We all know that there are some teams that will be contenders for this season. The Patriot, Colts, Steelers and Cowboys are almost sure to be some of those teams. What about some other teams. There are some we thought had a sure shot and some we never gave much chance to. I'm going to take this opportunity and look at some teams and break down whether they are contenders or pretenders this 2007 season.
Cleveland Browns- The Browns signed RB Jamal Lewis in the off season to help in the running game. They also have TE Kellen Winslow who they was expecting to return and put up some good numbers. QB derrick Anderson so far has looked good and makes you wonder what Coach Crennel was thinking during training camp. The Browns offense is pretty good. they are 4th in the league in scoring avg. 27.8 a game. 8th in total yds with 354.5 a game. 9th in passing yds posting 293.3 a game and 15th in rushing with an avg. of 115.2 yds a game. The problem with this team is defense. They are almost dead last in every catogory. That's not good because we all know defenses win championships. So at this time I will have to say they are: Pretenders
Minnesota Vikings- This is a team comeing into this season we knew had a pretty good run defense. They drafted RB Adrian Peterson in the first round hopeing to help out the offense that was not all that good last year. Peterson leads the league in rushing so far this season. He is an outstanding rookie but the Vikes lack a passing attack and I think that is what has lead them to haveing only two wins so far this season. Not to mention they can't stop other teams from throwing the ball all over them. They do not give up many points on defense and it's hard to run against them but until I see more consistant play from them they are: Pretenders
Jacksonville Jaguars- This is a team I actualy thought had a shot comeing into this season. They have a great rushing attack with two good backs in Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. Jacksonville ranks 4th in the league in rushing avg. 154.8 yds a game. they are also 7th in the league total yds a game with 355.2 avg. Sending QB Byron Leftwhich to Atlanta was a smart move by them. QB David Garrard gives them a better chance of winning and there record in the AFC South is 4-1 at this time. There defense is what impresses me the most. they are ranked in the top ten in every statistical category except passing yds allowed which is still very good at 12th in the league. Playing good defense like this has me saying these guys are true: Contenders
Tampabay Buccaneers- This team is a product of a very weak division. Nobody picked the Buc's to be ahead of New Orleans in the NFC South. The thing is they are and have a descent record to show for it. At 4-2 you would think that maybe they are that good. But when you look at statistics they are not at all. they are only scoreing 18 pts a game and only 99.2 rushing yds a game. Though they are holding opponents to 14.5 points a game and only allowing 197.4 yds passing a game I'm still not convinced they make it out the wildcard game in the playoffs. They'll more than likely win the division as they play a majority of their remaining games at home but i'm not sold on the fact that they are that good so for now I say they are: Pretenders
Kansas City Chiefs- This team needs a QB very badly. I know they have Brodie Croyle waiting in the wing but I don't think he is all that good. Also Larry Johnson has been a big disappointment to me this year. They do have a star in the making though and that's rookie WR Dewayne Bowe from LSU who has 3 TD's so far this season and 415 yds on just 16 catches. I watched his whole career at LSU and he will be a good reciever. He has good size but tends to drop some easy catches sometimes. If the offense can get it together the defense isn't all that bad. They are only averging 74.8 yds rushing a game and with a sub par QB like Damon Huard that's not going to get them anywhere. So until they find their running game then they're just: Pretenders
New Orleans Saints- This one you think would be easy but it's not. Hard to say all these negative things about your home team. The Saints are last years media darling. A team that put a whole city on it's shoulders in 2006 and carried it all the way to the NFC championship game. This year however they are finding it difficult just to win. It has taken them 5 games so far to get thier first one against an all of a sudden flightless Seahawks team. This Team was supposed to contend this year for the NFC crown again. Looks as though the only thing they are contending for are the rights to get the first draft pick this season. The season has been such a disapointment for me and fellow Saints fans. Statisticaly the New Orleans is so bad that when I went to nfl.com the page came up about blank. So if you realy want to know stats on this team I can tell you this much. They are bottom of the barrell on both sides of the ball. So until this team can find the Heart they left burried in the ice and snow in Chicago last year, they are most certainly: Pretenders
So there it is folks, my analysis of teams that just might give these so called elite teams trouble and some that just might have a better 2008 season. For those teams I said are pretenders I certainly hope I'm wrong. There is still alot of games to be played and anything can happen. Goodluck to everyones favorite team the rest of the way.
gambitxxx
The teams you've mentioned are equally as adept as one another. But the real problem is getting them to play a game that's meaningful and competitive. The Buccaneers like you've said is playing in a much weakened division. And should they make it to the playoffs it'll be a one and out for them.
btroup1 I left him a comment telling him I've finished it. But I'll add the link in that comment so he can find it easier.
tophatal- I think all these teams are about equal to each other except Jacksonville. they have a pretty good offense but what sets them apart from these scrubs and makes them a threat to other good teams is their Defense is good also.
