NFC Preview - 2009

After hours upon hours of breaking down film and numerous all-night study sessions that harkens back to my Plattsburgh State days, the 2009 NFC landscape has come into focus for me.
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Here are the in-depth picks, AFC preview to follow soon........
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NFC East .

1-Philadelphia Eagles - Despite having a suspension to serve, Michael Vick's presence should give the Fightin Iggles the "killer" instinct to push the franchise with four NFC title game losses this decade over the top and into the Super Bowl.
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2- Washington Redskins - The surprise team of the conference but mostly anonymous given the off-season news of its division rivals. Just let Jason Campbell manage the game and turn Clinton Portis loose and da 'Skins can prep for the playoffs. .

3-Dallas Cowboys - T.O. isn't around to blame any more, neither is Jessica Simpson. Time for Tony Romo to step up and become the face of the franchise, something he won't be able to do. Jerry Jones will always be the Dallas Cowboys and will never let a player be bigger than him in Big D....Should have spent more cabbage on the practice facility to ensure better safety and cut back a bit on the new digs.

4- New York Football Giants - The best playmaker (Plaxico Burress) is on his way to prison and the G-men awarded Eli Manning with waaaaaaaaaay too much cash in what will go down as the worst contract in sports for the next few years. Eli certainly isn't his brother Peyton, and may very well be the worst QB in the division. Tom Coughlin should've gotten out after the Super Bowl win over New England.

NFC Central

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1-Green Bay Packers - Yep, the legend Favre is in Minnesota, but Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the division. After a down year, the Pack will be back in the playoffs. In fact, we'll call for Rodgers to be the NFC Most Valuable Player this year.

2- Minnesota Vikings - Good move by Minny in bringing in Brett Favre. Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels would've weighed this team down in a big way. Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the NFL and the Vikes can stop the run better than anyone. Those are the reasons, more than Favre's presence, that will allow Minnesota will grab a wild card. .

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3- Chicago Bears - The Rex Grossman era is over, the Jay Cutler era is about to commence. Sorry, Bears fans, the agony is going to get worse. This team could easily win the division but won't. Cutler attended Vanderbilt, so he isn't stupid...at least off the field. On the field, he has followed in Jeff George's footsteps as the NFL version of Nuke Laloosh......a million $$$$ arm and a 10-cent head. The next big came Cutler wins for his team will be his first.
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4-Detroit Lions - Hard to do worse than 0-16 so "up" is the only way to go. Matt Millen is mercifully out of Motown and the Matthew Stafford era should begin at some point in October, if not sooner.

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NFC South .

1- Atlanta Falcons - Wanted to pick New Orleans in this spot, but can't do it. Second year QB Matt Ryan is the real deal and, combined with RB Michael Turner, will lead Atlanta back to the playoffs.
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2 - New Orleans Saints - Remember those who ripped the Houston Texans to shreds for bypassing Reggie Bush and drafted DE Mario Williams with the top pick in the draft a few years ago? Those critics are quiet now as Williams has emerged as a dominate player and Bush has had trouble shaking nagging injuries. QB Drew Brees is solid, but the Saints will barely miss the playoffs.

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3 - Carolina Panthers - You never know what to expect from the Panthers. Lots of D'Angelo Williams will keep Carolina in the playoff hunt but QB Jake Delhomme is inconsistent and that isn't good enough with Ryan and Brees in the division.

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4 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Yeah, the Bucs got it right by firing the Punk (mr. gruden) but blew it in the draft. After winning the Super Bowl with the team assembled by Tony Dungy, Gruden accomplished nothing in South Florida except load up the roster with old, old QB's. The new regime selected the biggest bust of the first round of the draft - QB Josh Freeman - in a move that will ensure Tampa Bay picking in the top three spots of the 2010 draft.

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NFC West

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1- Seattle Seahawks - The default pick 'cuz I had to pick someone from the worst division in football. If Matt Hasselbeck is healthy, Seattle claims the division crown at 8-8.

