Sports Betting
NFC Feature: The Detroit Lions
Out of the NFC Central come rumblings of greatness out of Detroit, and many experts out there are making the prediction that the Detroit Lions can win this division over the Packers, where it could be Brett Farve's last year, the Vikings without Randy Moss, and the up surging but once again injury depleted Bears. The Black and Blue division of football I call it, and all eyes will be on QB Joey Harrington to see if he can lead a high octane offense led in the West Coast style by head coach Steve Mariucci in 2005. Lets break down this team and weigh their chances.
OFFENSE: There is no doubt about the potential on offense, and an insurance policy of sorts in QB Jeff Garcia was picked up in free agency this summer, from the Browns, whom he started for last season. This adds some depth and experience at the QB position, and of course Garcia was Mariucci's boy when he was at San Francisco. An intense training camp battle is in place, but I feel Harrington is going to win it, he has mobility and a great arm, and a serious triple threat at WR in Charles Rodgers, rookie Mike Williams, and Roy Williams. These three amigo's are all 1st rounders with speed, size and talent like none other in this division, and maybe all of football, but experience is lacking for a full season, so it will be trial and error. This passing attack, with either Harrington or Garcia will be a big play threat, especially on the turf in the dome on a fast track. Running back Kevin Jones, a newcomer last year, managed 117 yards per game his last 7 games, and if that continues behind veteran fullback Cory Schlesinger, this offense could be dangerous and potent with any balance to it at all. The tight end position is also solid and deep with Pollard, Alexander and FitzSimmons. The skill positions are loaded and deep. This offense ranked 24 th in the NFL last year, I expect them to be a Top 10 offense in 2005.
The offensive line is above average led by all world Jeff Backus at left tackle, but they have some questions on the right side. Look for center Dominic Raiola to come out of his shell this year and be a key player on the line. All in all, with some time to gel, and an experienced QB waiting in the wings if Harrington becomes inconsistent, this offense could put up 27 ppg or more this year.
DEFENSE: No matter how much you can score, if you cannot stop the opponent, you cannot win the big one, just ask the Colts about that scenario. The good news is the front four is young and talented and will be better in 2005, led by Shawn Rodgers at tackle. The rush ends have improved and can move around quickly and shift to inside stunts in their schemes with ease. They rotate 3 guys in here, and Cory Redding, James Hall and Kalimba Edwards are a formidable force in pass rush situations. The linebackers are young and fast, and look for Teddy Lehman to step up on the weakside as Boss Bailey off an injury last year to step in the middle. This unit is also excellent in zone pass coverage. The secondary is rock solid with Holt at safety and Dry Bly and Fernando Bryant at cover corners, and they are also deep here with numerous speedsters in the wings. These guys have no trouble in man-to-man coverage and in a 2 deep cover, they are excellent. All players are big time hitters and have no fear in playing guys straight up. This defense has the potential to be the best in the division, and a Top 12 in the NFL this year.
INTANGIBLES: The special teams are awesome with all world returner Eddie Drummond wreaking havoc all over the place, veteran Jason Hanson at kicker and Nick Harris at punter, who was 2nd in the NFL at dropping it inside the 20 yard line last year. This unit is solid and Hanson rarely misses a field goal inside of 45 yards.
If you look at Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron (defense) and Ted Tollner (offense) as the top 3 coaches, you have 55 years of NFL experience at the helm, and with a young team, that is a big advantage in motivation and expertise. Add in the skill position players and the solid foundations on the lines and this team is poised to win this division, and make a possible run at the playoffs, and a wildcard is well within reason. Opening with Green Bay and closing at Pittsburgh this year, there is no doubt that the Lions will have to put up points this season to compete at a high level, and if it clicks on offense, with the depth they have, the Lions are my pick to win the NFC Central and make the playoffs this season. Mark my words, they open with a win at home against Green Bay in Week 1 of the NFL regular season, and that is crucial is setting the tone for the season.
