Monday Morning Mehta 9/5/06
Edition # 174
September 5, 2006
http://www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com/
Two days away from footnall's kickoff, so even though the Phils are in the thick of the wildcard race, the NFL gets center stage.
NFC Preview - Don't look now, but this could be the year the balance of power shifts to the NFC. A lot of strong teams developing.
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles 11-5A staple in the #1 slot this years Eagles team comes into the season without the national media hype it's received in years past. But looking at it on paper this team is one of the most balanced on paper in the NFC. The defense is stacked this year. The defensive line could be one of the best in the NFC. The acquisition of Darren Howard MMM called for a year ago, and his versatility is going to amaze fans. Mike Patterson & Broderick Bunkley should form a formidable defensive tackle unit for years to come. Jeremiah Trotter is one of the games best middle linebackers, and the defensive backs will have a bounce back year.
As usual the questions for the Eagles come when the offense is on the field. Don't discount the injury to Donovan McNabb in last years first game. That set the tone for the whole year. I think McNabb is still the best QB in this league and has a chip on his shoulder this year. I look for Donovan to post huge numbers and even run a bit more than the last few years. The offensive line will be able to run block very well, but pass protection remains the question mark. If Todd Herremans, Tra, I mean William Thomas and Jamaal Jackson have good years, this is a Super Bowl team. As far as the WR's, the acquisition of Donte Stallworth should be big for Reggie Brown. I expect him to be the consistently best Eagle WR this year. Expect a good year from Stallworth but his resume has historically been very inconsistent. One week you'll see 110 yards and a TD, the next you'll see one catch for 17 yards. It comes with the territory of being a speed WR. LJ Smith is the key on the receiving corp. He needs to step it up, not fumble so much, and also be a red zone target for McNabb.
Running backs? This is the part of the preview that's made of glass. Handle with care. Brian Westbrook should be put into a hyperbaric chamber between games. Correll Buckhalter I love, but counting on him is a recipe for disaster. I still expect the Eagles to sign Najeh Davenport or one other RB, but nonetheless [Insert broken record] the Eagles have to run the ball more this year. Last year the Eagles were close to 70/30 pass run ration. I'll take a 60/40 ratio at this point.
2. New York Giants 10-6
This team has the ability to jump up and be one of the favorites in the NFC if Eli Manning plays like he did in the first half of last year. The defense is solid but the secondary is a concern (I am not a Sam Madison fan) and I just sense a Plaxico Burress explosion waiting to happen (in a Terrell Owens kind of way). Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs make up one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL so all signs point towards a reappearance of meaningful January games for Tom Coughlin.
4. Dallas Cowboys 8-8
I just can't get excited about a team with Drew Bledsoe as the QB. I am a huge Bill Parcells fan and his history the year after not making the playoffs is phenomenal, but there's just not enough on this team to call it a contender just yet. Too many holes on the offensive line, and while the defense can be spectacular at times, it can also look bad too many times. I tried to get through a whole Dallas preview without mentioning Terrell Owens, but I just can't. That situation is bound to get ugly sooner rather than later.
4. Washington Redskins 6-10
There's plenty about this team not to like. Mark Brunell as the QB is on top of that list. His fragile nature and increasing age make him a sure bet to get for an extended period of time this year. The backups are Todd Collins and Jason Campbell which is downright scary. The secondary is thin at best and an injury to Shawn Springs is going to hamper this team early in the year. I'm not a fan of Adam Archuleta but definitely respect Greg Williams the defensive coordinator. This one could bite me, but I'll have the Redskins as a big disappointment this year.
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears 9-7
Do I have to pick a winner in this division? This division doesn't even deserve a preview. Bears by default - Rex Grossman vs. Brian Griese, talk about a battle!!
2. Minnesota Vikings 8-8
I like this team because I expect Chester Taylor to have a very nice year. But I could also see new coach and Andy Reid disciple Brad Childress pulling a Reid and getting pass happy, which would mean Brad Johnson's bound to get pounded.
3. Detroit Lions 7-9
Finally the Joey Harrington era ends and Lions fans can move onto the bigger problems, Matt Millen. He has to have pictures of the Ford family driving Toyota's or something. Expect this to be an exciting team with Mike Martz running the offense.
4. Green Bay Packers 4-12
Brett Favre will lead the league in unjust praise from announcers as well as ridiculous throws.
NFC South - Toughest division in football
1. Atlanta Falcons - 11-5
There's two tiebreakers I use if teams are close to determine who I pick to win a division. The Quarterback and the defense. The QB is a tough call in this division (although I think Vick is great), but the defense is clearly very strong in Atlanta. John Abraham and Patrick Kearny form a tremendous tandem at DE. The LB's are fast and DeAngelo Hall should break out this year. As for Vick, his second year in this offense should make him a better player. Vick's got a lot to prove to a lot of people this year and I'm not about to jump off the bandwagon.
