The Phoenix Report: MLB 2011

With the regular season now over, what a way to end it?  Four games to decide two wild card spots.  Yankees @ Rays, Red Sox @ Orioles, Cardinals @ Astros and Phillies @ Braves.  Where to go and what to watch.  Thank God for Pic-N-Pic and live streaming online.  Just think, a week ago, there was a chance of a 3-way tie for the Wild Card spot in the AL.  The Angels decided they didn't want to be in the playoffs.  The story I  think no one is talking about is how the Yankees holding the Red Sox playoff hopes in their hands.  Like some sort of bad, ironic joke.  I know Boston fans had to be sick about that but all the Sox had to do is win.  Yeah, I know, easier said then done.  Especially after the September we have all just seen.

Did the Yankees "pack it in" and give the Rays a chance to catch the Red Sox?  Its debatable but you can make an argument either way.  The stat that stands out first is that the Rays, coming into last nights game, had won 8 out of 17 games against the Yankees.  With last nights win, the Rays and Yankees are tied at 9 for wins head to head on the season.  Bottom line, regardless of it all, the Rays had to score runs and they did with timely hitting and good pitching.  The Rays earned their way into the playoffs and can actually do some damage.  Rangers could be in for a fight.

Meltdown, choke, implode.  Any of these three words describe both the Atlanta Braves and the Boston Red Sox.  Both with big leads at the beginning of September and both home for the winter.  Lack of heart comes to mind.  Both of  these teams have a history of folding at the wrong time on multiple occasions.  The Red Sox and their 86 year championship drought has been well documented.  The Braves, with all those division championships in the '90s and only one championship to show for it.  In a small way, are we really surprised.  The question isn't how these teams melted down, but how will they recover?

A much more quiet story is the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Cards have always been in the hunt over the years and have a 2006 championship to show for it.  They won the NL Central Division 7 times since 2000 and were also in the 2004 World Series.  The 2011 team, put their heads down and went to work.  Picking away at a 10.5 deficit on Aug. 25 by winning 23 of their last 31 games.  It wasn't sexy but it was effective.  They took care of the games when they needed to.  The Cardinals worried about themselves and took care of business.  Wild Card or not, the Phillies will have their hands full when the Cardinals come to town.  Remember, the Cardinals took 6 games out of the 9 played this year.  After this run, would you really bet against the Cardinals?

I have to give props to the Baltimore Orioles.  With nothing to play for, this team strapped up and went to work.  The Os showed their fans a good show and didn't just lay down for the Red Sox.  Integrity comes to mind when it comes to this Orioles team.  As a fan of baseball, I appreciate a team 20+ games below .500 showing up to play.  It wasn't just this game either.  The Orioles and Red Sox played 7 times in September, with the Orioles winning five.  Thank you Baltimore!  You may not have had much to celebrate but you should your professionalism and the love of the game.  


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The Phoenix Report: NFL Flukes

Let's be honest, there have been and are teams that play "above their heads", dating back to at least last season. I'm going to start with the Kansas City Chiefs because they are the biggest fluke of all.

 The Chiefs won the AFC West by default.  Basically, someone had to win and the Chargers can't finish during a playoff push and the Raiders can't stop the run.  Just look at the stats for the Chiefs over the last 19 games (16 regular season, 1 playoff in 2010 and 2 games in 2011).  The Chiefs problems were somewhat hidden by their running games and now that Charles is out for the season, where do they turn?  Don't say Matt Cassel because he threw 7 INTs last year in 15 games and has 4 already this year after just 2.  Then there's the defense or lack there of.  The Chief defense has given up 80+ points in 2 games.  This is the defending AFC West champs here.  The front seven cause ZERO pressure on opposing QBs and the DBs consistently get burnt.  Yeah, no repeat for this team.  I hope they enjoyed their gift playoff last year because the Chiefs are done.  Yeah, I Said It!

The Buffalo Bills are not as bad as we thought but they aren't as good as some say they are.  The Bills have looked good the first 2 weeks but starting the season playing the Chiefs and my Raiders doesn't mean that they are contenders for the playoffs.  The real Bills will show up on Sunday when they host the Patriots.  They won't score more then 10 points and will lose by at least 20.  I do applaud the Bills for "looking" like they no longer want to be fodder for the AFC East but its not about how your team looks.  Its about what your team produces, on the field.  The Bills do have good RBs but are middle of the pack in passing (18th overall).  Fred Jackson is playing very well but wait until they play the Pats, Steelers, Ravens and other defenses that are run stoppers.  Yeah, I Said It!

