Page 1 of 4

NFL 2009: Pre-dic-tions and Anal-as-ys

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:40 am
by jacob Raver, sinTempter
I'm a Packer fan...I was emphatically surprised by the amount of Ws we got last season.

I wanted to see Philly instead of Arizonia...but I'm glad the Cards finally got there - it was an excellent game. Pittsburg was my pick, and I rooted for 'em, though the Cards were exciting to watch and started to root for them too!

Now, it's only March, still half a year away from the '09 season, alas...

So here's a thread to drop heads' ups on trades, predict Super Bowl contenders, etc.

For my money, NE will be tough...

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:01 am
by sgt.null
i pick the Patriots. if Brady comes back. and they should be able to get some defensive help in the draft. (i think Peppers is a pipe dream.)

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:11 am
by jacob Raver, sinTempter
sgt.null wrote:i pick the Patriots. if Brady comes back. and they should be able to get some defensive help in the draft. (i think Peppers is a pipe dream.)
Even with Cassell, they have a good chance, though they did finish against some weak teams with those last four wins and lost to the stronger teams, namely Pitts.

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:12 pm
by sgt.null
jacob Raver, sinTempter wrote:
sgt.null wrote:i pick the Patriots. if Brady comes back. and they should be able to get some defensive help in the draft. (i think Peppers is a pipe dream.)
Even with Cassell, they have a good chance, though they did finish against some weak teams with those last four wins and lost to the stronger teams, namely Pitts.
they traded Cassell to the Chiefs. 2nd round pick.

Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:27 pm
by jacob Raver, sinTempter
:huh:

Is Brady really that well? And only a 2nd?

Edit: what does the Watch think of the Colts in '09? Posers, again? or Contenders?

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:47 am
by Dromond
I live in Indy, and have for almost as long as the Colts have... born in Pittsburgh, spent the first 22 years of my life there.

I get that rare chance to really care about two (local) teams.

I say the Colts will have to over achieve to get in a late January game...

and the Steelers have as good a shot to repeat as anybody, all the tools are in place.

N.E. is probably the most talented, and damn, they keep getting stronger! I'd say Patriots are #1 & Steelers #2 in the AFC... But I think the dominating performance the Steelers gave to the Patriots last year sent a signal...Brady or no... You're fighting the top dog, not the other way around.

(It's been a decade long problem)

Can't wait to see.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:37 am
by Mr. Broken
Not a fan of the Steelers, or the Patriots, but I would have to say that the Brady to Moss long connection, is the most devestating weapon available to any team in the league. In my opinion had Brady been healthy last season the Lombardi Trophy would reside in New England.

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:41 pm
by jacob Raver, sinTempter
I'd have to agree with you, there...

Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:03 pm
by Mr. Broken
I would however add that the AFC East will be one of the more interesting divisions to watch next season, T.O. in Buffalo, Rex Ryan, and Bart Scott with the Jets, and Miami well they have "The Tuna". The Pats have been made way too comfortable in their neighborhood, maybe this year someone steps up.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:03 am
by sgt.null
Mr. Broken wrote:I would however add that the AFC East will be one of the more interesting divisions to watch next season, T.O. in Buffalo, Rex Ryan, and Bart Scott with the Jets, and Miami well they have "The Tuna". The Pats have been made way too comfortable in their neighborhood, maybe this year someone steps up.
no. Trent Edwards discovers the joy of TO. the Fins fall back to earth, Chad is still their qb. and the Jets just plain suck. Favre delayed the development of a qb for them. Pats rule.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:14 am
by Mr. Broken
Be that as it may, the Pats have had no competition inside their division in recent years, this as much as Brady, and Moss, has contributed to their success.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:18 am
by sgt.null
[quote="Mr. Broken"]Be that as it may, the Pats have had no competition inside their division in recent years, this as much as Brady, and Moss, has contributed to their success.[/q]

what division would have contained them? the fact remains that the Pats have been awesome. it should inspire other teams to get better.

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:33 am
by Mr. Broken
When 8 of 16 games are played against inferior teams, that tends to lead to success. Dont get me wrong Im not dissing the Patriots, I have given them ample credit, but take my Browns for example. They have made it far too easy for the Steelers to make the playoff's every year, and being in the same division with them and the Ravens, coupled with a horrible coaching performance of Romeo Crennel has impeded the development of the team. Im not convinced that the Steelers would have seen either of their recent SuperBowls, had teams inside their division given them any competition.