2. Carolina Panthers 10-6
Just look at the Panthers play and you immediately realize this is just a solid team overall. Solid QB play, solid defensive play, solid coaching. Solid. Very solid. I don't know I've used the word solid 38 times in this preview already. Anyway, this team seems like a team that could struggle to stay focused in the season, and deadly in January.
3. Tampa Bay Bucs 10-6
Cadillac left, Cadillac right, Cadillac up the middle will have some extra throwing this year you can bank on that. I'm looking for a very good year from Chris Simms as Jon Gruden loves to throw the ball and now that Simms has some experience under his belt, he'll be able to do so.
4. New Orleans Saints 6-10
First year coach Sean Payton takes on a rebuilding team with some excitement surrounding it with the drafting of Reggie Bush and the free agent signing of Drew Brees. But way too many problems with the offensive and defensive lines on this team. Not a fan of Payton either.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals 10-6
To keep with my theme of going out on a limb, we've selected the Arizona Cardinals as the NFC West Champs. Kind of reminds me of when I picked the Mets a few years back and was 3 or 4 years too early, but I'm a trend setter. Love this offense with (Warner/Leinart), Edge James, Anquan Boldin & Larry Fitzgerald. The defense has a lot of talent but hasn't shown much yet. Why not, I hate the rest of the division this year.
2. Seattle Seahawks 7-9
The Super Bowl loser jinx strikes again? Although the last time Mike Holmgren lost the Super Bowl he went 11-5 the next year. Is it too late to change that last pick??
3. St. Louis Rams 6-10
The Scott Linehan era begins as Mike Martz is finally out of town. It'll take time for this team to gel but it's a team that will be in just about every game.
4. San Francisco 49ers 4-12
Alex Smith's development is the only thing to watch here.
AFC Playoffs
Miami, Cincy, Jacksonville and Denver are the division winners. Indy and NE will be my wild cards, as I'll have Pittsburgh watching from home. I just can't seem to get away from Jacksonville and I'll pick them to advance to Miami.
NFC Playoffs
So Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta and Arizona are the division winners. Leaving the Giants and Carolina as my two other playoff teams with Tampa losing out on a tiebreaker. I think this could be Atlanta's year, but just don't have enough evidence to pick them over the Eagles. So for me it comes down to the Eagles and Carolina. Hey, this is a Philadelphia blog, if you don't like me picking the Eagles, SCREW YOU!! Eagles return to the Super Bowl this time winning the forkin thing!!
MLB/Phillies
Phillies go 5-4 since last week and remain 1.5 games out of first place San Diego for the Wild Card. The Reds are falling quickly out of the race and teams like the Giants and surprising Marlins are charging up the standings.
Ryan Howard for MVP is now getting full national attention as he's really becoming the favorite. He is on a tear the past few months and these aren't your Pat Burrell 11-2 tack on homers, Howards have been meaningful hits.
After an August (mainly the last 2/3 weeks) to forget about, Chase Utley is heating up again. He's already got 3 home runs in 5 games this month and while everything still doesn't seem as it was during his long hitting streak, Utley's walk off last night should hopefully get him back on track.
I'd highly doubt there's been a better pitcher since in the NL since July 29th than Cole Hamels. I'd look it up but that football preview took a lot of me. I write this stuff Monday Morning and it's getting close to afternoon so I need to hurry up I have some great information left to write still.
Thank God Tom Gordon is back. His history is definitely scary in the clutch but Rhodes, Madson, Geary was too much to handle.
I think the Randall Simon pick up is going to pay some dividends. Somewhere this month I think he gets a key hit. Just got a feeling.
Around the League
The Detroit Tigers continue to play mediocre baseball and have let the White Sox and Twins creep back into the race for the central division.
The revitalized SF Giants and the suddenly hot Barry Bonds are making a push towards the top of the WC standings. Matt Cain and Noah Lowry are going to make an exceptional 1-2 punch for years to come. Remember those names as the Yankees will be trying to get them in 4 years.
The Padres picked up David Wells last week, in what could be an underrated move. Wells seems to always pitch well in the clutch.
The team playing the best baseball the last month in the AL could be the Oakland A's. Quietly they've opened up a big lead in the West as all the attention has been on the Yankees and Tigers.
How does the owner of the Marlins actually want to fire Joe Girardi? I can't believe that team is in the race. And the young pitching they have is exceptional.
Mets. Just wanted to bring them up.
With a month to go: Howard NL MVP, Ortiz AL MVP (with Jeter closing in quickly), Santana and Webb the Cy Youngs. NL Cy is up in the air though a hot September by Penny, Carpenter, or even a rookie like Josh Johnson wins it.
