Oh the Anticipation!

The NBA season is two weeks away from tipping off, and this off-season, which has been far from the usual, has basketball fans around the world anxiously waiting. Like 50 Cent once said, I'm impatiently waiting. I, like most fans, want to know who will play where and how each team will come together. I want to know now. Are the Lakers done? After missing out on the Chris Paul sweepstakes and shockingly dealing 6th man of the year Lamar Odom to the defending champs, it appears they are doomed if Dwight Howard does not come to their rescue. Will Pau Gasol be a sensitive baby after absorbing trade talks consisting of his name or will he prove to be a champion and bring it everyday knowing the league is a business? Will Dallas continue to play like the world's greatest with the addition of Odom or will they suffer from losing Chandler to the Knicks? How will New York fair with superstars but no one relevant playing point guard (the most important position of the floor)? Will the Big Three in Miami gel instantaneously now that they have a year under their belt? Will Battier be the difference maker, or will they be punished for not signing a marquee point or center. How will Rip Hamilton fair alongside Derek Rose? Will the Celtics add anyone to furnish them with staying power? I wonder the same question of Rondo as I do of Gasol. Will missing out on David West end up hurting the C's? Will West alongside Collison and Granger make the Pacers a team worth mentioning? Will the Pistons win a game? Who will the Clippers and Warriors (who are involved in talks daily) acquire to improve their squads? Could CP3 and Blake Griffin really end up forming a dynamic duo? Will Westbrook and Durant get Oklahoma City over the hump this year? How will the abbreviated season affect each team? What town will Nene venture off to? More importantly, what city will Superman soon call his home? Will he team up with Deron Williams in New Jersey (soon to be Brooklyn?) Will he join the champs in Dallas? Will he follow in the footsteps of most noble big men like Wilt, Kareem, and Shaq by becoming a Hollywood superstar in L.A.?
Only God knows what is to be unveiled in the next couple of weeks. I just wish I too could be in the know. As intrigued human beings engrossed in our love for basketball, us NBA fans are becoming impatient. We are galvanized by the ever changing news and events taking place in David Stern's kingdom known as the National Basketball Association. We can do nothing more than sit back and wait. This year's NBA season is among the most appealing in recent memory. It promises to entertain. How everything will pan out is still unknown. Our job is simply to wait, watch, and see.

No Deal Hurts Black Mamba

     Kobe Bryant has five championship rings, one NBA MVP, two NBA Finals MVP's, thirteen all-star appearances, two scoring titles, nine first team ALL-NBA selections, nine all-defensive first team selections, four NBA all-star game MVP's, one NBA slam dunk contest championship, the second highest single game scoring record (81 points), and was the Naismith Prep Player of the Year in 1996. The Black Mamba is one of few to draw comparisons to Michael Jordan, the greatest ever. In my opinion, he is the second most prolific guard ever to play the game next to M.J. He is still the best closer the National Basketball Association has to offer. With all that being said, however, the clock is ticking on the world's greatest ball player.
     Number 24 is aging, as is his knee. Kobe has now played fifteen seasons in the league. He needs that sixteenth season to commence as soon as possible. If the lockout does not come to an end, Kobe will suffer the consequences. He will miss a full 82 game schedule and continue to both age and migrate from his prime simultaneously.
     Now, Mr. Bryant is ready to play overseas if David Stern's owners don't chill and his players don't sacrifice. Having personally seen professionals play in Italy, I know for a fact that European ball is not NBA ball. It is far from the same. As Lil Wayne says, it is far from the usual. It will not benefit Kobe much like another season in his comfort zone (the NBA) would. That comfort zone is beginning to dwindle, and if the Black Mamba wants a shot to at least match Jordan's six rings, he needs to find himself in the NBA playoffs pronto before his knee decides to retire.
     The Los Angeles Lakers are built to win now. The Lakers are not Hollywood's team. They are Kobe's team, and until he retires, will always have a shot at winning some bling (regardless of who the coach is). The superstar claims he has had more time this off-season to get in the weight room and get his body stronger  than he has in years past. If there is no season, then it has been nearly a wasted off-season for a man who doesn't believe in off-seasons. It removes one more year of Kobe eligibility and makes the culmination of the decline of his career more evident.
     I believe Kobe can pull out one more championship from his bag of tricks. He has a few years left of superstardom within. He just needs the NBA to return to form sooner than later so he can perform while he still has some sort of youth. If David Stern announces the cancellation of the season, it will be a sad day for Kobe Bryant.

