NFL Improvements

[Ebenezer]

What teams through free agency and the draft have made the biggest improvements so far? Who do you think are the two Superbowl favorites this year? Also what do you think of the new rules the NFL is trying to implement?

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

I don't feel like any team in the NFC has made strides to compete with Seattle or San Francisco, Green Bay might have but it really depends on if the defensive players they got turn out to be good.

The Broncos made a lot of improvements, I expect them to be back in the Supe Bowl as long as Peyton is healthy.

 

[Ebenezer]

The only one from the NFC I feel like made major strides to get better are the Chicago Bears they added a lot of defensive talent to an already talented offensive team. So if everyone stays healthy I feel on paper they would compete. From the AFC Denver and New England made some strides as well. I also think Cleveland may surprise because they already have a very solid defense. I think a lot of it depends if Josh Gordon gets suspended or not.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

The only one from the NFC I feel like made major strides to get better are the Chicago Bears they added a lot of defensive talent to an already talented offensive team. So if everyone stays healthy I feel on paper they would compete. From the AFC Denver and New England made some strides as well. I also think Cleveland may surprise because they already have a very solid defense. I think a lot of it depends if Josh Gordon gets suspended or not.

I don't trust Jay Cutler to ever be clutch or ever to beat the Packers

 

I think the whole idea that the Denver Broncos improved is a farce since reading this:

I say NO, I do not agree with the belief that the Denver Broncos improved this offseason. They added four players, three of them very productive one and one solid one. They lost their #1 RB, #1 LG, #1 MLB, #1 CB, #1 DE, #1 KR/PR, #2 WR, #3 DE, and a handful of other players.

Additions
- Aqib Talib
- Demarcus Ware
- TJ Ward
- Emmanuel Sanders
- Will Montgomery

Departures
- Champ Bailey
- Chris Kuper
- Wesley Woodyard
- Eric Decker
- Zane Beadles
- Trindon Holliday
- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
- Knowshon Moreno
- Shaun Phillips
- Robert Ayers
- Jeremy Mincey
- Mike Adams

Looking at this list, I have these questions –

- Is the often-injured Talib that much of an improvement over what DRC gave them in 2013?
- Is Ware going to replace the sack production that Phillips and Ayers gave them in 2013 when they combined for 15.5 sacks?
- Is Ward a box safety going to improve the defense that much over Adams, Bailey, and Woodward?
- Is Sanders going to provide anything close to what Decker gave them, who had 24 touchdowns in the past two regular seasons?
- Who replaces Moreno as the #1 RB, will they come close to 1600 total yards and 13 touchdowns?

This was made prior to their draft and I am not familiar with their draft however most rookies do not make significant contributions in their first year so I think it's fine to exclude that as of now.

 

[Ebenezer]

I don't trust Jay Cutler to ever be clutch or ever to beat the Packers

I don't think he has to be clutch the Packers have not gained that much this offseason and it goes to show if Aaron Rodgers goes down they collapse.

I think the whole idea that the Denver Broncos improved is a farce since reading this:



This was made prior to their draft and I am not familiar with their draft however most rookies do not make significant contributions in their first year so I think it's fine to exclude that as of now.

The broncos have gained as much as they've lost which makes them still a very flawed team.

 

[Anet390]

Texans could have been near the top of the list if we would have traded up a bit to snag Bridgewater, Carr, or Manziel PLUS the Clowney first pick.. But sadly we have Savage now ;c

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

Cutler's like 1-9 vs Green Bay. The division almost always goes through Green Bay. I don't trust Cutler at all in general, but especially against the Packers.

 

[Ebenezer]

Texans could have been near the top of the list if we would have traded up a bit to snag Bridgewater, Carr, or Manziel PLUS the Clowney first pick.. But sadly we have Savage now ;c

If you were going to trade it should've been for bortles he was the best prospect in the draft. Bridgewater is to inconsistent and Manzel has ego issues.

Cutler's like 1-9 vs Green Bay. The division almost always goes through Green Bay. I don't trust Cutler at all in general, but especially against the Packers.

