By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Just A Thought... When should the line be drawn? Let's face it we all know right from wrong but in the world of sports there seems to be a double standard. Fans just want to see athletes perform but the media seems to be there to disrupt this relationship. Most recently an Irish mag has published nude pics of a woman linking them to the wife of Tiger Woods. Tiger was angry and rightfully so. The mag thought the satire was funny but noone was laughing. When a player straddles the line the media barries them but when the media is wrong noone is their to right them. At the end of the day reporters should stick to the facts and let the athletes take care of the entertainment, and to me that seems just right... NFL Week 2 is now in the books. I'm never one to toot my own horn, but I went an astounding 13-3 in week 2 Predictions. 7 of the13 point spreads predicted covered by 3 points or less and 3 of the games were exactly right (Colts won by 19, Giants won by 6, and the Patriots won by 7). Once again I'm not trying to brag just solidifying my NFL knowledge. So what have we learned in the first couple of weeks: The Falcons are a running team, the Colts are a passing team. The Bears, Ravens, Chargers, and Jags, have excellent defenses. Reggie Bush should have been the No. 1 pick, The Panthers (0-2) are nothing without Steve Smith, and the Raiders (0-2) are nothing with Aaron Brooks. Week 3 will feature 2-0 teams (Falcons, and Bears) attempting to complete a sweep of their division. And a few of 0-2 teams (Panthers, Bucs, and Redskins) attempting to keep their heads above water. To the fans of 0-2 teams chew on this, from 1990-2005,17 of 128 teams (13%) starting 0-2 have reached the playoffs. Is it 2007 yet? Nah but it is week 3, let's take a look. Must See Games... (2-0) Jaguars @ Colts (2-0): After the Jags impressive MNF performance, many people were shocked about the win of the SB Champs, except for myself. Yes, the Jags "D" is tough, and yes RB Fred Taylor looked good, but the Steelers is a team built on the run. They have two excellent tackles that were able to clog up the middle to contain Willie Parker. Fine but that was then, and the Colts are now. Historically the Jags play the Colts as tough as any other team but they don't have the offensive firepower to outscore the aerial attack of the Manning & Co. With that being said... Prediction: Colts by 7 (2-0) Bears @Vikings (2-0): Many people questioned the Bears "O" coming into the season, but after Rex Grossman threw 5 touchdowns in the first two weeks, and posted the highest QB rating (128.7) in the L, many people are biting their tongues, except for myself (They are my SB pick). As a result not only must one game plan for their stifling "D", that's allowed 7 points in two weeks. But one must game plan for an "O" that has lit up the scoreboard with 60 points over the first two weeks. As for the Vikings, there's something about them that screams 8-8. Maybe it was their fluke win over the Panthers, or the missed FG (to tie) versus the Redskins. Nevertheless, they will be facing a complete team and a division foe. Prediction: Bears by 10 (2-0) Bengals @ Steelers (1-1): Aaah how the tables have turned. In the past the Steelers had a choke hold on the division, but as of late the youth movement in Cincinnati has reign supreme. Sure, Palmer took a shot to the knee, and Johnson took a shot in the chin, but both are ready to enter Pittsburgh to make a statement that the AFC North is theirs to own. This will definitely be a physical match-up, and the team with the fewest turnovers should leave with the W. Then again with Carson's cannon of an arm, Big Ben is going to need a lot more than a fever reducer to compete. Prediction: Bengals by 3 (1-1) Giants @ Seahawks (2-0): This NFC battle could have easily been a channel flipper if not for the late heroics of Easy E-li Manning versus the Eagles. With the Seahawks struggling to run (Alexander has yet to reach 100 rush yards) now is the best time to play them, too bad it's in the noisy Qwest Field. This game will also be the debut for recently acquired Deion Branch, but don't look for anything spectacular out of Branch, this is his first football action since losing to the Broncos in the Divisional playoffs. Expect another nail biter as the two will battle to till the clock strikes 0:00. Prediction: Giants by 2 (2-0) Falcons @ Saints (2-0): With emotions running high, as the Saints return to the Superdome for the first time since the Hurricane Katrina disaster, expect fireworks from the likes of Reggie Bush and Michael Vick. These two teams are not only rivals, but boasting a 2-0 record and a chance for an early claim of the NFC South No. 1 spot, under the primetime lights of MNF. The Saints will be motivated to bring home a W for the New Orleans faithful, but so will Falcons RB Warrick Dunn who is a native of the Bayou, and just so happens to be leading the NFL in rushing. The Falcons deadly rush will continue to run wild on yet another division opponent, but expect some fireworks out of the Saints rookie sensation along the way. Prediction: Falcons by 13 Quick Hit Predicts... (0-2) Redskins @ Texans (0-2): Now the 'Skins can prove why many thought they would be Super Bowl contenders, thank God for the Texans! Prediction: Redskins by 8 (1-1) Jets @ Bills (1-1): This game will come down to the better running team, and home field. Advantage