Fantasy Preview: NFC North

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The NFC North is one of the deceptively talent-loaded divisions, with teams that used to be famous for their rough-and-tough defenses now flaunting their star power on offense. Here’s a preview of the fantasy talent team by team.

Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler is like the rock band you used to jam with in high school – sure there are glimpses of hope but are you ever really going to reach your potential? In his second season in Chicago he did cut down on the number of interceptions, but there was also a decrease in passes attempted, yardages and touchdowns.

Heading into his second year in Mike Martz’s offense, he should feel more comfortable with the ins and outs of the system – not to mention he’s getting a boost in his receiving corps. Roy Williams, who enjoyed a career-best season under Martz in Detroit, comes over from the Cowboys. In 2006, Williams posted 82 receptions for 1,310 yards and seven touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors and finishing among the top 10 fantasy wideouts.

Williams is already the most talented receiver on the Bears, and automatically will become Cutler’s top target overDevin Hester. Martz predicts Williams will haul in between 70 and 80 catches in 2011, which he hasn’t done since that 2006-07 season with the Lions. The combination of Cutler’s arm strength with the ability William displayed prior to joining the Cowboys would likely make him a WR1. However, there’s a reason to be skeptical – so while he may have WR1 potential, draft as a WR2 with high upside.

Williams wasn’t the only Cowboy to make his way to the Windy City. Marion Barber joined the Bears after falling out of favor in Big D under head coach Jason Garrett, and registering just 374 yards all of last season. In Chicago, Barber is expected to receive goal line carries, an area where the Bears struggled with in 2011.

The Bears ranked 24^th in the National Football League, as the team struggled to figure out whether Matt Forte orChester Taylor was the right guy to pound it in. The addition of Barber answers that question, and should also reduce the number of pass attempts by Cutler there – an area where he tends to force the ball – thereby cutting his interception total, too.

In touchdown-heavy leagues, consider Barber a late-round steal if he’s around; though don’t expect him to put up huge yardage totals. Forte, in the midst of negotiating a contract extension, should continue to receive the bulk of the carries, as well as a threat out of the backfield to catch 50 to 60 passes for a handful of touchdowns.

Detroit Lions

It’s almost cliché to say this now, but if the Lions’ Matthew Stafford can stay healthy for a full season then the team may not only be a playoff-caliber team, but a fantasy haven.

The Lions' Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson could be one of the most dynamic duos in the NFL in 2011.

Unable to play a full 16-game schedule in his first two years in the leagues, Stafford is always a risk to draft. But, like other injury-prone quarterbacks (i.e.Michael Vick) loaded with talent, there’s a high upside. The Lions attempted the third most passes in the NFL last season (633), with a combination of Stafford (for three games), Shaun Hilland Drew Stanton. The three combined for 3,810 yards and 26 touchdowns, which should resemble Stafford’s 2011 projections over 16 games.

No matter who the quarterback is, though, it’ll Calvin Johnson they’re targeting most of the time. Megatron, entering his fifth year with the Lions, is coming off a 1,100-yard, 12-touchdown campaign where he didn’t know who his quarterback was each week.

Consider this: in 2009, when Stafford started 10 games for the Lions in his rookie season, the quarterback-receiver tandem combined for 728 yards and four touchdowns. Together, their chemistry and talent ceiling could be among the best in the league in 2011.

Another one of Stafford’s receiving threats is Jahvid Best, the second-year back who turned heads during the first few weeks last season before suffering a turf toe injury. The Lions drafted bruiser Mikel Leshoure out of Illinois to complement Best, but the rookie was injured during training camp and will miss the remainder of the season. Best’s draft stock, of course, was lifted due to the injury. Here’s what you can expect.

Green Bay Packers

In Titletown, the Pack is gearing up for another Super Bowl run, and another chance to be the most electrifying offense in the entire league.

Headlined by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the talent on Green Bay’s offense is the type of players you want to target in your drafts, according to the age-old mantra of getting players on highly productive offenses. But you don’t need me to lecture you on Rodgers, who, aside from Vick could be the No. 1 fantasy player in 2011.

Ryan Grant returns to the Packers after missing 2010 due to injury. A motivated, hungry Grant immediately regains his starting role, over sophomore James Starks, and is a solid RB2 that you can snag in the later rounds.

