The quarterback is arguably the most important player on an NFL team. How many times have you seen a great QB leading a fourth-quarter drive to take his team to victory? It happens all the time, and the great ones know how to do it best.

While this article can’t cover every great QB to ever toss a pigskin, it will touch on a few I haven’t yet had a chance to honor.

Without further delay, here are some of my favorite collectibles from the game’s top field generals.

• John Elway Signed Pewter Helmet—When you mention great quarterbacks, John Elway simply has to be on the list. During his highlight-filled career with the Denver Broncos, Elway earned nine Pro Bowl selections, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, the NFL MVP, a Hall of Fame induction and two Super Bowl rings.  The truth is this short section isn’t enough to do Elway’s career justice. But true football fans know what he meant to the game. My favorite John Elway collectible is an autographed helmet made of 100-percent pewter. The helmet has the inscription “2004 Hall of Fame” and “Super Bowl XXXIII MVP.” Because of the pewter, this unique collectible weighs nearly 10 pounds! It’s valued at more than $2,000.

• Dan Marino Signed ’84 Jersey—During the same time that Elway was leading game-winning drives, Marino was terrorizing defenses with his passing abilities. He’s the only rookie quarterback to start the Pro Bowl. In his second season, he put together one of the greatest seasons ever, earning him the MVP. Marino was a regular at the Pro Bowl, and he holds more passing records than I have room to list. Despite never winning a Super Bowl, this Hall of Fame QB is undoubtedly one of the game’s all-time greats.  Signed uniforms are great collector’s pieces. These collectibles can easily be framed and displayed on a wall. This Dan Marino signed jersey is a 1984 model (the year he won the MVP) of the Dolphins home uniform. It’s a great collectible to remind fans of a historic NFL season in which the Dolphins went 14-3, advancing to the Super Bowl where they lost 38-16 to San Francisco ’49ers. The jersey’s value is just more than $1,000.

• Johnny Unitas/Peyton Manning Signed Helmet—Long before Manning was wearing the Colts uniform, Johnny Unitas was revolutionizing the game of football. During the ’50s and ’60s, Unitas was earning a reputation as the game’s greatest quarterback. He was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, won three MVPs and won a Super Bowl. And he led the Colts to victory over the New York Giants 23-17 in what has been called the Greatest Game Ever Played—the 1958 NFL Championship. He is a Hall of Fame quarterback that will never be forgotten.  I think the Johnny Unitas/Peyton Manning signed Colts helmet is a great collectible. It’s a piece that captures both the old and new era of the NFL through two of the game’s best QBs. This collectible can be found for around $2,500.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:
Sports E-cards
Sports Collectibles Memories
Brett Favre collectibles
Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles
Young NBA Stars: Collectors’ Slam Dunk
Verdict Puts Squeeze on O.J. Collectibles

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

I have to admit, it took me awhile to decide whether I should write this article. Most people are sick of the name O.J. Simpson, and frankly, I don’t want to give the guy any more attention. However, since this is a sports-collectibles blog, it’s necessary to discuss the most recent developments in Simpson’s controversial life.

After the “Trial of the Century” in 1995, the country was divided on O.J. Simpson. Many people felt O.J. got away with murder, and as a result, no one would touch his once-popular collectibles with a 10-foot pole. Whether it was a rookie card or a signed football helmet, collectors had no interest in most things with the name O.J. Simpson on it.

However, through all the controversy, his rare pieces still remained valuable. While you might not be able to get much for his football cards, a rare piece like the suit he wore when acquitted for murder could fetch anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, according to memorabilia experts. Other rare personal effects were still gaining high-price bids on eBay and other online shops.

These unique personal belongings were the types that Simpson was “trying to get back” during the now-infamous confrontation in the Las Vegas hotel room. The question today is this: In light of the recent prison sentence, will O.J.’s rare personal items lose all their worth?

O.J. Simpson pleads his case at the sentencing hearing after he was convicted of 12 felonies in connection with an armed robbery in a Las Vegas hotel. Simpson maintained he was trying to recover collectibles that were legally his. (Pool photo by Isaac Brekken)

In the mainstream world of sports collectibles, it appears this is the final nail in the coffin for Simpson memorabilia. Most shops stopped dealing his pieces years ago, but now virtually all interest in “The Juice” has vanished. Controversy might help some athletes gain popularity, but for Simpson, it has made him a nationally despised ex-athlete.

