Surprise team of 2014

[ravensdan]

Who is that team that everyone is writing off that will make a big run possibly to the playoffs this year such as the chargers last year. Here are my two under the radar submissions:

Tennessee titans

Everyone is handing Indianapolis the division right away. I believe this team could be a sneaky contender. They have invested heavily in the Oline and improved in the Dline as well. The biggest questions are at corner which could be covered up by a good pass rush. The protection should be quite stout for locker. If he could stay healthy he could be a surprise with some good skill players around him.

St. Louis rams

Everyone is automatically penciling in the 49ers and the Seahawks. I say the rams are set up to compete with both. Again fisher has improved both lines and they could have the best pass rush in the league right now. Bradford was hot last year throwing 14 TDs to 4 INTs. The problem is that was in just 7 games. Again if Bradford can stay healthy I contend this is the best offense in that division. The rams could be a big surprise in the NFC.

[MightyRaven]

i agree with the two teams

[display name]

The Cardinals regressed slightly this offseason but it's still hard to see the Rams making the playoffs with the 49ers and Seahawks in the same division as them. They might be able to replace the Cardinals in the #3 spot and make it to the playoffs as the #6 seed, but anything beyond that is probably asking too much.

[T3hRaven]

The Cardinals regressed slightly this offseason but it's still hard to see the Rams making the playoffs with the 49ers and Seahawks in the same division as them. They might be able to replace the Cardinals in the #3 spot and make it to the playoffs as the #6 seed, but anything beyond that is probably asking too much.

The Cardinals issue is just their lbs really, and that is the least important position in the game. They improved the OL, which might be enough to get that offense going. I wouldn't count them out.

[display name]

The Cardinals issue is just their lbs really, and that is the least important position in the game. They improved the OL, which might be enough to get that offense going. I wouldn't count them out.

They have no backfield, Palmer is a turnover machine, and Fitzgerald will probably only go downhill from here.

[Inqui]

The Cardinals regressed slightly this offseason but it's still hard to see the Rams making the playoffs with the 49ers and Seahawks in the same division as them. They might be able to replace the Cardinals in the #3 spot and make it to the playoffs as the #6 seed, but anything beyond that is probably asking too much.

To be fair, there's usually a reason surprise teams are surprise teams.

[BmoreBird22]

The Cardinals issue is just their lbs really, and that is the least important position in the game. They improved the OL, which might be enough to get that offense going. I wouldn't count them out.

Linebackers are far from the least important position on the team, especially with how the league is trending with their tight ends and getting the ball out to running backs. Plus, pass rushing linebackers are always at a premium. I don't think you really can make a case for any position outside of fullback being unimportant

[T3hRaven]

Linebackers are far from the least important position on the team, especially with how the league is trending with their tight ends and getting the ball out to running backs. Plus, pass rushing linebackers are always at a premium. I don't think you really can make a case for any position outside of fullback being unimportant

 

I don't even count FB.  With the ever increasing use of nickel and dime, teams are frequently in situations where they're fielding just one or two linebackers, or even none at all by having the safety play low to cover the pass.  It really is the least important position.

[BmoreBird22]

I don't even count FB.  With the ever increasing use of nickel and dime, teams are frequently in situations where they're fielding just one or two linebackers, or even none at all by having the safety play low to cover the pass.  It really is the least important position.

I definitely disagree. You look at guys like Clowney and Mack going top 5 because they can rush the passer, guys like Dansby getting paid despite being old because he can cover, and the ever increasing importance of tight ends, having a good linebacker is very important. Just like how the tight end position is evolving, so are the linebackers

[T3hRaven]

I definitely disagree. You look at guys like Clowney and Mack going top 5 because they can rush the passer, guys like Dansby getting paid despite being old because he can cover, and the ever increasing importance of tight ends, having a good linebacker is very important. Just like how the tight end position is evolving, so are the linebackers

 

Outside pass rushers have nothing to do with the interior guys.

[BmoreBird22]

Outside pass rushers have nothing to do with the interior guys.

You said linebackers. Outside linebackers are still linebackers

[ravensdan]

The Cardinals issue is just their lbs really, and that is the least important position in the game. They improved the OL, which might be enough to get that offense going. I wouldn't count them out.