September 5, 2006
http://www.mondaymorningmehta.blogspot.com/
Two days away from footnall's kickoff, so even though the Phils are in the thick of the wildcard race, the NFL gets center stage.
NFC Preview - Don't look now, but this could be the year the balance of power shifts to the NFC. A lot of strong teams developing.
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles 11-5A staple in the #1 slot this years Eagles team comes into the season without the national media hype it's received in years past. But looking at it on paper this team is one of the most balanced on paper in the NFC. The defense is stacked this year. The defensive line could be one of the best in the NFC. The acquisition of Darren Howard MMM called for a year ago, and his versatility is going to amaze fans. Mike Patterson & Broderick Bunkley should form a formidable defensive tackle unit for years to come. Jeremiah Trotter is one of the games best middle linebackers, and the defensive backs will have a bounce back year.
As usual the questions for the Eagles come when the offense is on the field. Don't discount the injury to Donovan McNabb in last years first game. That set the tone for the whole year. I think McNabb is still the best QB in this league and has a chip on his shoulder this year. I look for Donovan to post huge numbers and even run a bit more than the last few years. The offensive line will be able to run block very well, but pass protection remains the question mark. If Todd Herremans, Tra, I mean William Thomas and Jamaal Jackson have good years, this is a Super Bowl team. As far as the WR's, the acquisition of Donte Stallworth should be big for Reggie Brown. I expect him to be the consistently best Eagle WR this year. Expect a good year from Stallworth but his resume has historically been very inconsistent. One week you'll see 110 yards and a TD, the next you'll see one catch for 17 yards. It comes with the territory of being a speed WR. LJ Smith is the key on the receiving corp. He needs to step it up, not fumble so much, and also be a red zone target for McNabb.
Running backs? This is the part of the preview that's made of glass. Handle with care. Brian Westbrook should be put into a hyperbaric chamber between games. Correll Buckhalter I love, but counting on him is a recipe for disaster. I still expect the Eagles to sign Najeh Davenport or one other RB, but nonetheless [Insert broken record] the Eagles have to run the ball more this year. Last year the Eagles were close to 70/30 pass run ration. I'll take a 60/40 ratio at this point.
2. New York Giants 10-6
This team has the ability to jump up and be one of the favorites in the NFC if Eli Manning plays like he did in the first half of last year. The defense is solid but the secondary is a concern (I am not a Sam Madison fan) and I just sense a Plaxico Burress explosion waiting to happen (in a Terrell Owens kind of way). Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs make up one of the best 1-2 punches in the NFL so all signs point towards a reappearance of meaningful January games for Tom Coughlin.
4. Dallas Cowboys 8-8
I just can't get excited about a team with Drew Bledsoe as the QB. I am a huge Bill Parcells fan and his history the year after not making the playoffs is phenomenal, but there's just not enough on this team to call it a contender just yet. Too many holes on the offensive line, and while the defense can be spectacular at times, it can also look bad too many times. I tried to get through a whole Dallas preview without mentioning Terrell Owens, but I just can't. That situation is bound to get ugly sooner rather than later.
4. Washington Redskins 6-10
There's plenty about this team not to like. Mark Brunell as the QB is on top of that list. His fragile nature and increasing age make him a sure bet to get for an extended period of time this year. The backups are Todd Collins and Jason Campbell which is downright scary. The secondary is thin at best and an injury to Shawn Springs is going to hamper this team early in the year. I'm not a fan of Adam Archuleta but definitely respect Greg Williams the defensive coordinator. This one could bite me, but I'll have the Redskins as a big disappointment this year.
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears 9-7
Do I have to pick a winner in this division? This division doesn't even deserve a preview. Bears by default - Rex Grossman vs. Brian Griese, talk about a battle!!
2. Minnesota Vikings 8-8
I like this team because I expect Chester Taylor to have a very nice year. But I could also see new coach and Andy Reid disciple Brad Childress pulling a Reid and getting pass happy, which would mean Brad Johnson's bound to get pounded.
3. Detroit Lions 7-9
Finally the Joey Harrington era ends and Lions fans can move onto the bigger problems, Matt Millen. He has to have pictures of the Ford family driving Toyota's or something. Expect this to be an exciting team with Mike Martz running the offense.
4. Green Bay Packers 4-12
Brett Favre will lead the league in unjust praise from announcers as well as ridiculous throws.
NFC South - Toughest division in football
1. Atlanta Falcons - 11-5
There's two tiebreakers I use if teams are close to determine who I pick to win a division. The Quarterback and the defense. The QB is a tough call in this division (although I think Vick is great), but the defense is clearly very strong in Atlanta. John Abraham and Patrick Kearny form a tremendous tandem at DE. The LB's are fast and DeAngelo Hall should break out this year. As for Vick, his second year in this offense should make him a better player. Vick's got a lot to prove to a lot of people this year and I'm not about to jump off the bandwagon.
