Countdown UFL: Week 1

By Peter "Bash" Smith
Countdown UFL Columnist



It’s that time again. Time for football season to start. My creative juices are rested and ready to roll again. Yes folks, I am back for the 6^th season as your Countdown writer. Exciting indeed. Also, did you guys REALLY think I was going to let my fans down? Of course not, not even the arrival of a baby Bash will stop me from writing articles.

Well the draft is over and I can tell you that the Atlanta Falcons organization and fans are smitten with this year’s draft. The Falcon flock believed GM Patrick Teoli when he said that the Falcon organization would be rebuilding and I can’t think of a better way to rebuild than having the 1^st three picks in a draft and two 1^st round picks of the 2007 draft.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this day to pass,” said GM Patrick Teoli on draft day. “We’ve been scouting college players since last year and believed that would get quality players all across the board. Our draft list had been ready since the beginning of May. We couldn’t be happier.”

What I thought was funny, is that for the 2^nd draft in three years, GM Porrovecchio reluctantly selects a player. My advice is that it’s not so bad drafting a freak of a tight end in Vernon Davis. He should thank his lucky stars that he got one in the draft instead of overpaying for one.

There are a few Gm’s that worked really hard and props should go out to Duane Dahl and Yves Lapierre. I thought looking at the Eagles squad that they were one of the weakest teams going into the draft. After signing free agents and drafting interesting players, the Eagles might be contenders again in a tough central division.

Yves Lapierre also came out of the draft with a very good team, lead by Ladainian Thomlinson they can make noise. But what I’m most impressed about is the drafting of Jerious Norwood is another player to build around. I think he will be a very good back for a few years. They should compete again this year and might make the wild card.

In the ‘what was I thinking’ category. GM Kevin Yanicki decided to draft marginal players with his last two picks of the 1^st round. Drafting Marion Barber and Ernest Wilford instead of Vernon Davis and Jerious Norwood. Jerious Norwood God sakes, we know you love the backups. Vernon Hayes, Michael Turner, he should’ve been a Titan easily. Barber and Wilford would’ve been there in the 2^nd round no doubt.

Talk about making the most of the situation AND things turning out the way you want to. Congrats to GM Kenny Viau. He got the running back that he wanted for about a month in Mike Bell and with his 4^th round pick made an excellent pick taking Matt Shaub. Thumbs up.

Most of all, I believe that the Dallas Cowboys are the favourites to win it all. They will be challenged by the New York football Giants. Both look very good on paper. The difference between the two is that the Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemen are relying on some players who have had injuries and the Cowboys are relying on a 2^nd year running back to explode onto the scene.

Looking at all the teams I see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to disappoint the most this season. Their big three is as good as anyone else’s. Plummer, Alexander and Burress. Other than Crumpler they have nothing else. I also believe that Vince “Mr. Wonderlic” Young will be the next Akili Smith. A dead brain running QB. The intention of drafting him is to trade him as a part of a package deal for something bigger. Anyone want to argue that one?

As for the other teams not mentioned in this week’s article………………

Now onto what I do best. Giving you the skinny on this week’s happenings.

New York vs. Green Bay
This game is a great way to start off the 2006 season. This game will be a fist fight. It’ll be a depth vs. superstars kind of match. I foresee Green Bay coming just short of a win. I think that the balance Gabe has at RB and QB will override anything LT and company can dish out.
Winner: New York

Tennessee vs. Chicago
Tennessee is no match for the Monsters of the Midway. Chicago’s big three of Holt, Johnson and Manning will be enough to put away the Titans. This one won’t even be close.
Winner: Chicago

Tampa Bay vs. Cincinnati
Tampa’s decent starts now. The Bengals are hungry and ready to roll. Their biggest contributor will be their defence. The Buccanneers have a great big three but I don’t think they will put up enough points to win.
Winner: Cincinnati

Philadelphia vs. Dallas
This is another great game to start out the season. A battle between two very good teams. I see Dallas winning this one because I don’t like the Eagles starting lineup chances of getting big numbers with Dunn facing the Panthers and Eli facing his older brother. Dallas will win this one by about 10 points.
Winner: Dallas

New Orleans vs. Oakland
I don’t think that the Saints are that good this year. To me have will have no running game this year at all. They will get some production but it won’t come often. Also the Saints didn’t draft anyone that would help them this year. Oakland will trample the Saints and it will be because of Jamal Lewis. even against a Tampa defence.
Winner: Oakland

Buffalo vs. Atlanta
There are too many youngsters and part time players on the Falcons roster. The Falcons are younger and better than last year’s starting lineup but it won’t be enough to beat out the Bills.
Winner: Buffalo

So just some thoughts to pass around just to give you a little teaser. A little something to read and make you more anxious for football season to start and seeing that 1^st boxscore. These are exciting times.

Just incase you were wondering, I am still the Countdown advisor and master predictor and I am back. My goal this year is to have less than 20 predictions wrong. Looking forward to a great season everyone.

Peter 'Bash' Smith is a senior writer for uflfootball.net