It is finally getting close to the best time of the year:
Football Season.
It's time to dust off your jerseys, find your face paint, make sure you have wings in the freezer, and stock up on beer because we are less than two months away from watching the best sport in America. There is one thing for certain: Aaron Hernandez will be catching pass from Paul Crewe for a long time, maybe forever. (Paul Krewe highlights.)
It's time to dust off your jerseys, find your face paint, make sure you have wings in the freezer, and stock up on beer because we are less than two months away from watching the best sport in America. There is one thing for certain: Aaron Hernandez will be catching pass from Paul Crewe for a long time, maybe forever. (Paul Krewe highlights.)
Tom Brady is wondering were all his targets went, four of New England's top five receivers are gone. Rob Gronkowski is the only one returning and who knows if he will be ready for the season opener at Buffalo on September 8. Bill Belichick is depending heavily on Danny Amendola to bring out his inner Wes Welker and praying he never has to depend on Tim Tebow. I mean I had to talk about Tebow at least once in here, it's the law. Don't worry about New England contending, they do every year, especially with their super model quaterback.
The Baltimore Ravens have a brand new team after winning the Super Bowl five months ago. They lost eight starters from last years team. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Anquan Boldin combined for 22 Pro-Bowl appearances during their careers in Baltimore. According to the Elias Sports Bureau no Super Bowl winning team has ever lost more than five starters. Luckily, they have their 28-year old gun-slinging quarterback locked up for a long time. Joe Flacco is one of the best in the game and finally earned the respect he deserves after an impressive postseason. No quarterback has won more games than Flacco through his first 80 career starts. He's the only QB to win a playoff game in five straight years to start a career. He made Joe Montana and Kurt Warner make reservations for three, becoming the third QB to throw 11 touchdowns in one postseason. What's even more impressive is he did it without one interception (thanks to Rahim Moore) joining Montana as the only two in NFL history. He was the first to ever have a passer rating over 100 in all four postseason games and his 117.2 rating tied him with Steve Young for third all-time in one postseason. Now it's all on his shoulders to lead the Ravens to their sixth straight playoff appearance. Baltimore is the only active team to make the postseason five straight years and only three other teams have made it at least three straight years (Green Bay, New England, and Atlanta). Baltimore opens up the regular season against Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the season debut on NBC's "Thursday Night Football".
I still can't believe that game in the AFC Divisional playoffs. How did Rahim Moore let that pass get over his head. That was one of the best football games I have ever seen. Just to show how good Flacco is he beat two legends and two of the next great quarterbacks in route to winning the Super Bowl MVP: Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Colin Kaepernick. Pretty damn impressive, I think it's safe to say he deserved every penny of his new 120.6 million dollar contract. 
Remember when the NFC West was a joke? I'm sure glad those days are long gone. The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks have developed the best rivalry in the NFL since Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll returned to the NFL.
San Francisco opens as the overall favorite in Vegas to win the Super Bowl this year (6 : 1), thanks to Aaron Hernandez. I love the way the Niners play football. They are going to smack you in the mouth and run the ball down your throat. Now Harbaugh finally has his quarterback who can open up the entire field. Colin Kaepernick was the Yasiel Puig of the NFL last year. He came out of nowhere and took the league by storm. In his first career playoff game he set an NFL single-game record for most rushing yards by a quarterback (181 yards) against the Green Bay Packers. Erik Walden is still looking for Kaepernick. The 25-year old quarterback out of Nevada is the real deal. He enters his third season with his first full training camp knowing he is the starting quarterback and I could see him becoming the first Niner to win the regular season MVP since Steve Young did in 1994. San Francisco is going to be even hungrier this year after falling five yards short of winning their sixth Super Bowl in franchise history. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL, if not the best, led by Patrick Willis. The seven-year linebacker from Ole Miss has had at least 120 tackles in five of his first six seasons. (Missed three games in 2011, finished the season with 97 tackles.) His linebacker in crime, NaVorro Bowman, has been one of the best in the NFL over the last two seasons. He has a knack for finding the rock, Bowman has 291 tackles over the last two years. Justin Smith is the most underrated player in the NFL, and we saw how important he was to the defense after he tore his bicep tendon against Seattle in Week 16 last year. The defense was never the same, even though Smith returned for the playoffs. He is the engine that gets the truck started and a healthy Justin Smith is important for the success on defense. Aldon Smith is one of the best pass rushers in the league and his 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons are the most in NFL history. They lost one of the best safeties in the game in Dashon Goldson after he signed a five-year deal with Tampa Bay, but they are hopeful their first round pick from LSU can fill his shoes. Eric Reid was one of the best safeties in college and was a consensus first-team All-American during his junior season last year. San Francisco will be without Michael Crabtree for a large part of the season but I don't see that affecting them that much. They acquired a three-time Pro Bowler from the Baltimore Ravens. Anquan Boldin has been one of the top receivers in the NFL during his 10-year career and is the complete package. He will fit Jim Harbaugh's system very well, just ask how it went for Jim's older brother, John Harbaugh. I would be shocked if the Niners don't make it to the NFC Championship at worst. 
