Trophy Moves to Virginia for 1st Time
Henrico Five-Oh Now the Defending Champion

In this Issue:

• Trophy Eventually Finds Its Way To Virginia
• Off-Season Moves
• Will Comeback Kid Come Back?
• THE Blog
• Updates on Buffalo Bill,Comeback Kid, 2009 Winner, Greg the Great, Ben the Butler and Pete the Terp
• The Toronto Buffalo
• Bills Update (with Roger Goodell’s Comments from Chautauqua)
• Draft Winners and Losers – A Long Day
• Training Camp Notes

Trophy Eventually Finds Its Way To Virginia

It took almost 2 months, including repair time for a damaged plate during the engraving process, but the Hewes Super Bowl Trophy (arguably the most highly-contested trophy in the modern sports era), finally arrived safe and sound at its destination on Hawthorne Avenue in Richmond, VA. Henrico Five-Oh has yet to send pics of its secured placement, but word on the street is that the local police force is providing 24×7 vigilance over it. Rumor is also circulating that THE Trophy has gone through the federally-sponsored Witness Protection Program.

We will wait for an update from Henrico Five-Oh on this matter, but he has only a few precious months before THE Trophy is shipped back to Columbus, OH.

Off-Season Moves

Not a peep from anyone since early February, but we do have a team move to announce – Greg the Great has relocated to Chicago (da Bears) from Cleveland (whatever happened to Brady Quinn?) in late June.

Will Comeback Kid Come Back?

As the 1st participant to take a year off, will Comeback Kid be re-charged and ready to try for a record-tying 5th Hewes Super Bowl Trophy? This has to be the biggest off-season question on everyone’s mind. I had the opportunity to speak with him over July 4th in the Hamburg, NY area and he looks rested, relaxed and reinvigorated.
I would guess at this time that he is mentally ready to go, but no official word from him has been received by THE Commish. Time will tell…

THE Blog

The technical team at the Commish’s headquarters has been busy during the off-season developing a blog that will be rolled out for the upcoming Super Bowl season. If you’re not familiar with a blog, it will serve as the main web site for all information, statistics, picks, commentary (also known as “smack”) and
communication for the participants of the Hewes Super Bowl Trophy. Stay tuned for more as we get closer to January. No more e-mailing your picks to THE Commish.

DRAFT WINNERS AND LOSERS – IT WAS SURE A “LONG” DAY
The Long and short of it:
“With the overall number 1 pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins (didn’t they use to win games?) select Jake Long, offensive tackle from Michigan.”
“With the number 2 pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the St. Louis Rams (are these the same guys that recently lost a Super Bowl on the last play? Isn’t this the ‘Greatest Show on Turf?’) select Chris Long, defensive end from Virginia.”
Team these 2 rookies with DT Gabe Long of the Houston Texans, DE Khari Long of the Dallas Cowboys and WR Lance Long of the Arizona Cardinals, please.
Will Darren McFadden (Oakland 1st round) be the next Adrian Peterson or maybe the next Barry Sanders/Emmitt Smith? This guy will be the real deal.
And everyone has certainly heard of the Bills #1 pick, Leodis McKelvin, right?

The 2008 season begins on September 4, with the Super Bowl Champs hosting the politicos from D.C. We also have 3 Turkey Day games for your enjoyment and the Bills and Browns spar on a Monday night in Buffalo (need to see that crowd…).
The playoffs begin on January 4 – less than 6 months to go…

HSBT Participant Updates

Buffalo Bill
We hear he started a new job (no relocation required), which is good news. Better make sure you can get those TV stations in Toronto – that would be Channel 993 on local cable… His last win was in 2003.

Comeback Kid
Will he? He has only won the trophy in odd-numbered years. 2009 is not far away…
Ditto on the Toronto TV stations.

Greg the Great
Let’s see if his relocation to the Windy City has an impact this season. He will just be an hour slower than the rest of us… He has won the trophy only in even-numbered years. 2010 is a little farther away.

Ben the Butler
Moved from last place as a rookie (2007) to 3rd place last year. And he didn’t even pick his NY Giants to win the Super Bowl. Maybe he will pick them this year. Can we pencil that in, Ben?

Pete the Terp
It’s just a matter of time. He was 11-0 in his rookie season (2007), but suffered the sophomore jinx in 2008 (6-5). And he is the points leader, averaging 634 per year.

Henrico FiveOh
He is just 1 of 2 to repeat – will he try for an unprecedented 2nd repeat? Try, yes. Repeat again, we will see come next February.

2009 Winner
When victory is snatched out of your grasp, you come back hungrier and more determined than ever…

Toronto Buffalo Bills Update

While working vacationing at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York this summer, I had the opportunity to comment on the decision made earlier to force allow the Buffalo Bills to play every 1 game per season permanently over the next 5 years in Toronto. Notwithstanding the revenue for the city of Toronto and the corresponding large payment to the Bills (which will equate to more than they bring in during a normal regular season), I have committed to keep the Bills in Buffalo on a short long-term basis. Look for the new Maple Leaf logo on their helmets.
I trust this puts all Buffalonians at ease… Be sure to take a drive on the portion of 20A in Orchard Park called “Timothy J. Russert Highway.”

Training Camp Questions & Observations

The AFC Contenders

New England – went 19-1, but the 1 has them coming back to do it all over again. Will Moss catch 150 with 50 TD’s?
San Diego – try again after 2 home playoff losses. LT (2,000 yards?) and QB Rivers are set to go. Any WR’s in camp?
Jacksonville – QB Garrard signed big in the off-season; high expectations. Can they do it again in the playoffs?
Pittsburgh – Big Ben has more weapons this year, with Mendenhall. Will they still miss Coach Cowher?
Indianapolis – Peyton and Addai are back and the offense will be great. Will this be Marvin Harrison’s last year?

The AFC Pretenders

Cincinnati – can you say “No Mo Ocho Cinco”? A team full of under-achieving under-achievers…
Cleveland – at least they moved up to the pretenders list. Will Derek Anderson have a repeat season?

The Rest of the AFC Mess

Tennessee – the best of the mess… And Coach Fisher is the senior in the NFL for longetivity?
Buffalo – undefeated going into August; and a Maple Leaf emblem on their helmets? “Oh, Canada”…
Denver – one of these years they may put it all together again; thin air and all.
Miami – I like them here after what they did to the Bills 20 years ago with Marino, Duper, Clayton, et al.

The NFC Contenders

New York Football Giants – quick, when was the last repeat SB winner? They stole Superman’s cape in SB XLII…
Dallas – TO has a new contract and Romo needs more weapons; will they flop again in the playoffs?
Minnesota – any team with Favre at QB has a good chance, right? Is Adrian Peterson the real deal? Stay tuned…

The NFC Pretenders

New Orleans – Reggie still working with Katrina victims; they could go 14-2 or 2-14…
San Francisco – yep, that’s right. Just gotta get by those pesty Seahawks.
Seattle – will win the division (sorry 49’ers) and not go much further, hence the pretender category (again).
Philadelphia – another average year in store with oft-injured McNabb at QB
Carolina – nobody pays attention to these guys, but they always seem to find a way to be in the hunt.

The Rest of the NFC Mess

Pretty crowded space, here and you gotta like the ‘Skins to be solidly entrenched here most of the season.
Ditto for da Bears.
Detroit (perennial, but did not have a double digit loss season finally) is also a solid pick.
Anyone liking Arizona? Warner or Leinhart at QB, along with 2 superb WR’s.