Post by TheShadow on May 29, 2008 16:37:32 GMT -5
www.wsbtv.com/
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - With the Draft and most of free agency taken care of, it's time to reset by offering our up-to-date ranking of all 32 NFL teams, in highly dramatic, Casey Kasem-like style:
32 - Falcons - Atlanta fans have the right to be excited that losers like DeAngelo Hall and Bobby Petrino are gone, while intriguing young talents such as quarterback Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are in. But new head coach Mike Smith's first club has an expansion-like look, and there is simply not enough experience throughout the two-deep to expect this team to win right away.
31 - Dolphins - The new Miami braintrust of Bill Parcells, GM Jeff Ireland, and head coach Tony Sparano wisely blew up the roster that engineered last year's miserable 1-15 finish. There already looks to be more talent on this team than existed last year, but there are still more questions than answers at key positions like quarterback, where youngsters John Beck and Chad Henne are competing with journeyman Josh McCown.
30 - Raiders - Just two years removed from trotting out perhaps the worst offense in modern NFL history, give credit to Oakland for rebuilding its attack around major talents like quarterback JaMarcus Russell and rookie running back Darren McFadden. At the same time, you still have to scratch your head at the investment made in players both damaged (Javon Walker, Tommy Kelly) and short on character (DeAngelo Hall). Moreover, are we really sure Lane Kiffin is going to be the head coach?
29 - Chiefs - The trade of Jared Allen to Minnesota helped finance the long- overdue rebuilding project in Kansas City, but it also made the Chiefs a worse team in the short-term. The defense added stability with Glenn Dorsey but lacks playmakers. The offense will be led by the marginal Brodie Croyle, the battered Larry Johnson, and a still-sketchy o-line. Will Herm Edwards survive another rough year?
28 - Bengals - The Bengals don't have bottom-five talent, just bottom-five leadership and bottom-five will to succeed. When he eventually shows up, Chad Johnson will be a major distraction, T.J. Houshmandzadeh will continue his own whining, Carson Palmer will continue to seem detached and forlorn, and Marvin Lewis will continue to watch it all unfold, like a man helplessly looking on as two freight trains speed toward one another.
27 - Lions - Rod Marinelli is the best coach the Lions have had since Wayne Fontes, but his hands remain tied by the suspect personnel he has been handed. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was fired and replaced with o-line coach Jim Colletto, but the more conservative attack will take time to jell. Defensively, the secondary will be better thanks to Leigh Bodden, Brian Kelly, and Dwight Smith, but the front four looks soft.
26 - 49ers - Mike Martz was brought in to breathe life into the NFL's worst offense of a year ago, but Martz seems to lack the personnel to accomplish an abrupt turnaround of that unit. Thus, the fate of fourth-year coach Mike Nolan rests on the ability of the defense to dominate, and while there is substantial talent on that side of the ball (Patrick Willis, Nate Clements), there doesn't look to be enough to lead San Francisco into the playoffs.
25 - Ravens - First-year head coach John Harbaugh's decision among average-at- best quarterback Kyle Boller and the inexperienced Troy Smith and Joe Flacco is sort of like deciding among Brussels sprouts, turnips, and brown lettuce. Otherwise, he has a decent team, though the schedule looks awfully tough and coaching transitions have their share of growing pains by nature.
24 - Bills - Buffalo was a surprise contender for last year's playoffs before fading in the final three weeks, though we shouldn't forget that the Bills were near the bottom of the league in passing offense, points, pass defense and run defense. They've added good defensive pieces like former Pro Bowl d- tackle Marcus Stroud and rookie corner Leodis McKelvin, but is second-year QB Trent Edwards going to generate enough offense to get this team back to the playoffs?
23 - Rams - St. Louis had injury problems of near-biblical proportions last season, and the organization's improved health (and weak division) have rendered the Rams a sleeper pick to rise up the NFL ladder. Adding to the excitement in the Gateway City is the presence of top draft pick Chris Long and the return of offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who was with the team when it won its only Super Bowl in 1999.
22 - Jets - Gang Green transformed its defense in the offseason by nailing down a pair of outside pass rushers (Vernon Gholston and Calvin Pace) and a high-end nose tackle (Kris Jenkins) that should make the front seven an unquestioned team strength. The offense is another matter, as the quarterback options are undesirable and there are few playmakers among the running backs and receivers.
