College Fantasy Football Preview -- Minnesota State Screaming Eagles posted by Chad

This team is the only team in the entire league with a team name.  I'm not making this up, the rest of the teams are sorted by their owner/coach, but not the self proclaimed Minnesota State Screaming Eagles.  So, what does this squad have in common with the rest of the state?  A:  They're losers.  Year in and year out.. even when they're close, they really aren't.  Brian managed to win 4 games last year.. in 14.  That means he also managed to lose double digit games which can be difficult to do in fantasy sports.  So, without further ado, lets take a look at this bottom feeder.

QB:  BJ Daniels is a dual threat star in the making down in South Florida.. just ask FSU.  Dayne Crist is the man tabbed to lead the spread offense that Brian Kelly features at Notre Dame and Aaron Murray is the future down in Georgia.  This COULD be a solid position for the Eagles this year.  Daniels can play big given the right matchup and Crist will have every opportunity to produce against a not so tough Notre Dame schedule.  Don't forget what Tony Pike did in that offense the past few seasons. 

RB:  Quizz Rodgers is the Darren Sproles of college football right now with more wiggle but not quite as physical.  Rodgers is a dynamo and can really make something out of nothing. The rest of that team, RB wise, however won't be stars this season.  Unless, of course, the Mark Ingram injury is worse than thought.  Trent Richardson is going to run for about 2000 yards and 50 TD's next year and Caleb King should be the man down in Georgia.  Edwin Baker continues to split carries and Michael Dyer could be a manbeast at Auburn. 

A "Lights Out" Alternative posted by Randolph Charlotin

A day after the NFL Network revealed San Diego shopped OLB Shawn Merriman during the NFL Draft to New Orleans and two other teams, the Patriots re-signed DE Derrick Burgess. Knowing what is out there, Burgess’ return doesn’t excite the fan base much.

If given a choice between the two players, the average person would prefer Shawn “Lights Out” Merriman over Derrick “No Moniker” Burgess. But the bottom line is Burgess is better for the Patriots than Merriman.

It’s easy to point to money being the main reason, as Burgess probably resigned for just several hundred thousand dollars compared to Merriman’s tender which is valued at $3.27 million. But it’s deeper than that.

First look at Merriman’s situation. What is known is the Chargers would had exchanged Merriman for a first round pick if it wasn’t for Merriman’s agent, Tom Condon, demanding a new lucrative contract from his new team. Merriman has since fired Condon for David Dunn, removing the perceived obstacle.

If Dunn can speak any sense into Merriman, Dunn will convince Shawn to sign his tender and play for a new contract.

Merriman wants to be paid like Dallas’ DeMarcus Ware and Minnesota’s Jared Allen after seeing the deals signed by the league’s best pass rushers. But Merriman has to reestablish his reputation as the AFC’s most feared pass rusher before he gets comparable money.

In his first three years, Merriman totaled 39.5 sacks and earned three Pro Bowl selections. But he missed all but the season opener in 2008 and nagging injuries last year slashed his production down to just four sacks. Merriman considers himself healthy heading into 2010 and he will be motivated. If he recaptures his dominant play, $3.27 million for the year would be a bargain.

Should the Patrots Draft Tim Tebow? posted by Ed West

For football fans another very exciting time is coming up soon.  The NFL Draft is mere weeks away and for many this begins another exciting NFL season.  This is when teams address needs that were evident last season or try to fill holes left by a retirement, trade, or losing a player to free agency.  This is when hope springs eternal and every team is destined for Super Bowl glory.  This is also the time of year when fans get to first guess (before their teams drafts) and then second guess (after their teams has drafted) the players that are available this year. 

This year like every other year there are many players with whom it seems there is no doubt about their abilities and whether a team should draft them.  People are not trying to decide if Bradford should go in the first round, but where.  The same could be said of Suh, Gerald McCoy, and Eric Berry.  These are not players that are being discussed because their abilities are questionable, but because they can't be questioned.  These are players that if your team had a pick and they were available you would be on your knees begging and pleading for your team to pick them.  Rams fans may be doing that right now.  Please, pick Sam Bradford, please! Tampa Bay fans are hoping that Suh or McCoy are available, but will be happy with Berry.  Then you have the curious case of Tim Tebow.

