10 key questions heading into NFL season
Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to the Major League Baseball pennant/wild card races and the postseason as much as the next fan, but around this time every year I — and many — start getting excited about the upcoming NFL season.
I even created my annual fantasy football league several weeks earlier than usual. Not that it will help me actually win it this time around, but hey, I’m willing to try anything.
With most training camps either underway or beginning soon, I figured this was the perfect
time to list my top 10 key issues and questions heading into the 2007-2008 season.
Look for my top 10 on the upcoming college season in Friday’s edition.
1 — How will the Panthers adapt to new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson? I like the idea of Carolina using more zone-blocking techniques. Running backs DeShaun Foster and Deangelo Williams both have plenty to prove this season, while quarterback Jake Delhomme will have David Kerr looking over his shoulder. If the offensive line stays healthy and can create more holes for the backs, I like the Panthers to return to the playoffs.
2 — Can the Falcons overcome the offseason troubles of Michael Vick? The biggest story of the offseason has been the dog-fighting allegations against Atlanta’s quarterback, but eventually the Falcons are going to have to play through this issue and the media circus that surrounds it. Atlanta may go as far as backup QB Joey Harrington carries them — a not-so promising thought.
3 — Will the Colts repeat as Super Bowl champs? Indianapolis will once again have to lean on quarterback Peyton Manning and the offense, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Indy defense was terrible last year until the playoffs, and they didn’t make any moves to improve. I think their inability to get key stops will keep them from winning the Lombardi Trophy again.
4 — How will Randy Moss fit into the Patriots’ mix? If he’ll shut up and just play, ala Corey Dillon, Moss will work fine with Brady, Belichick and Co. If I had to pick a Super Bowl winner right now it would be New England … really going out on a limb, right?
5 — Is anybody better than the Bears in the NFC? Not on paper. This isn’t going out on a limb either, but I like Chicago as the No. 1 seed out of the NFC once again because of its staunch defense, good enough offense and relatively easy division schedule.
6 — Is Wade Phillips the right coach for the Cowboys? The more jovial Phillips is the anti-Bill Parcells, which could play in Dallas’ favor. The Cowboys have the personnel to go deep in the playoffs, but how well they mesh with the new coach will be an important factor.
7 — Who wins the West(s)? Due to parity and several coaching changes, I think the West divisions are two of the toughest to predict. I’ll finally go out on a limb and take the Cardinals and new coach Ken Whisenhunt to win the NFC West. I’ll stick to the chalk and take the Chargers to repeat in the AFC West.
8 — Were the Saints a one-hit wonder? I don’t think so. This offense is built to last with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Deuce McCalister and Marques Colston. If the defense is consistent, the Saints march through the South again.
9 — Who will be the biggest impact rookie? I’m going with Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. He was injury-prone at Oklahoma, but if he stays on the field he can be 1,000-yard back in his first year.
10 — Most interesting division to watch? The NFC East. There are plenty of storylines among Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia and the N.Y. Giants. The most interesting ones being that quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning may be in make-or-break years with their teams.
I even created my annual fantasy football league several weeks earlier than usual. Not that it will help me actually win it this time around, but hey, I’m willing to try anything.
With most training camps either underway or beginning soon, I figured this was the perfect
time to list my top 10 key issues and questions heading into the 2007-2008 season.
Look for my top 10 on the upcoming college season in Friday’s edition.
1 — How will the Panthers adapt to new offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson? I like the idea of Carolina using more zone-blocking techniques. Running backs DeShaun Foster and Deangelo Williams both have plenty to prove this season, while quarterback Jake Delhomme will have David Kerr looking over his shoulder. If the offensive line stays healthy and can create more holes for the backs, I like the Panthers to return to the playoffs.
2 — Can the Falcons overcome the offseason troubles of Michael Vick? The biggest story of the offseason has been the dog-fighting allegations against Atlanta’s quarterback, but eventually the Falcons are going to have to play through this issue and the media circus that surrounds it. Atlanta may go as far as backup QB Joey Harrington carries them — a not-so promising thought.
3 — Will the Colts repeat as Super Bowl champs? Indianapolis will once again have to lean on quarterback Peyton Manning and the offense, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The Indy defense was terrible last year until the playoffs, and they didn’t make any moves to improve. I think their inability to get key stops will keep them from winning the Lombardi Trophy again.
4 — How will Randy Moss fit into the Patriots’ mix? If he’ll shut up and just play, ala Corey Dillon, Moss will work fine with Brady, Belichick and Co. If I had to pick a Super Bowl winner right now it would be New England … really going out on a limb, right?
5 — Is anybody better than the Bears in the NFC? Not on paper. This isn’t going out on a limb either, but I like Chicago as the No. 1 seed out of the NFC once again because of its staunch defense, good enough offense and relatively easy division schedule.
6 — Is Wade Phillips the right coach for the Cowboys? The more jovial Phillips is the anti-Bill Parcells, which could play in Dallas’ favor. The Cowboys have the personnel to go deep in the playoffs, but how well they mesh with the new coach will be an important factor.
7 — Who wins the West(s)? Due to parity and several coaching changes, I think the West divisions are two of the toughest to predict. I’ll finally go out on a limb and take the Cardinals and new coach Ken Whisenhunt to win the NFC West. I’ll stick to the chalk and take the Chargers to repeat in the AFC West.
8 — Were the Saints a one-hit wonder? I don’t think so. This offense is built to last with Drew Brees, Reggie Bush, Deuce McCalister and Marques Colston. If the defense is consistent, the Saints march through the South again.
9 — Who will be the biggest impact rookie? I’m going with Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson. He was injury-prone at Oklahoma, but if he stays on the field he can be 1,000-yard back in his first year.
10 — Most interesting division to watch? The NFC East. There are plenty of storylines among Dallas, Washington, Philadelphia and the N.Y. Giants. The most interesting ones being that quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Eli Manning may be in make-or-break years with their teams.
posted by Gabe Whisnant at
7:24 AM
2 Comments:
You should reconsider your "sticking to the chalk" in the AFC West. It looks as though it may not all be on Cutler this season as many critics have stated.
Travis Henry was hitting the hole hard last night against the '9ers. With Bell and even Cecil Sapp spelling Henry, plus the explosiveness of Javon Walker, the Broncos should make a strong showing this season.
dt
I got the Broncos second in the West this year and getting a wild card spot.
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