Who is your team's "X-Factor"?

Post #1 » by **bleu** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 4:59 am

https://theringer.com/the-x-factors-for-all-32-nfl-teams-b73a29ee7d49#.qyl04j4t3

Found this article, and I think they hit it dead on with most teams. Who do you think are your teams biggest X-Factors this season?

For Carolina, I think they got it right with Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers offense was really good last year without him, but with him, if he can come back strong and play like he was before the injury, they could be unstoppable. On defense I think it's going to be James Bradberry. He's got huge shoes to fill as a rookie cornerback trying to replace Josh Norman. If he's good, the defense won't skip a beat, if he can't live up to expectations, we might be in trouble.

Post #2 » by **Cactus Jack** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:07 am

1. O-Line. If the line holds up, "we" will be in good shape.
2. Health of Jimmy Graham & Thomas Rawls. Really good depth at both positions. But, these two can be game changers.

Post #3 » by **bleu** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:38 am

Cactus Jack wrote:1. O-Line. If the line holds up, "we" will be in good shape.
2. Health of Jimmy Graham & Thomas Rawls. Really good depth at both positions. But, these two can be game changers.

I like Thomas Rawls a lot. Do you expect that the Seahawks will use Jimmy Graham a little bit more this season that last? He seemed really underutilized in most of their games.

Post #4 » by **Cactus Jack** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:46 am

bleu wrote:
Cactus Jack wrote:1. O-Line. If the line holds up, "we" will be in good shape.
2. Health of Jimmy Graham & Thomas Rawls. Really good depth at both positions. But, these two can be game changers.

I like Thomas Rawls a lot. Do you expect that the Seahawks will use Jimmy Graham a little bit more this season that last? He seemed really underutilized in most of their games.

Yes. He actually was really coming on just before he got hurt. The issue was they were using him as a blocking TE, because they didn't have any on the roster last year. Which really slowed his production. This off-season they picked up a couple of blockers. So, it really shouldn't be such an issue. The biggest obstacle is him just staying healthy :pray:

. He just recently was cleared to practice. Hasn't played a pre-season game.

Spoiler:

Post #5 » by **bleu** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:52 am

Cactus Jack wrote:
bleu wrote:
Cactus Jack wrote:1. O-Line. If the line holds up, "we" will be in good shape.
2. Health of Jimmy Graham & Thomas Rawls. Really good depth at both positions. But, these two can be game changers.

I like Thomas Rawls a lot. Do you expect that the Seahawks will use Jimmy Graham a little bit more this season that last? He seemed really underutilized in most of their games.

Yes. He actually was really coming on just before he got hurt. The issue was they were using him as a blocking TE, because they didn't have any on the roster last year. Which really slowed his production. This off-season they picked up a couple of blockers. So, it really shouldn't be such an issue. The biggest obstacle is him just staying healthy . He just recently was cleared to practice. Hasn't played a pre-season game.

I didn't see him much when he did start to pick it up, but I heard he started to look better. Graham is just such a huge weapon to have on an offense to not be targeting him regularly. To be honest, I think that even without Marshawn the Seahawks will have the best offense they've had in recent years.

Post #6 » by **Cactus Jack** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 6:01 am

bleu wrote:
Cactus Jack wrote:
bleu wrote:
I like Thomas Rawls a lot. Do you expect that the Seahawks will use Jimmy Graham a little bit more this season that last? He seemed really underutilized in most of their games.

Yes. He actually was really coming on just before he got hurt. The issue was they were using him as a blocking TE, because they didn't have any on the roster last year. Which really slowed his production. This off-season they picked up a couple of blockers. So, it really shouldn't be such an issue. The biggest obstacle is him just staying healthy . He just recently was cleared to practice. Hasn't played a pre-season game.

I didn't see him much when he did start to pick it up, but I heard he started to look better. Graham is just such a huge weapon to have on an offense to not be targeting him regularly. To be honest, I think that even without Marshawn the Seahawks will have the best offense they've had in recent years.

Yeah, I think some of it too was just the chemistry between Russ & him. It took them a while. Baldwin, Lockett & Kearse are his main targets.

Spoiler:

Otis Driftwood · Post #7 » by **Otis Driftwood** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 10:06 am

For the Cowboys, it's really simple. It's the defense. They just have to be respectable. The offense will be fine. Just have to stop someone. If you want one person, it's Tyrone Crawford. We keep being told he has the ability to be that dominant defensive tackle Marinelli needs in his defense. Time for him to step up and earn that credit.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Post #8 » by **jwise44** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 1:37 pm

offense-Lamar Miller. we need a run game, but if you're looking for someone that isn't going to be a featured offensive player---fuller at Wr or fiedorwicz at te....need to get Brock more reliable targets

defense-clowney...watt out for god knows how long then having to get back into game form, someone has to put pressure on the qb

RavenMad31 · Post #9 » by **RavenMad31** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 3:21 pm

For the Ravens it's our youth. We have been rebuilding since the final gun of our Super Bowl win even though it hasn't seemed like it because Joe Flacco and a few remaining vets have kept us respectable, even making a push in the playoffs in 2014.
This year we need CJ Mosley to establish himself as the cornerstone, QB and new face of our defense and we need top draft pick type production from guys like Breshad Perriman, Timmy Jernigan and Ronnie Stanley and guys like Kenneth Dixon, Matt Judon and Crockett Gilmore need to chip in with meaningful production also. We need these guys to emerge as new faces of the Ravens and it needs to happen this year, otherwise I feel like this rebuilding process might need to be held in question.
As an honorable mention X Factor, I think our secondary is a focal point. If we are going to compete, our secondary has to be better. It cost us a possible Super Bowl trip in 2014 and was ripped up pretty good last year. Hopefully Weddle and Webb on the back end with a healthy Jimmy Smith anchoring the corners will do that.

