1 Word for 2011 NFL - Parity

[aztriman]

The new salary cap requirement, that teams need to spend at least 90% of the cap, is likely to ensure a high degree of parity in the NFL this year. When you take a look at the bottom 11 teams with cap room prior to the NFL settlement they included: AZ, SEA, BUF, CIN, STL, CAR, CLE, TB and JAC.

When you look at the top 11 teams with the least cap room you have: NYJ, IND, PITT, GB, NE and BAL.

The fact that the weaker teams have to spend money this year means the playing field between the teams is going to be more level than in years past.

For capping purposes, this will be the year of the underdog, and likely competitive division races up till the end.

[Sweetleaf22]

Originally Posted by aztriman

The new salary cap requirement, that teams need to spend at least 90% of the cap, is likely to ensure a high degree of parity in the NFL this year. When you take a look at the bottom 11 teams with cap room prior to the NFL settlement they included: AZ, SEA, BUF, CIN, STL, CAR, CLE, TB and JAC.

When you look at the top 11 teams with the least cap room you have: NYJ, IND, PITT, GB, NE and BAL.

The fact that the weaker teams have to spend money this year means the playing field between the teams is going to be more level than in years past.

For capping purposes, this will be the year of the underdog, and likely competitive division races up till the end.

Those are also the most veteran teams in the NFL..so with no mini camps and OTA's,shorter traing camps. I think they have a little advantage with cohesion and chemistry with the limited time to get ready for the season ahead......


Those teams played extra games last year, playoffs. The veterans have had extra time to rest, they know how to play football. those weaker will also play more rookies most likely.

[aztriman]

Very true Sweet. I'm just saying that the bottom will be better than they were last year, and the top teams won't be incrementally better. But the perception by the average better will likely remain the same as last year.

I'll be betting more big underdogs this year than in years past. I usually like to bet the +2 or +3 teams. This year I'll be looking to take more +7 or +8 teams.

[Patriots Game]

Good thread and makes sense.

[TheLink]

Originally Posted by aztriman

The new salary cap requirement, that teams need to spend at least 90% of the cap, is likely to ensure a high degree of parity in the NFL this year. When you take a look at the bottom 11 teams with cap room prior to the NFL settlement they included: AZ, SEA, BUF, CIN, STL, CAR, CLE, TB and JAC.

When you look at the top 11 teams with the least cap room you have: NYJ, IND, PITT, GB, NE and BAL.

The fact that the weaker teams have to spend money this year means the playing field between the teams is going to be more level than in years past.

For capping purposes, this will be the year of the underdog, and likely competitive division races up till the end.

I don't think there is any more parity than there has been in the past. It isn't like you are seeing any of the star players going over to these lower spending teams. In the long term hopefully it will lead to teams deciding to keep their own players so then you might experience more parity.

[aztriman]

You can argue that the money the low spending teams spent was done poorly, but in theory, the teams with the most cap room should benefit the most from the forced spending. DeAngelo Williams returning in Carolina is an example - that wouldn't have happened under the old rules. The Cards owners are notoriously tight, and the increase in mandatory spend should benefit the team on the field, even if it will bankrupt the team.

[NightCap424]

The lockout is going to hurt the 2011 season for A LOT of teams.....there are a lot of young, inexperience teams out there without the veteran leadership to guide them through a shortened preseason. I look for the regular performers to keep performing. Honestly, I only think there are 4 or 5 Super Bowl contenders this year.

[ghoopin]

People thought it was important to have a good QB before, it will be maybe the largest capping point in the equation now that teams are headed towards parity.

[Jahred]

Originally Posted by aztriman

Very true Sweet. I'm just saying that the bottom will be better than they were last year, and the top teams won't be incrementally better. But the perception by the average better will likely remain the same as last year.

I'll be betting more big underdogs this year than in years past. I usually like to bet the +2 or +3 teams. This year I'll be looking to take more +7 or +8 teams.

perception will always be what it is, Id be very sketched taking big dogs blind for the fact they are dogs this year. I love a good dog and ml but I think those will be few this season.

Just a different perspective, I think it is just as likely that the bottom 1/3rd of the league will be months behind the upper half of the league and we could see some blow outs consistantly atleast for the first month of the season. gl this year aztriman

[aztriman]

Jahred,

Yes, great point about teams with new coaches, co-ordinators and QBs being bad early. But, by the end of the year the bad/new teams could make up signifcant ground.

My point was sort of a theoretical framework rather than an absolute, so point taken about not taking dogs blindly. But, in a business where going from 55 to 58% winners makes you a winner it's good to have some global views that others might not pick up on right away.