Another Jets Post...

Why do I keep writing about this toilet bowl of a franchise? I was a fan for 30 years, I washed my hands of them last year... but like anyone who was abused in a relationship I can't seem to just let go... at least not 100%.

I had a blog that I shut down that was all about the Jets. I like to go back from time to time and revisit some of the gems I posted about this team. Back in May of 2015... 19 months ago, I wrote a post that was so goddamn dead on that I have to share it here:

 "Guys who I can root for" 5/15 

Here's an excerpt:

"I have been pretty disgusted with a lot of the guys on our current roster and the rosters of the past 3 or 4 seasons... Our current team, led by a self obsessed, immature overrated DE like Richardson who can't stop mouthing off on social media...  and an undedicated, lazy QB, Geno Smith, who flips off his own fans in his home stadium, is hard to root for in general. These guys have done nothing since 2010 that has inspired me personally. My top 5 players who I can't stand based on attitude are Geno (not committed), Richardson (ignorant child), Milliner (delusional), Revis (selfish disloyal douche), and David Harris."

Now some of you may be shocked to see Harris on my list. I have a lot of respect for him as a player, but he has not been a vocal leader, and that's what we needed from him the most. So in that sense he has done a major disservice to the Jets. But, again he has been very productive and reliable, I don't discount that.

I for one wasn't impressed with Richardson from day #1. And you can go see my posts where I warned how dangerous a star player with an attitude that bad can be on a roster. One bad apple can ruin the big apple is something I have said for years. This guy is poison. However, he isn't the only cancer in our locker room. The reason guys like this are dangerous is they spoil the other good players. I just saw a quote from Leonard Williams where he said he is "sick of fake diehard Jets fans". That's a major red flag. #92 is a potential 10 year impact player and came to NY with a great attitude. 30 games later, after being in a locker room with guys like Geno, Sheldon, Revis, Wilkerson, and company...  he's pretty much saying fuck the fans. That's what I have been warning about for years with this roster.

It's hard enough to hit on a bluechip draft pick, you don't need their attitude ruined by a garbage locker room. It's also hard to find a good coach. Frankly, I don't think Bowles ever had a chance. The Jets kept 35 of Rex's guys on the 2015 roster. They are spoiled, lazy and entitled. No coach can fix that... not that many. The only solution is to purge and rebuild. That's obviously what The Browns have done.. or at least started the process.

So now we need to start over again. First step is to clean house on this coaching staff. You need a group who can create a wining culture.

Next, you OFF the GM (who I said was wildly unqualified from day#1). He came from a losing culture in Houston. He's a loser. He let Snacks walk and gave Wilkerson a ridiculous contract. He gave Revis a ridiculous contract. He retained Richardson so long and allowed him to run his mouth so much that now he has no trade value. He retained Geno fucking Smith... a guy with the worst QBR in the league during his time as a starter here... and a guy who flipped off the fans in his home stadium!! His draft picks are looking like a pile of garbage... and any GM that would draft Hackenberg with the #51 overall pick is clinically insane.

Dump Mac and Bowles both. That's step #1.

Step #2 is hopefully going to be Woody leaving for London and becoming our ambassador. The further he is from this team the better.

Step #3 is Woody breaking the bank before he leaves and hiring Bill Parcells as Team President and his son-in-law Scott Pioli as GM.

Step #4 is this Father and son-in-law, dynamic duo, trading our 2nd round pick to the Saints for Sean Payton as our next head coach. He and the Tuna are close, and this trio can turn this squad around.

Step #4 is The Purge!  FitzTragic, Richardson, Geno, Revis, Skrine, Carpenter, Edwards (punter), Hackenberg, Harris, Petty (I've seen enough.. turnover machine), Ijalana, McDougle, Pryor, Seferian-Jenkins, D Smith, Giacomini, Clady, Gilchrist, and Kellen Davis are all gone.

I doubt any of these names have any trade value. Maybe Richardson, Carpenter and or Pryor could fetch late round picks.. but I doubt it. The purge will be obvious and teams aren't gong to line up to give up anything for players that they can easily get for nothing down the road. I don't care that we end up with dead money with some of these guys. They are all either underachievers, have no future, or have horrendous attitudes. Sadly some are all three.

You'll notice that Wilkerson isn't on the list. Just too much dead money on that one contract. Hopefully by 2018 we can boot him. I would take any compensation to get rid of him and his contract, but no team will accept the absurd guaranteed money he is due based on his half hearted production this year. So we are most likely stuck with him. Could play hard ball and bench him, make his life hell so that he would accept a trade including a renegotiated contract, but that won't happen.

Despite the dead money there will obviously be some major net gain in salary cap space. If the front office and head coach I just mentioned became a reality, we would actually have a shot at some free agents. But we are in such a hole, that free agents and the draft aren't going to be enough. We need to think outside the box.

First priority couldn't be more clear.... unless you are Woody Johnson or any member of the Jets current front office. Quarterback!!!!!!! It all starts and ends with this position. To quote our future team president (LOL, I know it would be way to smart of a move for Woody to actually make) Parcells once said 'you can't just dial 1-800-quarterback.' It is a tough process. But you have to leave no stone unturned. I am recommending dropping all four of our QB's and starting fresh.

So therefore, I 'd like to have one older vet, maybe a guy like Hoyer or even Matt Moore (who the Jets just made look like a hero last week). Next I'd like a rookie from the 2017 draft. And in the middle I'd like to land a guy who is in his mid 20's and hasn't had a solid shot yet. Guys like Nassib or Mike Glennon out of Tampa. That's a basic blueprint for how I would try to fill my QB room.

However, I did say that you have to think outside the box. So trades have to be a consideration as well. Maybe guys like Osweiler and/or Bortles sneak their way on to the block. One name I would stay away from, under any and all circumstances, would be Tony Romo. I don't like him in big games and then there is the obvious durability concerns. If the Tuna and Payton both ended up here, the Romo speculation would be deafening. But that would be a mistake, unless you land him for cheap and short money. 1 year, 10 million. That's my max on a chance like that. And he's under contract in 2017 with the Boys' ... so I am assuming he's released. I wouldn't trade anything for him and absorb his crazy current salary.

Next are the other 3 key positions on any NFL team. There's a true #1 shut down CB, Left Tackle and most importantly a game changing outside pass rushing LB. Yes... all four (including QB) of the key impact positions on an NFL roster are empty for us. Wow, and that's after 40 draft picks in the last 5 years.... FORTY!

I'm using our 1st round pick, which will probably be top 5... on a pass rushing OLB. And who better to make that pick than Parcells? Derek Barnett from Tennessee seems like a potential impact, top 5 pick. He and Leonard Williams together could cause some havoc for opposing offenses.

Next is the shut down CB and Stephon Gilmore from the Bills should be available. I'd back the money truck up to his house.

