Playoff teams we beat last year, WITH POLL!
by uofmike on Aug 1, 2011 12:52 PM CDT
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When looking at the NFC, I think it's fair to assume the playoff teams will be pretty much the same this year as they were last year. Maybe AZ or STL takes over for Seattle or maybe the Saints show up this year. However, assuming the main teams are still there, I want to take a look at what the playoff "PACk" have done this week. Those teams being
Philly
Atlanta
Chicago
This is just kind of a look at what the Packers might be up against assuming they make it back to the playoffs.
Also, if you do actually read this whole thing, I'm at work on lunch break and don't have time to proof read it (and organizing my thoughts/spelling are pretty sketchy to begin with) so if it's crap, I apologize
Philly
Where to start with Philly. Holy crap do they have talent. The offense isn't changing much. They still have Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Maclin, and Celek. While they swapped Kolb out for Young at backup QB. The offense is definitely built to fly and be exciting. It's going to be hard for any defense to stack up play after play and contain them from the big play. However, they didn't really address the receiver position or the offensive line position and is VY as a backup QB really such a good thing? With their offensive line, you can get to Vick and make him hurry. Which as we saw at the end of the year last year caused an injury and a huge drop in production from him from the first part of the season. If Vick gets injured again, do you really trust a headcase like Vince Young with the keys to this very very expensive car? Philly fans will be a lot more relentless than the slight booings he received in Tennessee. While they do have DJax and Maclin, they don't have a ton else behind them in the receiver corps. Jackson and Maclin are each having their own issues. Jackson wants a new contract (I heard this morning he's only making $500,000 next year) and Maclin is having some kind of unknown pneumonia threatening to cause him to miss games, from listening to KFAN today, apparently they're pretty concerned about the illness. So while they do have this electrifying offense, it seems to be quite full of holes and questions. If the receivers go down and McCoy is forced to be more of a traditional RB with men stacked in the box, how will he fair? On the other side of the Philly ball, the defense added uncle Cromartie, Nnamdi, and Cullen Jenkins. Boy oh boy is that defense full of talent. The secondary was considered a bit of a weakness last year and now they have Samuel, Cromartie, and Nnamdi to play corner, with Samuel apparently being shopped around. They add that talent (and Casey Matthews!) to a defense that ranked 21st in total yards allowed and 12th in ppg, is that enough to make their defense elite? Probably. I really think the NFL over looks Cullen Jenkins, if he can stay on the field, look at the production you can get from him as a DT. I freaking DT that can rush the passer like that and he put up pretty nice numbers last year considering that he missed a few games and when he did play, he had a club on his hand most of the time.
Atlanta
While the Falcons didn't do much, they did add Ray Edwards in Free Agency to what was a hit-or-miss defensive line last year and drafted Julio Jones (along with releasing Michael Jenkins). Did they do enough to put them over the top? I remember in that regular season game in Atlanta I felt the Packers were lucky to still be in the game with how the Falcons were moving the ball, despite not having many yards. Ryan, Turner, White, Jones, and Gonzalez sounds like a pretty sweet offensive set up. The defense wasn't too shabby at 16th in ypg and only 5th in ppg. Jones is probably the fire power to make their offense something to compete in a shootout, but will their defense be able to repeat the "bend don't break" style they did last year? Or is Ray Edwards the answer? (unless they're playing the Cowboys in the playoffs, I doubt it).
Chicago
Marion Barber, Roy Williams, Matt Spaeth, and Sam Hurd come in on offense to help add fire power, while probably their most talented pass catcher last year leaves in Olsen. While the Olsen move is pretty questionable, I really like what they did with Barber, Williams, Spaeth and Hurd. Their offense was not impressive to me last year. They have two fast receivers in Knox and Hester but the Packers all but shut them out last year, Olsen was the real threat to us and now he's gone. However, Roy Williams most productive year was under Mike Martz and still has potential despite being terrible in Dallas. Hurd can be a nice #3-4 receiver to go with Knox/Hester who are solid #2-3 receivers. While they still don't have a true #1 receiver, Cutler has to be happy with these additions. Even with Olsen gone, Spaeth can play a little as a receiver and blocker. Barber is the big question mark for their offense to me. If Barber can get back to form and be a nice bruiser that can run instead of just a goal line back, Forte is suddenly going to be a very nice compliment to him and will make them a much more versatile offense because Forte/Taylor is just a little too repetitive. They also lost Kruetz and replaced him the center from Seattle. While their offense still isn't elite... they're definitely much better than last year. On top of that, a very good defense adds Gholston and Okoye to their D-Line, making a team that we struggled to score on all 3 times we played them last year, even better.
The Packers on the other hand, did nothing. However, that may not be a terrible thing. We get Finley, Grant, Neal, and Burnett back. Add that too an OT/apparent OG drafted in the first round, a KR/speed WR/Can Opener/Tooth Pick/Pocket Knife in Cobb in the second round (a KR desperately needed btw), and a BJax replacement in the 3rd round... the Packers have plenty of talent to go around. I am not the least bit concerned about adding people. In fact, we may have too many weapons. Last year the offense looked hit-or-miss with Finley healthy because there simply wasn't enough football for Rodgers to share. If they players can put their ego's aside, and Grant can regain form, this is probably the best offense in football. Defensively last year, despite a ton of injuries, the Packers were half of a point away from having the best ppg allowed and they had the 5th best ypg allowed. If Neal can come close to replacing Jenkins and Raji continues to develop, there's no reason why the Packers shouldn't have one of the best defenses for yet another year in a row under Capers.
