NFL Sunday Ticket is a wonderful thing but it's a rip off and a monopoly. Way too much for one house. They need to make it cheaper and give it to all other providers. Why does DirectTV get to horde it? I'd like the anti-trust guys who looked into Microsoft to look into this. Let more people enjoy a reasonably priced product. Thirty bucks a month, that's half of what it is now. The whole season for $120 - done.
This has gotta be connected to the potential lockout some way. Too much money going one place. Figure this broadcasting problem out along with the black-out and lack of stadium participation. All this is tied up together with the rest of the billions of dollars that might shut this thing down next year.
Let me say this: I've put my head in the sand on this lockout thing. I don't buy it, don't want to hear about it, don't believe it. Only when it's actually shut down will I buy it. These owners and player representatives are smart, based on the positions they hold, they have to be. So how could they be dumb enough to shut down the most popular league in sports?
BUT THE POINT WAS.... you don't need Sunday Ticket some weeks. Not if you're in the Des Moines/Central Iowa region tomorrow. The four best games are on the locals.
No. 4: Giants at Colts - NBC Sunday night
I'm not into the Manning Bowl hype but would like to see where these teams are at. I'll take the Colts here.
No. 3: Bears at Cowboys - FOX 12:00
If the Cowboys start 0-2 people will be up in arms. The Bears will show their true colors here. I'm going with Bum's son, like everyone else.
No. 2: Dolphins at Vikings - CBS 12:00
Dolphins are an intriguing team. I like watching their personnel and Sparano on the sidelines, yelling. Home opener in Minnesota. The Favre and Chili Show is back in town! Take the Vikings.
No. 1: Patriots at Jets - CBS 3:15
Seems like everyone is taking the Pats here but I'm going Jets. I'm with the home team in a bitter division rivalry. I haven't been convinced the Pats are back to '07 form after one game against the Bengals, who played like dogs in the first half and gave away the game easy and early. Jets run it better, play tough D and squeak out a close one, 16-13.
The best game I don't get: Ravens at Bengals. Division game - means a lot to both teams. Cincinnati can't fall in that 0-2 hole. If so, they'll never get out. The other division game, only 3 this weekend, is Bucs at Panthers. Hard-hitting NFC South action. I'm going Ravens and Panthers in those two.
Other notables:
Texans at Redskins - which team is for real? Either? Redskins to win
Steelers at Titans - Pittsburgh is dinged up and Titans could be rolling this year. Titans win at home.
Showing posts with label patriots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patriots. Show all posts
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
AFC East Preview
This will be an excellent division to watch all year. Expectations are extremely high in New York, New England is hungry, Miami is a tough team that will challenge for the division and Buffalo is......... playing a couple games in Toronto again this year.
NEW YORK 11-5
Last year's run into the AFC Championship game proved the Jets have what it takes. This year will be about consistency on offense. The Jets struggled at times last year, even Rex Ryan proclaimed they were out of the playoffs at one point. That consistency will revolve around QB Mark Sanchez's ability to make good decision.
The defense will carry the team again. Antonio Cromartie will be a good pick-up on the other side of Darrelle Revis, who finally will report to the team after holding out for five weeks. The Jets also signed Jason Taylor but shouldn't expect much from him. Losing Calvin Pace for 4-6 weeks will be a minor bump in the road. Having Kris Jenkins back in the middle will be as helpful as any of their free agency moves.
The offense will rely on its ground game to take away some pressure on Sanchez. Letting Thomas Jones go opens the door for Shonn Greene to be the full-time back. Jones was an established hard runner with multiple 1000 yard seasons and it will be interesting to see if Greene can fill his shoes. LT is starting his first season in a new locker room and his role will be limited but important. Relieving pressure on third downs and the goal line will be where LT can help.
Picking up Santonio Holmes, despite his four-game suspension, is a bold move that will pay-off for the Jets. Holmes is a Super Bowl MVP with game-changing ability. He'll provide the stability and sure-hands that Sanchez will need as the young QB navigates through a bumpy second year with Super Bowl expectations on his back.
The Jets have improved since last year but will still face certain struggles, as the offense continues to grow. The defense will lead them to a division title.
NEW ENGLAND 10-6
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are out to prove they are still the best at what they do. Last year's crushing playoff loss to Baltimore exposed the defense as a cause for concern. With the offense back on track and Brady's knee further along, the Pats should have the firepower to ensure another trip to the playoffs.
Brady has Welker back quickly from a torn ACL and its hard to know how good he's feeling. He looks to be nearly fully recovered. Moss is in a contract year and they drafted a big TE in the second round, Rob Gronkowski, who has looked good this preseason. All signs for another impressive passing attack in New England. The running game will be by-committee again and provide only what's necessary.
