Bleacher Report - Articles by Brandon Kabel

Sports, Golf, My Life, and My Dad

Brandon Kabel — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:35:42 -0400

When I think back at what got me interested in sports, there's one answer that's always first in my mind: my dad. I remember as a kid playing a board game with him and having a game on in the background, and I'd sometimes get bored. I would wonder how he could sit there and watch it for so long, especially during football season.

But now I understand, and ironically I probably watch even more so than him now.

With time my process of exposure and connection to the sports world came fully and enthusiastically through my dad. I was always a competitor growing up. There wasn't anything that I didn't want to be the best at or win, and I'm still like that to this day. But winning wasn't enough.

If I won something but had a sub-par effort, I felt not as good. My dad taught me through sports that always trying as hard as you can, no matter what the score, the sport, or the part of life, is always the best thing to do, because in doing so you can ensure that you never have to look back and wonder on what might have been.

This stuck with me through my growing years, and it helped me immensely. I was always a small, skinny kid, so I never really had a size advantage on anyone in athletics. But my drive and dedication was my equalizer.

Whether it was a pickup game with some friends or inter mural sports, I made myself a contributor and could take over the game seemingly by sheer power of will and boundless energy.

It became apparent to me in high school that I could well enough compete on a competitive HSAA level, but I had another opponent standing in my way. Since I was 11, I've been suffering from full blown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

I've really had a form of it all my life, but from that point onward to the present it has been a different species entirely.

I spent hours analyzing and contemplating what the specs could be on walls, and wondering if I hit them, even though in reality I was likely two feet or more away. I would spend hours in the bathroom cleaning up after a bowel movement, and in the mandatory shower that followed.

Everything became a chore, washing my hands, brushing my teeth, flossing, going to the grocery store, the school day, everything.

The OCD took a toll on me, and I barely managed to get through the school day and have a minimal social life. There was no way I would be able to handle the complications that athletic involvement would bring. As the OCD progressed, it bothered me to sweat and be outside, so that further hampered my chances of being able to play a sport.

However it was at this point in my life that I learned my most valuable lessons from sports. My mom is also afflicted with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, so she always knew what I was going through and understood fully.

When I first got real bad though, my dad struggled to understand, as he had never had experience with anything like it before. I struggled to explain how it wasn't my fault, and that I couldn't control the things I was compelled to do.

Through the years, my dad has learned about the disease, and he is now understanding and fully supportive, and I respect him tremendously for that. As he learned about the disease, he used the same lessons from sports to try and help me through.

He gave me inspiration and hope before I would have to go into the bathroom, and though it might be hell, I always went in and came out giving everything I had to fight.

It was probably a year or two before I started high school when I first took an interest in golf. My dad always loved playing and watching the sport, and it looked like a great game, so I began learning from him.

We would go to the driving range and hit hundreds of balls to perfect my swing, and go to the practice green to develop the skill of green reading. When we went on the course it was even better. I always had a blast, from driving the ball, to chipping and putting, and even the cart rides were awesome.

It was on the golf course that my dad taught me another life lesson. No matter how many bad balls you hit, if you keep trying you'll eventually hit that one, outstanding shot, and it makes all the work, all the effort, all the struggles worth it.

At the time it was frustrating, but by the time I hit my first straight, long drive, I knew what he was talking about. I applied it to all aspects of my game, and I eventually developed an outstanding short game through tremendous practice and repetition.

Another great lesson was always taking everything one shot at a time. Don't think about everything you have to do, just think about the current situation, and live for the moment. It may sound simple, but if you're not used to it it will take some getting used to.

This is probably the one thing that I would say more people need to do more of. So many times people in sports and out ruin themselves by biting off more than they can chew, and trying to think about and manage too many things.

Since my early golf days, many aspects of my OCD have grown better, but unfortunately I'm now unable to remain outside for much longer than 10 minute periods of time, so golf, as well as any other sports, is out for me as far as a playable sport.

However, I use those lessons that my dad taught me through sports and golf to this day, and I know that they have helped me become a better person.

I use them to fight the OCD of course, and though it has been hell, this experience has made me tougher and an outstanding performer under pressure. I use them when practicing the trumpet, and I have become an outstanding player in audition and solo situations.

I'm now a junior at the University of Notre Dame, and I use them in academic preparation, and I've become excellent in testing and other pressure situations. Whenever I achieve something in any of these areas, I smile and remember where these qualities originated, and I remember hitting those game-winning shots and clutch drives down the fairway.

