College Football Top 25-’Bama and Boise Lead The Way

The first week of College Football lived up to the hype with great performances, unbelievable finishes, and of course we had some upsets. The opening weekend was capped off by a classic Boise State/Virginia Tech game that certainly lived up to the hype. Now week two features even more big time match-ups than week one, and is sure to provide a major upset or two. So for now, here is my top 25:

1. (1) Alabama (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Penn State
The defending champs rolled past San Jose State but now Joe Pa comes to Tuscaloosa. The bad news is that it looks like Alabama will be without Mark Ingram for the second straight week, but the good news is that the Tide rushed for over 250 yards last week without him.

2. (2) Boise State (1-0)
Next Game: 9/18 @ Wyoming
The Broncos did it again, knocking off Virginia Tech in dramatic fashion Monday night. Now Boise has 12 days off before they will face a Wyoming team coming off a trip to Austin against the Longhorns.

3. (3) Ohio State (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Miami(FL)
Ohio State looked impressive in the opener against Marshall but the real test comes this week. Terrelle Pryor will look to outduel Jacory Harris and Miami in one of the many marquee match-ups on Saturday.

4. (5) Iowa (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Iowa State
Iowa has won five out of seven against their in-state rivals, Iowa State. The winner of this game is awarded the Cy-Hawk trophy.

5. (13) TCU (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Tennessee Tech
The Horned Frogs didn’t play their best game Saturday against Oregon State, but it was good enough to get the win. The speed and athleticism on both sides of the ball for TCU showed why this team is so dangerous.

6. (4) Oklahoma (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Florida State
The Sooners struggled in their opener allowing 421 yards to Utah State in a 31-24 victory. Oklahoma better patch up that defense with Jimbo Fisher and Florida State coming into Norman this week.

7. (6) Florida (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. South Florida
The Gators looked completely out of sync in their first game against Miami(OH). Urban Meyer’s team will have to play better against a tougher test in South Florida this week.

8. (8) Nebraska (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Idaho
Nebraska starts with a couple cup cake games before we really find out about their offense. Freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez was impressive by throwing for 136 yards while rushing for 127 and three touchdowns.

9. (10) Texas (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Wyoming
Mack Brown wants to run the football more and that was evident on Saturday as the Longhorns rushed 46 times for 197 yards. Texas looks to go 2-0 before getting into the toughest part of their schedule starting next week.

10. (11) Florida State (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ Oklahoma
Oklahoma allowed 341 yards passing to Utah State and you know that has Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder licking his chops. If the ‘Noles can upset the Sooners, watch out.

11. (9) USC (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Virginia
The Trojans looked great on offense in the opener, especially Matt Barkley who threw for 5 touchdowns. The defense however, was not so great allowing nearly 600 yards of offense to Hawaii.

12. (12) Wisconsin (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. San Jose State
The Badgers rolled past UNLV and will host San Jose State in the home opener. Wisconsin rushed for 278 yards in week one while San Jose State gave up 257 yards on the ground. You do the math.

13. (16) Oregon
Next Game: Saturday @ Tennessee
The Ducks had their fun against New Mexico winning by a score of 72-0 and out gaining the Lobos 720-107. It should be tougher sledding in week 2 when Oregon visits Knoxville to take on the Vols.

14. (17) Miami(FL) (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ Ohio State
Miami has not been the same since losing the 2002 title game to Ohio State and hopes with a win on Saturday, they can return to national prominence. If Jacory Harris can get the win on the road, it would go a long way in boasting his Heisman resume.

15. (21) Utah (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. UNLV
The Utes survived in OT against a tough Pittsburgh team and cannot be ignored when it comes to talk about BCS busters. Utah could easily be 8-0 when they take on TCU, November 6th.

16. (7) Virginia Tech (0-1)
Next Game: Saturday vs. James Madison
The Hokies fell short against Boise State but looked liked a team that could be a force in the ACC this year. Virginia Tech will have the support of Bronco fans who will hope that Tyrod Taylor and company can run the table the rest of the way.