Can it get any worse??

     The Indianapolis Colts need our prayers! It is as bad as it has ever been in Colts country. The Manning-less Colts are 0-9. They are on pace to match the win-less record of the 2008 Detroit Lions. Without future Hall-Of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning running the show, the Colts are looking dazed and confused. Their best solution to Manning's injury, Curtis Painter, has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns. If they choose to divert from that plan, they could go with the 72 year-old Kerry Collins, or Dan Orlovsky, the same guy who ran out of the back of the end zone while dropping back for the Lions a few years ago. The Colts' best offensive statistic might be that they are 10 for 13 on field goals for the season. Their opponents have 20 more touchdowns, nearly 70 more first downs, and over 1,100 total yards than they do. In nine games, the offense has only seven receiving touchdowns. Reggie Wayne, who was supposed to become the big kahuna once Marvin Harrison departed, has only one touchdown to his record this season. The offense is not the only side of the ball in disarray, however.
     Indy's defense is ranked 32nd in the league. There are 32 teams in the National Football League. Yes, this means they are dead last, and have shown very few signs of improving. What might be the team's best defensive statistic is that they have more tackles than their opponents. This, however, is because the offense cannot move the ball, so the defense is constantly on the field (getting more opportunities to make tackles). Their defense is undersized and is being outperformed by opponents each week.
     Only time will tell if Indianapolis can gut out a victory like the previous win-less Miami Dolphins did yesterday. There have been reports that Peyton Manning may make a return toward the season's conclusion. Many loyal Colts fans are hoping this is true in order to receive reassurance that the former MVP is still their franchise player. Others, moreover, are ready for the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. These are the Colts fans who want Peyton to stay comfortable in the press box so the team can continue losing in order to obtain the first overall draft pick for next season.
     As an unbiased football fan on the matter, I simply hope the Colts continue to look like a respectable football team (out of respect for the sport, and the dignity of the organization). For the sake of no other reason but feeling bad for them, I hope the Indianapolis Colts can find it in them to win a game this year. I may have been wrong in my last post about the Wisconsin Badgers rolling through the Big Ten, but I don't thing I'm wrong when I say the Colts are flat out awful.

Can anybody stop the Badgers???

