Which teams have gotten worse since last season? (1 Viewer)

[Brock Middlebrook]

This year, like most years, the fans and the local papers are optimistic about this year's team being better than the last. Which teams have gotten worse compared to the rest of the NFL? Which teams will decline with respect to wins and productivity

NE - Nowhere to go but down

GB - perhaps

Bal - Aging D, and young inexperienced O

There must be others, but when I look I see cause for optimism

Buf - Maturing team

Jets - OL moves and Favre

Mia - nowhere to go but up - Parcells revamped the whole team. Pennington may be their best QB since Marino.

Cle - maturing team -- Edwards and Winslow are becoming studs

Cin - I don't see much difference from last year

Ten - New offense, new playmaker

Hou - a rising team

Ind - an inevitable decline?

Jax - another rising team

KC - 4-3 with LJ last year...

Oak - D Mickey and Russell should be better than what they had

SD - I don't see much difference from last year

Dal - I don't see much difference from last year

Was - Campbell is getting better

Phi - I don't see much difference from last year

Nyg - loss of Shockey....decline?

Min - appear to be getting better

Det and chi will still suck - I don't see much difference from last year

Car - better with Stewart?

Atl - nowhere to go but up

NO - slow start last year...

TB - I don't see much difference from last year

Az - Will Leinart finally get it?

Sf - nowhere to go but up

StL - will still suck IMO

Sea - ?

there can't be this many improving teams withoout more potential decliners. Who will be worse?

 

[gump]

I think the Bears are the doormat of the Norris, with the improvement of Min and Det...and GB holding close to '07.

 

[TLEF316]

Teams i think will be worse....

NE- they can't be much better

Balt- Ogden and McNair gone(although neither was a big contributo)r last year and willis is already hurt

GB- dont know enough about rogers to make a guess.

Cleveland- i think they take a small step back as Anderson comes back to earth a little bit.

Ten- They just have no playmakers. I'm not a fan of Young as a passer. I dont think they're a playoff team

KC- Will be worse. LJ cant carry them.

NYG- Strahan gone. Everyting broke right last year. still a playoff team though, i think.

TB- i think a slight drop off. Garcia and galloway cant go forever

St. L- awful. No o-line

Sea- Already some injuries. Awful skill postion players.

 

[cheese]

I'd say almost the entire NFC north.

GB

DET

CHI

as well as..

BAL

KC

I also see some teams that may not have gotten worse, but probably will win less games than they somehow won last year.

Titans (I'm sure some will disagree here)

Broncos

Bucs

I think the teams who improve this year will do so at the expense of these 8 and probably 1 or 2 other teams who get bit by a major injury.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

I think the Giants are in for a decline, more because of the retirement of Strahan than the trade of Shockey. A big reason for their defensive success last year was the ability to rotate three top quality pass rushers at the DE spots. With Strahan gone, they won't be able to keep those guys as fresh. I'm not sure that Tuck can be as effective in a full time role.

 

[Hersh]

Pittsburgh plays one of the toughest schedules ever and their offensive line is in disarray!

 

[Portis 26]

Looking like it could be tough for Seattle, they have no WRs (Engram just got hurt) and no top-tier RBs and that is not a good start.

 

[Banger]

This year, like most years, the fans and the local papers are optimistic about this year's team being better than the last. Which teams have gotten worse compared to the rest of the NFL? Which teams will decline with respect to wins and productivityNE - Nowhere to go but downGB - perhapsBal - Aging D, and young inexperienced OThere must be others, but when I look I see cause for optimismBuf - Maturing teamJets - OL moves and FavreMia - nowhere to go but up - Parcells revamped the whole team. Pennington may be their best QB since Marino.Cle - maturing team -- Edwards and Winslow are becoming studsCin - I don't see much difference from last yearTen - New offense, new playmakerHou - a rising teamInd - an inevitable decline? Jax - another rising teamKC - 4-3 with LJ last year...Oak - D Mickey and Russell should be better than what they hadSD - I don't see much difference from last yearDal - I don't see much difference from last yearWas - Campbell is getting betterPhi - I don't see much difference from last yearNyg - loss of Shockey....decline?Min - appear to be getting betterDet and chi will still suck - I don't see much difference from last yearCar - better with Stewart?Atl - nowhere to go but upNO - slow start last year...TB - I don't see much difference from last yearAz - Will Leinart finally get it? Sf - nowhere to go but upStL - will still suck IMOSea - ?there can't be this many improving teams withoout more potential decliners. Who will be worse?