2. Carolina Panthers 10-6
Just look at the Panthers play and you immediately realize this is just a solid team overall. Solid QB play, solid defensive play, solid coaching. Solid. Very solid. I don't know I've used the word solid 38 times in this preview already. Anyway, this team seems like a team that could struggle to stay focused in the season, and deadly in January.
3. Tampa Bay Bucs 10-6
Cadillac left, Cadillac right, Cadillac up the middle will have some extra throwing this year you can bank on that. I'm looking for a very good year from Chris Simms as Jon Gruden loves to throw the ball and now that Simms has some experience under his belt, he'll be able to do so.
4. New Orleans Saints 6-10
First year coach Sean Payton takes on a rebuilding team with some excitement surrounding it with the drafting of Reggie Bush and the free agent signing of Drew Brees. But way too many problems with the offensive and defensive lines on this team. Not a fan of Payton either.
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals 10-6
To keep with my theme of going out on a limb, we've selected the Arizona Cardinals as the NFC West Champs. Kind of reminds me of when I picked the Mets a few years back and was 3 or 4 years too early, but I'm a trend setter. Love this offense with (Warner/Leinart), Edge James, Anquan Boldin & Larry Fitzgerald. The defense has a lot of talent but hasn't shown much yet. Why not, I hate the rest of the division this year.
2. Seattle Seahawks 7-9
The Super Bowl loser jinx strikes again? Although the last time Mike Holmgren lost the Super Bowl he went 11-5 the next year. Is it too late to change that last pick??
3. St. Louis Rams 6-10
The Scott Linehan era begins as Mike Martz is finally out of town. It'll take time for this team to gel but it's a team that will be in just about every game.
4. San Francisco 49ers 4-12
Alex Smith's development is the only thing to watch here.
AFC Playoffs
Miami, Cincy, Jacksonville and Denver are the division winners. Indy and NE will be my wild cards, as I'll have Pittsburgh watching from home. I just can't seem to get away from Jacksonville and I'll pick them to advance to Miami.
NFC Playoffs
So Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta and Arizona are the division winners. Leaving the Giants and Carolina as my two other playoff teams with Tampa losing out on a tiebreaker. I think this could be Atlanta's year, but just don't have enough evidence to pick them over the Eagles. So for me it comes down to the Eagles and Carolina. Hey, this is a Philadelphia blog, if you don't like me picking the Eagles, SCREW YOU!! Eagles return to the Super Bowl this time winning the forkin thing!!
MLB/Phillies
Phillies go 5-4 since last week and remain 1.5 games out of first place San Diego for the Wild Card. The Reds are falling quickly out of the race and teams like the Giants and surprising Marlins are charging up the standings.
Ryan Howard for MVP is now getting full national attention as he's really becoming the favorite. He is on a tear the past few months and these aren't your Pat Burrell 11-2 tack on homers, Howards have been meaningful hits.
After an August (mainly the last 2/3 weeks) to forget about, Chase Utley is heating up again. He's already got 3 home runs in 5 games this month and while everything still doesn't seem as it was during his long hitting streak, Utley's walk off last night should hopefully get him back on track.
I'd highly doubt there's been a better pitcher since in the NL since July 29th than Cole Hamels. I'd look it up but that football preview took a lot of me. I write this stuff Monday Morning and it's getting close to afternoon so I need to hurry up I have some great information left to write still.
Thank God Tom Gordon is back. His history is definitely scary in the clutch but Rhodes, Madson, Geary was too much to handle.
I think the Randall Simon pick up is going to pay some dividends. Somewhere this month I think he gets a key hit. Just got a feeling.
Around the League
The Detroit Tigers continue to play mediocre baseball and have let the White Sox and Twins creep back into the race for the central division.
The revitalized SF Giants and the suddenly hot Barry Bonds are making a push towards the top of the WC standings. Matt Cain and Noah Lowry are going to make an exceptional 1-2 punch for years to come. Remember those names as the Yankees will be trying to get them in 4 years.
The Padres picked up David Wells last week, in what could be an underrated move. Wells seems to always pitch well in the clutch.
The team playing the best baseball the last month in the AL could be the Oakland A's. Quietly they've opened up a big lead in the West as all the attention has been on the Yankees and Tigers.
How does the owner of the Marlins actually want to fire Joe Girardi? I can't believe that team is in the race. And the young pitching they have is exceptional.
Mets. Just wanted to bring them up.
With a month to go: Howard NL MVP, Ortiz AL MVP (with Jeter closing in quickly), Santana and Webb the Cy Youngs. NL Cy is up in the air though a hot September by Penny, Carpenter, or even a rookie like Josh Johnson wins it.
posted by Monday Morning Mehta at 11:29 AM
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