63 replies to this topic

[NewColtsFan]

OK.....

Disclosure up front.... I don't read Sports Illustrated nearly as much these days as i did when I was younger....

Its' still a good reputable magazine, but I find more and more writers (at least on the website) who have me scratching my head....

So, with that said, I now offer you this.... some writer who I have never read before offers up a preview of the Colts 2012 season.

In a nutshell he says even with Luck we're headed for a train wreck season. Doesn't rule out 0-16. Says we've got a good shot at the #1 pick in the draft next year. Seriously.

http://nfl.si.com/20.../?sct=nfl_wr_a1


It's not a long or hard read.... and I always recommend reading stuff like this, even if only for the laughs. But this is complete nonsense. The writer must have spent at least 10-15 minutes researching and writing this. Holy smokes....

[Nobody]

Well apparently we have "no hope in sight."

[Cynjin]

While I do not agree with the writer, the 1st overall pick next year would probably be worth a lot of additional picks.

[Superman]

My favorite part comes right at the end of the first paragraph:

And that’s not even to speak of the lesser, but still significant loss of Gary Brackett.

Hilarious. Because, you know, Gary Brackett is so good, he would have been an improvement on Pat Angerer's 146 tackles last season. And never mind the fact that Brackett missed four games in 2010 and only had 73 tackles.

Among the key subtractions, he lists Bullitt (six games the past two seasons), Lacey, Diem, Pollak... All players that didn't perform well at all the past two years.

It's clear this guy isn't very familiar with the team beyond the big name players.

[Superman]

While I do not agree with the writer, the 1st overall pick next year would probably be worth a lot of additional picks.

Yeah, if we had the first pick, I'd be thrilled with the haul we'd get, but disappointed in the season.

[ManningToCollie]

Chris Chase writes for Sports Illustrated?

[coltsrule91]

i stopped reading when they didnt list CB as a weakness

[Superman]

i stopped reading when they didnt list CB as a weakness

It lists DB.

[mystrymaster]

That was just an awful article.

[coltsrule91]

It lists DB.

oops sorry. im not use to DB

[Holden89]

Ehh. I'm not sure I'd say it's awful, really. I honestly agree with most of what he said. Jacob Lacey being a key loss is the only thing that made me chuckle. We're putting all our eggs into Andrew Luck on offense, with very little help. (I'm sorry, but Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Donnie Avery, and a bunch of rookies don't exactly inspire fear into the heart of defenses). Our defense also solely relies on Freeney and Mathis being able to adjust to the OLB position. I'm fairly confident they'll be able too, but I still have my reservations on that.

I don't exactly think we'll be sniffing 0-16 this year, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if this team manages to win 6 games next year.

[southwest1]

Well apparently we have "no hope in sight."

Yeah, I always like being underestimated & left for dead myself. It makes all the sports gurus look like fools as they scratch their head trying to explain sheer disbelief.

[Superman]

Ehh. I'm not sure I'd say it's awful, really. I honestly agree with most of what he said. Jacob Lacey being a key loss is the only thing that made me chuckle. We're putting all our eggs into Andrew Luck on offense, with very little help. (I'm sorry, but Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Donnie Avery, and a bunch of rookies don't exactly inspire fear into the heart of defenses). Our defense also solely relies on Freeney and Mathis being able to adjust to the OLB position. I'm fairly confident they'll be able too, but I still have my reservations on that.

I don't exactly think we'll be sniffing 0-16 this year, but I'd be pleasantly surprised if this team manages to win 6 games next year.

We could nitpick here and there, and we've all done that ad nauseum so far, and it's only June. But the article is based on so many flawed premises that it's easy to be dismissive of it. I really don't think the guy knows at all what he's talking about when it comes to the Colts. He might be spot on with other teams, but this synopsis was garbage.

And it's not just because it's negative. We could easily be a bottom five team again, given all the changes. I don't think it's likely, and I think it would take a ton of injuries for us to wind up anywhere near 2-14 again.

[HungarianColtsFan]

We have "no hope in sight" to read professional, objective articles about Colts this offseason.

[FireJimCaldwell]

It could fit a worst case scenario.

[Fx Stryker]

Welcome to being a Colts fan. We've dealt with this year in and year out.

