This guy is ready for some football.(espn.com)
Even though it's not quite Spring Training, the arrival of the football season has me bubbling with anticipation of another successful season from the team from Foxboro. As I watch Tom Brady's first gridiron appearance in almost a year, I can't help but to think of dominant run through the treacherous months of winter and a triumph in Miami this February. I'll be honest, I will probably turn this preseason game off my TV as soon as Brady and the rest of the starters rest up (which will probably be at the end of the 1st quarter). But in the same token, I do the same for baseball, too. Apparently, I don't see the positional battles as intriguing as others do. Maybe it's because I'm too busy getting squeamish whenever any of the important players dive awkwardly or get breathed on in the wrong way. The anticipation for the regular season in any sport is not just the hopes of the new campaign, but the glory of avoiding anybody's Achilles tendon blowing up in a Hall of Fame game. I already have been thinking about a division race that other than 1 team, is an old-fashioned straw drawing to pick the remaining spots. On a side note, I'm so delighted to hear that Michael Vick has signed with the Eagles. I'm thinking that the UFC should invest in the idea of a group fight between PETA and a bunch of battery-wielding Philly fans (Best. Ratings. Ever). I'd pay $100 dollars for that dog-eat-dog battle (What? Still too soon?). Anyway, after some agonizing research, I have completed my predictions for the AFC East. Prepared to have your mind blown away!
In order from 4th to 1st.....
Joey Porter
Prediction: 7-9 (4th)
Key Player To Step Up: Ronnie Brown
Terrell Owens
Key Player To Step Up: Trent Edwards
Mark Sanchez
In order from 4th to 1st.....
Joey Porter(bostonherald.com)
Miami Dolphins - Taming Of The Wildcat.
Did I begin with a shocker or did I begin with a shocker? Believe me, I witnessed the 38-13 smack down that the Dolphins laid on us last September. I felt as if I was watching one of those NFL Films reels from the 40's in HD color as the Fish tore us up with the Wildcat offense. However, I don't think that the luck will carry over into this season. The Wildcat is no secret weapon anymore as you can be sure every defensive coordinator has been studying the scheme for the entire spring and summer. And as we learn every year in this league, defense always overcomes. Last year, the Dolphins had one of the weakest schedules in the entire league. In the first ten weeks of this season, 9 out of those 10 teams Miami will face had a .500 record or above in 2008. Again, I will be waiting to see if Chad Pennington becomes the stellar QB everybody thinks he's going to be, and I'm not so sure he is going to be the predominant offensive force with Ronnie Brown in the backfield. The Joey Porter-led defense is not overwhelming, but will be formidable. But if you think the return of Jason Taylor brings in an added playmaker for the Dolphins defense, you are drinking the same Kool-Aid I was drinking with John Smoltz. Other than the recent boost of strength of schedule, the Dolphins will have to worry about their punt/kick return defense, which was downright atrocious last year. Unfortunately, I do not see a second straight playoff appearance from Sparano and the 'Phins in '09, as a smarter schedule will doom their chances.
Did I begin with a shocker or did I begin with a shocker? Believe me, I witnessed the 38-13 smack down that the Dolphins laid on us last September. I felt as if I was watching one of those NFL Films reels from the 40's in HD color as the Fish tore us up with the Wildcat offense. However, I don't think that the luck will carry over into this season. The Wildcat is no secret weapon anymore as you can be sure every defensive coordinator has been studying the scheme for the entire spring and summer. And as we learn every year in this league, defense always overcomes. Last year, the Dolphins had one of the weakest schedules in the entire league. In the first ten weeks of this season, 9 out of those 10 teams Miami will face had a .500 record or above in 2008. Again, I will be waiting to see if Chad Pennington becomes the stellar QB everybody thinks he's going to be, and I'm not so sure he is going to be the predominant offensive force with Ronnie Brown in the backfield. The Joey Porter-led defense is not overwhelming, but will be formidable. But if you think the return of Jason Taylor brings in an added playmaker for the Dolphins defense, you are drinking the same Kool-Aid I was drinking with John Smoltz. Other than the recent boost of strength of schedule, the Dolphins will have to worry about their punt/kick return defense, which was downright atrocious last year. Unfortunately, I do not see a second straight playoff appearance from Sparano and the 'Phins in '09, as a smarter schedule will doom their chances.
