2011 Offseason - Free Agency

Michael Vick is now a Cleveland Brown.

In a move that surprised many, Philadelphia wasn't ready to reward Vick's 2010 performance with a large contract that would send a message to QB Kevin Kolb to be in a more backup role/trade bait. So the Eagles let Michael Vick hit free agency. The best deal came from Cleveland. Terms of the deal were undisclosed, but given his past, perhaps it is somewhat symbolic of how far he has come with his community service and lectures on humane treatment of animals that the Browns would sign him. Browns' new Head Coach Dom Capers expressed his eagerness to work with another very athletic, mobile QB and help the Browns become a more successful franchise.

Randy Moss goes unsigned.

In perhaps the other most stunning development during the free agency period, record-breaking wide receiver Randy Moss has gone unsigned. An anonymous league source has said that Moss's asking price was far too high. Moss refused to answer any questions unless he asked them of himself, but issued a statement that he remains confident that he can play at a high level for a team. Analysts speculate that Moss might end up on a team if a big time receiver goes down due to injury.

2011 Offseason - Head Coach Changes

Dom Capers is now the Head Coach of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns were thoroughly dissatisfied with Eric "Man-genius"'s coaching of the Cleveland Browns, and the decision to fire him came as a surprise to few. And many suspected Dom Capers had what it takes to be a head coach, but few expected it to come so soon, and for him to end up in Cleveland. Rumor has it that Cleveland sought Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau, but the asking price was too high. It will be interesting to see how the fate of the Browns, and the Green Bay Packers, for that matter, will turn out as a result of this move.

Ron Rivera moves up the coast to NorCal, now Head Coach of the 49ers.

In another defensive-minded head coaching move, San Francisco fires Mike Singletary and instead of going for an offensive-background Head Coach like Jon Gruden, the Niners nab Ron Rivera from his defensive coordinator position in San Diego. Time will tell if this move favoring defense once again (Nolan, Singletary, and now Rivera) was the right one.

Jacksonville announcing Clarence Shelmon as its new Head Coach was probably the most shocking change.

Eager to revamp its offense with a newfound focus on a running game lead by MJD, the Jacksonville Jaguars fired Jack Del Rio and brought in San Diego's offensive coordinator, Clarence Shelmon. Many knew the Jags could go in all sorts of different directions, but this one came as a shocker to many as Shelmon's name was virtually never mentioned as being long overdue for a head coaching gig. Jags fans hope he can breathe new life into the struggling team.

2012 Offseason - Retirements

These players are among the most notable names deciding to hang up their cleats this offseason:

• Terrell Owens (WR, Cincy)
• Jon Kitna (QB, Dallas)
• Mike Vrabel (LB, KC)
• Brian Finneran (WR, Atlanta)
• Jason Hanson (K, Detroit)
• Fred Taylor (HB, New England)
• Derrick Mason (WR, Baltimore)
• Joey Galloway (WR, Washington)
• Brandon STOKLEY!!! (WR, Seattle)
• Brett Favre (QB, Minnesota)

Super Bowl XLV Recap - Patriots Win Over the Saints, 29-14!

Time to craft another one of these for Robert Kraft

The New England Patriots came out in Super Bowl XLV firing on all cylinders, getting three on their first drive, then putting up 17 points in the second quarter. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees tried to keep pace with the Patriots' prolific offense, and actually ended the game with more passing yards than Patriots QB Tom Brady, but two interceptions proved too costly for the Saints, with the Pats' young but energetic defense. Red zone % was also telling, as for New Orleans, it was 2 for 3 opportunities, whereas for the Patriots, it was 5 for 5. And it's not a big surprise that the season's MVP was deemed the Super Bowl MVP, as Brady finished with a 108.5 passer rating with a 7.6 average, 75% completion percentage, one touchdown and zero interceptions.

Brady, seated near TE Rob "Gronk" Gronkowski, soaks in the celebratory moment with some camera time.

Saints QB Drew Brees hangs his head in disappointment at not being able to repeat a Super Bowl win.

The Patriots celebrate the championship directly with the fans via parade through the streets of downtown Boston.

