The Sports Guru

Projected Record

10-6, 1st Place NFC North

Projected Schedule W/L
@Green Bay (L)
Detroit (W)
@Minnesota (W)
Seattle (W)
Buffalo (W)
@Arizona (L)
San Francisco (W)
Miami (W)
@NY Giants (L)
@NY Jets (W)
@New England (L)
Minnesota (W)
@St. Louis (L)
Tampa Bay (W)
@Detroit (L)
Green Bay (W)

Rex Grossman was drafted in 2004 to be the Bears’ quarterback of the future. Things didn’t go as planned for Grossman after he was hurt early in the year. The Bears struggled to a 5-11 record that season, Head Coach Lovie Smith’s first with the team. Heading into 2005, Grossman was once again primed to lead the Bears. Once again, Grossman was beset by injuries, missing 14 games. This time, however, the Bears were able to overcome the loss, going 11-5, and producing the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in Brian Urlacher. Heading into 2006, Grossman will once again try to lead the Bear’s deep into the playoffs, but this time the Bears find themselves better prepared to deal with his loss.

Team Strengths – Defense, defense, defense. The Bears D was dominate last season, until it counted most in the playoffs. The last two times the Bears have made the postseason they were led by their defense, but ironically, it was defense that let them down both times. Urlacher anchors a fast, hard hitting D that beckons to times gone by in Chicago. It will fall to the defense again of the Bears if they are going to make a run in 2006. On offense, the Bears do a great job of funning the football, and have a three headed monster in Thomas Jones, Cedric Benson, and Adrian Peterson. Mushin Muhammad is an effective receiver, if there is someone to get the ball to him.

Team Weaknesses - It has been the quarterback position that has plagued the Bears the past 2 seasons. Injuries to Grossman have forced the Bears to play unproven players, such as Craig Krenzel in 2004 and Kyle Orton last season. The Bears protected themselves this year by bringing in Brian Griese to backup Grossman. Griese is a steady, if unspectaculr, quaterback that at least give the Bears some semblance of a passing attack. If Grossman falters, Griese will be there waiting. If anything was proven in the playoffs last season it was the Bears D was susceptable to the big play. Steve Smith of Carolina burned the Bear’s secondary time and again, and if Mike Brown’s foot injury is serious the Bear’s may stryggle again against the pass.


Best Case Scenario – Improved play at the quarterback posistion takes the pressure of the defense. The Bears have some weapons on offense but need a QB that can get the ball downfield and stretch defenses. If that happens, the running tandem of Jones, Benson and Peterson will be highly effective keeping drives alive and keeping the defense rested on the bench. A weak division plays right into the Bears’ hands and a home playoff game is not out of the question.

Worst Case Scenario - If Grossman and Griese are ineffective it couls be deja-vue for the Bears in 2006. The Defense is good enough to beat mediocre teams during the regular season, but the postseason is a different story. Injuries to the DB’s will make the D vulnerable to attack downfield as seen last season. The running-by-commitee worked last season but all three want to be “the MAN” and that could cause problems. Urlacher has had injury problems in the past and they need him on the field to be successful

My Opinion - The Bears are one of the more intriguing teams in 2006. They possess alot of talent but will only go as far as the QB of choice takes them. Right now that guy is Rex Grossman, but he is untested and hasn’t played nearly enough for the Bears to get a true indication of his potential. They did the right thing to bring in some protection in Griese, but he has been enigmatic at best, never proving that he could lead a team far into the playoffs. That said, Griese brings more to the table and is much more consistent than Grossman, and the wondow of opportunity on this group is starting to close. It will be Griese that will be the starting QB of this team, if not by Week 1, then soon after.

