5 Surprises and 5 Disappointments This Year

This year has been a really interesting season full of surprises and many disappointments, from the resurgence of the Baltimore Ravens to the continued failure of the Oakland Raiders. Although the season isn’t quite over, here’s my list of surprises and disappointments.

5 Surprises

1. The New Orleans Saints. When the season first began, I thought the Saints would simply be Reggie Bush left and Reggie Bush right. Can you say Drew Brees? And Sean Payton is probably leading the pack for coach of the year. The Saints started the season flying below the radar, but they are flying high right now.

2. LaDainian Tomlinson. He was great before the season started, but I never expected him to post these kind of numbers. The man is unbelievable and definitely has one foot in Canton.

3. The Dallas Cowboys. At the start of the season the Redskins in me would have told you the Cowboy were, at best, a wild card team. I credit Bill Parcells for making tough personnel decisions as the season progressed, fielding a nasty 3-4 defense, and managing T.O. as well as anyone expected. Unless they stumble the rest of the way, the Cowboys should lock up the division.

4. The disparity between the AFC and NFC. I can’t personally remember a year when I’ve seen the AFC so competitive as supposed to the NFC being so mediocre during the same season. Even the Titans are feasting on the NFC this year.

5. The emergence of young QBs in the NFL. It certainly seems to be the trend these days in the NFL, that if you’ve been around for at least 3 yrs, it’s time to turn in your clip board and get under center. It’s been a pleasant surprise to see so many young QBs take their teams by the reigns.




5 Disappointments:


1. The Officiating: I know these guys do their best, but the new anti-celebrating rules and the protecting of quarterbacks is getting out of hand. When these rules determine the outcome of games, it’s time to re-visit what’s really important.

2. Randy Moss: Not only is he having a most disappointing year, but in many ways, he’s indicative of what’s wrong with today’s athlete that are paid millions only to give the finger (no pun intended Mike Vick) to the very fans that fight through traffic and pay good money to see them on Sundays. Thanks for nothing!

3. Bill Mass: Do I really need to go there?

4. The Washington Redskins: No need to re-hash everything since this is a Redskins forum. But to a man, the expectations couldn’t have been higher coming into the 2006 season. A disappointing season to say the least, but there is light at the end of the tunnel and there are yet more games to build on this year.

5. Priest Holmes: He is/was a very special running back who will probably go to the HOF one day, but I wonder if he should finally call it quits and not risk further injury.


*The NFL’s love affair with Peyton Manning: I’m all for a brother getting paid, but I don’t need to see him on one out of every three commercials while I’m watching a football game.


* I know I said 5 things, but this one really bugs me.

why are you suprised about LT? the man is a freak of nature

why are you suprised about LT? the man is a freak of nature

Agreed, but he keeps bringing it every single game.

well that is true

What about the Steelers? They have to be considered a disappointment right? Plus, considering all the hype surrounding them this summer-the Cardinals and Dolphins as well.

Yeah, and I would disagree as well that Parcell's has done well handling TO. TO has been worse than anyone expected. He seems okay now but wait until they lose another game. He has been an incorrigible disaster.

I really agree with your point about young QB's though. That is exciting to see. In a post-Roethlesberger world it seems like their has been a paradigm shift regarding coaches attitudes towards young QB's, and their willingness to trust them with the game. I am excited to see what kind of careers guys like Young, Leinert, Rivers, and of course Campbell end up having.

how can priest holmes be considered a dissapointment when he hasnt even played due to injury?

Yeah, and I would disagree as well that Parcell's has done well handling TO. TO has been worse than anyone expected. He seems okay now but wait until they lose another game. He has been an incorrigible disaster.

I really agree with your point about young QB's though. That is exciting to see. In a post-Roethlesberger world it seems like their has been a paradigm shift regarding coaches attitudes towards young QB's, and their willingness to trust them with the game. I am excited to see what kind of careers guys like Young, Leinert, Rivers, and of course Campbell end up having.


You would? I think TO has done very well. Maybe some media attention before the season but hes been very quiet lately. He seems to really enjoy the new QB and has taken a humble role with Terry Glenn as the two main WR weapons. I don't think you could have expected him to be any better, he knows he's peaked as a player and he doesn't want to end up another Randy Moss somewhere.

biggest disappointment in the NFL this year is our Washington Redskins. No one really selected us for the super bowl, but 4-7 is horrible at this point in the season.
2nd would be Pittsburg steelers. Losing randel el and Bettis hurts, but they still have the same people at the skill positions.
3rd - Miami. I thought they would be contending for the division this year as did a lot of people.
4th - the "personal fouls" called on roughing the passer are ridiculous. Put a skirt and red shirt on them for crying out load.
5th - the widely ranging interpritations of the NFL rules by the officials on instant replay. All the refs interpret them differently, leading to a lot of blown calls even after review.

Surprises
1- New Orlean Saint / Drew Breese. - How much does Nick Saban want to go back and do that whole thing over!!?? (breese or culpepper)
2 - Tony Romo - hate to admit it, but he has been all most perfect with exception to the fluke win by ours truly.
3 - Jets - no way I thought Mangini would have these guys playing at the level they are.
4 - 49ers - Norv Turner has really turned the offensive side of the ball around. He has Frank Gore looking like an all pro
5 - Philip Rivers - never thought he would step right in and play the way he has. San Diego never lost a step switching from breese to him. (LT helps, but still)

I don't think we're the biggest disappointment. I'd put the Steelers and Dolphins ahead of us, maybe even Carolina and the Giants depending on how the rest of the season goes for them.