12 Bold Predictions for the NFL Regular Season

NFL teams have ended training camp and will slowly be making their roster cuts to get ready for the regular season.

Oh, how great that sounds!

The NFL lockout may have left a bad taste in the fans' mouths, but it has not stopped them from cheering on their teams. Hopefully, even with the economy, we will see numbers that will reflect the love of the best sport in America.

There are so many questions to be answered by so many players and teams that appear to be on the cusp of greatness. And with the expectation of teams in New England, Philadelphia, Green Bay and Pittsburgh, it is a wonder if they can live up to them.

It will also be interesting to see what happens to rookies and veterans who lost offseason conditioning and training because the players association and the league could not agree to a compromise in time to start regular training.

I am not the foremost authority on the NFL, but there are some things I think will happen this year. Here are 12 bold predictions of mine.

Tim Tebow Will Be the Third-String Quarterback in Denver

He is such a good person. He appears to be such an average quarterback.

The offseason may have hurt Tebow more than anyone in the NFL.

There is speculation he has regressed more than progressed, and even if he is loved by the fans, owner Pat Bowlen, John Elway and John Fox want the best passer on the field when the season starts.

Players and coaches acknowledge that is Kyle Orton. And in some circles, it appears that Brady Quinn may have passed Tebow on the depth chart.

A poor season by the former Heisman winner could mean his days are numbered in Colorado.

Peyton Manning Will Regress

Something tells me the neck problems that exist with Manning will continue to be a problem.

His receiving corps will be back and his running game may be better, but the arm and the movement may not be as good as in years past.

Manning has been a rock on this team since he came into the league. But he is getting older and his play may diminish this season.

It's just a hunch. I hope I am wrong.

Terrell Owens Will Not Play in the NFL This Season

He is rehabbing a knee injury, but how many more times will this receiver be picked up for his sliding talent?

He was a decent performer in Cincinnati last year, but he also could not keep his mouth shut, calling for the ball. Additionally, the team of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens was not as great as predicted.

If a team is in need in the middle of the season, I could see him latching on (Washington, Oakland, St. Louis). But I do not see him being signed any time soon.

Chris Johnson Will Hold out with the Tennessee Titans

This is easier to predict since it seems neither side will budge.

Johnson wants to be paid like a playmaker, not a running back. Tennessee wants to pay him as the highest running back in the league.

The two are not the same.

Until both sides can come to some agreement, the league's best runner will remain out of football.

The Philadelphia Eagles Will Not Reach the Super Bowl

Something tells me all the spending by the Eagles will backfire.

Head coach Andy Reid is a wonderful motivator and has all the tools in place to win. But Mike Vick will not be the same player he was last season and the defense will not be a Steeler-like defense.

There could still be some issues with DeSean Jackson and with the linebackers on the team. This is a team built to win now.

Hopefully for the team's sake, it will happen.

Dallas Will Not Make the Playoffs

This just proves it was not the loss of Tony Romo that caused the downfall of the team.

Romo is important to the team's success, but there needs to be more heart with this team. Head coach Jason Garrett is a great motivator as well and it will be interesting to see if he can bring this team together in his first full season.

James Harrison Will Be Suspended by the NFL

His mouth will finally get him in trouble.

Harrison is a man who does not care who hears what he says and then backtracks to clear his name. He loves to take shots at the NFL commissioner.

The Rooneys need to take him aside and let him know this is a proud organization that will not tolerate him being so outspoken.

Blaine Gabbert Will Start a Game in the NFL This Year

Somewhere around midseason we will see the best quarterback in the draft start for Jacksonville.

There is speculation that there is a true quarterback battle here in Jacksonville. Gabbert has looked good while David Garrard has been injured and healing.

Garrard is seen as an average quarterback in the NFL and since the schedule for the Jaguars is brutal, we could see the rookie sooner than the team may have liked.

You cannot keep $12 million in guaranteed money on the bench.

Brett Favre Will Be Playing in Miami by Midseason

The situation in Miami is grim and the team needs a big push.

Since they whiffed on getting Jim Harbaugh and cannot get a top-flight quarterback, Favre might be the answer.

Since Favre did not deny everything with the media and the Dolphins have been shaky at best in their support for Chad Henne, it seems like a viable option.

The soap opera can move to South Beach—just like LeBron.

Green Bay Will Take a Step Back This Season

They only won 10 games last season and were the sixth seed in the playoffs.

Green Bay got hot at the right time and won the Super Bowl.

They have the talent and Aaron Rodgers is a Top 5 quarterback. But losing pieces on the defense and still having questions about the running game could spell trouble.

Detroit is on the rise and of course the Bears will be in contention.

We will have to see what the coaching staff can do for an encore.

Tony Sparano Will Be Fired During the Season

You have to figure with all the questions in Miami, Sparano is on thin ice.

This team is not the worst team in the NFL, but it sure seems that way.

It could be a long season in Florida for the 'Fins.

New England and New Orleans Will Be in the Super Bowl

You heard that here first.

Define irony. New England, the arch rival of Indianapolis, and the team Peyton Manning's daddy used to play for will play at Lucas Oil Field for the Lombardi Trophy.

I will not venture a guess who will win.