Prediction: 7-9 (4th)
Key Player To Step Up: Ronnie Brown
Terrell Owens(mikeblewittsports.files.wordpress.com)
Buffalo Bills - Will T.O. Bring A Show?
And you thought that a 25 inch blizzard would be the biggest storm to hit Buffalo this winter. The T.O. Era has arrived in Upstate New York, bringing boatloads more attention to a franchise that is looking for its first playoff appearance in 10 seasons. Even though he is 35, Owens still has the gifts of a top-tier receiver. Along with Lee Evans and Josh Reed, the Bills will employ a receiving corps next season that is only rivaled within their division by the Patriots. If you are still trying to predict the T.O. meltdown, remember that everything always goes well the 1st year in any T.O. Era. Plus with a 1 year deal, it gives him limited time to get into prima donna mode. He will catch his passes and even cry for his quarterback this year. It would have been next year that you would have looked for Trent Edwards to vacation with Lee Evans in Tijuana, and all hell would have broke lose. The expectations for young QB Trent Edwards have already heightened not only with the receivers at his disposal, but a backfield with Rhodes and Marshawn Lynch (after the suspension of course). The Bills' solid defense will potentially have a bolstered pass rush with with draftee Aaron Maybin. However just like the Jets and the Dolphins, the schedule doesn't do them too many favors. After starting off on the road against the Patriots, they face the Bucs, the Panthers, the Titans, the pesky Falcons and cap off the season against Peyton's Colts. While I believe that they won't make it to the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season, I still have their offense winning them a few games this year, thus pushing them out of the AFC East cellar.
Predection: 8-8 (3rd)
And you thought that a 25 inch blizzard would be the biggest storm to hit Buffalo this winter. The T.O. Era has arrived in Upstate New York, bringing boatloads more attention to a franchise that is looking for its first playoff appearance in 10 seasons. Even though he is 35, Owens still has the gifts of a top-tier receiver. Along with Lee Evans and Josh Reed, the Bills will employ a receiving corps next season that is only rivaled within their division by the Patriots. If you are still trying to predict the T.O. meltdown, remember that everything always goes well the 1st year in any T.O. Era. Plus with a 1 year deal, it gives him limited time to get into prima donna mode. He will catch his passes and even cry for his quarterback this year. It would have been next year that you would have looked for Trent Edwards to vacation with Lee Evans in Tijuana, and all hell would have broke lose. The expectations for young QB Trent Edwards have already heightened not only with the receivers at his disposal, but a backfield with Rhodes and Marshawn Lynch (after the suspension of course). The Bills' solid defense will potentially have a bolstered pass rush with with draftee Aaron Maybin. However just like the Jets and the Dolphins, the schedule doesn't do them too many favors. After starting off on the road against the Patriots, they face the Bucs, the Panthers, the Titans, the pesky Falcons and cap off the season against Peyton's Colts. While I believe that they won't make it to the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season, I still have their offense winning them a few games this year, thus pushing them out of the AFC East cellar.
Predection: 8-8 (3rd)
Mark Sanchez(3putt.files.wordpress.com)
New York Jets - Favre-Free The Way To Be?
Out is Favre (woohoo!) and Mangini. In is defensive master Rex Ryan and USC standout Mark Sanchez. Ryan has already created some buzz by showing he is not going to back down to Belichick's Patriots, and for his dietary skills. Word on the street is indicating that Kellen Clemens will be taking snaps for the 2009 squad as the rookie takes in the New York atmosphere from the pine, but I hope we're not that naive to think that's official. While the Jets have one of the better offensive lines in the game, they are not really protecting much. The quarterback situation isn't exactly bona fide with a rookie and a 4-year backup duking it out for a spot. With the departure of Laveranues Coles, I don't see too many playmakers that are going to carry this team, and Jerricho Cotchery is no deal breaker. The schedule will present a bit of a challenge in the beginning of the season as they will face off against the Pats, Titans, Saints, Dolphins, and the newly-armed Bills team in 5 of the first 6 weeks. However with the addition of former Raven Bart Scott, the Jets should place a solid defense on the field to counter the offensive powerhouses they will encounter. But just like the Ravens, a solid defense will have to be the insulin of their gameplan if the Jets are going to go far. I'm being bold and predicting them to be the surprise team from the AFC to snag a postseason spot.
