Before the 2008 season started nobody outside of the N.Y.Jets fans would guess that they'd be one of the AFC East top team, Then came Brett Favre. Even then there would be those that would be skeptical, after six TD's this past Sunday, I think some of those skeptics may be looking to change their minds. The potential this team has is promising.

Favre may not have wanted to be in N.Y. and it can be a tough place for any athlete to play, Favre is a veteran and one of, if not the best to play the position. The Jets aren't a bad team and even going back to last season you could see they were just missing a real leader behind center. Favre is as good a leader and QB you'll find in the NFL.

He's seen it all in his long career, nothings new to Favre. No defensive scheme you throw at him can he not handle if his offensive line affords him the time to pick the opposing defense apart. Favre has been a stud his whole career and I feel whether this is his last season or not, that will continue.

He's made the Jets a playoff caliber team the minute he signed on the dotted line, and a threat to any team that stands in there way. Make no mistake about it, the Jets will win the AFC East and Favre is the reason for that. He makes all his teamates better by just being behind the center. His teamates play harder because they know they have a guy like Favre who'll give them a chance to be successful.

There's no doubt that guys like WR L.Coles and J.Cotchery appreciate having a QB with Favres skills. Favre is the best at making something from nothing when plays seem busted. He improvises better than anyone in the NFL at any position. We've seen this a number of times in his long career in Green Bay. I think we'll see it a few more times this season in N.Y. as well.

So the question will Brett Favre be in for a long season? yes, because after the regular season his team the N.Y. Jets will win playoffs games. That in itself makes for a long season.

The New Orleans Saints and N.Y. Jets have agreed in principle on a trade that will send LB Jonathan Vilma for a conditional draft pick depending on the playing time of Vilma for the Saints. Vilma has struggled with playing the 3-4 defense that coach Mangini implemented since being there. Coming off of knee surgery it is unsure as to how much of an impact he will be for a Saints team that is desperate for defensive help.

Although If Vilma can overcome the knee injury and play at the level he did his rookie season when the Jet's at the time ran a 4-3 defense like the Saints do, this will be a great addition to a LB core that has struggled at times with the exception of Scott Fujita.

This will probably also mean that the Saints will more than likely go after a top CB in the draft and not Keith Rivers from USC. In my opinion this is a great move by the Saints. If Vilma works out then great, if not and he doesn't get much playing time they really haven't giving up much with a conditional pick.

The free-agency period and trades are starting to heat up and this by far has been the biggest move so far today. The Saints are still in the mix however for CB Asante Samuels. If and this is a huge if, they can aquire Samuels then the Saints will definatly be a team to be reckoned with next season. Although it's reported that Samuels is set to visit the Eagles this coming week.

However there are some offensive positions that need to be filled as well. They need to find a reliable and servicable QB in case of an Injury to Drew Brees. Also with Deuce McAllister having a season ending knee injury last year for the second time in three years. It would be smart to maybe look at a few RB's in the league in case Deuce can't bust loose any more.

With this move to get Vilma I would love to hear your opinions on this and also what you think the Saints should do come draft day. I will be bringing more on what is going on in New Orleans as I get it.

 DeAngelo Hall CB for the Atlanta Falcons wants to move to a new home. Well Mr. Hall how does New Orleans sound to you? It's a short trip and the best part is you will have an opportunity twice a season to stick it to the team you feel stabbed you in the back.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to choose a CB with the 10th overall pick in this Aprils draft. All signs show that they are eyeing South Florida CB Mike Jenkins. With Asante Samuels looking for something around 10 mill. this season, it's said the the Patriots are also eyeing Jenkins as well. Other Mock Drafts have the Saints who are in desperate need o####ood cover corner also giving much thought on Troy's Leodis McKelvin.

My opinion though is at 24, DeAngelo Hall is one of the top 5 CB's in the league. Giving up a first round pick and possibly a pick in the latter rounds might be a wise decision. Atleast you know what you are getting from Hall. There is always the possibility that a draftee will be a bust and we all know the Saints have certainly had their share of those.

New Orleans needs defensive help in a bad way. Free agent pick up from last season Jason David just isn't getting it done. That's not the only help the Saints need though. They could really use a big time MLB and after persuing Zach Thomas who decided to play close to home in Dallas, this makes the draft and free agency even more interesting for the fans.

