2009 NFL Regular Season Thread

[Jesse834]

Thanks for nothing Denver.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Sounds like a knee jerk reaction to me.

I don't see 4 losses on the schedule for Denver.

We'll see. I'd put money on it. The Chargers have a much tougher schedule and a defense that looks a heck of a lot like Denver's defense looked last year.

i do...in fact i see them going 4-4 the rest of the way. I think SD goes 6-2.

Of course i have been wrong on most everything this year so they could go 8-0!!

[transplant99]

Also Dis, and other Bronco fans, is it just me or is Bailey starting to look like he is losing a step??

I still think he is an elite CB, but he just doesnt seem to have that one explosive move he always used to show.

[mykalberta]

Very tough game last night.

The offense needs to find a way to be come a 2 run 1 pass offense at least some of the time. Orton throwing 3X as much as we run is crazy and we cannot exist like that.

I dont blame the D at all, the Offense needs to sustain drives of more than 5 plays at a time to give the D some rest.

Next up is Washington, I consider this a must win after the Chargers beat the Giants.

[Sylvanfan]

Well half way thru heres how I see the AFC.

EAST
New England: Slower start for the Patriots but things are starting to come together. I think they'll end up with a 12-4 record and battle the Steelers for the #2 seed.

New York Jets: Good defence, good run game, but a rookie QB, and a few other holes make this team too inconsistant to be any better than 9-7 and 8-8 is more likely.

Miami: They're in every game they play, and have had some tough losses. But with a 3-5 record so far they're in tough to get back to 8 wins and it's possible they only get to 7.

Buffalo: They are the weakest team in the Division and 6 wins is where they'll probably end up.

SOUTH
Indy: With a 4 game lead, they've pretty much sewn this thing up. They are banged up on defence, but they'll be able to rest guys in the final couple weeks and finish 14-2. What can you say about Manning he's a master of his craft.

Houston: The Texans are close to being a playoff team and can play with anyone. But they've had some tough early season losses that will come back to bite them and hold them to a 9-7 record. Still a team who plays tough every week.

Jacksonville: The Jags are in the playoff picture with a 4-4 record, but I can't see them winning more than 8 games. They have some big play guys on offence, but the defence can't get it done when they're playing a real team.

Tennessee: After a disaster start the Titans schedule does ease up a lot in the 2nd half. I wouldn't be surprised if they can climb back to being a 7 or 8 win team.

NORTH:
Pittsburgh: The Steelers lost a couple early games, but they look to be in form. Tough on D, and an offence that can move the ball on the ground or thru the air. I expect them to be 12-4 and with the Pats for the 2 seed and make a serious run at the repeat.

Cincinatti: The Bengals have been getting good offensive line play, and Carson Palmer is back in form. Than add in an emerging defence and the Bengals have earned their record. Their remaining schedule isn't to bad so they should win at least 10 games and grab a WC spot.

Baltimore: The defence isn't quite what it used to be and they've had some tough losses. They still have a few tough games, and with 4 losses I think 9-7 is where they'll end up. In past years...this offence with the old defence would have won the Superbowl.

Cleveland: Poor Browns, things have become a disaster there. They have KC left so they might win a second game. But that's it, they're in terrible shape and the Owner is spending a small fortune still paying the guys he's already fired.

WEST:
Denver: Great start but a couple of tough losses lately. I think they'll get it turned around and having that win in San Diego under their belt is a bonus. I think the Bronco's can still go 5-3 and that 11-5 is enough to win the Division.

San Diego: Sluggish start, but it seems when they're back is against the wall that they can win. Rivers combined with those big receivers gives them a potent passing attack. The get the bonus of being in a lousy Division where you basically are given 4 wins for free. As a result they can split the other 12 games on their schedule and get 10 wins. That'll get them a Wild Card spot.

Oakland: Some weeks they look so bad the Cleveland Browns are embarassed for them. Other weeks they show signs that they could be a decent team if they had a QB! I think we'll see much of the same and they'll end up 4-12. If Al Davis wasn't calling the side lines and telling them to keep going with Russel, they might win 5.

