Is the NFL about to go back in time?

Remember the 80's? Crazy hairdos, electronic music, colorful clothing, and NFC dominance in pro football? How about the 90's? Chubb Rock, the high-top fade, Good Fellas, and The NFC dominance in pro football? I believe from 1984-1997 the NFC won every super bowl. I think the Los Angeles Raiders beat the Washington Redskins in 83 and the Broncos beat Favre and Green Bay in 1997. Yes I know that Baltimore won the Super Bowl last season, but have you seen how loaded the NFC is? Let's talk about the AFC today and you will see why I am worried about how this season could be the beginning of run for NFC dominance....
If you go by division, you will be lucky to find 6 teams that are playoff worthy much less super bowl worthy. The AFC east or least is horrible. The New England Patriots could win this division with me playing quarterback. The Patriots have not won a super bowl in a decade and every one is wondering if Tom Brady has peaked. They lost Wes Welker so their offense will be different. Their defense hasn't been the same since their super titles. Yet they will some how win 13 games, get home field and lose to someone in the playoffs. The Miami Dolphins may be improved overall as their quarterback gains experience. No Reggie Bush which gave them a running game. If they win 8 games that will be a miracle. The New York Jets are either going to be real bad or horrible. Richard Todd couldn't save this team. Freeman Mcneil , Richard Caster or Carl Basilauskus or Greg Buttle are not walking into that locker room to help this team. Sexy Rexy should cut and run. They have destroyed Sanchez. Yikes.  Buffalo has a lot of talent. Can you name anyone on this team? C.j.Spiller can ball. Stevie Johnson can too. Mario Williams. Okay. E.j. Manuel has a lot of potential and a ton to live up to. Is he a first rounder? He was drafted in the first round and now it is time to prove it. A new head coach in Marrone who has a great reputation could spell a positive future for the Bills. This year however will be long. 
The AFC south has two good teams in Houston and Indianapolis and two bad teams in Tennessee and Jacksonville. Houston has the talent to go all the way. Great running game. Great receivers. Solid D-line. Solid secondary. So why can't they win? They can't win because they don't have anyone who makes they wow play that makes a difference. They are a grinder team. They don't scare anyone. You know what going to see each game. I think they don't believe they are actually a good ball club. Everyone seems to hold their breath when the play the Patriots, Packers, or any team that has equal talent. The only way to quiet the critics is to simply win. We shall see.. The Colts shocked the world last year. No one expected them to win as many games as they did. Everyone is expecting a decline this year because year 2 in the Luck regime will be tougher. The schedule will tougher and preparation for the Colts will be taken more seriously. Luck needs a running game to take pressure off of him. Their defense is a liability. They can win some AFC games but NFC games could be difficult. Tennessee hasn't been the same since Steve McNair died. Jacksonville hasn't been good since Brunell left. Both teams hang their hats on a running game and tough defense. The only problem is they don't have a tough defense and the quarterback play is erratic. This division is slightly better than the east. That is not saying much.
The AFC west is like the AFC east. One super team, the Broncos. One team that has potential, the Chiefs. One team that is a head scratcher, the Chargers. One team that has talent but is still going to struggle, the Raiders. The Broncos last year got hot
Last year and got stunned in the playoff game against Baltimore. Peyton Manning played like a M.V.P. and the Broncos defense was really opportunistic. They had a crazy schedule and held their own. This year they play the NFC east and have to play all of the "good" teams in the AFC. They lost Dumervil on defense and Von Miller for the first 6 games. They can score a lot with addition of Wes Welker. They are going to have to until the reinforcements come back.  The Chiefs have a new Coach in Andy Reid, an angry fiesty quarterback in Alex Smith. Great running back in Charles. Solid crew of linebackers and receivers. So why the doubt? Charles is always hurt. Smith is coming off an injury season. The secondary can't cover anyone. They defensive line is young. Any questions? The Chargers have Rivers, Gates, Matthews, Freeney.  So what's wrong with them? Rivers, Gates, Matthews and Freeney aren't enough. Matthews is often injured. So is Gates. Freeney is 75. They lost Ingram for the season. Manti Teo hasn't shown us much yet for he has been hurt. This season could be a train wreck. The Raiders have good players, but they are all young and unproven. Learning season for Pryor. Matt Flynn got another payday but can't beat out any rookies or second year players. Where is McFadden? They have Heyward-Bey. The question is do they make this a learning season or try and win? Tough decision..
The best division in the AFC is the North. The Ravens lost a ton of talent. Lewis is gone. Bold in is gone. Reed is gone. They could go from the top to the bottom. Joe Flacco got his big money deal and all he does is make the playoffs. This year will be a challenge. The Steelers are getting no love anywhere and I think they love it. Big Ben is probably loving the fact that no one gives them a shot. They lost Wallace and Harrison. They need a running game to be the true Steelers. The need a blitzing scheme that works to be true Steelers. Don't be shocked if they are in first place or last place this year. Cleveland has some optimism this year. A good young physical defense. A stud running and quarterback who is not afraid of the big bad Ravens or Steelers. Don't sleep on Cleveland.  This division is the Bengals or bust. Two years in the postseason. A good young quarterback. A good young receiving corp. Tough defense. They can't cover though and that is what kills them in the end. They have all of these cast offs from Dallas and Taylor Mays, who have a skill set, but struggle between the ears. Put up or shut Bengals.
So here is the rub.. Patriots, Texans, Bengals, Broncos are a lock for the post season. They can compete against anyone. They Chiefs and Colts will be wild card. Soft divisions they play in and AFC North teams will beat each other up.  Only 6 teams will have winning record.  Texans and Broncos in AFC title game. Peyton will be in New York in the big game. 

