Pete And Repeat

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  • Manning2Harrison
    Banned
    • Aug 2006
    • 7412

    #331
    Re: Pete And Repeat



    It's The Final Cut-Down


    QB Josh Freeman - Russell Wilson didn't miss a down due to injury in 2015. A third QB on the active roster was deemed too much of a luxury when it meant having to part with a player who could contribute more. Freeman has never looked as good as he did in his first year in Seattle, while Josh Johnson has improved.

    RB Trent Richardson - the staff wanted the challenge of making Richardson a productive running back. While he showed up in shape and tried hard, the penchant for making offensive linemen look like their butts were magnetic couldn't be coached out of him.

    WR Akeem Banks - Mr. Irrelevant 2016 needed to beat out another wide receiver to make the roster, and didn't do it.

    RG Lane Taylor - Taylor was a camp body for o-line depth, and while you could have called it either-or between him and Drew Nowak for the third guard spot, Nowak got the nod by virtue of his greater familiarity with the blocking schemes.

    RT Garry Gilliam - When you're the only guy in the o-line that didn't get a Pro Bowl nod, are among the league leaders in sacks allowed, your team invested prodigious scouting resources into potential replacements in the 2016 draft class and signed not one but two players at your position, you know you're a Thanksgiving turkey- you're just waiting to get cut.

    Comment

    • Manning2Harrison
      Banned
      • Aug 2006
      • 7412

      #332
      Re: Pete And Repeat


      Preseason Week 4 Injuries of Note

      Bills RT Seantrell Henderson - ankle, 5 w
      Bills DT Jerel Worthy - arm, 7 w
      Broncos LT Ryan Clady - arm, 7 w
      Buccaneers RT Demar Dotson - elbow, 5 w
      Chargers ILB Donald Butler - groin, 2 w
      Chiefs DE Allen Bailey - hamstring, 7 w
      Colts LT Anthony Castonzo - groin, 2 w
      Colts LG Jack Mewhort - groin, 3 w
      Colts MLB D'Qwell Jackson - thumb, 1 w
      Packers OLB Julius Peppers - groin, 2 w
      Rams LT Huston Donaldson - knee, 3 w
      Ravens C Jeremy Zuttah - shoulder, 3 w
      Steelers TE Marcedes Lewis - arm, 3 w
      Vikings LG Ify Ajala - leg, 7 w

      Comment

      • Manning2Harrison
        Banned
        • Aug 2006
        • 7412

        #333
        Re: Pete And Repeat


        Bears Place Cutler on Non-Football Injury List, Sign Christopher Tracy

        Everyone with any concrete knowledge of what's going on with Jay Cutler is remaining tight-lipped. All we know is that his condition kept him from participating in training camp, and now his 2016 season will be lost to a stint on injured reserve (non-football injury). If Cutler is battling post-concussion syndrome, the Bears could find themselves in hot water for trying to hide it, so let's take them at their word (for now) and deduce that something else has pickled Cutler's brain. In Cutler's absence, David Fales has won the starter's job by default, but he's not assured of keeping it: the Bears have signed second-year man Christopher Tracy, who is hungry to prove himself.

        Hailing from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where his father works for the ski resort, Tracy did not benefit from playing in a big-time high school football program, and was not even recruited by CU or Colorado St. Tracy ended up at Wyoming and went on to tear up the Cowboys' record books, leading the Mountain West in every passing category in his senior season. That got him enough recognition to be drafted by the Dolphins, but he was included in the cut-down to 53 as the Fins kept Matt Moore and Logan Thomas as Ryan Tannehill's backups. With Moore in a contract year, Miami signed him to its practice squad. But when Green Bay backup Scott Tolzien went down in Week 3 against Seattle and Chandler Harnish was a boy amongst men in finishing that game, the Packers cut Harnish and signed Tracy to back up the healed-up Aaron Rodgers while Tolzien was on the mend. Despite being impressed with Tracy and believing in his potential, when the Packers decided to keep only two QB's on the active roster, they stuck with Tolzien, who led them to a 2-0 start in 2015. And so it was that for the second year in a row, Tracy was included in a cut-down to 53. Green Bay signed him to its practice squad the next day, but he was on it less than 24 hours, with the Bears scooping him up. A perturbed Mike McCarthy has confided to associates that he believes Tracy will be starting for the Bears before the season is over. Tracy is going to need some time to absorb Chicago's playbook, but Fales is certainly going to be on a short leash in Chuck Pagano's first year at the helm.

        Murray Wins KC Job

        It turns out Andy Reid wasn't just blowing smoke a month ago. Aaron Murray has outshone Alex Smith and Chase Daniel during Kansas City's training camp and will be the Chiefs' 2016 opening day starter. With Jamaal Charles out for several weeks, Murray is really going to have to deliver in order to vindicate Reid's decision. Smith, for his part, has been diplomatic about the transition, but inwardly he must be thinking "this can't be happening again".

        Rivers Holds Off Sellers

        Scottie Sellers was a surprise first round pick by the San Diego Chargers, but Philip Rivers is still their starting QB. Head Coach Mike McCoy said Rivers thrived on the competition, proving he's got plenty in the tank for 2016. But he also said he wouldn't flinch at the thought of going into battle with Sellers starting. Which begs the question: will Rivers get nudged out the door after Sellers has had a year or two of watching and learning?

