This is for all the marbles!

This is my most important league. Money is on the line. Pride is at stake! Loser takes the walk!

The draft was quite the cluster-fuck. The commish had to pause the draft a few times due to people being unable to login. I was OK and I used it to my advantage a few times, but I would say I couldn't of done too much better in this draft.

It is a 10 team league. Standard format. I am going to go through each round and tell you what I was thinking. Who I will be constantly watching and comparing myself to, as I could of taken this or that guy with whatever pick. I had the 5th pick so I was picking evenly throughout the draft.

And away we go..

Round 1. Marshawn Lynch RB Who I could of taken instead: Jamaal Charles or CJ Spiller. I actually could of taken quite a few other guys like Ray Rice or Alfred Morris. I isolate Charles and Spiller bc of their projections and last year production.

Round 2. Julio Jones WR Who I could of taken instead: Brandon Marshall.

Round 3. Reggie Bush RB Who I could of taken instead: Frank Gore or Steven Jackson

Round 4. Vincent Jackson WR  Who I could of taken instead: Andre Johnson Victor Cruz or Jordy Nelson

Round 5. Dwayne Bowe WR  Who I could of taken instead: Hakeem Nicks or Lamar Miller

Round 6. Matthew Stafford QB  Who I could of taken instead: David Wilson or Mike Wallace

Round 7. Darren Sproles RB  Who I could of taken instead: Ryan Matthews or Ahmad Bradshaw

Round 8. Houston D/ST  Who I could of taken instead: Denver D/ST

Round 9. Jermichael Finley TE  Who I could of taken instead: Chris Ivory TY Hilton or Lance Moore

Round 10. Andrew Luck QB  Who I could of taken instead: DeAngelo Williams or Denarius Moore

Round 11. Daryl Richardson RB  Who I could of taken instead: Montee Ball or Shane Vareen

Round 12. Brandon Meyers TE  Who I could of taken instead: Emmanuel Sanders

Round 13. Josh Gordon WR  Who I could of taken instead: Jonathan Dwyer or Green Ellis

Round 14. Vick Ballard RB  Who I could of taken instead: Ronnie Hillman or Bryce Brown

Round 15. Aldon Smith LBer (Navarro Bowman) IDP  Who I could of taken instead: Sean Lee or Bowman instead if using a waiver already.

Round 16. David Akers K  Who I could of taken instead: Bailey or Hauschka or Zuerlein

So, Injuries are already mounting for teams

And some guys are already out for the season.
And even some guys did something stupid and will be banned certain games. \
While others even murder people and will never see the field again.
So who are these guys? Let me tell you. How does it effect your fantasy team?

1. Aaron Hernandez TE New England Patriots. Out forever. In jail, maybe, forever.

2. Rob Gronkowski TE New England Patriots. PUP list and if he isn't back by August 31st he has to miss the first 6 weeks of the season. Guess what? I don't trust the guy being injured. I believe he will miss the first 6 weeks of the season. IF he doesn't I just don't see how he becomes a target worth having until later on in the season. IF you can get him for REALLY cheap in the later rounds sure. If you have that luxury. For me? I'm just not touching the guy.

3. Dennis Pitta TE Baltimore Ravens. Out for the year. Ed Dickson is now the #1 TE in Baltimore.

4. Jeremy Maclin WR Philadelphia Eagles. Out for the year. Last year I had Maclin and I really didn't know what to do with him. Now we don't have to worry about it. In fact, it made a lot decisions easier. DeSean Jackson is now the legit #1 WR in Philly.
 
5. Justin Blackmon WR Jacksonville Jaguars. Banned for substance abuse. Cecil Shorts value for the first 4-6 weeks is looking better. I like Cecil Shorts as a 3rd WR. If you can get him as a 4th WR it would be excellent depth.

6. Percy Harvin WR and Sydney Rice WR Seattle Seahawks. I wouldn't take either of these guys anyway unless it was depth on my bench. But, both of these guys are going to miss time in the regular season. Golden Tate and Marshawn Lynch look like the guys to grab for Seattle.

If I think of more (I know Koppen C is out for the Broncos and CB Berry for the Jets and Melvin Ingram for the Chargers but they aren't actual fantasy players so I don't count that.)

My first real team.

I like to draft one team early. So, here it is!
I was on nfl.com and this is a 10 team league.
I was drafting 10th/11th.

LeSean McCoy RB
CJ Spiller RB

Note: I will be comparing my guys against Trent Richardson RB since I passed him up for both of these guys.

Steven Jackson RB
Vincent Jackson WR

Note: I couldn't believe Steven Jackson RB fell this far. I had to take him as the Flex. However, I will be looking at Randall Cobb WR, Reggie Wayne WR, Frank Gore RB, and Steven Ridley RB or Reggie Bush RB bc I passed on them as well here.

Jordy Nelson WR
Hakeem Nicks WR

Note: Amendola WR was here but I passed on him. I also passed on Mike Wallace WR and Wes Welker WR.

Matthew Stafford QB
David Wilson RB

Note: I had no qualms what-so-ever on these two picks. Only Romo was left of the top 8 QB and I pounced. David Wilson was one of a few guys but they are depth. I could of taken the Bears D/ST but I feel I got better value with Broncos later. Darren Sproles was probably the only guy I could say I passed up at this point for Wilson.

Broncos D/ST
Cecil Shorts WR

Note: I could of went with Bengals D/ST and Tavon Austin WR I might regret the Tavon Austin pass.

Brandon Myers TE
TY Hilton WR

Note: Giovanni Bernard RB was here where I got TY Hilton WR only problem was I didn't need RB. I needed WR.

Isaiah Pead RB
Denarius Moore WR

Note: It was all gambles at this point. With DHB gone in Oakland and I expect them to be behind and passing often I like the upside of Moore. Richardson RB from Rams was already gone. I gambled on Pead.

Steven Hauschka K

Note: BPA Kicker.

My top twelve or ten or eight. My tops.

I am on vacation, and I realize that I haven't put up anything recently. The wife and I are just chilling on a Friday night and I have my laptop so why not, right?

I was thinking: I have no problem taking a gamble on certain players late in the draft, but what about my first few rounds? Who are my top guys? So, I will make my list of each position.

I won't be explaining my reasoning as well as I could, and for that I apologize.

QB

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Drew Brees
3. Peyton Manning
4. Tom Brady
5. Cam Newton
6. Matt Ryan
7. Matt Stafford
8. Tony Romo

9. Andrew Luck
10. RGIII
11. Colin Kaepernick
12. Russell Wilson

I don't trust any of those rookies except Luck. Bash me all you want I only trust the top 6-8 guys, and that would be MY top 6-8 guys.

RB

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Arian Foster
3. Doug Martin
4. Marshawn Lynch
5. Jamaal Charles
6. LeSean McCoy
7. Ray Rice
8. CJ Spiller
9. Matt Forte
10. Trent Richardson
11. Alfred Morris
12. Steven Jackson and/or MJD

I trust the 8-9 the most. After that drop off it's about 5 guys and then you hope you have 2x of the top 20 guys. If not good luck this year.

WR

1. Calvin Johnson
2. Dez Bryant
3. AJ Green
4. Julio Jones
5. Brandon Marshall
6. Demaryius Thomas

7. Larry Fitzgerald
8. Vincent Jackson
9. Andre Johnson
10. Randall Cobb
11. Marques Colston
12. Victor Cruz

This is tricky. I think there is a possibility that 3-4 of these guys could land between 13-20. WR is always random each year. I do NOT trust Percy Harvin. I just don't like the guy. For better or worse.

