What's next for teams in the NFC that did not make the playoffs?
Arizona (5-11): Coach Denny Green was fired after three seasons of 6-10, 5-11 and 5-11. They have playmakers all over their offense, but both of their lines stink. ... LB Carlos Dansby and S Adrian Wilson are near stars, but this team can't put it together. ... The Cardinals' new stadium didn't offer much in the way of a home-field advantage.
The verdict: This will be an attractive coaching job because with some line upgrades, this could be a good team in a hurry.
Atlanta (7-9): Coach Jim Mora paid with his job less than 24 hours after season ended, and I wonder how many players will follow him. Mora's three-year record was above .500. ... QB Michael Vick was inconsistent, and most of the high-priced free agents they've brought in on defense (LB Ed Hartwell, DE John Abraham) were injured. ... The WR corps was horrible and RB Warrick Dunn might be winding down. Rookie RB Jerious Norwood is a suitable replacement.
The verdict: This team has the talent to bounce back, but it could also really go south. If they want to rebuild, trading Vick might give them the tools to do it. Much depends on the new coach.
Carolina (8-8): Easily one of the most disappointing teams of 2006. Yes, injuries hurt them, but they fought through more injuries in 2005 and still made the playoffs. ... Spent a lot of money to shore up positions such as WR and OL with little to show for it. The offense really struggled at times, and it appears Jake Delhomme and DeShaun Foster's best days are behind them.
The verdict: 2007 will be a pivotal year for Coach John Fox and the Panthers. Clearly they need more depth because injuries are a fact of life. Another team that needs upgrades at the playmaker positions.
Detroit (3-13): The Lions played hard but do not have the talent at many positions to compete, especially in the back seven on defense. ... Detroit is paying for questionable high draft choices such as WRs Mike Williams and Charles Rogers. Coach Rod Marinelli is safe, but GM Matt Millen should be gone. He's had plenty of time to turn it around and it's arguable the Lions are in worse shape than when he took over. ... QB Jon Kitna played fairly well, WR Roy Williams is terrific. If RB Kevin Jones misses all of 2007 with injury as is speculated, they'll need an upgrade at that position, too.
The verdict: Need a lot of help in a lot of areas, especially on defense. Have to look at a QB or RB with the No. 2 overall pick.
Green Bay (8-8): Will QB Brett Favre return? It all hinges on that. The Packers will have an enormous amount of salary cap space to work with and most other signs are positive. They started four or five rookies all season and the other five rookies on the roster contributed for the league's youngest team. The defense, awful early, improved down the stretch. ... They won four in a row to finish the season and tied Chicago for the best record within the division. ... They beat teams they should and were pounded by teams who were clearly better than they were. ... RB Ahman Green played well despite many predictions to the contrary.
The verdict: If they can add playmakers at WR, RB, TE and another pass rusher on defense, they're going to be a playoff threat in 2007. Regardless of whether Favre retires or not, they need to add another quarterback because Aaron Rodgers remains an unknown quantity.
Minnesota (6-10): The VIkings fell apart down the stretch and lacked offense. Most unsettling for them is their lack of a QB and playmakers at WR. For all the money they've sunk into their secondary, it should be better. ... There is talent here, however, and Brad Childress was not overmatched as an NFL coach. ... Not the same team without Randy Moss and Daunte Culpepper - they don't scare other teams like they did a few years ago.
The verdict: Must add a quarterback in the offseason and some receivers. Not out of the question to consider them a potential playoff team.
St. Louis (8-8): The Rams' offense was very good, their defense was very bad. Sound familiar? They showed some improvement under Coach Scott Linehan, who figured out what Mike Martz was unwilling to - RB Steven Jackson is the real deal. QB Marc Bulger is, too. ... If the Rams had taken better advantage of a weak division, they would have won the division.
The verdict: They need more help on defense, particularly in the secondary and up front, and could use more OL help. ... The Rams are close to being a playoff team, and with a few more upgrades, could overtake Seattle in 2007.
San Francisco (7-9): The 49ers are another team on an upward trend. If their defense improves and QB Alex Smith continues to develop, they are going to push the Rams and Seahawks in the West. ... Coach Mike Nolan is building a team for the long haul. Still need more talent on D, however.
The verdict: Things are looking up on the field. Off it, it's another story. Will the 49ers really leave San Francisco for Santa Clara? This should be one of 2007's emerging teams with some defensive upgrades.
Tampa Bay (4-12): Yes, losing QB Chris Simms to a season-ending injury early on hurt, but this team was not going anywhere with him. RB Carnell Williams had a disappointing second season, but teams could load up against him with no passing attack to worry about. ... The defense is getting old, but is far from the only culprit here.
The verdict: Coach Jon Gruden faces a long rebuilding task here, and the Bucs don't seem to be moving in the right direction. It will be interesting to see how much longer Gruden lasts here. They need a lot of pieces on both sides of the ball to compete.
Washington (5-11): A team in transition. The Redskins took some lumps with Jason Campbell at quarterback, but he's their future. Mark Brunell's career is finished. Washington needs some upgrades at WR. ... Ladell Betts was excellent in replacing the injured Clinton Portis at RB and might make Portis expendable. ... The defense was uncharacteristcally pourous. ... The Champ Bailey for Portis deal a few years back looks like a bad move at this point. ... The 'Skins were sunk by their inability to win on the road and especially within their division.
The verdict: Yes, they'll sign free agents, but will it matter? They thought they'd addressed the same problems this past offseason.
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