PATRIOTSFANINPA

Line of Scrimmage: 5 Teams on the Rise, 5 on the Decline | CharlotteObserver.com

This article involves naming 5 NFL teams that they think are on thier way up to very good to elite status and 5 that are on their way down to home for the playoffs status.

I would say NE is not in this catagory,sure they missed the playoffs last year and Brady was not playing, but its not like they were a team going downward since most of the roster stayed the same - I would not include them in this thread but anyways.....

I say 5 teams on the rise this year are .....


1 - Lions - This is an easy one,after 0-16 you can only go up,guaranteed they will do better this year

2 - Bengals - They say Palmer is back at 100% and if Ochocinco and Henry can overcome the loss of Houshmenzada they could challenge the North title,The defense with Rivers returning who I think will be a very good LB in this league could be better as well.

3 - Saints - VERY dissapointing season last year despite Brees nearly passing Marino with the passing record,I think this is going to be the breakout season for Reggie Bush since McAllister is no longer there with the only question is the defensive secondary which to me is their weak spot - I still see this team advancing to the NFCCG this year so yes,that is a major improvement.

4 - Bears - I am one of probably only a few that thinks Cutler will flourish in this offense as for the first time in years the Bears have a legitimate Quarterback with proven quality - If Briggs,Urlacher and Harris come back after a horrendous 2008 defensive disaster,this could be the best team in the division.

5 - Cowboys - Missed the playoffs last year,This team is simply too talented to miss them again - Tony Romo is going to have a great year since Owens has taken his crybaby show elsewhere and Barber could have a tremendous season and any defense with Ware in it will be tough.


I say 5 Teams on the Decline are .....

1 - Colts - I think even though Peyton is still there he is starting to show signs of a less powerful passing game with his man Harrison leaving and Wayne not getting any younger,The RB situation is in limbo with Addai having surgery and no real great backups there - The defense has shown signs of wearing a bit as I think Freeney has had his best days and only Sanders is still going strong from the core of this teams defense during this decade. - This team could miss the playoffs for the first time in years with a tough division to handle.

2 - Titans - Another team from the same division I see not having the same success as in 2008,You really have to think the Titans will have a big QB controversy as the season progresses because I think Collins and Young will be fighting for the starting position as the season moves along and thats not good for any team,and with the loss of Haynesworth that leaves a hole the size of the grand canyon on that defensive front line - I think the only bright spot for this team will be the Rookie Kenny Britt which is one of my choices for OROTY no matter who throws to him.

3 - Dolphins - Simply saying the Wildcat will fool no one this year - in fact many teams will be implementing this formation into their offense in a copycat league,Tom Brady is back so defending the division title will be extremely tough and Porter will be hard pressed to repeat his superb performance in the sack department.

4 - Broncos - I wish McDaniels luck but this team needs something real positive to happen for them not to destruct from within,The Cassel situation now leaves them with Orton as starting QB who is O.K. as a backup,but will not get them to the playoffs - This team could be last in the division with the Raiders leaping over them

5 - Cardinals - I think the team has the best 1-2 WR tamden in the league but Warner is another year older and Leinart has yet to prove anything and the defense still has some holes - Remember they fall into the super bowl loser jinx as well


Honerable Mention - on the rise - San Diego
- on the decline - Baltimore

BradyFTW!

Re: the Colts, why does everyone think that the loss of Harrison is going to affect them, in comparison to what they did last year? He gave them next to nothing last year. If you want to talk about the impact to their offense versus 3 years ago (the last time Harrison made a strong impact), then sure. If you want to talk about other reasons why last year may have been an anomaly, then that's fine. But losing Harrison will not have a notable impact on this year's team in comparison to last year's.

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BradyManny

As long as Manning is under center, the Colts will be a threat.

I fear the Colts far more than the Steelers, for instance, who so far, have been the 90's Houston Rockets of the NFL, winning championships when the truly great teams are either in down years or missing players.

SyN65

I agree with all of that with the exception of the Colts.

BradyFTW!

I'd agree with that. The difference, for me, is that if Brady's playing I'm confident that we can beat the Steelers. Whenever we've met them in the playoffs, we've absolutely trounced them. Doesn't mean that I don't fear the Steelers and don't think that they can beat the Pats, but ever since 2006 it's different with the Colts.

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MoLewisrocks

I think while the Colts championship window may be closing with the departure of Dungy and the consultancies of Mudd and Moore, their contention window will remain as long as Peyton is standing. If they get their running game back on track they will likely win their division. I think Tennessee blew their window and the JAGS are just that. Houston could contend or be the team pushing Indy this season if their QB can stay healthy.

I also agree about the Pittsburgh comments. They are a gutsy and opportunistic crew but they have yet to get past us, just worked around us.

Still I think the three of us remain the iron of the AFC and probably the NFL. Baltimore and SD remain the iron step children with issues yet to prove they can overcome with any kind of consistency.

I think the NFC is a media hype driven conference that really can't compete except with each other...and the NFCE is it's poster child.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

My #1 Decline team

The Colts window is just about shut. How the hell does a 12-4 Colts team lose to a 8-8 Chargers team in the first round of the playoffs? I don't care if it was in San Diego, their home crowd is just as bad as New England's when it comes to crowd noise.

