2011 NFL Season

[Dexter Morgan]

So far I have to say I'm liking what I've seen from my Bucs so far. All this talk about the Lions being a sleeper team is good, and I hope they are. But I have a feeling Tampa is going to give them a good run for the sleeper title.

Tampa is actually a team I see taking a step back.

[stewart1champ]

I have a great feeling about my team this year.... the Detroit Lions. Our defense is shaping up very well, and our offense is around average. A lot will depend on the health of Stafford though. We were in most games last year, our record could ahve easily been 9-7. Young team, I think our future is bright.

[tBBP]

I will say this if there is a team that can come out of nowhere and make noise in the playoffs its the Lions.

So far I have to say I'm liking what I've seen from my Bucs so far. All this talk about the Lions being a sleeper team is good, and I hope they are. But I have a feeling Tampa is going to give them a good run for the sleeper title.

Neither of you know the definition of a "sleeper" team, do you?

Trust me...NO ONE is going to overlook either the Lions or Buccaneers this season. In addition, no one should be surprised if either team makes the 'offs...in fact, with one of those two, it might be considered a mild disappointment if it doesn't. (And I ain't talking about Tampa Bay here.) Of course, that all depends on if Matthew Stafford's shoulders and collarbones and the rest of him can stay intact throughout the course of the season.

Speaking of Tampa...Dan, have you seen the Bucs' schedule this season? That thing is BRUTAL. Especially for such a young team...but I will say this: if they can somehow find it within them to actually pull out those games in late November/early December, THAT will be a surprise, because after their bye, they are up against the gambit fa'sho. First of all, six of their last nine games are on the road, so they are REALLY going to have to make their money in the RayJay. Their very last two games are both division away games...so is their first game after the bye. Two weeks after that, they got a road trip up to Lambeau, and that never goes well for Tampa (in fact, I can't remember the last time Tampa actually won a game up there). I guess the only redeeming quality is outside that trip to Lambeau in late November (during which it should be under 40 degrees at game time, and I'm sure I don't need to rehash the Bucs' [mis]fortunes in sub-40 temps), they won't have to travel far, since all their away games are in the southeast. But still...that's a brutal stretch of a back nine for those young Bucs. It's sho' gon be a test of their mettle.

[YessSir32]

Detroit looked very sharp last night. I know it's a preseason game, but the starters dominated the Patriots. If Stafford can find that accuracy in the regular season look out! The defense played aggressive and smart which is great to see.

I believe that the Lions are starting to finally find an identity. They looked like they meant business. They were in the faces of the Patriots and didn't back down. They made the game feel like it counted. Really got me pumped for September 11th.

[CS85]

I think Stafford's primary goal this season is staying healthy.

[Shumway]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

I mean, not as nice as seeing this, but nice, nonetheless.

[YessSir32]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

Wasn't it? I feel good for him, came into this season with a lot to prove and he has somehow managed to do it in the preseason.

[Shumway]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

Wasn't it? I feel good for him, came into this season with a lot to prove and he has somehow managed to do it in the preseason.

I don't know that I'd say he's proven anything yet, except that the potential for him (and the Lions) is through the roof right now. God, I hate being this excited and optimistic.

[BBTV]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

I mean, not as nice as seeing this, but nice, nonetheless.

What's up with Brady's socks there? They're just like white tubes pulled down over his shoes and stretched over his calves.

[TBGKon]

I will say this if there is a team that can come out of nowhere and make noise in the playoffs its the Lions.

So far I have to say I'm liking what I've seen from my Bucs so far. All this talk about the Lions being a sleeper team is good, and I hope they are. But I have a feeling Tampa is going to give them a good run for the sleeper title.

Neither of you know the definition of a "sleeper" team, do you?