In 2008 and 2009, Grant rushed for over 1,200 yards, and in his first three seasons scored 24 total touchdowns. Green  Bay notoriously runs a pass-first offense, but as we saw in the playoffs, they use the pass to establish the rushing attack. Grant should put together another 1,000-yard season and find the end zone at least eight or so times.

In the receiving corps, expect Donald Driver to lose another step, allowing the recently resigned James Jonesstart as the flanker opposite Greg Jennings. Jones should see an increase in receptions and touchdowns given his new role, though be cautious when dealing with an offense with so many receivers.

Jennings is probably the only safe WR1 among these receivers — Jones, Jordy Nelson are safer bets as WR3.Rookie Randall Cobb, the rookie out of Kentucky, likely won’t supplant Nelson as the team’s third wideout this year, but he has been “a natural” there in the preseason thus far.

Another popular debate is whether or not to draft Jermichael Finley, the talented but oft-injured tight end. Finley has without a doubt a huge upside and the potential to finish the season with Antonio Gates-like numbers. But he’s missed games in each of his first three seasons, which makes past and future owners a bit weary.

Finley swears he’ll be healthy and have a definite impact this season, which sounds great and all, but really can’t protect him from a linebacker crushing his knee Week 4. If you decide to get Finley, handcuff him with Andrew Quarless, his back-up who totaled 148 yards in the final six games of the season.

Minnesota Vikings

Out with old and in with the old — the Vikings replaced Brett Favre with Donovan McNabb this offseason, hoping to recapture the magic of the Vike’s offense from 2009 when they made a run to the NFC Championship game.

Many consider McNabb on his last legs, essentially his career over. But there’s an argument to be made that his 2010 season in Washington under Mike Shanahan was merely an aberration.

McNabb threw just 14 touchdowns, compared to 15 picks, last season, the first time his touchdown total was less than his interception total. In 2009, his last season with Philadelphia, McNabb thew from 22-10, one of his more productive seasons in his career.

With Minnesota, McNabb will unite with offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, who utilizes the West Coast offenses that McNabb has been the focal point in 11 of his 12 NFL seasons.

Of course, at the age 34 going on 35, he may not be a lock for a 25-touchdown season, but he could be drafted as a solid back-up with surprising upside.

The problem is McNabb is dealing with a talentless wide receiver corps. Gone is Sidney Rice, and what’s left isMichael Jenkins. Of course Percy Harvin is still around, but the talented weapon is a migraine waiting to happen, and doesn’t have to skill-set to be a possession wide receiver.

Oh, there is Bernard Berrian, B-Twice to the ladies. Haven’t seen him in quite some time.

Perhaps the only safe player in Minnesota to draft is Adrian Peterson, who will benefit from McNabb’s presence because defenses won’t be able to load up the box like they did against Joe Webb or would have if Christian Ponder was starting.

Peterson is a lock for double-digit touchdowns, and is the best running back in all formats. Peterson is likely to see an increase in his statistics as a pass-catcher in Musgrave’s scheme — not to mention he’s in a contract season. Draft with ease.

2011 Free Agent Fits

With a less than a handful of meaningful games in the N.F.L. in Week 17, many off-season-bound teams are looking past their regular season finales and towards their 2011 kickoff. 


Aside from filling gaps in the N.F.L. Draft, teams need to address their glaring needs via free agency. Of the list of the top potential free agents and trade targets on the market this off-season, here are my thoughts on which players could fit in well wearing a different uniform next season.




1. Carolina Panthers: Donovan McNabb


Reports have surfaced that the No. 1 quarterback prospect in the N.F.L. Draft Andrew Luck will remain at Stanford for his senior season, which means the Panthers may not get their guy. Instead of reaching for another quarterback in Ryan Mallett or Jake Locker, why not go  with a proven vet?


Since 2003 when the Panthers made it to the Super Bowl, they have basically toggled winning and losing seasons regularly. They have kept a core nucleus of players though, which would allow for their main problem, the quarterback position, to solve many of their offensive issues. Wouldn't it be nice to see someone get the ball to Steve Smith?


If reports are true that the Skins will release Donovan McNabb at season's end to avoid paying him that disastrous contract they generated after he was benched, why not pair McNabb and Smith to create a formidable threesome with Jonathon Stewart?


