Wild-Card Weekend:

NFC:

Dallas Cowboys over Philadelphia Eagles

Green Bay Packers over Arizona Cardinals

AFC:

NY Jets over Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patriots over Baltimore Ravens

Divisional Round

NFC:

Dallas Cowboys over Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints over Green Bay Packers

AFC:

San Diego Chargers over New England Patriots

Indianapolis Colts over NY Jets

Conference Championship

NFC:

New Orleans Saints over Dallas Cowboys

AFC:

San Diego Chargers over Indianapolis Colts

Super Bowl

San Diego Chargers over New Orleans Saints

New York Yankees Over Minnesota Twins in 3

Boston Red Sox over LA Angels in 4

NLDS

St. Louis Cardinals over LA Dodgers in 4

Philadelphia Phillies over Colorado Rockies in 5

ALCS

NY Yankees over Boston Red Sox in 6

NLCS

St. Louis Cardinals over Philadelphia Phillies in 7

World Series

NY Yankees over St. Louis Cardinals in 5

Here are my NFL predictions:

*Denotes Wild-Card team

NFC

NFC East

1. New York Giants

*2. Philadelphia Eagles

3. Dallas Cowboys

4. Washington Deadskins

NFC North

1. Chicago Bears

*2. Minnesota Vikings

3. Green Bay Packers

4. Detroit Lions

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons

2. Carolina Panthers

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Tampa Bay Bucs

NFC West

1. San Francisco 49ers

2. Arizona Cardinals

3. Seattle Seahawks

4. St. Louis Rams

AFC

AFC East

1. New England Patriots

2. Buffalo Bills

3. Miam Dolphins

4. New York Jets

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

*2. Baltimore Ravens

3. Cincinnati Bengals

4. Cleveland Browns

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts

*2. Tennessee Titans

3. Houston Texans

4. Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers

2. Oakland Raiders

3. Denver Broncos

4. Kansas City Chiefs

AFC Championship: Pittsburgh Steelers over New England Patriots

NFC Championship: New York Giants over Chicago Bears

Super Bowl: Steelers over Giants

I have nothing against Favre; he just needs to learn when to hang up his cleats. This is not baseball which is much less taxing on the body and thus allows great pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson to pitch into their 40s; this is football where a long career ends at age 36. Even other great quarterbacks like Dan Marino and John Elway ended their careers at 38, not playing into their 40s. Instead, Favre has chosen to jeopardize his relationship with Green Bay Packers fans (if he hasn’t already alienated them all) and organization, which is unlike Favre who many consider to be a class act (and considering he spent 17 years there). After toying with the Packers on when he was going to retire and thus severely holding back the development and career of Aaron Rodgers, to join the Vikings the biggest rivals of the Packers just doesn’t seem right. Instead, Favre is depicting himself as a bitter old man looking to make some money and compensate for something by proving he can still play. After 17 injury-free seasons, there is no way Favre lasts the whole season unscathed at such an old age.

Although the Vikings may need help at the quarterback position with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels not the ideal as starter and back up, Jackson is only 26, is much more mobile, has shown glimmers of being a great quarterback, and is more familiar with the offense and the players on the team. Also, think about the message the Vikings are sending to Jackson, they are clearly choosing a “win now” approach with a 40 year old quarterback over a “continue winning the division and improving the young starting quarterback” approach. As there has been no talk of Favre only being brought onto the team as a mentor (in which case he should have been hired as a QB coach), no one should think he is there just to help Jackson get better. In addition to breaking down the former starting Quarterback’s confidence, the Vikings have failed to realize there is no chemistry with a prima-donna quarterback who is coming in for a year of shits and giggles and doesn’t care about his teammate’s future. The quarterback is the fearless leader who looks out for his teammates; how will Vikings’ players respond knowing that Favre will more than likely not be playing with them after this year? I realize they are all professionals, but still, the team wasn’t exactly broken so why try and fix it by only bringing in temporary help. Look for Favre to get injured and the Vikings to be thrown into partial disarray because of both the distraction of Favre and the re-adjustment to a completely different (and confidence damaged) quarterback.

