2009 NFL Thread

[NotFadeAway]

Bull. Roy Williams is a perfect fit in Cinci and its a great pick up for the Bengals. Williams was exposed in Dallas because he was asked to cover people. Playing the AFC North, Williams will have responsibility for the Fullback. Williams is exactly the sort of player the Bengals need to take on the Ravens and the Steelers running games...if he can stay healthy.

Don't tell anyone, but the Bengals have had a fantastic offseason. Coles should replace Housh pretty well. No one got more talent out of the draft than they did. Williams is a great addition. I still have questions at running back for them, but I think they have the chance to shock people next year.

QUOTE]

Your dead on, sir. The Bengals have quietly had one of the best off-seasons in the NFL.

The defense already had a good young core of players. Keith Rivers, Pat Sims, Peko, Antwan Odom, Jason Shirley, Jonathan Joseph, Leon Hall, Chris Crocker, and Robert Geathers. Dhani Jones played well at MLB last year but will move back to his natural OLB position. Now, add in Rey Maualuga, Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, and Michael Johnson. First off, Tank Johnson played out of position in Dallas. He is a pass rushing DT best served in a 4-3. The one thing the Bengals didn't have on defense last season was a pass rush. With Johnson in the fold, Odom coming back healthy, and the ability to now rotate Geathers and Johnson at the other Defensive End spot, that should improve. Maualuga and Williams, they are both not only going to bring the wood, but there going to bring the attitude thats been missing from Cincy. Roy Williams was at his best with Mike Zimmer as his Defensive Coordinator. Zimmer likes to keep his Strong Safeties close to the line of scrimmage so they can concentrate on the run with minimal pass defense duties. Thats perfect for Williams.

On offense, Carson Palmer returning is the biggest key obviously. Palmer should finally be 100% physically. L. Coles is a reciever that I have always liked, but he has never had a Quarterback with the arm strength to get him the ball downfield. I love Chad Pennington and all, but the two weren't a good match. With Palmer, Coles will have that. Chad Johnson is Chad Johnson, still talented but who the hell knows or cares anymore. But let me tell you this, if Chris Henry could ever get his head out of his ass, Henry has the physical talents to be a top five reciever in the NFL, that is why they won't give up on him. Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson both have talent and hands. The Steelers were going to draft Simpson last year, FYI. Bengals stole him. I think this team would be better off trading Johnson and taking what they can get, rid themselves of that image once and for all. At Running Back, Cedric Benson fits better with the Bengals than he ever did the Bears. I believe the Bears run a zone blocking scheme and that doesn't suit Benson. In Cincy, Benson plays in an offense were he takes the hand off and runs straight ahead as hard as he can. Thats better for him, although I don't want anyone to take this as me saying Benson is a great back. I just think they could do worse. I love the Brian Leonard trade. Leonard is a player I've liked since watching him at Rutgers, and if he can stay healthy, the man can run, catch, and block. And on the line, the Bengals will be fine. Andre Smith was the best Offensive Tackle in the draft, watch his game footage. Smith made a few immature decisions, and it cost him. Not a bad person. Andrew Whitworht has the potential to be a pro bowl Left Guard. Jonathan Luigs was one of my favorite Centers in the draft. Bobbie Williams is always servicable at Right Guard, and remember the name Anthony Collins, the Bengals 4th round pick from last year that held James Harrison to half a tackle in his first career start. I wouldn't be shocked if Anthony Collins ends up at Left Tackle and Andre Smith ends up at Right Tackle. Collins reminds me alot of Levi Jones. And at Tight End, Ben Utech and Chace Coffman give you the hands, and Reggie Kelly is still a punishing blocker.

The Bengals are a team to watch.

I wish my Panthers had this awesome of an off-season. I hate Julius Peppers.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I hate Julius Peppers!

He's only making himself look bad. I really can't see him holding out.

 

[NotFadeAway]

He's only making himself look bad. I really can't see him holding out.

I know he is making himself look bad. Peppers has really shown what kind of guy his is this off-season. I actually do think he will hold out, with minimal vocal activity as well. Peppers won't cry and complain about the situation like a Chad Johnson/Lance Briggs/Terrell Owens/Jason Peters-type, I think he will just quietly sit out, further eating away at myself and the Panthers fanbase. It's funny, in a way he is even being passive about getting himself traded, just like he is half the time on the field.