Of course, a NFL championship victory would not be complete without a trip to the White House and presentation of the Presidential jersey.

2011 Pro Bowl - NFC (user-controlled) wins over AFC by a Touchdown (Highlights)

ALOHA STADIUM, Honolulu, Hawaii - Coached by Tom Coughlin, Aaron Rodgers, Adrian Peterson, Tony Gonzalez, Tony Romo, Hakeem Nicks, Michael Turner, and Marques Colston were all standouts for the NFC, as they helped the team defeat their AFC counterparts, coached by Jim Harbaugh and led by Peyton Manning and Chris Johnson (the Patriots and Saints players sat out for obvious reasons).

1. After NFC QB Aaron Rodgers made several nice completions to WR Hakeem Nicks, FB Leonard Weaver, and TE Tony Gonzalez, he hands off to HB Adrian Peterson running a counter at the 5 yard line, and "All Day" does the rest, powering his way in for six.
2. Just outside the redzone, (CPU) AFC QB Peyton Manning, receiving excellent blocking from the star-studded o-line as he waits in the pocket, hits HB Chris Johnson deep on a very successful HB wheel route, reaching paydirt.
3. NFC WR Marques Colston knows how to get open in the endzone on his short comeback route, and QB Tony Romo fires his signature quick release right on target.
4. (CPU) AFC QB Philip Rivers hits teammate TE Antonio Gates on a deep post route, advancing over 25 yards in the process...
5. Which set up this (CPU) CJ2K run/leap into the endzone for six, but the AFC failed to recover the needed onside kick (interestingly enough, it was the NFC's Adrian Peterson who got his hands to secure the football).

2011 Super Bowl Preview - Patriots versus Saints

Super Bowl XLV will give Brees a shot at taking out Tom Brady this time

The Patriots handily defeated Baltimore, 30-13, thanks in part to three TD passes thrown by QB Tom Brady. And dem Saints made sure there would be no Super Bowl XLII repeat, as New Orleans held on in the fourth for a 7 point victory over the G-Men. So both New England and New Orleans will travel to Arlington, Texas to vie for the title of Super Bowl XLV Champion.

2011 Conference Playoffs - Preview

• AFC Championship Game - Ravens at Patriots: Payback time? After taking out Tennessee, Brady & Co. face off against the team that knocked them out of the playoffs in 2009.

• NFC Championship Game - Giants at Saints: After pulling off the upset against Atlanta in the Divisional round winning by the smallest margin possible (a single point), can the 2007 Super Bowl Champs upset the reigning Super Bowl champs?

2011 Divisional Playoffs - Spotlight Game - Ravens (user-controlled) Upset Colts, 27-10

Ravens QB Joe Flacco finished with a 114 passer rating

Overall talent-wise, the Ravens and the Colts aren't dissimilar. However, it cannot be denied that Indianapolis is far more one-dimensional than Baltimore, and the Ravens capitalized on that in this game. Indy RB Joseph Addai was held to less than 20 yards rushing total, forcing many second and third-and-long situations that Manning & Co. simply could not consistently get out of. A fourth quarter interception by the Ravens ball-hawking safety Ed Reed ended the Colts' comeback hopes.

1. Deep inside the redzone, Ravens QB Joe Flacco calls Strong H Twin TE - Ravens Fade, hoping to lob a fade to WR Anquan Boldin (hot read), but notices on his first read as he goes through his progressions that the Colts are not only heavily blitzing, but have given veteran TE Todd Heap a free release and left him open, so Flacco fires a bullet to Heap for six.
2. Mixing up play-calling between man and zone, blitz and coverage, and knowing that QB Peyton Manning has to get big yards fast, suggesting WRs Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon are more likely targets, (user-controlled) Ravens safety Ed Reed leaves his zone ever-so-slightly to provide assistance in covering Garcon, and because Manning's pass is not at maximum bullet speed, Reed is able to pick Manning off.

2011 Divisional Playoffs - Preview

Baltimore Ravens (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (13-3): the team second in the entire league at sacking the quarterback travels to Indianapolis to take on the team that is first in doing so. Oh yeah, and the Colts feature the league's most prolific offense and the NFL's offensive MVP in QB Peyton Manning. Edge: Indy.

