The FANalysts’ 2010 NFL Season Preview

By Phife Dawg and The Gambler for The FANalysts, with additional contribution by Leaf Erikson

The 2010-11 NFL season promises to be another exciting show. The Super Bowl crown is once again up-for-grabs as parity reigns supreme. The Saints have the team to repeat, but can they overcome common letdowns and a tough schedule? Favre refuses to chuck up the deuces to the delight of Minnesota fans. The Jets are talking like they have already won five chips. Will they play to their paper potential or fall apart from the start. Can Oakland and Detroit return to respectability?  The McNabb effect will likely see Washington rise and Philly’s demise, in The tough NFC East, where our guest contributor Leaf Erikson has Dallas rising to a Super Bowl Championship. 

Peyton is still Peyton, with a few more toys to play with. Eli is still Eli. You’re never sure what you’re quite gonna get from Lil’ homie. Can Brady & Belichick bring back that loving feeling? Are The Bengals more than a reality show?

Is this the year Vince Young puts it all together? So many questions to be answered. Only playing the games will do it. Every team is an injury away from being out of it and a couple of breaks away from making a magical playoff run.

There are many new faces in new places. Foundations being layed. History being made. And like all good FANalysts blogs, football games and Rock The Bell Tours — the beauty and raucous rhythm of sport as music, is being played. 

NFC EAST

Dallas Cowboys: Much hype has spread about the Cowboys entering the 2010 season, as they appear to be one of the early favorites to reach the Super Bowl. The team and its owner, Jerry Jones, have not shied away from these predictions, either, especially with the title game being played in their home stadium this season. Last year, Dallas shared the division crown with Philadelphia, as each posted identical 11-5 records.  However, the Cowboys easily dispatched the Eagles in the first round of the playoffs, 34-14, giving them their first playoff win since 1996, and giving QB Tony Romo his first career post-season victory.

Scoring points won’t be a problem, as they added another weapon to an already prolific offense by drafting Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant. Marion Barber and Felix Jones man the backfield but need to stay healthy to help a red zone offense that was at times anemic. LB DeMarcus Ware, NT Jay Ratliff and DE Marcus Spears will continue to lead a solid defense but the Cowboy secondary must improve, as they were just 20th in the league last season versus the pass. Also important is the attitude of this year’s team. Will Dallas have the leadership that will help pull the team through tough December challenges? Coach Wade Phillips ability to make crucial decisions is important as well. He is just as much to blame for the Cowboys playoff failure as Romo. Will he be gutsy and smart enough to lead Dallas to crucial 4^th quarter wins in the playoffs? If he can, I have The Cowboys going all the way.  
 
Washington Redskins: Veteran QB Donovan McNabb and two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Mike Shanahan team up for the ‘Skins, who expect to rebound from a dismal 4-12 season.  Shanahan looks to restore traditional Redskins football, evidenced by the crowded backfield of Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. However the rumor mill has been swirling about Johnson and Parker, as at least one, if not both may not make the final roster with the emergence of young backs Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams. WR Santana Moss provides McNabb with a more than capable deep threat but TE Chris Cooley should benefit the most from the QB upgrade, as he looks to return to Pro Bowl form. The ‘Skins have a solid linebacking core, led by veteran London Fletcher and young stud, Brian Orakpo, who should flourish in their new look 3-4 defense. Andre Carter recorded 11 sacks last season but will definitely receive more attention from opposing offensive coordinators due to the changes. NT Albert Haynesworth looks to silence his many off-season critics, and should be able to do so if he remains healthy. 
 