On the brighter side, I do love the Everette Brown pick. Fox and Hurney have been pretty dead on with there defensive selections during there regime. I'm still kind of uneasy about giving away our 1st rounder next year, but assuming that we will finally be able to trade Peppers away at some point, we will get picks in return. I also like the Sherrod Martin choice, and I think he will be a good player. BUT, we could have taken Sen'Derrick Marks with that choice and then D.J. Moore in the third, or fourth for that matter. Or we could have taken Sean Smith instead of Sherrod Martin. I personally think Smith and Moore are both better players, but I hope I'm proven wrong.

The key is getting Peppers to sign his tender.

 

[Excel]

I dont see how somebody can seriously say Cincis has had a bad offseason, at least on paper.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Going into the 2008 draft, I actually wanted the Panthers to draft Anthony Collins in the 3rd or 4th round, in case we couldn't re-sign Jordan Gross. Obviously, we have.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I know he is making himself look bad. Peppers has really shown what kind of guy his is this off-season. I actually do think he will hold out, with minimal vocal activity as well. Peppers won't cry and complain about the situation like a Chad Johnson/Lance Briggs/Terrell Owens/Jason Peters-type, I think he will just quietly sit out, further eating away at myself and the Panthers fanbase. It's funny, in a way he is even being passive about getting himself traded, just like he is half the time on the field.

Peppers isn't going to waste one whole year not playing football just to prove a point. He'll either be playing for the Panthers or some other team.

On the brighter side, I do love the Everette Brown pick. Fox and Hurney have been pretty dead on with there defensive selections during there regime. I'm still kind of uneasy about giving away our 1st rounder next year, but assuming that we will finally be able to trade Peppers away at some point, we will get picks in return. I also like the Sherrod Martin choice, and I think he will be a good player. BUT, we could have taken Sen'Derrick Marks with that choice and then D.J. Moore in the third, or fourth for that matter. Or we could have taken Sean Smith instead of Sherrod Martin. I personally think Smith and Moore are both better players, but I hope I'm proven wrong.

I love the Everette Brown pick. Hopefully he he's worth the 1st rounder we gave up. I can't believe they passed on Sean Smith. They must love something about Sherrod Martin.

The key is getting Peppers to sign his tender.

Agreed.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Peppers isn't going to waste one whole year not playing football just to prove a point. He'll either be playing for the Panthers or some other team.



I love the Everette Brown pick. Hopefully he he's worth the 1st rounder we gave up. I can't believe they passed on Sean Smith. They must love something about Sherrod Martin.



Agreed.

I hope that your right about Peppers. But I just have a bad feeling about this. Peppers doesn't have the personality of guys like Chad Johnson, T.O., Lance Briggs, Anquan Boldin, and other whiners who for the most part suck it up when they don't get what they want, and that scares me. And most players who want to join another team sign there tender and are willing to go to a decent number of different teams. Peppers doesn't seem to understand that the "four" teams he wants to play probably wouldn't have signed him anyway. Based on his attitude so far in this situation, combined with his personality in general, makes me fear that he will hold out. And you know, there is a part of me that doesn't want him on the field if he is disgruntled because his personality makes him more likely to tank it than not, although there is also a chance he would work harder than ever so teams want him. We know he isn't about money based on the contract offers he has turned down, another scary factor. I think Peppers truly thought he could walk free, and now he is pissed.

I love the Everette Brown pick because he reminds me of Jon Abraham and he has the frame to beef up a bit. Teams probably will run right at him, but I'm sure the coaches will expect that. And I still think Charles Johnson can be a factor. Loved that pick. Johnson and Hilee Taylor both, although I would consider moving Taylor to Linebacker. I would really like to replace Nai'l Diggs.

The Sherrod Martin pick doesn't bother me much because again, Fox and Hurney have a good eye for defensive players. But I would feel safer with Sean Smith or D.J. Moore. I was kinda pissed when Sen'Derrick Marks name didn't come up with that pick, because we still could have had D.J. Moore, but I'm over it. The only pick I didn't really care for is Corvey Irvin, but it's like I said above. Fox and Hurney know defense. I just think we needed a beefer guy.