Buffalo. Prediction: Bills by 3 (0-2) Packers @ Lions (0-2): If Favre knew things would be like this would he have really returned? Then again if Mike Martz knew things would have been like this would he have really joined the Lions? Prediction: Lions by (default) 3 (0-2) Titans @ Dolphins (0-2): Why don't the Titans start Young? The Dolphins should expect Daunte to get into a rhythm and in the win column. Prediction: Dolphins by 9 (0-2) Panthers @ Buccaneers (0-2): Wow! This game features the '05 division champs. And the team many predicted would be '06 SB Champs. After Sunday, one of the 0-2 teams will be looking forward to the '07 season. Prediction: Panthers by 7 (2-0) Ravens @ Browns (0-2): Now that the Ravens have a respectable QB, will they have flashbacks to the 2000 season? They will on Sunday. Prediction: Ravens by 17 (1-1) Rams @ Cardinals (1-1): Many thought the Rams would lay down, and the Cards would step up. Both have surprised, so which one will meet expectations Sunday? Prediction: Cardinals by 3 (1-1) Eagles @ 49ers (1-1): The Eagles were an Eli Manning pass away from being 2-0. Well, they'll just have to settle for 2-1. Prediction: Eagles by 10 (1-1) Broncos @ Patriots (2-0): The Patriots didn't seem to miss the departed Branch, but the Broncos seem to miss John Elway, with Plummer under center. Prediction: Patriots by 8 Bye Week: Cowboys, Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers Sports Ventz •Man of Steel? After Cowboys receiver, Terrell Owens, broke a bone in his right hand, and a metal plate was placed in the surgically repaired hand, reports coming out of Dallas say that due to the Dallas bye week, many would be surprised if he missed a game, as oppose to 2-4 weeks. Ex-Cowboy Emmitt Smith had the identical procedure and was able to return in 12 days. If T.O. was to return to face the Titans, it would have been 13 days, and you know Owens, he's a fast healer. •Irony? Last week I brought you the backstabber story. When the backup punter for Northern Colorado stabbed the starter in the leg... Ironically Northern Colorado was forced to start their third string punter who was then injured during the game, but they were able to win the game by blocking a punt. •Home Sweet Home: As you all know there's no place like home, and this Monday night the New Orleans Saints, will feel those sentiments. For the first time since the Hurricane Katrina disaster, the Saints will play a game in the Superdome. The game will be emotional, competitive, and spectacular as they face off with the red hot Falcons. But win, lose, or draw, this should be viewed as a victory for the city of New Orleans as they continue to attempt to rebuild the Crescent City.

By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Just A Thought... The past couple of weeks featured a couple of memorable days. August 29 and September 11, has rewritten American history books, as we know it. Two of American cities were ripped apart by a natural disaster (New Orleans) and terrorist attack (New York). As a result we change the way we travel, the way we live, and even changed our culture. Fortunately, we have Collegiate and Professional sports to help take our minds off of the inevitable. As players take the field and compete in your favorite sport, our minds are distracted by pure competition and joy. In an essence it can be therapeutic. With that being said as you go through your everyday walk of life, move with joy and a purpose, and not with fear. However, always remember that no one-day is more precious than others, some are just more memorable. NFL After further review...there were a few week one surprises. The Rams dominated the Broncos, The Falcons ran all over the Panthers (minus Steve Smith), the Bears shutout the Packers for the first time in Favre's illustrious career, and the Manning bowl actually lived up to its hype (and there was a lot of it). All in all that was just week one, 16 teams are 1-0, and 16 are 0-1. This Sunday teams will begin to separate, and we will be able to see who's for real, and who was a week one fluke. With that being said let's breakdown Week 2 matchups... Must See Games... (0-1) Giants @ Eagles (1-0): Donovan McNabb wasted no time hooking up with newly acquired Donte Stallworth, in Sunday's opener versus the Texans. But that was the Texans. Week 2 will prove if they have really gotten over the departure of T.O. or not. After Easy E-li Manning fell to big bro Peyton on Sunday, it would seem as if he is ready for primetime, as long as he doesn't get the same officiating crew. Prediction: Giants by 6 (0-1) Lions @Bears (1-0): Why is this a must see game? Because Roy Williams, Lions wide out, felt the need to guarantee a victory over Chicago, and also stating that they could have put up 40 on the Seahawks. In case he hasn't noticed the longest drive for the Lions thus far was the one by their naked assistant coach. Haven't athletes learned? When you put your foot in your mouth you often must chew on it. Just ask fellow Detroit pro Rasheed Wallace. Not only will the Bears win, but they are liable to shut them out. Did I mention the game would be played at Soldiers Field? Prediction: Bears by 17 (0-1) Bucs @ Falcons (1-0): After the Falcons dominated the Panthers and the Ravens abused the Bucs, many wonder if those performances were for real. One thing's for sure the Falcons defense is just as fast as the Ravens, which will probably translate to a Week 2 