corta765

Some hosts I feel are made for certain environments. Schoop and Bulldog had a far more entertaining but seemingly thought out show when the drought exists. These days they feel like the same thing day in day out so I only tune in occasionally.

Agreed. The beauty of their current show is Howard being a bit more reserved in approach (so it is hilarious when he losses it) whereas Jeremy usually has the hotter take but he balances it well. Too many of their younger guys are too aggressive with no restraint to show some maturity. Geary would terrify me if he went in that roll as what he does now is OK in small doses but it is wayyy too much in large. I honestly would love to see them go out of market to bring someone not local in.

"The artist formerly known as Ethan in Portland"

I picked the Washington Sentinals #FalcoIsTheGOAT!

You could legitimately say the same about the Bills in 2020 as they beat held off the Phins week 2 in quasi shootout, the Rams last second, and needed a fumble against the Pats at home to win that game. I agree with you on point differential as I value you that pretty highly, but the Ravens have consistently been a high performing team for two decades now and since Lamar has arrived they have been even better. To me they have earned the right to be favored highly but I do think your points are valid. Rico and Machine Gun Kelly and I were commenting that the Ravens are probably holding back and stunting Lamar's growth as a passer by the lack of help WR. I understand the idea of trying to mold the offense in form of 2019 look wise, but Lamar can only go so far before his body will break down enough to neutralize some of his athleticism. I don't doubt he can be a great passer in a passing offense but it doesn't happen overnight and the longer they wait the more detrimental it is to them.

It is why I said they have the widest range of outcomes of any NFC team. The talent is there that if he plays at a high level they can easily be 11-12 wins and challenge TB for the division. He also could throw 30 INTs again and they go 6-11.

I would add the last thing the league wanted was the Watson story dragging into the season as a distraction of the regular season. They got a long enough suspension and large enough fine enough people will probably let it go when he returns. The only way at this point I can see this imploding again is if the Browns make the playoffs. IF that were to happen god knows how bad it will be for as long as they play.

The fact it has made it this long AND the conversation has been civil is rather remarkable

I generally think most NFL owners are all pretty dumb and brain dead/tonedeaf. But the Haslams, Ross, & Snyder reallyyy are another level of just putrid people. Haslam it isn't just this there has been a lot of pretty bad crap they've done prior.

11 games is also enough the story will die down enough to not be what it is now sadly.

Put the fans in instead lol

Yep but a lot can change in a year if Fields emerges and odds are the top two QBs go NFC in the draft it will look different. Also so QBs in the AFC I think will show maybe they are not as good as it seems, could be wrong.

My point is more the Rams are very star driven, but they don't have the best depth. That doesn't matter if your guys perform as they did last year, but at some point it can catch you a bit. I think Robinson is an insanely good fit in that offense which to me will be even better then last year. The defense is the area I look and wonder a bit, but they have the best defensive player like you said and Ramsey shuts down half the field so you can do a lot worse. To me he is the 21st century BB. The guy excels at finding matchups game in game out to exploit the way BB has for two decades. The difference is BB is more defensive in his approach, McVay is an offensive guy so the stuff he does is more exciting. It will be interesting to see how long he coaches for as he has a SB, has gone to two, and the rumors are he does not want to burn out and may leave in a few years kinda like John Madden did.

100% agree. We saw only a portion of what Vick could've been when he came back after prison. He evolved into a far better passer but you could see the time away and age limited his full potential. I 100% believe Lamar can unlock that if they move that direction, but that needs to be an organizational switch which having Greg Roman doesn't exactly fit as he is big about running the ball.

I can buy that they basically got a failing Cards squad, beat a Bucs team that was a asleep for 3 quarters, and then the 49ers blew and let them in to win. The SB was a good matchup for them as the worst element of CIN was their O Line and the best of LA was the D line. My only thing is the NFC only weakened this offseason including their own division with Wilson gone and I won't fully bet on SF until I see Lance for a few games.

I think part of sentiment for a year long suspension is literally get him away and let the story die. It is inevitable he will come back, but if you can get rid of it long enough when he returns it’s muted.

Curious your thoughts on Rams at 5? Sum of parts exceeded last year and now there more barren?

Lamar can throw it though I can see him transitioning to a pure passer. He does have maybe 3-4 years left with this style before it wears out like you said. Up to Baltimore and him to work that out.