I have not abandoned sports though; I have become an avid spectator of many sports, and I fully appreciate the effort and the dedication that I see in athletes of all sports. I enjoy and share time with my dad through watching these events, particularly golf, football, and hockey, and to me watching sports with my dad is one of the best and most enjoyable things in life for me.

That, and of course playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour, or Madden NFL Football. I've taken my competitiveness to a new level with those games.

I know I've had some tough times to deal with in my life, but I fully enjoy and appreciate the life I've been given. I have my dad to thank for that, for teaching me to appreciate the little things and the good times.

Thank you dad, and happy Father's Day. Because of you, no matter where I am, what the odds, or what I'm doing, I'll always go out swinging.

On rhe Spot: 11 Questions for Trent Edwards

Brandon Kabel — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:09:55 -0400

At one point or another, most football fans will want to ask a player what's going on inside his head, whether pertaining to how he's feeling about the next season, his relationship to his teammates, or what he's like as a person away from the game. Here's my inquisition for Buffalo Bills quarterback Trent Edwards.

1. Last year you had a great start, but struggled later on in the season, including sustaining injuries. How will you use your experiences last season in order to build on that and be a better leader for your team this year?

2. Everyone has someone they tried or even still try to emulate in their profession. So who is your football role model? Why did you choose him, and how has watching him impacted the way you play the game?

3. What is the general feeling around the organization about expectations for the upcoming season?

4. The Bills have made some key acquisitions during this offseason. How do you see these affecting your team, particularly on the offensive side of the ball?

5. How do you expect the team to perform during the absence of Marshawn Lynch during the first three games, and do you expect Dominic Rhodes, Fred Jackson, and co. to be able to fill in sufficiently until Lynch's return?

6. A quarterback looks to his tight end as a security blanket and a guy who can bail him out of tough situations on the field. How is your relationship going with fourth-round draft pick Shawn Nelson?

7. Of course, the biggest news for the Bills this off-season has been the arrival of controversial receiver Terrell Owens. How comfortable does T.O. seem to you, and how is your relationship with him going thus far?

8. A lot has been made about the Bills playing some of their home games in Toronto. As a player, how do you feel about the entire situation, and as a player, what is the atmosphere like in Toronto in comparison to that in Orchard Park?

9. The AFC East has had a makeover of sorts this off-season, from Tom Brady coming back, to T.O. coming to Buffalo, to Favre retiring. How do you expect the uncertainty in this division to play out, and what one player do you think will make the biggest difference?

10. Being a quarterback in the NFL has got to be stressful. What do you do to relax in your free time and in the offseason?

11. And finally, I've got to ask it: What is your prediction for Super Bowl XLIV?

Alright, thanks for your time, and good luck in the 2009 season.

Buffalo Bills Offseason Additions will Lead to More Exciting Play-Calling

Brandon Kabel — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:31:12 -0400

The 2009 offseason has been good to the Buffalo Bills. From free agency to the draft, Buffalo's acquisitions will make for a more exciting brand of football in 2009.

As anyone will tell you, offense is what entertains and sells tickets. What bigger entertainer is there in the NFL than controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens? He is a play-maker first and foremost, but his presence will also have some positive effects on the rest of the offense.

Terrell Owens is a big receiver. He will be able to go over the middle and make plays in the middle of the field for the Bills, something that their lighter receivers have not been able to do well. This will free up the coverage on Lee Evans and allow him to get open deep more often, giving the Bills a nice vertical passing game as well.

Owens' presence will also help out the other receivers in the Bills' offense. He and Lee Evans will be the two outside receivers, allowing speedy guys like Josh Reed and Roscoe Parrish to run from the slot, a position of less pressure that they should be more comfortable with.

And speaking of Roscoe Parrish, his return from injury will be a big help in the passing game, not to mention on special teams where he is a dynamo.

Another big impact player will be rooking tight end Shawn Nelson. Trent Edwards likes to throw to his tight ends, and part of the problem with Edwards' decline last year was inconsistent play by the tight end.

It remains to be seen how Nelson will fill this role, but it will most certainly be better than the situation last year. Also, with TO and Evans drawing a lot of the pressure coverage, Nelson should be open a lot, leaving Trent Edwards a nice safety net if his receivers are blanketed.

We should also not underestimate the arrival of running back Dominic Rhodes. Marshawn Lynch showed last year that he can run over defenders, and Rhodes' play will be key during Lynch's three game suspension.

Fred Jackson also showed potential last year, so the tandem of Rhodes and Jackson will still be very formidable even in Lynch's absence. And when Lynch returns, the Bills will have great depth at running back, a luxury that is becoming a trend in today's NFL.