My favorite pick is the Duke Robinson pick. Robinson was graded as a 2nd round pick and is one of the most agressive, nasty, violent Guards I've ever seen. We need some players like that, and once Robinson takes Keydrick Vincents spot, are like will be set for years with Gross/Wharton/Kalil/Robinson/Otah. And I mean what I said, if John Fox can get past his fetish for playing older veterans and sitting rookies, Robinson can take Vincents job. I'm that high on the guy.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I hope that your right about Peppers. But I just have a bad feeling about this. Peppers doesn't have the personality of guys like Chad Johnson, T.O., Lance Briggs, Anquan Boldin, and other whiners who for the most part suck it up when they don't get what they want, and that scares me. And most players who want to join another team sign there tender and are willing to go to a decent number of different teams. Peppers doesn't seem to understand that the "four" teams he wants to play probably wouldn't have signed him anyway. Based on his attitude so far in this situation, combined with his personality in general, makes me fear that he will hold out. And you know, there is a part of me that doesn't want him on the field if he is disgruntled because his personality makes him more likely to tank it than not, although there is also a chance he would work harder than ever so teams want him. We know he isn't about money based on the contract offers he has turned down, another scary factor. I think Peppers truly thought he could walk free, and now he is pissed.

Peppers knows that if he plays for the Panthers this season, does well, then he stands a good chance of finding a good home. I would like for him to sign his tender so we can trade him and get a first rounder next season. Letting him walk free could spell doom for the Panthers, as he might end up in Tampa or Atlanta. As far as Peppers holding out, I just can't see it happening. These things always find a way of working themselves out. Plus, Hurney said he's been in contact with Peppers' agent, and said all is well. I think this whole thing will blow over and everyone will be happy in the end.

I love the Everette Brown pick because he reminds me of Jon Abraham and he has the frame to beef up a bit. Teams probably will run right at him, but I'm sure the coaches will expect that. And I still think Charles Johnson can be a factor. Loved that pick. Johnson and Hilee Taylor both, although I would consider moving Taylor to Linebacker. I would really like to replace Nai'l Diggs

Everette Brown was a good pick up. The only thing that concerns me with him is the recent struggles of Florida State University pass rushers making it in the NFL. I think he'll be fine in the long run. The D-Line still worries me. I really don't like Tyler Brayton on the line. He just doesn't seem to have it in him. He'll probably get replaced with Everette Brown if Peppers plays this season in Carolina. If Peppers gets traded or holds out, then Brown will be a RDE and Brayton at LDE. He needs to be replaced in the future IMO. Maybe Ron Meeks can turn this defense around.

The Sherrod Martin pick doesn't bother me much because again, Fox and Hurney have a good eye for defensive players. But I would feel safer with Sean Smith or D.J. Moore. I was kinda pissed when Sen'Derrick Marks name didn't come up with that pick, because we still could have had D.J. Moore, but I'm over it. The only pick I didn't really care for is Corvey Irvin, but it's like I said above. Fox and Hurney know defense. I just think we needed a beefer guy.

I would've felt better with Sean Smith. DJ Moore I'm not really sold on. I think he's a better fit for Chicago. Corvey Irvin was added for depth. He'll be there in case of an injury or if someone is struggling.

My favorite pick is the Duke Robinson pick. Robinson was graded as a 2nd round pick and is one of the most agressive, nasty, violent Guards I've ever seen. We need some players like that, and once Robinson takes Keydrick Vincents spot, are like will be set for years with Gross/Wharton/Kalil/Robinson/Otah. And I mean what I said, if John Fox can get past his fetish for playing older veterans and sitting rookies, Robinson can take Vincents job. I'm that high on the guy.

Robinson was a great pick. Should be a great offensive line for years to come.

 

[Go Web Go!]

Patriots & Jason Taylor reportedly have a "handshake" agreement on a deal, says ProFootballTalk.

 

[Immortalfire]

Falcons start spring camp today

 

[StorminNorman]

Teams will have to prey on their secondary, which is their weak point, especially if Dunta Robinson gives them problems due to his unhappiness with his contract.

Which is why getting pressure on the QB will be so important to Houston. Connor Barwin is a pass rush specialist that can play with his hand in the dirt or as a LB and Smith was an effective DE in Arizona last year.

Indy? I think Houston, Indy, and Jax fans should be more worried about Tennessee after last year's performance. This year should be even more of an explosion from the Titans, I think.

I think Tennessee and Indy could be playing for third place next year. The AFC South could be the best conference in the AFC next year. Jacksonville is one injury riddled season removed from a great year, they have added three starters to their offensive line and pieced together a respectable receiver group.

 

[Dr. Evil]

at latest Favre news:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4152783

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/05/08/report-favre-has-not-ruled-out-a-return/

 

[StorminNorman]

Honestly, I think I have come around to Favres side if he returns. The guy loves football, it's all he does. He has the right to change his mind, he has the right to return to the game and if a team wants him, he should be able to play for them.

