100 Days Away From The First NFL Game

The 10 Things I'm Looking Forward To Most This Season

1. How do Peyton Manning and the Broncos bounce back from the upset playoff loss at home last year?  The Broncos were huge favorites last year when they faced the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional round, and we all know how that ended up.  Despite losing Elvis Dumervil as a result of some technical difficulties, the Broncos picked up the best slot receiver in the league in Wes Welker, making the offense more potent than it was last year.  Welker, Decker, and Thomas form one of the best wide receiver units in the league, and should be a nightmare for defenses to handle when you consider who will be slinging the ball to them.  Combine that with a very favorable schedule, and you're looking at a club that should finish first in the conference with potentially 14 or more wins.  Projecting that many wins is always a gutsy call, but when you consider Peyton notched 13 in year one and now has more reps under his belt with a new weapon in his arsenal, it's not that difficult to foresee.  Bonus Nugget: Peyton shot a 77 at Augusta National this offseason.  Seriously, what can't this guy do?
2. Will we see a "Sophomore Slump" from the quarterback class of the 2012 NFL Draft?  
   
   Cam Newton had a record-setting season as a rookie in 2011, and then took a few steps backward in his second season with the Panthers.  The "sophomore slump" is by no means a rare occurrence, and when you look at how many quarterbacks from the 2012 class were starters last season, the question becomes how many will regress in year two.  This may seem like a shock to some, but I think we'll see the biggest drop-off from Colin Kaepernick.  Leading a team to a Super Bowl in your rookie season is only going to create heightened expectations and pressure, and teams will be better prepared for the pistol after seeing it last year.  San Francisco should still make the playoffs with a great running attack and stout defensive unit, but don't be surprised to see Kaepernick struggle when throwing the ball in 2013.  On the other hand, I think Tannehill will make the biggest improvement of the group in year two, as another year with Mike Sherman can only bode well for his development.  He will be more adjusted to the speed of the professional game this year, and will be even more familiar with the concepts of his old college coach's playbook. 
3. Who comes out victorious in the NFC West?  The toughest division in the land will provide probably the most exciting race in the league.  Excluding the Arizona Cardinals, you could make an argument that any of the other three teams could win the division.  San Francisco nearly came back to win the Super Bowl after the blackout in New Orleans.  The Seahawks nearly made it to the NFC Conference Championship, and have the best home field advantage in the NFL.  Finally, the St. Louis Rams had the best record against divisional opponents, and picked up offensive threats for Bradford in Tavon Austin and Jared Cook.  A good case could be made for any of those three teams, but I think Seattle will snag the divisional title by a single win.
   
4. Does the return of Sean Payton mean the Saints reclaim the throne of the NFC South?
   
   While the NFC West may be the best division in the league, I think it's only better than the South this year by a hair.  The Atlanta Falcons should probably be the preseason favorites to win the division again, but you have to think the Saints, Panthers, and Bucs will provide a stiffer test this year than their 7-9 performances did last season.  Cam Newton will almost certainly put up better numbers than the 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions he threw in 2012.  Tampa Bay will also be known as Revis Island now, and Josh Freeman should have a greater grasp of second-year coach Greg Schiano's offense.  Then you have the return of Sean Payton, one of the best coaches in the league.  There is no doubt that the Saints were not the same team without Payton, which was especially true at the beginning of last season when the Saints were abysmal.  With Payton and Brees working together again, and Rob Ryan now in control of the defense, I think the Saints will reclaim the crown of the NFC, but it will be by the slimmest of margins.
5. Is this the year the Texans make it past the Divisional round? 
   
   The Texans were rolling last year, and seemed destined for a trip to New Orleans to play for it all.  After the injury to Brian "Get Sacks Get Stacks" Cushing though, the defense began to unravel bit by bit, and gave up big numbers at the end of the season.  Houston lost four of their last six games, and gave up 26.8 points per game over their final seven games of the regular season.  Cushing's return can only mean good things for the Bulls on Parade, and if the team can remain healthy, all signs point to an AFC Conference Championship appearance against the Denver Broncos.  
6. How much will losing Wes Welker affect Tom Brady and the Patriots?
   
   Yes, the Patriots replaced Brady's B.F.F. with Danny Amendola, a great slot receiver when he's healthy.  Yet there are so many issues still lingering that it's hard to see the Patriots returning to the AFC Conference Championship game.  Gronkowski can't get off the operating table, and the Patriots lost Deion Branch, Danny Woodhead, and Brandon Lloyd in the offseason.  To say that there will be some unfamiliarity in the Patriots offense would be an understatement.  If anyone can handle it though, its Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, and the Pats should still win the AFC East.  I just can't see a return trip to the Conference Championship game though.
7. What in the world will happen in Dallas this season?   
   
   I've seen just about everything in terms of predictions about how the Cowboys will finish this season.  Some think the NFC is ripe for the taking, and that Dallas could win the division and get into the playoffs.  This isn't too irrational, as the Redskins did win the division with a 10-6 record and a victory on the final night of the regular season. On the other hand, some think the Cowboys will miss the playoffs again, as many of the problems still remain from last season.  Tony Romo still throws the worst passes at the worst times, the offensive line is sketchy until proven otherwise, and a new defensive coordinator is in town plugging in a 4-3 Tampa 2 system with players fit for a 3-4.  When it comes down to it, this year could be very similar to past seasons: the Cowboys blow some games they shouldn't, hang in the playoff chase until the very end, only for Romo to make a throw that shouldn't have been made.  Anything better than 8-8 will be a success in my book.  
8. How strong will the reactions be to the rules change regarding tackling?  We've already heard some players voice strong opinions against the rules change regarding leading with the crown of the helmet outside the tackle box.  Emmitt Smith went so far as to say that the rule "sounds like it was made up by people who have never played the game of football."  Fans across the country are always debating controversial calls every Sunday, especially those involving defenseless receivers.  I can't wait to see what happens after the first few Sundays this year.  Depending on some of the calls that are made, this could be a major backfire for the NFL.  Only time will tell, but boy will it be fun to watch what unfolds.  
   
     
9. Will Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez turn the Jets around?
   
   It can't get much worse for Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez than it did last season.  Not only did the Jets have a horrible year, but Sanchez still owns the "Worst of The Worst" play on ESPN for the infamous "butt fumble."  Rex Ryan still doesn't have many weapons on offense, but the man should be able to turn his defense around given his pedigree on that side of the ball.  Many have already written the Jets off completely, but I think the Jets will exceed expectations and surprise a lot of people despite the pressure that both are under.
10. The Rematch in Denver.  Due to the Baltimore Orioles not rescheduling their September 5th home game against the Chicago White Sox, the Baltimore Ravens will be forced to open their season playing at Denver.  This has bucked the trend of recent years, where the reigning Super Bowl champions have kicked off the season at home in the first game of the year.  The Mile High City will be rocking for this one, and Peyton Manning might be as blood-thirsty for revenge as Nick Saban.  Denver has opened up as an 8.5 point favorite, and I'd strongly recommend laying the points in this one.  Baltimore is rebuilding, and Manning should be able to take advantage of the Ravens defense all night.  Don't be surprised when this line hits double digits the closer to the start of the season. 

100 Days Away From The First Saturday Of College Football

The 10 Things I'm Looking Forward To

1. Can Jadeveon Clowney become the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Charles Woodson?  The guy is an athletic freak.  Anyone who has watched a hint of college football or ESPN  knows this guy will be the first pick in next year's draft, and he probably would have been taken first this year if he had been draft eligible.  He finished last season with 13 sacks, setting the single season record at South Carolina in a campaign that saw him receive the AT&T All America Player of The Year award.  Offenses are going to do their best to limit Clowney via scheme and double teams, but odds are that he will still have a monster season.  The only question is whether he can unseat the guy that comes in at #2 on this last.      
2. What does Johnny Football do for an encore after becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy?
   
   Yes, the kid is cocky.  Yes, the kid posts some stuff on the internet that he should probably just keep to himself.  But facts are facts, and Manziel is a winner.  Johnny Football is a flat-out gamer, and as much as it pains me to say it, the Aggies will probably have another good season down in College Station.  That being said, the odds are against him becoming only the second player to win two Heisman trophies.  Remember, not even Tim Tebow could accomplish that with the ESPN hype machine behind him.  Manziel lost a key member of his offensive line to the draft in Luke Joeckel, and the A&M defense will have some problems in getting off the field this season.  He's also going to face stiff competition from Jadeveon Clowney, De'Anthony Thomas, and other great players around the country.  I just can't see a repeat happening this year, but if anyone can do it after Tebow missed out, it's Johnny Football.   
3. Alabama at Texas A&M, September 14, 2013 at 2:30 PM on CBS.
   
   Prepare yourselves, Aggies.  Nick Saban is coming for you.  You can bet every penny in your bank account that Nick Saban has this date circled in blood on his calendar.  The best ball coach in the land will be out for revenge on September 14th, and the people in College Station have every right to be terrified of what might happen on that afternoon in mid-September.  The last time Nick Saban coached a revenge game, LSU couldn't cross the fifty yard line when they played for the 2012 BCS National Championship.  Now he's got an experienced quarterback with two national titles under his belt going up against a very suspect defense.  This has "recipe for disaster" written all over it for the Aggies.  Alabama will probably open up as a 3.5 or 4 point favorite in this one, and I'd highly recommend you lay the points.  Sorry Aggies, but the Death Star is pointed right at you, and Luke Skywalker is nowhere in sight. 
4. What will Oregon look like without Chip Kelly at the helm?
   