     Bret Bielema's team has created a buzz in the Badger State. His team is 6-0, ranked 4th in the country, and looking like a legitimate national championship contender. The Wisconsin football team is looking close to unstoppable right now. I don't see any team in the Big Ten beating them. The Badgers should go through the regular season unblemished.
     As a die-hard Michigan State fan, however, I hope I am wrong...because the Badgers head into what will be a hostile environment for their first road test in East Lansing this Saturday night. The Spartans will be looking to build on the momentum from their 28-14 victory over their intra-state rival wearing the maize and blue. Though Michigan State has high expectations for themselves, I would be surprised if the Badgers lost to the green and white, or any other Big Ten team for that matter. The closest game for Bielema's troops has been a 48-17 come-from-behind whomping of the traditional powerhouse Nebraska Cornhuskers. Somehow the team is only 6th in the BCS ratings. If they manage to win at Michigan State, I would expect them to jump Boise State, who plays a much weaker schedule. 
     The Badgers have six straight dominating performances. Russell Wilson is looking like a Heisman candidate while his offensive line is looking like an NFL caliber front. The transfer quarterback is completing more than 74% of his passes behind that wall up front, and has thrown for an impressive 14 touchdowns and only one lonely interception. He reminds me of the young Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles. Not only can the big man throw the ball, but he also averages 7.6 yards a rush. It almost seems unnecessary that Wilson is a good runner because he has two All-Big Ten caliber backs in James White and Montee Ball on his side. The two have already combined for twenty touchdowns. The weapons don't stop there, however.
     This pro-style offense has receivers who will soon be playing on Sundays. Nick Toon, Jared Abbrederis, and tight end Jacob Pedersen are all extremely talented and impressive pass-catchers. Toon is making a name for himself in a hurry, and is one of my top five receivers in the country. The athletic wideout is averaging almost 18 yards per catch, making him one of the game's most elite deep threats. The Badgers' offense is ranked 1st in the nation averaging more than 50 points a contest.
     Not only are Toon, Wilson, and the offense clicking on all cylinders, but the defense has been on its A-game as well. In six games, no team has scored over 17 points on the Badgers defense, which is ranked 3rd nationally. They are holding their opponents to only 9.7 points per game.
     The Badgers are rolling through every team that gets in their path. They play ferociously on both sides of the ball. These men in red and white are the Big Ten front runners and are optimistic they can not only win the conference, but also compete for a national title. Don't be surprised if it happens. Their upcoming road meeting with conference opponent Michigan State will reveal a lot about the Badgers. Time keeps us from knowing if they are a great team or an elite team. We will just have to wait and see.

My NFL Power Rankings

Three weeks have passed. Here are my power rankings based not by record, but by who I believe is the best.

1. Green Bay Packers - With New England losing, there is no question who the top dog is. Green Bay is playing at a Super Bowl level.

2. New England Patriots - I know they lost to Buffalo, but I don't expect Brady to throw four picks again. New England is still a machine, despite an early loss.

3. New Orleans Saints - Scoring 104 points in three games is impressive. The team's only loss came on the final snap to the defending Super Bowl Champion Packers.

4. Baltimore Ravens - The way they punished the Steelers impressed me. Their domination of the Rams was expected. The loss to the Titans shocked me but I think their defense will carry them all season long. Ray Lewis is looking young; watch out!

5. Houston Texans - Houston we do not have a problem! The Texans are for real. Next to Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson is the third best wide receiver in the league.

6. Detroit Lions - Everybody knows about Stafford and Megatron. Everybody knows what Suh has done for that defense. But the x-factor is Brandon Pettigrew. He tied a Lions tight end record catching eleven balls at Minnesota last Sunday.

7. New York Jets - Defense Defense Defense! That's what Rex Ryan's team is built on. They also have the most confident coach of the past decade.

8. Buffalo Bills - I can't yet say I'm a believer of the undefeated Bills. A few years ago they started hot and then fell off the map. Nevertheless, I cannot deny them a top ten spot when they lead the NFL in scoring.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers did not look good against the Colts. Yet, a win is a win. Big Ben made plays when he needed them. He is still a great leader and the Steelers still have some of the league's hardest hitters (Harrison).

10. New York Giants - I still like the backfield combination of Bradshaw and Jacobs. The defensive line is still fully capable of tormenting quarterbacks. The G-Men will have a shot at winning the NFC East.

11. Dallas Cowboys - Tony Romo has weapons. Felix Jones, Jason Witten, and Miles Austin lead the way statistically for their quarterback. After holding the Redskins to 16 points, the defense is confident as well.

12. San Diego Chargers - The Bolts barely beat the Chiefs, who lost their first two games in blowout fashion. They are 4th in the NFL in yards, however, led by Phillip Rivers. Their lone loss comes to Tom Brady and the Pats.

13. Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons are off to a slow start, but have all the makings of a playoff team. I believe they will turn it around. Look for Julio Jones to make a name for himself already in year one of his promising career.

14. Philadelphia Eagles - If Mike Vick is healthy I like the Eagles. If not, I don't. But they have talent and speed on both sides of the ball. Their immediate future rests in the hands of the health of their franchise quarterback.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Youth dominates the offense. The future looks promising. The Bucs have tallied victories over a good Atlanta team and a dangerous Minnesota team who has underachieved so far. Their lone loss was at the hands of the undefeated Lions.

