Five In Five Out
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Here is my own crapshoot on this subject:
A. Believe it or not I think the SB Champs may be out. They were only 9-7 when they got hot.
Complacency may set in, plus the typical bugaboos that hurt title teams: too many "star" players wanting to be the star....and get more money. It has already started with Umenioria?
B. I think the Saints will be out. Their HC not there. Players suspended, turmoil etc. The Falcons will take the division, plus Carolina and TB will be stronger
C. The Broncos will fall short I believe despite the presence of Peyton Manning.
D & E. Two of the three from the AFCN will not return, though I am not sure which ones. However, I am leaning on the Bengals as NOT being the one that doesn't make it. I think age in certain critical positions will hurt both the Ravens and Steelers (by this I mean they will too old in certain spots, and too young in others)(but I am still shaky on this position)
So, that means that in the AFC the Pats, Bengals, and Texans return. With Matt Schaub at QB the Texans may be the top team in the conference. The Pats still have Brady, don't they? They will win. The 49ers have no viable competiton in their division from what I can see. I see the Packers and Lions both going back but they will have to hold off a tough Bears team to do if, assuming Cutler is healthy. Falcons return in the AFC South.
New teams: In the NFC, the Cowboys and Eagles replace Saints and Giants.
In the AFC: The Titans, Chargers, and Jets replace the Steelers, Ravens, Broncos.....yet, honestly, having typed this....I am not at all confident in these choices. There is no faith in Norv Turner, and the Bengals are the Bengals, meaning they have been a roller coaster team for a decade under Marvin Lewis. Is there reason to believe this will change? Perhaps in Dalton and Green. WTF, who knows.
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AFCE: Patriots.
I just don't see the Jets, Bills or Dolphins overtaking them this year. I believe the Bills have a chance at a wildcard.
AFCN: Steelers
The Steelers will not have a #1 defense this year, but the players remaining are projected to be healthy. I think that despite the loses the Steelers will have a #6 rated defense. Offensively, I expect them to explode and be comparable to the Pats/Packers. The Ravens will contend for a wildcard spot. I don't see the Bengals as competitors so the Bengals are out (1). However, the Ravens have a pretty long streak a making the play-offs so they are bound for a down year, but it will come down to the wire for them. The Ravens are out (2)
AFCS: Titans
The Texans took a huge defensive blow this past off-season, and I think their defense carried them last year with the QB carosel. I believe the Titans improved enough to win the division. The Colts and Jags have no chance at the post-season. The Texans are out (3).
AFCW: Broncos
This division appears to be the strongest AFC division in 2012, so picking a winner is a bit cloudy. The Broncos were lucky to get in last year, but they've improved at QB and Peyton always seems to put up double digit wins in a season. The Raiders and Chargers should be competitors for a wild-card spot.
NFCE: Cowboys
I don't like the Cowboys, but they have the most talent in the divison. NY took some big free agent hits and as the Gipper said, they got lucky at the right time last year. I think Philly will post as a wildcard team. NYG are out (4)
NFCN: Green Bay
This is probably the most competitive division in the NFC for 2012. The Bears and Lions will be vying for play-off spots. I just don't see any team better than GB and nothing has really changed this off-season to demonstrate that GB would come out on top.
NFCS: Atlanta.
This seems like a weak division to me. Carolina's QB put up some impressive numbers last year, but I still don't think they are contenders. I just don't see the Saints overcoming bounty-gate, and Tampa Bay doesn't appear to be moving up the food chain. Saints are out (5).
NFCW: San Francisco
I don't think the Cards or Seahawks are contenders. I think St. Louis under the leadership of Fischer will make the play-offs as a wild card.
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Summary:
AFC
1st Seed: Steelers
2nd Seed: Broncos
3rd Seed: Patriots
4th Seed: Titans
5th Seed: Chargers
6th Seed: Bills
NFC:
1st Seed: 49ers
2nd Seed: Packers
3rd Seed: Cowboys
4th Seed: Atlanta
5th Seed: St. Louis
6th Seed: Detriot
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5 out:
Broncos, Bengals, Steelers
Saints, Lions
5 in:
Raiders, Jets, Chargers
Panthers, Bears
It's so hard to predict NFL...
