Surprise Bust Teams?

[jf-08]

I think Denver flops this year. maybe 4-12. I also think the Colts will have a bad year (for them), maybe 9-7 if they are lucky.

Any thoughts?

Good choice on Denver.

When I saw your topic headline, I immediately thought Denver.

I also think Atlanta and the NYJ will be worse than last year's teams.

 

[Duckjake]

San Diego, they always go 4-5 years 8-8 or worse after a big season.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Kansas City

 

[BigDavis75]

I doubt the Steelers will bust they may not get 15 wins but they will make the playoffs. Last year they lost Casey Hampton and Kendall Simmons for the season. They had a good draft this year and Ben has a year under his belt. Plus Plax was a douche and ruined a lot of plays.

 

[kerouac9]

I doubt the Steelers will bust they may not get 15 wins but they will make the playoffs. Last year they lost Casey Hampton and Kendall Simmons for the season. They had a good draft this year and Ben has a year under his belt. Plus Plax was a douche and ruined a lot of plays.

Did you see this on ESPN.com about Plax and Big Ben? I found it fascinating:

The Steelers made no effort to re-sign their first-round pick in 2000, a decision that had everything to do with their first-round pick last year, Roethlisberger, and what they feel is best for his development. Roethlisberger and Burress enjoyed a close relationship – too close if you ask the Steelers. They viewed Burress as a negative influence. There was a reason why Burress saw his production increase when Roethlisberger stepped in for Tommy Maddox in Game 2, only the team didn't catch on until late in the year: Roethlisberger and Burress had devised plays for the QB's favorite receiver, though he almost never was the primary one, and would adjust his routes as they saw fit and not according to the playbook. While their little scheme wasn't exactly broken (they made the AFC Championship Game in spite of the unauthorized ad-libbing) the Steelers, however, were intent on fixing the situation after the season.

Anyone that thinks that the Falcons aren't going to run away with the NFC South again doesn't know what they're talking about. Who's going to beat them? Their defense is going to be even better this season, and as long as Vick is healthy, the ATL is going to win 2/3 of their games.

 

[Russ Smith]

Did you see this on ESPN.com about Plax and Big Ben? I found it fascinating:



Anyone that thinks that the Falcons aren't going to run away with the NFC South again doesn't know what they're talking about. Who's going to beat them? Their defense is going to be even better this season, and as long as Vick is healthy, the ATL is going to win 2/3 of their games.

That's like saying as long as the leaky stick of dynamite doesn't explode in the science teachers hand he'll be ok.

Vick gets hurt because of the way he plays, he's never played all 16 games in any of his 4 years. So far he rotates one year with half the season or less, then one with 15 games, so he's due to miss half the season (I'm joking).

Great talent and he absolutely changes games but until he learns to be an effective QB without all the risks to his health, he's going to get hurt a lot.

That thing with Ben is pretty weird, it was clear to anybody watching that Burress was a different player with Ben, whenever the play broke down Ben looked for Plex, and it sure seemed to work. But it sounds like they clearly had an issue and felt maybe they were changing plays that they shouldn't have so you can understand why they'd want to split them up in that case.

 

[Redheart]

...But it sounds like they clearly had an issue and felt maybe they were changing plays that they shouldn't have so you can understand why they'd want to split them up in that case.

Yea, this team went deep into the play-offs and the rookie QB had a record-setting season.

I can see how you have to change that.

 

[kerouac9]

That's like saying as long as the leaky stick of dynamite doesn't explode in the science teachers hand he'll be ok.

Vick gets hurt because of the way he plays, he's never played all 16 games in any of his 4 years. So far he rotates one year with half the season or less, then one with 15 games, so he's due to miss half the season (I'm joking).

Great talent and he absolutely changes games but until he learns to be an effective QB without all the risks to his health, he's going to get hurt a lot.

I don't disagree. But the fact remains that the Vick-led Falcons just put up .667 records or better, and when he's starting, they look like a team that's a given to go to the NFC Championship Game. I think that eventually Vick will tire of getting knocked down all the time, and I think having Crumpler blossom last season's going to help. He's got a cannon on his shoulder; he'll start using it more when he has to. Someone's going to get through to the kid and teach him some mechanics.

When Vick returned with the Falcs in 2003, they went 3-1 to finish the season. The defense is better, and the running game is the best in the NFL. No one in the NFC South has made a quantum leap, or even gradual progress (the Bucs are dead in the water until Gruden leaves, I'm pretty sure--he's a horrible drafter). It'll be another season before it takes the Falcs until Christmas to clinch the division.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I have to agree with the Pats also. As of right now I don't have them even making a wild card. Look at last years cream puff schedule and look at this year's schedule which looks to be very difficult. Add in losing your biggest clutch playmaker in Bruschi and both your OC and DC and I think they will be 9-7 at best. Which isn't good enough for the playoffs in the AFC.

Cardinal Mike!!

last year's "cream puff schedule"? Are you kidding here?That has got to be the most uniformed thing I've seen on this board in a while. 9 games against teams that finished with a record of 9-7 or better - losing only once.

Keep writing off the Pats guys - nothing like a 3 of 4 time Super Bowl Champion being underrated.

 

[jf-08]

I still think the Falcons. They won't surprise anyone this year and I think Vick will get hurt ealry in the year.

I don't want him to, but the way he plays, he just gets pounded. He is playing vs. Buffalo, Philadelphia and Minnesota 3 out of the 1st 4 games. If he escapes unscathed, I'll be surprised.

 

[blindseyed]

last year's "cream puff schedule"? Are you kidding here?That has got to be the most uniformed thing I've seen on this board in a while. 9 games against teams that finished with a record of 9-7 or better - losing only once.

Keep writing off the Pats guys - nothing like a 3 of 4 time Super Bowl Champion being underrated.

BUT it's a good choice and would be the biggest bust, the point of the thread. It would be easy to say the Raiders or something. That being said, I don't think they'll completely bust but they're not gonna do what they did last year.

 

[Cheesebeef]

BUT it's a good choice and would be the biggest bust, the point of the thread. It would be easy to say the Raiders or something. That being said, I don't think they'll completely bust but they're not gonna do what they did last year.

sorry - but just because they'd be the biggest bust doesn't mean it's a good choice - especially when you're argument is baseless because you don't know what teams they played the year previous.

 

[blindseyed]

sorry - but just because they'd be the biggest bust doesn't mean it's a good choice - especially when you're argument is baseless because you don't know what teams they played the year previous.

Not arguing with you Beef, I'm saying it's a speculative thread so..no..it's not "baseless"..it's my opinion that IF the Pats were to fall it would be the biggest bust...are you not understanding my post here??...

 

[Cheesebeef]

Not arguing with you Beef, I'm saying it's a speculative thread so..no..it's not "baseless"..it's my opinion that IF the Pats were to fall it would be the biggest bust...are you not understanding my post here??...

yeah I do - and I'm not saying YOUR argument is baseless, I'm saying CardinalMike's is because his argument itself is devoid of fact - ie. the "cream puff schedule" when NE played arguably the toughest schedule in football last year.