Teams That Are Locks To Be Worse in ‘04
This is version 1. We’ll take another look at this as the offseason moves along (draft, June 1 releases, preseason performance and injuries)
Chiefs: Vermeil sat on his hands during the FA period. We’ll call this “Vermeil Syndrom”.
Colts: Manning’s contract induced a nasty case of Vermeil syndrom. Only 13 teams gave up 21 or more points last year; Thanks to inconsistency, the Colts were one of them. That won’t change without some defensive upgrades.
Dolphins: A reworked O line, a lack of QB leadership and head case David Boston.
Packers: Another team suffering from Vermeil Syndrom. This is also the year that Favre can’t play through an injury. Even a healthy Favre can’t carry a team anymore and he has no WR help.
Panthers: Were uninspiring last year on offense, and lost more than they’ve gained on that side of the ball this offseason.
Patriots: Been growing unrest in the locker room as players find out what a no class jerk Bill Belichick really is. Kind of hard to build the kind of team unity the Pats depend on when players are starting to doubt the coach and the organization. They also downgraded their D line when they replaced Washington with Traylor.
Rams: Their weak D when unaddressed and with the loss of Grant Wistrom may even be worse than it was last year. Add that the drastically declining Faulk and the never-ending soap opera that is their offense.
Steelers: Cowher needs a couple years away from football, because his system has been collapsing around him and he doesn’t seem to notice. Bettis should have retired a couple years ago and Staley is only slightly better. Neither back will fix the Steelers’ running woes.
Titans: Eddie George.
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Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, NFL, New England Patriots, Opinion, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans
Comments (2)
I'll be surprised if Dungy ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Jeff | April 18, 2004 10:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'll be surprised if Dungy doesn't upgrade the Colts' D this offseason through the draft and landing a veteran or two.
1. Posted by Jeff | April 18, 2004 10:33 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 18, 2004 22:33
2. Posted by Tom | April 19, 2004 12:47 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Regarding the Colts possibly upgrading through post June 1 free agency and the draft, sure, that's possible.
I doubt they'll get much immediate help from the draft, considering their draft position, but it's possible they'll hook up with a quality vet just prior to camp.
I don't believe they will be able to land anyone who willl make a heavy impact on their D, but it could happen. We'll have to wait and see, and of course, write more about it as things unwind between now and then.
2. Posted by Tom | April 19, 2004 12:47 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 19, 2004 00:47