NFL Preview Thread

[the pinjockey 0]

Now that all cuts have been made and the season is only a few days away, I figured it would be a good time for people to give an idea as to where they think their team stands. And if you wanted to preview a different team from yours or give an overall preview, well that is why I put that subheading. Anyway,

 

Philadelphia Eagles

 

Offseason: Major upgrade

 

Any time you add the top available FA playmaker on each side of the ball, it has to be viewed as a good offseason. I also like the late additions of Trotter and Douglas. They certainly are not the players they were two years ago, but with the loss of Vincent and Emmons, they needed to boost morale on this team and they did that in a major way. Many analysts point out the loss of Vincent and Taylor as reasons this team may not succeed, but they are seriously overrating the abilities of those two at this point in their careers. The other two losses (Emmons and Staley) I will get to at the LB and RB position sections.

 

Positions

 

Quarterback: Upgrade

 

This is the year that is going to make or break Donovan McNabb as an elite QB in this league or just a decent QB with elite playmaking ability. When you have Charles Johson and Torrence Small as your WRs, a poor throwing stat line is excusable. When you have Todd Pinkston and James Thrash as your WRs, a poor throwing stat line is excusable. When you have Terrell Owens, there is no more leeway. IMO, this year, he puts it all together a little better, gets his comp. % to 60% and becomes a very good QB, but not elite.

 

The major positive that has come out of the preseason is the emergence of Jeff Blake as a legit no.2 QB. Every opportunity he has had so far, he has been brilliant. AJ Feeley was a nice no. 3 QB, but if you saw the 6 games he started at the end of 2002-2003, he was not someone you wanted in the lineup permanently. Koy Detmer, right now, is listed as the no.2 QB, but if McNabb goes down watch how fast Blake gets in there. Right now, Detmer is the 2, because he holds for Akers.

 

Running back: Downgrade

 

If, IF, Brian Westbrook can stay healthy all year, this downgrade turns into an upgrade and they have a potential Pro-Bowl back. Westbrook was the most explosive player in the league last season. Everytime he touches the ball, he has the ability to take it all the way. He is also a great back catching the ball out of the backfield (huge in Reid's system). He is going to be taken off return duty this year due to the increased offensive workload.

 

Correll Buckhalter was going to be the solid back on this team. The man who on 3rd and 3 will get you the three. But a second season ending injury in three years has put an end to that (and likely his Eagles career). The team now turns to Reno Mahe and Thomas Tahpe. Needless to say Westbrook better stay healthy or this area turns to toast.

 

Wide Receivers: Do you need to ask?

 

Terrell Owens has already become a mythical creature in the Philadelphia area. He is going to be the man given credit if this team finally makes it all the way (fair or not). Everyone knows, at this point, him and McNabb have had a love fest all offseason. If Owens does not blow up during the season, it should make this offense explosive. If he does, well they got to the NFC championship with shit there last season.

 

Freddie Mitchell is still listed as the no. 3 receiver, but he is clearly the second best receiver on this team. He is fearless going across the middle and has a knack for coming up with the big, first down catches. This is going to be the season he gets into the 50-60 catch area.

 

Todd Pinkston. Ugh. He will catch a long ball every couple of games and then go back into his shell. Todd Pinkston flat out sucks. Lets move on.

 

Greg Lewis and Billy McMullen round out the WRs. Greg Lewis has shown a little potential. Billy McMullen apparently had a brain injury coming out of college and lost every bit of football skill he had.

 

Tight End: Upgrade

 

LJ Smith needs to buy Terrell Owens a steak dinner every night for what his addition is going to mean to Smith's stat sheet. Smith is going to be the starter on this team sooner than later and even as a backup he will still get plenty of action.

 

Chad Lewis is certainly on the downside of his career. At this point, he has no speed or seperation ability. The only catches he made last season were when McNabb was able to thread a needle as Lewis was falling to the ground.

 

Mike Bartrum is the third TE. He only sees action as the long snapper. One of the best in the game as it has been forever since he has screwed up a snap.

