NFL Opening Week 2005

[Ripper 0]

Vicks teams have gotten futher than Culpepper's teams ever have. If Vick isn't proven, the Dante definatley isn't. Vick has lost 2 close games in the playoffs while being a starter only for 2 full seasons.

 

I personally think that the Falcons are the team to beat in their Division, but Carolina has such a cupcake schedule while the Falcons have a schedule of a team that went 11-5. Its going to be tough.

[MikeJordan23 0]

Raiders vs. Patriots will always be a blood feud after the '01 playoffs.  That is, until the Raiders beat the Pats in the playoffs and then go on to win the Superbowl.

 

The Raiders would have beaten the Rams the year the Pats did in the SB.  The "forward motion" call will always leave a bitter taste in Raiders fans mouths (mine included) since it prevented them from going to the SB.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Co-signs everything. And our offense is tremendous this season. If the defense is any good we'll be in the post season.

[Sass 0]

Having Mike Tice as a head coach hasn't been exactly great for Culpepper.

 

Jim Mora Jr. was a great choice to make as head coach by Falcons owner Arthur Blanks. His dad was a good coach and the younger Mora's been working in the NFL for nearly 20 years and is just a spry 41 years old. The dude got to surf with Dan Fouts in the off-season too. I'm jealous, really. He's got some character and personality to him, which, in his case, looks to be an endearing personality to players and staff. Luckily, he hasn't shown to have his dad's temper...yet. Jeff Fisher, Tony Dungy, Mora Jr. and John Fox are some of the cooler player's coaches in the league today. I'd say they've all done well for themselves over the past several years. Fisher went to the SB and nearly won it with a really tough Titans team. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won an SB the season after Dungy was dumped as HC but he was the one who helped turn that team into a contender after years of lousy seasons. Mora Jr. went to his new team's conference game his first year as head coach. John Fox is just a title game away from going back to the SB and, possibly, winning it, finally. These guys, sans Jeff Fisher, all have really, really, really good teams assembled around them right now. Most of these guys look prepared to win an SB this season.

[Ripper 0]

I actually think that Dan Reeves was a better coach for Vick. He kept him in the pocket, but still didn't restrict him from running. If Reeves had brought in another offensive Coordinator besides himself and ran more bootlegs for Vick like Mora does (and gotten out of that HORRIBLE 3-4 defense) then you have great coaching. But Reeves, being a old coach, wouldn't go with what they needed and believed in his own ideas to much and is gone.

 

The result is the Monster Atlanta D that is now there and a STRONG running game, but not much QB development.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

So who else has absolute crap on TV this week? I get Denver/Miami (ugh), Seattle/Jacksonville (interesting), and Detroit/GB. Not exactly the pick of the litter. Why would Denver/Miami be shown anywhere outside of Denver or Miami? It makes no sense.

[Dangerous A 0]

I get all the games.

 

:: DA snickers as he watches his NFL Sunday Ticket ::

[teke184 0]

Having Mike Tice as a head coach hasn't been exactly great for Culpepper.

 

Jim Mora Jr. was a great choice to make as head coach by Falcons owner Arthur Blanks.  His dad was a good coach and the younger Mora's been working in the NFL for nearly 20 years and is just a spry 41 years old. 

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Motherfucker has already won 2 more playoff games than his dad... and had 2 less post-game conference nervous breakdown / resignations too.

[Damaramu 0]

Uhh........Vick lost 2 close playoffs games? The one this year was not close at all. The Eagles had him the entire game.

[CanadianChris 0]

So who else has absolute crap on TV this week? I get Denver/Miami (ugh), Seattle/Jacksonville (interesting), and Detroit/GB. Not exactly the pick of the litter. Why would Denver/Miami be shown anywhere outside of Denver or Miami? It makes no sense.

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I'm happy with Denver/Miami.