TE

1. Jimmy Graham
2. Jason Witten
3. Tony Gonzalez
4. Rob Gronkowski
5. Kyle Rudolph 
6. Dennis Pitta 
7. Vernon Davis 
8. Brandon Myers

9. Greg Olsen
10. Jermichael Finley
11. Owen Daniels
12. Antonio Gates

Would prefer a top eight, but if I get the right 3x WR and 2x RB and 1x QB I would be willing to sacrifice TE until late.

D/ST

1. Seahawks
2. 49ers 
3. Texans
4. Broncos
5. Bears 

6. Bengals
7. Packers
8. Cardinals
9. Rams
10. Patriots
11. Ravens
12. Giants

I would prefer a top FIVE D/ST

K

1. Matt Bryant
2. Matt Prater
3. Justin Tucker
4. Blair Walsh
5. Greg Zuerlein
6. Stephen Gostkowski
7. Steven Haushchka
8. Sebastian Janikowski  
9. Garett Hartley
10. Mason Crosby
11. Dan Bailey
12. David Akers

I would honestly take any of these twelve Kickers if they were there in the last round. I don't know anyone who is drafting two kickers in a 12 team league so it should be safe to wait until the last last last last round.

Am I learning anything from these mock drafts?

More importantly.. are you?

We all have different strategies. We all have teams and players we like. Some people mistakenly draft players from teams they are a fan of. Maybe they came from your college team or you could just have a hunch. (These are both no-no's)

Do you play in a 8 team league or 10 to 12? Do you play PPR or Standard? That would be Points Per Reception. Now, I don't play PPR. I like the Standard League format. I'm old school. I like the QB to earn 6 points for a touchdown not 4. However, I do like a flex option of RB/WR to be available so you can either play a 4th WR or a 3rd RB. These mock drafts don't take that into a account. They are 10 man leagues with only 15 players drafted. The talent will pool up towards the end more often than a 12 man league. Obviously.   

Maybe, I'm really not trying to convince you of anything. Maybe it's me. I need to reinforce my own approach to the draft. Bc we ALL have knee jerk reactions. We have bias. And sometimes we fall back on these crutches when we are confronted with a situation we are uninformed or confused about. So, STUDY hard guys. If you really care about your final draft before the season starts you need to KNOW about these players. Especially if you have a money pool. You want to win. You can't just be a fan of one team. You need to know when to draft Adrian Peterson early even if you are a die hard Packers fan. (Or even Lions fan like me.)

LEARN THE RULES! And if it all possible know who you are drafting with. It can be a game changer. This is important. How many points are these guys earning? For example I know that on nfl.com defense and special teams are not rewarded as much as yahoo leagues. This changes their value and their draft position. Speaking of learn from a few different angles. Because! I think everyone shouldn't know the draft order until right before the draft begins. I think 5-10 minutes before the draft begins is a way to even the playing field. Draw out of a hat or do something.

So, another mock draft? You know it's coming! This time I went with 12 man league.

6. Jamaal Charles RB
19. Matt Forte RB
30. Chris Johnson RB
43. Hakeem Nicks WR
54. Matt Stafford QB
67. Steve Smith WR
78. Seattle D/ST
91. Stevie Johnson WR
102. Lance Moore WR
115. Jermichael Finley TE
126. Denarius Moore WR
139. Jared Cook TE
150. David Akers K
163. Jacquizz Rodgers RB
174. Michael Bush RB

So, I did another mock draft..

Who would of guessed?

I have decided on something new. I am going to go out of my way to try to do ALL the things I said I don't want to do. Then I'm going to try to make them work. The real draft never goes as planned. Some jerk ahead of you will snag the guy you covet. Maybe you are even 10 draft spots away and QB or Defense start to go and you are stuck taking the Lions. Stuff like that really happens. All the time. So, what I am going to do..

1. Do not take two RB early.
2. Take a QB and TE early.
3. Take one of those elite WR.
4. Draft between 4-8 as much as I can.
5. Target players that I have issues with.
6. For example target some rookies or guys recovering from injury.

Of course I will share with you! I wouldn't be writing this if I didn't want to share.

6. Marshawn Lynch RB - A no brainer imo. It was Lynch or Ray Rice.
15. Julio Jones WR - It was either Julio Jones or Brandon Marshall. I like the dome team.
26. Jimmy Graham TE - He was just sitting there. I didn't really plan on it. At 26 it was destiny!!!!
35. Andre Johnson WR - It was a toss up between Cruz and Vincent Jackson. I took a gamble imo.
46. Matthew Stafford QB - Early for a QB but I wanted to see who fell. I want to see the value.
55. Dwayne Bowe WR - I still haven't gotten a second RB I could of had David Wilson.
66. Le'Veon Bell RB - Him or Montee Ball.
75. 49ers D/ST - Seattle just went right ahead of me.
86. Rashard Mendenhall RB - I could of taken the law firm.
95. Jeremy Maclin WR - Desean Jackson will see a limited role? Is that a smoke screen? I don't know..
106. Shane Vareen RB - Value
115. Vick Ballard RB - Value
126. Phil Dawson K - I wouldn't do this. That is exactly why I did it here. Who falls for value?
135. Isaiah Pead RB - Gamble.
146. Mohamed Sanu WR - So many WR are left on the board. I haven't taken this guy yet.

This is a ten team league. There are a ton of RB and WR options on the waiver wire. If one of my RBs falter I will drop and replace. Also, my bye weeks are in perfect unison. One RB and One WR early with week 5 and week 6 and my bench guys can come in and only hurt my team with one replacement. The team should be playing with each other for the first 4 weeks solid.

Mock draft #123456

This time I have decided to go with the #4 spot.

This was a surprisingly good draft. I just felt that I let QB slip a little too much. And I didn't get a backup QB for my lack of selection. I would have to hope that Andrew Luck is the REAL deal.

#4 Jamaal Charles RB
#17 Julio Jones WR
#24 Chris Johnson RB
#37 Dwayne Bowe WR (I double dipped. Whoops. The value was there.)
#44 Marques Colston WR
#57 Le'Veon Bell RB
#64 Montee Ball RB
#77 Andrew Luck QB (ALL the other good QBs were gone. Even Romo. This was one of those times QB went early.)
#84 Denver D/ST (Seahawks 49ers and Bears were all gone.)
#97 Antonio Gates TE
#104 Denarius Moore WR
#117 Brandon Myers TE
#124 Kendall Wright WR
#137 Michael Floyd WR
#144 DAvid Akers K

2013 NFL Fantasy Football Mock Drafts part 2

I have completed about one hundred mock drafts. Roughly. Some of them we were very talkative and the draft went quickly. Other times people would just troll us and take Tebow with the first pick. *If that is you go die in a fire!* Then again sometimes people took forever with the first pick to then take Adrian Peterson or Arian Foster. *Shit or get off the pot!* So, I have learned a few new things I want to share with you.

1. I am still not taking a QB early. I would say that from experience now the 5th to 6th round is when I would start targeting a QB. I have gotten Stafford and Luck in the 8th round and I have seen Romo and Rivers fall all the way to the 10th and 11th round. If you insist on a Rodgers or Brady you could target them in the 3rd. I have seen Matt Ryan going all the way from the 4th to the 8th and so REALLY what I'm saying is know who you are drafting with. Know your league. If you play a 3rd RB flex option I would take a 3rd RB before I take a QB. I would take a top WR before I take a QB. But, this reminds me..

2. WR is VERY deep. BUT! Know this: I wouldn't want to miss out on a top flight WR (Calvin Johnson, Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, AJ Green, Brandon Marshall.) One of those top 5 WR In a ten team league there will be half of you that will not get one of those guys. If you don't get one of them I would make sure that you have BOTH of your RBs before you touch WR. I think Demaryius Thomas and Victor Cruz are not top flight WRs but that doesn't mean they are worth taking. Vincent Jackson and Larry Fitzgerald as well. I just want my two rooks, if you will, before I invest in getting my bishops.

