A crazy regular season concludes

What a great NFL season it was in 2008. We saw Miami go from worst to the 3 seed in the playoffs. The Patriots who made the Superbowl didn't make it at 11-5. Yet the 8-8 Chargers did. There are no clear cut teams to make it to the big show. Any team could go from the AFC. The NFC looks to be a little easier. I don't think Arizona has what it takes. I don't believe the Vikings or Falcons do either. My pick, Colts over Panthers. It will be fun to see how it all plays out. For all the Pats fans, time to start looking at mock drafts. April is only four months away!

You've gotta be kidding me!

Mark Teixeira is a Yankee. I was sickened when I heard the news. The Yankees just got alot better. This move puts them over the top in a heavy free agent season for New York. The Yankees are now a definite championship contender. Adding a gold glover and Middle of the line up monster makes this team complete. A-Rod could have another MVP season with adding Teixeira to the line up. Will the Sox make a move? They need a catcher. It's time to find that catcher in the next month or the Sox may not be playoff bound in 09'.

The Teixeira biding war

It sounds as if The Boston Red Sox are the front runners for first baseman Mark Teixeira. Other teams include Baltimore, Nationals and surprisingly not the Yankees. They must be thinking Nick Swisher is their guy at first next season. Good luck with that! Adding him to the sox roster will be a smart move. Kevin Youkilis will move to third where he has played great defense for the Sox. He will also hit behind Papi giving Ortiz some protection in the lineup. Teixeira brings top notch defense, a solid average and alot of pop in the bat. This should give the Red Sox a batting order of...
1. Pedroia
2. Youkilis
3. Ortiz
4. Teixeira
5. Bay
6. Drew
7. Catcher
8. Shortstop
9. Ellsbury
It will be interesting to see what happens with Lowell if they do sign Teixeira. I think they will probably keep him until the beginning of the season to show other teams he is healthy and get more for him. Right now there isn't much of a market for a 33 year old third baseman who just had hip surgery. But he he heals up and can play, someone will want him. Maybe they can get a top reliever for him. This line up 1-6 should be explosive this season. Let Ellsbury take his hacks at the 9 spot and develop his hitting skills. The Red Sox are primed for big things if they Sign Teixeira and should win the division.

Pedroia inked long term

It's being reported that the Boston Red Sox signed second baseman Dustin Pedroia to a 6 year 40 million dollar contract. A great move for the Sox. Since joining the Boston roster Pedroia has been nothing but great. In two season he has a Rookie of the year award, Silver slugger, gold glove and AL MVP. He's a hustler ALL the time and a clutch player. He had so many timely hits this season and was consistently productive when others weren't. Great move signing him, there arn't many great second baseman in the MLB right now and the Sox have one for the long haul. Next we need to find a catcher for the long haul. Even if they sign Tek it's time to bring someone in. That way they have a year to learn from Tek and not all the pressure is on someone in 2010. It would be good for a player to able to develop some chemistry while the captain is still around.

Pats ship is sinking

On Sunday we saw the Patriots get off to a fast start. But just before halftime Matt Cassel went 0-3 in pass attempts to Randy Moss in the endzone. Then Gostkowski missed a field goal which is very unusual for the sure footed kicker. That would only be foreshadowing for the second half. The Steelers came out with a physical defense and productive ground game, mixing in intermediate passes along the way. Wes Welker got his head taken off and Pierre Woods broke his jaw making a tackle. Though dropped passes, fumbles and interceptions the patriots ended up getting killed on Sunday. Their playoff hopes maybe along with it. With for games left to go it doesn't look good for New England. 3 games against the NFC and 1 against Buffalo. All must win games. But all 5 of the losses they have suffered this season are against AFC opponents and that will lose them a tie breaker. The 4 teams New England are in the Wild card hunt with are Indianapolis 8-4 with 2 AFC losses and a head to head win over the Pats, Miami 7-5 with 4 AFC losses, Baltimore 8-4 with 3 AFC losses and Buffalo 6-6 with 4 AFC losses and one game to play against the Patriots. The Jets who lead the AFC East at 8-4 have 4 AFC losses and Two games to play against Miami and Buffalo. They other two Seattle and San Francisco. The wild card doesn't look good and I think the jets will win the division. Maybe next year pats! Hope you can draft a GOOD runningback this year and some defensivebacks that might stay healthy. Then Maybe we can have a shot at greatness next year. In the meantime, Go Celts, Bruins and Sox!

Bye-Bye Coco

The Red Sox traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals today. In return Boston gets relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez. Coco was a fan favorite and he played well for the sox. It was only a matter of time before he was dealt. I'm glad the Red Sox didn't trade him last season. He was a big help to the team down the stretch of the season when Jacoby Ellsbury didn't perform. Ramirez has been a quality reliever in the past few years dispite 2007 when he was limited to 17 innings. In 2008 Ramirez pitched 71.2 innings, striking out 70 batters while only walking 31. He had 2.64 era and a .222 batting average against him. I like this deal. Coco was a good player for the Sox, especially in the field where he routinely made spectacular players. But having a strong bullpen can be a major asset and Ellsbury is no slouch in the field. Good luck to Coco i'm sure he will be a boost for the Royals in centerfield. David Dejesus will move to left, who is a Coco type of player.

Pedroia wins MVP

Congrats to Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia. He won the A.L. MVP today. He is the first second baseman to do so since 1959. He didn't hit 50 home runs or 120 RBI. But Dustin was a constant all season long for Boston. Always coming up with great plays in the field. He stole 20 bases and only struck out 52 times. In his short Career he has already won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, 2007 Rookie of the Year and 2008 MVP. Very impressive. He is one of those guys who can succeed.

Great deal

Signing Theo Epstein to a contract extension was a smart move for the Red Sox. He has been a Major part in bring Boston two world series titles. He has brought the farm system from bare bones to one of the deepest in the MLB. He spun Nomar for two keys players in 2004's championship run. He gambled on trading the best player in our farm system in Hanley Ramirez for an injury prone Josh Beckett and an over the hill Mike Lowell. Both major cogs to the 2007 world series title. Ive never understood the revolving door at short stop and I still don't care for the J.D. Drew deal. But the positive moves out weigh the bad. Papi, Foulke(2004 only) Bill Mueller were all great pick ups and nobody ever mentions them. Even Mark Kotsay hepled us in the post season this year. It was a smart move to lock Theo up and keep one of the great baseball minds around longer.

Celtics start off season in Win Column

They raised championship banner # 17 at the Garden tonight. It was an emotional night for the green as Paul Pierce tried to hold back tears while carrying the Trophy tonight. Paul soon composed himself and scored 11 points in the first quarter. He led the Celtics with 27 points. Leon Powe looked fantastic scoring 13 off the bench. Tony Allen continued his great preseason play scoring 11. Rajon Rondo played great even though getting beat up and tossed around all night long. Kevin Garnett played great defense and chipped in with 11 points also. I know it's only the first game but this team looks ready to take another title. The bench looks strong and Paul Pierce looks as good as ever. I say the Celtics beat the Hornets to advance the Championship. A rematch against the Lakers with the same out come and we see banner 18 raised a year from now.

