NFL: The Real 2010 Pro Bowlers

AFC

Quarterbacks

Should Have Made It and Did:

Peyton Manning, Colts: Peyton was the best quarterback in the NFL this season; he deserves another Pro Bowl start for sure.

Phillip Rivers, Chargers: Rivers is now the unquestioned leader of the San Diego Super Chargers, the man who has never lost a game in the month of December in his NFL career.  And even with having one of the softest offensive lines in the league and taking constant hits because of it, Rivers has the second-best QB rating in the NFL.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Even though Big Ben really is his own pass protection, he has a better yards-per-attempt then Tom Brady by nearly a yard, along with having the same number of picks thrown. The most telling stat: more 20- and 40-yard-plus completions, at the same time taking three times as many sacks as Tom Terrific.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Tom Brady, Patriots: The current Golden Boy of the NFL had a good season; it just wasn’t Pro Bowl worthy, especially since this was a comeback year for him.  More so the influx of talent at the QB position in the AFC than any real criticism of the three-time Super Bowl champion.

Running Backs

Should Have Made It and Did:

Chris Johnson, Titans: Johnson is actually making an argument for something that wasn’t supposed to be an argument.  He may be the best back in the NFL, with apologies to Adrian Peterson.  He’s the fastest all-purpose back I’ve ever seen.  And of course he may be setting some MORE records by weekend’s end.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: Any questions about Jones-Drew’s durability and ability to handle the full load as the lead back in Jacksonville have been answered.  The guy has 10-plus TDs for the third time in four years, and has gone over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his already stellar career, thus proving to be an every-down back in the National Football League.

Ray Rice, Ravens: If you want a running back who can do it all, you want Ray Rice.  He can run, he can block, he can catch, he can run inside and outside, and he can convert a 3rd-and-short as well as break off a big home run.  Any members of the Willis McGahee fan club may have to get ready for a change of scenery.

Fullbacks

Should Have Made It and Did:

Le’Ron McClain, Ravens: McClain shifted back to being a full time fullback this year, and did so with flying colors. 

McClain has become the best FB in the NFL over the last few seasons, and this season he still ran the ball occasionally and even improved on his receiving totals from last year, when he was the lead back for Baltimore.  At 25 years old, he will only get better, which bodes very well for Ray Rice and the Ravens’ hard-nosed offensive attack.

Wide Receivers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Andre Johnson, Texans: Any of the Larry Fitzgerald vs. Andre Johnson chatter has been officially put to rest by AJ this season. 

Most notably so in Arizona, where Johnson outdid Fitzgerald, (sadly AJ’s Texans couldn’t outdo the Cards, falling 28-21), catching eight balls for 101 yards and two TDs vs. Fitzgerald’s 5-for-79 and two scores. Johnson scored his first touchdown with authority, bouncing off of two Cardinal safeties (including Pro Bowl SS Adrian Wilson) and corner Bryan McFadden for an 18-yard catch.  Not only did Johnson kill that particular debate, he led the league in receiving yards this year with over 1,500.

Brandon Marshall, Broncos: Mr. Marshall is reportedly on his way to the biggest contract in NFL history for a wideout, and with his this straight season of at least 100 catches, 1,100 yards, and six touchdowns, it’s easy to see why.

Wes Welker, Patriots: I just talked about how many balls Brandon Marshall has hauled in in recent years.  That’s nothing. Welker has at least 111 catches in each of the last three seasons, one of which was without Tom Brady (well for 15-and-a-half games, if you want to nitpick).

Reggie Wayne, Colts: Wayne has played so darn well this season, I forgot that WR who used to play in Indy. He’s a future Hall of Famer…Marvin Hamlisch?  Benjamin Harrison?  Well, whoever he was, the Colts have certainly moved on with a vengeance. And, if you remember, it was Wayne—not whoever that guy was—who caught the only touchdown pass Peyton Manning has ever thrown in a Super Bowl.

Tight Ends

Should Have Made It and Did:

Dallas Clark, Colts: This guy is the best TE in the AFC and maybe in the NFL.  He has the best hands of any TE in the NFL.  Clark had a career year, with his first ever 1,000-yard season and his second season with double-digit TD’s.

Antonio Gates, Chargers: It’s funny: Some people thought Gates was on the decline, even though he had over 700 yards and eight touchdowns while playing hurt last season.  Nevertheless, Gates isn’t going anywhere, and his second ever 1,000-yard, fourth 70-catch, and sixth seven-touchdown season goes to show it.

Offensive Tackles

Should Have Made It and Did:

Ryan Clady, Broncos: Being the NFC guy that I am, I’m saddened that the two best OTs are in the AFC (Clady and Joe Thomas).  Clady had the better year than Thomas, but seeing that Thomas is the better run-blocker, you could still make the argument about who is the better overall player.

Joe Thomas, Browns: Thomas should have a movie made about his blind-side protection, though I don’t know if millions of people want to see scenes like Joe fishing with his dad while he’s being drafted by Cleveland with the third overall pick.  I could be wrong; I mean, there is a pro fishing tour, so who knows?

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Michael Roos, Titans: Chris Johnson didn’t get every one of those 2,000-plus yards all by himself, you know?  Don’t you? Well, Roos has become the best pulling tackle in the NFL, which is a scary thought when he’s opening up lanes for the fastest running back known to man.  Roos is also an excellent pass blocker for resurrected franchise QB Vince Young.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Jake Long, Dolphins: Now certainly, Long deserved his first Pro Bowl nod for his amazing rookie year, but not this season.  Long consistently got beaten by speed-rushers all season long, but thankfully for the Dolphins, they have found an excellent helper for both Long and RT Vernon Carey in FB Lousaka Polite for such a situation.

Centers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Nick Mangold, Jets: This was, hands down, the easiest bracket of position/conference for this year.  Mangold is the best center in the NFL, and Jeff Saturday isn’t far behind.

Jeff Saturday, Colts: Saturday is the best spread-system center in the NFL history.  If the Colts go to a three wide receiver set in a single back formation, inside the opponent’s five-yard line, with a darting run right up the middle, I can almost promise you it’s a Colts TD. 

Addai, Brown, Rhodes, Edge: The RBs’ names may change, just not the guy who hands Peyton the ball.

Guards

Should Have Made It and Did:

Alan Faneca, Jets: It’s amazing what a free agent signing can do for you.  Three seasons ago, Thomas Jones had never scored double-digit TDs in a single season, and only once went over the 1,300-yard mark.  Now, Jones has had back-to-back 1,300 yard and 12-plus TD campaigns.  And this year, also thanks to the future Hall of Fame guard, the Jets are the No. 1 rushing team in the NFL.

Logan Mankins, Patriots: Despite all the changes at running back the New England Patriots have had in recent years, they all have been able to run the ball.  Mankins and his brethren yet again had a successful campaign, not only doing a decent job in protecting a pass-happy Tom Brady for under 20 sacks this year, but also opening holes for three different starting running backs, all of whom had over four yards a carry (Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris) or nine touchdowns (Laurence Maroney) this season.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Jake Scott,  Titans: I’m amazed that with Scott’s frame—being under 300 pounds at RG in the NFL—that he is not only able to survive, but thrive (pardon the rhyme).  The only weakness in his game is getting pushed around in passing situations by stronger defensive tackles, but with his great run-blocking skills and decent pass-blocking skills, he is certainly deserving of a Pro Bowl spot.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Kris Dielman, Chargers: Granted, Dielman was the best O-lineman in San Diego, but that really isn’t saying much.  When Rivers goes back to pass, he usually needs an extra TE and/or RB/FB in the box to help protect him.  I can’t remember how many times I saw a handoff to LT with a down-and-goal at the one- or two-yard line where the O-line failed to push him into the end zone.  Tomlinson’s 3.3 YPC is atrocious enough to keep any Charger lineman, including Dielman, from South Beach this January.

Defensive Ends

Should Have Made It and Did:

Dwight Freeney, Colts: Freeney has shaken off injuries and double-teams all season long, to the tune of 13-and-a-half sacks.

Robert Mathis, Colts: It is now safe to say that Mathis is more than just Dwight Freeney’s sidekick.  Mathis even got a sack against young and talented LT Duane Brown, when Freeney missed his only game of the season.  When both of them are on the field, it’s a lot to deal with. Mathis and Freeney make the best DE tandem in the NFL.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Aaron Schobel, Bills: Looking at the D-line of the bashful Bills, it’s actually pretty darn good as led by Schobel and DT Marcus Stroud.  Nagging injuries all across the defense limited the effectiveness of the group, but Schobel was one of the lucky Bills defenders, not missing a game. It showed with Schobel’s fourth 10-sack campaign.  Schobel is ouncing back from what some thought was the dead after only playing five games last year, registering just one sack, and entering this season at 31 years of age.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Mario Williams, Texans: Williams is still a top-tier DE; even still, he wasn’t spectacular or Pro Bowl-worthy.  The most telling game for me is Week Nine at Buffalo, where he didn’t record a tackle, let alone a sack.  Anyone who follows Buffalo knows the Bills have one of the worst, if not the worst, offensive lines in the NFL (living proof of that is the fact the Bills are now on QB No. 3 for the season since their top two are injured).

Interior Linemen

Should Have Made It and Did:

Casey Hampton, Steelers: So much for putting this season in the tank.  Hampton was thought to be going the way of Willie Parker, being demoted at midseason and possibly being let go at the end of it.  Hampton came back with a vengeance this year, starting every game for the defending champions.  He’s going for more total tackles than he’s had since 2006 and a career high 2.5 sacks.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

Kelly Gregg, Ravens: It was Gregg, not Ngata, who had the Pro Bowl season for Baltimore.  Not only did Gregg have more tackles and sacks, he’s come on very strong in the second half of the season. His four four-tackle games since the Ravens Week Seven bye and sacks in each of his last two games are a big part of Baltimore’s playoff push.  Gregg, who was lost for the year last October with a knee injury, is showing no immediate signs of slowing down at age 33.

