Spaceball Football Has Been Launched!

All American Fantasy Sports Entertainment, Inc. officially launched their weekly pick 5 fantasy football game today! For as little as $5.00 per entry, contestants will have a chance to win $500 in cash each week for the remainder of the 2008 NFL season!

The Sign up deadline for Spaceball Foootball is 12 Noon Central Standard Time every Sunday, so you'll have plenty of time all week to do your home work before you pick your "Fantasy Fav 5" each week you're ready to compete.

Go to www.funtasyfootball.com to check out one of the most fun, easy & cheap to play fantasy football games this year! Thanks to Spaceball Football...Your Fantasy Football Season Is Not Over, It's Just Begun!

Game Details From Website Is Listed Below:

www.funtasyfootball.com

How To Play Spaceball's Pick 5 Fantasy Football & Our Scoring System

Play Spaceball's Pick 5 Fantasy Football for a chance to win $500 a week throughout the entire 2008 NFL season…The Game Is Easy, Fun & Cheap To Play!

Each Week, Pick 5 Fantasy Football Contestants Will Select:

1 Quarterback, 1 Running Back, 2 Wide Receivers & a Kicker from our list of players. Then, watch as each player earns you points based on touchdowns scored, total yards, field goals & extra points.

The contestant's team that scores the highest amount of points wins!

Player Scoring Breakdown:

Positions: Quarterback, Running Back & Wide Receiver

Passing Touchdown	6 Points
Rushing Touchdown	6 Points
Passing Yards	1 Point For Every 20 Passing Yards
Rushing Yards	1 Point For Every 10 Rushing Yards
Receiving Yards	1 Point For Every 10 Receiving Yards

Position: Kicker

Field Goal	3 Points
Extra Point	1 Point

Prize Breakdown:

1st Place/Highest Scoring Contestant (s)	Grand Prize: $500
Last Place/Lowest Scoring Contestant (s)	Pick 5 Fantasy Football Free Play

Tie Breaker Rules:

If two or more Pick 5 Fantasy Football contestants accumulate an identical number of total points at the end of our weekly contest; Our $500 weekly prize purse will be divided evenly amongst those contestants that accumulated an identical total number of points for that week. (For Example: If three teams score 200 points and tie for first place. Those contestants would split our $500 cash prize 3 ways).

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The Mike Vick Leagacy

You ever see the show Dexter on Showtime? Well, I’ve been rather obsessed with it of late and I thought I might nominate a particular target for everyone’s favorite serial killer. Now, maybe a little back story: Dexter Morgan is an “orphaned” child who is raised by a noble Miami Police Officer. Early in Dexter’s life, Harry, Dexter’s foster father, realizes that Dexter has an uncontrollable psychological urge to kill, one that cannot be cured with things like therapy. So Harry, feeling attached to this boy, begins to find ways to channel his “son’s” urges toward good. He teaches him to be a perfect, uncatchable murderer, but the only condition is, he can only kill those who take innocent lives and manage to escape justice.

QB Week 3 Progress Report

Tom Brady

Team: Patriots

Last game: 17-27 loss vs. Eagles

Results: DNP…Brady missed yet another preseason game, but says he’ll be ready for the opener.

Tony Romo

Team: Cowboys

Last game: 23-22 win vs. Texans

Results: 15-19, 166 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT…This was a very solid performance for Romo and he appears ready for the season.

Peyton Manning

Team: Colts

Last game: 7-20 loss vs. Bills

Results: DNP. He has yet to test out his knee.

Ben Roethlisberger

Team: Steelers

Last game: 12-10 win vs. Vikings

Results: 10-17, 65 yds…Big Ben gave way for Leftwich to have an extended look in this one.

Derek Anderson

Team: Browns

Last game: 6-26 loss vs. Lions

Results: DNP. He’s still sitting out due to his head injury.

Drew Brees

Team: Saints

Last game: 13-0 win vs. Bengals

Results: 14-22, 199 yds, 1 TD…Brees will be one of the best again this year.

Matt Hasselbeck

Team: Seahawks

Last game: 17-18 loss vs. Chargers

Results: DNP. Frye got the look in this one.

Kurt Warner

Team: Cardinals

Last game: 24-0 win vs. Raiders

Results: 2-4, 40 yds…The best thing for Warner was Leinart’s 3 INT.

Carson Palmer

Team: Bengals

Last game: 0-13 loss vs. Saints

Results: 11-16, 105 yds…This doesn’t say much without Housh and Chad on the field.

Eli Manning

Team: Giants

Last game: 7-10 loss vs. Jets

Results: 10-17, 113 yds…It’s tough to gauge Eli when Plax isn’t on the field.

Philip Rivers

Team: Chargers

Last game: 18-17 win vs. Seahawks

Results: 11-21, 143 yds…So far, the knee is holding up.

Donovan McNabb

Team: Eagles

Last game: 27-17 win vs. Patriots

Results: 13-17, 180 yds, 1 TD…McNabb looked very efficient in his most extended preseason game.

David Garrard

Team: Jaguars

Last game: 23-17 win vs. Buccaneers

Results: 10-16, 118 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT…This was a very solid showing for Garrard. If he plays that way the whole year, the Jags will be near the top of the AFC.

Marc Bulger

Team: Rams

Last game: 24-10 win vs. Ravens

Results: 18-25, 182 yds, 2 TD…This looks like the Bulger of old.

Jay Cutler

Team: Broncos

Last game: 24-27 loss vs. Packers

Results: 6-13, 115 yds, 2 TD…Cutler didn’t complete many passes but he certainly made the most of them.