17. (18) Arkansas (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. Louisiana-Monroe
This Arkansas team is intriguing but we won’t know more about them until next week when they play at Georgia. Until then, have fun padding your stats Ryan Mallet.

18. (14) LSU (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ Vanderbilt
The Tigers didn’t impress many people in their victory over a half strength North Carolina team. But a win is a win and just think of how bad it would have been if the Tar Heels had completed the comeback Saturday night.

19. (19) Auburn (1-0)
Next Game: Thursday @ Mississippi State
Quarterback Cameron Newton shined in his first start, throwing for three touchdowns while running for two more. That was at home though, and his first road start will be a tough one against the Bulldogs in Starkville.

20. (20) Georgia Tech (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ Kansas
The Yellow Jackets rushed for 372 yards in Saturday’s victory over South Carolina State. Tech will now take on Kansas, who is coming off of an embarrassing 6-3 loss to North Dakota State.

21. (22) Georgia (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ South Carolina
Georgia looks like they have some talent and will compete in the SEC this year. The big question is, can the bulldogs survive three more games without their suspended star wide receiver A.J. Green?

22. (23) Stanford (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ UCLA
The Cardinal will go on the road to start Pac-10 play this weekend and starting strong in conference will be key for Jim Harbaugh’s team. Stanford will play their next five all against quality opponents on national television.

23. (NR) Arizona (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday vs. The Citadel
The Wildcats looked impressive against Toledo in the opener, especially on defense. Arizona fans are already looking forward to next week, when Iowa comes to town.

24. (NR) BYU (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ Air Force
The Cougars found a way to knock off Jake Locker and Washington and now go on the road to face Air Force and Florida State in consecutive weeks. A tough schedule for a program looking to get national recognition.

25. (24)Penn State (1-0)
Next Game: Saturday @ Alabama
Penn State features some promising young players and that was evident in their opening win over Youngstown State. But this week’s game is a different animal as the Nittany Lions travel to Alabama where it might get ugly.

Everybody Loves Favre

Everyone is tired of the Brett Favre offseason saga. Is he going to retire? Is he going to play for another team? Is he holding out for more money? Will his body hold up for one more season? Can he work with [INSERT NAME HERE] as his coach? Does he bag or mulch his lawn clippings? Does he sleep in his Wranglers? Heck, when the media starts openly complaining about having to cover this one-man soap opera, it should serve as notice to Brett that the act is wearing thin. Seriously, considering how much time she has had to be on location to break any news about Brett’s latest decision, ESPN’s Rachel Nichols might be eligible to vote in Kiln, Mississippi.

Regardless of how tired we are of Brett’s need for melodrama about his shifting mentality to retire or not over the past five years, I think NFL fans can be glad that all that is history, at least until 2011. More importantly, all NFL fans should be happy that Brett is back for his 20th season, and I do mean ALL FANS. Want proof? Find your category below:

1. The Casual Fan- These are the people who often just watch one or two games a week, don’t splurge on costly satellite packages or expensive team apparel, rarely play fantasy football, and follow the game mostly by watching the small sports segment on their local news broadcast. They may have a favorite team, but I doubt they could name a single offensive lineman on that squad. Essentially, these people have a life outside of football. (As a side note-I didn’t know a life outside of football is possible. I have heard people talk about it, but I have never witnessed it in person. It is very possible it is just a myth, like the one my mother told me when she said cottage cheese was edible.)

Their NFL interest is driven by star players. They need the big names, the big personalities to hold their interest. Brett Favre is about as big a name as there is. If he isn’t playing, casual fans have one less star to follow. Brett’s return only ensures these fans will tune in rather than spending time with their kids, going fishing, or riding a bike.

2. The History Lover- Brett Favre owns every major career passing record of all time. He is embarking on his 20th NFL season. If he starts every game this year like he has the past 19 seasons, he will hit the mark for 300-game consecutive starts.

The fact that an NFL QB has been able to start for almost 300-games consecutively is an amazing accomplishment. Honestly, with no offense to Mr. Ripken or Mr. Gehrig, Favre’s streak much more impressive. I know baseball is a tough sport, but it is nothing compared to the violence and chaos that surrounds a QB every time he drops back to pass. Want proof of how terrifying the pocket can be in the NFL? Just Google Joe Theisman vs. LT, and watch the video.