Projected Record

9-7, 2nd Place NFC South

Projected Schedule W/L
@Carolina                  (L)
Tampa Bay                 (W)
@New Orleans           (L)
Arizona                      (W)
NY Giants                   (W)
Pittsburgh                  (L)
@Cincinnati                (L)
@Detroit                    (W)
Cleveland                   (W)
@Baltimore                 (L)
New Orleans               (W)
@Washington              (W)
@Tampa Bay              (L)
Dallas                         (W)
Carolina                      (L)
@Philadelphia             (W)

There may not have been a more disappointing team in 2005 than the Atlanta Falcons.  After reaching the NFC Championship Game in Coach Jim Mora’s first season the Falcons took a step backwards last season as Michael Vick continued to struggle with the West Coast offense.  If one word could be used to describe the West Coast offense it would be ‘controlled’.  One word to describe Michael Vick?  ‘Chaos’.  Coming into this season rumors swirled that Vick and Offensive Coordinator Greg Knapp had a rocky relationship at best.  For their part, Mora and Knapp have toned down the offense and added more of what makes Vick so effective.  Boot-legs, run-outs and QB draws will be more affluent in the game plan.  Whether it translates onto the field remains to be seen.

Team Strengths – Vick is the most dynamic weapon in the NFL.  There has never been a pure athlete like him at the Quarterback postion ever.  His style, however opens Vick up to a beating.  The Falcons have come to the conclusion that Vick is not going to be a 16 game QB.  That’s what makes Matt Schaub so important to Atlanta’s success.  Schaub is a better quarterback for the Falcons scheme than Vick is.  Having him as the backup is definitely a plus for Atlanta because he is gonna start 2-4 games this season, without a doubt.  Warrick Dunn continues to be effective, though you have to imagine that Dunn is due for a downturn.  Defensively, the Falcons went out and traded for John Abraham in the off-season to spruce up their pash rush.  They’ll need to get to the opposing quarterbacks because the DB’s fit into the next column.

Team Weaknesses - The defnsive backs for the Falcons are going to need to play well for Atlanta to get back to their 2004 success.  The other teams in the NFC South all figure to have great offenses and how the defense handles Steve Smith in Carolina, Reggie Bush and Joe Horn in New Orleans, and Mark Clayton and Cadillac Williams in Tampa will make or break their season.  After Dunn the Falcons really don’t have a running threat other than Vick which isn’t good.  The Falcons passing game took a hit when Brian Finneran was lost for the season with a knee injury.  Michael Jenkins will have to step up and become a consistent target for Vick.  After Jenkins, the receiving corp is a big question mark to say the least.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons bring in another receiver via trade, with disgruntled Denver Bronco Ashley Lelie being the likely target.


Best Case Scenario – If Vick can stay healthy he creates mismatches all over the field, and can take any play all the way.  This team was one win away from the Super Bowl 2 years ago and Vick can get the team there again.  If Abraham can blow up the oppositions backfield and creat havoc the Falcons defense will be vastly improved.  The best case scenario for the Falcons might be an injury to Vick, forcing the Falcons to use Schaub.  The offense the Falcons want to use is more suited to Schaub and the offense would be more consistent, if not as explosive, without Vick.

Worst Case Scenario  - Even though Vick and Mora are saying all the right things I think there is some animosity in Atlanta.  Vick doesn’t like the offense, and Mora doesn’t like the way Vick runs the Offense.  The Falcons are saying they are going to loosen the reigns a little bit on Vick, and if it doesn’t work changes may be in order.  Owner Arthur Blank may have a decision to make in the off-season if this season goen poorly once again.  The worst case scenario for the Falcons this season just might be the best case scenario long term for the team. 

My Opinion - The situation in Atlanta is definitely intriguing to me.  Vick is an incredible talent, but the Falcons coaching staff has yet to build the offensive system around Vick and what he does best.  Both sides are beginning to get frustrated and another so-so season could lead to the breaking point.  On the other hand, if the Falcons have some success than all could be forgiven.  After missing the playoffs last year the expectation is to get back and go deep in 2006.  They’ll get to the playoffs at 9-7 before losing to Seattle in the 2nd Round.  Will that be enough to appease ownership?  Only time will tell.

