2012 AFC South Preview

AFC South

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Texans (10-6): - Finally, for this franchise that it wins the division and go to the playoffs for the first time ever. Winning a home playoff game and coming within a injured QB away from possibly beating the the Ravens on the road. For the Texans, once Manning went down it Indy, it was almost as if the division was handed over to this team. Injuries, as always for the Texans, showed up often and untimely one with the foot injury to QB Matt Schaub toward the end of the season. Many thought that had he been healthy for the playoffs that the Texans could have gone to the Super Bowl. The question for this team in 2012: Can the Texans stars stay healthy when they approach money time (Playoffs)? Could this team be the best team in the AFC this year?
2. Titans (9-7): - Some wonder, had RB Chris Johnson not held out of camp last season that this team, not the Texans would of won the division hands down. The Titans picked up Matt Hasslebeck who served to be a good fill in for the development of the QB they drafted: Jake Locker. Some questions facing this team will be: Will Locker begin his era this season? Can the Locker and Johnson lead this team to the playoffs?
3. Jaguars (5-11): - Well this team had some very untimely issues from the start of the season. Cutting former QB David Garrard right before the start of the season, which turned the keys over to newcomer rookie Blaine Gabbert. Many would say that he was NOT ready for this job and had to learn on the fly and learn it the hard way. The Jags offense was bad....well no, horrible. However, that that could change in 2012. Out is Head Coach Jack Del Rio, and in is new Head Coach Mike Marlurkey, an offensive guru who could help this struggling offense be more efficient. Drafting WR Justin Blackmon could help too. Question remains: Can Gabbert, Blackmon and Jones-Drew develop into the new explosive offensive threat in the division?
4. Colts (2-14): - The only thing Colts fans will remember from this is that Peyton Manning never saw the field in 2011. Their record shows that very point. It also was the final run in the Manning era in Indy. Good thing the for the Colts that QB Andrew Luck stayed one more year in college and because of that decision, is now the franchise starting QB of the Colts. Will the Luck era start off on the right note this season?

2012 AFC South Champion: Houston Texans

HOU: (10-6)
JAC: (8-8)
TEN: (6-10)
IND: (5-11)

2012 NFC North Preview

NFC North

Review are in order of final standings in 2011

1. Packers (15-1): - The Packers did everything almost perfect, winning at will and dominating all opponents they've faced. Well all except one. Lately, when it comes to playoff football, Lambeau Field and Giants: The Packers don't fare so well. Eli's Giants nipped the Packers again in the playoffs and the Packers great season came to an end just like that. Well the question on this team is can the Packers continue their dominate ways as they did last season?
2. Lions (10-6): - Well for Detroit, this is the first time since 1999 they had a winning record and they could play in the playoffs like its 1999. Well yea, the Lions have come a long way from the 0-16 season that plagued them a few seasons ago. Now with a young, talented and dominating core of players, the next step is to win the division and have a home playoff game for the first time in 20 years. Can the Lions repeat their winning season again and contend for the NFC North title in 2012?
3. Bears (8-8): - Well if the NFL had a 10-game schedule, the Bears would have made the playoffs last season. However, they would not do much after that, considering that they lost QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte in the final stretch of the season. 7-3 was the Bears record when Cutler went down and a week later Forte got hurt and the Bears season went with them. The Bears would of have a team that could of made such a playoff run as did the Giants did last year, had they stayed healthy with their star players. The Bears in the off-season gave Cutler a some brand new toys the play with in that offense, including a toy he once had in Denver: WR Brandon Marshall, who should be a huge upgrade for him. Question for the Bears would be: Will this be the year that Cutler finally take the Bears back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 6 years?
4. Vikings (3-13): - The Vikings could look at 2011 with the first 3 games of the season. After having double digit leads in those games going into or in the 4th quarter, the Vikings lost all 3 games and thus lost their 2011 season. Injuries and ineffectiveness helped paved the way for QB Christian Ponder to take over the helm of this team. Well then as the season of hell continue, it got even worse at the end of the season: RB Adrian Peterson blows out his knee the second to the last game of the season. Vikings are at the process of rebuilding, but this rebuild project have been put on hold over the last few years until this season. They must spend this season seeing if the young players they've drafted over the last few years can mesh and produce wins....not give them away. So the main questions for the Vikings is: Will AP be the same RB he was before the knee injury? Will Ponder be able to take the next step to lead this Vikings team to a championship someday? 