[Malakai432]

I love articles written by middle school interns. SI must be really feeling the economical impacts of the last x amount of years.

[dw49]

My favorite part comes right at the end of the first paragraph:


Hilarious. Because, you know, Gary Brackett is so good, he would have been an improvement on Pat Angerer's 146 tackles last season. And never mind the fact that Brackett missed four games in 2010 and only had 73 tackles.

Among the key subtractions, he lists Bullitt (six games the past two seasons), Lacey, Diem, Pollak... All players that didn't perform well at all the past two years.

It's clear this guy isn't very familiar with the team beyond the big name players.

In some respects I agree with the guy. However as you infer... the "gutted" roster is total nonsense. The only real contributor that's gone is Garcon and some think Saturday. I feel he is on his last leg and Satele will not be a drop off. In any event , the problem is all with what we have and if were with what we lost ...as he states , we would be fine. That brings me to the real issue. I think we will actually be improved in a few areas. QB , OL , DL.TE and maybe DB if Powers stays healthy. So does that mean we will win 7-8 games as some of us have implied ?

IMO , the answer is no. You can't just look at a roster and say the improvements mean extra wins. You need to look at the schedule , figure the winnable games and take a % of that. Probably somthing like half of 8-10 games and coming up with 4-6 wins would be reasonable.

[Superman]

Welcome to being a Colts fan. We've dealt with this year in and year out.

True dat.

The difference is that we no longer have our safety net, and we really could be stuck in no man's land for a while. I don't think we will be, but it's hitting a little closer to home now than it would have back in 2009, for instance.

[Superman]

In some respects I agree with the guy. However as you infer... the "gutted" roster is total nonsense. The only real contributor that's gone is Garcon and some think Saturday. I feel he is on his last leg and Satele will not be a drop off. In any event , the problem is all with what we have and if were with what we lost ...as he states , we would be fine. That brings me to the real issue. I think we will actually be improved in a few areas. QB , OL , DL.TE and maybe DB if Powers stays healthy. So does that mean we will win 7-8 games as some of us have implied ?

IMO , the answer is no. You can't just look at a roster and say the improvements mean extra wins. You need to look at the schedule , figure the winnable games and take a % of that. Probably somthing like half of 8-10 games and coming up with 4-6 wins would be reasonable.

Any game is "winnable." The Packers beating the Chiefs is a testament to that.

I agree with you that, just because the roster is better (undoubtedly, by the way), it doesn't mean we win more games. As I said, I've refrained from giving a win/loss prediction, and probably will until training camp. But I really can't see us being as bad record-wise as we were last season. And it's primarily because of how badly we performed in key areas last season, not because we just didn't have any players.

[Fx Stryker]

True dat.

The difference is that we no longer have our safety net, and we really could be stuck in no man's land for a while. I don't think we will be, but it's hitting a little closer to home now than it would have back in 2009, for instance.

Honestly. I think the 2007 season preview I think we were the only team ever to not be considered for a repeat. I never heard one person even mention a repeat for us.

[dgambill]

We could nitpick here and there, and we've all done that ad nauseum so far, and it's only June. But the article is based on so many flawed premises that it's easy to be dismissive of it. I really don't think the guy knows at all what he's talking about when it comes to the Colts. He might be spot on with other teams, but this synopsis was garbage.

And it's not just because it's negative. We could easily be a bottom five team again, given all the changes. I don't think it's likely, and I think it would take a ton of injuries for us to wind up anywhere near 2-14 again.

Lets just be honest right here...1 injury could put us back to 2-14 again...don't kid yourself. If Luck goes down while I believe Stanton is way better than Painter and we have a more balanced offensive game plan I don't think winning more than 2 games is very likely without Luck. Even if we was to lose Mathis or Freeney we would be seriously wounded. We are a thin team with very few assets. While I don't think there is anything we couldn't overcome it would make a steep climb up the mountain into basically a deadly accent of Mount Everest.

Now with Luck and a healthy team I am not going to put numbers on anything. I just want to see a competitive team on the field. 1/2 the games last year were not competitive IMO. If we keep games close and show a good fight I am ok with the same record but I do believe 4 wins is my middle ground mark. Over and I think the season is a success...under and I would consider that things didn't go well overall. (perhaps some areas could)

This guys article was poorly written but the reason people believe this is because it is true. People can use crappy facts and logic but still get to the right conclusion. That is what I think as well. I believe we will be picking in the top 10 next year unless basically the perfect stroke of luck happens...

