Debate Game - Round 1, Group 1

[ruuuuudiii]

Alright everyone, welcome to the show.

I hope everyone here has read the rules.

This debate is for the 4 members of Group One ONLY, there will be no posts accepted by anyone else. Once the debate has ended and the poll has closed, the topic becomes open to everyone.

Here are the 4 contestants ...

Group One:
Jags4Lyfe
Jwalk
Wolverine
The Lion King

Remember, the point of this game is to prove who has the best debating skills. You not only have to focus on proving your point, but also on debunking the views of the opponent. Judging should be based on who debated the best, not necessarily who you agree with the most.


Here is your topic:

These are the teams that made the playoffs in the NFC last season.

Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Giants
Washington Redskins

Which one of those teams is least likely to gain another playoff spot in the 2008-09 season, and why?

Contestants, remember. You now have 24 hours to present your opening statement. There will be no debating until either everyone has presented their opening statement, or the 24 hours has elapsed.

And.............................go!

[The Lion King]

I'm going to say the least likely team to get another spot is the Washington Redskins. It's not that I think they're a bad team but to be in the division that they're in it's tuff to repeat. And it's obvious that Dallas being the most talented team in the NFC and the Giants being former SB champs and having a 10-6 season they can obviously hold their own. And who knows if McNabb can have a healthy season that would put the Eagles in playoff contention too so that's why IMO all the signs point to the Redskins having the least chance to repeat.

[Wolverine]

I too will go with the Washington Redskins, but unlike Lion King, I do think it is because they are a bad team with some questions.

There are several things working against them.

A) They have a new coach taking over... How are the Redskins going to take to Jim Zorn? We know how they will play under Joe Gibbs, and let's not forget. A big part of the run they went on last year was because of Sean Taylor. They seemed to be sparked by his memory down the stretch.

B) The only reason they got in last year was because they faced a Cowboy team that already packed up their regular season.

C) They have a DIFFERENT QB leading them this year. Jason Campbell did start as the QB last year, but he didn't finish. They made a run under Todd Collins. Can Jason Campbell handle it? That is questionable.

D) They have a new defensive coordinator. I think the Redskin players like Gregg Williams.. Is this defense going to falter after he was unfairly ousted? Greg Blache? I don't know about this.. Their defense is going to have to prove it to me.. Especially against offenses like Dallas.

Too many questions for me.. It isn't the same team/group as it was last year. There is turnover on the coaching staff, they have a different QB leading them.. Collins was the guy when they rolled off those last four, and even those last four wins were not that impressive. They also face tow good AFC North Teams, and an Improved NFC West.

[Jack Bauer]

I was going to go the Redskins as well, but I will take another route because I believe there are two teams here who will not make the playoffs. One being the Redskins, the other being the Seattle Seahawks, and heres why:

1. Their Running game may not be a factor. Maurice Morris did rush for over 600 yards last year in 14 games and had 4 touchdowns, and only had 140 carries. He only started 6 games. Now take a look at Shaun Alexander, who was hurt for a part of the season last year, missed 3 games and 6 starts; he had over 700 yards on 200+ carries and matched Morris with 4 touchdowns. You have to ask yourself; is Morris going to be able to carry the load? Next is Julius Jones who became somewhat of a disappointment in Dallas last season. With the emergence of Marion Barber, Jones took the backburner in that offense and had a disappointing season compared to his 06 season, in which he went over the century mark. Jones may be a missing link to this Seattle offense, but If he has to split time with Morris he may become very unhappy again. TJ Duckett is next, and theres really nothing to say about him except he had one good year in 03 with the falcons. He never amounted to much more than that season with 700 plus yards and 11 touchdowns. He underachieved the rest of his career in Atlanta, Washington, and Detroit. Then there is rookie Justin Forsett, who I cannot say anything bad or good about as he has yet to play a snap in the NFL. Having this type of running game makes you wonder if Hasslebeck can carry the load and the offense on his back.

2. Division Competition. Believe it or not I have the Niners winning this division this year. (sadly I had them winning it last year too). The Niners underachieved by a long shot last year having one of the worst offenses and defenses. Theres no way Mike Nolan will allow this happen again. Health is also a concern as it is with any team, if they can stay healthy and Nolan can keep them focused look for the Niners to give the Seahawks a run for their money. You also have the Cardinals, with some contract issues and players changing positions, Im not quite sure they are ready to challenge that division for a division title. Last, but not least, theres the Rams. The Rams were DEVASTATED by the injury bug last year. The Rams have the ingredients to make a push for the playoffs and if they can stay healthy, and the defense can hold its own; Jackson, Bulger, and Holt will lead this offense to his glory days of yore.