headache for Chris Simms and Cadillac Williams. This game is important for the Falcons, who can get off to a 2-0 start in the division, before traveling to New Orleans in Week 3. As long as the Falcons can control the line of scrimmage, and the clock, as they did in week one, they should be penciled in for another division victory. Prediction: Falcons by 10 (1-0) Cardinals @ Seahawks (1-0): Every season experts say that this is the year that the Cards make a push in the division. Well this is not only that year, but also that week. Coming off the win over the 49ers, many question their authenticity as a contender. The Seahawks struggled against the Lions and failed to cross the end zone. Maybe the loss of guard Steve Hutchinson is bigger than we think. With that being said the Cards could make a statement with the defeat over the defending NFC Champs in their place. Prediction: Cards by 3 (0-1) Redskins @ Cowboys (0-1): With this game being played on Sunday Night under the lights, it will truly have some implications as to who may represent the NFC East. Ironically enough one of these teams will leave with a 0-2 record, whereas many felt as if one of the two will win the division. Then again its just week 2. Expect the Cowboys to come out with more to prove. It's there first game at home, with T.O., and Bledsoe needs to have a good showing. Hopefully their highly touted kicker, Vanderjagt, can suit up because this one may be decided in the final seconds. Prediction: Cowboys by 1 (1-0) Steelers @ Jaguars (1-0): Will Big Ben play? Can the Jags follow up with their big performance versus the Cowboys? Yes. and Yes. The thing is only one team will finish this Monday night showdown undefeated. The Steelers looked very good against a solid Dolphins team and the Jaguars made a statement against the Cowboys proving that they are contenders. With Polamalu playing status in question, his play may be the difference in Leftwich's performance. In the end there are too many question marks on the Steelers side of the ball. Look for the Jags to make another statement by defeating the Super Bowl champs. Prediction: Jaguars by 5 Quick Hit Predicts... (0-1) Bills @ Dolphins (0-1): Bills had control of the Patriots. The Fins' had control of the champs. Both loss their perspective games. Who will finish? Better yet who will give up the game? Prediction: Dolphins by 10 (1-0) Patriots @ Jets (1-0): Tom Brady loss his favorite target in Deion Branch. The Jets regained their QB of the future in Chad Pennington. Somehow the Pats will still have one up on the Jets...oh yeah Tom Brady. Prediction: Patriots by 7 (0-1) Raiders @ Ravens (1-0): The Raiders resemble themselves in '05. The Ravens resemble themselves in 2000. The only difference is the Ravens now have an All-Pro QB. The Raiders will literally have a long flight home. Prediction: Ravens by 14 (1-0) Saints @ Packers (0-1): The Saints proved that there is a GOD selecting Reggie Bush with the No. 2 pick. The Packers have shown us that all good things (Favre) come to an end. Not to mention the Bears showed a blueprint for defeating the Pack. Show up. Prediction: Saints by 6 (1-0) Bengals @ Browns (0-1): Palmer returned from injury, and so did the Browns Winslow. But Winslow seemed to be in mid-season form with his jab at Bengals No. 85, saying he will be stopped. Winslow and the Browns need to worry about stopping something else...losing! Sorry, it shall continue. Prediction: Bengals by 13 (0-1) Texans @ Colts (1-0): Texans rely on Mario Williams to contain Peyton Manning. Colts rely on Manning to torch the Texans. Are you in good hands? Advantage Colts. Prediction: Colts by 19 (0-1) Panthers @ Vikings (1-0): Smith is listed as questionable. The Vikings win is still being viewed as questionable. The Panthers need to make a statement. The Vikings already did. Prediction: Panthers by 6 (0-1) Titans @ Chargers (1-0): Kerry Collins or Vince Young. The Titans say Collins. The Chargers "D" say they don't care. Prediction: Chargers by 14 (0-1) Chiefs @ Broncos (0-1): No Trent Green for the Chiefs. No Jake the Snake in week one for the Broncos. Although they both started the games neither one could finish. And there is still no Green. Prediction: Broncos by 7 (0-1) 49ers @ Rams (1-0): Was the Rams victory over the Broncos for real? One things for sure the 49ers loss was. Predictions: Rams by 10 Sports Ventz • Backstabbers: The O'Jays were right when they recorded their hit, "They smile in your face, all the time they wanna take your place." Northern Colorado backup punter was recently arrested for stabbing the starter in his kicking leg out of hatred for losing the job. As a result he was expelled from the University, arrested and the third string punter is now the starter. "What they do?" • Branch of Offense: The Seattle Seahawks recently acquired SB MVP Deion Branch from the Patriots, with hopes of providing another option for QB Matt Hassleback. Its obvious that help is needed after not scoring a touchdown in week one, but it seems as if they need to make a move to bring back guard Steve Hutchinson and not another skill player. • It Cost You Nothing: Jerry Porter, Raiders wide out, was seen fist pumping as Aaron Brooks was sacked for the seventh time during a Monday Night debacle versus the Chargers. But Porter begs to differ. When asked about his actions he said, "I wasn't paying attention to the game." I guess we know why he was made inactive for the game.

