I would like to take this opportunity to offer some thoughts, hopes, and predictions for the upcoming NFL, Collegiate, and Fantasy footbal seasons
The NFL
As the 2009/10 professional football season kicks off, there are a number of things on my mind. First and certainly foremost are the DETROIT LIONS. I have been a Lions fan for as long as I can remember. I love professional football and I grew up in what could only be described as the “prime” of the Detroit Lions. Players like Herman Moore, Mel Gray, and Barry Sanders made the Detroit Lions an actual decent football team that could compete at the professional level without being laughed at by the entire planet. I long for those times to return to Detroit; but I’m happy for now just laughing with the rest of the world.
Some young talent with Calvin Johnson, Kevin Smith, and Matthew Stafford do present some interesting possibilities for this team – and AT SOME POINT, the lions MUST pick a Quarterback who isn’t a NCAA allstar/NFL Flameout. It seems the lions have picked up every single college quarterback that just cannot cut it at the professional level – HOPEFULLY in all caps, MATTHEW STAFFORD can begin to break the mold and turn into a top performing quarterback within the next few years.
As much as I hope for the opposite, I predict Stafford to struggle this year fairly extensively – and he’ll end up splitting starts with Daunte Culpepper. The Lion’s definitely don’t go winless this year, but they also certainly won’t be a factor. I predict a modestly awful 5-11 record; just bad enough to keep the lions out of any possibility of a beneficial draft pick next season.
NCAA Football
My family has always been a “Michigan” family. There’s never really been any burning reason for this that I can think of or recall, but it’s been the case starting with my Grandfather. I usually have a bit more difficult time being a fan of college football for a few different reasons. First and foremost is the ridiculous bowl season. Every team in every conference plays in some type of “Bowl” game which is just a disgrace to sports. I personally couldn’t care less if Southern Montana Community College scores a last second victory against Northern Maine’s Intermediate School District in the dreaded “Tampax Heavy Day” bowl.
It’s completely stupid. I HATE the college football bowl season.
NCAA basketball has it perfectly conceived. A single elimination tournament to determine one winner of one championship game. If the same model were applied to college football, the resulting championship series would be a larger event than the Super bowl. But, whatever governing body of misguided and un-educated people makes such policies simply cannot see that and they continue to support the meaningless, sponsor driven, rancid, abysmal, and absolutely feces laden NCAA Men’s Football Bowl season.
Another big reason that I have problems being a fan of college football is the players. It seems that every standout player that I would start to be a fan of would end up in the NFL the very next year. The roster turnaround in college is just too fast; and I don’t have a chance to gain a fan attachment for any college players it seems.
But, that has all changed this year – My first cousin, Ryan VanBergen, is a starter for Michigan’s defense. VanBergen, #53, is a defensive end that ends up playing most defensive series this year. It’s really pretty amazing for me to see my cousin on television as a starter for a school like U of M; and this year it has provided me with the fan-attachment I needed to get back into college football. I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday’s U of M vs Notre Dame matchup. It was a great back and forth game which was mostly well played by both teams. Turnovers, penalties, and officiating made huge differences in some very significant places of the game. And, in the end, Michigan pulled out a very exciting finish by scoring the game winning touchdown with somewhere around 10 seconds left. It was awesome!
I am looking forward to watching the up and coming U of M program under Rodriguez – they run a very unique and fast paced offense that is really fun to see executed. This year, they’re executing it MUCH better than they did last year.
Finally, Fantasy fooball
My fantasy team is pretty solid this year. I am very happy with the team I drafted: Tom Brady QB, Roy Williams WR1, Vincent Jackson WR2, Lance Moore/Donald Driver WR3, Michael Turner RB1, Marion Barber RB2, Dallas Clarke TE, and NY Giants as my Defense. I was really hoping to get Tom Brady with my 2nd round pick, and that did end up working out. I was desperately hoping to pick up either Randy Moss or Wes Welker as another WR, but that didn’t end up working out. Even so, I’m working on trading to get one of them. But, even without that I am pretty happy with my team and I should be pretty competitive.
Fantasy football will follow some of the NFL trends; so my forward looking trends are as follows:
I think Roy Williams is going to shine this year with Terrell Owens out of the picture. Last year he came to the cowboys in mid-season, and playing behind Terrell Owens. Now with an entire off-season to get work in learning the offense, and “Owens” out of the picture, I look forward to Roy Williams enjoying a 1,000 yard / 10 TD season for my Fantasy team.
I am also looking forward to seeing what Correll Buckhalter can do for Denver. He has spent the last few years behind Eagles’ running back Brian Westbrook – So I’m gambling on the hunch that Buckhalter could be this years Michael Turner. A 2nd string back that can really shine when there’s not somebody like Westbrook in front of him. Michael Turner showed the world last year that behind LaDanian Tomlinson was one of the NFLs best running backs. Here’s to hoping Buckhalter reaches even half that status serving as my backup RB and maybe my flex position!
For the “Worst People Ever” I predict an unfortunate victory by “Mortar and Bones” – But in all reality I’m just being humble. I think I’m going to win the league this year. 🙂
In conclusion, this is simply an epic football post – and I am really excited about all the various football that is starting this time of year. It seems like I get more and more excited about football with each season that comes along. I love football. :-/