Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

i think we have a pretty tough schedule, especially for a 2nd year QB. (actually playing time less than that)

Tough D's up and down the schedule. Detroit is the only one that has a pretty weak D, everyone else is stout. Plus going up against our division alone, Dallas's D will probably be one of the tops in the NFL and Philly will be good as always. Then you have NE, chicago, Miami, Buffalo, Tampa, Minnesota(iffy) Green Bay(decent) Arizona actually had a decent D and should be better this year. I think Campbell will have a pretty hard time. I hope not, but i think he will.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

I think it will be good having an early bye, just in case we start slow.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=#56fanatic;296699]i think we have a pretty tough schedule, especially for a 2nd year QB. (actually playing time less than that)

Tough D's up and down the schedule. Detroit is the only one that has a pretty weak D, everyone else is stout. Plus going up against our division alone, Dallas's D will probably be one of the tops in the NFL and Philly will be good as always. Then you have NE, chicago, Miami, Buffalo, Tampa, Minnesota(iffy) Green Bay(decent) Arizona actually had a decent D and should be better this year. I think Campbell will have a pretty hard time. I hope not, but i think he will.[/quote]

yeah the D side of the ball is tough on the schedule. I'm thinking that we'll light a couple of em up big though. I expect our O to be top 5 or so.

I think the Arizona game is one that can't be overlooked, they could be really good by then.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

I think the Packers game will be the "How did we lose that game" game of the year, while the Jets game will be the "Holy Crap! Did you just that! What an awesome win" game of the year

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=#56fanatic;296699]i think we have a pretty tough schedule, especially for a 2nd year QB. (actually playing time less than that)

Tough D's up and down the schedule. Detroit is the only one that has a pretty weak D, everyone else is stout. Plus going up against our division alone, Dallas's D will probably be one of the tops in the NFL and Philly will be good as always. Then you have NE, chicago, Miami, Buffalo, Tampa, Minnesota(iffy) Green Bay(decent) Arizona actually had a decent D and should be better this year. I think Campbell will have a pretty hard time. I hope not, but i think he will.[/quote]Campbell's a 3rd year QB.

While the difference between the ave. productivity of a 2nd year QB and a 3rd year QB isn't all that much, the fact that he's had two years of practice vs. NFL caliber talent is a lot different than only having one year.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=SmootSmack;296720]I think the Packers game will be the "How did we lose that game" game of the year, while the Jets game will be the "Holy Crap! Did you just that! What an awesome win" game of the year[/quote]I think the Jets game will actually be the "How did we lose that game!" of the year. Either the Jets or the Cards, but I think we will beat the Cards. The Jets aren't a great team, but I could see two great offenses getting into a shootout with Campbell picking them apart and Pennington picking us apart and winning in the last 2 mins.

I think the Holy Crap Win of the Year(TM) will either be over Chicago or maybe a division opponent.

I think the Packers could beat us under certain circumstances, but I like our chances.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;296683]Yeah, the more I think about it the less I think it "blows."

I also think that with Rex and Chris Benson they probably won't be the class of the NFC this year.[/quote]Cedric Benson is a beast. He's my candidate for fantasy breakout player of the year. See, that advice didn't even cost you anything.

Rex will improve a little bit, but I wouldn't worry too much about the Bears passing game.

The key that might spark some regression from that team is on the defensive side. It's unprecidented in recent history that a team stays among the NFL's top 2 defenses for 3 straight years. Isn't going to happen. They've failed to resign Ian Scott and Tank Johnson might get suspended, so there will be a hole on the DL next to Tommie Harris next year.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

I am liking the schedule. I think it is much better than what we had in 05. But at the same time the strength thing means absolutely nothing until the END of the season when they calculate everything after they look at the final records of teams.

Basically when we tall wins and losses at the end of next season we will see how the season turns out. Hell GB DET and ARIZ could be amazing and the G-Men Philly and NE could suck donkey dick.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=MonkFan4Life;296470]Well we get to see Calvin Johnson in November when we play Tampa ![/quote]

yea and sean taylor gonna knock his ass out!

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;296691]Ha, my fault, I have a friend named Chris Benson. I do that all the time.[/quote]

Does he have a hot wife and pitch for the O's?

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=GoSkins!;296473]Did a quick scan of the whole schedule. Looks like we don't play a single game against any team coming off thier bye-week. There is some good news!!![/quote]

wow that is some good news, thanks for doing some research on that . . . i went with the pats as the toughest non-div game b/c we seem to play the bears pretty well (both try to play D and win it on a late field goal) . . . im always optimistic b/c the nfc east has seemed weak the last couple years with philly slowing down but every year the skins dont step up and take control of an open division like i think they will . . .the possibility of going 1-2 with 2 div losses thru the first 3 games kinda sucks, go skins

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=dall-assblows;296751]yea and sean taylor gonna knock his ass out![/quote]Sean better be careful or he could get hype all over him! He could become contagious!

