As draft day approaches there are few teams whose picks I am more intrigued by than the St. Louis Rams.
That’s because this up-and-coming team, though last in the NFC West last season, has a solid defense and a handful of offensive weapons with which to build around. And it has the number two pick overall, courtesy of the trade that keeps on giving, the 2012 deal with Washington that netted the Redskins Robert Griffin III.
Now, given the injury Griffin endured at the end of 2012 and his accompanying struggles in 2013, it might be able to laugh this off as one sided. I’m not sure that is fair – during the regular season Griffin looked like a dynamic, game-changing QB who could redefine the position. There still is a chance that could happen.
But the haul St. Louis has gotten out of that deal has contributed to the team’s ability to stay competitive even in a division with stalwarts like San Francisco and Seattle. Look no further than the twitter feed of 12th Man Rising, who this afternoon acknowledged that while the Rams are often overlooked at the moment, games between all four of the teams in that division are tough, tight, defensive battles.
This weekend, St. Louis has a chance to narrow the gap in the division. And Thursday night the team will close the loop on the Griffin trade. … Or will it? (more…)
The New England Patriots have won 51 regular season games in four seasons, claimed playoff spots in 10 of the last 11 years and won double-digit games 12 of the last 13. Yet despite two Super Bowl appearances and three other conference championship appearances in the last nine seasons, if it doesn’t happen this year it will be a clean decade since the Patriots took home the Lombardi Trophy.
Most teams would do almost anything for a resume like the one put up in New England since Bill Belichick took over. But the coach and his QB, Tom Brady, aren’t getting any younger. So is there restlessness to make the next run? How far away are the Patriots from adding the fourth Super Bowl championship of the Belichick era? And what has to happen to get there?
Rich Hill, managing editor of Pats Pulpit, joined Zoneblitz to share some insight on a team he thinks is a healthy season away from contending.
Zoneblitz: The 2013 season brought another 12 wins and a conference championship appearance, but the team has lost back-to-back AFCC games — how would you assess the season? (more…)
Let me make clear right from the get go – I am not a draft expert. I do not sit around watching hours of film and, while I consider myself an educated fan, I’m not going to be able to give you any insight as far as the impact of 40 times, high jumps or cone drills as they relate to the success of future NFL players.
But I do read a lot of people who spend considerable time on that. So maybe I’ve got as good a third-hand handle on it as the next guy who does the same – and maybe I don’t. Nonetheless, following our Team Blogger Mock Draft, I threw together a quick mock using the info from our blogger friends and from other experts at various sites around the Interweb. Most other people’s mocks are probably better than mine – but given trades – and I expect there will be many this year – none of none of us have much more chance of being correct than anyone else out there throwing names at virtual paper.
But coordinating these two projects did lead to some observations. Here are a few: (more…)
Carolina stumbled out of the gate in 2013 and at the quarter pole it looked like coach Ron Rivera might be headed toward an ugly exit. Then, all of a sudden, the team came together, winning 11 of 12 and chasing down the Saints to win the NFC South title. Carolina even notched a playoff win to cap a turnaround season.
But the offseason has produced considerable change. Left tackle Jordan Gross retired and GM Dave Gettleman has allowed a complete turnover of the wide receiver depth chart. Free agency and cap issues cost the Panthers several key defensive cogs that were instrumental in the 12-4 run.
So where do the Panthers sit heading into this week’s draft and the 2014 campaign? Ken Dye, lead writer for Carolina Cat Chronicles, says the holes created by the roster change have not yet all been filled. But he’s got high hopes based on what he’s seen thus far from Gettleman.
Here’s what he had to say:
Zoneblitz: Carolina stumbled out of the gate before catching fire, winning 11 of 12, winning the NFC South and making a playoff run – what created the turnaround and what’s your assessment of the 2013 season? (more…)
In 2012 New Orleans went 7-9 with one of the worst defensive performances in NFL history. A year later, Sean Payton returned and the team experienced a turnaround, winning 11 games in the regular season and a wild card playoff.
The Saints eventually fell to Super Bowl champ Seattle in the second round of the playoffs, but a rejuvenated squad left fans buzzing heading into 2014. There have been some big names brought in and some prominent vets that left the team in free agency and trades, as well. So is the 2014 version of the Saints primed for another run? Travis Dauro, a writer with Canal Street Chronicles, shares his thoughts on what has to happen for New Orleans to take that next jump.
Tellijohn: In the first year back at full strength with Sean Payton the Saints won the division and a playoff game. How do you assess 2013? (more…)
In 2012, Indianapolis had a new QB, a new coach and a cause. The Colts rallied around Chuck Pagano when he was diagnosed with leukemia and rode the emotion to an 11-5 record and a first round playoff game. Some doubted the team was really nine games better than the disastrous 2011 2-14 campaign, but Indy followed up in 2013 with another 11-5 season and an exciting playoff comeback win against Kansas City.
This team, however, is far from a finished product. When Reggie Wayne went down with a knee injury, Andrew Luck struggled to find his consistency. The switch from Bruce Arians to Pep Hamilton as offensive coordinator proved at times a challenge. And there are holes on the offensive line and the defensive side of the ball that must be addressed.
Still, with some well placed pieces and some good fortune, Colts Authority Editor Kyle Rodriguez says the Colts aren’t far from joining the league’s elite teams in a deep playoff run.
Zoneblitz: What is your overall assessment of the 2013 Colts season that saw two playoff games and a division title? (more…)
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