Pats Giants pre-season final

I attended last nights pre-season finale at Gillette stadium last night and I can safely say two things: 1) Giants fans embrace the possibilities of next year, 2) Patriots need to keep Tom Brady in a glass booth unless absolutely necessary.

It wasn't all bad for N.Y Eli Manning was reasonably sharp finding his tight end Shockey four times on their opening drive. The run game was reasonably effective with Jacobs having a pretty good average, but Giants football was lack luster, and almost completely without imagination. I don't know if this was a product this being the fourth and final pre-season game of the year and not wanting to tip their playbook too much, or if it was typical Giants football. I can say this with certainty, it took N.Y five tries from the one yard line to score a TD against second sting Patriots. The Giants also got far, far too many penalties (exhibition or not). Depth wise it doesn't look very Rosy for the G-men where back-up quarterback Jared Lorenze was anything but special. The hugely fat QB was sacked seven times, and ate two peantbutter sandwiches. Lorenzen seems to barely be able to get out of his way much less lead an offense. When Lorenzen first took the field I thought he was a guard or a tackle, and the Giants were up to some trickery. Instead of a trick play, Fat Albert simply became acquainted with the turf at Gillette stadium....over and over again.

As for the Patriots it is a bright dawn upon 07. New England, as usual, displayed great depth at every position as well as rock solid play. I am convinced that the Pats second string unit could easily have handed the starting Giants team a loss in sixty minutes of football. Particularly impressive was WR C.J Jones (#2). Jones is more than likely on the bubble with a glut of receivers in New England, but he certainly made a case for himself. Plucking errant passes out of the air, and making positive plays from nothing, Jones will surely impress the coaching staff. Knowing what type of coach Belichek is, he will have been very satisfied from the level of effort from Jones. It's all great for the Pats, I did get the feeling that behind Tom Brady....there isn't much. Matt Cassel was admirable making fair throws, but mostly just benefiting from the best schemes and coaching in the NFL. No one knows how to get receivers and backs in space like the Patriots do. Behind cassel is the sixty seven year old Vinney Testaverde. Vinney T did his best, but is clearly past prime. When I say past prime, I mean his kids are probably past their primes. So long as the Pats keep Brady VERY well protected, this is a deep and talented Patriot roster.

GILLETTE STADIUM: This is one spectacular arena!! I have been to many, many NFL venues in my day but the new Gillette stadium is truly a site to behold. A beautiful tower can be seen from far away. The tower holds a giants circular monitopr which blast red, white and blue images of the Pats and their colors running up and down this enormous cylinder. If that isn't Patriotic enough a slew of revolutionary war soldiers fire a plethora of gun blasts into air, every time the Pats score a TD. There is a Sam Adams brew house!!! Need I say more? Imagine getting a good beer at reasonable prices at a football game? That time has come my friends, it has come indeed. The refreshments are also among the best I have ever consumed at a game of any kind. I got an order of chili cheese fries which was served in an enormous, and sturdy, bowl. The fries cost $6.75 and really wasn't a bad price at all considering the quantity given, and the nice bowl which made consumption so much easier. The stadium is also very open, and convenient. although my seat was pretty high up there was restrooms, and vendors located almost directly off of the stair well. The smoking area was also so close to the seats, that I could still see the field!! It is also worth mentioning that no one immediately dropped dead of lung cancer in this huge OPEN AIR arena. Overall the Patriots home is one beautiful, and convenient venue. I would see a game there anytime.

Where are you marketing people?

Hey where are all the market ring people out there? It has been a long time since I have been able to whore myself out for some free merchandise or tickets. I hate going this long without selling my opinion, and my good name. Get with it people! I'm for sale, and I'm cheap as hell.

A little heavy lately? Not to worry faithful, not to worry indeed.

OK fans I have been a little heavy lately with my poetic side, but don't worry about that. I have emerged from my man cocoon of Booze sorrow with a new found vigor for all things manly!! I should also add that Bulleit is a spectacular bourbon, and is solely responsible for any misspelling this evening. Bring on the NFL, babes, gadgets, and maps. That's right laddies and gentlemen I am going to do my part to help a map poor America get maps. I personally believe that many US Americans cannot locate America on a map, because many Americans in our nation do not have maps. All of the map hoarding rich out there hear this! The poor in our nation such as. Will acquire maps and education from nations such as South Africa, and Iraq such as. So get ready historians, America is about to educated from Iraq, such as.

