What Team Has Improved the Most Since Last Season (1 Viewer)

[Pat Patriot]

I'm not sure what to make of the Jets. IMO, they were basically a 7-7 team that got 2 gift wins from playoff teams that could care less about winning. Their true record was 9-7, but I would say they were a 7-8 win team. They swapped a lot of puzzle pieces and probably ended up better, but they have a lot of me first players that could be a challenge to get to work together. They have on paper a harder schedule, and I'm still not sold on Sanchez, so to me they are probably a 10 or 11 win team. Edwards could be on track to being a one year wonder, and I'm not sure Holmes will come in and have a season comparible to last year. I might be inclined to suggest the Dolphins could make more of an improvement than the Jets.By comparison, the Pats were one key play away late in games from winning 5 of their 6 losses. While clearly they didn't win those game, they IMO were more of a 12 win team than a 10 win team. And that was with the same team they have now with the only major exception having Wes Welker hurt to start the year. I don't see how anything they did made them worse than they were last year. IMO, they are still an 11-12 win team, especially if any of the younger guys contribute and they do a better job in playcalling.Bottom line, I don't see how some folks are saying the Pats are a .500 team and the Jets will be a 12-13 win team. But that's why they play the games . . .

Lets see the Jets win a division before we put them in the Super Bowl. If the Colts front office (Polian) had any heart, the Jets would have been home for the playoffs last year. However, they did go on a nice run last year in the playoffs and got Sanchez valuable playoff experience.Jets gain Holmes, LT (not much of a gain), Cromartie (bad year in SD but should be helped playing with Revis), and J. Taylor but lose T. Jones, Kerry Rhodes, Leon Washington, Faneca. Is Shonn Greene ready to carry the load this year? With a good Jets line in front of him the answer is probably yes but it is not a slam dunk. Have the Jets improved their pass rush which was non-existent last year? Depends on what J. Taylor has left. The Jets are getting a lot of love but I am not sold. Sanchez was a caretaker last year and I think there is at least a better than 50-50 chance that he has a sophomore slump.I really like what Baltimore did this offseason. However, Flacco started out great last year but faded down the stretch. Does his development continue? I like Boldin. Can Stallworth be the deep threat that Baltimore needs? Potentially a very good draft. Steelers will likely struggle but I think Cincy could be a formidable foe for Baltimore in that division.The Raiders drafted well for the future but other than McClain, I dont see many of their picks helping this coming year. B. Campbell is a project. Although J. Campbell cant help but be an upgrade from Russell, the Oakland offensive line will have him running for his life. Just as they did last year, the Raiders will surprise a couple of teams and get beat by a few teams that they shouldnt lose to. I still see them as a 6-7 win team.

 

[Ghost of Bill Walsh]

I like all the teams mentioned and would add SF. Another big RB, two O-linemen in the 1st round, just spell "dedication to run"...and if you cheat, you get to see Crabtree in the endzone...also getting Mays where they did is nice value and it seems the kid has a major chip on his shoulder; I am sure Singletary will know how to direct that anger.

i really liked the 49ers draft... they should definitely run and stop the run better with davis/iupati & mays... this is arguably the most winnable division in the league, they appeared at times last season to be on the cusp of getting back to tha playoffs, and definitely got better...