Right off the top I think that the Packers, TB and Seattle will come back to the pack. Chicago's defense will have to be great for them not to take another step back. I don't see Detroit winning 7 games again either. The Steelers with their ridiculous schedule won't go 10-6 and I doubt Clev will either. NE won't go 16-0 again.

 

[whitem0nkey]

the bears front office wont say this but they are in a rebuilding year.

I wish they would just stop lying about it. but i understand that the stupid fan cant tolerate a rebuilding year, so the bears must pretend they belong this year.

 

[Avery]

I think the Giants are in for a decline, more because of the retirement of Strahan than the trade of Shockey. A big reason for their defensive success last year was the ability to rotate three top quality pass rushers at the DE spots. With Strahan gone, they won't be able to keep those guys as fresh. I'm not sure that Tuck can be as effective in a full time role.

Kiwi was out the better part of past year with a broken leg. Sure he's not Strahan but an excellent pass rushing DE/LB to rotate in with Tuck and Osi.Additionally, the Giants first and second draft picks, safety Phillips and cornerback Thomas, will help upgrade the Giants secondary, the weak spot in the defense last year.I'm not saying that they will make another run this year but there are some nice additions on defense to help counteract the loss of Strahan.

 

[MAC_32]

My predictions are based on the on the field product, not record. I think Cleveland (among others) will look better/the same on the field but may not attain a 10-6 record again.

Seattle - for a team that relied heavily on the pass last year and did not upgrade the running game they have suffered a very steep decline at WR

Washington - rookie coach, new WCO scheme without the personnel to run it

Cincy - the defense is a mess, the clubhouse is falling apart, and I don't think Carson's a very good QB when he lacks the surroundings

Baltimore - QB's a mess, all of their OT's are injured, I think the beginning of the end is coming for McGahee and Rice isn't equipped to handle the full load just yet, aging defense

Denver - passing game has potential to be terrible until Marshall returns, both of the lines are still rebuilding, defense is weak

 

[harryhood]

I think the Giants are in for a decline, more because of the retirement of Strahan than the trade of Shockey. A big reason for their defensive success last year was the ability to rotate three top quality pass rushers at the DE spots. With Strahan gone, they won't be able to keep those guys as fresh. I'm not sure that Tuck can be as effective in a full time role.

Kiwi was out the better part of past year with a broken leg. Sure he's not Strahan but an excellent pass rushing DE/LB to rotate in with Tuck and Osi.Additionally, the Giants first and second draft picks, safety Phillips and cornerback Thomas, will help upgrade the Giants secondary, the weak spot in the defense last year.I'm not saying that they will make another run this year but there are some nice additions on defense to help counteract the loss of Strahan.

Losing Strahan will definitely take its toll on the field and in the locker room, but the management has a system in place and they seem to be doing an excellent job finding players to step up. I mean if you look at the players who contributed in that playoff run last year, no one knew half of them in Week 1 other than Giants fans who read camp reports. The same thing is happening this year, there are some guys stepping up and ready to contribute. In the division they are in though, its going to be a TOUGH TOUGH season. I really think 10-6 could get them the LAST wild card spot. I despise the Birds and Boys, but those two teams are going to be good.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

Nice topic.

