NFL Preview - 2008

[JohnBM01]

Feel free to preview some of this coming season's action. The recent NFL schedules were just released yesterday. My Texans (8-8 last season, their best) will play on Monday night for the first time in franchise history on 12/1/2008 hosting Jacksonville. It's the first Monday Night match in 14 years in the city of Houston back when the Oilers were in town before moving out to Nashville.

The NFL Draft still looms, but you all are free to speculate about this season of NFL football.

 

[Jump_Ace]

My Giants will have an easy first half of the season, possibly 6-0 (in a perfect world, of course we all know how that goes ) then with an early week off, we have a rigorous schedule. I'm hoping for 10-6 and F- the Cowgirls!

Jerome

 

[Max Powers]

An absolutely brutal schedule for the Steelers this year, the toughest in the NFL at the moment as a matter of fact. This includes a brutal stretch at the end of the year too, here it is.

Wk 8: vs. Giants
Wk 9: vs. Skins
Wk 10: vs. Colts
Wk 11: vs. Chargers
Wk 12: vs. Bungles (only relief in the stretch, and the Bungles always play the Steelers tougher than they do anybody else)
Wk 13: vs. Patriots
Wk 14: vs. Dallas

Hopefully as the season progresses, some of these teams have an off year, because if they don't, it's going to be a tough year.

Still, I think the Steelers are very capable of making the playoffs again this year as long as they can replace Faneca on the line.

 

[JohnBM01]

Your Steelers are hosting my Texans in Week 1, Max Powers. The NFL's kind of seen that the Houston Texans can make a playoff push, so they decided to hook us up with the Texans' first Monday Night game as well as a punishing early schedule. I guess it means that the Texans have to rise from its shell as being an expansion team (as most others have put a burden on the Texans) and play like the team that left Houston for Tennessee.

I can think back to the Texans' first year in the league. They played at Pittsburgh in the snow. They got pounded hard by Pitt in almost every statistical category. Still... they won 24-6! That was the Texans under David Carr. Now it's about the Texans under Matt Schaub playing against Ben Roethlisberger (who I've loved since his days at Miami University). Texans have to step up. We'll see how the draft goes for my Texans. I think my Texans still need offensive line help and even some great wide receiver and running back help.

 

[JohnBM01]

The offseason talk is on Brett Favre wanting to play again... or at least having an itch to play again. A lot of people think it's time for Aaron Rodgers to lead the Packers in the abscence of Favre. I have a feeling that the alum of Southern Mississippi could probably be a backup QB. I don't really see him being in as good of form as he's been lately or even playing for a good team. I even had an imagination of Favre being a coach in the NFL. You think Favre is really going to come back? And if so, where?

 

[JohnBM01]

With my Texans going 8-8 last season, expectations are pretty high for the Texans to go one better and have a true winning season. While countless media sources (mostly ESPN) continue to think of us as the expansion that somehow squeak out wins, we are pushing to succeed in the NFL. We even play in the super-tough AFC South as Tennessee and Indianpolis are usually favorites to come out the AFC South and make the playoffs. The best we could do is the AFC Wild Card, but we'll have to work for it.

Training Camp begins later this month. Care to speculate about your beloved team?

 

[JohnBM01]

We're closing in on the preseason games. The story that's dominated the off-season was if Brett Favre will return (and who he'll play for). Anyone care to talk about this upcoming season?

 

[Zrow]

Man, I can't wait until football season.

The Ravens have a new QB - Joe Flacco, but I really have no idea if he's any good yet. We need a figure to rally behind though, and I hope he can be that guy. Even if it takes a season to get him ready, I just
WANT

A FREAKIN'

QUARTERBACK.


Flacco would be like Jesus to Baltimore if he delivers.

 

[JohnBM01]

Meanwhile, my Texans are starting to believe that they have their best chance in years to make the playoffs. Some are even saying "playoffs, or bust." It will still take a while for most of the East Coast bias to remember that we're no longer an expansion franchise and that we're not the team that will consistently have a losing season.