We are at the point rosters are more or less set outside of some camp battles and you have a general idea of who most teams are. Given the moves this offseason across the conference and league I can't see much happening in preseason that will change peoples opinions. This is the NFC side of what I did yesterday so like I said agree, disagree, blame me for global warming (go wild), lets have some fun: Class of the NFC LA Rams - Defending SB champs have reloaded again with Robinson & Wagner coming in. They have some early injury questions with Stafford, Ramsey, & their RBs all having some nicks but overall they are a really sound team and roster that can easily run it back for another title. Tampa Bay- They got Brady who always means SB is a possible and basically are running back the same roster minus Bowles in as head coach which might be better in certain ways as Arians and Brady seem to have some issues last year. Green Bay- Outside of the WR corp the rest of the roster is stacked across the board and Rodgers is coming off two straight MVP awards. I question whether the WR corp without Adams can make up the difference to stay up with LA or TB (heck even PHI) and the Packers playoff performance as a team has left much to be desired for 3 years now. But they are a SB threat and no one would be surprised if GB is back in the title game. Massive Potential But... San Francisco- If you don't look at the QB position this is a SB caliber roster across the board that has been in the SB and NFC title game for 2 of the last 3 years. The question is how quickly Lance can grow into the starting role and whether he can do enough to support the rest of the roster aspirations. I think yes, but it is always easier said then done. Philadelphia- The Eagles probably overachieved making the playoffs last year, but the additions they made in the offseason ensure that is not the case this year. Jalen Hurts does many nice things and they have surrounded him with weapons while having coaching that maximizes his best competent. Can he take the next step where going head to head with Brady Stafford or Rodgers he can go the distance with the offense? Minnesota- The offense is loaded with playmakers, the QB statistically is good, and the new head coach comes from Sean McVay's tree of maximizing your players best attributes. The defense is a work in progress but this looks like a team that should be able to make some real strides, the question which ends up at Cousins feet is whether he can win the big games that seem to elude him when it matters. Paper Tigers Until Otherwise Arizona- For two straight years Arizona at midseason looked like a heavyweight only to collapse down the stretch with last year being even worse as they went from the 1 seed in the NFC to a wildcard after finishing 1-4 and bowing out with an awful lost in the postseason. Hopkins is out for the first 6 games, the Murray offseason wasn't exactly a great showing of unity by the team, and they feel like the 3rd best team in the division. This feels like the 2016 Bills where it is a prove it year for organization (coach and gm especially), but you don't have all of your resources to maximize the task in front of you. Dallas- Dallas has not made the NFC title since 96 and seemingly rotates between a good year and bad. Dak is a superb QB, but for some reason he always seems like he ends up on the wrong end at important times even when he does his job (2016 playoffs for example). I think Dallas and Dak will miss the consistency and presence of Amari Cooper and the depth across this roster feels light compared to their competitors. Also Mike McCarthy just seems to always want to force a sqaure peg in a round hole. New Orleans- I think this is actually a very improved roster that is pretty deep.... then you get to QB and throw your hands up expectation wise. Jameis was 5-2 when he went out with injury and seemed to mature as a QB. He also has never led a team to the postseason, is the charter member of the 30/30 club (TD/INT), and Sean Payton is not there to help scheme the offense. Andy Dalton is fine as a backup QB, but if he enters the game that is a bad thing for their season hopes. There may not be another team in the NFC with as wide a range of outcomes for the season. One Of These Teams Will Probably Make The Playoffs Because Football Is Weird Chicago Bears- The new GM and coach are trying their very best to build a cohesive team and program while having only one arm to fight with thanks to the prior GM. I think Fields has some true talent that can move the needle and Mooney/Kmet/Montgomery will help give him some weapons. The problem exists that their OL is a mess and the WR corp is barren after Mooney. That said their new coach is a defensive guru who did excellent as IND D coordinator and the Bears defense has a decent collection of talent. If they make the playoffs it is probably 2017 Bills style with an offense that can do enough complimented by solid defensive play and a little luck. Detroit Lions- The Lions are everyone's favorite team to say "Oh yea they can sneak in this year" between their draft additions and Hard Knocks. They finished 3-5-1 last year and were competitive in many games so maybe they are ready to really turn the corner. I still think they are more a year away as getting back to even 7-11 would be a pretty big improvement in itself, but I can 100% buy those who see this team ascending sooner as their offense quietly has many good skill position players. Finding a way to go 3-3 in division and over .500 at home while winning even two road games (0-8-1 last year) would do wonders in their playoff hopes. New York Giants- Schoen & Daboll are doing an honest reset right now with this entire roster, but they have talent in some areas and this division is pretty weak. IF ...IF Barkley is healthy I can easily see him eating carries while Jones is just asked to do enough passing wise with some designed runs mixed in. There defense got a superb addition with Kayvon Thibodeaux at DE and they were not an atrocious unit last year. I am a believer that a healthy culture across an org can help give a lift and the Giants seem to really be as an org having that. I am curious if that can translate to some early success on the field also. IF THE STARS ALIGN.. Probably Not Carolina Washington -They both are the same team to me. Each has a QB who has proven some past success to various degrees, but major question marks exist for each QB while their current clubs are hoping for a revival. The skill position players on each offense are anywhere from decent (CAR) to really good (WSH) so there is enough talent for each QB and neither schedule is daunting where if they made the playoffs it wouldn't be a complete shocker. Yet why does it feels like each team will finish 6-11/7-10 and you go "yeah they need to draft a new QB" while not having the draft capital to do so. Basically the drought era Bills from 2004-2009. Sprinting To The Draft Seattle- To recap they traded a QB who has averaged 11 wins a year as starter, who has averaged 26 TDs, and close to 4000 yds passing yards in a division with three playoff teams for draft picks, a few useful roster additions, and Drew Lock. Take a quick look at their schedule and tell me which games you would say they are favorites, I have three (*NYJ, CAR, & ATL). My conspiracy theory is they are tanking and resetting the deck without admitting it because no team can actually believe Geno Smith or Drew Lock is their long team answer. Atlanta- The Falcons know they are going to be bad and smartly are positioning themselves for the future by taking a poison year to clear cap space and start bringing in young talent. Pitts & 1st rnd pick Drake London create a wonderful skill base on offense for the future and if Mariota or Ridder finds a decent connection with both the Falcons may need to worry about winning enough games to stay out of the top 3 of the draft. Long term ATL could really turn around quick given the talent they are building up front if they do get a top QB pick in 2023.

