NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

The Cleveland Browns once again have a new regime and are ready to turn the corner and getting back into being a perennial playoff team. The Cleveland Browns have many holes to fill this offseason and it probably will take at least to offseason for the Browns to compete for a Championship. This NFL draft the Browns have 11 draft picks to help turn this around. The Browns will also be active in this free agent period to help get this team closer to the playoffs.

The Browns need to resign Lawrence Vickers, he is one of the best fullbacks in the NFL, and also brings an intensity to this football team that is needed in AFC North.

The Browns need to find a Right Tackle. John St. Clair can’t be covered up by putting him a Right Tackle. The Browns will also at least need to bring in two veteran linemen to help the offensive line gain some depth.

The Browns need to bring in Linebackers. Roth and Wimbley started looking like they could cement themselves in those positions, with Jackson being a free agent and Bowens aging quickly this team needs to bring in at least two starting Linebackers maybe more to help this defense.

The Browns need secondary help. Abe Elam was supposed to be game changing safety that we didn’t see much of that from the former Jet. Brodney Pool suffered another concussion that might lead him to an early retirement, and Brandon Mcdonald didn’t look like he could cover or tackle anyone this year. The Cleveland Browns need a lot of help in the secondary the least they can do is bring in a starting safety and cornerback. Adding two more talented secondary players would also help out this team immensely. Eric Wright looks like he can start in this league for awhile and Mike Adams looks like he could out but other then those two players the Browns should clean house in the Secondary.

Quarterback position.  All Browns fans and anyone who watches this team knows that they need a major change in the Quarterback position. The Browns still haven’t found a Quarterback since there return in 99 and need to if they want to be successfull. Brady could possibly be back next year in a backup role or atleast get in oppurtunity to compete for the Job. The Browns will bring in Quarterback there a lot of candidates right now from Donovan Mcnabb to Troy Smith being the Browns quarterback next year. This team needs to improve at this posistion fast. In what round do you consider Tim Tebow if he is on the board?

Running Back postion. The Browns have found a back in Jerome Harrison in the second half of the season but it is still a mystery if he do it for sixteen games. Also Jennings should he could be a viable backup but I believe the Browns still need to get a back to help carry the load in the 2010 season. The jury is also still out on James Davis.

Wide Reciever. The  Browns need to get a Reciever who can give them a deep threat and playmaking ability. They also need to be able to catch the ball. Last year there was nobody who scared the opposing defense. The Browns could use atleast two Wide Recievers in this upcoming offseason. There are Recievers out there who can help this team next year.

WOW this is interesting, hopefully Jerome is right

Bill Cowher wants to be the next head coach of the Giants.

At least, he does according to Jerome Bettis, Cowher's former running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis said the reason Cowher hasn't returned to coach is because he's "holding out" for the Giants job to open up. In fact, he told Chris "Mad Dog" Russo today on Sirius XM's Mad Dog Radio that Cowher would have gotten the Giants' job in 2008 if Tom Coughlin hadn't taken the Giants on that magical, Super Bowl XLII run.

"That's the team that he really coveted," Bettis said. "This is where he always wanted to be. The Mara family, he's been very close to them. … He's known them very well and was on the inside track — before the Giants won the Super Bowl — for that job. And I think he's holding out for that opportunity if it presents itself."

Bettis added that he believes that Cowher "is going to be with the Giants" eventually – – possibly as soon as next year.

"He would have definitely gotten the job (after the 2007 season, if the Giants hadn't gone on a run)," Bettis said. "And if Coughlin doesn't get that team back in the right direction next year I think they'll pull the plug."

It's all speculation of course, but it's interesting speculation considering how Giants co-owner John Mara has seemingly put Coughlin on notice after the Giants' miserable 8-8 season. During his angry post-season press conference, Mara said "I'm not pleased with anybody right now" and served notice by adding "I am anxious to hear from both (Coughlin) and Jerry (Reese) what we're going to do to fix this. "

Mara added that neither his coach nor his GM are currently in danger of being fired, but he offered no guarantees for their future, which could be in doubt if the Giants suffer through another down year.

Meanwhile, the 52-year-old Cowher hasn't coached since the end of the 2006 season, when he stepped down after 15 seasons running the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has been mentioned the last few years in connection with nearly every coaching vacancy. Most NFL observers have assumed he's waiting for John Fox to get fired from Carolina so Cowher could take the Panthers job, which would be close to his Raleigh, N.C. home.

But Bettis obviously sees things different. Asked if he thought Cowher was going to sit out until the Giants job open, he said "That's what he's doing. That's where he's got his eyes."

