3 more months

[underoathfob55]

i am starting to get excited for the upcoming nfl season. anybody have any predictions, player or team wise?

[mat1419]

less than 2 months till training camp

[still_life]

First preseason game is August 6th. That's when you can finally see some games and get a sense of what teams could be good, even though those exhibitions absolutely suck. At least it's something. I'm waiting to see what happens on June 1st, when teams will be cutting players and there will be another exceptional free agent signing period. Plus there are still some major players holding out from teams, so I wouldn't make predictions just yet. Like if TO isn't there for the Eagles, that hurts their chances.

[AshesAshes]

go falcons.

[mat1419]

Like if TO isn't there for the Eagles, that hurts their chances.
true...it obviously makes them less powerful on offense, but the general feeling with eagles fans is if he's there good, if not, fuck him, i think this team isn't as nervous as last year and is dead set on making it back. i've heard mcnabb looks possessed at mini's...but i totally agree at this point there's no point making any predictions when the roster's aren't even set.

[still_life]

Eagles are going to be very thin at receiver if TO holds out of games. Freddie Mitchell was awful, but he still made a few big plays. Lewis, Pinkston, and McMullen combined for just 56 receptions last year. They're going to have to get a lot out of the rookie Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis.

I think Carolina is going to challenge the Eagles in the NFC, as long as they stay healthy.

[underoathfob55]

Eagles are going to be very thin at receiver if TO holds out of games. Freddie Mitchell was awful, but he still made a few big plays. Lewis, Pinkston, and McMullen combined for just 56 receptions last year. They're going to have to get a lot out of the rookie Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis.

I think Carolina is going to challenge the Eagles in the NFC, as long as they stay healthy.


freddie mitchell is so overrated and he isnt even rated that high. i think that this is going to be the colts year to finally get past new england as long as edge stays and they dont trade him. i hear their was talks that he didnt want only a one year contract and he wants a long term one, so i hope they give him one.

[still_life]

Freddie Mitchell overrated? Yeah right, everyone rips on that guy, and he deserves it. He's rated just fine (as in being awful). 2 good plays his whole first round bust career: 4th and 26 and the play on MNF against Dallas last year. I'll be surprised if a team picks him up this summer. I'd take old Jerry Rice over him. And for christ's sake Jerry, please retire you piece of shit. This guy has multiple rings and awards, pretty much every receiving record ever, and no one's going to break them, because no one's greedy enough to play that position that long. Just walk away and quit tarnishing your career even more. Denver doesn't need him.

[Drew Beringer]

Packers all the way. Just because they're my fav team and I'm biased, and they always will have some chance with Favre at QB.

[still_life]

I'm very interested to see what kind of team Minnesota is going to have. Only way Daunte comes close to repeating his performance last year is if Troy Williamson is the next Randy Moss (a possibility). That secondary should be making a bunch of interceptions.

[awfmike]

that reminds me of when minnesota went 6-0 in the beginning of the 2003 season...they had something like a +15 turnover ratio over the time...russell and chavous both had like 4-5 ints in that time.

i can picture their secondary doing something like that...alot of ints.. still give up some plays, but nothing like last season..alot more shut downs.. and that d-line is gonna be sick.. linebacking core is gonna be the weak-point, even with their additions.

[Chemical Love]

The Dolphins are gonna tear it up. Just watch.

[so typical]

what about them cowboys!

[underoathfob55]

colts and lions all the way!!!

[NetNerdsRevenge]

3 in a row!

[Thomas Sway]

colts and lions all the way!!!
Wierd. I just came in here to say the same thing. lol. Easily my two favorite teams in the NFL. Easily.

Detroit did pretty well in the draft too. Now lets see Harrington put up some numbers.

[solargrrl]

Now that's a thread I can get behind. I'm a Pittsburgh Steelers girl myself, and I have mediocre feelings about next year, but I'm counting down the days. Literally. Because baseball is boring.

[still_life]

Ok I'm bored, and will take cracks at this by division. Give some order to this thread. I guess I'll just type some shit, people reply. Then the next time I'm bored, do another divison.

NFC North

Overview: Packers have won it three straight years and they still have Favre, but Minnesota should be the favorite. They have been the favorite the past few seasons to go all the way in the NFC, and of course they had major slides after hot starts. I don't see that happening this time. Detroit and Chicago still have a lot of work to do before you start considering them playoff teams.