3. Don't be afraid of being a trend setter. I like the ten man league. I do not like the twelve man league anymore. I admit the eight man league is fun for at least one of my leagues each year. It comes down to planning ahead bc every team is going to be elite. But to my point. Don't be afraid of setting a trend. IF you have your starting RBs and a top WR and you wanna get the QB that YOU want. Don't be afraid of getting him. Just know the board. If its the 8th round and nobody has taken a defense and its your turn and you already have two RBs and two WR and your QB dont be afraid to snag Seattle or 49ers or Bears defense. Bc once these guys start going if your pick is 10 away and a trend starts. Boom. You miss out.

4. I'm still waiting for TE. Only Jimmy Graham is worth that top spot and I will argue with you about where he should be drafted, but he is the only TE worth the #1 spot. So, once someone snags this guy it's just gonna be a wait and see. I wouldn't take a TE over a #2 RB or my #2 WR or my QB or DEFENSE! Yes, Defense/ST is worth more to me in the new year than a TE. So by the time the 8th round rolls around its a crap shoot. I can wait longer for my TE. I'll get my #3 WR and my #3 RB before I take TE. I have a few sleepers.

... You wanna know my sleepers don't you? At the end of the draft I am seeing a lot of guys fall. Guys in either contract years (Pettigrew) or guys who have changed teams (Myers or Cook.) These guys you can get in the last 3 rounds of the draft. Even Olsen and Rudolph are falling for value.

5. I think there are only 5 D/ST worth investing in the draft. Seattle - 49ers - Chicago (which is a big ? to be honest) - Houston - and Denver. If I don't get one of these teams I am gonna try to pick one up late. I see Steelers and Ravens and Bengals falling all the way to the last few rounds.

6. I'm changing my mind. As long as I don't have a top 2 pick I will be happy. But mostly I am falling out of love with the last two picks. the 3rd to 8th pick is magic.

Let me give you another mock draft I just completed.

10. Alfred Morris RB
11. Trent Richardson RB
30. Chris Johnson RB
31. Vincent Jackson WR
50. Matt Stafford QB - All the other QBs I wanted were gone. There was a run on them and I jumped, too.
51. Torrey Smith WR
70. Cecil Shorts WR
71. 49ers D/ST - Seattle and Chicago were both gone. I wanted one of the top 3.
90. Miles Austin WR
91. Ty Hilton WR
110. Denarius Moore WR
111. Mikel Leshoure RB
130. Isaiah Pead RB
131. Jermichael Finley TE
150. Sebastian Janikowski K

NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFTS!!!

Yahoo and NFL.com are Rrrrreeeeeaaaaddddyyyyy to Rrrroooooolllllll!!!!! HELL, YES!

I know I am a few days behind on this major Earth shattering event, but I am experimenting with different drafting strategies.

I try to stay as far away from any set strategy in a given year. I like the year to define itself and prepare for the draft with an open mind. Some people base their draft on value or stud rbs or even trying to fill their starters first. A lot of different angles to take. Buutttt with that being said there are always some things you notice and while I won't be the first or last person to make these observations I wanna share with you.

1. I don't want the first pick. I don't want a top 3 pick. You can HAVE Arian Foster or Adrian Peterson and see if they get better. Plus, then you get to wait forever to get back to your next pick. I think they both are peaking and will probably have less points than last year. I wouldn't hate the 3rd to 5th (I'll take Marshawn Lynch or Muscle Hamster and Jamaal Charles or Ray Rice with position over just a RB with no position) but I want a late pick. The later the pick the better it is. I think the 10th pick in a 10 team league is the best pick out there. You get to pick up back to back guys you can go RB/RB or RB/WR.

2. I am going to wait on QB. I will adjust if people go crazy on the position early but all the analysts are saying it and I see it time and time again in all the mock drafts I do. I want my first 4 picks gone before I touch a Signal Caller. If that means I get Matt Ryan again or Matt Stafford so be it. The drop off from those guys to Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers is going to be maybe 1-2 points a game.

3. With there being 3x WR over 2x RB I find that once I have my first two RBs value immediately swings to WR. I want 4x solid WR's. With the NFL turning to a pass first league WR's are worth more and more. I'm not sure I would draft WR/WR with the 10th pick but if Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones or AJ Green or Dez Bryant are BOTH there at 10 sure. I wouldn't hesistate.

4. I disagree with the pundits on Chris Johnson's demise. I think I would take him as my #2 RB again this year. He just inherited a pro bowl guard and arguably the best guard in the draft. His line will be improved. Howver, I am going to avoid Ryan Matthews and Darren McFadden like the plague. I agree with that.

5. I am actually going to avoid rookies in the first half to ten rounds of the draft. In complete opposite advice to the analysts and pundits. No room. Name me a rookie QB I can trust? most of ALL of the Qb's from last year are incumbent starters for the teams. Only like 2-3 rookie RB's can be trusted and I got better options. WR's as rookies are hit or miss. I got better options. I will look them up when I need a 4th option for my bench.

6. I am going to avoid TE. I will get one late. If people start a trend I'll hop on but you won't get me taking one of those elite guys. I think there are a lot of sleepers late in the draft. I want 4x solid WR's and 3x solid RB's and then my QB before I even SNIFF a TE. Or maybe not. I'll go with the flow.

7. Let me give you an example of a draft. OR a few. depends on how many I can get in before my brain explodes from so much awesomeness.

I am gonna go with the riskier drafts I have completed as of now. non PPR. Standard scoring.

Leading up to my first pick there was an obvious run on RB so I took two.

#10 - LeSean McCoy - RB - Eagles - Bye week 12
#11 - Alfred Morris - RB - Redskins - Bye week 5

And then just like my first pick there was a huge run on WR so I took two.

#30 - Vincent Jackson - WR - Buccaneers - Bye week 5
#31 - Dwayne Bowe - WR - Chiefs - Bye week 10

I already have a Bye Week overlap and that bothers me. Argh!

#50 - Torrey Smith - WR - Ravens - Bye week 8
#51 - Mike Wallace - WR - Dolphins - Bye week 6

I really wanted another RB but there was another run on them along with QB so I took value. two #1 WRs so I have my 4 WR's until the end of the draft. I am gonna start to look for and anticipate either a QB now or RB value.

#70 - Lamar Miller - RB - Dolphins - Bye week 6
#71 - Chris Ivory - RB - Jets - Bye week 10

A huge run on QB went down between 52 and 69. I am now looking for RBs to get my stable full. Both these guys are expected to be starters.

Defenses are going and Tight Ends are going. Everything is going. It's in full value mode. Andrew Luck and Tony Romo are staring me in the face for these next picks.

#90 - Tony Romo - QB - Cowboys - Bye week 11
#91 - Cecil Shorts - WR - Jaguars - Bye week 9

With Blackmon suspended I wanted Cecil Shorts for value here. I don't need a WR anymore. I got 5. However, I needed a QB and someone took Andrew Luck. I get Tony Romo in the 9th round. I don't ike the guy. But he throws to Austin and Bryant and Witten. I had to pull the trigger.

I don't want to paint myself into a corner but guys have been plucking Defenses now so I need to get one. Tight End is empty at this point. I got to fill my starters who will see the field every week.

#110 - Antonio Gates - TE - Chargers - Bye week 8
#111 - Ravens - D/ST - Ravens - Bye week 8

Gates isn't elite anymore but I snagged him in the 11th round. I can live with that. Ravens aren't elite either but same same. I can live with that. All the other elites are gone. I'm just picking through rubbish now.

