NFL - How do you feel about your team's chances in '05?

[Johnny Toetags]

Seperate from the main NFL threads so it'll be easier to search back next year and pwn people.


My team, as y'all know - is the Baltimore Ravens.

Some key things going on with them this off season is loss of depth. Most noticeably solid guys like Weaver, Kemoatu, Demps, etc.

Now, I beleive the losses on the D line will be compensated, PERHAPS even improved by the additions of Ngata and the maturation of guys like Suggs and Green in the position. So I'm not too concerned. They finally shut Ray-Ray's trap by getting Ngata and switching to the 4-3, so Ray should have a better year than his last two - which were still pretty damn good. While Ray MAY have lost a step - he's still better than 80% of the rest of the players in this league and elite at the position.

So, I feel good about the D as always. The draft wasn't their best, but they added some depth all around which should be good.

Now, the Offense. While I don't think they fixed the Oline this off-season, the possible addition of McNair is big news. McNair will add tough-as-nails leadership, much better QBing, he's in synch with Mason (and Clayton who matured late last season will much prefer McNair's ball than Boller's.).

Jamal Lewis should rebound as he always does from adversity.

That said, the special teams took a wallop and I see the AFC North as much, much tougher this year.

So, a playoff spot is probable, but a wildcard slot is more realistic. IMO.

What's yours?

[Sir Gibbs]

Dude you have the Bengals & Steelers in your division.

Assuming Palmer's recovery goes well and the Steelers loses don't overly hinder them, which they shouldn't. You're chance of getting into the playoffs are slim. IMO

As for the bucs. We're in the hardest division in the NFC.

Carolina will probably start as one of the favourites if not the favourite for the NFC.

Atlanta has made some solid off season moves with their defense now full of star names. But i feel it will still be to weak against the run, which in this division is a very bad thing. Also couple in the factor that Vick will single handely throw away a few games and i see the Falcons having another average year.

The Saints got the bargain of the century with Bush slipping to them, but have lost some players and defensively they're still to weak.

Which makes life hard for the defending NFC South champs, i think the bucs have improved in the off season. Retaining most players and adding some depth to the problem O-Line through draft and free agency. Defense is still superb.

I think the difference between them having another 5-11 season and making a superbowl run could lay on Chris Simms' shoulders, he looked promising at the end of last season but it's very hard to judge how good he really is.

My guess is they'll finish behind Carolina and maybe scrape into the playoffs through a wildcard.

[Oliver Klosov]

Well, if I were a Steelers fan then I'd feel pretty good about the '05 season.

But since it's the '06 season coming up I am almost cheating with my prediction for the '05 season.

[mpt0069]

My Bolts will go as Phillip Rivers goes, methinks. He's got a lot of great veteran parts around so him so he won't be asked to make as many plays as he will to manage the game. Unfortunately, unless Marcus McNeil comes in right away and becomes the first round talent he was projected to be the O-Line is still a weak link on that team. LT should score 20 total TDs this year and Gates will break the 1000 yard barrier. Nothing bold there.

One to watch: WR Vincent Jackson. He was a 2nd round pick last year that was plagued with nagging injuries. If he's healthy, he's 6'5" 230 pounds of manchild with the speed to go deep.

The defense should be excellent as the D-Line is one of the best in football and the LB corps is still in the upper echelon. Still got questions about Steve Foley and Shaun Phillips as they both ran into trouble with law enforcement last month. The defensive backfield is also a yearly question mark. Jammer started to play some solid ball towards the end of the year and Florence still hasn't found his rhythm yet. Cromartie will add athleticism and could make an impact in Nickel packages but he's been away from the game for a year and that's scary.

One to watch: CB Antonio Cromartie, Yes, it's tough for a rookie DB to come in and make an impact but with a depleted (and not really good in the first place) Bolts secondary he will get every chance to get on the field. Just in watching the way he does interviews and conducts his business he has this arrogance (an extreme belief in himself if you will) that you can't help but like.

KC and Denver should be good as always and even the Raiders improved themselves with the draft drafting top athletes like Huff and Bing. But let's get real, Oakland is still gonna be fourth in the division. If I had to guess it'll go like this in the AFC West:

1. Denver
2. KC
3. SD
4. Oakland

Denver will win the West with KC and SD battling it out for that second place and a possible wild card.

[the chairman211]

my texans will surge with mario williams running the ball, receiving out of the backfield, and returning kicks.

[CTY]

my texans will surge with mario williams running the ball, receiving out of the backfield, and returning kicks.

I dont believe you for some odd reason. Anywho, the Bears will dominate the NFC North again, only to get blown out by an NFC East team in the 1st round of the playoffs, you know why? Because the BEST DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THE NFL SHOULD NOT USE DRAFT PICKS ON DEFENSIVE PLAYERS WHEN THEIR OFFENSE IS RANKED 29TH! :) That is all.

[H]

the past is the past! now is now!

[Bev]

My Broncos are going to do great in '05. I see them winning their division, which will be one of the toughest in the NFL. I predict 13-3

[Marshal G.K. Zhukov]

I think the Steelers could repeat this year, our losses have been marginalized by our strong draft. I mean we replaced Randel El with WR named Santonio Holmes, clearly with a name like Santonio he has to be a great or good WR.

