• April 19, 2024

2016 NFL Projections: The NFC West

Chip Kelly, the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, poses at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., after being introduced during a Wednesday morning press conference, Jan. 20, 2016. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Chip Kelly, the new head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, poses at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., after being introduced during a Wednesday morning press conference, Jan. 20, 2016. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

Arizona Cardinals

Bruce Arians has done marvelous work out in the desert, transforming the Cardinals from one of the league’s worst into a model of consistency. Arians has complied a 35-16 record in three seasons, and overtook the Seahawks for the division crown a year ago.

The biggest problem facing the Cardinals is quarterback Carson Palmer. Palmer’s poor performances in the post-season throughout his career is the dark cloud of doubt that hovers over this team. During the regular season, Palmer put up MVP-caliber numbers. Durability is always a concern for the former top overall pick.

Arizona has built up one of the deepest backfields in the league. David Johnson was a revelation midway through the season, showing great ability as both a runner and receiver. Veteran Chris Johnson was another player salvaged off of the scrap heap by Arians, and has found new life with the Cardinals. Andre Ellington, a former starter, is still young and offers explosiveness off of the bench.

Another brilliant move by Arians last season was to stick wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald into the slot. Fitzgerald turned in his most productive season in years, responding with a 100-catch, 1,200-yard season while adding nine scores. John Brown and Michael Floyd have developed into potent outside weapons.

The Cardinals’ defense was a top-five unit a year ago, but struggled to generate sacks. Veteran Dwight Freeney led the team with eight. The team has looked to upgrade that aspect by trading for New England pass rusher Chandler Jones, who posted double-digit sacks a year ago.

The secondary will take a step back following the loss of safety Rashad Johnson, who many viewed as the quarterback of the defense.

Arizona’s championship window is open. At this point, they’ve surpassed Seattle in the division, now they need Carson Palmer to put things together in the playoffs.

Projected Finish: 12-4, 1st Place

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks need to do a bit of retooling.

Key pieces of their Super Bowl teams are slowly beginning to leave the team, and they haven’t added enough talent in some areas to replace them.

What’s been lost during the Seahawks’ success over the last few years is that this team hasn’t drafted well. 2011 and 2012 first-rounders James Carpenter and Bruce Irvin are playing for other teams.

Until this past April, the team didn’t have a first-round pick in the previous three seasons.

Their top second-round picks from 2013 (running back Christine Michael), 2014 (wide receiver Paul Richardson), and 2015 (defensive end Frank Clark) have been non-factors or disappointments.

Jimmy Graham, whom they parted with their 2015 first-rounder to acquire, was a poor fit for the offense, and also suffered a knee injury that could cause him to miss the start of the season.

Marshawn Lynch, the heart and soul of the offense for years, has finally decided to retire following an injury-plagued campaign. Thomas Rawls had some nice games in Lynch’s place, but battled some injuries of his own. The club spent a third-rounder on C.J. Prosise to add some depth to the position.

Fortunately, Russell Wilson is still ascending, and is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the league, tossing 34 touchdowns to just eight interceptions a year ago. Doug Baldwin put up over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns, but isn’t likely to repeat those scoring figures. Tyler Lockett is a guy who could still develop further, and Jermaine Kearse is a steady option that Wilson trusts.

The offensive line is going to be an issue. Russell Okung departed in free agency, along with guard J.R. Sweezy. Losing Max Unger in the Graham trade hurt the team. The club used their first-rounder on Germain Ifedi, who should begin his career at guard.

The Seattle defense is still strong. They return nine of their defensive starters from a year ago, and added defensive tackle Jarran Reed in the second round. Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor are still anchoring the secondary, with middle linebacker Bobby Wagner quietly one of the best middle linebackers in the game.

The Seahawks are still a contender in the NFC, but they aren’t quite as strong as they’ve been in the past. The offense could have some serious concerns if the wide receivers don’t develop, but this is still is a solid team that no playoff team will want to face as a Wild Card in January.

Projected Finish: 11-5, 2nd Place

Los Angeles Rams

Count me among the people that asks the following question every year.

How does Jeff Fisher still have a head coaching job in this league?

Fisher, who has posted a horrendous 27-36-1 mark with the Rams, has done very little to improve the team since his arrival five years ago.

The sad reality is that Fisher has likely bought himself at least two more seasons with the Rams thanks to the team’s trade up to the top of the draft to select Jared Goff. Fisher will invoke the “I need time to develop my franchise quarterback” excuse to get the extension he needs, and he’ll even supplement it by playing placeholder quarterback Case Keenum at the start of the season, allowing the season to end before Goff begins his development.

Whenever I want to feel better about the Philadelphia Eagles’ wide receiver situation, I simply look over the wretched talent that Fisher has put together during his tenure with the Rams. Tavon Austin was the team’s leading receiver with 52 catches for 473 yards and five touchdowns. Kenny Britt, the other starter, caught 36 for 681. It’s unbelievable that Fisher has been unable to do better than these two stiffs, and that he continues to roll them both out year after year.

Todd Gurley has become the face of the franchise, bursting on to the scene with 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 13 games. Defenses will key in on him in his second season, and make it harder for him to repeat the performances he had a year ago.

The defense has been solid, but lost several starters, including Rodney McLeod and Janaoris Jenkins in the secondary.

The Rams will continue to be a plodding, mediocre team as long as Fisher remains in power.

Projected Finish: 6-10, 3rd Place

San Francisco 49ers

Oh, how the might have fallen.

Just a few years ago, the 49ers were an annual contender under Jim Harbaugh, but bizarre treatment of the head coach by the front office has led to a horrendous demise, capped off by the hiring of egomaniac Chip Kelly, fresh off of a season in which his various flawed philosophies were completely exposed in Philadelphia.

Kelly’s early success in Philadelphia was made possible by two key factors.

The first is that Kelly walked into a situation where Andy Reid left behind a cupboard stuffed with talented offensive players. The second was that the NFC East was (and still is) one of the most pitiful divisions in all of football. Add in the fact that in 2013, there wasn’t any tape of Kelly’s offensive tendencies to go off of, and you have the perfect recipe for a couple of hollow winning seasons that Chip obtained.

As Kelly arrogantly began to rid the Eagles of their best talent while failing to adjust or improve on his schemes, the league quickly caught up to him.

This time, their isn’t any talent for Kelly destroy, and he’s no longer in the powderpuff NFC East. Instead, he’s in NFC West, which has two legitimate Super Bowl contenders in Arizona and Seattle, both teams obliterated and humiliated Kelly in previous meetings with the Eagles.

The gutted roster with Jaguar reject Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick vying for the quarterback job, and a defense with just a few of the players of the once proud unit remaining has very little chance to win a lot of games this season.

Expect the 49ers to be ranked near the bottom of the league in time of possession, expect their defense to log more plays than any other team in the league, and expect Chip Kelly to be a punching bag in one of the toughest divisions in the league.

Projected Finish: 4-12, 4th Place

Denny Basens

Read Previous

Eagles Sign Linebacker Stephen Tulloch

Read Next

2016 NFL Projections: The NFC South

0 0 votes
Article Rating
59 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
paulman
paulman
August 22, 2016 11:15 am

Its a 2 Team Race between the Cardinals & Seahawks for the NFC West
I like the Seahawks better as they have the Best QB in the Division with Russell Wilson, are Younger and Hungrier than the aging Cardinals who have Palmer, Larry Fitz, Calais Campbell and really need to ride RB David Johnson who I think will be a legitimate Pro-Bowler and MVP Candidate in 2016.. He can do it all, from Running, Blocking, Receiving out of the Backfield

Predictions –

1) Seahawks – 11-5 (The Team to Beat, QB Russell Wilson will compete for League MVP in 2016)
2) Cardinals – 10-6 (Will go as far as QB Carson Palmer takes them)
3) 49ers – 6-10 (Have a Decent OL & Running Game to save them in Chip Kelly’s 1st Season)
4) Rams – 5-11 (Offense and QB Goff Struggles as bad as the Eagles Offense)

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
August 22, 2016 11:57 am

LOL….the NFC west has been a perennial shitshow for 35 years…..they had a little 3/4 year run as a “power” division, but they’re heading back to mediocrity quickly.

1 – Arizona – clearly the best team and should come out on top around 11-5 or 12-4, but everyone knows they’ll never win anything with Palmer as the QB and everyone knows it.

2 – Seattle. WIlson is all alone on O. That’s going to be a mess. Preseason doesn’t usually mean much but seeing Wilson at 8 of 17 with an INT so far is an indication that there is no Oline and no WRs on that roster. Everyone hates Graham.

3- Rams. Where QBs go to die. Everyone knew that the Rams chose the wrong QB #1 (Eagles lucky there) and Goff hasn’t looked good. Its not 1952 and running Gurley 43x a game isn’t going to work. Their defensive players are leaving every FA chance they can get. Fisher is terrible.

4 – 49ers…just signed Christian Ponder. Enough said. Will be a gong show.

paulman
paulman
August 22, 2016 1:10 pm

Seattle has some Young Talented Players
WR/Returnman Tyler Lockette reminds me of a young D-Jax
Doug Baldwin comes up with big catches as does Jermaine Kearse
Look for Nice Seasons by TE’s Nick Vannett & Brandon Williams

Their OL is a definite work in progress and they are very young at RB
with Thomas Rawls, Rookie RB’s Alex Collins & CJ Prosise

This Offense will get better and better as teh Season goes along which has been how Seattle operates over the last couple of Seasons..
They Still have OL Coach Tom Cable who is probably the best OL Coach in all of Football next to the Patriots Dante Sarnecchia, who has come out of retirement to Coach for Belicheck again

Seattle had the 4th Overall Rated Offense last Season and averaged 26.4 Pts a Game with 379 Yards per Game so there is more to their Team than just a good Defense or just QB Russell Wilson

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 3:01 pm

Improving/UNder the Radar Players in the NFC West to Look Out For

Arizona – RB David Johnson , WR Jaron Brown , TE Ifeanyi Momah
DT Xavier WIlliams, LB Kareem Martin & CB Harlan Miller

LA Rams – RB Malcolm Brown WR Pharoah Cooper CB EJ Gaines

Seattle Seahawks – RB Alex Collins , WR Tyler Lockette , TE Brandon Williams, DE Frank Clark , CB Tharod Simon

San Francisco 49ers – QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Mike Davis , TE Vance McDonald & TE Blake Bell OLB/DE Ronald Blair, DE Deforrest Buckner DT Tank Carradine, ILB Shane Skov & DB Jimmy Ward

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 24, 2016 3:07 pm
Reply to  paulman

As determined by your intense study on the long sunday hikes in the mountains?

mhenski
mhenski
August 24, 2016 3:52 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

LMFAO

David Johnson is not under the radar. he is a freak beast and everyone that followed the NFL last year knows him. Under the radar, lmfao

Jaron Brown – yea nobody on the cardinals by that name

Ifeanyi Momah – hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa. their 4th string TE. former eagles project and cut… good one

Rams – Malcolm Brown ????????????????? T O D D G U R L E Y

I wont go on… Did you just pick names out of hat here?

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 4:23 pm
Reply to  mhenski

WR Jaron Brown has been on the Cardinals for the last 3 Seasons from Clemson? Perhaps you never heard of him and its not John Brown, Jaron Brown who is due for a Breakout Season as Fitz is on his last legs and is playing for his Contract Season…
Malcolm Browns will get his share of Carries in the Rams Run first Offense
and especially in the Red-Zone to limit the hits that Gurley takes
Momah has moved up to 3rd String TE for the Cardinals and has a chance to be 2nd String TE and Arians loves to use his TE’s and the Fitz and Brown WR’s take a lot of Outside Attention from Defenses leaving the middle open for athletic TE”s

David Johnson is still under the Radar for many NFL Fans.. In fact I was talking about him out of Northern Iowa in the Run up in the Draft 2 Years ago as a potential diamond in the rough.. . He’s a great Returnman & Receiver out of the Backfield and is versatile and productive like a Matt Forte was in his prime but stronger, as I stated in my Pre 2015 Draft Notes..

mhenski
mhenski
August 24, 2016 6:08 pm
Reply to  paulman

Well I’ll be damned Jaron brown is a player. I’ll go stand in the corner for tonight.

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 4:07 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

Nope, as determined by following and paying attention to the other 31 Teams around the NFL and How their Coach’s/Schemes can make and put some Players in better positions to succeed than other Coach’s/Schemes can…
Some Players are just more mature and are ready to step up.. I don’t have to Watch Games on Sunday to know who the good Players, Coach’s, Schemes and Teams are… That work is already done

So while I am Hiking the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mtns during the Fall.. I can collect on my Football Fantasy Stats by doing my Homework in the Summer

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 24, 2016 4:41 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul, you should be very familiar with David Johnson, as I identified him as the best RB in last years draft…

BTW, coming out of Northern Iowa, he wasn’t close to being ranked in the top 100 either. Just good old fashioned talent evaluation based on my perception – not Kiper, McShay, Mayock, or any other amateur resource.

Recognize, he isn’t under the radar – and the Eagles had an opportunity to draft him as well.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 24, 2016 4:44 pm
Reply to  paulman

We both spoke highly of Ronald Blair of Appalachian State. How is he doing this preseason by the way??

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 24, 2016 4:49 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

The Eagles had a chance to draft him this year as well – just another talent blown by our expert talent evaluators – SMH – It will continue until Dawkins calls me.

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 5:06 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Eagles are going to be ugly to Watch for 2016 and probably 2017 as well
This Team is a few years away from making any real noise in the NFC as they
are way behind the Panthers,Packers,Seahawks,Cardinals and Cowboys in terms of Sheer Talent.. Team like the Vikings, Redskins, TB Bucs are ahead of them too…

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 24, 2016 5:51 pm
Reply to  paulman

if they are going to be an ugly team to watch its a good thing you don’t actually WATCH FOOTBALL– read the box score and pretend to know what you are talking about!

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 10:25 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

I probably won’t see more than 5-7 Eagles Games live as they happen in 2016 the way their Schedule looks… I’m am just not committed to them like I used to be.. It’s the way it is, things have changed.. It’s no big deal HAC, really, you’ll learn to get over it!!

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 4:55 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Ronald Blair is playing well so far for the Cardinals this Summer Camp per all Reports.. Most of the Coach’s/Local Media have stated that they were pleasantly surprised in his all-around game that he’s been better against the run then they thought and they expect him to be in the DE Rotation Mix as mostly a Pass-Rusher to begin the Season

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 24, 2016 5:32 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul, Ronald Blair plays for Chip Kelly and the 49ers – and he is starting:)

Do you think the Eagles could use him on their defense? Too many whiffs in 2016 on good prospects….

Ronald Blair, Tajae Sharpe, DeVonte Booker, Jacoby Brissett, Dak Prescott, Myles Jack, Jaylen Smith, and Karl Joseph…..and more

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 24, 2016 5:59 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

they didn’t even have a second rounder how can you call it a whiff on myles jack? only in wierdo world– jacoby brissett and dak prescott… qb’s if you didn’t notice they drafted one…. they aren’t whiffs as for your other late round guys… revisit this in 3 years and compare who the eagles drafted in the late rounds vs your guys.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:42 am
Reply to  haveacigar

LOL!! You are always talking without really thinking; All you want to do is stir the pot.

My reasoning is they didn’t have to give up so much for a QB in the first place; and if they didn’t, and stayed put at #8, they could have had a 2nd, considering how Howie loves to wheel, and deal – but they were stuck on Wentz – and didn’t have to be.

I stated, I would have traded Lane Johnson, and you would have gotten no worst than a 2nd. I know you think he is al that Ciggy – but he’s not. I think they could have gotten a late first for him, and Howie still could have gotten a 2nd. Do you know what that brings you – Jaylen Smith, and Myles Jack

They would also been able to keep their (2) 3rd round picks, bringing you in return – DeVontae Booker, and Jacoby Brissett or Dak Prescott.

Say what you want about what you think of my theories, – BTW Ciggy, I give less than a darn – but there ARE serious issues with their talent evaluation.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:58 am
Reply to  gmcliff

Who do you replace Lane Johnson with??

Laremy Tunsuil, or Ronnie Stanley. In fact, hindsight being 20/20, because Tunsil was taken after #8, they could have traded down, and still got another 2nd round pick….

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 25, 2016 7:46 am
Reply to  gmcliff

So GM looney tunes thinks other teams would give up a first for a tackle that is in his words average? a tackle with a very nice contract vs a late first rounder with a rookie slotted salary– stupid cliff! no wonder the rams fired your ass!

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:02 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

No stupid Ciggy, They wouldn’t have had to give him that contract, had they traded him

and yes I think he’s average – but if you as some kind of know it all feels he’s worth the money on this team – what makes you think some other sucker wouldn’t see the same thing.

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and it only takes one sucker – and you could never say you know for sure that some GM wouldn’t hold him in high regard.

What would you prefer, a rookie protecting your QB, OR A YOUNG EXPERIENCED OT??

You wish you knew what you’re talking about – That’s why you would never qualify as a front office person Ciggy.

You can’t build a team by knit picking what makes sense, and never being aggressive in your approach – you get what the Eagles are now.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:05 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

LOL!!

All you do is heckle other peoples opinion, for a change why don’t you tell us what you would have done to improve this team???

Sense I’m so stupid – prove to us all how smart YOU are…….I’m waiting…

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 25, 2016 3:23 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

So a team would have given a one for a tackle on an expiring contract??

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 10:18 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Meant to say Blair is on the 49ers.. I forget who the 49ers DC is… Some young unproven Coach who was at Cleveland .. The 49ers have a very Talented and young Defensive Front 7 & Secondary..

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:52 am
Reply to  paulman

LOL!!…..Yeah Chip fell into that one, mainly because he isn’t getting final say on personnel anymore.

Particularly on Defense – DeForest Buckner,Ronald Blair, Arik Armstead, Quinton Dial, Navarro Bowman, Eric Reid, Aaron Lynch, Jaquiski Tartt, Eli Harold…..etc

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 24, 2016 4:21 pm

I don’t have to Watch Games on Sunday to know who the good Players, Coach’s, Schemes and Teams are… That work is already done….

quite possibly the funniest thing ever said on here….classic shit against wall fraudman!!!!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
August 24, 2016 9:15 pm

According to Jason LaCanfora, Taylor Hart is on the trade block. Good luck with finding a taker on him. More likely will be flat out released.

paulman
paulman
August 24, 2016 10:20 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

I believe Hart & Huff get released next Tuesday on the Cutdown to 75
No one is trading for either one..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
August 24, 2016 11:58 pm
Reply to  paulman

Huff will not be released. He will get plenty of snaps Saturday. Either he will be traded or an Eagle for 2016.
Put him at RB!

paulman
paulman
August 25, 2016 12:15 am
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

He’s not an NFL WR .. No one is Trading for him…
He hasn’t played RB in 4 Years now.. It’s too late in the game for him.. If he went into an Off-Season to 100 % work on RB, then maybe he would have a chance but not now..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
August 25, 2016 12:31 am
Reply to  paulman

You don’t have to tell me Huff is not an NFL receiver, I’ve been saying that since Chip over drafted him in the 3rd round. As far as a trade is concerned, I don’t believe he has that value where he would be worth trading..so it’s simply a matter of the process of elimination. Huff will be an Eagle…watch.

It’s not to late to put him at RB. You keep pushing that narrative…we’re not talking about the QB position or WR/TE position where you have to learn specific routes. You do know the Eagles have been practicing running plays with Huff out of the backfield in practice..right? Don’t be surprised when you see it during the regular season.

See the hole..hit the hole.

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:25 am
Reply to  paulman

I agree Paul…..Chip Kelly killed this team with removing real impact players, and replacing them on the roster with his Oregon underqualified who lack NFL ability.

All Huff has going for him is Kick returning – maybe, but Kenyon Barner can do that – we don’t need Huff…Hart isn’t worth talking about, but he definitely sucks, and this was the guy Chip wanted to draft in the 3rd round……..HE DOESN’T KNOW TALENT!!!…Huff, and Hart suck…

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 12:27 am
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!..

Nobody want’s him!!!!

mhenski
mhenski
August 25, 2016 3:50 pm

2 DAYS AWAY FROM BRADTURD TAKING THE FIELD. CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT ??????? SHITS GONNA SO EPIC

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 25, 2016 4:17 pm
Reply to  mhenski

I used to have eagle game days memorized, highlighted etc and honestly I knew they were playing colts but just assumed it was Thursday (tonight)… So I guess you are saying it’s Saturday… Bradturd has us in a frenzy!
But on the bright side last years third preseason game was the highlight of his career…so we have that going for us!

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
August 25, 2016 5:25 pm
Reply to  haveacigar

“last years third preseason game was the highlight of his career…”

🙂 You just made my drink come out of my nose.

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 25, 2016 6:08 pm

I wasn’t making a funny….I believe that even the most ardent sam supporter would agree that the Green Bay preseason game last year was his best performance as a pro…

mhenski
mhenski
August 25, 2016 6:45 pm

Fantasy bust alert

Ezekiel Elliot. Reported to camp overweighT, has an injury, Alfred Morris gonna get work

Deandre Hopkins – Brock osweiler is terrible. Hopkins going in the first and 2nd rounds and Brock ain’t gonna be able to feed him. Matching or surpassing last years results aren’t reasonable.

Devonte freeman – was awful down the stretch averaging under 4 a carry. He’s not that good and Coleman gonna take his job sooner than later

Lamar Miller – major overhype and not a 1st or 2nd round talent. With a below average o line and bad qb he gonna have trouble finding holes

These 4 are scary picks and not sure bets at all for their current average draft positions.

paulman
paulman
August 25, 2016 6:59 pm
Reply to  mhenski

RB’s are a tough Call for this Season with some Injuries question marks and suspensions… Levon Bell, LeSean McCoy, Elliot

A couple of RB’s that seem to be Solid Picks and relatively healthy starting the Season
Matt Forte – Jets, David Johnson – Cardinals D Murray – Titans
TJ Yeldon or Chris Ivory of the Jags , Perry/Bernard of the Bengals
Gurley – Rams, Peterson – Vikings, Morris – Cowboys
Hyde – 49ers & the Packers big guy whose name escapes me..

mhenski
mhenski
August 25, 2016 7:33 pm
Reply to  paulman

Nothing wrong with McCoy

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 9:08 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul, you were screaming for the Eagles to draft Ezekiel Elliott, now you’re talking down about him???….what happened??

Dude pick a player, and stick with him.

paulman
paulman
August 25, 2016 9:41 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

I not talking down or giving up on RB Elliot, he’s been injured and hasn’t practiced or played much this Summer and now won’t make the impact early on this Season as I and any others would have predicted .. He’ll be fine by mid-season and the Cowboys are fortunate to have Alferd Morris so they don’t have to rush Elliot at all who will still be a Force behind that line… Elliot has very little in comparison with Trent Richardson…

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 10:47 pm
Reply to  paulman

Trent Richardson came with the exact same hype – and wasn’t nearly what many thought he would be – that is, and will be the comparison….

What helps Elliott a little will be playing behind that Dallas O-Line – but won’t change the final outcome.

paulman
paulman
August 25, 2016 11:39 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

RB Elliot is looking good vs Seahawks #1 Defense in the first half
7 Rushes for 48 Yards… QB Dak Prescott is looking good again in his 3rd Straight positive game in the Pre-Season as he played most of the first half with the Cowboys #1’s versus the Seahawks #1’s in a 10-10 Tie at Half
Eagles will struggle to compete versus either of these Teams in 2016

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 9:10 pm
Reply to  paulman

and Carlos Hyde stinks.

I told you do not trust any prospect from Ohio State.

Taylor Decker, is proving that point as well. HE WAS ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR CALLS TOO….LOL

paulman
paulman
August 25, 2016 11:42 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

Didn’t Noah Spence go to Ohio State his first 2 Years Before getting the boot.. But you like him as a Prospect… What gives Cliff!!!

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 27, 2016 12:19 pm
Reply to  paulman

Why do I have to answer that question again Paul??

His college career wasn’t rounded out by what he learned at Ohio State. If anything he would be the exception not the rule.

But you do recognize that not much comes to the Pros from Ohio State except hype right??…You did like Decker right??…and Michael Thomas right??

I rest my case.

haveacigar
haveacigar
August 25, 2016 10:34 pm
Reply to  paulman

In the above post you named 14 backs,,,,14!!!!! Pick at least 32 asshole

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 25, 2016 9:06 pm
Reply to  mhenski

I told all of you Ezekiel Elliott would be the next Trent Richardson well before the draft amidst all the hype about him.

I’m sure he’ll have his moments – but overall in his career, it will fall well short of the hype.

paulman
paulman
August 25, 2016 11:44 pm
Reply to  gmcliff

7 Carries for 48 Yards vs the #1’s in the first half versus a stingy Seahawk Run Defense… Not bad for Elliot’s first action inthe pre-season

paulman
paulman
August 26, 2016 4:41 am
Reply to  paulman

RB Elliot showed more in that first Scoring Drive than Trent Richardson showed in 3 Years… Elliot lowered his head and took Cam Chancellor head-on twice carrying him for a couple of more yards each time.. No RB does this let alone a Rookie.. The Kid is the real deal as is Prescott..The Cowboys Offensively, are loaded for the the 5-8 Years and will dominate the NFC East

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
August 26, 2016 8:24 am
Reply to  paulman

The Cowboys will go as their o line goes. Dak Prescott was no where near as impressive last night against a defense that did not allow him to sit back in the pocket and play pitch and catch. As Seattle began to apply consistent pressure on him he began to throw short passes, accuracy became a little bit more off and he began to scramble into sacks. His one TD pass should have been intercepted as it was underthrown, Witten came up with a great catch over the defender who was right in front of Witten. Prescott has looked good for the majority of the preseason..but lets slow down on the Prescott to Canton train. I think he will be good, but relax..he looked rather pedestrian behind the Dallas second string o line and was no where near as productive…and that was against the Seattle second string defense.

Same for Zeke, put him behind an average o line..meh. Further, Zeke was recorded next to a marijuana dispenser in Seattle yesterday..to which Jerry Jones voiced his displeasure..so Zeke has to keep himself clean too.

paulman
paulman
August 26, 2016 9:54 am
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

What’s Scary is that the Cowboys were playing last years 3rd Round Pick Chaz Green at LT to get in some reps while ALL-Pro Tyron Smith only played 1 Series and they still didn’t miss a Beat.. La’El Collins isn’t even playing with the 1st Team yet … Chaz Green will likely play RT next Year replacing Doug Free while Collins remains a Back-up or will Play Inside at Guard..Cowboys got Studs and Youth all across their OL for years to come..
Any RB is going to be successful running behind those Guys and a Good Back is really going to shine behind them…
Boykin looks a lot like D McNabb to me physically but throws a much prettier and accurate Pass than McNabb did when he first Played
The Kid is going to be a Good one ….I’d say between a McNabb but not quite Russell Wilson
Eagles better get some Pass-Rushers

gmcliff
gmcliff
August 27, 2016 12:14 pm
Reply to  paulman

Doesn’t matter Paul. Watch his career turn out like I say it will.

Brief flashes won’t tell the whole story. You’re just assuming that it will stay consistent.

mhenski
mhenski
August 25, 2016 7:45 pm

Chooooooooch

mhenski
mhenski
August 26, 2016 9:09 am

OK ELLIOT IS OFF MY BUST ALERT LIST AND IS ON MY RADAR WITH THE 7 PICK.

KIDS AN ANIMAL

mhenski
mhenski
August 26, 2016 9:11 am

ALTHOUGH, PRIOR TO THE GAME ELLIOT WAS IN A WEED STORE… THAT SCARES ME

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
August 26, 2016 4:02 pm

The Seahawks overall, but mostly Russell Wilson, look like they have improved since last year. I think Christine Michael will be a good player for them. They will be good.

Ezekiel Elliott runs hard… I liked seeing him lower his shoulder and take-on Cam Chancellor, but I’m not sure he can stay on the field with that style. Most guys like him fade away fast… He looks like a Marshawn Lynch, Brandon Jacobs type guy. He should make Cam Chancellor miss like LaSean McCoy would do if he wants to stay around a while.