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2- San Francisco 49ers - If they had a quarterback, they'd win the division going away. But, they don't....so they won't. Mike Singletary's hiring last year improved the Niners from day one and that improvement will continue this year. Singletary is the most fiery coach in the conference (sorry, Tom Cable allegedly beat up one of his coaches, he gets the top honor until proven otherwise). San Francisco will be much better, but Shaun Hill has no business being a starting QB in the NFL. If Brett Favre can come back, why not Joe Montana or Steve Young?

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3- Arizona Cardinals - When the planets aligne and it everything comes together, you'd

better win when given the shot because Super Bowl chances don't come often. Arizona was a few precious seconds from turning the world on its axis with its upset bid over Pittsburgh but the Cards were denied by a great effort by Steeler Santonio Holmes. QB Kurt Warner is a year older and is on borrowed time. Back to reality for Arizona, which means back out of the playoff picture.

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4 - St. Louis Rams - New head coach Steve Spagnuolo is a star in the making but this team is horrible. The Rams will battle Denver for the NFL's worst team honor, and the top pick in the 2010 draft.

Cable Bumaye!

Don't mess with the Oakland Raiders, or their filing cabinets.
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Like the Zaire fight fans in 1974, chanting "Ali Bumaye" (Ali kill him) when Muhammad Ali knocked out George Foreman to win boxing's heavyweight title, the Raiders took to the chant "Cable Bumaye" when the Cable Guy took the field for last Monday's practice.

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I'm gonna need to get me one of the soon-to-be-on-the-market T's for this one.

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Did Tom Cable punch assistant Randy Hanson in the mug, or did he merely assist him from his chair and into a filing cabinet?

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Don't know, wasn't there.

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Don't care, either.

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The Raider Nation has been void of grit and passion since the Gruden-era, or the Punk-era if you are a follower of this page. Hoping, no, praying, that this becomes a rallying point for a team in need of a purpose, or at least, something to pull them together for any type of cohesion.

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There is nothing wrong with a dust-up in training camp from time to time, although it is usually on the playing field between sweaty men wearing helmets and pads. Boys will be boys sometimes and Raiders will be Raiders.

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The NFL league office is going to investigate but the feeling here is they should stick to reinstated dog-killers and making sure guy's socks are at the correct height levels during games.

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Leave the Raider situation where it belongs, an internal matter overseen by Mr. Davis and the Cable Guy.

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For now, "Cable Bumaye"......................."Raiders Bumaye" to the AFC West.

Super Bowl XLIII Preview & Prediction

The greatest holiday of the year is upon us.
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While mulling over which song The Boss is going to open the halftime show with, I'm wondering how I want to see Super Bowl XLIII unfold.

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The thing that gets me geared up for events like the Super Bowl are the "moments" that occur in the game. The out-of-nowhere play that takes an anonymous player and forever etches his name in Super Bowl history - (See David Tyree, New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII).

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Not being a fan of either team, I obviously want a close game. Blowouts in the Super Bowl are a major letdown. For me, it is all about the action on the field. Surely in the minority, commercial breaks are still made for trips to the bathroom, not viewing commercials.

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For Pittsburgh to Win: Play the same type of physical defense that has suffocated opponents all season. The Steelers are the toughest bunch around and have the ability to impose their will on opponents.

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An early Pittsburgh lead will be fatal for Arizona.

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I'm expecting Pittsburgh to come out aggressive, throw the ball around to Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward with a few early trick plays. Roethlisberger was horrible in Super Bowl XL against Seattle, they'll want to get him off early. Arizona has not been here before - not even close - so the Steelers may have the opportunity to catch a big play early if the Arizona defense is in awe of its surroundings.

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With its great defense, Pittsburgh has the luxury of taking a few early chances before settling into the ground attack with Willie Parker.

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On defense, Pittsburgh is going to turn it loose. D-coordinator Dick LeBeau is the greatest DC in NFL history. He has two weeks to prepare for this game. That isn't a good thing for Arizona.

