Here is a look at key questions (and maybe an answer or two) facing each team in the NFC West midway through training camp.
ARIZONA
Questions: Another new coach in the desert - will anything change? Will the offensive line, the weak link for an otherwise potent group, improve?
Answers: Yes, new coach Ken Whisenhunt comes from a winning organization - Pittsburgh - and expect the Cardinals to be far more disciplined. One of Whisenhunt's key hires was Steelers assistant Russ Grimm as offensive coordinator and line coach. Drafting tackle Levi Brown will help the line.
SAN FRANCISCO
Questions: Have they improved enough to win the division, as many predict? Can QB Alex Smith continue to progress into an elite quarterback?
Answers: Possibly. Adding CB Nate Clements, S Michael Lewis and WR Darrell Jackson in free agency addressed three need areas. The continued health and well-being of TE Vernon Davis will benefit the offense greatly. Smith is a good QB and getting better. He's going to play for his third coordinator in three seasons, so it's premature to expect him to go to the next level.
ST. LOUIS
Questions: What were the Rams thinking in the offseason, when their signings were on offense, while the defense clearly had the needs? Will the Rams have any run defense?
Answers: Adding WR Drew Bennett and TE Randy McMichael should improve the Rams' red-zone efficiency and mean even more TDs. They likely will need them because outside of rookie lineman Adam Carriker and DE James Hall, they didn't add much.
SEATTLE
Questions: Was last season's 9-7 record an aberration, or are the Seahawks falling from their perch atop this division? Can they win with an undersized defense?
Answers: Injuries racked the Seahawks in 2006 - starting with RB Shaun Alexander and continuing through QB Matt Hasselbeck and WR Bobby Engram. If those three are healthy, and WRs Deion Branch and Nate Burleson assimilate better into the offense in their second season, look out. Despite its lack of size, Seattle's defense is loaded with playmakers. Adding DE Patrick Kerney and S Deon Grant will help stabilze things.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Camping in the NFC South
Here is a look at key questions (and maybe an answer or two) facing each team in the NFC South midway through training camp.
ATLANTA
Question: How much will the Michael Vick ordeal affect the team?
Answer: Is there anything else? Not only is the Vick case a distraction to the team, there is a good chance the club has lost its franchise player for at least a season and possibly forever. With RB Warrick Dunn ailing and some inconsistent receivers, their offense has no chance. Fan outrage against Vick likely will be taken out on the team. It will be a long season in Atlanta.
CAROLINA
Questions: Are QB Jake Delhomme's best days behind him? Who will emerge at running back DeAngelo Williams or DeShaun Foster?
Answers: Delhomme's play slipped last year, but injuries to the offense had a lot to do with it. He's the Panthers' best hope for returning to the playoffs. Williams' star is rising, and if Foster is nicked again, look for the speedy Williams to take more carries.
NEW ORLEANS
Questions: Are the Saints, gulp, a legitimate Super Bowl contender? Can the secondary, which is one of the team's few weak links improve?
Answers: I think the Saints, along with the Cowboys, are Super Bowl front-runners in the NFC. They have the most dangerous offense in the NFC and a bend-but-don't break defense. If the defense can increase its takeaways and get better play from the secondary, the Saints might be marching in with the Lombardi Trophy.
TAMPA BAY
Questions: Is this a win or else season for Coach Jon Gruden? Will young players such as QB Chris Simms, RB Cadillac Williams and WR Michael Clayon emerge?
Answers: I think Chucky is in a lot of hot water. His offenses have not ranked higher than 22 in any of the past three seasons, and the Bucs have averaged less than seven wins per season over the past four. Gruden is going with Jeff Garcia at QB, so Simms will sit. Williams is hurt by Gruden's preference to pass more than run. Clayton might be displaced in the lineup by Maurice Stovall.
ATLANTA
Question: How much will the Michael Vick ordeal affect the team?
Answer: Is there anything else? Not only is the Vick case a distraction to the team, there is a good chance the club has lost its franchise player for at least a season and possibly forever. With RB Warrick Dunn ailing and some inconsistent receivers, their offense has no chance. Fan outrage against Vick likely will be taken out on the team. It will be a long season in Atlanta.
