Five Burning Questions - 2012

[Go Coogs']

#5 - Can Devier Posey, Keshawn Martin, or Lester Jean step up as producing WR#3

Lester Jean showed signs as an emerging WR to push Jacoby Jones last year during preseason. He tore his ACL and nobody really knows what type of impact he would have had during the 2011 season. He's back and already making eye-popping plays in TC. Posey started slowly but has been staying late working with Jonathan Joseph and Daniel Manning on what moves work and what doesn't. He's maturing fast. Martin looks to be that slot guy and return specialist. He's going to make the most impact IMO because he'll be given the most opportunities to do so. Schaub gets comfortable with guys he can trust and these three might have a tough time being really inolved early in the season. Once Schaub gets comfortable, then we might see these guys flourish in the second half of the season.

#4 - How will the absence of DeMeco Ryans and the addition of Brady James e/affect the Texans?

DeMeco was straight up ballin' towards the end of last season and was a direct reason why Cushing was free to do what he wanted in the MLB spots under Wade Phillips' defense. James is older, but knows Phillips one-gap scheme. He's still a new edition and with Daryl Shaprton's recent setback in rehab, it's still a concern. I'm hoping James can stay healthy long enough for Daryl Sharpton to come back into the mix and be a serviceable rotation guy in the MLZB spots. Dobbins is all the Texans have as a backup with a track record for now. Again, the Texans go into the season with a very thin MLB group behind the starters.

#3 - With Jason Allen gone, can Kareem Jackson emerge as a decent CB2?

Jason Allen, believe it or not, was a saving grace on the opposite side of JoJo last season. K-Jax was still suffering from growing pains but Allen stepped in for the most part and made plays when the Texans needed him to. Kareem Jackson did show signs of improvement last season, but not type of improvement you would expect out of a first round draft pick. This is a make or break year for K-Jax and he is going to have to show some significant strides in order for him not to be labeled a first round bust. His hip turn and exceleration on go routes is below average and he still doesn't know when to turn around and look for the ball when its in the air. If K-Jax doesn't improve dramtically upon last year's performance, then Houston will have to rely on Brice McCain and Brandon Harris to step in and take over. It's concerning in a very pass-happy league.

#2 - Will the best o-line in the league from a year ago regress with its new pieces

Eric Winston and Mike Briesel are gone. They anchored the right side of that line and did a decent job of doing it. Winston had his issues with speed rushers on passing downs, but he did a damn good job of run blocking for Foster and Tate. Briesel was a beast in the trenches and his performance in the division clinching game against Cincy will never be forgotten. He played the entire 4th quarter on a broken ankle while running two hurry-up drives late in the game. Briesel will be missed. It's now time for Andre Caldwell and Rashard Butler to step in their place and continue the success of the Texans pass protection and running game. I have a felling Foster and Tate will regress some because of the o-line changes. Caldwell and Butler are going to take their lumps on the right side of the line, but I'm hopeful it isn't enough to keep the Texans from having continued success on the ground.

#1 - Can Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub stay on the field?

I think the Texans' post-season success rides squarely on these two guys. If either of them miss some significant time during the season, then Texans might not make the playoffs. If they miss any playoff games, then you can forget about them making any kind of run deep into the playoffs. This team pretty much goes the way of Schaub and Dre. TJ Yates, Kevin Walter, Owen Daniels and Devier Posey are not enough to replace guys like Schaub and Dre. Having both of them healthy for most of the season is key to this team repeating what they did last season.

11-5 - playoff bound again.

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

#5 - Can Devier Posey, Keshawn Martin, or Lester Jean step up as producing WR#3

Lester Jean showed signs as an emerging WR to push Jacoby Jones last year during preseason. He tore his ACL and nobody really knows what type of impact he would have had during the 2011 season. He's back and already making eye-popping plays in TC. Posey started slowly but has been staying late working with Jonathan Joseph and Daniel Manning on what moves work and what doesn't. He's maturing fast. Martin looks to be that slot guy and return specialist. He's going to make the most impact IMO because he'll be given the most opportunities to do so. Schaub gets comfortable with guys he can trust and these three might have a tough time being really inolved early in the season. Once Schaub gets comfortable, then we might see these guys flourish in the second half of the season.

