Now I’m not one of these fans who goes to the local bar sporting his favorite players jersey from over a decade ago.  Showing up with other similar fans who think their team is going to draft the next big thing.  As from my last post on the NFL Draft entitled “The Lions Guide to the NFL Draft” you can see that you’re not guaranteed anything, but a bust in the draft.  This time around I’m going about this in a different way.  I’ve noticed that there are some great players and there are some potential headaches in this years class.  Some with a lot to lose and some with a lot to gain.  Three to be exact.  We’ll finish this on a positive note so I will start with the ones to lose.

1. DT Ndamukong Suh Nebraska
He is a great player.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not putting him here because of his talent, do you know where he will end up?  The Detroit Lions are projected by everyone to pick Suh.  I get why.  He is a one of a kind player who has tremendous strength on the line and can hold his own against anyone.  Lions head coach Jim Schwartz was the defensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans before he became the head coach in Detroit.  He’s seen what a premier defensive tackle can do for a team (Albert Haynesworth).  Suh I think will be a better pro than Haynesworth although he is still one of the better defensive lineman around.  The problem here is the history of busts in Detroit.  Things could be changing though.  Five of the Lions ten picks last year played significant time for them.  Four of them were their first four picks.  They are picking smart and will make another smart decision taking Suh, but how will it pan out in D-Town?

2. CB Joe Haden Florida
Again it has nothing to do with his potential or talent as a player in the NFL.  He is stuck in a situation that has him going from a sure top 10 pick to a middle to late first round pick.  Why?  It’s simple.  There are too many potential shut down corners in this years draft.  That means other teams in need of one can go after another position and then draft their shutdown corner in the second or third rounds.  Plus history tells us that Haden’s position hardly ever gets selected in the top ten.  In the past decade, only six cornerbacks were taken in the top 10.  The last being in 2005.  If Jets CB Darrelle Revis can’t be selected in the top 10, you know their is a problem.  But with all that said, I’m sure Haden will great in the NFL.  He’s too good not to be.

3. RB C.J. Spiller Clemson
Like with Haden, Spiller is in the same class.  Great player, but his position doesn’t warrant spending a top pick on.  Time and time again teams can find a great running back in the second, third even seventh rounds nowadays.  C.J. is kind of in the mold of Darren McFadden when he was drafted out of Arkansas.  A big, fast back who can be a great returner and can catch the ball out of the backfield.  Look where McFadden is now since being the fourth pick overall in the ’08 draft.  That’s not his fault, but the Raiders didn’t have to draft him.  Unfortunately for McFadden he was the best player available and his speed did him in with Al Davis.  That won’t be the case with Spiller because he isn’t that every down back that some teams want.  Actually does anyone have a every down back?  He’s the best running back in this years crop, but he won’t go any higher than 13.

Finish on a positive note

1. QB Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame
He is gonna luck out no matter what.  He played in a pro-style system with Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.  He showed great efficiency in his last year there (28 TD to 4 INT).  There are at least five teams in the top 15 that would take him.  One with two picks.  He is in a win-win situation.  I wouldn’t suggest that whoever take him throw him right away, but the learning curve should be pretty short.  There are still bumps in the road as far as his health (toe), but his mechanics are right up there with Sam Bradford who will most likely end up being the number one pick.  Clausen unlike other quarterbacks the last few drafts i.e Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn won’t have to wait around too long before his name is called in New York.  Being a hot commodity is always a good thing.

2. WR Dez Bryant Oklahoma State
I was one of the first people to defend Bryant when he was suspended the rest of the ’09 season for lying to NCAA investigators about his visit to Deion Sanders house.  However, if there was nothing to hide, why did you lie?  That’s the only flaw I saw in that incident.  But when the interview and workout process began there was talk of him possibly becoming a prima donna and a cancer in the locker room.  Umm, isn’t that the case with almost every wide receiver now?  Bryant is taking the high and will use this as motivation.  Kind of like what Randy Moss did to the rest of the league when he burst on to the scene in 1998 when he dropped to the 21st pick.  Bryant won’t have those kind of numbers, but he will make an impact where ever he ends up.  If he drops to the 25th pick where Baltimore sits, look out.  Dez being paired with Anquan Boldin is a scary thought.  How can drafting this guy be a bad thing if you need a playmaker now?