 

I can't tell what I'm getting yet...nothing shows up on my guide. All I know is that I'm getting Jets/Chiefs on CBS Boston, which should be a good matchup, and Broncos/Dolphins on CBS Seattle, which I'll be watching for obvious reasons.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Having Mike Tice as a head coach hasn't been exactly great for Culpepper.

 

Jim Mora Jr. was a great choice to make as head coach by Falcons owner Arthur Blanks.  His dad was a good coach and the younger Mora's been working in the NFL for nearly 20 years and is just a spry 41 years old. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Motherfucker has already won 2 more playoff games than his dad... and had 2 less post-game conference nervous breakdown / resignations too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

PLAYOFFS?????

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

My early season boast of 'Moss will lead the Raiders to 12 wins' deserves a renege.

 

I'm saying 10-6 and a wild card berth, though.

[therealworldschampion 0]

Uhh........Vick lost 2 close playoffs games? The one this year was not close at all. The Eagles had him the entire game.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The 2002 playoff loss was actually closer than the score indicated. It was 13-6 until the 4th quarter, and Vick had a TD run that got negated by a holding call (and he got CREAMED by Dawkins on that play too). The NFC Championship was close until Vick self-destructed in the 2nd half.

 

I'd say that the best way to beat Vick is do what the Eagles and Bucs did in their games last year, which is have a quick defense that contains him by closing off his running lanes and forcing him to stay in the pocket, making him rely on passing, which he's not very good at. For this, you need an athletic DE, like Jevon Kearse or Simeon Rice. The Atlanta WRs are not very good, so solid DBs can contain them. If one shuts down the Atlanta running game, the Falcons offense can rendered ineffective.

[KingPK 0]

I'd say that the best way to beat Vick is do what the Eagles and Bucs did in their games last year, which is have a quick defense that contains him by closing off his running lanes and forcing him to stay in the pocket, making him rely on passing, which he's not very good at. For this, you need an athletic DE, like Jevon Kearse or Simeon Rice. The Atlanta WRs are not very good, so solid DBs can contain them. If one shuts down the Atlanta running game, the Falcons offense can rendered ineffective.

 

 

"Stop looking at my gameplans."

[NoCalMike 0]

My early season boast of 'Moss will lead the Raiders to 12 wins' deserves a renege.

 

I'm saying 10-6 and a wild card berth, though.

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How tough is the Raiders schedule? I mean I know TO helped the Eagles inflate their record last season, but wasn't their schedule pretty soft, and they ended up losing to the teams with a decent defense?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

They play New England, Philadelphia, San Diego twice, Denver twice, Kansas City twice, Buffalo, Dallas, NY Jets, NY Giants... all potential losses.

 

Really the only games I can trust them to win is vs Redskins, Dolphins, Browns and Titans.

[NoCalMike 0]

They play New England, Philadelphia, San Diego twice, Denver twice, Kansas City twice, Buffalo, Dallas, NY Jets, NY Giants... all potential losses.

 

Really the only games I can trust them to win is vs Redskins, Dolphins, Browns and Titans.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

If the Raiders are a .500 team, they will beat the Giants. I really think some people's expectations for the Giants are way to high this season. Next year they make a move, but not this season.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I don't really expect the Giants to do much but they could surprise the Raiders.

[Sass 0]

I have no clue how the Raiders will do this season and this is coming from a big time fan. Their schedule isn't for the weak. I see them going anywhere from 6-10 to 12-4 this season. I'm hoping for like a '98 Vikings or '99 Rams season but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

QB Kegger Collins, RB LaMont Jordan, TE Courtney Anderson, WR's Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel and the offensive line need to ball it up this season big time. The defense is (finally...) young but the old guys like Warren Sapp, Ted Washington and Bobby Hamilton need to kick some ass this season and show fans, like me, they're still worth paying some more.

[Slayer 0]

Vicks teams have gotten futher than Culpepper's teams ever have.