 

Offensive Line: Even

 

Runyan, Thomas, Mayberry and Fraley all return.

 

The major change along the line is Shaun Andrews replacing John Welbourn. There was much second guessing when Reid traded up to obtain Shaun Andrews (I believe my reaction was "Fuck that fat fuck"), but Reid knew he needed to get some youth on the O-Line as it is beginning to age. And then Welbourn went on local sports radio WIP and opened his mouth (yes John lets renegotiate the 7 yr deal you signed 2 years ago, asshole). There is a lot of pressure on Andrews, but so far he has responded. The best compliment I can give is that I never noticed him in the preseason. He got called for no stupid penalties and never got burnt by a DT. I have confidence in him going into the season.

 

Then there is the man who would be King, Artis Hicks. When Welbourn got traded, initially everyone thought Hicks would be the one to move into the starting role, but that was not the case. But is makes sense, in the sense, they now have a 6th O-Lineman who can play any of the spots other than center. And if anyone saw Miami/Philly last season, Hicks handled Jason Taylor all night long. If anyone were to go down and Hicks had to be moved into the lineup, they would not miss a beat.

 

Defensive Line: Upgrade

 

The addition of Jevon Kearse upgrades the Defensive End position even if he only plays half of the games. Last season the Eagles only got 9 sacks out of all of their defensive ends, over the entire season. That is atrocious. Hugh Douglas returns, and IMO he will be a nice compliment as a situational pass rusher playing 25-30% of the snaps. Jerome McDougle is the man with the pressure on him this year. He was injured all of last season and did not really show much of that first round ability. He is going to have to step up this season or else he will fall into Mike Mamula territory.

 

Corey Simon, Darwin Walker, Hollis Thomas, Sam Rayburn, and Paul Grasmanis are the DTs. If they all stay healthy, the Eagles have, arguably, the best DT rotation in the league. Corey Simon has the ability to be one of the top DTs in the game. His problem is in the play-to-play consistancy. Darwin Walker is a very good no. 2 DT, but suffers from the same problem as Simon. Hopefully the other three DTs, stay healthy and can alleviate that problem somewhat. Hollis Thomas is the fat turd, run stuffer they lacked last season, but he has some serious health issues as he has not been on the field during a regular season game in two years. Sam Rayburn is a name to remember. Every time he gets on the field he seems to be in the backfield of the opponent. Remember, Rayburn is the man the 49ers wanted for Owens and Reid would not give him up (he would rather give up a third round pick than Rayburn). Paul Grasmanis is just a tough SOB. Someone who will clog up lanes and just play very solid for 10-15% of the plays to get the starters some rest.

 

Linebackers: Even

 

This area is a little confusing. Nate Wayne and Mark Simoneau return to provide Eagles fans with no confidence in their LBs. If a running back gets to that second level, Simoneau is not making the tackle.

 

Where is gets a little blurry is in the loss of Emmons and the addition of Dhani Jones. While the difference in ability of Emmons last year and Jones this year is a downgrade, Emmons is 30 years old and has had trouble recovering from the injury that ended his season last year. If Jones is able to handle the opposing TEs there won't be much trouble in the transition. If he can't? With Shockey, Witten, Winslow, Heap and Franks on the schedule, there could be trouble.

 

The backups are Trotter, Reese, and Adams. A decent, uninspiring group of backups that I would not want to see with the starting job.

 

Cornerbacks: Even

 

Now we get to the area, where everyone seems to think is the biggest downgrade. The only problem is, those people still seem to think Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor are still Pro-Bowl corners (Troy Vincent making the Pro-Bowl last year was a disgrace). They have both clearly lost a step and with the new rules that means they will lost at least another step.

 

Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard are now the point men. Do I think they are great? God no. They both have the ability to be solid CBs and their athleticism will allow Jim Johnson to do more with them blitzing. But they can obviously win with these two at CB considering they did last year when Taylor and Vincent were injured.