Having said this, the Texans know this is not going to be easy. Especially when you play in the AFC South. Most probably for us will be an AFC Wild Card. The longshot- winning the AFC South. A pick I really like for the Texans is Steve Slaton. Slaton was the dynamic player for West Virginia in college. We even picked up a few Virginia Tech folks. I follow the college game, so I'm pretty sure I may have seen these stars before even if I don't know their names or faces. Matt Schaub has to be our field general. Everyone has to stay healthy. Andre Johnson and Mario Williams will need to be our big playmakers on both sides of the ball. I'd love for the Texans to go as far as the Houston Oilers... only doing what the Oilers didn't- (ultimate goal) win the Super Bowl. But still, we're that Southeat Texas team trying to show that we aren't a reflection of the 2002 or 2006 Texans.

 

[BLITZ_69]

On paper it looks like my Seahawks are gunna go 12-4, but who knows, paper is not the best way to decide an outcome, for good reasons. GO HAWKS!!! 12th man baby, raise that flag high!

 

[Max Powers]

Man, I can't wait until football season.

The Ravens have a new QB - Joe Flacco, but I really have no idea if he's any good yet. We need a figure to rally behind though, and I hope he can be that guy. Even if it takes a season to get him ready, I just
WANT

A FREAKIN'

QUARTERBACK.


Flacco would be like Jesus to Baltimore if he delivers.

He couldn't even land a starting spot at the University of Pittsburgh, so my hopes aren't too high for him, you never know though, anything is better than Kyle Boller.

What I'm afraid of is the Ravens picking up Favre, that would really shake things up in the AFC North.

 

[FoolKiller]

I haven't got a clue as to how my Rams will do this year. If Pace is healthy for the regular season then things might be looking up. I still can't believe that losing Pace made the offensive line that bad last year, but when a guy can take on two defenders at once, I guess it makes a difference.

Hopefully, Pace's return will mean that Bulger won't be getting his ribs broken this year. And possible Jackson can actually have some holes to run through.

I am excited that they picked up my fellow Alum, Keenan Burton in the draft at Wide Receiver. I don't know how active he will be this season, or how much attention he will get on a team with Holt, Little, Hall, and Bennett, but if he can do as well as he did at Kentucky I will be happy. It does feel good to be able to keep cheering on the same guy as he goes from college to pro though.

This is all assuming they keep him.

I'm excited about this season, and am already in two fantasy leagues (including the GTP league).

 

[JohnBM01]

Speaking of Kentucky alums, I learned that Andre' Woodson was drafted to the New York Giants. The dream scenario for me with FoolKiller would be Woodson going to the Rams. That is, unless St. Louis doesn't have quarterback issues prior to the draft. As a friend, I hope your Rams have an amazing season, FoolKiller. As you said last year, me and my Texans are like you and your Rams.

I'll be happy if my Texans have a winning season. It will really take a lot for my Texans to actually be recognized as a talented team rather than being that expansion team most others think of us as.



You all are free to chat about how your team is doing as Training Camp opens up.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Texans signed RB Mark Bell to a... 2-year deal, I believe. The mindset expressed by the Texans is that this is that chance to make a postseason run. It's a chance to go from mediocrity to actually being respected for once instead of being the team ESPN types like showing getting their asses kick. I think we best have a chance to win the AFC Wild Card. I think it's going to be damn near impossible to win the AFC South when you got teams like Tennessee and Indianapolis running the show. A totale of 9+ wins will still be a step in the right direction. I wonder... If the Texans (as an underdog) go all the way to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl, will the Texans be better regarded by more people than in times past? I guess what I like for the Texans is relevance and respect because very few people regard us. We're not a power team, but most people need to realize we're not the Texans of old.

Speaking of Indy, I wonder how that new stadium of theirs looks...

 

[JohnBM01]

The NFL Preseason is here (as of last night)! The previously retired Brett Favre was traded to the Jets. So Favre is going to have to get adjusted to the New York media. Can Favre succeed in New York dealing with the New York media?

