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This is going to be a strange year in the NFL due to the lockout dragging out so long.  I think some teams are going to be big surprises in 2011.  Here is a look at how I see things shaking out in 2011:

AFC EAST

1. New England Patriots - The Patriots brought in some veteran help in WR Chad Ocho Cinco and DT Albert Haynesworth.  But they will because of QB Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, and that won’t change in 2011 as they will win the AFC East and earn the top seed in the AFC Playoffs.

2.  New York Jets - The Jets are essentially the same team they were last year.  That’s good news though as they have been to the AFC Championship two years in a row.  They will make the playoffs as a Wild Card in the AFC once again in 2011.

3.  Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins are a team that doesn’t want their QB (Chad Henne) or head coach (Tony Sparano) anymore.  Still, don’t expect the Dolphins to lay down as they still have a stout defense ready to rock in 2011.  They will be watching the playoffs once again in 2011.

4. Buffalo Bills - The Bills are going to be an exciting team to watch as they will likely score a lot of points.  Although they did a lot of retooling on the defensive side of the ball, they still won’t be a good team on D.  That will likely land them in last place in the AFC East once again in 2011.

AFC NORTH

1. Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers didn’t add much to the roster after the lockout was lifted but they really did need to.  They are still the best team in the AFC North and they will also be the only team from this division to make the playoffs in 2011.

2. Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens are a good football team but for some reason I don’t think they will have one of the best six records in the AFC this year.  That means that they are going to miss the playoffs in 2011, so don’t be surprised when it happens.

3. Cleveland Browns - The Browns are going to have a new look on offense with Pat Shurmur calling the shots.  Look for the Browns to pass more than they run in 2011.  The defense will also be different with defensive coordinator Dick Jauron switching to a 4-3.  Still, the best the Browns can hope for is 8-8.

4. Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals are going to be downright awful in 2011.  They will likely be in the hunt for the #1 overall pick in 2011 unless rookie QB Andy Dalton is up to the challenge in front of him.

AFC SOUTH

1. Houston Texans - The Texans have reloaded on the defensive side of the football and it’s going to really show this year.  They already have a great offense which is going to lead them to their first playoff appearance in franchise history in 2011.

2. Indianapolis Colts - With Peyton Manning a little iffy for the start of the season due to his 3rd neck surgery of his career, the Colts are going to be in trouble this year.  Even if he does play, he’s one big hit from being done for the season.  The rest of the team is not good enough to withstand being without Manning, so I don’t think they are going to the playoffs in 2011.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars are a team in flux right now as QB David Garrard and head coach Jack Del Rio are on the hot seat.  The Jaguars almost made the playoffs last season as they finished 8-8 on the year.  I think they could be a 9-7 team in 2011 but it won’t be good enough to get to the playoffs.

4. Tennessee Titans - The Titans are dealing with RB Chris Johnson’s holdout right now.  If he doesn’t come to camp soon, the Titans are likely in big trouble in 2011.  If Johnson sits out the whole year, the Titans will be in the battle for the #1 pick in the NFL Draft next April.

AFC WEST

1. San Diego Chargers - The Chargers finished last season 8-8 despite leading the NFL in total offense and total defense.  That won’t happen again in 2011 as WR Vincent Jackson is with the team from Day #1, which makes QB Philip Rivers really happy.  The Chargers aren’t just going to win the AFC West, but they are going to have a bye in the first round of the 2011 playoffs.

2. Kansas City Chiefs - Everything broke right for the Chiefs last year as they won the division and made it to the playoffs.  They are still going to the playoffs in 2011, but as a wild card team this time around.  They are going to miss ex-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis some, but they are still going to win around 10 games in 2011.

3. Denver Broncos - New head coach John Fox is a winner and he’s going to bring that mentality back to the Broncos.  Starting QB Kyle Orton was a move with the design to win right now.  Look for RBs Knowshon Moreno and Willis McGahee to be a huge part of the offense in 2011 as the Broncos try to protect their defense.

