Could our offense be competitive with the Saints and the Falcons O?

[Fireball77]

Isn't that weird? As the rules get pushed towards pass offense, the offensive yardage rankings for SB teams mostly get worse.

SCREW YOU AND YOUR "EMPHASIS", BILL POLIAN! MUAHAHHAHAHAHAH!

[Brandon]

Isn't that weird? As the rules get pushed towards pass offense, the offensive yardage rankings for SB teams mostly get worse.

SCREW YOU AND YOUR "EMPHASIS", BILL POLIAN! MUAHAHHAHAHAHAH!

I'm not sure I like this side of you.

[Fireball77]

Don't we all have that side towards people we loathe?

Maybe not! lol

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

One last time comparing OFF yards per play to DEF yards per play.

1979, Steelers, 2nd DEF yards/play; 1st OFF yards per play

1980, Raiders, 6th DEF yards/play, 18th OFF yards per play

1981, 49ers, 3rd DEF yards/play, 19th OFF yards per play

1982, Redskins, 7th DEF yards/play, 10th OFF yards per play

1983, Raiders, 3rd DEF yards/play, 10th OFF yards per play

1984, 49ers, 13th DEF yards/play(tied with 2 other teams), 2nd OFF yards per play

1985, Bears, 2nd DEF yards/play, 5th OFF yards per play

1986, Giants, 8th DEF yards/play, 11th OFF yards per play

1987, Redskins, 11th DEF yards/play(tied with 2 other teams), 2nd OFF yards per play

1988, 49ers, 3rd DEF yards/play, 4th OFF yards per play

1989, 49ers, 6th DEF yards/play, 1st OFF yards per play

1990, Giants, 2nd DEF yards/play, 19th OFF yards per play

1991, Redskins, 3rd DEF yards/play, 4th OFF yards per game

1992, Cowboys, 2nd DEF yards/play (Saints were #1), 3rd OFF yards per play

1993, Cowboys, 8th DEF yards/play, 4th OFF yards per play

1994, 49ers, 9th DEF yards/play, 1st OFF yards per play

1995, Cowboys, 10th DEF yards/play(tied with three other teams), 2nd OFF yards per play

1996, Packers, 1st DEF yards/play, 7th OFF yards per play

1997, Broncos, 12th DEF yards/play(tied with 2 other teams), 3rd OFF yards per play

1998, Broncos, 8th DEF yards/play (tied with 4 other teams), 3rd OFF yards per play

1999, Rams, 6th DEF yards/play(tied with one other), 1st OFF yards per play

2000, Ravens, 2nd DEF yards/play, 21st OFF yards per play

2001, Patriots, 21st DEF yards/play, 20th OFF yards per play

2002, Buccaneers, 1st DEF yards/play, 22nd OFF yards per play

2003, Patriots, 4th DEF yards/play, 20th OFF yards per play

2004, Patriots, 9th DEF yards/play, 9th OFF yards per play

2005, Steelers, 2nd DEF yards/play, 8th OFF yards per play

2006, Colts, 29th DEF yards/play, 2nd OFF yards per play

2007, Giants, 8th DEF yards/play, 18th OFF yards per play

2008, Steelers, 1st DEF yards/play, 24th OFF yards per play

16 out of the 30 teams with a Top 10 defense also had a top 10 offense. The average S.B. winning team had a 6.4 ranking in DEF yards per play and 9.1 ranking in OFF yards/play.

[Fireball77]

My guess is that there was usually some symbiotic relationship with each other. Example, in 2005, the Panther's D helped the O by giving them a lot of turnovers and the ST gave them decent field position. That was a big part of why they were the 8th in the NFL in scoring since their run game was so craptacular (something like 3.4 YPC, one of the worst of any playoff team that year by far).

The Steelers of 2008 were similar actually. Their D gave the O the ball in a lot of fortuitous positions. Their O struggled a lot more than the Cats of 2005, but that helped them tremendously.

[Brandon]

Don't we all have that side towards people we loathe?

Maybe not! lol

Yes but normally you're better at hiding it, ie whenever Peyton is mentioned.

[mantal]

Yes but normally you're better at hiding it, ie whenever Peyton is mentioned.

Yeah, but other than her hate for Peyton and love for Brady, she pretty much knows her poo. And she's pretty hot too, that always helps. I always appreciate Fireballs takes, they're usually on the money...

