Crow
This is the way.
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- Sep 7, 2005
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If we keep playing the way we've been playing, we're a mortal lock for a top 5 pick. But, unfortunately, with regards to the #1 overall pick, we do not control our own destiny. We did, however, get a boost by way of our entire division losing this week. That will drop our strength of schedule down a little and give us a better shot at winning that particular tiebreaker.
Let's take a look at the competition.
The Miami Dolphins (0-8) remain winless, and they're just not playing good football in any phase of the game. They may be the only team in the league that can relate to what we're going through. Poor coaching, aging stars, lackluster talent...they've got it all. The upside here is that, since they're on their bye week, they didn't get to add to their loss total.
The St. Louis Rams (0-8), like the Dolphins, are winless and enjoying their bye week. This team was on no one's radar when it came to teams competing for that first overall draft pick. But, here they are. No wins, eight losses. Injuries have destroyed this team's season. But the overall talent on this team dictates that they'll have to win a few games by season's end. Pro Bowl veterans all over the offense. Something has to give. Unlike the Dolphins, the rams are not a threat to Tampa Bay's perfect season.
The New York Jets (1-8) are the first team on this list to have actually tasted victory. Evidently, it tasted like shit because they haven't won since. Oh so close on Sunday, only to lose in overtime to the less-than-stellar Washington Redskins. The good news? Kellen Clemons looks like a football player. There are some pretty good WRs in place, along with a couple of nice RBs. Leon Washington doubles as Devin Hester Lite on STs, giving the Jets two potentially competent units. There is little doubt that, with Chad Pennington finally on the sideline, the Jets are a team fully capable of playing themselves out of contention.
The Atlanta Falcons (2-6), god bless 'em, managed to win another game. Granted, it was against the equally pitiful 49ers. But, a win is a win. One more and they'll be in our rear view mirror.
The San Francisco 49ers (2-6) are apparently the Patriots' biggest fans. New England owns this pick, and for now, it's looking like a top 5 pick. Like those bastards really need it. The 9er offense is pathetic. The defense isn't much better. Their schedule isn't exactly brutal in the second half of their season. But when you're this bad, it doesn't have to be. Winnable games include a homecoming game against St. Louis...who we'd really like to see win this game...road trips to Arizona and Carolina, and an upset possibility against the floundering Bengals in San Fran. Unless something amazing happens across the Bay, we'll be looking at strength of schedule statistics with the hopes of slipping past this piss poor organization.
The Cincinnati Bengals (2-6), speaking of the floundering felines, are a lot like the Rams in the sense that they are simply too talented to be playing this poorly. I don't know if "Black Jesus" has lost the team, or if Chuck Bresnahan is now doubling as the offensive coordinator. Regardless, this team is bound to win a couple games somewhere down the road. Looking at their schedule, they just happen to play three of the teams we're cheering for: St. Louis, San Fran, and Miami. Typical. But, this is one team we shouldn't have to worry about. They'll play themselves out of the race and hopefully drop a couple games to our new favorite teams in the process.
The Minnesota Vikings (3-5) won on Sunday and are now looking up at us in the draft order. If the man-child continues to shine, they should continue to slide back.
If we accidentally win another game, as preposterous as that seems right now, we're likely out of the race altogether and find ourselves bunched up with teams like the afore mentioned Vikings, the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals in a battle royal just to maintain our top 10 position.
There are few real jewels in this class, making draft position crucial. But there are a handful of players that really look like future studs. DTs like Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis. DE Chris Long, who is defying both logic and the scheme he plays in to put together a monster season. And, of course, Run DMc: Darren McFadden, who, by the way, rolled up well over 300 yards rushing this week. Yeah. Me too.
A top 5 pick all but assures us one of these outstanding athletes. While many will be clamoring for help across the offensive line, and rightfully so, the above mentioned players, in my humble opinion, are the superior prospects and would upgrade equally needy positions. The depth at OT this year (if the underclassmen do the right thing and declare) leads me to believe that we can find a good fit with our 2nd round pick.