Thanks dude I appreciate the level of respect and discussion everyone has shown without getting dumb about stuff it makes it really enjoyable. I guess I am not an IND fan and think they are team that gets more respect then warranted. I think their WR corp is questionable, Ryan is old, the OL is not as good, and their defense has older stars which is always risky. I say this and their going to go 12-5 lol. LAC I think take the division too, I really like Vegas but of the three LAC/KC/VEG I think they have the most to prove before you buy in.

So I listened to a guy on OBD who was a Ravens media member. They basically said Baltimore is going back to running 2 to 3 TE sets and the WR corp is not going to be featured as much as that is what gave the offense the most success in 2019 when they went wild. I still think ODB is an amazing fit there in every way and he eventually signs there in DEC. As I said I really like Lamar outside of when he plays the Bills and think he will get them over the top at some point. Chargers are tough because I don't like putting them that high as they haven't proven anything despite incredible talent. But I feel if I don't put them there they are winning the AFC and I will look Feb and go wtf was I thinking. The answer probably is the middle as they make the WC and win a game before falling out. I still think they have a major home field disadvantage which forever will be a problem because that does matter to some extent.

depends on how they lose. The PIT loss was a bad loss. If you lose 31-28 in the opener that is last second I’m probably fine. You lose 27-14 probably not happy

