I'm going to be away
from my blog for the next couple weeks as I take a much needed break from the
blogger world. I appreciate everyone that commented on the various
divisions. What made those fun was reading all the passionate comments
from various fans.
I'm going to leave an
open question for people to comment on.
This is a very simple
question. What is the thing you are the most optimistic about when it
comes to your favorite team and what is the one thing that gives you the
greatest concern?
Have a happy 4th of July everyone and I look
forward to reading the comments when I get back.
The thing I am most optimistic about is the Packer defense. I think they had a lot of young players play very well last season and other than the corners are fairly young. I think they could have a dominant defense for the next few seasons.
My biggest concern is the retirement of #4. I'm not sure how good Rodgers is going to be in 2008 and whether he will be able to stay healthy. If he is injured or ineffective I'm not sure if the offense will be able to score enough points to beat out the emerging Vikings for the NFC North.
My team is the Saints and what I'm optomistic about is that they have taken care of the defensive concerns with drafting a stud like Sedrick Eliss. He'll apply pressure up the middle not giving QB's all day to throw. Not to mention they'll be no more doubling up on Will Smith at DE. Add the fact that Eliss is a big run stuffer that can chase down RB's in the Backfield. We should see a much more improved D from them. Even though the DB's are still suspect.
My biggest concern is the running game and the Health of Deuce. Can he return to form? That's a question I'm waiting to see answerd. He did it once befor and it's not the same knee this time around but with two surgicaly repaired knees in three yrs it does concern me. He is the key to the offense. Bush still leaves something to be desired in my opinion.
Have a great time on your break. Looking forward to your return.
I'm optimistic that Jake Delhomme can return from Tommy John surgery better than ever. Should that happen, the Panthers are a Super Bowl caliber team. They'll be one of the teams to beat. They have that battering ram RB in Jon Stewart they haven't had since Stephen Davis. They have upgraded their WR corps and their O-line.
My biggest concern is Julius Peppers. Has he lost the motivation to play? Hopefully he hasn't. But if he has, then the Panthers need to seriously consider replacing him after the season.
My team is obviously the Vikings and it appears we will have a great rivalry with the Pack this year! I am optimistic about the defense with the signings of Jared Allen and Madieu Williams. We've not had a great pass-rushing right DE since Doleman retired. Now we won't have to blitz so often and our secondary will look vastly improved compared to the last two years. The Vikes have 7 Pro-Bowl players and 3 All-Pro, the talent is there to be a balanced, solid team.
My concerns are the schedule, we open with five very tough games and playing the AFC South will be no picnic. If we get off to a slow start, say 2-3 or 1-4 the players could lose confidence in Tarvaris Jackson and the coaches. I'd like to see T-Jack put the offense on his back and lead them to a TD inside 2-minutes of a half or to win a game. I'd also like to see Darrell Bevell call plays that takes advantage of a defense putting 8 in the box or run-blitzing. Take care and be well.
My team is the Bills, and i'll list my truthful concerns first... (ugh...)
Offense: We do not have a steady quarterback. Trent Edwards will be the starter, and had a promising year as a third rounder getting put in the third game of the season. He has to step up for a chance at wildcard. Running back is good, unless the hit-and-run affects Marshawn ####'s state of mind. Wideout we needed a big WR, and drafted James Hardy. He seems to be the right fit, but has MAJOR character issues, that i don't know if it will affect his games. I think OL is the only solid thing on the Bills that i don't have to worry about.
Defense: Lack of an opposite of Schobel. We gave Kelsay a big deal to stay at the other DE spot, but he is very "two faced." He is very inconsistent, but is very good when on top of his game. Linebackers will be okay if Paul Posluszny stays healthy, because he is a star in the making. Secondary is good with Whitner and McGee, but the other two spots are yet to be decided. Leodis McKelvin NEEDS TO STEP UP as a rookie to have a shot at a good defense.
What i'm optimist about...well, we do have a pro bowl punter...
I'm excited to see how Eli and Jacobs progress.
I'm also excited to see Justin Tuck play full time. Even without (Strahan Da Man), we should still boast a powerfull Defense.
I'm also looking foward to the Oakland. Russel and McFadden.
I have to say with all the reports on what he is doing in mini-camps, OTA's and extra work in offseason in general, I am most optimistic about Jackson as our starting QB. Not looking for 3500 yds and 30 tds or anything but just not losing games, and sustaining drives. Would also be nice to see some under 2-min drives to tie or take the lead, but expectations are still fairly low. Never heard a blip about extra work last year, and all the beat writers are saying it's a world of difference from last year to this year so I'm optimistic.
