Our old friend Anthony Pilcher of ND Football Forum, the first guest in this site's history, gives us a progress report on his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish, while Erik and Joel, manning a skeleton crew, identify some non-BCS sleepers and take a closer look at the Mid-American Conference, which just might be on the verge of a resurgence.

Skeleton crew, you say? That's because our very own Nick Seuberling is on the verge of becoming a father of twins, a boy and girl. Congratulations to Nick and his wife, Sara!

Direct download [5.95 MB]

Reminder: Next week, we'll have Jim from Conquest Chronicles on to chat about the Pac 10 and Anthony Pilcher to talk Notre Dame. The guys will also analyze the non-BCS conferences and identify some potential BCS party crashers. Be sure to tune in!

By Erik Bell
ebell@pigskinpodcast.com

Are you ready for some football? I know I am after watching the Indians for the past few months. Over the next month or so, I'll be previewing the upcoming football seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns. Both are seasons full of promise and great expectations, but will those expectations be met?

Over the weekend, Erik Bell will analyze the first half of Ohio State's schedule. Remember, you can access our blog archives by clicking here.

Also, coming up next week are our final two college conference previews: We'll chat with Jim from Conquest Chronicles, a Southern Cal blog, and Anthony Pilcher, from the Notre Dame Football Forum.

By Andy Barch
abarch@pigskinpodcast.com

I'll put my bitterness and total disregard for reality television aside when I discuss Jason Taylor. He's a great player, and he's been a sack machine throughout his brilliant, borderline-hall-of-fame career. He's registered double-digit sacks six times in his 11-year career. However, at 33 years old, I don't know how much he has left in the tank. He's gone on record before that he's not sure if he has more than one year left in him.

First, sorry we're late today. Real-life stuff, etc.

Meanwhile: Tomorrow, we've got Andy Barch blogging on his beloved Packers and the Jason Taylor saga, and next week we'll break down the Pac 10, Independents and non-BCS schools. Stay tuned!

And a quick reminder: You can find all our blogs by clicking on our archives.

Tomorrow, Nick Seuberling follows up his wildly successful blog debut, and Friday, Andy Barch takes his turn. Don't forget, you can read all of our blogs by accessing our archives.

By Brian George
bgeorge@pigskinpodcast.com

I'm sure many college football fans, and more specifically, Clemson fans, remember the great story of Ray Ray McElrathbey, who despite juggling a full college schedule and the rigors of ACC football, took custody of his younger brother after their mother struggled with cocaine addiction.

We've got our chat with Todd Jones of Roll Bama Roll on tap for tomorrow morning, so be sure to tune in for that. Next week, we'll tackle the Pac-10, Independents and non-BCS schools.

Additionally, we're starting to get some traffic on our Pigline, so be sure to get in on the act! Call 916-912-4263, say you're calling for the Pigskin Podcast, leave your name and location and fire away.

We'll get your question on an upcoming show.

On to the links!

Erik Bell will be back this weekend and back in his usual spot, Tuesday, next week. You can access our blog archives by clicking here.

In the meantime: Tomorrow, we'll have Todd Jones from Roll Bama Roll on to talk Alabama and the SEC; Nick, Brian and I will also make our picks for the worst NFL team in 2008.

Be sure to tune in!

By Joel Hammond
jhammond@pigskinpodcast.com

Every year, it seems there's an NFL team that is somewhat of a darling among pundits; perhaps it's a team that has underachieved but still has plenty of potential, or perhaps it's a team that has had success but is ready to take the next step.

Coming this week: We've got previews of the Big XII, with Robert Cassidy of Go Power Cat, and the SEC, with Todd from Roll Bama Roll.

Also, be sure to check on all of our blogs by clicking on our archives.

By Joel Hammond
jhammond@pigskinpodcast.com

We've discussed it here a number of times, on our NFC South preview show and in our discussion of players with the most pressure on them; I also mentioned it in my chat with John White from Cat Crave, a Carolina Panthers blog.

But just in case everyone doesn't know where I stand, let's tackle (see what I did there?) it one more time: The Saints' offense is under a lot of pressure for the 2008 season, mainly because the Saints' defense could be monumentally improved.

Coming up next week: We've got previews of the Big XII, with Robert Cassidy of Go Power Cat, and the SEC, with Todd from Roll Bama Roll.

Also, be sure to check on all of our blogs by clicking on our archives.

By Andy Barch
abarch@pigskinpodcast.com

Think about these names: Junior Seau, Brett Favre, Warren Sapp, Larry Allen, Jonathan Ogden and Michael Strahan. Five out of those six players have already announced their retirement, and in 2013, only five will become first-ballot Hall of Famers. While it may not be a question right now, if Seau decides to hang 'em up, the question will be: Which of these six superstars will be left off the Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

The Green Bay Press Gazette and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel are reporting that the Packers have contacted the Dolphins about a possible deal for Jason Taylor.

From the ESPN.com story:

Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders is familiar with Taylor from his time on former Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt's staff in Miami.

Next week, it's more college: On Monday we'll preview the Big XII, and on Wednesday we'll talk SEC.

