Some NFL Predictions

I figured I would throw out some predictions for this upcoming football season.  Why not?  The "experts" have a similar batting average as I do.

-The New York Giants, despite all of the tumult this offseason and the injuries this preseason will make the playoffs.

-Mike Vick will throw 14 or more INT's this year.  He also won't play in all 16 Eagles games.

-The returns of kickoffs will drastically go down.  Currently kicks are being run back from the halfway point of the endzone.  Much of this can be attributed to guys trying to make NFL rosters and the only way they can do that is if they return the kicks for big yardage.  Expect more touchbacks once the season starts.  Currently, this preseason has seen 37% of kickoffs end up as touchbacks, up from 10% last year.  That rate will only increase, probably somewhere close to 50% once the regular season starts.

-The Eagles will win the NFC East but won't get very far in the playoffs and certainly won't win the Super Bowl.

-The Raiders will not continue to improve and instead will regress this year.  An 8-8 record is not gonna happen.  4-12 maybe, not 8-8 or 7-9.

-The Lions will make the playoffs IF Matthew Stafford stays healthy.  Since he probably won't the Lions will once again miss the playoffs.  But they are on the rise.

-Plaxico Burress will have more TD catches than Santonio Holmes.

-Eli Manning will throw less than 20 INT's this year.  Hakeem Nicks will be a Pro Bowl WR and Mario Manningham will have over 1,000 yards receiving.  And, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will each have 1,000 yards rushing.

-The Chicago Bears will not make the playoffs.

-The Green Bay Packers will not repeat as Super Bowl Champions but will win the North handily.

-Colt McCoy will show people he can be a QB in this league and will have better numbers than Joe Flacco.

-The Dallas Cowboys will finish the year 8-8.

-The Cleveland Browns will make the playoffs.  Their toughest games are against division opponents (except the Bengals) and if the Browns can go .500 in their division they could sneak into a Wild Card spot.

-The Denver Broncos will improve, by 2 games on last years 4-12 record and finish ahead of Oakland.

-The San Diego Chargers will win the AFC West.

-Nobody will care who wins the NFC West.

-The NFC South will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

-The Redskins will win less than 5 games.

-Ray Rice will lead the league in rushing.

-Larry Fitzgerald will lead the league in receptions.

-There won't be any arrests of New York Jets players during the regular season.

-Kansas City will go 8-0 at home.

-The loss of Terrell Thomas will hurt the Giants but it won't kill them.  Prince Amukamara, Aaron Ross, and Corey Webster will be able to fill the void well enough making this unit a huge strength going into 2012.

-Jason Pierre-Paul will have 13 sacks.  Justin Tuck will have 12. And Osi Umenyiora will rack up 10 as the Giants lead the NFL in sacks.


Well, that's all for now.  Got your own predictions?  Click on the comments link and share 'em.

So Long, Kerry!

Kerry Collins announced his retirement today after 16 up and down years in the NFL. Collins had a rocky start to his NFL career after being selected by the Carolina Panthers #5 overall in the 1995 Draft. He never lived up to the hype in Carolina, throwing 49 INT's to 39 TD's while completing only 52.6% of his passes. During the 1998 season Collins was released by the Panthers after telling coach Dom Capers his heart wasn't in it anymore after starting the season 0-4. The Saints picked him up just before the police did for drunk driving. It seemed as if Collins would be nothing but another first round flameout.

The rumors about his alcohol problem had already begun making the rounds. He made national headlines in 1997 after it became public that he had called Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammed a racially derogatory term that begins with the letter "N" and supposedly also used similar language with Norberto Garrido, an offensive lineman of Hispanic heritage. Following the 1998 season he was not re-signed by the Saints. However, the New York Giants took a flyer on him and signed him in February of 1999.

New York isn't exactly the best place to try to resurrect a career that has been tainted by alcohol and racial bigotry (see: Rocker, John), even if it was inadvertent and an isolated incident. However, Collins would begin to live up to the promise he had showed in college and in 1996 when he made the Pro Bowl. This is when I began to take a true interest in Collins since I was a Giants fan.