By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Just A Thought... If you haven't noticed, sports have provided us with many metaphors in life. "That's how the ball bounces", "You win some, you lose some", and my all time favorite "There's always next year." Well next year is now in the NFL, and as a result football (and sports as a whole) has introduced us to another word, "optimism." Currently every team is 0-0, each with the possibility of going 16-0 or 0-16, and winning the Super Bowl, at least from an optimistic standpoint. Many feel like the Carolina Panthers will walk away with the Lombardi Trophy, while others say the Indianapolis Colts, but due to optimism there are fans by the bay that feel as if the Raiders will face the 49ers in Super Bowl XL1 in Miami. Nevertheless next year is now, and who knows how the ball will bounce for all 32 teams, so as a fan please remain optimistic in regards to your favorite team and please remember to not let your favorite team raise your blood pressure because they will win some and they will lose some. NFL I can finally stop holding my breath because September 7 has finally come. Today is the official NFL Kick-Off (Featuring Diddy). The Miami Dolphins will face off with the Super Bowl Champs Pittsburgh Steelers. Please keep in mind that the last six SB winners have won their first game the following season, but the last to lose, Denver Broncos, fell to the hands of the Miami Dolphins, oh yeah the Broncos were without their SB quarterback in John Elway. Get my drift Steelers fans...Let's get to week 1predictions. Thursday Dolphins @ Steelers: The Dolphins are rejuvenated with the off-season acquisition of QB Daunte Culpepper, although he has performed well in the pre-season his status in regards to his health (knee) will finally be tested against the fierce Steelers defense. With the Steelers missing Big Ben, many would count out the Steelers, not so fast. Charlie Batch will start in Ben's place, and went 2-0 last season in the same role. Batch has more regular season experience than Rothlesberger, so its safe to say the Steelers are in good hands. With that being said, look for this game to be a close one. Then again... Pick: Dolphins by 3 Sunday: 1 p.m. Falcons @ Panthers: The Panthers owned the Falcons last season and with that being said the Falcons beefed up its defense with hopes of stopping the run as well as the pass. Steve Smith has been bothered by a hamstring injury but please believe that he will be ready to face-off with friend and foe DeAngelo Hall. The big question is for how long. Of course Smith's adrenaline will be rushing and as a result the hamstring could be a problem. With that being said Keyshawn Johnson will be key in keeping the secondary honest. The difference maker may be time of possession, and with a healthy Michael Vick the Falcons can definitely do that. Pick: Falcons by 1 Broncos @ Rams: The Rams have definitely went from the "greatest show on turf", to the team "formerly known as the greatest show on turf." The Broncos will have their way with the Rams in a season opening laugher. As for you fantasy geeks do not start a Denver running back, they will all share the load. Pick: Broncos by 14 Bills @ Patriots: The Bills seem to always play the Patriots tough, and with that being said this game will be interesting for Pats fans to get a glimpse of their offense without Deion Branch. Then again with Brady under center will anyone notice? Pick: Patriots by 10 Eagles @ Texans: Just when the Texans fans stop thinking there's always next year, they must regain that way of thinking after the announcement that Dominick Davis would be out for the season. Sure all eyes will be on Mario Williams chasing down Donovan McNabb (and the Texans organization will have its eyes set on OU Adrian Peterson) but that will not take Texans fans eyes off the scoreboard. Pick: Eagles by 10 Saints @ Browns: Here are two teams that need to get off to a good start. Both play in tough divisions, but have been losers for quite some time. The Browns rest their hopes on Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow II, two youngsters coming off injuries, whereas the Saints go into Cleveland placing pressure on Drew Brees (coming off a shoulder injury) and newly acquired Reggie Bush (a breathtaking runner). This game may turn out to be a defensive battle, with so many question marks on the offensive side. Pick: Browns by 4 Seahawks @ Lions: The Lions have yet to show and prove that they are ready to be a winning organization. With that being said the toughest thing for the Seahawks will be their cross-country flight. Then again they don't fly commercial. Look to see how the newly acquired hometown favorite Nate Burleson will fit in the 'Hawks offense, and how Shaun Alexander looks without Guard Steve Hutchinson. Pick: Seahawks by 17 Jets @ Titans: Jets? Titans? Quite honestly I'm not sure where either one of these teams are headed. With New York placing the ball back in Chad Pennington's hand Jets fans everywhere should fill