Thursday, August 9, 2007
Five Feelings About The NFL Season
If you enjoy watching the NFL as much as I do -- and you probably should apologize to your loved ones in advance this year if you do -- then I have no doubt you've seen and read enough about the upcoming season to get excited on a level that could make your doctor a little worried.
So in the interest of perhaps bringing something new and enlightening to the fodder of NFL information out there, I'd like to share with you a few feelings I have about how this season will unfold.
Now, I'm no prognosticator, and I certainly won't be rivaling the Swami on ESPN anytime soon, but from what I've seen over the years, and especially the past few years, I just have a feeling that things will unfold a little...like this...
1. Even though the Cardinals look like they've improved, they will still disappoint.
Let's face it; at this point, the Cardinals have cemented themselves firmly into the role of losers. I know, I know; Matt Leinart. Edgerrin James. Some rookie offensive lineman. Blah blah blah. Did you watch the Monday night game against the Bears last year? Did you see how quickly the faces of the Arizona players turned from "we've got this locked up!" to "oh no, not again!"?
It's going to take more than a Heisman Trophy winner and a couple of decent-looking rookies to turn this team around. They'll be alright, especially if Larry Fitzgerald stays healthy, but don't get your hopes up too high.
2. The Patriots' wide receiver spending spree may help Tom Brady, but they are still going to need Laurence Maroney to stay healthy to get back to their playoff dominance.
Nothing puts butts in the seats like a beautiful, 80-yard bomb to a streaking wide receiver who calmly settles underneath the flying pigskin, cradles it to his chest like a newborn, then casually pulls away from the pursuing defenders for a touchdown. The 1999 Rams made a living off of that style of offense (and were dubbed "The Greatest Show On Turf"), but they also faded away pretty quickly, especially once teams caught on to their strategy.
The Patriots are going to benefit from Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker (especially Welker), but we have to remember two things: they play in Massachusetts and they have a really good defense. They're going to win games by running the ball, making short, safe pass completions and scaring the living daylights out of opposing offenses with their confusing packages.
3. Ronnie Brown will become an elite running back, even if his offense hasn't improved that much.
He's been described as a poor man's LaDanian Tomlinson, but I really feel like the designation isn't any higher simply because he's been playing behind a Dolphins line that couldn't block my little sister effectively. But RB showed some signs last year of how impressive he can be, even against good defenses (like the Bears, for example). He's big enough to carry tacklers, but nimble enough to make a safety miss in the open field. Plus, he's shown that he's got good hands and an increasing knowledge of the blocking schemes for the passing attack. All told, by the end of the year, I would be surprised if he isn't in the top five in the league and making a push for the top three.
4. Carson Palmer will become the new Peyton Manning.
He's been electric when he's healthy, and he's even been impressive when he's not 100 percent. Now that he has put that devastating knee injury a full season behind him, Palmer will prove that he can go toe-to-toe (and even brain-to-brain) with Peyton. The Bengals have a suspect (at best) defense, a running back who has the same acceleration rate as a steam engine and a bunch of slender, speedy receivers. The only difference is that the Colts play in a dome, but even in the snows of Ohio, Palmer will sling the ball around enough to put up numbers that will rival those of the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
5. No, the Chargers will not win the Super Bowl.
I know, last year was an amazing year for the Bolts. Tomlinson is making a stronger and stronger case for Best Running Back Ever. Rivers is developing a knack for winning, especially when he throws the ball anywhere near Antonio Gates. The outside linebackers are like twin bolts of lightning. The offensive line is the best in football. Even the secondary is starting to mature (finally).
But Norv Turner, for all his successes as an offensive coordinator, doesn't have the same impact as a head coach. His scheme is still in place, but unless he's motivating the players to get better each and every play, it won't matter what's being called through the quarterback's headset. For all his faults, at least Marty Schottenheimer knew how to get the most out of his players. Teams under Turner have traditionally underachieved, putting him back into the coordinator role again and again.
Unless he's taken some classes with Tony Robbins, I just don't see the Chargers improving on their 13-win season and another early exit in the playoffs.
-- -- --
Well there you go; these are (some of) my bold predictions for the upcoming season.
You may agree, you may disagree; but either way, I'm sure you have a few of your own.
So send them in to me at sports@valleycenter.com, or check out our blog page at www.valleycenter.com and click on the "RR Blogs" link to comment.