Jon Kitna

Team: Lions

Last game: 26-6 win vs. Browns

Results: 9-11, 98 yds…Kitna was accurate and more importantly he didn’t turn the ball over.

Jeff Garcia

Team: Buccaneers

Last game: 17-23 loss vs. Jaquars

Results: 11-18, 79 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT…Garcia can’t be happy about this performance, but he won’t be losing his job over it.

Jason Campbell

Team: Redskins

Last game: 3-47 loss vs. Panthers

Results: 6-10, 39 yds…It was not a good game for Campbell, as the score indicates.

Matt Schaub

Team: Texans

Last game: 22-23 loss vs. Cowboys

Results: 15-27, 166 yds, 1 TD…Schaub wasn’t very accurate but he’ll be huge for Houston if he can stay healthy.

Tarvaris Jackson

Team: Vikings

Last game: 10-12 loss vs. Steelers

Results: DNP. He’s still nursing his knee.

Vince Young

Team: Titans

Last game: 3-17 loss vs. Falcons

Results: 9-18, 102 yds, 1 INT…Standard Vince here. He has yet to turn into a complete QB.

Jake Delhomme

Team: Panthers

Last game: 47-3 win vs. Redskins

Results: 11-19, 159 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT…So far, so good for Delhomme.

Aaron Rodgers

Team: Packers

Last game: 27-24 win vs. Broncos

Results: 18-22, 193 yds, 1 TD…This is exactly what Rodgers needed to get fans to forget about Brett Favre.

Sage Rosenfels

Team: Texans

Last game: 22-23 loss vs. Cowboys

Results: 4-8, 29 yds…There’s not much to report here as he wasn’t given much playing time.

Damon Huard

Team: Chiefs

Last game: 0-24 loss vs. Dolphins

Results: 3-7, 26 yds, 1 INT…Ouch.

Chad Pennington

Team: Dolphins

Last game: 24-0 win vs. Chiefs

Results: 11-15, 94 yds, 1 TD…Short passes and a high completion percentage are exactly what Miami fans can get used to seeing.

Brian Griese

Team: Buccaneers

Last game: 17-23 loss vs. Jaquars

Results: 7-11, 71 yds…He has proven that he can be solid in relief of Garcia.

Josh McCown

Team: Dolphins

Last game: 24-0 win vs. Chiefs

Results: DNP…McCown is probably 4^th in line right now.

Quinn Gray

Team: Colts

Last game: 7-20 loss vs. Bills

Results: 8-16, 158 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT…Gray will find himself buried on the depth chart after this game.

Chris Redman

Team: Falcons

Last game: 17-3 win vs. Titans

Results: 9-11, 83 yds…Redman was good enough to lock up the backup spot and will take over if Ryan struggles.

Kyle Boller

Team: Ravens

Last game: 10-24 loss vs. Rams

Results: DNP. Flacco was given a long look in this one.

Joey Harrington

Team: Falcons

Last game: 17-3 win vs. Titans

Results: DNP…It’s not a good sign when you’re sitting out preseason games and you’re not the starter.

Trent Edwards

Team: Bills

Last game: 20-7 win vs. Colts

Results: DNP. The Bills let Losman handle this one.

Gus Frerotte

Team: Vikings

Last game: 10-12 loss vs. Steelers

Results: 13-19, 133 yds, 1 INT…He started in place of Jackson and struggled.

Brodie Croyle

Team: Chiefs

Last game: 0-24 loss vs. Dolphins

Results: 12-21, 110 yds, 1 INT…It wasn’t a good outing, but he’s clearly the best of the KC options.

Cleo Lemon

Team: Jaguars

Last game: 23-17 win vs. Buccaneers

Results: 9-12, 56 yds…No INT’s is key here. If he finds himself in the game, he’ll need to take care of the ball.

Kellen Clemens

Team: Jets

Last game: 10-7 win vs. Giants

Results: 9-12, 83 yds…Clemens turned in numbers very close to Favre, so the Jets have to be happy about that.

Trent Green

Team: Rams

Last game: 24-10 win vs. Ravens

Results: DNP. Kind of concerning since the Rams played 3 QB.

Luke McCown

Team: Buccaneers

Last game: 17-23 loss vs. Jaguars

Results: 11-19, 104 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT…He was the best of the Bucs quarterbacks.

Todd Collins

Team: Redskins

Last game: 3-47 loss vs. Panthers

Results: 9-15, 79 yds…He was the most impressive of the Washington QBs, or is it the least unimpressive?

Shaun Hill

Team: 49ers

Last game: 37-30 win vs. Bears

Results: 6-7, 60 yds…Hill was effective but O’ Sullivan has clearly taken the reigns.

JP Losman

Team: Bills

Last game: 20-7 win vs. Colts

Results: 13-19, 108 yds…JP did nothing to prove that he should be starting.

Rex Grossman

Team: Bears

Last game: 30-37 loss vs. 49ers

Results: 1-4, 6 yds…Lovie made the right call.

Kyle Orton

Team: Bears

Last game: 30-37 loss vs. 49ers

Results: 10-17, 147 yds, 2 TD…Orton showed that he can manage the game and give Chicago the best chance to win

Matt Leinart

Team: Cardinals

Last game: 24-0 win vs. Raiders

Results: 4-12, 24 yds, 3 INT…This is the game that lost him his job.

JaMarcus Russell

Team: Raiders

Last game: 0-24 loss vs. Cardinals

Results: 14-28, 140 yds, 1 INT…This could be an average game for Russell this year.

Alex Smith

Team: 49ers

Last game: 37-30 win vs. Bears

Results: 6-17, 83 yds…Smith has a lot of work to do if he ever wants to start again.