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The Phoenix Report: NBA Lockout

I have tried to keep an open mind but no matter how you look at things, I can't begin to see things from the owners position.  If you listen/read the comments and statements from the owners and David Stern, you can tell that they are being less then truthful. Stern is using words like "vast majority" and "virtual unanimity" tells me and everyone else that there is no unified agreement within the owners as a collective.  How can you, in good faith, bargain with the players if you are not all on the same page?  The answer is you can't.  I understand, business wise, when you are going through a collective bargaining, both sides ask for more then they can get.  Its where you start and then leave room to negotiate up or down.  I'm good with that but the owners want to get back the money that they "lost" during the previous CBA.  WTF?!  How can you look the NBA players in the face and ask/demand that they give you back money you "lost" because of poor business decisions you made?  Sounds like the federal bank bailout all over again.  No one is rewarded for making mistakes.  I have never been and no one I know ever has.  What makes the owners any different?  Not a damn thing!  Let's break it down:

The Salary Cap:
As is, there is a "soft cap".  There is a set dollar amount for all teams but there is a "luxury tax" added when teams spend beyond the cap.  A good idea but it is not a high enough amount to make any of the "big market teams" to not go over the cap.  That leaves teams like the Bobcats, Bucks and Kings in a position where they can't offer players the amount of money they are seeking to play for a team.  The easy fix is to raise the penalty amount.  If you go over the cap by $1 million, then you should have to pay $5 million in luxury taxes.  Sounds steep?  Good.  Then those "big market teams" won't act as if there is no salary cap.  It would also lower player paydays as well.  If a player wants to play for a particular team, then he would have to take a pay cut to do so.  If you are laughing at players taking less money think about how many players are being over paid like Rashard Lewis, who would make $22.1 million this season. That is $3 million short of what Kobe Bryant is making.  SMDH!!  Lewis hasn't been a factor in since '09 and not worthy of this money.  He has been in the league since 1998 and only 2 all-star selections.  That isn't a $20 million player!  I don't blame Lewis at all.  Some owner/GM decided he was worth it and now they want to complain about paying him and  players like him because they aren't producing on the court.  That is no ones fault but the owners.  They shouldn't be bailed out for bad business decisions.  Greedy bastards.

Split of Basketball Related Income or BMI:
Under the previous CBA, the players got 57% of the BMI and rightly so.  Basically, the owners made endorsement and TV deals using the players as equity/collateral to get companies to pay through the nose.  So why would the players get the bigger share?  Its the players that put people in the stands.  I have been to quite a few NBA games in 4 cities and never have I seen a fan wearing a jersey or T-shirt with an owners name on it.  Nike, Reebok, Converse or Adidas don't have a shoe marketing an owner.  Kids on the playground don't call out Jerry Buss or Jerry Reinsdorf name as they go to the hole or take a 3-point shot.  So once again, the owners are acting as if the NBA would be nothing if not for them.  LOL!!  What's worse is that the players offered to lower their percentage to 54%. That amounts to $500 million over the duration of the new CBA.  The owners want to bigger share, for no other reason then to recoup "losses" from the last CBA.  Get the hell outta here with that.  If I was a player, I wouldn't give in on that either.

Guaranteed Contracts:
This is the only issue where I am on the owners side.  The NFL doesn't have guaranteed contracts and rightly so.  Players are paid to play and produce on the court, if you aren't doing that then you shouldn't get paid.  A good example is Grant Hill.  He got hurt, doing his job, and it took some years before he was effective for a team again.  He had a guaranteed contract so he got paid even though he played 82 games over a 3 year span.  I like Hill but as an owner, I would not have wanted to pay someone who wasn't doing what I was paying him to do.  Get rid of the guarantees and add more buyout clauses, just like in the NFL.  DONE!

Revenue Sharing:
This is only a issue because the players were able to get a clause that allows them to have to sign off on any revenue sharing.  What the owners do with their share is their business but the owners can't agree among themselves how to share so that isn't on the players.  Once again, the "big market teams" want to make the money they generate or receive and let the "small market teams" fend for themselves.  Example: The Lakers don't want to give the Bobcats a piece of the Lakers TV deals.  The owners feel that since they individually made deals for their teams then they should reap all the rewards but they want to players to bridge the gap in revenue sharing between the owners.  C'mon man!



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The Phoenix Report: QBs Week 1

With week 1 in the NFL season behind us, anticipation for week 2 is as big as kickoff weekend. So many expectations and surprises came out of week 1. Names like Brady, Manning (Eli and Payton), Brees and Cutler are normal to hear but Newton and Henne in with the rest is, at the very least, eye opening.




