NFL 2015 NFL Team Previews

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TheGreatBarryB said:
Salary cap issues during SB years, even own spygate affair. Quite a few players caught with PEDS.
Click to expand...
We didn't have the money that year to pay everyone because we had just built a new stadium, so we ended up paying them later? Massive advantage right

Kind of ironic given your own team has been caught taking PEDs, as well as cheating against the Broncos
 
LicoriceAllsorts said:
We didn't have the money that year to pay everyone because we had just built a new stadium, so we ended up paying them later? Massive advantage right

Kind of ironic given your own team has been caught taking PEDs, as well as cheating against the Broncos
Click to expand...

Everyone cheats in some way.
 

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Green Bay Packers

PLAYER MOVES

Re-signed:
WR Randall Cobb, RT Bryan Bulaga, QB Scott Tolzien, FB John Kuhn, NT Letroy Guion, NT B.J. Raji, T Don Barclay, S Sean Richardson, S Chris Banjo

Lost:
CB Tramon Williams, CB Davon House, ILB A.J. Hawk, ILB Brad Jones, TE Brandon Bostick, WR Kevin Dorsey, RB DuJuan Harris, WR Jarrett Boykin, LB Jamari Lattimore

The Packers have a knack of re-signing their best players and 2014 was no different with Cobb, Bulaga, Guion and Raji probably the most important re-signings. The Packers did lose some important players though and they lost cornerback depth with both Williams and House departing, and there was no encore for A.J. Hawk who headed off to the Bengals after 9 seasons at the Packers.

Drafted:
CB Damarious Randall, CB Quinten Rollins, WR Ty Montgomery, ILB Jake Ryan, QB Brett Hundley, FB Aaron Ripkowski, DL Christian Ringo, TE Kennard Backman

The Green Bay draft focussed on replacing the talent that had departed the team, but I wouldn't be looking for a lot of immediate production from too many of
the draftees. 1st rounder Demarious Randall has fallen behind Quinten Rollins during training camp due to injury and both appear to be battling Casey Hayward, who is also injured, for a starting position.

OFFENSE

QB - Aaron Rodgers - with the leagues best QB on board the Packers become instant favourites to figure highly this season. Coming off a 38 TD season there's a question about whether or not Rodgers can get any better, but with the Packers offensive talent sI'd say the skies the limit.

RB - Eddie Lacy is coming off his 2nd 1000 yard season and will be aiming for more this season. His impact in his 2nd season was significant, which is good news for the Packers because James Starks saw his production decline last year after re-signing with the Pack for 2 years.

WR - Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jeff Janis could be the best lineup of wide receivers that the Packer have ever assembled for Aaron Rodgers.

TE - the Packers will be looking for further development from 2nd year player Richard Rodgers as backup Andrew Quarless has never figured highly in the Packers offence.

OL - The Packers OL is definitely a bunch of quiet achievers. David Bakhtiari, Josh Sitton, Corey Linsley, TJ Lang, Bryan Bulaga all return and in 2014 they gave up only 30 sacks and laid the ground work for Eddie Lacy's 2nd consecutive 1000 yard season.

The Packers lead the NFL in scoring in 2014 and I can't see any reason why they wouldn't do the same this year.

DEFENSE

DL Letroy Guion, BJ Raji, Mike Daniels, Datone Jones. With Guion and Raji returning on one year Contracts the Packers will be looking for something from Datone Jones who has been a disappointment for the Packers in his first two seasons. 2015 is not off to a good start for Jones who was busted for marijuana use after the Super Bowl and will miss the 1st game of the season through suspension.

LB Clay Matthews, Sam Barrington, Nate Palmer, Julius Peppers. Clay Matthews is back to OLB after being moved inside last year to shore up the Packers run defence last season. The Packers drafted ILB Jake Ryan but he looks like a backup at best, but he is a downhill tackling machine who should be able to help against the run.

FS Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, SS Morgan Burnett - the safety positions look pretty solid after solid seasons from Clinton-Dix and Burnett in 2014.

CB Sam Shields, Casey Hayward, Micah Hyde Quinton Rollins, Damarious Randall - the big question for the Packers is whether they can find a replacement for Tramon Williams. casey Hayward gets the gig due to his experience, but Rollins and Randall will be looking for playing time if he doesn't cement a spot.

The Packers defence goes into 2015 with a few question marks over it. Can BJ Raji return to form and help the DL produce? Which players are the answer at ILB in 2015, and who will end up playing the most snaps at LCB for the Packers?

That being said I'm pretty confident that the defensive deficiencies for the Packers aren't massive and they should be able to ensure the offence can outscore most opponents during 2015.