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AFCE: Patriots.
I just don't see the Jets, Bills or Dolphins overtaking them this year. I believe the Bills have a chance at a wildcard.
AFCN: Steelers
The Steelers will not have a #1 defense this year, but the players remaining are projected to be healthy. I think that despite the loses the Steelers will have a #6 rated defense. Offensively, I expect them to explode and be comparable to the Pats/Packers. The Ravens will contend for a wildcard spot. I don't see the Bengals as competitors so the Bengals are out (1). However, the Ravens have a pretty long streak a making the play-offs so they are bound for a down year, but it will come down to the wire for them. The Ravens are out (2)
AFCS: Titans
The Texans took a huge defensive blow this past off-season, and I think their defense carried them last year with the QB carosel. I believe the Titans improved enough to win the division. The Colts and Jags have no chance at the post-season. The Texans are out (3).
AFCW: Broncos
This division appears to be the strongest AFC division in 2012, so picking a winner is a bit cloudy. The Broncos were lucky to get in last year, but they've improved at QB and Peyton always seems to put up double digit wins in a season. The Raiders and Chargers should be competitors for a wild-card spot.
NFCE: Cowboys
I don't like the Cowboys, but they have the most talent in the divison. NY took some big free agent hits and as the Gipper said, they got lucky at the right time last year. I think Philly will post as a wildcard team. NYG are out (4)
NFCN: Green Bay
This is probably the most competitive division in the NFC for 2012. The Bears and Lions will be vying for play-off spots. I just don't see any team better than GB and nothing has really changed this off-season to demonstrate that GB would come out on top.
NFCS: Atlanta.
This seems like a weak division to me. Carolina's QB put up some impressive numbers last year, but I still don't think they are contenders. I just don't see the Saints overcoming bounty-gate, and Tampa Bay doesn't appear to be moving up the food chain. Saints are out (5).
NFCW: San Francisco
I don't think the Cards or Seahawks are contenders. I think St. Louis under the leadership of Fischer will make the play-offs as a wild card.
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Summary:
AFC
1st Seed: Steelers
2nd Seed: Broncos
3rd Seed: Patriots
4th Seed: Titans
5th Seed: Chargers
6th Seed: Bills
NFC:
1st Seed: 49ers
2nd Seed: Packers
3rd Seed: Cowboys
4th Seed: Atlanta
5th Seed: St. Louis
6th Seed: Detriot
Endymion said:
AFCE: Patriots.
AFCN: Steelers
The Steelers will not have a #1 defense this year, but the players remaining are projected to be healthy. I think that despite the loses the Steelers will have a #6 rated defense. Offensively, I expect them to explode and be comparable to the Pats/Packers. The Ravens will contend for a wildcard spot. I don't see the Bengals as competitors so the Bengals are out (1). However, the Ravens have a pretty long streak a making the play-offs so they are bound for a down year, but it will come down to the wire for them. The Ravens are out (2)
Sure, the Ravens beat you twice last year- once in a blowout- but you're still better. Whatever. Both teams have issues with aging (or stars coming off injuries issues).
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ESPN has been showing this feature the last couple of weeks or so, so why don't we give it a crack:
For 16 consecutive years at least 5 or more of the playoff teams from the previous season failed to make the playoffs the following year. So, the question here is: which 5 or more that were in last year will be out this coming year. Hear are the teams that were in last year:
AFC: Texans, Broncos, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Patriots
NFC: Saints, Lions, Falcons, Packers, 49ers, Giants
Who do you think will be out, and why?
I guess the other side of that coin is: which 5 teams will be in that were out last year?
ESPN has been showing this feature the last couple of weeks or so, so why don't we give it a crack:
For 16 consecutive years at least 5 or more of the playoff teams from the previous season failed to make the playoffs the following year. So, the question here is: which 5 or more that were in last year will be out this coming year. Hear are the teams that were in last year:
AFC: Texans, Broncos, Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Patriots
NFC: Saints, Lions, Falcons, Packers, 49ers, Giants
Who do you think will be out, and why?