I am also attending tomorrow nights pre-season NFL game between the Patriots and the New York football Giants. So I will most certainly report to you upon the state of these teams as they prepare to enter the regular season. Depth will be the biggest issue in the last exhibition, especially since Brady and other starters will only see a few snaps. I'd be surprised if Brady wasn't enclosed in a "pope mobile" type of apparatus for the game. Few players are as valuable to their teams as Tom Brady is to the Patriots.

Corrections? I think not!!

A reader recently tried to tell me that the man picture in my umbrella piece was not Gene Kelly, but was infact Fred Astaire. I was perfectly wiling to make this correction to my hilarious article, but upon further research it turns out that I was 100% correct. Fred Astaire never apeared in the film "Singing in the rain." The actor in question is Grace Kelley the films star.

Despite this ill-fated attempt to prove me wrong I heartily encourage all of my faithful readers to attempt to point out any mis-information I could be guilty of.

Nice try smarty pants, maybe next time!

Nothing says homo like an umbrella

Look at this pitiful bastard (above). I'm sorry guys but nothing screams FAG like the use of an umbrella. If your a man, and your not in a VERY expensive suit don't do it. I implore you not to use an umbrella. "I'm so afraid of a few rain drops, thats how gay I am."---Thats what every guy you pass is thinking about a man with an umbrella. Think about it boys, if Grace Kelly looks stupid with one....you most certainly do.

Ever get jilted and regret your actions?

Have you ever really been in love with someone, and it didn't work out? You gave it your all, and fought tooth and nail for your relationship survival. It doesn't happen very often, in fact being in love is a feet far too rare in this day and age. People get used up and spit out so furiously that you don't even remember whose bra is whoso half the time. On those rare occasions that you find yourself getting separated from someone truly special to you, those times are unforgettable aren't they. Perhaps made even more special by that rarity of connection in our busy modern world of wham bam thank you mam. Have you ever acted truly foolish after being jilted by someone you loved? Have you ever cared about someone so much that you disregarded your most core need of being cool, independent, coy, and nonchalant. You acted desperate, pitiful, and....maybe felt a little disgraced afterwards. You regret your actions, your phone calls, you wish you had been cool about it. It makes you mad that you gave the other person all of the power, and let them know that you are destroyed. You feel embarrassed, dis empowered, weak, and sad.

I have recently found myself in these shoes. After a long relationship with someone I loved, I was dumped and acted like the before mentioned jack-ass. In a full blown panic, I left behind my resilient care-free attitude and sullied my good reputation with a series of terribly regrettable actions....but do I really regret them? I was mad, upset, sad, devastated, and back to the beginning again. Even though the ego in me wants to dam myself to hell for acting so weak in this time, another part of me is glad I did it. Being intimately connected to another human is something that just doen't happen enough. That range of emotion and feeling just isn't soemthing to wish away, It's how you know your truly alive! This is why it's great to be a human being, beacuse you feel and emote. You exerience life through an emotional standpoint, unlike other animals that merely seek to survive. Even though you think that you have hit your lowest possible point, you haven't. You have reached the peak of true humanity. Although, I feel stupid right now and I'm addmitidly on the dramatic side, the truth is I wouldn't change a God dam thing. You have just been in love, and most people don't get to go through that very many times if at all. The next time your breaking up with someone and it's far too easy, you will look back on your so called foolishness, and wish to hell that it was hard like that one.

Don't wish away the hard times. Don't regret your idiotic behaivor. If you get caught up in pure emotion, your one up on most of world, and living life the way it should be lived. All in!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I enjoy the summer months as much as the next guy, but when it's time for Autumn to rear it's ugly head there is much to be thankful for. Sure the dog days of summer are nearly over, and there will be no more floating in the swimming pool or rollerblading. However; there will be entertainment! It's about time for those lawn mowing Sundays to turn into every mans man fantasy, of sitting on his duffy for twelve straight hours drinking beer, and eating cheap orange cheese on tortilla chips. What I'm talking about is the return of Americas favorite obsession, the national football league. From that first Thursday night kick-off to the Superbowl a lifetimes worth of fond friends, memories, and pizza boxes. There will be emotional highs and lows, there will battles won and lost. There will graceful acrobatics, and there will devastating brutality. Many wars fought, many beers drunk, and all of these things will happen every single Sunday in the magic that is an NFL Sunday. So prepare yourselves men! Loosen up those index fingers, buy some beer and prepare to be elated by not moving a muscle, a feet that happens far too infrequently.

Enjoy boys! Our time is now.

