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This really doesn't look outlandish to me at all. Not trying to defend an ex-Steeler here, but what among these ratings do you see as being out in left field?
Yes it does look outlandish when the BEARS are missing from the list.
I forgot about them, they'd make my list for sure, but perhaps he thinks last year was a bit of a fluke? Easy schedule or something like that?
This years is easier and the team improved the D on "paper" as well.
The main thing wrong with them is that Chicago isn't no. 1. They were no. 1 last year and are the only team out of this group that demonstrably improved their defense with the draft and FA.I agree.
that was one game, and I agree that for that one game they looked terrible. Seems a little hasty, though, to throw the no. 1 D off the list for one bad playoff games vs. an entire season of incredible success.
They didn't play their starters the last week, and had one bad game.... agree this issholditch said:
And how many people feel the Bears offense will be worse than last year? Anyone?Thought so.
Meaning that a more effective offence will stay on the field longer and reduce the strain placed on the D. Imagin if this D could pin their ears back a few times throughout the season ala Indy and just try to create pressure on the QB.Where'd that come from?
Ravens had the #5 D last year, then drafted a huge DT with the #13 pick who was PAC-10 Defensive Player of the Year and added Trevor Pryce. Also getting Dan Cody back, who missed all of last season to injury, along with Ed Reed (who missed 6 games and was a shadow of himself when he returned) and Ray Lewis (who missed 10 games).sholditch said:
Not fishing. I was at the Steelers-Bears game last year and the Bears didn't look like the #1 defense to me. A few weeks later they got beat badly in the playoffs against the Panthers.I'm not saying they didn't have a good defense last year because they did. Very good. But playing an incredibly week schedule helped their ranking quite a bit.They didn't play their starters the last week, and had one bad game.... agree this issholditch said:
ROTFLMAO!!! at the Bears ignorant comment... I don't think the Vikings game matters whatsoever, as Urlacher, Briggs Inc. were seen fuming on the sidelines because they didn't play much - and they were knocked off as the 'fewest points against' for the '05 season.They're secondary got toasted in the playoffs... they signed two CBs from Carolina for DEPTH (Manning Jr. and Wesley). They used ALL of their draft picks on defense except two later rounders on a guard and fullback....and they play EIGHT games against first year head coaches.I think Woodson is showing WAY too much AFC love - especially for his former team the Ravens. I'm shocked he didn't include the Raiders too...Godsbrother said:
trip post for sure....
So they have a bad game on the road against the eventual Super Bowl winners (who were in a MUST win situation) and another awful game (in which they were WAY overconfident). What about Tampa Bay's 'great defense' losing AT HOME to Kyle flippin' Orton? You could say ALL of those teams had a couple of bad games last year.Not fishing. I was at the Steelers-Bears game last year and the Bears didn't look like the #1 defense to me. A few weeks later they got beat badly in the playoffs against the Panthers.I'm not saying they didn't have a good defense last year because they did. Very good. But playing an incredibly week schedule helped their ranking quite a bit.They didn't play their starters the last week, and had one bad game.... agree this issholditch said:
True. And I said they did belong on the list. All I am saying is they played a weak schedule last year which helped their ranking. They played Detroit, Minnesota and Green Bay twice and the Saints, 49ers, Browns and Ravens. None of those teams were good offenses last year.So they have a bad game on the road against the eventual Super Bowl winners (who were in a MUST win situation) and another awful game (in which they were WAY overconfident). What about Tampa Bay's 'great defense' losing AT HOME to Kyle flippin' Orton? You could say ALL of those teams had a couple of bad games last year.Not fishing. I was at the Steelers-Bears game last year and the Bears didn't look like the #1 defense to me. A few weeks later they got beat badly in the playoffs against the Panthers.I'm not saying they didn't have a good defense last year because they did. Very good. But playing an incredibly week schedule helped their ranking quite a bit.They didn't play their starters the last week, and had one bad game.... agree this issholditch said:
sholditch said:The main thing wrong with them is that Chicago isn't no. 1. They were no. 1 last year and are the only team out of this group that demonstrably improved their defense with the draft and FA.Warpig said:Evilgrin 72 said:
they picked up a nickle back in Ricky Manning Jr. and lost a comparable nickle back in RW McQuarters as well as safety Mike Green. They got a second round draft pick Danieal Manning from Abeline Christian ( 
) and Dvoracek in the third, that hardly makes for a demonstrable improvement.It is not crazy to think the Bears will allow more points this season, the Lions now have Martz running the offense, the Pack has their entire stable or RBs back (they played all last year without Javon too so they wont be any worse with him in Denver now), and Minnesota seems to have righted the ship (ba-dum-dum-dum) too.
This year they have the easiest schedule in the league.What's your point?
That doing well against weak offenses and having lofty rankings doesn't mean you have the best defense.
Well I am glad that's settled.
On paper their schedule, while appearing easy, looks to be harder than last season. Plus the real key to their success last season was their ridiculous points against ranking and that is the least likely statistic to remain static from year to year.
We did play against five teams that made the playoffs (CIN, TB, CAR, PIT, WAS), but obviously the division was very weak.