As for LT... that's a tough one. They don't grow on trees and they don't hit the FA market often. Joe Thomas from Cleveland might be the free agent unicorn we need. But that's an outside shot. Make no mistake, our entire offensive line needs an attention. However, I'd keep Mangold in 2017, even though conventional wisdom would say that he should be dumped along with his 9 million dollar cap number. I think he has one good year left, and he's a true warrior. I might consider keeping Winters as well. You may notice he isn't on my "hit list" above either. Carpenter was on my hit list, and that is because he sucks. He's a waste of money, I hope I don't see him in green and white next season.

All of that being said... What I expect to happen is:

• Woody gives Bowles and Mac a 3rd year.
• NO impact free agent will touch this team with a 10 foot pole.
• Mac trades away our 2nd round pick for Romo instead of Sean Payton. Woody is behind this dumb/ Tebow/ Favre-esc move.
• Romo plays 3 maybe 4 total games in 2017 due to injuries.  
• We probably dump Richardson for nothing... and he becomes DPOY for the Dolphins or Bills.
• I would assume that our other QB's will be Hack & Petty. Both play for the injured Romo and suck.
• We keep Clady for another year but dump Mangold (because HE is too fragile). Clady doesn't even make it through the preseason before going on IR.
• We keep Revis for 16 million and move him around the defensive backfield with the hopes he finds a spot where being lackadaisical and unwilling to tackle can be productive traits.
• Williams continues to get more negative with the fans and press. He's ruined by seasons end.
• We keep Seferian-Jenkins and he gets suspended for more off the field crap.

 And by December of 2017 we are right back where we are today... with No QB, No LT, No OLB and No #1 CB.

Its becoming too easy to predict what Woody and his band of clowns will do.

2 Weeks To Go

So as the 2016 regular season comes to an end what have we learned?

The Jaguars are an organization that is perfectly fine with losing. It's acceptable to their owner. This guy let a coach go 14-48 over 4 seasons and didn't fire him until week 15. That accomplished nothing. By week 8 it was obvious the Jags were headed for another season that would land them a top 3 draft pick. It was also obvious that Bradley had to go. With a guy like Doug Marrone on the staff, it only made sense to give him at least 6 to 8 games to show what he could do with this squad. You had a legitimate potential replacement on the staff and you stuck with Gus because he was "so well respected" in your building. 14-48 brings up a lot of feelings for me regarding him, respect isn't one of them.

The Raiders have two unbelievably rare finds on their roster in Mack and Carr. My God! When was the last time a team landed back to back draft picks like these two studs? It takes 53 players to win a championship, but these two are the foundation. It's like getting Von Miller and Andrew Luck in the same draft. I'm not sure about this year, but this combo should bring another Lombardi to the great Raiders Nation eventually.

I've been a Jets fan for 3 decades, although last season I tried to wash my hands of them... if that's possible. Nonetheless, it's hard for me to be impartial about the Patriots in general. But if Brady wins the MVP in a season where he was suspended for 4 games for cheating, it will be the ultimate cherry on top of a society that has given up on the concept of character. It's just simply absurd, and I'd say there is a 90% chance it happens. Gross.

Further proving the theory that building through the draft is the only way to create sustainable success in this league, the Cowboys also deliver an amazing one two punch drafting Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott in this years draft. These two impact rookies have helped lead the Boys' to a 12-2 record. Jerry Jones also took Jaylon Smith in the early second round, and he has a big chance of being a game changer for them next season.

The only team to beat the Cowboys this season was the Giants. They spent big in free agency, and turned around a historically bad defense. Their GM went from the chopping block to potentially executive of the year. I still question some of the dollar amounts that were handed out to those free agents, but as for 2016... that invested cash is paying dividends.

Two players who I was dead set against in the 2015 draft were Marcus Mariota and Vic Beasley. I called them both 3rd to 4th round picks who would be top 10 busts. The Mariota thing was a bit of a roll of the dice. I acknowledged the outstanding intangibles he brought to the table as well as his physical gifts. I said he may have a chance log term, but I didn't see him doing this well this quickly. He is the real deal. He makes huge plays in big moments and minimizes mistakes.

As for Beasley I said BUST, BUST, BUST. I called him a work out warrior, and a combine freak. I saw another Vernon Gholson. Well, 30 games, 20 sacks and countless game changing plays later... this guy is also the real deal. I am happy to say I was wrong and that the NFL has gained another star. Good for the dirty birds!

The Steelers, Packers and Chargers have some fundamental problems somewhere in their organizations right now. The first two clubs are legendary teams, but like the Chargers all three are wasting, or maybe taking for granted the fact that they have franchise QB's. AND, none of these guys are getting any younger. All three have defenses and O-lines that are simply not good enough to win it all. 2 years ago I started saying this about the Giants and Eli. They didn't have the proper skill players around him and the defense was falling apart. They have started to make roster moves with a sense of urgency. And not a moment too soon.

The Rams finally got rid of Fischer. Another over due move. This guy hasn't had a winning record in this league for a long time. After losing his challenge flag mid game (yes, that actually happened) and complimenting Danny Woodhead during a media conference call as a key part of the Patriots offense (a guy who hasn't been on Belichick's roster for over 2 years and is also coincidentally on IR for the 2016 season) he was dumped. But another clumsy move by a piss poor organization. They did it 72 hours before a Thursday night game and they put their special teams coordinator in charge. This guy looked like a pop warner coach they pulled in off the street. When asked if he what he would change about what the fired head coach was doing his answer was "nothing". SMH. What a leader!

The other coaches that should be relived of their duties on black Monday are Rex Ryan (all talk, no results... the circus need to fold it's tent for good with this one), Marvin Lewis.. (is it like 15 years he's been in Cincinnati now??? Still never even one playoff win??? How is him being their HC still a thing? Mind boggling) Chip Kelly (please leave the NFL forever).

And finally Bill O'Brien. Holy shit this guy is like poison to QB's.. he couldn't find one if you gave him 20 more seasons. Sadly they still might make the playoffs. If they did I can't imagine him being let go... but he should be. This is a team that gave a QB $72 million with 37 guaranteed without ever sitting down with him and doing an interview??? If I was that owner I would have no choice but to clean house. This same group passed on Khalil Mack with the #1 overall pick in 2014 AND THEN traded away the top pick of the second round... to the Raiders.... who took Carr. Again, HOLY SHIT... clean house. Period.

So I will now predict the conference championship match ups, winners, and my Super Bowl prediction:

AFC Championship game will be in New England with the Pats taking on the Chiefs.

NFC Championship game will be in Green Bay with The Pack taking on the Giants.

I see Green Bay winning their division and probably beating the Bucs and Seattle to host the NFCCG... The Giants would have a tough pair of road games vs the Falcons and Cowboys.

Meanwhile the Pats and Chiefs as the top 2 seeds on the AFC side would be on a collision course.

I think the Patriots beat the Chiefs and face the Giants in the Superbowl... for the 3rd time in a decade. My heart tells me that the G-men pull it off, but I think that Brady has a play making defense and a trio of running backs that will make up for the loss of Gronk...

So Tom Terrific gets ring #5... and hopefully fucking retires!

What's wrong with the New York Jets???

My-my-my. Things are a mess with the J-E-T-S Jets. Yet again. As a fan for over 30 years... this broken record has made me numb.

