Alright listen and listen good. I completely dread a certain time of the year. And that certain time of the year is college football season. In all fairness, I use to like it a lot. But since I moved down to Florida, I have developed a hatred for it. I am sure it is just as annoying in other parts of the country like Ann Arbor or in Columbus. But you know what it doesn’t matter because I don’t friggin live there. So lets talk about college football here in Florida. I mean realistically it is all about a couple teams here in the Sunshine State. Everybody down here seems to be about the Seminoles, Gators, or the Hurricanes. As of late it has been mostly about the Gators. Now I will give credit where credit is due. The University of Florida has a very talented athletic department. They have won a few national titles here recently. But my gripe is not against this institution of higher learning. Oh no sir! What chaps my ass are these annoying fans! I just want to punch everyone of them in their stupid faces. Especially the people that you ask if they went to Florida and they say no! Talk about deserving a swift kick in the junk. I especially love hearing women who have no idea what they are talking about. Both of these hens are cackling about why their team is better. Then what is even more annoying are the stupid chants. Oh the Gators are going to chomp you. Or the silly Florida St. chop.
Now listen I certainly go crazy with my beloved sports teams but not to the point where I every aspect of my life involves Red Sox, Patriots, or Celtics. Hey it is perfectly fine to cheer your team on. But don’t go overboard with it. I will repeat myself once more. Nothing wrong with showing a little pride. Just do not cross the line where you are over the top with it. You know what I mean. So if you happen to read this and feel offended in anyway then you are obviously one of these people I discussed previously. Like I said I am sure that all those Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana State, Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, or whatever school you route for are just as bad. But I don’t live in any of these places. I live in Florida! So I am going to piss and moan about all you Florida college sports fans all I want. But just remember if you happen to be a fan of one of the Florida schools down here, I will not hold it against you. Well at least not that much.
-MBTC
Indianapolis Colts: Now I know what you are thinking! How is it that I pick the Colts to win their division this year? Especially after the stellar performance of the Titans this year. Well these are my predictions and I don’t see the Titans repeating their performance from last year. Now I know the Colts are dealing with a few departures but I still believe they have one of the best QB’s in the league in Peyton Manning. I think with him steering the offensive ship with Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, the Colts will win their division. Plus they landed a pretty good running back in Donald Brown from UConn. The key to their success will be on the shoulders of their defense. But I think Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders will lead their troops. Even with the loss of head coach Tony Dungy and wide receiver Marvin Harrison will end up with a 10-6 record.
Tennessee Titans: They had a hell of a run last year! But I think the honeymoon is over for the Titans. If you are a Titans fan be ready for this to happen. Kerry Collins came out of Alcoholics Anonymous to lead the Titans to a hell of a season. But he will not be able to repeat his stellar performance. When has Kerry Collins ever had two great consecutive seasons? Take your time I’ll wait. Anyways they do have a great one-two punch at running back with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. I believe that their wide receivers are average. I also expect to see the wildcat package here soon from the Titans. Also look out for Vince Young to get his starting job back. I believe the offense will be alright. I wonder how the loss of Albert Haynesworth will affect the Titans D. Anyways I see the Titans ending the regular season with a 9-7 record.
Houston Texans: Here is a team that has a ton of potential. Every year I hear analysts talk about how this is the year the Texans make it to the playoffs. Once again they are buzzing about the playoffs. I just don’t see it for the Texans. For some reason, I can’t point out what the Texans are missing. But they are one player or two from making the playoffs. They have a serviceable quarterback in Matt Schaub. A stud at the wide receiver position with Andre Johnson and a solid pass catching and rushing back with Steve Slaton. So you know the offense can put points up on the board. However injuries always seem to “hurt” (pun intended) this team. On defense they have a beast in Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. I know that their defense will help them squeak out a few W’s. But I do see injuries happening and causing this team to go 8-8.
Jacksonville Jaguars: It is going to be another long season for Jag fans. I often scratch my head with some of the personnel decisions made by the Jags. Now I know they caught a bad break with their offensive line. But how often is that going to happen? But Jag fans are screaming for a solid option at wide receiver! All they could get was Torry Holt. Now don’t get me wrong Holt is a great receiver but he is aging and the Jags need a young stud receiver. They haven’t had a solid wide receiver since Jimmy Smith. You know your passing game is going to suffer when your leading receiver amasses 761 yards. It makes it tough on 3rd and long and David Garrard has to sling it and hope that his receiver comes down with it. Oh by the way that leading receiver had a little bit of a crack problem and will not be on the team next year. Anyways their saving grace rests on the shoulder (and legs) of Maurice Jones Drew. The Jags defense will hold up thanks to solid play by Mike Peterson and Rasheen Mathis. But they will have their work cut out for them if the offense can’t get going. I see the Jags clinging to a 7-9 record.