So funny, it doesn't even need a caption

Funny Muslim pics

Funny Muslim pictures

I hope everyone remembers who's who in this picture.

Mail-bag!!!!!

It's once again time for reader E-mails, and it seems the focus is on the upcoming football season and the fantasy football world as we know it.

Jay from Albany: "I like how you focus on running backs in your Fantasy Studs column. I hate it when people talk about QB's too much. Quarterbacks are great but after the first few can't miss guys, or may well not even bother with one until late in your drafts."

Jay, couldn't agree more. There is much more significant drop in talent after the top five or six receivers and tight ends than there is for QB's. If you can't draft a Peyton Manning, or a Drew Brees than the next level has many, many players that will fill your needs at the same level. After the top crop of QB's there is Matt Hasselbeck, and arc Bulger and whole host of pretty Good QB's that will perform adequately. However; if you wait on receiver and fail to get a Steve Smith or a Chad Johnson, the next group of wide-outs are significantly less productive. Plexico Burris, and Bernard Berrian are much less like to help your fantasy team. I strongly recommend that is you get caught without a stud QB, just hold off and make sure you can get a quality WR or TE.

Pete from Mass: "How can you not mention Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson as a potential fantasy stud?

Pete, You hit the nail on the head, when you said "potential." While Adrian Peterson has a world of talent, and has looked phenomenal in pre-season, I have seen far too many rookie runners fall flat in year one. Chester Taylor will likely take a fair share of the Vikings carries, especially on gaol-line which as you know is key in fantasy. If you have a high round pick, wait on Peterson, and take a sure thing first.

Brian from Cohoes, N.Y: "What do you think of fantasy defenses? Seems like a difficult crop this year."

Brian, it is indeed a tough pickins for DST's. I would rank the top group as follows: 1-Bears (can't under-value a DST with Devin Hester) 2-Baltimore 3-New England 4-Sandiego (lots of sacks) 5-Steelers (look for Pitt to be prominent again) 6-Dallas 7-Panthers After that it's anyone guess, draft Bills or Raiders and play match-up every week.

That's all of your post-worthy commentary for now dear readers, as I have been a bit lazy with the blogging as of late. But I promise you much new content in the coming months.

Madden 08 an improvement.....in most ways

The always much anticipated release of Madden football finally came, and much to my surprise there was an apprecable increase in game-play quality. Much to my sha-grin there was absolutely to improvemnt graphically, possibly a step-backwards. Madden has much to learn from 2K sports about smooth animation, especially regarding post-play behavior.

Game-play: It seems like the franchise has taken a positive step towards realism. Although the game proudly boasts a sticker that says "#1 selling pro-football franchise," this is amusing because Madden claimed an exclusive NFL players association license, and thus has no competition. This is frustrating to me, becasue the 2K franchise was a much better football engine. At any rate, the game play has improved for Madden. It seems as though the annoying endless scads of 80 plus yard touchdown plays, have been toned down significantly. Defenses are more realistically alert, and you have an impressive amount of pre-snap adjustments you can make at the line of scrimmage to help defend against a teams strengths. Marquee players are also defined by their strengths, and have special abilities. A brick-wall defender for instance, is less-likely to have a runner break his tackle, or get away from his grasp. A smart safety can read plays from his position, and possibly figure out a passing play before the snap. These new features make MAdden a much more active football game, and make it a lot harder to go into cruise control. Offensively the game is also more intruiging, with the same types of player attribute matchups, and counter adjustments. The franchise mode is a deep and engrossing venture into NFL football. I reqally like to practice modes, and the chance to improve players attributes for the season.

Graphics: I can't say anything good about Madden 08 graphically. There is no improvement of any kind over last years Madden, and maybe even a step backwards. Players faces do not look good, coaches look horrible. Players on the sidelines look ridiculous. The players are ridgid, with far too many straight lines, and not enough smoothness. From a polished look stand-point the Madden 08 engine is nowhere near where 2K sports was before they were blocked from being able to compete. The worst part about Madden is the players between plays. After making a tackle, players jog occwardly back to the huddle. They do not adjust their pads, or walk, or gab realistically. They look like something from a football game that was out five years ago. I now know why there haven't been manny Madden commercials this year showing gameplay, because EA sports is (and should be) ashamed of the way this game looks.

Synopsis: Three stars. The feel is teriffic, you will have a great time. The looks: You will be severly underwhelmed. I beg of the NFLPA and EA sports, please give the license to 2K sports again. There is nothing like healthy competition, have the guts to be the best, by being the best, not by being the only game in town.

Stephon Marbury could be the dumbest man alive

NBA player Stephon Marbury regailed reporters today with his highly educated, intellegent view of the Michael Vick situation. Marbury said: "From what I understand about dog-fighting, it's a sport. It just happens behind closed doors." What a revelation!! Crack coccaine is also a recreational drug, it just happens to be illegal. Lets follow this string of loggic a little further shall we. Rape is just sex, except that it's non-concensual, and against the law.

Stephon went on to say that "It's terrible how we build up Vick, and then tear him down." It is tragic, when will this society stop this practice. The media did the same thing to Charles Manson, and Adolph Hitler. We just love to catch famous people commiting unspeakable atroscities against humanity, and then we pounce all over them. For the love of God! why does this country insist upon crucifying people that par-take in illegal acts of animal cruelty? So Michael Vick fough dogs, slammed a few into walls, and electrocute them. Why should we use this kind of behavior as an excuse to "tear him down."

In all seriousness, Get a fu$%ing grip Stephon!!!!!!!!!!!! You are one out of touch, highly retarded, ideodic, piece of human trash. You and your cheap sneakers can take a long walk off of a short pier. Marbury now ranks amoung the bumbest people on earth, possibly the dumbest. His comments are ceratinly the dumbest I have heard in a great long time.

JanSport "Big student pack" is awsome!!

I just received a new JanSport big student pack, and it certainly lives up to it's billing. Available in 14 different colors and patterns, the bag is more eye appealing than your run of the mill nap-sack. The Big Student is also sturdy, with particularly strong straps that will hold up to the punishment of anything you can cram into your bag. As a student I can attest there is nothing more annoying than a bag whose straps are so strained from carrying books around that it seems the straps will completely tear away from the bag itself. This will not happen with the Big student, and it would be a challenge just to fill this curiously large back-pack. The bag is designed to make excellent use of an extra zipper pouch, maximizing load capacity, while minimizing overall size. Keeping this a true back-pack, suitable for either work or play.

Don't forget to enter the Big Student Fall-break sweepstakes. A chance to win this great pack, and an all inclusive trip for four to the grand-canyon. Log onto: http://www.jansport.com/bigstudent , then click the Facebook logo and log in or sign up for Facebook and join the JanSport: Go Big group —it's that simple!



For more information on the Big student pack, please visit: http://www.jansport.com/js_tbsp_landing.php

JanSport press release

PRESS RELEASE

Enter to Win The Big Student Fall Break Sweepstakes

SAN LEANDRO , CALIF. (July 23, 2007) – Meet the Big Student: A pack designed to fit your style and all your stuff, with more colors, more patterns and more capacity. What more could your backpack ask for? The JanSport ® Big Student is available in 14 different colors and patterns as individual as you and wins technical points for its two large main compartments for versatile storage, front utility pocket with audio electronics organizer and a quick -find cell phone pocket.

JanSport is giving everyone a chance to win this pack and a much needed Fall Break trip with their Big Student Fall Break Sweepstakes . Grand prize is a trip for 4 to the Grand Canyon , including flight, lodging, entrance fees, ground transportation and meal costs. Runners up can bag a prize too with JanSport's Big Student Pack Giveaway —giving away one Big Student pack a day through September 19th.

Now, how to enter: JanSport has partnered with Facebook.com to launch their Big Student Pack. To find out more about this awesome pack and enter to win the Big Student Fall Break Sweepstakes, log onto www.jansport.com/ bigstudent , then click the Facebook logo and log in or sign up for Facebook and join the JanSport: Go Big group —it's that simple!

About JanSport

Founded in 1967 JanSport ® , a division of VF Outdoor Inc., is headquartered in San Leandro , California , and is a leading manufacturer and global marketer of backpacks, travel bags and accessories. The Company offers products for school, business, travel and all outdoor adventures. JanSport ® products are sold in a variety of retail stores throughout the world. To find additional information, log onto www.jansport.com.

About the Company
VF Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel including jeanswear, outdoor products, image apparel and sportswear. Its principal brands include Wrangler , Lee , Riders , Rustler, The North Face, Vans, Reef, Napapijri, Kipling, Nautica , John Varvatos , JanSport , Eastpak , Eagle Creek , Lee Sport , Majestic and Red Kap .

Sooooo ready for the 2007 NFL football season!!