2015 Prediction 13-3

@ Chicago Bears (W)
Seattle Seahawks (W)
Kansas City Chiefs (W)
@ San Francisco 49ers (W)
St. Louis Rams (W)
San Diego Chargers (W)
@ Denver Broncos (L)
@ Carolina Panthers (W)
Detroit Lions (W)
@ Minnesota Vikings (L)
Chicago Bears (W)
@ Detroit Lions (L)
Dallas Cowboys (W)
@ Oakland Raiders (W)
@ Arizona Cardinals (W)
Minnesota Vikings (W)

Along with the Seahawks you can safely predict the Packers to make the playoffs this year. The biggest question is whether or not they can avoid further post-season disappointment and go all the way.
 

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Pittsburgh Steelers—2015 Preview

So having been umm encouraged to provide a preview of your 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers, without further adieu let us dive right in:

Offense

In today’s NFL, offense is the name of the game. With rules specifically designed to hamper defenses (yes, talking about you pass interference and defensive holding) organizations would be wise to load up on offensive skill players and playmakers. Not surprisingly, the Steeler organization has done just that and, as a result, has pieced together the makings of a true offensive juggernaut.

Offenses begin, end, and are driven by the Quarterback. Pittsburgh has one of the best in the business in Ben Roethlisberger. A fellow Miami (Ohio) University alum, Big Ben begins his 12th season in the NFL. Amazingly, he is an often overlooked and underappreciated quarterback by the national media and pundits. Yet, he consistently demonstrates that he is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in the game year in and year out. Blessed with a cannon for an arm, great size and sneaky good escapability to keep plays alive, Ben is a bigger, stronger version of John Elway. Both could look “bad” for three quarters and still lead their team to victory in the fourth…snatching victory from the very jaws of defeat time and again.

So what to expect from Ben in 2015? I think it is reasonable to assume he will put up monster numbers with the weapons he has at his disposal. As discussed below, Ben will be able to call on numerous playmakers to put points up on the board quickly, efficiently and in bushels. Coupled with an improved offensive line and a more mature running attack it is not farfetched that Ben could easily put up MVP numbers in 2015.

If an offense is driven by the quarterback, its soul is found in the line. Quality offensive linemen can provide the attitude that a high powered offensive machine needs and a sub-par offensive line can undermine even the greatest of quarterbacks. So how does the Pittsburgh offensive line shape up for 2015?

Since 2010, the Steelers have slowly and methodically undertaken a re-build of their offensive line. In 2015, the fruits of that labor will be realized. The line begins with center Maurkice Pouncey a 2010 first round selection. On the right side the Steelers will line up 2012 first round selection David DeCastro at guard and 2011 second round selection Marcus Gilbert. To the left of Pouncey the Steelers will go with Ramon Foster at guard and Kelvin Beachum at the all-important left tackle spot.

What only a few short years ago was a weakness has now become yet another strength for the Steelers. Pro Football Focus rated the Steeler offensive line as the 3rd best unit in the business for pass blocking and 11th in run blocking in 2014. There is no reason that this line doesn’t continue to improve as it hits its prime and the fruits of the organizational rebuild in the offensive line are fully realized in 2015. A now mature, stable and settled offensive line will provide Ben the time he needs to find his playmakers and will also open enough daylight for the running game to prove itself a valuable asset to Pittsburgh's offensive weaponry. Reinforcing the notion once more that an organization which is able to identify its needs and fill in talent to meet those needs through shrewd drafting will be rewarded.

Next we examine playmakers—the highlight reel of a productive NFL offense. Here again, the Steelers are loaded. Touchdowns thru the air will come fast and furious from Antonio Brown, Marcus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant. The always steady/productive Heath Miller will provide Ben the comfort blanket he needs in important spots.

In 2014, Antonio Brown grabbed 129 passes for nearly 1700 yards to go along with 13 td receptions. How good are the Steelers likely to be at wide out? Brown's numbers may actually go down and the Steelers offensive numbers could skyrocket. One need only glance over at Martavis Bryant, inactive for the first 6 games in 2014. All he did by the end of the season was snag 26 passes for 562 yards and 8 touchdowns. Marcus Weaton? Merely grabbed 5 catches in the playoff game against Baltimore and had 9 regular season games where he grabbed at least 4 passes. The weapons Ben has at his disposal through the air will give defensive coordinators nightmares in 2015. It will also allow the Steelers to patiently develop Sammie Coates, their third round selection. Expect him to have an impact in the second half of the season in this prolific offense.

