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…)

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…)