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July 30, 2005
2005 Season Primer
It is late summer, the baseball playoff races are in gear,
and NFL training camps are finally beginning. This is the time of year that
football fans love, a chance to get out to camp and watch position battles, free
agent additions, and of course the rookie class. There are the players, the
holdouts that you are sour over, then those who you love and overrate a little
bit, and the undrafted free agents. Any way you break it down though, training
camps mean that the season is just around the corner and as we find in the NFL
every year, each season brings something new and exciting to the table. Here is
a look at what you should expect to see this season.
The Rebuilders:
The Cleveland Browns have little chance to compete in an
ever more talented AFC North. Under new coach Romeo Crennel the Browns fans
have something to look forward to, but there just is not enough talent on that
team. Trent Dilfer will not be able to regain his Super Bowl magic of years
past and it will be a long year for the Browns. On the bright side, they do
have some potential offensive weapons. Antonio Bryant will have a legitimate
number one receiver across from him in Braylon Edwards. Edwards was thought by
many to be the most talented player in this year’s draft class. These two
receivers could form a top duo if both can develop in
Cleveland. Lee Suggs will
have to charge the running game to help keep the pressure of the passing game
and Charlie Frye will hope to see some time before the season ends. The Browns
need to find out whether or not they have a future quarterback or not.
San Francisco is another
talent starved team. Alex Smith will not have the luxury that most quarterbacks
have, with that being a number one or even two receiver. The 49ers really do
not have a receiving threat that scares the opposition right now. Kevan Barlow
will have to bounce back and have a big year as to not force too much on Smith.
The defense may take a step forward with new head coach Mike Nolan having a
defensive mind. Still this team must accumulate better players before they can
get out of drafting in the top ten.
At a Standstill:
One of the most talented offensive teams in the league is
still the Rams. Marc Bulger, Tory Holt, Isaac Bruce, Marshall Faulk, and Steven
Jackson provide a formidable offensive attack. With several other question
marks though the Rams will have another season where they hover around .500.
They may still find themselves in the playoff hunt considering the rest of their
division, but I would not expect a significant improvement.
One of the biggest surprises in the draft was when the
Jacksonville Jaguars selected converted quarterback Matt Jones in the first
round. With needs elsewhere, the Jags took a risk on a player who can be
considered a boom or bust pick. Jones could potentially be a big, fast target
for the talented Byron Leftwich, but considering his inexperience, it is
unlikely that he will be much of an impact this year or even next. For a team
that was on the verge of making a move in the AFC, they did not make enough
improvements to be in the upper levels of the AFC yet.
Oh So Close:
Two perennial losers in the NFC are on the verge of making
big strides this year. The Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions each had great
drafts and need to make a move now. Both teams are loaded with offensive talent
and have great offensive coaches. Denny Green added veteran Kurt Warner to lead
his offense as well as rookie J.J. Arrington to be his running back. You cannot
forget the young receiving talent, which includes Anquan Boldin, Larry
Fitzgerald, and Bryant Johnson. In addition the Cardinals helped solidify their
line by adding Oliver Ross, former Steeler right tackle, to the mix. Don’t
forget the talented Antrel Rolle, who should come right in and help their
defense at the corner spot.
The Lions also have the potential to be an offensive
juggernaut. Steve Mariucci should be salivating with Kevin Jones in the back
field and Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams as wide outs. If they
can stay healthy, the young receiving trio has the potential to be one of the
greatest. This also depends upon the quarterback situation. Like
Arizona, the Lions added a
veteran quarterback, Jeff Garcia. However, he will have to wait until Joey
Harrington falters. Harrington has to put it all together this year. He has
the skills to be a good quarterback in the league and now he is surrounded by
more weapons than a small army. Other quarterbacks would be envious of his
position. Harrington must seize this opportunity and make the most of it if he
wants to stay in Detroit. On the defensive side of the ball, Detroit acquired
Shaun Cody, DT, in the draft. He can make an impact early.
Despite the young players that these teams have, they still
will not make the playoffs. However, these two cities will have something to
cheer about this year.
Arizona and Detroit will
hover around the .500 mark this season and will be poised to challenge for their
division titles next year.
Playoff Hopefuls:
Kendrell Bell, Derrick Johnson, Patrick Surtain. All are
new additions to the Chiefs defense, either via free agency or the draft. This
unit is one that is a desperate need of an upgrade. Offensively, the Chiefs are
in fine shape, with the expectation of an established big play receiver. The
key though for the Chiefs is for these new acquisitions to mesh and play to
their potential. If the defense could even improve to rank in the 13-17 range,
the Chiefs will not only be back in the playoffs, but will be a strong threat.