I guess the other side of that coin is: which 5 teams will be in that were out last year?
Five Out: Bengals, Steelers, Broncos, Lions, Giants
Five In: Browns, Chargers, Jets, Eagles, Cowboys
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I wouldn't be too surprised if Cam Newton gets his Panthers in the playoffs this year.
Jeff Fischer may motivate the Rams into the playoffs.
Chargers and Bears should climb back in this year also.
Bengals i hope regress. Saints have alot of turmoil. Atlanta won't sneak in there this year. Texans will wilt.
Steelers all contract HIV and are banned from the playoffs.
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Five Out: Bengals, Steelers, Lions, Giants, Saints
Five In: Bears, Bills, Eagles, Redskins, Rams/Browns
The Browns and Rams were both bottom 5 teams last year. The past few years a bottom five team has jumped into the playoff picture. Hoping it is us obviously. I know we will surprise people this year but I don't if it is to the extent of a playoff push.
ex: Broncos and Bengals went from bottom 5 to playoff spots last year. Kansas City did it the year before, Bengals the year before that, and Miami in 2007.
Bengals and Bears also seem to switch being good and bad every other year. This year the Bears should step it up.
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Five Out: Bengals, Steelers, Lions, Giants, Saints
Five In: Bears, Bills, Eagles, Redskins, Rams/Browns
The Browns and Rams were both bottom 5 teams last year. The past few years a bottom five team has jumped into the playoff picture. Hoping it is us obviously. I know we will surprise people this year but I don't if it is to the extent of a playoff push.
ex: Broncos and Bengals went from bottom 5 to playoff spots last year. Kansas City did it the year before, Bengals the year before that, and Miami in 2007.
Bengals and Bears also seem to switch being good and bad every other year. This year the Bears should step it up.
Five Out: Bengals, Steelers, Lions, Giants, Saints
Five In: Bears, Bills, Eagles, Redskins, Rams/Browns
The Browns and Rams were both bottom 5 teams last year. The past few years a bottom five team has jumped into the playoff picture. Hoping it is us obviously. I know we will surprise people this year but I don't if it is to the extent of a playoff push.
ex: Broncos and Bengals went from bottom 5 to playoff spots last year. Kansas City did it the year before, Bengals the year before that, and Miami in 2007.
Interesting point. That is not something I knew. I will have to look that up more.
Bengals and Bears also seem to switch being good and bad every other year. This year the Bears should step it up.
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Over the last 16 seasons, 13 out of the 16 seasons did in fact have a bottom five team (a team whose record gave them a top 5 draft pick) make it to the playoffs the following season. One of the exceptions was the 6th overall pick by the Bengals in 2009 that was due to their tie with the Eagles that season which made their record technically better than the 4-12 teams that year, keeping them out of the top 5 in the draft. By moving it to the first 6 picks in the draft (which would account for teams with bottom 5 records being out due to tiebreakers and coin flips) there would have been 20 teams who had bottom 5 records who made the playoffs the following year in the last 16 seasons. Even for those skeptical, 16 teams with actual bottom 5 records with top 5 draft picks made the play offs through that span. And all but the 2001 season and 2002 season did a team with at least a top 6 pick in the draft not make the playoffs the next season.
Below is the past 16 season showing what teams went from having one of the bottom 5 records in the league to a playoff team, it also shows what pick they had and who they drafted:
(excluding 2001 and 2002 where both teams were tied for the 6th worst record in the NFL.)
