2009 NFC Season Outlook

Here it is June, and I am sick. It can’t be cabin fever considering it is 85 degrees out and I have been working outside. Finally, I was able to self diagnose my illness while standing in the magazine aisle at Wegman’s the other night.

There I was, diving into fantasy football magazines when it hit me. I have football fever, and it is a bad case. Can’t be cured until September!

So, I began self medicating the other night by scouring over the 2009 season reviews and thinking about how it will play out. Below are team-by-team projections, and I even get into premature playoff pictures. I told you I had a bad case.

NFC North

1. Chicago Bears (10-6)

They have a brutal schedule, but their easy games are easy. Cutler will love playing with a defense behind him. In a division where anyone has a shot (remember the 2008 Dolphins before you slaughter the Lions), the addition of Culter and emergence of Forte are enough to propel them.

 

2. Green Bay Packers (9-7)

Rodgers proved that the administration was on to something when they felt not much would be lost from the quarterback position without Favre. They are talented enough to win the division, but the mix of Cutler, defense, and Forte are worth one more win.

 

3. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)

That is with or without Brett. Favre would be a great upgrade (and he will play if health allows), but in my estimation they over-achieved in 2008.

 

4. Detroit Lions (4-12).

A 400% win increase. They’ve put some pieces in place, but about 15 more are needed. Just enjoy watching Calvin Johnson. I’d keep your eyes on Pettigrew (Stafford’s Heath Miller) and Kevin Smith (solid back). Then again, why would you tune in to them in the first place?

 

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)

This is always the toughest division to figure out. My thinking here is simply this: the best receivers are gone from both the Giants and Cowboys.

Granted, the Giants added Nicks, who is similar to Burress, but the Eagles return their core and added playmakers in Ellis Hobbs and LeSean McCoy. Loved McCoy in college (fastest I have ever seen live), and perfect fit for the Eagles offense.

 

2. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

Again, the loss of T.O. will hurt on the field. Roy Williams is no slouch, but he is not T.O. either. DeMarcus Ware and that defense will get them 10 wins.

 

3. New York Giants (8-8)

I just don’t see Nicks stepping in to make Eli forget about the loss of Plaxico. The ground game is incredible behind what is perhaps the best line in football, but you cannot tell me that Hixon, Smith, and Sinorice Moss are suppose to stretch the field and give Jacobs room to run.

Even if they do eek into the playoffs, a one-dimensional offense is dangerous.

4. Washington Redskins (6-10)

Washington could win a divisional title in nearly any division except this one. I, like ownership, am not sold on Campbell. Could that lead to a possible Vick appearance? Wow would the activists in the D.C. area have a field day with that.

Albert Haynesworth can help keep the backs in this division in check, and their losses will be close ones—as usual with this division.

 

NFC South

1. Carolina Panthers (10-6)

In a division where the crown annually changes hands, I expect the Panthers or Falcons to emerge. I am betting the Panthers will hold on because of the superior duo in the backfield and a defense just a tad more formidable than that of Atlanta and New Orleans.

 

2. Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

I like Matt Ryan and what they have in place there. I’m just expecting a small pullback only because of the rough division. It will be interesting to see what Tony Gonzalez’s stat line looks like at the end of the year.

3. New Orleans Saints (7-9)

Probably the most potent offense in the NFC continues to be hindered by their sub par defense. As this division has shown, defense is a must to take the lead.

Brees will throw for ridiculous numbers, and their multi-talented back will have a great season, just not quite enough until that pesky defense is shored up. By the way, that back I speak of is Pierre Thomas—jump off the Bush bandwagon if you are still on it.

 

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-11)

They found themselves in control of the division after 11 weeks last season, then stumbled home and missed the playoffs. Their fiery leader and winning quarterback left, while the rest of the team, including an aging defense, was purged.

This will be a vastly different team that we are used to seeing, and they will take their growing pains.

 

NFC West

1. Arizona Cardinals (10-6)

This is no reflection of their 2008 season. I wanted to pick the Seahawks, but I just can’t do it with Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett as lead runners. In addition, the Cardinals have upgraded at the running back position while managing to keep all the other pieces in tact.

Their defense is vastly underrated and they should control their divisional games.

