Bills
They have a bunch of problems. This is the team that isn't very good, but people don't talk about. Like the Raiders everyone says they are bad. But nobody even talks about good or bad things about the Bills. I think they have a pretty good team. They have a big question mark at quarterback as to who it will be. Could be either Fitzpatrick or Edwards or even Brohm. So that leading position right now doesn't have a definite player there. That is probably their biggest question. But a very important question is will they be better or worse without T.O? I'm not sure. He was one of their only good receiver, so even though he is a bit of a distraction he still was their number one receiver. So with all this said I think they have a bad year. I think they are lucky if they get 6-10.
Dolphins
This is a team that only 3 years ago only had one win. Now they are a team that is a contender. They are in one of the best leagues there is, but they still have a chance to win. They have Chad Henne who has been very good in the last 2 years. I think he will be improved this year. And this year could be his breakout year. I would like to see that even though he went to Michigan. They also have a good running back. They don't have the surprise of the wildcat anymore, so its not as effective. So they need to find the next thing that will surprise everyone. If they can stay creative in their game they can be very good. I think they go either 8-8 or possibly 9-7. Good but not great.
Patriots
This is a very good team. They are very talented and have one of the most respected quarterbacks in the league. They have really good receivers. They have Randy Moss who works together great with Brady. They have welker who is one of the best slot receivers in the league right now. They probably have one of the most talented teams in the league right now. They are past that "prime" year where they almost went undefeated. They still have a good team though. So I think they are going to have a great year. Their record will show how talented they are and so I think they go 11-5 if not that I think 10-6.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
NFC South Predictions
Falcons
The Falcons have a really good quarterback. He was very good as a rookie, really really good in his second year. I expect this year will be much better. He has good receivers and one of the best Tight Ends to play the game. So I think with his team equipped like it is and the fact that each year he gets better, they will have a really good offense. They have an average defense, but with the offense they have I think it won't matter that their defense is not the best. They have something to fight for because they should have made the playoffs last year but they didn't and they should be shooting for that this year. But they have to take it one game at a time in order to do that. I think they end up with a record of somewhere around 10-6 maybe one win less.
Panthers
This year will be better than last year. Jake Delhomme had his worst season by far. They traded him. They got Matt Moore who is a good quarterback and they have a good rookie in Jimmy Clausen. From what I saw in the preseason I think he will be a very good quarterback, but I'm not sure how much he will actually play this year. I think the more he plays the better the team will be. Its not that I don't think Moore isn't good I just think that Clausen has done very well. So because they have a new quarterback and they already had a good team. So I think they go 8-8 if they are lucky.
Buccaneers
This team had a bad start last year. They got their first win against a very good packers team. So i think they have the potential to win games. They just need the motivation to win these games. They are a good team with a few faults. I havn't really payed much attention to this team, so I don't have much to say about this team. My prediction is probably going to be wrong, but thats expected every once and a while. Even from me. So I think they end up going somwhere around 7-9 maybe or 6-10. Still not sure.
The Falcons have a really good quarterback. He was very good as a rookie, really really good in his second year. I expect this year will be much better. He has good receivers and one of the best Tight Ends to play the game. So I think with his team equipped like it is and the fact that each year he gets better, they will have a really good offense. They have an average defense, but with the offense they have I think it won't matter that their defense is not the best. They have something to fight for because they should have made the playoffs last year but they didn't and they should be shooting for that this year. But they have to take it one game at a time in order to do that. I think they end up with a record of somewhere around 10-6 maybe one win less.
Panthers
This year will be better than last year. Jake Delhomme had his worst season by far. They traded him. They got Matt Moore who is a good quarterback and they have a good rookie in Jimmy Clausen. From what I saw in the preseason I think he will be a very good quarterback, but I'm not sure how much he will actually play this year. I think the more he plays the better the team will be. Its not that I don't think Moore isn't good I just think that Clausen has done very well. So because they have a new quarterback and they already had a good team. So I think they go 8-8 if they are lucky.
Buccaneers
This team had a bad start last year. They got their first win against a very good packers team. So i think they have the potential to win games. They just need the motivation to win these games. They are a good team with a few faults. I havn't really payed much attention to this team, so I don't have much to say about this team. My prediction is probably going to be wrong, but thats expected every once and a while. Even from me. So I think they end up going somwhere around 7-9 maybe or 6-10. Still not sure.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
NFC East Predictions
Cowboys
This team is one of those teams that a lot of people are thinking could be very good. They have a good quarterback who finally won a postseason game last year in Tony Romo. Miles Austin broke out last year and could have either a year just as good or better. I don't think he will get any worse. There is a lot of pressure, but I think he can handle it. If he just plays football the best he can, he will do really well. I think Roy Williams will have a good year this year and I think Dez Bryant comes in and becomes a really good receiver also. So with a good QB and receivers that's a good offense, then you add Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Two running backs who are very good at what they do. They are used in different situations, but that's what makes this work. They also have a very good defense. So when you put together all that positive energy and that much talent you have a good team. I think they go somewhere around 12-4 or maybe 11-5.