Hot Rams fizzle out in Foxborough

The St. Louis Rams come into town this week. They have been hot winning their last two games. The defense has played much better in those two games. There was only one way to go for the defensive unit. New coach Jim Haslett is known for his defensive schemes. The running game certainly helps the defense. Keeping the clock running and the D off the field. But this week, multi purpose back Steven Jackson is out with a quad injury. This is a major boost for New England. Especially now that Rodney Harrison is out for the season. Jackson's absence is a huge hit to the Rams. This will put more pressure on the passing game which Jackson is also a big part of. St. Louis tries to gets him the ball in many different ways by lining him up all over the field. The Patriots should be able to take advantage of a weakened Rams offense. If they can score early and get pressure on Marc Bulger, New England has a chance to win big again this week. Kevin Faulk will need to be a key player for the offense. Will we see more of BenJarvis Green-Ellis after a nice performance late against Denver? He ran with purpose. With Sammy Morris out this week we need some running backs to fill in and run like Green-Ellis did last week. It will only open things up for Matt Cassel in the passing game. Even in a shortened week I think the Pats roll 27-10 at home improving their record to 5 and 2 heading into a make or break stretch of games against the Colts, Bills, Jets, Miami and Steelers. All AFC Conference teams with playoffs hopes, At least for now. They really need to win 3 of 5 to help themselves out. The middle three would be the best scenario for the team against division opponents. I really think the Patriots are playoff bound. Each week Cassel becomes more comfortable and confident. Hopefully New England can find some luck with injuries. They have been a big issue this season.

Patrots turning a Page

The low light of Monday night's pounding of the Denver Broncos was Rodney Harrison being carted off the field. His career in question. He was a leader and game changing player. Harrison was always questioned for his hands. Rodney always seemed to come up with that game ending interception. Even the David Tyree catch in the superbowl was a 100% effort on Harrison's part. He was my favorite player ever to watch play for the Patriots. Always hitting somebody somewhere on the field. It's amazing he played as long and as successful as he did being so aggresive. He never let up. He will be missed on the field and in the lockeroom. Looks like it's Brandon Meriweather's time to shine. He has been playing better as of late. Hopefully he is ready to fill in and become a solid pro. Maybe it's time to give John Lynch a call?

White Sox and Twins benefit from 1 game playoff

Last season we saw the Colorado Rockies come out of nowhere to make a playoff push. The Rockies beat the Padres in a 1 game playoff that shot them right into the World Series. Colorado had been playing well all September and played like they had to win every game. I think the fact that Chicago and Minnesota are playing an extra game will help them. They have to win or go home and that puts them in a mind set for the post season. Tampa Bay had a week to relax which can put a team a step behind coming into a series. Look at Colorado after they made it to the World Series and had so much time in between. They came out flat in game one and got dominated by Josh Beckett and the Red Sox. I'm not saying a one game playoff is an automatic for the World Series. But it could definitely pay off in the first round. Especially in a 5 game series.

Building a Cassel in New England

It was Sunday September 7th around 2:00pm. My wife and I were leaving brunch to celebrate our second anniversary. I turned on the radio to listen to the Patriots. The first thing i heard is "Cassel takes the snap". I gasped and my heart sank. I thought to myself, is Brady's foot injury that bad? Then I heard Brady had gooten hit in the leg and came out. I figured he would be back soon. But Matt Cassel had led the Pats from their own 2 yard line to score. I got home and watched Matt Cassel play efficient football. It wasn't brilliant or game breaking. The Patriots beat the Chiefs. Kansas City also had a quarterback injury. But it looks like that may be for the better. Todd Collins is an old vet who has always played decent football when called apon. Brady Croyle is a young never has been. But there is no replacing a guy coming off a 50 touchdown season. Matt Cassel is by no means anywhere near Tom Brady's caliber. New England still has a great unclius of talent all over the depth chart. Cassel has the privilege of throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Sammy Morris and Lawrence Maroney have to step up and both be productive. I think we will see Lamont Jordan play well in some games this year also. Both offensive and Defensive lines are strong. They need to stay healthy on the offensive line especially. The Linebackers are also very talented. The secondary scares me a little. Especially with Ellis Hobbs already banged up. I do not think the Patriots will win the super bowl this year. But if Matt Cassel and play efficient mistake free football I think they will make the playoffs. Week 2 against the Jets is a big test. But it is still week two of a long season. Hey, even the 49ers were two and zero at this point last year. Thanks to them we now have Jerod Mayo. Anything is possible in Foxborough.

Super Bowl Pick

New England Patriots over Dallas Cowboys

NFC WEST

1. Seattle Seahawks - (12 - 4) The steady Matt Hasslebeck is back behind center. Seattle will need Nate Burleson to step up and earn his money. He had a decent year last year. Deion Branch is still recovering from an injury he suffered in the playoffs in 07'. Top 2007 receiver Bobby Engram is also banged up and will miss time early in the season. John Carlson a rookie tight end out of Notre Dame may be needed to block and catch. The Shaun Alexander days are over in Seattle. Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett will combine for a size and speed duo. Jones has had many issues staying healthy. Rookie Justin Forsett out of Cal could be a factor this season as well. The offensive line hopes to rebound after a down year in 2007. Mike Solari was hired to bring this unit back to a higher level. Mike Wahle was singed as a free agent and will bring a pro bowler to the left guard position.
The defense is very good. Patrick Kerney is a hard nosed player at defensive end. He had 14.5 sack last season. First round pick Lawrence Jackson will try to win the other end spot. Red Bryant another rookie will work in a rotation adding some much needed bulk to the defensive front. The Linebackers are the heart of the defense. The fiery Lofa Tatupu is all over the field making tackles from his middle linebacker spot. Julian Peterson is a tremendous pass rusher and can line up at either outside linebacker or end. Leroy Hill is another asset to the D. Hill can play weak and strong side very well. Cornerback Marcus Trufant been a great player for Seattle since being selected in the first round in 2003. Brian Russell and Deon Grant played very well at the safety spots a year ago which was a concern until their arrivals. Kelly Jennings is turning into a fine player and will start at right corner.