Post #10 » by **bwgood77** » Thu Aug 25, 2016 6:38 pm

For the Chargers, it's like The Seahawks, the O line. The article mentions Melvin Gordon, which is true as well, but he needs a decent offensive line. But even without Gordon playing great, if Rivers has time in the pocket, he can move the ball down the field against anyone, regardless of what their D is giving up.

Their D could be quite a bit better, despite the Bosa situation. They looked good playing against the Cardinals starters, picking Palmer and holding David Johnson to 5 yards on 3 carries, and pretty much all their backs to very little.

bluejerseyjinx · Post #11 » by **bluejerseyjinx** » Fri Aug 26, 2016 3:10 am

Its our pathetic defense for sure, our lousy coaching and inability to make half time adjustments and the bad play - calling sent in by Jerry from the booth.

RavenMad31 · Post #12 » by **RavenMad31** » Fri Aug 26, 2016 7:49 pm

bluejerseyjinx wrote:Its our pathetic defense for sure, our lousy coaching and inability to make half time adjustments and the bad play - calling sent in by Jerry from the booth.

By X-Factor, he meant what individual or unit or group of players might or might not be really good and also play a crucial and perhaps surprise role in making your team successful.
I think the obvious choice for the Cowboys is Dak Prescott. Romo is showing signs of breaking down physically and they are going to have to have probably 3-4 or more quality starts from the backup QB position to keep the season humming along.

Post #13 » by **bleu** » Fri Aug 26, 2016 10:31 pm

RavenMad31 wrote:
bluejerseyjinx wrote:Its our pathetic defense for sure, our lousy coaching and inability to make half time adjustments and the bad play - calling sent in by Jerry from the booth.

By X-Factor, he meant what individual or unit or group of players might or might not be really good and also play a crucial and perhaps surprise role in making your team successful.
I think the obvious choice for the Cowboys is Dak Prescott. Romo is showing signs of breaking down physically and they are going to have to have probably 3-4 or more quality starts from the backup QB position to keep the season humming along.

I would say that the Cowboys X factor is health in general. If they are 100% healthy at key positions, I would say they are pretty easily a playoff team (should be able to make it out of the NFC Least). Last year they were just slammed though, and it will be interesting to see how they recover from that. Hopefully Dak Prescott never even has to put his helmet on.

dirtymike · Post #14 » by **dirtymike** » Fri Aug 26, 2016 11:39 pm

For the Jags it has to be our young linebacker core...except Puz. He holds his own. Though I think the Jag-Puz relationship will end this year. He is a hell of a linebacker, but the Jags want to go younger and faster. Like Telvin Smith. If he and Fowler Jr. can get any chemistry going...boy look out! Oh, and then there is Myles Jack. Once he gets it going, this will be a good team.

Post #15 » by **bleu** » Sat Aug 27, 2016 12:00 am

dirtymike wrote:For the Jags it has to be our young linebacker core...except Puz. He holds his own. Though I think the Jag-Puz relationship will end this year. He is a hell of a linebacker, but the Jags want to go younger and faster. Like Telvin Smith. If he and Fowler Jr. can get any chemistry going...boy look out! Oh, and then there is Myles Jack. Once he gets it going, this will be a good team.

Jacksonville has a MEAN receiving corps. I'd take your receivers over just about anyone in the league, the biggest downfall though (and I'm sure you're probably well aware of this), is your offensive line. I know people give a lot of flack to Seattle's o-line, but compared to what the Jaguars have, Seattle's is a dream. IMO I need to see some improvement there before I consider them a legitimate playoff threat. Agree with you about their group of LB's, I hope Myles Jack does really well for you guys.

High 5 · Post #16 » by **High 5** » Sat Aug 27, 2016 6:37 pm

Matt Ryan and Kyle Shanahan need to get their **** together. That will get us further than Vic becoming a more consistent pass rusher, which I also pray for. This preseason hasn't been encouraging on either front.

yellowknifer · Post #17 » by **yellowknifer** » Mon Aug 29, 2016 12:19 am

Trenton Brown and Tank Carradine.

Mich3006 · Post #18 » by **Mich3006** » Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:21 am

Those big $ signings Vernon and Jenkins. If they play solid I think the Giants have a realistic chance to reach the postseason, at least the wildcard.

Post #19 » by **jwise44** » Mon Aug 29, 2016 12:42 pm

Ayatollah wrote:Those big $ signings Vernon and Jenkins. If they play solid I think the Giants have a realistic chance to reach the postseason, at least the wildcard.

An even better chance now, I mean without romo Cowboys are probably out, Eagles suck and I don't trust Washington

dirtymike · Post #20 » by **dirtymike** » Tue Aug 30, 2016 9:38 pm

bleu wrote:
dirtymike wrote:For the Jags it has to be our young linebacker core...except Puz. He holds his own. Though I think the Jag-Puz relationship will end this year. He is a hell of a linebacker, but the Jags want to go younger and faster. Like Telvin Smith. If he and Fowler Jr. can get any chemistry going...boy look out! Oh, and then there is Myles Jack. Once he gets it going, this will be a good team.

Jacksonville has a MEAN receiving corps. I'd take your receivers over just about anyone in the league, the biggest downfall though (and I'm sure you're probably well aware of this), is your offensive line. I know people give a lot of flack to Seattle's o-line, but compared to what the Jaguars have, Seattle's is a dream. IMO I need to see some improvement there before I consider them a legitimate playoff threat. Agree with you about their group of LB's, I hope Myles Jack does really well for you guys.

Honestly...I didn't know how bad the Jags O-line is/was until I saw the Bengals d-line manhandle them...it was ugly! So yea...the x-factor is our o-line. We gotta get better man!!