http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2008/06/15/three-over-hyped-and-three-under-the-radar-teams-in-the- Three Over Hyped and Three Under the Radar Teams in the AFC Posted by Matt Loede under Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders The start of training camp is about a month away for most teams, and today we’re going to take a look at 6 AFC teams, three of which are in our opinion getting a little too much hype already, and three that we feel are on the verge of sliding under the radar a bit. Send your comments to us using the “comments” section, or to me directly at matt@nflgridirongab.com Under the Radar: Houston Texans - The issue with the Texans is they are in a stacked division, meaning the chances of them making it to the playoffs remain slim. With that though, they are making a push to have their first winning season in 2008. They looked to address the RB slot with adding Chris Brown and rookie Steve Slaton, but the line is still a bit of a question mark. While the secondary needs some work, Mario Williams on the line is going to have a monster year and will get looks as the defensive player of the year. Why hasn’t this team added free agent LB Roosvelt Colvin? Too Much Hype: New York Jets - The Jets were the most active team in free agency right off the bat, making the biggest O-line signing with bringing in guard Alan Faneca from Pittsburgh. They also added TE Bubba Franks, S Artrell Hawkins, DT Kris Jekins, LB Calvin Pace, T/G Damien Woody, and CB Andre Woolfolk. With all that said, this team still has issues at the QB spot, with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens both not ready to lead this team to the promise land. They also need to shore up the D-line, and hope that draft pick Vernon Gholston in the first round will do that. Overall, most teams that nab that many free agents and make that many changes take 1-2 years to get it all meshed, and that’s how we feel as well. Under the Radar: Oakland Raiders - I like the offseason moves of the Raiders, and think that as long as Al Davis and Lane Kiffin can play nice, this team is on its way to being a .500 or better squad. The defense was a sore spot, and they added CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Duane Starks, FS Gibril Wilson, and more to make it better. The running game could be fun to watch, with rookie Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush all looking to get touches. Javon Walker wants to prove his worth again, and JaMarcus Russell should have a more productive 2nd season. Don’t overlook this Oakland squad. Too Much Hype: Cleveland Browns - Five games under the lights will show the league just how good this team is. They have holes in the secondary, and they think the D-line will be better with Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, but to me Rogers is a big question mark. Derek Anderson will be the starting QB, but the fan base is clammering for Brady Quinn, and early problems for Anderson vs the Cowboys, Steelers and Raevns could create a controversary. WR Donte Stallworth is also being counted on, and this is a guy that’s been on four teams in four years. Under the Radar: Buffalo Bills - Forget about the Marshawn Lynch issues, this team will have that taken care of by Sepetmber. The Bills were 30th in offense, and 31st in defense, yet had a shot to make the playoffs with three weeks left in the season. 2nd year QB Trent Edwards will be better, and the teams O-line is solid, and will get a deal done with tackle Jason Peters. The defense under Dick Jauron should also improve, and their schedule is easier than last year with only one trip to the west coast. Look for the Bills to be a slepper. Too Much Hype: Miami Dolphins - 1-15 a year ago, the Fins have been in the headlines a lot with the moves by Bill Parcells and company, and the Jason Taylor saga hanging over this teams head. The Dolphins are still a long ways away from being good, and coach Tony Sparano and the gang are going to struggle. QB is an issue with Josh McCown and John Beck expected to each take snaps, and rookie Chad Henne eventually maybe being the best of the bunch. Having a healthy Ronnie Brown and giving him the ball a bunch is going to be the best way for this team to get 3-4 wins this season.
I think I know why this was posted.... You're not getting any emotion from me jeaux. BTW, instead of a blog guy who has never been involved with NFL teams... I'll take the opinion of a proven Front Office guy: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/michael_lombardi/06/03/teams/index.html Enjoy.
Yeah the Raiders made 2 fantastic moves in free agency to their secondary which was already very good. So now Oakland may have one of the top 3 secondarys in the NFL. However I love how the writer didn't say anything about having no targets, an unproven QB just like us, a terrible offensive line, worse than ours, a bad defensive line and mediocre linebackers. The Raiders have a few spots they will likely shine more than most NFL teams this year but overall they have too many holes to hit 500 in a tough AFC. Lowest record I see possible : 4-12 Highest record I see possible : 7-9
On the bright side, NFLN is rerunning the Oakland-Baltimore playoff game from 1977 this week. That's a guaranteed win for you, Joe.
This pathetic need to get validation from nobodies can only mean that it really sucks to be you, jeaux.
+1 Edit: The more raiderjeaux posts, the more like rajensen he is. That dude would find some of the most obscure and badly-formatted sources to support his weak arguments. I think jeaux is actually trying to troll now instead of just being the lovable caveman.
How is Buffalo under the radar? All we read is how good they will be and how they will make the playoffs, it sounds like a bunch of years from earlier this decade where the "experts" loved them only to see them miss the playoffs again. I like the Bills team, I think they can be a playoff game but I want to see them do it before they are annointed.
i have no problem with the article.... i'll take a move in 09 after the foundation is laid in 08. jil
Did you read it? This douche bag blogger said that the Miami Dolphins, who won ONE game last season, were over-hyped...
It's the opposite for me. I was accusing him of being a troll back in 2006, but nobody listened to me. These days, I find his act to be funny.
there is something to the dolphins being overhyped......mostly due to parcells.... this will be his 4th gig after the pats/jets/cowboys and he is EXPECTED to turn this thing around and quickly. many people are looking at what he did for the jets after a 1-15 year and produced 9 wins. but this time he isn't on the sidelines..... IMO that makes the fish overhyped so far jil
Good point. This is his first time not being the coach first, and then perhaps going up to the GM office. Every time I see Sparano I don't have much faith in him, he seems to unprofessional to me. I know he was adored in Dallas as the O-Line coach, but I wonder how it will translate to head coaching. I don't think his braintrust is any good either. I will say this though - Chad Henne scares me more than any other QB in this draft. He was knocked on by scouts for various reasons, but the guy has gotten it done at Michigan since his true freshman year. That says alot. IF he matures into what Michigan is known for with their QBs, we may have a problem on our hands. Also, name one person on that defense that is really talented. No, Jason Taylor doesn't count, Brick owns him. Channing Crowder?? :rofl:
I am willing to bet this guy wrote this article just before the 2006 season...The Jets over hyped..yep Dolphins over hyped...blah, blah blah..
Isn't this the guy who wrote an article about Michael Vick pledging allegiance to Al Qaeda? He gets a pass for this nonsense.
I don't think anyone's really overhyping the Jets right now. I've heard very few predictions about us making the playoffs. We're getting attention as much as any other team. Spending in the off-season will attract media attention, but other than saying "we'll be better" (which coming off a 4-win season isn't saying much), nobody's really gone out on a limb for us. Now Cleveland...yeah, they're overhyped. Buffalo is ALWAYS a sleeper. And Jeaux...come on over to the Jets. We know you want to be a Greenie. Shed that Halloween mask and GWAR makeup. There's still time for you to join before the bandwagon.