        Andrew Needs Some Luck In The Early Weeks

        The Indianapolis Colts gave their o-line a major overhaul in the offseason, acquiring free agent center Alex Mack and right tackle Donald Stephenson, but Andrew Luck is going to be making at least his first two starts without left side blockers Anthony Castonzo and Jack Mewhort. He may be hearing a lot of footsteps, but since he's the GOAT, couldn't he just start throwing left-handed?

        Comment

        • Manning2Harrison
          Banned
          • Aug 2006
          • 7412

          #334
          Re: Pete And Repeat



          FROM DRAFT DAY TO OPENING DAY:
          FIRST ROUND PICK PROGRESSION

          1. HOUSTON: Cameron Gaines, QB, North Dakota St. | 81 | 81

          2. OAKLAND: Jarrett Cates, LT, Mississippi | 79 | 80

          3. DETROIT: Jabrian Roberson, WR, Mississippi | 82 | 82

          4. SAN FRANCISCO: William Jennings, QB, Memphis | 76 | 79

          5. JACKSONVILLE: Kelvin Jordan, CB, Florida | 81 | 81

          6. WASHINGTON: Gavin Charles, OT, Notre Dame | 80 | 83

          7. CHICAGO: Alexander Trammell, OLB, Eastern Kentucky | 82 | 82

          8. TAMPA BAY: Matt Gutierrez, DE, Ohio St. | 82 | 82

          9. CLEVELAND: Mack Beachum, OT, Ohio St. | 73 | 74

          10. PITTSBURGH: Quintin Austin, LT, Michigan St. | 80 | 83

          11. NEW YORK GIANTS: Avius Doolittle, MLB, Alabama | 72 | 75

          12. DALLAS: Kurt Stead, QB, California | 78 | 82

          13. MIAMI: Jermarcus Rivers, CB, Clemson | 81 | 81

          14. CINCINNATI: Brock Reyna, FS, Florida St. | 81 | 81

          15. MINNESOTA: A’Leon Stephens, OLB, UCLA | 74 | 82

          16. CAROLINA: Angel Vega, LT, Indiana | 77 | 79

          17. ATLANTA (from Indianapolis): Fabian Carlson, WR, Ohio St. | 83 | 83

          18. BUFFALO: Pierce Gonzalez, FS, Boise St. | 84 | 84

          19. ATLANTA: Bjoern Dennis, C, Alabama | 79 | 82

          20. NEW YORK JETS: Ulysses Gabbert, RT, Montana St. | 74 | 74

          21. GREEN BAY: (from Los Angeles): Jay Steward, TE, Arkansas | 81 | 82

          22. ARIZONA: Christian Jennings, C, Notre Dame | 78 | 81

          23. TENNESSEE: Antoine Holland, WR, TCU | 77 | 77

          24. DENVER: Steele Hopkins, RB, Ohio St. | 81 | 81

          25. BALTIMORE: Donte Baxter, TE, Stanford | 74 | 79

          26. DENVER (from Green Bay through Los Angeles): MacKenzie Dean, OLB, Notre Dame | 74 | 78

          27. NEW ORLEANS: Tucker Watkins, TE, Ohio St. | 78 | 78

          28. KANSAS CITY: Archie Adams, WR, Baylor | 78 79

          29. PHILADELPHIA: Devvone Jones, CB, Ohio St. | 80 | 82

          30. SAN DIEGO: Scottie Sellers, QB, Michigan St. | 73 | 78

          31. SEATTLE: Ralph Pendleton, G, Kansas St. | 77 | 78

          Comment

          • Manning2Harrison
            Banned
            • Aug 2006
            • 7412

            #335
            Re: Pete And Repeat



            Seattle Seahawks 2016 Schedule

            SEP 08
            SEP 18
            SEP 26
            OCT 02
            OCT 09
            OCT 16
            OCT 23
            OCT 30
            NOV 06 BYE
            NOV 13
            NOV 20
            NOV 28
            DEC 04
            DEC 11
            DEC 18
            DEC 25
            JAN 01

            Comment

            • Manning2Harrison
              Banned
              • Aug 2006
              • 7412

              #336
              Re: Pete And Repeat

              Don't see 16-0 with this schedule.

              Comment

              • Manning2Harrison
                Banned
                • Aug 2006
                • 7412

                #337
                Re: Pete And Repeat



                Seattle Seahawks 2016 Opening Day Depth Chart


                SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Depth Chart - 2016
                Regular Offense
                STARTER2ND3RD4TH
                WRDoug Baldwin | 80Fenton Ellis | 73Danario Alexander | 74
                TEJimmy Graham | 96Luke Willson | 73Dewayne Roberson | 67
                LTRussell Okung | 89Alvin Bailey | 77Mitchell Schwartz | 74
                LGJustin Britt | 85Alvin Bailey | 72Drew Nowak | 63
                CLemuel Jeanpierre | 80Christian Hernandez | 64Drew Nowak | 63
                RGRalph Pendleton (R) | 78Drew Nowak | 63Christian Hernandez | 63
                RTAndre Smith | 86Mitchell Schwartz | 74Alvin Bailey | 77
                WRDuvon Price (R) | 83Paul Richardson | 70Denarius Moore | 75
                QBRussell Wilson | 99Josh Johnson | 76
                FBDerrick Coleman | 90
                HBWayman Avery | 80Christine Michael | 83Bryce Brown | 79Tramon Boone (R) | 64
                Base 4-3 Defense
                STARTER2ND3RD4TH
                LDEMichael Bennett | 96Jamaal Rock | 87Cassius Marsh | 69
                LDTAhtyba Rubin | 74Tony Jerod-Eddie | 70
                RDTJordan Hill | 89Jesse Williams | 68
                RDECliff Avril | 92Jamaal Rock | 81Cassius Marsh | 73
                WLBK.J. Wright | 88Kevin Pierre-Louis | 83Kwabena Ogbanna (R) | 74
                MLBBobby Wagner | 97Dondre Tracy | 70Kevin Pierre-Louis | 69
                SLBKevin Pierre-Louis | 74Cameron Lawrence | 72Mike Morgan | 69
                CBRichard Sherman | 99Tharold Simon | 78Xavius Hunt | 69
                SSKam Chancellor | 97Dareon Cofield (R) | 78Larone Benjamin | 70
                FSEarl Thomas | 99Ed Reynolds | 75Dareon Cofield (R) | 75
                CBCasey Hayward | 85Stanley Jean-Baptiste | 72Quinton Hayes (R) | 67
                Special Teams
                STARTER2ND3RD4TH
                PRFenton Ellis | 93Wayman Avery | 90
                KRFenton Ellis | 92Wayman Avery | 89Duvon Price (R) | 89