New York Giants: After a 5-0 start, the “G Men” floundered in last year’s second half.  A surprisingly inept running game and a secondary that constantly gave up huge plays were the culprits. QB Eli Manning notched career best numbers of 4,027 yards passing, 27 TD’s, 62.3 completion percentage and a passer rating of 93.1 last year.  He has a good group of young receivers to throw to, led by last season’s team leader Steve Smith (107 receptions, 1,220 yards, 7 TD’s) and Mario Manningham, who at times showed flashes but needs to be more consistent. However, the Giants are a much better team when they pound the ball. The offensive line must be a better unit and keep Manning on his feet, after he was sacked 30 times last season. Bruising HB Brandon Jacobs must return to form after a disappointing year that saw him constantly injured, rushing at a clip of just 3.7 ypc. Speedster Ahmad Bradshaw is one of the better backup RB’s in the NFL but suffered stress fractures in both feet and required surgery for bone spurs in his ankle.  On defense, the Giants have always been blessed with athletic playmakers at DE with Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Mathias Kiwanuka.  They slipped as a unit in the production department a bit last year but the 1st round selection of South Florida’s Jason Pierre-Paul gives them even more depth. 
 
Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles fans finally get what they want after trading away perennial Pro Bowl QB Donovan McNabb to division rival, Washington, in an almost unheard of move.  Kevin Kolb takes over the reigns as the signal caller and showed signs he might be ready for the position, starting Weeks 2 and 3 in the ’09 season for an injured McNabb.  In those two starts, Kolb became the first player ever to pass for over 300 yards in his first two career starts.  But those numbers are a bit misleading. His 391 yards (he also had three interceptions) in Week 2 against New Orleans came in a 48-22 loss, and Week 3’s 327 yards were in a 34-14 win against a hapless Kansas City team. Kolb has a major weapon to throw to in DeSean Jackson, who racked up 1,156 yards receiving and averaged a blistering 18.6 ypc.  RB LeSean McCoy needs to carry the ball more this season for the Eagles to ease the pressure on Kolb and keep the opposing defense honest.  Though Philly does run the West Coast offense, the inability to run the ball effectively made them one-dimensional. Defensively, the Eagles have a young and aggressive unit but must improve at safety. They selected one in the second-round of the 2010 draft, choosing Nate Allen, who’s seen more as a cover guy than a tackler, not all good news considering the Eagles had a difficult time tackling last season. DE Brandon Graham was a surprise at the #13 overall pick but playing opposite Trent Cole, may achieve some success. 

–Leaf Erikson 
 

NFC WEST 
 
San Francisco 49ers: Since QB Alex Smith was drafted in 2005; Phifey has been very disappointed at his play. If the Niners are going to have a chance to win the NFC West, it all begins with Smith. Maybe he didn’t have the weapons in the past. That was then. He needs to get it done now.  When you have targets such as TE Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, Frank Gore and former Dolphin Ted Ginn Jr., there should be zero complaints and excuses.

With defensive dynamo Patrick Willis at linebacker and other capable defenders, sky is the limit for this once proud franchise. Just know that Ronnie Lott, Montana & Roger Craig will not be walking through that door any time soon. 
 
Seattle Seahawks:  I truly love the Seattle receiving corps. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is a fantastic receiver. I’m just not too sure if he’s a #1 receiver. Deion Branch has always been solid, but can Julius Jones make a solid contribution? With that being said, I can’t imagine Pete Caroll being successful outside of USC! He failed as an NFL coach with the Jets and Patriots, but won national titles at USC, so why not stay there? Unless, he was looking for any way out, to escape disgrace and the repercussions of NCAA violations committed under his watch.  
 
Arizona Cardinals: Speaking of USC, do I have too? There’s nothing to think about when Matt Lienart is ya QB. Kurt Warner has retired. He’s Chillin. Praying. Awaiting Hall of Fame induction. With Anquan Boldin leaving for Baltimore, the Cards are in huge trouble, unless Lienart hands the ball to Wells and Hightower, two terrific running backs. and a dynamic chemistry develops. More will be expected of Larry Fitz. He has to be legendary right now. 
 
St. Louis Rams: How much money did Bradford receive? A contract worth $78 million with $50 million guaranteed! He’ll have to earn every cent of it starting for this dismal team. To say Bradford will have growing pains is an understatement. Having super-back Stephen Jackson behind him doesn’t hurt, but defense is the name of the game.