2010/2011: Broncos (4-12/8-8) 2nd overall (Von Miller), Bengals (4-12/9-7) 4th overall (AJ Green)
2009/2010: Chiefs (4-12/10-6) 5th overall (Eric Berry)
2008/2009: Bengals (4-11-1/10-6) 6th overall (Andre Smith)
2007/2008: Dolphins (1-16/11-5) 1st overall (Jake Long)
2006/2007: Bucaneers (5-11/9-7) 4th overall, Redskins (5-11/9-7) 6th
2005/2006: Saints (3-13/10-6) 2nd overall (Reggie Bush), Jets (4-12/10-6) 4th overall D'Brickashaw Ferguson)
2004/2005: Bears (5-11/11-5) 4th overall (Cedric Benson), Bucaneers (5-11/11-5) 5th overall (Cadillac Williams)
2003/2004: Chargers (4-12/12-4) 1st overall (Eli Manning trade for Phillip Rivers)
2002/2003: Cowboys (5-11/10-6) 5th overall (Terrence Newman)
2001/2002: None (Colts 6-10/10-6) 11th Overall (Dwight Freeney)
2000/2001: None (Bears 5-11/13-3) 8th overall (David Terrell)
1999/2000: Eagles (5-11/11-5) 6th overall (Todd Pinkston), Saints (3-13/10-6) 2nd overall (Trade to Redskins)
1998/1999: Colts (3-13/13-3) 4th overall (Edgerrin James), Rams (4-12/13-3) 6th overall (Torry Holt)
1997/1998: Cardinals (4-12/9-7) 2nd overall pick (trade with San Diego for 3rd overall, Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf)
1996/1997: Lions (5-11/9-7) 5th overall Pick (Bryant Westbrook)
1995/1996: Jaguars (4-12/9-7) 2nd Overall pick (Kevin Hardy)
My prediction is either the Rams or Browns are the bottom 5 team from last year to step it up. I cannot see the others having that much success yet and if this trend stays true then we may be in for a very surprising season. The bottom 5 teams being the Colts, Rams, Vikings, Browns, Buccaneers.
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AFC out:
broncos were a fluke last year. see ya.
ravens defense is getting too old. out.
texans, bengals, chargers, patriots and buffalo in.
NFC out:
saints too much shite going on.
lions will be hit with suspensions which will affect their outcome.
falcons, packers, bears, giants and 49ers in.
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Endymion said:
AFCE: Patriots.
AFCN: Steelers
The Steelers will not have a #1 defense this year, but the players remaining are projected to be healthy. I think that despite the loses the Steelers will have a #6 rated defense. Offensively, I expect them to explode and be comparable to the Pats/Packers. The Ravens will contend for a wildcard spot. I don't see the Bengals as competitors so the Bengals are out (1). However, the Ravens have a pretty long streak a making the play-offs so they are bound for a down year, but it will come down to the wire for them. The Ravens are out (2)
Sure, the Ravens beat you twice last year- once in a blowout- but you're still better. Whatever. Both teams have issues with aging (or stars coming off injuries issues).
Sure, the Ravens beat you twice last year- once in a blowout- but you're still better. Whatever. Both teams have issues with aging (or stars coming off injuries issues).
The Ravens took some defensive hits in free agency. First, they've lost another defensive coordinator and have taken some hits on defense (Redding and Johnson). Plus the injury to Suggs will further hamper their defense in the early part of the season. Mr. Lewis ain't no spring chicken either. So defensively, I think the Ravens are worse off than the Steelers and I think they will have trouble stopping the run. Flacco doesn't impress me.
The Steelers have bolstered their offensive line this off-season. Ben should be better protected. Haley can work miracles with a QB and improve Ben's release (see our game versus the Patriots last year). The Steelers have a strong recieving core and IMO a top 5 QB. There's no reason for the offense to regress, and we can't possibly have any worse an injury situation in 2012 than we've had in 2011 or 2010.
Besides 2011 ain't 2012. Just cause we lost twice to the Ravens last year does not mean we will lose any games to them in 2012. The Ravens have the longest active play-off streak at 4 seasons. It's tough (but not impossible) to keep that going. Only a dozen teams have six or more consecutive seasons.
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@mike-h said:
Browns in, Pisspuke to the cellar.
Endymion cries himself to sleep.
While you may hate Pittsburgh's sports teams, I do not inherently hate Cleveland's sports teams. I would have no problem seeing the Browns make it into the play-offs. However, I do not believe the Browns are capable of making the play-offs in 2012.
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@king-ghoolie-lives said:
Frankly, I see teh Steelers in a downhill spiral. Tomlin inherited a winner, but year by year, little-by-little, the Steelers of today are nowhere near the intensity level Cower's teams were. You can see that whatever recipe they had, is slowly turning to shit. Ben is close to the end of his road and probably will suffer othopaedic troubles this year.