                Comment

                • Manning2Harrison
                  Banned
                  • Aug 2006
                  • 7412

                  #338
                  Re: Pete And Repeat



                  2016 Outlook - NFC West


                  Seattle Seahawks


                  The 1973 Miami Dolphins went 12-2. The 2008 New England Patriots were an 11-5 wild card. The NFL has seen only three undefeated, untied seasons in its entire history. Some time during the 2016 season, the Seahawks will lose a game, probably more. While the Legion of Boom was upgraded with former Green Bay Packer Casey Hayward, free agency and the draft did not compensate for the losses of All-Pro defensive tackle Brandon Mebane or pass-rushing linebacker Bruce Irvin. As good a fit as he is for the #LOB, Hayward can’t make up for two other missing players, and as a unit the Seattle defense is going to be somewhat less stout than it was in 2015. On offense, the line has seen an overall improvement due to Garry Gilliam being replaced by former Bengal Andre Smith at right tackle. First round pick Ralph Pendleton is stepping in to the right guard spot where J.R. Sweezy was an All-Pro last season. Like Sweezy, expect Pendleton to require some seasoning before he’s contending for end-of-the year accolades, but it’s hard to imagine him being anywhere near the liability that Gilliam was. Seattle’s second round pick, Duvon Price, is replacing the departed Jermaine Kearse as the no. 2 wideout, ahead of 2014 second-rounder Paul Richardson and last year’s third-rounder, Fenton Ellis. Price had an unspectacular preseason. Not a bad one, just not anything that would make you go “Wow!”. But Pete Carroll is insisting that the light is just waiting to come on, and when it does, there will be plenty of “Wow!” to go around. But the biggest change by far- and perhaps the biggest cause of what will be an imperfect season- is the absence of Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch from the Seattle backfield. While second year man and former undrafted free agent Wayman Avery is technically at the top of the depth chart, the Hawks are going to employ a rotational committee approach to the running game unless someone separates himself from the pack and becomes the bell cow. Lynch literally carried this offense for many seasons, and if the the ground game falters in its first post-Beast Mode campaign, Russell Wilson is going to be called upon to have his best season yet.

                  Arizona Cardinals

                  Given what the Seahawks have lost and the Cardinals have gained, this could be the year that the Cardinals, who were a Week 17 win away from the division title in 2014, finally get over the hump and win the West for the first time since 2009. Arizona is coming off what may have been the best draft of Bruce Arians’ tenure. First round pick Christian Jennings replaces the departed Lyle Sendlein at center and had a very impressive camp. Second-rounder Andrew Phillip will be the starting nose tackle, and while nose tackles don’t give you much to get excited about, he should be a mainstay in the middle for years to come. Third round pick Donovan Linder will be starting at right end and Arians expects him to be drawing comparisons to Darnell Dockett sooner rather than later. The biggest surprise of the class, however, is wide receiver Dontre Lockett, a 5th round pick out of Mississippi St. Arians has been so impressed by him that he’s calling him the “Larry Fitzgerald Retirement Plan.” Nick Foles has fallen a long way since posting a 119.2 rating in 2013, but don’t forget that before he came to Arizona, Carson Palmer had not had a rating over 90 since 2006. Palmer will turn 37 in December, and Arians thinks that by the time that the team needs his successor, they will have him an a rejuvenated Foles. And, saving the best for last, the Cards won the Matt Forte sweepstakes and can no longer be accused of not having a running game. If Andre Ellington rushed for 1,126 yards in 2015, and Forte will be running behind an improved o-line, imagine the possibilities.

                  Los Angeles Rams

                  After hovering at the edges of playoff contention for the past couple of years, in their first year back in Los Angeles the Rams are on the verge of making it three’s a crowd in the West. In the year since the Rams traded away Sam Bradford in exchange for Nick Foles, an injured Foles lost his job to then-rookie Tent Watkins, then migrated to Arizona after being cut while Watkins entrenched himself as the starter. Watkins got off to a rough start, but progressed quickly enough to displace Foles and now he’s had a training camp as the starter and is poised to become one of the best young QB’s in the league. 2015 was also a year that the Rams selected running back Lunior McBride in the first round, and got themselves the runner-up for the NFC’s offensive rookie of the year. McBride gives the Rams their best running game since Steven Jackson was in his prime. Also acquired in the 2015 draft, in the second round, was offensive tackle Huston Donaldson, who now looks to have been a huge steal. Donaldson has replaced 2014 first-rounder Greg Robinson at left tackle, with Robinson being moved over to RT, and former Saints RG Jahri Evans was picked up in free agency. So was former Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein, and while the Cards were willing to let him go, he is still an improvement over what the Rams had in 2015. Veteran receivers Anquan Boldin and Malcom Floyd have been added to the roster, and while this may be the final year in the league for both, they’ll help with Watkins’ maturation. Defensively, the Rams are essentially the same as they were in 2015. The team was confident enough in E.J. Gaines and Marcus Roberson each moving up a notch on the depth chart to allow Trumaine Johnson become a free agent, and expect to see 2016's second round pick, defensive end Boris Cousins, get plenty of playing time in what is expected to be Chris Long's final season as a Ram. The Seahawks and the Cardinals had better watch their backs. This could be the year of the revival of The Greatest Show on Turf.