On the defensive side of the ball, the biggest impact newcomer will be first round draft pick Aaron Maybin. His pass rushing abilities will allow the Bills to get more creative with blitz packages, and will also free up fellow defensive end Aaron Schobel.

This increase in pressure will force some hasty and errant throws, which will allow some of the Bills' less experienced secondary players to have more passes that they are able to deflect or intercept.

The secondary will also get some help in the form of play-making corner Jairus Byrd. His presence will be a nice complement to veteran Terrance McGee, and pending Byrd's development will provide the Bills with a nice lock-down corner combination.

This also adds another threat to a secondary which required Donte Whitner, Terrance McGee, and Ashton Youboty to do the majority of the work last season, which resulted in a coverage that was spread a bit thin at times.

The Bills will be a more exciting team to watch in 2009, count on that. And although the majority of the attention will be given to Owens' direct impact, make sure to watch the effects he has on the other players, and don't underestimate the play-making ability of the defense.

2009 NFL Outlook: Spotlight on AFC East

Brandon Kabel — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:46:37 -0400

The AFC East certainly gave NFL fans something to talk about last year, and the off-season has festered and produced even more questions for the upcoming season. One thing is for certain: unpredictability will be the story this year.

We start at the top of the division with last years AFC East Champs, the Miami Dolphins. As far as defense goes, the Dolphins were middle of the pack last year in total defense. They played a bend but not break defensive style though, as they finished in the top ten in scoring defense.

The addition of playmaking CB Vontae Davis out of Illinois will help shore up their secondary which was a problem at times for them last year, as they finished 25th in passing defense. Also in to help out the cause are CB Sean Smith and FS Chris Clemons, who will add depth and speed.

The offensive side of the ball was a huge bright spot for the Dolphins in 2008. Chad Pennington led a passing offense that ranked 10th in the league, and head coach Tony Sperano also helped integrate the Wildcat formation into the offense, which enjoyed moderate success.

Miami drafted QB Pat White out of West Virginia, who will certainly see time in the Wildcat package, and will compete with Chad Henne for the backup role. The running back tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams proved to be successful, and I expect the running game will only improve as the offensive line matures.

Miami will be good again in 2009, but I don't see them repeating as division champs. There are still questions about Pennington's durability and arm strength, although he proved he didn't need a gun of an arm to win last year.

Teams will also be more on the lookout for the wildcat as well, so it may not be as successful as it was last year. I give the Dolphins anywhere from 8 to 10 wins, and they will certainly compete for a playoff spot.

Next on our list are the New England Patriots. The Patriots bounced back to finish 11-5 last year despite losing their MVP quarterback Tom Brady in week one. Brady will be back, and a reloaded defense should give Patriots fans expectations of bringing the division crown back to Foxboro.

The Patriots struggled on offense at times last year, which was to be expected with Tom Brady out of commission. However by week five Cassel hit his stride and the Patriots began to prove that they are not a one man show.

With Brady back I fully expect the offense to be near tops in the league again, with perhaps the most dominant passing attack in the NFL.

New England also proved that they were not just a passing attack last year, when they finished fifth in the league in rushing offense. When Lawrence Maroney was out last year, the combined efforts of Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, and Benjarvus Green-Ellis carried the Pats' running game.

With the addition of Fred Taylor, New England enters the 2009 season with perhaps the deepest running back corps in the league.

The one area of improvement need for the Patriots this offseason was on defense. Despite giving up the eighth fewest points in the league, New England was dominated by opposing offenses at times, particularly by Miami, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and the Jets. This will have to improve if they want to go deep into the playoffs.

To address their defensive needs, the Patriots looked to the draft, where the picked up seven defensive players. Of note are SS Patrick Chung and OLB Tyrone McKenzie, who should both see significant time in 2009.

The rest of their draft will provide depth and relief for some of their aging players, while the rookies will gain experience and playing time as they look to take larger roles in the future.

The Patriots will be much improved in 2009. Not that they need any motivation, but finishing 11-5 yet missing the playoffs will certainly be bulletin board material. I expect them to finish with at least 11 or 12 wins, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had as many as 14.

Next up we have the debacle of the New York Jets. The 2008 season initially showed so much promise for them, but a floundering Brett Favre, a late season collapse, and a new coach leave the Jets looking for answers in 2009.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Jets passing game will be a big question mark. The number five overall pick Mark Sanchez will compete with Kellen Clemens for the starting job.
I was never impressed with Clemens in his limited play two seasons ago, and a rookie quarterback will always show growing pains, no matter how good. Whoever wins out the starting job, it will be a rebuilding year for the passing offense.

