sportsfanatic

Brett Favre has decided to hang his cleats up again. Well, at least for the time being. One has to consider that as the season gets closer, that fact may very well change. However, with his retirement being announced, does it mean that the New York Jets are a better team?

Frankly, in my opinion, I have to say “NO”. The reason being is simple when you think about it. First off, you have to consider that the team is now without a quarterback. Secondly, they are without a headcoach. Or maybe I should just state that they lost both of them at the end of the season. Now, both have to be replaced.

Since the end of the season, the Dallas Cowboys have been in the news more than owner Jerry Jones would like. Issues that have popped up stem from players being late to meetings to players not taking practice seriously. The biggest issue with this is that two prominent stars, Tony Romo and Terrell Owens, head the list.

The issues with Tony Romo seemed to be affecting the offensive staff. The fact that the offensive squad is upset with Jason Garrett and the fact that he lacks control over Tony Romo is the main issue at this point. From the looks of it, he lacks control over the entire offense. Maybe it would be better if they brought in a coach that could actually control his staff.

As for the issue of tardiness, Terrell Owens seems to be the habitual violator. Even though the Cowboys have a fine system in place, the $100 fine just seems to not get the point across. It seems that Wade Phillips has requested that Jerry Jones change the fine policy, but that seems to fall on deaf ears. In my opinion, maybe Jerry needs to quit coddling these players and put his foot down.

Now, in an effort to make some changes to the team, Jerry has expressed some interest in Ray Lewis. The Cowboys feel that Ray would bring the leadership to the locker room that the Cowboys seem to be missing. Personally, I think that Ray can do it some of the way, but if this team is going to make a change, it has to start at the top and work its way down.

Well, I have to say that I never imagined that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals would be getting ready to face off on February 1st in Tampa, Florida. With that said, that is exactly what has happened as the weekend saw the Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles and the Steelers got past the Ravens.

One thing is for sure in this Super Bowl. We do not have to look for a repeat. I am kind of happy to see the Steelers get a shot now that Cohwer is gone. As for the Cardinals, I do not think that anyone other than their fans would actually say that they picked the Cardinals to go to the Big Game.

So, with that said, it is time to pick your sides and get your party in order. February 1st is just around the corner.

After seven very productive years at the helm, Tony Dungy has called it quits. I have to say though, I liked the way he did it. There was not much hoopla about it and the team was not focused on it. With that said, if you know anything about the man, that is the way he coached; nothing focuses on him.

I am glad to see that Tony got a ring before he left the game that he loved. I was said to see him leave Tampa Bay and the very next year they win the big game. That will always be Tony’s win to me. All in all, I have enjoyed watching this GIANT walk among men. His demeanor is what has led his team and I am sure that he will be greatly missed by the Colts Nation.

Tony, have a great life and thanks for the Memories.

Well, I know that you have heard a lot of people chiming in on this subject and now it is my turn to jump in. So, let’s start out by looking at the 3 top teams that are going to pick.

1 Detroit Lions - The worst of all teams in the NFL. They tried to make something happen by bringing in Dante’ Culpepper and that flopped.

2. St Louis Rams - This team has a great running back, but they lack a supporting cast. Typically, I would say replace the quarterback, but these guys need an offensive line that can block.

3. Kansas City Chiefs - Once again, a team that has a great running back but has the lack of a supporting cast. Tyler is an OK quarterback and he might be better if you get him a supporting cast, but I really think that the Chiefs will go after a quarterback that can win games.

Now, with this being the case for the top 3 teams, then I have to say that the top selection will be a quarterback. The question is going to be, will it be Matt Stafford that has declared eligibity for the draft or San Braddford who is uncertain of what he is going to do. I have to tell you, if I can go 1 through 3 in the NFL Draft, I think I am jumping in. So, with that out there, my pick for the #1 Draft choice in 2009 will be Matt Stafford.

Today, Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno announced that neither of them would be returning to the University of Georgia football team in 2009. Instead, they are entering the 2009 NFL Draft and foregoing the remained of their college eligibility. In my opinion, it is a smart move on both their parts.

For Stafford, he will more than likely going in the top 3 or 4 picks in the first round due to the lack of quality quarterbacks in the NFL. With an arm like his, he can do many of the NFL teams good. As for Moreno, running backs can only take some many hits over a lifetime. He has already proven that he is one of the best at his position, so he really has nothing to prove at the college level. His time is now and it is in the NFL.

With the first of the wild card games behind us and my head hung in shame, it is time to move on to Sunday’s games. I can only hope to more precise in picking winners than I was the time before. With that said, let’s move forward.

