The days of the National Football League lockout appear to be coming to an end. With that, many fans are left to wonder how their teams will fare during the 2011 season. There is certainly no shortage of storylines to follow, so here are a few free NFL picks to watch out for in the upcoming year.
In the NFC, many eyes will be on the Minnesota Vikings. After a tumultuous and unimpressive 2010 season which saw the team suffer many critical injuries, setbacks from several key players, and the roof of their home building collapse after a snowstorm, the purple and gold will be looking to rebound.
In the rookie entry draft, Minnesota surprised everyone by reaching for Christian Ponder, the quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles. Possessing high football intelligence but lacking a strong arm, it is likely that the Vikings will seek to bring in a veteran to ease Ponder's transition to the professional ranks.
The influx on new blood behind center as also led to the exodus of Brett Favre. The future Hall of Famer will not be retained by Minnesota and the old gunslinger is likely headed to his retirement. Favre was amazing his first year with the team, experience a revival that would have been inconceivable just one year prior. But last season, age caught up with the grizzly veteran and he suffered myriad injuries which ended his record setting consecutive games played streak.
The New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the two teams to watch in the AFC in 2011. The two organizations met in the conference championship in 2010, and both will have strong clubs going forward in the upcoming season. The Jets will look to return most of their key free agents and are led by the young and impressive Mark Sanchez, who has experienced great success in his first two years in the league.
After making it to the big game last year, the Steelers eventually fell to the champion Green Bay Packers. The uncertainty surrounding receiver Hines Ward after his arrest is indeed very troubling, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had his run-ins with the law as well. But the talent in the Steel City cannot be denied, and thus, they are a smart pick to win their division and head back to the playoffs.
There certainly is no shortage of storylines to follow this year in the National Football League. With labor peace imminent, fans can return their focus to their favorite teams, and not the courtroom legal battles.
In the NFC, many eyes will be on the Minnesota Vikings. After a tumultuous and unimpressive 2010 season which saw the team suffer many critical injuries, setbacks from several key players, and the roof of their home building collapse after a snowstorm, the purple and gold will be looking to rebound.
In the rookie entry draft, Minnesota surprised everyone by reaching for Christian Ponder, the quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles. Possessing high football intelligence but lacking a strong arm, it is likely that the Vikings will seek to bring in a veteran to ease Ponder's transition to the professional ranks.
The influx on new blood behind center as also led to the exodus of Brett Favre. The future Hall of Famer will not be retained by Minnesota and the old gunslinger is likely headed to his retirement. Favre was amazing his first year with the team, experience a revival that would have been inconceivable just one year prior. But last season, age caught up with the grizzly veteran and he suffered myriad injuries which ended his record setting consecutive games played streak.
The New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers are the two teams to watch in the AFC in 2011. The two organizations met in the conference championship in 2010, and both will have strong clubs going forward in the upcoming season. The Jets will look to return most of their key free agents and are led by the young and impressive Mark Sanchez, who has experienced great success in his first two years in the league.
After making it to the big game last year, the Steelers eventually fell to the champion Green Bay Packers. The uncertainty surrounding receiver Hines Ward after his arrest is indeed very troubling, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has had his run-ins with the law as well. But the talent in the Steel City cannot be denied, and thus, they are a smart pick to win their division and head back to the playoffs.
There certainly is no shortage of storylines to follow this year in the National Football League. With labor peace imminent, fans can return their focus to their favorite teams, and not the courtroom legal battles.
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