Keshawn Martin was a ton of fun to watch at Michigan State, and one of the best athletes I've seen in a Spartan uniform. In the 2010 season he scored at least one touchdown five different ways...receiving, rushing, throwing, punt return, kick return. Put a little real estate in front of him and he's very dangerous. Great speed. Great quickness. Can juke guys out of their cleats. Not extremely physical and likes to dance around a little too much at times. Very humble and quiet. Total opposite of the typical wide receiver diva mentality. Does not celebrate or draw attention to himself. Funny thing is nobody recruited him out of high school. He couldn't afford to attend any camps, so he was an unknown on the recruiting scene. He had to send out tapes to various schools, and MSU snatched him up pretty quickly. I don't believe any other school offered him. No idea what he'll do in the NFL but I'm pulling for him.

[Felix]

One burning question for Denver:
Is Elvis Dumervil really dumb enough to display a weapon to a woman during a road rage incident?

[Go Coogs']

Keshawn Martin was a ton of fun to watch at Michigan State, and one of the best athletes I've seen in a Spartan uniform. In the 2010 season he scored at least one touchdown five different ways...receiving, rushing, throwing, punt return, kick return. Put a little real estate in front of him and he's very dangerous. Great speed. Great quickness. Can juke guys out of their cleats. Not extremely physical and likes to dance around a little too much at times. Very humble and quiet.

I loved the pick by Smith and Kubiak. Houston's never had a versatile guy like Martin on their roster. Trindon Holiday is the closest thing to it, but he is just way too small. Martin at least has prototypical slot size, but is also useful in other areas with his elusiveness. I think he'll make more of an impact than Posey this year.

[mvscal]

The only burning question for the Texans is how badly they will shit the bed this season. In the possible but unlikely event that they even make the playoffs, they will squat on a cock and blow it badly.

[Go Coogs']

The only burning question for the Texans is how badly they will shit the bed this season. In the possible but unlikely event that they even make the playoffs, they will squat on a cock and blow it badly.

Some insight to your graphic prediction of the Texans shortfalls are welcome. This is a football forum...a little Xs and Os never hurt anyone. Either post something worth reading or shut the fuck up.

Can Rivers bounce back?

Does he have enough weapons to throw to? Is Floyd, Meachum, and Gates enought?

Will Brown and Battle push Matthews for the starting job?

Is the secondary still shitty?

Please add something, mvscal.

[trev]

Coogs, mvscal is way within NFL forum boundaries. Your thread is appreciated though.

[poptart]

5. No Al Davis?

How is the transition to new owner, new GM, new head coach going to work out?


4. McFadden?

One of the very best all-round RB's in the league... when healthy.
He seldom is.
Can he keep himself on the field?


3. Defense?

Sucked tortoise 'nad last year.
Personnel-wise, it appears they may have lost more than they gained.
Dogshit DC is gone, however.


2. Carson Palmer?

Didn't really have a legit shot at it last season.
No excuse now.
Put up or shut up.



1. Young rookie head coach insists on running a very disciplined program.

In Raiderland?? har har

Well, the GM seems to have his back and Al is in a coffin, so maybe this isn't going to explode in his face.




The Raiduhs gained very little in it's draft and added very sparingly in free agency.
They've got a new coaching staff and a whole new feel to adjust to in Oakland.

I see a drop off from last year's 8-8.


6-10

[BSmack]

5 Burning Steelers Questions

1. How does the offense transition to Todd Haley's offense? - So far all the reports have been good. But let's see when happens when the only man to ever make Kurt Warner cuss gets under Ben's skin one too many times.

