We keep our 2011 team capsule, and now is the turn of the 2 pending AFC Divisions
Brandon Jackson and Wade Pearce prove league wrong
At the Offseason GM Wade Pearce acquired HB Brandon Jackson coming from 49ers, Jackson had all the number for being a succesful player, some might say he was a bit raw, specially as rookie but after some progression he still seemed to struggle. So 49ers had no option but let him walk away via FA and recover the invested 2nd rounder, some doubted Texans and Wade for acquire a player that at that moment was a bust, but the Texans managed to bring in the truly potential on Jackson with more than 1700 yards and multiple TD, he went off specially at 3 games, where he displayed all his potential and from all this story we all learned that sometimes a change of scenario is the only thing needed. At the moment of write this article Cardinals have acquired HB Jackson at the price of a 1st round pick, so the vision and trust at him net a gain to Texans and gave the 2nd chance Jackson needed. Now he’ll play 49ers twice per year and probably waiting for the revenge.
Breck takes the Colts from Hell to Heaven in 1 season
Breck’s 1st year with the Indianapolis Colts was an master guide of team management, and a big hope message for all those teams that for x or y reason have struggled, if do the right things can change the direction of waters. Is so easy and deserved to talk about Breck’s work, but before go to that part, im a firm believer than Ian made multiple right moves for the Colts franchise, he was unlucky at moments and just couldn’t finish his job, but he left a team with resources, good management and good financial situation, we live in a league where we live from our wins of our failures, but i just couldn’t ignore the key role part Ian played on it. But now lets focus on what Breck did and how he took the worst team (Record base) to conference final and seed #1. First Breck hit the lottery to have a truly 1.1 prospect as Jonathan Baldwin, then he used another high 1st to acquire a premium safety from Cardinals (Domonique Barber), from the same Cardinals he acquired the SFL Legend and future first ballot HOF CB Champ Bailey, want to talk about another HOF, Randy Moss was also brought in. Added multiple talented players via FA and got solid right picks via draft and loyal to his style, instead develop Sanchez and suffer with a young QB he decided to bring in a veteran QB as David Carr. At the end there’s not such thins as a sucess recipe, im a firm believer you gotta do the moves according your team, your goal and your resourcer, and i think GM Darryl Breckheinmer showed us a masterclass about how to do it.
BRohm and BRyant are BRilliant
The Jacksonville Jaguars changed from GM Brad to GM Oli, but something that didn’t change, and that will remain for years (Unless Oli makes a big trade) is the Bryan Brohm and Dez Bryant connection, they’ve showed us the last 2 seasons that duo is extremely dynamic and dangerous, almost every single game they have a long TD. And in my opinion when you judging at teams, quality and chances of make playoffs / win a SB. That’s one of the first things you look at. QB-WR Deep connection, at the worst game Jaguas have, can be saved at any moment by those 2. And the best part is they’re very young. So that’s good for them but not good for the rest of AFC South or AFC.
Titans started the rebuild process
I’ve never liked to talk about me or my team at league articles as i often post team news, so the only note for the Titans is: We started the rebuild process and we expect to be competitive at some point.
Tom Collins with a different QB makes playoffs... Again
Tom Collins have become one of the most consistent GM’s of the league, and he made the playoffs again, with a different team, a different QB. And he start his adventure at Broncos showing up the AFC West he’s the guy to beat. He left his browns in a very good shape and now is doing the same with Broncos. The Broncos had somehow a not so bright season if you look at statitics, but they managed to win all the close games, and mainly all the games they should. The AFC West felt that new force on the division and have started to be more aggresive via FA and Draft for prevent Tom winning inertia and for finally stop his Playoffs streak.
The Ketchup getting Hot but the FireManning arrived
The Kansas City chiefs have not been able to find the consistency they would like, they’ve tried with multiple top talent, but this season they made their biggest mov, acquiring QB Eli Manning from Tennessee, the former MVP arrived mid-season and couldn’t overturn the season, but he seems promising for the seasons to come. The team also said goodbye to their franchise defensive player, MLB James Laurinitis. This season for Chiefs could be very important for the future, they’ve got some key blue chips, and if they won a title in the next years, or in the opposite GM Justin lose his job, everything going to be loaded to Eli Manning
Garth Pearce and Raiders reach 10+ wins again
Oakland have been one of the most consistent and succesful teams at league history and the 2011 season wasn’t different. Another year and the team were able to put 10+ wins, and they did with the formula works better for them and for most of the succesful teams: Rushing the ball and playing top defense, is not a secret that the balance is key on this game, it won’t matter if your QB put 400+ yards every game, if your rush game can’t control the posession, position on the field and time control. And from my perspective that’s something Garth understand perfectly and that have become their main tool for win. With a terrifying rush attack and a very precise QB, they control the offense aspect of the game, and a fresh defense close the deal. It’ll be interesting to see the team for next seasons and how well they do during the QB transition, not much too add here for a team the whole league knows and respect.
Chargers have a magic wand for rookies
How many rookies QB have reached a SB? 1, who drafted him? Anthony Cepparulo. Who won 2011 OROY? Demarco Murray who drafted him? Anthony Cepparulo. Chargers GM have proven he have an special eye for draft offensive players, that abilty haven’t transition into wins, but the team have stacked talent and could become a serious contender or at least a dark horse at any moment, specially now that Brady Quinn will be one of the few 99-99, the Chargers could use that window when the rest of team working at their teams for the progression to do the definitive attack. Their 2011 season wasn’t glorious or close to be, but the organization can be happy knowing they’ve found their HB for the present and the future.
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