First off, lets be clear about how we got here. And to be clear, 'here' is football hell... out of post-season contention before the midway point of the season.

The Jets certainly have some talent. Mike Maccagnan took over a team with some huge holes, but luckily he had a ton of salary cap cash to spend.

• the O-line was getting old and needed to be rebuilt,
• there was no legitimate TE on the roster,
• there was an old LB corps that lacked any threat or speed from the edge,
• there was no clear starter at QB, 
• there was no true #1 WR and
• the secondary was useless.  

He traded for Marshall and spent a lot of cash on our secondary, including an absurd deal which gave Revis $39 million guaranteed after the age of 30. He has also drafted multiple young LB's to try and rebuild that group. Marshall has been productive and has filled the role of true #1 WR. The secondary that was hand picked by Mac has been a disaster this year. So far none of those young LB's show that they have any chance of developing into a game changing pass rusher from the edge.

That being said:

• the O-line is still a disaster,
• we still don't have a legitimate TE, even though we did pick up a dynamic young player off of waivers from Tampa. Seferian-Jenkins is an amazing athlete, but he is injury prone and he was waived because he is a nightmare off the field. He's a Band-Aid.
• And most importantly we are still miles away from finding that all elusive franchise QB.

Let me quote what I said back in March of 2015 when we signed Revis to his ridiculous contract:

"...as for Me-vis, I mean Revis. He's going to be 30 years old this summer. He isn't worth 16 million this year. Corners hit the wall, with zero warning, right around 29-30 years old. Last season was probably his swan song. He has absolutely NOTHING left to prove moving forward. He is guaranteed 39 million dollars. He has a ring. He's back on a team, playing for an owner who dumped him when he was recovering from an injury and his future was in doubt. Now he gets to take Woody's money and sit back and fade away.

 

Obviously Woody knew fans would be thrilled to get Revis back and he's trying to sell tickets. So he told our new GM to do anything needed to resign him. If Woody would have just done this in 2010 the contract would have made sense, and he would have never ended up in New England. Now we decide to make him the highest paid CB in the league... when he's on the downside of his career.

 

I know, and our front office knows this is a 2 year deal for 39 million. He will make 16 million this year, 16 million next year and he is scheduled to make 15 million in 2017, when he will be 32. No way we pay a guy at that age that much money. So if we cut him in 2017 we eat 7 million in dead money against our cap. That's unacceptable. Brandon Marshall makes 7.5 million. That gives you an idea of what we are losing with that dead money."

Today every word of what I said 20 months ago rings true. The reason that we haven't addressed the O-line, or signed a free agent pass rusher, or a tight end is because we had over 30 million tied up this offseason on Revis and Wilkerson (franchise tag) not to mention we had to keep over 10 million in our back pockets so that we could sign 'FitzTragic' when he was ready to show up.

Considering it was obvious that Revis hit the wall at the end of 2015, and we had two other very impactful former 1st round picks that play the same position as Wilkerson its puzzling to try and understand why our GM ignored our huge deficiencies in these other areas and prioritized these two players.

I said clearly that when Fitz wouldn't sign in early March we needed to cut ties and move on to plan B. Obviously the Browns wanted to trade out of the #2 spot, and the smart move for the Jets was to do whatever was necessary to move up and land Wentz. Instead we decided to wait on a guy who is a solid back up at best. We waited for him like he was Peyton Manning or something. And frankly, a guy with his limited talent deciding to skip OTA's and even possible private work outs with his pass catchers was despicable. His struggles this season were predictable. Now he's on the bench, where he belongs.

When this team won 10 games last season it was considered a successful season in Florham Park. Any self-respecting franchise would have viewed that final game in Buffalo as an unacceptable failure and a huge indication that the roster needed to be improved dramatically. Instead, the Jets basically kept things the same, the only big changes were letting a huge free agent (no pun intended) Defensive Tackle 'Big Snacks' walk in free agency.

What should have happened in the weeks following the collapse in western NY was the following:

First Fitz should have understood that if his deal wasn't done by the start of the league year he was being cut loose. This 5 month dance that went on between him and Mac was absurd and set a bad precedent.

Next, the decision should have been made to keep Snacks over Big Mo. Snacks would have been cheaper, he's still young, he's a homegrown, undrafted guy and he fits perfectly with Williams and Richardson. Instead of playing a 300lb guy at middle LB as we did with Richardson this past week, we would have had the right guys lined up in the right spots.

By signing Snacks over Mo and moving on from Fitz we would have had nearly 20 million more dollars to attack free agency with. We could have brought in at least 2 rock solid O-linemen like Kelechi Osemele, and we could have looked at a guy like Bruce Irvin as an impactful outside LB in his prime.

We would have had to come up with a strategy to address the QB position. Geno should have been cut first off. Petty is obviously a developmental guy. So a veteran back up like Hoyer should have been signed and considering their were no high quality candidates available via free agency the next avenue is trade possibilities. I'm sure guys like Bradford and Cutler could have been acquired for the right price, but who wants them? So the draft is the obvious way to go.

That leads us to The Browns, the #2 pick and Carson Wentz. Our #20 overall and our 2nd round pick would have got that pick (packaged with a midrounder or two including next year). We took Lee and Hackenberg with those first two picks. I am SURE Hack will never amount to anything and I am very skeptical about Lee, I rated him as a bust before the draft happened.

Now if you think this revisionist history... in my previous post carson-wentz-vs-jared-goff from April you will see that I was very direct about what I would have done as Jets GM to try an establish a genuine franchise QB... and it would have been Carson Wentz.

So none of this happened. Our GM decided to field a team in 2016 that was, AT BEST, the same talent level as 2015... and in 2015 we didn't make the playoffs. The fact that this guy didn't understand that he needed to improve this roster is reason enough that he should be terminated. There's only two things he has done well. He drafted Leonard Williams and traded for Marshall. And I struggle giving him credit for #92 because we already had Wilkerson and Richardson as well as so many other holes to fill.

The rest of the 2015 draft looks like a bust. This years draft was worse. Any executive that would draft Hackenberg in any round, especially the mid-second is crazy. When Mac was the head of scouting in Houston he was a part of some good picks like @Nukdabomb and JJ Watt. But he was a part of a losing franchise for over a decade. Why? Because they could never establish a QB. Mac doesn't get it considering he went with Fitz and the Geno-Coaster as his top two options. But, the main guy who doesn't get it is Woody.

The only way the Jets ever become an elite team and the class of the NFL is if Woody Johnson sells the team. This guy promised fans their own stadium... considering he has more money than God it looked like that was the one thing he could accomplish. Instead we got a toaster covered in green light bulbs that we share with the VaGiants.

This guy somehow botched the transition of Parcells to Belichick. He allowed a team that was the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl in 1999 (before a disastrous injury to the QB week 1) and let a brilliant coaching staff walk to a division rival... and the rest is history.