I find this very difficult every off season. You can look at almost any given team, and it seems like you can make a legit case for that team getting better. Everybody adds draft picks every year, so that gives us a natural focus for, hey - look they've gotten better. Then there are free agent acquisitions and losses (which tend to kind of even themselves out FOR THE MOST PART). Those kind of changes are a lot easier to identify than the slow decline of vets over time, which essentially makes the average team "worse" year after year. Even when guys retire it generally doesn't have a HUGE impact because most of those guys have been declining to the point where they weren't impact players anyway (big generalization of course).

You can look at a team that is a little "older" and figure they will drop off a little faster than other teams. Some of those teams have already been identified.

The other teams to look for are ones that weren't as good as their record indicated the previous year. Some of those teams were mentioned here as well.

Coaching changes can have big impacts as well. When Al Davis hired Art Shell a couple of years ago, THAT was one of the easiest declines to predict I've ever seen (even if it was from 4 wins to 2).

 

[AB in DC]

Baltimore at 5-11 has gotten worse, but SF at 5-11 has "nowhere to go but up"?

 

[T Bell]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

 

[cjack]

Baltimore at 5-11 has gotten worse, but SF at 5-11 has "nowhere to go but up"?

Somehow San Fran won 5 games last year, but in reality, they really couldn't play much worse. Their record may be worse this year, I haven't analyzed their schedule, but it's hard to imagine them actually playing any worse, on offense at least. Of course, their pre-season and camp reports seem to be indicating that just maybe they can play worse, so who knows.

 

[Kirby]

Baltimore is the first team I thought of. Lost McNair and Odgen... McGahee, Reed, and the OTs are hurting right now.

 

[andrew11]

Teams i think will be worse....Ten- They just have no playmakers. I'm not a fan of Young as a passer. I dont think they're a playoff team

Ever hear of Vince Young or Chris Johnson?? They have playmaker written all over them.

 

[Avery]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

 

[Tanner9919]

This year, like most years, the fans and the local papers are optimistic about this year's team being better than the last. Which teams have gotten worse compared to the rest of the NFL? Which teams will decline with respect to wins and productivity

NE - Nowhere to go but down

GB - perhaps

Bal - Aging D, and young inexperienced O

There must be others, but when I look I see cause for optimism

Buf - Maturing team

Jets - OL moves and Favre

Mia - nowhere to go but up - Parcells revamped the whole team. Pennington may be their best QB since Marino.

Cle - maturing team -- Edwards and Winslow are becoming studs

Cin - I don't see much difference from last year

Ten - New offense, new playmaker

Hou - a rising team

Ind - an inevitable decline?

Jax - another rising team

KC - 4-3 with LJ last year...

Oak - D Mickey and Russell should be better than what they had

SD - I don't see much difference from last year

Dal - I don't see much difference from last year

Was - Campbell is getting better

Phi - I don't see much difference from last year

Nyg - loss of Shockey....decline?

Min - appear to be getting better

Det and chi will still suck - I don't see much difference from last year

Car - better with Stewart?

Atl - nowhere to go but up

NO - slow start last year...

TB - I don't see much difference from last year

Az - Will Leinart finally get it?

Sf - nowhere to go but up

StL - will still suck IMO

Sea - ?

there can't be this many improving teams withoout more potential decliners. Who will be worse?

on the contrary, this team looks like a crack addict before he hits rock bottom...they still have a-ways to fall before they are ready for a rebound..we haven't seen the worsrt of them yet, I'm afraid..the 2008 Niners will be among the worst-ever teams in the history of the NFL, IMO..they've reportedly had a terrible training camp..Alex Smith isn't worth a dime, and neither are the other two pretenders to the starting QB job in SF, JT O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill...

if they're lucky, they'll win 3-4 games in 2008..and even that's a stretch...this team could be almost as bad as Miami was last season...

 

[Dodge]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional roundI'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win. I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

I think our team is just as good as the team that won the Superbowl with healthy players coming back. The only loss I think is the loss of Strahan, more so for his run support. Honestly I don't think anyone in the division has lost a step and I expect the NFC East to be a battle again. I don't foresee any drop in play from last year from any team, barring injury.

