Cam Newton carried the offense last season

This is one of our new writers debut post, feel free to welcome to the team and give him some feedback.

5. Carolina Panthers 2011 record (6-10) projected 2012 record (9-7)

I am going out on a limb on this selection more than any other on this list. But now that Cam Newton has officially had one of the, if not the greatest season a rookie quarterback has ever had, it makes it a little bit easier.

The Panthers had the 3rd best rushing offense in the NFL last season averaging 150.5 yards a game, now pair that with the 13th best passing average in the league at 239.3 yards a game and you have a team that can move the ball. Not to mention all of this offense was generated by a rookie who missed out on OTA’s and most of training camp because of the lockout. Carolina also had 5 losses last season by 7 points or less and another loss by 8 points, this tells you that as long as this young team stays hungry they are one big play away from adding to their 6 wins from this past year.

Now for the reason why the Panthers lost so many of those close games last season. It’s never a good sign for your team when your 24th ranked pass defense giving up 246.8 yards a game holds the highest ranking on the team, the Panthers also had the 25th ranked rush defense as well giving up 130.8 yards a game.  That all adds up to giving up too many yards and the 28th ranked total defense in the NFL last season and unless your named Rodgers or Brady it’s hard to carry that on offense.

The Panthers will pick either 8th or 9th in the 2012 draft depending upon the outcome of a coin flip. Having already given up their 3rd round pick to acquire Greg Olsen before last season they have only 6 total picks in this years draft. I think the Panthers will try to address their second receiver need through free agency. Unless they find themselves in a best player available situation, I see only one direction for the Panthers to go in the draft and that is on the defensive side of the ball. Cam has shown he can carry a mediocre offense but that doesn’t matter if the defense can’t stop anyone.

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5 Teams that missed the playoffs but will make it in 2012 and their draft needs - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Michael Floyd Has Character Concerns, but is often dominant on the field

This 2012 NFL Mock draft will be for the Chicago Bears. Clearly, when Cutler is healthy they are a different team, a team capable of making a playoff run next year, but they are not without their faults. Here’s a route I think the Bears should consider for the 2012 NFL Draft.

1st Round: Michael Floyd, WR, Norte Dame

Jay Cutler has really proven his worth since his injury. Cutler was playing well with the Bears, average at best wide receivers. Imagine if he had a real weapon on offense. Michael Floyd might has gotten in trouble off the field for drinking and driving, but when he’s on the field he’s excellent. He goes up and competes for the football better than anyone in College Football.

2nd Round: Jayron Hosley, CB, Virginia Tech

Hosley had a down year,  but is what the Bears need in thier secondary. He has really good athletic ability and is impressive at reading the quarterback and making plays on the football. Hosley could be among the lead leaders in interceptions playing on the Bears in their system and with their defensive line putting pressure up front. The Bears cornerback talent does not impress me at all. Hosley didn’t have a great season, but mid 2nd round to mid 3rd round is still his range.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: Chicago Bears 7 Round Mock - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

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

Will it Last?

How many times do we see a team or a player exceed expectations in a football game and we think, there is no way that can last.  That player is either too young or not that good.  That team had an easy week or the ball just bounced that way.  Most times it does not last, but every so often those early signs are premonitions of what is to come.  In this weekly column we will look at 3 players and 3 teams who jumped out. 

Players

1. Reggie Bush: Considered only a third down back in New Orleans many laughed when Miami not only traded for Reggie Bush but made him their starting “feature” back.  He has done better than anyone could have thought.  He is not a bruising 20 carries a game back, but half way through the season he is on pace for: 176 carries, 854 yards, 4.8 YPC, 2 TD’s, and 48 receptions for 328 yards and 2 TD’s.  That’s solid production.  I believe if he stays healthy he can achieve those numbers and be a solid part of the rebuilding of the Miami Dolphins.   Will Last  

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NFL Recap Week 9: Will it last? Dolphins Reggie Bush - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Run Vick Run...for your life

Time  for the weekly power rankings. Some shocking (to me wins) have changed up the power rankings. The Miami Dolphins finally get on the board, does it move them up any?

Looking for more to read? We have now updated our scouting report page to include more than 75 scouting reports. Check it out.

32.  Indianapolis Colts (Previously Colts)

The biggest question now should be, does Jim Caldwell get to keep his job when the Colts draft Andrew Luck first overall next year. We’ll actually they might win a few late season games if the Colts let Peyton Manning back onto the field. Anyone who ever questioned anything about Peyton Manning looks just silly.

31.  St. Louis Rams (previously Dolphins)

The  lost to the Cardinals with John Skeleton. The Rams are not very good. Their schedule in the second half of the season is pretty ”easy” so they should be able to pull out a few victories

30. Miami Dolphins (Previously Cardinals)

I’m beginning to think that Matt Moore isn’t a bad option as a backup quarterback, really good game vs the Chiefs up in Kansas City, which is not an easy place to win. The Dolphins have played a few good games in a row and I’m going to move them up one spot because of their victory and the Rams bad loss to the Cardinals.

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NFL Power Rankings Week 9: Lions, Bengals, and Eagles, (and Bears) Oh My - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Calvin Johnson Might be the Best Player Not Named Aaron Rodges in the N.F.L. Right now. How High do the Lions measure in the power rankings?

On Monday night the Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears 24-13 behind Johnson’s 5 receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. He was “bested” (see what I did there?) by Jahvid best who had his best game of his career a 12 carry 163 yard and a touchdown performance.  Will that launch the Lions into the top five of my power rankings. What about the Bears who now have a losing record at 2-3.

32.  The Miami Dolphins (Previously Dolphins)

The first week all year they didn’t lose a game, unfortunately that’s only because they didn’t play. And the countdown to Tony Sparano being fired is on. They stink.

31.  Indianapolis Colts ( Previously Minnesota)

What was that? After two inspired defensive performances the Colts came out and stunk up the joint at home vs the Chiefs. They gave up a lead to the Chiefs. The Jamaal Charles-less Chiefs. Terrible game by the Colts. If the defense plays that bad they have no chance at winning more than 3 games this year. Before the season started I questioned whether or not Bill Polian was an over-rated general manager and was just lucky to be blessed with two Hall of Fame quarterbacks…early this year it looks I might actually have been onto something.

30.  St. Louis Rams (Previously the Indianapolis Colts)

They fall in the power rankings despite not playing because of how poor the Giants and Eagles have looked. I was giving the Rams credit for having played a difficult schedule early, but no other teams in the league seem to be having much trouble facing the Giants and Eagles, but the Rams got beat pretty bad by both teams. Maybe they are really that bad. They lack the depth to overcome all of the injuries they suffered in preseason and early in the regular season. Hopefully the bye week re-energizes them and they play well moving forward.

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NFL Power Rankings: Detroit Lions are Playoff Bound - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Is Mr. Luck Packing His Bags For Kansas? (Picture courtesy of The110Report)

1. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford

The Chiefs will start fresh next season with a new quarterback under center along with getting both Jamaal Charles and Eric Berry back from their injuries.

2. Indianapolis Colts: Matt Kalil, Offensive Tackle, USC

Protecting Peyton Manning will be a key next season for the Colts. He will be coming off a few neck injuries that can’t be risked by a shaky offensive line.

3. Seattle Seahawks: Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC

Both Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst aren’t the Seahawks now or in the future. Got to wonder if Pete Carroll is already planning the reunion party since he was the coach at USC during Matt Barkley’s freshman year.

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2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Chiefs Are In Luck! - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Will it Last?

How many times do we see a team or a player exceed expectations in a football game and we think, there is no way that can last.  That player is either too young or not that good.  That team had an easy week or the ball just bounced that way.  Most times it does not last, but every so often those early signs are premonitions of what is to come.  In this weekly column we will look at 3 players and 3 teams who jumped out.

Players

1. Cam Newton: In week1 versus the Cardinals rookie QB Cam Newton threw for 422 yards, 2 touchdowns, and completed about 65 percent of his passes.  Newton was in a shortened off season and was a raw passer to begin with.  I predict that occasionally he will show off his remarkable talent, but most weeks he will struggle.  This is encouraging though and I am starting to eat my words a little.  Next week will go along way playing Dom Capers led defense. Will not last, this season.

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Will it Last Week 1 - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football

Where did the Super Bowl Champ Packers rank after week 1?

The power rankings below are strictly based off of week one performances. These power rankings should look a lot different once we move later into the season.

Here are the NFL power rankings for week 1:

32 Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs deserve to be the worst team on every single power ranking that comes out today. They got shut down by one of the worst teams in the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Chiefs offense made the Bills defense looked like the Ravens and the Chiefs defense made the Bills offense look like the Packers. Maybe it’s just the Bills are getting better, but it’s still no excuse for the horrible loss they suffered against them.

31. Indianapolis Colts 

You can’t blame Kerry Collins two fumbles for the loss against the Houston Texans on Sunday. More of the loss should be put on the running game and rush defense. They ran the ball for only 64 yards and allowed a player that goes by the name of Ben Tate, not Arian Foster, run for 116 yards and a touchdown.

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NFL Week 1 Power Rankings - NFL Mocks - NFL Mocks - Covering the 2012 NFL draft, Mock Draft Database, Scouting Reports, and Fantasy Football