The Best NFL Preview You’ll Read
Here’s my breakdown for the 2010 NFL season. I’ve ranked each division from last to first just to confuse you.
NFC WEST
Look for Bradford to spend more time on the turf than in the pocket.
RAMS – Although Sam Bradford looked good this preseason, not having a go-to receiver OR an offensive line will hurt.
SEAHAWKS – I’m not sure they know what’s going on. Really.
CARDINALS – The losses of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin will hurt. We’ve all seen how good Derek Anderson can really be – but will he be good enough to knock off the Niners?
49ERS – Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Mike Singletary’s defense. Most of the country could fill in as QB at that point.
NFC NORTH
The Lions have had a lot of #1 picks, but they'll need a few more to be a contender.
LIONS – You would think the Lions would be good after all of these #1 picks. Looks like it’s still going to be a few years…
BEARS – Mike Martz’s offense could be great for Jay Cutler, but the Vikes and Packers defenses are hoping to stifle the (as I’ve dubbed it) Best Show in Chicago.
VIKINGS – Brett Favre’s receivers are dropping like flies. Here’s to hoping ol’ Brett hangs around for another year to try for another ring.
PACKERS -Where do we start? Aaron Rodgers bought his time and quickly became one of the best QBs in the league. Pair that with a solid run game and Green Bay can start printing the Divisional Champs t-shirts.
NFC EAST
If the Boys make the playoffs, Romo's got some provin' to do.
REDSKINS - Uh… where’s my old intern to fill us in? Brandon? Regardless, it’s not good.
EAGLES – The loss of Donovan McNabb is going to hurt. Kevin Kolb won’t be bad, but McNabb was great at extending plays – something Kolb can’t do. And the Eggles (flatter my attempt at impersonating Chris Berman here) will pay for it.
GIANTS – The G Men will get lucky this year. They could take the division only because the competition here is weak.
COWBOYS – Can Romo make the playoffs and actually win a game? Not this year. The ‘Boys will be fighting just to see the playoffs.
NFC SOUTH
Another ring for Brees? Possibly.
PANTHERS – Imagine how good Steve Smith would be if he’d had a solid QB his entire career. Is Jimmy Claussen that QB? Not this year.
BUCCANEERS – If only Barrett Ruud could play EVERY position…
FALCONS – Matty Ryan’s Falcons could probably win any other division in the league. If Michael Turner can put last season behind him and return to form, the Dirty Birds won’t have any trouble making the playoffs
SAINTS – As good as they were last year, they’ll be just as good this year. Brees has plenty of options, as long as their run game doesn’t finish near the bottom again, they’ll likely ‘breeze’ into the playoffs. See what I did there?!
AFC WEST
We should've known...
RAIDERS – Al Davis is still crazy. As if you didn’t already know, that’s why the Raiders suck.
CHIEFS – After drafting nearly every LSU player, the Chiefs decided to snag a solid pick this year in Eric Berry this year. The upside to rebuilding? They’re better than they were last year!
BRONCOS – Josh McDaniels skipped over a number of instant additions to grab a 3rd sting QB in Tim Tebow. After running off Cutler and Brandon Marshall, shouldn’t we question all McDaniels’ decisions?
CHARGERS – Just like the Giants, the Chargers could take their division simply because of the lack of competition. The only question – will Ryan Matthews be as good as he’s labeled? I say yes. Watch for him to tear the Chiefs defense up in Week 1.
AFC NORTH
If they can get along, the Bengals will be fun to watch.
BROWNS – Since LeBron left Cleveland… well, nobody cares about the Browns. There’s no other way to put it. Nonetheless, they’re not good.
STEELERS – Dennis Dixon won’t be a bad replacement for Big Ben. If they lost 3 of their first 4 games, it’ll be over quickly. But, if Dixon can win 2 or more of those, look for the division to be thrown for a loop.
BENGALS – T.O. and Ochocinco on the same squad. Seems cool for now, but this spells trouble. Carson Palmer and Cedric Benson should level out the squad. Wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cats return to a playoff contender.
RAVENS – This is the best squad the former Browns will put on the field since their Super Bowl run in 2001. This week’s addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh is proof that the Ravens could be the team to beat.
AFC SOUTH
It's your division to lose, Peyton.
JAGUARS – Mike Sims-Walker continues to be a top 10 receiver but the rest of the team isn’t in the top 10 in anything else. Give that guy a QB!
TEXANS – I’m only picking the Titans over the Texans because I’m a homer. Watch out for the Arian Foster/Steve Slaton combo. Combined with Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, this team will quietly put some points up in a hurry.
TITANS – Although they lost some veteran leaders in Keith Bulluck and Kevin Mawae, the Titans defense is better, Vince Young looks confident for the first time ever and Chris Johnson got paid.
COLTS – Imagine what could happen if Joseph Addai shows up. If the Colts can improve on their dead-last running game, they may not have much competition.
AFC EAST
If the Sanchize can throw more TDs than INTs, the Jets win easily.
