2009 NFL Predictions Pre-Training Camp Edition

We must be feeling patriotic or something, there is suddenly once again life in this ole boy. Yesterday we discussed the MLB All Star game and the rosters that SHOULD be in place...even if Dews' hard-on for Markakis can't allow him to see straight. Today we are discussing the upcoming football season.

We are less than a month away from training camp opening so I thought I'd throw out my initial prediction on what I think next year's draft order is gonna look like, and maybe even a little bit about why I see things happening this way.

Now some may call me a homer, but I did a good amount of research on each team, their acquisitions and took into consideration many factors that lead me to this conclusion. It was a very thorough and scientific research study.

1. Oakland Raiders 3-13
I think folks will be surprised week one, and then not again until they draft some Lithuanian named Drago with the first pick of next year's draft.
2. St Louis Rams 3-13
I love their new coach, I think he will do well, but the pieces are still missing. Their three wins will be shockers, but I fear at next year's draft they'll be taking Bulger's replacement.
3. Denver Broncos 3-13
I got this itch in the back of my head that says McDaniel let Cutler get away because 1. He's a Commodore and 2. He has something planned in next year's draft and needs this team to suck till then. My prediction? His plans wears jorts, crocs and is a jesus freak.
4. Detroit Lions 4-12
Look, I know they're still not out of the top five in the draft, but that is four more games then they won all of last year, that's progress.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
The following seven teams all have the same record, so you can put them anywhere from 5 to 11. New coach, crashes and burns as Chucky laughs in the MNF booth.
6. Seattle Seahawks 5-11
Can Jim Mora last a season? He has a WR, but I think Hasslebeck will once again get hurt, and they still have zero running game to speak of. A tough tough season for Seattle.
7. New York Jets 5-11
Not a bad year for a rookie head coach, with a rookie QB, but they deal with the fact they now have to play Tom Brady again and TO twice a year.
8. Cincinnati Bengals 5-11
Everyone seems to think the Bengals will be back, but their defense is still suspect. Chris Henry will get arrested. Chad Ochocinco is about the only weapon Palmer has, and Andre Smith may be a beast but he's the only one on that line.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11
Sorry Jack Del Rio, this will be your final year in sunny Florida. It's a shame because I really like him as a coach, but your former GM put you too far behind the 8-ball to let you get out this year.
10. Dallas Cowboys 5-11
How bout dem Cowboys?! Sorry Wade, but this will be your last season as coach. You're playing in the second toughest division in football and unless you WISELY run your offense with a three headed monster running attack and only letting Romo throw the ball ten times a game, well like the Detective said, where are you going? Fuckin nowhere...
11. Carolina Panthers 5-11
Sadly once again Jake Delhomme gets knocked out of the season and they struggle the rest of the year. I like this team, I think it will be really good again soon, this year's schedule though is no picnic.
12. Miami Dolphins 7-9
They take a step back slightly, but only because other teams take step forwards. I do think Ronnie Brown has a good chance to lead the NFL in rushing this year though.
13. Tennessee Titans 8-8
Kerry Collins falls off the wagon to start the season, and Vince Young finally starts again to at least get this team back to .500. They really miss Haynesworth this season.
14. Kansas City Chiefs 8-8
The first time I went through my predictions they didn't have this much, but then I took two things into consideration. One, they play the Raiders and Broncos twice. They have a QB who is at least serviceable. Larry Johnson may be rejuvenated a bit by all the passing that will be happening.
15. San Francisco 49ers 8-8
This isn't due to any kind of quarterback play, but due to old school smash mouth football. Frank Gore leads the NFC in rushing and Patrick Willis gets defensive player of the year honors. Could be higher if they trade for Derek Anderson in week five.
16. Indianapolis Colts 8-8
A change of coaches have the Colts slip quite a bit this year. I think you saw it when Manning freaked out a bit when all the coaching stuff happened. It won't be the offenses fault though, the defense causes a .500 season.
17. Minnesota Vikings 8-8
Sorry Minnesota, Brett Favre will not lead you to the playoffs. You will have some exciting games, and Peterson will look phenomenal, but Favre will throw your season away. Plus you have a doubly motivated Packer team to deal with.
18. Buffalo Bills 9-7
Still so close yet so far away. Perhaps if Marshawn Lynch wasn't suspended the first four games you might squeeze into the playoffs. Hell, you're right at the door you still could. TO elevates Trent Edwards to the next level.
19. Chicago Bears 10-6
A highly competitive NFC forces the Bears to watch the playoffs from home. Cutler does ok, but nothing more special then Grossman or the Boilermaker. This makes the Bears realize, finally, they actually need weapons for a quarterback, so there is a bright side.
20. Philadelphia Eagles 10-6
Much like the Bears, you're just oh so close but just miss out this time. The team does well, you just miss a tie-breaker or two and get shut out of the playoffs. It was a successful season, and in any other it would have been fine, just not this year.
21. Cleveland Browns 9-7
Yes, laugh, but take a look at our schedule really quick. The majority of our home games are late in the season, up in cold and snowy Ohio. Mangini has turned this team into a power running football team, the kind of team that wins those games.Mix that with Rex Ryan bringing back the old 46 defense and a very pleasant schedule and you have a recipe for shocker.
22. Atlanta Falcons 10-6
Matt Ryan looks like a stud all season, sadly though he plays in the same division as Drew Brees. To top it off, they have to play in the Meadowlands for their first playoff game, not exactly helpful.
23. Houston Texans 11-5
Finally no longer that team referred to as this year's sleeper as they actually WIN the AFC South. Their defense is one of the more shocking things this year, but sadly go up against the playoff experienced carrion flyers.
24. Arizona Cardinals 11-5
They prevent the Super Bowl loser slump, but that's probably only because they play in the NFC West. They are actually upset at home in the wild card round, but have a decent season regardless.
25. Baltimore Ravens 10-6
Another solid year by the Fighting Blue Hen Joe Flacco. The team struggles at time, but they find ways to win games. They beat the Texans in the Wild Card, but can't overcome the defending champs.
26. Washington Redskins 10-6
Shocker of all shocker, the Redskins not only make the playoffs but BEAT the Cardinals in Arizona. Their defense is as stout as any in the NFC this year and General Zorn decides to trust in Portis rather then Campbell.
27. New York Giants 11-5
Another solid year from the G-Men, even without Buress. They go back to smashmouth football and allow Jacobs and rookie sensation Andre Brown to beat teams up. Sadly though they are just outgunned this year.
28. San Diego Chargers 12-4
No slow season start this year, the Chargers I think actually we ten games before they actually lose a game. A great year by Rivers and company, but one that just could not handle the upper echelon of playoff football. I mean you do know who your head coach is don't you?
29. New Orleans Saints 11-5
This could change depending on home field advantage in the playoffs. If they Saints can get home field advantage in the playoffs, they're taking it all. I think this is the year Brees is finally mentioned in the same breath as Manning and Brady.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4
It looks like they're going back to the Super Bowl, they have home field advantage, everything is going right, but once again the bane of their existence, Tom Brady, comes into town and takes his team to the Super Bowl.
31. New England Patriots 12-4
Yes, Tom Brady comes back and takes his team to the Super Bowl, but it's not nearly as good as the one loss team and therefore once again they lose a Super Bowl. However taking his team to the Super Bowl a year after major knee surgery finally gets people to shut up about whether Tom Brady is a good quarterback or not.
32. Green Bay Packers 12-4
The shocker of all shockers, the Packers are your 2010 Super Bowl Champions. Now this is contingent on one thing, this team HAS to stay healthy. If they stay healthy, this team could very well win it all. I know it's a new defense and all, but all the pieces are here. I think with Favre joining the Vikings, allegedly, it will give them even more motivation and you'll see it all season long.