3. QB Tim Tebow Florida
I know I’m gonna hear it for this one, but hear me out first.  Never has there been so much talk about a guy who might go in the first round, but end up being a fourth round pick.  Try to tell me of someone else getting this kind of publicity.  I look at it this way.  Any kind of publicity is good publicity.  Especially in Tebow’s case.  He is getting his name and face out there and gradually more teams began to look at him closer as draft day approached.  He was a system quarterback at Florida.  No doubt.  However, if he ends up in the right situation and is given time to develop, I think he can be a decent player.  It’s too much of a risk to take him in the first or second round, but a team who has an established quarterback and has two-three years to help Tebow along, it will be perfect for both sides.  New England, Indianapolis, Minnesota, just to name a few teams.  Why not?  What do they have to lose?  Tebow can thank his luck star if he ends up in that kind of a gig, because he does not want the pressure so many other high drafted quarterbacks have had.  You know who they are by now.  Tebow I don’t think will be one of them as long as he keeps thinking positive and lands in the right place.

New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

Breakdown: Saints – We finally got a Super Bowl that puts arguably two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today against each other for the ultimate prize. They also possess two of most potent offenses around. Drew Brees is probably the best free agent acquisition of all time. No one has made this kind of an impact in such short a time for his new team. He has truly found a home where his talents are appreciated and there won’t be any rush to push him out the door. Reggie Bush who came gifted wrapped in the draft has been a disappointment, but has emerged at the right time. Jeremy Shockey, although a loud mouth, is a productive cog in the middle for Brees. Marques Colston is a legitimate number one receiving threat and along with Robert Meachem and Devery Henderson as the deep threats, Brees has many weapons to choose from in the passing game. Pierre Thomas compliments the running game and is a good option to throw to out of the backfield. The Saints defense showed that they can smack you in the mouth the entire game with the performance against Brett Favre. Will Smith leads the defensive line in its attack. They’re not great pass rushers, but are great at stopping the run which can lead to a turnover. Jonathan Vilma leads the linebacking corp that are great in coverage and rarely miss an open field tackle. Darren Sharper is no stranger to the Super Bowl. A rookie in Green Bay’s last appearance on the big stage, he will look to continue to make more big plays against a formidable opponent.

Colts – Peyton Manning is going for his second title and continue to solidify his place in football history. His array of weapons include two receivers with 100 catches on the season in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Two of the most reliable pass catchers in the game, they will be counted on to continue with making big plays at key moments. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie were two relative unknowns until the postseason began. They’ve skyrocketed up the depth chart and are part of the aerial attack that will make almost any receiver a household name. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown will counted on to get at least 5 yards a carry when called upon. The running game has been absent for most of the season, but in the past the Colts have been know to surprise their opponents with a big gain on the ground. Dwight Freeney is going to play. The last game of the year there is no way he is not going to play. Robert Mathis is just as big a problem for the Saints as Freeney. They can both sack the quarterback and the running game for New Orleans. The linebackers and secondary are both small, but fast and can get to the ball with lightning speed. Again like with New Orleans, hardly any missed tackles for this defense.

Prediction: Colts 38 Saints 31

Matchup to watch for: New Orleans offense vs. Indianapolis offense

It will be interesting to see the back and forth between these two explosive offenses.

Is it really happening? A sports fanatic questioning whether or not the Super Bowl matters. I’m not going off or on medication folks. Not quite there, but I am a bit saddened at how this event has played out. The powers that be back in the old AFL and NFL days that started this one game didn’t imagine that it would become the biggest game and event of the world. In those days the NFL had the far superior teams until the third and fourth installments in which the AFL teams won. They both came to an understanding, merged and the rest is history. Now though, you have much more involved than just the game and that bothers me.

Television is one of the greatest inventions of all time. I love it. I also hate it. The love-hate relationship is very obvious in the Super Bowl. You don’t need to be there to appreciate the game. You can relax on the couch with your party trays and enjoy the moments where you are comfortable. Not next to a guy who’s had at least six beers before the game and has another six with his tray of hot dogs, nachos and fixens with all the other yahoos who spent way too much just to be there. To avoid that, I love television.