Shaun Ellis, Jets: Ellis missed the first game of the season and spent the rest of the season showing what we missed in that first game.  Now I know 3-4 DEs aren’t usually supposed to make the Pro Bowl, but Ellis’ six sacks at that 3-4 DE spot are a strong contribution, especially with Pro Bowl NT Kris Jenkins going down for the season. Ellis has had three two-sack games this year.  And just like with Schobel, being on the other side of 30 isn’t stopping this D-lineman.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

Vince Wilfork, Patriots: As good as Wilfork is, and as tough a job he makes it for each opposing center and guards, he didn’t have a spectacular year in total.  He was very one-dimensional, seeing that he didn’t get to the QB as often (he had zero sacks, for the first time in his career) and few QB pressures.  For only the second time in his career, he missed at least one game in the season, and registered the fewest tackles on the season since his rookie year.

Inside Linebackers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Ray Lewis, Ravens: The future Hall of Famer had another great year.  He quieted the critics after another annoying offseason of negotiating his contract, as well as answering questions about whether the Ravens’ defense could recover from losing fellow ILB Bart Scott and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.  In the end, with Suga Ray, it always tastes so sweet.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t:

David Harris, Jets: This is another no-brainer.  Harris anchored the middle of the defense for Rex Ryan.  Harris finished second for AFC inside backers in combined tackles (with 126) and sacks (5.5).  With Bart Scott partnered with Harris, Ryan has his new double-edged sword at inside linebacker for years to come.

Shouldn’t Have Made It and Did:

DeMeco Ryans, Texans: Ryans is a stud,, no question about it.  However, he had a very up-and down-season, especially in the early going, as he was at front and center of a defense that had one of the worst three-game stretches in NFL history.  Ryans and the Texans defense allowed at least 100 yards and two touchdowns in each of the first three games of the season.

Outside Linebackers

Should Have Made It and Did:

Elvis Dumervil, Broncos: Dumervil had one of the greatest position changes in sports history, going from DE to OLB (as a by-product of the Denver D switching to defensive coordinator Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defense).  Dumervil was always an up-and-down player, which you couldn’t blame him for; being under 6’0″ and only weighing in at 250 pounds, he got pushed around when opposing teams ran the ball, especially if the other team played power football.  Now Dumervil is able to wreak havoc on every down without weakness.  There is no better proof than his career 48 tackles and franchise-high 17 sacks.

Brian Cushing, Texans: Brian Cushing is a monster.  M-O-N-S-T-E-R.  Monster (now all I need is one of those Sesame Street Muppets to pop up and spell that for me).  Anyways, Cushing had a remarkable rookie season, already establishing himself as one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL.  Believe it or not, the rook had more pass deflections than Antonio Cromartie, Brian Dawkins, or Corey Webster.  Oh and Cushing had 128 tackles and 4 sacks to boot. He’s only 22 years old, by the way.

James Harrison, Steelers: The thing I love about Harrison is he can do everything: creep up and make a stop in the run game (he has nearly 300 tackles in his last three seasons combined), drop back and defend the pass (see Super Bowl XLIII), and, of course, put a hurt on the QB (34.5 sacks and 19 forced fumbles in his three seasons).

Cornerbacks

Should Have Made It and Did:

Darrelle Revis, Jets: It’s official: Darrelle Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL, with apologies to Nnamdi Asomugha.  Revis shut down star WRs all year long, as well as doing what sets him apart from other shutdown corners: making the big play, with six interceptions, including a 67-yard pick-six in Tampa.

Champ Bailey, Broncos: Champ rebounded exceptionally well from an injury-plagued 2008 season.  He remains among the elite corners in the NFL, and can still shut down your best WR; the best example of that was in Week 14 in Indy, where Bailey held Reggie Wayne to under 40 yards.

Should Have Made It and Didn’t
Leon Hall, Bengals: I marvel at Hall and his partner in crime, Johnathan Joseph, because they rarely have adequate deep safety help, and even still they get the job done week after week.  Hall proved this notion by knocking down more passes than any player in the NFL this season (other than Revis).

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Nnamdi Asomugha – Raiders – Don’t get me wrong if I had a shot at having Nnamdi (notice how everyone calls the brotha Nnami, in an effort to save them self the embarrassment of mispronouncing his last name [for future reference it’s pronounced: Aso-MU-Wah, your welcome]) on my football team, I’d take em in a heartbeat.  It’s just that this season, wasn’t his best, far from it actually.  He had his moments, but early on slowed by a wrist injury for the first part of the season, he didn’t show that constant shut down ability (granted a small part of that is the Raiders desire to at times play more zone coverage or put him on a the weaker or #2 WR in man to man).  Even still, in his own division all three star WR’s (Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall, and Dwayne Bowe), got the better of Asomugha and the Raiders, as the three totaled a combined, 36 catches for 446 yards, and 5 TD’s, against Oakland.  Coupled with all that, even though Asomugha was targeted more this season, he still wound up with only 1 pick.

Strong Safety

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Brian Dawkins – I love duel threats at the safety position, in other words a player who can excel at both the free and strong safety positions.  Brian Dawkins is certainly one of those players, he starts at free safety for Denver’s improved defense, but can creep up in the box and lay the wood or drop back protecting the deep ball.  I don’t care how old this guy is, he’s still one of the best safeties in the League.

Free Safety

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jarius Byrd – Bills – What can you about this guy?  Wow, he grabbed 9 INT’s and he didn’t start in 3 games and missed the last two, being on the IR with a torn labrum in his hip.  Come back healthy next year Mr. Byrd, can’t wait to see more!

Who Should Of Made It
Antoine Bethea – Colts – Bethea is the Colts last line of defense, and rarely do you see a ball go over this man’s head off a deep ball.  Not only does Bethea have immense talent in pass defense he can also deliver a punishing hit, this year to the tune of nearly 100 tackles and forcing 2 fumbles in the process.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Ed Reed – Ravens – Now I’m not saying Reed is done or over the hill by any stretch of the imagination, it just looked that way, because he had nagging injuries during the entire 2009 season (one of his injuries is hampering him so badly that he’s seen a vaunted specialist for his problematic hip).  All that being said even the injuries Reed has still had a nice year with 3 INT’s, one of which Reed returned for a TD against Carson Palmer, for 52 yards in week 5.  If Reed decides to play another year or two, look for him to come back with a vengeance in 2010.

Punter

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Shane Lechler – Raiders
Somebody tell me how it’s possible for a 33 year old is able to improve the power in his legs?  Lechler has improved off his career average punting average by 4 yards, as this year it’s up to over 51 yards per punt.  Not only that his net average is improved by almost 6 yards, which is now up to 44 yards per net punt.  Amazingly he’s ahead of any AFC punter by about 4 yards in each of the two categories.

Kick Return Specialist
Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Josh Cribbs – Browns – Up until the break out of Browns RB Jerome Harrison, Cribbs was the offense.  Now all alone with the NFL record for most kick and punt returns for TD’s, Cribbs (as with Revis of the Jets showing he’s the best corner in the League) also all alone as the best return man in the League.

Kicker

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Nate Kaeding – Chargers – Kaeding was far and away the best kicker in the AFC this season.  Hitting on three of his four 50 yard plus attempts.  And knocking down 91% of his FG’s.  The lone smudge on Kaeding’s 2009 exploits is a missed extra point, which was blocked.

Special Teamer

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Kassim Osgood – Chargers – Who needs a quick footed LB, or a hard hitting safety, San Diego has a mutant WR factory.  Osgood like his WR teammates is tall and bulky, standing tall at 6-5 and weighing in at 220 pounds, Osgood has embraced his role as a hitman on special teams doubling the amount of tackles then he has catches on the season.

NFC
Quarterbacks

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Drew Brees – Saints – Only 4,400 yards?  That’s it?  That’s how high the standards are for this guy.  Now sarcasm aside, Brees had only two game under 62% passing.  Brees continues to amaze and defensive coordinators continue to hyperventilate at the thought of the Saints starting quarterback.

Aaron Rodgers – Packers – I think the question of the season should be how did A-Rod get sacked a league-leading 50 times and only throw 7 interceptions?  He limited his mistakes and kept Green Bay in games, even being under a never ending defensive barrage and still managed to throw for 4,200 yards have 33 total TD’s.  One would be safe to assume the Packers use their first round pick on an offensive tackle…

Who Should Of Made It
Tony Romo – Cowboys – The one big weakness is Tony Romo’s game was, he had no game in December (and January, but this is about the regular season).  Well 2-1 in said month, which includes the exploits of, leading Dallas to a victory vs. the then undefeated Saints,  now standing one game away from a division title, and committing only one turnover which came in a 17-0 win in Washington.  Romo for the season was only one of two QB’s in the NFC, to throw for more than 4,000 yards.  All that being said, the next step for Romo (and Wade Phillips for that matter) is that elusive first Playoff win.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Brett Favre – Vikings – For whatever reason some people went into the season thinking the Packers would be better off with Favre then the currently far and away more talented Aaron Rodgers.  If Favre had started the season as the Packers #1 QB he’d probably be in a coma right now from constant hits he would of taken, as a result of the Packers abysmal offensive line.  Favre has played gallantly this season, but a big part of that is because he has one of the best defenses, RB’s & WR cores, and coaching staffs in the NFL.