Anybody who loves the history of the game has to love Favre’s return. Every pass he attempts, every pass he completes, every touchdown he scores, and every interception he throws sets a new record. History lovers enjoy watching history being made.

3. The Vikings Fan/The Brett Favre Fan- If I have to explain why these people are elated that they won’t have to watch Tarvaris Jackson lead their team this year, you probably shouldn’t be reading my stuff. You probably should be getting your sports analysis from here: http://www.idiotsonsports.com/

4. The Fantasy Football guy- Without Brett on their team, the values of all of the offensive players on the Vikings drops, and drops dramatically. Even Adrian Peterson, who you might think would be used more with a lesser QB like Jackson, suffers without Brett. Without Brett, Peterson would face an eight-man front and defenses stacked to shut him down. With Brett, defenses are stuck with ‘picking their poison’ between loading up to stop the run or trying to defend a potent passing attack. Fantasy football players love to have a large pool of quality players to choose from. Brett Favre’s return helps ensure a deeper pool of talent.

5. The Haters- These are the fans who hate Brett Favre, the Vikings, or both (or they could be the Vikings fans who hate Brett Favre, but that goes far deeper than this article can handle). Many of these folks reside in Green Bay, Detroit, and Chicago. I visited Green Bay seven years ago to watch a game at Lambeau Field, and witnessed first-hand the love affair between the residents of Green Bay and Brett. I can hardly imagine the seething feelings of hatred these people now have for Brett as he struts on to THEIR field in the Purple and Gold uniform of their most hated rival. I imagine the feeling is similar to finding your spouse in bed with your childhood nemesis. But this fan group includes more than just the jilted lovers and Favre divorcees from Green Bay. It includes Niner fans, Cowboy fans, Patriot fans, people who hate Wranglers, and fans that prefer their players to report to training camp on time and without drama.

So why on Earth would any of these folks (which means just about everyone reading this) be happy that Brett is back? The following statistics should shed some light on this:

2001- Completed 59% for 281 yards, 2 TD’s, 6 INT’s, and a 53.5 passer rating.

2002- Completed 48% for 247 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT’s, and a 54.4 passer rating.

2003- Completed 54% for 180 yards, 2 TD’s, 1 INT, and an 82.4 passer rating.

2004- Completed 67% for 216 yards, 1 TD, 4 INT’s, and a 55.4 passer rating.

2007- Completed 54% for 236 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT’s, and a 70.7 passer rating.

2009- Completed 61% for 310 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT’s, and a 70.0 passer rating.

These stats are the perfect fuel for the “Yeah, but” argument. The “Yeah, but” argument is a classic staple of bar debates everywhere, and I’m sure in a few years when Favre is up for his automatic election to Canton, this will be heard throughout America’s watering holes:

Favre fan: Brett Favre was one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Favre hater: Yeah, but he sucked in the playoffs!

Each one of these game statistics is from a playoff game, and all were games where Brett’s team lost. Brett is known for many things as a player, and sadly for him, not playing his best football during the post season is one of them.

So if you are a hater, you have to love Favre’s return. Looking at his past history of not playing well in the playoffs, you get one more chance, one more shot at adding to the “Yeah, but” argument.

Also, look at the pressure that is on the Vikings as a team this year. It is a team built to win this season, and many of its stars are approaching the downhill side of their careers. Their best receiver, Sidney Rice, is out for at least half the season following hip surgery. Their most dynamic all-purpose threat, Percy Harvin, has such terrible migraine headaches that he has to be hospitalized. Adrian Peterson has arguably a hard time holding on to the ball, at least when it counts. The Vikings’ 2010 schedule is unforgiving. Reports have been leaked that Brett doesn’t trust head coach Brad Childress’ play calling ability. Finally, they play in the same division as Green Bay: a team with young talent that many experts feel could go deep in the playoffs.

