Manther Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 1. SF - and it's not even close Others that have had notable net losses (in no particular order): Pittsburgh Baltimore New Orleans Denver (thanks to losing their LT) Detroit Cleveland (if Josh Gordon's suspension is included) Here is a link for some team by team info: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2474992-recapping-every-teams-key-additions-and-losses I think Piitsburg and Baltimore too, but, they always seem to replenish well. That is until they don't. Maybe Baltimore has lost too much over the years. I also don't think Tomlin is as good as Cowher was so we may continue to see them not replenish with ease.
Big C Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 I think Piitsburg and Baltimore too, but, they always seem to replenish well. That is until they don't. Maybe Baltimore has lost too much over the years. I also don't think Tomlin is as good as Cowher was so we may continue to see them not replenish with ease. Eh, I still think they both have solid rosters. Pittsburgh's secondary is suspect, but losing Polamalu isn't such a big deal - the guy was long past his peak. As long as Big Ben, Brown and Bell do their thing, they will be in it. Baltimore's success will come down to whether or not Forsett can remain productive and if their new draftees Perriman and Williams can get involved right away. These franchises have just been too consistent to count against. Tomlin might not be as good as Cowher, but he also has never endured a losing season at the helm. Thank Big Ben for that too, sure.
BarleyNY Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 I think Piitsburg and Baltimore too, but, they always seem to replenish well. That is until they don't. Maybe Baltimore has lost too much over the years. I also don't think Tomlin is as good as Cowher was so we may continue to see them not replenish with ease. I agree on the coaches. I wonder if the HGH testing is making it harder for some of these teams to replenish their rosters. For example there are a lot of rumors - and facts - out of Pittsburgh, including former team doctor Rydze, Worlids, etc. Eh, I still think they both have solid rosters. Pittsburgh's secondary is suspect, but losing Polamalu isn't such a big deal - the guy was long past his peak. As long as Big Ben, Brown and Bell do their thing, they will be in it. Baltimore's success will come down to whether or not Forsett can remain productive and if their new draftees Perriman and Williams can get involved right away. These franchises have just been too consistent to count against. Tomlin might not be as good as Cowher, but he also has never endured a losing season at the helm. Thank Big Ben for that too, sure. I took the question as which teams took the biggest step back this offseason. Big Ben has covered a lot of issues on that team along with Brown. But they lost a lot on defense this offseason: Polamalu, Worlids, Kiesel and both starting CBs (even if they weren't great). The offense only lost Lance Moore so that will keep them competitive and they'll still do ok as a team because of it, but that defense just took a big hit. I did not care much for their draft so I don't see much help there.
OCinBuffalo Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 (edited) 1. Patriots. To be fair, any SB winning team is almost assuredly going to take a step back. The other teams go after their UFAs, and the players are looking to cash in on their rings. However, the Pats secondary is, in every way, a self-induced dumpster fire. Not only did they lose their #1 and 2 DBs, by not even trying to keep them, they released their #3. They got: a 2nd round reach S who is 3rd string on their depth chart, and a 7th round CB who is 2nd string, in the draft. They had JAGs and practice squad promotions. Now, UDFAs, and street free agents comprise their options. Unless they want to get ripped off in a trade, or find another team's miscreant/trouble maker == get lucky? They have no choice but to play zone most of the year, and do very little blitzing. This is why drafting a true cover CB is never a bad thing. IF the Pats* win at all, they will beat the O/U every time. Scores of 42-35, etc. Brady will have to average 3 TDs per game when he comes back. I am just as sure Brady can do it, as I am sure Garappolo cannot, which is why the Pats could easily be looking at 1-3(Steelers home, Bills away, Jags home, Cowboys away) when Brady gets back. Imagine if they lose to the Jags. This era's Pats team, after winning a SB, probably starting a season at 1-3 if the Brady suspension holds. How is that not the biggest step back? 2. Eagles. Philly is black and white. Either Kelly is right, or he has destroyed a talented team due to sheer ego. This could easily be #1...or not belong on this list at all. We'll see. 3. Cleveland. Due to the resources blown on things like Manziel, and others, after a brief stint at getting better, they are back to self-inflicting the "Factory of Sadness". That's the thing: this is psychological as much as anything. Pettine may be able to overcome it. But, no other coach has in 20 years. 4. SF. They lost a lot. However, like Pittsburgh and Baltimore, can you ever expect a 2-14 season from them? It's hard to put them above Cleveland(see: Factory of Sadness) 5. You can put a lot of people here, and others have already listed them. Edited June 11, 2015 by OCinBuffalo
Big C Posted June 11, 2015 Posted June 11, 2015 I agree on the coaches. I wonder if the HGH testing is making it harder for some of these teams to replenish their rosters. For example there are a lot of rumors - and facts - out of Pittsburgh, including former team doctor Rydze, Worlids, etc. I took the question as which teams took the biggest step back this offseason. Big Ben has covered a lot of issues on that team along with Brown. But they lost a lot on defense this offseason: Polamalu, Worlids, Kiesel and both starting CBs (even if they weren't great). The offense only lost Lance Moore so that will keep them competitive and they'll still do ok as a team because of it, but that defense just took a big hit. I did not care much for their draft so I don't see much help there. The Pittsburgh secondary is certainly suspect, but they have been drafting defense lately and we'll see how it pans out. Shazier look strong early last year but ended up getting hurt. Jarvis Jones has certainly underachieved, though. Pittsburgh's strategy while their defense is rebuilding seems to be to win in a shootout. Their offense has real firepower right now. Their schedule last year benefitted them because they got to play teams that struggled to put up points consistently (Atlanta, KC, Tennessee, Jacksonville) and even those games were close. Meanwhile, they blow out Indy, Baltimore and Cincy. It was hard to get a good read on them last year.