Baltimore did everything that
they could to help Kyle Boller. Derrick Mason signed a big contract and Mark
Clayton adds a good all around rookie. This is in addition to several
established receivers that
Baltimore
already has, plus who can forget Todd Heap, one of the game’s best tight ends.
To help the running game even more so, the Ravens signed Keydrick Vincent from
Pittsburgh
to start at guard. The defense is switching back to a 4-3 which will allow an
aging Ray Lewis to help elevate his game. Even if the whole team performs well,
it will not mean much if Kyle Boller doesn’t get his act together. Like
Harrington, Boller has been surrounded with a lot of a help and a lot of weight
is on his shoulders to get the Ravens back to the playoffs.
Super Bowl Contenders:
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles are still the class.
Donavan McNabb will lead the Eagles to another division crown and bye week. The
running game will relieve some pressure from him. The big question is T.O.
Yes, we don’t even need to say his name any more, just initials. Owens has been
a huge distraction this offseason and it remains to be seen how much impact this
will have on the team.
As long as Michael Vick is healthy,
Atlanta should be a threat.
Warrick Dunn is a great fit to their offense and T.J. Duckett allows the Falcons
to pound the ball. Michael Jenkins and Roddy White will try to emerge as a
number one receiver while Peerless Price is going to have to fight out to
start. The defense should be improved, especially with a healthy Dante Hall.
Peyton Manning and the gang will be back in the picture.
Once again this will be an offensively dominated team who will win a lot of
shootouts with their opponents. Tony Dungy will continue to work to improve
that defense of theirs, and like the Chiefs, if the defense can rank in the
middle of the pack, the Colts may be unstoppable.
This may be the year the Pittsburgh Steelers win the one
for the thumb. Ben Roethlisberger is predicted by many to have a ‘sophomore
slump’. This so-called ‘slump’ is more a myth than truth. It is not something
that happens more than half the time to players. I expect Roethlisberger to be
even better. This is why: While the Steelers lost two starters on the line,
they do return Kendall Simmons to the starting lineup and second year tackle Max
Starks saw some action last year. With Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El, and
Cedrick Wilson, instead of Plaxico Burress, the passing game will be less
predictable and more versatile. Heath Miller will also add to the passing
game. While the Steelers traditionally do not throw to the tight end, Miller is
a great athlete and Roethlisberger always looks for the open receiver, not
necessarily his first or second read.
Wait, You Forgot Someone:
You may have noticed the Minnesota Vikings and New England
Patriots were both absent from the Super Bowl contenders list. While the
Vikings may have won the offseason in the moves department, they lost Randy
Moss. Troy Williamson was having some early problems and asking him to replace
Randy Moss is a ton to ask for from a rookie. Also considering their late
season collapses, the Vikings still quite aren’t ready to take that step to the
Super Bowl. I do expect them to win the division though.
The Patriots have lost a lot this year. First both
coordinators left. Then Teddy Bruschi is sitting out the year, and we all hope
for a full recovery. Most recently, Ted Johnson retired. This team lost a lot
of leadership in these moves. You can sometimes under estimate the impact
certain coaches and players can have on a team. To replace one of these guys in
a given year is a lot to ask for, let alone all in one offseason. But with Tom
Brady at the helm, we will be watching the Pats play in January.
Big Years from Second Year
Quarterbacks:
You saw my reasoning for Ben Roethlisberger earlier, but
expect Eli Manning to also have a big year. Amani Toomer is a solid receiver
and Manning now has a big target in Plaxico Burress. Not the most dependable
receiver, Burress will still be an upgrade over what Manning had. You also have
to consider the brash Jeremy Shockey and Tiki Barber at running back. The
Giants offense has the weapons; Manning just needs the patience and the
protection to have a great year. In fact, don’t be surprised to see both
Manning and Roethlisberger in the Pro Bowl this season.
In
Buffalo,
J.P. Losman also has some talent around him, including Willis McGahee carrying
the load. Lee Evans had a great rookie year and Eric Moulds is an underrated
receiver. Losman will experience growing pains, but he has the tools and the
players around him to have a solid first year starting.
Top Rookies:
Here are the rookies who will have the biggest impact on
their new teams in each conference:
AFC
Ronnie Brown, RB,
Miami
David Pollack, DE/LB,
Cincinnati
Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore
Heath Miller, TE,
Pittsburgh
NFC
Carnell Williams, RB,
Tampa Bay
Antrel Rolle, CB,
Arizona
Mike Williams, WR,
Detroit
Marcus Spears, DE, Dallas
Season Kickoff:
There are less than six week until the NFL season kicks
off, Thursday, September 8th, between the Oakland Raiders and New
England Patriots.
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