2009 NFL Predictions

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:29 am

Pirates wrote:
Nationals wrote:I'm very curious why no one had any confidence in the Giants...anyone want to own up?
Phew.

Easy - we won the Super Bowl two years ago. We won 13 games last year. We returned every one of any sort of significance - and if you watched the team this year, it wasn't our receivers who hurt us - in fact, they were a strength this year. Once Kenny Phillips went down, our season went down.

Rangers · Post by **Rangers** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:44 am

Nationals wrote:
Pirates wrote:
Nationals wrote:I'm very curious why no one had any confidence in the Giants...anyone want to own up?
Phew.
Easy - we won the Super Bowl two years ago. We won 13 games last year. We returned every one of any sort of significance - and if you watched the team this year, it wasn't our receivers who hurt us - in fact, they were a strength this year. Once Kenny Phillips went down, our season went down.

As one of those who didn't pick the Giants to make the playoffs prior to the initial comment (of course I didn't pick the Saints or Cowboys either and did pick the Bears), the only thing I'd say is the same sort of thing that people responded to me leading into the season, when I'd say that Dallas was a playoff team if they stayed healthy at key spots - if your entire season depends on someone like Kenny Phillips staying healthy all season, you probably didn't deserve to be a playoff team in the first place. This is the same franchise that overcame devastating injuries to have a great reason very recently.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:50 am

I'm saying our season fell apart when Kenny Phillips went down (who was playing like an All-Pro safety before his injury by anyone's account - which, if you know the history of Giants safeties, is unbelievable) - we were teetering on the edge due to injuries all season to our secondary. Ross, Webster, Thomas will be a fantastic trio of corners when they all are healthy, but they couldn't stay on the field together this year. Michael Johnson is not a good starting safety, especially when he's trying to carry no talent fucks like Rouse and Grant on his back.

Everyone was giving the pass rush shit, but it wasn't really their fault. We couldn't keep our linebackers or d-backs healthy, so other offensive lines just doubled up on our defensive ends on passing downs - it was almost unfair.

I'm not going to let a massive rash of injuries temper my optimism for the Giants - keeping at least marginal health, the Giants are still one of the younger teams in the league, one of the more talented teams in the league, and will be back in full next year.

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:49 pm

This 'collapse' was predictable to anyone who had a copy of the Giants schedule. soft first half, much harder second half. Eli lost the 3 headed running game that kept his head above water in the past and without it he sank.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:18 pm

Eli "sank"? I'd say he was one of the big reasons we held it together through the injuries.

2007 NYG 16 297 529 56.1 3336 6.3 23 60 20 73.9
2008 NYG 16 289 479 60.3 3238 6.8 21 48 10 86.4
2009 NYG 15 300 486 61.7 3880 8.0 27 74 13 94.2

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:30 pm

Sure did, he looked great yesterday... and last week...

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:47 pm

Since week six, Eli:

211 for 351 (60.1%) 17 TD 11 INT 2,668 Yds, QB Rating 86.9

And I was kind enough to include the game against the Redskins who are as hapless as it gets. So after pounding on 4 pretty weak teams in the first five weeks, Eli really held the ship together.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:15 pm

An 86.9 against the toughest schedule in the league, with a battered defense that forced him to throw, and VERY young receivers - that's bad? Their running game has been poor, and their offensive line has been a mess.

This is Eli the last 3 weeks - I'd have to think most teams would take this from their QB - especially with a totally banged up o-line...
14 PHI L 45-38 27 38 391 71.1 68 3 0 130.5 2 18 9.0 0
15 @WAS W 45-12 19 26 268 73.1 45 3 0 144.4 0 0 0.0 0
16 CAR L 41-9 29 43 296 67.4 27 1 2 75.3 2 6 3.0 0

Whatever problems the Giants have had this year, Eli has had no part in them. He's the 11th rated passer this year in the NFL, and with one game to win, I'd take him over Romo and Schaub. I realize that it's been pretty easy to pick on Eli in the past, but he's had a pretty magnificent season this year given the injuries to his o-line, the disappearance of Brandon Jacobs, no 3rd down running back, no TRUE deep threat, and no receiver with 4 NFL years of experience.

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:59 pm

Nationals wrote:with one game to win, I'd take him over Romo and Schaub.

That has to be the single most pathetic endorsement of a QB I've ever seen. You're basically saying you'd take him over a guy who finds a way to blow every big game and another guy who has never played in a big game and never made the playoffs.

It's really freaking sad that you think that's any kind of endorsement.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:00 pm

Sorry, should have clarified. I meant that out of the top 10 ahead of him, I'd still take Eli over two of them - which would mean that he's the 8th best QB in the NFL.

Mets · Post by **Mets** » Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:52 pm

I'm an Eagels fan, but I still think Eli is a good QB...he's been pretty decent considering that Manningham drops have the balls thrown to him, and Brandon Jacobs has been aweful.

That being said, I'm curious to see how long the Eagles incredible offense can cover up their shitty defense.

Dodgers · Post by **Dodgers** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 11:35 am

I don't even care about this argument, but come on Z. First you say "it wasn't our receivers who hurt us - in fact, they were a strength this year" and then you blame Eli's "VERY young receivers"? Can't have it both ways my friend.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:14 pm

Sorry, that wasn't supposed my point there wasn't said the right way. My bad - not an incredibly well made point. I think our receivers outperformed anyone's expectations - but, at the same time, they also made VERY rookie mistakes. Nicks and Manningham haven't quite learned how to get 2 feet in instead of 1, and they both make young player mistakes. They weren't THE problem, and both ended up being quite positive for the team as a whole over what their expectations were - but it still doesn't mean they don't make more mistakes than your experience WR's...