Giants
This team is on a low year. They have had pretty good teams in the few years past, but this year I just don't think they have it. Eli Manning has had a few good seasons, but last year he didn't do very well and doesn't look good in the preseason this year. He is there one leader, and he isn't doing that great. When they won their super bowl they had a legit good team. They didn't have a better team than the Patriots, but they had a good team. A lot of their good players have left or have not done as good lately. That means this team is down. I want to believe that Manning will get better and end up being great like Peyton, but I just don't think that really happens. At best I think the Giants get a record of maybe 8-8 if they are lucky. probably 7-9.
Eagles
The Eagles traded away the Quarterback they have trusted to lead their team for years. Now they have a new QB with Kevin Kolb. He has looked pretty good in the preseason, but I still think trading McNabb was very stupid. They have a really good receiving core and I'm not sure that Kolb can take advantage of that like McNabb did. They still have a good defense. So they still have a good team, they just don't have the same offense that they did last year. Because they are missing these certain parts of their team I think they are missing that they really need. The most important one is that they don't have any leaders on their team. I think because they are missing so much they won't have a very good season. I think they go 6-10 maybe 7-9.
Redskins
This wasn't a very good team last year. But this year they have added McNabb who is a good leader and also a good quarterback. Haynesworth has caused some problems in their locker room this year, but I think they are going to be improved this year. This team that they have built up by trading and grabbing will be better than last years, but I really don't have anything else to say about them. They will be better but the additions they have made only add 1 or 2 wins. So that means I think they go around 5-11 this year.
This team is one of those teams that a lot of people are thinking could be very good. They have a good quarterback who finally won a postseason game last year in Tony Romo. Miles Austin broke out last year and could have either a year just as good or better. I don't think he will get any worse. There is a lot of pressure, but I think he can handle it. If he just plays football the best he can, he will do really well. I think Roy Williams will have a good year this year and I think Dez Bryant comes in and becomes a really good receiver also. So with a good QB and receivers that's a good offense, then you add Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Two running backs who are very good at what they do. They are used in different situations, but that's what makes this work. They also have a very good defense. So when you put together all that positive energy and that much talent you have a good team. I think they go somewhere around 12-4 or maybe 11-5.
Giants
This team is on a low year. They have had pretty good teams in the few years past, but this year I just don't think they have it. Eli Manning has had a few good seasons, but last year he didn't do very well and doesn't look good in the preseason this year. He is there one leader, and he isn't doing that great. When they won their super bowl they had a legit good team. They didn't have a better team than the Patriots, but they had a good team. A lot of their good players have left or have not done as good lately. That means this team is down. I want to believe that Manning will get better and end up being great like Peyton, but I just don't think that really happens. At best I think the Giants get a record of maybe 8-8 if they are lucky. probably 7-9.
Eagles
The Eagles traded away the Quarterback they have trusted to lead their team for years. Now they have a new QB with Kevin Kolb. He has looked pretty good in the preseason, but I still think trading McNabb was very stupid. They have a really good receiving core and I'm not sure that Kolb can take advantage of that like McNabb did. They still have a good defense. So they still have a good team, they just don't have the same offense that they did last year. Because they are missing these certain parts of their team I think they are missing that they really need. The most important one is that they don't have any leaders on their team. I think because they are missing so much they won't have a very good season. I think they go 6-10 maybe 7-9.
Redskins
This wasn't a very good team last year. But this year they have added McNabb who is a good leader and also a good quarterback. Haynesworth has caused some problems in their locker room this year, but I think they are going to be improved this year. This team that they have built up by trading and grabbing will be better than last years, but I really don't have anything else to say about them. They will be better but the additions they have made only add 1 or 2 wins. So that means I think they go around 5-11 this year.
Friday, August 27, 2010
NFC West Predictions
Cardinals
The Cardinals have a lot of issues this year. The last few years they have had a veteran quarterback in Kurt Warner. Now he is gone and they have a huge whole to fill that he left. When he came in it was perfect timing. Leinart wasn't playing as well as he was supposed to and then Warner came in and for some reason they didn't fell like trying to fix Leinart while they had a veteran quarterback who could help with them on the team. Now they have to choose between Leinart and Anderson. Leinart hasn't been playing as well, but he is a first-round draft pick and don't want him to end up like JaMarcus Russel. Then again Anderson has been playing as hard as he can and has been doing it well to get this starting job and he deserves it. Now they have a decision to make and this could effect how well the team does. I think that they go 6-10 this season.
