OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NFL season & predictions thread:

[mikemarrs]

the first four games without big ben.....

September

*
Sunday, 12
o
Atlanta at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 19
o
Pittsburgh at Tennessee (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 26
o
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM)

October

*
Sunday, 3
o
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM)



there is no way i could see them going 0-4 especially with tampa in the third game.however atlanta,baltimore and tennessee will all be tough games.i could see them squeezing a 2-2 record out of the first four.the steelers might very well surprise and have a good season but it depends on how well ben does when he comes back.below are the first four or five games after he is due back...

*
o
Cleveland at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 24
o
Pittsburgh at Miami (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 31
o
Pittsburgh at New Orleans (8:20 PM)

November

*
Monday, 8
o
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (8:30 PM)

*
Sunday, 14
o
New England at Pittsburgh (8:20 PM)


it looks pretty rough after the cleveland game and even cleveland will be better this season.going to be pretty rough.

[YoungJRNY]

AFC NORTH: This is a crapshoot division. I want to lean towards Baltimore, but I really don't like their aging defense and receiving core, even with Anquan Boldin. So until further notice, I choose the Steelers. Sure, Rothlisburger is suspended for a few games, but they DO have experienced backups in Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich. (Leftwich? You crazy you say? Hey, the Steelers defense is good, and the O-line makes all their QBs look good, even Dennis Dixon.) How the backups do during Big Ben's suspension will determine the fate of the Steelers.

Fixed it for yah bro. I like the attempt J, but to say the Steelers offensive line makes any QB look good is an absolutely shameful statement. Other than someone like Mark Bulger or Aaron Rodgers, Ben has been sacked close to 50 times the past years and takes a major, major beating year in and year out. (Of course, Bens scrambling and extending the play adds to that category of sacks as well as coverage sacks, but the oline play has been very poor, esp in pass protection over the years.)

Pittsburgh's offensive line hasn't been able to hold a consistent group together since their 2005 run to the Super Bowl and injuries had a major role in that. By the tail end of last season, they finally found their niche as a unit on the O-line and for an o-lineman, it's important to play with familiar men throughout the years due to the constant communication.

The Steelers now lost their best o-lineman due to injury ALREADY for the season in Willie Colon so it's back to basics and scrambling to plug in players to fit the mold and play musical chairs. It's never good to lose a starter on the front, but it's good it happened before training camp so these guys can wrinkle everything out and feel comfortable by week 1. My concern is depth. Lots of question marks for Pittsburgh but I think they will pull through, too many veterans who have been there, done that.

As far as the backups during Ben's suspension, I'm not really concerned about the start of the season. These guys have been there all through mini-camps as well as going to go through all training camp and pre-season ball. I expect them to get it done, esp Leftwhich who stepped in a couple games and won and has veteran leadership under his belt. It's when Ben comes back that worries me. He will not be in football shape and will not be on rhythm with the rest of the team at that point, so it will be bumpy to get his legs under him as well as the team adjusting to overall game plan before his form returns. We'll see.

Got my divisions all mixed up. Serves me right for doing a rush-job... I dunno, it doesn't seem what problems the Steelers have, they always find a way to get it done. Perhaps I give credit just to the fact that Big Ben always found a way to scramble, stay upright (well, most of the time) and still make a play....Maybe their O-line isn't as good as I give credit for...but likewise, They say you can't win with a bad O-line, but they still beat the Cardinals in the Super Bowl without one. Last year, they were one win away from being the team nobody wanted to play in the playoffs. I think they'll be ok.

I agree that if they entered the playoffs last season, then they were the team noone wanted to play. Granted people laughed at that statement and how can't they when you lose to the Chiefs, Browns & the Raiders in a 5 game losing streak, but they also finished the season on a 3 game winning streak beating Baltimore, Green Bay and Miami. They also beat San Diego, Denver (when they were hot) and Minnesota as well so it wouldn't of been too far fetched to see that winning streak carry into the playoffs and beat a Jet, Balty, Cinci, or N.E team. Point of the matter is, even in the 3 game winning streak the defense STILL was suspect and needed to go down to 0:00 to beat Green Bay on 4th down and also letting Miami back in the game when they were up by a large margin.

The key to the Steelers season would have to be the return of Polamalu and Aaron Smith on a defense that squandered every 4th QRT lead within the last minutes by 7 points or less last season.

[YoungJRNY]

the first four games without big ben.....

