Brady, Favre, and Vick! A Tale Of Three Cities

Hi readers. It's getting that time of year again, finally. Football season is almost upon us, and what a season it's going to be.

There is so much to talk about, with all the changes in personnel, and draft moves, that I will give you my pre-season updated predictions on division winners and my picks to make it to the super bowl later this week.

Right now, let's focus on three stories of note, and I'm sure I have a surprise for the readers that know my articles from last season.

First of all, welcome back to the Patriots, one of the premier quarterbacks of all time, Tom Brady.

The knee should be good to go, and I look for the Patriots to win that division, sneaking by the Dolphins, by a game or two.

Cassel did a very nice job getting them to 11-5 but no playoffs. That was bad luck, but the competition for that wild card spot in the AFC last season was very tight.

This season however, I would think with Brady, and some key acquisitions at running back, wide receiver and defense, the Patriots will be 12-4  and comfortably in the playoffs and Super Bowl quest.

Second, Brett Farve will quarterback the Vikings. We all know the key motivation for Favre is sticking it to the Packers.

I am a student of motivation, being in sales, and I understand how much of a force this can be. We all want to prove something to someone, once in a while, and this is Favre's way of showing the Packer's they should have just kept him.

He did give his heart and soul to that team for many years and loves the game of football. Lombardi would have never let him go. He was always the force behind the Packers returning to the league elites, as far as good teams go.

With that said, teams will not be able to put as many guys up front against the Vikings. Adrian Peterson will be a better weapon, because of Favre's arm, and Minnesota now has the edge in winning that division again.

Green Bay should be better, and Chicago has Cutler. Given all the drama, this should be a very fun division to watch. When the Packers play the Vikings, watch the TV ratings go off the charts.

And last but not least, the Eagles have picked up Michael Vick. I know I've said and written some harsh things about Vick, and if you've read any of my articles on the Vick happenings, this will be the surprise I was talking about.

After watching Vick on 60 Minutes last week, he touched me with his words. I now have forgiveness for the situation. This is coming from a dog rescuer, and Pit Bull owner.

He talked about the culture of having been brought up to accept the fighting. He spoke of police seeing the fights and not stopping to break up the madness.

He spoke of his money he lost and it did not matter how much he lost, because he knew in his heart he was wrong.

He spoke of having the power to stop the fighting and quit the dog ring, and not stepping up to do just that.

Michael Vick, to me looked sorry for what he did. In my eyes, and God's, this is all that's required to get a second chance.

With that said, it should be interesting to see a form of the wildcat offense, with McNabb and Vick in the same backfield. This will take some pressure off the running game, and give them some needed options.

I thought I could never forgive Vick and would despise him for all his days, but I bought into the fact thet Tony Dungy, a man I respect to the utmost would take the time to mentor Vick, and help him be a good person.

If Tony Dungy uses his valuable time for this guy, then maybe there is something good to come out of all this.

I ask everyone to look past the cruelty, and just be positive about Vick turning his life around.

I will preview each Division winner in my next NFL article, and give you my playoff predictions. Look for my picks every week, and you all know I do this well.

This season I will pick winners and do a separate pick article each week, strictly on the point spreads, keeping track of each record.

That way, the gamblers will be happy too. Some people last season said anybody can just pick the winners, it's the spread that matters. It's hard enough going 70 games over 500 picking winners as I did last season.

The season before, on a local radio station, I was 50 games over 500 against the points.

You will see that I am.......NFL Mikee.

Thomas[ NFL MiKEE ]Moreland