San Diego Chargers: I still cannot believe that the NFL allowed this team into the playoffs with a .500 record. The Chargers made it in by winning their last regular season game and edging out Denver for the division. This year I don’t think it will be a close race in the AFC West. I think San Diego will be head and shoulders above the rest of their fellow division foes. On offense you have Phillip “Cry Me A” Rivers, LT, Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson, Chris Chambers, and more! The only question mark for San Diego surrounds LT. He will be 30 and that always is a cursed age for running backs. But I hope he does well because I have him on my fantasy football team. I know the defense will be fired up especially since Shawne Merriman will return to his Linebacker spot! Be prepared to see a ton of Merriman’s patented “Lights Out” sack celebration. The Chargers will go 10-6 and they have their division and schedule to thank for that.
Denver Broncos: You talk about a team with so much drama. First it started with the firing of Mike Shanahan and the hiring of Josh McDaniels. Then McDaniels opened a wound by considering taking Matt Cassel with him. So rumors of this start to spread and reach Jay Cutler, the team’s franchise QB. Mr. Cutler doesn’t like the winds of change that are following Josh McDaniels. So he decides that he wants a trade. The Broncs front office gladly oblige to his demands and get a hell of a player in return. Now I made that comment with as much sarcasm as humanly possible. If you honestly think that Kyle Orton was a great replacement for Cutler then you deserve to be curb stomped. Well the drama doesn’t end there. Now their star wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, wants out as well. As you probably seen the video on YouTube where Marshall is just goofing off at practice. But even with all this drama they still will finish 2nd in their division. With a record of 8-8. Hey I didn’t say it was going to be pretty.
Oakland Raiders: With the 7th pick of the 2009 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey. Man you should have seen the look on some of the faces of the people at the draft. They all had that “Who?” look on their face. The Raiders are a young team and could win some key games. At QB they have JaMarcus Russell who still has yet to get comfortable with the offense. They have a very explosive running back duo in Darren McFadden and Justin Vargas. I believe that McFadden is due for a breakout season. The only way that will happen is if Oakland can open up their passing game. If Russell can fend Jeff Garcia off for the starting job, I believe he can air it out and hope for the best. I mean that is all you can really do since the Raiders do not have a reputable wide receiver. I see the silver and black going 6-10.
Kansas City Chiefs: I had high hopes for the faithfuls of Aarowhead Stadium. However with the recent turn of events regarding Matt Cassel, I believe it doesn’t look so well. Even if Matt Cassel was healthy and ready to perform week 1, I believe that Chiefs have had so many changes to the look of their team. I think the biggest change was the departure of Tony Gonzalez. I think they will miss him dearly in the red zone. They have an aging running back in Larry Johnson. So I am still trying to figure out how they will put points on the board. New head coach, Todd Haley, certainly has his work cut out for him this year. Sorry Chief fans but it looks like another dismal year! I predict them to go 4-12
Arizona Cardinals: Congrats to the NFC Champs. They were minutes away from becoming the Super Bowl champs. I think it is safe to say that they will win their division again this year. I don’t see any other team in this division overtaking the Cards. Plus you take a look at their roster and you will agree as well. They managed to settle their differences with Anquan Boldin. They bring back the beast known as Larry Fitzgerald. The third wide receiver, Steve Breaston, is a great option as well. In the backfield you will have Tim Hightower and recently drafted from Ohio State, Chris “Beanie” Wells. Commandeering the offense you will have Kurt Warner. I know he is getting up their age but I feel he has one more season left in him. On the other side of the ball, the defensive unit gelled at the end of the season last year. I think they are getting use to playing together and will hold their own this season. While some other folks have them winning 11 games, I have the Cards going 10-6.
San Francisco 49ers: I think if the 49ers could get back Joe Montana and Jerry Rice in their prime they would appreciate it. Unfortunately Shaun Hill and Isaac Bruce will have to do for the 49ers. I think their offense would be electrified if Michael Crabtree would get his head out his ass and just sign with the team. It is people like him that make athletes seem greedy. You have yet to play one down for the organization and you are already demanding more money? I don’t get it. Well I know the offensive struggles will continue for this team. Even with a healthy Frank Gore at running back and Vernon Davis stopping his pouting. The defense holds more than its own. One statistic that was impressive that I wasn’t aware of was that San Fran’s defense only allowed 3.8 yards a carry. Now if the offense could average more than that a play, I think the 49ers will be ok. But I have them going 7-9 this season.
