chris_in_sunnyvale

San Diego is positioning itself to be a beast for the next few years. Great lines, best RB and TE in the game, excellent LBs and a QB who is not a liability (with a lot of upside). The DBs aren't superior, but they are not awful, either. Ditto the WRs (despite Parker's horrible playoff game). If San Diego drafts a good WR and DB, they'll be the Pats' biggest challenge.

The Colts hit the jackpot with Bob Sanders...their D is night-and-day with and without him. If the Colts land another impact defender like him, the Pats have another team loaded for bear in their conference.

If Maroney comes on like I expect him to and Chad Jackson does even just a decent job, the Pats will be a beast. They must address the ILB spots, though.

Regards,
Chris

everlong

The Chargers and the Pats look to be the next big AFC rivalry. Pitt, Tenn, Indy, Denver have all been very good this decade and I wouldn't count them out. They all have good organizations from top to bottom and always seem to find a way.

I'd throw in that Indy, Pitt, and Balt all have to over come cap issues, not that they cannot but they cannot blindly spend unless they plan on making one or two more big pushes and then have to re-tool like the titans.

__________________
"When Peyton Manning was a kid he used to go to bed at night and dream about throwing the winning touchdown for the Saints in the Superbowl. And on Sunday he did."

There's only two conclusions for Patriots fans on rookies. They are either a bust or being fitted for their bust in Canton.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

cstjohn17

The crystal ball is never right but I see:
- SD, NE, maybe Indy, Ravens and Cincy as the main contenders for division titles.
- followed by a strong second class of Pittsburgh, Denver, Jacksonville and the Jets

PatsFanSince74

Thanks for a thoughtful analysis of next season and props to your optimistic spirit (though I hope you're right across the board and especially about the Colts and a loss on Sunday).

i'm reluctant to handicap next season this far in advance. whodathought last September that the titans would be a tough out in December, that the Dolphins would tank or that the Jests would be in the playoffs?

__________________
It is what it is. It wasn't what it wasn't.

spacecrime

You know, maybe it did. How do we know it didn't? If we won the SB, you would have proof positive, but right now, who knows if it afected him or not. BB certainly made some odd decisions and calls this year.

Kdo5

Depending if we have a good draft(I am sure we will), if we are able to resign Samuel, I think we will be in better shape than any other team in the AFC. But so far I am not completely sold on Maroney and that Dillon should start again next year. We'll have old dudes still but lots of young guys. We look good for next season compared to how everyone thought we were in **** shape last year. I am seriously starting to really like Gaffney as a starting reciever.

everlong, the Colts/Pats already has been a great rivalry the last several years. Ofcourse its been weird because we kicked their ass a lot during the rivalry now they have won 3 in a row. It isnt like one team wins and the next game the other team wins. Colts/Pats can potentially be one of the best rivalries in NFL history if it continues like it has. The AFCCG was one of the best I have seen in a long time even though we lost.

RyanTheColtsFan

The Colts were supposed to be in "cap hell" forever and a day now. When they only win 5 games because of it, i'll give in and say they will regress.

But until then... count Indy in as contender again for next season.

__________________
"I think manning cooked a grilled cheese back there in the pocket" - roman_maroney in the pats/colts gameday thread

patsfaninpa

Colts were the last team to lose each of the last two years. Polian has said Freeney will be back. I don't think that's good for their other fa's; June,Rhodes and Harper. I think the Colts biggest concern might be a backup rb if they lose Rhodes. You need more than one back. And, they don't have a 2nd round pick to get someline T.Hunt or M.Bush. I can't see Indy winning under 10-12 games over the next couple of years. Unless devastated by injuries. But, you can say injuries can hurt any team.

PATRIOTS-80

Every year is different because of injuries ... if we lose Brady or the Colts lose Manning ... year over for the most part.

The Broncos probably will bounce back to make the play-offs.

I think the Chargers will be better, but have a worser record (if you know what I mean).

Chiefs and Jets I think will regress, but that's just me.

Miguel

Cmon, Ryan.

Do you really think that same fans who were predicting cap hell for the Colts in 2004, in 2005, in 2006 are going to stop their refrain in 2007???

Given their track record, I would not find any of their reports of a Colts implosion in 2007 to be very credible.

__________________
My youngest sister's best friend is on the board of directors of a food pantry in Malden, Massachusetts that distributed 285,000 meals and meal equivalents in 2005. I am asking that if you have found my salary cap pages useful that if you are able to do so, please make a donation to it. Please contact me for more information.