BILLS – If only they had more C.J. Spillers. Sorry Bills fans, it’ll be another really cold winter.
DOLPHINS – Although the Fish continue to get better, they’ll play the victim of a great division this season. Smashing out their divisional games will put the hurt on them.
PATRIOTS – The Pats are young on defense again and starting a rookie corner opposite a second-year corner could be deadly. Luckily, the offense can score on command.
JETS – The Jets defense will carry this team – it’s the only reason they’ll win the division. The offense will be very average, but expect them to win a few low scoring contests.
PLAYOFFS
•NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
SAINTS vs PACKERS – Look for the Pack to take the Saints in a cold Lambeau shootout.
•AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
RAVENS vs COLTS – I’m picking the Ravens to stifle the Colts. With no Colts run game, the Rays (Lewis and Rice) will own Peyton.
•SUPER BOWL
RAVENS vs PACKERS
And your Super Bowl Champion will be…
Morgan vs. Marlins
Not sure if you’ve been following the recent saga with the Washington Nationals outfielder Nyjer Morgan and the Florida Marlins, but it’s been an interesting to watch. You can catch the full recap here:
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=11628077
As a result, the MLB has handed down a series of suspensions and fines to both teams. Obviously, not a huge impact will be felt with both teams clearly out of playoff contention. (Yes, Marlin fans…it’s over). However, it’s interesting how this escalated. Some may think Morgan has a chip on his shoulder and that these recent incidents are a reflection of his frustrations with playing for a basement dweller. However, I honestly feel that his aggressive play is a breath of fresh air. The ‘unwritten’ rules of baseball are for the elitists who have turned a backyard boys game into a country club sport. Baseball was meant to get dirty. (I didn’t say play dirty). You should be able to steal a base, regardless of the score, no more than a pitcher can plunk a batter to ‘prove a point’. Furthermore, Morgan had every right to chase the mound after being thrown at for the second time in the game. Seriously, Mr.Volstad? You’re 6 ft, 8″ and 230 lbs and throwing fastballs behind a batter (Morgan 6 foot, 175 lbs) to ‘prove a point’? Twice? In one game? Pathetic.
I’ll take Morgans dirty uniform and base-stealin’, trash talkin’ attitude on my team any day. Now, perhaps he needs a lesson in temperance, but at the core of it is hustle. And major league sports could sure use a dose of that these days.
Stephen Strasburg Will Need Tommy John Surgery
This is devastating not only to my fantasy baseball team, The Honey Nut Ichiros, but this is terrible news for the Washington Nationals. This franchise can’t catch a break.
Jayson Stark wrote a great article about Strasburg’s injury and the effect it will have on baseball.
Let’s hope the young fella gets back on the hill next season and continues his dominance.
20 Things That Have Happened Since The Cubs Last Won The World Series
Ok, here’s the deal. I love the Cardinals. I mean, I LOVE the Cardinals.
One of my best friends in the entire world is a Cubs fan. How are we friends?! I know, I know. He got the chance to run me around Wrigley this summer and it’s breathtaking to think how many great players have played on that field. And the 7th inning stretch singing of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” can give you the chills.
That’s baseball’s history at it’s finest.
At the same time, I make fun of the Cubbies because of their lovable loser-ness. So, without further ado, here are 20 major events that have happened since the Cubbies last won the World Series.
1. Radio was invented; Cubs fans got to hear their team lose.
2. TV was invented; Cubs fans got to see their team lose.
3. Baseball added 14 teams; Cubs fans get to see and hear their team lose to more clubs.
4. George Burns celebrated his 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th and 100th birthdays.
5. Haley’s comet passed Earth – twice.
6. Harry Caray was born….and died. Incredible, but true.
7. The NBA, NHL and NFL were formed, and Chicago teams won championship in each league.
8. Man landed on the moon, as have several home runs given up by Cubs pitchers.
9. Sixteen U.S. presidents were elected.
10. There were 11 amendments added to the Constitution.
11. Prohibition was created and repealed.
12. The Titanic was built, set sail, sank, was discovered and became the subject of major motion pictures, the latest giving Cubs fans hope that something that finishes on the bottom can come out on top.
13. Wrigley Field was built and becomes the oldest park in the National League.
14. Flag poles were erected on Wrigley Field roof to hold all of the team’s future World Series pennants. Those flag poles have since rusted and been taken down.
15. A combination of 40 Summer and Winter Olympics have been held.
16. Thirteen baseball players have won the Triple Crown; several thanked Cubs pitchers.
17. Bell-bottoms came in style, went out of style and came back in style; disco did the same.
18. The Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins have all won the World Series.
19. The Cubs played 14,153 regular-season games; they lost the majority of them.
20. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma and New Mexico were admitted to the Union.
Will Albert Leave St. Louis?
As a MASSIVE Cardinals fan, this is hard to write.
Ryan Howard’s crazy contract extension could mean that the Cards, or any other team, may have to shell out upwards of $30 million per year to add Albert to their lineup. That’s a stack of cash.
