they are dominating this decade like Miami,Pittsburgh, and Oakland did in the 70's. ( with Patriots gaining the edge as those 70's Steelers did) Or the Celtics, Sixers, and Lakers ( Lakers finally came out on top) in the 80's in the NBA.
I cant wait for next year. I believe we play both rivals.
they are dominating this decade like Miami,Pittsburgh, and Oakland did in the 70's. ( with Patriots gaining the edge as those 70's Steelers did) Or the Celtics, Sixers, and Lakers ( Lakers finally came out on top) in the 80's in the NBA.
I cant wait for next year. I believe we play both rivals.
I also think that the Steelers might take another step back. they will have to adjust to the new defense. And they might need to import players that fit the 4-3 better. Such as Porter. I think he is an excellent OLB in the 3-4, but as a 4-3 defensive end, puting a hand down against the TE, he may struggle. But the Steelers have pretty good defensive personel, so I am sure they will be good at the end of the season, but the 1st half they may struggle again.
they are dominating this decade like Miami,Pittsburgh, and Oakland did in the 70's. ( with Patriots gaining the edge as those 70's Steelers did) Or the Celtics, Sixers, and Lakers ( Lakers finally came out on top) in the 80's in the NBA.
I cant wait for next year. I believe we play both rivals.
Im sure that Pittsburgh still has DC **** Lebeau, and Tomlin I believe has said he will stick to the 3-4 for at least this year. Dont have time to look up the link, but it was in a local newspaper here in State College, PA, possibly in the Centre Daily Times.
I like the steelers, but I don't think there are part of the elite mix for the immediate future. I expect that it will be us, the colts and SD. And yes, SD does have a monkey on their back. The Colts had the top QB who choked in the playoffs; SD has the top coach who can't call plays in the playoffs or make playoff decisisons.
I think that we are now the best three teams in football, and I expect that situation to continue. And yes, Chicago could be one of the four, if they only had an NFL quarterback leading their offense.
I also think that the Steelers might take another step back. they will have to adjust to the new defense. And they might need to import players that fit the 4-3 better. Such as Porter. I think he is an excellent OLB in the 3-4, but as a 4-3 defensive end, puting a hand down against the TE, he may struggle. But the Steelers have pretty good defensive personel, so I am sure they will be good at the end of the season, but the 1st half they may struggle again.
Look for the Chargers to take a step back as well. With Cameron leaving, more duty falls on lame duck Marty. Also it's still a real possibility that Phillips goes to Dallas. They won't sneak into the #1 spot again.
Denver is a team who's been good, but not great, throughout the decade. I'm expecting them to improve with Culter a little more experienced and their extra motivation due to a teammate's death.
Im sure that Pittsburgh still has DC **** Lebeau, and Tomlin I believe has said he will stick to the 3-4 for at least this year. Dont have time to look up the link, but it was in a local newspaper here in State College, PA, possibly in the Centre Daily Times.
I think the transition to anyone other than Cowher and the loss of Wisenhut will make for an interesting dynamic on the offensive side of the ball as well. Ben is at a career crossroads and we know from past experience that navigating intersections aren't his strong suit...
Indy will be interesting to watch. Defense of title seasons can prove to be more challenging than getting over the hump seasons. Can they afford to retain enough of their finally cohesive talent, and if they do manage to will they only find it has lost it's edge? And in the back of every one's mind will be is this Dungy's farewell to football season?
And then there is the spectre of the wildly talented SD Superchargers who have already lost an OC, may yet lose a DC but have retained Shottsie in what is clearly a win or you're really done this time season.
I also think that the Steelers might take another step back. they will have to adjust to the new defense. And they might need to import players that fit the 4-3 better. Such as Porter. I think he is an excellent OLB in the 3-4, but as a 4-3 defensive end, puting a hand down against the TE, he may struggle. But the Steelers have pretty good defensive personel, so I am sure they will be good at the end of the season, but the 1st half they may struggle again.
The Steelers, at least for this season, are keeping 90% of the Cowher defensive coaching staff, including DC **** Lebeau who came up with the zone blitz/3-4 schemes that the Steelers have been using for the past fifteen years. The big change in philosophy is coming on the offensive side of the ball, where there has been pretty much a wholesale replacement of the coaching staff.
I wouldn't be surprised to see San Diego replace Pittsburgh in the big 3. It's exciting that we will play Indy, Pittsburgh and San Diego next season. I say we sweep em!
In this decade it stacks up like this:
New England: 5 playoff berths, 5 Division titles, 3 AFC Titles, 3 SB wins
Indianapolis : 6 playoff berths, 4 Division titles, 1 AFC title, 1 SB win
Pittsburgh : 4 playoff berths, 3 Division titles, 1 AFC Title, 1 SB win
Its still the Patriots decade, but the other 2 have been worthy rivals
I think they got a great team with a great coach and a great GM.
You guys will find out the hard way that the Jets can stand up to the Patriots. This is not the same old Jets and this is not Herman Edwards's team anymore.
Unfortunately, Belichick respects Mangini and company so the Pats will never take the Jets lightly. That's okay. I believe in Mangini.
BTW, I am not even a Jets fan. I hate the Jets. They are only useful to me when they play the Patriots just like the Yankees are useful only when they play the Red Sox.
I think they got a great team with a great coach and a great GM.
You guys will find out the hard way that the Jets can stand up to the Patriots. This is not the same old Jets and this is not Herman Edwards's team anymore.
Unfortunately, Belichick respects Mangini and company so the Pats will never take the Jets lightly. That's okay. I believe in Mangini.
BTW, I am not even a Jets fan. I hate the Jets. They are only useful to me when they play the Patriots just like the Yankees are useful only when they play the Red Sox.
I agree somewhat, I think that in the season following the next we'll be actually challenged for the division, but for now I'm not so scared of them. I think if qwe make all the right strides in the off-season then we'll be fine and back to 03/04 status.
My top teams:
1) Patriots (with 27 cap, and 2 first rounders, only we can beat ourselves with bad decisions)
2) Chargers (LT, Roid Rage Merriman should be fine in SD, despite Chokenheimer leading the offense)
3) Colts (No Freeney, June back, no back to back SB)
4) Steelers (pending health)
USA Today puts the Pats at the top at 6-1. I love that, but USA Today isn't real odds you can bet on. You could make the contrary argument though, that the betting public just reflects strength of conviction among the compulsive.
the original post specifically made reference to dominating this decade, which eliminates SD and keeps Pitt firmly entrenched in the group.
Pitt is a big wild card right now. they could finish anywhere between 7 and 13 wins next year and I wouldn't be very surprised. Can you discount R-whatever even though they went 15-1 his first year and won the superbowl his second (I believe you can, as I always thought he was just a piece and not a guy who can carry a team)? Will they change defenses? Will they suffer due to the adjustment period under a new coach? Can they start the season on a roll and ride the "nobody believed in us" and "we want our title back" emotions to a first-round bye?
If SD has a run they'll have to split theirs into "late aughts" and "early tens."
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