Minnesota: They added so many great players on defense, and they had a strong draft. Troy Williamson has superstar potential. Culpepper's coming off his best year, but they're going to try establishing more of a running game now that they don't have big weapon Moss. Smith might not be there because of his drug problems, but they still have Moore and Bennett. I'm sure Daunte will still be the heart of the offense, but I expect more rushing yards per game this year compared to last season. Defense should be ranked much higher too. Looking at the schedule, I see Minnesota has two tough games at the end of the year, when they play Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Green Bay's biggest challenge is Baltimore, but they also have division opponent games at this time of the year, and those are always tough. If the division title race is close, GB should have the advantage here, especially with the way Minnesota plays in the cold and outside. Though I still see the Vikings winning this divison regardless of that. Too many star players, and they eliminated the team cancer, and did enough to even up the other side of their team to be on the same level as last year (better even). I think they'll be around 10-6, good enough for a #3 seed in the NFC.

Green Bay: Favre's coming off a great year, and he has to feel determined to peform well after that awful playoff game. But it looks like the defense will once again be awful. Al Harris just can not cover any team's #1 receiver. The secondary is going to get tore up when they have to face the Lions twice, with those 3 1st round receivers. Culpepper has been on fire against GB the last couple seasons. That will continue. They also have to go to Cincy, and that offense could be very explosive next year with Palmer, Chad Johnson, and TJ. There's a game against Mike Vick, and he of course embarrassed them in the playoffs in 02. They have to go to Philly again, and everyone knows what happened there the last two times. I don't see this defense finishing higher than 25th in the league. Also you have to question how serious Walker is with his holdout, and if that's going to give the offense problems. The Packers have been one of the more consistent teams in the NFL the last 4 seasons, but unless the NFC is as bad as last year, I can't see them making the playoffs in what could be Favre's last season. I think they'll go from 7-9 to 9-7.

Detroit: Everyone knows what this team has to do. Get production from Joey Harrington. But I don't think that will even matter, because once he has one bad game, Mooch is going to go right to his guy Jeff Garcia, who had success under his system (3 pro bowls). If Charles Rogers stays healthy, Lions have a receiving corps that can compete with the Colt's. Plus they added Colt TE Marcus Pollard, who has had a fairly productive career. Kevin Jones had some huge games towards the end of last year. He won't be Barry Sanders, but he should be a pretty good back. The defense is young, but they have a lot of potential. I say give them another season, then you'll see them make the post-season. They have to play Carolina, Minnesota twice, Green Bay twice, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Balitmore. All potential losses, though I think they can steal a game from Minnesota and GB. I think they'll go 8-8.

Chicago: They have a RB and a WR. That's basically all this team did in the off-season. They could have gone after Kurt Warner, but didn't. Rex Grossman has played 6 games and didn't show if he was going to be a success or failure. QB play is a major problem for this team, has been for years. Muhammad is old and slow, and the reason his numbers were so big last year was out of desperation by Carolina. They were 1-7, they had to win games with no star RB. Delhomme was chucking it up to him a dozen times a games. There was no Steve Smith, no strong #2 guy. He was their only receiver. He's almost in that same role here in Chicago, but the QB position isn't as solidified. One 30's something receiver isn't going to save what was the worst offense in the NFL last year. Cedric Benson, he's had a lot of carries in college and is ready to go in the NFL, but he doesn't have a good offensive line at all to support him. I know the team's the youngest in the league, but they're just not going to be good enough this year. 6-10 at best.

Division Winner: Minnesota Vikings
Wild Cards: None

[imirish06]

I know one thing.

The Patriots are over.

[Thomas Sway]

Ok I'm bored, and will take cracks at this by division........
That was actually quite educational, and entertaining. I'm glad you did that.

[still_life]

Well expect 7 more editions of it.

I forgot to mention that GB losing two key o-linemen will have a big impact on the offense. Favre needs protection, and Ahman Green needs the help.

[yeknom]

colts and lions all the way!!!

yes, Lions will surprise some this year.

[IAmCountryMusic]

yes, Lions will surprise some this year.
seriously or are you joking?

