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: 2-14 (worst in NFL)
Best addition: JaMarcus Russell (QB, No. 1 overall pick out of LSU)
Key personnel loss: Randy Moss (WR, Patriots)
2007 outlook: If fans want to feel better about their team - no matter how bad it has been - they only need to be thankful they aren't Oakland fans. This team is a wreck and it doesn't appear that they are going in the right direction anytime soon. There is a lot of hope Russell will be the man who will return the Raiders to excellence, but the loss of Moss will be a huge blow to a mediocre offense.
Defensively the Raiders aren't much better as this unit is battling old age, along with all of the other struggles of facing opponents. Younger pieces such as Michael Huff and Kirk Morrison will be counted on to make an impact but it will be difficult to predict how the newest coaching regime will affect this unit despite the fact that D coordinator Rob Ryan has been retained. The Raiders should change their logo to a giant question mark.
Key to success: Success is not a possible option in 2007. Every team would like to believe they have a chance to put an unforgettable season together on the way to a Super Bowl win but the Raiders don't even have enough to have that dream. This year will be about getting Russell and other young players adjusted to the NFL in hopes of making a run at 2008.
Against Washington: Former Skins boss Norv Turner was trying to turn the Raiders around the last time these two teams met - which was two coaches ago. Turner actually got the better of his former squad in 2005, 16-13. These two teams do not meet in 2007.
Fantasy sleeper: Ronald Curry. In the past, Curry has teased fantasy owners with his spurts of TD's intermixed with times injured, having them thinking that if Curry stays healthy, he could be a valuable weapon. This year will be no different but if Curry stays healthy, he could be a valuable asset. Just don't put too much stock in his health and only select him late if tempted to take a chance.
Showing posts with label Randy Moss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Randy Moss. Show all posts
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
2007 Previews: New England Patriots
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 (12-4, AFC East champs)
Best additions: Randy Moss (WR, Raiders) and Adalius Thomas (LB, Ravens)
Key personnel loss: Cory Dillon (RB, retired)
2007 outlook: With an entirely new WR corp that includes the embattled Moss, nothing short of a Super Bowl will appear satisfactory in New England. And while Laurence Maroney will be on his own in the backfield with the retirement of Dillon, this offense seems loaded enough to make another deep playoff run at the least. The Patriots have to be considered a favorite to win the AFC as long as they have Tom Brady and he will probably have the best WR corp he's ever had.
A solid defensive team gets better with the addition of Thomas, but the continued holdout of Asante Samuel could leave a thin secondary exposed. After being tagged a franchise player, Samuel said he will sit out the first 10 games after he failed to reach a long term agreement with NE which means he may be ineffective for longer than that as he has to get back into playing shape once he shows up. Still, NE has enough weapons on defense to be able to hide a deficiency in the secondary.
Key to success: The Patriots went out and spent some serious money to upgrade positions they thought were week. If those new players struggle to fit into NE's mold, a promising season could get ugly in a hurry. They are likely to win the AFC East again regardless of what happens but their playoff run could be short if there are too many uncertainties late in the season.
Against Washington: The Patriots will host the Skins on Oct. 28, two week before the Patriots bye week and one week before NE faces Peyton Manning and the Colts, meaning Washington could potentially steal a game if the Skins can catch NE looking ahead a week.
Fantasy sleeper: Wes Welker. 1 of 4 WR's added this offseason, Welker could explode as the go-to guy when Moss and Dante Stallworth draw extra attention. Welker could lead the Patriots in receptions as he will likely fill a role similar to the one Art Monk filled in his days with the Posse, possession and outlet receiver. Welker could be a potential steal in the later rounds, provided he can turn his open looks underneath into long receptions and TD's.
Last year: 6-10 (12-4, AFC East champs)
Best additions: Randy Moss (WR, Raiders) and Adalius Thomas (LB, Ravens)
Key personnel loss: Cory Dillon (RB, retired)
2007 outlook: With an entirely new WR corp that includes the embattled Moss, nothing short of a Super Bowl will appear satisfactory in New England. And while Laurence Maroney will be on his own in the backfield with the retirement of Dillon, this offense seems loaded enough to make another deep playoff run at the least. The Patriots have to be considered a favorite to win the AFC as long as they have Tom Brady and he will probably have the best WR corp he's ever had.
A solid defensive team gets better with the addition of Thomas, but the continued holdout of Asante Samuel could leave a thin secondary exposed. After being tagged a franchise player, Samuel said he will sit out the first 10 games after he failed to reach a long term agreement with NE which means he may be ineffective for longer than that as he has to get back into playing shape once he shows up. Still, NE has enough weapons on defense to be able to hide a deficiency in the secondary.
Key to success: The Patriots went out and spent some serious money to upgrade positions they thought were week. If those new players struggle to fit into NE's mold, a promising season could get ugly in a hurry. They are likely to win the AFC East again regardless of what happens but their playoff run could be short if there are too many uncertainties late in the season.
Against Washington: The Patriots will host the Skins on Oct. 28, two week before the Patriots bye week and one week before NE faces Peyton Manning and the Colts, meaning Washington could potentially steal a game if the Skins can catch NE looking ahead a week.
Fantasy sleeper: Wes Welker. 1 of 4 WR's added this offseason, Welker could explode as the go-to guy when Moss and Dante Stallworth draw extra attention. Welker could lead the Patriots in receptions as he will likely fill a role similar to the one Art Monk filled in his days with the Posse, possession and outlet receiver. Welker could be a potential steal in the later rounds, provided he can turn his open looks underneath into long receptions and TD's.
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