Screw whoever else is making the playoffs, I know this much......... The Browns are in and the Vermin are out.
SO let it be written.
I don't know about that. Tomlin isn't the scream in your face intensity guy that Cowher was, but I looked into it a few monthes ago and I don't think his drafts have been any worse than Cowhers. Maybe it has more to do with their FO/ownership than Tomlin, that I don't know. But there hasn't been much of a dropoff in the results.
Their defense has definitely lost a step as a unit and it wouldn't surprise me if they miss the playoffs this year. But a downward spiral as a franchise just doesn't seem to be the near future for them.
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AFC
1st Seed: Broncos
2nd Seed: Patriots
3rd Seed: Ravens
4th Seed: Texans
5th Seed: Chiefs
6th Seed: Bills
NFC:
1st Seed: Packers
2nd Seed: Cowboys
3rd Seed: 49ers
4th Seed: Buccaneers
5th Seed: Eagles
6th Seed: Panthers
I have some reaches but I firmly believe in those reaches.
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Over the last 16 seasons, 13 out of the 16 seasons did in fact have a bottom five team (a team whose record gave them a top 5 draft pick) make it to the playoffs the following season. One of the exceptions was the 6th overall pick by the Bengals in 2009 that was due to their tie with the Eagles that season which made their record technically better than the 4-12 teams that year, keeping them out of the top 5 in the draft. By moving it to the first 6 picks in the draft (which would account for teams with bottom 5 records being out due to tiebreakers and coin flips) there would have been 20 teams who had bottom 5 records who made the playoffs the following year in the last 16 seasons. Even for those skeptical, 16 teams with actual bottom 5 records with top 5 draft picks made the play offs through that span. And all but the 2001 season and 2002 season did a team with at least a top 6 pick in the draft not make the playoffs the next season.
Below is the past 16 season showing what teams went from having one of the bottom 5 records in the league to a playoff team, it also shows what pick they had and who they drafted:
(excluding 2001 and 2002 where both teams were tied for the 6th worst record in the NFL.)
2010/2011: Broncos (4-12/8-8) 2nd overall (Von Miller), Bengals (4-12/9-7) 4th overall (AJ Green)
2009/2010: Chiefs (4-12/10-6) 5th overall (Eric Berry)
2008/2009: Bengals (4-11-1/10-6) 6th overall (Andre Smith)
2007/2008: Dolphins (1-16/11-5) 1st overall (Jake Long)
2006/2007: Bucaneers (5-11/9-7) 4th overall, Redskins (5-11/9-7) 6th
2005/2006: Saints (3-13/10-6) 2nd overall (Reggie Bush), Jets (4-12/10-6) 4th overall D'Brickashaw Ferguson)
2004/2005: Bears (5-11/11-5) 4th overall (Cedric Benson), Bucaneers (5-11/11-5) 5th overall (Cadillac Williams)
2003/2004: Chargers (4-12/12-4) 1st overall (Eli Manning trade for Phillip Rivers)
2002/2003: Cowboys (5-11/10-6) 5th overall (Terrence Newman)
2001/2002: None (Colts 6-10/10-6) 11th Overall (Dwight Freeney)
2000/2001: None (Bears 5-11/13-3) 8th overall (David Terrell)
1999/2000: Eagles (5-11/11-5) 6th overall (Todd Pinkston), Saints (3-13/10-6) 2nd overall (Trade to Redskins)
1998/1999: Colts (3-13/13-3) 4th overall (Edgerrin James), Rams (4-12/13-3) 6th overall (Torry Holt)
1997/1998: Cardinals (4-12/9-7) 2nd overall pick (trade with San Diego for 3rd overall, Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf)
1996/1997: Lions (5-11/9-7) 5th overall Pick (Bryant Westbrook)
1995/1996: Jaguars (4-12/9-7) 2nd Overall pick (Kevin Hardy)
My prediction is either the Rams or Browns are the bottom 5 team from last year to step it up. I cannot see the others having that much success yet and if this trend stays true then we may be in for a very surprising season. The bottom 5 teams being the Colts, Rams, Vikings, Browns, Buccaneers.