[b e L I E v e]

Ok Im going to go ahead and say it, even though you guys will probably think im like a physcopath

I am the biggest niner fan in the history of the team, like seriously, i have everything relating to 49ers...anything, you name it, i got it....from jerseys to hats, playing cards to calendars..pencils to lamps...bags to headphones...basically i everything i have relates to the niners in some way

In that, I have to say i say the niners winning their division...theres no good team in there anyway

Niners: We got Alex Smith, one of the greatest college QBs of all time...and our defence is gonna be awesome, we picked up so many good CBs and LBs, I think we could be the next Raven Defence...All that said i see SF taking it over the 500 mark this season, no doubts..

Rams: **Yawn**....they WERE good that one year, then they became a sleeper team,,,this isnt their year either

Seahawks: This is gonna be one of the teams with a 75:25 percent ratio...all offence, no ballanced defence...they have a good running back and last year were quite impressive, but theres no way you can even get to the playoffs without a decent offence...sry Seattle

Arizona: Suprise team of the year, in my opinion....their gonna give the niners a run for their money...no doubt...in the last three years they picked up three WRs from the draft that could be considered some of the best picks...Larry Fitzgerald, A Bolden, etc. Their defence is gonna be a on/off switch though...some games it will show up, some it wont...if the niners are a sleeper this year, look out for the cards

thats my opinion on the NFC West....

[SundaeBest]

all i gots to say is go raiders :D

[IAmCountryMusic]

i would love to see the bears win another superbowl, but i dont think they will for a while.
at least a decade.

[still_life]

Ok, time for another division.

NFC East

Overview: Eagles have won this division 4 years in a row, and they ran away with it last year. Even with the uncertainty of TO's impact on the team, they should be the favorites in the division again, and probably the conference. They did go to three straight conference championships without TO anyway.

Philadelphia: McNabb's coming off a great season, his best yet, and I think he has a lot to prove after his assumed choke job in the SB. I've seen teammates say he looks really determined in the mini-camps. His stats might not be that good this year though, unless Reggie Brown has a great rookie year, which is possible. He should fight for the #2 spot, assuming TO wises up and is there opening night in Atlanta. Other than that game and a home game against San Diego, their schedule looks very light and easy. Besides them, this division has been pretty poor the past few seasons. They have by far the most talent, and they have the best coach (Joe Gibbs should have stay retired) and defensive coordinator in the division. Three fourths of this defensive secondary went to the Pro Bowl last year, and they should have a great year again, feasting on weak passing teams like Washington, Giants, 49ers, and Dallas. People expect a lot from Atlanta next year, so that opening game might play a big role in who gets homefield advantage. TO is the real wild card in this whole division. I can't imagine the Eagles paying him, and I can't imagine him playing anywhere else. I think this will all just blow over and things will be alright, for this year. If the Eagles fail to win the SB again, players might grow even more impatient, since this team is the closest thing to the 90's Bills, biggest chokers ever. But TO or not, it'll be another season of double digit wins for this team, the top of the NFC. 12-4 is very reasonable.

Washington: I'm not sure what this team was trying to prove in the draft. They wasted a bunch of picks to help get Jason Campbell, who doesn't look to be better off than Patrick Ramsey. The QB situation for this team is a mess, and Joe Gibbs handled it poorly last year by going with Brunell. I assume another botched handling of the position this year from the once great coach. The guy just didn't adapt to the NFL of today last year. This team was so poor on offense, because the stuff he did when he was winning Superbowls doesn't work well anymore. They have Clinton Portis, a pretty good RB that was better off in Denver's system. They have Santana Moss now instead of Coles. The tradeoff here is that they now gain a good threat on punt returns. Santana Moss has never had the kind of season receiving that Coles has had, in terms of catches and yards. I expect him to struggle with whatever crap QB they have throwing the ball. They're losing Rod Gardner too I believe, so the receiving corps is pretty much in shambles. They got David Patten from NE, but Gardner would have been better to have. Losing Antonio Pierce to the Giants was a tough blow on defense, since LaVar Arrington is often injured. The secondary should be alright, even though Fred Smoot is gone and Sean Taylor, great rookie last year, is making his own holdout news. Carlos Rogers should fit in fine with this team. He's a shutdown CB that doesn't allow his guy to make a catch. He went to the right team. He should have the kind of season a Dunta Robinson had last year for the Texans. The defense was #3 last season, and might have been #1 if the offense wasn't so shitty. They were on the field too much, yet still managed to yield under 270 yards a game. Overall, this team doesn't look much improved from last year. They haven't been able to beat division rival Dallas for about 16 games in a row. The Eagles spank them every year, and they usually split with the Giants. I can't see this team competing for a playoff spot next season. Especially when they have to go to Denver and KC two weeks in a row, two teams that will score points.They also play San Diego and St. Louis, two teams that can easily outscore them. Unless Patrick Ramsey is this year's Drew Brees (I think that title will go to a Harrington, Carr, or...Brees himself again) or Jason Campbell is this year's Big Ben (no way), this team will only go as far as their defense takes them. Another long season for our nation's capital. 7-9 at best.