Keep in mind how horrible the offensive line for the bears had been in previous years. This season will be interesting.

 

[Anet390]

If you were going to trade it should've been for bortles he was the best prospect in the draft. Bridgewater is to inconsistent and Manzel has ego issues.

Bortles was picked too early for us to even think about trading up for him

 

The broncos have gained as much as they've lost which makes them still a very flawed team.

Definitely. I know prior to the draft Vegas had New England over Denver in winning the superbowl, not sure what it's like now however.

Texans could have been near the top of the list if we would have traded up a bit to snag Bridgewater, Carr, or Manziel PLUS the Clowney first pick.. But sadly we have Savage now ;c

Doubt it. Chances of a rookie QB taking a team to the playoffs are very slim.

If you were going to trade it should've been for bortles he was the best prospect in the draft. Bridgewater is to inconsistent and Manzel has ego issues.

I take no stock in people saying one QB is better than another. Drafting for the position is such a shot in the dark that highly touted prospects crumble while terrible prospects on paper such as Tom Brady flourish.

 

[Ebenezer]

Bortles was picked too early for us to even think about trading up for him

Then why would you want to trade for a sub par QB in Manzel and Bridgewater you had a chance at Carr and passed on him because of his brother.

 

[Ebenezer]

Definitely. I know prior to the draft Vegas had New England over Denver in winning the superbowl, not sure what it's like now however.



Doubt it. Chances of a rookie QB taking a team to the playoffs are very slim.



I take no stock in people saying one QB is better than another. Drafting for the position is such a shot in the dark that highly touted prospects crumble while terrible prospects on paper such as Tom Brady flourish.

I agree somewhat but if you look at Bortles he is the "pocket passer" he has a clean release and makes accurate throws. He also handles pressure well which he has proven in college and has a cool and calm attitude.

 

I agree somewhat but if you look at Bortles he is the "pocket passer" he has a clean release and makes accurate throws. He also handles pressure well which he has proven in college and has a cool and calm attitude.

Countless others have been described similarly with varying results. All of the QBs have had great production in college (hence why they are now in the NFL). I don't know about Bortles but the odds of drafting a QB that works out well aren't that high.

 

[Shall Skill]

Atlanta picked up some offensive line and defensive players. Nothing too notable but they made some great picks

Julio Jones will be healthy, roddy white will be healthy and Harry Douglas really stood out this year with the absence of the above two so their passing game will be great and open up the ground for Jackson! Atlanta to the Super Bowl boys

The rules are gay, please NFL stop

 

Atlanta picked up some offensive line and defensive players. Nothing too notable but they made some great picks

Julio Jones will be healthy, roddy white will be healthy and Harry Douglas really stood out this year with the absence of the above two so their passing game will be great and open up the ground for Jackson! Atlanta to the Super Bowl boys

The rules are gay, please NFL stop

Do you think Matt Ryan will be your own worst enemy in the playoffs?

 

[Ebenezer]

Countless others have been described similarly with varying results. All of the QBs have had great production in college (hence why they are now in the NFL). I don't know about Bortles but the odds of drafting a QB that works out well aren't that high.

You also have to look at what conference they played in and it is still based on film and what they look like on the film. Do some QB's bust yes. But based on Bortles body of work I'd say he was the top QB in the draft.

 

[Ebenezer]

Do you think Matt Ryan will be your own worst enemy in the playoffs?

Matt Ryan repeatedly chokes in the playoffs and until he starts getting those wins that's all that matters.

 

[Anet390]

Do you think Matt Ryan will be your own worst enemy in the playoffs?

I personally think Matt Ryan has what it takes, he just needs to clear his mind during high pressure situations.

Are we allowed to make BOLD predictions here?

If so:

BOLD Prediction #1 - Jaguars find their way into the playoffs
BOLD Prediction #2 - Neither Green Bay or Chicago win the division
BOLD Prediction #3 - Browns go positive

 

[Ebenezer]

I don't see any of your predictions becoming true except maybe the browns. Chicago and Greenbay are still the best teams in the division especially with off season pickups.