The Time is finally here. Roger Goodell is already forgiven and DeMarcus Smith is no longer getting punked by the NFL Owners. Thank God for Robert Kraft. The time is here, No longer do when have to hear about Pacman making it rain again in the clubs or Aqib Talib shooting up the block, or Brandon Marshall getting stabbed by hoes. 2 a days, qb controversy, and torn Achilles heels injuries are running rapid through NFL locker rooms. People are so thirsty for football, fanasty draft have started and a preseason game haven't even kickoff yet. Everybody is already calling their favorite team and super bowl favorite but are usually skimming thru college talent for that top 10 draft pick. But lets toast to a new season and drop these season predictions. Division losers at the top, winners at the bottom. Player shown will be the most important for the player this season.
Offensive Team Ranks, 2010: 18th rushing, 24th passing, 28th scoring
Defensive Team Ranks, 2010: 32nd rushing, 3rd passing, 28th scoring
KEY ADDITIONS: LB Nick Barnett (from Packers), QB/WR Brad Smith (from Jets), QB Tyler Thigpen (from Dolphins), DE Marcell Dareus (first round, Alabama), CB Aaron Williams (second Round, Texas), LB Kelvin Sheppard (third round, LSU)
KEY DEPARTURES: LB Paul Posluszny (to Jaguars), SS Donte Whitner (to 49ers), DE Marcus Stroud(released), LB Akin Ayodele
If you breakdown and look at it, The Bills was the winner of the defensive draft. Great solid picks in round 1,2, and 3. Without the advantage of an offseason's worth of training camps, most rookie will have a tougher time than the past years. They need to heavily depend of these rookies and get them up to speed immediately.
Offense:
New Coach Chan Gailey, one of the better offensive minds in football, will get the most out of the unit. Ryan Fitzpatrick showed enough promise to keep his spot for another season. Buffalo Offense caught a spark at the end of the season and had a couple of teams on the ropes. Stevie Johnson was looking like a veteran pro bowl receiver. The Offensive line is still a work in progress but not as bad. The problem is getting CJ Spiller the ball and getting him the ball alot. He disappeared last year season and Fred Jackson had a decent season. 1st round with the ability of Chris Johnson needs to have a major breakout season along side Fred Jackson to score the football. 28th in the NFL in scoring is unacceptable.
Defense:
Buffalo's run defense wasn't just bad, it was historically bad. The Bills finished the year last in the NFL against the run, allowing 2,714 yards on the ground -- the second-highest total in franchise history. Last in the NFL. Buffalo addressed these issues with Dareus and Sheppard in the draft and with the signing of Nick Barnett. This is why Buffalo have to get their rookies up to speed quickly. The Bills have easily one the best secondaries in the NFL and wont miss a beat with losing Donte Whitner to the 49ers. The Bills have one of the best lineman in all of football in Kyle Williams but pass rush has to be generated from somewhere. Former first round Aaron Maybin is on the verge of getting cut and is a major bust.
Serious rumors are flying from camp from the Bills is that Shawne Merriman is returning to his "Lights Out" form. Hes the type of player that can rally entire Defense and they need it badly from him. Even with the injuries at age 27 they put enough faith in him and signed him to a 2 year deal. If he can get back to his 14-15 sack type of season, the Bills defense can "scare" a few teams and hes the most important player for the Bills this season.
Finals Thoughts:
The Bills need to see some improvement on the O and D lines this preseason. The offense has its share of playmakers, but it could good bad if Fitzpatrick is running for his life. The defense needs to show that it is more stout against the run and won't get pushed around. Young players Marcell Dareus and CJ Spiller must be an impact player right away and Shawne Merriman must provide a constant pass rush.
Prediction: 4-12 (4th in AFC East)
Offensive Team Ranks, 2010: 21th in Rushing, 16th in Passing, 30th in Scoring
Defensive Team Ranks, 2010: 7th in Rushing, 8th in Passing, 14th in Scoring
Key Arrivals: OT Ray Willis (Seahawks), OT Marc Colombo (Cowboys), DE-OLB Jason Taylor (Jets), ILB Kevin Burnett (Chargers), QB Matt Moore (Panthers), RB Reggie Bush (Saints), LB Jason Trusnik, (Browns)
Key Departures: Key departures: RB Ronnie Brown, (to Eagles); Released LB Channing Crowder; QB Tyler Thigpen, (to Bills); RB Ricky Williams (Ravens).
Offense:
This is it for Tony Sparano. Chad Henne has been horrible with no solid backup QB, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are gone. Reggie Bush has a new start and they are hoping that comes with new results. Daniel Thomas was drafted and i expect him to become the feature back for them. Brandon Marshall is still one of the top 5 WR in the game and Jake Long is the best tackle in the game. Bess and Fasano was reliable catching targets. Miami drafted Pouncey at Center and hoping he can provide the same results as his twin brother did for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams the team finished 21th in the league at rushing. The team can no longer be predictable by running behind Jake Long 70% of the time. Pouncey and a leveled head Richie Incognito will help with this situation. This offense must be patient and score some points to help this talented defense.
Defense:
One of the most slept on units in the entire NFL. A team that ranked in the top 10 against the run and the pass. The team spent to much time on the field to be ranked outside of the top 10 in scoring. One of the best secondaries in the NFL will return back Will Allen from injury. They will also get back injured rookies Linebacker A.J. Edds, and 1st round defensive end Jared Odrick. Jason Taylor returns and can be a great locker room guy and provide a few passing rushing snaps a game.