2. Seattle Seahawks (8-8)

I really like the additions of Housmandzadeh and Curry on defense. They will compete within the division for a short while, but an upgrade in the running game is needed before they control the west again.

A 30th ranked defense isn’t helpful either, but that was partly due to them constantly being put in harm’s way.

3. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

Another rough season by the Bay. They cannot continue to let this lack of new blood at quarterback continue to weigh them down, but they are again in 2009. We have seen it time and time again, inconsistency at the quarterback position leads to prolonged failure.

 

4. St. Louis Rams (5-11)

Oh boy. One-time great at QB, a current great at RB, zero wide-outs that I would fret over if I played CB, and a fresh LT taking over for Orlando Pace. Not to mention the 28th ranked defense from 2008 with no major improvements.

Luckily, they do have a defense mindful and power attack coach in Spagnuolo. Also lucky, the Cardinals will be playing in meaningful games in October, the Rams may not be.

 

Playoffs (winners in italics)

Wildcard

No. 6 Falcons at No. 3 Bears

No. 5 Cowboys at No.4 Cardinals

byes: No. 1 Eagles and No. 2 Panthers

 

Divisional

No. 3 Bears at No. 2 Panthers

No. 5 Cowboys at No. 1 Eagles

 

Championship

#3 Bears at No. 1 Eagles

 

From my point of view, there is no great team from the NFC with a golden ticket to the playoffs. I like many teams from the East, and Atlanta and Carolina have chances to be super teams. In any event, someone is sure to emerge, and as the NFL has demonstrated, it could be anyone… even the Lions.

Feedback from this type of thing is always interesting, and your comments are invited. Don’t be shy, I am stubbornly Irish and well equipped to absorb your criticism and disagreements.

All I ask is that you make valid cases for your arguments. And no, “Tony Romo is awesome” is not a valid argument.

One last thing. Should you be expecting the AFC version soon? No. I try to be objective, but my team plays in the NFC—the AFC is of no concern to me. Actually, Collin Vetter, a friend who can be found on B/R, will handle the other half.

Go easy on him, he is from Philly. Unfortunate…. I know. On second thought, let him have it—Philly fans would.

Top Five Fantasy Picks—Pt. 5: NFC Wide Receivers

The wide receiver position is nearly as deep as the Pacific in the National Football Conference and just as perilous to dive into for fantasy owners.

Some notable receivers have changed teams (T.J. Houshmandzadeh), or coaches (Calvin Johnson). Others have a quarterback coming back from off-season surgery (Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald). Then, in the case of Roy Williams (pictured), there are just too many question marks to make it worth gambling on him anywhere near the top of the draft.

There is much guesswork involved in forecasting this conferences receivers. The constants, facts, projections and a fantasy crystal ball have led to the unveiling of 2009’s top five fantasy picks in the NFC. Make sure they are on your board.

Why It’s Better to Be a Good Returner Than a Great Returner

While it might seem ridiculous, it really is better to be just a good special teams returner, than a great one.

But how can this possibly be true?

Well let me start by saying that a special teams returner is the only position that can practically be completely taken out of the game by the other team.

The two greatest kick returners in my mind are Dante Hall and Devin Hester. As I was watching the top 10 kick returners of all-time, on the NFL network, I was surprised to see Dante Hall at number 10.

According to the NFL Network, Dante Hall was number 10 because his career as a great returner was so short. However, how can a man who is tied for second all-time in return touchdowns be number 10?

Dante Hall’s 12 regular season return touchdowns (13 including postseason) are tied for the second most all-time. However, nine of these came in a three year period from 02-04.

It seemed as though, especially early in the 03 season when Dante Hall had four straight return touchdowns in four games, and was even the front runner for the MVP award, that he was destined for greatness. Hall was on pace to shatter the touchdown return record and it looked like nothing could stop him.

However, Dante Hall was so dominant that it backfired. For the rest of the season and the next few seasons, Dante Hall would rarely get any real opportunities to return the ball for a touchdown. Whenever he did get the opportunity to run the ball back, it was generally a very short kick, with no room to run.

You could blatantly see Dante Hall’s frustrations after every play because he was no longer able to do the one thing he excelled so much at. Although, it was disappointing, the Chiefs didn’t mind it that much because they were getting great field positions from all of the short punts and kickoffs.