 

Rod Hood, IMO, is going to be a very good nickel corner. While Brown and Sheppard went through some growing pains last year, this undrafted FA always was making plays and taking care of his assignments. Matt Ware is going to be the dime corner. If he develops, he will be the big corner to take over for Bobby Taylor and would give them a very nice core of CBs.

 

The safeties are terrific. Brian Dawkins is one of the elite safeties in the game (Reed and Williams make it hard to call him the best anymore). Michael Lewis is going to be a Pro-Bowler this season. If Dawkins goes down, Clinton Hart has Pro-Bowl potential. Quinton Mikell is a coach favorite, that hasn't seen any significant time, so I can't judge him. JR Reed is a safety, but his only action is going to be in the return game.

 

Kicker: Even

 

The best kicker in the game returns this season.

 

(Before New England fans chime in, if there was one kick I needed made to save the world, I take Vinitieri. But over the course of the season I want Akers.)

 

Punter: Even

 

Dirk Johnson is again the teams punter. He did a solid enough job. He isn't the best punter in the league, but he doesn't screw punts up, so he is good enough for me.

 

Special Teams: Minor Downgrade

 

It was a surprise when the Eagles released Sean Morey, as he was a terrific gunner on punts and kickoffs. But the Eagles have shown they can find these people and replace them whenever they want (Dameane Douglas ---> Rod Smart---> Sean Morey).

 

JR Reed has been impressive handling kickoffs in the preseason. He has the gamebreaking abillity that James Thrash lacked in the role last season. It is unknown who is going to handle punts, but whoever it is will be a downgrade from Westbrook last season.

 

Games that worry me:

At Clev. on Oct.24 - They are going to be coming off an emotional game, at home, with Carolina and Clev. has just enough talent on offense that they could put up a huge game if it all comes together. Plus Winslow vs. Dhani Jones makes me worry.

 

Home vs. Green Bay - They are going to have three straight divisional games before this one, against a GB team that will want to take this one.

 

Predictions: Cop-out time. This season is Super Bowl or bust, but it is in my nature as a Philly fan to predict the worse. So to save myself from ruining the upcoming season, I am not looking ahead to anything.

 

......

 

Eh, what the hell. 13-3. Make it to the Super Bowl.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Miami Dolphins: yeah...

[Guest Flyboy]

Saints: 9-7 or 10-6, manages to sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard team.

[Guest HungryJack]

Kicker: Even

 

The best kicker in the game returns this season.

 

(Before New England fans chime in, if there was one kick I needed made to save the world, I take Vinitieri. But over the course of the season I want Akers.)

 

 

 

 

Ok, seriously, what the FUCK is Mike Vanderjagt going to have to do to get some fucking respect????

 

 

 

The man was PERFECT last year, and by FG % , is the BEST kicker in NFL history.

 

Fuck David Akers, and fuck Adam Vinatieri, Mike Vanderjagt is the TRUTH.

[the pinjockey 0]

Ok, seriously, what the FUCK is Mike Vanderjagt going to have to do to get some fucking respect????

Not kick in a dome.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Don't kid yourself on the Eagles defense. Carlos Emmons is a huge blow to the defense and they came nowhere near replacing his presence. Kearse will end up being a non-factor since the rest of the line sucks anyways. He won't come anywhere close to filling Hugh Douglas' shoes.

 

And there's way too much sugarcoating on the Eagles offense. They won't have shit for a running game and McNabb/TO will and has been underwhelming to this point. If TO was complaining about Garcia he's going to start in on McNabb by halftime of the first game.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Pack goes 11-5, maybe 12-4, wins a hotly contested NFC North with the Vikings getting in as a Wild Card and the Lions almost ruining things.

 

I see Green Bay getting to the NFC Title game, but a Super Bowl feels like a longshot. Still, I'm confident they can do it if they just play as good as they really are and Favre leads like a man whose last real chance is probably this season.

[NoCalMike 0]

Washington Redskins: Joe Gibbs, Marcus Washington, Shawn Springs, Sean Taylor, Phillip Daniels, Cornelius Griffith are the biggest aquisitions, with Champ Bailey being the biggest loss........