I was kinda surprised at the 9ers going OL their two 1st round picks but I gotta say it's gonna help them tremendously and I'm very pleased they woke up and addressed the issue of the OL that has given up 150 sacks the last 3 years, most in the NFL. I know Alex Smith and Frank Gore have ear to ear grins right now. 2nd round pick Mays has had some question marks but if anybody can help turn this kid around and make him a better search and destroy DB Singletary can. LB Navarro Bowman could step right in and help Pat Willis(as if he needed it,lol),although I'd liked to have seen them get a decent pass rusher but I'm pleased with the Bowman pick. RB Anthony Dixon should be able to equal or surpass Glen Coffee as Gore's backup. The first 5 players the 49ers drafted are all gonna be good contributors for them this season and in the future. The Seahawks made nice picks and have improved as well but in the end I see them falling short of the 49ers for the division title and finishing 2nd. We're a young team that has some good talent that's only gonna get better and I expect nothingless than a division title and a good playoff run. I'm not by any means annointing them Superbowl champs but if this team can gel quickly and continue that through the end of the season and into the playoffs they'll be a team to be reckoned with, mark my words.I've waited a long time for the Niners to get their shiot together and with Singletary and staff I expect their players to perform at a high level even given the youth on the team. I admit I had my doubts initially about Singletary but he's convinced me he's gonna bring back smash mouth winning football to the 49ers and this storied franchise is definitely on the rise back to showing why they have 5 rings. Singletary has a one track mind to get back to the superbowl and with what the orginization is doing, especially in this draft I can see that a distinct possibility in the near future. I also think that a lot of people have been down on Alex Smith, myself included, but I think we're gonna finally see some dividends coming from his #1 draft pick status of a few years ago. If they win the division I can see them winning at least one playoff game this year. It's ok if the naysayers scoff at what they think are merely pipe dreams for this team this year and their opinions are justified based on previous performance. Hopefully by season's end some of those who discount the 49ers will change their mind a bit.Alex Smith's stock surely has improved with this draft and I don't think it's out of the question he could be a 25 td QB this year. 18 td's last year in 12 games under less than ideal circumstances so his numbers should increase. He's definitely got the ability and the talent around him now to produce a 25 td season given what he's been through since he came into the league and endured year after year of different offensive coordinators. Hard for a QB to play well under those circumstances when he has to adjust to a new system and with a team that wasn't helping him much.Each year in the NFL brings new hope for all of our favorite teams and my beloved 49ers are gonna surprise some people this year. They've got a lot of tough games this year but with improved offense and defense they're gonna win some of those tough matchups many figure they'll lose. The only thing I'm a little worried about is all the traveling miles they'll incur during the season. They'll travel more miles than any team in the league. If one thing could hurt them it'd be all that traveling. I'm not gonna make excuses for that but we all know it can take a toll on a team but not if Singletaryhas anything to say about it. Still our future's SO bright we gotta wear shades,lol.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

For immediate impact, I like the Skins dropping of Zorn/Cerrato/Campbell and getting Shanny/Allen/McNabb. That's like going from an F to a B+. Tough division, but I don't think the other teams in the East improved this offseason. The division could go anywhere, albeit with the Cowboys probably looking the strongest. But the Skins will be a lot better than 4-12.

As far as long term impact, SEA, DET, and SF had great offseasons. For improvement over the next 3 years, SF just nailed it out of the park.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Alex Smith's stock surely has improved with this draft and I don't think it's out of the question he could be a 25 td QB this year.

Oh, come on.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

stafford, best and calvin = new triplets...

I like it. Let's get Borbely's hopes up.

:whoosh: After 8 years of Millen, it doesn't take much. I will say I am big time excited about the Best pick. I think his concussion problems overshadowed the potential he has to be a game changing RB. Those safeties who decide to drop deep and shade to Calvin will pay the price now. That pick completely changed this offense.

I agree. Love the Best pick.

 

[Reaper]

Bottom line, I don't see how some folks are saying the Pats are a .500 team and the Jets will be a 12-13 win team. But that's why they play the games . . .

WHOA - I started to get all <_< In defending some of this especially when the Jets trounced Cincinatti in the Meadowlands and then did it again in their own house BUT....Who the hell is calling the Pats a .500 team???? I just saw Super Bowl odds that had them above the Jets still so???? Personally I have concerns and I think Jet fans are cautiously optimistic given our history.. But, I think we need an AFC East Thread to go into more detail.... When I get a chance I'll start it if it's not around soon I think the AFC east will be a crazy battle this year and personally see Miami with Henne right there - Henne has a lot more experience than Sanchez and is actually healthy.....Bottom line - and as a fan in April I can't ask for more - Last year was exciting, the offseason has been exciting, Hard Knocks will be Interesting and the schedule is TOUGH - Starting with a Baltimore team that I find difficult to say the Jets are better than when they have a Running game probably better, a QB more advance and a defense built from the same mold....

 

[David Yudkin]

Who the hell is calling the Pats a .500 team????

For starters, the new beat writer for the Boston Globe, Shalise Manza Young.

 

[thecatch]

Alex Smith's stock surely has improved with this draft and I don't think it's out of the question he could be a 25 td QB this year.

Oh, come on.

:X You don't think Smith can throw an additional 7 TDs given 5 additional games, a better offensive line, and another year of development from a group of talented young receiving options?

