We all watched and waited for drama.  We’re still waiting.  Though there were more trades than anytime in recent memory, none of them really involved any household names.  Shoot, none of them even involved future or has-been household names.  That is to no fault of the NFL Network and ESPN hosts who seemed as if they were being paid by agents to drop the names Lito Shepherd and Chad Johnson once every quarter-hour.  The network guys had so little pork to pontificate about, it wasn’t an hour in before they were interviewing people who knew Brett Favre to see if maybe he had a mind to come out of retirement.  Surely talk of Brett returning to wrestle the starting job back from Aaron Rodgers was better fodder than the ho-hum of this draft.

The Preacher did pretty well, I think.  Sure, I missed on more than I hit - but that is the nature of the draft.  Still, there were many places where I missed the man, but got the position right.  I’m pretty proud of that because it shows you that I at least did the homework on the clubs, their needs and tendencies.  Here’s my take:

I picked the first two.  No secret.  Everybody knew those two.  I missed out on Atlanta, figuring in the end that they were… well… Atlanta.  You’ll note, however, I did mention that were I in their braintrust, I’d select the QB from BC.  What?  They did?  I think those guys are reading my blog!  You’ll notice in 8 through 17 or so I nailed the position a bunch, but managed only to hit on Ryan Clady, the OT from Boise State to Denver.  That wasn’t as easy, because I was certain the Broncos wanted a tackle, but there were several very good tackles in this draft.  Got lucky, I suppose.  I hit a homerun with RB Felix Jones out of Arkansas going to Dallas.  I’ve looked around and very few people out there picked this one (patting myself on the back).  I don’t know why.  Jerry Jones… Arkansas… Felix Jones… I really do think Jerry Jones is the kind of guy who would pick a less talented Razorback over, say, Rashard Mendenhall, because of his Alma Mater.  Hey, and while I was wrong on the round, the Packers did eventually snag Louisville QB Brian Brohm to eventually take the reins in Green Bay away from Brett Farve… er, I mean Aaron Rodgers.

Those folks who pick the winners and losers of the draft an hour after its over can have that fun to themselves. The jury is really out.  Until the day comes when, like the New York Giants of 2007, a team stands with the Lombardi trophy aloft - and eight rookie draft picks there on the podium among their number, it’s foolishness to grade things to seriously.  I think it’s safe to say Cleveland’s draft was woeful.  What, did they have a pick? 

For my fellow Buccaneers fans, I think it’s fair to say we had a good day.  I know, I read all the moaning about the picks left in comments, but mark my words - they done good.  You’ll see.  As for all the QB trade rumors - it’s reported that the Bucs received offers for Simms, but were instead trying to peddle Gradkowski away - just relax.  We’ll be a couple lighter in the gunslinger department by June… and you might just be surprised who is out and who is in.  Should I tell you?  No.  I’ll wait until next time to unleash my theory on you.

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You will have to give me a great deal of grace with this draft prognostication.  There is just too much slip and slide between war-room and podium to call this science.  One wrinkle and the whole lot of the preview can shift.  So, this is more an attempt on my part to say, “Were all the General Managers and Coaches as wise as me, this is what they would do with their first round picks.” We’ll see if I hit on any of them after number one - that one is in the bag (as in a very large money bag, that is).

Dolphins - OT Jake Long (Michigan)
Rams - DE Chris Long (Virginia)
Falcons - DT Glenn Dorsey (LSU)… but don’t rule out the BC QB - Is he kind to canines?
Raiders - DE Vernon Gholsten (OSU)
Chiefs - DE Derrick Harvey (Florida)… should take the BC QB
Jets - RB Darren McFadden (Arkansas)
Patriots - CB Leodis McKelvin (Troy)… they’ve seen him on film
Ravens - QB Matt Ryan (BC)
Bengals - LB Keith Rivers (USC)
Saints - DT Sedrick Ellis (USC)
Bills - CB Dominic Rogers-Cromartie (Tenn. St.)
Broncos - OT Ryan Clady (Boise)
Panthers - OT Brandon Albert (Virginia)
Bears - OT Jeff Otah (Pitt)
Lions - RB Jonathan Stewart (Oregon)
Cardinals - CB Mike Jenkins (USF)
Vikings - OT Gosder Cherilus (BC)
Texans - OT Chris Williams (Vandy)
Eagles - WR Delvin Thomas (Mich. St.)
Buccaneers - WR DeSean Jackson (Cal)
Redskins - WR Malcolm Kelly (Tenn)
Cowboys - RB Felix Jones (Arkansas)… a Jones to replace a Jones
Steelers - DE Phillip Merling (Clemson)
Titans - OT Sam Baker (USC)
Seahawks - DT Kentwan Balmer (NC)
Jaguars - LB Jared Mayo (Tenn)
Chargers - RB Rashard Mendenhall (Illinois)
Cowboys - WR Limas Sweed (Texas)
49ers - OT Carl Nicks (Nebraska)
Packers - Brian Brohm (Louisville)
Giants - LB Dan Connor (PSU)

Well, there you have it.  How many do you think I hit?  Oh, yes - and one more prediction for fun: The Bucs take a QB on the first day of the draft.  Wait and see!

