Mysterio2000X

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/sports&id=7001564 Uh-oh. But lol.

Tomlin himself referred to Mendenhall's training camp as "mixed". His average performance during the pre-season, and the fact that they are planning on keeping Parker as the featured back surely does nothing to dissuade the perception that he simply won't pan out. Bust is too extreme of a word this early, no doubt - I'm too much a fan of his collegiate play to say he won't at least be serviceable in some sort of rotation (hell, I was pissed when the Cards took DRC over him), but that's definitely not what you want out of a first round running back. And, again, only the scoring and win/loss records in games are meaningless in the pre-season - it is completely valid to use the pre-season as a means of gauging a player's performance, especially when matched against players of equal skill. Mendenhall HAS gotten some first team work, I believe, and he's looked average at best. I like Goodson, but I don't think Carolina'll employ much of a committe. DeAngelo will likely carry the load, with Stewart spelling him (at least until Stewart heals up). EDIT - Pats will likely pick up Garcia or Feeley, I say. I can't see them just rolling with Brady, an undrafted free agent, and a gadget guy (Edelman).

...yeah, that season he was mostly injured for really showed how mediocre he was. The general sentiment in the Steelers' camp is that he won't pan out, and he hardly did anything to dispel those sentiments during this pre-season.

Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and plausibly Baltimore as well. I'd say it's Dallas or Raiders for most talented trio, so long as the Arkansas bois prove not to be injury prone. TB's automatically ruled out since Cadillac will (unfortunately) just blow his knee out sooner rather than later again; Baltimore is ruled out because McClain is being moved to fullback, and will be used as a traditional fullback, not a h-back or whatever; and Willie Parker is insanely overrated for the Steelers, while Mendenhall is looking like he may be a bust should he not turn it up a notch or two.. EDIT - And LOL @ the Seymour trade. The Raiders know they could have picked him up at the end of this season, and without having to give up a 1st rounder, right? What, are they so SB bound this year that his services were needed immediately?

So I'm prepared to give our receivers a chance. To be fair, though, Wes Welker is everything but a red zone target. How many did he have with Cassel at the helm last year, 5? Less than 5? I'm sure if Miami could have actually gotten in positions to score more often, he would have gotten a few more TD's. But, yeah. Most receivers take 2-4 years to really hit their stride, for the most part. This is especially true when they're coming from gimmicky offenses (IE: Crabtree.. although this is the least of his problems now, obviously).

Oh, scoring and final results in the pre-season are completely rubbish, but the pre-season is still a great way to gauge how good players or units will perform, especially when matched up against players of equal caliber (1st stringers vs. 1st stringers). And, in the case of the Chargers' interior o-line, it did not look good. Given the enviable depth and talent in the Giants's d-line, I think Rivers is going to have a hell of a dying trying to get anything going against that squad (as will Tomlinson). Nicks is good, and could be great, but he isn't there yet. He may lead all receivers in yardage, but a lot of that (if not all of it..) has come against backups and third stringers (and players that aren't even on a team anymore). He flashes, but also commits just as many mistakes.

If you're talking about the Bengals, then no. That's last year's stats.

Paulus is looking solid. Can not wait for UGA/OSU though. Caleb King isn't Knowshon Moreno, but he has potential to be damn good regardless. Ditto with Joe Cox. woooooo.

Pre-season, pre-season, pre-season. Pre-season success does not guarantee regular season success. Most of those receivers you've mentioned have probably been playing mostly against back-ups and practice squad players. Oh, and David Tyree was a victim of cuts last year, one catch in the Super Bowl does not make him a great player. There's no denying the Giants receivers are a downgrade from last season. They struggled without Burress last year and now they're missing Toomer as well. Unless Nicks is absolutely tremendous and someone else of that mediocre crop breaks out I think they will struggle to beat teams that can air it out effectively and they face quite a few of those this season like Dallas (x2), Philly (x2), New Orleans, Arizona, San Diego and Atlanta. Dallas doesn't have much of a secondary to stop the Giants' receivers, regardless (or front seven to handle the running game, I say). Philly doesn't have much of an o-line to stop the Giants' pass-rush, limiting their potential to score. New Orleans won't be able to stop the run or, if Jammal Brown is still out, do much against the blind side rush. Arizona may not be able to stop the run, and unless Warner's back to 100%, our o-line deficiencies will get exploited against their pass rush, which once again limits the amount of points we can score. Ditto with San Diego (AZ scored 4 sacks on Rivers in under a quarter! 4! I'd hate to see what the Giants can do), and Atlanta has NO defense to speak of. They'll be fine.

