The NFL Offseason/Pre-Draft Thread

[Gert T 0]

If Stokley's out there's no way I'm waking up at 5 a.m. this Saturday now!

[Damaramu 0]

Well it looks like Mark Clayton is still holding out and he's pissed off the head coach of the Ravens.......good job Mark ya dumbass.

 

And I believe I saw on the news last night that Dan Cody injured his knee and apparently the Ravens drew up some packages that involved him and were actually going to use him and his piss poor attitude that suddenly got better in the NFL.

[Gert T 0]

Dama, I think it was a ACL or MCL sprain, not a complete tear, but I could be wrong.

 

News out of Cincinnati today was that 1st Round pick David Pollack's agents left town today without making a deal. I always hate when that happens. This one could stretch out longer, and it doesn't help that Erasmus James at No. 18 is unsigned too.

[Robert 0]

I was watching some old NFL Films stuff, and contracts back then were different because they had little clauses in there. Like when Ray Nitschke made an interception, he would get a 50 dollar bonus. Just nice little things that would make the player's work harder. About Williams, I think he still has some gas left in the tank. He'd be a great defensive leader on any team, and would be a coach-in-pads. I was just watching Lost Treasures of NFL Films, and they were showing the Pro Bowl games. Good god, it was 10 times as different then now. They played because of pride, and it was just fun. Now these days, they get to bask in the Hawaii sun, when they had to play in LA for a good amount of the years. It was AFL vs NFL. These days, they just play for the little bonus, and it ain't right. The only time you'd see guys like Unitas, Nitschke, Butkus, Huff, Brown and there not killing each other.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Yeah okay Officer Goeman.. The point you apparently keep missing is a little thing called inflation, where those 50 bucks meant a hell of a lot more than they do nowadays. Contracts are different because the NFL is a much bigger money game now than it was before, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that since the guys who get the big bucks are (usually) the best of the best of the best, when it all comes down to it.

 

Not too happy about the idea of Ahman wanting a new long-term contract, but is anyone here getting the hint here that possibly the players just really, really dislike Mike Sherman? I remember Darren Sharper mentioning some disparaging remarks towards ol' Sherm when he signed with Minnesota, and others have hinted at it as well.

[Robert 0]

Hell, I was just bringing up something that I saw. That is freaking all, there wasn't supposed to be a point, just a neat little fact.

[Guest El Satanico]

Why don't you go ask those guys about the "good old days" contract wise, and see if they speak so glowingly about it.

[snuffbox 0]

Not too happy about the idea of Ahman wanting a new long-term contract, but is anyone here getting the hint here that possibly the players just really, really dislike Mike Sherman? I remember Darren Sharper mentioning some disparaging remarks towards ol' Sherm when he signed with Minnesota, and others have hinted at it as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Sherman's such a shitty guy that he confronted Warren fucking Sapp on behalf of his fallen player.

 

Sharper would have loved playing for a Lombardi or Ditka. Hell, anyone remember when Holmgren roughed up Bill Schroeder on the sidelines? I cant imagine the whining and disparaging remarks that mustve come from that.

 

My hunch - Sherman yells at players when they fuck up. Some players are so coddled that theyd prefer hugs for each blown game.

[KingPK 0]

Well it looks like Mark Clayton is still holding out and he's pissed off the head coach of the Ravens.......good job Mark ya dumbass.

 

Speaking of the Ravens....did Brian Billick age 20 years over the offseason or something? He's got the white Kenny Rogers beard going.

[Guest Vitamin X]

 

Not too happy about the idea of Ahman wanting a new long-term contract, but is anyone here getting the hint here that possibly the players just really, really dislike Mike Sherman? I remember Darren Sharper mentioning some disparaging remarks towards ol' Sherm when he signed with Minnesota, and others have hinted at it as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Sherman's such a shitty guy that he confronted Warren fucking Sapp on behalf of his fallen player.

 

Sharper would have loved playing for a Lombardi or Ditka. Hell, anyone remember when Holmgren roughed up Bill Schroeder on the sidelines? I cant imagine the whining and disparaging remarks that mustve come from that.

 

My hunch - Sherman yells at players when they fuck up. Some players are so coddled that theyd prefer hugs for each blown game.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Oh, not just Warren Sapp.. but remember when Sherman confronted fucking Chris Hovan AND Mike Tice (who's as big as any offensive lineman and even works in some sets while the team weightlifts from what I've heard) ON BEHALF of Sharper busting out a really unnecessary INT return at the end of a win at the Metrodome just a couple seasons back, that erupted in a damn near brawl between the two teams? Sherman's just definitely not a "player's coach", but then again Mike Tice is, and he's not exactly what we'd call a "good coach".