Even though the Panthers lost to the Cardinals, Newton completed 24 of 37 (64.9%) with two touchdowns and an interception to go along with 422 yards. He made the correct decisions that you wouldn't expect of a rookie QB starting and playing in his first NFL game. Stats that you wouldn't expect from a rookie QB who only completed 40% of his pre-season passes and was said to not have any real timing with his receivers. Cam Newton showed us all why the only stats that matter are the ones that happen when the games matter. Going forward, the Panthers have a huge building block with Newton. They know without a doubt that they can compete with anyone. I'm not saying the Panthers are going to win their division but they are a scary, young team. What's even better, Newton has earned respect from his offensive line and receivers. Something a QB needs to be successful. Before the season, it was said that Cam Newton had a lot of unanswered questions about his ability at the position on the pro level. Not anymore! All he has to do now is take this performance and grow from it. Eliminate that few mistakes he did make. The scariest thing of all is, Newton is very capable of playing even better. There are some defense coordinators that are looking at some sleepless nights ahead.


Did Tom Brady really throw for 512 yards? Yes, and he added 4TDs and 1INT. Easily the best performance of the weekend. Brady looked like a QB with a chip on his shoulder. You can say that it wasn't a big deal considering Miami's defense sucks but 500 yards is 500 yards. I don't care what team it is and what was worse was the Patriots were on the road. How the hell do you give up that many yards at home? Brady had forever and a day to sit in the pocket and pick the receiver he wanted. All anyone could do was shake their heads and say, "Brady was Brady".


Now, there were some "head scratching moments" at the QB position as well. First, Donovan McNabb and his 37 yards passing. WTF?! The Chargers are not as good as the Vikings made them look. The number 1 problem with the Vikings is that the offensive line, doesn't seem to know how to pass protect. Obviously, they are great at opening holes for Adrian Peterson, which is why AP rushed for 98 yards and along with Percy Harvin's 108 KR for a touchdown, were the only bright spots for the Vikings. When McNabb arrived in the Twin Cities, the offense was supposed to be more balanced. Supposed is the operative word because it never materialized in any form. Maybe this was an aberration. Its hard to say with any certainty that it wasn't and that is what is concerning the most. If every member of the offense isn't in the film room today then that is proof that the Vikings have no heart and don't care. It also lets everyone in L.A. know, Farmer's Field is not the place for them. Stay in Minnesota!


Finally, Tony Romo! SMH!! Just when you think this guy has learned his lessons, he goes out and shows you he didn't. If he was a second or third year QB, maybe you could explain it away but that is not the case with Romo. How did he not see Revis? Why didn't he tell his coach to get Dez Bryant out because he's hurt? Why didn't Romo step up as the leader he says he is? Romo must enjoy being on the SportsCenter Not Top 10. What else could he say after the game besides it was his fault. We all know that Tony. What we want to know is why. Tony Romo, stat wise, had the 5th best performance by a QB in week 1. Stupid mistakes and lack of leadership negated all of that. He has thrown away games in the past and the only reason he didn't get criticized last season is because he was hurt. Its almost laughable to think this guy can get the Cowboys back to being "America's team". Nothing in Romo's body of work gives anyone the ability to see or say that at all. Romo is barely deserving of a week 2 start but if he doesn't fix what ever is wrong quick, fast and in a hurry, there is a bench on the sideline with his name on it. C'MON MAN!!!


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The Phoenix Report: NFL Week 1

Let's all remember, this is week one!  I am hearing a lot of Pats bandwagonners and folks giving up on the Steelers.  I may as well say my Raiders are going to win the Super Bowl.  Yeah, its seems people have lost their minds.  Let's all come back to reality.  No one expected no defense to be played in the Saints/Packers game.  No one expected the Colts to get blown out by the Texans.  No one saw the Bills beat on the Chiefs.  No one, and I mean no one expected or thought Brady was gonna throw for over 500 yards or Cam Newton set all kinds of rookie records in their first NFL start (24-37 422 yards 2TDs 1INT).  Any one who says different is flat out lying.

After all the so called experts made their picks, did the week 1 games all live up to they hype of the season that was in doubt just a couple of months ago?  Quick answer is yes.  One of the better games to watch was Bengals/Browns.  With all the drama with the Bengals in the off season, that team came out, on the road and play together.  Overcame a lost to their starting QB and found a way to win.  The Bengals probably won't make the playoffs or even contend for it but they showed up and played and played well.