The Top 4

(1) Manchester United

After three straight Premiership titles, this season Manchester United looks more vulnerable. With the departures of workhorse forward Carlos Tevez and arguably the best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo, the biggest question is who will make up for their 23 league goals? The answer of course will not be shock signing Michael Owen or Antonio Valencia. Owen, a worthwhile risk as he is only 29 and clearly still has it (if he makes it from his bed to the pitch without getting injured), cannot and will not be relied upon as a starter. With the personnel currently at United, it will not be too long until they revert back to a 4-4-2 and Owen will be brought on as a 75^th minute sparkplug substitute. Valencia on the other hand, is just not a scoring midfielder; he is, however, a great set up midfielder who’s likely to set up a fair amount of opportunities for forwards Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney. With more freedom, I expect Rooney to walk away with the Premiership’s golden boot. I am aware I have posted my predictions after Steve Fales from downswinging.com but I can assure you I told him the day before we watched Fulham pound FK Vetra at the Cottage’s first taste of European football eleven days ago that Rooney would be the golden boot winner. It will be interesting to see if Federico Macheda impresses enough to keep United formation the same as last year, though I see this as a year where he gets more opportunities and next year will be his breakout year. Gabriel Obertan is a buy for the future, whether he, like the Da Silva twins and other recent youngsters snapped up by United pan out remains to be seen. The team is deeper and younger than Chelsea’s and unless Berbatov fails to show up, Rooney or Vidic and Ferdinand gets injured, I can’t imagine Sir Alex’s men finishing lower than second at worst.

(2) Chelsea

For the third season in a row, it is the start and yet another manager will be walking the sidelines for Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti is the fifth manager in two calendar years as Roman Abramovich continues to tinker with every manager he over pays. While Ancelotti’s Champions League pedigree cannot be questioned (2003 and 2007 champions with AC Milan), his okay domestic showing (coaching two of the top three teams but only winning one Serie A title) in a weak Italian league emphasizes Abramovich’s motives. Champions League is all Chelsea want, not the premiership. With this in mind and the fact that Chelsea have no starters under 26 that aren’t African (and thus, having questionable birth certificates and looking a lot older than they say they are) and six of the starting rotation on the wrong side of thirty (with a few more fast approaching 30) creates the atmosphere of a window of title opportunity closing fast. Though Yuri Zhirkov is a great addition to a solid team and Daniel Sturridge might one day play for Chelsea other than in the Carling Cup, their presence alone cannot ward off what is likely to be a season where injuries deplete the side. A month to be weary of also is February when the African Nations cup will take Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and Michael Essien away from the team during a point in the season where they will play Arsenal, Everton, and Manchester City. I don’t think they have enough to take the Premiership and Champions League and with the clear goal the Champions League, expect a second place finish in the Premiership at best.