Brady Quinn

Team: Browns

Last game: 6-26 loss vs. Lions

Results: 14-24, 106 yds…Quinn looked good, but then again so did Ken Dorsey.

John Beck

Team: Dolphins

Last game: 24-0 win vs. Chiefs

Results: DNP…Beck is 3^rd on the depth chart.

Billy Volek

Team: Chargers

Last game: 18-17 win vs. Seahawks

Results: 3-9, 33 yds…This couldn’t be any less news worthy.

Drew Stanton

Team: Lions

Last game: 26-6 win vs. Browns

Results: DNP. Meanwhile Dan Orlovsky was very solid. Not a good sign.

Matt Ryan

Team: Falcons

Last game: 17-3 win vs. Titans

Results: 15-21, 102 yds, 1 TD…Ryan showed that he can be efficient and not make mistakes.

Brian Brohm

Team: Packers

Last game: 27-24 win vs. Broncos

Results: 0-4…This is not what Green Bay wants to see.

Joe Flacco

Team: Ravens

Last game: 10-24 loss vs. Rams

Results: 18-37, 152 yds, 1 TD…Flacco was given a whole game and he wasn’t amazing, but he wasn’t terrible either.

Chad Henne

Team: Dolphins

Last game: 24-0 win vs. Chiefs

Results: 2-7, 14 yds, 1 INT…Not a good showing for Henne, but he’s clearly the backup.

Brett Favre

Team: Jets

Last game: 10-7 win vs. Giants

Results: 9-12, 96 yds…Brett continues to settle in and has looked solid so far.

J.T. O’Sullivan

Team: 49ers

Last game: 37-30 win vs. Bears

Results: 7-8, 126 yds, 1 TD…O’ Sullivan looked calm and composed and solidified his spot as the starter.

Tyler Thigpen

Team: Chiefs

Last game: 0-24 loss vs. Dolphins

Results: 1-5, -5 yds, 1 INT…No comment.

Troy Smith

Team: Ravens

Last game: 10-24 loss vs. Rams

Results: DNP. Flacco played the whole game.

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NFL Injury Report 8.24.2008

Arizona Cardinals

Matt Leinart: According to team reports, Leinart has officially been benched in favor of Kurt Warner. Leinart’s 4 for 12 & 3 INT performance is what did him in.

Kurt Warner: The greatest show on earth may be in full effect in Arizona this season. Kurt Warner has just been named the clubs start to being the ‘08 season.

Atlanta Falcons

Joe Horn: Joe Horn was released by the falcons ball club this week. Horn should catch on with another ball club before the season starts.

Baltimore Ravens

Willis McGahee: McGahee indicated that he should be ready for the regular season, the Baltimore Sun reports.

Buffalo Bills

Roscoe Parrish: Parrish has been nursing a leg injury

Trent Edwards: Edwards is recovering from a deep bruise in his right thigh just above his knee, won’t play in Sunday’s preseason game against the Colts.

Carolina Panthers

D.J. Hackett: Hackett (toe) did not play against the Redskins on Saturday night. Hackett is going to benefit from Steve Smith’s absence the first 2 weeks of the season.

Muhsin Muhammad: Muhammad (sore ribs) sat out Saturday’s preseason win over the Redskins and may be out till the regular season opener.

Chicago Bears

Kevin Jones: KJ made his first appearance with the Bears this past week and had three carries for 30 yards in his Bears debut. Orton will greatly benefit from
KJ’s presence on the football field this year if he can stay healthy.

Desmond Clark: Clark missed Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers with a sprained knee.

Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Palmer: Palmer’s nose was treated Sunday after it was slightly fractured in Saturday’s game. Palmer will miss the final pre-seaon game, but will be
ready to go come week 1.

Rudi Johnson: Johnson (hamstring) said he’ll return to game action in this coming Thursday night’s preseason finale.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh: Houshmandzadeh didn’t in Saturday’s preseason game against New Orleans. Housh, may suit up for the finale, but don’t count on it.

Chad Johnson: Johnson’s sprained shoulder has progressed quicker than first thought and the regular season opener remains the target for his return, according to team reports.

Cleveland Browns

Derek Anderson: Coach Crennel said if Anderson is cleared to return to practice, he may play in the Browns’ preseason finale on Aug. 28.Derek Anderson is recovering from a
mild concussion.

Braylon Edwards: The Browns said that Edwards is “making progress” with his foot, which was cut in practice 10 days ago. Brylon will miss the rest of the pre-season to
be ready for week 1 action.

Jamal Lewis: Lewis missed Saturday’s game in Detroit after pulling a hamstring in Monday’s loss to the Giants.

Dallas Cowboys

Key Injuries: None

Denver Broncos

Brandon Marshall: Marshall hauled in two passes for 71 yards and a touchdown in Friday’s preseason game against the Packers. Marshall will be out the first 2 games of
the season,but that shouldn’t stop you from taking him in in the first 4 to 5 rounds of your Fantasy Football draft.

Detroit Lions

Jason Hanson: Hanson (hip flexor/thigh sprain) did not play Saturday against the Browns & may miss next weeks game too.

Green Bay Packers

James Jones: Jones has been diagnosed with a sprained knee and he’s considered “week-to-week,” according to team reports.

Ryan Grant: Grant (hamstring) was back at Packers practice Sunday.

Houston Texans

Ahman Green: Green (groin) will not be ready to play in Houston’s preseason finale Thursday, according to team reports.

Chris Brown: Brown (back) is unlikely to play in Houston’s preseason finale on Thursday.

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning: Nothing new here, Manning will continue to miss pre-season play after having minor knee surgery, but will be ready come week 1.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew: The ankle sprain that Jones-Drew sustained early in Saturday’s preseason game isn’t considered serious and will most likely miss their final pre-season game.

