I had to disable the Comments section due to massive spamming that I just could not keep up with.

New articles will be coming soon about the draft, preseason and more recipes and fun facts to get you ready for your soon-to-come football parties!

By the way, anyone watching Ochocinco’s dating show?  Personally, I’m surprised that a football player needs a show to find a date!

by Jonathan Storti

Draft Needs:

Similar to the Redskins, the Chiefs need help on the offensive line. They invested a lot in quarterback Matt Cassel and seeing him get knocked all over the place will get old. The Chiefs may be tempted to select safety Eric Berry, but eventually they need to rebuild that offensive line, why wait?

Likely Selection: OT- Iowa, Brian Bulaga

A bruising player who can play either tackle position, Bulaga is very versatile. While he might not likely be the left tackle this year, a little patience will result in a solid player at a premium position. Bulaga is a high character individual and will likely fit well in the Kansas City locker room.

by Jonathan Storti

Team Needs: With the recent addition of Donovan McNabb, the quarterback is no longer a position of concern. What is a position of concern is left tackle, Chris Samuels retired and there is no solid replacement on the roster. The Redskins must find a way to protect McNabb and the best way to do so is through the draft.

Likely Selection: OT-Oklahoma State, Russell Okung

Okung is regarded as the best left tackle in the draft and seems to be an excellent fit for Mike Shanahan and the Redskins. Okung doesn’t excel in one specific facet but is above-average in most categories. The Redskins may want to think about trading down to acquire more picks; they traded their second round selection for McNabb.

by Jonathan Storti

Team Needs:

The Bucs need help in several areas. They need a playmaker at wide receiver or running back. They also need help along the defensive line, what was once their strongest position. Based on the value of the draft board and the lack of a truly dynamic offensive player worth the #3 pick the Bucs will most likely go defensive tackle.

Likely Selection: DT- Oklahoma, Gerald McCoy

Some experts have McCoy rated as the best player in the draft regardless of position. He is a true force on the inside and may be the next Warren Sapp for Tampa Bay. While the Bucs really could have used a playmaker on offense, the value of McCoy as the third pick is undeniable.

by Jonathan Storti

Team Needs:

The Lions grabbed their franchise QB last year, so this draft they can concentrate on their weakest area, defensive tackle. Right now the Lions defensive tackles are Grady Jackson and Sammie Hill, that’s not going to scare anyone. The Lions may look at offensive tackle to protect Matthew Stafford; they invested too much money at the QB position not to protect him.

Likely Selection: DT- Nebraska, Ndamukong Suh

The Lions grab the most disruptive force in college football last year. Suh dominated teams last year from the defensive tackle position, something that is rarely seen. The Lion may look at Gerald McCoy who is another disruptive defensive tackle. Suh has the ability to rise to the occasion in big games, making him a hair better.

Team Needs:

The Rams have needs in a lot of places. This is usually the case for a team carrying only one win into the offseason. Poor drafts in the past have left St. Louis weak at the quarterback and the defensive line. Quarterback is a more pressing need, now that they rams have released veteran QB Marc Bulger.
Likely Selection: QB- Oklahoma, Sam Bradford
The Rams have to make this pick for many reasons. Firstly they need a franchise quarterback immediately. This selection will also buy the coaching staff another year of rebuilding. The Rams might be tempted to take a defensive tackle, but the smart move is taking Bradford, he is clearly the best quarterback prospect in the draft.

NFL SuperBowl

The Great Peyton Manning had struck out. He might not have been Casey at the bat, but the expected results were the same. Manning was so very close to becoming an all-time great quarterback, rising higher on the pantheon of legends. So close yet, so very far. With the Colts defeat to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Manning took a step backward from legend status, not one closer. Peyton had played a solid game up until his late 4th quarter interception, which was returned for a touchdown. Now the doubters gain more momentum, and critics whisper that his talent was overblown. Of course this is not the case, but it won’t stop the media from questioning Manning’s true level of success. Lost in the shuffle of Super Bowl Sunday was the true reason why the Indianapolis Colts lost, and it didn’t have anything to do with Manning’s interception. The defensive secondary was overmatched by the Saints offense and couldn’t stop them on crucial plays. Manning only got the ball for eight drives; normally a team should have 10-12 drives a game. The inability to stop the Saints and get the ball back in Manning’s hand truly cost the Colts another championship.

None of this will stop Manning; he will continue to work tirelessly and maximize the potential of his teammates. Yet an individual only gets so many chances to validate themselves as the greatest at their position. The loss will hurt Manning’s prestige and most likely disqualify him from the greatest to play the position debate. Saying all this, it would not surprise this writer in the slightest if Manning led his team to a Super Bowl next year. He will shake this loss off, like so many tough defeats in the past. If there is one underrated quality about Manning, it’s that he battles adversity quite well. Before he won his first Super Bowl, how many times did he get dogged about choking in the postseason? He was able to put that aside and get the monkey off his back. The Colts will bring back primarily the same team for next season, but this time they have a boat load more experience. Key drops by Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie showed this team has a little maturing to do before entering elite status. The only question Colts fans should be asking themselves now is how many years does Peyton have left in the tank, because when he’s done, their done.

