NFL Roundtable – 2010

Tonight it all begins.  The NFL is back.  There aren’t many things in America that make us more crazy than the NFL!  With that said, I had to reach out to a few of my buddies to get their thoughts on all things NFL.  In today’s roundtable we have Matt McKenna, Matt Brewer, and Jeff Rinaldi.  McKenna and Brewer were playing football at the same time I was playing basketball at the University of Nebraska @ Omaha.  We met there at UNO and we’ve all been good friends ever since.  Jeff and I attended Hononegah High School together back in Rockton, Illinois.  Over the years we have shared many, many laughs and have had countless conversations regarding all things sports.  Jeff previously did an interview with me before the NCAA basketball tourney last March, and McKenna was part of the pre-season MLB Roundtable.  They both did such a great job, that I decided to invite them back for some more.  Brewer is the new kid on the block, so we’ll see if he can hold his own with this crew.  Knowing him, I’m sure he’ll do just fine.  Alright, with that out of the way, lets see what this panel of experts has to say about the upcoming season in the National-Football-League (as Chris Berman would say).

Bias Alert!  Bias Alert! 

Danny McLarty: I’m going to start this whole thing off with each of the guys giving me their Cliff’s Notes version of what we can expect out of the teams that they love so much…

Matt McKenna on his Patriots- The Patriots are going to be one of the most exciting teams in the league. Offensively they are just loaded and have a chance to be the best in the league. The usual suspects are still around but some new additions and guys ready for the “leap” will make this team a nightmare for D-coordinators. Julian Edelman is going to cause huge match up problems and hopefully keep Wes Welker healthier because the ball will be spread around more. The rookie to watch is going to be Rob Gronkowski, he is a beast and will finally give Tom Brady a TE to look for over the middle. Something that Belichick has been trying to acquire for years. If gambling were legal I would look to bang the over the first couple of weeks of the season. Defensively this team has a lot of holes and already have lost two key starters for the season, but with Belichick at the helm they will get a stop or two every game and with the Patriots offense it should be enough to win ten plus games.

Matt Brewer on his Steelers-  The Steelers, despite being the greatest franchise in the history of football, have been a team known to face adversity. The years that ended with them hoisting the Lombardi Trophy have been the years they were able to overcome that adversity. This year is no different. Prior to week 1, they have already been faced with losing their top wide receiver (Holmes to the Jets), their top lineman (Colon to injury), and their top two QBs (Leftwich to injury, and Big Ben to a college chick in Georgia). On the other side of the ball, it is a different story. The D-line gets Aaron Smith back from injury (the most underrated end in football) and Ziggy Hood will show much improvement from his rookie campaign. The linebacking corps is the best in the league, and the secondary gets a huge boost with the return of Bryant McFadden (back to Pittsburgh from Arizona) and Troy Polamalu (back from injury). With Dick Lebeau as d-coordinator, look for the Black and Gold to field the toughest D in the league this year. If the defense can produce shutouts and a short field for the offense, I like the Curtain’s chances of getting back to the playoffs where they belong.

 Jeff Rinaldi on Da Bears- I must say it is hard to rave about a team that decided they didn’t want to win a game in the pre-season.  However, 2010 will be a win/win situation.  Either Da Bears make the playoffs or dirty Lovie and Jerry Angelo get canned.  I almost prefer that to be honest.
On the offensive side it comes down to that jello offensive line we have.  If they continue to block like Pee Wee players, Cutler/Forte/Chester/Johhny won’t be able to shine like they are capable of and that is a shame.  
Defensively, it’s all about staying healthy.  Talent is there no question.  Look for Peppers to dominate and Major Wright (rookie) to explode onto the scene.  

Bottom line is I don’t see much hope with Lovie in charge.  8 wins would be the ceiling I think.

Danny’s Note: What do you know, a Bears fan is the only one that is being realistic here.  Once again, an Illinois boy shows that he has a good head on his shoulders.  Just kidding McKenna & Brewer (but not really).

