AWFL 7 on 7 - A Preview of the 2021 Season

[justmanj]

Welcome to the first edition of AWFL’s 7 on 7. I’ve grabbed 7 fine gentlemen and I’ll be asking for their opinions on 7 different subjects. For the debut episode of the 2021 season, we’re going to primarily focus on previewing the upcoming season and making some early predictions.

Question 1: Any time AWFL opens up a new cycle the first preseason is full of player movement. Who are some guys we should expect to see leave your city ahead of Week 1?

Dick Jefferson, Windy City Tribune: The big names I’ve heard discussed are LB Danny Trevathan and one of the nose tackles Eddie Goldman or Bilal Nichols. I’ve also been told plainly Allen Robinson is NOT on the block.

Denzel Crocker, The Baltimore Sun: I have heard rumblings regarding Sammy Watkins and Tyus Bowser. No official confirmation from the team but sources indicate that those two may be looking for a new home in 2021.

Ed “Gums” Woolcott, Mile High Sentinel: WR - Tim Patrick, Denver has a crowded WR room and he deserves a chance to get more playing time but with KJ Hamler, Jeudy and the return of Sutton it's going to be difficult for the undrafted WR from Utah to get significant snaps. OG - Graham Glasgow, the Broncos have two solid young guards chopping at the bit to be part of the starting five and depending on how well Netane Muti or Quinn Meinerz perform in the preseason expect the Front office to shop Glasgow.
QB - Brett Rypien, don't expect Denver to carry more than two QBs this season.

Rusty Shackleford, Flowery Branch: This Falcons roster is very thin when it comes to talent so not a lot of talk currently about anyone getting moved. One name to keep an eye on is Kendell Sheffield. A talented fast young CB who has just yet to find his feet in Atlanta’s defense. Hayden Hurst has received some calls with the addition of Kyle Pitts to the offense, but all signs point to him staying with the Falcons this year.

Dick Grayson, Gotham News Network/Gotham Press: I have heard rumors and rumblings that the besides rookie phenom Zach Wilson and Quinnen Williams anyone or anything else is available in a trade. Players like Sheldon Rankins will more than likely be moved before the season starts.

Ren Stablier, Old City Media LV Sports Beat: After combing though the roster and having a thorough conversation with the ball coach I can assure you there will be movement, but not much. There are alot of working pieces to this roster and, for the most part, it will stay together as there is some synergy to be had heading into the 2021 season. That said, there will be some opportunities for a few guys to seek deals outside of the organization. Roles will be defined early and I've heard that for those not happy with it the process will be simple. M.Mariota, M.Ateman, R.Douglas and a few other DBs will be on the block early to give them time to seek other opportunities before camp.

Monterrey Jack, Daily Cheese: The names I have heard swirling coming out of camp are WR Devin Funchess, EDGE Preston Smith and CB Kevin King. The team feels good about the depth behind these 3 players with 1st round pick Eric Stokes expected to take over King's CB2 slot from day 1 and the emergence of Rashan Gary as an impact pass rusher. The return of Randall Cobb to help mentor young guys like Amari Rodgers, MVS and St. Brown makes Funchess expendable.

Question 2: Sticking on the player movement topic, what are some areas you believe will be targeted in the coming weeks? Any particular players you think would be a good fit?

DJ: I believe the O-line is a major area of need but have yet to hear any names. The team has shown interest in Justin Reid in particular and is not satisfied with the secondary depth as it stands.

DC: This one is obvious, the pass rush. The team lost Matt Judon in free agency and didn't do much to address the need. Oweh had an impressive combine, but the production was not there in college. I have on good authority that the team has reached out to Detroit about Trey Flowers, but the two sides don't seem close to a deal.

GW: QB - AAron Rodgers, MVP would look better in Orange and Blue. He knows he would be treated better here as well. Off ball linebackers. Alexander Johnson is a good player but is getting up there in age and they need to look at someone to replace him or get some depth behind him, Josey Jewell isn't the athletic backer this team needs. HBs with 93 speed - Fast is fun

Rusty: The front office has been heavy on the phones putting out feelers. They do not feel comfortable with a few different areas of the teams’ current groups of starters. I would expect to see 1 or 2 offensive linemen to be added through trade or FA. Big rumors of the Falcons front office trying to add a playmaker at the WR position after the loss of Julio this offseason

DG: With the current roster, I assume the new GM will be looking to upgrade each and every position. How quickly and how he goes about this is the million dollar question here in Gotham.

