NFL 2012 Team Previews

The Game Room
1

It’s still a bit early, but why not…
Carolina Panthers

2011 Record: 6 – 10

Key Additions: Luke Kuechley; Mike Tolbert; Louis Murphy; Frank Alexander; Amini Silatolu

Key losses: Dan Connor

Strengths: Offense (#7 in 2011); RBs; LBs

Weaknesses: DBs; DEs

Questions: Will Cam Newton progress or step back? Can Brandon LaFell be a legitimate #2 WR threat? Can the secondary stop anyone? Will Jon Beason (and to a lesser extent Thomas Davis) stay healthy and to form?

Overview: After a disastrous 2010 season (2 – 14), the Panthers jettisoned John Fox and brought in Ron Rivera. Drafting Newton #1 overall looks good now, but was considered risky at the time. Nonetheless, they improved to 6 – 10 last year, and with a bit of luck, could have been 8 – 8. With a full offseason under his belt, the expectations for Newton are very high this year. The Panthers get some key players back from injury (Beason, Ron Edwards, David Gettis (maybe), Thomas Davis (sorta maybe.) They drafted ACC Athlete of the Year Kuechly, who will have an immediate impact at LB. They brought in Mike Tolbert to bolster the running game, which was already formidable. He’ll be a big weapon. Steve Smith still has something in the tank, and if LaFell can step up, along with Greg Olsen at TE, the offense has enough weapons to be good again. Silatolu seems like he’ll start and help the O-line. Defense was their big problem last year. The LB trio of Beason, James Anderson and Kuechly should be very good. Edwards should help a weak D-line, and Frank Alexander is turning heads in camp. The big problem is the secondary. Gamble is solid… and that’s it. Lots of question marks there. In a passing league, that can be a huge issue. They made improvements in Special Teams, where they were dreadful. They have a tough schedule as well. I think they’ll improve, and be fun to watch, but they aren’t there yet.

Prediction: 9 – 7 and miss the playoffs.

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I don’t think Carolina improved enough to earn three games over last year. I can’t really see nine wins on their schedule right now. I think they have a tough time getting to 8-8. I would guess at 7-9.

Fun thread, keep it up!

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It is a stretch, I know, but I see wins thusly: Tampa (2); Atlanta; Seattle; Washington; Denver; KC: Oakland, New Orleans .

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No one else wants to tell us about their team?

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Well, this is my favorite thing about the Chargers.

Other than that, I hear Rivers will be passing to new receivers this year.

I predict they will be in wildcard territory when the playoffs come (safe bet) then they will choke (safe bet) and well all sigh “next year.”

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Okay, I’ll bite…

Washington Redskins

2011 Record: 5 – 11

Key Additions: QB Robert Griffin III, WR Pierre Garcon, WR Josh Morgan, DB Brandon Meriweather

Key losses: WR Jabar Gaffney (meh), QB John Beck (good riddance), S Oshiomogho Atogwe (meh; could not stay healthy), FB Mike Sellers (good player but too old to keep)

Strengths: The front seven on the defensive side of the ball will be at least solid, possibly even monstrous. TE is a strength with Fred Davis, Chris Cooley, the converted WR Niles Paul, and the blocking Logan Paulson. Sav Rocca is an excellent punter.

Weaknesses: Everything else. The OL is pieced together with has-beens, have-nots, and never-weres. Their best offensive lineman (and he could be great), Trent Williams, is a pothead who got suspended for the last 4 games last year. The receivers are either too old (Santana Moss), too young (Aldrick Robinson), unproven as top threats (Garcon, Leonard Hankerson), inconsistent (Anthony Armstrong, Terrence Austin), or complete nobodies (everyone else). The secondary is loaded with castoffs and 2nd/3rd tier players. It looks like they’ll be playing the “running back-by-committee” game. The kicking game was atrocious last year and will probably remain so again (same kicker).

Questions: Plenty of questions here, but the only thing that matters is RGIII.

Overview: Realistically, this is a throw-away year. Get RGIII in the game, let him take his lumps, and tool up for 2013 and beyond.

