NFC East Preview

The start of the NFC...with in my opinion the best division in the NFL, the NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys
- Heading into last years postseason the 'Boys were maybe the hottest team in the NFL. They finally won a game in December and even won a playoff game for the first time in 12 years. The goal this year is to "go home for the Super Bowl" that takes place in Dallas at Jerry Vision stadium. Dez Bryant should add another toy for Romo to throw to, and a hopefully clean bill of health for Felix Jones should make them dynamic. The defense was vastly improved at the end of the season as Mike Jenkins emerged as a shutdown corner and makes Terrance Newman one of the best second corners in the whole league. Expectations are high in Dallas, and they should be.

2. New York Giants
- Last year was a big disappointment for Big Blue jumping out to a fast start but stumbling down the stretch and missing the playoffs. Eli Manning actually had the best season of his young career statistically, but the running game lost their identity as Brandon Jacobs became a near non-factor. The defense was what let this team down. Losing Kenny Phillips and Osi Umenyiora really hurt last season as the Giants were consistently beat with the deep ball. The G-men addressed this by signing ballhawk Antrel Rolle to go with Kenny Phillips who will return from injury to make an all-U safety position (me likey). Keith Bulluck was also signed to bolster the linebacking core. This will be a very good team that always seems to play best with their back against the wall--with Coughlin under fire again, expect that to happen again and look for Ahmad Bradshaw to emerge as the best Giants back.

3. Philadelphia Eagles
- McNabb? Gone. Insert Kevin Kolb who was very impressive in 2 appearences last season and some spot duty from Mike Vick. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy should combine to be a deadly young speed duo for the Eagles. On defense, Brandon Graham should help the pass rush and by all reports he's looked great in camp. Ernie Sims has been added to the linebacking core and if they can avoid all the injuries they had on defense last season they could contend for the division. But there are a lot of if's and when the majority of those lie at the QB position that could pose problems. The Eagles may still be good enough to make the playoffs but in the toughest division in football it won't be good enough to get the home playoff game.

4. Washington Redskins
- McNabb? He's here. So is Mike Shanahan who even in his first year in Washington should dramatically improve an offense that was horrendous over the last few seasons. I'm not sold that a Portis-Johnson-Parker combination is the answer at running back, but Shanny has made 1,000 yards rushers out of the likes of Olandis Gary and Mike Anderson so he may not need a star. Santana Moss should finally have a good QB throwing him the ball, and Chris Cooley should be back to being a good option as a fantasy tight end. The 'Skins are also switching to a 3-4 defense with or without Albert Haynesworth and DeAngelo Hall and Carlos Rogers is a solid start at the corner spot. The Redskins are building towards something good, with unlimited resources and a great coach in place it may happen sooner than later. Expect a vastly improved team, but not a playoff berth.

AFC West Preview

1. San Diego Chargers
- Or, as I like to refer to them the San Diego Super Chokers. This team has had some of the most talented teams in the league the last few years but seem to choke in the playoffs. The last two seasons it was Phillip Rivers' team and now it's official as LT has finally been let go of. The Chargers have actually played better without LT, and Ryan Mathews should give them a big power back they have needed in San Diego to go along with Sproles. Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill are holding out right now, but Jackson is out for the first four games due to suspension anyway. The defense is solid--even with the departure of Cromartie, Jammer and Cason are good on the corners and the pass rush should be as formidable as always with Merriman and Phillips. This team isn't quite as good as years past, but good enough in a bad AFC west.

2. Oakland Raiders
- What? No way. Yes way. The Raiders are the second best team in the west--which doesn't say a lot. Believe it or not, when JaMarcus Russell was not under center the Raiders weren't so terrible. Jason Campbell is quite the upgrade over the Russell/Gradkowski platoon so the offense should be better. Finally, we should be able to see what Darren McFadden can do with the ball in his hands, I expect a breakout year for him. Defensively you just say wow. From the line where there's Richard Seymour and John Henderson, the linebackers that feature Kamerion Wimbley and possible defensive rookie of the year Rolando McClain, and the always dynamic Nnamdi Asomugha at corner makes this a potential top 5-10 defense. The Raiders won't make the playoffs but the foundation has been laid for a team that should continue to improve.

