NFL 2008 Season Preview

AN EXCELLENT SEASON

I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence, I can reach for; perfection is God's business.

- Michael J. Fox

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins became the first team to win all 14 regular-season games, both playoff games, and then Super Bowl VII to go 17-0. To date, that was the best season any team had played. It was pure excellence, but not perfection.

In 2007, the New England Patriots put on a show for the ages after going 16-0 in the regular season. Then, they breezed through the playoffs beating Jacksonville and San Diego. But in Super Bowl XLII, the Pats were humbled by the New York “Cinderella” Giants. New England’s season was fantastic and made history, but they fell short of the standard set by Miami despite winning two more regular-season games.

What made New England's undefeated regular season so special was that they did it in a time of free agency, injuries, and celebrity culture. Accomplishing such a feat was like a 12-year-old kid with asthma reaching the top of Mt. Everest. But, even when it's attained, it's rarely ever going to be perfect.

Vince Lombardi once said, "Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

What are we to expect in 2008? Where will excellence find a home this year? Will anyone even sniff the aroma that seeps out of that realm created by Miami and New England? Will we see another undefeated regular season?

Welcome to the 2008 NFL season.

AFC EAST

• NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: When a man of Bill Belichick's demeanor and proficiency is your head coach, expectations are at a paramount level. If his QB is Tom Brady who leads an offense that gives opposing coaches sleepless nights, then success is right around the corner. But, this criteria doesn’t guarantee them reaching their mission if they have a suspect defense especially in the secondary. That proved to be their pitfall six months ago in Super Bowl XLII. Through the draft and free-agency, New England hopes that it has addressed that fault while shoring up their linebacker corps as well. There is also a mystery surrounding General Brady's foot injury during this pre-season. Belichick has always been misleading about injuries, but this is something worth watching as the regular season approaches although I fully expect Brady to be out there Week 1. Barring a nuclear holocaust, expect to see the Pats in late January.

• BUFFALO BILLS: The last time Buffalo was in the playoffs many of this year's players were teenagers hanging out in arcades. Despite a slew of injuries last year, these youngsters underachieved especially on offense with QB Trent Edwards at the helm. Their defense also seemed to gel while RB Marshawn Lynch, who pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run incident during the off-season, proved that he's the real deal. Buffalo also drafted well by getting the best CB in the draft, Leodis McKelvin, and a great red-zone target in 6-foot-6 WR James Hardy. This city is hungry for a return to the glory years of the Jim Kelly era, and Edwards can take them there. This team is stocked with talent on both side of the ball, and they must get the most of each one of them plus stay healthy all year. If these two dynamics can happen, there's no reason to believe that the Bills couldn't be a dark horse playoff candidate.

• NY JETS: Expectations for this season mushroomed on August 6, 2008 when Jet Favre landed in the Big Apple. Not since the days of Broadway Joe has a QB of this stature worn the green and white. The soap opera in Green Bay is now over, and the Jets now have a new leader. Brett Favre will operate behind a revamped offensive line and target a nice group of receivers, but it won't be what he had in Green Bay. Despite a shaky state-of-affairs on defense, the key to this team is now how soon Favre can grasp the offense and how well he can get in shape. If the pre-season has been any indication, Favre will not have a problem running this Jets offense, but can he continue his impeccable history of avoiding injuries? New York also has a history of being inhospitable to athletes, like Randy Johnson and Isiah Thomas, who didn't meet their standards and were eventually run out of town. If Jet fans don't see W's soon, Broadway Brett may wonder why he wasn’t home hunting boar.

• MIAMI DOLPHINS: Wayne Huzienga may be the owner, but this is clearly Bill Parcells' team. When he took over late last season, you could see the thunder clouds forming on the horizon. Big Bill wears discipline and grit like a birth mark, and what has transpired this off-season is an overhaul with that type of blue-collar mentality dripping all over it. Along with ex-Cowboys Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland, who were hired as head coach and GM respectively, Parcells has conducted intense personnel moves via free agency (once again, thank you, Dallas), the draft, and trades. Thanks to the Favre adventure, Miami was also able to fill a critical need by signing Parcells' former #1 draft pick in Chad Pennington to be their QB this season. Losing Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor to the NFC East is probably going to leave a void on defense which won't be filled right away with that same level of skill and talent. This is going to be a fun team to watch if you like watching a new born calf trying to run.