Wow, that is a lot of baggage to manage to open the 2010 season. When you think of all of those challenges, it is easy to visualize a catastrophic failure by Minnesota this year. Let’s not forget, Brett’s return essentially means the Vikings HAVE to get to the Super Bowl in order for this year to be a success. Heck, for Vikings fans who have never won a Super Bowl despite four appearances, nothing short of a Lombardi trophy may suffice. That leaves the boys in Purple and Gold a razor-thin margin of error. Add to all of this the fact that Childress’ job could depend on what happens this year, as well as the Vikings ability to gain public support for a badly-needed new stadium, and it becomes evident that 2010 is a make-it-or-break-it year for the Minnesota Vikings.

No team in the NFL will have more pressure to perform well every week than the Vikings. If you are a Viking or Favre hater, that has to be music to your ears. Haters should relish every game, waiting for the disaster that could occur at any time.

Like I said, Brett Favre’s return is something that all NFL fans should be excited about; even those who love to root against ‘Number Four’.

By Mike “The Coach Potato” Putnam

All stats provided by PRO-FOOTBALL-REFERENCE.COM

STEPPING ON THEIR DUCK: HOW THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT TOOK TWO STEPS BACK

The goal is to become a national powerhouse in the big three collegiate sports: Football, Basketball, and Baseball. The University of Oregon has been on this quest since the influx of Nike money began flowing during the 1980’s. Oregon’s most successful alum, Phil Knight, was an Oregon athlete before he was the school’s biggest donor. His passion for all things Duck is real, and his reputation and commitment to the success of the University’s athletic department is legendary and deserved. The evidence of his largess grows daily on the U of O campus, as the new Matt Court basketball arena nears completion (named after Knight’s deceased son, Matthew Knight).

The money has definitely helped produce results. Since the dog days of the early Rich Brooks football teams, and the mediocre basketball that seemed to define the Ducks of the 1980’s and early 90’s, University of Oregon athletics has experienced a climb correlative to Phil Knight’s influence. Beginning with Brooks’ last year as head coach, through the Bellotti era and Coach Chip Kelly’s short tenure, the U of O football team has compiled an impressive 135 and 62 win/loss record, and has been to bowl games 14 out of the past 16 years (albeit, an unimpressive 6 and 8 in bowl games, O and 2 in Rose Bowls). Almost every quarterback the program has produced since 1997 has found his way onto an NFL roster, although up until now, success in the league has eluded Oregon quarterbacks drafted since Chris Miller.

The men’s basketball team (and women’s team under Coach Jody Runge) also grew leaps and bounds, as Coach Ernie Kent, another Oregon alum, building on Jerry Green’s foundation, turned the fortunes of the program around, and brought a parade of McDonald’s All-American talent through MacArthur Court. A team that had gone decades without success made two Elite Eight appearances in a six year period, as Kent led Oregon to an outright PAC 10 Conference Title, and two PAC 10 Tournament titles (and produced four first round NBA draft picks).

Oregon even brought back baseball and made it to the College World Series in its second year as a program. Again, with donor money (mostly Knight’s and almost-alum insurance magnate-turned-temporary Athletic Director, Pat Kilkenny’s), Oregon was able to lure the uber-successful baseball coach George Horton from U.C. Ervine. For his contributions, Kilkenny was honored by having the school’s baseball field named after him (PK Park).

The first four months of 2010 have not been so momentous, at least not in the positive sense. After the LeGarrett Blount episode, Oregon bounced back and had a stellar season, winning the PAC 10 Championship and going on to play in the program’s first Rose Bowl since 1995. But within weeks of losing that Rose Bowl, Oregon found itself buried under another avalanche of bad publicity, as player after player, playmaker after playmaker, found himself on the wrong side of the law, culminating in the banishment of starting quarterback and potential Heisman contender, Jeremiah Masoli (now playing for Ole Miss) and suspensions or expulsions of various other players for various infractions, and various lengths of time, including Oregon’s other Heisman hopeful, Lamichael James and both place kickers.