Running Backs

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Adrian Peterson – Vikings – Amazingly AP only had 3 100 rushing games this season, but he  also ran the ball into the endzone 17 times this season.  Even with Chris Johnson’s emergence, Peterson still is one of the scariest players in the NFL.

Steven Jackson – Rams – Jackson had the greatest season in NFL history for a RB who only scored 4 touchdowns?  Yeah the Rams didn’t give Jackson much of opportunity to get in the endzone, but even with the constant 8 man fronts Jackson leads the NFC in rushing, going off for 4 and a half yards per.  He added over 50 receptions to his 5th straight 1,000 yard rushing season.  Jackson was the Ram offense, which was other wise offensive.

DeAngelo Williams – Even with mulitple handicaps, such as his Head Coach (John Fox), and former starting quarterback (Jake Delhomme), and major injuries to the offensive line, Williams still managed to rush for over 5 yards a carry, go over 1,100 yards, and score 7 touchdowns.  Williams may be the most underrated RB in the NFL, and he can’t do anything about it.

Fullback

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Leonard Weaver – Eagles – The one knock on the effectiveness of the Eagle running game coming into this season was it couldn’t convert in short yardage.  Weaver has given Philly the final piece to that puzzle, running for a zany 4.7 yards per carry and scoring 4 total touchdowns.  Though he isn’t a great lead blocker, that’s ok seeing Andy Reid’s offense is based off big plays and running the ball is always secondary.  Weaver fits perfectly in the Eagles West Coast offense.

Wide Receivers

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Larry Fitzgerald – Cardinals – Fresh off his historic Playoff stretch, Fitzgerald had another solid season.  For the third straight season he reached the 90 reception, 1,000 yard and 10 touchdown plateau.  And with Arizona reaching the Playoffs for the 2nd straight year, Fitzgerald just might put on another magical post-season show.

DeSean Jackson – Eagles – With Steve Smith (the Panthers Steve Smith that is) chained to the ground by Jake Delhomme, the NFL needed a new super human who breaks stop watches from anywhere from Cali to Jersey.  Jackson tied the NFL record with eight 50 plus yard plays, but as the season went on proved he can be a force all game long getting open all over the field, with six 6 catch games and two 8 catch games (which were ironically back to back games on the road in San Diego and Chi-town, against two of the games better corners [Quentin Jammer and Charles Tillman]).  Jackson isn’t 6 feet he isn’t 180 pounds, but as his ridiculous performances show, who cares?

Miles Austin – Cowboys – I have to apologize to Mr. Austin for doubting him all year.  Saying such things as he’s just another big WR, oh he’s good he’s just not a #1 WR, they still shouldn’t of cut Terrell Owens.  And in the end what put the Cowboys back in the Playoffs, wasn’t their running game or defense, it was giving Tony Romo a full fledged passing attack.  With Austin’s emergence as a #1 WR, it put Roy Williams in his most comfortable place, as a #2 WR.  And of course Jason Witten as the TE.  Austin’s storybook season puts him currently #1 in the NFC in receiving yards, and #4 in the NFL in touchdown receptions.  Austin although was not drafted and not highly touted coming into the NFL, is a part of the new age, tall, big, and speedy WR.  Jerry Jones can breath a little easier, because his Dallas Cowboys truely didn’t need TO this season, so Miles I’m sorry, you are a full fledged #1 WR in the NFL.

Who Should Of Made It
Roddy White – Falcons – Yes his falcons are missing the Playoffs, but this is the Pro Bowl, not the MVP award.  White followed up his breakout 2008 season with a stellar ’09 campaign.  One of only six WR’s this season with 10 touchdowns, White futher established himself as a premiere WR, with his 3rd straight season with at least 75 catches.  Highlighted by a week 5, 8 catch 210 yard, and 2 touchdown performance against one of the Leagues better corners (Nate Clements), White also had another 21st and Prime worthy spot with a a game winning TD catch with 26 seconds left.  Michael Turner, Roddy White, Matt Ryan, and Sam Baker that’s a pretty good group to build your offense around.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Sidney Rice – Vikings –  It was certainly a surprise to many to see Sidney Rice breakout this season, but if you remember Rice was only 20 when he entered the League as a late first round pick of the Minnesota Vikings.  His 77 catch, 1,200 yard, 6 touchdown season is something Vikings brass has been patiently waiting for ever since he was drafted out of South Carolina.  As good of a season as Rice as had it wasn’t 1st class, he was tied for 2nd on his own team for TD receptions.  In only 3 of his games this season did he go over 90 yards, and in those three games he did not record a TD.  And when you have a HOF QB, future HOF RB, and 2 lighting quick WR’s having your back, it makes your job a lot easier.

Tight Ends

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Vernon Davis – 49ers – It’s about darn time Vernon, welcome to the party, we’ve been saving a seat for you.  Yes after a underachieving 3 years Vernon Davis has finally shown us his inner-Pro Bowler.  He was already widely considered the NFL’s best blocking TE, now he’s in the argument for best overall TE in the NFL.  With an NFC leading 12 TD receptions Davis has made good on San Francisco’s 6th overall selection in the 2005 Draft, where he ran a ridiculous sub 4.4 40.  It’s basically impossible to cover this guy one on one, in fact the only guy who probably could in the League, is on the same team as Davis (Patrick Willis).  Whoever the QB is next year for the Niners, Davis will his first option.

Jason Witten – Cowboys – With Miles Austin’s breakout season in Dallas, it seems that another solid season by Witten has gotten lost in shuffle.  Witten had his third 80 plus catch season to go with nearly 1,000 yards.  The other reason Witten kinda got put on the backburner in football minds in Dallas and abroad, was Witten only had 1 TD this year.  Never the less Witten as a good a TE as your gonna find in the NFL.

Centers

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Andre Gurode – Cowboys – The leader of the Dallas’ ginormous offensive line, Guorde is also apart of the League’s best division in terms of centers.  Along side, Shaun O’Hara of the Giants, Jamaal Jackson of the Eagles, and Casey Rabach.  Gurode has perfect size for a center at 6-4 and about 320 pounds, agile and strong, he’s the anchor of the Cowboy’s power run game, which averaged 4.8 yards per rush, good for third in the NFL this season.

Shaun O’Hara – Giants – O’Hara, Giants RB Brandon Jacobs, and FB Madison Hedgecock probably are the most feared threesome in terms of running the football right down your throat.  O’Hara is steady as she goes, like the captain of a enchanted ship, setting a course for his moving teammates, with lots of play action ahead.

Guards

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jahri Evans – Saints – Evans is the most athletic RG in the game.  He’s pretty powerful too at nearly 320 pounds, helping pave the way for the best offense of 2009 in the National Football League.  New Orleans gave up an NFC low 20 sacks and was 4th in the NFL in yards per rush, Evans the best of the group is one of the best in terms of getting his man into the second level, which of course gives opposing coaches fits.

Steve Hutchinson – Vikings – One of the eaiser choices this year or really any year for that matter.  Hutchinson is simply the best guard in football, year after year, this season being no different.

Who Should Of Made It
Davin Joseph – Buccaneers – I don’t know why the #1 RG in the NFL gets so much disrespect.  Joseph is a mauler and a protector all mashed up into one.  Whether it was the Cadillac Williams, Derrick Ward, or Earnest Graham, the Bucs could run the football.  The only problem was they where down early and often, even with three different quarterbacks, one of them being a rookie (Freeman), the Bucs were in the bottom half of sacks given up.  Because of the names LT Penn, center(Jeff) Faine, and Joseph it will be that much easier for the soon to be 2nd year quarterback to grow.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Leonard Davis – Cowboys – Davis may be the most one-dimensional football player in the NFL.  With superior run block skills, Davis also possesses inferior pass blocking skills.  Granted he has vastly improved his game since his move from Arizona to Dallas (in large part because of his move from tackle to RIGHT guard), but even with his at best average pass blocking ‘skills’, he has still made the Pro Bowl in each season since joining the Cowboys…

Offensive Tackles

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jason Peters – Eagles – Peters had a rocky start to his Eagle career, but rebounded nicely as he settled in, technically protecting three QB’s blindsides (Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and Michael Vick).  It seems the lazy tag that followed Peters from Buffalo has been lifted, especially since if he didn’t shake that tag he would of been continued to be shaken by DE’s.  In a pass happy offense you can’t just put your hand in the dirt and maul your opponent, there’s much more technique for an offensive tackle in Philadelphia, then there was in Buffalo, and Peters has responded and proving his worth for that given up 1st rounder that the Eagles paid for him along with that $60 million price tag.

Jon Stinchcomb – Saints – Consistently one of the best right tackles in football, Stinchcomb has some of the best feet of any RT tackle in football.  He’s talented enough to play left tackle, but it just so happens the Saints are so tackle rich they have the likes of Jammal Brown and Jermon Bushrod on the payroll.  And even with his excellent pass blocking skills, Stinchcomb and RG Jahri Evans were first in the NFC for converting on short yardage runs off the right side.

Who Should Of Made It
Donald Penn – Buccaneers – Granted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have a very good football team they do however have a very good offensive line.  One of the leaders of that line is undrafted third year starting LT Donald Penn.  Penn is one of the more quick and athletic tackles in the League, even catching a deflected pass from then QB Josh Johnson for a 15 yard gain.  Unlike this season, the Bucs hope in the future Penn will only be protecting one quarterback, that being Josh Freeman’s blind side, unlike this season where there was 3 different Tampa QB’s.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Bryant McKinnie – Vikings – Before this season anything negative you had to say about Bryant McKinnie was about his off the field exploits and his maturity level.  This season you can add focus on the field to that list, looking more out of shape as the season wore one. Fading down the stretch at the end of the season giving up sacks and pressures as the Vikings gave away games and home field advantage.  If he doesn’t get it back together soon enough, the Vikes may be looking to draft a OT to partner with youngster Phil Loadholt, this April.

