Sports

FOOTBALL FORECAST

Quarterback expert Steve Clarkson reveals his 2008-2009 season predictions.

BY ALEXANDRA CALAMARI

Eli Manning in action

TOM BRADY, New England Patriots
Strengths: “A modern day Joe Namath: extremely confident, deadly accurate, plays with style and flair.”
Weaknesses: “Tom will have to lead a team that went 18-0 only to lose in the Super Bowl [last season]… how will he keep them up for another season?”
Prediction: 12-4 record; lose to the Colts in AFC Championship

PEYTON MANNING, Indianapolis Colts
Strengths: “He’s a proven leader and a tireless worker. He’s extremely tough mentally and physically.”
Weaknesses: “He’s not the most athletic and doesn’t throw the prettiest passes.”
Prediction: 13-3 record; Super Bowl Champion

JAMARCUS RUSSELL, Oakland Raiders
Strengths: “An absolute physical specimen, he can put the ball in the parking lot.”
Weaknesses: “Inexperience. He has to work with a relatively young offensive line, and there’s no one there to catch his balls.”
Prediction: 7-9 record

TONY ROMO, Dallas Cowboys
Strengths: “He has the guts of a gambler and a great feel for the pocket. He plays best when all else has failed.”
Weaknesses: “He could use better judgment off the field to avoid possible scrutiny by fans and teammates.”
Prediction: 13-3 record; Super Bowl appearance

ELI MANNING, New York Giants
Strengths: “Tremendous poise under pressure; he had the weight of the world on his shoulders [last] season and came through with flying colors.”
Weaknesses: “Average arm strength, not exceptionally mobile and plays in a tough conference.”
Prediction: 11-5 season; lose to Cowboys in NFC Championship

AARON RODGERS, Green Bay Packers
Strengths: “Quick release and a strong arm. In limited play, he showed great poise, accuracy and leadership in hostile environments.”
Weaknesses: “He has not played a full season and will keep looking over his shoulder since Green Bay drafted [another] QB this year.”
Prediction: 10-6 record

SPORTING EVENTS CALENDAR

SEPT. 7 • Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium • Foxborough, MA (32 miles from Boston)
The Patriots get their first shot at another near-perfect season (darn those pesky Giants) as they take on the Chiefs at their season home opener.

SEPT 13 • Joel Casamayor vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Watch as one of boxing’s best fighters, Juan Manuel Marquez (they don’t call him “Dynamite” for nothing), goes 12 rounds with Joel Casamayor and his signature hairbrush uppercut for the Ring Magazine lightweight title—which Casamayor currently holds.

SEPT 19-21 • Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Wrigley Field, Chicago
Could this be the year the Cubbies break the curse of the Billy Goat? They’ll have to get through this series first. Watch as they take on division rivals for the last time in the regular season.

Eli Manning action shot: Walter Iooss Jr., Sports Illustrated/Getty Images; Eli Manning headshot: Getty Images