OK, I'll give this a shot. I'm picking division winners and Wild Card picks
* Denotes a Wild Card pick
AFC East
1. Pats
2. Jets*
3. Bills
4. Fins
Comments - This one is tough to call. Pats will be adjusting to the loss of Bruschi on D and some growing pains with new coordinators, but look for Brady to hold it together on O. Love them or hate them Pats are the only dynasty in the age of salary caps. Look for them to win the division again (Gawd I hate the Pats. I'd like to see them in the same boat as SF). Jets had a decent season last year finishing 10-6. If they can learn how to close the deal when big games are on the line they could be the ones to upset the Pats at least they should pickup a WC slot. The addition of Ty Law and Lav...I can't spell his name... Coles will help their cause. For me the jury is out on Bills 'O. I think this will be an adjustment year for them with Losman in at QB. A good D will help, but I don't think it's enough to step up to the Pats or the Jets. Fins? *crickets chirping*...
AFC North
1. Steelers
2. Ravens*
3. Bengals
4. Browns
Comments - After finishing 15-1 last season Pittsberg is my pick for the North. If Ben Roe..I can't spell his name either... can step up the passing game before the regular season gets too far underway, I expect the Steelers will win out but count on it being a war with Boston. If the Ravens can get Boller to play like a 1st round pick then they stand a good chance of topping the Steelers for the division but based on pre-season play I think they're still a year away. I do think they're good enough to clench the other WC slot. Bengals? They've got some young talent, but I expect to see the some adjusting to a Bresnahan defense. If the D can step up and with Palmer at the helm, this team is definately the AFC X-factor. As for Cleveland, well.. you can hire all the coaches you want, but little white speck on the top of chicken sh!t is still just chicken sh!t. Maybe next.....er...um.. nevermind.
AFC South
1. Colts
2. Jags
3. Texans
4. Titans
Comments - Is there any question that Indy is the team to beat in this division and possibly the AFC if they can get their D solid? The Jags have some talent, but offensively they've still got a bit of gelling to do before they really hit their stride. Next year should be a good time for Jacksonville fans. Texans I expect to see more of the same. I expect that Houston will push the Jags but until they figure out how to protect the damn QB, they'll still be mediocre at best. As far as the Titans go, salary caps are a b!tch aren't they? This team will get destroyed on D all season long. Time to rebuild boys, time to rebuild.
AFC West
1. KC
2. Chargers
3. Raiders
4. Broncs
Comments - It's tough to decide between SD and KC. SD still has the explosive offensive lineup we saw last year with Breese and Tomlinson, but KC received some serious upgrades on D which should pay dividends. Combined with one of the NFL's best offenses, these guys could be deadly which makes them my pick in the South. It remains to be seen if Randy Moss will make a difference in Oakland but if Collins can hit his stride, Randy could be the missing ingredient to complete a dangerous west coast offense lineup I predict this year that they'll edge out the Broncs who are counting on a recycled Cleveland defense (come on guys, is this really the answer? I think not.).
NFC East
1. Eagles
2. Giants*
3. Cowgirls
4. Skins
Comments - The Eagles are still dominant in this division. Even with a few shakeups this team always manages to hold it together. Just look at the end of last season if you don't believe me. No question, they're the ones to beat. Giants will best the Cowboys no problems. Hopefully Eli will start realizing his potential as a first rounder. Near the end of last season he was looking better and let's not forget about Brandon Jacobs. I'll root for anyone out of SIU. Call me crazy but the Giants have my vote as a WC contender. The Cowboys on the other hand will be plagued again by problems with drug abuse, except this time it will be the Geritol they're passing around the locker room. Signing Peerless Price doesn't change anything either. Even if he did have his best season with Bledsoe (yet another Dallas Dinosaur), this guy was done two years ago. However, Washington is in even worse shape and is clearly outclassed in this division. If they don't improve on last year's #31 ranked offense then they haven't got a prayer (pre-season indications are not looking good).
NFC North
1. Vikings
2. Lions
3. Packers
4. Bears
Comments - This is the year for Minnesota in the North. They've got a good mix of young talent and experience which will create a good balance. Improvements on D combined with a good offence spells playoff material for this team. Detroit gets my NFC X-factor label. Plenty of talent on this team, and definatly some weapons on offense, but the question remains if they can pull it all together. The Packers ship is sinking and like seacaptains of old, it looks like Farve is going down with his ship. There is dissention in the ranks and problems on defense will continue to haunt this team even with the additions of Freeman and Little at safety. If the Pack finished over .500 this year it would be a good season with all things considered. Da Bears, more like the Bad News Bears. As much as I'd like to see this team do better, they just can't get a break or, um, wait, I guess they did get a break, litterally. CHICAGO BEARS - WANTED - QB - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - APPLY WITHIN.
