[jtsneaks]

Am I the only one dying for football to start? Anyone picking a dark horse in the NFL this year? Who ya got?

JT Sneaks

[nflman]

I agree with I can't wait to get started. Never bet any futures but if I had to bet a future this year I think it would be Cleveland - Defensive Coordinator is Rob Ryan and he will be ready to work with that defense. Ryan is a better coach than he ever had a chance to show in Oakland with the coaches he had to work with there, although he wasn't very bad either, he was the brain of that defense when it was playing well. The Browns also made a lot of good transactions over the past several months to bring in all of the quality players that they wanted, and Mangini had a lot of good guys to choose from, as well as knowing very well what kind of players he was getting. Brian Daboll will make a very good offensive coordinator as he brings his experience with the Patriots while he served as receivers coach during that 3 out of 4 year championship run. All around, this is a very aggressive coaching staff and I think Brady Quinn is ready to step up this year and be a very good quarterback.

[Nikalibobwa]

1 unit on my falcons at 18.5-1!!!! i'm hoping that these defensive acquisitions will pay dividends on the field. the names lost vs the names gained sounds like we have lost talent on paper. but who ever heard of half of those guys that turned into ballers in new england?

i love coach smith; i love both his intensity and his football philosophy. i am a believer in the team building ability of dimitrioff and i'm ready to build on last season's surprise success.

ever since i've been a dirty bird fan i have yet to see back to back successful seasons. every time i have the optimistic feeling like i have right i have watched some sort of fallout filled with disappointment. please keep this ball rolling uphill!!!

[nflman]

The Browns might go over the win total, which is 7, but my bet to win the AFC North would be Cincinnati.

[nflman]

Oops I just read the story about Ochocinco predicting a playoff run. Any chance we can delete that last post?

[BangTheBook]

Originally Posted by nflman The Browns might go over the win total, which is 7, but my bet to win the AFC North would be Cincinnati.

Cant wait myself. No surprise teams this year Giants win it all

How bout Ocho Cinque wanting to fight Mike Gollic for saying the Begnals need to stop getting arrested etc.. What is this the 5th grade?

[BangTheBook]

Oh yeah my surprise team... Texans make the playoffs this year!

[nflman]

Originally Posted by BangTheBook Oh yeah my surprise team... Texans make the playoffs this year!

They finished strong last year. Showed lots of promise. The OU line is at 8.5 and the Over +120 Lots of value


Scientifically:
Would like to throw this in that teams that play historically bad the previous year (less than 2 wins) have had a lot of bounce back

The Dolphins in 2007 were 1-15 and played in the playoffs the next year.
The 2001 Panthers were 1-15 and then won 7 games the next year
The 2000 Chargers were 1-15 and then 5-9 the next year.
The 1996 Jets were 1-15 and 9-7 in 1997.
The 1991 Colts went 1-15 and came back 9-7 in 1992.
The 1990 Patriots went 1-15 and were 6-10 in 1991.
The 1989 Cowboys were 1-15 and then 7-9 in 1990.

TAKE: 2009 Detroit Lions over 4.5 wins -130 (Also basing this on a rookie QB / rookie HC angle that resulted in wild cards for Baltimore and Atlanta last year, providing that the Lions have enough good sense to start the rookie in week one)

[UMDBookingRook]

I'm right there with you guys, I need football!!!

Teams I like this season (no big suprises really) :
- NY Jets : really like the defense, some talent in place on offense, all depends on the offense being able to score
- San Francisco 49ers : I think Gore has a career year this year, fantasy strategy is built on it
- Carolina Panthers : everyone is saying deangelo williams was a fluke last year, i don't buy it
- Jacksonville Jaguars : It's do or die for Del Rio, most talented team that under performed the most last year)
- Chicago Bears : they add a prime time receiver (Buress or Marshall), they are my darkhorse Super Bowl contender

Other interesting teams, not so secret :
- Minnesota Vikings : living in minneapolis now, the whole Favre thing is interesting. The team is really aligned for a Super Bowl run and is missing that QB leadership on the field. If Favre comes, tops in the NFC.
- New England Patriots : Tom Brady's back.
- Kansas City Chiefs : I think they challenge for the division, I know, I'm crazy.
- Philadelphia Eagles : Will have a top 3 offense in the NFC, but will the defense be able to stop anyone?


Man I can't wait for the fall weekends!

[jtsneaks]

I actually was thinking the Bengals may have a shot this year at doing something. They need to make sure that OL fits together but if they do and Palmer stays healthy I think they can make some noise..

that's some great info on the Lions too--worth a play!

JT Sneaks