 

Philly should still win this division, but from there it is a tossup. The cowboys were 10-6 last season, but that include 10 weeks of mistake free football from a mobile quarterback. Vinny has been hitting the backs of DB's as much as the hands of receivers thus far in preseason. Add to that Vinny is one hit away from lala land and then it would a sticky situation in Dallas.

 

Philly 11-5

Washington 9-7

Dallas 7-9

NY Giants 6-10

[Guest GreatOne]

Seahawks SHOULD go 11-5 at the very least. Big ?s being whether the defense can play to the level of the offense and they can win outside the Pacific time zone (as NO and TB will test)

 

D-line: Yeah the Hawks overpaid for Wistrom, but hell everybody has to overpay for who they want sometimes. Him and Okeafor will be an improvement on Okeafor and 'insert defensive end A', although I've always liked Cochran to a degree. It's a little scary, admittedly, with--outside of Woodard--Bernard being the 'veteran' DT now and he's only in his third year. But I liked Craig Terrill when I saw him in camp and Tubbs and Moore will both be good to go.

 

LB: I thought about the Hawks taking a shot at Jason Gildon to start at OLB with Brown out (giving them yet ANOTHER ex-Steeler) then thought better of it. That said I've never been sold on Kacyvenski as a starter. MLB is another problem, but I generally liked what I saw of Solomon Bates in the preseason and Huff'll be up for the challenge if he wants to hold on to the job.

 

DB: To me the Darren Woodson comparisons that Michael Boulware gets are a little overboard at this point, as Adam Archuleta (another ex-college LB) would be a more suitable comparison. This could be one of the better secondaries in the NFC, but not a lot of experience with Trufant and Hamlin in their second year and Bierria (starting SS for now) in his third but not really having played a whole hell of a lot--which is why Boulware probably will end up the starter by midseason.

 

Big home games: Hell they're pretty much all winnable, which would ask the question, has any team in the NFL gone unbeaten at home TWO years in a row? Has it happened like in the last 20 years?

 

Big road games: They're ALL pretty much big ones, even gimmes in SF and Zona. But NE, Min, and NYJ stand out for me.

[strummer 0]

NY Giants: Probably going to be a real long season. 6-10 is the best I can see them being.

 

Strengths: Carlos Emmons and Barret Green are actually linebackers that have speed, which quite frankly the Giants have never really had. Hopefully, the middle of the field will be defended better, as the Giants have been atrocious in recent years in defending the middle of the field.

 

Still have talented skill position players. Hilliard had a rough year last season, averaging barely over 10 yards a catch. He needs to rebound. Tim Carter could help the team as a speed receiver, if he could actually hold on to the ball. Hopefully Toomer is his usual self, no one has got more receptions over 40 yards the last couple of years than Amani Toomer. Dayne could get some playing time to change the pace and hopefully Barber can hold on to the ball. If Shockey remains healthy, they could do some damage offensively

 

Fassell is gone. No more blatant favoritism by the Fass. Coughlin could add maybe 1 or 2 wins on to this team that they wouldn't have gotten with fassel.

 

Weaknesses

 

Offensive line: Worst in the league, can't pass block at all, which is scary with Warner back there. Won't be able to use their weapons if the QB isn't protected.

 

Secondary: Shaun Williams and Omar Stoudmeire are painfully average safeties. Peterson/Allen are overrated and overpaid

 

Defensive Line should be much worse, they have 2 run stopping only players with Hand and Robbins, so pressure must come from Strahan and Umeiyura or it won't come at all.

 

Tim Lewis at Defensive Coord. The Steelers have been pathetic in pass defense the past couple of years under Lewis. The secondary got lit up in the preseason

 

Kevin Gilbride as QB coach/ offensive consultant. Has ruined more careers than astro turf.

 

Special teams still shaky. Terrible kickoff coverage and no return game at all

 

Still turn over the ball way too much. Worst turnover ratio in the league last year. Turn the ball over way too much and cause no turnovers at all defensively.