                  San Francisco 49ers

                  2011 saw Jim Harbaugh take a team that had been 6-10 the year before and reach the NFC title game with a 13-3 club. Tom Coughlin had the Jacksonville Jaguars playing for the AFC championship in their second year of existence and in his second year with New York won 11 games with a Giants team that had won 10 in the previous two years combined. None of that means that the Niners will be anywhere near competitive in 2016. The most significant changes are the installation of Coughlin’s preferred 4-3 defense and the addition of two quarterbacks heading in opposite directions. Between Coughlin and Drew Brees, the team will have leadership in spades, but they’re still leading the NFL’s equivalent of the Italian Army. Investing the 2016 first round pick in quarterback William Jennings out of Memphis, to be mentored by Brees and groomed by OC John DeFilippo, will pay dividends in the future but was of no immediate help. Anquan Boldin was lost to free agency, leaving Torrey Smith to be promoted to the no. 1 wideout spot, and nothing was done to address the trading away of Vernon Davis. Left tackle Joe Staley is still rehabbing his 2015 injury, leaving Brees vulnerable in the early stages of the season. Year Two of the Coughlin era may bring better things- there’s historical precedent for it- but this is Year One, and it won’t be pretty.

                  Comment

                  • GMAB8
                    MVP
                    • Nov 2010
                    • 1014

                    #339
                    Re: Pete And Repeat

                    Great season preview! Let's hope that Hawks D can maintain its elite level and Russell can step up and take the reigns in what could be a more pass happy offense!

                    Comment

                    • Manning2Harrison
                      Banned
                      • Aug 2006
                      • 7412

                      #340
                      Re: Pete And Repeat



                      2016 Outlook - NFC East


                      Philadelphia Eagles

                      Early into training camp, Chip Kelly said that if he’d had Colin Kaepernick a year ago, the Eagles would have won the Super Bowl instead of losing the NFC championship game. That’s his story and he’s stickin’ to it. Even if Kelly is the only one who believes that Kaep will rise like a phoenix from the ashes and experience a career rebirth, multiple signal-callers have shown Kelly’s offense to be relatively QB-proof as long as the running game is producing (DeMarco Murray only played 9 games in 2015, but averaged 5.2 yards per carry; with Darren Sproles hitting age 33, Murray will need to stay healthy), and that offense will be no worse off with the mobile Kaepernick at the helm. Where the real difference lies is in the secondary. Former Lion James Ihedigbo was added at strong safety during free agency and the Eagles wisely invested their first round pick in Ohio St. corner Devvone Jones. Ihedigbo is a big upgrade over Gerald Scruggs, who had an uneven rookie season. Jones was one of three corners taken in the first round and will be in the discussion about which team got the best one. Right tackle Lane Johnson will return at some point this season. In his absence, Allen Barbre has been adequate and guards Dennis Kelly and Matt Tobin have developed into solid players. Unscathed by offseason losses and with an improved secondary, Kelly and the Eagles appear poised to repeat in the East.

                      New York Giants

                      The G-Men are one of two teams in the division that have a new head coach, and the transition should be smoother for them with Ben McAdoo being an internal hire. 2016 should be a season that the Giants rebound into contention. Most of the elements from the 2014 wild card team remain, while the team has gotten better on both sides of the ball. Former Steeler Kelvin Beachum was signed to replace Will Beatty, who was allowed to go FA, at left tackle. 2015 first round pick, right guard Enrique Carr, didn’t play much as a rookie but with Geoff Schwartz gone he’s going to be called up to start and he’ll need to contribute right away for the line to gel. Defense is where the Giants be be superior this year. Playmaker Danny Trevathan was added at outside linebacker and free safety Eric Weddle was signed during free agency as well. 2015 second round pick, strong safety Adam Ewing, played with a chip on his shoulder after not being taken in the first, where some had him projected, and he could have multiple Pro Bowl seasons ahead of him. Middle linebacker Avius Doolittle, the Giants’ first round pick, will a rookie of the year contender.

                      Dallas Cowboys

                      The core group that went 12-4 and won the division in 2014 is still here, which is what made 2015 such a frustrating season. Tony Romo stayed healthy all of last year and in the offseason RGIII and rookie Kurt Stead were added, and with QB guru Pete Carmichael Jr. as the new head coach, Dallas is actually pretty well-prepared to weather a possible Romo injury absence. The Cowboys have done exceptionally well in building the o-line in front of Romo, striking gold once again with right tackle Enrique Coley, their 2015 3rd round pick. Coley has supplanted the declining Doug Free and must be considered one of the best steals of 2015. Mid-season acquisition Robert Turbin finished 2015 with 747 yards and although the Cowboys did chase the top FA backs of 2016, they're satisfied he can provide what they need in the running game. The pass rush and the secondary both got upgrades with the signings of Malik Jackson and Reggie Nelson, although Nelson, at 33, is only a short-term solution at free safety. 2015 second-rounder Whit Hobbs had a remarkable rookie season at the Will backer position, giving the Cowboys an outstanding trio of linebackers whenever Sean Lee is healthy enough to play. In all, there’s no reason why Carmichael should not be a successful first-year coach. And if the West doesn’t do it, the East may send three teams to the playoffs. That will all depend on which division cannibalizes itself the least.

