The Drought Is Over! Welcome Back NFL, We Missed You!

Starved...itching for that all so powerful addiction... our sporting fortitude being pushed to its greatest limits...The "Drought" seeped in...but wait..

Welcome Back The National Football League!

There is a few weeks in the summer time that I refer to as the "Drought" period in which sports fans have to endure a time span with only baseball being aired on SC. Not taking a shot at baseball but um, lets call it what it is, it isn't football.

But what an incredible feeling, a true blessing from the sporting Gods, it was to flip on the t.v. and see an endless stream of NFL highlights, interviews, and training camp footage.

So who's ready for this 2012 season!?!?!

Story lines are running rampant this season. Let's take it division by division.

NFC East

• Newcomer RG3 or as some veterans call him "Bob" is drafted to revitalize the Redskins franchise .
• "America's Dysfunctional Team" as I coin them, look to finally deliver on playoff aspirations as Jerry puts the pressure on.
• The "Dream Team"? and no folks not the 92' basketball team, the 2012 Eagles. Vick and those boys seem to invite the pressure by claiming they have "potential to be a dynasty". We can see if they can edge out of this powerhouse packed division.
• Finally the Defending, World Champion G-Men seek to defend their coveted title. Quiet in the headlines, under the radar, just how they like it.

NFC North

• B-Marshall and Cutler get to hook up again in Chi-town. With the nice contract given to Forte, look for the bears to put up big numbers this year.
• Up and coming Detroit looks to capitalize on spurts of success that they experienced last year and maybe make a playoff push. The Lions ARE relevant again.
• Vikings are headed towards a rebuilding year not posing much of a threat to their division with their still unpredictable 2nd year QB Christian Ponder and a defense that ranked 22nd. They will go as far as A.P. takes them.
• The defending NFC North Champion Green Bay Packers will be back just as good as last year. If not for some dropped passes against the Giants last postseason they may have been celebrating another super bowl title. They will be out seeking revenge.

NFC South

• Tampa Bay, coming off a dismal, disappointing season is out to prove that that was a fluke. Josh Freeman, in matter of fact, I'm addressing the entire team when I say we need to see some consistency.
• Ryan Kalil and the "Super Panthers" are coming to PLAY this season. Promising a Superbowl will get a lot of eyeballs looking at you and just maybe there is something to look at. Rookie sensation, Cam the Man, dual threat at RB that combined for over 1,600 yards and 12 Td's last season, and a talented receiving core headed by Steve Smith. Keep your eyes open.
• Matt Ryan will be looked upon to show up this season and take the Falcons on a deep playoff run. The pieces are in place, young, explosive receiving core, and a great RB. A lot has been expected of Matt in the post Michael Vick era. Let's see if he can fill those shoes and separate himself from the pack.
• "Bounty Gate" took an enormous hit on the Saints with coaches being suspended (Payton for the year)and multiple defensive players sitting out a considerable amount of time (Vilma out for the year).  But a 100 million dollar man can still "Throw" them to the promised land. Coming off a record setting year, I see Brees and Saints playing on into the late winter months.

NFC West

• The Cardinals, if they can get solid QB play this season, in my opinion can contend for the the division. Drafting an incredible talent in Floyd and lining him up across from Fitz has the potential to be a lethal combo. Combine this with a rising star in Patrick Peterson and an improved D. Don't sleep on these guys.
• The 49ers may have acquired Randy Moss but unless you can get him the ball he won't be much help to your football team. Alex Smith is still the end all be all when it comes to San Fran. He could easily take them to the Bowl if he plays at an pro bowl level. Inconsistency has plagued Alex, if he improves this year, expect them representing the NFC in the Big game.
• Well, lets be honest here, the Rams and Seahawks? I'll save the wear and tear on your eyes.

On to the AFC

AFC North

• Ravens and Steelers still both top this division and it will shape up to be another bloody, trench fought battle between the two. With daunting Defenses and timely scoring on offense for both teams, the AFC North will crown whoever can get back up after the 15 round slug fest.
• Cincinnati, having a surprisingly dominant win % against the division, will look to seize the reigns from the two star studded super powers by means of their own studs in Dalton and A.J.
• The "Dog Pound" is where you go when you're lost. And clearly that's where the Browns will be staying in the foreseeable future.

AFC South

• If that squad in Houston can stay healthy they will be a favorite to win this weak division. Explosive offense with Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, and Matt Schaub, coupled by a dominating D.
• The Indy rebuilding project starts with the establishment of the "Manning Replica" Andrew Luck era. Rebuilding season, don't expect much.
• Jacksonville and Tennessee will ride or die with their respective RB's. Not much help will come from anywhere else. CJ2k and MJ32 carrying the load to losing seasons.

AFC West

• Carson Palmer is set to return as his vintage Bengal self and make these Raiders competitive. 
• The KC Chiefs will be average at best, nothing significant going on there. 
• Philip Rivers coming off a shockingly horrific season posting career low marks in a plethora of passing categories. Will be looking to avenge his poor season. As a preseason super bowl pick for the last 3 or 4 years, this year my be make it or break it before they clean house.
• The post Tim Tebow era is upon us people. Peyton is here to deliver. Fresh off neck surgery will it hold up? Will he carry them deep into the playoffs? Will he even be able to fill the footprints of the great Timmothy Tebow and what he did for this organization? We have questions but I'm sure the 4 time League MVP, super bowl MVP and world champion will have the answers.

And Last but certainly not least, My Beloved AFC EAST

• As long as Belichick and Brady remain in Foxborough expect nothing less than 12 wins and a playoff run. Some are starting to go as far as to say that a ANOTHER perfect season is completely feasible with the easiest schedule in the league.
• The Bills, the middle child of New York. Not much media attention but slowly becoming a formidable opponent with improvements on Defense and finding gems such as Stevie Johnson and Fred Jackson. If Fitzpatrick can remain consistent and not tail off at the end of the season they could be some what of a threat in this stacked division.
• The Miami Dolphins may all need a nice vacation at this point. The QB situation is disgruntled and has remained this way...SINCE 2000. 16 starting QB's later after Marino retiring, Tannehill hopes to be the franchise guy. With a collegiate equivalent receiving core, at best, Tannehill looks to be in for a long season.
• By far the most compelling (or downright annoying depending on which side of the fence you're on) story line has to be Tim Tebow. After going 8-5 as a starter, 7 4th quarter comebacks, including a TD pass in overtime against the #1 ranked Pittsburgh Steelers, Tebow took his talents to the Big Apple and the spotlight couldn't be bigger. Is the fix in? Or does Sanchez actually have a shot at keeping his job? Wins and Pro bowl numbers might not even be enough to derail this monster called "Tebow Mania". Let a few of those passes hit the ground and rack up a loss or two in those early games and those fans will make sure those QB reigns are handed over to #15. 

With all that said, in the words of the excitable Tim Tebow, "I'm very excited".

I hereby declare the start of another fantastic, heartbreaking, adrenaline fueled, year of the world's greatest athletic competition. The National Football League.