2010 NFL Preview - Part 2

Well this took a while. I've been struggling with my NFC picks a lot more than my AFC. There are many things up in the air about some of the better teams in the NFC. Anyway, here we go.

NFC EAST

1. Dallas Cowboys

First things first, I'm not sold on this team. The offensive line is not that great after letting Flozell Adams walk. Doug Free is a hard worker, but this is the NFL and you don't see "Rudy" playing on any of these teams. Tony Romo puts up pretty good stats, but he is not an elite quarterback. He is a choke artist in the post season and that's that. Now, the things I like about this team. They have excellent wide receivers and a good stable of running backs, and their defense is one of the best in football. Their defensive questions are solely dependent on the play of safeties Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh. If they play well, the defense will be what wins games. I think the Cowboys win the division this year, and that's about it. 10-6.

2. New York Giants

I could easily see the Giants winning the division this year. But something usually happens in New York that leaves the fans wanting more. They have a good offense led by Eli Manning, but this year the defense is going to be what keeps them from being a true contender. They don't have a pass rush, and they don't have a great secondary. The end. 9-7.

3. Washington Redskins

Most people think Donovan McNabb made the Redskins instantly better. I agree. Too bad better for them will be a 9-7 record and 3rd place in the NFC East. The Albert Haynesworth Saga continues to be detrimental to this team because Mike Shanahan seems to be concentrating on where Haynesworth is going to go instead of how his team is going to perform. I actually think the Skins are one year away from being atop this division.

4. Philadelphia Eagles

I think the Eagles are flat out stupid for trading Donovan McNabb. Kevin Kolb is unproven and not anywhere near the QB McNabb is. The defense as a whole is a shell of it's former self and everyone will realize that this year. LeSean McCoy is a good young runner but he has a few injury concerns. The Eagles fans will be throwing batteries again by Week 7. 6-10.


NFC NORTH

1. Green Bay Packers

This is the best team in the NFL. Their offense is balanced all across the board. They have a consistent running game and a prolific passing game. The defense is one of the best in the NFL when healthy, and that may be a concern. Al Harris is out for the season, and that puts Tramon Williams replacing him in what was the NFL's best cornerback tandem. I think this team has the chance to go undefeated this year, but they'll come up a little short of that going 13-3 and representing the NFC in the Super Bowl.

2. Minnesota Vikings

Way too many questions about this team. Brett Favre's health? Can they move the ball with efficiency without Sidney Rice? Disclaimer: Brett Favre is probably my favorite football player of all time, but he's literally a grandfather now. Would he have come back had Longwell, Allen, and Hutchinson not shown up at his house a few weeks ago? I don't believe so. I do know that he came back because he loves the game and wants another shot at glory, but I don't think it will happen this year. 11-5 and an early playoff exit.

3. Chicago Bears

Yes, they have Julius Peppers, yes, Mike Martz is running the offense, and yes, Jay Cutler is a serviceable quarterback. No, they will not make the playoffs, no, Brian Urlacher will not return to his old form, and no, Jay Cutler will not throw less than 20 INT's. On the upside, he could very well throw 30 TD's. 8-8 is the absolute best I see for this team.

4. Detroit Lions

I like the Lions. I think the offense will be very good this year, and the defense will be better than last year. The only problem is, they are still the Lions. Stafford, Johnson, Best, and Pettigrew will be fantastic players some day, but they're still a couple of years away. Drafting Ndamukong Suh was the best thing to happen for this team since Barry Sanders. He is an All-Pro caliber player as a rookie. Jim Schwartz is doing his best to turn this team around and it will show this year with an 8-8 record.


NFC SOUTH

1. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are in a one horse race this year. I really don't have much to say about this team other than the fact that they're very good. The offensive line is the best in the league and that gives Brees enough time to pick apart almost every defense they will play this year. The secondary is a bit of a question mark for the first six weeks until Darren Sharper comes back. If he's healthy, they'll be good once again. They will easily win this division, but I feel they will come up short this season for the ultimate prize. The Saints will go 12-4, but lose in the divisional round of the playoffs.

2. Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner is healthy again and the Falcons offense will be very good. Matt Ryan is in his third year, and has a great connection with Roddy White, the man I like to call T.O. Lite. The Falcons defense, however, will be the achilles heel yet again for this team. A lot of the experts are very high on this team, but I just can't find what they're seeing. 9-7

3. Carolina Panthers

They finally got rid of Jake "The Snake" Delhomme, but that leaves them with Matt "My Father Isn't Roger" Moore. I think that Moore will be a serviceable QB, but with Jimmy Clausen breathing down his neck all season, I'm thinking the pressure could get to him and cause a collapse. The running back tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart is second to none, but teams will be stacking the box all year against them. Steve Smith usually would be the one benefiting from this, but his QB's won't have much time to get him the ball. The pass defense was ranked 4th in the NFL last year, but that was with Julius Peppers putting pressure on the QB. I see the Panthers going 6-10 this year.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It hurts my heart to see this team in the state they're in. I've been a Bucs fan since the mid-90's and I just don't see them doing anything good this year. 3-13 was their record last year, and I see the same thing happening this year. The only difference is, you'll see a lot more fight in this team. They have a solid offensive line, Cadillac Williams is (finally) healthy, and Josh Freeman has several young stud WR's in Arrelious Benn and Mike Williams. Gerald McCoy has been impressing a whole lot of people during workouts and in the preseason as well. I can't wait for this team to get back to relevance, but it definitely won't be this year.


NFL WEST

1. San Fransisco 49ers

Alex Smith is a good QB. I said it, and I'm proud of saying it. He's had 5 different offensive coordinators in his NFL tenure, but he's finally got the same one two years in a row. Frank Gore is a 1,500 yard back, and there are pretty good weapons on the outside as well. The defense is led by LB Supreme Patrick Willis and they move to the ball as well as any defense in the league. It also helps that every other team in the NFC West is garbage. 10-6.

2. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals let Anquan Boldin walk in the off season and recently released their "starting" QB Matt Leinart. Defensively they lost Myron Rolle and Karlos Dansby. Oh, but they still have Larry Fitzgerald and up and coming Beanie Wells. They picked up Joey Porter, but I don't see him being enough for the defense. Just like the 49ers, they play in the NFC West which leaves them with a chance. 9-7 and Larry Fitzgerald will call Kurt Warner every day and beg him to come back.

3. Seattle Seahawks

Dear Seahawk fans,

We recently acquired Pete Carroll as your new head coach. We know that he has had no success in the NFL, but we promise you he's going to give it his best effort. Along with knowing he's had no success, we have given him full control on all personnel decisions. We regret to inform you that Mr. Carroll has not yet named a starting running back, and he also let go of T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Do not fret Seahawk fans, Matt Hasselbeck is STILL our starter even though he hasn't been healthy in 4 years. We want to show our players the same loyalty we show you. We did have one big signing in the offseason though. We traded for Charlie Whitehurst!!! He's our new starting backup quarterback. Thank you Seahawk fans. We promise you that if you stick with us for the next 4-7 years, we will be good again.

Sincerely,
The Proud Owners of the 4-12 2010 Seattle Seahawks

4. St. Louis Rams

This is the last team I'm writing about, and I'm glad it's the Rams. They are terrible. They have a rookie QB, and not ONE wide receiver that would start on another NFL team. Maybe not even college programs. Their big move was to trade for the Cowboys 3rd string linebacker Bobby Carpenter. That will really make a difference. I truly feel sorry for Steven Jackson and the poor saps that purchase this team. Just because it's late and I think the Rams are that bad, I say they will go 0-16. The End.


I hope you all enjoy the posts, and let me know if you have any objections. I'm sure some of you Rams fans will. If there even are any. I don't know of one.

2010 NFL Preview

It's that time of the year again. When the grass on Friday nights smells different from any other day. When Saturdays are spent glued to the TV, just waiting for that magical moment you want to tell your kids about. When Sundays are spent avoiding your significant other, just to get out of doing chores. IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON. It is definitely my favorite sport, and my favorite time of the year. I cannot be happier right now.

Every year, I write my season predictions for the NFL season. The only difference is, this year, I'll be publishing for the world to see. (Probably just the 4 people that might happen to read this.) Anyway, here are my picks! Let me know what you think.


American Football Conference

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots

Wes Welker is supposedly healthy. That makes me think the Patriots offense will be just fine. Although they have a pedestrian run game, at best, the passing game is very efficient. The defense is in a bit of a rebuilding mode, but that's what Belichick does best. His team will yet again be atop the AFC East. I see them finishing the year out at 11-5.

2. New York Jets

I feel like I am the only person on the planet who didn't buy into the Jets "success" last year. The only reason they were even in the playoffs were because the Colts and the Bengals rolled over and allowed them to win. Although I agree that their defense is second to none, I don't believe their offense will be able to win them enough games to be an elite team this year. Mark Sanchez looks to have improved this offseason, but that's not saying much after throwing for 12 TD's and 20 INT's last year. The recent signing of Darrelle Revis shored up the defensive unit for another chance, but I see them coming up just short of a division title. Look for the Jets to finish the year at 9-7 for the second straight year.

