Rex Ryan - the way to get Pats and Dolphins fans to agree on something? :D

Maybe.

I think everyone can agree he is a jackass though.

Was interested to see the odds for the Superbowl next season from Coral (below). Early days I know but thoughts?

New England Patriots 6/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 9/1
New York Giants 11/1
Indianapolis Colts 12/1
Dallas Cowboys 14/1
San Diego Chargers 14/1
Philadelphia Eagles 16/1
Carolina Panthers 18/1
Tennessee Titans 18/1
Baltimore Ravens 20/1
Chicago Bears 20/1
Minnesota Vikings 20/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Atlanta Falcons 22/1
Arizona Cardinals 25/1
Green Bay Packers 28/1
Washington Redskins 28/1
Denver Broncos 33/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 33/1
Buffalo Bills 40/1
Houston Texans 40/1
Miami Dolphins 40/1
New York Jets 40/1
Seattle Seahawks 40/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40/1
San Francisco 49ers 50/1
Cleveland Browns 66/1
Kansas City Chiefs 66/1
Cincinnati Bengals 80/1
St Louis Rams 100/1
Oakland Raiders 125/1
Detroit Lions 150/1

I think Carolina will go backwards and New Orleans will step up. This year's Arizona might be Houston. I know they've never had a winning season (I think), but I think they might make a move this year.

Two that suprise me as worse odds than I thought were the Skins and Fins ...

The Lions can't be the worst team in the league again can they?

Agree about the Saints and the Texans though, two teams on the move ...

Got the Chiefs and Broncos e/w. Chiefs at 150/1 before the Cassel trade but after Pioli took over. It's first 4 as well, so they only have to get to the Championship game. Unlikely, but easy division and when you hit playoffs, who knows.

Also got the Patriots at 10/1 in Feb.

Odds too low: Cowboys and Chargers
Odds to high: Bengals, Bills and Texans.

Odds way too low: Lions. :D

I have a quiet confidence about the Cowboys this season. But that could be down to the usual pre-season enthusiasm any fan has for his team until the first game and a loss :D

Tougher schedule for the Fins, and arguably the Ravens have shown how to beat the Wildcat. Still a little bit on the long side I'd say.
How many years have we been saying that for now? :D

I think the Colts, Cowboys and Titans are all too short a price though.

First the NBA thread, now the NFL thread, I really think Mr Butter is trying to upset me....:D

I'm surprised to see Tampa Bay so far down the list, and Philadelphia so high up (I think they'll struggle).

I think there is some money to be won there by the looks of it! Bengals and Fins are worth a punt at those prices. Philly at 16's ill definitely be putting some wonga on.

For me, its not that the Cowboys are necessarily bad, its the fact that the Giants, Eagles and Redskins have all improved whereas the Cowboys whether or not he was good, have lost a Number 1 receiver. If Crayton/Austin step up, they could be a better team than last year. But, they could be a better team yet finish 4th.

And the Patriots the second time around (thankfully or I would have killed myself). Wilfork stopped it by himself. But, add a few wrinkles and it might take off. The Patriots were running a Scout Team Wildcat with Edelman on Thursday during minicamp, using the same plays the Dolphins were to help defend against the WildPat.

Jon Kitna predicted 10 wins every year. He left, now Kevin Smith is predicting it. :clown:

Watched NFL Total Access today where the question was about whether Roy Williams can be a No1 receiver at Dallas. And the answer was a yes, particularly from teh old white haired guy in the studio (I missed his name) who has worked with him before .....

I think all four teams are fairly well matched coming into the new season. The Giants don't look the team they were when they won the SB and I don't believe the Eagles can reinact last seasons form (even if McNabb was saying in an interview today that he has been so close a number of seasons this has got to be their year!). The Skins, I don't know what to think, promised so much last season but died a death in the run in and with the questions about Campbell as starting QB when they have clearly been looking elsewhere is unsettling ...

The thing is with the Giants, they lost Burress, but they are getting Umenyiora back. Their D-Line tired last year and some of their backups that had to start at times, were made to look just like backups instead of the threat they showed in the 07 playoffs.

The Eagles are always there or thereabouts and have made big improvements both through the draft and free agency, especially on the D-Line. Redskins depends on Albert Haynesworth and if Portis can stay healthy to help out Campbell.

Cowboys have very good stable of running backs, but a lot will depend on how Romo handles his receivers. If he focuses in on Witten, there will be times that teams just stick a Safety on Witten to follow him like teams do with Dallas Clark. I think if the Running game can be established early in the season, it will keep pressure off Romo who can then toss the ball to whoever he likes, wont have arguing, and it will allow some of the receivers to develop a bit more in the offense.

Pretty good assesment of the Cowboys and pretty much matches my own. It's all if's and but's at the end of the day but I'm so interested to find out if simply removing TO from the equation will pay dividends. If as suggested he WAS the problem in the dressing room and Roy Williams thrives on being No1 receiver we could be the team to be reckoned with.

All said and done, it's all talk, and that should be done on the field. I've taken to watching NBA and NHL to get my US Sports fix in the past couple of weeks :D

It's not about the Redskins running game. That was decent last season and still Campbell struggled. It's about the O-line, play selection and more help from the wide receivers and tight ends to stop Cooley and Moss getting double teamed. It's all about the variety of passes in the West Coast Offense Campbell can throw this season.

I think it'll be an interesting season in the NFC Beast. No team has a major, top draw, stand-out weapon at Wide Receiver now TO and Burress have gone. Although I think DeSean Jackson could be exciting to watch this year, and potentially Devin Thomas in Washington as well. Santana Moss will benefit from the other receivers contributing more in the Nation's Capital

I have a feeling the Giants might struggle a bit more than people expect this season

I wouldn't be surprised if my Redskins finish 8&8 or 9&7 and still finish last, but with a bit of luck and more of an understanding of the West Coast offense, a 10&6 0r 11&5 finish and a Wild Card berth isn't out of their range, either, especially with such a monster defense.

I think the Eagles will win the Beast this year, before choking in the play-offs as usual :)

The Sun has an NFL story for once today. Can't find it on their website, so will quote from page 45.

And we need him why? I don't want Brady off the field for any snaps at all. And we have 2 other players capable of running a Wildcat should we need to. Bad publicity for no reason if he signs. Then again, the league, teams and fans hate us anyway, bring it on ;)

Booooooooooo, but i agree :(

That would have been us last season ... :o

I just loved this comment I saw a couple of months ago about the Patriots on one of those nfl.com stories.

My reply
:)