                      Washington Redskins

                      Daniel Snyder is not a patient owner. In fact, he doesn’t have any of the positive qualities you want in an owner, which is why the Redskins usually reek. Perhaps through no fault of his own, this is going to be a make-or-break year for Jay Gruden, and it will probably break him. The rest of the division is at a level where the Skins will be lucky to go 2-4 within it. They also play the NFC South, where Tampa Bay may provide the only win. On the flip side, Washington will also be playing the AFC North and could pull as many as 3 wins from that. The Skins were one of the half-dozen or so teams that took a flyer on Josh Gordon, and were the one that got him. If Gordon can avoid a suspension (and likely perma-ban) and left tackle Trent Williams stays healthy, the passing game will be more productive. Washington took Notre Dame offensive tackle Gavin Charles with their first pick and it's going to be essential for Charles to be able to book-end Williams for things to work. Training camp showed that Charles can bea multi-year starter on either side, so while he’d me more than adequate at left tackle if Williams goes down again (he’s only had one 16-game season in his six year career), it will defeat the primary purpose of drafting Charles. Alfred Morris was allowed to leave because Gruden wanted a better fit for his scheme and has been replaced by Doug Martin, who is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates. The defense is seeing a big change this year with Gruden taking his former boss Marvin Lewis off the unemployment line and making him his new defensive coordinator. Lewis has changed the scheme to a 4-3, so we’ll be seeing Ryan Kerrigan and Junior Gallette playing with a hand on the ground this year. Both guys played DE in college so it should be a smooth transition for them. Also as part of the overhaul, Keenan Robinson and Perry Riley have moved to OLB, with Mason Foster inheriting the starting MLB job. Following Lewis to the DC area was part of Lewis’ Cincinnati mafia. Corners Leon Hall and Pac-Man Jones were both signed during the offseason, and it’s surprising the Skins didn’t try to swing a trade for Vontaze Burfict. Second round pick Troy Reed has beaten out Dashon Goldson and the team is experimenting with having Brandon Browner back up Duke Ihenacho at strong safety.

                      Comment

                      • Manning2Harrison
                        Banned
                        • Aug 2006
                        • 7412

                        #341
                        Re: Pete And Repeat



                        2016 Outlook - NFC North

                        Green Bay Packers

                        There’s not much standing between the Pack and a sixth consecutive NFC North title. The offense was not impacted by free agency losses, Eddie Lacy is at a better playing weight, and Aaron Rodgers has a new toy in the form of rookie tight end Jay Steward, Green Bay’s first round pick. The defense will be much the same as well. Kendall Reyes was added to the DE rotation, and while Casey Hayward was allowed to walk, it was a loss that could be withstood due to the rookie play of Donte Tull and the addition of a trio of veteran DB’s in Tarell Brown, William Gay and Greg Toler, and unusual haul given the team’s normal indifference to free agents.

                        Minnesota Vikings

                        Given what else there is, the Vikes are a solid pick for second place in the North. Offensively the team’s biggest offseason move was signing former Giant Will Beatty at left tackle despite bring back the disappointing Matt Kalil on a team-friendly deal. If injuries don’t nag him (he missed a total of 15 games in 2014-15), Beatty can provide an upgrade over Kalil. In 2015, Minnesota had the defensive rookie of the year with MLB Deonte Cousins’ dark horse run, and they have another contender in their first round pick, UCLA OLB A’Leon Stephens. And second round pick Loleti Dunbar has beaten out Brian Robison at left end, leading to Robison’s release in the cut-down to 53. With second year man Parrish Anderson providing adequate backup for Dunbar, there was no need to keep paying Robison. The Vikings took a good step forward in 2015 despite falling out of the wild card race, and could improve even more in 2016.

                        Detroit Lions

                        As bad as the Leos’ 2015 cellar-dwelling 2-win season was, 2016 is almost sure to be better even without Megatron. That’s because they should be able to get two wins out of playing the Bears. Of course the trade that sent Calvin Johnson to New England was the biggest offseason news in Detroit. With the third overall pick the Lions selected Ole Miss wideout Jabrian Robinson and by all accounts they have reason to believe that they chose wisely. The offseason, however, did not bring any help for 2015‘s league-worst running game, and Joique Bell was cut loose. Center Chip Bradley had a formidable rookie season and is already better than Dominic Raiola ever was, while right tackle Bobby Massie has been added as an upgrade. It’s a very serviceable o-line the Lions have, but the offense is going to be one-dimensional. With Jason Jones now playing in Oakland, second round pick Ofisa Alli will be starting at left end, while defensive tackle Angel Lopez, selected in the fourth round, was a training camp revelation. The linebacking corps and secondary did not see any upgrades, however, and that spells trouble.

