2011 Surprise Team And Breakout Player

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Since I called the Chiefs making the playoffs and Jamaal Charles' monster season this time last year, I think it's appropriate that I started this thread.

Surprise Team: I had a tough time picking this one. A lot of the teams I expect to improve are in tough divisions (Panthers, Lions), so I don't expect them to slip into the playoffs like the Chiefs did last season. I ended up going with the Detroit Lions solely because I believe they are rising from the ashes and will be a tough team to beat this season.

Breakout Player: I could be a homer and say "CAM NEWTON!" or "DAVID GETTIS!", but I'm going to go with an underrated player who I truly think will shine. Matthew Stafford, QB of the Detroit Lions, will surprise everybody and will outplay his young companions Sam Bradford, Kevin Kolb, Cam Newton, The Golden Calf of Bristol, Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, and even Josh Freeman, who will also have a big season. The only thing that can stop Stafford is another injury.

What are your thoughts??

[Gipetto]

The lions still went 0-16

/thread

[mercules20]

The lions still went 0-16

/thread

[cbarrier90]

Since I called the Chiefs making the playoffs and Jamaal Charles' monster season this time last year, I think it's appropriate that I started this thread.

Surprise Team: I had a tough time picking this one. A lot of the teams I expect to improve are in tough divisions (Panthers, Lions), so I don't expect them to slip into the playoffs like the Chiefs did last season. I ended up going with the Detroit Lions solely because I believe they are rising from the ashes and will be a tough team to beat this season.

Breakout Player: I could be a homer and say "CAM NEWTON!" or "DAVID GETTIS!", but I'm going to go with an underrated player who I truly think will shine. Matthew Stafford, QB of the Detroit Lions, will surprise everybody and will outplay his young companions Sam Bradford, Kevin Kolb, Cam Newton, The Golden Calf of Bristol, Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, and even Josh Freeman, who will also have a big season. The only thing that can stop Stafford is another injury.

What are your thoughts??

I remember as soon as the Lions drafted Fairley, ESPN went absolutely crazy over the prospect of him and Suh on the same D-line, and they became everyone's prohibitive "surprise team."

The way I see it, if everyone picks you to be a surprise contender (Texans,) are you truly a "surprise?"

[Falcons1stPanthers2nd]

Going with the Panthers. I think they'll be 7-9 on the back of a pretty solid defense. Breakout player? Not sure really. Would have to research more.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

I remember as soon as the Lions drafted Fairley, ESPN went absolutely crazy over the prospect of him and Suh on the same D-line, and they became everyone's prohibitive "surprise team."

The way I see it, if everyone picks you to be a surprise contender (Texans,) are you truly a "surprise?"

I understand what you're saying, but I also almost called them last season too. And if Stafford hadn't had gotten hurt, I might have been correct. But unlike most people who think their D will carry them, I'm choosing the Lions because Stafford will have a big year.

[KillerKat]

Im going with the Lions as well. The Panthers need to address DT and CB before I would consider them. Right now our offesne will be an improvement, but our defense will struggle greatly against the teams we have to face this season.

[life of BillsFan]

We have been hearing the Lions will be the "surprise" team for about 5 years now. When do we draw the line and say they are "expected" to atleast have a winning season.

Surprise team = Rams

Surprise player = Tavaris Jackson

[R0CKnR0LLA]

The Bills are going to surprise everyone when they actually win a game during the season.

[Brokenbad]

Oakland Raiders should steup up this year.

I am begining to think the AFC West is in competition for biggest cupcake division with the NFC West.

Chargers should lose a step with key coaching staff leaving.

[GritsRgreat]

The Washington Redskins. Like what they did this off season by cutting headcases and not shopping for the big names. I believe Beck will do just fine in shanny's system.

[Brokenbad]

Oakland Raiders should step up this year.

I am begining to think the AFC West is in competition for biggest cupcake division with the NFC West.

Chargers should lose a step with key coaching staff leaving.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Chiefs will destroy the Raiders in the West. They're overratedly underrated.

[natty]

We have been hearing the Lions will be the "surprise" team for about 5 years now. When do we draw the line and say they are "expected" to atleast have a winning season.

Surprise team = Rams

Surprise player = Tavaris Jackson

Yep, just like SF a couple years ago.