 

[Jayrod]

Teams i think will be worse....

NE- they can't be much better

Balt- Ogden and McNair gone(although neither was a big contributo)r last year and willis is already hurt

GB- dont know enough about rogers to make a guess.

Cleveland- i think they take a small step back as Anderson comes back to earth a little bit.

Ten- They just have no playmakers. I'm not a fan of Young as a passer. I dont think they're a playoff team

KC- Will be worse. LJ cant carry them.

NYG- Strahan gone. Everyting broke right last year. still a playoff team though, i think.

TB- i think a slight drop off. Garcia and galloway cant go forever

St. L- awful. No o-line

Sea- Already some injuries. Awful skill postion players.

LJ doesn't have to. There is Bowe and Gonzalez. Also Croyle will now be in his second year. The O-line will be better as well as the defense.KC will push for 6 or 7 wins this season as long as there are no key injuries.

Herm is a good season-long coach and the Chiefs will win a couple of games they aren't supposed to.

 

[Unlucky]

Worse, or just plain bad:

BAL - weak QB play, lots of injuries, tough schedule.

CLE - Had an easy schedule last year, much tougher this year, absolutely need Winslow and Edwards to be healthy to compete.

PIT - Tougher schedule will reduce their wins, but I love the Sweed and Mendenhall additions on offense, and Ryan Clark returning at Safety will help the D. Might still be 9-7 or 10-6.

BUF - Still unproven QB play, and **** Jauron is still the head coach. With the Jets and Dolphins improving, the Bills could disappoint.

DEN - Selvin Young is the only RB on the team. The D is questionable at best. Marshall is out at least 2 games.

HOU - I love their passing game, but hate their running game. I see them staying about where they were last year.

WAS - With the new coaching staff, I think this team is a year away from improvement.

ATL - Still horrible. Michael Turner may find it a little tougher, and if Matt Ryan is given the reigns, he'll have some bad games. All rookie QBs do.

CHI - no QBs, no WRs, unproven RBs. This team could surprise if they manage to keep the turnovers down and the D plays great, or they could crumble.

TB - I don't think they've improved, but I'm not sure they are much worse, either.

ARZ - This may shock people, but I think the Cardinals will once again struggle. I predict inconsistent QB play and poor D play to do this team in.

SEA - No brainer here. Just too many injuries and loss of talent. Home field will help them get to 7 or 8 wins, but I don't think they win 9 games.

 

[Jimmy James]

Half the playoff teams will miss this year. With that said, I'm guessing these are the teams that miss out of last year's field:

Washington (I think this is the lock beyond locks)

Pittsburgh

Tennessee

Green Bay

Jacksonville

Seattle (I like Arizona to win the division)

While I think the Giants have a shot at getting in again this year, I don't see them repeating. Therefore, you'd have to say they won't do as well. I also think the Patriots won't even come close to perfection this year.

That's 25% of the league. I'm okay with the idea that 50% will pretty much stay the same and 25% will get notably better.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Don't the Giants always stink it up after winning the SB?

 

[morris4903]

This year, like most years, the fans and the local papers are optimistic about this year's team being better than the last. Which teams have gotten worse compared to the rest of the NFL? Which teams will decline with respect to wins and productivity

NE - Nowhere to go but down

GB - perhaps

Bal - Aging D, and young inexperienced O

There must be others, but when I look I see cause for optimism

Buf - Maturing team

Jets - OL moves and Favre

Mia - nowhere to go but up - Parcells revamped the whole team. Pennington may be their best QB since Marino.

Cle - maturing team -- Edwards and Winslow are becoming studs

Cin - I don't see much difference from last year

Ten - New offense, new playmaker

Hou - a rising team

Ind - an inevitable decline?

Jax - another rising team

KC - 4-3 with LJ last year...