From one great young quarterback to another. Russell "The Magician" Wilson was an absolute stud last year. He threw for over 3,000 yards and rushed for nearly 500 more. The kid improved game by game last season and was one of the most exciting players to watch in the league. He was the steal of the 2012 NFL draft, falling all the way to third round because he is only 5'11". The guy was a proven winner during his four-year college career and the most impressive attribute that Wilson brings to the table is the way he presents himself. He's the type of guy you'd want your daughter to marry. It is going to be amazing watching Wilson vs. Kaepernick for the next decade in the NFC West. Seattle knew they needed to add another weapon on offense. Hello Percy Harvin. He is one of the best playmakers in the NFL and is a matchup nightmare for any defensive coordinator. Before he got hurt in Week 9 he was leading the league in total yards from scrimmage and if he can stay healthy this season expect him to become Wilson's new best friend. Marshawn "Skittles" Lynch is an absolute beast. I love the way this dude runs the rock. Adrian Peterson is the only running back with more rushing yards than Lynch over the last two seasons. Seattle is loaded with talent all across the board on offense, especially the big boys on the offensive line. The defense is loaded with a ton of great athletes too. Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are arguably the best corner/safety combo in the NFL. They Added Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril in the offseason to help solidify the defensive line. The NFC West went from being the laughing stock of the NFL to one of the best divisions in the league.Since we already brought up Kaep and Wilson, let's stay on the same page and talk about two of the best young quarterbacks in the game: Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III.
Luck shocked the world last season when he led the Indianapolis Colts to the postseason. He broke all kinds of rookie records: most passing yards in a game (433), most passing yards in a season (4,374), most 300+ yards passing games (6), most game-winning drives (7), and his 11 wins were the most ever by the first overall pick. Luck is the only quarterback to be selected No. 1 overall and lead his team to the playoffs. He did it all replacing a legend and without his head coach for most of the season. Chuck Pagano missed 12 games after being diagnosed with leukemia. If you were going to build the perfect quarterback, Andrew Luck would be your guy. He's 6'4", 240 pounds, has a cannon for an arm, mobile, and is one of the smartest quarterbacks in the NFL. He threw for 23 touchdowns and ran for five more last year. If you asked all 32 general managers in the NFL who they would select first overall, Andrew Luck would be the most popular pick. The Colts are hoping he will be the same franchise quarterback Peyton Manning was for 13 seasons, and judging by his rookie campaign, I don't think fans in Indianapolis have to worry.
From the first overall pick to the second overall selection: RGIII. There isn't a more exciting quarterback in the NFL. Griffin added an "Offensive Rookie of the Year" award on his mantle, right next to his Heisman Trophy. After watching RG III last season you would think he's been an NFL quarterback for the last decade. His calm demeanor and leadership qualities are as good as any other quarterback. His five interceptions were the fewest among all quarterbacks that started at least 10 games. Only 1.3% of his passes were intercepted last season, a new rookie record. Only Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning had a better passer rating than RG III, and his 102.4 rating, new rookie record. His 8.1 yards/completion were tops in the NFL. Matt Ryan, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers were the only three quarterbacks that had a higher completion percentage. His 815 yards rushing were easily tops among quarterbacks, and he finished 20th in the entire NFL. A lot of people are worried with the way he plays the game. He is a running quarterback and that's not going to change. That is what makes him one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. He tore his ACL against Seattle in the NFC Wild Card playoffs and all signs point he will be ready to roll for their season debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, on Monday Night Football. The Eagles are praying they face Kirk Cousins, no offense Kirk, but facts are facts. I would be shocked if Griffin isn't behind center on September 9. If Griffin stays healthy this season I would put my money down on the Skins to repeat as NFC East champs, but the New York "football" Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles all improved heading into the 2013 season. Eli Manning might have two Super Bowl MVP's, but RG III is the best player in the NFC East.