                        Chicago Bears

                        With a straight-jacketed Jay Cutler bouncing off the walls of some rubber room, the Bears are in a quarterback quandary which may be having them rushing headlong toward the no. 1 pick in the 2017 draft regardless of what wonders first-year head coach Chuck Pagano can work with a defense in its second year of a switch to a 3-4 scheme. David Fales has yet to flash anything that indicates he’s anything more than a backup thrust into an unenviable situation. He’ll likely be replaced at some point by recent signee Christopher Tracy. Although he’s already with his third club, the second-year signal caller is seen to have much more upside than Fales. He may only need the right situation to flourish, but Chicago is hardly that. The offensive line is a mess, with only two starting-caliber players (guards Matt Slauson and Kyle Long). Matt Forte is gone, “replaced” by Knowshon Moreno, back in the league after sitting out the 2015 season to rehab his knee. And if the knee took that long to get back into playing shape, there’s a concern about whether it will hold up. This is a team which is very much going to have to rely on its defense to keep it in games, and it’s a defense which has yet to mesh following the scheme change. To that end, the Bears invested their first round pick in edge rusher Alexander Trammell, a player with a checkered past but a ton of upside who will validate the pick if he stays out of trouble. But one player is not going to make enough of an impact. If anybody sees a light at the end of the tunnel for this team, they had better be listening for an oncoming train.

                        Comment

                        • Manning2Harrison
                          Banned
                          • Aug 2006
                          • 7412

                          #342
                          Re: Pete And Repeat



                          2016 Outlook - NFC South

                          New Orleans Saints

                          The Saints have won 27 games over the past two seasons and didn’t suffer any off-season leakage that will diminish their potency in 2016. This year brings the beginning of the post-Drew Brees era much sooner than anybody thought this time a year ago, but the offense is in the very capable hands of Taylor Ingram, who played so well as a rookie that the Saints were able to make the bold move of moving on from Brees with utter confidence. Multi-time All-Pro Jahri Evans was let go, but New Orleans simply got younger at right guard while staying just as good by signing former Texan Brandon Brooks. Right tackle Zach Strief, a Pro-Bolwer in 2014 and 2015, retired, but second-year man Paul-Michael Sherman was drafted with that event in mind and is more than ready to take over. With their first round pick, the Saints got around to addressing the loss of Jimmy Graham by selecting Tucker Watkins. Other newcomers to the team include defensive end Tyson Alualu, inside linebacker Andrew Jackson, who spent some career-salvaging time with the Raiders last season, and former Raven Courtney Upshaw, himself in need of some career rehabilitation.

                          Atlanta Falcons

                          One more win, or a Week 17 loss by St. Louis, would have put the Dirty Birds back in the playoffs, after a two year absence, in head coach Dan Quinn’s first season. Atlanta made good strides in the offseason which could help them build on last year’s 9-7 finish. Mario Williams and Bruce Irvin were added to the defense, and two other former Seahawks were signed- tight end Cooper Helfet and DB Marcus Burley. Also acquired via free agency was ex-Colts tight end Dwayne Allen. Using future first round picks to trade up, the Falcons bagged wide receiver Fabian Carlson, then used their own first round pick on an upgrade at center with Bjoern Dennis. When a 9-7 team gets as better in as many areas as the Falcons have, a playoff run should be expected.

                          Carolina Panthers

                          The Panthers were another near-miss team in 2015. In their case it was Cam Newton missing 6 games due to injury that did them in. To that end, the Panthers invested their first round pick in left tackle Angel Vega, and have sent Michael Oher where other teams have- over to right tackle. Additional help for the o-line had already come with the FA acquisition of left guard Evan Mathis. Carolina pursued the top available free agent running backs but came away empty. They settled instead for Chris Johnson, giving them a pair of running backs that is a combined 59 years old and each of whom have 8 seasons of wear and tear on them. The offseason also saw the the upgrading of the back end of the secondary with the signing of safeties Husain Abdullah and Tyvon Branch, and third round corner Angel Phillip was looking like a diamond in the rough in training camp.

                          Tampa Bay Buccaneers

                          2015 NFC offensive rookie of the year Donfred Curry will get some system stability by the Bucs’ internal hiring of Dirk Koetter, but Tampa Bay’s running game is going to suffer from the loss of Doug Martin. The Bucs courted the best available free agents and other warm bodies as well but could not entice any of them to sign, leaving Bobby Rainey at the top of the depth chart. With no newcomers of note in the o-line, the only good news is that left tackle Clifton Little, the second round pick a year ago, has future All-Pro written all over him. The team’s biggest upgrade came with the pass rush, via the free agency signing of Cameron Wake and the no. 8 overall selection of Ohio St. defensive end Matt Gutierrez. With former Rams corner Trumaine Johnson also signed during free agency and the continued progression of surprising 2015 rookie R.T. Marsh (a 6th round pick), Tampa Bay’s defense should be playing at a significantly higher level. The 2015 Bucs improved by 4 games over their dismal 1-15 2014 campaign. Another such improvement would land them at 9-7 and wild card contention. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise, but it’s more likely that the wins will be closer to 7.

