The Official 2007 NFL March to the Super Bowl Thread

[korbel]

Hello Guys,

Patriots Nation checking in here. Hey hey hey...my Patriots are off and running starting with a near total domination of the Jets for a 38-14 lopsided victory that would have been more so if not for a dropped pass. Randy Moss caught 9 pass for 183 yards, Ellis Hobbs ran back the second half kick-off for a new record 108 yards touchdown dash, and Tom (Hall of Fame) Brady had the third highest rated day of his career at 22-28 for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns. With the best rated core of receivers in the NFL and a great defense, that didn't even have Richard Seymour or Rodney Harrison today, the Pats are going to be extemely tough on anyone to beat. So saddle up boys...lets have fun. OH...if you hate the Patriots already...you could be in for a very bitter season.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7198314

So, how did your team do this weekend???

From the winners circle,

Korbel (Patriots Nation)

PS

Don't hate us because we're winners...lol.

 

[korbel]

2007 NFL Predictions.

Hello all,


A look at a few predictions for you:

http://www.docsports.com/current/nfl-predictions.html


2007 NFL Predictions
by Robert Ferringo - 06/27/2007

AFC East - New England, New York, Miami, Buffalo
AFC North - Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland
AFC South - Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Houston, Tennessee
AFC West - San Diego, Denver, Kansas City, Oakland
Wild Cards - Indianapolis, Denver
AFC Championship Game - New England over Jacksonville


NFC East - Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington, New York
NFC North - Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit, Minnesota
NFC South - Carolina, New Orleans, Atlanta, Tampa Bay
NFC West - Seattle, San Francisco, St. Louis, Arizona
Wild Cards - New Orleans, San Francisco
NFC Championship Game - Philadelphia over New Orleans


Super Bowl - New England over Philadelphia
Yeah, after all that smack I'll go with the Patriots. They're the least shaky of all of the teams in the AFC. Since the NFC is still the equivalent of the D-League then I suppose that makes the Pats the best in the business - for now.

ESPN: Most Accurate NFL Predictions.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=tmq/030902

Newt's 2007 NFL Predictions.
http://skolvikes.blogspot.com/2007/06/newts-2007-nfl-predictions.html

2007 NFL Predictions.
http://www.pricelesspicks.com/2007-nfl-predictions.shtml

Enjoy,

Korbel

 

[Joe.t]

I will agree with my buddy korbel for probably the first and only time in my life and will predict that the Patroits will have a big year as long as they can stay healthy, Moss is the best receiver in all of football(my opinion) and should have a monster year with Brady throwing to him, Rodney is probably the best safety to ever play the game and once he gets back they should be even better, I predict that they make it to the super bowl but will get upset by Dallas.

Super Bowl- Dallas over New England in a upset.

 

[EagerBeaver]

From what I saw this weekend, the Patriots and the Colts are clearly the two best teams in the NFL at this time. It's a shame that they both play in the AFC, because when they play in the playoffs it will effectively be the Super Bowl. The Patriots, Colts and Chargers are all better than any team in the NFC, making the AFC an unfortunately top heavy conference, much like the American League is in baseball at this time. It's not fair to those teams but it is what it is, and a less worthy team will emerge from the NFC to play one of the 3 teams mentioned above in the Super Bowl (most likely Patriots or Colts).

I saw some of the the Bears game and it appears their offense has regressed and I would not pencil them in as the favorite in the NFC at this time. Grossman can't handle pressure and Benson is a fumbler. They may not be as good as they were last year.

I think the only team capable of beating the Patriots is the Colts. In that regard, home field advantage will be very important and I think the two teams will fight for the best record not just in the AFC but in the NFL. Brady and Peyton Manning are both incredible quarterbacks, the two best in the NFL by a lot at this time. That 1st TD pass that Manning threw against New Orleans was a perfect pass, right on the fucking money hitting Harrison perfectly in stride. Brady's pass to Moss for the TD was not quite as brilliant but close. These guys are both Hall of Fame QBs and everyone should enjoy them because they are much, much better than the rest of the NFL QBs at this time. There are a lot of starting NFL QBs that actually suck and should not be starting but in Manning and Brady, you basically have two high level elite 1st ballot Hall of Fame QBs.

