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As the last preseason games dwindle down with only a week left before the NFL finally kicks off the 2008 season, I wanted to touch upon several possible contenders (at least the popular chic picks of the season).  In the last article I previewed the New England Patriots and the New York Giants.  After two weeks, I still stand by the unsubstantiated comments I made on each team…  with only a few more nuggets to add.  For the Patriots, their O should be OK as long as banged-up Brady and Welker ease into the season.  However even though the preseason means little to nothing, it should be noted that their D will show their age, lack of speed and thus though they will be a playoff contender, their D may keep them from advancing far.  The Giants’ lightning-in-a-bottle run to the title came on the heels of an aggressive pass rush D led by Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan.  Now both will be MIA for the season, with the latter due to retirement commitments to “Jimmy, Howie, and Terry” in the FOX NFL Sunday booth, while the former will be lost for the season with a knee injury.

Moving down the short list of prominent contenders, we start with the Indianapolis Colts.  If not for the Patriots’ historic run during the regular season, the Colts in their own right were one of the more balanced and truly dominant teams…  and then they laid an egg against the San Diego Chargers inexplicably against one Norv Turner.  The biggest question marks of course are QB Peyton Manning’s health (knee), as well as WR Marvin Harrison (knee) and DE Dwight Freeney (foot).  These essential architects to the team’s success will of course largely be counted upon to duplicate 2007’s Super Bowl title.  The only problem is the clutchness factor of ALL of them.  This Colts team seems more apt to choke than Latrell Sprewell at a soup kitchen run by P.J. Carlesimo.   It remains to be seen how this perennial regular season success will fare in the postseason where they are perennial underachievers.

Speaking of underachievers, the San Diego Chargers have long fielded an elite team as long as RB LaDanian Tomlinson is in the backfield but they have yet to figure out that hump to get to the Big Dance.  In fact last season with the house cleaning of head coach and assistant coaches, it should be said this team overachieved with notable mediocre head coach, Norv Turner.  His accomplishments in reaching the AFC Championship game and remaining competitive with the juggernaut Patriots should be duly noted…  at least until the REAL Turner turns up this season.  With LB Shawn Merriman insanely playing on a knee with two torn ligaments, the departure of Tomlinson’s battering ram backup, RB Michael Turner and QB Philip River’s maturity (or lack thereof), there are questions abound to whether this team can duplicate last season’s unexpected yet expected run to the AFC Championship game.  Once there however, they will need more out of Tomlinson rather than sitting on the sideline with an injury and Rivers to manage the game rather than be busy squabbling with fans in the stands.

On the other spectrum across the conference to the NFC, we’ll start with the team-formerly-known-as-Favre.  The Green Bay Packers.  I honestly think with basically the whole defense and offense returning, and the legendary Brett Favre absent, the Pack will be OK with QB Aaron Rodgers.  In the regular season at least for it will remain to be seen how his post season prowess will be.  Rodgers certainly must have the know-how, he certainly has the full support of the organization and his teammates (this always helps), he is accurate and has a strong arm.  By taking less risks (gunslinger risks!), and trusting RB Ryan Grant (I’m sure its more of the coaches call rather than his) to carry the offensive load, Rodgers and the “new” Packers actually have a legitimate shot to go to the Super Bowl.  Then I remember if he couldn’t unseat Favre in 3 years, something must be wrong with him, right?  Then I remember the media-induced-circus-riot-insane-soap-opera involving Favre and I realized that being the backup behind such a legend/bipolar Hall of Famer, your only chance of ascending the depth charts is if he retires, or if he retires-then-comes-back-then-retires-then-comes-back-then-rejects-20-million-to-stay-retired-then-demands-trade-then-is-traded-and-its-all-over-or-so-we-think.  As long as Rodgers doesn’t try to fill the shoes but instead makes sure the shoelaces are tied so he doesn’t trip, then Green Bay should be OK if not better.

Last on our short list of SB contenders in vogue, the Dallas Hard Knocks.  They return virtually every offensive starter, they lose RB Julius Jones but aptly replace him with Felix Jones from Arkansas.  The rookie speedster will ease fluidly into his role as backup and 3rd down RB specialist.  By adding CB Adam Jones (who at press time was recently allowed to play this year), the Boys will have beefed up their already good defense.  Jones will be looking to overcome his checkered past…  he’s already sought the counsel of former Cowboys Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders. On a similar note, I have decided to quit drinking and I have sought the counsel of Keith Richards and Charlie Sheen =).  The addition of homegrown Texas Tech alumni Zach Thomas to the LB corp will help the overall IQ of the defense, and he looks fresh for a 12 year vet.  The overlooked key this year will be DT Tank Johnson starting over and being able to play the whole season instead of coming in midway.  His presence will not be felt in the stat sheet or on ESPN, but die hard fans  will know his role on the team as a leader and big body to clog up offensive lineman to allow the linebackers to roam into the backfield will spark much of the defensive schemes this season.  The question marks will be the depth of the WR core, the development of Romo and whether he changes his approach to his   celebrity or whether he doesn’t give a flying (bleep) and shouldn’t be blamed solely for a team’s failure to hold a slim lead against the underdog Giants. At Texas Stadium.  In the first game after a one week bye.