49ers
This team has a coach that can carry this team to 9-7. But, if the team doesn't play well together and just play well they won't get near that mark. Alex Smith still hasn't had that breakout season he was expected to have about 3 years ago. If he doesn't have that season this year, I think its time to move on. So, because of that, I think that they won't have a good season. When you have a QB that the only reason you are keeping him is that he is the only one you have and you feel like giving him one more chance, he still might not perform. You have to be confident with your leader. I don't think the 49ers are confident with Alex Smith this year and that will cause them to lose certain games. So I think they go 7-9 because they have a good defense that will keep them in games against bad defenses. Without that defense they go 4-12.
Seahawks
When I think about the Seahawks I think back to one moment. When they were in the super bowl and a huge touchdown was called wrongly. Big Ben kinda stuck out the ball cause he knew he wasn't in. That basically means the Seahawks would have won the super bowl a few years ago. Now they are a team that is apparently bad. And I think to myself; where did they go wrong? I think this year will be much better than last years five win season. Hasselback will be better than last year and Pete Carrol is a pretty good coach. With the right leadership this team could be very good. I think they have good leadership this year. I'm not sure if they are a playoff team, but I think I have to pick one team in this division to win. This team could be the team to win this division this year. They need to make a lot of improvements this year, but if they do all the right things this off season they can be a very good team. I would like to see this team win, because then people won't think Pete Carrol jumped at the first time to get out of USC. They might think he is justified. so I think they go 10-6.
Rams
I feel bad that I'm going to have to say what I'm about to say about this team. And Rams fans are going to be disappointed but I'm about 100% sure in this one thing. Sam Bradford will get sacked a lot because the Rams have a terrible offensive line. Then, because Bradford always falls on his shoulder he will get hurt. He will end up being a mediocre quarterback in the league. I'm not saying he is going to end up like Russel, but I think that he won't be that great quarterback he is expected to be. Everyone is thinking that because they have Bradford now they are going to win a bunch of games and be a good team. This worked for the Lions, but they don't have a quarterback that gets injured all the time. So I think the Rams are not going to win with this pick. Overall I think they end up winning somewhere between 3 and 4 games if they are lucky. Sorry Rams fans.
The Cardinals have a lot of issues this year. The last few years they have had a veteran quarterback in Kurt Warner. Now he is gone and they have a huge whole to fill that he left. When he came in it was perfect timing. Leinart wasn't playing as well as he was supposed to and then Warner came in and for some reason they didn't fell like trying to fix Leinart while they had a veteran quarterback who could help with them on the team. Now they have to choose between Leinart and Anderson. Leinart hasn't been playing as well, but he is a first-round draft pick and don't want him to end up like JaMarcus Russel. Then again Anderson has been playing as hard as he can and has been doing it well to get this starting job and he deserves it. Now they have a decision to make and this could effect how well the team does. I think that they go 6-10 this season.
49ers
This team has a coach that can carry this team to 9-7. But, if the team doesn't play well together and just play well they won't get near that mark. Alex Smith still hasn't had that breakout season he was expected to have about 3 years ago. If he doesn't have that season this year, I think its time to move on. So, because of that, I think that they won't have a good season. When you have a QB that the only reason you are keeping him is that he is the only one you have and you feel like giving him one more chance, he still might not perform. You have to be confident with your leader. I don't think the 49ers are confident with Alex Smith this year and that will cause them to lose certain games. So I think they go 7-9 because they have a good defense that will keep them in games against bad defenses. Without that defense they go 4-12.
Seahawks
When I think about the Seahawks I think back to one moment. When they were in the super bowl and a huge touchdown was called wrongly. Big Ben kinda stuck out the ball cause he knew he wasn't in. That basically means the Seahawks would have won the super bowl a few years ago. Now they are a team that is apparently bad. And I think to myself; where did they go wrong? I think this year will be much better than last years five win season. Hasselback will be better than last year and Pete Carrol is a pretty good coach. With the right leadership this team could be very good. I think they have good leadership this year. I'm not sure if they are a playoff team, but I think I have to pick one team in this division to win. This team could be the team to win this division this year. They need to make a lot of improvements this year, but if they do all the right things this off season they can be a very good team. I would like to see this team win, because then people won't think Pete Carrol jumped at the first time to get out of USC. They might think he is justified. so I think they go 10-6.