Why do I hate it? For one, the endless breaks or what they call commercials. I get that it gives you the chance for a bathroom break. That’s what the halftime show is for. The Super Bowl commercials have also lost their sex appeal the last six years or so. I get that you need to see the newest car or have the ones to remind you to fill up your glass with a cold one, but they have lost their creativity in relaying the message. You do rarely get the “Tide Stain” or “Bud Light Lobster” or even a fan made one inspired by Doritos. Something about a giant mouse beating the crap out of a guy for Doritos just says a lot for me. But no, we have to have movie previews, stupid show promos for the network, and the new craze will be 3-D. To quote that creepy Mens Warehouse guy, “I guarantee” 3-D will be the next big thing. I mean if your going to shell out over 2.5 million dollars for the spot, go back to your roots. Funny sells more than shock and awe. They will remember it longer too.

You would think that having two weeks of coverage for a football game would be a dream of mine that has finally come true. Hell no and my kind of dream involves me either playing in the game or calling the game. Who the hell wants to talk about it for two weeks? Well the geniuses in the NFL apparently. Radio row is where all the major sports talk shows descend upon the site city to talk and talk endlessly about the game that will take about three and a half hours of their lives. ESPN and NFL Network have made it their mission to make you not want to watch the game as they talk day after day about Dwight Freeney’s freaking ankle. There hasn’t been this much attention on an ankle since Curt Schilling’s bloody sock (which I still think was ketchup). Analysts are over-analyzing, which they do all the time, but I mean if two weeks isn’t enough. You have to talk about the same stuff for up to six hours the day of the game before kickoff. Thank goodness the Pro Bowl was in between because I would’ve thrown in the towel a lot sooner.

I’m not an expert on the entertainment aspect of the halftime show, but I always thought the spectacle that it is was not supposed to have some 60 years or over talent. Rolling Stones, Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Who? Yeah, 20 years ago, but this is supposed to get people to not leave for the restrooms and stick around for the show. I’m not saying bring back the stupid rapping with their pants on the ground act. Some R&B acts would work. Usher to name one. Mix in some country artists like Carrie Underwood. Green Day wouldn’t be bad or some new age rock group. I’m not gonna endorse any Disney created bands. No way. We can all blame Janet Jackson for this debacle. The NFL wants nothing to do with it anymore and the networks don’t want a threat of fines coming their way. Point being we all suffer and I can’t believe it still matters who performs in between halves. Do you? Am I the only one?

It becomes clear that we will endure the constant coverage, endless breaks, and stupid music shows for the foreseeable future. All in all you will spend just as much on party supplies, food and that big screen rental for your Super Bowl party as the sponsors do for a 30 second spot. You will be sitting watching those certain 3-D commercials without any stupid 3-D glasses. You might get to see that occasional good commercial, but you will only get to see it once.

Just when it looks to get worse, the halftime show is a perfect time to recharge your batteries and get another cold one. You begin to realize that the analysts won’t spend two weeks talking about the game itself when it’s over. Someone in the crowd is doused with beer and hot dogs from the drunken idiot who tailgated too hard. Your wallet is still full and your bank account is just the way you left it. When all you care about is the game itself, thank the genius who came up with that great gadget called the DVR. Parts of the event are overrated, but when you want to see a good game there is no better event than the Super Bowl. It only comes once a year.

NY Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts

Breakdown: If you wanted to see what Super Bowl 3 was like, this will the closest thing to that without the Super Bowl attached to it. The Jets were ruled out by everyone including their head coach Rex Ryan leading up to the playoffs. The Jets have put themselves in a good position, the underdog. They blew past the Bengals. Kept pace with the Chargers and are looking to right a wrong with the Colts. Everyone still thinks if the Colts had wanted to play in Week 16, the Jets wouldn’t have won. This is their chance with a power running game lead by Thomas Jones and rookie Shonn Greene. The defense is a perfect mold of what Ryan built as defensive coordinator in Baltimore. Peyton Manning and the Colts have their work cut out for them, but as we’ve seen before, they are probably the best in this situation. The Colts don’t have the power running or a tough smash mouth defense. What they do have is a prolific passing attack that has Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie for Manning to throw to. The Colts don’t have to smash you in the mouth, but will swarm to the ball with lightning speed. Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are the scariest defensive end combo in the league. Their linebackers and secondary are undersized, but know where to be in the right situation. The third time is the charm in picking against the Jets this postseason. Colts win thanks to Manning.

