2009 NFL Thread

[Immortalfire]

I wonder if Silver Knight is his padawan learner?

Maybe he can learn how to let go of the dark side.....meaning his uniform obsession.

 

[El_Citrus]

Maurice Morris is a decent spell running back, but I truly believe Kevin Smith can be a feature back in this league.

If they add Foote, they are in a good situation. Cliff Avrill is a good defensive end and pass rusher. Grady Jackson gives them a run stuffer at DT. Peterson-Foote-Sims would give them one of the better linebacker trios. Henry/Buchanan/Fisher is not a bad group of corners. Delmas brings Bob Sanders potential to the safety position.

Gunther Cunningham is a good defensive coordinator - which is also key. This is, on paper, a mid level defense.

If Stafford can come in and play anything like Matthew Stafford his first year, their offense will be fine.

Detroit's offense should do well against Chicago's aging, Green Bay's rebuilding, and Minnesota's Darren Sharperless defenses, especially in the pass game, but they have plenty of age on their own defense as well. They'll contend for plenty of games this season, but I see a 5-11 or 6-10 record this year at most because of the massive overhaul this team has had and chemistry will take time, especially with Detroit's current mentality.

 

[RAMORE]

some rumors point to New Orleans....don't know how credible that is

They just say that cause deuce left and they assumed they would draft RB and didn't

 

[StorminNorman]

Detroit's offense should do well against Chicago's aging, Green Bay's rebuilding, and Minnesota's Darren Sharperless defenses, especially in the pass game, but they have plenty of age on their own defense as well. They'll contend for plenty of games this season, but I see a 5-11 or 6-10 record this year at most because of the massive overhaul this team has had and chemistry will take time, especially with Detroit's current mentality.

If Matthew Stafford starts and makes the Lions a 6-10 team, he will be the toast of the town.

 

[StorminNorman]

I really like Houston for Edge.

 

[BlackLantern]

If Matthew Stafford starts and makes the Lions a 6-10 team, he will be the toast of the town.

that's a 600 percent improvement

 

[El_Citrus]

If Matthew Stafford starts and makes the Lions a 6-10 team, he will be the toast of the town.

He'll be a hero in Detroit if when he leads them to their first win, let alone sixth. Detroit has talent, but they aren't going to make a big splash in the NFC this year.

 

[StorminNorman]

All I am saying is that if you look at the bottom end of last years league - Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland - the team that has improved itself the most is Detroit.

 

[Raiden]

All I am saying is that if you look at the bottom end of last years league - Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland - the team that has improved itself the most is Detroit.

I thought KC is one of, if not *the* most improved team in the offseason. Acquiring Cassel is pretty huge, and unlike Stafford he has one good season in the NFL under his belt.

 

[El_Citrus]

All I am saying is that if you look at the bottom end of last years league - Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City, Seattle, Cleveland - the team that has improved itself the most is Detroit.

I agree, it's just the way you talked about them as a sleeper, I thought you were almost ready to give them a wild card spot or second in their division (They could still very well finish last in the North again this year.)

St. Louis seems to be primed for more years of mediocrity with an aging team.

Kansas City is just barely behind Detroit for having the best draft of the top 5 teams and could give the Broncos a run for second best in the West.

Seattle's made some good improvements but still has some glaring needs at RB and need an eventual replacement for Hasselback.

Cleveland made some decent moves, but nothing great and are fourth in the AFC North in my opinion.

I completely agree that Detroit had the best draft of the top 5 teams, even though I think KC could have the better year.

 

[StorminNorman]

I thought KC is one of, if not *the* most improved team in the offseason. Acquiring Cassel is pretty huge, and unlike Stafford he has one good season in the NFL under his belt.

Stafford has more talent in his right hand than Cassel has in his entire body, however.

I am not too high on Cassel, he played fine last year - but he isn't playing with the best offense in NFL history any more either. Hayley is a good coach for him, and Dwayne Bowe is a good WR - but who else on that roster scares people on offense? The majority of Cassel's passing yards last year came After the Catch.

Not a huge fan of their defense either. They lack a legit nose guard, Dorsey hasn't played DE before and I am not convinced Hali can play OLB.

 

[Dark Donnie]

I actually Seattle will have the biggest turn....contingent on Hasselbacks health however.

 

[StorminNorman]

I agree, it's just the way you talked about them as a sleeper, I thought you were almost ready to give them a wild card spot or second in their division (They could still very well finish last in the North again this year.)

You can't ever pencil in a team that went 0-16 as a wild card team in the pre-season, but would it shock me if it happened? No. There is always that one team that goes from dead last to respectable - of the teams picking in the top part of the draft, I like Detroit against any of them.

St. Louis seems to be primed for more years of mediocrity with an aging team.