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Another week, another sound off from Chad Johnson.  Another chapter in the Pac-man saga.  Another MVP QB retiring.  What?  Yep.  Breaking news: Steve McNair is going to rest his aching back… hips… shoulders… neck… all of it - for good.  Ravens fans are shocked today at the news.  I’m shocked that they’re shocked.  Think about it.  He’s spent 13 seasons being a human tackling dummy.  He’s done it marvelously, mind you.  But, still.  After a 13-3 year his first season in Baltimore it all looked so promising.  Watching him limp around the sideline last season sucked the promise out of the future.

Pac-man is applying for reinstatement.  Wait.  Check that.  Pac-man wants to be traded.  Wait, no.  Hold that.  Pac-man is going out with his homies this weekend.  Wait.  Check that.  He’s on the witness protection list.  Will this man ever play a meaningful down of football again?  Yes, he is a talent.  But how much is Jerry Jones willing to risk… uh, I mean spend?  His agent says that he wants to be traded before he applies for reinstatement.  I think that actually hurts his bottom line - wouldn’t a player active in the league be worth more to you than one on ice?  So what’s his game? 

Chad Johnson wants out of Cincinnati - again.  This time, however, he just may get his wish.  T.J. Houshmandzedah is now cheerleading for the Bengals to grant his wishes.  When your teammates have said enough is enough, you’re on the fast train.  Johnson will find a home.  There are few teams in the NFL who wouldn’t be in the market for an upgrade of his quality, and most teams have the cap room now, like few have in the past, and like few will in the future.

Seems that my English counterpart has made a case for the Bucs not drafting a QB this year.  Once again, I disagree with the old chap.  Think, man!  This is John Gruden we’re talking about.  He has Garcia, but they can’t get him a deal beyond the upcoming season.  And, he’s 60 years old.  They have Brian Griese, but he was brought in to be a stable number 2.  We have Luke McCown.  Yes, we do.  Then there’s Bruce ‘You Had Your Chance’ Gradkowski.  Oh yes, and there’s Phil Simms’ kid.  Gruden still asks, “What’s his name?” Simms will be gone before mini-camp.  McCown and Gradkowski will be playing for the clipboard at best.  You don’t think Gruden would jump at the chance to grab up a signal caller with this draft?  Let’s be clear.  I don’t see him moving up the board after Matt Ryan.  If Joe Flacco or Brian Brohm were to fall to the Bucs, don’t bet against it.  What better time to mine for a QB of the future than when you have a stable full?  A sleeper?  Eric Ainge.  Hey, come on… he’s better than Gradkowski.

I’m looking forward to the draft.  I’ll be back next week and call the first round for you.  Stay tuned.

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The NFL Owners are meeting to discuss changes. Changes in the playoff format to allow for teams with better records in stronger divisions to host division winners in weaker divisions - so we don’t have the Giants visiting the Bucs… uh… Oh, and give the league a haircut. The Owners are weighing the length of a player’s hair among the big items on the agenda. Should a player’s hair be allowed to cover his name on the back of his jersey? A compromise? Write the player’s name on his behind - you know, like the shorts teenage girls wear that say ‘Pink’. And while we’re at it, I think that adopting the old XFL name rules would be fun. Names like ‘Killa’ and others, why even ‘Pac-Man’ could write that cross his buns.

Speaking about Pac-Man, he’s talking. Oops… I didn’t mean ‘talking’ like that. Some of his cohorts just fot real nervous. I meant that he’s talking to the press about football. Sort of. He’s said that he thinks his days as a Titan are over. Do you think? What clues did he consider? The fact that they’ve banned him from the facility? Maybe that they answer the telephone “Titan’s Pizzeria” when he calls? So where will he land? Let’s look at the stat sheet: For a player whose position is usually considered by ‘passes defensed’ and ‘interceptions’, Pac’s last two years are better considered in ‘allegations defensed’ and ‘incarcerations’. And, his numbers there are impressive. He also has an attempt at a professional wrestling career in which he was contractually forbidden to actually wrestle. I’ll bet the teams are lining up to work him out.

Word out of Tampa is that Chris Simms days are numbered. What else is new? Chris didn’t show for the QB club. That’s actually a good indicator that someone is saying something - whether it’s Chris saying “I want out” or Chucky saying “!@#$%^ Chris Simms!” I bet the latter. His fate was sealed when Brian Griese returned. Now, if he’s true to history, he’ll go on to become the next Super Bowl MVP QB that has a stint in Tampa atop his career stats.

The Bucs have been making some impressive off-season moves. Chief among them is not being in a hurry to add people at inflated prices. You have to admire a team that takes it wisely. Of course, in reading the comments on other blogs and articles here, I see that many a Buc fan has vented frustration over the off-season moves thus far. I’m cautiously optomistic - but you know that about me. There were voices squealing at the loss of Simeon Rice last year. Not me, you will recall. Where has Simeon surfaced? Figure skating, I think?

So, sound off for me. What do you think of the off-season moves so far? Where have the Buc succeeded? Where have they missed out? What’s left to address?

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Call it a career, Brett.  And a marvelous one it has been.  Word today is that Brett Favre has notified his coach that he is retiring after 17 seasons in the NFL.  My take is that he has made a very good choice.  Simply put, he leaves on top.  Imagine if he’d have left after one of the last couple of seasons the Packers struggled, and he was maligned.  But, upon completion of a season in which he shredded just about every record known to passers, and upon having been the veteran that molded a young and up-and-coming team together - a young team that played way beyond expectations in 2007 - it’s a great time to say goodbye.  So, it’s Mr. Rodgers neighborhood now.  It is a thankless job to follow a legendary QB in the NFL.  Think I’m kidding?  Ask Brian Griese.