No, it is not. I've seen this same argument be used before, about Cincy having something like the 12th-best defense overall last year, and it's based off fallacious statistics. They were 12th-best overall last year in yardage allowed, yes, but 19th in points allowed, 24th in touchdowns allowed and gave up 22 field goals against 40 extra points, strongly implying that the only reason they gave up less yards than you'd expect is because they kept giving their opponents short fields to work with and so there simply weren't enough yards for them to gain. And, while I'm on the subject, I have no idea where this bandwagon has sprung from but I see Cincinnati as 6-10 at best. I don't know why people are getting the impression they'll jump to 8-8, 9-7 or whatever, bearing in mind their first-round pick held out for almost all of the preseason, their best receiver left and they still don't seem to have a credible running game. I saw one guy describing Rey Maualuga as a "once-in-a-lifetime human wrecking machine" and I was left thinking "What are they putting in the Cincinnati water?" The Bengals were still 10th last year in yards per play allowed (5.23 yards per play, better than teams such as the Giants, Panthers, Jets, Chargers, Patriots and Buccaneers), so no, I don't think their defensive performance was a result of short fields. The fact that they managed to produce as good as they did despite missing their #1 pick from last year for the majority of the season, as well as any sort of significant pass rush is pretty impressive. Given their acquisitions in this draft (Maualuga should and is ready to go from day one, Michael Johnson could be great as a limited, pass-rushing specialist role), the fact that Carson is back, the fact that Ocho Cinco's actually dedicated, I think the hype surrounding them is well deserved. Especially since they get the Browns twice, the AFC West, and the NFC North (Lions), I don't think an .500 or better season is completely out of question.

They have the best offensive line and one of the top 3 defenses in the game today. If Hakeem can develop anywhere near as close as he's expected to (and since he comes from a pro-style offense, that means within this season), they'll be nearly guaranteed the NFC bid. At the very least, their defensive line will make sure other teams don't score as much on them, and their running game will keep them chugging along nicely until Nicks emerges as the clear #1. And Ward has already been replaced. Pretty effectively, too. Bradshaw's looking just as good as Ward last year, and will likely be just as productive, especially behind (once again) the best run-blocking o-line in the game.

The suspension was handed down by the University of Oregon, though, not the NCAA, so unless the NCAA can veto any player's attempt at a red shirt season or what not, I think he could go that route. shrug. I get what you're saying though, and it definitely makes sense. Anybody know if a situation like this has ever come up before?

Does he still have his red shirt year available? As a JUCO student, I'm thinking yes. Since he's still "technically" on the team, and still has his scholarship, he could just use his red shirt year this year and come back next year, no? Or transfer, assuming any school'll have him, and come back next year?