DM: Anyone have anything to say about the other’s predictions?  McKenna, you and Brewer are usually up for a few good jabs at one another.  What do you think McKenna?

MM: If you are a NFL QB with two Super Bowl rings who is single you should be doing what in the off season?  a. In Vegas enjoying all the glamour and glitz while staying in shape for the season. b. Hanging out in Miami bringing your own personal talents to South Beach, or wait for it………. c. In some dump allegedly harassing women who haven’t heard of e-mail let alone tweeting in the back woods of Georgia.  Well the Steelers QB went with c, thus leading me to this conclusion;  The Steelers play-caller is not confident and even worse, lame!  Therefore my expert analysis predicts no playoffs for the Steelers this season. 

DM: Whoa, them’s fightin’ words!  Brewer, I know you have something in your back pocket for McKenna in regards to his Pats prediction.

MB: McKenna , like usual we disagree.  The Pats organization should have focused less on getting a decent tight end and more on drafting a camera man who can keep a secret.  I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt that the Pats will put up some points; any team with Brady and Bellacheat can score quickly and often.  But if the Chowdah Heads wanted to quit being sponsored by AARP they didn’t do themselves any favors by picking up Tory Holt.  Unless they can average 50 pts per game, they might struggle this year getting to 10 wins.  Who is playing D this year for New England?  I don’t think anybody knows.  You have a starting linebacker with a name that sounds like a cure for cold sores – seriously, Tully BantaCain?  Where do you find these people?  The Pats will be lucky to beat out Miami for 2nd in the AFC East and they will struggle to make the playoffs.  

DM: No he didn’t!  This is getting good, BUT… before this gets out of hand, I must switch gears.  I’ll throw a few “quickies” at you, and you let the readers know your thoughts.

Tebow’s Rookie Year; Will he be starting by week 6?  If so, how does he fare?

JR: I don’t have a lot of faith in the Broncos winning this season so I don’t expect to see Tebow and his new haircut out there by this time period.  He is quite popular with the fans/media/players already from what I understand so it would be the best move to keep Denver interested in the season.  I’m pretty sure Brady Quinn isn’t gonna put butts in the seats.  I expect Tebow to up and down when he does play.  However, his leadership ability will keep winning people over.

DM: Will guys from “Hard Knocks” live up to the arrogance, err confidence that they displayed in the popular HBO show?    

MM: I know everyone has been screaming about how good the Jets are all pre-season but I think they are the third best team in the AFC East. I think Sanchez is garbage and in the NFL, QB play is the number one key to success. I mean he walks around trying to be Joe Namath but he is barely a league average QB. I think this team is going to be its own worse enemy. They should run the ball and play good D, but in pre-season they look as if they think they are the Colts. I predict a mediocre season for J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS. Also I hate the Jets just like I hate all New York teams and that is enough reason for me. 

DM: Brett Farve; does he play anywhere near the level that he played last year?

MB: I don’t think it is a stretch to say Favre will have success this year; however, no where near the level of success he had a year ago. That’s not a knock on the future HOFer, its simply the fact that at 40 he had one of the best years of his career. He still gets Adrian Peterson to help shoulder the load, but loses Sidney Rice. He’ll be throwing to 4 receivers that average 5′2 and 137 pounds each. Seriously, you’d think the Vikings drafted their receivers from the Mahtomedi Pop Warner league. Favre is also 41 and is always a question on whether he’ll hold up for the entire season. Ok, he hasn’t missed a game since 1992, but with the ankle problems he had in the off-season, the fairly tough schedule, and another potential threat of retirement by October – I just don’t see him coming close to what he did last year.