 

The Giants organization has basically come out and said they think they will be a bad team this year and are looking towards the future with Manning. Looks like a lost season. 6 wins is the absolute most

[Cartman 0]

Pack goes 11-5, maybe 12-4, wins a hotly contested NFC North with the Vikings getting in as a Wild Card and the Lions almost ruining things.

 

I see Green Bay getting to the NFC Title game, but a Super Bowl feels like a longshot. Still, I'm confident they can do it if they just play as good as they really are and Favre leads like a man whose last real chance is probably this season.

Don't they need at least SOMETHING that resembles a Defense?

[HarleyQuinn 0]

New England Patriots = 14-2 or 13-3, reach the Super Bowl

 

QB: Tom Brady is Mr. Dependable. Not too flashy but he's able to give you 270-310 yards throwing on any given day with a TD or 2. Rohan Davey is scheduled to be the backup to Brady at this point but he hasn't impressed me much nor has Kingsbury the #3 QB. However Jim Miller, when healthy could see himself in the backup role.

 

RB: Corey Dillon is a monster upgrade to a team that featured guys like Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith over the last couple seasons. Dillon gives the Pats their first real RB threat since Curtis Martin(one could argue since Robert Edwards). Despite the Pats mainly focusing on the pass, they can just as easily run the ball and aren't afraid to ram it down their opponents' throats if they had the proper weapon which they do now. Kevin Faulk will remain the 3rd down back and catch balls out of the backfield as well as likely return kickoffs with Bethel Johnson. Cedric Cobbs has been placed on the PUP list leaving just two RBs in Dillon and Faulk. Patrick Pass is also a capable FB who does what needs to be done.

 

WR: They have a plethora of consistent players such as David Givens, Troy Brown, Deion Branch, David Patten and Bethel Johnson. Patten and Givens have earned the starting jobs however the only WR that tops 6' is David Givens at 6'0" and rookie P.K. Sam at 6'3". Bethel Johnson could easily emerge as the deep ball threat for the offense however.

 

TE: Daniel Graham could be solid once he learns to catch the ball more. Christian Fauria is a dependable TE and rookie Ben Watson could see time as well.

 

O-Line: Not the greatest but solid enough that they can hold their own against most defensive lines.

 

D-Line: SCARY! At DE they have Jarvis Green, rookie Marquise Hill and Rodney Bailey who is currently on the IR. Richard Seymour could see time at DE if injuries hit the team as could Willie McGinest. At DT they have Dan Klecko(Mr. Everything last year), Richard Seymour, rookie Vince Wilfork and FA signee Keith Traylor who is a monster in size. Dana Stubblefield is also on the IR and could be productive when he comes back.

 

LB: A great LB core who can pick the ball off and deliver the hits all the same. Tedy Bruschi, a healthy Roosevelt Colvin, Ted Johnson, Mike Vrabel, a converted Willie McGinest and Roman Phifer make this LB group deep and scary to face.

 

CB: A solid group with Ty Law leading the way with Tyrone Poole lining opposite him. Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel came through big last year as rookies and look to be important cogs this season. Rookie Randall Gay could also see some time. The only worries are that they are mostly undersized with Ty Law being the tallest at 5'11".

 

S: HARD HITTING! Rodney Harrison brings the big plays as well as the pain. Asante Samuel could see time here again as could 2nd year player Shawn Mayer out of Penn State and rookie Dexter Reid. Another rookie, Guss Scott is also on the IR but could see time when he returns.

 

P: Josh Miller MUST be an improvement over last year. Has a career 42.9 Av. but had 27 punts in the 20 and 9 in the 10 last year(out of 84 punts total).

 

K: Adam Vinatieri. CLUTCH...nuff said. Had an off year last season but should rebound in fine form.

[Cartman 0]

New England Patriots = 14-2 or 13-3, reach the Super Bowl

 

Can't argue that at all. Bit high expectations for a defending champion in this league though.