3. Kansas City Chiefs
- Todd Haley's Chiefs did well considering the lack of talent in year one. This season should be another step forward, Thomas Jones joins the explosive Jamaal Charles in the backfield and Matt Cassel will get a taste of Brady's old offensive coordinator Charlie Weis (Weis left before Cassel arrived). Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers should be solid options and keep an eye on Jerehamy Urban who knows Haley's system from Arizona and rookie Dexter McCluster. The defense is pretty bad in KC. The drafting of Eric Berry (whos been compared to Ed Reed) should be an upgrade in the secondary, but the rest of the defense aside from Tamba Hali reads like a has-beens list: Mike Vrable, Demorrio Williams, Jon McGraw, Travis Daniels. Yeah, not scaring anybody, but at least they won't finish in the cellar.

4. Denver Broncos
- I am predicting the Broncos will finish in last place for the first time in 11 seasons. McDaniels has crippled the once young and talented roster that Mike Shanahan had assembled to "character guys". When was the last time being a nice guy won someone a football game? The only offensive weapon this team had (Brandon Marshall) is now gone and their best defensive weapon (Dumervil) will miss most of the season due to injury. Knowshon Moreno is a good back, but not one that is going to lead you to the playoffs, even behind what is one of the better O-lines in football. The defense withered down the stretch last season, no surprise with aging stars such as Champ Bailey and Brian Dawkins. This could be the year they are just too old too tired, and the additions of oft-injured Jamal Williams at nose tackle and Justin Bannan won't improve one of the worst run defenses consistently over the last four years in the league. This is the year it all unravels for McDaniels and he may need to find a new job for himself this offseason.

AFC South Preview

The AFC South is as follows...

1. Indianapolis Colts
- Yeah, really goin' on a limb here I know. The fact is that the Titans got much worse, Texans aren't ready defensively. and the Jags are...well...the Jags. Peyton has a plethora of weapons around him with Clark, Wayne, Garcon, Collie, and Gonzalez but the change should come in the running game this season. This is the year I expect the baton to be passed to Donald Brown in the backfield and he should have a pretty good season as long as he stays healthy. The defense wasn't as good as it looked statistically last year and really struggled to force turnovers. It should be better this season as many of the first year starters will be heading into their second year. Look for Jerraud Powers to become one of the better corners in the league, and a healthy Bob Sanders would help. I say division title, but not the 15-1 mark they put up last season.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars
- I just slanted the Jags in my Colts preview, but I think that they are the second best team in this division. They have some talent with Jones-Drew and Sims-Walker not only leading in hyphenations but should be starters every week in any fantasy league you're apart of. Garrard is an okay Quarterback who can do some things with his legs as well as his arms. The only concern is eventually the bowling ball Jones-Drew will break down...will it be this year? The defense was atrocious last year, but was also the youngest in the entire NFL. Lots of growing pains happened last season that should pay dividends this time around. While many criticized the Tyson Alualu pick (it was higher than should have been) he's someone who should be an immediate help to a defensive line that was terrible last year. Kirk Morrison and Aaron Kampman coming in should also make a HUGE impact. I see them falling just short of the playoffs.

3. Houston Texans
- Sorry, Ryan. The Texans offensively can compete with anyone schematically and talent wise. But their biggest deficiancy (defense) has still not been addressed enough. Cushing, Ryans, and Williams are all studs and Bernard Pollard is a goos safety but the corner position is frightening. That will be their biggest achilles heel going forward and in a division where you are trying to overtake Peyton Manning...good luck. Andre Johnson is the best receiver in football (and is now being paid as such) and the running game may not have one elite back but Foster, Slaton, and rookie Tate give them some options and versatility. The Texans hope this is the season that Jacoby Jones will emerge as a legit number two option behind Johnson but will it be enough to overcome the defense? I say not.

4. Tennessee Titans
- Few teams were hit harder by free agency than the Titans. The rock at center Kevin Mawae is now unemployed, Keith Bulluck is wearing a different shade of blue, and the only semblence of a pass rush (Kyle Vanden Bosch) is now in the motor city. Vince Young may repeat what he did statistically last season, but it's a tall task to ask Chris Johnson to do the same--even though he's saying 2500 yards. The last two guys who have gone over 2000 yards (Terrell Davis and Jamal Lewis) have all battled injuries and not put up anywhere the same numbers the next season. Cortland Finnegan was exposed as what he was last year, a corner who thrives in a zone but struggled to stay with elite speed in man. The Titans will need to take a step back this season to get back to the level they were at when they finished 8-2 to end the season.

AFC North Preview

Here's the AFC North...