Prediction: It would a shocking accomplishment if they sniff .500. Realistically I’d put them at 5 - 11 again.

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**Cincinnati Bengals
**

2011 Record: 9-7, first round playoff loss to the Houston Texans

Key Additions: CB Dre Kirkpatrick, OG Kevin Zeitler, DT Devon Still, DT Brandon Thompson, WR Mohamed Sanu, WR Marvin Jones, RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis, OG Travelle Wharton

(key players returning from season-ending injury: CB Leon Hall, WR Jordan Shipley)

Key losses: Eh, none really this offseason. DE Johnathon Fanene, DE Frostee Rucker…no big deal there.

Strengths: TE, QB, WR depth, offensive tackle, upgraded interior line, defensive line, CB depth.

Weaknesses: RB, LB (especially the questions surrounding Rey Maualuga’s ability to grasp playing MLB), S position aside from Reggie Nelson in flux.

Questions: Will Andy Dalton suffer a sophomore slump? Will the Bengals tough schedule be too much to overcome? Will the upgrades on the offensive line pan out? How will Jay Gruden’s offense perform with a full offseason to install it? Will Rey Maualuga be able to handle MLB? Will the Bengals defense return to top ten form? Who is going to be the #2 WR?

Overview: The Bengals surprised everyone but me last season posting a 9-7 record and making the playoffs. I fully expect Andy Dalton to have a great year, with weapons like AJ Green, Jermaine Gresham, Jordan Shipley, Mohamed Sanu…he’d better. His pass protection is going to be better. Andre Smith has made HUGE strides in becoming a dominant RT…he should have a big year. LT is locked down with Whitworth, one of the best in the league at his position. The Bengals offensive line I predict is going to be one of the best in the NFL. And so is their defensive line. Returning emerging stars like Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson, that unit got a huge infusion of talent with the drafting of Devon Still and Brandon Thompson.

Still, linebacker and safety are still a concern. RB by committee is pretty much what every team is doing these days but the Bengals lack a true star at the position. Hopefully it won’t matter.

Prediction: 10-6, possibly winning the AFCN, winning their first playoff game since 1991. Possibly going to the AFC Championship game.

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Jermaine Gresham was 18th among TE’s in yards last year. His backup was 55th. Andy Dalton was the 20th rated QB; his backup is Bruce fucking Gradkowski. AJ Green is the Truth, but none of the WR’s behind him have done much of anything in the NFL (outside of special teams). Whitworth is great, and Smith is much improved, though. They may have upgraded their interior line, but, again, nobody has really shown much. Their interior D line is special, but Dunlap and Johnson have been average at best. I’m not sure I’d really call these things strengths. AJ Green is a strength. That interior D Line is a strength. Their OT’s are strong. Leon Hall is a strength. Their defense as a whole is a strength. Gresham, Dalton, and Shipley/Binns/Hawkins/Whalen aren’t (although I love me some Sanu).

I think the vegas line of 7.5 wins is about right. Though I’d love to see them beat up the Ravens and Steelers.

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I still think Gresham is a strength. He’s a first round pick with a shitload of ability. Its not his fault he doesn’t get thrown to a lot, but when he does he makes plays. I expect his production to go up this season as he assumes a bigger role int he offense.

Andy Dalton is a strength. His leadership ability alone already makes him a better NFL QB than Carson Palmer ever was. He is one of only FIVE rookie QB’s in NFL history to throw for over 3,000 yards and 20 TD’s in their rookie season. Dalton has great poise, accuracy and mobility. I realize his stats weren’t earth shattering, and he’s never going to put up Drew Brees numbers, but that’s ok. We don’t need him to.

The strength of the WR position is only in depth, but I have seen some of these guys in camp (and I hang out with the Bengals lead scout at a local watering hole sometimes) and I can say that we have some really talented young players at the position that nobody knows about (yet). Armon Binns has been lighting it up in particular.