September

*
Sunday, 12
o
Atlanta at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 19
o
Pittsburgh at Tennessee (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 26
o
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay (1:00 PM)

October

*
Sunday, 3
o
Baltimore at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM)



there is no way i could see them going 0-4 especially with tampa in the third game.however atlanta,baltimore and tennessee will all be tough games.i could see them squeezing a 2-2 record out of the first four.the steelers might very well surprise and have a good season but it depends on how well ben does when he comes back.below are the first four or five games after he is due back...

*
o
Cleveland at Pittsburgh (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 24
o
Pittsburgh at Miami (1:00 PM)

*
Sunday, 31
o
Pittsburgh at New Orleans (8:20 PM)

November

*
Monday, 8
o
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (8:30 PM)

*
Sunday, 14
o
New England at Pittsburgh (8:20 PM)


it looks pretty rough after the cleveland game and even cleveland will be better this season.going to be pretty rough.

They can possibly go 3-1 during the first 4 games of the season, the biggest one obviously against Baltimore. Things should even out since Ed Reed is supposed to miss the first month as well, so it's point/counterpoint with Ben vs Reed. However, that 4 game stretch starting with Miami is just brutal. 3 straight road games with offense's that could put major points on the board (New Orleans in the Dome will be a sloberknocker and @ Miami should be a good matchup on the road) and then going back home to a N.E team the Steelers usually have struggled with. That middle portion of the schedule is make/break (esp with two division games.) It's good for the Steelers that some of those games are prime time since they play well in front of a national audience.

[Rockindeano]

but I wont get caught up in the hoopla until they can beat the Vikes...

dont you know this has already been arranged, Journey has been invited to the post celebration game party up at lamboob field, with Steve Perry resuming lead vocal duties. i think theyare selling raffle tickets at half-time to win ocean front property in LaCrosse and Eau Claire as well.

Cool. Gives me a reason to go to lambeau next year

You're not going to or getting into Lambeau next year. YOU can't get a ticket and YOU can't afford one anyway. Clown.

[Rockindeano]

YoungJrny, you write up pretty good paragraphs and then you go way over the top with myopic Syeeler smack. I get it dude, you can't help yourself, and that's fine, but PGH is not finishing 2nd, lol.

Also, as I need to keep my comments short and tidy, Philly is the best team in the NFC East. The Birds will flourish under Kolb. But seriously, the Steeler myopia is hysterical. Just make sure you beat the Clowns this year.

[YoungJRNY]

YoungJrny, you write up pretty good paragraphs and then you go way over the top with myopic Syeeler smack. I get it dude, you can't help yourself, and that's fine, but PGH is not finishing 2nd, lol.

Also, as I need to keep my comments short and tidy, Philly is the best team in the NFC East. The Birds will flourish under Kolb. But seriously, the Steeler myopia is hysterical. Just make sure you beat the Clowns this year.

Just offering my opinion really. That's my views on everything and how I feel.. If I thought Cincy had the right tools then I'd put them 2nd but I look at their team and don't think they are that great overall. They showed 0 passion and heart during the last half of the season and beat nobody during that stretch, losing the lone playoff team in Minny. Now they could have T.O coming in. That should be good. C.J and T.O? Watch that team burn with the little dim of light they do have. Lets see how they handle a first place schedule and see if they are atleast up to having consecutive winning seasons.

Pittsburgh might not be a an 8 win team if they can't get through the first half of the season without Roethlisberger but you can't sit there and say that Pittsburgh has a bad team ala the Lions because they clearly don't. They have pieces to the puzzle that can make a run, atleast within the division. Outside of Holmes, they return the same team and same players that are use to these kinds of off season dilemma's and veterans who have went to 2 Super Bowls.

Pittsburgh hasn't had 2 losing seasons back to back since '98-'99 and missing the playoffs two years in a row since '99-'00. Last time we were authorized by ownership to get back to the running game was that pathetic season in 2003 where we went 6-10. 2004 we returned to our roots and went 15-1 all the way to the AFC champ game and that's exactly what we're doing, going back to the ground game. With a minor few adjustments and staying healthy, Pittsburgh is a playoff team. They aren't the Lions like you think they are but we'll see, I know you want them to lose in the worst way. I enter the season optimistic and that's where it ends since there are question marks but we don't necc enter the season with a bunch of bums.

