Sherman Lewis makes a comeback!

A couple of weeks ago Sherman Lewis was retired, and as of today he will be taking over the play-calling for Jim Zorn. That must be awkward. Great idea, really must be building team chemistry in DC. Maybe owner Dan Snyder's plan is to now tempt Brett Favre back to the Redskins with his former offensive coordinator. Yeah, that's a joke, but with Snyder believable.

Can anyone get an offense in DC to work? This is the writing on the wall for Jim Zorn as the Redskins coach. Quite frankly, the Redskins have been terrible for the last few years, and Jason Campbell is not the future. Not to mention Clinton Portis seems to be on the decline. Dan Snyder needs to start brainstorming for his first successful idea as the Redskins owner. After this season, let the firestorm begin.

Who are the real contenders?

Four teams remain unbeaten in the NFL going into Week 4. The Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, and the Baltimore Ravens all hold the record of 3-0. The Broncos have to be the surprise team of the season with a new QB, new head coach, and of course a league leading defense? Yes, they have only allowed 16 points on their way to 3-0. Even with facing the terrible offensives of Oakland and the Browns, but still giving up only 16 points to three NFL teams is quite the feat. However, that defense will be tested against Tony Romo and the Cowboys this weekend. In the biggest game of the season, Brett Favre will welcome his former team to the Metrodome, which should be a barn burner with these two offenses on the field. This will be a tough match up between both teams and the division lead hangs in the balance. Baltimore also has a big game against the Patriots, but with a Ray Lewis defense against a struggling Tom Brady and Co. the Ravens look like the better team. And finally, the Colts take on the Seahawks, and Seattle just doesn't match up well against the Colts offense (if anyone does) giving Peyton Manning plenty of time to find the Pierre Garcon's of the world and raise the Colts record to 4-0.

Out of the four undefeated teams, the Colts and Ravens seem to the real contenders. Minnesota needs to win this week, as they were able to hold off the 49ers last week to prove they can play back-to-back big games. Unfortunately, with Orton and the Broncos their schedule just gets tougher as they move forward, and they are the pretender of this group.

Chicago Bears vs. Green Bay Packers Preview

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears will meet for the 178th time tonight on Sunday Night Football. The Bears lead the overall series lead 91-80-6. Lovie Smith has enjoyed a 7-3 record against the hated rivals since his 2004 hiring. The Packers embarrassed the Bears last season in a 37-3 drubbing, but beat the Pack 20-17 in OT in the 2nd match-up.

Should we expect this to be a shoot out? Probably, with Aaron Rodgers and Jay Cutler at their respective helms guiding the offenses. It should be an exciting offensive showcase. However, that not what Don Capers Packers want with their new look 3-4 defensive scheme that was installed this past off-season.

QB COMPARISON
RODGERS VS. CUTLER
ADVANTAGE: DRAW

RB COMPARISON
GRANT VS. FORTE
ADVANTAGE: BEARS

WR/TE COMPARISON
ADVANTAGE: PACKERS

OFFENSIVE LINE COMPARISON
ADVANTAGE: PACKERS

DEFENSE COMPARISON
ADVANTAGE: DRAW

SPECIAL TEAMS COMPARISON
ADVANTAGE: BEARS

Big game tonight for both teams. The NFC North is wide open between the Packers, Bears, and Vikings. Packers win by 3, after Ryan Grant has himself a productive day with over 100 rushing yards and 2 TDs.

10 Bold NFL Predictions

1. Aaron Rodgers will win the NFL MVP.
2. NY Giants will win the Super Bowl.
3. The Chicago Bears win the NFC North.
4. Terrell Owens makes Trent Edwards look like an All-Pro QB in the first 10 weeks, and then the weather gets nasty.
5. Mark Sanchez will win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
6. Brady Quinn will make the Pro Bowl (as long as former Michigan WR Edwards can catch the ball this year).
7. The Oakland Raiders will win 3 games, only 1 less win than the Broncos.
8. Cadillac Williams will win the Comeback player of the Year Award.
9. San Diego defeats Pittsburgh at home to play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
10. Brett Favre will retire at the end of the year, after the Vikings fail to make the playoffs.
11. The Cleveland Browns will fail to win 3 games, and ownership will send Mangini packing.
    

