It's back! NFL Season Preview

[bayala]

Happy Labor Day to all our American friends!

It's that time of year again. The start of autumn (Spring for us Aussie's) which signals the start of a new NFL season. What an off-season it has been as well. Now that free agency, the pre-season ? and roster cuts are done and dusted it's time for the real action to kick off starting with the eagles vs falcons on TNF. 

Looking back on what's occurred in the off season I think it's been one of the more interesting in recent memory (for all the right reasons). The return of Jon Gruden has been as interesting as most people thought. Culminating in them trading Khalil Mack for 2 first round picks. It looks like they're gearing up for the franchise's new life in Las Vegas. Another interesting trend this off season was the rise of the guaranteed contract. Now, it's not on NBA levels yet but guys like OBJ, Mack & Donald all got larger %'s of guaranteed money in their contracts. Something that should continue to become more prevalent in the league and rightly so. Speaking of Donald, the ram's loaded up on FA talent. Cleverly looking to exploit the recent tactic of teams going all-in when a talented QB is on his rookie contract eg. Seahawks with wilson & legion of boom, Eagles & Houston currently. In the rams case I'm not sure how it will work out. There's a lot of ego's in that locker room but I'm excited to see how it all pans out. 

Now I couldn't write this post without commenting on my own team, the Tampa Bay Bucs. We've been written off as the cellar dwellers and just making up the numbers in a tough NFC south. This is rightly so, last year we were a lot of "experts" picks to sneaky into the playoffs and we crashed and burned like always. I think we perform better when everyone writes us off. There's been heavy investment on the D-line with JPP, Vin Curry, Vea (1st round pick) and others. This should help our secondary who have been trying to cover players for far too long due to an inability to pressure the QB. I'm predicting a 10-6 year with Winston breaking out finally (after his suspension). The saints won't be surprising anyone like they did last year, the panthers have regressed year on year since their SB appearance and the falcons were a shell of themselves without Shanahan last year. 

What were your big offseason storylines and how's your team shaping up?

Good luck to everyone in the FOH pick'em and fantasy competitions!

[inter4alia]

Nothing better than the start of football season! 

[RupertPupkin]

Browns fan here.. can’t wait for the playoffs. Hoping the Indians can pull it off. lol

[Boozebag]

Pats fan here.  Bummed that Edelmen is suspended.  Gronk got some extra money.  Brady is still old.  Brady is still the GOAT.  Belichick will give hilarious answers to dumb reporter questions.   No clue what the backfield will look like.  Season starts against Houston.  Can't wait!

 

 

[Boozebag]

6 minutes ago, RupertPupkin said:

Browns fan here.. can’t wait for the playoffs. Hoping the Indians can pull it off. lol

I think the Browns will at least be in contention for a playoff spot.  The offense improved more than probably any other team.  Gordon and Landry is a pretty sick WR combo.

[bayala]

18 minutes ago, RupertPupkin said:

Browns fan here.. can’t wait for the playoffs. Hoping the Indians can pull it off. lol

I think you'll win 5/6 games. Do you think Mayfield will overtake Taylor on the depth chart this season?

[Boozebag]

1 minute ago, bayala said:

I think you'll win 5/6 games. Do you think Mayfield will overtake Taylor on the depth chart this season?

Not a Browns fan, but I hope not.  I think a year as a backup helps Baker much more.  I also really like Taylor so I hope he succeeds.  He took a pretty terrible Bills team to the post season.  That's quite the accomplishment itself lol.

[bayala]

25 minutes ago, Boozebag said:

Not a Browns fan, but I hope not.  I think a year as a backup helps Baker much more.  I also really like Taylor so I hope he succeeds.  He took a pretty terrible Bills team to the post season.  That's quite the accomplishment itself lol.

Whoops meant to quote @RupertPupkin . I do agree regarding a "redshirt" year for Baker and Taylor's underrated impact at the bills. 

[Boozebag]

9 minutes ago, bayala said:

Whoops meant to quote @RupertPupkin . I do agree regarding a "redshirt" year for Baker and Taylor's underrated impact at the bills. 

You totally quoted him right lol.  I just wanted to respond to it.  Can't get enough NFL chat at this point.  

[bayala]

37 minutes ago, Boozebag said:

You totally quoted him right lol.  I just wanted to respond to it.  Can't get enough NFL chat at this point.  

I'm all over the shop today! Apart from the Pats which teams do you think have a good shot at winning?

[Ken Gargett]

5 hours ago, bayala said:

Happy Labor Day to all our American friends!

