I'd kinda like to hear what folks think of their teams coming into this preseason. Good, Bad, Mediocre & reasons for same. Don't bother trashing teams you don't know much about for the sake of trashing them please, I'm just trying to get an early start on who might be good to bet on this year.

Myself, I'm a Cowboys fan for the last 30 some odd years. Never waivered even in lean times. Seen the good and the bad. This year I am seeing extremely good. They will be playoff team for sure. Superbowl this year or next.

Offense pros:

More new 2 tightend sets are really going to help the running and passing games.
All Pro left tacle Flozell Adams is back along with some new more versatile lineman to take Larry Allens place, so Bledsoe should have much better time of getting the ball into the hands of all of his great receivers. This is going to really make the 3 running backs have an easier time of it. This offense has so many weapons now that I don't even have to mention you know who. WHO btw will not be a problem this year. (and hopefully not next year either)
Mike Vanderjagt, the ex Colts kicker, will provide a MUCH needed improvement in field goal kicking consistency. Cowboys would have made the playoffs last year were it not for 3 missed field goals of 40 yards or less at the end of games.

Offense cons:

New linemen. They have to stay healthy for this offense to be able to do it's thing. Bledsoe can not get the ball into receivers hands if he is on his back. Hopefully the 2 tightend sets will help in this area. Julius Jones has yet to go a full season without an injury that makes a big difference to his game. Luckily they still have Marion Barber if Jones does go down again. Barber may actually be a better all around back as well.

Defense pros:

This is the 2nd year for this defense in the 3-4. This defense is going to be top 5 this year. Great young linebackers and lots of them. Secondary has more good and fast corners than most teams. They finally addressed some issues with the safety position, so that's looking like it may be improved. And they drafted some depth for the defensive line. This being the 2nd year in the 3-4 a lot of the players from last year are going to be much more comfortable in it which will only lead to improvement. And we seem to have had a decent draft for the defense as well.

Defense cons:

Greg Ellis. Great player but doesn't seem to be happy with his situation.
Defense is YOUNG! Hopefully the new guys can mature fast and adjust to the speed of the pro game quickly. Stopping the run was the worst area for this defense last year, so I think they will be concentrating on improvement in this area this year.

The Cowboys are a pretty good team. They are in the weak ass NFC so they will make the playoffs for sure. I think they will probably win the division but I dont see anyway possible they are getting to the SuperBowl with Bledsoe at QB.

And since they have no other options at QB, I dont see them making the Super Bowl anytime in the next 5-8 years barring a trade for a real QB. If they had made a trade for Brees, I could see them winning the NFC this year, but with Bledsoes. I cant see it.

Hes too old and slow and playing behind that inexperienced O-Line isnt going to help any.

I think the defense will keep them in every game and they have enough talent at RB and WR to make a real run. I just cant see them going all the way with Bledsoe.

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Steelers.........

Obviously they are very strong. They lost 3 starters. Antoine Randle -EL (WR), Chris Hope (FS) and VonOlhoffen (DL).

Randle-EL was a very nice multi-dimensional player but he caught only 35 balls last year. They drafted Santonio Holmes from Ohio State who looks like the best WR in the draft. Hes pure speed which will compliment Hines Ward nicely. Of course hes a rookie but they also have Cedric Wilson who will probably start this year.

Chris Hope is a real loss. The did sign the starting FS from the Redskins (whose name escapse me). I hear he doesnt hit like Hope (who does?) but hes faster.

Von Olhoffen is getting old. No real loss there.

They also lost Bettis and this is a big loss emotionally but he wasnt carrying the ball all that much anymore. Duce Staley and Willie Parker make a pretty good duo with Bettis gone.

Roethlisberger is playing in a celebrity golf tourney this week so I think he'll be fine and be full speed come the start of the season.

I look for Pittsburgh to win the division and to go deep into the playoffs again. The team is very young and is only getting better.

Cincy may start very slow with Palmer coming off his knee injury. I dont think he will start the seaon and then will be rusty until the midway point.

Indy lost E.James and thats gonna really hurt them.

NE will be trouble again Im sure.

Cowboys .... woot!

The Lions....................................................

Well the Tigers are having a great season.

But seriously, I dont know anyone who is excidted by hearing John Kitna and Josh McCowen and Quarterback Competition in the same sentence. Castoff veterans throwing to wasted primadona recievers. Whoo.

At least the defense will be better this year, with Miranelli incorporating the Tampa 2.

Did you hear about the Tigers?

-Jus

Speaking of MVP and the Dolphins. How about giving me a chance to get my basketball money back since Pittsburgh and Miami play the opening Thur game this year.

I dont think Culpepper is nearly as good as alot of people gave him credit for 2 years ago. Having said that, its very very hard to upgrade at QB because people dont let top notch QBs go in free agency or trades.

Considering that fact, I think Miami made a huge upgrade at QB. Other then signing Brees, theres no other move they couldve made that wouldve been better.

I think Saban has made all the right moves so far, but I suspect that Miami is still a ways off from making seious playoff noise. The AFC is just too strong. Miami has a very weak schedule last year. Theyre not as good as they looked in the scond half, but they are improving quickly. Theyre not ready to pass NE yet, but in the next 3 years, I see a changing of the guard in that division.