Rams
I feel bad that I'm going to have to say what I'm about to say about this team. And Rams fans are going to be disappointed but I'm about 100% sure in this one thing. Sam Bradford will get sacked a lot because the Rams have a terrible offensive line. Then, because Bradford always falls on his shoulder he will get hurt. He will end up being a mediocre quarterback in the league. I'm not saying he is going to end up like Russel, but I think that he won't be that great quarterback he is expected to be. Everyone is thinking that because they have Bradford now they are going to win a bunch of games and be a good team. This worked for the Lions, but they don't have a quarterback that gets injured all the time. So I think the Rams are not going to win with this pick. Overall I think they end up winning somewhere between 3 and 4 games if they are lucky. Sorry Rams fans.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
NFC North predictions
Packers
I think that the Packers are going to have a good season. Last year they had a good regular season but got surprised in the first round of the playoffs. This made people think that they were just an average team that happened to make it to the playoffs and isn't a really good team. But, in truth, they are one of the premier teams in the league. Just because they play in the same division as Brett Favre and the Vikings who are supposed to be really good. That makes them less under the radar than they should be. I think they will have a really good year this year. Aaron Rodgers has turned into a really good QB and they have Ryan Grant who is a great running back. They also have a really good defense which will help them give the ball back to their offense which can score easily. I think that if the Vikings bust this year the Packers will win the division, but if the Vikings have the year they expect to have the Packers might have to settle for the Wild Card this year.
Lions
The laughing stock of the NFL will actually have a somewhat good year this year. Matthew Stafford has proven to be a good leader and NFL quarterback. They have a pretty good defense with the rookie Suh. So they do have a well rounded team with a good leader at quarterback. But this team has so much negative energy following them that it might be hard to have a winning season. I don't think they will have won this year, but they might get to even. There is almost no way they get to the playoffs. There are too many teams that are good in the NFC and in this division period for the Lions to get to the playoffs. But maybe next year they might have a chance to win the wild card. I still think that a super bowl is 5 or more years away. But this team is moving in the right direction. So I think that they will go either 7-9 or 8-8. If they get to a winning season, I will be surprised.
Bears
This team is the one that I am going to talk about the most. They are my favorite team so I do no more about them and I know what I expect them to do and what I really think they can do. They do have a quarterback who is supposed to be good in Jay Cutler. They do have a running back who had a bad year last year, but a good rookie year. Now they have a different Offensive coordinator. I think that all these pieces put together will make a better team than expected. The defense won't be as good as it has been recently, but it will still be a good defense. With a good defense like this and an offense that might play much better than last year, this team could get more wins than anybody thinks this team is capable of. I'm not sure if its enough to beat out the Vikings or Packers, because they are going to be good teams. But I do think they are going to have a winning season. I'm thinking somewhere around 9-7 maybe 10-6 if we're lucky.
I think that the Packers are going to have a good season. Last year they had a good regular season but got surprised in the first round of the playoffs. This made people think that they were just an average team that happened to make it to the playoffs and isn't a really good team. But, in truth, they are one of the premier teams in the league. Just because they play in the same division as Brett Favre and the Vikings who are supposed to be really good. That makes them less under the radar than they should be. I think they will have a really good year this year. Aaron Rodgers has turned into a really good QB and they have Ryan Grant who is a great running back. They also have a really good defense which will help them give the ball back to their offense which can score easily. I think that if the Vikings bust this year the Packers will win the division, but if the Vikings have the year they expect to have the Packers might have to settle for the Wild Card this year.
Lions
The laughing stock of the NFL will actually have a somewhat good year this year. Matthew Stafford has proven to be a good leader and NFL quarterback. They have a pretty good defense with the rookie Suh. So they do have a well rounded team with a good leader at quarterback. But this team has so much negative energy following them that it might be hard to have a winning season. I don't think they will have won this year, but they might get to even. There is almost no way they get to the playoffs. There are too many teams that are good in the NFC and in this division period for the Lions to get to the playoffs. But maybe next year they might have a chance to win the wild card. I still think that a super bowl is 5 or more years away. But this team is moving in the right direction. So I think that they will go either 7-9 or 8-8. If they get to a winning season, I will be surprised.
Bears
This team is the one that I am going to talk about the most. They are my favorite team so I do no more about them and I know what I expect them to do and what I really think they can do. They do have a quarterback who is supposed to be good in Jay Cutler. They do have a running back who had a bad year last year, but a good rookie year. Now they have a different Offensive coordinator. I think that all these pieces put together will make a better team than expected. The defense won't be as good as it has been recently, but it will still be a good defense. With a good defense like this and an offense that might play much better than last year, this team could get more wins than anybody thinks this team is capable of. I'm not sure if its enough to beat out the Vikings or Packers, because they are going to be good teams. But I do think they are going to have a winning season. I'm thinking somewhere around 9-7 maybe 10-6 if we're lucky.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Strasburg
Well I'm talking about Strasburg for 2 reasons. The first is that I have nothing else to write about, but I want to write. The other reason, is that I'm a little confused on the plan on how they were going to play and not play him as much as the same pitching coach did with Kerry Wood (which basically killed his career).
