RANDY MOSS IS OFFICIALLY A MINNESOTA VIKING

Early reports show that Moss has been traded from New England for a 2011 3rd round draft pick.
Winner: Vikings, now Farve has a downfield threat, a slot receiver in Harvin, and the best north/south running back in the NFL. The Vikings just significantly upgraded their offence.
Loser: Patriots, everyone picks the Pats to lose when Welker doesn't play because he make the offense go. Now with Moss gone, Welker will see double coverage on every passing down, leading me to believe two things: 1, The Patriots have their eye on a mid season pickup or 2, Ben Tate and Julian Edelman better grow up FAST.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL PREDICTION

We GOT FOOTBALL ACTION YO!
Season Record: (0-0)

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints (-6)

The defending champions will defend their title mightily. The Vikings are not ready for the season yet. One more week of preparation would have done them good. Farve got a shot of a lubricant in his ankle two weeks ago, and I am not fully convinced he is where he needs to be. The Saints offense is phenomenal. They are the same, more experienced, offense from last year, and they are healthy. Brees should look in mid-season form here, as his three-step-drop passing style will work well against the strong pass rush of the Vikings front seven. Reggie Bush will be a mismatch for the Vikings linebackers, and the deep pass could cause problems as well. Drew Brees has a career 95 quarterback rating at home, and in the past two seasons the Saints are 11-4 at home and Brees has a 43:9 TD to INT ratio. The Saints will light up the scoreboard early, and running the ball in the second half will take the clock away from the Vikings. The Saints win the opening game of the 2010 season, New Orleans 30 - Minnesota 20.

NFC NORTH

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: (12-4 2009)

Brett Farve, Brett Farve, Brett Farve. The Vikings go the way Farve goes and the season forecast will be tough for Minnesota to win big. Starting the season off against the defending champion Saints, and then against the Miami Dolphins in week 2. A break against the revamped Detroit Lions should be a win, but after a Week 4 bye week the Vikings go on a tough eight week stretch. Farve will take his boys to the Jets, Packers, Patriots, Bears, and Redskins. And they will also host Dallas, Arizona, and Green Bay. Mix the Giants and the Eagles in the final four weeks of the season, and the Vikings have an extremely challenging schedule. With Farve getting his legs under him, Adrian Peterson running left and right, and Jared Allen anchoring the defense the Vikings have a tough road ahead of them. How the Vikings are able to handle the games without, recently surgically repaired, wide receiver Sydney Rice will play a pivot role as well as to how this season will go for the Vikings. As good as this team is on paper, they will have to be even better on the field to be a contender when the end of the season approaches. A few losses in a row could spark the inevitable controversy that exists between Farve and head coach Brad Childress. The "rift" that Farve and Childress share is apparent, but wins will keep it quiet and losses will only make it more visible for the fans and media to see. Can Farve's old legs bring it for one more season? We all know it is extremely possible. But this team will have to play sixty minutes as hard as they can for all sixteen games of the season.

DETROIT LIONS: (2-14 2009)

Ndamukong Suh was a huge draft pick for the Lions and his high-motor intensity on the field will clearly make a much needed difference for what looks to be a rejuvenated Detroit Lions football team. Suh, veteran cornerback Dre Bly, and newly acquired right end Kyle Vanden Bosch will bring new life to the Lions defense. On the offensive side of the ball, Matthew Stafford seems poised to have a very solid sophmore season. With Calvin Johnson split to the right, Stafford has a Pro Bowl option to throw to, but with Kevin Smith running the ball hard and rookie running back Jahvid Best providing a home-run-hitter effect anytime he touches the ball, this offense is getting closer to becoming stable and consistent. Stafford has what it takes to be a solid NFL quarterback. Calvin Johnson is an absolute beast, and if the Lions keep themselves in games in the fourth quarter, there will be new hope in the locker room and in the stadium seating. The future is bright for the Lions.

