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Re: The 2009 NFL Season Thread
Florio: 5 teams whose fans should lower expectations
Cards, Eagles, Chargers, Vikings, Texans all face big questions this season
By Mike Florio
The Sporting News
updated 12:56 p.m. ET, Mon., Aug 24, 2009
The time for high hopes in the NFL has arrived. With every team at 0-0, any team can be holding the Lombardi Trophy come February.
Some teams have higher expectations than others, based typically on their finishes in the prior season, their offseason acquisitions, or both.
Many of the teams with high hopes shouldn't be saddled with such expectations.
Let's look at five franchises whose fans should be looking for less than what everyone seems to think their favorite teams will deliver.
1. Arizona Cardinals
This decade, only one team that lost the Super Bowl made it back to the playoffs the next season.
It's no coincidence. The teams that play in the Super Bowl have the shortest offseasons, and the loser of the championship game must come to terms with failure on sports' biggest stage.
For the Cardinals, their appearance in Super Bowl XLIII was as unlikely as any that ever has happened. Only four weeks earlier, the 9-7 Cards were being called the worst team to ever qualify for the playoffs.
And for good reason. In five of their seven losses, the Cardinals surrendered on average more than 44 points — 56 to the Jets, 37 to the Giants, 48 to the Eagles, 35 to the Vikings, and 47 to the Patriots.
But Arizona got hot at the right time, and they found themselves nearly beating the Steelers in Tampa.
Now they're back at square one, and they're wearing the tag of the "hunted" for the first time in decades. So every team that faces Arizona will bring their proverbial "A" games, and the Cardinals will feel the brunt of it every Sunday.
To complicate matters, the coaching staff has undergone serious turnover, the running game still has plenty of question marks, receiver Anquan Boldin still wants a new contract, and quarterback Kurt Warner still has a bum hip.
So don't be surprised if the Cards don't become the second Super Bowl loser since the turn of the millennium to make it back to the postseason the following year.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
It would be easy to point to the fact that the Eagles made it to the NFC title game as evidence they'll compete again in 2009.
But it would be wrong.
The Eagles have major questions on both sides of the ball. On defense, the departure of safety Brian Dawkins and the loss of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley is crippling. Although the strategic impact of the passing of long-time defensive coordinator Jim Johnson might be alleviated by the fact Sean McDermott learned the ropes from Johnson, there's only so much a genius can convey to his pupil.
The offensive line has undergone a major transformation, but one area of consistency has been the inability of new right tackle (and former right guard) Shawn Andrews to contribute during camp. Though running back Brian Westbrook seems to be healthy now, the fact remains he's entering the "just about to shatter" portion of his career.
Meanwhile, the acquisition of Michael Vick has increased excitement, and thus reinforced the already high expectations by Philly fans.
Though there's a good chance the Eagles will deliver, things will get ugly if the home team falters in the face of buzz that is for now not fully justified.
3. Houston Texans
The latest team to join the NFL has yet to play a postseason game, and plenty of folks assume this year will be the year.
Or else.
But the assumption that the Texans will either climb to the top of the top-notch AFC South or otherwise box out the contenders for wild-card spots in a top-heavy conference is a dangerous one to make.
There's reason to believe the Texans will be competitive, but it's unrealistic to pencil them in for a playoff spot.
Sure, it could happen. If quarterback Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson stay healthy despite their injury history and if tailback Steve Slaton stays healthy despite a potentially crippling workload (and his college injury history), the Texans will score plenty of points.
The question will then be whether their defense steps up. The powers-that-be in Houston would feel more confident about that one if cornerback Dunta Robinson were in camp, if linebacker DeMeco Ryans were happy with his own deal, and if linebacker Brian Cushing weren't injured.
Bottom line? A lot of things can go wrong, and even if plenty of things go right, the Texans might not be making it to the playoffs.
4. San Diego Chargers
Every year, the Chargers are a trendy pick to make it to the Super Bowl.
Every year, the Chargers find a way not to make it there.
As the 2009 season approaches, the front end of that proposition applies again. Philip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Antonio Gates, and Shawne Merriman.
With all that talent, the only explanation must be the quality (or lack thereof) of the coaching. Marty Schottenheimer was bounced after a 14-2 season was squandered. Norv Turner has had two chances to take the team to the top of the mountain, and it's not clear how many more he'll get.