For the typical sports collector who buys cards and game-used items, O.J. cards will no longer be bought because of his impressive athleticism but rather because they are needed to complete a set. As the Washington Post puts it, “Simpson makes Michael Vick’s gear look upscale.”

But what about that small sect of collectors who were bidding on Simpson’s personal items before this most recent case? These collectors don’t care about his athletic achievements. Instead, they’re fascinated with the celebrity surrounding his off-field controversy. So, will they continue to scour the Internet for rare memorabilia of the incarcerated ex-star? Or will even this market dry up?

eBay sales vanish

Just one day after the O.J.’s sentencing, I checked eBay to see if there was any action on his collectibles. As expected, his normal sports collectibles were getting no bids. This isn’t anything new as true sports fans stopped collecting these pieces years ago. However, what I found interesting was that the rare pieces (i.e. original courtroom sketches of O.J., collectibles of O.J. and his attorney, Johnnie Cochran, from trial of the century) were also getting no bids.

So, has this niche market of ambulance-chasing collectors finally lost interest in Simpson? For now, the answer is unclear. I expect there will always be those few collectors caught up in the controversy of this once-revered athlete who continue to buy his rare, sometimes disturbing, memorabilia. But it seems that even this market is shrinking quickly.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:

Chicago Cubs Collectibles

Antique Baseball Gloves

Red Sox Collectibles

Brett Favre Collectibles

Honus Wagner

Sports E-cards

Olympic Baseball Collectibles

Sports Collectibles Memories

Yankee Stadium Legacy Cards

Brett Favre collectibles

Sultan of Swat Collectibles

Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles

At Least Cubbies Have 1908 Series

Rays Collectibles—Buy Now

Young NBA Stars: Collectors’ Slam Dunk

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Montana was best known for his ability to stay cool under pressure. As the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana started in four Super Bowl games. The 49ers won all four of those championships. In short, the guy just knew how to win. He always seemed to find a way.

Montana was selected to eight Pro Bowls, he led the NFC in passer rating five times, he was a three time Super Bowl MVP, and a two time AP NFL MVP. This doesn’t even begin to cover all of Montana’s amazing career achievements.

Joe Montana is probably best remembered for his playoff performance against the Dallas Cowboys in 1982. During the NFC Championship Game, Montana completed one of the greatest comeback drives in league history. With over 4 minutes left to play, the 49ers were losing 27-21. Montana led his team steadily down the field into Dallas territory. With about a minute left on the clock, San Francisco faced a third down from the Dallas six yard line. Montana made an off-balanced pass to Dwight Clark who made a leaping catch in the end zone to win the game. It was truly a defining moment in Montana’s Hall of Fame career.

So, which Joe Montana collectibles should you keep your eyes open for?

- 49ers Autographed Helmet- Although Montana played his final seasons as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s best known for his 14 year stint in San Francisco. Guiding the 49ers through their most successful era in franchise history, Montana established himself as one of the greatest players to ever step onto a football field. Autographed Joe Montana 49ers helmets can be found for around $500. I think they make a great addition to any sports memorabilia collection.

- Joe Montana Signed Football- Montana’s ability to toss the football might never again be matched. When I think of Joe Montana, I remember all the times he brought his team back from what seemed to be sure losses. He always knew how to win. A signed Joe Montana football is worth around $400. You should store it in a glass case, and keep it in a dry place away from excessive sunlight.

- “The Catch” Autographed Picture- As I mentioned earlier, the defining moment in Montana’s Hall of Fame career was the pass he threw to Dwight Clark. This is known in the sports world simply as “The Catch.” Since this is such an important moment in football history, I think an autographed picture of the moment is a must have for any football memorabilia collector. With the signatures of both Montana and Clark, this 16×20 collectible is valued at close to $600.

But things weren’t always like this. Back in the day, most players flew under the radar and always said the right things.

Then, along came Joe Namath. In my mind, Namath is the first NFL media star. The guy had the presence of any rock and roll star. He knew how to command attention wherever he went.