2. St. Louis Rams - ( 8 - 8 ) The offense needs to be a lot better after a disastrous season a year ago. The offensive line suffered major injuries. They need left tackle Orlando Pace to stay healthy for this offense to click. Free agent pick up Jacob Bell was added to play guard. The Rams also selected John Greco in the third round to add depth to the line. Marc Bulger will try to come back mentally and physically after a rough season. Torry Holt claims to be in the best shape he's been in in years. The Rams also got younger at wide out taking Donny Avery and Keenan Burton in April's draft. Steven Jackson is a very talented runner with excellent hands as well. He can be one of the leagues best backs if the line doesn't completely fall apart. Brian Leonard is a hard runner who can get short yards when Jackson needs a blow.
Chris Long was the number 2 overall selection in this years draft. Long and Leonard little should form a pair of top tier ends. Chris Draft and Will Witherspoon will try to make the linebacking unit relevant. This was an area of the defense that was not to productive last season. Tye Hill enters his second season at corner. Frre safety Oshiomogho Atogwe had 8 interceptions which was an NFC high. Corey Chavous is aging but still very effective at strong safety. Fakhir Brown and Ron Bartell will both play Corner for the team. If the Line can stay healthy and the defense can step up. The Rams have a shot at the playoffs.

3. Arizona Cardinals - ( 6 - 10 ) Kurt Warner will get the early nod at quarterback. Matt Leinert will be in quick if Warner stumbles. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the leagues premiere talents at wide receiver. Anqaun Boldin is also so very talented. But Boldin and head coach Ken Wisenhunt have not got along very well. Boldin has made numerous trade requests. Let's just hope he doesn't change his name to "ocho uno". Edgerrin James is not the player he was in Indianapolis. Tim Hightower a rookie has played well behind James and could get alot of carries this year. The offensive line has always been a weak spot on the team. Last year the unit looked better. Mike Gandy played well at left tackle. Duece Latui and Levi Brown anchor the right side. The offensive line remains intact from a year ago. This could be a major boost for the offense if they can remain healthy.
Darnell Dickett had 8 sacks and made the pro bowl in 07'. Calias Campbell Hopes to win the other end spot in his rookie year. The Cardinals lost Calvin Pace to free agency this offseason. Pace was a major contributor to the pass rush. To counter his loos the team signed Travis Laboy who can also play end in passing situations. Karlos Dansby is an excellent defender from the weak side. Gerald Hayes is a tough gritty competitor from the strong side. Antrel Rolle is being moved from corner to safety. This move will. Allow Dominick Rodgers-Cromartie the teams first round pick to start if he can beat out Roderick Hood or Eric Green. Adrian Wilson can be one of the leagues best safeties when healthy. The Cardinals have a relatively tough schedule making it tough to reach the post season. It is not out of the question for them to make a playoff push in 2008.

4. San Francisco 49ers ( 2 - 14 ) J.T. O'Sullivan has won the starting nod at QB. Frank Gore will be the centerpiece in Mike Martz's offense. There isn't an abundance of talent at wide receiver. Issac Bruce was brought in via free agency. Bruce played for Martz with the Rams during the "greatest show of turf" era and knows the system. Bruce is aging but still a high quality player. More of a number two receiver at this point. The problem is San Francisco doesn't have a legit number one. Tight end Vernon Davis will need to be a big part of the passing game. He hasn't lived up to the high expectations yet. His numbers have improved each year and the offense he has been playing in isn't exactly that of the Colts or Patriots. The offensive line was a mess last year. Joe Staley will move from right to left tackle. Erik Hietmann is back at center. Adam Snyder and David Bass hope to win spots on the offensive live but nothing is set in stone at this point.
New comer Justin smith and rookie Kentwan Balmer should help make the defensive line solid. Patrick Willis came in as a rookie last year and played like Ray Lewis at the top of his game. Willis led the NFL in tackles. Willis was named "Defensive rookie of the year". Manny Lawson will try to bounce back after a season ending ACL tear. Lawson has been a bit of a disappointment since being drafted in the first round a few years ago. Nate Clements heads the secondary at the corner position. Teams tried to throw away from him last year. Walt Harris will play the other corner spot. He is still playing well at 34 years old. Michael Lewis is a very good stong safety. Mark Roman is the free safety and also a solid contributor. Patrick Willis is going to have to make alot of tackles again this year. There is to much uncertainty on the offense and defense. The 49ers best shot at being number one in the league is have the first pick in the 2009 draft.

NFC SOUTH

1. Carolina Panthers - ( 11 - 5 ) Carolina looks to rebound after a 7-9 season. Quarterback Jake Delholmme is back after having surgery on his throwing arm. All reports say he looks better than he has in years. Steve Smith is still the main target. D.J. Hackett and Mushin Muhammed were added in the off season to add depth to the passing game. The Panthers drafted Jonathon Stewart a tough power back out of the University of Oregon. He will be a great change of pace for counter part DeAngelo Williams. Williams is lightning fast and can not take the abuse of a single back system. The Panthers also added Jeff Otah in the first round. He will play right tackle and should make this young, up and coming line even stronger. Second year player Ryan Kalil will take over at center. If the O-Line can mess this will be a very strong unit.
The Defense is good but not great. Julius Peppers had a down year in 07'. He needs to rebound and have more than 2.5 sacks. The D-Line will need Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis to fill in for the departed Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins. Jon Beason had a fantastic rookie season at Linebacker. He was third in the NFL in Tackles(140). Thomas Davis is turning into the player Carolina hoped he would be. Na'ill Diggs and Landon Johnson are competing for the weak side position. Strong safety Chris Harris leads the secondary. He was second on the team in tackles and had 8 forced fumbles. Free safety is wide open. Terrence Holt is the front running to take the position. Charles Godfrey a third round pick out of Iowa will also compete for the spot. Richard Marshall lead the team in interceptions at corner. The other spot will be either Ken Lucus or Chris Gamble. If the defense can put it together and the offensive line gels. The Panthers will have a great season. They play the Saints December 28th in what could be a factor for both teams in a playoff run.

