The NFL Season is always riddled with drama. The only thing you can expect with football is the unexpected. Any given Sunday, any team can win. New legends are born, new rumors are circulated, shocks and surprises are around every corner. Now while we don’t consider ourselves fortune tellers, these are the top 5 story lines you should probably keep your eye on.
5.) RG3 & the Redskins
After a legendary rookie season, ending in legendary knee reconstruction surgery; Griffin had a very non-legendary sophomore season. The Redskins finished last in the NFC East last year with a 3-13 record. The off-season was muddled with name-change drama involving owner Daniel Snyder, Native Americans and various offended individuals with no Redskin allegiance or Indian heritage. In the last two seasons we also saw the rise and fall of the read option offense, and Mike Shahnahan’s prominence in the NFL. This could be a make-or-break season for the former Heisman trophy winner. If new HC Jay Gruden is anything like his esteemed older broither, he will undoubtedly get the fireworks going in our nation’s capital. Look for a resurgent Griffin this seasonand his new target Desean Jackson. He’s a game changer, and will drastically alter RG3’s numbers for the better. Dan Snyder isn’t going anywhere though, and for the time being, neither is the Redskin name.
4.) Bulls on Parade
The worst team in football from the 2013-2014 season was none other than the pre-season Super Bowl favorites – Houston Texans. The roster consists of a disgruntled Andre Johnson, a perpetually injured Arian Foster, and a quarterback situation that’s, well… lets just say there’s no situation at all. The rumor mill has been turning however, and from what we’ve heard, New HC Bill O’brien is tyrannical. Big change for the Texans who’re used to the player’s coach in Gary Kubiak. Two disciples of the Belichick system are now running the show in Houston. The quarterback situation should improve, and we are yet to see if one of the leagues most intimidating defensive fronts can operate in Romeo Crennel’s old-school 3-4 scheme. Houston will either get a hell of a lot better this year or they can tank and have another top pick and their choice at one of the many QB prospects coming out next year.
3.) AFC East Supremacy
This would seem like an easy pick, correct? Well it is, you’re right. New England has been the most consistent team in football over the last two decades. The leap from first place, to second in the division isn’t as wide-spread as you may think though. The battle for second place is a fierce one. The New York Jets finished last season with a surprising 8-8 record, and that was with a nervous Geno Smith, no wide receivers, and no Revis Island. This year, the same defensive front is there but its what’s opposite of that that should be considered. Michael Vick, Eric Decker and Chris Johnson were HUGE off season acquisitions for Gang Green.
Meanwhile, upstate the Bills have made some noise. EJ Manuel showed some flashes of brilliance in his limited playing time last year. He has the body to endure NFL hits, the arm to throw bombs down field and the legs to evade stealthy DBs. CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson still remain as one the fiercest backfield duos in the game and lets not forget their most recent addition to the team – Sammy Watkins, the highest rated player to come off the big board in May. Down in Miami Ryan Tannehill is becoming more familiar in an NFL system and the hope is the Knowshon Moreno will produce big numbers for the Dolphins as well. Yes, the logical pick is New England, but boy oh boy that race for second place and a wildcard spot is more ferocious than ever.
2.) The Johnny Football Saga
Will he start? Will he sit? Does Mike Pettine like him? Should Johnny lay low? Should he be himself? My God in heaven! Sports Center should just be named the Johnny and Lebron show. And WOW now they’re in the same city. Cleveland has become the new place to be in the sports world (who would’ve thought that?) The constant drama surrounding Johnny Manziel is outrageous to say the least. So what if he’s the most prolific QB in SEC history, and likes to have an occasional drink, so what?
Despite Brian Hoyer being a “hometown kid” don’t be surprised if the members of Cleveland’s Dawg Pound start clamoring for Johnny after Hoyer’s first interception. Its going to be a wild season in Cleveland, and the hope for the NFL and Die-hard Aggies nationwide is that the Johnny Cleveland experiment works. If so, step aside Hollywood Joe.
1.) Roger Goodell’s Idiocy
Always a subject of debate. The most recent debacle came at the expense of Ray Rice’s wife’s face. Yea I said it. Two games. That’s it. Two. Josh Gordon was recently handed a year long suspense for smoking marijuana. So logically, Ray Rice would have to beat seven more women to equal that of Josh Gordon. Maybe if Gordon beat a few women his suspension could be reduced? Hell, our commissioner is a fair and honest man. maybe something could be worked out.
The best part of all this is that it has all transpired BEFORE the start of the season. A couple more imbecile athletes are bound to come crawling through the woodwork, and that will surely be matched with equal stupor and we will all rant and rave that something should be done. In the end though, we will yet again lay witness to the deep, heartfelt hugs on Radio City Music Hall’s stage and await another season of big hits, bright lights, and Carrie Underwood gracing our screens on Sunday night.