 

Anyone watch that scrimmage tonight between the Pack and Bills on NFL Network? That was almost kinda painful to watch.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Also, bad news for Eagles fans, but great news for fantasy owners of Greg Lewis:

 

Eagles' Pinkston out for season with ruptured Achilles

August 5, 2005

 

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -- Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Todd Pinkston ruptured an Achilles' tendon in practice Friday and is out for the season.

 

Pinkston injured his right ankle when he was tripped up on a route down the sideline. He remained down for several minutes before limping to the medical tent. A few hours after the injury, the team said he was out for the season.

 

The injury is a blow to the Eagles, who aren't deep at wide receiver. Receiver Terrell Owens, day-to-day with left groin inflammation, did not practice Friday morning.

 

``We feel bad from a team standpoint for Todd,'' coach Andy Reid said. ``He worked very hard this offseason. He was having a heck of a camp, and it's a shame this happened.''

 

The six-year veteran averaged 18.8 yards per catch, third in the league.

 

``For a guy that doesn't complain, that works extremely hard and really never receives credit for the things that he does for this team ... it's tough,'' quarterback Donovan McNabb said. ``We've all been injured, but this kind of an injury, with surgery -- you never know what can happen afterwards.''

 

Reid said the team will not look to sign another receiver.

 

``We're fine,'' he said.

 

Reid said third-year pro Greg Lewis will move into Pinkston's spot on the first team. Last year, Lewis had 17 receptions for 183 yards in limited action and also caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl.

 

``Todd is one of the closest friends I have on the team, and I feel bad for him for all the work he's put in this offseason,'' Lewis said. ``But injuries take place in this game, and the team has to get in there. Somebody has to step up and make plays.''

 

The team also has Billy McMullen, a third-round pick in 2003. Rookie Reggie Brown had been competing with McMullen to be the fourth receiver.

 

Running back Correll Buckhalter also went down with a leg injury in the morning's practice. The team said he had a bone bruise to his right knee.

 

After practice, Buckhalter limped out of the team's workout facility and, before getting into his car, said his knee was sore.

 

Buckhalter missed all of last season after tearing a tendon in his right knee during the preseason. He missed all of the 2002 season after tearing a ligament in his left knee in minicamp.

 

The Madden curse strikes the rest of the team before it hits McNabb?

[therealworldschampion 0]

I'm torn on this injury. Sure it takes down the WR depth,but then again Lewis and Reggie Brown get much more playing time, and I don't have to see Todd running away from contact this year....

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'll make it easy for you, Eagles fans, IT'S GOOD. Let Greg Lewis and Reggie Brown run wild alongside with Terrell Owens.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Also, I found this amusing:

Gibbs apologizes for calling Dallas fans ugly

August 6, 2005

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs apologized Saturday for calling Dallas Cowboys fans ``the ugliest people in the world.''

 

While answering questions from the crowd at the team's Fan Appreciation Day at training camp on Friday, Gibbs said: ``I know we don't have any Dallas people here -- they are the ugliest people in the world.''

 

Gibbs later stressed that he was joking, but he felt the need to address the matter again after Saturday's scrimmage against the Baltimore Ravens.

 

``I tried to make a joke,'' Gibbs said. ``I was joking. It didn't come out probably like a joke or like it should've. I hope all my buddies in Dallas -- because I've got a lot of buddies down there -- took it the right way. I hope they thought it was a joke.

 

``But if they didn't think it was a joke, or if anybody took it the wrong way other than a joke, when you make a mistake like that, you've got to apologize. So I apologize to anybody that might have taken it the other way.''

[snuffbox 0]

 

Not too happy about the idea of Ahman wanting a new long-term contract, but is anyone here getting the hint here that possibly the players just really, really dislike Mike Sherman? I remember Darren Sharper mentioning some disparaging remarks towards ol' Sherm when he signed with Minnesota, and others have hinted at it as well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Sherman's such a shitty guy that he confronted Warren fucking Sapp on behalf of his fallen player.

 

Sharper would have loved playing for a Lombardi or Ditka. Hell, anyone remember when Holmgren roughed up Bill Schroeder on the sidelines? I cant imagine the whining and disparaging remarks that mustve come from that.