NoSaint Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 I see a lot of New Orleans on here. I actually think that they are going in the other direction. Their defense was historically bad and they added a few pieces (plus Dennis Allen). They will improve. The offense improved as well IMO. The line added a Pro Bowler (Unger) & a 1st (Peat). They will be a great unit (at least should be). They will be able to pound it with Ingram and then get the ball to Spiller and Cooks in space. If Cooks stays healthy he catches 100+ balls this year. They have some other young guys that are talented. Remember this team had a losing record a year ago. I do not see the record worse than last year (if healthy). All that they lost was Graham and to be honest he did not have a very good year by his standards. Agreed. They also lost an ungodly number of games in the final two minutes last year. I don't think they are super bowl favorites but I think they are moving back the right way.
NoSaint Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 I'll give a twist since we are starting to get the usual and obvious options pretty well covered: are there any teams that are hot picks to take the next step that you think crumble (see bears, 2014 or maybe Atlanta after that year they won like 8 games in last second plays)-- kind of the most overrated squad instead of the obvious falls. SF obviously lost a ton- but throwing some names out like Dallas, our own team, maybe Carolina with their franchise qb, does Indy stumble after beating up a soft schedule.... Arizona? Any playoff contenders you see picking in the top ten?
Big C Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 I'll give a twist since we are starting to get the usual and obvious options pretty well covered: are there any teams that are hot picks to take the next step that you think crumble (see bears, 2014 or maybe Atlanta after that year they won like 8 games in last second plays)-- kind of the most overrated squad instead of the obvious falls. SF obviously lost a ton- but throwing some names out like Dallas, our own team, maybe Carolina with their franchise qb, does Indy stumble after beating up a soft schedule.... Arizona? Any playoff contenders you see picking in the top ten? I'll make a bold prediction that Houston wins the division and the Colts will be battling for a wild card next year. I have been a Colts naysayer for a while now and I don't necessarily think that adding Gore and Johnson will help them. Their OL is horrible and I think Gore benefited greatly from Roman and their OL in SF. Johnson is shades of his former self. They have 2 good players on that defense and they play so soft. Arizona might take a step back after Bowles left. Their defensive roster is a little spotty, but if Palmer plays the whole year they can compete again.
Captain Hindsight Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 Jacksonville hired Marrone, Hackett and Tuel. Thats a step back if I ever saw one
Big C Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 Jacksonville hired Marrone, Hackett and Tuel. Thats a step back if I ever saw one They just backed into a wall, sadly.
boyst Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 5 down SF Denver New Orleans New England Philadelphia 5 up Baltimore for the sleeper Buffalo San Diego Arizona Oakland 5 with something to prove Miami Atlanta Detroit Dallas Carolina 5 that don't matter Washington Houston Cleveland St Louis Minnesota
GunnerBill Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 1. San Francisco 49ers - they are coached by a man who inspires zero confidence with a roster that has been hit by a huge number of big retirements and FA departures. I don't know who is going to play on the line, I don't rate the Quarterback particularly and their defense is a series of ??? They will finish last in a downgraded NFC West. 2. Dallas Cowboys - I didn't buy the hype.... they ran to the play-offs on the back of Demarcus Murray which had the effect of not only taking pressure off Romo (allowing him to have an excellent year) but it kept what I still think is a poor defense off the field. Romo is a year older, Murray is gone Dez is sulking. Back to 8-8 chaps. 3. Arizona Cardinals - they were my sleeper pick for last year because I felt that Bowles aggressive defense would get Palmer the ball in position to win them gams. Palmer after yet another serious injury will take a step back and the defense won't be as good. I am telling you the NFL West is not going to be what I was. 4. New England Patriots - They had the best defense they have had for years in 2014 and it got Brady and Belichick their 4th ring. But they now have a no-name secondary, no names at running back and have suffered losses on the D-Line and potentially have no Tom Brady for the first four games and whilst I wouldn't put any money on it.... 0-4 is quite possible. One brady is back there will be a recovery but missing the play-offs is possible. 5. Cincinnati Bengals - At least they won't have all the "Can Dalton win a play-off game?" drama this year - they won't get there. Dalton will continue to be mediocre and their starting defense is getting older. They won't fall off a cliff but 7-9, 8-8 could finally spell the end for Marvin Lewis. A few explanations on why I haven't gone with some of the more popular nominations: New Orleans - were not good last year so I don't see them "stepping back" as such. Another 7-9, 8-8 type season would not surprise me though and I expect them to be more of a run first and play good defense team. Denver - a bit the same as above. The one thing we know with Kubiak is he can coordinate a running game. They are going to try and win without asking Peyton to throw a whole bunch. The might win a game or so fewer but I still see them in the play-offs. Philadelphia - they will be the same - they will beat up on poor teams where he out schemes them but they will be found wanting by all the decent teams on their schedule, including Buffalo. They might win 9 games and even get to the play-offs with Dallas dropping back. The teams I think will do a lot better than some think - Oakland to get to 8-8 and St Louis to have a winning record.
Beerball Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 Without looking at anyone else's picks: SF 49ers Denver Jacksonville (this is a nod to the marrone coach they hired) Chicago Philly
NoSaint Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 Without looking at anyone else's picks: SF 49ers Denver Jacksonville (this is a nod to the marrone coach they hired) Chicago Philly The Bears finished 5-11.... How far back from that do they step?
Beerball Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 The Bears finished 5-11.... How far back from that do they step? They kept Cutler. A decent team is brought down by having to schlep that guy around for another season.
Malazan Posted June 12, 2015 Posted June 12, 2015 San Francisco San Francisco Philadelphia San Francisco Dallas
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