10 Surprises for The 2009 NFL Season

It is almost time for the start of the 2009 NFL season, and since everyone is making their predictions now, I’ve got 10 headlines to look for over the next year.  So without further ado here we go…….

10:  Jeff Garcia will end the season as the starter for the Raiders, and they will be very close to making the playoffs. 

I just don’t think Jamarcus will ever be a top tier quarterback in the NFL and Garcia is a proven winner.  The Raiders have a solid, but unspectacular defense and a sound running game.  Garcia will come in Mid Season and have Oakland on the verge of a playoff spot.

9:  Mathew Stafford will be as good as advertised.

Though he will have his rookie moments, Stafford should be able to give the Detroit faithful a dose of confidence for next year.  It also doesn’t hurt that he has Kevin Smith in the backfield and one of the leagues best young receivers in Calvin Johnson.

8:  The Patriots offense will be better than 2007, sort of.

Look for the Pats to run the ball more than they did two years ago.  They will still air it out, but don’t expect Brady to pass for 50 touchdowns this year.

7:  Carolina will miss the playoffs.

The panthers play in a tough division (NFC South) where only the Bucs look to be in worse shape than they were a year ago.  Jake Delhomme and his two favorite targets, Steve Smith and Mushin Muhammad are not getting any younger.  It should be noted that Carolina’s running game is in good hands and the defense should keep them in most games, but with the Saints looking like the top team in the South it is going to be very difficult for the Panthers to find the post season in 09.

6:  The Ravens are going to throw the ball, a lot

Joe Flacco surprised many with his performance last year and the coaching staff looks to loosen up the reigns this year.  The return of veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason certainly doesn’t hurt.  Don’t get me wrong, Baltimore won’t lead the league in passing, but I look for a lot more scoring from Flacco and Company.

5:  Chad Ochocinco will come up with at least three new end zone dances.

Love him or hate him, number 81 is definitely entertaining.  Ochocinco should have a much more productive year in 2009 with a (hopefully) healthy Carson Palmer throwing him the ball.  It also looks like Head Coach Marvin Lewis is going to let his top wide receiver have a little fun as evidenced by his kicking performance in the pre season. 

4:  The wildcat will be the newest trend that ends this season.

The Dolphins had so much success with their Wildcat offense that almost every team in the league will have some version of it in their playbook, and just like the run and shoot, teams will find a way to counter it.  I don’t think the wildcat will go away for good, but it will make way for the next trendy offense that every offensive co-coordinator will copy next year.

3:  T.O. will be average, and quiet.

Terrell Owens saw his production drop last year from 2007 (compare 2007 stats of 15 TD’s and 1355 yards in 15 games to 2008’s 10 TD’s and 1052 yards) and 2009 looks to be more of the same.  But being far removed from the limelight in Dallas should help the future Hall of Fame receiver keep his rants to a minimum. 

2:  The rookie of the year will be……

James Davis, running back for the Cleveland Browns.  Without looking I’m going to guess that every major sports outlet is predicting Percy Harvin, Mark Sanchez, Michael Crabtree (assuming he actually does play football this year), Mathew Stafford or just about any first year NFLer except Davis.  I am picking him because of opportunity and process of elimination.  Davis, a sixth round pick out of Clemson, has been working some with the first team at Browns Camp and put up some gaudy pre-season numbers (149 yards in 19 attempts).  At the very least he will split time with aging Jamal Lewis.  He does have two things working against him though: he’s on what many predict to be a bad team that will be playing from behind often and the Brown’s have to play against two very tough defenses (Ravens and Steelers) twice.  With that being said the other preseason rookie favorites have their share of hurdles as well.  Crabtree isn’t in camp yet, Harvin will get a limited amount of touches since the Viking’s game plan will revolve around Adrian Peterson, Sanchez will be asked to do little more than hand the ball off in New York’s offense and even though previously wrote that Stafford will be good as advertised he may not start until later this year. 

And my number 1 surprise of the 2009 NFL season is………..

1:  Bret Favre will retire at the end of the year.

No shocker here that Favre will announce his retirement, but this is the year that he STAYS retired.  Here is how it will happen.  Minnesota will end their season (I’m not predicting when) and the questions will start flying as soon as the Vike’s take their first step toward the locker room.  In the following press conference, Farve will say that he needs to talk things over with his family and the coaching staff.   ESPN will give us up to the minute 24 hour coverage of all things Bret, possibly setting the stage for the debut of their new channel, the aptly named ESPN 4, an entire station dedicated to stories they intend to run into the ground.  The next week Farve will announce his retirement, cry again, and return to Mississippi until Al Davis calls him to be the savior in Oakland.

There they are my, 10 Surprises for the 2009 NFL Season.  I am going to keep track of these throughout the season and after the Super Bowl I’ll write a follow up article to see how I did.  Happy football season everyone!