— Phife Dawg

 

NFC NORTH

Green Bay Packers: The Packers scored 461 offensive points last season to offset a defense that was decimated by injuries. The emergence of Aaron Rodgers has made The Green Bay fans forget Brett Favre quicker than anyone can say Mississippi. Rodgers ability to be Favre-like will be the key again this year, as the Packers look to improve on an 11-5 record. This could be a Super Bowl season for Green Bay if everything gels. The defense is familiar with Dom Capers 3-4 system, and will have a full season to execute it. The linebackers are among the NFL’s best with Desmond Bishop, AJ Hawk, and Clay Mathews Jr.

The secondary should be improved, as should special teams. Expect Green Bay to give up much less huge plays. It seemed like every time one of Green Bay’s elite wide receivers caught a 50-yard strike, the defense gave one right back. That might explain the 51 sacks yielded by an offensive line that often returned to the field quicker than they wanted too. Look for Jermichael Finley to have a season that gets him pub among the game’s elite tight ends.

Minnesota Vikings: It’s all up to the old man. As much of a primadonna as Brett Favre is. As much as we get tired of hearing about his retirements and un-retirements. He does give the Vikings their best shot to win a Super Bowl. And that championship window is closing quicker than the grays are replacing Favre’s blond locks. This will be his last legitimate hoorah. Then the Vikings need to either commit to Jackson or go QB hunting. The Vikings have all the pieces with their robust offensive line, phenomenal running back in Adrian “Mr. Fumbles” Peterson and a sick tight end in Visanthe Shiancoe [another former Giants TE turned superstar]. The loss of WR Sidney Rice will hurt them, but Brett Berrian is no slouch. A savvy vet like Favre will find any man that is open on the field. Percy Harvin is unstoppable one –on-one. For Favre’s sake let’s hope the doctors really did find the source of Harvin’s migraines. You don’t want Favre feeling like he has to make plays himself. That’s when the result is usually a late game pick and a playoff loss.

Wildman Jared Allen [14.5 sacks] leads a defensive unit that got to the opposing QB 48 times last season. Then you have The Williams Wall of Kevin and Pat. They are the hardest tackle tandem in the NFL. Trying to run through them is like trying to run through quicksand with cement boots on.  The Vikings will be susceptible to the pass if teams can keep the pass rush at bay. The Vikings-Packers games will determine the winner of this division, and will be some of the best games of the year.

Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler needs to forget last season. How you steal a young, talented  QB like Cutler and forget to surround him with guys that can catch is beyond me. The Bears offense was supposed to greatly approve with the addition of the former Denver QB and his 4,000-yard arm. Conversely, a doo – doo running game that ranked 23^rd in the league and a group of saucy receivers led to 27 interceptions by Bears QB’s. You have to figure Chicago will be a bit better this year. You have to believe Cutler will return to form. And you have to believe in Matt Forte and Chester Taylor in the backfield. That is brutal in itself. Still, I’m thinking Cutler and Mike Martz are both too talented to have a repeat of last year, despite an offensively baron shelf.

The defense which picked up the best defensive player on the free agent market in Julius Peppers [six years $92 million] and the return of future HOF’er Brian Urlacher should help keep the Bears in games. Chicago expects to improve upon its 17^th ranked defense.

Detroit Lions: The ineptitude of the Lions franchise has been well documented. The Lions have lost more than 20 straight road games. They have been the laughing stock of the league for some years now. They gave up 494 points last season, trumping the next closest team by 58 points.

The process is a slow one, but things are looking up in Detroit. The talent pool is improving. QB Matt Stafford made a ton of mistakes but showed flashes of brilliance in his first season. WR Calvin Johnson is as advertised, and rookie RB Jahvid Best along with Kevin Smith, gives Detroit its best backfield since Barry Sanders was turning -10’s into plus 45’s. Will that be enough to net them more than 5 or 6 wins? Probably not. But with the addition of #2 overall pick Ndamukong Suh and continued talent growth through the draft, the Lions will be competitive.

— The Gambler

 

NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints: The Saints are returning 21 of 23 starters. This preseason the biggest competitions for positions were at backup QB and third-string running back. They have the pieces needed to repeat, but in this parity-stricken NFL the likelihood of repeating as champs is like Tiger Woods currently trying to hit a birdie – not likely.

