OK I am throwing it out there. he Dolphins take the AFC East this seas (1 Viewer)

[Todem]

They have no play makers to speak of at the WR position and I feel they are vunerable.

It will be a battle till the end of the year but the winner of this division will need just 10 wins, maybe 9 might cut it.

Yes I am a Dolphin homer, but I finally have something to cheer about in a long time. We have an elite talent at QB now and McMichael and Chambers are gonna tear the league up this season. I fully respect the Pats and feel they are still very tough, but I see some chinks in the armour and hope the Fins can pounce on the chance.

Hail Daunte!!!!!!!

 

[jetpack]

Those first two series against the Cards didn't look like vulnerability to me. What it said was that they can dominate with the players they have so long as Brady is throwing the ball.

 

[Jagerbomber]

Hail Daunte!!!!!!!

Tsk tsk tsk...let's see what you see once he starts being the Daunte we all know and love All kidding aside, Miami is definitely a contender for the division, and the Pats have a bunch of ???, but much like last year (before the Pats lost to the Broncs), I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[BigRed]

I agree. It may be nuts to go against the NE grain, but I'm nuts anyway so wtf

Seriously largely because of Saban I think this is happening this year.

 

[aldelgreco]

R brown and that O-Line shure looked stout last night.

I would say the nicktator has a better chance of have a massive coronary on the sidelines before he even gets a sniff of the AFC East Championship this year.

 

[PahtyTom]

Seymour, Wilfork, Warren.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

The determining factor will be who performs better: Miami or New England's defense? In my opinion, teams will still be able to pass all day long against Miami's defense. Miami is definitely back in the mix, however. I would be excited if I were a fins fan....

 

[David Yudkin]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

 

[ImTheScientist]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I count 6-8 losses in there

 

[CrossEyed]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I can see them losing these games and perhaps 1 or 2 others (no accounting for an "off" week or two)

 

[ImTheScientist]

Sep 7 @Pittsburgh 8:30pm

Sep 17 Buffalo 1:00pm

Sep 24 Tennessee 1:00pm

Oct 1 @Houston 1:00pm

Oct 8 @New England 1:00pm

Oct 15 @N.Y. Jets 4:15pm

Oct 22 Green Bay 1:00pm

Week 8 BYE

Nov 5 @Chicago 1:00pm

Nov 12 Kansas City 1:00pm

Nov 19 Minnesota 1:00pm

Nov 23 @Detroit 12:30pm

Dec 3 Jacksonville 1:00pm

Dec 10 New England 1:00pm

Dec 17 @Buffalo 1:00pm

Dec 25 N.Y. Jets 8:30pm

Dec 31 @Indianapolis 1:00pm

6-9 losses for the Dolphins

 

[djcolts]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I count 6-8 losses in there

That is basically teams where they'd have a "chance" to lose a game. Not games they would actually lose. Big difference there.I don't see how NE gets fewer than 11 wins this year assuming Brady stays healthy (and he's very durable).

 

[ImTheScientist]

I think the Pats are Wayyyyy overrated....people are just going off of what they did in the past and not looking at the current state of their team.

 

[CrossEyed]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I count 6-8 losses in there

That is basically teams where they'd have a "chance" to lose a game. Not games they would actually lose. Big difference there.I don't see how NE gets fewer than 11 wins this year assuming Brady stays healthy (and he's very durable).

I can see them only winning 8 or 9 if Branch continues to hold out. Have you looked at their WRs?

 

[djcolts]

I think the Pats are Wayyyyy overrated....people are just going off of what they did in the past and not looking at the current state of their team.

They got 10 wins last season when their team was is way worse shape (and could have gotten 11 if they cared about winning the last game), with a much harder schedule.

 

[djcolts]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I count 6-8 losses in there

That is basically teams where they'd have a "chance" to lose a game. Not games they would actually lose. Big difference there.I don't see how NE gets fewer than 11 wins this year assuming Brady stays healthy (and he's very durable).

I can see them only winning 8 or 9 if Branch continues to hold out. Have you looked at their WRs?

They depend on their WRs less than most teams. They can always throw to the backs or Ben Watson.

