NFC West Preview

NFC West – This division is probably one of the weakest in football (ironically, along with the AFC West). From top to bottom, there aren’t any teams that really wow me, nor do I expect any of them to represent the NFC in the Superbowl; however, somebody has to win the division.

San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers are the most intriguing team in the NFC West, because they parallel their rivals across the bay. Their receivers are solid, but young. They have a great, young tight end, a solid QB, strong running game, and very plausible defense. Frank Gore should benefit from Alex Smith’s efficiency and return to being the fantasy beast he was in 2006. A full year of Crabtree will also help take some pressure off Gore’s shoulders as well as keep eight men out of the box. Don’t sleep on the defense either, last year the Niners were 6th in opponent rushing yards (just 97 yards allowed per game). Projected record: 9-7

Seattle Seahawks – Pete Carroll is taking another stab at being an NFL head coach (and left USC crumbling in his absence). He will coach a few of his former players in Lofa Tutupu and Mike Williams. Tutupu has always been a solid pro; however, Williams has looked very good in his first two preseason games under his old head coach. This could be an interesting season for the Seahawks; however, don’t expect them to make much noise outside of a few games. I’m not sure that Carroll is sold on Hasselbeck being the franchise QB (to tell you the truth, neither am I). Projected record: 7-9

Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals lost all hope when their leader, Kurt Warner, retired; not to mention the fact that the team followed up by trading Anquan Boldin, their toughest receiver. Now the offense will fall on the shoulders of a disappointing Matt Leinhart, how well the team does will depend on his ability to run the offense (assuming he hasn’t already lost the job to Derek Anderson). On defense the Cardinals lost Karlos Dansby and Antrel Rolle - two of their best players. This could be a long season for Ken Wisenhunt and the Red Birds. Projected Record: 8-8

St. Louis Rams – The $50 million question is: “Can Bradford put up any respectable numbers without a viable number-one receiver to throw to?” (Although, for $50 million, I don’t think he cares who he’s throwing to.) Stephen Jackson is going to get over 1,000-yards and 10 TDs, but will he play 16 games? Doubtful. The Rams are going to be the doormat of this division; however, they’re only a few key pieces away from being an 8-win team. Unfortunately, most of those pieces are on the most important side of the ball, defense. Projected Record: 4-12

The bottom line is that this division is a two team race between the Cardinals and the 49ers until further notice (and by further notice, I mean the next 2-years; unless the Seahawks can pry Vincent Jackson away from San Diego). The Rams are doing the right thing by letting Bradford watch the first couple of regular season games from the sidelines. Eventually he’ll be the starter, but there’s no need to rush a guy coming off a major injury into an ass whooping. Hopefully Carroll can turn around a Seahawks franchise that took a stage dive since the 2005 Superbowl.

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401

Celebrity-Athlete of the Day: Juan Uribe

I’ve found my subjects for celebrity-athletes in numerous different ways. I still don’t know how I find these people, or why I even know who else they look like (what can I say, it’s a gift).

Today’s subject was found by doing what I do best, watching TV (although a bit of the credit also belongs to proximity, as today’s athlete plays for one of the teams I covered during my internship out in Sacramento).

Today’s Athlete: Juan Uribe, shortstop for the San Francisco Giants.

• I don’t know whether it’s the violent swing, chubby face, creepy demeanor that made me notice; but, whatever the reason, Uribe bears a striking resemblance to one of my favorite rappers: Jadakiss.
  
  It all started a little over a week ago, when I went to a Giants game at AT&T ballpark (one of the most picturesque ballparks you’ll ever see). I remember sitting in the press box when, all-of-the-sudden, some Spanish music starts blaring in my ears. Uribe was up to hit and my eyes fixated on his bat. Let me just say, that this dude has the most violent swing of all-time (sorry Gary Sheffield, but his is just stupid). I’ve never seen somebody work that hard for an opposite field single in my life (and I used to play baseball…ish).
  
  His swing only enhanced my belief that I came to the previous night (while watching music videos on MTV Jams): he is baseball’s version of Jadakiss. Jadakiss might be the only rapper (other than Game and Eminem) that genuinely scares me (obviously Eminem scares me for different reasons). I feel like he will actually shoot me if he had the chance. I’m a relatively big dude, but I really don’t think that’d matter against a goon like Jadakiss. That’s how I felt about Uribe when I walked into the Giants clubhouse after the game.
  