If he gives Ade Jimoh a high five after the play and The Ade contracts hype syndrome, there could be a big media issue in D.C.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

Its go be a tough one, and lets not bullshit each this year if we dont start out the gate fast....... if were not 3-0 or 2-1, then its going to be a wild card or back to the lottery, this year we cant be saying.......oh we got 14 more games we can go (12-2) no if were not 4-2 or 5-1 by week 6 or 7 then were done...........TRUST ME

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=100% PURE WHOOP ASS;296931]Its go be a tough one, and lets not bullshit each this year if we dont start out the gate fast....... if were not 3-0 or 2-1, then its going to be a wild card or back to the lottery, this year we cant be saying.......oh we got 14 more games we can go (12-2) no if were not 4-2 or 5-1 by week 6 or 7 then were done...........TRUST ME[/quote]For the third year in a row now we have a REALLY soft final 6 games or so. When your schedule's hardest part occurs in the first 11 weeks, it's hard to rule out any possibilities.

I mean if we are 4-6 after the first 10 games, our schedule dictates that we should still have a very good shot at the WC.

4-6 in the first 10 games may very well require that we open at least 4-2 though. That 4 game stretch in late October and early November will be brutal.

Anything .500 or better in those first ten games will put us in GREAT position to make a playoff run. That said, .500 in the first 10 games may be a lot to ask for.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

I respect everyone's opinion in going w/NE as the toughest non-div game. On paper I would agree, but sooner or later they've got to slip. A lot of people said it would be last year & it didn't happen.

I don't see them totally falling apart, but I think they're due for a poor season by their standards, say 9-7 or 8-8. I know that sounds crazy given their free agent signings, but that's actually part of the reason I think they'll struggle. Personnel issues are catching up w/them, e.g. Samuel & Branch last year. I think their formula is off & Belicheck will have a hard time keeping things in check.

Now for a crazy call, the Arizone game will be the toughest non-div game. Leinart will play well this year & those recievers are already good. We had a hard time against them in 05. I expect them to be a greatly improved team, glad we have em at home.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=Citizens for 81;296756]Does he have a hot wife and pitch for the O's?[/quote]

That would be Kris Benson, who's on the DL for the year for the O's. :cheeky-sm

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

Detroit, GB, Arz, and NY is a good stretch, but if we win all those games, we haven't proved anything. I think it will be good to beat those team to help with morale on the team going into the tuff stretch. All I can say is GIVE EM' HELL SKINS.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=BigSKINBauer;296484][URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2830466"]ESPN.com - NFL - Bills, Raiders have toughest 2007 schedules[/URL]

Our strength of schedule. I know the teams were here before but still good to look at here. We have a balanced schedule at .500 The thing is that looks good but looking at it closer, we have the hardest schedule in the NFC east and second hardest in the NFC period. The AFC teams have harder schedules b/c of their dominance. It sucks because all that matters is our schedule vs our opponents and in that respect we have a tough schedule.[/quote]

at first glancing at the schedule i thought good lord especially the last half of it is tough but who knows who will get hot at the right time ,hopefully it,s us ..
i don,t like the bye this early though.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

Two games at the Meadowlands is not good based on what we've seen there the last two years.

Also, this will be our fourth trip to Tampa in the last three years.

I think that this is a medium schedule. If we have a good team it won't hurt us, but if we have a bad team it won't help us either.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

Wish the Bye-week was closer to the middle of the schedule,but.....Oh well, I guess you can't have everything. I agree with Gibbs, I've never seen a schedule I like, but I favor this year's schedule over last year's. Nov. 11th-25th will pretty much determine where we're at as far as a stretch drive is concerned.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=freddyg12;296967]I respect everyone's opinion in going w/NE as the toughest non-div game. On paper I would agree, but sooner or later they've got to slip. A lot of people said it would be last year & it didn't happen.

I don't see them totally falling apart, but I think they're due for a poor season by their standards, say 9-7 or 8-8. I know that sounds crazy given their free agent signings, but that's actually part of the reason I think they'll struggle. Personnel issues are catching up w/them, e.g. Samuel & Branch last year. I think their formula is off & Belicheck will have a hard time keeping things in check.

Now for a crazy call, the Arizone game will be the toughest non-div game. Leinart will play well this year & those recievers are already good. We had a hard time against them in 05. I expect them to be a greatly improved team, glad we have em at home.[/quote]I would argue that NE did "slip" in 2005, but made the playoffs anyway because of the patheticness of that division. They keep replenishing their roster with talent, so at least for the forseeable future, they will continue to be the 4th seed in the AFC playoffs.