Replacing Masoli will be difficult, and if anyone thinks Oregon has enough talent everywhere else to compete with less than stellar quarterback play, think Oregon- Boise St. 2008. Chip Kelly’s playbook is heavily reliant on efficiency and mobility at the position, and neither contender for the position has shown they possess the poise shown by Masoli as he rescued several Oregon games with his personal strength and determination. As a result, it is not unreasonable to pick Oregon anywhere from first to ninth in a conference with talented, experienced quarterbacks on almost every team. The national title that seemed legitimately within reach is now simply plausible.

While the football team was on the verge of implosion, Football Coach-turned-Athletic Director, Mike Bellotti, was put in the position of having to fire Coach Kent, after the basketball team suffered two disappointing seasons in a row. Never mind the team had only two upper classmen, or that Kent was an alum and had the winningest record of any Oregon basketball coach in history, and the second highest graduation rate in the PAC 10 during his tenure as Coach- he also had the overwhelming support of his maturing team. Alas, a 16 and 16 record was not up to the Knight/Kilkenny standard, and without ceremony, Kent was dumped on the eve of Bellotti’s resignation, with the expectation that every quality and big name basketball coach in the profession would jump at the chance to coach a team in the Nike juggernaut, and play at the state of the art basketball arena the donors had facilitated. But it was not to be, as Kilkenny’s search for Kent’s replacement dragged on through a series of rejections.

Whether new basketball coach Dana Altman proves to be the upgrade Oregon’s donors extraordinaire were striving for remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the defection of a third of the players on the team is not a good sign. Kent’s top assistant, Kenny Payne, also left, landing in Kentucky where perennially successful coach John Calipari apparently appreciated the quality of at least one member of Coach Kent’s staff.

As a result of the football team’s lack of discipline, and the Athletic Department’s miscalculations (many would say callous disloyalty), Oregon has taken steps backward in its quest for relevance in both sports. Instead of fielding the undeniable frontrunner to repeat as PAC 10 Football Champions, the program and its fans are holding their breath. And so they should be. Instead of returning a basketball team of talented but underachieving, returning upperclassmen, playing hard for the coach that recruited them and the hustle such loyalty elicits, the team is walking wounded and undermanned, with question marks at every position, including the team’s heart.

Had Oregon held the reins a little tighter on its football team, and a little looser on its proven and successful alumni basketball coach, the Nike dynasty would have likely continued its metamorphous toward national prominence this season. Now, it’s hard to say that- other than fancier facilities- the school’s football and basketball teams are in any better condition to compete for a National Championship than they were before Bellotti and Kent arrived.

By: Ivan O’Naim

Why The NFL Should Stick to 16 Games

It’s been a topic of debate for a few months now, as the NFL is considering switching to an 18 game schedule that would remove two preseason games. For an NFL fan, this might seem like a dream come true, like more of the best sport, but there is indeed a dark side to the idea. Of course I would want to see more of the greatest sport on earth, but NFL owners themselves would be biting off much more than they can chew, and here’s why:

1. Collective Bargaining Agreement and Salary: Perhaps the largest issue with switching to an 18 game regular season has to be the salary issue involving the players. The NFL is already having a financial crisis at this point in 2010, as the upcoming season is uncapped, and the league is far from reaching a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The fact of the matter is, that the more games the players participate in, the more compensation they will ask for, and deserve. This in effect falls back onto the front offices and the NFLPA, who is already having a tough time deciding what percentage of revenue and spending, should be devoted to the players. With the players themselves already very greedy, and in a season where there has never been this many restricted free agents, the NFL’s executives and players must come together and agree on a new financial plan before we see more of America’s sport.

