The View From Below

Its always easy to talk about the front runners or the favorites, and I'll get to them but what about the bottom feeders?  Some might say so what but this is still the NFL.  Talk all the BS you want but Alabama, LSU or USC aren't about to beat the Dolphins, Jags, Colts, or Rams.  Just get that off your mind right now.  The "best" college team would never be able to beat a NFL team.  

The Jags are in a state of flux right now.  They have a new owner who really hasn't stated seriously about the team staying in Jacksonville.  Just recently, the owner has set up "home" games to be played in Europe over the next few seasons.  Doesn't sound like the Jags will be in Florida much longer.  I still don't like the name LA Jags.  While the place they call home isn't a priority at the moment, the Jags must find something quick because the Colts won't be at the bottom for long.  Andrew Luck has the talent to succeed Payton as the true face of the franchise much sooner than later.  Luck may not be Payton but neither is Payton himself.  Second year QB Blaine Gabbert was not protected last season behind a questionable at best O-line.  Gabbert was sacked 40 times and only had a 50% completion percentage.  That won't get it done in the NFL but only some much can be placed at Gabbert's feel.  Can you name the WRs on the team?  I can't, at least not without looking it up.  TE Marcedes Lewis (LB Poly Grad) was the teams leading receiver last season with 39 catches and zero TDs.  That's not gonna get it at all.  Sure injuries played a part but lack of depth is at the feet of the coaches and ownership.  Just because you are selling the team doesn't mean to give up on putting the best quality players out there.  Its nice that the Jags signed Laurent Robinson (FA from Dallas) and drafted Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon but lack of depth for an already shaky and injury prone O-line could negate all offensive moves to upgrade.  If they don't protect Gabbert and open holes for MJD and Rashad Jennings.  I said Jennings because he took advantage of MJDs hold out and past injury issues as well.  If Robinson and Blackmon don't work out, TO and Chad Johnson are "open".  I say for the Jags to use a FB to take more pressure off of Gabbert and provides another blocker.  I'm just putting it out there.

With the Rams, I'm not sure what to think. It took for Jeff Fisher to take over for the team to realize that Sam Bradford isn't the Rams version of Eli Manning.  Having said that, Bradford can be the Rams version of Aikman or Simms.  Both had a quality RB to take the pressure off and that's exactly what Steven Jackson is.  The Rams are a year behind where they should be as a team.  Now with a new everything in place is good the Rams had a full off-season to get it right.  I remember this time last year, everyone was talking about how the Rams were the best and favorite in the NFC West.  Well the Rams went 2-14 and the Niners won the division going away.  This year, the Rams have a healthy O-line and a healthy Jackson so put 8 in the box if you want to.  Jackson should be a 1,000 yard rusher this season.  Especially with the cohesion the O-line now has with Jason Smith, Jason Brown, Harvey Dahl, Rodger Safford and Jacob Bell.  If these guys stay healthy, look for the Rams to make noise in the NFC.  Defensively, the Rams need to address the LB position.  Outside of James Laurinaitus, I can't name any other LB.  The from 7 will need more then Laurinaitus and DL Chris Long.  The Rams already know that rookie CB Janoris Jenkins will be tested early and often.  Someone in the LB core and on the D-line will need to step up if the Rams are to compete for the playoffs.  Especially if the Rams think that a return to LA is possible.  The LA fans only want a team that is competing.  I say the Rams will be a 10-6 team and just barely miss the playoffs.

I think the Colts are thinking a little too big.  Yes, they will be better this year because they can't get any worse, can they?  I said from the start that the Colts can't put anyone in at QB and expect the same Payton results.  When it comes to QBs, the offense has to be tweaked to fit the QBs style.  Luck isn't Payton so you can't expect him to do exactly what Payton did.  The Colts didn't use the TE to spread the field, which they should do more of this year.  All Luck needs to be successful is time to throw and a spread offense.  I don't mean to suggest to abandon the running game but Luck can't be his best if the pocket closes faster than a mouse trap.  The Colts have been completely overhauled.  On defense, gone is the Tampa 2 that was run since the days of Tony Dungy, and has been replace by what looks like a 3-4 special or hybrid.  This scheme will have more movement and more man coverage in the secondary.  This is a test year for the Colts.  I expect more then 2 wins but no real chance at the playoffs let alone the division.  The Colts will be a 6-10 team this year but the sky is the limit going forward.  There is a lot of youth and inexperience on this team.  They will be back in the playoff hunt come 2013.

Not much to say about the Dolphins.  As a team, the 'Phins looks like last years team.  We all watched Hard Knocks, or at least watched at it.  Once Chad Johnson was released, no one cared about the Dolphins anymore.  I still say the Dolphins jumped the gun because the WR on the roster combined aren't better then Johnson.  I understand the reasoning but what did they really expect?  He is still OchoCinco and with all his rust from not playing, he was their best option at the position.  The Dolphins will show some flashes but not much else.  Sure, somewhat of a pass will be given due to Ryan Tannehill being a rookie and Joe Philbin in his first HC job.  Miami will learn very quickly on Sunday that without a WR who can stretch the field, the defense will just gang up on RB Reggie Bush.  They will lead in the league in 3 and outs this year if a WR doesn't step up.  Maybe Philbin and GM Ireland need to see how Houston will use their WR and have Chad and TO in practice on Tuesday, after the beatdown they are going to take by Houston.  Yeah, I said it.  Bring in both TO and Chad and develop the young guys like Marlon Moore.  You don't have to pay them more then the league minimum and Tannehill's rookie year won't be so tough.  Hell, even Matt Moore would look good throwing to TO and Chad.  If this truly is a rebuilding year, then why not?  At worst, fans will show up for the first few weeks.  That won't happen if this team stays as is. The Dolphins will finish 3-13 as constituted.

D!