Jerry Porter: Porter may return to practice next week, according to team reports.

Reggie Williams: Williams (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday & should see some action their final pre-season game. Williams had a big year last year & should continue to
be one of David Garrard’s favorite targets in ‘08.

Kansas City Chiefs

Brodie Croyle: Croyle has one more pre-season game to provie he should be the starter of the Chief’s in ‘08. Tyler Thigpen or Damon Huard will get the nod if he continues to
struggle or put up mediocre performances.

Miami Dolphins

Ronnie Brown: Brown may see a lightened workload early in the season as he nurses his injured right thumb back to health. This may leave the door wide open for Ricky Williams
to prove that he should be the primary back for the fish in ‘08.

Minnesota Vikings

Robert Ferguson: Ferguson injured his right leg playing special teams in Saturday’s preseason game.

Tarvaris Jackson: Jackson (knee) sat out Saturday’s exhibition game after warming up but said after the game he definitely will play in the Vikings’ regular season opener.

Sidney Rice: Rice missed Saturday’s preseason game after missing four days of practice with a virus.

New Orleans Saints

Jeremy Shockey: Shockey, didn’t make his Saints’ debut in Saturday night’s preseason game against the Bengals, but may play in their pre-season finale game.

Reggie Bush: Bush suffered a contusion to his quadriceps late in the first quarter of Saturday’s preseason game against the Bengals, according to team reports.

Marques Colston: Colston suffered bruised ribs in Saturday’s preseason win over the Bengals & is considered day to day.

New England Patriots

Wes Welker: Wild Wes Welker did not have an update on Welker’s rib injury Saturday, the Boston Herald reports.

LaMont Jordan: Jordan (undisclosed) did not play in Friday’s preseason game against the Eagles.

Tom Brady: The pride of beantown (right foot) won’t see any pre-season action, but will be ready for week 1.

New York Giants

Osi Umenyiora: Umenyiora suffered serious ligament damage in his left knee Saturday, and he will miss the entire 2008 season.

Lawrence Tynes: Tynes (knee) will likely miss the Giants opener while recovering from exploratory knee surgery, according to team reports.

New York Jets

Laveranues Coles: Coles (leg) did not play in Saturday’s preseason win over the Giants.

Oakland Raiders

Drew Carter: Carter tore his left ACL in Saturday’s preseason game, and he will likely miss the 2008 regular season.

Sebastian Janikowski: The Polish Prince (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, but may be ready to test his leg in their final pre-season game.

Philadelphia Eagles

Reggie Brown: Brown is out for the rest of the preseason with a hamstring injury, but said he expects to play in the season opener against the Rams on Sept. 7th.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Injuries: None

San Diego Chargers

Shawn Merriman: Merriman said Saturday that he has a torn LCL and a torn PCL in his left knee & that they’re career threatening.

Lawrence Tynes: Tynes underwent an exploratory arthroscopic procedure on his left knee Friday, which revealed no structural damage. Tynes may miss a couple of games to
start the season.

Antonio Gates: Gates (toe) was scheduled to just participate in individual drills on Thursday, but he felt so good that he decided to take his first snaps in team drills.
AG should be ready to go full speed come week 1 of the regular season.

Seattle Seahawks

Matt Hasselbeck: Hasselbeck (back) will not play against San Diego on Monday or the rest of the pre-season.

San Francisco 49ers

Bryant Johnson: Johnson (hamstring) is expected to miss San Francisco’s final preseason game against San Diego on Friday, according to team reports.

St. Louis Rams

Orlando Pace: Here we go again, Pace (shoulder) sat out the Rams’ 24-10 win over Baltimore on Saturday night. Hopefully Pace just aggravated the injury and he’ll be fine
for the regular season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antonio Bryant: Bryant (sore knee) did not play in Saturday’s Buccaneers-Jaguars game.

Tennessee Titans

LenDale White: White (ribs) is expected to play in the final preseason game against Green Bay, according to team report.

Washington Redskins

Jason Taylor: Taylor will be out for 10-14 days with a spraineed right knee. Campbell & the rest of the offense are going to miss JT’s putting pressure & sacking
opposing quarterbacks to improve thier field positions while he’s out.

AFC Quarterbacks Showdown!

