By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Just A Thought... Is it me or is it HOT no matter what your area code is? I mean its so hot people are using automatic start on cars to get their A/C blowing in the morning prior to leaving for work. Which brings me to this week's thought. On Tuesday an Atlanta teen died during football practice because of heat exhaustion. Every summer there seems to be a fatality involving football players and heat. I know its just one of those "freak" things that happens, I myself played football and witnessed guys dropping like flies due to the heat, but aren't athletes (especially professionals) suppose to be in "tip-top" condition? But yet they tend to die exercising. Many people find themselves dieting and exercising with hopes of dropping a few pounds, trying to get in that one dress or "fit" by labor day, but please keep in mind that while eating right and exercising daily is imperative to one's health, that even "World Class" athletes die trying to stay in shape. So do what's right to stay healthy but don't kill yourself in the process. NFL In case you missed last week's edition of Thoughtful Thursday (scroll down), we previewed the NFC East and NFC West in which I predicted the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) to win the East and the Seattle Seahawks (12-4) to win the West. Now its time to switch gears from the NFC to the AFC. The AFC has dominated in the past winning the last four Super Bowls (Patriots & Steelers) but we'll begin to break down each division to see if the AFC can make it 5. Will this finally be the year for the Colts? Will the Chargers finally emerge? Can the Raiders come out of the black hole? Most of all, can the Steelers repeat? Wait no more as we kick the AFC outlook off with the AFC North. AFC North (Order of Predicted Finish) 1. Pittsburgh Steelers (2005: 11-5) 2005 was a fantastic year for the Steelers as they capped off their year as Super Bowl Champs. But just when things were great for the champs everything would seem to go down hill. Jerome Bettis retires, Randle El opts for Free-Agency and joins the Redskins, Rookie WR Santonio Holmes was arrested...twice, and Ben Rothlesberger was fast & furious crashing his motorcycle (without a helmet) needing reconstructive surgery on his face. So why are they predicted to win the AFC North? Well, due to the return of Big Ben, who miraculously made it out of the crash without any serious injuries, he'll continue to mature and lead the team to supremacy. The loss of Bettis meant the birth of "fast" Willie Parker, and will allow Duce Staley to return to form (the Steelers can only hope). As for the receiver position this won't be the first time SB MVP Hines Ward loss his sidekick, Plaxico Burress left to join the NY Giants prior to the Steelers doing it XL in the Super Bowl and with the departure of Randle El (who only had 36 rec.) the team will allow Rookie Holmes and Cedrick Wilson to step up. But as we all know the Steelers was never a "Pass" first team anyway. On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh returns 11 starters (addition FS Ryan Clark) and as long as Polamalu and Porter stays healthy they will continue to make everyone around them better. The Steelers will have a tough schedule facing the NFC South (as well as division foes) but should limp out as division champs. Prediction: 11-5 2. Baltimore Ravens (2005: 6-10) Everyone (including myself) would like to forget about the '05 season for the Ravens, unfortunately that's not possible. Jamal Lewis never returned to true form, and the air attack, led by Kyle Boller, seemed to never take flight. And that's just the offensive woes. But due to off-season and free-agency, things will soon change for the Baltimore faithful. Starting on "O" the Ravens finally had the "beaks" to demote Boller and acquire Steve McNair. McNair has been reunited with one of his favorite targets in Derrick Mason. Not to mention the emergence of Mark Clayton, and Todd Heap, things may revert to the "Air" days for McNair. Many may question Steve's health as he continues to age but with the stacked backfield of Jamal Lewis and Mike Anderson, things should be balanced for the Ravens and keep defenses honest. As for the "D" or should I say Ed & Ray...There prayers may have finally been answered. Not only has the team upgraded at QB, but Trevor Pryce, DE, was acquired from the Broncos, and their first draft pick, Haloti Ngata will both provide a spark in the trenches so that Lewis and Reed can continue to emerge in the secondary (barring injury). Keep in mind the AFC North will battle the NFC South, which is a RB dominated division and if they plan on returning to the playoffs their front four must remain in tack. Prediction: 10-6 3. Cincinnati Bengals (2005: 11-5) I know. I know. Before you start filling my inbox with hate mail, I too had to scratch my head at the #3 prediction for the Bengals. I mean how could one deny there 11-5 (AFC North Champ) season? Easy with two words: Carson Palmer. Just when things were turning around for the new look Bengals, their franchise QB goes down with a torn ACL (although he'd completed a 66 yard bomb to Chris Henry) in the wild card game. There season kicks off Sept. 10 versus the Chiefs, and will mark the 8th month in recovery for Palmer. His health may pose the difference between division champs, and missing the playoffs. The issue that I have is with the loss of Jon Kitna (Lions) Cincy's backup is Anthony Wright. Although Wright is an eight-year