CAROLINA
Questions: Are QB Jake Delhomme's best days behind him? Who will emerge at running back DeAngelo Williams or DeShaun Foster?
Answers: Delhomme's play slipped last year, but injuries to the offense had a lot to do with it. He's the Panthers' best hope for returning to the playoffs. Williams' star is rising, and if Foster is nicked again, look for the speedy Williams to take more carries.
NEW ORLEANS
Questions: Are the Saints, gulp, a legitimate Super Bowl contender? Can the secondary, which is one of the team's few weak links improve?
Answers: I think the Saints, along with the Cowboys, are Super Bowl front-runners in the NFC. They have the most dangerous offense in the NFC and a bend-but-don't break defense. If the defense can increase its takeaways and get better play from the secondary, the Saints might be marching in with the Lombardi Trophy.
TAMPA BAY
Questions: Is this a win or else season for Coach Jon Gruden? Will young players such as QB Chris Simms, RB Cadillac Williams and WR Michael Clayon emerge?
Answers: I think Chucky is in a lot of hot water. His offenses have not ranked higher than 22 in any of the past three seasons, and the Bucs have averaged less than seven wins per season over the past four. Gruden is going with Jeff Garcia at QB, so Simms will sit. Williams is hurt by Gruden's preference to pass more than run. Clayton might be displaced in the lineup by Maurice Stovall.
Camping in the NFC North
Here is a look at key questions (and maybe an answer or two) facing each team in the NFC North midway through training camp.
CHICAGO
Questions: Will they miss RB Thomas Jones? Is Rex Grossman a help or hindrance in the Bears' quest to return to the Super Bowl?
Answers: The thinking here is RB Cedric Benson is injury prone and would be helped by having a tough runner such as Jones to share the load with. Neither wanted that even though it would have helped the Bears and their own career longevity, so the younger Benson stayed. If Grossman can reduce his mistakes, that will be a big positive. I'm undecided if he can be a franchise QB, however.
DETROIT
Questions: Is this the year the Lions' offense takes off under coordinator Mike Martz? Can the defense keep up or at least make enough plays to keep them in games?
Answers: Adding WR Calvin Johnson increases the chances of the offense soaring, but they need RB Kevin Jones healthy, which is not a guarantee yet. The Lions' D appears solid on the line and features a rising star in LB Ernie Sims, beyond that, the back seven has some issues.
GREEN BAY
Questions: Who will run the football for the Packers? Who will catch the football for the Packers?
Answers: Rookie Brandon Jackson and third-down back Noah Herron are the front-runners until Vernand Morency gets healthy. Donald Driver has been Brett Favre's go-to receiver, but look for second-year man Greg Jennings, Ruvell Martin and rookie James Jones to make impacts.
MINNESOTA
Questions: Will they forget the passing game entirely and just run every play? Can the pass defense get any worse?
Answers: It wouldn't be a bad idea with rookie Adrian Peterson and veteran Chester Taylor to hand off to. Peterson has looked good in preseason. QB Tavaris Jackson is green, and he has few, if any, reliable targets. No, the pass defense was awful last season despite having CB Antoine Winfield and S Darren Sharper, both of whom are Pro Bowl caliber. Beyond them, the Vikings are hurting.
CHICAGO
Questions: Will they miss RB Thomas Jones? Is Rex Grossman a help or hindrance in the Bears' quest to return to the Super Bowl?
Answers: The thinking here is RB Cedric Benson is injury prone and would be helped by having a tough runner such as Jones to share the load with. Neither wanted that even though it would have helped the Bears and their own career longevity, so the younger Benson stayed. If Grossman can reduce his mistakes, that will be a big positive. I'm undecided if he can be a franchise QB, however.
DETROIT
Questions: Is this the year the Lions' offense takes off under coordinator Mike Martz? Can the defense keep up or at least make enough plays to keep them in games?
Answers: Adding WR Calvin Johnson increases the chances of the offense soaring, but they need RB Kevin Jones healthy, which is not a guarantee yet. The Lions' D appears solid on the line and features a rising star in LB Ernie Sims, beyond that, the back seven has some issues.
GREEN BAY
Questions: Who will run the football for the Packers? Who will catch the football for the Packers?