Trust me...NO ONE is going to overlook either the Lions or Buccaneers this season. In addition, no one should be surprised if either team makes the 'offs...in fact, with one of those two, it might be considered a mild disappointment if it doesn't. (And I ain't talking about Tampa Bay here.) Of course, that all depends on if Matthew Stafford's shoulders and collarbones and the rest of him can stay intact throughout the course of the season.

Speaking of Tampa...Dan, have you seen the Bucs' schedule this season? That thing is BRUTAL. Especially for such a young team...but I will say this: if they can somehow find it within them to actually pull out those games in late November/early December, THAT will be a surprise, because after their bye, they are up against the gambit fa'sho. First of all, six of their last nine games are on the road, so they are REALLY going to have to make their money in the RayJay. Their very last two games are both division away games...so is their first game after the bye. Two weeks after that, they got a road trip up to Lambeau, and that never goes well for Tampa (in fact, I can't remember the last time Tampa actually won a game up there). I guess the only redeeming quality is outside that trip to Lambeau in late November (during which it should be under 40 degrees at game time, and I'm sure I don't need to rehash the Bucs' [mis]fortunes in sub-40 temps), they won't have to travel far, since all their away games are in the southeast. But still...that's a brutal stretch of a back nine for those young Bucs. It's sho' gon be a test of their mettle.

I got the Bucs going 8-8 this season. Yes, on paper this may be a step back from last season, but it's another point on the progression of this team. Nobody (myself included) had them going 10-6 in 2010.

I know the Bucs time is coming, this is just part of the progression.

[Dexter Morgan]

I'd like to see Stafford break out this year. The 2009 QB class is a pretty decent group. Stafford, Sanchez, and Freeman. Though it obviously no where near the 2004 class, Manning, Rivers, and Roethlisberger.

[Shumway]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

I mean, not as nice as seeing this, but nice, nonetheless.

What's up with Brady's socks there? They're just like white tubes pulled down over his shoes and stretched over his calves.

Gisele has a thing for the legwarmer look.

[Still MIGHTY]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

I mean, not as nice as seeing this, but nice, nonetheless.

What's up with Brady's socks there? They're just like white tubes pulled down over his shoes and stretched over his calves.

Gisele has a thing for the legwarmer look.

I think that that's tape around his ankle.

[Shumway]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

I mean, not as nice as seeing this, but nice, nonetheless.

What's up with Brady's socks there? They're just like white tubes pulled down over his shoes and stretched over his calves.

Gisele has a thing for the legwarmer look.

I think that that's tape around his ankle.

Yeah, but I think BBTV's referring to the sock part going down over his shoetops.

[FiddySicks]

I will say this if there is a team that can come out of nowhere and make noise in the playoffs its the Lions.

So far I have to say I'm liking what I've seen from my Bucs so far. All this talk about the Lions being a sleeper team is good, and I hope they are. But I have a feeling Tampa is going to give them a good run for the sleeper title.

Neither of you know the definition of a "sleeper" team, do you?

Trust me...NO ONE is going to overlook either the Lions or Buccaneers this season. In addition, no one should be surprised if either team makes the 'offs...in fact, with one of those two, it might be considered a mild disappointment if it doesn't. (And I ain't talking about Tampa Bay here.) Of course, that all depends on if Matthew Stafford's shoulders and collarbones and the rest of him can stay intact throughout the course of the season.

Speaking of Tampa...Dan, have you seen the Bucs' schedule this season? That thing is BRUTAL. Especially for such a young team...but I will say this: if they can somehow find it within them to actually pull out those games in late November/early December, THAT will be a surprise, because after their bye, they are up against the gambit fa'sho. First of all, six of their last nine games are on the road, so they are REALLY going to have to make their money in the RayJay. Their very last two games are both division away games...so is their first game after the bye. Two weeks after that, they got a road trip up to Lambeau, and that never goes well for Tampa (in fact, I can't remember the last time Tampa actually won a game up there). I guess the only redeeming quality is outside that trip to Lambeau in late November (during which it should be under 40 degrees at game time, and I'm sure I don't need to rehash the Bucs' [mis]fortunes in sub-40 temps), they won't have to travel far, since all their away games are in the southeast. But still...that's a brutal stretch of a back nine for those young Bucs. It's sho' gon be a test of their mettle.