When looking at the running game, the Jets ranked 9th in the league, and have added a beast of a running back in Shonn Greene out of Iowa. I expect Greene to combine with Thomas Jones to form one of the leagues most dominant rushing attacks.

This will have to be the focus of the Jets offense if they want to succeed in 2009. Ball control will be key, with a focus on the rushing game and an emphasis on taking care of the ball for the quarterback.

The Jets will also have to improve on the defensive side of the ball if they want to succeed in 2009. They finished 16th and 18th in total defense and scoring defense, respectively. Defensive problems contributed largely to their late season collapse, as they only held one opponent to under 20 points in their final five games.

New York was able to stop the run, as they finished ninth in the league in rushing defense, but they gave up an average of 234.5 yards per game through the air, a total of 3,752 yards, and good for fourth worst in the league.

The Jets have not done much to address their issues in the secondary and will have to see significant improvement from the players that they had if they want to have a better defensive season.

With a young and unproven quarterback under center, a new coach at the helm, and a suspect defense, I expect the Jets to fall to the basement of the division in 2009. It will be a rebuilding and learning year, and I give them 5-7 wins.

We finally arrive at last year's fourth place finishers in the division, the Buffalo Bills. With a good draft, an experienced coach, and Trent Edwards in his second year as a starter, look for the Bills to be moving up.

Trent Edwards performed well at the beginning of the 2008 season, but his performance declined as the season went on, and he suffered injury in weeks 15 and 16. He should be more comfortable this year as a starter, and I expect his performance to improve, but his consistency and durability will remain a question mark until we see more of him.

The addition of Terrell Owens will help Edwards out tremendously, and will take some of the focus off of Lee Evans, allowing him to see loosened coverage by the defense.

The addition of TE Shawn Nelson will also help Edwards, as he likes to throw to his tight ends, and Eric Wood and Andy Levitre will provide some much needed depth and protection on the offensive line.

The Bills had a mediocre defense in 2008, and they spent five of their eight draft picks on defensive players. They gave up 5.4 yards per play which will have to improve.

The addition of four defensive backs in the draft, most natably CB Jairus Byrd, will give some help to Terrance McGee, Ashton Youboty, and Donte Whitner, who had to shoulder the load for the secondary last year.

The Bills had a great third down defense in 2008, finishing ninth in the league in that category. The addition of first round pick Aaron Maybin will help in the pass rushing game, and should take some of the focus off of Aaron Schobel, which will allow this category to improve significantly.

The pass rush will help the Bills improve their overall pass defense as well, which finished a modest 13th in the league last year.

Buffalo should be much improved in 2009, and fans should see the development of some good young players. I expect anywhere from 9 to 11 wins for this team, and they will compete for a playoff berth.

The AFC East will be perhaps the toughest division in the conference, with at least three teams being legitimate playoff contenders.

I see New England as the clear-cut favorites, and the competition within the division will make it tougher on Miami and Buffalo to make that run. It is doable for both teams however, and whatever happens in 2009 it will certainly keep AFC East fans entertained.

Buffalo Bills 2009 Preview

Brandon Kabel — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:32:32 -0400

Looking back on the 2008 NFL season, we can see many aspects of an emerging Bills team that can give fans hope for 2009 and beyond.

This starts at the position where all eyes go to on every team, quarterback. Trent Edwards performed very well for the Bills at the beginning of the season, albeit against suspect defenses.

His performance took a dive following a week seven win against San Diego in Buffalo, and he only recorded a passer rating above 80 twice more the rest of the season.

His injury near the end of the season also raises some concerns about his durability, which Stanford fans will know is suspect. All in all, I see a developing player who has the potential to be a very good athlete. At times, he has shown us his potential, but has yet to stay consistent over an entire season.

Despite Marshawn Lynch's three game suspension, the rest of the offense should be in good shape. Lynch dominated in a few games last year, often running right over and through opposing defenders.

At times, he had no trouble breaking tackles and managed to score nine touchdowns. However, the Bills will have to give him some extra help if they want to succeed.

Fred Jackson should emerge even more as a second back than he did in 2009. The addition of Terrell Owens will also be a huge benefit for the Bills offense, as it will take some of the pressure off of Lee Evans.

While the offense looks more promising, the defensive side of the ball is a bit more uncertain for the Bills. While last year's defense showed promise in many ways, there were times where they struggled.

In games against the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs, and the New York Jets, they surrendered fourth quarter leads, which eventually led to a Buffalo loss. But don't get too down on this defense. They lost several close games and held opponents to low point totals, but the offense couldn't get it done.