When Strasburg has his first start the things that really needed to be talked about were covered by the pure hype of how good this kid was supposed to be. So nobody asked if they were going to keep him with low pitch counts and if they were going to not have him on a regular rotation. They were just happy to have him pitching this season and as soon as he started pitching.
Now he is on the DL for the second time. Different injuries, but this isn't looking good. If you are a Nationals fan, or just love the game and like the talent that Strasburg has, that is not a good thing. The thing that confuses me is the fact that they were trying to monitor him so that he didn't end up getting injured. So obviously they are not doing their job very well if this is is second trip to the DL. I really feel bad for this pitching coach, though, because if Strasburg does end up failing because he overworked his arm, this guy will be blamed for ruining 2 pitches who had great talent and who could have become really great pitchers.
In the end, I think that pitchers usually end up being better if they are unknown. That way the hype and the overworking and possibly some phantom pain ends up hurting and then you develop a real injury. So this guy who has had all the hype in the world and was the number one pick might have more people getting on his back if he keeps getting hurt.
When Strasburg has his first start the things that really needed to be talked about were covered by the pure hype of how good this kid was supposed to be. So nobody asked if they were going to keep him with low pitch counts and if they were going to not have him on a regular rotation. They were just happy to have him pitching this season and as soon as he started pitching.
Now he is on the DL for the second time. Different injuries, but this isn't looking good. If you are a Nationals fan, or just love the game and like the talent that Strasburg has, that is not a good thing. The thing that confuses me is the fact that they were trying to monitor him so that he didn't end up getting injured. So obviously they are not doing their job very well if this is is second trip to the DL. I really feel bad for this pitching coach, though, because if Strasburg does end up failing because he overworked his arm, this guy will be blamed for ruining 2 pitches who had great talent and who could have become really great pitchers.
In the end, I think that pitchers usually end up being better if they are unknown. That way the hype and the overworking and possibly some phantom pain ends up hurting and then you develop a real injury. So this guy who has had all the hype in the world and was the number one pick might have more people getting on his back if he keeps getting hurt.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
NFL Final Four
In this blog I will explain what I think will happen to each of the four teams that were left at the end of the playoffs last year. this should be interesting because all four of these teams are expected to do well again this year.
Jets
The Jets have already been expected to be really good this year. But, can you remember back to why they got to the AFC Championship game. If the Colts hadn't decided to give up on the perfect season, they would have lost that game and ended up probably not going to the playoffs. But, the Colts decided that they would save their players for the playoffs. Then the Jets go into the playoffs and get onto a roll and get lucky that they get to play the Colts in the AFC championship game. Then the Colts beat them like they are expected to. So the Jets really just got hot at the right time and ended up being lucky that the Colts gave up. Now I'm not saying they aren't a good team. This year I think they have everything they need. Sanchez was too young last year to be a great QB. This year they have one of the best defenses in the league. Now Sanchez has a whole year under his belt. They have added a couple really good receivers and LT. Now I think they can be a good team. But, the thing that will still carry the team is the defense. And the main person in that defense is Darrel Revis. And right now he is not with the team, so they won't have as good a defense, which in turn will out them not having as good a year. I also think that the fans and media members have put too much pressure on them just because they made it last year. Now they have to deal with being one of the favorite teams in the AFC East and in the AFC period. That might mean that the pressure could get to them and they don't have nearly as good a year as expected.
Vikings
The Vikings were not just lucky to get to the NFC Championship. They definitely deserved getting there. Brett Favre had probably the best season of his career. He threw for touchdowns and yards. And he also threw the least amount of interceptions in one year in his career. It was unfortunate that they had to run into the Saints and a defense that just ripped Brett Favre to shreds. That game almost made Brett Favre not come back this year. Now Favre is back. He will make his first start in their preseason game this weekend. It will be interesting to see if that ankle bothers him more when he is actually in the game, or if it won't be too much of a problem. Now that Brett Favre is back, many Vikings fans are hoping that they will go back to the NFC Championship game, or at least get to the playoffs and win their division. I think this is a reasonable expectation. I think myself that they will get to the playoffs and win their division. I don't like to say that because the Bears are in that division, but its true. Some people are saying that because they got to the NFC Championship, but lost that will put them down and they won't have just as good a year as they did last year. There is no way that Brett Favre will be able to match or do better than what he did last year. So this team might not be as good. Peterson seems to be fumbling more and more as the years pass by in the NFL. So this team might not be as much of super bowl contenders, but they still have a chance. So in the end I think they will get to the playoffs and lose in the first game.
