It's the SAME secondary/defense 2007-2008 year were led the the league in picks and pass deflections. Do you NOT notice the HUGE difference there is the lack of pass rush from one year to another?
I'm not so sure a non-roided up Merriman is going to magically transform them back into a turnover forcing secondary. Cromartie made some flashly plays, so what. Everyone was calling Phillip Buchanon "Deion Jr" when he kept scoring TDs, then they realized he really wasn't a very good cover corner. We'll see though, I don't think the Chargers have the defense they once did.
I've never backed up Cromartie. Ever. He's a immensely talented player but he's WAY to cocky. That's why he got destroyed by Marshall in week 2. Obviously some cracked ribs doesn't help but none the lees you can't let him catch 19 passes in a game. Merriman took steroids fr one game (proven) that game had 1.5 sacks. over the course of his first 3 years he's had 39.5 sacks, subtract that and you get 38 sacks. That's still pretty impressive.
Your logic is a little off there. ooooooo you've got tapes since the hawks were still in the division. I've been watching the AFC West since 94. Natrone Means? Stan Humphries? Ryan Leaf? Been there.
I expected this but I mean you can't nullify his talent just because he made a mistake. The dude is probably tied with Demarcus Ware as the two best pass rushing Linebackers.
Steroids = http://www.entertonement.com/clips/...-Entertainment-System-Super-Mario-Bros-3-Dan- apparently.
WOW. Richard Seymour traded to the Raiders for a 2011 First Rounder. That might help bolster the run defense a little. Ridiculously risky move by the Raiders though. Seymour's contract is expiring and if he bolts and the Raiders continue to suck (very probable if they don't shore up the run) they will have handed the Patriots a top 5 pick in 2011 with a rookie scale in place. That being said, a deal had to be done. If they don't lock up Seymour with a big deal they've only shot themselves in the foot once again.
I can't wait to look at this again in January so that I can see I got 100% of my picks right. AFC - West - Chargers 10-6 South - Colts 11-5 East - Pats 14-2 North - Steelers 13-3 WC #1 - Texans 10-6 WC #2 - Ravens 9-7 NFC - West - Cards 10-6 South - Saints 13-3 East - Giants 11-5 North - Packers 11-5 WC #1 - Vikings 10-6 WC #2 - Falcons 9-7
why do folks think the Falcons are worse than last year? from all accounts, they got better this offseason.....and TB and Carolina look like they have regressed. Personally, I'm not sippin the Saints kool-aid either. I'm taking the Falcons to rep the NFC in the SB.
The Falcons should be fine but only if Tony Gonzalez continues to play at a Pro Bowl Level. Harry Douglas going down for the season means they are very thin at Wideout, I think their backup RB Jerious Norwood got banged up as well. You've got Brian Frickin Finneran in the mix again, so they really need a reliable target for Ryan besides Roddy White.
AFC East New England Patriots - 15-1 AFC North Pittsburgh Steelers - 13 - 3 AFC South Indianapolis Colts - 11-5 AFC West San Diego Chargers - 12-4 NFC East Philadelphia Eagles - 11-5 NFC North Minnesota Vikings 10-6 NFC South Atlanta Falcons 10 - 6 NFC West Arizona Cardinals 9-7 Wildcard NFC - New York Giants 10-6 and New Orleans Saints 9-7 Wildcard AFC - Tennessee Titans 10-6 and Baltimore Ravens 10-6
Even if Tony Gonzalez doesn't play at a Pro Bowl Level our offense should be pretty good. If our season isn't a success it will be due to our pathetic defense.
I did this during week. I picked every game for all 17 weeks. I think Pittsburgh may lose a game earlier in the season though. NFC North Minnesota 11-5 Green Bay 10-6 Chicago 8-8 Detroit 3-13 West Arizona 9-7 San Francisco 8-8 St Louis 5-11 Seattle 3-13 South New Orleans 13-3 Atlanta 9-7 Carolina 6-10 Tampa Bay 4-12 East Philadelphia 12-4 New York 10-6 Dallas 9-7 Washington 8-8 Green Bay and New York are the 5 and 6 seeds. Not sure who is five and six. I'm not going to bother and see who won what vs who. AFC North Pittsburgh 14-2 Baltimore 12-4 Cleveland 4-12 Cincinatti 4-12 East New England 12-4 BUffalo 7-9 Miami 7-9 New York 5-11 West San Diego 9-7 Oakland 5-11 Kansas City 4-12 Denver3-13 South Indianapolis 13-3 Tennessee 11-5 Houston 10-6 Jacksonville 7-9 What the hell man, I have the Texans going 10-6 and failing to make the playoffs. Looks like Tennessee and Baltimore are Wild Cards.
Pittsburgh's next game at Chicago is a trap game. I don't expect us to go in there and win this early in the season. You can expect an "upset" and the beginning of the "OMGZ JAY CUTLER = INCREDIBLE!!!" party before Cutler does his usual late-season collapse thing.
AFC East New England Patriots: 14-2 New York Jets: 10-6 Buffalo Bills: 8-8 Miami Dolphins: 7-9 AFC South Indianapolis Colts: 12-4 Tennessee Titans: 11-5 Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-10 Houston Texans: 6-10 AFC North Pittsburgh Steelers: 13-3 Baltimore Ravens: 10-6 Cincinnati Bengals: 6-10 Cleveland Browns: 5-11 AFC West San Diego Chargers: 11-5 Kansas City Chiefs: 8-8 Denver Broncos: 5-11 Oakland Raiders: 4-12 NFC East New York Giants: 11-5 Dallas Cowboys: 11-5 Philadelphia Eagles: 10-6 Washington Redskins: 8-8 NFC North Chicago Bears: 12-4 Green Bay Packers: 10-6 Minnesota Vikings: 9-7 Detroit Lions: 2-14 NFC South (don't know which one will win the division though) Atlanta Falcons: 10-6 New Orleans Saints: 10-6 Carolina Panthers: 7-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-11 NFC West Arizona Cardinals: 10-6 or 9-7 Seattle Seahawks: 7-9 San Francisco 49ers: 6-10 St. Louis Rams: 1-15 Early, but I am going to go ahead pick the conference championships AFC: Winner of Steelers and Colts goes to New England for the championship, unless Titans, Ravens, or Chargers pull an upset. NFC: Very hard to tell, but I think it will be between a team from NFC East and one from the NFC North.