3. Miami Dolphins

Yes, they signed Brandon Marshall and Karlos Dansby. Brandon Marshall will be catching balls from a VERY unproven QB in Chad Henne, and Dansby is a good linebacker, not a great one. I believe the offense does improve with Marshall, I just don't see him being a huge offensive threat in such a run heavy offense and a QB that is in his 1st full season as a starter. The defense will be improved, with two young corners who I think will be very good this year. Dolphins finish the year at 9-7.

4. Buffalo Bills

I really don't even want to write about the Bills. They have no QB. They have no offensive line. Their defense isn't good. At all. The only bright spot on their roster is C.J. Spiller, and he won't be that successful due to the items previously mentioned. I say the Bills finish the year at 4-12. Jake Locker, welcome to Buffalo.


AFC NORTH

1. Cincinnati Bengals

Yes, I am drinking the Bengals Kool-Aid. They have a great running game and a combination of 2 fantastic receivers. Add rookie Jordan Shipley in the slot, and Jermaine Gresham at TE and you have what could easily be the most prolific offense in all of football. Cedric Benson had a coming out party last year and I don't see him going away anytime soon. The defense under Mike Zimmer was very good last year, and they have the best duo of corners in football as well. The only question marks for this team are their pass blocking, and their ability to get to the quarterback. Antwan Odom was very impressive early in the season last year until going out with an achilles injury. Roy Williams has slimmed down and appears to be ready to play football again for the first time in 5 years. All that being said, the Cincinnati Bengals are my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. I see them going 12-4 on the season.

2. Baltimore Ravens

Joe Flacco. Ray Rice. Anquan Boldin. T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Those are the reasons to love the Ravens this year. However, I am not sold on their defense. I know that sounds absolutely insane, but the secondary is a shell of it's former self. If Ed Reed was healthy, I would be more inclined to have the Ravens go farther this year. The front 7 for the Ravens is still stellar, but getting very long in the tooth. Ray Lewis is in his 15th year, and Terrell Suggs looks like he's even older than Ray. I'm just not sold on this team like everyone else. Ravens go 10-6 purely off offensive firepower and earn a Wild Card birth.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger has screwed the Steelers. His 4 game suspension can have one of two effects on this team. They can either be so far behind in the division upon his return that they're done for the season, or his return will rejuvenate the team and they'll finish strong. I'm going with the former. The defense will be excellent, yet again, but it's very possible the run game won't be the Steelers strength once again, and with the loss of Santonio Holmes in the off-season the passing game won't be very strong. Steelers finish out 10-6, but miss the playoffs.

4. Cleveland Browns

Jake Delhomme is the answer Cleveland fans!!! Clearly no one buys that, so I don't understand why they're trying. Mike Holmgren has too good of a football mind to believe it either. We'll see Colt McCoy by Week 8. Joshua Cribbs is a waste in Cleveland and only has a real effect on special teams. Jerome Harrison is a flash in the pan in my opinion as well, so fantasy owners, I hope you didn't draft him. I don't know why you would consider drafting any Cleveland player except Jamal Lewis. He retired? Ok. Cleveland is irrelevant currently in the NFL. They will go 3-13.


AFC SOUTH

1. Indianapolis Colts

They'll go 12-4 this year. Ho hum. Manning will throw for 4,500 yards and 40 TD's. Just another year in the Midwest. The real question here is whether or not Bob Sanders will play more than 4 games. If he does, the Colts will be in the AFC Championship, if not, they'll go to the Divisional round. Either way, no one in the division has the firepower to match up with the Colts.

2. Tennessee Titans

They're young on defense. Their QB is possibly bi-polar. They have Chris Johnson. The Titans are a threat in the AFC this year. Believe me. Jeff Fisher is also the most under-appreciated coach in all of football. His players seem to love him and they play hard for him. Vince Young brings a whole new dimension to the offense, and that was apparent last year. Chris Johnson will probably run for 2,000 yards again and the Titans will make the postseason. I admit, this is my "I can't explain it, I just see it happening" pick. Titans go 11-5 and win the Wild Card.

