NFL Surprises and Disappointments and James Harrison

(Note: I am going to try something different. I was talking about many things in one post, but I am going to try and concentrate on one sport per post, hoping that gives me time to get more post out a week. Let me know what you think.)


Week 6 in the NFL is over and we have the front runners we thought we would have (Jets, Colts, Patriots) and then we have the NFC.

Yes, one year after the Saints (4-2) had arguably the most inspirational Super Bowl win, the NFC is back to being the inferior conference in this year's NFL season. The Saints aren't having a bad season, but a loss to the Cardinals (3-2) had some worrying. The supposed clear NFC West winner, the San Francisco 49ers (1-5), have won only one game, and that was over an Oakland Raiders team that was offering every player on their team up as trade bait.

The Cowboys (1-4) are ridiculously bad, the Vikings (2-3) aren't much better, the Packers (3-3) have injuries, the Panthers (0-5) have yet to win a game and every team in the NFC West, void the above mentioned 49ers, have a winning or .500 record!

The AFC on the other hand has three teams with only one loss (Patriots, Jets, Steelers), and four teams with a record of four wins and two losses (Colts, Texans, Titans, Ravens).

As with any NFL season, there are surprises and disappointments:

NFL Three Big Surprises

(Yahoo! Sports)

1. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-1): Ok, this team has dominated the past decade, so you may be thinking why are they a surprise. It's because Big Ben, their quarterback and leader, sat out the first four games, and they went 3-1 in those games.

Think about it. Dennis Dixon leads the team to a great victory over one of the best teams in the NFC in the Atlanta Falcons (4-2) in Week 1. Week 2, he gets hurt, and FOURTH-STRING QB Charlie Batch comes in as the defense causes seven turnovers in a victory over another four and two Tennessee Titans. Week 3, that same Batch dominates a good Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) team.

The teams only loss was by three points to a very good Baltimore Ravens (4-2) team. Who was the quarterback in that game? Charlie Batch. Plug in Big Ben or even Dennis Dixon and things could go differently. 

Roethlisberger was back this week and they easily got rid of the pesky Browns (1-5). Now that he is back for good, things are looking up for the team. The team travels to New Orleans in two weeks, and that game will be huge for both teams.

(Yahoo! Sports)

2. Kansas City Chiefs (3-2): What a year can do for a team and for a quarterback. Yes, their three wins are over a struggling Chargers (2-3) team, the Browns and the 49ers. But, I think what tells the most about this team is the last two weeks in which they lost. Their great defense limited Peyton Manning in a 10 point loss and if not for late heroics by the Texans, they would be 4-1. 

Matt Cassel has put up respectable numbers - 850 passing, 7 TD, 3 INT. The ball has been passed around to many different people on the team. Rookie Dexter McCluster has had moments of greatness this season and the defense has been the star, holding every team under 20, minus the Texans.

With games coming up against Jacksonville (3-3), Buffalo (0-5) and at Oakland (2-4), the Chiefs can add to their resume and pose a real threat to crashing the playoffs. Plus, with the play of the other teams in the AFC West, the division championship is the Chiefs to lose.

(Yahoo! Sports)

3. St. Louis Rams (3-3): I know, I know. This team is only .500 on the season and got blown out by the Detroit Lions (1-5) one week ago. But, only six weeks into the season, they have already matched the win total I predicted for them for the entire season.

They have wins over a shaky Seattle Seahawk (3-2) team and the Chargers, but their biggest victory was over the Washington Redskins (3-3). The Redskins are a real playoff threat, and the Rams dominated them. The defense just wouldn't let the Redskins into the end zone, forcing them to kick three field goals.  The other two losses were by a combined six points. 

Sam Bradford, the number one pick in the 2010 NFL Draft has thrown for 1,357 yards, 7 TD and 8 INT. The interceptions will come with a first year quarterback entering a bad team. Time will fix that. With Steven Jackson in the backfield, this team has potential. They may not make the playoffs this year, but give them time, and they may again be The Greatest Show on Turf.

( Honorable Mentions: Tampa Bay (3-2), Miami (3-2), Philadelphia (4-2), Chicago (4-2) )

NFL Three Big Disappointments

(Yahoo! Sports)

1. Dallas Cowboys (1-4): Coming into this season, all the talks were about how the Dallas Cowboys could be the first team ever to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium.

So much for that.

I'll give it to them, they have faced five potential playoff teams, but their schedule doesn't get any easier from here. Their lone win was over the Houston Texans (4-2), and that game showed what this team was capable of doing. The next week, they couldn't contain Vince Young and the Titans defense.

It is easy to see that Tony Romo has no protection. The offensive line was a concern in the preseason, but everyone said don't worry. Should we start worrying now? Roy Williams is finally contributing, but that doesn't matter if they aren't scoring more points than the opposing team. Romo has been sacked seven times in five games, and has seven interceptions. His stats aren't terrible, but he doesn't have the time to throw.

This past week was the battle of survival against the Vikings. The Vikings won, and now the Cowboys are in panic mode. Is it too early to start looking for a new head coach?

(Yahoo! Sports)

2. San Diego Chargers (2-3): I wish I had a reason for why any of these top three teams were doing so bad, the Chargers included. They have one of the best young quarterbacks in Philip Rivers, who has over 2,000 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. They were suppose to have the next LT in Ryan Matthews, but he has been hindered by injuries. 

All four of the Chargers losses have come to teams that had draft picks in the top 8 - Oakland, Seattle (3-2), Kansas City and St. Louis. Yes two of those teams are on my top surprise teams, but if every team who picked in the top 10 of a draft became excellent the next year, the league would be a mess every year. Oakland hasn't beaten San Diego in almost seven years. Seven years! Then they did. 

The defense can't seem to stop too many people, and Shawn Merriman looks to be out the door. Dominate performances over the Jaguars (3-3) and the Cardinals (3-2) aren't that impressive. Their schedule doesn't get any easier. In the next three weeks they face New England, Tennessee and at Houston. 

