DMN: Rick Gosselin: Offseason rankings: Pats loading up

[tomson75]

Pittsburgh, the SB champs before Indy. Any other thoughts???

I agree. I see Indy and San Diego having a fairly significant drop off this season. NE is the team to beat IMO.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Pittsburgh, the SB champs before Indy. Any other thoughts???

I'm sure you know he meant the CURRENT champs.

 

[Pats Fan]

Other than the Colts, Ravens, and Chargers, every team has major flaws and ranking them in June is futile.

The writer's failure to mention NE's aging defense gives him little credibility. After reading the article in the DMN -- yes, I receive the paper and read it daily -- it came across as a bored writer angling towards a feel-good story when there's nothing else to write about. NE will be lucky to make it to the playoffs.

As for the Cowboys, I can see them ranked somewhere between 10 and 15. I question, however, the writer's decision to rank the Bengals, Steelers, Panthers, Seahawks, and Jaguars ahead of them

Other than some older LB's, our defense is very young. I used to get angry at the draft of the Pats, Wilfork, Warren. But you know what, they knew what they were doing. We are quite OK, thank you. LB was a problem, but they picked up Thomas. Colvin, Thomas, they are quite OK. Vrabel, still good. And Bruschi is still as leader on the team as well as Harrison. I think we are quite OK.

I'm not worried a bit about the Pats defense. Nope. The question for me is how will all these new receivers work with Brady? For sure, better than last year. How good? Don't know. Brady is very precise. Will be interesting.

But you are way off base if you don't think the Pats have improved. Way off. One game away from winning the Bowl with a bunch of terrible, really terrible WR's.

Colt's have lost a lot in the off season. Maybe they are doing what the Pats did when they won, thinking they could rest on their laurels. We know that doesn't fly.

As far as your team, I think you will do quite well. Who is there to challenge you. To me, the Saints and the 49 niners. Who else. Chicgo, nope. Nobody. And anything can happen in one game.

San Diego is very interesting. Better talent than just about everyone. But all new coaches, who is to say the impact. I don't know, but it will hurt. Lot's of talent there. But Indy, nope. Don't think so.

Let's see, a few months from finding out.

 

[Pats Fan]

I'm sure you know he meant the CURRENT champs.

Yes, but the point being --- Pittsburgh won the SB two years ago. So, if you win the Bowl, that doesn't have a darn thing to do with this year.

 

[lspain1]

I have stated over the past weeks that Philadelphia was going to enter the season as the favorite to repeat at the top of the NFC East. The rest of the rankings are irrelevant as far as the regular season goes and it is much too early to think about outcomes. As far as the pundits are concerned, get used to this pecking order because we will see a lot of it between now and opening day. Until the Cowboys (and not just Romo) show something on the field this is the way things will stay.

Gosselin's pithy quip about Romo indicates the depth of the article. Romo was far from alone in last year's December swoon.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Yes, but the point being --- Pittsburgh won the SB two years ago. So, if you win the Bowl, that doesn't have a darn thing to do with this year.

You would be right if the season were to begin today, but the point remains that until any of the teams hit the field including the Pats, Indy has the right to be ahead of both Pats and especially the Chargers. Something about being the reigning champs does matter.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Other than some older LB's, our defense is very young. I used to get angry at the draft of the Pats, Wilfork, Warren. But you know what, they knew what they were doing. We are quite OK, thank you. LB was a problem, but they picked up Thomas. Colvin, Thomas, they are quite OK. Vrabel, still good. And Bruschi is still as leader on the team as well as Harrison. I think we are quite OK.

I'm not worried a bit about the Pats defense. Nope. The question for me is how will all these new receivers work with Brady? For sure, better than last year. How good? Don't know. Brady is very precise. Will be interesting.

But you are way off base if you don't think the Pats have improved. Way off. One game away from winning the Bowl with a bunch of terrible, really terrible WR's.

Colt's have lost a lot in the off season. Maybe they are doing what the Pats did when they won, thinking they could rest on their laurels. We know that doesn't fly.

As far as your team, I think you will do quite well. Who is there to challenge you. To me, the Saints and the 49 niners. Who else. Chicgo, nope. Nobody. And anything can happen in one game.

San Diego is very interesting. Better talent than just about everyone. But all new coaches, who is to say the impact. I don't know, but it will hurt. Lot's of talent there. But Indy, nope. Don't think so.

Let's see, a few months from finding out.

Way off base? I don't think so. I do agree that the Pats have improved but will it be enough to surpass the Colts? Or, will they be able to fend off the Ravens and Chargers who have young, potentially dominant stars on defense?

I don't think the offense will have that big a transition considering the Pats have arguably the best QB in the NFL and he knows how to motivate his receivers. Moss may not be a stud in the NE offense but he will be productive.

Maybe, if the Pats were in the NFC, they would be a lock for the SB. However, considering they have SD, Indy, Cincy, Pitt, NY, Baltimore, and an improving Denver team in their conference, I can see them potentially missing the playoffs.

Having said all that, they are easily a top ten team.

 

[BouncingCheese]

The Panthers did little to help the offensive line and expect the fact that they are changing the blocking scheme from zone blocking to vault them to the Super Bowl?

The Seahawks? Okay...... I'm not even going to say how badly that placement is.

The Jaguars are worse off than we are at quarterback, and they could implode if the Leftwich plays badly.

How does Gosselin think that LOSING a viable pass-catching running back in Green and replacing him with VERNAND MORENCY figures to actually do as well or better this upcoming season?

The Bengals have problems on defense, and if Steinbachs' former backup plays badly, Palmer is going to play bad, because Palmer needs almost perfect protection to play well; and if he plays badly that team goes nowhere fast.