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For Arizona to Win: The Cards have to get the offense cranking early, mixing run with pass.

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The Steelers are going to blitz early and often so Arizona will need to toss in a few screen passes to the RB's and use some misdirection to slow down the Steeler defense.

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Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are going to get hit early and often. How they handle the physical beating by the Pittsburgh secondary will speak volumes as to Arizona's chances of pulling the upset.

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More than all, other factors, Arizona has to get the lead and play with it. If Pittsburgh jumps out and turns the Cardinals offense one-dimensional, the game will be over. Kurt Warner is an immobile QB and could get buried under an avalanche of Steeler blitzes.

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The Arizona defense will play well and should hang in there with a Steeler offense not known for its explosiveness.



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Prediction: It has been a great run for Arizona and they are the
Cinderella story.

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However, when a high-flying offense meets a prolific defense, the defense wins every time.

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Roethlisberger will atone for his bad performance three years ago and will be the MVP. .

The Steeler defense will turn the game with a few turnovers and turn the game a bit ugly.

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Final Score - Pittsburgh 30, Arizona 13

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On to the NFL draft............still praying for a Michael Crabtree sighting in Oakland.

Jon Gruden Fired By Tampa Bay! My Lucky Streak Continues!!!

That sounds oh sooooooo good, I think I'll say it again.

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John Gruden fired by Tampa Bay.
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Good Riddance.

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(Photo By Associated Press).

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***Disclaimer - Yeah, I know, Gruden beat my boys in the Super Bowl. I'll never forget it nor will I get over the embarrassment even though he did it with a team put together by Tony Dungy. That said, I enjoyed knocking the man I affectionately call the "punk" out of the playoffs and helping end his tenure in Tampa. Cut me some slack, I have so little in life to get excited about...........hehehehehehehehehehehehe.*******

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It was said in this spot that it would be fitting that Gruden be giving his walking papers following the Bucs collapse, which culminated in a home loss to the Raiders on the last day of the season.

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And now, it has happened.

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Wow, I should play the lottery or something.

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Seriously........the Bruins are the best team in the NHL, Tar Heel hoops is solid, Denver, Dallas, Tampa Bay, and New England all missed the playoffs and the G-Men choked in the first round of the playoffs.

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And..........most shockingly, I've survived over seven months of marriage without getting booted out of the house.............I'm on a serious roll here.

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Maybe my fantasy baseball team can win its first title since '93, when I was young and naive and Bill Clinton was in his first term.

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Jon Gruden fired by Tampa Bay. Yep, it still sounds good.

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****Disclaimer #2 - Um, Chucky, as of this writing, we in the Raider Nation are still without a coach. We had a good thing in Oakland when you were here until your massive ego got in the way and you acted like a child to force your way out of town. Time heals all wounds (sometimes). You can bring Bruce Allen with you, he did a good job here. Just remember to leave your ego in Florida and just coach some football******

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Predictions - While I'm busy hoping this sudden run of good luck culminates in Michael Crabtree becoming a Raider on draft day, here are the picks for this week's championship games:

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Philadelphia 27, Arizona 24

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Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 9

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Jon Gruden fired by Tampa Bay.........Had to say it just one more time

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Life is good

NFL Fan Code of Conduct = Big Brother Is Watching

Michael McCarthy of the USA Today recently authored up an excellent article http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-12-18-fan-conduct-cover_N.htm that details the NFL's new Fan Code of Conduct policy.

