Most Instrumental to Your Team This Season

[Travis]

Just having a conversation with a couple buddies and discussing the upcoming NFL season. Even with the cuts and pickups that will still happen, we each had what we thought were key points for each of our teams.

For the Seahawks, while most of the press goes to the recovery of Hasselbeck and Alexander, the Jackson trade or how things are looking on the offensive line, my vote goes to DT: Marcus Tubbs. Our only really big body on the dline, losing him to injury last year really emphasized how important he is to our D. This year we have a potential sub in Mebane, but really, if Tubbs can't come back and play the year at something close to 100%, my faith that our D will improve will be very shaken.

Last year, after Tubbs went down, linemen had an easier time getting to Tatupu which caused him a lot of trouble trying to be as effective against the run. Our already weak safety spots then had to concentrate more on run support, only to get burned for the big passing play. A lack of an answer for that plug in the middle of the line filtered through further, forcing them to be less creative in their use of Peterson and made blitzing Hill a rare sight indeed.

So yes, Tubb's health is probably my biggest concern right now (closely followed by the health of Spencer and just how quickly Mora can turn around the revamped secondary), but the football itch has taken hold the past few days and I'd like to get some discussion going on.

[Karlifornia]

49ers=defense,defense, defense. And can the offense continue to improve despite the loss of Norv Turner.

I guess for key player...uhm...Nate Clements or Patrick Willis. Could really be anyone, though.

[Jas_lov]

Packers- More consistency on offense to help the defense out, better special teams coverage and return game, the safeties actually being able to cover someone.

As for a key player I'll go with the combo of Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson who need to take pressure off of Favre and the lack of receiver depth.

[st.cronin]

For the Pats, I'll go with Maroney.

[Coffee Warlord]

Easy call is Grossman, but I'm gonna say Cedric Benson. If he can pound out a good running game, Rexy will have a much easier time about it.

[st.cronin]

Easy call is Grossman, but I'm gonna say Cedric Benson. If he can pound out a good running game, Rexy will have a much easier time about it.

You don't want to go with Brian Griese? I mean, once Grossman gets benched, that is.

[sabotai]

It's hard to pick just one thing for the Giants....I'll pick 2. Eli Manning has to pick it up and be the leader of the team. He can't rely on Tiki anymore. Jacobs looked pretty good last year and I think he'll step in and do fine. But Eli has to take over as the sole leader of that offense.

Secondly, their pass defense. 28th in the league and their opponents converted 43% of their 3rd down conversions, and the pass rush wasn't there all year long. Just about every single aspect of the Giants pass defense needs to improve.

[FBPro]

Simple one for me, our QB possibly getting suspended. :(

[JPhillips]

The Bengals need Ahmad Brooks to play like a first round pick.

[Coffee Warlord]

You don't want to go with Brian Griese? I mean, once Grossman gets benched, that is.

Grossman is gonna throw for 4,000 yards and 32 TD's, bucko. :)

[st.cronin]

Grossman is gonna throw for 4,000 yards and 32 TD's, bucko. :)

You mean over the course of his career, right?

[Coffee Warlord]

Nope. I mean by week 8!

[st.cronin]

Awesome.

[flere-imsaho]

For the Pats, I'll go with Maroney.

Really? I'd probably go with Adalius Thomas. If he performs as he did for Baltimore, he'll really shore up a position that gave the Pats some trouble last year, which wasn't a good thing given how much they rely on their LBs.

Easy call is Grossman, but I'm gonna say Cedric Benson. If he can pound out a good running game, Rexy will have a much easier time about it.

I see your point, in that if Benson can't generate a running game, it's all over for the Bears. But I think it's still Rex. If he can't improve, they'll only make the playoffs because the rest of the division still sucks.

On the other hand, you could make a case for Ron Turner. It's his job, after all, to keep Bad Rex in the cage and make the most out of Good Rex.

[Coffee Warlord]

I see your point, in that if Benson can't generate a running game, it's all over for the Bears. But I think it's still Rex. If he can't improve, they'll only make the playoffs because the rest of the division still sucks.