Speaking of which, as I told you last week - this is a good move.  I have been reading all the nay-saying comments.  Don’t forget that run that Brian had in Tampa before his knee injury.  Don’t hold the time in Chicago against him.  This is a very good move for the Bucs.  Mark my words.  And, as I said before, the most important thing is that Coach Gruden likes Brian.  If you’ve learned one thing about Coach Gruden’s work with QBs, note that if he likes them, things go well (the one notable exception being Bruce Gradkowski), and if he doesn’t like them… well, er… Chris Simms.  Besides, Brian is another Rich Gannon looking signal caller.  That’s all Gruden needs to see.  Aging guy.  Cerebral.  Cast off somewhere else.  Hard to get ahold of like a chicken.  Perfect.

Randy Moss signs a new deal with the Patriots.  Surprise!  I told you that last week.  All the talk of leaving New England or reuniting with Daunte Culpepper was a spray of contact negotiating bull.  Moss never intended to go anywhere.  Trade Brady tossing the ball to him for Culpepper… are you kidding me?  And, most importantly, the Pats never intended to let him leave.  That’s why NO ONE ELSE in the NFL even looked his direction.  They knew it.  Why waste the breath.

Big Ben got a big raise in Pittsburgh.  Deserved.  He will be the man for a long time to come, as long as they keep him off his motorcycle.

Back to the Bucs for a moment - what of Warrick Dunn’s newfound freedom to land somewhere else?  Could he be coming back to Tampa?  Once again, I’ll take the flack - I hope so.  He’d be a great third down back for us, especially with Michael Pittman’s expected exit.  Those who worry that he is too small or too old - look at his numbers.  Those folks who know say that Indy is his most likely destination because of his relationship with Tony Dungy.  Hey, Warrick!  Consider it this way, my friend: Come to Tampa!  You own a house there.  Tony Dungy does too!  And, in another 12 months, that’s where you’ll find Tony full time.  Besides, I’ve still got a Dunn #28 jersey that sits in my drawer.  I’d love to pull it out again.  Wouldn’t it be cool if you could trade in old jerseys?  I got a Keyshawn, a Dilfer, a Rice… man, I could get a new Griese shirt and a Faine shirt and… do you suppose I could get a ‘Big Nasty’ jersey? 

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Pens are at the ready, and the stroke of midnight should bring several NFL players new addresses - and some of them new tax brackets.  Let me wade in on some of the rumors surrounding the Buccaneers.

Patriots DB Asante Samuel coming to replace Brian Kelly?  I wouldn’t count on it.  Asante wants a boatload of cash, and while the Bucs have a bounty under the cap, I don’t think they’ll give up the spoils to a spoiled DB.  I’m guessing someone will pay him - but it won’t be the Patriots or the Bucs.

Faclons TE Alge Crumpler to replace Anthony Becht and Jerramy Stephens?  This one seems more possible than Samuel, but I wonder if he’s bound for Tennessee.  The Bucs will land a new TE.  My guess is that it will be someone other than Crumpler, though.

A new WR to compliment Joey Galloway?  I think this is the most likely.  Who?

Bears QB Brian Griese coming back to the Bucs?  I’d love to see this.  It’s likely to draw some fire, but I think Brian was ‘the one that got away’ a couple of years ago.  A veteran to back up Jeff Garcia and someone who Gruden actually likes (sorry Chris Simms), seems like a real possibility.  The fact that Griese hasn’t been happy since he left Gruden’s stable suggests there might be something to the rumor. 

I think you can forget the wishlist RB like Michael Turner.  The Bucs will likely stand pat in the backfield derby, relying on Cadillac to heal, E-Graham to be… well, E-Graham, and recently re-signed Michael Bennett to get more involved in the future.  I’d bet that we might be in the running to lose Michael Pittman’s services - and that saddens me.  I’m just guessing that after 10 years, the Bucs can’t give him the cash or the playing time he hopes to have in the waning years of his career.

Now for a couple quick-hits around the league:  Moss - staying in NE.  Are you kidding me?  Marion Barber - staying in Dallas.  Jerry won’t let his touchdown machine go.  David Carr - landing in Kansas City.  Well, it stands to reason.  Herm Edwards said that the Chiefs aren’t looking to improve the QB position.  Perfect.  Carr is their man!  Giants giving Tom Coughlin a 4 year extension.  Ha!  Watch him start 0-2 again next year and it won’t last 4 weeks! 

So get your popcorn ready.  Stay up late.  At the very least, check the wire in the morning.  Let the fun begin! 

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The real games are over.  The fashion show is over.  Must be time for the off-season.  You know what that means?

It’s time for another Patriots DB to think he’s going to get a billion dollars.  Oh wait, it’s Asante Samuel.  Didn’t he learn his lesson last year?  Apparently not.  He spoke up this week: “Show me the money!” I suspect the Patriots will show him… his replacement, Randall Gay, followed by the door.  Another off-season means more weirdness from Al Davis.  The man wrote a resignation letter for his coach Lane Kiffin.  Kiffin refused to sign it, and then told Davis where he could file it.  It must be hard to be a Raiders fan in the off-season.  The stories never change.  Of course, there are always rumors surrounding big name players.  This off-season it is none other than Ocho Cinco.  Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis is on record saying he has no intention of trading Chad Johnson.  He didn’t, however, rule out trying to trade himself to another organization. 