AFC NORTH

• PITTSBURGH STEELERS: If you thought the two losses to Jacksonville at home towards the end of 2007 was brutal, then you haven't seen the Steelers 2008 schedule. Besides their divisional foes, Pitt faces the likes of Indy, NE, San Diego, the NFC East, and the Jags. In order to master these teams, the Steelers are going to need to win the battle in the trenches and that won't be easy with an offensive line that lost Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca and is now left with a group of mammoths who move like they have cement blocks for shoes. That's not to say though that this Pitt offense isn't going to continue to scare some defensive coordinators, especially after drafting RB Rashard Mendenhall and WR Limas Sweed. Defensively, this unit faltered late last season and then took some costly hits via free agency, but didn't do anything to plug the holes. Despite these weak welding spots, coach Mike Tomlin does have a solid structure and a weak division to be thankful for.

• CLEVELAND BROWNS: Cleveland fans have been through hell and back over the last few decades, but last season, they saw a light in the midst of darkness. Their offense burst forth like a hyena that had been caged for years thanks to the Cinderella season by QB Derek Anderson and the break-out performances by RB Jamal Lewis, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow. Anderson appears to be the front-runner to lead this offense again this year despite hometown favorite Brady Quinn waiting in the wings, so he must prove that he wasn't a one-year wonder if he wants to stay on the perch. The defense also matured, and Cleveland posted a 10-6 record and barely missed the playoffs. They proceeded to have a good draft, and Coach Crennel signed a two-year extension. If they can stay healthy and focused, this team has a great chance to stop the presses two years in a row.

• BALTIMORE RAVENS: A new era has arrived in Raven Land as languid head coach Brian Billick was drop-kicked in favor of the spirited John Harbaugh who served as the Eagles' special teams and defensive backs coach for the last nine years. Go figure. Then, Steve "Evel Knievel" McNair finally listened to his body and hung up his cleats leaving the QB position open for grabs. Troy Smith and rookie QB Joe Flacco are the front runners to win the starting job with Kyle Boller hurt right now. The task won’t be fun behind a line that lost left tackle icon Jonathan Ogden to retirement. The Ravens running attack is anchored by Willis McGahee, but he must stay healthy which is not likely considering his past and the depth behind him is shallow. Throw in a defense that is either aging or green, and you have a team which is in transition looking for its identity.

• CINCINNATI BENGALS: The circus has arrived in Cincinnati, and its ring leader is the Bengals brass. WR Chris Henry was arrested on assault charges and then cut from the team by coach Marvin Lewis (along with LB Odell Thurman who frequented the police blotter as well) and then suspended by Sheriff Goodell for four games. The charges were dropped so Cincy re-signed Henry (at the urging of owner Mike Brown) to help bolster their injury-ravaged receiving corps. This includes the cancerous Chad Johnson who demanding to be traded in the off-season and then publicly trash-talked Lewis when he refused. He now has a torn labrum in his shoulder -- but is refusing to have surgery. On draft day, Cincy allowed the Saints to leap frog in front of them and pick USC DT Sedrick Ellis who they coveted for a long time. Instead, they picked DT Jason Shirley...who was in and out of trouble his senior year due to legal issues. Cincy also has serious issues at RB as Rudi Johnson has lost his luster and is now on the trading block leaving them with the often-injured Chris Perry and Kenny Watson. Also, the Bengals underachieving defense has miles to go before they will allow Lewis and the coaching staff to sleep. It's going to be a long year.

AFC SOUTH

• INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Stability, honor, and excellence are not alien influences when you have a coach like Tony Dungy. His faith and respect in his players and the game are brought to life on and off the field. Controversy and distractions are about as common as seeing Britney Spears at a M.A.D.D. convention. As Dungy enters his final year as the Colts' head coach along with the beginning of a new era in Lucas Oil Stadium, you can expect this Indy squad to pay homage to their leader by putting a product on the field that will keep you riveted...as usual. Both sides of the ball are stocked once again with talent with twenty of last year's twenty-two starters returning. The only area of concern right now is the health of QB Peyton Manning who has missed all of training camp after having surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee on July 14th. While he has nothing to prove in his final year along the Colts sidelines, wouldn't it be fitting for Tony Dungy to coach his final game on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay?

• JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: It's hard to stay focused on the hike and your destination when you get a rock in your shoe. It's small and moves around, but you know its there and it becomes annoying and just a bit painful. It's hard to describe the renewed sense of comfort and purpose you feel when you're finally able to remove it. For Jacksonville, Byron Leftwich was that pebble and is now in Pittsburgh. This team is now David Garrard's, and he has a sterling cast with the likes of a punishing and explosive running game and a receiving corps that will finally be intimidating to opposing secondaries. This Jaguars defense was already stout, but after a defense-laden draft, look for this unit to be stellar. The elements are there. If everyone plays to their potential, and Jack Del Rio can keep this team focused and passionate, there's no reason to keep this team's name out of the drawing to be hoisting the Lombardi.

• TENNESSEE TITANS: There's no doubt that there's restlessness in Music City. Fans of the Titans (and former Oilers) were spoiled for many years as they rode the legs and arm of an iron-kettle QB in Steve McNair. Those days are over as McNair has moved off into the sunset, and Vince Young has taken the reins. While the Titans did make the playoffs last year, it wasn't due to the rocket arm and coolness of VY. He struggled last year throwing almost twice as many INT's as he did TD's. The running game was weak, and he had a hard time finding receivers especially in the pocket. Tennessee's success was the direct result of their defense which should be just as dominant this year if not more. This is a unit that offensive coordinators do not want to mess with, and it must be complemented by an improved offense. Trust me, Young can run like the wind and looks like a young Michael Vick, but he must master his pocket presence for this team to be a threat this year. It is vital that he erase those sophomore blues and prove to the city of Nashville that he's serious about winning.

• HOUSTON TEXANS: Things aren't going well in Houston. They had their best season as a team last year going 8-8, but the forecast is dismal for this squad which didn't do much in the off-season. Having ranked near the bottom in pass and total defense, one would think that they would be pretty focused and active in free agency and conduct a smart draft. Neither happened. On offense, it's all about injuries. QB Matt Schaub, RB Ahman Green, and talented receivers anchored by Andre Johnson must stay away from the operating table and rehab. If this can miraculously occur, then Houston has an outside chance of winning nine games which still won't be enough to make the playoffs. Defensively, the Texans have two people who can scramble your radar, but all you have to do is design a play that stays away from them and you're fine. Needless to say, Houston has a problem as it can't seem to gain much traction since its inaugural 2002 season.

AFC WEST

• SAN DIEGO CHARGERS: When Norv Turner was hired before last season, many wondered if it was the right hire. Four weeks into the season, San Diego was 1-3 and had scored 68 points while giving up 102. I'm sure Turner went home a couple of nights wondering if he should have rented. The Bolts then went on a 10-2 run and found themselves in the AFC Championship Game where they lost to New England. As the Chargers head into 2008, the players now know Turner's system, and the coach knows his players. One of the great things about Turner is that his game-calling is unpredictable, and he has 20 of 22 starters returning this year who are more mature and prepared for playing in this environment. QB Philip Rivers and L.T. appear 100% healthy, and the receiving corps should be able to spread out the defenses and keep them from stacking the box vs. Tomlinson. All these elements should lead to Turner opening up his offense more than last year. Combined with this stifling defense, look for the Chargers to be serious contenders in January.

• DENVER BRONCOS: This past off-season for Denver was an avalanche. Everyone's fear became reality when K Jason Elam left Mile High country after fifteen years and signed with Atlanta. GM Ted Sundquist was fired, and QB Jay Cutler was diagnosed with diabetes. WR Rod Smith said good-bye. WR Brandon Marshall suffered a bizarre injury to his hand, and was suspended for the first three games of this season for violating the league's personal conduct policy. RB Travis Henry was cut after testing positive for marijuana twice and losing the team's trust. They went on to also lose seven more player to free agency while welcoming twelve new faces not including a very strong draft class including OL Ryan Clady and WR Eddie Royal. This team has a lot of new faces and some uncertain dynamics swirling around the locker room entering the regular season, but as long as Mike Shanahan is in control, you can't completely rule them out of being a playoff contender.