Defensive Ends

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Jared Allen – Vikings – So it’s official Jared Allen is a perfect football player.  Ok not quite, but he’s pretty close, he of course can get to the QB about as good as anyone, as well as be stout against the run, and get a hand up batting down a pass here and there.  Allen had 13 and a half sacks this year, it’s crazy that’s his lowest total since he was a Chief and still it’s one heck of a year.

Julius Peppers – Panthers – One hands or two hands, he doesn’t care he just wants to make a play.  Peppers played part of the season with a busted (or broken, depended who you ask) right hand, and still wreaked havoc.  The $1 million a game player earned every dollar this season.  Once again going over the 10 sack mark, playing in every game this season, Peppers could quite possibly get an even bigger paycheck next season, even at the age of 30 (Peppers will be 30 as of January 18, 2010).

Trent Cole – Eagles – Cole is one of the quickest defensive lineman in the League.  Though as time has passed he’s improved his game, adding pass rush move after pass rush move to his arsenal, keeping offensive tackles guessing and their heads spinning for 60 minutes each sunday.  Amazingly at right DE Cole lead the Eagles D-line with 54 tackles, flexing his run stopping skills at well, Cole makes it achingly tough for opposing offenses to run outside on Cole.  Making Cole a scary duel threat that DE spot.

Interior Linemen

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Darnell Dockett – Cardinals – Dockett is quite possibly the best 3-4 DE in the business.  He was astoudning this year with over 50 tackles, 7 sacks, and a INT.  Dockett came into the season wanting a new contract, hey I’m not gonna argue with him, pay the man Zona!

Jay Ratliff – Cowboys – At just over 300 pounds Ratliff is supposedly undersized as a nose tackle in the Cowboys 3-4 look.  Really??? Because I can’t tell.  Ratliff has become one of the elite 3-4 NT’s, and Dallas defense has noticeably improved because of it (Dallas had the 5th best run D this season with just under 95 yards given up per game).  With 40 tackles and his 2nd straight year with at least 6 sacks, Ratliff not only possesses a rare fire to rush the passer from that 3-4 NT spot, he also holds and pushes his ground backwards to stop the run.

Who Should Of Made It
Calais Campbell – Cardinals – Only 23 years old, in his first season starting in the NFL Campbell exploded on to the scene.  Right from the get go Campbell proved his coaching staff right for putting him in the starting lineup, with 6 tackles against the rival 49ers, he helped stop Pro Bowl RB Frank Gore for a horrific 1.4 yards per carry on 22 carries for 30 yards rushing.  And in week 13 Campbell gave another picture perfect performance as the Cards upset the Vikings and shut down the incomparable Adrian Peterson for only 19 yards off 13 carries, in the process.  On the season Campbell put up nearly 50 tackles to go along with 7 sacks, and 5 pass deflections.  With Campbell and Dockett as their anchors in the Cardinals 3-4 look, Frank Gore and Steven Jackson better get ready for next season, seeing the 49ers and Rams play the Cards twice a year.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Kevin Williams – Vikings – Ok so that’s 3 Vikes I wanted yanked out of the Pro Bowl, nothing personal, I promise you.  That being said K-Will is still on top of his game even with a minor drop off from last years menace to society tour (60 tackles 8 and half sacks in ’08).

Inside Linebackers

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Patrick Willis – 49ers – Patrick Willis is the best player in football.  It seems the words mistake is not in his vocabulary.  8 double digit tackle games, 4 sacks, 7 knocked down passes, 3 picks, and 3 forced fumbles, oh and he leads the NFL in tackles.  You’d think Willis was from another planet, Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher talked commented on Willis after the week 9 Titans-49ers game, on how Willis was the only guy that could who get a handle on the NFL’s leader and rushing and yards from scrimmage (Chris Johnson), “”I think he knew once 52 (Willis) was nowhere in the vicinity that no one was going to catch him,” Fisher said. “Willis on the field yesterday was the only one that could catch him.  I have not seen an effort out of a linebacker like I’ve seen out of the effort out of him. “C.J. would have had three more touchdowns yesterday had he not been on the field. ”  Oh did I forget to mention he’s only 24 years old?

Who Should Of Made It
London Fletcher – Washington – London Fletcher has never made a Pro Bowl even though he’s never had a season with less than 116 tackles, and has reached the 2 INT mark four times, and had 9 seasons with over 2 sacks.  He had a pretty darn good season this too with 134 tackles (tied for 2nd in the League), he had at least 6 tackles in ever game this season, to go along with 2 sacks, 6 knocked down passes, and a pick.  Go figure…

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Johnathan Vilma – Saints – This is just another case of a player having a very good year, but not a great year.  Vilma was as solid as they come this season, but only had three 10+ tackle games and had two games with only 4.  Not even in the top 5 in the League for total tackles, Vilma still had a very good year with 110 tackles, 2 sacks, and was a monster in coverage with 3 picks and 8 pass deflections.

Outside Linebackers –

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Lance Briggs – Bears – Still one of the if not the best coverage linebackers in the League.  Briggs didn’t miss a beat with future HOF Brian Urlacher being lost for the season after week 1.  Briggs mind as well of played every linebacker spot, I say that because his play, his stats, and his abilities would make you think so.  He went over the 100 tackle mark for the sixth straight season, as well as still showing his pass rushing talent when needed with 2 and a half sacks, as well as going into coverage knocking down 5 passes and picking off one.  Earning the big nearly $40 million contract he got last off-season, Briggs was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise average Bears defense.

DeMarcus Ware – Cowboys – One minute you think he’s out for the year the next, he’s taking down the NFL’s most exciting offense and it’s quarterback, in New Orleans.  Ware once again proved he’s still the best pass rusher in the League.  After going 0-fer in his first 4 games (mainly because of the short comings of his teammate and partner in crime OLB Anthony Spencer, seeing Ware double teamed week after week), Ware unloaded on the Falcons, Seahawks, and Packers, totaling 7 sacks in his next 3 out of 4 games.  He’s finished up ’09 with 11 sacks, 5 forced fumbles.  He showed off the rest of his game as well with nearly 60 tackles and 6 pass deflections.  With Jerry Jones finally extending his contract (through 2015), the Cowboys are making sure their best player is going no where.

Brian Orakpo – Washington – So much for just being an athletic freak.  No Vernon Gholston remix here folks, Orakpo has already established himself as one of the League’s better pass rushers with 11 sacks on the season.  The highlight of his great freshman year in the pros coming in Oakland, where he went off for 4 sacks, a forced fumble, and 6 tackles.  With more tackles then his NFC East counterpart DeMarcus Ware, Orakpo is proving he’s already coming full circle.

Cornerbacks

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Asante Samuel – Eagles – Samuel again did what he does best this season, get interceptions, 9 to be exact (tied for the League lead).  Samuel had two multi pick games this season he also improved his physicality from last season, getting an extra 8 solo tackles (39 total).  Samuel’s partnership with fellow corner Sheldon Brown gives the Eagles one of the best corner tandems in the League.

Charles Woodson – Packers – Was Woodson trying to win the Heisman again this year?  I mean he did everything on defense he forced fumbles (4), he picked off passes (8), he scored touchdowns (2), he made tackles (three games with 9), and he even got to the QB twice.  With Al Harris’ decline, Woodson’s continued refusal to get old, is music to Packers defensive backs coach Darren Perry’s ears.

Chris Gamble – Panthers – Gamble has leaped into the rare of air of being a shut down corner.  Which makes his 4 INT’s on the year even more of an accomplishment.  Gamble and the Panthers only allowed one 100 yard effort all year by a #1 WR (A. Bryant 5 catches for 116 yards in week 13).  The two marquee blackouts for opposing star wideouts were in week 1 vs. DeSean ‘Fraction’ Jackson who only caught two passes for 9 yards.  And in week 14 in New England vs. Randy Moss, who Gamble held to only 1 catch for 16 yards, which Moss fumbled (Gamble also had a INT in that game, while covering Moss).  Gamble’s 6’1, 200 pound frame makes him bigger then most corners, but still being a former college WR  he has blazing speed.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie – Cardinals – DRC is basically a poor mans version of his cousin (Charger Antonio Cromartie), an athletic who you better not give an oppourtunity to, because he will pick you off, but at the same time DRC is a poor cover corner.  The star witness of that this season anyway, is a Sunday Night game against the Colts, while covering Indy WR Pierre Garcon, DRC crashed to the Earth like a Russian satellite, while Garcon went right by him for a 53 yard TD.  Arizona has the 22nd worst pass defenses in the NFL, and  his lack of cover ability is a big part of that.  Even though DRC is 6’2 he’s barely over 180 pounds, and having four games in which he only had 1 tackle shows.  Though to be fair to the Cardinals, again like DRC’s cousin, his team is a very opportunistic defense, which prides itself on forcing turnovers and getting sacks (well the pre-08 Chargers that is), which is why at times Zona can get away with DRC being their #1 corner.

Strong Safety

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Adrian Wilson – Cardinals – Wilson’s in the box mentality was never in question this season, his coverage skills however were the first half of the season.  After a slow start Wilson caught fire caught fire the second half of the season, with 4 of his 5 INT’s coming after week 9.  He has 2 sacks and over 70 tackles on the season.  Thus proving he’s still among the elite as far as strong safeties go in the NFL.  Thankfully for Wilson he’s one of the few Cardinals to get actually get that elusive new contract, signing a 5 year deal worth over 35 million last off-season.

