Welcome to the state of the NFL before free agengy and the draft. Rookies don’t make an impact for at least 8 games, so here ’s what will go down in the NFL for 2009.

AFC North: We will start with the division that prduced our Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Look for more of the same in 2009 from the Steelers. This will be a tough team to beat, and I am picking them to again win this division.

The Ravens are bounf to improve, but if they lose Ray Lewis, who knows. Joe Flacco can only take this  so far, and I think they are doomed to another wild card, maybe and an an early playoff exit.

Cleveland will make it to 8-8 or perhaps even 9-7 with the emergence of Brady Quinn. Cincinatti is doomed to last in this divison once more.

AFC  East: Tom Brady and Matt Cassell will ead this team back to the top of this divison. Miami will be competitive, but have a small letdown from their resurgence last season. Buffalo and The Jets will have a very tough time keeping up with these teams in 2009.

AFC South: Look for improvement by the Houston Texans in 2009 as they finally get over the hump. Indy will be right there, with a healthy Peyton Manning. Tennessee will have a hard time living up to last season, and the Jags bring up the rear once more.

AFC West: San Diego will still be the team to beat in this weak division. Denver must get used to a new system and that could be troublr in the mile high city this fall. Oakland will improve vastly and surprise plenty of people. Kansas City will have a rough time staying anywhere near San Diego in the standings for the season.

NFC East:This will be a really interesting division again this season. I think with some free agengy help, the Eagles will be dominant in 2009. Dallas has too many qusetions and too much drama, as usual.

Washington’s offense was anemic at times last season, and i see no moves to improve this dismal outlook. One for year for Jim Zorn, and that might be it fot the former quarterback.The Giants will have a good running attack, but must get help for Eli to keep hold of this division. Who gets Harrison, or Boldin will win this battle.

NFC North: minnesots wins by default. Chicago will never makes the playoffs or win this division with just a good quarterback. They need a great quarterback. We will ever see this in our lifetime? Green  Bay has big defensive issue s to compete effectively in the black and blue division of the NFL.

NFC South: Change is brewing here. Look for Atlanta and New Orleans to compete for this division title. Carolina will have a falling off from last season, and Tampa Bay is droppiong too many quality players to have a chance this season. Derrick Brooks cut baffles me, especailly with $70,000,000 below the salary cap.

NFC  West: The Rams and Seahawks will not win many games yet. This leaves San Francisco to keep up with Arizona. Won ‘t happen in 2009. Kurt Warner signs for two more seasons and  this offense will continue to produce.

AFC Division Winners will be New Engalnd, Pittsburgh,Indianapolis, and San Diego. Wild Cards, Ravens and Texans.

NFC  Division Winners: Eagles, Falcons, Vikings, and Cardinals. Wild Cards,Giants ans Saints.    Thomas[ NFL Mikee] Moreland

The top story is Tiger Woods’s return to the PGA Tour, and a first round win in match play.

In baseball news, Alex Rodriguez homered in the Yankees spring training opener. A-Rod needs a good season to quiet down his critics. and hopefully erase the memory of past mistakes he has made. We all know by now, what those are.

The Red Sox also opened spring training by beating Boston College 6-1. This must be thrilling for the college teams participating in these games.
The Minnesota Twins beat Boston in a split squad game in Fort Myers Florida on Feb 25th to open spring ball.

In the NBA , Stephon Marbury was bought out of his contract by the Knicks, which frees Marbury to negociate with the Celtic’s. This good be good news for Laker fans if indeed , Marbury is the cancer many feel he is.

The Chicago Bulls with their new look, thumped Orlando 120-102. Tim Thomas,Brad Miller, and John Salmons all contributed very nicely in that game.

NBA playoffs loom large and here’s what up with the good teams.
Boston is 46-12. Everyone else in the Atlantic Conference sucks.
Cleveland is 44-11. Everyone else in the Central conference sucks.
Orlando is 41-16. Everyone else in the Southeast Conference sucks.
Out West, the Lakers are 47-10 for the best record in the NBA. Everyone else in the West sucks.

March madness is coming in college basketball. Let’s make a bold prediction.
Final FOUR, Pittsburgh,UConn, Oklahoma and Noth Carolina.
Memphis, Louisville, Mich State, and Marquette are all pretty good , and could knock off one of the big boys. And, of course Duke, may get lucky!

The big names in the sports world had their moments too.

Charles Barkley will spend 5 days in jail, pay over 2000 dollars in fines and have to attend alcohol classes.
I applaud Sir Charles for manning up , pleading guilty , and assuming responsibility for a huge mistake in judgment.

Marvin Harrison was released by Indy this week. He would fit nicely in the Eagles scheme of things, i bet.

Donovan Mcnabb is waiting to sign his contract extension in an effort to get Andt Reid and the GM to step up and help the offense.

And finally in Nascar , Matt Kenseth won his second race in a row in California this weekend. I watched the entire race aLmost before dozing off. My local television stations all converted to digital, and my converer box is not working yet. All i get is Fox. Have a great end of Feb, Talk to ya soon. Thomas

hey everyone, It’s Thomas Moreland aka NFL Mikee . I write sports articles for people to enjoy and comment on. We will try to do a little bit of everything until football season starts back up. Then we will get into pro and college football matchups and rankings, as well as predictions on points spreads and winners for the 2009 season. You will also see a bit of golf articles as i love golf. I’m a Laker fan, Like the San Francisco Giants, and 49er’s and Steelers in football. I don t do hockey. lol.All sports are interesting in some aspects, however. I am sick with a cold this week, but will be up and writing very soon, Stay tuned, and have a great last week in Feb 2009. Thomas

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