Honorable mention: Optimistic our d-line and o-line starters will stay relatively healthy, as depth is a concern on both fronts.
My biggest concern is drum roll please.....
T-Jack. While I'm optimistic, I'm also realistic, in that I sure hope he is living, breathing, and sleeping the playbook and working on mechanics this offseason, because when he was bad he was definitely very bad. and when he was good he was average to below average, so yeah the season's success rests on a 3rd year QB going into his second year at the helm. I try not to think about it too much.
honorable mentions: concerned for the right side of the O-line, and hope cook and herrara continue to develop.
The Colts...optimistic we can make it back this year, depth at RB was taken care of by gettin Rhodes back and by drafting Michigan's all-time leading rusher, Mike Hart...our depth on defense is my only real concern, especially @ DE.
The Lions...what am I optimistic about?
Huh..........um..........well they have the best QB in their divison now! Same wtth WR corp...Concerns? Well, that Millen will never get fired, that we will never make the play-offs. It would be nice to have a RB to speak of since lettin Duckett go to Seattle and cutting Kevin Jones...who they are now interested in again since hes near 100%.
The real concern lies in the defense...can they not be the 28th or 29th ranked defense this year?
1) The Steelers are "evolving" as an organization and realize that to keep near the top of the NFL, they adjusted their talent evaluation to look for more "playmakers" on both offense and defense, and the need to address special teams. Top 2 picks, Mendenhall and Sweed, were evidence of that concern.
2) Ben Roethlisberger made great strides last year and now has a new contract. He has been quite vocal in his view that he needs to be more of a leader not just for the offense, but the team.
Greatest concern:
Surprisingly, NOT the offensive line. Folks, the Steelers have been successful for the last 15 years with various o-line sets. They develop lineman very well. This group WILL NOT give up 47+ sacks this year. If they give up 40 it would be very successful, because they are a big play passing offense, not a west-coast one.
Injuries are, and always will be, the biggest concern. Quality depth is thin in the today's NFL and the Steeler's need to stay healthy at QB, WR, D-line and both Safety positions.
While I am excited to watch my team prove its heart week after week against the best the NFL has to offer, My concern is that the toll on the health of the team might make us one and done in the playoffs. If the Steelers can grind its way thru the season, and stay healthy, they will be the battle hardend STEELERS noone wants to play in the plsyoffs.
My team is the Falcons.
Can I be optimistic? #### no. Sorry being realistic. Ok fine. Roddy White and Jerious Norwood. They did well last season and I'm sure they will do fine.
Concerns, many. Having Harrington being on the team. Can Matt Ryan ACTUALLY prove that his senior year in BC wasn't a fluke and that he didn't rip off this orginization with money he got from #### Arthur Blank? Will this team be smart and get rid of Mike Jenkins? Will Jamal Anderson show that it was worth it getting rid of Patrick Kerney?
I would have to say the Colts running game should be pretty awesome this year. Addai is one of the better backs in the league, is healthy going into camp, and just wants to continue learning. Rhodes should have a smooth transition coming back, and didn't get hardly any wear and tear last year. We'll see who ends up third string.
Concerns: W.R.
What is going to happen to Marvin Harrison? IF he does make it on the feild, will the knees hold up? And more importantly, can the backups be productive enough to keep Dallas Clark playing tight end, instedad of taking over for Gonzalez in the slot, because that really opens our offense. If the D. can stay healthy, they will be one of the best this year. D.E. depth is a question though.
The Steelers made some interesting and quality picks in the draft that will have an impact on this team and their season early on.
There is much to be encouraged about on both sides of the football. The offense is again going to be a very reliable and potent unit (barring major injuries). Big Ben continues to develop as a QB and team leader, and the Steelers are going to put more quality talent on the field with him this season. The defense is also going to again be tough.
My biggest concern is the schedule this year, especially the second half. Wow, Colts, Jags, Pats, Cowboys, Giants as well as a (I hate to admit it) pretty good Brownies team (we'll beat them twice).
The offensive line also continues to concern me. I, along with a lot of others I am sure, was surprised that the Steelers did not take an O. lineman earlier. We'll see how that decision plays out.
Looking at the schedule, I see the Steelers going 10-6. Hopefully that will be good enough to get into the post season. I am always willing to be pleasantly surprised though (I hope netsteeler is right).
Have a great break Cred and...Here we go Steelers here we go!!!