Honestly I can’t right now. It would be a very bad and sad situation

We are at the point rosters are more or less set outside of some camp battles and you have a general idea of who most teams are. Given the moves this offseason across the conference and league I can't see much happening in preseason that will change peoples opinions. I did this last year ranking each conference with a little blurb for each team. Today is the AFC and later the NFC this week. Agree, disagree, tell me I am idiot and the reason for all of the worlds issue, whatever lay out your thoughts lol: The Class of the AFC: Baltimore- Fun fact they were 8-3 and the 1 seed before the plague destroyed their team in 2021. Whether you love and don't love Lamar (count me as love) they have a strong defense and will impose their will. I believe they are due for a breakthrough postseason wise sooner then later Buffalo- Super Bowl or bust no way around it between the addition of Von Miller and overall depth that has been added Cincinnati- I think this Cincy team is better then last years but the record may only move up to 11-6 because of the division and conference. Regardless they are an explosive group Kansas City- Tyreek takes a scary factor away on offense, but Mahomes is still there and until they are out they are always what feels like the team to beat after 4 straight AFC titles. Los Angeles Chargers- Talent wise they can match anyone and they missed the playoffs off of playoff tiebreakers in 2021. I always question what they can do as ownership has forever been cheap and they have no homefield advantage in LA which feels like it will catch them. Either way if you said they are in the SB come February I wouldn't be the least bit shocked. Playoff Contenders Denver- Could Russ and crew take the crown year 1? Absolutely, but I think their best football will be in a year or two as a new coach and system is established. Regardless with Russ they are a playoff team. Las Vegas- If you think they should be up higher I wouldn't disagree. But I would like to see the Raiders do more then just a wildcard appearance as that has been it with Carr. Miami- Regardless of your belief in Tua (I think he's average with flashes) he just has a stacked lineup around him that he just needs to do enough to make the Phins a playoff team. Biggest issue is their schedule is a buzz saw up and down. Cleveland*- They are their own category as no one for sure knows how long Watson plays. On paper, strictly paper they are incredibly solid at every spot and Watson pushes them up. But football is loaded with teams who on paper look great and flame out because of pressure and noise. I think they lose Watson for 12 games and limp to a 7-10 season as the pressure and noise mixed with no Watson beats them down. Could they do better? 100% but I honestly think no one has a solid read here. Could be a playoff team, Could be 6-11 Indianapolis Colts- If you buy Matt Ryan then they are a playoff contender, if you think he is past his prime they need the collective whole to carry this team. I am not a fan of their WR corp and I don't know how much more Taylor can do to carry the load. Jacksonville Jaguars- Doug Pederson has take a young QB and went places before and now has one who pure talent wise is better then Wentz. I can easily see the Jags offense becoming good pretty quick if they can help build Lawrence confidence and decision making up. Urban wrecked things so bad people forget the hype and talent T Law has. The major question is if the defense can go from being an EZ-Pass to something that can hang around in games. For the record they are my dark horse pick this year and I have them winning the South. New England Patriots- I actually think Mac Jones is pretty decent and could have a better year. I also look at what NE surrounded him with and outside of a Marino type heroic performance they have a tall task to compete to the playoffs. BB can only do so much to cover their holes against an AFC loaded with fast aggressive offenses and defenses not based in 1990 conservative football. Pittsburgh Steelers- Their skill position group on offense can make noise, can Mitch or Kenny drive the car fast enough to stay up with the rest of their division? The defense will do enough to keep them in games, it is on the offense being potent enough. Tennessee Titans- There is data that Derrick Henry already has started to decline going back to last year. They look weaker across the board and while I love Bobby Woods he is not AJ Brown. Their playoff hopes hinge on the Colts staying neutral and winning the division. On To The Draft Houston- A successful season could be 3-14 as Mills shows he can be the guy and the rookies develop OR Mills isn't the guy and the rest of the young roster improves while getting a top 3 pick for QB NY Jets- They already had a daunting task before the Wilson injury with the way the AFC is. Now you hope Wilson shows tangible improvement in less games then desired played, the offense has some pep while the defense becomes a formidable unit, and they finish 5-11 while getting wins over MIA and NE at home.

His point makes a lot of sense and Peter King spoke of this in his column this week. The hall use to be for true greats or players who defined their spot. I was fine with Terrell Davis making it in because he was a true great that was only limited by injuries. That is not weakening the hall to me, that is including someone who deserves it that had a crappy bit of luck. Per Peter King in the 1970s 43 men were enshrined, 1980s 45, in the last 16 months 36 new enshrined members. Some of this was because the Centennial class was suppose to bring in a lot of older type guys but only 4 of the 15 members were from the first 40 years. Figure coaches like Dick Vermil and Bill Cowher both made it in with a SB win and 120 wins. To me neither of them were greats, they were really good with their moments. To me HOF is suppose to be greats and societies switch to win or nothing has kind of caused this watered down effect. Pete Carrol and Mike McCarthy both have rings and over a 120+ wins and in no way should either see the hall of fame. It is why I am not for Eli Manning getting into the hall of fame as he was mostly an above average QB with two big moments. He was never one of the top 5 QBs consistently during his time which should be standard held for entering.