Did the other playoff teams do enough to knock off the Packers? Or are the PUP additions going to be enough to potentially put the Pack back in the super bowl? Assuming the team can stay healthy, I gotta like the Packers chances of getting back to the super bowl, when a team only trails by 7pts once in an entire season (especially with all the injuries), there's something good happening.
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Way I see it:
Philly: Still the same O-line basically and this year coaches had time to think of Vick. They’re a better team, no doubt. I just don’t think they’re the IT team. I totally expect there will be a lot of forcing Vick to run passed scrimmage. Fortunately for them, their division is not going to challenge them too much.
Bears: Only the Vikings will keep them from being worst in the division.
Falcons: Slight improvements make them more dangerous to my mind than the Eagles. If Turner stays healthy. Otherwise I have a hard time imagining them being more than a wildcard team because they didn’t do anything to ensure a plan B with regard to their running game.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
Don't forget that the Bears made the NFC championship game last season...
Not to say that they don’t have flaws, but as long as that defense is intact they will be tough. The good news for us is that key players of that defense are getting old (especially Urlacher, the lynchpin of the unit), so the team will likely be on the downswing in the next several years (given that the draft woes of Angelo continue). With poor state of their offensive line and Caleb Hanie as the most playoff-ready QB on the squad, I can see them dropping in overall record but not to the point where they are even close to how miserable the Vikings will be.
On the same note, noone quite knows how Detroit will do this year. Their defense and team as a whole appears as if they are on the rise, but it can be quite difficult to get over that 7-9 or 8-8 hump to get into the playoffs (see Texans, Houston). We’ll have to see how their secondary/Stafford hold up. If one or both don’t, we could be looking at the Bears as the second place team in the NFC North next year.
by msc32887 on Aug 4, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree that the Bears could easily finish 2nd.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
BAH.
And I say again… “BAH.”
If the Bears prevail at all it will only be because of the stinging their pride sustained and tbh, I don’t think of the Bears as an orgainization with much pride. Not to discredit their fans – I live in Chicago and I know Bears fans with a gut full of pride in their team – but as an organization? They don’t have the heart, from the top, down. It’s just paychecks for them and they didn’t do anything to disprove this with a couple of ex-Cowpokes who were laissez faire about their team’s chances all last season.
I’m telling you right now: Lovie and Martz and Marinelli got their money. They don’t care a whit about Bears fans. I don’t even expect them to make .500 within the division.
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
I might agree, if Roy Williams keeps playing like he has.
But I don’t think its pride. I just think its GM leadership and building the organization incorrectly. The Olsen move to fit the Martz system is an example. Its stuff like that that makes me think they won’t be successful due to confusion about scheme and direction. That could, indirectly, affect pride or at least focus in the lockerroom I suppose.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 4, 2011 5:30 PM CDT up reply actions
It's not just their new players though
But I wlll agree completely on the management angle. I’ve said it before many times on this blog: Bears staffers only do enough to justify keeping their jobs on contract years. They don’t care the least about their fans. If the McCaskeys cared even a little bit, they’d have restructured their organization long ago.
For them it’s the bottom line: what do we have to do to put butts in the seats? Done? Okay – we can coast for a while. They don’t even pretend to manage their team or take credit for responsibility for their moves! How many times have I seen some Chicago sports beat writer or radio personality make a suggestion or demand that winds up happening weeks later? If I were a Bears fan, why…. why… I’d be a Packer fan!
"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi
What?
What does caring about the fans have to do w/ restructuring the organization? Doesn’t make sense. I don’t know or care about the structure of the organization, but everyone orgainizes it in a different way. Might be a best way, but really just a matter of preference. As long as it has a good chain of command. Probably more about the ineptitude of the people making decisions than it is structure.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Jerry Angelo
Probably more about the ineptitude of the people making decisions than it is structure.
’Nuff said!
Oh, and aren’t the Lions fans glad its not Jerry Angeleo? LOL
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
Probably more about the ineptitude of the people making decisions
Yeah I agree. That was basically what I was trying to say in way more words than necessary and I think what Adam was also saying. To be a Bears fan is…. well, fruitless if you hope for a successful organization.
The structure is there, but the people filling that little hieracrchy tree are obviously not the sharpest knives in the drawer.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 5, 2011 6:09 AM CDT up reply actions
The NFC East is no lock for the Eagles.
They are in no way shape or form so much better than the Giants, and to a lesser extent the Cowboys, that they will not be challenged for the division this year. Don’t believe the hype, is what I’m saying.
They had the same record as the Giants last year (10-6), and did not win another game after the “miracle in the maedowlands.” Along with Vick wearing down, the Giants put the blueprint out there for all to see on how to beat the Eagle offense.
Now, take their defense. It was very bad last year. No team gave up more big plays of more than 20 yards than their defense. And no defense was worse in the red zone. They gave up the most red zone TD’s, and had the worst percentage keeping teams out of the end zone.
