Early W/L offseason predictions (any team)...

[That Guy]

Just looking around i think there are at least three early, somewhat non-obvious calls that can already be made about next season:

1. Carolina returns in a big way. delhomme is back, the OL is beefier now, new RB, and a HUGE change in strength of schedule makes their life much easier. It's all dependent on delhomme staying healthy though, but if so, they should go 11-5 (+/- 1). The bucs likely take the hit at their expense and land just outside the playoffs.

2. The Rams will be better, but not as much as you might think. Yes, it'd be impossible for them to lose 80% of their O line again, and the defense actually was a bit better last year, but strength of schedule isn't really any better for them this year, with them playing the pats and the entire NFC east early... 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.

3. Oakland will be vastly improved - though more by accident than the work of Al Davis. Even though he put in 300$mill worth of contracts this offseason, most of it was wasteful. That said, they had a laughable schedule (.395 until december) compared to last year and better (but overpaid) talent. 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.


I'm less committed but willing to venture that the bills probably make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 1) and find a quick way out.


I generally don't like giving skins predictions, and with JC, zorn, a bunch of rookies that might or might not show up immediately, and a WCO, it's a real gamble to predict.


as far as FF goes, delhomme, smith, and stewart all are poised for big years, and could be overlooked in some drafts. The rams keys players are probably overvalued a bit, and walker (raiders) is only worth looking at later on (injury and a rookie qb w/ a questionable OL).

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by That Guy

Just looking around i think there are at least three early, somewhat non-obvious calls that can already be made about next season:

1. Carolina returns in a big way. delhomme is back, the OL is beefier now, new RB, and a HUGE change in strength of schedule makes their life much easier. It's all dependent on delhomme staying healthy though, but if so, they should go 11-5 (+/- 1). The bucs likely take the hit at their expense and land just outside the playoffs.

2. The Rams will be better, but not as much as you might think. Yes, it'd be impossible for them to lose 80% of their O line again, and the defense actually was a bit better last year, but strength of schedule isn't really any better for them this year, with them playing the pats and the entire NFC east early... 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.

3. Oakland will be vastly improved - though more by accident than the work of Al Davis. Even though he put in 300$mill worth of contracts this offseason, most of it was wasteful. That said, they had a laughable schedule (.395 until december) compared to last year and better (but overpaid) talent. 8-8 (+/- 1) and outside the playoffs.


I'm less committed but willing to venture that the bills probably make the playoffs (10-6 +/- 1) and find a quick way out.


I generally don't like giving skins predictions, and with JC, zorn, a bunch of rookies that might or might not show up immediately, and a WCO, it's a real gamble to predict.


as far as FF goes, delhomme, smith, and stewart all are poised for big years, and could be overlooked in some drafts. The rams keys players are probably overvalued a bit, and walker (raiders) is only worth looking at later on (injury and a rookie qb w/ a questionable OL).

I agree with much of what you said here, except for Buffalo. Granted they are an improved team, and may see 10-6 or 9-7 next season. But as for the playoffs, they are in the AFC East and New England is the hands down favorite to win that division. So Buffalo will have to shoot for the wild-card.

And the AFC South is just as tough a division as the NFC East so I look for Jacksonville to get one of those WC slots (simply because Indy should win the division). Then it might be between Buffalo, Tennessee and (believe it or not) the JETS that get the last WC. Jets made some very nice moves this offseason and could be a sleeper in the conference.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

I agree with much of what you said here, except for Buffalo. Granted they are an improved team, and may see 10-6 or 9-7 next season. But as for the playoffs, they are in the AFC East and New England is the hands down favorite to win that division. So Buffalo will have to shoot for the wild-card.

And the AFC South is just as tough a division as the NFC East so I look for Jacksonville to get one of those WC slots (simply because Indy should win the division). Then it might be between Buffalo, Tennessee and (believe it or not) the JETS that get the last WC. Jets made some very nice moves this offseason and could be a sleeper in the conference.

Actually, I think this could be a big year for the Jags. I expect them to take the south from Indy & get to the afc championship.

[pigskinusa.com]

I know you Redskins fans don't want to hear this but the Cowboys should win the NFC East going away this year. In my opinion the Skins played over their heads last year and Joe Gibbs was the difference. Although I did like what they did in the draft. You guys got some young studs on the offensive side of the ball.

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by pigskinusa.com

I know you Redskins fans don't want to hear this but the Cowboys should win the NFC East going away this year. In my opinion the Skins played over their heads last year and Joe Gibbs was the difference. Although I did like what they did in the draft. You guys got some young studs on the offensive side of the ball.

Cowboys won it last year,tell me how that worked out for them.

