Will they get In?

The 2012 NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture is becoming clearer every week.  Last week I discussed the AFC/NFC East picture.  This week we will discuss the dominate AFC/NFC North conference playoff picture.  We will go into remaining schedules and predictions.

AFC North

Cleveland Browns:     The Browns have been out of the playoff race for a long time now.  They have a 4-7 record.  The Browns are a pesky team but lack the quarterback and playmakers to get over the 5-6 win hump.  This offseason the Browns will have 3 picks in the top 50 more than likely and will have to decide what to do at Quarterback and Running back.  Defensively the Browns are very stout and are only a couple players from being dominant.

Cincinnati Bengals:    The Bengals are 7-4 right now.  I do not think many people predicted this. Dalton has been efficient, the young playmakers have stepped up, and the defense has taken over many games.  Currently, the Bengals would be in the playoffs as the last Wild Card team.  Their schedule, however, is not favorable.  The Bengals play atPittsburgh,Houston at home, andBaltimore at home.  They do get a break with the Cardinals at home and atSt. Louis.  Bengals must win one of their hard games to get to 10-6.  This might be enough to get in.  It is between the Jets and Bengals for the last spot in the playoffs.

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Playoff Picture: Who’s in, Who’s Out? AFC/NFC North Edition - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Lions Analysis:  Lions 27                Buccaneers 20

What Happened:

The start of the game had that old feeling.  The Detroit Lions were gaining yards but settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.  Buccaneers scored on an interception as well as a FG that was set up by a long kick return.  Score was 10-3 and even though the Lions were outplaying the Buccaneers, we were trailing.  So what happened?  Matthew Stafford happened.  These Detroit Lions know they are good and when Stafford struggles he knows it is the exception, not the rule.  Second quarter on Stafford could not be stopped.  Stafford attacked the secondary at all levels and the passing game was balanced out by a solid run game.  In the heat, the team who controls the ball will win the game.  How do you stop Calvin, Burleson, Pettigrew, and Best?  

What We Learned:

1.       If healthy and not under distress, Matthew Stafford is near elite.  The offensive line did not allow a sack, though Stafford deserves some of the credit for possessing a quick release.  Stafford utilized all his weapons effectively and constantly hit his hot reads throughout the game.  In a short period of time, Stafford has Detroit believing in him.  

2.       Jahvid Best appears healthy.  He was a weapon in both the run and the pass game.  He might have a big year. However, like Stafford he in an injury risk waiting to happen.   For the moment Best appears healthy and ran with surprising power.  His running between the tackles was a welcome sight.

3.       Detroit Linebackers are much improved.  Levy and Tulloch appear to be a sound two-some.  Tulloch was key in the game: he contained Blount, sacked Freeman, and was very sound in pass coverage.  Levy looks comfortable playing OLB using his sideline to sideline speed and instincts to influence the game.  If the LB unit is this sound, the defense will be hard to score on.

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Detroit Lions Week 1 Analysis - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Draft

We have analyzed Mayhew’s ability to put together a sound coaching staff, initiate trades with players who the Lions believe they can get more out  then their previous team did, and Mayhew’s use FA to round out his roster.  We have yet to discuss Mayhew’s greatest ability: drafting talent.

Mayhew is a disciple of BPA strategy.  His belief in the draft is to acquire talent and fill holes in FA and trades.  He has stuck to his guns on this policy even when the team has glaring holes at OL, LB, and DB this past draft.  Let’s break down Mayhew’s selections into divisions

Stars

Matthew Stafford            QB         Georgia

Brandon Pettigrew          TE          OklahomaState

Ndumakong Suh              DT          Nebraska

Stafford has the makings of a franchise QB.  HE is the face of the franchise and only needs to stay healthy to achieve his potential.  Pettigrew is already a top 10 TE and will only get better.  He can block and be a weapon in the passing game.  Suh might be the best young DL in the NFL.

Future Stars

Louis Delmas                     FS          Western Michigan

Delmas has the potential to be a Pro Bowl safety.  He only needs to play in control and stay healthy.