He's focused on continually hiring 1st time GM's and HC's instead of paying up and bringing in the best of the best. 4 Gm's and 5 HC's as well as over a half a dozen starting QB's in 15 years??? He has ZERO clue. Instead of the infamous "Fire Idzik" billboards I think the money would have been spent better on a simple message...  #WoodySellTheTeam

We need someone who can step in, spend some big money on a proven front office and coaching staff... and make it very clear that missing the playoffs and choking in the last game of the season doesn't get you big money like what we saw handed out to Big Mo and FitzTragic.  We also need someone who will get out of the Jets share of ownership in the Big Toaster and build this team and fan base THEIR OWN STADIUM.

As for the roster it needs to be purged. It's that simple. Instead of saying who I would dump, I'll suggest who should stay... it's a smaller list LOL

Wilkerson (can't cut.. too much dead money)
Williams
Lee and Jenkins the rookie LB's
Decker, Enunwa, Marshall, and Peak
Burris and Gilchrist
Powell
Petty

THAT's it.

• I purge the whole O-line including second string.
• Revis has to take a pay cut to 9 million and move to safety/ nickel or he's gone. Eat the 7 million and free up 9.
• Trade Richardson and anyone else who can bring in a late round pick or higher... just like the Eagles did this year. Even if you have to eat some money.

We could feasibly free up over 60 million by making this purge happen, but that's not the main reason to do it. The main reason is because the stench of mediocrity is embedded deep in the walls of Florham Park. That locker room needs to look like a nuke went off in it. One bad apple can ruin the bunch, and we have at least 30 guys who are showing up exclusively for their game check.

With that cap room we can target guys who may hit the market next March like Dre Kirkpatrick, Eric Berry, Stephon Gilmore, Dont'a Hightower, Jarvis Jones, Alex Okafor, Riley Reiff, Marcus Cannon, Kenny Stills, Kendall Wright... ect.

As for leadership... there are a bunch of bluechip coaching options out there for the right price. Proven culture building winners. Jim Harbaugh is the obvious top choice. It would take a dump truck full of cash to lure him away from his alma mater, but everyone has their price. And trust me, he's itching to come back to the NFL, build a winner and dominate.

None of this happens if Woody Johnson doesn't release Jets fans from their current hostage situation.

-Jay Wagner

Six Weeks In The Books

What have we learned after 6 weeks of NFL football?

The Vikings are my favorite team this year. I wasn't a fan of sending a 1st round pick to the Eagles for a fragile, 1st round bust in Bradford. I also wasn't a fan of Bridgewater in the first place...  to be honest. I think former 1st round pick Paterson has been a huge disappointment and Rudolph is very overrated at TE. I also haven't been a huge fan of offensive coordinator Norv Turner throughout his career.

That's a lot of things I don't like. Ya' know what I do like? Heart. Accountability. No excuses. Team first. And most importantly... bone crunching hits. No team in the NFL personifies everything I just mentioned better than the 2016 Minnesota Vikings. This defense is starting to remind me of the 99' Ravens squad. Franchise QB on IR a week before opening day... no problem. One of the most effective offensive weapons in all of football goes down... no Peterson, no problem. I am rooting for a Raiders vs.Vikings Super Bowl... I'd be a happy NFL fan.

As for the Raiders. I wrote about this squad back in early June: Raiders 2016 preview

I said that the time is NOW for the silver and black. Well, apparently they got the memo. Their coach and players leave it all out on the field every week. Crabtree has emerged as a true clutch player, and he and his teammate Cooper have the most combined yards of any duo in the league. The one thing that has been concerning is that their defense is very inconsistent. Hopefully the free agents like Sean Smith and Bruce Irvin will start to gel as we approach the second half of the season.

Odell Beckham Jr. is a ticking time bomb. There's been a bit too much hype around his latest meltdown 2 weeks ago when he exchanged punches with a practice kicking net on the sideline. And there's been a bit to much made of his huge 200+ yard performance this past week. The Giants are desperately trying to pretend that one good game has cured everything, and the public should just sweep his disturbing behavior during games under the rug. I've been a football fan for over 30 years. I can say with 100% confidence that the combination of this kids talent, ego, volatile personality and the NY media are very toxic. This story won't end well for OBJ in NYC. Trust me.

The Browns are the worst organization in pro sports. And I'm saying that as a lifelong Jets fan. Passing on Carson Wentz and trading out of the #2 pick may actually outshine all of their other horrendous drafting/ QB moves. I rated Wentz as the best QB in this years draft during the offseason and I had him as the 5th best overall player in the draft. That being said, I am not as enamored with his solid start to the season as some others. He has a lot of growing to do to be a real threat, but he has already proven he's NFL ready.

Another rookie who has shown he is NFL ready is Dak Prescott. I'm so frustrated because Connor Cook was my pick as the real sleeper QB in this years draft. He went to Oakland and is obviously a back up. If he ever gets his shot I believe he can be the real deal. I didn't say much about Prescott in this draft because his 2015 season wasn't much to write home about. However, I first noticed him in 2014 and I was impressed. I wish I hadn't lost interest because I saw some great things in him.

The big question in Cowboys Nation is: should Romo get his job back? This situation is so similar to the Bledsoe/ Brady ordeal of 2001. And Belichick laid out a clear blueprint on how to handle the situation. Jerry Jones is the exact opposite of 'the hoodie', so I am sure he will botch this. Nonetheless, Dak and Zek are the type of draft picks that can change the direction of an organization. Kudos to these two young guys for showing that the stage of pro football isn't too big for them.

I am not wavering from my declaration that the Cardinals are an elite team. I said 13-3 back in August, that's looking unlikely, but they will be a playoff team. The reason that they have struggled is simply because Carson Palmer has obviously hit the wall. He is looking weary, and he has already missed a game with a concussion. Combine that with my analysis of  Palmer as a post season choke artist, and sadly one of the most talented rosters in the league will probably be a footnote once the 2016 season is done.

The Bills also were a team spiraling out of control after the first 2 weeks of the season. I can't say enough about how impressive it is that Rex has stopped the bleeding, and finally has this group playing up to their talent. They look like a completely different team in the past 4 weeks compared to what we all saw through the first 18 games of the Rex era. Good for him. I have been a real Rex hater for many years. With his back against the wall he has set a fire under his teams ass, and they are responding. They are the only real threat to Brady and Belichick as the season moves forward. Not just in their division but in the whole AFC.

A few more quick hits:

• I am not a believer in the Falcons. They are certainly moving in the right direction as a team, but I think they are a year away from being a true contender.
• The Panthers really dropped the ball by letting Josh Norman walk. Their defense is a mess. I think they will be lucky to finish with a winning record. Huge disappointment as a team.
• The Browns, Bears and 49ers are obviously the whipping boys of the league. I am sure they will all be drafting in the top 5, and all of them need a fresh start at QB. I wonder if there will be any QB worthy of a top 5 pick in the 2017 draft.
• I am not in anyway surprised that the Redskins have turned it around. They are far from a top team, but they are showing that they can win ugly when they need to. Gruden was on the hot seat after a 0-2 start, but he's back in the saddle after 4 straight wins.
• I'd keep an eye on the LA Rams. Keenum is starting to play pretty good football. What do they do if he somehow leads them to the playoffs and continues to progress? There's no way you can bench the #1 overall pick in the draft in year 2. It's too soon to speculate but I'd pay attention as this saga unfolds.

