Thread: Andrew Perloff's 2011 NFL predictions

Originally Posted by Butka

I see it as this... the arrow is pointing up for the offense. It's pointing sideways, or slightly downwards on D. I wouldn't assume we'd fall off so quickly.

I agree. I'd say we'll stay as status quo on defense. On offense, we're definitely getting better, and I can't feature us losing to much since the OL is getting better every week, and the fact that we will probably draft and/or sign a free agent offensive lineman or two in the offseason. The more I get to thinking about our WRs, the more I like just leaving them as they are. They are playing lights out right now, and Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and Devin Hester are just shining like little stars. I might pick one up in the draft in order to add height as an added dimension to our depth chart for the WRs.

I think we need to either draft or sign a top-notch free agent corner, though. That has been the weak spot for us on defense, I feel like.

I predict year two of Martzy.

I would like to see a replacement for Tinosimoa in the wings. I really don't buy Roach as being an impact player (but don't ask me what I thought about Manning). But, as far as our previous downfalls go, look at what we had at quarterback: 2002, a broken Jim Miller, Shane Matthews and Henry Burris. 2007, a shell shocked Grossman.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

I would like to see a replacement for Tinosimoa in the wings. I really don't buy Roach as being an impact player (but don't ask me what I thought about Manning). But, as far as our previous downfalls go, look at what we had at quarterback: 2002, a broken Jim Miller, Shane Matthews and Henry Burris. 2007, a shell shocked Grossman.

Good point on the quarterback situation, Henry. We have one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league right now. I think he could wind up being another John Elway with his mobility in the pocket and ability to scramble, and his laser cannon for an arm. If Cutler is handled right, he will be that good.

Originally Posted by Dagan81

I agree. I'd say we'll stay as status quo on defense. On offense, we're definitely getting better, and I can't feature us losing to much since the OL is getting better every week, and the fact that we will probably draft and/or sign a free agent offensive lineman or two in the offseason. The more I get to thinking about our WRs, the more I like just leaving them as they are. They are playing lights out right now, and Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, and Devin Hester are just shining like little stars. I might pick one up in the draft in order to add height as an added dimension to our depth chart for the WRs.

I think we need to either draft or sign a top-notch free agent corner, though. That has been the weak spot for us on defense, I feel like.

I also think the WR corps is in pretty decent shape overall. They've progressed so far, I see no reason why they won't continue to get better. I would like to see us add a bigger body for some red zone targets too. I wouldn't chase a guy at the top of the draft though, like you said, we have bigger fish to fry. IMO Cutler's a good enough QB where we could go after that type of guy in the mid rounds and get good results... similar to Colston.

As far as corner, I think unless we change our defensive philosophy a little bit, I wouldn't spend a first round pick on a corner. We run mostly zone. Now, if we would like to play some tighter coverages (and I think we should), I'm on board for corner. But with the way we've historically called defense with Lovie, I think it could be a waste.

Personally, I think the Bears will go 3 technique in one of the first two rounds. And I won't argue against it. I don't see enough penetration from inside (giggity). I think with how well Peppers is playing, the only reason he's not getting glamorous sack numbers is because they aren't flushing out the QB's as much as they should. I also think if we had more interior pressure, the underneath type offenses with good OL's... like New England... won't damage us nearly as much.

Originally Posted by Butka

I also think the WR corps is in pretty decent shape overall. They've progressed so far, I see no reason why they won't continue to get better. I would like to see us add a bigger body for some red zone targets too. I wouldn't chase a guy at the top of the draft though, like you said, we have bigger fish to fry. IMO Cutler's a good enough QB where we could go after that type of guy in the mid rounds and get good results... similar to Colston.

As far as corner, I think unless we change our defensive philosophy a little bit, I wouldn't spend a first round pick on a corner. We run mostly zone. Now, if we would like to play some tighter coverages (and I think we should), I'm on board for corner. But with the way we've historically called defense with Lovie, I think it could be a waste.

Personally, I think the Bears will go 3 technique in one of the first two rounds. And I won't argue against it. I don't see enough penetration from inside (giggity). I think with how well Peppers is playing, the only reason he's not getting glamorous sack numbers is because they aren't flushing out the QB's as much as they should. I also think if we had more interior pressure, the underneath type offenses with good OL's... like New England... won't damage us nearly as much.

I'd like for our defense to get back to playing at the level it was playing in 2005/first three-quarters of 2006, and that is to be so air-tight that it is nearly impossible to penetrate. We had great corners that year (Peanut was younger and had an extra spring in his step, and you had Nathan Vasher, who was healthy). We're never going to pick up another Mike Brown in the draft unless somehow, Troy Polamalu comes available for free agency. Right now, though, we're doing pretty well at safety, even though we're not as good at those positions as we were five years ago.

Obviously, we're set at linebacker, and we're doing pretty damn well at defensive line, though it's a shame that we don't have Tommie Harris playing like he used to years ago to serve as a good pass rusher as well as run stopper. He's like someone said in here a few days ago..."a shadow of his former self" since the knee injury he sustained against the Vikings in 2006. Three technique is a real possibility, as you said, Butka, to replace that void left by Harris.

After we address the O-line (and address it well) we should use a few lower picks for some defense-and by that I don't mean a DE for the upteenth time. NT,OLB, CB.

Originally Posted by BULLITT

NFL predictions for 2011

Story Highlights
The Patriots are poised to win their fourth Super Bowl of the Brady-Belichick era
The Colts will be back in vintage form next season; the Bears will regress
Brett Favre will finally retire for good ... but not without a little more drama

1. The Patriots will beat the Saints in Super Bowl XLV....

2. With the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft, the Carolina Panthers select ... Andrew Luck of Stanford University... next season.

3. Labor peace will be reached by the April draft....

4. The Colts will storm back next season.

5. These five also-rans in 2010 will make the playoffs in 2011.

• Cowboys:

• Vikings:

•Dolphins:

• Raiders:

• Texans:

6. The Bears will drop off. Chicago, the NFC's likely No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs,
has a recent history of falling off after fantastic seasons.
In 2001, the Bears were 13-3 and slipped to 4-12 the next season.
They were 13-3 and reached the Super Bowl in '06, then regressed to 7-9 the following season.
Their defensive core is getting older and they may not get as many lucky bounces in '11.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...ons/index.html

Have you seen this dork that wrote this nonsense? he's nothing more than a butthurt Iggles fan that has never played a down of real football in life. Of course the vikings will be a playoff team next season because they beat his Eagles on Tuesday and he needs to tell himself that his team really didn't get smoked by a sub .500 non contender but rather a playoff contender for the following season. Of course the Bears will fall off because of what happenned 4 and 8 years ago. What a clown!