You see there is this LB from USC named Keith Rivers who is versatile and can play both MLB and outside. If New Orleans doesn't make a move for Hall then I think this might be a smarter draft pick than any CB that could be available to them. That is if he is still there for them to choose. Also this could allow the Saints to maybe pick a CB in the second round, someone like LSU's  Chevis Jackson. He has great size and strength for a CB and plays pretty smart.

Back to Asante Samuels if the Patriots do not resign him and let's say they pull of a trade for Hall, which would be good for them because he is as good if not better for less money. This would also allow the New Orleans Saints to persue Samuels whom they thought of just a year ago.

The next few weeks will be interesting to say the least. With the combine underway in Indy and the draft a little more than a month away. Lots of speculating will be going on. Things will start to clear up though as the weeks move on. I for one am anxious and ready for some football.

Well folks it's finaly here by the end of the night we will know exactly who will be playing in the Superbowl come Feb. The Patriots will put their unbeaten streak up against the San Diego Chargers and in the later game it'll be the the Giants trying too take down the Packers in Greenbay.

For the Patriots I see them probably starting of fast and ending it the same way. The Chargers are a beat up team at this point. Rivers will be hobbling into this game but to me it wouldn't make much of a difference if he was as healthy as he was at the start of the season. The Patriots are simply a better team with more talent on both sides of the ball. Tom Brady is the best QB playing at this time and having recievers like Moss and Wes Welker just make his job that much easier. Not to mention that Bellichick is just a better coach than Norv Turner.

I know you charger fans may feel different but that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it. I am fully prepared for the venom you'll be aiming to spit in my eyes befor kickoff. By the end of the game most of you will be M.I.A. and the few who are still here will be making excuses and have the same bad attitude as your beloved L.T. does. When it's all said and done New England will be one game shy of perfection and history.

As for the NFC Championship game this may be a better and more competetive game to watch. Two teams that are more evenly matched than the earlier mentioned teams. The advantage has to go to the Packers in my opinion. here are my reasons for saying so. 1. Brett Favre is playing his best ball in years and the addition of a running game has made it a little easier to do so. 2. The home field or should I say the cold field advantage favors the Packers. This team simply plays good football in the snow and cold. They have done it throughout history and I just don't see that changing.

That's not to say the Giants will be a pushover. The team is playing very good football at this point but I'm not so sure Eli is going to handle the cold and the pressure of this game all to well. If the Giants want to win I think it will have to be from the effort of the defense. Last week the Packers gave up two early turnovers and two scores but Seattles defense just looked horrible after that. If the Giants want to win this game they need to stop the running game. Something that is very important in frozen conditions. We shall see what transpires but I give the edge and prediction of a Packers win.

So there you have it folks that's my opinions on the NFC and AFC championship games. I wanted to get this out befor I leave to go to a Mardi Gras parade. Everyone enjoy the games and feel free to comment.

                           Happy Mardi Gras!!!

The Miami Dolphins Have fired GM Randy Mueller. I knew Parcells and the Dolphins would make some changes but I have to say I never seen this coming.  Is he to blame for the Dolphins inabillity to reach the playoffs? I am not so sure about that. What he is to blame for is the fact that their isn't one superstar player on the offense. Yeah he may have made some questionable moves and he never brought in any quality free-agents other than Joey Porter. The fact remains that it's the players and the coaches who have to go out each week and get things done.

The New Orleans Saints are my home team and I couldn't be more disappointed with this years team than I was with any previous team befor. First of all I am well aware that the best player on the team Deuce McAllister was out most of the season.  The problem I have with using this as an excuse is that when Reggie Bush also went out we seen better running from Aaron Stecker and most recently yesterday by Pierre Thomas than we seen with Bush while still healthy. I also have a huge problem with the play calling of coach Shaun Peyton. Last year the media was saying he was the best play calling coach in the game. Hmmm I guess this year he was the worst then. The plays they run are very predictable. Run up the middle, swing pass to a RB, Screen pass to a reciever, slants and every know and then a post pattern. For a coach who has such a long play sheet on the sideline it always seemed it was the exact same plays all game and every game. Whatever happened to the way they stretched the field last year? Make any excuse you want for them they just plain stink! They have the #10 pick in the draft, let's see if the staff makes another dumb pick like last year when they took WR Robert Meachem in the first round,knowing they needed either a LB or a CB.

Congatulations to the Patriots organazation. Going 16-0 in the regular season isn't an easy thing to do even though they made it look that way. I still feel as though that they must win the Superbowl or all that was for nothing. Sorry if you feel different but that's what you play the game for, to win the Superbowl period. No team comes into a season saying let's go 16-0 and we can call the season a complete success. Every player will tell you it's all about the ring.