Before we get to the links, let's have a little self-promotion time: Our very own Andy Barch is the man.

Now: The links!

THE PROS
News and notes: Good news here, that Javon Walker seems to be recovering. ... The Terry Glenn saga continues in Dallas. ... Ankle surgery for Ocho Cinco, which further decimates his trade value. ... Ryan Grant, inevitably, is looking for a new deal. Damnit. ...

Editor's note: Our full-staff blogs are in full effect, a full archive of which can be found here. Tomorrow: Nick Seuberling writes about a special relationship.

By Brian George
bgeorge@pigskinpodcast.com

Christmas.

Birthday.

Fantasy Football draft.

Three days I look forward to every year, and the latter just may be the best.

Presents are great, sure, but do I really need that new necktie or box of Titleist Pro Vs I'll surely duck-hook into the woods? For my money, I'll take the No. 1 overall pick in my fantasy draft and watch LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson carry me to fantasy immortality.

Erik Bell got our new blogs kickstarted this morning, and we'll have blogs on the site five of seven days every week. We're extremely excited about that, and you should be, too.

The blogs won't take away from the dropbacks, though, and here's another edition of some links.

Enjoy!

THE PROS
News and notes: I had a joke written about Javon Walker being found unconscious on a street in Vegas, but it sounds fairly serious. ... Marvin Harrison's case has essentially stalled, ESPN.com's Sal Paolantonio writes. ... The Texans bolster their linebacking corps with former Pat Roosevelt Colvin. ... Jeremy Shockey for Jason Taylor? These folks say it's unlikely.

Editor's note: This week, we unveil our daily lineup of bloggers, with Erik Bell kicking us off on Tuesdays. Tomorrow: Brian George.

By Erik Bell
PigskinPodcast.com

Have you ever had someone you know in a relationship and thought, "Boy, that match is almost too good to be true?" Then, two years later, you found out it was too good to be true?

We missed some things last week, so I figured we'd catch you all up a little. Enjoy, and tune in for our Big East and Big Ten previews this week!!

THE PROS
More mixed signals from Roger Goodell: Chris Henry suspended for the year. Good times!

I foresee a big year for the Jags; we linked earlier this week to a story on their two new young defensive linemen, and here's a story about their revamped receiving corps.

We've got a big week ahead of us: Big East and Big Ten previews, plus the debut of our new bloggers.

We promise: If you don't check in daily, you'll be disappointed.

Onto some links!

THE PROS
News and notes: Chad Johnson shows, but won't go. ... Plaxico Burress is unhappy. ... Terrell Owens is 'frustrated' with extra drug testing. Uh, Terrell? Maybe answer your phone? ... Buccaneers, Jake Plummer reach settlement, effectively ending Plummer's career.

Editor's note: As we announced yesterday, the staff at the Pigskin Podcast will be doing more blogging, starting next week. It's a way to provide you, our listeners and readers, a better look into our personalities and to keep fresh content on the site. There will be a byline on each entry, so that you know which of the five staff members is writing.

I figured I'd get the party started a little early, as we have no second show this week. Enjoy!

By Joel Hammond
PigskinPodcast.com

A word to the Bears: Be patient.

We're picking up more steam, and it's thanks to you, our listeners and readers.

A quick reminder: You can join the show by calling our Pigline -- 916-912-4263 -- and recording a question or comment for use on future shows. So what are you waiting for?

Also, don't miss my interview with John White of CatCrave.com, where we dissect the Panthers and the league in general.

One more thing: Starting next week, you'll start seeing even more content on the site, as each of our five staffers will write a weekly blog entry. We're excited about that, and we think it'll be a valuable addition.

Now, on to some links!

Don't forget, we tackle (get it?) the first in our conference previews this week on the show.

We'll preview one or two conferences each week, leading into late July, when NFL training camps are kicking into high gear and college practices are ready to begin.

Be sure to tune in!

THE PROS
The Packers need to play former Northwestern Wildcat Noah Herron more.

Whoa: Pats lineman busted for illegal drugs?

Yuck: Jerramy Stevens is back in Tampa, and the locals aren't happy. ... And speaking of, welcome back! Here's a suspension!

This week on the Pigskin Podcast we've wrapped up our divisional previews with a special guest: John Morgan from FieldGulls.com, a Seattle Seahawks blog.

John discusses the Seahawks' disappointing finish in the playoffs in Green Bay, and whether San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith should go down as the biggest bust in draft history.

Direct Download [4.3 mb]

Don't forget: You can now call us on the all new PIGLINE at 916-912-4263. It's free, we promise. Leave us a voicemail and we'll put it in our next podcast, even if it's not about football and you just want to tell us how awesome we are. Who are we to tell you no?

Rumor has it college football's around the corner on the Pigskin Podcast, so be sure to tune in Monday morning.

The site's looking new, ain't it?

We're undertaking all sorts of new stuff, which simply means more for you, our reader and listener.

Keep checking in, and please do tell your friends.

Now, on to a superstuffed edition of the links!