New York Giants: Oh Eli. Peyton had a great year his second season, so people will probably expect Eli to be the same. I don't see that happening. I think he'll turn out to be a pretty good NFL QB, but he'll never be like his brother, and he's going to take longer to become a great QB. Shockey just disappears in games and drops too many passes. The same can be said for new addition Plaxico Burress, who I have witnessed make some of the most bonehead plays the past 5 seasons. Whether he's a #1 or #2 receiver, he's not a team player, he drops easy passes (especially in the red zone), he doesn't like to go over the middle, and he's not a good locker room guy. They paid way too much for him. And his attitude should not mix well with nazi coach Tom Coughlin. Amani Toomer gave them nothing last year. Not a single TD catch. The passing game's going to take baby steps to improve. Tiki Barber's going to have to be the man again, and it's going to be hard to repeat his career best performance last year. He's over 30 now, and will be half a year away from 31 by opening day. If he has any big seasons left, this will be the last one. As for defense, they added Antonio Pierce for a good price, and that's great for them. But their secondary is crap. If they have to cover TO, they're in trouble. If the defensive line stays healthy (huge problems with that last season brought the downfall of this team's fast start) they'll be good. Strahan can still rush the QB. This team didn't draft well at all either. It was one of the worst drafts out of everyone (on paper of course). They only had 4 picks, and spent two of them on nameless defensive ends. Their first pick, 43rd overall, was a CB who wasn't even rated that highly. In fact many feel the guy the Steelers got much later that round is better. They took a RB in the 4th round, but I wouldn't expect much there. Just a bad draft. They're playing too many teams that can either score a lot of points, or shut you down next year. I don't expect any playoff contention from them. I expect Eli's passer rating to be much better, probably around 80. Don't expect a Peyton Manning season from this little douche. 6-10 again

Dallas: HOW BOUT DEM COWBOYS? Parcells grabbed his man Drew Bledsoe to lead the team. Wow, they shed about 8 years from having Testaverde last year. What's Drew Bledsoe's biggest accomplishment in this league anyway? Throwing 75 passes in a game and not having one intercepted? Throwing a record 691 pass attempts in a season? This guy's whole career has been throw throw throw, complete under 60%, terrible yards per attempt numbers, get sacked a bunch because he can't take any pressure up the middle, and a sub-80 career passer rating. I don't think he's recorded a 300 yard passing game in his last 30 starts. He hasn't gone over 3000 yards the past two seasons. He needs standout receivers and major protection. Now I'd say they have the protection, with Larry Allen, Flozell Adams, and Favre's buddy Marco Rivera. They have great upcoming stars with TE Witten and RB Julius Jones, who has big shoes to fill if he wants to be the next Emmitt. What they don't have is great wideouts. Meshawn is old and slow. Terry Glenn hasn't had any major season since 2000. And they don't really have anyone else at the position. Quincy Morgan never showed much in Cleveland, and he looked out of place last year. I think the offensive load is going to go on Julius Jones' back, and he will have to carry this team. Now this team was very aggressive in the free agent signing period, and they got some good guys like Marco Rivera, Jason Ferguson, and Anthony Henry. They also had one of the best drafts, with two first round picks to help the defense. Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears should rack up some sacks and stop the run. This d-line is pretty solid, but I don't see much depth. The secondary looks ok, but Roy Williams can't use his horsecollar tackle anymore. He's still a great safety. Anthony Henry should be alright at corner. It's not an amazing secondary like Minnesota's, but they should be ok on defense, much better than the poor unit last year that gave up over 400 points, which is unacceptable for a Parcells team. But like the other two underachievers in this division, they're not ready for a playoff run, but I think they'll push for one more than NY and Washington. They have experience and they also have great youth. 9-7 at best.

Division Winner: Philadelphia
Wild Cards: None

[b e L I E v e]

wow, the NFC east is most definetly my most hated division. lol

even though i completely despise the eagles, theyll take it this year with a game break of at least five.