4. Oakland Raiders - The Raiders lost a lot of talent in the off-season and they did a poor job of replacing it.  I see them taking a tumble back to the basement in the AFC West.

NFC EAST

1. Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles might be the most overhyped team in the NFL in quite some time.  I still think they are the best team in the NFC East, but that’s only because every team below them is weaker than last season.

2. Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys really played solid after Jason Garrett took over as the head coach last year.  Look for them to keep on the right path but they will miss the playoffs once again in 2011.

3. New York Giants - The Giants’ defense has been decimated by injuries and they have lost WR Steve Smith (to the Eagles) and TE Kevin Boss (to the Raiders).  I just don’t see them being much better than an 8-8 team in 2011.

4. Washington Redskins - I actually liked all of the moves the Redskins made in the off-season except for what they did at QB.  I don’t think Donovan McNabb has much left in the gas tank, so I didn’t mind the trade they made with the Vikings.  But, to go with John Beck, Rex Grossman and Kellen Clemens at QB is terrible.

NFC NORTH

1. Green Bay Packers - The Packers are by far the best team in the NFC North.  They are going to bury the NFC this year and be the #1 seed in the conference in the playoffs.   The Packers are getting a lot of players back from injury, so they should be even better in 2011.

2. Detroit Lions - The Lions are going to get back to the playoffs for the first time in quite a while in 2011.  The Lions have really reloaded on defense as they now have a very physical bunch.  The Lions also have great depth at QB to cover for Matt Stafford if he gets hurt again.  But, if Stafford stays in one piece for all of 2011, the Lions are going to win at least 10 games in 2011!

3. Chicago Bears - The Bears didn’t do enough to improve the offensive line in the draft and free agency.  That means that Jay Cutler could be beaten like a pinata again in 2011.  I see them falling back to around .500 in 2011.

4. Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings played well after Leslie Frazier took over as the head coach mid-way through the 2010 season.  Look for the Vikings to play really hard in 2011, but it won’t show in their record as they are in a really tough division.

NFC SOUTH

1. New Orleans Saints - The Saints have added a lot of talent in the draft and free agency, so look for them to be improved in 2011.  That should get the rest of the NFC worried.

2. Atlanta Falcons - The Falcons added WR Julio Jones in the NFL Draft and DE Ray Edwards in free agency.  Other than that, the Falcons have essentially the same team that sported the best record during the NFL season in 2010.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Buccaneers benefitted from a weak schedule last year.   They won’t be so lucky in 2011.  They didn’t spend much money in free agency, so they better hope their rookies step up on defense.

4. Carolina Panthers - The Panthers are going to try to run the ball and play defense in 2011.  That’s easier said than done as teams are going to key on their running game on 1st and 2nd downs to try to force rookie QB Cam Newton into passing situations on 3rd down.  It’s going to be a long year in 2011 for the Panthers.

NFC WEST

1. Arizona Cardinals - The Cardinals are going to be the best team in the NFC West this year.  QB Kevin Kolb is going to be a huge improvement over the motley crew that played quarterback for the Cardinals last year.  The Cardinals are a team on the rise once again.

2. St. Louis Rams - The Rams really needed to go out and get a legit #1 WR for 2nd year QB Sam Bradford, but they dropped the ball in the off-season.  I think the defense will be improved a little bit in 2011, but until they get more weapons for Bradford, they will be watching the playoffs on T.V.

3. Seattle Seahawks - I’m not a fan of Tarvaris Jackson as he is a downgrade from Matt Hasselbeck in my mind.  That being said, I like the additions of WR Sidney Rice and TE Zach Miller.  But, the Seahawks’ defense isn’t going to be any good and it’s going to hold the team back in 2011.

4. San Francisco 49ers - By Halloween, new coach Jim Harbaugh is going to wish he stayed at Stanford.  The Niners have a shocking lack of talent on their roster heading into the 2011 season.