2. New Orleans Saints - ( 10 - 6 ) The Saints love to air it out. Drew Brees led the league in passing attempts. The addition of tight end Jeremy Shockey could be a big boost for the offense. It will give Brees an added weapon. Marques Colston had an even better second season at wide receiver. Look for Robert Meachem to be more of a factor this year. David Patton is back, he had a good year catching the ball. Reggie Bush is also a factor in the passing game out of the backfield. He needs to become more of a runner. The oft injured Deuce McAllister needs to stay healthy. He is a strong runner when he is on the field. The offensive line should be good. Center Jeff Faine will be be replaced by Jonathon Goodwin who the teams really likes. Jamaal Brown was a pro bowler two years ago and hopes to return to that form this season. Jon Stincolmb and Jamar Nesbit are quality veterans and smart players.
The defense is not as good as the offense. The defensive line is the stronger unit on the defense. Will Smith and Charles Grant are the book ends. They both had down years in 07' but should play at a higher level this year. Jonathon Vilma is back from injury. Vilma is one of the better linebackers in the game when healthy. Scott Fujita is a reliable and tough veteran. The Saints added Dan Morgan. But Morgan's Career is in jeopardy if he gets any more concussions. Randell Gay was also added in free agency. Gay is a smart player but a nickle back at best. Veteran Aaron Glenn and rookie Tracy Porter were also added to the roster. The secondary was a major flaw on the team last year.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - ( 9 - 7 ) Jeff Garcia is still playing at a high level even though he is 38. Another aging vet Joey Galloway is coming off a strong year at wide receiver. He doesn't have much help though. Ike Hilliard is the number two guy and he took some pressure off Galloway. But not enough to keep double teams away. Ernest Graham filled in nicely at running back. Warrick Dunn returns to Tampa, he has always been a productive back. The offensive line looks good. Jeff Faine got a big contract to come over from New Orleans. Aaron Sears and Davin Joseph will play next to Faine and form a strong front.
The Defense is excellent. Linebacker is the major strength. Perrennial Derrick Brooks still Romes the field making tackles. Barrett Ruud led the team in tackles last year and Cato June played great in his first season in Tampa. Gaines Adams had six sacks last season. He should improve those numbers in his second year in the league. Chris Hovan is still a monster at nose. The secondary got deeper in the draft with the addition of Aqib Talib. Ronde Barber is still playing at a pro bowl level despite his age. Look for Sabby Pisceitelli to step into a safety roll this season. Tampa has a good of a chance of any team in this division to win.

4. Atlanta Falcons - ( 2 - 14 ) There is a major over haul going on in Atlanta. Rookie Matt Ryan the third overall pick in the 2008 draft will get his chance to start early. He has some weapons to throw to which is something he didn't have at Boston College. Roddy White had an excellent season last year with zero talent at quarterback. Michael Turner was brought in to power the running game. Jerious Norwood is a great change of pace, third down type back. Michael Jenkins also stepped up at wide receiver last year. The offensive line is a major question mark. Giving up 47 sacks in 2007. Atlanta added Tackle Sam Baker, there second pick in the first round to help out the line.
The defensive line is as weak as the offensive line. If not weaker. Last years first round pick Jamaal Anderson did not get a sack from his defensive end position. The Falcons released both starting tackles from last season. Rashad Moore and Kendall Moorhead were brought in to replaced them but have never been significant players with other teams. Linebacker is a much stronger unit. Curtis Lofton, another rookie was added and can play middle and strong side. Kieth Brooking is back in the middle and Michael Boley has developed into an excellent player on the strong side. Second year player Stephan Nichols will start on the weak side. The secondary is in transition. Lawyer Milloy is back at safety. Eric Coleman will play the other safey position. He is a free agent pick up from the Jets. Chris Houston is in his second season and will start at corner. Rookie Chevous Jackson out of LSU could win the other corner spot. The Falcons are a few years from being relevant again. 2008 will be tough, but they are headed in the right direction.

NFC NORTH

1. Green Bay Packers ( 11-5) The success of this team is all on Aaron Rodgers shoulders. If he can step in and play efficient mistake free football the offense is going to be very tough to stop. The wide receivers are loaded. Greg Jennings is entering his third NFL season. He is the new go-to guy in the passing game. Veteran Donald driver is a very good number 2. James Jones, Donald Lee and rookie Jordy Nelson will all be making contributions as well. Ryan Grant will try to pick up were he finished last season. Grant came out of nowhere to have an excellent season. Brandon Jackson will be back from injury to help take the load off of Grant. The offensive line is okay but aging. Chan Clifton had an outstand year but is getting older. Right tackle Mark Tauscher is very good.
The defense is very good starting with the defensive line. Aaron Kampman is one of the games most dynamic pass rushers. The pack will look for 07' first round pick Justin Harrell to take another step forward in his game. Johnny Jolly will be back from injury adding toughness. The linebackers are a strong unit. Nick Barnett led the team with tackles with 165. A.J. Hawk had a good season making 129 tackles. The defensivebacks are also solid. Charles Woodson and Al Harris are still playing at a high level despite there age. Atari Bigby had a good first season as a starter. Aaron Rouse will try to take the other safety spot from Nick Collins. Green Bay could find themselves back in the NFC championship game if Rodgers can play well and the O=line can stay healthy.

2. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) Smash mouth football comes to mind when I think of the Vikings. Adrian Peterson had a sensational rookie season. It will be tough to repeat becuase Bryant McKinney is out for four games due to a Violation of the leagues substance abuse policy. Also the passing game wont be much better than last year. Chester Taylor is a great back up to Peterson and could start for alot of teams. Tavaris Jackson will be back at QB. He needs to play more mistake free football. The wide outs aren't very strong. Bernard Berrian was signed from Chicago and gives them a legit number one guy. Something they lacked last year. But he will find frequent double teams. Sidney Rice enters his second and should be able to stretch the field with his blazing speed. The O-Line is dominant but the loss of left tackle McKinney for four games will hurt.
The Defense may be the best in the NFL. The D-Line is huge. Pat and Kevin Williams are beasts at the tackle position. Minnesota also added Jared Allen in an off season trade. He had 12.5 sacks for Kansas City in 07'. E.J. Henderson had a great season at middle linebacker. Former first round pick Chad Greenway stayed healthy last year and also played well. The Defensive backs are very good. Madeau Williams was added via free agency and should step right into the safety position. Darren Sharper will start at the other safety position. But don't be surprised to see rookie Tyrell Johnson take over for sharper toward seasons end. Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin will start at corner and are an excellent duo.

3. Detroit Lions (5-11) Jon Kitna is still a decent quarterback. He has many weapons like Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams to throw to. The question is if the O-Line can give him any time to throw. Jeff Backus should be more effective at left tackle now that he is out of Mike Martz's offense. They will need Rookie Gosder Cherilous to play well on the right side. The running game is a bit of a question mark. Artrose Pinner looks to be the early starter. Rookie Kevin Smith will battle for the starting role during the season. Shaun McDonald looks like he is back after knee surgery. He was a very good possession receiver and punt returner.
The defense is very different from last year. Gone are starters Kalimba Edwards and Shaun Rogers. This is a big weakness for the team. Corey Redding will have to move inside from end. Dewayne White will be the teams best pass rusher. But he is not elite by any means. Jordan Dizon will be put in the middle linebacker spot to do what he does best, Make tackles. Ernie Sims will play the weak side and could be a pro bowler in the near future. Paris Lenon will be moved back to strong side where he fits best. Leigh Bodden was a major boost for the defensive backfield. Bodden is the most underrated corner in the game. Veteran Brian Kelly will play the other corner spot. The Lions signed safety Dwight Smith from rival Minnesota boosting the safety position. No playoffs for the Lions but they could be better than people think. Not that will take a whole lot!