1. Baltimore Ravens
- The Ravens should make their 3rd consecutive playoff appearence under coach John Harbaugh, but not because I expect them to make a quantam leap from last year. Is the offense better with a full year of Ray Rice and the addition of Anquan Boldin? Yes. If this is the year Joe Flacco has his "Neo- I am the one" moment it could be special. My concerns shockingly lie more with the defense. Ed Reed is currently on the PUP list and may miss the first few weeks for neck/back injuries that made him seriously consider retiring, Ray Lewis isn't getting any younger and their number one corner going into camp is either LarDarius Webb or Travis Fisher. Contemplate facing receivers like Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, Brandon Marshall while having Webb or Fisher saddled with the duty of stopping them. Yeah, thats what I thought. But the division is weak enough for them to come out on top.

2. Cincinnati Bengals
- Getcha' popcorn ready! Ocho-Cinco and TO are on the same team. Nevertheless don't expect too much of a change from their conservative ground game and probably an increased role for Bernard Scott, Benson most likely will not be as durable. However, TO, Antonio Bryant, and rookie Tight End Jermaine Gresham should be making Carson Palmer go gaga over the guys he finally has to throw too. On defense the Bengals have improved every single season under Mike Zimmer. Players like Domata Peko, Keith Rivers, Antwan Odom, and Leon Hall have thrived in his system. The Bungals aren't flashy but they get it done, I expect them to be in contention for a wild card spot, and just maybe get it.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers
- If Ben Rapelsberger/Pumpfakesberger wasn't suspended for at least the first four games I would probably have the Steelers above the Bengals and making the playoffs. The loss of Santonio Holmes won't be that big of a deal with the emergence of Mike Wallace and Limas Sweed and rookie sleeper Emmanuel Sanders (remember the name) in the fold. The defense was abysmal by Steelers standards last season--don't expect a repeat under Dick LeBeau. Polamalu is back to 100% health and they are always going to get to the passer with Woodley and Harrison coming off the edges. The draft helped out the offensive line (Pouncey) gave them another pass rusher (Worilds) and gave them a big power back for the goal line (Dwyer). The Steelers never seem to have bad back to back seasons, they are a sound organization and I expect a much better team this season.

4. Cleveland Browns
- The saddest part is that this might be the best team they have had in a while, as well as the best team in the city right now. The Browns certainly won't be the ones to make Cleveland fans forget about LeKing. The pick of Colt McCoy was for the future and I'm not so sure he's the answer for them--but we know one thing--it's definately not Jake Delhomme. I expect Montario Hardesty and Jerome Harrison to be a solid fantasy combination at QB and WR Mohammed Massaquoi is probably the best of the bunch. The defense was quietly very solid last season and addressed their biggest issue (Corner) with the drafting of Florida DB Joe Haden. The Browns won't be contending for a division title, and Mangini won't likely make it to next year but under Mike Holmgren the Browns should be respectable soon.

AFC East Preview

This is the first installment of a division-by-division breakdown of the NFL this season--along with my prediction on where they finish.

1. New England Patriots
   -As anyone else who writes for this blog can attest, I hate this team and pretty much everything about it (minus Brandon Meriweather and Vince Wilfork--U). However they won the division last season and may have actually gotten better. Brandon Tate should add another weapon at Brady's disposal, and Moss will be out to prove people wrong after a dismal season by his standards last season. The defense is nothing to write home about, but are the Jets really potent enough offensively to take advantage of it? The three yards and a cloud of dust offense doesn't threaten enough to do so.

2. Miami Dolphins
   - What's that? The Jets aren't even second?! No they are not. The Dolphins have a budding QB in Chad Henne who did terrific things down the stretch last season. Now subtract slippy hands Ted Ginn and insert Brandon Marshall in his place. This is arguably the greatest upgrade in the NFL this season--then factor in the addition of playmaking Karlos Dansby at LB and Ronnie Brown coming back fresh from his injury and the Dolphins are being vastly underrated. They played a first-place schedule last season and didn't have the same success--this year they get a third-place schedule which will be much easier. I expect the 'Fins to make the playoffs.

3. New York Jets
   - But they aren't as bad as the Bills at least! What the Jets did last season was a good story, riding Rex the Rhino's big mouth to the AFC Championship Game. But let's look at what they actually did: backed into the playoffs--beat a one-dimensional Cincinnati team (something good defenses feast on)--beat the San Diego Super Choke Artists. All the credit in the world to Mark Sanchez for not losing those games. However now they lose their workhorse Thomas Jones to KC, (sorry I don't think Shonn Greene is quite ready to be THE man) and replaced him with Tomlinson. A sizeable downgrade if you ask me. Now comes the news that Darrelle Revis is holding out and is willing to not play at all this season. Hey Jets, Give him what he wants! He's the best defensive player in the league. Revis holds pretty much the greatest leverage possible. This team has no hope of even making the playoffs without Revis--combined with him being underpaid and in a possible lock out season next year Revis wants and deserves security.

