4th and Long

Back in the Saddle

By Ryan Frisco

 

 

Photo Cred maniadb.com

For those Loyal Fans of Sports Eye View (ha, like there ever were any), so sorry that we have been idle since MARCH!!! Times have been busy, but they truly always are, so no excuses there; we've been lazy. :)  But, just like the Backstreet Boys of old, Sports Eye View is Back, ALRIGHT!!
 

It's crazy, but we are only 2 weeks away from the start of the NFL season!!!!  The most wonderful time of the year is upon us.  It's time to break out the flannel shirts, Pumpkin Ale and Buffalo Chicken Dip, find your favorite spot on the couch, and reserve it for every Sunday afternoon from here until February.  No Apple Festivals, Corn Mazes or Bonfires on Sunday.  They can be done on Saturday, when the little league football (NCAA) plays their games (sorry Jeff). 
 

Okay, so maybe I'm being a bit extreme here, but give me a break, I'm psyched!! I just had cable installed Friday for the NFL Season exclusively, so naturally I've been watching Sportscenter non-stop.  And I know you don't care what my opinions are, but I'm still going to provide some of my thoughts on this upcoming season.
 

1. Peyton Manning falls short...again - I see a general consensus out there that the Seahawks will not be defending their Super Bowl title this year, and I can agree with that.  Last season was an incredible year for them, and a showing like that is next to impossible to replicate.  Does that mean that it's Peyton Manning's turn?!  No.  And when I say 'no,' I mean 'not yet.'  Manning has been one of the active Legends of the game.  Not many players in any sport have the storybook career that he has had.  He has become the best passer in the game of All Time (yes, I just made that proclamation), the best Coach on the Field of All Time, and everyone's favorite dorky commercial athlete.  He makes me laugh every time I see him making a Papa John's pizza or driving a Buick in traffic. 


Photo Cred www.dailymail.co.uk

All that aside though, his career is a Story Book...so he'll go out of the game like any happy ending story book would go...On Top.  I believe that Peyton has more than one more year left in him, and I think most would agree with me.  That's why I think he has another great, close-but-no-cigar year this season, and wins it all next year as he retires, on top of the world, just as he should.  Mark that on your calendars, I'm predicting NEXT YEAR'S Super Bowl Champion now, the Denver Broncos!!



2. The NFC West = Zero Teams under .500 - The West is good.  A division that was just a few short years ago AWFUL, with the 7-9 Seahawks winning the division, has come storming back to be the elite division in all of football.  Last year, they had the two best records in the NFC.  The Seahawks (13-3) won the Super Bowl handily over the Broncos. The San Francisco 49ers (12-4) were easily the second best team in the NFL and played their first playoff game on the road in Green Bay, against an 8-7-1 squad that was seconds from even making the playoffs!!  The Cardinals went 10-6 and did not play in the post season, in spite of having a record 2 games better than the Packers who hosted.  And the Rams just missed out on a .500 season, finishing up 7-9, which would have won the division in 2010.
 

There is no way Seattle and San Fran will drop off from last year's pace.  The Cardinals are getting better, and have the defense to keep them in it.  St. Louis did just lose Sam Bradford potentially for most of the year, but they have a backup who carried them last year, and Zac Stacy and Tavon Austin should both mature into complete players this season and anchor the offense.  This division is driven by defense, and should never be bet against.
 

3. 2014, Year of the Backup - This is kind of an obvious thought, with alllll of the hype surrounding Johnny Manziel.  I probably shouldn't add anything in regards to him, I truly don't think he'll ever make it as a viable excuse for an NFL Quarterback.  But the fans are already chanting his name in Cleveland, and it's pretty obvious he'll be starting before the year is out.  Such is the story in so many other places too though.  In Minnesota, the fans want to see backup Teddy Bridgewater take the reigns as soon as possible.  Jacksonville is choosing to start the season with Chad Henne at the helm, instead of 3rd overall pick Blake Bortles. 
 

Photo Cred www.fanvsfan.com

There are plenty of QB battles across the board (Geno Smith/Mike Vick in New York), but also at the Running Back position.  The other New York Team, the Giants, are starting with Rashaad Jennings, but Andre Williams will probably start sometime this year.  In Miami, they have to choose between Lamar Miller and Knowshon Moreno, the future or the veteran.  Buffalo has C.J. Spiller, who for the third year in a row is 'supposed' to carry the load, and Fred Jackson, the always trusty back who has carried them the past four years. 

 

And then there are plenty of Rookie Wide Receivers that could play a huge impact in the league if they get the chance.

 

Every time we get to this time of year, I get giddy.  I've been waiting over six months for the start of the season, and these two weeks are so intense anticipating it.  If you care to comment on any of my views here, go ahead!  I won't be predicting this years champ until we have our Showcase Showdown on the topic, but I'd love to know what everyone out there thinks.  Here's to the revival of Sports Eye View!!!

 

Ryan Frisco is a co-founder and MLB Analyst for Sports Eye View.  He can be reached at ryanafrisco@gmail.com.