nauseated. After the Titans let Steve McNair walk, I'm wondering why not declare Vince Young the starter now? Oh because he's not ready. Let's say this, this game won't be pretty. Pick: Titans by 3 (They are at home) Bengals @ Chiefs: The hype surrounding Larry Johnson cannot be good for Larry Johnson. Everyone will be gunning for Johnson, which means more opportunities for Tony Gonzalez. That's great but neither one can tackle, and the Bengals are ready to take on any defense in the L, with the return of Carson Palmer and the receiving core meshing like peanut butter and jelly, we may hear some classic quotes from Herm Edwards. Pick: Bengals by 10 Sunday: 4:15 Bears @ Packers: For quite some time Brett Favre and the Packers have controlled this rivalry, but all good things must come to an end. After the Bears swept the cheese lovers last season, it became obvious as to who assumed control of their match-up. The Bears will suit up with all 22 starters and they have not forgotten about their Divisional playoff meltdown. As for the Packers they return Brett Favre, coming off a 29-interception season (6 vs. Chicago), and a myriad of question marks. This particular series is always a tough one yet the Bears will claw out of this one. Pick: Bears by 10 49ers @ Cardinals: In the past this match-up would not even be worth breaking down, and it still isn't. But the Cardinals are an interesting team to watch. With the acquisition of Edgerrin James many would like to see how he will complement Fitzgerald and Boldin, and how soon Warner will get pulled in favor of Leinart. Expect a lot of highlights for the Cards "O" but their question mark is on defense. Then again they are playing the 49ers. Pick: Cardinals by 7 Cowboys @ Jaguars: The Jags are a team emerging in the League and the Cowboys are attempting to regain its supremacy from the '90s. With the addition of T.O. to the Cowboys "O" expect to see some one on one match-ups for Terry Glenn and Jason Witten, which would prove to be in favor of the 'Boys. But Leftwich will have something to say about that, the question is how much. With the loss of Jimmy Smith (retirement) and the season-ending injury to Greg Jones, one may wonder how the Jags will pull things together. Pick: Cowboys by 4 Sunday: 8:15 *Game of the Week* Colts @ Giants: If you have been eagerly awaiting the Manning Bowl, imagine how the Manning's must fill. Peyton is five years the senior of brother Eli, and as a result they have never faced off in tackle football competition. As a result a sibling rivalry will unfold before a nationally televised audience. As for the game the Colts will not bow down and will continue to air things out, as for the Giants they will have a great mix of run with Tiki and pass with Shockey, Toomer, Burress, and rookie Sinorice Moss. The Giants have bulked up on "D' with the addition of LaVar Arrington to a very tough front seven, look to see younger brother Eli give big bro Peyton a run for his money. Pick: Colts by 6 Monday Night Football 7 p.m. Vikings @ Redskins: The Vikings will begin 2006 without the services of Randy Moss and Daunte Culpeeper for the first time since '98. That doesn't sound good for the twin city faithful. The Redskins have added to its offense with the acquisitions of Randle-El, Lloyd, and running back T.J. Duckett. The question is how is Clinton Portis' shoulder? Many will speculate but Portis' shoulder will tell the truth. The Redskins will have to spread things out to keep the heat out of the backfield, and to put points up on the board. The Vikings does not seem to be capable of lighting up the scoreboard and they will need to do so to come out on top. Pick: 'Skins by 9 10:15 p.m. Chargers @ Raiders: This California battle has been in favor of the Chargers as of late, but with the departure of Drew Brees, many have doubts about Phillip Rivers assuming the starting QB role. One thing that's constant is the play of L.T. and Antonio Gates. With that being said many will look for Aaron Brooks to click with Randy Moss for the Raiders on Monday night. So which new QB starter will fair better, some will go with experience while others will go for the youngster with more talent surrounding him. At the end of the day the Chargers still have the better "D", and that will prove to pose a problem for the experienced QB. Pick: Chargers by 7 Sports Ventz • For the past month I've analyzed all 32 teams in an attempt of predicting the record of teams across the NFL. With that being said here is my last prediction, Super Bowl XLI: Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts. Why? Because that's how I feel, I see it as the league's best defense will face off with the league's best offense. Many may say that last year was the year for both of these teams, and my reply to you is the Steelers were 15-1 the year before they won the Super Bowl, and beside its my blog and my gut feeling. Take it or leave it! Either way we must get through twenty weeks of football prior to the big game. Enjoy week one of the NFL it has finally arrived.