But to say “Broadway Joe” was just a publicity hound is to sell his career short. Make no mistake about it, Namath loved to talk, but he also loved to play the game of football. And he was pretty darn good at it. Enough so be selected to 5 Pro Bowls, win a Super Bowl, win 2 MVP awards, have his Jets number retired, and be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

As a result of both his huge personality and his on-field success, Joe Namath collectibles are always in steady demand.

Here are a few of the more commonly sought after collectibles.

- New York Jets Signed Helmet- Joe Namath played all but his final season with the New York Jets. He’s certainly the most well known player in the history of the team. For this reason, fans love to collect Jets helmets autographed by the outspoken quarterback. Namath autographed helmets are sold regularly for $600.

- 1969 Team Signed Photograph- One of Namath’s most renowned moments was when he guaranteed his team would win Super Bowl III. Fans and media got in a frenzy over the prediction, and Namath lived up to his word capturing the title. A team signed picture of this momentous occasion makes for a great collectible. It also makes for an expensive on as they regularly sell for close to $1000.

- Joe Namath Signed Super Bowl III Program- If you’ve followed this blog at all, you know how much I love programs. They are flimsy documents that fans can get their hands on, but I think they make for great collectibles. They document important moments in the history of sports. Unfortunately, they are rarely preserved properly. A signed Joe Namath Super Bowl III program is a unique collectible that would stand out in any collection. It’s value is just over $300 making it an affordable piece for most collectors.

You see, Sanders really was like something out of a video game. His ability to stop on a dime and to turn what should’ve been a loss into a 50 yard gain was absolutely magical. His career accomplishments are noting short of amazing. A few of them include Heisman Trophy winner, 10x Pro Bowl selection, Rookie of the Year, NFL MVP, and 2x Offensive Player of the Year.

In July 1999, Barry Sanders stunned the sports world by announcing his retirement at the age of 31. He was just one season away from breaking the all time record for yards rushed. Had he played a full career, he certainly would have put that record in a place that would never be broken again.

Here are a few of my favorite collectibles from this electric running back.

- Autographed Heisman Trophy Helmet- In 1988, Sanders was a junior at Oklahoma State. Many people regard this season as the greatest college football year in history. That season, Sanders led all running backs by averaging almost 8 yards per carry. He also averaged over 200 yards rushing per game. Sanders set several records during the 1988 college football season, and he was awarded the Heisman Trophy. This autographed helmet commemorates his Heisman Trophy season. It’s valued at just over $500.

- Barry Sanders Signed Lions Jersey- During his 10 seasons with the Detroit Lions, Barry Sanders earned a reputation as one of the greatest running backs of all time. His Hall of Fame career is full of highlights no other player could achieve. Autographed jerseys always make for great collectibles as they help bring the game to life. A signed Barry Sanders Detroit Lions jersey can be purchased for around $400.

- Signed Barry Sanders Photos- Look around online and you can find all different types of Barry Sanders autographed photos. Most of these pictures capture the dynamic running back making a move to brush off several defenders at once. It’s these type of moves that caused Sanders to be a fan favorite and a Hall of Famer. You can find autographed picture collectibles of Barry Sanders for $150-$200.

The further we get from this historic accomplishment, the likelier it seems their record will hold up. It just seems too difficult to completely run the table in today’s NFL season. It’s a long, grueling season, and any team can win on a given Sunday.

Of course, any time a historic moment occurs in sports, there are many collectibles produced to document it.

Here are a few of my favorite collectibles from the 1972 Miami Dolphins perfect season.

- 1972 Dolphins Team Signed Helmet- This collectible contains the signatures of 8 vital members of the 72’ perfect team. Some of the more notable names on this helmet include Don Shula, bob Griese, and Jim Langer. To me, this autographed helmet is a collector’s dream. No other team has accomplished what these guys have. This collectible is valued at just over $800.

- Don Shula Autographed Orange Bowl Seat 17-0- I’m a sucker for unique collectibles. Any NFL collection is brimming with signed helmets, footballs, and cards, but few can boast an autographed Orange Bowl seat from legendary Dolphins coach Don Shula. The Orange Bowl was the venue for the 1972 perfect season. This collectible is a seat from the stadium with an autograph from Don Shula and the inscription “17-0.” For all discerning collectors, this piece can be purchased for around $300.