(Yahoo! Sports)

3. Minnesota Vikings (2-3): This team could be on its way off the list if it can win some games. Then again, it could be moving up as their next two games are at Green Bay and at New England.

Brett Favre came back to lead this team to the Super Bowl they thought they deserved last year. The offense last year was spectacular. This year, sub par. They have yet to put up over 30 points. Favre's numbers are pedestrian to say the least - 979 yards, 6 TD, 7 INT. The lack of a big threat wide receiver hurt the team early, but now that they picked up Randy Moss and with Sidney Rice hopefully coming back soon, the offense could be on its way back. Adrian Peterson has been great - 553 yards and 5 touchdowns, and has yet to put the ball on the ground. For a man who's career has been plagued by fumbles, this is an improvement.

The Vikings still have 11 games and with the struggles of the Packers, could still contend for the division title, but they need to start producing numbers. Their defense hasn't been terrible, but they could help by providing some pass coverage.

( Honorable Mentions: Carolina (0-5), San Francisco (1-5), Green Bay (3-3) )

One Quick Note on... James Harrison and Big Hits

(Yahoo! Sports)

James Harrison took out two Browns' receivers this weekend and continues to be one of the dirtiest players in the game. But, his hits were legal according to officials, as he was not penalized. 

In a week that saw a Rutgers player get paralyzed after a devastating hit he administered and with DeSean Jackson having his second concussion in his short career, these kind of hits are becoming the topic of discussion. The NFL wants to look at helmet-to-helmet hits and hand out suspensions when necessary.

Harrison said he doesn't regret the hits, and said when he goes out to play, he wants to hurt opposing players. Not injure, but hurt. 

"I don't want to injure anybody," Harrison said following Pittsburgh's 28-10 victory. "There's a big difference between being hurt and being injured. You get hurt, you shake it off and come back the next series or the next game. I try to hurt people."

Head Coach Tomlin supports his player, saying that he doesn't think Harrison did anything illegal, but also saying he supports penalties to helmet-to-helmet hits.

Agree with the things I said? Disagree? Let me and everyone else know! Comment below and keep following.

Michigan State the Contender, Florida the Pretender and the B.C.S.

We are six weeks into the college football season and already there have been surprises. One week after dominating Florida, Alabama and McElroy lose their first game since the 2008 season. Boise State is undefeated, but so is fellow WAC member Nevada. Penn State, Texas and USC are all unranked. The Heisman race is being controlled by quarterbacks.

Wait, that last one always happens.

Michigan State is a Contender

(Yahoo! Sports)

One of the biggest match-ups of Week 6 was the 5-0 Michigan State Spartans invading the Big House to take on the 5-0 Michigan Wolverines with Denard Robinson at the helm. The result - a 34-17 battering at the hands of the Spartans.

This may be a surprise to a lot of people who haven't been watching MSU. Being a Michigan fan, that is hard to admit. They have looked as solid as any team in the nation so far this year. They had three fluff games in the first four weeks that they were able to control and the fourth was a game against Notre Dame that came down to a fake field goal in overtime.

Now some people may look at the Nortre Dame game, a team that is 3-3, and they think if State was a contender, they would have beat them easier. Well, sometimes a great team doesn't always play great and an okay team plays better than expected. The fact that MSU was able to close out the close game with an excellent play call by Coach Dantonio says volumes about this team.

Then there was Wisconsin. Wisconsin was ranked 11th in the nation and undefeated. They had a Heisman hopeful in their running back and were picked to win. State shut down John Clay and won by double digits, 34-24.

So their first away game of the season was against the Wolverines. Michigan was ranked 18th in the nation and undefeated. They had a Heisman front runner in their quarterback and were picked to win.

Sound familiar?

Yep, State won, easily, 34-17. They shut down Robinson on the ground and forced him to throw 3 INTs. The running game did what they have done all year, pound it out.

MSU doesn't face Ohio State this year and their hardest game left is a game at Iowa. Iowa's defense is strong, no question. But, if MSU keeps playing the way they have the first six weeks, they could run the table and worst case, share the Big Ten title with Ohio State and earn themselves a BCS Bowl Game.

DRob is Not a Pretender, and Still a Contender

(Yahoo! Sports)

On the other side of the ball, Michigan's star quarterback, Denard Robinson, was not his usual superhuman self. But, different people look at this game in a different ways.

Here is how I look at it. DRob still put up 215 yards through the air and 86 on the ground. He still had two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. And he still was The Michigan Offense.

What was different in this game? The 3 INTs. Yes, that hurts. Not doubt. And if you watched the game or go back and look at the throws, they weren't good. But, the problem was that Denard was trying to do too much. He was forcing the balls in there. He is a sophomore in his first year as a starter and against his first tough defense. If Rich Rod and the QB coach saw what I did, and I really hope they did, they will work with him on this.

So where does this leave him in the Heisman race? Still very much in it, just not the runaway winner. In a year where no players are stepping up like Tim Tebow of 2007 or Mark Ingram of 2009, DRob is the most electrifying player on the field anywhere in the country. He has over 1,200 yards passing and just under 1,000 yards rushing. And, like I said before, he is The Michigan Offense. While Tate Forcier and Devan Gardner are good QBs, the team would not be the same with out DRob. 

That is the stuff that Heisman winners are made of. Now if he throws 3 INTs in the rest of the six regular season games and they lose all six, then he has no chance. But, if he realizes what he did wrong, gets back to what works and keeps his stats up, he has as good of a chance as anybody in the Heisman race.

Oh My, Florida is a Pretender

(Yahoo! Sports)

Did the experts watch Florida's first four games of the season? And if they did, did they watch the same games I did?

The way that they talked up the Florida Gators before their Week 5 game against Alabama, I really hope something was wrong with their viewings of the Gators.

This is not a championship team!