Oak - D Mickey and Russell should be better than what they had

SD - I don't see much difference from last year

Dal - I don't see much difference from last year

Was - Campbell is getting better

Phi - I don't see much difference from last year

Nyg - loss of Shockey....decline?

Min - appear to be getting better

Det and chi will still suck - I don't see much difference from last year

Car - better with Stewart?

Atl - nowhere to go but up

NO - slow start last year...

TB - I don't see much difference from last year

Az - Will Leinart finally get it?

Sf - nowhere to go but up

StL - will still suck IMO

Sea - ?

there can't be this many improving teams withoout more potential decliners. Who will be worse?

on the contrary, this team looks like a crack addict before he hits rock bottom...they still have a-ways to fall before they are ready for a rebound..we haven't seen the worsrt of them yet, I'm afraid..the 2008 Niners will be among the worst-ever teams in the history of the NFL, IMO..they've reportedly had a terrible training camp..Alex Smith isn't worth a dime, and neither are the other two pretenders to the starting QB job in SF, JT O'Sullivan and Shaun Hill...

if they're lucky, they'll win 3-4 games in 2008..and even that's a stretch...this team could be almost as bad as Miami was last season...

2004 and 2005 teams are much less talented than this year's team. Seriously look up those rosters. Awful. The only real similiarity is the QB position still sucks, so the record won't be much better since its the most important position on a team. But every other position is better since Nolan became coach.

 

[Pat Patriot]

Most Improved

Washington - I really like Jason Campbell and adding Jason Taylor helps the D. As contrarian as this sounds, I think Gibbs was holding this team back. Zorn is inexperienced but should make the offense more dynamic.

New Orleans - The offense is very well rounded and I'm betting on a bounce back by Vilma. I think they have added enough on defense to make this an 11-5 team in a weak division.

In for a Rude Awakening

Jets - They will have a better record than last year but I dont see them as a playoff team. I think Favre will struggle and am not excited about the Jet acquisitions. Pace and Jenkins are inconsistent players. Faneca's game had declined quite a bit last year.

Denver - Bad feeling about this team. They have 4 games with Oakland and KC that could go either way (none of the 3 teams are any good) that will determine their season.

Chicago - Terrible offensive team. If you are trying to rely on Devin Hester to be your #1 receiver, you are in bad shape.

St. Louis - I cant think of one strength on the team. If Jackson stays out they will be horrendous. If he comes back they are still only a 6 win team.

 

[buster c]

NFC:

as much as Holmgen deserves to go out on a high note, he has no runners or receivers. none. 'hawks limp to a 6-10 finish.

AFC:

long-term, the Browns seem to be headed in the right direction. this year, with a killer sched and high expectations, a step back to 6-7 wins.

 

[T Bell]

Washington - I really like Jason Campbell and adding Jason Taylor helps the D. As contrarian as this sounds, I think Gibbs was holding this team back. Zorn is inexperienced but should make the offense more dynamic.

I'm one 'Skins fan who agrees with you. He did a great job putting talent onto that roster and filling the locker room with good team players, but on game days he'd lost his mojo, and it showed. I'm hoping Zorn can take the team to the proverbial next level.

 

[qimqam]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

People don't realize the Giants were one of the younger teams in the league last year

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Hopefully Cincy and Marvin Lewis will get the gang of thugs under control and I expect them to bounce back some.

I think Green Bay will have a stellar defense this year as their young draft picks on D from the last few years are coming into their prime. If Ryan Grant stays healthy and performs like last year, and if Rodgers can play mediocre at QB, I see GB back in the playoffs again.

Miami and SF can only get better.

As far as teams who will do worse:

my picks

Pitt

NY Giants

Dallas

I'm going with the sexy pick of San Diego vs. New Orleans in the Superbowl. Drew Brees vs Rivers in grudge match.

 

[T Bell]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

People don't realize the Giants were one of the younger teams in the league last year

And?

