With the economy in the condition that it is in, I thought maybe I can apply a stock market concept into evaluating the NFL. Each team is listed, by division, in the order of team strength with a short summary of the good, bad and verdict of each team so far this off-season (pre-draft). Then the ???Analyst' (aka ME) rate each team based on how each team finished the 2008 regular season and what they have accomplished so far this off-season to improve their team. Then I advise you (the public) whether you should ???invest' in that team. Keep in mind that I am comparing each individual team against themselves, not to other teams in the same division. In other words, a team with a poor record in 2008 that have made moves to improve this coming season (like the Rams), would have a ???Buy' rating. Likewise, a team that did well in 2008, but is unlikely to repeat (like the Titans) would receive a ???Stay away' rating. If a team has not done enough to improve or hurt their 2008 record (like the Vikings), they would receive a ???Wait and See' rating. So if I give a 2-14 team a ???Hot Commodity' rating, that DOES NOT mean I expect them to been in the playoffs. I just like what they have done so far this off-season.
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles- 2008 record: 9-6-1 (Lost NFC Championship game)
The Good: WR DeSean Jackson progressed much faster than expected. Signed SS Sean Jones (Browns) and FB Leonard Weaver (Seahawks). Two first round picks (21st and 28th).
The Bad: Lost FS Brian Dawkins (Broncos), OT Tra Thomas (Jags) and RB Correll Buckhalter (Broncos).
The Verdict: Dawkins' leadership will be sorely missed on defense. Every year that QB Donovan McNabb has finished a regular season, the Eagles have advanced at least to the NFC Championship game. Let's assume McNabb survives all 16 games in 2009. The Analyst says: Hot Commodity.
New York Giants- 2008 record: 12-4 (lost divisional round)
The Good: Signed OLB Michael Boley (Falcons), DE Chris Canty (Cowboys). Three first day picks.
The Bad: Act as if they cannot survive without WR Plaxico Burress. Lost RB Derrick Ward (Bucs).
The Verdict: Talented team with a troubled big-play WR. Wait, that sounds like another team in their division in 2008 (and how did THAT work out?).
The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!
Dallas Cowboys- 2008 record: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Lost T.O. (Bills) and SS Roy Williams (released). Signed LB Keith Brooking, SS Gerald Sensabaugh, and DE Igor Olshansky.
The Bad: Other than a talented, but severely underachieving team (save LB DeMarcus Ware), Not much.
The Verdict: Reread ???The Bad' section again.
The Analyst says: Wait and See.
Washington Redskins- 2008 record: 8-8 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Signed DT Albert Haynesworth. Same offensive system in consecutive years for QB Jason Campbell (finally).
The Bad: RB Clinton Portis wore down late last season. Will he last all 16 games in 2009??? Lost CB Shawn Springs (Patriots).
The Verdict: If $100 million does not make Haynesworth lazy and Campbell becomes consistent, they have a chance.
The Analyst says: Wait and See.
NFC NORTH
Minnesota Vikings- 2008 record: 10-6 (divisional champs)
The Good: RB Adrian Peterson more durable in the pros than he was during college (knock on wood). Very good Defense still intact.
The Bad: Lost C Matt Birk (Ravens). QB options (Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfel).
The Verdict: Anyone who thinks Rosenfel is an upgrade at QB obviously did not follow the Texans last season.
The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!
Chicago Bears- 2008 record: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Acquired QB Jay Cutler (Broncos). Signed FS Josh Bullocks (Saints), OT Orlando Pace (Rams).
The Bad: Who exactly will Cutler through to, anyways??? Two less first round picks + aging defense = future problems.
The Verdict: WRs Brandon Lloyd and Rashied Davis are a long cry from Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. At least Cutler will have defensive support, I think.
The Analyst says: Wait and See.
Green Bay Packers- 2008 record: 6-10 (missed playoffs)
The Good: QB Aaron Rodgers is a keeper. Plenty of receiving options.
The Bad: Not so sure about RB Ryan Grant. Switching to 3-4 defense with 4-3 personnel.
The Verdict: I am always weary of teams the season they dramatically changing their defensive philosophy.
The Analyst says: Wait and See.
Detroit Lions- 2008 record: 0-16 (missed playoffs)
The Good: GM Matt Millen is (finally) gone. WR Calvin Johnson is a keeper. Two first round picks (1st and 20th). RB Kevin Smith a keeper. Acquired OLB Julian Peterson.
The Bad: Sorry, going 0-16 is as bad as it gets!
The Verdict: The only thing about being rock bottom is there is no where to go but UP. The Analyst says: Hot Commodity. (everyone could use a ???penny stock').
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans Saints- 2008 record: 8-8 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Explosive offense.
The Bad: Suspect defense.
