Post by TheShadow on Sept 1, 2007 13:54:00 GMT -5
www.sportsnetwork.com
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Please, somebody roll out a ball.
If I have to expend another ounce of brain power considering the drowning and hanging of animals, people "making it rain" at the behest of strippers, or folks housing enough weapons to spur the invasion of a small Central American nation, I'm going to rip off my own arm and beat myself to death with it.
It's been one hell of an offseason in the National Football League, and yes, the term "hell" has been well-considered by the writer.
I've half-heartedly apologized for the league for years, arguing that when you have 32 teams multiplied by 53 players, you're bound to have a few more off- the-field stories than you would in any of the other major sports. Give me 1,700 men aged 22-to-37 in any occupation, and I'll find you a couple of criminals. I've sworn up and down, like the well-honed former P.R. guy that I am, that there is no epidemic of bad behavior in the NFL, though the last few months have certainly tested that stance.
When you find yourself yearning for the days when DUIs and domestic violence were the most prominent off-the-field stories in the league, it might be time to acknowledge there's a problem.
When you're hoping that T.O. steps up and accuses someone of being gay already, the off-the-field climate may have begun changing for the worse.
But beginning with Thursday night's game between the Colts and Saints, we can all pretty much put the nauseating storylines to bed, at least for now.
For once, I will unapologetically embrace the cliché - please, please, let the games begin
Below are all of The Sports Network's unsolicited predictions, awards, and trends for the NFL's 88th season, beginning with our projected league standings. Full preseason previews of all 32 league teams are available under the "2007 NFL Previews" banner on the left side of the Sports Network home page:
NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia (11-5) 2. Dallas (10-6) 3. N.Y. Giants (7-9) 4. Washington (5-11)
NFC NORTH
1. Chicago (13-3) 2. Detroit (6-10) 2. Green Bay (6-10) 4. Minnesota (4-12)
NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans (12-4) 2. Carolina (8-8) 3. Tampa Bay (6-10) 4. Atlanta (3-13)
NFC WEST
1. San Francisco (11-5) 2. St. Louis (9-7) 3. Arizona (6-10) 4. Seattle (5-11)
NFC Wild Card Round: Philadelphia over St. Louis, Dallas over San Francisco NFC Divisional Playoff: Chicago over Dallas, Philadelphia over New Orleans NFC Championship: Chicago over Philadelphia
AFC EAST
1. New England (15-1) 2. N.Y. Jets (9-7) 3. Buffalo (5-11) 3. Miami (5-11)
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore (11-5) 2. Pittsburgh (9-7) 3. Cincinnati (8-8) 4. Cleveland (5-11)
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis (12-4) 2. Jacksonville (11-5) 3. Houston (6-10) 4. Tennessee (5-11)
AFC WEST
1. San Diego (13-3) 2. Denver (10-6) 3. Kansas City (5-11) 3. Oakland (5-11)
AFC Wild Card Round: Indianapolis over Denver, Jacksonville over Baltimore AFC Divisional Playoff: New England over Jacksonville, San Diego over Indianapolis AFC Championship: New England over San Diego Super Bowl: New England over Chicago
OFFICIAL AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, New England Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady, New England Defensive Player of the Year: Shawne Merriman, San Diego Offensive Rookie of the Year: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jon Beason, Carolina Coach of the Year: Mike Nolan, San Francisco Comeback Player of the Year: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Cedric Benson, Chicago. With Thomas Jones now a Jet, it is finally Benson's show in the backfield, and you can expect the No. 4 pick in the 2005 Draft to make up for two years of lost time. Benson is a downhill, aggressive runner in the mold of Larry Johnson, and is playing behind a Bears line that excels at run-blocking. Plus, he gets to play against the Lions twice, and the 400 yards he gets in those games will be kind of like the 400 points you get for signing your name on the SAT's. Look for 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns from Benson.
BREAKDOWN PLAYER
Ahman Green, Houston. Green is a nice enough guy and has had a solid career, but the Texans are insane if they think that a 30-year-old back with recent injury problems is going to live up to the four-year, $22 million contract he inked in the offseason. Behind the Texans' still-deficient line, you can count on Green for fewer than 1,000 yards and a touchdown total somewhere in the single digits.
