In depth 2013: Washington Redskins

by | Apr 3, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

On the first drive of the 2012 season for Washington, Robert Griffin III faced pressure in the pocket, stayed calm, took a hit and completed an 88-yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon en route to a 40-32 upset of New Orleans.

The Redskins paid a huge price in draft picks when they moved up to select Griffin, but the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner paid immediate dividends, taking the Redskins to the NFC East division championship for the first time since 1999 and leading them to the playoffs for the first time in five years.

Then, toward the end of playoff loss to Seattle, disaster struck and Griffin shredded his knee. If Griffin comes back to full speed, the sky could be the limit for this team. But the risk the team took to get him only pays off if the injuries don’t start to add up, says Kevin Ewoldt, managing editor for Hogs Haven.

Ewoldt shared some thoughts with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: How would you assess the 2012 season? (more…)

In depth 2013: Cincinnati Bengals

by | Apr 1, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Two seasons in a row the Cincinnati Bengals have made the AFC playoffs as a wild card team only to be on the wrong end of a first-round loss to the Houston Texans.

With Baltimore and Pittsburgh potentially entering some level of rebuilding, the door may be open for the Bengals to take the next step, chasing the AFC North championship and a possible first-round bye. But Cincinnati isn’t a flawless team either. Andy Dalton has to continue improving and the Bengals’ brass must give him some more weapons with which he can work.

Jason Garrison, editor with CincyJungle.com, tells us where he thinks the Bengals are and what he figures they need to do in order to dethrone Baltimore and make a deeper run in the postseason.

Zoneblitz: How do you feel about Andy Dalton’s development? (more…)

In depth 2013: Chicago Bears

by | Mar 29, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

 

After an up-and-down season led to a 10-6 finish that did not include the playoffs, the Chicago Bears surprised many observers by firing head coach Lovie Smith, despite his becoming the second coach in the Super Bowl era to take the team to the big game.

So the Bears enter a new era in 2013. Marc Trestman will try to join Bud Grant and Marv Levy as coaches who have had success as NFL head coaches following successful tenures in the Canadian Football League. He’ll do so with a heavily re-tooled offensive line and a defense that will be without Brian Urlacher for the first time since he was drafted in 2000.

Jake Perper, owner and head writer of Bears Backer, so far likes the direction the Bears are headed. Here are the thoughts he shared:

Zoneblitz: Chicago finished 10-6 in 2012, but missed the playoffs. How would you characterize the season? (more…)

In depth 2013: New York Giants

by | Mar 27, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

In 2011, the New York Giants finished 9-7, but rode a hot streak at the end of the regular season into the playoffs and ended up winning the Super Bowl. In 2012, with an offense that scored more points and a defense that was stingier, the Giants went 9-7 … and missed the playoffs.

Talent abounds on this team, as evidenced by two Super Bowl championships in the Tom Coughlin era. But there are also a number of flaws that have kept the Giants from establishing more consistency and prevented them from being in the mix every year.

Ed Valentine, editor in chief of the Big Blue View, says New York should be right back in the thick of the NFC East race again in 2013, but acknowledges as well that there are still improvements to be made.

Zoneblitz: In 2011, 9-7 got the giants to the Super Bowl. In 2012, 9-7 didn’t make the playoffs. What kept the Giants from getting a chance to repeat last season? (more…)

In depth 2013: Dallas Cowboys

by | Mar 25, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

When an 8-8 record kept the Dallas Cowboys out of the 2012 playoffs, Owner/General Manager Jerry Jones promised changes. And changes did follow, including the firing of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the hiring of Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator and Bill Callahan as offensive coordinator.

But were those the changes necessary to turn the Cowboys around and get them back to the playoffs? Steven Mullenax, editor and head writer at The Landry Hat, indicates that he’s not convinced Jones’ solutions went to the heart of the problems.

Mullenax thought Ryan’s defense was good enough to keep the team competitive and thought injuries and offensive line play contributed more to last season’s demise. He shared some thoughts with Zoneblitz.com on the 2012 season and on what he thinks the team needs to do moving into 2013. Here’s what he had to say.

Zoneblitz: What were your thoughts on the firing of Rob Ryan and the overhaul on the coaching staff after the 2012 season? (more…)

In depth 2013: Pittsburgh Steelers

by | Mar 23, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

It’s tough to be a mid-level team in the NFL, but that’s where the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be right now. There’s a lot of really good talent on the roster with a mix of up-and-coming youngsters and veterans who have been around the block.

But there’s also a talent shortage in some important spots and a salary cap that’s been tight for the past two offseasons.

Luckily for Pittsburgh, this team plays in the AFC North, where the Cincinnati Bengals are improving but unproven and where the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns also are going through transitional times.

So what happened in 2012 and what is in store for the Steelers of 2013? Neal Coolong, editor of Behind the Steel Curtain, tells us it’s too early to say where Pittsburgh falls in the hierarchy of the AFC this season. Here’s what he had to say.

Zoneblitz: Pittsburgh fell to 8-8 in 2012. Was this a one-season blip or are the Steelers entering a rebuilding phase? (more…)