Ren: It doesn't seem like they will target anything or anyone as far as skill position or big names. Guys have brought into the system and the staff wants to see this thing through. I would like to see some added talent on the OLine and possibly the Linebackers could use some added depth. But we're just getting started lets see what they have coming out of the gates.

MJ: I think the Packers are happy with how their roster looks heading into the season with solid depth at most positions. They may feel a need to bring in another OL with Bhaktiari expected to miss a large part of the season but the ability of young star Elgton Jenkins to play all 5 positions on the line makes that a little less pressing and he is expected to fill in at LT until Bahk returns. The team also may look to add some depth at the ILB position even after bringing in De'Vondre Campbell this offseason.

Question 3: On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being down right irritable and 10 being beach vacation, how comfortable are you with the way things will play out in the 2021 season?

DJ: 8. Nothing is ever perfect in the NFL but it’s hard to beat a situation where you get to watch the beginnings of a franchise level qb in Justin Fields. Everything else is a bonus next year.

DC: This is a tough one, I would say a 3. The team is built to win, and are looking to continue building off the last two seasons. But I am skeptical that they can get over the perverbial playoff hump.

GW: An 8? Denver has to figure out their QB situation but their defense is built to win now and they have a great young group of skill players that should carry the offense for most of the season.

Rusty: A solid 8. You must have reasonable expectations going into a season where you saw a team desperate to get under the cap to pay its rookies. Sending Julio off via trade was the sign fans needed to see that this may be a rough year in Atlanta. But with that being said I believe you can be comfortable knowing that you may be looking at a very high draft pick next offseason.

DG: Tough question, I would say the team is not talented enough to compete for a title. If things break the right way this Jets team can compete for a player spot this season.

Ren: I'm gassed up ready to go...... but before we hit the shore, I'd like to stop pass the liquor store.

MJ: I'd say an 7...we all know this is an incredibly talented team but the Packers project to be -50M in cap room next season so is this truly "The Last Dance" for this group? There is little doubt this is the most talented team in the division but the NFC North may be the toughest division in the entire AWFL this cycle so a lot will hinge on how the Packers can do in the first season when we do have the talent advantage.


Question 4: Have you already circled one game on the calendar? If so, who is it? If not, what’s the #1 game your fanbase should tune into this season?

DJ: One game twice every year. Beat the packers.

DC: Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh. There is no more bitter rivalry in Football.

GW: Raiduuuhs week on December 26th. Chiefs week 18, hopefully this game is for seeding/playoff spot

Rusty: The rivalry between the Saints and the Falcons extender further then just the football field. These games will always be one to watch for every Danny everywhere. But in a non division game I am looking forward to traveling to Jacksonville and getting a chance to watch the new young rookie QB Trevor Lawrence in action against a defense who has historically struggled to stop the pass last year.

DG: The game we have circled is week 1. I know it seems cliche but if you can get off to a good start who knows what could happen. One game the fans should probably have circled is the first matchup with the Bills in week 9 could be huge.

Ren: The Chiefs games are always etched in blood I hate em , we hate them. The pretty boy at QB, the Bisexual at SS, the Hyena at WR and their holding *** OLine ... trail of tears man. We have had their number just not their health and media coverage the last few seasons. Coach even got fired up when we got to the KC portion of our convo he said, "To hell with them! Its a shame that I like the new coach they brought in, damn shame I plan to piss in his boots and in **** his oatmeal." He said alot more but thats for a different time. He did say though, "If we do end up on the losing side Wk 10 or Wk 14, we can set up the smoke post game cause nobody in KC wanna see these hands!"

MJ: The same game Packers fans circle every single year, the Bears. There is a lot of history between these storied franchises and their coaches and the Bears fanbase finally has some offseason momentum, can they take advantage? The NFC North in general has some of the funnest rivalries around and with 4 coaches who have been around the league for a while, there is bound to be some memorable games.

Question 5: Let’s look at the league as a whole and talk about awards lists. Whos’ on the pre-season MVP watch list? Is there anyone that you feel is a potential darkhorse that we should get to know their name now?

DJ: I’m hard pressed to ever pick against Pat Mahomes as the favorite personally. I think some sleeper names to watch would be Joe Burrow, Derrick Henry, and Raheem Mostert as well.

DC: Preseason MVP? Easy, Patrick Mahomes. A few other names to watch who may be overlooked are Justin Fields, Dalvin Cook, Baker Mayfield, and Brandon Aiyuk. One more name to watch, not for MVP but Rookie of the Year....Rhamondre Stevenson. The kid is a bowling ball and will get a lot of touches in the redzone.