 

My hunch - Sherman yells at players when they fuck up. Some players are so coddled that theyd prefer hugs for each blown game.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Oh, not just Warren Sapp.. but remember when Sherman confronted fucking Chris Hovan AND Mike Tice (who's as big as any offensive lineman and even works in some sets while the team weightlifts from what I've heard) ON BEHALF of Sharper busting out a really unnecessary INT return at the end of a win at the Metrodome just a couple seasons back, that erupted in a damn near brawl between the two teams? Sherman's just definitely not a "player's coach", but then again Mike Tice is, and he's not exactly what we'd call a "good coach".

 

Anyone watch that scrimmage tonight between the Pack and Bills on NFL Network? That was almost kinda painful to watch.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I saw it on my local Fox affiliate. Pretty painful indeed...how many good Favre passes got dropped? 7?

 

*And thats how I used my 500th post.

[Sass 0]

With this Pinkston news, and other Eagles probs, you can scratch Philly out from making it to the SB. This season...they're reloaded. Dallas is my pick for winning their division and going to SB. Atalnta is my next pick in the NFC. Philly just has...too many problems and cleaning a championship ring ain't one of them. I have a feeling Jeremiah Trotter and Jevon Kearse are going to feel "old" this season. Unless McNabb and TO can hook up for 20 - 25 TD's this season, I don't see the Eagles winning it all this season.

 

Atalnta didn't downgrade at defense this off-season. Instead, they upgraded well and Mike Vick is still a one-man offensive wrecking crew. Oh yeah, he's also got two really good RB's to take some weight off too. I like Jim Mora Jr as a head coach and I see good things for him in the upcoming years. He's got a coaching pedigree that rivals Mike Nolan's. Screw having a #1 WR, Atlanta's got all the offense they need to make a strong run at the SB.

 

The defense Dallas could put out onto the field this season could pay homage to the old Doomsday Defense. I think the team has that much firepower behind them this season.

 

Oh yeah...

 

Aeneas Williams > injured Ty Law

 

Williams is who teams should be looking at if he's still got any gas left in his tank. Not some gimp who is trying to milk out a security blanket deal for himself (from the the Jets possibly) while still "only" being 80% healthy from foot surgery.

 

Get your money's worth I guess.

 

Edge, Green or Alexander are going to the Jags next season.

 

They would have been crazy to take Travis Henry this season when they have those 3 guys on the market next season. Pittsburgh should also seriously consider picking up one of those guys too. Same deal for Philly if they're dead serious about winning the SB if things go to shit this season for them. Deuce Stayley is a glorified back-up at this point. So is Westbrook who is lucky to even be a starter somewhere. The Steel crew are going to need to upgrade their running game soon.

[teke184 0]

I don't see Atlanta pulling it off...

 

Unless Michael Vick learns to add some distance to his passing game, people will continue to put a spy on Crumper and to stack the box to take out Vick, Dunn, and Duckett.

 

 

I think this may end up being Minnesota's year if Philly's too decimated, as I don't really see another huge contender emerging in the NFC.

 

Seattle's a clusterfuck right now because they had so much turnover in the offseason and didn't even have a GM for the beginning of the offseason.

 

St. Louis has the parts on offense but I don't think they'll pull it all together this year. Give Stephen Jackson another year or two and keep Marshall Faulk healthy as the third-down back and they'll be a contender.

 

New Orleans is so inconsistent that it's hard to predict what they'll do, although it's a safe bet that they'll fuck up at exactly the wrong time, such as in the last 2 minutes of a playoff game.

 

Carolina's offense is iffy mainly due to the littany of injuries that stacked up last year. If they can keep one or two healthy running backs and have a wide receiver step up in Muhammed's place, I think Delhomme IS capable of putting together a great run.

 

Green Bay is falling apart right now, as Farve's game is aging, Ahman Green is an injury concern, Bubba Franks and Javon Walker are holding out, and Donald Driver is not known for stepping up in big games. They're of playoff quality by default but they don't appear to be of Super Bowl calibur.

 

 

 

Hell, this past few years has reminded me of my youth, when Buffalo was the AFC's designated jobber every year because no one else in the conference could stack up against the worst NFC playoff teams.

[Sass 0]

Agreed on all points. But, I just don't see Atalnta or Mike resting on their laurels. That's a team that is committed to winning it all and I think Mora Jr. is the right head coach to pull that plan off. They've got all the tools to do it too.

 

Detroit will make the playoffs. They will win at least *one* post season game. They have *all* of the right tools to make a serious run at the SB. Picking up Ty Law would just shoot them over the hill. I really, really like the Lions this season.