2. Cincinnati Bengals: Jeff Fisher


It is not even close. Since 2007 the Cincinnati Bengals lead the N.F.L. in players arrested. To add insult to injury, the team named Cedric 'The Entertainer' Benson the Ed Block Courage Award winner for demonstrating commitment to values and sportsmanship this week. Yeah, the same dude who got pulled over for drunk driving just a few years ago.


Factor in Jeff Fisher, a no-nonsense head coach, who is rumored to be fired by Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams. Think he would let players get blasted and drive home -- fuh-gedda-bout it!


The team needs to be disciplined, and he would be the figure to decide the futures of Terrell Owens (free agent) and Chad Ochocinco (team would owe $3.5M not to pick up his 2011 option) in Cincy.


3. Buffalo Bills: DeAngelo Williams



Since Week 3, when Ryan Fitzpatrick was anointed the starter for the Buffalo Bills, the gunslinger from Harvard has 441 attempts. That's like a 30 per game. Did I mention the dude is from Harvard?


So it's not like Peyton Manning's 639 attempts or Drew Brees' 620, but you're asking Fitzpatrick to carry the Bills offense each week. The team drafted the talents of C.J. Spiller out of Clemson with the ninth overall pick in the 2010 N.F.L. Draft; what's he done?


Clearly you cannot think Fred Jackson is the solution at the running back position for the next few years. With The Daily Show showing he is more than capable of being a primary back in the Tar Heel State, DeAngelo Williams may not get resigned in the off-season. Add him to the backfield and suddenly there is balance in the offense, whether Fitzpatrick is the starter in 2011 or not.

4. Denver Broncos: Santonio Holmes


If Tim Tebow is the future at the quarterback positions for Broncos, then the team needs to surround him with as many offensive talents around him, similar to what he was accustomed to with the Gators.


Of the potential free agents -- Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards, Vincent Jackson -- maybe no other wide-out could fit Tebow's skill set more than Santonio Holmes. While playing with Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, Holmes was able to adjust his route on the run to complement a quarterback who throws outside the pocket. Sound familiar?


Holmes has provided a big-play threat for Mark Sanchez in his first season with the Jets, and could fit a similar mold at Mile High. Given that playmaker Brandon Marshall was ousted under the Josh McDaniels regime, one of the many poor decisions to send off talent for nothing. The team could use some star power. I don't know if Brandon Lloyd is enough. 


5. Cleveland Browns: Shawne Merriman


After leaving San Diego where he earned his reputation, and a short-lived stint with the Buffalo Bills spent on I.R., many wonder if Shawne Merriman has enough left in his system to resurrect his career.


After being busted for breaking the N.F.L.'s substance-abuse policy, season-ending injuries have plagued the linebacker's career. It has been awhile since we saw this edge-rushing talent play like he did in his first few seasons in the league, so clearly Cleveland would be taking a risk signing him to a multi-year contract.


If there is somebody who can help Merriman rediscover his previous form, Rob Ryan could be the guy. The defensive guru and son of Hall of Fame great Buddy Rice, not to mention the twin brother of infamous Rex Ryan -- he's got a resume. When healthy, Merriman can bring a pass-rushing ability that the Browns definitely lack.


And a big name like Merriman in a win-hungry city like Cleveland can certainly help fill up the Dog Pound. After all, with the talents of LeBron James having fled to South Beach, the biggest name is town is Peyton Hillis.


6. Dallas Cowboys: Champ Bailey


Maybe no collection of talent in the N.F.L. failed to live up to the heavy expectations entering to the 2010 season more than the Cowboys of Dallas (well, San Diego fits the bill, too). 


It is difficult to pinpoint one main flaw on the team. Tony Romo was injured, yet Jon Kitna filled in admirably in his place and maintained an ample offense. The passing game features some of the tops at their positions -- Stone Cold Miles Austin, Jason Witten and rookie sensation Dez Bryant. And running backs Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and Marion Barber are all capable runners.


Defensively, the Boys have talented front seven, featuring probably the best pass-rushing linebacker in DeMarcus Ware. In the secondary, however, there is a heavy dose of youth, which bodes well for the future -- not so good for the present.


What if the Cowboys were snare a veteran cornerback in Champ Bailey, whose play has barely declined with the age. Bailey's 13 passes defended ranks 18th in the league this season, tied with perennial Pro Bowler Ed Reed and ahead of Asante Samuel.


This season, Dallas has allowed the likes of Shaun Hill and Rex Grossman to pass for huge numbers against them. Adding Bailey to complement the secondary's youth movement could pay huge dividends. 