 

[PahtyTom]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I count 6-8 losses in there

So they are going to lose 4 games at home? Un-bloody-likely. Out of Denver, Miami, Indy, and Chicago, only Indy has a legit shot at going to Foxboro and winning. And I really doubt that happens this year anyway. Last year Miami beat the Pats at home, but the 'fins were playing like it was the Super Bowl and the Pats were playing Matt Cassell at QB in the 2nd half and having Flutie drop kick extra points.

 

[Pedro Cerrano Fan]

I'm a Dolphins fan, Todem you know that.

I see the Dolphins regressing this year, not improving.

7-9.

 

[David Yudkin]

Not counting the game they essentially threw against MIA the last game of the year last year, NE is 36-7 at home in the past 5 years (.837). Those suggesting that they go .500 or worse at home are kidding themselves.

I don't think the Pats are anywhere near as good as in seasons past and will fizzle out in the playoffs, but I think they will have a solid record but not be a strong team (see the Jaguars from last year).

I see losses against DEN and IND at home and a road loss at MIA. Throw in an off week or two and that leaves them with 11 or 12 wins.

 

[Todem]

I'm a Dolphins fan, Todem you know that. I see the Dolphins regressing this year, not improving.7-9.

Wow! Hey it can happen. It is the NFL.

 

[houndirish]

Sep 7 @Pittsburgh 8:30pm

Sep 17 Buffalo 1:00pm

Sep 24 Tennessee 1:00pm

Oct 1 @Houston 1:00pm

Oct 8 @New England 1:00pm

Oct 15 @N.Y. Jets 4:15pm

Oct 22 Green Bay 1:00pm

Week 8 BYE

Nov 5 @Chicago 1:00pm

Nov 12 Kansas City 1:00pm

Nov 19 Minnesota 1:00pm

Nov 23 @Detroit 12:30pm

Dec 3 Jacksonville 1:00pm

Dec 10 New England 1:00pm

Dec 17 @Buffalo 1:00pm

Dec 25 N.Y. Jets 8:30pm

Dec 31 @Indianapolis 1:00pm

6-9 losses for the Dolphins

You think the Dolphins lose at home to Green Bay????

 

[BigRed]

I don't think the Pats are anywhere near as good as in seasons past and will fizzle out in the playoffs, but I think they will have a solid record but not be a strong team (see the Jaguars from last year).

I agree. I just think MIA could end up better than many think.

 

[houndirish]

Save a seat for me on this train. I like the Fins to win this division too. The talking heads all pick New England for the Brady factor the same way they all pick the Colts simply because they have Peyton Manning but I won't be at all shocked to see Miami and Jacksonville win their respective divisions.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Someone already said it, but the Patriots were in much worse shape last season, and they had a MUCH more difficult schedule - something like 4 2004 division winners in their first 6 games, and most of them on the road. Despite the schedule, no running game, and a secondary that was freaking TERRIBLE (shredded by such elite NFL QB's like Matt Shaub and Gus Frerotte who both went over 300 yards), they still went 10-6 while mailing in the last game of the season.

They're healthier (duh since it's pre-season) this year, the seconday is sured up with the emergene of Ellis Hobbs, the return of Randall Gay, and belive it or not, if Rodney isn't ready (and he's been practicing with regularity) T-Buck is an upgrade over the deadbeats they had starting at safety last season.

You can make what you will aobut the WR group if you want, but when Branch comes back, this group is comparable to last season. Givens was a great player for us, but he was a solid possession receiver, nothing more. Valuable yes, but not something that's going to set this team back a great deal being without. Branch really has no choice but to come back, and he's already been putting up the white flag in recent interviews on the local wire. The lack of depth at the WR is just not that critical for this offense and Tom Brady.

My main concern with the Patriots is the lack of depth at LB. I think they have the deepest and best DL in the NFL, and I almost wish they'd consider moving to a 4-3 to get Wilfork, Seymour, Warren, AND Green on the field at the same time, while also covering up some lack of depth at LB. Vrabel, Colvin, Bruschi (when he comes back) would be a formidable group. As it stands right now, the starters are probably Colving at OLB, Seaue at ILB ( :( ), Vrabel at ILB or OLB depending, and...Beisel? Quite disconcerting.