Kansas City: My Chiefs are terrible on both the offensive and defensive line of scrimmage. They also can't tackle to save their lives. The Raiders are going to kill them on Sunday, and the Browns can't wait to face them. They're lucky they got to play some bad teams this year and got a win. They're probably 3-4 drafts away from being a 5 win team. It's god awful.

[Bobblehead]

So do Denver draft a QB this year, or look to pick one up in a trade?

And what other teams pick up a QB? It seems like there are a bunch.

SF is rumoured to be in the hunt and they have 2 1st rounders, but they really like Nate Davis (3rd on the depth chart) and drafting another QB too early may create roster issues.

[Pagal4321]

The real question is, do the Vikings go after a QB as well?

Was looking at the very early rankings for the players coming up in the draft, and couldn't figure out what the Vikings need, draft wise.

RB, well that's a dumb question, unless you can find some bruiser to spell AP.
OL, don't think so, young C and RT, Hutch and McKinnie on the left, only potential spot is at RG.
WR, got Harvin and Rice along with Berrian, I think they are okay there.
TE, Schiancoe is busting out and they have Kleinsasser and Dugan as the blockers.

DE, Allen/Edwards/Robison is fine by me.
DT, maybe a Pat Williams replacement
LB, Greenway and EJ are the studs. Leber is servicable, and they have young depth with Erin Henderson, Jasper Brinkley.
CB, Winfield and Griffin, depth is average, but this has always been a weakeness of this team. But so many young corners with Griffin, Sapp, Allen.
S, just drafted Johnson, he's playing decent. And have M. Williams for the long haul. J. Sanford stuck on the team, so decent depth.

But to me, I think QB should be a glaring need for this team next year and moving forward.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

So do Denver draft a QB this year, or look to pick one up in a trade?

And what other teams pick up a QB? It seems like there are a bunch.

SF is rumoured to be in the hunt and they have 2 1st rounders, but they really like Nate Davis (3rd on the depth chart) and drafting another QB too early may create roster issues.

Kyle Orton still has a record of 28-14 as a starter, so I don't think the Bronco's will actively seek out a trade. But they might try to grab a guy in the first round with one of their two picks to start grooming.

Teams who are going to be at the front of the draft are

Cleveland, Kansas City, St.Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington, Detroit and Oakland.

Tampa Bay and Detroit spent first round picks on QB's last year so I think you can rule them out. Oakland is still paying my man JaMarcus a lot of money so they'll probably look at another position. Kansas City think they're fine at the position with Matt Cassel.

St.Louis and Washington definitely would grab a QB given the chance. Cleveland...who knows they took Quinn pretty recently but have yet to stick with him as a starter.

Should a team want to move up and get a QB, I think a few of these teams are so bad they'd happily take another pick and move down.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

So do Denver draft a QB this year, or look to pick one up in a trade?

And what other teams pick up a QB? It seems like there are a bunch.

SF is rumoured to be in the hunt and they have 2 1st rounders, but they really like Nate Davis (3rd on the depth chart) and drafting another QB too early may create roster issues.

Unless there is some strange trade with KC, I dont see it.

[Clever_Iggy]

If I'm Denver, I consider keeping Orton for several years. Draft around him to build a running game (more OL), bolster the defense and maybe in the next 2-3 years, draft a QB that's going to be a long term project.

I was a very harsh critic of Orton when he was in Chicago and when he came over in the trade, but he's proven (through 9-10 games) to be a reliable game manager - I see him in the mold of a Jon Kitna or a Brad Johnson. He's not going to flat out win you a game, but with a strong running game and some decent WR (which Denver has) he's not going to make a ton of mistakes.

If Denver falls in love with a QB in the late first or second round, have him come in and sit for a few years behind Orton. I think Denver would be set back significantly if they made some big push for a first round QB or some trade. They have a good thing going...