Bryant, Brady, and Woods.. Difficult to catch your heroes huh...

The three most prolific American athletes of the last 20 years are Tiger Woods,Tom Brady, and K obe Bryant.  Derek Jeter is in their group but he is not considered to be the greatest player in his sport.  Roger Federer is the only athlete to accomplish the goal of exceeding the lofty accomplishments of his hero. Lionel Messi and Micheal Phelps have done it too, but swimming ,and soccer only matter in an Olympic year and over seas. Brady, Bryant, Woods, have wowed us with their prowess, excellence, and killer instinct.  They have won title emphatically, impressively, and unexpectedly.  Woods shocked the world with his unbelievable win at the masters. His margin of victory on that day is the stuff of legend.  Brady took over for an injured Drew Bledsoe and lead the Patriots over the "greatest show on turf" St. Louis Rams. Bryant won titles as a sidekick for Shaquille Oneal but was the go to guy when the Lakers needed a basket. They have been heroes and villains. Have they all reached to high to reach their stated goals?  Bryant is trying to make us forget Micheal Jordan. He shoots like Jordan. Talks like Jordan. Plays like Jordan. He is one title away from tying Jordan. His Lakers team is really struggling. They have talent, but can't figure out how to play together.  The Patriots are 7-7 in his last 14 playoff games. The last won the super bowl in 2003. They played in last years game so they are close, but fell short the last few years. Brady has matched most of his idol Joe Montana's records.The window is beginning to close on him.  Tiger was at one time a shoe in to catch Jack Nickalus records in the major tournaments. He has caught him in overall tour wins, but not in major titles. There s a new threat in McIlroy who is the"next" Tiger or Jack. Tiger has not been the same player since his marital problems.  He is ready to start his season and chase down Jack. 
Has the clock run out on these men? Brady and Bryant could put together a magical season next year and get it done. Tiger has 15 years to win 5 majors. 60 chances to get it done. Kobe and Brady need help from others. Tiger needs to play better in the first round and continue to score well on the weekend. Will they catch their heroes? I think Brady and Tiger will. The NBA has a new crop of hungry "tigers" and The challenge will be difficult for Kobe. Father time stops for no one. He always wins in the end. I look forward to seeing them try to complete their careers. They won't stop fighting and trying.  We won't stop cheering for them as they achieve

The next two weakest divisions are...