I guess it's time for me to tell you all how things are going to shake out this year and why. Don't forget to bookmark this site, because at years end you will be amazed at how close my pre-season prediction come to the actualy outcome.

AFC East:

1)New England Patriots: Was there really any doubt? The rich get richer, as the Pats add some quality help at wide-out. Randy Moss, onte Stallworth, and Wes Welker give the Patriots more than enough fire-power to keep defenders away from the line of scrimmage and all of things they love to do with star running back Laurence Marouney. This gives the best QB in the game, Tom Brady, a lot to work with. Good news for the rest of the league, stud quarterbacks should be in grand supply as long as Brady is intent on scattering his DNA across theis vast country of ours. The question remaining is weather or not an aging defense has been ignored too much this off-season.

2) New York Jets: Don't be surprised to see the Jets give the Patriots a run for their money in the East thiss year. Pennington orchestrates a tremendous passing attack with Coles, and Cotchery. The addition of Thomas Jones at running back should add stability and a sound running game, as opposed to last years everybody try one or two running plays a quarter and see if anybody does anything good policy. Jets defense lacked adeqaute pass coverage, but a revamped secondary should improve that. Pass defense always takes time to gel, so don't expect New York to turn around too dramatically in one season, although a wild-card spot is not out of the question here.

3) Miami Dolphins: This is the difficult call, in the division. Miami and Buffalo could easily flip-flop here at 3 and 4, but for now I have to with
Miami. Adding Trent Green was a superb move, and Ronnie Brown is going to be a very good runner. If the Dolphins can pass block a little bit the also have a couple of pretty darn good receivers in Chris Chambers and Marty Booker. The only problem is they let tight-end Randy McMichael leave to St. Louis. McMichael is a very good pass-catching tight-end and Trent Green loves his tight-ends. On defense the Fish are always fairly sound, and that should improve even further under Dom Cappers direction.

4)Buffalo Bills: Letting Willis McGahee go was more than a bit puzzling, and I don't even think Buffalo got enough for him. Dick Juron isn't what I would consider an A-list coach, and by not A-list I mean he sucks. However; his players always seem to love him, so given enough talent, I'm sure he can provide some competitive football. Lossman is coming around, and has a couple of pretty fair WR's but its really up to Anthony Thomas and the running game. If the A-train can muster enough of a running game to keep the dogs oof of Lossman, the Bills will be competitive. Buffalo has a very talented young secondary, but a lack of leadership and experiance at the linebacker position will hamper the unit and intensify their growing pains, especially early in the season. Other than that...I guess there is an applebee's.

AFC NORTH

1) Pittsburgh Steelers: "Big" Ben Rothelisburger, and "Fast" Willie Parker have both cool nicknames and talent. I expect the Steeler offense to improve dramatically this season with Rothlisberger not suffering severe head trauma prior to the season. Parker is a very underrated RB, and he can used out of the backfield as well. Lets not forget about the Pittsburgh rock, Hines Ward. Steelers D won't be dominating, but they they do have enough playmakers to win a lot of football games.

2) Baltimore Ravens: Old school footbal is always in-vougue in the NFL, and few aer going to do it better than B-more this season. A punishing defense with stagerring pass rushers, and playmakes in the secondary make Ravens defense very stout. Baltimore can also pursue the run game of their glory days (day) with Willis Mcgahee at running back. McNair can still lead an offense, and make plays, but how long he can last as the starter remains to be seen. If McNair stays healthy and the Ravens can run-block and work play-action with, also oft injurred TE Todd Heap, than the Ravens will be a force to be dealt with. Also don't miss the Ray Lewis, O.J Simpson charity stabbing competition on Sept 12.

3) Cincinnati Bengals: I know, I know, I can hear you all now; "Bull crap, Carson Palmer and ocho Stinko, blah blah blah...." Let me tell you something friends. The game of football has changed in many, many ways but one thing has never changed. If you can't stop anybody, you can't beat anybody. Not only does Cincinnati have a lousy crap defense, but they haven't even attempted to adressee it, at least not in recent memory.

4) Cleveland Browns: Romeo Crenel has this franchise pointed in the right direction, I just hope they give him enough time to finish the job. Rock solid receiving core. Braylon Edwrads provides the big play, while Joe Jerivicus is the posession receiver. It still remains to be seen, wheather or not Super Dave will be a good TE or not, maybe well get the answers to that this season. In the end Cleveland has the most problems in the trenches, I still think Charlie Fry could be a very good QB if given enough protection.