This is it for Chad Henne. No more excuses, no more terrible play. He will make or break the Dolphins. The defense is good enough to keep them in every game on the schedule but what can Henne bring on a week to week basis. More time this off season with Brandon Marshall will be very key for him as he will look for him to bail him out of tight jams during tough times. Hes got to prove he can move the ball down the field and make all the right throws. I think he will play fine but the lack of a running game will do him in.
Final Thoughts:
I wouldnt surprise me if Brett Favre is called in for a look if hes not truly retired. If Tebow was performing better in Denver, Kyle Orton would be on the roster, but for right now it all about Chad Henne. I think the team will compete but a lack of a power running will put them in bad situations on offense.
Prediction: 8-8 (3rd in AFC East)
Offensive Team Ranks 2010: 4th in Rushing, 22th in Passing, 13th in Scoring
Defensive Team Ranks 2010: 3rd in rushing, 6th in Passing, 6th in Scoring
Key arrivals: WR Derrick Mason (Ravens), WR Plaxico Burress (Giants), CB Donald Strickland (Chargers).
Key departures: DE Shaun Ellis (to Patriots); WR Braylon Edwards (to 49ers); CB Drew Coleman (to Jaguars); WR Brad Smith (to Bills); FB Tony Richardson; DE Trevor Pryce.
Offense:
Holmes is back at WR and hopefully the Jets have a angry/hungry Plaxico Burress. The running game is still a force with the best offensive line in the NFL. LT is getting old at RB back but he is still productive. Sanchez proved he can be a capable QB in this league. This Offense can explode if Burress can be a 1000 yd WR again. Derrick Mason, still an great option, will help with Dustin Keller to get Sanchez out of 3rd down problems
Defense:
What more can be said about this defense. To me, the only weakness is the nickel back Kyle Wilson. They to be more stout in the running game, is why they lost to the Steelers in the AFC Title but address those issues quickly in the draft. Cromartie returns to give the Jets the best one-two punch in the league again with a healthy Revis. Dave Harris is slowly becoming on the best ILB in the NFL.
Its Time to take the training wheels off the bike that Sanchez is riding into the stadium. He proved to be a reliable QB and can help make this team and super bowl winner. In the playoff, i remember many plays where the team ran on third down or were in some sort of wildcat formation. But it was Sanchez who made the plays in the Colts and Patriots games to get them those victories. So I should have pictured the offensive cooridnator, but its time to get this right and let Sanchez become the king of New York.
Final Thoughts:
Great team but i dont think that they made enough off season moves to jump ahead of the Patriots this season. The Pats combated their weaknesses to the Jets but the Jets didnt to the Pats. In my mind, they are still capable of winning a super bowl.
Prediction:
13-3 (AFC East 2nd place) Loss in AFC Title Game
Offensive Team Ranks 2010, 9th in Rushing, 11th in Passing, 1st in Scoring
Defensive Team Ranks 2010, 30th in rushing, 30th in Passing, 8th in Scoring
Key arrivals: DE Andre Carter (Redskins), DE Shaun Ellis (Jets), DE Mark Anderson (Texans), DT Albert Haynesworth (Redskins), WR Chad Ochocinco (Bengals), OT Nate Solder (Colorado), CB Ras-I Dowling (Virginia)
Key departures: S Jarrad Page (to Eagles); UFA PK Shayne Graham (to Redskins); DL Ty Warren (to Broncos)
Can we place them in the super bowl right now?? The real winner in free agency because they knew their major needs and addressed with with quality football players.
Offense:
Tom Brady! As long as this guy on the roster, Super Bowl will be the goal every season. The O-line is solid and got younger with Nate Solider in the 1st round. The running game is ok but their a spread the ball team and can run when needed. Ocho will bring another element to this offense because the team inability to double team him this year. Welker, Branch, and Hernandez will spread the field with all good route running ability. The #1 scoring offense got better.
Defense:
The defense was ass last year. No debate about it. Just horrible, no Pass rush what so ever and "Couldnt Stop a Nose Bleed" -Bart Scott. Its obvious Belicheck said the hell with the 3-4 defense with the signing of key defensive linemen. Pair Vince Wilfolk with Albert Haynesworth and you instantly have the best DT tandem in the NFL. A decent Haynesworth back in his 3 technique position is still better than 90% of the linemen in the NFL. A motivated Albert Haynesworth is the best DT in the NFL. Add to the signing of Carter and Ellis and now they 2 pass rushing bookends. Stopping the run and Pass severely helped. This is why line play is the most important element in football.
As I stated, a decent Albert Haynesworth playing in his right position is better than 90% of the DT, a movivated evil Albert Haynesworth playing his right position is the best DT in the NFL. He has to prove his is still worth that $100 Million contract. I really Washington didnt use him right and it was a waste of time and money. I expect him to return to his old mean dominating self this season and the Patriots will benefit and the Redskins will look absolutely stupid.
Final Thoughts:
Patriots were a game away from the super bowl with a terrible defense and addressed the issue. I think the Jets will be the only team in their way in the AFC and i believe they will get over that hump. Belicheck makes no mistakes ever when signing Free Agents and Ocho and Haynesworth will should everybody why again.
Prediction:
14-2 (1at AFC East) Super Bowl Champs
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