vet, everything about his production has been all wrong. Except for when he led the Ravens to a division title in 2003. The big difference was that the '03 Ravens had a sure fire defense. Which brings me to the "black shirts." Although they upgraded at DT with the addition of Sam Adams, and at S with Dexter Jackson, the foundation of this unit is "youth" and depending on their growth one can only wonder how they will fair in 2006. Prediction: 9-7 4. Cleveland Browns (2005: 6-10) Before I began, I would like to start by saying the Browns will not have a losing season in '06, in fact they won't have a winning one either, and here's why. With the late season emergence of Charlie Frye, the Browns are finally settled on a QB. But with the loss of Trent Dilfer (a proven vet), Frye's backup is now Ken Dorsey. As for the receiving core, last season it was Antonio Bryant, Dennis Northcutt, and Steve Heiden (TE). But do to an off-season of getting healthy the dynamic trio of Braylon Edwards, Joe Jurevicius, and Kellen Winslow, Jr. will be expected to light up the score-board in the "Dog Pound". While this "sounds" good Edwards and Winslow both lack experience and both coming off knee injuries, so the question mark on offense remains. As for defense things should improve with the addition of NT Ted Washington and LB Willie McGinest. The two bring leadership, experience, and most of all a winning attitude. That's great! But they are surrounded by two rookies at LB (Jackson and Wimbley) As for the secondary the only bright spot is CB Gary Baxter. As a result things are looking good on the potential side for the Browns, but on the other hand the lack of experience may leave fans wondering, What can brown do for them? Prediction: 8-8 Sports Ventz • USA B-Ball: On Tuesday Team USA, began its quest for World Supremacy, in an exhibition game versus Puerto Rico. To say the least the Americans were stealing as usual, forcing Puerto Rico into 30 turnovers. The final score was USA 116 Puerto Rico 82. In case you're wondering the star-studded cast was led by Carmelo Anthony (23 points) and LeBron James (20 points). For you B-ball "fanatics" Team USA exhibition games will air today vs. Puerto Rico @ 11 p.m. on ESPN2, and 8/7 vs. China @ 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The real thing kicks off Aug. 19, when they travel to China for the World Championship to face Puerto Rico. • NBA: The NBA is changing the way teams are seeded in the postseason, looking to avoid the controversy that surrounded last season's playoffs. Starting in the upcoming season, the top four seeds -- the three division winners and the second-place team with the best record -- will be seeded according to their win-loss total, guaranteeing that the top two teams in each conference can't meet until the conference finals, the league announced Wednesday. Haven't they heard of "If it ain't broke than don't fix it?" Had they just left things alone the Mavs' could have defeated the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, instead of the Semifinals. • College Football: It's amazing how every year another team is struck with allegations involving a high-profile player and boosters. This season is no different. Just a day before the Oklahoma Sooners reported to training camp, it was announced that starting QB Rhett Bomar was dismissed from the team b/c he received $18,000 from a car dealership in which he worked a mere 5 hours a week during the summer. The debate of whether or not College players should be compensated will continue, b/c cases such as Bomar's will continue to surface. ...Auburn suspended two LB (Blackmon, Sears) for three games...UT Vols suspended one player and dismissed another...The "U" of Miami that is suspended four players for the season opener vs. instate rival FSU. WR Moore and RB Moss were among those suspended....The bright side to it all Coll. Football kicks off in 4 weeks. • NFL: RB Reggie Bush, holdout didn't last long as he signed a deal for 6 years worth $62 million ($26.3 million signing bonus). Now he could concentrate on football, and he should sleep easier they say millionaires pillows tend to be a whole lot softer. WR Deion Branch- of the New England Patriots is still holding out, there has been an offer of 4 years worth $19 million left on the table. Who knows when things will work out, both sides haven't spoken in a week. Tom Brady has been quoted as saying "Branch is one of the most important keys to the Pats' success." But it seems as if the Pats' ain't buying it, If you ask me rookie WR Chad Jackson will be a great replacement for the missing Branch. RB Michael Bennett- was finally traded to the Chiefs looking to back up Larry Johnson. But with this move being made the Chiefs organization claim that this does not mean they're giving up on Priest Holmes....yeah right! Will primetime return to the Falcons? This is a question many are pondering in Hot-Lanta. Since CB DeAngelo Hall proved to be the NFL's fastest man during the competition this past spring in Hawaii, it seemed to raise the eyebrows of the Falcons coaching staff. As a result Hall practiced on the Offensive side of the ball running routes, in an attempt to put the ball in the hands of the potential dangerous CB. While Hall returned to the Defensive side for team drills, keep in mind that there was once a CB in Atlanta that wore #21 that electrified the crowd on both sides of the ball, who knows with the speed of Vick at QB, these two Hokie products could mind boggle Defensive Coordinators league wide....