I say Jags win the AFC wildcard spot. Though if the Colts were to lose to anyone, it would be the Jags. They are just the sort of team you prep for but then, deep in your heart, underestimate. Achilles heal, so to speak. All the others, well, they have such huge holes, I agree they are about equal. I'm holding out for a Saints comeback.
I like the looks of the Browns, just not at the expense of my Steelers. There are only two teams in the whole NFL that I REALLY dislike #1 Ravens and #2 Patriots (although I like Brady a lot-I would pick him over Manning any day). Mebbe when it is all said and done, it is the coaches that I don't like. Fuzz BTW excellent post.
thx Fuzz for stopping in. I dislike the patriots period and for me it is the coach. I just think he's an arrogent ####./ It has nothing to do with the whole cheating thing. I figur every team has done some cheating befor and he just got caught. But as far as QB's go I would rather Manning. I have to go with the home town boy. We are from the same city and well you know what I'm saying.
thx Mike yeah we all do have our own opinion. It wasn't easy or fun to knock my own team believe me. But we suck and that's the truth. Looking forward to seeing the competitions post.
Being from Alabama I can support your comments on Croyle - great guy from a great family, but not a great QB...average at best.
I'm surprised what your thoughts are on my Pack who I might remind you are 5-1 on this 16th day of October. No one is really sure if they're as good as their record shows...including myself as an avid fan.
I think the packers are pretty good. They could hurt some teams like Dallas in the playoffs. Farve is just outstanding as far as QB's his age go. If he had just one real deep threat man it would be fun to watch. I just think though the only thing they realy need is consistancy in the run game. Wynn can be good he's just young. Hopefully Aaron Rodgers is ready to take over when Brett Finaly calls it quits. Goodluck to your packers the rest of the way.
Gambit: Very well done! I admire your honesty about your Saints and after beating Seattle, who knows maybe that turns the tables for them.
I think the Jags will make the playoffs barring a meltdown but watch for the Browns, although they haven't won a game outside the 330 area code. I think Anderson will be able to get them some wins and maybe make a run at the last playoff spot.
Finally, in your opening paragraph, you mentioned four team and my Steelers were the only one in lower case letters. Typo or coincidence? LOL.
Good luck in the contest; I will be looking forward to your next blog.
Last edited by GoldenTriangleFan on October 16th at 1:02 PM.
thx mean. Good to see you drop in also. I think a team like Jacksonville or even Tenn. can come into the playoffs and hurt the elite like the Colts and Pat's. That's just my opinion though.
GoldenTriangleFan- thx for stopping in and commenting your always welcomed here. Sorry about the Steelers thing it was a typo. I'll fix that just for you and the sake that I want to move on in the competition. The Browns Defense worries me that they'll not win to many games. Sure they have a pretty good QB in Anderson (why didn't Crenell see this during camp baffles me) and an alright running game. Thing is if the D keeps allowing more points than they can score it will be another disappointing season for Browns fans. Thx for the well wishes and do come back soon
Last edited by gambitxxx on October 16th at 1:12 PM.
Gambit: I figured it was just a typo. Agreed about the Browns defense being a problem but they do have a decent secondary, not great but decent and have good linebackers, in Andre Davis, D'Quell Jackson and Willie McGinest, although he's probably on the decline. But in week one LB Antwan Peek was blowing up plays against the Steelers. I think their biggest problem is D line. The have no one, unless you count the 83 year old Ted Washington! Cleveland has been playing better; I just think this may be a team worth keeping an eye on. Especially since their gaining ground in the Steelers rear view mirror.
I see you made it to the second round of the competion. Good Luck!!
Mean thx and that's because i'm just a regular guy like you not a politician who says one thing and then does another only to change his/her mind again.
GTF- Yeah I made it and Thx again. That's what this blog is for the second round. Yeah it's the D-line that's killing them. and your right Ted Washington should be enjoying grand children at about this time. I do like Andre Davis. If they do not do it this year they will be someone to think about next year. My question is with Anderson being a good as he is what about Quinn. I guess it never hurts to have two good ones right?
Gambit: Well I think you're looking good for a second round win.
