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The Giants won't make the playoffs in 2008 (IMO obviously).
I disagree with that, and I'm basing it on the playoffs finally waking up Eli Manning. The Giants are also a relatively young team across the board and the only two guys they lost, Kawika Mitchell and Gibril Wilson are replacable.
I kind of like the Eagles but the division is very tough. The Saints should bounce back. Minnesota is very good if they get competent QB play, though admittedly that might be a stretch. They should just trade for Chad Pennington and be done with it.
Last edited by JoePats; 05-18-2008 at 09:08 AM..
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-SD: Norve has another year to F up Marty's team. Plus, injuries at key positions, including TE with Gates. just a gut feeling, but we'll know more when we get to see the Qb hobble around a little. '06 was their year.
-Indy: I say this every year, and every year I seem to be wrong. But the Marvin situation, plus some losses on the OL and IMO the questionable performance of T. Ugoh at LT leave the O a but vulnerable for a change. Freeney is coming off of Lis Franc surgery and if he loses even a half step, he's just an average player. Lack of pass rush exposes the rest of the D, where the talent is not as good as advertised (see SD playoff game).
Despite the talent they have, I can honestly see SD having an off year long before Indy. I will never count on Indy falling off. I've said the last couple years I thought they'd decline, and they still remain a factor - and will as long as Manning is QB. San Diego on the other hand may be the only team in the league that stacks up with us on paper, but like you, I wouldn't be surprised to see some self-destruction.
The Giants defense could take a huge step backward if Strahan retires and their offense isn't particularly overwhelming. Depending on Strahan's plans they could end the season 8-8 or 9-7, but in the NFC that's enough to get in. And then anything can happen.
As a pure "Surprise Pick," my money is on the Falcons. When Dimitroff was hired many people weren't sure if he was going to try to implement a defensive philosophy similar to the one in New England, but unlike Mangini's tour into New York, Dimitroff saw that there are some legit 4-3 talents on the roster and instead of selling that talent away for fifty cents on the dollar, he's hired a head coach with extensive experience in the 4-3. In fact, all of the candidates they interviewed were defensive-oriented and experienced in the 4-3. That's a smart thing for a GM to do, especially considering the dire condition of the franchise, the low public support, and the stink in the air that still remains from the Vick fiasco. It could mean quicker success for a team that looked like it was a long rebuild away from being competitive.
On offense, Roddy White broke out last season with 83 receptions and 1200 yards, they signed Michael Turner (who should combine with Jerious Norwood for a good RB duo), and helped the offensive line with Sam Baker. Not to mention Ryan. They have a lot more talent on offense this year than they did last season.
They won't make the playoffs, but I could see six to seven wins - which would surprise some of the people who already have them pegged as the worst team in the league (almost the consensus #32 team in pre-season power rankings).
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I don't like Dungy and that's because he [was] the head coach of the Colts. Period. End of question. The degree to which I like a player or coach is predicated solely on the color of the laundry they wear on Sunday. When fans admit this and stop bashing players and coaches for any other reason, the world of sports will be infinitely improved.
I don't think the Giants will do a back to back, that's for sure. I'm not convinced they're all that dominant of a team yet, and I don't know why some people seem to think they are.This decade's had a few one and dones, and nothing's convinced me so far that the Giants aren't one of those too.
Eli's still an enigma- which Eli will show up this season? If he can maintain whatever he had going for him towards the end of last season then anything's possible, but if he doesn't then they're in trouble.
It's so difficult to repeat in today's NFL...I'm not sure the Giants have what it takes to do be able to do that.
The Giants will just plug in Tuck in at Strahan's spot along with Kiwanuka back in a DL role full time and Umenyora on the other side.
I doubt that's a big loss (Strahan) but it would hurt their depth at the position.
They lose a Hall of Famer at DE and a pass rushing force in the middle of the defensive line if they have to put Tuck outside. His rush up the middle was probably the most important thing about the Super Bowl. They don't have a lot of room for error in the back end of the defense, so a weaker defensive line means a far weaker defense.