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Out of the NFC Central come rumblings of greatness out of Detroit, and many experts out there are making the prediction that the Detroit Lions can win this division over the Packers, where it could be Brett Farve's last year, the Vikings without Randy Moss, and the up surging but once again injury depleted Bears. The Black and Blue division of football I call it, and all eyes will be on QB Joey Harrington to see if he can lead a high octane offense led in the West Coast style by head coach Steve Mariucci in 2005. Lets break down this team and weigh their chances.
OFFENSE: There is no doubt about the potential on offense, and an insurance policy of sorts in QB Jeff Garcia was picked up in free agency this summer, from the Browns, whom he started for last season. This adds some depth and experience at the QB position, and of course Garcia was Mariucci's boy when he was at San Francisco. An intense training camp battle is in place, but I feel Harrington is going to win it, he has mobility and a great arm, and a serious triple threat at WR in Charles Rodgers, rookie Mike Williams, and Roy Williams. These three amigo's are all 1st rounders with speed, size and talent like none other in this division, and maybe all of football, but experience is lacking for a full season, so it will be trial and error. This passing attack, with either Harrington or Garcia will be a big play threat, especially on the turf in the dome on a fast track. Running back Kevin Jones, a newcomer last year, managed 117 yards per game his last 7 games, and if that continues behind veteran fullback Cory Schlesinger, this offense could be dangerous and potent with any balance to it at all. The tight end position is also solid and deep with Pollard, Alexander and FitzSimmons. The skill positions are loaded and deep. This offense ranked 24 th in the NFL last year, I expect them to be a Top 10 offense in 2005.
The offensive line is above average led by all world Jeff Backus at left tackle, but they have some questions on the right side. Look for center Dominic Raiola to come out of his shell this year and be a key player on the line. All in all, with some time to gel, and an experienced QB waiting in the wings if Harrington becomes inconsistent, this offense could put up 27 ppg or more this year.
DEFENSE: No matter how much you can score, if you cannot stop the opponent, you cannot win the big one, just ask the Colts about that scenario. The good news is the front four is young and talented and will be better in 2005, led by Shawn Rodgers at tackle. The rush ends have improved and can move around quickly and shift to inside stunts in their schemes with ease. They rotate 3 guys in here, and Cory Redding, James Hall and Kalimba Edwards are a formidable force in pass rush situations. The linebackers are young and fast, and look for Teddy Lehman to step up on the weakside as Boss Bailey off an injury last year to step in the middle. This unit is also excellent in zone pass coverage. The secondary is rock solid with Holt at safety and Dry Bly and Fernando Bryant at cover corners, and they are also deep here with numerous speedsters in the wings. These guys have no trouble in man-to-man coverage and in a 2 deep cover, they are excellent. All players are big time hitters and have no fear in playing guys straight up. This defense has the potential to be the best in the division, and a Top 12 in the NFL this year.
INTANGIBLES: The special teams are awesome with all world returner Eddie Drummond wreaking havoc all over the place, veteran Jason Hanson at kicker and Nick Harris at punter, who was 2nd in the NFL at dropping it inside the 20 yard line last year. This unit is solid and Hanson rarely misses a field goal inside of 45 yards.
If you look at Steve Mariucci, Dick Jauron (defense) and Ted Tollner (offense) as the top 3 coaches, you have 55 years of NFL experience at the helm, and with a young team, that is a big advantage in motivation and expertise. Add in the skill position players and the solid foundations on the lines and this team is poised to win this division, and make a possible run at the playoffs, and a wildcard is well within reason. Opening with Green Bay and closing at Pittsburgh this year, there is no doubt that the Lions will have to put up points this season to compete at a high level, and if it clicks on offense, with the depth they have, the Lions are my pick to win the NFC Central and make the playoffs this season. Mark my words, they open with a win at home against Green Bay in Week 1 of the NFL regular season, and that is crucial is setting the tone for the season.
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posted by adairk at
12:02 p.m.
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