CHICAGO BEARS: (7-9 2009)

The Bears acquired defensive end Julius Peppers and return line backer and captain Brian Urlacher to rejuvenate what used to be a stout and ferocious defense. But, nothing was done to help quarterback Jay Cutler in his second year with the team. Cutler, who had a dreadful 2009 season, needed a true option to throw to at the receiver position. Instead, Cutler will still look to Hester, Knox, Aromashodu, and tight end Greg Olson. Cutler needs help, Matt Forte took a step back last season and needs to get back to form from 2008 in order to keep this team from becoming one dimensional and being able to stay in games deep into the fourth quarter. The Bears are in a tough situation this season, head coach Lovie Smith will be on the hot seat if they are not winning, and Jay Cutler will be high criticized if he has a repeat season. A brutal final four weeks (NEW, @MINN, JETS, @GB), will put this Chicago Bears team to a real test.

GREEN BAY PACKERS: (11-5 2009)

The Packers are coming off a terrific season where they made the playoff's, finished 3rd in the NFC in least amount of points aloud, and Aaron Rodgers had an absolutely stellar season behind center. Aaron Rodgers has emerged from the middle of the pack of quarterbacks in the NFL, to top of the class and a big season this year with a few playoff wins will put Rodgers in the elite class with Brady, Manning, and Brees. He is that good. With all of the weapons that Rodgers has on offense, an offensive line that got better towards the end of the season last year, it will be the transition that the defense continues to take to the 3-4 defense that will make or break the Green Bay Packers season. Led by all-pro corner back Charles Woodson, the Packers defense must fine tune themselves so that their pass rush gets to the opposing quarterback and the secondary breaks up plays. The defense did lose veteran defensive end Aaron Kampman to free agency, but the team is hoping that second round DT Mike Neal will bolster the line and give it more depth. Overall, this Packers defense is very formidable and with a schedule that includes games against the AFC East and the NFC East, they will be tested early and often.

Vikings Article from Purple Jesus Diaries

Here is an article from The Purple Jesus Diaries Blog, http://purplejesus.wordpress.com/, a blog I follow regularly.

Childress Refuses to Look Ahead of Schedule, Players Refuse to Listen to Stupid Advice

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Coming back home from their 38-10 victory over the hapless Saint Louis Rams, Minnesota Vikings Coach Brad Childress stressed the importance of the team not getting ahead of themselves.

“I tell them this every day” said the coach while eating gluten free trail mix on the plane ride back. “I say to them, ‘Fellas, don’t get too cocky. We’ve got a long road ahead of us still and as fortunate as we have been, we could just as easily be 4-1, or 0-5 for that matter, and we could still end up going 5-11. We have to keep working hard, taking each week as it’s own, and we’ll continue to do well.’ I preach that. Every day. The veterans understand it as well and are helping me spread this message to our young guys that need to learn this fact real quick. Ask any of them what my feelings on this are and they’ll tell you the exact same thing.”

When sharing these sentiments with some of the veteran players first, the responses were not quite “the exact same thing.”

“Well, sure, we could be 0-5 on one hand” said veteran Antoine Winfield. “But then we’d be a bunch of cock sucking zombie rapists playing football, and I don’t think that’s the case here, do you?”

Harsh, but factual. While there aren’t any rapists that are also zombies currently on the team – not that this does not exclude simple rapists – there are veterans that laugh when hearing what Childress has to say about the team looking ahead, like defensive tackle Pat Williams. “Coach said dat?” Williams said between helpings of pig feet. “He’s always playin’ wid us. Dat’s de raple dumbest doodad I’ve eva’ heard, man. ‘S coo’, bro. No way in hell we go 0-5. At dis point, no way in hell we go 5-11 eider. Ah be baaad… Ha! Right on! Dat shit be hilarious man. ‘S coo’, bro. I’m already lookin’ monds ahaid on our schedule. ah’ know every raple team I’m goin’ t’blow down already. Slap mah fro! If we lose eleven straight out uh whut I’m seein’ ahaid uh us, some sucka burn mah’ crib t’de ground cuz’ ya’ could call us de wo’st team since da damn Lions.”