I like to think of this team as similar to the Michigan Wolverines. While the Wolverines are all offense and no defense, the Gators are all defense and no offense. In their opening game against Miami (OH), Miami was into the game into the fourth quarter, and not because of the defense. They only allowed 12 points. The offense, now led by John Brantley, had only 212 yards of offense, the same as Miami. Against Tennessee, the offense had over 300 yards of offense, but were only by 7 points to a poor team with six minutes left. 

If I had to guess, I would think the experts looked at their last game against Kentucky. ATH Trey Burton  had six touchdowns and again the defense stepped up. But, still, the team had not looked impressive on offense at any point during the season.

Before the Alabama - Florida game, many experts on ESPN's College Gameday picked Florida for the upset. One of my friends did to. I turned to him and told him that no way, no how was Florida was going to win. In fact, it would be a blowout by Alabama.

Low and behold, Alabama dominated 31-6, and that is only because they put it into cruise control in the second half. Alabama caused four turnovers, of which 2 INTs by Brantley. They only allowed 79 yards on the ground. Alabama did what I thought - dominated a poor offense.

Then game LSU game, and again most experts picked Florida to win. And while Florida was still in the game up until it was over, they were out gained on offense 385 - 243.

Florida may only lose one more game this season, and that is to a South Carolina team that just beat the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide. A 9-3 season isn't bad, but when you look at why they win five out of six, it's because the SEC East is weak. Very weak. If Florida was in the SEC West, they would lose to Auburn and Arkansas too. Florida may get by South Carolina and when the East, but have no doubt, they will not win the SEC. It won't even be close.

One Quick Note on.... The BCS

The first BCS rankings will come out this Sunday after all Week 7 games are complete. Boise State is predicted to be the number one team at this moment, while Ohio State is predicted to be 5th.

Don't let that fool you. Let Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oregon, Alabama, etc. get farther into their conference schedule and the numbers will change.

Not to say that Boise doesn't deserve it, because I think they do, but their schedule is weaker. They better hope Nevada stays undefeated for their match-up.

Agree with the things I said? Disagree? Let me and everyone else know! Comment below and keep following.

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC West San Francisco 49ers

Sorry I haven't posted for a week. I have been busy with the first week of classes and attending one of my best friend's weddings. Today I am posting the last two teams, the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers, and then tomorrow I will post my postseason predictions.

Today we have our final team, the San Francisco 49ers. Tomorrow I will post my playoff and Super Bowl XLV champions.

San Francisco 49ers

Last Season: 8-8

2010 NFL Draft: OT Anthony Davis (Rutgers, Rd. 1/Pick 11), OG Mike Iupati (Idaho, Rd. 1/Pick 17), S Taylor Mays (USC, Rd. 2/Pick 17), LB Navorro Bowman (Penn St., Rd. 3/Pick 27), RB Anthony Dixon (Miss. St., Rd. 6/Pick 4), TE Nate Byham (Pittsburgh, Rd. 6/Pick 13), WR Kyle Williams (Arizona St., Rd. 6/Pick 37), CB Phillip Adams (South Carolina St., Rd. 7/Pick 17)

Key Additions: QB David Carr (from NY Giants), Ted Ginn Jr. (from 49ers)

Key Losses: WR Isaac Bruce (to Rams)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Seahawks

Week 2: Saints

Week 3: @ Chiefs

Week 4: @ Falcons

Week 5: Eagles

Week 6: Raiders

Week 7: @ Panthers

Week 8: Broncos

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Rams

Week 11: Bucs

Week 12: @ Cardinals

Week 13: @ Packers

Week 14: Seahawks

Week 15: @ Chargers

Week 16: @ Rams

Week 17: Cardinals

Analysis: This could be a dangerous team. They didn’t loss much in the offseason and after a .500 year last year that saw Alex Smith finally step into his role as starting quarterback, the team will compete for the division title this year. Michael Crabtree’s late entrance last year didn’t help, but he has had time to develop with the team. Ginn Jr. may be able to provide help at the slot receiver position. Frank Gore is a solid back that was injured last year, but when he is healthy, he can pound out yards. Glen Coffee adds depth at the position. Davis and Iupati will both probably be instant starters with Joey Staley and Adam Snyder on the offensive line, and if they contribute, will make the line a lot better. The defensive line could use some work, but the linebacking squad is still solid with Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis. Mays should add depth in the secondary that could use the help. Dashon Goldson and Nat Clements did a solid job last year. The team can be dangerous if everything goes smooth, and with Mike Singletary at the helm, will easily compete in the weak division.

2010 Season Predictions: 13-3, NFC West Division Champs

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC West Arizona Cardinals

Sorry I haven't posted for a week. I have been busy with the first week of classes and attending one of my best friend's weddings. Today I am posting the last two teams, the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers, and then tomorrow I will post my postseason predictions.

Today we have the Arizona Cardinals.

Arizona Cardinals

Last Season: 10-6, NFC West Division Champs (Lost to Saints in Divisional Game)

2010 NFL Draft: DT Dan Williams (Tennessee, Rd. 1/Pick 26), LB Daryl Washington (TCU, Rd. 2/Pick 15), WR Andre Roberts (Citadel, Rd. 3/Pick 24), LB O’Brien Schofield (Wisconsin, Rd. 4/Pick 32), QB John Skelton (Fordham, Rd. 5/Pick 24), CB Jorrick Calvin (Troy, Rd. 6/Pick 32), TE Jim Dray (Stanford, Rd. 7/Pick 26)

Key Additions: QB Derek Anderson (from Browns), LB Joey Porter (from Dolphins)

Key Losses: QB Kurt Warner (Retired), WR Anquan Boldin (to Ravens), LB Karlos Dansby (to Dolphins), S Antrel Rolle (to NY Giants)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Rams