2012 NFC North Champion: Chicago Bears

CHI: (11-5)
GB: (10-6)
DET: (9-7)
MIN: (8-8)

2012 AFC North Preview

AFC North

Reviews are in order of Final Standings for 2011

1. Ravens (12-4): - For this Ravens team, last season's exit from the AFC Championship Game had to be very painful and costly. A dropped TD and a missed FG from going to the Super Bowl and now many feel as if this is their final year of "their window" for a Championship. Defensive future HOF's Ray Lewis and Ed Reed return for another season, but you have to think that their end of the road is coming soon. They lost another key defensive piece in Terrell Suggs, who tore his Achilles during the off-season and had a beak shot at returning this season. However, Quarterback Joe Flacco is ready to take the lead of this Ravens team that's looking to prepare for life after Lewis/Reed. But before all of that happens, this team is looking to make the best of their last chance. So the question for 2012: Will this Ravens team be in New Orleans on Feb. 3rd playing against the NFC Champs? 
2. Steelers (12-4): - The last 8 months has to put a bad taste in the Steelers mouths. Losing to a Broncos team that that should of beaten and not being able to play again until now, very frustrating for this team. With a new offense and a maturing WR corp could be good thing for Big Ben and this Steelers offense, who'll play a game without WR Hines Ward for the first time this entire century. Going into this season, the question is: Can the Big Ben adjust to the new offense ran by new Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley? Can the Steelers stay healthy for the long haul this season?
3. Bengals (9-7): - For a Bengals team that was "suppose" to be in rebuild mode, well that went project went by fast......very fast by NFL standards. This team made the playoffs, when most had them not even winning more then 6 games. That could be very dangerous for the other teams in this division once this team gets some experience under their belt. Out went Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, in comes Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. Now with the extra year of "rebuilding" out the way, this team could be a serious threat in a year or so. But until then the question going into 2012: Can this Bengals team have the same or better record then last year and can they return to the playoffs in 2012?
4. Browns (4-12): - Well the Browns are just.....well the Browns. There season was bad, but they may have some hope the future. Drafting Trent Richardson from Alabama and Brandon Weeden from Oklahoma St. could be the two pieces this franchise needs to hopefully turn around this organization. Can Richardson have a great rookie season and get his team some more wins?

2012 AFC North Champion: Baltimore Ravens

BAL: (12-4)

PIT: (11-5)

CIN: (10-6)

CLE: (3-13)

2012 NFC East Preview

NFC East

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Giants (10-6): - After its week 15 loss at home to the Redskins, this team looked dead in the water. Giving up the lead in the tightly contested NFC East to the Cowboys and having to play a winner-takes all game in Week 17 in Dallas for the division. Mirroring the entrance into the 2007 playoffs (one exception is that this time they played the first game at home vs Falcons) this looked at lot like that season for this Giants team. And it ended like it too, a win against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. I guess one of the things going into this season is the fact that Eli Manning could be going into the prime years of his career. Consistency with both Eli and the Giants have been their issue over the years and now that question comes into the mind this season. Can the Giants dominate a division and successfully defend their championship again, this time knowing what's going to be excepted from this season?
2. Cowboys (9-7): - Another season, Another late collapse. This team seems to bet it hedges on the fact that they know when the end of the year comes, except some big loss at the end that could either: cost this team the division or a playoff spot. However, Tony Romo seem to have a good season but there could be "trust issues" developing between Head Coach Jason Garrett and Romo. If there's one thing you must have over the time is that you must have trust with your QB. In a few late season games last year, showed this issue in the light. This season the main question will be is this Cowboys Era (Romo Era) coming to an end after this season? Will this be the last stand for a Super Bowl or will a huge rebuilding project follow the 2012 season?
3. Eagles (8-8): - The expectations of this team was through the roof and it might of been too much for this team. Coined "The Dream Team" by former back-up QB Vince Young, the title stuck with this team along with the expectations. Well those expectations got even higher, when Michael Vick said that this team is on the cusp of a dynasty. All of that along with the very sudden and tragic death of Andy Reid son will be a huge challenge for this Eagles team. So the question remains: Can this Eagles team finally, in their team history, be the team that wins the Super Bowl in 2012?
4. Redskins (5-11): - Well the first quarter of the 2011 season went well for the 'Skins, winning 3 of the first 4 games. Until reality sat in, and this team lost 6 straight games to pretty much put them in the "wait until next year" list. However, their season may not have been as good as their draft pick in the NFL draft. Getting Baylor sensation Robert Griffith III, there is hope now for the Redskins future. Question for this season: Can RGIII have half the season that Cam Newton had last season? If so, could the Redskins be one of those teams who finished last place in their division to a team that goes to the playoffs?