Over the last 16 seasons, 13 out of the 16 seasons did in fact have a bottom five team (a team whose record gave them a top 5 draft pick) make it to the playoffs the following season. One of the exceptions was the 6th overall pick by the Bengals in 2009 that was due to their tie with the Eagles that season which made their record technically better than the 4-12 teams that year, keeping them out of the top 5 in the draft. By moving it to the first 6 picks in the draft (which would account for teams with bottom 5 records being out due to tiebreakers and coin flips) there would have been 20 teams who had bottom 5 records who made the playoffs the following year in the last 16 seasons. Even for those skeptical, 16 teams with actual bottom 5 records with top 5 draft picks made the play offs through that span. And all but the 2001 season and 2002 season did a team with at least a top 6 pick in the draft not make the playoffs the next season.
Below is the past 16 season showing what teams went from having one of the bottom 5 records in the league to a playoff team, it also shows what pick they had and who they drafted:
(excluding 2001 and 2002 where both teams were tied for the 6th worst record in the NFL.)
2010/2011: Broncos (4-12/8-8) 2nd overall (Von Miller), Bengals (4-12/9-7) 4th overall (AJ Green)
2009/2010: Chiefs (4-12/10-6) 5th overall (Eric Berry)
2008/2009: Bengals (4-11-1/10-6) 6th overall (Andre Smith)
2007/2008: Dolphins (1-16/11-5) 1st overall (Jake Long)
2006/2007: Bucaneers (5-11/9-7) 4th overall, Redskins (5-11/9-7) 6th
2005/2006: Saints (3-13/10-6) 2nd overall (Reggie Bush), Jets (4-12/10-6) 4th overall D'Brickashaw Ferguson)
2004/2005: Bears (5-11/11-5) 4th overall (Cedric Benson), Bucaneers (5-11/11-5) 5th overall (Cadillac Williams)
2003/2004: Chargers (4-12/12-4) 1st overall (Eli Manning trade for Phillip Rivers)
2002/2003: Cowboys (5-11/10-6) 5th overall (Terrence Newman)
2001/2002: None (Colts 6-10/10-6) 11th Overall (Dwight Freeney)
2000/2001: None (Bears 5-11/13-3) 8th overall (David Terrell)
1999/2000: Eagles (5-11/11-5) 6th overall (Todd Pinkston), Saints (3-13/10-6) 2nd overall (Trade to Redskins)
1998/1999: Colts (3-13/13-3) 4th overall (Edgerrin James), Rams (4-12/13-3) 6th overall (Torry Holt)
1997/1998: Cardinals (4-12/9-7) 2nd overall pick (trade with San Diego for 3rd overall, Chargers drafted Ryan Leaf)
1996/1997: Lions (5-11/9-7) 5th overall Pick (Bryant Westbrook)
1995/1996: Jaguars (4-12/9-7) 2nd Overall pick (Kevin Hardy)
My prediction is either the Rams or Browns are the bottom 5 team from last year to step it up. I cannot see the others having that much success yet and if this trend stays true then we may be in for a very surprising season. The bottom 5 teams being the Colts, Rams, Vikings, Browns, Buccaneers.
Nice work. I might also point out that the Patriots in 2000 were I believe 5-11. The next year they won the Super Bowl. Though I think a 199th draft pick had as much to do with that improvement as a top 5 pick.
That just bolsters the proposition that indeed, apparently a "bottom 5" team from one year can and do jump into playoff spots. Maybe it is the Browns turn to do that.
(though...perhaps they did do that in 2002?)
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AFC out:
broncos were a fluke last year. see ya.
ravens defense is getting too old. out.
texans, bengals, chargers, patriots and buffalo in.
NFC out:
saints too much shite going on.
lions will be hit with suspensions which will affect their outcome.
falcons, packers, bears, giants and 49ers in.
AFC out:
broncos were a fluke last year. see ya.
ravens defense is getting too old. out.
texans, bengals, chargers, patriots and buffalo in.
NFC out:
saints too much shite going on.
lions will be hit with suspensions which will affect their outcome.
falcons, packers, bears, giants and 49ers in.
