Hines Thoughts Thread

[Hines]

IS THERE REALLY A TOP TEAM IN THE NFL?

-In my eyes, no. No team has stood out as being the most dominate team in the NFL.

Falcons-Despite having the best record in the NFC, have shown signs of faltering within the past few games. Wouldn’t consider them the best team in the NFC anymore.

Texans- Have not looked good in big games this season. Despite a 11-2 record, they got embarrassed on national TV twice against Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. Their D has taken steps backwards and you can really see their lack of CB an WR depth.

Patriots- Probably the best looking team right now, but can their D with a lack of pass rush and lack of deep threat get them over the hump this year?

Broncos- Playing well on both sides of the ball, but will the Manning of old play like he has in the past in January?

49ers- Can Colin Kaepernick take them to the Super Bowl? I have my doubts.
Packers- I don’t like their running game, OL, and secondary to take them back to the Super Bowl. Rodgers will have to play error free football for them to win it all IMO.

Ravens- I don’t trust Flacco and the defense is old and not good anymore.
Giants- Probably one of the most complete teams in the NFL, but they never play to it consistently all year.

Colts- Not a great defense and Andrew Luck has turnover problems.

Seahawks- Great defense and running game, but can Russell Wilson take them to the Super Bowl? I don’t think so. Also, their best corner Richard Sherman could end up missing the playoffs if his appeal gets denied.

Bears- Started out fast and a Super Bowl contender, but have lost 4 of their last 5 games. Cutler has not looked good neither and the defense is getting banged up.

Steelers- Banged up and the D cannot get off the field on third down. Good thing about them making the playoffs would be them playing against good teams, which they’ve had good success with this year opposed to losing to four bad teams.

Bengals- I don’t think they’re ready to take the next step yet.

With a wide open NFL, I’ll still stand by preseason Super Bowl pick of Atlanta-Houston, though I’m feeling less confident with that each week. This is what makes the NFL so great.


EARLY 2013 BREAKOUT TEAM

-This may come to a surprise, but I think the New York Jets are a team who can make a huge impact IF they can have a great draft. Their defense is pretty solid this year and that’s without their best player and a pass rush. If they get a pass rusher or two, I can see this unit being a top 5 defense again.

The offense is another story, but I think Sanchez will do enough next year with a healthy Santonio Holmes, a more polished Stephen Hill, and a better run game. If Sanchez doesn’t improve next year with all talent he should be getting back, then the Jets need to move on.

I think the Jets are closer to a playoff run next year than another disappointing season.


LUCK VS RG3

-A huge debate regarding these two stud rookie QBs regarding the Rookie of the Year. While RG3 has the sexier stat line, I think I’d be inclined to giving it to Luck. He took a 1 win team with minimal talent to the playoffs the next year. The turnovers are alarming for Luck, but if I had a vote for ROY, it’d be Luck due to what he brought to the Colts.

WHAT SHOULD THE RAIDERS DO WITH THEIR QB SITUATION?

-A big debate for the Raiders in the offseason would be what they do with Carson Palmer. He is owed 13 million dollars in 2013 and the Raiders could be forced to let him go to help with the cap. The Raiders should have a top 10 pick in the draft, but what should they do? Should they try and get a QB like Barkley or Wilson? Should they get defensive help like Star Lotulelei and see what they have in Terrelle Pryor? If I were running the team, I’d let Pryor play to see what they have in him and try and trade Palmer. That brings me to my next point…


ARIZONA’S OFFSEASON

-The Cardinals should see what the Raiders would want for Palmer in the offseason. The Cardinals NEED a QB before Fitz demands a trade. I’d ship a third round pick for him and then use their first two draft picks on Taylor Lewan/Luke Joekel and a QB to develop like Tyler Bray, Ryan Nassib, Mike Glennon, or Aaron Murray. Palmer isn’t the answer for the Cards, but he’s an upgrade over Kevin Kolb (who should get released after the season), John Skelton, and Ryan Lindley. Also, I’d replace Wiz with Ray Horton, release Beanie Wells and get a new RB, and draft a pass rusher or two. I still believe they’ll be the fourth best team in the division, but their arrow will be pointing up regarding the state of their team.


Random Thoughts

-I’d give Blaine Gabbert another year in Jacksonville. While he isn’t great, he has improved this year and deserves another year.
-CJ Spiller is going to be really good and Gailey needs to not mess around with him anymore. Give him more carries than Fred Jackson. I hope Vick goes to Buffalo and they run the pistol. I don’t think Vick has much left, but he and Spiller could be exciting to watch.
-The state of Ohio could be running the AFC North real soon and I don’t think anyone is prepared for it. Cincinnati has been improving every year and have a plethora of young talent on both sides of the ball. Give Cleveland another pass rusher and another receiving threat and they could contend for a Wild Card spot.
-JJ Watt and Geno Atkins are the two best DLman in the NFL and I don’t think it’s even close.
-Von Miller is the next Derrick Thomas. He’s really fun to watch.
-I didn’t like Aldon Smith that much coming out of college that much and thought he was a weird fit in a 34 defense, but I’ll happily eat crow. He’s going to break the sack record this year.
-That crop of 2011 Draft of defensive lineman is going to come down to one of the best in NFL history. Miller, Smith, Watt, Quinn, Kerrigan, Wilkerson, and Dareus are all really good already.
-AP should win MVP, but probably won’t because his team won’t make the playoffs and that’s sad. He looks even better after his major knee injury.


HOMER CORNER

-Todd Haley needs to use Chris Rainey in a Darren Sproles role. If you watch Rainey play this year, he’s a breathtaking playmaker. He has the type of ability to change games and shows it on every kick return, as he is one of the better returners in the league as a rookie. He sees a handful of snaps a game, but I believe he should receive more. Line him up in the slot, on the outside, in the wildcat, in the back field, etc, but he needs to touch the ball more. Those WR screens that Haley runs a lot should involve Rainey as well and let his speed and quickness take over. He already makes an impact when he enters on offense as teams key on him due to the offense using him as a decoy.

-I’m torn on Mike Wallace. I like him, but his drops and lack of focus and development have hurt the team, but he scares defenses still and you can’t teach his speed. It’ll be hard to replace a WR of his caliber and has a nice chemistry with Big Ben. I see the Steelers trying to resign him, but I believe a team will pay more than what the Steelers are willing and he leaves. Miami, Minnesota, and Washington are teams I can see going after him.
-Ziggy Hood is the worst first round pick in a while for the Steelers. I haven’t seen a player play so horrible that was drafted in the first round since Troy Edwards. It’s obvious he isn’t a fit as a 5-tech and should be replaced by Cameron Heyward.
-Ryan Clark is the most underrated safety in the league. He is a guy the team cannot afford to lose. He’s been playing lights out the past few years.
-Troy Polamalu is going to either get cut or retire either the end of this season or next. His body is too broken down and I don’t see how much further he can go.
-Keenan Lewis is going to make a lot of money this offseason after looking like a lost cause for two years. He’s come on since last year in a big way.
-Ike Taylor proves how valuable he is. He missed his first game in a very long time and the pass defense did not look the same. Ike had a rough start of the season, but quickly picked up where he was last year. I don’t think he’s a top 10 corner, but I’d put him in the top 15 easily.


Hope you guys enjoyed reading this. Anything you guys disagree with or have questions regarding.