Sports admin  

Most Improved NFC Teams in 2012

Every year, the NFL sees a basement dweller from last year’s season rise from the ashes and surprise the crowd with a sudden blessing of competition. Figuring out who that team might be before it happens is next to impossible, mainly because the team’s chemistry and confidence just don’t show up on paper. Year after year, though, we idiots try like hell to clean the film from our crystal ball and, with careful analysis, gain the upper hand over random dart-throwers.

However, this time, I am not going to pronounce my highest probability of success. Instead, I’ve identified a handful of teams that got the most improvement in the offseason, and I’m hoping that one of them will solidify so I can finally prove that a close examination of the facts consistently trumps bad luck and instincts.

CHICAGO

Of all the teams on this list, the Bears might have the biggest lead, and it all started with personnel. Much-maligned GM Jerry DeAngelo left along with OC Mike Martz. DeAngelo’s replacement, Phil Emery, provided immediate help to quarterback Jay Cutler by trading for Brandon Marshall and recruiting a younger version of Marshall at WR Alshon Jeffery (South Carolina). Martz’s point-shooting philosophy coupled with a fishy offense was a terrible combination and never meshed well with Cutler, whose arm strength far outweighs his accuracy.

With the receiving core underpinned, attention turned to the running game. Matt Forte finally received a well-deserved payday, despite concerns about his durability. The Bears addressed this by adding a stellar backup and a possible goal line/short-distance running back in Michael Bush. Emery capitalized on the closing sale of the Raiders’ post-Davis era and solidified another weak spot by acquiring what some say is the best backup quarterback in the league, Jason Campbell.

The offensive line remains a concern, but Roma wasn’t built in a day and with the Martz system gone, Cutler won’t need to hold the ball for eternity. New offensive coordinator Mike Tice is a former offensive line coach and should be able to improve the technique of the existing line. Also, look for the tight end to play or a more prominent role in 2012 under former TE Tice. It’s a shame Greg Olsen still isn’t around to reap the benefits of this new scheme, but Kellen Davis could be the benefactor, especially inside the 10th.

The defense is aging and feels a sense of urgency, but the core should be solid for at least another year. This could be the season the Bears battle Green Bay for the division.

TAMPA BAY

Tampa is unlikely to be able to right the pirate ship in a single year, but new coach Greg Schiano (Rutgers) has made great strides this offseason. Schiano’s blue-collar mentality should help a team that lacked discipline, drive and direction.

In addition to a solid draft, the team was active in free agency, landing one of the biggest fish in the pond in WR Vincent Jackson. They spent a second-round pick on dynamic RB Doug Martin (Boise St) to help spark a labored running game.

Defensively, the team selected stud safety Mark Barron (Alabama) with the seventh overall pick. Ronde Barber will return for his 16th season to help guide Barron. The team features second-round pick LB Lavonte David (Nebraska) to be the second coming of Derrick Brooks.

Expecting such a young team to recapture the success they experienced in 2010 is too much. When you factor in the strength of the division, the Bucs are unlikely to be in contention for a playoff berth, but they should be much more competitive in 2011. If quarterback Josh Freeman and Jackson can develop early chemistry, could quickly become one of the best. the most productive duos in the league. With Martin as a viable third-down option, you should see Freeman return to the form that he had fantasy football owners drooling over two years ago.

ST. LOUIS

New head coach Jeff Fisher has cleaned house quite a bit in St. Louis, and the general consensus among league insiders is that all the changes are for the better. The defense needs to be improved immediately with strong additions in the secondary. The controversial Courtland Finnegan hails from Tennessee and will likely work alongside highly touted rookies Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson. At the line, defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long form one of the most formidable pass-rushing tandems in the league and make up the force of the team.

Fisher has been known to execute his RBs hard, especially when they’re worthy of carrying the load. Expect to see Steven Jackson overwork this year with rookie Isaiah Pead (Cincy) serving as a complementary change of pace.

The receiving core offers plenty of options for quarterback Sam Bradford, but they all come with important “targets.” Rookies Brian Quick and Chris Givens look promising, but asking them to take on starting roles may be too much as they’re both unpolished. Fisher has been very enthusiastic about former Giant Steve Smith, but historically, microfracture recoveries have been ruinous for a WR’s career. Danny Amendola should come back from his dislocated elbow, but his tenacity far outweighs his raw ability. Donario Alexander and Greg Salas are both raw and both returning from abbreviated 2011 campaigns. They should be competing for first-team time, but anyone can guess at this point in the season who might emerge as the Bradford boys.

On the less shady side, don’t forget TE, Lance Kendricks. While he didn’t meet the high expectations Fantasy owners had for him in 2011, a new offensive scheme and a year of familiarity with Bradford could pay off, especially with the WR position so shaky.

So who on the list will make the leap to success and be this year’s 49ers? Probably none of the above. The Seahawks have new uniforms, so keep an eye out for them. Something absurd like that will make the difference. And when it happens, I will exhale deeply through my mouth and proudly state, “I told you so.”

Leave A Comment