[RogerGoodellSucks]

butta55, on 09 July 2012 - 03:20 AM, said:

Stafford can get the job done without Johnson, but no one is bring to the table what a disruptive player in the middle can bring.

If the Lions don't have Megatron, they aren't a playoff team last year.

[Thanatos19]

Going along the lines of what Maverick was getting at:

1) Captain Munnerlyn- We need him to step up big time. If he doesn't, perhaps his place can be taken by Josh Norman, but Munnerlyn has the talent to play in the league, he has simply been getting beat so many times he may no longer realize it.
2) Sherrod Martin- Martin needs to step up his game big-time for the secondary to take a step forward from last year's terrible performance.
3) Luke Kuechly- Granted the LB corps was killed by injuries last year, but with Davis coming off of 3 ACL tears, it is unlikely he beats out Kuechly for the starting job. Anderson and Beason are obviously great LBs, assuming Beason is back to his normal self, and thus the weak link in the LB chain may be Kuechly. He needs to get up to speed very fast.
4) Brandon LaFell- LaFell has the confidence of the coaches enough that we didn't go and grab a WR in free agency or in the higher rounds of the draft. He had a good 2011 for a young WR with a rookie QB and no real time to bond due to the lockout, but we need him to step up and be the clear #2 behind Steve Smith.
5) Terrell McClain/Sione Fua- Ron Edwards being back will hopefully help out the two young guys, but they need to up their play a ton. What they did last year was not good enough for the NFL. They need to replicate their play over the latter half of the season and take that into 2012, (minus the getting injured part).

[RazorStar]

Joe Mays, Peyton Manning's Neck, Whoever ends up at Nickel Corner (almost more so than our second guy, who should be Tracy Porter), Ryan Clady, Demaryius Thomas.

[Julio4Ever]

Good topic...difficult one here for the Falcons

5. William Moore - A young emerging player on our team that has so much potential to thrive in Nolan's new system of defense being installed. This kid has a lot of playmaking ability and potential...and you bet your ass Nolan is going to do his damned best to put him in great situations, all he needs to do is come through.

4. Sam Baker/Will Svitek - Critical players at a critical position at left tackle. With Baker's back injuries, it has definitely made him a huge liability on our offensive line. Reportedly, he's saying his back is better than ever, but I'm not buying it until I see consistent efficient play from him at the left tackle position.

3. Michael Turner - Yes, he's on the downside of his career. Yes, he's 30 years old now. However, this is most likely his last chance to do something for us this year as he is on thin ice. Turner is a massive force to bring down. With a split of his carries going to Rodgers this year, Turner needs to make the most of every single one of his opportunities to push the chains and get in the touchdown on those short and goal situations.

2. Ray Edwards - We signed him last year to rush the passer, he's an above average run stopper for the defensive end position. With some knee issues last year, all he did was disappoint and showed no explosiveness whatsoever. For Nolan's defensive style to work, he's going top put Edwards in great position to at least pressure the passer. Edwards not only needs to execute, but he needs to wreak havoc.

1. Matt Ryan - What more can you say. He is the face of our franchise. A young QB going into his 5th year. He's no rookie anymore. He's an experienced young player and he has all the talent around him to thrive. He's been great for us throughout the seasons in many different situations, but it's time for him right now and this year to take the next step. He needs to have better pocket awareness, and realize what his strengths are, and his targets strengths are as well. It's not time anymore for the efficient game managing QB that he's been for us the past few years, it's time for him to lead and will this team to victory on his own. Whether that's getting the deep pass completion, or realizing that he's just going to have to check down. This team is on his shoulders alone, everyone else is just a role player. If he goes above what he's done in previous years, the entire team will too, if he doesn't however...there will be blood.

This post has been edited by ATL: 09 July 2012 - 03:13 PM

[dutchff7]

For the Dallas fans naming a CB, I think Morris Claiborne should be over Brandon Carr. I know he's a rookie but he was a 1st round draft pick and with his skill set (which is insane) he could make a bigger impact in the secondary.

[Packers Dynasty 2010]

Favre4Ever, on 09 July 2012 - 02:12 AM, said:

As for the Packers, I am shocked and saddened that Charles Woodson made neither list... Like, what the heck is wrong with you bozos? lol.

I wanted to put him on the list but I was thinking of who we need to step up their game for the Packers to be successful, besides Rodgers. The Packers need Burnett to step up and show he can replace Collins, while Raji needs to return to his late 2010 self and disrupt passers up the middle. While I believe the center is the linchpin of the offensive line and that Saturday will need good chemistry with Rodgers for the Packers to succeed.

This post has been edited by Packers Dynasty 2010: 09 July 2012 - 12:37 PM

[Eefluxx]

5. Ingram/Thomas/Ivory - One of these need to step up and take the lead RB spot by the horns and run with it.

4. David Hawthorne LB - Needs to shore up the WLB spot.

3. Dave Thomas/Micheal Higgins TE - Need to give us that second TE to compliment Graham.

2. Curtis Lofton MLB - Needs to step in for Vilma and lead this defense.

1. Drew Brees QB - Obvious is obvious


Realistically tho

1. Drew Brees
2. Drew Brees
3. Drew Brees
4. Drew Brees
5. Drew Brees

[Phailadelphia]

1. Romo
2. DWare
3. Murray
4. Ratliff
5. Witten

[Thanatos19]

ATL, Ryan is going into his fifth year, not his fourth.

