Mike975

In no particular order I'd rank the top ten quarterbacks as: Brady, Brees, Luck, Manning (P), Newton, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Ryan, Wilson Then the next rung rounding out the top sixteen, again in no particular: Cutler, Flacco, Kaepernick, Manning (E), Romo, Stafford For me, Kaepernick has the talent to be a top ten QB. He just needs to improve his accuracy, consistency and general productivity as a passer. He's got the ability to tear teams apart on the ground, he just needs to become more consistent a passer to make his way into the top ten and beyond.

The Dolphins want to make the play offs. They have seen the Philbin-Tannehill combination lead them to 7-9 and 8-8 seasons. Now in his rookie season you might say that 7-9 was a good record. But what about his second season, can you honestly say that 8-8 was a good enough improvement? I don't think that you can. Personally I put Miami's failure to make the play offs on Philbin and his coaching staff, not Tannehill. But the Dolphins did throw away a great opportunity to make the play offs. They started 3-0 before losing to the Saints, Ravens, Bills and Patriots - arguably they threw away the Ravens and Bills games. They then bounce back against the Bengals, but lose to the Buccaneers. They beat the Chargers, then lose to the Panthers. At this point they were 5-6. They recover to win three straight against the Jets, Steelers and Patriots. Heading into week 16 they were 8-6 and in pole position for the play offs. What happened? Embarassing defeats to the Bills (0-19) and the Jets (7-20). Now if you look at Tannehill's performances in 2013, for the most part he played well. He showed signs of improvement, and enough to make the Dolphins comfortable in their quarterback. However, he still had an issue with fumbles (9), and the thing that stood out to me were his four really bad performances: Week 4 @ Saints: (1) TD, (3) INT, 57.9 Rating Week 8 @ Patriots: (2) TD, (2) INT, 60.8 Rating Week 16 @ Bills: (0) TD, (0) INT, 45.6 Rating Week 17 vs Jets: (1) TD, (3) INT, 42.1 Rating Fair enough, you can go to Cam Newton and notice similar bad performances (week 5 @ Cardinals). But the problem with Tannehill is that when his team needed him to step up in week 16 and 17, he fell flat. He went from quarterback ratings of 94.2, 95.5, and 120.6 to quarterback ratings of 45.6 and 42.1. So is it surprising to see the Dolphins want to push Tannehill? Not really. When the Dolphins needed Tannehill to step up, he let them down. You can't afford that in the NFL. When it comes to crunch games you need your quarterback to step up and lead you over the line. Cam Newton wasn't magical against the Saints in week 16, or the Falcons in week 17 - but he was methodical and got the job done. That is what the Dolphins needed from Tannehill, and because he didn't deliver, that is why Philbin is wanting more from his quarterback. I don't think that Philbin doesn't believe in Tannehill. I don't even think he will bench Tannehill for Moore. What I think Philbin wants is for his young quarterback to take a Cam Newton type step forward in his third season. Get the job done and lead his team to the play offs. That is what Philbin wants from Tannehill, and it is why he wants to push Tannehill, because Philbin knows that he is as good as gone if they don't make the play offs next season. He can't afford for Tannehill to fall flat again. That is why they want to push him.

NFL.com team QB: RG3 RB: Ray Rice RB: Frank Gore WR: Des Bryant WR: Mike Williams TE: Jared Cook RB/WR/TE: Ryan Matthews K: Blair Walsh DEF: Rams BN: Carson Palmer (QB), Bryce Brown (RB), Isaiah Pead (RB), Marques Colston (WR), Stevie Johnson (WR), Brandon Myers (TE) Yahoo league team QB: Drew Brees RB: Doug Martin RB: Chris Johnson WR: Eric Decker WR: DeSean Jackson TE: Jermaine Gresham RB/WR: Steve Smith K: Sebastian Janikowski DEF: Rams BN: Josh Freeman (QB), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (RB), Miles Austin (WR), Stevie Johnson (WR), Brian Hartline (WR), Antonio Gates (TE)

I clearly stated at the top of the comparison that they were their regular season statistics. Obviously I can post up Eli's play off statistics and compare them to Josh Freeman, but what would I be comparing them against, thin air? The whole point of the comparison was to show that over his first four seasons, Josh Freeman has not been as bad as some people like to make out. At no point did argue that Freeman was/is a better QB than Eli Manning. In fact, the poster I quoted stated that over their first four seasons they were nearly identical, and that Eli didn't play well in his 5th season (he meant 4th) but got hot in the play offs. My post showed that while Freeman has put up better passing statistics in the regular season, the difference with Eli is that he led his team to the play offs, won a division title, won a conference title, and a super bowl. If anything my post emphasized that over their first four seasons in the league, Eli was a proven winner, while Freeman has yet to do that; and with that in mind, I gave Eli credit where credit is due.