Fact is we had the worst team in football last year. Across the board we are still down at the bottom level of talent...not much better than Miami or Minnesota but perhaps on par with Jacksonville and Cleveland and St. Louis. Games aren't played on paper so that is why we have a good chance to be better than most believe. I believe that this team can be greater than the sum of its parts. We have some good leaders on it and that to me usually bodes well. I think confidence and avoiding key injuries will be a big key to how the season goes. If Luck and the team get early confidence with success and/or wins I think it can carry over. We have an early schedule that lends itself to us winning a few early games and perhaps that gets us rolling but if not...there is little left to be hopeful of come later on because after our bye and pretty much the first half of the season we hit very difficult games.

My conclusion. Poorly written and thought out article...but the conclusion is still accurate. We very well could be in the #1 draft slot again...though 0-16 and 2-14 look unlikely.

[Gavin]

While he was a little over dramatic I think his top 5 pick wont be far from the truth if not maybe, just maybe another #1 pick but it would be our last #1 pick for a long time

[Superman]

Honestly. I think the 2007 season preview I think we were the only team ever to not be considered for a repeat. I never heard one person even mention a repeat for us.

A lot of people felt we were a fluke, mostly because of how bad the defense was in 2006. But we did win 14 games that year. If we don't have two fluke turnovers against the Chargers, and if our pass rush was still in tact, we could have beat the Pats.

[weslo1812]

OK.....

Disclosure up front.... I don't read Sports Illustrated nearly as much these days as i did when I was younger....

Its' still a good reputable magazine, but I find more and more writers (at least on the website) who have me scratching my head....

So, with that said, I now offer you this.... some writer who I have never read before offers up a preview of the Colts 2012 season.

In a nutshell he says even with Luck we're headed for a train wreck season. Doesn't rule out 0-16. Says we've got a good shot at the #1 pick in the draft next year. Seriously.

http://nfl.si.com/20.../?sct=nfl_wr_a1


It's not a long or hard read.... and I always recommend reading stuff like this, even if only for the laughs. But this is complete nonsense. The writer must have spent at least 10-15 minutes researching and writing this. Holy smokes....

WOW!! What an *!! "No Hope" Hahahaha what kinda joke is this guy? first off saying were less talented then the panthers of last year right now is an absolute lie. Yes alot of our talent is young but as of right now and what we have and what the panthers had last year with Newton we have alot more talent than them. They had Smith, Newton and maybe two or three other guys who else did they really have? And to say we can do worse this year is just showing his lack of research and knowlege apperently because we made anumber of improvements and added alot of talent and a good QB. It will be very hard for us to be worse than last year. Ill defenatley have more than one laugh at this guy when its said and done, one for the fact that he even wrote this and then the fact that he is gonna be wrong about the whole thing. This guy hust seems to be a biast who really knows nothing about any other teams besides the one or ones he likes. It definatley shows in his writing.

[Smonroe]

Well apparently we have "no hope in sight."

That's the one thing in the article that was dead wrong. We can all debate how good or bad the team will be, but I think most of us definitely have hope, and it's in sight.

[weslo1812]

Eveyone seem to think that having a bunch of big name players or a whole buch of the most talented players is how we will become a winning team. Its not really about that. It about players that will work hard every day and learn thier positions, be dedicated and put it all out on the feild come game day. You dont have to have a buch of talent or big name players to be able to win at all.Not saying you dont need any because you could definatley use some in a couple in certian positions. An old saying that can be very true " Hard work outworks talent that doesn't work hard" We have enoungh talent and expirenced players to win 7-8 games it's a matter of how they learn and come together and if they really buy into this new system.

[Fx Stryker]

A lot of people felt we were a fluke, mostly because of how bad the defense was in 2006. But we did win 14 games that year. If we don't have two fluke turnovers against the Chargers, and if our pass rush was still in tact, we could have beat the Pats.

I was waiting for that playoff game. It would have felt so good to make them 17-1. They hardly pulled away from us in week 9.