You’re right: there’s some unproven talent in there that I chose to list as a strength. I am projecting. I think the offensive line is going to be utterly dominant. I am so high on Zeitler I can see God. Wharton, the other guard, is a solid player and a big upgrade over Nate Livings. Carlos Dunlap is not average. He’s a monster that got hurt. Our defensive line was studly last season and its going to be even better this season.

I’ll stand by my pick at 10-6. Heck, even Pete Prisco picked us to play in the AFC Championship game…he has us losing to Denver.

Speaking of which, I really want the Bengals to beat Peyton Manning. We never have…he’s always torched us. The Broncos play in Cincinnati this year. We also get to play his little brother this season too.

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Your optimism leads me to believe you are NOT a Bengals fan. Or at least haven’t been one very long.

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LOL. I’ve been a fan since 1992 when I moved to the area. Why wouldn’t I be optimistic? The Bengals under Marvin Lewis have consistently fielded competitive teams outside of a couple seasons. They’ve been to the playoffs three times under his tenure in 9 years. And this current roster is probably the most complete Bengals* team* they have had since I started rooting for them.

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San Francisco 49ers

2011 Record: 13 – 3, lost in over time in NFC Championship Game

Key Additions: Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins, LaMichael James, Leonard Davis?

Key losses: None

Strengths: D-Line, Linebackers, RBs, TEs

Weaknesses: O-Line, QB

Questions: Will the addition of Randy Moss and other speedsters on Offense help score TDs instead of FGs? Will Moss fade or flame out during the season? Will Alex Smith stay on his positive course from lasst season? Will the defense be as good when returning all starters, and will they stay as injury free?

Overview: Following a surprise dominant season and a heartbreaking Championship Game loss, the 49ers return 21 of 22 starters, no significant personell losses, and a revamped passing offense, yet they face an intimidating schedule, facing many of the league’s best passers with a pass defense that didn’t measure up to its historic run defense last season, and their turnover ratio is unlikely to contiue. The trendy thing is to predict the 49ers regressing to the mean, but while another 13 wins is unlikely, 10 wins is attainable and will earn them a playoff berth. They have invested heavily in improving their pass attack, and I think it will help greatly if and when other areas of strength falter. This team is built for playoff success, and I see no reason to doubt them.

Prediction: 11 – 5 and a Super Bowl berth

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I would add Coach as a strength. I really like Harbaugh. He’s not as good as Coughlin, but he’s good. :smiley:

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I wouldn’t put QB as either a weakness or a strength.

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You’re probably right. I intended to put a question mark after QB, meaning it wasn’t really much of a weakness. I had to list something as weakenss, right?

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One would think if Gresham was a “strength”, they’d work on getting him the ball more. And Dalton surprised the heck out of me last year, but he’s still a statistically below average QB, and, in the games I saw (albeit only one or two) he never stood out as a potential great QB, rather a guy who won’t kill you.

Not a problem at all. If you think they’ll become strengths, that’s fine. I’m just saying I haven’t seen it yet.

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I have a feeling that they are going to get Gresham the ball more. A LOT more. Gresham’s first year was spent under Bob Bratkowski, who ran a totally unfriendly receiving TE offense, preferring more multiple 3 wideout sets. Then we get Jay Gruden last season, installing a new, west-coast offense that they didn’t have much time to install and tweak plays in due to the shortened off-season.

I expect improvements in touches for Gresham and in statistics for Dalton this season.

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I was waiting for Omni to show up with his review of the Bears, but I can’ts waits no more.

Chicago Bears

2011 Record: 8 – 8

Key Additions: Brandon Marshall, Jason Campbell, Michael Bush, Jeremy Bates (O.C.)

Key losses: Anthony Adams, Amobi Okoye, Corey Graham, Caleb Hanie, Mike Martz (O.C.), Jerry Angelo (G.M.)

Strengths: D-Line, Linebackers, RBs, WRs

Weaknesses: O-Line, aging defense, the revolving door at safety

Questions: Will the offense be able to produce points and eat up time of possession so the defense can rest and perform when they’re on the field? Can Mike Tice succeed as Offensive Coordinator? Do Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman, Lance Briggs, and Julius Peppers have enough in the tank for a championship run? Will someone on the D line step up and produce alongside Peppers? Is J’Marcus Webb anything but a penalty producing turnstile and would anyone want to wear a J’Webb Nation T-shirt for any reason other than irony?