TO come back to the niners!!!!!!!! :)....yeah i wish

[justinevans]

wow, the NFC east is most definetly my most hated division. lol

even though i completely despise the eagles, theyll take it this year with a game break of at least five.

TO come back to the niners!!!!!!!! :)....yeah i wish

as if you guys need more publicity right now.

I think the Eagles may do it this year.

[b e L I E v e]

as if you guys need more publicity right now..

What the hell are u trying to say....that the niners get too much publicity?

Youve either watched JUST the draft or JUST the talk about the draft

[kchubb]

What the hell are u trying to say....that the niners get too much publicity?

Youve either watched JUST the draft or JUST the talk about the draft

Or the news...

[BuriedAlive]

Go Jags.

[b e L I E v e]

ok, now youve got to be kidding

all you see on ESPN is about TO and his stupid contract because he wants a billion dollars instead of 100 million....

gimme a break

[BuriedAlive]

I have a feeling TO will not play this year. Eagles wont give up on him or trade him. I think it will take a Ricky Williams to get him away from the Eagles.

[b e L I E v e]

I hope your not insisting they trade TO for RW

[Trainsaw]

I thought T.O. could do some good in Philly and change a bit at the beginning of last season but it seems as if he's just becoming more of a jackass, i'm not saying that he isn't a great reciever but come on, his team can only afford so much and a WR will not win a superbowl

[justinevans]

Nobody is going to want TO's antics.

[still_life]

Ricky Williams quit because he owed Miami close to $9 million. TO isn't going to do that. I think there are a few teams that would go for him.

[Trainsaw]

someone will pick him up if he's available, the only thing is i doubt he'll ever be happy somewhere

[b e L I E v e]

Nolan: "We'll take em back!!...Did I just say that?!?!.."

im tellin you, if the niners pick up him, they could go pretty far if Smith has a good rookie year....

anyway, the niners will get to the 500 mark....

[still_life]

haha, I don't think so. I'll do the NFC West later.

[b e L I E v e]

i kindov did it already...but if youd like to add your opinion.....

[still_life]

Oh I will. But since it's my least favorite division, I won't go into much detail

[b e L I E v e]

you dont have to, everyone knows its the suckiest division in the NFL...and this year its all up for grabs...thats why i think that the niners will win it...it wont take a completely over the top record to take the NFC West

[workinclasshero]

i'm expecting big things from the lions, they have so much talent at wide receiver. Joey Harrington better get it done, or he will be just that......done.

[still_life]

NFC West

Overview: This division really really sucks, and it will still probably be the poorest division in football this season. I have a few "shocking" picks for this division.

Seattle: I'm picking this team to really suck next year. Just because you were in the playoffs last year, doesn't mean you'll be there next year. 5 out of the 12 teams that made it in 03 missed the playoffs in 04. I think Seattle will miss by quite a few games this season. Hasselbeck had somewhat of a breakout year in 03 with earning a trip to the Pro Bowl, but he went a few steps back last year, throwing fewer touchdowns, and just as many INTs. There was major drama at the end of the season with Shaun Alexander, who I think is also going to have a weaker year. Said he was stabbed in the back by missing the rushing title by a yard, then he doesn't have a big game in the playoffs, then he bitches to sign his franchise tender. I don't think he'll be at the top of the league in yards or TDs this year. And this will be his last year in Seattle. Their receiving corp is extremely weak. They lost Koren Robinson, and it's always good to lose a cancer, but not so good when you have hardly anyone to back him up. D.Jax has to have a huge breakout season to carry this team. Signing Joe Jurevicius was not that great. Maybe they can get Rob Gardner or Johnnie Morton. On defense, they lost corners and Chad Brown. They weren't very good defensively last year to begin with, now they're worse. I don't see any bright spots with this team. Maybe LB Jamie Sharper will fill Brown's void. I expect them to have a losing season, and Holmgren will be close to losing his job. 6-10 record.

St. Louis: I think with lots of luck they'll find their way back into the playoffs as a wild card (hint on my second surprise of this division). The NFC is still weak enough to where 9-7 can get you in. The offense is still good enough to put up points and win games, and they plan on running the ball more. That will keep the defense off the field and help them. I think Stephen Jackson is going to be a star in this league someday. This could be Faulk's swansong. Bulger should have another good year, as he's been one of the better quarterbacks in the league lately, and it's been very under the radar. Maybe get more attention this year. He should be better protected on the offensive line. They gave up so many sacks last year, which really hurt their offense. The defense still won't be great, but I think they'll slightly improve from last year. I think there's going to be too many teams with a similar record this year, and in the end, the Rams will probably be eliminated in week 17 from the playoffs. 8-8 record, give or take a win.