As for Philly, I love Colb as well, that boy has a GUN but this is the first season that Philly isn't accustomed to a playbook designed off of McNabb's talents and Kolb is a young and inexperienced quarterback who will have some rough outings, like anyone else and that could hurt their demeanor and momentum as a team but they do have a nice looking squad, even with an unknown QB. Getting killed by Dallas two weeks in a row was something you never seen under Andy Reid. Hell, I picked Philly to represent in the SB last season going into the post season.

[lights1961]

I had this weird dream last night that Favre was playing Manning in the superbowl... but #4 was wearing green and gold...

R

[YoungJRNY]

My top 10 Power Rankings entering camp:


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.



On the bubble:

[mikemarrs]

Bengals to sign Owens


After days of speculation, Chad Ochocinco will now lineup with one of his friends as wide receivers with the Cincinnati Bengals.

A member of the Bengals organization tells 9 News that the team has agreed to a contract with the free agent wide receiver.

The contract is reportedly a one-year deal that will pay Owens a base salary of $2 million and include incentives. The incentives, which are based on receptions, yards and touchdowns, could net the wideout an additional $2 million if he achieves the escalators.

The Bengals have yet to officially announce the signing, but a team source says he will sign the contract Wednesday morning and be ready to practice with the team when training camp begins Thursday.

chad johnson and terrell owens already have a nickname for each other.batman and robin.crazy thing is antonio bryant just signed a 4 year,28 million dollar contract a few months back and the bengals are reportedly already looking into how much it would cost if they let him go.

[YoungJRNY]

Bengals to sign Owens


After days of speculation, Chad Ochocinco will now lineup with one of his friends as wide receivers with the Cincinnati Bengals.

A member of the Bengals organization tells 9 News that the team has agreed to a contract with the free agent wide receiver.

The contract is reportedly a one-year deal that will pay Owens a base salary of $2 million and include incentives. The incentives, which are based on receptions, yards and touchdowns, could net the wideout an additional $2 million if he achieves the escalators.

The Bengals have yet to officially announce the signing, but a team source says he will sign the contract Wednesday morning and be ready to practice with the team when training camp begins Thursday.

chad johnson and terrell owens already have a nickname for each other.batman and robin.crazy thing is antonio bryant just signed a 4 year,28 million dollar contract a few months back and the bengals are reportedly already looking into how much it would cost if they let him go.

Wow, I've never heard a tandem call each other Batman and Robin before. Question is, who is willing to take the "Robin" role? Good luck Cincinnati and more importantly Carson Palmer for having to deal with TWO whacko's now. Way to take away potential receptions to a young receiving core and put those receptions into a old aged has been who tears teams apart, let alone the clown opposite field. Let the drama begin!

[Saint John]

Carson wanted TO and had been working out with him. Maybe it will work, GOD I hope so!

TO is a good man and it's gonna work out. The Bengals are, and have always been, my favorite team. I'm excited about this signing.

[Jonny B]

Wow, I've never heard a tandem call each other Batman and Robin before. Question is, who is willing to take the "Robin" role? Good luck Cincinnati and more importantly Carson Palmer for having to deal with TWO whacko's now. Way to take away potential receptions to a young receiving core and put those receptions into a old aged has been who tears teams apart, let alone the clown opposite field. Let the drama begin!

No Batman and Robin here. Just villians.

Bryant plays The Riddler (The riddle is, will he stay healthy?)
Cinco plays The Joker (touchdown celebrations, why else?)
And T.O. is Two-Face (Happy one moment, throwing QBs under the bus the next.)

The Bengals could be an interesting team to watch this year.

[S2M]

My main gripe is how the schedule makers bailed out PGH in the games without Ben....commish should have waited til sched came out before laying down the hammer....

[mikemarrs]

At the moment, Owens and Ochocinco are in love with the idea, trading cyber-bouquets Tuesday evening after Owens agreed to a lowballish two-year, $2 million contract with a potential $2 million more in incentives. Ochocinco called the pair "Batman and Robin'' on Twitter, though not identifying who had the lead role of Batman, adding, "All of our games have been moved to pay-per-view, you got to pay to see this."

Not to be outdone, Owens responded on his own Twitter feed. "Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!!'' he said, referring to his uniform number, 81. "Hey Robin, Batman will b there soon!"

There it is, the first controversy. T.O. is referring to Ochocinco as Robin and himself as Batman, even though Owens is 36, well past his prime, still dropping too many balls and coming off an unproductive season in Buffalo. Ochocinco, once known as Chad Johnson, is four years younger and back in form after a 1,000-yard receiving season.