 

[Avery]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

People don't realize the Giants were one of the younger teams in the league last year

And?

... and they get back Kiwi who will rotate in as a push rusher playing DE/LB. Not a replacement for Strahan, but he was playing great when he broke his leg (re: freak injury) and the top pass rushing prospect in college when he dropped to the bottom of the 1st round for injury concerns.Plus the Giants upgrade the starters and depth in the secondary. Their weakest position on defense.Sammy Knight, I know he's old and slow, adds good depth to the position as well. They get an upgrade at safety with Phillips over Wilson. Yeah, I said upgrade. Phillips is already more of a playmaker then Wilson. Plus more depth at DB with a seasoned Ross and 2nd round pick Thomas who has played very well in the pre-season. They add two rookie value picks at LB for depth.

On offense getting a full year out of Steve Smith will help and if Manningham can get on the field, he can only help at the position.

Shockey, as much as I loved him on the field, had become a conspiracy theorist and as a whole is addition by subtraction.

Making your team better isn't always about the big FA signing like Sanders or Springs. It's about resigning your own guys who you feel help the core of your team and adding roll players who fit into your team and your system.

Just ask the Patriots if its worked for them over the past 10 years or so.

 

[T Bell]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

People don't realize the Giants were one of the younger teams in the league last year

And?

... and they get back Kiwi who will rotate in as a push rusher playing DE/LB. Not a replacement for Strahan, but he was playing great when he broke his leg (re: freak injury) and the top pass rushing prospect in college when he dropped to the bottom of the 1st round for injury concerns.Plus the Giants upgrade the starters and depth in the secondary. Their weakest position on defense.Sammy Knight, I know he's old and slow, adds good depth to the position as well. They get an upgrade at safety with Phillips over Wilson. Yeah, I said upgrade. Phillips is already more of a playmaker then Wilson. Plus more depth at DB with a seasoned Ross and 2nd round pick Thomas who has played very well in the pre-season. They add two rookie value picks at LB for depth.

On offense getting a full year out of Steve Smith will help and if Manningham can get on the field, he can only help at the position.

Shockey, as much as I loved him on the field, had become a conspiracy theorist and as a whole is addition by subtraction.

Making your team better isn't always about the big FA signing like Sanders or Springs. It's about resigning your own guys who you feel help the core of your team and adding roll players who fit into your team and your system.

Just ask the Patriots if its worked for them over the past 10 years or so.

Oh, so you don't need Strahan back because you have a DE playing out of position at OLB, where he'll be joined by two rookies. You can lecture me all you want about developing from within, but what you're really preaching here is hopeful speculation about how a lot rookies are going to play well.

 

[Avery]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

People don't realize the Giants were one of the younger teams in the league last year

And?

... and they get back Kiwi who will rotate in as a push rusher playing DE/LB. Not a replacement for Strahan, but he was playing great when he broke his leg (re: freak injury) and the top pass rushing prospect in college when he dropped to the bottom of the 1st round for injury concerns.Plus the Giants upgrade the starters and depth in the secondary. Their weakest position on defense.Sammy Knight, I know he's old and slow, adds good depth to the position as well. They get an upgrade at safety with Phillips over Wilson. Yeah, I said upgrade. Phillips is already more of a playmaker then Wilson. Plus more depth at DB with a seasoned Ross and 2nd round pick Thomas who has played very well in the pre-season. They add two rookie value picks at LB for depth.

On offense getting a full year out of Steve Smith will help and if Manningham can get on the field, he can only help at the position.

Shockey, as much as I loved him on the field, had become a conspiracy theorist and as a whole is addition by subtraction.

Making your team better isn't always about the big FA signing like Sanders or Springs. It's about resigning your own guys who you feel help the core of your team and adding roll players who fit into your team and your system.

Just ask the Patriots if its worked for them over the past 10 years or so.

Oh, so you don't need Strahan back because you have a DE playing out of position at OLB, where he'll be joined by two rookies. You can lecture me all you want about developing from within, but what you're really preaching here is hopeful speculation about how a lot rookies are going to play well.