• OAKLAND RAIDERS: Inspiration has been, at times, a catalyst for athletes and teams all throughout sports history. The jury is out on how the death of Gene Upshaw will affect the performance of Al Davis' Raiders this season. Upshaw was an oak in the Raiders family, and his void, while not as monstrous as it is at home, will be felt throughout the league. As far as the product on the field, this Oakland team is not void of immense talent, but the lack of maturity and confidence could be the Achilles' Heel for this team once again as it looks to improve it's 4-12 record last year. They have one of the deepest RB units in the league with the emergence of Justin Fargas into the #1 slot backed up by LaMont Jordan and rookie sensation Darren McFadden. QB JaMarcus Russell is still a bit green after only playing in a few games last season, but he's had a very good training camp and looks comfortable. Rebuilding is a word that Davis despises, but that is what this team is going through, and they seem to have the right pieces in place to be a threat in a couple of years.

• KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Entering this off-season, KC was at the pinnacle of creating significant progress considering the ample amount of cap space to sign free agents. But, a quick turnaround was apparently never the plan as they chose to sacrifice the hopes of 2008 by concentrating on the draft and using what they already had. They even traded their best player, Jared Allen, to Minnesota for a vat of draft picks which were used to grab three outstanding athletes in DT Glenn Dorsey, G Branden Albert, and CB Brandon Flowers who should provide instant help on defense and the offensive line. RB Larry Johnson should be nice and rested after spending most of last season healing from a broken foot and having his contract issues settled. The rest of the offense is just horrible. QB Bradie Croyle is very inconsistent and unreliable, the receiving pool is quite shallow besides Tony Gonzalez, and the line is a patchwork quilt. The defense will take a step back with Allen gone. Coach Herm Edwards' conservative approach to football should benefit with this team.

NFC EAST

• DALLAS COWBOYS: Love him or hate him, you can't argue one point about Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones. He loves to win. His passion for victory and success on the football field is the fiery force that propels this man each and every season. He doesn't care what anyone thinks of his maverick style or bizarre strategies if he believes that they will allow him and his team to be on the threshold of a world championship. So, you can imagine how despondent last season's playoff loss left him. It happened to the eventual Super Bowl champs, and was the 11th straight season without a playoff win. What transpired was the assembly of a more aggressive coaching staff, a trade for CB Pacman Jones, and a masterful draft including RB Felix Jones who will an excellent counterpart to Marion Barber. The rest of the offense is spectacular anchored by Tony Romo and T.O. while the defense is built on speed and thirst to break jaws. Both sides also have fantastic depth while their only crux appears to be special teams coverage. If Big D can stay healthy, there's no reason to doubt that Jerry might need to make room and dust a space in the team's trophy case.

• NY GIANTS: You can't stop or cheat destiny. The G-men learned that last year as they stayed the course and literally took it one game at at time. Coach Tom Coughlin kept his guys focused as they stuck to the same strategy each game by blitzing the QB, wearing down the defense with the running game, and protecting Eli Manning. The result was a world championship as New York capped off one of the most incredible seasons by the team and the NFL by defeating the undefeated Patriots. When the ball stuck to WR David Tyree's helmet like Velcro in mid air, you knew that it was simply their year. Heading into 2008, the Giants still have the firepower to shake the earth this year especially considering their weak schedule as they face only four playoff teams from 2007. A couple of familiar faces will be absent this year as DE Michael Strahan retired and TE Jeremy Shockey was traded to the Saints. The Big Blue still has their pulverizing defensive line, but they'll be without DE Osi Umenyiora all season after he tore his knee last week vs. the Jets. Despite this critical loss, the Giants should still be in the mix if they can avoid further misfortunes and keep attitudes in check.

• PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Football in Philly is more than just a game. It has the magnetism to trigger the state of the city's economy, rush-hour traffic on Monday, and the suicide rate. Eagles fans will be pacing the floor and taking their heart medication as they enter this season considering that QB Donovan McNabb will be playing for his Philly career. For the last four years, injuries have kept him from playing more than 14 games in a season, and when he has played the results have been below average. He enters this year healthy and full of vigor as he focuses on his first legitimate championship run since 2004 with really only one lethal target in RB Brian Westbrook. His receiving corps are consistently average, but keep an eye on rookie DeSean Jackson who could become the deep threat that this team has been lacking for years. On defense, coach Jim Johnson will continue his technique of applying pressure and creating turnovers which could get a large boost with the signing of CB Asante Samuel from the Pats. The key for this year is simply McNabb who must return to form if he wants to remain the golden child in the eyes of the Brotherly Love denizen.

