1601

I dunno about a radical overhaul, but I’ve heard that Mike McCarthy completely reworked Aaron Rodgers’ mechanics when he took over the Packers. Alex Smith never really fixed his mechanics, and his footwork still sucks.

1602

Whatever happens in Seattle this year, it’s definately Pete Carroll’s team now. Only 10 of the 53 players on the roster this year were here when he was hired.

1603

A bunch of my friends made some wild predictions last night, I think it would be interesting to get the opinions from here before the season starts.

Predictions:

Divisional Winners
AFC North:
NFC North:

AFC South:
NFC South:

AFC East:
NFC East:

AFC West:
NFC West:

Team with the worst record in 2011:
Team with the best record in 2011:

MVP:

Over/Under on Matthew Stafford playing 10 games:

Will Vick Implode like a dying star?:

1604

Divisional Winners
AFC North: Steelers
NFC North: Packers

AFC South: Texans
NFC South: Saints

AFC East: Jets
NFC East: Eagles

AFC West: Chargers
NFC West: Rams

Team with the worst record in 2011: Panthers
Team with the best record in 2011: Chargers

MVP: Aaron Rodgers (A glitter of hope in my eye)

Over/Under on Matthew Stafford playing 10 games: Under 10

Will Vick Implode like a dying star?: Yes (I think it will be late in the season though)[/QUOTE]

1605

sorry guys, I haven’t been following NFL news the past few years…what’s the deal with all the roster reductions that seem to be going around? I googled a bit and didn’t see anything that explains the reasons why.

1606

It’s the standard cut down to 53 player regular season roster.

A bit abbreviated due to the strike, but this happens every year.

1607

Teams are allowed more players on their rosters during the preseason, but must drop down to 53 a week before the first regular season game. Happens every year :)

1608

weird - I guess you can tell that I don’t follow this very closely. Just assumed it was part of something bigger with all the talks of a strike, etc.

1609

Well, they did allow more guys in camp this year (90…used to be 80 or 85 maybe? can’t remember). But this is the same every year, yeah.

1610

Useless stat of the day!

Cam Newton [#1 overall]:: 24-57 (42.1%) (12th), 300 yards (7th), 5.3 YPA (10th), 1 TD (T-3rd), 0 INT (T-1st), 64.9 Rating (7th)

Jake Locker [#8 overall]: 32-49 (65.3%) (1st), 316 yards (6th), 6.4 YPA (4th), 2 TDs (T-1st), 1 INT (T-4th), 88.5 Rating (1st)

Blaine Gabbert [#10 overall]: 35-70 (50.0%) (9th), 365 yards (2nd), 5.2 YPA (11th), 1 TD (T-3rd), 1 INT (T-4th), 64.3 Rating (8th)

Christian Ponder [#12 overall]: 27-49 (55.1%) (7th), 290 yards (8th), 5.9 YPA (6th), 1 TD (T-3rd), 0 INT (T-1st), 79.5 Rating (3rd)

Andy Dalton [#35 overall]: 36-60 (60.0%) (4th), 328 yards (5th), 5.5 YPA (9th), 1 TD (T-3rd), 3 INT (T-10th), 59.6 Rating (10th)

Colin Kaepernick [#36 overall]: 24-50 (48.0%) (11th), 257 yards (9th), 5.1 YPA (12th), 0 TD (T-10th), 5 INT (12th), 23.9 Rating (12th)

Ryan Mallett [#74 overall]: 36-63 (57.1%) (5th), 357 yards (3rd), 5.7 YPA (7th), 1 TD (T-3rd), 1 INT (T-4th), 72.0 Rating (4th)

Ricky Stanzi [#135 overall]: 18-34 (52.9%) (8th), 213 yards (10th), 6.3 YPA (5th), 1 TD (T-3rd), 1 INT (T-4th), 69.9 Rating (5th)

T.J. Yates [#152 overall]: 13-26 (50.0%) (10th), 181 yards (11th), 7.0 YPA (2nd), 0 TD (T-10th), 1 INT (T-4th), 56.7 Rating (11th)

Nathan Enderle [#160 overall]: 13-23 (56.5%) (6th), 177 yards (12th), 7.7 YPA (1st), 0 TD T-10th), 1 INT (T-4th), 63.1 Rating (9th)

Tyrod Taylor [#180 overall]: 37-60 (61.7%) (2nd), 408 yards (1st), 6.8 YPA (3rd), 1 TD (T-3rd), 3 INTs (T-10th), 66.5 Rating (6th)

Greg McElroy [#208 overall]: 36-59 (61.0%) (3rd), 335 yards (4th), 5.7 YPA (8th), 2 TDs (T-1st), 0 INT (T-1st), 87.9 Rating (2nd)

Enjoy!

1611

That is pretty useless. :)

I will say this about watching Newton play a bit, the guy has accuracy issues.

I also got to see Gabbert and Locker play since those teams played the Rams. They both look like future starters. Locker can really run, too.

1612

I find it slightly less useless than it would be for an established starter. Some (most) of these guys did have something to prove. If I was a Carolina fan I’d be pretty worried that Newton couldn’t put up better numbers even in the pre-season, and he didn’t look that great when I watched him. I’m obviously not willing to call him a bust or anything yet, but he has a hell of a lot working against him at this point. A shortened off-season, no real veteran mentor, and a QB coach whose only real professional coachee has been David Garrard. I can’t see Newton being even close to ready to lead a team to a winning record, especially not the Panthers. NFC South is going to be a damn tough division this season.

1613

What if Carolina has the worst record again? Do they draft Luck? That would be something, wouldn’t it? Claussen, Newton, and then Luck.

1614

Competition for next year’s first draft pick is pretty tough this year!

1615

Why did the Packers cut Merriweather? I thought he was awesome.
Anyone heard any rumors?

1616

I think Claussen and Newton were horrible picks, and I thought so at the time of both drafts. Luck would be a fantastic pick, and one I think they must make if they get that spot. If they don’t, they’ll be kicking themselves forever.

Merriweather was a Patriot. Check for his off field antics, if you want more info.

1617

They’d deal that pick. Remember, with the new rookie cap in place, it’s much easier and more likely for teams to trade up even to the #1 spot. Say the Niners or Seahawks end up picking in the top 5 or 10, they’d make an offer I expect.

1618

They’d only deal if Newton didn’t look good. Otherwise I see them trading Newton and taking Luck.

I don’t even know if they could trade Clausen at this point. He has not looked good.

1619

Well, if they end up with the #1 pick I guess by definition Newton wouldn’t have looked good!

1620

Predictions:

Divisional Winners
AFC North: Ravens
NFC North: Packers

AFC South: Texans
NFC South: Falcons

AFC East: Patriots
NFC East: Eagles

AFC West: Chargers by default
NFC West: Rams

Team with the worst record in 2011: Niners
Team with the best record in 2011: Falcons

MVP: Peyton Manning (because of the drama)

Over/Under on Matthew Stafford playing 10 games: Under

Will Vick Implode like a dying star?: No but he will get injured and be out for a month