Arizona: They're going to win the division. That's right, I said it. I'm going out on a limb, and picking this team to win the shittiest division. Denny Green is good at coming up a gameplan for his quarterback. He has Kurt Warner, a much better guy than the cast of scrubs they had last year. He has three great, young wideouts, though Bryant Johnson has to get better. He has a young defense, and they have a new stadium coming. This team is going to blow-up in the NFL this year, and be a surprise story kinda like the Chargers were this year. JJ Arrington was one of the best picks and steals of the draft, and I think he'll have a great NFL career. They're loaded on offense, and they picked up some good defensive players through free agency and the draft. I really like this team's chances. I think they'll be around 10-6, good enough to take this division title.

49ers: Last place, definitely. A rookie QB with a rookie head coach? I doubt that's ever worked out well. Not to mention the rookie QB was some guy that tore up the Mountain West Conference. Big fucking deal. I think Alex Smith will have the Eli Manning type rookie season, definitely not a Roethlisberger. Kevin Barlow better play with some heart, or it'll be another shitty year for the rushing offense. Cedric Wilson was their #1 receiver last year, and he's gone now. I couldn't even name another guy on that team, and they didn't get anyone to fill in, so there's really no one for the rook to throw to. He does have a good TE in Eric Johnson, so that will help. On defense, it's going to be Julian Peterson trying to carry the team again. Mike Nolan was the d-coord. at Baltimore, so he knows defense. I think they'll finish around middle of the league in defense. I just can't see the offense being good enough to take this team anywhere. They should do more than beat Arizona in overtime by the score of 31-28 this year, but I don't expect much more. 5-11 at best. Alex Smith's QB rating will be well under 75.

Division Winner: Arizona
Wild Card: None

So if you noticed, the only teams I have making the NFC playoffs so far are Minnesota, Philly, and Arizona, so obviously I'm going to have 3 teams (that's right) from the NFC south in the playoffs. I will do that one later this week.

[BuriedAlive]

I hope your not insisting they trade TO for RW
I was making a mockery of RW retirement and saying that is the only way out forr TO also

Ricky Williams quit because he owed Miami close to $9 million. TO isn't going to do that. I think there are a few teams that would go for him.
I don't know if there are that many teams that will give up more than what TO is worth for TO. Eagles have said they aren't going to cut him, and they said that they probably wont trade him. I think it will take some sick ass trade to get that done.

[b e L I E v e]

again, i respect your opinion...but i disagree with it, still life...only in some aspects

First, I agree with your prediction about Arizona...they can most likely take the division if the niners dont come up...speaking of whom...

There is no way you just said Peterson will carry the defence.....They picked up so many great defensive players that will get them not only half way into the top....maybe 10th or higher best def. in the league next year

As for their offence...yeah, its going to a be a little rough...but half way into the season they will pick it up..Eric will do good, as you said, as a TE again...probowl year maybe?....as for recievers...its going to be tough...but all the greats started out as rookies....its not like nothing could happen

overall, your 5 - 11 prediction, in my opinion, is off, but the overall division standing it correct...i say niners win 7 or 8...after taking a second look at their schedule

[still_life]

Who did the 49ers get on defense? I know they paid out the ass for some mediocre o-linemen, not a good off-season move at all. You can't expect much out of a 2-14 team, now with a rookie QB and rookie head coach.

Eric Johnson won't make the Pro Bowl because he won't have the TDs. Guys like Gonzalez, Gates, and Witten are going to be mainstays there for a while.

[b e L I E v e]

He'll be in the probowl because, as regretful as i remain saying, their Wideouts arent the top notch players...so he'll get 50-60 percent of throws from Smith...

And with the whole rookie QB, rookie Coach thing....its not that bad...i could see if we were talking about a second rounder and a almost retired coach....but we're talking about the first round draft pick and a top of the line offensive coach that could put players in their place

[still_life]

He won't have 80-100 catches and 8-12 TDs like other guys will. Not Pro Bowl material.

Matt Nolan was the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, not offensive.

