I agree that both the Ravens and Steelers have some questions. People are pointing to the Steelers O-Line as being better, but at this point I think since they are counting on two rookies, that's just a projection. I think the Steelers definitely took the right steps to improve their team, but only time will tell if the steps pan out or not.
I say this as a fan of neither Pittsburgh or Baltimore -- just as an NFL fan. I think it's one of the most interesting divisions in the NFL this season.
I'm not an AFC North guy, but didn't the Ravens win that division last year? So don't the Steelers actually need to get better this year in order to take it back? I think that's the question...have they gotten better? People seem to be focusing on if they've stayed even or are rebuilding.
If you are the Skins and you know you need a QB, sitting still at 6th makes zero sense. You either trade up and try for one of the top 2 (expensive) or you trade down in the first round, get an extra pick or two, and pick up the 3rd best QB in the middle of the first round. This becomes much easier if Blackmon is still on the board, because somebody will be happy to move up and get him.
The Browns can make a deal without mortgaging their future. They already have two first rounders, plus they only need to move two spots, so the price isn't as high.
If someone takes RG III at #2, this pick has less value in trade. But Blackmon is still out there. IF the Vikes can trade down, they can still get a stud WR in the middle of the round and get a decent tackle at the top of the 2nd round. One player won't fix this team.
Or you have nothing to lose by saying what's on your mind. If he's not coming back to the Jets anyway, what did he lose? It's not like star QBs who played at Alabama have to worry about finding work once they are out of football.
I think they saw other teams firing guys and wanted to get in early on potential coaches and not have to settle for whomever was left at the end of the season.
I'm not suggesting McNabb is good. But are you suggesting he's a worse option than what the Texans will be rolling out as a QB this week? Or even as a veteran backup to what they're rolling out this week?
Eagles were also calling time-outs with 3 minutes left in the game, down by 25. So if the Pats had decided to run it up, it would have been justified, but everyone would have gotten on the Pats.
You also have no clue what Aaron Rodgers is about, unless you know him personally. So you're actually doing exactly the same thing you are accusing other people of doing.
For the record, he's just taking a page out of the Brady book -- no matter how the game goes, his answer is 'we've got some things we can work on.'
Vince Wilfork got a big contract this offseason and if anything his play has gotten better. He's playing more snaps and clearly playing with a high motor.
So it's not ALL players who slack off when they get paid...it's a character issue. You pay big money to guys with marginal character, you get what you pay for.
The Patriots also need to address Left Tackle and Left Guard, unless they resign Mankins and Light (although they could maybe move Volmer to Left Tackle). Expect the Patriots to focus first on both lines -- that has been one thing that Belichick has been consistant with throughout his time in New England. I'd expect him to use their first (oakland's) pick to draft D-Line and their second first rounder to draft an O-Lineman. New England has missed a lot on RBs and WRs in the draft, but rarely on first round line picks (Seymour, Warren, Wilfork and Mankins are the last four 1st round picks that Belichick used on the lines)
The one thing that both sides are going to agree on in the CBA is a rookie wage scale. This is going to make the first pick more reasonable financially, meaning a CB becomes more of a possibility. The Panthers would be foolish to go for a CB when they have so many other holes, but the Broncos pass D...needs work. Elvis coming back helps the pass rush, so CB may be the way to go.
This Ravens' defense is NOT the 2001 Ravens' defense. Not even close. In 2001 they could get away with no offense. Now they can't. If they beat the chiefs, they probably get the Patriots next. Think Baltimore will hold New England under 20 points? Not likely. Offense is going to have to score.
I say this as a fan of neither Pittsburgh or Baltimore -- just as an NFL fan. I think it's one of the most interesting divisions in the NFL this season.
For the record, he's just taking a page out of the Brady book -- no matter how the game goes, his answer is 'we've got some things we can work on.'
So it's not ALL players who slack off when they get paid...it's a character issue. You pay big money to guys with marginal character, you get what you pay for.