[mooby]

I don't get the hype that Eagles fans have for their team. I was on their board a few days ago and the majority of them seem convinced they have an elite defense that is going to carry them to the NFCC (at least) this year. They are also banking on LJ Smith being healthy to fix their red zone offense problems. The only issue I see that could keep the Eagles from being an elite team is the fact that they don't have any true #1 wideout. I know that if the Eagles got a true #1 wideout they would be an elite team on offense but that didn't happen this offseason and I don't see their current group of wideouts as able to fill the void.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by mooby

I don't get the hype that Eagles fans have for their team. I was on their board a few days ago and the majority of them seem convinced they have an elite defense that is going to carry them to the NFCC (at least) this year. They are also banking on LJ Smith being healthy to fix their red zone offense problems. The only issue I see that could keep the Eagles from being an elite team is the fact that they don't have any true #1 wideout. I know that if the Eagles got a true #1 wideout they would be an elite team on offense but that didn't happen this offseason and I don't see their current group of wideouts as able to fill the void.

If I were an eagles fan I would be pretty psyched for this year. They have a lot of signs for a good year; they finished strong, McNabb is healthy & has a chip on his shoulder, the D is always solid & they picked up Samuel.

Talent wise there not up there w/the best, but their overall roster is always pretty deep & they draft well. Their coaching staff is one of the best in the league IMO.

True they lack a real game changer at wr, and if Westbrook goes down they might look like a different team, but they've always managed to move the ball well w/mediocre to poor wr's.

Overall, I definitely have more of a feel for Philly at this point than I do for our skins. the reasons are obvious, new coach & O for us, age at some positions, JC's development. I think it's a safer bet at this point to say philly will go 10-6 or so & make the playoffs & the Skins won't.

btw, I hate the iggles!

[freddyg12]

one team that will be interesting to watch is the Pats. If they thought the spygate thing was a distraction last year, wait till kickoff of 08. There's even more incentive for other teams to bring their a game.

[Miller101]

I agree with you on Carolina and the Rams, but Oakland I'm not to sure I agree with you there..............I just have to see them play good before I can start singing their praises; just because they've been crappy for a long time now.

And to add something to your list..............I don't see New England being a dominate team this year. They are in perhaps the worst division I've ever seen, so they will win alot of games. They will be in the play offs. But they won't be blowing out opponents like they were last year. Not only, will their opponents be looking out for their camera guys, but the defensive coaches can now communicate with their Captain. And Bellichek pissed off just about every team in the league last year. I mean, going for it on Fourth down with a three score lead INSTEAD OF KICKING A FIELD GOAL!!! Doing things like that is going to make teams play extra hard against them.

Also, I can see the Cardinals winning their division this year. I know its a stretch, but they have good recievers and with Grimm working with that O-line.............................they're running game is going to be vastly improved this year. They will at the very least compete for their division title.

Ohh and Dallas is just going to suck this year! Their secondary is a joke! I mean, did you hear that Roy Williams went back to his college number just so he could cover a little better! They better hope Newman doesn't get hurt. If he does "the sky is going to be raining footballs"! And their offense is okay.............but Romo is still a rookie in my mind. In his second year, he looses a snap, recovers it, and then lofts it up there high in the middle of the field!?!??! Only a rookie can have an excuse for doing something that dumb. And on the last play of a half, during a hail marry, he takes a sack? If there is anytime you should throw a ball up there that is the time! At least give your recievers a chance! I could go on and on. But, I'll wait until Dallas week before I do so.

[over the mountain]

Originally Posted by Miller101

And to add something to your list..............I don't see New England being a dominate team this year. They are in perhaps the worst division I've ever seen, so they will win alot of games.

Ohh and Dallas is just going to suck this year! Their secondary is a joke! I mean, did you hear that Roy Williams went back to his college number just so he could cover a little better! They better hope Newman doesn't get hurt. If he does "the sky is going to be raining footballs"! And their offense is okay.............but Romo is still a rookie in my mind. In his second year, he looses a snap, recovers it, and then lofts it up there high in the middle of the field!?!??! Only a rookie can have an excuse for doing something that dumb. And on the last play of a half, during a hail marry, he takes a sack? If there is anytime you should throw a ball up there that is the time! At least give your recievers a chance! I could go on and on. But, I'll wait until Dallas week before I do so.

yeah i dont know why "experts" when singing the praise of the pats dont hedge their comments by stating that the pats are by far in the weakest division. but as a fan would you trade being in a highly respected and competitive NFC east which breeds heated rivalries for a weak divsion? i wouldnt . .

on the cowboys i love what im hearing about them . . greg ellis not practicing, roy williams being sensitive and causing conflict, you know its bad when you hear on espn "of all things pacman is trying to be the peacekeeper . . . " they are imploding as we speak and it is freakin june!! TO might need to do something TO-like just to snatch back all this attention other cowboys are getting. i love it.

ps - i was thinking about starting a "cowboys locker room a ticking time bomb" thread to collect all the articles detailing their problems so far so when can just add to it when more s*it pops up but im not a thread starter kind of guy.

go skins!!

