Photo: Rick Stewart - Getty Images
- Adam Parker
This is part two of a two-part series about NFL teams we believe will disappoint (Part One) and surprise (Part Two) in the 2012 season.
For the basis of this series, to disappoint means finishing with the same (if you're a non-playoff team) or worst record than your 2011 counterparts.
To be a surprise, teams will obviously have to improve upon their 2011 win/loss record.
Yesterday, we covered our selections for the five disappointing teams of 2012, which can be found in the link above. But now, let's make our way out from the doom and gloom of disappointment to discuss five teams that we here at Beard and Stache expect to surprise us, win those tight games and earn the continued admiration of their loyal fan bases (or buy their mercy for one more year) — in no particular order.
1. Buffalo Bills
Call me crazy, but I like the Buffalo Bills a lot heading into the 2012 season. The free agent acquisitions of Super Mario Williams and Mark Anderson to an already sick defensive line should make this team a nightmare to go up against. Couple those two with the return of a healthy Kyle Williams and a steadily improving Marcell Dareus and you arguably have the best defensive line in all of football.
But not only were the Bills active in free agency, they also made great moves in the draft, picking up South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore to help support a secondary that needed an infusion of depth. Oh, and they also drafted one of my favorite picks that I wish my Steelers had snatched up — former Texas Christian linebacker Tank Carder. Is it just me, or is than not the absolute best name for a linebacker?
Buffalo also took steps to remain solid on offense, re-signing No. 1 wide receiver Stevie Johnson and locking up quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for the long haul. They also get to look forward to the return of a healthy Fred Jackson, who, in many people's opinions, is the "sun, moon and stars" of Buffalo's offense.
The Bills are in the middle of the road as far as strength of schedule goes, considering they have to play their normal AFC East schedule but then they get to face the relatively weak AFC South (minus Houston). Buffalo also has games against Cleveland, Kansas City, St. Louis and Seattle. Does anyone else think this might be the year the Bills circle the playoff wagons?
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Another crazy one, I know. This choice is liable to land me in an insane asylum where I'll be thrown into a padded, all white room wearing a straitjacket. But before you unceremoniously toss me into the loony bin, here me out.
Outside of games against New England, Green Bay, Detroit, Cincinnati, Houston and maybe Chicago, the rest of Jacksonville's schedule is loaded with potentially winnable games. Outside of the Texans, the team should play fairly well against the rest of the AFC South and I could see them winning games if only on the back of Maurice Jones-Drew's legs against the Raiders and Vikings. And maybe, just maybe, with their championship caliber defense (unlike Miami's, this statement actually holds merit) that was in the top ten against both the run and pass, this team can surprise some people.
Of course, everything really comes down to the play of young quarterback Blaine Gabbert. He's been handed the reigns heading into 2012, and unlike 2011, he actually has viable playmakers to target in the passing game not named Marcedes Lewis or Jones-Drew. Enter rookie stud wideout Justin Blackmon and free agent acquisition Laurent Robinson. Enjoy your new toys, Blaine. No more excuses.
3. Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton had a phenomenal rookie season. He broke Peyton Manning's rookie passing records for yards in a season. He had multiple 400-plus yard games as well as gashing teams on the ground. The guy did it all for Carolina. He was the de facto Superman. But even after such a great individual year, the Panthers as a whole finished (6-10).
For Cam-Cam, that record is unacceptable. You've got to love this kid's tireless work ethic and natural leadership skills. Despite not really being a major factor in the team's losses, Newton has taken it upon himself to shoulder the lion's share of the blame, and in response, has vowed to continue working hard and improving tenfold.
Hopefully, the rest of the roster will follow him. The offense was stellar with studs like Steve Smith and Greg Olsen in the passing game to complement the two-headed, or rather, the three-headed running attack of Newton, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The offense will be there, which means how far this team goes all comes down to the defense, a defense which, last year ranked the bottom of the league against the run and the pass, but will also have Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason and rookie Boston College product Luke Kuechly. Their defensive line will have to step up its run-stopping while the secondary will have to be much better in coverage as well.
But with the tandem of Beason and Kuechly, this defense — and this team — is well on its way.
4. St. Louis Rams
Really, Adam? The 14-loss St. Louis Rams? There had to have been a better choice...
That's right. I may be in the loony bin, but that hasn't stopped me from putting the Rams into the conversation. Yes, they were (2-14) in 2011, but it was very deceiving. Sam Bradford flat out stunk it up in his sophomore season — there's no questioning that.
But his poor play was due in part to having no time to throw because of all the devastating injuries on the offensive line. And the few times Bradford did have time to throw? Well, he was sabotaged again with the lack of receiving talent on this team outside of Danny Amendola, who I commonly refer to as Baby Wes, who was also injured for much of the season.
Granted, this is the NFL and there's no crying allowed over that shaft of a hand that you're dealt. Injuries are part of the game and every team has to deal with them.
But one thing's for sure — the Rams are happy it's 2012. They have a new head coach in Jeff Fisher, a great draft class with defensive tackle Michael Brockers, receivers Brian Quick and David Givens, and the talented but troubled cornerback Janoris Jenkins. Don't worry about Jenkins though. Jeff Fisher's a great coach but an even better disciplinarian. He'll keep the youngster on the straight and narrow. They also made up for the loss of Ronald Bartell by adding cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who followed Fisher to St. Louis.
The roster is shaping up nicely for St. Louis, and barring any major injuries (knock on wood), the Rams should definitely see improvement from their two wins in 2011.
5. Denver Broncos
The Sheriff has arrived — that is all.
Okay, not really, but you get my point. When Peyton Manning joins the mix, your team is infinitely better than it was before he showed up. The guy has one of the greatest minds in the history of the sport and the skills to back it up. You remember last season, right Denver fans? When you backed your way into the playoffs with an (8-8) record while losing the last three of your games? Then, Tim Tebow — with the help of divine intervention and Demaryius Thomas — tore the heart out of all of Steeler Nation (myself included).
But the next game, you were obliterated and almost laughed off the field by Tom Brady and his band up in Foxborough.
However, with Peyton in town, that's not probable to happen again. Peyton simply won't allow it. At this stage of his career, Manning isn't looking to merely make an appearance in the playoffs — he wants Lomardi's.
The defense is already set with guys like future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey along with newcomer Tracy Porter via the Saints at cornerback, Elvis Dumervil and Defensive Rookie of the Year Von Miller wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks, and veteran Justin Bannan and rookie Derek Wolfe (who I'm extremely high on) from the Cincinnati Bearcats at defensive tackle.
If you thought Denver's defense was tough last year, just wait. Wait until they have a chance to consistently play with a lead, which Peyton will undoubtedly give them with young guys like the aforementioned Thomas and Eric Decker, along with longtime teammate and friend Brandon Stokley making his return to Denver at wide receiver and Colts defector Jacob Tamme at tight end.
Watch out, NFL. The Sheriff is back in 2012, and he has you in his sights.
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