FIRST-ROUND FANTASY PICK YOU'LL REGRET
Shaun Alexander, Seattle. Foot problems cost Alexander six games last season, and when he did play, the three-time Pro Bowler did not look like the same player that set the NFL record for touchdowns (since broken by LaDainian Tomlinson) in 2005. Part of the problem is Alexander's advancing age (30), another is that the Seahawks' run-blocking prowess took a major hit when guard Steve Hutchinson was stolen by Minnesota prior to last season. Alexander won't completely shut down in '07, but his days of being an elite NFL back appear over.
UNDRAFTED FANTASY PLAYER YOU'LL PICK UP
Jacoby Jones, Houston. Jones was an unknown commodity when the Texans selected him in the third round of the 2007 Draft out of tiny Lane College, but he quickly made a name for himself with a dazzling preseason. Jones had two punt returns for touchdowns, and was also a difference-making receiver working out of the slot. Houston doesn't have much receiving depth beyond Andre Johnson, and head coach Gary Kubiak is going to want to pass a lot with new quarterback Matt Schaub, meaning Jones has a chance to be this year's version of Marques Colston.
FIRST UNEMPLOYED QUARTERBACK TO FIND WORK IN 2007
Aaron Brooks. The first injury to a starting quarterback will have names like Drew Bledsoe, Byron Leftwich, and possibly Chris Simms surfacing as potential replacements. But none of those players is as intriguing as the 31-year-old Brooks, who is implausibly out of the league mostly due to two years of bad luck. The Saints' lost season of 2005 hastened Brooks' exit from New Orleans, then the four-time 16-game starter made a poor decision in heading to Oakland, where he never really had a chance in Tom Walsh's antiquated offense. Brooks is physically talented and relatively young, making him the most marketable of the castoff QBs currently available.
FIRST STARTING QUARTERBACK TO LOSE HIS JOB IN 2007
Charlie Frye. Frye is this year's Jake Plummer, a short-timer who will spend what figures to be a few short weeks as a starter looking over his shoulder at first-round draft pick Charlie Frye. The Browns have no shot at rising up the AFC North, and once that becomes apparent, Frye is going to be told to grab some bench to make way for the future of the franchise. Quinn should be starting by October.
TEAM THAT REALLY WILL BE THAT GOOD
New England. The Patriots' stock has dropped a tad in the past few weeks, with Randy Moss missing all of the preseason due to a lingering hamstring injury and safety Rodney Harrison suspended for the first four games of the season after admitting to using HGH. But let's remember that this team was within one defensive stop of reaching the Super Bowl before it added guys like Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, and Adalius Thomas, so a couple of unforeseen absences aren't going to derail a train that appears headed straight for Super Bowl XLII.
TEAM THAT WILL BE BETTER THAN EXPECTED
St. Louis. The Rams are the team in the NFC West that no one seems to be talking about, even though Scott Linehan's club might be the most complete club in the division. The offense should continue to thrive following the addition of wideout Drew Bennett, tight end Randy McMichael, and underrated running back Brian Leonard, while an improving defense invested in key pieces like defensive end James Hall and first-round tackle Adam Carriker. The 49ers might be more consistent in 2007, but the Rams should be a major part of the Wild Card picture at the very least.
TEAM THAT WON'T BE AS GOOD AS EXPECTED
Cincinnati. The Bengals entered the preseason as the AFC North's best bet to challenge Baltimore, but their stock has dropped precipitously since. A defense that needed everything to go right in the preseason never seemed to jell, while the offense sustained a season-ending injury to running back Kenny Irons and will also have tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones hobbled entering the regular campaign. In a deep AFC, those setbacks spell major trouble, and could make what once looked like a 10- or 11-win team closer to a .500 unit.
TEAM THAT WILL BE GOOD, BUT NOT THAT GOOD
Indianapolis. As long as Manning, Harrison, and Wayne continue to take the field together, the Colts are going to be earmarked for double-digit wins and elite status in the AFC. But more so than in previous years, it appears that the Indy offense will bear the brunt of the weekly burden. Former secondary starters Nick Harper, Jason David, and Mike Doss all relocated in the offseason, as did former Pro Bowl linebacker Cato June, and the defensive line took a major hit when tackle Anthony McFarland was lost for the year with a knee injury early in camp. The defensive losses wouldn't be such a big deal if Indy wasn't facing such stiff competition from New England and San Diego in the AFC, not to mention Jacksonville within its own division. Returning to the Super Bowl is going to be an uphill battle for Tony Dungy's squad.
