1701

ESPN and the NFL have announced an extension of the Monday Night package through 2021. The new deal has ESPN paying almost $2b/year for the rights. For those without a calculator handy, that means they are paying over $100m/game. Which isn’t all that much below the salary cap.

Crazy.

1702

Arizona Cardinals

2010 result: 5-11, 4th place NFC West. Being dead last in the NFL’s worst division, doesn’t that make us the worst team in football? Where’s our #1 draft pick? Cam Newton. On second thought, it’s best we got the fifth overall.

Offense: Holy shit, we just may have one now. While the offensive line was inconsistent last year, to put it nicely, the lack of even decent QB play took the whole team down. No threat to pass means no threat to run means always behind means the defense is fucked. This year, Skelton has improved, Bartel is looking almost ready to be a starter in the league, and Kolb does indeed seem to have the goods. Improved line play in addition to an actual passing game means Beanie and LaRod, now with friends Chester Taylor and Alfonso Smith, can actually get the running game going. Tight ends, which have been missing for about a decade, have shown up, with Todd Heap and Jeff King, and speedy rookie Rob Housler giving something to actually be excited about from that position. With Fitz and a deep set of underrated wide receivers - what the Cardinals are known for - I expect a lot of points. Not Warner-era, but respectable.

Defense: The Cardinals have had great defensive personnel for sometime now, they just didn’t have good schemes. With former Steelers DB coach Ray Horton taking over as defensive coordinator, things should be looking up. Safety position is pretty much untouched from last year, lacking only Matt Ware. Adrian Wilson (who looks to be starting Week 1) and Kerry Rhodes are the core of the secondary, with fifth overall draft pick Patrick Peterson starting at cornerback alongside last year’s undrafted free agent rookie A.J. Jefferson, who has shown up this year looking solid. The linebackers have been in flux the last couple years, but things look to be settling down, with fast Daryl Washington and strong Paris Lenon taking the front. Free agent pickup Stewart Bradley might take over someone’s starting spot at some time, or the coaches will just ignore such an idea nd constantly rotate these three on the inside. Outside, Clark Haggans and Joey Porter are back, despite being over 30. They’re consistent, so that’s a big plus, but some fresh legs are needed. Expect a healed O’Brien Schofield and rookie Sam Acho to come in early. The defensive line is solid, with Campbell, Dockett and last year’s first round draft pick Dan Williams starting. Depth is no issue, with a couple veterans and a surprise seventh rounder backing up at any needed spot.

Overall: Will look as far away from 2010 Cardinals as possible. Passing game should do very well, but if the running game ramps up like it should the Cardinals will be a Top 5 offensive force this year. Clever blitz schemes on the defense should make it a nightmare for any opposing team, so long as the DBs get their assignments correct.

2011 prediction: 11-5, 10-6 if the Brown’s Colt McCoy is as dangerous this year as he’s looked in the preseason.

1703

My concern with the Cardinals is how fast Kolb comes together. If they can get a running game going, I agree that will help them alot. Not so sold on their defense.

1704

My predictions (playoff teams in bold):

AFC East: Pats, Jets, Dolphins, Bills
AFC North: Steelers, Ravens, Browns, Bengals
AFC South: Texans, Colts, Titans, Jaguars
AFC West: Chargers, Chiefs, Broncos, Raiders

NFC East: Eagles, Giants, Redskins, Cowboys
NFC North: Packers, Lions, Bears, Vikings
NFC South: Falcons, Saints, Bucs, Panthers
NFC West: Rams, Cards, Seahawks, 49ers

Best record in 2011: Steelers (they play the NFC West.)
Worst record in 2011: too close to call. Could actually be the Panthers again.

Toughest division: NFC East. All those teams could win 8 or more games.

Toughest race: NFC Wild Card. I think you could have 6 teams fighting for 2 wild cards in the last week or two.

MVP: Hard to say. I’ll go Brady, although I could easily see Rodgers / Brees / Ryan / Vick. Seems like a tossup.

Over/Under on Stafford going 10 games: Under

Will Vick Implode: No, but he’ll get nicked a few times.

Will Bush survive 5 games in Miami? No, he’ll get injured before then.

Rookie of the Year: Either Mark Ingram or Julio Jones.

Draft Lottery: I say 5 teams will be in the hunt: Bengals, 49ers, Raiders, Panthers and Jags. And it wouldn’t entirely surprise me if the Dolphins somehow found themselves in the hunt late.

1705

Interesting random statistical analysis over here. Basically, if a team loses week one, they only go on to win their division 14% of the time. Winning week one doesn’t guarantee anything, though, as its still no better then about a 50/50 chance that you’ll end up on top in your division.

1706

It was just announced that Muir is calling plays this year. Dysfunctional.

@Eightball - re: Skins - I agree with what you have said, and I look at the ‘Dream Team’ Eagles, the banged up but dangerous Giants, and the quietly talented under the radar Cowboys . . . and I come to the same spot you are - 6-10

1707

One thing about the Eagles is that their offensive line is near awful. It’s a big hole, especially considering how fragile Vick is. Their first round pick, Watkins, was named a starter at the beginning of camp, but was so bad he played himself out of starting. To a street free agent they just signed (Kyle DeVan). At the other guard position, they’re starting someone (Evan Mathis) who wasn’t good enough to start for the Bengals, and at center they’re starting a rookie who was picked in the 6th round.

And not to mention their linebackers are terrible (a rookie 4th round pick is their starting MLB…because they have no one else). At least they’re consistent there, as under Andy Reid, the Eagles have never really cared about linebackers anyways.

1708

What the hell is this Kid Rock crap, i don’t even…

Also, my couch and TV are latitudinally aligned with the sidewalk on the north side of Lambeau.

1709

FOOTBALL RAAAAAAAAGH

Kid Rock can play the piano what is this I don’t even

1710

I was just thinking the same thing. It was bad enough we had to hear that crappy song all through the MLB playoffs last year, now we have to hear him warble through it live? Get that shit outta here.

1711

Well, I went against every trend and fact and picked NO to win tonight. That is not working out very well for me right now.

1712

Brees better fire up the cannon here, because they’re going to need 38 to beat the Packers tonight.

Edit: seriously, 14/15 for 188 and 3 TDs in the first quarter? Daaaaamn.

1713

21-7 Packers, if the Saints answer again we might have a great shootout tonight. If not, we’ll probably witness a massacre. Damn, Green Bay looks sharp tonight. Like better than they finished last year sharp.

1714

Alex, I’ll take Defense for $500.

1715

Final score – 84 - 28?

1716

That looks like an SEC fan comment Lorini!

(Says the SEC fan.)

1717

Fuck you, WNBC, I don’t want to watch the fucking mayor or police commissioner drone on about some vague terrorist threat, I want to watch the fucking game.

OK, it’s not totally cut out, but it’s picture in picture and listening to those yahoos.

1718

http://www.nbcsports.com, watch it online :)

1719

Cobb, holy shit!

1720

So I have to say, I’m not 100% sold on the Packer defense (maybe the Saints offense is really good? Maybe?), but their offense and return game seems pretty impeccable.