Time for the final 8 in the NFL to battle it out, and here we go with our Divisional Playoff predictions:

Arizona (10-6) at New Orleans (13-3) – The opener of the divisional round pits a team that couldn’t stop the Packers and allowed 45 points against a team that lost their last three after winning their first 13. The Saints needed a week off, and they are going to need to come out and get some of that magic from the first 13 weeks back. Look for the Saints to throw early, and pick on that Cards secondary that couldn’t stop Aaron Rodgers. Drew Brees and that offense will get back on track, and I can’t see the Cardinals magic from a season ago lasting again this year, the Saints will move to the NFC Title game after a sound win in what will be Kurt Warner’s last game. New Orleans 34 Arizona 24

Baltimore (9-7) at Indianapolis (14-2) – The Ravens feel that the road they traveled last season which saw them win two games before falling in the AFC Title game in Pittsburgh will happen again. Think again. Indy may have lost their last two games, but they are the better team, and will win this game. Everyone wants to say that the Ravens are battle tested, and they may be, but the Colts are a better run stopper than the Pats were, and Joe Flacco hasn’t been very good the last few weeks, including last week vs the Pats where the was just 4-for-10. It’ll be close for three quarters, then the Colts will pull away to host the title game next week. Indianapolis 23 Baltimore 10

Dallas (11-5) at Minnesota (12-4) – This is going to be one great matchup. Can Brett Favre and the Vikings have a big game against a Cowboys team that has been rolling? Dallas showed its muscle vs the Eagles last week, but they didn’t have Adrian Peterson and he’ll make a difference in this game. Look for Jared Allen and the Vikings D to put pressure on Tony Romo, forcing a few mistakes that will make a difference in this game that will determine who takes on the Saints for the NFC Title. Minnesota 21 Dallas 17

New York Jets (9-7) at San Diego (13-3) – The Chargers have been high flying and put on a show on both sides of the ball after they stared the season slow. The Jets have an upset in mind, and weather won’t be a factor, and their run game will keep the Chargers off the field. Thomas Jones needs to have a big game, and Mark Sanchez needs to stay upright and not make mistakes for the Jets to win. The Chargers will again not be able to get over the hump, as the Jets D will harass Philip Rivers enough to pull out a close win. New York Jets 20 San Diego 17

The Odds are in for Super Bowl betting for Super Bowl 44, as the teams listed below are still alive, and here are the latest odds on what team is going to take home the prize come Super Bowl Sunday:

Arizona Cardinals 14/1
Baltimore Ravens 12/1
Dallas Cowboys 6/1
Indianapolis Colts 3/1
Minnesota Vikings 6/1
New Orleans Saints 4/1
New York Jets 14/1
San Diego Chargers 10/3

It has only been two years since the Dallas Cowboys last made an appearance in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Many of us remember that heartbreaking loss to the Giants at Texas Stadium, and the hopes that rested upon a 13-3 season being dashed with a last minute interception that sealed the game for the Giants.

Things have changed since that game. Sure, the head coach and offensive co-ordinator are the same, so is the quarterback and many of the players, but this team is different. This team has a focus about them. There have been no trips to Mexico, no high profile, blonde girlfriends, and no in-house fighting in the locker room. This team is ready to play, and play they will have to on Sunday at 1 pm EST (FOX). This Cowboys team has yet to face itself, or at least a team very similar to itself. This Sunday the Cowboys might as well be looking in a mirror, because they are playing a team with a similar build and a similar mindset in the Minnesota Vikings.

The Cowboys will clash with the Vikings for the second time this year. The first came in the final game of the pre-season, Dallas winning 35-31. But nobody even cares about that game, as well they shouldn't. This game has everything on the line, for both teams.

The Outlook:

The Cowboys have entered the last few weeks with a "first things first" attitude. Those firsts are: Offense: Run the ball effectively, Defense: Stop the run. They have done both of those things well the last 6 weeks. This week they will play a Vikings team with that same motto. Both teams are going to look to establish their dominant running attacks early. Minnesota averaged only 119.9 yards/game on the ground this year, ranking 13th in the league. Do not be fooled though, they have a great ground game led by RB Adrian Peterson, and anchored by their powerful offensive line. The Cowboys averaged 90.5 y/game against the run ranking them fourth in the NFL heading into the playoffs.

On the flip side Dallas averaged 131.4 y/g rushing the ball. The Cowboys rush with a 3-headed attack featuring Barber, Jones, and Choice. The Vikings gave up only 87.1 y/g (2nd), largely due to the Williams duo anchoring their defensive line and a swarming group of young linebackers.

Make no mistake about it, this game is not going to be decided by Tony Romo or Brett Favre, Miles Austin or Sidney Rice; this game will be decided in the trenches. Which team's big men can control the line of scrimmage and establish their will on the other. This game lies with the big-boys.