[panthers55]

Those stats are all fine but the truth is that regular season stats get you in the playoffs but they don't necessarily win Superbowls. Teams who get in the playoffs can have great defenses or offenses but often don't have both. If someone has the time it would be interesting to see how the numbers changed from the regular seaon to the playoffs. Most teams who win it all have their strength side continue but their weak side plays over their head once they hit the playoffs. In 06 and 07 the defense picked it up while last year, the offense did well while the defense stayed tough.

[Kingpatecu]

In what way is Ryan asked to do more than Jake does?

I just looked up records from 1999. Their D was 4th in the NFL that year in points allowed. Not bad. Certainly championship caliber. I know some of that was due to their O being so high powered, but it's not a defense one would call craptacular.

I think Atl will be allowing Ryan to control the offense a little more this season and during his career. I know I may get blasted for saying this but I see him having a Peyton Manning type of career. I think he will run the offense and call his own plays. I'm pretty sure he did that in college his senior yr.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

If someone has the time it would be interesting to see how the numbers changed from the regular seaon to the playoffs.

Someone should take over the nightshift. I'm kinda bushed. Why can't it be you? www.nfl.com:D

And I mostly disagree with your premise. I believe that a team's identity is well established by the time they make the playoffs. Sure intangibles are a factor, which mostly comes from playoff experience, but passing, rushing and defending ability pretty much are what they are, playoffs or not.

[Smith=God]

Carolina has a great offense when working on all cylinders. Deangelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart help Dellhome out alot. Our offense could be great this year depends on which Dellhome we'll see.

[Fireball77]

I think Atl will be allowing Ryan to control the offense a little more this season and during his career. I know I may get blasted for saying this but I see him having a Peyton Manning type of career. I think he will run the offense and call his own plays. I'm pretty sure he did that in college his senior yr.

That may be so in the future, but right now from what I understand Jake has the ability/authority to change most any if not all of the calls. Under Henning, no.

And I mostly disagree with your premise. I believe that a team's identity is well established by the time they make the playoffs. Sure intangibles are a factor, which mostly comes from playoff experience, but passing, rushing and defending ability pretty much are what they are, playoffs or not.

You are both right I think.

I know I keep going back to the Colts but usually their downfall in the playoffs is that their D stays about the same performance wise (PA) but their O falls off 5-6 or more points from their regular season average.

I bet the Pats, when they had that madden passing offense did the same. I know their D was about the same as they were in the regular season. The problem with pass heavy Os is that they seem to suffer more in the playoffs. Yes I know AZ was kind of the exception this past year, but there are always outliers here and there. This is why I believe that having a balanced O is better. That way when the D clamps down on one, you can/will be adaptable.

[N'wahlinsCayenne]

This is why I believe that having a balanced O is better. That way when the D clamps down on one, you can/will be adaptable.

So I guess the Saints are lucky because no team has yet to "clamp down" on Brees' passing game, am I correct??

[panthers55]

Someone should take over the nightshift. I'm kinda bushed. Why can't it be you? www.nfl.com:D

And I mostly disagree with your premise. I believe that a team's identity is well established by the time they make the playoffs. Sure intangibles are a factor, which mostly comes from playoff experience, but passing, rushing and defending ability pretty much are what they are, playoffs or not.

Look at the colts in 06, the defense was pretty bad in the regular season particularly on run defense. Come the playoffs they picked it up significantly. The offense stayed the same which as Fireball noted usually fell out in the playoffs.

In 07, the Giants were barely a winning team and the defense struggled. During the playoffs the defense picked it up significantly and the offense delivered as well.

In 2008 the defense stayed strong all year and in the playoffs the offense improved (minus the baltimore game where neither team did much offensively).

Obviously that is an oversimplification but it illustrates that both sides of the ball have to usually produce to go all the way although one side of the ball can get you to the playoffs.

So I guess the Saints are lucky because no team has yet to "clamp down" on Brees' passing game, am I correct??

Whether Brees passes alot or not isn't really the issue. If He throws alot and they generate no rushing attack they will continue totally one sided which is usually pretty easy to contain. They also have to score points especially late in the game and in the fourth quarter. Couldn't score enough points in crunch time to pull out enough games last year. And as optimistic as all of you guys are every year, even an improved defense won't make that much of a difference. Wouldn't be surprised if the offense isn't as good either given the increased difficulty of the defenses he will face. Both the NFC East and the AFC East are used to facing passing and West Coast offenses.