Re: So Tiresome: NFL Access Pundits Still Picks Miami
Pujo said:
This kind of talk begs a discussion on logic.
What would you say the Pats chances of winning the division are? If all 4 teams were equal, it would be 25%. But let's be really homer-ish and say the Pats chances are 70%, with the other teams splitting the other 30%. Now, if someone picks Miami, they have a 1:10 chance of being right. Not great odds, but certainly within the realm of possibility.
Plus, remember that publications benefit from having a variety of opinions. If everyone picks the Pats, sooner or later Miami fans are going to pick a different website to read or radio show to listen to. So even if you get 100 guys in a room and 99 of them pick the Pats, they'll hire the 1 who chooses the Bills because they need that view represented. It's also a form of homerism, but we need to watch our own homerism here too.
I stand by my statement. "No objective analysis could conclude the Pats won't win the division."
With the Jets a work in process, having a new coach and other new personel and the Bills not really a threat at this point, the only team that really challenges is the Dolphins so look at that.
The Dolphins are coming off a successfull 05 season ending the year with what was it 6 or 7 straight wins which is impressive until you look at the level of competition. They beat Pats 3rd stringers on the last game of the season, just barely.
Well, they have Nick Saban who some say is a Belichick clone.
The Pats HAVE Belichick.
The Dolphins picked up pro bowler Daunte Culpepper who, though coming off an injury, could still be effective.
The Pats have Tom Brady.
Dolphins have Jason Taylor.
Pats have Richard Seymour.
The Dolphins have Ronnie Brown?!
The Pats have Cory Dillon
The Pats have Laurance Maroney.
The Dolphins have Randy McMichael.
The Pats have Benjamin Watson and Danial Graham.
You want history? How about five of the last six division championships go to NE.
Now I don't care about publications concerns for readership, just accurate and logical unbiased analysis.
Sure. Readers want to see their team picked do well but they also want that publication to have credibility.