Back for the Football Thing

Yes, its been a long time. I am not going to dwell on that. Get over it. I am back, for now anyway. I missed you all. All 3 of you. Let's forget the catching up and dive right in, shall we?

So, the Shanahan/Allen Era starts this Thursday. I, for one, can not wait. Allen brings his dad's leagacy full circle back where it began. Shanahan is a no nonsense coach who holds players- accountable. Both are changing the philosophy in town by bringing in competition to push the incumbents (Joey Galloway, Willie Parker and Larry Johnson) and are rebuilding the O-Line with draft picks (Trent Williams), smart free agent signings (Artis Hicks) and crafty trades (Jammal Brown). Allen, thankfully, is savvy and polished. No more Cerrato! Yippee! All of that has to be worth 3 more wins, agreed? Credibility and accountability can go a long way.

I do want to take this time and wish Jim Zorn a heartfelt goodbye and good luck. I don't fault him for what happened last year. He was a guy you would love to live next door to and invite to your cookouts. Baltimore fans are going to be pleasantly surprised now that Zorn is coaching their QB's this season. Joe Flacco is about to get even better.

Albert Haynesworth... Don't you think that enough has been said and written about this guy in 2010? With that in mind...

Portis, Johnson and Wee-Willie Parker either will show everyone that they have something left or they will be the 21st century version of the Giza Plateau: Lots of myth and history, but ancient and weathered.

The receiver position will be the most intriguing of any battle on the field, and perhaps the scariest. Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas. Joey Galloway or... ummm, 6 other guys I can't name without looking it up. Here's hoping one of the young guys steps up and Santana Moss doesn't get suspended for working with that hoser of a doctor, eh?

Donovan McNabb. Is Donovan the second coming of Sonny Jurgenson? I think he is worth a few more wins, like 2. He has Moss and Cooley and it looks like Fred Davis to throw to. One more reliable target in the receiving corps and that might make the Skins more than respectable. Just, for the love of God, DO NOT SIGN T.O.!

So, there you go. I say the Skins are 9-7 and make the wild card round. Every year teams overachieve and others underachieve. That's my prediction.


Other NFL News:

So, the Saints won the Super Bowl and resigned most of their guys. I'd say they are the favorites to win. Or the Colts. The Steelers are out of it until Big Ben can keep Little Ben in his pants. The Eagles and Giants, whatever. The Vikings have a ton of talent, but Favre is gonna be 41, if he even plays. Dallas is overrated. (sorry Drew)

Speaking of the Cowboys, looks like Dez Bryant is indeed taking after his mentor and resident Douchebag, Deion Sanders. Bryant refused to carry Roy Williams pads during the start of Cowboys training camp Monday because he is there to play, not carry anyone's pads. Granted, Roy Williams isn't qualified to carry anyone else's jock strap, but Bryant is a rookie and its a right of passage, like it or not. You carry the pads and you shut your mouth, showing only that grateful smile, dimples and all. What makes this kid think he's suddenly different than every other rookie to play in the league over the last 80 years? Maybe Dez thinks he's more arrogant and entitled than Me-Shawyn. (Wince.)

Bryant hasn't realized that he isn't Michael Irvin. Wait until the veteran Cowboys dress Dez up like a girl and make him sing show tunes. Can't wait for that one. If Bryant keeps up this "holier than thou" crap, then expect to read the storys of how teammates filled his $400,000 ride with shaving cream and maxed out his credit cards on those Marie Osmond Dolls as seen on QVC. I can only imagine how Dez will react. Let's hope he doesn't try to slash anyone's throat with a pair of scissors. (Chuckle, with a pat on the back.)

Gotta hand it to Jerry Jones. It's just so easy to hate Cowboys receivers he acquires. It's a talent for which Jones does not get enough credit.