Way-Too-Early 2009 Standings Predictions

[Saint J]

"for years"? not exactly, maybe two years

"amounting to nothing"? we made some NFCCGs and won the division a couple times.

Two years, exactly the amount the Saints were hyped up.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

Two years, exactly the amount the Saints were hyped up.

Nah. The Saints had the Dome Patrol. Granted, they were living up to the hype then, but still, they've spent much more time in the limelight than the Panthers.

And after a little review of the Saints offseason moves, I'm changing my mind. NFCS is gonna be a three way war this year.

[pantherclaw]

Got bored reading how many people are selling ourselves extremely short.

So what would be the point to read past half way through the first page? I won't.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

1.*Carolina Panthers (10-6)

Offensive line depth could be a problem although it was addressed in the draft. Offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges, Frank Omiyale and Geoff Hangartner were lost. Unless rookie at CB step up, CB should also be an issue. Until the Peppers saga is solved, the defensive line is still in question. With Peppers there, defensive line is not a strength nor a weakness. Questions will remain on how Delhomme will perform next year as the Panthers face the 2nd toughest schedule in the league which includes away games in Dallas, New England and New York.

2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

The Falcons shouldn't improve or decline this year. They haven't lost any key players that can't be replaced besides maybe LB Michael Boley. Grady Jackson was lost but rookie Peria Jerry is ready to step up. They have added Mike Peterson, but with losses of Keith Brooking and Michael Boley, a decline in LB performance could and should occur. By week 11, the Falcons will only have faced one team with a sub .500 record in 08'. After that rough stretch though, the schedule slightly weakens with games against Bills, Saints and Bucs at home.

3. New Orleans Saints (8-8)

Aquisations of DE Paul Spicer, Darren Sharper and Jabari Greer should improve the Saints' 26th Ranked Defense last year. While CB Mike McKenzie was released, many will see Jabari Greer as a slight improvement. With RB Edgerrin James on the market, the Saints could possibly add him to end their search for a 3rd down back. While Pierre Thomas assumed the starting responsibilites last year, the Saints are certainly not comfortable with their RB situation. If Marques Colston stays healthy, Drew Brees will be within grasp of Marino's record.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)

The signing of RB Derrick Ward was certainly an underrated pickup, but is easy to see how it might be overshadowed by the Buccaneers busy offseason. Seven of the Buccaneers' starters in 08' were released this offseason including Future HOF Derrick Brooks, DT Jovan Haye, QB Jeff Garcia, WR Joey Galloway and LB Cato June. Only 2/7 starters released were offensive players which means the defense could see a hit in 09'. Bringing in strong-armed QB Josh Freeman with pick no.17 was considered as a reach by some, but after a year of experience, he can surely develop into a solid starter.

*=playoffs

I guess it depends on what you mean by "improvement of our defense," but if we can get to at least 15th overall defensively this year and Brees breaks Marino's record, I'd feel very confident in saying we will finish better than 8-8. and just for facts sake, we were 23rd in defense last season.

[Saint J]

The Saints had the 11th best D in 2006, it's silly to think they can't get there or better with a new DC and more talent than that defense had.

Also, Brees breaking Marino's record is a bad thing. That means we will have had little balance and that the team was playing from behind a lot.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "improvement of our defense," but if we can get to at least 15th overall defensively this year and Brees breaks Marino's record, I'd feel very confident in saying we will finish better than 8-8. and just for facts sake, we were 23rd in defense last season.

I thought NOLA was only around mid-grade in defense last year, not near the bottom. I was thinking 16th.

Eh, my memory aint that great.

[Carolina Crazy V2]

I guess it depends on what you mean by "improvement of our defense," but if we can get to at least 15th overall defensively this year and Brees breaks Marino's record, I'd feel very confident in saying we will finish better than 8-8. and just for facts sake, we were 23rd in defense last season.