GW: QB - Pat Mahomes, best QB with best weapons. HB - Alvin Kamara, coming into the season with no true QB I can see the Saints giving him 25-30 touches a game. QB - AAron Rodgers, he's really good.

Rusty:It has to be Patrick Mahomes. Rumors swirling around the chiefs coach not taking a break after the season ended and continuing to practice throughout the summer may be more then just rumors. The Chiefs will hit the ground with more practice then anyone else in the league. The darkhorse if you can call him that would have to be Aaron Rodgers. In what will most likely be his curtain call in GB what better way to end it.

DG: Preseason MVP, where to start... Aaron Rodgers should be at of near the top of any MVP discussion. I think a RB is going to end up winning MVP this season, maybe Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley.

Ren: Funny you meantioned that, the next subject was just that, talent and cheesy coaches. Now in my opinion the talent can only be as good as the position the coach puts them in. With that said, theres been talk in league meetings that the coach out in Texas (AFC) and the one in Jacksonville dabble in the devils lettuce and boos. Coaching under the influence will affect play calling without a doubt so I expect Lawrence(JAC) and someone to jump out of the trash heep formerly known as the Texans to reap the benefits plus snacks. Outside of that I expect Jacobs and Waller to put up numbers this season. Will it be award winning who's to say, but there will be performance. On Defense the Raiders have historically only been successful with a dominant front seven but heres the jewel, this young secondary will eat regardless. Cause the the front end dominates the secondary has dessert. Expect Trey Mo (Moehrig) to be somewhere in that award earning conversation.

MJ: Alvin Kamara is my hands down favorite to win MVP this year. He is an all around workhorse and has a coach that will utilize him to the best of his abilities this cycle. I expect 1400 rushing and 800 receiving for him in S1. I have also put big money on Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence walking away with their divisions respective OROY awards. Wilson and Pitts may push them but my bets are placed.

Question 6: Sticking with predictions, how do you see your division shaping out in the 21 season? How many teams do you think the division is capable of sending out?

DJ: The NFC North is a gauntlet with all four teams having playoff caliber leadership if not yet talent (Detroit). I think Green Bay should be considered the favorite but I will go with Chicago on top the end of year 1.

DC: The AFC North is a blood bath every year. On paper, it should send three teams to the playoffs. In practice, I see two teams but I wont rule anyone out.

GW: Two. Until the Chargers and Raiduuhhs prove me otherwise I don't see them making any noise this season. Chiefs should be making the WC with that roster or their coach should be fired.

Rusty: The NFCS could send 2 teams to the playoffs. The Saints roster I believe brings the best mix of coaching ability and talent to the forefront of the division. The Tampa Bay Bucs as reigning world champs bring the most talented roster to every game. I believe they will be the 2 playoff teams from this division.

DG: Its Buffalo's division to win. Miami has the talent to win the division or at least make it competitive enough for Buffalo to sweat. The Patriots are the darkhorse in the division they are talented and if the new owner can get them rolling they could be tough to handle.

Ren: Two to Three. Two things to note... There are alot of lips and expectations from every team including the AFC West. Its all CAP. Second thing is Coach is retiring after this year so this cycle of games will be some of his best work. So, I hope to see LV in the playoff conversation come wk14 just in time to fill those KC boots up!

MJ: Like I said, this is the toughest division in the league but the Packers have to win it S1. I think all the pressure will be on them to get it done but I can't see this division being decided until late in the season and it might be one of those races where all 4 teams are in it until the very end.

As we all know, this is the first season of the new 17 game, 18 week schedule. What’s more likely to happen first in the After Work Football League, an 0-17 season or 17-0?

DJ: 0-17 no doubt in my mind. There’s more teams equipped for that

DC: 17-0, easy. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut.

GW: 0-17. Going 17-0 requires too much good luck on your end and Warrengotstick isn't here.

Rusty: 0-17. Looking at you RP.

DG: 0-17 could definitely happen. I dont think either happens this season though.

Ren: Neither I see more .500 ball then 1.00. Tampa may suprise us with a 4-13. But who am I but a desert beat writer.

MJ: I don't see either of those things happening, honestly. While the league obviously has different "tiers", I think there is quite a bit of parity and with new ways to impact momentum and home field advantage, I think we are going to see even more upsets from time to time. Gun to my head, had to choose one, I'd say 0-17 is more likely but I don't see it happening in this league.

Thanks for checking out the 7 on 7. We'll be back throughout the year with more opinions and scorching hot takes!