Another playmaker, and this one found on the ground, is Le’Veon Bell. A second round selection in 2013, Bell started to hit his stride in 2014. Bell put up 1,361 yards on the ground to lead the AFC and then added another 83 catches for 854 yards. How good was 2014? All he did was set a Steeler record with 2,215 total yards of offense. Yes—he will sit out the first two games for substance abuse violations, but you can best believe he will come back determined to try to match his 2014 output.

Loaded at offense? That is an understatement. This team will put points up at a potentially team record pace. Can they be stopped? Only if Ben goes down with an injury. Look for this offense to be top 3 in the league in yardage and points per game—they are that good.

Now that we have examined the offense---it is time to look at:

Defense

Long the bulwark for the organization, the Steeler defense would be unrecognizable to even Steeler defenses of ten years ago. Gone are the fearsome linebackers that would make other quarterbacks stay up at night. Gone are the superb playmakers in the secondary who would come up with the key interception or timely hit. Does that mean there is no hope? Not at all…it just means that the Steelers look to go about business another way defensively in 2015.

While the defense won’t have the same impact it once did—it won’t lack from lining up talent. No less than 5 first or second round selections will start on defense in 2015 and 2015 first round pick Bud Dupree will press for time at left outside linebacker. With great youth comes inexperience and there will be occasions that the young linebackers like Jones, Dupree and Shazier get sucked out of position. That will lead to some big plays on the ground and the Steelers will have to hope that given enough game exposure the mistakes made early in 2015 do not appear late in the season when the stakes are highest. Improvement in the defensive line and linebacking core will be the mantra in 2015. If these positions are playing consistently better at the end of the season—watch out.

So is there a weakness on this team? Yes there is and it is found in its secondary. Gay, Allen, Mitchell and Thomas can and will be picked apart by above average quarterbacks. They simply don’t make enough plays to scare quality quarterbacks and they make enough mistakes in coverage and reads to allow big plays---and lots of them at times.

So the bottom line for the Steeler defense in 2015? Twofold---first, make enough timely plays in the right situations to allow the offense to win games. Second, to improve in both consistency and recognition of job responsibilities as the season progresses. The organization is not asking the defense to win games and dominate as it once did but it is asking it to not lose games. One or two key stops should be enough—at least until the playoffs.

Special Teams

Garrett Hartley will be the placekicker to start the season in 2015. The unfortunate season ending injury to Shane Suisham will be felt, of that there is no question. However, the dirty little secret of today’s NFL is that offenses that score touchdowns aren’t as reliant upon field goals anymore. Of the 16 regular season games and 1 playoff game the Steelers played in 2014, exactly 1 was won/lost on a Suisham fg. Can the loss of Suisham end up biting the Steelers in 2015, maybe. Would I bet the house on it? No…not in today’s NFL. No doubt, especially in the regular season, the Steelers expect to be more than one score ahead more often than not. Come playoff time could it prove the difference? Yes—but I am certain the Steelers will happily sign up for the playoffs now and let the chips fall where they may in January/February.

As for punting---Brad Wing may have the best job in the NFL this year. He quite easily could go multiple games without even having to punt once. Ahhh mommies and daddies let your kids grow up to be NFL punters!

2015 Prediction

Despite a “tough” schedule on paper, the NFL (like the AFL) comes down to when you play opponents, not necessarily, who you play. Right out of the gate it appears Pittsburgh will catch a break and avoid Tom Brady to open the season in New England. A potential “loss” now looks like it could easily be a “win”. At the end of the day, this is a high powered offense that will score early and often. The defense will be asked to make a stop here and there and not get in the team’s way.

Look for the Steelers to go 11-5, win the AFC North and appear in Super Bowl 50.
 
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Oakland Raiders Preview

The best news for the Raiders this off season was that they have succeeded by failing in their stated offseason plan. Owner Mark Davis went on the record claiming he would break records bringing the best free agents to the franchise. Fortunately for Raider Nation no free agent took the bait and instead of over paying for a bunch of second tier talent they spread the money around bringing in depth across the roster whilst filling a couple of starter vacancies on both sides of the ball.

Offense

What do you make of your starting QB who wears number 4 as homage to his hero Brett Favre and then follows that up by naming his son Dallas yet still claims to be a life-long Raider fan? He should immediately change his number to 16 (that will keep the Jim Plunkett fans happy along with the Ken Stabler ones) and adopt a rescue dog, preferably an overweight labrador, before the season starts and name it Otto.

The 2nd year veteran is the undisputed starter for 2015 following an impressive rookie campaign. It speaks volumes for the transformation the Raiders are undergoing in that Carr represents one of the few spots of stability on the roster going into the preseason.

