NFL football is here
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by Behbigben15
The first, and second game of the preseason is going on right now (other than the hall of fame game), the Colts are at Dallas playing Tony Romo and the Cowboys, the Bengals are also playing in Detroit right now. I don't know about you guys, but this is my favorite time of the summer, when we can finally stop talking about steroids in Major League Baseball, and talk about NFL football. I would actually rather talk about the trouble Pacman Jones, Michael Vick, and the Cincinnati Bengals are getting into than steroids in baseball, or the New York Yankees. Here is my NFL 2007-2008 season preview.
Offseason headlines
- Michael Vick indicted for allegedly dogfighting- Enough has been said about this topic to make me throw-up, no comment.
- Pacman Jones suspended for the entire season- For getting in trouble with the law, he got into a fight at a bar, and shot a bouncer who was paralyzed.
- Tank Johnson suspended 8 games- For violating his probation, he was put on probation for getting in trouble with the law, he was then put on probation, which was later violated.
- Bill Walsh dies at age 75- On July 30th, 2007 former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh dies after a long battle with Leukemia.
NFL Draft
JaMarcus Russell, QB out of LSU, was picked number 1 overall by the Oakland Raiders. Brady Quinn, who was projected to be the number 3 pick by the Cleveland Browns did get drafted by the Browns, but it was with their second pick in the draft at number 22 overall.
Quinn recently signed a contract with the browns, ending his eleven day hold out, but Russell has yet to sign a contract with the Raiders, which is seriously hurting his chances of playing well in the NFL, and he is quickly losing his soon-to-be teammates respect for him.
NFL draft surprises
Ted Ginn Jr- The Dolphins were supposed to go for QB Brady Quinn, but instead went for half injured Ted Ginn Jr. A big surprise to many, but the dolphins soon after the draft ended up signing former Cheifs QB Trent Green.
Brady Quinn- He fell nineteen spots, and was expected to at least be drafted by a couple of the teams in need of a QB.
Chris Leak- This was a surprise to me, but no one else seems to think this is such a surprise, I also think that Troy Smith was a surprise that he got drafted in the fifth round, I thought for sure he would be drafted in at least the third round.
- There may be a few other draft day surprises, but these are the biggest ones.
Big questions for 2007
- Can the Colts repeat? The Colts biggest move on defense was making DE Dwight Freeney the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, which, to me isn't worth it until he can prove that he is the best DE in the game like his first four seasons. He struggled last year against most tackles, his 2006 season was probably a one time thing, though. Other than extending Freeney's contract, the Colts have not added much to their defense to help them stop the run. The colts offense will, as always, be the number one offense in the NFL. But you can't have your offense lead you, although it seems the colts offense took them all the way to a championship last year, really they didn't. The Colts D improved vastly in the '06 playoffs, the Colts shut down Larry Johnson in the wild card game last year, as well as the Ravens. The Pats game was much closer, but the Colts still managed to stop Brady, and advance to the SB, and end up running all over the Bears defense, and stuffing Chicago's QB Rex Grossman.
Answer: NO
- Can Tony Romo lead the Cowboys back to the playoffs? Tony Romo has to prove to Dallas fans that he was not a fluke in the '06 season, and he now knows the pressure that comes along with the playoffs after learning it the hard way last year against Seattle. Romo has two great wideouts to throw to (along with a great TE, and many young receivers), and has a young back to help him along the way (Julius Jones, plus back-up RB Marion Barber).
Answer: YES
- Will Vick play at all this year? Michael Vick may not ever play another game in the NFL, after allegedly being involved in dogfighting at his Virginia house. Goodell has yet to figure out what to do with him. If Vick doesn't play this year, the Falcons may be in trouble. Back-up QB Joey Harrington, who was so far a draft bust, will have to prove himself to the Falcons players, coaches, and fans. Either way the Falcons will not be in the playoffs this year.
Answer: YES, unfortunately
- Can Ben Roethlisberger bounce back from rough '06 season, and take Pittsburgh back to the playoffs? Big Ben had a very rough year last year, after missing the first few games. He was injured in a motorcycle accident on June 12th, and had to get surgery on his face, and then weeks before their season opener had to get a emergency appendectomy. Despite all of this, the Steelers finished the season 8-8.
Answer: YES
- What about McNabb? Philly QB Donovan McNabb has had two serious injuries in the past two seasons. He had a sports hernia in '05, and missed some time, and last year he tore his ACL and meniscus, he ended up missing the last six games. McNabb may not even be good to go for the '07 season.
Answer: NO
- With the additions of Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, and Adalius Thomas halp New England win yet another Super Bowl? Tom Brady won three out of four super bowls from 2001-2004 without any good receivers, now that they have signed Pro Bowl receiver Randy Moss, along with deep threats Donte' Stallworth, and Wes Welker the Pats may be the most dangerous team in the NFL. The pats also added a great all-around player in LB Adalius Thomas from the Ravens, which adds depth to their already strong linebacking corps.
Answer: YES
- Will Rex Grossman improve? QB is the Bears biggest question mark. Although the Bears reached the SB last year, Grossman did more harm than good. Rex had a horrible 73.9 QB Rating, 54.6 Completion percentage, and 20 INT's. The reason they made it so far was their number one overall defense, usually "defense wins championships" but that can't happen with a QB that bad, if he didn't have such a good defense they would probably have drafted JaMarcus Russell this year with the number one overall pick in the draft. To make matters worse, the Bears let starting RB Thomas Jones flee to New York (Jets). Now they are stuck with Cedric Benson, a RB who has yet to prove himself in the NFL, as the starter.
Answer: NO, he will have another horrific season, but will still win their weak division, and lose in the NFC championship.
2007-2008 Playoff predictions
seeds
AFC
NFC
Wild Card
AFC
Colts over Steelers
Ravens over Jets
NFC
Cardinals over Seahawks
Cowboys over Panthers
Division
AFC
Chargers over Ravens
Patriots over Colts
NFC
Saints over Cardinals
Bears over Cowboys
Conference
AFC
Patriots over Chargers
NFC
Saints over Bears
Super Bowl
Patriots over Saints
- I am sure you are saying to yourself, "most of these teams made the playoffs last year" well yeah, five out of six of the AFC playoff teams from last year will be making it again this year. And four out of six of the NFC teams that made the playoff teams last year will this year. The newcomers this year will be Pittsburgh, from the AFC, who will snag the number six seed, after having a bad year (8-8) last year, Big Ben is hungry to get back to the playoffs. From the NFC, both Carolina, and Arizona will win wild card spots. Arizona is getting better and better each year, which is pretty good for possibly the worst franchise in NFL history. There will also be some rematches from last year's playoffs, like Saints-Bears, and Colts-Pats, and Pats-Chargers,
