Who's your Sleepers?

[FUNBUNCHER]

Originally Posted by OSUGiants17

I've been saying that all season long. I think if Cutler stays healthy they're a SB threat, but that's a big if with their OL. I love that they gave him some legit WRs and got Forte a backup, but they need Forte to actually play and to keep Cutler healthy. Like I said, they do that and they're easily a playoff team.

Cutler healthy for 16 games with Brandon Marshall added to their WR corps makes the Bears a threat all season long, including the post season. It's all about being able to dress their top playmakers on both sides of the football for the Bears. Before Cutler got hurt, they were one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL.

There are so many teams with a chance this season to make noise. Matt Flynn is going to win at least 10 games in Seattle. How good can the Bengals be in with AJ Green and Andy Dalton in their sophomore seasons??

I don't think there's an overwhelming favorite in the NFC South, I like Tampa Bay to rebound in a big way in 2012 but when you think how many games the Panthers were leading late into the 4th quarter they could make a strong push for the playoffs this year.

I can't remember the last time there were this many good teams on paper in the NFL.

If Matt Cassel isn't asked to win games for the Chiefs and instead asked just to make the offense efficient, I think their defense can carry them.
I think the Eagles rebound on defense and challenge for the NFCE title, assuming again if Vick stays healthy.

The SKins sleeper will be former Nebraska WR now converted to TE Niles Paul. Shanahan sees him a role similar to SHannon Sharpe.

If Eli wins another SB this year, he's in the HOF right now.

[WCH]

The Packers have this UDFA WR in camp, Dale Moss. He's a basketball player who didn't play football until last season, but he got better in each game and looked pretty good by the end of the season. The kid is 6'3", he has something like a 42" vertical jump, and he had the fastest 3-cone time I've ever heard of. It was stupid fast; a couple tenths of a second faster than fast. NFLDraftScout reports it as 6.35, which is already outstanding, but I've read that people have timed the guy in the high 6.1 range. As you guys know, that's kind of like running a 3.9 40 yard dash. It's just silly.



I'm surprised that he wasn't drafted, and I have no idea how Green Bay can fit him on the 53 man roster because they're already ridiculously deep at WR, but he's going to make some noise over the next few years. "Speed Kills" and whatnot.

[jrdrylie]

Tennessee Titans- Jake Locker showed a lot in his limited playing time last year. He should be the starter this year and will be an upgrade to Hasselbeck. I think Chris Johnson has a rebound year. Hopefully Kenny Britt comes back fully healthy. If he does, the offense could be quite dangerous. They should go 4-2 in Division. Unfortunately, the rest of the schedule is kind of tough. Their three easiest games are Miami, Minnesota, and the Jets. Let's assume 2-1 there. Can they get four wins from New England, San Deigo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Green Bay to make the playoffs?

Buffalo Bills- They were well on their way to the playoffs before Fitzpatrick was injured. They made great improvements to the defense and I think the offense will be decent. Like the Titans, I think they'll go 4-2 in the division. Luckily, their schedule is a bit easier. Games against Kansas City, Cleveland, Arizona, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, St. Louis, and Seattle should net five wins. They would only need to beat one of San Francisco, Tennessee, or Houston to make the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys- It's hard to call "America's Team" a sleeper. But the Giants won the Super Bowl and the Eagles get more hype. But I think Dallas is the team that comes out of this division on top. In fact, I think the Cowboys will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

I've seen a lot of hype for Brandon LaFell too.

[Docta]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

The Bears have 6 players that they can not afford to lose, Cutler, Forte, Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher and Gould. These guys make their whole team go and without them they'll fall apart. Other teams have a irreplaceable players but no one that I can think of has as many as the Bears and thus no one is as dependent on good luck with injuries. You look at the Pats, they can afford to lose anyone except for Brady and Wilfork, the Giants can survive anyone but Eli or Phillips, the Packers have only Rodgers and Clay as their irreplaceable, even the Lions only have Stafford and Megatron. So the Bears are may be an excellent team when healthy, they're one of the riskest good teams in the NFL.

They signed Jason Campbell as a back-up. He may not be starter material, but he's above average, and definitely better than Caleb Hanie and Josh McCown.

[OSUGiants17]

Campbell would be fine for a few games, but anything more than that and you can forget about doing any damage in the playoffs.

[San Diego Chicken]

Nobody's really talking about the Vikings. I usually look at DL and QB first when I asses a team. They still have pro bowlers on that line, and I like Ponder enough to where I believe he can guide that offense. Plus, I think they upgraded the most of any team out of that division in the draft. The two first rounders addresses their biggest problem areas on offense and defense.

[Caulibflower]

Originally Posted by WCH

The Packers have this UDFA WR in camp, Dale Moss. He's a basketball player who didn't play football until last season, but he got better in each game and looked pretty good by the end of the season. The kid is 6'3", he has something like a 42" vertical jump, and he had the fastest 3-cone time I've ever heard of. It was stupid fast; a couple tenths of a second faster than fast. NFLDraftScout reports it as 6.35, which is already outstanding, but I've read that people have timed the guy in the high 6.1 range. As you guys know, that's kind of like running a 3.9 40 yard dash. It's just silly.

The numbers sure are pretty, but I gotta say - the guy is getting caught from behind playing FCS football, and despite the crazy 3-cone he doesn't make anyone miss. I didn't really see any ability at all to run after the catch. Call him raw, I guess, but I didn't see an NFL prospect while watching that video.

[ATLDirtyBirds]

He's no Cody Pearcy, that's for damn sure.