But in general, I think they have a cake schedule this season - I expect them to go 4-2 in the division at WORST dropping the game @ Miami (always seem to play like crap there), and maybe letting one game slip out of the other 5 division games (2 against Jets, 2 against Buffalo, 1 against Miami). So 4-2 is a conservative guess in division games, I think.

Top opponents: Out of Denver at home, @ Cin, Indy at home, Chicago at home, I think they can get a split. 2-2 - probably beating Denver and Chicago at home, and losing to Cin and Indy. 6-4 so far.

I think they beat Jacksonville at Jacksonville. Just awlays seem to own Jacksonville. 7-4.

Out of the remaining games, I think the Pats are the superior team:

@ Minn, @ GB, Vs. Det, Vs. Hou, @ Ten

Minnesota will probably provide the toughest game of the group, but that's not saying much. I cannot envision them going worse than 4-1 against these teams.

11-5 with "upside". I think 12-4 is more likely. Division champs.

My while trying to be an unbiased

 

[houndirish]

I agree the Pats receiver problem is overblown as I'm confident the Branch situation gets resolved. Losing David Givens hardly sinks this team.

But I don't agree with Jets that the secondary is revamped. I think Newe England still has problems there.

We're both in agreement that the LB corps is a huge concern.

Looking simply at the Defensive side of the ball I think Miami has the better unit. The acquisition of Pep brings that Miami offense much closer to the Pats than previous years. I agree the division will be a dogfight but the Fins get my vote.

 

[incubus0]

* HOMER WARNING *

My beloved Patriots are in better shape then some give them credit for.

Their strengths are still rushing D, and passing O (we get Troy Brown back, and Branch will come back, he's not highly regarded enough to sit out the season), this year the rushing O should be better too with Mat Light back and the new kid (Maroney) splitting time with Dillon.

Their weakness is the passing D, which will probably be slightly better then last year, but still one of the lower rated.

So, how does their schedule match up to their strengths and weaknesses?

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Losman? Really? Shouldn't be hard to beat.

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Pennington is a ? still, but they don't have much else.

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

That playoff game was ugly, on our part, but we did show that Plummer will make mistakes when the running game isn't going. If we stop the stupid errors, this can be won.

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Palmer will probably be OK, so this one could go CINs way

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

With their oline holes, we should be in the backfield often, and they aren't that good at stopping the pass.

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

HA!

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

We will crush them. Their D is mediocre, and their passing O is setting up to being not exactly stellar, and in dyer need of having a good rushing game to open things up, which won't happen.

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

. . . damn, we just better not lose by a fieldgoal.

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

No way

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Another suspect oline, and Brett gets flustered when things go wrong early.

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Not set up to have a strong passing offense, we match up very well to them.

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Do they still have a team?

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Maybe a split, after their oline gets better.

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Can't pass, can't stop the pass.

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Assuming they still have any healthy starters, we should be able to do the same thing we did to them in last years playoffs.

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

Ten will be playing for pride only by this point, and if the Patriots are playing for a division title, I just don't see Volek winning this game for them.

They could very easily be 12-4

 

[PMENFAN]

Look at the Pats schedule and tell me which teams they are going to lose to.

Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pm

Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm

Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pm

Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pm

Sun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pm

bye

Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm

Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm

Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm

Sun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm

Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm

Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm

Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm

Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm

Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm

Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pm

I count 6-8 losses in there

That is basically teams where they'd have a "chance" to lose a game. Not games they would actually lose. Big difference there.I don't see how NE gets fewer than 11 wins this year assuming Brady stays healthy (and he's very durable).

I can see them only winning 8 or 9 if Branch continues to hold out. Have you looked at their WRs?

