NFL Season Preview: Back to Sanity!

Straight out of lockout into pre-season games, a new season of NFL is just around the corner.

Lockout

Perhaps one of the most worrying news events in recent months was the possibility of a lockout. For those who are unaware, a lockout is where the players and management are unable to negotiate new contracts, or existing contracts concerning players.

This issue stemmed from an earlier agreement allowing players to use Collective Bargaining to ensure that the contracts they signed were the best available to them. The owners of the NFL had ended the agreement that was in place at the end of the 2010 draft and refused to extend the system to the 2011 draft.

The Owners and the Players Association, came to a new collective bargaining agreement on the 21^st of July, allowing the season to go ahead as planned, with only the Pro Football Hall of Fame game being cancelled. What a shame..

Just after the agreement was signed, players posted thank you messages on YouTube . Check out the cheesy vid, cliche American patriotic music and all:

Teams to Watch

Don’t think many teams have a realistic chance this year to be honest. Three of the ones I fancy though are Detroit Lions, Washington (D.C) Redskins, New England Patriots – they all have 100% pre-season records so far, with the Patriots and the Lions both scoring over 30 points in total.

Further, the Patriots also have Tom Brady (MVP 2007 & 2010), who looks to be lined up for another stellar season if the pundits are too be believed. Keep your eyes on them; we could be likely seeing them at the Super Bowl again this year.

Back from the dunce bin, the Redskins have also won both pre-season games, coming back from a couple of past ‘nightmare’ seasons having lost a majority of games in 2009 (4 wins to 12 losses) and 2010 (6 wins to 10 losses).

Having a new roster drawn up and a number of major trades, this season under Mike Shanahan could be a turn-around from the last couple of years.

The Star: Michael Vick

What can I say? It’s rare to see a quarter-back return from a long absence in the game, even rarer to see a quarter-back return from an 18 month prison sentence and run one of the best QB seasons in recent NFL history.

Playing for the Eagles in 2010, Vick was consistently involved in crucial plays, impressive throws and amazing touchdowns.

2011 will be a big year for the star as many are wondering if he can continue this form that saw him get runner up MVP for the 2010 season.

So It Begins!

So after a major wait, we finally can look forward to some football! NFL 2011 kicks off September 8^th, with Superbowl on the 5^th of February 2012, get your game faces on!!!