AFC South Preview

Tennessee – Mad Men

Why Mad Men? – I watched the entire first season of Mad Men and three episodes of the second season and decided it was terrible. I just flat out do not like the show. The so-called “cliffhangers” and “mysteries” of Dan Draper are boring. The acting is decent, but I have seen better. If I had to describe Mad Men in one word it would be “overrated”. That’s kind of how I feel about the Tennessee Titans. Not so much the team as a whole, because I don’t mind the Titans and think they could have a really good season actually. I more so mean Chris Johnson and Vince Young. I have been an anti-Vince Young guy since he was at Texas. I think he is a poor man’s Michael Vick, and I never thought Michael Vick was very good. It is easy to say that now that Vick is PETA’s public enemy number one, but I really never liked his game, and for some reason, Vince Young rubs me the same way Vick did. As far as Johnson goes, I understand he is very, very good. His numbers in 2009 are outstanding, and many are saying he could match them or surpass them this season. I suppose from a fantasy standpoint it would be stupid not to pick him first in any fantasy drafts. My problem with Johnson is he hasn’t won anything. Lots of people are anointing him the next Jim Brown, or Emmit Smith, or a lovechild made by Brown and Smith. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. If Johnson has another 2009-caliber year, then I will come around a bit, but for now, let’s let Adrian Peterson hold on to the “best back in the league” trophy for one more year, even if he fumbles it.

Analysis – I have looked at the Titan’s schedule and think they could win 10 or 11 games. That contradicts what I said in the Mad Men portion, but they have a decently easy schedule, and teams are still catching on to the Vince Young-led option offense. I don’t think the Titans will do much in the playoffs if they do in fact make it, but I think with their mixture of speed and Jeff Fisher’s consistent coaching, they could be a handful all year.

Favorite Player – Kerry Collins. I love the fact he is still on an NFL roster, while his college teammate Ki-Jana Carter has been out of the league for what seems like 20 years.

Least Favorite Player – Vince Young. Never really have liked the guy. I don’t have any particular reason for this, just don’t like him very much.

2009 Record – 8-8

2010 Prediction – 11-5

Houston – V

Why V? –

Many years ago the show “V” premiered starring the guy who played Freddy Kruger (not the new Freddy Kruger played by Rorschach/Kelly Leak, but the old Freddy). It was somewhat trendy and cool and all-in-all not very successful. In other words, it was the Houston Oilers of the TV world. In 2009, ABC decided to revive the V series and designed a wide ranging promotional scheme for the show, obviously thinking it would be the new LOST. It wasn’t LOST, but it was OK. The critics and ABC execs were waiting for it to break through, to be elite. It hasn’t yet, but maybe in the second season it will pick up some steam. This is the Houston Texans of TV shows. The Oilers were no more, and Houston tried to revive football with the Texans. For a couple years now, many experts have been waiting for the breakout season from the Texans where they finally make the playoffs. It hasn’t happened yet, even though they were OK last year. The question is: is 2010 the year of V and will the Texans lost their playoff V-card? I wouldn’t bet on it.

Analysis: I’m going to go against the grain here and say the Texans win fewer games than last year. The offense is obviously going to be explosive, led by Matt Schaub, breakout running back Arian Foster, faster-than-shit Steve Slaton, and who many consider the best receiver in the NFL, Andre Johnson. The defense will be fine, with Mario Williams continuing to shut up critics about his being drafted before Reggie Bush, but they are far from a dominating defense. The big questions surrounding the Texans are: can the offense put up enough points to win games with a non-elite defense, and can they win the big games.

Favorite Player – Matt Leinart. He’s a Texan! So-Cal boy in Texas. should be interesting.

Least Favorite Player – Jeremiah Johnson. Just because I’m jealous of mountain men and their beards and ruggedness. This is the same Jeremiah Johnson right?