The Giants had been looking for a quarterback since Phil Simms retired. The position was a revolving door of mediocrity with Kent Graham, Dave Brown, and Danny Kanell. That is until Kerry Collins showed up. His Giants career got off to a slow start, going 2-5 in 1999 but he completed 57.4% of his passes and began to get his life under control. The next year he led the Giants to a 12-4 record and steamrolled the Minnesota Vikings 41-0 in the NFC Championship game, throwing for 381 yards and 5 TD's. Collins had brought the Giants back to the Super Bowl. His Super Bowl performance was less than memorable but to me it didn't matter. I was 10 years-old the last time the Giants had made it to the Super Bowl. Now, at 19, I was seeing my favorite team back in the Big Game and able to appreciate it more. The loss hurt but the Giants finally had a QB. The 2001 season began with high hopes for the Giants. They were coming off their Super Bowl run and, at least to me, there was nowhere to go but up.

Even though the 2001 season was disappointing one for the Giants as they finished 7-9 but the future still looked bright. Collins had brought some stability to the QB position and had a young Amani Toomer to throw to and Tiki Barber running the ball. In 2002, Collins would become the first Giants QB since Phil Simms in 1984 to throw for more than 4,000 yards with 4,073 yards and led the Giants to a 10-6 mark and another playoff berth. Sadly, the Giants spit the bit in that game against San Francisco, blowing what looked like an easy win, as Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens made it look like the Giants didn't put anyone on defense. Still, Collins had a strong game, throwing for 342 yards and 4 TD's. However, the future didn't look as bright. The team just never recovered from that loss and went 4-9 in the 13 games Collins played in in 2003, his last season as a Giant.

After the 2003 season the Giants fired Jim Fassell, hired Tom Coughlin, signed Kurt Warner and traded for 2004 #1 pick Eli Manning. Collins was released and went on to sign with the Oakland Raiders where he put up decent numbers in the two years he played there despite playing on one of the worst teams in the NFL. Then, in 2006, Collins signed with the Tennessee Titans and made another Pro Bowl, his second, in 2008. He became the emergency guy, someone Titans coach could look to to step in when Vince Young struggled or went off the deep end. Collins never complained, he just did his job.

In 2008, Collins became just the 15th quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 35,000 yards. In 1998 nobody would have guessed Collins' career would take such an upward surge. While Kerry Collins will never go into the annals as one of the best quarterbacks of all-time he will be remembered by me for what he did as a Giant. I'll also remember him for teaching me a lesson in that no matter how low you go you can always get back to the top, always reverse bad fortune with some hard work. I still own my #5 Kerry Collins Giants jersey and have no intention of giving it up. The NFL might not have lost a legend but it did lose a class act and a true role model. Good luck, Kerry and thanks for the memories!

Grading the Giants Draft

Round 1, Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska.

Who knew that when the Giants were on the clock that Prince Amukamara would be staring them in the face. Many people expected the Giants to select Nate Solder, Gabe Carimi, or Anthony Costanzo. But when someone sends you a gift, you take it and that is exactly what the Giants did when Prince was sitting there. Amukamara has the potential to become a shut down corner in the NFL. He was considered the best cover corner in the draft and with Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, and Terrell Thomas in front of him he won't be asked to carry the load right away. Instead, he turns a unit that got burned too many times on deep plays last season into a potential strength. Jerry Reese will always take the best player available and he certainly was at the time. Grade: A+

Round 2, Marvin Austin, DT, UNC.

Austin could have been a first round pick but he missed 2010 due to being dismissed from the team for improper dealings with an agent. He has some serious makeup work to do in the maturity department but there are some solid citizens in the locker room that can lead Austin on the right path. He lacks consistency because his work ethic isn't the best but is explosive when he gets going. With the defensive line the Giants have he won't be asked to do too much right away and should be able to step into a rotation if he can grasp the defensive scheme of Perry Fewell. If he gets his head out of his posterior he can become a force for the Giants in time. Grade: A-

Round 3, Jerrel Jernigan, WR, Troy.

Many people scratched their heads when the Giants picked Jernigan. However, with Steve Smith coming off of micro-fracture surgery his return and effectiveness are questionable. Jernigan can also add a new dimension to the Giants offense as he can run out of the backfield and also throw the ball. Perhaps a wildcat offense is not out of the question at times. What's more, Jernigan can flat out run. He is also an excellent special teams player, something the Giants need, especially in the return game. He can either be Santana or Sinorice Moss. The Giants might have gotten a steal here. Grade: B+

Round 4, James Brewer, OT, Indiana.

