I like the Skins chances already - Peter King has us listed as #23 with no chance

[Son Of Man]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.

1999- After the FA splurge that netted us Bruce Smith, Deion & Jeff George - As well as Norv's offense looking good in the '98 season. People were calling us SB contenders, we know how that ended. The last two times we went to the playoffs...we were supposed to finish last in the division. The experts also had the Cards sucking last year!

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by skinsfaninok

These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.

not to be doom and gloom but when's the last time we finished top 10? how many times in the past 15 years or so?

what have we proven wrong?

[SBXVII]

I'd love to know his formula. Yes we had one of the worst offenses in the league after the half way point last yr, but one has to think being in the same offense for a second yr in a row would improve that. Especially after looking at how well we did the first half of last yr.

Then to top off the fact we had the 4th ranked defense last yr and have added pieces that will improve the team, w/o having lost any intricate parts to it. Hmmm.

Honestly I see us doing better then the Bears. Of NFCEast teams I see it as NY, Skins, Philly, Dallas. Only cause I think NY will be there untill they either lose a lot of pieces or drop themselves. I think this yr it's more of a toss up between us and philly. I like what they did with getting talent for McNoodle. Dallas.......I think they lost too many pieces to their puzzle. Maybe I'll be wrong, but I don't see them recovering and their Coach is not that great. He's a better co-ordinator.

[Hog1]

We have all things going up, and have made key additions to the squad across the board. It should make for a good season!

[Daseal]

These "EXPERTS" pick us to finish bad every season, I honestly don't remember when anybody picked us as a top 10 team. O well we will just have to prove everybody wrong like we usually do.

Strange. I don't remember being a top 10 team in the recent past.

[SFREDSKIN]

I think I would believe Peter North more than Peter "Fat****" Queen.

[Skins fan 44]

If we would of made the playoffs last year we would of been a top 10 team. Until we prove make the playoffs we will not be predicted near the top. Cant say that I blame the experts. How long have we thought we would be good and not done anything?

[BleedBurgundy]

Anyone thinking that better than 3rd place in the division is a lock is seriously kidding themselves.

[Beemnseven]

If the offense scores more touchdowns and the defense gives us the same results as last season along with more QB pressure and turnovers, we should be better than 8-8.

Simple as that.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

Anyone thinking that better than 3rd place in the division is a lock is seriously kidding themselves.

Third is likely though...not last. While NY will still be dominant and Philly has done a lot to help themselves the Cowpukes look to be a less talented, less competitive team than last year's. Romo would have to become elite to get them anywhere...and frankly under pressure he's been terrible (this year will put more pressure on him than ever before). So yeah, third is sensible and we just keep our fingers crossed the NFC east sends three teams to the playoffs this year.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Third is likely though...not last. While NY will still be dominant and Philly has done a lot to help themselves the Cowpukes look to be a less talented, less competitive team than last year's. Romo would have to become elite to get them anywhere...and frankly under pressure he's been terrible (this year will put more pressure on him than ever before). So yeah, third is sensible and we just keep our fingers crossed the NFC east sends three teams to the playoffs this year.

That is pretty much how I see it shaking out. NYG takes the division, followed by PHI, WAS and DAL in last place. It's way early and you never know though. As much Peter King bashing as goes on here not withstanding, he makes a very good point regarding our soft early schedule. The Skins can either come out of that with a good record and some confidence heading into the second half or a good record and an over inflated opinion of themselves, leading to a second straight late season collapse. I really hope it's the former.

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

That is pretty much how I see it shaking out. NYG takes the division, followed by PHI, WAS and DAL in last place. It's way early and you never know though. As much Peter King bashing as goes on here not withstanding, he makes a very good point regarding our soft early schedule. The Skins can either come out of that with a good record and some confidence heading into the second half or a good record and an over inflated opinion of themselves, leading to a second straight late season collapse. I really hope it's the former.

I just don't see it this way, and I know I am looking through rose colored glasses. The Giants being first is only a given until someone in the NFCE steps up and challenges them. They lost a half decent WR cause they cut him and have not replaced him. Perhaps they already had one in the wings but they now have a weakness. I think the Skins could suprise them and win one.

