NFL 2008 Season

[Enoch]

QB is too important unless your D is as good as Chicago's was a few years ago (and, even then, their QBs had some great games). Roger has been overrated. People actually think he's better than Favre!!! LMAO

He's not better than Favre, but he is better than any other QB in that division. And, given the overall superiority of his offensive supporting cast, I wouldn't be at all surprised if his 2008 stats end up looking better than Brett's do.

[Volourn]

Probably just interceptions wise since that's Favre's weakness.

[Kelverin]

It's tough to judge, but GB's schedule is brutal as it should be for a division champion and their division is much more balanced (competitive) I could easily see them going 8-8 or worse with a rookie QB, no way they win the division. Jets have it much easier. I bet you they have a shot at the wild card. The importance of a quarterback, a hall of fame quarterback mind you, should never ever be underestimated. The Jets will go 9-7 (at least) and have a shot at the playoffs.

 

 

Packers

Tough road games against

@ Seattle Seahawks

@ Tennessee Titans

@ Minnesota Vikings

@ New Orleans Saints

@ Jacksonville Jaguars

@ Chicago Bears

 

Their home schedule is tough as well

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Chicago Bears

Minnesota Vikings

 

 

Jets

Road games

@ San Diego

@ New England

@ Tennessee

@ Seattle

 

Home

New England

????

[Enoch]

Yeah, but for GB, the only games they have that are different from the rest of their division are the @SEA and DAL games. CHI, MIN, and DET all have to play those tough games, too. The winner of that division might only need to go 9-7.

 

The Jets have much tougher competition for a playoff spot. The division title is pretty much out of reach unless someone backs a truck over Tom Brady. And they're in the AFC, which makes the wildcard a much tougher target (remember Cleveland last year: 10-6 and no playoffs!). They were 4-12 last year. 4-12! And that wasn't because their QB play was terrible-- it was mostly because their OL stunk and their couldn't stop the run. They've made some moves to fix that, but I don't think it's enough to get them into serious playoff contention.

 

 

QBs are important, no doubt. But offenses supporting casts are important too, and GB has one of the very best offensive supporting staffs in the NFC. Jennings, Driver, and Jones, along with Lee at TE, make up an extraordinary set of targets, and their OL is a great pass-blocking unit (the only one that consistently handled the Giants' pass rush in the playoffs last year). These guys made Favre look good last year at least as much as he made them look good. Now Rodgers gets the benefit of that personnel, while Favre is behind a leakier line, with less accomplished receivers to throw to.

 

Then there are the defenses. The Favre trade doesn't do anything about the fact that GB's personnel on D is far stronger than NYJ's.

 

Also consider that Favre has to learn an entirely new offensive system in 1 month. He's not going to be entirely up to speed on what the coaches expect of him until the season is well underway. And when Favre doesn't have clear direction (see: Sherman, Mike), he tends to go into the "just chuck it up there" mode that got him the NFL INT record.

[Kelverin]

None of the teams in the Packers division are starting rookies and Rodgers is a rookie for all intents and purposes, starting quarterbacks are one of the most fragile players on the field. Favre was a enigma, most quarterbacks don't last a season without getting hurt much less 17 years. ZERO quarterbacks on GB roster has an NFL start, that is a recipe for disaster. As for Defense, the statistics are not too different. GB was 11th in total yards allowed while the Jets were 18th. The Jets also had the tougher schedule and just changed to a 3-4 defense. You know the league is balanced and there are plenty of teams who sucked in one year and turn it around the next. The NFL thrives on this and I would say encourages it as well.

 

 

 

The Bears have their toughest opponents at home (except for the Colts and of course division rivals) Their road schedule is a joke.

EAGLES

TITANS

JAGUARS

SAINTS

 

The Vikings are a little more balanced

Home

Indianapolis Colts

N Y Giants

 

Away

@ Jacksonville Jaguars

@ New Orleans Saints

@ Tennessee Titans

 

Sorry but I don't count the lions

[Volourn]

"OL is a great pass-blocking unit (the only one that consistently handled the Giants' pass rush in the playoffs last year)."

 

L0L But, no. They got skewled like everyone else.

[Kelverin]

"OL is a great pass-blocking unit (the only one that consistently handled the Giants' pass rush in the playoffs last year)."

 

L0L But, no. They got skewled like everyone else.

 

He's right though, statistically (Yes I viewed the NFC championship game) But again they will not have a 17 year veteran quarterback that will help a offensive line. Avoiding sacks, throwing the ball away....