Colts
The Colts have one thing going for them. And that one thing is Peyton Manning. The smartest QB to ever play. He knows the game so well. He is a great controller and is the perfect leader for this veteran team. They have a great receiving core that has been with manning for years and good running to set off the defense. Last year it was upsetting that they lost in the Super Bowl. I and most people expected them to win. And it was a close one. The most surprising thing was that Manning threw an interception to lose the game. Manning is the one guy who you wouldn't expect to make the mistake. And yet he was the guy who did it. I think this team will want to make up for that this year. They will have another great season like they did last year, but I think this year they might get it done. I think they have a good chance to win the super bowl. And I hope they do, Manning deserves to have two super bowl rings. And I think he will get that second one this year. As long as its not against the Bears again.
Saints
The Saints worry me. They have most of the same players that won the super bowl, which is good. They have a great QB in Drew Brees, but he is going to get injured. He might not necessarily miss games, but he will get injured. He is on the cover of Madden, so something will happen to him. And that has to be in the back of Saints fans minds. That has got to in sue major paranoia into many people close to the Saints. I do think that this is a good team, but I don't think that they will win the super bowl again. I don't they will make it back to the NFC Championship game. Even though most of the players say that winning the super bowl and that it will be hard to get back and to win again isn't in their mind before they take the field, it really is, because no matter what they say they will always think about that. I think that because of this they might not have the season that their fans expect. I went to New Orleans recently. And it was Saints Mania. Now all those fans who finally had hope, because the saints finally won a super bowl, are going to be disappointed. I think they will win their division, but I don' think they make it past the first round.
So this may be a season that is not expected for these four teams, but we are going to have to wait and see. The preseason will tell us nothing. When we get to around week 10, then we will know if these predictions are correct or if they are totally wrong and all four of these teams are insanely good.
Jets
The Jets have already been expected to be really good this year. But, can you remember back to why they got to the AFC Championship game. If the Colts hadn't decided to give up on the perfect season, they would have lost that game and ended up probably not going to the playoffs. But, the Colts decided that they would save their players for the playoffs. Then the Jets go into the playoffs and get onto a roll and get lucky that they get to play the Colts in the AFC championship game. Then the Colts beat them like they are expected to. So the Jets really just got hot at the right time and ended up being lucky that the Colts gave up. Now I'm not saying they aren't a good team. This year I think they have everything they need. Sanchez was too young last year to be a great QB. This year they have one of the best defenses in the league. Now Sanchez has a whole year under his belt. They have added a couple really good receivers and LT. Now I think they can be a good team. But, the thing that will still carry the team is the defense. And the main person in that defense is Darrel Revis. And right now he is not with the team, so they won't have as good a defense, which in turn will out them not having as good a year. I also think that the fans and media members have put too much pressure on them just because they made it last year. Now they have to deal with being one of the favorite teams in the AFC East and in the AFC period. That might mean that the pressure could get to them and they don't have nearly as good a year as expected.
Vikings
The Vikings were not just lucky to get to the NFC Championship. They definitely deserved getting there. Brett Favre had probably the best season of his career. He threw for touchdowns and yards. And he also threw the least amount of interceptions in one year in his career. It was unfortunate that they had to run into the Saints and a defense that just ripped Brett Favre to shreds. That game almost made Brett Favre not come back this year. Now Favre is back. He will make his first start in their preseason game this weekend. It will be interesting to see if that ankle bothers him more when he is actually in the game, or if it won't be too much of a problem. Now that Brett Favre is back, many Vikings fans are hoping that they will go back to the NFC Championship game, or at least get to the playoffs and win their division. I think this is a reasonable expectation. I think myself that they will get to the playoffs and win their division. I don't like to say that because the Bears are in that division, but its true. Some people are saying that because they got to the NFC Championship, but lost that will put them down and they won't have just as good a year as they did last year. There is no way that Brett Favre will be able to match or do better than what he did last year. So this team might not be as good. Peterson seems to be fumbling more and more as the years pass by in the NFL. So this team might not be as much of super bowl contenders, but they still have a chance. So in the end I think they will get to the playoffs and lose in the first game.
Colts
The Colts have one thing going for them. And that one thing is Peyton Manning. The smartest QB to ever play. He knows the game so well. He is a great controller and is the perfect leader for this veteran team. They have a great receiving core that has been with manning for years and good running to set off the defense. Last year it was upsetting that they lost in the Super Bowl. I and most people expected them to win. And it was a close one. The most surprising thing was that Manning threw an interception to lose the game. Manning is the one guy who you wouldn't expect to make the mistake. And yet he was the guy who did it. I think this team will want to make up for that this year. They will have another great season like they did last year, but I think this year they might get it done. I think they have a good chance to win the super bowl. And I hope they do, Manning deserves to have two super bowl rings. And I think he will get that second one this year. As long as its not against the Bears again.