Just to look back at what the 2012 quarterback rookie class did. It was the best season ever by any class, sorry 1983. John Elway, Dan Marino, and Jim Kelly went on to have Hall of Fame careers but they didn't come out of the gates like this. Of course Kelly didn't play in the NFL until he was 26 after starting his career in the USFL. The 1983 draft class combined to throw for 4,689 yards, Andrew Luck threw for 4,374 yards by himself. Obviously the class of 12' has a lot of work to do down the road to be considered the best ever, but they are in good hands with Luck, RG III, and Wilson. Throw in Nick Foles, Ryan Tannehill, and Brandon Weeden who all played well at times during their rookie campaigns. Wilson, Griffin, Tannehill, and Weeden all threw for at least 3,000 yards, 790 more yards than Marino did during his rookie season. The 2012 class has a chance to go down in the history books as the best to ever live, I know it is just one year, but the scary thing is Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Russell Wilson aren't close to reaching their potential.While Andrew Luck and company are on the right path to have great NFL careers, lets talk about the best quarterback in the NFL: Aaron "Discount Double Check" Rodgers.
The Green Bay Packers' quarterback finished last season with the highest passer rating in the NFL, for the second straight season. Since being named the starting quarterback after the Brett Favre drama queen saga in 2008, he has thrown for at least 4,000 yards in four of five seasons. He's never had a season with less than 28 touchdowns through the air and has thrown 84 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Throw in a regular season MVP, Super Bowl MVP, and a discount double check belt, he's living the life. His 122.5 passer rating during his MVP season in 2011 is an NFL record. If he retired today he'd have the highest passer rating of all-time (104.9). He's the only quarterback with at least 1,500 pass attempts to have a rating above 100. His 171/46 touchdown to interception ratio is the best in NFL history. Rodgers' is the only QB to throw for at least 4,000 yards in his first two full seasons and the only player to throw 45+ touchdowns and less than six interceptions in a season. He has the lowest interception percentage (1.7) in NFL history. The guy has all the credentials on his resume and expect another great season for the Packers. Anytime you have No. 12 behind center you have a chance to win the Lombardi Trophy. The one weakness Green Bay had last year was the running game, that is not the case anymore. They drafted two studs in Eddie Lacy (Alabama) and Johnathan Franklin (UCLA). Lacy will be the steal of the 2013 NFL draft. Called it last year with Russell Wilson and I think the rookie running back from Alabama will have a breakout season. If the Packers' defense plays better than average this season they have a good chance to win their fifth Super Bowl in franchise history.Before the Major League Baseball season started, I said the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox would be the two surprise teams of 2013, so far so good. Let's see if I can keep the luck going in the NFL.
Drum roll please.
The team in the AFC that is going to surprise everyone has a new head coach and a new quarterback. The Kansas City Chiefs will make the postseason this year. Andy Reid and Alex Smith both didn't deserve to lose their jobs. Smith was 19-5-1 and 2-1 in the postseason over the last two seasons with San Francisco. He lost his job after suffering a concussion in Week 10 against St. Louis last year and never started again in the Bay. Reid was the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles for 14 seasons and led them to six NFC East titles, nine playoff appearances, four NFC Championship games, and one Super Bowl. He was 130-93-1 during his career in Philly. Kansas City was atrocious in 2012, and that landed them the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft. They selected the 6'8", 305 pound tackle from Central Michigan, Eric Fisher. He has a really good chance to become one of the best tackles in the NFL and could be blocking for Alex Smith's blindside soon. He'll most likely start his career at right tackle while Branden Albert holds down the fort on the left side. Expect Fisher to move over to the left side within the next few years. Kansas City made Alex Smith a happy quarterback because they signed Dwayne Bowe to a five-year deal worth $56 million. Bowe is one of the most talented receivers in the game and he's happy to finally have a reliable quarterback under center. Sorry Matt Cassel, but you played like all the other USC quarterbacks in the NFL. Jamaal Charles is one of the best running backs in the NFL, during his five-year career he's averaging a ridiculous 5.8 yards/carry. On the other side of the ball they have one of the best young safeties in the NFL. Eric Berry has been named to the Pro Bowl in both seasons he avoided injuries. In 2011 he tore his ACL in the first game of the season. They added a ton of help to their secondary, adding Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson in the offseason. Smith is one of the most underrated corners in the NFL. Expect Alex Smith and Andy Reid to form a nice duo in Kansas City and mark your calenders on September 19 when Kansas City goes into Philadelphia. It will be Reid's first time going back to the place he called home for 14 seasons, and to make it even better, it is a primetime Thursday night game on NFL Network.Drum roll again!