16. Washington Redskins - I am not a believer in the offense. The defense, on the other hand, is impressive. I like the tenacity on the defensive side of the ball led by Fletcher, Hall, Orakpo, and McIntosh.

17. Oakland Raiders - The Raiders are back to respectability. McFadden's ability to bust open the big play is similar to that of Adrian Peterson. Oakland will give a lot of teams fits this season.

18. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson is back! It's too bad for Titans fans he's only averaging 2.1 yards a carry. At least they have Matt Hasselbeck who has been providing the much needed veteran leadership.

19. Chicago Bears - The only reason I don't move them up is because of their offensive line. Cutler won't make it through the year the way his big boys up front are playing (or aren't playing for that matter).

20. San Fransisco 49ers - Frank Gore and Vernon Davis play in beast mode all the time and their special teams can be very dangerous with Ted Ginn Jr. as the return man. On the flip side, San Fran has only 432 yards through the air in three games...not good.

21.  Cleveland Browns - Josh Cribbs is as electrifying as ever and quarterback Colt McCoy is coming into his own. Cleveland has a winning record, which is a rarity. Look for McCoy to get this franchise on the right track.

22. Minnesota Vikings - Yes I know they have not won a game, but they are a few plays from being undefeated, believe it or not. Donovan McNabb is good. Donovan McNabb used to be great. He has been playing average, which has kept them from holding on to their leads. GIVE THE BALL TO ADRIAN PETERSON (as long as he is not fumbling)!

23. Carolina Panthers - Cam Newton will be a star. His multi-dimensional skill set will lead to a fair amount of Panther victories. They are not there yet, but I cannot wait to see this team perform in two or three years.

24. Arizona Cardinals - Larry Fitzgerald is one of the top ten players in the NFL. Kolb and company need to find ways to get him the ball!

25. Denver Broncos - Denver has more first downs than their opponents but is losing the turnover battle. Maybe it is time for a Tim Tebow siting? Why not give the fans what they want?

26. Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals have more yards than their opponents, and A.J. Greene is already earning recognition. Too bad these thugs are still getting into trouble off the field.

27. Miami Dolphins - Chad Henne and Brandon Marshall should be a successful combination. On another note, can Reggie Bush finally show up and validate all the hype surrounding him?

28. Indianapolis Colts - Losing Peyton Manning has been devastating to Indy. However, Garcon and Wayne are still bright spots on the outside, and the undersized defense still has speed. They might win a few games.

29. Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jags are averaging single digits (9.7 points per game). Jacksonville fans: thank the Lord your team can still play defense. Their lone victory was a result of the defense stepping up against the Titans.

30. Seattle Seahawks - The Seahawks have lost the turnover battle thus far, and have been sub par on third downs. Marshawn Lynch is a rare bright spot.

 31. St. Louis Rams - Sam Bradford is an up-and-coming player in a terrible situation. The only reason I put St. Louis ahead of Kansas City is because they have Cadillac Williams and Steven Jackson.

32. Kansas City Chiefs - After being completely embarrassed in the first two weeks, I am glad the win-less Chiefs kept last week's game interesting. Losing top play-maker Jamaal Charles to a knee injury was tragic. Thomas Jones and Dwayne Bowe must step up.

Is it October yet??

