Time to tear apart some NFL beliefs

by Eric Schwartz

Wednesday September 1, 2010 

With the first game of the NFL now just a week away it is time to turn my focus to the pigskin. I love the game and the anticipation is great. Yet with that anticipation comes overreaction and at times lunacy from those who cover and report on the game.

Every year experts are certain of things and every year many of those things turn out not to be. So as Grinding My Gears returns this week, it does so by picking apart some of the statements I have heard during the offseason that really dig at me.

The Patriots have been passed in the AFC East: Never, ever doubt Tom Brady. I may not be one of his fans come Sunday, but I sure do respect his talents. Rex Ryan can run his mouth all he wants, but the AFC East still runs through the Patriots — and it probably will until Brady retires or leaves town.

The Sexy pick: Every year it happens: Last year it was the Chargers and this year it’s the Packers and the Cowbys. Analysts collectively faun and drool over  a team that has been close but hasn’t gotten to the big game, and  decide it’s time to make them the favorites. Sometimes they’re right and most of the time they’re not, but every year it seems like the Colts get pushed on the back-burner. And every year the Cots are right there in the end. It would be nice if just once the favorite was actually labeled as the favorite.

Mike Martz love: Mike Martz is the offensive co-ordinator for the Bears and suddenly that offense will be more potent. Suddenly, Jay Cutler will be able to throw the ball to someone other than the opposition. These are the things I hear.

In fact, I keep hearing things about Mike Martz that would make Chuck Norris jealous. I respect what the guy did in St. Louis, but his time in Detroit and San Francisco hardly makes me a believer that he will transform the Bears offense into a scoring machine. In fact I have no faith at all that he will.

The Bengals are Super Bowl contenders: OK this one is coming from the Bengals themselves … and I’m not close to buying it. The Ravens will be the class of the division while the Bengals may scrap to get close to a Wild Card spot, before falling short. Super Bowl contenders do not have a giant question mark at QB (Yes Carson Palmer fits that profile after a dismal 2009/10 season).

This is the year for the Texans: Hasn’t every year been the year for the Texans to reach the playoffs since 2007? I thought so. How many times have they been to the playoffs during that span? Zero. There is a lot to like with this team but I refuse to get sucked into the hype anymore.

Brett Favre’s numbers will take a huge hit this season: This one is my personal favorite. I will be the first to admit that it will be tough for Favre to repeat the success he had last season (33 TDs, 7 picks), but I sure think he will be close. Don’t let the ankle injury news fool you. Favre always keeps an excuse handy in case he needs one. The man still has a great arm and plenty of talent around him (even with Sidney Rice out for up to six weeks). He may be the biggest drama queen in the league, but the man can still play — and play very well.

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