AFC East
New England Patriots
The news out of Patriots camp is that there is no news. Tom Brady sat out another preseason game.Buffalo Bills
Trent Edwards continues to solidify his role as the starting QB for the Bills. Edwards turned in a nice game vs. Pittsburgh. He went 9-for-11 for 104 yards and 2 TD. JP Losman was 4-for-5 with just 19 yards.
New York Jets
Brett Favre made his debut and had the 3rd most passing yards for the Jets. New York made Brett’s debut a quick one as he attempted just 6 passes, completing 5 including a 4-yard TD toss to Dustin Keller.Miami Dolphins
Conventional wisdom will tell you that Chad Pennington is the starter so his 5-for-6 performance was plenty of work for him. It’s worth noting however that Chad Henne was 17-for-26 for 133 yards vs. the Jaguars.
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben is clearly ready for the season to start, as he is looking sharp. Roethlisberger completed 9 of 11 passes for 142 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT vs. Buffalo.Baltimore Ravens
Joe Flacco made the most of his chances vs. Minnesota. Flacco went 10-for-15 for 74 yards. He didn’t throw an interception and that’s something that Troy Smith and Kyle Boller can’t say. Boller had 40 yards and Smith had 25.Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer comes out of Sunday’s game with a sad stat line. Palmer went 6-for-13 for 50 yards and an INT. In fairness to Carson, he was without TJ Housh and Ocho Cinco left early with an injury.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns will take on the Giants in this week’s Monday night matchup. The New York frontline should prove to be a good test for Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn.AFC SouthIndianapolis Colts
The news here is similar to that for the Pats. No Peyton Manning as he recovers from surgery. This was your chance to see Quinn Gray, Jim Sorgi and Jared Lorenzen, as they won’t be on the field when the games count.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee quarterbacks were a combined 14-for-39 against Oakland. Vince Young easily turned in the worst performance going 4-for-13 for 37 yards.Jacksonville Jaguars
David Garrard hasn’t been very impressive so far this preseason, but he’s not exactly a flashy QB to begin with either. Jacksonville has had wide receivers with injuries and drug arrests too. Having said that, 7-14 for 63 yards vs. the Dolphins is unacceptable.
Houston Texans
Matt Schaub turned in an impressive outing vs. New Orleans this week. Schaub completed 14 of 16 attempts for 187 yards and 2 TD. Sage Rosenfels was 6-for-8 for 94 yards.AFC WestDenver Broncos
Jay Cutler was in mid-season form vs. Dallas. Cutler attempted 20 passes and connected on 16 of them. He tallied 178 yards and 1 TD.
Kansas City Chiefs
Brodie Croyle completed 7 passes for just 38 yards vs. Arizona. He now has 120 yards in 2 games. Tyler Thigpen got an extended look this week and he made the most of it. He finished with 16 completions on 24 attempts for 174 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers was not on the field this week, as Charlie Whitehurst and Billy Volek handled the duties under center.
Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell looked good this week with 75 yards and 1 TD. He completed 59% of his passes but recorded just 4.4 yards per attempt.
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Training Camp News