The first thing that comes to mind when you see this guy is "wow!" He is huge. 6'7" and 325 lbs. The second thing that comes to mind is "raw." The Giants needed offensive line help in this draft and waited until the fourth round to address it. Brewer needs a lot of work before he steps into a starting job, but with Shaun O'Hara (if healthy), Chris Snee, Rish Seubert, Kareem McKenzie, David Diehl, and Will Beatty, the Giants have a decent offensive line....when healthy. If the Giants bring back Shawn Andrews then the depth increases but so does the health concerns. Brewer will need to work extremely hard to become a consistent member of the rotation. As he learns he should begin to see more and more playing time. He will need to adapt to the next level, something that many scouts question. His size is a plus as he can compensate with pure size what he lacks in talent. I don't know if he will be a starter in this league but with work can become a solid back-up. Grade: C

Round 6, Greg Jones, LB, Michigan State.

Jones is one of those guys that produces on the field despite being the ideal type of linebacker. He has the speed to make up for his mistakes but has the instincts to make sure he doesn't make too many of those. Jones also never missed a game due to injury. His only real weakness is his lack of strength, something that can be corrected with work in the weight room. He needs to show he can shed the blocker, violently if needed, and bring the ball carrier to the ground. He has the smarts and football instincts to lead a defense. Two-time All-American in 2009 and 2010. For a sixth round pick, Jones is a great value. Grade: A

Round 6, Tyler Sash, S, Iowa.

This guy will run through a wall for his coaches. He's one of those hard-working, high production players that seems to play above his athletic level. I don't know if that will translate into a starting job down the road but Sash will bust it out on special teams, making that tackle no matter what is put in front of him. He could work his way into a rotation in the secondary but right now he will be a Steve Tasker-type gunner. One plus, he has a nose for the ball. He uses great football instincts and knowledge to position himself in the right place to make the pick, something the Giants need...badly. Grade: B-

Round 6, Jacquian Williams, LB, South Florida.

Williams is a JuCo transfer and only played two years at South Florida...like Jason Pierre-Paul, last season's first round pick. Technically, he only has one full year of football under his belt so he is raw. He also played at 220 lbs. last season so he is going to need to bulk up on his 6'3" frame. However, he recently weighed in at 235 so he has been working on it. The key to Williams' game is speed. He uses his speed to fly all over the field and can range from sideline to sideline. He will be a project but the potential is there to turn into something special. When you have 3 sixth round picks, you might as well take a project. Grade: C (I'm thinking this will turn into an A+...call it a hunch).

Round 7, Da'Rel Scott, RB, Maryland.

Not exactly the best back in the draft but he is one of the fastest. He averaged 5.58 YPC while at Maryland and, if he grasps the offense, can develop into a good third down back. He can make the catch out of the backfield and use his speed to turn it on. He could also help out on special teams as he learns the offense. Grade: B-.

Some Free Throws from Around Sports

I hope you all are getting ready for a run filled sports night. We have the Yankees taking on the White Sox in the final game of a four game series. We have the Mets taking on the Nationals. We have the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. For a link to my mock draft click here. And for a look back at the best and bust picks of each team since 1980 click here. Here are some fun things from around sports today:

- A Dutch football (soccer to us) team, the VVV-Venlo signed a one-year old to a contract. Check out the kid in action here. Of course its a publicity stunt but it makes me wonder what is next.

-Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel is in some hot water with the NCAA and it came out today that some of his player were trading items in exchange for tattoos and the like. Perhaps its time Jim Tressel actually gets punished and takes responsibility for running a seriously unethical football program.

-Bartolo Colon turned back the clock last night and went 8 innings, allowing 1 run and striking out 6. He was able to get out of a bases loaded jam with nobody out without giving up a run. He looks poised and focused out there. Maybe he is just relaxed knowing he doesn't have to face A-Rod anymore.

-I have a feeling that there will be the customary run on quarterbacks in the first round. I don't see any single QB being worth a first rounder but there will be teams going out there and wasting picks. Then, they will rush these young kids into starting roles and boom, they will be done. What a shame.

- If some offensive linemen start to go early I can see a run on them as well. There is a lot of defense in this draft and only 2 wide receivers worthy of first round consideration and there is a shyness from selecting running backs in the first round so if one o-lineman goes it might cause a domino effect.

-The player that makes the most sense for the Giants to draft is Anthony Costanzo. He can slide into a starting job and move David Diehl inside to guard which would also save the Giants $1.3 million in incentives which is due Diehl if he remains a starting tackle.

-Rex Ryan has managed to put his foot in his mouth again (pun possibly intended here) by smack talking the Giants in his new book. He calls the Jets a "better team" and a "big brother" to the Giants. OK, so the past two seasons the Jets have been the better team but a "big brother?" Hey Rex, you haven't won a Super Bowl with the Jets. The Giants have won 3 and been to four since the Jets last went to a Super Bowl. The Jets played in Giants Stadium until last year. The Giants are one of the oldest franchises in the NFL. The Jets a "big brother?" Check your facts Rex. And wait until you win a Super Bowl before you write a damn book, fool.