By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Just A Thought... Every year there's one special day that we circle on our calendars with high anticipation of that day...No not payday but your birthday! As many of you may know today is my birthday so this week's edition of Thoughtful Thursday has been changed to Wishful Wednesday. In the NFL players and fans have circled a day on their calendars, September 7, the birthday of the 2006 season. Every year fans make wishes for their favorite teams and players. As we sit a week away from NFL kick-off, let's review my version of the NFL wish list, as well as much, much more! After all it is my birthday and I can write want I want to... NFL In case you've been following the likes of John Karr as if it was an extended episode of Law & Order: SVU, or Terrell Owens as he takes on Tour De Dallas, you may have missed out on the past month of NFL Predictions. After breaking down all 32 teams and watching the pre-season like it was midseason, there are a few things that I have noticed. T.O. vs. Tuna has been blown out of proportion, and they will have the last laugh. The Ashley Lelie-T.J. Duckett trade was better for Atlanta, and the Donte Stallworth trade really isn't that good for Philly, he's afraid of contact and in case you haven't noticed receivers get hit! Reggie Bush made a splash against Tennessee, and then he was introduced to a real opponent. As for team efforts: Colts, Pats, Seahawks, Ravens, Bengals, and Matt Leinart all look really good. Packers, Titans, 49ers, and Rex Grossman all look bad. Now that you've been brought up to speed let's fast forward to the real season, the Playoffs. AFC Playoffs (Order of Predicted Finish) 1. Indianapolis Colts- The big question was could the Colts replace James? No. But they will still reign supreme with their deadly passing attack, and their backfield balance of experience, Dominick Rhodes, and youth in Joseph Addai. What many should be asking is will the "O" line hold up in January? 2. Denver Broncos- One things for sure the Broncos will have a 1,000 yard rusher, and they will dominate the AFC West. The question is can they replace Ashley Lelie? Okay that was too easy. With the addition of WR Javon Walker, expect to see some consistency out of Jake Plummer, now as for their defense they're still in question. 3. New England Patriots- The Pats are still the Pats with Brady under center. Although they have lost a few veterans on the defensive side of the ball, they will be a playoff participant; after all they face the Bills, and Jets twice! 4. Pittsburgh Steelers- The Super Bowl champs are the champs until someone dethrones them. Well get ready Steelers fans, you will be waving your terrible towels in the blistering Pittsburgh cold, the only question is for how long? 5. Miami Dolphins- Have you heard? Daunte Culpepper has set sail in South Beach, and everything is looking as smooth as Ocean Drive. Expect to see an air show from Culpepper and company, not to mention some tough running from second year back Ronnie Brown. But with the absence of Ricky Williams, Brown can't afford to have a sophomore slump, or else they will be another team victimized by the fact that the Super Bowl is played in their stadium. 6. Cincinnati Bengals- With Carson Palmer returning after getting his knee shredded in the wild card playoff game vs. Pittsburgh, many wondered if the Bengals could regain its offensive flair. After Palmer's debut on Monday night, I was convinced that he was back, but my question is how will he react to a much faster defense like division foes Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. For his sake everything will be fine, and if their offense is clicking then it won't matter how fast an opponents "D" is, now if he can only get his team "D" up to speed... NFC Playoffs 1. Seattle Seahawks- After losing in the Super Bowl many wondered if the Seahawks would become yet another SB loser to fold in the next season to eventually miss the playoffs. Not only will they make the playoffs but also they will have a bye. I know this may seem like a safe pick, but the core of the team: Hassleback, Alexander, and Walter Jones all return and hungrier than ever. With the addition of Nate Burleson, Seattle has added speed and depth to a consistent receiving core. Coupled with a favorable schedule, in which they face four playoff teams from '05, things should be on cruise control by mid-season. 2. Chicago Bears- After being humiliated by Steve Smith and the Panthers in the divisional playoffs, many questioned the readiness for the Chicago Bears as a whole. For those of you who have short memories, the Bears "O" scored 21 points on a tough Panthers "D"; it was the Bears secondary that disappointed. As a result Chicago added depth in the secondary, as well as QB with the veteran acquisition of Brian Griese. It looks to me as if the Bears are in win now mode, and in a terrible NFC North winning now is something they are more than capable of doing. 3. Atlanta Falcons- A team that is known for never putting together back-to-back winning seasons, will continue that tradition by not only orchestrating a winning season but also winning their division. With various upgrades on "D' and the acquisition of Ashley Lelie, the Falcons are if nothing else fast and deep. Playing in the tough NFC South, expect to see them grind things out once again with Vick, Dunn, and rookie RB Jerious Norwood. Now that Vick has confidence in his wide outs, not to mention Lelie is in a contract year, expect to see his passing numbers rise, especially since teams are preparing to stop the Falcons rush. 4. Dallas Cowboys- Now that T.O. has returned to practice, we can talk about the Cowboys return to the playoffs. After missing the playoffs last year, owner Jerry Jones decided enough was enough and made the bold move to sign Owens. As long as Parcells is able to get the most out of Bledsoe and company, Dallas should be a shining star in the NFC East. Just don't let Roy Williams tackle T.O. in practice and everything will be fine. 5. Carolina Panthers- With the parity in the NFL it's not often that a team reaches their conference championship game, lose, then bounce right back the following season for an encore. In the case of the Panthers this scenario may hold some truth but they will receive an invite to postseason play. The signing of WR Keyshawn Johnson was major in providing a complement to Steve Smith. Smith caught 45% of the balls for the Panthers in '05 and I can guarantee he can't do that again. The Seahawks provided a template as to how to defend Smith, but with Johnson joining in, teams will have to go back to the drawing board to defend against their air attack. 