They signed alot of quality players this off season you may say? That plus they got the biggest prize in Free Agency you might add? If you are a student of the history of the game, you will know that the teams that win the off season simply do not win championships.
They are a very good football team and they are very well coached. But they are not as good as you think, I think.
Oh, and last year was a perfect storm for the way the season went for the Bears. They kinda suck, IMO.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
wow, this really dropped. this was for AdamA way up there ^^
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
been saying it since FA started...
Hell even last year and previous years.
you will know that the teams that win the off season simply do not win championships.
Winning the offseason title means next to nothing. Its far from meaning anything once the season starts.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Philly’s offense could be hit-or-miss, especially if Maclin continues to have problems. They kind of just spreadt it out on offense and try to set up big plays. If teams can figure out Vick, can they really consistently move the ball down the field? The defense will be scary, sure, but the offense might not be as good as the talent would suggest.
Atlanta did improve their offense. They really needed Jones to pair with White, since Jenkins and Douglas were not getting it done. Unfortunately they were able to hold onto their OT Clabo. They did add Edwards to the defense, but I still don’t think they have what it takes to keep up with our defense. They needed to improve the secondary and I haven’t seen them do that.
Even with the defense, I still would put the Saints before the Bears.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Giants had Vick contained (until the biggest defensive/special teams meltdown)
Vikings contained Vick and beat the Eagles, despite playing with Joe Webb as QB.
And obviously, we contained Vick in the playoffs.
I think the Vikings and Packers defenses sort of set the gameplan with how to play Vick. Particularly, CB blitzes really seemed to affect that offense in a big way. They didn’t really have answer for Woodson/Winfield coming in.
I think defensive coordinators going up against the Eagles will be studying those two tapes constantly during their prep work. We’ll have to see if Vick can adjust.
Angelo: Right….so anyways Jay, I’m sure you understand that we needed to make this move and I wanna wish you the best of luck.
Cutler: (Swoops bangs out of eyes by throwing his head back) Whatever, I don’t need this team or you.
/Leaves in a huff
//Writes bad poetry on his blog
Grossman: What the fuck is Wilford Brimley’s problem?
Blitz's in general
At some point toward the end of last year or in the playoffs, I read that Vick was really stuggling when opponents blitzed him. And I think your right, that the CB blitzs gave him particular problems too. You can be sure Philly will work w/ Vick on blitz situations this year. Alot of it comes down to recognition of who/when teams are blitzing. That comes from film study and being composed under pressure. If Vick studies hard he can overcome it, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who stays particularly poised or composed under pressure (running is his first instinct). We’ll see how he handles it this year, but you can bet that is the book for now. Its up to him to make the necessary adjustments and change how teams approach him.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
teams are going to force him right. When he has to move right, and make a throw, he is very inaccurate. This was learned last year.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
No one is mentioning
The Iggles signed Ronnie Brown yesterday… this is a quiet, but interesting addition to their depth.
eh…he’s at best a third down back for them and at worst a decent backup. BUT he’s got a checkered injury history so he’s hard to count on.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
Good backup
for McCoy tho. McCoy is on the smallish side, so they need to give him a break occasionally. He’ll be able to take some pressure off McCoy and releave him on some downs.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
if he stays on the field. He doesn't impress me much.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
Perry Fewell, DC for the Giants laid the blueprint to beat the Eagles for 3 quarters of the second game.
Then he went into conservative mode in the fourth quarter and it cost him. The Viqueens and your Packers watched the Giants tape and knew better than to let up.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
The Saints were in the playoffs last year.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
No surprise here..
After 6 votes no one thinks any of these teams did enough. Way to back your team Packer fans!
That said, Philly will be very tough. Looking at their schedule, I see them going at worst 12-4. The tough games are at Atlanta, at Giants, and Patriots and Jets at home. They could easily go 15-1. I am not counting the Dallas games or Chicago at home in a night game as tough. Maybe they stumble and lose to someone they shouldn’t, but the Packers will need to be very sharp throughout the season if they want home field.
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
Wow, buying that "Dream Team" Eagle stock, eh?
Teams that win the off season rarely win championships. And almost never win them right away.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
Not really..
Just looking at their schedule. The Giants are the only other good team in that division. The Skins (Rex Grossman?), and Cowboys aren’t very good. Even the Giants wern’t a playoff team.
The rest of the schedule..? They only have 3 games vs playoff teams from last year and 2 of those are at home.
The difference to me is that the Eagles were 10-6 last year, not a last place team in need of a major makeover.
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
correction..4 games vs playoff teams..
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
You are right about the schedule.
Somewhat. The NFC East, which has three good teams, plays the AFC East, with two powerhouse teams, while also playing the dregs of the NFC West.
Divisional games being what they are, that means 6 tough games right off the bat. Add in ATL, CHI, NE, and the Jets and I see a tough schedule.
In a strange twist of fate, my Giants have the same 14 games as the Eagles, of course, plus playing the second place Saints from the South (who I think will be better than ATL), plus your boys who are superior to CHI, IMO.
Those two games mean alot, IMO, so I think we kinda agree (?)
