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      Early 2011 Super Bowl odds plus five sleeper NFC teams

      February 9, 2010 /

      According to theSpread.com, the Colts are 6/1 favorites to win the 2011 Super Bowl. Ironically enough, the team that beat the Colts in this year’s Super Bowl, the Saints, is 8/1 to win in 2011.

      Seeing as how no NFC team has made back-to-back appearances in the Super Bowl since the Cowboys Packers did it in the late 90s, there is value on throwing some change on a couple of sleeper teams for next season.

      For example:

      Dallas Cowboys 12/1
      The odds on the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl may never be better. Wade Phillips had their defense playing outstanding football at the end of the year and if Jerry Jones can find Tony Romo another playmaker to go along with Miles Austin and Jason Witten in the passing game, then the Cowboys will be dangerous again next season. This team got the playoff monkey off its back last year and assuming they have another solid offseason, they could easily win the NFC East again and possibly earn one of the top two seeds in the postseason.

      Green Bay Packers 12/1
      The Packers averaged almost 30 points a game last year thanks to an explosive passing attack that featured quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. If they can find a way to upgrade their offensive line in the offseason, they could have a top 5 offense again next season and be even more explosive than they were in 2009. And assuming the defense grows more comfortable in Dom Capers’ system, they should be improved in that area as well. If Brett Favre doesn’t come back and the Vikings don’t find a capable replacement for him under center, then the Packers will be the team to beat in the NFC North.

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      NFL, Super Bowl

      Correcting Bill Simmons, Part 6: Bill’s not-so-great NFL overtime idea

      February 9, 2010 /

      In his retro-diary of the second half of Super Bowl XLIV, Bill Simmons explains his seemingly infallible NFL overtime idea.

      9:25: Two straight first-down throws. Suddenly we’re on the Saints’ 36. I remember thinking, “Great, they’ll tie it, then whichever teams wins the coin toss will march down and score, and we’ll have to hear about how to fix overtime for the next nine months. Shoot me.”

      (FYI: I know how to fix it. Win the toss and score a touchdown, game over. Make a field goal on the opening drive and the opponent gets one possession of its own. From there, sudden death rules. Find a hole in that idea. You can’t.)

      Um, yes I can. Doesn’t his idea have the same problem as current system? The team that wins the toss still has the advantage. If Team A drives down and kicks a field goal, and Team B kicks its own field goal to tie the game, and now the game is decided by sudden death, doesn’t the team that gets the ball first (Team A) still have the advantage?

      Sure, if Team A kicks a field goal, Team B has an opportunity to win the game with a touchdown, but they still are at a disadvantage if the game is tied after each team gets a possession. This isn’t fair, seeing as both teams were equally effective on their first overtime drive.

      I like the blind bid idea. On a note card, each coach writes down the yard line at which he’s willing to take the ball, and whichever team that is willing to take the ball closest to its own goal line gets possession. Each team has an equal opportunity at possession and there is strategy involved. Do you have more faith in your offense or your defense? Would you rather take possession at your own 15-yard line or give the ball to to the other team at the 18-yard line?

      It’s fair and fun.

      Barstool Debates, NFL

      Washington Redskins 2010 Team Needs

      February 9, 2010 /

      As part of our 2010 NFL Draft coverage, I will be breaking down positional needs for all 32 teams, starting in reverse alphabetical order. First up, the Washington Redskins. Check out other team needs by clicking here.

      1. Offensive Line
      People can blame former head coach Jim Zorn for all of the Redskins’ offensive woes last season, but the fact of the matter is that if the team doesn’t re-build their offensive line this offseason then Mike Shanahan won’t succeed either. Shanahan will implement the zone blocking scheme in Washington, but the problem is he doesn’t currently have the right players to fit the scheme. Chris Samuels (neck) career is in jeopardy, Randy Thomas isn’t durable and is aging, and the team lacks serious depth at all five positions. There’s a large contingent that thinks the Skins should draft a quarterback in April, but offensive line is far and away their biggest need and might be addressed with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round.

      2. Running back
      Clinton Portis has clearly lost a step, but what’s worse is that he began the offseason by criticizing Jason Campbell for not being a leader and just recently, he admitted to asking for fullback Mike Sellers to be benched during a game last season. The problem is that even if the Skins did want to rid themselves of Portis, he’s guaranteed $6.43 million in 2010. Regardless, running back remains a need, as Laddell Betts, Quinton Gantehr and Marcus Mason should be viewed only for depth purposes.

      3. Quarterback
      This is all contingent on whether or not Shanahan views Jason Campbell as the right player to run his offense. Campbell isn’t Joe Montana, but he would be fine if he had more weapons at his disposal and played behind a real offensive line. But if Shanahan wants to draft a quarterback at No. 4, then Campbell will likely serve as the starter until the young signal caller is ready to take over. But if the Redskins do go that route, they run the risk of alienating Campbell (which Daniel Snyder did last year too by pursing free agent Byron Leftwich), who may request a trade. We’ll see what Shanahan decides.

      Cornerback and overall depth in the secondary are also needs for the Skins this offseason.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL, NFL Draft

      Will the Saints look to trade Bush this offseason?

      February 9, 2010 /

      One of the main questions that the Super Bowl champion Saints will need to answer this offseason is whether or not they will retain Reggie Bush for 2010. He’s still under contract for another year, but he’s due $8 million, which is hefty price tag for a part-time player.

      Bush has never shown the ability to consistently run between the tackles and his durability is always a concern, but he will still be a hot commodity if the Saints decide to move him this offseason. He’s a threat to score with the ball in his hands, is a dangerous punt returner and is also the very definition of a playmaker. Some team would want him if he were to become available, especially if New Orleans agrees to pay part of his salary (or even if they don’t).

      I can’t help making the obvious connection between Bush and the Seattle Seahawks, who recently hired former USC head coach Pete Carroll and who are in desperate need of offensive playmakers. If anyone knew how to best utilize Bush’s talent, it would be Carroll and offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates.

      But let’s get back to the original question: Will the Saints look to move Bush this offseason? An outright release seems unlikely given that he’s only 24 and still adds value to their offense and on special teams. He proved his worth in the playoffs and even at $8 million, he’s worth 10 touchdowns a year in some capacity.

      The problem is that the Saints have 18 restricted free agents, including Bush’s fellow backfield mate Pierre Thomas, All-Pro guard Jahri Evans, safety Roman Harper and offensive tackles Jermon Bushrod and Jammal Brown. Even in an uncapped year, $8 million would go a long way for a team that needs new deals for the aforementioned starters, not to mention unrestricted free agents like Darren Sharper and Scott Fujita.

      The Saints have an interesting dilemma on their hands this offseason when it comes to whether or not to retain Bush. Considering they just won the Super Bowl, now isn’t the best time to start ripping their team apart but $8 million is a lot of dough to give one player when a team has 21 pending free agents to worry about.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL, Rumors & Gossip

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