The Redskins just may be the team to watch for in the NFC. This team is playing with a lot of confidence and emotion. Much like the Saints did last year and we seen how far that can take you. Thing is the Redskins are a better team than the Saints and could go into Dallas or Greenbay fighting for a NFC championship game and win.

Some people are mad about the Colts not playing it's starters against the Titans yesterday. Paticularly Browns fans because they needed the Titans to lose to be in the playoffs. I say don't blame the Colts, they should have won when they needed to win. The Colts did what most teams do in their position and that's rest your starters in a game that's meaningless to them. They play for Indy not Cleveland or any other city. Get over it already people, for any browns fans to say they should have played their starters and risked injuries is selfish.

Now that my team is out this year, which I feel will be easy to get over since I'm used to it by now. I am pulling for what I do have left in the playoffs and that's certain hometown players. So my cheers and wishes will go to Payton Manning and even more Reggie Wayne (we both played at the same Highschool, I'm just older) to win the AFC side of the playoffs. On the NFC side I have to go with Eli Manning but am also pulling for Laron Landry and Washington. Don't know who I'll pull for if they play against each other somehow. Thing is I doubt that will happen.

So there you have it folks just some little rants about the NFL. I wanted to get something out there befor the huge party tonight. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

The Miami Dolphins would probably like to forget this season even happened. A dismal one win season so far that is likely to stay that way atleast for another week when they go head to head with the NFL's best team the New England Patriots.  The best thing they have going for them is they'll have the #1 pick in next years draft. Question is what's worse the offense or the defense and which side of the ball needs a quicker fix? More importantly is who, do they draft with the first pick. This team has so many holes to fill the "Big Tuna" Bill Parcels will have his work cut out for him. If their is one man who can accomplish putting a disfuntional team back together it's Parcells. Let's take a look at some possible first round pick options for the Dolphins.

Glenn Dorsey

At 6'2 300 pounds this young defensive tackle for the LSU Tigers is the  best defensive player in all college football this season. When healthy he has been more than one offensive lineman can handle. Often compared to one of the best D-tackles of all-time Warren Sapp, he commands constant double team. On the season his acheivements have paid off with Four defensive player awards and has helped the #2 LSU Tigers get a birth in the BCS National Championship game. No doubt he would help a Miami Defense that has just looked really bad this season.

Matt Ryan

 Let's face it neither Cleo Lemon nor John Beck are the future of the Dolphins. So drafting a top rated QB like Boston Colleges Matt Ryan could be a smart move. Ryan had his school in the talks of maybe being a team to play in the BCS NC game this season. Though they aren't playing in that game, it does not deminish the great numbers he has put up this season.  At 6'5 and 218 pounds he has nice size and great mechanics. He's thrown for over 4,000 yds and 28 TD's this season. Those are stats that will have a few teams with picks after Miami looking real hard and thinking long on drafting such a good QB with a possible great future in the NFL.

Jake Long

 If Miami is going to go somewhere other than the two above mentioned players, then maybe they may want to think of getting an offensive lineman to protect whoever may be the QB next season. Long may be the best O-linesman in this years draft. If he had entered last years draft he might have been a top ten pick. I think it's safe to say this year he just may be a top 5. This guy has some size and strenth. 6'7 315 pounds he's big enough to handle most NFL defensive linesman and should be a first year starter wherever he ends up playing.

Colt Brennan

 Though he has broken records and has his team in the Sugar Bowl I'm not to sold on him just yet. I  feel he is just a part of a system that may make even myself look good. The other thing I don't like about him is his size. He's only 6'2 and 195 pounds, but hey it's worked in the NFL befor and who am I to say he couldn't do it himself. In my opinion though he's good, he's lacks what you may get from Matt Ryan.  Some team will draft this young man, and he'll have a bright future in the NFL, I'm just skeptical as to whether he's a good fit for Miami. We'll see what this kid is made of come New years when he faces a tough Georgia Bulldog team in the Sugar Bowl. If he put's up some impressive stats that game regardless whether they win or lose, I just may buy into this kid.

Miami has many other holes it needs to fill, so this is just a look at possible #1 picks. Who knows where Parcells and coaches will think they need to fill first. One thing is for certain is Parcells has built teams that compete wherever he has been. It may take a few more draft picks and some free agent pickups but in a few years they'll be back to winning again. So tell me your opinion, and feel free to add a player or two that you think they should give a good look at. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

                                     Happy Holidays to everyone here at foxsports!