The Sheriff, meanwhile, appears to be poised to spend a significant part of his off-season in Washington DC.  Congress wants to know why Roger Goodell ordered the video tapes seized from the Patriots’ spygate investigation destroyed.  Why?  Come on.  They were destroyed before they ended up on YouTube!  Isn’t there a war or something they could focus the attention on?  Isn’t gas like $3 a gallon?  Foreclosures at an alarming rate?  Bin Laden out there hiding under a rock?  Do we really need a Congressional Investigation into Belichick’s video collection?

Then there’s Pacman Jones.  I think he’s wising up.  Word this week is that his lawyer will now also represent him as his sports agent.  Good move.  Best decision Pacman can make is to have legal counsel with him 24/7.  Now, about that wrestling career…

The Redskins have ‘their man’.  Has it dawned on anyone else that Jim Zorn was their fifth choice?  I don’t mean he was the fifth one they interviewed - I mean he was the fifth one to whom they made out a check!  Has it dawned on Jim Zorn?  His check came with a few less ‘zeros’ than the one they handed to Pete Carrol.  A few less than the one they handed to Steve Spagnuolo.  Jim was hired to be an assistant, and promoted when no one else in organized football wanted the job.

And what of Spagnuolo’s refusing the offer?  Seems the new trend in the NFL is retaining a coaching succession.  Jim Caldwell in Indy; Jim Mora Jr. in Seattle; Jason Garrett in Dallas; and Steve Spagnuolo in New York.  Stop and think about Spagnuolo’s motivation: he knows that if the Giants - the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants - stumble out to an 0-2 start again next season, Coughlin will probably be fired.  They love the man in the City.

And in Tampa the rumor mill has Chris Simms being traded to New York for a disgruntled TE.  Wow!  Deja-vu.  Wasn’t that last off-season’s storyline?  How about some new rumors?  Jake Plummer sightings?  Oh, that was last year too.  Derrick Brooks losing a step?  Doh!

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Eli Manning is going to Disney World.  He deserves to enjoy a fairy tale vacation because he took his team to a fairy tale ending in what started out a tumultuous season.  Does anyone remember the 0-2 start and the bickering in the locker room?  Does anyone recall the repeated calls for Tom Coughlin to be whacked?  Does anyone remember Tiki showing up everywhere to pronounce the Giants 2008 season ‘dead’?  And here we are, watching a ticker-tape parade with Eli and friends kissing the Lombardi Trophy!

Looking back at the game itself, I understand the decision to give Eli Manning the MVP for his leadership, especially during what should go down in Giants’ lore as ‘The Drive’ with a little over two minutes left.  Having said that, I think the Giants’ D-Line deserved the award.  The G-men front four kept Tom Brady off rhythm all night long.  He didn’t have to pick himself up off the turf that much through the entire 16 games of the regular season combined!  Then, if it comes to a video highlight or game changing play award, that one has to go to David Tyree.  The catch he made using both hands and his helmet while Rodney Harrison was assaulting him - nothing short of brilliant.  If he doesn’t make that circus catch, I don’t know if the Giants make it to the endzone.  It was that key a play.  And how about Tom ‘red-face’ Coughlin?  He was having to wear body armor under his clothing at press conferences, for crying out loud!

What of the Patriots?  Saying they were nearly perfect is like saying someone is nearly a virgin.  What does that mean?  Mercury Morris watched as the Patriots’ moving truck was turned away and forced to leave his neighborhood.  Sure, this Preacher missed on picking the game, but I hope you followed the one piece of advice I gave that was a sure hit: Did you order your copy of the Patriots’ 19-0 book?  It will be worth some cash in time.  Buy a copy and have Mercury Morris sign it!  (If you can get into his neighborhood.)

Now that the Giants are champs, Daniel Snyder’s fleet of armored trucks should be rolling up Steve Spagnuolo’s driveway.  Will the Redskins’ Richie Rich owner get the Giants’ D-Coordinator?  My guess is… yes. 

Then there is the Pro-Bowl.  Ho-hum.  Who is covering the game this year?  The ‘E’ network?  Joan and Melissa Rivers working the Red-Carpet?  Ryan Seacrest? 

So, how about a hero, goat and quote?

The Hero ~ I gave it away earlier - The Giants’ D-Line.  They showed us that Tom Brady is human.  They showed the NFL how to bring game to the Patriots.

The Goat ~ Patriots Coach Bill Belichick.  I was thrilled to see him not only shake hands with Tom Coughlin but also to give him a man-hug.  But - and with Belichick there is always a but - to walk off the field when the NFL forced the Giants to run one last play, leaving your defense out there alone to take their medicine.  Classless.

The Quote ~ From my favorite Super Bowl Commercial - Bud Light cavemen… “Wheel Suck!”

Back later this week to talk free-agency needs, deeds and greeds as the off-season begins.  (And, no… I don’t predict the Pro-Bowl.  Go to Joan Rivers’ website.)

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I have counted all the Giants rumored to be under the weather.  I’ve noticed all the Patriots players limping around in everything from ankle boots to body casts.  I took into account the fact that the Giants are considered the ‘road team’ in this game, and that bids well for them.  I notched the advantage the Patriots have in the video tape they’ve gathered from all the Giants’ practices, walk-throughs and the cameras that Bill Belichick ordered hidden in the Giants’ hotel rooms, lockers and showers.  Why, I’ve even gone through the entire sixteen game regular season to look at points spreads, points scored and points allowed.  I took Plaxico Burriss’ forecast into consideration, and Tom Brady’s laughing about it.  I even prayed the Giants’ Psalms that my friends wrote me last week (couldn’t hurt, you know?).  Do you know where I ended up?