It's that time of year again. The start of autumn (Spring for us Aussie's) which signals the start of a new NFL season. What an off-season it has been as well. Now that free agency, the pre-season ? and roster cuts are done and dusted it's time for the real action to kick off starting with the eagles vs falcons on TNF. 

Looking back on what's occurred in the off season I think it's been one of the more interesting in recent memory (for all the right reasons). The return of Jon Gruden has been as interesting as most people thought. Culminating in them trading Khalil Mack for 2 first round picks. It looks like they're gearing up for the franchise's new life in Las Vegas. Another interesting trend this off season was the rise of the guaranteed contract. Now, it's not on NBA levels yet but guys like OBJ, Mack & Donald all got larger %'s of guaranteed money in their contracts. Something that should continue to become more prevalent in the league and rightly so. Speaking of Donald, the ram's loaded up on FA talent. Cleverly looking to exploit the recent tactic of teams going all-in when a talented QB is on his rookie contract eg. Seahawks with wilson & legion of boom, Eagles & Houston currently. In the rams case I'm not sure how it will work out. There's a lot of ego's in that locker room but I'm excited to see how it all pans out. 

Now I couldn't write this post without commenting on my own team, the Tampa Bay Bucs. We've been written off as the cellar dwellers and just making up the numbers in a tough NFC south. This is rightly so, last year we were a lot of "experts" picks to sneaky into the playoffs and we crashed and burned like always. I think we perform better when everyone writes us off. There's been heavy investment on the D-line with JPP, Vin Curry, Vea (1st round pick) and others. This should help our secondary who have been trying to cover players for far too long due to an inability to pressure the QB. I'm predicting a 10-6 year with Winston breaking out finally (after his suspension). The saints won't be surprising anyone like they did last year, the panthers have regressed year on year since their SB appearance and the falcons were a shell of themselves without Shanahan last year. 

What were your big offseason storylines and how's your team shaping up?

Good luck to everyone in the FOH pick'em and fantasy competitions!

seriously, you will be lucky to do better than the skins. you're that bad.

and unless another fairy god-sheik comes along, hold onto that thought. 

[Boozebag]

39 minutes ago, bayala said:

I'm all over the shop today! Apart from the Pats which teams do you think have a good shot at winning?

Packers, Vikes, Steelers, Rams, Saints.  Not sold on the Eagles til I see Wentz back, and he's already missing week 1.  I wouldn't be shocked about a ton of teams really.  There really seems to be a ton of (potential) parity this year.  I think teams like the Falcons and Jags could be legit contenders, or really struggle.  I'm high on the Browns, not as Superbowl threat, but as a "makes a huge jump" team.  I think they are middling at best, but have a few nice upsets.  Really like the Bears as well in the same vein.  The Mack addition is huge.  Their defense was already pretty solid.  Love Jordan Howard as well.  We'll see if Trubisky makes a jump this year.

[Boozebag]

19 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

seriously, you will be lucky to do better than the skins. you're that bad.

and unless another fairy god-sheik comes along, hold onto that thought. 

I think 1 win during the Winston suspension is the ceiling, and it's not an easy ceiling.  Fitzpatrick is actually pretty good for a backup, but he's a backup.  Saints, Eagles, Steelers is a tough stretch to open.

[bayala]

25 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

seriously, you will be lucky to do better than the skins. you're that bad.

and unless another fairy god-sheik comes along, hold onto that thought. 

I'd say our WR's, TE's, D-line and LB's make us a lot better than the skins

[bayala]

3 minutes ago, Boozebag said:

I think 1 win during the Winston suspension is the ceiling, and it's not an easy ceiling.  Fitzpatrick is actually pretty good for a backup, but he's a backup.  Saints, Eagles, Steelers is a tough stretch to open.

Tough stretch but I think we can go into the bye (week 5) 2-2. One win against Saints, Eagles, Steelers and a win against the bears in week 4. 

[bayala]

15 minutes ago, Boozebag said:

Packers, Vikes, Steelers, Rams, Saints.  Not sold on the Eagles til I see Wentz back, and he's already missing week 1.  I wouldn't be shocked about a ton of teams really.  There really seems to be a ton of (potential) parity this year.  I think teams like the Falcons and Jags could be legit contenders, or really struggle.  I'm high on the Browns, not as Superbowl threat, but as a "makes a huge jump" team.  I think they are middling at best, but have a few nice upsets.  Really like the Bears as well in the same vein.  The Mack addition is huge.  Their defense was already pretty solid.  Love Jordan Howard as well.  We'll see if Trubisky makes a jump this year.

