# Which NFL teams are on their way to being really bad? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 5, 2009, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078 "2009-12-05T06:53:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/21 "2009-12-07T16:08:11Z")
> [@Death\_of\_Rats](#): > > …and Belichek being caught in bed with a dead hooker or live Ref… Why not both? ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/22 "2009-12-07T16:12:51Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Why not both? Is there enough brain bleach in the whole world to erase that image? ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/23 "2009-12-07T17:19:49Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > The evidence is piling up that Spygate had some effect on the Pat’s success. What is the evidence? The Patriots missed the playoffs last year despite going 11-5, the first team ever to do so, despite not having Brady for the whole year. This year they lead their division and likely will finish 10-6. They are ranked 7th in scoring defense and 11th in total defense. This year they have a first round and three 2nd round drafts, and already have 2 first round picks lined up for 2011.They’re the only team who, if they don’t completely dominate the league, are considered by many to be on a fast track to decline. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/24 "2009-12-07T18:03:14Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The Patriots are willing to dump overpriced stars and go for youth. That shows decent management that is continually building for the future. The problem is with getting rid of guys they need to be actually good enough to win the Super Bowl, not just almost. The Richard Seymour deal will mean something in 2011 and beyond, if the Raiders stop improving that is. But meanwhile the D (which is young _now_, **Marley** , just not that good) just can’t make stops when they need to. Next year will be no-cap, and they didn’t have to do it, except to help Bill prove to himself that he doesn’t need anybody around to help him make good personnel decisions. As a fan, I’d rather go for it all right now and put up with a rebuilding period than to be constantly just a little short. That’s where the Pats are heading now, though. And something’s wrong with Brady. No way he throws 2 picks in the last 10 minutes if he’s all right. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2009, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/25 "2009-12-07T19:34:32Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > I meant (veteran Chicago QB Jay Cutler is) in a new system, and is still learning the ropes, I thought it was obvious. I’d give him at least a year to get his bearings. I think you give too much credit to the supposed mysteries of the pro football offense. While I personally haven’t the faintest ideas about the Bears’ offensive system or any of the other 31 team’s for that matter, these guys are supposed to be pros, and to study and learn that stuff in the off season and in practice. Different teams do run different offenses and use different terminology, that is true, but each team’s offense is more alike than different. ---
**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:** [December 8, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/26 "2009-12-08T02:51:12Z")
> [@zamboniracer](#): > > IDifferent teams do run different offenses and use different terminology, that is true, but each team’s offense is more alike than different. Teams that use the same philosophy, yes, but not those that don’t. I remember in the preseason the talk of how Favre already knew the Vikings system, as opposed to the Jets system which he didn’t know. In practice this meant he needed around 6 games to really get into the groove with the Jets, while he was able to hit the ground running with Minnesota. Cutler has already had plenty of time to get acclimated. He should not be given the rookie pass at all. Hell, poor Jason Campbell has yet to have the same playcaller two years running. Is he a rookie? ---
**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:** [December 8, 2009, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078/27 "2009-12-08T02:56:17Z")
> [@Digger1914](#): > > Giants and Ravens. Both defenses are nothing like they once were and I’m not sold on either offense. You mean back in the 80s with Lawrence Taylor? Because the Giants haven’t had a particularly _good_ defense since then. Their defense in 2007 was pretty bad, actually, but they pulled it together and played well in the playoffs, particularly the Superbowl where they played out of their minds. Similar to the Colts the year before, whose defense was goddawful (last in the league against the run) but then came up gangbusters during the playoffs. > [@Superhal](#): > > There’s a reason the Giants (Strahan) and the Steelers (Bettis) got worse after Superbowl appearances. That’s flat-out wrong. The Giants were far, far _better_ after losing Strahan, though it had nothing to do with losing him and I love the guy. After squeaking in as a wildcard in 2007, the Giants ran roughshod over the league in 2008 until Plax shot himself. After that the offense fell apart because opposing defenses shut down the running game since they didn’t have to worry about an explosive deep threat. Despite this, the Giants still finished #1 in the conference. “Worse” after the Superbowl win? Ha! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-nfl-teams-are-on-their-way-to-being-really-bad/520078.md?page=1)