 

RB: Corey Dillon is a monster upgrade to a team that featured guys like Kevin Faulk and Antowain Smith over the last couple seasons. Dillon gives the Pats their first real RB threat since Curtis Martin(one could argue since Robert Edwards). Despite the Pats mainly focusing on the pass, they can just as easily run the ball and aren't afraid to ram it down their opponents' throats if they had the proper weapon which they do now. Kevin Faulk will remain the 3rd down back and catch balls out of the backfield as well as likely return kickoffs with Bethel Johnson. Cedric Cobbs has been placed on the PUP list leaving just two RBs in Dillon and Faulk. Patrick Pass is also a capable FB who does what needs to be done.

 

I LOVE the Dillon addition, but it's going to be tough for him seeing as Faulk is hurting to start the season. ook for TE Ben Watson, DE Richard Seymour, and LB Dan Klecko to see time at FB. Especially in short Red Zone situations.

 

WR: They have a plethora of consistent players such as David Givens, Troy Brown, Deion Branch, David Patten and Bethel Johnson. Patten and Givens have earned the starting jobs however the only WR that tops 6' is David Givens at 6'0" and rookie P.K. Sam at 6'3". Bethel Johnson could easily emerge as the deep ball threat for the offense however.

 

Very solid group of Recievers this year. I believe Branch will still be the go-to guy for Brady but Bethel Johnson will, I repeat, WILL have a significant breakout season becomng one of the league's best Reciever/kick returners.

 

TE: Daniel Graham could be solid once he learns to catch the ball more. Christian Fauria is a dependable TE and rookie Ben Watson could see time as well.

 

Graham is going to have to just keep his hands on the ball. Ben Watson is by FAR the best TE on this team, and one of the best recievers to boot. This guy is going to make Shockey look foolish both as a reciever and as a blocker.

 

D-Line: SCARY! At DE they have Jarvis Green, rookie Marquise Hill and Rodney Bailey who is currently on the IR. Richard Seymour could see time at DE if injuries hit the team as could Willie McGinest. At DT they have Dan Klecko(Mr. Everything last year), Richard Seymour, rookie Vince Wilfork and FA signee Keith Traylor who is a monster in size. Dana Stubblefield is also on the IR and could be productive when he comes back.

 

Actually Seymour sees most of his time at DE with Ty Warren at the other DE spot. Traylor and Wilork will spend ALOT of split time at Nose Tackle in the 3-4. The depth here on the line is rediculous with rookie Hill and Green who is very versatile at both DE and DT. Stubblefield and Bailey both done for the season really does put a dent in the line overall but no real big worries. I look for Wilfork to be the full time NT by the halfway point of this season with Traylor being the big run stopper when needed. Wilfork, like Watson on offense, is MINT.

 

S: HARD HITTING! Rodney Harrison brings the big plays as well as the pain. Asante Samuel could see time here again as could 2nd year player Shawn Mayer out of Penn State and rookie Dexter Reid. Another rookie, Guss Scott is also on the IR but could see time when he returns.

 

Definitely one of the best safety tandems in football right now with Wilson and Harrison. Also, Scott being on IR hurts, because he is done for the entire season.

[Guest bigm350]

Detroit Lions; alot of young talent on offense but really thin on defense. Especially after losing Boss Bailey for most of the year. Hopefully they'll be a .500 team and make a strong run at the playoffs next year. I also think its time for Harrington to put up or shut up. This is now his third year in the West Coast offense and he's surrounded by young talent; Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Kevin Jones. If he doesn't improve it might be time to go looking for another QB.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Pack goes 11-5, maybe 12-4, wins a hotly contested NFC North with the Vikings getting in as a Wild Card and the Lions almost ruining things.

 

I see Green Bay getting to the NFC Title game, but a Super Bowl feels like a longshot. Still, I'm confident they can do it if they just play as good as they really are and Favre leads like a man whose last real chance is probably this season.

Don't they need at least SOMETHING that resembles a Defense?

