Tonight We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 19-70!
Posted: June 26, 2007 @ 1:32 pm
I’ve ripped on the pre-season annuals for their lack of daring and understanding of parity-era history. Now, it’s my turn to put my money where my mouth is.
As regular readers know, I’ve hammered on the fact that every year since 2000 an average of four teams with losing records one year have made the playoffs the next. In five of the seven seasons four teams have made the jump. In 2001 three teams did it. In 2005 five did.
With that in mind, I need to find at least three, preferably four teams that were 7-9 or weaker for this year’s playoff pool. Here goes:
NFC
Division Winners (’06 records in parentheses; big jumpers in bold):
East — Dallas (9-7)
North — Detroit (3-13)
South — Carolina (8-8)
West — San Francisco (7-9)
Wild Cards — New Orleans (10-6) Washington (5-11)
Three big jumpers from the far more turbulent NFC. San Francisco takes the next step and the all-or-nothing Redskins have a good year. Detroit is this year’s Saints, coming from the bottom into the playoff field. It seems Jon Kitna agrees with me, predicting this past week that his Lions would win at least ten games.
If you’re wondering about the title, the 1970 NFC field included the Cowboys, 49ers and Lions, along with Minnesota.
AFC
Division Winners:
East — New England (12-4)
North — Baltimore (13-3)
South — Indianapolis (12-4)
West — San Diego (14-2)
Wild Cards — Denver (9-7) and Miami (6-10)
The AFC has been a very stable conference this decade and I don’t see much movement at the top. The Patriots and Chargers should repeat, given their talent bases. The Colts are due a letdown but I don’t see Jacksonville jumping past them.
Same in the North. The Bengals have a scary offense and could leapfrog the Ravens, especially with Adalius Thomas’ departure, but Cincy’s defense remains questionable and I think the Ravens offense will be better with Willis McGahee replacing Jamal Lewis.
My choice for the last big jumper came down to Miami and Buffalo. I pick the Dolphins because they’re more stable. Their defense, while old, is tough. New coach Cam Cameron focused nearly all his offseason attention on improving his pop-gun offense, adding C Samson Satele, 3rd down RB Lorenzo Booker and WR Ted Ginn to his offense.
QB Trent Green, whom Cameron coached when both were on Norv Turner’s Redskins teams, offers an upgrade over Joey Harrington.
I’m not predicting Super Bowl for these guys but I think they have enough to elbow past the Bengals, Jets, Bills and Chiefs for the final playoff spot.
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Rafael,
Where do you see the Eagles in the mix?
Eagles, dead in the water without a functional QB by week 8?
I have the Eagles and Saints after the last playoff spot. I don’t know, the Eagles have rebuilt their lines of late but their back seven is getting real old and I don’t see Takeo Spikes as the answer. I don’t see them falling apart, but I think 9-7, especially given McNabb’s erratic health.
Also, lets not underestimate the age of the Eagles’ pass rushers. the two best are 32, and the very best lost his knee. Jerimiah Trotter is barely holding on too, and so is their defensive backfield.
how do you see the rams not making it to playoffs, esp. with the skins in?
So like, since it is slow lets play some what-ifs.
If and when Tank Johnson is signed by anyone, can he participate in training camp? Working out? team activities?
He’s a guy who will need team activities to stay on the straight and narrow. Social indoctrination is far more effective than isolation at changing behavior. Cults & sociologists know this.
Is Pacman the best player ever to throw away his career? I think he’s better than Rae Caruth, and actually of higher moral caliber.
If and when Vick is charged, will he supplant Pacman as the most notorious burnout? I can’t actually say if he is more important to his team than Pacman was. I guess CBs can come on late while a QB has to be there all the time.
What started this whole mess for tank anyway? was he playing make believe and pretending he was the Godfather at some club to try to get laid to make up for how his mom abandonded him when he was 5? Thats usually how it goes.
Surrounded,
The Rams added a good 3rd WR in Drew Bennett, but that was not a position of need, and they did little on the defensive side of the ball. I thought Haslett would improve that defense last season, but it’s still pretty putrid, particularly in the secondary and at DT, where 3 high draft picks have all flamed out. Carriker’s not the answer all by himself for a D that has at least 5-6 holes.
surrounded,
Name one blue chip player on the Rams defense. Leonard Little is as close as I see and he’s getting up in years.