NFL Draft Review NFC North

It's amusing in a way, my top five sleepers of the draft are Ahtyba Rubin (Browns), Beau Bell (Browns), Kenny Moore (Lions), Ezra Butler (undrafted) and Yvenson Bernard (undrafted). I can only hope that Phil Savage jumps on it, picks up my two remaining sleepers and make me a very happy man. Now onto the NFC North that has seen some changes happen in the last year. The ole gunslinger is "retired", the Vikings found Jesus, the Bears defense couldn't stop a cold and the Lions actually looked decent for a quarter of the season.


CHICAGO BEARS
NEEDS:QB, OL, RB, WR, S
Draft Picks: OL Chris Williams, RB Matt Forte, WR Earl Bennett, DL Marcus Harrison, DB Craig Steltz, DB Zack Bowman, TE Kellen Davis, DL Ervin Baldwin, OL Chester Adams, LB Joey LaRocque, OL Kirk Barton, WR Marcus Monk
Approved Picks: Steltz, Forte, Williams
Eventual Busts: Harrison, Bowman, Davis
Review: I'm 50 50 on this draft. The got some good role players, people that can play at a reasonable level, but the passing on Rashard Mendenhall, especially when he's in Chicago waiting to be drafted just can't be accepted. I know they have a bad track record of taking running backs in the first round, but something tells me that Bears faithful would have had no qualms taking the local kid who looks like the second coming. Craig Steltz is a great addition, and probably the best pick they made the entire draft. Kellen Davis is an underachiever, but he's not going to be starting anyways. Barton was used and abused by LSU, hence why he fell so low. Monk can possibly be a huge steal in the seventh round. He has the size and athletic ability, and if he overcomes injury issues may end up being their best selection on this day. I think though the reason I gave them such a low grade is the fact that they passed on Rashard Mendenhall.
GRADE: C-