Miami DolphinsJosh McCown seems to be the best bet to make the first start of the season. After that, all bets are off. John Beck and Chad Henne would both like to get their chance to lead the Dolphins this year, but it probably won’t matter who is under center. At least Jake Long will prevent them from taking too much abuse.
AFC NorthPittsburgh SteelersThere’s no QB controversy in Pittsburgh as Big Ben gears his team up for another year. Roethlisberger was a happy man on draft day as Rashard Mendenhall fell into the Steelers laps. Mendenhall joins Willie Parker to form a potent 1-2 punch. The Steelers also added Limas Sweed to a WR corps. that already includes Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.
Cleveland BrownsBrady Quinn is used to waiting after his frustrating draft day, but it appears as though he’ll have to continue with his patience, as Derek Anderson became the unquestioned starter last year. Anderson has 2 of the best players in the game at his disposal. It’s scary but Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards should actually improve this year.
Cincinnati BengalsThe good news is that Carson Palmer’s #1 weapon is in camp. The bad news is that his #1 weapon wants to hit him in his bad knee. It’s not the first time that Palmer hasn’t been on the same page as Chad Johnson, but we’ll see if it affects the two during games.
Baltimore RavensJoe Flacco is the quarterback of the future, but when is the future? Kyle Boller will most likely be given his chance, but also a short leash. Either QB will have to rely on Willis McGahee and hope that Todd Heap can return to Pro Bowl caliber.
AFC SouthIndianapolis ColtsThe biggest news regarding Peyton Manning at camp is that Peyton Manning isn’t at camp. He’s somewhere nearby recovering from knee surgery and isn’t expected to see any action until late preseason.
Jacksonville JaguarsDavid Garrard enters his 2nd season at the helm with the aging Fred Taylor and the emerging Maurice Jones-Drew behind him. You can put down Troy Williamson and Jerry Porter as additions and Matt Jones as a subtraction/distraction.
Tennessee TitansReports out of camp are that Vince Young isn’t looking very sharp and making matters worse, the Titans failed to add any top WR during the draft. He’ll have Chris Johnson added to the backfield along with Craig Stevens at TE and Lavelle Hawkins at WR, but Tennessee passed on guys like Limas Sweed.
Houston TexansMatt Schaub hopes to show what he can do in a full year with Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones could be a sleeper at WR. Ahman Green is another injury concern and West Virginia rookie Steve Slaton could wind up with a decent amount of time in the backfield.
AFC WestSan Diego ChargersPhilip Rivers showed up to camp bigger and reportedly throwing the ball very well. Health will play a key role for the Chargers, as Antonio Gates tries to put his toe problems behind him. LT will continue to keep the pressure off of Rivers.
Denver BroncosAfter Jay Cutler lost 35 pounds during his battle with diabetes, he’s slowly regaining his strength. With the departure of Travis Henry, the Broncos next 1000-yard rusher is a mystery, but Cutler will still have emerging superstar Brandon Marshall on the business end of his touchdown passes.
Kansas City ChiefsBrodie Croyle needs to have a healthy Larry Johnson to help him keep defenses honest, but if he can’t, rookie Jamaal Charles will try to shoulder the load. Branden Albert will solidify the offensive line and 6-8 Brad Cottam will provide depth behind Tony Gonzalez.
Oakland RaidersFor JaMarcus Russell, the time is now. Russell takes over as the starter and he has a lot of question marks around him. Will the improved defense allow him to win games without being in a shootout? Will Javon Walker stay healthy? Will Darren McFadden be the next Adrian Peterson?
NFC EastDallas CowboysTony Romo doesn’t have Julius Jones behind him anymore, but he still has Marion Barber and newcomer Felix Jones. He also REALLY needs TO and Jason Witten to stay healthy. If TO goes down, they have Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd.
New York GiantsEli Manning returns this season as a Super Bowl MVP. The Giants fans love him…until his first INT. He should have a healthy Plax this year, which will lead to better numbers, but he’ll also have to rely on Kevin Boss to fill Shockey’s cleats.
Philadelphia EaglesDonovan McNabb says that he’s perfectly healthy, but he hasn’t made it through a full season since 2004 and Kevin Kolb has been impressive in camp. DeSean Jackson is the only major offensive addition from the draft and it remains to be seen if he’s going to be a punt return specialist or contribute at WR also.
Washington RedskinsJason Campbell has been up and down thus far during training camp. The Redskins are going with the West Coast Offense, so it will take everyone a while to get comfortable. Washington also added Devin Thomas, Fred Davis and Malcolm Kelly via the draft.
NFC NorthGreen Bay PackersWhat can I say about Green Bay that hasn’t been all over the news already? The Packers remain in a standstill with Brett Favre, but it does appear that Aaron Rodgers will be the starting QB either way. He knows that he’ll have veteran Donald Driver and young star Greg Jennings out wide, but Ryan Grant is in the middle of a contract dispute and hasn’t reported to camp.
Minnesota VikingsMinnesota would love to bring in Brett Favre to replace Tarvaris Jackson, but that’s just not going to happen. Jackson will again lean heavily on Adrian Peterson to give him some breathing room. The Vikings did add Bernard Berrian, which gives them their best receiving threat since parting ways with Randy Moss. Look for Sidney Rice to improve on a solid rookie campaign.
Chicago BearsIt’s literally a coin toss in Chicago with Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton battling it out for the starting gig. Whoever does win the job, takes over a position that no longer has Berrian to stretch the field or Cedric Benson in the backfield. Greg Olsen should be the go-to guy.
Detroit LionsDetroit is the only team in the NFC North not mention with Brett Favre, so they will enter the season with Jon Kitna under center. With Kevin Jones gone, Tatum Bell and rookie Kevin Smith will carry the ground game. Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson return as one of the league’s top tendems. Gosder Cherlius was drafted to provide more time in the pocket for Kitna and room for the backs to run.
NFC SouthTampa Bay BuccaneersJeff Garcia is the starting quarterback. Just ask him. Brett Favre seems less and less likely to be on his way to Tampa, so Garcia would appear to be correct. Garcia will be handing the ball off to Warrick Dunn or Carnell Williams or Ernest Graham or Michael Bennett. His go-to WR will once again be Joey Galloway, but they did draft Dexter Jackson, the speedster from Appalachian State.
Carolina PanthersJake Delhomme is ready to take the reigns again and make Steve Smith the feared wide out that he can be. Jonathan Stewart will take the place of DeShaun Foster and join DeAngelo Williams in the backfield. First round pick Jeff Otah will provide the protection.
New Orleans SaintsDrew Brees rebounded from a rough start to post very respectable numbers last year. He spent a good chunk of the season without Duece McAllister and Reggie Bush did not embrace the role of starting running back. Brees will now have his full compliment of backs and the addition of Jeremy Shockey will be huge.
Atlanta FalconsOne thing is for sure in Atlanta. Joey Harrington, Chris Redman, DJ Shockley or Matt Ryan will be the starting quarterback. Word out of camp is that Matt Ryan looks good, but time will tell if they let the rookie have the job by the opener. The only offensive addition of note is the signing of Michael Turner, who joins Jerious Norwood to form a lethal combo.
NFC WestSeattle SeahawksThe Shaun Alexander era is over. Julius Jones will share the load with Maurice Morris and TJ Duckett will be the backup. Matt Hasselbeck needs a healthy Deion Branch if they want to be successful on offense. Seattle did add TE John Carlson in April.
Arizona CardinalsMatt Leinart feels much more comfortable with the Cardinals offense than he did last year. It remains to be seen if he can play well enough to keep Kurt Warner on the sidelines. With Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, the table is setup for his success.
San Francisco 49ersAlex Smith will likely be the starter, but Shaun Hill will do his best to win the job. The Niners added DeShaun Foster, Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson in the off-season and Frank Gore should thrive under Mike Martz.
St. Louis RamsMarc Bulger needs Orlando Pace to get healthy. Pace is the key to the Rams offense as he protects Bulger and allows Steven Jackson all the room that he needs. Rookie Donnie Avery hopes to overtake Drew Bennett on the depth chart and start alongside Torry Holt.
Go Deep: www.passitdeep.com

NFL Vs. THe Dark Night

The Air Assault Begins: 7/21/2008

NFL vs. Dark Knight

Summer is about the -ions. By -ions of course I mean Relaxation and Anticipation. The kids are out of school, and most likely are just mentally rotting with all the partying they are doing and all the Wiffle Ball they are playing. The company you work for most likely has gone to a nice, relaxed dress code and you and your spouse have saved up your vacation time for the week long trip your taking to LBI or Hawaii if you’re so blessed. Summer is the time of year that flat out makes people’s lives worth while. Everything is more laid back, everything is just relaxed. But another thing happens during the summer, when a strange smell begins to form in the air. What’s that smell you ask? Football. The countdown to Week 1 has begun and we, as loyal sport’s fans, are sick with anticipation. Colin Cowherd would contend, with sharp objection to Antonio Vivaldi, “There are two seasons a year: Football season, and waiting for Football season.”

There’s something different about 2008 though. You see, something else happens during summer time every year. Summer marks the release of the mega blockbusters, namely the comic book, fantasy hero movies. Most of them are stupid, overhyped sequels that spend way too much money and make you so angry you stayed up until midnight on a Thursday to be the first to see it. But 2008 is different. As the NFL lingers, with all the fascinating stories popping up as training camp grows near, the only thing on my mind 24 hours a day is an animal. But it’s not a Dolphin, a Bear, a Bengal or any other animal for that matter that is so well represented by various NFL teams. Damnit, I’ve got Bat Fever!

