Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.
Last year: 6-10 (fourth in AFC East)
Best additions: Joey Porter (LB, Steelers) and Trent Green (QB, Chiefs)
Key personnel loss: Wes Welker (WR, Patriots)
2007 outlook: Say what you will about Porter's last year in Pittsburgh and his lack of production, but any defense that boasts Porter, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas is a defense I would not want to face, even if most of the guys are on the downside of their careers. That trio, along with a decent supporting cast, would have Dolphins fans thinking playoffs if the offense wasn't in such a mess.
Other than Ronnie Brown and Chris Chambers (both of whom have their own struggles from time to time), the Dolphins have no other consistent weapons on offense, meaning this team will struggle to stay out of the AFC East cellar again this year. Now I am a John Beck fan and think he is an NFL-caliber QB based on his body of work at BYU, but I think he may be a year away from actually contributing something consistently. And with the Daunte Culpepper experiment lasting only one season and the Green era now underway, hopefully Beck will get that much needed year of learning on the sideline to adjust to the NFL.
Key to success: This season will ride entirely on the offense. If Green can somehow get steady production out of guys like Brown, Chambers and TE Randy McMichael, the Phins may actually be okay. The playoffs may still be a year away, but any progress towards a good season has to be encouraging for Phins fans.
Against Washington: The Skins will look to erase the disaster that was the 2006 season by posting a convincing win against the visiting Dolphins in the season opener. Of course Miami will be looking to do the same, so whichever team comes out on top may set the tone for a good season.
Fantasy sleeper: John Beck. Green is no spring chicken and after last year's horrific accident in which he missed most of the season, one has to wonder how long he can stay healthy this year. And with top level QB's always at a premium in fantasy play, Beck could provide a much anticipated boost if he is needed to come in at some point. And if the Dolphins 2007 begins to mirror 2006, look for them to get Beck some playing time so he can be ready to lead them to a winning season in 2008.
Showing posts with label John Beck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Beck. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, April 30, 2007
Think McFly, think
Did Joe Gibbs pay attention to his team last year or to who he was bringing back this season? The one GLARING, OBVIOUS (insert choice of adjective here) need on this team was to bolster the pass rush. And after not addressing the situation in free agency, it was obvious the Redskins would draft some defensive linemen here, wasn't it?
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
Apparently not. Already working with a depleted talent pool to select from in the fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, Washington added two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end to go with yesterday's only choice - LaRon Landry.
Nothing against Bennie Blades linebacker son H.B. Blades or Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer's brother Jordan Palmer - but WE NEED LINEMEN. Blades may actually be of some benefit as he can provide depth for a potential problem spot at inside linebacker, but did we really need to take a QB we will never use over a lineman who may have had a shot at the team?
I said yesterday that I don't want to question Gibbs, especially since he three Super Bowl titles should give him a free pass at judgment with moves this time of the year, but I sure hope he knows something we don't otherwise our LBs and DBs will be in for a REALLY long season.
I think the only team who was more confused than the Skins this weekend was the Miami Dolphins - who passes on Brady Quinn in Round 1 for Ted Ginn in Round 1 and John Beck in Round 2? In fact I think Mel Kiper summed up Miami's first day perfectly:
"The Miami Dolphins taking Ted Ginn Jr. was ridiculous. Not only did they have QB Quinn staring them in the face, but they weren't going to have to trade up to get him. I understand Miami took QB John Beck in the second round, but Beck is not better than Quinn. Those two QBs will be measured against one another as time goes on."
Since I am too frustrated to talk about this mockery of a draft, here is Sports Illustrated's breakdown on the Skins thought process. And here are Kiper's grades for each team, and what he specifically said about the Skins:
"GRADE: C-
Washington had only one pick in the first four rounds and made the most of it, getting Laron Landry. (You could argue Landry was the best defensive player in the draft). Drafting Landry will allow Sean Taylor to play center field and roam the middle of the field. Landry will be in the box, and that will negate his weakness, which is playing judging the deep ball. In the fifth round, the Redskins took an average linebacker in Dallas Sartz; linebacker HB Blades was decent sixth-round pick although a bit undersized; and QB Jordan Palmer never really emerged as potential starter."
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