The Saints now have the bull’s-eye on their backs. This will be coach Sean Payton’s biggest test. Most teams fall off after a Super Bowl chip. Will he keep a team very capable of repeating, focused? Another stellar year from Drew Brees will help. Brees should challenge Marino’s single-season passing mark again. Look at the receivers he has to throw to: Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Jeremy Shockey, and Lance Moore. Add a multi-dimensional backfield with big-play Reggie Bush and ground – pounder Pierre Thomas, and The Saints are looking like record-breakers again.

With the loss of defensive leader Scott Fujita, All-Pro safety Darren Sharper, LB Jon Vilma, DE Will Smith and CB Tracy Porter will be expected to execute the Saints “bend-but-don’t break defense to perfection again.

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in team history. Going 9-7 was very respectable considering the injury –riddled 2009 they endured. Led by QB Matty Ice, RB Michael Turner , Hall of Famer Tony Gonzales and WR Roddy White, the Falcon offense will be good enough to torch any defense. Newly acquired cornerback Dunta Robinson should help a weak secondary. The Falcons need a couple of playmakers on defense and they are hoping LB Curtis Lofton can fill that void.  The ATLiens may never forget Mike Vick, but a deep playoff run should permanently shut the door on that chapter.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  The Bucs are a far cry from their 2002 Super Bowl season. They have a new young coach in Raheem Morris, a defense that yielded over 400 points last season and a shaky offense led by Josh Freeman, a second-year QB, still learning. I could have picked the Bucs to finish last, but there is something I like about Morris and his enthusiasm. He is a knowledgeable football guy who obviously inspired his team to play hard for him last season. He has taken the defensive coordinator’s job as well, a sign that he is willing to get his hands dirty for the good of the team. The addition of three defensive draft picks: Oklahoma tackle Gerald McCoy, UCLA tackle Brian Price and Vanderbilt corner Myron Lewis, gives hope for the future. A deep running back committee led by Cadillac Williams, who is hoping to regain his pre injury form, is also a plus for a team that could pull some upsets. 

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers were probably the worst 8-8 team in the league last season. They won’t be much better this year. John Fox is a coach with no job security trying to motivate an unmotivated team. Losing the awesome Julius Peppers and linebacker Thomas Davis are major setbacks.

When healthy, the Panthers have a dynamite receiver in Steve Smith and a crazy backfield in Johnathan Stewart and De Angelo Williams. Stewart and Williams both ran for over 1,100 yards last year. Look for Carolina to play in some ball-controlled,  low-scoring games this season. Losing Jake Delhomme was a blessing. Look for Notre Dame stud Jimmy Clausen to assume starting duties by year end.

— The Gambler

AFC EAST 

New York Jets: New Stadium. New attitude. HBO’s Hard Knocks. No Revis?

I understand that no one man can do it alone, but when that one man happens to be the best shutdown corner in the NFL for the past two seasons (ask Ochocinco,T.O, Andre Johnson, Randy Moss etc.), Owner Woody Johnson and the Jets front office need a severe ASS-kicking!

All the off-season moves for Cromartie, Jason Taylor, Tomlinson, and Santonio Holmes are all for nothing if the most important piece of the puzzle is not there. The Jets have won nothing since the “Broadway Joe Miracle” of 1969, and now you want to be cheap with Revis. But Mangold is eating?  Explain that madness. Make a choice “Gang Green”; either you guys want to be CHAMPS or CHUMPS! I think with a great coach like Rex Ryan, the Jets will come to their senses and at least make a Super Bowl run (possibly win it), if not, see you at the Toilet Bowl. Still they win the division. 

New England Patriots: Never underestimate the heart of true champions.

Although it may seem like the Pats are aging, Bill Belichick always finds a way to get the job done. No one seems to be scared of Bill and his boys anymore (look how Ray Rice ran them out of the playoffs), but the Pats have always thrived off of adversity. Tom Brady is still an elite QB in the NFL, but when he opened his mouth and said what he said about The NY Jets, he not only made this rivalry too HOT for TV, but he also put his offensive line in danger. SAVE THE DATE: Week 2 Pats vs. Jets. Tom better buy his whole “O-Line” flat screens or whatever cars they want, because it’ll be a long day for both teams.  

