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One week. That is it. One week until Opening Kickoff. It is crazy how it seemed like yesterday when Devin Hester returned that first kickoff for a touchdown. Of course, Rex Grossman screwed them all over but I am sure that they are used to it.

The NFL season officially begins with their kickoff extravaganzas in about a week from tomorrow, although I am looking forward to the beginning of seeing such fantastic NFL match-ups as Arizona at San Francisco (which is the second game of the Opening Weekend Monday Night Football doubleheader), I'm always slightly saddened as football kicks into full gear.

That is the way summer is though. The 3 months always seem like only 3 days. What really sucks is waking up at 5:00 to go to school. I love summer. I love that smell of freshly-cut grass. I love eating bbq on our deck watching the sunset. I love baseball and swimming. I love sitting on our dock at the lake we go to and watch the boats speed by. I love leaving the house without putting on jackets, gloves, and extra socks. I love going 80 mph on the highway without having to be on the lookout for ice patches.

Football means the end of summer. It means returning to the grind of the classroom, enduring weekend-long rainfalls and dreading the impending snowfall. It means less grilling chicken and burgers and more getting grilled by b*tchy teachers about math or science and what not. It means less sunlight.

However, because the kind of guy I am, football also means hanging with the boys, tossing back a preferred beverage or two, trash-talking, cheering on my favorite players, experiencing the highs and lows of fantasy fortunes and writing articles about some game for all you Animals out there.

Perhaps, the end of summer is not as bad as some make it out to be!

So, to get you into the football (and fall) mood, I will present some random Preseason Awards. The award winners receive the guarantee that they will not actually win the Postseason award in the same category.

The "You better do better this year" Award

Cadillac Williams ran for 1178 yards and 6 scores in 2005. Last year, he got 798 yards with 1, yes 1, TD. He HAS to do better this year. Even I scored more TDs in 2006 (I cant back that up so don't go searching for my statistics as you select sleepers at the end of your fantasy draft). Even if Caddy gets 2 touchdowns this year it will be a 100% improvment over last year. Jeff Garcia and an improved offensive line should help the Cadillac ride to better numbers this season.

Honerable Mention: Rex Grossman, Troy Williamson, Willis McGahee

"I am back and better than ever" Award

Donovan McNabb has endured two back-to-back injury-riddled seasons. When he is healthy, he's a stud. When he isn't healthy, he drives Philly crazy. Now that the Eagles spent a second-round draft pick on a possible replacement for him, look for McNabb to step up and answer the challenge with one of his better seasons. He may be playing for a starting spot on another team in 2008. By the way, if the Eagles wanted to keep McNabb upright, why not run the ball as regularly with him behind center as they did with Garcia taking snaps last season? This isn't a difficult concept, yet it seems that Andy Reid needs to see McNabb mugged season after season to figure out that running the ball 30 times a game is a brilliant idea.

Honerable Mention: Clinton Portis, LaMont Jordan, Brandon Stokley

"I get no respect" Award

Travis Henry is about to play for his third team in the last five years. This is notable because Henry produces effective numbers when given the chance. In every season that he started at least 13 games, he has rushed for no fewer than 1,211 yards and seven scores. He has tallied double-digit touchdown totals twice. Although not a dynamic receiver, Henry can also grab quite a few passes out of the backfield. Henry is as tough as overdone steak, playing through injuries and excelling in the cold weather of Buffalo. If you want a flashy back, Henry isn't your guy. But if you want a sturdy running back that gets the job done year after year, Henry is as good as they come. Now that he is in Denver, he's a borderline great back.

Honerable Mention: Jon Kitna, Lee Evans, Deuce McAllister

Breakout Player of the year

Cedric Benson takes over the coveted feature back in Chicago. Last season, he combined with Thomas Jones for over 1,800 rushing yards and 12 TDs. Add in their receiving yardage and they racked up over 2,000 yards. Jones is now a New York Jet, leaving Benson to take over the lion's share of these numbers. All accounts from their camp claim that the Bears are poised to be a top seven or eight offense this season. If he can stay healthy, Benson should post at least 1,300 yards and 10 TDs. You watch.

Honerable Mention: Reggie Bush, Joseph Addai, Laurence Maroney

Fresh Face of the year

Calvin Johnson should thrive in Mike Martz's offense, which means he should be this year's best rookie. Keep in mind that Johnson excelled at Georgia Tech with a quarterback and an offense around him that didn't necessarily strike the fear of God into their opponents. Now that he is playing with Kitna, Roy Williams, Mike Furray and Tatum Bell is Martz's scheme, Johnson should flourish. Hold your expectations in check--rookie receivers tend to need time to develop. However, 1,000 yards and 7-9 TDs are possible.

Honorable Mention: Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, Brandon Jackson

Fantasy Bust of the Year

Rudi Johnson. Its hard to foresee anyone on the Bengals being a fantasy bust. Their offense consists of a back-to-back 3800+ yard 28+ TD Quarterback in Carson Palmer, a running back who has averaged 1403 rushing yards the past 3 years while scoring 12TD in each season in Rudi Johnson, and two 1300 yard wide receivers in Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh... not to mention one of the most consistent kickers in the NFL. However, the team did spend a second round pick on Kenny Irons. While Irons isn't the same caliber of player that fellow Auburn alums Ronnie Brown, Cadillac Williams, and teammate Rudi Johnson is, Irons will look to come in and contribute. Irons brings big-play ability, and that is something the Bengals hope to add in their running game. Rudi Johnson isn't a home-run hitter; his longest play being only 22 yards. Irons will be a change of pace back and will get some opportunities. So look for Rudi Johnson's numbers to take a slight hit as the Bengals look to have a one-two punch similar to what the Jacksonville Jaguars enjoy.

(Dis)Honorable Mention: Larry Johnson, Donald Driver, Clinton Portis

The King of the Jungle (Not Named LaDainian Tomlinson)

I could easily write that Tomlinson will be the best player in fantasy football in 2007. Barring injury, I would then be able to say at the end of the season, "See? I told you so. I'm a genius." However, what is the fun in that? All of us expect Tomlinson to be the best-in fact, if we were to place a gentlemanly wager on who would be the top fantasy player, I would take Tomlinson and give you the rest of the players and feel pretty good about it so long as he stays healthy. Nope, I refuse to take the easy road here and chose such an obvious player for the King.

Therefore, the choice for this year's King is...Steven Jackson. OK, so I took the second best player in football. Sue me. At least it is debatable that Jackson is the second best player; you could easily throw Larry Johnson or Peyton Manning into that discussion. Besides, I never said that I was crazy and would select a guy like Devery Henderson. I went with a player who at least has a chance to supplant Tomlinson. 

Jackson is an all-around fantasy alpha-male. He rushed for 1,528 yards and reeled in 90 passes for another 806 yards. He tallied 16 TDs. He is young with plenty of carries left in his body. He is not a major injury risk. He has a favorable schedule. In short, he is the prime suspect to replace L.T. as football's best skill player.

Honorable Mention: Peyton Manning, Frank Gore (if healthy), Tom Brady

So there you have it. Any questions?

Disagree or just want to put your 2 cents in? Leave a comment.