Look out for the Dolphins too.

[Steve]

I dont believe you for some odd reason. Anywho, the Bears will dominate the NFC North again, only to get blown out by an NFC East team in the 1st round of the playoffs, you know why? Because the BEST DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THE NFL SHOULD NOT USE DRAFT PICKS ON DEFENSIVE PLAYERS WHEN THEIR OFFENSE IS RANKED 29TH! :) That is all.
Bears needed a safety, and Manning will help. Hester isn't a defensive pick, he is a special teams pick. He will be the kick returner, especially with Zoom retiring. Muhammed had a broken hand or something along the lines against the Panthers, and Mark Bradley will be heathy. The passing on Pope still pisses me off, but the Bears will be fine. I see playoffs for sure.

[Allatura]

seeing how the titans have betrayed McNair and the fans, I've now switched colors to the purple and orange of the Denver Broncos, in support of fellow Vanderbilt man Jay Cutler. While he won't play until next year, I have no problems supporting denver for taking Jay in the draft.

Denver can run, play d, and they now finally have a receiver not named rod smith who can catch. I like their chances.

[elgigante]

id be happy with 10-6 for st louis but 9-7 seems more reasonable. the defense is upgraded and the offense will be potent. My issue though is a nasty schedule inclusing starting off with the damn broncos

[H]

in 2006, tampa is gonna go 16-0 of course!

[Bev]

in 2006, tampa is gonna go 16-0 of course!

Oh, we're talking about 2006 now? In that case, tough schedule again, but we get a couple of AFC heavyweights at home, and with the expected falloff of San Diego, continued suckassity of Oakland, and inability of the Chiefs to put together a consistent winning formula with all that talent, I'll take my Broncos to go 11-5 or 12-4 and win the West.

[CTY]

Bears needed a safety, and Manning will help. Hester isn't a defensive pick, he is a special teams pick. He will be the kick returner, especially with Zoom retiring. Muhammed had a broken hand or something along the lines against the Panthers, and Mark Bradley will be heathy. The passing on Pope still pisses me off, but the Bears will be fine. I see playoffs for sure.

C. Harris and Mike Brown WILL be the starting safeties this year, you can count on that, I guess its not bad to have a backup now that they got rid of M. Green. And Also, Mark Bradley is the shit, I hope he comes back and continues doing what he was last year until he blew out his knee. But, with Moss still not taken and the Bears needing as much offense as possible, i'd have taken Moss 26th overall and drafted defense later on in the draft.

[Allatura]

Whats the over/under for Rex Grossman starts this year? 5?

[NutzOnUrFace]

I wanted Oakland to take a QB. Like Leinhart. Ah well, they got a couple good players anyways..I guess I'll see what happens.

[Bishop]

I feel great about Seattle's chances this year. They may have lost a few key players (IE Hutchinson), but it was for the best. My biggest concern was the offensive line that has been great for Alexander, but with Womack finally getting his chance in the starting position, I think they'll be fine. 6-4 and 330+lbs, that's alot of beef at left guard....but does he possess the athletisism?

The defense will be alot stronger this year as well. They went from being a decent defense to top notch last year. Tatupu is the big reason for Seattle's success on the defensive side of the ball and he'll continue on this season with another big one. Hamlin's back on the field and the addition of Peterson, who may be a question mark, is ok in my book.

Seattle should go no less than the NFC Championship game this year. If they are to win the Super Bowl, this is the year because the other NFC teams have been revamping and the NFC West should become competitive within the next few years....Arizona may be the team to dethrone them in the long run.

[the chairman211]

rams will go 14-2

[CTY]

Whats the over/under for Rex Grossman starts this year? 5?

I'm goin over 5 but under 10.

[Sir Gibbs]

the BEST DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THE NFL SHOULD NOT USE DRAFT PICKS ON DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

They didn't. I'm pretty sure Tampa used all three of their first day draft picks on offense. A tackle, guard and wide receiver as i recall.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-TOTAL/2005/regular?sort_col_1=4

[Roughneck]

I wanted Oakland to take a QB. Like Leinhart. Ah well, they got a couple good players anyways..I guess I'll see what happens.

Give it up. Oakland will never be a consistently contending team until Davis dies. Old sumbitch has to be into everything.

[CTY]

They didn't. I'm pretty sure Tampa used all three of their first day draft picks on offense. A tackle, guard and wide receiver as i recall.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-TOTAL/2005/regular?sort_col_1=4

Pwned. 2nd best defensive team in the NFL.

[Sir Gibbs]

Pwned. 2nd best defensive team in the NFL.

In fairness, I think Chicago were top in conceeding the fewest points a game.

Regardless, IN YO FAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!11

[Allatura]

In a related story, Texans GM Casserly resigns


taken from ESPN.com

"I've been in this league 29 years," Casserly said. "I spent a lot of time talking about this with my family. We came to the same conclusion -- the time was right to move on.

ALLATURA TRANSLATES
"I've been receiving death threats, and I'm getting the hell outta dodge while my truck still has tires on it. Good luck with Mario."

[Roughneck]

Yeah. Gotta love that. Dooms their running game for prolly 5 more years and gets the hell outta town.