From March through August, any bone the NFL tosses out there is very, very welcome. As we get close to what looks to be a pretty boring draft, we get the full '05 schedule.
As a Giants fan, I’m not thrilled, but not totally disappointed either.
A few quick thoughts:
No Monday Nighters. Did they earn a MNF slot based on their record? Well, no. But they had the same record as the Cowboys, who take the Monday Night stage twice this year. The Giants/Chargers game should’ve been a Monday Nighter just for storyline reasons, but I’ll settle for the ESPN Sunday night stage.
Opening the season against the Cardinals. The last time they opened the season against a Kurt Warner-lead team, the Giants absolutely battered the Rams. Maybe a bit of history repeating itself? Also, I’m sure this game will be accompanied by a ton of ceremony, as it’s being played at home on September 11.
Four West-Coast road games. Utter crap. Is it any surprise that the Giants have to travel to take on the Chargers, Niners, Seahawks and Raiders; while the league-darling Eagles face these four teams at home? Complete BS.
Giants/Vikings, 4-in-a-row. They weren’t supposed to face each other, but because of divisional finishing positions, the Giants get to dismantle the Vikings for the fourth straight year. Woohoo! Take that, lno!
Since I was supposed to leave work ten minutes ago, I’ll leave it there for now. How’re things looking for your team’s season?
My Saints finally got a Monday Night game, against the rival Falcons no less. I would have much preffered it to have been here, but I’m happy nonetheless.
The Patriots don’t play a divisional game 'till week 8 or somesuch, which is kind of weird. Other than that, it’s about what you’d expect for the defending champions - a bunch of potentially high difficulty games.
The best part is probably that we get Indy at home again. That’s always fun
My Steelers have 3 monday night games. I would actually prefer for them not to be on Monday night - however, at least I’m garanteed that they will be shown in my area (I live close enough to Maryland that they are often preempted for the Ravens :mad: )
Detroit starts with two division games, then the bye, then the third division game. Guess they’ll be in the lead for the NFCN early this year.
Two nationally televised games this year, with Thanksgiving and a Sunday night game at Green Bay in December.
Of course, there will be at least two more nationally televised games for the Peugots this year, as I fully expect them to make it to the second round of the playoffs. Harrington needs to pull a Brees for this to happen, but I have faith. Kennedy helps the secondary, and the D is strong to begin with. DeMulling fills a big, big hole at LG, and McDougle wasn’t a huge loss at RT.
Kevin Jones: 1700 yards rushing, 20 TDs
Charles Rogers: 1100 yards receiving, 8 TDs
Roy Williams: 1300 yards receiving, 12 TDs
Joey Harrington: 4000 yards passing, 30 TDs
Jeff Garcia: 16 Clipboards Held
Yeah, Hal, I’d be less than pleased with that Big Blue schedule too. I think their bye is too early, too many west coast trips, 3 consectutive Saturday games in December–inculding A New Year’s Eve 8pm start. Hope you didn’t have New Year’s plans.
As the resident Jets fan, I like the fact that the Raiders have to make the trip to the Meadowlands, for once. A Monday nighter in Atlanta should be a fun game. The end of the season looks to be a bitch, with the last 2 games on the road against divisional rivals (week 16 at NE, week 17 at Buffalo).
I’m cautiously optimistic about Gang Green’s chances of making the playoffs at 10-6 or so, assuming they get off to another quick start this year.
This looks to me to be one of the most interesting drafts in recent memory. Sure there’s not monster blue chipper sitting at #1, but the fact that the top 10 or so are so close in talent level and so many of those top drafting teams have so many different needs makes this draft a total mystery to predict. I’m expecting ALOT of draft-day trades. Alot of surprises, alot of drama. Hell, no one can even settle on who the best QB is, who the bst RB is, or who the best WR is. things don’t get much clearer on the other side of the ball either. Really good draft to be a team with a “best player available” philosophy, there’ll be some steals.
Damn you, Hal, you tricked me into coming back! I had gone a straight month without even coming here, let alone posting or reading a thread. I’m going to hold this against you.
My projections for the Vikings’ season, cribbed from LJ:
Meh…you were already going to hold the Vikes loss against me anyway.
Hey, if the Giants are ever going to be without a 1st rounder, this is draft for it. I’m saying it’s boring because whoever they pick up with their #43 pick will not be significantly worse than whoever the #1 pick turns out to be. I’m much happier having Manning at QB than I would be with whoever they would’ve wound up with had they kept their #12 pick.
Hell, I wouldn’t have any objection if they managed to trade down for some extra picks (doubt it’ll happen, though).
The Broncos Monday night game against Kansas City should be fun to watch. The schedule is somewhat interesting. After two divisional games in the first three weeks, there isn’t another divisional game until week 10.
Looks like Bradway agress with you because the Jets just traded away their first rounder for Oakland’s TE Doug Jolley. Raider fans…Is this guy any good? I know he had a great season 2 years ago with Gannon at the Helm.
That you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for anyway.