     It's getting to be that time of year again for baseball fans. Yup, October is vastly approaching. For those die-hards who live and breathe America's past-time, it's about time to start thinking World Series. I have begun shaping my somewhat educated picks for this year's grand finale which begins near October's end. Two teams stick out to me as clubs I would surely regret picking against. These are the Detroit Tigers of the American League (A.L.) and the National League's (N.L.) Philadelphia Phillies.
     The Tigers are currently the hottest team in baseball and have found their groove at the right time. Leyland's bunch is shutting teams out when their bats are not producing, and slugging the ball when the pitching is short of phenomenal. Justin Verlander is a sure victory each time he steps on the mound. The maturing all-star is becoming more like a super-star worthy of winning both the A.L. Cy Young and the A.L. Most Valuable Player (MVP), in my opinion. His presence on the diamond counts for at least one sure win per series come October. One win quickly becomes imperative in a best of seven showdown. Verlander's play has also inspired the performances of his fellow teammates on the staff.
     The pitching staff of the Detroit Tigers has gone from slightly below average  before the all-star break, to one of baseball's best. Fister is executing his gameplans like an ace. Penny is no longer pitching like a 33 year-old, but has finally started earning the paycheck to his one year, $3 million contract. Sherzer is striking people out as usual, and Porcello is finding ways to get the job done. The bullpen is also as sure handed as ever. No more worrying if Zumaya will be healthy enough to make an appearance, or wondering whether Todd Jones will perform like he's as old as his beard looks. Benoit and Valverde are getting the job done night after night. Valverde has yet to blow a save all season. His ability to close has been highly efficient to say the least. If the Tigers give him hits, they should be safe.
     Detroit's position players have been doing just that: getting hits to support their pitchers. Miguel Cabrera, an MVP candidate along with Verlander, is quietly having another incredible year. Since the all-star break, he has hit .365%. Like Verlander rubs off on teammates, so does Miguel. Seven other Tigers are batting near or above .300% since the midpoint of the season in July. This doesn't even include guys like Austin Jackson or Magglio Ordonez, who are both extremely dangerous baseball players. Detroit is getting walk-off home runs from guys who don't normally hit them. They have had clutch hitting in pressure situations and have been at their best when their best has been needed. That is the sign of a great team.
     The Detroit Tigers are playing like a great team. The combination of their excellent hitting and promising pitching has made them my favorite to win the American League. They are hotter than the Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox. Now, Detroit just needs to prove it when it matters...in October.
     My pick to host Detroit for the 2011 World Series is Philadelphia. The foremost reason for this selection is because of their accomplished starting rotation. With Oswalt, Hamels, Halladay, and Lee, I don't think it matters who the fifth starter is. Heck, I could take the job and Philly would still win series after series. Post all-star game, the Phillies do not have a pitcher with a losing record. Halladay and Lee are doing their thing and leading like usual. Lee sits at 7-1 since the halfway point and Halladay maintains a win-loss record of 6-2. With such an exemplary staff, most teams would not need big name guys at the plate. The Phillies are fortunate enough to have both.
     Their lineup consists of a number of hard-working, fully capable hitters like Polanco, Ibanez, Rollins, Utley, and home run hitter Ryan Howard. Not only does Philly have talent, but they also have experience. They know what it takes to win a ring. Charlie Manuel's club won theirs just three years ago in 2008. They hope to do so once more, and I believe they will. My final prediction is the Phillies will ruin Detroit's hopes of capturing their first World Series title since 1984 by defeating Leyland's troops in six hard fought games.

The World's Five Greatest Point Guards

With the current NBA lockout going on, there is a lack of coverage on the game of basketball. I can only go so long without it. As a result, I threw in film of the game's all-time great point guards last night. The PG position runs in my family. I love the responsibilty of point guards just as much as I love watching the greats handle that responsibility. I studied the way these historic greats did just that. I tried to pinpoint and take pieces of Magic and Isaiah's skillsets in order to add to my own. Watching the all-time greats performing got me excited for the upcoming season (given the lockout ends). It reassured me that I will soon be able to study a long list of  excellent point guards. The question is, who are the ones I should study? I do not want to waste my time watching show-boats like Jason Williams or Stephon Marbury. Instead, I want to learn from the game's best. For this reason, I decided to rank the world's greatest point guards. Five talented individuals stuck out to me as the best basketball has to offer.