The first of Sunday’s games will take us south to Miami Gardens where last year’s NFL punching bag turned this years AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins embark on their quest to achieve a Super Bowl Ring. The first opponent that stands in their way is none other than the Baltimore Ravens. Both of these teams sport rookie head coaches and the Ravens match the Falcons by having a rookie starting quarterback.

One of the first things that you have to look at is not too many people put these teams into the playoffs prior to the start of the season, including yours truly. I really did not give either of these teams a chance. In defense of my prediction of the Miami Dolphins, I rated them prior to having Chad Pennington. So, now, let’s reel it back in and focus on today’s game.

The Miami Dolphins have to pull out every trick play in the book and this time, Ricky Williams has to hold onto the ball. The Dolphins will go with their 2 headed monster attack at running back and Baltimore has to stop it. If the Dolphins can run, it will open up their passing game and Pennington will rip them apart. In their earlier meeting, Chad passed for 295 yards, but the running game was basically non-existent. If the Ravens can repeat that feat today, they will win.

With that said, I am predicting that the Dolphins will win today.

As for the evening game, I am surprised that these 2 teams are not ready to puke. Their season has to be reminiscent of a roller coaster ride. Personally, I do not think that either team really belongs, but it is not my call. Both teams have the type of offense that I would not want to have to depend on each and every week and they sport a defense to match. Personally, I think for a team to win this game, they have to be less sloppy than their opponent.

If I had to pick a winner, I think that the Philadelphia Eagles can not be beat by the Minnesota Vikings.

The NFL playoffs get under way this weekend. The first set of games will start at 4 PM ET with the second game being at 8 PM ET. These are the first of the Wild Card round and I think that these games can be very instrumental in how the Super Bowl is determined. Personally I think that the Colts will win their game and move forward as with the Falcons. But, I still want to go over what I think is key for this to happen. So, let’s take a dive into this, shall we.

In the first game of the day, the Atlanta Falcons flies west to confront the Cardinals of Arizona. This will be a rematch of week 17. The Falcons won that game 31 to 27 and I think that they will accomplish this fact again. With that said, I think that they score will reflect a much different game. I think that the Falcons have to shut down the run of Steven Jackson and shut down Tory Holt. If they can manage those two things on defense, then I believe that they can win. On the offensive side of the ball, the Falcons need to complete more than 10 passes. Having a completion percentage below 50% just right out sucks and if Matt Ryan is going to lead Mike Smith’s team, then he needs to figure out how to get the ball to Michael Jenkins and Roddy White more often. The final score will favor the Falcons 35-24.

In the nightcap, we will see the Colts of Indianapolis travel west to face the San Diego Chargers. These are the Chargers that up ended the Colts in last years playoffs and sent them home early. However, this is a new year and a new team. Peyton Manning will have all of his weapons and if the line can hold long enough, he will dissect them like insects. Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Anthony Gonzalez will get the linebackers and secondary of the Chargers on their heels all day long. Then, factor in the tandem of Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes, and you can understand why Peyton loves Indianapolis. On the defensive side of the ball, the Colts have to make sure that Phillip Rivers can not kill them with his arm. If they can keep the ball in front of them, then they can keep Rivers off his game. The defensive line has to figure out a way to penetrate the offensive line and get to Rivers quickly and often. One of the things that has been his biggest downfall is his attitude. When he gets fluster or right down mad, he becomes ineffective. In my prediction, this game will end with the Colts coming out on top 44-33.

For all of you that are pro football fans, this weekend starts the NFL playoffs. This year there are some new teams in the field. One of the biggest surprises might be that of the Miami Dolphins. I wrote an article today on my other sports site that you might find very interesting on them. Click here to read that.

As I have already stated, I would love to see a Manning versus Manning Super Bowl. But, there are several good teams in the way of that happening. Miami is one of those teams. The Tennessee Titans also have a very good team, but I am not sure that Kerry Collins can take them to the promise land. The AFC that scares me the most has to be the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On the NFC side, I am most concerned with the Carolina Panthers, but you can not count out the Atlanta Falcons. I truly and excited about this post season and hope that it turns out some great games and limits the blow outs.

I love this time of the year. The NFL playoffs get underway this weekend with a full swing of games on Saturday and Sunday. I cannot wait to sit down with a beer in front of my 42″ Plasma and watch them abuse each other. My hopes is that when all the smoke clears, that it is the Mannings facing each  other for the coin toss. I truly think that it would be one of the best games.

With that said, the Colts have a long way to go this year. They get San Diego at home but then hit the road to Nashville if they win. Personally I think that they can and will beat both teams. What concerns me is the Pittsburgh Steelers. As for the Giants, they are in the drivers seat and can play every game at home in the frigid cold.

The table is set and the time is drawing close. Who will you be picking to go to the dance?