- Super Bowl Program- At Super Bowl VII, the 72 Dolphins completed their run toward football history. They did what no other team before or after them has done. They completed the perfect NFL season. Since I always talk about how much I love programs from great sporting events, it’s only logical that I’d include a Super Bowl program from the perfect season on this list. If you can find one preserved in good condition, I highly recommend picking it up. You’ll be holding a piece of football history in your hands!

In short, the name Manning is synonymous with great football. They are nothing short of football royalty.

As such, it’s no surprise that this football family has produced a laundry list of highly desirable collectibles.

Here are a few of the top collectibles bearing the Manning name.

• Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning Autographed Photo—Is there a better collectible to start off this list than an autographed 16-by-20-inch photo of football’s first family? It features a collage photo of each of the three Mannings in action. It’s a great collectibles for documenting the family tree of one of the NFL’s most influential and recognizable families. This signed photograph is valued at $600.

• Peyton Manning Autographed Super Bowl MVP—For years, fans questioned Peyton’s ability to win the big one. All throughout his career, he came up short during the most important games. It seemed as if he might never win a Super Bowl. Then, in Super Bowl XLI, Manning led his team to victory, and he earned the Super Bowl MVP in the process. This signed Manning Colts helmet has an inscription of Super Bowl XLI on it, making it a unique, valuable collectibles. It’s estimated worth is $800.

• Eli Manning Team Signed Super Bowl Jersey—Just one year after his brother, Peyton, made Super Bowl history, Eli followed it up with a win of his own. The Giants shocked the undefeated Patriots in one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. This collectibles is an Eli Manning jersey signed by the entire 2007 Giants team. It’s a great testament to the power of being united as a team and never giving up. This rare collectible will set you back well more than $2,000.

More stories by Eric Brantner:

How to Start a Baseball Card Collection

Where to Find Baseball Cards

How to Store Your Baseball Cards

Chicago Cubs Collectibles

Antique Baseball Gloves

Red Sox Collectibles

Brett Favre Collectibles

Honus Wagner

Sports E-cards

Olympic Baseball Collectibles

Sports Collectibles Memories

Yankee Stadium Legacy Cards

WorthPoint—the premier Web site for art, antiques and collectibles

Every NFL off-season, there are always a few stories that capture fans’ interest for the long summer months leading up to the next season. Unquestionably, the main story of this past year revolved around NFL legend Brett Favre. On March 4, 2008, Favre tearfully announced his retirement from football.

Just a few short months later, it was reported that Favre had changed his mind and that he was interested in coming back to play for the Packers. Unfortunately, the Packers had already groomed Aaron Rodgers to take over the role of starting quarterback. For several weeks, the Brett Favre saga unfolded before our eyes. It dominated sports talk shows.

On August 7, 2008, the Green Bay Packers traded the future Hall of Fame quarterback to the New York Jets. For the first time since 1992, Favre would be on a new team. To many, it just doesn’t seem right that Favre would end his career in anything but a Green Bay Packers jersey. He was Green Bay. No other player has ever been as widely identified with a single franchise.

As the 2008 season kicked off, the world was watching Favre take the field against the Miami Dolphins. To add to the soap opera, the Dolphins were being led by Chad Pennington, who had been the Jets quarterback until . . . As for me, I’m watching Brett Favre’s collectibles. Here are a few of my favorites.

• Brett Favre Rookie Card—In general, football cards aren’t worth as much as baseball cards. Due to overproduction, Brett Favre rookie cards can be found for a very affordable price. For less than $20, you can find eight different rookie cards of the legend. Perhaps the most famous of these is his Stadium Club rookie that incorrectly spells his last name as “Farve.”

• Favre Signed Packers Helmet—As I mentioned earlier, Brett Favre will always be known as a Green Bay Packer. All of his amazing accomplishments came with that team. His three MVP awards, Super Bowl championship and laundry list of passing records were all achieved as a Packer. For this reason, I think a Green Bay Packers helmet autographed by Favre is essential for any football fan’s collection. These collectibles tend to sell for at least $600.