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
BTW, I love your screen name. Reggie was awesome, to say the least.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
yep..
I really am short the Cowboys, which the only real difference in opinion between us I think. I see below many think the ‘boys will rebound..maybe so. even so, I’d be surprised if Philly went worse than 12-4.
Giants I think rebound more than Cowboys…I see them as wildcard along with either NO or ATL.
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
thanks on the screen name. BTW :)
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
My pleasure. I enjoy greatness, where ever I see it.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
Consider this, White92.
How many games do they have vs playoff teams from this year?
The answer to that, of course, is unknown at this time, but, in fact, this is a far more important factor than
They only have 3 [or 4] games vs playoff teams from last year
Because, some of last year’s playoff teams won’t make the playoffs this year, and some of this year’s playoff teams will be teams that weren’t good enough last year.
Every year, in the preseason, people measure a team’s schedule toughness by their opponents’ records from the previous season, but, when the new season is completed, and the team’s schedule toughness is recalculated based on its opponents’ records from the current season, the difference is usually startling, and just goes to show how worthless preseason schedule toughness ratings (and associated factors, such as how many of the previous season’s playoff teams a team faces) really are.
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
The poll...
Perhaps the poll would have been more informative if there were no “Pack is still best” option. If I had to pick one of those teams as the biggest threat, I would have to pick Philly, not because of their signings, but because of their soft conference schedule. They get to play four games versus the NFC West, easily the softest division in the league last season and likely the weakest this season also.
nothing wrong with a little pure unadulterated homerism.
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
I agree
Just noting that the poll is not revealing much we did not already know. :-)
Well, all you have to do
is ignore the votes for ‘None of them did’,
as if that choice didn’t exist.
Then, of the 60 people (at this time) who chose not to go that route, 59 (98.3%) have bought into the hype and voted for the Iggles.
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
Philly
Is the team that possibly did enough to unseat the Pack. Doesn’t mean they will, but they have the best chance to improve dramatically. They loaded up on D, to combat the Packers passing game. Luckily we don’t play them in the regular season so if we do play them it will be in the playoffs.
Atlanta still doesn’t scare me. They spent alot to get Julio Jones, and WR don’t typically have outstanding rookie years. Basically the same offense as last year, w/ the ability to get better as the season progresses. Edwards does little to improve them on D. He can basically be blocked one on one, but most OT’s.
Chicago lost talent but filled in w/ guys that fit their system better. Roy Williams is the key to their season. If he plays to his talent and becomes a #1 WR, they will be much improve, but if he continues to play like, well… Roy Williams, they won’t! Its also the year that Urlacher is set to get injured again. He’s on an every other year schedule and was healthy all last year. So when he is lost, so is their season!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Stroh'd
Strohman makes the point I was going to make about Julio Jones. Rookie receivers generally contribute very little their first year, and their mistakes can be very costly.
If I had to choose between the Packers who “did nothing” and the Bears who were very busy, I’d take the Packers’ offseason. Vernon Gholston as an addition? A first round pick who has yet to record a sack in his first two seasons, making Jamaal Reynolds look like Reggie White? Marion Barber, who’s game has all but disappeared? Roy Williams may have some big games with Cutler, but that’s offset by the loss of Greg Olson.
Philly will be tough, especially since they play the NFC West, but they’ll be adding a lot of pressure to themselves by playoff time with talk of Dream Teams and being the Miami Heat of the NFL.
Packers should be a favorite, but they have a lot to clean up as well. Can’t lose to midlevel teams. Must start the season fast, not the annual 3-3 record after six. Need to put teams away. The Packers’ 2010 season hinged on others too often: Philly’s comeback against the Giants; Detroit beating Tampa. And without Desmond Bishop’s shoestring tackle against DeSean Jackson in the fourth quarter of the playoff game, the Eagles might have pulled that one out. (I shudder still at that memory.)
All that said, Packers win 2011 Super Bowl.
Nitschke never wore an earring!
Agree, But...
Must start the season fast, not the annual 3-3 record after six.
I’d like a faster start too. But not at the expense of peaking in the playoffs. Playing your best when the playoffs start is an important aspect of McCarthy’s season plan. And an important trait to winning a SB.
And thanx for the credit…
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
by Strohman on Aug 1, 2011 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think that as long as the Packers’ D can maintain the same level they had last year, and the O can come back to the level they were playing at 2008-2009, the Packers will be really, really hard to beat in 2011.
[Philly] Is the team that possibly did enough to unseat the Pack.
A bunch of individually-talented free agents is not the same as a group of guys who can play well together as a team. Add in that this is first-time defensive coordinator Juan Castillo’s first year as DC… maybe it’ll work out, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if the whole thing falls apart by November, either.
Also, as someone who’s seen his (un)fair share of Cardinals games, I gotta say it feels like DRC is being hyped over his ability.
Atlanta […] spent alot to get Julio Jones
You can say that again. That was steep even if Jones turns out to play at the same level as Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and Andre Johnson.
by DaveInTucson on Aug 1, 2011 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
DRC
Yeah, I live in Scottsdale and have watched him quite a bit.Tremdously talented player, but he’s a poor tackler, has no physicality and is prone to mental lapses and poor decisions.