2012 NFC East Champion: Philadelphia Eagles

PHI: (11-5)

DAL: (10-6)

NYG: (9-7)

WAS: (6-10)

2012 NFC West Preview

NFC West

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. 49ers (13-3): - Two fumbles keep this team away from going to the Super Bowl in January. A painful way to end what was a great season for this prestige franchise that could be back on the rise after a decade of painful futility. QB Alex Smith may have saved his career with a career season and will be looked upon to make his mark among the great 49ers QB's of the past. However, this team's glaring need of a WR was checked over the off-season with additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss. This should make Smith's life a lot easier and make this 49ers offense more dangerous. Can this 49ers team win the Super Bowl this year??
2. Cardinals (8-8): - The 2008 season seem like a 4 decades ago for this team that made to the Super Bowl. Year one of Kolb is complete with the only problem being: He didn't finish the season. With John Skelton as starter, the Cards finished strong last season, winning 5 of 6 games to end the season at .500. One of the questions will remain for this Cards team: Kolb or Skelton? With the 49ers reloading, Rams rebounding, and Seahawks improving, this leaves the Cards with a huge question moving forward. Can the Cards keep winning with Skelton at the helm or will Kolb make a strong move for the starting QB spot in 2012?
3. Seahawks (7-9): - The Seahawks could of had a worse record then this, but because of two huge road wins, which indeed keep this team afloat for the 2011 season. Going into this season, the Seahawks have a problem....their QB situation. Signing Matt Flynn and drafting Russell Wilson, put incumbent Tarvaris Jackson in a familiar position: Having to fight for his starting QB spot again. Something Jackson has done throughout his career. Another thing could be the signing of WR Terrell Owens and how effective he could be during this season. Two key questions lurk for this team: Who will be the lead signal caller in 2012? Will T.O. be effective enough to help a Seahawks receiver core that, all combined ,would still not equal the hall of fame numbers that T.O. has accumulated over his career?
4. Rams (2-14): - After choosing Bradford over R.G.III in the draft, could adding some help for Bradford be enough to help this team gain some wins in 2012. Maybe the addition of new coach Jeff Fisher could be enough to do the trick as well. This team last season had really nobody to count on and was just a bad team overall. However, with a few WR's added to the team and a few draft picks (thanks to the Redskins) may be enough to turn this team around in the next 2-3 seasons. Can the Rams make it to the playoffs in 2012 after finishing last in the division in 2011??

2012 NFC West Champion: San Francisco 49ers

SF: (11-5)

SEA: (7-9)

ARI: (6-10)

STL: (5-11)

2012 AFC East Preview

AFC East

Reviews are in order of final standards for 2011

1. Patriots (13-3): - The Pats made it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 4 seasons. However, some would say that they we're extremely lucky in their path to that game: Having to play Tebow and Broncos instead of the Steelers and having the Ravens drop a go-ahead TD and miss a FG to tie the AFC title game. But one thing that the Pats wasn't expecting was for history to repeat itself: Eli Manning and Giants beating the Pats against in a very close Super Bowl. This season could be one similar to last season, based on the Pats strength of schedule. Could the Pats continue their winning ways for another or say 2-3 more seasons?
2. Jets (8-8): - What could describe the Jets season in 2011: Disappointment, Chaos, Distractions, etc.... The Jets had everything in the world go against this team, which had high hopes for a Super Bowl trip. Now I'll add a new word in for the 2012 season: Controversy. Adding Tim Tebow to a team that already had a QB in Mark Sanchez could make this season very controversial and could most people crazy by the end of the season with all of the media coverage that this team will get. Can the Jets make one last run at a Super Bowl title or is this the beginning of the end?
3. Dolphins (6-10): - A lot changes has gone on in South Beach this off-season. New coaches, QB, and hopefully new results for a team that's been out of sync over the last few years. Drafting Ryan Tannehill as the QB of the future drew major criticism. However, New Head Coach Joe Philbin looks to turn this team and hopes of making the postseason soon. WR Chad Johnson, yes Johnson, has returned to his home state to help out this team and his career after the stint with the Pats last season found him to be "quiet" throughout the season. Can the Dolphins continue on improving as they did to end the season last year?
4. Bills (6-10): - If the NFL only played 8 games in season, the Bills would of been the AFC's #1 seed. However, there is a second half to a season and this is where the Bills "fell off" and badly. After winning 5 of their first 8 games, the Bills lost 7 of 8 to end the season. Hopefully for the fans of Buffalo that this was a lesson for a young team to learn: How to win games in the NFL, when they count the most.....in November and December. Can QB Ryan Fitzpatrick have the season that he had the first 8 games of last season or the last 8 games of the season? I mean this will be the Bills key to challenging the Pats in this division and other AFC Wild Card contenders. Their defense has improved a lot with the signing of Mario Williams. The question is, can this young team make the moves this season to challenge the Pats and overtake the Jets in the process?

