Christmas come early!
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by COlson33
Courtesy of Court's Sports :
Today is the day…
The day that men all across America have been waiting a year for…
Football…
Season…
Is…
HERE!
At 7:30 pm Central Standard time, The Colts and Saints will kick off the 2007-08 NFL season from the hidden gem of the Upper East-Midwest, also known as Indianapolis, IN.
Some interesting storylines surround this game:
1. Can Peyton Manning repeat his past seasons of QB dominance? As well as, Can the Colts repeat as Super Bowl champs or will they fall prey to the dismal seasons the Buccaneers and Ravens had after they won Super Bowls?
2. Will Reggie Bush repeat his 1,300 all purpose yardage again for the Saints this year?
3. Can Joe Addai be the feature back that everyone thinks he can be?
4. Can Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Devery Henderson have a season like they did last year?
My answers to all of these questions?
1. Peyton Manning is about as consistent as the sun rising and setting. He not only will have a great year, but he will also be the AFC Offensive player of the year barely beating out LaDanian Tomlinson. The Colts will also be the team to beat in the AFC. Even though Tom Brady got some huge help this offseason, the Colts are still the team to beat. Plus, compare the three teams involved in that question. Colts, Bucs and Ravens? Come on, when was the last time you heard Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer and Peyton Manning in the same sentence when it didn’t end with, “Are you kidding?” 2. Not only will Reggie Bush repeat his season numbers from last year, he’ll do better. I imagine Reggie getting near 1,000 yards rushing and 700 receiving. He will be HUGE this year for the Saints. He is my early leader for NFC Offensive player of the year. If that doesn’t sell it for you, remember this : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwS5x920i8A
3. Joseph Addai will be good for the Colts this year. One of the most ridiculous things that I ever heard this offseason was, “Hey, the Colts are going to be a running team this year, you watch!” There are a lot of reasons why that is stupid but the main reason is that if anyone remembers that the Colts have one of the best QB’s since…well…ever, WHY WOULD THEY TURN INTO A RUNNING TEAM?! Addai is simply a nice distraction for any defense that faces the Colts. Look for 1,100 yards maybe.
4. Drew Brees and Marques Colston will have great years. When you have a running game that includes Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, you can’t help but think, “hey, my job is pretty easy” (Brees and Colston speaking). Devery Henderson was very streaky last year and I wouldn’t expect much from him this year.
Like the “experts” at ESPN and every other media outlet around the world, here are my “expert” picks.
NFC North : Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers
NFC South : Saints, Panthers, Falcons and Bucs. (Falcons and Panthers in second place is a wash in my mind)
NFC East : Giants, Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins (you watch, Eli will come up big this year. If not, well then so be it.)
NFC West : Rams, Seahawks, 49ers and Cardinals (this, for the first time since the Korean War, was incredibly tough. The Rams and Seahawks are very similar in their styles and skill and so are the 49ers and Cards. I can see this going any which way. Now that Denny Green is gone, the Cards have an honest shot at winning more than 6 games.
AFC North : Bengals, Steelers, Ravens, Browns.
AFC South : Colts, Jags, Texans, Titans (this is the “Mid-90’s NL East” of the NFL. One dominant team surrounded by other teams that just fight each other to not look that bad)
AFC East : Patriots, Bills, Dolphins, Jets
AFC West : Chargers, Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders
Superbowl prediction : Bears vs. Colts (Yes, again. I see this turning into the new “Cowboys/Steelers” superbowls of the 90’s. )
A disclaimer on predictions like this should ALWAYS go on websites that put up their predictions. The only thing that separates me from Sean Salisbury right now is a college education and a steady job (your pick on that one). So please, as always, leave your comments on what you think of my predictions and enjoy the game tonight!
For more Minnesota Sports and general musings, visit : www.courtssports.blogspot.com
