I have been perusing through plenty of preseason NFL 2008 Season Previews, and I have to say that I am fairly disappointed in most of the articles I have seen.
There has been no objectivity when it comes to these predictions. There are some with a strength of schedule idea. Thinking that the teams who have the better schedule will just win. Others are just bandwagon writers from the west coast who are making the trendy pick of the Minnesota Vikings because of the acquisition of defensive end Jared Allen, and second-year pro Adrian Peterson as their sole source of offense.
Well, I got news for all of you; the Vikings are not going to be the NFC North champs. And this OBJECTIVE prediction will explain why
NFC North 2008 Season Preview:
Strength of Schedule: .531 (T-11th Hardest Schedule)
Key Additions: OT Chris Williams (1r Draft,) RB Matt Forte (2r Draft,) WR Marty Booker, WR Brandon Lloyd
Key Losses: RB Cedric Benson, WR Bernard Berrian, WR Muhsin Muhammad
Best Offseason Decision(s): Cutting Benson, Not over paying Berrian.
Worst Offseason Decision(s): Passing on Rashard Mendenhall in the draft. Passing on Brian Brohm in the draft.
Prediction:The Bears begin yet another season with a QB competition. With the release of Benson the Bears placed a lot of pressure on Forte to perform in his first NFL season, although seven-year vet Adrian Peterson (the Chicago edition) is currently penciled in as the starter. The Bears addressed their need to improve their aging offensive line with the first-round selection of Williams, but could have added some pop to their stagnant offense with a selection of Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall (whom the Pittsburgh Steelers selected later in the first round.) They also passed on Louisville QB Brian Brohm (Green Bay)... Twice!
The loss of Bernard Berrian was a necessary one, due to his outrageous contract demands for never having reached his potential in a Bears uniform. The re-acquisition of Marty Booker was more of a desperate move to have a proven veteran receiver on the roster. Expect San Francisco 49ers cast off Brandon Lloyd to fill in at the #2 spot at WR.
The Bears defense has the potential to be as good as it was in 2006, if Mike Brown can stay healthy (or at least stay away from season ending injuries.)
Biggest Concern: The Quarterback position will be the Bears largest focus come training camp. If Rex Grossman wins the battle, expect him to be supplanted around week 8. If Kyle Orton wins the "Which Bear Project?" expect the Bears to challenge the Vikings for the runner-up position in the division
Strength of Schedule: .543 (9th Hardest Schedule)
Key Additions: RB Kevin Smith (3r draft,) OT Gosder Cherilus (1r draft)
Key Losses: RB Kevin Jones
Best Offseason Decision: Not trading Roy Williams
Worst Offseason Decision:Not firing Matt Millen
We're going to send you the most entertaining Minnesota Vikings articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
18 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete