Are you ready for some football?

Finally, winter, spring and summer have come and gone and the fall air is crisp with the sounds of rustling leaves and tackling players. Football is back and not a moment to soon. Here in Miami much has changed since the last football season.

The Heat have been dethroned as champions being swept in the first round ignominiously by the Baby Bulls. Yet all was not lost as the whiny, ever-complaining, choking, can't get it done, we're the real champions saying, we were robbed acting, our owner is a buffoon having Dallas Mavericks were dropped in the first round by the number 8 seed Golden State Warriors, proving once and fall that champions are crowned in June not November to April. The Mavs were summarily dismissed as they should have been, all year they were focused on what happened to them how they were the true champions and then when it came time to put up they were emphatically shut up.

The Marlins, well let's not talk about the Marlins, but hey at least they get an A for effort.

The Panthers are trying to revive hockey, but let's face it unless rats are being thrown around no one will know about it.

Which brings us to the Dolphins. The Dolphins who teased everyone in their pursuit of Brady Quinn only to pick Ted Ginn Jr when Brady fell into their laps at number 9. Outrage isn't strong enough to describe the initial emotions following that pick. Shock. Embarrassment. Shame. Sadness. Confusion. All these and more would be appropriate. Yet, something happened, the draft unfolded and a plan was seen. The Dolphins solidified their special teams unit, their O line and did draft a quarterback of the future, the multi-lingual, accurate, talented, humble and happy to be here John Beck.

As training camp and mini camps came and went it became clear this Dolphin team just might have a shot. Maybe Cam Cameron knows what he's doing, maybe the Dolphins are better than anybody thought, after all everyone picked them to make the Super Bowl last year and they stumbled badly, maybe just maybe the opposite will be true this year. Last year was a fairy tale season for New Orleans and Indy for different reasons Indy was finally crowned champions after years of expectations and the Saints were nearly in the Super Bowl after years of nearly no expectations. Who will be the fairy tale team this year? Let's turn to the NFL Preview, Primetime style to find out.

Well on to the picks:

NFC EAST
1.Dallas 11-5
2.Washington 9-7
3.Philadelphia 7-9
4.NY Giants 5-11

This is an always entertaining division and with the return to form of the Dallas Cowboys we should all prepare ourselves for the barrage of annoying phone calls, text messages and e-mails from Cowboy fans to NFL and non NFL fans everywhere about how they are back. TO will be let loose to do his damage as Wade Phillips and Bill Parcells are as polar opposite on discipline wise as North and South. Washington has a chance on paper every year, but Jason Cambell will need to adjust to take them to the next level, i.e. the playoffs. Meanwhile Philly and the Giants represent the biggest axiom in all of football, you are only as good as your quarterback. McNabb has been injury prone and doesn't have enough weapons on offense, the D is aging and Andy Reid can't wait to put in his rookie draft pick into play. The Giants have already quit on Eli and Tom Coughlin and unless Eli gets a shot of Peyton juice the Gints are going nowhere and fast.

NFC Central
1.Chicago 12-4
2.Green Bay 10-6
3.Minnesota 6-10
4.Detroit 6-10

Chicago is easily the class of this group but the Packers in Brett Favre's latest last hurrah will have just enough to sneak to a wild card. The Packer's defense has the potential to be top 5 this year and Favre should make the adjustments necessary to take this team to the playoffs. Meanwhile Tavaris Jackson is expected to be a savior in Minnesota, he's not. Not yet anyways, maybe in the future. Finally does anyone really expect Matt Millen to have a winning team in Detroit. I say no.

NFC South
1.New Orleans 13-3
2.Atlanta 8-8
3.Carolina 7-9
4.Tampa 4-12

The Saints had to adjust to new players, new coaching staff, a return to New Orleans and were still one good half from being in the Super Bowl. This year they'll get home field advantage with a chance to win that NFC Championship at home. They will only improve on last year and will be a juggernaut. Atlanta will surprise some but in reality Joey Harrington is capable of leading them to a good season, they won't be the train wreck that some foresee and will battle through the year before ending at .500 Carolina and Tampa unfortunately won't be so lucky they have aging quarterbacks and not enough weapons, add a coach on the hot seat in John Gruden in Tampa and you can see the recipe for disaster in Tampa.

NFC West
1.San Francisco 10-6
2.Seattle 9-7
3.St.Louis 6-10
4.Arizona 5-11

This is the year for San Fran to take it to the next level. Alex Smith has had his seasoning Frank Gore will rush them to glory and Niners make the playoffs. Seattle finishes a close second and will get their chance for a return to the Super Bowl as a wild card. Meanwhile St. Louis while led by Stephen Jackson and Mark Bulger have an average defense and aging wide outs, Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt aren't exactly spring chickens any more. As for Arizona they fall in my Detroit category until they actually perform to expectations they will be in last place for me.

AFC Picks

AFC SOUTH
1.Indy 11-5
2.Houston 8-8
3.Jacksonville 6-10
4.Tennessee 5-11

Indy will always win the division as long as Peyton Manning has breath in his lungs, its that simple. Houston should improve with the addition of Matt Schaub but the playoffs are still at least a year away for them as they adapt to their new QB and are in the 2nd year of the Gary Kubiak system .
Meanwhile Jacksonville and Tennessee will take steps back. David Garrard can play in the NFL but he can't do it by himself. Fred Taylor is never a lock to play in 16 games and Maurice Jones-Drew is still a young back. Tennessee which exploded last year will inevitably take a step back as the Titans front office decided the best way to improve on VY's year and help out was to take away his weapons and not replenish him with new ones. Losing Pac-Man Jones didn't help the defense and special teams either.

AFC WEST

1.San Diego 12-4
2.Denver 8-8
3.Kansas City 6-10
4.Raiders 4-12

San Diego is still at the head of the class in this division and while Norv Turner is no Don Shula even he couldn't screw up this team. It's just too good. Jay Cutler will lead Denver to the brink but it won't be enough despite the dozen successful running backs they seem to have on the roster every year. After watching KC on Hard Knocks, even they can smell that they'll be lucky to get to .500 this year and when you start the season like that well let's face it in a league where everyone thinks they have a chance when you sound like you don't, you don't. Speaking of not having a chance the Raiders have done little to overhaul this team. Starting with a new coaching staff is a positive start but is it enough. No. Maybe JaMarcus Russell will be the next Dan Marino, maybe Mike Williams will become an All Pro, maybe the Raiders defense will be a top 5 unit. Maybe all this will happen, but not this year. Not with Cade McCown and Daunte Culpepper as your two best options at QB, sorry Raider Nation looks like another year of bags over your heads.

AFC North
1.Baltimore 12-4
2.Pittsburgh 10-6
3.Cincinnati 9-7
4.Cleveland 5-11

Despite Steve McNair not being a top 15 QB anymore this team is loaded. With McGahee taking the load on offense, Todd Heap at TE and Mark Clayton emerging as a legitimate wide out plus the always stacked D which won't miss a beat despite losing Adalius Thomas to the Pats, the Ravens were made for the post season this year. Pittsburgh will rebound from last year's championship hangover and make the playoffs. And Cincy at 9-7 will be just strong enough to sneak in and make it a trifecta for the AFC North. Their D isn't Baltimore like by any stretch (whose is?) but their offense is too powerful to be denied despite losing two key offensive linemen. Cleveland may have won the Brady Quinn sweepstakes, but they will lose the battles and the wars, at least this year.

AFC EAST
1.Miami 11-5
2.New England 8-8
3.NY Jets 8-8
4.Buffalo 5-11

Every year a team rises up from the cellar to stun everyone and get it done. We've seen Baltimore, Tampa Bay, St.Louis, New England and other perennially down franchises rise up from the ashes to be Super Bowl Champions, and this year Miami is the team that will surprise. Will it win it all? Keep reading below. But this year Cam Cameron steps in confidently, and with his guys and his system along with Dom Capers D the Dolphins will prevail in the wild and woolly AFC East. Am I an unabashed homer, in September yes, but when it all comes together it will be crystal clear that I was right. As a Miami fan expectations were always a burden, every year was the year, heck one year we had almost 20 former 1st round picks and we missed the playoffs. So this year when no one is looking we will sneak up one everyone. The Pats because of suspensions and injuries will stumble out of the gate. That sound you hear is Donte Stallworth's hamstring popping in a frigid November game. The Jets won't be able to get it done as long as Pennington is the QB and the Bills are simply not ready for primetime yet.

So without further ado, the picks.

AFC Division Champs:
San Diego, Miami, Indy and Baltimore

Wild Cards: Pittsburgh and Cincinnati

1st Round Byes: San Diego and Baltimore
1st Round results: Miami beats Cincinnati, Indy beats Pittsburgh
2nd Round: Mami beats Baltimore, Indy loses to San Diego
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: San Diego beats Miami

NFC Playoffs:
NFC Division Champs:
New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco
NFC Wildcards: Green Bay, Seattle

1st Round Byes: New Orleans, Chicago
1st Round Results: Dallas beats Seattle, San Francisco beats Green Bay
2nd Round Results: Chicago beats Dallas, New Orleans beats San Francisco
NFC Championship: New Orleans beats Chicago

Super Bowl XLII: New Orleans beats San Diego 31-27

And Saints fans lived happilly ever after.

Heat is cool, for now

Watching the NBA Finals video this summer, I realized the dream was true, my Miami Heat were the NBA Champions. The team that started it's franchise record at 0-17 was now finally an NBA Champion. How would they react to this challenge, would they come out guns blazing and fortify their championship, or would they be what my buddy Matt predicted, no better than a paper champion?

Well so far this season they've been more paper champion than true champion, playing in the Eastern Conference all this means is they are the 8 seed in the weak East, and definitely not where they should be as a champion. So what's wrong? Is a change needed? The answers are of course: Shaq is hurt, and Yes.

Shaq has missed most of the start of the season and was a shell of his Hall of Fame self when he did play, Dwyane Wade hasn't been able to lift the Heat by himself and the supporting cast has been abysmal. The Heat turned away with from made them great last year, hungry, on a mission, saavy veterans, and the emergence of the league's next great superstar. This year the saavy part is still true but the hungry and on a mission part seems to have been washed away in the summer time. Wade is playing as heroically as ever and Gary Payton has contributed heavily in Jason Williams abscence, but it's not enough. At one point Antoine Walker missed 24 of 25 three point shots. 24 of 25. With effort like the that the Heat are closer to disgracing their championship, than defending it with honor. So what can be done? A superstar injection.

AI, Allen Iverson, the Answer, is the Answer to what ails the Heat. The Heat have the talented players and expiring contracts that Philly needs. J-Will's contract expires in two years, and while Antoine Walker's contract expires in four years, there are voidable years there which would make it considerably shorter. If James Posey were substituted for Walker the benefits would be quicker for the Sixers as his contract expires this year. The Sixers would get talent and relatively quick expiring contracts. It is the best deal anyone could offer them.

The Heat? They would get AI's unquesitoned hunger and desire for a championship, which would allow him to defer to Shaq and Wade when necessary. They would get his talent, his ability to score in impossible places, and his eye for passes. In addition adding Iverson would be a conundrum for opposing teams. Who gets doubled? Shaq? That leaves Iverson and Wade one on one. Wade? That leaves Shaq and Iverson open. Iverson? That leaves Wade and Shaq open. The Heat can't lose, and with Pat Riley's guidance, this move would work. Dorrell Wright is coming into his own at the small forward position, and with Jason Kapono as a back up this position is solid if not spectacular. Trading Walker would allow Wayne Simien more playing time at the power forward which would accelarate his development and be a solid back up to Udonis Haslem, and he could even overtake him at some point in the future.

The Heat and Iverson were made for each other. At best, the Heat get a hungry, talented superstar, still in his prime for two years of his contract and a chance to extend their title last year into a run of titles. At worst? They get someone who will give them energy and talent every night and lead to more balanced scoring while securing opportunities for the other stars on the team. It's a no lose proposition for the Heat.

The Heat is cool for now, but with AI's arrival they would heat up to championship levels. All Pat Riley needs to do is make the phone call. AI...AI...AI... can't you just feel the Heat rising? AI...AI...AI...

NBA FINALS-Heat Style

18 years. That's how long the Miami Heat have been in the business of playing basketball games. In all those years though they've been in the business of searching for one thing, winning it all. They've had shots, they've gotten close, but never this close. The early years were filled with lots of losing but lots of fun moments as well. From that first win after seventeen straight losses to open up their franchise history to now just four wins away from eternal glory. How did we get here? Two words: Pat Riley.

The games greatest winner came to Miami 11 years ago, with lots of promises, wins, ego, reputation, but most importantly this Rings, success in the Finals as a player and a coach. He was everything the Heat wanted and never had. He talked about a parade down Biscayne Boulevard, and the words sounded as sweet as the success he promised. Yet, success didn't come easy, the Heat has taken its lumps the past 11 years all in the name of one reason, after all the Ring is the thing.

From losing to the Knicks to losing Zo to his kidney ailment, to two consecutive losing seasons, the first in Pat Riley's career the Heat has suffered but the road to redemption and success all that gets wiped away and begins to erode starting tonight.

It's come down to this the NBA Finals, the chance the Heat have been sweating for, crying for, bleeding for, working for, preparing for and most importantly perhaps built for from the vision of one man, Pat Riley. How will they get it done it will take 3 things:

1. Contain the supporting cast-Dirk Nowitzki has been on fire this season and even more so this postseason, but he can't do it alone. The Heat has to get Josh Howard, Desagana Diop, Erick Dampier, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and the rest of the Mavericks supporting cast to play like what they are, just players. Dirk is the star and he's made everyone else better like a true MVP candidate but he can't do it alone. They can't let the Mavericks cast convince themselves that they are better than they are, break their confidence and the Heat is on their way. The Heat must exploit the fact that the only ring in Dallas is on Avery Johnson's finger, and he's coaching not playing.

2. Hit the wide open shots- Sounds easy right? Well the Heat will be seeing their fair share of wide open jumpers with Dallas trying to contain Wade and Shaq. They must hit them. Plain and simple, if the Heat makes their open shots, and their free throws (when and if they get them) they will win. Sounds easy? Time to get it done.

3. Stay the course- Pat Riley blew up last year's team for one reason, and one reason only to win a title. All throughout the playoffs they've talked about one thing 16 wins, that's what they wanted. Get to 16 wins. Like a mantra they've repeated it and now is the stage they've gotten ready for it is their time. If they stay their course, listen to their true leader, Riley, they will win. Stay the course and the Ring will be there for them at the end.

So here we are Dallas has had its up and downs in its franchise history and are making their debut in these NBA Finals as is Miami. All the words, signifying nothing, it is time to prove who the best team is...

Miami is, Heat in 5.

The Marlins are going! The Marlins are going!

Well, it looks like what has been is again. The Florida Marlins who after winning the 1997 World Series collapsed their team and had a team that won less than 60 games the next year. This time they won the World Series and are now beginning the dismantling, although two years later, and in a completely different manner.

The first time around was shock and awe. It was completely blindsiding and disheartening. This time the blame has to be put in large part on we the fans. Dan Lebatard has an excellent column on this at the Miami Herald page.

