2009 NFL Season Discussion

[Snuggles]

Originally Posted by AtwaKom

I'm a sucker for hypotheticals.

AFC -

East - Patriots
West - Chargers
North - Steelers
South - Colts
Wildcard - Texans, Dolphins

NFC -

East - Eagles
West - Cardinals
North - Bears
South - Saints
Wildcard - Vikings, Cowboys

AFC Championship - Patriots vs. Texans / NFC Championship - Eagles vs. Saints

Super Bowl - Patriots vs. Eagles

Pats win.

obviously im biased coming from WI, but I would say your vikings wildcard should be a packers slot. Vikings were a fluke last year and wont be getting favre. Bears on the other hand will be interesting to watch this year with the acquisition of cutler, who will be on a respectable team now.

Packers' downfall last year was their defense and its gotten a massive overhaul this offseason. Rogers is also stepping up as a leader being as its not his first year, and a lot of Fantasy predictions put him as the #2 QB behind brees. Again, I know i have a bit of a bias on my side, but all im saying is dont count the packers out, we had a shit season last year due to defense, and lost 7 games by a deficit of 4 or less, which was typically due to a last minute field goal (again, ty to our defense.)

[taebin]

Do you guys think Johnson's death will affect the Eagle's defense? Like someone mentioned earlier, the whole "win one for JJ" thing might carry over for a few games, but that guy could fucking scheme like nobody's business. Being a Cowboys fan, the last game was quite an embarassment. But I put ALOT of that loss on Johnson completely dominating Jason Garrett and Wade Phillips on the design side of things. Is there someone under him who he's been teaching or getting ready to take over? Or did this come as much of a suprise to the Eagles as it did everyone else?

[Elurin]

Wow, that sucks. Probably the best defensive coach in the NFL. RIP.

[psu199]

Last week the Eagles actually appointed Sean Mcdermott (has spent several years as an Eagles defensive assistant for various positions, linebackers, secondary, etc...) as full time defensive coordinator. JJ wasn't doing well for a while and they moved to name his full time replacement (with his blessing) last week.

I haven't watched a game in the last 10 years that hasn't had JJ pulling the defensive strings from the sidelines so it's hard for me to predict how this will effect schemes and in-game calls. But if the success some of JJ's other assistants (Steve Spagnolo, John Harbough, Ron Rivera, Leslie Frazier) is any indication, Mcdermott should be able to do an admirable job.

When asked what was the biggest thing he learned from Johnson over the years, Mcdermott replied something to the effect of "Blitz...then blitz again." Assuming he can do it with the level of ingenuity Johnson did, that sounds about right.

[Genjiro]

RIP.

A sad day for football.

[Shanter]

What is with all the love for the Saints? Did they suddenly become this great defensive team? The team I watched last year couldn't stop a fat kid from eatting cake and people are throwing them in the NFC Elite category? Seriously, they are probably a .500 team.

I've heard a lot of talk about Vick to the Raiders, and it makes sense. Al Davis is the ONLY owner willing to take on a player like that and Vick will sign with any team just to get back on the field. It takes a lot of drama out of where Vick could have ended up (Patriots? That team would be unstoppable on offense) but just getting to see him back on the field will be nice.

If I had to make a Superbowl prediction: Giants vs. Chargers

[Genjiro]

As for predictions, I'm taking a homer pick and going with Steelers vs NYG, but I could also see NE or Philly in there as well. This will curse my season since last year I thought we had no chance with our schedule, but this year Pittsburgh plays a cupcake of a schedule, as it's in the top few easiest in the league which could easily mean homefield advantage. NE has had O line issues in the past couple of years faced with a good pass rush, and I'm not so sure they have solved them yet--not to mention question marks on that fossil of a defense. They are going to need youth on that defense to step up in a big way, but it seems with the last couple of drafts they have addressed that.

And yea, NO? When they get a defense maybe, but that could be improved with Malcolm Jenkins and their other defensive rookies if he/they play well and can contribute. I still think they need another piece or two on that defense and he will need some time to get better. I think the Falcons could be nasty this year with Tony G there, but their schedule is absolutely brutal, same goes with the Dolphins in the AFC--both of those hotshit rookie coaches from 08 are going to have a hell of a time repeating those seasons this year with their schedules.

I also think Houston can make the playoffs this year as a wild card as well if their defense plays better. God knows their offense can put up points, but that all revolves around Schaub being smart not just with the football but with his body---guy hasnt survived a season yet I think without injury time and has gotten hurt during plays where he could have avoided it (Kubiak even mentioned coaching him on this during the offseason).

[Shutup]

I think the saints secondary should be alot better this season which will only help so much. Smith and Grant are/ will probably be? suspended for the first 4 games, but it's not like they ever really do shit anyways.

[Fadaar]

Sucks about Jim Johnson, I've always been a big fan of successful def. coordinators, being a lifelong Bucs fan. Just pains me to see Monte Kiffin follow his dipshit son to Tennessee...

[Moontayle]

Don't underestimate the addition of Gregg Williams as the DC. He's no Jim Johnson but his defenses have always been fairly respectable.

Cowboys had their kickoff special last night and practice starts today. Then they go into 2-a-days all weekend long. No more "Camp Cupcake", they've got 11 total days that have two practices, more than any other training camp in recent memory. Helps to have them in the Alamodome instead of somewhere outside, but still. Very interested in seeing how the RCB position pans out, as well as the fight for the #3 receiver position and the #5 receiver position.

[Everlast]

Maybe it is just because I used to play sports, but God damn you should not make veterans do two a days. Nothing drains you faster then two practices a day.

Fuck Jim Johnson dying, I always knew that when he went (head coach/retire/die) that the Eagles would be in serious trouble...I just hope "do is for Jim Johnson" momentum helps create a new Brian Dawkins in the locker room.

[Draegan]

Originally Posted by Shanter

If I had to make a Superbowl prediction: Giants vs. Chargers

Oh god, I hope not. Even as a Giant fan I wouldn't be able to stand listening to all the Eli Trade bullshit again.

[Jozu]

C'mon Niners!!!

Hopefully Singletary can build on what he accomplished last year, and get this fucking team into the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Gore is gonna get more touches, and hopefully Crabtree will be a factor in the offense.

Im excited to now have Crabs along with VD!!!!

[KilyinRZ]

Originally Posted by Moontayle

Don't underestimate the addition of Gregg Williams as the DC. He's no Jim Johnson but his defenses have always been fairly respectable.

Cowboys had their kickoff special last night and practice starts today. Then they go into 2-a-days all weekend long. No more "Camp Cupcake", they've got 11 total days that have two practices, more than any other training camp in recent memory. Helps to have them in the Alamodome instead of somewhere outside, but still. Very interested in seeing how the RCB position pans out, as well as the fight for the #3 receiver position and the #5 receiver position.

What about the #2 receiver position? I sure as shit hope Patrick Crayton doesn't have that on lockdown. I'm skeptical of Roy Williams as the #1 too.

[Lyrical]

GO GIANTS!

That is all.