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Welcome to the NFL EDGE 2001!!
Where we will give you the EDGE in picking winners throughout the Football Season.
So I am sitting here channel Surfing on Television the other night and Lo and Behold dont I see the Dolphins and the Rams going at it on Monday Night Football.
That can only mean ONE THING... Its time for the 2001 NFL EDGE PreSeason Spectacular!!
Following in the tradition of the Greatest Prognosticator of all time, "Jimmy the Greek",
I, "Gregg the Greek" will every week supply you with the inside track, to help you get THE EDGE on your local bookie...
Now if you are looking for the Super Bowl winner in August, then you must be new here, I will re-print last years Pre-Season "prediction" as it applies not only to this season but to ANY season...
Prognostications Suck!!
I mean really, what the heck are we trying to do? Predicting the outcome of a game. There are so many factors, so many things, completely out of anyone's control.
Pre-season prognostications are even more outlandish. The ebb and flow of emotion and momentum during the course of each game can and does swing wildly from one team to another. Freakish bounces, bad calls, wind direction, and injury all factor into the final outcome. These external sources (external to how good a team looks on paper, that is, because a good prognosticator figures them into their pick) can so vary from week to week, that can make a pre-season Super Bowl Contender into a 4-12 Expansion like team.
So the point of my sermon is: Pre-season prognostication is almost as big a waste of time as my writing a dissertation of how stupid it is...
Well then...
The other side of this is the reader. Why are people so fascinated with prognostications. Go to any newsstand this time of year. Count how many magazines are dedicated to telling us how this team or that teams season will go. Sure enough, they sell lots of copies, people are interested--whether it be just to see what Free Agents wound up where and who made the most significant offseason moves, but more so to see if the consensus thinkng is in line with their own. Or, more realistically, to try to get some EDGE, some fact or tidbit that might, just maybe, help the reader to PROFIT from. That's what it's really all about!!
That's why your here I'll BET. So I wont bore you with too much more drivel. We know why you're here, and "The EDGE" we hope, will not disappoint. Check with us week to week when you're filling out your pools, parlays or just to see what we have to say. We'll give you the straight poop the way we see it. We may not always be right, and we definately wont always be this long-winded. But we will ALWAYS be FREE of charge, and we hope we will always be entertaining. So set your bookmarks and check with us throughout the season and WE'LL ALWAYS give you the EDGE!
OK Now that you read through all that Drivel, heres the nickel tour of NFL 2001:
AFC The Ravens are the defending champs and did it mainly with Defense, some detractors say they won it DESPITE thier offense.
Well true or Not, Dilfer made some big plays for them and they won their last 11 straight with him starting - only to cut him loose and bring in Grbac. On paper an Improvement, but Dilfers conservative "Dont lose the game" style is what got them there.
Any change to a champion must be questioned... For this reason alone I dont think that the Ravens will repeat.
The Contenders: Well the Raiders for one, being the opponent who challenged Balt. for the right to go to the SuperBowl in 2000, they should compete.
If they can get another great and healthy season out of Rich Gannon. But they will be challenged by two solid contenders in their own division,
The Broncos and Chiefs could emerge out of the closely contested West. The other team which heeds serious consideration is the Miami Dolphins
like Baltimore the Dolphins have that Great defense. As Baltimore proved you can win a title with just a Great Defense.
Indianapolis has as much firepower as anyone in the AFC and if they withstand the campaign and are playing solid late in the year could also be a very dangerous contender. Finally the Titans
should not be forgotten! Only one year removed from the SuperBowl a return engagement could be earned if they could just solve the Ravens!
NFC With all the talent in the NFC NO ONE predicted the Giants would be representing the NFC in the big game. Well almost no one. The Giants are a solid team and made some improvements in the offseason, so before everyone puts Tampa or Philly in this years big game
remember its the BEST TEAM that goes to the big game - and in recent history the Giants have owned the Eagles. The Bucs will definately improve behind Brad Johnson at QB and should be a strong candidate to dethrone the G-men.
The Rams improved their defense in the offseason and can turn any game into a rout with all their speed. The Saints have become a force under my old college coach Haslett.
Of course lets not Forget the Packers as long as Mr. Favre is playing there. The Vikes faced a bunch of adversity since the championship game and we'll need to see if they can regain their form on the field.
2000 Record: 132 - 82
ATS: 112 - 102 53%!
To View Last Season - Click HERE ->
2000 SEASON
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Dr. Biffs NCAA PICKS!!