It’s not a stretch to imagine the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets or even the Cubs will send Albert a blank check with the note, “just fill in the blank, big fella”. But what about the Cardinals? Do they have it in them spend that kind of cash when Pujols’ contract expires after next season?
Let’s see what Bobby Cox, Braves skipper, thinks when asked what Pujols is worth: “Fifty million dollars a year, at least. Is it possible? I’m sure the Cardinals will do everything they possibly can. … I don’t know how you pay a guy like Pujols. He’s the best. Let’s put it that way.”
$50 million?! Maybe Bobby’s off his rocker.
Chipper Jones, what say you? “Albert’s got a couple more MVPs, a batting title, and put up all the same numbers that Howard has, maybe a little better. I’d say that Albert is going to make a little more than that. It depends on if St. Louis has as deep of pockets. I’m sure if they do, for someone such as Albert, it’s a pretty good gamble to take.”
Let’s compare Pujols and Howard then. According to MLB FanHouse, “If we use Howard’s career as a benchmark, it’s true that he averages more homers and RBI per 162 games (48 and 141 compared to 42 and 129), but don’t let counting stats fool you. Pujols’ career on-base percentage outstrips Howard by more than 50 points, .427 to .373, and he out-slugs Howard by a similarly wide margin .628 to .582. Pujols has drawn 826 walks and struck out only 585 times in nine-plus seasons, which is nearly the inverse of Howard’s 899 Ks and 411 walks in his six-plus years.”
As a lifelong Cards fan, it would be devastating to see Pujols leave St. Louis. But as a fan of the game, it would be hard for me to imagine not respecting his decision. I think that’s what separates the fans in St. Louis with the Cavaliers fans in Cleveland. When LeBron announced his departure, Cleveland erupted in hate. I don’t think Cardinals fans would do that. Unless Pujols goes to the Cubs, but then it’s justified.
Would fans in St. Louis be upset? You better believe it. But Albert’s done so much for the community that you would hope he’d only be wanting more money so that he could give more away.
Albert is a great man before he’s a great baseball player. And that’s something that I appreciate more than him being a great ballplayer. That said, I sure do hope the Cardinals open up the checkbook after next season…
Can Martz recreate the magic of the “Greatest Show” with Cutler? I say yes.
Credit: AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
When the Broncos drafted Jay Cutler with the 11th pick in ’06 I was thrilled. Being a Vanderbilt fan, I had followed Cutler since his freshman year and knew how tough and talented he was before most of the national media. I just knew that he would thrive under the Hall Of Fame building tutelage of Mike Shanahan, unfortunately that wasn’t to be. After a strong, promising start Cutler started to suffer from over-thinking plays, debilitating team injuries, and a monumental late season collapse to knock themselves out of playoff contention for the 3rd straight year, Shanahan was let go by Denver. Then came the snowball effect.
Denver hired New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and reportedly discussed trading Cutler in a 3 way deal to get Matt Cassel, and the soap opera unfolded. When Jay ended up in Chicago I was psyched again, my mom was a huge Bears fan therefore I grew up a Bears fan. Unfortunately I knew the wide receiver situation was less than hopeful there, downright dreadful. But even with a subpar receiving corps, Cutler still managed to throw for 3,666 yds and 27 tds, unfortunately he also backed that up with a dreadful, league high 26 INTs. Most of those were, again, due to him trying to create too much with too little.
But with the hiring of Mike Martz as o-coordinator in the ’09 offseason, could this be the key to reigning in the talent of the best QB on the board of the ’06 draft? I say there’s a very good chance. Martz, of course, is the offensive guru behind the famed Greatest Show On Turf of the St. Louis Rams teams that scored an astounding 526 points en route to winning Super Bowl XXXIV and over the next 3 seasons scored an amazing 1,569 points, the most by any team in league history over a 3 year span. And yes Martz offense struggled in Detroit and San Fransisco, but neither of those teams had a QB of Cutler’s caliber. A QB whom Martz says “[Cutler] has that Kurt Warner-awareness. [...] He has such a keen sense of where everybody’s at. He sees everything, can diagnose it without even thinking about it, which allows him to excel with what we do.” Pretty big considering Warner ran the aforementioned explosive Rams offense. Watch out for the Bears, they may not contend this season, but this team is only a few key players short of being Super Bowl caliber. Mark my words.
The Million Dollar Man? Not So Fast, My Friend
Revis is turning down $1 million a year because he wants to be the highest paid Cornerback in the league. He wants around $15 million.
Revis Island should probably now be called Greedy Island.
The Jets’ owner says “My impression is no progress … no movement whatsoever” regarding resigning Revis.
What say you – do you think Revis is acting like an idiot?
Is Tiger Done?
Sancetta/AP
El Tigre wrapped up this weekend’s Bridgestone Invitational at 18 over par.
18 over.
That marks the worst tournament in his career. In fact, today’s 77 is the highest round he’s ever posted
Is Tiger unraveling or is this just a phase?
There’s no arguing he’s possibly the best golfer ever, but will his personal life trump his focus on the course?
