Summer NFL Mailbag!

Okay, so I decided to empty the mailbox one time before I go on hiatus for the summer! Let's take a look at some questions before I head off for the summertime.....

What do you think about NY/NJ getting the 2014 Super Bowl?
I don't understand why people are getting bent out of shape about the Super Bowl coming to the new Meadowlands Stadium in New York/New Jersey. First, NYC will be able to be a very gracious host to the Super Bowl that week. If there is any city that can handle the Super Bowl festivities, then New York City is that city. Secondly, the weather really will not be a big factor for the game. I know it will be cold and windy, but in the NFL cold and wind do not play factors that much in the outcome of a game. Peyton Manning and Tom Brady will still play very well in the cold no matter what the conditions are like. There have been plenty of great games played recently in the cold (Packers-Giants '07 NFC Title Game), so the weather does not bother me from a fan perspective. If they get snow for the game, then the NFL will be doing cartwheels because everyone loves to watch football in the snow. As far as the fans go, I hope that the cold weather drives away most of the corporate fans and more and more real NFL fans go the game instead. I like the idea and love that New York is gonna host the Super Bowl.

What do you think of the possibility of an 18 game season?
I've said this before on the blog, and I will say it again: I HATE the 18 game season! Just leave it the way it is. Too many games will dilute the product. The NFL always leaves the fans wanting more. 18 games screws that up. It messes up the scheduling, injuries could become more of a factor, and it just extends the season too long. Just leave it the way it is please!

Do you think the Broncos will sign Elvis Dumervil to a long term deal?
If I had to guess at odds, I would think that there is an 90% chance that Dumervil signs with Denver. Josh McDaniels has publicy stated that Dumervil should be a Bronco for a long time, and Dumervil did everything right this offseason. He reported to minicamps and mandatory sessions and has said the right thing each time. I think both sides get it done, and the Broncos need to have him apart of their defense.

As of right now, where do you see the Denver Broncos in 2010?
I really need to spend all summer thinking about what the Broncos will accomplish in 2010. It is too early to figure that out now, but everyone seems to think Denver will be a bad team in 2010. I bought two magazines so far, and each one (Sporting News and Pro Football Weekly) predicted that Denver would finish last in the AFC West with records of 4-12 and 6-10. At this point, I look at Denver as an 8-8 team. I really need to look at them in training camp and the preseason to get a real idea of where this team is headed. I do think that the future is bright for McDaniels and company.

Heading into the summer, which teams are overrated and which are underrated?
The three teams that are overrated and could disappoint are the following in reverse order:
3-Baltimore Ravens- Everyone thinks that getting Anquan Boldin will make them a Super Bowl team, but I am still not sold on Joe Flacco. Plus, that defense is getting older.
2-Minnesota Vikins- I know Brett Favre will probably come back, but the expectations will be Suepr Bowl or bust. Every week will be like a playoff game for this team, and I don't know if they can handle the pressure every week.
1-New York Jets- They have the most primetime games, Hard Knocks features them, all of those shady character issues equals a big letdown for Jet fans in 2010.

Three teams that are underrated going into 2010:
3-The Kansas City Chiefs- Three straight horrible years have led to them adding Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel to their staff. Plus, they got the 2 biggest gamebreakers in the Draft: Dexter McCluster and Eric Berry.
2-Chicago Bears- The Cutler-Martz combination could be deadly, and they added some solid moves with Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor.
1-Miami Dolphins- All they needed was a gamebreaker at receiver and they got one with the trade for Brandon Marshall. The Fins are one of the most well-coached teams in the NFL, and no one is paying attention to them in the AFC East.