7. Arizona Cardinals: Ochocinco


With Chad Ochocinco making a case to get out of Cincy, especially with Carson Palmer having his best passing performances on the season without him and Terrell Owens in the lineup, paying the man $3.5 may be the best option for the Bengals.


For Ochocinco, Zona could be the ultimate catch for the diva wide-out. When Anquan Boldin was traded to Baltimore, the team expected Steve Breaston to emerge as the No. 2 receiver opposite Larry Fitzgerald, but that move never seemed to pan out.


Having John Skelton at quarterback may not suit Ochocinco well, but if the team decides to draft a rookie or sign a veteran, Ochocinco could provide that reliable threat in the Cards' passing game.


8. San Francisco 49ers:  Kevin Kolb


Michael Vick is a free agent, but if Philly should choose to keep the most dynamic scoring threat in the N.F.L. in Eagles green, then they may elect to put their former quarterback of the future on the trading block.


Neither one of the Smiths -- Alex or Troy -- should have a future as a starting quarterback for San Fran. And in continuing the trend of young offensive talent by the Bay, Kolb could be perfect match.


Kolb didn't turn too many heads this season, but he did fill in adequately when Vick was hurt, and was outstanding when he started two games for Donovan McNabb in 2009.


Giving Kolb a change of scenery and the right offensive mind at coach, and pairing him up with the likes of Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore, and all of a sudden the 49ers have a dangerous, balanced offense that could immediately contend in the division of mediocrity that is the NFC West.


9. Minnesota Vikings: Carson Palmer


Depending on what Bengals ownership decides to do with the current coaching staff and players in The Queen City, Carson Palmer is a potential refugee. Maybe no player in the black and orange needs to head towards greener pastures more than Palmer.


Possible destinations for Palmer could include San Fran, Miami and Arizona, but perhaps no better fit would be Minnesota, who has a Super Bowl-caliber team that simply failed to perform to their abilities under the coaching of Brad Childress.

Adding Palmer to an offensive loaded with weapons like Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice and Visanthe Shiancoe, with a consistent rushing attack led by Adrian Peterson, could allow the Vikes to return to contention in the N.F.C. right away.


10. Houston Texans: Jon Gruden


After finally conquering the rival Colts early on in the season, the Texans seemed destined to earn the A.F.C. South crown after what felt like a yearly go at it that would almost inevitably result in a .500 record. To their dismay, they took another trip down that road.


Now Texans fans are making their feelings known and are calling for the job of head coach Gary Kubiak. And while he has put together a competitive group each and every year, the collapse of the Texans in 2010 should spell the end of his run.


One candidate to replace Kubiak is ESPN's Jon Gruden, who seems to be on every team's wish list, college or N.F.L, every team from Miami to San Francisco. 


Gruden's extensive offensive experience would work wonders in Houston, and his knowledge of personnel and coaching assistants would allow him to easily put together a top-notch staff on the defensive side of the ball as well. If the Texans fans want a change at head coach, Gruden should be their guy.

Top 10 Gifts For Struggling NFL Teams

It is the holiday season, so of course I am in the utmost giving mood. Given that Week 16 has already began, we know who the playoff-caliber teams are and who will face the biggest questions heading into the off-season.


Here is my top 10 list of teams that are need of a meaningful, helpful Christmas gift this weekend, in descending order of course:




10. Dallas Cowboys: Jon Kitna


When the G-Men KO-ed Tony Romo in Week 7 of your already disappointing season, perhaps you got a clue that this guy is not the preeminent option at quarterback for your team. 


Consider this -- with Romo behind center for The Boys, the team started 0-2, then followed up with a 1-5 record before that loss to the Giants. Two of those losses include the Minnesota Vikings and the Tennessee Titans, teams with a combined 11-17 record.


After Kitna inherited the starting the job, the team has improved modestly to 5-3. Three of those wins include that same Giants team that embarrassed you earlier in the season and on the road at Indy, and if not for a bonehead fumble by Roy Williams they would have taken down the Super Bowl champions on Thanksgiving.


Maybe it is not exactly the 38-year-old Kitna who should lead the team in 2011, if there is a 2011 season. I'm just saying maybe it's time to let a more proven quarterback take the reigns of this talented offense, and let Romo just nod off with his new fiancée. 




9. Miami Dolphins: A Home Crowd


Ever since Chad Pennington was anointed starting quarterback and was lost for the season a snap later, this team was doomed. It's true.


But on a less personal note, I do think there is such thing as home-field advantage in the professional ranks, and Miami is certainly lacking that aspect.


The Dolphins are just .500 right now, which is certainly disappointing for their fans who had high expectations after flashes of potential by Chad Henne and the acquisition of Brandon Marshall.


The team is just 1-6 while playing at Sun Life Stadium, but have beaten playoff-caliber teams like the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers on the road. Interesting, eh?


What is wrong with the 'Fins faithful? Are you too busy following the Hurricanes falter in the mediocre Atlantic Coast Conference, or are you just too enamored with the Heat's big three to pay any attention to the NFL?


8. New York Jets: A New Public Relations Department


Nah, I am not going to get on Rex Ryan and his apparent foot fetish. That is just the latest in a series of mishaps for Gang Green over the past few seasons


Between HBO's Hard Knocks and former quarterback Brett Favre's sexting episode, the Jets have been in the spotlight for a lot of the wrong reasons. 


My solution: Rex, stop videotaping your naughty fantasies. And to the Jets organization, don't hire Jen Sterger, a former "Sports Babe", to act as a reporter after a career as Maxim and Playboy. Last time I checked, Hugh Hefner doesn't run the best college of journalism at The Mansion.


Please though, don't let Ryan's press conferences from this to this.


7. San Diego Chargers: Calendars


It may be knock on the Chargers over the past couple of seasons, but it is seriously a problem. Why does this team continue to start the season off horribly? 


This year, for instance, the Chargers began 2-5, including losses to the upstart Kansas City Chiefs, the R-R-Raiders, and the NFC West powerhouses that are the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks. 


But as history would state, the team lived up to expectations come wintertime, going 6-1 and still in the hunt for a playoff spot if the Chiefs are to sputter in the next two games.


So if we were to get these Chargers some calendars, maybe they would realize when the season actually starts. Clearly they are lost without 'em.


6. Seattle Seahawks: Disposable Coffee Cups


If you need a Costco Membership, they run a sweet holiday special.


Why? Well, you are not exactly the best road team. And that is even an understatement; you stink outside of Qwest Field. 


Of your total of five wins, four came in the comforts of the 12th man. On the road, however, you have just one win and six losses. Not just losses though -- blowouts, to the likes of the pathetic Broncos, as well as Oakland, San Fran and the Rams.


The city of Seattle is notorious for it's outstanding coffee. So let me help you out by providing with two options. One, consider this place called Starbucks -- they have locations all over the place, even outside of Seattle.


But if you're trying to save some dough in these tough economic times, hit up everybody's favorite warehouse. Costco is selling these delectable products that allow you to keep your coffee hot while you're travelling. 


If you were just .500 on the road, you could be atop of the NFC West...with a winning record, too!


5. Cleveland Browns: White Thunder


Peyton Hillis is the best thing for white football fans since we got a glimpse of Nick Goings in Carolina and when Mike Alstott was doing his thang for the Bucs.


But now we have Mr. Running Down Hillis, who has taken the league my storm. Dude looks like he can bench press a pick-up truck and squat the moon.




Behind Hillis' surprise season the Browns have beaten some top teams like New England, and have kept games competitive, much of a disparity between their last few seasons.


So if Hillis is the catalyst driving this turnaround, I see no other option but clone him or snare Toby Gerhart, A.K.A. White Thunder, away from the Vikings. The more white running backs you can collect the better off your franchise will be down the road.



4. Minnesota Vikings: Stevie Johnson


No, there is not a problem with the Vikings receiving core. Sidney Rice is perennial Pro Bowler when healthy and Percy Harvin is electric any time you can get the ball in his hands. So why the hell would Speedy Stevie Johnson fit so well in Minny?


Johnson has become infamous for his Twitter account. What kind of went under the radar was his most recent Tweet in which thought it was a good decision to take a photo of his private parts for all of his followers to see.





Apparently, this brainiac decision would make Speedy Stevie just another one of the fellas in the Vikings locker room. Just ask Mr. Favre (if he is not too busy texting) or Visanthe Shiancoe, who also has no problem with his junk in the open for a national audience.


And while you're at it, don't stop with Speedy Stevie. If Favre is supposedly going to retire at the season's end, a potential replacement could be Matt Leinart, a quarterback who knows how to get down the ladies as well.