 

I like New Orleans more than I like Carolina this season. I think the Cardiac Cats might be in some trouble this season after losing their #1 WR and two of their 3 top RB's are banged up to hell. That can only stiffle an offense, not improve it. Aaron Brooks is the *only* fuck up on the Saints that has me left wondering whether or not they have all the tools needed to make a serious run at the SB. They have the best DE corps in the NFL, their LB's are...okay and their front d-line is nothing to laugh at this season. They've got the offensive weaponary but it's the personnel opearting all that firepower, which could leave something to be desired. I like the Saints more than I like the Bucs. Joe Horn should go off like gang busters this season now that he's got a nice fat contract in his hands.

 

The Bucs defense *might* just be good enough to get them into the playoffs though. They're the NFC version of the Ravens. Both of those teams made some great upgrades on the offensive end of things. That was their biggest achilles heel last season and their WR corps have all improved immensely this off-season.

 

No one should sleep on the Rams this season. Jackson is the real deal at RB for them and will be a great replacement for Faulk when he finally retires.

[MrRant 0]

Yeah... Seattle had a lot of turnover...

 

[Sass 0]

Seattle's got as good a shot at making it into playoffs as the Cardinals do this season, even though the Hawks look awful coming into this season. Both teams play in the weakest division in the NFC and I think the Cardinals will take their division. The Cards are another team I could see winning at least one post season game if Dennis Green doesn't do something retarded in that encounter.

 

Funny...the Lions and Cardinals actually winning their divisions. When was the last time that happened?

[Guest Vitamin X]

Green Bay is falling apart right now, as Farve's game is aging, Ahman Green is an injury concern, Bubba Franks and Javon Walker are holding out, and Donald Driver is not known for stepping up in big games. They're of playoff quality by default but they don't appear to be of Super Bowl calibur.

I know the season's right around the corner when just a week or two ago, I was bitching and thinking the Packers aren't even good enough to get into the playoffs, and now I'm all optimistic and taking them seriously as any sort of contender. Franks is the only one holding out, and ironically that's the one guy they should give a new contract to the most. Walker needs to prove he can get it done this season again, if he has another great Pro Bowl-caliber year, he deserves a nice big long-term contract that'll put him among the top 5 paid receivers in the league. He might already be getting up there, he's certainly at least top ten if he replicates what he did last year. Favre's game is just as good as it's always been, in fact, his production the last couple years has been almost as good as the Super Bowl years. And since when was Green an "injury hazard"? A turnover hazard sure, but I don't think or have even heard of him being anything close to injury prone. And besides, there's two solid backs behind him in Davenport and Fisher, one of whom is good enough to start for any other team in the league (Davenport). The offense will be just fine, Walker or no Walker (and by all indications, Walker wants to make nice with the team and its fans for the drama the holdout caused, and prove himself this year, so we'll see with him), it's the defense that has all the major questions. Both safety spots look weak as fuck, but the rookies are very promising, at least from what I saw.

 

Atlanta has a very strange, unorthodox offense, mostly because they have a very strange, unorthodox quarterback who's more of a threat running than he is passing. I almost cracked up laughing when they showed what Vick's stats were last year passing, then I remembered his running ability and the damn near 1000 yards he put up.. Him, Duckett, and Dunn are all capable of hitting that mark, and a three-headed monster rushing attack is just as scary as a trio of receivers ala Indianapolis.

 

Sass, I think you're damn near crazy... Dallas? Winning their DIVISION? I can see the Redskins having much more of a shot of doing that then the Cowboys. I've already almost forgot the overrated Parcells is coaching them, and will probably continue that trend this season.

 

The Lions will be this year what the Seahawks were last year. Lots of promise, they'll win some games and look like a contender, but fall short where they need to get the most. Naturally, that should mean that Seattle should have a better year since they're a bit more experienced and hopefully wiser by now... but that division is a real toss-up.

 

I think the only team that we can definitely write out of being in any sort of playoff contention this year would be the Browns. Now, as for who could make it past the wildcard round, that would take a bit more of a look at how they perform during the preseason and the first couple weeks before I can make any judgments.

[Sass 0]

I'm sticking with tha boyz this season VX. They've got the right tools on offenese to win games and they have what could be a devastating enough defense to win a championship. Bill Parcells is *not* an overrated coach either. He's probably one of the best coaches to have won so much with so little at junctures.