I ended up right back where I started - with my instincts on this stuff.  Were you aware that the previous two seasons I have picked the Super Bowl Champion BEFORE the regular season even kicked off?  Yep, ‘tis true.  So I took a quick look back at my 2007 NFL PREVIEW.  Some of you have pointed out that I missed badly on a few of my division calls.  Sure I did!  Stop and think for a moment.  I forecast over 32 teams with a combined active roster of 1696 players!  You never know when an Orlando Pace or a Deuce McAllister will go down for the year in week one.  You never know when a Trent Green will get hit on the head and start seeing double.  You never know when a Michael Vick will start strangling dogs or a Pacman Jones will shoot somebody.  You never know when a Ricky Williams will spark up… okay, forget those last few, but you see where I am going.  It’s no easy task to forecast such a huge field.  But I did it.  And I did it again.  And, yes, I believe I did again all over again!

Back in July I said the New England Patriots would be the Champs.  So, there you have it.  I stand by the pick.  Patriots over Giants.  It will be over by the fourth quarter.  People can start talking about how the ‘other ‘ Manning can’t win the big game.  Tiki will be vindicated.  Somebody will interview him so he can take a few jabs at Tom Coughlin.  And all my detractors will wake up to the reality that I’ve picked the third Super Bowl Champ in a row.  You better order your copy of my 2008 NFL PREVIEW early.

As for me, I’ll bask in the glory of it for a time, celebrating the hometown Patriots 4th title in 7 seasons.  Then I’ll be back to set up the off-season for you.  It’s an NFL world, and I’m its preacher!

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Members of the New York Giants have stopped vomiting. Members of the New England Patriots have put away their pretend slings, casts and ankle boots. It must be almost game time.

The Giants and their fans should be singing Hallelujahs that this game is being played in Arizona. They have made a season of their road schedule, going a magnificent 10-1, winning 10 straight to get here. It’s a blessing they don’t have to play this game at Giants Stadium where they were a miserable 3-5. If anything, this should lead Giants fans in New Jersey to sell their season tickets and subscribe to DirecTV’s NFL ticket.

The Patriots and their fans need to be careful. All of the talk of 19-0 and destiny - including a book entitled ‘19-0, The Historic Championship Season of New England’s Unbeatable Patriots’ that was published this past week by the Boston Globe - is the sort of cockiness that comes back to bite you in the butt. What do the Scriptures say? Pride goeth before… a victory? I think not.

Make no mistake about it, the Patriots started playing this game a week ago. Bill Belichick dispatched Tom Brady to Manhattan. “Put an ankle boot on. Buy some flowers. Let them all see you limping around New York City while we’re back here practicing.” Genius! It worked. For a week we saw nothing on ESPN, NFL Network or FSN but a pathetic looking Brady limping about the City, delivering flowers to his super model. The problem is that Tom Coughlin didn’t just fall off the roach-coach. If anyone thinks for a minute he began preparing for Matt Cassell under center, there’s a stadium in Indianapolis I want to sell you.

Enter Plax Burress. First of all, he really is a trickster. He wants us to call him PLEX-ico, but spells his name PLAX-ico. Sort of like that guy in Wisconsin… you know - Brett FAVER. Well, as soon as members of the press corps got his name pronunciation ironed out, they began reporting on his absence from practice. Is it his knee? An ankle? Does he have a boot on like Brady? One thing is for sure: his mouth isn’t broken. He surfaced long enough to predict a 23-17 Giants victory over the Patriots. He qualified himself, however: he went on to define the word ‘prediction’ and demonstrate that a prediction is not the same thing as a guarantee. Didn’t Bill Clinton get in trouble for busting out a can of Webster’s Dictionary when he should have just repented?

What’s with the halftime entertainment? Tom Petty? Is he still breathing? What? Was Bob Dylan not available? Here’s a prediction for you: No wardrobe malfunctions! The NFL is still reeling from Janet Jackson’s Super Oops. Last year it was Mick Jagger and now Tom Petty. The likelihood of a 60-something rocker busting out a nipple is slim to none. And they’ve covered the bases: If it does happen they can always blame it on dementia.

It’s almost game time. It’s almost Preacher Prognostication time, too. I want to calculate my numbers and sharpen my pencil one last time. I either need to agree with all my newfound Giants fan-friends, or I need to be able to at least get the last laugh. I thought about offering them a little wager. If the Pats lost, I’d send them some lobster. If the Pats won they could send me some… I don’t know… pollution. But gambling is a sin - just ask your baptist friends. So, while I’m giving it a last minute review, here’s a couple of tips for you: (1) Go order the 19-0 book. If they win it will be a great gift to give the Patriots fan in your life. If they lose, it will be worth a lot more! (2) No wardrobe malfunction from Tom Petty - and, no more than four chords and a one octave range. Like shooting fish in a barrel. My Super Prediction is coming. Stay tuned.

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Well what do you know? The G-Men rule. The NFC, that is.

The Giants success has my Giant-fanatic friends bursting forth in poetic voice. Check this prose from my friend Dennis:

Here is a psalm from Mara 23:20
O Lord, the need to make accurate picks is a must.
Help me forget about the Cowboys, Packers and Bucs.
For those are 3 teams that simply don’t measure
as worthy candidates for the ultimate treasure.

Just one game remaining Lord, oh who will it be?
Can Eli come through or shall I stay with Brady?
Please help me O Lord and show me a sign.
I’m putting my reputation right on the line.

The fog is now lifting and its becoming quite clear.
A clock showing 00:00 and quite a loud cheer.
There’s Brady, Moss and Belichick in the Arizona sun,
they’re holding a sign reading 18-1.

I was being a wise guy and accusing Giants fans of not being able to read and write, and they went and busted open a can of literary ass-whooping on me. And there’s more. The Giants success is driving fans to spiritual awakenings. Consider this prayer from the pen of my friend Marie:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
the Mara psalm I will repeat,
for good things come to those who wait,
G-MEN RULE! Ain’t life GREAT!

Let’s review the games that left me (as all my new found friends are so quick to remind me) a lousy 50% last weekend.

First, the Chargers and Patriots. You have to admire the job Norv Turner did to even arrive at the game after it appeared the wheels were falling off in San Diego early on in the season. There were many blog dogging him (I don’t feel the need to name names, you know) and still, he managed to take the Chargers farther than Marty did, in the end. Then, with hobbled and limping players, he made a game of it against the juggernaut that is New England. My hat is tipped to him. The Patriots? What can I say? A quick look to the left column of this blog will reveal my hometown. When you boast the World Champion Boston Red Sox and the 18-0 New England Patriots as your hometown teams, well, it’s hard to be humble. Preacher ponders if my Giants fan friends are also Yankee fans… no, I won’t go there. I will say that my pick of the Pats in this one was a slam dunk.

Then those G-Men and their date with the storied Green Bay Packers at frozen Lambeau Field. Let me be honest with you. I picked the Packers to win, and believed that they would. I was wrong. But, I was rooting a bit for Eli and the Giants, only because I knew it would keep my Giants fans coming back to sing and dance for another two weeks. Face it… I’m a blogger first and foremost. Have you ever seen any comments from Packer fans here? There you go. In the end, the Giants triumph has me ‘eating my words’ with a big ear to ear smile.

Hero ~ My hero of the week is my friend Holly in Connecticut. She’s a Giants fan who lives in Connecticut. Connecticut is like a DMZ where Boston and New York are concered. Residents of Connecticut want to be considered New Englanders, but the big City calls out to them too. So Holly… Red Sox or Yankees?

Goat ~ My goat of the week is my friend Dennis in NJ. Yes, he wrote me this wonderful Psalm, but he also felt the need to write back and make disparaging remarks about the Bucs extending John Gruden contract. Back to basic math, my Giants’ fan and friend: Last five years the Giants are 49-47 with one Division Title (05) and one trip to the Super Bowl (this year) while the Bucs under Gruden are 48-48 with three Division Titles (02,05 & 07) and a Super Bowl Trophy. And, wasn’t it like a month ago that everyone in the alleys of East Rutherford wanted to pistol-whip Tom Coughlin?  Or was that just Tiki?  I forget.

Quote ~ Member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, Mercury Morris, concerning the undefeated New England Patriots on the verge of matching the Dolphins perfect-season success: “I’m rooting for the Giants!”

Back with previews galore and the road to my Super Bowl Prediction soon. 

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You know that I am all about winning friends and influencing people. I’ve made so many new friends among the dozen or so Giants fans across the U.S. My new friend Dennis has even begun to refer to me by a little friendly pet name - the weatherman. Ah, to be loved! Dennis and my other new friends are dogging me for picking against their beloved Giants the last few weeks. They haven’t been along for the ride to see the 75% accuracy with which I picked every game the entire NFL season - and the near 80% accuracy with which I picked Giants games. Then again, I need to remind myself - these are Giants fans I’m talking about. Math isn’t their strong suit. Watch carefully! Eighty percent: if you had ten footballs and you painted eight of them Giants blue…

Apparently reading comprehension isn’t a strong suit among Giants fans either. For those fans of the big blue, I did not say that I have agreed that the G-Men rule. Look again. I said that I’m almost ready to believe. But, upon further review - well, I’ll save my picks for a little later.

How about the coaching carousel? The big news was in big D. What do you suppose Jerry Jones said to Jason Garrett to get him to pass on, not one, but two head coaching offers? I’m guessing Wade Phillips wants to know! Look for Phillips’ lame duck season to begin March 1st (when the 2008 season officially begins). In Miami, the weatherman was right on. I told you the coach would come from among Parcells sphere of influence. Welcome to the Tuna’s world, Tony Sparano. Giants fans don’t misread that spelling - it’s not Tony Soprano. Though the ‘family’ feel of it might leave Dolphin faithful confused. Ireland… Sparano… Parcells… now all we need is Keyshawn Johnson and… oh wait, I forgot - they whacked him in the Dallas episode.