While Childress’ notion that the team has been fortunate appeared laughable to some of the older players, several of the younger players seemed to relate more to the Coaches idea of taking each game a week at a time. But in the case of rookie players like Phil Loadholt and Percy Harvin, it wasn’t because they were focused and dedicated on the upcoming week. Rather, it was because they were too wide-eyed and excited to even know what was going on.

“Yeah, uh, it’s pretty neat to be unbeaten,” Harvin stated between ibuprofen intakes. “You come directly from a winning college program in, uh Florida, and you get to play with, uh, one great quarterback in Tebow to another, uh, god like quarterback in Favre, and before you know it I JUST START LOSING MY FUCKING MIND BECAUSE WE ARE 5-0 AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON, WHO WE’VE PLAYED, WHO WE’RE GOING TO BE PLAYING, OR WHERE MY COCK IS EVEN AT IT’S JUST FUCKING INSANE! But it’s also a pretty neat experience, uh, overall, too. The NFL man, it’s crazy.”

Rookie tackle Phil Loadholt was equally as lost in the quick 5-0 start. “Phil Loadholt has had five weeks of pro career already pass Phil Loadholt?” He asked between bites of a live lamb in his sequestered steel cage in the back of the plane. “Phil Loadholt seems to be losing memory in Phil Loadholt’s older age. Phil Loadholt knows Phil Loadholt did not play this past Sunday … But Phil Loadholt remembers win. Phil Loadholt still has to play though? Next week too? What about the week after? When can Phil Loadholt go back to eating Mark Sanchez face off? Phil Loadholt want to just eat and sleep. Phil Loadholt no care about playing more, even though Coach wants us to focus hard. Phil Loadholt focus on next meal, and next meal only.”

Amid these range of emotions concerning how to view the team, the season thus far and thinking too much ahead or behind them selves, there is one calm figure amongst the chaos. Purple Jesus smirks during his meditation as he hears his teammate’s comments on his Coaches beliefs around him. He understands the wisdom of what Childress has said, but also recognizes the absurdity of it all.

“Why yes, it is best for this team and this group of players to remain focused” Purple Jesus said between calculated breaths. “But they need not worry. I am here to protect them, and this team, from desecration. I have always given them my word that I will lead them to the Promised Land.” But how much longer does the team, and do the fans, have to wait to get to that location? After a 5-0 start, despite Coach Childress’ proclamation of patience and steadfastness, how can fans lower their expectations?

“The Promised Land is not a destination, my friend,” Purple Jesus espoused before leaning his head back. “It is a journey. Enjoy this angelic ride. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to use my magical Jesus powers to see Jessica Biel naked in my head, ok? Thanks.”

NFC Season Predictions

Here is how I see the four NFC Divisions ending up:

NFC-East
1. Philadelphia Eagles: The loss of Stewart Bradley really hurts this defense. Add the losses of Brian Dawkins and Def. Coord. Jim Johnson, the Eagles D is in need for a new leader. I think Trent Cole will take that role for the birds. Cole is an undersized DE that flat out finds that quarterback and constantly puts pressure on him. If the Eagles D can keep their opponents under 20pts a game, we all know this offense will be fine getting some W's. Eagles have the schedule to make a run at 12 wins, but I see them with 10 or 11 at the end of the season. Eagles win the NFC-East with an 11-5 record.

2. New York Giants: The Giants Defense is stout. The defensive line is ferocious. The secondary needs some help but they should be okay if the D Line is constantly getting pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. Offensively, the running game is tremendous, but it is the wide receiving corps that scare me. With no true number 1, or for that matter number 2, receiver on this team I just don't see where Eli will have huge success. Giants go 10-6.

3. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys will unveil their new stadium this season, and I don't believe it will be a season to remember. Don't get me wrong the Cowboys are a good team, but with no leader behind center, and a banged up Roy Williams split to the right, I don't like the Cowboys chances at the post season. Cowboys go 8-8 and Coach Wade Phillips gets the boot.