If either team is going to win they have to establish their "firsts". While the crowd noise will have an effect on the game, the real battle will be fought in the trenches.

Adding some intrigue, Brett Favre confirmed that this could be his last playoff game, hinting at a possible retirement at the end of the season. You cannot say enough about his contributions to the Vikings this year. He has been the difference for a team with a lot of great talent.

I believe this to be the best game this weekend and the most intriguing matchup. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict an upset. Dallas 31-28.

The Broncos shocking start to the '09 season had many so called experts and skeptical fans like me eating crow. However, after the smoke cleared this Broncos team proved to be the average at best team that most people living in reality knew they were.

The usual low key off-season atmosphere of the Broncos headquarters in Dove Valley had turned into a frenzied media circus revolving around the firing of longtime head coach Mike Shanahan, the hiring of his replacement Josh McDaniels and the botched trade attempt of star QB Jay Cutler.

In fact, those events overshadowed the real problems of this team, the lack of talent on defense.

With everyone returning on offense (ranked 2nd overall in '08) and a major overhaul on defense, the Broncos looked poised to be a force in the AFC.

Enter Josh McDaniels and his New England sized ego.

It turned out McDaniels first priority, besides changing the offensive playbook, would be to reunite with QB Matt Cassell. In what had to be a complete bombshell to the players, McDaniels got caught with his pants down and could not make a three-way deal happen which would send Cutler to Tampa, draft picks to New England and Cassell to Denver. Cutler would make things much worse by throwing a tantrum over the failed trade and forced owner Pat Bowlens hand in trading him to the Chicago Bears. The Broncos received a pirate's ransom in return and entered the draft with two first round picks and a decent QB in Kyle Orton.

With the 12th overall pick from Chicago everyone assumed Denver would take someone who could immediately step in and make an impact on defense, the logical choice right? Once again the McDaniels ego would supersede logic and Denver would pick RB Knowshon Moreno. The following draft picks would defy all logic as well; especially the decision to trade next year's first round draft pick to pick up tiny cornerback Alphonso Smith in the second round, instead of having two first round picks for the '10 draft.

Yes the warning signs were obvious.

Training camp would start with star wide receiver Brandon Marshall demanding a trade. Marshall's trade demands went unanswered, then taking tips from Cutler, threw a tantrum of his own and got suspended without pay for the remainder of camp.

You had to be a fool to believe the Broncos were actually headed in the right direction. You need stars to win in this league and Denver's were dropping like flies.

The Broncos opened the season in Cincinnati and looked pathetic on offense and won a fluke play, "the immaculate deflection" The Broncos would win their first 6 games by a combined score of 133-66.

After the bye week of week seven the Broncos would lose 4 straight games by a combined score of 117-37.
The Broncos looked like they had regained a little swagger with impressive victories over the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs.

Denver would then somehow lose to the pathetic Oakland Raiders in Denver.This was the game where their playoffs hope had all but slipped through their fingers. With a close loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Broncos need to beat the lowly Chiefs and get a little help. The Broncos entered week 17 with 10 different scenarios to qualify for postseason play.

McDaniels would suspend star wide receiver Brandon Marshall and TE Tony Scheffler for the crucial final game for disciplinary reasons and Denver, in by far the most meaningful game of the season, got hammered by the Chiefs who were playing for nothing but pride.

After such a promising start the Broncos finished 8-8.

McDaniels must know that mediocrity is not welcomed in Denver. Fan favorite Red Miller was fired in 1980 for finishing 8-8. This was just 3 seasons removed from leading them to their first Super Bowl. In 1992 Dan Reeves was fired for finishing 8-8. In 12 seasons Reeves coached the Broncos to 3 Super Bowls and 4 AFC championship games. Wade Phillips was fired after the 1994 season for finishing a combined 16-16 in two seasons. Then Shanahan, the coach who lead Denver to their first world championships, was fired for going a combined 24-24 in last 3 seasons as head coach.

This is what makes the Broncos unique. The fans will not accept a loser, or even a team that tries hard. Denver fans demand a contender. Since qualifying for the postseason for the first time in '77, they have never missed the playoffs four consecutive years until now.

McDaniels must fare much better next year to keep his job. Let's just hope he and his ego are aware of this.

While it’ll take quite awhile for the rest of the NFL schedule to come out, the league has announced the game for London next season, the fourth straight year there will be a regular season game overseas. The game, which will be played on October 31st will be between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. The game, as the past three seasons, will be played at Wembley Stadium

The 49ers will be listed as the home team for the Oct. 31 game. More than 80,000 fans have attended each of the last three games in London. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell notes the “extraordinary passion that exists for NFL football in the UK.”