Answers: Rookie Brandon Jackson and third-down back Noah Herron are the front-runners until Vernand Morency gets healthy. Donald Driver has been Brett Favre's go-to receiver, but look for second-year man Greg Jennings, Ruvell Martin and rookie James Jones to make impacts.
MINNESOTA
Questions: Will they forget the passing game entirely and just run every play? Can the pass defense get any worse?
Answers: It wouldn't be a bad idea with rookie Adrian Peterson and veteran Chester Taylor to hand off to. Peterson has looked good in preseason. QB Tavaris Jackson is green, and he has few, if any, reliable targets. No, the pass defense was awful last season despite having CB Antoine Winfield and S Darren Sharper, both of whom are Pro Bowl caliber. Beyond them, the Vikings are hurting.
Camping in the NFC East
Here is a look at key questions (and maybe an answer or two) facing each team in the NFC East midway through training camp.
DALLAS
Questions: How will QB Tony Romo respond to being the man from the get go? How long until WR Terrell Owens erupts? What changes can we look for under Coach Wade Phillips?
Answers: Romo has to play well for the Cowboys to make a deep playoff run. It will be interesting to watch how opponents adjust now that there is a book on him. If Owens hasn't erupted already, it probably won't take long. Phillips will help the defense rise to the next level - dominant. How he handles Owens could be another story.
NEW YORK
Questions: How much will they miss RB Tiki Barber? What if DE Michael Strahan retires?
Answers: Barber is irreplaceable, but the Giants will go with massive Brandon Jacobs and nearly as punishing Reuben Droughes at running back. Far more power, far less versatility. DE Osi Umenyiora will discover how hard it is when you're double-teamed every play. He has the tools to excel, but if Strahan follows through on his threat to retire, it will hurt.
PHILADELPHIA
Questions: Will QB Donovan McNabb stay healthy all season? Can the defense solve its problems vs. the run?
Answers: McNabb's health is the storyline of the summer in Philadelphia. He's sustained significant injuries in four of the past five seasons and has missed half of the Eagles' games the past two. If former first-round picks Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson play like first-round picks, that will go a long way toward addressing the Eagles' run-stopping deficiencies.
WASHINGTON
Questions: What happens if QB Jason Campbell misses an extended period of time because of an injury sustained in Week 2 of the exhibition season? Will the team play up to its talent?
Answers: Mark Brunell will take over for Campbell, which means the Redskins likely will run the ball even more as Brunell lacks the arm for any sort of vertical passing game. The team has a lot of players who have been injured or underachieved in the past few years - Clinton Portis, WRs Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randal El, S Sean Taylor and CB Carlos Rogers. It's tough to see Coach Joe Gibbs tolerating much more.
DALLAS
Questions: How will QB Tony Romo respond to being the man from the get go? How long until WR Terrell Owens erupts? What changes can we look for under Coach Wade Phillips?
Answers: Romo has to play well for the Cowboys to make a deep playoff run. It will be interesting to watch how opponents adjust now that there is a book on him. If Owens hasn't erupted already, it probably won't take long. Phillips will help the defense rise to the next level - dominant. How he handles Owens could be another story.
NEW YORK
Questions: How much will they miss RB Tiki Barber? What if DE Michael Strahan retires?
Answers: Barber is irreplaceable, but the Giants will go with massive Brandon Jacobs and nearly as punishing Reuben Droughes at running back. Far more power, far less versatility. DE Osi Umenyiora will discover how hard it is when you're double-teamed every play. He has the tools to excel, but if Strahan follows through on his threat to retire, it will hurt.
PHILADELPHIA
Questions: Will QB Donovan McNabb stay healthy all season? Can the defense solve its problems vs. the run?
Answers: McNabb's health is the storyline of the summer in Philadelphia. He's sustained significant injuries in four of the past five seasons and has missed half of the Eagles' games the past two. If former first-round picks Brodrick Bunkley and Mike Patterson play like first-round picks, that will go a long way toward addressing the Eagles' run-stopping deficiencies.
WASHINGTON
Questions: What happens if QB Jason Campbell misses an extended period of time because of an injury sustained in Week 2 of the exhibition season? Will the team play up to its talent?