On the other hand, you could make a case for Ron Turner. It's his job, after all, to keep Bad Rex in the cage and make the most out of Good Rex.

Ron needs to stop being Psycho Throw 40 Yards Downfield Every Play Ron as well. :)

[rowech]

Bengals = finding good lawyers and staying out of jail.

[thesloppy]

MY opinion probably isn't very popular, but I think a lot of the Lions fortunes rest on the health of CB Fernando Bryant. The Lions' secondary has been a weakness for, ohhh, the last 15 years or so, and Bryant was surprisingly one of the only players in the secondary last year to show that he could play the Tampa 2 and was a force in coverage as well as in the running lanes....of course the problem was that his season was cut short by injuries and 'personal problems', and has yet to play in more than 10 games since signing a nice sized deal with Detroit. The Lions did pick up some help in the secondary through the draft and FA, but most of them are largely untested and if Fernando makes an early exit this year the Lions will likely be bringing in a parade of stiffs off the street to get torched week after week.

However, being the Lions, there are a host of other issues that could arguably be just as important. The OL has always been questionable, the linebackers have disappointed year after year, and the offense's success could hinge on Calvin Johnson's development or Kevin Jones' recovery.

[JeeberD]

Tony. Romo.

[Celeval]

As a Browns fan, I'll be happy if our talented players make it through the season without freakish/stupid injuries.

[larrymcg421]

A 36 year old QB coming off a concussion.

Apparently.

[MrDNA]

Although it's hard to argue with Celeval, for the Browns I'll go with the O-line gelling enough to let Jamal Lewis use up that last little bit of gas in his tank so the defense has a chance to rest. A lot sure rests on that line, huh?

[wishbone]

49ers=defense,defense, defense. And can the offense continue to improve despite the loss of Norv Turner.

I guess for key player...uhm...Nate Clements or Patrick Willis. Could really be anyone, though.

For the 49ers I think the single most instrumental player will be Alex Smith. If the rest of the team plays as well as they did last year but he has a great season, the 49ers could be in the playoffs. If the rest of the team improves a little bit but he only plays as well as he did last year, it's probably 7-8 wins.

The biggest reason I name him though is that it feels like it could go either way. He could have peaked last season or may just get better and be real solid or even great. The rest of the team I feel good about. The defense looked like they belonged on the field most of last year (as opposed to the couple years before that) and the running game was solid. The biggest question is the passing game and you have to wonder what Alex Smith is going to do this year.

[rkmsuf]

Pats - Brady's head stays attached to his body.

[gstelmack]

I've got two for the Pats:

- Adalius Thomas shoring up the LB position, helping stuff the run and get some pass rush going again, especially if they can't:

- Keep the defensive backfield healthy. The biggest issue with Samuel's holdout isn't him personally, it's how their backfield keeps getting dinged up, and they can't keep throwing off-the-street FAs in as everyone gets hurt.

Brady has proven himself pretty durable, but I think it's a given that if he gets hurt, the offense goes with him.

[Julio Riddols]

Brady has proven himself pretty durable, but I think it's a given that if he gets hurt, the offense goes with him.


I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt Cassel play his way into a big FA contract should that happen.

As for Cincinnati, Odell Thurman and Chris Henry staying out of trouble could make a huge difference late in the year, while early on it will be up to guys like Ahmad Brooks, Domata Peko, and Deltha O'Neal / Leon Hall to make the defense at least average.

If that happens, Cinci cruises into the playoffs as a 3 seed at worst, 12-4.

If not, they'll probably struggle to 9-7 or 10-6 and might miss the playoffs in the AFC, which could be even stronger than last year.

[Atocep]

I think its Grossman. I can't believe certain sportswriters (Peter King) have given up him after his first year as a starter. I do think the guy needs to develop consistency, but the talent is certainly there.

I like what I've heard about Benson so far. He apparently showed up in excellent shape and has kept his mouth shut. Its a good start for a guy that has more or less been hated by his teammates.