In Atlanta, Falcons owner Arthur Blank is rumored to be ready to post the head coaching job on Craigs List. Does ANYBODY want this job? I’m guessing Rex Ryan might be the guy. In Baltimore they’re looking at John Harbaugh and Brian Schottenheimer. In Washington, who knows what Daniel Snyder will do. I’m guessing he will send his fleet of armored trucks to Pete Carroll’s house next. “Will you come back to the NFL for THIS much money?” “What if I add another zero on the end of that figure?” And, the real cog in the coaching-search works is Tony Dungy. All these teams would like to woo Colts Assistant Jim Caldwell. But he, like the aforementioned Jason Garrett in Dallas, is the heir apparent in Indy. If Tony decides to retire, the Colts will hand the keys to Jim. Let’s see… Indy… or Baltimore? Atlanta? Yeah, you see where I am going with this.

Trivia: Who was the fall guy for Vince Young’s slow development into an NFL QB? Answer: Norm Chow.

Okay, it’s time to get down to business and make some more friends. Preachers have a thing for little formulas. We like messages that can be reduced to three points and all the better if each point can begin with the same letter - we’ve found it helps folks like… well… Giants’ fans, catch more of what’s being communicated. So, Dennis, Marie, MJ and Holly - this is for you:

Preacher’s picks: Pats… Packers… Period. 

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G-Men rule. At least that’s what all the folks commenting on my blog these days are so adamantly telling me. Man, I’m almost ready to believe them. Almost. Even Giants fans have to admit they themselves gave the team little chance of this when Tiki bolted and the rest of the team nearly revolted on Tom Coughlin. Everyone in football was betting Coughlin would be the first coach fired in 2007. Everyone! So, this is a miraculous awakening, for sure. The question remains: Are the Giants really this good? Do the G-Men really rule?

Well, Giants fans will be happy. I’m not going to blame the Cowboys loss on Jessica Simpson. And, I have to like the Giants now that they’ve reduced Terrell Owens to tears: “This is my… (sob, sob) team… that’s my (sob, sob) quarterback...” With the writer’s strike in Hollywood, we need more of this. Can I be a believer, now, that they’re going to Lambeau Field?

If you’ve noticed nothing else about the current coaching searches going on around the league, you must have seen the notable absence of any college coaches (with the exception of the annual Pete Carroll rumors) on any of the short lists. Call it the Sab-Petr (or Sab-ino for short) syndrome. It will be a long time before NFL decision makers are willing to look to the college ranks for marquee coaches again - at least without having some form of severe contract language for those who want to make premature exits. So, the Redskins are talking to Gregg Williams. I think that would be a good move for continuity sake. Colts Assistant Jim Caldwell’s name is on their short list, but look for the Colts to offer him the Head Coaching job the moment Tony Dungy announces his retirement. I’d imagine that Caldwell will stay in Indy even if Tony goes one more year, as the Colts really want him to be their next head coach. It would be a good job to wait a year to assume.

The Atlanta Falcons hired their new GM. That’s step one. Tom Dimitroff comes from New England, and Arthur Blank is hoping some of the luster of the NFL’s premier organization will rub off. Look for Dimitroff to have a say in the coaching search quickly as both Rex Ryan, late of the Ravens, and Jason Garrett, soon of the Ravens (yes, you heard it here first) will make repeat visits to Atlanta. Yes, the Carroll rumor persists. I tell you, Pete’s wife is smarter than all that.

So, what of the games this past weekend? Manning was Manning-like. Or should I say, Eli was Peyton like. Eli went out and won the game. Peyton went out and laid an egg. But look out, the Packers appear to be on a fairly tale trajectory. Their win over Seattle after the first four minutes of the game was nothing short of the best team football we’ve seen all season. Then there are the Patriots. Has anyone else noticed how teams these last several weeks have managed to make the Patriots look beatable for the first 45 minutes or so, only to walk into the buzz saw that is Tom Brady in the last stanza? Who that is left standing can go 60 minutes with these guys? And, what is left of the Chargers team to even play next weekend? Billy Volek handing the ball to Darren Sproles? They were one injury away from Norv Turner pulling on his leather helmet.

Divisional Weekend Hero, Goat, & Quote ~
Hero - Eli Manning. There it is Giants fans! See, I do love you. The boy-Manning played man-Manning football.

Goat - The Pigskin Preacher for a sub-par 50/50 weekend in my picks, and for doubting young Manning. (See how I am kissing up, here?)

Quote - Terrell Owens. “(sob, sob, sob)”

Back Thursday with picks and more. 

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Yes, my friends, I brought you another 75% weekend of prognostication last weekend for the Wildcard round.  My ‘but-wait-there’s-more’ freebie on the BCS Championship Game was a gem, too.  Of course, the one game that I blew it on was the Giants/Bucs affair, one for which I am being henpecked by Giants fans commenting on my last post.  Poor folks are REALLY going to love what I have to say about their beloved New Jersey Football Giants in the coming paragraphs.  Angry people, those Giant fans!  Think peaceful thoughts.  Find your happy place.  Breathe.

Before I go on to endear myself further to Giants nation, let me banter on about other NFL news.  Joe’s done.  No, really this time.  Redskins hero Joe Gibbs has ridden off into the sunset.  That move leaves Richy Rich (team owner Daniel Snyder) trying to decide where to send the fleet of armored trucks to lure his next coaching hire.  What’s really poetic justice is that the hottest coaching candidate out there is Marty Schottenheimer, who is also, by the way, the best coach the Redskins have fired during the Snyder era.  You’ll recall that Snyder prematurely and unceremoniously dumped Schottenheimer for that greatest of great hiring flops, Steve Spurrier.  Oops.  Don’t suppose they’ll kiss and make up, do you?