Also the Chargers didn't beat us in either game that year. We beat ourselves.

[Superman]

Lets just be honest right here...1 injury could put us back to 2-14 again...don't kid yourself. If Luck goes down while I believe Stanton is way better than Painter and we have a more balanced offensive game plan I don't think winning more than 2 games is very likely without Luck. Even if we was to lose Mathis or Freeney we would be seriously wounded. We are a thin team with very few assets. While I don't think there is anything we couldn't overcome it would make a steep climb up the mountain into basically a deadly accent of Mount Everest.

Now with Luck and a healthy team I am not going to put numbers on anything. I just want to see a competitive team on the field. 1/2 the games last year were not competitive IMO. If we keep games close and show a good fight I am ok with the same record but I do believe 4 wins is my middle ground mark. Over and I think the season is a success...under and I would consider that things didn't go well overall. (perhaps some areas could)

This guys article was poorly written but the reason people believe this is because it is true. People can use crappy facts and logic but still get to the right conclusion. That is what I think as well. I believe we will be picking in the top 10 next year unless basically the perfect stroke of luck happens...

Fact is we had the worst team in football last year. Across the board we are still down at the bottom level of talent...not much better than Miami or Minnesota but perhaps on par with Jacksonville and Cleveland and St. Louis. Games aren't played on paper so that is why we have a good chance to be better than most believe. I believe that this team can be greater than the sum of its parts. We have some good leaders on it and that to me usually bodes well. I think confidence and avoiding key injuries will be a big key to how the season goes. If Luck and the team get early confidence with success and/or wins I think it can carry over. We have an early schedule that lends itself to us winning a few early games and perhaps that gets us rolling but if not...there is little left to be hopeful of come later on because after our bye and pretty much the first half of the season we hit very difficult games.

My conclusion. Poorly written and thought out article...but the conclusion is still accurate. We very well could be in the #1 draft slot again...though 0-16 and 2-14 look unlikely.

All good thoughts.

I can rephrase my injury comment. I think key injuries (like Luck, mostly) would be devastating, but anyone else and I think we could get by. The defense we'll be running is really designed to manufacture a pass rush, so even without top notch playmakers, you can still cause trouble. It would obviously hurt to lose Freeney or Mathis, but I think we could make up for it. (That begs the question: Why would we pay Freeney $14 million for one season?)

I don't think we are as talent bare as we're made out to be, quite honestly. Teams like Cleveland and Jacksonville have one, maybe two really good players. I think we have five or six, legitimately -- Freeney, Mathis, Wayne, Bethea, Powers, and Luck, presumably. We have a top five kicker and punter, both of which can significantly affect a game. There's the borderline guys who can have a significant impact any given Sunday -- Collie, Angerer, Brown (huge plays in the Titans game), etc. If Fleener and Hilton give us contributions, that's even more. This is all optimistic, of course, especially with the rookies.

As FJC said, worst-case scenario could look just like the writer says, and I'm not saying I mind having a top pick in the draft again. But I'd prefer us take some tangible steps toward contention this season. I'd rather a 6 or 7 win team and the 10th pick in the draft than a 2 or 3 win season and a top three pick.

[Smonroe]

Eveyone seem to think that having a bunch of big name players or a whole buch of the most talented players is how we will become a winning team. Its not really about that. It about players that will work hard every day and learn thier positions, be dedicated and put it all out on the feild come game day. You dont have to have a buch of talent or big name players to be able to win at all.Not saying you dont need any because you could definatley use some in a couple in certian positions. An old saying that can be very true " Hard work outworks talent that doesn't work hard" We have enoungh talent and expirenced players to win 7-8 games it's a matter of how they learn and come together and if they really buy into this new system.

I don't think too many Colts fan feel that way. I hope not, because we don't have too many big name players. Three or four pro bowl caliber players (Reggie, DF, Mathis, Bethea... am I missing anyone?) won't exactly make the fans feel over confident.

This team could be anywhere from a wildcard to a 2 win team. Anyone's guess at this point.

[dgambill]

All good thoughts.

I can rephrase my injury comment. I think key injuries (like Luck, mostly) would be devastating, but anyone else and I think we could get by. The defense we'll be running is really designed to manufacture a pass rush, so even without top notch playmakers, you can still cause trouble. It would obviously hurt to lose Freeney or Mathis, but I think we could make up for it. (That begs the question: Why would we pay Freeney $14 million for one season?)