I've got to agree that the running game is a concern, especially considering the amount of money that has been tied up to that position. - DeAngelo Williams did restructure his deal, and it is now very cap friendly through 2015. His restructured salary gives us a cap hit of $5 million this season, and in 2014 and 2015 his base salary is $1.85 million (down from $5.75 million in 2014 and $6.75 million in 2015). So personally I see DeAngelo remaining on the roster until 2015, even if he ends up becoming the second choice running back. - Mike Tolbert is well worth the money he's being paid. He gives us a good scoring threat. I think he'll remain on the roster for the remainder of his contract. - Jonathan Stewart is on borrowed time if he continues to struggle with injuries. Last season it hindered him, and his return this season is not yet known. If he doesn't come back from this injury strong, he could end up being cut or traded (not sure who would take on his contract if he doesn't come back strong from his current injury). For me, I don't see Stewart remaining with the Panthers for the long term. I see them getting rid of him, and then drafting a new running back to become the main guy - unless Kenjon Barner can step up and become the Panthers' new number #1 guy.

From what I've seen so far in preseason, the Bills have impressed me. EJ Manuel has done well in his first two preseason games, and if he recovers from his knee injury, I think he could have a chance to have a very good rookie season. They have quite a bit of potential on both sides of the ball, and if things click they could have an outside chance of a wild card spot, but more likely an 8-8 record. Granted Kolb is an injury prone QB, but as a backup he is more than good enough to step in when required; and as for Tuel, he had a big performance in the first game of preseason, and looks to have talent himself. So for me, I think the Bills might perform the best. The next best I think will be the Eagles. Granted I am still not sure Vick is their long term answer, but he seems to be doing very well in Kelly's offense. So if he can perform consistently and stay healthy, then the Eagles have enough weapons on offense to cause opposition defenses a ton of trouble. Plus, Foles and Barkley have the talent to step in and do well. They'd be my top two. The Browns could also be in with a shout.

In 1972 he came up against the undefeated Miami Dolphins; in the next it was against a great Steelers team; and the last was against a great Raiders team. Just because he didn't win one doesn't make him a bad QB. Take Jim Kelly, great QB that never won the big game. Another is Dan Marino. Some great QBs and players have never won, and not winning one doesn't make their opinion null and void. Look at his career as a whole and he was a decent QB from the footage I've seen. He had a HOF career. So by no means is it ironic, because ultimately this guy proved himself to be a top QB in his career, and as of yet Freeman has not done anything of note.

Statistically in regular season Freeman has the better stats over his first four seasons: Eli - 11,385 yards Freeman - 12,090 yards Eli - TD:77, INT: 64 Freeman - TD:76, INT:54 Eli - 53.7% Freeman - 59.1% But the difference with Eli Manning is that the Giants made the play offs in his second, third and fourth seasons. He had a win loss record of 35-29 in the regular season, and 4-2 in the play offs. They won a division title in 2005, and the conference championship and super bowl in 2007. Compare that to Josh Freeman. His win loss record is 24-33. The Buccaneers have never made the play offs, and they have only one winning season. Now sure he cannot do it all on his own, but the question marks will always be exaggerated when the QB in question has has a losing record, has not made the play offs or won a super bowl. If Freeman leads the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl this year, and then continues to perform at a consistent level (i.e. like Eli), then those question marks over how good Freeman actually is will begin to go away or at least reduce. Got to say I agree that Freeman is in the middle of pack when it comes to QBs, and he certainly isn't 'god awful'. He's a solid enough starting QB, and if the Buccaneers let him go, then I am sure he would find a new starting position quite quickly. For me, with the right weapons and supporting cast, he could certainly be a very productive QB if he can become consistent.

Sam Mills: black (reebok) Jake Delhomme: white (reebok), blue (reebok) Cam Newton: white (nike), blue (nike) Steve Smith: black (reebok), white (nike) DeAngelo Williams: black (reebok), white (nike) Luke Kuechly: blue (nike) Bit of a horder. I'm tempted to add a Greg Hardy one to the collection, or perhaps a Star one.

To be fair, taking hgh doesn't give you the 'talent' to be a good football player. It helps in enhancing your body and ability to perform at certain levels, but if you lack the talent aspect hgh won't help you much. I guess if you have two players with talent, one using and one not, then that might give the user an edge, but ultimately someone not using could still out play and be better than someone that is using. I agree that there should be testing, and level playing field (like you say, everyone uses or everyone doesn't). But my point is that hgh and performance enhancing drugs don't make a good footballer, nor does it keep them on a roster; what makes them a good footballer, and what keeps them on a roster is having the talent and ability to do their job on the field. Sure hgh might help, but without talent you're screwed. As for those cut, they might use or they might not - either way it doesn't matter because they aren't good enough to earn a spot.