DM: About a month ago I made a few bold predictions on Facebook.  I had a few people COMPLETELY disagree with me.  But hey, I’m not gonna make obvious predictions.  You know, like – Peyton Manning will throw for over 2000 yards.  Or, T.O. and Ochocinco will score a TD and act like they’ve been there before.  Anyway, here’s what my predictions were;

-Jay Cutler will throw for over 4000 yards and put up BIG numbers (don’t know if it’ll translate to a lot of wins however???).

-Vince Young has a breakout year

-Aaron Rodgers has a HYOOGE year (HATE to say it!)

-Devon Hester once again goes off in the return game, and is more than solid as a receiver

With that said, how ’bout each of your hit us with a few not-so-obvious predictions:

MM:  

-The Lions will be a good team this year.

-Jahvid Best will be the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

-Ndamukong Suh will be the Defensive Rookie of the Year. 

-Peyton Manning will audible out of a play a the line of scrimmage.

-Tom Brady will dance after his 40th TD pass leading people to think he is Justin Bieber with that haircut.

JR:

-Julius Peppers will lead the league in sacks with 18.5.

-Ochocinco and T.O. brawl on the sidelines by week 7.

-Rex Ryan eats a brat and drinks a cold one on the sidelines during a throttling of the Dolphins.

-Ref Ed Hochuli beats up a kicker before the season ends and flexes his guns in the CBS camera.

-Tony Siragusa eats a goal post.

MB:

-Dennis Dixon will be compared to Vince Young 27 times on national tv before week 2.

-Rashard Mendenhall rushes for over 1500 yards if he avoids injury.

-Sam Bradford wins Offensive Rookie of the Year.

-Tom Brady and Petyon Manning each throw for 4,000+ yards 35 TDs, but neither wins MVP.

-Aaron Rodgers will win MVP and Favre will retire in the same year (poetic justice?).

DM: You dudes are some funny S.O.Bs.  And Brewer, good stuff in regards to that poetic justice thought!  No wonder I love hanging out with you all!  Alright, it’s time to move on to the BIG stuff.  Who plays in the NFC Championship game?

MB: It is hard to bet against the Saints on paper – but it is even harder to repeat as SB champs. I think the Saints fall early and the Packers will face the Giants.

MM: The Giants?? Brewer you are hilarious, they are going to be home with the Steelers come playoff time.  (Danny’s side note – McKenna is a Red Sox fan and Brewer is a Yankee fan – I think that hatred is spilling over to this roundtable) It will be Green Bay and Minnesota.  Pepsi and Coke will trip all over each other for commercial time.  Joe Buck will be boring as always.

JR: I see the Cowboys vs the Packers this year.  I think the Cowboys finally put it together and win this game in a shootout.

DM: The AFC Championship game?

MM: Go ahead and book this one, it will be Baltimore and New England.

JR: Ravens and Colts with the Ravens “D” prevailing.

MB: The obvious prediction here is the Steelers. But my bold prediction for the AFC is the Ravens and Colts.

DM: Finally, what two teams make it to the Superbowl, and who comes out on top?

JR: Cowboys win in their home stadium against a touch Ravens D.

MB: As much as I hate to say it, I think the Ravens youth and tenacity on offense and viciousness on D will overcome Rodger’s MVP year – Ravens 24, Packers 17. (Danny’s note: if you said the Packers here you would have been permanently banned from this website!  Good choice, my friend.  Good choice)

MM: I may be bias but New England will beat Minnesota in the most watched sporting event ever.  Brett Favre will not only play in the game but he will perform at halftime with Ringo and Paul for the highly anticipated Beatles reunion. It’s going to be awesome!  

DM: With the surprise pick of the year, McKenna goes with the Patriots to win it all! (can you hear the sarcasm oozing out of me?!)

 Great job guys.  You gave the readers your smarts, brought the passion, and once again, made us laugh.

Thanks again for being a part of this year’s NFL Roundtable!

I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Agree or disagree with this panel?  Have your own bold predictions?  Who is your pick to hoist the Lombardi Trophy?  Let us know if the comments section below.