NFL FOOTBALL

[W.HI.P]

You'd have to be watching football at a very large distance to consider Brady amongst names like Peyton Manning and Joe Montana.
Counting rings without watching the game, or considering the OL that's protecting the qb is kind of ignorant, and i'm getting sick of people reading headlines off newspapers in order to state their opinions.

Regarding this season, predictions are usually made before the pre-season, based on the roster's and coaches of each team.
Predictions at this time is making it very easy on yourself as you can exclude other teams who are not in the running that you otherwise would have chosen.

I've been an Eagles fan my whole life, but i can admit, despite the good showing, that i am less of an eagles fan this season, than i've ever been.

For me, its only about the money at this point.
I find myself watching very closely, and not cheering at all, regardless of how much money is on the line.
It results in clarity.

AFC
To make it to the superbowl, you really have to have a defense....that is what history has shown us.
The New England Patriots do not have a good defense in any way shape or form.
The Patriots attack, when compared per unit to Patriots teams of the previous years, is without doubt, weaker, and lacking pieces.
The Patriots cannot stop other teams from scoring against them, which leaves very small room for error.
We've seen how bad Brady can be at times this season....the chances of the Patriots making it through the play-offs given all the angles, is very slim.

The Jets on the other hand, do have a defense, and a young qb who i rank much higher than tom, despite the lack of rings.
On a negative note, the Jets could just as easily have a 5-5 record as opposed to the 8-2 record they now hold....so don't be too deceived.

The Ravens and the Steelers are clearly the two greatest defensive forces in the AFC, and on any given day, can take out all teams mentioned above and below.
I'd have to give the edge the Ravens, who are better equipped on both sides of the ball.
I would not be surprised to see the Ravens in the AFC final.

The Indianapolis Colts are slowly but surely falling apart as each year passes, but they still have arguably the greatest quarter back in the history of the game.
The tools aren't quite there anymore, but given the lack of really good team in their way, they very well could make it to the AFC final again.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are most likely NOT going to make the play-offs, due to the very tough program that awaits them.
4 of their last 6 games are away against highly competitive teams.
However, should they make the play-offs, by either winning this division, or even squeaking in as a wild card team, they are capable of winning this superbowl.
Maurice Jones-Drew is the greatest weapon at running back in the nfl at this point in time. The power and stamina that he has is exactly what is needed to win a superbowl.
He's the kind of tool that keeps Peyton Manning and Tom Brady watching from the sidelines.
He's the kind of guy, that when it comes down to it, can ware a defense like the ravens and Steelers have.
Its a long shot, but if you're a betting man, the price is right and the team is capable.

1 other team will come out of the afc west ....most likely the chargers or the raiders.... if its the chargers, and both rivers and gates are healthy, i can't see why they won't be able to outscore ANY of the above teams and cruise into the superbowl game.
If its the raiders, they'll be the heavy underdogs that i will be betting on to take out a superior team.
The Raiders are well rounded, with trick plays they've been practising all year in closed training sessions, that they have yet to translate onto the field....they must be saving them for something.

NFC

The Atlanta Falcons have the best record in the NFL, and remain alone on top of the standings in the NFC.
The Falcons attack is the most fierce in the nfl with the running game of turner, QB Ryan is outstanding, and white is amongst the 3 best wr's in the game today.
The one thing the falcons lack is a defense which is clearly under par.
However, the type of attack that the falcons run, can allow this under par defense to at least be well rested on the sidelines.
If there is a team in the nfl that can win a superbowl without a defense, the Falcons are that team.

If you're looking for a defensive team in the nfl, look no further than the Chicago Bears, who have been the elite in the game over the past decade.
This particular season, the combination of Peppers and Ullracher is a total shutdown of any running game any team has to throw at them, not to mention the amazing ability of pass rush that peppers brings.
The attack is no worse than it was when the bears made the superbowl, if anything, its arguably better.
The Chicago Bears are clearly superbowl material this year.

As i said, i'm an Eagles fan, but i'm not buying it.
Other than the running ability of the qb, and our speedy desean, i can't say the team is any better than the Clevland browns.
I may begin to cheer if by some miracle we make it to the superbowl, but until then, i will be betting against my highly overated team.

The Giants have a pretty good pass-rush, and Eli has some options.
Its the lack of running game that has me troubled a little bit, unless Jacobs snaps out of it....
I can't eliminate the Giants from my projections, so consider them a dark-horse.
The Packers and the Bucs do not trouble me in the least for various reasons.
Wouldn't it be funny to see the Rams in the play-offs with home field advantage? ...they are clearly a better team than the seahawks, but are a couple years away from truly being competitive imo.