I want to get some insurance for TE and Defense. If a QB is there I will look at that. I got two bench spots and an open kicker spot.

#130 - David Akers - K - Lions - Bye week 9
#131 - Cardinals - D/ST - Cardinals - Bye week 9

Lions usually either score a lot or kick a lot of Field Goals. Win win. I'm willing to reach for a starting Kicker I can trust will get a lot of opportunities. As for the Cardinals. Their special teams is great and can score points. I am willing to drop this for a waiver wire pickup when someone turns up big OR an injury.

#150 - Andy Dalton - QB - Bengals - Bye week 12

Insurance for my Romo.

Remembering NFL players who gave it all

I will admit that I do not know more than a handful of players that also served in the Armed Forces. Well, I am going to educate myself and try to share this info with everyone.

I wanna list all the famous people. The people you know. But I am gonna just list the guys you might not know. The guys that lost their lives. The guys who should be remembered most today.

WORLD WAR II

• Cpl. Mike Basca (HB, Philadelphia, 1941) – Killed in France in 1944

• Lt. Charlie Behan (E, Detroit, 1942) – Killed on Okinawa in 1945

• Maj. Keith Birlem (E, Cardinals-Washington, 1939) – Killed trying to land combat-damaged bomber in England in 1943

• Lt. Al Blozis (T, Giants, 1942-1944) – Killed in France, 1945

• Lt. Chuck Braidwood (E, Portsmouth-Cleveland-Cardinals-Cincinnati, 1930-1933) – Member of Red Cross. Killed in South Pacific, winter 1944-1945

• Lt. Young Bussey (QB, Bears, 1940-1941) – Killed in Philippines landing assault in 1944

• Lt. Jack Chevigny (Coach, Cardinals, 1932) – Killed on Iwo Jima in 1945

• Capt. Ed Doyle (E, Frankford-Pottsville, 1924-1925) – Killed during North Africa invasion in 1942

• Lt. Col. Grassy Hinton (B, Staten Island, 1932) – Killed in plane crash in East Indies in 1944

• Capt. Smiley Johnson (G, Green Bay, 1940-1941) – Killed on Iwo Jima in 1945

• Lt. Eddie Kahn (G, Boston/Washington, 1935-1937) – Died from wounds suffered during Leyte invasion in 1945

• Sgt. Alex Ketzko (T, Detroit, 1943) – Killed in France in 1944

• Capt. Lee Kizzire (FB, Detroit, 1937) – Shot down near New Guinea in 1943

• LT Jack Lummus (E, Giants, 1941) – Killed on Iwo Jima in 1945

• Bob Mackert (T, Rochester Jeffersons, 1925)

• Frank Maher (B, Pittsburgh-Cleveland Rams, 1941)

• Pvt. Jim Mooney (E-G-FB, Newark-Brooklyn-Cincinnati-St. Louis-Cardinals, 1930-1937) – Killed by sniper in France in 1944

• Lt. John O’Keefe (Front office, Philadelphia) – Killed flying a patrol mission in Panama Canal Zone

• Chief Spec. Gus Sonnenberg (B, Buffalo-Columbus-Detroit-Providence, 1923-1928, 1930) – Died of illness at Bethesda Naval Hospital in 1944

• Lt. Len Supulski (E, Philadelphia, 1942) – Killed in plane crash in Nebraska in 1944

• Lt. Don Wemple (E, Brooklyn, 1941) – Killed in plane crash in India in 1944

• Lt. Chet Wetterlund (HB, Cardinals-Detroit, 1942) – Killed in plane crash off New Jersey coast in 1944

• Capt. Waddy Young (E, Brooklyn, 1939-1940) – Killed in plane crash following first B-29 raid on Tokyo in 1945

VIETNAM

• Lt. Bob Kalsu (G, Buffalo, 1968) – Killed in an attack while defending Base Ripcord on July 21, 1970

• Maj. Don Steinbrunner (T, Cleveland Browns, 1953) – Shot down over Kontum, South Vietnam on July 20, 1967

AFGHANISTAN

• Cpl. Pat Tillman (DB, Arizona, 1998-2001) – Killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004

NFC wins predictions

Giants 9 - Over.

100 for 100.

Cowboys 8.5 - Over. Gamble!

100 makes me 135.

Redskins 8 - Over. Push!

110 makes 100.

Eagles 7 - Under.

110 makes 100.

Packers 10 - Over!

120 makes me 100.

Bears 8.5 - Over!

120 makes 100.

Vikings 7.5 - over! I'm covering some bets.

110 makes 100.

Lions 7.5 - OVER! I'm a fan!

110 makes 100.

Falcons 10 - Over!

100 makes 110.

Saints 9 - OVER!

110 makes 100.

Buccaneers 7.5 - OVER!

140 makes 100.

Panthers 7 - Under.

110 makes 100.

49ers 11.5 - Under. Last year was spectacular but they only won 11.

130 makes 100.

Seahawks 10.5 - Under! Can't be sneaky this year. 10 wins is solid.

110 dollars makes 100.

Rams 7.5 - OVER! Gamble!

100 bucks makes 120.

Cardinals 5.5 - Under. I think the Cardinals stink.

150 makes me 100.

Tis the Season to make Predictions.

Anyone can say that they knew team A or B was gonna do good or bad when the year is half over or all done. We got over three months before the season starts. September 5th. So, right now is the best time to make some bold predictions. I got nothing to lose except my pride.

I wish I could field some questions so it doesnt seem like I am just tooting my own horn here. So, the first thing I will do is give myself some win loss totals based off of the Vegas Odds thread.

We are going to play a game. A fake game with fake money. Each game is going to have the right amount of money to win 100 bucks if its (-) ... a hundred bucks and I'll bet a hundred bucks to win the amount with the (+). Nothing world beating. It makes it easier too.

First, let us go with the AFC!

Patriots 11.5 - Under. I am going to take the under on this. Even though the return with vig is -135 I'm not really betting this but I would take it. They lost some weapons and their defense is a bend but don't break. I just feel that there is a target on these guys. Every year. I would say 11-5 is their ceiling. I think they will probably finish 10-6. I would be amazed if they manage to finish 12-4.

So, I have bet 135 dollars to win 100 dollars.

Dolphins 7.5 -Over. I am going to give that one win from the Patriots and give it to the Dolphins. I do believe that they can win an 8th game. I would think you're very bold and maybe a bit of a Phin homer if you think they can win a 9th as they did lose Reggie Bush and didn't replace him with anyone. I'll take the -130 and the over.

So, I have bet 130 dollars to win 100 bucks. 

Jets 6.5 - Under. I think they could win 6 games. Sure. I doubt they can win their 7th game. Sanchez is still QB and if he gets benched we get a rookie QB in Geno Smith. Belial Powell and Chris Ivory don't scare me that much especially with their Offensive Line problems. Their defense is going to rely on some rookies. I think Rex Ryan loses his job. I think Buccaneers win in New York week 1. It goes south fast after that. The over and under is -110 so it's a toss up as far as the vig goes.

I only have to put 110 bucks on this game to make 100.

Bills 6.5 - Under. I've already assigned the basement dwellers of the AFC East. The Jest. But, I am taking the UNDER on this one as well. Lost Levitre. Drafted a Rookie QB and the other options aren't that great either. 6 wins would be the bar for the Bills. The under vig is -135.  

The bet is 135 to win 100.

Steelers 9 - Under. I am taking the under bc it's even money. The over is -120. I feel that this is meant to appeal to a major bandwagon team. I don't see them winning 10 games. Plus the 9 is an option for a push.