The Redskins were awful in ‘06 but I believe in Gregg Williams and he had that team scarily close to running the NFC table in ‘05. He has a secondary now, so they’re going to be sticky on D. And they have weapons on offense.
Tim Wilson,
And for all their d-line misses the Rams let Ryan Pickett, their one DL hit, leave in free agency.
i just think they are powerful on offensive, alot more than the skins. Skins have a better defense, but the rams have a easier division.
Do y’all think they should of held on to Kevin Williams after their superbowl season? He was, once, the league leader in sacks, once being that year.
i do like your divisional winners, that who i was gonna pick too, i just think the rams can skinny in there.
In your scenario, what QB guides Carolina to the playoffs?
I think these people saying Carr could do it are drink lead paint. I also thought maybe Delhomme was the bomb but realized later it was his WRs.
AustonianAggie,
Delhomme,
The Panthers are a lot like the Redskins. Go back one year. Everybody was picking them to make the Super Bowl, me included. So they have an 8-8 year and everybody forgets about them?
They cratered because their o-line was crippled in the preseason. They lost two starters in game one if I recall correctly and had to play a lot of guys out of position. And Delhomme tried doing too much and played like Drew Bledsoe’s little brother.
They had a great draft and got healthy. Look at their line now. Mike Wahle at LG, Jordan Gross at RT and Ryan Kalil at C. That’s a very good base. Top to bottom, they’ve got more talent than New Orleans.
Don’t think in one year increments, folks.
Peter King doesn’t count as everyone
I haven’t forgot the Redskins 11-5 season. Isn’t it weird how much Lavar Arrington contributed to that season? Even though he was benched to start, he was the difference maker on D down the stretch and at the end of the year. He helped win that playoff game.
And for some reason their offense couldn’t score the last 5 games. I like their Ocoordinator. But doesn’t their problematic front 7 remain? No one has a great secondary when they have a poor front 7.
Roger Goddel and P Diddy’s
All Star BAD BOYS FOR LIFE TEAM
Coach Jerry Glanville……….THE MAN IN BLACK
Alternate Al Davis……..alternate the original Man in Black
Asst Joe Cullen nicknamed “The FULL MONTYâ€
Running Backs Coach Ricky “Smoke if you got em†Williams not able to play but nobody banned him from Coaching em up………..gives whole new meaning to the term ROLL OUT or ROLL LEFT ROLL RIGHT……….
Team Barber Micheal “Scissorhands†Irvin
QB Jeff George backups Ryan Leaf Art Schlicter
RB OJ SIMPSON backups Lawrence Phillips “idolized OJ†Mo Clarett “one two many Schwarzenegger Movies Onterrio Smith “Da Wizzinatorâ€
FB Najeh Davenport “Closet Crapperâ€
WR Michael Westbrook Andre Rison Chris Henry Rae Curruth Koren Robinson Antonio Bryant
TE Mark Chmura
Offensive Line
NATE NEWTON Pit Bulls, Mary Jane and a ton of Maddens Turkey Legs……….
Bryant McKinnie Played Gofer to Fred Smoot’s Isaac on the Love Boat
Alex Karas Pete Rose’s Cardinal Sin
Barret Brooks watched too many episodes of Orange County Choppers
Kenyatta Walker
Defensive Line
Dexter Manley
Lyle Alzado
Tank Johnson
Leonard Little
Leon Lett
Albert Haynesworth
LB / DE depends on the coach
Lawrence Taylor
Hollywood Henderson
Bill Romanowski
Alternate ANY CURRENT BENGALS PLAYER at LB
Defensive Backs
Pacman Jones
Fred Smoot “Love Boatâ€â€¦â€¦â€¦uh he is a Redskin again after all
K
Rafael Septian Likes em young……..a little too young
P
Mitch Cozad (aspiring collegiate athlete with BIG TIME CRIME……..uh he stabbed the starting punter)
CHEERLEADERS
Carolina Panthers Bathroom Stall Lovers……….Oh La La……..this game isn’t only for the Bad Boys……..Girls gone wild are more than welcome.
Honorable Mention Those Crazy Texas High School Cheerleaders and Moms………
Austonian,
Are you talking about Kevin Carter, the former Rams’ DE? He never did much after leaving the team. Or are you referring to Kevin Williams, the stud DT on Minnesota? He was never on the Rams.
Raf,
I think Deangelo Williams is going to be a productive back, too. Not sure why they seem intent on keeping him buried behind the overrated and oft-injured Foster (8 TDs in the last 4 years), but with Williams as the starter, that offense could be decent.