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

If Denver falls in love with a QB in the late first or second round, have him come in and sit for a few years behind Orton. I think Denver would be set back significantly if they made some big push for a first round QB or some trade. They have a good thing going...

I see this as a very real possibility. This QB class is deep, and Bradford's stock is likely to drop due to his shoulder injury. I see the Broncos having a very good shot at him or McCoy if they can trade up. If not, grabbing a guy like Tony Pike would be great for them, IMO.

[burn_baby_burn]

Good read on the differences between Priest Holmes and LJ and what each meant to the Chiefs.

http://www.kansascity.com/180/story/1559398.html

[rubecube]

Going back to the QB thing for Denver (and Minnesota), there should be a few QBs available via trade or free agency this year. I think the list of available QBs is going to look like this:

Alex Smith
Daunte Culpepper
Kellen Clemens
Brady Quinn
Jason Campbell
David Carr
Chad Pennington
Marc Bulger
Brodie Croyle
Mike Vick
Kerry Collins
Jake Delhomme
Byron Leftwich

I don't see anyone on that list being a much better option than Orton. Smith might have a better arm, and could possibly pan out in a place like Denver.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in Philadelphia. There's no way they keep all 3 of McNabb, Kolb, and Vick heading into 2010. Kolb looked good in his two games, and I think the Eagles need to decide whether they can win with McNabb or if it's time to go completely with the youth movement they've quietly been bringing in.

On another note, Westbrook is having ankle problems again to go along with his concussion. I have a hard time believing that Westbrook will be back in an Eagles uniform next year unless he agrees to a reduced role and a restructured contract.

I'd hate to see it, but the Eagles would probably be in great shape if they could move McNabb, Westbrook, and Shawn Andrews for some picks and players that would fill some of their holes on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary. I think they're good enough in most other areas that they could still win the division even if Kolb doesn't become a Pro Bowl player.

[KTown]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Miami: They're in every game they play, and have had some tough losses. But with a 3-5 record so far they're in tough to get back to 8 wins and it's possible they only get to 7.

Miami only has two tough games left and they are both at home. Miami should get to 8 wins and possibly 9, 10 is a bit of a stretch but not out of the question. The problem is 10 most likely won't be enough.

If Miami has a glass slipper its time to put it on because the playoffs have started for this team this week-end. Yah its a long shot and I don't think it will happen but Miami has a very good chance of being 6-5 they play TB, Car, Buf. NE meanwhile plays NO and Indy in that stretch. NE might be 7-4 and Miami might be 6-5 when these two teams meet again down in Miami. It's a stretch but its possible.

With all that said My prediction for Miami is 8-8 and a more favourable schedule next year, with hopefully a decent WR picked up via draft or FA and the team could be back in the playoffs in 2010 as they are the 3rd youngest team in the NFL right now. The tuna boat has this team going in the right direction.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I'd hate to see it, but the Eagles would probably be in great shape if they could move McNabb, Westbrook, and Shawn Andrews for some picks and players that would fill some of their holes on the offensive line and in the defensive secondary.

Can we have him?????

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Can we have him?????

LOL. Like I said, I'd hate to see it happen but I think he garners more value in a trade than Kolb at this point. That being said, if they can grab enough decent picks for Andrews, Westbrook, Kolb, and Vick then I'd be fine with holding onto McNabb.

One point I forgot to mention earlier is that all three Eagles QBs are only under contract until 2011, so they may try to hold onto McNabb and Kolb until then. That would be the worst move, IMO, because they'll lose one or both of them for nothing, and they can't win a Super Bowl with the holes they have right now.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by KTown

With all that said My prediction for Miami is 8-8 and a more favourable schedule next year, with hopefully a decent WR picked up via draft or FA and the team could be back in the playoffs in 2010 as they are the 3rd youngest team in the NFL right now. The tuna boat has this team going in the right direction.

I like the way the Dolphins have been put together and I agree that they have some good young pieces in place that will give them a solid foundation for a few years to come. Bill Parcells knows how to get a winner together, especially if his owner gives him time to really get his program on track.