Very over-rated in almost every way. Other than being a very good man cover guy.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Gotta agree with both of you for the same reasons...
seen a lot of him play. If its between Kolb or DRC as far as putting in the work outside of games, Kolb is going to be much better. That guys is a workhorse, takes responsibility and is accountable for his team. DRC not so much. Maybe DRC will learn in Philly under better leadership at his position but I like giving up DRC for Kolb.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 1, 2011 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
DRC is very overrated. Completely agree.
And PFF has metrics that back up what most of us see. He had the lowest grade of 100 CB’s that were graded last year, a -14.9, I believe is what I saw. He is soft and kind of a knucklehead, IMO.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
BTW
Macklin has mono… From what I heard its pretty serious and he’s lost 20 lbs. It could take all year for him to get back to being himself. Avant is a decent player, but is best as a #3/slot WR, not a starter. They have to get a deal worked out w/ DJack otherwise they lose 2 big time playmakers. Just depends on DJack getting a new contract, which should happen, and Macklin getting over Mono.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Mono would suck for the Eagles. I had read “mystery illness” and pneumonia. Either way, doesn’t look like he’ll be ready to start the season
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
I read/heard somewhere it was mono.
Can’t verify tho… Have no clue where is saw it. If its pneumonia he should be ready to practice is a couple weeks and could easily play in the regular season opener. Probably still not at full strength, but he could play. I’m sure we’ll hear more about it soon…
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Eagles fan here & congrats on your SB
Yes Maclin had Mono. He did not loose 20 LBS scouts at TC have seen him there and, he’s practicing just fine. The offensive line has been bolstered by a 1st round pick, starting center coming back from a freak chest injury, starting caliper LG from Bengals (can’t remember his name now), a new RT (Broncos starter last year can’t remember his name either it’s been hard keeping up with the team) and, in the post season Mathews abused Justice so badly due to the fact that he was playing on a partly torn ACL of witch he has had sugary and is expected back soon.
Now on the Defensive side of the ball. Domnic, Namdi &, Samual (DNA) where assembled to combat the Pack specifically. Rogers raped our D for all it was worth however, They are adding 2nd round pick SS, Nate Allen FS is back from a torn patella (all reports coming out of camp is he’s faster now than he has ever been), Babin, & Jenkins.
I noticed the post criticized the defensive coordinator. Non Philly fans should know the name Jim Johnson. This is a man who was the O line coach for JJ’s defense for over 10 years. Every time JJ put a game plan together he would go do it with Juan for his input. Also you half to add in Wash who is known as the best D line coach in the league and Mudd who is the best O line coach in the league.
I still fear the pack more than any other team. I figure if we get by you guys it’s ours to loose at that point but, just like in boxing you gotta knock out the champ to take the title.
"Learning to eat soup with a knife"
You guys have got to be DROOLING over all the new blood in the team. What a fun time to be a fan…that said, it will be interesting to see how they can build the chemistry with all those changes!
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
No doubt it would be a great time to be an Eagles fan
Lots to be positive about happening there. Lots of talent coming in and a pretty good coaching staff as well.
As for their DC….yeah I can understand why he was chosen being close to Johnson and all, however I’m skeptical about such a dramatic switch. For example, I have no doubt that McCarthy and Philben pick Capers brain about how to game plan for a particular defense all the time, but that doesn’t mean I would want them coaching our defense or vice versa.
There are also a few minor things I’m skeptical about with the team. Can their offense be consistent? Yes they have the big score capability, but the last few years the Eagles have been boom or bust no matter who is the QB. Reid also seem allergic to running the ball which can often help bring that stability as well. I don’t say this to knock them but only because I see the Packers do this as well. Teams with receiver that can get downfield a can break from that short passing game that moves the chains and eats the clock. When that happens and the team gets into a shooting match anything can happen…or if the team they are playing as a good secondary, pass rush, or both then the offense can wilt.
Will the Eagles keep all three corners…and is three corners really good enough? There are some rumblings about Samuel being traded, if that is true then is there the depth needed to run with the Falcons, Saints, and Packers? Or is three even enough? Right now the Pack can easily put five receiving threats on the field that can create mismatches and I’m not just talking five wide. Hell, throw in what Cobb can do and Starks and Grant’s decent pass catching abilities the Pack could line up in a balanced formation and still be able to stretch the field like most teams could in four or five wide sets (thus is the weapon that is Jermichael Finely).
Lots to be excited about in Philly, I just want to see how it all gels before I start anointing them as the team to beat or worry about in the NFC.
by PackApologist on Aug 3, 2011 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Yup, to all of this
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
If you want a team to fear in the NFC it isn't the Eagles
Don’t by the hype. The Eagles are basically the same team as they were in 07 and every year between now and then. They are an explosive, but highly inconsistent offense, that lives and dies by the big play. This stems from their offensive line and they way Andy Reid calls games. Remember this offense was shut down by Minnesota last year….at home….when everything was on the line. By the way, they did the same thing against the Cowboys the year before under McNabb.
No the team to fear in the NFC is the Saints. They made their flashy movements in the draft and then made some key pick ups in free agency. Mainly they just continued to pick up running backs that would fit what they do. Look for their offense to have more teeth to it this year and the defense to stay aggressive and attempt to out physical the opposing team lining up against them.