3. Cincinnati Bengals: More Shows for T.O./Ochocinco


First, there was the T.O. Show. Then, Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch. But when the two superpowers of the wide receiving world joined hands on both the Cincinnati Bengals and Versus, the world as we knew was doomed.


While it is any reporter's dream come true having their dynamic personalities on candid camera each week, it is obviously not the greatest formula for a successful football team. See record: 3-11.


And just when you thought Owens was over his complaining ways -- calling Jeff Garcia gay or Donovan McNabb was not the Eagles' best option at quarterback, or personally my favorite of getting his pump on in the comforts of his driveway -- T.O. lived up to his reputation. 



I think Cincy would trade in his 983 yards and nine touchdowns for a 10-win, division-best season as they had just a year ago.




2. Denver Broncos: Jimmy Clausen


You know, Denver has gotten a reputation of late for making some stupid trades. Some of the names that have highlighted their "to-go" list include Peyton Hillis, first-rounder Alfonso Smith, Brandon Marshall and Jay Cutler.


Instead, they opted for Laurence Maroney, Brady Quinn and everyone's favorite, Tim Tebow.


In continuing the recent tradition, why not go after Carolina Panthers quarterback Jimmy Clausen. The second-rounder out of Notre Dame has truly silenced his critics this season who thought he would not succeed in the professional level.


Look at it this way: Quinn and Clausen, and then you can pry Charlie Weiss away from the Kansas City Chiefs -- you can have The Fighting Irish NFL-style. Their combined career 3,278 passing yards and 12 touchdowns is sure to rival that of Cutler's 2010 season alone.


1.5* San Francisco 49ers: WINNERS


Could not help myself.





1. Washington Redskins: Elliptical Machines


We sometimes hold exceedingly high expectations for quarterbacks, especially the ones we trade for in the off-season and believe they will revive a dormant franchise to prominence once again.


Essentially, those were the precise circumstances surrounding Donovan McNabb is his move to the Washington Redskins.


But it was not his poor decision-making at times, or that he is not accumulating the same rushing yards as he used to, or even that he has turned the ball over far too often.


McNabb simply did not possess the cardiovascular endurance to run Mike Shanahan's offense, especially when the game is on the line. 


What we're missing here is that Daniel Snyder and the Skins' training facility is clearly lacking the exercise equipment for McNabb to be in shape. I mean, he practically looks like Flozell Adams out there.


Merry Christmas Mr. Synder and company. Please accept my gift of ellipticals, cycling machines and treadmills -- all of the cardio equipment necessary to get your quarterbacks in shape for 2011.






F8BJSUNG6NT7

Brett Favre Shocks the World, Will Not Return to NFL in 2011

In a revealing interview with the NFL Network, Brett Favre announced he will not return for a 21st season in the National Football League.

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Given the current circumstances surrounding the quarter back, it makes a lot of sense. The Wrangler commercials -- way too much clothes for a man of Favre's stature. His head coach, the much-maligned Brad Childress, trades away his best wide receivers. Plus, his best friend on the Minnesota Vikings, placekicker Ryan Longwell, is a free agent after season's end.

If history is a predictor, then Longwell leaving means Favre will as well. So why isn't anybody making a big deal out of the Favre-to-retirement news?

I don't know, maybe because it is November.


We are used to our annual Favre-Fest come August. The summer is coming to an end, training camps are long in our rear-view mirror and we are badgering about why there is still pre-season football games.

In other words, we love nothing more than daily coverage of Rachael Nichols setting up camp outside of Favre's lawn in Hattiesburg, Miss. I'm sure they have exchanged cell phone numbers.

The decision from the indecisive was barely exciting enough to make headlines. Go ahead and Google "Brett Favre" news in the past week; one, maybe two stories pop up. It begs the question, though: doesn't anybody care?

Maybe it is because it is the same old story just a different years. When you put us through the retirement drama each and every summer, and really dial it up the past four years, it's just not doing it for us anymore.


Brett, if I can call you Brett, let me put it out there for you. It is like a relationship -- you got to keep things interesting. We know you are going to retire and un-retire at least once before the 2011 season; that's like telling me Boise State is going to get screwed out of the BCS Championship Game.

Want to catch us all off-guard? Demand a trade to the Detroit Lions, or sign a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. Tell us all you are going to play another season, and then retire off to a landscaping career, or do a commercial for the Verizon family plan.

But don't tell me your plans before Thanksgiving. We all saw your eyes shifting, your smile rearing when you said you're done after this year. You make Keanu Reeves look like an Oscar-winner.

The Man Behind the NFC's Best

A lot has been said about the mediocrity abundant in the NFC this season. The favorites -- the Cowboys, the Vikings, the Super Bowl champion New Orleans saints -- have all floundered.

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The Dallas Cowboys recently ousted their head coach after nine weeks, the first time they had ever fired a coach mid-season in their history. After being favored as a Super Bowl contender, the team is off to just a 1-7 start. Their offensive woes are almost as glaring as their defensive struggles. They can't score and they can't stop anybody -- that sounds like a winning formula.

Then there was the Minnesota Vikings. With Brett Favre back for another rendezvous, the team looked forward to another explosive offensive to go along with their always dominant defensive attack. But after a series of sext messages, broken shoulders, chins, ankles, hips, a Randy Moss trade, a Randy Moss release and a campaign to fire the head coach, the 2010 version of the Purple People Eaters are looking up at their arch nemesis the Green Bay Packers and Da Bears in the NFC North.

And finally there was America's sweethearts. After capturing the attention of fans across the country with their Cinderella story, the New Orleans lost games to the Atlanta Falcons, the Arizona Cardinals and the Cleveland Browns? So much for the Super Bowl hangover; losing to the Colt McCoy-led Browns is more like a blackout.

But it was a traditional NFC superpower that reemerged in 2010, led by their traditionally tenacious defense to bring them top to the top of the conference. You know who I'm talking about...G-G-G-G-G-Men!

The New York Football Giants have risen to the top of NFC, led by their defensive prowess. No, they did not sign any superstars in the offseason. They didn't drive a phenom in the draft to start right away. What they did was find an underrated defensive mind to put together the pieces of the puzzle left behind by Tom Coughlin's defensive coordinator in 2009, Bill Sheridan.

Perry Fewell was hired in January to take over the Giants defense after a pathetic campaign last season. Fewell was a candidate for the Buffalo Bills head coaching gig after leading the team to a 3-4 finish after serving as the interim manager following the firing of Dick Jauron.

nj.com

As a head coach for seven weeks, Fewell lifted a talent-lacking Bills team to wins over Miami, Kansas and Indianapolis, who was really sporting their second team. However, in their four losses, they faced off against a resurgent Titans squad led by Vince Young and 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson, and two playoff teams in the Jets and Patriots, losing by a combined 13 points.

Fewell's defensive strategy dates back to being a defensive back coach with the Chicago Bears in 2004 and 2005 and piloting the defense in Buffalo for four seasons. But after the Bills went in another direction and opted to hire Chan Gailey to replace him as head coach, the G-Men saw a diamond in the rough, and quickly they snatched him up.

Coughlin and Fewell had a history from their time together in Jacksonville, so he must have had confidence his disciple could clean up the mess that was the 2009 Giants defense.

A rash of injuries plagued the team that season: Defensive lineman Chris Canty was signed from the Cowboys after totaling 10 sacks in four seasons in Dallas. Linebacker Michael Boley was signed from the Falcons after a 330-tackle, six-sack, five-interception stint. First-round draft pick safety Kenny Phillips dealt with a knee injury, while defensive quarterback Antonio Pierce was sidelined with a bulging disk in his neck.

Meanwhile, the Giants were forced to move cornerback Aaron Ross into multiple positions in the secondary, while former standout Osi Umenyiora was close to being released due to a lack of production. Justin Tuck, who emerged in 2007 with 10 sacks and two forced fumbles, and who improved in 2008, played through a torn labrum in his shoulder last year as well.

With a healthy unit and a new leader, the G-Men defense now sports the best defense in all the NFL, allowing just over 250 yards per game. New York gives up less than 14 first downs per game and allows its opponents to convert on third down 29 percent of the time. They rank number one in forced fumbles with 16, and are tied for fifth in sacks (24) and tied for ninth in interceptions (9). The team has allowed just four scores on the ground and one rush over 40 yards, as their rushing defense is second only to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

So before we point to $60 million dollar man Eli Manning the reason for the Giants turnaround, let's not look to what the Giants have prided themselves on for the better part of their history. And while health is a main factor, it is important to recognize the man pulling all the strings behind the curtain.