NFC. Changing of the Guard?

[slanidrac16]

I might be in the minority here but I believe this is the year we see a shift in the pecking order of the NFC.

The way I see it, the Eagles, Vikings and Falcons ( in that order) are the cream of the crop.

Heres where the change begins:
The Packers, Seahawks, Rams and Saints have all crested and are on the downslide. All 4 of these teams looked absolutely terrible at times last year. When you take into account the improvement of some other teams I just see these teams slipping a bit more than what we've become accustomed to.

They will be replaced by:
The Panthers, Cardinals, Lions, and Cowboys.
The Panthers don't have far to go. They are 1 year removed from the Super Bowl and were decimated by injuries last year.
The Cowboys are 1 year removed from a playoff birth and have made some huge changes which Parcells will take full advantage of.
The Lions and Cardinals are two teams that have questions but seem to have the pieces of the puzzle in place. Warner and Harrington hold the keys to the playoffs.

Of these 4 teams, the Lions or Cowboys will lose the numbers game at playoff time. Heres how I see the NFC finishing the regular season.

East:
Eagles
Cowboys (possible wild card)
Redskins
Giants

North:
Vikings
Lions ( possible wild card)
Packers
Bears

South
Falcons
Panthers (wild card)
Saints
Bucs

West
Cardinals
Seahawks
Rams
49ers

No, I did not over indulge on the Kool-Aid. It's just the way I see it.

Any thoughts?

 

[arthurracoon]

I agree with that, although I dont know who will finish last in the South, the Bucs or Saints.

 

[BACH]

I consider the Eagles, Falcons, Vikings and Panthers as locks for a play-off spot (Ceteris paribus).

In the next group fighting for the last playoff spots I agree there going to be some change.
The Seahawks and Saints are still in it.
The Rams and Packers have moved out of it.
The Cowboys and Cardinals have moved in to the group.
I'm not convinced about the Lions.

 

[Lagerfilled]

Not convinced about the Lions? All I have to say is Charlie, Mike, & Roy! Add in a dose of Kevin Jones, and away they go. Talk about weapons...

 

[BACH]

Not convinced about the Lions? All I have to say is Charlie, Mike, & Roy! Add in a dose of Kevin Jones, and away they go. Talk about weapons...

That's right. I'm not convinced. Harrington is eratic and I would be surprised if Rogers and Williams are healthy for more than 8 games each.

 

[Pariah]

Harrington is eratic and I would be surprised if Rogers and Williams are healthy for more than 8 games each.

Harington IS erratic, but that's why they got Garcia. I think Garcia will light it up in D-Town.

Also, I can understand where you'd take a "see-it-to-believe-it" attitude with Rodgers, but R. Williams played quite a bit last season, didn't he? And, there's no reason to beleive that M. Williams will be injury prone.

K. Jones looks to be the real-deal, too.

I think the Lions are going to be a realy fun team to watch next year.

 

[BACH]

Also, I can understand where you'd take a "see-it-to-believe-it" attitude with Rodgers, but R. Williams played quite a bit last season, didn't he? And, there's no reason to beleive that M. Williams will be injury prone.

I agree with M.Williams. He has, however, not played in a year, so I expect him to be very limited in his rookie year.

R. Williams had hamstring problems throughout college and were limited in 5-6 games last year becuase of hamstring injuries. I just see R. Williams asone of those player, who'll always be injured - like Tom Knight for us.

 

[az jam]

Nice analysis. Can't argue too much with your choices. Packers could still be in it this year but it certainly is the last "hurrah" for Farve. Carolina could surprise and win over the Falcons in the South. I do like the Cardinal chances we all know that Warner probably is the key.

 

[Arvos]

Get the facts right Bach.

Roy Williams had a sprained ankle in the 4th game of the season. A falcon's player fell his leg as he was being tackled, an injury that could happen to anyone. Roy W. was among the league leaders at that point in the season and battled the injury all season finally having ankle surgery after the season ended. No hammy injurys for Roy last season. I don't know what happened in Texas but it seemed he was fairly durable to me. You can call Charles Rogers injury prone if you like, but not Roy W.

 

[Syracusecards]

Harington IS erratic, but that's why they got Garcia. I think Garcia will light it up in D-Town.

Also, I can understand where you'd take a "see-it-to-believe-it" attitude with Rodgers, but R. Williams played quite a bit last season, didn't he? And, there's no reason to beleive that M. Williams will be injury prone.

K. Jones looks to be the real-deal, too.

I think the Lions are going to be a realy fun team to watch next year.

As long as they're not "fun" against us.

 

[Assface]

Roy Williams had a sprained ankle in the 4th game of the season. A falcon's player fell his leg as he was being tackled, an injury that could happen to anyone. Roy W. was among the league leaders at that point in the season and battled the injury all season finally having ankle surgery after the season ended. No hammy injurys for Roy last season. I don't know what happened in Texas but it seemed he was fairly durable to me. You can call Charles Rogers injury prone if you like, but not Roy W.

I've never had a Falcon's player fall on my leg.

Your offense is going to light up the scoreboard but what do you think of your defense? I bet you're glad to have Moss out of your division. With the Packers and maybe the Vikings fading and the Bears being the Bears I think the Lions future looks bright.

 

[pete]

I see the Eagles sliding back a bit next season. Too much inner turmoil. As much as I hate the Cowboys, they've have had a nice offseason and I think they along with the Cardinals have the biggest opportunity to make a jump. The Lions are a darkhorse.

 

[ryanshaug]

I would agree, except I believe the NFC North and South are going to be much more competitive...I could see anybody in the North winning the division (including a revamped Chicago team) and in the South, I firmly believe the Bucs, Panthers, and Falcons will all be decent. The Aints are the only team I don't think will do anything. I think it would be great to see the Bears win the North, of course it all depends on the play of Grossman...