There were a couple of games that were very good that were not draws or marquee games. The Lions/Bucs games was one of my more entertaining games from week 1.  The games wasn't sexy but Stafford played very well and lead his team.  The Lions are no longer going to be the butt of jokes going forward.  They are slowly but surely making people take notice that this team is for real.  Don't sleep on Detroit.  They could overachieve this year but playoffs are in their future in much sooner then later.

All in all, this has been one of the better week 1s in a very long time.  Most likely the fact that this season was in doubt made it feel more then it might have been.  That is debatable.  Bottom line, football is here and then next 4+ months are going to be great.

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The Phoenix Report: NFC West

I almost didn't do this division based on the fact that all 4 of these teams are bad.  These teams are either rebuilding or can't get right.  No winner of this division has finished better then 10-6 since Seattle in '05 who finished 13-3 and went to the Superbowl.  The 49ers and Cardinals have shown some improvements but not enough for anyone to think they will make any noise this year but here goes:

The Rams are a team that isn't a shell of its former self.  The days of the Greatest Show on Turf well behind them, second year  QB Bradford played well last year but his O-line didn't.  Allowing Bradford to be sacked 34 times, its not wonder this team was 7-9 last year.  Having said that, the Rams did look and play alot better then two years ago when they posted a 1-15 record.  This is a very young team so growing pains will be present for at least another year.  This is an 8-8 team at best this season.

Not sure what Arizona is planning on.  Their best move in bringing in Kolb at QB was minimized by losing a WR Breston to the Chiefs.  The Cardinals defense doesn't scare anyone.  I've been more scared at the neighborhood haunted house then anyone on this defense.  If Kolb can gel with his receivers, the passing attack should be better then the 31st passing rated of last year.  With that, possibly RB Wells can provide some relief but all this depends on the O-Line actually blocking and opening holes.  The Cards will repeat at 5-11 and last in the division.

Pete Carroll got the Seahawks to the playoff in his first season back in the NFL.  However, they were 7-9 and someone had to win the division.  Seattle did solidify there division win by beating the defending champ Saints in the playoffs.  With new QB in Jackson along with WR Rice, the Seahawks can challenge for the division crown once again.  The question that remains is do they want to just win the division or get back to the super bowl?  They are youthful and somewhat unproven on defense and still have to answer some questions on offense.  Is Jackson as good as he and Seattle think he is? So far, the answer is no but we shall see.  The Seahawks need to develop a running game but lack the RB to do it.  Marshawn Lynch isn't the answer.  This team is one of the youngest teams in the NFL but they have playoff experience to build on.  I project 9-7 and 2nd in the division.

The 49ers have been near playoff contention for a couple of years but have been unable to get over the hump.  Taking a step back last year, the 49ers need to stop with the excuses and use the talent around them.  With WR Crabtree and Jets sendoff Edwards, QB Smith should put up much better number and compliment RB Gore in the offense.  That is if Coach Harbough sees it that way.  This team has talent to sleepwalk to 8-8 and  could be 11-5 if potential is tapped into but no coach has been able to do that to this point.  The 49ers should win the division at 10-6, barely getting by the young Seahawks.

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The Phoenix Report: NFC South

I wonder why no one is really talking about this division.  Since 2002, every team in the NFC South has won the division at least twice.  Five of times has the division winner gone on the the NFC championship game, winning 3 of those 5 times and 2 super bowl wins.  No other division posts a record like that.

The Carolina Panthers seem to be in the final stages of rebuilding.  With Cam Newton at the helm, he can answer a few questions about his ability with a solid rookie year.  The Panthers issues have always been the health of their RBs. Deangelo Williams is a good RB but he can't stay healthy. Stewart filled in well but they were still 13th in the league in rushing.  Newton will have to improve quickly to get the Panthers out of the celler in passing.  The addition of TE Shockey can help but only if he can stay on the field.  Something he has not been able to do going back to his days in New York.  The Panthers are still looking to fill the void on defense left by Peppers departure which is a big reason why they ranked 23rd in stopping the run.  Even if Newton were to play well enough to win ROY, if the defense doesn't stop anyone then the Panthers won't finish any better then last in the division.  Not much room to fall after a 2-14 season.  8-8 should be the goal for this team.  They will show flashes at times this season but finish no better then 6-10.

The Atlanta Falcons were an overachieving disappointment last season.  13-3 division winners with the best record in the NFC and second best overall, then went out and got plastered by the eventual champion Packers. Things won't get any easier for them either.  The Falcons have a tough schedule having to play team that were close to being playoff teams last year, save the Panthers and the Lions.  This team will have to prove that they are as good or better then last year's team.  The Falcons are capable as long as the wideouts stay healthy and the establish their running game.  Even more important, the Falcons must defend the pass better.  Aaron Rodgers threw for 336 yards and only had 5 incomplete passes and zero INTs.  The Falcons must play consistantly and not fall apart.  My pick to win this division again at 12-4.