2. Will James Harrison ever be the same player again? - This question is being downplayed by some Pittsburgh media types that I normally would expect to obsess on a player of his stature being put on the PUP list to start camp. His back hasn't really been right for at least a year. I know he's a big fan of accupuncture and he obsesses about taking care of himself. But at 34, his time is going to be measured in months, not years. Was it really 8 years ago he first burst on the scene as a special teams monster and super sub for Joey Porter?

3. Will Mike Wallace ever get it through his head that he's still "One Trick" and get back to camp? - The good news is that Wallace doesn't want to be paid like Larry Fitzgerald. The bad news is that he thinks he's worth as much as Vincent Jackson. He would be, but not this year. He needs to work on his route running because if it were not for his insane speed, he would be buried behind Jerico Cotchery on the depth chart. Go ahead Mike, play contract games with the Rooneys. It has worked so well for everyone elese who has ever tried it.

4. Will both Mike Adams and David DeCastro be starting on opening day? - The smart money says yes on DeCastro and maybe on Adams. But that maybe becomes more of a yes the longer it takes for Max Starks to get into game shape. Adams has already passed Trai Essex on the depth chart and is starting to get a few grudging complements from Tomlin. Even if Adams isn't starting opening day, I'd be surprised to see him on the sidelines by the end of the year.

5. What will the backfield look like this year? - We know one thing, there will be a full time fullback for the first time since Dan Krieder was sent packing. That job looks to be Will Johnson's to lose with David Johnson as his #2/backup TE. I'm thinking this will likely be a full on committee backfield with as many as 4 guys getting regular touches. All reports say that Mendenhall is rehabing like his career depends on it, which it does. But there is so much young depth that even if he comes off the PUP after week six in perfect shape, he may find that he's been Wally Pipped by a combination of Redman, Dwyer, Batch and Rainey. Truth is, Mendenhall never took that next step to becoming a dominat feature back. And to make matters ever worse for him, there are guys on the roster now who excell at each of the backfield skill sets more than he does. And Haley LOVES to use a committee.

[jiminphilly]

Iggles

1. Andy Reid? Sudden and certainly impactful, Reid just lost a kid. It's easy to say the team will rally around him but that doesn't get you to the Superbowl. Is the coaching staff around him strong enough to keep the team focused? Marty might have a great offensive mind but I have little faith in him. Juan Castillo? Please.
There is no way to know how this impacts the team in the long-term because who the hell knows how Andy will be able to function after losing a kid.

2. Is the Defense improved? Besides some glaring holes in the defense, Juan Castillo had a horrible year as D Coordinator. His (lack of) experience on the defensive side of the ball from a professional standpoint was well documented but with a full season of workouts, OTAs and a full camp, hopefully he's got his shit together. The safety position is still a glaring issue but the Eagles dramatically improved with the addition of DeMeco Ryans. Not since Trotter have the Eagles had a legit MLB and this guy calls a better game. Now with Asante gone, DRC and Nandi should be able to focus on playing their positions without distraction. They both could be pro-bowlers if the pass rush materializes.

3. How will the loss of Jason Peters impact an already shaky offensive line? Eagles signed Demetress Bell to replace Peters. No matter how you look at it, Peters was a Pro-bowl tackle and Karl Malone's illegit kid is being asked to step in and play at the same level. This is a major loss and shitty replacement to say the least. The rest of the line should be decent. Todd Herremans is versatile and can play nearly any position. Kelce and Watkins are young but showed some real talent despite rookie mistakes.

4. Can Vick play an entire season? Doubtful but 15/16 would be a huge improvement. I doubt he'll slide more but he's got significant weapons and Jackson's contract issue is behind him. As much as a pussy as he is, Vick can still throw the ball 70 yards and Jackson is fast enough to catch up to it. Maclin is underrated and is 100% healthy after dealing with some health issues last year. Both he and Jackson could go over 1200 yards this year.