AustonianAggie,
I watched Arrington after he was put back in the lineup, because he was headed for free agency and there were rumors Dallas would pursue him.
I have to say, the guy went along for the ride. He picked up a fumble somebody else caused in the Tampa game but was a shell of his former self.
That team got hot because Williams called defense the way some good OCs call plays. He got on a roll and had everybody they played figured out. He’s proof that scheme can win games for you, if you have enough players.
He doesn’t have overwhelming talent, as he did in Tennessee with Kearse, Carter, Keith Bullock, Samari Rolle and friends but he’s got enough, IMO.
The skins do not have the D line to be a playoff team. Schemes take you only so far. When it comes to crunch time blitzes will in the end kill you. You HAVE to have a good rush from the D line in a 4-3. You cannot get the rush from LBs that you get in the 3-4. Not that the LBs for the Skins are all that good. Coaches have figured out Williams blitz schemes= that is one of the reasons that they tanked last year. So why in the world would anyone think that he is going to be able to fool them this year? As long as you have a good O line, and a QB that can handle the blitz, William’s schemes will get eaten up. 6-10 to 8-8 is the best they will do.
Washington & Detroit?!
Chicago is still the class of the North. The Vikings have a D at least. Detroit is gonna suck.
Carolina is as good as any in the South. Even Tampa or Atlanta could surprise. They all seem to rise and fall yearly.
But clearly Philly is still the beast in the East. Based on the past decade, they’re better. Better talent, better coaching, better schemes.
That said, I believe Dallas to be superior in all the above, but until proven…
Fighter15, Burmafrd,
Four losers are going to rise up, if history is any guide,
Who are they? I’ve chosen mine. Who are they?
Raf,
I definitely agree with SF. Vernon Davis healthy for a year……A Smith even without Turner…..and Nolan and company on D.
Frank Gore is yet another back that benefitted under the Norv Turner “west coast offense…….somehow he always produces great running games. Hard to imagine him making LT better but……..watch out.
I think Drew Brees is a winner. He is better than Delhomme and Payton also knows John Fox’s Defensive schemes as well as he knew Parcells and Company…….those two will face each twice a year until……I wouldn’t bet against Payton and Company……the Defense needs work….but they have pass rushers..
Is Cam Cameron that much better than Jason Garret? I think the Defense could be good……it always is…..but a new QB a new Coach…….I don’t think this is their year……
Detroit is a very real possibility. Martz has Kitna,Roy Williams and CJ. CJ will be the new Barry Sanders and Billy Simms of Detroit……Martz can put points up. He showed Dallas that.
My sleeper……..and I cannnot believe I am saying it……
ARIZONA Leinhart, Edge, Bouldin, Fitzgerald…….and an old hogg working on their offensive line. It may not be immediate…….but Denny Green put some talent in the desert. You never pick the cards but Leinhart is a winner and he will win there.
Bobby Petrino or Gruden….man the South looks tough. I think Atlanta will be better…..Mora was a DC masking as a HC. Vick is in controversy…..but you know sometimes it seperates the wheat from chaff. Mike is going to finally focus on one thing…….football. He has all the skills……if Petrino and him click………look out. Talk about a team that was in it not long ago……NFC Championship game in Philly…….and lost.
Arizona, Detroit, SF, and Atlanta
Teams that will collapse………Giants and Redskins. I think the wheels finally come off the Gibbs bus…..and Coughlin is a short timer……..
I don’t see that making them better. Weak O Line…..Lost best player in TIKI BARBER……two steps back for ELI and company.
Jon B.,
What’s up?
John B.,
I’ve jumped the gun on Arizona the past couple of years and was burned. I don’t think they have the o-line to make the big jump, though they finally seem to have a good coaching staff in place.
Petrino is my biggest question mark. He’s trying to redo their player philosophy on offense, and they lost Patrick Kearney. And who knows which Michael Vick we’ll see.
Tampa, I don’t know. Their defense has carried them the past decade. It’s OLD now. Simeon Rice, Greg Spires, Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and Brian Kelly. Your starting rush ends, your corners and your best LB — all with at least 10 years on their treads.