Answers: Mark Brunell will take over for Campbell, which means the Redskins likely will run the ball even more as Brunell lacks the arm for any sort of vertical passing game. The team has a lot of players who have been injured or underachieved in the past few years - Clinton Portis, WRs Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randal El, S Sean Taylor and CB Carlos Rogers. It's tough to see Coach Joe Gibbs tolerating much more.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Camping in the AFC West
Here is a look at key questions (and maybe an answer or two) facing each team in the AFC West midway through training camp.
DENVER
Questions: How will all the new talent integrate on offense? How much will LB Al Wilson be missed?
Answers: The Broncos should have one of the most explosive offenses in the league because RB Travis Henry is an ideal fit for their scheme, TE Daniel Graham was underutilized as a receiver in New England, WR Brandon Marshall is a rising star and QB David Cutler will be A LOT better in his second season. DJ Williams will replace Wilson on the field and offers even more explosiveness in the middle, but Wilson's leadership will be tough to replace.
KANSAS CITY
Questions: How much will RB Larry Johnson's hold-out affect the team? Who will be the starting QB?
Answers: Regardless of whether Priest Holmes comes back or not, the Chiefs are toast if they don't have Johnson. Regardless of whether Brodie Croyle (likely) or Damon Huard (possibly) starts at QB, they need the threat of Johnson to keep defenses honest.
OAKLAND
Questions: Who will quarterback the team? Who will catch passes? Is coach Lane Kiffin a punching bag for owner Al Davis?
Answers: Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper (if healthy), Andrew Walter (if he's recovered from the beating he took last season), but probably not No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell - he's missed too much of camp and the Raiders O-line is subpar so it would be a gigantic risk to expose Russell. Kiffin is a talented, up-and-coming coach, but has anyone else noticed Davis picks young coaches almost exclusively? Either it's vision or control.
SAN DIEGO
Questions: Is Norv Turner the coach to get the Chargers over the hump and deep into the playoffs? Are there holes on this team?
Answers: The offense should continue to hum under Turner, who will maximize RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates and QB Philip Rivers. If a WR steps up (remember the name Vincent Jackson), look out. I don't see any holes other than an elite receiver. The Bolts are physical, talented and deep at most positions. Other than Rivers or Tomlinson, the guy they can least afford to lose is NT Jamal Williams, who is the real key to their D.
DENVER
Questions: How will all the new talent integrate on offense? How much will LB Al Wilson be missed?
Answers: The Broncos should have one of the most explosive offenses in the league because RB Travis Henry is an ideal fit for their scheme, TE Daniel Graham was underutilized as a receiver in New England, WR Brandon Marshall is a rising star and QB David Cutler will be A LOT better in his second season. DJ Williams will replace Wilson on the field and offers even more explosiveness in the middle, but Wilson's leadership will be tough to replace.
KANSAS CITY
Questions: How much will RB Larry Johnson's hold-out affect the team? Who will be the starting QB?
Answers: Regardless of whether Priest Holmes comes back or not, the Chiefs are toast if they don't have Johnson. Regardless of whether Brodie Croyle (likely) or Damon Huard (possibly) starts at QB, they need the threat of Johnson to keep defenses honest.
OAKLAND
Questions: Who will quarterback the team? Who will catch passes? Is coach Lane Kiffin a punching bag for owner Al Davis?
Answers: Josh McCown, Daunte Culpepper (if healthy), Andrew Walter (if he's recovered from the beating he took last season), but probably not No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell - he's missed too much of camp and the Raiders O-line is subpar so it would be a gigantic risk to expose Russell. Kiffin is a talented, up-and-coming coach, but has anyone else noticed Davis picks young coaches almost exclusively? Either it's vision or control.
SAN DIEGO
Questions: Is Norv Turner the coach to get the Chargers over the hump and deep into the playoffs? Are there holes on this team?
Answers: The offense should continue to hum under Turner, who will maximize RB LaDainian Tomlinson, TE Antonio Gates and QB Philip Rivers. If a WR steps up (remember the name Vincent Jackson), look out. I don't see any holes other than an elite receiver. The Bolts are physical, talented and deep at most positions. Other than Rivers or Tomlinson, the guy they can least afford to lose is NT Jamal Williams, who is the real key to their D.
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