The rumors swirl that USC’s Pete Carroll is interested in the Atlanta Falcons job.  People!  Listen to me.  6-10… fired.  10-6… 9-7… 8-8… fired.  This is the Carroll NFL record.  Can you imagine how fast Pete will be jetting back to the college game when he grinds out a 4-12 season in Atlanta?  The thing is, every off-season every coaching vacancy is rumored to be ‘the job’ that will lure Carroll’s mediocre pro record back to the NFL.  Don’t count on it.  I mean, he has to be smarter than that.  At least his wife must be.  “Honey, you sucked at that.  Remember?” The Miami Parcells… er, I mean, Dolphins… aren’t looking at Carroll.  It will be someone who played for, coached under, or somehow otherwise has ties to Bill Parcells glory days.  Maybe one of the actors on the Coors Light commercials with Bill.

Okay, on to the Preacher’s keys to this weekend’s games.

Seahawks at Packers ~ Holmgren comes home to Lambeau.  I hate to sound like John Madden, but this game comes down to Brett Favre.  If he plays like the Brett Favre of 2007, the Seahawks are cheese.  I suppose a key for the Seahawks could be Patrick Kerney.  If he can get after Favre and force him to be reckless Brett, the fortune could turn.  You have to like the fairy tale feel of this season for Favre and the Packers, though.  Don’t underestimate it.

Jaguars at Patriots ~ Humility will be the key to this game.  If the Patriots come in humble - a phrase they have employed all season long internally has been ‘keep eating that humble pie’ - they’ll continue their march towards the greatest season ever.  If they carry any cockiness into this game, the Jags are the kind of team that will hit them like they’ve not felt this season.  I told you before the season began that the Jags have the mentality of their coach.  Jack Del Rio brings his hard hat and lunchbox mentality to every game.  The Pats need to be humble and pay attention to detail.  This could be the best game of this NFL season.

Chargers at Colts ~ The Colts have struggled against the Chargers.  The Chargers defense seems to be one of the few that rattles Peyton Manning every time they play.  Look for the Charger’s D to be key.  LaDainian will be L.T., but the Colts need to find a way to get the game into Philip Rivers’ hands.  The best way to do that would be for Peyton and his receiving corps to start a track-meet on the scoreboard.  Look for Norv to norv this one up.  You can only make the Norv look good for so long.

Giants at Cowboys ~ Okay.  Here goes.  I got lambasted for asserting my observations that the Giants did less to win last week than the Buccanneers did to lose.  I stand by that observation, whatever sores on your butt that may cause to fester.  No matter.  The Giants won, and now all the natives from the bowels of New Jersey are enthralled by ruminations of grandeur.  (Oh, sorry.  It occurrs to me most Giants fans won’t understand that last sentence.  Enthralled def. - captivated; Ruminations def. - ponderings; Grandeur def. - the state of being impressive or awesome.) Enter Tony Romo.  Enter T.O.  Yes, T.O. will play.  He’s got a box of Wheaties and an exercise bike.  He’s no Donovan McNabb, remember?  Yes, Eli has had two good games back to back.  Against the Patriots and the Bucs - two teams who don’t know him.  Dallas has seen him.  And they know that Phil Simms he’s not.  Jeff Hostetler he’s not.  Joe Pisarcik… maybe.

So, here they are, my ‘the-Preacher-might-hurt-your-feelings-but-he-loves-you-enough-to-tell-you-how-it-is’ picks for this Divisional Round Weekend: Packers over Seahawks; Patriots over Jaguars; Colts over Chargers; Cowboys over Giants - and we can all rejoice that the four best teams in the NFL will work out the title, unlike that lousy BCS mess!  There you have it.

P.S. Giants fans - love ya!

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What has left the bad taste in our mouths?  Was it the fact that we made Tom Coughlin, who most of the NFL world considers a joke, look like a genius?  Was it that we made Eli Manning look like a professional QB?  Was it that our QB who has been all about ball security offered up two gift-wrapped interceptions on lousy passes?  Was it that our new kick return hero put the ball on the turf?  Was it that our sure tackling defense quit tackling in the second half?  I don’t guess there is any shortage of reasons that this loss causes indigestion.

There’s no way around the disappointment of this one, because we didn’t play well.  Had we come out and traded punches for sixty minutes, stayed with the gameplan, made no mistakes, at least today you could hold your head high and say, ‘We got beat by a good team’.  I feel like we beat ourselves.  That’s the bad taste for me.  The 2007 Buccaneers should have been on a plane to Dallas.

But, we’re done.

Having said all of that, let’s put this in perspective for all the doomsdayers and naysayers commenting all over the TBO blogs, screaming fire Gruden, cut Galloway and Garcia, and so on.  Raise your hand if after last year’s 4-12 season, you thought the Bucs would win the NFC South to go to the playoffs this year.  Be careful, I have saved many of the comments and doomsday predictions.  I might have the evidence to impeach you!  How about after our early season rash of injuries?  Do you remember when some were wondering what we’d have to trade to get Reuben Droughns?

Fuss and fume all you want.  An improvement from 4-12 to a Division Title is worthy of coach of the year consideration in most cases.  Especially when it includes putting a dozen players on Injured Reserve and starting guys who were special team and practice squad players.  The real question is how the Bucs will choose to build on this year, so we don’t see a reverse in fortune.

So, let’s look ahead.  What needs to be done to take us beyond the first round of the playoffs next season?

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