Third down conversions should be looked at as a good barometer of how a defense can handle pressure situations. In this category, the Bills finished ninth when compared to the rest of the teams in the NFL.

The addition of the pass rusher Aaron Maybin will only help them in this area, while their other defensive draft picks will provide some much needed depth.

Overall, the Bills should have some decent expectations next year. I give them a good shot at being at least 8-8 or 9-7, with the possibility of more wins and a playoff berth, depending on how well the offense can click. This should be a good year in Buffalo Bills football.

2009 NFL Outlook: Spotlight on NFC South

Brandon Kabel — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:26:06 -0500

Today we shift to warmer climates to take a look at the NFC South. This division was second best in the NFC last year, and while the last-to-first trend didn't continue, we were still shown how close these four teams are.

We start with the defending South champs, the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have the ingredients to go deep in the playoffs; a legitimate defense, a beastly running game, a big-play receiver, and some solid guys behind him.

The Panthers saw the emergence of perhaps the league's best two-headed rushing tandem in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Williams rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 touchdowns, while Stewart complemented him with 836 yards and 10 TDs.

Stewart will only get better, Williams will keep on doing his thing and the Panthers have the potential to lead the NFL in rushing offense, a category which they were third in last year.

However, as impressive as their running game is, they're going to need much better play from Delhomme if they want to make a Super Bowl run. Delhomme had decent numbers in the regular season, throwing for 3,288 yards with a rating of 84.7.

However he had a mediocre touchdown-to-interception ratio, throwing 15 TD's and 12 picks. While his numbers aren't terrible, he's going to have to be much more consistent.

I'm sure I don't have to remind anyone of Jake's five-INT performance against the Cards in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Despite Delhomme's shortcomings though, Carolina has a very impressive team. I give them an 11-5 record and a repeat NFC South title.

Atlanta looks to be an up and coming team on the precipice of joining the NFL's elite. But I say not so fast. Matt Ryan played outstandingly in his rookie year, but he looked shaky and inconsistent at times, especially towards the end of the season. In the final four games of the regular season, he threw three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Should we look for Ryan to have a case of the sophomore blues? Well I wouldn't say that, but don't be expecting stellar numbers and superb play from him either.

More than the emergence of Matt Ryan, I believe Atlanta's ability to run the ball tells the story for this team. Michael Turner's performance speaks for itself. Turner rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns last year, leading the way for the NFL's second best rushing attack.

I think Atlanta could slip to 7-9, but they could just as easily finish with 10 wins, which is my prediction for them. Michael Turner and solid play from the defense carry them to another wild card birth.

Next we look at the NFC South's third place team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs will be searching for answers after their debacle of a collapse from last year. This team, which was tied for first place after defeating New Orleans in Week 13, lost their final four games of the regular season to miss the playoffs.

That defense which has been one of the best in the NFL for the past almost a decade looked tired and full of holes at the end of the year. They gave up over 30 points in three of those final four games, including a 31-21 loss to lowly Oakland in the season finale, where they gave up 192 rushing yards, 177 of those belonging to Michael Bush.

And with the departure of Monte Kiffin and Jon Gruden, next year's outlook doesn't look so good for Tampa Bay. The offense has a lot of questions as well. Cadillac Williams was out for half the year, and played subpar ball after he returned in Week 12. Warrick Dunn filled in with a decent performance, but his play was far from spectacular.

Add to that the question of Jeff Garcia's health, and the outlook for Tampa Bay is somewhat bleak. Still though, if Jeff Garcia can stay healthy and the defense can rebound, which they are capable of doing and which I expect they will do, they could win nine games. I give them seven to nine wins next year, just out of the playoffs.

The Saints are a team that could easily rebound and win 10+ games, but with their shoddy defense and at times inconsistent offense, they're going to have trouble doing this. Drew Brees single-handedly carried the load for this team last year, throwing for 5,069 yards and 34 touchdowns, garnering a quarterback rating of 96.2.

This was despite injuries and inconsistent play from his receiving corps. Add on to that the sporadic injuries of Reggie Bush, and the fact that Deuce McAllister never got fully back into rhythm, and Brees' performance is all the more impressive.

Perhaps even more of an issue are the Saints' issues on the defensive side of the ball. They finished 23rd and 26th in total defense and scoring defense, respectively, and game up a ton of points in the fourth quarter.

The only reason the Saints were able to win games this year was because they could score more than the opposition, but even despite stellar play from Brees, that still could not make up for the bad play of the defense.

I give the Saints anywhere from six to 10 wins next year, but for a pinpoint prediction, I say they finish with a 7-9 record.

2009 NFL Outlook: Spotlight on NFC North

Brandon Kabel — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 01:02:21 -0500

Today in our divisional spotlight is the NFC North. This division was one of the weakest in the NFL last year, but things may be looking up in 2009.

We start at the top of the division with the 2008 NFC North champs, the Minnesota Vikings. They have the groundwork set for a successful team; they've got an outstanding front four on defense, and as a result, they have a great run D, the best in the league.

They have one of the better offensive lines in football, anchored by left guard Steve Hutchinson; and of course they have the man that their offense runs through, the 2008 NFL rushing champion, Adrian Peterson.

But despite their strengths, the Vikings have some issues they need to address if they want to reach the next level. This starts first and foremost with the most important position on the field, the quarterback. Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte split time last season, with Jackson getting benched in Week Three, but returning to action as the starter in Week 15.

While he certainly played better in his second stint, he showed me nothing to convince me that he's ready to be a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL. And then in their only playoff game, Jackson looked like a deer in the headlights against Jim Johnson's defense, posting a quarterback rating 45.4.

Combine the quarterback question with a very vulnerable secondary that allowed 3,449 passing yards last year, and the Vikings' outlook for 2009 is very much in limbo. They are certainly capable of repeating as division champs, but I give them 7 to 9 wins, finishing second or third.

Next on the list, we have the Chicago Bears. The Bears finished the season in a disappointing way, losing their final game of the season to miss the playoffs. Chicago's defensive situation all year long was very similar to Minnesota's.

Chicago had the league's fifth ranked rushing defense, while giving up 3,859 total yards through the air, giving the Bears the NFL's third worst passing defense.

The offensive situation, however, looks far more positive. Before Kyle Orton went down to injury in a Week Nine game against Detroit, he was playing like one of the league's elite passers.

He had come off of three straight games of 280+ yards through the air, and in the process, tossing five touchdown passes and no picks. He was never the same after coming back from that injury though, not throwing for over 250 yards in any game the rest of the season, and throwing eight INT's in one span of four games.

The offseason should be very beneficial to Orton though, and I expect to see him continue to develop into a fine quarterback. Part of the reason for his less than stellar performances down the stretch could also be attributed to injuries to his wide-outs, which limited production from Brandon Lloyd and Rashied Davis in particular.

Another bright spot was the surprise emergence of rookie running back Matt Forte. Expect him to be more comfortable in the offense next year, and for the Bears to handle his carries better. I give the Bears eight to 11 wins, likely 10, and a division title.

The Green Bay Packers are a little bit tougher to forecast. They finished in the middle of the pack in total defense, faring better against the pass finishing twelfth in the NFL in that category, as opposed to the run where they finished 26th.

It's hard to know what to expect from this defense next year. They have some good talent, and at times they showed promise to be a good unit, but were overall far too inconsistent to show me that they'll be anything better than mediocre next year.

As with the Bears, the Packer offensive situation shows much more promise than the defensive one. Aaron Rodgers showed that he is more than capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL, and he really only had two bad games, against Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

Aside from those two games, Rodgers did not throw more than one pick in any single game, finishing the year with a passer rating of 93.8. Greg Jennings stepped up big time as a premiere wide receiver, and Donald Driver is a seasoned veteran who can still get it done.

The one question will be if Ryan Grant can rebound from a disappointing season and return to his 2007 form. All in all, I expect the Packers to certainly be better than last year, but they could just as easily fail to meet expectations again. Expect anywhere from six to 10 wins from the Pack, but I'd put them around eight or nine.

What can you say about the Detroit Lions? They have to be better than last year, right? There's pretty much nowhere to go but up for the Lions. They finished last in total defense as well as scoring defense. The defense should perform marginally better, but I still expect them to be in the bottom 10 in major defensive categories.

As far as the offensive end goes, things aren't much better. They were able to put up a decent amount of points in some games, and were even able to hang in those games in the fourth quarter, but the spurts of offense were too few and far between to give their fans any hint of optimism for next year.

The one glimmer of hope lies in Calvin Johnson, who could develop into the NFL's best receiver. My advice is to get the ball to C.J. early and often. I give Detroit two to four wins for next year.

2009 NFL Outlook: Spotlight On NFC East

Brandon Kabel — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 23:45:05 -0500

With the 2008 NFL season now drawn to a close, some due congratulations are in order to the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. All controversy from the big game aside, the Steelers played a great season and came through in the clutch to win their organization a record setting sixth Super Bowl title. But now that the season is over, we as fans can start looking at the outlook for next season. I'll be highlighting one division each day, starting today with the NFC East.