So i guess the next two "weakest divisions" by default are the NFC South and AFC east.  Both divisions are extremely top heavy and extremely weak at the bottom.  In the NFC South, the Saints and Falcons are coming off of playoff seasons that  ended in shocking performances.  The Falcons got smacked around by the Giants.  They scored 2 points and looked quite intimidated in Giant stadium.  The Saints went into San Francisco and played the way the normally play but could not stop the anemic offense of the Niners and allowed Alex Smith to drive 80 yards for a victory.  No one could have ever predicted that the niners would score 39 points in a game.  The AFC east is headlined by the Patriots.  They represented the AFC in the Super Bowl and fell shortto the New York Giants. They have a loaded offense but defense failed them last year. I think they ran into a team that simply has their number. The Giants defeated the Patriots during the season and ended their 20 game home winning streak on a fourth quarter drive. The Patriots need to just simply avoid the Giants and they would have several more championships. Lets analyze both divisions..
The AFC east has three quarterbacks trying to find themselves and Tom Brady.  The New York Jets play solid defense but cannot get a pass rush.  They try blitzing everyone but once the blitz gets picked up they are vulnerable except of course on Revis island.  On offense the Jets need to get back to running the ball and with the departure of L.T. they brought in Tim Tebow to bolster that attack.  He can run and he needs to work on his throwing.  The Jets have no receivers.  They have Dustin Keller who can play but he cannot be affective if the Jets core of receivers cannot get open.  The Jets talk alot and are media darlings for not doing anything.  They are the Kardashians of sports and it is time to show up, put up or quietly shut up...
The Buffalo Bills got off to a great start last year.  Then Ryan Fitzpatrick got a huge contract extension and then the Bills fell off a cliff.  They couldn't beat Alabama after week 5.  They have seriuos weapons on offense.  They can run the ball with jackson and Spiller.  Johnson is a star in the making.  They play probably in the worse play to play for a team that can pass the ball as well as they do.  Their defense thinks that this year their line is the best in football. The signed Mario Williams to give them the pass rush they need to cover up their weaknesses at linebacker and cornerback.  If they can stay healthy and confident,they have enough to compete for a wild card spot.
The Miami Dolphins just named Ryan Tannehill their starter for the season.  He has serious upside, but he has only play 19 games as a starting qb in college and he needs more class room time. Reggie Bush had his first season as a 1000 yard rusher. He is poised to prove that last year was not a fluke.  They just released Chad Johnson and traded away Brandon Marshall.  So who is Tanneyhill going to throw the ball to?  They have a solid tight end in Fasano but who else?  Defensively the Dolphins have a pulse. They can rush the passer quite well.  Cameron Wembley was a sweet surprise last year. They are starting a new with a new coach and coordinator.  They are a work in progress.  They will struggle this year some.
The Patriots needed defensive help and drafted 6 new defensive players.  they realize that they cannot win the big game with offense only.  If their offense does not get on the field then they are being wasted.  They still need a running game. Brady is Brady and he has made stars of both tight ends and Welker is in his final year with the Pats.  They have not given him a longterm deal which is a joke.  The Patriots improve on defense they could unbeaten in the regular season...
The NFC south has star potential all over the place.  The Tampa Bay Bucs flopped last year.  They have to regroup with a new coach in Schiano and get Freeman his confidence back.  Theyhave weapons on both sides of the ball and last year clearly the coach lost that team.  They have running backs and young talented receivers who can stretch the field.  The defense is fast and opportunistic.  They just don't know how to play yet.  This year they will improve some but Freeman has to healthy and play with the confidence of two years ago.
The Carolina Panthers has no where to go but up.  Cam Newton re-wrote the rookie record books with his play last year.  Steve Smith found the fountain of youth.  They ran the ball well and really are a couple of defenders away from being ready to compete for the division.  Newton still has a lot to learn and he must take care of his body this season because teams will be gunning for him.  Football cannot be this easy.  If they can run it better than they did last they could contend for a wild card.  Their defense has a lot of promise.  They just play in the division that youhave to be able to score points or you cannot compete.
The Atlanta Falcons need a defense to match their offense.  They can score with anyone.  They have great running backs and receivers and tight ends.  The Qb play is all pro level.  They need someone on the defense to make a play and get off the field on 3rd down.  They need better play calling and smart play calling.  They should be ashamed of themselves for what they did last year. They think that winning comes in the form of outscoring people.  They need to understandthat you have to make a stop once in a whlie or ball control to keep Brees or Rodgers off the field.  If the Falcons can figure that out, they could have a super season...
The Saints have the pressure of hosting the super bowl this year, a scandal that has rocked the league, and no head coach to guide them through.  Drew Brees set the NFL record for yards in a season last year and just got paid a beaucoup dollar contract.  They have the offense of the present but dont have a defense at all.  They bend but dont break. They can intercept any pass, cause thousands of fumbles, but always have at least 2 or 3 games that defy logic.. This season they have to prove that they are even more special than ever because they are being asked to coach themselves.. It should be wild..
The outlook this season.. New England:14-2, Buffalo:9-7, New York Jets 9-7, Miami 3-13
The outlook this season.. New Orleans: 13-3, Atlanta: 11-5, Carolina: 7-9, Tampa bay 5-11
The player to watch in the AFC east: Mark Sanchez. the jets go as far as he takes them
The player to watch in NFC south: Drew Brees The pressure is squarely on his shoulders.