[YoungJRNY]

At the moment, Owens and Ochocinco are in love with the idea, trading cyber-bouquets Tuesday evening after Owens agreed to a lowballish two-year, $2 million contract with a potential $2 million more in incentives. Ochocinco called the pair "Batman and Robin'' on Twitter, though not identifying who had the lead role of Batman, adding, "All of our games have been moved to pay-per-view, you got to pay to see this."

Not to be outdone, Owens responded on his own Twitter feed. "Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!!'' he said, referring to his uniform number, 81. "Hey Robin, Batman will b there soon!"

There it is, the first controversy. T.O. is referring to Ochocinco as Robin and himself as Batman, even though Owens is 36, well past his prime, still dropping too many balls and coming off an unproductive season in Buffalo. Ochocinco, once known as Chad Johnson, is four years younger and back in form after a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Holy shit is this going to be a disaster. If Carson Palmer was smart, and being that he had to deal with a overzealous prick his whole career in Cinco, he welcomes and wants the worst chess player of all time and home wrecker T.O to come in and be in cahoots with Chad Johnson to compete on his football team that has history of buffoons and players with their heads up their ass. Now they are already competing for media attraction between each other.

If it would of been ANYONE who wanted a T.O to stay away it should of been Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer. There's a reason why noone made a hard attempt for him and why he's been with 5 teams within a 7 year span. He is soft over the middle and has been dropping more balls than he has been catching them over the years. T.O will certainly bring an element to the team that stretches the field but just wait until there won't be enough balls to go around.

[Michigan Girl]

I am soooo excited ...I love T.O. ( I have a special cheer I do for him),
and Chad and a young little linebacker they acquired, what?!?! Last
year?!?! Dan SKOOOOBA!! (Skuta) ...his mom and dad are very dear friends of
mine and I want only the best for this young man!! Now, make fun ALL
you want ...I cheer for PEOPLE, people, I'm not adding another team to
my resume ...I don't think!!

[Ehwmatt]

At the moment, Owens and Ochocinco are in love with the idea, trading cyber-bouquets Tuesday evening after Owens agreed to a lowballish two-year, $2 million contract with a potential $2 million more in incentives. Ochocinco called the pair "Batman and Robin'' on Twitter, though not identifying who had the lead role of Batman, adding, "All of our games have been moved to pay-per-view, you got to pay to see this."

Not to be outdone, Owens responded on his own Twitter feed. "Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!!'' he said, referring to his uniform number, 81. "Hey Robin, Batman will b there soon!"

There it is, the first controversy. T.O. is referring to Ochocinco as Robin and himself as Batman, even though Owens is 36, well past his prime, still dropping too many balls and coming off an unproductive season in Buffalo. Ochocinco, once known as Chad Johnson, is four years younger and back in form after a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Holy shit is this going to be a disaster. If Carson Palmer was smart, and being that he had to deal with a overzealous prick his whole career in Cinco, he welcomes and wants the worst chess player of all time and home wrecker T.O to come in and be in cahoots with Chad Johnson to compete on his football team that has history of buffoons and players with their heads up their ass. Now they are already competing for media attraction between each other.

If it would of been ANYONE who wanted a T.O to stay away it should of been Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer. There's a reason why noone made a hard attempt for him and why he's been with 5 teams within a 7 year span. He is soft over the middle and has been dropping more balls than he has been catching them over the years. T.O will certainly bring an element to the team that stretches the field but just wait until there won't be enough balls to go around.

Could be worse... could have a rapist for a QB!

HERE WE GO BROWNIES, HERE WE GO

[YoungJRNY]

At the moment, Owens and Ochocinco are in love with the idea, trading cyber-bouquets Tuesday evening after Owens agreed to a lowballish two-year, $2 million contract with a potential $2 million more in incentives. Ochocinco called the pair "Batman and Robin'' on Twitter, though not identifying who had the lead role of Batman, adding, "All of our games have been moved to pay-per-view, you got to pay to see this."

Not to be outdone, Owens responded on his own Twitter feed. "Ocho Uno is coming 2 town!!'' he said, referring to his uniform number, 81. "Hey Robin, Batman will b there soon!"

There it is, the first controversy. T.O. is referring to Ochocinco as Robin and himself as Batman, even though Owens is 36, well past his prime, still dropping too many balls and coming off an unproductive season in Buffalo. Ochocinco, once known as Chad Johnson, is four years younger and back in form after a 1,000-yard receiving season.