However when you talk about the elite NFL teams, NE really isn't in that class anymore. They are a perenial playoff team in a weak division who could win in the playoff if they get some good fortures...just like most teams who make the playoffs.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=freddyg12;296967]I respect everyone's opinion in going w/NE as the toughest non-div game. On paper I would agree, but sooner or later they've got to slip. A lot of people said it would be last year & it didn't happen.

I don't see them totally falling apart, but I think they're due for a poor season by their standards, say 9-7 or 8-8. I know that sounds crazy given their free agent signings, but that's actually part of the reason I think they'll struggle. Personnel issues are catching up w/them, e.g. Samuel & Branch last year. I think their formula is off & Belicheck will have a hard time keeping things in check.

Now for a crazy call, the Arizone game will be the toughest non-div game. Leinart will play well this year & those recievers are already good. We had a hard time against them in 05. I expect them to be a greatly improved team, glad we have em at home.[/quote]

I don't think NE is not slipping at all. They just reloaded. They had a great off season. Plus they have two number one picks. If they stay healthy they will be a SB contender. I would chalk that game as a loss for us.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[QUOTE=skinsfan69;297229]I don't think NE is not slipping at all. They just reloaded. They had a great off season. Plus they have two number one picks. If they stay healthy they will be a SB contender. I would chalk that game as a loss for us.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Last season they beat the Chargers in the playoffs and almost beat the Colts. They then added several new wideouts, Adalius Thomas, and have numerous picks in the draft. I can't see us winning that game.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

to be honest unless brady gets hurt,and with the colts,and the chargers crazy off season,the patriots look like a runaway to me.maybe the ravens can
contain them better,but brady will find a way to win!

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

The Ravens are one team that I actually expect to regress. Their defense is good, but their offense is going to be awful. McNair really showed his age, Ogden is thinking about retirement, Mason is getting up there, and they have no RB. Great defenses can carry teams with average offenses, but their offense is shaping up to be pretty piss poor.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;297233]The Ravens are one team that I actually expect to regress. Their defense is good, but their offense is going to be awful. McNair really showed his age, Ogden is thinking about retirement, Mason is getting up there, and they have no RB. Great defenses can carry teams with average offenses, but their offense is shaping up to be pretty piss poor.[/quote]Well, they traded for McGahee but I don't think he will have too much of an effect.

I'm in total agreement with the Ravens regessing and I also expect to see some defensive regression due to age. Maybe not out of the top ten, but maybe like the 05 Skins as compared to the 04 Skins. That sort of effect.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;297237]Well, they traded for McGahee but I don't think he will have too much of an effect.

I'm in total agreement with the Ravens regessing and I also expect to see some defensive regression due to age. Maybe not out of the top ten, but maybe like the 05 Skins as compared to the 04 Skins. That sort of effect.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, total brainfart on my part.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;297233]The Ravens are one team that I actually expect to regress. Their defense is good, but their offense is going to be awful. McNair really showed his age, Ogden is thinking about retirement, Mason is getting up there, and they have no RB. Great defenses can carry teams with average offenses, but their offense is shaping up to be pretty piss poor.[/quote]

Ravens offense was more painful to watch than ours. If you think Brunell was Mr. checkdown try watching McNair. All McNair does is throw 5 yard passes to Heap on 3-10.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=skinsfan69;297267]Ravens offense was more painful to watch than ours. If you think Brunell was Mr. checkdown try watching McNair. All McNair does is throw 5 yard passes to Heap on 3-10.[/quote]Brunell 2006: 62.3% comp, 6.9 yards/attempt

McNair 2006: 63.0% comp, 6.5 yards/attempt.

Very similar. McNair completed a bit higher % of his passes, but Brunell was a bit more effective. Both guys were pretty successful last year.

The thing with McNair is while he still can be a starter in this league for someone, like Brunell hes much better suited for a backup role. Both will still play effectively if called on however.

I thought from my observations that McNair did open it up as the season went on. He wouldn't have passed for 6.5 yards every attempt if he didnt throw downfield effectively in the same way Brunell wouldn't have gotten 6.9 yards/attempt if he never went downfield.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

our schedule is what it is i like it ...joe gibbs maybe not but he always says that we're sittin pretty ...we shall see 12-4 maybe .. i feel good

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[QUOTE=GTripp0012;297270]I thought from my observations that McNair did open it up as the season went on. He wouldn't have passed for 6.5 yards every attempt if he didnt throw downfield effectively in the same way Brunell wouldn't have gotten 6.9 yards/attempt if he never went downfield.[/QUOTE]