New York Giants (9-7) at Atlanta Falcons (13-3): the team second in the league in interceptions, and top 10 for sacks, pays a visit to the team that's third in the league in sacks, and top 10 in interceptions. And Atlanta is second in the league in fewest sacks allowed. Edge: Dirty Birds.

Tennessee Titans (10-6) at New England Patriots (12-4): the team with the best red zone conversion percentage (a shocking 20/20, 16 TDs and 4 FGs, 100%) in the NFL travels to Foxborough to take on the team that not only leads the league in turnover differential (although Tennessee is second), but also features the NFL's MVP in QB Tom Brady. Edge: New England.

New Orleans Saints (12-4) at Green Bay Packers (11-5): the reigning Super Bowl champions go to Green Bay, Wisconsin to take on a Packers team teeming with Pro Bowlers. Edge: even.

2011 Wilcard Weekend - Recap

• Ravens QB Joe Flacco Lifts Baltimore over Cincinnati, 30 to 9.

• Giants QB Eli Manning & WR Hakeem Nicks hook up for two TD passes in the redzone, as Giants blow out and shut out Minnesota, 24 to 0.

• Brees rallies Saints in the fourth to win a shoot-out in Seattle, despite valiant effort by Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck, 34-27. 

• And of course, Tennesee defeated Denver (see post below).

2011 Wildcard Weekend Spotlight Game - Tennessee (user-controlled) Wins at Denver

V.Y. kept his composure despite throwing 2 INTs

Despite finishing with a stronger record than the Broncos, since Denver won its Division, Tennessee had to travel to a snow-filled Mile High Stadium to take on the Broncos. Both quarterbacks Kyle Orton and Vince Young would finish with passer ratings in the 40s, but the Titans' defense proved to be too much for Orton & Co. to handle. Tennessee would force Denver RB Knowshon "No-Show" Moreno to fumble the ball twice, and Broncos punt returner Eddie "Casino" Royale to fumble the ball twice. Top that with player of the game Titans CB Jason McCourty's pick-six of Orton, and it's easy to see how Tennessee came out on top.

1. Inside the redzone, looking for someone to get open but not finding an easy throwing lane, VY notices an easy running lane and sprints along the sideline into the endzone for a rushing TD, and celebrates with an emphatic spiking of the football.
2. The Titans CB who had a pick-six of Orton, Jason McCourty, tackles Denver HB Knowshon Moreno so hard that Moreno coughs up the football before hitting the turf (the ruling of fumble would be challenged by Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, reviewed by the refs, and confirmed) and Titans DT Jason Jones does a nice job of quickly swooping in to scoop up the loose football before being tackled by Denver WR Eddie Royal.

2010 End of Regular Season - Extra Point - Playoff Picture, Awards, Pro Bowl

2010 Regular Season - End of Season Recap

AFC-North

	Baltimore Ravens
	Finished with 9-7 record, won tie-breaker against Cincy to clinch Division, but will face off against none other than the Bengals during Wildcard Weekend. FB Le'Ron McClain is a Pro Bowler.

	Cincinnati Bengals
	Finished 9-7, clinching Wildcard berth against division rival Baltimore. WR Terrell Owens made the Pro Bowl.

	Cleveland Browns
	Ended 3-13; oscillated between starting QBs Colt McCoy and Jake Delhomme. Stats-wise, middle-of-pack offense and lower-tier defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Also finished with a 9-7 record, but lost tie-breakers versus Cincy and Baltimore, so Pittsburgh will not advance to the post-season despite being tied for the best record in the division, and despite sending WR Hines Ward, and LBs Lamar Woodley (Defensive MVP of the Year) and James Harrison to the Pro Bowl. Hurt by losing SS Troy Polamalu for the remainder of the season during Week 11 Raiders game.

AFC-South

	Houston Texans
	Finish 8-8, not good enough to surpass 10-6 Tennessee.

