ESPN power rankings...Skins @ #18

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Anyone else feel the Patriots are a bit overrated? They lost their team leader and anchor in Ted Washington, Ty Law is disgruntled, and their offense wasn't exactly that good. They did pick up Corey Dillion, but I don't think he's exactly what they needed.

I expect an early exit in the playoffs from them.

I think the one reason they may not be as good this year is because they're definately the marked team due to the fact that they won the Super Bowl last year.

As far as personnel is concerned though, I think both Traylor and Wilfork will be able to suitably replace Washington at nose; and I don't think Ty Law is going to play any worse just because he's miffed. Once he is on the field, it's all business.

In any sport, consistency is key, and the Pats are returning almost every starter from last year - except for Washington (already mentioned) and their RB - who has been replaced with a pro bowler.

Overrated?

[Drift Reality]

I think Vick is the most dangerous individual player with the ball.

That being said, I think he is far from being the best Quarterback.

If I was building a team from the ground up, I'd take Peyton Manning before Vick.

I just think he understands how to read a defense and distribute the ball much better than Vick - at this point in time.

Vick has the potential to be one of the best NFL players ever if he stays healthy and develops mentally, but he isn't the best quarterback yet.

[SeasonTicketHolder]

how can you say vick is the best in the game?

[itvnetop]

seriously... no one had them winning in lambeau that year... i just think he's gonna be scary once he learns the nuances of being a throwing quarterback. i don't think it's going to hinder his natural abilities (running) at all. it'll make him the most complete qb in the game imo.

i still have visions of him toasting the fl. state secondary in the bowl game a while back...

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by SeasonTicketHolder

how can you say vick is the best in the game?

based on talent alone how can you not? if he's even a little bit more refined as a qb he would be one of, if not, the best qbs in the game and he's only entering his 4th season in the nfl. have any of u bashing vick actually seen the arm on this guy? he has a cannon for an arm and along with that strength he's pretty accurate with his long throws. i've seen him throw 50 yard passes on the spot as if it were nothing. so if he can tune up his short passing game and ability to read a defense, he will be far above any other single player in football cuz not only can he completely change the game with a bomb of a throw, he can juke and fly his way down the field for a touchdown on the ground too. anyone who'd complain about vick being their qb if the chance arose, is more than likely just hating on him cuz of the press he's gotten. i'd take him as a skin in a milisecond cuz he's already in the top 10-15 qbs in the league and hasn't even gotten close to his full potential.

[Daseal]

If I had to start a franchise now I'd take Vick in a second. Unlike Manning he won't spend his first 4 seasons on his back.

Year before last he had the best or very close to the best TD/INT ratio. He rarely threw an int. He makes defenses respect his ability to take off which helps open up RBs out of the back field, crumpler, etc. Peyton you worry about his arm, nothing else. Vick can learn to read defenses and as the above poster said tune his game up. He's is head and shoulders the best QB in the game.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ted Washington not only was a huge force at nose tackle, but he called assignments and shit. I'm pretty sure I saw that on ESPN. I think they're going to miss him horribly.

[SKINSnCANES]

Vick is up for best athlete in the world, I dont really agree with that. Hes gifted but hasnt proved it yet. He had a good year two years ago but then was injured all last year, and lost a step from breaking his leg. Like the Skins, he doesnt deserve that much credit until he goes out and excels.

As far as the Pats, how can you not rank them first. For one, the Superbowl champ by default is ranked first. Second, they upgraded their running back position a lot, and With Wilfork and Taylor the improved in my opinoin at dtackle. Washingotn was hurt fo rpart of the year and is getting old. Now they have a force that is young. Colvin was out all last year and will be back, thats a great talent to be readding to the startign lineup. I am glad that we dont play the Pats this year, all they seem to do is win super bowls

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by SKINSnCANES

Vick is up for best athlete in the world, I dont really agree with that. Hes gifted but hasnt proved it yet. He had a good year two years ago but then was injured all last year, and lost a step from breaking his leg. Like the Skins, he doesnt deserve that much credit until he goes out and excels.

he wasn't too shaby of a college or highschool player either. i can't believe barry bonds made it as far as he did in that espn thing. next thing u know they'll have nascar drivers and bowlers in contention for best athlete in the world. ( and I love bowling, but we ain't athletes. there's a big difference between being athletic and being skilled) i think best athlete should be going to someone who does the decathalon or something but i don't remember any in that brackett plus they aren't known by anyone, this was just a popularity contest.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by skinsfanthru&thru

he wasn't too shaby of a college or highschool player either. i can't believe barry bonds made it as far as he did in that espn thing. next thing u know they'll have nascar drivers and bowlers in contention for best athlete in the world. ( and I love bowling, but we ain't athletes. there's a big difference between being athletic and being skilled) i think best athlete should be going to someone who does the decathalon or something but i don't remember any in that brackett plus they aren't known by anyone, this was just a popularity contest.