DETROIT LIONS
NEEDS:RB, OL, DL LB, CB
Draft Picks: OL Gosder Cherilus, LB Jordon Dizon, RB Kevin Smith, DL Andre Fluellen, DL Cliff Avril, WR Kenneth Moore, FB Jerome Felton, DL Landon Cohen, DB Caleb Campbell
Approved Picks: Cherilus, Smith, Avril, Moore
Eventual Busts: Dizon
Review: For the first time since Matt Millen has been the GM I love his draft. I thought Cherilus was getting a bad rap because of poor combine results, but you watch him during a game and he can play. He comes in and immediately helps their offensive line. Dizon is a big reach in the second in my opinion. If they have a bust in this draft it's going to be him. Fluellen has been moving up in recent weeks and should take Shaun Rogers' place very nicely. Cliff Avril could be a beast if he lives up to his combine numbers. Kenny Moore holds a few ACC records for receiving, but because he doesn't have the jaw dropping combine stats he got no respect. Let teams double team Roy Williams, Kenny Moore is going to take advantage and turn heads, my favorite pick of theirs. Kevin Smith has gotten a good amount of attention and I think it's a good fit for the Lions. They were smart this year in waiting for the offensive playmakers, now there isn't the pressure to excel like there has been in the past for their first round draft picks.
GRADE: B

GREEN BAY PACKERS
NEEDS:QB, OL, CB
Draft Picks: WR Jordy Nelson, QB Brian Brohm, DB Pat Lee, TE Jermichael Finley, DL Jeremy Thompson, OL Josh Sitton, OL Breno Giacomini, QB Matt Flynn, WR Brett Swain
Approved Picks: Nelson, Finley, Thompson
Eventual Busts: Lee, Giacomini, Flynn
Review: They moved down and took a reliable wide out for Aaron Rodgers. Jordy Nelson is much like Kenny Moore, he was productive in a difficult conference. I think he fits into that offense very well and will probably the safety valve for Rodgers. He'll be for Rodgers what Wes Welker is for the Patriots. Brian Brohm is an interesting choice. He'll push Rodgers, and depending on how Rodgers plays, they could have the Rivers/Brees debate in a few years. Finley gives them an athletic tight end who's a better pass catcher then their current tight ends. Jeremy Thompson is an absolute steal in the fourth round and should be Green Bay's starting defensive end by the end of the season. I wasn't sold at all by Breno Giacomini and I'll be surprised if he lasts more then two seasons with the Packers. Josh Sitton is a player that will take time to develop but could be something really special. Patrick Lee to me is an underachiever and won't last very long in the NFL. Now the Packers have great leadership and could turn him around, but bust just reeks off this kid.
GRADE: B+

MINNESOTA VIKINGS
NEEDS:QB, OL, WR, DE
Draft Picks: DE Jared Allen, DB Tyrell Johnson, QB John David Booty, DL Letroy Guion, OL John Sullivan, WR Jaymar Johnson
Approved Picks: Johnson, Booty
Eventual Busts: Guion, Sullivan
Review: First let me say I'm not going to bash the Vikings like some have for paying the ransom for Jared Allen. They already had probably the best defensive tackle combo in the NFL, and Brian Robinson coming along nicely with Udeze becoming a serviceable defensive end. Now you add Allen, with Robinson and Udeze rotating and you have one of the premier defensive lines in all of football. John David Booty is also another great pick by the Vikings. He's played at one of if not the biggest program in college football. He may have been higher on draft boards if he had the receivers that Palmer and Leinart had before him. We know that Tavaris Jackson isn't the answer at quarterback in Minnesota, but Booty very well may be. We know USC quarterbacks don't take long to adjust to the NFL so if Jackson struggles early on I wouldn't be surprised to see Booty giving the ball to Purple Jesus. My only regret is that they had so few picks, with the only one who may make immediate impact being Booty.
GRADE: B-

Wow..

Apparently some people don't understand what the limit of being a fan is. I was watching Jim Rome earlier and his final burn absolutely shocked me. Apparently a Packers fan thought it was the right thing to do for his team to bind his 7 year old son with duct tape for his son's refusal to wear a packers sweatshirt after Green Bay's win over Seattle.

Alright.. I've heard of some crazy fans before but I mean come on.. You don't do this to anyone especially your own 7 year old child. God only knows what would have happened if Seattle had won that game in Green Bay.