Most improved team in the league this year?

[PDay8810]

Bet Pittsburgh

 

[ATL96Steeler]

OL... Agree its always a worry. But the entire group is in the upswing of their careers when you start to see their best work. Munchak should be leaps and bounds better at getting this group on the same page as Bicknell was. The O-line performed well after adjusting to Bicknell in only 1 offseason. The talent is there all along the line, with maybe LT being the only question mark still. As we have stated before, Beachum isn't likely the long term answer.

RB... This group is definitely going to cause some matchup problems for defenses. And it is a good thing that Archer is the "unknown". Nobody will know how to prepare for him. But we as fans don't even know how Haley plans to use him yet. I expect McCluster type production, back when Haley had him to play with in KC.

WR... I'm very excited to see how this group pans out. Especially the 5th WR position (& possibly 6th). AB, Wheaton, Moore, J. Brown & Bryant is how I see it panning out. 6th could be Heyward-Bey if he ever gets it together. Wheaton is sort of a wildcard here in that we don't know what to expect, but I'm hearing great things.

DEF... I think moving Heyward to the right side will be extremely beneficial to JJ. I'm more worried about Worilds now that he won't have Heyward drawing the attention away from him. LeBeau is going to have the answers this season. His improv with Polamalu last season hurt the secondary, but with Shazier/Williams (more experienced) we should see better all around play. I'll temper my expectations with this group during 2014, but I can see great things for the future.

OL...I think we all know it about Beach but he's a competitor...I just feel better about Adams as a player this yr...even in a depth role...that said, I'm convinced, if the starting 5 in Sept is still the starting 5 in Dec...without a whole lot of gaps in between, the OFC will be okay to possibly very good.

WRs...I'm hearing Wheaton is looking the part...of course Sept 7 is what we're waiting for. Moore getting an entire camp with Ben helps...more anticipation comes with Bryant...If Moye makes it, that imo means that he's going to factor because what people are writing about is J. Brown...I wouldn't be surprised if 6 make it because Will Johnson can play some TE as well as FB...they may only keep 3 if the health looks good there...Paulson and Moye are not both going to make it...I can see Zumwalt making it over Paulson.

DEF front 7...I think they will be a whole lot better once Tuitt kicks in and plays at a level near Heyward.

 

[mcnabb7542]

I'm gonna go Cleveland, ( No not because of Johnny).....

9-7 2014 finish

 

[TDs3nOut]

I would say the Tampa Bay Bucs were my winner in this category. Draft wise they added some major offensive weapons that should be able to contribute year one. Evans should give Tampa a great 1-2 punch with Jackson on the other side. Then throw in the TE they drafted in round 2 and that gives them what I would guess is one of the bigger WR/TE groups in the NFL. Charles Sims looks like a Matt Forte clone so doesn't surprise me that Lovie Smith would draft him. OL wise they seemed to upgrade on a couple of positions with some talent to develop through the draft. Only question for the offense is the quarterback position in my opinion.


Defensively it will hurt losing Revis but at the same time his game doesn't exactly fit a Love Smith type defense. On the other end of that they got a great corner for pennies on the dollar (at least compared to other top end Corners on the market) in Verner. Then adding Michael Johnson to a pretty decent DL and this team looks like an up and coming unit.


I would also say one of the bigger moves the Bucs made is in getting Lovie Smith. I think he is a top notch coach if he can get out of the way of the offense and just focus on defense. He needs a good OC to thrive but it would not surprise me if he has that defense as a top-10 unit this year.

TB is an interesting pick. I also find your comparison of Sims to Forte interesting. I saw Sims play a lot when he was at UH the two years before last, when he transferred to WV. They are both pretty tall, run upright, have good speed and are excellent receivers. I never really thought of that comparison, but it might be a good one.

I also think that Mike Evans is likely to become a star and having Martin back could be huge, .

One thing I'm not too sure about, though, is that I think Lovie is reportedly prepared to hand the starting job to McCown. Not sure that Glennon doesn't at least deserve a chance to compete for the job.