Miami Dolphins: I truly hate the “Wildcat” offense. I really do. I think it’s a regression of what the NFL should be. I love to watch the Gators vs. Bama or Buckeyes vs. Michigan like everyone else, but the Wildcat has no place in the NFL. However, when you watch the Dolphins run this play, you have no choice but to become a believer. Ronnie Brown, when healthy has shown how quick and skillful he can be. Same goes for Ricky “by George, I think he still got it” Williams. Not to mention The Fish from South Beach made perhaps the best off-season acquisition by nailing sure handed and fantastic route runner Brandon Marshall. Chad Henne is thanking the NFL God’s for that one.

In my opinion, that pickup was just as eye opening as the Lakers getting Gasol in 08′.

Salutations to Bill Parcells and staff, however the NFL has been a copy-cat league since I can remember. At least 28 of the Leagues’ 32 teams are now running some version of the “Wildcat”. It remains to be seen what the Dolphins do to adapt! Guppies or Sharks, make a choice Sporano!!!!!! 

Buffalo Bills: This is just a waste of time. I love Fred Jackson, Lynch and C.J. Spiller will be a stud. But if you can’t make noise with T.O. in town, then I don’t know what to tell you. Lee Evans is pretty good. Roscoe Parrish has a future ahead of him, but will it be in Buffalo? Who’s going to throw them the ball? If Trent Edwards doesn’t get it done this season, his days in Orchard Park may be numbered!

— Phife Dawg

 

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers: The Chargers have a ton of new faces and a ton of important faces missing. Still, the division is bad enough to pick San Diego to win the AFC West comfortably. The Chargers won’t have LaDanian Tomlinson, Jamal Williams or Antonio Cromartie this season. Standout WR Vincent Jackson is still holding out and LT Marcus McNeill wants more bread too.

Most teams would be looking at 3 to 5 more losses. Not the Chargers. The Chargers didn’t panic, they simply added some veterans. TE Randy McMichael, WR Josh Reed, CB Doanld Strickland, OT Tra Thomas and CB Nathan Vasher, were added to the mix. San Diego is hoping these veterans have enough left in the tank to make significant contributions to another Super Bowl run.

The QB is still the same. Phillip Rivers has emerged as one of the league’s top guys. He needs to get over that elusive championship hump. A running game that ranks higher than 31^st in the league will surely help. First-round draft pick Ryan Mathews is expected to combine with little engine Darren Sproles, to bolster the Chargers run game. This will help Rivers complete even more plays to weapons TE Antonio Gates, and WR Malcolm Floyd.

The Chargers defense can use a return to old form from Shawne “Lights Out” Merriman, who hasn’t been the same since he got bagged for PED’s. Makes you wonder if he ever will be the same. At least he got Tila Tequila out of his life, so he won’t be getting stones thrown at him in visiting coliseums.

Oakland Raiders: If I were the Raiders, a successful year would be to finish the season with less than 10 losses. The Raiders have managed to lose double digit games every season since appearing in the Super Bowl in 2002. Al Davis has received much of the blame for this, but he does not play on the field and he doesn’t coach the team. Tom Cable survived a rough 2009 of losing, fighting scandalous allegations and a litany of other team-related dramas.

The syzurp-sipping, money stealing bum called Jamarcus Russell is permanently gone. The hard-working, talented and intelligent Jason Campbell has arrived to at least save some of the day. He is a tremendous upgrade from what they had. The offense should be better, but Campbell can’t do it alone. He will need a career year from TE Zack Miller and if RB’s Michael Bush and Darren McFadden can get going, they could challenge for the NFL’s best backfield. I like the Raiders to finish second in the division. That means I am expecting a better run-stopping defense, improved special teams coverage and better pass protection for the QB. Developing a top wide receiver would help as well. Having DE Richard Seymour leading your defense and sharing his winning pedigree should help the team perform more professionally this season.

Denver Broncos: After starting the season on cloud nine [6-0], Coach Josh McDaniels’ world collapsed on him and his team finished 8-8. The Broncos are lacking weapons on both sides of the ball, but I like McDaniels as a coach and I feel he will have them playing better than projected. Losing All-Pro Elvis Dumervil, the NFL’s sack leader, will hurt and alters the Broncos whole defensive philosophy. Newjacks like LB Akin Ayodele, DLs Justin Bannan, Jarvis Green and big Jamal Williams have to perform well.