My Texans will take on the Denver Broncos in their first preseason match.

 

[JohnBM01]

Brett Favre makes his first start for the Jets this Saturday when they meet the Redskins (or host the Redskins. Not sure where the game will be played at). This means two things- will the New York Jets fans love Brett as much as Green Bay loves them some Brett? Or will Aaron Rodgers really be that next generation of Packers football even in Favre's abscence? We shall see both in the Preseason and regular season. It would be interesting if the Packers host the Jets during the regular season or in a playoff series... and if the game is held AT Lambeau Field with Aaron Rodgers the starting Packers QB and Favre as the starting Jets QB. Favre still wears green... only a different green.


Meanwhile, my Texans' "playoffs or bust" attitude had a positive turn as they knocked off the Broncos 19-16. Our next match is at New Orleans against a fellow named Reggie Bush. I think you all have heard of him before. I learned that my Texans released Mike Bell while E. Salaam is out for about four weeks with a knee injury. I would give ANYTHING for my Texans to be respected rather than having my Texans looked on as the Texans under David Carr getting sacked 76 times a season. I'm looking for the Texans to improve just enough to compete for the AFC Wild Card at best. I'm not looking for the 2008 Texans to be an NFL version of the 2007 Kansas Jayhawks. I do hope we can last long enough to actually be a contender even as ESPN's "always hate Houston and/or Texas teams" policy is still in effect (I heard this policy picked up an extension). The best locals here predict is a nine-win or even a ten-win season. I can only imagine...

 

[BLITZ_69]

Man, my Seahawks were looking great against the vikings. Our second team looks promising, and our starters are looking like we are on pace for a great season. Nothing but a well oiled machine.

 

[JohnBM01]

Aaron Rodgers did... okay from what I've seen. His Packers still lost 20-17 to the Bengals.

Remember that these preseason games don't count towards the regular season. The thing you still want to do in the preseason is to play hard. Play hard because your team wants to tell the other 31 teams that your favorite team is for real. You still have to do your best in the preseason even though these games don't count. So good luck to all of you NFL fans including fans of your favorite teams.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Texans played at New Orleans. Matt Schaub and his wide-outs had a damn good showing. New Orleans' own Jacoby Jones could have had a better time at the Louisiana Superdome than what he had back on Saturday night. We won, but I forgot the score. The margin of victory was less than a touchdown.

I'm not sure how Favre did against the Redskins from his preseason start. Hope he did well.

Continue previewing the upcoming season and reporting on Preseason games!

 

[BLITZ_69]

Seahawks squeaked out a "W" over the Bears yesterday with an overtime field goal. From what I can see, the starters are having no problem getting the job done, the backups however, need a little work. Charlie Frye had 3 failed attempts at a long ball with receiver Jordan Kent. The defense was strong at the start, but gave up a few scores near the end. And of coarse, Holmgren had a few of his angry moments. All in all, a good performance.

 

[JohnBM01]

Up next for the Texans is a home game against a familiar foe- Dallas. Or as someone called it, the "Texas State Championship." It takes place on Friday on CBS. For us in Houston, it's KHOU Channel 11. I think Dallas' affiliate is KFDM. I know it's KFDM because it was a channel I had when I was a student at Lamar University.

I would keep Jacoby Jones as well as Steve Slaton. Steve Slaton was a hell of a player wearing the blue and gold of West Virginia. He'll do just fine toting the Steel Blue, Liberty White, and Battle Red of the Houston Texans. He even did some blocking as the offensive line is doing a much better job. What's being said is that the Texans still lack a ground game as well as a pass rush. I want the Texans to actually be good and be better regarded than what most people around the country think of us. If the Texans want an opportunity to show that they aren't the 2002 or 2005 Texans (or the one that went 2-12), it's this season. The preseason is a start, but I want to see this effort in just about all 16 regular season matches.