PLAYOFFS

WILD CARD ROUND

Jets over the Steelers

Texans over the Chiefs

Falcons over the Cardinals

Eagles over the Lions

ROUND II

Patriots over the Jets

Texans over the Chargers

Packers over the Falcons

Saints over the Eagles

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Patriots over the Texans

Packers over the Saints

SUPER BOWL

PACKERS OVER THE PATRIOTS

Who cares what the rankings are at the start of the college football season.  I’m of the belief that they shouldn’t even vote on a poll until October, after the teams have played a few games each.  That being said, this is what I project the rankings to look like when the dust settles on January 10th, 2012:

1. Florida State Seminoles - Florida State only really has two major bumps on the regular season schedule, when they play Oklahoma on September 17th and when they play at the Swamp on November 26th.  I see them winning both of those games and to be the only undefeated team in Division 1 football next fall and winter.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide - The SEC is a brutal conference and I don’t see any team being undefeated in it in 2011.  I don’t think the Tide will lose more than 1 game in 2011, so I have them ranked #2 in the country.

3. Oregon Ducks - The Ducks almost won the National Title last year and they will come close again without getting a cigar.

4. Oklahoma Sooners - The Sooners, like the Crimson Tide will only likely lose 1 game in 2011 (at Florida State).  If they win that game, they will make a serious run at the National Title.

5. LSU Tigers - LSU could make a legit run for the National Title this year if the offense improves.  The defense is going to be rock solid once again in 2011.

6. Stanford Cardinal - QB Andrew Luck decided to return for his senior season and he is going to try to get his team over the hump called the Oregon Ducks in 2011.  If the Cardinal can win the Pac Ten, they will likely be very legit contenders to win a National Title, as long as new head coach David Shaw is up to the challenge.

7. Virginia Tech Hokies - Virginia Tech is going to be a team on a mission this year after getting blown out 40-12 by Stanford in their bowl game last year.  Virginia Tech has a very weak schedule and they very easily could make a National Title run in 2011.

8. Nebraska Cornhuskers - The Cornhuskers are moving to the Big Ten this year and they look like the class of the conference.  It’s hard for team’s to win their conference in the first year in the league, but that’s exactly what the Cornhuskers are going to do in 2011.

9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Notre Dame has a pretty nice schedule this year and I think they will benefit greatly from it.  I think they will lose a couple of games, but new head coach Brian Kelly has them going in the right direction.

10. South Carolina Gamecocks - Coach Spurrier led his team to the SEC Championship Game but they got crushed 56-17.  That being said, it was a huge jump for the Gamecocks to win their side of the SEC.  With top RB Marcus Lattimore back, look for the Gamecocks to be more balanced on offense in 2011…and that’s a good thing.

11. Boise State Broncos - I have a feeling that the Broncos are going to lose at least one game in 2011.  The biggest battle will be against TCU in 2011, but the season opener against the Georgia Bulldogs in Atlanta will also be a tough one.

12. Oklahoma State Cowboys - The Cowboys are a legit contender for the National Title.  If they can somehow get to the last game of the year against Oklahoma without a loss (it is possible), then look out.

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs - If the Bulldogs were in any other conference, they would have a real shot at winning a championship in 2011.  But the SEC is just too tough right now.

14. Wisconsin Badgers - Head coach Bret Bielema has returned the Badgers to glory as he has a 49-16 record for them.  The Badgers are one of the best running teams in the nation and they are going to push a lot of teams around in 2011.

15. TCU Horned Frogs - If the Horned Frogs get to the Boise State game (November 12th at Boise) undefeated (very possible), they will contend for a National Title if they win that game.  Losing QB Andy Dalton is going to sting some, but most of the 13-0 team is back in 2011.

16. Michigan State Spartans - The Spartans came out of nowhere last year to finish the season 11-2.  Head Coach Mark Dantonio has been building the team, slowly but surely and they are more than ready to take the next step in 2011.

