My 2009 AFC South Preview

1. Indianapolis Colts
2008 Record: 12-4
Projected 2009 Record: 10-6
The Offense
The Colts’ offense should be dominant as usual this season, even without WR Marvin Harrison. Of course, it helps having QB Peyton Manning taking the snaps. Filling in for the departure of Harrison is WR Anthony Gonzalez, who should be a viable replacement. The offensive line got better as the season progressed last year and it returns intact and should be solid. The Colts running game suffered last year with Joseph Addai, but rookie first round pick Donald Brown should help.
The Defense
The 11th ranked defense from last year returns pretty much intact. DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are the best combo in the league, while MLB Gary Brackett, and OLBs Clint Session and Tyjuan Hagler return. The secondary also returns with safeties Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt, and corners Kelvin Hayden and Marlin Jackson, all solid players a year older.
The Key
The running game. The Colts won 12 games despite being 31st in rushing last year. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown must give the offense some balance for the Colts to go further in the playoffs.

2. Houston Texans
2008 Record: 8-8
Projected 2009 Record: 9-7
The Offense
The Texans’ offense finally broke through last season, putting up monster numbers and ranking 3rd in the league in yards. QB Matt Schaub returns as the second best QB in the division, but he needs to stay healthy for the Texans to contend. RB Steve Slaton was a pleasant surprise as a rookie last year, and he, along with backup Chris Brown, who also needs to stay healthy, need to move the chains on the ground for the passing game to reach its full potential. The receiving core is one of the best in the league. WR Andre Johnson is arguably the best receiver in football, while pro-bowl TE Owen Daniels and WR Kevin Walter are great complements. The offensive line returns five starters, although C Chris Myers and RG Mike Brisiel need to show more consistency.
The Defense
Is this the year the Texans defense steps up? Free agent signee DE Antonio Smith who replaces the incompetent Anthony Weaver and rookie first round pick OLB Brian Cushing should certainly help improve a defense that was 22nd last year. DE Mario Williams and MLB DeMeco Ryans are pro-bowl caliber, as the front seven will be the strength of this unit. The secondary has many questions, though as CB Fred Bennett is inexperienced and inconsistent, CB Jacque Reeves is coming back from a broken leg, and CB Dunta Robinson needs a couple weeks to get into game shape after his long training camp holdout.
The Key
The defense. The front seven must get pressure on opposing quarterbacks so the mediocre secondary is not picked apart for this team to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

3. Tennessee Titans
2008 Record: 13-3
Projected 2009 Record: 8-8
The Offense
After Vince Young went down both physically and mentally last year, QB Kerry Collins stepped in and delivered a pro-bowl season, leading the Titans to a 13-3 regular season record. He needs be solid again this year and stay on the field for the Titans to contend. The running game was one of the tops in the league, with “smash (LenDale White) and dash (Chris Johnson)” and will be great again this year. The mediocre receiving core from last year is gone, with free agent WR Nate Washington and rookie first round pick Kenny Britt joining Justin Gage in what should be a much improved passing game. Up front, five starters return, with veteran C Kevin Mawae being in charge.
The Defense
The defense took a big hit in the offseason, losing DT Albert Haynesworth to the Redskins. But with Javon Kearse, Kyle Vanden Bosch outside at end, and a rotation of Jason Jones, Tony Brown, Jovan Haye, and Kevin Vickerson inside, the d-line should be the strength of the defense again. Veteran Keith Bulluck leads the linebacking core, with Stephen Tulloch and David Thorton as the other starters. The secondary returns all its starters, including probowl CB Cortland Finnegan.
The Key
The passing game. The Titans have a very tough schedule and to repeat last year’s results, Kerry Collins (or Vince Young, whoever is at QB) needs to be more consistent in getting the ball to the improved WR core.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars
2008 Record: 5-11
Projected 2009 Record: 6-10
The Offense
After that great playoff run in 2007, the ’08 Jaguars never really got going, and it started with the offense. The offensive line was ravaged by injuries last year, and could not keep QB David Garrard upright. Rookie first-round pick LT Eugene Monroe should help, along with a bounce-back year from C Brad Meester. In the skill positions, RB Maurice Jones-Drew will get all the carries now, with Fred Taylor gone, and free agent WR Torry Holt is the centerpiece of a rebuilt receiving core.
The Defense
This defense ranked 17th last year, and needs to improve. DT John Henderson is great, but fellow linemen Derrick Harvey and Atiyyah Ellison must also play well. Linebacker Daryl Smith leads a solid linebacking core that got rid of Mike Peterson, while the secondary of Brian Williams, Rashean Mathis, Reggie Nelson, and Sean Considine must have a bounce back year, as they were 24th in pass defense.
The Key
Health and consistency in the offensive line for David Garrard to have more time to pass and the defense to have more time to rest between series.

Bolt Breaks 200 meter record

Usain Bolt does it again yesterday in Berlin at the world championships. One week after breaking his own 100 meter world record in 9.58, he runs a 19.19 in the 200 meters.