                          Comment

                          • Manning2Harrison
                            Banned
                            • Aug 2006
                            • 7412

                            #343
                            Re: Pete And Repeat



                            2016 Outlook - AFC West

                            Denver Broncos

                            The Broncos lost more talent during the offseason than any other team- Peyton Manning, C.J. Anderson, Malik Jackson, Danny Trevathan and Evan Mathis. The Johns (Fox and Elway) believe that Brock Osweiler has been well-prepared to assume the mantle from Manning, and he got paid accordingly. First round pick Steele Hopkins was the consensus best back in the class of 2016, and from what was seen of him during camp, he’ll quickly make Bronco fans forget Anderson. Continuing to be pro-active, Denver traded back into the first round to pick outside linebacker McKenzie Dean. While there may be some initial drop-off from Trevathan, Dean is expected to develop into a player of equal or greater caliber. Jackson’s loss may not be noticeable, as Demarcus Ware is giving the game another year, Derek Wolfe got extended and 2015 rookies Hudson Orr and Q’Dareus Rowland are coming along nicely. Former Cardinal Ted Larsen was brought in to replace Mathis, and while he’s not at the same level as Mathis, he won’t be a liability. Center Barrett Jones was a 2015 mid-season pickup and has earned the starting job. The Broncos have recovered nicely from their losses and are well-equipped to reclaim the AFC West.

                            San Diego Chargers

                            The defending AFC champions will not sneak up on anybody this year and their status will hand them a more difficult schedule. What everybody wanted to know about the Bolts was how much Philip Rivers had left in his tank, given the surprising first round selection of Michigan St. signal-caller Scottie Sanders. Training camp revealed two things about San Diego’s QB situation. It looks like the post-Rivers era will be in good hands with Sanders, but Rivers is nowhere near to handing over the reins. He has said all the right things, but on the field he’s looked like he took the Sellers selection as an affront. After the acrimonious parting of ways with Eric Weddle, mock drafts universally had the Bolts selecting a free safety in the first round. The signing of former Cardinal Rashad Johnson, however, plugged that hole and opened the door for the selection of Sanders. Also added to the back end of the secondary, with Jahleel Addae moving over to back up Johnson, were strong safeties D.J. Swearinger and Ryan Mundy; Swearinger won the preseason position battle. Inside linebacker Everett Cunningham, the Bolts’ 2015 second round pick, was a rookie of the year contender who may be on the verge of superstardom. In addition to the tougher schedule, what may cause a setback from 2015's 11-4-1 record was the departure of Malcolm Floyd and another offseason that failed to address the 2015 retirement of Antonio Gates. In fact, the Chargers lost another tight end when they failed to meet Ladarius Green’s asking price. Floyd’s legs may have gotten a little rubbery, but he’s still a savvy veteran who had good chemistry with Rivers. Young skyscrapers Joesph Sharp and Jacob Crawford (a combined 12', 9“ in height) may eventually develop into weapons, but with a whole year of experience between them, they’re still very raw. So while San Diego has no QB worries, the receiving corps has diminished over the past couple of seasons. That may mean more carries for 2015 rookie of the year runner-up Marco Tate.

                            Kansas City Chiefs

                            The 2015 Kansas City Chiefs went 12-4 and had the AFC’s home field, but were one and done in the playoffs. And there are two primary factors why they are going to drop off in 2016 and possibly miss the postseason: the Jamaal Charles injury and Andy Reid’s belief that Aaron Murray is now the best quarterback on the team. That’s not to say that Reid is incorrect. To the contrary, the preseason affirmed his assessment. But it’s hard to imagine Murray ever being better than Alex Smith at his peak. And even if Smith has never been anything more than a better-than-average, but not great, QB, the Chiefs in recent years have had one of the top rushing offenses in the league with bell cow Charles more than making up for any of Smith’s inadequacies. Unitl Charles returns with about month left in the season, the passing game is going to have to carry more water than usual. First round pick Archie Adams should help with that, as should 2015 third-rounder T.J. Holland, who took great strides in camp. The receiving corps is superior to what it was in 2015, and it’s going to be upon Murray to stand and deliver. He has the the job for now, but this may be his only season to make it his for years to come. KC’s biggest offseason losses were right tackle Donald Stephenson and free safety Rashad Johnson. Stephenson’s departure set the stage for what has been one of the best stories from any of the 32 training camps. Former Ohio St. Buckeye Reid Fragel was a 2013 7th round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals. He was an August cut and since that time he has been a practice-squadder for the Bengals, Browns, Bucs and Chiefs. With Stephenson gone, Fragel had chance to finally make a 53-man roster as a backup to Jah Reid, who was expected to inherit the job. Not only did Fragel beat out Reid, he was such a camp phenom that Reid now says Stepehenson’s absence won’t be noticed. The Chiefs addressed the loss of Johnson on draft day, not with a rookie, but by sending their 2nd round pick to the Rams in exchange for Rodney McLeod.

                            Oakland Raiders

                            Does Oakland still have a team? The Raiders are still so far behind the rest of the division that the safest bet in the NFL will be that the longest postseason absence in the league will be extended for another year. Oakland invested the second overall pick in Jarrett Cates, who has all the earmarks of being a franchise left tackle for over a decade, but Derek Carr has yet to prove he’s the guy they need to have Cates protecting. Carr had Michael Crabtree and first round pick Shaakir Carroll to throw to last season, yet only managed a 73.0 rating, throwing 20 picks with only 13 TD’s. To be fair to Carr, though, the 2015 Raiders had no ground game to keep opposing defenses honest. The team was unsuccessful in wooing any of the top free agent backs, and settled for a signing of Montee Ball, who has a 4.2 career ypc and an unresolved domestic violence case hanging over his head. Oakland drafted Alabama running back Keanon Penn in the second round, but he had an unimpressive camp and he’s buried on the depth chart behind Roy Helu and Latavius Murray. On the defensive side, the Raiders signed former Lion Jason Jones to account for Justin Tuck’s retirement and also inked Nick Fairley. Second year defensive end Dwight Jennings is coming along nicely, so the front four that also includes Dan Williams is solid. The Raiders held serve at linebacker, but lost Charles Woodson at free safety and his successor is third round pick Rodney Maxwell. An aging Roman Harper was signed during free agency, and he has beaten out Nate Allen at strong safety.