Free Safeties

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Darren Sharper – Saints – Though he did fade in the 2nd half of the year going pick-less in 5 out of his last 7 games, give him a break!  He’s having a remarkable year at age 34.  He was a TD machine early in the year getting 3 of them returned by week 7.  Finishing up the year with 71 tackles and 9 picks and raking up nearly 400 return yards off INT’s.  Sharper and Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams have undoubtedly been the Free Agent signings of 2009.  With Sharper having a career year age 34, all I got to say is wow.

Nick Collins – Packers – I kind of feel bad for Mr. Collins, because unless your name was Sharper or Byrd and your a free safety, you were put aside this year.  Even still having a stellar season with 6 INT’s, even having one if four straight games, getting one from Alex Smith, Daunte Culpepper, Joe Flacco, and of course Jay Cutler.  Collins has 6 picks on the year to go with double diget pass deflections.  So all that being said, Mr. Ted Thompson (Packers GM) are you gonna get pay this man (Collins is a FA after the season)?

Punter

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
Andy Lee – 49ers – The second best punter by the Bay.  Outside of Frank Gore Lee mind as well of been the offensive MVP for San Francisco the past 3 years, averaging over 47 yards per punt during those seasons, Lee was 2nd in the NFL in net average (1st being of course Shane Lechler).  At least with names like Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree now to go with Gore, Lee can ease up on the ice on the knees, and those 10 plus punt games, and relax a little.

Kick Return Specialist

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
DeSean Jackson – Eagles – Going back to the need for another Steve Smith, just like Smith early in his career, Jackson is an out of this world punt returner.  Only getting 27 opportunities Jackson took 2 back to the house, 1 in every 4 was at least a 20 yard gain, 3 of which were returned for over 40 yards.  ‘Fraction Jackson’ like Smith is writing his own legacy even at the young age of 23 years.

Placekicker

Who Made It/Who Should Of Made It
David Akers – Eagles – With field goal kickers rarely do you find somebody who’s automatic (case and point Gary Anderson), the closest to being Mr. Reliable in today’s NFL would be David Akers.  Akers is hitting nearly 89% of his field goals (which is 2nd in the NFL to Kaeding), which is a new career high for him.  He’s missed two extra points, but both were blocked, and one of his measly four missed FG’s were blocked as well.  Akers leads the NFL in FG’s made and attempted this year (32-36), with all 4 of his misses coming outside 38 yards.  He’s cool as them come right now, especially since he’s playing in cold Philly (cold weather and cold receptions).

Special Teamer

Who Should Of Made It
Tim Shaw – Bears – Shaw helped pave the way for 2 different special teams touchdowns by two different players this year (one by Johnny Knox on a KR, one by Earl Bennett on a PR).  As well Shaw led the Bears special teamers collecting 17 tackles (only having two no tackle games) being a part of who didn’t allow a touchdown this season on special teams.  The Penn State linebacker was signed by the Bears after Brian Urlacher and Pisa Tinoisamoa went down in the opener in Green Bay, and played the rest of the season (in all of the remaining 14 games) Shaw immediately showed his instinctive talent, making him the perfect fit for the ailing Bears.

Who Shouldn’t Of Made It
Heath Farwell – Vikings – Now that makes 4 Vikes that erased from the 2010 Pro Bowl, I’m serious nothing personal, against the Twin Cities.  A linebacker Farwell had 18 tackles, this year, but at the same time having 4 games where he didn’t record a stat..   He is a good blocker downfield, however for Percy Harvin, who could of had the current version of Steve Tasker help mush down the field and still would of set the NFL world on fire, returning the football.

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Whitaker’s Week 5 NFL Picks

Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens – The Ravens are talent wise the best run defense in the NFL.  Bengal RB Cedric Benson has been a surprise to start this season, but won’t do a thing in Baltimore.  To make things even worse for the Bengals, Ravens QB Joe Flacco loves to throw it down the field, something the Bengals can’t defend against seeing that they don’t have a safety to guard against the deep ball.  So for those of you who have Flacco or Raven WR’s Derrick Mason or Mark Clayton on your fantasy team, start em.
My Pick – Baltimore

Browns @ Buffalo Bills – How bout them Brownies for fighting like they did last week?  Yeah they lost again, I was just trying to be nice aight.  Anyways the Browns fly out northern New York this week, and will find both Bills starting safeties (FS Donte Whitner and SS Bryan Scott) are out for Sunday’s game, leaving big armed Derek Anderson even more incentive to sling the deep ball up in Buffalo. 

Though the Bills aren’t the only one in this game to be without defensive starters the Browns will be without stud MLB D’Qwell Jackson, which will cause Bills RB Fred Jackson to run lose, because of his elusive pass catching ability.  The kicker here may well be the Browns usual placekicker Phil Dawson’s absence.  Which may prove costly since this game will probably be close and the road team will need every point they can get.
My Pick – Buffalo

Washington @ Carolina Panthers –  Ok look I know as well as anybody, if you have Jake Delhomme as your starting quarterback, your not assured to win any game, no matter who you play.  Granted seeing that on the other sideline this Sunday, you have one of the most incompatable Head Coach quarterback relationships in NFL history (Washinton HC Jim Zorn and his QB Jason Campbell), that kinda evens things out a bit, especially since the games in Carolina.  Panthers RB Deangalo Williams hasn’t been let outta the in ’09 seeing that he hasn’t hit the 20 carry (not even the 20 touch mark [ie rushes and receptions]). 

And even though Deangalo’s O-line will be going against Albert Haynesworth, that honestly probably won’t matter that much.  I say that because Haynesworth new most dearest friends are not slated to play, those two friends being Washington DT’s Cornelius Griffin and Anthony Montgomery.  In other words Carolina’s O-line can just double team Haynesworth like it’s going outta style, and DeAngelo will most likely have his first 20 carry 100 yard rushing day, and the Panthers will dominate the line of scrimmage.
My Pick – Carolina

Steelers @ Detroit Lions – So let’s see here, I know the theme of it’s a new year everyone’s supposed to have  a clean slate and everything but… I’m gonna go with the defending champs rather than a team that has won only one game since ’08, and the only reason I’m not calling this one a blow out is cause of Lions WR Calvin Johnson ability to break down the Troy Polamalu-less Steeler secondary.
My Pick – Steelers

Cowboys @ Kansas City Chiefs – The coaching in this game is key.  Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s now infamous play calling to protect the offense against Tony Romo’s miscues and Chiefs HC Todd Haley’s opportunistic offense, which has been somewhat effect at least in terms of the lack of turnovers from the quarterback spot and the Chiefs surprise commitment to the run, which in turn sets up a nice drive here and there for gives the Chiefs passing game, and QB Matt Cassel time to stand upright and throw the football downfield. 

With Cowboys home run threat RB Felix Jones and also No. 1 WR Roy E. Williams out for this game I don’t see any explosiveness coming from the Cowboy offense.  The Chiefs offense still has big play wide out Dwayne Bowe and mainstay at RB Larry Johnson who still has something left in the tank at least in terms of his durability, who is still running hard, even with his early season workload.  This game in the end will come down to turnovers, and with Romo’s 5 turnovers so far to Cassel’s two, and with the game being in always loud Arrowhead, don’t be shocked if you see an upset, in KC on Sunday.
My Pick – KC

Raiders @ New York Giants – You have the best defense in the NFL vs. the worst offense in the NFL (outside of the other former LA team [the Rams]), going against each other in Jersey.  If the Oakland offense outscores New York’s defense I’ll be surprised.
My Pick – New York Football Giants in a blowout

Bucs @ Philadelphia Eagles – If there was a safe time to change a NFL team’s playbook for just one week, it would be this week.  Honestly the Eagles don’t even need their starting QB Donovan McNabb and RB Brian Westbrook back this week.  Because all they need to do is go to a Steve Spurrier type Fun-N-Gun offense, go only in 3 and 4 wide receiver sets, and air it out deep, especially to WR’s DeSean ‘Fraction’ Jackson and 1st round rookie Jeremy Maclin.  The Bucs don’t have a soul to cover deep and they can’t double everybody, and if the Bucs start blitzing Philly could just dump it off to TE Brent Celek who is playing as well as any Eagle TE I can remember since Keith Jackson.
My Pick – Philly in a blowout

Jagz @ Seattle – Yes Matt Hasselbeck is back as Seattle’s starting QB, but who’s going to protect him?  Both No. 1 and No. 2 on the Seattle depth chart at LT are out(future HOF Walter Jones and journey man Sean Locklear), along with starting RG Rob Sims (and they all may be out till as late as Novemeber).  The Jagz have figured out how to throw the ball again with a pretty decent balanced receiving core, that includes veteran Pro Bowler Torry Holt, young and talented Mike Sims-Walker, and the former first round TE everybody was going to give up on in Mercedes Lewis. 

And guess what the Jagz O-line which is pretty deep, even with dealing with some injuries at tackle them selves, the Jagz can just plug another vet also a former Pro Bowler ie Tra Thomas, but with top 10 pick rookie OT Eugene Monroe back this week, the Jagz just have even more depth, also with second round rook OT Eben Britton back this week as well, so if any unforseen problems arise the Jagz can just swing away with whoever HC Jack Del Rio choses to bench for the game of the a for mentioned 3 talented tackles.  Granted Seattle has the better pash rush (Seattle has nine sacks the Jagz only have three on the year), Hasselbeck’s lack of protection will again be Coffee town’s downfall.