• Brett Favre Signed Official NFL Football—Obviously, Favre is best known for his work with the football. His laser-beam passes have cemented his standing as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Favre holds several passing records (most career yards, most career passing TDs, most completions and a whole lot more). An autographed Favre football makes for a great collectible. Since he’s still playing, they can be found at a relatively affordable price of $400. This price is sure to increase when he enters the Hall of Fame in several years.

Don’t wait. Score some Brett Favre collectibles soon.

P.S. The Jets beat the Dolphins 20-14.

Some bloomin’ collectibles

An English woman packed away stockings she inherited from her mother. Now 82, Mary Youings decided to put them up for auction with a listing of £150 to £200. (That’s approximately $265 to $350.)

Imagine the former teacher’s surprise and delight when the gavel came down at $14,000. Oh, did we fail to mention her mother wasn’t the first owner of the stockings? That would have been Queen Victoria. The BBC reports that the “auction house believes the quality of the hand stitching, the black and white two-tone silk finish and the fact they include the Royal Crest is evidence that they were worn by the queen in the 1870s.”

Fifty-inch bloomers once worn by the queen brought in $8,000 at the same auction near Derby, England.

Fired-up collectibles

At least Queen Victoria’s collectibles were in good shape.

Rock ’n’ roll legend Jimi Hendrix had a penchant for, well, getting fired up during performances. Hendrix was filmed burning his guitar at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. In the same year, he torched his Fender Stratocaster guitar while performing in England.

Somehow the damaged instrument ended up the garage of the parents of Hendrix’s publicist, Tony Garland. More than 40 years later, Garland came across the guitar and didn’t some hmmming, wondering if it was worth anything.

Try $497,5000 of worth something, according to the Associated Press. Other items sold at the same London auction were the Beatles’ first contract with manager Brian Epstein ($426,000), Elvis Presley’s application to carry a concealed weapon in California and as an added bonus, a set of his fingerprints ($81,740), a bathrobe worn by John Lennon in the 1960s ($7,000) and a silk scarf Margaret Thatcher sported in 1979 ($700).

Collectibles auction tinged with sadness

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor was killed in a home invasion last year in Miami. Last weekend, contents of his Washington-area estate were put up for auction with proceeds going into a trust fund for his infant daughter who was reportedly left out of the will.

One attendee told the The Washington Post that he was “tore up” by Taylor’s death and was “getting goose bumps talking about it now.”

There was wide array of items from a couple of bars of Irish Spring soap to a 9-mm German handgun. Interspersed among the fishing poles and Fabreze were only a few true collectibles, a rack of custom Cowboys/Redskins billiard balls for one, a signed Redskins football for another.

Joyce Brooks of Brooks auctions reported that $7,375.50 was raised for the fund. The Brooks commission, she said, is between 30 and 50 percent.

I do not follow sports, but even I was amazed to see my wife pull this jersey out a drawer one day. She was friends with UNL Black Shirt Grant Wistrom while she was in college at University of Nebraska Lincoln. She went to all the home games, along with several of the away games.

After the Huskers won the Orange Bowl in 1995, Grant gave my wife his Orange Bowl jersey to wear at games. After college, Grant Wistrom played for the Rams and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2002. Then he played with the Sea Hawks until being released after the 2006 season.

Injuries are a part of any professional player’s day. Much has been made of the injuries to quarterback Tom Brady before Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, February 4th. But, rest assured, he will play, injured or not.

And that what’s worrying former NFL players like Dave Pear. A hero in the 1980 Super Bowl, Pear is now physically unable to walk, sleep, or live pain free. Spinal, neck and hip injuries have plagued him since before his retirement from professional football in 1982. With numerous operations, he has reduced his savings to zero and debt is mounting. He is on Social Security Disability with advancing dementia from numerous concussions. He tires easily and sleeps 12 to 15 hours a day. He gets a small pension from the NFL, $606 a month. Pear is 54. He and his wife will lose their home soon.

“When I got hurt, I just made sure to get myself back into a game as soon as possible. It was do-what-you-have-to-do, and I did it all,” says Dave Pear.

While doing a story on the injured lives of former NFL players, Dave Pear remembers something to the reporter he wants to give to his children.

I’m going to quote directly from the Washington Post Magazine story titled “The Pain Game” by Michael Leahy, about NFL players who suffer after their days of glory are televised and sometimes forgotten except in trivia questions and official stats.