5. Is this a playoff team again or a bubble team with the potential for a wild card spot? The Giants are the best team in the NFC East until proven otherwise. The Skins have some talent but are still a year away. The Cowboys were 8-8 and didn't look like a team on the verge of 11-12 wins last year.
10 wins and the Eagles make the playoffs, 11 might get them the NFC East crown after tie-breakers. 12 wins? I just don't see it.

[mvscal]

Some insight to your graphic prediction of the Texans shortfalls are welcome.

Which part of gagging on a horsecock did you need diagrammed? The Suxans are the Chargers Eastern Annex. Plenty of talent (though less than they had last year), dull coaching, zero identity underachievers. Your best player has peppermint sticks for legs and is already dinged. Frankly, they'll be lucky to get past the Titans.

Can Rivers bounce back?

Yes.

Does he have enough weapons to throw to? Is Floyd, Meachum, and Gates enought?

He has more weapons than that such as Eddie Royal but, yes. That will not be an issue.

Will Brown and Battle push Matthews for the starting job?

No nor are they even supposed to. They are holding auditions to replace Mike Tolbert not push Mathews. They have three other running backs in camp (Brinkley, Baker and Hayes). If Battle even makes the team it will be as a special teams player.

Is the secondary still shitty?

I wouldn't necessarily pin the problem on the secondary which is fairly solid except for strong safety. They were thin on the D line, had dick for a pass rush and a tard for a defensive coordinator. Smith has taken steps to address all of those issues in the draft and FA, so we'll see. Personally, I expect to see some serious improvement on that side of the ball.

They should easily win the Superbowl but will probably finish 9-7 at best and, in the unlikely event that they make the playoffs, they will be violently fistfucked.

[Goober McTuber]

They should easily win the Superbowl but will probably finish 9-7 at best and, in the unlikely event that they make the playoffs, they will be violently fistfucked.

So....same old, same old.

[mvscal]

They should easily win the Superbowl but will probably finish 9-7 at best and, in the unlikely event that they make the playoffs, they will be violently fistfucked.

So....same old, same old.

Yeah, pretty much.

[DallasFanatic]

1. How improved will the Cowboys secondary be? Should be by default, but Claiborne is already injured so that's only setting him back even further. Combine that with the fact Jenkins jerked off all offseason instead of rehabbing a surgically repaired shoulder speaks volumes for the secondaries condition.

2. How many times will Romo blow cack in the second half? Probably 3 or 4 times like usual. He's in midseason form in training camp forcing balls that are being intercepted

3. How many times will the Boys not put away an opponent in the fourth quarter? They are younger and hopefully the communication problems attributed to the downfall last year are a thing of the past. I think they'll run into the same problem with 5 or 6 new starters on the defensive side of the ball, so I expect the wide open receiver running in the iddle of the field to happen early in the season.

4. Will Dez make it through an entire season without getting injured or tossed in the pokie? Nope, especially if he's tagged with returning punts and having a 37 year old mom still strung out on crack.

5. Will the offensive line continue to be offensive or will they come together and pave the way for Murray? Injuries are taking their toll in practice and the offseason additions have been injured for all of it. Great. I continue to look forward to missed assignments on stunts and Romo being ineffective. Hopefully Callahan can get this group of youngsters to overachieve. He's done it in the past.

[Dinsdale]

The safety position is still a glaring issue but the Eagles dramatically improved with the addition of DeMeco Ryans. Not since Trotter have the Eagles had a legit MLB and this guy calls a better game. Now with Asante gone, DRC and Nandi should be able to focus on playing their positions without distraction. They both could be pro-bowlers if the pass rush materializes.

You guys did pick up Cliffy Harris, an unbelievably talented, super-athletic idiot. Did I mention he's an idiot?

But you could probably convert him to a FS, or use him as a nickel -- no one he can't cover.

[Goober McTuber]

1. Can the Packers win a playoff game at home against the Giants?
Two losses in a row at home in the playoffs against the G-men.