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by Miller101

Ohh and Dallas is just going to suck this year! Their secondary is a joke! I mean, did you hear that Roy Williams went back to his college number just so he could cover a little better! They better hope Newman doesn't get hurt. If he does "the sky is going to be raining footballs"! And their offense is okay.............but Romo is still a rookie in my mind. In his second year, he looses a snap, recovers it, and then lofts it up there high in the middle of the field!?!??! Only a rookie can have an excuse for doing something that dumb. And on the last play of a half, during a hail marry, he takes a sack? If there is anytime you should throw a ball up there that is the time! At least give your recievers a chance! I could go on and on. But, I'll wait until Dallas week before I do so.

So Springs and Landry are MIA from OTA's, and Dallas secondary is a joke? One would think you have enough to worry about in your own backyard rather than looking over the fence at other teams.

[Miller101]

Originally Posted by sandtrapjack

So Springs and Landry are MIA from OTA's, and Dallas secondary is a joke? One would think you have enough to worry about in your own backyard rather than looking over the fence at other teams.

I don't care about Springs and Landry training on their own. Some people think its a big deal, but I don't care! What I do care about is Rogers health! He was our 9th overall pick just a year after we got Sean. Blowing out his knee as bad as he did.............I can't buy into the fact that he'll be back in September. Heck, he might not even make it back to where he was before his injury. And if he can't come back healthy then we would have lost two top 10 picks in the last 4 years and its hard for any team to overcome that.

Shoooot what am I saying? We'll be alright. After all Landry and Springs kicked the crap out of you all and every other team we played against during the last month of the season!

And I got to know.............did Pacman Jones really work out at Deon Sanders summer camp for kids? I heard that he did on the Radio. Is it true?

[XXVI]

I am going to be the pioneer. I give the Skins' 8-8. Here's why.

Kelly, and Thomas are going to be the missing pieces to the offense. I expect Thomas to be more like Roy Williams. I do not see Kelly making a big impact this year, however I do see him catching some passes in the redzone. Davis is a no-brainer. If he can grasp the offense with Cooley, that's going to be our most important attack.

QB- Jason Campbell/Colt Brennan
RB- Clinton Portis
FB- Mike Sellers/Chris Cooley
H-Back/TE- Chris Cooley
TE/WR- Fred Davis
WR#1- Santana Moss
WR#2- Devin Thomas
WR#3- Antwaan Randle El


Ok, how many all pro's are there?

4. Three potential 1's rounders?


I know it's going to take a very long time for Zorn's system to take hold, but if he stays true to his word about keeping the running game the same, then I'll place 6 wins on the running game alone. Plus our D is the same as last year basically, we just need Justin Tryon to develop fast, and hope Carlos can at least play some nickel.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by XXVI

I am going to be the pioneer. I give the Skins' 8-8. Here's why.

Kelly, and Thomas are going to be the missing pieces to the offense. I expect Thomas to be more like Roy Williams. I do not see Kelly making a big impact this year, however I do see him catching some passes in the redzone. Davis is a no-brainer. If he can grasp the offense with Cooley, that's going to be our most important attack.

QB- Jason Campbell/Colt Brennan
RB- Clinton Portis
FB- Mike Sellers/Chris Cooley
H-Back/TE- Chris Cooley
TE/WR- Fred Davis
WR#1- Santana Moss
WR#2- Devin Thomas
WR#3- Antwaan Randle El


Ok, how many all pro's are there?

4. Three potential 1's rounders?


I know it's going to take a very long time for Zorn's system to take hold, but if he stays true to his word about keeping the running game the same, then I'll place 6 wins on the running game alone. Plus our D is the same as last year basically, we just need Justin Tryon to develop fast, and hope Carlos can at least play some nickel.

So are you saying that a .500 season is acceptable and should be considered a positive thing at the end of this season? Not very optimistic are you? I would be disappointed with anything less than 10 wins. Is it realistic to think that way? Maybe not, but I do not believe that anyone sits back and says "You know, I want my team to only lose 8 times this year." Personally, I want us to try and win them all and hopefully we make the playoffs. No playoffs = disappointment, regardless of the situation.

[sandtrapjack]

Originally Posted by Miller101

I don't care about Springs and Landry training on their own. Some people think its a big deal, but I don't care! What I do care about is Rogers health! He was our 9th overall pick just a year after we got Sean. Blowing out his knee as bad as he did.............I can't buy into the fact that he'll be back in September. Heck, he might not even make it back to where he was before his injury. And if he can't come back healthy then we would have lost two top 10 picks in the last 4 years and its hard for any team to overcome that.

Shoooot what am I saying? We'll be alright. After all Landry and Springs kicked the crap out of you all and every other team we played against during the last month of the season!

And I got to know.............did Pacman Jones really work out at Deon Sanders summer camp for kids? I heard that he did on the Radio. Is it true?

Since Adam Jones was not permitted at the facilities, he was with Deion Sanders and a handful of other pro players at SMU doing his off season workouts. It was not a kids camp, but a program hosted and sponsored by Sanders for college and pro players. Not unlike when other players in the league "work out on their own" instead of doing that at the team facilities.

But he is back at Valley Ranch now (fingers crossed and prayers spoken).