• WASHINGTON REDSKINS: Something has happened to Daniel Snyder. His mannerisms over the last few years do not reflect the same impulsive owner who purchased the team in 1999. Maturity has brought more tolerance and meekness, but he's still a bit fickle. Upon Joe Gibbs' retirement in January, Snyder settled on Jim Zorn who has no head coaching experience and has never even called plays. He also put a harness on his Monopoly money-spending ways and only inked one free agent. This bizarre strategy will eventually show whether someone has been spiking his iced tea, or whether he's been to The Mountain and returned with stone tablets on how to lead the Skins back to the promised land. On paper, the elements are there. QB Jason Campbell and this offense appear to be the right weapons for Zorn's West Coast offense which has never been seen in Washington. The switch to Greg Blanche as defensive coordinator should keep this defense honest and aggressive especially with the acquisition of DE Jason Taylor. Time will tell if Snyder is on the right path, but the first year under Zorn could get pretty rough.

NFC NORTH

• MINNESOTA VIKINGS: On the flip side of the patience scale, you have Vikes owner Zygi Wilf who bought the team in 2005 and has watched this franchise flounder each of the last three seasons and miss the playoffs. After landing his prized possession in RB Adrian Peterson last year, Mr. Wilf decided to unlock all the safes and go on a shopping spree this off-season to make Minnesota a legitimate Super Bowl contender. What's transpired is a hungry platoon with a new identity after bringing in a cavalcade of fresh talent that vastly improved their nagging weaknesses on both sides of the ball. This included a trade for DE Jared Allen from KC who will greatly enhance the Vikings pass defense. QB Tarvaris Jackson has been under scrutiny since he took over two years ago, and he now has a chance to prove the naysayers wrong by better decision-making, avoiding turnovers, and staying healthy. Having more dangerous targets including the explosive A.P. won't hurt either. With Favre leaving the division, this also makes for a great opportunity to knock Green Bay off its perch from last year.

• GREEN BAY PACKERS: For the first time in sixteen years, Packers fans won't see #4 under center in Lambeau with a "G" on his helmet. Brett Favre and his legacy are woven into this city like high school football in west Texas, but the Packers brass decided it was time to start the Aaron Rodgers era even after Favre exercised his American right to come out of retirement. This team missed the Super Bowl by a minute last season, most of the starters are coming back, and the city's most beloved legend wanted to come back and give it another shot. But, GM Ted Thompson emphatically said no, and now his job hangs in the balance as Rodgers attempts to fill an icon's shoes and continue Green Bay's addiction to winning which began in Week 14 of 2006. Since then, the Packers have gone 19-4 including playoffs. Despite old age tickling the secondary, the Packers defense is young and prevalent and will have its work cut out for them the first three weeks of the season as they tackle Minnesota, Detroit, and Dallas. On offense, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics change with Rodgers leading the troops as he tries to escape the shadow of #4.

• DETROIT LIONS: Why do polar bears eat their young? What's behind the logic of making so many prices end in .99? How is Steven Seagal still being cast in movies? Why is Matt Millen still in Detroit? There are many mysteries that mankind will never answer, but the most baffling one in the NFL refers to the CEO and GM of the Lions. Since his arrival in 2001, Detroit is 31-81 including 8-48 on the road. He has also conducted horrendous drafts and ignited numerous protests around the city. And, he's the second highest paid GM in the league. Millen is also a huge defense guy along with coach Rod Marinelli, yet the Lions defense has been suspect at best for a long time now. QB Jon Kitna is an above-average QB with excellent targets at WR but no running attack, and both sides of the line need life support. While this has been the state of affairs for many years now, owner William Clay Ford seems infatuated with Millen which means that the chances of Detroit winning a Super Bowl during his tenure are about the same as meeting an Amish hacker.