Have you looked at their tight ends? One of whom, Benjamin Watson, runs like a WR? They were underutalized last year because of the injuries on the line, and they had to be held in to block. That wont be the case this year. Not to mention they have Dillon healthy and even if he gets dinged Maroney is carrying the ball a a 6.3 ypc clip. Yes, the Pats have some ???, but the 'fins a far from a sure thing to take them over. I like what Saban is doing down there, but if Brown gets dinged, their season is over. I loved the move to bring in Harrington to back up CPepp and his rebuilt knee, smart, but it's the only position with depth. They have good talent on the outside in Chambers and Booker, and Hagan is promising. McMicheal is a talent. Offensively they are very good, though lacking in depth. Defensively, they are in need of help. I don't see them finishing within 2 games of the Pats for the east crown. They are closing for sure. And, don't come back with last year. The Pats lost their starting center, both tackes and one guard last year, their RB, their backup RB, their 3rd string RB,a nd for 4 games were using a guy they picked up off of the street as their RB. At WR they were also hurt, but not as bad. Brady played with an injury that put McNabb on the bench. On Defense, Seymour missed 4 games and was at half speed for 3-4 more. Bruschi missed half the season, and never got up to speed. Harrison was out, and 5 of the 8 DB on the opeing day rosterfinished the season on IR. And still the 'Fins couldn't win the division. Yes, they closed the gap, but against a team that was ravaged by injuries. This year will be a better measure of how they measure up. I will say it's a 2 team race, in a 3 team division. The Bills conceded the division when they hired #### Jauron. But, the 'fins and Nick Saban have not caught the Pats yet.

Edit to add: I love that Mr. Jaurons name carries such a stench in respected football circles that the FBG language filter prohibits it's posting in the shark pool.

 

[saintfool]

what's the status of the branch holdout at this point?

 

[thecardiackid]

They have no play makers to speak of at the WR position and I feel they are vunerable.It will be a battle till the end of the year but the winner of this division will need just 10 wins, maybe 9 might cut it.Yes I am a Dolphin homer, but I finally have something to cheer about in a long time. We have an elite talent at QB now and McMichael and Chambers are gonna tear the league up this season. I fully respect the Pats and feel they are still very tough, but I see some chinks in the armour and hope the Fins can pounce on the chance.Hail Daunte!!!!!!!

Here's hoping you're right about Daunte (he's my qb1 in a 14 team league). BUT... after watching that game @ CAR last night, unless the O line can improve SIGNIFICANTLY they will not make the playoffs, let alone win the East. Brown had NO WHERE to run last night. Granted, CAR's run D is solid and MIA was on the road, but they looked absolutely brutal all around running the ball. I was shocked to see how many times their O line got blown up. If that continues, I don't see much from Ronnie and they'll pass a ton.If they can get it together O line wise, then sure they can compete for not only the East, but make a decent run in the post season. Otherwise, it's gonna be ugly.

 

[PMENFAN]

Vrabel, Colvin, Bruschi (when he comes back) would be a formidable group. As it stands right now, the starters are probably Colving at OLB, Seaue at ILB , Vrabel at ILB or OLB depending, and...Beisel? Quite disconcerting.

I disagree. Bruschi will be playing early on, by the Denver game, and Seau will play the middle until he gets there. Until then, you will see Colvin and Banta-Cain on the outside and Vrabel and Seau on the inside. When Bruschi gets back, you have Bruschii, Seau and Vrabel that can play the middle (and Chad Brown, if they keep him, but I don't think they will). Vrabel can also play outside, with Banta-Cain, Colvin and Beisel, if they keep Beisel. People are underestimating Tully Banta-Cain. He's been developing on the Pats for a few years, much as a young Tedy Bruschi did. He's no Bruschi, few players are. I thought he'd be ready for full time play last year, but they didn't use him. I think we'll see him this year. Where I do agreeis on the front line. They have 4 great players. What they lack is depth. If Sullivan gets his head on straight and Marquise Hill can stop getting runs in his panty hose, they could play a formidable 4-3. They can, and do switch back and forth, and depending on which players they keep, it will take shape better. Getting Seau was a big step up. He can't play 60 plays a game anymore, but he's perfect for BB, much like Bryan Cox was. A super motor for 30 situational plays, and what an inspiration to the younger players on your squad.

 

[PMENFAN]

what's the status of the branch holdout at this point?

