The NFL Teams Waiting For the Spotlight!

 

Get Ready!

 

In a year from now, how will you and I end up defining the 2012/13 football season? I mean…look at how it’s beginning. The draft has come and gone and there were many stories and highlights that came out of it. The players seem…well, I hate to say this, but…smarter!

 

There are quarterbacks on the horizon that may take their place in the record books one day beside Montana. There are running backs and tight ends who know how to catch the ball, keep it, run with it, and make sure those points are scored. We even were allowed our very own controversy when Tebow took his power with him and left Denver…a Broncos team that is still a bit nervous as to whether they made the right decision by bringing a superstar into their midst whose best days – physically – are possibly behind him.

 

So, this week we will address something that others never speak about – the teams that are slowly creeping up to take over. The big names will always remain in everyone’s mind – however, we are on the edge of having one of those mysterious, almost ‘angelic’ seasons come to pass where a ‘nobody’ becomes a somebody. don’t believe me? There were so many fans routing for the 49ers to show the world that their dynasty was once again the best, that faces actually fell and people wept when a ‘Manning’ crushed the whole thing.

 

Seeing as that the controversy of a ‘Manning’ is what began this year‘s football news, let’s begin there. I think that all fans can agree (and even non-fans) that this new (improved?) Broncos team is far different from the successful one they saw last year. Manning could very well be the small “injection” that the Broncos need to go from champions to Super Bowl Champions. Or, it could end up that Fate was already getting the Broncos to the finishing line when Tebow was their weapon.

 

Oddly enough, with the draft came a new quarterback from Arizona State into John Elway’s locker room. It seems more than a bit odd to some. In fact, it seems almost like Elway is going a little ‘batty’ which scares fans even more that he went head-over-heels to get Peyton. This new QB is what they refer to as “developmental.” His name is Brock Osweiler, and he is 6-foot-7 with a very slow delivery. Hmmmm…

 

The New York Jets not only have Tebow and his ‘extra illuminating powers’ by their side, but they also ended up grabbing onto a receiver by the name of Stephen Hill. This guy is supposedly FAST, and I mean Deion Sanders fast! Which is extremely helpful seeing as that there will be two QB’s on the Jets. And (we KNOW this is coming, folks) any QB on the Jets will need somebody to throw to in order to see who scores the starting job. That will be Stephen Hill’s number one job.

 

Yes, the two biggest stories also came from QB’s in the draft, with Andrew Luck going to the Colts in order to bring back the ‘days of Manning’ and a championship team. However, the Colts may just have to wait a few MORE drafts before they can find the superstars to surround him. The other QB is, of course, RGIII of the Washington Redskins. He went second overall in the pick, but most have him at the number one spot as far as new NFL players are concerned. And, oddly enough, the Colts and the Skins both look to be equal partners where this draft is concerned. They now have the star QB, but who the heck is going to protect them?

 

The Cleveland Browns had to lick their wounds when they watched RGIII head to Washington, but Trent Richardson, a Running Back from Auburn, will fill in a gap that is desperately needed.

 

We come to the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a team that went straight for the defense! Fletcher Cox was the highest-rated defensive lineman on their draft board, and boy do the Eagles need him. Think about it – this is one team who desperately needs to learn how to stop the run! Adding to that frontline will be Mychal Kendricks. Yes, people do say he’s a bit under-sized for the NFL realm, but this guy is super quick. While the bigger men take out the offense, Mychal can run down the RB’s and scare the QB’s with a lightning-speed blitz. This may be just what the Eagles need in order to make those playoffs count next year and head to the big game.

 

The Arizona Cardinals also have a mention in this article because they are literally creeping up behind everyone. I know, you find this silly considering who I’m speaking about. BUT, this is a team that plays in a seriously weak division – perhaps the weakest in the NFL. The 49ers saw a glint of sunlight last year and they do have an ever-increasing beat in their city where people are finally beginning to speak of a new dynasty, but the Cardinals are not at the bottom of the pile anymore. Even the Rams and the Seahawks look far worse. Although many will never admit to the fact that Arizona could possibly see a Super Bowl, they did have the brains to draft Michael Floyd from Notre Dame. Floyd comes into a team that is getting stronger by the minute, and will be the biggest help in placing more pressure on the secondary.

 

In addition, a cornerback, Jamell Fleming, comes into play and offensive tackle Bobby Massie arrives, who is one of the best.

 

Who could end a ‘good job’ draft article without mentioning the Pack? The Green Bay Packers are still on the top of all the NFL charts. And this team certainly looked like they were once again building that defensive line that absolutely NO QB, RB – heck, not even an angel with wings unfurled – could get through.

 

Considering these men may be on a Super Bowl poster next year…you have a linebacker by the name of Nick Perry who is considered to be one of the top pass-rushers in the draft. In addition, they nabbed DL Jerel Worthy, and DB Casey Hayward.

 

When taking all of this into account, you have to also realize that the Packers already had two off-season pick-ups by signing free agents, Anthony Hargrove and Daniel Muir. And now that they are joined by Casey Hayward, who is an amazing tackler as well as THE man when it comes to getting those interceptions, the Pack MAY just surprise everyone and hold the Lombardi trophy once again.

 

In the end, the point remains that not one team in the NFL is a shoe-in. If you think the Giants will rule once again, or that the Pats are going to keep coming and coming like Energizer bunnies…think again.

 

Until Next Time, Everybody,

Amy