What, are you fucking kidding me? Look the Pack doesn't have a defense on par with New England or Carolina or anything, but they do have a hell of a pass rush and a decent linebacking corps (if only there was someone to replace Hannibal Navies *le sigh*). The secondary is the big question mark with this team, with McKenzie holding out.

 

Well anyways I analyzed the Packers' schedule, like I do every year and I'm usually pretty accurate in picking the record. I correctly predicted 10-6 last year, and I'm going to guess a repeat of that or possibly worse this year. You can't have a faulty secondary in a division with such talented passing games (Bears excluded).

 

First game next week is going to be a HELL of game for both teams. Carolina is going to want to prove to the world they weren't a fluke, and Green Bay is going to want to prove that they've still got it and the preseason was a real crapshoot. Is Green Bay going to win the division this year? Not sure. Minnesota's probably fucking PISSED from last year, and they're lucky enough to meet Green Bay at home in WEEK 16. Green Bay has a HELL of a tough schedule in front of them, with games against the Titans, Colts, Eagles, and Rams... which may make them or break them.

[Gert T 0]

Cincinnati Bengals

2003 Record; 8-8 2nd place AFC North Division

 

QB: Spec of an upgrade

 

This is only because Carson Palmer has not played a game yet. I do think by the end of the year he will be at the same level of Jon Kitna at the end of last year. While Palmer's inexperience may hurt him, he makes up for a better mid-range ball, the 20 yard pass that Palmer can sizzle into a WR, whereas Kitna's resembles more of a wounded duck. And it makes it an upgrade overall since Kitna is a backup.

 

RB: Upgrade

 

Corey Dillon's desire to not be in Cincinnati is gone, so it is an upgrade right there. Rudi has looked good in the pre-season, and he is entering free agency. Chris Perry will be good on receiving plays out of the backfield, and Kenny Watson also could surprise people on draw plays. Jeremi Johnson's biggest enemy is his weight as he almost got cut because he couldn't stay healthy.

 

WR: Upgrade

 

Chad Johnson will still be a Top 5 WR, maybe with less catches, but more receiving yards due to Palmer's stronger arm. Peter Warrick is a question mark, as he only played a few plays in the pre-season. Kelley Washington could really emerge as the Bengals #2 WR as his size can create problems with CB's T.J Houshmanzhdeh is average, and Kevin Walter is on the team for special team skills.

 

TE: Same

 

Kelly, Stewart, Schobel are all still on the team.

 

OL: Same

 

This is an underrated offensive line, and I believe that this is a Top 10 OL in the league. If Eric Steinbach can stay healthy, the Bengals will send Willie Anderson, Steinbach & Levi Jones to the Pro Bowl. Depth could become a problem.

 

DL: Same

 

This unit was the weakest part of the Bengals team last year, and it has chamged enough to be a sold upgrade, except for the fact that the DL has another year to grasp Marvin Lewis's system.

 

LB: Slight Upgrade

 

Nate Webster was brought in to play the middle, so Kevin Hardy can go back outside. While neither are a superstar, it is an upgrade. Look out for Caleb Miller and Landon Johnson, rookies who are going to make an impact as backups.

 

CB: Same

 

Deltha O'Neal is boom or bust. Kim Herring could be a good signing, but probably a little past his prime. Keiwan Ratliff & Madieu Williams will be good, but not this year.

 

Special Teams: Same

 

Shayne Graham is still here, the Bengals have a new punter, Kyle Larson who may not be a top 20 punter, but he will be an improvement. Special teams has good new rookies, but are hurting because of Khalid Abdullah's injury.

 

My prediction: I think the Bengals are slightly improved, but the NFC Division they are playing is tougher, the AFC crossover division is tougher, and they play a 2nd place non-common schedule vs. last year's 4th place.

 

2004 Cincinnati Bengals 8-8.

[Brett Favre 0]

New York Jets: Scale 1-5 (1 Worst, 5 Best)

 

Quarterback: Everyone knows that the Jets' chances at the playoffs this year will depend on Chad Pennington. Pennington, arguably a top 5 QB in the NFL, when healthy, is set to have his first full year with the team. This will be his first opening day start. While he may not have the strongest arm, he has great accuracy, superb awareness, and has the best playaction in the league. Backing him up will be Quincy Carter, who's been to the playoffs and has decent enough experience to win some games incase something horrible happens.