What are your thoughts on Houston? They're my pick if Watson comes back healthy. 

[Ken Gargett]

3 minutes ago, bayala said:

I'd say our WR's, TE's, D-line and LB's make us a lot better than the skins

i thought your WR was the bloke we wouldn't pay? he hasn't really paid off for you guys yet. and yes, i know, one or two others. skins WRs will either disappear into mediocrity or finally show how good they are. no idea. new QB must help. 

big if, but if jordan reed stays fit then he is a top 2-3 TE across the entire league. not sure you guys come close to that. 

LB's? middle. well we have a couple. outside, highly underrated. the skins were ranked first last year (yes, shock to all and no idea how it is all calculated) in QB pressure. TB was ranked last. you think you'll make up all that ground? i also saw, but can't find, we were ranked one over the last five years. which does not say much about the rest of the team. 

DL - long a weakness but, barring the usual run of injuries, looking good. you guys might regret not taking payne instead of vea, though i suspect both will be very good. allen back fit and we have a few other surprises. will be a big plus for us. 

we do have one advantage over TB - our QB is unlikely to end up in jail. 

our problems are absolutely no depth on the O line and a very inexperienced, bar norman, secondary. also, our shiny new RB lasted about two pre-season runs so who knows what is going to happen there. having AP is nice but i don't see him back to what he was. 

still should be enough to get past your lot. 

[Ken Gargett]

11 minutes ago, bayala said:

Tough stretch but I think we can go into the bye (week 5) 2-2. One win against Saints, Eagles, Steelers and a win against the bears in week 4. 

and i think if i close my eyes and pray really hard, i'll win gold lotto. 

i've got more chance. 

[Ken Gargett]

ben, question for you.

i believe that tampa have never extended any QB that they have drafted, ever. 

will jailbird be first?

[Boozebag]

11 minutes ago, bayala said:

What are your thoughts on Houston? They're my pick if Watson comes back healthy. 

I like them.  I'm a big DeAndre Hopkins fan.  Will Fuller as well.   Watson was absolutely electric last year.  I view Houston the same way was Philly.  Let me see the star QB come back before I judge.  Watson was so fun to watch last year, but knee injuries are so scary.  I also love JJ Watt as a person, but I'm at the point where I fully expect him to be injured every year.  I also don't expect him to be a force this year, at least not immediately.  

[bayala]

22 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

ben, question for you.

i believe that tampa have never extended any QB that they have drafted, ever. 

will jailbird be first?

Yes, if he has an average to above-average season

[Ken Gargett]

Just now, bayala said:

Yes, if he has an average to above-average season

so you are happy paying disneyland money to an, if i may quote you, "average" QB whose off-field behaviour has every chance of impacting his time on the field and the reputation of the franchise?

just asking. 

[Boozebag]

5 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

so you are happy paying disneyland money to an, if i may quote you, "average" QB whose off-field behaviour has every chance of impacting his time on the field and the reputation of the franchise?

just asking. 

If Winston was a saint I'd not be in his camp.  Two years ago I was high on him.  After last year, I question if he has the talent.  I feel the same way about Mariota, and he doesn't have the off field issues.  Neither player made any "jump" last year after some early flashes.  This will be the year for both, IMO.  Prove you can start, or flame out.  

[bayala]

Just now, Ken Gargett said:

so you are happy paying disneyland money to an, if i may quote you, "average" QB whose off-field behaviour has every chance of impacting his time on the field and the reputation of the franchise?

just asking. 

All QB's earn Disneyland money these days and "Good" QB's rarely hit FA (cousins being an exception). Tampa has invested too much time and resources to start again. If Winston can show improved decision making on & off the field this year he'll be resigned. 

[Ken Gargett]

4 minutes ago, bayala said:

All QB's earn Disneyland money these days and "Good" QB's rarely hit FA (cousins being an exception). Tampa has invested too much time and resources to start again. If Winston can show improved decision making on & off the field this year he'll be resigned. 

not if you have them in the rookie years. the money relly only gets sill after four years, give or take. 

understand all too well about starting over but all the answers i get - with the greatest of respect - from yourself and others all comes with "if". if he does this, if he does that. if he turns into tom brady then sure. 

i'm going on what you have and have seen, not if my aunt was uncle stuff. 

now, if he plays well, fine. and you guys should end up at least near mid table. but if for whatever reason, things go as they might and you finish low - even if it be because of injuries or other reasons. so you have a good draft pick, in the top couple. do you pay winston or go draft? or elsewhere?