The Steelers secondary is going to be exposed without Porter rushing the passer/ when they go 4-3, Ike taylor and the other CB's as well as Ryan Clark and Polomalu to a degree are terrible in pass protection and can't cover their own shadow. If the defense starts giving up points through the air, then the Steelers can't exactly run it all the time since they would be eating up the clock and leaving no time for Ben to chuck it.... IF Ben has another meltdown how do they figure to do so well?

Besides those idiotic listings IMO, the list isn't AS head-scratchingly bad.

 

[Pats Fan]

You would be right if the season were to begin today, but the point remains that until any of the teams hit the field including the Pats, Indy has the right to be ahead of both Pats and especially the Chargers. Something about being the reigning champs does matter.

Well, let's just say we disagree. There are very few consecqutive winners of the Bowl. Very few. To me, the season starts new every year.

Do I think the Pats will win? Don't know, chances are better but that does not mean anything. All you can do is improve your chances.

In the AFC, I am looking at the Pats, Chargers, and quite frankly, Denver.

In the NFC, I am looking at the Boys, 49niners, and Saints. I don't see Philly in the picture. Just me, just how I feel. McNabb was getting long in the tooth a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, I have always liked the guy.

Surprise teams. Well, just from the heart, I think Cleveland will do better. The Titans, yep. Much as McNair always made my day. Like that kid Young.

Things will change, always do.

 

[Pats Fan]

Well, Ok if you think so. Missing the playoffs, you are in for a big surprise. The one team in the AFC I am not worried about this year is the Colts. San Diego, Denver, yep. Ravens, no. Colts, no. The Colts beat us because they knew we didn't have the offense to compete. That is accurate, but old news. To me, we have the better QB, and finally, finally some WR's the guy can throw to. If we stay healty, Brady and folks are going to put up some numbers this year. Defense, overall solid.

That being said -- San Diego, Denver (not the Colts) are the teams we have to beat.

Saints may be the team you have to beat. Chicago - nope. Philly - nope.

As far as the Pats not making the playoffs, well, I would put some money on that.

 

[BouncingCheese]

The 49's are the sexy pick this offseason...which is probably why they won't play up to snuff. Fine they played well at the end of the year. But they have a bad d-line IMHO, and an overmatched secondary. The offense still needs work too.

 

[jackrussell]

Cleveland Browns

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/sports/logos/football/circlelogo-cle.gif :laugh2:

 

[Pats Fan]

Cleveland Browns

http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/sports/logos/football/circlelogo-cle.gif :laugh2:

I don't think they are going to win the Bowl, but I like what they have done this year, and you know what, I have soft spot in my heart for them.

Tradition, that kind of stuff. Made some great moves this year. And I really like Crennel.

So, what can I say????

 

[superpunk]

The Colts beat us because they knew we didn't have the offense to compete.

In truth, they beat you for the same reason they beat you the two times before that. Peyton has just applied himself so much, that he's better than Bellichick, and your defense.

But that offseason trophy will look nice on the mantle early next January. So....treasure that.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

You would be right if the season were to begin today, but the point remains that until any of the teams hit the field including the Pats, Indy has the right to be ahead of both Pats and especially the Chargers. Something about being the reigning champs does matter.

Yes indeed, get em' WG

 

[Pats Fan]

In truth, they beat you for the same reason they beat you the two times before that. Peyton has just applied himself so much, that he's better than Bellichick, and your defense.

But that offseason trophy will look nice on the mantle early next January. So....treasure that.

Make a bet with you SuperPunk. Look me up in January and we will see who is right. I am marking my calendar. Oh, that's Belichick by the way. And Peyton and company now have to go through Brady and some good WR's. Oh, let me alter that bet -- other than the Colts and Pats -- then the bet is off. San Diego or Denver may have something to say about it. San Diego scares me way more than the Colts.

 

[Angus]

Goose puts Cowboys in middle of pack


Hall of Fame scribe Rick "Goose" Gosselin's offseason rankings are out, and he's still got the lid on his bottle of anointing oil in regards to our favorite Miss Universe judge. Goose ranked the Cowboys as the league's No. 15 team.


A new coach brings a new attitude on defense. Wade Phillips is going to turn his young speed loose, so you'll see a more aggressive scheme in 2007 than under Bill Parcells in 2006. But any success by the Cowboys will depend on which quarterback shows up – the Tony Romo who flourished in November or the Romo who floundered in December.

Good news from Goose: Cleveland is No. 29. If that comes true, the Cowboys will have the fourth pick in next year's draft.


Posted by Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/sharedcontent/dws/img/standing/icons/email.gif at 11:42 AM

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I knew there would be bunch of Moaning and Whining about this ranking, but after a took a step back, I think, Objectively thinking, he is close to being right. Steelers and Jets might be iffy, but rest of the ranking sounds about right to me.

Plus I have a bad feeling about this team under Wade. I have full confidence that Defense will be good, but I don't expect Wade to command enought respect for the team to respond to adversity or be consistant enough.

not a horrible list, although I wouldn't put Cincy, Pitt or Carolina higher than us

 

[jackrussell]

I don't think they are going to win the Bowl, but I like what they have done this year, and you know what, I have soft spot in my heart for them.

Tradition, that kind of stuff. Made some great moves this year. And I really like Crennel.

So, what can I say????

Actually, I was snickering at the orange dot.

I'm easily amused.

 

[DawnOfANewD]

Defensively, the Eagles needed to toughen up against the run and did so in free agency by signing...DT Montae Reagor and...

Wasn't Reagor one of the reasons why IND have had one of the worst run-defenses over the past few years? He's only 6'3", 285 lbs, reflective of IND's preference of having had its DL being light and speedy to get pressure on the QB over being big and bulky to stuff the run.