Disc Shark
Footballguy
As we near the end of the NFL season, it is heartening to see four of the teams that have been among the league's worst for numerous years beginning to rise out of the ashes. Playing fantasy football has forced me to pay more attention to the poor teams (to spot rising talent and to target for matchups against my FF players) and notice them more as they improve (or crumble). Another great benefit of this hobby. It allows one to better enjoy the sport. All four teams named in the description could be playoff contenders next year, although it's more likely to be two or three of them. (I know the Rams are contenders this year, but this year's version of the NFC West almost doesn't count.) Which ones will it be? Or are there others I've overlooked. A few of my thoughts:
Browns - I did not see this coming. I was convinced that they'd be absolutely putrid this year. With Jake the snakebitten Delhomme at QB, I thought they'd be lucky to win 2 games. I was so convinced that I completely ignored half a chance to snag Hillis off the waiver wire. I couldn't make myself believe. Colt McCoy surprised me too. He looked pretty good before his injury. The defense is getting better, but the team needs true NFL-quality receivers (T.O.?). Some more offensive and linemen and they will be right there. I thought Mangini was a buffoon, but perhaps I was wrong. With Holmgren at the top, the team should improve even more.
Lions - The key here is Matt Stafford's health. With some help on the offensive line (which is desperately needed), the Lions could become an elite offense. A better line will keep Stafford from getting killed and it will give Javid Best the space he needs to be an impact player. They need a solid, consistent physical back to compliment Best, but the Saints have picked up 2 or 3 of those guys off the street in the two years, so they are out there. If Detroit tries to address this need early in the draft (rather than selecting offensive linemen) they might doom themselves to more failure. The tight ends are great, but they still need a better #2 WR to help Calvin Johnson, who I think is clearly the best receiver in the league. The defense is also improving and they play in a division in great flux. Opportunities abound. Of course they have to start winning division games, which they finally did for the first time in forever last Sunday against the Packers.
Rams - Another great young QB. Bradford looks like the real deal. Imagine what he might have done with a relatively healthy WR contingent this year. It's kind of scary. Steve Jackson still a beast on the downside of the peak of his career (hopefully). An improving defense. And, of course, the NFC WEST!!!
Bills - Is Fitzpatrick really good or not? When he's on he reminds me of Big Ben. Maybe it's the beard. The backfield is talented - Fred Jackson and Spiller would dominate teams if the line could block better. Stevie Johnson is a star in the making, and Evans should be good enough to be an excellent #2, but they might need an upgrade there. They have played some strong games against top flight competition, losing more than their share of hard luck games. With some added line muscle, some help on defense and a little luck, they could be right there. The Bills are in a tough division, though, but one that is also in some flux.
Of these, I like the Lions the best, just because they could be an impressively-explosive offense. All of that talent won't matter a bit unless the Lion's get better offensive linemen. Every QB who's lined up behind the current unit has been like skeet. Ready to get shot down.
Who you got?
Browns - I did not see this coming. I was convinced that they'd be absolutely putrid this year. With Jake the snakebitten Delhomme at QB, I thought they'd be lucky to win 2 games. I was so convinced that I completely ignored half a chance to snag Hillis off the waiver wire. I couldn't make myself believe. Colt McCoy surprised me too. He looked pretty good before his injury. The defense is getting better, but the team needs true NFL-quality receivers (T.O.?). Some more offensive and linemen and they will be right there. I thought Mangini was a buffoon, but perhaps I was wrong. With Holmgren at the top, the team should improve even more.
Lions - The key here is Matt Stafford's health. With some help on the offensive line (which is desperately needed), the Lions could become an elite offense. A better line will keep Stafford from getting killed and it will give Javid Best the space he needs to be an impact player. They need a solid, consistent physical back to compliment Best, but the Saints have picked up 2 or 3 of those guys off the street in the two years, so they are out there. If Detroit tries to address this need early in the draft (rather than selecting offensive linemen) they might doom themselves to more failure. The tight ends are great, but they still need a better #2 WR to help Calvin Johnson, who I think is clearly the best receiver in the league. The defense is also improving and they play in a division in great flux. Opportunities abound. Of course they have to start winning division games, which they finally did for the first time in forever last Sunday against the Packers.
Rams - Another great young QB. Bradford looks like the real deal. Imagine what he might have done with a relatively healthy WR contingent this year. It's kind of scary. Steve Jackson still a beast on the downside of the peak of his career (hopefully). An improving defense. And, of course, the NFC WEST!!!
Bills - Is Fitzpatrick really good or not? When he's on he reminds me of Big Ben. Maybe it's the beard. The backfield is talented - Fred Jackson and Spiller would dominate teams if the line could block better. Stevie Johnson is a star in the making, and Evans should be good enough to be an excellent #2, but they might need an upgrade there. They have played some strong games against top flight competition, losing more than their share of hard luck games. With some added line muscle, some help on defense and a little luck, they could be right there. The Bills are in a tough division, though, but one that is also in some flux.
Of these, I like the Lions the best, just because they could be an impressively-explosive offense. All of that talent won't matter a bit unless the Lion's get better offensive linemen. Every QB who's lined up behind the current unit has been like skeet. Ready to get shot down.
Who you got?
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