	Indianapolis Colts
	13-3, tied with the Dirty Birds for the best record in the NFL. Clinched the Conference playoffs spot. QB Peyton Manning is NFL's Offensive MVP, and DEs Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney finish first and second respectively in Best Defensive Lineman of the Year voting and for total number of sacks on the season.

	Jacksonville Jaguars
	At 2-14, likely secured top pick in NFL Draft over 3-13 Cleveland.

	Tennessee Titans
	Finish 10-6, will face Denver in the Wildcard.

AFC-East

	Buffalo Bills
	Finish 5-11, tied with Dolphins.

	Miami Dolphins

	New England Patriots
	End the season at 12-4, easily winning the Division. Features NFL MVP Tom Brady, who finished with the best passer rating.

	New York Jets
	Miss the playoffs at 8-8. Unable to recover from mid-season injury loss of QB Mark Sanchez. Aging veteran backup QB Mark Brunell was unable to push the ball down the field and make all the throws, as shown in the Browns game.

AFC-West

	Denver Broncos
	Finish with the same record as San Diego, 9-7, but win tie-breaker to win the Division and advance to Wildcard round in playoffs, whereas Chargers will miss the post-season.

	Kansas City Chiefs
	Finish 8-8. RB Thomas Jones had an LT-like renaissance, and ended up leading the league in rushing yards thanks to Coach Todd Haley's run-heavy offense.

	Oakland Raiders
	Finish 6-10. Will likely address areas of need in draft other than QB since Gradkowski has shown he can be a servicable game manager-QB.

	San Diego Chargers
	9-7, but miss playoffs due to Denver. Feature third most-prolific offense in the NFL, but defense ranked near bottom.

NFC-North

	Chicago Bears
	Finish 9-7, but that's not good enough in the NFC North thanks to GB & Minnesota. QB Jay Cutler will need to continue to improve passing, as he finishes with a lower passer rating than Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford.

	Detroit Lions
	End at 6-10, but with only a 25-point differential between the total points put up by Detroit versus those against them, things look promising for the Lions.

	Green Bay Packers
	11-5 Division winners, with QB Aaron Rodgers (top-5 vote getter for NFL MVP), WR Greg Jennings, and LB Clay Mathews all voted into the Pro Bowl.

	Minnesota Vikings
	Manage to clinch Wildcard spot despite losing future Hall of Famer QB Brett Favre early in the season, primarily on the back of "All-Day" Adrian Peterson. Is TJax the QB of the future?

NFC-South

	Atlanta Falcons
	Hot-lanta outdoes last year's Super Bowl champs and ties Indy for best record in the league at 13 and 3. Will they meet their AFC counterpart in the big dance?

	Carolina Panthers
	Finish the season at 4-12, the Panthers will have to address defense and whether or not Jimmy Clausen is the franchise's future QB.

	New Orleans Saints
	N'awlins finishes right behind Atlanta at 12-4, facing off against Seattle in the wildcard round.

	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
	Offensive line injury woes helped Freeman & Co. finish at 5-11.

NFC-East

	Dallas Cowboys
	Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, and Demarcus Ware all get voted into the Pro Bowl, yet the team finishes with a 5-11 record on the season. Is a coaching change likely?

	New York Giants
	Just like Denver did to San Diego, the G-Men finish with the same record as Philly (9-7), but win the tie-breaker to win the Division and face TJax-led Minnesota in the Wildcard round.

	Philadelphia Eagles
	Finish with a commendable 9-7 record, but due to tie-breaker loss will miss the postseason.

	Washington Redskins
	Finish 8-8 despite being without QB Donovan McNabb for most of the season due to injury, as QB Rex Grossman has been a decent backup, but not good enough to win enough in the "NFC Beast".

NFC-West

	Arizona Cardinals

	San Francisco 49ers

	Seattle Seahawks

	St. Louis Rams

Not unlike the AFC North, the NFC West features a three-way tie for first place, as Seattle, 'Zona, and St. Louis would all finish with 8-8 records. Seahawks win the three-way tie-breaker, sending both the Cards and the Rams home, and thus there would be no first taste of playoffs for the Rams offensive ROY QB Sam Bradford. San Francisco finishes at 6-10, with obvious need for a stable franchise QB among other needs.