21 - Bears - As far as fantasy football mavens are concerned, this is the worst team in the league. Neither quarterback option (Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton) has proven himself to be an NFL starter. The starting running back (Cedric Benson) is a pariah both inside the locker room and out, and the receiving corps is a cruel joke. Good thing this team still has Devin Hester returning kicks, and also possesses a defense that can be considered elite when healthy.
20 - Panthers - John Fox's future in Carolina appears tied to the right elbow of quarterback Jake Delhomme. If it heals properly following Tommy John surgery, then a Panther offense that added running back Jonathan Stewart and wideouts D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad to the roster should be markedly better. If Delhomme breaks down or struggles to regain its form, an average defense won't be good enough to carry the club.
19 - Cardinals - Conventional wisdom suggests this is the year Matt Leinart either sinks or swims. If Leinart, who saw his 2007 season end prematurely due to a broken collarbone, can't do it while throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, then he simply can't do it. The defense (28th against the pass last year) also has to be better in order to take the pressure off of Leinart.
18 - Texans - The Tampa Bay Rays of the NFL still have a problem larger than themselves...who are they going to beat? Houston looks better on paper than it did while posting last year's franchise-best 8-8 mark, but still play in a division where the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans reign supreme. Four teams from one division can't make the playoffs any more, so where does that leave the Texans?
17 - Broncos - Denver needs to make the postseason this year to justify keeping Mike Shanahan around, and the fact that the Broncos get to play the Raiders, Chiefs, and Norv Turner twice each is awfully convenient to that end. The two most important figures for the '08 Broncos could be new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik and d-line acquisition Dewayne Robertson (ex-Jets), who are being counted on to improve the NFL's third-worst run defense of a year ago.
16 - Saints - The ability of Reggie Bush to live up to his immense billing will be a hot topic in the Crescent City, though the improvement of the defense will be just as important if the Saints wish to get back to the playoffs. New starters at middle linebacker (Jonathan Vilma) and defensive tackle (rookie Sedrick Ellis) figure to help big-time, but the cornerback position remains a liability for Sean Payton's team.
15 - Redskins - Yes, there's plenty of room for both Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn under the microscope. Campbell's reputation took a bit of a hit when longtime backup Todd Collins came off the bench to lead Washington to the playoffs last year, and there is some question about whether Campbell can handle Zorn's intricate west-coast offense. Zorn, meanwhile, is saddled with the task of following Joe Gibbs in his first career head coaching assignment.
14 - Vikings - If Minnesota could count on even average play at the quarterback position, the world would be touting the Vikes as a Super Bowl contender. As it is, the light has yet to come on for Tarvaris Jackson, and the backups are Gus Frerotte and John David Booty. Ouch. Well, at least Adrian Peterson is doing the running, and a good defense could be great with pass rusher Jared Allen in the fold. Keep an eye on this team.
13 - Eagles - Though observers in and around Philadelphia have long lamented the lack of offensive weaponry on this club, the Eagles spent most of their offseason efforts tweaking the defense. Out are end Jevon Kearse and linebacker Takeo Spikes, in are cornerback Asante Samuel and pass rusher Chris Clemons. Hope for the offense rests on the fact that Donovan McNabb is further removed from his 2006 knee injury, but the Birds will still have it tough in what is arguably the league's toughest division.
12 - Titans - Tennessee went back to the future by signing free agents Jevon Kearse and Justin McCareins, two players who had their best years as Titans but haven't done much since leaving earlier in the decade. The two more notable additions were declining ex-Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler and first-round running back Chris Johnson, two players who will help give Vince Young and the attack a fighting chance. The defense remains the strength of this team, however.
11 - Buccaneers - Tampa Bay went from first to worst and back to first in the years spanning 2005 through 2007, and will have to work hard to prevent falling from their perch again in the improved NFC South. Much will ride on 38-year-old quarterback Jeff Garcia and 36-year-old wideout Joey Galloway, still the Bucs' two most reliable offensive players. The No. 1 pass defense in the league should be better with first-round corner Aqib Talib and free agent safety Eugene Wilson helping out.
10 - Steelers - Pittsburgh faded badly down the stretch last season, going 3-5 in their final eight games including a home playoff loss to the Jaguars. The offensive line was labeled by many as a trouble spot heading into the offseason, but the Steelers apparently failed to get that memo, as backs (Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore) and a receiver (Limas Sweed) were the most notable offseason additions. The Steelers aren't worse, but they don't look a lot better either.