And look for our special Fantasy Football Preview next week, which will help you locate the sleepers and snoozers before you draft your team.
So in the interest of perhaps bringing something new and enlightening to the fodder of NFL information out there, I'd like to share with you a few feelings I have about how this season will unfold.
Now, I'm no prognosticator, and I certainly won't be rivaling the Swami on ESPN anytime soon, but from what I've seen over the years, and especially the past few years, I just have a feeling that things will unfold a little...like this...
1. Even though the Cardinals look like they've improved, they will still disappoint.
Let's face it; at this point, the Cardinals have cemented themselves firmly into the role of losers. I know, I know; Matt Leinart. Edgerrin James. Some rookie offensive lineman. Blah blah blah. Did you watch the Monday night game against the Bears last year? Did you see how quickly the faces of the Arizona players turned from "we've got this locked up!" to "oh no, not again!"?
It's going to take more than a Heisman Trophy winner and a couple of decent-looking rookies to turn this team around. They'll be alright, especially if Larry Fitzgerald stays healthy, but don't get your hopes up too high.
2. The Patriots' wide receiver spending spree may help Tom Brady, but they are still going to need Laurence Maroney to stay healthy to get back to their playoff dominance.
Nothing puts butts in the seats like a beautiful, 80-yard bomb to a streaking wide receiver who calmly settles underneath the flying pigskin, cradles it to his chest like a newborn, then casually pulls away from the pursuing defenders for a touchdown. The 1999 Rams made a living off of that style of offense (and were dubbed "The Greatest Show On Turf"), but they also faded away pretty quickly, especially once teams caught on to their strategy.
The Patriots are going to benefit from Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker (especially Welker), but we have to remember two things: they play in Massachusetts and they have a really good defense. They're going to win games by running the ball, making short, safe pass completions and scaring the living daylights out of opposing offenses with their confusing packages.
3. Ronnie Brown will become an elite running back, even if his offense hasn't improved that much.
He's been described as a poor man's LaDanian Tomlinson, but I really feel like the designation isn't any higher simply because he's been playing behind a Dolphins line that couldn't block my little sister effectively. But RB showed some signs last year of how impressive he can be, even against good defenses (like the Bears, for example). He's big enough to carry tacklers, but nimble enough to make a safety miss in the open field. Plus, he's shown that he's got good hands and an increasing knowledge of the blocking schemes for the passing attack. All told, by the end of the year, I would be surprised if he isn't in the top five in the league and making a push for the top three.
4. Carson Palmer will become the new Peyton Manning.
He's been electric when he's healthy, and he's even been impressive when he's not 100 percent. Now that he has put that devastating knee injury a full season behind him, Palmer will prove that he can go toe-to-toe (and even brain-to-brain) with Peyton. The Bengals have a suspect (at best) defense, a running back who has the same acceleration rate as a steam engine and a bunch of slender, speedy receivers. The only difference is that the Colts play in a dome, but even in the snows of Ohio, Palmer will sling the ball around enough to put up numbers that will rival those of the reigning Super Bowl MVP.
5. No, the Chargers will not win the Super Bowl.
I know, last year was an amazing year for the Bolts. Tomlinson is making a stronger and stronger case for Best Running Back Ever. Rivers is developing a knack for winning, especially when he throws the ball anywhere near Antonio Gates. The outside linebackers are like twin bolts of lightning. The offensive line is the best in football. Even the secondary is starting to mature (finally).
But Norv Turner, for all his successes as an offensive coordinator, doesn't have the same impact as a head coach. His scheme is still in place, but unless he's motivating the players to get better each and every play, it won't matter what's being called through the quarterback's headset. For all his faults, at least Marty Schottenheimer knew how to get the most out of his players. Teams under Turner have traditionally underachieved, putting him back into the coordinator role again and again.
Unless he's taken some classes with Tony Robbins, I just don't see the Chargers improving on their 13-win season and another early exit in the playoffs.
-- -- --
Well there you go; these are (some of) my bold predictions for the upcoming season.
You may agree, you may disagree; but either way, I'm sure you have a few of your own.
So send them in to me at sports@valleycenter.com, or check out our blog page at www.valleycenter.com and click on the "RR Blogs" link to comment.
And look for our special Fantasy Football Preview next week, which will help you locate the sleepers and snoozers before you draft your team.
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