4. Buffalo Bills
 - Oh, the Bills. After pursuing Mike Shanahan for their head coaching vacancy instead they hire...Chan Gailey. Chan...Gailey. Nevermind that interim coach Perry Fewell did a pretty nice job at the end of the year for the Bills. The addition of C.J. Spiller will finally add some excitement to an offense void of any. Trent Edwards/Ryan Fitzpatrick back to pass and throwing to...Derek Schouman? Steve Johnson? Aside from Lee Evans no receiver scares the defense and even he isn't the same. There's a reason TO looked tired and old in this offense...it's tired and old. The defense is not half bad and forced a ton of turnovers last season, however don't expect them to perform as well this season.

It's That Time Again...

As the Sox playoff hopes dwindle, the scar from the LeBron debacle heals (not really in Cleveland), and the kids head back to school it leads us to one conclusion...It's Football Season.

College players are reporting for the beginning of summer/fall practice and the season is a mere month away from beginning. Not to mention the super-exciting Brett Favre retirement party that has lasted three seasons is back in full swing on ESPN and the preseason starts this Sunday.

My favorite part of football season is going to be watching the 'Canes return to glory this year. But since I really have no more favorite NFL team (thanks Tebow and McDaniels) I turn my attention to fantasy football.

The debate is whether to take Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson number one in your fantasy draft, well, I'm going to go outside of the box and tell you to take NEITHER.

Instead, select Frank Gore with your #1 overall pick. Mr. Gore is from the U, so I can't officially report that I have no bias in the matter but let's take a look at history. The last two runners to go over 2,000 yards (Terrell Davis and Jamal Lewis) both came back the next season and had injuries plague them and they were never the same...why? Oh, I don't know, 392 and 387 carries in those seasons respectively for those guys wore them down. They were never the same. Beware fantasy owners, 358 carries like Johnson had last season can really break a back down--and CJ aint the biggest cat in the world, although he does have a ride that I'm jealous of.

Now why do you avoid Adrian Peterson? Well,  honestly I got nothin' there. Peterson is a beast, plain and simple. If you can stand that he's going to lose you about 2-4 points every week because of his NFL leading fumbled than by all means take him. In the last few weeks of last season it almost seemed that HE wore down, not posting double-digit fantasy points in 4 of the last 5 Vikings games. That guy might be coming back at QB, he might not, but if he does you can bet he will be taking more and more carries away from Peterson; plus Chester Taylor is no longer there to spell Peterson.

Why Frank Gore?

Well, for one he missed 4 games last season and still posted top 5 fantasy running back statistics in an offense that had a terrible offensive live and Shaun Hill and Alex Smith at QB. I'll repeat again...SHAUN HILL AND ALEX SMITH at QB. So what did the niners do this offseason? They drafted Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati to solidfy the O-line and you know Mike Singletary is going to pound the ball. The emergence of Crabtree, Vernon Davis, and Josh Morgan catching passes will open it up even more for SF. And who had the best defense in fantasy sports last season? Shockingly, the San Francisco 49ers.

Next point...take a look at that division...Seattle...St. Louis...Arizona. What do all those teams have in common? A) They suck  B) They can't stop the run C) They have all changed their logo in the last ten years or D) All the Above. D is correct. Gore gets to run on these crap defense, none of which having an offense to threaten the niners defense, meaning run run run run. That's 6 games ALONE within division that Gore should tear it up. Then look behind him, does Glen Coffee really make you worry about losing carries or goal line chances? Didn't think so. Combine the weak division, improved O-line, and Gore's ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and it's a slam dunk.

Last year people feared LenDale White would take carriest from CJ in Tennessee so much so that I was able to land him in the 2nd round (pshh haha dumbasses) and every year someone seems to emerge. What I'm telling you this year is that it is Mr. Frank Gore, take it to the bank.

Trade Deadline Update: We did nothing

We haven't blogged about the Sox in a long while. We haven't really blogged about anything at all in a long while for that matter. Im always here to save the day no worries.
The Sawx have been in rough shape lately. On top of the injuries we have Mike Cameron went down. 15 days. Followed by Youk tonight on a swing. I guess he jammed his thumb, but who knows how long that can keep him out.
I was expecting Theo to do something before July 31st. Im a little angry at him to be honest, hence the seriousness of my blog right now. I haven't worn this game face since pool basketball like two months ago.
We needed someone, anyone. I know we need to protect the future but look at the lineup right now. It needs SOMETHING. I'm not going to get into detail because I don't even know exactly what we need.
Im just frustrated. Ill get into detail tomorrow when I calm down about this.