2. Injuries and Fatigue: It does not take a dummy to realize that the NFL’s rough playing style is responsible for its players having the shortest careers in sports. An extra two regular season games would only increase the wear and tear on a starter’s body since they don’t play much in the preseason. Maybe if the league decided to add an extra bye week into the schedule things would work out, but another bye week also means another week of practice, which might also result in injury. The players go through enough risk in one season, and two more games over the span of 8 years adds up to another regular season itself, think about it…

3. Records: Although the records from before “The Merger” (1970) still count and the NFL played 14 regular season game up until 1978 when the league switched to 16, an 18 game season would substantially change the record books. If we think about it, a 1,000 yard rushing season is no longer special, but important records such as games played, touchdowns thrown, and so forth would be greatly affected by two more games on the schedule. It seems as of too many people forget that players like Jim Brown get so much credibility because he rushed for 1,400 yards and beyond in only 12 games. This is phenomenal, because a season that special is completed by very few running backs these days. Regular season records would definitely be tarnished, as Tom Brady’s touchdowns record, Michael Strahan’s sacks record, and both Eric Dickerson’s and Dan Marino’s yardage records could easily be crushed. These statures are important in the NFL, and they should be legitimately broken.

4. The aspect of competition: Usually, when playoff teams have already clinched their births by weeks 15-17, they often sit their star players (Indianapolis Colts). With that taken into perspective, who’s to say teams will not extend this notion beyond two or three games? We can argue that it is not fair for fans to pay the same amount of money for a preseason game, but it is basically the same idea if teams do decide to sit their stars late in the regular season. Owners obviously enjoy the increased revenue in the regular season, and would refuse to lower ticket prices, even if their teams are not fielding the full roster of talent. An NFL game loses its attraction when Peyton Manning is on the sideline in week 16, there’s no doubt about that!

5. An owner’s dilemma: Running an NFL franchise must be a daunting task, and with a schedule change, an owner’s list of duties could only get longer. The front office must revise ticket and concession prices, pay stadium employees for two more weeks, keep the stadium clean and running for a longer period, pay the players, and even change the scouting schedules. Every team must go through this process, and although it can be done, there might be too much pressure behind the scenes, because too many fans don’t acknowledge the hard work done by the CEO’s, owners, GM’s, VP’s and so on.

6. “If it isn’t broke, why fix it?”: The NFL has climbed to the top of the sports world, and I honestly think the system in place at this point and time will keep the NFL at the top of the professional world. Once a Collective Bargaining Agreement is put in place, the NFL has no worries. You can argue to just remove two preseason games, but the NFL loses money without those games. Every fan loves the sport the way it is, and although we could never get enough, we must be grateful for the job Commissioner Goodell has done. He continues to achieve perfection for us every Sunday, and I know I will continue to be a loyal and faithful viewer every week. I will sit on my couch, and root for the Cleveland Browns every Sunday. Sunday is our favorite day of the week as football fans, and we know that won’t change!

By: Constantine Madias

NFC East Preview

With dramatic changes this offseason, the NFC East has cemented its reputation as the toughest division in the NFL. If you ask me, the Redskins’ acquisition of Donovan McNabb makes every team in the division a playoff contender, and every team a reputable one. But let’s get into details with this one, because when divisions are this close, the NFL is that much better to watch!

Let’s start at the bottom of the division, where I rank the New York Giants. This team had more cons than pros last season. As we look into the 2010 campaign, I see them finishing 7-9 (very strong for a last place team), and here is why. At the core, we need to see a healthy Eli Manning for them to have any shot at a winning season. If Eli can stay consistent, like he did through the first five games last season (when I called them the best team), they will win games. Next, the lackluster receiving corps for the G-men has to show up, and live up to the high expectations set by Steve Smith and Mario Manningham last season. I don’t know how Eli survived without a true weapon on offense, but he won’t this year if their usually dominant run-game is similar to 2009. This situation is up in the air right now. Jacobs had a miserable year in 2009, as he never rushed for 100 yards in a game, and did not reach the end zone much, which is quite unusual for him. Rumors out of Giants camp suggest that Ahmad Bradshaw may start for New York this season, with Brandon Jacobs getting the lesser timeshare of the two. This team will not survive without a reputable run game, because Eli is not his brother Peyton, who went 14-2 with a 32^nd ranked rushing attack. Lastly for the Giants, their defense must rejuvenate itself and come together as a group. Guys like Osi Umenyiora must put their egos aside and work hard in practice. With Kenny Phillips and the acquisition of Antrel Rolle, the Giants’ secondary will no longer be among the worst. Once again, I expect them to be decent against the division teams, but with the Colts, Vikings, and Packers on the schedule the Giants will see tough times and ultimately miss the playoffs.