The NFC East should retain its prominence as arguably the best division in the NFL next year, although the AFC East and South may have something to say about that when it's all said and done. Top to bottom, every team in this division is capable of making the playoffs. To start off with, we look at the defending NFC East Champs, the New York Giants.

You know what to expect from the Giants. Solid, dominant play on both lines, run the ball and play defense. Then let Eli be a game manager and make throws when he has to, and the Giants should continue their success of the last two years.

I expect Eli to feel even more comfortable in the offense this year, but he'll have to continue to adjust to the absence of his former number one target, Plaxico Burress, who likely won't be back in a Giants uniform next year. Brandon Jacobs' health will also be an issue, but after an off-season to rest, he should be alright, and the Giants have enough depth at running back to take care of any concerns. They should get at least 10 wins, I'm guessing they'll either go 11-5 or 12-4, and they'll definitely be a threat to go deep in the playoffs.

The Eagles are an enigma. They are great at times (see beginning and ending of the regular season and the playoffs) and downright bad at times (see middle of the regular season). They're a real wild card to me for next year. The defense is consistently good, they haven't had a bad season in this millennium.

The offense will tell the story of Philadelphia's season. The key will be Brian Westbrook. If he can stay healthy and involved in the offense, Philadelphia will make a playoffs. This is a big if though, as he's been banged up with varying injuries for the past few years. To me they could easily go anywhere from 6-10 to 11-5.

Dallas is another flip of the coin. They've got the talent, if they can put it together they can win the division. But there are a ton of unknowns involved. First there's the question of Wade Phillips' ability to win as a head coach. He had success in his first year, but perhaps now the lack of discipline and accountability that he holds his players to is showing.

And then there's TO. Can he bounce back from a very sub-par 2008 season and be a prolific number one wide receiver again? He is after all 35. Their second option Roy Williams has yet to prove himself in Dallas, and Patrick Crayton proved ineffective all year. Add all that together with a meddling owner and anything can happen. The Cowboys certainly have the ability, but they could just as easily go 7-9 or 13-3.

The Redskins to me don't have what it takes at this point to make it to the next level, especially with the toughness of their division. Their defense is their greatest strength, they had the league's fifth best scoring defense, and they played consistently all year long.

Jason Campbell showed signs of maturing, and the offense looked great at times early on in the season. However inconsistency showed in the later weeks, as Santana Moss became the one focal point for Campbell, and Antoine Randle El started to become less and less used. Portis was the one shining star who played the role of stud all year long, even through minor injury near the end of the year. I expect Washington to finish right around .500 next year, with Portis towing the majority of the load for their offense again.

Yankees Pitching Staff Outlook: Where Does Joba Fit?

Brandon Kabel — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:26:25 -0500

The Yankees' absence from the 2008 MLB playoffs has left a sour taste in many a Yankee fan's mouth. The off-season has brought some hope back to the Bronx though, but with that hope comes the burden of heavy expectations; expectations which will fall squarely on the shoulders of the Yankees' now loaded pitching staff.

Unlike last season, the Yankees shouldn't be scrambling for no name starting pitchers from the minors. Wang will be back healthy at the start of the season, and if he can stay healthy and return to his form of early 2008, he will be one of the most dominant starters in the league. With the free agent signings of CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett, as well as the recent re-signing of Andy Pettitte to a new one year deal, the former Achilles heel of the Bronx Bombers now becomes an intimidating strength.

Now let's take a look at that Yankee staff more closely. We'll likely get CC and Wang at the top of the rotation, followed by Burnett, Pettitte, and Joba. Yankees management has said that they wouldn't be averse to using a six-man rotation in order to keep Joba rested, which would likely mean either Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy will join Joba at the tail end of the rotation. The Yankees have also stated that they are committed to keeping Joba as a starter in their rotation. My question is: Why?

Joba Chamberlain was one of the most dominant relievers in the majors in 2007, posting a .38 ERA in 19 appearances, mostly down the stretch of their run to the playoffs. He was virtually unhittable before facing Cleveland in the ALDS, and even then he only gave up one earned run in conditions that arguably should've postponed the end of the game. The Yankee bullpen was one of their weaknesses in last year's campaign, and it has yet to be addressed this off-season. Coupled with the fact that the legendary Mariano Rivera is aging and only has a few good years left, would be good cause to consider putting Joba back in the bullpen.

