My two oldest boys claim that this is the time of year when "real football" starts, but then again they both cheer for Detroit. Get yourself onto ESPN or the Sporting News and try your hand in an NFL fantasy league- it makes for great fun when eight-year-olds are trying to coerce you into ridiculous trades and you can trade insults with Grade 3 team owners from all over the globe.
A word of caution thoughpick with your head not with your heart or walletin other words play in the free leagues and save your beer budget for beer. I am picking the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC despite their current "power ranking" of sixth by the big magazines. Bet heavily with me.
Send the cash through my agent in Regina Beach.?
NFC East: It is anyone's division here, but I'm betting on Manning because every year Romo comes up with a new way to lose, which I tend to enjoy.
At least Romo is good tabloid fodder. He's the only NFL quarterback not to need a speaker in his helmet to hear the incoming plays.
New York Giants - Take Manning add Steve Smith and Brandon Jacobs and you get a rebound season.
Dallas Cowboys - Romo can't win when it counts but he keeps it close.
Washington Redskins - If McNab's ancient running backs deliver then who knows?
Philadelphia Eagles - If Vick starts then Philly has a shot at a wild card.
NFC West: A weak division despite stars like Larry Fitzgerald and the world's greatest punter Regina's own Jon Ryan. Only I have stronger legs than Ryan. Don't make me send photos.
Arizona Cardinals - It's Leinart's team now, but he has the weapons to win.
San Francisco 49ers - Alex Smith will need Gore to offset a youthful receiving corp.
Seattle Seahawks - Hasselbeck has the wideouts, but no running game.
St Louis Rams - Check your thesaurus for the word pathetic - it's lengthy and describes this team.
NFC North: Look for Rodgers to knock Favre out of the playoffs and into retirement before he drives us all insane. Don't expect the same numbers out of Favre - he's nearly as old as me, but the Vikings are a solid unit even if he ends up in a wheelchair by Labour Day
Minnesota Vikings - Now that Methuselah is back, a division title is a lock.
Green Bay Packers - Aaron Rodgers might be the NFC MVP in 2010.
Chicago Bears - A new QB didn't help when their defence disappeared.
Detroit Lions - A terrific young QB and maybe the best receiver in the NFL.
NFC South: Brees won't breeze to the finals again in 2010. The lightning rod of fate rarely strikes the same town twiceunless you're talking about tropical storms. It's gonna be the Packers folks after a dogfight in the NFC North and Philly's Mike Vick won't be invited for obvious reasons.
New Orleans Saints - It's going to be a huge year for Reggie Bush.
Atlanta Falcons - A healthy Michael Turner makes this offence lethal.
Carolina Panthers - The NFL's youngest roster spells doom for Carolina.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - With a rookie QB and an unproven coach expect the worst from the Bucs.
As the Eye on the Ball turns it's focus south lets close by saying that their four game exhibition schedule is a sham and a worthless money grab.
Make 'em play 18 regular games and cut back on the meaningless ones.