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After answering a survey, I was fortunate enough to be selected to offer up a few opinions for the piece. After reading the story, I tried to envision how this is going down, in the perfect world of the NFL.
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I'm picturing NFL commish Roger Goodell RG) in an underground bunker with a bank of TV's and telephones with a direct line to each stadium.
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Lots of crowd shots on the monitors as the fans in each location enjoy their Sunday afternoons, complete with newly installed "Applause" signs above each scoreboard so fans know when the league allows them to cheer for their team..
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My guess is the conversations go something like this:
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RG: Ummm, Buffalo, we have a problem. In Section 7, row 4, seats 5-9, there are five grotesque looking, 300-pound men with their shirts off. Let's see if we can get that covered up, shall we?
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Buffalo Security: Mr. Commish, I'm not sure we can do that..
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RG: Doesn't matter, I'm horrified! I dropped nacho cheese on my new Armani suit when I saw the gearth. Tell them they can cheer when the Bills score, maybe sometime in '09. At the least, make them paint an NFL logo on their chests, I'd hate to pass up an advertising opp.
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Buffalo Security: Sir, are you sure you want to......????
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RG: Hold on Buffalo, we have a bigger problem......Eli Manning just got sacked and his left sock is 1/8th of an inch below league code!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New York, you there?
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Giants Stadium Security: Yes, Mr. Goodell, we'll force a TV timeout, no problem. We have a bigger issue here.......your buddies Pacman and Plaxman both made the news last night. I'm sure you heard about it, Its in all the papers. How should we handle it?
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RG: No biggie, I'll fine the players 1/100th of their salary, they'll learn the lesson once they are hit in the wallet. That'll teach 'em........Now, GET THOSE SOCKS UP TO CODE! I won't be able to sleep tonight.
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RG: Hey Cleveland.....are those dawg bones that I see being eaten the ones endorsed by the league? If not, confiscate them. I'll lock them up in the vault with the Spygate evidence.
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RG: Hey.....where is that Jets//Steeler matchup? My screen is blank. Better get Heinz Field on the horn. Heinz Field, you there?
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Heinz Field: Yes sir, the game is going on. Pittsburgh is up 17-3 in the 2nd.
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RG: Why do I not have it? I'm sure we paid the cable bill.
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Heinz Field: Ummmm, sir? The game is on NFL Network. Are you with the vast majority of the country that doesn't get that channel?
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RG: D'oh!!!!!!

Shooting Youself in the Foot....errrr Leg

Life isn't fair sometimes.

That's the way it goes, deal with it.

Should athletes (or people in the public eye, in general) have to worry about being asked for autographs, pictures, or face harassment from over-served patrons in clubs?

The answer should be no.

But it isn't, and that is the reality of it all. It is part of the "deal" that you make with society.

In the case of pro athletes, they are paid gobs of cash to play a game. Along with the green comes a certain sacrifice of privacy. They are recognizable figures in the community in which they play.

It comes with the package that includes large salaries.

If I want to go out for a cold beverage, I can do that. Nobody knows me, nobody cares.

If a star NFL player wants to go out, he'll be a focus of where he is going. Sorry, welcome to reality.

Posses are nice, bodyguards are good too (except for Pacman Jones). Worried about a DUI charge? Get a limo (didn't help Darrent Williams). Ask Jacksonville Jaguar lineman Richard Collier what happens when you simply mind your own business.

Simply put, not a whole lot of good happens after midnight when you are out on the town. Not when your livelihood is at stake. That is the trade off here.......money, fame, adulation, more money, groupies, cars, and trouble.

For some, guns are included on that list. For most, guns are a form of protection, unless, reportedly, you are Plaxico Burress....we'll deal with the allegedly potential felony charges later.

For others, it is a magnet for trouble.

If you need a gun to go out and protect yourself, perhaps you should go somewhere else or simply stay home. Staying home cost Redskin safety Sean Taylor his life, but that is the exception to the rule.

Is it fair ? No, not even close.

But that is the way it is, deal with it.

Stop Whining

With a three-way tie in the Big 12 South now official, the division title will be left to the fifth tiebreaker which is BCS rank.

When the rankings come out later today, expect Oklahoma to jump Texas in the computer polls based on its 61-41 win over Oklahoma State. The strength of schedule matters in this case.

Texas fans are already groaning about the mere possibility of their beloved Longhorns being passed by Oklahoma.

True, Texas beat Oklahoma 45-35 on a neutral field in October. I'll give them that one.

However, this is a three team tie we are dealing with.