I know it's still kind of early in the season and anything can happen in the next few weeks. There are some players though that I just can't see flopping for the rest of the season. So I'm going to take this opportunity to look at some players that I think are early MVP candidates. These are just my opinion and I'm sure I may miss one or two guys. So let's start this thing off with the player I think has the early lead.

Tom Brady- This guy just flat out gets it done. As cool and calm as any QB in history, he just may have a better statistical season than Manning this year. With the wide reciever additions made by his team during the off-season it has made Brady look even better than the Super Bowl winning seasons. Here are his stat's for the season.

Att. - 229/ Comp. - 169/ Yds -2,125/ Comp. % - 73.8/ TD's -27/ INT - 2/ QB Rating 137.9

To me that is Phenomenal and makes him the early leader so far. Some may say would he be that good without Randy Moss. Well would Manning be that good without Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne? The answer to both questions is yes both are that good. Moss,Welker and Stallworth just make Brady that much better this season. He's done good enough with less.

Peyton Manning-  There is no doubt in my mind that Peyton is the best in the business. He commands his offense with perfection. Nobody confuses the defense like he does and in return is never confused by the different packages the defense throws back at him. Here are his stats so far this season.

Att. - 165/ Comp. - 115/ Yds - 1,319/ Comp. % - 69.7/ TD's - 10/ INT - 2/ QB Rating 108.6

The Colts face a tough defense this Monday when they take on the Jaguars. It will be the toughest test so far for Indy this season but I still think they win and Manning has another stellar performance.

Brett Favre- What can I say about a guy like Brett Favre, other than he is one of the all-time best QB's to play this game. He has his team in first place in the NFC North with a 5-1 record and the team is second in the league in passing yds a game. Neither Favre nor the Packers look the same as we have seen the past two years or so. Farve's stats on the season look like this.

Att. - 247/  Comp. - 160/ Yds- 1,715/ Comp% - 64.8/ TD's 9/ INT- 6/ QB Rating 87.0

I know he can be a little reckless at times and try and force balls into tight places but that's Brett Farve he's been doing that his whole carreer. He's been able to accomplish alot so far. More than people thought he would this season. With out him the packers are as good as Miami this year.

Tony Romo- There is no doubt Romo is a good QB but I think we have just seen a fraction of what he will be in the future. This guy could have easily folded up after losing last week to the Patriots. Not to mention a pretty poor performance by  him and the team as a whole against Buffalo the week befor. Here are Romos numbers so far.

Att. - 239/ Comp. - 150/ Yds- 1,984/ Comp. %- 62.8/ TD's - 16/ INT- 9/ QB Rating 95.6

At times he can be just like Brett Farve a little Reckless. Thing is he's getting the job done and has Dallas in first place in the NFC East with a 6-1 record. The only loss comeing from a much better Patriots team. They still some games to be played and the Giants are creeping up from behind but I think in the end they'll win the East division. How far they go rest solely on Romo and his ability to command a good offense.

These are just a few of  the QB's I think are in contention for the league MVP title. Next time I will be looking at a few RB's That may have a shot. If you agree or not that is your choice but feel free to voice your opinion by leaving a comment.

The San Diego Chargers have aquired WR Chris Chambers from Miami for a 2008 second round pick. This will help the Chargers who have been without WR Eric Parker since June with a brocken toe. Parker sufferd the injury during training camp this year. He is getting a second opinion and was origanaly supposed to be out 10 weeks.

Chambers was dafted by Miami in the second round back in 2001. He has 31 catches for 415 yds so far this season. The move allows some younger players to get some starts for the Dolphins. That means Tedd Ginn and Derrick Hagan will be the future of the winless dolphins.

The move should bolster the Chargers passing attack. They have been without a real threat in the passing game all year. San Diego has gotten back to .500, winning it's last two games against division foes. They are 3-3 and have a bye this Sunday. That will give Chambers a week to get familar with QB Phillip Rivers and the Charge offensive playbook. This is a great move by the Chargers in my opinion. As they will need a good reciever if they expect to contend in tough AFC.  

After the bye week they come back to play Houston at home then go to Minnesota befor comeing back home to take on defending champs Indianapolis Colts. The schedule gets no esier from there as they travel to Jacksonville one of the toughest defenses this year. There are alot of games left and getting Chambers will bid them well until, if at all Eric Parker can return this season.