As for the other teams we played last year….
I’m sorry but I’m not buying any of Chicago’s moves this offseason save their first two draft picks. After that I think they have collectively gotten worse. Whether it was from incompentance (they couldn’t attract the right players to the team), trusting the wrong people to make the decisions (hello Mike Martz), or just pure unbridled stupidity, it doesn’t matter in the end. This is a team that I want to see to believe….although it also doesn’t mean to dismiss them. I believe Cutler has the talent to be an elite QB in this league, and Peppers is a beast. If Peppers Urlacher and Briggs can play out of their minds like last year and keep the ship afloat the team has a punchers chance.
The Falcons…to me it all comes down to our last game against them more then the first because both games really played out the same way except in the first game nearly every thing broke the Falcons way and in the second everything broke the Packers way. When all the breaks went to Falcons they needed a last second kick return in order to squeak past the Pack. When breaks went the Packers’ way the Pack laid one of the worst beat downs in playoff history on the team. It all comes down to their defense. The Falcons didn’t have the corners to keep up with the WR corp and they didn’t have the defensive line to get pressure on Rodgers. To respond to this they frittered way their draft on a wide receiver and then only added Ray Edwards to their defense in free agency. Edwards can play second banana well enough and help get some pressure, but I’m not exactly shaking in my boots by those moves when it comes time for the Packers to cross paths with them again.
No the team to watch is the Saints. They addressed their weakest link (the lack of RB depth) and added to it many times over. They are hungry again and want to prove to the league how talented they are. They have the QB & offense to match the Pack point for point, and the nasty D to try to out physical Caper’s squad.
Saints
Yeah they did alot to help themselves in the draft. I think they can score w/ the best offenses in the NFL, including the Packers. I’m not sold on their D to be able to play at a high enough level to keep up w/ the Packers tho. They are a little too short on talent on D… But their Offense is excellent.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
I think the defense was more of a problem than the run game for NO.
Defense is what lost them that game against SEA. Is their defense improved tp the point where they can hang with us? I don’t see it. They can be dangerous if more injuries strike or the team just has a bad day, but GB is the better team.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
Shocked
I am absolutely shocked there isn’t one vote for the Falcons or the Bears, especially the Bears. Now maybe it’s just homerism because… well it’s the Bears, but still. The Bears are the only team on this list that really scare me. Yeah ATL and the Eagles can be the Packers, but I don’t think they could do it with any kind of consistency like the Bears potentially could. With how well the Bears and Packers play each other and how well they know each other, having a Barber/Williams could be huge for them if either of them can regain form
REPORTER: What do you think is happening to the team?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: The ship be sinking.
REPORTER: How far can it sink?
MICHAEL RAY RICHARDSON: Sky's the limit.
I didn't vote for the Bears because of their moves
I didn’t really believe in a single one of the moves the Bears did this year after the draft and generally think that it made their team weaker.
I don’t think that Roy Williams is a #1 receiver. Bear apologists can tell me all about his best season with Martz until they are blue in the face, but even then he wasn’t really the number 1, most of that time Megatron was around to help draw defenses. Now he is the guy and he has always seemed to underachieve when the franchise he is with is counting on him.
I don’t think that trading away Olson is a good idea. Talent is talent and Olson had it. The moment a team is going to put scheme ahead of talent is the moment that team commits to being mediocre. Schemes can be taken apart…talent can’t. As for the TE’s they got in return are basically blockers. Why bring on more TE’s if they can’t be a dual threat?
Marion Barber is used up. Physical runners break down quicker and now the Bears have one good all around back and two used up ones. He may be able to punch in some goal line stands, but I don’t really see a team quake in their boots by the addition of a goal line back.
So yeah, I don’t see how they’ve addressed their major deficiencies at all. For the most part I think they have gotten marginally better, if not a little worse. The schedule is going to be tougher and I doubt they will have the flat out luck they had last year. So no, I’m not worried that much about the Bears.
by PackApologist on Aug 2, 2011 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
If the question is "which team made the moves capable of beating the Packers?"
It has to be the Eagles or Falcons, purely because they were the only ones that made any significant moves.
Not to say the Saints or Bears couldn’t win, of course.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Aug 3, 2011 4:25 AM CDT up reply actions
There it is!!!
if either of them can regain form
Has either of them shown signs of a resurgence? Barber is used up and only a goal line RB, if that. Williams has seen his production decrease every year for the past 5 yrs. Bareasses are hoping reuniting him w/ Martz will set him up as a #1 WR. Thats a pipedream!
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
When is the last time this happened?
I think it’s fair to assume the playoff teams will be pretty much the same this year as they were last year.
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
Yeah
That kinda caught my eye too. With the way the NFL is these days team come out of the woodwork every year to make the playoffs and teams that everyone thinks are loaded don’t make it.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
You mean teams like
the Lions and the Rams, maybe?
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
Absolutely
I think the Rams win the NFCW w/ Seattle falling by the wayside. AZ could potentially make a push to, but I don’t see it w/ a new QB and D Coordinator. I can easily see the bareasses falling by the wayside w/ the Lions stepping up. Not quite ready to predict that yet, but its easily possible.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
Yep.