I don't think we are as talent bare as we're made out to be, quite honestly. Teams like Cleveland and Jacksonville have one, maybe two really good players. I think we have five or six, legitimately -- Freeney, Mathis, Wayne, Bethea, Powers, and Luck, presumably. We have a top five kicker and punter, both of which can significantly affect a game. There's the borderline guys who can have a significant impact any given Sunday -- Collie, Angerer, Brown (huge plays in the Titans game), etc. If Fleener and Hilton give us contributions, that's even more. This is all optimistic, of course, especially with the rookies.

As FJC said, worst-case scenario could look just like the writer says, and I'm not saying I mind having a top pick in the draft again. But I'd prefer us take some tangible steps toward contention this season. I'd rather a 6 or 7 win team and the 10th pick in the draft than a 2 or 3 win season and a top three pick.

Those teams have very very good defenses...and running games. They basically have a philosophy of football and are just trying to get better in other areas. They both play smash mouth defense and run it down your throat offense. Now if the qb play improves (and they have both addressed wr and qbs) they will continue to get better. Basically they HAVE AN IDENTITY. We don't. Not yet....hopefully we will. We did with Peyton and hopefully we will carve out something this year but we don't know ourselves yet. That in and of itself I think gives those two teams an edge. Besides Jacksonville swept us and Cleveland beat us and yes I think we can be better than them but I'm not going to give us an edge until we see our team getting things done on the field.

Miami and Minnesota just look lost...no identity..to me. Rams...no real identity yet either..so I still think we are at the bottom of the pack...we still need things to go very right..and we drafted the best man for the job...just have to make it happen.

I agree we can work around Mathis or Freeney but I would be scared without a pass rush...just never seen us generate one without them...so it would hurt.

I don't know about the Freeney thing. I have mixed feelings but they honestly must think they can make it work. Thats a lot of money but then again we already will have the most cap space next year as it is so perhaps they think it is worth it for competitive reasons and to put butts in the seats. I really don't care either way. Personally everyone here knows I would have handled things differently and Freeney a long with those other injured vets would have been the cap casualties instead of Peyton. That said I wouldn't be mad if they saved that money to find younger talent and sign people next year and just bite the bullett this year but I also understand in giving him a chance to prove himself or make this defense still better. I am just resigned to it now...that they believe in Dwight and what he can bring so I will just have to trust them...like I am that letting Peyton go is ok.
I have real doubts but I think keeping Dwight isn't as bad as letting Peyton walk.

[dgambill]

WOW!! What an *!! "No Hope" Hahahaha what kinda joke is this guy? first off saying were less talented then the panthers of last year right now is an absolute lie. Yes alot of our talent is young but as of right now and what we have and what the panthers had last year with Newton we have alot more talent than them. They had Smith, Newton and maybe two or three other guys who else did they really have? And to say we can do worse this year is just showing his lack of research and knowlege apperently because we made anumber of improvements and added alot of talent and a good QB. It will be very hard for us to be worse than last year. Ill defenatley have more than one laugh at this guy when its said and done, one for the fact that he even wrote this and then the fact that he is gonna be wrong about the whole thing. This guy hust seems to be a biast who really knows nothing about any other teams besides the one or ones he likes. It definatley shows in his writing.

Carolina has one of the best offensive lines in football..two studdly running backs in Stewart and Williams and two above avg TEs in Olson and Shockey...and yes Steve Smith. I will say though that team way over-achieved and goes to show certainly we could have that kind of success if the season goes perfectly.

That said Cam Newton was the reason that team was as good as they were...and Cam Newton straight up balled last year....like no one thought he would....I had no clue he could play like that...that said I don't think Luck can or will play to that level...heck I don't know if Cam can play to that level again. We will see though. That said that offense was definately better than ours. We have no where near that kind of running attack nor do we have a receiver of Steve Smiths speed or skill.

