Very true. In 2008, with Cassel playing, they did not look as good. Any QB who has good pocket presence and makes quick decisions will make an o-line look better than it really is.
Last year the Pats went 13-3, won the AFC Chamionship, played in yet another Super Bowl and significantly ugraded their team through FA and the draft. The Jets are coming off a mediocre 8-8 season and marginally (Landry and Hill are not the answer to stopping Gronk, Hernandez and Welker and Coples is an unroven rookie) upgraded their team during the off-season. Pats are looking at 2 or 3 losses for the entire season. There is no way the Jets go 13-3 or better to win the AFCE.
I think you hit the nail on the head. It's not just reading the blitz either, it's sliding around in the pocket to buy more time and willingness to take a big hit after delivering the ball. OBVIOUS DISCLAIMER: Brady is human and if he doesn't have five competent players blocking for him he would struggle more than he currently does.
Balt, Pitt and Houston will be in the running. KC, Cinn and perhaps Denver as well. The AFC is wide open this year.
I think people are giving Houston too much credit. They lost some significant personnel this year on defense. Their defense was the main reason they survived without Shaub. I don't see them doing as well as last year. Bengals were flukey, I don't see either of those teams better doing better than the Jets, especially with the schedule comparison.
They lost Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. The Texans defense played much better at the end of the season when Mario was out. Ryans was in the exact situation as Vilma was with the Jets. A great 4-3 LB who was lost in the 3-4. Good move for the Texans getting rid of him at the right time.
How much talent do u need to win when ur already at a super bowl? Pats are falling short without that stout defense they use to have when they were winning super bowls as Tom bradys clock tick's the defense doesn't get better.
Based on what they were able to accomplish last season without several of their top players for most of the season (Andre Johnson also missed more than half the season), I'd have to put Houston as having the best chance of getting to the superbowl from the AFC next season. They have the fewest "questions" of any of the top teams. After that The Pats and Ravens are on an equal level, While KC, the Bengals, and Tennessee are the 3 up and coming teams that have as much talent as any of the top 3 teams, but not the experience. Just below that I have the Steelers looking at a down year (for them), SD, and the Jets. Those are 9 teams, ALL of whom you can make a legitimate and reasonable case for their making it to next year's superbowl....if things break their way. The last few years have proven conclusively that it doesn't really matter who the "best" team is over the course of the regular season. What matters is which team plays "best" in the 3 or 4 game season, that's the playoffs. All you have to be is good enough to be one of the top 12 teams and you have as good a shot as any to win it all.
The Texans lost their best offensive lineman, and their right side of their line is a huge question. Outside of Andre Johnson (who has injury concerns) and Owen Daniels (who isnt anything spectacular), they have pretty much all question marks for their receiving core. Schaub has never really been clutch and their defense did lose two very good players. Do you honestly believe the Titans and Chiefs are better teams than the Jets?... Im not even sure if the Chiefs place in 2nd in their division. Ill agree that the AFC is pretty wide open though. I dont think there are many teams that have driven away from the pack that is the top 10 or so teams, and if so, not by that much.
True story. Went to Vegas for a Bachelor party a few years back when NE was zero...siltch...nothing. They lost their first two games to start the season 0-2 and their odds of winning the ring dropped to 44-1. I bought a homer I worked with a $10 ticket and you can guess the rest. Cha Ching. Did NE homer at least pay me back the $10??? Nope.
Then again, I dont think there was a single Giants fan who thought they were winning the Super Bowl at the start of the season. I dont even think any Giants fan thought they had a chance of making the playoffs or even getting to .500
Houston lost Mario and Demeco but added Mercilus and Jared Crick. Brooks Reed and JJ Watt played great last year and that was without having an offseason. Trust me. That D is loaded As for Cincy, they had a monster draft on paper as well. If Dalton can replicate last years performance or get even better they will be in the mix. Their o-line will definitely be a question. As for the WRs, they will def need somebody to step up too. They did draft Devier Posey who could be good.
They have a new RG and RT, and both will be replacing quality players from last year. Two of their best players on offense (Shaub and Johnson) have a history of not playing 16 games. There are plenty of questions on that side of the ball. I think even with the losses of Williams and Ryan the defense is loaded, but matching their play from last year will be a difficult task. I could see them still be a good defense but take a marginal step back, kind of like the Jets in 2010.
You also have to consider that they play in the worst division in the AFC. The Colts and Jags are BOTH candidates for 5 win seasons. Only the Titans are capable of beating them within that division, and the Gap between those teams is large.
Yeah, I think they have a great shot at winning the division, but you said they had the best shot of making it to the Super Bowl. I wouldn't put their chances as any better than the Patriots, Ravens, or Steelers. In fact, I might like San Diego and KC as much as Houston.
why posters let themselves get sucked into these arguments with the many pats & other trolls on this forum...