Ron needs to stop being Psycho Throw 40 Yards Downfield Every Play Ron as well. :)

Going from John Shoop to Ron Turner is frustration on opposite ends of the spectrum. You go from wide receiver screens on 3rd and 15 to 40 yard streaks on 3rd and 3.

[rowech]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Matt Cassel play his way into a big FA contract should that happen.

As for Cincinnati, Odell Thurman and Chris Henry staying out of trouble could make a huge difference late in the year, while early on it will be up to guys like Ahmad Brooks, Domata Peko, and Deltha O'Neal / Leon Hall to make the defense at least average.

If that happens, Cinci cruises into the playoffs as a 3 seed at worst, 12-4.

If not, they'll probably struggle to 9-7 or 10-6 and might miss the playoffs in the AFC, which could be even stronger than last year.

I'm a huge Bengals fan but I think you're drunk. Baltimore, New England, and probably Indy will all be better than the Bengals. Throw in San Diego most likely as well. Bengals, if they make the playoffs (I don't think they will) will be a wildcard at best. Marvin's days are numbered. He's lost control of these guys and unless he works a miracle this year, they'll have a losing record.

[JPhillips]

I'm a huge Bengals fan but I think you're drunk. Baltimore, New England, and probably Indy will all be better than the Bengals. Throw in San Diego most likely as well. Bengals, if they make the playoffs (I don't think they will) will be a wildcard at best. Marvin's days are numbered. He's lost control of these guys and unless he works a miracle this year, they'll have a losing record.

Not a chance he's fired. He can go 5-11 and he'll keep his job. Mike Brown will not fire Lewis under any circumstances this year.

[k0ruptr]

as a panther fan, I gotta say Delhomme. He needs to calm down in the pocket. Last year he was much too inconsistent. There are plenty of other questions with Carolina, but Delhomme is at the top of my list.

[nole4sho]

Dolphins - Apparently Trent Green.

The Miami Dolphins has the worst front office in the league. Zero attempts to draft a QB in the first round since Marino retired. Ronnie Brown was another dumb pick in a long line of dumb picks. I mean seriously who drafts a back up with the number two pick.

[JediKooter]

Chargers: I'd say the coaching at this point and then how well can their secondary hold up against the Raiders, Chiefs and Broncos.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

For the Lions I would have to say the most appropriate insturmental would be Taps.

:D

[rowech]

Not a chance he's fired. He can go 5-11 and he'll keep his job. Mike Brown will not fire Lewis under any circumstances this year.

I really think you're wrong. Another 8-8 season with the talent they have on offense and the undisciplined nature of the team in general and he should and very well could be gone. If they don't make the playoffs, I know I'd fire him. They aren't going to win it all with him as the coach.

[Julio Riddols]

I really think you're wrong. Another 8-8 season with the talent they have on offense and the undisciplined nature of the team in general and he should and very well could be gone. If they don't make the playoffs, I know I'd fire him. They aren't going to win it all with him as the coach.

All I know is the team was absolutely nothing without Marvin Lewis. All the people who have suddenly turned on him as a coach and are calling for his head seem like fools to me.

The trouble with the law has seemingly ended, with the player involved in the most recent incident no longer being on the team. I think it had more to do with his play on the field, but it clearly sends a message that the reins aren't going to be nearly as loose this year. Couple that with the players overall attitude this year, I can already see a difference in the team. I put the Bengals on par with the Chargers, Pats and Colts so far, Perhaps giving the Patriots a slight edge due to their outstanding work in free agency and the draft. Also, none of those teams are in the same division as Cincinnati, so they won't be able to do much to keep them out of the playoffs. The Bengals also play a pretty favorable schedule this year compared to last season, which was brutal, and Carson Palmer will not be coming off a totally obliterated knee. The only reason the team didn't make the playoffs at 10-6 last year was because of a botched snap on an extra point, and a missed 37 yard field goal.

So not only do I believe they'll be in the playoffs and be a serious title contender, but I also believe Marvin Lewis is about as fire-able as Bill Cowher was in Pittsburgh. Trust me when I say last year was an aberration, not the norm.