Quoting now:

The items are a reminder of all that went wrong for him – though, in their hands, who knows? Maybe they can hawk them and make a nice piece of change, he says. He pulls his secrets out of an envelope and hoists them the way a precious metals salesman would show off gold ingots.

“Two tickets to Super Bowl XV,” he says. “We all got tickets. I completely forgot about selling these two. I’ll let the kids sell them or do whatever with them. Bet those memorabilia collectors would like them, huh? I got a lot of memorabilia that can go to the kids one day.”

“Hope the kids will like the tickets,” he says. “It’s the Super Bowl. Everybody likes the Super Bowl.”

End quote.

A ticket stub to Super Bowl XV was selling for about $56 on Ebay with 3 days left to bid.

There are others whose memorabilia comes with stories, too:

Conrad Dobler, offensive tackle, St. Louis Cardinals, 1970s, degenerated knees and hips, physically and financially crippled.

Mike Webster, center, Pittsburgh Steelers, dementia, died age 50.

Brian Demarco, offensive guard, Jacksonville and Cincinnati, 1990s, debilitating spinal and knee injuries.

Earl Campbell, running back, Houston Oilers, 70s and 80s, uses a walker.

Go to http://www.washingtonpost.com to register and read the full story.

There are benefit funds for players who no longer qualify for a livable NFL pension or medical benefits:

Gridiron Greats:

http://www.gridirongreats.org/aboutthefund.html led by Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and Jerry Kramer

Fourth and Goal:

http://www.fourthandgoalunites.com/ le

AFC EAST

1. Pats

2. Jets

3. Fins

4. Buffalo

If the Randy Moss trade happened in one of my Fantasy Leagues, there would have been a freaking riot. (Not so) quietly, the Pats have surrounded Brady with more quality receivers than at any other time in his career. My only question is if this officially acts as an apology from Robert Kraft for leaving him with Reche Caldwell and Troy Brown. Reluctantly, I put the Jets ahead of the Fins, only because I believe in Mangini a whole lot more than I believe in Cam Cameron. Even though I believe in Trent Green more than Pennington, neither team has a dominating running game to set them apart. All I know is Mangini led a very bad team to the playoffs last year, and Cam Cameron no longer has LDT to depend on.

The Bills have J.P. Losman playing quarterback.

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore

2. Cincy/Pitt

3. Pitt/Cincy

4. “Browns”

I don’t care how anemic and old Baltimore looked in the playoffs against the Colts, that team can make any other look mortal (see Bears, Chicago). This was a 13 win team last year, and hopefully my grandma’s favorite player from Alcorn State still has some left in the tank. As we leave the University of Miami’s Mid-Atlantic alumni association, I find myself torn between two teams with reams of potential. The Cincin-Attica Bengals would be higher, and no where near a toss-up with Pitt, but I have to take into account all of the inevitable arrests. How has the commish not penalized the entire city of Cincy? Mike Tomlin’s team has some questions to answer, with the disgruntled nature of some players and the departure of Joey Porter, but I think they’ll manage. No one got hit by an old lady this off season, and Big Big looked pretty good throwing the pill in the preseason thus far. They should at least be battling for a playoff spot.

The “Browns” have Romeo Crennel coaching.

AFC SOUTH

1. Indy

2. Oilers

3. J’Ville

4. Houston

Peyton Manning did it. He infiltrated our society with commercials and ads and exceptionally funny, self deprecating SNL moments. He tricked us all into liking him, something I was sure he could never do, and something I thought would forever haunt his statistically proficient career. Oh, and he won a Super Bowl too. Vince Young is one of the brightest young stars the NFL has seen in years, but I question the ability of the running game to compliment. Plus, when his arm falls off due to the Madden Cover Curse, I question Kerry Collins’ ability to take a hit in a beer helmet. Jacksonville shocked a lot of people last year, but I think the coaches messing with the QB situation have done way more harm than good to the team as a whole.

The Texans have made no upgrades on the offensive line.