Week 2: @ Falcons

Week 3: Raiders

Week 4: @ Chargers

Week 5: Saints

Week 6: BYE

Week 7: @ Seahawks

Week 8: Bucs

Week 9: @ Vikings

Week 10: Seahawks

Week 11: @ Chiefs

Week 12: 49ers

Week 13: Rams

Week 14: Broncos

Week 15: @ Panthers

Week 16: Cowboys

Week 17: @ 49ers

Analysis: The Cardinals may not have lost as many players as other teams, but they may be the team who lost the most. Warner was a great story and a great quarterback, and now 2006 first rounder Matt Leinart will have to step up. Anderson was brought in for insurance, but if Leinart doesn’t work, then it will be bad. Boldin’s departure is rough, but Steve Breaston has developed and now will step into the second wide receiver position behind Larry Fitzgerald. Tim Hightower and Beanie Wells developed nicely last year and should provide a good ground attack, but like the Eagles, this is a team that likes to pass, so Leinart will be relied on. Williams will step right in on defense to help the hurting defesensive line, and Porter will likely take the lead at linebacker with the loss of Dansby. Kerry Rhodes and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should provide a solid secondary, but the loss of Rolle will hurt. This will be a new team, but they still have the parts to make it work if Leinart can step in and instantly contribute.

2010 Season Predictions: 4-12, Second in NFC West

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC West St. Louis Rams

Today we have the St. Louis Rams.

St. Louis Rams

Last Season: 1-15

2010 NFL Draft: QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma, Rd. 1/Pick 1), OT Rodger Saffold (Indiana, Rd. 2/Pick 1), CB Jerome Murphy (South Florida, Rd. 3/Pick 1), WR Mardy Gilyard (Cincinnati, Rd. 4/Pick 1), TE Mike Hoomanawanui (Illinois, Rd. 5/Pick 1), DE Hall Davis (Louisiana-Lafayette, Rd. 5/Pick 18), TE Fendi Onobun (Houston, Rd. 6/Pick 1), DE Eugene Sims (West Texas A&M, Rd. 6/Pick 20), CB Marquis Johnson (Alabama, Rd. 7/Pick 4), DE George Selvie (South Florida, Rd. 7/Pick 19), LB Josh Hull (Penn St., Rd. 7/Pick 47)

Key Additions: DT Fred Robbins (from NY Giants), LB Na’il Diggs (from Panthers)

Key Losses: QB Marc Bulger (to Ravens), OT Alex Barron (to Cowboys)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Cardinals

Week 2: @ Raiders

Week 3: Redskins

Week 4: Seahawks

Week 5: @ Lions

Week 6: Chargers

Week 7: @ Bucs

Week 8: Panthers

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: @ 49ers

Week 11: Falcons

Week 12: @ Broncos

Week 13: @ Cardinals

Week 14: @ Saints

Week 15: Chiefs

Week 16: 49ers

Week 17: @ Seahawks

Analysis: This is a team that has been rebuilding for years now, and this may be the year things start to look up. Bradford, after being injured in his last year, is ready to go and is in great shape to start the season as the starting quarterback. Gilyard will provide a target for Bradford as well as a return man with explosive talent. Saffold will add depth to the line that needs help. Steven Jackson is still one of the best running backs, and he is looking for an explosive year where Bradford will take some heat off of him. Diggs was a great pick up to join James Laurinaitis to help the terrible defense from last year. The line is a little weak, but Robbins will help Chris Long make it stronger. Murphy will contribute to the secondary with Justin King and Ronald Bartell. They can still use help, but the Rams are a better team this year than they have been for a long time.

2010 Season Predictions: 3-13, Third in NFC West

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC West Seattle Seahawks

Today we start the last division, the NFC West, with the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle Seahawks

Last Season: 5-11

2010 NFL Draft: OT Russell Okung (Ok. St., Rd. 1/Pick 6), S Earl Thomas (Texas, Rd. 1/Pick 14), WR Golden Tate (Notre Dame, Rd. 2/Pick 28), CB Walter Thurmond (Oregon, Rd. 4/Pick 13), DE E.J. Wilson (North Carolina, Rd. 4/Pick 29), S Kam Chancellor (Va. Tech, Rd. 5/Pick 2), TE Anthony McCoy (USC, Rd. 6/Pick 16), OLB Dexter Davis (Arizona St., Rd. 7/Pick 29), FB Jameson Konz (Kent St., Rd. 7/Pick 38)

Key Additions: QB Charlie Whitehurst (from Chargers), RB Leon Washington (from NY Jets)

Key Losses: OT Walter Jones (Retired), WR Nate Burleson (to Lions)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: 49ers

Week 2: @ Broncos

Week 3: Chargers

Week 4: @ Rams

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: @ Bears

Week 7: Cardinals

Week 8: @ Raiders

Week 9: NY Giants

Week 10: @ Cardinals

Week 11: @ Saints

Week 12: Chiefs

Week 13: Panthers

Week 14: @ 49ers

Week 15: Falcons

Week 16: @ Bucs

Week 17: Rams

Analysis: With USC legend Pete Carroll taking over the coaching job, this team has already made major changes. Carroll wanted Whitehurst to add pressure Matt Hasselbeck and make him up his game that has been on the decline the past couple of years. Julius Jones dealt with injures last year, but with Justin Forsett and Leon Washington backing him up, they should provide a good punch. T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch are dealing with a few injures this offseason, but Tate will help with taking some of the passes from Hasselbeck. Okung was great first round draft pick that will instantly start and help provide protection for Hasselbeck. The defense is what hurts. Lofa Tatupu has really developed as a great linebacker and leader of the defense, but he needs help. Aaron Curry is slowly getting there. Thomas will most likely start in the secondary that needs the help. The line isn’t great either. This is a team that is slowly making their way back up the latter, but they may need a couple more years to get there.

2010 Season Predictions: 2-14, Fourth in NFC West

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC South New Orleans Saints

Today we finish up the NFC South with the New Orleans Saints.