For Texas to cry fowl is ridiculous. Texas Tech beat Texas and they only have one loss. Why Texas fans, is your club more deserving than the team that beat you and has the same record?

I don't care that the game was in Lubbock and you lost on the final play. A loss is a loss. If the argument is that Texas is more deserving than OU, then finish the statement with the opinion that Texas Tech deserves it more than yourselves.

Then the discussion can turn to OU's beatdown of Texas Tech eight days ago. And around and around we go.

The eventual tiebreaker stinks, but so does the whole system.

Sorry, Charlie

Dude, you took a Ty Willingham-recruited team to within 10 seconds of upsetting a great USC team in 2005 and they were ready to nominate you for Pope.

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Now, with the players you recruited and a much softer schedule, the Fighting Irish ain't getting it done. More importantly, the *****-star recruits aren't getting better under your watch.

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Forget the USC loss, as ugly as it was. The Irish lost, at home, on senior day, to Syracuse. It doesn't get any lower than that - until you consider the players were pelted by snowballs from their own student body.

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Period.
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It is time for a change in South Bend

Time To Squish the Fish

The Oakland Raiders will beat the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Yep....I believe.

Nope, nothing special in my Diet Soda right now.

So I'm thinking of all the possible cliches I can pull out this week.

I mean, why not? Life in the Raider Nation sucks right now, might as well be upbeat.

Cliche #1-"We have everything to gain and nothing to lose"

Truer words were never spoken. It can always get worse, but seriously....if the Raiders aren't at rock bottom, the landing has to be close.

JaMarcus and Darren McFadden are back from injury. McFadden has shown some electric stuff when he has been on the field.

If he is truly healthy, lots of running this week and work in the passing game with Russell and Zack Miller. The WR's are horrible, use them as decoys (if Miami bothers to cover them).

Cliche #2 - "Pull out all the stops"

With no real passing game, put in some wishbone with McFadden and Justin Fargas with Michael Bush up front.

Stupid idea? Probably.....but so is giving a bunch of cash to Javon Walker (worthless before getting hurt) and DeAngelo Hall (coach wants to see you and bring your playbook).

Cliche #3 - "Everyone is doing it"

Run that Wildcat formation a few times. Yes......its a fad and its effectiveness won't last forever.

But, Miami has success with Ronnie Brown running it and McFadden had big success running the Wild-Hog formation at Arkansas.

Cliche #4 - "It ain't illegal unless you get caught"

Now we're talking Raider Football.

Chad

Pennington showed up on the injured list with a bad foot.

We need a win, so.........it'd be a shame if that foot got roughed up a little bit in a pileup. Not sure which one?.........twist both of them. Just to be sure.

Hey, this is football. Not soccer - (Mike). We ain't choir boys, we're Raiders.

Cliche #5- "Desparate times call for desparate measures"

If all else fails, send a courier to see Ricky Williams the morning of the game. Entice the former Heisman Winner and free spirit (if you know what i mean) a little morning sunshine (wink, wink....).

He'll be worthless by game time.

Its a win-win scenario....Ricky is happy, we're happy. That is what life is all about.

In the end, is a win possible? Always.

Probable ? Go for it.

Raiders 21, Fish 13

NFL Forecast - 2008

It seems like yesterday that the Giants were putting the finishing touches on the Upset of the Century in Super Bowl XLII.

Summer has come and gone and it is time to strap on the shoulder pads and buckle up the chinstraps.

As I kick up the feet on this Labor Day, here is how the season should play out:

AFC East

The Patriots were less than three minutes from perfection but didn't get it done when it mattered most. Although they will drop a few notches, the Pats are the class of the division, which isn't saying much. Buffalo has improved, the Jets should be slightly better and Miami is still Miami.