[Superman]

Those teams have very very good defenses...and running games. They basically have a philosophy of football and are just trying to get better in other areas. They both play smash mouth defense and run it down your throat offense. Now if the qb play improves (and they have both addressed wr and qbs) they will continue to get better. Basically they HAVE AN IDENTITY. We don't. Not yet....hopefully we will. We did with Peyton and hopefully we will carve out something this year but we don't know ourselves yet. That in and of itself I think gives those two teams an edge. Besides Jacksonville swept us and Cleveland beat us and yes I think we can be better than them but I'm not going to give us an edge until we see our team getting things done on the field.

Those teams have run-heavy offenses because they suck at quarterback, and have for so long. Not taking anything away from MJD, as he's obviously a guy you'd give touches to, but I don't think they want him running the ball 343 times. And their defenses are good, but not because they have a lot of talent. Maybe I'm underselling them, but I think we're better at end and safety than both of those teams, and by a long shot. Maybe they have a linebacker or a corner I'd covet, but I don't think their defenses are stocked with good players.

Miami and Minnesota just look lost...no identity..to me. Rams...no real identity yet either..so I still think we are at the bottom of the pack...we still need things to go very right..and we drafted the best man for the job...just have to make it happen.

Miami is a mess, but they DO have good players. The question is whether management can get out of it's own way. And the Rams, I think, are less talented than us, but have a proven coach (I'm not a big Fisher fan, but he's done some things), and some promising youngsters. Plus they just signed Finnegan, and drafted two highly rated corners.

I agree we can work around Mathis or Freeney but I would be scared without a pass rush...just never seen us generate one without them...so it would hurt.

I definitely don't want to see it happen, but I think the staff could handle it much better than we would have under the previous regime. Those two guys have the rare ability to beat blockers multiple times each game, making it necessary to be double-teamed. Can't just "next man up" when your scheme relies on them to do what they do, considering most players aren't nearly as talented. The new scheme can design a pass rush that will influence the offense, with or without elite pass rushers. Suggs isn't as good a pass rusher as either of our guys, but has 25 sacks in the last two seasons.

I don't know about the Freeney thing. I have mixed feelings but they honestly must think they can make it work. Thats a lot of money but then again we already will have the most cap space next year as it is so perhaps they think it is worth it for competitive reasons and to put butts in the seats. I really don't care either way. Personally everyone here knows I would have handled things differently and Freeney a long with those other injured vets would have been the cap casualties instead of Peyton. That said I wouldn't be mad if they saved that money to find younger talent and sign people next year and just bite the bullett this year but I also understand in giving him a chance to prove himself or make this defense still better. I am just resigned to it now...that they believe in Dwight and what he can bring so I will just have to trust them...like I am that letting Peyton go is ok.
I have real doubts but I think keeping Dwight isn't as bad as letting Peyton walk.

I'm not one that thinks we should push Freeney out the door. I'm actually getting more and more excited about seeing him in the new defense. But I think it would be prudent to do something with his contract before the season starts. Not because of cap space, now or later, but because of real dollars. We could extend him this offseason, and if he doesn't work out, release him next offseason, and basically spend the same amount of money as we're going to, including his signing bonus. It's just the smart move, I think.

[weslo1812]

Carolina has one of the best offensive lines in football..two studdly running backs in Stewart and Williams and two above avg TEs in Olson and Shockey...and yes Steve Smith. I will say though that team way over-achieved and goes to show certainly we could have that kind of success if the season goes perfectly.

That said Cam Newton was the reason that team was as good as they were...and Cam Newton straight up balled last year....like no one thought he would....I had no clue he could play like that...that said I don't think Luck can or will play to that level...heck I don't know if Cam can play to that level again. We will see though. That said that offense was definately better than ours. We have no where near that kind of running attack nor do we have a receiver of Steve Smiths speed or skill.

I definatley think we have a reciver equal with his skill in Rggie Wayne maybe not speed but Reggie does everything else just as well. Reggie will still be very effective within 15 yards, I am pretty sure of that. Id say he could have 75-90 receptions 1200-1300 Yds and 8 Tds. Austin collie is also pretty good granted he's not fast either but has solid routes, deceptive bursts of speed and good hands. He could have 700-800 yds this season and 6-8 Tds. As Long as Avery is healthy we could have a dynamic speed option and then add hilton as a second posssible dynamo in the slot along with two good TE were gonna have a fair amount of weapons. Donald brown can be good if just gets proper blocking thats whats holding him back. And Luck well if he get good Blocking this year he is gonna put up numbers because he very talented and may not be as moble but is alot more polished overall than newton is. But alot of this will rely on our health and if that offensive line comes together.