They did take advantage of an easier schedule last year and the injury to Brady. But I think this year they've proven that they're no fluke and a team you have to play well against to beat any week. A name I've heard is Anquan Boldin from the Cardinals as a receiver for the Dolphins to target. Might be a pretty good fit for them.

[rubecube]

Another point I want to make is that, even with a good QB class coming through this draft, there are a lot of teams in need of a QB. This is why I think the Eagles need to look to deal a QB this year. I also suspect Matt Hasselbeck could be traded or released in the offseason. So if you look at the teams needing a QB, the market could start to thin.

Arizona - Warner has said this is most likely his last year. They have Matt Leinart, but Whisenhunt seems pretty sour on him and Leinart had to fight for the backup job this year.

St. Louis - Bulger can't stay healthy and has never played up to his contract. They'll probably look to the draft since they're already stuck in a rebuilding mode.

Carolina - Jake Delhomme got a new contract after playing awful in the playoffs. He's responded by being mediocre to terrible. This is a team that believes they're only a couple pieces away from a Super Bowl so they may not want to play wait-and-see with a rookie QB.

Denver - Orton has been able to manage some of the games, but the offence could clearly benefit from a guy who will put the ball up. Again, this is another team that is probably an elite QB away from a Super Bowl run. However, I see them taking the draft route simply because that's what McDaniels has been trained to do.

San Francisco - The defense is very good, they have an elite RB and what looks to be a possible franchise receiver in Crabtree. They need a QB that defenses will respect (a.k.a. not Shaun Hill) and won't turn the ball over (a.k.a not Alex Smith). They've had a lot of high draft picks in the last few years, so they may be more willing to part with what looks to be a mid-round pick this year if they can get a good QB that can start right away.

Tennessee - I see them giving VY one more year to prove the doubters wrong. They may go after Pennington or Bulger in the offseason for insurance.

Jacksonville - It's not that David Garrard is a bad quarterback but he's not great and he's not putting butts in the seat. The Jags might look to deal for a big-name QB out of desperation, if they think it will bring their attendance up.

Cleveland - I don't see them trading away draft picks for a QB when they're so far away from being a competitive, and have so many holes they could fill with their draft picks. They'll give Quinn another year or two to turn things around.

Minnesota - It all depends on #4. If they get to at least the NFC Championship this year, and he retires, they probably mortgage the future for another decent QB to try and take them to a championship.

[Sainters7]

^^^
I'm really interested to see where Michael Vick ends up next year. I think going to Philly this season was a nice move for him, as it gives him a year to get back into the swing of things on a successful team, while not getting thrown into the fire too early before he's ready(both on the field and off, with the whole PETA thing). But its only a natural progression to move on in the off-season(I don't see why he'd stay with McNabb still looking productive and Kolb looking like a very capable prospect in those games earlier this year), and pursue a starting job.

Just looking at that list, there's lots of teams where I think Vick would be a better option than their starter next year. You could probably add Buffalo, Oakland, Washington, Seattle(as much as I like Hasselbeck, the guy can't stay healthy), and potentially even KC as teams with uncertain QB situations. I've heard rumblings that Buffalo was taking a hard look at Vick before he ended up an Eagle, I wonder if they'd take a shot at him in the off-season.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Just looking at that list, there's lots of teams where I think Vick would be a better option than their starter next year. You could probably add Buffalo, Oakland, Washington, Seattle(as much as I like Hasselbeck, the guy can't stay healthy), and potentially even KC as teams with uncertain QB situations. I've heard rumblings that Buffalo was taking a hard look at Vick before he ended up an Eagle, I wonder if they'd take a shot at him in the off-season.

Totally forgot Washington in my list, but I think they'll be looking to the draft for a quarterback. I think Oakland has to stick with Russell for another year. KC is financially married to Cassell for at least another 2 years. Trent Edwards is a good quarterback (certainly better than most of the other options) for the Bills, but they have to get him some protection.