AFC WEST

1. San Diego

2. Denver

3. KC

4. Oakland

My LDT rant aside, I can’t deny the obvious talent the TCU alum is. Watching film from last year, coupled with his kickass new Nike commercial, I am completely in awe of the ability he displays on the field. He is one of the greatest to carry the ball in recent memory, maybe of all time. And he will be carrying my Fantasy Team to greatness. The Horses looked great, until all those injuries during that meaningless preseason game. Note to the AFC West: just don’t throw at Champ Bailey. Don’t do it. Its not worth it. Kansas City has two mediocre QBs, a weak, injury riddled receiving corps, a bad defense, and no running back. When Larry Johnson signs, and his knee promptly implodes, don’t say I didn’t tell you so.

The Raiders have a teenager coaching.

NFC EAST

1. Philly

2. Dallas

3. Giants

4. Wash

The Illadelph looks very good this year. While I’m not as sure as Donovan F. about the prowess of this years Eagles squad, I do know that I believe in Brian Westbrook, Reggie Brown and that DF McNabb was a fantasy gem until his injury a year ago. Since Dallas is insisting on starting Tony Romo, they default to second in the East. Until he proves he can catch field goal snaps, I cannot in good faith put him any higher. The New Jersey Giants are bad, really bad. They have Kerry Collins Jr. under center…and that is the nicest thing I can say about them. No wonder Strahan doesn’t want to come back, even if his wife took half.

The Redskins have a psychopath as an owner.

NFC NORTH

1. Chi-Town

2. Minnesota

3. GB

4. Det

Due to what can only be described as an instance of mass idiocy, Rex Grossman remains the starting quarterback for the returning NFC Champions. Cedric Benson will have to step his game up, as the running game is finally all his. Apparently, Devin Hester is going to be playing offense some too…he’s not even that good of a DB, why confuse him more. Minnesota had a great draft, made some key summer moves, yet will still be letting Jackson steer this Viking ship. Even two years later, boat humor still floats. Get it? Floats. Speaking of Bret Favre passes, I actually find myself rooting for him to overcome his old-man stubbornness, and to drag his team to the playoffs. It’s just been too long since an opposing team had to play in Lambeau in January.

The Lions have Matt Millen running things.

NFC SOUTH

1. Nawlins

2. Tampa

3. Carolina

4. Birds

The team formally known as the Ain’ts looked great last year…until Reggie Bush tempted the football gods by teasing Brian Urlacher in the NFC Title game. Bad Reggie. That said, they actually look like a contender to repeat in the most competitive division in football. Between the continued heroics of Drew Brees and the two-headed monster backfield, they should hold up fine. I like Tampa because I like Jeff Garcia, and the way he carried a Philly team that could have imploded. Jon Gruden loves quarterbacks, he loves tough guys, and Jeff Garcia is a tough-guy QB. Carolina doesn’t look good. Not even a little bit. But, they still aren’t the dregs of this division.

The Falcons have Joey Harrington playing quarterback.

NFC WEST

1. St. Louis

2. Zona

3. Seattle

4. San Fran

I hate the Rams. Hate ‘em. But, this off season, Bulger got paid, Stephen Jackson got better, and the receiving corps got younger. Ah, two outta three ain’t bad. A refocused offense, a retooled defense, and a weak West screams of opportunity for the Rams. And an ailing, aging Shaun Alexander screams problems for Seattle. Hassleback and his pass-catchers benefited immeasurably in the Super Bowl season from Mr. Alexander’s greatness, I just think he’s a little worn down from carrying a team with a bird mascot (see Anderson, Jamal). I think Arizona could leap ahead of them, if ‘ol 37 is indeed wearing down as it appears, since those receivers are a BEAST. Though Matt Lienart would have to get them the ball. But, Edge will be there to keep the pressure off of the noodle armed former Trojan. Hence them being 2^nd.

The 49ers have an injured Frank Gore.

PLAYOFF PICTURE AFC

1. Pats

2. San Diego

3. Indy

4. Baltimore

5. Denver

6. Titans

Indy blows by Kerry Collins and his squad, while the Denver/Old Browns match-up is a lot more interesting. Two defensively minded teams who don’t meet in the regular season, I have to give the nod to the more (historically) dependable running game in Denver. Jay Cutler notwithstanding, I think Shanahan learned from last year, and is ready to take this team deep into the playoffs.