2. Can Bret Bielema swing by Green Bay and give Clay Matthews lessons on how to be a classy individual?
“The Giants didn’t beat us, we beat us.”

3. Is this the year Jermichael Finley begins to approach his potential?
13 drops a year ago, nowhere the completion percentage he had the year before (80%).

4. Can Charles Woodson still be a stud at the age of 49?
He’s moving to free safety.

5. Are Aaron Rodgers and Ryan Braun actually butt-buddies?
It seems snopes.com hasn’t addressed this one yet.

[ChargerMike]

Can Ryan Matthews stay healthy? dit..da..dit..dit..This just in off the high speed sports wire...NO

I'll get back to you on the next four.

[Felix]

They should easily win the Superbowl but will probably finish 9-7 at best and, in the unlikely event that they make the playoffs, they will be violently fistfucked.

So....same old, same old.

Yeah, pretty much.

there will come a defining moment in the season where the Chargers find another way to suck dick and miss the playoffs......with that said, I would think Bolt fan would be salivating at the potential of Norvelous being shown the door.....

[Shoalzie]

1. Who is going to run the ball in 2012 and will they stay off the injury/police report?

Another year, another season in the bottom third of the league in rushing and another season without a 1000 yard rusher...since 2004 and counting. Best still hasn't been cleared to play, Leshoure is going to miss the first few games due to suspension...can Kevin Smith and some other nobodies can this team through the first few weeks until Leshoure returns?

2. Who is the next idiot to go?

Aaron Berry gets cut after a second offseason arrest, the aforementioned Leshoure is serving a suspension for his stupidity and Fairley is probably going to get a suspension himself. Is the dumb stuff going to stop now we're back to football and can we get back to the business of committing dumb penalties on the field?

3. How does Stafford follow up a 5000 yard season?

He basically doubles his yards and TDs from his first two abbreviated seasons in 3 fewer games played. He survived 36 sacks and played in 16 games and threw a league high 663 attempts...looked like he passed the test of durability, just have to do it again and cut down on the picks. It's first time I can ever remember not having doubts about the QB position in Motown.

4. Can the revamped offensive line protect Stafford?

Yeah, Stafford didn't break after 36 sacks but you can't let your franchise QB take that much contact. I don't know if Riley Reiff is ready to take over at a tackle spot but the changing of the guard has to happen eventually with old ass mainstays like Raiola and Backus. Plus, I'd like to see the line play help with the ground game. This team throws enough and doesn't have a ground attack that should get defenses to crowd the box for the run. The offense could be even better and they can keep that iffy defense off the field if they can carry the ball and control the clock.

5. Was 2012 a fluke or the start of good things to come?

I thought this year was going to be their breakout year...they breakout a year early. The NFC is top heavy but they can still be a playoff team. I wonder about the Bears improving, can the Eagles bounce back and are the Saints somehow still the best team in the South or at least still be wild card. They won't win the division...they have to get in again as a wild card. It's a pretty favorable schedule...tricky first half with a lot of home games in the second half (5 of their final 7 games are at Ford Field). If they survive the first 9 with 4 to 6 wins, they'll be able to control their fate to make the playoffs.

Prediction: 9-7 (3rd in NFC North, misses playoffs)

[mvscal]

I would think Bolt fan would be salivating at the potential of Norvelous being shown the door.....

I believe most Bolt fans are numb with disbelief that he's still there at all. At this point, I have no idea what it would take for him to get fired.

I understand why he was hired in the first place. Douchenbagger forced the team to fire him on short notice with his ridiculous, nepotistic demands. Turner was a decent choice for an interim coach. He performed well enough for an additional shot and won a few playoff games over the first couple years but he has shit the bed since then and is squandering the careers of some seriously talented players.

[Bizzarofelice]

Rams?


5. can we score more than ten points in a game?
no


4. will this team move already?
fucking town thought they had it rough with cheapass Bidwell's Gridbirds, but these Rams are historically bad. surprised the fanbase has lasted this long.