AFC SOUTH

1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Old school football at it's finest. Fred Taylor and Jones Drew Maurice provide a sensational rushing attack, and Byron "Fat Albert" Leftwhich an be as effective as anyone with enough support. Defensively the Jags have a virtuaslly impenitrable run defense with Stroud and Henderson in the middle of the D-line. They also have a shut down corner, and one of the most underrated players in the game today in Rashean Mathis.

2) Indianapolis Colts: The offense is as poweful as ever, but you can't lose players on defense when you have zero depth to begin with. Look for the same-old Colts this year, to lose a lot of high scoring games.

3) Tenneesse Titans: Jeff Fisher is definately one of the most under-rated coaches in the game of football today. He consistently has the Titans competing, and playing hard late into the season despite a serious talent defeciency.The Titans have been mired in salary cap hell since their superbowl run. Even though Vince Young looks great as a young quarterback, the Titans are still a ways away from playoff contention. I just hope Fisher gets a chance to still be the coach when they turn the corner.

4) Houston Texans: I don't care who the QB is, if Houton can't protect him he won't be successful. I really feel like the Texans made a mistake with David Carr, if he hadn't been sacked two billion times he would have been very successful in Houston. As it is the Texans have far too many holes to fill, to be bringing in veteran quarterbacks.

AFC WEST

1) Sandiego Chagers: There is a lot to worry about when facing the Chargers. Tomlinson, Gates, and Rivers are as talented as any offensive tri in the game today. Chargers also benefit from a phenominal o-line and a great pass-rush. In the defensive secondary Quinten Jammer is a very underrated corner, and could be poised for a break-out year. Jammer also plays in the AFC West where there aren't a tremendous amount of good WR's to face.

2) Denevr Bronco's: Denver will push Sandiego for the top spot in the west. Javon Walker is a very good threat at wide-out, and Travis Henrey can still be a stud runner, especially in Denver where Broncos are consistently the best run blocking team in the NFL. Rookie quarterback Jay Cutler will have his share of growing pains, and in the end that will be the difference between play-offs and not. Denver always plays solid defense, do I relly have to mention Champ Baily? I didn't think so.

3) Kansas city Chiefs: It seems Larry Johnson is about reay to re-join his mates in K.C and it's a good thing because there isn't much there. An aging Chiefs offense features Tony Gonzalez, and Edddie Kennison. These players are fine, and I love Gonzo as much as the next guy buy they are most definately on the downsides of their career. You can have an offense with veterans skill players like that, but only if you are featuring a smart veteran quarterback.....like Trent Green for instance. In his absence I just don't see how this K.C offense will work at all, it's a complex scheme that works but a rookie QB is going to need better WR's than the Cheifs have. Defensively the Cheifs upgraded several positions, but they still look far too vulnerable against the run, they have a ways to go.

4)Oakland Raiders: You have to give Rex Ryan and his defense some accolades for last season. Raiders d performed exceptionally well, especially considering the fact that they were well out of contention early in the season. Oaklands run defense will sorely miss big Ted Washington in the middle, but they have a lot of young talent at linebacker. Offensivley this is another team like Houston and Cleveland that needed an up-grade on the o-line sorely. Wheathers it's culpepper, Russel, or McCown they will have a tough time throwing the football behind that swiss cheese line.

NFC EAST

1) Dallas Cowboys: This is a pick that I trust the least. Dallas certainly has a very talented young football team, without glarring weakness. However; Wade Phillips is just plain dumb. Dallas had a chance to land a good young coach, but insisted they needed a coach with experiance. What good is experiance, when it comes with a lot of getting fired and loseing big games? Dallas is picked first becasue I love Tony Romo, Owens, Jones, Glenn, and Witten. But I wouldn't be all that surprised to see the Boys get out-coached in a few key games and let Philly win this division again. Defensively Dallas should be very sound despite short comings in coverage. Phillips is good at masking that with a nice pass-rush, and he has the tols to do that here.

2) Philadelphia Eagles: With a very solid offensive line, Brian Westbrook and one of my favrite young tight ends in L.J Smith, the Eagles will be just fine. If Greg Lewis can emerge into a consistent speed threat McNabb will be a happy camper. Brian Dawkins still anchors a tough Philly defense, but this unit will show signs of wear and tear this year. Kurse and McDougle could be an imposeing pair of pass-rushers, if they are the players they were before serious injurry.