1. New England Patriots

2. Buffalo Bills

3. New York Jets

4. Miami Dolphins

AFC Central

Cleveland is the trendy pick this year as the Browns seem capable of averaging close to 30 points a game on offense. The problem is, the loyal fans of the Dawg Pound support a defense that is more than capable of giving it all right back. Cincinnati is a mess with GM Mike Brown overriding coach Marvin Lewis and the Ravens are deep in rebuilding mode. With Ben Roethlisberger emerging as the best QB in the league not named Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, the Steelers will coast to the division crown.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Cincinnati Bengals

3. Cleveland Browns

4. Baltimore Ravens

AFC South

Jacksonville is another trendy pick. Sooner or later, the Colts stranglehold on the division has to end, right? Wrong. The Colts win the division and will have the best record in the conference. Houston continues to make strides and, after making the playoffs in '07, Tennessee nosedives down the standings as Vince Young gets exposed as a bust.

1. Indianapolis Colts

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

3. Houston Texans

4. Tennessee Titans

AFC West

The window of opportunity is closing fast on San Diego. LT will get his yards but the Chargers need Philip Rivers to mature and blossom into a leader. Shawne Merriman's health is a serious question mark but the 'Bolts have the luxury of playing in the West. Oakland will get better and with a favorable schedule, the Raiders should be a .500 team or better. The Broncos have been getting worse over the last few years and it is clear that Mike Shanahan has lost his fastball. Herm Edwards has guided the Chiefs to the depths of the league.

1. San Diego Chargers

2. Oakland Raiders

3. Denver Broncos

4. Kansas City Chiefs

NFC East

Things will be tougher for the defending champion Giants this year. Michael Strahan has retired and Osi Umenyiora is out for the year with a knee injury. Hope they enjoyed last year, 'cuz every year is different. Dallas is the class of the division but hasn't won a playoff game since the Clinton administration. Washington will improve and the Eagles continue to avoid picking up skill positions players in the offseason.

1. Dallas Cowboys

2. Washington Redskins

3. Philadelphia Eagles

4. New York Giants

NFC Central

Ugly, uglier, ugliest and Matt Millen's Lions. Why are people so hot on Minnesota? Tavaris Jackson scares nobody. Until he develops, opposing defenses will put eight men in the box to stop Adrian Peterson, who should suffer another injury sometime around early November. Green Bay blew it when it ran Brett Favre out of town and the Lions will muddle through another six win season. That leaves the Bears who should be recovered from the Super Bowl-hangover that plagued them last year.

1. Chicago Bears

2. Minnesota Vikings

3. Green Bay Packers

4. Detroit Lions

NFC South

Has anyone noticed that the four-division format in each conference has led to some bad divisions? New Orleans is the class of the South this year, look for Drew Brees to be the best QB in the NFC. Carolina could win 10 games, or lose 10 games. Tampa Bay is average at best while the Falcons will battle Kansas City for the top pick of the 2009 draft.

1. New Orleans Saints

2. Carolina Panthers

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4. Atlanta Falcons

NFC West

Yes, I saved the worst for last. The only thing stopping Seattle from winning the division again would be a massive injury outbreak. Arizona seems to never fulfill its promise and San Francisco isn't close to becoming a threat. I'm not sure St. Louis is still in the league.

1. Seattle Seahawks

2. San Francisco 49ers

3. Arizona Cardinals

4. St. Louis Rams

Postseason Awards

NFL MVP - Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

Offensive Player of the Year - Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

Defensive Player of the Year - Mario Williams, Houston

Offensive Rookie of the Year - Darren McFadden, Oakland

Defensive Rookie of the Year - Jerod Mayo, New England

Playoff Predictions

AFC Wild Card Playoff

San Diego over Oakland

Jacksonville over New England

NFC Wild Card Playoff

Seattle over Philadelphia

Washington over Chicago

AFC Divisional Playoff

Indianapolis over Jacksonville

Pittsburgh over San Diego

NFC Divisional Playoff

Dallas over Washington

New Orleans over Seattle

AFC Championship

Indianapolis over Pittsburgh

NFC Championship

Dallas over New Orleans

Super Bowl XLIII

Indianapolis 33, Dallas 28

-Three in a row for Archie Manning's boys