I got the Bucs going 8-8 this season. Yes, on paper this may be a step back from last season, but it's another point on the progression of this team. Nobody (myself included) had them going 10-6 in 2010.

I know the Bucs time is coming, this is just part of the progression.

I mainly call them a sleeper because they're in the same division as Atlanta and New Orleans. I see them finishing above at least one of those teams. I also see Josh Freeman having an extremely good year. The D took a bit of a hit in the LB core, why they let Barrett Ruud walk is beyond my comprehension,, but I think Mark Dominik and Raheem Morris know what to look for and they sure did strengthen that Already strong D line. Their youth is their biggest strength IMO. They would be hard pressed to improve from last year with the schedule, and a step back or a level out is likely, but it's going to at least be fun to watch this team this season.

I as well feel a lot of the tougher teams ::COUGH::greenbay::COUGH:: are pretty overrated.

[Rockstar Matt]

A little strange, but I was happy to see Stafford take a hit last night. I mean, I never want my team's QB to get hit, but I think the reassurance of Staff getting back up was nice to see.

I mean, not as nice as seeing this, but nice, nonetheless.

What's up with Brady's socks there? They're just like white tubes pulled down over his shoes and stretched over his calves.

Gisele has a thing for the legwarmer look.

I think that that's tape around his ankle.

I think he was joking.

The team with the most brutal schedule in my opinion, is the Rams. Their first 7 games are ridiculous.

Week 1 vs. Philly

Week 2 at Giants

Week 3 vs.Ravens

Week 4 vs. Redskins

BYE

Week 6 AT Green Bay

Week 7 AT Dallas

Week 8 vs. Saints.

They should get at least one win in that opening stretch, but anymore then that will be lucky and a surprise. They're staring at a 1-6 start. Good news for them is that their remaining 9 games are all winnable, except maybe in Week 16 when they have to go into Pittsburgh and play the Steelers.

[rams80]

As I pointed out earlier, that is a schedule that is designed to sabotage attendance.

[Milo Meningocele]

"Last year, we gained respect. This year, we want fear."

- Ndamukong Suh

Love it.

99% of Michigan will stick up for him because they're homers, but I'm starting to worry that Suh is a dirty player, and not just an unreal competitor. It's one thing that his freakish strength makes a lot of things look worse than they are. But he's repeatedly hit QBs after the ball had left, and you can't really defend his going after Mankins Saturday. Dude needs to tone it down.

[cameroncrazie07]

Ok I have a very out there theory that may or may not be proven true this year by the Patriots. Here it is: Last year my Cowboys were the sexy pick by everyone to make the Super Bowl. They played on a prime time Saturday night game on CBS during week 3 of the preseason against the Texans. They played awful that game and lost, then went on to have an extremely disappointing 6-10 season. Now fast forward to last Saturday night. The greatly hyped Patriots played on that same prime time Saturday night game on CBS. They did not look very good. If they have a disappointing season this year I think I have an interesting theory on my hands. "The curse of the Saturday night CBS week 3 game".

Insert "lol wtf" pics here

[YessSir32]

"Last year, we gained respect. This year, we want fear."

- Ndamukong Suh

Love it.

99% of Michigan will stick up for him because they're homers, but I'm starting to worry that Suh is a dirty player, and not just an unreal competitor. It's one thing that his freakish strength makes a lot of things look worse than they are. But he's repeatedly hit QBs after the ball had left, and you can't really defend his going after Mankins Saturday. Dude needs to tone it down.

His momentum is taking him towards the QB. Brady was lucky enough to get some passes of in the last second before he got hit. You see that all the time.

I like Suh being aggressive, this team needs to find an identity.