People Picard Favre because of the constant back and forth - but lets not forget Bill Parcells was just at bad...ESPN just wasn't as unbearable.

I am so glad I have the NFL Network - Total Access tonight did one segment about Favre and spent the rest of the time talking about actual football.

 

[Darthphere]

Patriots & Jason Taylor reportedly have a "handshake" agreement on a deal, says ProFootballTalk.

We'll have a warm welcome for him.

 

[Go Web Go!]

I wouldn't hate JT if he signed with New England. He's made it pretty clear that he wants to come back to Miami, but Parcells and the gang don't appear to be very interested. The man wants to play. The team he wants to play for doesn't want to sign him. I can't fault him for moving on.

 

[BlackLantern]

I wouldn't hate JT if he signed with New England. He's made it pretty clear that he wants to come back to Miami, but Parcells and the gang don't appear to be very interested. The man wants to play. The team he wants to play for doesn't want to sign him. I can't fault him for moving on.

that makes me smile for some reason

 

[Darthphere]

I wouldn't hate JT if he signed with New England. He's made it pretty clear that he wants to come back to Miami, but Parcells and the gang don't appear to be very interested. The man wants to play. The team he wants to play for doesn't want to sign him. I can't fault him for moving on.

Um dude, that guy left because he was too stubborn and arrogant to think that the organization had to cater to his wishes of spending a whole offseason dancing with the stars but he's too tired to go to mini-camp. JT was completely in the wrong here and the Big Tuna is not going to put up with that ****.

 

[El_Citrus]

Which is why getting pressure on the QB will be so important to Houston. Connor Barwin is a pass rush specialist that can play with his hand in the dirt or as a LB and Smith was an effective DE in Arizona last year.

Exactly. If Houston can find a legit #2 receiver, a power running back for Slaton, which they might find Arian Foster, then they will go at least into the second round of the playoffs barring injury.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Um dude, that guy left because he was too stubborn and arrogant to think that the organization had to cater to his wishes of spending a whole offseason dancing with the stars but he's too tired to go to mini-camp. JT was completely in the wrong here and the Big Tuna is not going to put up with that ****.

Jason Taylor should have waited until he retired to join that show, which should be renamed "The Show that never loses in the ratings." It's not like the show is going to go away when he retired, since they never lose in the ratings.

Emmit Smith, Jerry Rice and Lawrence Taylor all have been out of the game for a long time since they did that show.

 

[SurfDUI]

C'mon General- I expect better.

Dre Johnson won't be a star, he IS a star. Schaub is proven...he has proven that he is a brittle, quality QB. I don't see anything about the Colts offense that is "revamped".

That he is.
Scratch 'revamped'...how bout REloaded-No lagging questions going in about 18's health, or 88's health. If that UConn cat hits the turf as cold as Edge and Addai did we are going to roll-Mike Hart may still be down, but even if he comes in @ mid season, that will give us 3 backs.

Our only issue is that Redge will see more double teams than he ever has now that he's true #1, he'll still get open and catch TD's AND be fresh for the Sports JAM on Sunday nights as co-host. This hopefully will be Gonzo's breakout season, and NOBODY beats D.C. but D.C.

You don't get it. You were only able to pop boys in and out of your front five BECAUSE of Howard Mudd. Howard Mudd left yesterday because the Colts changed their pension plan. He was one of the most successful offensive line coaches in the leagues history. His presence WILL be missed.

The Colts have had one of the most stable coaching staffs. The key word is on had. The Colts now have new faces teaching the defense and, again, just lost the second most vital coach on the offense in Mudd.

Don't get what? The damned dirty Pats have been losing coaches since when? And the COLTS are better than the Patriots. We lost a general, but his soldiers are still there, and so is the philosophy, I didn't know that about Muddy, you got me w/ that, but that old man didn't line up behind center. Pollian picks the players and we've have bullets in the O line that haven't even been fired yet. EVERY team in the league wish they had it like Your Indianapolis COLTS. Saturday just got paid, and I think so did Diem. How ever line play changes there is still 18 behind it who DEMANDs that they do the job, he's Johnny U and old school football in one package.

We needed a shake up- it happens, and w/ this pension thing it's going to happen more. As far as a 'letdown' goes it's just fashionable for people to think that a team with such a winning record will have a lag-so when it happens they can say see, just like that ahole Mort last season said the AFC would be down in '08, howd that work out...or maybe he left out the 'WEST' part of AFC.