17. Arkansas Razorbacks - The Razorbacks are on the right track under Bobby Petrino.  Yeah, he is the guy that quit on the Falcons during his first season as a head coach in the NFL.  But, back in the minor leagues is where Petrino excels, so his team will be in the hunt in the SEC.

18.  Penn State Nittany Lions - The Nittany Lions have a lot of returning and very talented players.  But, they have a hole at QB and that is the reason they won’t rank higher than this.

19. Tulsa Golden Hurricane -  Head Coach Todd Graham might have left to coach the Pitt Panthers, but he led the cupboard very full with talented players.  The Golden Hurricane is returning 18 starting players from a team that is on a current 7-game winning streak.  That will put a lot of pressure on new head coach Bill Blankenship to win right away.

20. South Florida Bulls - The Bulls are a team on the rise under new head coach Skip Holtz.  If the Bulls can make some headway in the Big East, they could finish higher than this in 2011.

21. Florida Gators - The Gators are going to look a lot different in 2011.  Will Muschamp is taking over from Urban Meyer as the new head coach of the Gators in 2011.  He will try to fix the defense (his specialty) while allowing Charlie Weis to reconstruct the offense.  I think they will improve in 2011, but not enough to finish higher than this.

22.  West Virginia Mountaineers - The Mountaineers are having issues off the field, but they should be solid again on it in 2011.  I think they will be a decent team this year but I don’t see them finishing higher than 3rd in the Big East in 2011.

23. Texas A&M Aggies - The Aggies are suddenly a really solid team under head coach Mike Sherman.  The Aggies have 18 returning starters to a team that won six of their last 7 games in 2011.  They could possibly finish a lot higher than this if they can beat Oklahoma or Oklahoma State.

24. Kansas State Wildcats - The Wildcats have always been a solid team under head coach Bill Snyder.  But whenever someone else has taken over, the team has went into the toilet.  I think they are going to be better than they were last year when they finished 7-6.

25. Central Florida Knights - Head Coach George O’Leary has found a home in Orlando, Florida.  It took him seven years, but O’Leary finally got the Knights ranked at the end of the 2010 season.  Look out as I think they will make it two in a row in 2011 as they look like a very, very dangerous team in 2011.

It seems like Terrelle Pryor took the brunt of the criticism from the tattoo scandal that has rocked the Ohio State Buckeyes.  But there were four other players suspended in that scandal that are key players for the Buckeyes.  RB Dan Herron was the leading rusher for the Buckeyes last year.  He carried the ball 216 times for 1,155 yards (5.3 ypc) with 16 TD runs.  He also caught 19 passes for 180 yards (9.5 avg) last year.  WR DeVier Posey is one of the best WRs on the Buckeyes.  He caught 53 passes for 848 yards (16.0 avg) with 7 TD grabs last year.  All-Big Ten offensive tackles Mike Adams also got busted by the NCAA in this scandal.  Finally, backup DE Solomon Thomas got busted.  Is Pryor getting most of the blame because he was the Buckeyes’ QB or because he was a black QB, who played for the Buckeyes?  I’m not so sure.  But one thing is for certain, Pryor was the best QB at Ohio State that I can remember (which covers around 30 years).

Mike Flanagan was found dead at the age of 59 years old yesterday at his home.  He was a crafty lefty starting pitcher who was known mostly for his time with the Orioles.  He won the Cy Young Award in the American League in 1979 with the Orioles.  He pitched in 39 games (38 starts) for the Orioles in 1979 in which he was 23-9 with a 3.08 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP.  Flanagan only made it to the All-Star team one time in his major league career and it wasn’t in 1979.  He made the All-Star team back in 1978 for the Orioles.  He pitched in 40 games (all starts) for the O’s in 1978 and he was 19-15 with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP.  Flanagan pitched in 526 games (404 starts) in his 18 year major league career and he was 167-143 with 4 saves, a 3.90 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  This is a big loss to baseball in general and specifically for the Orioles.   Prayers go out for Flanagan and his family.