Saints
The Saints worry me. They have most of the same players that won the super bowl, which is good. They have a great QB in Drew Brees, but he is going to get injured. He might not necessarily miss games, but he will get injured. He is on the cover of Madden, so something will happen to him. And that has to be in the back of Saints fans minds. That has got to in sue major paranoia into many people close to the Saints. I do think that this is a good team, but I don't think that they will win the super bowl again. I don't they will make it back to the NFC Championship game. Even though most of the players say that winning the super bowl and that it will be hard to get back and to win again isn't in their mind before they take the field, it really is, because no matter what they say they will always think about that. I think that because of this they might not have the season that their fans expect. I went to New Orleans recently. And it was Saints Mania. Now all those fans who finally had hope, because the saints finally won a super bowl, are going to be disappointed. I think they will win their division, but I don' think they make it past the first round.
So this may be a season that is not expected for these four teams, but we are going to have to wait and see. The preseason will tell us nothing. When we get to around week 10, then we will know if these predictions are correct or if they are totally wrong and all four of these teams are insanely good.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Whitesox
The whitesox are 4 games back right now. That sounds like a problem from the moment it comes out of your mouth. So, I thought that I would blog about what the Whitesox have been doing good and what they have been doing bad. I will also comment on why I think the Whitesox still have a chance to win this division.
First the bad things the Whitesox are doing. There are some obvious things going on that are bad. Such as bad bullpen, average starting pitching, and failure to bring home men in scoring position. Those are the things that you notice everyday you watch a Whitesox game. There are some things under the surface that I have noticed and perhaps you have noticed. One of them is that everybody near the Whitesox thinks that Greg Walker is a fantastic hitting coach. The truth is he isn't that great. Why do you think our offense can't bring home guys in scoring position? It isn't just because they aren't good baseball players. You see guys who come into our team, who are supposed to be good, but end up playing terrible. They must be used to a hitting coach that will teach them and help them with what they need. Then you also see guys leave from our team and go on to be really good hitters. Maybe its because they get to a new team and a new hitting coach and that coach actually helps the player hit and he becomes a better hitter.
Now the good part. I like this part. Their offense has been better than the beginning of the season. They are actually hitting a little well. They might not bring home the guys they should, but they do hit home runs. The home runs bring home not only the guys on base, but the batter himself. This can produce more runs, but our offense shouldn't be based on hardball alone. Our pitching has also been improved since that beginning slump we had. Glavin Floyd has been the pitcher of the month, Danks has been very successful lately. Buerhle and Peavy are both aces (even though Peavy is out now). Freddy Garcia has been a good 5th man. And since the edition of Edwin Jackson he has been very successful. In each of his games, he has had a good pitching performance. He may not have won, but he still pitched well.
Finally, the reasons why I think they still have a chance to win this division. I think they can win this division because they have that Whitesox swagger that I have always loved. I find it hard to let myself believe that the season is over at any time. But this year I kind of had reason for hope. I didn't really believe that the Whitesox could go to Target field and sweep the Twins. I did think that they would eventually take first place. This may not be true. But, if they ever do get into first place and end up at least 2 games above the Twins, I don't think they will ever look back on not being in first place. I'm not sure if they can get to first place. If they get back to that team that went 25-5 in 30 games they will definitely get first place at a point and win this division. I would like the Whitesox to go on one final 11 game winning streak. That would make it 3 times they have won so many games in a row. The Twins will have to lose eventually.
First the bad things the Whitesox are doing. There are some obvious things going on that are bad. Such as bad bullpen, average starting pitching, and failure to bring home men in scoring position. Those are the things that you notice everyday you watch a Whitesox game. There are some things under the surface that I have noticed and perhaps you have noticed. One of them is that everybody near the Whitesox thinks that Greg Walker is a fantastic hitting coach. The truth is he isn't that great. Why do you think our offense can't bring home guys in scoring position? It isn't just because they aren't good baseball players. You see guys who come into our team, who are supposed to be good, but end up playing terrible. They must be used to a hitting coach that will teach them and help them with what they need. Then you also see guys leave from our team and go on to be really good hitters. Maybe its because they get to a new team and a new hitting coach and that coach actually helps the player hit and he becomes a better hitter.
Now the good part. I like this part. Their offense has been better than the beginning of the season. They are actually hitting a little well. They might not bring home the guys they should, but they do hit home runs. The home runs bring home not only the guys on base, but the batter himself. This can produce more runs, but our offense shouldn't be based on hardball alone. Our pitching has also been improved since that beginning slump we had. Glavin Floyd has been the pitcher of the month, Danks has been very successful lately. Buerhle and Peavy are both aces (even though Peavy is out now). Freddy Garcia has been a good 5th man. And since the edition of Edwin Jackson he has been very successful. In each of his games, he has had a good pitching performance. He may not have won, but he still pitched well.