I'm a fan of Edwards, actually, and I really think he could do some good things if given time on a good, solid team. Unfortunately, the Bills are not a good, or solid team. Their "new" no-huddle isn't working not because of a missing 35 year old, it isn't working because that offensive line is absolutely TERRIBLE. Four of the five players are starting at positions they didn't even play last year (including one rookie guard), and given that the no huddle relies on continuity and rhythm as much as anything else, that's absolutely terrible for them. Their defense hasn't exactly been clicking on all cylinders, either. But, hey. At least Jauron'll finally be gotten rid of, and the Bills won't have to choose 11th overall for the third straight year at the next draft. No, I say the best they can hope for, at this point, is bottom 8, and even that's pretty optimistic. Anyways, onto divisions! AFC EAST 1. Patriots - 14-2 2. Jets - 9-7 3. Dolphins - 6-10 4. Bills 4-12 The only tough games the Pats have, really, come versus Baltimore week 4 and at Indy week 10. For the sake of not having them go undefeated, I say they drop these two games (though it honestly would not surprise me to see them go on an encore of their 2007 season, depending on just how badly Haynesworth dinged Brady up). The Jets, I think, wil surprise some people. That defense, especially once it gets Calvin Pace back, has some serious potential to do some damage, especially with Rex Ryan at it's helm. Yes, they're starting a rookie QB, and they lack a trude, bonafide #1 WR (and their #2 WR is Chansi Stuckey, for fuck's sake!), but Washington is looking like a star, and Greene should fill in nicely behind him as the work horse/short yardage back. I think they have some serious potential to, at worse, replicate some of the Ravens's success last year. The Dolphins simply get a tougher schedule than last year, and they won't be able to catch as many people off guard with their Wildcat. 6-10 to 8-8 is their range, I say. And the Bills'll be terrible. Luckily, they have some even shittier teams on schedule like the Cleveland, Tampa and Kansas City to make them look good. AFC NORTH 1. Steelers 13-3 2. Ravens 10-6 3. Bengals 8-8 4. Browns 1-15 The Steelers'll be as dominant as last year, no reason they shouldn't be. Joe Flacco and Ray Rice are looking like budding super stars thus far, and that defense of theirs is always spectacular. The Bengals, I think, are really the sleeper pick of the year so long as they can keep Palmer healthy. That defense if their's is WAY too underrated, and I could certainly see them even dipping into double digit win totals, though the division's simply too tough. The Browns are a mess. A big, steaming, stinking mess. AFC SOUTH 1. Colts (13-3) 2. Titans (9-7) 3. Texans (8-8) 4. Jaguars (5-11) Yeah, the Colts lost Dungy and what not, but that team lives and breaths and is virtually guaranteed 12+ wins a year so long as Manning's steering the ship. This year should be no different. The loss of Haynesworth is being too understated for the Titans, in my opinion, and I just don't see them making much noise. The Texans defense is still looking as pitiful as ever, and Schaub as fragile as ever, so I don't have them breaking out just yet. And the Jaguars are just blah. AFC WEST 1. Chargers (12-4) 2. Raiders (8-8) 3. Broncos (4-12) 4. Chiefs (2-14) This is the Chargers' division to lose, everybody knows that. I think the Raiders are being slept on too much; they have an okay defense, still have one of the best RB trios in the league, and JaMarcus hasn't been as bad this pre-season as everybody else would like to believe. This is essentially his 2nd full year in the pros, and I think the team has a shot to surprise some people. 6-10 to 8-8, I say. The Broncos are just awful, but I give them the nod over the Chiefs in this case by virtue of having just a little bit more talent (and Moreno! ). The Chiefs are laughably bad, which sucks because I really want to see Haley succeed on his own. NFC EAST 1. Giants (11-5) 2. Cowboys (9-7) 3. Eagles (8-8) 4. Redskins (7-9) The Giants'll win this more comfortably than I have them here. The Cowboys have too much talent to not go AT LEAST .500, but they'll never do much when it counts as long as they still have Phillips as coach (and as long as Romo remains content to simply be a good quarterback). The Eagles are being overrated as hell, and will really disappoint some people, while I'm thinking the Redskins' D has potential to be great this year. Unfortunately, their offense doesn't (Jason Campbell is simply not a West Coast QB, sry), so I think 7-9's about right. NFC NORTH 1. Packers (12-4) 2. Bears (10-6) 3. Vikings (9-7) 4. Lions (3-13) I thought the Packers would take a step back as they got accustomed to their new 3-4 D. Boy, did I underestimate the jedi-ness of Dom Capers. That D's looking good, and the offense is looking Saints/Cardinals 08 good. The Bears season depends on how the defense performs from here. Offensively, they'll be good to great. It'd be better if they had a genuine receiving through outside of their tight end and running back, of course, but whatever. The Vikes go 9-7 and, Favre proves his worthlessness again by ruining another promising team's playoffs hopes/getting his head coach canned/forcing a culture change to occur in Minnesota (assuming the team stays in Minnesota, of course). I really like the Lions, and I really think Stafford will be a megastar sooner rather than later, but that o-line needs to be improved, and they simply don't have enough talent just year. They are definitely, definitely heading in the right direction, though, which is more than what I can say for a lot of these other sub-4 win teams. NFC SOUTH 1. Saints (11-5) 2. Panthers (8-8) 3. Falcons (7-9) 4. Buccaneers (3-13) Drew Brees & Co. will light it up, of course. Combined with an improved defense, and this division isn't as up in the air as many people might think. The Panthers'll always have a shot so long as DeAngelo is running behind that line, but Delhomme has simply looked terrible so far.. throw in Ma'ake and Beason being out, and teams may simply be able to run at will on them. The Falcons go 7-9 due to a far tougher schedule, and lack of a defense. And the Buccs are rebuilding. NFC WEST 1. Seahawks (9-7) 2. Cardinals (9-7) 3. 49ers (7-9) 4. Rams (3-13) This one'll be closer than most people think. As long as Warner stays healthy and he regain his rhythm with our receivers, I say we're a lock for double digit wins (our defense WILL and IS better than last year's, as well, despite us getting soundly whooped by Rodgers.. not many teams can handle him and all of his weapons, especially not with our amount of turn overs). However, I doubt Warner makes it all the way through the season, and while I definitely do still think Leinart can lead us into the future, losing Warner will likely result in us running the ball more. Running the ball more = less points scored = less wins. The Seahawks are good, their season last year was an aberration due to injuries, but it seems like the injury bug's biting again. Walter Jones and Marcus Trufant are both out already, and if they lose anymore they might just lose the division. The 49ers are being slept on too much, and it really wouldn't surprise me if they end up with the division (especially if I'm wrong about the Cardinals D, Warner DOES go down, and the Seahawks once again get decimated). Afterall, they were only one goal line push away from beating the Cards last year (and going .500). They're better, they seem to be buying into Singletary, and they'll catch people off guard. The Rams, much like the Lions, are headed in the right direction, but simply are not there yet with regards to their talent. And I just pulled these numbers out of my ass, so I doubt they'll add up perfectly or whatever. Still, there's mine.