The Pats don't talk about their holdouts, period. Just like Chad Jackson gets to say nothing to the media, period, because he's hurt. They are a tight run organization, and that's a good thing. Branch had an interview earliter this week. He basically said it''s going to get done. My take. If he holds out, he's costing himself lots of money. Much like the Terry Glenn sage. He's only hurting himself. If he does't make it to camp, it'll be 2-3 weeks before he sees the field. BB wont let him waltzi in the last week and suit up for week one. He doesn't have prima donna's. Branch is in the 2nd tier of WR's in the league. There are 15 guys better, and 20-40 guys with the same skills that they can sign and plug in, teach the system, and get the same success out of. They did it with Givens. They did is with Troy Brown, and they did it with Branch. Chad Jackson will be an upgrade. I'm sorry for Deon if he can't see that. I like the guy, and he's bee a part of the pats success, but anybody watching the games knows that Brady puts the balls on Branchs hands. All Branch has to do it catch it. Brady's the great one, not Branch. Branch is very good, and makes Brady's job a bit easier, but he's not the essential one. The essentials on the Pats are:BradySeymourBruschiHarrisonVrabelKoppen (honestly the whole line, but it starts in the middle)Warren-Wilfork-(a true stud in the making - by the end of this year will be regarded as best NT in league)A.Smth-who passed the Torch to Dillon who will now cocarry that torch with MaroneyAnd the timing chain that keeps the cogs together, Bill Belichick!!!!These guys are the guys that have been the constant Cogs in their recent success.

 

[PatsWillWin]

But I don't agree with Jets that the secondary is revamped. I think Newe England still has problems there.

Well, revamped is obviously a very vague term. But consider, Asante Samual was supposed to be the slot guy last season, and after just a few weeks, Poole and Gay are hurt and Samual is suddenly the #1 CB. Ellis Hobbs, a rookie, was thrust into a very complex defensive scheme, and really provided the only physical cornerback play the team had all season. Ellis Hobbs was playing like the #1 CB last season, and in my opinion, he enters this season the same - I expect his play to only improve off a great rookie season.So Gay, Hobbs will be the 1/2 (or 2/1), Samuel will be back in the slot where he's much more effective, and the added a nice vet in Eric Warfield. Eugene Wilson has also been praciting at corner some, but I don't expect much to come from that. Wilson will start at safety still, opposite Harrison when he's ready. Until he his, Stone or Sanders will be there, not sure if Tebuck can beat one of them out at this point, but we'll see.Anyway, the point isn't that the Pats have a very good DB - I'd say its good, nothing special...but that's a HUGE upgrade over how it was for ALL of last season.

 

[Borat]

 

[Trey]

Okay, so the Dolphins call was wrong... but was the OP really that far off on the Pats?

I mean, they did just get shut out 21-0 against the lowly Fish a few weeks back. They are by no means a SuperBowl caliber team...

Maybe 1 win in the playoffs due to superior coaching, but talent comes into play eventually. They simply do not have enough of that.

 

[flapgreen]

I absolutely hate when threads like these are bumped. Throw in the self bumps to make oneself look smart and there's your reason I don't come here as much as I once did.

No problem with your call Todem. We can't all be right all of the time.

 

[switz]

I absolutely hate when threads like these are bumped. Throw in the self bumps to make oneself look smart and there's your reason I don't come here as much as I once did.No problem with your call Todem. We can't all be right all of the time.

I honestly don't mind the bumps, but I'm more apreciative of thread about player, not teams. This is FF, we don't care what teams do. Team threads should be in FFA.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Okay, so the Dolphins call was wrong... but was the OP really that far off on the Pats?

So you're saying that Dolphins are close to beating the Pats out for the division?

 

[PatsWillWin]

I absolutely hate when threads like these are bumped. Throw in the self bumps to make oneself look smart and there's your reason I don't come here as much as I once did.No problem with your call Todem. We can't all be right all of the time.

I honestly don't mind the bumps, but I'm more apreciative of thread about player, not teams. This is FF, we don't care what teams do. Team threads should be in FFA.

