2010 NFL Training Camp and Preseason Thread

[FlamingLonghorn]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

I think he's just dodging week 1, myself...

I hope not because I will be at that game.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

So who is the best team in the NFC?

Is it the defending SB champions in the Saints? I've heard a lot of people say the Cowboys will get to the big game. If Favre stays, the Vikings have to be a team that will be near the top. Also, people have said that the Falcons, Packers and Giants will make a lot of noise this year in the NFC. What do you think?

Well until someone can prove otherwise, it's still the Saints in my mind. I think the Packers would be next on my list of teams mounting the biggest challenge.

One thing about the NFL though is that in like each of the last 14 years of the 12 teams who made the playoffs, 5 of them weren't there the previous years and you get Superbowl champions who weren't there the previous year. So I wouldn't be surprised if a team like the Falcons or maybe even the Bears stepped up and did some damage this year. I actually have the 49'ers as a dark horse team. If they get any type of QB play, they have the makings of a pretty dominant offensive line, tough running game, and a defence that can beat you up. Plus they're in a Division where they could possibley sweep those 6 wins, which could mean you gotta go out to the West Coast and beat them in the fog, rain, and wind in January.

This is a team who lost last minute games against the Colts and Vikings on the road, and also had a couple other games they could have won. Get Aaron Smith comfortable with the same OC for a couple years, and if Crabtree and Vernon Davis can burn teams who stack 8 in the box, theres the makings of a pretty good team there.

[Montana Moe]

I'm jealous, Sowa!

The Saints may have a Super Bowl hangover, but not that night, no way.

As to Oilfan #81's question, I like the Packers and the Saints.

Both squads will have better defenses than last season, IMO. The Pack defense was dominant at the end of the season, and year two of a Dom Capers scheme should only make them better. Though I have no excuse for what happened in the playoffs in Arizona, WOOF!

New Orleans has more speed at LB, and improved their D-line by adding Alex Brown. Their secondary is underrated with Jabari Greer a top 10 CB and Tracy Porter seemingly having a knack for the ball in big situations. Darren Sharper is a year older, and is not fully recovered from his knee surgery in the off season. This has 2nd year DB Malcolm Jenkins pushing for starting time in camp right now. Year two in the Gregg Williams scheme should hopefully produce better results in the rushing game, when healthy, the Saints passing defense was very good.

Their offense should be great again, they have lost no one except LT Jammal Brown, who didn't play at all last season, and 3rd string RB Mike Bell, who was clearly in Payton's doghouse after the Super Bowl.

I am concerned about the Super Bowl hangover, though it may not be as bad since not many players moved in the off season due to insecurity with the CBA. They did have a good time though, for a long time... I think Payton and Brees will have them dialed in.

I think ATL will be like the Texans of the NFC, not quite enough to get there. I wouldn't mind seeing them get better as the Saints have swept them 4 years in a row now...

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Well until someone can prove otherwise, it's still the Saints in my mind. I think the Packers would be next on my list of teams mounting the biggest challenge.

IMO the Cowboys have the talent to get to the Superbowl the question as always will be how Romo plays in the big games. The Packers look good but until I've actually seen with my own eyes improvement in the offensive line I'll reserve judgement. The Saints IMO will fall back as even though they won the Superbowl they haven't improved and there is that factor of returning Superbowl champs just losing that hunger and edge they needed to win it the first time. The Eagles are a wildcard in that I actually think they may improve slightly with Kolb as he's a true West Coast QB (unlike McNabb) and we saw a few years back with Garcia that a good West Coast QB can have success in Reid's offense.

[Saint Troy]

I think the Saints are in a great place to repeat, they haven't lost the depth players the usual Superbowl champ loses due to the CBA and Drew Brees is their QB. I think the Cowboys and Packers will be very strong, but I still think Minnesota will be a huge factor, Favre or not.

[transplant99]

The Packers look good but until I've actually seen with my own eyes improvement in the offensive line I'll reserve judgement.

Not nearly as worried about them as I was at one point last year. I agree they were nothing short of putrid the first half of last season, but once they got healthy they were really good.

In the first 8 games they gave up 37 sacks. In the final 8 games they gave up 13. Not a coincidence once Mark Tauscher came back for game 9 and Clifton had been back for 3 games IIRC...they cemented into a pretty stable group. A group that blocked for 1,900 yds rushing and 4,400 yds passing.

I think the single biggest concern, and a huge one if it really is as weak as it could be, is in the secondary. Al Harris still isnt ready to practice so the CB position is weak even with Charles woodson on one side. And the Safety position is a mess even with Nick Collins as a pro bowler there.

I have a feeling the front 7 in that 3-4 may be really dominant this year, but the rest of it is a problem. Also special teams...just awful last year and so far in camp that issue looks to continue to exist.