AFC North - jayballistic

AFC North
1 Pittsburgh
2 Baltimore
3 Cincinnati
4 Cleveland


Pittsburgh is essentially a playoff dynasty, and this year should be no different. I think Willie Parker is on the downside of his career but Big Ben still has plenty of tools at his disposal. The Steelers' vaunted D is still tough, Coach Tomlin is an asset, and the offense is anchored by a veteran wide receiver corps: I still feel good about an 11-5 Pittsburgh. I love Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, but I'm not sold on Flacco and Rice quite yet in Baltimore. The Wild Card is a possibility if those key Ravens do prove they are for real this year. In Cincy, I believe Ochocinco will be back, at least statistically, but I foresee another turbulent season for the injury-prone Palmer. T.J will be missed and I don't see any breakout performances from the skill positions. Lewis is on the hot seat and I think this is not going to end well for him. And Cleveland. Oh, brother. I want so badly for the Mistake By The Lake to have a Championship in ANY sport, but these bumbling tools cannot buy a decent football squad. They have Mangini, who has the Belichick-patented superiority complex without any of the validity that The Hoodie possesses, they have a completely fabricated QB controversy, a totally over-the-hill running back, a diva wideout who couldn't catch the Swine Flu in Mexico City, and don't forget they still have Donte Stallworth... ahem. But hey, they got rid of Kellen Winslow, Jr. so it's all good, right? Enjoy 4 - 12, Cleveland, and give Brady Quinn a chance... to play for someone else.

Predictions - Erik the Red Edition

As the NFL season looms near, I have composed my 'professional opinion' into an easy to read list. Below are my predictions for the NFL this season.

AFC

North: Steelers, Ravens, Bengals, Browns

South: Titans, Colts, Texans, Jaguars

East: Patriots, Jets, Bills, Dolphins

West: Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders, Broncos

NFC

North: Packers, Vikings, Bears, Lions

South: Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Buccaneers

East: Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, Redskins

West: Seahawks, Cardinals, 49ers, Rams

Playoffs

AFC

6 Ravens v. 3 Titans
5 Colts v. 4 Chargers

4 Chargers v. 1 Patriots
6 ravens v. 2 steelers

2 Steelers v. 1 Patriots

NFC

6 Seahawks v. 3 Packers
5 Vikings v. 4 Cowboys

5 Vikings v. 1 Saints
3 Packers v. 2 Panthers

3 Packers v. 1 Saints

Super Bowl

Saints def.Patriots

What could happen?

Newest WR Diva Suspended

Josh McDaniels may be a new head coach, but he's already had a huge impact on this season. First, it was sending Denver's All-Pro quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago, and now the team has suspended Brandon Marshall indefinitely. Is this something the Broncos should be proud of? It seems as if the Broncos has a new world order this season as its about the team first, no matter the talent of the player.

Marshall is a stud WR, but he follows the same path as Chad Ochocinco or Terrell Owens. After demanding a trade in the off season, and also complaining that the Broncos medical staff misdiagnosing an injury and was required to have hip surgery in the off season. Oh, and he also wants a new contract. It seems as if the Broncos do not care, and will continue without Marshall.

It was reported by KMGH-TV on Wednesday, that Marshall during practice was acting like a child. While the team was running, Marshall was walking, he punted a ball instead of handing it to a ball boy, and swatted a pass down that was thrown to him. Earlier this week, Marshall was quoted that he hasn't even learned McDaniel's playbook yet.

These kinds of actions should get you suspended. He isn't even trying to earn a good rep with his new coach or teammates. His credibility will forever be damaged.

Can someone please explain to me why WR's are the diva position of the NFL?

Favre getting cold feet?

According to Ed Werder, Brett Favre seems "anguished" over choice on whether or not to play for the Minnesota Vikings. Is he getting cold feet this close to his self-mandated date on whether to return or not? I'd have to think this very important decision for Favre is quite the opposite of a stress relaxer. While, Brett has fans in Green Bay ready to start bon-fires of his memorabilia, and Vikings fans thinking Super Bowl, will it be a yes or no?

With receiving phone calls from star Vikings players trying to lure him back with the temptation of another Super Bowl seem to great, Brett's diva skills are conflicting him. Is he more worried about his legacy if he fails?

Who cares, we all know he'll throw 30 TDs, and 25 INTs regardless next year. He'll have to put aside his me-first attitude in Minnesota, unlike his first stint away from Green Bay in New York where players seemed to hate on him.

Also, how would you feel ife you were Sage Rosenfels or Tavaris Jackson? Would you want to play on a team with its players and coaches trying to bring in another QB? These two players are the victims, right along side Green Bay Packer fans and Favre's legacy.

Stallworth gets 30 days...

Only 30 days for manslaughter while drunk? These seems to be a bit lenient compared to other sentences carried out to previous athletes (Mike Vick, Jamal Lewis). Stallworth was drunk, blowing a.13 at the time of the accident. Yes, the victim was illegally crossing the street, but that still does not make it okay for this to happen. Maybe, after drinking at some night club in Miami, Donte Stallworth could have called for a cab. Instead, all the victim's family received was a financial settlement, and losing a family member, but more importantly a father.

Unbelievable, that Stallworth will only serve a 30-day sentence for such a severe act. Just because he had money, he got a deal. That's not fair, and Stallworth should have to pay more of a punishment. Lets see how long Goodell suspends him, I bet its more than the financial settlement, and more than a 30-day jail sentence.