Overview: Last season, the Bears were on a 5 game winning streak until they lost Jay Cutler for the year with an injury. They lost the next 5 games with Caleb Hanie as QB, also lost Matt Forte and Johnny Knox to injury, and limped into the offseason with a win in the final week against the Vikings. Mike Martz “retired,” Jerry Angelo was fired and new G.M. Phil Emery quickly began signing quality veterans Brandon Marshall, Jason Campbell, and Michael Bush, as well as several others to bolster their ranks. The Bears are hoping that reuniting Cutler, Marshall, and Bates will bring a passing game like what they accomplished in Denver. The team is also hoping to get good production from rookies Shea McClellin, Alshon Jeffrey, Brandon Hardin, and Evan Rodriguez without needing to push them into starting roles right away.

Prediction: 11 - 5 and in the playoffs. The way I see it, a lot of these games can go either way. Looking at the NFC North, Green Bay will always be difficult to beat and the Lions will be a tough team as well, providing that their players can remain out of jail this season.

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WRs is a strength now! My, how quickly things change. Brandon Marshall is a matchup problem, but after that… I wouldn’t come close to saying this is a strength.

I would say 10-6, but 11-5 isn’t unreasonable. I’m more worried about that defense than others, though. They were quietly pretty average last season, and none of your key additions are on that side of the ball. I mean, I don’t know too much about the Bears and what happened last season, but I’d be really worried if I was in the bottom 5 in pass defense and I played the Packers and Lions twice.

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Philadelphia Eagles (this might not be coherent, but nothing could be more fitting for this team)

2011 Record: 8 – 8

Key Additions: MLB DeMeco Ryans (trade), DT Fletcher Cox (draft), OLB Mychal Kendricks (draft), OT Demetress Bell (FA), DE Brandon Graham (healthy)

Key losses: CB Asante Samuel(s), LT Jason Peters (injury), QB Vince Young (good riddance), RB Ronnie Brown (run-pass option)

Strengths: D-Line!, skill positions, O-Line(?)

Weaknesses: Juan Castillo, tackling, safeties

Questions: What part of this team is not a question? Can Michael Vick stay healthy for an entire season? Can the defense hold a fourth quarter lead or even just tackle anyone? Will the offensive line be as good as last year without Peters?

Overview: I’m not even sure I want to review last season. But even with everything that went wrong, they finished 4th in offense (9th passing, 5th rushing, 8th scoring) and 8th in defense (10th passing, 16th rushing, 10th scoring).

The Eagles have a ton of talent, pretty much everywhere. An explosive QB (the most explosive passing/running?), arguably the best RB in the league, two very good WRs who complement each other well, and a solid TE. They have an O-Line which started somewhat questionably but improved to be among the league’s best by the end of the season. They have the best D-Line in the NFL, and when you factor in depth, the second best is a few miles back. With Ryans and Kendricks there is finally some potential for LB play better than “I just threw up in my mouth a little.” And they have Asomugha and DRC as their top two corners, which is a formidable duo and could be among the top tandems in the league. They even have the most accurate rookie kicker in the history of the NFL, because why not?

And yet… how come this team couldn’t even win their division last year, even though they went 5-1 in the NFC East and had by far the best point differential in the division? I can’t help but feel like this is the same disappointing, underachieving, idiot team as last season. I am simultaneously extremely excited for 2012 (because this team has the potential to be really special) and terrified (because this team has the potential to drive me to murder-suicide).

Prediction: 10-6, likely the playoffs, not likely much else.

Part of what killed the Eagles last season was turnovers, but a lot of those were flukes (of Vick’s 14 INTs, 8 were tipped). Another part was losing five games they led in the fourth quarter. Just normalizing to regular screw ups instead of complete fuck ups is worth two games improvement. Still, this roster should earn a consensus pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and yet…