In order for Tampa Bay to get over the hump and back into the playoffs, QB Freeman will have to step up and raise his game.  After a decent season last year, Freeman must establish himself as a "elite" QB and take pressure off of the running game.  He need to compliment it instead of rely on it.  Tampa Bay ranked 8th in rushing but 17th in passing.  Top 10 is what is needed in order for the Bucs to compete in this division.  On defense, being able to run on the Bucs used to be unheard of.  Used to be.  Sapp and Lynch aren't walking through the door!  The front 4 must close up the holes and running lanes and continue to get pressure on the QBs.  Tampa Bay is a wild card team at 11-5.

The Saints strength is also their weakness.  Since winning the superbowl, the Saints have been a top 5 team in passing but always in the bottom 3rd in rushing.  They brought in Sproles to replace Bush and for what reason? Sproles isn't any better then Bush is.  Sproles isn't as dangerous as Bush is, even with the injuries.  As long as the Saints running game stay non-existant, the Saints will not return to being a superbowl team.  With Tampa Bay getting better, the Saints can't afford to be stagnate.  Brees will be Brees but Thomas must step up and take pressure off of Brees by running the ball effectively.  Averaging 3.3yrds per carry isn't going to get it done.  Saints will finish 10-6 and 3rd in the division.

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The Phoenix Report: NFC North

This division is, by far, the toughest to call.  Since its inception in 2002, only the Lions have not won the division. However, the Lions have gotten better and so have the Vikings.  Green Bay are the defending champs and then there's the Bears.  I'm still shaking my head.

The Bears didn't answer any of the questions that have haunted them.  Signing Roy Williams is supposed to answer their holes on offense?  LOL!  Cutler has produced like he is capable of.  How long and how many chances does Cutler need to produce like he should?  Hester needs to go back to being a DB and the WRs all need to stop dropping balls.  Forte had to stop putting the ball on the ground. The Bears can no longer afford to rely on 10-6 or 11-5 getting them to the playoffs, especially in this division going forward.

The Lions have lived many years as 2 wins for their divisional counterparts.  Stafford's injury cost them showing how much they have improved.  They are on the brink of a breakout year.  One of the biggest changes for the Lions is, as a team, they go into games believing and playing like they will win.  The defense is hitting folks in the mouth and they are able to put up points.  This season, the Lions will play the role of spoiler while they continue to find themselves as a team.  Worst case for this team, 8-8.

Can the Vikings do worse then last year? Yes.  Will they? No!  With the best RB in the game and Berrian and Harvin healthy, expect the Vikes to look more like the Vikes of '09.  They have an O-line that should be able to give McNabb the time he needs to find his wideouts and make holes for Peterson to easily run through.  The Vikings only question is on defense.  Even though the Vikings were top 10 in defense last year, they must play better if they want to come out on top in this division.  McNabb is in position to have a pro bowl year and the Peterson is ready to show us why he is the best RB in the league.  The big names on defense aren't there but effort, heart and execution will counter any big name out there.  Vikings will win this division at 12-4.  YEAH, I SAID IT!!

The defending champs won last year by taking advantage of opponents mistakes.  That's not a knock on the Packers and they are the champs but can they do it with everyone watching.  The Packers don't strike anyone and a dynasty in the making.  They are better then a "one and done" type of team.  Now, they will play this season with a target on their backs.  With the NFC better this year then last year, especially inside this division, those out of conference and out of division games become very important.  The running game is the key to the Packers having a real shot at making it back to the super bowl.  If Grant can stay healthy and produce, that will take pressure off of Rodgers.  Packers will finish second at 10-6 or 11-5.  YEAH, I SAID IT!!

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The Phoenix Report: NFC East

What can you say about this division except no matter the records of these teams, they beat up on each other consistently.  However, over the last 11 years the Eagles have dominated this division but have yet to win a super bowl.  The Eagles look poised to win it again but can they get to and win the big game this time?

The Redskins are still in a tailspin/rebuilding phase. For whatever that's worth, Shanahan seems to have lost his mind.  McNabb is better then all 4 QBs on the roster combined but was benched last year then traded in the offseason.  WTF?!  Then filled their roster with a bunch of young players and journeymen on both sides of the ball. What's worse is that this team was top 10 in passing yards but 30th or worse in rushing and on defense. With so many unproven players, don't expect any from the 'Skins this season.  At best, they will mirror last year's record at 6-10.  The O-Line won't open up many holes for RB Hightower and won't keep QB Grossman upright long enough to be as productive as McNabb was.  Last place again.

