DECEMBER 2005

by BOB LAYTON

FORGIVE the background on this page!

I'm spending Christmas in sunny Florida.  I had to do something to get in the mood.--BOB

 THE NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE could be a Picasso-- !

(11/28/05)

This has been a season of unexpected and, sometimes, disappointing results.

For instance, this is the first time in NFL history that there are 11 teams with at least seven victories through 10 games.

Conversely-- the basement of the NFL has a new crop of teams that haven't been there in many years.

As most of you know by now, my beloved New York Jets have been totally decimated by injuries, with 10 starters already sidelined for the year and their season all but over by week six.

The Philadelphia Eagles got the season off on the wrong foot with the T.O. nonsense and then, the loss of Donovan McNabb sealed their fate. (despite the promising play from back-up Mike McMahon)

Even the defending Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots are hardly the same team as a year ago.  Granted they'll limp into the playoffs, winning a division that use to be the toughest in the AFC.

The Green Bay Packers..?  Oh-my-God!  What's going on up there?

The increase in team injuries this year has totally transformed the upcoming 2005 playoff scenario.

So who will make it to the first round this year?  Here's my analysis for the AFC:

The Indianapolis Colts are a lock.  Without a doubt, my hometown boys are the most improved team in the NFL this year and have put the ghosts of Foxboro behind them.  With Indy having home field advantage throughout the playoffs, the road to the Super Bowl for the AFC will go through Naptown.

Second to the Colts are the Denver Broncos (not my favorite team in the NFL, btw). Denver has been clicking on all cylinders this season. They can run the football and Jake Plummer is having his best year as a starter. But can they win on the road in Indianapolis?  If last year's match-up is an indicator--the answer is "no". They were humiliated in the playoffs last year and will be facing a Colts team that has vastly improved on defense this season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a great team with a powerful running game that can pound the ball.  But Rothlesberger isn't 100% and choked last year in the playoffs.  Expect the Steelers to be eliminated in the second round.

The pleasant surprise of the year is the dazzling play of Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals.  This team reminds me of the Colts of a couple of seasons back.  They have all the pieces of the puzzle, but lack the maturity to put it all together this year.  Oh--they'll be back next year and they'll be a force to be reckoned with.  The Bengals are for real.  Only--they're not real enough to go deep into the playoffs...this year.

And then, there are several AFC teams "on the bubble", namely the San Diego Chargers, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Kansas City Chiefs.  I've been disappointed at San Diego's performance this year.  They are a better team than their records demonstrate, but Marty Schottenheimer has a poor record in the post season. Of these three, look for Jacksonville to move on to the first round.

So--my prediction for the AFC Championship game?  It'll be the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos in Indianapolis. 

Winner: The Colts go to the Super Bowl.

As far as the NFC goes, this league was once the powerhouse of the NFL--but no longer.  It's pretty much up for grabs for the team that can hang in through the rest of the year.

The most improved team, hands-down is the Chicago Bears.  Even with a rookie quarterback, Lovie Smith has turned this franchise around and has dominated the once-mighty Norris division.  The monsters of the midway are back and they'll be tough to beat down the stretch because defense (they're ranked #1) wins championships.

However, as with the Bengals, their lack of experience will keep them out of the big game.

The Seattle Seahawks look like they have finally gotten their shit together and have learned how to win games on the road. Granted, their perennial nemesis, the St. Louis Rams are hardly the offensive juggernaut they once were.  That makes getting to the playoffs for Seattle a sure thing.

The New York Giants have been impressive...mostly due to the improved play of Peyton's lil' brother Eli Manning. But the Giants have lost some key games that they should have won.  Are they cohesive enough as a unit to march into the second playoff rounds?  Somehow--I doubt it.

The Tampa Bay Bucs have finally created a running game this year with the rookie Cadillac Williams but they are lead by Chris Simms, another promising rookie but with no playoff experience.  Look for the Bucs to be knocked out early.