My Pick – Jagz

Vikings @ St. Louis Rams – Viking DE Jared Allen has forced a fumble in each of his last 3 games and gotten to the QB at least once in his last three games as well (6.5 sacks for the year so far).  And the Rams just gave up five sacks in their last game, including three touchdowns to the other team.  Oh yeah and the Vikings have RB Adrian Peterson, LG Steve Hutchinson, and a host of other Pro Bowlers, just in case something weird and fluky happens to restore the natural order of the NFL.
My Pick – Vikes in a blowout

Falcons @ San Francisco 49ers – Crabtree!  The Niners finally signed Crabtree!  Oh wait, he’s not playing this week, ok well the Niners have two other decent wide outs in the form of young stallion Josh Morgan (6’0, but a stout 220) and the future HOF who can still play a lil’ football Isaac Bruce and not to mention TE Vernon Davis who is finally playing like the 2006 sixth overall pick.  The Falcons defense can not handle any of those players since they have one of the worst secondaries in the league (27th in pass defense in the NFL) and have allowed a TD to a tight end in each of their last two games (those two TD’s going to the world famous Dante Rosario and Chris Baker, respectively, cough cough), especially since the Niner run game is so stubborn even with Pro Bowl RB Frank Gore out rookie RB Glen Coffee has gotten 24 carries a game since Gore has been out with an ankle injury, which should soften the Falcons safeties and secondary even more so allowing the Niners to stretch the field vertically. 

The killers though for the Falcons in this game are their shockingly 26th ranked run game (actually getting less than 100 yards per) against the Niners 4th ranked run defense (giving up less than 75 per) and the Niners pass defense (10th) vs. the Falcons pass offense (20th).  And not to be lost in the shuffle the all important player matchup in this game ie, Falcon star WR Roddy White vs. Niners lockdown corner Nate Clements, Clements should win this matchup (Clements has already shut down Larry Fitzgerald this season and White hasn’t gone for 60 yards yet this season let alone 100), leaving the Falcons with only HOF TE Tony Gonzalez who will be keyed on for sure with 3 of the better cover LBs in the game MLBs Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes, and OLB Manny Lawson.  Though Falcon QB Matt Ryan will keep his team in the game, the Niner D will force the 2nd year signal caller to do a lot of checking down of the football and leaving the Falcons offense without viable options all together.
My Pick – San Francisco

Texans @ Arizona Cardinals –
This is one of the closer matchups you will find all weekend in the NFL.  So what made me pick the 1-2 Cards you ask?  What pushed me over the edge, well the Texans apparently still haven’t given defensive beast DE Mario Williams adequate help on the other side of the line to discourage opposing teams from doubling or chip blocking Williams (as a result the Texans only have five sacks in four games so far) vs. the Cards who have guys like stud DE/DT Darnell Docket who leads the Arizona attack up front, but the Cards get there sacks from exotic blitzes in their hybrid 3-4 defense, even blitzing their safeties at times who have a combined two of the teams 8 sacks this year.  Not only that, but there is the Beanie Wells factor, if there is a game this season for the late first round rookie RB to break out it’s this one. 

Discounting the Raiders game last week, the Texans gave up at least 100 yards and two TDs AT LEAST to the opposing team’s starting RB in each of their first three games.  Wells is the most talented RB the Cardinals have and is ready and raring to go getting even more of the Cardinal offense down after their week four bye.  And with the Texans and Cardinals passing games being a wash in this one, because of the fact that Arizona’s WR’s however are more talented than the Houston’s, Arizona’s secondary is weaker, especially up top with FS Antrel Rolle (who in all honesty should be playing SS).  So the ice-breaker in this one is Arizona’s stifling front seven who shut down 49er RB Frank Gore in week 1 keeping him under 30 rushing yards, and as good as Texans RB Steve Slaton is he has been struggling this year and Texans mainstay LG Chester Pitts (who’s been with the team since their expansion year) is out for the season with a knee injury.  In other words Arizona soon to be knew found ability to run the ball with their talented rookie runner and their ability to shut down the Texans ground game and keep them 1-dimensional.
My Pick – Arizona

Patriots @ Denver Broncos – If Patriots starting MLB Jerod Mayo plays and starts this game, I guarantee you the Pats win this game.  I say that because it solidifies the Patriots defense most importantly up front.  Which in this game is very important since Denver will be without RB Correll Buckhalter (ankle injury), so all the running done by the Broncos will be pretty predictable (excuse the alliteration), with rookie Knowshon Moreno dancing and swirving, and fullback Peyton Hilis hitting and diving through the Patriot defense.  In which Mayo’s presence will be that much more important so his rich athleticism can help shut down the Bronco’s running game and make game manager Kyle Orton ‘try’ to beat them.  Thinking about this game made me remember a pre-season game in which the Broncos were playing in San Francisco against the 49ers and Orton threw three INTS, even though most of the time Orton’s O-line gave him plenty of time in the pocket.  That made in turn think about New England’s defensive scheme, which can be traced back to Super Bowl 25, when then Giants Defensive Coordinator Bill Belichick did not blitz or pressure HOF Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly, rather he had his defensive backs put extra pressure on the Bills talented WR’s even going to just two down lineman at times.  Now granted Orton is a decent QB, but he is not Jim Kelly, let alone a HOF.  So seeing how good the Denver O-line is, led by the likes of LT Ryan Clady (who still hasn’t given up a full sack in his NFL career) and one of the best pass-blocking RT ‘s in the NFL in Ryan Harris, the Pats may struggle to get to Orton, but as I just explained that may fit right into the future HOF Head Coach’s gameplan.
My Pick – Patriots

Colts @ Tennessee Titans – As much as I know about the still awful Colts run defense and the huge threat that Titan RB Chris Johnson and Tennessee’s run game poses, I just can’t get passed the fact that the Titan’s corners are in complete disarray.  35-year old Nick Harper suffered a rib injury in week 4, but should play, and Pro Bowl corner Cortland Finnegan has noticeably been a step slow (that is if he plays on Sunday) and now could be even slower missing multiple practices this week with a possible lingering hamstring injury.  Mix those problems in with the best passing attack in the AFC, and you got a recipe for Peyton Manning’s 5th straight 300 yard game.
My Pick – Colts

Jets @ Miami Dolphins – This one is pretty simple.  Miami’s wildcat vs. Jets HC Rex Ryan’s defense.  Wait a minute we’ve seen this movie before, in fact twice last year, when Ryan was with the Baltimore Ravens as their defensive coordinator as he directed a complete shut down in both meetings (one being in the regular season and one in the Wild-Card Playoffs [both in sunny Miami, by the way]).  Oh not to mention the ’08 NFL Comeback Player of the Year is out for ’09 (Chad Pennington), and that other Chad (Chad) Henne gets only his second NFL start and on the bright lights of MNF, no less.
My Pick – Jets

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Whitaker’s Week 4 NFL Picks

Lions @ Chicago Bears – The Lions’ poor defensive line will be the difference in this game, a game that Matt Forte will have his 2009 grand re-opening party.
My Pick – Chi-Town

Bengals @ Cleveland Browns – The Browns suck, and the Bengals are better than I or most thought. However, I don’t think this game will be a blowout.  Mainly because of the re-insertion of Browns quarterback Derrick Anderson and his ability to sling it deep, especially to WR Braylon Edwards, which will be tough for the slow safeties of Cinci to deal with.
My Pick – Bengals

Raiders @ Houston Texans – This game will showcase one of the best 1-on-1 matchups you will see all year in the NFL, WR Andre Johnson (the best WR in the game) vs. CB Nnamdi Asomugha (the best corner in the game).  Though it is true, I think Nnamdi will win that matchup (just like did last year when Nnamdi held AJ to 19 yards on two catches), the Texans are at home, and they are the better team.
My Pick – Houston

Seahawks @ Indianapolis Colts – A good friend of mine asked me which will loss would be bigger in this game: the Seahawks’ loss of QB Matt Hasselbeck or the Colts’ loss of DE Dwight Freeney, and I wavered on my answer, but I did come up with one. I think Seattle will be missing Hasselbeck more because with LT Walter Jones missing another game, and his backup Sean Locklear probably missing this one too, Raheem Brock (Freeney’s replacement) will do just fine and so will the home team in this one.
My Pick – Indy in a blowout

Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars – The fact that the Jagz (5-11 last year) have a win and the Titans (13-3 last year) don’t is enough karma for the Titans to get their first win in Jacksonville, Sunday.
My Pick – Titans

Giants @ Kansas City Chiefs – Chris Canty DT/DE, Justin Tuck DE, Kenny Phillips S, and CB Aaron Ross are all starters for the NFL’s best defense, and they are all out for the team’s trip to KC.  Cheif No. 1, WR Dwayne Bowe, may be out, but that is the only major Chief starter who may be out for this game. And even if he does play healthy, Giant corner Corey Webster is more than capable of locking Bowe down, leaving the Chiefs one- dimensional on offense—with guys like DTs Fred Robbins, Barry Coefield, and Rocky Bernard all healthy, that other dimension for KC will be non- existent.
My Pick – NY Football Giants in a blowout

Ravens @ New England Patriots – This will be the week Tom Brady turns back into Tom Brady.  The Ravens’ corners are average at best, and as great as Ed Reed is, he can’t be everywhere at one time.  New England’s pass offense will be enough to give the Ravens their first loss of ’09.
My Pick – New England

Bucs @ Washington D.C. – Yes, Washington was the first team to lose to the Detroit Lions since George W. Bush was President, but the fact that this game in week four is in Washington, and the Bucs have nobody to handle Albert Haynesworth (Bucs Pro Bowl center is still out with a triceps injury).  So, first time starter Josh Johnson and the alleged run-first Bucs will have all sorts of problems all afternoon.
My Pick – Washington in a blowout