(3) Arsenal

I could talk for days about Arsenal, but I’ll keep it short. Wenger is an amazing manager. Although criticized for his economically friendly transfer market strategy where he usually ends up with more money than he started with, he has kept Arsenal in the top 4 the past four years even after the losses of key players like Dennis Bergkamp, Alexander Hleb, Gilberto, Matthieu Flamini, Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell, Pires, and captains Patrick Veira and Thierry Henry. He has continually found strength in Arsenal’s youth ranks and after four years of a more youthful reconstruction of the team, I think if the players have really matured, Arsenal can win the premiership. We have lost prima-donna Adebayor and the rapidly ageing Toure to make room for a solid young group of strikers and the addition of Thomas Vermaelen. It is easy to forget this team made it to the FA cup and Champion League semi finals, finished fourth and went on a 22 game unbeaten streak (predominately without captain Cesc Fabregas or Andrey Arshavin) and that two seasons ago we were an away win at Old Trafford from winning the league. With Arshavin adjusting on the fly to the English game and to his teammates during the second half of the season and still impressing, now that he is settled he will be quite the force to be reckoned with this season. The injury to Samir Nasri will hurt but will give some time to Denilson to show his progress and impress. If Tomas Rosicky, Theo Walcott, Robin Van Persie and Eduardo can stay healthy, they will add vital depth to a squad that has crumbled at the end due to their lack of it. This is also Nicklas Bendtner’s time to prove his worth; with Adebayor gone no one should be surprised if he scores 15 league goals this season. If any of Denilson, Alexandre Song, Abou Diaby or Aaron Ramsey proves to be a formidable holding midfielder and the team buys another solid defender, I can see this team finishing first. However, I am sick of expecting Wenger to buy someone so I don’t think any new faces will show before the transfer market closes and the back line will run into injury problems leading to a third place finish.

(4) Liverpool

Last year Liverpool surprised us all and had a great season that, with a little more luck, could have seen them take the league title. That was with a healthy Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and a happy and strong midfield consisting of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano. I do not think the luck will continue. The loss of Alonso to Real Madrid will impact the team more than they ever imagined. His importance on the pitch cannot be understated. After five years, starting less than 20 games only once (that season he had recurrent metatarsal problems that according to his Real Madrid physical are now a thing of the past), his familiarity and chemistry with the Spanish contingent at Liverpool on the pitch for Spain, most especially with Torres, is irreplaceable. His replacement is the injury prone (and currently injured) Alberto Alquilani. Although Alquilani is three years younger and speaks English, he has only started 41 games over the past three years in all competitions. Italian football is also very different than the rougher Premiership, and the adjustment time (if he’s ever on the pitch) will be longer than the fans would have wanted. The other major addition this summer is Glen Johnson, the England International and former Portsmouth Right Back. I think the back line is Liverpool’s weakness (as it is for most teams) and the attacking defender Johnson will not be the answer. With Alonso gone, Gerrard will have to play more defensive football than he would like to and Johnson will be continuously tested and have to get back. His poor showing in the friendly against Holland Wednesday though not fully typical of his form for England, could be an indicator of what the pressure of playing for a top 4 club in a World Cup year does to him, which is not what the Anfield faithful want to hear about their new seventeen million pound man. Sir Alex will again have the last laugh as Liverpool finish fourth.

The “other” team from Liverpool was the last to break into the top 4 in 2005; knocking Liverpool out and bringing much joy to Toffee fans. Unfortunately, the following season UEFA let the Champions League winning Liverpool side into the tournament even without having held onto their domestic place (but that is neither here nor there). After two years of finishing fifth, I see no reason for them not to keep finishing there. Though they are not flooded with transfer funds, David Moyes is a very solid manager whose savvy transfer market dealings have continued to strengthen the team. Up front they have secured Jo on another loan spell after he impressed the second half of last season. His partnership with either Yakubu (who is back after a year-long injury) or the injury prone spark plug Louis Saha is very solid. In the midfield, the return of Mikel Arteta along with the strong seasons of Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini and the always dangerous Steven Pienaar make them a quite formidable side. In defense they will need to keep Joleon Lescott both because of his importance to the team and should he be bought by Manchester City it would be that much easier for them to overtake Everton.  Everton doesn’t have a strong Right Back and are a little light on depth at the back but the team chemistry is there and the re-addition of Yakubu and Arteta to a fifth place squad sees Moyes’ men stay in fifth.

(6) Manchester City

A couple weeks ago I broke down why Arsenal would not be knocked off the top 4. It was half aimed at why Manchester City will not knock them off and partially why Arsenal will hold off the challengers to their top 4 spot. I would suggest reading it for a more in depth look, here’s a shorter, more concise season preview for City.