Should be a fun season! =)

Despite the New England Patriots’ dominant run at the Super Bowl last year, it would seem the state of the league has never seen more parity or balance in competition.  Whether you prefer the open field of contenders or rather the concise dominance of a select few teams (old school dynasties), it remains to be debated which is best for the fans and the league.

In an era of global capitalism, worldwide media coverage and an overall wider appeal for any sports, I would like to think the parity of competition lends itself to appeal to all sorts of fans casual or hardcore.  Wherein a dynasty would solidify sports history in demonstrating a group of truly talented special winners exerting their dominance over others, it might also lend to frustration from outsiders who support say the Cleveland Browns or the Buffalo Bills.

So this year who are the real contenders?  Based on last year’s results, the Patriots were not so “perfect” even at 18-0 entering the Super Bowl, the New York Giants were immensely opportunistic as they won all their playoffs games within 10 points or less.  In fact, it “could” be safely assumed that the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, and the San Diego Chargers were Super Bowl caliber teams.  Alas all four previously mentioned teams ultimately choked their chances at the big dance.  So really the Patriots dominated their way to the title game as many expected whereas the Giants simply peaked at the right time, and with an extra push of luck and a tenacious pass rush, they also took down mighty New England along the way.

Nevertheless I personally believe the Super Bowl “jinx”, the one wherein participants of the previous year’s Super Bowl usually do not even make it to the playoffs the very next year (observing this trend in the past decade alone).  New England seems to be built for the long haul, and their dominance does not look like it will wane anytime soon, they may not go to the Super Bowl again, but assuredly will make the playoffs based on pedigree in itself.  The loss of CB Asante Samuels would be an immediate concern, but with very little (if any) losses off of that record breaking offense, I fully expect the Patriots to continue their excellence.  Of course it would serve them well to lose a couple games along the way to ease the immense pressure and allow their guys to not be so burned out by the time they get to the REAL important game. That being said, it wouldn’t hurt if the Pats examined closer their starting O-Line and/or the depth of talent on that 2nd string of offensive linemen as strangely enough after a regular season of straight dominance, the line was exposed like an “accidental” random celebrity nipple slip by a relentless pass rush of the Giants that kept Tom Brady uncomfortable throughout the game until the last two minutes.  By then however it was too late as David Tyree and Eli-my-pseudo-last-name-is-no-longer-suck-in-Manhattan-Manning would testify.  Exhibit A:  The infamous helmet catch preceded by Eli’s best impersonation of Keanu Reeves shaking off defenders in the last play of the movie, The Replacements.  Not to worry New Englanders, Belichick will surely have his team reloaded and ready to rumble yet again.  Look for the Patriots to be a little looser and actually more dangerous with the pressure of a perfect season and Spygate somewhat behind them.

New York on the other hand fits the bill of the team that went to the Super Bowl and will be left out of the playoffs the next year.  They lose Jeremy Shockey (who wasn’t much help but losing his talent never is good unless that talent is cancerous which in this case may end up helping the G-men), and Michael Strahan retired, so with essentially the same personnel returning, this team just doesn’t scream repeat. Could I along with 89% of Americans (100% of those outside of New York City) doubt them again only to be proven wrong?  By the way, although proven wrong that they could make it to the SB, thereafter I promptly took NYG with the spread last year in the big game assuming gambling is kosher. ;)

Since we still have less than a month, and I am extremely lazy and still in summer mode, we will make this a two parter and take a closer look at the other teams who have a Vegas’s chance of going to the Super Bowl in part II coming next week!

Like a washed up HoF’er coming back for more, yours truly has dusted off a summer (a freaking fast summer) of complacency and delinquent negligence to resume discussing man’s guiltiest pleasure: Olympic Synchronized Swimming.  I am a big supporter of the USSS (United States Synchronized Swimming, for some of you unenlightened homosapiens out there ;) ), and you’d be a fool if you don’t know the likes of Kim Probst, or Janet Culp members of the USSS (try saying that after 7 shots of rum) representing this great nation in the 2008 Olympics.  I kid though, because I knowingly jest about a sport that in its own right is legitimate and I’m just jealous I don’t have smooth legs like of those lovely ladies (although some of my friends might beg to differ).  On that note, women’s beach volleyball’s meteoric rise since the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics sets it up to be even twice as popular this year with the indigenous advent of High Definition television.

