IS TAKING DOC TO SEE THE DOC
Here are some predictions and analysis for the NFL season, which begins tomorrow when Minnesota visits the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
GOING UP
Texans
Raiders
49ers
GOING DOWN
Saints
Patriots
Steelers
GOING NOWHERE
Redskins
Rams
Jaguars
FIRST-ROUND HITS
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Lions (2nd)
C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills (9th)
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Steelers (18th)
Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals (21st)
Jahvid Best, RB, Lions (30th)
FIRST-ROUND MISSES
Gerald McCoy, DT, Bucs (3rd)
Tyson Alualu, DT, Jaguars (10th)
Ryan Matthews, RB, Chargers (12th)
Derrick Morgan, DE, Titans (16th)
Patrick Robinson, CB, Saints (32nd)
TWEET, TWEET
@BigRed (Andy Reid): Who needs a freakin’ coach of the year award. I just signed an endorsement deal with Five Guys.
@LittleBen (Ben Roethlisberger): Hey, peeps. If you’re looking for a great book to read, try ``Idiot’s Guide To America’s Top College Bars.’’
@EaglesCheerleader (Dave Spadaro): An Eagles red-zone touchdown is better than sex, baby.
@BooedOnDraftDay (Donovan McNabb): I just threw 3 straight balls in the dirt and nobody booed. Is Washington a great place to play or what?
@BigAndDumb (Shaun Rogers): I mean, who knew you couldn’t take a loaded gun on an airplane.
@Pic-a-nicBaskett (Hank Baskett): I’ll trade you a copy of the Super Bowl XLIV highlight DVD for that sex video of my wife.
@Asante22 (Asante Samuel): Damn. Guess I ain’t going to Canton as long as Domowitch has a vote. Good thing he’s old.
COACHES ON HOT SEAT
Lovie Smith, Bears
Jack Del Rio, Jaguars
Eric Mangini, Browns
Tom Cable, Raiders
John Fox, Panthers
Gary Kubiak, Texans
DECEMBER HEADLINES
* Owners, Players Seal New Labor Deal That Includes ``Really, Really Enhanced’’ 30-Game Schedule
* Shawn Andrews Quits Football; Will Join Cast Of ``Glee’’
* Haynesworth Benched; Diagnosed With Restless Leg Syndrome, Ringworm
* Raiders Win 5th In A Row; Lead AFC West
COACH OF THE YEAR
AFC: Marvin Lewis, Bengals
NFC: Mike Singletary, 49ers
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
AFC: Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
NFC: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
AFC: Mario Williams, DE, Texans
NFC: Julius Peppers, DE, Bears
BREAKOUT YEARS
Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers
Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants
Shonn Greene, RB, Jets
Arian Foster, RB, Texans
Anthony Spencer, LB, Cowboys
Stewart Bradley, LB, Eagles
Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs
UNDERRATED
Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
Heath Miller, TE, Steelers
Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
Cullen Jenkins, DE, Packers
OVERRATED
Jason Peters, OT, Eagles
Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
Reggie Bush, RB, Saints
Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals
ALL-JOHNSON TEAM
Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
Brandon Johnson, LB, Bengals
Bryant Johnson, WR, Lions
Charles Johnson, DE, Panthers
Derrick Johnson, LB, Chiefs
Chris Johnson, CB, Raiders
Charlie Johnson, G, Saints
SACK LEADERS
AFC: Mario Williams, DE, Texans
NFC: DeMarcus Ware, LB, Cowboys
RUSHING LEADERS
AFC: Chris Johnson, Titans
NFC: Adrian Peterson, Vikings
POTENTIAL 2011 LANDING SPOTS FOR JON GRUDEN
Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland Browns
Carrollwood (Fla.) Day High School
Hollywood (the lead in ``Dennis the Menace’’ sequel)
Back in the ESPN ``Monday Night Football’’ booth
GAMES TO CIRCLE ON YOUR CALENDAR
Ravens at Bengals, Sept. 19
Cowboys at Texans, Sept. 26
Redskins at Eagles, Oct. 3
Texans at Colts, Nov. 1
Packers at Vikings, Nov. 21
Saints at Cowboys, Nov. 25
Jets at Patriots, Dec. 6
Giants at Vikings, Dec. 12
Saints at Ravens, Dec. 19
Cardinals at 49ers, Jan. 2
Cowboys at Eagles, Jan. 2
Les
Bowen has covered the Eagles for the Daily News
since 2002.
Before that, he spent nearly 13 years covering the Flyers. It took Les
only a few seasons after the switch to figure out that there was no
penalty box at the Linc, and that the time really wasn't his, despite
what Andy Reid kept saying. Les came to Philadelphia and the Daily News
from Charlotte in 1983. In the intervening years, he has pretty much
lost track of NASCAR, and his accent. He, his wife Barbara, and their
two sons live in Haddon Township, New Jersey.
E-mail Les at bowenl@phillynews.com
and follow
him on Twitter.
Paul
Domowitch has been with the Daily News since 1982.
He has spent most of his nearly 3 decades with the paper covering the
Eagles and pro football. For the last 10 years, he’s been a
selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A native of Wilkes-Barre
and a graduate of Wilkes University, Domo started his career in Texas,
working first for the Midland Reporter-Telegram (1976-78), and then for
the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where he covered some god-awful Texas
Ranger baseball teams. His first beat at the Daily News actually was
boxing, which he covered just long enough to lose 2 sports coats to
blood spatter before moving on to football. Domo and his wife Shelley,
a University of Oklahoma grad who still hasn’t gotten over
that Fiesta Bowl loss to Boise State 5 years ago, have 2 terrific
daughters -- Allison, 28, who is an attorney in South Jersey, and Amy,
25, who works in administration for a professional baseball team.
E-mail Domo at PDomo@aol.com and follow
him on Twitter.
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