maverick4

What are your predictions for this season? Who do you think will make a big jump upwards as a team, and who do you think is going to fall the most, or be the biggest surprise?

For a team on a major upward trajectory, I'll go with the Saints. They added a lot of solid pieces to the defense in the off-season, on top of their already potent offense.

The team that will take the biggest step down, are the Colts. Last year they pulled 3 wins out of their arses that aren't going to happen again this year. They've taken huge losses not only at head coach but other key coaching positions, the O-line looks like a mess, they lost an icon WR in Harrison, and I think their defense is going to finally fall apart without Dungy patching it up.

makoute

I thought Vilma was on the saints last year? The aints have been a trendy pick for a while now. I think the biggest step down might be the Panthers (I really hoped it's the giants though). I don't see the Panthers winning 12 games this year.

Biggest step up, Patriots since I think they're going to the superbowl, beside the pats I would say 49ers, I think they will make some noise this year.

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KontradictioN

The Saints got Vilma last year.

Most improved team: I think, considering today's events, it has to be the Minnesota Vikings. They have the best RB in the NFL, a playmaker in Percy Harvin, and a deep threat in Bernard Berrian to go along with that offensive line and that staunch defense. They were really only a good QB away from getting over the hump and it looks like they're about to seal that up. In this offense, all Favre will have to do is be a caretaker. Dare I say that this might be one of the most talented teams that Favre has played with in his career?

Fastest falling team: Tie between the Jacksonville and Tampa Bay. Jacksonville invested way too much money in David Garrard who, based on what I saw last night and last season, is looking to be a one year wonder. Their offensive line is putrid, Torry Holt isn't what he used to be, that defense is aging and has a hard time against the run, and Maurice Jones-Drew cannot get it done on his own vs. a full season of #1 back type punishment. They still haven't found a replacement for Fred Taylor.

The Bucs you can easily see. Even though they needed to be rebuilt, they were likely going to the playoffs again last season if it had not been for the fallout that Kiffin caused when he announced that he was going to Tennessee with his son. Since then, they removed virtually every piece from their 2002 Super Bowl, got rid of Jeff Garcia, and replaced him with Byron Leftwich and then drafted the least appetizing rookie quarterback in the first round when they could have gotten him in the second.

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CREDIT - Sicilian

maverick4

Thanks for the catch, my bad, but on D I also meant Sharper, Greer, McCray, Ellis.

A lot of people have the Bears as big time upward movers, but I'm not sure if the Bears are going to be as good as everyone thinks. Hester isn't a great WR and Cutler won't have the patience to dink and dunk to succeed there.

Another candidate for biggest drop, after Indy, are the Cowboys. That team is ready to collapse. Romo is going to have his worst season.

Sicilian

He has very rarely trended in that direction in his career.

dhamz

An interception prone caretaker? That will be a first.

mayoclinic

I admit the Vikings should be a force to contend with, but do you really think that Favre is going to solve the Vikings QB problem? I understand that with Adran Peterson they are a run-first team and don't need to rely on him to the extent that the Jets did, but I can't see Favre standing up to the pounding of a 16 game season or putting a his basic personality on the back burner. He will revert to gunslinger mode sooner or later, and will throw a bunch of picks at critical moments.

Not so sure I agree with you about Jacksonville. First, they picked #8 in the draft last year, so I can't see how they have very far to fall. Second, they seemed to do the smart thing in drafting Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton at OT in the first 2 rounds to rebuild their line. I don't see them being a contender in 2009 but I don't see them being worse than in 2008, and once the OL matures they could be nasty in a few years.

I agree with the earlier post that the Colts may slip a bit, though Pey-a-ton will keep them from falling too far. I think Houston is on the rise - they've lost a ton of close games over the past few years, and have continued to upgrade their personnel.

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Lloyd_Christmas

I agree with you about him being a poor caretaker, although I thought he did it one year in GB towards the end ... but I vaguely remember him being unsatisfied that he couldn't just go out there and sling it around and "have fun". Ironically, it was one of his better years IMO.

If he can work within the system and not try to do too much (aka force things and cause interceptions), then I think Min could be really good this year with him.

I agree with Kontradiction that the Jags are going to suck this year... is that a step down though?

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PatsChamp88

Yeah he played for them all last year, as for teams that will drop off I'll go with

Pittsburgh (I don't see 12-4 again)
Miami (11-5 last year not this year)
Carolina (After being a surprise 12-4 last year, this year they will disappoint)
Tampa Bay (9-7 no way this year they will finish under .500 without a doubt)

For teams improving

New England (obvious)
San Diego (8-8 somewhat disappointing this is their division to loose)
Philadelphia (9-6-1 loosing Dawkins hurt but they have one of their best rosters in years)
Green Bay (6-10 lost too many close games, this is a up and coming team)
New Orleans (8-8 underachievers last year)
San Francisco/Seattle (one of these teams will give Arizona a run)

Other thoughts

Houston (another up and coming team 8-8 seemed amazing but they really have to fight for any chance of a wild card spot, again no playoffs)
Cleveland (my pick to have the worst record in the NFL)
Detroit (they'll win a few but I suppose its an improvement over 0-16)
Chicago (Cutler games are either crap or good they will have a shot to win the division not sure about big improvement)
Dallas (this is a team is worst than last years and they still get hype look for coach cupcake to be fired)

PatsChamp88

I think we already have seen Jacksonville fall off the map with an 5-11 record last year, this team will come close to that record again. The team is getting old and injury prone, MJD is a small bright spot but he will be abused this season being the only offensive threat...I don't think Garrard has a great arm or else Holt would be a bigger threat.