 

The Redskins will get trumped by the Giants while both of those teams will lose to the Eagles and the Cowboys. Those two teams will be in a dog fight with each other all season long for division supremacy.

 

The Lions are *not* the Seahawks because the Lions actually have some WR's who can catch and won't drop balls. Detroit's defense is also *way* way way better this season than Seattle's was projected to be last season. Injuries and poor QB play (Harrington) are the only things that I see derailing the Lions from winning their division.

 

Green Bay has no defense to speak of. They are fucked in a division where defense is stressed to the max. Have fun getting killed by the Bears.

 

I think the Browns will post a better record than the 49ers or the Titans.

[teke184 0]

I'd add the SF 69ers to the pile of "can't make it to the playoffs" teams.

 

 

They've been gutted by the owner's cheapskate attitude and the fact that they got less than market value for some of their good players that they traded, such as TO.

 

Hell, I think they cut a lot of good players for the sole reason of slashing the budget, which isn't the way to run a football team.

 

 

On the plus side for them, if they get the #1 pick this year they'll be able to trade down more easily since SOMEONE will decide they want Matt Leinart to be their QB of the future. Won't directly do them a whole lot of good though.

[Sass 0]

The 49ers, the Titans, the Texans, the Seahawks, the Packers, the Broncos, and the Texans (sans a good o-line) are all teams I could see being fucked from week 1 until the final game of the regular season.

 

None of those teams did well in the draft (missing key spots to fill) or else they did not do enough in the off-season to improve their problematic side of the ball. At least the Redskins *tried* to put together an offense for next season while still boasting a Top 10 defense. They were just horrid on offense while their defense was the team's only saving grace last season.

 

At least teams like the Bills, the Bears, the Jaguars, and Buccaneers have great enough defenses to make up for their subpar offenses.

[teke184 0]

The Lions are *not* the Seahawks because the Lions actually have some WR's who can catch and won't drop balls.  Detroit's defense is also *way* way way better this season than Seattle's was projected to be last season.  Injuries and poor QB play (Harrington) are the only things that I see derailing the Lions from winning their division.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

That's provided that Charlie Rogers doesn't get a papercut and end up in a body cast...

 

 

Mike Williams and Roy Williams are good enough to drag production out of Harrington, but having Rogers to complete the stacked WR set means that they'll be able to stretch the coverage thin enough to put up some point.

 

TE Marcus Pollard MIGHT help the equation, but that depends if his production last year had anything to do with *his* quality instead of the fact that the guy thowing balls at him was Peyton Manning.

 

 

If Rogers goes out and Mike Williams isn't ready to step in as the full-time WR2, this could be the year that Joey gets canned, adding another name to the list of huge QB busts coming out of Oregon.

[Sass 0]

Agreed, on the potential WR meltdown. Injuries are the only way I see the Lions sucking the meat missle this season. Bad coaching will not be the downfall of this team. Mooch has got "his" team now.

 

But, one key guy the Lions also have is a *very* solid RB in Kevin Jones who was a bastard to play against after he came back healthy last season. He can be used to take some pressure off the reciever guys. Same deal with Dallas and their WR/RB scenarios.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Where in the everloving holy mother of fuck are you seeing Dallas' potential here? They're essentially the same team that went 6-10 last year, just swap out Vinny Testaverde for Drew Bledsoe. You're also way underrating the Packers and Texans. Green Bay has SOME defense.. certainly not as good as the Bears, but you're a fool if you think the fucking BEARS of all teams will be sweeping Green Bay this year. Seriously.

Green Bay has no defense to speak of. They are fucked in a division where defense is stressed to the max. Have fun getting killed by the Bears.

Quoted for emphasis. BWAHAHAHAHAHA. Look, the Bears are a lot better than people give them credit for, and could put together a decent squad this season, but even if the Pack takes a tumble this year, it won't be to Chicago or any of their division rivals save for maybe Minnesota.

 

Just because a team does well in the draft or doesn't, has no impact on what that means for this year or not. The Lions have proved that year-in, year-out... and what it translates to is that Detroit will have a good team once they're ready, which should be this year.

 

The reason why I didn't put the Niners on the "no way in hell they make it to the playoffs" list is because Rattay actually wasn't all that bad when he had some playing time, and he has a couple receivers to throw to now.. the o-line's not great, but at least it was upgraded over the offseason and the defense isn't all that bad. I can name a few players on the Niners who'd be great additions to any other team.. In particular, I'm thinking Julian Peterson, Ahmed Plummer, Brandon Lloyd, Kevan Barlow (as a third down back like he was before), Johnnie Morton. The Browns have NOONE. And I think I'd agree with the Titans as well since pretty much all their good players became cap casualties. But the Packers, Texans, and Seahawks, as well as maybe the Broncos (although I don't understand the whole signing of Cleveland's defensive line) should all at the least be in the mix for playoff contention.