I went by pts.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?offensiveStatisticCategory=null&archive=false&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=1&conference=null&d-447263-s=TOTAL_POINTS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-n=1&season=2008&qualified=true&Submit=Go&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d-447263-p=1

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

I went by pts.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?offensiveStatisticCategory=null&archive=false&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=1&conference=null&d-447263-s=TOTAL_POINTS_GAME_AVG&d-447263-n=1&season=2008&qualified=true&Submit=Go&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d-447263-p=1

Wow, we almost gave up double what Pittsburgh did.

[rayzor]

I want fans to show up win or lose and stay til the end making lots of noise wether they expected us to win or not.

fans need motivation. only times they are going to get really loud is if you are sucking or if they feel you are going to or can win/make a comeback.

you may be happy with uncaring or apathetic fans who are just loud for the sake of being loud but i promise you that most of those players would much rather have fans that believe they can win big every game.

i can tell it's only going to go round and round with you and that all you want to do is try to justify a lack of belief or faith in the team that you are a fan of. like i said you feel comfortable having low expectations because that way you don't get hurt if the team doesn't live up to what you hoped they would.

the panthers are just as likely or more likely to get back into the playoffs than not. the schedule is not that bad and the panthers are a lot stronger than you give them credit for. they may not reach 12-4 but they are sure going to push that.

anyway...have fun believing in a 7-9 season. to each his own, i suppose. from where i stand that's a pretty sad way of looking at it and isn't really a realistic view on things anymore realistic than believing they can go 10-6.

[rayzor]

Wow, we almost gave up double what Pittsburgh did.

if you look at what happened from november on it was a whole lot worse than that. the first part of the season we were really good about not giving up points.

[Gman was right]

fans need motivation. only times they are going to get really loud is if you are sucking or if they feel you are going to or can win/make a comeback.

you may be happy with uncaring or apathetic fans who are just loud for the sake of being loud but i promise you that most of those players would much rather have fans that believe they can win big every game.

i can tell it's only going to go round and round with you and that all you want to do is try to justify a lack of belief or faith in the team that you are a fan of. like i said you feel comfortable having low expectations because that way you don't get hurt if the team doesn't live up to what you hoped they would.

the panthers are just as likely or more likely to get back into the playoffs than not. the schedule is not that bad and the panthers are a lot stronger than you give them credit for. they may not reach 12-4 but they are sure going to push that.

anyway...have fun believing in a 7-9 season. to each his own, i suppose. from where i stand that's a pretty sad way of looking at it and isn't really a realistic view on things anymore realistic than believing they can go 10-6.

My expectations arent low because Im "afraid" of being hurt. My expectations were HUGE last year after the draft knowing what an easy schedule we had and I had no problem saying that. This year I dont have the same positive vibe. But you can beleive that if you want since you are obviously afraid that I may be right.

Like I said, go to New York and Philly and see how negative those fans are. If you think it bothers the players then you might want to look at how much success they are having. The only thing that matters is how the fans bring it on game day. Wether they beleive the team will win or not is not a factor.

[rayzor]

alright...like i said, enjoy your year. i'm not going to mess with you anymore. it has nothing to do with any "fear that you might be right." i have the utmost confidence that we will be building on the success of last year and are more likely to be better next year than last year. i have no reason to believe that they won't and i'm not going to try and convince you to change your mind anymore. it appears that your mind is just as closed to the prospects of them losing next year as mine is to them winning.

btw...i hope the panthers never can be considered being like those fans in philly. rabid steelers fans would be great but never like those ones in philadelphia. those guys are miserable.

[Gman was right]

Thanks, Im sure I will enjoy my year the same way I have every other year being a panther fan. I hope the panthers prove me wrong. If not, there is always 2010 where their schedule already looks alot easier.

I dont want the panthers to have a fan base like the eagles either. My point was the players dont care how negative the fans may be or wether or not they beleive they're going to win every game.. All they care about is how much noise you bring on game day and being the 12th man.

[Fireball77]

My point was the players dont care how negative the fans may be or wether or not they beleive they're going to win every game.. All they care about is how much noise you bring on game day and being the 12th man.

Disagree. I have read players in the league comment about their home fans calling them names or whatever or being booed. There are some who do care when that happens.