Under Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh, Baltimore is almost always competitive. But an 8-8 season in 2016 left the team out of the playoffs for the third season in four years.
The team was better last year than in 2015, but a number of late game letdowns cost the team some close games.
Now, heading into 2017, the team has seen a lot of turnover. And Joe Flacco is another year older. Has the team adequately enough addressed its needs to become a postseason player yet again? Or is this team still enough of a work in progress that it’s going to take a season or two before it can again seriously chase the Lombardi Trophy?
Zoneblitz: The Ravens improved at least in almost all facets on offense and defense in 2016, but still landed at 8-8 and out of the playoffs for the third time in four years. How would you assess the season?
Lombardi: Disappointing.
The Ravens offense failed to commit to running the ball and that put unnecessary pressure on the offensive line and Joe Flacco. The defense struggled to get off the field in the fourth quarter and relinquished leads during winnable games. One or two fourth quarter stops and maybe the season ends differently. The Ravens were a microcosm of the NFL in 2016 – a league with several teams that could have been as weak as (6-10) or as strong as (10-6). That’s the parity the league seeks.
Zoneblitz: Joe Flacco has been pretty solid for most of the last nine years. What’s his shelf life? Have or should the Ravens started looking toward the next QB?
Lombardi: I don’t see a decline in Flacco just yet. Physically I think he still has what it takes to compete successfully. That said, the moment his physical gifts start to decline, I think his decent will happen rapidly. He doesn’t do the little things that the best quarterbacks do. He’s not cerebral. He lacks the cognitive skills to effectively make the proper pre-snap reads; he doesn’t use cadence as a weapon and post-snap, he too often fails to allow plays to develop. He gets away with a lot because of his physical gifts. What happens when they’re gone?
As for a successor, I think Flacco has at least 2, possibly 3 good seasons left in him. Therefore, I think it’s important for the Ravens to draft a QB in 2018 or 2019 and begin the developmental process. It doesn’t have to be a first-round guy, but it can’t be a Day 3 draft pick either.
Zoneblitz: Steve Smith is gone. Mike Wallace isn’t young. Breshad Perriman has a history of injuries. Kenneth Dixon is suspended to start the season. Danny Woodhead has arrived. And Dennis Pitta has suffered another hip injury. What is the skill talent surrounding Flacco going to look like this season? Who has to step up? (more…)
During the Peyton Manning era and the first couple years of Andrew Luck’s tenure, double-digit wins were a given in Indianapolis. But the last two seasons, a subpar defense, the inability to protect Andrew Luck and some questionable draft decisions have knocked the Colts down a peg.
The 2016 season resulted in a second consecutive 8-8 mark and another year of watching the postseason from home.
But the Colts have a new GM who focused on filling defensive holes during the draft. Will it be enough to get Indy back in contention for a playoff run? Andrew Aziz, an analyst with Stampede Blue, shares his insight.
Zoneblitz: – After having double-digit wins in 12 of 13 seasons, the Colts have had consecutive 8-8 years. How would you assess 2016?
Aziz: 2016 was a very odd year for the Colts. They lost a lot of very close games, which reflects poorly on the head coach. At the same time, they had very little talent outside of Andrew Luck, which reflects poorly on the general manager. I still don’t understand how the Colts lost to the Texans in overtime. Had they won that game, they would have been in the playoffs, and we would be talking differently about that 2016 team. They also lost close games to the Lions, the Jaguars and the Texans twice. One could argue that the Colts were one stop away from being an 11- or 12-win team. On the other-hand, with close wins against the Bears, Chargers, Jaguars (second game), and Packers, you could argue that the Colts were one series away from being a 4- or 5-win team.
Zoneblitz: Do you agree with the decision to fire GM Ryan Grigson but keep coach Chuck Pagano? How hot is Pagano’s seat in 2017 and what is your assessment of new GM Chris Ballard so far? (more…)
Despite many serious injuries and a QB rushed into the starting job, the Minnesota Vikings started 2016 5-0 and looked like one of the league powerhouses in the process. But injuries across the offensive line, disagreements among coaching philosophies and the league catching up to the Vikings’ deficiencies caught up to them and the team nosedived to an 8-8 finish.
But optimism remains relatively high heading into 2017, with a pair of new tackles on offense, Sam Bradford heading to a full training camp and a roster refreshed with some young talent.
Can Minnesota put it together for a postseason run or was the second half of 2016 a sign that this team is headed in the wrong direction? Jon Merckle, a contributing writer with the Viking Age, shares his thoughts.
Zoneblitz: Injuries and a bad offensive line knocked this team from 11-5 and the playoffs to 8-8. How would you assess the season overall?