You still can’t go wrong with an aging secondary of future Hall of Famers CB Champ Bailey and safety Brian Dawkins. If anything, the Broncos will keep their big plays allowed to a minimum. Scoring however will be a problem. Brandon Marshall bounced to Miami and took his 100 catches a year with him. Now, Eddie Royal and Knowshon Moreno have to pick up the slack. Good luck. Fan-favorite Tim Tebow may be starting over Kyle Orton by season’s end. 

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are a very average team, but playing in this weak AFC West, anything is possible. The Scott Pioli-Todd Hadley  led team will have a strong ground game with Jamaal Charles [1,120 yards rushing] and newly acquired Thomas Jones, who is good for about 1,400 yards every season. Matt Cassel has a year of running the offense under his belt and if a shaky offensive line that gave up 45 sacks can hold up, The Chiefs should improve. WR Dwayne Bowe [47 grabs, 589 yds, 4 TD’s] is nasty, but he isn’t quite ready to carry the load on his own.

The defense is where the Chiefs have to show some improvement. KC has spent a lot of draft picks on defensive players and need to start seeing the returns on those picks. Former LSU star Glenn Dorsey, Tamba Hali and top pick Eric Berry should help a defense that had just 22 sacks in 2009.

— The Gambler

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals: Cincy was definitely a force to be reckoned with in 09′ despite the trials and tribulations that went on within this organization. The death of Chris Henry left a gaping hole in the Bengals receiving corps. So what did Coach Lewis do? He went out and grabbed perhaps the best wideout in the game for the past 10 seasons. Now they have two aging HOF reality star receivers. If anything, the Bengals will be great TV this season. In fairness, T.O. always makes magic happen in his 1st season with a team (Philly, Dallas, and Frisco). Bills do not count. The only problem is the Bengals better win it now before season two. Season two is when T.O. starts throwing teammates under the bus. He threw Garcia, McNabb & Romo under the bus after a good first year. Hey Carson Palmer, be very careful!

Coach Lewis has always been a defensive dynamo. Defense is the key to Cincy being successful. The key offensively is Cincy’s great O- line, which hopes for a repeat performance from RB Cedric “I got my LONGHORN MOJO BACK” Benson. SAVE THE DATE: BENGALS @ NY JETS Thanksgiving Night on NFL NETWORK! Revis vs. T.O.? Ocho vs. Cromartie? WOAH!

Baltimore Ravens: The AFC North, along with the NFC East and North have always been my favorite divisions to watch (since the realignments). All three conferences reek of “SMASH MOUTH/DICK BUTKUS/DEACON JONES FOOTBALL”. I hate domes. I love nasty weather, but we all must adapt one time or another.

The Baltimore Ravens have always represented smash-mouth, bring ya lunch pail to the game type football. Is it a U of Miami thing? Think what Ray Lewis and Ed Reed have done throughout their careers (college and pro)! This team and the hated Pittsburgh Steelers are always in the Top 5 in defense, but with Reed threatening to retire, could those days be over?

NOT! Ed will be back soon. I don’t recall Ray Lewis being out ever and the signing of Boldin should make life easier for Ray Rice, McGahee and Joe Flacco. The season starts on Monday Night Football (Week 1),where the “Black Birds” will look to spoil the opening of former defensive co-coordinator Rex Ryan and former teammates  Jim Leonard and Bart Scott’s New Meadowlands Stadium. This season will be a blast!

Pittsburgh Steelers: I’ve always loved and respected the history of this franchise, but more than that, the city and its fans. This is how football should always be. In recent years, the leader QB “Big Ben” Roethlisberger has not represented the black & gold in the right manner. As a result, Ben will be suspended the first 4 games of the season and with clutch receiver Santonio Holmes now sporting “Gang Green,” it remains to be seen if the Steel Curtain can maintain its winning ways. This will be Coach Tomlin’s toughest job yet, but having thugged-out veterans like Palomalu and Hines Ward to rely on, Pitt should be just fine! 