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:04 am
by Mr. Broken
For those people who doubt Mangini's ability to coach I have one name for you Josh Mcdaniels.

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:01 pm
by jacob Raver, sinTempter
I didn't know T.O. was in Buff...interesting...is this gonna be a MOss on the Raiders year for him?

Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:55 pm
by Mr. Broken
According to the Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin " Im not looking to make any friends in Cleveland " he was quoted as saying earlier at a press conference. That is good Mike because you wont find any. Apparently Tomlin doesnt think very highly of the Cleveland Browns, or the Cleveland Press, or people from Cleveland in general, and we are so hurt by this. Congratulations Mike you have found some success with the team you inherited from Cowher, too bad you didnt inherit any class with it.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:08 am
by Dromond
Mr. Broken wrote:According to the Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin " Im not looking to make any friends in Cleveland " he was quoted as saying earlier at a press conference. That is good Mike because you wont find any. Apparently Tomlin doesnt think very highly of the Cleveland Browns, or the Cleveland Press, or people from Cleveland in general, and we are so hurt by this. Congratulations Mike you have found some success with the team you inherited from Cowher, too bad you didnt inherit any class with it.
I find Tomlin to be a pretty classy guy... maybe you can elaborate on his quote, and link to it, because I don't see a whole lot of hurt in it as you've written it, other than you're trying hard to be hurt by it.

Or is this just that old quote some months back before they played each other in the last game of the season?

If so, he was being smart (even though he nearly lost Roethisberger on that hard hit that knocked him out of the game and from which he suffered a concussion) He was merely stating it was a big game given the rivalry(as evidenced by said hit in a *meaningless* game), getting his guys ready for the playoffs.

I do hope you're offering something different.

And you talk and talk about the importance of who the Browns coach is, how can you say he inherited that team? It is his team, and he put his stamp on it.

Emphatically, in my opinion.

I'll stand up and fight more for this guy than I will Cowher.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:23 am
by Mr. Broken
I dont have a link, but the quote stems from a question asked to Tomlin by a reporter about his treatment of Cleveland Plain Dealer reporter Terry Pluto a few weeks past. Apparently Tomlin was reluctant to acknowlege Pluto's questions once he found out the reporters affiliation. If you dont believe me ( first off I would be very hurt ) check out The Orange and Brown Report, thats where I found the quote in the Watercooler forum. If details are correct that would make this the second time he has openly dissed Cleveland, a city that also contains a large population of Steelers fans.

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:49 am
by Mr. Broken
Also I would like to add that he did inherit his current team, and the man who just one the Super Bowl doesnt need to start Sh@t with a team that just went 4-12, that doesnt scream class to me . But ok whatever . Until he made these comments I kind of admired the guy, wished Cleveland
had hired him, but my opinion of him lessened recently, as has my opinion of you Dromond for questioning my integrity. I will continue to "Talk, and Talk" about my team, and yours , if you dont like what I have to say prove me wrong it is as simple as that.

Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 8:06 am
by Dromond
Mr. Broken:
When I came to this thread just now to see if you responded to my last post, I was a little shocked...so I reread it, and was a little shocked again.
I owe you an apology.
While writing that post it didn't seem or feel near as mean spirited as it appears in retrospect. I searched and found nothing, so wrongly assumed you were bringing up old news.
Bad choice of words when I said "talk and talk"... I meant simply you've talked a lot about how important the head coach is and so I was a little perturbed you seemed to imply Tomlin was there on no merit of his own, ala Barry Switzer when he won with a dynasty in full bloom. That's how I took it. Maybe I was wrong there too.

Now I have little doubt Cleveland is Tomlin's least favorite team right now.
I guess someone has to be, and you can say that about any fan or coach.
I forget who hit Big ben, that last game of the year, and I have no doubt the hit was legal and clean, but some careers could have come unhinged on that hit, Tomlins' way up on the list. I'm sure it sticks in his craw. That hit seemed a little too enthusiastic for some, given the scenario.
I still withhold any negativity on Tomlin's part until I learn more. Maybe he didn't like the Man's questions, I don't know.

But you still have my respect as a knowlegable man of football. I hope to have yours.

EDIT: I did find this: from a local(Ohio) source
www.ohio.com/sports/browns/41869702.html