The Carolina Panthers are another team who lost games that they should have won.  Are they ready for another run to the Super Bowl?  Could be...

The Atlanta Falcons? Sorry, folks.  I love to watch Michael Vick as much as anyone, but this team still needs more depth before it can be a genuine Super Bowl contender.

The Dallas Cowboys are impressive but they're another squad who has dropped big games that they should wrapped up.  I've always been a huge Bill Parcells fan but this year is more of a prelude to this team's potential.  Look for Dallas to fall in the first round.

On the bubble: the Washington Redskins and the Minnesota Vikings, but don't hold your breath waiting for these teams to make a dent in the playoff picture.  It's not going to happen.

My prediction for the NFC Championship game?  The Seattle Seahawks will face the Carolina Panthers in Seattle.

SUPER BOWL XXXX: The Seattle Seahawks will go to the Super Bowl to face

 the Indianapolis Colts.

WINNER: COLTS by 12 points.

Bob Layton Joins Team Zoom Suit at MEGACON

(Hey--I didn't write this hype, folks! It's a press release from John Taddeo's office. Honest!)

Industry Icon Makes Rare Convention Appearance to Support Friends Working on Zoom Suit Comic and Animated Film

Palm Beach, November 25, 2005 

Fans attending the 2006 Mega Con Convention in Orlando Florida will have a rare opportunity to meet comic book industry icon and legendary Iron Man penciler Bob Layton.  The appearance, which marks the first for Mr. Layton in many years, will allow him to meet fans and support his friends working on the award winning animated short Zoom Suit and the comic shipping April 2006.

“I contacted Bob a year ago in the hopes of commissioning a cover for the upcoming Zoom Suit comic book and we very quickly became friends.  Bob has been extremely generous sharing his vast industry knowledge as well as his incredible penciling skills.  He has been spectacular to the Zoom Suit project, a true professional in every manner.  To come out and support Zoom Suit at Mega Con is simply far beyond the call of duty.  It’s a tremendous honor to bring a legend to the fans at Mega Con this February”, said Zoom Suit writer and director John Taddeo.

Bob Layton, best known for his incredible 97 issue run on Marvel Comics armored avenger, “IRON MAN”.  In 1978, with writing partner David Michelinie, the team totally re-imagined Marvel’s Invincible Iron Man, ultimately transforming the title into one of Marvel’s all-time best sellers.  Unbeknownst to many fans, Bob Layton also revived the original X-Men characters at Marvel with his groundbreaking series, X-Factor.

Second only to his tenure on Iron Man, Bob is also known for his innovative contributions to the Valiant Comics line-- first as co-architect of the Valiant Universe, and then, as Editor-in-Chief and Senior Vice President.  His creative vision and tenacity led to winning the comic industry’s very coveted award, Editor of the Year for 1993, as voted by the readers of Wizard Magazine.

Bob has also been involved in many creative aspects of film and television throughout his career, working with such Hollywood luminaries as Howard Stern, Tracy Torme' (Star Trek, Sliders, Odyssey 5), Scott Winant (Huff, My So-Called Life, Thirtysomething) and George Romero (Night of the Living Dead).

In addition to his contribution to his friend John Taddeo’s Zoom Suit project, Mr. Layton continues to work with longtime friend David Michelinie and Executive Producer Robert Keyghobad (Carnivale', Cupid) on the development of new properties for major motion pictures and television.

Bob will be available to meet and greet fans Saturday February 25, 2006 at the Zoom Suit booth.  Additionally, a signed and numbered Zoom Suit Lithograph made exclusively for the Mega Con appearance will be offered for sale.  The litho features Zoom Suit bad guy Simon Bane in a classic Layton pose.  This very exclusive print will be limited to 100 numbered units and will be autographed by Bob Layton and Zoom Suit Creator John Taddeo.  100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Tri-County Humane Society. 

For more information on the Zoom Suit animated short film, or the upcoming Zoom Suit comic series please visit www.superverse.com or visit Bob Layton at  www.boblayton.com.