Finally, the reasons why I think they still have a chance to win this division. I think they can win this division because they have that Whitesox swagger that I have always loved. I find it hard to let myself believe that the season is over at any time. But this year I kind of had reason for hope. I didn't really believe that the Whitesox could go to Target field and sweep the Twins. I did think that they would eventually take first place. This may not be true. But, if they ever do get into first place and end up at least 2 games above the Twins, I don't think they will ever look back on not being in first place. I'm not sure if they can get to first place. If they get back to that team that went 25-5 in 30 games they will definitely get first place at a point and win this division. I would like the Whitesox to go on one final 11 game winning streak. That would make it 3 times they have won so many games in a row. The Twins will have to lose eventually.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
random blog
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
yess. a brawl in baseball.
If you know me at all you know that a big reason I like watching hockey is the fights. Yes, I like the excitement of the game of hockey too, but fighting is really the best part. So last night with some tension about playing for first place the Cardinals and the Reds got into a fight. Apparently the fight started when a Reds player said "hi" to Yadier Molina. That triggered something in Molina and so he got into the guys face and benches cleared. The funniest part of this fight to me was afterwords when Chris Carpenter complained about the Reds player spiking him in the back. He said it was unprofessional. How can you be professional during a fight? Punching. Yes that is totally professional. That was definitely my favorite part. Another good part was when Molina came up after the brawl and hit a home run. It was just him saying. EAT THAT. and I love that. Another good part. Only the two managers were kicked out. Really? What they needed to make sure that their players didn't fight so its their fault. I don't even think they were really in the fight that much. So this was a pretty funny brawl. But is it good for the team and for the sport? I think it is a good thing for the team, because it shows the Cardinals aren't going to back down. They will fight to win this division. (no pun intended) If it is good for the sport, I'm not sure. But if I were a Cardinals or Reds fan I would want to see these games now because its a rivalry now. Even if I'm not a fan of either. I want to see these games because something might break out. It is good for revenue. I just love fights and last night's was priceless.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
HE is back in action.
Everybody knows it by now, but I thought I would blog about it because there is nothing else to talk about. Strasburg is going to make his first start since late july and I can't wait. Part of me wants to see him do really well, but the other part wants to see him get a little sore and stay out. They should have him on a special rotation, which is not every 5 games but every 7. It might screw up their rotation, but they aren't going to win anything anyway and that way they are still playing him, but he isn't being over-worked to where he would hurt that shoulder again. Its a very smart plan, which is why I think they probably won't do it. I will be watching baseball tonight or something, though to see how he does. I do want him to succeed I just don't want him to blow his shoulder or elbow out in his first 3 seasons. I want to see Stephen Strasburg play until he is as old as Brett Favre. This kid has the potential to become AMAZING. But, if they overwork him, even though they think they aren't he will end up like Kerry Wood. The same pitching coach ruining both of them, he would become an outcast in baseball. As long as they slowly progress him into a normal pitching schedule he will be fine, they shouldn't rush him just because they want to make more money. The money will come when they see him possibly pitching complete games and every 5 days without him getting injured. The time for the Nationals is coming, its just not here yet, so they shouldn't try to rush it. It will come. I think he will get a no decision, but the Natinoals will lose and he will have 7 strikeouts. I will probably be wrong.
Monday, August 9, 2010
A great pitching performance
Normally when you see that some pitcher one-hit another team, you think that pitcher had a really good game, but not enough to be recognized. Yesterday was different. Brandon Morrow was lights out the whole game. The one hit that he gave up would have been the last out and it barely made it past the second basemen. He threw 17 strikeouts. (if he had gotten a no-hitter it would have been 16)If you think that this game wasn't one of the top or the top pitching performance of the year, you are crazy. Yes, there have been many no-hitters and perfect games. But, sometimes a no-hitter isn't lights out pitching. Like in the case of edwin jackson. It just happened that a pitcher had a great performance and it got ruined. If he had gotten a no-hitter it would be my number one pitching performance of the year. Instead, its my number 3. But, to me number 3 is always the best deep inside. Then, you hear some people saying that aaron hill might have made an error and not have that been a hit. I think I have figured out why people are saying this. They thought this was a great performance and they think it deserves a no-hitter, so they blame it on aaron hill not quite getting there and say it should be an error. I don't think it was an error, but it would have been cool to see. I guess he was just unlucky that hill didn't get there on time and that they got a certain official scorekeeper that wasn't going to make that an error just to preserve the no-hitter.
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