The Giants aren't a bad team, just bad at execution down the stretch of the game.  The game that stands out the most is the week 15, at home against the Eagles.  For 3 quarters and the first 7+ minutes of the 4th, the Giants contained and controlled M Vick.  Leading 31-10 with 7:30 to play, the Giants imploded.  They took that 38-31 lost to Green Bay and got spanked 45-17.  The Giants play last year like a rookie team who acted as if they had never been there before.  They should have won the division and had a 12-4 record at the least.    So many mental mistakes and lack of heart.  If this team wants to win another championship, they had better do it now.  Its put up or shut up time in New York.

The Cowboys got a new stadium but its the same underachieving team.  To be fair, QB Romo was injured last year after showing signs that his head was on straight.  The offense wasn't bad with Kitna under center but the defense couldn't stop anyone.  The last 11 games of the season, the Cowboys gave up less then 20 points to opposing teams twice, 19 and 13.  Romo will be back this season and has looked good in the preseason.  Now will the defense get themselves together?  I doubt it but we shall see.  The Cowboys will finish 2nd in the division at 10-6.

The Eagles were a surprise team last year.  No one knew Vick was going to play the way he did. With the acquisitions of CBs Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, the Eagles have strengthened their secondary.  Very scary with the ability to play a 3 CB defense.  On offense with everyone healthy, expect Vick to, at least, put up the same stats from last year.  The Eagles will win this division easily with a record of 13-3.  Yeah, I said it!!

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The Phoenix Report: AFC West

This will not be a Raider heavy blog.  Even though I am a Raider fan, I will call it like I see it.

This division hasn't been relevant for a while but the games are still fun to watch. Teams like the Broncos and Chargers have underachieved and Chiefs have benefited and gotten better at the same time.  The Raiders are the Raiders.  Last season you never knew what you were going to get out of any of these teams.

With the Chargers, either this is the most "snake-bitten" team ever or the coach has got to go.  Overall, the Chargers have had the most talent and better team of the 4 but no real noise in the playoffs.  Norv Turner has proven he is a great regular season coach but he disappears in the playoffs.  Its like he forgets how to coach. For the last 5+years, the Chargers have been the team to win this division.  Since 2003, the Chargers won 5 times and only reached the AFC championship game once. On offense, outside of the RB position, the Chargers have more talents and the QB, WR and TE positions as any of the other top teams in the league and have nothing to show for it. Once again, the Chargers are favored.  I'm not impressed.

The Chiefs are out to prove that last year wasn't a fluke, even though they were bounced early in the playoffs.  As the defending division champs, they are the team to beat but given that they won by one game doesn't encourage me at all.  10-6 last year but at their very best this is a 11-5 team.  They can't run the table in the division (like the Raiders did) and still have question at the RB position.  J Charles had a good year last year but will he improve or at least match those numbers this season.  The first team for the Chiefs didn't look good at all.  M Cassell has cracked ribs and I have zero faith in his backups, whoever they are.  Tyler Palko is a second year player who has thrown 6 passes in the NFL and Ricky Stanzi is a rookie.  Yeah, once again, NOT IMPRESSED!!  RB Charles can only carry the Chiefs so far.  In a division like this, RBs are eaten alive without a capable QB handing them the rock.

The Broncos are still in trouble.  Kyle OrtOn is the best they have at QB but QB isn't their problem.  The O-Line is still terrible.  K Moreno has his work cut out for him as the the #1 back.  Outside of the Bengals (wk 2) and the Bills (wk 16), the Broncos will play teams that are all better then they are.  Yes, that includes the Raiders,  Yeah, I said it!!!  Remember how the Raiders embarrassed them 59-14 at Invesco Field.  Go ahead and watch the highlights on YouTube.  Obviously, the biggest hole on this team is the defense.  They can't stop anyone from scoring.  Last in the division again.