5. Deron Williams 

Deron Williams of the New Jersey Nets makes my list at number five. As a die-hard Michigan State fan, I used to entertain ill feelings toward D-Will when he torched the Spartans while playing for Illinois. In college, he was a killer on the court. In the pros, he is no different. He has had tremendous success since joining the league in 2005. Williams maintains a great frame for an NBA point guard at 6'3, 209 pounds, and the swift athleticism to go with it. D-Will has the scoring mentality and the attack mindset each time he steps on the court. Last season he scored a career high 21.3 points per game. This encouraged many analysts to rank him as the best PG in the league. There is one reason, however, why I do not. Deron has a tendency to get lazy with the basketball. He turns it over. The basketball should be any point guard's most prized possession. Last year, that was not the case for Deron Williams, who turned it over far too often - almost four times a game (a high number for any player, let alone a point guard). If the Nets star learns to treat the ball like his wallet and guard it with caution, he might creep up on my list. But for now, Williams sits at number five on the list.

4. Rajon Rondo 

 Rajon Rondo comes in at number four. Rondo, who has the hands and arms of a big man, has a body for playmaking. His reach makes him a playmaker. The combination of his speed and length allow him to get in passing lanes and reek havoc on defense. Rondo averaged 2.3 steals per game each of the last two seasons. This allows him to get into the open court where he excels at both finishing and finding open teammates. He averaged 11.2 dimes per game this past year. He finds people. The shifty PG is also notorious for making defenders look stupid. His ability to change speeds allows him to leave opponents standing as he blows by. He is the toughest player in the NBA to keep in front. The only thing hindering him from moving up on the list is his shooting. His jump shot is improving but he will never be a natural shooter. For this reason, he is not in my top three. But Rondo's craftiness, speed, and ability to find people make him the fourth best point guard on the planet.

3. Steve Nash

Tough, gritty, Steve Nash makes my list at number three. Nash lacks the athleticism of other top notch NBA stars, but doesn't let that hinder his game. He makes up for his lack of athleticism with toned skills and a big heart. Nash is one of the most skilled players of all time. He makes passes nobody else can make. He hits shots nobody else can hit. It is no coincidence he makes one-legged fadeaways look easy. Nash hones his skills daily. Stability and balance are the basis of his workouts, which he works on after practice each day. His balance allows him to knock down tough shots. Nash's skillset is second to none. His court vision is second to none. The two time MVP averaged 11.4 assists last season. Everybody knows about his passing ability. What most do not recognize, however, is Nash is also one of the greatest shooters in NBA history. He is the only player to ever be in the top five in both three point percentage and free throw percentage. His skillset and heart make him an incredibly tough player. Nash has played through multiple broken noses, cuts, and rolled ankles. He does whatever it takes. Nash isn't one of the quickest, but he is one of the best. His court vision, ability to shoot, overall skillset, and toughness make him the third best point guard on my list.

2. Chris Paul

Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets is the league's second most prolific point guard. The day he was drafted critics questioned whether he was big enough. I remember his first interview as a pro. "Its not the size of the dog in the fight, but its the size of the fight in the dog," CP3 stated proudly as he pointed to his heart. Like Nash, he is small, but tough. Paul also plays with a lot of heart. He's a competitor. He gave Kobe's Lakers a run for their money in the first round of last year's playoffs. If only he had weapons around him. He is capable of taking over games himself. He has a great handle on the ball, and like Rondo, changes speeds exceptionally well. His mid-range jumper is smooth and his three point shot has improved greatly since entering the league as the 4th overall pick in 2005. The four time all-star averaged nearly a double-double this past season, putting up 15.8 points and 9.8 assists per contest. Paul has been quoted saying he sees plays before they actually happen. He not only sees plays, but he makes plays. Paul has an outstanding overall game. He can shoot, he can drive, and he can dish. Most importantly, Chris Paul is an outstanding leader. If he gets players around him, watch out. CP3 just continues to get better. If he starts doing damage in the playoffs, he has the potential to leap-frog into my top spot.