Projected Record

9-7, 2nd Place NFC East

Projected Schedule W/L
Minnesota                  (W)
@Dallas                     (L)
@Houston                  (W)
Jacksonville               (W)
@NY Giants                (L)
Tennessee                 (W)
@Indianapolis            (L)
Dallas                       (W)
@Philadelphia            (L)
@Tampa Bay             (L)
Carolina                    (W)
Atlanta                      (L)
Philadelphia              (W)
@New Orleans           (L)
@St. Louis                 (W)
NY Giants                  (W)

Year 3 in the return of Joe Gibss in Washington begins in the midst of huge expectations.  After a slow start in 2005 that had “experts” wondering if the game had passed him by, the Redksins won their final 5 games to finish 10-6, and went on to beat Tampa Bay in the playoffs.  It was the plyoff win that has everyone excited going into 2006 and with ownership pumping millions of dollars in Free Agent acquisitions the ‘Skins are expected to win now.  They are a good team, but a tough division will make a good record hard to come by.  When it’s all said and done the Gibbs will get this team back to the playoffs, but there are too many questions to think they will be able to match last season’s success, let alone go after a Super Bowl.

Team Strengths – Gibbs is a Hall of Fame coach, so his ability is unquestioned.  He has put together a staff that rivals any team in any sport.  Greg Williams returns as the Defensive Coordinator, and probably has the inside track on the job when Gibb’s decides to head back to NASCAR.  To help with the offense, Gibbs hired Al Saunders, architect for the Kansas City Chiefs attack the last 5 seasons.  Saunders’ creative schemes should improve the Redskins attack, especially in the Red Zone.  Clinton Portis is one of the best backs in football and will be looked to produce 2000+ all-purpose yards.  The Redskins were active in the Free Agent market, snagging versatile Antwan Randel El on offense, and Safety Adam Archuleta.  Both will be improvements over the players they are replacing.  Randel El will be used very similarly to the way the Steelers were able to use him, all over the field, even at QB.  Santana Moss had a breakout season in 2005, and will look to cement his status as one of the games’ greats.

Team Weaknesses - The quarterback position is one area to be concerned about if you are a Redskins fan.  Mark Brunell is now 35, and doesn’t have the arm or legs that once made him a dangerous field general.  Brunell did have a decent season in ‘05, but there were times the Redskins won in spite of Brunell.  That won’t cut it in the NFC East.  Behind Brunell is Jason Campbell, who the Redskins love but is unproven, making any injury to Brunell catastrophic.  On defense, there are some playmakers, but gone are the like of LaVar Arrington.  Arrington never seemed to mesh with Gibbs and Williams, but he still made big plays when on the field and the Redskins will need to find someone to make those plays.  The defensive backfield is also suspect, with stalwart Shaun Springs out with an injury.

Best Case Scenario – Brunell can stay effective and the Randel El Factor isn’t a rersult of the Steeler’s system.  Santana Moss plays up to his 2005 production and Clinton Portis maintains his production.  Al Saunders’ offensive systems will spruce up a system that seemed to become old and predictable last season.  The Redskins have the ability to win their first 6 games, before a matchup in Indianapolis.   A good start can get a team on a roll that lasts the whole season, and it is doubly important for a team that is expected to win.  No one knows how long Gibbs is going to remain, so winning hi his 4th Title would be a great way for Gibbs to exit the NFL stage.

Worst Case Scenario – If Brunell’s production falls off the table it could be a tough year for Washington.  They are relying on Brunell to make smart plays and hit the big one the one or two times the opportunity presents itself.  If he falters or is injured, the Skin’s will need to get Campbell up and running in a hurry.  Injuries to their star players are already starting to pop up, with Shaun Springs and Clinto Portis already out for the rest of the pre-season.  A bad season could lead to Gibbs deciding to return to racing after the season, leading to some uncertainty heading into ‘06.  

My Opinion - The Redskins are built to win right now.  There is no 5 year plan when you are dealing with a head coach that could call it quits at any time.  There is going to come a time when all these signings come back to haunt the Redskins in terms of the salary cap.  There is alot of pressure, and expectations are high.  The Redskins just aren’t good enough to make a serious run.  At 9-7, I think they’ll sneak into playoffs as the 6th seed, but will be one and done.  What will be interesting to see is what Gibbs will do.  No matter what, anythingless than a Super Bowl will probably be a disappointment to owner Daniel Snyder, whose patience has been known to wear thin quickly.  Unfortunitely for Snyder he just doesn’t have the horses to make a run to a Championship.