Just admit it. The Dark Knight looks like it’s going to be the best movie you’ve ever seen (ever). I’ve already put the trailer for it in my Top 6 favorite movies ever (Somewhere in there around Punisher, Rocky IV, 300, Rock star and Super Troopers). By the way, what does it mean when a consistent component of my favorite movies is either Mark Wahlberg or the half naked muscle man factor? Ehh, better forget I said anything. Any who, you can’t tell me that you haven’t had flashbacks to yourself at age 13 when you experience all the “changes” your body goes through when you watch that trailer. God, this article is full of Freudian slips. I better balance this out...

Jessica Alba is hot!
Megan Fox is super hot!
Oh the things I would do to Carrie Underwood!

Okay. That should get me back in good with the Catholics.

Here’s the dilemma. What should you be more excited for? Let’s break it down. We’ll compare the upcoming NFL season with The Dark Knight by sorting them into several key dramatic categories. Whichever wins the most categories gets the nod.

Let’s hire that computer girl who only will show her fire red lips on screen as she does the announcing for the MTV Movie Awards. She’s so Resident Evil she’s the only person that can scare me when she says, “Best Female Performance.”

BEST VILLAIN:

NFL: Bill Belichick. Bill Belicheat, the evil mastermind of the NFL. He runs parallel with the typical Mob Boss villain, but he’s also a criminal genius. You know the type. He commits his crimes in plain sight of everyone but does just enough so that people still think he’s a good guy. South Park put it best:

“This is Bill Belichick, coach of the New England Patriots. He’s won three Super Bowls. How? He cheated. He even got caught cheating, and nobody cared.”

Belichick is one of those villains that never seem to go away. You think you’ve beaten him, but he just comes back bigger, better and meaner.

Dark Knight: The Joker. He’s the most notable and most recognizable Batman villain. His one and only goal is to kill the hero. He is dark, mysterious, and sadistic. The guy flat out has a screw loose. A very complex character that takes a truly Class A performance to pull off. To date we haven’t been disappointed.

Advantage: Tight one, but I have to go Belichick and the NFL. The Joker is great, but I tried to keep how remarkable Heath Ledger looks as the Joker outside of my judgment. I guess the real tipping point is the morality tale angle. In the movies, the bad guy can’t win, good has to triumph over evil, but in the NFL, even though he got knocked backward this year, you know Belichick is going to win in the end. His evils transcend the arts.

BEST MARQUEE EVENT:

NFL: The Super bowl. The Super bowl is the biggest event in all of American sports. It’s the ultimate showdown. The Super bowl is littered with celebrities, $1 million commercials, epic video packages and Joe Buck. It’s a week long event that’s always in a hot climate and makes January in Miami look like Spring Break in Cancun. Each night is highlighted with a different rapper’s party and Bill Belichick spends the whole week taping practices regardless of if he’s participating or not.

Dark Knight: I was torn on which event to talk about. I had to decide between the premiere and the opening night Midnight showing at your local theatre. I guess, since it is tradition, I have to go premiere. It’s the opening night extravaganza, the cast and crew as well as all the A-List celebrities will be out for a Monday night of fun in New York. You roll out the red carpet. Access Hollywood, Inside Edition, and E!, they’ll all be there. No doubt they’ll be some pointless activist group out there trying to protest something the Director did wrong, maybe cruelty to bats and Ferrari’s. Don’t worry, no one will be listening to them, they will just get in the way of paparazzi trying to sneak in. Afterwards, there is sure to be an all night after party none of us have any chance of ever getting into and the viewing of the masterpiece is going to be watered down with Cristal and Cocaine bought on Lindsey Lohan’s tab.

Advantage: NFL again, jumping out to a big lead early. Nothing compares to the Super bowl. Though I personally will get more enjoyment out of seeing the nerds dressed up like Batman and Joker while I wait in line for the Midnight showing, disgracing the Super bowl is in fact a sacrilege and God will show no mercy on my soul.

LEAST LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE LOSS OF A STAR:

NFL: The NFL lost two big stars after last year, Michael Strahan and Brett Favre. Favre might return, but it’s doubtful he will be with the Packers. So, for the first time in like 45 years the original jewel of the NFL will have another QB under center. The league will survive, but it’s definitely taking a hit from this. Favre can throw 5 interceptions in a game and The Packers could lose by 40 and he’ll still be a more compelling story than Spy gate or Pac man Jones.

Dark Knight: Most of the surviving cast is returning, with the exception of Mrs. Tom Cruise. I’m actually going to go out on a little bit of limb here and say that the movie takes a hit because of this. I thought she was perfect for the role. She has that whole nice, loveable, girl next door quality to her and she’s certainly the hottest girl to ever climb a ladder into a bedroom overlooking a creek. At the same time, she’s a scientologist so you know she can go Travolta on your ass and Saturday Night Fever all over your face until you Grease her all of your money.

Advantage: Dark Knight. Missing Holmes I think is being overlooked in the pre-release hype of Dark Knight, but the NFL lost its biggest hero here, on top of losing the creator of the “Ballin’!” sack dance.

LEGEND MAKING POTENTIAL:

NFL: There are very few stars left in the NFL that have the opportunity to turn in their first legendary performance. Of the four big contenders, the Pats, Colts, Cowboys and Giants, three out of the four quarterbacks have already made their mark. Brady and Peyton are two of the best QB’s of all-time and they already have their rings. Eli got his ring by beating Brady and overcoming his big brother’s shadow, so the only legend left to write really would be Tony Romo actually winning a playoff game with a hot blonde there to see him. He’s 0-2 so far, I think this year should be Britney’s year, she’s getting better (I guess?).