Defense well that right now is a toss up to me.

[betheafan41]

I dont see how people can think the colts cant win atleast 5 or 6 games even with the team we have.

Minnesota
Cleveland
Miami
Jax -atleast one game given they do not necesarily have an offense away from MJD.

should beat tenn and houston atleast once. especially houston given the way they scheduled the colts and texans in playing each other. by week 14 the texans should already be seeded in their spot perminantly, so the last game at home against houston we should not see schaub (given his injury history) foster or andre johnson on offense but maybe a qtr or a half. if the colts can stay with in a TD of houston at the half they should win it. and Tenn. they should atleast take one from them.

I say they win minimum of 5 games and at most 7 games this year. and that is basing it off of close games they lost and the two games they won last year with no proven QB and a below average oline along with a below average defense.

[Gavin]

Certainly 5-6 wins is possible, who knows after that but as long as they compete and show growth and look better then they did last year as a team then Im ok with whatever record they wind up with

[Fx Stryker]

I just want to remind everyone how we rationalized that we were capable of 7-11 wins last year with the current roster at the time. Then by week 3 came, and we all knew it was going to be a long season.

Let's see them play first.

[dgambill]

Well I guess I'm just being cautious. Especially since all the teams people expect us to beat this year beat us last year...including Jacksonville sweeping us. Division games are always tough. I wouldn't be so sure Houston has it wrapped up by the time we see them either especially with a first place schedule...I think Tennessee will surprise a lot of people. We have never been able to slow down Jacksonville's run game and now that they have legitimate threats at wideout they are becoming more well rounded. Cleveland upgraded at QB and RB and continue to have a tough tough defense. All I am saying is NOTHING will come easy to us. There is not a single game on the schedule I see us as more than a touchdown favorite. Minnesota and Miami I expect us to win but wouldn't be shocked if we didn't.

I just don't think the belief that we will be a last place team in our division is baseless. I believe we will win more games than they expect but I don't blame them for believing that. Everything changes when the new season starts but in my mind we have a lot to prove after being the worst team in the league. I know they say everyone is 0-0 but until we win games in my mind we are the worst team in the league and the Giants are still the champs.

[AustinCollie17]

Yeah, I always like being underestimated & left for dead myself. It makes all the sports gurus look like fools as they scratch their head trying to explain sheer disbelief.

Right and then they try and backtrack and say this was my team all along

[Gavin]

We will just have to wait and see if they are right, if people were to look at it objectively, they would see position by position

Quarterback-a rookie who it seems to have all the skills just has to gain experience, projects to be a franchise player

Running Back-will our #1 running back please stand up? thats going to be a committee job, also it should be noted how well they do also depends on a great deal how well our O Line is at opening up holes and running lanes

Two Tight Ends-promising, athletic, has speed but unproven

Wide Receivers- Reggie is still very good but not a deep threat, Collie is good but not a deep threat, Avery is a deep threat but can he stay healthy, TY Hilton talented deep threat but can he stay healthy

Left Tackle-Castonzo I hope shows much improvement from last year or Luck has no chance

we dont even know who our starting Guards will be

Center-Satele-that looks set, a physical road grader who is good at pass blocking as well

Right Tackle-Justice had promise coming out of college but hasnt lived up to it

Defensive End- Cory Redding, knows Paganos system and is talented, Moala-who I thought was a defensive end all along has a chance to prove he can play-Im optimistic he will show better as a defensive end

Nose Tackle-If Chapman is healthy and has all the strength in the ACL then we should be fine their but hes also a rookie

Outside Linebackers Freeney and Mathis, excellent at defensive end and will be pass rushing most of time could prove to be great in the 3-4 or a flop

Middle Linebacker-Angerer, we are set their it appears, among the league leaders in tackles, plays with intensity and looks to be a tackling machine

Corners-a HUGE weakness and I dont look for alot of improvement their this year, Powers is decent but a #2, Thomas is a nickel Corner at best in my opinion

we have talent but alot of unproven players but also lack some talent at some key positions