Culpepper: 2-2 in playoffs

Vick: 2-2 in playoffs

 

Culpepper: 1 NFC championship in which he got shut down

Vick: 1 NFC championship in which he got shut down

 

The only difference is Culpepper's been around for two more years, but otherwise their playoff resumés are the same

[Guest MikeSC]

I have no clue how the Raiders will do this season and this is coming from a big time fan.  Their schedule isn't for the weak.  I see them going anywhere from 6-10 to 12-4 this season.  I'm hoping for like a '98 Vikings or '99 Rams season but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

QB Kegger Collins, RB LaMont Jordan, TE Courtney Anderson, WR's Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel and the offensive line need to ball it up this season big time.  The defense is (finally...) young but the old guys like Warren Sapp, Ted Washington and Bobby Hamilton need to kick some ass this season and show fans, like me, they're still worth paying some more.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't have a ton of worries about their offense (Collins is the only possible problem). But I'm not sold on their defense at all. Sapp has deteriorated immensely. Their secondary is laden with extremely talented guys who just don't give enough of a damn to actually play.

[Dangerous A 0]

Pats v Raiders kicks off tonight.

 

Score predictions anyone?

 

Here's mine: Raiders 17 Patriots 21

[tominator89 0]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook cut off contract talks with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday because the two sides are far apart on a long-term extension.

 

"Me and my agent have told the Eagles' management that we're no longer interested in talking to them as far as the contract situation," Westbrook said Thursday. "We don't feel as though we've received a proposal from them that really represents the value that I bring to this team and my market value. I think that in the last 2 1/2, 3 years that I've been here, I've brought a lot to this team."

 

Westbrook, talking for the first time since reporting to training camp after a one-week holdout, had been seeking a long-term deal after signing a one-year restricted free agent offer for $1.43 million.

 

"It's just frustrating for me to come to work every day knowing that in the back of my mind I feel kind of disrespected by the offer that I continue to get from the Eagles," he said.

 

In his three-year career, Westbrook has rushed for 1,618 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 119 passes for 1,121 yards and 10 TDs.

 

"I run the ball, I catch the ball, and for this team I am very valuable," Westbrook said. "I think any time a defense or any other team comes in here ... one of the players that they have to stop when they come play the Philadelphia Eagles is Brian Westbrook."

 

Westbrook skipped the Eagles' post-draft minicamp and sat out the first week of training camp. He switched agents, from Anthony Agnone to Fletcher Smith, who also represents Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, and was looking for a five-year deal before the start of the season.

 

Westbrook said the numbers are far apart and two sides have never really come close to reaching an agreement.

 

The versatile Westbrook is coming off a breakout season in which he led the team with 1,515 total yards and was tops among NFL running backs with 73 catches for 703 yards and six touchdowns, despite sitting out the last two regular-season games. Westbrook was a key part of the Eagles' trip to the Super Bowl and caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in the 24-21 loss to the Patriots.

 

"I'm still going to come out here and be the best running back I can be," he said.

 

 

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/4851590

[razazteca 0]

My Prediction: 42-24 Pats

 

Corey Dillion & Tom Brady 3 TDs each

Randy Moss 2 TDs

Jordan 50 yards with 1 TD

[Guest]

34-21 Patriots

[Urban Warfare 0]

Pats 30 Raiders 13

[Damaramu 0]

A lot-Not a lot in favor of the Patriots.

[Gert T 0]

New England 30 Oakland 21

[CanadianChris 0]

34-20 Pats.

[Guest Vitamin X]

16-13 in OT, Patriots via an apparent late fumble overturned as an incomplete pass..

[Robert 0]

Whoever the hell had the idea to put the Rolling Stones, Freddy Prince Jr., and Maroon 5 on an NFL Kickoff Special oughta be stabbed in the throat with a straw until he bleeds to death. I would like to see at-least some thought from Madden or Michaels, and not from the tools from ESPN. Why don't they just put Rosentrash and TO on, because that would be better than this. Put me down for a 35-17 Pats victory.