# Which NFL team is headed for Suck Town?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [August 8, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565 "2010-08-08T01:05:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/61 "2010-08-23T14:08:22Z")

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> [@Jules\_Andre](#):
>
> As for **Airman Doors, USAF** , it’s long been known that he’s mostly insane when it comes to his team, so it certainly isn’t confidence that he has. Philly taking a dive? With their loaded roster that, aside from four players, is _entirely_ under age 30 (and not one opening day starter is 30 or above)? Silliness.
> 
> I’d also like to state on the record that I don’t think anyone in Philly will miss McNabb after this season. No one in Philly will even remember who that Mac-something guy was after 2011.

The Eagles have no offensive line, no game plan involving a running game, no identified/capable/“go-to” running back, and an untested quasi-rookie QB who has to deal with a platooning wildcat system while attempting to get comfortable in a 70% passing game plan…

mediocrity at best, more likely disaster ensues…

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**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/62 "2010-08-24T02:03:02Z")

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> [@phungi](#):
>
> > [@Jules\_Andre](#):
> >
> > As for **Airman Doors, USAF** , it’s long been known that he’s mostly insane when it comes to his team, so it certainly isn’t confidence that he has. Philly taking a dive? With their loaded roster that, aside from four players, is _entirely_ under age 30 (and not one opening day starter is 30 or above)? Silliness.
> > 
> > I’d also like to state on the record that I don’t think anyone in Philly will miss McNabb after this season. No one in Philly will even remember who that Mac-something guy was after 2011.
> 
> **The Eagles have no offensive line, no game plan involving a running game, no identified/capable/“go-to” running back** , and an untested quasi-rookie QB who has to deal with a platooning wildcat system while attempting to get comfortable in a 70% passing game plan…
> 
> mediocrity at best, more likely disaster ensues…

How is this different from the last 10 years? In fact, this might be their best running back combo in some time. They can count on both McCoy and Weaver for positive yardage. O-Line is a mess, however.

And they don’t run a wildcat system. Vick comes in for like 3 times a game. And he drops back 2 of those 3 times anyway.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/63 "2010-08-29T08:00:15Z")

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> [@TheBoltEater](#):
>
> Cromartie? I can’t believe the Jets signed him. They of all teams had the best view of his Ole defense on the Shonn Greene TD in the playoff game. The Chargers couldn’t get rid of him fast enough.

They were stupid to misuse him and then let him go. Who cares if a friggin’ _cornerback_ can tackle Shonn Greene in the open field? The coach who put him in that position should have been fired. He’s a man-to-man cover specialist ala Revis. When he first got to San Diego that’s how they used him, and he was a stud. Then they switched over to zone coverage and he was pedestrian at best. And he gets run out of town on a rail because he can’t tackle Shonn Greene?

As a secondary Jets fan, I was ecstatic when he joined Gang Green. If only Revis would come back they’d be unstoppable. But if Revis doesn’t play this season, Cromartie can fill that role, which is pure man-to-man on an island coverage. Not that stupid zone shit the brainiacs in San Diego wasted him on.

> [@dalej42](#):
>
> Cardinals fan checking in. Not sure why everyone is picking Arizona to return to suck town so quickly. Yes, Warner retired. The Cards still have a good team.

Leinart has enough suck to make a great team crash and burn with a 4-12 record.

> [@phungi](#):
>
> The Eagles have no offensive line, no game plan involving a running game, no identified/capable/“go-to” running back, and an untested quasi-rookie QB who has to deal with a platooning wildcat system while attempting to get comfortable in a 70% passing game plan…
> 
> mediocrity at best, more likely disaster ensues…

I hope you’re right, but I think the Eagles could be pretty good this year.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/64 "2010-08-29T14:16:00Z")

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> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> If only Revis would come back they’d be unstoppable.

Eh, I think the media infatuation with the Jets is over the top. They have a good defense and a good offensive line. Their QB situation is by no means all that great. Sanchez statistically had a pretty crappy year. And lets not forget how they even got to the playoffs in the first place.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/65 "2010-08-29T17:16:24Z")

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By “they” I meant the defense. Are you claiming that Revis was overrated last year?

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**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/66 "2010-08-29T21:58:47Z")

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With all you people whining about how bad your team is. I may as well get playoff tickets for the Lions. We are all convinced they are getting better. They are faster , but thin. So this year they will have no injuries and go all the way.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/67 "2010-08-29T22:55:03Z")

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> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> By “they” I meant the defense. Are you claiming that Revis was overrated last year?

Oh no, he is great and makes the Jets defense better for sure. But looking at his stats in terms of shutting down opponents #1 wideouts like he did, two things spring to mind:

1. The Jets weren’t great at all even when Revis played, and

2. I don’t think he will be able to replicate those shutdown numbers this season when/if he plays. Opposing teams are surely breaking down the minutiae on his tendencies, etc and will adjust accordingly.

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**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\
**Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/68 "2010-08-29T23:08:55Z")

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> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> They were stupid to misuse him and then let him go. Who cares if a friggin’ _cornerback_ can tackle Shonn Greene in the open field?
> 
> As a secondary Jets fan, I was ecstatic when he joined Gang Green. If only Revis would come back they’d be unstoppable.

Cromartie is one of the most physically gifted cornerbacks to ever play the game - but you and the rest of the Jets fan base are making a big mistake by blithely ignoring his faults both on and off the field. His severe off-field immaturity issues are bad enough, but there comes a point where his coverage skills are no longer enough to make up for his total unwillingness to tackle.

That point was reached right [here](http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=222043).