3. Playoff Nightmares Residual; Now I'm not saying the Seahawks will suddenly suck because they lost in the playoffs, but it makes you wonder how they will come out and perform after going down like they did to the Packers in the playoffs. That loss was heartbreaking for them and it may, or may not, carry over into this season, but you almost have to assume some will be thinking about it. If it motivates them or it demolishes them is yet to be seen.

[Wolverine]

Originally Posted by Jwalk

I was going to go the Redskins as well, but I will take another route because I believe there are two teams here who will not make the playoffs. One being the Redskins, the other being the Seattle Seahawks, and heres why:

You already agree with me, awesome!

1. Their Running game may not be a factor. Maurice Morris did rush for over 600 yards last year in 14 games and had 4 touchdowns, and only had 140 carries. He only started 6 games. Now take a look at Shaun Alexander, who was hurt for a part of the season last year, missed 3 games and 6 starts; he had over 700 yards on 200+ carries and matched Morris with 4 touchdowns. You have to ask yourself; is Morris going to be able to carry the load? Next is Julius Jones who became somewhat of a disappointment in Dallas last season. With the emergence of Marion Barber, Jones took the backburner in that offense and had a disappointing season compared to his 06 season, in which he went over the century mark. Jones may be a missing link to this Seattle offense, but If he has to split time with Morris he may become very unhappy again. TJ Duckett is next, and theres really nothing to say about him except he had one good year in 03 with the falcons. He never amounted to much more than that season with 700 plus yards and 11 touchdowns. He underachieved the rest of his career in Atlanta, Washington, and Detroit. Then there is rookie Justin Forsett, who I cannot say anything bad or good about as he has yet to play a snap in the NFL. Having this type of running game makes you wonder if Hasslebeck can carry the load and the offense on his back.

They showed they didn't need Shaun Alexander when he was healthy and when he wasn't healthy. Maurice Maurice and Julius Jones will provide plenty of punch from that position, and the Seahawks proved they are more efficient as a passing team. They've got a Pro-Bowl QB and some good receivers, and they've learned they gotta use. That team had to depend on the passing game last year just to get to the playoffs, and they are a better team for it. They don't have the line they need to run the football. That line's MO changed when they lost Hutchinson.

2. Division Competition. Believe it or not I have the Niners winning this division this year. (sadly I had them winning it last year too). The Niners underachieved by a long shot last year having one of the worst offenses and defenses. Theres no way Mike Nolan will allow this happen again. Health is also a concern as it is with any team, if they can stay healthy and Nolan can keep them focused look for the Niners to give the Seahawks a run for their money. You also have the Cardinals, with some contract issues and players changing positions, Im not quite sure they are ready to challenge that division for a division title. Last, but not least, theres the Rams. The Rams were DEVASTATED by the injury bug last year. The Rams have the ingredients to make a push for the playoffs and if they can stay healthy, and the defense can hold its own; Jackson, Bulger, and Holt will lead this offense to his glory days of yore.

You are nuts for picking the Niners. I picked them last year and learned that they will not win this division even this year. Alex Smith needs to put something together without Norv Turner. That entire team HINGES on Alex Smith doing well. Without him their offense is Frank Gore, and teams will just do everything they can to stop him. I like the Cardinals, but I'm not really sure who their Quarterback is. Matt Leinart care to show up? Can he even play in the NFL? Does that team have enough in their running game with Edgerrin James? I can't argue with the Rams, they have nowhere to go but up after that season. I just don't know if their defense is experienced enough.

3. Playoff Nightmares Residual; Now I'm not saying the Seahawks will suddenly suck because they lost in the playoffs, but it makes you wonder how they will come out and perform after going down like they did to the Packers in the playoffs. That loss was heartbreaking for them and it may, or may not, carry over into this season, but you almost have to assume some will be thinking about it. If it motivates them or it demolishes them is yet to be seen.

Last year was last year.. That has no bearing on this team who's lost way bigger games than that one last year. They weren't supposed to beat the Packers and they were in Lambeau. I don't think that will play any factor into the team they've got this year.

Now let me comment on what you didn't point out.

Their defense is filled with talent.. They've got stud linebackers a hell of a defensive line(that just got better with Red Bryant), and their secondary is always good. Sacks and turnovers are two big components of a team that wins.. And they are top five in both of those..

The top sack team in the league last year....... Yeah the World Champion Giants.

[ruuuuudiii]

24 hours before closing statements.

[ruuuuudiii]

Good job guys.

This debate is now OVER.

That means,





A poll will be put up soon.

Voters, one more time, please remember. You are supposed to vote for who did the best job of debating, not necessarily who you agree with.

The three group winners will definitely advance to the final, and I may add one wild card choice as well.

Thank you.

Now go vote.

[Wolverine]

You're damn right it's over

[Jack Bauer]

my vote goes to el wolverino.