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Bet Shrink - August 2008

Detroit Lions Preview

August 8th 2008 00:42
The Detroit Lions
In 2008/09 after a lot of players leaving this new look Lions squad looks to build on momentum from last season with Jon Kitna even making bold predictions once again. GM Matt Millen finally has not resorted to drafting another high0priced headache with their first pick in the draft, taking an O-Lineman in Gosder Cheriliurs out of Boston College at 17.

The Lions have a chance in this division with Da Bears trying to right their ship, Vikings missing out on Favre and Packers moving on after #4. I predict that the Lions are in the thick of things and come up just short to the Vikes.
Detroit Lions

OFFENSE

Kitna again will start and will be successful trusting his big receivers and not trying to make things happen out of nothing as mistakes happen turnovers are killing this squad. Stanton and Orlovsky will backup, but I don’t see the future of Lion football in either sadly.

Kevin Smith is the answer in the run game but can he adapt to the pro level because if he can, watch out. Tatum Bell will be another that will get an opportunity.

Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson are men among boys out there at times. They will continue to get better the more snaps they get. Role guys after those two, so it’s up for grabs, I am looking for Moore to find his role.

I see Dominic Raiola and not much else on this line as they are in dire need of some pass and run protection and some stability in what can be expected at this point.

DEFENSE

Minus part-timer Shaun Rogers, they will still mathematically have to be better than last year, right? I am unsure of this Line and any pressure will be a surprise. Not too many notable guys worth talking about.

Ernie Sims is the man for the LBs, but a lot of question marks for this unit also. Rookie Dizon looks like he has the tools to compete.

Bullocks has starting potential and can lament his spot if he performs and the secondary looks to add a couple guys but keep things together and get better and read each others reactions and timing quicker.

Jason Hanson is money! Short long or otherwise. Marinelli has his type of roster for the most part so look for him to make it or break it this season as Kitna will try and take them to the ship.

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New York Giants Preview

August 7th 2008 21:38
The New York Giants will be in a solid division this season with the Cowboys, Eagles and up-and-coming Redskins fighting to defeat the superbowl champions. I believe that they can amass a good number of wins with their experience and belief in knowing what it would take to get it done and now the Favre is with the Jets will NYG go under the radar again?
New York Giants

OFFENSE

Eli Manning has cemented his role with his Giants after some nay-sayers earlier in the year. The Giants have a glutton of potential backups in camp including David Carr after his horrid performance for the Panthers last year. Sixth pick Andre’ Woodson and Anthony Wright will battle for spots also as they have released last years backup in ‘J-Load’ Jared Lorenzen (signed with Colts).

Brandon Jacobs will anchor this squad and hopes to stay healthy while Bradshaw and Ward take up all the extras. Madison Hedgecock? Most would say, but he is the reason these guys bust out through the line most times.

Plaxico Burress has been awesome after coming from Pittsburgh I have been a fan of his since Michigan State with his poster catch on my binder in school. Amani Toomer remains good option and now that Shockey is out, they will need a new wrinkle in their offense. Steve Smith (the other one) will continue to progress and take the reigns from Toomer eventually. Mario Manningham should do well also.

The Giants O-Line just gets it done, nothing more nothing less. Hopefully they can get everyone situated and comfortable in the positions they play best in.

DEFENSE

Steve Spagnuolo deserves a great deal of credit for his reworking of the defense when things started out rough last year. They were known as defensive stoppers by years end.

No Michael Strahan but Justin Tuck and a group of emerging talent will try and build upon last years Line. Umenyiora has all eyes on him this year and will need to step out of the shadow and become the team’s top defender for them to get where they want to.

The linebacking unit was pretty much left as is and will try and get smarter and stronger together with the notable absence of Kawika Mitchell in Bill-land.

The secondary has a myriad of players that will be put in spots to see who will start in this pre-season including Sammy Knight, Aaron Ross, Sam Madison and RW McQuarters and a few notable others.

New York faces the Detroit Lions tonight in pre-season action their first game of the year.
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Brett Favre a New York Jet!

August 7th 2008 04:12
Updates to follow, for now check out link below.


ackers-trade-legend-to-Jets" target="_blank">Click Here!!
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Washington Redskins Preview

August 3rd 2008 23:11
The Washington redskins pay tribute to Darrell Green and Art Monk by playing in the hall of fame game tonight.

Some feel that the Redskins will be the worst to come out the NFC East with Philly, Giants and Cowboys in their division. I think they will battle but fall short and come in at just under a .500 record. Joe Gibb’s has left and Washington coming off of a playoff berth they may surprise some. With new coach Jim Zorn at the helm look for this team to run early until they adjust to the west coast scheme.
Washington Redskins

DEFENSE

-Phillip Daniels and Andre Carter are solid run stoppers but yet seem to be unable to get QB sacks for the most part, but continue to show flashes. The D-Line seems to be an un-worrisome spot on this team and now with the addition of Jason Taylor and the surprising abilities of 7th round pick in Rob Jackson this line is one of the more together units in the league.