3. will the Rams get a new stadium?
yes. in another town. taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for historical failure.


2. how many st. louis chicks will be impregnated by janoris jenkins?
fewer than the number that will be punched by janoris jenkins


1. Is Sam Bradford gay?
He's sposedly dating some local model, but that guy's a fudge. When he's not under center he's under Cedric.

[mvscal]

3 - WIll Trent Richardson make Jim Brown eat his words?

Nope. Brown's assessment was spot on and possibly even a little generous.

[mvscal]

What makes you think that?

First, he's going from a dominant college team to a broke dick NFL team. That alone is enough to make an extraordinary player look below average. You need to keep in mind that the overall strength of Alabama was enough to get a plodding mediocrity like Mark Ingram a Heisman.

Second, he had to have his knee scoped before his first preseason game. This doesn't bode well either. I think Alabama makes a lot of players look a lot better than they really are.

[Dinsdale]

I think Alabama makes a lot of players look a lot better than they really are.

Fuck you... they have the best QB IN THE COUNTRY.... YEEHAW, CLETUS!!!!!!

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

I think Alabama makes a lot of players look a lot better than they really are.

Hi! Remember me? National championship-winning quarterback at the University of Alabama. Sudden Sam sucked my balls every chance he got, and now I can barely crack the 3-deep for the fucking Jets. Yep, I'm actually sitting squarely behind a guy who's famous for everything you can possibly think of except throwing a football.

[Dinsdale]

Coupla SEC guys sitting behind the PAC guy on the Jets' depth chart. This obviously means that the coaches don't know what they're talking about. McElroy and Tebow are going to have awesome seasons.


Multi-forum pile-ons are always fresh.

[mvscal]

Actually, I think Tebow will have a damn good season. He might not be a great quarterback (yet) but he is a great football player. I think the Jets made a solid move.

McElroy, on the other hand, is a popcorn fart who needs to be taking a long, serious look at life after football.

[trev]

It's going to be an embarrassing disaster in the NY Jets. 1 mediocre (Sanchez) and 1 bad (Tebow) quarterback. It's going to be hilarious watching this.

[mvscal]

The Jets' main problem is their horrific offensive line not their quarterbacks.

[mvscal]

Is that the best you've got? I wouldn't describe any of them as "very good pros." McLain and Jones have shown flashes but their overall games aren't there. Johnson is a journeyman and Ryans (the best of that lot) was traded for a 4th round pick.

I would itemize the recent Bammy busts but I don't have that much time.

[mvscal]

You mean standouts out Bammy, right? Of course you do. They certainly aren't NFL standouts. Whatever happened to that huge, fat slob the Ravens drafted a couple years ago?

[poptart]

Rolando McClain has not been close to a very good pro.

He's been a barely adequate starter on a defense that hasn't been good in either year that he's played.

He's slowish and lacks PUNCH as a hitter.

And he didn't help himself by getting arrested in a very dumb and immature gun incident last year.


Just a disappointment... so far.

[Dinsdale]

He's the backup for the Ravens All-Pro NT.

Oh.

Where did that guy go to school?

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

Nick Fairley has been a big disappointment. Oh wait...that's the other Bammy.

[jiminphilly]

The safety position is still a glaring issue but the Eagles dramatically improved with the addition of DeMeco Ryans. Not since Trotter have the Eagles had a legit MLB and this guy calls a better game. Now with Asante gone, DRC and Nandi should be able to focus on playing their positions without distraction. They both could be pro-bowlers if the pass rush materializes.

You guys did pick up Cliffy Harris, an unbelievably talented, super-athletic idiot. Did I mention he's an idiot?

But you could probably convert him to a FS, or use him as a nickel -- no one he can't cover.

He was cut.

[Dinsdale]

He was cut.

So his pro career is looking similar to his college career.

Million dollar body with a ten cent brain.