 

Rating: 5

 

Wide Reciever: Santana Moss will enter his second year as a full-time wide reciever. Last year he tore it up, and had a break out year with 74 receptions and 1,105 yards. His speed and quickness will be paired up with McCareins speed and strength. McCareins came over from the Titans for a second round pick (good trade IMO), he still has tons of upside, like Moss and should fit along nicely with him. Along with them will be the always reliable and should be healthy Wayne Chrebet, the speedy Jonathan Carter who can also have a breakout year (had a great game against the Colts last year), and rookie Jerricho Cotchery out of NC State.

 

Rating: 4

 

Running Back: Curtis Martin will be here another year, and looks in great shape. He looks to tie Barry Sander's 10 year in a row with 1,000 rushing yards in his 7th year with the Jets. Behind him will be LaMont Jordan who will be playing for a contract, so hopefully we get something out him. He's decent, when he's healthy. Jonathan Reese from Columbia opened some eyes, although he should be a third stringer at best, unless he shows something during the season.

 

Rating: 3

 

Tight End: Anthony Becht's job looks in doubt with Baker coming on in the preseason. Which is a good thing, because I can't take enough of his dropped passes. Hopefully Baker will be able to hold down that spot with a solid numer of receptions. One thing Becht does offer is blocking, but that's pretty much it.

 

Rating: 2.5

 

Offensive Line: The Line was bolstered up with the addtion of Pete Kendall. Kendall should fit nicely alongside Pro Bowler Kevin Mawae, 4th year man Kareem McKenzie (who should get an extension), Jason Fabini and Brent Smith. Goodwin and Moore rotate on a now a bit above average line that should open up holes for Curtis Martin.

 

Rating: 3

 

 

Defensive Line: Abraham, Ellis, Robertson, Thomas, Evans and Ferguson. If Abraham stays healthy he will be a pro-bowler. Ellis should follow up his pro-bowl season with another solide one. With a year under his belt Roberstson should show us why we traded 3 picks for him, as he should show. Thomas has got to show his potential this year. He shouldn't be a first round pick for no reason, and Evans and Ferguson are solid rotating and backing up. The pass rush from this line is great, but those tackles on the running backs, and tackles period, might hurt us, although I doubt it should be a problem this year with Abraham. This line should anchor the rest of the D.

 

Rating: 4

 

Linebackers: Barton, Hobson, and Glenn on the outside. Barton, coming from Oakland should provide a boost on the tackling sorely needed. Hobson will become a bigger contributor this year after a very solid first year. Glenn is a decent back up, although not as good as his bro. Vilma should fit extremely will in the middle and wreak havoc. The man has skills, great leadership, and is a tackling monster. Cowart needs to be halfway decent atleast, although I prefer Vilma starting here.

 

Rating: 3.5

 

The Secondary: Barrett, Abraham, Strait, and Mickens provide solid CB's, although not the best. Speed and youth is what we need and Strait, who I believe was a steal should provide that. Abraham, like the other, has got to stay healthy and he'll be a pretty good coverage guy. Barrett, not so sure about him, but it looked like he had a decent year at Arizona. As for Mickens, makes it through one more year, and hopefully he'll give us a good one. McGraw and Tongue should provide two safeties with decent strength and tackling downfield. McGraw, has got to stay healthy too, and Tongue was a decent signing, hopefully he'll make us forget of what might of been with Lynch.

 

Rating: 3

 

Special Teams: Doug Brien = Solid from 45 and under, not so sure of above, and Gowin should be back to normal and shouldn't have a horrible year punting the ball like last year. Moss and Carter two kick/punt returners who each might get a TD.

 

Rating: 3.5

 

Tough division with N.E and Buffalo, but I hope to see good things from this team.