Jets @ New Orleans Saints – The story here is pretty clear, Saints’ O vs. Jets’ D.  The Saints have the best offense in the NFL, and I’m not talking stats or numbers (granted they are stat wize the No. 1 in the NFL, but I’m just sayin’), they just do.  The Jets have a very talented defense that is still missing starting OLB Calvin Pace, but even with Pace, they don’t have the NFL’s best defense.  Even better for the Saints, they are at home to host the Jets.
My Pick – New Orleans

Bills @ Miami Dolphins – Now I know Chad Pennington is out for the year and the other Chad (Henne) will be making his ever first NFL start, but LT Jake Long and RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams will take all sorts of pressure off of Henne’s shoulders.  And if sack master JP, i.e. LB Joey Porter (he has a hamstring issue) plays this Sunday, he will be going against former RT filling in at LT Johnathan Scott (former backup now starter Demetrius Bell is out for week four with a groin problem), and Kirk Chambers, who is a former LT who will play RT (cuz Scott is moving to LT).  Chambers is going up against possible future HOF OLB Jason Taylor, so Trent Edwards will have little time to go deep to WRs Terrell Owens and Lee Evans.
My Pick – Miami

Cowboys @ Denver Broncos – The Broncos aren’t as good as their record that’s clear, but the Cowboys aren’t either.  If AJ Feeley is the quarter back for Carolina last Monday Night the Cowboys are 1-2.  And with Dallas gaping holes at the WR (TO gone) and OLB (long time Cowboy Greg Ellis gone) spots, they won’t get the ball down the field and they won’t get to Denver QB Kyle Orton.  With Denver getting better each week running the football, it will make things even easier for the Broncos through the air, especially since the Cowboys’ secondary has struggled all year.  By the way, the only QB the Cowboys have picked off all year is Jake Dellohme.
My Pick – Denver

Rams @ San Francisco 49ers – No Frank Gore, no problem.  No Marc Bulger (former first round bust, QB Kyler Boller will step in for Bulger), BIG problem.  The Rams are still without second overall pick RT Jason Smith, and last week the Niners put pressure on Brett Favre all day, (memo to those who don’t know already, Boller is not Brett Favre).  The Niners may even open it up a lil’ and might let Shaun Hill go for 300 yards for the first time this season, and why not?  The Rams are fourth worst in the NFL in yards per pass giving up 8.3 per.
My Pick – San Francisco in a blowout

Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers  – In recent history the current NFL Champs have owned the Chargers, even beating them twice last season.  So far this season, the Steelers are 1-2, and mighty ticked off at the fact they are 1-2, probably because they gave away their last two games at the end.  The Chargers on the other hand owe their first win this season (Chargers are 2-1) to a last second Phillip Rivers drive and Darren Sproles TD run, up in Oakland.  Willie Parker is out for this one, but LaDainian Tomlinson should play, the only problem.  The amazing thing is that doesn’t make much of a difference, Chargers Pro Bowl DT Jamal Williams is out for the year, and Mewelde Moore has done a pretty good job when he’s had to fill in for Willie Parker.  On the other side, the Chargers’ offensive line has been pushed around all year and center Nick Hardwick is still out (ankle injury), and the Steelers of course have one of the best run defenses in the NFL, even when Troy Polamalu is out.
My Pick – Pittsburgh

Packers @ Minnesota Vikings – Granted, the vaunted gave up 24 points at home to Shaun Hill and a rookie RB, but with Packers’ starting LT Chad Clifton still out, and his replacement usual starter at LG Daryn Colledge getting schooled by a half-way decent DE in Cinci in week two (Antwan Odom).  I’m sure Jared Allen could try for five sacks of his own, and put the hurt on Brett Favre’s replacement, Aaron Rodgers.  Not only that, but hey, the Packers let talented Rams RB Steven Jackson go 163 total yards, and last time I checked, Adrian Peterson is more talented than any running back in the NFL, let alone Jackson.

My Pick – Minnesota

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Getting Beat Deep in the NFL

If Andre or Calvin Johnson for that matter gets past you down the field, so be it, but if a 4th round rookie gets past you for a supposed go-ahead touchdown on Monday Night Football, just because you don’t have a true free safety on your team—that is a problem and one that you should have taken care of either in the Draft or Free Agency.

This actually is becoming a serious epidemic for a small number of teams in the NFL.

That MNF game I bring up was a play in which veteran Chargers’ strong safety Clinton Hart got beat by first year Oakland Raider Louis Murphy, who has a nice combo of size and speed, for a 57 yard touchdown pass on 4th and 15, no less. True, Hart is the actual strong safety, but the problem is and was that San Diego does not have a safety to cover deep. Football guided missle Eric Weddle is listed as their starting free safety, because he is the most athletic safety they have, but he has no deep speed, a must if you want to be a good free safety in the NFL.

The Chargers aren’t the only ones with this problem of course. Nor are they the only ones to be embarrassed on SportsCenter because of it.  

If you are a sports fan you probably have heard the always ample voice of Gus Johnson.

Johnson is known for his fan like excitement and thunderous reactions to big plays either during his coverage of the NFL and March Madness, or select games when he fills in for Mike Breen calling New York Knick games.

Johnson had another one of his big play/big call specials, when he was doing the Bengal-Bronco game in Cincinatti during this NFL season’s opening weekend. It was an otherwise lackluster game between AFC teams that have both missed the playoffs the previous two seasons. That was until the 4th quarter, when Carson Palmer drove the Bengals down the field to set up the only touchdown by either team with only 38 seconds left on the clock.

What followed was a botched return by usually poised Bronco receiver/return man Eddie Royal in which he slipped and only made it out to his own 13.  

It looked like the Bengals had won their opening game for their home fans, but after an incomplete deep ball by Denver QB Kyle Orton on first down (in which Orton was trying to hit ever talked about Bronco receiver Brandon Marshall), a supposed ‘fluke’ happened.

Orton took another shot down field to Marshall, but Orton’s pass was tipped up in the air by Bengal corner Leon Hall and then caught by 33 year old possession receiver Brandon Stokley with nothing but green in front of him to the end-zone, giving the Bronco’s a zany win to say the least.

So you say ‘fluke’ right? Nuh-uh. Stokley was left with nothing but Ohio green in front of him because Chris Crocker, who’s natural position is strong safety (he’s better at hitting guys over the middle and in the box, instead of covering anybody deep).

He was signed midway through the 2008 season, because ever since the ’08 off-season the Bengals have had a void at the free safety spot, due to their letting a young and talented, no buts about it, free safety walk in free-agency (Madieu Williams), who now locks down centerfield for one of the league’s better defenses in the Twin Cities.

On the alleged ‘fluke’ play Crocker was so busy worrying about big-play receiver Marshall (who Orton looked for on first down the play before), that he was behind the aging Stokley and still couldn’t catch him. In fact the closest Bengal to Stokley, as he went down the sideline on the way to the endzone, was speedy second year linebacker Keith Rivers.

Last time I checked, linebackers aren’t supposed to be faster than free safeties.

Another example of the lack of a true center field safety comes from another MNF game,  the very next week after the Raiders nearly shocked their inter-division rival.

This time we have two different plays (both going for long touchdowns) by another safety who is obviously not in his comfort zone, because again, he is a strong safety starting at free, playing out of position.

The man this time is Miami Dolphin safety Gibril Wilson. On the first play from scrimmage the Colts Peyton Manning threw a strike over the middle to one of the leagues faster tight ends Dallas Clark, and not only was Wilson beat by Clark on the play, Wilson missed the tackle and Clark went for an 80 yard touchdown to open the scoring. Even with that ultra-early setback, the Dolphins struck back with a touchdown of their own, on the very next drive going 75 yards on nine plays.

The Dolphins actually took the game hostage from then on, only allowing Manning’s offense to get on the field for another 14 minutes and 41 seconds for the rest of the game, with Miami keeping the ball for literally three quarters of the game. The Dolphins didn’t trail again till the 4th quarter, when Miami had everything going for them, a 3 point lead, and just under four minutes left—but then Manning and the Colts move the ball inside Dolphin territory to the the Miami 48. Manning throws a quick screen pass to untested receiver Pierre Garcon (who was only starting because the usual number two, Anthony Gonzalez, is out injured) with Wilson cheating up because he was trying to get a jump on the screen. Wilson loses his angle on the young wide out and once Garcon gets ahead of him Garcon is home free and scores on his only catch of the game.

So despite Miami’s dominating ground game and time of possession, the two touchdowns Wilson gave up were so quick it didn’t matter.

Wilson started his NFL career in his comfort zone at strong safety with the New York Giants, even winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2006. That success and steady play over four seasons (strictly as a strong safety) helped get Wilson get a huge (a ‘lil too huge, to be perfectly honest) six year deal from Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis.

Davis cut Wilson the very next offseason. Wilson did total a career high in tackles, and was the starting strong safety for the Raiders, but at times played more deep safety then he should have in Oakland (in part because of 2006 7th overall pick Michael Huff’s shortcomings). Teams took advantage of the fact Wilson doesn’t have that turbo button in his arsenal and was part of the reason the Raiders secondary was susceptible to getting burned by the deep ball, so much so that Mr. Davis (Davis prides his Raiders having vertical speed in the first place) terminated the six year pact with Wilson, even though that deal included $16 million guaranteed.

The ironic thing about Miami is that they are the team that made Crocker available by cutting him in the mid-season of ’08. Even though Dolphin Head Coach Tony Sparano was actually quoted as saying in training camp before the season, “I think Crocker probably has some of the best cover skills that we have back there at the safety position”, after signing him that offseason.

It also shows you that some lessons need to be learned. Especially when a guy like Brian Dawkins was available in free agency this off-season. Dawkins has already improved Denver’s pass defense and has given All-Pro corner Champ Bailey some much needed help, playing center field for Denver’s defense.