  Both guys are reasonably big, with really chunky faces (when they wear fitted hats, they look a lot like Mr. Met). The two are also un-humanly violent (maybe not outside of their professions, but they’ve got some hidden aggression). Tiger should blame Uribe for the way he got clocked by, his now ex-wife, Elin; I’m almost positive she took notes from watching Uribe’s baseball swings.
  
  
  
  Imagine Uribe stepping into the batters box and unloading on a hanging curveball. If you’ve ever seen his swing, you’ll know that he whips the bat, drops it, raises his arms, and swags out of the batters box, all in one fluid motion (all his missing is the “Aheeeeeeh!” and you’d swear Jadakiss played baseball).
  
  Both men are at the top of their game, and still have at least a few years left in the tank. I’m not sure how much longer Jada’s raspy voice or Uribe’s maniacal swing will hold up over time; however, I don’t see either man changing anytime soon.

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401

NFC East Preview

NFC East – The NFC East is the most balanced division in the NFL. From the Giants to the Cowboys, each team has a decent shot at winning the division or, at least, making the wild card.

Dallas Cowboys – Big-D couldn’t be a more fitting nickname for Jerry Jones’ boys as they boast the best defense in their division. Ratliff is widely seen as one of the best pass rushing DTs in the league and their linebacking corps is led by a superstar in DeMarcus Ware. Their biggest question, heading into this season, is: Can they handle the pressure when it gets to crunch time? Miles Austin is my favorite player on their team; but he’s only had one breakout year, that doesn’t guarantee that he’ll be the same guy this year (see Javon Walker, Michael Clayton, Ronald Curry, etc). He’ll have to be “the man” if the Cowboys want to build on last year’s success. Projected Record: 11-5

Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles are the most questionable of the teams in their division, simply because of their youth. Kevin Kolb is solid, yet unproven, and LaSean McCoy is entering just his second season in the NFL (his first as a starter). This could be the year that Brian Dawkins’ absence is most felt in the locker room. The pressure will be on high for this young offense and the defense could end up paying the price. Expect to see a different type of passing offense this year; Kolb might not be as mobile as McNabb, but he had better be just as tough (on and off the field). If not, it will be a long year in the “city of brotherly love.” Projected Record: 8-8

Washington Redskins – Yea, they signed McNabb and everybody’s all excited for a breakout season from Fred Davis and Santana Moss; however I’m excited for Clinton Portis. Portis had some of his best years back in Denver with coach Shannahan, and I expect that trend to continue this year. Brian Orakpo was an absolute stud defensively last year, and he’ll need to continue to mature and maintain consistency to be successful. Shannahan’s real test will be turning LaRon Landry into what John Lynch was for his Denver teams. Lynch wasn’t the fastest or best pass coverage guy, but he was smart and played above his athletic ability; this bodes well for the much younger, more athletic Landry (but only if he’s ready mentally). Projected Record: 9-7

New York Giants – The G-Men had their issues last year; but this year, there will be no excuses. Eli Manning is a year better, and he has an established, pro bowl number one receiver in Steve Smith. Their key additions of Keith Bullock at MLB, and Antrel Rolle at FS will immediately make last year’s defense a lot better. This means less 30+ point shootouts and more grind-it-out, hard-nosed football. This style of play helped them win the Superbowl in 2008 and it should put them in a position to make the playoffs in 2011 (however, that’d mean Brandon Jacobs will have to play like he did back in 2007-08 as well). Projected Record: 10-6

The bottom line is that all roads to the Superbowl go through Dallas (literally). The Cowboys have the perfect blend of veteran leadership, youth, coaching, and attitude to make this year’s Superbowl just another home game for themselves. Shannahan and Albert Haynesworth are bickering like Sammie and Ronny from Jersey Shore, and that could be a big distraction on a relatively young defense. The Giants and Eagles will only go as far as their running game takes them (although, for Philly, the run game is only needed to keep some of the pressure off new starting QB, Kevin Kolb).

By Aaron Hilton
Follow me on twitter @Way_2_Tall401