NFC Breakdown

NFC EAST

Ok, lot's of disagreement with my Dallas prediction and I understand. Heck, I hope they finish in last place! However, I think their defense will be much improved this year and they have a favorable schedule. As long as Romo plays relatively smart, they should be good. Their secondary has the potential to be great, but they really get the job done at linebacker. Greg Ellis is sollid but DeMarcus Ware had an awesome rookie season and I expect him to have a breakout season this year. Drafting DE Anthony Spencer will help the run defense as well. Philly will be solid once again as long as McNabb stays healthy. Brian Westbrook may be the most underrated player in football. I see the Giants regressing this year for two reasons. Eli Manning is the most ineffective quarterback behind Michael Vick and there is no way Jacobs or Droughns will be able to replace Tiki. As for the Skins, another pathetic season. Look for controversy at RB as Joe Gibbs will prefer LaDell Betts over Clinton Portis.

NFC NORTH

Another controversial pick for divisional winner as I went with my Packers. Every fan seeks the best out of their teams, so maybe this is what this is, but I really think they have the talent to compete. On defense, Pro-Bowler Aaron Kampman will have another great season with around 15 sacks and I expect KGB to bounce back with about 10 sacks. With Justin Harrell and Ryan Pickett at DT's, it will be tough to get past that front four. Linebacker is exceptional as well. Expect 150 tackles from A.J. Hawk and over 100 tackles from Nick Barnett. The question on defense is the secondary. I really like Charles Woodson to have another solid year with 6-8 INT's, but our other guys are sketcky. Al Harris needs to step up big time. On offense, look for Brandon Jackson to take over as starting RB and really shine in that offense. He should see a lot of holes opening up with a much improved O-Line, aided by 4th Rd. draft pick Allen Barbre. Our top receivers are highly underrated but stellar. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings should combine for 175 receptions and 2300 yards. Green Bay still needs a #3 WR and they need Favre to play smart and not throw as much. He led the NFL with 613 attempts last year...way too many. Chicago really downgraded by letting Thomas Jones go and may have been the best thing to happen to Green Bay. Expect the Bears to struggle more on offense but win a lot of games (again) on defense. Don't be surprised to see Detroit improve (possibly 2 wins better than my 5-11 prediction), but Minnesota should really struggle.

NFC SOUTH

Plain and simple, this division belongs to the Saints. Their only competition may come from Carolina, but I still like the Saints wrapping up the division by the end of Week 15. I don't think they'll miss Joe Horn as rookie Robert Meachem should fill in nicely. Brees and Bush will be amazing again. In Carolina, they should have a solid team all around. But since their Super Bowl season, they have really struggled to meet expectations. Very few holes on defense, maybe one of the best. I like their 1-2 punch at WR (Smith & Jarrett) and RB (Foster & Williams). At QB, I think they may be better off if David Carr would be their starter. When he had the opportunity to throw in Houston last yer, he completed 68.3 % of his passes, making him the most efficient QB in the NFL. In Tampa, I'm not sure anyone knows what is going on with their offense. Cadillac Williams better bounce back so that last emphasis is placed on the QB carousel Jon Gruden has set up. Their defense is historically solid, but they're starting to get older now. Injuries could stymie the Bucs. As for the Falcons, I am now doubting they will achieve the 5-1 record I predicted for them. With Michael Vick destoying his career and only Joey Harrington for a backup, everyone will key in on Warrick Dunn as he will be their only offensive threat. By the way, Vick (#1) and Harrington (#5) are two of the five most inefficient passers in the NFL. With an overrated defense, this is a bad team all around.

NFC WEST

Undoubtedly, the best division in football this year will be the NFC West. I really look forward to see these teams square off against one another. All four of these teams could win the division! That being said, if that turns out to be the case, it will be impossible for the division winner to be any better than 10-6. A solid 10-6 though and potential sleeping giant in the playoffs too. I like the Rams to win the division with that record due to what will be an explosive offense. If Steven Jackson stays healthy, he will get the NFL Record 2500 yards from scrimmage he predicted (~1750 rushing, ~750 receiving). Underrated QB Marc Bulger has to be licking his chops with Jackson, Bruce, Holt, and now Drew Bennett as well. TE Randy McMichael won't have as high of expectations on him as he did in Miami, but that will be a good thing for him. Just too many weapons to contain. On defense though...ehh. I really like ther D-Line, with Leonard Little, La'Roi Glover, Adam Carriker, and James Hall. But their secondary and outside linebackers are weak. Will Witherspoon should have another great year at middle linebacker. The Rams biggest problem will come against teams with a strong passing offense and/or dominant running back. Fortunately for the Rams, there are only a couple teams on their schedule with a strong passing game. Alex Smith expects the 49'ers to make the playoffs and I think they will make a run for it too at 9-7, but just missing out on the #6 seed. That is a rapidly improving team and could be very dangerous in 2008. Seattle and Arizona will be competitive at 8-8, with Seattle regressing a bit and Arizona improving a bit. If Dallas and Carolina stumble, do not be surprised to see both wildcard teams come out of the NFC West.

NFC Honors:

Best QB...Marc Bulger (STL) [4475 Passing Yards, 25 TD's, 13 INT's, QB Rating: 94.9]
Best RB...Steven Jackson (STL) [1742 Rush. Yds., 15 Rushing TD's, 763 Rec. Yds., 3 Rec. TD's, *2505 Total Yds., 18 Total TD's]
Best WR...Torry Holt (CIN) [101 Receptions, 1361 Receiving Yards, 10 TD's]
Best Defensive Player...Aaron Kampman (GB) [15 Sacks, 80 Tackles]
Comeback Player of the Year...Michael Strahan (NE) [12 sacks, 73 Tackles]
Breakout Players of the Year...A.J. Hawk (GB) [145 Tackles, 5 sacks, 2 INT's, 2 Fum. Rec.]
Best Rookie...Calvin Johnson (DET) [952 Receiving Yds., 7 TD's]
Best Coach...Sean Payton (NO)

*NFL Record

Vick & the Falcons

I see I still haven't done my long-awaited NFC breakdown. I hope to get to it after work today. I know one thing, with Vick's career almost over, my 5-11 prediction for the Falcons this year is looking spectacular! Sorry Brian...time to take a bite out of crime.

The British Open

Just a quick thought between blogs...the British Open is the greatest golf tournament in the world and one of the top events in all of sports. If there ever was a tournament that involved serious defense, this is it. That defense is the crazy weather that frequently occurs there.

Depending on the conditions, it could be 45° and windy or even as hot as 90° and dry. In round 1, it struggled to reach 50° with every golfer wearing layers of clothing and jackets...in July! Round 2 starts up today and I will be watching before work to see if anyone in the early groups challenges Sergio Garcia's lead. How about that 18-year old Irish kid, Rory McIlroy (not Roy Mcavoy from Tin Cup)! Oh yeah, and Tiger is not far behind either.

Even if you're not much of a golf fan, watch the British Open this weekend. It will surely be the most brutal and thrilling golf you will see.