4. Washington Redskins: This Skins are a team that can have success this year by winning games 17-13 and 20-17. Unfortunately, they play in the toughest division in the NFL and they also have games against the Saints, Falcons, Chargers, and Panthers. Skins finish 5-11.


NFC-North
1. Minnesota Vikings: Brett Farve makes this team a legit Super Bowl contender. A high scoring offense, a run-stopping defense, and an above average special teams has this team preparing for high expectations this season. Farve will have a few throws that both scare us all and some that leave us wide-eyed. AP All Day will lead the league in rushing yards and he will take this team to the playoffs for a second straight season. Vikings go 11-5.

2. Green Bay Packers: With a potent offense that will put up a lot of points, it is the defense that must win games for the yellow and green. With a 3-4 defense that still is not solidified, will the Packers be able to take advantage of their relatively light schedule. Clearly their division games, besides Detroit, will be tough. But, playing the NFC-West should definitely help get some wins under their belt. Packers go 10-6.

3. Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler has changed the perception of this team from a defensive unit to a "has what it takes" unit. The Bears have what it takes to get to the playoffs this year. But, if they don't do what they can do on paper, they will struggle playing games after January 3rd. Cutler will make use of tight end Greg Olsen, but who will be the outside threat? Hester? Wait and see who the Bears use, but rest assured this is a 9 or 10 win season for the Bears. Bears win 10-6 this year.

4. Detroit Lions: Naming Matthew Stafford, the #1 overall pick in this years draft, starting quarterback was the right move in my book. However, with over 30 new players on this team, I do not see the Lions having a great deal of success. This city needs nothing more than a glimmer of hope, but I don't see it happening. Lions finish 3-13...3 better than last year.


NFC-South
1. New Orleans Saints: The Saints are a fantasy football team on offense. Drew Brees is unreal, and he will have another fantastic season this year with this offense and how they constantly click. They way the Saints win this division is by stealing a few road games and I foresee that happening. At Buffalo, Tampa, St. Louis, and Washington are all road games I think the Saints will win. If that is the case, the Saints finish 10-6 and take home the NFC-South crown.

2. Atlanta Falcons: Offensively they are just as good as the Saints. Defensively they may be the same as well. The Falcons have all the pieces to make another trip to the playoffs, but they need their defense to over achieve. I don't see it happening. Falcons have a winning season and finish 9-7.

3. Carolina Panthers: After a quarterback debacle in the playoffs last year Jake Delhomme is eager to put together a good season and make a run at a NFC-Championship. Tough luck for him because the Panthers have a tough schedule to make that happen. Even with their running back tandem of Williams and Stewart the Panthers need CONSISTENCY out of Delhomme in order to be successful. I think that doesn't happen. Panthers go 9-7 and miss the playoffs.

4. Tampa Bay Buccanears: New coach, new quarterback, and too young of a team to have success. Rebuilding year for the Bucs. 3-13 and a good draft pick.


NFC-West:

1. Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner has had a shaky preseason, and Matt Leinert had a pretty decent one himself. Still, Warner will man the quarterback position and will take his boys back to the playoffs. Do not over look the Hawks of 49ers in this division because it really is up for grabs. I like the Cardinals to close out the season 3-1 and make the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

2. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle is a sleeper in this division because of Matt Hasselbeck. Big Matt H. looks healthy and looks poised to put up good numbers this season. With the addition of Edgerrin James in the backfield and T.J. Houshmandzedah catching passes, this team has a great opportunity to give the Cardinals a run for their money. Doesn't happen this year, Seattle goes 7-9.

3. San Francisco 49ers: This team plays with a lot of heart and determination. Extremely well coached and disciplined this is a team to beware of. Frank Gore will have a good season and I expect Vernon Davis to come out of his shell and make some noise for himself. 49ers finish 7-9 but play close games all the way through Week 17.

4. St. Louis Rams: Their schedule is too hard for them to have a good year. New head coach Stever Spagnuolo has a bright future in St. Louis but this year will be one of those years. Jackson will put up numbers running the ball, but I don't like what this team has to offer. 4-12 on the season for the Rams.