 

Green Bay

In Brett Favre's last season, the Packers had the 2nd best offense in the NFL. They were 2nd in total yards and passing yards, they ranked 13th in yards per carry, and only gave up 19 sacks (tied for 3rd in the NFL). They have a good mix of veteran and young lineman, which will be a big help with new starter Aaron Rogers.

 

http://www.fftoolbox.com/football/2008/nfl...ne-rankings.cfm

Edited August 8, 2008 by Kelverin

[Volourn]

Define 'handle'. The Giants' pass rush was effective that game. *shrug*

 

As for the rankings... by the end of the season GB's OL stats won't be that impressive... Definitely not top 5.

[Kelverin]

Define 'handle'. The Giants' pass rush was effective that game. *shrug*

 

As for the rankings... by the end of the season GB's OL stats won't be that impressive... Definitely not top 5.

They did not give up a sack, but the Giants did put a lot of pressure on Brett.

 

 

Edit: If you go by sacks, New England is the only team that gave up more than 2 sacks to NY. Tampa 1, Dallas 2, GB 0, NE 5. But admittedly sacks are not everything.

 

EDIT2: I would like to see more stats in Football, particularly on defense. Hurries, hits on the QB, hell even interceptions due to defensive line or coverage.

Edited August 8, 2008 by Kelverin

[Gfted1]

...Dallas 2

 

 

Is that over all 3 times they played them last season?

[Kelverin]

Is that over all 3 times they played them last season?

No

 

Game 1 - One sack

 

Game 2 - One sack

 

Game 3 (Playoff) - 2 sacks

 

Grand total 3 games 4 sacks

[Volourn]

Outside of that one game against Philly, the Giants weren't exactly getting a biion sacks per game. As you mentioned, good passrush doesn't neccessarily mean sack the QB all the time.

 

The big reason why Favre threw that foolish intereption is he was trying to avoid the pass rush and hurried his throw.

[Kelverin]

Outside of that one game against Philly, the Giants weren't exactly getting a biion sacks per game. As you mentioned, good passrush doesn't neccessarily mean sack the QB all the time.

 

The big reason why Favre threw that foolish intereption is he was trying to avoid the pass rush and hurried his throw.

Right and the 2 sacks against the boys in the playoffs really changed the game and turned it around. Both in the 4th quarter and they put them deep in the hole. Not to mention what they did to the patsies offensive line, believed by many to be the leagues best.

[Kelverin]

Chad Pennington moving on signed by the Dolphins for 2 years. Good signing.

 

 

Carolina Panthers Charles Spencer (T) cut.

 

Indianapolis Colts Brandon Archer (LB) cut.

 

St. Louis Rams Rob Petitti (T) cut.

 

Baltimore Ravens Quinn Sypniewski (TE) Placed on IR (knee).

 

Arizona Cardinals Scott Peters © Placed on IR (knee).

 

Philadelphia Eagles Brian Westbrook (RB) re-signed.

 

Houston Texans Mike Bell (RB) cut.

[Kelverin]

With backup quarterback Charlie Batch out of action, the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free agent Byron Leftwich.

 

New York Jets Clint Oldenburg (T) cut.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers Byron Leftwich (QB) signed.

Mitch Berger (P) signed.

 

Detroit Lions Damion Cook (T) signed.

Dave Rayner (K) signed.

Eddie Johnson (P) cut.

Kiwaukee Thomas (CB) signed.

 

New York Jets Brad Kassell (LB) Placed on IR (right knee).

 

New England Patriots Tank Williams (S) Placed on IR (knee).

Jeff Shoate (CB) signed.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars Bo Schobel (DE) signed.

James Wyche (DE) cut.

 

Cleveland Browns Gary Baxter (CB) signed.

[Gfted1]

Sheesh, Dallas really stunk up the joint against your boys but at least the first team looked good. Im very excited about Felix Jones (RB).

[Kelverin]

Sheesh, Dallas really stunk up the joint against your boys but at least the first team looked good. Im very excited about Felix Jones (RB).

Your first team offense looked verrrry good and just strolled down the field. 3 and out on our offensive side of the ball.

[wesley2]

I still don't place much faith in the preseason. I think the stakes change when people's nerves and hard work kick into high gear when it's on the line.

[Kelverin]

Desperately seeking safety help, Patriots sign Lynch

LINK

Ade Jimoh (CB) signed. Pete McMahon (T) cut.

 

Denver Broncos Tyrone Poole (CB) signed. Christian Morton (CB) cut. Lamont Reid (CB) cut. Wale Dada (CB) signed.