Curious because I find it hard to remember someone who has one the Heisman as well as two National Championships and has been considered by many to be one of the greatest college football players EVER and still generated so many questions of which round he should be drafted in.  Which round? Seriously? Now, mind you I am not saying that Mr. Tebow should be snatched up in the top of the first round.  I would not feel that it would be bad if he slipped into the second round, but there are analysts saying that he should be drafted in the 3rd, 4th, or even 5th round.  Have they watched the same games that I did? I am a fan of the New England Patriots and living down in Florida have had opportunity to get a front row seat on the Tim Tebow fan club express.  He is a legend down here and with good reason.  As a Patriots fan though I was interested to hear that they had chosen to meet with Tebow.  They have Brady, some would say.  Why would they need Tebow? Is he going to be a tight end? A running back? Here is my thought and what I feel is being tremendously overlooked by many people.  Tim Tebow is an athlete.  Just look at what he did in college football, playing in the SEC which is arguably the best conference in college football.  He has talent, and for a team like the Patriots who won't need him to step right in a play quarterback this year, he has potential.  You say he doesn't have an NFL delivery.  I say he has time to learn it from a man who some consider to be one of the best ever.  I think that he would learn a lot watching a three time Super Bowl Champion, two time Super Bowl MVP, one time regular season MVP, and also the record holder for most passes in a season.

The Underestimated posted by Amari Harris

Whenever I think back to this past Sunday’s game against the Vikings, everything just seems blurred.  Although the final score read 34-3, I just can’t imagine how things got out of control so quickly.  The Cowboys were moving the ball well and playing pretty well on defense initially.  Then suddenly, they were getting stampeded.  Not by Adrian Peterson.  Not even by Chester Taylor.  They weren’t even being mauled by Minnesota’s Pro Bowl laden offensive line.  So what the hell happened?!  Well in review, it was a lot of things but at the same time it was one thing:  respect.  The Cowboys underestimated and undervalued players on the Vikings and players on their own team.  They underestimated the effect of a home field advantage in Minnesota.  They also under estimated the amount of desperation that needs to be displayed in every playoff game.  Somewhere between beating the Eagles twice and getting demolished by the Vikings, the Cowboys forgot that they were playing the one of the top 2 teams in the conference.

The Cowboys had to hear all of the media hype about how they were the hottest team in the NFC and that Minnesota was having all of these internal problems.  So they assumed (as did I) that they were equal to Minnesota and all they had to do was play their game.  If the game was played in Cowboys stadium that would have been true, but as Vishante Shiancoe so eloquently stated,  “That's the suburbs down there. This is the 'hood. The Cowboys had a solid game plan going in, but they couldn’t adjust to the fierce pass rush and the loud stadium in crucial situations.  And the fact that Wade Phillips ultimately put more trust in

Saints in the Super Bowl after 31-28 win over Favre and the Vikings posted by Joe Anello

Are you ready for two weeks of hype for a Brett Favre versus Peyton Manning Super Bowl?

Well TOO FREAKING BAD! The Saints were having none of it today. And what a coincidence that in a year marred by missed field goals, it was on the leg of lesser-known Saints kicker Garrett Hartley that the Saints earned a spot in their first ever Super Bowl with a 31-28 win over the Vikings.

With two minutes left to go in a 28-all tie, Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings marched the ball down the field in the hopes of setting up a game-winning field goal. A costly 12-man in the huddle penalty put the Vikes in a third and 15 situation, forcing Brad Childress to call a pass. It was there that the Brett Favre gunslinger of years past appeared on the field, throwing an interception to end any hopes of ending this game in regulation and to keep the Saints' hopes alive. And then there was overtime. The Vikings never saw the ball, so Favre's last play on the field as a Viking (this season, anyway) ended with an interception. The Saints started at the 39 and drove the length of the field, with three plays receiving lengthy reviews, ending in a 40-yard Hartley field goal.

It was a slug-fest all night long, with each team scoring 14 points in each half. Brett Favre was planed on the turf early and often, obviously a focal point of the Saints defensive strategy. The same passes Favre completed early while being hit were incomplete or intercepted as the game drew on. He simply could not stand up to the constant beating, despite never actually being sacked. Conversely, Brees also fumbled twice but didn't lose either and threw no interceptions. New Orleans' one turnover beats Minnesota's five. It was that simple.

Joe's Opening Drive: Conference Championship Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Here it is: the last weekend of real football. Conference Championship Sunday is here and isn't lacking for drama. From Brett Favre and Peyton Manning's legacy to the Jets' dominating defense or the surge in New Orleans, every team is a great story. Who do I think will make it to the Super Bowl in Miami? Read on in this edition of the Opening Drive!