Projected Record

9-7, 2nd Place AFC North

Projected Schedule W/L
@Kansas City (L)
Cleveland (W)
@Pittsburgh (L)
New England (W)
@Tampa Bay (L)
Carolina (W)
Atlanta (W)
@Baltimore (L)
San Diego (W)
@New Orleans (W)
@Cleveland (L)
Baltimore (W)
Oakland (W)
@Indianapolis (L)
@Denver (L)
Pittsburgh (W)

After over a decade of futility in Cincinnati, the Bengals finally gave the Queen City something to get excited about. An 11-5 record, a division title, a home playoff game. All that excitement ended on the first play from scrimmage in the Wild Card Playoff game against the Steelers. After a 66 yard completion from his own endzone, Palmer was hit in his left knee by Kimo Von Olhauffen. The result? Two torn knee ligaments for Palmer and the dreaded “What If?” for everyone else. THe Steelers went on to win the Super Bowl. The Bengals feel that things would have been a little different had Palmer not been hurt. As we head into the 2006 season Palmer seems to be on the road to recovery, expected to be ready for Week 1 against the Chiefs. The Bengals will look to answer those questions, and assuredly will be awaiting a re-match with the Steelers. I’d watch out if I were Big Ben….

Team Strengths – The Bengals have speed and talent all over the field. Head Coach Marvin Lewis has done a great job of infusing the defense with talent to go along with an incredibly talented offense. Carson Palmer has become one of the best in the game, and how he returns from the knee injury will be the biggest question early on. Chad Johnson is electric, and Rudi Johnson is a 1500 yard rusher. Wille Anderson and Levi Jones anchor on of the best O-Lines in the game. Coach Lewis has managed to scrub the franchise clean of the losing culture and has created a cocky confidence, a constant with all great teams. David Pollack is a stud and compliments linemate Justin Smith.

Team Weaknesses - How the Bengals defense improves this year will be the big question. The Bengals were lit up by high powered offenses last season, losing big to the Colts and Chiefs. Giving up 37 points at home to the Bills while fighting for a Bye in the playoffs also did not bode well for the way this team hanldes pressure. They are a year older and wiser for it, but the schedule is alot tougher, with trips to Kansas City, Indianapolis and Denver on the slate. Discipline is a huge concern as well, with no fewer than 6 Bengals having run-ins with the law in the past 8 months. WR Chris Perry has been arrested 3 times himself, and the Bengals went out on a limb to draft LB Ahmad Brooks in the supplemental draft. Brooks has a ton of ability, but was booted from the Virginia Football program for behavioral issues. Depth at quarterback is also a concern with Anthony Wright slated to begin the season as Carson Palmer’s backup.


Best Case Scenario – Palmer is healthy to start the season and stays thay way throughout. The Bengals will need him to have any chance of bettering their 11-5 2005 season. Marvin Lewis will also have to make sure he keeps his players on the field and out of jail. Every team has it’s legal issues, but the Bengals have several players with questionable characters, and the rap sheet is geting long. If Johnson and Johnson and maintain their high level of output and the defense can do a much better job of stopping opposing offenses the Bengals will be extrememly hard to beat. Sam Adams was brought in to fortify a run defense that ranked near the bottom of the NFL. All the Benglas D needs to do is finish in the top half.

Worst Case Scenario – If Palmer has a set back, or is re-injured during the season, the Bengals are in deep trouble. Last season they had a legitimate back-up in Jon Kitna. Problem with legitimate back-ups, they want to be starters. Kitna went north to Detroit and the Bengals are stuck with Anthony Wright and Doug Johnson. Yikes… Persistent legal troubles could also be a distraction if multiple players miss practice time because of court dates. As good as Chad Johnson is, he is volatile to say the least. Reports of him taking a swing at Lewis during the playoff loss to the Steelers have circulated, and at the least there was certainly a heated confrontation. I’ve stated many times that winning cures all ills, but losing makes them worse.