New Orleans Saints

Last Season: 13-3, NFC South Division Champs (Super Bowl XLIV Champs)

2010 NFL Draft: CB Patrick Robinson (Florida St., Rd. 1/Pick 32), OT Charles Brown (USC, Rd. 2/Pick 32), TE Jimmy Graham (Miami (FL), Rd. 3/Pick 31), DT Al Woods (LSU, Rd. 4/Pick 25), C Matt Tennant (Boston College, Rd. 5/Pick 27), QB Sean Canfield (Oregon St., Rd. 7/Pick 32)

Key Additions: DL Alex Brown (from Bears), DL Jimmy Wilkerson (from Bucs)

Key Losses: RB Mike Bell (to Eagles), LB Scott Fujita (to Browns), DL Charles Grant (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Vikings

Week 2: @ 49ers

Week 3: Falcons

Week 4: Panthers

Week 5: @ Cardinals

Week 6: @ Bucs

Week 7: Browns

Week 8: Steelers

Week 9: @ Panthers

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: Seahawks

Week 12: @ Cowboys

Week 13: @ Bengals

Week 14: Rams

Week 15: @ Ravens

Week 16: @ Falcons

Week 17: Bucs

Analysis: The Super Bowl champs are ready to defend their title. Drew Brees is still the leading man and his receivers are still intact in Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and Jeremy Shockey. Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas will combine to fight for the yards on the ground when Brees isn’t throwing the ball. The offensive line adds Brown to help add to the depth. Brown and Wilkerson join the defensive line that losses Grant, but keep Sedrick Ellis, Remi Ayodele and Will Smith. The linebackers are still intact with Scott Shanle and Johnathan Vilma. The loss of Fujita hurts a little, but they can rebound. Robinson joins a secondary that keeps Darren Sharper along with Roman Harper and Tracy Porter. The team is still very good and will again compete with the top of the league for the chance at back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

2010 Season Predictions: 14-2, NFC South Division Champs

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC South Carolina Panthers

Today we have the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina Panthers

Last Season: 8-8

2010 NFL Draft: QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame, Rd. 2/Pick 16), WR Brandon LaFell (LSU, Rd. 3/Pick 14), WR Armani Edwards (Appalachian St., Rd. 3/Pick 25), LB Eric Norwood (South Carolina, Rd. 4/Pick 26), DE Greg Hardy (Miss., Rd. 6/Pick 6), WR David Gettis (Baylor, Rd. 6/Pick 29), CB Jordon Pugh (Texas A&M, Rd. 6/Pick 33), QB Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Rd. 6/Pick 35), CB R.J. Stanford (Utah, Rd. 7/Pick 16), CB Robert McClain (Conn., Rd. 7/Pick 42)

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: QB Jake Delhomme (to Browns), DE Julius Peppers (to Bears), WR Mushin Muhammad (Retired), FB Brad Hoover (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ NY Giants

Week 2: Bucs

Week 3: Bengals

Week 4: @ Saints

Week 5: Bears

Week 6: BYE

Week 7: 49ers

Week 8: @ Rams

Week 9: Saints

Week 10: @ Bucs

Week 11: Ravens

Week 12: @ Browns

Week 13: @ Seahawks

Week 14: Falcons

Week 15: Cardinals

Week 16: @ Steelers

Week 17: @ Falcons

Analysis: Mistake-ridden Delhomme is out. Some think Matt Moore is the quarterback to lead the team, I don’t. I think Clausen, no matter how his career went at Notre Dame, is a pretty good quarterback and will take over soon enough for the team. Hopefully they realize that before this season is a waste. Steve Smith is still an elite receiver and Dwayne Jarrett will move up to the number two receiver. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are still a dynamic duo in the backfield. Two years ago the Panther were the number two team in the NFC, but last too many mistakes from Delhomme lead to the offensive downfall of the team. I think that will change this year. The loss of Julius Peppers will hurt the defense, so Tyler Brayton will need to step up and lead the line. The secondary still has Chris Gamble and Charles Godfrey, so they are sitting pretty. The linebackers could use some help, but they aren’t terrible. The way the team goes this year will depend on the quarterback situation. It could be disastrous or great.

2010 Season Predictions: 9-7, Second in NFC South

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC South Atlanta Falcons

Today we have the Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta Falcons

Last Season: 9-7

2010 NFL Draft: LB Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri, Rd. 1/Pick 19), DT Corey Peters (Kentucky, Rd. 3/Pick 19), OG Mike Johnson (Alabama, Rd. 3/Pick 34), OG Joseph Hawley (UNLV, Rd. 4/Pick 19), CB Dominique Franks (Oklahoma, Rd. 5/Pick 4), WR Kerry Meier (Kansas, Rd. 5/Pick 34), S Shann Schillinger (Montana, Rd. 6/Pick 2)

Key Additions: CB Duanta Robinson (from Texans)

Key Losses: CB Tye Hill (to Titans)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Steelers

Week 2: Cardinals

Week 3: @ Saints

Week 4: 49ers

Week 5: @ Browns

Week 6: @ Eagles

Week 7: Bengals

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: Bucs

Week 10: Ravens

Week 11: @ Rams

Week 12: Packers

Week 13: @ Bucs

Week 14: @ Panthers

Week 15: @ Seahawks

Week 16: Saints

Week 17: Panthers

Analysis: The Falcons are a good team that lacked on the defensive side last year. The offense could score with Matt Ryan at the helm. He wasn’t as great as his rookie year, but he will keep getting better. Michael Jenkins and Roddy White are still providing good targets for Ryan and Michael Turner, after a disappointing season, looks to rebound with another power performance this year. He said he let his weight slip, but now he is back in shape and under 250. Johnson and Hawley will add depth to a hurting offensive line. Peters will help the defensive line with John Abraham and Jonathan Babineaux. The linebacker position needed the help, and Weatherspoon is looking to help out. Robinson is a good addition to help the attack coming from the Saints. He will be an instant starter. The team needed some help on defensive and I think they found them. They will have the Saints to compete with still, but a similar season to last year is what I expect.