It’s that time of year again. Summer conditioning has begun, freshmen will soon be arriving on campus, bandies will soon be clearing the cobwebs out of their instruments - yes, its time for college football. Since every shmoe seems to be submitting a top 25 list lately, I felt the need to begin the season with my own best guesses. I am against using a preseason list to rank teams, since these random orderings have a huge impact on how teams get ranked later on when it really counts. However, since I have no say in the polls, I feel free to offer up my list. For the sake of brevity, this will be a top 20. Here goes:
20. Mississippi State: Might this be the year that the Bulldogs finally win a conference crown? It’s been sixty years since the last one, and Jackie Sherrill is expected to end that draught. The offense is led by senior QB Wayne Madkin and RB Dicenzo Miller. WR is loaded with potential. The offensive line will need to jell, as Pork Chop Womack is gone. The D will be tough, but needs to find some big men for the line. The conference schedule is tough, as always.
19. Wisconsin: Barry Alvarez has some concerns for a team that graduated plenty of talent last year. The offensive line will be shored up by three juniors and will lack experience. The defensive secondary will miss Jamar Fletcher. On the bright side, Brooks Bollinger returns, and the Badgers are 17-3 with him at the helm. If the Badgers can come up with a RB, they should be fine. Broderick Williams is the heir apparent to Michael Bennet’s job.
18. South Carolina: Were the Gamecocks a one-year wonder? No way. With Lou Holtz, anything is possible, and the people of Columbus are talking not so quietly of big things. Derek Watson returns from his suspension at RB, and will lead the offense. Phil Petty will return as QB for Holtz’s multiple offense. The defense must replace Cleveland Pinkney on the line, but has Kalimba Edwards back to shore up the ‘backers. The schedule will be hard to overcome.
17. Notre Dame: The Irish are still smarting from the 41-9 shellacking they took in last season’s Fiesta Bowl. Irish faithful are putting pressure on Bob Davie to come through with a bowl win. They have the talent, as usual. Matt LoVecchio will start as QB, and behind him will be a very deep group of running backs, led by senior Tony Fisher. The main question mark is the line, which must replace two starters and TE Jabari Holloway. The Defense will be led by Senior Grant Irons and LB Rocky Boiman. Even if everything falls into place for these Irish, the schedule is brutal.
16. UCLA: Last year’s season turned into a disaster for the Bruins, who started off 3-0, but limped to a 6-6 finish. The talent is there for a much improved ’01. Cory Paus will return as starter, and he’ll have plenty of weapons to choose from. De Shaun Foster is a Heisman trophy candidate who will carry the load for the offense. WR Brian Poli-Dixon will be Paus’ main target.
15. Virginia Tech: Everyone is focusing on the loss of the dynamic Michael Vick. He will be replaced by Grant Noel, but the team has faith in the junior. His transition will be made easier by a stud defense that should keep Tech in all it’s games. Noel will have some weapons on offense too. Lee Suggs gained 1207 yards last season, and WR Andre Davis is fast and sure handed.
14. Georgia Tech: The Yellowjackets have seen moderate success over the last few years, and may be poised to take the next step. George Godsey was very efficient in George O’Leary’s system last season (2906 yards and 23 TDs), but is coming off a torn ACL and surgery. If he’s at 100 percent by the opener, the offense will be dynamic. Nine starters return from a defense that allowed only 19 points per game last season.
13. Washington Huskies: Coach Rich Neuheisel’s team went 10-1 last season and won the Rose Bowl. What will they do for an encore? First off, they must replace ten starters from last year, including stud QB Marques Tuiasosopo and most of the offensive line. Look for Paul Arnold to step into the RB role after an injury plagued freshman year. He’s a burner. On D, the Huskies should be stingy if Neuheisel can come up with a couple of safties.
12. Kansas State: Quietly, this program has been as successful as anyone in the nation over the last five years. It is one of only four programs riding an eight-year bowl streak. There is no reason to believe that this season will not be more of the same. Ell Roberson will step in at QB, and the young man is loaded with talent and athleticism. His decision- making can take years off any coach’s life, however. Josh Scobey will be carrying the ball again, adding to his school record of touchdowns for a back. WR Aaron Lockett brings his big play potential back this year, and should have a great season. The D has holes to fill, and the kicking game lost Jaime Rheem.
11. Oregon State: The Beavers surprised everyone last year, going 11-1 with a BCS pounding of Notre Dame to top it off. Dennis Erickson has created a national power in just one year, answering any questions about his coaching ability. The offense returns QB Jonathan Smith and RB Ken Simonton, but needs to find receivers to fill the shoes of Robert Prescott and TJ Houshmandzadeh who were difference makers. The D should be solid, but will miss DeLawrence Grant and LaDaris Jackson.
10. LSU: Surprised? Don’t be. Nick Saban has 20 starters returning and has become quite comfortable in Baton Rouge. Gary Gibbs, former head man at Oklahoma, has been hired to shore up a defense that underachieved last season. With Trev Faulk leading the unit, they should be much improved this time around. Rohan Davy will be the QB, and Saban feels that he can be special. The offensive line is massive, and will be opening holes for LaBrandon Toefield, the starter at tailback. The schedule includes Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi State, and Alabama, but this year Saban will have his team more prepared for the road and it will pay off.
