David Alcaro: The CHieF

Last year was tough for West coast teams traveling East for early games. Do you see this having an effect this week with Stanford and UCLA each travelling to play Wake Forest and Tennessee respectively. Should the Vols have tried for an earlier kickoff time than 4 PM?
Brian ESPN White Plains, NY, USA

Great point. It has been very tough on the West coast teams in early games in both college and the NFL. I am a little surprised it has that much of an effect, but the travel and losing time for preparation are factors. It seems though that the change in your “body clock” is the biggest cause of the difficulty. It will feel like 9am for those Stanford players in Wake Forest on Saturday. That game was originally scheduled for 3pm ET and was moved to 12 noon. I’m not sure why, the game will only be televisied regionally. Tough break for Stanford as they are 3 point underdogs to Wake Forest. I like Wake (again after losing with them last week) and head coach Jim Grobe. As for Tennessee they were at the mercy of ESPN (the network). Originally scheduled for 3:30 it was moved to 4 and will be on ESPN the original. Tennessee is a 10 point favorite. They looked good against overmatched Western Kentucky running up the score to 63-7. Maybe not sporting, but Lane Kiffin needs to build the Volunteers confidence. I like them this week too and think Coach Kiffin’s experience at USC will help game plan for the UCLA Bruins.

My sleeper team in the NFC is the New Orleans Saints…what do you think?
Ronnie the Buckeye East Rockaway, NY, USA

I like New Orleans this year too. They are not too big of a sleeper, but to pick them to win the NFC is a bold call. Obviously the offense should be really good again. Drew Brees is a superstar QB and head coach Sean Payton is a very creative offensive mind. It is important that running back/punt returner Reggie Bush stay healthy, he is such an explosive weapon. Pierre Thomas is now the primary ball carrier and Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Jeremy Shockey (who should bounce back) are all excellent targets. Look for wide receiver and former first-round pick Robert Meachem (ex-Tennessee Vol) to get more involved in the offense this year. The defense is the question mark. They improved the secondary by adding veteran safety Darren Sharper formally with Minnesota and cornerback Jabari Greer (ex-Vol) from Buffalo. Their pass rushing defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith (former Buckeye) had off seasons in 2008 and are looking at each having to serve 4 game suspensions this season. They both will probably play week 1, but the suspensions could come down anytime after. They will need some of the their back-up defensive lineman to step up and put pressure on the opponents QBs.

New Orleans is predicted to go 9-7 this year and are actually favorites to win the NFC South, albeit lukewarm. That is a very interesting division. In 2008, none of the teams had a losing record. The Saints came in last place with an 8-8 record. The Carolina Panthers went 12-4 last year, yet are expected to go 8-8 this year. Atlanta also is expected to be 2 games worse than their 11-5 record in 2008. I think it is safe to say the Tampa Bay Bucs are going to take a huge step back, they were 9-7 in ‘08 and are expected to win only 6 games this year. The NFC South plays each other twice, the NFC East and the AFC East. The 2 other games for the contenders breakdown like this:
New Orleans: Detroit and @St. Louis- It doesn’t get any easier than this (2008 record 2-30)
Atlanta: @San Francisco and Washington- Two tough games, I wouldn’t be surprised at 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2 (2008 record 15-17)
Carolina: @ Arizona and Minnesota- Revenge game in Arizona after playoff drubbing, Vikings one of NFC best (2008 record 19-13)

I think the NFC South is wide open, this is how I predict it will go
Atlanta 10-6
New Orleans 10-6
Carolina 9-7
Tampa Bay 6-10
It will come down to the tiebreaker for the division. If the Saints get home game(s) in the playoffs I think they will win them, on the road especially in bad/cold weather they will be going home. I am always rooting for the Saints and wish the best for the city of New Orleans.

Shameless plug, don’t forget to pick up the Trouble the Water DVD (where you will see the worst and the best of the NO) at:
www.troublethewaterfilm.com/buythedvd

CHieF, how do you think Notre Dame will do this year? Potentially high powered offense, but can the line protect QB Jimmy Clausen, and can the D improve? Will Charlie Weis keep his job? Thanks CHieF!
Tommy Metuchen, NJ, USA

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How will the G-men be this year? Do you see them making the Super Bowl?
Goon Plainview, NY, USA

Was wondering what your thoughts are on the Giants upcoming season. its obvious they are going to miss Plaxico. Can they get to the big game without a bigtime receiver?
Danny Washingtonville, NY, USA

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