The Shark Pool is reserved for sharing NFL talk and fantasy football strategy discussion.

 

[PatsFan72]

* HOMER WARNING *My beloved Patriots are in better shape then some give them credit for.Their strengths are still rushing D, and passing O (we get Troy Brown back, and Branch will come back, he's not highly regarded enough to sit out the season), this year the rushing O should be better too with Mat Light back and the new kid (Maroney) splitting time with Dillon.Their weakness is the passing D, which will probably be slightly better then last year, but still one of the lower rated.So, how does their schedule match up to their strengths and weaknesses?Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pmLosman? Really? Shouldn't be hard to beat.Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm Pennington is a ? still, but they don't have much else.Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pmThat playoff game was ugly, on our part, but we did show that Plummer will make mistakes when the running game isn't going. If we stop the stupid errors, this can be won.Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pmPalmer will probably be OK, so this one could go CINs waySun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pmWith their oline holes, we should be in the backfield often, and they aren't that good at stopping the pass.Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pmHA!Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm We will crush them. Their D is mediocre, and their passing O is setting up to being not exactly stellar, and in dyer need of having a good rushing game to open things up, which won't happen.Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm . . . damn, we just better not lose by a fieldgoal.Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm No waySun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm Another suspect oline, and Brett gets flustered when things go wrong early.Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm Not set up to have a strong passing offense, we match up very well to them.Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm Do they still have a team?Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm Maybe a split, after their oline gets better.Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm Can't pass, can't stop the pass.Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm Assuming they still have any healthy starters, we should be able to do the same thing we did to them in last years playoffs.Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pmTen will be playing for pride only by this point, and if the Patriots are playing for a division title, I just don't see Volek winning this game for them.They could very easily be 12-4

Damn, nice work! If I do say so my pseudo-self.

 

[Shrek]

* HOMER WARNING *My beloved Patriots are in better shape then some give them credit for.Their strengths are still rushing D, and passing O (we get Troy Brown back, and Branch will come back, he's not highly regarded enough to sit out the season), this year the rushing O should be better too with Mat Light back and the new kid (Maroney) splitting time with Dillon.Their weakness is the passing D, which will probably be slightly better then last year, but still one of the lower rated.So, how does their schedule match up to their strengths and weaknesses?Sun 9/10 Buffalo 1:00 pmLosman? Really? Shouldn't be hard to beat.Sun 9/17 at NY Jets 4:15 pm Pennington is a ? still, but they don't have much else.Sun 9/24 Denver 8:15 pmThat playoff game was ugly, on our part, but we did show that Plummer will make mistakes when the running game isn't going. If we stop the stupid errors, this can be won.Sun 10/1 at Cincinnati 4:15 pmPalmer will probably be OK, so this one could go CINs waySun 10/8 Miami 1:00 pmWith their oline holes, we should be in the backfield often, and they aren't that good at stopping the pass.Sun 10/22 at Buffalo 1:00 pmHA!Mon 10/30 at Minnesota 8:30 pm We will crush them. Their D is mediocre, and their passing O is setting up to being not exactly stellar, and in dyer need of having a good rushing game to open things up, which won't happen.Sun 11/5 Indianapolis 8:15 pm . . . damn, we just better not lose by a fieldgoal.Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm No waySun 11/19 at Green Bay 1:00 pm Another suspect oline, and Brett gets flustered when things go wrong early.Sun 11/26 Chicago 1:00 pm Not set up to have a strong passing offense, we match up very well to them.Sun 12/3 Detroit 1:00 pm Do they still have a team?Sun 12/10 at Miami 1:00 pm Maybe a split, after their oline gets better.Sun 12/17 Houston 1:00 pm Can't pass, can't stop the pass.Sun 12/24 at Jacksonville 1:00 pm Assuming they still have any healthy starters, we should be able to do the same thing we did to them in last years playoffs.Sun 12/31 at Tennessee 1:00 pmTen will be playing for pride only by this point, and if the Patriots are playing for a division title, I just don't see Volek winning this game for them.They could very easily be 12-4

Damn, nice work! If I do say so my pseudo-self.

Sun 11/12 NY Jets 1:00 pm No way

Yep- good call.