The current ownership group led by Jeffrey Loria and president David Sampson, have from day 1 said they would put a competitive team on the field. In fact at one of the first "town meetings" with season ticket holders Mr. Loria was asked if the Marlins were in it would they bring in talent to shore up the team at the trading deadline if they had a shot at the playoffs. In 2003 they brought in Ugueth Urbina(another Venezuelan), and helped lead them to the title and shore up a shaky bullpen along with Chad Fox who was also brought in. They won the World Series and didn't stop there, stock piling talent, signing Mike Lowell to a long term contract, giving should be Gold Glove shortstop Alex Gonzalez an extension (which just ran out), and then last year the biggest coup signing first baseman Carlos Delgado to a 4 year $52 million deal. Yet despite all that, the fans did not come.

Last year we finished 3rd from the bottom ahead of only KC and Tampa Bay in attendance, both of whom had losing records unlike the Marlins who were in the hunt for the wild card until the final weeks of the season (and had their 3rd winning season in a row). In their inaugural year the Marlins drew over 3 million fans, last year at home they drew just over 1.8 million an average of 22,792 for their 80 home dates.

So frankly we shouldn't be surprised as a fan base when we get the headlines, Beckett and Lowell gone, Delgado to the Mets, and the ones that are sure to come in the future regarding everyone from Juan Pierre to Luis Castillo to Paul LoDuca and who knows who else. We have recieved some great prospects which is exciting after all it was the firesale of 1998 that got us the champs of 2003.

So, to Hanley Ramirez, Mike Jacobs, Yusmeiro Petit, Anibal Sanchez and Jesus Delgado, the last 3 are some of the most promsing pitchers in minor league baseball, welcome to Miami. These are grade A prospects, who like Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera were relatively unknown, but went on to make a great impact. Petit another Venezuelan will get the chance to join countryman Miguel Cabrera on the regular lineup instead of seasoning or languishing depending on your perspective some more in the minor leagues.

So the bottom line, we deserved these trades, we have not supported the Marlins as a community in the way they deserve(except in the playoffs). Even me I was a season ticket holder but gave them up after 2004 and didn't see one game in person this year. So I will live with this and am excited about the future of the Marlins, which contrary to reports that they will be leaving, I think they will stick around, someway, somehow the ball park will get done and the Marlins will be in Miami for generations to enjoy, attendance will improve with the ball park and kids will continue to go with their fathers to the "old ballgame". Though next year might be a little rough.

On a more serious note I want to wish everybody a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall Changes

As the leaves change(well except in Miami of course), the crisp weather brings new sports stories. College Football, the NHL returning, the World Series, basketball training camp and the NFL in full swing.

The biggest of course is the World Series, the Fall Classic, the place where curses go to die or in some cases perpetuate. This year with the Red Sox gone the mantle of curse buster falls to the White Sox or as most people know them the other Sox team. That's right led by Ozzie Guillen, everyone's favorite Venezuelan, the Sox are on the verge of winning their first World Series since 1917, and putting to rest stories of curses and Black Sox. Their last World Series appeareance was in 1959 with the Go-Go Sox of Nellie Fox and Venezuelan Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio. Venezuealan's in the World Series? Catch the Fever!

While game one has passed it's still not too late for a prediction. On the verge of Game 2 I say the Sox win in 5. Andy Pettite has a history of Game 2 wins after a loss but Ozzie's Gang will be too much in the Series overall. It's a large source of pride as a Venezuelan knowing that we will have a Venezuelan manager lead a team to a World Series title. He's had help from great players and a little luck. Freddy Garcia another Venezuelan pitched a complete game gem in Game 4 of the Angels Series which allowed Cuban Jose Contreras to avenge his ALCS game 1 loss with another Sox complete game and launched them into the World Series.

