Audino is here
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by Audino237
Hey everyone, my name's Alex Audino and I'm from Albany, NY. I decided to move to ArmchairGM.com from blogspot.com because of the volume of readers here. I am 18 years old and I am playing football in college this coming year. I take pride in knowing alot about sports and the athletes that compete. In these posts, I will talk about baseball, football, and basketball. My favorite baseball teams are the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and the Philadelphia Phillies. The only NFL team that i root for is the New York Giants. I like USC in college football. The team I am most passionate about, and am comfortable calling myself a die-hard, is the Toronto Raptors. For the first few posts, I will just take some of my more recent blogspot.com posts. You can e-mail me at audino237@yahoo.com, or just leave a comment that I will be checking daily. Enjoy!
Here is a post I made on NFL Division Previews on June 14th.
Here goes nothin'. This may be long, but bear with me.
First I'll cover the Colonial Council.... I mean the NFC.
NFC East
Player to Watch: DeMarcus Ware LB/DE, Dallas: Ware has emerged into an even better player since he burst onto the scene with an outstanding 2005 rookie season. With Marcus Spears getting alot of attention, look for Ware to get Defensive MVP consideration.
Coach on the Hot Seat: Tom Coughlin, NYG: Has anyone done less with so much? We'll see how he brought Eli along and how they fare without Tiki.
Rising: Redskins: With Jason Campbell as starter from day one, LeDell Betts in the backfield with Clinton Portis and Chris Cooley, an electric collection of wide recievers, and a solid line, they are ready to take the next step. Having Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry at safety doesn't hurt either.
Falling: Giants: Big Blue is going nowhere fast. However, if Eli gets his head on straight and Brandon Jacobs proves to be a suitable replacement, the only thing separating them from success is the line gelling.
Cowboys 11-5 Eagles 10-6 Redskins 8-8 Giants 5-11
NFC North
Player to watch: Calvin Johnson WR, Detroit: Johnson is already one of the league's BEST wide receivers. He should energize the team and fan base right away, and prove difficult for the division's sub-par CBs to cover.
Coach on the hot seat: Mike McCarthy, Packers: McCarthy will most likely get a free pass because of the (half) rebuilding stage the team is in, but he can't embarass the Lambeau faithful. Almost all of the success depends on Brett Favre's performance.
Rising: Detroit Lions: C'mon. You know the first Madden 08 game you play will be with the Lions.
Falling: No one. But we shall see how the Bears do without Lance Briggs for at least the first 10 games.
Bears 12-4 Vikings 9-7 Lions 7-9 Packers 6-10
NFC South
Player to watch: Drew Brees QB, Saints: We shall see if The Mole continues to put up these numbers in Sean Payton's genius offense. The Saints should be high-flying and fun for years to come, and there is no reason to expect a dropoff.
Coach on the hot seat: Jon Gruden: The Bucs are past their primes. They are old, cranky, and expensive. A change of scenery is probably in the cards for Chucky.
Rising: Panthers: We'll see what Delhomme shows up, but the O would be in good hands with David Carr behind a young line spearheaded by Jordan Gross. They got rid of Keyshawn, and are ready to hand starting roles to DeAngelo Williams and Dwayne Jarrett.
Falling: Bucs: The Pirate Ship is sinking.
Saints 13-3 Panthers 10-6 Falcons 5-11 Buccanners 4-12
NFC West
Player to Watch: Nate Clements CB, 49ers: The hefty signing of the lock-down Clements instantly turned the Niners into contenders. It takes one side of the field out of play and increases the affect of the front 7.
Coach on the hot seat: Mike Holmgreen, Seahawks: The Walrus's job seems pretty safe, especially considering he lead them to the playoffs despite injuries to Matt Hasslebeck, Jeremy Stevens, and Shaun Alexander. It was also the first year Walter Jones was not joined by Steve Hutchinson on the left side. If the Hawks don't win 10 games, look for management to consider a replacement.
Rising: Cardinals/Niners: It's in the Cards; Matt Leinart, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Edgerrin James and JJ Arrington is a nice collection of toys. The Niners spent a boatload of cash to improve their woeful defense. Plus, I for one would love to boast an offense that included Frank Gore, Alex Smith, and Vernon Davis. Now, about the O-Line....
Falling: Rams: Marc Bulger is one of the best players in the NFL. Mark it down. However, Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, and Dante Hall aren't getting any younger. The Greatest Show on Turf should slow down a tad. La'Roi Glover is bound for a heart attack. God, he's big.
49ers 10-6 Seahawks 10-6 Rams 8-8 Cardinals 6-10
OK, now for the big boys. The AFC.
DAAA AFC EAST
Player to Watch: I think there are 2 key ones in this division. The first is Randy Moss. Did the Pats get the lazy Raider who had 3 TDs and admitted to not trying? Or did they get the Viking destined for a Canton-bound career. I think the latter. He will make them the Super Bowl winners. In addition, JP Losman is worth paying attention to. He will overtake Manning to join Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger as elite QBs from the Class of 2004.
Coach on the hot seat: Dick Jauron: The coach of the Bills certainly has the talent on defense, a solid line, and a good QB, but will he utilize them to their strengths? Last year with an even stronger team they were routinely beaten by inferior teams.