Holy shit is this going to be a disaster. If Carson Palmer was smart, and being that he had to deal with a overzealous prick his whole career in Cinco, he welcomes and wants the worst chess player of all time and home wrecker T.O to come in and be in cahoots with Chad Johnson to compete on his football team that has history of buffoons and players with their heads up their ass. Now they are already competing for media attraction between each other.

If it would of been ANYONE who wanted a T.O to stay away it should of been Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer. There's a reason why noone made a hard attempt for him and why he's been with 5 teams within a 7 year span. He is soft over the middle and has been dropping more balls than he has been catching them over the years. T.O will certainly bring an element to the team that stretches the field but just wait until there won't be enough balls to go around.

Could be worse... could have a rapist for a QB!

HERE WE GO BROWNIES, HERE WE GO

Ben actually has 9 rape allegations from Cleveland during the coarse of his career against him due to Cleveland defensive coordinators pressing charges for their defense getting assaulted by him from 2004-2009. Posting a 9-1 record in a 5 year span within a "rival" was said to be "taking advantage of the lesser victim." No arrests were made.




Was that the attendance to last year's opening day? Dog pound looks to be dwindling.

[mikemarrs]

LMAO,rebuilding since 1964.these browns fans have been cursed since running back jim brown left for a movie career back in '64,'65.i remember being a teenager in the late 80's and not once but twice watching elway and the broncos in the last seconds kill the browns chance for a super bowl.

[squirt1]

Carson pushed for TO and he said awhile back that he is the perfect QB to work with difficult WR's as he has had yrs of experience .As far as Mike Brown is concerned his investment is selling tickets like crazy. I guess all games will be televised this season.

[Ehwmatt]

The Bengals better hope TO works out better than Shaq did for the Cavs... really a pretty similar situation as far as different sports can be compared.

[YoungJRNY]

Dallas Cowboys rookie WR Dez Bryant out 4-6 weeks with high ankle sprain. Bad fortune for Dallas. A high ankle sprain for a receiver is something that needs to be monitored heavily.

How about Bradford? 50 mil guaranteed for a rookie who has shoulder problems on a 1-15 team. What is the world of sports coming to.

[RedWingFan]

are we doing the fantasy league again?

Of course I'm in. Should be fun. Hopefully people pay attention this year to their teams whoever enters.

Me too. I lost the championship game last year.
But that's pretty good for the horrible start my team had.
A live draft on a Saturday would be sweet! Watching the computer pick Dean's team for him last year was hilarious!!!
Couldn't believe he had as decent a team as he did.

[johnroxx]

I've got $20 that says our lowly Chiefs will win more than 4 games AND they beat SD on opening night.

Seriously??? IF the Chiefs win more than four games, that MNF game won't be one of them. I'll take your $20 challenge on that any day...if you've got a PayPal account to square up.

;^)

[mikemarrs]

anybody think chris johnson has a chance for back to back 2,000 yard seasons or maybe break eric dickerson's rushing record?

[Maui Tom]

this guy is a writer on Letterman...one of the funnier tweeters out there...


EricStangel

NFL: Jets held interesting first day of camp. Started with 9 on 9 drill: Offense vs Antonio Cromartie & his kids

[Michigan Girl]

They are going to add a new NFL record category ...

[YoungJRNY]

The legend and possibly one of the greatest QB to live, Brett Favre is calling it a career! This drastically changes the landscape of the NFC. Farwell to #4. Minny goes from 11-5, to a 9 win team overnight.

[RedWingFan]

The legend and possibly one of the greatest QB to live, Brett Favre is calling it a career! This drastically changes the landscape of the NFC. Farwell to #4. Minny goes from 11-5, to a 9 win team overnight.

Queenie Favre ain't going anywhere. He's playing this year book it! I hope he gets creamed like he did against New Orleans last year. Loved it.

[YoungJRNY]

Going through the rosters again, I completley forgot that Oakland traded for Jason Campbell in the draft. For some reason, I've always liked Campbell and thought he showed great upside in Washington and on a bad football team as it was. He was never handled fairly but always showed he was an upright pro and always performed well under the circumstance. I think with his style that Oakland can win a couple more games with Campbell under center since he gives them a bigger and accurate arm to threaten downfield. I'm bumping up Oakland's 6-10 to 8-8.