DB- Manny Lawson pulls a "Merriman" around week 10 and doesn't look back down the stretch- AJ Hawk will be considered "average" This years version of EJ Henderson 4 years ago- Julius Peppers will have a huge year...followed by a terrible one next year- The Cardinals D will be an excellent fantasy and IDP D based mainly on the offense being really good. Ala the Rams and the Colts their opponents will be playing catch up in the 2nd half and that will result in lots of sacks and turnovers- Abdul Hodge, Tim Dobbins, James Anderson, and Anthony Smith take over at MLB, MLB, WLB, and FS (respectively) midseason and don't look back.- Takeo Spikes, DJ Williams, Thomas Davis, and Derrick Johnson will show us that SLB's don't score a lot of points despite their talant.

I am especially interested in your Tim Dobbins Comment...What about Wilhelm and Cooper? Just curious how Dobbins will leap-frog the 2 everyone is talking about assuming Edwards gets traded...

I just don't think they like Wilhelm that much...and I'm assuming Donnie gets traded. So, Wilhelm starts the season...is "ok" and at some point they give Dobbins a chance..long shot to be sure, it just seems they like him a lot and I could see once he finds his way onto the field he will be there to stay.

 

[gregjcross]

i think it would be most interesting if the coach would actually say something on this matter so we can stop speculating

Excellent!I Believe:- 5 years from now we are discussing whether Derrick Brooks in his prime or Ernie Simms "now" is better- Not Huff or Whitner, but Harper will be the top IDP fantasy DB- Manny Lawson pulls a "Merriman" around week 10 and doesn't look back down the stretch- AJ Hawk will be considered "average" This years version of EJ Henderson 4 years ago- Julius Peppers will have a huge year...followed by a terrible one next year- The Cardinals D will be an excellent fantasy and IDP D based mainly on the offense being really good. Ala the Rams and the Colts their opponents will be playing catch up in the 2nd half and that will result in lots of sacks and turnovers- Abdul Hodge, Tim Dobbins, James Anderson, and Anthony Smith take over at MLB, MLB, WLB, and FS (respectively) midseason and don't look back.- Takeo Spikes, DJ Williams, Thomas Davis, and Derrick Johnson will show us that SLB's don't score a lot of points despite their talant.

I am especially interested in your Tim Dobbins Comment...What about Wilhelm and Cooper? Just curious how Dobbins will leap-frog the 2 everyone is talking about assuming Edwards gets traded...

I just don't think they like Wilhelm that much...and I'm assuming Donnie gets traded. So, Wilhelm starts the season...is "ok" and at some point they give Dobbins a chance..long shot to be sure, it just seems they like him a lot and I could see once he finds his way onto the field he will be there to stay.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I am especially interested in your Tim Dobbins Comment...What about Wilhelm and Cooper? Just curious how Dobbins will leap-frog the 2 everyone is talking about assuming Edwards gets traded...

I just don't think they like Wilhelm that much...and I'm assuming Donnie gets traded. So, Wilhelm starts the season...is "ok" and at some point they give Dobbins a chance..long shot to be sure, it just seems they like him a lot and I could see once he finds his way onto the field he will be there to stay.

i think it would be most interesting if the coach would actually say something on this matter so we can stop speculating

No kidding. One gets the love in the papers (Wilhelm), the other gets the love by contract extension (Cooper), the third gets message board love for tossing blockers around like rag dolls (Dobbins).When in doubt, follow the money. Oops, sorry, more speculation.

 

[massraider]

Fun read. Some More:

Tommie Harris gets 10 sacks.

Julius Peppers has less than 9 sacks.

Channing Crowder has a better IDP season than Zach Thomas.

Kawika Mitchell has top 10 LB numbers.

Kamerion Wimbley leads rookies in sacks, thus edging DeMeco for ROY.

Kevin Williams bounces back in a big way, leading DT's in FF points.

Lance Briggs disappoints in a big way.

Dexter Jackson is a top 15 DB.

Darrent Williams puts up better numbers than Champ Bailey.

Andre Carter has a nice bounce back year in WAS.

Adalius Thomas fails to live up to his ADP.

Gibril Wilson is the #1 DB.

Julian Peterson makes owners miserable, following strong games with invisible ones.

Odell Thurman never reaches the heights suggested by his rookie year.

Kris Jenkins stays healthy all year, and battles Rucker for the Panther sack lead.

Donovan Darius has a nice year in JAX.

 

[5Rings]

DL: Burgess, James, and Vandenbosch will not justify their ADP

DL: James Hall, Kevin Williams, and Darren Howard will outperform their ADP

LB: Dansby, Julian Peterson, Vilma, Andre Davis, and Nick Barnett will not justify their ADP

LB: Antonio Pierce, Will Witherspoon, Kirk Morrison will be top 6 LBs this year. Kawika Mitchell is right behind them.

DB: Polamalu and Tillman will not be top 15.

DB: Darent Williams, Justin Miller, Kerry Rhodes, and Ryan Clark will be late round steals.