Rising: Dolphins: Trent Green, if healthy, can lead a team to the Super Bowl. It's not as if the Fish's cabinet was bare: Ronnie Brown is the league's fastest RB. Chris Chambers may be the most underrated player in the NFL, and Ted Ginn Jr. is a fine addition to a team that lacks a deep threat.
Falling: J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!: Yes, Jets fans. Falling. Pennington is a shoulder injury waiting to happen. We have yet to see what Thomas Jones can do in a full-time role, and he isn't in his early years, anyway. They have some nice young pieces, such as Jonathon Vilma, Kerry Rhodes, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, and Nick Mangold. But they won't be able to afford these young studs unless Pennington, Shaun Ellis, Laverneus Coles, and Pete Kendall re-structure their deals. Kendall already wants to be released, which is only a sign. Look for them to trade Vilma after the year is over, since they drafted David Harrison.
Patriots 15-1 Dolphins 10-9 Jets 7-9 Bills 7-9
AFC North
Player to Watch: Steve McNair QB Ravens: Maybe his last year as a starter (the Birds might snag Culpepper), McNair will want to go out with one last hurrah. I believe that McNair will guide his team to a fantastic year and put up MVP numbers.
Coach on the hot seat: Marvin Lewis: The arrests are the butt of countless jokes, and he can't let them slip any further. He has to find a way to make their offense as explosive as they should be.
Rising: Browns: The Brownies are building the right way. They drafted franchise left tackle with the 3rd pick. Last year, they added young Pro-Bowl center LeCharles Bentley and solid right tackle Ken Schaffer. A healthy Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. will make for a good offense, along with free agent pickup Jamal Lewis. Whether Brady Quinn or Charlie Frye starts, they will have the necessary tools to put points up.
Falling: Ravens: Ray Lewis is near the end of his career, as is Jonathon Ogden and Air McNair. The wide receivers are no good, and Mike Anderson should be in a nursing home, not impersonating a starting running back. Ed Reed and Chris McAllister will allow for Terrell Suggs to have a monster year as the Ravens have the last of a string of great years.
Ravens 13-3 Bengals 8-8 Steelers 7-9 Browns 4-12
AFC South
Player to watch: Vince Young and Matt Schaub: The young QBs of the Texans and Titans will look to guide their teams to the playoffs in the loaded, veteran-laden AFC. The Texans paid the price to surround Schaub with good veteran talent and outstanding draft picks. We'll see if Vince Young can once again will the Titanics to a respectable season and a near-playoff run. They'll miss the leadership of Pacman Jones, though.......not.
Coach on the hot seat: Jack Del Rio: His flashy sideline suits won't save Jack Of The River. The team still has one of the 3 best NFL defenses, but they are old. Much of the success depends on how well Mike Peterson returns from injury.
Rising: Texans: Schaub leads a group that has put together an impressive group of players. Ahman Green is still a premier running back. They also have quietly put together a fantastic, fast, aggressive defense that is young and includes Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Dunta Robinson, Amobi Okoye, DeMarcus Faggins and Anthony Weaver.
Falling: I'm tempted to say the Colts, but I can't bring myself to say it. So I'll go with the Jags. Peterson and Henderson have to bounce back from injuries. Leftwich and Garrard must settle who is the starter, if it is either of them. Daunte Culpepper could be rockin the NFL's best jersies on opening day. Fred Taylor is old, and the team lacks a true go-to receiver, as Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford are nothing but big complements.
Colts 12-4 Texans 9-7 Jaguars 9-7 Titans 6-10
AFC West
Player to Watch: Phillip Rivers: Can the sidewinder lead them to another 14-2 season or was it just a fluke? I think the Bolts can put up MVP-caliber numbers. LT is no slouch, so when they're in trouble, PR17 can just hand off or dump it to Antonio Gates. The Chargers might add a top-end WR in a trade or free agency which would make them the Super Bowl Favorite.
Coach on the Hot seat: Herman Edwards: The Chargers traded away Trent Green for essentially nothing, and it remains to be seen if they will hand the reins to unproven Brodie Croyle who rarely passed in college, or to career backup Damon Huard. Since he can't put Larry Johonson at QB, Herm will have a tough decision to make.
Rising: THA RAIDASSSS: JaMarcus Russell would be best served backing up the underrated Josh McCown. Don't look now, but Al Davis's defense was one of the best, and youngest, in the league. Nnambi Asougha is one of the league's best cornerbacks, and the front 7 played extremely well.
Falling: Kansas City: The Chiefs are headed nowhere, fast.
Chargers 11-5 Broncos 10-6 Raiders 4-12 Chiefs 2-14
LEAGUE OFFENSIVE MVP: Drew Brees, Saints Consideration: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, LaDanian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Jon Kitna
LEAGUE DEFENSIVE MVP: Shawne Merriman, Chargers Consideration: Champ Bailey, DeMarcus Ware, Vince Wilfork, Sean Taylor, Ray Lewis, Tommy Harris
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Amobi Akoye, DT, Texans
CO-OFFENSIVE ROOKIES OF THE YEAR: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings/Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
Rays? The other two have been around forever? Phillies? The other two are in the AL East?
I find it troubling that one guy could actively root for the Yankees and Rays (unless its because he views the Rays as a farm team).