Dante Hall, although not as dominant after his four game touchdown streak in 03, still did what a kick returner is suppose to do. He gave great field position to his team.

A returners’ team’s field position is a stat that truly tells how great a kick returner is. The problem is that this stat is virtually impossible to find.

After a couple years went by, Dante Hall eventually was no longer that “x factor” he once was. It seemed as though the lack of touches on the ball, and the frustrations of not being able to be the “x factor”, had taken a toll on him.

Dante Hall didn’t seem like he was having any fun anymore, and was putting too much pressure on himself. Teams realized that he was no longer as good as he was before, and people started kicking to him like they did before.

But by then, Dante Hall wasn’t the same player he was once. He had lost his so called “Mojo”.

In the past two seasons, injuries have kept Dante Hall, who is currently a St. Louis Ram, out for most of the last two seasons. At one time Dante Hall was destined for greatness, but he was robbed of it by being too great.

If he was not great, but was just good like the number two player on the top 10 list, Brian Mitchell, he wouldn’t have been the number 10 player on the list.

Brian Mitchell never had more than two touchdown returns in one season and never had to worry about not getting a good return. He lasted 13 years as a solid kick returner and ended it with 14 career return touchdowns, which is the most all-time.

Was Brian Mitchell really a more dominant return man then Dante Hall?

The answer is obviously no. Dante Hall is not getting the recognition he deserves as great return man, and you have to fear that Devin Hester who is number one on the NFL network list, may not in the future either.

Devin Hester, who currently is third behind Dante Hall for the most return touchdowns all time was number one on the list.

I can’t really disagree with that, but his career is looking like it could shape up to be similar to Dante Hall’s.

While Dante Hall may have had the greatest four game stretch ever, Devin Hester clearly had the best two year stretch of any returner with 11 return touchdowns in two seasons, despite having only 20 kickoff returns in his first season.

However, for the last season and a half, like Hall, Hester had stopped getting the ball as much, and when he did, just like Hall had, their was no room to run.

Hester had zero return touchdowns last year. I fear that Hester, like Hall, was too great in his first two seasons. Hester has a chance to redeem himself this year, but history tell us that Hester most likely won’t ever be the “x factor” he once was.

Five years from now, it could be Hall at number 10 and Hester at number nine on that list, despite how unfair it may be.

Sometimes greatness really can be a curse.

Original article can be found at sportsscribes.net

Building The Perfect NFL Player: Running Back

By Ryan of The Sportmeisters

During one of our recent Happy Hour podcasts, a guest mentioned in the chat about having a coach that was a combination of task master and players coach. Well, that got me to thinking, what about putting together the perfect NFL player? Over the next two weeks, I’m going to break down every NFL position (QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, CB, S) and, taking current NFL Rosters only, will build the perfect NFL player. Today’s look will be at building the perfect Running Back.

Head: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Peterson’s stats could fill in for almost any part of this list, but it’s the vision he possesses that is his greatest quality. In college at the University of Oklahoma, Peterson used that vision to amass three straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons, and was notable for some long runs, including a career-long 84-yard scamper his freshman season, and a 53-yard touchdown run while a junior. Despite injuries, he has a knack for finding the holes set by his line and getting through it quickly, all while looking at the next level. That has contributed to a 5.6 yard per carry average as a rookie, and a 4.8 yard-per-carry average the following season. As a rookie, he had six games where he rushed for at least 20 yards on a carry, including three rushes of over fifty yards. He built on that during his sophomore campaign, with 12 games with a carry of over 20 yards. His speed does contribute to getting him the distance, but it’s his ability to see the second level with the Linebackers and Secondary, and have them looking silly by the time he gets past them.

Hands: LaDanian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

Another back whose body parts could fill in anywhere on this list, the NFL single season rushing touchdown leader has perfect hands that you always want touching the rock. As a threat in the backfield and as a receiving option, Tomlinson gives opponents fits thanks to his durability. Teams now regularly look for Running Backs who can contribute in both aspects, and that is a testament to the style of back Tomlinson is. While as a runner, he’s hit 1,000 yards every season, he’s also caught the ball at least fifty times a season, culminating in a career high 100 catches in the 2003 season, another NFL record. He also became the second player in NFL history to record 1,800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a season (2006), which he shares with retired NFL Superstar Tiki Barber. It’s not just the ability to catch that makes him such a threat, but when Tomlinson has the ball, he doesn’t let go. Five of his seasons have seen him with three or fewer fumbles, including zero fumbles in 2007. Tomlinson is a mold unlike any other, but his hands help give him that dual threat capability.