In recent years, billionaires have become all the rage in English football and Manchester City are no exception. Thaksin Shinawatra took over in 2007 and brought in much needed transfer funds for Sven Goran Erikson. After serious trouble in his home country of Thailand, in 2008 Shinawatra sold it to Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development Limited. Since then, Mark Hughes has been hired as manager after an okay at best stint with Wales then Blackburn, Manchester City have broken the British transfer record to buy Robinho from Real Madrid, and a flurry of transfer speculation always surrounds the team. This summer they have added Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure (both Arsenal), Roque Santa Cruz(Blackburn), and Gareth Barry(Aston Villa). Though I do not disagree with the thought of buying players that have proven themselves in the Premiership, it seems like overkill to have so many strikers on the team. It is also crazy to believe the inexperienced Hughes can deal with so many prima-donnas in one locker room. They look good on paper, but I am having trouble seeing this team gel ever. The back line is the Achilles heel of this team and will continue to be unless they bring in at least one more solid defender, if not two (insurance for Toure) and if Micah Richards improves fairly dramatically. The team has talent, but a team made up players who were back-ups on top 4 teams (with the exception of Adebayor) or stars on non-Champions League teams does not equal a top 4 finish. Look for Hughes to get fired at some point for not delivering Champions League football and for Jose Mourinho to always be thrown around as his replacement. This team could fall flat on its face, but with the amount of goals Manchester City will probably score, a Europa League spot is expected.

(7) Aston Villa

After looking like top 4 material most of last year, Aston Villa imploded. Combined with the resurgence of Arsenal and Everton, Villa went from third place to finish sixth in the league. Since then, this summer has seen the back line depleted with the departures of Zat Knight (Bolton) and Martin Larsen (retirement). Being short in depth at the back is a major step backwards for a club that with the hiring of Martin O’Neil has partially restored some of the pride and ambitions of old, going from mid-table obscurity to qualifying for European football. With only Carlos Cuellar and Curtis Davies at the back, Villa may have to score a lot of goals to win games. Their back line is also not helped by the loss of former captain and holding midfielder Gareth Barry. Villa has replaced Barry with Leeds United teenager Fabian Delph who is largely untested. They have also brought in Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough, though the England international plays basically the same position as the much faster Ashley Young. Downing will be injured until December and although I am all for adding depth, it’s quite puzzling why O’Neil would spend twelve million pounds on a position he already has a starter in when his back line is so weak. I expect a signing or two before the window closes but if no more new faces are brought in, this up-tempo team may run out of steam and fall out of a European qualifying spot.

(8) Spurs

Three seasons ago, Tottenham were three points away from finishing in the top 4 ahead of Arsenal. After three managers and many personnel changes, they are sometimes left out even of the Europa League discussion, let alone the Champions League. After selling all three of their main strikers (Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe, and Robbie Keane) in 2008 transfer windows, Juande Ramos led Spurs to a terrible beginning of the season, ending in his firing and the team being temporarily in the relegation zone. Since then, Harry Redknapp has taken over, bringing back Keane and Defoe and defender Pascal Chimbonda. In January he brought in Wilson Palacios(from Wigan) and this summer has also brought in Sebastien Bassong (Newcastle), Kyle Naughton, Kyle Walker (both Sheffield United), and Peter Crouch(Portsmouth). Bassong will be much needed with the recent depletion of the back line due to injury and while Kyle Naughton has been loaned back to Sheffield, Kyle Walker may see some time there as well, though they are more long term development signings. Peter crouch worked with Redknapp at Pompey, and though an easy target for criticism due to his size, the striker is still only 28, an England international in a World Cup year and he fired home 11 league goals last year. Crouch shores up the strike force, giving Redknapp both depth and variety. With no European distractions, Luca Modric really hitting his stride towards the end of last season, and a full season under Redknapp, even with Spurs injury riddled defense, Europa League is very much in the realm of possibilities.

