WILL THE PATRIOTS BECOME THE FIRST TEAM TO WIN 3 STRAIGHT SUPER BOWLS?
No. This team lost a lot this offseason...and while I think they are still a very good team, I just think Indianapolis is better. And if Indy can get New England indoors in the playoffs...then the Colts should have an excellent chance to get to the Super Bowl.
CAN ANYONE IN THE NFC OVERTAKE PHILLY?
Well, if the Eagles keep screwing around...then yes. Philadelphia has the NFC’s best combination of talent, coaching and experience. They’ve been to 4 straight NFC title games and are the defending NFC champs. However, this whole Terrell Owens Soap Opera has become distracting to the team since it has put more cameras in their faces and causing Andy Reid problems. If Owens stays out, their receiving corp isn’t that good at all. Teams like Carolina, Atlanta and Minnesota could sneak by then and force Philly to play on the road in the playoffs.
WHICH TEAM WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST DOWNSWING FROM LAST YEAR?
I think it will be Pittsburgh. Not that they will stink...but this was a 15-1 team last year. I think they will drop to 8-8 this year. Teams figured out not to blitz Big Ben and let him throw into coverage. Hines Ward’s holdout could linger. And the health status of their backs [Staley and Bettis] could hinder their ground attack. Last year was just a magical one for Pittsburgh. Another team with a magical 2004 was the San Diego Chargers. I think they’ll fall a bit this year as well.
SO WHO MAY SURPRISE US ALL?
Well, the Detroit Lions could if their offense stays out of the trainers room and clicks. The Arizona Cardinals also have what could be an explosive offense. The New York Giants could also sneak into the playoffs. Injuries killed their defense last year...but if Eli improves with new weapon Plaxico Burress, this team could contend for a wildcard berth. In the AFC, the Houston Texans could finally be ready to challenge for a playoff spot. And the team that could be the biggest surprise?? Buffalo. They have the same look as last year’s Steelers [young QB, bruising opportunistic defense, ground attack].
SPORTZ, WHO IS THE BEST QB IN THE GAME?
That'sso tough. Give me Manning's IQ...Brady's leadership...Favre's guts...Culpepper's body...Vick's speed....Delhomme's moxy...Big Ben's youth....and McNabb's personality. Seriously...I think Peyton Manning is the best QB. His problem lies in his frustration when things don't click. While Tom Brady doesn't have those level of skills...he gets everyone on board when things are tough.
WHICH STARTING QB IS FEELING THE MOST HEAT?
Easily it is Joey Harrington in Detroit. He has a great running back [Jones], a top tight end [Pollard] and they’ve spent early draft picks on Charles Rogers, Mike Williams and Roy Williams. There are no excuses for Harrington. If he stalls, expect Jeff Garcia to get in there to run Mooch’s offense.
ANY OTHERS?
Patrick Ramsey is on a short leash in Washington. They didn’t trade up for Jason Campbell for nothing. It also looks as if AJ Feely will have a tough time holding off Gus Frerotte in Miami. And while Alex Smith certainly is the future for the Niners...don’t be surprised if Tim Rattay sees a good amount of action this year. Rex Grossman may have already written his future.
HOW ABOUT COACHES? WHO’S IN TROUBLE?
Many people think that Mike Holmgren is in trouble if Seattle doesn’t win the West. Same could be said for Minnesota’s Mike Tice, even though he doesn’t have Randy Moss. If the Redskins offense still putters along, Gibbs might head back to NASCAR full time.
WHO MAY REALLY TURN INTO A SUPERSTAR THIS YEAR?
I say Domanick Davis. Not many people know of him...but he is already one of the top backs in the NFL. Despite some injury issues...dude grinds out the yards and is a great receiver. If the Texans indeed may a playoff push, Davis' star will rise with them.
WHICH ROOKIE WILL HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT?
On offense...it is Mark Clayton. Brian Billick finally has some weapons in place on offense...and Clayton looks to benefit. With Ronnie Brown and Cedric Benson holding out...Clayton’s the best bet. On defense, I see Marcus Spears as being a beast for the Cowboys.
WHICH SECOND YEAR PLAYER WILL BUST OUT?
I sayJulius Jones. Bill Parcells will want to run the ball a ton in Dallas and Jones can do that. Another Jones, Kevin, looks to break out for a spectacular year in Detroit.
WHICH OFF SEASON ACQUISITION WILL PAY OFF THE MOST?
Randy Moss heading to Oakland should completely open up Norv Turner’s passing attack. But their pick up of LaMont Jordan may be the move that really puts them back into the playoffs.
WHAT IS THE MOST BORING DIVISION?