The NFC is stacked with good clubs though...and it may be chasing fools gold to predict who will be there at the end, though N.O., Dallas, Atlanta, Minny (if Favre is back), and San Fran all look like they will be the front runners this year.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

but I still think Minnesota will be a huge factor, Favre or not.

Really?

If Favre plays i say they are a 12 win team...if he doesnt I dont see them winning more than 6.

[Jesse834]

Vikings have offered Favre more money to come back and he has hit the practice field at Oak Grove High School in Mississippi . http://www.startribune.com/sports/vi...D3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[Trojan97]

In Texans camp, 5'5 rookie kick return speed demon Trindon Holliday has missed practice the last couple of days due to nagging injury....

[Jesse834]

Favre has told ESPN if he is healthy he will play.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Not nearly as worried about them as I was at one point last year. I agree they were nothing short of putrid the first half of last season, but once they got healthy they were really good.

In the first 8 games they gave up 37 sacks. In the final 8 games they gave up 13. Not a coincidence once Mark Tauscher came back for game 9 and Clifton had been back for 3 games IIRC...they cemented into a pretty stable group. A group that blocked for 1,900 yds rushing and 4,400 yds passing.

I think the single biggest concern, and a huge one if it really is as weak as it could be, is in the secondary. Al Harris still isnt ready to practice so the CB position is weak even with Charles woodson on one side. And the Safety position is a mess even with Nick Collins as a pro bowler there.

I have a feeling the front 7 in that 3-4 may be really dominant this year, but the rest of it is a problem. Also special teams...just awful last year and so far in camp that issue looks to continue to exist.

The NFC is stacked with good clubs though...and it may be chasing fools gold to predict who will be there at the end, though N.O., Dallas, Atlanta, Minny (if Favre is back), and San Fran all look like they will be the front runners this year.

I agree on the secondary for sure. Woodson is still at an elite level but Harris isn't. Seems like every Packers game I see Harris and his long hair in chase of a receiver after the catch on his way to a big play.

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Really?

If Favre plays i say they are a 12 win team...if he doesnt I dont see them winning more than 6.

Yep, still lots of talent on both sides of the ball that they will be tough. Don't get me wrong I hope they tank, but I think Childress will have a very safe ball control offence that will be pretty successful.

[d_phaneuf]

Their Oline isn't what it used to be

I think without Favre they are an 8-9 win team fighting for a WC spot, with him they win 11-13 and make the playoffs fighting with GB for home field/division

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Their Oline isn't what it used to be

What's changed??

Honest question really. I think the offensive line will be better having two rookies (Sullivan and Loadholt) with one more year under their belt.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

What's changed??

Honest question really. I think the offensive line will be better having two rookies (Sullivan and Loadholt) with one more year under their belt.

I would suggest that Loadholt was better out of the gate than expected too. He's going to be one of the better tackles in the league very soon.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

What's changed??

Honest question really. I think the offensive line will be better having two rookies (Sullivan and Loadholt) with one more year under their belt.

Birk is gone to Baltimore and Hutchinson is getting a little old

they are still a top 10 maybe borderline top 5 OLine in my opinion but 2 years ago they were the best, thats what I meant by not as good as they used to be

[zarrell]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Really?

If Favre plays i say they are a 12 win team...if he doesnt I dont see them winning more than 6.

That's insane. No quarterback in the league wins you 6 games by himself. Ok, maybe Peyton Manning. Tarvaris Jackson wont be winning the Vikings the superbowl, but they are still a playoff contender.

[OILFAN #81]

I think Minnesota is 12-4 or 13-3 with Favre. Without him they would be 9-7 IMO. But then again you can say that with pretty much most teams.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by zarrell

That's insane. No quarterback in the league wins you 6 games by himself. Ok, maybe Peyton Manning. Tarvaris Jackson wont be winning the Vikings the superbowl, but they are still a playoff contender.

Nonsense.

The Vikes have gameplanned the entire offseason assuming Favre was going to be the QB.

If he isnt...then they have one of two guys that have never had a lot of success running the whole deal. No way they are a playoff team without him.

Tavaris Jackson has a 77.9 rating career...21 TD's...18 INT's....those are Tim Couch like numbers.

Sage Rosenfels has a 81.2 rating career...30 Td's....29 INT's....those are Tim Couch like numbers.


Favre makes that team at LEAST 6 wins better....and no its not by himself, its like he has always done...he makes the players around him better. Its the reason why he owns every conceivable QB record imaginable that matters....other than SB wins.

[Pagal4321]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Birk is gone to Baltimore and Hutchinson is getting a little old

they are still a top 10 maybe borderline top 5 OLine in my opinion but 2 years ago they were the best, thats what I meant by not as good as they used to be

Birk was gone last year? We started a 1st year center in his place.

Hutchinson will be 33 about half way through the season, by no means is that considered very old for an offensive guard.

I'll agree the right side may be pretty weak with Herrera starting at RG. But I think they can be in the top 5 easily.