After shocking everyone and finishing in 7^th, qualifying Fulham for the Europa League, Roy Hodgson’s men find themselves fighting an uphill battle. With the added games and travel that comes with European football, Fulham and their thin squad will face fatigue, possible injuries, and weaker domestic form. Though the starting XI is strong enough to compete for a Europa League spot, I think their lack of depth will be a problem and last season’s luck of no major injuries will not continue this season. Recent transfer rumblings though, if true would be a major boost and could see Fulham continue to challenge domestically while also maintaining a European campaign. Damien Duff and Mark Viduka, both (formerly) of Newcastle would add some much needed depth. Without any new additions this team will struggle in Europe for sure and possibly domestically as well. After spending a year together, Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson will need to utilize their knowledge of each other to score more. The Cottagers also need to hold on to Brede Hangeland as he is the rock of their team and the main reason, along with Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer that Fulham let in the least amount of goals last season outside the top 4. Hodgson is a very good manager who gets the best out of his players and as long as he is there, Fulham is not to be ruled out for European football.

(10) Sunderland

If the transfers pan out, this could be the first time in three years they aren’t barely staving off relegation. With the additions of Fraizier Campbell and Darren Bent to an attack that already had Kenwyne Jones gives Steve Bruce the quality and depth many teams lack in the Premiership. Expect Bent, who although out of favor at Spurs still scored 12 league goals to have a strong season with 15 to 20 league goals. Defensive midfielders Lorik Cana and Lee Cattermole will strengthen the back and provide many different formations for Bruce. Paraguay captain and defender Paulo Da Silva also joins a back line that includes Anton Ferdinand, making their defense more formidable as well. It may take some adjustment to the Premiership for Da Silva and Cana and a similar amount of time for the team to gel, but when they do I think they have the potential to give Spurs and Aston Villa a run for their Europa League spots.

(11) West ham

With all the economic issues involving the Icelandic ownership(s) of the club, transfer funds have dried up in east London. To Gianfranco Zola’s credit he has made due by giving some young players a chance to shine, bringing in some players on loan and changing up the style of football. Though there haven’t been any significant additions, oft-injured Kieron Dyer is rumored to be coming back (I’ll believe it when I see it) which, should he return to form, would be like a new signing. Julien Faubert is back from his unsuccessful loan spell at Real Madrid which also gives Zola more depth. Though the return of Dyer and Faubert will help, along with the prettier football Zola has brought to Boleyn Grounds, will keep West Ham’s eyes set on Europe, with Di Michele gone and Dean Ashton always injured, relying solely upon Carlton Cole to score all the goals, I just don’t see it. Fending off bids for Defender Matthew Upson will also be important as their back line is shoddy at best. After last year’s surprise ninth place finish look for this team to slip a little but not too much.

(12) Bolton

Gary Megson’s side may not challenge for a Europa league spot but they will finish respectably for what they have. With the additions of Zat Knight, Paul Robinson, Sean Davis and Samuel Ricketts, Bolton have added more grit to an already hard-nosed team that will be hard to take three points from at the Reebok Stadium. The team has a “going for the draw” mentality against “superior” sides that was common under Allardyce and has continued under Megson while also managing to sneak in wins last year against Manchester City and Spurs. After a crap first season in the Premiership, look for Johan Elmander to finally show some of his worth up front for the Wanderers. Although not particularly liked by the fans, Megson (the so-called “ginger Mourinho”) has kept Bolton up and will continue to do so.