Chicago Bears (4-12) There is still no answer at QB. Why they didn't try to address it is a mystery. Losing Bernard Berrian is a major hit to the receiving core. Earl Bennett who was drafted in the third round could step in and be a play maker. But who can get him the ball. I'm sure we will see Orton and Grossman this season. Matt Forte and Kevin Jones we added to the running game which was a major flaw in 07'. The O-line is O-k. They took Chris Williams in the first round in the draft. Williams and Bennett were teammates at Vanderbilt. But Williams health is an issue early in camp. Center Olin Kreutz is still the main guy. He is as good as it gets. The rest of the line is in transition.
The D-Line is still good. Adewale Ogunleye has been great since coming over from Miami. Tommy Harris is a rock at tackle but tends to wear down at the end of seasons. Brian Urlacher is in a contract dispute with the team. He also has an arthritic lower back. Lance Briggs is a perennial pro bowler and Hunter Hillenmeyer will soon be. The D-backs are the weakness. Mike Brown is always hurt. Only time will tell if he can make it back 100% from a week 1 injury last year. The corners are great but injuries have been a problem. Vasher missed 12 games in 07'. Charles Tillman is a very good corner and doesn't get the credit he deserves. This unit could make or break the defense. If the D can play strong and stay healthy and the quarterback situation gets a little better. The bears could make a playoff push. But i don't see it happening.

NFC Preview - NFC EAST

1. Dallas Cowboys ( 13 -3 ) Dallas's Offense looks very strong. With Tomo Romo in store for another strong season at quarterback. Marion Barber will be looked on top rush for 1,200 yards and rookie Felix Jones will get some significant playing time to take the load off of Barber. Terrell Owens is one of the best receivers in the game. If he can keep his head strait he will be dominant yet again this season. Tight end Jason Witten is a major weapon in the Cowboys passing attack and Patrick Crayton is a very valuable player to the Offense. The offensive line will be a mojor reason for the success of Romo, Barber and Jones.
The Dallas defense is tops in the NFL. The D-Line is a strong 3-4. Linebackers Demarcus Ware has game changing talent. Adding a great veteran like Zac Thomas to an already dominant group will only do positive things for the unit. The D-Backs are very good. They added depth with the often troubled Adam "Pac Man" Jones and rookie Micheal Jenkins. Ken Hamlin and Roy Rogers will be the safties and Marcus Trufant is back after a pro bowl season. Rogers will only play on the running situations with Corner Anthony Henry shifting to safety in passing situations. The Cowboys will be very tough to beat if they can keep it together mentally. They should go deep into the post season.

2. Philidelphia Eagles (12 - 4 ) Donovan McNabb seems to be 100% since his knee surgery two years ago. But who will he throw to? Brian Westbrook is always an option. Westbrook is a threat in the running and passing attack. The eagles hope rookie DeSean Jackson can step up and add a deep threat to the passing game. Reggie brown, Kevin Curtis and Jason Avant will all contribute but need to stay healthy through the season. The O-Line is big and nasty. They will provide and great push for Westbrook. Trent Cole and free adent signee Cris Clemons will be putting the pressure on the QB's. Cold has 12.5 sacks last year. Omar Gaither led the team in tackles from the linebacker spot. This is the youngest unit and has a ton of upside. The secondary is solid. The high priced free agent singing of Asanti Samuels adds a great cover corner to the squad. Lito Shepard is still on the team after numerous off season trade rumors. Brian Dawkins, Sean Considine and J.R Reed will all be making contributions at the safety position. This is a very good all around team. Wide Receiver is the only real question mark.

3. New York Giants ( 9 - 7 ) The offense is led by Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning. He didn't have a great regular season last year. Throwing almost as many interceptions as touchdowns.(23-20). Brandon Jacobs is like tackling a guard and Derrick Ward and Ahman Bradshaw did an excellent job backing him up last year. The tall Plaxico Burris can run behind you or jump over you for scores. He played at a high level even with injuries last year. Kevin Boss will take over for the recently departed Jeremy Shockey. The Giants have an excellent O-Line led by guard Chris Snee. He should be attending the pro bowl this year. The defense took some hits with Michael Strahan retiring and Osi Umenyiora getting injured for the season. Linebacker is a middle of the road unit. Antonio Piecre is the top player at linebacker on the team. Aaron Ross was a great first round pick in 2007. He played like a vet. The team hope rookie Kenny Philips can pick up where productive safety Gibril Wilson left off. The defense will not be as dominant as last year. The Giants might have a tough time making the playoffs due to a very tough division.

4. Washington Redskins - ( 6 - 10 ) Washington surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs last year. They will have a tougher time making it this year. Jason Campbell is by no means an elite quarterback. Clinton Portis turned in a great year running the ball and should do the same in 08'. Wide receiver is a major flaw on the team. Even after spending two pick on that position at the draft. Chris Cooley is a great target at tight end. The offensive line is solid but old. They could very well get hit by the injury bug which could lead to disaster for the offense. The Defense is solid but not spectacular. The Line was supposed to be up graded by Jason Taylor but injuries have put a damper on that. London Fletcher is still solid at the middle linebacker spot. But he is getting old. The D-backs are nothing special. Fred Smoot is boarder line. Shawn Springs is 33. Laron Landry is a great player at safety. The second year player can only get better. It could be a tough road ahead for the Redskins.

AFC WEST

1. San Diego Chargers ( 13 - 3 ) The Chargers will Easily go 6 - 0 in their division. The offense is the same as last season. Philip Rivers made huge strides last year when many were wondering how much passion he had for the game. Playing in the AFC championship game a week after arthroscopic knee surgery raised many eye brows. Ladanian Tomlinson is back running behind an excellent offensive line. The passing game will be stronger this year. Chris Chambers had most of last year to adjust to the Chargers offense. After his arrival The team took off after a 3-3 start. San Diego has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The Defense is strong again. Luis Castillo, Igor Olshansky and Jamal Williams form one of the toughest D-lines in the game. Behind him Shaun Merriman and Shaun Phillips will make it tough for opponents to run outside and will put alot of pressure on the other teams Quarterbacks. Quinten Jammer and Antonio Cromartie are considered by many to be the leagues top duo at corner. Second year player Eric Weddle will hold down one of the safety spots. Clinton Hart and Tra Battle will try to win the other safety spot.

Denver Broncos ( 6 - 10 ) Denver did a nice job drafting this year. They added some key positions on the offensive line. Jay Cutler is turning into a very good quarterback. Branden Marshall had an excellent season last year. But he is suspended for two games due to three arrests in the off season. Marshall doesn't have many weapons around him. Travis Henry looks to take the bulk of the running load. After a tremendous start in 07' he quickly deteriorated mid-season. The offensive line is young but still decent. The Broncos Defense looks to be a weakness for the first time in years. Champ Bailey is still giving opposing quarterbacks nightmares. But the rest of the D is shaky. Boss Bailey, Champs brother was the teams biggest free agent pick up. He already got injured in camp. It looks to be a long season in the mile high city this year.