Rafael,
We’ve all junped the gun on AZ, but it’s coming…
NFC
NORTH-Bears
SOUTH-Saints
EAST-Cowboys
WEST-49ers
WCs-Eagles-Lions
AFC
NORTH-Ravens
SOUTH-Colts
EAST-Pats
WEST-Chargers
WCs-Broncs-Cinccccy
thats what i think …but my second nfc wild card is a toss up…hawks..panthers..rams..Lions…but i gatta go wit the lions
Starstruck,
What makes you so sure? No offense, but how old are you? I’m in my early 40s and I’ve heard that most years of my life about the Cardinals. And these are the facts:
1. They won their only title in 1947. THey lost the title game the following year.
2. They’ve had FOUR playoff teams since then. Four in 59 years. And one of those was in the strike year of ‘81 when the NFL had a sixteen game playoff field.
3. They’ve had ONE winning season the last 22 years. One. Never mind playoff teams, I’m only talking about winning more games than you lose.
These are the Cardinals, sir. There’s absolutely no guarantee they’re ever going to be good again.
Which means they’re going to have to show me before I ever pick them again.
but on a good note for us boys fans …the NFC IS BACK! and its about time!
im so sick of hearing how tyhe nfc is so weak and the AFC is the prime of the nfl …the NFC is tuff again ..
Iron Man,
What makes you say that?
Maybe it’s the respect I’ve garnered for them over the years–because no matter their record, they have always brought their game to the Cowboys, and for that, they have my undying respect.
But, the Cardinals have the opportunity to do what few other clubs have the chance to do: Reinvent themselves. Yet, Ownership fails them. Given the city, the new stadium and the wealth of talent Denny Green brought to the team, they should be further along. And I finally think they are on track to do it, especially, under new leadership. The talent is present.
Denny is their Tuna.
Sure, it’s easy to say that after a “lifetime†of waiting. They are the underdogs, post “1941″, no doubt. They always have been in the modern era, and that’s the problem. It runs deeper, blame the Bidwells.
Raf,
I’m forty-three years, seven months and eighteen-days old; I will be forty-four on November ninth of this year. What the fuck does that matter? Are you drunk? I am. You sound awfully—unnecessarily, angry. (Sir.) We are talking about the Cardinals, right?
I agree, there’s no basis to promote them on past evidence but the future is something different, isn’t it?
I wish I could redact my unsavory choice of word in post no. 33; alas, I can’t. My apologies to anyone offended.
Raul,
My check from June 8 has not cleared, did you get that? Check number 3224 for $40 (Matrix Software).
rha:
Yes, I got it … I’ll email you offline.
thnx
RAF:
You really did not make much of a case for the Skins. Untill their D line and LBs show a lot more, all the schemes in the world are not going to help much.
Off topic but Matt Mosely of ESPN says that the Cowboys will try and pick up Tank Johnson.
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-1-169/Where-to-Next–Tank-.html
Cards are doomed, just the way it is. Maybe, just maybe, they could experience a resurgence the way the Bengals did with Palmer at the helm.
They lack talent at all the blue collar spots.
Chicago might have a percipitous drop off. Remember how the Ravens went from 8-8 to winning the superbowl?
The difference was a RB who controled the clock. Without Thomas Jones, they might not be able to do that. But your trust in Cedric Benson and Rex Grossman? I’d have traded Benson whether or not I drafted him. He wasn’t good enough to start the Superbowl.
Earlier I did mean Kevin Carter; I know he didn’t do much but he was still better than not having anyone to man his spot.
LAlworth19,
Interesting but he won’t join any team until game 11, given his suspension.
The Cards got a coach with Super Bowl experience.
They have a wealth of talent.
And a legit Offensive Line coach, the most underrated coach on any team.
In my post….I called Arizona my sleeper and I can’t believe I am saying this…..
I agree Denny was their Tuna…..he stacked the offensive side of the ball mostly but…….it has talent on both sides.
I ain’t looking at their history either…….heck if we do that do we ever pick Detroit……
just looking at the league they play a softer conference schedule and should have a great home field advanatage.
I ain’t pickin em in the Super Bowl but Leinhart has always performed well in big games……he might actually have more talent in Arizona than he had at USC…..and that is saying something.
My Division winners are
NFC
Dallas
Seahawks
Detroit
Saints
Wildcards-
Philly, Redskins
AFC
Patriots
Colts
Baltimore
Denver
Wildcards -
San Diego, Bengals
NFC East
I’m wary of the redskins; Al Saunders is very good, and so are their RBs. And y’all are giving major props to Greg Williams. Philly may be a major pain but I’m thinking they won’t be able to get people off the field. Also I wonder who will be playing QB after McNabb goes down. The Giants I pick for the cellar. I also think the Cowboys will be catching people unaware this year as they use new schemes.