(13) Blackburn

Although Big Sam Allardyce’s time at Newcastle can and should be attributed to the mismanagement of the team as well as a series of hard luck, his time at Bolton and this past season’s saving of Paul Ince’s sinking ship is nothing to scoff at. The man formerly in the running for the managerial position for England now has had adequate time to familiarize himself with and assess the Blackburn as well as bring in new faces to shore up the squad. Beyond a strong, respectable premiership savvy manager, it’s easy to forget they have England’s former number one in net. Although Paul Robinson hasn’t played for England in a year, he is only 29 and unlike at Tottenham, he does not have the same pressure heaped on him in Blackburn. Goalies also tend to get better with time and his form might just surprise a few teams. Their back line is filled with scrappy defenders of which Stephen Warnock is most vital. With transfer speculation surrounding him, unless a too good to pass up sum is offered, the Rovers, who have already made millions of pounds this transfer market (predominately because of Roque Santa Cruz’s £18 million move to Manchester City) will look to hold onto the defender. Though Matt Derbeyshire’s departure to Olympiakos will be felt in terms of depth and premiership experience, Chelsea product Franco Di Santo will look to impress during his loan spell fighting for a spot upfront in the starting XI with Jason Roberts and Benni McCarthy. Just like his days at Bolton, Allardyce will see his team grind out results and stay up without much worry.

(14) Wigan

Much has changed since the start of the 2009 for Wigan. They began the year in 7^th place, getting excited about a possible spot in the newly named Europa League. Since, they slipped up and finished 11^th, lost their manager and “Ferguson disciple” Steve Bruce, have sold their three best midfielders (Wilson Palacios to Spurs in January, Antonio Valencia to Manchester United and Lee Cattermole to Sunderland this offseason), and brought in a young and inexperienced manager in Roberto Martinez. After a very successful 2 years at Swansea City, promoting them from league 1 to the championship then leading them to an eighth place finish just six points outside the championship promotion play-offs, Martinez is looking to bring more spacious, fluid football to the JJB. In bringing some young unknown players as well as his pair of playmakers that made his run at Swansea City successful in Jordi Gomez and Jason Scotland make this side hard to predict. Hopefully for Wigan (and England) fans, in a World cup year Chris Kirkland will be more reliable and inspired. The loss of Lee Cattermole will be hard as holding midfielders don’t grow on trees, but with a new style of football and new set of faces it might lessen the blow if not make them ask, Lee who?

(Editor’s note: After their destruction of Aston Villa 2-0 at Villa Park it seems they might have been underrated here, though first games can often be deceiving)

Wolves scored a lot last season as they took the Championship crown and will probably continue to score a lot with the addition of Kevin Doyle from Reading. The Ireland international scored 18 goals in the championship last year and scored 19 in his two seasons in the premiership. The addition of another Reading man, Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann will bring premiership experience (he was in net for Reading’s 8^th place season in the premiership in 2006/7) and a mentor to their young Goalkeepers. The only major problem is that the Wanderers will also allow a lot of goals with a back line that is not exactly top-notch. Much like Stoke City though, I see Wolves as playing a different kind of football than usually seen from scrappy fighting relegation teams allowing them to stay up this season, their first in the premiership since 2003/2004.

(16) Stoke City

Stoke City reminds me a lot of Reading two seasons ago; they were lucky to have finished so high and are still in the relegation discussion a season later. The so-called “second season syndrome” can definitely be applied to Stoke. That said they are lucky in that the teams that were promoted are not THAT impressive. With basically the same squad save one midfielder out and a younger and better replacement in former Sunderland man Dean Whitehead in, the chemistry will be there and the quality and quantity should be enough to keep them up if no major injuries befall them. The amazing fan support at the Britannia Stadium along with Tony Pulis’ seemingly crafty managerial skill will be tested this year, with the squad no longer able to creep up and surprise anyone and having no significant additions.