 

[AntSports Steve]

I just don't see Carolina stepping up. Their running game has a bunch of injured players. Their best WR is Steve Smith returning from a huge broken leg. M. Muhamaha went to Chicago. And they have F. Jones as their "Blocking" TE.

 

[HeavyB3]

Adam Schein of the Afternoon Blitz on Sirius said by the start of the season, the Cardinals will be a chic pick to win the NFC West and go to the playoffs.

 

[MemphisRam]

I might be in the minority here but I believe this is the year we see a shift in the pecking order of the NFC.

No, I did not over indulge on the Kool-Aid. It's just the way I see it.

Any thoughts?

Probably won't be in the minority on a Cardinals board, but yes, your Cardinals goggles appear to be own tight.

 

[Russ Smith]

I agree with M.Williams. He has, however, not played in a year, so I expect him to be very limited in his rookie year.

R. Williams had hamstring problems throughout college and were limited in 5-6 games last year becuase of hamstring injuries. I just see R. Williams asone of those player, who'll always be injured - like Tom Knight for us.

Actually Roy had an ankle sprain that he played through last year very similar injury to the one Fitz had, only apparently worse at least once Mariucci held him out when Roy was suited up and ready to play.

My understanding is Roy changed his workout routine between his junior and senior year to be more weight oriented and less sprint oriented(Roy was quite the track athlete in highschool I think he finished top 10 in the Texas state highschool meet all by himself(scored all his teams points).

"For the third straight week, wide receiver Roy Williams is questionable for the Lions' game against the Redskins on Sunday with the ankle injury that he suffered in week five. According to the team's official website, the rookie did not practice on Wednesday. "

It was pretty frustrating I had him and Fitz on my fantasy team and it really became hard to figure which one to start because when you were convinced Roy wsa healthy, they'd hold him out and Fitz would have a big day, and if I started Fitz he'd get 1 catch for 2 yards and Roy would score twice.

The ability to stay healthy is clearly the big if with Roy, but at least last year his hamstrings weren't the issue.

 

[BACH]

The ability to stay healthy is clearly the big if with Roy, but at least last year his hamstrings weren't the issue.

My mistake. I was convinced it was a hamstring injury.

 

[Russ Smith]

My mistake. I was convinced it was a hamstring injury.

Understandable, his hammys bothered him all of his first 3 years at Texas.

I know that was a common reason cited for taking Fitz over him.

What a talent though, if Roy can ever stay healthy I'm convinced he can be as dangerous as any WR not named Randy Moss, physically he's the closest there is to Moss around, he's stronger and more physical, just not as tall or as fast.

 

[slanidrac16]

Probably won't be in the minority on a Cardinals board, but yes, your Cardinals goggles appear to be own tight.

Hmmmmmm, I see........MemphisRam. I can understand why you might think my Cardinal goggles are on tight.

But you must at least admit you RAm fans are hearing footsteps. We had you on the ropes openig day and thrashed you guys later in the year. Add that to the fact that we added a real qb (you might not think so anymore) a running back with speed, added a starting OT and a starting DE , improved our depth at LB and added arguably the best db in the draft.

So there is reason to smile.

Be careful.........those footsteps you hear.........they're in front of you!

 

[MemphisRam]

Hmmmmmm, I see........MemphisRam. I can understand why you might think my Cardinal goggles are on tight.

But you must at least admit you RAm fans are hearing footsteps. We had you on the ropes openig day and thrashed you guys later in the year. Add that to the fact that we added a real qb (you might not think so anymore) a running back with speed, added a starting OT and a starting DE , improved our depth at LB and added arguably the best db in the draft.

So there is reason to smile.

Be careful.........those footsteps you hear.........they're in front of you!

Nah, don't hear any foot steps yet. Perhaps it's because the Rams look to have improved themselves as well, IMO.

BTW, I'm not sure what to think about Kurt Warner. In the games I watched last year he seemed to be making the same mistakes that he was making that cost him his job in St. Louis. Holding the ball too long, taking sacks, and turning the ball over. And this was in a conservative offense with Tiki Barber carrying the load and having a career year.

Arrington sure has speed to burn, but coming from a fan of a team that drafted an even faster Trung Candidate, I have to wait and see how he turns out in the pros.

According to stats.com OT Oliver Ross had 6 penalties and gave up 7 sacks in the Steeler conservative run first offense. I'm not sure, but it might be in Denny's best interest to make up with Shelton.

Chike Okeafer is a good player and put up a nice 8.5 sacks last regular season. But did anybody else notice that 5 of them came against the Cardinals and the Rams. In 16 regular season games, the Rams RTs gave up 18.5 sacks last year, hence the Alex Barron selection.

Improved depth at the LB spot and the draft best CB? Could very well be true. But, it still appears that the team is counting on quite a few rookies to pan out early though.

 

[Redsz]

In 16 regular season games, the Rams RTs gave up 18.5 sacks last year, hence the Alex Barron selection.

But, it still appears that the team is counting on quite a few rookies to pan out early though.

Same could be said about the Rams. Espically if you expect Barron to anchor that RT spot.

 

[MemphisRam]

Same could be said about the Rams. Espically if you expect Barron to anchor that RT spot.

Sure. When one player becomes a few.

 

[BigDavis75]

I agree with you on all your predictions, except maybe the Lions. If their QB situation pans out they will go 9-7, if not they are 7-9. Also, I think the Bears will be good soon, but because of Minny and the Lions being hyped this year and GB not falling that far the Bears will still end up last, but watch out for them in the next 3-5 years.

 

[Redsz]

Sure. When one player becomes a few.

Depends on what you mean by 'a few'.

The only rookie that we know will be starting is Antrel Rolle at CB.

The rest will have to work for it.