You are missing a team from each conference. It would appear that you believe the Steelers will make it as they were in last year and you didn't say they would be out. Plus yo will need to choose another in team from the NFC.
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Sure, the Ravens beat you twice last year- once in a blowout- but you're still better. Whatever. Both teams have issues with aging (or stars coming off injuries issues).
The Ravens took some defensive hits in free agency. First, they've lost another defensive coordinator and have taken some hits on defense (Redding and Johnson). Plus the injury to Suggs will further hamper their defense in the early part of the season. Mr. Lewis ain't no spring chicken either. So defensively, I think the Ravens are worse off than the Steelers and I think they will have trouble stopping the run. Flacco doesn't impress me.
The Steelers have bolstered their offensive line this off-season. Ben should be better protected. Haley can work miracles with a QB and improve Ben's release (see our game versus the Patriots last year). The Steelers have a strong recieving core and IMO a top 5 QB. There's no reason for the offense to regress, and we can't possibly have any worse an injury situation in 2012 than we've had in 2011 or 2010.
Besides 2011 ain't 2012. Just cause we lost twice to the Ravens last year does not mean we will lose any games to them in 2012. The Ravens have the longest active play-off streak at 4 seasons. It's tough (but not impossible) to keep that going. Only a dozen teams have six or more consecutive seasons.
Endymion said:
The Ravens took some defensive hits in free agency. First, they've lost another defensive coordinator and have taken some hits on defense (Redding and Johnson). Plus the injury to Suggs will further hamper their defense in the early part of the season. Mr. Lewis ain't no spring chicken either. So defensively, I think the Ravens are worse off than the Steelers and I think they will have trouble stopping the run. Flacco doesn't impress me.
I pretty much agree with this.
The Steelers have bolstered their offensive line this off-season. Ben should be better protected. Haley can work miracles with a QB and improve Ben's release (see our game versus the Patriots last year). The Steelers have a strong recieving core and IMO a top 5 QB. There's no reason for the offense to regress, and we can't possibly have any worse an injury situation in 2012 than we've had in 2011 or 2010.
Here, much of your offensive line will be young...so it remains to be seen how good they will be. They may or may not be much of an improvement.
On your receiving corps you did lose your glue in Ward. Who knows what affect that may have on that unit. My belief is that it weakens them. Yes, Haley should be an improvement.
But don't count on having a better injury situation. Any number of times we thought the Browns injury situation couldn't get worse.....and it just got worse.
Besides 2011 ain't 2012. Just cause we lost twice to the Ravens last year does not mean we will lose any games to them in 2012. The Ravens have the longest active play-off streak at 4 seasons. It's tough (but not impossible) to keep that going. Only a dozen teams have six or more consecutive seasons.
Again, don't assume that because one of the other teams in the division may be worse that your team may also not be worse.
How many times over the past decade have we said that he talent gap between the Browns and everyone else is closing.....yet it never close. Don't assume dick.
By the way....I think the talent gap between the Browns and the rest of the division is closing.
I'm a Glutton for punishment I guess.PS. I started reading Dan Simmons "Flashback" book. Only a few pages in. I did note that the one character's name is Hiroshi "Hiro" Nakamura. Same name as the guy from Heroes.
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@mike-h said:
Browns in, Pisspuke to the cellar.
Endymion cries himself to sleep.
While you may hate Pittsburgh's sports teams, I do not inherently hate Cleveland's sports teams. I would have no problem seeing the Browns make it into the play-offs. However, I do not believe the Browns are capable of making the play-offs in 2012.
Endymion said:
While you may hate Pittsburgh's sports teams, I do not inherently hate Cleveland's sports teams. I would have no problem seeing the Browns make it into the play-offs. However, I do not believe the Browns are capable of making the play-offs in 2012.
When the Browns win 8-10 Super Bowls here you will begin hating them
I would hope, as I said, talent wise that they have closed the gap to a potential playoff caliber team. Yet, the fact is, so much of their talent is young. A three year veteran on this team is an old timer. At least half their starters will be first or second year players.
I would hope that starting a year from now they would be a constant playoff threat.
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