[gpngc]

Originally Posted by San Diego Chicken

Nobody's really talking about the Vikings. I usually look at DL and QB first when I asses a team. They still have pro bowlers on that line, and I like Ponder enough to where I believe he can guide that offense. Plus, I think they upgraded the most of any team out of that division in the draft. The two first rounders addresses their biggest problem areas on offense and defense.

If I wasn't a big detractor of Ponder I'd like them as a surprise team. Their secondary sucks but the defense shouldn't be that bad. They just play against some tough offenses.

[bigbluedefense]

Division. The Vikings play in a killer division. That's the problem.

[Mufasa]

Originally Posted by San Diego Chicken

Nobody's really talking about the Vikings. I usually look at DL and QB first when I asses a team. They still have pro bowlers on that line, and I like Ponder enough to where I believe he can guide that offense. Plus, I think they upgraded the most of any team out of that division in the draft. The two first rounders addresses their biggest problem areas on offense and defense.

No they don't. They have one. Jared Allen is still one of the best 4-3 DEs in the league. The rest of the line isn't that impressive. Kevin Williams is nowhere near the player he once was and Robison is decent, but nothing special.

[WCH]

I probably should have been more clear. When I said that Dale Moss will make some noise, I meant "He'll eventually play on Sundays and will show up on a few ESPN and Youtube highlights." I didn't mean "He's the next James Lofton."

[Brown Leader]

Broncos. ...with the rookie at QB.

I'll 2nd the Bills. That offense will easily be top 10.

Rams. The Fisher approach will do wonders.

Bengals. Losing Simpson and Benson will actually hurt but they've got top 5 types on both offense/defense.

Colts. I like Pagano but they'll be just as bad.

[Gay Ork Wang]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

The Bears have 6 players that they can not afford to lose, Cutler, Forte, Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher and Gould. These guys make their whole team go and without them they'll fall apart. Other teams have a irreplaceable players but no one that I can think of has as many as the Bears and thus no one is as dependent on good luck with injuries. You look at the Pats, they can afford to lose anyone except for Brady and Wilfork, the Giants can survive anyone but Eli or Phillips, the Packers have only Rodgers and Clay as their irreplaceable, even the Lions only have Stafford and Megatron. So the Bears are may be an excellent team when healthy, they're one of the riskest good teams in the NFL.

meh, we can work without Forte if hard comes to hard. Bush is a decent option and as long as we have Cutler i have faith.

Peppers and Urlacher we cant miss. But Briggs, while an incredible player and playmaker, will not make or break the season. Same for robbie gould. They hurt as hell, but we wont be a **** team if anyone of them are injured

[ChiFan24]

Originally Posted by Rosebud

The Bears have 6 players that they can not afford to lose, Cutler, Forte, Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher and Gould. These guys make their whole team go and without them they'll fall apart. Other teams have a irreplaceable players but no one that I can think of has as many as the Bears and thus no one is as dependent on good luck with injuries. You look at the Pats, they can afford to lose anyone except for Brady and Wilfork, the Giants can survive anyone but Eli or Phillips, the Packers have only Rodgers and Clay as their irreplaceable, even the Lions only have Stafford and Megatron. So the Bears are may be an excellent team when healthy, they're one of the riskest good teams in the NFL.

I'd say it's more like Cutler, Peppers, Urlacher and Briggs. But yeah, you're mostly right on.

[Rosebud]

Originally Posted by ChiFan24

I'd say it's more like Cutler, Peppers, Urlacher and Briggs. But yeah, you're mostly right on.

Yeah, I think one of Forte or Gould you could survive for a little while, but to make a real Superbowl run I think you absolutely need to have at least 5 of these 6 guys out there, which is a lot more than most other contenders, which is why I think the bears are one of the toughest teams to predict. They could win that division, or barely hold off Minnesota, and I wouldn't be surprised.

[Monomach]

Originally Posted by *** Ork Wang

The OL is not that bad.

Sure, and fire isn't all that hot.

You're not fooling anyone with that.

[jrdrylie]

Originally Posted by Monomach

Sure, and fire isn't all that hot.

You're not fooling anyone with that.

I think the offensive line will be better this year. It's still going to be below-average. But I have faith in Mike Tice that he can it into something at least serviceable.

[Grizzlegom]

For the Phins, I expect Brian Hartline to have a big season in the new offense. On defense, I expect Jared Odrick to take another step forward and have a big season.

Some other players from around the league I like include Jordan Cameron, O'Brien Schofield, Kendrick Lewis, and (dare I say) DHB.

[EvilNixon]

Oakland Raiders might have a top 5 passing offense if healthy

1300+ yards for Darrius Heyward Bey...you heard it here first.

10+ sacks for Matt Shaugnessy too.

[Pat Sims 90]

Originally Posted by EvilNixon

Oakland Raiders might have a top 5 passing offense if healthy

1300+ yards for Darrius Heyward Bey...you heard it here first.

10+ sacks for Matt Shaugnessy too.

If the Raiders throw the ball that much Carson will easily lead the league in INTs.

[vidae]

Originally Posted by EvilNixon

Oakland Raiders might have a top 5 passing offense if healthy

1300+ yards for Darrius Heyward Bey...you heard it here first.

10+ sacks for Matt Shaugnessy too.

Oh lawd.

Originally Posted by Pat Sims 90

If the Raiders throw the ball that much Carson will easily lead the league in INTs.

The Chiefs DBs hope they throw it that much.

[Scotty D]

Well I don't know about all that but Denarius Moore is going to beast all over the NFL next year.

[ChiFan24]

Originally Posted by EvilNixon

Oakland Raiders might have a top 5 passing offense if healthy

1300+ yards for Darrius Heyward Bey...you heard it here first.

10+ sacks for Matt Shaugnessy too.

Well no, that's definitely not going to happen.