2010 Season Predictions: 9-7, Third in NFC South

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC South Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Today we start the NFC South, starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Last Season: 3-13

2010 NFL Draft: DT Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma, Rd. 1/Pick 3), DT Brian Price (UCLA, Rd. 2/Pick 3), WR Arrelious Benn (Illinois, Rd. 2/Pick 7), CB Myron Lewis (Vanderbilt, Rd. 3/Pick 3), WR Mike Williams (Syracuse, Rd. 4/Pick 3), P Brent Bowden (Va. Tech, Rd. 6/Pick 3), S Cody Grimm (Va. Tech, Rd. 7/Pick 3), LB Dekoda Watson (Florida St., Rd. 7/Pick 10) DE Erik Lorig (Stanford, Rd. 7/Pick 46)

Key Additions: DB Sean Jones (from Eagles)

Key Losses: WR Antonio Bryant (to Bengals), DT Chris Hovan (to Rams)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Browns

Week 2: @ Panthers

Week 3: Steelers

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: @ Bengals

Week 6: Saints

Week 7: Rams

Week 8: @ Cardinals

Week 9: @ Falcons

Week 10: Panthers

Week 11: @ 49ers

Week 12: @ Ravens

Week 13: Falcons

Week 14: @ Redskins

Week 15: Lions

Week 16: Seahawks

Week 17: @ Saints

Analysis: Josh Freeman took over last year late in the season, but the team couldn’t really produce on offense. They hope to change that this year. Part of the reason was the injury to Cadillac Williams. He should be healthy and with Derrick Ward backing him up, they should take some pressure off of Freeman. With Michael Clayton and Reggie Brown, plus the addition of Arrelious Benn, Freeman will have targets. The offensive line hurt last year, and the team really didn’t do anything to improve that. The defense, which wasn’t great last year, is what saw the most improvement. McCoy will contribute early and often and Price adds depth to the offensive line. The linebackers could have used some help, but again didn’t receive any. The secondary was descent last year. Aqib Talib and Ronde Barber are joined by Jones and Lewis to strengthen the group. The team is still improving, but lack of help on the offensive line will come back to haunt them.

2010 Season Predictions: 4-12, Fourth in NFC South

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC North Green Bay Packers

Today we finish up the NFC North with the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers

Last Season: 11-5, NFC Wildcard (Lost to Cardinals in Wildcard Game)

2010 NFL Draft: OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowan, Rd. 1/Pick 23), DT Michael Neal (Purdue, Rd. 2/Pick 24), S Morgan Burnett (Ga. Tech, Rd. 3/Pick 7), TE Andrew Quarless (Penn St., Rd. 5/Pick 23), OG Marshall Newhouse (TCU, Rd. 5/Pick 28), RB James Starks (Buffalo, Rd. 6/Pick 24), DE C.J. Wilson (East Carolina, Rd. 7/Pick 23)

Key Additions: P Chris Bryan (Free Agency)

Key Losses: LB Aaron Kampman (to Jaguars), DE Mike Montgomery (to Vikings)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Eagles

Week 2: Bills

Week 3: @ Bears

Week 4: Lions

Week 5: @ Redskins

Week 6: Dolphins

Week 7: Vikings

Week 8: @ NY Jets

Week 9: Cowboys

Week 10: BYE

Week 11: @ Vikings

Week 12: @ Falcons

Week 13: 49ers

Week 14: @ Lions

Week 15: @ Patriots

Week 16: NY Giants

Week 17: Bears

Analysis: The Packers started last year 4-4, and then realized how good they were and finished on a 7-1 roll. In the third year of the Aaron Rodgers era, the team is better than any of the past three years. Ryan Grant proved he was a good runner last year and will again pump out the yards that are needed from him. The receivers are top notch, with Donald Driver, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley and Donald Lee topping the list. Rodgers keeps growing, and he makes smart choices. The way the team lost to the Cardinals in the wildcard round was unreal, and not likely to happen again. Bulaga will help with depth on the offensive line as well. The defense is solid. The defensive line has depth with Cullen Jenkins, Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, Neal and Wilson. The loss of Johnny Jolly for the season will hurt, but the Packers will recover. A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett and Clay Matthews will again lead the linebackers. Matthews came to last year after stepping in at linebacker. Charles Woodson, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, hopes to step up the rest of the secondary, and if Atari Bigby, Nick Collins and Al Harris can stay healthy, this defense will be solid. The Packers will have to deal with the Vikings again, but they are more than equipped for it.

2010 Season Predictions: 14-2, NFC North Division Champs

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC North Minnesota Vikings

Today we have the Minnesota Vikings.

Minnesota Vikings

Last Season: 12-4 NFC North Division Champs (Lost to Saints in NFC Championship Game)

2010 NFL Draft: CB Chris Cook (Virginia, Rd. 2/Pick 2), RB Toby Gerhart (Stanford, Rd. 2/Pick 19), DE Everson Griffen (USC, Rd. 4/Pick 2), OG Chris DeGeare (Wake Forest, Rd. 5/Pick 30), LB Nathan Triplett (Minnesota, Rd. 5/Pick 36), QB Joe Webb (UAB, Rd. 6/Pick 30), TE Mickey Shuler (Penn St., Rd. 7/Pick 7), LB Ryan D’Imperio (Rutgers, Rd. 7/Pick 30)

Key Additions: K Rhys Lloyd (from Panthers), RB Ryan Moats (from Houston), CB Lito Sheppard (from NY Jets)

Key Losses: OL Artis Hicks (to Redskins), RB Chester Taylor (to Bears)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Saints

