With the NFL season approaching, I bring to you projections for the 2006 season. Over the next 4 weeks I'll break down all the divisions, two each week from each conference. I'll also have award winners, players to watch, and a playoff prediction. This week is the AFC/NFC West.
The AFC West is interesting this year in that every team has made significant changes. San Diego, the division's best team over the past few years, takes a slight step back after losing pro-bowler Drew Brees to free agency. The Philip Rivers era begins in earnest. On the bright side, the Chargers still have football's best player in LaDainian Tomlinson and perhaps the most intriguing rookie in Antonio Cromartie. Denver added Javon Walker, a major upgrade at the receiver position. Their rushing attack and defense are always solid. But can Jake Plummer take the Broncos to the promised land? I don't think so. The Raiders improved several positions, namely at QB with Aaron Brooks (who will make a trip to Hawaii in his Raider tenure, despite what he critics say), and on the defensive side of the ball with the likes of Michael Huff. The D will still be bad but Oakland's offense will keep them in games. And new/old coach Art Shell will bring some discipline and toughness back. That leaves the Kansas City Chiefs. K.C. also has a new coach in Herman Edwards who will bring a defensive mindset the Chiefs have lacked. And their defensive personnel has improved with Ty Law, as well as rookies like Tamba Hali. Offensively they're as good as anyone in football. Trent Green is unappreciated nationally and Tony Gonzalez is still football's best tight end (sorry Antonio Gates and Todd Heap.) And, oh by the way, throw in Larry Johnson, who might make a run at 2000 yards this season.
Predicted order of finish and record: Kansas City, 11-5. Denver, 9-7. San Diego, 8-8. Oakland, 7-9.
The NFC West has been pretty top heavy for several years now, i.e. Seattle and a bunch of .500 or worse teams. St. Louis, once among the NFL's elite, has come back down to earth, and Arizona and San Francisco have been (re)building for years now. Seattle will once again steam roll this division. Losing all-pro LG Steve Hutchinson hurts, but adding Nate Burleson, an up and coming WR, is big. They also added Julian Peterson to solidify the LB corps. St. Louis is a work in progress. Marc Bulger looks like great at times and terrible the rest. Steven Jackson looks like a star and he'll get all the run now that Marshall Faulk looks done. And Torry Holt remains one of the most underrated players in the league. Arizona is a potential sleeper with two outstanding receivers, Anqwan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, and new RB Edgerrin James. Kurt Warner should have a big year (Matt Leinart is the future, not the present) and the Cards D should be solid again, led by Bertrand Berry. As for the 49ers, well, there's always next year (or the year after?) This is a young team that will again feel serious growing pains. But in a few years they could be dynamite. Vernon Davis may show us things from a tight end even video games can't dream up.
Predicted order of finish and record: Seattle, 12-4. Arizona, 9-7. St. Louis, 8-8. San Francisco, 4-12.
Movie review: Superman Returns. I finally made it to the cinema to check this summer blockbuster. First off, I was never a big Superman guy growing up so my "loyalty" is limited. I always thought it was gay that no one recognized Clark Kent just because he acted goofy and wore glasses....kinda lame. This version was good, though. The acting was good (Spacey's always money and I thought Brandon Routh, the new Superman, was as good or better than Christopher Reeve.) The effects were good and the story was compelling. Overall grade: B. And shout to Superman hitting skins with Lois Lane to spawn Superman, Jr.
Quote of the Week:
"Keep your nose out the sky, keep your heart to God, and keep your face to the rising sun."-Kanye West
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