I thought about the cardinals as a surprise team as well. I think their linebackers can be good enough. If Abraham and dockett can provide some pass rush alongside Campbell and the Oline can stay healthy and get a running game going this could be the surprise team as well.

[arnie_uk]

You said linebackers. Outside linebackers are still linebackers

it was pretty obvious he was talking about inside linebackers

[BmoreBird22]

it was pretty obvious he was talking about inside linebackers

I'm sorry that I see the word linebackers and think of linebackers, how silly of me

Still not an unimportant position if Mosley and Shazier are getting too 20 picks and Mosley was considered worth a top 10 pick

[AsianRice]

It has to be the Ravens cuz we never get respected and especially of last year failing season.....we are bottom of the list.....

[52520Andrew]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans do well. From what I hear they have an easy schedule and are 1 year removed from the playoffs. They also were one of the unluckier teams statistically and I could see that regressing back towards the mean.

[BmoreBird22]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans do well. From what I hear they have an easy schedule and are 1 year removed from the playoffs. They also were one of the unluckier teams statistically and I could see that regressing back towards the mean.

They're gonna have to hope AJ is happy and they find a good quarterback

[D-Rey]

The Jags

 

Call me crazy (because everyone else is), but I love what they have done. Especially in the draft. They now have, in my opinion, a work horse type of HB in Gerhart. I think Bortles will start eventually but Henne will be decent with the added weapons. They'll have Joeckel back. I love that they drafted Lee and Robinson. Their draft is my favorite out of all NFL teams. Can't believe they got both really talented WRs. They have made some good moves on D and looks to be very solid. This team has potential to contend, It's the one none Raven team I'm keeping my eye on.

[Willbacker]

The Jags

 

Call me crazy (because everyone else is), but I love what they have done. Especially in the draft. They now have, in my opinion, a work horse type of HB in Gerhart. I think Bortles will start eventually but Henne will be decent with the added weapons. They'll have Joeckel back. I love that they drafted Lee and Robinson. Their draft is my favorite out of all NFL teams. Can't believe they got both really talented WRs. They have made some good moves on D and looks to be very solid. This team has potential to contend, It's the one none Raven team I'm keeping my eye on.

Definitely not calling you crazy. Little concerned about Gerhart. When he had his chances behind AP he did not impress especially fumbling and those WRs are still rookies.

 

I like the Rams with their amazing pass rush capabilities and with Donald and Brockers also creating push from the interior. Yikes!! Scary. Really like Zac Stacy and their OLine. It just depends on their passing game.

 

Other notables. The Giants. Are they really that bad?? The Panthers. I know they made the playoffs last year but almost everybody says their not making it this year. Well that D is still there possibly minus Greg Hardy and the O lost all their WRs and Jordan Gross to retirement but something tells me...

[Inqui]

I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the Texans do well. From what I hear they have an easy schedule and are 1 year removed from the playoffs. They also were one of the unluckier teams statistically and I could see that regressing back towards the mean.

I think they'll be pushing for the playoffs again. Whether or not they're there, they'll be thereabouts.

 

I'll put forward the Vikings. Their first rounders from last year are all improved by a year, their coordinators are big upgrades and they have this year's best QB - albeit a rookie. And the Air Coryell relies on a power running game, who better than Adrian Peterson?

[52520Andrew]

I think they'll be pushing for the playoffs again. Whether or not they're there, they'll be thereabouts.

 

I'll put forward the Vikings. Their first rounders from last year are all improved by a year, their coordinators are big upgrades and they have this year's best QB - albeit a rookie. And the Air Coryell relies on a power running game, who better than Adrian Peterson?

 

Yeah I think Houston has a shot. I think AJ will play and they do have Hopkins and a good O-line. O'Brien is generally good a getting QBs up to speed as well. I think whoever is at QB for them does good enough to succeed.

 

I like the Vikings, the offense should be a lot better and the defense should be good as well. Playoffs will depend on how quickly Bridgewater develops or how good AP does.

[Inqui]

Yeah I think Houston has a shot. I think AJ will play and they do have Hopkins and a good O-line. O'Brien is generally good a getting QBs up to speed as well. I think whoever is at QB for them does good enough to succeed.

 

I like the Vikings, the offense should be a lot better and the defense should be good as well. Playoffs will depend on how quickly Bridgewater develops or how good AP does.

Exactly, and that's before you put JD Clowney and JJ Watt on the same defensive line.