[JPhillips]

rowech: A couple of things. Do you really think the guy who kept Dave Shula for years is going to fire the first winning coach he's hired? And, who can the Bengals get that's better than Marvin?

I'm not going to say everything Lewis has done is great, but he's far and away the best thing to happen to the Bengals in over a decade. Firing him would make the Dave Klinger pick look like genius.

[Fonzie]

Packers- More consistency on offense to help the defense out, better special teams coverage and return game, the safeties actually being able to cover someone.

As for a key player I'll go with the combo of Vernand Morency and Brandon Jackson who need to take pressure off of Favre and the lack of receiver depth.

I generally agree with your assessment, but I'd specifically single out the young interior offensive linemen. If some combination of Moll/Spitz/Colledge/Wells can develop and become "cohesive" then the run game will improve and they won't need to keep their TEs in to block. The latter will give Favre another option in the passing game, and the former will force the defense to shift their focus away from Favre.

If those guys stagnate, we'll be seeing more of the same on offense this year (or, perhaps, an even worse offense).

[rowech]

All I know is the team was absolutely nothing without Marvin Lewis. All the people who have suddenly turned on him as a coach and are calling for his head seem like fools to me.

The trouble with the law has seemingly ended, with the player involved in the most recent incident no longer being on the team. I think it had more to do with his play on the field, but it clearly sends a message that the reins aren't going to be nearly as loose this year. Couple that with the players overall attitude this year, I can already see a difference in the team. I put the Bengals on par with the Chargers, Pats and Colts so far, Perhaps giving the Patriots a slight edge due to their outstanding work in free agency and the draft. Also, none of those teams are in the same division as Cincinnati, so they won't be able to do much to keep them out of the playoffs. The Bengals also play a pretty favorable schedule this year compared to last season, which was brutal, and Carson Palmer will not be coming off a totally obliterated knee. The only reason the team didn't make the playoffs at 10-6 last year was because of a botched snap on an extra point, and a missed 37 yard field goal.

So not only do I believe they'll be in the playoffs and be a serious title contender, but I also believe Marvin Lewis is about as fire-able as Bill Cowher was in Pittsburgh. Trust me when I say last year was an aberration, not the norm.

I hope you're right...

You did see Odell's in trouble again though didn't you?

[rowech]

rowech: A couple of things. Do you really think the guy who kept Dave Shula for years is going to fire the first winning coach he's hired? And, who can the Bengals get that's better than Marvin?

I'm not going to say everything Lewis has done is great, but he's far and away the best thing to happen to the Bengals in over a decade. Firing him would make the Dave Klinger pick look like genius.

How about Bill Cower next year? Marvin's a great guy and yes he came in and turned everything around but I don't see them making the leap to the elite teams with him. I really, and I mean really, hope I'm wrong.

[gstelmack]

as a panther fan, I gotta say Delhomme. He needs to calm down in the pocket. Last year he was much too inconsistent. There are plenty of other questions with Carolina, but Delhomme is at the top of my list.

Agreed 100%. Too many dumb throws last year. He really needs to settle down.

[rkmsuf]

Agreed 100%. Too many dumb throws last year. He really needs to settle down.

you really see that happening? that's how he plays.

[Julio Riddols]

Odell is in trouble again?

[Julio Riddols]

Ah, I see.. Fight accusations.. I think this could be a bogus claim, but then again, I have a lot less faith in Odell's capability to remain on the good side of the law than I do with Chris Henry. Odell seems to have a lot more of an "I don't give a shit" attitude to me, while Henry just sort of comes off as a good guy who has made some pretty bad choices.

I'll admit it would be a slight disappointment to me, cause Odell could have been a special special player, but I think Ahmad Brooks and Ed Hartwell will be able to help me forget all about losing him.

[RendeR]

For the bengals its not about one player, its about 11, the Defense MUST improve or this season is .500 again. If the defense comes on and plays even top 20 level all season long, the bengals can go deep into the post season.

Its all about the Defense.