Baltimore Ravens Darrell Campbell (DT) signed. Terrence Melton (LB) signed. Lee Vickers (TE) cut. Keith Heinrich (TE) signed. Lorenzo Neal (RB) signed.

P.J. Daniels (RB) Placed on IR (shoulder). Prescott Burgess (LB) Placed on IR (wrist).

 

New York Jets Justin Green (RB) acquired from waivers.

St. Louis Rams Tanard Davis (CB) signed.

Miami Dolphins Jay Feely (K) cut. Kelvin Smith (LB) cut.

Oakland Raiders Greg Wesley (S) cut.

Indianapolis Colts Michael Coe (CB) Placed on IR (left knee surgery). Clifton Dawson (RB) signed. Dedrick Harrington (LB) cut.

Arizona Cardinals Brandon Moore (LB) signed (one-year contract).

Pittsburgh Steelers Kevin Huntley (DE) acquired from waivers.

Seattle Seahawks Derrick Johnson (CB) cut. Dallas Sartz (LB) signed.

San Francisco 49ers Damane Duckett (T) Placed on IR (left knee).

Minnesota Vikings Mike Jones (G) Placed on IR. Jayme Mitchell (DE) Placed on IR (left knee). Heath Farwell (LB) Placed on IR (right knee).

Detroit Lions Stanley Wilson (CB) Placed on IR (achilles).

Edited August 14, 2008 by Kelverin

[Enoch]

Here's one I'm surprised you missed, Kelv:

 

The Giants placed former Charger T Shane Olivea on IR, with the intent of releasing him after an injury settlement has been reached. Guy had had some trouble with prescription painkillers, which led to his being cut from SD. The Giants took a flier on bringing him to camp. He looked good for awhile, but hurt his back and hadn't been able to practice since.

[Kelverin]

Here's one I'm surprised you missed, Kelv:

 

The Giants placed former Charger T Shane Olivea on IR, with the intent of releasing him after an injury settlement has been reached. Guy had had some trouble with prescription painkillers, which led to his being cut from SD. The Giants took a flier on bringing him to camp. He looked good for awhile, but hurt his back and hadn't been able to practice since.

I heard about it, he was a serviceable tackle, got a fat contract, then his play diminished considerably, so much so he lost the starting position half way through the season last year and subsequently released by SD. The painkiller addiction is new to me however.

 

raiders Edgerton Hartwell (LB) cut. Glenn Pakulak (P) signed.

 

New England Patriots Barry Stokes (G) Placed on IR (back).

 

New York Giants Josh Huston (K) signed/unrestricted free agent. Cliff Louis (T) acquired from waivers.

 

Cleveland Browns Cliff Louis (T) cut. Jonathan Palmer (T) signed.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars Leander Jordan (T) cut. Pete McMahon (T) signed. Jonathan Lewis (DT) signed.

[Kelverin]

Bears name Orton the starting quarterback over Grossman. (The question is, will it matter?)

LINK

 

 

Baltimore Ravens Terrell Suggs (DE) re-signed/franchise (one-year tender offer).

 

Miami Dolphins Steve McKinney © cut.

 

St. Louis Rams Mark Setterstrom (G) Placed on IR (left kneecap). Brandon Gorin (T) Placed on IR (shoulder).

 

Pittsburgh Steelers Orpheus Roye (DT) signed (one-year contract). Lee Vickers (TE) signed. Kevin Huntley (DE) cut. Jon Dekker (TE) cut.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers J.D. Runnels (RB) signed. Luke Petitgout (T) cut.

 

The Texans signed running back Marcel Shipp.

[Kelverin]

Bills QB Edwards bruises right quadriceps, limps off field

"PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills starting quarterback Trent Edwards sustained a deep bruise to his right quadriceps during practice Tuesday night, and it's unclear whether he'll return to practice this week."

LINK

 

Hasselbeck leaves Seahawks practice

"RENTON, Wash. -- A day after he returned to the practice field, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is again dealing with a balky back."

LINK

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals Chris Henry (WR) signed (one-year contract).

 

New England Patriots Marcus Pollard (TE) cut.

 

Atlanta Falcons Joe Horn (WR) cut.

 

Washington Redskins David Holloway (LB) signed/unrestricted free agent.

[wesley2]

Henry resigned after being dropped by the team? What's going on here, did they just want to get out of his contract or something in case he got into trouble again? Joe Horn might do alright in Atlanta actually, if they can find a way to protect Matt Ryan because he's certainly not the most mobile QB.

[Gfted1]

More likely the Bengals realize they jumped the gun releasing him for something he was later cleared of. That and they need receivers BAD. Whosyourmama cant do it alone.