What does the NFL look like as we enter the summer? Here's a quick snap shot of each team.
AFC
The New York Jets: Haven't I said enough about this squad?
The New England Patriots: Fred Taylor in, Rodney Harrison and Matt Cassel out... I wonder if Scott Pioli picked the perfect time to get out of dodge. The Brady era may be over, if he is too shell shocked or re-injures himself early in 09' what does Belichick do? Personally, I would like to beat the Brady and Belichick led Pats in-route to a NYJ championship... so I hope he's OK.
The Miami Dolphins: I have always respected Parcells, but last year was amazing. He had a big head before. After turning around a 1-15 team and winning the division beating out Belichick and Mangini he must be kneeling and praying to a picture of himself every morning. He used the NYJ's castoff QB who, incidentally, he drafted in the first round when he was our head tuna. I think Mike Vick would be a nice fit down in southern Florida. I don't see them winning the AFC East again, but they will play tough every week.
The Buffalo Bills: The media has already coined the phrase... 'The Bickering Bills'. Got to love it. The Bills have been an emotionally fragile team for years. They have a very unassuming head coach and QB. The idea of Owens playing in December... on a team that is below .500... in below freezing weather seems like the perfect storm. Should be fun to watch.
The Baltimore Ravens: The questions is twofold. Can Flacco continue to grow as a signal caller? And, will the defense continue to be a dominate unit with out their top 3 defensive coaches? Rumors abound regarding Brandon Marshall of Denver. My opinion is that Ozzie Newsome is the best GM in football. If he wants Marshall who am I to question him?
The Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Lewis is the WORST coach in the NFL. How does this guy still have a job? Enough about him. As for the players, I think their offense is walking a tightrope. Diva's like Coles and Johnson, and a lighting rod like Chris Henry have the makings of a high risk/reward WR corps. I love OT Andre Smith in the first round, MLB from USC Ray Maualuga in the second round and 6'7" pass rusher Michael Johnson in the 3rd. I guess their biggest question is who is going to carry the rock?
The Cleveland Browns: They made an impulsive move by jumping on Mangini. He has stayed true to his colors and has alienated his players and the media. That being said, they have held on to Braylon Edwards and I think they have a real big league QB in Derek Anderson. Poor Brady Quinn, he has now played for 3 former Belichick assistants. I am still having a hard time swallowing the fact that we gave away Abrahm Elam to the Browns.
The Pittsburgh Steelers: This is the best run organization in all of sports. They can't go out and spend an unlimited amount of money on players like the Yankees, they can't go pick up the 3 top free agents on the market and win it all like the Celtics. They have tons of hall-of-famers, more championships than any other team, and have done it over a 30 plus year stretch. Wow.
The Houston Texans: I think the Schaab experiment is a failure and it's time to move on. Rex Grossman is currently on the roster. I like Rex and feel he got a raw deal in Chi-town. If he could get a chance as a starter again, I for one would be rooting for him. This franchise has spent a lot of high draft picks and money on their defense. It's time for that unit to pay back the team for it's investment and take it's rightful place among to top 5 defenses in the league. Rex had some success the last time he played on a team with an elite defense, didn't he?
The Indianapolis Colts: Peyton is not done yet.... in my opinion. The only thing that worries me is the fact that the coaches who were closest to him and know him the best have all rode off into the sunset. Do they think the gravy train is off it's tracks for good? If Addai and Sanders can stay healthy for 16 games the Colts are in good shape.
The Jacksonville Jaguars: I feel Jack Del Rio is one of the finest coaches in the NFL. His public 'calling out' of DT John Henderson was not a sloppy out burst stemming from anger. It was strategical and was intended to send a message to the whole team. He knows how to motivate, and is not afraid to admit when he is wrong. He has cut ties with some of his top draft picks like Leftwich and Matt Jones. They were dragging the team down so they were let go. Del Rio is a real leader and his team s always a threat.