The second playoff weekend looks to be much more interesting, where the Pats welcome Denver to Razor Stadium. The Super Pats’ firepower might be too much for the powerful for even the dominant Denver defense, and I don’t think the Horses can keep pace with New England. Speaking of Horses not keeping pace, Indy has lost way too much on the defensive side of the ball to hope to contain the Super Chargers. Game over Peyton.

NFC

1. The N.O.

2. St. Louis

3. Philly

4. Chicago

5. Dallas

6. Vikes

Inter-divisional battles will define the first round of the playoffs, as the North and East see rematches. Obviously, I give the nod to whoever has the regular season edge, and as I would predict it, I see both higher seeds holding out against the Wild Card teams.

Round 2 sees a rematch of last years NFC title game, but things change this time: Rex Grossman serves to sink the ship that the defense has been carrying. If he’s under center, and the Bears make it this far, then the wheels get to come off a little earlier than last year. The other game sees the Eagles coming into the dome of the Rams, and leaving with a big, fat L. The history of Philly sports futility continues. This is a city that celebrated the Phillies losing the most games ever this season. And the story continues.

Super Bowl

New England Patriots over New Orleans Saints.

It hurts me to say it. Tom Brady gets another ring. Look at the roster, its almost not fair. These guys are like a Madden 08 team where the owner made a bunch of one-sided trades to build a super team. Except it’s a real team. Barring Laurence Maroney stabbing himself in his heart with that ridiculous Kool-Aid necklace, nothing can stop Robert Kraft from adding to his collection of Lombardi Trophies

On the one hand, I’m not under the punishing August sun, which beats down the same from New York City to College Station, Texas to Cocoa Beach, Florida. I’m not driving a sled across a field, or taking on rushing defensive tackles in one-on-one drills, or running sprints after practice. I’ll never ride a bus to Florida again, never spend all my time away from the field in a meeting room, or start fast and finish faster. I’ll never again wake up scared. On the one hand, I don’t have to do these things ever again.

On the other hand, I never get to.

We all miss playing (winning) games, clean out blocks, great throws and catches, amazing picks, and knock out hits. That’s universal; everyone mentions this stuff in what they miss from the game. But, I think it is more than just the good times former players miss. Gone is the grind of the weight room, the tedium of the meeting room, but a part of everyone who has ever put on pads, or laced up cleats, or picked up a ball misses the part of the game that goes unseen. In some sort of masochistic way, we all enjoyed the grind, the hardness, the sacrifice. It is one of those unique things in life that you detest as you are in the midst of it, but the second it’s gone, you feel like almost a part of yourself is missing. Today, I’ve traded my life as a student athlete for something else; something that, to be honest, doesn’t even feel like me. My cleats for dress shoes, my playbook for a laptop, I’m reminded of this shift every time I walk into my new apartment, as my helmet stares back at me. Some people call this growing up, entering the next phase of my life. I don’t yet know what to call it, all I have known is what came before. And I miss it.

The strength of our team, as far as the deepest talent, is at running back, and more specifically in the running game. Justin Griffith, Jerious Norwood, Warrick Dunn, any one of these could be the feature back, and in time they may be. Our offensive line was put together by the same man who devised the one-cut zone system in Denver, Mr. Alex Gibbs. Now, that said, Atlanta fans want to believe that super-mobile Joey Harrington ought to stand behind an undersized line, with extra ‘protection’ provided by smallish running backs and deliver the ball to stone handed receivers whose biggest ability is that to block downfield, allowing a back who breaks into the third level keep going. This pass happy fantasy is just not the team that Mr. McKay was brought here to build. But, because Mr. Blank listens to us, and Mr. Mora listened to Mr. Blank, Mr. Mora is now out of a job. Because he missed the playoffs, thanks to us. Now, he wasn’t the laughing stock of a league (Dennis “he was what we thought he was” Green), he wasn’t suffering Super Bowl hangover (Bill “my quarterback was hit by on old lady. I need a drink” Cowher), he wasn’t a dirty turncoat (Nick “just leave us SEC fans alone” Saban), and he wasn’t frozen in carbonite (Art “…” Shell). No, Mr. Mora just listened to his boss, who listened to us, and an injury riddled team missed the playoffs. Let’s just hope Mr. Petrino has a bit more sense than Mr. Mora.