-Jay Wagner

Head Coaches Who Are Starting To Sweat

Coaches on the hot seat after three weeks:

 

Rex Ryan, obviously. I think that he won't make it to the end of the season. Shocking move firing the OC after 2 weeks, but even more shocking that the move was made by the owner himself... and without consulting Rex. The whole season comes down to their match up with Belichick in a few days. If they get rolled by the Ravens and Jets to start the season, and then can't beat the Pats without Brady... Rex will be gone. 1-3 with a relatively healthy and talented squad will be unacceptable in western NY. However, they were an absolute buzzsaw as they dismantled the Cardinals... a universally accepted elite team in the NFL.  If they follow that up with another stellar performance vs. the Pats they will be 2-2 and looking like a team on the rise. One game can be so impactful. P.S.- Tom Coughlin has been rumored to be talking with the ownership in Buffalo.

Jay Gruden, unquestionably. He has certainly stumbled and struggled from day one as the big cheese in Washington. They won their division last year, but it was a historically bad division. What it boils down to in this situation is the team has performed well below their perceived talent level. It's that simple. If they don't squeak out that win last week in East Rutherford Gruden would have already been fired IMHO.

Gus Bradley, finally. My gosh, this team has drafted SO WELL over the past 4 years. Tons of young talent, a legitimate franchise QB, a solid coaching staff serving under Bradley... and it's Groundhog Day all over again in Jacksonville. Losing close games, and not making key plays when they are needed. It goes back to the culture that is created by the HC. Bradley is a loser. Get a guy like Mike Zimmer or Jack Del Rio in there who can help this squad grow a set of balls and this roster is deep in the playoffs. Stick with Bradley and you'll be drafting in the top 10 every year.

Sean Payton, surprisingly. I think he is a brilliant coach, and if he gets clipped this year he would be a PERFECT fit for the aforementioned Jaguars. The Saints are facing two main problems that have caused their struggles over the last few years and their current 0-3 start. One is horrendous drafting/ free agent signings/ trades. Yup I'm grouping all of that stuff into one category... 'roster moves'. Trading Jimmy Grahm was dumb. He and Brees had rare chemistry, breaking it up for a draft pick... when you obviously can't evaluate/ identify talent in the draft was a mistake. A big one. I am not sure how much influence Payton has on roster moves in general, but he's not the GM so I can't put much of the blame on his shoulders.

The other main problem that has been holding them back is Brees's greed. His contract has suffocated this team and limited their ability to sign talent. I felt that he showed some signs of decline last year despite his usual huge stat line. But this year I definitely see him starting to hit the wall. And he just forced his teams hand again into another huge extension. Payton needs a fresh start.

One final name I will mention is Todd Bowles. I've been a Jets fan for 30 years... inexplicably LOL. I was very excited about the Bowles hiring. I have been a very enthusiastic supporter of his. But, I also predicted a 2-5 start through the first 7 games this year, which defied conventional wisdom. My prediction wasn't because of Bowles, but because of poor roster management. The Jets GM won the prestigious executive of the year award is rookie season in 2015. But I have been very critical of his moves... and non-moves. The bloom is off the rose and we are starting to see the ramifications of his missteps. After an unacceptable one point loss in the home opener to a mediocre Bengals team that is not known for their poise in big games, followed by an absolute meltdown/ blowout loss on the road in KC the team is 1-2. Their sole victory coming vs. Rex Ryan's circus of a team in Buffalo.

Two factors that I think will start to warm up Bowles seat are his decision to keep FitzMagic in the game after 3... 4... 5... and even 6 INT's. It was terrible in game management. I'm one of his biggest fans, and even I shook my head. The second issue is that The Jets are facing the Seahawks this week. Their defense has been outstanding so far this season. Their QB is hobbled. They are traveling across the country for this game. The Jets are expected to win this game, no matter what the spread may be. I am sure they will lose. That will be a 1-3 start for a team that some expected to be a playoff caliber squad. Rumblings will start in NY. Trust me.

Week 1 is in the books...

Here are some takeaways from an exciting opening week!

 

 

Worst call:

The Jags elect to call, and very poorly execute, a WR screen on 4th and 3 with the game on the line. I can't imagine throwing the ball behind the line of scrimmage in that scenario. I wrote about the Jags and Raiders a few months ago. I was clear that they are in 'win now' mode. No more rebuilding, no more 'just wait until next year'. This is the time to start delivering. If week 1 is any indication, The Jags are still a day late and a dollar short. As for Del Rio and The Raiders, they plan to leave it all on the field.

Best play of the week:

Jimmy Garoppolo did a solid job in his first start. But one play really stood out to me. In the 2nd half The Pats are trailing. It's 3rd down. They are backed up on their own side of the field. The play call is a WR screen, very similar to the play I just mentioned from the end of the Jags game. Jimmy dropped back and began to throw the ball. He saw the defender breaking on it and pulled the ball back. He went to his second read and again began to throw the ball, but pulled it back. The clock in his head went off and he got out of the pocket... keeping his eyes down the field the whole time. He finally found an open WR and got the first down and then some. That would have been an outstanding play if it was Brady back there, it was even better for a guy in his first start.

They were who we thought they were:

The Packers offense looked scary, as did The Broncos defense. In a rollercoaster week that delivered some surprises and all of the unpredictable variables that make us love NFL football.. the two squads that delivered simply lived up to their respective expectations. Rodgers and Co. were in mid-season form on offense and Von Miller and his wrecking crew terrorized Cam and the Panthers.

As for living up to negative expectations The Browns always come through. I said they would be the worst defense in the league this year. They got off to a good start in accomplishing that. RGIII is on IR after one game. Its so sadly predictable. I can hear the late, great Denny Greene 'they were who we thought they were!' The Browns could have kept a few of their vets that they let walk and drafted Wentz at #2. They would have at least been competitive. Instead it's another year as the leagues doormat.

Offseason adjustments that look effective so far:

The Giants spent a ton of cash on their terrible defense this past spring. They showed some signs that the cash wasn't spent in vain. There revamped secondary looked OK. They made some big plays, but struggled with consistency. That's normal early in the season for a bunch of new guys who are learning to play together. I expect them to get even better. But, there front seven played lights out and are the reason The Giants pulled out that close win on the road. The pass rush was dynamic and their run defense manhandled the best O-line in football.

The Jets let Chris Ivory walk in free agency and signed the grizzled vet Matt Forte. Boy did that look like a brilliant move considering how #22 has quickly become the centerpiece of the Jets offense and Ivory was sitting in a hospital room with a "general medical issue" ... whatever that means.

The Ravens get a +1 for the moves they didn't make. They were decimated by injuries to their core players on defense and offense. Ozzy Newsome and Harbaugh didn't panic and brought back some vets who are getting long in the tooth like Steve Smith and Suggs. They squeaked out a big win vs. Rex Ryan and his Bills and as the season progresses I think these old guys will make some major contributions.