It certainly has been an issue. The positive is that with more experience, depth and quality, and better coaching decisions, the team could see out games and wins. That's what I try to take from it. It is worrying, but with the right tweaks it can be put right. Now whether our coaching staff can do that or not is debatable... Personally I think this season is make or break for Riveria. I want him to succeed, but another season where we are inconsistent and continue to falter will be an abject failure.

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I don't have a problem with fans that think our team is the best in the NFC South and that we are going to take the league by storm. Why? Because at the end of the day they are SUPPORTING THEIR TEAM. Now sure, their belief in their team might be questionable and somewhat misplaced, but I would never criticize another Panthers fans for believing in and supporting their team. Now that might be 'homerism' to people like you, and that might ruffle your feathers, but ultimately it doesn't really matter because most fans of any football team have different opinions. Some will always overvalue their favorite players because they believe and support them. But is that wrong? For me, no. It might be the case that their overzealous beliefs are leading to them looking at our team through rose tinted shades, but even if I find their opinions 'deluded' I simply just smile and nod my head. I don't see the point in trying to prove them wrong, because this game is a funny thing. From time to time some team always springs up and surprises everyone. How many saw the Colts doing as well as they did a season after having the worst record in the NFL? I didn't. I felt they would perhaps get to 6 to 8 wins, tops. I was wrong. The same could happen to our Panthers, they could surprise everyone and go 12-4, win the division, and lose in the conference championship like we did in 1996 (our second in the league). Now how many saw our Panthers team doing that well in it's second season? I don't remember too many Panthers fans predicting them making the conference championship... My point? We all have opinions. I am one of the Panthers fans that knows his team is not the best in the division. If I was ranking the NFC South teams from best to worst, outside of the Falcons being number #1, I honestly would find it very hard to position the other three. I think ourselves, the Buccaneers and Saints could all end up with the same, or at least a very similar win-loss record. Last season we went 7-9, but lost 7 games by less than a touchdown. We threw away four games last season that we 'should' have won. If we won those games our record would have been 11-5, and that might have got us into the play offs. I think that when you lose 7 games by less than a touchdown, and arguably threw away four games (that I can remember off the top of my head), then that shows that this team is close to being competitive. Now that might not be super bowl competitive, but I think this team could be in the 10 to 13 win range if they start and play the season as we did over the final six games of last season, and our key players take a big step forward. Does that prediction make me a 'homer'? I don't know. I am always going to have a Panthers bias because I believe and support my team. I am always going to hope for the best, and hope that we are finally going to lift the Lombardi trophy. Now I won't go on like Davethepanther and make bold proclamations about how our team is the best in the division or that it is ready to win a super bowl, because we are not near that level yet. But as rose tinted as his argument is, we are all Panthers fans, from the those that what you call 'homers' to people like you and to people like me. We are all fans, and I don't think we should be overly critical of people that want the best for their team. Also, don't take this as an attack on you. I am simply trying to put across a point against people being overly critical of 'homers', and equally to people like Dave that should appreciate that not everyone believes that their team is the best. Rant over.

I'd like him at the Bobcats too, but with Zeller I don't think Baby would be considered. He should be a good fit for a play off team. Decent scorer and good defense. Not sure what his market value would be though.

I think the Magic are preparing to tank once again. On their roster they have a few question marks over players being there at the start of the season: - Al Harrington, SF/PF - Glen Davis, PF/C - Arron Afflalo, SG/SF - Hedo Türkoğlu, SF/PF All four of those guys could be moved. The Magic are already talking about a buyout with Türkoğlu, so he'll be gone. The same could happen with Harrington, though they might trade him if someone wants to take on his contract, either way he probably won't remain a Magic player long. Those two don't have much to offer them. The issue with Afflalo and Davis is that if they are healthy, then slotting them into a line up with Nelson, Harris/Harkless, and Vučević could be enough to see them be too good next season. Heck, throw in Oladipo, Harris/Harkless, Nicholson etc off the bench and they could be a very solid outfit in the 30 or so wins range. So for me it would make sense for the Magic to try and move these two players for draft picks and/or young talent in return. That way they can slot Oladipo into the starting line up, and continue the Harkless (SF) and Harris (PF) experiment, and all the while not be too good and miss out on a top pick. With those four gone, the addition of Maxiell gives them a guy that can play three positions, and brings decent defense off the bench. Granted right now they have a crowded front court, but in if they make moves for the above four players Maxiell could be a useful option off the bench with limited minutes.