Prediction: 9-7 (2nd) (WILD CARD)
Key Player To Step Up: Whoever becomes quarterback.
Wes Welker
Les Paul (June 9, 1915 - Aug. 13, 2009)
Out is Favre (woohoo!) and Mangini. In is defensive master Rex Ryan and USC standout Mark Sanchez. Ryan has already created some buzz by showing he is not going to back down to Belichick's Patriots, and for his dietary skills. Word on the street is indicating that Kellen Clemens will be taking snaps for the 2009 squad as the rookie takes in the New York atmosphere from the pine, but I hope we're not that naive to think that's official. While the Jets have one of the better offensive lines in the game, they are not really protecting much. The quarterback situation isn't exactly bona fide with a rookie and a 4-year backup duking it out for a spot. With the departure of Laveranues Coles, I don't see too many playmakers that are going to carry this team, and Jerricho Cotchery is no deal breaker. The schedule will present a bit of a challenge in the beginning of the season as they will face off against the Pats, Titans, Saints, Dolphins, and the newly-armed Bills team in 5 of the first 6 weeks. However with the addition of former Raven Bart Scott, the Jets should place a solid defense on the field to counter the offensive powerhouses they will encounter. But just like the Ravens, a solid defense will have to be the insulin of their gameplan if the Jets are going to go far. I'm being bold and predicting them to be the surprise team from the AFC to snag a postseason spot.
Prediction: 9-7 (2nd) (WILD CARD)
Key Player To Step Up: Whoever becomes quarterback.
Wes Welker(patriots.com)
New England Patriots - Back To The Brady Boom.
Question: Who was the biggest player addition to the AFC East, and possibly the NFL? If you guessed Tom Brady, I applaud you for your outside-the-box thinking. All eyes will turn to Tom Brady and his patched up knee as he and his "com-Patriots" try to return to the playoffs after an 11-win season didn't do the trick in '08. I'm sure there will be challenges to come as Brady is returning to a division with exponentially more depth than two years ago when he and Moss were going 2000 Rams over everyone. Even though I still have questions about whether Lawrence Maroney can cut it as a premier back in the NFL, or whether Brady can quickly adapt to the heat of battle after being out a whole year, the trio of Moss, Welker, and Galloway make me forget those issues very quickly. The acquisitions of Derrick Burgess and Shawn Springs will complete a defense that should exceed expectations this year. As a result of having another talented roster, the Pats are also greeted with what could be considered a schedule that is slightly less tougher than their divisional counterparts, which contains a depleted Broncos team and is capped off with the Bills, Jaguars and Texans. After a year's vacation, expect the Pats to be working extra in 2009/10.
Prediction: 12-4 (1st) (AFC EAST CHAMPS)
Key Player To Step Up: Wes Welker
Question: Who was the biggest player addition to the AFC East, and possibly the NFL? If you guessed Tom Brady, I applaud you for your outside-the-box thinking. All eyes will turn to Tom Brady and his patched up knee as he and his "com-Patriots" try to return to the playoffs after an 11-win season didn't do the trick in '08. I'm sure there will be challenges to come as Brady is returning to a division with exponentially more depth than two years ago when he and Moss were going 2000 Rams over everyone. Even though I still have questions about whether Lawrence Maroney can cut it as a premier back in the NFL, or whether Brady can quickly adapt to the heat of battle after being out a whole year, the trio of Moss, Welker, and Galloway make me forget those issues very quickly. The acquisitions of Derrick Burgess and Shawn Springs will complete a defense that should exceed expectations this year. As a result of having another talented roster, the Pats are also greeted with what could be considered a schedule that is slightly less tougher than their divisional counterparts, which contains a depleted Broncos team and is capped off with the Bills, Jaguars and Texans. After a year's vacation, expect the Pats to be working extra in 2009/10.
Prediction: 12-4 (1st) (AFC EAST CHAMPS)
Key Player To Step Up: Wes Welker
R.I.P. To A Music Pioneer
Les Paul (June 9, 1915 - Aug. 13, 2009)(fromthevaultradio.org)
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