The Raiders, well are the Raiders.  The Raiders did show a lot of improvement last year.  They didn't lose a single division game but lost out of division and out of conference games they should have won (Cards wk 3, 49ers wk 6, Jags wk 14 and even the Colts wk 16).  Even if I let the Colts game slide, which I don't, the Raiders win the division and would have shown up against the Ravens if not won that game.  That just proves the point that you have to beat the team you're supposed to and win those divisional games as well.  The Raiders were 1for2.  The O-Line got better but the secondary isn't the same with Nnamdi leaving.  Growing pains there but the situation isn't hopeless.  The Raiders don't have an overly tough schedule but they can't beat themselves and expect to win.  J Campbell is looking very comfortable in the pocket and has shown to be able to be a good field general.  Scoring won't be a problem for the Raiders and they should average 17-20 ppg.  As long as the defense steps up and LB McClain continues to lead the defense, the Raiders are ready to compete in the division.  They are still not SB contenders but the growth is encouraging.  Al Davis needs to stay in the owners box and let Coach Jackson do his thing.  Raiders 10-6!

The Chargers, on paper should win but I'm picking the Raiders to win the division.  YEAH, I SAID IT!!!

D!

The Phoenix Report: AFC South

Can Houston or Tennessee take advantage of a hurting Colts team?  That depends on a few things.  Is P Manning as hurt as he seems to be? That vote isn't completely in but I think Manning is almost done.  Neck injuries are usually career enders.

The Texans problem wasn't being able to move the ball or score.  Their problem was stopping other teams from scoring.  Last year, the Texans had one shut out.  A 20-0 win over the Titans.  It doesn't help when your defense gives up on average 30 pts a game and the offense averages 24 pts a game.  At the very least, those numbers have to flip flop and the gap extend 10 pts.  There were games they shouldn't have won (Raiders wk. 4) and games they should have lost (Charger, Jags, and Jets wks, 9,10,11).  Consistency is a key for this team.

The Jags are in disarray.  They release QB Gerrard 5 days before their week 1 game.  WTF?!!  If it was a salary cap move, the why didn't you do that a month ago?  Jags might win 2 games this year.  Yeah, I said it!!!

The Titans can't do any worse then last year, can they?  I will say, after giving up on V Young, picking up M Hasselbeck was great.  If the O-Line can keep him upright, Hasselbeck can pick apart defenses with the best of them.  Don't be surprised if the Titans make some noise in this division.  Especially with C Johnson getting the contract extension.  He will take a lot of pressure off of Hasselbeck.  Titans are contenders in this division.

The Colts haven't recovered from their SB lost to the Saints.  Manning gets hurt and it seems the ship is sinking fast.  K Collins is capable off keeping the ship afloat for a few weeks but I'm not a believer in a "Kurt Warner rebirth" here.  J Addai may be healthy but how long will that last, especially if the Colts become a running team.  Yeah, I'm laughing at that prospect too.  However long it take for Manning to get back to being Manning will determine how far the Colts will go.

Tennessee Titans will win the division.

D!

The Phoenix Report: AFC North

This division well be largely unchanged.  Either the Ravens or the Steelers will win this division.  I will be fair and break it down anyway.  The Browns could be a dark horse. The Bengals, well they are the Bengals. Even worse without C Palmer. Outside of C Benson, who can you name on the Bengals roster?  That's what I thought, no one.  A team that seems bent on being on an indefinate rebuilding stage.  I have no words except 2 wins for each of the other teams in the division.

The Browns have actually been trying to get better.  Injuries and off-field problems have been an issue but this team seems to have worked those out and are moving forward.  With a solid running game and better then average blocking up front, P Hillis can be the first player to avoid the Madden Curse.  Then again, they said the same thing about T Palomalo too.  C McCoy can silence his "haters" by coming out and performing, at least, up to pontential.  He has the ability to be a "D Brees" type of QB but that will depend on not only is O-line but his willingness to work hard to develop into it.  This team will go as far as McCoy helps Hillis take it.

The Ravens are still that team that are known by their defense.  J Flacco had his best statistical year last year, his 3rd.  As a young QB, you are incouraged by his TDs going up and INTs going down.  He also had a 96.6% rating last year, up from 88.9% in 2009.  For this team, that is progress.  For a team who's defense isn't what it used to be, Flacco have a solid pro-bowl season can take pressure off of the D.  I know, a lot of ifs in there but isn't everything before the games are played?  Flacco has the chance to turn himself and his receivers into big names.  At 6'6", 240, he is another QB out of excuses.  Its put up or shut up time.

The Steelers could surprise even themselves this year.  With injuries seemingly behind them, the emergence of M Wallace and addition of J Cotchery, defenses can double team H Ward.  B Rothlisberger will get to see his receivers in more one on one situations and have Mendenhall in the backfield.  Need I say more?  The Steelers are looking like a stacked team and as long as the defense stays the dominate D they have been, the Steelers can win 14 games.  Yeah, I said it!!  They can win, I'm not saying they will.  Either way, I can't wait to see them play the Pats week 8.