Next, I think the Washington Redskins will finish third, at 10-6. Donovan McNabb’s arrival in D.C is beyond huge for this team. They now have a proven leader who will keep them in games. McNabb’s rocket arm allows the Redskins to threaten with both sides of their offense, and we know newly-acquired head coach Mike Shanahan will devise some great offensive schemes. The next key to the Redskins’ success this season is Santana Moss. The offseason distraction that has risen from the substance scandal with Dr. Anthony Galea will most likely result in a suspension for Moss, but McNabb’s arm would surely compliment Santana’s speed this season. The Redskins must keep the offseason issues aside and practice hard. The following situation is out of the team’s hands; they just wait for Albert Haynesworth to make the contract he was given worthwhile. Haynesworth shows no interest, and went from being the best defensive tackle with Tennessee, to one who can care less about producing for the team that gave him the largest contract for a defensive player in league history. He is the core of their defense, and he should consider stepping up as a leader this season, hopefully bringing the talent that they have every year to a solid defense. Lastly for the Redskins is a very interesting situation, the rushing game. This three-headed monster of Parker, Portis, and Larry Johnson has so much potential if each player can establish some consistency and an identity. I personally would like to see Clinton Portis get the majority of the carries because he still possesses the most talent when healthy. Washington can do so much with this offense, but I think their receiving corps will struggle, because even with Chris Cooley back, Devin Thomas looks to be the top guy to start the season. The Skins will make a six game turnaround this year, and finish 10-6.

Now, we get to the cream of the crop. The Philadelphia Eagles have fantastic potential, and I do think Kevin Kolb is “that damn good!” He will lead them to the playoffs this year as a wildcard team, but lets break this down. Kolb’s cannon arm and bits of success last season are great for Andy Reid, as he looks very comfortable with Desean Jackson as his number one receiver. I expect Brent Celek to be huge again this year too, as hopefully he ends up on my fantasy squad. Michael Vick will also make running the wildcat formation look easy, as this offense is near the top of the NFC with Lesean McCoy still prominent in the backfield. Lets not forget about Jeremy Maclin either, as he takes over the #2 spot for the birds at receiver. The Eagles offense is awesome, but their defense will keep them contending all season as well. There are guys like Trent Cole, Asante Samuel, and the draft choices of Brandon Graham and Nate Allen, this team is primed for success. I see them finishing 11-5, and taking the wildcard spot.

We’ve made it to the top of the division of death, where the Dallas Cowboys sit at the top spot. Let’s face it, we have not seen this team look so good in a long time. They have one of the best three offenses in the NFC, and here is why. Lets start with Tony Romo. This guy finally has the drama out of his life, and has shown his capabilities when given a few weapons. Romo won some big games for the “Boys” last season, including a Saturday night game against the Saints. I think he’s the real deal, and with Miles Austin establishing himself as a top receiver, Romo will thrive. He has a running back combo of Barber/Jones/Choice that will pick defenses apart. These guys mix power and speed together in a way that no other team can, and lets not forget that Romo himself has a pair of quick legs as well. Next, the steal of Dez Bryant in this draft will be bigger than anything for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones remembers passing on Randy Moss like it was yesterday, and according to Cowboys scouts, Bryant is the best prospect ever graded at the combine. Bryant does have personal issues, but he can learn from his elders on this team to put everything aside, since there have been several troubled players recently for this team. Bryant will be awesome, as he compliments Austin and Witten perfectly. The Cowboys have restructured their offensive line by releasing “Mr. False Start” Flozell Adams, and their defense in finally showing up. Demarcus Ware us the best defensive player in the NFL, and with players like Jay Ratcliff, Igor Olshansky, Terrence Newman, and Mike Jenkins complimenting Ware, they have the potential to be a great defense. This team has all the tools this season, and I think they could win atleast 13 games. The Cowboys have my pick to go to the Super Bowl in their own house, they are full of talent and primed for success. Wade Phillips has a great regular season record, and lets see if they win the big games in the playoffs.

By: Constantine Madias

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