3. Houston Texans

Oh the Texans. They just can't seem to get over the hump. Matt Schaub is a good QB and they have the best receiver in all of football in Andre Johnson. They have a serviceable defense, but I feel like they're going to go 8-8. Again. I really don't know what it is about this team that keeps them from winning, it's just in their nature. I kind of hope they surprise me a little bit though.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

They're bad. Maurice Jones-Drew is hurt. I don't see him playing more than 4 games this year. They'll go 3-13. Maybe 5-11 if MJD is actually healthy. (Sorry, I just don't see the point of writing about this team. They're that bad.)


AFC WEST

1. San Diego Chargers

The Chargers win by default. The whole team seems to be in disarray right now not having contracts with Marcus McNeill or Vincent Jackson. They let their leader of the past 10 years walk to New York and their offensive hopes ride on Ryan Mathews. Bad decision on their part. The defense will probably be a little better than last year, but lucky for them, they're in a terrible division. 10-6.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have weapons. I can't believe I said it either. Jamaal Charles looks to be a legit RB in the NFL and hopefully Thomas Jones can help the kid out. The o-line looks to be improved this year and Matt Cassel isn't that bad. Dwayne Bowe has shed some pounds, and Chris Chambers refuses to go away. I just have a sneaking suspicion about this team. If they get hot, they could overtake the Chargers. It's unlikely, but possible. 8-8 is my best guess for these guys.

3. Oakland Raiders

Jason Campbell is a decent quarterback. He was wrongfully treated in Washington and I hope he plays with a huge chip on his shoulders. Too bad he doesn't have a great receiving corp. Zach Miller will probably be his best friend by the 2nd half in Sunday's game. I'm partial to the guy, but I see Darren McFadden having a breakout year. The defense will be good with rookie Rolando McClain at linebacker. Nmadi Asomugha is probably the best overall defensive player in the league. 7-9. The end.

4. Denver Broncos

I despise Josh McDaniels. He is a simple carbon copy of Bill Belichick and none of his players seem to like him. The Broncos are a terrible football team and it will show. Kyle Orton is not a good quarterback. Tim Tebow is not going to be a good quarterback in the NFL. I know that if a lot of people read this, I would probably be burned alive for writing that. Broncos go 5-11. At best.

Tune in tomorrow for my NFC predictions.

Saying Bye to "The Kid"

One of my favorite athletes of all-time just retired. I've watched Ken Griffey Jr. play baseball since I was a small boy, so you can only imagine that when I heard the news last week, I was utterly in shock. It still hasn't hit me that "The Kid" just abruptly ended his 22-year career in the middle of a season. But that's Junior for you. He never was one to beg for the spotlight. He never took the big money in New York or Boston, but instead signed a long contract with the Cincinnati Reds, where he thought he would end his career.

Junior was one of a kind. When he came into the league in 1989, he took the world by storm. No one had seen the likes of him since the great Willie Mays, and he did not disappoint. Griffey was one of the few players who wasn't wrapped up in the Steroid Era in baseball during the 1990's, and I think that may have kept him from breaking a lot of records. I looked at his career games log and calculated that he missed over 600 games due to injury. That's over 3 seasons of baseball we didn't get to see from him.

His career numbers are as follows:
.284 AVG
2,781 Hits
630 HR's (4th all-time. I do not count Bonds' 762)
1,836 RBI
524 2B's
.907 OPS

Think about what he could do if he had played 3 more HEALTHY seasons at that pace. He easily gets 3,000 hits. He shatters Hank Aaron's home run record, and would finish with well over 2,000 RBI.

People don't give Ken Griffey Jr. the credit he truly deserves when looking at his career. He was one of the hardest workers on and off the field, which is most of the reason he was injured. He broke his ankle flying into a wall. He made diving catch, after diving catch on the Astroturf in Seattle for all those years. The man was the true definition of a "5 Tool Player".

It is my humble opinion that Ken Griffey Jr. was the greatest baseball player to ever step on the field, and sadly we didn't get to see all of what he was capable. No one will ever be able to change my mind of that.

Welcome to me!

Welcome to "The Era of Sports." I've avoided doing this for quite some time, but after graduating and not having a job, I've decided to start something that I really enjoy: Talking/writing about sports. So that's what you're going to get here. I'll give my opinion on breaking news, upcoming seasons, mid-season reports, trades, etc. I will preface the rest of my blog by letting you know that I do have biased opinions, but I will do my best to not let them get in the way. I'll leave those for "real life." I hope that you enjoy reading this, but let's be honest, you'll hate it. With that said, be looking for my first official post very, very soon.

Sincerely,

The Era of Sports

p.s. - Always feel free to comment on posts, whether you love them or hate them. I'll probably disagree if you hate them though... just sayin'.