6. New York Giants- Week 1 will determine the progress of Manning #2, when Eli faces off against brother Peyton and the speedy Colts defense. Not only will he be under pressure to outscore his big bro (something he can't do) he'll most likely face pressure from the likes of Dwight Freeney and Corey Simon. With that being said Eli must connect with his receiving core throughout the 16 game schedule to make a bid for the playoffs. If they are able to survive a tough division then they will be a scary team to face in the playoffs. Sports Ventz Wish List... • USA B-Ball: Team USA did a superb job representing our country. Currently they boast a 7-0 record after defeating a Dirk Nowitzki lead Germany squad 85-65. Many feel as if their shooting performance was horrible, but that speaks volumes about their defense being able to defeat a squad by 20 despite poor perimeter shooting. As a wish, I would like to see Team USA defeat Greece by 30+ then go on to thrash a Manu Ginobli lead Argentina squad in the final round to regain world supremacy. • NFL: The Eagles look to soar again after acquiring WR Donte Stallworth via trade. Many are excited by this acquisition but the last time I checked he was known more for catching big blows from safeties that lead to lack of confidence than catching touchdowns. As a wish, I would like to see Stallworth regain his University of Tennessee flare and perform at a high level, and then the NFC East will really be interesting to watch. • Hurricane Katrina Anniversary: Tuesday Aug. 29, marked the one-year anniversary to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. After seeing clips over and over, of the city of New Orleans, I wish that the city known as the Big Easy will soon regain its easygoing atmosphere. Many athletes have done their part to make things better for the city and most recently Serena and Venus Williams have decided to compete against one another in December for a Hurricane Katrina relief benefit. As long as we all do our best to chip in anyway possible a change will come....Now that I think about it, my wish is to be on hand for that tennis match! • MLB: Tuesday Barry Bonds blasted two pitches over the fence at Turner field for home runs #726 & #727. I found it interesting that he not only hit two homers but also snagged a home run away from the Braves, in an attempt to show all in the land of Hammerin' Hank that he's still got some fuel left in his tank. My wish is that Bonds will be able to stay healthy enough to surpass Aaron's record. Say what you want but the guys has worked hard for twenty years, not to mention the Bonds family has given us two generations of ball players. • MLB con't: The defending champ Chicago White Sox are obviously my favorite team, and has fluctuated my blood pressure during the course of the season. My wish is for them to get their minds and bats right for a strong push to make the playoffs. Currently they have

By: Kevin Cottrell, Jr. Just A Thought... Perfection. What is it? Better yet, how do you define it? In the sports world it may be defined as an unblemished record. In '72 the Dolphins were 14-0, en route to becoming Super Bowl Champs. Then again the '96 Bulls went 72-10 and many viewed that as being a perfect season. In all actuality there is no true definition for perfection. Many remember Michael Jordan capturing three straight titles (twice) but he struggled for 8 seasons prior to those triumph years, Tiger Woods most recently won his 12th major and 51st tour victory over all, yet he has shown signs of weakness after losing his father to cancer and failing to make the cut in the first event he played in. On the other hand M.J. and Tiger are widely known for their work ethic, competitiveness, and their willingness to complete anything that they start. Regardless of their results, they will forever be viewed as perfect because they made it a point to give it their all in whatever they did. NFL In case you missed last week's edition of Thoughtful Thursday (scroll down), we previewed the AFC East in which I predicted the New England Patriots (12-4) to win the East. Today we'll take a trip to the left coast to breakdown the AFC West, a division in which featured 4 different champs the past 4 seasons. Not to long ago the Raiders were in the Super Bowl, now they're the division door mat. With a healthy Moss and rejuvenated Brooks, can Oakland regain supremacy, or will San Diego get charged behind QB Rivers? Let's take a look... AFC East (Order of Predicted Finish) 1. Denver Broncos (2005: 13-3) During the course of the '05 season the entire Bronco organization was on an ultimate high riding their tremendous 13-3 season. But as they entered the playoffs they would soon find out that it was just the Mile High air getting to them. Seriously, Denver fell a few quarters shy of reaching the Super Bowl after losing to the Steelers (34-17). With that being said what do the Broncos need to get over the Conference Championship hump? Good question. It seemed as if their "D" is in tact with a tenacious LB core manned by Al Wilson in the middle, and an excellent secondary with Bailey at corner and Lynch at Safety. On the offensive side of the ball, Rod Smith is the vet they need for leadership, Plummer has become the QB many hoped he would be. The services of Javon Walker at wideout will make their balanced "O" an explosive one. But one thing seems to be missing a solid runner. With the loss of Mike Anderson (Baltimore), many believe Ron Dayne and Tatum Bell will battle things out to man the backfield, but neither one is very consistent. As many know the Broncos have always been a run oriented team, and until someone assumes the role of "premier" running back, the Broncos will struggle getting over that hump. Then again, with their zone-blocking scheme I could gain 1,000 yards over a 16 