9 - Packers - Green Bay was 13-3 and a whisker from the Super Bowl last year, but you won't see many tabbing the Packers for big things when the quarterback is unknown quantity Aaron Rodgers. The good news is that the rest of the offense remains virtually intact, and the defense counts tackle Corey Williams (now with the Browns) as its only significant loss. But there's no way around the fact that as Rodgers goes, so go the Packers in 2008.
8 - Seahawks - The Seahawks would like to send head coach Mike Holmgren, who says he's stepping down after 2008, out with a bang. And there's little reason Seattle shouldn't be able to make sufficient noise, since they remain the most stable team in the NFC West and have the most playmakers on both sides of the ball. How much further the Hawks get will likely rest on the ability of the team to establish a running game in the post-Shaun Alexander era, and whether a good defense can make the jump to greatness.
7 - Browns - At this time last year, NFL pundits were preparing their sad epitaphs for head coach Romeo Crennel. A year later, Cleveland is the odds-on favorite to win the AFC North. The offense will be very good unless Derek Anderson turns back into a pumpkin and/or Jamal Lewis plays like he did during his final years with the Ravens. The defense, meanwhile, is ready for prime time after adding Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams along the interior d-line. In all, this is an exciting young team that should make the playoffs.
6 - Giants - The drama had already started when the ticker-tape was still being picked up along the Manhattan parade route. Will these G-Men suffer a Super Bowl hangover like the two previous Giants Super Bowl winners? Will whiny Jeremy Shockey be a distraction? Is Michael Strahan coming back? Are departed defensive starters Kawika Mitchell, Reggie Torbor, and Gibril Wilson replaceable? Will this team continue to respond to Tom Coughlin's abrasive style? Only in New York can this much negativity surround a champion.
5 - Chargers - San Diego experienced very little turnover from the team that got within a game of the Super Bowl last season, and is once again the favorite (by a mile) to win the AFC West. The main concerns are the injuries that plagued LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers in the latter stages of last season, and Tomlinson's advancing age (29 in June) has to make folks wonder just how much longer he can play at an elite level. Also, as ever, there are questions about whether Norv Turner will be able to keep up the good work after the most successful season of his career as a head coach.
4 - Jaguars - Call Jacksonville the Hillary Clinton of the NFL, in that there will be no early concession speech in the race for the AFC South. The mega- talented Jaguars know that positioning themselves for the franchise's first Super Bowl means seizing the division crown from the Colts, who have run roughshod over the Jags and everyone else in the South for the last half- decade. With guys like David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew on the ascent, and with the universally respected Gregg Williams having taken over defensive coordinator duties, expectations will remain high for this team well into the playoffs.
3 - Cowboys - We hate hackneyed phrases like "on a mission," though the cliche' does seem to apply to the 2008 Cowboys. Tony Romo, now 0-2 in playoff games, simply has to get Dallas somewhere in the proximity of the Super Bowl or the buzzards are going to start circling. Head coach Wade Phillips, meanwhile, can't afford to let up after last year's 13-3 finish, or Jerry Jones is going to whack him in favor of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Convenient for all parties is that this team still has as much talent as any team in the NFC, and any contribution that newcomers Felix Jones, Zach Thomas, and/or Pacman Jones can make will be gravy.
2 - Colts - This is starting to get boring. Unless and until Peyton Manning gets hurt, which hasn't happened in his first 11 years in the league, Indianapolis is going to contend. And since those protected by the Secret Service get touched more than Manning, No. 18's health should not be on anyone's mind. As for the rest of the roster, well, everyone you've heard of will be back, with the possible exception of Marvin Harrison, who has injury and potential legal issues hanging over his head. But Harrison barely played last year, and Tony Dungy's club still finished 13-3. As long as the "artificial crowd noise" tape makes it from the RCA Dome to brand new Lucas Oil Stadium, this team will be just fine.
1 - Patriots - Six of the last seven Super Bowl runners-up have missed the playoffs in the following season, but that condition seems highly unlikely to afflict New England. Any of the team's recent P.R. problems have little to do with the talent level and coaching on this club, which remain superior. The most prolific offense in NFL history returns virtually intact. The defense has gotten younger, which might be a liability early-on but will be a credit to the club down the stretch. And let us not forget that this organization, from Bill Belichick on down, will come into 2008 spitting mad over the way last season ended, not to mention the circus-like aftermath. Just as they were for all of 2007, the Patriots are the NFL's team to beat.
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - With the Draft and most of free agency taken care of, it's time to reset by offering our up-to-date ranking of all 32 NFL teams, in highly dramatic, Casey Kasem-like style:
32 - Falcons - Atlanta fans have the right to be excited that losers like DeAngelo Hall and Bobby Petrino are gone, while intriguing young talents such as quarterback Matt Ryan and Michael Turner are in. But new head coach Mike Smith's first club has an expansion-like look, and there is simply not enough experience throughout the two-deep to expect this team to win right away.
31 - Dolphins - The new Miami braintrust of Bill Parcells, GM Jeff Ireland, and head coach Tony Sparano wisely blew up the roster that engineered last year's miserable 1-15 finish. There already looks to be more talent on this team than existed last year, but there are still more questions than answers at key positions like quarterback, where youngsters John Beck and Chad Henne are competing with journeyman Josh McCown.
30 - Raiders - Just two years removed from trotting out perhaps the worst offense in modern NFL history, give credit to Oakland for rebuilding its attack around major talents like quarterback JaMarcus Russell and rookie running back Darren McFadden. At the same time, you still have to scratch your head at the investment made in players both damaged (Javon Walker, Tommy Kelly) and short on character (DeAngelo Hall). Moreover, are we really sure Lane Kiffin is going to be the head coach?
29 - Chiefs - The trade of Jared Allen to Minnesota helped finance the long- overdue rebuilding project in Kansas City, but it also made the Chiefs a worse team in the short-term. The defense added stability with Glenn Dorsey but lacks playmakers. The offense will be led by the marginal Brodie Croyle, the battered Larry Johnson, and a still-sketchy o-line. Will Herm Edwards survive another rough year?
28 - Bengals - The Bengals don't have bottom-five talent, just bottom-five leadership and bottom-five will to succeed. When he eventually shows up, Chad Johnson will be a major distraction, T.J. Houshmandzadeh will continue his own whining, Carson Palmer will continue to seem detached and forlorn, and Marvin Lewis will continue to watch it all unfold, like a man helplessly looking on as two freight trains speed toward one another.
27 - Lions - Rod Marinelli is the best coach the Lions have had since Wayne Fontes, but his hands remain tied by the suspect personnel he has been handed. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was fired and replaced with o-line coach Jim Colletto, but the more conservative attack will take time to jell. Defensively, the secondary will be better thanks to Leigh Bodden, Brian Kelly, and Dwight Smith, but the front four looks soft.
26 - 49ers - Mike Martz was brought in to breathe life into the NFL's worst offense of a year ago, but Martz seems to lack the personnel to accomplish an abrupt turnaround of that unit. Thus, the fate of fourth-year coach Mike Nolan rests on the ability of the defense to dominate, and while there is substantial talent on that side of the ball (Patrick Willis, Nate Clements), there doesn't look to be enough to lead San Francisco into the playoffs.
25 - Ravens - First-year head coach John Harbaugh's decision among average-at- best quarterback Kyle Boller and the inexperienced Troy Smith and Joe Flacco is sort of like deciding among Brussels sprouts, turnips, and brown lettuce. Otherwise, he has a decent team, though the schedule looks awfully tough and coaching transitions have their share of growing pains by nature.
24 - Bills - Buffalo was a surprise contender for last year's playoffs before fading in the final three weeks, though we shouldn't forget that the Bills were near the bottom of the league in passing offense, points, pass defense and run defense. They've added good defensive pieces like former Pro Bowl d- tackle Marcus Stroud and rookie corner Leodis McKelvin, but is second-year QB Trent Edwards going to generate enough offense to get this team back to the playoffs?
23 - Rams - St. Louis had injury problems of near-biblical proportions last season, and the organization's improved health (and weak division) have rendered the Rams a sleeper pick to rise up the NFL ladder. Adding to the excitement in the Gateway City is the presence of top draft pick Chris Long and the return of offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who was with the team when it won its only Super Bowl in 1999.
22 - Jets - Gang Green transformed its defense in the offseason by nailing down a pair of outside pass rushers (Vernon Gholston and Calvin Pace) and a high-end nose tackle (Kris Jenkins) that should make the front seven an unquestioned team strength. The offense is another matter, as the quarterback options are undesirable and there are few playmakers among the running backs and receivers.
21 - Bears - As far as fantasy football mavens are concerned, this is the worst team in the league. Neither quarterback option (Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton) has proven himself to be an NFL starter. The starting running back (Cedric Benson) is a pariah both inside the locker room and out, and the receiving corps is a cruel joke. Good thing this team still has Devin Hester returning kicks, and also possesses a defense that can be considered elite when healthy.