NFC South
1. Panthers
2. Atlanta*
3. Bucs
4. Saints
Comments - Carolina looks tough on O and D. Even with last year's injuries they were able to win ballgames. If they can keep the injuries down then I suspect they'll be serious contenders for the NFC Championship. Atlanta fans love Vick. "Vick is Sick"! How about I'm "Sick of Vick". Anyway, I don't think the Dirty Birds have the tools to overtake a healthy Carolina team. Too may of their wins were too close last year. That's not to say there isn't talent there which is why I give them the WC nod. The Bucs are going nowhere and Griese isn't going to change that single handedly. New Orleans has talent in spots, but not enough to make anything of it. I'd place them ahead of the Bucs if it weren't for two words - Hurricane Katrina. Makes it hard on a team when you don't even have a stadium.
NFC West
1. Rams
2. Cardinals
3. Seattle
4. 49'ers
Comments - Who in this division can compete with the Rams? No one. Forget Warner, and the Deadbirds. He needs 3 days in the pocket to make those great plays we all remember and Arizona just dosen't have the kind of O line that can deliver. In fact I'll be surprised if he's still starting QB by mid-season. The guy was great in St. Louis when he had an unreal team surrounding him, but those days are over. The credits have rolled on the 'Greatist Show'. I'll researve judgement on JJ Arrington. I think there is potential, but he's got a lot to learn. Welcome to the big show JJ! Seattle is in complete upheavel with key players coming and going. and they only way the receivers are going to catch a pass is if Hasselback figures out a way to throw the ball so that is lodges between his receivers' helmet and their face mask. That said, there is some talent there and I think they'll split with their two games against St. Louis this year. Not because they're better than STL, but because STL will go into the first match this year overconfident after winning the last 3 encounters with Seattle. So what about the 49'ers? D.O.A.
At the end of the season, my gut tells me it will be Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts in the Superbowl.
OK, those are my picks and I could be wrong, but if you didn't make picks then don't sh!t on mine.
JR..
* Denotes a Wild Card pick
AFC East
1. Pats
2. Jets*
3. Bills
4. Fins
Comments - This one is tough to call. Pats will be adjusting to the loss of Bruschi on D and some growing pains with new coordinators, but look for Brady to hold it together on O. Love them or hate them Pats are the only dynasty in the age of salary caps. Look for them to win the division again (Gawd I hate the Pats. I'd like to see them in the same boat as SF). Jets had a decent season last year finishing 10-6. If they can learn how to close the deal when big games are on the line they could be the ones to upset the Pats at least they should pickup a WC slot. The addition of Ty Law and Lav...I can't spell his name... Coles will help their cause. For me the jury is out on Bills 'O. I think this will be an adjustment year for them with Losman in at QB. A good D will help, but I don't think it's enough to step up to the Pats or the Jets. Fins? *crickets chirping*...
AFC North
1. Steelers
2. Ravens*
3. Bengals
4. Browns
Comments - After finishing 15-1 last season Pittsberg is my pick for the North. If Ben Roe..I can't spell his name either... can step up the passing game before the regular season gets too far underway, I expect the Steelers will win out but count on it being a war with Boston. If the Ravens can get Boller to play like a 1st round pick then they stand a good chance of topping the Steelers for the division but based on pre-season play I think they're still a year away. I do think they're good enough to clench the other WC slot. Bengals? They've got some young talent, but I expect to see the some adjusting to a Bresnahan defense. If the D can step up and with Palmer at the helm, this team is definately the AFC X-factor. As for Cleveland, well.. you can hire all the coaches you want, but little white speck on the top of chicken sh!t is still just chicken sh!t. Maybe next.....er...um.. nevermind.
AFC South
1. Colts
2. Jags
3. Texans
4. Titans
Comments - Is there any question that Indy is the team to beat in this division and possibly the AFC if they can get their D solid? The Jags have some talent, but offensively they've still got a bit of gelling to do before they really hit their stride. Next year should be a good time for Jacksonville fans. Texans I expect to see more of the same. I expect that Houston will push the Jags but until they figure out how to protect the damn QB, they'll still be mediocre at best. As far as the Titans go, salary caps are a b!tch aren't they? This team will get destroyed on D all season long. Time to rebuild boys, time to rebuild.