Y.E. Yang Wins PGA Championship

It was 8 A.M. in the morning in South Korea when one of its countrymen made golf history. Y.E. Yang became the first Asian born player to win a professional men's golf major, winning the 91st PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota by three strokes over Tiger Woods. Yang finished at 8-under par for the championship, outplaying Tiger down the stretch with steady, consistent golf highlighted by an eagle chip in at the 14th and a great approach on the final hole. It was the first time Woods had ever lost a major championship when leading after 54 holes. "This might be my last win as a golfer," Yang said through an interpreter. "But it sure is a great day." Yang, who was #118 in the world coming into the tournament, capped off a year of most unlikely major champions, with Angel Cabrera coming back to stun Kenny Perry at the Masters, Lucas Glover coming out of nowhere to win the U.S. Open, and Stewart Cink breaking Tom Watson's heart with a playoff victory at the British Open.

Michael Vick signs with Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have signed QB Michael Vick to a one year, $1.6 million deal, with an option for a second year at $5.3 million. The 29 year old former star with the Falcons was released from federal prison earlier this year after serving two years for his role in a dogfighting operation. Vick may begin workouts with the Eagles and play the final two preseason games. He will then await full reinstatement into the NFL by commisionner Roger Goddell by week 6. "I know I've done some terrible things, made a horrible mistake. Now I want to be part of the solution and not the problem," Vick said Friday at his introductory press conference.

For the Eagles, I think this was worth a shot. Obviously, their franchise QB is Donovan McNabb, but Vick can certainly add another weapon to the Philadelphia arsenal that already has Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson, and LeSean McCoy. Sure, there will be protests from PETA and others, but I think this is a low risk, high reward acquisition for a team that has a stable team environment and good coach in Andy Reid that is looking to be a Superbowl contender in 2009.

Cushing Injured

Brian Cushing, the Houston Texans first round pick, has gone down with a knee injury. He will miss this Saturday's preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs and possibly more of the preseason. The 15th pick in the draft was expected to start at strongside linebacker and took an MRI Tuesday night to further explain the seriousness of the injury. This is not good news for a defense that was ranked 22nd last year and has already lost starting CB Jacques Reeves for a month with a broken fibula and still has CB Dunta Robinson holding out due to a contract dispute.

Btw, if you want to join my fantasy football league, just email me at njktmac213@aol.com and I'll drop you an invite. 5 spots remain at the present time.

2009-10 NBA Schedule Released

The 2009-10 NBA Schedule was released today. The season starts on Tuesday, October 27 with a TNT doubleheader. The Cleveland Cavaliers hosting the Boston Celtics and will be followed by the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers receiving their championship rings against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Houston Rockets start the season in Portland on October 27, and end the season hosting the Hornets on April 14. See the full schedule at nba.com

2009 MLB Trade Deadline Central

White Sox acquire Peavy
Chicago gets the 2007 NL Cy Young Winner Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres in exchange for left-handed pitchers Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, and right-handers Dexter Carter and Adam Russell.
Marlins acquire Johnson
Florida gets 1B Nick Johnson from the Washington Nationals in exchange for minor league southpaw Aaron Thompson.
Reds trade for Rolen
Cincinatti gets 3B Scott Rolen from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for 3B Edwin Encarnacion and prospects, pending Rolen's approval since he has a no-trade clause.
Yankees deal for Hairston
New York acquires infielder Jerry Hairston, Jr. from the Cincinatti Reds in exchange for minor league catcher Chase Weems.
Brewers acquire Vargas
Milwaukee reacquires reliever Claudio Vargas from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league catcher Vinny Rottino.
Braves acquire LaRoche
Atlanta has acquired 1B Adam LaRoche from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for 1B Casey Kotchman.
Red Sox trade for Martinez
Boston has reportedly acquired all-star C Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for right-hander Justin Masterson and minor league pitchers Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.
Twins acquire Cabrera
Minnesota upgraded its infield, getting SS Orlando Cabrera from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league SS Tyler Ladendorf.
Tigers trade for Washburn
Detroit strengthens its rotation, acquiring lefty Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for left-handed pitcher Luke French and minor league prospect pitcher Mauricio Robles.
Cubs acquire Grabow, Gorzelanny
Chicago gets southpaw relievers John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny form the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitchers Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio along with A infielder Josh Harrison.
Dodgers acquire Sherrill
Los Angeles gets former all-star closer George Sherill from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for AA third baseman Josh Bell and AA right-hander Steve Johnson.
Giants acquire Sanchez
San Francisco gets all-star infielder Freddy Sanchez from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for pitching prospect Tim Alderson.
Phillies acquire Lee
Philadelphia gets the reigning AL Cy Young winner, Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for AAA right handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco, A right handed pitcher Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson and shortstop Jason Donald. This is the second straight season the Indians have traded their reigning Cy Young winner (CC Sabathia last year).
Pirates trade two more
Pittsburgh trades SS Jack Wilson and RHP Ian Snell to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for SS Ronny Cedeno, first baseman Jeff Clement, and right-handed pitching prospects Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock.