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Behold: the 2006 NFL season is at last here. These are my predictions for the top Superbowl contenders. For information as to why predicted division winners Colts and Bears are not true contenders, see Badcock's other brilliantly-argued columns.
AFC EAST: New England Patriots Strengths: intelligent, flexible coaching staff, poised QB, O-line, D-line & LBs, pass defense. Weaknesses: WR depth, run defense, another brand-new inexperienced D coach. Variables: RBs Dillon vs. Maroney, S Harrison's return from injury
AFC NORTH: Pittsburgh Steelers Strengths: coaching continuity, O-Line, run defense, playmakers at LB & DB extremely talented. Weaknesses: might lack power run game, WR depth. Variables: QB health
AFC CENTRAL: Denver Broncos Strengths: coaching continuity, well-schemed O & D more important than personnel, O-Line, run defense, LBs. Weaknesses: pass rush, red zone D, DBs after Bailey, impatience. Variables: Jake Plummer: charade or facade?, WR health.
NFC EAST: Washington Redskins Strengths: finest head coach & coordinator group in the NFL (Gibbs, Williams, Saunders), running game, man-for-man best skill positions in NFL, aggressive bone-fracturing defense. Weaknesses: new offense, special teams (PK & Punter are atrocious). Variables: QB position, assimilation of new offense
NFC SOUTH: Carolina Panthers Strengths: coaching continuity, vertical & horizontal passing game, D-line talent & depth, CBs. Weaknesses: RB depth, LB stability. Variables: WR Johnson, O-Line
NFC WEST: Seattle Seahawks Strengths: coaching continuity (noticing a theme here?), MVP RB Alexander, 2006 highest-rated QB Hasselbeck, O-Line (including FB Strong), D-Line and LBs gives up yards not points, very easy schedule, best red zone team overrall 2006. Weaknesses: DB depth, difficulty vs. spread offenses Variable: letdown after losing Superbowl?
My final prediction? WASHINGTON REDSKINS beat Pittsburgh Steelers
Yes, it's true. I was out of town for the draft, leaving the computer to draft for me, which I found was akin to having my neice draft for me in certain areas. Actually that may have been preferable. Here's how it when, if I can actually make it through the whole recap without throwing my computer out the window:
1st Round Autpick: QB Matt Hasselbeck
I like Matt Hasselbeck, I really do. He's a fine QB. BUT HE IS A HORRIBLE 1ST ROUND PICK. I got the 4th best QB with the 9th pick of the draft. Oh joy. I would have happily settled for (in order): Tiki Barber, Edgerrin James, Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson, Cadillac Williams, Willis McGahee, or LaMont Jordan. And that's not even considering more RBs I would have taken ahead of Hasselbeck or a plethora of WR.
2nd Round Autopick: Steelers D
*bangs head repeatedly*
Truly an awful, awful pick, especially when you consider that EVERY WR WAS STILL ON THE BOARD. I mean, this is without a doubt the worst pick I have ever seen in fantasy football. And it just had to happen to my autodrafted team. D'oh.
3rd Round Autopick: RB Brian Westbrook
Well this is much better. I like Westbrook for his catching and running skills. I have no complaints about this pick, although Westbrook is not a good #1 RB, he's a good #2 RB. Unfortunately for me, he's my #1. Oh well.
4th Round Autopick: RB Corey Dillon
Meh. I don't really like Dillon all that much, especially with Maroney coming in and l0oking very solid. Dillon's not bad, but I'm not expecially high on him. Consequently, if anyone is, he can be had.
5th Round Autopick: WR Andre Johnson
Meh again. I think Johnson is supremely talented, but he wasn't all that good last year, and with the starting RB out, I don't think he'll be a whole lot better here either. I would have rather had Donald Driver, who was taken right after him. Not a bad pick, but not one I would have made if I was there.
6th Round Autopick: WR Derrick Mason
This is a solid pick, I think. Mason is a good receiver, and he's back with his old teammate Steve McNair. I think these two are a very solid combo, and I think this was a fine pick here.
Round 7 Autopick: K Shayne Graham
I do not think picking a kicker this early is a good idea at all, but as long as I had to have one here, I can't argue with Graham. Very solid last year and with a high-octane offensive team. Nice fantasy kicker.
Round 8 Autpick: TE Ben Watson
This is another pick I really like. Watson is a very good pass-catcher, and he should be one of Brady's main targets, especially when looking at the Deion Branch situation. I feel very comfortable with Ben Watson as my #1 TE.
Round 9 Autopick: QB Jake Plummer
I don't think Plummer's a very good QB, but he's not a terrible backup, especially in the Denver offense. No real complaints here.
Round 10 Autopick: Seahawks D
Apparently a second defense is more important than a #3 RB or #3 RB.
*bangs head some more*
Round 11 Autopick: WR Nate Burleson
Meh. I'm not overly thrilled by this. Burleson is the #2 or #3 WR in Seattle I believe. There had to be someone better on the board at this point.
Round 12 Autopick: RB Travis Henry
He'd be a decent #5 fantasy RB. As a #3, he's awful. He's not a horrible pick at this stage of the draft, but the fact that they waited this long to pick a 3rd RB for me is not good. Like, not at all.
Round 13 Autopick: WR Matt Jones
Interesting pick here. I actually would have probably taken Jones ahead of Burleson who they took as my #3 WR. Jones is big, fast, and Leftwich is solid. I like Jones here.
Round 14 Autopick: TE Jermaine Wiggins
Wiggins is a suitable backup TE. He's got good hands, if nothing else.
All in all, not good, but not as bad as you would think considering the Steelers D was my 2nd round pick. I have a reliable QB, two ok RB, and some WR with upside. Oh yeah, and hopefully the best D in the league (for a 2nd round pick, they better be the Steel Curtain D). If things break right and I can make some nice pickups, well, youneverknow!
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