Yes, they will always be a threat when they have Manning under center, but they just can't acquire enough players to take them over the hump. In fact, the Colts have always been soft up the middle and have to rely too much on sacking the QB or forcing a turnover. In addition, their LB's always get off to a fast start early in the season because their fresh, but down the stretch the wear down and who knows if Bob Sanders will be their to bail them out. Speaking of Bob Sanders, he just can't seem to stay healthy on a consistent basis. Just look at his career, it's been a roller coaster ride for him. If they ever want to beat New England again, they better change their defensive philosophy and get bigger. Relying on speed to make up for your deficiencies will only take you so far.

Regarding their offense, Addai is on the hot seat because he had a terrible 2008. This is exactly why they drafted Donald Brown in the first round of the draft. Who knows why Addai played so poorly, but if they can't run the ball well this season, say good night. Their passing game is really going to struggle.

The Colts are not going to miss Harrison because he has been non existent the last couple of seasons with the Colts. It's the Colts not replacing Harrison sooner is what's going to hurt them. Stopping Clark will be a lot easier when their #1 receiver isn't a deep threat.

In the end, I really see the Colts scratching and clawing to get wins this season. However, I see them winning 10-11 games at most and an early exit in the playoffs.

My #1 team on the rise

I like what the 49ers have done and I think Mike Singletary can get them over the hump. In addition, they play in a crappy division and they seem to own the Cardinals. Michael Crabtree could be a steal which will help take pressure off of Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. Also, Josh Morgan is a sleeper at wide receiver. He lit it up in the 2008 pre-season but a injury kept him from playing much in the 2008 regular season. Crabtree and Morgan could be a good tandem for years to come. However, they need a QB and it looks like Alex Smith just isn't it. If they start Shaun Hill the entire season, they should be able to compete for a playoff spot. I believe he is 7-5 as a starter for the 9ers.

On defense, Patrick Willis is nuts. This guy is easily the best MLB in the NFL. Along with Willis, Parys Haralson looks like another key player in their rebuilding defense. On the other hand, their former 1st round pick Manny Lawson is on the hot seat. If he can pick up his play, this will really give the pass rush a boost.

Their secondary and their D-line are pretty weak, and the loss of Walt Harris doesn't help. Overall, I can see the 9ers really pushing the Cardinals for the division title. I see the 9ers getting 8-9 at most this season and finally making it back to the playoffs.

Metaphors

In no particular order...

DECLINE

- Miami: Landshark Stadium? Seriously?

- Baltimore: Classic roller-coaster team. Time to throw their hands up and scream.

- Indy: Offense is getting less scary. Defense depends on high scoring offense.

- Tennessee: Most overrated team in 2008 by a mile.

- Carolina: Team has no identity, a spaz QB, coach on the hot seat and no gimme's on the schedule. Really wanted their #1 pick in 2010.

RISE

- Cincinnati: A workable schedule and they are due for some breaks. Finished 2008 winning 3 straight.

- Houston: They are ready to take the next step and the schedule is cake.

- Seattle: If Hasselbeck can stay healthy, they should have enough to take back the division.

- Green Bay: At 6-10, was +39 in points (better than Fins and Cards combined)

- New Orleans: Worst to first is nothing new for the NFC South.

farn

I agree with those who still fear Indy. When they come to play, they can score at any time. They still have (if Sanders is OK) enough guys on D to keep it interesting...

They might not be quite as scary as in the earlier part of the decade, but as someone mentionned - Manning is enough to make them more than solid.

I think the Titans might be in trouble. And I have to think that even if the playoffs are out of reach this year, that the Chiefs will be going up in coming seasons.

BigtimeColtsfans

As far as on the rise, of course the Pats are going to be on the "rise". I think they'll go around 13-3, win the division and be a contender again with Brady back.

I also think the Colts are going to be on the "rise". I've said it before, but all you acting like the Colts window has closed are in for a rude awakening.

They are one of the youngest teams in the league, they shored up the D by drafting a DL and bringing back Johnson. Mud and Moore are back. Manning will be healthy this year as opposed to last. The O line is not going to be starting two rookies and the Colts resigned Saturday.

As someone else said losing Harrison isn't going to make any difference. He basically hasn't been that much of a factor since 2006. He missed most of 2007 and last year he wasn't exactly stellar. I wish he would have came back and been the 3rd guy, but at this point Gonzo is a better 2nd option and hopefully a 3rd wideout comes out of the pack of receivers we have.

I'm excited about the Colts, they've done a great job of addressing all their weaknesses, like the running game and stopping the run.

Also, I've said it before, but reading some of these comments about Manning's age just make me shake my head. Also someone up there said Wayne isn't "getting any younger". Wayne is what, 30? Moss is what, 32-33?

Manning is only a little over a year or so older than Brady. Why is it that age is such a factor for Manning and Wayne, but not for Brady (coming off a missed season because of injury) and Moss, who is a couple of years older than Wayne. I just don't get it.

I mean, you take away the names and just say QB A made the Pro Bowl, was league MVP, absolutely tore the league up after a slow start last season and has never missed a game while QB B missed the entire season due to injury and hasn't played more than a few minutes in a real football game since feb of 2008......which would you want coming into this season?

League MVP or QB who hasn't played in a year and a half and is coming off a serious knee injury? And people forget Warner just took a team to the SB at age what, 37? Elway didn't win his first SB until he was in his late thirties. Manning's a got a lot more tread on those tires.