Body: Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants

An NFL team is best when it has two different backs. A shifty, small, speed guy, and a big bruising back. What happens when the big bruising back is also a speedy guy? You get Brandon Jacobs. The “Earth” in the New York Giants “Earth, Wind, and Fire” rushing attack, the 6’4’’, 264 pound bruiser also runs the 40 in a respectable 4.5, giving him an extra addition. He started as the second banana, the bruiser to Tiki Barber’s speed in New York, before taking over the bulk of the duties in 2006. Since then, he’s only powered himself forward to two straight 1,000 yard seasons. That’s partly thanks to a five yard per carry rushing average each year, mainly because it takes two or three guys to knock him down, which usually allows Jacobs to hit the second level before teams pile on top of him. His size and his power helped earn him the nickname “The Juggernaut” and the perfect NFL body to punish defenses with.

Legs: Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

They say speed kills, and Chris Johnson kills teams with his speed, which is why his legs are perfect in building an NFL player. Fourth in the nation with a 10.66 100m in college, Johnson epitomizes the speed NFL teams love to have complement the bruiser back (see above). At the NFL combine, Johnson ran a blazing 4.24 in the 40 yard dash, which stands today as the fastest ever for a running back. He parlayed that speed into a first round pick with the Tennessee Titans, and is still running hard. In his rookie campaign, Johnson rushed for 1,228 yards, including four games in which he had a carry over twenty yards. His 81.9 yards per game was tops among all rookies in 2008. With the speed Johnson carries, he’ll be keeping defenses in his dust for years to come.

Intangibles: Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys

Any of the running backs mentioned above would meet this need, but Barber stands out among them all. Despite being platooned in a running back by committee in Dallas, where he has yet to reach 1,000 yards in a season, Barber epitomizes a running back mantra in getting the “extra yard”. He holds the NFL record with seven broken tackles in one play, and led the NFL with 28 broken tackles during the 2008 season. When it comes to needing one yard, any of the players we’ve spoken about can get that yard, but few get the one yard, and then some, like Marion the Barbarian.

There are a number of running backs, all who fit different needs. Whether it’s a speed guy, a power back, someone with great hands, or a “Wildcat” option, finding the perfect running back requires a combination of a lot of different techniques. From Brandon Jacobs’s body to Chris Johnson’s speed, Adrian Peterson’s vision to LaDanian Tomlinson’s hands, put together by the determination of Marion Barber, this is a running back that will win games for any team.

The 10 Best Tight Ends Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Our position-by-position look at the best eligible players not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame continues with a rundown of the best tight ends that have not earned a trip to Canton.

Choosing which tight ends deserve immortality in the Hall of Fame is a difficult challenge.

In general, you would expect the best tight ends to be exceptional receivers and powerful blockers. However, few tight ends can truly be called “great” in both areas.

Instead, most tight ends either are great blockers and adequate receivers or, as is the case more often in the last couple decades, great receivers and average blockers.

The Hal of Fame voters waited until 1988 to finally induct a tight end and it remains the least represented position with a total of seven players honored in the Hall.

The first two tight ends to enter the Hall of Fame were arguably the two that best epitomized the requisite combination of blocking and receiving prowess. Mike Ditka and John Mackey were the dominant tight ends of the 1960s as they combined for 10 Pro Bowl appearances and five first-team All-Pro honors.

The next three tight ends inducted into the Hall of Fame, Jackie Smith, Kellen Winslow and Ozzie Newsome were all recognized for their receiving prowess.

While few argued the merits of the sixth tight end inducted into the Hall of Fame, Dave Casper, there was some question of his worthiness because his tenure as a premier player in the league was relatively short.

The induction of Charlie Sanders into the HOF in 2007 caught many people off guard. Sanders had been a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro for mediocre Detroit Lions teams in the 1970s, but his career stats were considered pedestrian and he was never a Hall of Fame finalist before being chosen as a Senior Nominee and ultimately inducted in 2007.