Based on the team's recent history, it would be unrealistic to assume this year is the year.
5. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are only a recent addition to the list of teams with high expectations, thanks to the recent arrival of Brett Favre. For that reason alone, it would have been wise for the Vikes to pass.
Without Favre, the pressure on coach Brad Childress was a bit less intense. Now, it might be Miami or bust for the fourth-year head coach, who'll need the team to fulfill those expectations in order to get a fifth year.
The Vikings have a great running game and a solid run defense. But even with Favre, the passing offense is an open question. The pass defense still resides in the bottom half of the league, and opponents will be looking to throw even more passes in order to outscore the souped-up offense that the Vikings could be boasting this year.
There's a more basic reason to avoid getting too excited about the Vikings' prospects this year. Historically, they don't do well when expected to, and thus they'd be better off with Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson and reduced hopes for a return to the Super Bowl after a 33-year absence.
© 2009 Sporting News
- NY Giants82
- Rep: 26
- NY Giants82
- Rep: 26
Re: The 2009 NFL Season Thread
^^Not just that article, just him in general. He doesnt seem to understand team sports too well.
Re: The 2009 NFL Season Thread
if this is any indication....the eagles are gonna cause opposing teams some major headaches this season
PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Michael Vick(notes) zipped a few passes, ran around a bit and even lined up at wide receiver.
In his first action in nearly 32 months, Vick has a new role: do-it-all quarterback.
Vick completed a key pass to set up a field goal on his fourth play in Philadelphia’s game against Jacksonville on Thursday night. He was 3 for 3 for 17 yards through the first three series.
Vick entered to a standing ovation and completed a 4-yard shovel pass on the Eagles’ second play from scrimmage with Donovan McNabb(notes) lined up at wide receiver.
On Philadelphia’s second possession, Vick was on the field for three plays, two at quarterback and one as a slot receiver.
Vick ran for 1 yard on his second play and was a decoy as a wideout on his third play. With McNabb standing on the sideline, Vick then completed a 13-yard pass to Hank Baskett(notes) to the Jaguars 11. David Akers(notes) kicked a 31-yard field goal a few plays later.
Vick got a nice reception from the half-empty crowd at Lincoln Financial Field when he jogged onto the field. McNabb threw an incomplete pass on first down and was split wide on the next play.
Vick, standing in a shotgun formation, tossed a short pass to LeSean McCoy(notes) who was quickly swarmed by Jacksonville’s defense.
Vick hadn’t played in an NFL game since Dec. 31, 2006. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback was released from federal custody July 20 after serving 18 months of a 23-month sentence for his role in running a dogfighting ring. He signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Eagles, who hold a $5.2 million option for a second season.
During early warmups, well before fans were allowed into the stadium, Vick threw passes to a variety of teammates. His demeanor was far more serious than McNabb, who was joking around and even displaying to Vick the proper way to get two feet inbound when catching a pass.
Dressed in his game pants and a black warmup top, Vick exchanged a few fist bumps with teammates. He and McNabb both hugged former NFL coach Herman Edwards, who was on hand as a TV commentator, as the players headed off the field.
By then, a few dozen fans were in the stands, including a handful wearing No. 7 Vick jerseys or shirts. His head down as he headed into the tunnel, Vick did not acknowledge the fans.
Re: The 2009 NFL Season Thread
I'm sure they'll pose the same matchup problems that the Dolphins did last year with the Wildcat offense. But the NFL caught on to Miami and I'm sure they'll do so with the Eagles too, although Mike Vick can be very dangerous with his feet.
It's a learning curve for Philly though too at the same time. I heard they had to burn a timeout because people were subbing in and out so much on offense (namely Vick). And if McNabb lines up at WR a bunch of times don't be surprised if he takes a few shots from LB's and DB's in the process. Not sure you want your QB taking those unnecessary hits.
- NY Giants82
- Rep: 26
Re: The 2009 NFL Season Thread
I actually agree with McNabb last night. I dont think bringing your QB (McNabb) in and out of the game, to bring in a gimick, is a good thing. Getting in a rhythm is much more important... And of course, if McNabb throws an INT, like last night, the crowd will chant "We Want Vick!". I was shocked to hear that last night.