20 - Panthers - John Fox's future in Carolina appears tied to the right elbow of quarterback Jake Delhomme. If it heals properly following Tommy John surgery, then a Panther offense that added running back Jonathan Stewart and wideouts D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad to the roster should be markedly better. If Delhomme breaks down or struggles to regain its form, an average defense won't be good enough to carry the club.
19 - Cardinals - Conventional wisdom suggests this is the year Matt Leinart either sinks or swims. If Leinart, who saw his 2007 season end prematurely due to a broken collarbone, can't do it while throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, then he simply can't do it. The defense (28th against the pass last year) also has to be better in order to take the pressure off of Leinart.
18 - Texans - The Tampa Bay Rays of the NFL still have a problem larger than themselves...who are they going to beat? Houston looks better on paper than it did while posting last year's franchise-best 8-8 mark, but still play in a division where the Colts, Jaguars, and Titans reign supreme. Four teams from one division can't make the playoffs any more, so where does that leave the Texans?
17 - Broncos - Denver needs to make the postseason this year to justify keeping Mike Shanahan around, and the fact that the Broncos get to play the Raiders, Chiefs, and Norv Turner twice each is awfully convenient to that end. The two most important figures for the '08 Broncos could be new defensive coordinator Bob Slowik and d-line acquisition Dewayne Robertson (ex-Jets), who are being counted on to improve the NFL's third-worst run defense of a year ago.
16 - Saints - The ability of Reggie Bush to live up to his immense billing will be a hot topic in the Crescent City, though the improvement of the defense will be just as important if the Saints wish to get back to the playoffs. New starters at middle linebacker (Jonathan Vilma) and defensive tackle (rookie Sedrick Ellis) figure to help big-time, but the cornerback position remains a liability for Sean Payton's team.
15 - Redskins - Yes, there's plenty of room for both Jason Campbell and Jim Zorn under the microscope. Campbell's reputation took a bit of a hit when longtime backup Todd Collins came off the bench to lead Washington to the playoffs last year, and there is some question about whether Campbell can handle Zorn's intricate west-coast offense. Zorn, meanwhile, is saddled with the task of following Joe Gibbs in his first career head coaching assignment.
14 - Vikings - If Minnesota could count on even average play at the quarterback position, the world would be touting the Vikes as a Super Bowl contender. As it is, the light has yet to come on for Tarvaris Jackson, and the backups are Gus Frerotte and John David Booty. Ouch. Well, at least Adrian Peterson is doing the running, and a good defense could be great with pass rusher Jared Allen in the fold. Keep an eye on this team.
13 - Eagles - Though observers in and around Philadelphia have long lamented the lack of offensive weaponry on this club, the Eagles spent most of their offseason efforts tweaking the defense. Out are end Jevon Kearse and linebacker Takeo Spikes, in are cornerback Asante Samuel and pass rusher Chris Clemons. Hope for the offense rests on the fact that Donovan McNabb is further removed from his 2006 knee injury, but the Birds will still have it tough in what is arguably the league's toughest division.
12 - Titans - Tennessee went back to the future by signing free agents Jevon Kearse and Justin McCareins, two players who had their best years as Titans but haven't done much since leaving earlier in the decade. The two more notable additions were declining ex-Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler and first-round running back Chris Johnson, two players who will help give Vince Young and the attack a fighting chance. The defense remains the strength of this team, however.
11 - Buccaneers - Tampa Bay went from first to worst and back to first in the years spanning 2005 through 2007, and will have to work hard to prevent falling from their perch again in the improved NFC South. Much will ride on 38-year-old quarterback Jeff Garcia and 36-year-old wideout Joey Galloway, still the Bucs' two most reliable offensive players. The No. 1 pass defense in the league should be better with first-round corner Aqib Talib and free agent safety Eugene Wilson helping out.
10 - Steelers - Pittsburgh faded badly down the stretch last season, going 3-5 in their final eight games including a home playoff loss to the Jaguars. The offensive line was labeled by many as a trouble spot heading into the offseason, but the Steelers apparently failed to get that memo, as backs (Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore) and a receiver (Limas Sweed) were the most notable offseason additions. The Steelers aren't worse, but they don't look a lot better either.