[b e L I E v e]

--Mike Nolan

and...id be willing to bet on the 8 touchdown theory of yours...over....but not THAT many catches...keep it around 50-60

he'll be an easy target inside the 20

[still_life]

NFC South

Overview: Two of the last three Super Bowls and the last 3 NFC championship games had a team from this division in it. I'm predicting this to be the toughest division in football, with 3 playoff teams. It's possible, because all 4 teams in the AFC East were either 8-8 or 9-7 in 2002. And since this is the NFC, that's perfect to make the playoffs.

Atlanta: Should be the favorite because of the way they ran away with it last season. A big reason for that was injury plagued Carolina in the first half of the season. Atlanta should still get it done this year. The defense really improved from 2003 to 2004. They attack the QB very well and I believe they led the league in sacks. On offense, they have one of the most dangerous QB's, who should be better throwing the ball this year. They now have a first round pick receiver to throw to who could be good. Price's days seem numbered in Atlanta. He's going to have to step it up. Crumpler should be a threat again at TE. They were #1 in rushing offense, but that was mostly from Vick running on plays intended for passing. Warrick Dunn and Duckett is a decent combo, but they don't have an elite RB. They should still put up a lot of yards on the ground, since they have Vick. Their biggest challenge this season is to beat Philadelphia, since they haven't been able to do that the past few years. And they have a big MNF game against them on opening weekend. Three MNF games at home in total, definitely games they must win. They also host New England and the Jets during the season. The schedule definitely looks tougher than last year, so they won't breeze through. This should still be a playoff team. It's hard to say if they'll win the division, because I think that will come down to the last week when they have to host Carolina. 10-6, give or take a game.

Carolina: They looked like they were going to make the playoffs, but it didn't happen. They would have been in there if they weren't so plagued by injuries. No matter who runs the ball for them (Davis, Foster, Goings), they should be solid. Delhomme started showing that poise he had in 2003 once they started winning last year. He gets Steve Smith, a great player back, and Kerry Colbert looked very promising last year. They lose big Muhammad, but I don't think it will hurt them that bad. They need to focus on beating Atlanta, since they have not done that ever since Vick has been there. He always has a huge game against them, and I think it's going to be critical that they at least split the series. I expect them to finish around 10-6 as well.

New Orleans: Every year you think they're going to make it, and they stink. Well I'm saying this is the year the Saints get into the playoffs. Aaron Brooks is going to have his best season yet. He really hasn't played that bad in his career. It's just that the plays where he's throwing a backwards pass or an awful interception are the ones that always get played on ESPN. He's a pretty good running QB. More of a Kordell than a Vick, but he can get it done on the ground, and his arm is better than his cousin Vick's. They have a great RB in McCallister, and Joe Horn had a fantastic year. They added some more talent on defense with Dwight Smith, and they still have Darren Howard. They shaped up the offensive line with their first round pick. I think they're going to put it together and make the playoffs. They had that 4 game win streak to end last year. Typically they blow in December, but they played well last year. I think they can steal a game from Atlanta and Carolina, and beat some of the other teams on their schedule (Giants, Bills, GB, Dolphins, Bears, Bucs, Lions) to get 9 wins and a wild card spot. They'll finish 3rd in the division

Tampa Bay: I don't like this team's chances, nor Gruden's job security. It's been pretty much a disaster since the SB. Brian Griese is an average QB, and Chris Simms is unproven. Young Michael Clayton is the best receiver they have. They don't have a dominant RB, and Alstott is overrated as a FB. I see nothing but no-name guys playing safety for them. They really miss Lynch. Barber, Brooks, and Rice are still on the defense, but the rest of the unit is looking pretty weak. They're playing in what I think is the toughest division, and they could very well go 0-6 in those games. They also have to play NE, Jets, Vikings, GB, etc. It's going to be too much. Another 5 or 6 win season.

Division Winner: Atlanta
Wild Cards: Carolina, New Orleans

So that's my NFC.
Playoffs
1. Philadelphia
2. Atlanta
3. Minnesota
4. Arizona
5. Carolina
6. New Orleans

[afk999]

TO will report to camp too much money to be risking and i ont think the eagles will give in

[b e L I E v e]

TO will report to camp too much money to be risking and i ont think the eagles will give in

think again

the guys a millionaire...and crazy....i wouldnt doubt seeing TO on the bench this year if he doesnt get what he wants