Positions like WR, interior OL, SS, and OLB can be addressed in FA.
Speaking of, anyone have a link to next year's FAs? There's usually one floating around by now.
Let's take a look at the competition.
The Miami Dolphins (0-8) remain winless, and they're just not playing good football in any phase of the game. They may be the only team in the league that can relate to what we're going through. Poor coaching, aging stars, lackluster talent...they've got it all. The upside here is that, since they're on their bye week, they didn't get to add to their loss total.
The St. Louis Rams (0-8), like the Dolphins, are winless and enjoying their bye week. This team was on no one's radar when it came to teams competing for that first overall draft pick. But, here they are. No wins, eight losses. Injuries have destroyed this team's season. But the overall talent on this team dictates that they'll have to win a few games by season's end. Pro Bowl veterans all over the offense. Something has to give. Unlike the Dolphins, the rams are not a threat to Tampa Bay's perfect season.
The New York Jets (1-8) are the first team on this list to have actually tasted victory. Evidently, it tasted like shit because they haven't won since. Oh so close on Sunday, only to lose in overtime to the less-than-stellar Washington Redskins. The good news? Kellen Clemons looks like a football player. There are some pretty good WRs in place, along with a couple of nice RBs. Leon Washington doubles as Devin Hester Lite on STs, giving the Jets two potentially competent units. There is little doubt that, with Chad Pennington finally on the sideline, the Jets are a team fully capable of playing themselves out of contention.
The Atlanta Falcons (2-6), god bless 'em, managed to win another game. Granted, it was against the equally pitiful 49ers. But, a win is a win. One more and they'll be in our rear view mirror.
The San Francisco 49ers (2-6) are apparently the Patriots' biggest fans. New England owns this pick, and for now, it's looking like a top 5 pick. Like those bastards really need it. The 9er offense is pathetic. The defense isn't much better. Their schedule isn't exactly brutal in the second half of their season. But when you're this bad, it doesn't have to be. Winnable games include a homecoming game against St. Louis...who we'd really like to see win this game...road trips to Arizona and Carolina, and an upset possibility against the floundering Bengals in San Fran. Unless something amazing happens across the Bay, we'll be looking at strength of schedule statistics with the hopes of slipping past this piss poor organization.
The Cincinnati Bengals (2-6), speaking of the floundering felines, are a lot like the Rams in the sense that they are simply too talented to be playing this poorly. I don't know if "Black Jesus" has lost the team, or if Chuck Bresnahan is now doubling as the offensive coordinator. Regardless, this team is bound to win a couple games somewhere down the road. Looking at their schedule, they just happen to play three of the teams we're cheering for: St. Louis, San Fran, and Miami. Typical. But, this is one team we shouldn't have to worry about. They'll play themselves out of the race and hopefully drop a couple games to our new favorite teams in the process.
The Minnesota Vikings (3-5) won on Sunday and are now looking up at us in the draft order. If the man-child continues to shine, they should continue to slide back.
If we accidentally win another game, as preposterous as that seems right now, we're likely out of the race altogether and find ourselves bunched up with teams like the afore mentioned Vikings, the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Cardinals in a battle royal just to maintain our top 10 position.
There are few real jewels in this class, making draft position crucial. But there are a handful of players that really look like future studs. DTs like Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis. DE Chris Long, who is defying both logic and the scheme he plays in to put together a monster season. And, of course, Run DMc: Darren McFadden, who, by the way, rolled up well over 300 yards rushing this week. Yeah. Me too.
A top 5 pick all but assures us one of these outstanding athletes. While many will be clamoring for help across the offensive line, and rightfully so, the above mentioned players, in my humble opinion, are the superior prospects and would upgrade equally needy positions. The depth at OT this year (if the underclassmen do the right thing and declare) leads me to believe that we can find a good fit with our 2nd round pick.
Positions like WR, interior OL, SS, and OLB can be addressed in FA.
Speaking of, anyone have a link to next year's FAs? There's usually one floating around by now.
