Are You Ready For Some (American) Football? (Part I)

On this blog, I rarely ever take the time to talk about American football, as there are many folks who believe they know a lot (cheap plug alert: Head over to Football Nation for your football fix, and be sure to give Justin Henry, one of the contributors there, a hello).  That said, this week begins the training camps for the NFL, which means that I have to give it some kind of coverage, so today, I would like to give some thoughts as to who will win the divisions.

NFC West: San Francisco is the favorite to repeat as champions in this division.  It remains to be seen if Alex Smith can repeat last year's numbers, but as long as the defense is great, a repeat is likely.  Seattle has a chance, but it also needs to solve its QB problem and brace for a possible Marshawn Lynch suspension for DWI.  St. Louis sounds like a trendy pick for a surprise run, but it does have wide receiver problems, as in who is their number one.  Arizona needs to figure out if Kevin Kolb is the solution at QB.

NFC North: Green Bay tried shoring up its defensive deficiencies this offseason, and if it happens as planned, then they should be division champions again.  After all, Aaron Rodgers is still the quarterback and a running game is optional.  Detroit should be in hot pursuit, but discipline problems both on and off the field may conspire to keep them from reaching their potential.  Chicago needs receivers, and Brandon Marshall goes a long way in solving that problem.  However, Jay Cutler needs to be more consistent.  Minnesota is rebuilding, so expecting them to be anywhere near a playoff spot is unrealistic at this point.

NFC South: If you had to pick a division in the NFC where anyone could win it, this is it.  Atlanta is the prohibitive favorite, with a sterling offense and a decent defense.  However, Matt Ryan needs to take his game to the next level if the Falcons want to be anything more than a one and done.  New Orleans is facing an uphill battle both on and off the field, and Bounty-Gate has a lot to do with it.  At least they still have Drew Brees.  If there was a window of opportunity for Carolina to seize the NFC South, this is the year.  One of their running backs is likely going to walk after the season, be it DeAngelo Williams or Jonathan Stewart, and Cam Newton will look to prove himself again.  Tampa Bay is out for redemption after a diarrhea-inducing season that saw them lose their last 10 games of the season.  Discipline will be at the forefront, which means the likes of Aqib Talib better straighten up or else...

NFC East: Philadelphia is out to prove that last year was not them, and certainly, not having Vince "Dream Team" Young will help, as will locking up DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy long term.  It's all on Michael Vick to be healthy and productive.  The New York Giants will look to repeat as Super Bowl Champions, but the road will not be easy, as their running game is a question mark, and Victor Cruz will not sneak up on anyone this year.  There's still a good defense and Eli Manning, which means expectations will remain high.  Despite what the big networks say, Dallas is not the team they think they are.  Far too many questions at wide receiver (can Dez Bryant and Miles Austin play to their full potential) could derail any hopes for a playoff berth.  Tony Romo doesn't deserve all of the criticism he gets, but the pressure is on him to get the Cowboys deep in the playoffs this year.  Washington is unlikely to make the playoffs this year, but Robert Griffin III will be must-see TV.  Washington fans should be excited this year, if nothing else.