AFC West
1. KC
2. Chargers
3. Raiders
4. Broncs
Comments - It's tough to decide between SD and KC. SD still has the explosive offensive lineup we saw last year with Breese and Tomlinson, but KC received some serious upgrades on D which should pay dividends. Combined with one of the NFL's best offenses, these guys could be deadly which makes them my pick in the South. It remains to be seen if Randy Moss will make a difference in Oakland but if Collins can hit his stride, Randy could be the missing ingredient to complete a dangerous west coast offense lineup I predict this year that they'll edge out the Broncs who are counting on a recycled Cleveland defense (come on guys, is this really the answer? I think not.).
NFC East
1. Eagles
2. Giants*
3. Cowgirls
4. Skins
Comments - The Eagles are still dominant in this division. Even with a few shakeups this team always manages to hold it together. Just look at the end of last season if you don't believe me. No question, they're the ones to beat. Giants will best the Cowboys no problems. Hopefully Eli will start realizing his potential as a first rounder. Near the end of last season he was looking better and let's not forget about Brandon Jacobs. I'll root for anyone out of SIU. Call me crazy but the Giants have my vote as a WC contender. The Cowboys on the other hand will be plagued again by problems with drug abuse, except this time it will be the Geritol they're passing around the locker room. Signing Peerless Price doesn't change anything either. Even if he did have his best season with Bledsoe (yet another Dallas Dinosaur), this guy was done two years ago. However, Washington is in even worse shape and is clearly outclassed in this division. If they don't improve on last year's #31 ranked offense then they haven't got a prayer (pre-season indications are not looking good).
NFC North
1. Vikings
2. Lions
3. Packers
4. Bears
Comments - This is the year for Minnesota in the North. They've got a good mix of young talent and experience which will create a good balance. Improvements on D combined with a good offence spells playoff material for this team. Detroit gets my NFC X-factor label. Plenty of talent on this team, and definatly some weapons on offense, but the question remains if they can pull it all together. The Packers ship is sinking and like seacaptains of old, it looks like Farve is going down with his ship. There is dissention in the ranks and problems on defense will continue to haunt this team even with the additions of Freeman and Little at safety. If the Pack finished over .500 this year it would be a good season with all things considered. Da Bears, more like the Bad News Bears. As much as I'd like to see this team do better, they just can't get a break or, um, wait, I guess they did get a break, litterally. CHICAGO BEARS - WANTED - QB - NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY - APPLY WITHIN.
NFC South
1. Panthers
2. Atlanta*
3. Bucs
4. Saints
Comments - Carolina looks tough on O and D. Even with last year's injuries they were able to win ballgames. If they can keep the injuries down then I suspect they'll be serious contenders for the NFC Championship. Atlanta fans love Vick. "Vick is Sick"! How about I'm "Sick of Vick". Anyway, I don't think the Dirty Birds have the tools to overtake a healthy Carolina team. Too may of their wins were too close last year. That's not to say there isn't talent there which is why I give them the WC nod. The Bucs are going nowhere and Griese isn't going to change that single handedly. New Orleans has talent in spots, but not enough to make anything of it. I'd place them ahead of the Bucs if it weren't for two words - Hurricane Katrina. Makes it hard on a team when you don't even have a stadium.
NFC West
1. Rams
2. Cardinals
3. Seattle
4. 49'ers
Comments - Who in this division can compete with the Rams? No one. Forget Warner, and the Deadbirds. He needs 3 days in the pocket to make those great plays we all remember and Arizona just dosen't have the kind of O line that can deliver. In fact I'll be surprised if he's still starting QB by mid-season. The guy was great in St. Louis when he had an unreal team surrounding him, but those days are over. The credits have rolled on the 'Greatist Show'. I'll researve judgement on JJ Arrington. I think there is potential, but he's got a lot to learn. Welcome to the big show JJ! Seattle is in complete upheavel with key players coming and going. and they only way the receivers are going to catch a pass is if Hasselback figures out a way to throw the ball so that is lodges between his receivers' helmet and their face mask. That said, there is some talent there and I think they'll split with their two games against St. Louis this year. Not because they're better than STL, but because STL will go into the first match this year overconfident after winning the last 3 encounters with Seattle. So what about the 49'ers? D.O.A.
At the end of the season, my gut tells me it will be Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts in the Superbowl.
OK, those are my picks and I could be wrong, but if you didn't make picks then don't sh!t on mine.
JR..