The defense is the question mark. DE Ty Warren is out for the season, which is a major blow. Belichick will need young/new players to step up. The secondary must improve from last year. They drafted a CB, Devin McCourty, with the first round pick.
The Patriots will have another productive, playoff-run season. The pressure will continue to mount among fans desperate for the Pats' return to glory. They will have a good shot this year.
MIAMI 9-7
The Dolphins took a step back last year after 2008's division title but upgraded at some key positions and are poised to contend again this year.
Miami and third-year head coach Tony Sparano will continue with what has worked, the running game. Using Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown out of the Wildcat or power sets, the Dolphins will establish themselves on the ground to set-up Chad Henne in the passing game. The air attack will improve this year with the signing of Brandon Marshall, who will provide Henne the number one receiver that he so sorely needed last year. Marshall's size and ability will instantly bolster Miami's passing game.
The defense struggled at times last year and finished ranked 25th in points allowed. They let Joey Porter and Jason Taylor go, but brought in Karlos Dansby from Arizona. They spent first and second round picks on front-seven players. Sparano knows his defense must improve if he wants another shot at the playoffs, which is why he brought in Mike Nolan to coordinate the unit.
Miami will challenge within this tough division and could surprise people this year.
BUFFALO 3-13
The Bills have a new coach, Chan Gailey, a new running back, CJ Spiller, and a new defensive formation, the 3-4. Unfortunately, the new changes won't produce many wins this year in Buffalo.
The offense will continue to struggle with Trent Edwards. Between him and Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bills need more production under center. Spiller looks to be an exciting player but will be asked to do a lot. Staying healthy will need to be the concern for him. It will be interesting to see how the Bills perform under its new coaches but the lack of talent and depth will be the factor.
NEW YORK 11-5
 |
| Bart Scott will lead another great defense |
The defense will carry the team again. Antonio Cromartie will be a good pick-up on the other side of Darrelle Revis, who finally will report to the team after holding out for five weeks. The Jets also signed Jason Taylor but shouldn't expect much from him. Losing Calvin Pace for 4-6 weeks will be a minor bump in the road. Having Kris Jenkins back in the middle will be as helpful as any of their free agency moves.
The offense will rely on its ground game to take away some pressure on Sanchez. Letting Thomas Jones go opens the door for Shonn Greene to be the full-time back. Jones was an established hard runner with multiple 1000 yard seasons and it will be interesting to see if Greene can fill his shoes. LT is starting his first season in a new locker room and his role will be limited but important. Relieving pressure on third downs and the goal line will be where LT can help.
Picking up Santonio Holmes, despite his four-game suspension, is a bold move that will pay-off for the Jets. Holmes is a Super Bowl MVP with game-changing ability. He'll provide the stability and sure-hands that Sanchez will need as the young QB navigates through a bumpy second year with Super Bowl expectations on his back.
The Jets have improved since last year but will still face certain struggles, as the offense continues to grow. The defense will lead them to a division title.
NEW ENGLAND 10-6
 |
| Looking for the 2007 magic again |
Brady has Welker back quickly from a torn ACL and its hard to know how good he's feeling. He looks to be nearly fully recovered. Moss is in a contract year and they drafted a big TE in the second round, Rob Gronkowski, who has looked good this preseason. All signs for another impressive passing attack in New England. The running game will be by-committee again and provide only what's necessary.
The defense is the question mark. DE Ty Warren is out for the season, which is a major blow. Belichick will need young/new players to step up. The secondary must improve from last year. They drafted a CB, Devin McCourty, with the first round pick.
The Patriots will have another productive, playoff-run season. The pressure will continue to mount among fans desperate for the Pats' return to glory. They will have a good shot this year.
MIAMI 9-7
The Dolphins took a step back last year after 2008's division title but upgraded at some key positions and are poised to contend again this year.
 |
| Henne's in charge |
The defense struggled at times last year and finished ranked 25th in points allowed. They let Joey Porter and Jason Taylor go, but brought in Karlos Dansby from Arizona. They spent first and second round picks on front-seven players. Sparano knows his defense must improve if he wants another shot at the playoffs, which is why he brought in Mike Nolan to coordinate the unit.
Miami will challenge within this tough division and could surprise people this year.
BUFFALO 3-13
 |
| Spiller will excite |
The offense will continue to struggle with Trent Edwards. Between him and Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bills need more production under center. Spiller looks to be an exciting player but will be asked to do a lot. Staying healthy will need to be the concern for him. It will be interesting to see how the Bills perform under its new coaches but the lack of talent and depth will be the factor.
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