Dark Knight: This one is easy. Heath Ledger, who’s always been a shared spotlight or B-list actor, straps on the Joker’s boots once filled by Big Jack himself. Not only that, Ledger died soon after filming was completed. And now it’s looking like he’s going to clean up post mortem at the Oscar’s, Golden Globes, and even the Valhalla TV Lifetime Achievement Awards live from the Pearly Gates. Ledger could join Bach, Thoreau, Van Gogh and Emily Dickinson on the short list of people whose work achieved legendary status after death.

Advantage: Dark Knight by a mile. Seeing Ledger as Joker is what I’m most pumped about. Somehow, after the performance Christian Bale turned in for Batman Begins, people are more excited about seeing Heath Ledger. Sorry Romo, go cry with your face in Jessica Simpson’s large bust, which is an acceptable consolation prize I feel.

MOMENTUM BUILT FROM HOW LAST EPISODE ENDED:

NFL: Super bowl XLII ended as sort of a culmination of sorts. We got to see one of the greatest upsets in professional sports history. I mean come on, there were people saying that the Giants couldn’t beat the Bills in Week 16 just to get into the playoffs. They lose by a nose to the Pats in Week 17, then turn around and win three road games, two of them in Dallas and Green Bay, and my God the “Little Giants that could” are in the Super bowl! And it didn’t stop there. Those “Little Giants” overcame all odds and actually beat the De Facto best team to ever play on the game’s biggest stage. You can’t write that any better. Here’s the problem. The story plays like the end of an epic movie, one of those movies you don’t make a sequel for. It’s like if they made a sequel to Miracle, the first one was such an inspiring true story that the second one would have no chance to compare. There’s no doubt that this year’s NFL will be suspenseful, that’s what a salary cap does, but I’m really not working off anything that happened in 2007.

Dark Knight: Batman Begins was set up as a typical first installment of a comic book series. You give the background of your hero, cover all the bases established by years and years of comic books, make him question what his purpose is, and then just throw him right in with an enemy that he dispatches relatively easily. Comic book movies are the best at setting up sequels, and I thought Batman Begins did its job, but I wasn’t super pumped for Dark Knight until I saw what Ledger looked like as the Joker.

Advantage: Push. Neither of them spent too much time or had anything spectacular happen that set up the sequel. Sure, the Joker card was sick at the end of the movie, but you weren’t even sure they were going to make another one. And the NFL, well NFL Films always finds a way to get you pumped for the next season.

GREATEST CHANCE OF LEAVING ME WANTING MORE:

NFL: There is one thing about professional sports that you sometimes wish you could change: Everything is symmetrical, nothing carries over. I mean, the media will definitely play up story lines in between seasons and build up rivalries with pure here say, but the players don’t care. If you win the Super bowl, you do your celebrating on the field, and then in the locker room, then you have your parade, get your keys to the city and move on to the next season. There is very little carryover from year to year. And with free agency, you usually see massive turnover from championship teams from year to year. It’s times like this that you wish the NFL could take a page from the WWE, and just be a little scripted every now and then.

Dark Knight: One of the cool things about movies is: they are scripted. It’s funny; there are always two sides to these things. In another column I might say, “One of the cool things about sports is: it’s not scripted.” It’s one of those little tricks you can use to make your points sound better, it’s all about context. Anyway, Dark Knight is obviously scripted. And you know that if the movie does well, which it’s guaranteed to do, Warner Brothers will be foaming at the mouth to pump out a third. So, you know the ending is going to leave you saying, “Holy sh**! When is the next one coming out?” And then two years of anticipation begins and reaches its pinnacle when that first teaser trailer comes out. From there, you openly weep with passion and you furiously try to find your DVD of the Dark Knight that you haven’t touched since you watched it the day it came out.

Advantage: Dark Knight. I’m going to get home from this movie at 3am and not even think about the fact that I have to leave for work in three and a half hours and try to stay awake for a lunch with the COO of the Fortune 500 Company I work for. Well, at least I have another year of college to find a job. Moving on…

LOWEST DISAPPOINTMENT POTENTIAL:

NFL: Even if the Super bowl is the Seahawks vs. the Steelers, and you spend the whole time playing Ping Pong and eating Wings that will take you months to work off (true story), there is always something that makes your religious following of the NFL worth while. It’s all about the journey in the NFL; your overall enjoyment doesn’t rest on the Super bowl. That’s the great thing about sports whose playoffs are single elimination. You’re almost guaranteed to see a game you’ll never forget. You’re almost guaranteed to see a team win a game they had no business winning. In the NFL, a team just winning a playoff game is an accomplishment that can make a career, so every time you turn on a football game, you’re in for something special.

Dark Knight: I know for a cold hard fact I’m way too excited about Dark Knight. It’s nearly impossible for it to amount to everything I think it will. Now, I know Heath Ledger is going to be amazing, and there’s no doubt Christian Bale is great, and Michael Caine as Alfred was some of the most brilliant casting I’ve ever seen. But, I’ve set the bar so high not just for the movie but also for how crazy the Midnight showing is going to be there’s a really good chance I’m going to be disappointed with some aspect of the movie. Prediction on disappointment: Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Advantage: NFL. There are a few things in life that are for certain. Death, taxes, Patriots going undefeated (whoops), USA Basketball winning the Gold (let us pray) and the NFL season not disappointing.

Alright, well, we seem to have a good old fashioned, communist tie. There are three categories for the NFL, three for Dark Knight and a push. Well, at least we can find solace in the fact that you don’t have to choose one over the other. Hell, I have 2 TV’s in the same room of my apartment. I could watch them both at the same time when Dark Knight comes out on DVD!