   Chip did his best Pete Carroll impression and got the heck out of Eugene when the time was right, taking his craft to the NFL.  It's hard to see the Ducks regressing though because of the pieces still there.  They return eight starters on offense, including quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back De'Anthony Thomas, who just might be the fastest man in college football.  The Ducks will still keep the fast-paced offense in place, and should still produce a solid unit on a defense.  I don't know if playing for the national title is in the cards, but I could definitely see the Ducks taking a conference championship back to Eugene this season.
5. How will the LSU Defense perform after having eight players selected in the 2013 NFL Draft?
   
   The fact that LSU had eight defensive players drafted is a testament to the talent that the coaches in Baton Rouge develop and produce on a yearly basis.  Maybe the Cajun cooking has something to do with it, but whatever it is, The Mad Hatter and S&C Coach Tommy Moffitt churn out defensive talent no matter the circumstances.  Yet you have to think that losing so many players to the draft in one year is going to have an impact.  They'll still be a pretty good unit, but a there will be a lot of young players out there that are bound to make some errors and get exposed from time to time.  Bonus Nugget: LSU will once again have the best name in college football, this time with Ego Ferguson.
6. Can Mack Brown finally get back over the hump and beat Oklahoma?
   
   Mack is feeling the pressure, and it will only keep increasing until the Oklahoma game in October.  The recipe for success is incredibly simple.  Since 2000, Texas has gone to a BCS game every time it has beaten Oklahoma except for Colt McCoy's freshman season in 2006.  You beat Oklahoma, and everything else takes care of itself.  With Landry Jones gone, it's now or never for Mack Brown and company.  The Longhorns return tons of talent on both sides of the ball, including the most experienced quarterback in the Big XII in David Ash.  Win the Red River Rivalry game, and both the conference championship and BCS games are well within reach.  If Mack fails to get the best of Bob Stoops, he'll be cleaning out his office at the end of the season.
7. Will Lane Kiffin save his job at USC?  
   
   Probably the only coach feeling the same amount of pressure, if not more, is Lane Kiffin at USC.  The Trojans were nowhere near meeting expectations in Los Angeles last season, and the pressure is on for Kiffin to right the ship.  A favorable schedule should give Kiffin more time though, as the USC's only two tough road games are at Notre Dame and across town at UCLA.  The Trojans get Stanford at home, and don't have to face the Oregon Ducks in the regular season.  Although Matt Barkley is gone, Marqise Lee is still on campus to take some of the pressure off Max Wittek's shoulders or whoever else Kiffin puts under center.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Kiffin let go after this year, but I think he'll still be in Los Angeles for the 2014 season.  Bonus Nugget: Lane Kiffin may not be doing well on the field, but boy did he do well off the field.  Well done, Lane.
   
8. How much will Kansas State regress without Optimus Klein?  
   
   Colin Klein has left Manhattan, so you can expect the Wildcats to be down a bit this year.  Don't expect a disaster though, as Bill Snyder is one of the best in the business at getting the most out of his talent.  What that guy has done at Kansas State is remarkable.  I shudder to think what he could do if he had the talent that Texas and Oklahoma get every year.  It might be a an eight-win season for K-State this year, but don't be surprised if Snyder and the Wildcats pull off an upset at home against TCU or Oklahoma in November.  Lord knows they want give someone the treatment that Baylor gave them last season.  Side Note:  If you are on Twitter, you need to follow @kellyinvegas.  Beautiful gal that knows her stuff about college football and sports betting.  Be careful what you tweet though, as she will rip your throat out if you go in there talking like an idiot. She'll probably give me hell just because I projected eight wins for K-State.  Link: https://twitter.com/kellyinvegas
9. How will Kliff Kingsbury and Brett Bielema do in their first seasons at Texas Tech and Arkansas?  
   
   These were two my two favorite hires of the offseason by a mile, but for different reasons.  On one hand, you have Kingsbury returning home to Lubbock and reinstalling Mike Leach's offense.  Tech went with the exciting, flashy, young coach to replace Tommy T.  Though he is young, there is not a person out there who knows Leach's offense better than Kingsbury, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Tech will be producing an exciting brand of football this season.  For all of you doubters, just look at what Kingsbury did with Manziel last year at Texas A&M.  They may not come anywhere near winning the Big XII championship, but they will be a fun team to watch with Kliff running the show.  Over in Arkansas, the Razorbacks went with the safe play and hired Brett Bielema away from Wisconsin.  The man may not have won a national title up in cheesehead land, but he took Wisconsin to three consecutive Rose Bowl games with an offense that relied on running the ball relentlessly behind massive, talented offensive lineman.  Let's see here....running the ball and offensive line talent...sounds a bit like SEC football doesn't it?  If he can produce an SEC defense, Bielema might be giving Saban and Miles a run for the SEC West down the road.  Bonus Nugget:  While there is no need to discuss what Kliff Kingsbury will do for himself in Lubbock, Brett Bielema needs to be applauded for outkicking his coverage by a mile.  Seriously, he kicked it into the parking lot. 
   
10. In case you had forgotten who Jadeveon Clowney is...

    

Hope you enjoyed the piece, and let me know what has you most excited about the 2013 season.