What are your thoughts on talent level, team to team?

[Cyberjag]

I've read statements from several analysts who ought to know (ex-coaches, players, etc...), that basically boil down to the same thing.  From team to team, the talent level is very even.  If you look at our division alone, you can see a couple teams that have better receivers (overall), or better defensive backs.  I think we have the best linebackers (on paper), and potentially the best defensive line.  And if we don't have the best running backs, we're up there.

 

Also, if you look at Nnamdi Asomugha as an example, he was a beast in the Raider's scheme but was rather ordinary for the Eagles.  It could be argued that the Eagles' talent level increased when he signed with them, but that didn't translate to the field.  So the talent level doesn't always translate directly to wins.

 

New Orleans has it's strengths, so does Atlanta.  Tampa Bay is trying hard too.  And each team has weaknesses too.  But overall, how close is the talent level from team to team?  Do you buy in to what the analysts say? 

[OneBadCat]

I think analysts are full of crap. Across the league the talent level of teams is a lot closer than people think. But for the NFC south I think the Panthers are about the most balanced team, talent wise in the division. Atlanta has a lot of offensive fire power but I don't think Tony G is better than Greg Olsen at this point. People just like to slob his knob. Defensively Atlanta isn't that scary. Tampa Bay is also very balanced and on paper they should be a good football team but they live and die by Freeman.

 

I think the Saints are a total joke of a roster and ESPN keeps hyping up of Peyton like he is the answer to all their problems. I think their offense is also very misleading. They put up a ton of stats but when it comes to crunch time they are as vulnerable as any other team. Brees also succumbs to pressure a lot and makes stupid decisions sometimes. More so than the other guys that are frequently discussed as top QB's.

 

We still have the best RB core in the game, bar none. They didn't suddenly suck for no reason. It's just difficult to provide them the ball when you have a guy like Cam, a versatile FB like Tolbert and an idiot of coordinator like Chud.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I think we have assembled a great group of super talented players.  We have done a crappy job using them the past 4 seasons. 

 

You could go down the roster and pick a couple of players and put them in an argument that they are one of the best in their position.  Cam, Kuechly, Smith, Kalil, Davis, Olsen, Gross, Tolbert, Williams and Stewart.

 

There are a few teams that could not put one in those conversations.

 

 

[Jackofalltrades]

No, I think there is a big difference between the teams at the top of the league and those at the bottom. Coaching can mask some of the differences, but you can't tell me that the Raiders talent level is on par with, say the Niners.

[X-Clown]

Can you honestly say that a team like San Francisco has the same level of talent as Jacksonville or Oakland?

 

EDIT: Damn you JOAT

[Cyberjag]

I can't honestly say one way or the other, which is why I posted the question.  :)

 

My own sense of things is that on a typical 53 man roster, you could swap out 43 of them with any given team and be just as good.  But there's the QB thing to consider, and then there are usually a few playmakers that raise the level of everyone around them, and there's the scheme that the coaches have chosen to run.

[TheRumGone]

But there are also teams that are close talent level wise

 

but records indicate something different. That is where coaching and schemes come into play.

 

But no not every team is on the same level talent wise like most have said here.

[Frank Hollywood]

Sorry but tony is better than Olsen. He may be the best in the league.

[X-Clown]

I can't honestly say one way or the other, which is why I posted the question.  :)

 

My own sense of things is that on a typical 53 man roster, you could swap out 43 of them with any given team and be just as good.  But there's the QB thing to consider, and then there are usually a few playmakers that raise the level of everyone around them, and there's the scheme that the coaches have chosen to run.

 

Let's put it this way: I don't know if you could look at Oakland's roster and find more than one or two players who would start on a fully healthy San Francisco squad. Off the top of my head I can't think of any.

[panthers55]

Based on what I have read many analysts think our talent is 3rd best in the division behind Atlanta and Tampa.  Then they make up the difference saying Payton will make New Orleans better than it is.

 

Are all teams equally talented?  Anyone think that Cleveland or Jacksonville are equal to anybody but each other?  All teams have some talent but great teams have talent throughout the roster including backups and depth.   If you have few injuries maybe depth doesn't factor in but does anyone think that lack of depth has had anything to do with our record the last 2 years  given  all the injuries. We appear to have better depth this year but that is still on paper.

[thefuzz]

I think that the bottom 3/4 of most gameday rosters are pretty close team to team.

 

However the 10 players at the top make a huge difference, IMO.  It also comes down to what positions those 10 play.

 

An issue with us right now, is exactly that.

 

We have a lack of talent at OT, CB, and WR.  Very important positions.

 

We have really good talent at LB and RB, two positions that are not as important....again IMO.

 

Luckily we do have really good talent at QB and DE, two very important positions.

[frash.exe]

The saints are no more talented than anybody else but can get away with a lot of holes because drew brees

[X-Clown]

The saints are no more talented than anybody else but can get away with a lot of holes because drew brees

 

Brees covers up their high school level defense, but his supporting cast on offense I think is better than ours (Graham, Evans, Colston, Grubbs, Moore, Sproles).

[YOLO!]

Don't really care about the other teams, I only focus on my team the CAROLINA PANTHERS.