All this media saturation makes us think that every little butterfly we step on or doesn't fly straight will make or break when the whistle blows, that's why I pull back in the offseason, too much of a good thing ruins it.

WTF was I talkin bout..

The Texans.. I don't hate Houston, I like watching them grow as a franchise, and that Mario Williams deal surprised everyone except COLTS fans, cause you ain't gone out shoot 18 and that offense.

Texans win 9 games this season, beat Jax both, and split w/ Tenn. v. the COLTS 0-2

 

[SurfDUI]

Jason Taylor should have waited until he retired to join that show, which should be renamed "The Show that never loses in the ratings." It's not like the show is going to go away when he retired, since they never lose in the ratings.

Awesome


Damn, JT did go on that show during his career didn't he...

Is he a has been or never was?

Emmit Smith, Jerry Rice and Lawrence Taylor all have been out of the game for a long time since they did that show.

L.T. been gone so long, only dance move he knew going in was the 'hustle'

 

[StorminNorman]

That he is.
Scratch 'revamped'...how bout REloaded-No lagging questions going in about 18's health, or 88's health. If that UConn cat hits the turf as cold as Edge and Addai did we are going to roll-Mike Hart may still be down, but even if he comes in @ mid season, that will give us 3 backs.

Our only issue is that Redge will see more double teams than he ever has now that he's true #1, he'll still get open and catch TD's AND be fresh for the Sports JAM on Sunday nights as co-host. This hopefully will be Gonzo's breakout season, and NOBODY beats D.C. but D.C.

I don't call adding a running back (even a good, productive, pass catching running back) "reloading" your offense. You lost Harrison and are still going to need to identify a number 3 receiver. Great, you have 3 running backs - only one can touch the ball at a time.

Manning is still Manning and so the Colts will be fine, but Jacksonville and Houston have both improved more this offseason than Indianapolis have. Manning is getting up there in age now, his best years ARE behind him. He can still win, he is still one of (if not the) best QB's in the game. But his clock is ticking.

Don't get what? The damned dirty Pats have been losing coaches since when?

The Patriots never lost their head coach, their defensive coordinator and their offensive line coach in the same off season. Yes, they have lost coordinators before - but Belicheck is more involved than most Head Coaches are in strategy anyway.

And the COLTS are better than the Patriots.

The Colts were better than the Patriots last year. The Patriots have been a better organization.

We lost a general, but his soldiers are still there, and so is the philosophy, I didn't know that about Muddy, you got me w/ that, but that old man didn't line up behind center.

If philosophy was more important than the coaches that teach it, there would be even greater coach turnover than we already have. Yes - you have his soldiers still, a bunch of late round draft picks that were MOLDED into NFL offensive lineman. Yes, Mudd wasn't lined up behind center - he just created the center.

Pollian picks the players and we've have bullets in the O line that haven't even been fired yet. EVERY team in the league wish they had it like Your Indianapolis COLTS.

Pollian picks the players - he doesn't coach the players.

Saturday just got paid,

He's 33 and just came off an injury riddled season.

and I think so did Diem.

He's played a full season 3 times in 8 years.

How ever line play changes there is still 18 behind it who DEMANDs that they do the job, he's Johnny U and old school football in one package.

A big reason for 18's success (as he has said time and time again) is the success of Mudd's offensive lines.

All this media saturation makes us think that every little butterfly we step on or doesn't fly straight will make or break when the whistle blows, that's why I pull back in the offseason, too much of a good thing ruins it.

I don't watch ESPN. The Colts are playing in a very good division. The Jags, Titans, Colts and Texans are all Playoff caliber teams.

The Texans.. I don't hate Houston, I like watching them grow as a franchise, and that Mario Williams deal surprised everyone except COLTS fans, cause you ain't gone out shoot 18 and that offense.

Houston's offense is better than Indy's offense.

Texans win 9 games this season, beat Jax both, and split w/ Tenn. v. the COLTS 0-2

Not at all a homer pick

 

[StorminNorman]

Awesome


Damn, JT did go on that show during his career didn't he...

Is he a has been or never was?

He was NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. He may still be a great.

 

[BlackLantern]

Atlanta is going to be a problem for a lot of teams this year

 

[Dr. Evil]

Mike Lombardi calls the Texans soft:

http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Houst...ays-Texans-are-soft-Schaub-isnt-a-good-leader