So 100 to win 100

Baltimore 8.5 - Over. I am no fool. They lost a lot of pieces but they still have a great defensive line and offensive line and games are won in the trenches. They still have ray rice and flacco with torrey smith and jacoby jones. They will have some problems and I just dont see them winning the Super Bowl again but they can win 9 games.

So, I have to bet 140 bucks to win 100.  


Bengals 8.5 - Over. I could be wrong about the Ravens. I am willing to admit that. I feel that this is a cover bet on that. I do believe that the Bengals can easily win more than 8 games. I think they go to the playoffs and actually win a game.

So I only have to bet 100 bucks and I win 110 if I am right.

Browns 6 - Over. With the push being an option I will take the over. 6 games shouldnt be that hard for a Browns team getting better. Yay for Trent Richardson!

I gotta bet 130 bucks to win 100. 

Texans 10 - Over. I think they can get to 10 and the push is once again an option. Not a lot of money to be made here. 


130 buxks needed to earn 100.

Colts 8.5 - Over. Even if it's just the 9th. Andrew Luck imo won't be having a sophomore slump. They can win the 9th game.

Even money. 100 for 100.

Titans 6.5 - OVER! I don't know why. It's a 110/110 so I get to pick. I like the things they did with their offensive line. I think 7 is possible.

100 bucks will win me 100. 

Jaguars 5 - Under. They really do suck. The push is once again the option.

100 bucks gives me 110

Broncos 11.5 - OVER! Balls of Steel prediction here. I like the Welker + Decker + Thomas + Manning.

100 bucks makes me 110.

Chargers 7.5 - Over. I am gonna try to make some money in my favor. Their offensive line sucks. Defense already lost Ingram. Just gonna gamble with this one.

100 bucks makes me 115.

Chiefs 7 - Under. Don't misinterpret my taking the under with me hating the Chiefs. I like them. I just wanna go with the money. AND! The push is an option. I do feel they win the 7th game. I just dont see them going to 8. Not year one for Reid.

So, 100 bucks makes me 115.

Raiders 5.5 - Under. I am gonna fall for the suckers bet here. I am taking the under.

130 bucks to win 100.

So, some defensive players have changed teams.

There are a lot of them. Considering that there are ALL of the positions to go through. They don't get broken down as the offense does. So, I am going to start with the big names. My preference I guess but I will try to remain as unbiased as possible.

CB - Derrelle Revis went from the Jets to the Buccaneers.
DB - Charles Woodson went from the Packers to the Raiders.
S - Ed Reed went from the Ravens to the Texans.
LB - Paul Kruger went from the Ravens to the Browns.
DE - Elvis Dumervil went from the Broncos to the Ravens.
DE - Cliff Avril went from the Lions to the Seahawks.
DE - Dwight Freeney went from the Colts to the Chargers.
DE - Osi Umenyiora went from the Giants to the Falcons.
CB - Nhamdi Asomugha went from the Eagles to the 49ers.
CB - Brent Grimes went from the Falcons to the Dolphins.
S - Glover Quin went from the Texans to the Lions.
S - Adrian Wilson went from the Cardinals to the Patriots.
CB - Tracy Porter went from the Broncos to the Raiders.
CB - Bradley Fletcher went from the Rams to the Eagles.
DT - Chris Canty went from the Giants to the Ravens.
LB - James Harrison went from the Steelers to the Bengals.
LB - Shaun Philips went from the Chargers to the Broncos.
CB - DJ Moore went from the Bears to the Panthers.
DT - Glenn Dorsey went from the Chiefs to the 49ers.
CB - Dunta Robinson went from the Falcons to the Chiefs.
S - LaRon Landry went from the Jets to the Colts.
LB - Philip Wheeler went from the Raiders to the Dolphins.
CB - Cary Williams went from the Ravens to the Eagles.
CB - Dominique Rodgers Cromarite went from the Eagles to the Broncos.
LB - Connor Barwin went from the Texans to the Eagles.
S - George Wilson went from the Bills to the Titans.
DT - Desmond Bryant went from the Raiders to the Browns.
DE - Michael Bennett went from the Buccaneers to the Seahawks.
CB - Sean Smith went from the Dolphins to the Chiefs.
LB - Dannell Ellerbe went from the Ravens to the Dophins.
DE - Jason Jones went from the Seahawks to the Lions.
CB - Derek Cox went from the Jaguars to the Chargers.
DT - Terrence Knighton went from the Jaguars to the Broncos.
LB - Victor Butler went from the Cowboys to the Saints.
CB - Keenan Lewis from from the Steelers to the Saints.
DE - Daryl Tapp went from the Eagles to the Redskins.
CB - EJ Biggers from from the Buccaneers to the Redskins.
CB - Chris Owens went from the Falcons to the Browns.
DT - Vance Walker went from the Falcons to the Raiders.
CB - Greg Toler went from the Cardinals to the Colts.
DE - Lawrance Jackson went from the Lions to the Vikings.
DT - CJ Mosley went from the Jaguars to the Lions.
DT - Sammie Lee Hill went from the Lions to the Titans.
LB - Manny Lawson went from the Bengals to the Bills.
CB - Antoine Winfield went from the Vikings to the Seahawks.
CB - Aaron Ross went back to the Giants from Jaguars.
CB - Antoine Cason went from the Chargers to the Cardinals.
S - Michael Huff went from the Raiders to the Ravens.

A question was asked on NFL.com

The first part of the question was: Which QB is closer to a Super Bowl? Tom Brady or Peyton Manning? Then the second part is: Which QB Legacy would be better helped by another Super Bowl win? Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?

For the first question I side more with Darren Sharper over Heath Evans in that neither of these QB are closer to a Super Bowl win. But if I had to choose I would also agree with Darren Sharper in that it is Peyton Manning. I think we forget that neither of these guys were in the Super Bowl.last year. Super Bowls are won with defense just as much as offense and some people even argue that.. Ohh.. Defense Wins Championships!

I guess where I disagree the most is the second part of this questions. Who would be helped more with a Super Bowl?

I say Peyton Manning. Tom Brady already has 3 Super Bowl wins in 5 Super Bowls. His legacy is set. He is already in the conversation for GOAT. However, if Peyton Manning wins his 2nd guess what? He will be the only starting QB to win a Super Bowl with two separate teams. That boosts a legacy. In fact I would go as far as to say that if Peyton Manning doesn't win another Super Bowl he will not be in the conversations for GOAT as much as we thought 5 years ago.

Don't misinterpret my statements to say that I think Peyton Manning is better than Tom Brady. I don't want to go down that road. Peyton is 9-11 playoff record and Tommy Boy is 17-7. Tom has more SB wins. He has been to more. They were on different teams. Etc. I don't want that argument. I am just saying that I feel that it is asinine to think that Peyton Manning won't be helped more than Tom Brady with another Super Bowl win.

But now he NEEDS that win to keep him in the convo with the other greats like Tom Brady. Why? Because they picked up Wes Welker from the Patriots in the offseason and on top of that they already had Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. They already have Joel Dressen and Jacob Tamme. They have Willis McGahee and Montee Ball. They have that Mile High defense with Von Miller. With that kind of support you should be able to win. It All!

So if he doesn't win it might set him back. So a win would cement his legacy more.

Offensive Line Changes!

Jake Long went from the Dolphins to the Rams.
Tyson Clabo went from the Falcons to the Dolphins.
Gosder Cherilus went from the Lions to the Colts.
Jermon Bushrod went from the Saints to the Bears.
Jason Smith went from the Jets to the Saints.
King Dunlap went from the Eagles to the Chargers.
Max Starks went from the Steelers to the Chargers.
Will Svitek went from the Falcons to the Patriots.
Rashad Butler went from the Texans to the Browns.
Tony Pashos went from the Browns to the Redskins. 
Jeremy Trueblood went from the Buccaneers to the Redskins.