                            Comment

                            • Manning2Harrison
                              Banned
                              • Aug 2006
                              • 7412

                              #344
                              Re: Pete And Repeat



                              2016 Outlook - AFC East

                              New England Patriots

                              The elephant in the room here is the Megatron trade. 12 to 81 2.0 could make the Pats the favorites to win the 2016 AFC championship. The key is that a not-so-special o-line is going to have to allow Brady-to-Johnson to realize its potential. Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer are quality bookends, but the interior line is relatively squishy. Logan Mankins is back at left guard, but if he wanted to retire as a Patriot, maybe he should have just signed a 1-day ceremonial contract and have done with it. The interior line issue coupled with the fragility of Dion Lewis could prove to be the team’s Achilles heel. The Pats tried like hell to sign Matt Forte but he’d seen enough cold weather in Chicago. They tried to keep LeGarrette Blout and went after other backs, all- surprisingly- to no avail. And they did not draft a back (Sanchez Carpenter) until the 7th round. Aside from the loss of corner Tarell Brown, which has weakened the secondary, New England’s 2015 defense is virtually intact.

                              New York Jets

                              Despite the loss of inside linebacker Demario Davis, the Jets’ 2016 offseason has to be considered a success because Ryan Fitzpatrick re-upped and they were able to keep the defensive front three intact. Those accomplishments precluded any splashy free agent signings, but the Jets did well in the draft and other young players are coming into their own. The 2016 first round pick was invested in right tackle Ulysses Gabbert. This road-grader has proven to be all that was hoped for, bringing the release of Breno Giacomini in the cut-down to 53. To Gabbert’s left, third-year man Dakota Dozier is looking to have a breakout season. Two players to keep and eye on are wide receiver Jarman Ellis and outside linebacker Kasen Doolittle. Head coach Todd Bowles has waxed poetic about Ellis, the team’s 2015 second round pick, saying, “If the league had a ‘Sophomore of the Year’ award, he’d be my favorite to get it.” Of Doolittle, selected in the second round this year, Bowles said, “he’s only 20 years old and he was better than Calvin Pace the day he got here. Sky’s the limit for him. Canton at 40. Everybody picking ahead of us missed the boat.” As a first year head coach, Bowles brought respectability back to the Jets. In 2016, he could bring them even more.

                              Buffalo Bills

                              Well, that escalated quickly. The tumultuous relationship between Rex Ryan and Mario Williams ended with Super Mario being cut loose to sign with Atlanta. The Bills achieved a playoff spot in Doug Marrone’s solitary season in 2014, but in Ryan’s first year they were one of those teams that hovered around the edges before falling short. Now they’ll have to try to do better than that without Williams. Manny Lawson and third round pick Doran Locke are going to be in a rotation in Williams’ stead but one of them could earn a greater share of playing time. In his first year as a Bill, Shady McCoy rushed for 1,238 yards and a 4.3 average, but Ryan was still left wanting more. To that end, the Bills signed guards J.R. Sweezy and Geoff Schwartz in the hope of seeing more between-the-tackles production. Tyrod Taylor still holds the starting QB job, but he’s going to need to improve on 2015‘s 20/15 TD/INT ratio. After getting leapfrogged by Atlanta in the first round, the Bills chose to take free safety Pierce Gonzalez instead of receiver. Gonzalez had an impressive camp, but in waiting until the second round to draft Cody Barnett, they have a guy who is currently 4th on the depth chart behind Leonard Hankerson.

                              Miami Dolphins

                              With the arrival of new head coach Harold Goodwin, Fins fans are hoping to see Ryan Tannehill start playing like Carson Palmer. But even if Goodwin and his assistants can up Tannehill’s game, he doesn’t have a Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd to throw to. What he has is Kenny Stills and Mitch Hale. Actually it’s good news for Miami that Hale is now the no. 2 receiver, since the 2015 first round pick spent his rookie season at no. 4 on the depth chart. Lamar Miller got paid, but the Fins could have done better in free agency (theoretically, anyway). If Miller doesn’t earn his new deal, second year man Dexter Dukes, who scored 9 TD’s in 2015, could sneak up on him. The offseason did not bring any upgrade to the o-line, only the arrival of a past-his-prime Manny Ramirez. This could be the year, however, that 2014 first round pick Ja’Wuan James starts earning his paycheck at right tackle. With Cameron Wake allowed to take a free agency hike, his spot is now manned by 2015 second round pick Dontravious Ashley, who soundly beat out Derrick Shelby and is looking quite studly. Dion Jordan and his off-field issues are now a thing of the past for the Fins, and fortunately Olivier Vernon has spared them from that mistake. After sinking their first round pick into corner Jermarcus Rivers (home run) Miami revisited the position in the second round (Keldrick Phelps) and again in the 4th (Dimitrios Gordon). Gordon has beaten out Phelps for the nickel corner spot, but that situation could be fluid.

                              Comment

                              • Manning2Harrison
                                Banned
                                • Aug 2006
                                • 7412

                                #345
                                Re: Pete And Repeat

                                Originally posted by GMAB8
                                Great season preview! Let's hope that Hawks D can maintain its elite level and Russell can step up and take the reigns in what could be a more pass happy offense!

                                I definitely would like to be able to air it out more. Hopefully Price will help enable that.

                                Comment

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