TEAM THAT WILL BE BAD, BUT NOT THAT BAD
Oakland. Every year we seem to predict that things will begin looking up in Oakland, and every year the Raiders seem to quickly descend into the abyss. But there is talent on this team, the last two drafts have been good, and the Raiders seem to have a bright young mind in Lane Kiffin at the controls. Should you reserve a spot for Oakland in the 2007 playoff bracket? No way, not with major turnover throughout the two-deep and on the sideline. But the Silver and Black will be more competitive during a transition year, with an eye toward returning to prominence in 2008.
TEAM THAT REALLY WILL BE THAT BAD
Atlanta. Owner Arthur Blank, new head coach Bobby Petrino, and the Falcons players are saying all the right things in the wake of the Michael Vick fiasco. But watch how quickly things unravel when the losses begin to pile up and the Georgia Dome is half-empty every week. Vick gave this team an offensive identity that no longer exists, and the defense is relying way too much on players like Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy, and John Abraham, all past their prime. Look for the Falcons to post the worst record in the league, which leads us to...
LEADING TEAM IN THE BRIAN BROHM SWEEPSTAKES
Atlanta. If and when the Falcons enter the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2008 Draft, don't be surprised to see Petrino "go young" with the byproduct of some inevitable late-season losses landing the former Louisville coach a prime shot at his former Cardinals signal-caller. Of course, that scenario is contingent on the 6-foot-4, 224-pound Brohm delivering the senior year that most pundits expect of him, a directive that last year's preseason mega-hype recipient Brady Quinn could not quite execute.
LEADING TEAM IN THE DARREN McFADDEN SWEEPSTAKES:
Cleveland. The Browns bypassed Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson in the April draft, choosing instead to stick with declining former superstar Jamal Lewis as their main man in the backfield. When Lewis finally confirms which most football people suspect, that he's finished, the Browns will use what figures to be a high draft pick on the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Arkansas Razorback.
FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH WITH A SHOT
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh. We'll disqualify Norv Turner and Wade Phillips from this category since they've already been head coaches, and designate Tomlin as the rookie with the best chance of immediate success. Tomlin has received high marks early-on for his handling of a veteran roster, and let's remember too that the Steelers are just two years removed from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. It's going to be tough for Pittsburgh to catch Baltimore at the top of the AFC North, but if Tomlin can push enough of the right buttons in his first year on the job, don't be surprised to see the Steelers back in the postseason bracket in some form or fashion.
FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH WITH NO SHOT
Bobby Petrino, Atlanta. We're really piling on the Falcons, aren't we? Sorry Bobby, you might be a great NFL coach eventually, but you unwittingly walked into a crapstorm of the highest order and are going to have a miserable first year in the ATL.
COACH WHO NEEDS TO WIN THAT WILL
Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville. Jaguars fans are growing a little impatient with Del Rio, who has produced just one Wild Card berth in four years on the job. Another mediocre season could have team owner Wayne Weaver seriously considering a change, but we don't think it will come to that. The Jags have as much young talent as anyone in the league, and the sacking of offensive coordinator Carl Smith and quarterback Byron Leftwich should have a positive effect on a club that despite major injuries, was just a win from making the playoffs last year. The Jags are still going to have a major battle in dethroning Indianapolis at the top of the AFC South, but they will have every opportunity to be the best of the non-division winners.
COACH WHO NEEDS TO WIN THAT WON'T
Romeo Crennel, Cleveland. Many of the Browns' problems of the past two-plus seasons have been out of Crennel's control (Kellen's Winslow injury, the quality of the rest of the AFC North), but the third-year head coach will forever rue the day that he made Charlie Frye his starting quarterback and Maurice Carthon his offensive coordinator. Those decisions aided the Browns in taking a step back to 4-12 in 2006, following which they made major changes on offense (Brady Quinn, Jamal Lewis, new OC Rob Chudzinski) that are unlikely to pay immediate dividends. That means a third straight double-digit loss season for Cleveland, and in turn Crennel's probable dismissal.
BEST SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
San Diego at New England, September 16th. The two teams atop many NFL power polls will square off a mere 10 days into the 2007 season, and roughly eight months after the Patriots shocked the Chargers in an AFC Divisional Playoff. LaDainian Tomlinson was, ahem, upset, at several members of the Pats (and by extension, head coach Bill Belichick) after the playoff contest, feeling that their postgame celebration went beyond the bounds of sportsmanship. Will L.T. and company have their revenge?
WORST SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
Washington at N.Y. Giants, December 16th. Between Weeks 11 and 17, NBC has the right to change its Sunday night game if it looks like a clunker. Let's hope they exercise that right here, though in a contest that includes a New York team, don't count on it. The Redskins and Giants will be lucky to have a shot at .500 by this point in the season, and viewers don't figure to get too excited about a clash between two potential cellar-dwellers.
BEST MONDAY NIGHT GAME
Indianapolis at Jacksonville, October 22nd. Jaguars fans are not known as the most passionate in the league, but if it's a night game or a duel with Indianapolis, the atmosphere at ALLTEL Stadium tends to be electric. This tilt should have much to say about who wins the AFC South, and lest we forget, the eventual Super Bowl champs were dealt a 44-17 shellacking when they visited Jacksonville last season.
WORST MONDAY NIGHT GAME
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta, October 15th. Yuck. By October 15th, you might be able to have an entire section of the Georgia Dome to yourself for this game between two teams headed nowhere. Hey, is the World Series on tonight?
BEST HOLIDAY GAME
Denver at San Diego, Christmas Eve. It will be a major surprise if the second of two tussles between the AFC West rival Broncos and Chargers fails to include playoff implications. San Diego hasn't swept Denver in two consecutive seasons since 1967-68, but if the Bolts can walk out of Mile High with a win on October 7th, this game will give them the opportunity to repeat the feat.
WORST HOLIDAY GAME
Indianapolis at Atlanta, Thanksgiving Night. The NFL Network though it had hit the jackpot when it chose to kick off its Thursday night schedule with a battle between Peyton Manning and Michael Vick. Instead it will get a battle between Peyton Manning and whoever is playing quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons by November 22nd, and eventually a battle between Jim Sorgi and whoever is playing quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons by November 22nd.
Wednesday at the Line of Scrimmage: Week 1 Predictions, Opinions, News and Notes
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Please, somebody roll out a ball.
If I have to expend another ounce of brain power considering the drowning and hanging of animals, people "making it rain" at the behest of strippers, or folks housing enough weapons to spur the invasion of a small Central American nation, I'm going to rip off my own arm and beat myself to death with it.
It's been one hell of an offseason in the National Football League, and yes, the term "hell" has been well-considered by the writer.
I've half-heartedly apologized for the league for years, arguing that when you have 32 teams multiplied by 53 players, you're bound to have a few more off- the-field stories than you would in any of the other major sports. Give me 1,700 men aged 22-to-37 in any occupation, and I'll find you a couple of criminals. I've sworn up and down, like the well-honed former P.R. guy that I am, that there is no epidemic of bad behavior in the NFL, though the last few months have certainly tested that stance.
When you find yourself yearning for the days when DUIs and domestic violence were the most prominent off-the-field stories in the league, it might be time to acknowledge there's a problem.
When you're hoping that T.O. steps up and accuses someone of being gay already, the off-the-field climate may have begun changing for the worse.
But beginning with Thursday night's game between the Colts and Saints, we can all pretty much put the nauseating storylines to bed, at least for now.
