It was an eventful off-season for the National Football League. With news ranging from a labor dispute to a swarm of suspensions handed down by Commissioner Roger Goodell there was not much for fans to be bored by this winter. In addition to all the legal fun, there were also some key free agent signings and some interesting draft choices which should make for an exciting season this fall.
Over the off-season some heavy penalties were given to some of the New Orleans Saints players and coaches for the roles that they played in last year’s bounty scandal. Head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012-2013 season while former defensive coordinator Greg Williams, now the defensive coordinator for the Rams, has been suspended indefinitely. Among the other notable members in the scandal were pro bowl linebacker Jonathan Vilma who was accused of funding the start-up money for the program, and interim head coach Joe Vitt. Vilma will miss the entire season while Vitt will only miss the first six games. Amidst all the battles with Commissioner Goodell, the Saints also had a hard time signing franchise quarterback Drew Brees to a new contract. These sanctions should bring down the Saints who won the Super Bowl just three seasons ago.
Free agency did not hold too many surprises this year, but some key moves were All-pro DE/LB Mario Williams signing a new deal with the Bills, leaving the Texans whom he had been drafted by and played his whole career up to this point. The biggest news of the whole winter however, may be the Broncos signing of future hall-of-fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning was drafted by the Colts in 1998, and immediately made an impact transforming his team from 3-13 to 9-7. Since then he has racked up the third most passing yards and touchdowns including a Super Bowl win over the Bears in 2006 where he was named MVP. Manning is also the only player to win four MVP awards. He suffered a neck injury during the 2010-2011 season and had four operations on it last year, all while missing the entire season. His Colts went 2-14. The Broncos signed him to a 5 year-95 million dollar deal in April. The bears also made a splash when they traded two draft picks for WR Brandon Marshall. This finally gives QB Jay Cutler a viable threat at WR.
The draft was very interesting this year due to the deep pool of talent at almost every position. Andrew Luck, QB from Stanford was taken 1st overall by the Colts, with Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III going No.2 to the Redskins. The rest of the draft set up some key position battles for several teams. Such as the Browns who selected Ok St. QB Brandon Weeden with one of their 1st round picks. This is particularly odd due to the fact that former Texas great Colt McCoy is already there. The browns also took No. 1 RB prospect Trent Richardson at No. 3. Other notable picks included WR Justin Blackmon(Jacksonville), WR Michael Floyd(Arizona) and Lamichael James RB(San Francisco).
Prediction
NFC AFC
East: Giants 12-4 East: Patriots 13-3
North: Packers 13-3 North: Steelers 11-5
West: 49ERS 13-3 West: Broncos 10-6
South: Panthers 10-6 South: Texans: 11-5
Wild Card: Bears 11-5 and Eagles 11-5 Wild Card: Ravens 10-6 and Chargers 9-7
Conference Championships: Giants 17 49ers 31 and Patriots35 Steelers 21
Super Bowl: 49ERS 27 Patriots 30
Note: One week before the Saints were scheduled to play their first game all suspensions of players were repealed. Making them eligible to play this season.