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Alex Smith's stock surely has improved with this draft and I don't think it's out of the question he could be a 25 td QB this year.

Oh, come on.

You don't think Smith can throw an additional 7 TDs given 5 additional games, a better offensive line, and another year of development from a group of talented young receiving options?

No. I'll be surprised if he makes it through the year.

 

[AngryPatriot]

Of course the jury is still WAY out on how it pans out for any team... I do think the Pats may have helped themselves out tremendously. Brady now has a Mackey Award winner and Gronkowski to work into the mix, a speedy WR in Price, linebacker and pass rush help, the best special teams player ( and CB help) and the best punter in the draft.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Tampa Bay Bucs among the most improved NFL teams

By Tom Jones, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

The NFL season doesn't start for another five months, so every team with their 0-0 record thinks next season will be a good season. But on the heels of the NFL draft, we look at five teams that took a giant step forward in the offseason. Only one looks like a legitimate Super Bowl contender and perhaps none of these teams are on the same level as the Saints or the Colts. Still there's a reason for optimism that next season will be way better than last season. Here is our Fab Five.

New York Jets

They went to the AFC Championship Game last season so this was already a pretty good team. Quarterback Mark Sanchez now has a season under his helmet and the Jets have given him help by adding wide receiver and former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and running back and former Chargers great LaDainian Tomlinson. The NFL's best defense in 2009 added cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and first-round pick Kyle Wilson and it already has the best corner in football in Darrelle Revis. Provided the mix of personalities doesn't blow up under coach Rex Ryan, the Jets are now a serious Super Bowl contender.

Detroit Lions

No need to map out parade routes just yet, but this team will win more games next season than the last two seasons combined. That won't be hard because they only won two games the past two years. Still, you get the feeling the Lions are turning the corner. Quarterback Matt Stafford looks like the real deal and many believe the Lions got the best player in the draft in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska. They also added running back Jahvid Best out of Cal. Six or seven victories are possible and that sounds great to a team that has won only three times in the past 40 games.

Kansas City Chiefs

With their first pick, the Chiefs may have picked up the player most ready to make an impact — safety Eric Berry out of Tennessee. He's already drawing comparisons to Baltimore's Ed Reed. On offense, they picked up 1,400-yard rusher Thomas Jones and drafted Largo's Dexter McCluster, who could play wide receiver for the Chiefs. The biggest offseason move of all might not even be a player, but a coach. The Chiefs brought in Charlie Weis to run the offense. Maybe Weis can't coach Notre Dame, but he proved in New England that he knows how to direct an offense and quarterback Matt Cassel should get only better.

Seattle Seahawks

When USA Today came out with its draft grades, only one team got an A-plus. It was the Seahawks, who were just one of two teams to get an A from ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. The Seahawks picked up stud left tackle Russell Okung from Oklahoma State and big-time safety Earl Thomas from Texas in the first round, Notre Dame wide receiver Golden Tate in the third round and they traded to acquire LenDale White, Leon Washington and Kevin Vickerson. But most of all, they added a dynamic coach in former USC coach Pete Carroll, who seems better equipped for the NFL this time around. The Seahawks could easily win a weak NFC West.

Tampa Bay Bucs

That's right. Don't rub your eyes. The Bucs are better. Are they playoff bound or even a .500 team? Probably not. But they are better. Hey, don't forget this team won two of its final three games last season, including a victory over the eventual-champion Saints, and was competitive for most of the second half — about the same time Josh Freeman took over at quarterback. A strong draft produced what could be several starters, including No. 3 overall pick Gerald McCoy. And the schedule is not daunting. Yes, the Bucs still have holes and they remain a work in progress. But the word is "progress.'' We are feeling it.

 

[thecatch]

Alex Smith's stock surely has improved with this draft and I don't think it's out of the question he could be a 25 td QB this year.

Oh, come on.

You don't think Smith can throw an additional 7 TDs given 5 additional games, a better offensive line, and another year of development from a group of talented young receiving options?

No. I'll be surprised if he makes it through the year.

Your (reasonable, IMO) opinion notwithstanding, it's hardly "out of the question" that Smith would put up the same middling numbers over the course of 16 games that he did in a 11 last year, which was Mr. Walsh's point.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Alex Smith's stock surely has improved with this draft and I don't think it's out of the question he could be a 25 td QB this year.

Oh, come on.