Agreed that the Browns probably won't have enough to land that sixth playoff spot but I think they will have a say in who makes it and who doesn't. Davis is a solid LB but keep your eye on Peek. He should be a rising star in the next few years. As for the QB situation, I don't think anything good would come from putting Quinn in right now; Anderson has played well enough to put points on the board and give them a chance to win. Next year for Quinn.
thx GTF, as for Quinn that's what I mean next season. If Crenell had trouble this year picking the right QB during camp God help him next season. I will try to keep my eye on peek. Problem is I live in New Orleans hard to get many games with the Browns. They just do not bring rateings period is what I think. But hey they might just surprise everyone. I have been wrong befor about many things.
Gambit, you cant mention the Browns without talking about Braylon Edwards. He has emerged as a legitimate go to reciever for the Browns and is a top tier reciever in my eyes. As far as the rankings you listed for several teams, i am not a fan of the NFL's team ranking system, and a lot of other traditional stats for that matter. Yardage doesnt mean much to me. I look at stats such as red zone success, points allowed and scored per game and third down sucess rate as better stats than yardage. Football Prospectus has a bunch of more telling stats that i have come across recently that really have opened my eyes to things that i really wasnt that interested in just a few months ago.
As far as who the contenders and pretenders are, heres my take.
Cleveland: At least a year and a few defensive players away from a playoff spot.
Minnesota: Perhaps the scariest team in the North. After getting to watch Peterson for an entire game this past sunday, he is in my eyes the best back in the NFC and as long as the left side of the Minn. line holds up, he is good enough to carry that team to the division crown. That being said, they need some better pass defenders before they graduate to contenders. Right now they are somehwere inbetween.
Jacksonville: They can, at times, be the toughest team to beat in the AFC outside of the Patriots and Colts. If Gerrard continues playing error free ball, they are contendors in my eyes.
Tampa Bay: This team doesnt do much for me. Their offense, despite the addition of Pittman, still has no punch. Joey Galloway is not enough to beat good teams. Howeve
gambitxxx
The Jags are one hell of a team and of that I'm sure. Maurice Jones Drew is one of the best young running backs in the league. Finally Jack Del Rio has something to justify why it is his team are contenders.
At least for a while anyway !
Chitown thx for dropping a comment my friend. Now Cleveland your right about and I did forget to mention Edwards. He is pretty good and will be a force to reckon with as he only gets better. To me stats are pretty meaningless period. It's up to any team to come out any giving Sunday and play with some heart and intensity, that alone can win games.
Minn. I like them but I think they can be very inconsistant at times. Peterson is very good. Hands down rookie of the year. They need some better play out the DB's though
Jacksonville- like I said Garard gives them a better opportunity to win. I don't think he is a choke artist like Leftwich was. The defense is outstanding also.
Tampa is a product of a bad division. They could go 9-7 and win the div.
I didn't read your post gambit for the obvious reasons, but just scanning, seems I will have to pull out something wicked and nasty to top it!!!!
If I get a chance to write it, this topic appears to require some more in-depth research than last weeks (which I won by default - opponent didn't get his in on time ). Don't know if I will have time or not.
If not, I will be pulling for you the rest of the way man.
Sunday night will tell just how good the Steelers are. Denver has played sloppy. With the bye,i think
we will see a different team. Have the guys who were out back and ready. I'm going to say a close game,unless Cutler forget's to see the color of the
jersey he's supposed to. That's just my opinon.
F88- No problem buddy but you could have read it. I'm no sore loser. All my life as a kid and teen I played ball on losing teams till I got to High school and played football with Kordell Stewart. I also played Baseball in highschool and won state championship in that sport also. Thx for the support and looking forward to seeing how this turns out this week. Goodluck and if you move on to the next round I'll be pulling for you likewise.
Jayhawk67- The Steelers in my opinion are a good team. they have a great running game and Big Ben seems to have shaken back after a rough 06 season. Cutler on the other hand is young and Denver will be just fine in years to come. Give the youngster some time to grow. Just because was a high prospect comeing out of college and has been the starter for a lil while now doesn't mean he is going to be instant success. It took Elway alot of years to become one of the best.
gambitxx
As good as the Jags appear to be they're not ready to take that next step.
There are still some weaknesses there that can be exposed. They'll give most teams a real competitive game but the likes of the Colts and Pats could devour them.
gambitxxx
The Jags could be the dark horses coming out of the AFC. But had Del Rio not made the change from Leftwich to Garrard would we still be saying this ?
This was an awesome job! I have to say that you are "Southern Hospitality" at its best! I agree with everything you have said here. I think that for the pretenders their year will definitely be in '08.
gambitxxx
We'll just have to wait and see what unfolds as to the scenario that'll be placed infront of us. But you can never foresee what can happen within the NFL on any given Sunday.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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