[CBFF] USA Today NFL pre-pre-preview

[Matt Langschwager]

Ah, the preview magazine!  I just saw Athlon's big book on the stand yesterday, and it's only a matter of time before I buy a copy.  And I WILL buy one, even though preview mags are mostly a waste of time, with info printed before training camp even starts, and laughably timid predictions.  IIRC, last year's Athlon's 2005 division standing (they don't do actual records) predictions looked almost identical to the previous year's final standings.  Here are some predictions of my own before I open the book:
   
  1. Athlon will predict that Chicago, Carolina, Seattle, Indy, New England, and Denver will all repeat as division winners, even though history PROVES that 6 of 8 repeat winners is NOT going to happen.  (For the heck of it, the other two winners will be Washington and Pittsburgh.)
   
  2. Athlon's Superbowl matchup will be Seattle or Carolina vs. Indy or New England.
   
  3. Athlon will have a big writeup about Rex Grossman.
   
  Other notes from below:
   
  6th in the NFC, huh?  I guess the six listed will all make the playoffs then, with five repeat contenders, even though the out of the six 2004 NFC contenders, only one made it back in 2005 (Seattle).  Although I'll agree that the Bears should be a lock, inasmuch that if they DON'T win the North, we should all deservedly be humiliated.
   
  The Bears big game isn't in Arizona, it's in Minnesota in Week 3.  Unless Rex is already injured by then, in which case it'll just be another Bears victory.  (This comment is merely bait for Pat...)
   
  Matt

Victor Waldron <victor19 at gmail.com> wrote:
  I've been travelling this week and picked up a copy of USA Today's
2006 NFL preview (yes, the first version is already out in late-May).
BTW, it's not really worth the $4.95 it cost, but then again you need
something to read on a 4+ hour flight.

Here are a few items of note:

They chose Grossman as one of 10 players they expect to have a
breakout season. They mention the usual, great talent but needs to
stay healthy. I just thought it was good he was on the list.

They give the Bears draft a D+, with Hester being a player to watch as
a special teamer.

They believe the D will be even better than last year with the extra
year of experience. Noted the average age for the unit will be 26, the
oldest starter being 29. The Bears should have done more to upgrade
the CB position opposite Vasher.

The Bears should win the NFC North hands down, the weakest division.

Ranked the Bears 12th best in the NFL and 6th best in the NFC (behind
Carolina, Seattle, NYG, Washington, and yes, Dallas).

They list the Bears-Arizona game on Oct. 16 as one of 10 key games to
watch. It's interesting they didn't pick Bears-Seattle earlier in the
same month.

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