In the NFC West, I think the Seahawks have their health, and the best QB out there right now, as good as Bulger is. Alex Smith would have to over take Hasselback to win.
In the NFC North, I don’t see Minnesota getting good QB play, which is a shame because they have talent elsewhere. Greenbay lacks direction. Chicago lacks the RB that kept their defense off the field. Detroit has some talent on D, and should be able to score enough to win in that division. (its hard to believe I’m picking Detroit though… what the heck?)
NFC South - I pick the Saints because I think Brees is better than Delhomme; also they Saints have some good players on their DL, enough to compensate for the Pepper’s factor that Carolina has. I think Vick and the Falcons are doomed, and I feel sorry for Petrino. Tampa Bay? They can’t top the Saints or Panthers this year. I see the Panthers as vying with the Saints but not enough talent on offense. I’m a Delhomme doubter.
AFC East - The Jets can’t top the Patriots, and I doubt Miami can either. Buffalo isn’t going to go above .500.
AFC West - I think Denver has a more Savvy head coach and a push between QBs. Defense? Denver lacks a Pass rusher, San Diego lacks a CB. I don’t buy the writers who tell me SD has a talented Secondary. I also think Norv, if he’s going to pull something off, will save it for the most important part of the season, the Playoffs. I hope he’s delegating authority on D.
AFC North - I think the Ravens and the Bengals have equivelant QB talents; The Ravens have a better D. Pittsburgh’s coach has to learn how to win, and the Browns are doomed. I hope the Browns are doomed.
AFC South - Hard to bet against the Colts. I think the Titans are closer to challenging them than the Texans or Jags; once again, because I think their QB is already playing at a higher level, and he’s playing to win, not look good on a stat sheet.
Its conservative, not as much change as Raf says is essential to a valid prediction.
How about I go out on a limb and say NFC mediocrity is coming to a close and some teams have made enough real improvement to establish consistent winning.
KC Joyner has his new column up regarding overrated/underrated CB’s. He gave Newman an “Honorable Mention” as one of his overrated CB’s. Here’s what he said:
“Terence Newman: He is considered much better than his Dallas teammate Anthony Henry, but Newman’s 2006 overall YPA was only .4 yards higher than Henry’s. He also ranked 57th in the missed pass percentage category, so luck was on his side.”
Here’s the link to his article, but it’s a pay site:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=2916875
I’m worried for Vick. No major announcements on the investigation in to his alleged dog fighting activities lately. Feds are involved as state lines are involved. If the FBI steps to the mic, for the big ‘gotcha’ announcement, as the locals and state guys look on, watch out for Mike to down big-time. Interstate racketeering etc. Geeze, I hope the guy didn’t illegally import any of those animals from a foreign place. This whole thing looks very bad to me.
I think the Feds got involved because of a law inacted a month ago concerning Fedral Ag regulation.
This is according to an ESPN article i read. My question is, if that law was inacted a month ago, how can you possibly charge a guy for crimes he commited prior to the existence of that law?
It’d be like enacting prohibition in April then arresting me for having a beer in Febuary.
K.C. Joyner ought to quit evaluating Luck and calling himself a scientist. Everyone knows talent makes its own luck.
Just curious, does Joyner evaluate CBs on every single play, or only the ones they are thrown at?
I’m revising my prediction that Detroit wins the NFC North. Nobody wins and they send everybody home to watch the Cowboys.
I think he just evaluates the ones that are thrown at them.
I don’t think the law itself was what was enacted. It’s been illegal for awhile now. I think it’s just the way the Feds are going after these type of cases now and how they’re working together. I read that same ESPN article and Vick is not the only one they’re going after. They’ve caught some big fish lately.
I mean, it wasn’t a federal law before, and now it is. So, it was once a misdemeanor in Idaho, its now a federal felony.
Like, if I have 3 oz of marijuana, its a Class A misdemeanor in Texas, but a federal Felony.
Newman’s ‘06 was not as good as his ‘05. He had some poor games. In the Jaguars loss he gave up some big plays and he was awful in the Lions game.
I still think he’s one of the best CBs around, but if you went only off of ‘06 you wouldn’t say that.