 

[cdumler7]

TB is an interesting pick. I also find your comparison of Sims to Forte interesting. I saw Sims play a lot when he was at UH the two years before last, when he transferred to WV. They are both pretty tall, run upright, have good speed and are excellent receivers. I never really thought of that comparison, but it might be a good one.

I also think that Mike Evans is likely to become a star and having Martin back could be huge, .

One thing I'm not too sure about, though, is that I think Lovie is reportedly prepared to hand the starting job to McCown. Not sure that Glennon doesn't at least deserve a chance to compete for the job.

The quarterback position will be the big question mark for this team. They will succeed or fail (like most teams) in how well or bad either McCown or Glennon play. I agree Glennon deserves a fair shot at the job as I thought he played decent last year considering the lack of talent around him. This year with a legit #1 and #2 receiver while also having what looks to be a very good TE, a decent OL, and some decent RB's I think Glennon could have a very good year.

The Sims and Forte comparison definitely doesn't mean I think he will be as good as Forte but I do think he will fit the offense well for Tampa Bay and should be a nice option to sub for the Martin as Sims can play really any down and I think succeed.

Now honestly I don't expect Tampa to win their division. They have some tough teams ahead of them as many have pointed out Atlanta did well this off season while then also having 2 playoff teams from last year in the Saints and Panthers. So Tampa has a tough road ahead of them but I do think with this off season they set themselves up nicely for the future.

 

[Demonjoe93]

Falcons, hopefully.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The quarterback position will be the big question mark for this team. They will succeed or fail (like most teams) in how well or bad either McCown or Glennon play. I agree Glennon deserves a fair shot at the job as I thought he played decent last year considering the lack of talent around him. This year with a legit #1 and #2 receiver while also having what looks to be a very good TE, a decent OL, and some decent RB's I think Glennon could have a very good year.

The Sims and Forte comparison definitely doesn't mean I think he will be as good as Forte but I do think he will fit the offense well for Tampa Bay and should be a nice option to sub for the Martin as Sims can play really any down and I think succeed.

Now honestly I don't expect Tampa to win their division. They have some tough teams ahead of them as many have pointed out Atlanta did well this off season while then also having 2 playoff teams from last year in the Saints and Panthers. So Tampa has a tough road ahead of them but I do think with this off season they set themselves up nicely for the future.

I picked ATL, but the Bucs did come to mind...they have a solid front 7, Lovie will get the DEF playing to their potential pretty quick...they will be in a lot of their games late...my question is do they have the QB to win games on the road.

Here's the problem I see in Tampa...early schedule is very tough.

CAR, STL, @ATL, @PIT, @ NO, BAL

If they don't take care of homefield early, they could start 0-6.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm gonna go Cleveland, (ONLY because of Johnny).....

9-7 2014 finish

This is what you really meant...

 

[darken65]

Hard to pick a most improved but I will say I expect to see the Steelers and Ravens back in the playoffs and the Bengals to miss the playoffs. If I had to pick a team as most improved by just wins it would be the Texans.

 

[NinerSickness]

I don't know of they're the most improved, but I think New England is significantly better than last year, and I think they're easily the team to beat in the AFC.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

I don't know of they're the most improved, but I think New England is significantly better than last year, and I think they're easily the team to beat in the AFC.

Giving up on the Ravens NinerSickness?

 

[Caliskinsfan]

There is a remote possibility it could indeed be my skins this year. Lot of things would have to take place.

Health, an upgrade to at minimum a middle of the pack defense, improved STs and a miraculous coalescing of a new head coach and offensive scheme. That'd make us a dark horse contender.

Not likely, but it could happen. I remain a realist, not delusional.

Would love more than anything, to see a beat down against the NFC west teams along the way, if it happened. Nothing would please me more.

 

[darken65]

There is a remote possibility it could indeed be my skins this year. Lot of things would have to take place.

Health, an upgrade to at minimum a middle of the pack defense, improved STs and a miraculous coalescing of a new head coach and offensive scheme. That'd make us a dark horse contender.