[Fökai 0]

Off of the top of my head, the Vikings, Falcons, Panthers and Eagles are all going to better than the Cowboys.

 

 

 

 

Hell, I think they cut a lot of good players for the sole reason of slashing the budget, which isn't the way to run a football team.

No, they cut those players because they sucked. Their defensive ends were among the worst in the league, so they cut both (Engelberger and Whiting). Adding Johnnie Morton, among other people, was a good idea - he's decent enough for what he can contribute, which can be a no. 2 or 4 receiver that'll bring 600 yards to the table.

On the plus side for them, if they get the #1 pick this year they'll be able to trade down more easily since SOMEONE will decide they want Matt Leinart to be their QB of the future. Won't directly do them a whole lot of good though.

They'll be better than a few teams in the AFC. The Dolphins didn't get better. The Browns sucked last year and will continue to suck this year. On the NFC side, it's a toss-up as who'll suck and who'll suck more. The Bears, Lions, Saints, Cardinals, Redskins, Giants and Rams' seasons could all be decided by a few injuries, coaching decisions or rookie failures. Other teams are set up for worse than the Niners are, who although will be playing rookies at the quarterback and halfback position by Week 4, will still look light-years better than they did last year. Anyone who was worth a crap on that team was injured for some part of last season. If their set of linebackers stay healthy, they'll keep the Niners in the game all by themselves.

 

As for the Niners failing to improve over the offseason, they did everything right transaction-wise. They moved all of their dead weight and added youth to their problem areas (secondary, o-line). In the draft, the Niners added a quarterback for the future, a halfback that could be All-Pro given time, two guards to shore up their offensive line (and one who can play all five positions on the line, Snyder from Oregon) and receivers and secondary in the later rounds.

 

I'll predict a 5-11 or 6-10 season, because they have enough to split or sweep anyone in their division, while a few toss-ups and/or cupcakes are there too (W3: Cowboys, W7: Redskins, W8: Bucs, W9: Giants, W10: Bears, W12: Titans, W17: Texans if their season is already decided). As for next year's draft, there at least four o-linemen that are Top-10 material including D'Brickashaw Ferguson and with Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart, we've got a great pick no matter where we finish.

 

Injuries and poor QB play (Harrington) are the only things that I see derailing the Lions from winning their division.

Well, it's good that we both recognized that Lions won't win the division, then. I'll do the Super Bowl Shuffle if they even make the playoffs.

[therealworldschampion 0]

With this Pinkston news, and other Eagles probs, you can scratch Philly out from making it to the SB. This season...they're reloaded. Dallas is my pick for winning their division and going to SB. Atalnta is my next pick in the NFC. Philly just has...too many problems and cleaning a championship ring ain't one of them. I have a feeling Jeremiah Trotter and Jevon Kearse are going to feel "old" this season. Unless McNabb and TO can hook up for 20 - 25 TD's this season, I don't see the Eagles winning it all this season.

 

Replacing one statue with another a QB isn't going to help Dallas. Besides, I think they'll have problems early on with the 3-4 defense. They also could help themselves by not getting torched for 49 points against the Eagles again.

 

Pinkston is not that bad of an injury, Greg Lewis can easily fill his role.

[JustJoe2k5 0]

I have to disagree with your assessment of the Carolina Panthers. They didn't lose their #1 receiver this offseason, they lost him way back in week one of last season. Steve Smith, and he will be back this year. He is much more of a threat than Muhsin Muhammad was and will more than makeup for his loss. I also feel Keary Colbert will put up some really good numbers in his second year. DeShaun Foster and Stephen Davis may both be coming back from injuries, but that's why Carolina has Brandon Bennett, Eric Shelton, Jamal Robertson, Nick Goings, and various other guys who can produce. They will also be working behind a much more improved offensive line with the addition of Mike Wahle and Jordan Gross moving back to his natural position. Defense will be getting Kris Jenkins back and Julius Peppers will continue to improve. I really like their chances of making it to the postseason and atleast to the NFC Championship Game. I also don't agree with those who think the Detroit Lions will make a run in the playoffs, I think too many important pieces of that team are too inexperienced to handle the pressure of big-time games.