Andy Levitre went from the Bills to the Titans.
Louis Vasquez went from the Chargers to the Broncos.
Willie Colon went from the Steelers to the Jets.
Donald Thomas went from the Patriots to the Colts.
Geoff Schwartz went from the Vikings to the Chiefs.
Ebon Britton went from the Jaguars to the Bears.
Lance Louis went from the Bears to the Dolphins.
Chilo Rachal went from the Bears to the Cardinals.
Chris Spencer went from the Bears to the Titans.
Matt Slauson went from the Jets to the Bears.
Seth Olsen went from Colts to the Vikings.
Stephan Peterman went from the Lions to the Jets.
Tyronne Green went from the Chargers to the Patriots.
Chad Rinehart went from the Bills to the Chargers.
Mike Pollak went from the Panthers to the Bengals.
Adam Snyder went from the Cardinals to the 49ers.
Rob Turner from the Rams to the Titans.

VEGAS BABY! YEA!

So there are a few lines that have been released for the 2013 season.

Don't forget I haven't forgotten that I still have to do offensive line and defensive players for team changes.

Just decided on a change of pace.

Colts over Raiders / Colts 7 / OU 49

Chiefs over Jaguars / Chiefs 2.5 thru pick / OU 41

Buccaneers over Jets / Jets 2.5 thru 1 / OU 41

Seahawks over Panthers / Seahawks 3.5 / OU 45.5

Broncos over Ravens / Broncos 8.5 & 7.5 / OU 49.5

49ers over Packers / 49ers 5.5 & 4.5 / OU 50.5

Patriots over Bills / Patriots 7 thru 5 / OU 53

Steelers over Titans / Steelers 6.5 / OU 43.5

Texans over Chargers / Texans 3.5 & 2.5 / OU 47

Rams over Cardinals / Rams 6 thru 4 / OU 41

Browns over Dolphins / Dolphins 1.5 & 1 / OU 42

Lions over Vikings / Lions 3 & 2.5 / OU 47

Giants over Cowboys / Cowboys 3 & 2.5 / OU 49

Bears over Bengals / Bears 4 & 3.5 / OU 45.5

Falcons over Saints / Saints 2.5 & 2 / OU 54

Redskins over Eagles / Redskins 6.5 & 5.5 / OU 51

The underlines are the home teams.

If it's italicized then it means the line is universal for now. Some lines are different depending on who released them.

I have ranked them according to the confidence of the pick at the moment. Injuries can change stuff. Or trades.  

Also, team win/loss has been released.

Patriots 11.5 ............................ Giants 9

Dolphins 7.5 ............................ Cowboys 8.5

Bills 6.5 .................................. Redskins 8

Jets 6.5 ................................... Eagles 7

Steelers 9 ................................ Packers 10

Ravens 8.5 .............................. Bears 8.5

Bengals 8.5 .............................. Vikings 7.5

Browns 6 ................................. Lions 7.5

Texans 10 ................................ Falcons 10  

Colts 8.5 ................................... Saints 9

Titans 6.5 ................................. Buccaneers 7.5

Jaguars 5 ................................... Panthers 7

Broncos 11.5 ............................. 49ers 11.5

Chargers 7.5 .............................. Seahawks 10.5

Chiefs 7 .................................... Rams 7.5

Raiders 5.5 ................................ Cardinals 5.5

Reminder: These do not reflect what Vegas thinks WILL happen. It reflects what they know fans will bet on so they can make money. 

Team changes WR

Mike Wallace went from Steelers to Miami.
Greg Jennings went from Packers to Vikings.
Wes Welker went from Patriots to Broncos.
Danny Amendola went from Rams to Patriots.
Darrius Heyward Bey went from Raiders to the Colts.
Donnie Avery went from the Colts to the Chiefs.
Donald Jones went from Bills to the Patriots.
Josh Cribbs went from the Browns to the Raiders.
Dominik Hixon went from the Giants to the Panthers.
Brandon Gibson went from the Rams to the Dolphins.
Mohamed Massoquoi goes from the Browns to the Jaguars.
Kevin Ogletree went from the Cowboys to the Bucs.
Kevin Walter goes from the Texans to the Titans.
Ted Ginn goes from 49ers to the Panthers.
Louis Murphy goes from Panthers to the Giants.
Mike Jenkins goes from Vikings to the Patriots.
Steve Smith goes from the Rams to the Bucs.
Percy Harvin goes from Vikings to the Seahawks.

and these are just the big names.

Then we have the rookies that should make some impact.

Rams drafted Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey.
Texans drafted DeAndre Hopkins.
Vikings drafted Cordarrelle Patterson.
Titans drafted Justin Hunter.
Bills drafted Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin.
Patriots drafted Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce.
Chargers drafted Keenan Allen.
Steelers drafted Markus Wheaton.
Cowboys drafted Terrence Williams. Meh.
Jaguars drafted Ace Sanders and Denard Robinson.
Seahawks drafted Chris Harper.
49ers drafted Quinton Patton.
Saints drafted Kenny Stills.
Broncos drafted Tavarres King. He could be great but he wont see the field.

Team changes Kicker

Yep. Even kickers make a difference. When you don't get the job done you get.. kicked off the team. Ohh I am truly a horrible person. Let's move on this should be short.

1. Browns now have Shayne Graham. Texans don't have anyone of note really. Some guy named Bullock. How fitting.

2. Browns lost Phil Dawson. You might think this isn't a big deal, but I beg to differ. This is huge for the Browns and 49ers who got him.

3. 49ers released Akers who the Lions signed.

As the season gets closer some guys will lose their job. As of right now this is it. Please dont make me do WR's. There's so many of them!

Team Changes TE

I am skipping WR for now. There are a ton and I am working on the list. So, right now let us look at some tight ends. Yea. Let's.





Wowza!

So, the Saints now have Ben Watson from the Browns. Big Whoop! Because the Giants nabbed Brandon Myers from the Raiders to replace Martellus Bennett who went to the Bears. I think Myers will be FIRE in New York. It is a steal of a free agent for them.

The close second best is Jared Cook left the Titans and went to the Rams. So, Delani Walker left the 49ers (bc Vernon Davis isn't going anywhere!) to go to the Titans. Dustin Keller parachuted off of the flaming Jet about to crash into the Hudson. and landed in Miami. Oh one last one. Anthony Fasano who left the Fins went to the Chiefs.

The Raiders, Browns, Redskins, Cardinals, and Jets have some serious question marks at Tight End.

So, you got some Rookies.

Redskins got Jordan Reed. Bengals got Tyler Eifert. Eagles got Zach Ertz. Chiefs got Travis Kelce. Let us not forget one of the bigger question marks of the draft when the Cowboys took Gavin Escobar.

Once again I have nothing positive to say about the Raiders and the Jets.

Team Changes RB

Qb changes was pretty straight forward. I didn't list all the rookies bc I know that the starters like Brees and Rodgers and Brady they just don't be benched, even by a rookie, unless the team tanks or they get injured. Running back is a whole new beast. Runningbacks get spelled by a backup in games. Injuries are more likely with a RB than a QB so the depth on the team is deeper. Sometimes teams just enjoy having a guy who is a different type of back. A power guy complimented with a speed back etc.

So, I am going to start at the top of last year and work my way to the bottom. My discretion. If you feel that there should be a RB on this list that I didnt address then scream at me. Also of note I am only going through the running backs that are changing teams or being added to the new teams. So Adriand Peterson is still a Viking and Arian Foster is still a Texan. I don't care about them in this post.

