In depth: Philadelphia Eagles

by | Feb 8, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

When Philadelphia traded Kevin Kolb for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, backup quarterback Vince Young anointed the Eagles as the “Dream Team” for 2011. But the season quickly turned into a nightmare, as the team crawled out to a 1-4 start.

The Eagles rebounded at the end of the season to finish 8-8, but by that point chances of making the playoffs were lost and Philadelphia had clinched being the most disappointing team of the year.

What went wrong? And, more importantly at this point, what needs to happen for Philly to turn it around in time for 2012? JasonB, who leads Bleeding Green Nation, talked with Zoneblitz about 2011 and what the Eagles must do to avoid the same problems in 2012. Here’s what he had to say:

Zoneblitz: Was keeping Andy Reid the correct move?

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In depth: Dallas Cowboys

by | Feb 6, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Few teams have been harder to figure out in recent years than the Dallas Cowboys. The team often has tons of talent on the field only to self-destruct in strange ways and the 2011 season was no different. After 11 games, Tony Romo was clicking and DeMarco Murray was running hard.

Then Dallas lost two heartbreakers to Arizona and the New York Giants late and the Cowboys were on their way to a 1-4 finish.
So what’s ahead for Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett and crew? Steven Mullenax, editor and head writer at The Landry Hat blog, recently shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: Are Jason Garrett and his current coaching staff the right mix for the Cowboys? (more…)

In depth: Arizona Cardinals

by | Feb 4, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

You are what you are in the NFL and the Arizona Cardinals were an 8-8 team in 2011. But the Cardinals, more than most teams, have reason to saying “what if” right about now. Arizona started 1-6, but lost four of those games by four points or less. That dug a hole from which the team could not emerge.

But closing 7-2 on the strength of a mostly strong defensive performance has at least some Cardinals fans optimistic about the future. The quarterback situation is in flux, the running back position has some question marks, the team needs more consistent play from wide receivers not named Fitzgerald and the offensive line needs some upgrades.

Even with those issues, the blog Raising Zona’s Lead Writer Scott Allen says he thinks the Cardinals’ future is bright. Here’s what he had to say:

Zoneblitz: John Skelton won six of eight starts. Arizona gave up a lot for Kevin Kolb. Is the Cardinals quarterback of the future currently on the team’s roster? (more…)

In depth: Seattle Seahawks

by | Feb 2, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

When the 2011 season started, I expected to hear a lot of talk about Seattle competing for the rights to draft Andrew Luck. As the season wore on, the Seahawks did get more and more media attention, but it was for the strong play of Marshawn Lynch and a resurgent second half of the season, not for a push toward futility.

There are a number of areas where the Seahawks still have room for significant improvement. But if they can add a few pieces this team could be a threat as soon as 2012, says Keith Myers, editor and lead writer of the Seahawks’ fan blog called 12th Man Rising. Myers recently shared his thoughts on where Seattle should be headed from here with Zoneblitz. Here’s what he had to say:

Zoneblitz: Is Tarvaris Jackson a long-term answer at quarterback or will the team have to address that position again? (more…)

In depth: Kansas City Chiefs

by | Jan 31, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Kansas City Chiefs won 10 games in total between 2007 and 2009 before shocking the world with a 10-win, division championship season in 2010.

The Chiefs came back to Earth in 2011, however, as injuries combined with a tougher schedule to ruin expectations, ultimately costing Todd Haley his head coaching position.

It’s an important off-season, with several important players returning from injuries (Jamaal Charles, Matt Cassel, Tony Moeaki, Eric Berry to name a few) and more up for free agency (Dwayne Bowe). Lifelong Chiefs fan Patrick Allen is the senior editor of the Arrowhead Addict blog. He gave us some thoughts on how 2011 went and what’s in store for 2012.

Zoneblitz: What went wrong in 2011 after such a positive 2010 season? (more…)

In depth: Buffalo Bills

by | Jan 29, 2012 | 2011 season, 2012 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Ryan Fitzpatrick got off to a hot start in 2011 and, in following his lead, so did the Buffalo Bills. Seven games in, the Bills sat at 5-2 and looked to be a real playoff contender. Then Fitzpatrick cooled and the team ran off seven losses in a row.

So who are the real Bills? Does Chan Gailey have this team on the right track? Or will Buffalo and the team’s fans struggle to climb from the basement of the AFC East once again in 2012? Brian Galliford, editor-in-chief of BuffaloRumblings.com, shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: Bills got off to a hot start and then fizzled as the season wore on, resulting in a 6-10 finish and a two game improvement from last season. Is the season a success, a failure or somewhere in between and why? (more…)