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/69 "2010-08-30T01:08:55Z")

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Fair point, **BoltEater** , though I am optimistic. Looking up their stats, Revis and Cromartie have similar tackle numbers. Luckily the Jets don’t expect them to tackle; man coverage on an island is all they have to do.

**FoieGras** , c’mon, really? Did you forget that they were starting a rookie QB last year? Of course they weren’t a great team.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/70 "2010-08-30T11:18:57Z")

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> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> Fair point, **BoltEater** , though I am optimistic. Looking up their stats, Revis and Cromartie have similar tackle numbers. Luckily the Jets don’t expect them to tackle; man coverage on an island is all they have to do.
> 
> **FoieGras** , c’mon, really? Did you forget that they were starting a rookie QB last year? Of course they weren’t a great team.

I must have misunderstood you. I thought upthread that you were intimating that they _were_ great. My bad.

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/71 "2010-08-30T13:07:41Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> 1. I don’t think he will be able to replicate those shutdown numbers this season when/if he plays. Opposing teams are surely breaking down the minutiae on his tendencies, etc and will adjust accordingly.

… by throwing the ball elsewhere.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/72 "2010-08-30T15:23:09Z")

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> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> I must have misunderstood you. I thought upthread that you were intimating that they _were_ great. My bad.

Yeah, that’s my bad. I was speaking strictly about the defense, as in if Revis comes back, and if Cromartie can deliver on the expectation of being a second shutdown-on-an-island guy, that defense would be unstoppable. They could send 7 guys to rush the passer while still doubling the TE.

Unstoppable is a bad word to use when talking about defense, which didn’t help the confusion any.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/73 "2010-08-30T16:19:11Z")

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> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#):
>
> … by throwing the ball elsewhere.

Heh. We’ll see. Is he even going to play?

> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> Yeah, that’s my bad. I was speaking strictly about the defense, as in if Revis comes back, and if Cromartie can deliver on the expectation of being a second shutdown-on-an-island guy, that defense would be unstoppable. They could send 7 guys to rush the passer while still doubling the TE.
> 
> Unstoppable is a bad word to use when talking about defense, which didn’t help the confusion any.

No worries. I am soooooo looking forward to the Thanksgiving rematch between the Jets and the Bengals. The Bengals 1st team offense has looked really good since the Dallas game in preseason. Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley are going to be stars.

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**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/74 "2010-08-30T17:00:18Z")

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Totally agree, at least on Shipley. I took Shipley with my second-round pick in the fantasy Dynasty league yesterday, and I would have been happy to spend a first on him if I thought it necessary.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/75 "2010-08-30T17:05:37Z")

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Damn, wish I’d known about him. I desperately need wide receivers.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/76 "2010-08-30T19:50:07Z")

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> [@EllisDee](#):
>
> Damn, wish I’d known about him. I desperately need wide receivers.

I’m not sure what his fantasy production will look like, since he’s playing behind TO and Chad, playing in the slot and he’s also a rookie. You’ll get some production out of him as a returner though…he’s _fantastic_ as a returner.

I don’t know if anyone else has been watching the Bengals preseason but Adam Jones (Pacman) has been playing like a man possessed. His kick and punt returns have been amazingly good, especially for a guy that was so crappy at it in Dallas in 2008 and then sat out a year last season. He’s going to make the Bengals look really smart for having taken a flyer on him. Really good nickel CB, too.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/77 "2010-08-30T19:58:06Z")

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We’re talking about the dynasty league, where you draft players for life. (Unlimited keepers every year, no round or term limits on any players.) Being promising _and_ being behind old-timers makes him a phenomenal dynasty league value.

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**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/78 "2010-08-30T20:50:57Z")

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> [@Superhal](#):
>
> Carolina is getting old, fast.
> 
> Carolina has some good young players on the line and on D, but their key skill positions players are in their 30’s or cut: Pepper, Smith, Delhomme. Other than Beason and Otah, I don’t see any good young players coming up. Deangelo Williams is great and only 27, but Jonathan Stewart might only be so-so as a backup and in the future.

Delhomme was traded to the Browns when the Browns traded Quinn to the Broncos. Peppers was signed with the Bears went he went free agent this year. Smith can’t seem to stay uninjured - if it’s not his damn hamstrings that he’s always pulling in preseason or early season, it’s dumb things like breaking his arm playing flag football in June, which may keep him out of the first game or two of the season (I swear I’m going to wrap that man in bubble wrap or a human-sized hamster ball).

Moore didn’t see a huge amount of action for a long time, but when Fox finally got over his man-crush on Delhomme and put Moore in, he didn’t do half bad. However, he’s got a long way to go, I think.

Suffice to say, however, that I sadly must agree with you that my beloved Panthers are likely to be heading into an extended relocation to Suck Town.

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**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2010, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/79 "2010-08-30T22:06:19Z")

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The Rams are pretty much staying in Sucktown this year, but it looks like they actually had a successful draft this year, with about 4-5 good players coming out of it. Now that the ownership question is settled and the new ownership and the front office are commited to the team, if they can draft like they did this year, the Rams could return to being competative by 2013 or 2014. As for now, they still have a lot of holes left to fill to get there.

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**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-team-is-headed-for-suck-town/549565/80 "2010-08-31T00:00:27Z")

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> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#):
>
> The Rams are pretty much staying in Sucktown this year, but it looks like they actually had a successful draft this year, with about 4-5 good players coming out of it. Now that the ownership question is settled and the new ownership and the front office are commited to the team, if they can draft like they did this year, the Rams could return to being competative by 2013 or 2014. As for now, they still have a lot of holes left to fill to get there.

Sam Bradford looked pretty good in the limited time I saw him. If they can build a line around him and get him some good receiving options, they could be competitive.

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