IS FOOTBALL READY FOR US?!

Well--the pre-season is winding down and kick-off to the 2006 season begins in earnest on September 8th.

Having sated my never-ending hunger for the sport in the off-season with smatterings of Arena Football and the painfully-dull CFL, we've finally reached the high point of every fans' year--when the National Football League is a level playing field and all 32 teams have a chance (albeit a slim one for some) to make it to the 'Big Show!

I'll skip commenting on the never-ending bullshit of Tyrell Owens and the stupidity of Brett Favre resisting retirement.  I'll start out our year by breaking down who I believe will wind-up on top of each division, barring catastrophic injuries, of course.

Let's start in the NFC:

THE NFC EAST: Easily the toughest division in the entire NFL, with improvement in every camp from the previous year. However, Mark Brunell (Washington Redskins) ain't the QB he was in Jacksonville. The Cowboys will self-destruct, largely due to Owens and the living statue that is known as Drew Bledsoe. The Giants are a big question mark that can be answered by the play of Peyton's lil' brother, Eli.  If Manning plays up to his potential this year, the Giants stand to win it all.

Best bet: The Eagles, if Donovan McNabb stays healthy and finds a running game, they will win the division. (Otherwise--pick the NY Giants!)

THE NFC NORTH: Best bet: The Chicago Bears! (especially if Brian Griese takes the helm as QB.)  The rest of the pack are all in the process of rebuilding and aren't serious contenders this year.

THE NFC WEST: Another rebuilding tragedy--with all but one team under new management.  This is a 'push' as far as bets go. However, you can safely eliminate the 49ers and Arizona. The Seahawks will experience the typical post-Super Bowl hangover.

Best bet--the St. Louis Rams.

THE NFC SOUTH: A bruising division with some serious defenses to contend with. However, the Saints still have some major bugs to work out before becoming a legit contender. The undisciplined Bucs will destroy themselves with penalties and the Falcons rely too heavily on the injury-prone Michael Vick.

Best bet--The Carolina Panthers!

Let's take a look at the AFC divisions:

THE AFC EAST: As much as it's going to pain me to say this--eliminate my beloved NY Jets. While you're at it, get rid of Buffalo, as well.  They've got nothing substantial to work with at the moment. This is going to be a two-team battle, between the Patriots and the Dolphins--right down to the final game of the regular season. A lot depends on how the Pats react to all the changes in their camp. Nick Saban is doing some good things with the "Fins" and Culpepper could take them to a championship game.

Best bet: The Miami Dolphins!

THE AFC NORTH: Forget the Browns. The three-way fight for dominance of this division will go down to who has the best defense.  Eliminate the Bengals, only because they rely too much on Carson Palmer and the high-scoring game. The Steelers will suffer the same hangover that affects all Super Bowl winners.

Best bet: The Baltimore Ravens (if McNair stays healthy)!

THE AFC SOUTH: Another two-team race to the finish line between the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville.

Best bet: Peyton Manning and the Colts!

THE AFC WEST: They all suck with the exception of Denver!

Best bet: An easy pick is the Broncos to take the division.

Well--there, I've said it!

Now, it's your turn. 

Chime in with your e-mail thoughts on the NFL season as it unfolds.  I'll be devoting a section of each months' letters page to fan insights on the National Football League and to commentary on their favorite teams. Most of all--let's all hope for an exciting and controversy-free year of great competition!

Bob Layton

9/1/06

  * I was recently approached by the folks in Hollywood to

    participate in an interview about

the upcoming Iron Man movie.

   The piece would be for the films'  DVD release.

    More on this as it develops.

 * Due to the summer convention schedule,

   commission work for me was way down.

   As a result, I have virtually caught up on my normally huge list. Now

   would be the time to jump on that list if you were

   considering ordering something

   for the holiday season.

 * I've actually spoken with a few editors

   about going back to work in mainstream

   comics--at least for a limited time.

My reasons why and on what projects..?

   More on that to come, as well.  Stand by-

BOB LAYTON TO ATTEND THE FLORIDA SUPERCON--

THE SOUTH FLORIDA COMIC BOOK, ANIME & SCI-FI CONVENTION!

November 3, 4 & 5 in Ft. Lauderdale , Florida!

SUPERCON MOVES TO A NEW "BIGGER & BETTER" LOCATION--PLUS 11 NEW GUESTS ADDED!

PRESS RELEASE:

Florida Supercon is proud to announce that it is moving to a new "bigger & better" location, as well as adding 11 new guests to the lineup.   Due to the fast growth of the show, and need for much more space, the show will now be held at The Hollywood Beach Resort (Ramada), located at 101 North Ocean Drive (Hollywood Blvd & Ocean Drive), Hollywood, FL. In addition, eleven new guests have been added to the ever growing line-up including Bob Layton (Iron Man, Turok Video Game , Freemind), Jack O'Halloran ( Superman: The Movie, Superman 2 & King Kong), Bob Mcleod (Comic Book Artist), Pablo Marcos (Comic Book Artist) & Christine Kerrick (Comic & Fine Art Illustrator).

The Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort is an Art Deco Style Oceanfront Hotel centrally located on Hollywood Beach , minutes away from Ft Lauderdale Beaches and Miami Beaches . This hotel is conveniently nestled between Ft. Lauderdale (10 minutes travel time) and Miami International Airport (25 minutes travel time). This Escape to the Exotic, is situated on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean , its majestic presence has all the ingredients for the perfect get a way. The Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort is located minutes from Downtown Hollywood Art Deco district. Other attractions near this hotel include Dolphins Stadium, Port Everglades Cruise Ports , Aventura Mall and Sawgrass Mills Outlet Shopping Mall. The Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort features amenities such as Complimentary Continental Breakfast Buffet for two daily, Fully Equipped Kitchens or Kitchenettes, Wireless High Speed Internet Access, an Oceanfront Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi and Kiddie Pool. Added features include OMalleys Ocean Pub, Bike Rentals, Fitness Center , Styling Salon, Food Court . The special convention rate for the weekend is $99 per night (single) or $109 per night (double). Upgrades are available for an ocean view.

Florida Supercon is a multi-format convention for comic book, anime & sci-fi/fantasy fans taking place November 3, 4 & 5 in Ft. Lauderdale . FL. The show will include a Superman tribute, with several Superman related celebrity guests, as well as other celebrity guests, writers, artists and filmmakers.

The three day show, starting Friday night and ending Sunday, will be a traditional convention including vendors, guests, Q&A's, film festival, parties, costume contest, giveaways, anime programming, celebrity banquet, workshops, panels and more.
Guests for the show will be added on a weekly basis. The current guest list includes Margot Kidder (star of Superman & Smallville), Noel Neill ( The Adventures of Superman, Superman: The Movie, Superman Returns, The original Superman serials ) , Gerard Christopher (The Adventures of Superboy), Jack O'Halloran (Superman 2), The Iron Sheik (WWF World Champion), Cindy Morgan ( Tron, Caddyshack ),  Dick Giordano (Comic Legend), Bob Layton (Iron Man, Turok, Freemind), Bob Mcleod (Superman, Batman, X-Men, New Mutants ), Pablo Marcos (Tales of the Zombie, Star Trek ), Chris R. Notarile (Director of Power Girl: The Classifieds, Catwoman: Principles, Catwoman: The Diamond Exchange), Niki Notarile, (star of Catwoman: Principles and Catwoman: The Diamond Exchange) ,  Christine Kerrick ( Diary of Hope, Warriors), Adam-Troy Castro (Spider-Man: Revenge of the Sinister Six, Spider-Man: Secret of the Sinister Six, An Alien Darkness), Terry Cronin (creator of indie comic Students of the Unusual and Recalcitrant Jones & the Deadbeats), Derrick Fish ( Tales to Amaze), Mark Henry (Heavy Metal, Spellbound), Greg Kirkpatrick (Living in Infamy), Jeffrey Breslauer ( Muppets Puppeteer), John Taddeo (creator of indie comic Zoom Suit ),

Mitch Hyman (creator of indie comic Bubba the Redneck Werewolf ), Joe Fauvel (creator of indie comic Cry),   Shannon Chenoweth (creator of indie comic The Line) , Randy Taylor (The Assassins' Guild), Corey Sosner (Director/Star First Round: Punisher vs. Wolverine), Wallace A. Carter ( First Round: Punisher vs. Wolverine), Carlos Castellanos (Creator of the Baldo comic strip), Bobbie "Bloody Mary" Weiner (Makeup Artist & Comic Creator), Tom Carlton (Comic Book Artist), Chris & Mike Churchill (Comic Book Creators), Jesse Hansen (Comic Book Editor & Inker) & Chris Lesley (Comic Book Artist & Writer) and   Glenda Finkelstein (Science Fiction author of Nemesis Rising, The Edge of the Universe and Battle Cry). Updates on guests may be found at www.floridasupercon.com

The Florida Supercon Independent Film Festival , showcasing independent genre films (short and full length), as well as the latest and best fan films will be hosted by Terry Cronin ( Students of the Unusual). Filmmakers are encouraged to submit their work. Submission information may be found at:

 www.floridasupercon.com .

The convention will be held at The Hollywood Beach Resort (Ramada), located at 101 North Ocean Drive (Hollywood Blvd & Ocean Drive), Hollywood , FL . Special room rates for convention attendees is $99 per night (single) and $109 (double). Upgrades are available for an ocean view. The Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort is an Art Deco Style Oceanfront Hotel centrally located on Hollywood Beach , minutes away from Ft Lauderdale Beaches and Miami Beaches . This hotel is conveniently nestled between Ft. Lauderdale (10 minutes travel time) and Miami International Airport (25 minutes travel time). This Escape to the Exotic, is situated on the beautiful Atlantic Ocean , its majestic presence has all the ingredients for the perfect get a way. The Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort is located minutes from Downtown Hollywood Art Deco district.

For more information contact:

mike@floridasupercon.com