London Fletcher is the man in the middle for this team and he has always been wherever he has been albeit St.Louis, Buffalo and now Washington. They do have good LBs in Washington and McIntosh but time will tell if injuries hurt their output. Beyond these three it is slim pickings.

If you are a football fan LaRon Landry is who you want to watch at safety. A couple guys will battle for the other spot with Shawn Springs and Fred Smoot taking the corner spots. Good secondary but sometimes bad with judgment and decisions. Look for Coach Greg Blatche to sure up things and change some things from years past.

OFFENSE

Jason Campbell has shown that he is the guy to lead this team and with some minor tweaks in mindset and delivery he can make a great contribution in 2008. Todd Collins played well with Campbell out last year and was re-signed accordingly. Sam Hollenbach will battle with Colt Brennan out of Hawaii who I loved to watch for years as a rainbow-warrior.

Some feel that Clinton Portis is on the decline. He proved that he can handle the load but his performance wasn’t Portis like in the end. Clinton seems poised to get back to his Bronco days with the new offense. A favorite of mine in Ladell Betts disappointed last year after signing a big deal. FB Mike Sellers has been solid and used in key goal line spots and has found his niche from the CFL to the NFL.

Mr. H-Back Chris Cooley will be needed heavily this year as a # 1 TE. Santana Moss will see the ball if he can be more physical in the west coast scheme and get past those bump and runs. Antwaan Randle El will see the ball with the Redskins drafting size in Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly to add to the core including key veteran James Thrash. Not bad but still looking for that #1 go-to-guy.

The ‘skins O-Line has all the ingredients and will look to keep their key cogs healthy throughout the year as they added depth with their run last season but the line showed that they lost their luster after a long injury plagued year in the trenches.
Look for Washington to come out and attack early as the new coach will want to set the tone for the upcoming season. Hall of Fame game commences just after 8pm ET.

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Previewing what you’ll see for the Hall Of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

First up the Indianapolis Colts

I predict them to go 11-5 and take 1st place in the AFC South this season. I do believe that they can amass a good number of wins as long as they stay away from injury troubles as without their main cogs they will surely struggle. A question mark at the end of last season was if they were going to lose Coach Tony Dungy, but obviously having the roster intact for this season and very little turnover in personnel, Dungy couldn’t say no to another shot at things. Also he will troll the sidelines at the new Lucas Oil Stadium, replacing the old RCA Dome.
New Stadium NFL-Wikipedia

OFFENSE

-Peyton Manning is the unquestioned starter but with surgery and rehab will virtually knock him out of most preseason action. Jim Sorgi a career backup will take the reigns and show that he has some skill and not just a great knowledge of the playbook after five years. The colts have always kept only two QBs but this year they have added former Jaguar Quinn Gray, but they are still unsure of whether they will start the year with more than in years past.

At the RB spot they are really stacked this year with of course Joseph Addai back for another massive year I am sure and newly acquired for his second stint Dominic Rhodes who left for the money in Oakland and has now returned when he realized the grass is not greener. CFLer Kenton Keith showed flashes last season while spelling Addai and the Colts drafted a steal in the 6th round with Michigan tail-back Mike Hart.

As with Manning, playing at a high level for numerous years takes its toll on your body. Harrison is their main WR with Wayne fulfilling Manning’s every wish as a # 2, burgeoning first option. They will have a talented sophomore in Anthony Gonzalez a typical slot guy which suits this team with the downfield presence of 87 and 88. Behind these three, well let’s just say it leaves a lot to be desired, injuries could disrupt the spread offence.

The offensive line starring C Jeff Saturday is built and ready to go but with no depth on the bench the health of this unit is a huge concern throughout this new season.

DEFENSE

-Two words, Dwight-Freeney! When healthy he will be dominant and spectacular. He will be out for training camp due to recovery. Opposite Freeney, Robert Mathis is a solid pass rusher who isn’t awesome versus the run. Raheem Brock will play DT and spell both at the end if needed. Ed Johnson in the middle is solid and they have some good potential guys who are still raw.

Gary Brackett headlines this no-name LB corps. Freddie Keiaho made the absence of Cato June easier with his play. Tyjaun Hagler moves well and Clint Session was lights out as a rookie thrust into a role in ’07.

Touted as tops among the leagues best the secondary headlined by Bob Sanders has no chance of sneaking up on any teams this year. Antoine Bethea made the pro bowl last year at FS with his coverage skills. Indy has great scheme guys who are solid and only being newish guys in the league.

Vinatieri became human last season, but he still remains money. Punter Hunter Smith remains good but not great. Still unsure of the return game, look for Garcon and Rushing to cement their roles.

Playing against the Washington Redskins tomorrow, I will preview the ‘skins before Sunday’s matchup. Their first regular season game comes on Sept. 7th against Da Bears @ home at 8:15pm ET. They did not play last season.

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