[jimhelm]

cowboys!

[classicman]

but but but - did you watch the videos? They're super keen!

[J.D.DIAMOND]

W.HI.P I totally agree with you. I never said that Tom Brady will make it to the Super Bowl,I was just wondering "if he can make it".

I do however consider Tom Brady just as good as Peyton Manning and I'm not counting rings and I've watched almost every game the Patriots have played for the last 10years,so I do agree that they are not the best team this year.

However the Falcons may be the best team in the NFC,but they are tied with the AFC Jets and Patriots at 8-2 so they don't have the best record,unless you go into division wins ect...

I just hope that the Steelers don't make it to the Super Bowl,I freaking hate the Pittsburgh Steelrs with a passion,I can't stand Rothlisburger,although I admit he is good.

[W.HI.P]

classicman, yes, i watched....i also watched Joe in real time, and it is why i rank him as high as Peyton Manning.....best 2 Qb's of all time.

Originally Posted by J.D.DIAMOND

W.HI.P I totally agree with you. I never said that Tom Brady will make it to the Super Bowl,I was just wondering "if he can make it".

I do however consider Tom Brady just as good as Peyton Manning and I'm not counting rings and I've watched almost every game the Patriots have played for the last 10years,so I do agree that they are not the best team this year.

However the Falcons may be the best team in the NFC,but they are tied with the AFC Jets and Patriots at 8-2 so they don't have the best record,unless you go into division wins ect...

I just hope that the Steelers don't make it to the Super Bowl,I freaking hate the Pittsburgh Steelrs with a passion,I can't stand Rothlisburger,although I admit he is good.

I don't consider the Falcons the best team in the nfl at this time, in fact, 2 of the 3 best teams in the NFL imo, are not even making the playoffs.
Winning the superbowl does not necessarily make you the best team in football.
Another view-point, a QB winning the AFC or NFC, or even the superbowl, does not necessarily rank you in the top 20 QB's for the season.....example: QB:Grossman for the nfc champion chicago Bears.
I don't think anyone can argue that there were at least 20 QB's in the game by far superior to him.
My argument in regards to tom brady, is i don't believe he's ever truly been a top 3 qb for any season he's ever played.
Give props to his elite OL who gives him time to boil water, let the teabag soak, and take a sip between the snap and release.
Substitute Brady with any of 30 active qb's over the past 10 years on the Patriots attack, and you would be discussing that name amongst legends as you do with Brady today.
Brady is above par at best.

So, i've kinda shared my projections in detail about this season, does anyone else care to put their balls out for display?

[J.D.DIAMOND]

Originally Posted by W.HI.P

classicman, yes, i watched....i also watched Joe in real time, and it is why i rank him as high as Peyton Manning.....best 2 Qb's of all time.



I don't consider the Falcons the best team in the nfl at this time, in fact, 2 of the 3 best teams in the NFL imo, are not even making the playoffs.
Winning the superbowl does not necessarily make you the best team in football.
Another view-point, a QB winning the AFC or NFC, or even the superbowl, does not necessarily rank you in the top 20 QB's for the season.....example: QB:Grossman for the nfc champion chicago Bears.
I don't think anyone can argue that there were at least 20 QB's in the game by far superior to him.
My argument in regards to tom brady, is i don't believe he's ever truly been a top 3 qb for any season he's ever played.
Give props to his elite OL who gives him time to boil water, let the teabag soak, and take a sip between the snap and release.
Substitute Brady with any of 30 active qb's over the past 10 years on the Patriots attack, and you would be discussing that name amongst legends as you do with Brady today.
Brady is above par at best.

So, i've kinda shared my projections in detail about this season, does anyone else care to put their balls out for display?

I agree that people rank Tom Brady higher than he should be,but at the same time I'm trying my hardest to agree with you about him,but I think he deserves more credit than that, the 2007 season when they went 16-0 he passed for "50" TD passes during the regular season,that is impressive.

I've heard so many people say the same thing about Joe Montana,that he was an average player with a good/great team. But I still agree with alot that you are saying,you seem to know alot about football,that makes it fun to discuss things. I also agree about Peyton Manning,he is my favorite QB of this era,but boy did he choke in last January's Super Bowl or what? I was stunned to watch him throw that last pick,although it may have been Reggie Wayne's fault,I think he slipped,none the less it was a let down.

