NFL 09 The year so far

jdewaard · 11-24-2008, 01:32 PM

I probably should have started this thread a couple of weeks ago, but what do people think of the NFL this year?

Best team?

Most surprisingly good team?

Worst Team?

Most surprisingly bad team?

Offensive MVP?

Defensive MVP?

Offensive Rookie of the Year?

Defensive Rookie?

Best Storyline?

Overall thoughts?

We'll try to get some discussion going.

jdewaard · 11-24-2008, 01:50 PM

Here's mine.

Best team? I'm going pick trendy and say the Giants. That D-line is just incredible, and their ground game is scary. I would hate to have to tackle Jacobs.

Most surprisingly good team? Arizona/Atlanta It's not a huge shocker, I guess that the Cards have a good record. They play in a terrible division, and have so much talent on offense. Still, they are the Cards. Atlanta is huge surprise as well. I had them pegged as a doormat this year.

Worst Team? Gonna go out on a limb and say it's NOT Detriot. I'm going to say St. Louis. Maybe it's just because I've seen them more, but they are just awful.

Most surprisingly bad team? Seattle. I think everyone had them slated as the NFC West Champs. Injuries hurt them, but still, I thought they would be much better. Honorable mention for Jacksonville and San Diego

Offensive MVP? This is tough to call. Kurt Warner has great numbers, and I don't think that team is anywhere near being good without him. Ronnie Brown is a close number two.

Defensive MVP? Albert Haynesworth has been a rock for the Titans. Great numbers for a D-tackle.

Offensive Rookie of the Year? Lots of candidates. I like Matt Forte a lot simply because he has stepped in and legitimized Chicago's running game, an area that was supposed to be a big weakness for them. Although, it's hard to take this crown from Matt Ryan. I keep waiting for him to start struggling and it's just not happening.

Defensive Rookie? Got to be Jerod Mayo from the Pats. Easiest pick on this list. I hate the Pats, but he's pretty good.

Best Storyline? Miami. I think their success has come out of nowhere. And although I am getting tired of hearing about the "Wildcat," it is refreshing to see some new strategy in the NFL

Overall thoughts? forthcoming

djkent01 · 11-24-2008, 01:55 PM

There's a big game tonight - Green Bay at New Orleans that could change a lot of minds. The NFC was previously considered the "dog" division, but suddenly three teams may be in playoff contention. If GB wins tonight, a lot of things change in my mind. If they lose. I don't disagree with much of the above.

Juggercy · 11-24-2008, 02:02 PM

Matt Forte for Rookie of the year

clones_jer · 11-24-2008, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

I probably should have started this thread a couple of weeks ago, but what do people think of the NFL this year?

Best team? the Giants when their three headed running game are all healthy are probably the pick here.

Most surprisingly good team? gotta be Atlanta, a distant second would be Tampa Bay imho

Worst Team? the Lions player/coaching wise ... the Raiders if you count Al Davis as part of the "team"

Most surprisingly bad team? I thought the Texans would step up ... and the Chargers are again a disappointment.

Best Storyline? Atlanta again, from dog vendors to contenders

Overall thoughts? Its really weak at the top ... Pats, Indy, Steelers and Chargers all thought to be big powers have glaring problems, but all but the Chargers are still in the hunt. Denver has nosedived since about week 4 ... Secretly cheering for the Titans and I don't know why.

ketchupnmustard · 11-24-2008, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

I probably should have started this thread a couple of weeks ago, but what do people think of the NFL this year?

Best team? Giants

Most surprisingly good team? Bears

Worst Team? Lions

Most surprisingly bad team? Chargers - How can a team with so much talent, plus being in a weak division be so bad? Oh yeah, Norv Turner is running the show.

Offensive MVP? Kurt Warner - How many 300 yd games this year?

Defensive MVP? Joey Porter

Offensive Rookie of the Year? Matt Forte

Defensive Rookie? Hmmmm, good question.