game season. Prediction: 12-4 2. San Diego Chargers (2005: 9-7) I know what you're thinking, last year was the year the Chargers should have made the playoffs, but I say that was last year. After the departure of Drew Brees (Saints) many feel that the Chargers are doomed if their season rests on Phillip Rivers' right arm, but it doesn't. The Chargers had the #1 rank defense against the run, and the #10 offense in '05. So, why didn't they make the playoffs last season? Easy they didn't finish games. With that being said the pro bowl talents of L.T. and Gates will be enough to keep Phillip's river flowing during the season. Coupled with his tenacious defense he should have a short field to work with, more times than not. Now if they could just finish those close games... Prediction: 11-5 wild card 3. Kansas City Chiefs (2005: 10-6) It's safe to say that the Priest Holmes era is coming to an end, and the emergence of Larry Johnson has just begun. Many feel that L.J. will have just as much success, as did Holmes, but that was before the departure of veteran LT Willie Roaf (retirement), and FB Tony Richardson (Vikings). Sure, Johnson is a tough back who will gain many yards, but the question is, can L.J. be as good as K.C. BBQ? Well, the answer has to be yes in order for the Chiefs to make some noise in the West. Don't worry I haven't forgot about Tony Gonzalez, but maybe he's forgotten about football, scoring a dismal 2 touchdowns in '05, and he was the team's leading receiver. With the arrival of Coach Herman Edwards one things for sure, "They'll play to win the game!" Prediction: 9-7 4. Oakland Raiders (2005: 4-12) Art Shell is back! Art Shell is back! Unfortunately, so are the '05 Raiders. What can I say, Randy Moss happens to be my favorite player, and I just can't understand how an explosive offense couldn't be built around him. Oh, I know! The QB in '05 was no threat. In fact Kerry Collins under center for the Raiders was viewed as self-destruction for Oakland. During the off-season, Al Davis decided to go out and get him a quarterback. Maybe he lured backup Matt Schaub from Atlanta, or drafted Matt Leinart with the #7 pick in the draft? Nah, instead he decided to sign unproven Aaron Brooks (who I happened to have confidence in). Sure he has a cannon for an arm, and a not so lightning quick version of his cousin Michael Vick, yet he tends to have trouble picking apart defenses. This may pose a problem with Moss. Too late it already has. Coupled with the fact that Jerry Porter wants out, and Ronald Curry hurts so much to get in, the Raiders seem to be headed towards the ultimate black hole. Last Place! Prediction: 6-10 NFL Fantasy Football Last week was all about the signal callers. But as we all know the key to winning any Fantasy league is possessing quality running backs. One who can run between the tackles, bounce outside for big gains, but also catch passes out the backfield. So who are the top backs in the league.... 1. Ladanian Tomlinson- Chargers, Rivers first season under center, means the play book will be run heavy, with screens, and dump plays to build the youngsters confidence. This simply spells out big numbers and a lot of touches for L.T. 2. Tiki Barber- Giants, Barber being the veteran on such a youthful offense, he will continue to set the tone for a unit that relies on a young QB and a hot headed Tight end. 3. Larry Johnson- Chiefs, many have Johnson at the top of their boards, and rightfully so. But after such an explosive season, Larry won't surprise anyone. However don't be fooled he is a workhorse. 4. Cadillac Williams- Bucs, the league's offensive rookie of the year, will touch the ball in a variety of ways. With Chris Simms second year under center, Williams will be expected to keep things balanced to keep the heat off Chris. That means a lot of touches via run and pass. 5. Warrick Dunn- Falcons, now that Duckett has departed Warrick can finally get things done in the red zone. Duckett had 8 touchdowns last season, and they were all set up by drives of Dunn's. With that being said look for Dunn to rush for over 1,000 yards, while tacking on more TD's. Get Ur DUNN! Honorable Mention: Ronnie Brown, Dolphins, Jamal Lewis, Ravens, Clinton Portis, Redskins, Reggie Bush, Saints, Edgerrin James... Sports Ventz • USA B-Ball: Team US has posted a 5-0 record, winning their pool and advancing to the round of 16. But the most impressive performance of all had to come from the team's leading scorer in Carmelo Anthony. Facing Italy, team USA struggled facing a deficit as large as 12, but midway through the third, 'Melo reminded us all how he single handedly carried the Syracuse Orangemen to a national title but dropping 19 of his 35 points in the third quarter. Highlighted by a barrage of three-pointers (5 to be exact), Anthony seemed to have smooth things out in the talks that he was far behind the progress of James and Wade. Then again it was Italy, not the Phoenix Suns, then again the Suns play like Italy.... • NFL: Trades! Trades! That's right the NFL witnessed a few guys changing zip codes. Falcons RB T.J. Duckett was sent to the 'Skins in exchange for Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie who joins Team Vick. In the end the Broncos gain nothing more than a third-round pick in the '07 Draft from the Redskins. • What were they thinking? As was expected the Atlanta Hawks traded veteran Forward Al Harrington to the Indiana Pacers...FOR NOTHING! They shipped the 6-9 forward to the Pacers in return for some cash and a draft pick. The guy averaged 19 pts.7 reb. for GOD's sake! First they sign PG Speedy Claxton (who backed up Chris Paul, a guy they passed in last year's draft) now this. After the release of "Invincible" maybe the Hawks will get inspired and have open try-outs. • Madden '07: Tuesday Aug. 22nd, marked a day when Boys (and Men) flooded Wal-Mart's and gaming stories around the nation at midnight for their opportunity of obtaining a copy of the addictive game (I was one of them). Yes, many girlfriends will be cheated on with a PS2 joystick, homework will get put off for a battle with opposing roommates, and a console or two will be broken out of frustration. Face it everyone, as summer concludes things are just heating up around a Madden game near you.