[G-Men]

Most critical for a chance at a Super Bowl repeat:

1. Eli Manning - After the best year of his career statistically and adding another Lombardi Trophy to his trophy case, Eli has finally broken into the top 5 quarterbacks on many people's lists. He is definitely the most important player when it comes to the success of the team. We will need a similar 2012 for a chance at a repeat and there are not many reasons to think that he will not come through for us.

2. Justin Tuck - The leader of the defense and he is a great one. He will have to stay healthy though and produce so all of our other playmakers can play off of him. Our D is always good when J Tuck sets the tone.

3. Ahmad Bradshaw - With the departure of BJ, Bradshaw is now the featured back. I believe he has what it takes to fill that role very well but his health has been a big question throughout his career. He will need to stay healthy without taking away from his smashmouth running style which will be hard to do.

4. Victor Cruz - After an amazing breakout season last year the league is now aware of the talent that this guy possesses. With Manningham and Ballard now gone teams will be paying a whole lot more attention to Cruz. He will need to find a way to handle that and keep up his production.

Hakeem Nicks - Dude was a flat out monster in the first two games of the playoffs. Super athletic with huge hands, he showed flashes of greatness. I think he still has another level in him to become a top flight wideout in the league.

[Favre4Ever]

Packers Dynasty 2010, on 09 July 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

I wanted to put him on the list but I was thinking of who we need to step up their game for the Packers to be successful, besides Rodgers. The Packers need Burnett to step up and show he can replace Collins, while Raji needs to return to his late 2010 self and disrupt passers up the middle. While I believe the center is the linchpin of the offensive line and that Saturday will need good chemistry with Rodgers for the Packers to succeed.

Ya, I think we took the question to mean different things.

[Ngata_Chance]

1.) Joe Flacco. How is it not ? He is mind boggling to me and I just dont understand him. He has a HUGE arm. If it is not the biggest in the NBFL then it definitely gets top 3 consideration. He is a lot more athletic than people credit someone for his size but he is pretty quick and can run. He is a big QB who is about as durable as any QB in the league. And yet he cant pull it together.... I think a HUGE part of it is Cam CaMORON but the two WR sets really arent fooling anybody anymore when everybody knows what routes both receivers are going to run because CC's playbook has 4 routes. And any Charger's or Ravens fan can tell you how Cam runs an offense. It is run, run, pass, and usually punt. Cameron has had the advantage of having a great back everywhere he has went so he has not been exposed as much as he should be. If cam removes his head from his ass and Flacco can pull his skill set together then our offense becomes dangerous.

2.) Jimmy Smith. Yeah some people may believe he is a bit too high, but I think it is about perfect for him. Webb in my mind is the second or third best corner in the league depending on the day. Ed Reed is arguably the best safety in the game( definitely the best ball hawk ). SO that is a pretty decent secondary in any event. If Jimmy Smith can live up to his potential than that secondary will be the best in the league. He has dropped ten pounds during the off season and has added a lot of strength so he is hovering around 207 now. At 6'2" and unnatural leaping ability he could be a great one. Having two amazing corners is going to mask any lack of pass rush we may have ( I actually think our pass rush goes up, but that is a different conversation). If he steps up and plays to what he could be he is going to be scary good soon.

3.) Ray Lewis. Is he old ? Yes. Has he lost a step ? Yup. But how many 40 year old linebackers play at his level ? London Fletcher, and I really cant think of any after that. He is the heart and soul of the team. Just watching interviews with that guy around the team and it is not hard to figure out why. EVERY man in that locker room respects him and looks to him for advice on everything. Also when it comes to getting people in the right spot Ray Lewis is a master conductor. And all that said lets be honest he can still play pretty damn well.

4.) Ray Rice. He is a dynamic back and it can be argued if AP does not come back to full strength then the throne changes hands to either him or a few others depending on the day really (MJD, Shady, Arian, RR). IF Flacco steps up and is able to take that next step (that I feel I have waited long enough for) than that plus a dynamic running back could be a pretty potent combo. The reason he is not higher is because he is a RB. 3 years ago we didnt have a 1000 yard rusher but we had 2 800 yard rushers and one was a FB. I dont know how but BAltimore always comes up with a run game. That and we have some good backs behind him who would not be able to duplicate but would soften it by quite a bit. And I think Bernard pierce looks A LOT like Arian Foster in running style.

5.) Ed Reed. I hate to say it but the dude is good and he is a huge impact on what we do. Everybody is aware of what he is capable of so no need to really go into that. That said will he play or will he not ? Will he or will he not ? Who the fuck knows this dude changes his mind so much that I have went from a huge fan to just wishing he was someone elses extremely talented headache. Then if he does play he is injured. Instead of sharing what he knows he just chills out and skips camps and OTA's to go do whatever it is he does..Meh... fuck him.

