NFC Predictions - 2011
Let me be clear... I did not take a DEEP dive when making these predictions, having some fun with it - I looked at surface offseason info, GM history and team trend (past 4 seasons only).
NFC East
Analysis: I’m very high on the Dallas Cowboys and what the season hold for them, divisional champs and a playoff berth. No doubt GM William Cook already realizes his odds of extending his time in Dallas can now a reality that Breck & Mellon have moved on from the NFC East. Even GM Brad Barber can’t F*CK up the wet dream that is the Philadelphia Eagles and a STACKED roster right? All joking aside, the team should improve slightly but not enough to reach the playoffs. The New York Giants don’t want to wake up from last season where the rest of the division took the year off. GM Romeo Mendez keeps the team competitive but fall short in a return to the playoffs. The Washington Football Team isn’t bad… but GM Bill Ryan doesn’t exactly fill me with HIGH expectation based on his career record. I hope to be proved wrong here, there’s still some nice players to build around, right?
NFC North
Analysis: The work done by GM Brent Lachapelle has been impressive and he has his Chicago Bears poised to repeats as divisional champs and a run at the playoffs again. I truly respect GM Neal Wintermute and his ability to evaluate talent and craft a roster deep in talent. I can’t explain why the Minnesota Vikings have had back-to-back average seasons, but I think the team starts to head back to winning ways in the coming seasons. The frozen tundra is where players go to exist in complete mediocrity and forgettable seasons again and again. I don’t see the Green Bay Packers and GM Gary Hickman making any serious threat at being relevant this season (maybe my true fandom and the fact I bleed PURPLE are influencing my thoughts here). I have no doubt that GM Scott Gardner and the Detroit Lions will be at the top… of the draft order when picking next offseason. When your biggest move is trading for player who has never lived up to expectations and his career is more than half over it’s not a good sign of things to come.
NFC South
Analysis: Count me in on being a believer in the New Orleans Saints and GM Nathan Jones. Maybe not the flashiest pairing of team and GM… but you’d be hard pressed to find another example of believing in and staying the course (with results). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and GM Phil Mellon made BIG noise when they went and got their man and leader of the offense – QB Peyton Manning. This move alone is enough to end the losing in Tampa Bay, just not sure it’s enough for the team to be a winner. This is nothing more than a feeling I have from the gut, the Atlanta Falcons are in for a down year. I'm predicting that GM Nic St. Marie will be out done by injuries and MADDEN week in and week out and the team will end up with average results. It’s about to get REALLY ugly for GM Phil Mellon and his Carolina Panthers… I can already hear the chants of “Suck for Luck” coming from the fan base. It’s gonna be a LONG season for the youngest and newest GM to the SFL (you heard it here first).
NFC West
Analysis: GM Gary Cohen has taken over with the Arizona Cardinals and has already been VERY active in all aspects of the offseason (trading, Free Agency and the Draft). I think the team stays relevant and finds themselves in the postseason. There will be a slight Super Bowl hangover for GM Justin Walstead and his St. Louis Rams, but they’ll be in the mix and likely find their way to the playoffs. Saved by an OVER WELMING show of support by his peers, GM Peter Fenger finds himself leading the San Francisco 49ers for another season. Sadly, I predict this is where the journey ends and GM and Franchise make a split heading into 2012. Anyone know GM Rock Hewko’s favorite song??? The answer, “I did it MY WAY!” After the Seattle Seahawks show the failed GM the door… Hopefully Rock is ready to sing a new tune… maybe, “I’m Always Drunk In San Francisco” (by Carmen McRae).