Most significant win of the week:

The Vikings played their absolute hearts out. This team refuses to lay down and die after losing their starting QB days before their first game of the season. Watching their effort, passion and disciplined execution made it clear to me how important it is to have the right guy in the HC spot. Zimmer doesn't accept excuses. It showed week 1.

I know the Patriots upset of the Cards would be a top candidate for this spot, especially considering Brady/ Ninkovich being suspended, and Gronk/ Lewis being injured. But I wasn't shocked. Give Belichick 6 months to prepare for a game and he's winning 99 times out of 100.

Most significant loss of the week:

The Redskins were absolutely beat down by the Steelers. Gruden was the exact opposite of Zimmer, his former coaching colleague from Cincinnati. He has shown that he struggles with getting his team ready for week 1. They looked loss and uninspired. However, I see them improving the more they play together. But with the Giants and Eagles looking much better, the Redskins may have lost their playoff spot with this one loss.

The worst loss of the week was obviously The Rams being destroyed by the 49ers. It's not very 'significant', because they were never going t be contenders anyway. But this loss is epic for so many reasons. First off they lost to a terrible football team. Gabbert was like 8-27 in his career heading into this game. If he could just play the Rams over and over for 18 more straight weeks he would be .500 LOL

But seriously, they move to LA with a lot of fanfare. They have debatably the best individual offensive and defensive players in the league with Gurley and Donald. They gave a 1st round bust WR who is basically a glorified kick returner $52 million. They traded tons of draft picks to move up to the #1 overall pick. I think it was to make a big splash. They took Goff over Wentz and the kid DIDN'T EVEN FUCKING DRESS FOR THE GAME. A healthy scratch for the #1 overall pick in the draft?????  In the game Gurley and Donald both get unsportsman-like flags and Donald is ejected.

Oh, and finally.... they were shut out. It's going to be a long strange journey for southern California's new/old team.

Preseason Power Rankings

 

I disagree so adamantly with the power rankings I have come across this preseason that I felt it imperative to post my view on the best and the worst the NFL will have to offer in 2016.

First we the best of the best. 5 of my top 6 are from the NFC. I feel very confident that the Super Bowl champs are one of these elite half dozen squads.

1. Panthers Projected 13-3
2. Cardinals Projected 13-3
3. Packers Projected 12-4
4. Chiefs Projected 11-5
5. Seahawks Projected 11-5
6. Redskins Projected 11-5

Next we have the middle of the pack. Some of these teams will be wildcard teams and some may win their divisions with a record barely over .500 because of how weak those divisions are. I'd say the Saints, Ravens and Raiders have the best chance of missing the playoffs from this group.

7. Jaguars Projected 10-6
8. Vikings Projected 10-6
9. Bengals Projected 10-6
10. Bills Projected 9-7
11. Texans Projected 9-7
12. Broncos Projected 9-7
13. Ravens Projected 9-7
14. Raiders Projected 9-7
15. Saints Projected 9-7

Next up are the average to below average group. I know it's outrageous to some that I have the Steelers and Pats included in this group.  Oh well, it's my list. The Rams, Titans and Bucs are the real up and comers in this group. Watch out in 2017.

16. Patriots  Projected 8-8
17. Steelers Projected 8-8
18. Giants Projected 8-8
19. Bucs Projected 8-8
20. Falcons Projected 8-8
21. Titans Projected 7-9
22. Jets Projected 7-9
23. Eagles Projected 7-9
24. Rams Projected 7-9

Finally the dumpster juice of the league. A bunch of teams that are just lost. The Chargers battle with Joey Bosa is inexplicable. The Dolphins let their young homegrown talent walk in free agency... guys like Miller and Vernon were scouted, drafted and developed in south Florida. They are now on other teams and Miami got nothing for them. Head scratcher.

The 49ers and Lions simply have the wrong HC in charge. And, the Browns are in the midst of a LONG rebuilding project. Their defense will be the worst in the league in 2016. The Big question mark is Dallas. I think their offense could be special, even if Romo is sidelined. But even if Prescott lives up to his preseason hype, that doesn't make up for one of the weakest defenses in the game.

25. Cowboys Projected 6-10
26. Lions Projected 6-10
27. Chargers Projected 6-10
28. Bears Projected 6-10
29. Colts Projected 5-11
30. Dolphins Projected 5-11
31. 49ers Projected 5-11
32. Browns 4-12

AFC South Season Preview

Luck, Mariota, Osweiler and Bortles... four young bucks who think they have what it takes to lead their respective teams to the promise land. Let's start with the 'elder' and most experienced of the group... Mr. Andrew Luck.   

***Indianapolis Colts***

What I like:

• Luck is the best QB in this league under 30 years of age. The only thing that guys like Palmer, Rivers, and Brady have on him is experience, and there is no substitute for it.  
• Sadly Luck is the only thing I like about this organization.   

What I hate:

• Coaching staff is full of weak personnel who mostly fizzled out as HC's and coordinators and have since been demoted .  
• O-line is unacceptable.  
• Secondary was OK before the Vontae Davis injury. Now they are counting on Cromartie as a starter... that's bad news.
• Not a fan of Hilton or the other pass catchers. Dorsett was a guy I was so excited about in the 2015 draft. His rookie season was a complete bust.
• The backfield is a joke. Gore is finished as a starter.
• Their owner is a nut job. This guy stumbled into the #1 overall pick on the best draft years possible over the past 2 decades. He lands Manning and Luck back to back. And his team has a achieved a grand total of 1 Super Bowl win during this stretch. When the 49ers went from Montana directly to Young they tallied 5 rings if I am not mistaken.  
• Luck can only pray that after this season there is a complete overhaul in this organization and they can start to surround him with some talent.

I predict 5-11 and those wins will be completely because of Luck's brilliance.

***Tennessee Titans***

What I like:

• I predicted Mariota would be a complete bust on the pro level. SO FAR he has proven me wrong. So far.   
• The coaching staff is very interesting. LeBeau, Grimm and a few of the other coaches who joined the team to work with former HC Wisenhunt decided to remain on staff to work with Mike Mularkey.  I am lost on why they didn't give Chip Kelly a shot to reunite with Mariota... but inside that organization Mularkey is respected. Good for them for not taking the bait and making a flashy move just for the sake of it.
• Outstanding young O-line with lots of upside.   
• Great mix of pass catchers. Some young up and comers and some savvy vets. Surprising that they bailed out on Green-Beckum so quickly.   
• Deep, bruising backfield.
• Solid, under the radar secondary.

What I hate:

• LB's and D-line lack game changers. LeBeau has his work cut out for him.
• Balanced team overall, but the sub par front 7 will hold them back from being a playoff team.      

I think they go 7-9 and I am worried that Mariota may have his 3rd different HC when he starts his 3rd year in the league. Not a formula for long-term success.  

***Houston Texans***

What I like:

• Pretty amazing coaching staff.      
• I am not a fan of their #1 pick WR Fuller because he is a one trick pony, but in this particular offense I think he may actually do well. Trading up one spot and passing on WR Doctson was a mistake IMHO. He was a much more complete player coming out of school.  
• Love the value of rookie Center Nick Martin in the second round. O-line needed an infusion of young talent.    
• @NukeDaBomb AKA Hopkins is a top 3 WR in this league today and he might be #1. The rest of the WR's are also a useful/ dynamic group.   
• The backfield is solid. I like Miller and Blue as a duo.
• Watt is a beast. D-line has depth.
•  The LB corps could be epic if Clowney emerges this year.     

What I hate:

• TE's are terrible.     
• O-line is a work in progress.  
• I think the whole Osweiler thing is a complex situation. I like the fact that he had the guts to walk away from the world champions and Elway's shadow to go try and blaze his own path. But, from what I understand the difference in the money offered by Houston was not a lot. So it comes off as Brock only being interested in money, and not winning. that is the part that I hate. It all boils down to winning. If both the Broncos and Texans make the playoff's this story is over. If The Texans struggle and Lynch excels in Denver Brock looks real bad. If Brock plays like a top 5 QB in 2016 and the Broncos miss the playoffs John Elway, for the first time ever, looks like he isn't a football God.       

I see them going 9-7 and a possible wildcard. 2017 will be their year, if they have made the right moves.     

***Jacksonville Jaguars***

Please take a moment to read my thorough analysis of this team from a previous post: 2016 Jaguars

I predict 10-6 and a division title. Bortles and Bradley need an appearance in the post season to be considered a legitimate program, and the time is NOW.  

-Jay Wagner

NFC North Season Preview

Mike Zimmer shocked most of the league by winning this division last year, and his kicker shocked the world by missing a short, easy field goal and ending their season. I'm rooting for the Vikings in 2016, but I suspect that Rodgers and Co. will put up a little better fight with Jordy Nelson back in the lineup.   

***Minnesota Vikings***

What I like:

• Adrian Peterson is truly great.  
• Their O-line has finally arrived as a top squad... at least on paper.   
• Looks like their #1 pick WR Treadwell will be used as a slot guy, which is exactly what he is.
• Rudolph is very underrated at TE.
• There's nothing I don't LOVE about their defense. Can't find a weakness. 

What I hate:

• I don't see Bridgewater as a guy that can take the team on his back when it's needed. That's an important missing attribute for a starting QB.  
• Paterson is simply a bust as a former 1st round pick. I would have cut him by now.  
• Blair Walsh should also be gone. No excuse for missing that kick.  

I predict 10-6 and a possible wildcard birth.

***Chicago Bears***

What I like:

• I like John Fox, and there are so many reasons not to. I can't help it. He's a true CEO style HC and was able to win with Jake Delhomme, Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning. 0-2 in the big game isn't anything to be proud of, but at least he's been there.   
• How can you not want to see what this offense looks like with Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White as bookends??? 
• Lots of solid, blue-collar football players on their D-line and O-line .   
• I can see Kyle Fuller and Tracy Porter as one of the most underrated CB tandems around.  

What I hate:

• Jay Cutlers pouty face. Seriously. He's the poster child for generation "why me".
• The aforementioned blue-collar, lunch pail guys are not high enough caliber to help this team beat The Vikings or Packers. They need to continue to try and rebuild this team.  
• I am lost on why they dumped guys like Marshall, Bennett and Forte. I know they weren't spring chickens, but these guys can help you win. They could have been the difference in what will be a very hard fought division.    

I think they go 6-10 and have set themselves up for a very rocky offseason. If Forte has the Success in NY that Marshall did last year people are going to start asking questions about who's making these decisions.

***Detroit Lions***

What I like:

• They have one of the best young O-lines in the league and they built it through the draft. Great foundation.     
• Stafford is a legitimate #1 QB. I actually think that he may excel with Megatron retired as crazy as that may sound.  
• They did everything they could to compensate for the shocking retirement of Johnson. Savvy vets like Boldin, Kerley, and Marvin Jones join forces with Golden Tate. That's a squad any decent QB should be able to win with.   
• Ezekiel Ansah simply needs help. He's a true game changer on their defense.
• DC Jim Bob Cooter. Nuff' said.      

What I hate:

• I don't like their backfield and I haven't for years. They should snatch up Karlos Williams ASAP.    
• Caldwell is not a guy with the right temperament for Detroit. Too passive.  
• Too many holes on defense. That offense will have to score well over 20 every week to even have a chance. That's a bad formula.
• They started to fall apart when they fired Schwartz. Big mistake. Schwartz, Suh and Megatron were the heart and soul of that team. They were so close to figuring it all out. So sad.    

I see them going 6-10 and that's unacceptable with a real franchise QB in his prime.   

***Green Bay Packers***

What I like:

• Rodgers, Nelson, Cobb... combine with the TE duo of Richard Rodgers and Jared Cook are a nice bunch of pass catchers. Adams and Lacey are the big question marks. If they are in prime form this offense will be unstoppable.  
• I don't know if Hundley is a winner or not, but I like the fact that they respect the back QB position enough to draft a guy in the 2nd round to fill it. .
• A host of game changing playmakers of defense including Peppers, Clinton-Dix, Mathews and NJ native Mike Daniels.  
• Outstanding veteran depth on the defense.
• I consider Mike McCarthy as one of the top HC's in the NFL. He not only looks like a head coach he looks like a head coach from Green Bay Wisconsin. He was WAY too conservative in the 2014 NFCCG by putting a leech on #12 when they had a lead in Seattle. It cost them what may have been a shot at their second title. I think he learned from that.

What I hate:

• Their O-line. Guys like Bulaga are constantly missing time. #12 needs a solid unit protecting him, not a different line up every week.   
• That's about it folks. Very solid organization and roster from top to bottom. If Lacey is dominant and they stay relatively healthy, watch out! 

I predict 12-4 and the biggest threat to the Panthers. What I will say is that many key players on this team are aging quick. If Mathews, Rodgers and McCarthy want to solidify their legacy they need to do it now. Another ring will do just that.

-Jay Wagner

NFC West Season Preview

This division has yielded the NFC representative in the Super Bowl 3 of the last 4 years. The 49ers and Seahawks have made it to the big game recently, but the 2016 Cardinals may be the best squad this division has seen in decades.  

***Arizona Cardinals***

What I like:

• Arians is a top 5 HC in the league.  
• Four deep at WR.   
• Three deep in the backfield.
• Finally a solid O-line.
• The trade for Chandler Jones was brilliant. He's exactly what their front seven was missing. 
• Peterson and Mathieu are a dynamic duo.
• Great depth at the QB position.

What I hate:

• Their first round pick, Nkemdiche, is a disaster off the field and wildly inconsistent on the field. I know they have reformed some other troubled guys, but is the 'juice worth the squeeze' with this one?
• They are planning to start rookie Brandon Williams opposite Peterson. I can't imagine he's ready for that role.  
• Lastly, I'm not a Carson Palmer fan. In the regular season I rank him as a top 10 QB easily. In the post season I would take about 20 other guys (including Mark Sanchez believe it or not) ahead of him. He has one playoff win in his long career and he looked like a deer in the headlights last year once January football started. IMHO he doesn't have what it takes to win the big one. And make no mistake, this team is a major contender to win it all in 2016.  

I predict 13-3,and most likely an early exit in the post season.

***Seattle Seahawks***

What I like:

• Drafting guys like Chancellor (5th round), Sherman (5th round), R.Wilson (3rd round), Thomas, L.Wilson (5th round), Wagner, Sweezy (7th round)... is what building a winner through the draft is all about.  
• Their HC knows how to connect to today's young pro players. He's also the oldest HC in the league, ironically.  
• I'm glad Lynch is retired. I was never a fan of the off the field crap. I could never root for him. I think their front office is glad to be done with him too.   
• Love their WR's. No true #1, but a bunch a guys who do their jobs well and can step up in big moments.
• Their secondary is still epic.
• I like Thomas Rawls running style. If he stays healthy I could see him as a top 10 fantasy football back.  

What I hate:

• I know they can't re-sign everyone, but Bruce Irvin will be missed.
• Their O-line is weak. They drafted some solid guys over the years, but they have let them walk as free agents. Again, can't re-sign everyone 
• Not enough depth at RB.  
• The Jimmy Grahm thing is inexplicable to me. I think he's the most talented TE in the game. HOW can he be so invisible in this offense? Huge fail for this organization last year.   

I think they make the playoffs at 11-5. Watch out if you have to face them in a one and done scenario. They excel when their backs are against the wall.

***Los Angeles Rams***

What I like:

• Thank God they bailed on St Louis! Most people have no idea how little that market supported their NFL franchise. They didn't deserve one. It's a sin that those fans have a championship and Cleveland doesn't.    
• Gurley is a beast, obviously. My only concern is his durability. 
• A very under the radar WR corps. Can they live up to their draft positions? 
• A nasty, gritty defensive roster and coaching staff. There will be lots of ice baths after playing against them for 60 minutes.    

What I hate:

• Goff has tremendous upside, but I think Wentz is the superior prospect. Therefore I would say their #1 overall pick was a fail. He's also being portrayed as a complete air head on "Hard Knocks". If I'm a Rams fan I am VERY concerned if Keenum beats out their #1 pick to start week #1.   
• I am not a Jeff Fisher guy. He coaches his players to take cheap shots. He single handedly sabotaged Vince Young's career. He hasn't even posted an 8-8 season since taking over this team years ago.  
• The O-line is improving, but it's weak.
• Their TE's are all 3rd string quality.
• No depth at RB.   

I see them going.... what else but 7-9 like every year. I think they need to promote Greg Williams to HC next season.  

***San Francisco 49ers***

What I like:

• They have been a Linebacker machine up there in northern Cali... churning them out year after year.
• LOVE former college teammates Armstead and Buckner reunited on their D-line.
• Defense, overall, is greatly improved.  

What I hate:

• HATE Chip Kelly.  
• Hate both of their "starting" QB's. (However, I am interested to see Kap run Kelly's offense... if that ever happens). 
• Hate the WR's, RB's and TE's.
• O-line is missing a couple of pieces.  

I predict 5-11 and Kelly and Baalke are out the door by January.

-Jay Wagner

AFC North Season Preview

 

Lets start with one of my top sleeper teams in the league, and a team I expect to see make the playoffs... Ozzy's Ravens.  

***Baltimore Ravens***

What I like:

• Best Head Coach in football.  
• Legitimate franchise QB.   
• Suggs, Steve Smith and Dumervil back from IR. 
• There first round pick Ronnie Stanley was not only a major need, but the #3 player on my draft board .
• Best front office in the NFL.
• TE Watson and SS Weddle aren't flashy free agent signings, but they are blue-collar winners.
• I am not a Mike Wallace fan, but I actually think he will flourish paired up with Flacco. 

What I hate:

• They didn't address the RB position enough. Forsett won't replicate his success last year. Flacco needs a solid run game.   
• The O-line is still re-building. 
• D-line is weak. I like Jernigan, but he will need help on that line.    

I predict 9-7,and a dark-horse wildcard candidate. I wouldn't want to face these savvy vets in the post season.

***Cincinnati Bengals ***

What I like:

• Best drafting team over the past 5 to 6 years in the whole league... 2nd place isn't even close.
• Legitimate #1 QB, #1 WR and elite TE. 
• Outstanding backfield.
• Best 4 man defensive line in the league.  
• I like adding Dansby to their game changing LB corps.
• One of the top back-up QB's in the game.   
• Great job managing the cap and retaining their homegrown talent.  

What I hate:

• Their WR's are much weaker this year. Huge drop off after AJ.  
• Adam Jones is exactly what you don't want in a veteran CB. He's a hot head, and he's only getting slower. I would have dumped him and sent a message after is meltdown in the post season last year. 
• Their coaching staff has been plundered over the last few seasons. It's not what it once was.    
• Keeping Marvin Lewis and letting Hue Jackson walk was a mistake. I think in the next few years Zimmer and Jackson may end up coaching against each other in a super bowl. And Brown let them both walk so that he could hold on to a coach that has been in charge for over a decade and hasn't registered ONE SINGLE playoff win. It's just wrong.

I think also go 10-6. The head to head record could decide which of these first 2 teams make the post season.

***Cleveland Browns***

What I like:

• Hue Jackson isn't just a great hire, he's a 1000% improvement over Pettine. 
• The entire coaching staff is impressive. Ray Horton at DC, and Hamilton, and Al Saunders on offense. WOW.  
• I am a big Duke Johnson fan. Is he the next Jamaal Charles?    
• Once Josh Gordon is back in the lineup, the WR corps looks interesting. Letting Benjamin walk was questionable.
• Barnidge is a beast at TE.
• Joe Hayden is a top 10 player in this league, top 10 overall, not just as a defensive back.

What I hate:

• The defense is a mess.   
• They obviously purged the roster. I see the merit in starting fresh, but guys like Alex Mack have been warriors for this city for years and had something left in the tank. 
• Their linebackers simply can't cover anyone. They may end up as the worst ranked defense in the league in 2016.
• The RG III thing was just crazy. Passing on Wentz was unexplainable. RG III doesn't make it 5 games without a significant injury.    

They have a bright future, but this year I see them going 4-12. And I'm being nice. 
  

***Pittsburgh Steelers***

What I like:

• Great coaching staff. 
• Big Ben is the man.  
• Antonio Brown may be the best offensive weapon in the NFL.    
• I really like how they have been rebuilding the LB corps.
• D-line is a force to be reckoned with.

What I hate:

• Le'Veon Bell is an embarrassment. If he's not in trouble with the league he's injured. Yes, he's a rare talent, but he's unreliable. If they give this guy a big contract extension they will be pissing on the great culture of winning that has been cultivated in the Steel City for the last 40+ years. 
• The Ladarius Green situation is concerning. If he isn't out there this year, they have a huge hole at the TE position.  
• The secondary is getting old. I don't see Gay as anymore than a nickel back at this point, and he's their #1 CB.     

I see them going 8-8 and missing the playoffs. 

-Jay Wagner