Cleveland Browns: With Mike Holmgren in town and LeBron now gone, the Browns should become the toast of Cleveland. It’s time to make Bernie Kosar, Brian Sipe, Drew Carey and the great Jim Brown proud again.

Will draft pick Colt McCoy be a stud? Will Jake Del Homme stink up the joint like he did the last two seasons in Carolina? Will Massaquoi show the promise he once had as a Georgia Bulldog, or will Josh Cribbs be the only standout once again?

All these things remain to be seen. I actually see Mangini eventually hitting the door with Holmgren coaching yet again in order to straighten things out. CB Joe Haden will be a stud! This division is too tough for Cleveland to be a factor right now, but stranger things have happened!!  

— Phife Dawg

 

AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts haven’t had a challenge to their divisional dominance in a long time. Look for Peyton Manning to keep the NFL’s most winning team of the decade on track for more double digit win seasons. The Colts made the Super Bowl last season, but lost to The Saints. Look for Indianapolis to have another great season, especially with an improved receiving corps and a balanced backfield. The return of Anthony Gonzales [knee injury] will give Payton another target to unload too. Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon and TE Dallas Clark are other deadly weapons for Manning. The backfield, a source of concern for many years, has a blossoming Donald Brown and a versatile Joseph Addai leading the way.

If the defense can keep Dwight Freeney, Gary Brackett and Antoine Bethea on the field, it will surely rise from its 24^th-place run defense ranking. Any improvement on defense will help The Colts steam-roll opponents and try to make up for last season’s Super Bowl loss.

Tennessee Titans: Titans coach Bud Adams wanted to see his investment pay off sooner than later. With the Titans floundering at 0-6 under a washed up Kerry Collins, Adams told coach Jeff Fisher to insert Vince Young. A new more mature, confident and hard-working Young threw his Superman cape on and went 8-2, leading the Titans to the brink of the playoffs. Now, with a mentally tougher and smarter Young at QB, the Titans are looking forward to a full season of him and NFL Offensive Player of the Year Chris Johnson [2006 yards rushing, 503 receiving yards with 16 TD’s] together in the backfield. With a trailer-load of offensive potential, the Titans hope that their defense doesn’t falter any further. Always, a strong defensive squad, Jeff Fisher might have more holes on defense than he’s ever had. The secondary is iffy, veteran linebacker Keith Bullock is ghost, and they need an increased pass rush to make this season a special one.

Houston Texans: The Texans finally shook the 8-8 collar they were wearing for so long and had the first winning season [9-7] in the nine-year existence of the team. QB Matt Schuab led the leagues’ #1 rated offense to some big wins last season. Having catch-machine Andre Johnson to toss the rock to helps a lot. If TE Owen Daniels can return from a mid-season knee blowout, then that is more weaponry for Schuab. The backfield needs to stay injury-free. The Texans are leaning towards the diminutive Steve Slaton, if the skilled-back can stop fumbling the pigskin.

Mario Williams has answered the question of who should have been the No. 1 overall draft pick in 06’, he or Reggie Bush. While Williams has developed into a dominant pass rusher, Bush is still trying to find his niche in the NFL. DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing [serving a 4-game suspension for violating league’s substance abuse policy] are beasts as well.  Cushing will be missed to start the season. Losing CB Dunta Robinson will be a blow to the secondary as well. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: Not much positive to talk about with this team. Coach Jack Del Rio will probably be out after this season, unless he can pull several rabbits out of a hat. The Jags are not a star-laden squad. The only ill player on the team is RB Maurice-Jones Drew, who will carry a tremendous load and either be worn out or hurt by the 12^th game. QB David Garrard is a hard-nose battler. His passing tools are suspect  and he needs more offensive talent around him to be How you steal a young, talented  QB like Cutler and forget to surround him with guys that can catch is beyond me successful. Don’t expect much from this team.

— The Gambler

 

SUPERBOWL CHAMPION PREDICTIONS:

Phife Dawg: New York Jets

The Gambler: New Orleans Saints

Leaf Erikson: Dallas Cowboys