To me, it is the AFC South. The Colts should run away with it...and I just don’t get into watching the Jags, Texans or Titans. The AFC North could be boring watching the games...as only Cincinnati truly looks like a run-and-gun offense.
THE MOST EXCITING DIVISION?
The NFC West. The Rams and Seahawks have big time offenses and both are prone to choke late in games. The Cardinals have some nice parts to them where they could interest me as well. Okay, the Niners are horrible. The AFC West should be the same way....only with all four teams with the ability to win the division. The AFC East should be a knock down drag out fight each game.
WHICH TEAM WILL BENEFIT THE MOST.....VIKINGS OR RAIDERS?
I think it will be the Vikings. The Raiders will sell a ton of Moss jerseys [just as they did Warren Sapp unis] and they'll get TV run. But the Vikings should be on TV in January when it counts. The deal gave them some defensive help....and they used their draft pick to get speedster Troy Williamson. The money they saved was used to greatly improve their defense. While this may not be as an explosive an offense as it was with Moss....it may not need to be that way anymore.
WILL KOREN ROBINSON HAVE A JOB THIS SEASON?
Maybe stamping license plates. No, just kidding. With Pittsburgh missing Ward and the entire situation in Philly...there may be teams wanting to call on him. Kansas City could also be a destination. A team in the hunt might take a cheap chance on the guy if they really need some offensive help.
WILL THE BENGALS FINALLY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS?
No. They are still one year away. Improvements must be made on defense where they are very young and are still awaiting holdout David Pollack. Carson Palmer could break out but teams now have game footage to break him down a bit better. The receiving corps, aside from Chad Johnson, just doesn't sit right with me. Rudi Johnson should bust out for a big year. I think they may finally get past the 8 win barrier...but not enough to get into the playoffs. I think Baltimore and Pittsburgh are still better than them in the AFC North....and there are others who are better than them for the wildcard. Next year...it's on.
WILL ONE OF THOSE OTHER LONG TIME LOSERS SEE SUCCESS?
Arizona could make some noise. Could. If they can protect Kurt Warner than they could contend in the NFC West. I just think they are too young at the skill positions [Arrington, Fitzgerald, Boldin] that they won't get completely over the hump. I like Detroit to do damage...but can any of their receivers stay healthy? And how will Harrington react to Garcia breathing down his neck? My pick is Houston. The Texans core group of players have been together long enough where they could break out and make a run to the playoffs.
SPORTZ...WHICH PRE GAME SHOW DO YOU WATCH?
Honestly, I watch ESPN until Fox does their show at 1:00. Well, the Sportz NFL Viewing Room has three televisions in there...so I really watch all three. But Fox’s is what I watch. Why? Well, I am an NFC guy [which Fox holds the rights to] and while they seem a bit goofy at times, they do tend to know what they are talking about when they are serious. And when they are goofy, it usually is pretty funny. ESPN is way more informative a show....but it just drags to me. Maybe because they are filling two hours...but the show is just too long at times. One gold nugget in that is they usually take time to look at every matchup in depth, which is good for betters and fantasy geeks. CBS does a good job...but just doesn’t have the sizzle of the other two shows.
SUPER BOWL XL. DETROIT. WHO'S PLAYING?
Indianapolis and Philadelphia
6 comments:
I watch the FOX NFL pregame, mostly for Bradshaw and Barberrie.
Once you notice it, you can't NOT notice it.... but Terry Bradshaw looks at Jillian Barberrie like my dog looks at me when I'm cooking steak....exact same expression.
That alone is the deal-breaker.
Not picking Tom Brady as best is an error in your judgement. The best should be
based on results, not potential.
Terry Bradshaw still gets overlooked as one of the best, and all he did was lead to four super bowl victories.
John Spence
Put both Manning and Brady on the exact same teams and I think Manning would do a better job. Nothing against Brady...but that is my feeling.
Speaking of "winning to be a great QB"...just look at Joe Namath. His stats are really nothing to write home about...and aside from Super Bowl III, didn't have to much sucess winning either. Yet there are some people who regard him as one of the greatest QBs of all time.
One of my earliest blog entries was to dispel this.
For those who think Brady is the best quarterback based on winnings and superbowl rings, I would say that's a huge disservice to the Pat's defense. If you want to get into a shootout between Manning and Brady, Manning will put up the numbers. The Pat's incredible defense was the key in most all of their wins. The way the Pat's win games by narrow margins (Vinateri Field Goals in the last seconds, and by the way "MVP" in my opinion) is not the calling card of a dominating team. The most dominating teams in the past 35 years in the way they won are the 70's Steelers and the 90's Cowboys.
can you say...RAMS?
The answer to MOST of the questions is an easy one....Denver Broncos!
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