I gotta give it to Lance Armstrong

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

I gotta give it to Lance Armstrong

i can't argue with that cuz to win an incredibly grueling event like the tour de france 5 years in a row after having testicular cancer is absolutely remarkable.

[JoeRedskin]

IMO - Vick is an incredible athlete, BUT he has yet to prove he is a great QB. No matter what anyone says, he is not going to take Atlanta deep into the playoffs with his legs. Over the season, he will probably win at least one, maybe more, games with his legs, but I just don't that working in the play offs - the defenses are just to disciplined. Unless and until he starts winning more games with his arm, he will (to me anyway) be the best running qb in the game. If he can put together a few 4th quarter drives where his passing wins it, then I think he will qualify as a great qb.

Mind you - I am not saying he can't or won't be able to do that (the man has a cannon for an arm) just saying he hasn't done it yet.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Anyone else feel the Patriots are a bit overrated? They lost their team leader and anchor in Ted Washington, Ty Law is disgruntled, and their offense wasn't exactly that good. They did pick up Corey Dillion, but I don't think he's exactly what they needed.

I expect an early exit in the playoffs from them.

I don't know, the way they find a way to make things happen, especially after last season when they were just decimated by injuries yet somehow managed to run the table after their early loss to the Skins is pretty amazing. They deserve the early respect.

They may have lost Washington, but didn't they draft Wilfork? As for Dillon, if he doesn't fall in line there he won't fall in line anywhere. Bilichick has a knack for getting guys to buy in and buy in hard.

I wouldn't bet against them that's for sure. 2 Championships in 3 seasons is pretty damn impressive in this day and age.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by skinsfanthru&thru

based on talent alone how can you not? if he's even a little bit more refined as a qb he would be one of, if not, the best qbs in the game and he's only entering his 4th season in the nfl. have any of u bashing vick actually seen the arm on this guy? he has a cannon for an arm and along with that strength he's pretty accurate with his long throws.

OK, you must be all into his hype. His last three years (only 3 years) completion % goes as follows:
01- 44.2%
02- 54.9%
03- 50.0%
car- 52.2% (has 634 career attempts)
How in the world can you possibly say he's accurate? In fact, I'd go so far to say that he sucks inside the pocket. He has shown me nothing more than a glorified Kordell Stewart to this point. Don't make yourself believe because he's the fastest QB ever he's a great QB. That's not the case.
He is way below average in terms of comp.%.
I saw someone say how WONDERFUL he was vs the Packers in 02. Not true. He was 13 for 25 (only 52%) for only 117 yards. His defense (one of the best in the league that year) is what won that game...Vicks running ability certainly helped, but his passing ability was more of a liability than an assett.
Don't get me wrong, I like Vick. If he can get a hold of a real good QB coach, he might be soemthing special, if not, he will never be anything extra special back there other than his scrambling ability.

[jsarno]

about the subject of SKins at 18th. I like it. We've been ranked higher before and fell flat on our faces. (99 anyone?) I like being in a position where we can play the spoiler. We have almost no where to go but up.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by jsarno

OK, you must be all into his hype. His last three years (only 3 years) completion % goes as follows:
01- 44.2%
02- 54.9%
03- 50.0%
car- 52.2% (has 634 career attempts)
How in the world can you possibly say he's accurate? In fact, I'd go so far to say that he sucks inside the pocket. He has shown me nothing more than a glorified Kordell Stewart to this point. Don't make yourself believe because he's the fastest QB ever he's a great QB. That's not the case.
He is way below average in terms of comp.%.

if u'd actually read what i had written, u would have seen that i said that he's pretty accurate with his long throws, but needs work on his short range passing skills and his ability to read a defense. i've seen vick hit targets 40-50 yards or more downfield right where only the wr can catch it, but then come back and overthrow a 10 yard slant. i've seen vick progress from his first starting game at tech to the player he is now and with a bit more coaching he's gonna be a very dangerous player once he completes his passing game. which is scary since at any time in a game right now he has the chance to make a big play in more than one way. plus up til now, he's only thrown 14 ints in 28 games, so he may be a bit off on connecting with his recievers sometimes but it's not like he's turning the ball over on every incompletetion either.