Miami Dolphins player goes on joy ride

Early Sunday morning, defensive end Randy Starks was arrested for striking an officer with a slow-moving Freight liner truck. Starks was driving the truck on South Beach's Ocean Drive with over ten people in the truck. After bumper to bumper traffic, the officers attempted to stop Starks but he did not stop, and continued to move the freight liner, and pinned the officer into another car.

A couple questions arise here. What is this guy doing with a freight liner at 12:30AM? Doesn't he know nothing good comes after midnight for professional athletes? This seems to be another poor judgement made by an NFL player. Starks was arrested and released on $10,000 bail but we'll see what Commisionner Goodell decides to do after this crime is investigated.

Packers Draft Preview

NFL fans your fix comes tomorrow with the NFL Draft taking over the weekend. What will Ted Thompson do this year? Sizzlin' Ted has had some hot picks such as Greg Jennings, Aaron Rodgers, and James Jones. However, Thompson has missed on a few major need areas such as Justin Harrell, AJ Hawk, Aaron Rouse, and Tony Moll.

With the Packers switching to the 3-4 defense, Dom Capers should be hoping for a defensive player with the ninth overall selection. If Ted Thompson decides to pick "best available" and go with an offensive player Kevin Greene should body slam him. This needs to be a defensive draft for the Green Bay Packers.

TEAM NEEDS
DL
LB
OT

What are the experts predicting? It seems that anything can happen in the top ten this year with teams wanting to move up or move down.

Jay Glazer, FoxSports.com
Packers at #9: Virginia T Eugene Monroe

Pat Kirwan, NFL.com
Packers at #9: Texas LB Brian Orakpo

Don Banks, si.com
Packers at #9: LSU DE Tyson Jackson

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
Packers at #9: Texas LB Brian Orakpo

Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
Packers at #9: LSU DE Tyson Jackson

I'm not quite sure what Ted Thompson will do, but Packer fans better hope for defense. If Capers doesn't get 3-4 type players this weekend, looks for Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte run all over the Packers this season. The Packers need a dominant nose tackle, and Boston DT B.J. Raji is my pick.

Packers Schedule 2009

Lets take a look at the Packers 2009 schedule:

Week 1 Chicago Bears
Week 2 Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3 @ St. Louis Rams
Week 4 @ Minnesota Vikings
Week 5 Open Date
Week 6 Detroit Lions
Week 7 @ Cleveland Browns
Week 8 Minnesota Vikings
Week 9 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 10 Dallas Cowboys
Week 11 San Francisco 49ers
Week 12 @ Detroit Lions
Week 13 Baltimore Ravens
Week 14 @ Chicago Bears
Week 15 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 16 Seattle Seahawks
Week 17 @ Arizona Cardinals

Starting off in Week 1 the Pack have a prime time slot with Kyle Orton Jay Cutler and Da' Bears which should start the season on a very high note. The Packers and their new look 3-4 defense will have an opportunity to start the season at least 3-1 going into the bye in week 5. Week 8 begins a tough stretch of games with the Vikings, Bucs, Cowboys, and finishing up with cake walk of the San Francisco 49ers.

With a quick rundown of the list, I've projected the Packers to be 8-8. Granted, this is a lot of ifs (reminds me a lot of another team). Can the Packers make a good adjustment to the 3-4? Will Ted Thompson ever have sizzle? Can Aaron Rodgers be consistent?

NFL invades NASCAR

As you probably already know Roger Goodell wants an NFL season of at least 17-18 total games. You can read plenty elsewhere on the pros and cons of this move alone. But what about effecting other sports?

Not that I watch NASCAR, but what comes two weeks after the Super Bowl? The Daytona 500. NASCAR's biggest race, and their own "Super Bowl" of racing.

“I don’t think I can make a definitive answer to [changing the date], but I would have a hard time today seeing how that would work for everybody – working for the media partners, working for the sponsors that we share and quite frankly, working for the fan and the consumer base,” said Roger VanDerSnick, senior vice president for marketing and business operations for DIS parent company International Speedway Corp.

Looks like Roger Goodell will have to cozy up to the NASCAR folks...

(Via Scenedaily.com)

Meet the Cowboys newest Wide Receiver

Apparently the Jaguars don't need wide receivers or they're tired of Matt Jones. Matt Jones is back in the hot seat after he drank some beer while playing golf. Its too bad that for Jones that drinking beer is a no-no following a drug charge in 2008. So with that said the Jaguars released him, and I'm betting Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys will sign him.

He's already been suspended once, probably will be again, but hey he's still not making it rain like Adam Jones.

Could the Jags land Crabtree or Maclin in the draft?

P.J. Hill won't be celebrating tomorrow

So what happens when you have have two drinking and driving tickets? You ruin your stock in the draft! Former Badger running back P.J. Hill won't be roaming State St. tomorrow as he was arrested early Saturday morning in Madison. Badger running backs seem to have problems with the law. Think about it...Brent Moss, Booker Stanley, Lance Smith.



Besides that...hopefully these Badgers have a better chance at getting drafted.