 

[z/m(Ret)]

Chargers

The days of Air Coryell, starring Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Chuck Muncie, John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner, are long gone but I nonetheless kept a special affection for the Chargers. They had the best NFL record last year but fell short in playoffs time. I hope they will win the Superbowl this year. They look good.

p.s. I would never cheer for a team named "Patriots"!

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I will agree with my buddy korbel for probably the first and only time in my life and will predict that the Patroits will have a big year as long as they can stay healthy,

Too bad, NE fans. The Pats have just been doomed.

 

[eastender]

Not the Only One

The days of Air Coryell, starring Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow, Chuck Muncie, John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner, are long gone but I nonetheless kept a special affection for the Chargers. They had the best NFL record last year but fell short in playoffs time. I hope they will win the Superbowl this year. They look good.

p.s. I would never cheer for a team named "Patriots"!

Nice to see that I am not the only one who appreciated Dan Fouts, Kellen Winslow and Charlie Joiner.

Not sold on the Chargers coaching staff and unfortunately the NFL is a coaches league where talent is no longer enough.

 

[Special K]

For Eli, it sure must suck being Peyton Mannings little brother!

 

[Special K]

Cowboys Win Superbowl!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not with that awful Defense!

 

[korbel]

I will agree with my buddy korbel for probably the first and only time in my life and will predict that the Patroits will have a big year as long as they can stay healthy, Moss is the best receiver in all of football(my opinion) and should have a monster year with Brady throwing to him, Rodney is probably the best safety to ever play the game and once he gets back they should be even better, I predict that they make it to the super bowl but will get upset by Dallas.

Super Bowl- Dallas over New England in a upset.

Hello Joe. t,

Let me make it perfectly clear that I am NOT predicting New England will win the Super Bowl. But when I think about what this core of receivers would have done against the Colts and the Bears I want to cry. One dropped pass put them out of the Super bowl. With these receivers I am sure the Patriots would have controlled the time of possession much more and the Colts never would have had the time to come back. So I look forward to our chances this year with "great anticipation". The only thing I worry about is the running game (adequate at best...so far) and injuries.

EB is very close to being dead on, although I want to wait and see what emerges from the NFC this year if anything. So far no team in the NFC looked like it has the talent, the poise, or the raw weaponry that the Patriots and the Colts have. Of course anything can happen in a single game. I remember Buffalo annihilating the Patriots 31-0 early in the season, then the Patriots payed it right back 31-0 late in the year and winning the Super Bowl. But flukes won't get any team through the playoffs to the winners circle.

Joe. t and Tex are obviously voicing their loyalty...not reality. I watched part of the Giants-Cowboys game. I just don't think "Super Bowl contender" are the right words when the Cowboys can't keep a very beat up Giants team from scoring that many points. Did the "Boys" send in the second team late in the game? Right now the Cowboys look like a team others should focus on playing hard against because they are dangerous...but a serious contender for the Tittle...uh...NO! Defense is so critical to be a finalist. Where was it for the "Boys?" If you want to get to the Super Bowl you had better send out a posse to find some...lol.

Ziggy my man...YES...it's a bitter feeling to lose when you are so close...as We know. The Chargers will certainly be motivated by vengeance this coming weekend. DON'T COUNT ON IT!

Toodles,

Korbel (Patriots Nation)

 

[Dee]

When I don't live in a city that has a team in the mix I have a strange way of picking teams to cheer for... one element is if they are underdogs, losers (Go Dee Go)... other elements have allowed me to cheer lately for the Patriots and Colts... they represent more modest and less splashy areas, it can get cold there, a bit of a connection with Indiana (their uniforms make them look clunky somehow), I like the coaches....