The Steelers win this division!!

D!

The Phoenix Report: AFC East

For the last 3+ years, so much trash talking and player swapping have come in this division.  The funny thing is that usually this division is dominated by the Pats, whether they win it all or not, but the Jets have been right there. In truth, no one has really feared the Pats, just everyone else in the division wasn't good.  Some "experts" call the Pats a stacked team.  Really??  Sign OchoCinco and "show up when I want to" Haynesworth and the Pats are the second best team in the NFL??  Really??  Weren't the Pats SB favs last year?  Didn't the Jets put them out?  How does early playoff exits garner such high hopes for a team that really isn't that different from the previous year?  Well, its the Brady effect.  Yeah, I said it.  Brady is Brady and for most of his career the Colts were his only AFC obstacle.  As we all have seen, that has changed, BIG TIME! Nothing about the Pats scare me.  Now there are stories about R Moss coming back.  That tells me that the coaching staff isn't sure about the players on the roster.  I remember all the talk when the Pats blew out the Jags.  LMAO!! It was preseason and they lost to the Lions and Giants.  Yeah, it was preseason so why are they favs? IDK!!!   How many times have the Pats been beaten by "inferior" teams?  Of the top of my head, 2 stand out.  The Giants (SB XLII) and the Jets in the playoffs last year.  Ironic how both play in NY and the Pats are Boston's team.  I said it here first, the Pats will not win the AFC East.

The Jets are the team we all are saying to "just frikkin win already" about.  I mean the coach has been wolfin and some of the players as well.  Yet all we have gotten are 2 AFC championship games.  If your not gonna walk the walk the STFU!!  Yeah, I said it!  M Sanchez has no excuses at all.  He now has 2 receivers who can stretch the field and RB by committee/situation. The defense, largely is unchanged. Talent and good coaching alone doesn't win championships.  You have to have heart and execution, for 60 minutes.  You can't get the "deer in the headlights" look when things don't go your way.  Adapt and overcome.  I guess that's easier said then done.  Fingers crossed Jets fans but I think they will win this division by 2 games over the Pats.

Not sure what's going on in Miami.  When the "U" is doing my for the economy then the NFL team there, that should be a wake up call in itself, but not the 'Fins.  Not sure what R Bush is gonna do.  Not even sure what offense they plan on running.  They don't even know.  At least they can say that "we don't suck as bad as the Bills".  Not sure if that's good or not but unless they step up as a team, they will have 3rd in this division on lock.  At least until the Bills wake the hell up.

Let's face it, the Bills haven't been relevant since the mid '90s.  Not for a lack of talent but just no leadership.  Can you name a starter from the Bills?  I can't, not unless I look.  Fitzpatrick is your QB of the future?  WHO?  Fred Jackson has barely rushed for 1k yards once in his 3 years as a started and 4 overall.  Really?  No one up front blocks.  Defense? Their best defender is S Merriman and he isn't who he was in '07.  Not even a shell of his '07 self.  He's only played 18 games over the last 3 yrs.  And that's their best defender.  By the way, he listed as probable for week 1 due to a sore groin.  Enough said.

The Phoenix Report: Football is Back!

Its just 2 days before the first game of the 2011 NFL season and just 6 weeks ago, the season was in doubt of even happening.  Fan outrage and frustration has been replaced with anticipation of what could be a great season. Will Green Bay repeat?  Will the Eagles live up to the hype or fold like the Miami Heat did?  These are just a couple of questions out there as the regular season approaches.  Injuries will be the key this season more than any other.  A shortened off season and training camps are to thank for that.

Will Michael Vick surpass his stats from last season?  I think so.  For the first time in his life, he understands the position of QB.  If he can stay healthy, which he hasn't been able to do, the Eagles can and should win it all.

First game: New Orleans vs. Green Bay.  Is there anything better then the last 2 Super Bowl champs starting the season?  HELL NO!  Well, maybe Pats vs. Colts but lets face it, Brady isn't Brady of 10 yrs ago and P Manning is falling apart.  Green Bay last season reminds me of the Pats first SB win.  They were LUCKY to get there but took care of business.  I don't hate the Packers but I don't like them either.  I will and do give them the respect of being the CHAMPS!  On the other side, the Saints have to find a way to put their surprise early exit from the playoffs behind them and come out and play the way they did 2 years ago, when they won it all and restored the pride to New Orleans.

I will break down the AFC by division later today and the NFC tomorrow.  I am open to comments, suggestions and criticism.  This is my opinion so I'm still gonna say what I want to.  LOL!

D