Not likely, but it could happen. I remain a realist, not delusional.

Would love more than anything, to see a beat down against the NFC west teams along the way, if it happened. Nothing would please me more.

I do have the #$%skins 2nd on my personal list of wins over last season. I'm still debating who will top that division. I still have issues with the field conditions (I have walked on it...too lazy to run ) I would still worried about running on that field.

 

[NinerSickness]

Giving up on the Ravens NinerSickness?

Well, my faith in them last year was a big swing-and-a-miss. I think my biggest mistake was my faith in their O-line, which played terribly last year. This year I'm not sure what to expect from them; I haven't actually paid a ton of attention to their offseason moves.

They seemed to have a pretty "meh" draft IMO. Their defense looks good (as usual). I don't see any reason they couldn't compete for one of the top spots, but I'm much more confident in New England after the Revis signing and their drafting of my boy Dominique Easley.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Well, my faith in them last year was a big swing-and-a-miss. I think my biggest mistake was my faith in their O-line, which played terribly last year. This year I'm not sure what to expect from them; I haven't actually paid a ton of attention to their offseason moves.

They seemed to have a pretty "meh" draft IMO. Their defense looks good (as usual). I don't see any reason they couldn't compete for one of the top spots, but I'm much more confident in New England after the Revis signing and their drafting of my boy Dominique Easley.

Ravens....know thy enemy! At least a little.

OL...they always draft well, but did not take any OL early so that tells me that THEY think they will be okay on the OL.

OFC...Pitta back will help Flacco a lot more than people realize...the middle of the field is often the most difficult to defend...especially when you have a speed guy like Torrey Smith...no Pitta or Boldin, guys that excelled in between the hash marks made it harder to complete passes...more picks. The question to me is what does Steve Smith have left? They will have a better running game.

DEF...Front 7 will be strong...Is Upshaw ready to be a playmaker on the edge? They are young, but talented on the back end @ S.

If the OFC clicks they can win the DIV...if it doesn't, 8 or 9 wins.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The NFCE is now a "any team can win it" DIV...maybe more so than any other DIV.

I like RG3...hope he makes a full recovery...I understand that it's tempting, but I would eliminate all designed running plays from the playbook in WAS...like the Djax move, but I don't see that inside route guy...maybe it's Reed...they could do it.

I think Ryan Clark is too slow to play FS these days...I would be wary of the big play if he's the last line defender.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Ravens....know thy enemy! At least a little.

OL...they always draft well, but did not take any OL early so that tells me that THEY think they will be okay on the OL.

OFC...Pitta back will help Flacco a lot more than people realize...the middle of the field is often the most difficult to defend...especially when you have a speed guy like Torrey Smith...no Pitta or Boldin, guys that excelled in between the hash marks made it harder to complete passes...more picks. The question to me is what does Steve Smith have left? They will have a better running game.

DEF...Front 7 will be strong...Is Upshaw ready to be a playmaker on the edge? They are young, but talented on the back end @ S.

If the OFC clicks they can win the DIV...if it doesn't, 8 or 9 wins.

The Ravens D is definitely in transition like the Steelers D. But I think the Ravens have a more consistent pass rush (better front 7). Having that front 7 definitely allows for smoother transistion in their secondary. Something I think the Steelers will get back to now that Heyward is a full time starter & their LB's have more experience. I just hope McLendon's added strength will give him the edge he needs to eat up blockers. Or else the run D will be average again. Maybe Thomas or McCullers/Fangupo will be forced into action.

 

[tzorn10]

How can't it be the Texans, Falcons, or Giants? They were all so awful last year that improving would be the only direction they could follow.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

How can't it be the Texans, Falcons, or Giants? They were all so awful last year that improving would be the only direction they could follow.

If they win their respective divisions, I'd call that a hell of an improvement THIS year.

 

[mcnabb7542]

This is what you really meant...

I'm gonna laugh if he beats your Steelers....