The Verdict: After a two year playoff drought, it is time for this team to climb back to the top of this division.
The Analyst says: Wait and See.
Carolina Panthers- 2008 record: 12-4 (division champs)
The Good: Best one-two running punch in league. Solid defense.
The Bad: Ending to QB Jake Delhomme's season. Several unsigned FAs. Do not pick until 2nd round (27th pick).
The Verdict: Long time enigmatic team finally broke through last season. Will they go back to their old ways?
The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!
Atlanta Falcons- 2008 record: 11-5 (lost divisional round)
The Good: QB Matt Ryan made a huge splash with his first completion (and TD) and never looked back. RB Michael Turner is a beast. WR Roddy White is Pro Bowl caliber.
The Bad: Already suspect defense lost several players: OLB Michael Boley (Giants), OLB Keith Brooking (Cowboys) and DT Grady Jackson (Lions).
The Verdict: Broken team puts together an inspiring season for the ages. Sounds familiar (hint: think 2006 Saints)? And we all know how the Saints have fared since then.
The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers- 2008 record: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Fired Head Coach Jon Gruden (Finally tired of making playoffs every other year off strength of last place schedules).
The Bad: Released OLBs Derrick Brooks and Cato June. Uncertainty at many positions, including QB.
The Verdict: New Head Coach Raheem Morris has a lot to take care of before they will be competitive again.
The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!
NFC WEST
Arizona Cardinals- 2008 record: 9-7 (lost Super Bowl)
The Good: Resigned QB Kurt Warner. Talented (if inconsistent) defense. WR Larry Fritzgerald is one of the best in the league.
The Bad: Uncertainty about WR Anquan Boldin. Lost Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley (Cheifs) and Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast (Cheifs)
The Verdict: They are still in a weak division, but they will not be back in the Super Bowl. The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!
San Francisco 49ers- 2008 record: 7-9 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Finished 2008 season strong. Hired disciplinarian Head Coach (Mike Singletary). Improving young defense. Fired Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz.
The Bad: Unremarkable free agency activity. Question marks at QB and WR.
The Verdict: Singletary's no-nonsense style was what this team needs. But it only works when winning.
The Analyst says: Wait and See.
Seattle Seahawks- 2008 record: 4-12 (missed playoffs)
The Good: Smooth coaching transition. Last season's injured players returning. Signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Bengals). TE John Carlson a keeper.
The Bad: Lost OLB Julian Peterson (Lions) and DT Rocky Bernard (Giants). Have New Head Coach Jim Mora, Jr. learned from his Atlanta experience?
The Verdict: This is a talented team that was wrecked by injuries last season.
The Analyst says: Hot Commodity.
St. Louis Rams- 2008 record: 2-14 (missed playoffs)
The Good: New Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo. RB Steven Jackson (when healthy). 2nd overall draft pick.
The Bad: Lots of unsigned free agents (which may NOT be a bad thing for a 2-14 team).
The Verdict: If Spags can fix the defense, that could keep them competitive. Just like the Lions, the only way to really go is up. The Analyst says: Hot Commodity.
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Comments (7) Add A Comment
I'm glad you're not my broker. Eagles?? A hot commodity?? If there is one team in the NFC East considered to be in a rebuilding year, Philly is it.
NY Giants…
Hoboken , NJ
Total Comments (179)
Atlanta Falcons/Stay away? I disagree, they're a young team with a lot of room for future growth. I see them as a hot commodity
NuclearWinter -…
Total Comments (169)
Spoken like a true New Yorker! LOL!
Naptown_Colts
Total Comments (249)
The entire league is wait and see if you ask me...
It is virtually impossible to forecast a winner each year due to the salary cap and injuries.
JeffHart24
Pompano Beach , FL
Total Comments (339)
Eagles are always going to be in the hunt, unfortunately. They are well coached, and their scheme dictates their offense/defense and they don't rely on great players, but rather rely on the team concept. It's so freaking annoying when I hear any rumblings about Reid needing to be fired. And they have 2 first round picks, and are always willing to trade down to get more picks. What's not to freaking like about the way they are run.
Having said that, after last years run, I wouldn't list them as a hot commodity, because based upon those they play (Cowboys and Giants), there's no gaurantee of performance, and I would within this context list them as a wait and see along with every other team in that blasted division.
jdramirez
Mechanicsburg, PA
Total Comments (1299)
I would put them as a stay away as well, because of sophmore slumps, or defensive coordinators scheming against Qb's, or whatever the reason, I don't know if I would be buying them at this point in time. Could be wrong, but weren't we all last year about the Phins and the Falcs.
jdramirez
Mechanicsburg, PA
Total Comments (1299)
New Jersey, actually. Home of Giants (and Jets) football.
NY Giants…
Hoboken , NJ
Total Comments (179)
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