This team had one of the most underrated offseasons. They finished in the top ten in total offense in 2012 but defense was the major reason they lost five of their last six games. They were 29th in total defense and dead last in passing defense. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fixed that problem. Hello Darrelle Revis and Dashon Goldson. Revis is the best cornerback in the NFL, easily. Richard Sherman is an outstanding corner, but he has to do it for more than one year. He is coming off a torn ACL, but all signs point he will be the same Revis we saw in New York for the last six seasons. Just to show how good Revis was before he tore his ACL. In 2011 he allowed only 41.2 % of all targets to be completed, recorded 20 total pass breakups, and had four interceptions. Keep in mind he is lining up against the top wide receivers every week and is the premier shut down corner in the NFL. Not only did Tampa Bay add the best corner in the league, they arguably added the best safety in the NFL in Dashon Goldson. The Hawk has made back-to-back Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro safety last season. This guy fits Greg Schiano's coaching style perfect: lay the wood! Goldson is easily a top-five safety in the NFL. Over the last two years Goldson has 136 tackles, 20 pass breakups, and nine interceptions. The Buccaneer's made all the right moves during the offseason fixing their horrendous secondary. Mark Barron had a decent rookie year, and now with the addition of Goldson, Barron will be able to play closer to the line of scrimmage were he is most comfortable. Of course a lot rides on the right shoulder of Josh Freeman. He gets a lot of flack for his season last year, but he shouldn't. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and had 10 more touchdowns than interceptions (27:17). He enters his fifth year on a contract season, so if he wants to make the big bucks, it's time to have another season like he did in 2010. He threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns to only six interceptions three years ago. With Doug Martin in the backfield, Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams on the outside, and one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, everything is lining up for Freeman to have his best season behind center. Tampa Bay added a ton of help on the defensive side of the ball and put it all in the hands of their quarterback, Josh Freeman. Expect the fifth year pro to have his best season and lead Tampa Bay to the postseason for the first time since 2007.That almost wraps up what to expect for the 2013 NFL season, time for some rapid fire to end the show.
RAPID FIRE - Five Other Teams To Pay Attention To
Atlanta Falcons: They added Steven Jackson in the backfield. Julio Jones and Roddy White are arguably the best receiving tandem in the NFL, and expect Julio Jones to be one of the best in the game this season. They were close to reaching the Super Bowl last season, until San Francisco ended their hopes. The Falcons will be right back in the thick of things, and another NFC South crown has a good chance to happen again in 2013. They lost John Abraham, but added Osi Umenyiora to sure up the defensive line. 
Cincinnati Bengals: Andy Dalton and A.J. Green are the best young QB/WR duo in the NFL. Outside of Calvin Johnson you could make a legitimate argument that Green is the best wide receiver in the NFL. The two-year wide out has 162 receptions for 2,407 yards and 18 touchdowns in his first two seasons. The "Red Rifle" has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in both of his first two seasons behind center and is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Marvin Lewis is one of the most underrated coaches in the NFL, and expect the Bengals to make the postseason for the third consecutive season.
New York Giants: The Giants have won two Super Bowls since trading for Eli Manning in the 2004 NFL draft. The NFC East is up for grabs once again this season, and with Robert Griffin III coming off a torn ACL, this is anyone's division. Manning still doesn't get the credit he deserves, with two Super Bowl MVP's on his resume, he is a top-ten quarterback in the NFL. Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks make up one of the best duo's at wide receiver. It will be important for the second year running back from Virginia Tech, David Wilson, to have a big-time year if the Giants want to be serious contenders in 2013. The Giants defense was banged up all year in 2012. If they stay healthy in 2013 this team has all the talent to be one of the better teams in the NFC this season. 
New Orleans Saints: They finally have their head coach back. Sean Payton is one of the best game-callers in the NFL. The Saints have one of the best offenses in the game, thanks in large part to their quarterback: Drew Brees. Brees has led the NFL in touchdown passes in four of the last five seasons. You could make the argument that he is the best quarterback in the NFL, I would still rank Rodgers, Brady, and Peyton Manning ahead of him, but he has the credentials to make a legitimate argument. The major issue with New Orleans last year was on the other side of the ball, but having their head coach back, they will be way better on defense. Imagine any team in the NFL not having their head coach for an entire season. No way the Ravens or Forty-Niners are in the Super Bowl without their Harbaugh. Rapid Fire - Five Rookie Sleepers in 2013
San Diego Chargers (3rd Rd. - 76th overall)
Wide Receiver - California
Tyrann MathieuArizona Cardinals (3rd Rd. - 69th overall)
Safety - LSU
Pittsburgh Steelers (1st Rd. - 17th overall)
Linebacker - Georgia
Montee Ball Denver Broncos (2nd Rd. - 58th overall)
Running Back - Wisconsin
Matt Elam Baltimore Ravens (1st Rd. - 32nd overall)
Safety - Florida
LAST BUT NOT LEAST :
2013 SUPER BOWL PREDICTION
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS over DENVER BRONCOS
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