BUT... did you see the interview with Moss after the game.... he's not as obnoxious as TO but certainly in the same league; he could well have shown some grace, some modesty, some humility and some indication that he isn't the only guy on the team.... compare him to Harrison on the Colts... class guy all the way... (a la Jerry Rice) so between the 2.... Go Colts Go.

 

[Dee]

Minor Annoyance... a question...

When Peyton Manning (who I think is fabulous) is just about to take a snap... how much of his talking, moving around, pointing is really doing something and how much of it is a ruse to hide it when he really is doing something?

It all kind of gives me a headache.

 

[eastender]

Ruse

When Peyton Manning (who I think is fabulous) is just about to take a snap... how much of his talking, moving around, pointing is really doing something and how much of it is a ruse to hide it when he really is doing something?

It all kind of gives me a headache.

Mainly a ruse.

In the "no huddle" offense there are a group of base formation with options and he will activate one of these from the formation chosen. Often a very limited number of players on the offense are affected by the change. There would be an audible so that the O-line will know that he is changing the depth or position of his drop,etc.

After a huddle, he may audible upon seeing the defensive set, especially in a third down and short yardage situation. Again there are limits as he cannot change the O-line splits or changes that will cause illegal movement.

One of the biggest misrepresentations by the media is that players are pick-ed up off the waiver wire to get a look at the offensive/defensive playbook, learn the audibles,the ready list etc. A simple change in audibles and the defense looks very silly on a play.

 

[mark_sab]

i dunno but i hear ya

When Peyton Manning (who I think is fabulous) is just about to take a snap... how much of his talking, moving around, pointing is really doing something and how much of it is a ruse to hide it when he really is doing something?

It all kind of gives me a headache.

four seasons ago (or maybe it is five) i was so disgusted by all of his directions i would turn to another game. i was embarrased for him. now he has his team behind him and everyone is on the same page. i bet he and the coaching staff had a hard time selling this method to the other players. let's hope the rest of the leauge does not attempt to copy cat. we might see more of this.

anyone catch him on SNL? he was pretty good.

 

[korbel]

Chemistry

Hello all,

One thing I really loved about my Patriots in 2001 was their blue collar aura and the chemistry a bunch of no-names seemed to possess. A team with no real stars beat a team called the "Greatest Show on Turf" against the second highest point spread in Super Bowl history. It was like David and Goliath and it was spectacular. Then I saw an article today, with a most unfortunate comparison to the Yankers...YUK! The article talked about creating a successful "team chemistry" versus collecting a lot of "individual stars" and declining into stagnation like the Yankers. I worried about this with Harrison. But, he fit right in and became a key leader. Now...Moss??? The interview Dee mentioned is troubling. Moss is a great player, but prima donnas are like a virus that can undo everything. I am sure Belichick will do all he can to keep Moss on the team program. I hope the interview is not the first sign of a disease on my team, but if it is I hope Belichick has the courage to get past his numbers and do what is necessary. I simply don't care how good a player is if he becomes a cancer.

Hoping,

Korbel

 

[Canadian Joe 652]

The Chargers are comming looking for payback!

So a new season and new expectations. The cahragers received the Bears in SD, Chicago is always a tough team to play, the D is good, yet the Charger Nation was confirmed in its expectation that this year is a Charger year!

Now for the nest obstacle on the road......................

NEW ENGLAND!!!!!!

I guess next week will find out if the New England win was due to the quality of the Patriots or the lackj thereoff from the Jets.

Should be a good game!


As you can Imagine am Taking the Chargers to take the AFC this year, with strong competition from the usual suspects: New England, Indy & Pittsburgh.


On the NFC side I like Carolina, Dallas & Chicago to go all the way.

I will love to see a San Diego - Dallas matchup in Arizona>

 

[korbel]

Chargers???

So a new season and new expectations. The cahragers received the Bears in SD, Chicago is always a tough team to play, the D is good, yet the Charger Nation was confirmed in its expectation that this year is a Charger year!

