The Wild and Crazy NFL World

Laying in bed at 2 p.m. on a weekday is a rare occurrence. I woke up this morning feeling like death and needless to say I was at the office long enough for my coworkers to see how bad I looked and tell me to head on home.

While laying in bed, I was constantly interrupted from my sleep and a "Mad Men" marathon by my phone going off every five minutes with a new notification from my handy-dandy ESPN app. With the NFL not even a week out of their lockout, numerous transactions are taking place this week in preparation for training camps and the preseason.

Some have been shockers, some delights and others everyone saw coming from a mile away. Yet another reason I am leaving my NFL Preview predictions until Monday, when I assume a majority of the major transactions will be complete.

New England is like the Fountain of Youth for aging players. (ESPN)

Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth to New England Patriots — First news broke that DT Albert Haynesworth signed with New England after a dismal time in Washington. Then, this afternoon the Patriots signed WR Chad Ochocinco. The Patriots have been known to bring in older players, such as WR Randy Moss, and surround them with a good team and take them back to their heyday for a few more seasons. Haynesworth should help a depleted defense and Ochocinco, aka Chad Johnson, will give Tom Brady a seasoned receiver to go along with a wide out corp full of younger talent.

Key playmakers change cities — After talk that RB Reggie Bush would indeed stay with the New Orleans Saints after they drafted Mark Ingram from Alabama, Bush was dealt to the Miami Dolphins and a team that frankly doesn't need another running back. WR Sidney Rice and WR Steve Breaston both signed with new teams after becoming free agents. Rice, a key receiver for Brett Favre in Minnesota two seasons ago, took his talents to Seattle while Breaston, who stepped up in Arizona when Anquan Boldin left, signed with Kansas City. Both receivers should help right away with their new teams. Breaston has a good chance to really help Matt Cassel in Kansas City. And, as I was writing this entry, TE Greg Olsen signed with the Carolina Panthers, in a move I can not help but be happy about. Being a Green Bay Packers fan, it is good to see Olsen head out of Chicago and out of the NFC North.

For some reason, teams keep thinking Kolb is the answer. (Bleeding Green Nation)

Quarterbacks on the move — Everyone expected it, but I still can't understand why the Arizona Cardinals signed QB Kevin Kolb. Ok, yes they needed a quarterback, but after a disaster at the position last year, I don't think Kolb is the answer. Philadelphia thought so last year and got lucky when Vick became a superstar again. Oh, and the best part is the Cardinals gave up CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a draft pick for him. QB Donovan McNabb is also on his way to Minnesota  in another not surprising move. McNabb is not the answer there, but the Vikings have had a string of bad luck in the quarterback position, including QB Tavaris Jackson, who will be suiting up for Seattle next season, after Matt Hasselbeck left earlier this week. Jackson is a better fit in his new role and with the addition of Rice at wideout, could make something happen in the lackluster NFC West.

So long the state of Texas (Deuce of Davenport)

Some are staying, some are going... but not by choice — While many free agents signed with new teams and several trades were made, a few good men stayed put in their city of choice. RB DeAngelo Williams and WR Steve Smith will stay in Carolina and try and bring the team back from damnation. They will get some help from either new quarterback Cam Newton or a newly determined Jimmy Clausen. WR Santonio Holmes stayed put with the Jets while the 49ers are keeping "star" QB Alex Smith. Holmes makes since, because he is a playmaker. Smith was surprising, but I think the 49ers want him there to push rookie QB Colin Kaepernick.

A few playmakers were also dropped from their teams this week. After firing their long time head coach, the Titans finally released QB Vince Young and Young is hoping to go to the Eagles to be a backup? Ok. Also, the Dallas Cowboys released numerous players including RB Marion Barber and WR Roy Williams. Barber was never the best back, but he will produce for some team and Williams, well he just never lived up to his Texas Longhorn days.

Cornerbacks are all the rave this off-season. (Raiders Gab)

Still deciding, still waiting — While there has been some fun already this week, there is still more to come. Some top free agents are still out there and have numerous options for who they could play with next year. CB Nnamdi Asomugha, who has had many productive years in Oakland, definitely looks on his way out. If fellow free agent CB Antonio Cromartie leaves New York, Asomugha could fill his spot and strengthen the Jets defense even more. Cromartie's 2010 teammate, WR Braylon Edwards, is also a free agent, but has expressed his wishes to remain in New York. If not, he could be headed to Washington or Minnesota. Ah, and last but not least, not let us forget everyone's favorite felon, WR Plaxico Burress. Burress, fresh out of jail, has been rumored to be returning to the New York Giants, the team he played for before heading to prison, as well as the Pittsburgh Steelers. Only time will tell.

I am headed back to the bed and watching Don Draper drink scotch and smoke cigarettes. I'm sure I will have more moves to talk about as the weekend approaches.

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

NFL Preview: Here Comes Football Season

As was predicted by most when the NFL owners locked out the NFL Players' Association earlier this year, there was light at the end of the tunnel as the lockout officially ended Monday.

Most never feared the lockout would turn into missed games or a cancelled season, but as the Owners and NFLPA pushed the greedy negotiations into June and July and when news broke last week that the Hall of Fame game had been cancelled, doubt started to creep into many minds.

But, nonetheless, both sides came to an agreement and the NFL season officially began Tuesday. Trades have taken place, free agents are on the move and the Sept. 8 regular-season opener is just on the horizon.

We can all stop worrying and get back to our daily football lives. (Keeper League GM)

Now that I am already signed up for two Fantasy Football teams, it was time for me to dive into the schedule and make my second annual NFL Predictions. The preview will begin Monday with the AFC East and I will post one team a day until all 32 teams have been discussed. With my picks, I go through every game and choose a winner, so my overall records are just random numbers; each record would match up with a win or a loss.

Last season my picks kind of fell by the wayside. I chose only 50 percent of the NFL Playoff teams; four from the AFC (Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New York Jets and Indianapolis) and two from the NFC (Green Bay and New Orleans). I perfectly predicted three records — Miami Dolphins 7-9, New York Jets 11-5 and Denver Broncos 4-12 — and was only one win or loss off on six other teams.

However, my demise lied in my big blunders. I incorrectly predicted records for 10 teams that ended up being at least five wins or losses off. My biggest mistake was the Philadelphia Eagles. I predicted the Eagles would see a significant decrease in offensive production with Kevin Kolb at the helm, going 2-12 on the way to the first overall pick in the 2011 draft. But, Michael Vick entered the first game and only sat out when he was injured, leading the Eagles to a 10-6 record and an NFC East championship. Ultimately, I blame the Green Bay Packers for knocking Kolb out.

I overestimated several teams, including the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. With most of these teams it came down to quarterback play. Tony Romo was injured, Brett Favre was too old, Alex Smith fell flat... again and neither Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen worked out as a starter.

Quarterbacks were also my downfall in underestimating teams. Josh Freeman had a breakout season in Tampa Bay, Jay Cutler didn't suck in Chicago and David Garrard did enough to get Jacksonville a couple of key victories. As for the Seattle Seahawks flub, well that came down to the mediocrity of the NFC West.

So, taking in consideration the mistakes I made last year and my gut instinct, I have chosen division winners, wildcards and a Super Bowl XLVI champion. There are a few mainstays in the playoffs as well as a few surprises, so make sure you come back to see what I predict for your team.

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