For once, I will unapologetically embrace the cliché - please, please, let the games begin
Below are all of The Sports Network's unsolicited predictions, awards, and trends for the NFL's 88th season, beginning with our projected league standings. Full preseason previews of all 32 league teams are available under the "2007 NFL Previews" banner on the left side of the Sports Network home page:
NFC EAST
1. Philadelphia (11-5) 2. Dallas (10-6) 3. N.Y. Giants (7-9) 4. Washington (5-11)
NFC NORTH
1. Chicago (13-3) 2. Detroit (6-10) 2. Green Bay (6-10) 4. Minnesota (4-12)
NFC SOUTH
1. New Orleans (12-4) 2. Carolina (8-8) 3. Tampa Bay (6-10) 4. Atlanta (3-13)
NFC WEST
1. San Francisco (11-5) 2. St. Louis (9-7) 3. Arizona (6-10) 4. Seattle (5-11)
NFC Wild Card Round: Philadelphia over St. Louis, Dallas over San Francisco NFC Divisional Playoff: Chicago over Dallas, Philadelphia over New Orleans NFC Championship: Chicago over Philadelphia
AFC EAST
1. New England (15-1) 2. N.Y. Jets (9-7) 3. Buffalo (5-11) 3. Miami (5-11)
AFC NORTH
1. Baltimore (11-5) 2. Pittsburgh (9-7) 3. Cincinnati (8-8) 4. Cleveland (5-11)
AFC SOUTH
1. Indianapolis (12-4) 2. Jacksonville (11-5) 3. Houston (6-10) 4. Tennessee (5-11)
AFC WEST
1. San Diego (13-3) 2. Denver (10-6) 3. Kansas City (5-11) 3. Oakland (5-11)
AFC Wild Card Round: Indianapolis over Denver, Jacksonville over Baltimore AFC Divisional Playoff: New England over Jacksonville, San Diego over Indianapolis AFC Championship: New England over San Diego Super Bowl: New England over Chicago
OFFICIAL AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Tom Brady, New England Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady, New England Defensive Player of the Year: Shawne Merriman, San Diego Offensive Rookie of the Year: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jon Beason, Carolina Coach of the Year: Mike Nolan, San Francisco Comeback Player of the Year: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia
BREAKOUT PLAYER
Cedric Benson, Chicago. With Thomas Jones now a Jet, it is finally Benson's show in the backfield, and you can expect the No. 4 pick in the 2005 Draft to make up for two years of lost time. Benson is a downhill, aggressive runner in the mold of Larry Johnson, and is playing behind a Bears line that excels at run-blocking. Plus, he gets to play against the Lions twice, and the 400 yards he gets in those games will be kind of like the 400 points you get for signing your name on the SAT's. Look for 1,500 yards and double-digit touchdowns from Benson.
BREAKDOWN PLAYER
Ahman Green, Houston. Green is a nice enough guy and has had a solid career, but the Texans are insane if they think that a 30-year-old back with recent injury problems is going to live up to the four-year, $22 million contract he inked in the offseason. Behind the Texans' still-deficient line, you can count on Green for fewer than 1,000 yards and a touchdown total somewhere in the single digits.
FIRST-ROUND FANTASY PICK YOU'LL REGRET
Shaun Alexander, Seattle. Foot problems cost Alexander six games last season, and when he did play, the three-time Pro Bowler did not look like the same player that set the NFL record for touchdowns (since broken by LaDainian Tomlinson) in 2005. Part of the problem is Alexander's advancing age (30), another is that the Seahawks' run-blocking prowess took a major hit when guard Steve Hutchinson was stolen by Minnesota prior to last season. Alexander won't completely shut down in '07, but his days of being an elite NFL back appear over.
UNDRAFTED FANTASY PLAYER YOU'LL PICK UP
Jacoby Jones, Houston. Jones was an unknown commodity when the Texans selected him in the third round of the 2007 Draft out of tiny Lane College, but he quickly made a name for himself with a dazzling preseason. Jones had two punt returns for touchdowns, and was also a difference-making receiver working out of the slot. Houston doesn't have much receiving depth beyond Andre Johnson, and head coach Gary Kubiak is going to want to pass a lot with new quarterback Matt Schaub, meaning Jones has a chance to be this year's version of Marques Colston.
FIRST UNEMPLOYED QUARTERBACK TO FIND WORK IN 2007
Aaron Brooks. The first injury to a starting quarterback will have names like Drew Bledsoe, Byron Leftwich, and possibly Chris Simms surfacing as potential replacements. But none of those players is as intriguing as the 31-year-old Brooks, who is implausibly out of the league mostly due to two years of bad luck. The Saints' lost season of 2005 hastened Brooks' exit from New Orleans, then the four-time 16-game starter made a poor decision in heading to Oakland, where he never really had a chance in Tom Walsh's antiquated offense. Brooks is physically talented and relatively young, making him the most marketable of the castoff QBs currently available.
FIRST STARTING QUARTERBACK TO LOSE HIS JOB IN 2007
Charlie Frye. Frye is this year's Jake Plummer, a short-timer who will spend what figures to be a few short weeks as a starter looking over his shoulder at first-round draft pick Charlie Frye. The Browns have no shot at rising up the AFC North, and once that becomes apparent, Frye is going to be told to grab some bench to make way for the future of the franchise. Quinn should be starting by October.
TEAM THAT REALLY WILL BE THAT GOOD
New England. The Patriots' stock has dropped a tad in the past few weeks, with Randy Moss missing all of the preseason due to a lingering hamstring injury and safety Rodney Harrison suspended for the first four games of the season after admitting to using HGH. But let's remember that this team was within one defensive stop of reaching the Super Bowl before it added guys like Donte' Stallworth, Wes Welker, and Adalius Thomas, so a couple of unforeseen absences aren't going to derail a train that appears headed straight for Super Bowl XLII.
TEAM THAT WILL BE BETTER THAN EXPECTED
St. Louis. The Rams are the team in the NFC West that no one seems to be talking about, even though Scott Linehan's club might be the most complete club in the division. The offense should continue to thrive following the addition of wideout Drew Bennett, tight end Randy McMichael, and underrated running back Brian Leonard, while an improving defense invested in key pieces like defensive end James Hall and first-round tackle Adam Carriker. The 49ers might be more consistent in 2007, but the Rams should be a major part of the Wild Card picture at the very least.
TEAM THAT WON'T BE AS GOOD AS EXPECTED
Cincinnati. The Bengals entered the preseason as the AFC North's best bet to challenge Baltimore, but their stock has dropped precipitously since. A defense that needed everything to go right in the preseason never seemed to jell, while the offense sustained a season-ending injury to running back Kenny Irons and will also have tackles Willie Anderson and Levi Jones hobbled entering the regular campaign. In a deep AFC, those setbacks spell major trouble, and could make what once looked like a 10- or 11-win team closer to a .500 unit.
TEAM THAT WILL BE GOOD, BUT NOT THAT GOOD
Indianapolis. As long as Manning, Harrison, and Wayne continue to take the field together, the Colts are going to be earmarked for double-digit wins and elite status in the AFC. But more so than in previous years, it appears that the Indy offense will bear the brunt of the weekly burden. Former secondary starters Nick Harper, Jason David, and Mike Doss all relocated in the offseason, as did former Pro Bowl linebacker Cato June, and the defensive line took a major hit when tackle Anthony McFarland was lost for the year with a knee injury early in camp. The defensive losses wouldn't be such a big deal if Indy wasn't facing such stiff competition from New England and San Diego in the AFC, not to mention Jacksonville within its own division. Returning to the Super Bowl is going to be an uphill battle for Tony Dungy's squad.
TEAM THAT WILL BE BAD, BUT NOT THAT BAD
Oakland. Every year we seem to predict that things will begin looking up in Oakland, and every year the Raiders seem to quickly descend into the abyss. But there is talent on this team, the last two drafts have been good, and the Raiders seem to have a bright young mind in Lane Kiffin at the controls. Should you reserve a spot for Oakland in the 2007 playoff bracket? No way, not with major turnover throughout the two-deep and on the sideline. But the Silver and Black will be more competitive during a transition year, with an eye toward returning to prominence in 2008.
TEAM THAT REALLY WILL BE THAT BAD
Atlanta. Owner Arthur Blank, new head coach Bobby Petrino, and the Falcons players are saying all the right things in the wake of the Michael Vick fiasco. But watch how quickly things unravel when the losses begin to pile up and the Georgia Dome is half-empty every week. Vick gave this team an offensive identity that no longer exists, and the defense is relying way too much on players like Keith Brooking, Lawyer Milloy, and John Abraham, all past their prime. Look for the Falcons to post the worst record in the league, which leads us to...
LEADING TEAM IN THE BRIAN BROHM SWEEPSTAKES
Atlanta. If and when the Falcons enter the running for the No. 1 pick in the 2008 Draft, don't be surprised to see Petrino "go young" with the byproduct of some inevitable late-season losses landing the former Louisville coach a prime shot at his former Cardinals signal-caller. Of course, that scenario is contingent on the 6-foot-4, 224-pound Brohm delivering the senior year that most pundits expect of him, a directive that last year's preseason mega-hype recipient Brady Quinn could not quite execute.
LEADING TEAM IN THE DARREN McFADDEN SWEEPSTAKES:
Cleveland. The Browns bypassed Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson in the April draft, choosing instead to stick with declining former superstar Jamal Lewis as their main man in the backfield. When Lewis finally confirms which most football people suspect, that he's finished, the Browns will use what figures to be a high draft pick on the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Arkansas Razorback.
FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH WITH A SHOT
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh. We'll disqualify Norv Turner and Wade Phillips from this category since they've already been head coaches, and designate Tomlin as the rookie with the best chance of immediate success. Tomlin has received high marks early-on for his handling of a veteran roster, and let's remember too that the Steelers are just two years removed from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. It's going to be tough for Pittsburgh to catch Baltimore at the top of the AFC North, but if Tomlin can push enough of the right buttons in his first year on the job, don't be surprised to see the Steelers back in the postseason bracket in some form or fashion.
FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH WITH NO SHOT
Bobby Petrino, Atlanta. We're really piling on the Falcons, aren't we? Sorry Bobby, you might be a great NFL coach eventually, but you unwittingly walked into a crapstorm of the highest order and are going to have a miserable first year in the ATL.
COACH WHO NEEDS TO WIN THAT WILL
Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville. Jaguars fans are growing a little impatient with Del Rio, who has produced just one Wild Card berth in four years on the job. Another mediocre season could have team owner Wayne Weaver seriously considering a change, but we don't think it will come to that. The Jags have as much young talent as anyone in the league, and the sacking of offensive coordinator Carl Smith and quarterback Byron Leftwich should have a positive effect on a club that despite major injuries, was just a win from making the playoffs last year. The Jags are still going to have a major battle in dethroning Indianapolis at the top of the AFC South, but they will have every opportunity to be the best of the non-division winners.
COACH WHO NEEDS TO WIN THAT WON'T
Romeo Crennel, Cleveland. Many of the Browns' problems of the past two-plus seasons have been out of Crennel's control (Kellen's Winslow injury, the quality of the rest of the AFC North), but the third-year head coach will forever rue the day that he made Charlie Frye his starting quarterback and Maurice Carthon his offensive coordinator. Those decisions aided the Browns in taking a step back to 4-12 in 2006, following which they made major changes on offense (Brady Quinn, Jamal Lewis, new OC Rob Chudzinski) that are unlikely to pay immediate dividends. That means a third straight double-digit loss season for Cleveland, and in turn Crennel's probable dismissal.
BEST SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
San Diego at New England, September 16th. The two teams atop many NFL power polls will square off a mere 10 days into the 2007 season, and roughly eight months after the Patriots shocked the Chargers in an AFC Divisional Playoff. LaDainian Tomlinson was, ahem, upset, at several members of the Pats (and by extension, head coach Bill Belichick) after the playoff contest, feeling that their postgame celebration went beyond the bounds of sportsmanship. Will L.T. and company have their revenge?
WORST SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
Washington at N.Y. Giants, December 16th. Between Weeks 11 and 17, NBC has the right to change its Sunday night game if it looks like a clunker. Let's hope they exercise that right here, though in a contest that includes a New York team, don't count on it. The Redskins and Giants will be lucky to have a shot at .500 by this point in the season, and viewers don't figure to get too excited about a clash between two potential cellar-dwellers.
BEST MONDAY NIGHT GAME
Indianapolis at Jacksonville, October 22nd. Jaguars fans are not known as the most passionate in the league, but if it's a night game or a duel with Indianapolis, the atmosphere at ALLTEL Stadium tends to be electric. This tilt should have much to say about who wins the AFC South, and lest we forget, the eventual Super Bowl champs were dealt a 44-17 shellacking when they visited Jacksonville last season.
WORST MONDAY NIGHT GAME
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta, October 15th. Yuck. By October 15th, you might be able to have an entire section of the Georgia Dome to yourself for this game between two teams headed nowhere. Hey, is the World Series on tonight?
BEST HOLIDAY GAME
Denver at San Diego, Christmas Eve. It will be a major surprise if the second of two tussles between the AFC West rival Broncos and Chargers fails to include playoff implications. San Diego hasn't swept Denver in two consecutive seasons since 1967-68, but if the Bolts can walk out of Mile High with a win on October 7th, this game will give them the opportunity to repeat the feat.
WORST HOLIDAY GAME
Indianapolis at Atlanta, Thanksgiving Night. The NFL Network though it had hit the jackpot when it chose to kick off its Thursday night schedule with a battle between Peyton Manning and Michael Vick. Instead it will get a battle between Peyton Manning and whoever is playing quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons by November 22nd, and eventually a battle between Jim Sorgi and whoever is playing quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons by November 22nd.
Wednesday at the Line of Scrimmage: Week 1 Predictions, Opinions, News and Notes