Cheers muller, i didn't want to pre-maturely start this one like I started the MLB one out of pure frustration.
Will it be uncapped? Will the most wealthy team with the biggest paying owner be the clear favourite?
The Cowboys, if it is a capless season, will be the big team to watch, but don't count out the likes of the Redskins, the Steelers, the Raiders and the Patriots, who also have the duckets to make moves... You have to also look at the Rookies coming in this season licking their chops and holding out for big money, I don't know what kind of contracts will be thrown around, but it's looking like it could be a revolution of football, and if big owners can't agree to a CBA this season, and there's long-term issue with them on-going, expect a strike on the horizon.
Who will be the biggest movers?
QB - Chad Pennington might find himself trying to win comeback player of the year again in another market, Henne did enough to hold the Miami starting position so I expect him to be the top FA QB. However, if the CBA falls through, a few Restricted guys become unrestricted, including Kyle Orton, Jason Campbell, Tavaras Jackson, Kellen Clemens and Chris Redman
I think the darkhorse potentially is Carolina backup Matt Moore if someone wants to tender him a contract offer, but if Carolina is smart they extend him and start him next season.
And then there's what will be Mr. Mike Vick and what he does.
RB - Leon Washington, Chester Taylor, Pierre Thomas (Restricted) and Willie Parker headling the case, but if the CBA falls through, alot of big names coudl find new homes, including: Ronnie Brown, Jerome Harrison (Who ended the season in amazing form), Darren Sproles (Who is making league minimum, Chargers would be dumb to let him go), Le’Ron McClain (Top FB in football right now and only 25), Cadillac Williams, Mike Bell, LenDale White (I expect him to move regardless) & even the quiet Jerious Norwood
WR - TO, Antonio Bryant, Kevin Walter, Vincent Jackson (CBA UFA), Miles Austin (CBA UFA), Brandon Marshall (RFA), Braylon Edwards (CBA UFA), Malcom Floyd (CBA UFA), Steve Breaston (RFA), Lance Moore (CBA UFA)
TE - Ben Watson, Owen Daniels (CBA UFA), Tony Scheffler (CBA UFA), Bo Scaife (CBA UFA), Anthony Fasano (CBA UFA)
That's all I know off the top... there's a few defensive players up there too.
Will Favre finally piss off?
I don't think so... He was so close this season.
How do you think your team will do this year?
(Falcons) 11-5 to 9-7 with how hard our schedule got was actually a step in the right direction... In any other season we would have gotten into the playoffs.
Expectations will be high, typically for the Falcons it's usually year 1, good, year 2, bad, year 3, worse... We didn't have a bad year 2, so the expectations for year 3 will be sky high.
The core of the team is still intact, Matt Ryan needs to get over the sophmore slump and pull pro-bowl numbers, because as was proof this season, our running game is no longer our claim to fame like in the past.
The Defensive unit was better than the year before, and it got even younger... There are some signs of life and improvement, especially late in the season (Despite there being nothing to play for) where our DB's had their best weeks.
I expect obviously the Panthers to improve but I think we'll improve to keep them away... The difference is New Orleans... will they have a hangover or will they be as strong or stronger next season?
Time will tell, but with over 25 million available in cap space before re-signing period, we can make some adjustments with immediate impact, and with long-term intent.
I think we finish along the 11-5 line we did 2 years ago, with a better playoff run.