Houston is equally deserving of a title and would surpass the Marlins comeback from 10 gamesunder .500 deficit in the regular season overcome to win a title. Marlins skipper Trader Jack McKeon turned them around and made them the best team in baseball.

That team like Houston (and the Sox for that matter) was led by strong pitching and defense, although Houston probably has the best offense in the Series they haven't faced pitcing like the Sox. Houston's team is the Series for the first time in its 44 year franchise history and they have a strong team that has come back from 15-30 but Phil Garner's team won't be strong enough to overcome the Sox. Vamos Medias Blancas! Vamos Venezuela!

I have more to say but in order to publish before game 2 I will leave my other thoughts including two returns and a retirement, Ricky Williams, the NHL and the retirement of Miami Heat killer nemesis, persona non grata, the New York Knick's Allan Houston, for another time.

Before I log off I just want to wish good luck and a prayer to all as Hurricane Wilma approaches. Here in Miami we've had our share of hurricanes, hurricane warnings, and other catastrophes. It's serious business and I'm hopeful nothing will happen. In the end it's usually more warning than destruction and I hope that trend continues here in Miami and elsewhere. When it does hit I pray people are protected. That's all for now and God Bless.

Gotta Start Somewhere

Hello World:

So what is Primetime Sports Blog (PSB)? Who is Primetime? And why are you reading this now?

I'm sure these and other questions are rushing through your head right now or not. My real name is Tony Figueroa, but I used to have the nickname Primetime in college because I played two sports (swimming and lacrosse) while in college. I've decided to adopt the nickname for this blog since it's associated with sports which will be the main topic of this blog. What else about me? I went to school at Babson College near Boston) am 29 and happily married. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela and grew up mostly in Miami which has seriously skewed and affected my sports opinions. Why are you reading this? Well only you can answer that but I figure you are probably interested sports and looking for a different non-expert take on some subjects.


By way of introduction, I'll give you a quick rundown of my beliefs, let you digest that and then publish a more concrete article of thoughts next time.

Oh and before I forget, thanks for reading I appreciate it, and feel free to send comments snide, sincere, helpful or otherwise, I'll be reading and responding to as many as I can.

Without further ado my thoughts:

• I love all kinds of sports but pay more attention to the Big 4 and yes I consider the NHL to still be a major league
• My favorite sport is baseball
• On Sundays in the fall you can catch me cheering for the Miami Dolphins and believing they will win every week and eventually win another Super Bowl
• On Saturdays in the fall its C-A-N-E-S, Canes.
• Dan Marino, not Joe Montana was the greatest QB of his generation
• However Johnny U was the true pioneer and greatest all time
• I believe soccer won't make it as a major league sport in the US but nevertheless it can be fun to watch
• Old School Jerseys are cool to own, but overpriced
• Miami should be pronounced Miam-uh not Mia-me
• NASCAR is not a sport (and neither are the other car racing leagues), sorry guys, the drivers have endurance, are somewhat athletic but car racing isn't a sport, not when the biggest factor is a machine
• The NFL should have done everything it could to keep Monday Night Football on ABC and not have let it switch to cable and ESPN
• John Madden is an exceptional football announcer
• No one plays soccer like Brazilians and no one loves it more
• The Florida Marlins will win another title before the Red Sox
• The second Godfather is better than the first
• I never saw Aliens with Sigourney Weaver and don't feel like I've missed anything
• TIVO is a great invention but it's not the best thing since sliced bread, that would be Satellite Radio
• Dazed and Confused was the best movie of the 90's
• Fantasy Football is a normal activity for someone closer to the age of 30 than 20
• Ronnie Brown will break Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record (and not just on Madden)
• Playing Madden Football is to men what shoe shopping is to women

Which reminds me I've gotta go and lead the Dolphins charge to a perfect season and Ronnie Brown to 2000 yards.

Later,

Tony

(after all I may be able to call it Primetime Sports Blog, but only Deion can sign Primetime)