Eli had a great miracle drive, but he's still mediocre and I don't believe he's the type of QB who can carry a team with an average defense.
Eli had a great miracle drive, but he's still mediocre and I don't believe he's the type of QB who can carry a team with an average defense.
Exactly-for a long time even Peyton couldn't carry his team to the SB because their defense was average to mediocre at that time. Eli would have to be almost perfect to get that done, and he's not. At least not yet- Eli's progress this year will be interesting to follow.
The Colts are and will continue to be an elite team; they were a chip shot missed field goal and a defense play away from 16-0 last year.
The Chargers IMO turned the corner with the Indy win; incredible that they won that game at Indy, still to this day can't believe they won, they deserve a ton of credit for winning that game. With all of their injuries, they hung in there vs the Patriots in the AFCCG.
As far as dismissing the Giants, four teams did that in the playoffs last year too, how'd that work out for them. The Patriots treated them like a speed bump to perfection and got a rude awakening. I see the Giants being very competative in the NFC this year and the Patriots taking a few steps back, too many holes on a defense that was not that great last year to begin with. That secondary scares me..........
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"We don't throw at .260 hitters." Tek to Pay-Fraud before he smacked him across the face.
The Colts are and will continue to be an elite team; they were a chip shot missed field goal and a defense play away from 16-0 last year.
The Chargers IMO turned the corner with the Indy win; incredible that they won that game at Indy, still to this day can't believe they won, they deserve a ton of credit for winning that game. With all of their injuries, they hung in there vs the Patriots in the AFCCG.
As far as dismissing the Giants, four teams did that in the playoffs last year too, how'd that work out for them. The Patriots treated them like a speed bump to perfection and got a rude awakening. I see the Giants being very competative in the NFC this year and the Patriots taking a few steps back, too many holes on a defense that was not that great last year to begin with. That secondary scares me..........
The secondary of the Patriots is still superior to that of the Giants. But it is more likely that a 16-0 team will take a step back than a 10-6 one, eh?
The Giants played terribly against the Packers and were a miracle catch away from being "well, at least they made it a game." They made it a game because of Tuck, Umenyiora, and Strahan. Without one of those three they will be severely weakened and simply don't have the rest of the talent on defense to make up for a quarterback prone to terrible play on an inconsistent offense.
__________________
I don't like Dungy and that's because he [was] the head coach of the Colts. Period. End of question. The degree to which I like a player or coach is predicated solely on the color of the laundry they wear on Sunday. When fans admit this and stop bashing players and coaches for any other reason, the world of sports will be infinitely improved.
Why Seattle? It seems like their offense is just one big question mark. Julius Jones and TJ Ducket aren't proven, Deion Branch hasn't been the gamechanger they thought, and Bobby Engram is 35 and holding out. Plus DJ Hackett is gone. I just don't see it for Seattle.
According to most of the Seahawk fans out here, Courtney Taylor is a real stud and was the steal of the 07 draft! I think they have a lot of question marks as well. I don't like their running game, I think their O-Line is on the decline, I don't think their secondary is as good as they think, and the WR core is in trouble. On the plus side though do have a solid group of linebackers, Hasselbeck is a solid QB, and they do have the playoff experience in their favor if they can get back there. I do think St. Louis has enough talent to give them a challenge if they can stay healthy. Bulger being out, and the lack of OL depth really hurt them last year.
I like Cleveland to win the AFCN and I also think the Raiders can be much improved this year. They are LOADED at running back. I would love to have Michael Bush as a backup.
Re: OT: Early nominees for '08 surprise teams
I think they have a lot of question marks as well. I don't like their running game, I think their O-Line is on the decline, I don't think their secondary is as good as they think, and the WR core is in trouble. On the plus side though do have a solid group of linebackers, Hasselbeck is a solid QB, and they do have the playoff experience in their favor if they can get back there. I do think St. Louis has enough talent to give them a challenge if they can stay healthy. Bulger being out, and the lack of OL depth really hurt them last year. 
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