 

Agree on Bridgewater, and even stuff like the Packers getting banged-up or the Lions choking (all of which seem to happen every year) will affect their chances.

[hawkprey]

Giants, Steelers, Falcons and Ravens will have better records.

 

Cardinals, Rams, Dolphins, Skins, Panthers and Bengals will all have worse records or are being too overrated.

[Purple Punishment]

Exactly, and that's before you put JD Clowney and JJ Watt on the same defensive line.

Agree on Bridgewater, and even stuff like the Packers getting banged-up or the Lions choking (all of which seem to happen every year) will affect their chances.

I really think Clowney is going to bust in the NFL. I think he's gonna buy into his own hype too much and never live up to his potential. I think NFL level linemen are going to expose him. That UDFA tackle James Hurst that we drafted, he had his way with Clowney.

[BSHU_Miami]

Rams will have the best defense in the NFL.

 

[Jalxsu]

The Titans were one of my surprise picks for last year, and I think they could have made the playoffs if Locker could have stayed healthy. I'm not going to make that same mistake again - however much I like Jake Locker, he's just made of glass, and I'm even though I like Mettenberger's potential, he's not ready to start in year 1.

 

The Texans have to improve this year. I loved their draft. They should have a dominant front seven, which should help them cover up their deficiances in their secondary (as Carolina did last year). Saying that though, can you really see a team dominating with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center? Now if they were to trade for Mallett, I could see them challenging the Colts, but with the Amish Rifle, they'll do well to do better than .500.

 

But for my REAL sleeper, I'm going for the perennial losers in the AFC South - the Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

I really rate Gus Bradley as a coach, and he's made vast improvements in his one year in charge. They have been a joke the last few years, but they went on a streak of winning 4 out of 5 games in the second half of last season - not so bad for a team many thought could go 0-16. They did lose their final 3 games of the year, but 2 of those were decided by 4 points or less.

 

They have really addressed areas of need this offseason. Both starting guards have been replaced by what look like upgrades in Zane Beadles and the rookie Brandon Linder, and they'll also be getting Luke Joeckel back healthy to start at left tackle. On the other side of the ball, Bradley's got two of his old Seahawks guys (Red Bryant and Chris Clemons) to bolster the D line, and Ziggy Hood isn't a bad signing either. They already have the hugely underrated DT Sen'Derrick Marks, and they have the greatly improved Andre Branch to bring in for passing downs (he finished last season with 5 sacks in their last 7 games), this defensive line could be a surprising area of strength.

 

Whilst the trenches are where games are won and lost, what gets fans excited is watching the offensive playmakers. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit jealous that the Jags drafted BOTH Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson. With the strong possibility that Justin Blackmon will never play a down in the NFL again and a pending suspension for Ace Sanders, I'd expect to see a lot from these rookies from day 1. A receiving corps of Cecil Shorts, Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson, Mike Brown and Marcedes Lewis could be pretty scary if the rookies live up to their potential.

 

I've also been very impressed whenever I've seen Toby Gerhart. If it wasn't for Flacco/Brown's heroics, I'd probably still be having nightmares about him just bulldozing his way through our defense in the snow last year. Whilst MoJo had been regressing, and didn't have much of a line to run behind last year, Gerhart looks to be in his prime, and should have a lot more assistance from the big guys.

 

They have a decent game manager at QB in Henne, and I like the way Bradley doesn't feel the pressure to start his rookie QB on day 1. Too often rookie QBs (especially ones picked so early in the draft) are forced in to starting before they are ready. Around the draft this year, I heard people honestly saying that the Jets and Bills should ALREADY think of drafting new quarterbacks this year! Fans in this league can be so damn impatient! I won't be shocked if Bortles does start at some point this year, but Bradley doesn't strike me as a guy who will not do what he thinks is best for the rookie and the team.

 

Other than that, they have a young and talented secondary (Gratz, Cyprien and Evans were all rookies last year) who should all get better with a year under their belts.

 

Whilst I'm not saying I think Jacksonville will go and win the Superbowl, I think they'll surprise a lot of people this year. The AFC South is one of the weakest divisions in the NFL, and I don't think a winning season is an impossibility. They have a tough start to the season though (at Philadelphia, at Washington, Indianapolis, at San Diego, Pittsburgh), but if they pick up a few wins early, who knows where that confidence could take them?