(17) Birmingham

Birmingham is back for their sixth Premier League season since 2002. After a run of four years in the league, they have now subjected themselves to being relegated then promoted again. This year I think their luck may change. Although they only got promotion as Championship runners-up on the last day of the season, they have added some pieces to make their fight to stay up easier. The two to look out for are Joe Hart and Christian Benitez. With young English goalkeeper Joe Hart in goal during a World Cup season facing a relegation threat, we will either see the keeper’s best (he showed signs of greatness at the City of Manchester Stadium) or his worst; destroying his confidence and making him question his abilities. Ecuador international striker Christian Benitez is young and speedy and has been impressive thus far for both Santos Laguna and Ecuador. His goal return was 7 goals in 10 games this past year and 10 goals in 21 games the year before for Santos. Though Birmingham’s goal problems in the Championship will more than likely continue in the Premiership, after a month or two of adjusting, do not be surprised to see Benitez on the score sheet. Alex McLeish is also a fairly crafty transfer market manager, and I expect one or two more signings, whether loans or purchases before the market closes. I can see Birmingham fighting tooth and nail for draws against superior teams and surprising some mid-table teams by taking three points from them and ultimately securing another year in the top flight.

(18) Portsmouth

With the relegation last season of Newcastle and Middlesbrough, the stage has been set again for another non-promoted and not recently promoted club being relegated. With Harry Redknapp jumping ship mid-season, a fire sale of players, and a yet to go through takeover by Arab Billionaire Sulaiman Al Fahim, I have no reason to believe this team can stop the imminent. With their strike force completely gone (no more Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Kanu, and after fighting with teammates, David Nugent supposedly), half their defense gone (Sol Campbell and Glen Johnson; if Sylvain Distin leaves as well, they may finish below Burnley and mutiny will ensue at Fratton Park), and their offseason additions in no way addressing the filling of those vacancies, it could get ugly very fast in the southern coastal town. Losing everyone but England’s number 1 isn’t good for anyone hoping to see David James in net for the 2010 World Cup. He is essential to Pompey staying up, but he cannot keep them up all by himself with literally no one to score and few able to stop the other team from scoring. After a year of getting goals poured in on him, his confidence will be shook and Fabio Capello will be hard pressed to bring him to South Africa. Frederic Piquionne, on loan from Lyon, may be the sole bright spot of this relegation bound team should he find the form he has shown at Monaco and St. Etienne. Should the takeover go through soon and the team picks up some players before the transfer market closes and again in the January window, then maybe just maybe this team will stay up.

(19) Hull City

After an unexpected promotion two years ago and a phenomenal start to the season last year, the buzz surrounding football in this predominately Rugby supporting city is waning and fast. Finishing the last 29 games of the season with just two wins saw Hull City stay up by the skin of their teeth. The manager Phil Brown is a character, though his antics are not enjoyed by many, if any. His managerial skills will surely be tested this year. After failing to seal the signings of Frazier Campbell, perennial underachiever Bobby Zamora, and a fairly extensive list of other players, the writing is on the wall; this is a sinking ship. They have brought in a pair of untested forwards in United States international Jozy Altidore and Algerian Kamel Ghilas, as well as former Stoke midfielder Seyi Olofinjana and former Reading defender Stephen Hunt, though that is hardly enough to reassure anyone the Tigers will stay up. Hunt did impress in Reading’s relegation season two years ago and is good at finding the net or teammates making a run (Editor’s note: He scored the first goal of the Premiership season, finding the back of the net in the 28^th minute of Hull City’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea). Ghilas is a relative unknown whose strong showings have come in the French, Portuguese, and Spanish second divisions (leagues with very different pace and style than the premiership) and shouldn’t be expected to solve any goal problems. To Phil Brown’s credit though, he did get the player right from under Sam Allardyce and Blackburn, which makes him an intriguing prospect but no savior. The loss of Sam Ricketts, the scrappy defender and Welsh international will surely be felt, especially with no real strong defender brought in to take his place. Holding on to Michael Turner will be key, with much interest surrounding him and his importance to the back line. The walking injury Jimmy Bullard is expected back in October and should he be healthy, it will help Hull City a lot making the chances of staying up higher, though not assured.