3) Washington Redskins: On paper this is a team that should challenge Dallas, but the skins always look good on paper. Santanna Moss, Clinton Portis, Chris Cooley, Brandon Lloyd, Antwaan Randel El, and a very solid group of veteran offensive lineman. The defense always plays very well under the direction of Gregg Williams. I guess the only real question is did the game pass Joe Gibbs by? If it didn't than this Redskins team is a Lion waiting the bushes.

4) New York Giants: Head coach Lame Duck has his work cut out for him with this re-building franchise. Eli Manning and the passing game will probably make manny teams nervous this year, Manning is poised to take another step forward and he the receiving help to do it. I like Rueben Droughns as a running back, but he certainly can't do all of things that Barber did for N.Y especially in the passing game. Defensively the Giants have manny problems. New York has a very good pass rush, which shows us just how bad that secondary really is. Gianst biggest problmes will be at linebacker. There isn't much in the way of talent here, and opposing teams will shove those pass-rushing ends up field and attack New York right up the gut where they don't have an answer. There are many different ways I could see the NFC East turning out by years end, but all of the scenarious have the G-men in the basement.

NFC NORTH

1) Chicago Bears: I see no reason why the Bears shouldn't once again be annointed the kings of the NFC. I think Dennis Green said it best; "You wanna crown, than cron their ass." Devestating defense, especially when a healthy Tomas Harris can cause havic in the middle of that D-line, tremendous special teams, and an offense with numerous young weapons. As long as Rex Grossman improves the Bears should have no problem mowing down the North.

2) Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings got the steal of the draft when Peterson fell into thier laps. Peterson will provide the perfect compliment to RB Chester Talyor who does the power game, and wears out defenses. A very talented young Vikings defense should Minnesota in a lot of games, but their inexperianced QB will lose some of them.

3) Detroit Lions: Tatum Bell, and a talented receiving core certainly make the Lions look like an imposeing force, but they still haven't adressed a very average o-line or a spotty defense. Look for John Kitna to have a lot of great efforts in defeat.

4) Green Bay Packers: Is it too soon to start asking about wheather or not Brett Favre will retire next year? Aside from that on going drama there isn't much in the way of good football to talk about concerning the Pack. Al Harris and A.J Hawk are good players, but they won't shine without more help from that D-line. Offensively the Packers will be looking to put all of the load of Favre, without a devent running game to turn to. Normally Favre can make plays with very little talent, but with only Donald Driver to lean on things could get tough. The Packers relly needed to find a good receiving TE this offseason to help Favre, but they faied miserably.


NFC SOUTH

1) New Orleans Saints: Tough call here, but the Saints have too much power for an underachieving Pathers defense. Brees, Bush, and Colston should be able to score enough points to keep their division rivals at bay, but this should be a hotly contested division. The Saints have plenty of holes on defense, but it shouldn't matter much in the South. They will not be a factor in the play-offs.

2) Carolina Panthers: Offensively the Panthers have enough talent to have a good year. Steve Smith must be respected, and Foster can be a very good back (when healthy). The problem for Carolina is a defense that never quite rises to expectations. Despute talent up front and good corners and safties, the Panthers never turn into that dominating force they should be. I hate to say this because I have been a hugh John Fox fan, but perhaps his unit gets out-schemed far too often.

3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Thats right folks!! I'm calling for TB to edge out the Falcons. Jeff Garcia will run Gruedens offense to perction, and he has plenty of help. The Bucs have been quietly assembling a nice little offense down there in the Bay. Joey Galloway has really shined since joiing Tampa, and Michael Clayton should emerge into a teriffic posession receiver. Alex Smith is a promising youg TE, and the O-line is slightly revamped. Even if the Buc's line isn't as patched up as it outgh to be, Garcia will help mask that defeciency with his ability to move around and scramble. Tampa will have to most problems of defense but solid leadreship at LB and in the secondary will help this unit continue to be competitive. Next season the Bucs will be the trendy break-out team.

4) Atlanta Falcons: There hasn't been much talk about Atlanta aside from Michael Vick and his propensity for mistreating four legged animals. I am not a huge Vick fan, I don't think he is a very good passer, and often hampers this team. Unfortunately the Falcons signed the only available quarterback who would not be an upgrade in the passing game. Bringing Joey Harrington aboard was not a great move for this club, they should have held onto to Schaub. The erratic Harrinton will be looking to aging WR Joe Horn who is just a shaddow of his former self. Atlanta defense loooks good on paper, but they will not overcome the offenses turnovers, and lack of time of posession.