Kansas City Chiefs ( 4 - 12 ) Brodie Croyle Looks to be the guy who will be behind center this season. He is one of the worst starting QB's in the NFL. Dwayne Bowe and Tony Gonzalez are good weapons to throw to. Larry Johnson will run behind a bad offensive line. The Chiefs did an excellent job drafting this year. But not enough to make them a playoff contender. They traded defensive stud Jared Allen who led the league in sacks. Glenn Dorsey will anchor the D-Line. The secondary is awful. Patrick Surtain is old and Branden Flowers is a rookie. Linebacker is the most solid unit on the defense. Demorrio Williams signed out of Atlanta and will be the guy putting pressure on the passing game. Kansas City has the chance to finish last in the division.

Oakland Raiders ( 3 - 13 ) The Raiders are hoping rookie runningback Darren McFadden can make an Adrian Peterson like impact on the team. Unfortunately for the talented McFadden, he is running behind a much worse line than Peterson. Oakland made Jamarcus Russell the first overall pick in 07' The reports from camp are not good on Russell. The wide recievers are not a good unit. Javon Walker has shown brilliance in his career. But he pondered retirement after being beaten unconscious in Las Vegas a couple months ago. Can he bounce back from that mentally is the big question. The defense is a decent unit. Tommy Kelly and Derrick Burgess are quality players. Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard are excellent linebackers. The secondary looks pretty strong. DeAngelo Hall was added via a trade with Atlanta. Nnamdi Asomugha has worked hard to become an excellent corner. If Russell Can play well this year Oakland has the potential to leap frog the Chiefs in the division. Buts thats about as far as I see them going.


AFC Championship

New England defeats San Diego


next up the NFC EAST

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts ( 13 - 3 ) Another stellar year is in store for the Indianapolis Colts. The offense is very strong. Joseph Addai is one of the better running backs in the league. He runs behind a very strong offensive line anchored by veteran center Jeff Saturday. Addai also is a weapon in the passing game for future hall of famer Peyton Manning. Manning has the luxury of throwing to arguably the best wide receiving crew in the NFL. Reggie Wayne continues to get better each season and has blossomed into one of the top at his position. Marvin Harrison is back from an injury plagued 2007. Anthony Gonzalez had an excellent close out to his rookie season last year. Dallas Clark is a major threat in the passing game at tight end. The Colts did a great job adding young depth to the O-Line in the draft grabbing Steve Justice and Mike Pollack. Both should be quality starters for the franchise in the years to come. The defensive unit looks to be strong this year. The Colts secondary is led by run stuffing safety Bob Sanders who seams to change the out comes of games when he is healthy. Marlon Jackson has settled into a very solid player at cornerback. The linebacker core is the weaker position on the team. The defensive line makes up for them. Dwight Freeny and Robert Mathis are the heart of the Defensive Line.

Jacksonville Jaguars ( 11 - 5 ) Jacksonville is a tough physical team on both sides of the ball. David Garrard is a smart efficient quarterback. The running game is a two headed attack. The aging Fred Taylor managed to stay healthy and have a solid season last year. Maurice Jones-Drew is a wrecking ball. Listed at 210lbs, He plays like he's 250. Jones-Drew is also good for 40+ catches and 400 yards in the passing game. The wide outs aren't that of the Colts. But they are a decent enough to take the ease off the running game. The Jags hope Tight End Mercedes Lewis can take a step forward and add another piece to the passing attack. The offensive line is a solid group with lots of depth which is very important in the NFL. The defensive side of the ball looks strong. 2007 first round selection Reggie Nelson stepped in at safety and played like a veteran. Rashean Mathis is an excellent corner. Linebacker is the strength of the defense. Second year player Justin Durant will challenge veteran Mike Peterson for the Inside Linebacker spot. Daryl Smith and Clint Ingram will be back at the Strong and Weak Linebacking spots. The Defensive Line is Strong again, even though Marcus Stroud was traded to Buffalo. The Jags added two pass rushers in Derrick Harvey and Quinton Groves. Groves could also get a look at linebacker in passing situations.

Tennessee Titans ( 7 - 9 ) If things go right for the Titans this season they could challenge for a wild card spot. Vince Young doesn't have the tools to lead this team to a Super Bowl. Rookie Chris Johnson will be a boost in the running and passing game. He has game changing speed. LenDale White will provide wear and tear on the other teams defense and eat clock. White took and major step in the right direction last year when many people questioned his ability and passion for the game. The wide outs are less than spectacular. Roydell Williams and Justin Gage are the primary targets. Both had 55 receptions last season and 700+ yards. The Offensive Line is strong. The loss of Guard Jacob Bell to St. Louis was eased by the free agent signing of Jake Scott who comes over from division rival Indianapolis. The defense is the strength of the team. Kyle Vanden Bosch has been nothing but terrific since signing with the team. Albert Hansworth is one of the games best defensive tackles. The Titans also selected Defensive End Jason Jones out of Eastern Michigan to help put pressure on the opposing teams quarterback. The Linebackers are very fast. David Thronton has been a big time player since joining Tennessee. The Defensive back field has been a dependable unit. Courtland Finnigan and Nick Harper have helped developed the secondary into a quality group. If the Titans can get more quality players from the Colts like Harper, Scott and Thronton maybe they could be at the top of this division someday.

Houston Texans ( 7 - 9 ) In what I believe to be the toughest division in football. The Texans have look to try and take the playoff spots away from Jacksonville and Tennessee. Matt Schaub get his second season at Quarterback. But Sage Rosenfels will challenge him in camp. Rosenfels stepped in nicely when called apon last year. Houston even denied a trade with Minnesota for Rosenfels in the offseason. Runningback has been a rotating door in the past years. Injuries have pillaged the unit. Ahman Green, New acquisition Chris Brown and rookie Steve Slaton will all try to win a starting spot. I'm sure all will get their shot during the season. The offensive line has been a weak spot on the team in the franchises short history. But rookie Duane Brown from Viriginia Tech and free agent signee Chris Myers should make this a stronger unit. Andre Johnson is one of the games top notch receivers. But the lack of talent around him and injuries has taken away from his production. Owen Daniels emerged as a target last season. He helps take some pressure off Johnson. Houston has done an excellent job drafting defense in the recent years. Mario Williams a former top pick in 2006 had a great second season and looks to only get better. DeMeco Ryans, 2006 defensive rookie of the year anchors the middle of the defense. The secondary is not very strong. They added Alex Molden in the second round this year. He will add some much needed depth and could challenge for a starting job.

Next up, The AFC WEST.........................