1. Derrick Rose

The number one point guard on the planet is Derrick Rose. He has recently become a superstar and a phenomenal fan favorite. Rose, last year's MVP, is the most explosive point guard in the league. He is built like a shorter Lebron James. At 6'3, 190 pounds, Rose can leap with the best of them. He has no problem finishing. Rose is known for dunking on dunkers. His crossover may be the best in the game and his first step is clearly the cream of the crop. His midrange shot has become consistent and his three pointer is getting better. The best thing about the stellar guard is that he's hungry. He is never satisfied. Rose strives to get better everyday. Just four years ago he was averaging less than 15 points and 5 assists per game collegiately for Memphis. Now he is putting up extraordinary numbers at a pace of 24.5 points and 8.2 assists per game on a team with no other offensive stars. Rose continues to improve. Now in his third year in the league, his numbers have increased drastically each season. In his rookie year, he averaged less than 17 points per game. The next season he bounced that number up to 20.8 points per game. Now that he is averaging nearly 25 points a contest, he is one of the headliners for the NBA. If I were to start a franchise right now with any player in the league, I would take Derrick Rose. He has a quiet swagger about him that induces confidence into each one of his teammates. He's a leader by example and a star among stars. Derrick Rose is explosive. He is electrifying. He is exciting. He is the best point guard in the world.

***As of 2013: New order is Rajon Rondo at #5, Russell Westbrook at #4, Tony Parker at #3, Derrick Rose at #2, Chris Paul at #1.

PLAYOFFS!!??

     Detroit Lions fans greatest optimism is the idea that there is always next year. As a loyal Lions fan, I find myself often saying "they'll be good next year." After they won their final four games of last season, I was in the same mindset. I had hope for the 2011-2012 season. Though I say this each year, I think it is finally time. Detroit fans prepare yourselves. This could be the year the Lions reach respectability and find themselves in the playoffs.
     Obviously the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are favorites to win the division title. In no way am I saying the Lions will take the division crown from the Green Machine. They won't have to. Thank the good Lord for wild cards. The Lions should be able to get second in the NFC north and claim one of the two wild card spots.
     The Bears cannot protect their quarterback, which is exciting as a Lions fan. I look forward to watching D-town take on Da Bears for this exact reason. Chicago's puny wall of an offensive line is no match for Suh and company. Suh, the beast who leads the NFL's toughest defensive line, should rack up some more late hit penalties on poor Jay Cutler. With the strength of Detroit's front four, and the Bears O-line's inabilitiy to do anything right , Detroit should be able to win playing just their defensive line. Let Delmas and the secondary take some days off. Vanden Bosch and Suh are mean enough to win the game themselves against that Bears O-line that already gave up nine sacks in its first pre-season game.
     The Vikings, moreover, don't have the chemistry to make noise in the division like they have in the past. After drafting Christian Ponder to play quarterback, they brought in Donovan McNabb. This is not Culpepper, nor Brett Favre. Leaving the Eagles was the worst possible move for McNabb's career. He may be tough but he sure is old. His prime is in the rearview mirror. It will take him until mid-season before he and his new receivers gain comfortability with one another anyways. That is, if he is still their QB. Not to mention the Vike's best weapon, Adrian Peterson, has a bad memory. He often forgets to take the ball with him. AD can keep dropping the ball all day. Though Peterson is the most explosive back in football, he's also the riskiest. Jahved Best and Maurice Morris do not have his skillset, but they sure don't fumble like AD does. They are efficient in protecting the ball, which is what the new Lions are all about. Yes I said the "new" Lions because I believe Schwartz has them turning the corner to a successful future.
     The reason they have won their last four regular season games and the first two pre-season games of 2011 is because they have been playing with discipline. Detroit will have less penalties, less turnovers, and more efficient play to go with a much improved depth chart on both sides of the ball. Not to mention Stafford is healthy and he still has the Megatron. Thats right, don't forget about Calvin Johnson, who plans on having his best season ever. Keep those hopes up and those fingers crossed Detroiter's, because the Lions are ready to roar into the playoffs this year!