ESPN: Five surprise teams to watch in 2008

[SilverStarCowboy]

My Dark Horse is also Minnesota. The key to their season will be decent QB play and all they need is a Bus Driver. lol

 

[Rampage]

I haven't seen anyone picking them for the Super Bowl other than me, and I did it when they hired Gregg Williams as DC, so I don't know how to answer this.

the ny post has them beating Dallas in superbowl 43. this was in the post the day after superbowl 42.

 

[Sarge]

I think they will finish ahead of the Colts who most people rank higher.

SD-Colts - man that's a toss up there............I'd go with Colts in a close one...........

 

[DaBoys4Life]

They pick the Panthers to win the superbowl every year here's my top 5.

Tennesse Titans they will be better than a lot of people expect the addition of CJ will help VY growth so much it will be surprising.

Oakland Raiders Dmac nuff said.

Kansas Cheifs strong draft will have instant impact.

New York Jets last season they really regressed under magianni idk what happened however they will be good if they get their QB situtation straigthened out.

Washingotn Commanders those WR will have major impact and make JC look better until they come to dallas but they will be good.

 

[big dog cowboy]

My surprise team is the Minnesoter Vikings.

QB???

 

[Rampage]

QB???

good defense/good running game. tj just has to be a game manager

 

[TheCount]

QB???

What don't you guys get about "surprise team"? :laugh2:

 

[Sarge]

QB???

I hear ya - however, GB has the same problem. Detroit is horrible and the Bears are very average and are now without their #1 WR....

Minnesota has a SOLID defense, the best run defense in the league IMO and a top 3 RB (if not better) in the league in a very average division. If they hadda QB (as you point out) they would be an instant contender. One more year under his belt.

When I mean surprise in this instance, I mean, most improved. I see them one and done in the playoffs which is a big improvement.

QB, without a doubt, the hold up here........beware the Vikings, they are putting together a very good group.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

They pick the Panthers to win the superbowl every year here's my top 5.

So true, lol.

Tennesse Titans they will be better than a lot of people expect the addition of CJ will help VY growth so much it will be surprising.

Yeah any improvement from VY will be surprising!

Oakland Raiders Dmac nuff said.

What an anomaly. Now I'm really confused.

Kansas Cheifs strong draft will have instant impact.

The Chiefs last two draft classes helped emmesely. Interesting to see how well rookie RB Jamaal Charles will do. KC still needs good QB play to have a chance, maybe Croyle can settle in and improve.

New York Jets last season they really regressed under magianni idk what happened however they will be good if they get their QB situtation straigthened out.

The Jury is still out on Coach Mangini, not sure if his team is over-achieving or under-achieving, improving or losing ground at times but trading Vilma for next to nothing leaves me head scratching.

Washingotn Commanders those WR will have major impact and make JC look better until they come to dallas but they will be good.

Devin Thomas, Malcom Kelly and Fred Davis can't help Jason Campbell but Zorn might be able to.

 

[Sarge]

I also think the Saints are gonna be FAR improved and lay up some serious points on offense.

OK -carry on.................

 

[PosterChild]

I have a sneakin suspicion the NE Patriots are gonna be pretty salty this year.

About that list--I think the Bills actually do have a chance to make the playoffs if the rest of the contendas beat themselves up. They compete as hard as any team in the league. But Oakland, Jets, Carolina, and Lambs will all finish bottom ten again.

 

[Rampage]

I hope the cowboys suprise us with a long overdue playoff win or 2............... or 3 and a superbowl championship.

 

[TNCowboy]

I hear ya - however, GB has the same problem. Detroit is horrible and the Bears are very average and are now without their #1 WR....

Minnesota has a SOLID defense, the best run defense in the league IMO and a top 3 RB (if not better) in the league in a very average division. If they hadda QB (as you point out) they would be an instant contender. One more year under his belt.

When I mean surprise in this instance, I mean, most improved. I see them one and done in the playoffs which is a big improvement.

QB, without a doubt, the hold up here........beware the Vikings, they are putting together a very good group.

They only missed the playoffs by one game. So going from 8-8 to 9-7 and being one and done is your big surprise?

 

[Sarge]

They only missed the playoffs by one game. So going from 8-8 to 9-7 and being one and done is your big surprise?

Yep..next question.

 

[Doomsday101]

My suprise teams Vikes, Cards, Bills and Texans

 

[ZeroClub]

The Panthers managed to go 7-9 last year despite playing the likes of Matt Moore, David Carr, and our old friend Testaverde at QB after Delhomme went down in September.

If Delhomme bounces back from his surgery, the Panthers should be pretty decent. Plus, it isn't like the Panthers are playing in the toughest division ....

 

[DT101]

Every year the Panthers are listed as a surprise team or something, and a year or two ago just about every analyst at ESPN had them going to the SB. They never do ANYTHING. I doubt that changes.

 

[jobberone]

I like the Panthers to do well. Lions will be in there as well but they can't really be much of a surprise team. I like the Vikings, too, but no surprise here.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Bears although I think they will barely miss out on the playoffs.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

So true, lol.



Yeah any improvement from VY will be surprising!




What an anomaly. Now I'm really confused.





The Chiefs last two draft classes helped emmesely. Interesting to see how well rookie RB Jamaal Charles will do. KC still needs good QB play to have a chance, maybe Croyle can settle in and improve.



The Jury is still out on Coach Mangini, not sure if his team is over-achieving or under-achieving, improving or losing ground at times but trading Vilma for next to nothing leaves me head scratching.





Devin Thomas, Malcom Kelly and Fred Davis can't help Jason Campbell but Zorn might be able to.

Dmac is better than Fargas and Jordan he will run for 1300-1500 yards this season barring any injury. They already had a solid rushing attack from Fargas last year and Dmac will just improve that trend. They have an underrated defense with the inclusion od Deangelo hall to go *** Asmegoya sp? they will be a force.

CJ will be so effective in the open field for Vince his stats are going to get inflated when you have some one who will take the check down pass 20-30 yards and screens to the house you will improve as a QB. Then mix that in with his scrambling ability i am scared you will see the option and you wont want to see VY and CJ i nthe open field and VY having the ball.

Cheifs will return to form Charless will take some pressure off of LJ and they will begin to grind it again.

Jets went to playoffs had a 10 win season his first season improved at RB and just fell off. This season will be better for tham although i liked Vilma being the U alumini that he is. I think the switched to the three-four forced them to part with a solid player but they will be better for it i think.

It is easy to be consistent when your WR aren't midgets. All of their new targets big strong and fast. Malcolm Kelley will have immediate impact for JC.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

They will be picking at the top of the draft once again in 2009...:laugh2: