Why the Browns ?

Well depends what you mean by surprise. I have surprises, both good and bad.

Arizona goes 9-7
Jax goes 8-8
Bengals 7-9
Ravens 10-6

My main problem with the Browns right now has been seeing that offensive line look horrible in the pre-season. If Frye doesn't have time, could be a long season for the team. They also have a tough out of division schedule. I think they have the NFC South and AFC West. Gnna be really hard to finish 8-8 or higher with that.

True.

Would the Chargers be considered a suprise?

How about the Dolphins?

Or the fact that the Patriots reign will end.

I'm going with the Dolphins since stating that the Cardinals would be a "surprise" is kind of inaccurate. I mean, they went out and got decent playrs over the offseason, so you can pretty much expect them to produce now.

The Dolphins, however, have a QB recovering from a knee injury and a nasty boating accident and are once again Ricky Williams-less.

The Bears, with a 4-12 record.....

The Raiders will NOT be surprising anyone this year...we'll be lucky to win 5 games.

There's a lot of bad teams out there...I don't see a lot of parity this year. San Francisco, Buffalo, New Orleans, Oakland, Tennessee, Houston, Green Bay, and Detroit. Those are some bad football teams...

I think the Giants are going to be very good...

Nas, why do you think its ok for the Dolphins to be a surprise, but not the Chargers? Both teams were 9-7 last year and neither team made the playoffs. If anything, I think the Chargers would be more of a surprise considering the division they're in compared to the Dolphins. A lot more people have the Dolphins making the playoffs than the Chargers. I say if someone says Chargers surprise, by all means yea, that works.

honestly....
i think the raiders will be a surprise team.
think about it. what are your expectations for them?

solid running back in Jordan, explosive WR in Moss, average+ QB in Brooks. is 10-6 out of the question if the ball bounces their way?

granted 6-10 is more likely, but....just a feeling.

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@audioidkid

Doug, I think the complete opposite. I was somewhat thinking like you early on, but Brooks has looked horrible. More importantly. that offensive line has looked sick.

I see what you're saying Nas, but we are talking surprises for 2006. I just feel these teams are on the same page. Lets not forget that the Chargers are using a quarterback in his first year as starter. Love the defense, love LT. It'll be interesting.

Lions win the NFC North this year, going 9-7. Would that qualify as a surprise in your world? Last year, White Sox and Bears won their divisions. This year, Tigers and Lions.

Buffalo Bills

They won't go winless.

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"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." ~ H.L. Mencken

I like the Rams to be 11-5.

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Baltimore Ravens will be 10-6 this year. I still think McNair has something left in the tank and Jamal Lewis will have a big year.

Beardown, I got the same record. Sounds about right.

Greg, now thats what i call a surprise. If the Rams go 11-5 I just may shit myself. I like the pick and the record. They have the weapons offensively.

I glanced past your Ravens prediction Woody. I guess we agree. By the way guys the Cardinals no longer qualify as a sleeper. Every ass hole and there brother say they will have a winning record so you can't call them sleepers.

Nas, if Rex Grossman has a pro bowl year that would mean the Bears are going 16-0. With this defense, a pro bowl quarterback, an above average running back (which ever one it is) this team shouldn't lose a game.

I'm in Grossman's camp to but there is no way in hell he'll be a pro bowler. But who am I to get on you. I had the Sox for 110 victories.

Not in his first full year behind center would he be more likely if odds were given before hand on each. Sox would have 110 in the NL dammit. I'll stand by that. LOL.

Arent you the same guy who just said in the other thread that the D is going to score or set up 2 TD's?

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Nooooooooo!!!! Don't deprive us of your great thoughts Nas. Please we need to hear them to make us better sports fans. Don't leave us oh great one.

Nas, like your call on Favre. I said the same thing a couple weeks ago. I think it's gonna happen.

I guess I'm expecting 4-5 wins this season. They're in a tough division and I think their offense will be awful. Tom Walsh...the offensive coordinator...was running a hotel somewhere for the last 10 years. He sucked when he was running the show in the early 90's. His offense was antiquated back then and he's running the same garbage.

Jordan and Moss are quality players but they don't have a backup RB (Justin Fargas is awful). Brooks acts like he's scared to throw the ball downfield. The offensive line has looked pretty bad against some weak opponents. On the plus side the defense could be very good. Burgess is a monster off the end and the linebackers might be the fastest in the league. The secondary could be very good with the addition of Huff.

I do like the Jeff George signing though. I think he gives them a better chance than Brooks (as crazy as that may sound).

I think the Bills will suck. I mean c'mon it's Dock Jauron. I think the Dolphins will win that division. I don't think the Chargers would be a suprise either, they have LT.

SHould be a fun season. Can't wait for kickoff.