1. Reggie Bush went from the Dolphins to the Lions. Dolphins are left with Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas.

2. Shonn Greene went from the Jets to the Titans to form a compliment with Chris Johnson. Jets are left with uhhh hmmmm ehhh Belial Powell and Chris Ivory and Joe McKnight. Don't get excited Jest fans. You have Sanchez not throwing to Dustin Keller (he left for the Dolphins) Uhhh sorry. I am rambling. I just really think the Jets are gonna crash this year. No survivors.

3. Steven Jackson went from the Rams to the Falcons to replace Michael Turner who is now a Free Agent. Rams are left with Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead.

4. Ahmad Bradshaw is still a Free Agent is I am not mistaken. Giants are left with David Wilson and Andre Brown.

5. Danny Woodhead went from the Patriots to the Chargers to compete with the eventual void that Ryan Matthews will create when he breaks *throws dart* his spleen. Eww sounds painful. As Jason Witten.

6. Cardinals went with Rashard Mendenhall from the Steelers and Beanie Wells is a free agent, but the Steelers had shown some interest.

7. Justin Forsett went to the Jaguars from Texans. Yea, being 3rd RB behind Foster and Tate will make you want to leave but to Jacksonville? No thank you.

---------> Now the Rookies.

Bengals, Broncos, and Packers ... ehh Ill include the Steelers too picked up some notable guys who might be able to make a difference in their first year.

1. Giovani Bernard to the Bengals. To back up the Law Firm - Benjarvus Green Ellis

2. Steelers got Le'Veon Bell to add to their stable of Jonathan Dwyer, Isaac Redman, and Batch.

3. Move over Willis McGahee! Montee Ball is in Mile High now. Knowshon Moreno sucks. He should be 3rd string.

4. Packers got Eddie Lacy and Jonathan Franklin to add to Alex Green and James Starks. Boy is it gonna be a crowded committee in Green Bay.

If you feel that Christine Michael or Knile Davis belong in the convo then tell me. I'll listen.

Team Changes QB

So, rosters and depth charts change frequently. It's a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league. Starting with QB and working through (RB WR TE... etc) the rest of the positions we can get an idea of how the talent is shifting. Sometimes it helps a team. Sometimes a guy just wasn't producing. A younger guy comes in and the difference is hardly noted.

QB is the brain of your team.

Cardinals get rid of Kolb who goes to the Bills (Bills also drafted EJ Manuel and have Tavaris Jackson) and then the Cards grab Carson Palmer from the Raiders (Raiders also have Terrelle Pryor and drafted Tyler Wilson). Raiders get Matt Flynn from the Seahawks. Chiefs get Alex Smith from the 49ers. Jets get Geno Smith in the draft to compete with Mark Sanchez. Browns have Weeden and then gain Jason Campbell from the Bears and also pick up Hoyer from the Cardinals. Vikings gain Matt Cassel from the Chiefs to compete with Christian Ponder.

Surprisingly, this isn't too much movement at QB. There could be up to 28 teams that keep their starting QB from last year. Due to poor record and bad play on the field there might be some changed mid-season. I am just really surprised that only 12 teams make the playoffs and 2 teams make the Super Bowl and only 1 of those guys can win it all. And then 28 teams might decide to run with the same signal caller.

1. Raiders will run with a new QB. No matter what. They lost Carson Palmer. I think Matt Flynn takes the starting job he should of gotten in Seattle, but Russell Wilson won it fair and square.

2. Bills will run with either Kevin Kolb or EJ Manuel. A rookie or a guy who can't stay healthy and hack it in another QB starved city. I would be surprised if Tavaris Jackson won the starting job. He couldn't make it in Seattle or Minnesota.

3. Chiefs get rid of Cassel, who goes to Vikings as insurance, and get Alex Smith from the 49er's. I think he will do fine here and has inherited the starting role automatically.

4. Cardinals now have Carson Palmer. I don't think it helps and I don't think Drew Stanton, his backup, will be able to win the job.  

After these 4 teams you have the Jets, Jaguars, and Browns. I just think that their incumbent starters are returning. Sanchez, Gabbert, and Weeden.

You will also note that these teams all suck. I guess the only team on here I would take exception to that is the Chiefs. They were the worst team in the NFL last year but I expect a huge rebound with them. They have a ton of potential. Just if I could make a bold prediction: none of these teams will be making the playoffs. None.

Raiders
Bills
Chiefs
Cardinals
Jets
Jaguars
Browns

Finally! SoS vs. Power Rankings

The problem with Strength of Schedules is that in the NFL season there are a lot of other variables. You don't just end one season and pick up where you left off. So its a relatively imperfect way to gauge a future season. We have guys getting older and that can reflect on their field production. We have free agency. Sometimes guys just run out of contract or even get traded. Then we have the draft. A ton of variables.

So you get a ton of guys over at NFL.com that release their own 'official power rankings' well I am no pro but I will sure take a shot at it.

1. 49ers

2. Broncos

3. Seahawks

4. Falcons

5. Packers

6. Patriots

7. Texans

8. Ravens

9. Bengals

10. Vikings

11. Colts

12. Redskins

13. Giants

14. Bears

15. Rams

16. Saints

17. Steelers

18. Cowboys

19. Dolphins

20. Buccaneers

21. Lions

22. Panthers

23. Chargers

24. Eagles

25. Browns

26. Titans

27. Cardinals

28. Bills

29. Jets

30. Chiefs

31. Raiders

32. Jaguars

Strength of Schedule part 3

This last list is the top 12 easiest anticipated schedules of 2013. Don't laugh bc were gonna start with the Cleveland Browns. Do you know what it means to take the Browns to the Super Bowl? HA!

 Yes, their mascot was a Brownie. mmmmm BROWNIE points for DnD nerds if you know what that is. It wasn't bone crunching enough so they changed it.

 Who finished 5-11 in the Dog House last year.

 Then we have the 8-8 Steelers. I am unimpressed and I have doubts.

 6-10 Gladius sword wielding Titans improved their oline a ton! Warmack and Levitre will help CJ tons. But they also got Shonn Greene so it might be a wash.

 What's bigger? A titan or a giant? Giants finished 9-7 but they have also won 2 super bowls in the last 5 years. Who knows what they do. I don't see them worse than 8-8.

Their draft was horrible. They finished 8-8 when they could of made the playoffs in the final game of the year. But, they choked. If Bryant makes progress and Witten has a better year they are always dangerous. I just don't know about their defense.

 Move over Bison! The Bills are here. 6-10 with a new QB. Well, not a lot of hope here. I had hope last year and then Kevin Costnar shot it. Not even on the prairie when it really happened and then they rip out its heart or liver and eat it. No afterwards at the campfire when he uses his finger to tell the story of when he DID kill it.

I'm not even using official mascots or logos anymore. Texans have a easier schedule and they will compete. Last year's 12-4 could easily be 11-5 but I doubt they slip past 10-6


The Chiefs were the worst team in the NFL. 2-14 bad. So they catch a break being closer to the easier end than the difficult end. Add in that they got a competent QB in Alex Smith and already had 6 Pro Bowlers on the roster. Got two solid bookends on the oline. If I can say anything I would guarantee that they win more than 2 games. At least 5. Probably 6-7. That would be a huge leap for this team and new head coach Reid.


Raiders suck. There I said it. They finished 4-12 and I am failing to see where they get MORE wins. They lost a lot of guys and it just keeps getting worse. Signing scrub Free Agents won't help.