Well folks, I kept it short and sweet tonight. Enjoy the draft, baseball, or basketball playoffs, or hockey playoffs.

2008, The Year the Giants Legs Gave Out

You knew it was going to be a tough year once Osi Umenyiora went down for the year with a leg injury.  However, the Giants got off to the best start in team history, going 11-1.  Then Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg and took the offenses legs out from under offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.  At first it looked like Domenik Hixon might be able to fill in for Burress but the team sorely missed Burress's ability to block and make the big catch over the heads of opposing corners.  The Giants limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 4 games but they won the important matchup against the Carolina Panthers for the #1 seed in the NFC.  However, in the topsy turvy world of the NFL that wouldn't matter.

Enter the Philadelphia Eagles, one of the league's hottest teams entering the playoffs squeaking into the postseason on the last day of the season.  The Eagles plain old beat up the Giants in a physical matchup that featured Eli Manning making several mistakes and poor throws.  Nothing seemed to go the Giants way, not even the opening kickoff that should have gone for a touchdown except kicker David Akers threw his body into Ahmad Bradshaw.  The Giants just couldn't make the big play, the thing Plax excelled at.  Had Plaxico been on the field the Giants win this game.  

Now comes the major question for the Giants this offseason, what to do with Plaxico.  Do they cut him?  Do they keep him and hope he comes back as the player he was?  If they get rid of him whom do they sign or trade for?

Topping the free agent class is T.J. Houshmandzadeh, a target of the Giants the last time he was a free agent which was the same year the Giants signed Plax.  Could Plax be replaced by T.J.?  the Bengals might be making Mr. Houshmandzadeh their #1 WR next year if they trade Chad Johnson.  However, they must trade Chad Johnson, aka Ocho Cinco, first.  could Chad end up on the Giants?  Not likely after seeing Plax implode on the New York scene.  What could be expected from Chad Johnson in the media capitol of the world?  I shudder at the thought.  

Devery Henderson of the Saints might be a viable option if Houshmandzadeh isn't available.  Henderson has put up decent numbers with the Saints but has not been a number one guy.  I don't think the Giants, still a Super Bowl caliber team, will entrust their aerial attack to an unknown.  There is always Terrell Owens.  Well, while he might be available I would boycott the Giants if they made a move for a 35 year old baby.  

There will be cap casualties that make themselves known later on.  However, right now the field looks pretty slim.  It is obvious that Eli Manning needs Plaxico.  Maybe the Giants bring him back, allow Derrick Ward to sign elsewhere as a free agent since he is going to command a little more money than the Giants would want to give to a #2 running back, 1,000 yards or not.  Ahmad Bradshaw is ready for an increased role in the offense if Ward doesn't come back.  There is also Danny Ware to consider.  Ware has been in the back waiting for his turn.  

Next year there will be an increased role for Mario Manningham, the Giants second round pick in the last draft.  Manningham has talent and has now spent a year learning the offense.  Look for Amani Toomer, the Giants all-time leading receiver to either retire or to be re-signed at a discounted price.  Toomer's age definitely showed this past season as he had a hard time getting open many days.  Toomer will go down in Giants record books and if he does sign with another team he will forever remain a Giant.  It's too bad he didn't get a chance to defend the Super Bowl title.  

No matter what the Giants do in the offseason they will be getting Osi Umenyiora back which is like signing an all-pro defensive end.  Osi's return will make whomever is the defensive coordinator's job a little easier.  Adding Osi opposite Tuck and rotating Dave Tollefson and Mathias Kiwanuka to keep them fresh will add up the sacks again for a defensive unit that is among the league's best.  

The 2008 season is not the closing curtain on this franchise, just a setback.  This team is still young, among the youngest in the league, and has playoff hardened veterans who are going to come back next year hungry to show they are still Super Bowl caliber.  There is plenty of talent already declaring for the draft which is shaping up to be one of the deepest in years.  The Giants will have an excellent shot at getting difference makers.  While 2008 is a disappointing year because of the expectations placed upon the Giants, it will not go down in vain.  Next year I expect Tom Coughlin to have his team back in the hunt.  There is plenty of cap room, a GM who has a nose for talent, and a team that will only be a year removed from a Super Bowl title.  If I am the NFC I am a little frightened at the prospect of a pissed off Giants team being on your teams schedule.