GB, PHI, ATL, and NO are most likely going to be there unless a QB (or in ATL’s case a RB) goes down. The NFCW will be terrible again, so it’s tough to predict a winner there, but I tend to agree with you (I have a friend that’s a Rams fan too and I’d like for him to see his team win a few games now and then; he deserves it). The last WC is completely up for grabs IMO, with any number of teams having a shot.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
I think AZ will make a really good run at the West with their moves....
they weren’t happy at first but its turned out to be a pretty good Free Agency for them. If they land a #2 receiver yet…. then I think they are favorites. As it is, they have the talent to win it, just gotta get it done.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 3, 2011 2:22 AM CDT up reply actions
But
Like I mentioned the Cards have a new QB learning their offense and the D is learning an entirely new D scheme. Still a 34 D but different terminology and philosophys. I think it’ll take them a year to get integrated into the team and cohesive. Kinda hope I’m wrong tho.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
I want to say that I think they are going to push that running game...
that Whiz has been talking about for the last 3 years….but then I see lots of additions to help the passing game. But I still think they are going to work Beanie and Ryan WIlliams in a lot more if they can hold on to the ball. I think its the only reason they didn’t stick with the run the last couple years.
I would guess they are going to try to bring Kolb along a little slower if he doesn’t pick up the offense quickly (but I think he will). Todd Heap is a nice safety valve for him that even DA didn’t really have last year. And I heard Ryan WIlliams is a good recieving back as well.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 3, 2011 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
They might try to bring Kolb along slowly by running the ball more. I just don’t know if they have the ability to run the ball. Or the D to keep them in the game long enough to stay w/ the run. If they want to be a running team, signing Colledge wasn’t the best way to do that. Heap was a good sign for them… If healthy he is almost like a good #2 reciever. I don’t have alot of concerns about Kolb learning the offense, I just think it’ll take a year to really get everyone on the same page and completely integrated into the offensive and defensive schemes.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
You're probably right.
Though the optimism is a lot higher now than it was a week ago after the initial Kolb trade!
They haven’t really don’t much on D from last year and I wonder how complex Horton’s scheme is going to be. I like the Stew Bradley pickup if he can stay healthy! And Peterson has tons of talent but he’ll probably be a little slow early on without an offseason.
For a team that built up a lot using FA, this CBA rule that they can’t practice until tomorrow puts them back a little too.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 3, 2011 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
optimism
Oh your right about the optimism… Since the few dissenters have gotten used to Kolb as a Cardinal, its gone up dramatically. But then their Cards fans. Its all they have! LOL
Cards have made a couple good pickups.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
I hate to say this but...
No one is mentioning the Cowboys at all. Yet, they still have oodles of individually talented players and a new coach who replaces one of the worst coaches in the NFL. I am not saying that they will definitely be good and I think Romo is overrated, but they could easily crash the post-season party if they have improved attitude and get onto a roll.
Eh...
The Cowboys have basically the same team as last year. Rob Ryan is a nice DC, but I don’t see anything more than a 2-3 game improvement from Dallas.
Plus they have the new Super Eagles and the Giants to deal with in that division.
I’d still take those 2 teams over the Cowboys.
Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!
Green Bay Packers: Super Bowl XLV Champions!!!!
I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.
With Eli Manning, anything is possible
ESPECIALLY an embarrassing loss to Dallas. Coughlin seldom beats the Cowboys twice in a season.
Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Aug 3, 2011 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Well you have to keep in mind they did lose their QB last year and they clearly quit on their coach. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them be a much improved team this year. Plus losing Williams is addition by subtraction.
The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010
That's the way I see it, too.
I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see the Boys rebound.
And, other than in the win-loss record, I wouldn’t even consider it an improvement; more a simple case of they really were better than they played last year.
I think, too, that a lot of it was, when they were 1-3, and lost to Bertt and the (also 1-3) Vikings, that was enough to suck whatever air was left right out of their balloons, and that may well have been when they quir on Philips. :)
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
Losing to the Vikings will do that to you....
I mean, thats like losing a game of chess to a 4 year old.
You shouldn’t even be in the same league as your competition.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 5, 2011 6:10 AM CDT up reply actions
When was the last time the vast majority of the offseason was truncated?
I’m not saying that the teams will most likely be the same, but this year, the deck is mostly stacked for the teams who were successful last year.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
You could also say that
the deck is more stacked than ever for surprises,
in part because you can’t really know how each of the teams is going to react to how this offseason went down and whatever adversity it created.
(I would add, however, that I think that what the Packers dealt with in 2008 helped prepare them for dealing with this, and also demonstrated that they can handle adversity well. :))
"It's a great day to be great, baby!"
"Here I am, brain the size of a planet,
and they ask me to pick up a piece of paper.
You call that job satisfaction?
'Cause, I don't."
The MUNSTERS of the Midway still suck!
Every year there are on average, 5 new playoff teams total.
In 2009 playoffs, the AFC lost TEN, PIT, and MIA form the 2008 playoffs. The NFC lost NYG, CAR, and ATL.
The six new teams were: NE, CIN, NYJ, NO, DAL, GB.