Hello CJ 652,

I hear another fan speaking from the heart instead of evidence. I did not see the game but I read the story. The general idea there was some mutual bumbling where the last mistake was the losing one. From the facts I read I don't see how anyone can say "this year is a Charger year". I don't think one game proves anything for anyone. But there was very little to suggest it will be the Chargers year from the facts of that poor game. Maybe next week will say more.

From Patriots Nation,

Korbel

 

[JustBob]

Joe. t and Tex are obviously voicing their loyalty...not reality. I watched part of the Giants-Cowboys game. I just don't think "Super Bowl contender" are the right words when the Cowboys can't keep a very beat up Giants team from scoring that many points. Did the "Boys" send in the second team late in the game? Right now the Cowboys look like a team others should focus on playing hard against because they are dangerous...but a serious contender for the Tittle...uh...NO! Defense is so critical to be a finalist. Where was it for the "Boys?" If you want to get to the Super Bowl you had better send out a posse to find some...lol.

Obviously, the cream of the crop is still in the AFC. The NFC has no team that can match the Pats, Colts and Bolts in terms of talent.

But as a Cowboys fan, let's not be too hasty on judging their defense, or their offense for that matter. Well ok, the offense is going to be pretty darn good but they are obviously not going to score 45 points a game. And I'm pretty sure the defense will get better for a couple of reasons.

1. First game playing Wade Phillips 3-4 scheme on defense. It will take a few games for the players to get used to it.

2. They played without two important starters on defense. Linebacker Greg Ellis and shut-down corner Terrence Newman (who only allowed two TD's in the past two years). Plus, nose tackle Jason Ferguson got injured in the 1st quarter. Saddly he's out for the season. Newman should theoretically be back next Sunday but his absence made a huge difference. You knew that the Giants would pick on replacement Jacque Reeves all night. This pretty much forced the Cowboys to play two deep zone and give Reeves safety help, but Roy Williams, as good as he his against the run, pretty much sucks in pass coverage. So the Boys got burned a number of times. Having Newman at corner changes everything. Plus with Ellis out, you're playing 1st round draft pick Anthony Spencer at outside linebacker. He got better as the game went on (and he will be an impact player), but he's still a rookie who played defensive end in college and is adapting to a new position.

I don't think one game proves anything for anyone.

Yes, it is wise not to jump to conclusions after one game.

 

[korbel]

Spying

Hello all,

The Patriots are being acussed of spying on the other teams signals as reported by CNN. OHHHHHHH how I hate the smell of a tainted game. An investigation is under way by the NFL. And, it seems it isn't the first time either. Is this really a surprise though? The same camera man was removed last year. I have the feeling such things are not so isolated in Foxboro. I don't know what this really is. Don't all teams film games and use the information they get? I thought that was standard. So how do they distinguish between filming and spying?

Disgusted,

Korbel

 

[EagerBeaver]

Korbel,

NFL teams film games, but through specially designated cameramen who wear yellow. Those cameramen are specifically prohibited from filming the opponent's coaches relaying signals to their offensive and defensive teams. The Patriots stand accused of using a "spy" who was not wearing the designated uniform and who was filming the Jets' coaches relaying signals. Apparently, the "spy" was caught by Jets security personnel.

It is not clear to me what the penalty is or should be if the accusations are proven to be correct. In baseball, it is very common for a runner at second base to steal signals (or signs) being given by the catcher to the pitcher, and then relay those signals to the batter by predetermined signals. There is no penalty for doing this, although sometimes if the team whose signals are stolen becomes aware of it, they will throw at or hit the guy who is stealing the signals. At a minimum, if the accusations are proven true, the Patriots will be shown to be cheaters. The thing is I don't really know whether or not they are the only NFL team to have ever done this, and how pervasive this practice really is.

As a matter of interest, in my job I work with a videographer who does some surveillance and deposition work for me, but the bulk of what he does is videotaping sporting events for high school football teams and weddings. I have spoken to him about some of the technology in this field and it is absolutely unbelievable what can be done and what you can possibly get away with in terms of spying on someone. I'll be curious to see how the NFL, already stinging from the Vick scandal and the Kevin Everett tragedy, handles this one.