Using statistics to validate the worthiness of a tight end for the Hall of Fame is an exercise in futility. Even tight ends from the same era can have very different levels of offensive production.

Some teams, like the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s, have used the tight end predominantly as another blocker.

In 1973, the Buffalo Bills used the seventh overall pick in the draft to select Paul Seymour, an offensive tackle out of Michigan. They then moved Seymour to tight end and over the next five years he caught only 62 passes, but was a key blocker on the unit that helped O.J. Simpson win three rushing titles between 1973 and 1977.

Other teams have used the tight end as another pass receiver who may sometimes line up in the traditional tight end spot on the line of scrimmage, but often is split out like a flanker.

Don Coryell and the San Diego Chargers forever changed the way tight ends were used when they took the long and lanky Kellen Winslow and made him their receiving tight end. Winslow caught 541 passes in nine seasons while giving Dan Fouts a third dynamic receiving option.

You will see one recurring theme in the players selected as the 10 best not in the Hall of Fame. All of them, regardless of in which era they played, caught more passes in their careers than both John Mackey and Charlie Sanders.

In fact, of the 25 tight ends chosen for this overall list, only six have fewer career receptions than Sanders (336 receptions) or Mackey (331).

As has been the case with all positions, I tried to base my selections first and foremost on how the players compared with others from the same era. How many times was he an All-Pro or Pro Bowl player, how many times was he among the top receiving tight ends in the league, how integral was he to the offensive attack for his team.

Trying to use prowess specifically as a blocker was a challenge because the actual amount of blocking done by each tight end varies greatly and is difficult to quantify.

So, here is my list of the top 10 eligible tight ends not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I look forward to your comments, discussion, and disagreements.

Baltimore Ravens’ Defense: What To Expect in ’09

The 2008 Raven’s had a lot to be proud of, especially the defense. There are now some holes to be filled on the team with several offseason losses, Corey Ivy, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard. This is an overview of the replacements and the returners.

I will use the most state-of-the-art and high-tech stat projecting and grading system, also know as my noggin.

 

Cornerbacks

No. 22 Samari Rolle

Strengths: Coverage, pass blocking

Weaknesses: Age, tackling

Grade: B-

Projected stats: 35 tackles, five deflections, one interception. 11 INT yards

 

No. 31 Fabian Washington

Strengths: Speed, coverage, pass blocking

Weaknesses: Small stature, tackling

Grade: B

Projected stats: 33 tackles, seven deflections, three interceptions, .5 sacks, 75 INT yards

 

No. 24 Domonique Foxworth

Strengths: Speed, pass blocking, coverage, tackling

Weaknesses: Small stature

Grade: B+

Projected Stats: 41 tackles, seven deflections, three interceptions, one sack, 83 INT yards

 

No. 29 Chris Carr

Strengths: Speed, kick/punt returns, special teams

Weaknesses: Coverage, tackling

Grade: Returns: A; Corner: B-

Projected stats: 32 attempts, 780 yards, one touchdown; no cornerback play

 

Safeties

No. 28 Tom Zibikowski, SS

Strengths: Tackling, kick/punt returns, speed

Weaknesses: Coverage

Grade: Returns: B+; Strong safety: B

Projected stats: 27 attempts, 505 yards; five tackles.

 

No. 43 Haruki Nakamura, FS

Strengths: Hitting, tackling, coverage, speed, deflections, special teams, blitzing

Weaknesses: Inexperienced

Grade: A-

Projected stats: 22 tackles, five deflections, two interceptions, 32 INT yards, 2.5 sacks

 

No. 26 Dawan Landry, SS

Strengths: Hitting, tackling, speed, deflections, intercepting, blitzing, special teams, coverage

Weaknesses: Returning after neck injury

Grade: A+

Projected stats: 38 tackles, 10 deflections, five interceptions, 50 INT yards, one touchdown, three sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries. Pro Bowl selection.

 

No. 20 Ed Reed, FS

Strengths: Coverage, speed, intercepting, INT returns, takeaways, fumbles, blitzing, deflections, hitting, tackling, special teams.