Best Storyline? Pacman gets a 45th (and final?) chance

Overall thoughts? Can somebody please eliminate New England & Dallas from the playoff picture?

We'll try to get some discussion going.

Bubbahotep · 11-24-2008, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

Best team? Giants

Most surprisingly good team? Jets

Worst Team? Rams

Most surprisingly bad team? San Diego

Offensive MVP? Favre or Warner. Favre will win it if the Jets go 12-4 and win the division

Defensive MVP? Charles Woodson. Homer call, but he seems to make huge plays when the Packers need it the most.

Offensive Rookie of the Year? Matt Ryan

Defensive Rookie? ?

Best Storyline? Atlanta Falcons, Matt Millen finally getting fired.

Overall thoughts?

We'll try to get some discussion going.

guitarchitect7 · 11-24-2008, 02:25 PM

How is the Titans only having a one loss season so far not a surprise. I would have never predicted them to be undefeated up this weekend.

Atlanta would probably be a close second. I think your right on Arizona, they've had the components, just haven't used them. Is it a surprise that the success does not come with their pro bowl RB and instead with a non-invitee rookie-very much so.

psycln11 · 11-24-2008, 02:29 PM

*** on the year since Tom Brady isn't playing.

Similar to the Rockets winning two NBA titles while Mike was off playing baseball!

jdewaard · 11-24-2008, 02:30 PM

Don't get me wrong, the Titans are a great story, and I don't think anyone expected them to remain undefeated as long as they did. But, they were a playoff team last year. Few people thought that Arizona would have such a stranglehold on the NFC West, and flat out nobody gave Atlanta a chance at all.

jdewaard · 11-24-2008, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by psycln11

*** on the year since Tom Brady isn't playing.

Similar to the Rockets winning two NBA titles while Mike was off playing baseball!

I don't know. After seeing the way that Cassel has played, I'm starting to wonder how much difference the QB makes for the Patriots. No doubt that Brady is good, but you've got to admit, that his loss was not nearly as devastating as people initially thought it would be.

guitarchitect7 · 11-24-2008, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

I don't know. After seeing the way that Cassel has played, I'm starting to wonder how much difference the QB makes for the Patriots. No doubt that Brady is good, but you've got to admit, that his loss was not nearly as devastating as people initially thought it would be.

And that's what makes a good coach, even if he cheats doing it.

clones_jer · 11-24-2008, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

Don't get me wrong, the Titans are a great story, and I don't think anyone expected them to remain undefeated as long as they did. But, they were a playoff team last year. Few people thought that Arizona would have such a stranglehold on the NFC West, and flat out nobody gave Atlanta a chance at all.

I'd put Arizona and Tennessee on the same level of surprise, everyone expected Arizona to break out for the last 5 years and it finnally is actually happening.

Atlanta is one a whole other level ... they were anticipated to be the suck of the nfl and are on track for a playoff spot.

Miami and the jets are also somewhere in the suprise pile.

clones_jer · 11-24-2008, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by jdewaard

I don't know. After seeing the way that Cassel has played, I'm starting to wonder how much difference the QB makes for the Patriots. No doubt that Brady is good, but you've got to admit, that his loss was not nearly as devastating as people initially thought it would be.

in fairness to Brady, Cassel has only had 2 "brady-esque" games. Take a look at Brady's stats last year, they're ridiculous.

dustinal · 11-24-2008, 02:52 PM

Best Team: If you'd asked me a couple of weeks ago I'd have said the Titans, but now I've gotta go with the Giants.

Surprisingly Good: Atlanta, Tennessee (who would have guessed starting 10-0?), Giants (I honestly didn't think they'd have the success they've had so far, even after winning the Super Bowl last year)

Worst Team: I think there's little question about Detroit, but my Chiefs are trying really hard to get into that discussion.

Surprisingly Bad: Seattle. Their schedule doesn't help (traveling across the country multiple times), but they're have trouble just winning at home right now.

Best Storyline: As much as I hate to add to the hoopla, it may be Brett Favre having success the Jets.