Merckle: In one word, dramatic. Who’s to blame? Nobody really. The season took its first major hit when Teddy Bridgewater’s knee exploded on a non-contact drill the last week of August and it was the tale of injuries. The majority of them were on the offensive line with Andre Smith, Matt Kalil, Jake Long, Mike Harris, Alex Boone and Brandon Fusco all missing games at one point. Oh, and Phil Loadholt decided to retire before training camp began. Then there was offensive coordinator resigning in the middle of the season and Mike Zimmer also missing a game because of his eye (more on that later). All things considered 8-8 was done because of Sam Bradford picking up the offense immediately after being acquired, but 8-8 is also football purgatory not making the playoffs or getting an enviable draft position.
Zoneblitz: How would you assess the work of GM Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer? (more…)
Coming off an NFC Championship game in 2015, expectations were sky high heading into the 2016 season for the Arizona Cardinals. But few teams disappointed more.
The Cardinals dropped from 13-3 to 7-8-1, missing the postseason altogether.
Injuries, illness and poor play all played a role in the 2016 collapse. Can Carson Palmer and the gang clean up mistakes to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy? Or did the window close on this team’s chances when the Panthers took them down in 2015?
Zoneblitz: The Cardinals went from 13 wins in 2015 to just seven in 2016. What went wrong?
Mann: There were several factors in the Cardinals poor 2016 season. The most obvious was their special teams unit. The Cardinals averaged 40 yards per punt, with a net yardage of 36 yards, and surrendered two blocks, one of which was a huge blow in their attempt to beat Seattle in Arizona. Chandler Catanzaro missed two game winning field goals, one against New England, and another against Seattle. While his kickoffs were still good, the Cardinals allowed 23 yards per return, including a 104-yard return for a touchdown against the Vikings, which ultimately spoiled the Cardinals comeback attempt.
When Philadelphia finished 7-9 in 2015, it was a disappointing season that resulted in Head Coach Chip Kelly’s dismissal. When the team matched that record in 2016, it had a bit of a different feel.
The Eagles’ defense improved in every important metric last season and the team, for the first time since Donovan McNabb, appeared to have found a long-term keeper at QB. Carson Wentz was far from perfect during his rookie campaign, but he showed enough promise coming out of North Dakota State to feed fan optimism heading into this season.
Can he and the team keep the positive momentum moving and push for a playoff spot in 2017? Or will the city of Brotherly Love have to hate on another postseason-free offseason when the calendar turns to 2018?
Brandon Gowton, manager and editor in chief at Bleeding Green Nation, shares his thoughts.
Zoneblitz: The Eagles finished 7-9 for the second year in a row, but appear to have found a QB and improved on defense by 99 points allowed. How would you assess the 2016 season?
Gowton: The 2015 Eagles and the 2016 Eagles may have finished with the same record, but the most recent team was clearly much better. Last year’s Eagles blew out some good teams and their losses came in close contests. In 2016, Philadelphia finished tied for the ninth best point differential (+38) and tied for the seventh best turnover differential (+8). Compare that to how they finished 20th (-53) and 25th (-5) in those categories in 2015. The Eagles were far from a perfect team but they were a little better than their record indicated.
Zoneblitz: What were your thoughts on Carson Wentz’ first season – was the trade up to get him worthwhile, how does he need to improve and what is his upside?
Gowton: Carson Wentz’s first season was filled with ups and downs. Hard to definitively say if the trade was worth it at this point, but so far he looks promising. At the very least, the rookie flashed franchise quarterback potential. He needs to improve his footwork and refine his mechanics going into Year 2 and moving forward. If he can polish his game, he projects to be a top 10 passer in the league. The intangibles are there. Now the tangibles just need to get better.
Zoneblitz: What is your assessment of Doug Pederson as head coach after one season and what are your thoughts on the body of work of GM Howie Roseman in the years since he has gained more power?
Gowton: It’s hard to truly evaluate Pederson’s first season. As with Wentz, there were ups and downs. But it’s hard to get a full read on him given the team’s complete lack of offensive talent. The pieces weren’t in place for the Eagles to have much success. Pederson did a passable job in Year 1, but there’s room for improvement. As for Roseman, the Eagles are 56-56 since he took over in 2010. The Eagles are 0-2 in the playoffs in that span. There’s no doubt he’s made some good moves over the years; he’s not all bad. But so far he hasn’t been anything great either. His legacy in Philadelphia will ultimately be defined by the Wentz pick. If Wentz improves, Roseman will be in great shape. If not, he’ll be out of a job.
Zoneblitz: What caused the 99-point improvement in the Eagles points allowed total in 2016 and how does the unit need to improve in 2017?
Gowton: The addition of Jim Schwartz was a critical one. He’s still considered to be one of the better defensive coordinators in the league. Philadelphia’s defense had some rough outings in 2016, but they also looked elite at times. The Eagles shut down Atlanta’s top-ranked offense at one point. They also held the Steelers to only three points. Philadelphia needs improved cornerback play in 2017. The corners will be in better position to succeed, too, if the pass rush improves.