Week 2: Dolphins

Week 3: Lions

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: @ NY Jets

Week 6: Cowboys

Week 7: @ Packers

Week 8: @ Patriots

Week 9: Cardinals

Week 10: @ Bears

Week 11: Packers

Week 12: @ Redskins

Week 13: Bills

Week 14: NY Giants

Week 15: Bears

Week 16: @ Eagles

Week 17: @ Lions

Analysis: Will Brett Favre return or won’t he? Again, in another offseason, that is the question. It seems more likely than not that he will return and that instantly makes the Vikings the favorite to win the division. Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin stepped up big last year in helping Bernard Berrian and Visanthe Shiancoe handle the load that Favre threw at them. It will again be a huge method in scoring for the Vikings. Adrian Peterson loses Chester Taylor but gains a similar back in Gerhart and help in the load from Moats. The offense should be as good this year as they were last year, if not better, because they know how close they were last year. AP needs to limit the mistakes, and they will again compete for a spot in the Super Bowl. The defense, which doesn’t sit back seat to Favre and the offense is as good as ever. The line is spectacular with Ray Edwards, Pat and Kevin Williams and Jared Allen. The linebackers could use some help, but they are descent. The secondary will miss Cedric Griffin early on, but the signing of Cook and Sheppard will help ease the pain, and Antoine Winfield will lead the team again. This is team that is going to explode out of the gate. The Packers will present a bigger threat, as will the Bears, but the team has what it takes.

2010 Season Predictions: 13-3, NFC Wildcard

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC North Detroit Lions

Today we have the Detroit Lions.

Detroit Lions

Last Season: 2-14

2010 NFL Draft: DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska, Rd. 1/Pick 2), RB Jahvid Best (California, Rd. 1/Pick 30), CB Amari Spievey (Iowa, Rd. 3/Pick 2), OT Jason Fox (Miami (FL), Rd. 4/Pick 30), DE Willie Young (NC St., Rd. 7/Pick 6), WR Timothy Toone (Weber St., Rd. 7/Pick 48)

Key Additions: CB Dre’ Bly (from 49ers), S C.C.. Brown (from NY Giants), WR Nate Burleson (from Seahawks), QB Shaun Hill (from 49ers), CB Chris Houston (from Atlanta), LB Landon Johnson (form Panthers), TE Tony Scheffler (from Broncos), G Rob Sims (from Seahawks), DE Kyle Vanden Bosch (from Titans), CB Jonathan Wade (from Rams), DT Corey Williams (from Browns)

Key Losses: CB Phillip Buchanon (to Redskins), S Daniel Bullocks (Released), TE Casey FitzSimmons (Retired), LB Larry Foote (to Steelers), CB Anthony Henry (Released), DT Grady Jackson (Released), CB William James (to 49ers), OL Daniel Loper (to Raiders), S Kalvin Pearson (Released), LB Ernie Sims (to Eagles), DE Dewayne White (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Bears

Week 2: Eagles

Week 3: @ Vikings

Week 4: @ Packers

Week 5: Rams

Week 6: @ NY Giants

Week 7: BYE

Week 8: Redskins

Week 9: NY Jets

Week 10: @ Bills

Week 11: @ Cowboys

Week 12: Patriots

Week 13: Bears

Week 14: Packers

Week 15: @ Bucs

Week 16: @ Dolphins

Week 17: Vikings

Analysis: The Lions finally want to win. That is apparent by the smart moves they made in the offseason. The additions of Burleson and Scheffler will help the passing attack. Calvin Johnson still leads, but the team has a lot of options including tight end Brandon Pettigrew and Dennis Northcutt. Matthew Stafford enters his second year with signs of improvement. He gives the Lions and their fans hope of an actual franchise quarterback. Best was a great draft at the running back position and I believe he will take over Kevin Smith as the top back. The offensive line could still use a little help, but they show signs of improvement. Suh may have been the best athlete in the draft, and lucky for the Lions, the Rams needed a quarterback more than a defensive tackle. Suh will instantly contribute along with Vanden Bosch, who comes in looking to improve on his sub-par season last year, and Williams will add depth at defensive tackle. The loss of Sims doesn’t sting too much, as Johnson should be able to easily fill the shoes that Sims didn’t leave. The secondary could use help, and the Lions ability to reacquire Dre’ Bly will help. The team still has needs, but they are moving in the right direction. The only two wins last year weren’t over good teams, but look for a few more wins this year.

2010 Season Predictions: 7-9, Third in NFC North

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC North Chicago Bears

Today we start the NFC North with a surprising team, the Chicago Bears.

Chicago Bears

Last Season: 7-9

2010 NFL Draft: S Major Wright (Florida, Rd. 3/Pick 11), DE Corey Wootton (Northwestern, Rd. 4/Pick 11), CB Joshua Moore (Kansas St., Rd. 5/Pick 10), QB Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan, Rd. 6/Pick 12), OT J’marcus Webb (West Texas A&M, Rd. 7/Pick 11)

Key Additions: SS Chris Harris (from Panthers), LB Brian Iwuh (from Jaguars), CB Tim Jennings (from Colts), TE Brandon Manumaleuna (from Chargers), DE Julius Peppers (from Panthers), RB Chester Taylor (from Vikings)

Key Losses: DE Alex Brown (to Saints), FB Jason McKie (to Saints), DE Adewale Ogunleye (Released), OT Orlando Pace (Released), S Kevin Payne (to Rams), CB Nathan Vasher (to Chargers), LB Jamar Williams (to Panthers)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Lions

Week 2: @ Cowboys

Week 3: Packers

Week 4: @ NY Giants

Week 5: @ Panthers

Week 6: Seahawks

Week 7: Redskins

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: @ Bills

Week 10: Vikings

Week 11: @ Dolphins

Week 12: Eagles

Week 13: @ Lions

Week 14: Patriots

Week 15: @ Vikings

Week 16: NY Jets

Week 17: @ Packers

Analysis: The NFC North, who usually has two bad teams, looks to improve this year by adding a third team who can compete for the division title. Jay Cutler started last season pretty bad, but he improved as the season went on. He will be better, but his problem this year will be the receivers he has to deal with. They are sitting pretty at tight end with Greg Olsen, Manumaleuna and Desmond Clark, but Devin Hester looks to lead the wide receivers. He has improved, but he will need help. Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox may be able to help him out. The Bears will be pounding the ball this year. Matt Forte is good and Chester Taylor adds a third down back, but also a target for Cutler to throw to. Peppers instantly helps the defensive. He will miss Ogunleye, but Tommie Harris could improve. Brian Urlacher’s return will be very welcome as he joines Lance Briggs to bring fear to opposing teams. Jennings adds depth to the secondary, but they could use some more help. This team is improving, but they may still be missing a few parts still.