:( You don't think Smith can throw an additional 7 TDs given 5 additional games, a better offensive line, and another year of development from a group of talented young receiving options?

No. I'll be surprised if he makes it through the year.

Your (reasonable, IMO) opinion notwithstanding, it's hardly "out of the question" that Smith would put up the same middling numbers over the course of 16 games that he did in a 11 last year, which was Mr. Walsh's point.

It's extremely unlikely. (And, if you'll recall, this was the exact same reasoning that Bears and Bills fans used to expect breakout seasons from Rex Grossman and J.P. Losman in 2007 after showing signs of promise in 2006. Fans always expect that their players will get better and better, and it just doesn't work that way.) First of all, you both seem to be assuming that Smith will be operating out of the same offense this year. That's a mistake. Smith put up surprising stats in the second half last year because the Niners went to a pass-heavy offense utilizing the spread formation. By the very end of the season, Singletary and Raye were returning to their running game roots. This past weekend's draft was an even more emphatic statement that the 49ers intend to ground 'n' pound more in 2010.

Secondly, Alex Smith was a far, far better QB out of shotgun formations last year. He still struggles tremendously when he lines up under center. If the Niners are ditching the spread, he's in for a rough year.

 

[Bob Magaw]

By Tom Jones, Times Staff WriterKansas City ChiefsWith their first pick, the Chiefs may have picked up the player most ready to make an impact — safety Eric Berry out of Tennessee. He's already drawing comparisons to Baltimore's Ed Reed. On offense, they picked up 1,400-yard rusher Thomas Jones and drafted Largo's Dexter McCluster, who could play wide receiver for the Chiefs. The biggest offseason move of all might not even be a player, but a coach. The Chiefs brought in Charlie Weis to run the offense. Maybe Weis can't coach Notre Dame, but he proved in New England that he knows how to direct an offense and quarterback Matt Cassel should get only better.

KC is interesting... like a few of the teams that have been mentioned in the thread, such as DET & TB, they had a top 5 pick. hopefully teams are getting better if they are picking in that range (though lions didn't have a lot to show for some high first round picks in recent years, other than calvin johnson)...berry was a consensus top 5 talent... while safeties are rarely taken so high (highest since sean taylor?), he is the rare talent to make him good value in that slot... if he is really good enough to have a reed/polamalu-type impact, as some scouts think, their defense gets a lot better... i was a bit surprised mccluster went to so high in the second, but very possible more than one team may have taken him off the board in the middle of the round, if not sooner... if they get creative in how they use him, and deploy him in the slot a lot (not as a luxury weapon just getting a few touches a game), he could also have a big impact on the offense (i don't usually say that about rookie WRs, but i think he could be the exception)... he is small, but so was desean...i thought of mentioning the eagles... i like kolb, but it is still uncertain how he will compare to mcnabb... i seem to be a contrarian in liking the ernie sims acquisition... the top two draft picks should help the defense... i don't think the safety is as good as thomas, but by passing on him in the first, they were able to get maybe the best pure pass rusher in the draft, and still get a safety upgrade with the next pick (one of the top FSs in the class)...the rams will be greatly improved if bradford realizes his potential (heckert called him the best QB prospect since peyton manning)... i thought they might add a WR like benn/tate in 2nd, and maybe a TE like hernandez/pitta or RB like mccluster (long gone) or dwyer in 3rd... but saffold was a borderline first rounder, will make a great OT bookend with '09 2nd overall pick jason smith (barron seemingly not in the team's future plans... probably don't take an OT here with so many other pressing needs, if this wasn't the case), and can start at RG this year, if barron remains the starting RT another year... jerome murphy has flaws but is a big, physical, athletic CB that can press cover as preferred in spag's scheme... he could upgrade the nickle this year, and has future starter potential (important position in a division that has likes of fitzgerald and crabtree)... they got a weapon for bradford in the fourth with gilyard, who could upgrade slot WR & special teams return game...

 

[Tanner9919]

Absolutely no doubt it was the Raiders. They filled all of the major holes they had - QB (Campbell), LB (McClain), and OT (Veldheer and Campbell). On top of it they were able to dump Russell's contract which was like a noose over the team. I wouldn't book tickets to the SB just yet, but they'll be a challenge for everyone they face this year.

they were beasts the last few games of 2009, they're going to be gangbusters in '10!Michael Bush might be the biggest surprise this season..