Weaknesses: None

Grade: A++

Projected stats: 45 tackles, 10 deflections, 11 interceptions, 100 INT yards, three touchdowns, 3.5 sacks, one blocked punt. Pro Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year

 

Defensive Linemen

No. 93 Dwan Edwards

Strengths: Pass rushing, speed, tackling

Weaknesses: Pass blocking, blitzing

Grade: B

Projected stats: 15 tackles, one for a loss

 

No. 94 Justin Bannan

Strengths: Pass rushing, blitzing, tackling

Weaknesses: Speed, pass blocking

Grade: B+

Projected stats: 23 tackles, three for a loss, 1.5 sacks

 

No. 90 Trevor Pryce

Strengths: Blitzing, tackling, pass rushing, pass blocking, speed

Weaknesses: Age

Grade: A

Projected stats: 35 tackles, five for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble

 

No. 97 Kelly Gregg

Strengths: Pass rushing, pass blocking, blitzing, tackling

Weaknesses: Speed, age

Grade A-

Projected stats 40 tackles, four for a loss, 3.5 sacks

 

No. 92 Haloti Ngata

Strengths: Pass blocking, pass rushing, tackling, blitzing

Weaknesses: Speed

Grade: A

Projected stats: 49 tackles, six for a loss, six sacks, one interception, zero INT yards, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery.

 

Linebackers

No. 50 Antwaan Barnes

Strengths: Speed, pass rushing, tackling, special teams

Weaknesses: Pass blocking, blitzing, coverage

Grade: B-

Projected stats: 27 tackles, .5 sacks

 

No. 56 Tavares Gooden

Strengths: Pass rushing, blitzing, tackling, speed

Weaknesses: Inexperienced, pass blocking,

Grade: B

Projected stats: 24 tackles, two for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble

 

No. 53 Jameel McClain

Strengths: Pass rushing, pass blocking, blitzing, tackling, safeties, special teams

Weaknesses: Inexperienced, speed, coverage

Grade: B

Projected stats: 40 tackles, three for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one safety

 

No. 51 Brendon Ayanbendejo

Strengths: Tackling, hitting speed, pass rushing, blitzing, special teams

Weaknesses: Pass blocking, coverage

Grade: B+

Projected stats: 48 tackles, two forced fumbles, one sack, Pro Bowl Special Teamer

 

No. 95 Jarrett Johnson

Strengths: Pass rushing, pass blocking, tackling, blitzing, intercepting, coverage

Weaknesses: Speed

Grade: A-

Projected stats: 57 tackles, two deflections three for a loss, six sacks, one interception, five INT yards, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery

 

No. 52 Ray Lewis

Strengths: Leadership, hitting, tackling, pass rushing, pass blocking, blitzing, coverage, speed, intercepting,

Weaknesses: Age

Grade: A+

Projected stats: 62 tackles, five for a loss, four deflections, 7.5 sacks, two interceptions, 25 INT yards, two forced fumbles, Pro-Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro

 

No. 55 Terrell Suggs

Strengths: Tackling, hitting, blitzing, pass rushing, pass blocking, intercepting, coverage

Weaknesses: None

Grade: A+

Projected stats: 68 tackles, five deflections, 13.5 sacks, two interceptions, one touchdown, 38 INT yards, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery. Pro Bowl selection, First Team All-Pro

 

Well, there you have it. An overview of all the playmakers on the Ravens defense. As for team rankings and how they compare with others, I have that for you as well:

Yards per game: Second

Points per game: First

Against the run: Second

Against the pass: Third

Takeaways: First

Scoring: First

Overall league ranking: Second. As much as I hate the Steelers, there is no denying that they are absolutely loaded on defense, and haven’t changed much in the offseason.

Predicted record: 10-6 or 11-5. They have a murderous schedule this year, but they have the personnel to overcome it.

I hope you found this informative, feel free to leave any comments, questions or concerns, or if you just want to blast me with hate.

With Brett Favre All but a Minnesota Viking, Can They Follow Him?

Very often these days, many people overlook the chemistry necessary for a team to coexist and function. Super Bowl teams make or break not in Week Seven or Eight, but in training camp where the unity of a team is formed.

The Vikings are likely headed into its biggest season of the new millennium. The team features Adrian Peterson, potentially the most dangerous running back since Eric Dickerson, and Bernard Berrian, one of the most up-and-rising receivers in the past few years. Toss in a Hall of Fame quarterback and on paper this offense has the potential to be the most explosive team in the league.