AFC NORTH

Pittsburg Steelers (11 - 5 ) The Steelers added two big additions to the offense in the 2008 draft. Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed should make this offense a deeper threat. Mendanhall is a bigger back that will get the tougher yards on the ground. This should benefit Willie Paker. He will not have to take the abuse he took last season. Limas Sweed will give Ben Rothlisberger and big fast target. The loss of Alan Fanaca to the jets is a major blow to the offensive line. The defense is still solid. They are not in the toughest division in the league. They will be a certain playoff contender in 08'.

Cleveland Browns (9 - 7 ) After some major disappointments drafting players over the years. The Browns have done a nice job of building a solid team via the draft lately. Braylon Edwards has turned him self into a top flight receiver. Jamal Lewis looked like his old self last year rushing for 1304 yards and 9 touchdowns. Derek Anderson came out of nowhere to have a great season at quarterback. He will try to repeat it in 2008 and hold off second year player Brady Quinn who the browns drafted in the first round in 2007. The Browns added Shaun Rodgers to their D-Line in a trade with Detroit this offseason. If he can stay and shape and get motivated it could prove to be a major boost. Although the loss of Leigh Bodden will hurt the secondary. If Eric Wright who is in his second season can step up it will ease the loss of Bodden. This is a young defensive unit who is looking to take the next step forward. Romeo Crennel has done a good job turning around the franchise. A trip to the playoffs should be in store.

Cincinnati Bengals ( 8 - 8 ) The Bengals have one of the most explosive passing games in the NFL when clicking on all cylinders. Unfortunately injuries, arrests and disgruntled players have taken their toll on the team at times. The offense should score alot of points this year. Carson Palmer has an arsenal of weapons. Rudi Johnson looks to bounce back from a tough season. The major question is the defense. Keith Rivers was a solid addition to the linebacking core. But he is young and just came into camp after a contractual holdout. The offense wont be enough to take the team to the playoffs this season.

Baltimore Ravens ( 5 - 11 ) The defense still has stars like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Chris McAllister. They should be a very solid unit again. The offense has major questions at quarterback. Former first round pick Kyle Boller has his shot to take over. Baltimore's wide receivers are also a weaker unit. Tight End Todd Heap will be the primary target in the passing game. There could be alot of low scoring losses for the Ravens this year. Quarterback Joe Flacco a rookie out of Delaware could get a look late season if things done go well for Boller.

A look at the NFL divisions

Over the next few weeks I am going to break down the NFL by division and pick a super bowl winner. I will Start with the AFC East.

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots - The Patriots look very strong again this season. The losses they suffered in free agency like Asanti Samuels and Donte Stallworth were not huge hits to the roster. The core of the teams is back and the defense added some much needed depth through free agency and the 2008 NFL draft. Brady should throw 40 plus touchdowns this year and the addition of Lamont Jordan could prove to be a major boost to the running game. Look for Jabar Gaffney to take over for Stallworth and not miss a beat. They schedule isn't as tough as last years and the base of the team is back. The only bump in the road could be a road loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots will easily win the division and home field advantage for the playoffs. ( 15 - 1 )

2. New York Jets - After a tough season for the Jets in 2007. Look for the Jets to have a better year. The addition of Alan Fanaca was a huge boost for the offensive line. The running game should be a strength for the offense. Due to the fact their quaterback situation isn't ideal, this should help to open up the passing game. The defense should be okay. Adding pass rusher Calvin Pace and Vernon Gholston should help put pressure on the opposing quarterback. No playoffs for New York This year. But a step in the right direction. ( 8 - 8 )

3. Buffalo Bills - Buffalo is a much better team than alot of people give them credit for. Their last two drafts have been very good. They have a young defense and good running game. Adding James Hardy was a great boost for Lee Evans in the passing game. The remaining question is how well and who can get them the ball. Trent Edwards was a pleasant surprise last year. Can he be better this season? J.P. Losman waits to take over if he can not. This team has the potential to leap frog the jets for second place. But I think they are a year away from playoff contention at this point. ( 7 - 9 )

4. Miami Dolphins - Undergoing a major overhaul. Bill Parcells is getting rid over the old and in with the new. This is a very young team. Jason Taylor is gone, Look for rookie Phillip Merling to take over his spot. Quarterback is totally up for grabs. John Beck, Josh McCown and rookie Chad Henne will all battle for a starting position. I am sure we will see them all at some in 2008. Solid veterans were added to the roster like guard Justin Smiley, D-Tackle Randy Starks and Linebacker Akin Ayodele will help turn this franchise in the right direction. But it will be a long season in Miami. They may be first on the clock again in 2009. ( 3 - 13 )


Next up the AFC North....................

"Manny Baying Manny"

After two world series titles, multiple spats with team mates and management, numerous trade rumors and trying to give him away for nothing. The Boston Red Sox have finally ended their tumultuous relationship with Manny Ramirez. I am glad they made the deal. He was a cancer to the team. In return they got a quality player in Jason Bay. I would have liked to see them get another reliever by today also. Maybe a shortstop like christian Guzman from the Nationals. To bad they had to lose Branden Moss but he really didn't have a place on the team. I'm glad to see him get a chance to play like David Murphy. Craig Hanson may become a decent reliever in the national league. But he may never live to his potential so his loss isn't a terrible thing. I'm glad Michael Bowden and Kris Johnson are still in the system. Two excellent prospects. It was a fun ride Manny but you got your twisted wish of being traded. Have fun in LA LA land where you have been living all along anyway.

Patriots Training Camp

I went to Patriots training camp this morning. They were in full pads and was full contact but no tackling. The O-Line looked good blocking for the running game. The addition of Lamont Jordan was key. Adding depth with a veteran, who has had success in the NFL. Dave Thomas was all over the field catching passes and blocking. If he can stay healthy Thomas could be a major contributor to the team this year. The play of the day went to Gary Guyton. An undrafted rookie linebacker out of Georgia Tech. His one handed interception off Kevin O'Connell was a crowd pleaser. Chad Jackson was handling the kickoff return duties. Hopefully he can stay healthy and contribute this year. He did drop a couple of passes thrown his way but looked sharp returning the ball.

MLB Mid-Season Predictions

Home field advantage has been decided as the American League defeated the National League. Meaning the season is half over. Here are my predictions for the playoffs.

American League

East - Boston Red Sox - Good starting rotation and alot of pop with the bats. If the Red Sox can get some help in middle relief they will surely be contending in October.

Central - Detroit Tigers - Very talented team with an excellent coach. If the starting rotation can settle down they will be tough to beat. Currently 7 games out of first and Magglio Ordonez is coming off the DL soon.

West - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - They will absolutely run away with the division in the second half.

Wild Card - Minnesota Twins - Solid pitching and defense have helped this team be what it is. Two great young stars in the middle of the line up and a star closer in Joe Nathan. Solid starting pitching has been a pleasent suprise.

National League

East - New York Mets - A hot team coming into the break. They have it all and it seems to be coming together. If starter John Maine can have a better second half they will be tough to beat.