NFC WEST

1) Seattle Seahawks: This is a rock solid football team, and the only club will legitimately challenge Chicago for the NFC title. A healthy Matt Hasselbeck armed with a tremendous power run game, and a more acclimated Deion Branch will be a force to be dealt with. Seattle defense is un-spectacular but solid, and that all it will take to be a force in the NFC. Rocky Bernard, and Patrick Kerney will help a nice front four, while Marcus Traufant provides the good man coverage. Hawks linebackers aren't the most talented in the league, but they play smart. Seattle rarely gives up the big play.

2) St. Louis Rams: I love what the St. Louis Rams are doing. A pwer run game powered b mac truck Steven Jackson, accompanied by the most under-appreciated QB in the NFL. Marc Bulger is a tremendous passer, he never quite gets his due, but should. The receivers are aging a shade in Tory Holt, and Sir Issac Bruce but with a veteran signal caller, they will beable to best most opponents. I also really like the addition of tight end Randy McMichael. The Rams also boast a defense that could really break out in 07. Leonard Little, and Le'roi Glover should provide a substantial pass rush up-front, and a talented linebacking core should continue to progress. The real problem here is in the secondary where there really aren't any good corners, but Chavious should help at safety.

3) San Francisco 49er's: I know this is the trendy pick to be the new team, I still see the 49er's as a year or two away from serious play-off contention. I certainly see the potential for a threatening offense with Gore, Davis, and Jackson, but Alex Smith will have a difficult year two with mounting pressure for success. The 49er's defense is without recognizeable names, accept for the over-achieving CB Walt Harris. This is a franchise headed in the right direction, but they still need help.

4) Arizona Cardinals: Exactly who I thought they were. They suck.

Movies you should rent

I recently had an opportunity to watch Idiocracy, a little known movie that didn't even make it to the big screen. Written and produced by Mike Judge, Idiocracy offers some of the funniest moments in recent movie memory. Luke Wilson stars as Joe Baurs, an army man who is chosen for a special military experiment. Baurs is frozen and wakes up 500 years into the future. Joe quickly discovers than man-kind has grown progressively dumber, and that he is now the smartest man alive. Humans have been reduced to crude physical comedy, and sexual impulses. you can imagine how the jokes unfold, and there is a heavy supply of very, very funny moments. If you haven't had an opportunity to see this movie, you owe it to yourself to try it. Idiocracy is hilarious!

Also well worth watching is the thriller "Breach" Breach is abut the greatest security threat in the history of the United States. It is based an actual events, and is a taught thriller, filled with thought provoking events, and impeccable acting. Chris Cooper is positively brilliant in this film.

2007 Fantasy football studs! Who the hell are they?

What an odd year it is going to be for fantasy football players. Unlike the last several years, there really isn't a clear-cut top group of running backs to covet going into your draft. Sure, Tomlinson, is certainly numero uno, but after that it gets fuzzy. Larry Johnson is surrounded in contract turmoil making him virtually untouchable (too-eaely in a draft)So who rounds out your top ten? I'm not sure, but I do have some suggestions:

1)Steven Jackson: Jackson was a work-horse for the Rams last year, and there is no reason why he wont be that guy again. Jacksons explosive style of power running also makes him a great candidate to get the rock in the red zone.

2) Thomas Jones: Don't let Jones slip too far in your draft. The Jets boast an awsome passing game with Pennington, Jerricho, and Coles, making it very hard for teams to stack the line of scrimmage. Jones had great seasons with Chicago when opposing defenses never worried about the threat of the pass. He's a great slashing runner, get T.J if you can.

3)Jones Drew Maurice: The Jaguars have found something special in Jones Drew "the human pin-ball" Watching this guy bounce off of defender after defender after defender...it's like watching someone play a Madden video game. Maurice could be the next Earl Cambell, I have rarely seen that type of tackle breaking ability.

4) Willis Mcgahee: Mcgahee on the Ravens is a scary proposition. Willis is definatekly a talented running back, and Baltimore is typically an excellent run-blocking team.

5) "Fast" Willie Parker: Parker had a great fantasy season year with the Steelers, even in a down season, and I see no reason why he wont do even better this year. Parker has the ability to go the distanc on any given carry, and he gets a lot of action in the passing game as well.

6) Naturally Laurence Maroney, Clinton Portis,Reggie Bush and Ruddy Johnson are still top candidates.

7) Also, closely monitor the RB sittuatiion for the Bronco's and the Giants. Both teams starters should be well worth a roster spot, especially Denver who routinely churns out great fantasy Running backs.