The city of New Orleans exploded onto the streets Sunday in celebration of one of the finest hours in the city’s history. Fans of the team were going to celebrate with a parade win or lose, but with the Saints returning with a Super Bowl trophy, the gridiron heroes can arrive with their chins held high. The city of New Orleans has been through one of the toughest stretches any community has ever experienced. Thousands left the town after Hurricane Katrina, many believing they would never return. Resident’s lived like refugees in the Superdome, home of the Saints, all the while wondering if their city would ever be the same. Few cities have been intertwined with their local sports team as much as the residents of New Orleans and the Saints. Owner Tom Benson said it best in his N’orleans drawl, that the city had turned a corner and that New Orleans had returned to prominence. Sports have an elusive power to transcend gender, race, and class; the galvanization of entire city transfused through a football is extremely special. The impact of this win for the city of New Orleans can’t be measured for days or weeks, or even months, but years. Five years from now residents will say the city truly returned to its glory when those Saints came marching in, with the Vince Lombardi trophy, and that’s why New Orleans should geaux crazy.

Unfortunately NFL football, like many other events, is a chaotic mess with the only certainty being that one team will win. Does any of this stop me from doing the same? Apparently not, so without further adieu, the Super Bowl Matchups.

Quarterback:
Colts – Peyton Manning is the most dominant force in football and is currently playing the best football in his life, which is saying something. He will find matchups early in the game, and by the 3rd quarter he usually has out schemed the defensive coordinator.
Saints- Drew Brees is the reason New Orleans is in their first NFL Super Bowl, unluckily he will be facing the only person better at the QB position than him.
Edge: Colts

Running Back:
Colts – Joseph Addai and Donald Brown are entrusted to make solid gains and not fumble the ball. To be blatantly frank, they are not asked to do a great deal.
Saints - The combination of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush give New Orleans versatility. Bush can also provide explosive plays with his speed which could give the Colts problems in the open field.
Edge: Saints

Receivers:
Colts – Reggie Wayne is one of the best in the league, throw in TE Dallas Clark, and two emerging youngsters in Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. Manning taps the full potential of his wide receivers.
Saints – Marques Colston is the “go to” receiver, but Brees throws it to everyone including, Devery Henderson, TE Jeremy Shockey and Robert Meachem. Yet none of the wideouts are as good as Reggie Wayne.
Edge: Colts

Offensive Line:
Colts -The unit, led by center Jeff Saturday gives Manning the time he needs to make passes down the field. They have been integral in Peyton Manning’s success and deserve some themselves.
Saints - How can Brees throw for such unthinkable yardage? The answer is found in New Orleans outstanding pass protection. This line, similar to the Colts was built to protect the passer.
Edge: Push

Defensive Backs:
Colts - One of the most amazing part of the Colts season is that they played so well without All-Pro Safety Bob Sanders. Melvin Bullit and Antoine Bethea have done a great job picking up the slack. The Colts are inexperienced at the cornerback position, which will likely be exploited by Brees.
Saints – This is where the Saints make defensive plays. Jabari Greer has been one of the best cornerbacks this season and Darren Sharper is the epitome of a defensive playmaker. Peyton Manning doesn’t throw many bad passes, but the wrong one could lead to 6 the other way.
Edge: Saints

Linebackers:
Colts – The Colts defense is built on speed, not brute strength. Clint Sessions and Gary Brackett lead an underrated linebacking corps that has been solid for much of the year. This defensive unit has been more aggressive than in seasons past.
Saints – Jonathan Vilma leads what many say is the weakest part of New Orleans team. The linebackers such as Scott Fujita and Scott Shanle have struggled at times this year.
Edge: Colts

Defensive Line:
Colts – Indianapolis has two great pass rushers in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.  The ability to pass and rush the passer have been a winning combination for the Colts.
Saints -Defensive end Will Smith and DT Sedrick Ellis lead this under-appreciated group of players for the Saints. To win the Super Bowl, they must have a great game and disrupt Peyton Manning’s timing.
Edge: Colts

Coaching:
Colts – First year coach Jim Caldwell has done an excellent job managing this team. His only failure was the debacle against the Jets, which was basically a throwing away of a perfect season. You may want to throw Manning into the discussion, because he is a basically a coach on the field.
Saints – Sean Payton is one of the best game planners in the league. He is exceptional at creating schemes that allow Drew Brees to attack a defense’s most vulnerable defender. Much of the Saints success should be attributed to Payton’s play calling and creation of schemes that work well with his personnel.
Edge: Saints

Overall Analysis: While the game appears to be only slightly in favor of the Colts, the edges they have on New Orleans are at two premium positions in the game. Peyton Manning is too much of a factor to be only regarded as slightly better than Drew Brees.   His abilities put the Colts over the top in this matchup.  Also, the Colts have a distinct advantage in rushing the passer; the ability to disrupt the quarterback will be the focal point of the game. Whoever gets more pressure on the quarterback will win this game.

Jon’s NFL Super Bowl Prediction:
Indianapolis 35
New Orleans 24