Put A Dress on em!!!

When i played football in high school and my senior year I played quarterback.. We played Fieldston high school on opening day and i got absolutely rocked on a blindside hit. While i was laying on the ground, all i could think of was "what the hell happened to my blindside?"I dusted myself off and actually caught a touchdown pass later in the game. So when I watch college and professional quarterbacks play, i often wonder why don't the two governing bodies of college and pro football just say if you breathe near a quarterback, it is a penalty. or you are exiled out of the country. or you have to give up your firstborn!!!
I watched at least 7 games this weekend when a defensive player inadvertently touched a quarterback and cost his teams 15 yards for a personal foul. Terrell Suggs from the Baltimore ravens was pushed and stumbled by Tom Brady's knees and got a costly penalty for personal foul. He was pushed!!!! How do the officials make that call. I have seen quarterbacks get hurt on illegal unnecessary hits and wondered what the heck was the guy thinking about..
I remember Charles Martin body slamming Jim McMahon and putting him out of action for weeks. He should have been arrested for that hit. I saw Wilbert Marshall nearly kill Joe Ferguson of the Lions on a hit that i am sure still gives Ferguson nightmares to this date. Remember when Steve Pelleur got rocked by Mike Singletary? Then the league put in all kinds of rules. If the Quarterback leads with his feet to slide he can not be touched. You cannot touch the quarterback helmet or mask. You cannot launch yourself at the quarterback with you helmet first. And my favorite, you can not hit a quarterback if you require more than one step after he has thrown the football. oh wait there is one more, you can not use your weight to slam a quarterback down to the ground. It is football isn't it? My wife likes to say that in rugby, they don't wear pads so American footballers are wimps.When it comes to the quarterback, I agree. I know that they are usually the highest paid player ona team and they usually are the face of the league. But have you seen the size of some of them lately? Jamarcus Russell is 6'6 and 265 pounds. Ben Rothliesberger is 6'5 240lbs. Culpepper is 6'4 270.They are as big as lineman. When the great Steve Mcnair played he was 6'3 235. He took on all comers. I don't understand the protective rules. When Phil Simms played for the Giants, he was one of the strongest players on the team. Football has some really messed up rules. The ravens have every reason to be upset but the rule is the rule. Did you see that hit Tim Tebow took 2 weeks ago? I know all giant fans remember the hit Jim Burt did to Joe Montana. Today that would have been a personal foul. don't get me going about the tuck rule and all of the amendments that it has endured over the past three seasons.I can understand protecting your investments. Now Quarterbacks are retaliating. Mark Sanchez got a penalty for diving at a defensive players legs yesterday. Bret Favre got a penalty for doing the same thing in pre-season. These men are wearing pads aren't they? Tonight lets see how many protection flags are thrown to keep Brett Favre upright..