NFL Preview

It is football season, and that means my summer hiatus is over and I am back to give my somewhat strong and occasionally controversial opinions on the world of sports. With the previously mentioned football season upon us, it is time for my season preview complete with initial thoughts, award predictions, break out stars, and of course, play-off predictions. So, without further to do. here it is.

A lot of things happened this off season, most notably Mike Vick and Brett Favre making their returns, respectively, but I want to start out with a team that quite possible had the worst off season ever--the Denver Broncos. It started out with the firing of Mike Shanahan, who, despite having 8 injuries to the running backs and having to rely on Peyton Hillis and Tatum Bell to shoulder the load on offense, led the Broncos to a game away from hosting a play-off game. Thrown in the fact that they had one of the worst defenses in the league, and it is a wonder how the managed to avoid being cellar dwellers.

So after Shanahan gets canned, to the Broncos go after a defencive minded coach to help the league's worst defense like Leslie Frazier, the get another offensive guy like Shanahan, only with much less experience--Josh McDaniels.

Josh immediately tries to trade for a less talented and less proven Matt Cassell, much to the chagrin of Jay Cutler, refuses to admit it, then trades him for Kyle Orton and 2 1st rounders.

The Broncos proceed to trade one of those first rounders for the Seahawks 2nd rounder, yes the Broncos traded a 1st rounder for a second rounder, that is the kind of offseason the Broncos have had.

Ever since then the broncos have twice traded draft picks for back ups from New England. Hmmm.

Oh, and now their star receiver hates McDaniels too.

Michael Vick.

From the beginning I have supported Michael Vick getting back into the league. He has paid his dept to society, and not letting him back in is not letting him find work in the area that best suits his skills.

I have heard people say something like, "If I got caught dogfighting, there would be no way I could get me job back when I got out of jail," but neither did Vick. He lost his job with the Falcons. Even if you don't get your job back, you are still allowed to find work, thus Vick should be allowed to sign and play with a team. I should be up to a franchise's discretion to bring him in and take a PR hit.

Another thing I don't understand is when people say that playing football is a privilege, not a right. That couldn't be further from the truth. A privilege implies that the player didn't earn his way into the league. Pro athletes worked their butt off their entire lives to get where they are. They are entitled to the money they receive because they are the reasons that profits are made in the NFL. The NFL is not a group of people there because they have connections, they are there because they earned it. You don't have to be a certain race, have certain descendants, or come from certain backgrounds. Playing pro football is something than anyone who puts in the work can be a part of. The NFL is not a privilege, it is a job.

Concerning Brett Favre, I really don't want to take up space on my blog to write about him.

Oh, and speaking of Favre, I believe that the Vikings are this years Browns, which were the year before's 49ers, with were the year before's Dolphins--i.e. the team that got hot at the end of year, made some changes and every expects play-offs. the Vikings are not making the play-offs this year.

Alright, time for some Preseason top 10.

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

2. Philadelphia Eagles

3. San Diego Chargers

4. New York Giants

5. Indianapolis Colts

6. Atlanta Falcons

7. New England Patriots

8. Tennessee Titans

9. Chicago Bears

10. New Orleans Saints

Week 1 Predictions:

Titans (9) @ Steelers (1)

Predictions: Steelers

Broncos @ Bengals

Predictions: Bengals

Dolphins @ Falcons (7)

Prediction: Falcons

Vikings @ Browns

Prediction: Vikings

Jaguars @ Colts (6)

Prediction: Colts

Lions @ Saints

Prediction: Saints

Cowboys @ Buccaneers

Prediction: Cowboys

Eagles (2) @ Panthers

Prediction: Eagles

Chiefs @ Ravens

Prediction: Ravens

Jets @ Texans

Prediction: Texans

Redskins @ Giants (4)

Prediction: Redskins

49ers @ Cardinals

Prediction: Cardinals

Rams @ Seahawks

Prediction: Seahawks

Bears (10) @ Packers

Prediction: Packers

Bills @ Patriots (8)

Prediction: Patriots

Chargers (3) @ Raiders

Prediction: Chargers

OK, it is time for my division winners:

AFC

West:

Chargers (1)

Chiefs

Broncos

Raiders

North:

Steelers (3)

Ravens

Bengals

Browns

East:

Patriots (2)

Dolphins

Jets

Bills

South:

Colts (4)

Texans* (5)

Titans* (6)

Jaguars

NFC

West:

Seahawks (4)

Cardinals

49ers

Rams

North

Packers (3)

Bears* (6)

Vikings

Lions

East:

Eagles (1)

Giants

Cowboys

Redskins

South:

Falcons (2)

Saints* (5)

Panthers

Buccaneers

*wildcard

AFC Playoffs:

Round 1

Steelers over Titans

Colts over Texans

Round 2

Chargers over Colts

Steelers over Patriots

Round 3

Chargers over Patriots

NFC:

Round 1

Packers over Bears

Seahawks over Saints

Round 2

Seahawks over Eagles

Packers over Falcons

Round 3

Seahawks over Packers

Super Bowl:

Chargers over Seahawks

Award Races:

Offensive Rookie: Mark Sanchez (NYJ)

Defensive Rookie: Aaron Curry (SEA)

Coach: Gary Kubiack (HOU)

Comeback: Tom Brady (NE)

DPOY: Troy Polomalu (PIT)

MVP: Drew Brees (NO)