The Colts have the 3rd easiest schedule and if Andrew Luck (emphasis on the horseshoes!) gets better? Whew. All comes down to their defense. It's hard to win if you are always just trying to outscore the opponent. I don't know if they can repeat 11-5 but I think playoffs are an option.



I would be completely shocked if the Chargers got better than 7-9. Maybe 8-8. Their oline needed more attention and their defense has already taken a major hit with the loss of Melvin Ingram.
I don't know if this Bronco has given up, dancing, or having a stroke. Maybe it's a stroke due to having the easiest schedule next year. 13-3 and they improved their team they should repeat a playoff appearance.

Strength of Schedule part 2

 Seahawks 11-5
Bengals 10-6
Wait for it... another logo change. This time for a newly bought 2-14 team. Maybe it was time for a new image. It wont help them win more game tho. Sadly.

 12-4 but I really think they are waning. Their time in the sun is setting. I just dont see them winning more than 10 games and a quick exit from the playoffs.

 The dirty birds finished 13-3 and I expect them to do just as well next year. maybe 12 or 11 wins but they win the NFC South over Saints and Panthers and Bucs.

 10-6 and they missed the playoffs. Losing Brian Urlacher? A lot of their teams success had to do with turnovers. Statistically speaking a great amount of turnovers are hard to replicate year in to year out. If they still have problems with their oline they might have a problem.

This Don Juan is winking at YOU! 7-9 All signs point that they can improve. I just dont think they can improve enough to make a playoff push. The NFC is becoming more fierce than the AFC. They start week 1 Jets but they now have Revis Island off the coast of Tampa.

 Bc if you don't wanna say Redskins and be a Racist you can say Spear Chucker. Yup. They made the playoffs @ 10-6 but I think the Cowboys or the Giants make more of an effort and it's just too close to call.

 They finished 6-10 and will be lucky to repeat that. At least they got rid of Tebow, right? Doesn't matter.

 My take: Eagles will be better than 4-12. I just dont know how much better. Probably until Vick gets hurt and Foles is under center.   

2013 Strength of Schedule vs. Power Rankings part 1

So, every year there is a pretty standard set schedule in the NFL. Due to the unique 16 team Conferences (AFC / NFC) with 4 team Divisions (North / South / East / West) and 16 game seasons we get a 4 year rotation. Every team plays a Division in the opposite Conference (AFC West plays NFC West etc) taking turns each year along with a Division in their own Conference. Then they play Interdivision rivarlies twice a piece. The last two games are teams that finished in the same place in their own respective Division in the last two remaining Divisions in the same Conference.

Did you get that? Good.

This Schedule is an attempt at making the NFL fair and balanced over a long term. However, before a single season starts it gives an edge to certain teams and piles on a more difficult schedule. Sometimes entire Divisions aren't as great as others. Sometimes life just isn't fair. I know. I'm a Lions fan.

This is Strength of Schedule. A Pre-season guesstamation at what kinda difficulty a team might be facing in the coming year based on a previous year finishing record.

The 2013 SOS: This will be from most difficult to easiest.


The Panthers have the most difficult anticipated schedule. Last year the Panthers finished 7-9.


The Detroit Lions, finished 4-12, will be another big cat trying to claw its way out of a paper bag. This is my team. I love them. I just have a hard time imagining the Lions being better than 9-7 at best. If you gave me the over under @ 9.5 I would take the under.


The Saints also finished 7-9 along with the Panthers and in fact they are in the same Division (NFC South.) I really believe that the Saints have a chance to rebound. More than the Lions or the Panthers. Last year they were rocked by the bounty scandal and their awesome head coach Peyton was suspended. I think his presence on the sideline was greatly missed. The Saints open the season against another interdivision rival in the Falcons.


The Saint Louis Rams 7-8-1 got new head coach Jeff Fisher to rebound a really poor Rams team in one year. They went toe to toe with the 49ers both times last year. They got a steep hill to climb bc now they have the Seahawks as well to contend with in the same Division NFC West.


Ahhhh NFL parity. Gotta love it. The Ravens 10-6 won the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl! They have the 5th most unappealing schedule in 2013. The formula isn't perfect but a SB winning team should face a tough year. Good. Fuck them. And Joe Flacco is overrated. He got lucky. He got hot. They are a run first team with an emphasis on defense. They lost Boldin. Good luck.

 
Credit to the Packer fan who drew this. I don't wanna steal anyones stuff. Nor the NFL's. Packers finished 11-5 and again got kicked to the playoff curb.


No Carson Palmer won't save you. Finished 5-11 with a ceiling of probably 7-9 this next year.

  Yes, this is the new Dolphins logo. His head is turned up as if he expects to have a better than 7-9 record like last year.


49ers, the Super Bowl runner up, with a 9th difficult schedule after going 11-4-1. They open the season against the Packers. Again. This time tho it's at home for the 9ers. They beat the Pack in Lambeau last year. I would put my money on the 49ers to at least finish with 11 wins again.

 Another Logo change. I can see why they reinvented this one!  Vikings are a team to watch. I think they have a chance of repeating 10-6 I just do not agree that Adrian Peterson will be repeating his record breaking rushing yards season. He is healthy. The entire NFL knows it. They will need to win with Ponders arm. With guys like Rudolph and Patterson I think they can start to do that. I don't know if they needed to get rid of Percy Harvin but I guess he was a headache. *rim shot*

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR?!

Last year I intended on documenting the 2012 NFL Season and my picks for said season. It did not happen the way I planned. Also, I have another few sites that use I just don't write on there. I found those sites taking more of my attention. Like: NFL.com, Livejournal.com, Yahoo.com, and ESPN.com. I found myself getting busier and busier each week. I found myself focusing more on Fantasy Football than writing on this blog. I owe the apology most to myself since I don't wanna just quit, but if you WERE reading or following for that I am sorry.

So, where to start? The first free agency is already over. The draft is done with. Even the free agency after the draft is mostly taken care of. A few big names are out there still. Since the new CBA streamlined the signing and salary structure of rookies most teams (like the Lions they signed all their rookies already) have already got all their guys under contract. Some guys don't wanna sign bc they don't wanna report for voluntary activities. Yes, even athletes can be lazy and pigheaded.

Teams are starting to report to OTAs and the rookie camps are finishing up. Training camps will be right around the corner here in June/July I think. I'm not gonna go look but I know that Pre-Season starts in August so they all gotta be wrapped up by then. Season officially begins in September. September 5th. Broncos host the Super Bowl winning Ravens. A wonderful rematch. Should be an awesome game even if it is in Denver instead of in Baltimore where it should be.

There is still a ton of time left before the season start, but I would like to look at it closer. Right now all the teams are set at 90 players. The new CBA changed this as well. More players more competition it's great. They will slowly cut this number down to 53 at the beginning of the season towards September.

So week 1 looks like this:

Week 1:

Thursday, September 5^th

Ravens @ Broncos

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Sunday, September 8^th

Patriots @ Bills

Titans @ Steelers

Falcons @ Saints

Buccaneers @ Jets 

Chiefs @ Jaguars 

Seahawks @ Panthers

Bengals @ Bears 

Dolphins @ Browns 

Vikings @ Lions  

Raiders @ Colts 

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Packers @ 49ers 

Cardinals @ Rams 

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Giants @ Cowboys 

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Monday, September 9^th

Eagles @ Redskins  

Texans @ Chargers

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   Who to pick? This looks like a great Week 1. A Thursday night revenge game. A rivalry Sunday night game. Two Monday games. Packers and 49ers in the Sunday afternoon. I will be updating more especially leading into the season. I wanna focus on 1. single player goals and achievements and 2. injuries / cuts / and overall team changes. / 3. team potentials related to power rankings and expectations.

Stay tuned and I'm gonna try to make this better.