The Surprise teams through 7 weeks of Football

[Saints-Tigers]

Dorsey is miscast as a 3-4 in that he'd be more effective as a 4-3 UT. He's so talented and powerful though, that it really doesn't matter if he's playing as a penetrator or a space eater.

[bsaza2358]

Note to Albert Haynesworth: Glenn Dorsey is getting it done...

[J255979-11nine]

Don't sleep on Seattle.

Are you suggesting I remain "Sleepless in Seattle"?



Wocka wocka wocka!!

[K Train]

while its not so much a "surprise" based on recent history most of you were mocking the steelers in the top 10 of the 2011 draft

[bsaza2358]

While it was possible that the Steelers could have missed the playoffs given Ben's suspension, I didn't think they'd be a top 10 candidate. Steelers being 5-1 is surprising, given the schedule and that Ben has started only 2 games.

[onejayhawk]

Very much agree. The Chiefs were converting to a 3-4 and finally have the personnel to run that D and the personnel that Haley wants to run his offense. Add in a weaker schedule, another year for the team to gel, and a solid 2009 and 2010 draft that included a lot of college team captains, and you have a team that is on the rise and is believing it is great.

The 2009 draft was poor. Tyson Jackson gets an injury incomplete, but the only player of import is Mr. Irrelevant, PK Ryan Succop. It was the 2008 draft under Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson that is the backbone of things.

Also note the Free agent signings in 2009 and 2010.
The starters:

WR Chris Chambers
C Casey Wiegmann
RG Ryan Lilja
RT Ryan O'Callaghan
RB Thomas Jones
ILB Jovan Belcher

Significant rotation players:

FB Tim Castille
DE Wallace Gilberry
DE Shaun Smith (these two covered Tyson Jackson's injury)
OLB Andy Studebaker

J

[onejayhawk]

Dorsey is miscast as a 3-4 in that he'd be more effective as a 4-3 UT. He's so talented and powerful though, that it really doesn't matter if he's playing as a penetrator or a space eater.

Glen Dorsey deserves Pro Bowl attention as a 3-4 DE. He is short for the part, but he's a beast anyway. The Steelers have a LB named Harrison who was mis cast in a 3-4...

J

[TitanHope]

If you would have told me before the season that the Titans would be the leader of the AFC South entering Week 8, with CJ averaging less than 100 YPG and VY basically missing 2 games, I would have made sweet, sweet love to you.

[yourfavestoner]

If you would have told me before the season that the Titans would be the leader of the AFC South entering Week 8, with CJ averaging less than 100 YPG and VY basically missing 2 games, I would have made sweet, sweet love to you.

I've believed in you guys the entire time!

[CashmoneyDrew]

I thought we were done after the Denver game.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Chiefs' 2008 Draft:

Glen Dorsey, DT (1st Round). Starting RDE.
Brandon Albert, OT (1st Round). Starting at LT
Brandon Flowers, CB (2nd Round). Starting CB
Jamaal Charles, RB (3rd Round). Splitting carries with Thomas Jones. Dynamic weapon.
DaJuan Morgan, S (4th Round). No longer on the roster.
William Franklin, WR (4th Round). No longer on the roster.
Brandon Carr, CB (5th Round). Starting CB.
Barry Richardson, OT (6th Round). Backup OLineman.
Kevin Robinson, WR (6th Round). No longer on the roster.
Brian Johnston, DE (7th Round). No longer on the roster.
Mike Merritt, TE (7th Round). No longer on the roster.

Getting 4 starters and 1 substantial contributor from 1 draft is impressive. Teams that excel have a tendency to do this by getting big time production from their draft picks. The Eagles 2002 draft included Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, Sheldon Brown, and Brian Westbrook. That core group helped that team win a ton of games.

The 06 draft from the Broncos got Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Tony Scheffler and Elvis Dumervil. That's 3 pro bowlers, including a sack champion, and a solid TE. I'm really excited for what that group can do moving forward.

:(

[TitanHope]

I've believed in you guys the entire time!

I know ya did, buddy! Like Peter Griffin, you were there!

And remember I'm a believer of the Jags...in the future! Fix that secondary and upgrade QB, and you guys are set. One draft can turn ya'll into a playoff team again! BELIEVE!!!

[Bucs_Rule]

If you would have told me before the season that the Titans would be the leader of the AFC South entering Week 8, with CJ averaging less than 100 YPG and VY basically missing 2 games, I would have made sweet, sweet love to you.

I sure hope your not the guy in your Avatar, or any guy for that matter.

[CashmoneyDrew]

Of course he's a guy. That's a preview of his "O" face.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

I sure hope your not the guy in your Avatar, or any guy for that matter.

You wouldn't have sex with Jemaine? WOW. The man is a lyrical genius.