New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
2:00PM ET CBS

If the New York Jets weren't crazy enough already, just wait if they somehow manage to defeat Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. They will be insufferable for the two weeks heading into the Super Bowl, and I'm not even talking about the fans. That team is boisterous and confident thanks to their equally as cocky head coach Rex Ryan. All-Pro corner Darelle Revis will be locked against Reggie Wayne, leaving Dallas Clark for the Jet safeties or linebackers to handle. New York's defense should have no problems shutting down the Indy running game, so the pressure is on their secondary to cover Manning's complement of receivers. On the offensive side of the ball, Ryan must ensure rookie QB Mark Sanchez isn't put in dangerous situations. If all goes to plan the Jets will have 40-plus rushing attempts with Shonn Greene and Thomas Jones, keeping Sanchez somewhere in the 18-24 pass attempt range. Any more than that and the Jets cannot win. 

When Jim Caldwell decided to shut it down in week 16 against the Jets, I'm sure he didn't give it a second thought that he could see Rex Ryan's scrappy bunch again in the playoffs. Now Caldwell's highly criticized decision will be under the microscope again as his Colts welcome in the team they let into the postseason. Now we all know about the prolific offense powered by Peyton Manning's brilliance, but the Colt running game has been missing all season. They ran the ball a healthy 25 times last week but only managed 42 yards. They use the pass to set up the run, but Manning will have no problem slinging it all day long like he has all year. What hasn't been addressed enough is the stellar play of the Colt defense this year and in their playoff game from last week. While everyone wants to debate Indy's offense vs the Jet defense, the Colts defense is the real key. If they can hold up against the Jets ground and pound attack early and force a few punts, they can eventually force Mark Sanchez to throw the ball late. Against Dwight Freeney and that pass rush, that's exactly what the Colts want.

Cowboys make quiet exit from playoffs with 34-3 loss to Vikings posted by Joe Anello

Count me among the "fooled" pundits who thought the Dallas Cowboys would have the upper hand over the Minnesota Vikings in their divisional round match-up. How wrong we were. Tony Romo turned the ball over three times en route to an embarrassing 34-3 loss to Brett Favre and the Vikings. 

The beleaguered Dallas star regressed tremendously from the cautiously efficient QB he became in the latter half of the regular season and last week's win over Philly. Two first half fumbles put the Cowboys in a deep hole. As bad as Romo was, Favre was just the opposite, throwing three TD's to Sidney Rice and another late to Visanthe Shiancoe without tossing a single interception. Needing to complete only 15 passes, Favre relied heavily on his stout defense and a running game that was consistent while not spectacular. Adrian Peterson carried the ball 22 times for a meager 59 yards but kept the defense honest along with back-up Chester Taylor. Dallas did not have that luxury.

Romo was under pressure all afternoon from a relentless Viking front four. Dallas managed to move the ball well in the first half but couldn't give their quarterback enough protection to make short throws, much less down the field. Sacked six times, Romo was constantly running for his life, unable to settle in the pocket and find open receivers. Jason Witten's ten receptions make for a good stat line, but he has never been a game-breaker. Dallas could never mount a drive without shooting themselves in the foot with penalties or turnovers. 

Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Sunday posted by Joe Anello

Even if yesterday's were drama-less (story of the playoffs so far), I couldn't miss a second. That won't change today as the most hyped game of the weekend starts Divisional round Sunday. New York's Cinderella story (is Rex Ryan the fairy godmother?) closes out the night with a west coast appearance. The Opening Drive of Divisional Sunday in the NFL starts now!

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
1:00PM ET FOX

I don't know if you knew, but Brett Favre is a Viking. Back for one last (?) Super Bowl run, Favre has done all Minnesota has asked him. Now its time for his team to show up. That means blocking for Adrian Peterson and the secondary showing up to play. Hopefully Brad Childress did some coaching this week,

Dallas has been under fire for failing in December and the post-season for several years. Now, they've broken both "jinxes" and found themselves one game away from the NFC title game. Wade Philips saved his job with a pounding of Philadelphia last weekend and will look to blow Favre up in the pocket. 

Analysis: Minnesota wishes they had Dallas' offense. The Cowboys have been committed to and successful with the run, and Romo has been efficient with 20-26 throws a game. Felix Jones needs another huge run to loosen up the Vikings' D so Miles Austin can strike deep against poor-playing corners. Favre will be under pressure from DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer and Jay Ratliff all afternoon, which will cause at least one interception, maybe two. Dallas' defense is playing dominant football while the Vikings have been inconsistent at best. Adrian Peterson has to be the game-breaker today and not the poster child for fumblitis.

Exercising the Demons posted by Amari Harris

The Cowboys have a huge match-up this week against the #2 seed Minnesota Vikings.  But, I don’t think that will keep any Cowboys fan from relishing in what has transpired over the last month.  Over these last 4 weeks the Cowboys have exercised all of their “demons” and now simply have to go into the Metrodome and take on the 12-4 Minnesota Vikings led by Brett Favre to advance to the NFC championsip.  Piece of cake, right?  Well before we stuff ourselves, let’s digest the last month of the season and see what the Cowboys were able to stomach (pun intended). 