Gone are most of his offensive weapons from 2014 with Carr likely throwing to two all new starting wide receivers in Michael Crabtree and highly touted 1st round selection, Amari Cooper. Carr will attempt to increase his pass per completion average this year too with the addition of Jerry Flynn disciple, Bill Musgrave now calling the shots on offense. This is highly possible with Cooper but may actually go down if Carr targets Crabtree more than 3 times a game.

The departures of both Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden (who represent more name recognition than performance anyway) leaves fullback, Marcel Reese as the only known entity in a restaffed backfield. The Raiders are banking on injury plagued 3rd year veteran Latavius Murray to be the starter at tailback after showing signs of life late last season. The Raiders will also try to resurrect the career of perennial under achiever Trent Richardson, I guess someone has to.

I will admit that I do not know much about the Raiders’ offensive line personnel other than they seem to be a similar collection of fat guys that you see on most NFL teams and are normally responsible for the vast bulk of the bill the rookies have to foot when paying for dinner. Not to make this review a total farce, but my research revealed that QB Carr was only sacked 24 times last year which is pretty good. Apparently the pundits point to this fact in proclaiming the Raiders offensive line.

I have a different theory. If you were a just out of shorts, Derek sitting at the Carr family Thanksgiving table listening to big brother David’s wheezy voice as a result of his latest set of broken ribs whilst being spoon fed by your mother because the neck brace won’t allow him to bend his neck telling of his experiences playing QB in the NFL behind THAT Houston (an embryotic franchise team at the time) offensive line, what’s the one thing you probably would best try and avoid in your own career?

I’m not sure what the Raiders offensive identity will be this year to be honest. Will Musgrave be successful implementing a higher tempo game style ala the Eagles? Will someone emerge as a reliable runner? Is Cooper as good as touted? Will Carr build on his rookie campaign? On offense the Raiders do not yet have a QB who can carry this team nor do they have enough pieces to be a ball control offense under a game manager QB. There are still too many unanswered questions regarding the Raiders on offense to see a top 15 offense this season.

Defense

If the season started today the Raiders would start a 38 year old (I thought Charles Woodson would be the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame whilst still playing), a 7th round 2nd year veteran, an always injured 1st rounder and a FA acquisition in the defensive backfield. Couple this with a paltry 22 sacks last year, not too many big moves to improve the situation over the offseason and facing some of the league’s better QBs (OK, for the sake of my argument here I will acknowledge that Peyton Manning ranks as one of the better QBs) this does now project well for the Raiders’ passing defence.

New defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jnr will bring big time experience to the defence and this will be reflected in this side of the ball’s potentially strongest unit, the line-backers, Norton’s former pro position. Khalil Mack is a superstar in the making but will be required to continue to improve his game, in particular bringing a pass rushing ability on game day to help lift the defence overall. Sio Moore is a playmaking outside line-backer but much of the success of this unit will depend on the ability of ex-Saint Curtis Lofton to plug the middle of the field. Should this unit gel quickly the Raiders will prove again to be difficult to run against but may not be able to provide the much needed passer disruption.

Along the defensive front, the unit will again be well served by Justin Tuck but he will desperately need support from his supporting cast. The Raiders will be looking for instant contributions from 2ns round draftee Mario Edwards Jnr but will have to considerably increase his college production to provide the type of impact required.

Summing Up

Just like the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders’ defence may rely on too few to provide the play making impact required in the NFL. Charles Woodson isn’t getting any younger and the front seven may take time to dwell under yet another coaching change. Playing in the AFC West won’t help their cause having given up 28 points per game in 2014 I’m not sure they have the offensive firepower to keep track of that scoring pace over the entire season.

For the Raiders to finish better than the 6-10 season I am predicting, the Carr/Cooper connection will need to instantly bloom, a reliable running game develop and for the defence to be far more formidable against the pass for the team to contend in 2015.

However, the Raiders of 2015 are adopting a far different approach (whether by design or accident) to what we have known the Raiders to be. The flashy head scratching FA and drafting moves seem to be less frequent and the team seems to be trying to build a solid talent base across all positions.

New Head Coach Jack Del Rio is a known entity but his two lieutenants in Norton and Musgrave are not. The Raiders need stability and demonstrable improvement on the playing field, especially with relocation and stadium issues simmering in the background.

This will not be a winning season for the Raiders, but it won’t be a cover your eyes car crash either if the attitudes are right and the new coaching staff represents a new direction and not just another stopover on the coaching roundabout.
 
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