Copy cat league! Copy cat league! lololol! KC's run by a retard, Tampa's lacking talent, and the Bill are lacking talent and will have a new coach next year. Probably just using their OC's as scapegoats for their lackluster performances in the pre-season.

Anybody come upon a good .gif of the Blount knock out yet? I found this one - http://cgi.4chan.org/gif/src/1252043333344.gif but it's pretty big/shitty.

And the 2009 CFB season begins not with a bang, but with two boring, boring games. And Blount being gangsta. Awesome.

Broyle is, arguably, their best pro QB right now (Thigpen played almost exclusively out of the pistol offense last year, primarily because of his inability to succeed in a pro-style offense I'm guessing).

This is true, any mildly talented QB would look great in what was essentially a spread-shotgun system with the likes of Randy Moss and Wes Welker to throw balls to. The funniest thing about it all is that the Chiefs already had their very own weak armed, system quarterback in Tyler Thigpen, and at a FAR cheaper value. As a Cardinals fan, I'm very big on Haley and I do hope he somehow has some success in Kansas City, but Pioli's proving to be nothing short of a retard thus far and I just don't see him doing anything special. I really hope I'm wrong, though, as I think Haley is smart, tough and ballsy enough to do some great things eventually. And about Vick - bleh. Just a big distraction for a team that needs to find continuity and rhythm on offense, and leadership on defense.. Honestly, I know they're a lot of people's Super Bowl favorites, but I'll be genuinely surprised if they can even make it as a wild card. If Nicks develops anywhere near as close as he's projected to, then that division will continue to be New York's to lose (not that it isn't anyways), and if (big if, I know) Washington can get something going on offense, they'll be pretty hard to knock off, as well. That defense of theirs, while already good last year, has some serious potential.

Great game. Don't know about replay value just yet, but the first run through is amazing. Definitely one of the top games of the year so far (I'm thinking Modern Warfare'll be the best, but yeah, this is definitely up there).

He'll be considered a bust at least for the first few years due to him being so young, raw and having been held out of most of training camp because of his contract situation. DE's usually have a year-long learning curve, anyways, but his may be more profound than that. There really is no reason Jauron, whose job is undoubtedly on the line this year, didn't go with Orakpo, the more polished DE, over him. I think Maybin'll make some noise in the NFL eventually, he's too physically gifted to NOT be at least decent, but it'll take a while for the Bills to get a return on their investment. Certainly, Dick won't be around to see him produce consistently. EDIT - And damn, the Cards' D is looking pretty good. Calais Campbell has been tearing it up the past two weeks; hopefully he'll be able to remain productive once his workload increases. Our first string D notched 4 sacks against the Chargers in under a quarter, held LT (who is not the burnout everybody keeps thinking he is) to something ridiculous like 4 yards, has given up 0 TDs so far and only really gave up a single "big" play to one of the AFC's most offensively talented teams. Pretty awesome. Our offense, on the other hand, is off-rhythm. There's no way Warner is fully healthy from his hip surgery yet, and it definitely shows. Hopefully, our line can keep him safe long enough for our offense to get back on track. If we can get something similar to last year going, especially with our defense playing as good as they have, I don't see how we don't buck the trend and make some post-season noise again. One of the few bright spots on our O has been Hightower, who's looking quicker, faster and meaner in his runs now, and has stopped dancing as much in the backfield. Still, even that's bittersweet as he's no doubt getting the majority of the carries due to Wells' injury. Blah.

Went ahead and took over the Michael Vick Dogs. Nice team.

Yeah, I'm in. Including the link in the first post would be pretty damn cool, too. Or is it just me who can't figure out how to find/join new leagues? >_> EDIT - Found it. I think you'll be able to figure out who I am (hint: I'm "Is This It?"). >_>

I'll join if there's a spot open. How will this work if not all the teams return - will their players be up for re-draft only, or what?

The Lvl 26 CB, definitely. We're in a bad way at CB. Care to link me to either your profile or your team, then?