In 2010 playoffs, the AFC lost NE and CIN. NFC lost MIN, DAL, and ARZ
The five new teams were PIT, KC, ATL, CHI, and SEA.
The point is, that there is always more turnover than people expect. And so the QUESTION is: What 5 teams will be out this year, and what 5 new teams will be in?
From the NFC, I see PHI, CHI, SEA, ATL being the possible teams to miss the playoffs. Two or three of these teams won’t make it. To replace them will be from this group: NYG, DAL, STL, ARZ, TB.
From the AFC, I’ll go with KC, NE and/or the NYJ being possible teams left out. To replace them will be among these teams: SD, HOU,
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
These are some "out there" predictions.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Aug 8, 2011 1:43 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Which ones?
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
small lol.I had a hard time figuring which seemed "out there."
Then I thought maybe the way I structured the post was confusing. Which it certainly may be. Then I looked at your profile page. I’m guessing you think there is no way you Pats miss the playoffs.
What I was thinking was that SD will probably replace KC as winners in the West. And HOU may replace whoever does not win the AFC East. Meaning, only one team will make it from the East, and the South and the North will send two teams each.
I’m still wondering what in there is so unusual. I guess if someone picked anyone but SD to win the West last year that would have been thought to be “out there.” But it happened.
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
I'd expect the Chargers to beat the Chiefs.
And I’d expect the Bears to drop back to 9-7ish, not good enough for a WC.
The Eagles should still win the NFCE if Vick plays 12 games, but whether they win enough to beat the Packers for the #1 seed remains to be seen.
So that’s Eagles/Packers 1/2, Saints 3, NFCW team (which one doesn’t really matter) 4, with the Falcons and an NFCE team getting a WC. The Cowboys offense is better than the Giants, so maybe their lack of a defense means they can still win 10 games and get the 6 seed. If I were a betting man, I’d still pick the Giants to get it over the Boys.
In the AFC, New England is the strongest team, and should get HFA. The Chargers could finish anywhere between 8-8 and 13-3, so put them down for the division win. The Steelers are too good a team to bomb when they get 4 games against the Browns and Bengals, and should have a tiebreaker over the Ravens, so they win the North. The Colts are still better than the Texans, although they are slipping back somewhat. Ravens and Texans get wildcards at 11-5, Texans with the H2H win
Pats 1, Steelers/Chargers 2/3, Colts 4, Texans 5, Ravens 6
Pats vs Philly SB if Vick is 100% for the playoffs, otherwise Pats vs GB.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Aug 9, 2011 2:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Actually, Ravens get 5 with 11-5 (they play the NFCW)
Texans get the 6 at 10-6, over the Jets at 9-7
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by ISN on Aug 9, 2011 3:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Looks like you only have a maximum of 3 changes in the playoff teams from last year.
That would be a very low turnover since historically 5 new teams get in.
Go out on a limb a little ISN! :-
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
by tommy d. on Aug 9, 2011 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Both conferences have 4 or 5 powerhouse franchises now.
GB, Philly, NO,and I’d put the Falcons in there, and NE, Pittsburgh, Indy, SD and Baltimore. So it’s tough for a new team to squeeze one of these out (not to say it can’t happen).
Throw the lockout into that, and the best teams from last year should still be the best teams this year.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
That's pretty fair
My curiosity with the traditional powerhouses is how they cope to the lockout. Sometimes chaos can be the great equalizer and the teams that have the best systems can struggle against the teams that just get lucky.
by PackApologist on Aug 9, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
powerhouse teams
What do the powerhouse teams have that other teams do not? Continuity in the FO, at HC, at QB, in schemes. In a lockout year like this continuity will reign supreme. I don’t expect there to be changeover of playoff teams like there usually is, based solely on that fact.
You've been Stroh'd™!!!
That fat coach in NY would argue with you..:)
I love wins. Wins are good for the soul.- Barry Alvarez Sep 25, 2005
They sold the farm for 2010.
They lucked into the playoffs, got two wins (one very painful), and ended up watching the Super Bowl from home like 29 other teams.
Burress in for Edwards is a step back. Edwards, for all his criticisms, at least had some chemistry with the 38th best QB in the league, and isn’t 34 coming off two years in Sing Sing.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
We shall see, I suppose.
You think adding troubled veterans is improving, I suppose.
13.
Grossman: Sup, you insulin needing bitch! The sex cannon has arrived! Now get the hell out of my locker room, you chinless mother fucker!
As I quickly skimmed your sig line....
I read, “If you are going to feel up a fellow BBVer and have some fun, let me know.”
I got a little excited…….
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 8, 2011 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions
small lol.
Should I change it? If so, how would you word it?
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
I wouldn't....
just let me know what seats you are going to be in at the season opener! ;)
j/k
I just read it really fast and was like, “What?!” and then I read it again and saw what you really wrote.
In Every Climb and Place....
by PhoenicianPakFan on Aug 8, 2011 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Funny. :-)
I go to one away game for the Giants every year and this year it’s at the Skins. It should be a great atmosphere being the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and the teams playing are from the two cities that were attacked.
I bet we get a flyover. I heard they are unbelievable…
I will be at the season opener NYG @ WAS with a few friends. If you are going and feel like looking up a fellow BBVer and having some fun, let me know.
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