Demon #1:  DECEMBER

It all started in New Orleans when the Cowboys took on the undefeated New Orleans Saints.  They were coming off back to back losses to the Chargers and Giants and the December monster continued to loom.  Most experts predicted that the Cowboys would not only lose Saturday night in New Orleans , but that they could possibly free fall out of the playoffs with more late-season losses.  The Cowboys went on to man handle the Saints for the majority of the game and DeMarcus Ware added a signature performance  to his growing legacy. 

After handing New Orleans its first  loss of the season, the Cowboys took on a semi-surging Washington Redskins team that wanted to show what they had to new GM Bruce Allen.  Result:  17-0 shut-out, courtesy of Wade Phillips and his suddenly vaunted defense.  The Cowboys had punched their ticket to the playoffs but I have to admit that there were

First Playoff Win in 14 Years For 'Boys posted by Nicholas Schwartz

The Dallas Cowboys have pulled off their first playoff win in years.  Tony Romo is now 1-2 in the playoffs, and Wade Phillips finally has won one himself.  Phillips and Romo had been known as "choke artists" in the past years, Romo fumbling a kicker hold against the Seattle Seahawks and throwing an interception late against the New York Giants.

However,  not only did they win, but they won in convincing fashion against the Philadelphia Eagles.  Holding one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL to 14 points in two games, the defense is playing inspired football.  With the front 7 applying pressure on the running game and the quarterback, the secondary locks down on big name receivers.   Next week is a favorable match up against the Minnesota Vikings offensive line.  They continue to allow Favre to be sacked, and Adrian Peterson is unable to have his explosive speed contribute when he can barely get to the line of scrimmage.  

Romo continues to play the best football of his career with 2 touchdowns and 244 yards.  This is far from the Romo of December and January's past; he has truly learned how to hold onto the ball and avoid turnovers while still being a big play threat.   Miles Austin is his deep threat, but Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton continue to be huge 3rd down targets.  Even Roy Williams is looking in sync with Romo, catching a bullet pass that was way over his head.

The Vikings had a great regular season, but were beginning to see a bit of slump towards the end.  The defense was unable to harass opposing quarterbacks and the offense was stagnant at times.  As Favre is pressured more and becomes frustrated, he makes far more errant passes.  The lone exception to this was the beat down the Vikes put on the Giants in the final game of the regular season.  They began to combine everything they had put together early in the season and were able to rebuild some confidence.  Still, with a bye week they could be sluggish.  Only time will tell how this match up will end, but you have to like the Cowboys chances. 

Favre throws for 187 yards, 2 INTs (AP)

Opening night is less than two weeks away and Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings are still trying to figure out exactly what they have in a banged-up receiving corps and a rotating offensive line. Favre's two newest targets made pretty good impressions just days after arriving in Minnesota. So did Seattle rookie safety Earl Thomas. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Vikings acquire WR Camarillo from Miami (AP)

The Minnesota Vikings have acquired receiver Greg Camarillo from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for cornerback Benny Sapp. Sapp's agent tweeted Wednesday that his client was headed to Miami. A person with knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press that the Dolphins were trading Camarillo to the Vikings in return. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Sidney Rice surgery thins Vikings' receiver depth (SportingNews.com)

Pro Bowl wide receiver Sidney Rice of the Minnesota Vikings had hip surgery Tuesday in a move that's expected to sideline him during a critical eight-game stretch that includes the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. Considering the day-to-day uncertainty of No. 2 wideout Percy Harvin (migraines) and the lack of depth even with the signing of Javon Walker, it's not a stretch to say the Vikings are in danger of losing their two-year grip on the NFC North even before the season-opening... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Vikings WR Rice out after hip surgery (AP)

The Minnesota Vikings say receiver Sidney Rice has had hip surgery, a procedure that could keep the Pro Bowler out for the first half of the season or more. The team posted an update on its website Tuesday. It's a huge blow for the Vikings, who have very little depth at receiver. Percy Harvin has struggled with migraines and the team signed veteran Javon Walker on Tuesday to help out. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Vikings' Harvin collapses, hospitalized (AP)

Percy Harvin experienced the scariest episode yet in a career plagued by migraine headaches when he collapsed at Minnesota Vikings' practice Thursday and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Coach Brad Childress left team headquarters after practice and spent the rest of the afternoon at the hospital with Harvin, who also got visits from other coaches and teammates. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports