In depth 2013: St. Louis Rams

by | Mar 21, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The St. Louis Rams started 2012 by making a huge trade, netting a collection of draft picks from Washington when the Redskins traded up to the second selection in order to pick Robert Griffin III. The Rams finished the season 7-8-1, an improvement of 5.5 games over 2011, in Jeff Fisher’s first year in town.

The improvement was tangible. The offense went from scoring 193 points during the 2-14 debacle in 2011 to 299 points in 2012. And the defense improved from 26th in points allowed to 14th, a 59 point improvement.

The 2013 season promises to be full of more changes. The Rams still have a ton of draft picks, including two in the first round. And all-time franchise leading running back Steven Jackson has moved on to Atlanta, meaning the team will have to find a new offensive sparkplug at that position for the first time since 2004.

The Rams are stuck in a competitive division, fighting amongst current NFC favorites in San Francisco and Seattle. But this is clearly a team that is on an uphill swing and, as the team’s 4-1-1 divisional record in 2012 showed, the Rams are not going to go down easily. Ryan Van Bibber, an editor for both Turf Show Times and SB Nation’s NFL coverage, shared his thoughts on the future of the St. Louis Rams.

Zoneblitz: What did you think of Jeff Fisher’s first year as coach? (more…)

In depth 2013: New Orleans Saints

by | Mar 19, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Bounty-gate driven absence of Sean Payton, discontent driven by Steve Spagnuolo’s newly-installed defensive schemes and the absence of other coaches and key players caused havoc on the New Orleans Saints in 2012 to the point where not even another exceptional season by Drew Brees could completely turn things around.

The Saints can put Bounty-gate behind them now. But questions still remain. Was Spagnuolo the issue on defense or was it a dearth of talent? Does Payton’s return bring normalcy back? And how long can Brees continue playing at an elite level? Travis Dauro, a contributing writer at Canal Street Chronicles, shared some of his observations with Zoneblitz.

Zoneblitz: How much of the Saints’ 7-9 season had to do with the coaching staff suspensions and how much would have happened anyway?

Dauro: Coming in to the season, I really did not expect for Sean Payton’s absence to affect the team as drastically as it did.  The team looked unmotivated, undisciplined, and just looked completely different.  Those three factors would have been different had he been around for 2012.  I would like to say that the defense would not have been as porous as it was, but I’m not completely sold on that theory. (more…)

In depth 2013: Carolina Panthers

by | Mar 17, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

In a season where Carolina hoped to build on optimism created by Cam Newton’s electric rookie season, the Panthers stumbled to a 1-6 record out of the gate in 2012. Newton himself started slowly as well, throwing just five touchdowns to go with eight interceptions through those first seven games.

But the Panthers and Newton both went on a run during the season’s second half. The team won five of its last six to finish at 7-9 and Newton improved to 14 touchdowns and four picks in the second half of the season.

Furthermore, seven of Carolina’s nine losses were by six or fewer points. So what do the Panthers have to do to start winning some of those close games and turn themselves into a playoff contender? Slate Schwertner, freelance Panthers analyst and former editor of Cat Crave, shared his thoughts on what has to happen before that can become reality.

Zoneblitz: Cam Newton was a different quarterback the second half of the season than he was the first. What are your thoughts about his development and how good he can be? (more…)

In depth 2013: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by | Mar 14, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The 2012 season was full of ups and downs for Tampa Bay. Josh Freeman was great at times but then had stretches of futility. The run defense was as good as any in the league, but the pass defense was equally as bad. The team won four in a row and five of six between mid-October and mid-November, but then lost five in a row after that stretch.

Overall, the 7-9 finish in Greg Schiano’s first season as head coach was an improvement over 2011 and it should provide Bucs fans with plenty of reasons for optimism heading into 2013, but there are enough questions left unanswered where there is some trepidation, as well.

The Bucs acted quickly in free agency, pouncing on San Francisco safety Dashon Goldson to start shoring up one of their main needs. Steve Isbitts, co-founder of JoeBucsFan.com, talked with Zoneblitz about that move and what he thinks the team has to do the rest of this offseason to take the next step forward.

Zoneblitz: What are your thoughts on Greg Schiano after his first season in Tampa? (more…)

In depth 2013: Miami Dolphins

by | Mar 12, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Miami Dolphins finished 7-9 in 2012, comfortably out of the playoff picture yet again while riding an offense that scored just 288 points all season. But for the first time since Dan Marino was wearing teal, it did look like the team had a quarterback of the future. Ryan Tannehill showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season in Florida.

Pair him up with a couple new wide receivers and the Dolphins might have an offense that can complement a solid defense, says Brian Miller, the editor of Phin Phanatic, adding that this team might not be more than a season from being pretty darn good.

Zoneblitz: What did you think of Joe Philbin’s first year as coach? (more…)

In depth 2013: San Diego Chargers

by | Mar 10, 2013 | 2012 season, 2013 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

When the clock struck 0:00 on a 7-9 season that had, for all intents and purposes, ended in late November, San Diego ownership was quick to cut the cord on the Norv Turner/A.J. Smith era. And so a new run begins in 2013 – and this team is not devoid of talent.

Philip Rivers has been down the last couple years, but with some help at some key spots (offensive line anyone?), we may find that he still has game. Other pieces are injury prone and inconsistent. So who knows what this Chargers team is really all about.

Ernie Padaon, editorial director for Bolt Beat, told us what he thinks the Chargers need to do to get back on track.

Zoneblitz: What were your thoughts on the firings of Norv Turner and A.J. Smith? (more…)