Central - Chicago Cubs - Best record in baseball currently. Getting Rich Harden in a trade with Oakland could prove to the move that's sends them to the world series if he stays healthy. Great pitching and hitting.

West - Arizona Diamondbacks - A young team with two top starters. If the Young bats can come alive they definitely have a shot at the world series. Very athletic outfield.

Wild Card - Philadelphia Phillies - Rollins, Utley and Howard is the top 1, 3, 4 in the league. Good relief pitching. If the starters can come up big, They will give the Mets a run for the east.


WORLD SERIES

BOSTON RED SOX def. CHICAGO CUBS

Barry Bonds

I've heard rumors of Barry Bonds being sought out by the Red Sox. First I don't believe the rumors. Why would they want to bring a guy like him in here? David Ortiz is a few weeks away from coming off the DL. They could always trade for someone at the deadline in a couple of weeks if need be. Not to mention, Barry Bonds is the biggest jerk in baseball. He isolates himself from his teamates and expects to be treated like a king. He's not the juiced up slugger who set the single season home run record. He's an aging, injury ridden club house cancer waiting to happen. I say, he would be a great fit for the Yankees or the California state penal league.

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson is an elite talent in the NFL. He is definitely worth a pick in the third round. The only things against him is his past of injuries and lack of other talented wide receivers. Kevin Walter had a solid season and Jacoby Jones is entering his second season. Having those two may help him out if they can take the next step. I was really surprised to see them not address wide receiver in the draft. I thought James Hardy, Earl Bennett or Jordy Nelson would have been a great compliment to Johnson. Matt Schaub is a decent quarterback. Last season was his first year in the Texans offense. So he should improve this year. They have been building there offensive line through the draft the past few years. Steve Slaton could emerge in the running game to take pressure off the passing game. I think Andre Johnson is one of the most talented wide outs in the game. As far as injuries, it can happen to anyone at anytime in the NFL. He is worth the pick.

As far as Burleson vs. Culpepper. I think the dolphins were trying to bring in a veteran QB for their offense. To bad for them his ship had sailed. Nate Burleson only had one career year with 60+ catches and over 1,000 yards. I guess the Seahawks were looking to get a great weapon for Hasselbeck, Funny thing is they still are. Needless to say I was puzzled by the Burleson deal.

Shaun Alexander

As a former MVP of the NFL only a few years ago it is hard to count out a guy like Shaun Alexander. But, I do not see him starting on any teams this coming season. If he does, I think it will be by injury. He reminds me alot of Eddie George. When he hit the wall, he hit it fast and it was over. But if Alexander can catch on with a team that has a great offensive line he could be a productive back off the bench. I do not think he will be able to run for a thousand yards. I could maybe see him ending up on a team like Denver, New England or Detroit. Not to take away from Shaun Alexander's abilities but I feel like alot of his success was helped by a grossly underrated offensive line in Seattle. His numbers went down hill quick after Steve Hutchinson went to Minnesota via free agency. In conclusion, Alexander turns 31 in august which is the age when most running backs fade out. He has been bitten by the injury bug the last couple of seasons. I don't think he will ever be at the level he was when he won the MVP. Somebody will take a chance on him and why not. But I do not expect big things for him. As far as fantasy goes, Wait till you have two or three backs before thinking of picking him.

-Mike

Diamonds in the rough for your 2008 fantasy football draft

Every year there are some rookies who are major players in your fantasy league. From first rounders like Adrian Peterson to seventh rounders like Marques Colston. We all know the names Mcfadden, Mendenhall and Stewart. Here are a few potential rookies I think can make an impact this coming season.
(1) Matt Forte RB - Chicago - He did go in the second round and the buzz around this guy is building. He's a big back at 6'1'' 220lbs. Very productive at Tulane. He is a good character player and the bears still don't have a quarterback. They spent a first round pick on offensive lineman Chris Williams and Cedric Benson is a thing of the past. This guy should be an impact player in 08'. Don't wait on him, He will be gone by the fourth round in most leagues
(2) Jordy Nelson WR - Green Bay- Another second round and in my opinion the best receiver in the 08' class. Nelson is a big physical receiver at 6'3'' 215 and has speed. He has Donald driver and Greg Jennings ahead of him. That's why I believe he will be successful. The focus will be on the two of them and Nelson can take advantage. As long as Aaron Rodgers can get him the ball Nelson could be another steal late in your draft.
(3) Martin Rucker TE - Cleveland - Rucker was a standout on a great Missouri team this season. Cleveland is set at tight end with Kellen Winslow. But do to Winslows history of injuries, Rucker might be worth a look at the end of your draft. Especially if you draft Winslow. Rucker lined up in the slot alot in college and could do the same in the pros creating mismatches with linebackers and nicklebacks.
(4) Keenan Burton WR - St. Louis - Burton was the Rams second wide out taken in the draft. He is a very hard worker and was a productive player at Kentucky. He will be a great compliment to Torry Holt. The only concern on Burton is injuries. All the injuries he has suffered have not been because he is not tough. All broken bones and sprains, He played with a sprained knee through 2007.

These three players should be worth drafting whether it be early or late. Some other notable players to look out for early in the season- Andre Caldwell WR (Cincinnati), Jacob Hester RB (San Diego), Justin Forsett RB (Seattle).

NBA CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics. It was an exciting series. Two home wins in game 1 and 2. A 24 point come from behind win on the round and an absolute blow out in game six. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen were tremendous all series. Kevin Garnett was a beast through out the playoffs. James Posey was a great compliment to the big 3. Eddie House filled in great when Rondo struggled. Rajon Rando came in game six and was the star. The Celtics were mentally and physically tougher than the Lakers. 22 years in the making. It was alot of fun. A very long ride but alot of fun. It's nice to be from Boston where championships seem to come as frequent as holidays.


Boston Celtics NBA Championship #17

The Chad Johnson Saga

Is anybody else annoyed by the Chad Johnson saga? This guy acts like a spoiled brat. If you don't want to play for your team, sit out! Don't show up and pretend your hurt. He's really making himself look bad and his stock is dropping with other teams. Why would the Bengals want this guy taking up space on their roster? He is a tremendous talent but a true cancer to the team. They had their chance to trade him in April to the Redskins and they should have jumped all over it. They have other areas of need because of the poor character players they have drafted recently. They have filled up their roster with thugs who care more about getting loaded and acting like fools than having a successful career in the NFL. This once budding franchise has taken a serious nose dive in the past couple years. They have the foundation to bounce back and it should have started by trading Johnson. The Bengals aren't proving a point by keeping Johnson on the roster. They're ruining a franchise. I guess there's always the Dallas Cowboys and the Oakland Raiders who could try and take him. I say trade him for a first round pick and go your separate ways, before you can only get a third rounder or worse.