What are your thoughts on Jim Kelly? I know he didn't win any of the 4 stright Super Bowls he lead the Bills to,but man was he excellent or what? At least to me he was,I hated him back in the day because he/they beat every team I liked lol! But he is a championship calibur QB in my eyes.

[W.HI.P]

I'll give you my top 10 of all time:

10)John Elway
9)Terry Bradshaw
8)Jim Kelly
7)Troy Aikman
6)Johny Unitas
5)Otto Graham
4)Joe Theismann
3)Dan Marino
2)Joe Montana
1)Peyton Manning

and, my top 10 active qb's

10)Aaron Rogers
9)Tom Brady
8)Eli Manning
7)Mark Sanchez
6)Mathew Stafford
5)Sam Bradford
4)Matt Ryan
3)Phillip Rivers
2)Drew Brees
1)Peyton Manning

[J.D.DIAMOND]

Originally Posted by W.HI.P

I'll give you my top 10 of all time:

10)John Elway
9)Terry Bradshaw
8)Jim Kelly
7)Troy Aikman
6)Johny Unitas
5)Otto Graham
4)Joe Theismann
3)Dan Marino
2)Joe Montana
1)Peyton Manning

and, my top 10 active qb's

10)Aaron Rogers
9)Tom Brady
8)Eli Manning
7)Mark Sanchez
6)Mathew Stafford
5)Sam Bradford
4)Matt Ryan
3)Phillip Rivers
2)Drew Brees
1)Peyton Manning

Excellent! Very impressive that you list Otto Graham,that rulz!

Hope you don't get mad if I would list Joe Montana ahead of Peyton Manning? lol!

Yeah Peyton is right there with Joe,he really is the best QB that has played since Montana thats for sure.

Yeah Otto Graham man,that guy was awsome,the best thing that ever happened to the Cleveland Browns. Hey,should we be putting slingin' Sammy Baugh in the list too? He was awsome with the Washington Redskins wasn't he or what?

[Undertoad]

No Steve Young?

[W.HI.P]

I'm not sure there's room for another redskin on the board.
Highlight redskin seasons would be around 82-83, where they the dominant team in the NFL in my eyes.

Regarding Young?
I watched it unfold very closely.
That thing that he did with the niners, was not his thing really, was it?
I didn't see him build that, he was just very close to it, and kinda benefited from one the greatest attacks this game has ever seen, that in fact, on a qb level, was manufactured by Montana.
This was still Montana's team and game that Young picked up.
Sure, i'll rank Young somewhere in the top 25, but i've got a few guys in mind that are not on that list that i would definitely rank higher than Young.

[jimhelm]

Steve Young and Troy Aikman reminded me of these guys:



like they were cut from the same cloth

[J.D.DIAMOND]

Originally Posted by jimhelm

Steve Young and Troy Aikman reminded me of these guys:



like they were cut from the same cloth

Yes I agree they were very alike in many ways it seemed.

The 49ers were just plain lucky to have 2 QBs that were as good as Montana and Young. W.HI.P had mentioned that in his opinion the Patriots could of replaced Brady with any 30 active QBs over the last 10 years and they would be basically just as successful as Tom Brady.

I have heard this with Joe Montana too,and although yes Steve Young did win a Super Bowl,he was NOWHERE near greatness that was Joe Montana.

I feel the same way about Tom Brady and Troy Aikman,sure another great QB could win with the chesmistry of the team,just like Matt Cassel did with the Patroiots when Brady went down,he got them to an 11-5 record,but still was nowhere near the skill level of Brady,and I doubt that he could guide the Patriots to 4 Super Bowl appearances with 3 Super bowl wins,just like I don't think that another QB back in the 80's could of taken the 49ers to 4 Super Bowls let alone win all 4 of them.

But we all have opinions and its very interesting to read each one,there is NO arguments here,just the opposite,its fun to discuss.

[Gravdigr]

Michael Vick threw his first interception of the year. And it was my Bears that intercepted it! Yay!

Ya dog-fighting bastidge.

ETA:

Oh, and the Titans got shut out at home for the first ever, I believe.


Ahhhhh, today was a good day.

[Gravdigr]

I might've known somebody would have to die for da Bears to win one.

[jimhelm]

this week I won a 6 pack of Mad Elf beer on the cowboys +13 pts ( I made the bet while they were down 17) and then a bottle of vodka on the Bears (double or nothing bet on the previous win)

I think I'll quit while I'm ahead. and drunk.