Zoneblitz: The top three picks last weekend were a defensive lineman and two defensive backs followed by a RB and a WR – what did you think of the draft and what holes does the team still have to fill before the season?
Gowton: I kind of feel indifferent about the draft as a whole. The Eagles did a good job of addressing needs, but I’m not sure how many truly impact player they got. It looks like a solid draft more than it does a home run draft. Of course, the Sidney Jones pick is an X-factor. If he can get fully healthy, which might not happen in time until the 2018 season, the draft looks great. One of the problems with this year’s draft is it’s defined by the lack of acquiring a legitimate three-down running back to help out Wentz and take pressure off the young passer. That’s the biggest need the Eagles still need to fill.
Zoneblitz: How is this team in the trenches on either side of the ball?
Gowton: The offensive line figures to be pretty good. Jason Peters is still playing at a high level despite his age. The left guard situation isn’t perfectly clear but the Eagles have a lot of depth and competition at that spot. The same goes for center, unless Jason Kelce is back. Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson form a good right guard/right tackle combo, assuming Johnson can avoid any more suspensions.
On defense, the Eagles might have one of the better defensive lines in the league. Brandon Graham had a very strong year in 2016. Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan could be quite the combo playing next to each other. 2017 first round pick Derek Barnett will have a chance to get snaps at defensive end and will rotate with the likes of Vinny Curry and Chris Long.
Zoneblitz: It sounds like Ryan Mathews will be cut. The Eagles’ RB corps is incredibly small – what’s the plan for establishing a run game in 2017?
Gowton: Great question. One would think the Eagles have to either trade for someone (Mark Ingram?) or sign a veteran running back. The team signed Corey Clement, a bigger back compared to their other ones, in undrafted free agency, so he’ll have a chance to push for a spot on the team. But it’s not a great looking group right now.
Zoneblitz: A largely disappointing receiving corps was supplemented by Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith this offseason. Does the team have the weapons to complement Carson Wentz? What needs to improve?
Gowton: Jeffery is a huge addition for the Eagles since it gives Wentz a legitimate No. 1 target. We’ll have to see just how good the other guys are. Smith had some good years in Baltimore but some really bad years in San Francisco recently. The two rookies the Eagles drafted — Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson — probably aren’t ready to be major contributors right away. Jordan Matthews could return but he’s rumored to be on the block. I wouldn’t say Philadelphia is stacked with weapons just yet but this receiving corps certainly has the potential to be much improved upon 2016’s group.
Zoneblitz: What’s going to happen with disappointing Nelson Agholor and inconsistent Jordan Matthews?
Gowton: Agholor is essentially guaranteed a spot on this year’s roster due to his salary. The Eagles would actually lose $2.3 million in cap space by cutting him, and Philadelphia is already tight against the cap. Nothing should (or will) be given to him, unlike past years. He’ll have to earn any playing time he gets and likely also help out on special teams, assuming he’s even active on game day.
Matthews could easily be traded still. The Eagles might figure they won’t be able to re-sign him next offseason so they might as well get value for him now. Philadelphia won’t look to move him just for anything in return, but they’d probably jump at something like a third-round pick.
Zoneblitz: How far do you think Philadelphia is from competing for a postseason run?
Gowton: I think the Eagles can make the playoffs in 2017. But I don’t see more than one playoff win at most. So maybe next year. It’s really all about how much Wentz improves and can carry this team.
The Saints finished 7-9 in 2016 for the third season in a row. But it had a slightly different feel to it than the previous two non-playoff seasons.
The defense improved a bit. Young players, including exciting WR Michael Thomas, emerged. And Drew Brees continued defying age.
The offseason has also been entertaining. Speedster Brandin Cooks was traded to New England, giving New Orleans a second number one pick. The Saints brought in aging superstar Adrian Peterson. And the team filled many other holes in free agency.
So, is it enough, in a division of good and rising teams, to allow the Saints to be playing in January? Or does this team still have too many holes to fill?
Zoneblitz: The Saints felt more competitive in 2016 but the result was a third straight 7-9 record. What’s your assessment of the season?
Rose: A third straight 7-9 year was extremely frustrating, I realize, but 2016 had a much different feel to it. First of all, the team was ravaged by injury, particularly in the secondary. Despite often being shorthanded, the Saints were in every game. Seven of their 9 losses were by six points or less. Remember also how young this team is. Twenty-one players that received significant playing time last year were 26yrs old or younger, or had less than 4yrs of pro experience. Thirteen of them started at one point in the season. Factor in the draft picks that they’re about to add, and the fact that the free agents they signed are just entering their prime; this is a very young team. They basically rebuilt the team after the 2014 debacle, and it really looked like Sean Payton loved coaching this group last year. Player development is crucial, obviously, but this has the feel of something special.
Zoneblitz: Sean Payton brought New Orleans a Super Bowl title, but it’s been 11 years and there were, at least for a while, rumors of a potential split. What are your thoughts on his remaining as head coach?(more…)
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