In Depth 2014: Atlanta Falcons

by Andy | Feb 28, 2014 | 2013 season, 2014 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Just a year after nearly going to the Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons were one of the favorites to again make a deep run in the playoffs. Instead, Atlanta is picking sixth in the NFL draft after one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory.

Was it injuries that set the Falcons astray? Or is this an aging team with salary cap issues on a downward slide? Two bloggers shared their thoughts on what went wrong in 2013 and what the team has to do to fix things in 2014. Here’s what Ben Sullivan, editor of Blogging Dirty, and Aaron Freeman, founder of FalcFans.com have to say.

Zoneblitz: A year off the NFC Championship game the Falcons took a huge step back in 2013. How would you assess the season and where it went wrong?

Sullivan: In one word, awful. The Falcons struggled on all three phases of the game, including special teams. The team is built around the offense, but injuries and poor offensive line play left them with a stagnant offense. I think the success they had recently left them with some blinders on when it came to the holes in the team. Sometimes you need a kick in the teeth to really take a harsh look at your own house, and last year was just that for them.

Freeman: It was a combination of injuries and other factors. Simply put three of the team’s top 5 players: Julio Jones, Roddy White and Sean Weatherspoon missed a lot of time. And the Falcons did not respond well to it. Backups and newcomers like Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora didn’t step up or contribute to the levels expected. (more…)

In Depth 2014: Oakland Raiders

by Andy | Feb 26, 2014 | 2013 season, 2014 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

As the 11^th consecutive non-playoff season ended in Oakland, rumors floated indicating that the jobs of General Manager Reggie McKenzie and Head Coach Dennis Allen’s may be in jeopardy. Cooler heads prevailed, however, as ownership decided to acknowledge the salary cap hell Oakland has been recovering from since the duo arrived.

The training wheels likely come off in 2014 though. The Raiders are back in the ball game with significant cap space and the ability to begin adding talent. So how far is this Oakland team that is coming off of consecutive 4-12 finishes from being relevant again?

Depends on how the offseason goes, says Chase Ruttig, editor of Just Blog Baby. If all goes well, he thinks it’s not out of the question the long-struggling Raiders might be a factor in 2015. Here’s what Ruttig has to say.

Zoneblitz: The Raiders were competitive in a number of games early before slumping over the last month or so. What happened and how would you characterize this season? (more…)

In Depth 2014: Cleveland Browns

by Andy | Feb 19, 2014 | 2013 season, 2014 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

Nobody has had a weirder offseason so far than the Cleveland Browns. The drama started just hours after the season ended, when head coach Rob Chudzinski, having just finished his first season at the helm, received his walking papers.

Then, following a highly ridiculed search that ended up netting Mike Pettine as Chudzinski’s replacement, the duo that ran the search got axed by owner Jimmy Haslam.

But maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem? Peter Smith, editor of Dawg Pound Daily says in Cleveland the removal of Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi was met positively by the fan base. Smith joined Zoneblitz to talk about the front office upheaval and how the Browns look heading into the 2014 season. Here’s what he had to say.

Zoneblitz: Cleveland finished 4-12, but there were signs of life on both offense and defense in 2013. What is your overall assessment of the 2013 season? (more…)

In Depth 2014: Jacksonville Jaguars

by Andy | Feb 17, 2014 | 2013 season, 2014 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Jacksonville Jaguars have not won more than five games in a season since 2010, nor have they made the playoffs since 2007. The 2013 season, the team’s first under new coach Gus Bradley, snowballed early, as the team got off to an 0-8 start.

But what the Jaguars lacked in talent, the team made up for in persistence. The Jags won four of five to start the second half of 2013 before losing the last three. This team still has some gaping holes, most notably the absence of a long-term answer at quarterback. But the 4-4 finish lends hope that the team has the right leadership in place to start heading in a positive direction.

Shane Clemons, head writer for The Jaggernaut, stopped in to offer his thoughts on the season just finished and the work that needs to be done for a 2014 turnaround.

Zoneblitz: Jacksonville got off to a brutal 0-8 start but improved to 4-4 in the second half of the season. What’s your assessment of 2013? (more…)

In Depth 2014: Washington Redskins

by Andy | Feb 12, 2014 | 2013 season, 2014 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

For much of 2012, Washington Redskins fans probably figured things were finally headed in the right direction, after rookie QB Robert Griffin III had a tremendous season in leading the team to a playoff berth for the first time since 2007. But a torn up knee suffered in Washington’s wild card loss meant rehab took up an offseason that otherwise could have been spent building further wrinkles into the team’s offense.

As the 2013 season got underway, several things became clear. Griffin was not the same player he was as a rookie. And his relationship with coach Mike Shanahan was not progressing either. The team got off to a rough start and never fully recovered, ending the season dead last in a weak NFC East.

After the season, Shanahan was fired, replaced by Jay Gruden. Griffin is clearly “the guy,” but the team needs to put some pieces in place around him – and must do so without its first round pick, having sent it to St. Louis as part of the trade that allowed Washington to acquire its franchise QB.

So where does Washington go from here? Kevin Ewoldt, managing editor of Hogs Haven, shared his reflections on 2013 and hopes for the year ahead.

Zoneblitz: After a positive 2012 season that ended with a playoff berth, 2013 went in the other direction. What happened? (more…)

In depth 2014: Houston Texans

by Andy | Feb 10, 2014 | 2013 season, 2014 season, NFL Draft, NFL Free Agency, NFL Random Thoughts

The Houston Texans entered the 2013 season riding high hopes off of two postseason appearances. Some called them one of the top contenders to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They looked the part for two weeks, with wins over San Diego and Tennessee. Then QB play went south and the wheels fell off, resulting in a 14 game losing streak to end the season.

So, change is rampant. Gary Kubiak is out, Gary O’Brien heads south from Penn State to replace him. The QB position is in flux and aging superstars Arian Foster and Andre Johnson are enduring more upheaval as they head into the twilights of their respective careers.

So what do the Texans have to do to get back on track? Patrick Starr, owner and editor of the blog State of the Texans, joined us and shared his thoughts.

Zoneblitz: Houston went from 12-4 to 2-14. What happened? (more…)