It's been awhile. September state of the nation, and NFL players to watch '05.

Tonight is September 7th. The eve of the NFL opener, and 24 hours after David Ortiz added his sixth walkoff homerun in a Boston uniform to his resume. This blog died three months ago, but oh well. It's time for a small update, and I wanted to do an NFL piece.

The Redsox with all the pitching woes, still sit four games atop the AL East.

The good: Our offense cannot be contained in Fenway Park. Kevin Millar is finally hitting. David Ortiz brings a playoff attitude to the plate everytime its close and late in games. Our offense is the most prolific in the majors. Schill has improved every start. If we host a playoff series, we have the firepower to potentially beat any team in the AL. The sox are getting hot at the right time.

The bad: No team in recent history has won a pennant with as abysmal pitching numbers as the 05 sox. Schill is still a huge question mark. Though Schill has improved each of the last 3 starts, thats still not saying much. Who knows if Foulke can get his stuff together for the playoffs. This team is not set up to dominate a playoff series like 04. With Ramirez in left, and Renteria leading the league in errors, our overall defense is also very mediocre.

Bottom Line: This years team has endured many setbacks, and we still stand to win the AL East. We have great chemistry and a rediculous offense, but the pitching needs to improve. If our rotation can continue to get it together, and we mix and match a playoff bullpen, then this team can and will contend for another world title.

Notes: MVP race is really down to A-Rod, Tiz, and bad Vlad Guerrero. I see it panning out with A-Rod taking it with his pure numbers, unless NY doesnt make the playoffs. A lot of it will also depend on who has the best september. Vladdy is heating up again, but in that lineup there isnt much protection, he already leads the league in intentional walks. Sheffield left the game tonight with a tight hammy, NY cant have him out during the home stretch. Giambi is back, 180 degrees from where he was three months ago. Bonds took batting practice yesteday and put five balls in the bleachers with 17 swings, he'll be in the lineup soon.

If you have not seen Felix Hernandez pitch yet, you should make a point to try. Probably the best young pitcher to come up in the last 20 years. Maybe the best fastball I've ever seen. His heater hits 99 with a ton of movement, sometimes its a 98mph sinker. His curve is dirty, he has a plus change up, and Seattle doesnt let him throw his slider yet, which is possibly his best pitch. Oh yea, hes 19 years old. His last start against the a's he only allowed one flyball to even reach the outfield. He doesnt walk many batters either, its unbelieveable. King Felix is the next big thing. I dont know why hes not getting much press yet, but its only a matter of time.

Wolfmans NFL player to watch list
Pretty self explanatory, some run on sentences as notes.

NFC
Dallas- RB Julius Jones - Explosive, Parcells loves him, soph breakout watch. Also watch Newman on defense. He was too unbelieveable at Kansas State to not become dominant in this league. Top 5 college players I've ever seen.
NY Giants- TE Jeremy Shockey - Sporting a nice new tat this year. Rigorous offseason workouts, lets see if he can come back from an off year in Coughlins offense. Still top 5 TE's in the league to me.
Philly- SS Michael Lewis - Dawkins is getting older, Kearse cant stay healthy, if Lewis can step his game up another level he'll lead this defense in tackles.
Washington- RB Clinton Portis, SS Sean Taylor - Portis gained almost 20lbs of muscle to survive Gibbs counter/off tackle pounding run game, should be interesting. Taylor is an off the field mess, but noone in the league shares his upside. Think Ed Reed/Rodney Harrison hybrid.
Chicago- QB Kyle Orton - Prolific passer at Purdue but slipped in the draft because of measurables. With Grossmans Injury, he's been given the starting job and looks great, intangibles.
Detroit- WR Roy Williams - Theres so many talented skill position players in the motor city, so anyone could break out. My pick is Roy Will though, Healthy he plays like TO. Great hands, explosive, size/speed.
Green Bay- WR Javon Walker - Quietly one of the best receivers in the league last year. Contract holdout pissed off Favre and you dont wanna do that, but this kid can play.
Minnesota- WR Nate Burleson - Someones gotta catch the balls Moss isnt. Nate should become Daunte's new go to guy. That defense has some serious players now too. Smoot can cover, Kevin Williams is the next Seymour, Sharper, Harris, Udeze, Pat Williams, Erasmus James, EJ Henderson, Cowart, Winfield. If they can gel then Vikings will win 12 games.
Atl- Deangelo Hall - #7 is too obvious. Hall has always had the physical skills, Best athlete in his draft class. Now hes confident and more polished... and Vick admits Hall is faster than him.
Nawlins- RB Deuce McCallister - Only Player on the team that I like. Deuce is a bus, can move, and catch the ball. He's a top 10 RB
Tampa- WR Michael Clayton, RB Cadillac Williams - Last two years #1 draft picks. Clayton doesnt have the physical gifts of a Roy Williams, but hes real polished, good route runner. Cadillac can be their horse. He started over Ronnie Brown for a reason. Doesnt have his size/speed, but has better vision and is more slippery.
Carolina- Julius Peppers - He gets better every year, and you can't double him all game with Kris Jenkins playing on the same line.
St Louis- RB Steven Jackson - He's a tank. Starting over Marshall this year. Last year he relied on all physical skills. Learning behing Faulk might have been the best thing to happen to him.
Arizona- SS Adrian Wilson - Everyone in AZ flies under the radar but this kid is pro bowl material. Wilson and DE Bertrand Berry are vastly underrated. Also keep an eye on Antrel Rolle, needs to work on his backpedal, but hes cocky and real physical for a corner, reminds me of Chris McCalister.
San Francisco- LB Julian Peterson - One of the best LB's out there, nothing he cant do. This team sucks and Peterson is their best player by far. USC's offense is better.
Seattle- SS Michael Boulware - Converted him from LB as a rookie, and all he did was make big plays. Gotta get him on the field.