The Tennessee Titans: I am on record saying how disgusted I am with Jeff Fisher and his benching of Vince Young. Fisher never wanted Vince and was forced to draft him. They had a great regular season in 08' and fell flat on their face in the playoffs. I hope Collins struggles in the first half of the season and Fisher is forced to turn to Young.
The Denver Broncos: What a disaster. The owner got upset when his team missed the playoffs and made a quick ill-advised decision out of frustration. Much like a fan who gets mad when his team looses and says 'fire everyone', he cleaned house and went after one of the better offensive minds in the league. Why not? You have the best young QB and WR in the league. McDaniels should be able to make magic happen with these guys. I looked good on paper didn't it? If I was a Bronco fan right now I would hang myself. The Orton era has officially begun.
The Kansas City Chiefs: Let me say this, they fired Herm Edwards... so they automatically have to be better in 09'. Not only did they hire Herm, they gave up a draft pick in compensation. Is it any surprise they fired their GM too? I like Cassel and they didn't over pay for him. They also have a bunch of interesting young players who they have picked up in the previous two drafts. 3 LSU 1st round picks in the past 3 years (WR and two D-linemen) I wonder if this can help overall chemistry. It all comes down to Larry Johnson. If he can stay healthy and dominate he and Jamaal Charles could become one of the best one two punches in the NFL.
The Oakland Raiders: They could have had Russel, McFadden and Crabtree in 3 consecutive drafts. Instead Al Davis pushes the envelope of craziness one step further by drafting a very odd group this year. Somehow someone needs to wrestle the reins away from this geezer and remind everyone that the Raiders are from Oakland, not Mars. Hey Raider Nation, at least you are not Denver fans.
The San Diego Chargers: The key word in Charger land is NOW. The time to win is NOW. Do they have some solid young players? Sure. However, their veteran leaders are getting very long in the tooth. They have underachieved for years. They have an elite young QB and a dynamic defense. Now is the time for the Tomlinson's and Norv Turner's of that team to step up and put their money where their mouths are.
NFC
The Dallas Cowboys: I love watching Tony Romo suffer. This guy is everything that a guy like Eli Manning is not. He has an inflated image of himself, and a ridiculous salary. He has proven nothing as a pro. If you don't have at least one playoff win in your career as a QB you need to shut up and play. That goes for all the 1st round draft picks that are holding clipboards and all the QB's dating singers and actresses. Before Jerry Jones puts Romo's jersey up in ring of honor he should let him prove it in the post season like all of the other previous Cowboy legends. That being said, the Cowboys running game looks scary in 2009. I think Felix Jones is the real deal.
The New York Giants: They have a great pass rush, a great O-line and a coach and QB who believe in one another. How will they fair without #17? I'll say this, their 1st round WR Hakeem Nicks has a lot of potential. I see him making a much bigger splash as a rookie in NY than Sanchez in 09'.
The Philadelphia Eagles: Can all of you foul Eagles fans (no pun intended) finally concede that Mcnaab was a brilliant draft pick? I'm sure you can't. If I'm the eagles I would have paid Torry Holt whatever he wanted to fill out the WR squad. He was their missing piece. I know he is no spring chicken, but he has all the intangibles that the Eagles young WRs are missing. They let Dawkins walk, and I am on record as saying if they miss the playoffs this year you can point to that one bad move as the reason.
The Washington Redskins: Daniel Snider is a fool. Thats it. I have harped on this mismanaged franchise over and over so I won't focus on the negative. I'll list the positives... which is a much shorter list. Jim Zorn has good character and has a ton of potential, Portis may be the best pound for pound RB in the league today, and their defense is talented and opportunistic. Campbell has done nothing to impress me thus far.
The Chicago Bears: I think people are way too high on Matt Forte. Their defense has lost it's edge, and they are the third best team in their division. Bears fans were so quick to crucify Grossman, and just as Kyle Orton was coming into his own he was traded. Lets see if Jay Cutler can be the messiah Bears fans have been waiting for.