But I digress, what we’ve all convened for at this hallowed-two-bit-flea-infested-one-horse sports blog website, is to finally celebrate the arrival of football.  I’m sure most like me would initially welcome year round football, but too much of a good thing is bad as falling ratings for American Idol would similarly attest.  However it can be debated on whether Taylor Hicks was ever a good thing.  Anyways back to the subject at hand (its been a long time, my mind wanders like a two year old watching Dora the Explorer), summer is meant to be spent outdoors, with family, friends, and even at the occasional ballpark watching baseball.  It’s a nice respite to make us miss football enough to want it badly when its on the horizon.  Such is the case with the commencement of training camp, and the inflamed controversy surrounding one of football’s most beloved players from the last decade and a half.  Brett Favre.

Favre.  I never understood why it wasn’t Brett Farve, as it’s pronounced that way rather than Favre which sounds out to Fahvera.  His career will be remembered mostly for his insane record of consecutive starts at the toughest position imaginable, and yet at the same time he will be least likely remembered for being the sole owner of the most career pass interceptions in NFL history.  The skeptic in me believes that a combination of a great defense last year in Green Bay to bail out Favre, a soft schedule, and a great offensive supporting cast that helped garner 28 TD passes will ultimately overshadow the 15 picks he threw down only 3 from the 18 he threw the year before.

In that regard, he is consistent in the amount of interceptions he will throw.  The only difference is 2 years ago, many were calling for his retirement and rightfully so when he laid a stinker only 3 seasons ago with 29 interceptions.  The powers that be and the fans that be were calling for his retirement even then.  This off season instead of holding the notion of whether or not Favre would hang up his cleats over the collective cheese heads of Green Bay, Wisconsin, he went ahead and delivered a teary-eyed announcement that he was indeed retiring…  somewhat on top.  One game from a 3rd Super Bowl berth, Favre dashed those hopes away with an interception in the waning minutes of the NFC Conference Championship game against the New York Giants.

The loss surely left a bitter taste in his mouth. However in declaring his retirement, he was either pressured to do so as the powers that be in Green Bay were tired of his ambiguity and tardiness to properly decide; or in fact he had every intention to retire… only he changed his mind.  Nothing’s wrong with that of course, but in this day and age of 24/7 rectal exams we call the mainstream media, no stone is left unturned and no roll of cheese is left ungrated.  What I can personally speculate is that despite efforts to come to terms privately, both sides were not able to smoothly decide a course of action and in an act of “aggressive negotiations”, one side blew the whistle publicly to mount more pressure to resolve the issue faster.  Who is at fault here remains to be seen, but by going public both sides were pressured into a decision fast, and both took public relation backlashes.

Though like most people, I may be tired of Favre’s constant indecision and the media circus that encompasses him lending him the unwanted reputation that he thinks he alone is bigger than the game, his strong desire to play landed him in between a rock and a hard place.  Then again if reports that he entertained the notion to take 20 million from the Packers to stay retired are true, this doesn’t reflect very well on his supposed “desire” to play football only.

His trade to the New York J-E-T-S should assuage any doubt this was about money.  Does this take him closer to that elusive 2nd Super Bowl ring?  I think not.  By jumping ship to the Jets, he has effectively removed that 2 ton monkey off of Aaron Rodgers who still carries a half ton monkey that is Green Bay’s hopes for a title on his young shoulders  His best situation was always with the Packers.  A good D, new developing running back in Ryan Grant, and his full WR corps back in business this year, all Green Bay had to do was warm up the car and press the pedal to the postseason after working out minor kinks.  In New York, Favre has brought the same desire, expectations but to a team that took a step back from it’s mild success in 2006.  The Jets’ defense may be respectable, maybe even comparable to Green Bay’s but the offense is nowhere near as oiled, and ready to roll as to the men of the Frozen Tundra can deliver for Favre.  Don’t even get me started on the chemistry that is needed for a successful team, Tom Brady and/or Kurt Warner before him maybe have achieved this in only their first season as starters on their way to Cinderella Super Bowl titles but both players were at least part of the team the year before and knew SOMETHING bout their plays and players.

Brett Favre’s faux retirement may not tarnish his legacy depending on how he does this season, but by forcing his way back to the field, his lasting image for the fans to remember him by will ultimately fork one of two ways.  He can maintain his legend and his reputation with a couple of solid seasons akin to Joe Montana’s respectable stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, or he could tarnish an otherwise Hall of Fame career akin to Michael Jordan’s two-year-long-shoe-commercial with the Washington Wizards.  Then again Jordan’s lasting image before retiring (again) was pushing off Byron Russell and sinking a last second shot to win the title.  By unretiring again, Jordan only made millions of fans bang their foreheads against their palms in wondering why he wouldn’t be content with the fairy tale ending.  Favre on the other hand has that last second interception to ruin his team’s chance for a Super Bowl trip… who could blame him for wanting to come back?  You don’t want to be Eli Manning’s (bleep).