Although, the biggest battle this team will face is being able to not only play consistently against big name teams like Baltimore and Pittsburgh, but to be able to follow a leader that has spent almost half of his natural life defying them. On top of that, other players have already made their opinions known on what they think of the Favre (to-be) signing.

Deep-threat receiver Bernard Berrian made his immediate interest well known. Rookie Percy Harvin endorsed Favre, being a long-time fan.

Defensive end phenom Jared Allen even said that it would be an honor to play on the same team as Favre. Purple Jesus (Adrian Peterson) himself has rolled out the welcome mat.

However, players like linebacker Chad Greenway might have a little different perspective and could create a drama-filled training camp as players take “sides.” Greenway made public his mistrust for Favre, considering his 16 years of service to the Vikings cross-border rival, the Green Bay Packers. Greenway also cited Favre’s disposition which has been wavering on-off for about four years now.

Now, suppose that Greenway isn’t the only player with these views. Suppose a divide occurs. With such a divide, could Minnesota possibly be its own worst enemy?

Although not many are considering this, it would prudent to say it isn’t going to happen in some fashion. With that said, what can we expect heading into camp?

Civil war? Chaos? Or will the Vikings come together like they’ve been known to as a “land of the misfit players” that somehow find success in purple?

Only July will tell.

Willie McGinest Back To New England?

Lawrence Jackson: Seahawks No-Name Player to Watch in 2009

Continuing the series of no-name Seahawks players that fans should watch out for takes us to 2008 first-round pick Lawrence Jackson.

Jackson had an “OK” season in 2008, but not exactly the type of season he could have had. Now that Jackson is in his second season in the NFL, Seahawk fans and the coaching staff are going to need Jackson to make a name for himself.

Jackson is one of many talented defensive ends on the Seahawks line, along with Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tapp, and Cory Redding.

In training camp and during the preseason, Jackson is going to have to bust his tail off to get the starting right end job over Redding, Tapp, and others, because Kerney is going to be the starting left end.

Now, Jackson doesn’t need to have a Pro Bowl season to make a name for himself, but having 30-40 tackles and 5-8 sacks would fit right in on the Seahawks’ defensive line.  

Why July 3 Would Be the Perfect Time for a Brett Favre Signing

It seems all is quiet on the Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings issue, for a change.

However, talk that reporters having nothing to write about might just be the calm before the storm that is an official Favre-to-the-Vikings contract announcement. 

The buzz is this week might be the perfect time to for the Vikings organization to announce the signing. More specifically Friday, July 3, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com mentioned recently when looking over events in the near future. 

Florio gave good reasons for this prediction—ones that I could not disagree with because they make very good sense.

First of all, with the news last week that the future Hall of Fame quarterback was in Eden Prairie, Minn. getting his right arm evaluated after surgery in May, many would think that was a good time for the Vikings to end this never-ending story.

There was just one problem.

Head coach Brad Childress was on vacation with his buddy Andy Reid, the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. Childress worked under Reid as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator before being hired as the Vikings head coach in 2006.

So that was a good indication that a Brett Favre press conference was not likely.

What about the weekend of July 10?

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Childress’ daughter is getting married on July 11, so don’t expect any deal to be reported then. I am sure Cara Childress would never forgive her father for that one.

The team could announce the deal the following two weeks but it is pretty clear that this would not be in the best interest of the organization for two reasons:

1. This would cause a stir in the media too close to training camp. It might be a better plan to get the fireworks over sooner rather than later so players at camp aren’t affected (as much).

2. The Vikings single game tickets go on sale in the couple of weeks and the team would rather sell these tickets sooner than later.

So why July 3?

First of all, this is the one weekend Childress will not be in the middle of personal commitments and would have time for a rather large press conference.

If the team doesn’t want to create too much of a media uproar, this would be the time to do it as many reporters from various sites will be with their families during Independence Day.

Like I mentioned before, the team’s single game tickets will go on sale soon and a signing of the three-time NFL MVP would ensure that those tickets are eaten up by a hungry fan base.

Keep your eyes open this week Vikings fans, there is a good chance you will see more fireworks than just the ones in the sky.

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