NFL Season Preview and Draft Review
2007 Season
George Halas Division
- ** America’s Team – This team has a nice overall core of players and should make a nice bid to win the whole damn thing. At Starting QB, they have Tony Romo who is poised to have a huge year. RB’s are the strong point for this team in starters fumbling Frank Gore and Thomas Jones but with backups like Adrian Peterson and Jamal Lewis this team has nothing to worry about at RB’s. Their WR’s should be competitive even if some of them aren’t household names, just give them some time. They are Calvin Johnson, Reggie Brown and Devery Henderson. Randy McMichael and Mike “Ted” Nugent are the TE and K. And with Baltimore defense leading the way, I think this team has a great shot of going all the way. Predicted record 10 – 2
- ++ Monster of the Midway – This team makes some nice adjustments in the off season and should be a major player in the NFL and the Halas division. Not bad for a second year coach. Donovan McNabb, who if healthy, is still one of the best QB’s in the game and should have a great year. The RB’s are a little shaky but nothing huge. Shaun Alexander and Maurice Jones-Drew with Brandon Jackson from GB taking over the bye weeks should be able to get this team solid production out of this position. T.O. T.O. T.O. This player was stolen just away from the team that named themselves after him. Now he is going to try to lead this team to glory with the help of Marques Colston. Chris Cooley and David Akers take over the TE and kicking duties. And with the combo of the New England and Philadelphia defenses this team should be a contender. Predicted record 7-5
- + Giant Killers – Once again the lucky leprechaun has put together a solid squad. With a few bowls of Lucky Charms and some help, he could turn the division upside down. You just never know with him. Just get him a step ladder and he will get up in your face and tell ya. Jon Kitna will hopefully stay healthy all year because we all know Vince Young will be out sooner or later with the Madden Curse hanging over his head. Joseph Addai will lead a less than stellar running back group with rookie Marshawn Lynch hoping to make big waves. Reggie Wayne and T.J. with the help of undervalued Vincent Jackson make up a nice group of wide outs. Jason Witten and last year’s leading kicker Robbie Gould finish out the starters. Dallas should have a decent year at the defensive spot. Just not on the same level as Baltimore or Chicago. Predicted record 7-5
- The T.O.’s - Well really not sure what to say here. This team is hoping to ride Peyton Manning to a winning record but I just can’t see it happening. He has only been able to do that for one team and it doesn’t look good for this year either. An extremely weak group of running back led by Laurence Maroney and not much else. Andre Johnson and Deion Branch are a very nice set of wide receivers but WR’s do not win you football games. Kellen Winslow at TE and Jason Elam at the kicking spot. Miami is anchoring down the defense. All turns out to be a long season for The T.O.’s. Predicted record 2-10
Pete Rozelle Division
- * Ickey Shuffle – Another great year of drafting for Nait…errr nevermind. I’ll have to come up with a coaching name later on. Starting at quarterback will be Matt Leinart who I’ve predicted to have a monster year. But don’t be surprised if Daunte Culpepper gets a few shots to start here and there. Then Ickey went on to steal Larry Johnson and has Edgerrin James to compliment him. Might have to change this team’s name to the Arizona Cardinals because we have the 3rd one breaking the starting lineup in Larry Fitzgerald with Plaxico Burress helping out as well. Jeremy Shockey and Kris Brown finish out the offensive stars. Not much at defense which could hurt this team down the stretch. Predicted record 9 – 3
- +++ Lemmonators – Not a bad draft for the rookie who has come to play with the big dogs. Superstar QB Tom Brady leads this team on to the field, and with all his new weapons should have a great year. LT LT LT LT. Hell, we named a team after him last year. That’s all we need to say there. Lack of second running back takes away a bit but still its LT. Chad Johnson and DJ Hackett take over the wide receiving core. Best TE in football in Antonio Gates and well I don’t wanna bring back the kicker thing from the draft. And Jacksonville defense should hold their own. Predicted record 7 – 5
- Substance Abuse – This will be a year of struggle for Substance Abuse. I can see them getting the shakes and everything along with it. No QB to really talk about with this team and that will cost them dearly. Decent running backs in Clinton Portis, Rudi Johnson and Cadillac Williams. One of the better WR groups in the league, too bad that doesn’t take ya to the dance. Randy Moss and Marvin Harrison will score good, just not good enough. Todd Heap at TE and Matt Stover kicking. The Steelers defense will do well. Predicted record 4 – 8
- Darby Rangers - A much better draft than in the past, well at least for the first 6 rounds. Then it all fell apart. Phillip Rivers should do nicely at QB. Reggie Bush and Willis McGahee will put up nice numbers as well. Lee Evans and Jerricho Cotchery make up an under-manned WR core. And not much else to talk about at the rest of the positions. Predicted record 2 – 10
Jim Brown Division
- *** Ball Busters – Another rookie in the league. Too bad for the rest of you guys cause this could be the best damn club put together in a few years. Pro Bowl Drew Brees takes over the helm at QB and with the number of weapons he has, look out. Steven Jackson, who is poised for a record breaking year, and Cedric Benson are a great tandem. Hines Ward , Donte Stallworth, and Jacoby Jones are a very nice set of WR’s. Tony G and Nate Kaeding and TE and K respectively. And with the Chargers defense rounding out this team, makes ya wonder how good they can be. Predicted record 11 – 1
- Postal Maniacs – Big drop off after the division leader. Marc Bulger should have a great year, just not the pass happy offense that we are used to in St. Louis. Brian Westbrook and Travis Henry are great RB’s, if they can stay healthy. Overall pretty weak at the WR position so I’m not expecting many points there. Denver’s defense will make up some points just not enough for a playoff spot. Predicted record 5 – 7
- Tendinitis Turkeys - How the mighty have fallen. The only team from the NFL to win the Undisputed championship from the AFL. Carson Palmer will have another great year unless the rest of the team heads to prison. Ronnie Brown, who will be good in the offense down in Miami, and Ahman Green are the RB’s. Just not sold on Green in Houston. Maybe it’s just me. Torry Holt and Braylon Edwards are a nice set of wide outs. The Bears defense will be a powerhouse. They just won’t be able to come up with enough points to help turn things around. Predicted record 4 – 8
- Steel City All Stars – No QB at all to discuss here. Willie Parker and Brandon Jacobs should be a formidable RB group. Steve Smith and Roy Williams are top tier receivers and should do well. Carolina will need huge games to help this team out. We will see how it turns out. Predicted record 3 – 9
NFL Playoff Predictions
Wildcard Playoff Weekend
Giant Killers @ Ickey Shuffle – Winner Ickey Shuffle
Monsters of the Midway @ Lemmonators – Winner Monsters of the Midway
Division Playoff Weekend
Ickey Shuffle @ America’s Team – Winner America’s Team
Monsters of the Midway @ Ball Busters – Winner Ball Busters
NFL Title Game
America’s Team @ Ball Busters – Winner Ball Busters
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*=3rd Seed Division Champion/3rd Overall Seed/Wildcard Weekend Home Game
**=2nd Seed Division Champion/2nd Overall Seed/1st Round Bye & Home Game
***=1st Seed Division Champion/1st Overall Seed/1st Round Bye & Home Game
+=3rd Seed Wildcard/6th Overall Seed
++=2nd Seed Wildcard/5th Overall Seed
+++=1st Seed Wildcard/4th Overall Seed/Wildcard Weekend Home Game