He could resume the setup role where he was so dominant, and then move into the closers role once Rivera retires, a tactic which worked quite well when Rivera himself worked the setup spot behind John Wetteland. Also take into account the Yankees already have a solid four man start to their rotation, and they can easily fill in the fifth spot with Kennedy or Hughes, or even let them both have a spot and make it a six man rotation. Bottom line is, it's something worth serious consideration, and the Yankees certainly shouldn't rule out a return to the bullpen for Joba Chamberlain.

Super Bowl XLII: Unsung Heroes Lead Patriots to Glendale

Brandon Kabel — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:26:38 -0500

Walk into your local bar and mention Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Rodney Harrison, Asante Samuel, and Tedy Bruschi.

Chances are, nine out of 10 people will know who you are talking about, and you’ll likely find yourself in the middle of a hot debate between Patriots lovers and haters.

But try throwing out names like Logan Mankins, Matt Light, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, Nick Kaczur, and even Russ Hochstein, and you’re sure to get far less responses.

Just who are these people?

They are the offensive line for the AFC Champion New England Patriots.

This extraordinary bunch of medium-sized lineman have protected their quarterback extremely well all year long and helped fuel an efficient rushing attack when needed. And just to help you get an idea of how good this group is, a look at the statistics is all that is necessary.

The Pats offense is eighth among playoff teams, with 4.1 yards per rush. They allowed 21 total sacks in the regular season, which averages only 1.3 per game, fifth-lowest in the NFL. They were also penalized a mere 12 times for false start and seven times for holding. Minimizing penalties is a key component of excellence for any great team.

The average fan perhaps won’t comprehend the importance of a good line, but consider this: When watching Tom Brady this year, we can see him standing in the pocket with all the time he needs.

With this time, Brady is able to pick apart opposing defenses and put jaw-dropping numbers on the board. Brady’s numbers included a 68.9 completion percentage, 4,806 yards, 50 touchdowns, and a 117.2 quarterback rating, all career highs. His 50 TDs broke Peyton Manning’s NFL single-season record.

True, Brady is a top quarterback, but the numbers he put up this year would have never been possible without consistent, excellent play from his offensive line.

Now the Patriots find themselves in the Super Bowl, facing a rematch with the New York Giants. The Giants gave the Pats some problems in their first meeting in the final game of the season, when the Giants held a 12 point lead at one time and scored the most points against the Pats all year. New England pulled it out in the end, keeping the perfect season intact.

The game helped give the Giants confidence though, and they’ve continued their road winning streak all the way to the Super Bowl where it now stands at a record 10.

A key matchup in this game will be the Patriots’ O-line against the Giants’ pass-rushing duo of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. Strahan and Umenyiora definitely make a menacing pass rush, but if the Patriots’ line can give Brady enough time, as they have all year, he will likely find a way to hit his open receivers and lead his team to its fourth Super Bowl in seven years.

Joe Gibbs' Retirement Leaves a Void in Washington

Brandon Kabel — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:02:35 -0500

Three days following the Redskins' first round exit from the playoffs, Joe Gibbs announced his retirement as head coach for the Washington Redskins for the second time. Gibbs' decision is multi-faceted, but is due mostly to a family issue, the diagnosis of his grandson Taylor with leukemia last January. Despite the personal crisis, Gibbs maintained enthusiasm throughout the season for returning to fulfill his contract. He even stated last month that he would like to discuss a contract extension so that he would not be a lame-duck coach next year. Despite this, Gibbs felt it necessary to retire from his duties and spend more time with his family, saying "My family situation being what it is right now, I told him I couldn't make the kind of commitment I needed to make."

Redskins owner Daniel Snyder tried to convince Gibbs to stay on, saying "This is something none of us wanted to see happen. But all of us respect it and understand it." Gibbs' most recent run with the Redskins produced a 30-34 regular season record (1-2 in playoffs), and no divisional titles, on first glance in no way comparable to his first run, in which he went 124-60 (16-5 in playoffs), and an impressive 6 division titles and 3 Super Bowls. However, consider that this season he faced perhaps the most daunting challenge of his career: rallying the team to reach the playoffs following the death of their pro-bowl teammate and a 5-7 start. That kind of leadership is the intangeable factor that makes a coach like Gibbs hard to replace. Now Daniel Snyder must face the daunting task of replacing someone with so much knowledge, experience, and respect of the game. Possible candidates are still largely based on speculation, but currently the most likely of these are in house: offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who formerly built an offensive juggernaut as the offensive coordinator for the Chiefs from 2001-2005, and defensive coordinator Greg Williams, who built excellent defenses in both Buffalo and Tennessee. Bill Cowher's name is always in the mix, but he has stated that he intends on staying in his analyst role through next year.