Seattle Seahawks: This team has fallen from grace. At one point in time they pretty much owned the NFC West. After their Super Bowl appearance this team hasn’t been the same. The team woes continue on offense with Matt Hasselbeck struggling to stay healthy. Not only does Seattle have their QB al banged up but their wide receivers happen to be bitten by the injury bug. Well during the offseason Seattle decided that they need to add another wideout. So who do they get? They scored TJ “Who’s Your Daddy” Houshmandzadeh. I think TJ will be a stud wide receiver. But that isn’t hard to accomplish when you are compared against Deion Branch and Nate Burleson. The Seahawks will have their challenges with putting points on the board. They will really need Julius Jones to step up and prove he can be a feature back. The defense however is stacked at the Linebacker position. They got rid of Julian Peterson and added Aaron Curry. The combination of LeRoy Hill, Aaron Curry, and Lofa Tatupu (shout out to the Tatupu family) will cause headaches to many teams. But it will not be enough to save this team. The Seahawks will go 6-10
St. Louis Rams: Another team that has self destructed after a few Super Bowl appearances. What happened to the Greatest Show on Turf? I believe that they have been in rebuilding mode for the last 5 or 6 years. But really does not seem to be working. They have a new coach in Jim Spagnuolo. Who brings his defense expertise to a team that has struggled with this concept. I believe that Stephen Jackson is a very talented back on offense. But with teams loading the box to prevent his explosiveness, he quickly becomes neutralized. Opposing teams encourage Rams QB, Marc Bulger, to throw the ball. And why not? Bulger threw his fair share of interceptions last season. I don’t think guys like Laurent Robinson and Donnie Avery will strike fear in opposing team’s secondary. For a team that has issues with both sides of the ball makes me believe that Spagnuolo will be in for a long season. I think the Rams will finish with a 3-13 record.
Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons had a great season last year. I have a feeling that they will continue to have a great season. The biggest offseason move made by the Falcons was the acquisition of Tony Gonzalez. Normally the addition of a tight end isn’t a big deal. But we are talking about a great pass catcher (especially in the red zone) and a decent blocker. You throw that in the mix with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, and Jerrious Norwood and you have a potent offense. While the wide receiver position isn’t stellar but it did the trick last year and will continue to do so this year. The one thing that will keep Atlanta from achieving success will be their defense. Either way I think that they will manage to go 9-7.
New Orleans Saints: Here is a team that could win the division. But I think the strength of their schedule will ruin any hopes of winning the NFC South. On the offensive side of the ball you have to start at quarterback. Drew Brees is a stud quarterback.. He will put up solid numbers and connect with Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey a lot. Reggie Bush will be the feature back. It might be tough on him mentally knowing that him and Kim Kardashian are through. I know that would be on my mind constantly. That sweet sweet ass. Sorry I spaced out. I was on Planet Kardashian. Anyways like the Falcons, their defense will determine their success. The mindset in the past has been to just outscore your opponent and play mediocre defense. The Saints will go marching to a 8-8 record.
Carolina Panthers: The Panthers disappointed many of their fans last season in the playoffs. They were clear favorites to destroy the Arizona Cardinals. However they just didn’t show up at all. During the offseason they were dealing with Julius Peppers and his desire to leave Carolina. But they managed to work things out and help keep their defense in tact. The offense still has its weapons in Steve Smith, Deangelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and inconsistent Jake Delhomme. But I hate to disappoint you Panther fans out there but if you take a gander at their schedule you will see how difficult it is. They may have scored one of the toughest schedules. With that being said the Panthers will go 8-8.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The term “rebuilding year” certainly comes to mind when I think of the Tampa Bay Bucs. They have a new head coach. They got rid of veterans like Derrick Brooks, Joey Galloway, Warwick Dunn, Cato June, and Ike Hilliard. Next they bring in Byron Leftwich and draft Josh Freeman to battle Josh McCown for the starting job at QB. Then they sign Derrick Ward to compliment their backfield of Earnest Graham and Cadillac Williams. Finally on the offensive side they added Kellen Winslow Jr. at tight end. I can see the offensive side putting up some points. The real question is will their defense be tough and intimidating like in years prior. At a quick glance at their depth chart my answer will be no. For this reason I see the Bucs going 4-12.