The Carolina Panthers also proved you can snatch a capable player to step in and play free safety (or even to play in two deep safety coverages on 3rd and longs and what not), by drafting one. Carolina drafted Charles Godfrey out of Iowa in the 3rd round of the 2008 Draft, and took Carolina’s No. 1 free safety spot immediately. Godfrey’s combination of size at 205 pounds, and speed capable of running 4.4 40’s, shows you it’s not the hardest thing in the world to find a capable guy with solid vertical speed to step in and play free safety, in the National Football League.

The one exception to having a strong play free, is out of necessity, because of injury or in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers case, suspension.

The Bucs usual starting free safety is Tanard Jackson, who has decent speed and size, and can play the free safety position was suspended four games before the start of the season. The Bucs had to switch hard hitting strong safety Jermaine Phillips over to free. 

Though this case does fall under the category of players who are really strong safeties masquerading as a free safety because of necessity, the Bucs still managed to run Phillips into the ground as in the offseason they tried to make him into the next Derrick Brooks by trying him out as an outside linebacker. That experiment was scrubbed and Phillips was able to move back to his usual strong safety spot before the start of the season, but was forced into the free position with Jackson’s suspension.

My point of running Phillips into the ground became even more costly for Tampa Bay when they lost Phillips for the season with a hand injury picked up in the Bucs second game of the season.  This makes Tampa even more likely to give up the big play, especially with special teamer Will Allen standing in for Jackson at the free, until week five.

So my point being, if you don’t wanna get beat deep in the National Football League, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have a free safety who is actually a free safety.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Whitaker’s 2009 NFL Season Predictions

AFC

AFC East
1. New England Patriots – 12-4
The offense is great, and the defense will have more trouble than it wants because Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel are now out west.

2. New York Jets – 10-6
Basically the 2009 Jets, are the 2008 Ravens, just in different colors.

3. Miami Dolphins – 9-7
They over-achieved last year, and this year Tom Brady is healthy.

4. Buffalo Bills – 3-13
The Bills got TO!  The Bills got TO!  Ya so?  Nice rhyme don’t cha think?

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers – 10-6
The Champs are trying to break their own record of six Super Bowls, they might just do it, just not this year.

2. Baltimore Ravens – 10-6
This may be my favorite team in the NFL (outside of the Niners of course), cuz they play my kind of football, smash mouth football, problem for the Ravens is the Steelers are still a better football team.

3. Cincinnati Bengals – 5-11
This team has talent, it’s just that talent is mostly too young (or in rookie Andre Smith’s case too lazy and fat).

4. Cleveland Browns – 2-14
Man-genius is town, and by December he’ll have a mighty big frown, another nice rhyme if I do say so myself.

AFC South
1. Houston Texans – 11-5
This is the year the Texans break out, the main/key reason No. 8 (Matt Schaub) stays healthy.

2. Tennessee Titans – 10-6
Yeah Albert Haynesworth is gone, but Tony Brown and Jason Jones didn’t go anywhere.

3. Indianapolis Colts – 10-6
They still got Peyton Manning, and they still have absolutely no talent in the teeth of their defense.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars – 7-9
One of my favorite NFL Bruins (just might be my favorite, Jarrad Page, Dave Ball, being possible others) finally gets to prove midgets can run the ball at the world’s highest level of football, too bad his team plays in the football world’s best division.

AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers – 13-3
As long as the faces of the Charger O and D stay healthy (LT and Lights Out), the ceiling will remain sky high for San Diego in ’09.

2. Oakland Raiders – 7-9
Raider Nation can single-handedly thank Josh McDaniels for taking the role of laughing stock of the AFC West.

3. Denver Broncos – 5-11
So in their Head Coaches’ mind Kyle Orton (and Matt Cassel) is a better spread quarterback then Jay Cutler, or did I miss something here?

4. Kansas Chiefs – 2-14
The Chiefs best skill player will be double covered just about every sunday (minus those times he’s trying to be locked up by corners like Nnamdi Asomugha), well that’s surely disturbing, and who’s replacing Tony Gonzelez, oh Sean Ryan, yeah um, how many top five picks in a row is KC shooting for, anybody think they can extend this run till the 2015 NFL draft?

1 Chargers
2 Pats
3 Texans
4 Steelers
5 Titans
6 Jets

AFC Title Game
Steelers 20, Jets 14

Divisional
Jets @ Chargers – Jets 19, Chargers 17
Steelers @ Pats – Steelers 24, Pats 20

Wild Card
Jets @ Texans – Jets 24, Texans 20
Titans @ Steelers – Steelers 21, Titans 9

NFC

NFC East
1. New York Giants – 13-3
I still don’t care Plaxico Burress isn’t playing for them, when you have a possible history making defense you don’t need Plax, especially since they have mind as well have a Cadilac Escalade as their starting RB and Eli Manning is now actually a half way decent quarterback.

2. Washington Redskins 11-5
Jason Campbell doesb’t have to be the answer (at least this year), all they need to do is do what the Giants do, run the ball and play defense.

3. Philadelphia Eagles – 10-6
So the Eagles, still can’t convert on third and short, and their defense is probably the most overrated in the NFL, um that’s gonna be a problem when you play the three other teams from the NFC West twice a year.

4. Dallas Cowboys – 7-9
Yes TO’s departure will lower Wade Phillips and more importantly Tony Romo’s blood pressure, but it’s also gonna make their passing offense 10 plus touchdowns worse, oh wait they have Roy E. Williams a guy who has less touchdowns in his career than TO has over the last three years.

NFC Central
1. Minnesota Vikings – 10-6
This is a ridiculously talented team, who supposedly had one position with supposedly no talent, that position of course being at quarterback, now they have Brett Favre, so…the Vikes will do what they do run the ball more then they throw it, and when they’re in a third and five the soon to be 40-yeard-old QB will earn his $12 million a year contract.

2. Green Bay Packers – 10-6
Funny thing about this team people say they didn’t have a defense last year, yeah you wouldn’t have a D either if your best shut down corner played with a lacerated spleen after missing most of the first half of the year, and your starting middle linebacker wasn’t so lucky missing the rest of the season with a torn ACL, now they get both guys back, along with BJ Raji and Dom Capers, yeah Bear and Viking fans I’m scared too.

3. Chicago Bears – 9-7
After more than a half a decade Chi-Town finally has another franchise QB, sad thing is he has no wide reciever to throw a pass too, or a defense legit enough to be called the Monsters of the Midway.

4. Detroit Lions – 4-12
The goal for the Lions this year—win a game, it I’ll be a long wait since they’re first six games have them on the road against the Saints, Bears, and Packers, and hosting the likes of the Vikes, the team from the nations capital, and the reigning Super Bowl Champs.

NFC South
1. New Orleans Saints – 11-5
Enter Gregg Williams and Darren Sharper, the Saints better hope the legal system doesn’t have Will Smith and Charles Grant go out the exit doors for those four weeks everyone’s talkin’ bout, or it won’t matter how many points Drew Brees and company can put up.

2. Carolina Panthers – 8-8
The dumbest playoff quarterback in NFL history is a year older and the Panthers’ best run stopping D-Lineman is out for the year, division to New Orleans by default, but hey Panther fans you should have done what you were supposed to and drafted Joe Flacco.

Oh but you need a running back as good as J-Stew to back up the most underrated player in the NFL, rite I mean seriously draft a guy who should only be getting 7-10 carries a game, yeah that makes sense my fault, I’m trippin’.

3. Atlanta Falcons – 7-9
Yes this offense is gonna ball and ball even harder then they did last year, but who’s gonna stop the other team from scoring?  T

he sad truth is GM Rich McKay and company cut too many players on D in the offseason (ie Michael Boley and Keith Brooking [I don’t care how old the man is he can still tackle like a mo-fo]), and 80 tackle (from ’08, Brooking had 102 last year for those keeping score at home) Mike Peterson (who’s switching LB positions, by the way) and a rookie safety (who is already hurt) is not gonna cut it.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 3-13
The media calls it a youth movement, the Bucs call it a culture change, I call it lack of NFL talent.

NFC West
1. San Francisco 49ers – 10-6
If this team was in the NFC East, or even the NFC North, they wouldn’t make the playoffs, but since they play in the NFC West they just so happen to now be the best team.

2. Seattle Seahawks – 8-8
They have no O-line (and a 33 year old quarterback who always seems like he’s injured to try to protect), and no secondary, 8-8 sounds about rite.

3. Arizona Cardinals – 7-9
This team overachieved and got ridiculously lucky last year in the playoffs, too bad this year they aren’t even the 2nd best team in their division to even have a chance to get that lucky again in next January’s playoffs.

4. St. Louis Rams – 1-15
Steve Spagnuolo reminds me of Jimmy Johnson, in the sense that he is a very talented coach, who has inherited a horrible, horrible football team in his first season as a NFL Head Coach.

1 Giants
2 Saints
3 Vikes
4 Niners
5 DC
6 Philly

NFC Title Game
Vikes @ Giants – Giants 14, Vikes 6

Divisional
D.C. @ Giants – Giants 27, D.C. 12
Vikes @ Saints – Vikes 27, Saints 24

Wild-Card
Eagles @ Vikings – Vikes 20, Eagles 16
D.C. @ Niners – D.C. 17, Niners 10

Super Bowl XLIV
Giants 20, Steelers 7
Super Bowl 44 MVP – Justin Tuck

NFL MVP – Drew Brees
Defensive Player Of The Year – Mario Williams
Rookie Of The Year – Aaron Curry
Coach Of The Year – Norv Turner

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

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