My Opinion - If Carson Palmer was healthy the Bengals would be a Top-5 team in my book. They are a better football team than the Steelers, as proven by the 38-31 whooping the ‘gals put on the Steelers at Heinz Field last December. If Palmer doesn’t get hurt it might’ve been the Bengals hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. That said, Palmer did get hurt and without him they are very vulnerable. There is too much parody in the NFL today for a team to make up a loss like that and for the Bengals to be Super Bowl contenders they’ll need Palmer to play up to 2005. It was a serious injury, however, and there is going to be some rust and tentativeness. If a player gets hurt in a freak play, mentally, they can come back pretty easily. Palmer was hurt in the pocket, throwing a pass, something he is going to have to do 500 times this season. Alot tougher to get over mentally. If he is glancing at the rush, he isn’t looking downfield. I think Palmer will struggle at times this year against the tougher schedule. The AFC North is a tough division, and with Denver and Indianapolis on the schedule duplicating last year’s success could be tough. Win/Loss aside, if the Begals can get into the Playoffs they’ll be as dangerous as anyone, a serious Super Bowl contender.

Projected Record

9-7, 3rd Place NFC East

Projected Schedule W/L
@Houston (W)
NY Giants (W)
@San Francisco (W)
Green Bay (W)
Dallas (W)
@New Orleans (W)
@Tampa Bay (L)
Jacksonville (W)
Washington (W)
Tennessee (W)
@Indianapolis (L)
Carolina (L)
@Washington (L)
@NY Giants (L)
@Dallas (L)
Atlanta (L)

The three-reing circus that is Terrell Owens is no longer in Philadelphia. The aftermath still lingers. A divided locker room, a quarterback trying to return from injury and insult. In only a 1/2 season, T.O. was able to destroy what the Eagles and Coach Andy Reid spent 6 years developing. A winning attitude. A team-first approach. A cohesive locker room. Now T.O. is off to Dallas and Donovan McNabb is left to pick up the pieces and reclaim his spot as the leader of the Eagles. He has said all the right things, his teammates have said all the right things. Whether there is truth in their words is another story.

Team Strengths – Donovan McNabb is a great quarterback and one of the toughest players at any position in the NFL. Playing most of last season with a painful sports hernia, McNabb was able to put up some decent numbers without alot of help. Brian Westbrook is a Marshall Faulk-type player that can burn you on the ground and through the air. The Eagles fortified their defensive line with the selection of Broderick Bunkley. Along with DE Jevon Kearse the Eagles will have a stout D-Line. Brian Dawkins is one of the top safeties in the game and teams with Sheldon Brown and Lito Sheppard to form a very good secondary.

Team Weaknesses - AS was the case before T.O., the Eagles fall short at wide receiver. They are very high on Reggie Brown, who as a rookie last season showed flashes after T.O. was suspended. The Eagles also add two rrokies to the mix, Jason Avant from Michigan and undrafted Hank Baskett who has been getting rave reviews from the Eagles coaching staff. In my Top and Bottom 5 Head Coaches column I expressed my disdain for Andy Reid and his game planning and management. The Eagles need to run more and control the clock. Reid prefers the short passing game as his run game. It hasn’t worked yet, and won’t this season.


Best Case Scenario – Donovan McNabb comes back completely healthy. Brian Westbrook plays all 16 games and AndY Reid discovers there are running plays in his playbook. The Defense is going to need to dominate until the young offense gets their feet under them. The Eagles need to use a friendly schedule the first half of the season to propel them. They play each of their division rivals at home withing the first 9 weeks. Things get much tougher at the end of the season, so winning all three of those games is crucial.

Worst Case Scenario – If the Eagles get off to a poor start, or McNabb struggles things could get dicey. There is no doubt that McNabb lost someof that locker room during the T.O. fiasco. The Key to the Eagles is Westbrook, so any significant time wothout him could be a huge problem. If the defense struggles, and the young receivers don’t step up early it could be a long season in Philly.

My Opinion – The Eagles play a very intersting schedule in 2006. After road games to places like Houston and San Francisco in the 1st half they’ll have to go to each of their division rivals in the second half, all in a row. A tough road indeed. In each of thse games the Eagles are going to need to rely on their running game to control the ball and the clock. Unfortunitely, Andy Reid doesn’t play football that way. It is going to take time for the receivers to gel, but weak opponents will allow the Eagles to start strong, but whether they can hold on during a brutal finish is the true question. My guess, they fall short.