2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

Who is your sleeper team (other than us) for this season and why?

Re: sleeper '05
 

I'm still a Marvin Lewis fan...I think the Bengals are gonna turn it around. Carson Palmer showed flashes of greatness last year and I think with their defensive additions they could make a run at the playoffs.

Re: sleeper '05
 

I think Dennis Green will make Arizona do something this year. I'm saying maybe a wildcard spot but probably around .500 which is a breakout year for Arizona.

Re: sleeper '05
 

I agree with the Bengals in the AFC. In the NFC I could see the Lions or the Cardinals turning some heads. Both teams had very good drafts and had solid FA pickups, plus both teams have very experienced head coaches. If the NFC is as screwed up as it was last year I could see either of these teams making a playoff run. My other team to do damage is the Ravens. Although they are not really a sleeper I think with their additions in the draft and in free agency make them a big time contender in the AFC no matter how tough the conference.

Re: sleeper '05
 

Can you define what you would call a "sleeper" team? A team that did not make the playoff's last year? A team with a losing record that will have a winning record?

Re: sleeper '05
 

[QUOTE=Red Robert]I am tired of being a special teams ace, but I really have nothing to say.[/QUOTE]

Well played, sir.

Re: sleeper '05
 

I dont think theres a clear cut definition of sleeper. To me it's a team that lacked in the win department the past few years. A team that doesnt get much media attention and or negative attention. The Chargers I think were the sleeper last year...who would have expected them to do what they did?

Re: sleeper '05
 

I would think the Panther jump to mind. Did not make the playoff's last year and had a losing record. They are healthy again and should make a run. Ride with Duffman003 on the Cards. They are very close to putting it togethor. Beangals have been 8-8 for the past two seasons. I don't know about those guys. Marvin is a great defensive coach but I wonder if his act will still have the same fire after two seasons.

Watch out for the Chief's if they can get some defensive stops this season they will be tough to stop with that offense.

Re: sleeper '05
 

I wouldn't call the Panthers a sleeper, they came on awfully strong down the stretch last year and almost snuck into the playoffs after a horrible start.

Re: sleeper '05
 

Again Matty I asked the question "What is the definition of a sleeper". The Panthers did have a losing record and missed the playoffs last year losing their final home game to the Saints. On the other hand they nearly won the Super Bowl two years ago.

Re: sleeper '05
 

Personally, I think the Panthers are due for a down year. They are based on a strong running game and explosive defense. Their RB's are oft-injured and old (sorry, Stephen), and their defense (other than a stellar line) isn't very deep. The loss of Sam Mills (RIP) will be a blow as well.
John Fox, though a great defensive mind, is also a rah-rah guy. That tends to be successful early (Super Bowl in the second year), but grate on the veterans late.

Re: sleeper '05
 

How about the Bills?

Re: sleeper '05
 

TAFKAS, The Bills are an interesting choice. Losman, like Ramsey, is the key to success for those guys. Tough division.

Re: sleeper '05
 

I'll take the Detroit Lions to take the NFC North! Like the coach, love the runner, love the WR's, young defense has been improving, big question is what Harrington can do.

Re: sleeper '05
 

BOOM - Cardinals (the Vikes aren't sleepers) in the NFC and Bengals in the AFC.

BUST - Bills in the AFC (Losman isn't Roethlisberger) and Lions in the NFC (the Lions have the talent and good young roster, but Harrington isn't the answer).

Re: sleeper '05
 

I'm selling on the Lions until Harrington proves he can step up. Jeff Garcia might be their best bet right now.

The Jags and Texans have been the trendy sleeper picks the last few years, perhaps it's time for one or both of them to finally break through?

Re: sleeper '05
 

I think the Cardinals will win more games than the Vikings. I think the Vikings will flop this year.

Re: sleeper '05
 

I'll take the Saints, mainly because my meds and peyote combine to wreak havoc on my sanity.

Re: sleeper '05
 

i would have to say the bengals in the afc, and the cardinals in the nfc.

Re: sleeper '05
 

Here's a team the REDSKINS. Everybody thinks we've had a bad offseason, even though it hasn't really been that bad. We got the best defense in the league and we get to add Lavar Arrington to it. Anybody who thinks Lavar will not help our d is simply a crack head. Then on offense we can't possibly not be better. We'll have a strong running game, and improved play from the quaterback position. In addition the scheme will be somewhat more effective(just how much remains to be seen). I think we can honestly surprise a lot of people and win 10 games.

Re: sleeper '05
 

[QUOTE=dirtbag2112]Who is your sleeper team (other than us) for this season and why?[/QUOTE]

alrighty then...

Re: sleeper '05
 

I think when [u]everybody[/u] picks you as a sleeper, you're out of the running - so sorry, Bengals.

I think the Titans will be better than advertised, primarily because their division is thin. The Texans have been spinning their wheels since their inception, and I will go to my grave thinking Jack Del Rio is a rotten coach in Jax. That leaves the Colts - so they aren't as good as the Colts. Most teams aren't.

Re: sleeper '05
 

If the Redskins prove to be the sleeper team and win 10 games, I'll sh-t my pants. That said, I can't see them winning more than 9 games and think they'll probably get 7 or 8.

Re: 2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

My sleeper pick is the Bills. I know they came on strong and were still 9-7 last year, so its not that far of a stretch, but early reports say that JP Losman is coming on very strong at camps, and should be good. I think they have one more year left with their defense, as its aging, but they should get a good year out of them. So I'll take Buffalo.

Re: 2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

well on nfl total access today they said joe gibbs has been so impressed with the offense he only makes them work out once a day, instead of twice.

Re: 2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

I think the lions will finally break through this year as will the saints. the lions have a pretty stacked offense if Harrington steps up, but if not garcia has shown what he can do with good offensive weapons around him in the west coast offense of Mooch. and if the saints stick to the plan of running Deuce more and Brooks improves his consistency, they could be in the running for a wild card spot. plus I honestly wouldn't be suprised if Arizona shocks some people especially in their weak division.

Re: 2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

[QUOTE=mooby]well on nfl total access today they said joe gibbs has been so impressed with the offense he only makes them work out once a day, instead of twice.[/QUOTE]

I dont know if I like that. I think they should be getting in all the work that they can until they start proving how good they are on the feild. However, it is encouraging to hear that they have been impressing.

Re: 2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

lions w/ garcia... they got a good qb and the firepower to go with it...
selling the cards though, i still dont think they have a qb good enough to use what they've got on offense.

Re: sleeper '05
 

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]If the Redskins prove to be the sleeper team and win 10 games, I'll sh-t my pants. [/QUOTE]
Will you be providing photographical proof or will we just have to take your word for it? ;)

As for a sleeper how about the Texans? They aren't good enough to topple the Colts, but of their defense can provide anything, they have the offense to win some games.. I can see them as a 9 win team competing for that last wild card spot in the AFC..

Re: 2005 NFL Sleeper Team
 

I'd have to say the Vikings......they look good on paper........but then again haven't the Redskins for the past few years then fizzled, so maybe I'm totally wrong on this :laughing-

Bills look good except they have a young unproven QB..........

Texans still need a few players especially their OL, but they will bring an upset or two to their opponents...........