9. Oregon: The Ducks have become a real powerhouse under Mike Belloti, and should be tough again this year. The defense lost seven starters from last year, and will be the early season puzzle for Belotti. However, if the offense can produce like last year, and it should, the D will need to be only average to keep the Ducks on top of the PAC-10. Joey Harrington will lead a diverse offensive attack.
8. Michigan: The Wolverines, like Florida State, are never short on talent. Just experience. This years team has to replace many veterans, not the least of which are superstar wideout David Terrell and QB Drew Henson - who will be fielding grounders from now on. The offensive line also lost a ton of talent. Fortunately for UM fans, there is plenty of talent to go around. John Navarre, who filled in quite capably for Henson last season, will be the QB. Chis Perry will step in for the A-Train. Perry is more of a slasher than Thomas, but is a step quicker. Lloyd Carr will make sure that this years D is tougher than last years, which let the Wolverines down on a few occasions.
7. Tennessee: The schedule is brutal this year, and that forces Phil Fulmer to have any and all question marks answered early. The Vols start the season with Syracuse, Arkansas, and Florida, then move on to LSU, Georgia, and Alabama. For a breather, they get Notre Dame and South Carolina next. This is crazy. I think Casey Clausen will be great, and the defense, led by Outland Trophy winner John Henderson will be tough, but the schedule will be the Vol’s undoing.
6. Oklahoma: The defending National Champs will be tough to beat once again. The loss of Josh Heupel cannot be discounted. He was the heart of that offense for two years. Nate Hybl gets to fill his rather large shoes. Rocky Calmus is back to lead the defense, which will be at or near last season’s form. Stoops is without equal at getting his players to believe in him, and there is reason to be optimistic down in Norman.
5. Florida State Seminoles: Bobby Bowden is going to have to do a little more coaching than usual this fall for his team to win another National Championship. Only ten starters return, so we’ll have to see just how this team comes together. However, every coach should have such problems. The Seminoles are loaded with high school All Americans just dying for a chance to shine. Perhaps the biggest loss will be Mark Richt, Bowden’s OC for all his championships. Taking over for Chis Weinke will probably be Chris Rix, a redshirt freshman. Junior Anquan Boldin, a receiver for the past two years, will challenge for the spot. Nick Maddox and Davy Ford will lead the rushing attack. The defense is young but talented. All America candidate Darnell Dockett will anchor the line. On paper, these guys shouldn’t be in the top five, but since I can’t remember the last time the Seminoles didn’t finish in the top five, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
4. Texas: As usual, this edition of Mack Brown’s team is loaded. The question is weather Brown can get the team to play championship-caliber ball. After much controversy, Chris Simms will take the helm at QB. Major Applewhite will be the most experienced and accolade-laden player on any bench in the country. Simms will have a stable full of receivers to throw to, led by Roy Williams and BJ Johnson. Bo Scaife returns at TE after a missed year due to injuries. The defense will be solid, but some holes need to be filled on the line. The talent is there, but the coach must put it together.
3. Nebraska: The Huskers return QB Eric Crouch, on offense. Crouch is a great QB in the mold of many Nebraska signalcallers. He will beat you with his feet and his head. Nebraska’s system has produced national championships from its last two senior quarterbacks: Tommy Frazier and Scott Frost. Crouch is capable of completing this Triple Crown. Nebraska’ schedule is relatively easy this year (big shock), getting their tougher opponents at home. Dahrran Diedrick will step in as the latest Nebraska I-back, and TE Tracey Wistrom will be the top receiving threat. The defense lost Carlos Polk and Kyle Vanden Bosch, but will return LB Randy Stella and DT Manaia Brown. A title run is not out of the question.
2. Miami Hurricanes: Butch Davis is gone. That is my number one reason for not ranking this team at the top. They have lost a boatload of talent, but are simply reloading for this season. This just shows how much talent exists in South Florida high schools. Just a few years ago, Miami was a depleted shell of a program, and now they are back on top. Larry Coker is familiar with Davis’ system, and has the advantage of a fast, aggressive, veteran defense to make his first year much easier. Edward Reed led the Big East with eight interceptions last year, and CB Mike Rumph is an awesome cover guy. Howard Clark will step in for Dan Morgan at LB. The main question, will all this talent gel in time to get through a tough schedule that includes Pittsburgh, Washington, Florida State, and Vtech will have to wait till the fall. My money is on the Caines.
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1. Florida Gators: Simply put, the Gators are loaded. Rex Grossman will lead a team that returns 19 starters from last years 10-3 squad. The offense has plenty of weapons, starting with a massive offensive line led by Mike Pearson at tackle. Ernest Graham returns at RB, and freshman of the Year Jabar Gaffney will lead the receiving corps. On Defense, the Gators should be better than last year’s soft-on-the-run edition. Spurrier put the team through it’s toughest spring in recent memory, and he feels that his squad responded. September 17 at Tennessee will be a real test for this team.
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