I'm optimistic at just being a Giants fan, pure and simple. Don't even care if they don't repeat their SB. (But that would sure be nice) Just happy to be basking in the glow of this year's Lombardi Trophy.
I'm concerned about gas prices becoming $5 a gallon and then some. Everyone have a safe 4th.
I'm a Dallas fan. It seems that I like most of the posters is most optimistic about the defense.
Last year the secondary was the weakest point of this unit. In the offseason moves were made and now it will be a strength. The additions of Adam Jones, Mike Jenkins, and ILB Zack Thomas will be a big improvement in the pass coverage.
Last year Newman missed the first 3 games and Henry missed 5 games after Newman came back. It wasn't until week 10 that Dallas had their top two CBs playing together, and even then they were not at 100%. This meant that the 3rd and 4th CBs, Jacques Reeves and Nate Jones saw a lot of playing time. Reeves was the most targeted CB in the NFL last year. When teams needed big plays against Dallas, they always targeted Reeves and Jones.
This year it will be different. If injury should occur again, Dallas is prepared. They now have Adam Jones as the 3rd CB and Mike Jenkins as the 4th. Both could easily be the #1 & 2 CBs and Dallas would still be ok. They even have more depth with Scandrick and Ball. Dallas now goes 6 deep at CB.
They have been working on a new pass defense for the mutiple receiver sets. The front four are Ware and Ellis at DEs and Ratliff and Tank Johnson at DTs. These are their best pass rushers. At the LBs are Thomas and Burnett. These are their best cover LB. The CBs are Jones and Jenkins on the outside, with Newman in the slot. Henry replaces Roy Williams and now covers the TE. Ken Hamlin is the lone safety and patrols centerfield. Converting 3rd downs and making big plays in the passing game will be limited this year.
I think the Dallas defense will lead Dallas to have a great season, much like the NY defense did last year. This is the year the drought ends and Dallas rises to the top again.
My biggest concern is injury. Specifically to 2 players, both on offense. The first is Romo. If you lose your QB your pretty much dead anyway. Dallas needs to address the backup QB question during training camp. My hope is that Chris Simms gets cut and he can become the #2 QB. He has said he wants to go to a team with a chance to start, but with Romo in Dallas he won't get the opportunity, but here's hoping.
The 2nd player is Owens. Owens always commanded double coverage with a safety playing over the top. Last year when Owens went down, teams were able to single cover the WRs, thus making the passing game less explosive. If Terry Glenn can come back this year and that's a big if, the loss of Owens would be minimized.
Optomistic:
The offense. A young but solidified ground game and a new weapon to develop for Big Ben. Mendenhall may have the ability to be a producer his rookie season if he can stay healthy while taking the hits the NFL has to offer. Sweed gives us some Burris type height at WR, he just needs to gain some experience and learn the offense.
Worried:
The schedule. Maintain health with a schedule of bruising opponents. As netsteeler mentioned, the Steelers are shy on depth, especially on the O-Line.
With no doubt, the Steelers will prove some skeptics wrong this year and dish a healthy dose of crow to their detractors.
Street Cred For me this season ought to be predicated on us seeing some great football. Some teams'll know doubt improve and then there'll be others that'll either have regressed or just won't be competitive at all. As to who those'll be we'll most certainly find out once the season unfolds.
But the one thing that I'm concerned with at the moment is how Goodell thinks he can address the situation concerning rookie salaries ? And with the advent of the CBA being up for negotiation pretty soon . One knowas that Upshaw'll in some way want a bargaining chip for him to dangle over Goodell's head.
Have a great 4th of July and my regards to your immediate family !
justan' aka tophatal ........
Last edited by justanotherfan on July 3rd at 2:44 PM.
i'm optimistic on jason campell running the west coast offense.he has had experience in college so their is hope.the other is my defense is getting up their in age so we will have to be alittle concerned about a new coach and a old great coach leaving but i still have hope.
I live in Chicago, but am originally from Wisconsin. I am a disgruntled Green Bay Packer fan that now loves the Jets. My favorite sports are Football, Basketball, and Baseball. Hockey and soccer are at the bottom of my list. I would rather watch the Spelling Bee than either of those sports. My favorite athletes of all time are Brett Favre and Michael Jordan. While I like debating many sports, NFL Football is by far my favorite topic to discuss.
In addition to this blog I am also a writer for the Fantasy Football Maniaxs. It is quite an honor to be writing with a group of knowledgeable football fanatics. The address is http://www.fa ntasyfootball maniaxs.com. I hope you enjoy the blog.