2012 AFC East Champion: New England Patriots

NE: (12-4)

NYJ: (10-6)

BUF: (10-6)

MIA: (5-11)                                              

The Golden One

The Olympics can show the fortitude of top-shape athletes from all around the world with skill, determination, and dreams as big as the planet itself. The stories of these hardworking athletes that captivates the nation as we watch every four years to find that special person who represents their country well and compete for what some may think as the ultimate prize, the Olympic Gold. But it's only a few moments that will forever live in our minds and in the history books: The Dream Team in 1992, Kerry Shrug's will to overcome an sprained ankle in the 1996 Summer Games to win Gold for Team USA, Vince Carter's dunk over Frederick Weiss in 2000, and the start of Micheal Phelps dominating run from the 2004, 2008, and 2012 games. What we just witnessed in week one of the 2012 Summer Games could be nothing short of remarkable, with one Gabrielle Douglas performance in the All-Around.

The road for which Gabrielle, well Gabby, Douglas is one was very long road to travel in a very short amount of time. Her story begins as a native of Virginia Beach, VA and her dreams and goals to make an Olympic team saw some very tough hurdles to climb. After moving away from her family, a decision as tough as any young teenager should make, to Des Monies, IA to train for what could be her shot at Olympic Gold.

Douglas struggled a lot with her consistency and in her senior national debut, finished 7th in the all-around, while struggling with the balance beam, an event that's her favorite. Gabby Douglas could also be deemed as lucky, she made her debut in 2011 and was able to complete in the World Championships as she made the eligible by one day (Her Birthday is December 31st, 1995). She did very well on the uneven bars, to help the US bring home gold in those championships. This performance will help pave the way for her new nickname as she is known as the "The Flying Squirrel".

Douglas was invited to compete 2012 American Cup, only as an alternate and did well enough to catch the eyes of the other Olympic hopefuls. She had some struggles in Pacific Rim Championships, but was able to finish strong on the bars which would lead to the Olympic Trails. This is where Douglas exploded onto the scene with securing the only automatic spot on the USA team for the 2012 Summer Games. (Note: the USA reduced the number of spots from 7 to 5 gymnast). She finally defeated friend and teammate, 2011 all-around World Champion Jordyn Wieber, as the two would become the leaders of what will soon be known as the Fabulous 5.

With her dreams finally within reach, this is now a new experience for a young lady who just a few years ago had to make what was at the time, the most difficult and toughest decision of her life. Now that she's in London at the Olympics, it was time for the world to be introduced to one Gabrielle Douglas. She did not disappoint, as she was beyond fabulous in her events, winning the team gold and become the new darling of the All-Around. A few cry from the 7th place finish she did in last year's senior nationals. Just like that, from nowhere to the Queen of gymnastics and new American hero for young girls who someday expire to be like Gabby Douglas. I must say, what a ride.....what a ride. Thanks Gabby for your hard work, being strong and dedicated.

First Week Complete for 2012 Summer Olympics

As the first week of the 2012 Summer games complete, we've seen some historical, heroic and heart-filled events so far. From the domination of the Men and Women USA basketball team, the battle of aqua-supremacy in swimming, the unstoppable force of the USA women's soccer team, and the capativating heart-filled performance of the Fabulous 5 ladies of the USA gymnastics team.

After hanging 86 points and yes I mean 86 point win against the Nigerian Basketball team, the Men's USA basketball team, whom we're being compared to the likes of the 1992 Dream Team, may have some bargaining points with this dominating win. With the likes of Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony just to name a few, this team is on a mission of arguably being the best USA Olympic team ever assembled. With the elimination round upcoming for this team, the only concern that they have to worry about it the play of bigger, taller teams
that they could possibly face.

As for the Women's basketball team, it's business as usual for these ladies as they continue their dominance in Olypmic play. Seeking their 5th straight (7th in all) Gold medal in Olympic play, the women basketball team lead by Tamika Catchings, Sue Bird and Seimone Augustus just to name a few. As pool play ends, the women preparing for what could be a rematch of 2008 gold medal final with Team Australia. These ladies are the overwhelming favorites to win, but we'll have to see how they can fare up in the elimination rounds that start later on this week.