2010 Season Predictions: 4-12, Fourth in NFC North

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC East Dallas Cowboys

Today we finish up the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys

Last Season: 11-5, AFC East Division Champs (Lost to Vikings in Divisional Game)

2010 NFL Draft: WR Dez Bryant (Ok. St., Rd. 1/Pick 24), LB Sean Lee (Penn St., Rd. 2/Pick 23), CB Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (Indiana (PA), Rd. 4/Pick 28), OT Sam Young (Notre Dame, Rd. 6/Pick 10), CB Jamar Wall (Texas Tech, Rd. 6/Pick 27), DT Sean Lissemore (William & Mary, Rd. 7/Pick 27)

Key Additions: OT Alex Barron (from Rams)

Key Losses: OT Flozell Adams (Released), LB Bobby Carpenter (to Rams), S Ken Hamlin (to Ravens), K Shaun Suisham (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ Redskins

Week 2: Bears

Week 3: @ Texans

Week 4: BYE

Week 5: Titans

Week 6: @ Vikings

Week 7: NY Giants

Week 8: Jaguars

Week 9: @ Packers

Week 10: @ NY Giants

Week 11: Lions

Week 12: Saints

Week 13: @ Colts

Week 14: Eagles

Week 15: Redskins

Week 16: @ Cardinals

Week 17: @ Eagles

Analysis: The Cowboys are clearly a Super Bowl favorite coming in. They are returning 20 of 22 starters and didn’t lose much in the way of free agency. Bryant was a great pick up to compliment Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, Roy Williams and Jason Witten as targets for continuous growing quarterback Tony Romo. He made fewer mistakes last year in leading the team to a division championship. Marion Barber needs to stay healthy to be a dual-attack team on offense. Keith Brooking and DeMarcus Ware will continue to dominate midfield at linebacker and Terence Newman is doing a great job at cornerback. Jerry Jones wants this team to win a Super Bowl, and at Cowboy Stadium would be icing on the top. This team has a real chance to win it all.

2010 Season Predictions: 11-5, NFC East Division Champs

NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC East Washington Redskins

Today we have the Washington Redskins.

Washington Redskins

Last Season: 4-12

2010 NFL Draft: OT Trent Williams (Oklahoma, Rd. 1/Pick 4), LB Perry Riley (LSU, Rd. 4/Pick 5), TE Dennis Morris (Louisiana Tech, Rd. 6/Pick 5), WR Terrence Austin (UCLA, Rd. 7/Pick 12), OG Erik Cook (New Mexico (Rd. 7/Pick 22), OT Selvish Capers (West Virginia, Rd. 7/Pick 24)

Key Additions: P Josh Bidwell (from Bucs), OT Jammal Brown (from Saints), CB Phillip Buchanon (from Lions), DT Adam Carriker (from Rams), LB Chris Draft (from Bills), WR Mike Furrey (from Browns), WR Joey Galloway (from Steelers), DT Howard Green (from NY Jets), QB Rex Grossman (from Texans), T/G Artis Hicks (from Vikings), DE Vonnie Holliday (from Broncos), RB Larry Johnson (from Bengals), NT Maake Kemoeatu (from Panthers), QB Donovan McNabb (from Eagles), RB Willie Parker (from Steelers), WR Bobby Wade (from Chiefs)

Key Losses: RB Ladell Betts (Released), QB Jason Campbell (to Raiders), RB Rock Cartwright (to Raiders), QB Todd Collins (Released), DT Cornelius Griffin (Released), OT Levi Jones (Released), WR Antwaan Randle El (to Steelers), LT Chris Samuels (Retired), P Hunter Smith (Released), CB Fred Smoot (Released), G Randy Thomas (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: Cowboys

Week 2: Texans

Week 3: @ Rams

Week 4: @ Eagles

Week 5: Packers

Week 6: Colts

Week 7: @ Bears

Week 8: @ Lions

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Eagles

Week 11: @ Titans

Week 12: Vikings

Week 13: @ NY Giants

Week 14: Bucs

Week 15: @ Cowboys

Week 16: @ Jaguars

Week 17: NY Giants

Analysis: What an overhaul! That is the only way to describe the Redskins offseason. After a disappointing season that included losses to the Bucs and the Lions, the front office knew it needed to change everything. That they did. The biggest is probably the signing of Donovan McNabb from the rival Eagles. I said with when talking about the Eagles that it was a good move. That’s not to say that McNabb is declining, but the Eagles and him had tough times and it was time for both to move on. Lucky for the Redskins, they got McNabb. With a receiving squad that includes Santana Moss and Malcolm Kelly joined by Austin, Galloway, Furrrey and Wade, McNabb will have targets to throw to. Clinton Portis is still an elite back, but he gets injured time to time. Again, the Redskins stepped up and picked up fellow injury prone backs Johnson and Parker. Parker can run the ball, if he stays healthy. The three should provide a good running attack. With a first round pick of Williams and the signings of Brown and Hicks, the line gets better too. Albert Haynesworth along with another free agent singing in Holliday should keep the line good with Kedric Golston. London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo provide good players at the linebacker position. Buchanon joins Reed Doughty, LaRon Landry and DeAngelo Hall. This team got a lot better. If they can put it all together, the NFC East could easily send three teams to the playoffs.

2010 Season Predictions: 10-6, NFC Wildcard