Matchup to watch for: Darrelle Revis Jets CB vs. Reggie Wayne Colts WR

Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints

Breakdown: We all get our dream matchup in the NFC. We all said these were the two best teams before their lackluster finishes to the regular season. The Vikings are led by a resurgent keeping his wranglers off the ground forty year old quarterback Brett Favre. He seemingly can do no wrong. He gets clobbered, still completes a touchdown pass. He gets flushed out of the pocket and still manages to find the open man. I thought Adrian Peterson was going to need to have the big games, but it’s clear that Favre has to. Their defense played a great game against the Cowboys. Tony Romo had no time to think as the line put pressure on him all day last week. They will need to keep it up against the vaunted passing attack of the Saints quarterback Drew Brees. He has found that the running game can be useful and when Reggie Bush plays with aggression, he can be a great asset. The Saints don’t have much to go with defensively except when they force turnovers, they are hard to beat. Most of the time they do capitalize on mistakes and the Vikings have to be prepared for it. I’m expecting a shootout that hopefully won’t end up in a one sided affair like many of the other games so far. The Saints win in what should have been the matchup in Super Bowl 41. Colts vs. Saints.

Matchup to watch for: Vikings defense vs. Reggie Bush Saints RB

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orleans Saints

Breakdown: I will be the first to admit when I’m wrong. Last week when I said, “The Packers win in a blowout.” I was wrong. It was a close game that was the highest combined scoring game in NFL playoff history. It was also an exciting game. This week will be no different. The Saints are rested and looking to explode right out of the gate. Drew Brees is looking to get the Saints back on track after losing their last three games of the regular season. The Cardinals will be without Anquan Boldin for this game as well, but Steve Breaston and Early Doucet were more than ready to carry the load. Kurt Warner when he is on his game is one of the best quarterbacks in the playoffs. I don’t see much defense in this one either and the running games will the second class citizens for both teams. Arizona wins in a semi-shootout/close game.

Matchup to watch for: Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals WR vs. Darren Sharper Saints FS

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

Breakdown: The Ravens come in to Indiana looking to upset another powerhouse in the AFC. Peyton Manning, now a four time MVP, will be looking to quell any criticism of his team for its less than inspired play to finish the season. The city of Baltimore won’t be too upset if they lose to their old franchise. They will be ecstatic if they do beat them though. This is the Super Bowl for those fans that still remember when they had the Colts. The Ravens defense will be the key here. If they can put pressure on Manning like they did with Tom Brady, the game is theirs. The Colts don’t have a running attack to speak of and without Manning they are helpless. The Ravens do need to score their fare share of points to win of course. Joe Flacco is banged up with a hip injury, but it didn’t matter when you have Ray Rice and Willis McGahee to hand it off to. The Colts, however will do just enough to win another game against the Ravens. They simply don’t lose to Baltimore. Colts win barely.

Matchup to watch for: Peyton Manning Colts QB vs. Ray Lewis Ravens LB

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings

Breakdown: Tony Romo looks like a new quarterback. Heck, the Cowboys look like a team that wants to win now. They have perfect balance on the offensive side. The defense is attacking the ball with tremendous speed. The Eagles had two chances at them and never had an answer. The Vikings had plenty of rest now have the task of stopping the Cowboys hot streak. Brett Favre was brought in for this moment. He has to get them past this hurdle and it will probably be smooth sailing to the Super Bowl. Adrian Peterson had better have fixed his fumbling problem because he can’t repeat what happened in the playoffs last year. This will be the best game of the weekend, no doubt. The Vikings defense has their work cut out for them too, but it will just enough with the dome crowd on their side to get one step closer to a title. Vikings win a great game.

Matchup to watch for: Brett Favre Vikings QB vs. DeMarcus Ware Cowboys LB

NY Jets vs. San Diego Chargers

Breakdown: The Jets are on coming off a great win against the Bengals in which everyone expected the Bengals to make a game out of it, but the Jets still hammered them like the week before. Mark Sanchez for a rookie QB isn’t doing a whole lot, but does he have to? They have a great running attack and a defense that gives it right back to that running game. Unfortunately for the Jets, they are running into a Chargers team that has won 11 straight games this season. Philip Rivers has done a fantastic job leading the offense, while the defense is as good as I’ve ever seen it. The Jets have their work cut out for them if the Chargers get out to a two touchdown lead. There aren’t many tricks in Rex Ryan’s playbook to ignite a comeback. Chargers win decidedly.

Mathcup to watch for: Vincent Jackson Chargers WR vs. Darrelle Revis Jets CB