Wasn't trying to have it both ways - was just saying that they outperformed expectations, but did make young mistakes - I don't think that's "having it both ways"...

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 9:15 pm

No, the problem is your RB squad was splintered and your QB was revealed as not being half as good as Giants fans seem to think. Put Romo or Schaub on the giants in place of Eli and I have no doubt they'd perform better than Eli has. Well, maybe not Romo, but romo doesn't belong in the top 10 anyhow.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:16 pm

You mean "Super Bowl Winning Quarterback" Eli Manning. Make sure you get that right.

You clearly didn't watch any Giants games this year, and are just trying to pick a fight. Anyone who watched him consistently knows that with his worst offensive line, run game, and youngest receiving corps yet (albeit talented), he had his best year.

Bren, I apologize someone shit in your cereal this morning.

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:55 pm

Kinda like "Super Bowl Winning Quarterbacks" Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer?

My cereal was quite tasty this morning thanks, you just can't handle the fact that Eli isn't that good of a QB. Earlier in the season you were arguing for top 5 and now you're 'conceding' he might be only #8. As huge of a Giants homer as you are, if you were being objective and honest with yourself, you'd be saying Eli belongs in the double digits. For that SB win he had a great team around him, O line, D, RB's, solid WR's... of all the aspects of the team, he might have been the weakest link (20 INTs v. 23 TD's? YEESH!).

So you've got a guy who might be 10th best at his position in the league getting paid better than any player in history... overrated much? Nah...

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:18 pm

Pirates wrote:AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Ravens
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Chargers
Wild Cards: Colts, Bengals

NFC East: Eagles
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Panthers
NFC West: Seahawks
Wild Cards: Cowboys, Falcons

Super Bowl: Patriots beat the Packers

MVP- Brady with his 40+ TD's takes the cake.

Edit: I also think the Chiefs have a good chance of winning their division. AFC West blows and I'm just not impressed with the Chargers.

Shit the bed in the NFC, but 5/6 AFC teams is pretty good. Granted swap some of the WC/Division winners, but hey.

Cardinals · Post by **Cardinals** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:21 pm

Nationals wrote:I guess this comes from conversations with my Giants fan friends. We clearly have one of the best o- and d-lines in the league. Our pass defense has transitioned into "excellent" status.

Only the Rams and Lions gave up more points than the Giants. The Chiefs, Titans, Bucs, Seahawks, Raiders and Browns all gave up fewer. And the Giants only gave up 9 less than the Rams. Ow.

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:34 pm

Pirates wrote:
Nationals wrote:I guess this comes from conversations with my Giants fan friends. We clearly have one of the best o- and d-lines in the league. Our pass defense has transitioned into "excellent" status.
Only the Rams and Lions gave up more points than the Giants. The Chiefs, Titans, Bucs, Seahawks, Raiders and Browns all gave up fewer. And the Giants only gave up 9 less than the Rams. Ow.

Nothing wrong with being 8-8... And hey, they'll still have the highest paid player in NFL history next year, that has to count for something, right?

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:19 pm

Well no real argument after today - though, again, Eli was NOT the problem. He just also was definitely NOT the answer either...

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:29 pm

Nationals wrote:Well no real argument after today - though, again, Eli was NOT the problem. He just also was definitely NOT the answer either...

Eli will be part of the problem when they try to sign the guys they need and find they're paying they're QB twice what he's worth.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:34 pm

The Giants are actually one of the better cap managed teams in the NFL, and have been solidly under the cap by rebuilding through the draft for the past few years - and signing desired free agents has never been a problem. Way to create an argument about something that doesn't exist when I'm admitting you're right to an argument that has nothing to do with this one.

Stay classy asshole.

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:51 am

Which argument has nothing to do with this one? That Eli is being paid twice what he's worth? Because that seems pretty germane to the discussions at hand as well as the ones we've had on chat. You think he's great

As for classy, you're the one resorting to insults, not me. It's forgivable though, you're clearly distraught that Eli has just put up his third .500 or worse record in his 6 seasons.

Yankees · Post by **Yankees** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:57 am

Paying Eli "twice what he's worth" (while not factually accurate - more like 120% of what he's worth) does not inhibit the Giants from signing anyone because of how they manage the cap. They had the luxury of being able to afford Eli's contract, and they did it in a way that doesn't hurt them from addressing need areas.

As I've said before, as a Giants fan, is Eli Manning an ideal quarterback to have? No. Did he win us a Super Bowl? Yes. Is he better than the string of shit we trotted out before him? Fuck to the yes. Would I chance dropping or not paying Manning for another decade of crap? Hell to the no. Eli's won us a Super Bowl, has statistically got better almost every year, and is entering his physical prime coming off of his best season. We're good in New Jersey.

Would we trade him straight up for Peyton Manning or Tom Brady or Drew Brees or, hell, even Philip Rivers (or a few others I don't care to try and remember off the top of my head)? Of course we would. But I'd rather take Eli Manning and a shot at the playoffs every year, than a Danny Kanell/Dave Brown/Kent Graham shit sandwich.

Royals · Post by **Royals** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:43 pm

"Did he win us a Super Bowl? Yes."

Actually, I'd disagree with that. The Giants won because of their defense and running game and in spite of Eli, not because of him. 23 TD's to 20 INT's (which led the league) is not an asset any way you slice it.

Gosh, if only you could have had a better QB, someone like Philip Rivers...

They did have the luxury of affording Eli's contract... when they signed him. Who knows what they'll be able to afford in a few years between the wild fluxes in player contracts, a recession and a new CBA.