(20) Burnley

Small clubs have trouble in the premiership. With less merchandise sold, a smaller fan base, smaller stadiums, little to no real transfer kitty and small academies, they can’t compare or compete with the global brands with international cult followings that are the top 4. They also have trouble comparing or competing with billionaire backed mid-table teams and other teams who have built their fan bases up and continued to reap the benefits that come with being in the best football league in the world. With this in mind, Burnley could play their home games at Wembley and fit the entire population of Burnley while also leaving more than enough room for the away side. Money is very important in the improvement of a squad from the championship into non-relegated premiership sides and it is money that Burnley is lacking. With 38 year old defender Graham Alexander the backbone of this team, starting in all 49 of their games last year; one has to wonder how much he has left in the tank and if he can adjust to the faster and more physical premiership. They have added a fair amount of players to their squad, but not the kind of quality a side looking to stay up needs. Though their heart is not to be questioned; their fifth place finish in the championship and good luck in the playoffs surely will see them sent back from whence they came.

So again, my predictions are as follows:

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Everton
6. Manchester City
7. Aston Villa
8. Spurs
9. Fulham
10. Sunderland
11. West Ham
12. Bolton
13. Blackburn
14. Wigan
15. Wolves
16. Stoke City
17. Birmingham City
18. Portsmouth
19. Hull City
20. Burnley

Worth the risk?

The upside is clear; Vick has only recently turned 29. The former number one draft pick out of Virginia Tech is a mobile Quarterback who plays very similarly to Eagles starting Quarterback Donovan McNabb but faster, younger and with a less strong arm. Two years ago Vick was the highest paid player in the NFL and top five in jersey sales. Although out of professional football for two years, he has spent the past two years working out and playing football in jail to keep somewhat sharp. In Atlanta he played in a West Coast Offense similar to that run by the Eagles, he could easily be utilized in a Wildcat offense given his rushing abilities, and under the terms of his re-instatement he is not expected to be playing in NFL games until week 6, just participating in everything else. In giving Vick a smooth, not rushed second chance, the Eagles, who are a playoff team with a great Quarterback, are basically giving Vick a season to get reacquainted with life in the NFL and learn the offense while also setting themselves up to have the best second string quarterback in the league and a possible replacement for McNabb. Should the gamble not pan out, in a football sense, the Eagles are also lucky as they have a solid backup QB in A.J. Feeley and have third year pro Kevin Kolb and rookie Adam DiMichele fighting for third string making Vick expendable should he have lost his skill.

The risk in this choice is also clear. Michael Vick has not played professionally for two years. That is a lot of time to not be playing at such a high level. It is also a lot of time out of the spotlight and lifestyle that can easily lead to unlawful behavior and an NFL PR nightmare like this offseason has shown. The spotlight this time will also not be the same as before. Vick will never live down the time he spent in jail or that he was convicted of officially conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation. Although his case was clearly making an example of him and should not, in my mind, have put him in jail for so long, if at all, the fact remains that he is a convicted felon. Henceforth it is just as likely for dogfighting to be brought up in some way in the media as what happened in the actual football game he may take part in. Should he fail miserably, it may also cause a distraction that a playoff will not want to have to deal with the entire season. The media and fans are brutal in the city that only shows brotherly love during championship parades. Andy Reid’s decisions may be further scrutinized and the team may suffer if this experiment fails. If that wasn’t enough to deter the Eagles, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will always be lurking; reminding them of what their player did to his dogs.

As a firm believer in giving second chances, it is great to see Vick back in the NFL. As a Giants fan, should he fail and the Eagles implode because of it, well I won’t be complaining. Should Vick succeed, well then Andy Reid, whose legendary status in Philadelphia might already be secure after ten years coaching the Eagles with seven of them involving the playoffs, five of which led to NFC championship games and one which led to a Super Bowl loss, might just be loved even more for having the balls to sign a three time pro-bowler. In a time of conservatism and low risk investments, it is nice to see a high risk, huge reward gamble in sports that doesn’t involve no-name Europeans and basketball.

1. Manchester United
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6. Manchester City
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