I honestly don't think either QB was particularly effectice (or horrible). The reason why their ypa average was high was because, as you know, they threw a lot of high percentage passes and not because they were chucking it up downfield. Moreover, Brunell's ypa average is inflated because the team was relatively effective at screen plays and the ability of guys like Moss and Cooley to get yards after the catch.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[QUOTE=GMScud;296645]Pretty cool that both Smoot and Fletcher get to play against their former teams. I want to see Fletcher shake off a block from Dockery to make a tackle for a loss against whatever bum will end up running the ball for the Bills.[/QUOTE]

Holdman might be a Bill by then too. He met with them according to NFL Network

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=SmootSmack;297307]Holdman might be a Bill by then too. He met with them according to NFL Network[/quote]
Oh no Holdman might be gone? Whatever will we do? Actually play defense for a change?

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[QUOTE=SmootSmack;297307]Holdman might be a Bill by then too. He met with them according to NFL Network[/QUOTE]

They already took Bowen and Royal. Haven't they already caused us enough pain.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;297314]They already took Bowen and Royal. Haven't they already caused us enough pain.[/quote]
Yes, but havent they also released Bowen. If we wanted him bad enough, we could get him back. If he isn't already signed somewhere else.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=GTripp0012;297270]Brunell 2006: 62.3% comp, 6.9 yards/attempt

McNair 2006: 63.0% comp, 6.5 yards/attempt.

Very similar. McNair completed a bit higher % of his passes, but Brunell was a bit more effective. Both guys were pretty successful last year.

The thing with McNair is while he still can be a starter in this league for someone, like Brunell hes much better suited for a backup role. Both will still play effectively if called on however.

I thought from my observations that McNair did open it up as the season went on. He wouldn't have passed for 6.5 yards every attempt if he didnt throw downfield effectively in the same way Brunell wouldn't have gotten 6.9 yards/attempt if he never went downfield.[/quote]

Gtripp you sure love to bring out the stats. I would rather have a guy who can give an offense big play potential rather than 6 yard dink and dunk passes. You don't score points in the NFL when you have to run 12-15 plays every single drive becuase your offense can't get big plays out of the passing game. What McNair and Brunell do don't impress me at all becasue they are nothing but care takers. At some point in a game you need your qb to make plays, have the ability to take the game over from the pocket. McNair just can't do it anymore and we all know Brunell sure can't. It showed up in the playoffs for Balt. and it showed up for us every single year Brunell has been here. McNair just looks old now. You can throw Trent Green in there too. Although he's a gunslinger Farve still has the arm to play at a high level.

What impresses me are guys that push the ball down the field and still complete a high number but don't turn it over too much. One guy who really impresses me is Drew Brees. How SD let the guy walk out of town is beyond me. Dude has a below average NFL arm but always pushes it downfield and completes a high %.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

I really don't see this schedule as tough as last years. I like our chances and I love ending the year at home vs. Dallas.

Why can't the season start today!~!

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=angryssg;297308]Oh no Holdman might be gone? Whatever will we do? Actually play defense for a change?[/quote]

I think we will tackle better. Not sure what film the Bills are looking at.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;296510]I like the Detroit, GB, and AZ stretch.[/quote]

Both AZ and GB should be good. Those games are not going to be easy.

Re: Let's Discuss the 2007 Schedule
 

[quote=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;297280]I honestly don't think either QB was particularly effectice (or horrible). The reason why their ypa average was high was because, as you know, they threw a lot of high percentage passes and not because they were chucking it up downfield. Moreover, Brunell's ypa average is inflated because the team was relatively effective at screen plays and the ability of guys like Moss and Cooley to get yards after the catch.[/quote]I thought he got a lot more help from his receivers last year (2005) than this year (2006). Moss made that same play so many times in 2005 off the screen, I can't help but think that Brunell's YPA from 2005 was pretty inflated.

This year, I can remember only one big passing play from the first nine games that Brunell didn't have much of a role in and that was the 75 yard shovel to CP against Houston. But I'd be willing to say that most QBs with some talent on offense got a play like that at least once during the course of the season.

I think theres a double standard with QB age in this league. If Brunell or McNair throws for 7 YPA, its because they had great help from receivers. If McNabb does it, despite having the LEAGUES BEST PLAYER AFTER THE CATCH (Westbrook), it's because he's just that good. I think it's a league wide phemenon to create self serving evidence to say that old guys can't play, when in fact that isn't true.

But I think the near identical play of Brunell and McNair, at the very least, should demonstate to everyone just how much of a role defense plays. The difference between the leagues best D and leagues worst D, teams who had nearly identical offenses, was the difference of 8 wins. 8 wins! It's a 16 game season.

If we had the 2004 defense playing with the 2006 offense, we could have expected a 12-4 season with the exact same play from QB. That's the point. Defense really, really is everything in this league.