2009 Record – 9-7

2010 Prediction – 8-8

Jacksonville – Nip/Tuck

Why Nip/Tuck? –

Nip/Tuck came out with a bang. The first couple season were just awesome. The shenanigans of Christian. The term “fluffer”. The Carver. Kimber. It was all so new and fresh. Then it started to get weird. The Carver was the last great season of Nip/Tuck that I saw (haven’t seen the final two seasons yet). Towards the end it started to fade into obscurity and many forgot the glory days. The Jacksonville Jaguars came out with a bang also. The Mark Brunell led Jags were an exciting team to watch. The new teal color was hip (I had a Brunell jersey, I admit it). Fred Taylor was running wild. Keenan McCardell was catching Brunell TD’s. All was good in Jacksonville. Now? It’s pretty lame. David Garrard has proven to be sub-par. Maurice Jones-Drew is an elite back, but I feel like the Jags are wasting his best years. The receivers are nothing to write home about. If the Jags don’t clean up their act soon, they may be moving to LA. Just like McNamara/Troy.

Analysis – I’m quite down on the Jags this year. As I already said, I hate Garrard as a starter. MJD needs to be on a contender before his legs give out from carrying the load. I’m not crazy about Mike Sims-Walker and feel he is overrated in both real life and fantasy leagues. I do think Jack Del Rio does a good job with defenses, and this one has two Hawkeyes in Aaron Kampman and Sean Considine, so that is a plus. I think the Jags are slated to be one of the worse teams in the AFC.

Favorite Player – John Estes. Estes is a center from Hawaii on the injured reserve, Apparently.

Least Favorite Player – David Garrard. I don’t like Garrard for the simple fact he was my backup on a fantasy team and sucked. Bad.

2009 Record – 7-9

2010 Prediction – 3-13

Indianapolis – Friday Night Lights

Why Friday Night Lights?

– Even though some Dillon Panthers, or East Dillon Lions for that matter, have left the show, the one constant is Coach Taylor. Coach Eric Taylor makes Friday Night Lights one of the best shows on television, and possibly the best sports show ever. The Taylor’s are your prototypical football family. There is nothing flashy about Coach Taylor, but he gets the job done, he makes players out of scrubs, and he wins. Sound like anybody in the NFL? Peyton Manning could inherit the Eastern Illinois offense and win eight or nine games. Peyton makes receivers stars, not vice-versa. We have seen many receivers (save for Brandon Stokely’s circus catch last year) leave Peyton and fade into obscurity. Marvin Harrison leaves? No big deal. Hello Reggie Wayne. Wayne gets double teamed? Let’s usher in the Pierre Garcon era. Even Dallas Clark, who I love, wouldn’t be as good if he didn’t have Peyton throwing to him. Friday Nights Lights has a lot more drama than the Colts, but both continue to be great by riding on one persons shoulders, and I dont mean Riggins' uncomfortably handsome shoulders.

Analysis – The Colts are not being picked by many people to go to the Super Bowl this year. I don’t know if it’s because the experts just love the Jets and Ravens that much, or if it just too easy and boring to pick Indy. I am picking Indy to go to the Super Bowl. They should be the defending champions right now if not for a second half meltdown in the Super Bowl. The 2010 Colts will have a chip on their shoulder. Peyton Manning is going to lead the offense, along with Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Pierre Garcon to the AFC championship. The question surrounding the Colts centers on the defense. Will the defense be good enough to win against the good teams? With Bob Sanders back, it should be as good or better than last year. It will be interesting to see how Pat Angerer performs when Gary Brackett is not in the game. Any Hawkeye fan has to be a fan of the Colts this year.

Favorite Player – 4-way tie. Peyton Manning is the man. That’s all there is too it regarding Peyton. I saw him play in person and his passes are so accurate it is beyond belief. Then the three Hawkeyes on the team: Clark, Sanders, and Angerer, also hold a special place in my heart. If Mitch King ever starts, this may be a 5-way tie.

Least Favorite Player – Anthony Gonzalez. He is a Buckeye, which is never good, and I remember a story about him sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber or something. That’s not macho.

2009 Record – 14-2

2010 Prediction – 11-5