• CHICAGO BEARS: Since their loss to Indy in Super Bowl XLI, Chicago has struggled and fought in every facet of the game except special teams which has been dominated by Devin Hester. Defensively, they are top-notch group, but their depth is shallow and the injury bug has been having a party especially in the secondary. On offense, where do you start? Kyle Orton is their starting QB over Super Bowl starter Rex Grossman. How bad do you have to be with this lackluster offense to be beaten out by Orton who scare no one. Their receivers are about a double bogey while the running back situation keeps falling in the lake. The Bears drafted Matt Forte, and then he won the starting job when Cedric Benson was cut so having an unproven back in this league can be tough especially if your offensive line is already in heavy transition. It doesn't get easy for the Windy City as their offense will be put to the test right away their first four games against Indy, Carolina, Tampa, and Philadelphia. I feel bad for coach Lovie Smith, but if stability and consistency can't find a home in Soldier Field, then the spiral will continue.

NFC SOUTH

• NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: Every NFL season typically has a Cinderella team that grabs low expectations, chews them up, and then spits them out at the feet of the media and naysayers. While last season belonged to the NY Giants, 2006 was the year of the Saints who defied odds on the heels of tragedy and stunned the world by making it to the NFC Championship game and losing to Chicago. The tidal wave of that emotional high came to a crashing halt last season after RB Deuce McAllister tore his ACL for the second time in the last three years. This gave the load to the versatile Reggie Bush who struggled mightily and led to a partially torn knee ligament keeping him out the last four games last season. McAllister is looking strong in training camp which should free up Bush and give QB Drew Brees the target he's needed to go along with his potent receivers. The defense also crumbled as the pass defense allowed 30 points or more six times. Coach Sean Payton and Co. focused on the defense this off-season and brought in a slew of talent via free agency and the draft to strengthen this unit. Barring significant injuries, look for the Saints to prove that last season was simply a fluke.

• CAROLINA PANTHERS: Disappointment doesn't even come to close to describing how coach John Fox and Co. felt after last season's 7-9 record. If the first two weeks were any indication, Carolina looked poised to make some noise especially with the way QB Jake Delhomme had played. Then, it all stopped when J.D. hurt his elbow and three QB's carried the team the rest of the season. The offense lacked no punch ranking 29th in total yards, and the defense was average. For the first time in Fox's tenure, the Panthers failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. After a very busy off-season, this team will basically have a new look all the way around. Delhomme is back and looks excellent. WR Steve Smith will miss the first two regular season games for punching a team mate, but he will benefit greatly with the return of Delhomme and having a lethal running assault in DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart. The defense got a total makeover and became younger so look for a fast and aggressive group anchored by Julius Peppers. This season should be a nice turn around year for Carolina -- if Delhomme can stay healthy.

• TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Could this be the end? Is the Jon Gruden era drawing to a close? During Chucky's tenure, the Buccaneers have never experienced two straight winning seasons. After going 9-7 last season, history would say that Tampa fans are in for disheartening year. Their offense is led by QB Jeff Garcia who is getting up there in age and injuries, but is playing behind an improved offensive line. RB Warrick Dunn is back in the pewter and red and will lead a decent running corps to go along with a receiving unit that is old and ineffective. Defensively, the front line is getting better while the secondary is not in real good shape depth-wise. The linebackers are solid as granite but as humble as pie. You won't hear from these players in the spotlight, but you'll hear them pretty good if you have the ball. This squad has a lot of talented athletes on both sides of the ball, but every year there seems to be something that holds back their potential. It is going to be Gruden's job this season to keep this team on fire and motivated if he wants to have another winning season... and a job.

• ATLANTA FALCONS: Last season, the Atlanta Falcons were 4-12. If they match that record this year, new coach Mike Smith could win Coach of the Year. While Michael Vick was making license plates this off-season, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank stripped and gutted the Falcons and gave them a new identity. He hired Thomas Dimitroff from the Patriots to be his GM and then jettisoned many veterans including Pro Bowlers along with conducting a very good draft to add to the foundation. Smith comes over from Jacksonville with a strong conviction that running the ball down an opponent's throat is the only way to go. Ex-Charger backup Michael Turner along with third-year RB Jerious Norwood will lead the charge, and they should see plenty of carries due to the pitiful offensive line. This can't be good news for rookie starting QB Matt Ryan who appears to have the savvy and tools to take this team far. The defense is also going to need time under a new defensive coordinator to become cohesive and find their chemistry. Look for wins to become about as easy as beating Michael Phelps in a breast stroke race.