In swimming, the battle for aqua-supremacy, Micheal Phelps could be one of the best Olympic athletes to ever complete in the Olympics. As he dawns on, what could be his last Olympic run, he's already captured the medal record of 18 medals held previously by Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina. Phelps could end up with 22 medals when he's events are complete. 18 of which are gold medals. Phelps as confirmed that this is his final run, as he'll retire from Olympic completion after these games.

USA women's soccer team looks to redeem themselves from the last year's World Cup Final disappointment with a complete dominance of this year's Olympic Game. Winning every match so far in these games, Team USA seems to be a collision course for a rematch of the World Cup Final with Japan. These women have a bitter taste in their mouths and would love to seek revenge against the World Cup Champs. If that is the case and if its like the last time those two took the field, we're in a for a great gold medal game.



Finally, the hearts of this nation was captured by 5 beautiful young ladies of USA gymnastics team. Gabrielle Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, Allyson Raisman, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney will forever be known as the Fabulous 5 (or Fab 5 in short). With Gabby Douglas coming from virtually nowhere over the last 18 months, to winning gold in the All-Around, she became the first African-American to do so. Aly Raisman tied for 3rd in the all-around, but lost the tie-breaker to Russian gymnast Aliya Mustafina. These ladies dominated in the team final, as Jordyn Wieber overcame her disappointing mistake in the qualifiers to deliver key performances to help seal the win for team USA.

2012 NFC South Preview

NFC South

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Saints (13-3): Normally a 13-win season would get you home-field advantage and a 1st-round bye. But last season wasn't normally planned and this Saints team had to travel on the road in order to get back to the Super Bowl. The Saints clearly was the conference's second best team, but was beaten by the actual second-best team, the San Francisco 49ers. This season, with the suspensions of coach Payton and other players, this could be a hard season for one Drew Brees to carry them out of.
2. Falcons (10-6): After being the #1 team in the NFC in 2010, the Falcons fell to Wild-Card status in 2011. This team is a Super Bowl hopeful, but is their Quarterback the same? Matt Ryan hasn't had great success in the postseason and that has to change if the Falcons are looking to go to Super Bowl. The question is, can he make the next step or has he reach the ceiling? The 2012 season is depending on it.
3. Panthers (6-10): One name for sum up their 2011 Season: Cam Newton. Newton by far too the Panthers and the NFL by storm. But can he at least give 60% of what he did last season? If he can, then this team will be something to mess with in the NFC South this year.
4. Bucs (4-12): Talk about a team that went to the doorstep of contending status, to what the heck happened? Yea the Bucs are that team. With a new coaching staff, this team could be in a small rebuild year, but don't worry Bucs fans. This is the NFC South, if history is correct, you'll win the division next season.

2012 NFC South Champion: Carolina Panthers

 

CAR: (9-7)

NO: (9-7)

ATL: (8-8)

TB: (6-10)

2012 AFC West Preview

AFC West

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Broncos (8-8): - Last year was Tebow-mania, this year its Peyton's Place. This year's Broncos made the playoffs and won a thrilling OT game against the Steelers. This year, the expectations of this team could mirror those of 2009 Minnesota Vikings, reason I use this example is because they brought in a future Hall of Fame QB to help with their dismal QB play. This season could be a good one for the Broncos, but all of this depends on the health of one Peyton Manning.
2. Raiders (8-8): - After the death of the man whom the Raiders are famously connected with, Owner Al Davis, this will be the first time ever for this franchise to go into a season without Mr. Davis. This team made huge strides in 2011, but fell short at the end to win the division for their fallen owner. This season should be the same, in the fact that the Raiders are an up and coming team who could be hanging around for the playoffs in December.
3. Chargers (8-8): - Is the window of this once championship-hopeful team closed? Could this be the final stand of the main crew for the Chargers, who's been chasing a Super Bowl title for the last 5 seasons? The pressure could be very high for this Chargers organization this season. This was suppose to be a team under the Norv Turner/Philip Rivers era that should of had a championship already, but playoff disappointments and lately regular season collapses may have cost this once powerful team and trust them into soon-to-be rebuilding mode if this season doesn't go well this year.
4. Chiefs (7-9): - With a change in coaching last season, the Chiefs finished the season strongly, despite coming one game short of winning this division and going to the playoffs. Injuries hurt this team as year and this year having an healthy Cassell and Charles back should allow this team to contend for a wild card spot at the least.

2012 AFC West Champion: Denver Broncos

1. DEN (11-5)
2. OAK (9-7)
3. KC (8-8)
4. SD (7-9)