[Ngata_Chance]

GoodellFTL, on 09 July 2012 - 11:06 AM, said:

If the Lions don't have Megatron, they aren't a playoff team last year.

Agreed I am not the most knowleadgeable or loyal Lions follower; however, I do not have to be to understand that is a guy draws three guys from the defense you now have a personnel advantage of 9-8 in favor of the offense from a mathematical stand point.

Also even when triple teamed can still make a play. I would not count on Nate Burleson or Titus Young to get near that type of impact. TBH honest with no run game if the defense as two decent corners. (Ravens, Eagles, Cardinal, Chiefs, etc etc.) than you shut down the teams two top receivers and it is a crap shoot form there.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F]

Ngata_Chance, on 09 July 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

Agreed I am not the most knowleadgeable or loyal Lions follower; however, I do not have to be to understand that is a guy draws three guys from the defense you now have a personnel advantage of 9-8 in favor of the offense from a mathematical stand point.

Also even when triple teamed can still make a play. I would not count on Nate Burleson or Titus Young to get near that type of impact. TBH honest with no run game if the defense as two decent corners. (Ravens, Eagles, Cardinal, Chiefs, etc etc.) than you shut down the teams two top receivers and it is a crap shoot form there.

It takes more then being able to score points to win games. We lost to the Saints in the playoffs despite our offense playing well (result wise) and CJ having a HUGE game. But our defense could not get to Brees, at all. Probably wouldn't be the case if we had some better pressure... Particularly our front.

This post has been edited by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F: 09 July 2012 - 06:43 PM

[Ngata_Chance]

DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F, on 09 July 2012 - 06:42 PM, said:

It takes more then being able to score points to win games. We lost to the Saints in the playoffs despite our offense playing well (result wise) and CJ having a HUGE game. But our defense could not get to Brees, at all. Probably wouldn't be the case if we had some better pressure... Particularly our front.

If you are relying on Suh for a BIG impact there as far as sacks go than you may be barking up the wrong tree. Not saying interior rush does not have it purpose, mainly to push the pocket so it can be collapsed form the edge. On occasion really good seasons see 8-10 sacks for the BEST interior guys. If I wanted to get after Brees I would have asked for CLiff Avril.

Just one mans opinion though.

[NaTaS]

No real order.

Joe Haden - Pass defense starts with guy.
Jabaal Sheard - Need a great sophomore season from this guy. He has the potential to be a big time pass rusher for us. For our defense to be strong up front, we need him.
Brandon Weeden - If he's the starter this year, and all signs show he is, then he's going to be a critical piece to any success this team has.
Trent Richardson - I know two rookies but I think they'll both have an big impact and really need to be on their game.
Joe Thomas - Weeden needs someone to block and someone to open holes for him.

[NaTaS]

butta55, on 09 July 2012 - 03:16 AM, said:

Man I could have sworn the question was about YOUR team not criticize everyone else's picks.

It's a message board. Picks are going to be critiqued. It's all done in good fun, no one is getting salty.

[butta55]

GoodellFTL, on 09 July 2012 - 11:06 AM, said:

If the Lions don't have Megatron, they aren't a playoff team last year.

I could agree to that to a certain extent and understand the logic behind it, but going into this year and for continued success IMO the Lions can't do what they did last year. Everything is going to have be taken to the next level and Stafford understands majority of the "Calvin Johnson" effect was still largely in part to his ability to throw the ball. With his confidence up and yet another in the system I believe you may see him spread the ball around more and hopefully people realize he isn't just some guy brought in to lob it up to Megatron. IF and I mean a big IF Suh was to realize his full potential it is no denying hist impact will be larger. Interior players believe it or not dominate the game more than an edge player and to have that force in the middle on a CONSISTENT bases will take the Lion's defense to a new level which is what they need.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F]

Ngata_Chance, on 09 July 2012 - 06:46 PM, said:

If you are relying on Suh for a BIG impact there as far as sacks go than you may be barking up the wrong tree. Not saying interior rush does not have it purpose, mainly to push the pocket so it can be collapsed form the edge. On occasion really good seasons see 8-10 sacks for the BEST interior guys. If I wanted to get after Brees I would have asked for CLiff Avril.

Just one mans opinion though.

Not necessarily hoping he'd get a high amount of sacks, but more to draw enough attention through pressure up front to open up the game for our wide-9 pass rushers.

[housemd]

In no particular order:

LaMarr Woodley-This guy has already proved he's one of the league's best LBs and he's becoming one of the biggest leaders on the team..
Ben Roethlisberger-Probably the most important player on the team and he can finally say that he's got a decent O-line to protect him..
David DeCastro-Our first round draft pick is in charge of protecting our QB from being hit all the time..
Mike Wallace/Antonio Brown-Now that Todd Haley is our OC,Ben will throw the ball more than he did last season and his best receivers will have a very important part in our pass-happy offense..
Troy Polamalu/Ike Taylor-Our secondary was getting beaten up a lot last season and it's up to these guys to run our pass defense in the best way..