Starters

DeAndre Levy                   LB          Wisconsin

Jahvid Best                         RB          California

Amari Spievy                     SS          Iowa

Levy is a capable starter at all three LB positions.  He is the leader of the defense with his sound game calls.  Best is a huge weapon in the pass and run game.  Spievy might be a future star if he continues his improvement.

Backup Players

Derrick Williams              WR         Penn State (Soon to be cut)

Sammie Lee Hill                               DT           Stillman

Aaron Brown                      RB           TCU

Jason Fox                            OT         Miami

Willie Young                      DE           NC State

Nick Fairley                        DT          Auburn

Mikel Leshoure                                RB          Illinois

Titus Young                        WR        BoiseState

Doug Hogue                       OLB        Clemson

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Part 5 of 5 Franchise Building 101: The Mayhew Way Drafting BPA - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Green Bay Packers

Front Office:

Owner:             The People of Green Bay

GM:                 Ted Thompson

A+:      How cool is this franchise?  I know I should not like them being a Lions fan but I cannot help it.  Plus Ted Thompson is one of few General Managers I consider on Mayhew level…well I guess I should say Mayhew is on this guy’s level.  Thompson knows how to draft and build a team.  Plus he put a great coaching staff in place.  I have Thompson envy along with many other teams out there.

Coaching Staff

HC:     Mike McCarthy

OC:      Josh Phelbin

DC:      Dom Capers

A:        Mike McCarthy does two things: win football games and develop quarterbacks.  He was brought to the Packers because of his quarterback developing skills and has done wonders with Aaron Rogers as well as Matt Flynn.  The Packers did not reach their potential until they hired Dom Capers to run the defense.  He is a master of confusing the hell out of opposing OC and bringing fire and brimstone upon opposing QB’s.  Josh Phelbin works well with McCarthy running the offense.

QB:                 A+

Aaron Rogers is the dude.  Nothing fazes him.  He has a rifle for an arm, great accuracy, great athletic ability, and has the confidence to wrestle the ghost of Brett Farve to the ground.  It is incredibly hard to replace a Hall of Fame QB, but Rogers did so beautifully.  Matt Flynn has shown the ability to be a solid backup quarterback and should get some offers from QB deprived teams.

RB:                 B-

James Starks had a great run to end the post season.  He ran strong, confidently, and showed great field vision.  Can he do it over the course of an entire season?  I don’t know, but he will have competition for carries.  Ryan Grant is coming off knee surgery and will try and prove he can come back strong.  Also, Packers added Alex Green a third round selection from Hawaii.  He is a strong runner with great hands.

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2011 Season Preview: Green Bay Packers - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Detroit Lions

Front Office:

Owner:             William Clay Ford

GM:                 Martin Mayhew

A-:       I hate to give Ford a great grade but he hired Martin Mayhew.  Mayhew is a straight up Jedi Master.  He drafts well, he hired a great coaching staff, Mayhew does very well in trades, and is wise in FA spending.  The Lions will be a perennial power house as long as Mayhew is steering the ship.

Coaching Staff

HC:      Jim Schwartz

OC:      Scott Linehan

DC:      Gunther Cunningham

A:         Jim Schwartz has done one thing that tells me he will be a great HC…learned from his mistakes.  He has improved a ton on clock management and game calls.  Since Schwartz has taken over, the Lions are always prepared and have become an aggressive football team.  Schwartz has changed the locker room culture of the Lions.  Being a first time HC Schwartz, was wise to bring in competent coordinators.  Scott Linehan and Gunther Cunningham run the offense and defense well and are well respected throughout the NFL.

QB:                 B

If Matthew Stafford stays healthy this grade could go up into the A range.  He is a stud.  I think he is the next great QB in the league.  His command over a locker room is very impressive, he has moxy that very few can match, he has a rifle of an arm, and his accuracy is improving by the day.  Shaun Hill is a very capable backup.  The Lions feel comfortable if he is called upon.  Third stringer Drew Stanton really improved last year and can be a solid backup in this league.

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2011 NFL Season Preview: Detroit Lions - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Mayhew and … [visit site to read more]