Dallas is almost a given. After the Tuna left the team has been on their downward spiral. Last yr was not good for them. This offseason, I feel they lost too many pieces to the puzzle and will struggle. I figure last in the division.

Now is the hard part. Who takes second place. A few yrs ago McNabb got hurt and I see him as being a little tentative still. They only have one good RB who is hurt half the time. They had no WR until last yr when they drafted the WR/KR. He did shine for the most part but only cause I think they did their best to keep it simple for him. This yr he may step up and handle a few more routes. I'm not sure if they picked up any in the draft, but as we all know it will take atleast until their 2nd yr to 3rd yr to shine. I still see Philli struggling in the passing game. I just didn't see enough changes or additions that would seriously change their status quo.

Which brings us to the Skins. Everytime we brought in too much we did mediocre only cause of chemistry. We brought in AH who will definitly boost our D-Line which is what we needed. He will definitly boost our pass rush due to size and his taking on some of the double teams leaving other to get sacks and pressure. We have not had that in a while. We kept most everything else the same on D except for the Orakpo pick. I think he could be defensive rookie of the yr if the cards play out. Our D was 4th ranked last yr and we have pretty much kept everything the same other then finally getting someone who will create and take on double teams freeing up others for sacks. We will dominate on D baring injuries. Our only Question was O-line and WR. We needed younger healthier O-lineman or at the very least a better right side of the ball and to be honest I think they have done that. Again baring injury I think they have plans to use Williams and with Buges help getting the technique down he will be a beast again no matter his weight. I think they picked up Bridges to either spell Williams or to use him at right Guard which will have definitly upgraded our right side. Dockery will fill in at left Guard and the left side will be strong again. Our only question will be at Center. Rahbach is not bad but he's not great. He sits too low on the line causing the QB's to squat too low. He can't take on the AH's out their cause he gets steam rolled. I think the team is possibly looking at moving Jansen to Center. They tried it during OT's and the QB's seemed to like it cause they don't have to squat with him. Plus he's a little bigger then Rabach. If all these pieces fall into place I can see our O-line being dominant. Lastly an issue we our WR's. I think Thomas steps up this yr and if Kelly pans out we will have one of the best WR corps in the NFCE. Plus we picked up a bunch of talent at WR in case we need it.

I know it's long but all in all I see us taking the #2 spot. Philli will run a close 3rd. Could the football gods give us the opportunity to beat the Giants twice and possibly take the division? one can only hope with rose colored glasses. lol.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

That is pretty much how I see it shaking out. NYG takes the division, followed by PHI, WAS and DAL in last place. It's way early and you never know though. As much Peter King bashing as goes on here not withstanding, he makes a very good point regarding our soft early schedule. The Skins can either come out of that with a good record and some confidence heading into the second half or a good record and an over inflated opinion of themselves, leading to a second straight late season collapse. I really hope it's the former.

Yeah, a second straight 6-2 start is quite possible, maybe even likely, so it's going to be interesting to see how they respond down the stretch. Do they fold up the tent like last year or use last year as a learning experience and close out the season strong?

[FRPLG]

I think King is a dope in general when it comes to football. He of the "Art Monk isn't a HOFer...until I say so" crew. Whatever. Like Matty said, it doen't matter. And it REALLY doesn't matter coming from King.

[Bill B]

I think with the improvements we made on Defense we will again be top 5 but we will also be presurring the passer way more - which will cause more turnovers and more 3 and outs with better field position. I think that one thing we have to remember here is that better field position will help the offense a whole heck of a lot more than people think - a lot of times the offense last year did not do too well because of the bad field position they started with. How many times do you see a team that gets a turnover in the opponents side and rams it down for a touchdown and turns the game into their favor? The problem with the Skins in years past was their defense was not causing a lot of turnovers and they also were not giving the offense the best field position.

Granted the offense needs to step it up a little and hopefully being in the system in year 2 will help that greatly - but I think the improved defense alone can add 2 wins to our record.