Agreed. Spagnola is coming into quite a situation here - St. Louis has drafted almost as well as Detroit has the past few years with bust after bust in the first round. They are building a very solid foundation there, though. I like Long in Spagnola's system and Laurinitis is a great addition to help Witherspoon in second level.

Kansas City is just barely behind Detroit for having the best draft of the top 5 teams and could give the Broncos a run for second best in the West.

I don't like Kansas City's draft. They picked two DE's in Magee and Jackson - this after spending last years first pick on a DE (the writing is on the wall for Dorsey, IMO). None of their second day picks were real first day talents who slipped either.

Seattle's made some good improvements but still has some glaring needs at RB and need an eventual replacement for Hasselback.

I think Mike Teel is an interesting project at QB. I like this draft much more than Kansas City's, Curry will replace Peterson very well and Deon Butler will work his butt off to make the field. My biggest question is where is the defensive tackle? They lost Rocky Bernard and unless they have changed their minds, they traded for Cory Redding so he can play end.

Cleveland made some decent moves, but nothing great and are fourth in the AFC North in my opinion.

Cleveland had a quality draft. Nothing flashy, but a lot of strong prospects.

 

[StorminNorman]

I actually Seattle will have the biggest turn....contingent on Hasselbacks health however.

Seattle was by far the best team in the top 5. I think they will regret the lack of legit defensive tackle, however.

 

[Dr. Evil]

2010 Mock Draft:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9513448/Let's-get-our-2010-mock-draft-on?GT1=39002

 

[BlackLantern]

2010 Mock Draft:

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9513448/Let's-get-our-2010-mock-draft-on?GT1=39002

No one thinks a 2010 mock draft is a little ridiculous??

 

[Mastodon123]

meh, the Raiders will probably be picking 1st next year. The Lions though will probably be in the top 5 or 10.

Schrager must not be aware Cassel already resigned with the Chiefs. They probably won't be taking Tebow.

 

[Immortalfire]

No one thinks a 2010 mock draft is a little ridiculous??

I do.

 

[StorminNorman]

I'm not touching a 2010 one.

 

[FaT_tONle]

You knew it was coming...

Spoiler

It's déjà vu all over again: Favre-to-Vikings rumors heat up

By Chris Chase

Let it be noted that on April 28, 2009 the sun rose in the east, it set in the west and a Brett Favre comeback rumor began circulating. All in all, just another routine day on planet earth.

In a column from today's Chicago Tribune, David Haugh speculates that Favre's release by the New York Jets will pave the way for the 39-year old quarterback to go to Minnesota, the destination he originally desired last year. I expect SportsCenter to lead with this story for the next 57 days. I also expect the rumor to eventually come to fruition.

Oh, officially the Wrangler Jeans-wearing gunslinger says he's not coming back, but he hedged that statement with a classic Favrian qualifier:

"At this time, I am retired and have no intention of returning to football."
Ahh, good ol' "at this time." I like that. At this time I have no intention of calling Favre a faded star who hasn't won anything of consequence in 12 years and is desperately clinging onto his career like a bald guy trying to convince himself that his combover looks good. But, like Favre's plans, that's subject to change.

The sad part is, Favre to the Vikings (oh, I'm going to hate myself for saying this) actually (gulp) makes sense for Minnesota. This isn't because Brett Favre is a high-quality quarterback anymore (he's not), but because the Vikings' quarterback situation is about as stable as Favre's ability to stick to a retirement.

Whether or not this will happen comes down to two factors. First, does Favre still want to play football? By not closing the door on a comeback, I think it's safe to say that he thinks he still does. Second, would the Vikings want him? That's also a probable "yes". While Favre was only a middling quarterback last year, he's still an improvement over Sage Rosenfels and Tavaris Jackson.

Translation: You may want to prepare yourself for another eight months of hearing about Brett Favre non-stop. The only question now is, what impact will this have on John Madden's retirement plans?

Thanks to Cory Hollenhorst for that old Photoshop masterpiece.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/It-s-d-eacute-j-agrave-vu-all-over-again-Favre;_ylt=Ar3ikbnaQ.nddwTTsETbUkc5nYcB?urn=nfl,159975

 

[Immortalfire]

The only way I'll believe he's not coming back, is if the season starts and he ain't in uniform.

 

[Darthphere]

I mean, honestly, looking at the Vikings QB's right now. He'd be an upgrade.

 

[NewYorkSpider]

I saw the article on ESPN today about Favre not coming out of retirement. Then the thought crossed my mind of him playing on the Vikings for one more season. I honestly believe that he isn't coming back.

 

[Cunning Stunts]

The only way I'll believe he's not coming back, is if the season starts and he ain't in uniform.

Exactly. Especially since it's the Vikings.

And I'd bet money that if he helps carry the Vikes to a Super Bowl, the whole nation will be on his side again, saying, "We all had faith in him!"

 

[Dr. Evil]

ESPN will bump it's NBA coverage for non-stop Favre coverage.