The Detroit Lions: After an 0-16 season things can't get any worse... thats for sure. For more on this subject read my previous post... "0-16.. Really?"
The Green Bay Packers: I like their GM and head coach and they may be the best young duo in the league. They had the guts to dump Favre and have built a solid young team. My question is about Ryan Grant. This young back made a name for himself in the second half of the 07' season including an inspired performance in the post season. If he can step up I think this team can be a real threat to make a run.... for the Superbowl. Will Favre throw a wrench in their plans?
The Minnesota Vikings: Their defense is the best in the league. Their RB is the most explosive home run hitter in the league. Their O-line is dominate. Thats a pretty good formula for success. So why haven't we seen them make an appearance in the post season lately? Apparently they feel it's because they are missing a 40 year old, past his prime, diva QB with a surgically repaired shoulder. Enter Favre!!!
The Atlanta Falcons: They have a great young nucleus. They are in a weak division. Who knew what a great situation Matt Ryan was getting himself into? Can Mr. Turner step up and show he is not a one season wonder? I for one say hell yes! They should make a playoff run, but I don't think they can do much damage in the post season... not yet.
The Carolina Panthers: They have an elite coach and some great individual players. I don't exactly understand the whole Julius Peppers situation. Why would you want to trade him?? Why would you want to pay him what amounts to a million dollars a game by applying the franchise tag. Give the guy a long term contract and spend your time trying to find your QB of the future. I wonder if Vick would fit in well with the Panthers?? He could be an all purpose threat this season and take time to learn the offense. You could get an x-factor player this year and your future starting QB in 2010. Just a thought.
The New Orleans Saints: They are the only team that will challenge the Falcons for the division. I think if they can beat out the Falcons and they make it to the post-season, they could be very dangerous. No one will want to face an offense like this in a win or go home scenario. Breeze missed the single season passing record by 15 yards????? Wow. Think he may have something to prove?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gruden... Out. Brooks.... Out. Garcia... Out. Dunn... Out. Kiffin... Out. Not much left from their Superbowl champion squad. It's time to start fresh and I can't believe it, but they are not going to run the 'Tampa Two" in Tampa anymore. What is this world coming to? I am not a fan of starting rookie QB's, but if Freeman can't beat out those other two jokers for the #1 spot this year I would be very worried in Tampa. I'm excited to see if ex-Jet/ ex-Giant RB Ward can handle the load as a feature back. I predict he misses at least 4 games with injury.
The Arizona Cardinals: Wisenhunt is the real deal. It took a lot of guts to bench Leinhart in favor of that washed up old guy Warner. Boy did that ever pay off? Kurt thanked the Cardinls by raping them, forcing a contract that could end up paying him 19 million dollars for 1 season if he chooses to retire at the end of 09'. They are having contract issues with their stand out WR. They need to pay Boldin. He is tough and plays his heart out.
The St. Louis Rams: I had the chance to see the Rams play in 2008 when the Jets mopped the floor with them in the Meadowlands. What a joke. I considered demanding a refund. That team has no heart. I was really high on Chris Long the #2 overall pick for the Rams in 08'. I think he could become a superstar under the tutelage of Mr. Spagnolia. Oh, and please dump Bulger already so he can become the first MVP of the UFL.
The San Francisco 49ers: I like Mike, but he will be unemployed by seasons end. Another Mike... namely Holmgren will be the 'niners' head man in 2010. I don't see them winning more than 4 or 5 games and their skilled players like Vernon Davis and Frank Gore are horribly overrated.
The Seattle Seahawks: This team could make some noise this year. They are perpetually under the radar, but this offseason they seem to be off the map all together. I like Jim Mora and I think he has all the tools to be a great Head Coach. This could be another good landing spot for Vick, and Mora's sidekick Knapp is back at his side as his offensive coordinator. They had success with Vick in Atlanta, why not get the old team back together again? Their top pick Aaron Curry (LB) could be the center piece of their defense for a very, very long time.
J.Wagner
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