9 - Packers - Green Bay was 13-3 and a whisker from the Super Bowl last year, but you won't see many tabbing the Packers for big things when the quarterback is unknown quantity Aaron Rodgers. The good news is that the rest of the offense remains virtually intact, and the defense counts tackle Corey Williams (now with the Browns) as its only significant loss. But there's no way around the fact that as Rodgers goes, so go the Packers in 2008.
8 - Seahawks - The Seahawks would like to send head coach Mike Holmgren, who says he's stepping down after 2008, out with a bang. And there's little reason Seattle shouldn't be able to make sufficient noise, since they remain the most stable team in the NFC West and have the most playmakers on both sides of the ball. How much further the Hawks get will likely rest on the ability of the team to establish a running game in the post-Shaun Alexander era, and whether a good defense can make the jump to greatness.
7 - Browns - At this time last year, NFL pundits were preparing their sad epitaphs for head coach Romeo Crennel. A year later, Cleveland is the odds-on favorite to win the AFC North. The offense will be very good unless Derek Anderson turns back into a pumpkin and/or Jamal Lewis plays like he did during his final years with the Ravens. The defense, meanwhile, is ready for prime time after adding Shaun Rogers and Corey Williams along the interior d-line. In all, this is an exciting young team that should make the playoffs.
6 - Giants - The drama had already started when the ticker-tape was still being picked up along the Manhattan parade route. Will these G-Men suffer a Super Bowl hangover like the two previous Giants Super Bowl winners? Will whiny Jeremy Shockey be a distraction? Is Michael Strahan coming back? Are departed defensive starters Kawika Mitchell, Reggie Torbor, and Gibril Wilson replaceable? Will this team continue to respond to Tom Coughlin's abrasive style? Only in New York can this much negativity surround a champion.
5 - Chargers - San Diego experienced very little turnover from the team that got within a game of the Super Bowl last season, and is once again the favorite (by a mile) to win the AFC West. The main concerns are the injuries that plagued LaDainian Tomlinson and Philip Rivers in the latter stages of last season, and Tomlinson's advancing age (29 in June) has to make folks wonder just how much longer he can play at an elite level. Also, as ever, there are questions about whether Norv Turner will be able to keep up the good work after the most successful season of his career as a head coach.
4 - Jaguars - Call Jacksonville the Hillary Clinton of the NFL, in that there will be no early concession speech in the race for the AFC South. The mega- talented Jaguars know that positioning themselves for the franchise's first Super Bowl means seizing the division crown from the Colts, who have run roughshod over the Jags and everyone else in the South for the last half- decade. With guys like David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew on the ascent, and with the universally respected Gregg Williams having taken over defensive coordinator duties, expectations will remain high for this team well into the playoffs.
3 - Cowboys - We hate hackneyed phrases like "on a mission," though the cliche' does seem to apply to the 2008 Cowboys. Tony Romo, now 0-2 in playoff games, simply has to get Dallas somewhere in the proximity of the Super Bowl or the buzzards are going to start circling. Head coach Wade Phillips, meanwhile, can't afford to let up after last year's 13-3 finish, or Jerry Jones is going to whack him in favor of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Convenient for all parties is that this team still has as much talent as any team in the NFC, and any contribution that newcomers Felix Jones, Zach Thomas, and/or Pacman Jones can make will be gravy.
2 - Colts - This is starting to get boring. Unless and until Peyton Manning gets hurt, which hasn't happened in his first 11 years in the league, Indianapolis is going to contend. And since those protected by the Secret Service get touched more than Manning, No. 18's health should not be on anyone's mind. As for the rest of the roster, well, everyone you've heard of will be back, with the possible exception of Marvin Harrison, who has injury and potential legal issues hanging over his head. But Harrison barely played last year, and Tony Dungy's club still finished 13-3. As long as the "artificial crowd noise" tape makes it from the RCA Dome to brand new Lucas Oil Stadium, this team will be just fine.
1 - Patriots - Six of the last seven Super Bowl runners-up have missed the playoffs in the following season, but that condition seems highly unlikely to afflict New England. Any of the team's recent P.R. problems have little to do with the talent level and coaching on this club, which remain superior. The most prolific offense in NFL history returns virtually intact. The defense has gotten younger, which might be a liability early-on but will be a credit to the club down the stretch. And let us not forget that this organization, from Bill Belichick on down, will come into 2008 spitting mad over the way last season ended, not to mention the circus-like aftermath. Just as they were for all of 2007, the Patriots are the NFL's team to beat.