NFC WEST

• SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: In Seattle's first 23 years as a franchise, they won one division title, three playoff games, and posted a winning record eight times. Then, they hired Mike Holmgren ten years ago. Since then, the Hawks have five division titles, four post-season victories, seven winning records, and a Super Bowl appearance. This team owes a lot of gratitude to Holmgren who is coaching his last season so their challenge now becomes how to put together a season that sends their coach out in style. QB Matt Hasselbeck returns and now has a new RB in Julius Jones on the heels of the Shaun Alexander era coming to an end. The offensive line has struggled with establishing continuity but that should change under a new coach. While the receiving corps is very subject to injuries and has shallow depth, Hasselbeck has always found a way to put up points and keep them in the game. Seattle's defense is excellent and will be the difference in a division where points are plentiful and smothering defenses are scarce. Secondary coach Jim Mora Jr. has already been named Holmgren's successor for 2009, but Seattle wants to add to Holmgren's legacy.

• ARIZONA CARDINALS: After winning the Heisman Trophy in 2005 and then being the #1 pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, the road ahead looked refreshing, vibrant, and full of success for Matt Leinart. It now looks like all of that may be a mirage for the young QB in this desert city. In the last two years, Leinart has put up feeble numbers while fighting injuries including last year's fractured collarbone. It was so bad that he was photographed at a party guzzling out of a beer bong and in a hot tub (not the rehab kind) with several young women who could have taken their swimsuits and collectively sewn one sock. He has done many TV ads, movie cameos, and talk shows while being a lukewarm QB for Arizona. His parents must be proud, but coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't as he has named Kurt Warner the starting QB heading into this season. Warner shined in the last eleven games of 2007 and his leadership is what this team needs right now anyway. Warner will continue to have the most dangerous receiving duo in the league plus RB Edgerrin James behind him along with a revamped offensive line. Add an exciting young defense, and Leinart will have plenty of time to think what he wants to do with his life.

• ST. LOUIS RAMS: I was in St. Louis on business after Week 6 when the Rams dropped to 0-6 and looked like a high school team. RB Steven Jackson and the offensive line were battling injuries, the defense was getting shredded every game, and coach Scott Linehan was making decision that made one wonder why he chose this as a career field. It was bad. The city's mood was dark and gloomy, traffic moved like they were driving in syrup, and fans were starting to cut holes in paper bags for their eyes. Entering 2008 carries a sense of hope and anticipation for every club, but not near to the degree as it will in Ram Country where the fans pray that last season was just a fluke. Jackson and the O-line are healthy, QB Marc Bulger and his squad have a new offensive coordinator in Al Saunders who is exceptional, and the defense is going still be a bit shaky but rookie DE Chris Long adds a nice dynamic to a line that ranked 21st in total and pass defense. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, if injuries can be avoided and the coach can prove that last season was just the sophomore blues, then there is enough talent on this team to be increasingly better than 2007.

• SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Besides the Golden State Warriors being a sound basketball team, it is not a pleasant experience these days being a San Francisco fan considering how bad things are with the lowly Giants baseball team and the Niners quagmire. Last season, they were 5-11 but looked much worse as their offense scraped the barrel in every category and the defense looked horrible at best. Heading into 2008, things look worse. They had a really sad QB battle going on between J.T. O'Sullivan and the very disappointing Alex Smith who is entering his fourth NFL season and still looking like a rookie. O'Sullivan has won the job and will have his old offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, who coached him in Detroit last season. The Niners running attack of Frank Gore and DeShaun Foster will be very good and probably get overworked considering the QB void and the tepid receiving corps. On defense, this unit should become more cohesive and aggressive as they benefit from a nice influx of youth and athleticism. Barring a miracle in the same context as Roger Clemens pitching again, coach Mike Nolan will probably not be around after his fourth straight losing season.

PLAYOFF TEAMS:

AFC DIVISION WINNERS - New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, San Diego

AFC WILD CARD WINNERS - Jacksonville and Denver

NFC DIVISION WINNERS - Dallas, Minnesota, New Orleans, Seattle

NFC WILD CARD WINNERS - Green Bay, NY Giants

SUPER BOWL XLIII - Dallas over Jacksonville