Where the Hell did I say that we would not like or didn't need Strahan back?!?!? To quote myself Kiwi is, "Not a replacement for Strahan" although getting him back helps take the sting out of it.As far as developing from within, I won't preach "hopeful speculation about how a lot rookies are going to play well". I'll leave that to Ahamad Bradshaw, Aaron Ross, Kevin Boss and Steve Smith to explain to you.

In Reese I trust.



Edit to add: Not to get in a pissing match with a Skins fan but maybe I'm just bitter because I just drafted Portis and Campbell in a start up dynasty league.

 

[T Bell]

It is easy to dismiss me as a hater as a 'Skins fan, but I've got a gut feeling that the Giants are in for a fall this year. Historically, the surprise/longshot teams that have won Super Bowls have not fared all that well the following year:

2006 Steelers- 8-8, missed the playoffs

2002 Patriots- 9-7, missed the playoffs

2001 Ravens- 10-6, wildcard, lost in divisional round

I'm not even sure that the 2000 Ravens were a surprise winner, but I did think there were better teams that they surpassed to win.

I think the Giants caught fire, but the rest of the division improved their rosters while the Giants seem to have stood pat otherwise while trading Shockey away. I have a tough time believing that they're a strong pick to win playoff games this year.

Incorrect.

People don't realize the Giants were one of the younger teams in the league last year

And?

... and they get back Kiwi who will rotate in as a push rusher playing DE/LB. Not a replacement for Strahan, but he was playing great when he broke his leg (re: freak injury) and the top pass rushing prospect in college when he dropped to the bottom of the 1st round for injury concerns.Plus the Giants upgrade the starters and depth in the secondary. Their weakest position on defense.Sammy Knight, I know he's old and slow, adds good depth to the position as well. They get an upgrade at safety with Phillips over Wilson. Yeah, I said upgrade. Phillips is already more of a playmaker then Wilson. Plus more depth at DB with a seasoned Ross and 2nd round pick Thomas who has played very well in the pre-season. They add two rookie value picks at LB for depth.

On offense getting a full year out of Steve Smith will help and if Manningham can get on the field, he can only help at the position.

Shockey, as much as I loved him on the field, had become a conspiracy theorist and as a whole is addition by subtraction.

Making your team better isn't always about the big FA signing like Sanders or Springs. It's about resigning your own guys who you feel help the core of your team and adding roll players who fit into your team and your system.

Just ask the Patriots if its worked for them over the past 10 years or so.

Oh, so you don't need Strahan back because you have a DE playing out of position at OLB, where he'll be joined by two rookies. You can lecture me all you want about developing from within, but what you're really preaching here is hopeful speculation about how a lot rookies are going to play well.

Where the Hell did I say that we would not like or didn't need Strahan back?!?!? To quote myself Kiwi is, "Not a replacement for Strahan" although getting him back helps take the sting out of it.As far as developing from within, I won't preach "hopeful speculation about how a lot rookies are going to play well". I'll leave that to Ahamad Bradshaw, Aaron Ross, Kevin Boss and Steve Smith to explain to you.

In Reese I trust.



Edit to add: Not to get in a pissing match with a Skins fan but maybe I'm just bitter because I just drafted Portis and Campbell in a start up dynasty league.

It's all good. Everyone's 0-0 and I'm probably too rosy on my team as well. Based upon what I'm seeing and hearing, Campbell may surprise this year.

 

[QUEZILLA]

TB - I don't see much difference from last year

Your not looking hard enough.

 

[sho nuff]

Green Bay will most likely drop off some.

If the Dline holds up, that dropoff may be limited though because of the play of the defense.

But its hard not to drop off with a QB with no starts on a team that went 13-3 and made it to the NFC title game.

I still think they edge out Minny for the division and make the playoffs...but 10-11 wins may be all they have in them.