Joyner is so obsessed with numbers he forgets to factor in people. Also does not look at pass rush, who else is playing CB on the team, who the safeties are and how good or bad they are, did the team play the better passing offenses or not, etc.
burmafrd,
He watches tape. He sees each play that a corner makes and grades it. Isn’t that how, oh, scouts work? Or are they “numbers obsessed” too?
If he uses the same scale for everybody then whatever inherent flaws he has are applied to each.
And he DOES consider who the other players on the defense are, whether the team plays zone or man to man, whether they blitz, etc.
Do you own any of his books? What’s the basis for your critique?
And what, pray tell, is a better method? Or do you just throw up your hands and say, “there are too many variables, it’s impossible to figure out how to do this.”
What are stats, Burmafrd? They’re measures of PERFORMANCE. If you create bad stats, you won’t get good measurements. But if you create good ones, you have a leg up on everybody else.
And from what I’ve heard recently, some teams are starting to adopt stats like his to improve their scouting.
I must say, man, I find your rip everything, offer nothing M.O. tiresome.
Even bad measurements are useful if applied equally.
This is a comparison game, so even if the criteria isn’t perfect, (and which could be?), if applied equally you have established the relationship you are after.
And Joyner’s open to the possibility that his current systems are wrong or incomplete. He adds new ones every year and adjusts the systems he has if he finds they’re not doing the job.
He’s only been at this three years and very few other people are doing this type of work. To dismiss it because it’s not comprehensive and perfect right out of the box is counter productive, IMO.
He’s offering an alternative to the very imprecise ratings we get from sportswriters and TV analysts. Should we continue to rely on them instead, or offer constructive criticisms that can make his and his peers’ work better? I’ll take Joyner’s work, warts and all, over 99% of the mediots out there, because I know he’s taken the time to actually watch the game he’s assessing.
raf, but do you agree newman was an ovverrated cornerback??
I haven’t read Joyner’s story so I don’t know what context he set up. I know that when he wrote the TE story he was pitting a player’s reputation against his past year.
And he’s rated Newman very high in his ‘05 and ‘06 books. If he’s saying Newman was overrated based on his ‘06 I’d say yes, because Newman didn’t play up to HIS previous standard last year.
He mouthed off about guys talking big in the locker room and not producing and then had an awful December as well.
And unlike Henry, he didn’t have an injury to blame.
The only rating I know of is the pro bowl and if you dont make it, I dont know how you can be over rated. I enjoy Joyners ratings as just another way of getting an idea of how good is someone. I think more of what he has to say than any of the talking heads. At least he breaks down tape and rates everyone on the same scale.
Maybe because I live in and have the Seattle media always pushing them down out throats. But, it is hard for me to image a “healty” Seattle Seahawk team not only making the playoffs, but making a push for the Super Bowl.
They still have a good team and coach but the Rb is getting old and the DBs have been completely redone. SF is also a young team on the rise and Cards have some talent. Many think highly of the Rams. I could see them winning their division because they know how to win but I think they will fizzle quickly in the playoffs. I cant understand how the media there can think SB. If that team played in the Dallas media I would cancel the paper.
My thoughts:
NFC
E: who else?
N: I buy Detroit. Chicago will slip big-time and GB/Minn suck too.
S: Carolina. NO won’t find it so easy this year
W: SF should be the big improvers.
WC: NO and Philly (Skins will improve a little, but Campbell won’t get them there. Giants to implode)
AFC
E: NE easy
N: Cincy big bounce-back. They are better than last years record and primed to hit this season hard. Lewis will get enough out of their D to get them there. Ravens to slip (Thomas was the guy the other teams feared).
S: Indy. Will slip but no-one to challenge them
W: SD. Will stay solid despite the huge coaching changes.
WC: Denver and Buffalo
Tough to meet Raf’s “4 big jumpers” with all the 8-8 teams - but I got 3 plus 3 8-8’s getting in.
Re: Newman - interesting that Dr. Z (another that looks at tape - although you wouldn’t always know it from some of that “power ranking” crap ESPN get him to do) had Newman in his Pro Bowl team after 05, but didn’t even mention him in ‘06. Newman has been a bit up and down (poor 2nd year I recall after a good rookie season) - so hopefully this year is an “up” year.
For the record, I am a big fan of Joyners, looking forward to seeing his book. There hasn’t been one like it since “Hidden Game”
03e718580e8802aae6998786b2950db6…
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