We all knew as sports fans that football was going to be our savior. I think generally speaking all sports fans, casual and hardcore are excited for football. I know there are others who share my sentiments in that they have never been more excited for football, college or pro, to start. I mean I find myself reading more articles, watching more of the NFL Network than I ever had and paying attention to what is going on. I’ve always followed football but never have I actually watched a preseason game like I did the last two nights. This summer of discontent will be over courtesy of the pigskin, and sports fans we are in for a treat. Think about it…these could be the best football seasons ever, simply because they will follow one of the worst sports summers in recent history. I mean, at this rate if the WNBA Playoffs were passable I would probably get on this blog and right about the renaissance of women’s basketball. That’s how far we’ve dropped. Another sign of the summer; I set a reminder two days ago for the Andy Roddick/Maria Sharapova doubleheader on ESPN2. Yes, I know I’m a tennis nut…but still.
Back to football…as the Dixie Chicks would say it is wide open spaces. In my gut I have to go with the New England Patriots to definitely win the AFC and probably the whole thing. Think about it..they have the best coach in the business in Bellicheck. They have, arguably the best quarterback in Tom Brady. And now get this…Tom Brady has weapons. Multiple weapons he can go to. The same Tom Brady who has led casts of no-name-ers and converted wide recievers to semi-glory now has legitimate studs *shiver* on the offensive end. How on earth can you go against them? If Brady/Moss wasn’t enough, how about the additions of Wes Walker and Stallworth. Hand them the crown, I’m sorry. I feel bad for Baltimore, they were going to be my pick with McGahee and that D but I can’t in good faith at this moment go against the Pats. The Chargers are kind of like the Blazers of the early 90’s; really good but just not good enough to win it all. Can the Bills or Titans make a move into the playoffs? Will the Chiefs return to the playoffs? Can the Jaguars be consistent…and how about the Steelers? The AFC is rough.
(The Titans can’t make a move becuase Vince is cursed for this year and Double J says so)
The NFC…completely different story. I’m praying the Cowboys falter solely so I can see the media explode on T.O. and Romo and so I can shove it in Coup’s face. Don’t think I’m letting you off the hook on the Yankees either buddy, I’m just patiently waiting for a track to explode on. But anyways, this is the make or break year of Tony Romo’s life. Not career…his life. He is coming off one of the bigger postseason gaffes in recent history. A season where he was crowned the next Troy and then decrowned weeks later. He has got to bring it, and not only to silence his football critics, but to validate his pure idiocy. You people realize that this man dumped Carrie F’N Underwood for “football”. If you have a guaranteed shot at the Super Bowl, I could almost justify it…but damnit Romo you just do not cut a girl like that loose. I mean if he falters this season, we’re going to be seeing him as a backup in a few years with a headset on with a goofy “I can’t believe I fucking dumped Carrie Underwood” face for the rest of his career. And if you were wondering that face is a cross between a pout, Joey Harrington and the face that Zach Braff makes on Scrubs when he is entering another fantasy sequence.
Speaking of Joey Harrington…this is his last chance. He sucked in Detroit, but that really wasn’t all his fault because they just sucked. Then he sucked in Miami and everyone was like ‘Hmmm maybe he doesn’t have it.’ Atlanta is his final stop, if he messes this up he will probably never be given the chance to start in the NFL again. That is the thing that is so different about the NFL; its so cuthroat. Whether it be bringing guys into camp just to have camp bodies, or the cutting process, or the fact that a bad year could ruin your career…its just all business. I wish Joey the best in Atlanta, after all he did lead the Ducks during their glory years of my life.
Back to the NFC as a whole…it just seems to me like at this point everything is pretty wide open. Anyone could win the NFC West. I feel like Seattle’s little window of dominance has closed and they are only going as far as Shaun Alexander can carry them. Is this the year that the Cardinals finally live up to their hype? Were the 49ers a fluke? Will the Rams ever be good again? Questions all over the place. I’d say the Saints and Bears are pretty much locks to repeat as division champs..but the NFC East will more than likely be a mess again. It’s just too murky out there in the NFC for me to feel comfortable making an educated guess right now. So I won’t.
PGA’s…Tiger’s world, everyone else is just living in it. He’s not blowing this lead.