2006 NFL Preview, football predictions, NFL rankings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Seahawks, Patriots, Broncos, Cowboys, Bill Parcells, Ray Lewis

Bullz-Eye's 2006 NFL Preview

By: Anthony Stalter (astalter@bullz-eye.com)

09/03/2006

NFL Home / Sports Channel / Bullz-Eye Home

ALSO: Check out Anthony's 2006 College Football Preview.

Sit back and relax, because you're going to be here for a while. With the 2006 NFL season upon us, Bullz-Eye.com breaks down the league, team-by-team, and ranks it all out 1-32. What questions face the perennial contenders? What player from your favorite team is on the hot seat this year and why? And who were the key additions and losses for each franchise this offseason? We've got it all right here, along with a look at some of history's best and worst football movies and video games, and a few original caricatures from artist Brian Smith.

And because we value your time so highly, we're going to let this preview stand as the first edition of our NFL Power Rankings as well, just so you don't have to click over to another feature. Hey, we're good like that.

Finally, be sure to use the navigation links found at the top and bottom of each page to go to the next, or previous, group of rankings.

<<< Teams 21-32

Teams 1-10

Teams 11-20 >>>

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Additions:
No team made a weaker splash in free agency this past offseason than the Steelers. They added just one player who should make an impact in 2006, and that was safety Ryan Clark. Clark was signed from Washington after Chris Hope signed with Tennessee. Pittsburgh made little to no attempt to re-sign Hope, who was an integral part of the Super Bowl Champions last season. Clark isn’t a lock to earn the starter’s role either, since the Steelers used a third-round draft pick on Syracuse safety Anthony Smith.

Key Losses:
The Steelers suffered a couple of enduring losses this offseason. Veteran leader Jerome Bettis retired after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy last February and will be missed mostly in the locker room, but also on goal-line and short-yardage plays. Antwaan Randle El, who signed with Washington, proved to be a nice playmaker for Pittsburgh and was very useful in keeping the opponents’ defense honest. The aforementioned Chris Hope is gone from the Steelers secondary and steady performer Kimo von Oelhoffen will also be missed on the defensive line.

Player on the Hot Seat: The Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver.
When the Steelers traded up in April’s draft to select Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh was elated to fill the void let by Randle El at its No. 2 wide receiver position. However, the young receiver from Ohio State has been involved in a couple incidents off the field regarding the law and now has to prove himself to head coach Bill Cowher and the Steelers’ coaching staff. Both Holmes and fellow wide out Cedric Wilson will battle for the No. 2 spot behind leading man Hines Ward. Holmes has great talent and is very aggressive, which would play well into the Steelers attack. Wilson is best suited as a slot receiver or No. 3, but if Holmes doesn’t mature and grasp the Steelers offensive system quickly, Wilson will be counted on to start, at least early in the season.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Will off-field distractions bury the champs?
Pittsburgh battled adversity all the way to a Super Bowl title in Detroit last season. They overcame almost missing the playoffs and not being division champions as well as having to win every single playoff game on the road. New adversity hit the club this offseason as well, just as any squad that wins the Super Bowl has to endure. Their roster was plucked of veteran players, their coaching staff was almost broken up, motorcycle incidents and problems with the law all marred the Steelers’ offseason. Pittsburgh has been an outstanding franchise and rarely makes headline news off the field; however, his decision to not wear a helmet on his motorcycle nearly cost quarterback Ben Roethlisberger his life, backup offensive lineman Barrett Brooks was arrested for fleeing cops on his motorcycle and Holmes found himself in trouble with the law as well. These issues may never be raised again, but if they’re precursors to future distratctions, the Steelers will have a tough time repeating.

‘06 Outlook:
Roethlisberger won a Super Bowl in just his second season and his record as a starter is an un-real 27-4. He has proven that he can play under the highest of expectations and continues to make the plays that matter the most when the game is on the line. Heading into his third season, Willie Parker will be counted on as the number one back, but there are question marks concerning whether or not he can handle the roll for an entire season. The Steelers tried to get former Atlanta tailback T.J. Duckett through a trade this offseason to help shoulder the load near the goal line, but with Duckett now in Washington, the Steelers will rely on Verron Hayes and Duce Staley to spell Parker. The offensive line is still one of the best in the league and will continue to give Roethlisberger and Parker every opportunity to make plays. Missile Troy Polamalu is one of the best young safeties in the league and Joey Porter can rush the passer and hold his own in pass coverage as well. James Farrior, Larry Foote, Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton are all solid defenders for a Steelers defense that will rank near the top of the league again in ’06. With a balanced offensive attack and a playmaking defense, the Steelers are primed to make another Super Bowl run this year, but will face the daunting task of having a bull’s eye on their back all season long.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Steelers.com

2. Carolina Panthers

Key Additions:
Carolina had several nice signings in WR Keyshawn Johnson, LB Keith Adams, C Justin Hartwig and DT Maake Kemoeatu. Johnson should play the role that Muhsin Muhammad did for Steve Smith before Muhammad left via free agency for Chicago. Adams and space-eating Kemoeatu will start this year for an already solid defense for the Panthers while Hartwig brings his veteran leadership to the offensive line. S Shaun Williams will be in competition to start opposite Mike Minter and former first-round selection of the St. Louis Rams, Damione Lewis, will be an excellent reserve player on the defensive line.

Key Losses:
The linebacker position took the biggest hit this offseason with Will Witherspoon and Brandon Short jetting to other destinations in the offseason. Witherspoon led the team in tackles and was Carolina’s best linebacker in pass coverage. Defensive tackle Brentson Buckner wasn’t re-signed due to salary cap reasons and the secondary lost CB Ricky Manning Jr. and S Marlon McCree. Longtime possession receiver Ricky Proehl wasn’t re-signed and either was running back Stephen Davis.

Player on the Hot Seat: DeShaun Foster, RB
Carolina loves DeShaun Foster and part of the reason the Panthers finished in the NFC Championship Game last year was because of Foster’s season. But Foster hasn’t completed a full 16-game season yet and even though Carolina rewarded him with a new contract this offseason, doubt still remains that this kid can carry a full load at running back. That’s why DeAngelo Williams was selected in the first round in April’s draft and why Foster needs to be looking over his shoulder. Once again, the Panthers don’t have many complaints when Foster is showing breakaway speed and elusiveness in the backfield, but how long he can stay upright in that backfield will continue to be a concern.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Can this team ever stay healthy?
Steve Smith, Foster, Davis, Kris Jenkins and Dan Morgan have all been key components in Carolina’s success over the past couple of years. Unfortunately for them, they’ve also all fallen to serious injury in their careers, some in multiple seasons. After the 2003 Super Bowl run, the Panthers lost Smith in the opening game of the 2004 season. That year, Carolina was swept away from any playoff hopes midway through the season. Foster, as mentioned above, can’t stay healthy and the same can be said for Morgan. Jenkins has had two season-ending injuries in the past two years. The Panthers are good; very good. But they can’t continue to be picked to win the division when these guys keep ending up on the injury report more often than the box scores. The season hasn’t even started yet and already Smith, the Panthers’ dominating and explosive wide out, has missed weeks of practice time due to a bum hamstring. Uh oh.

‘06 Outlook:
What’s not to like about the Panthers? They seem to have few holes on both offense and defense and they are stacked as far as depth is concerned. Foster will be counted on to carry the load for John Fox’s pound-the-ball offense and if he gets bit by the injury bug again, well, then there’s DeAngelo Williams to take his place. Williams was regarded as the best pure runner in the draft by some scouts and will get onto the field in some capacity this year. The addition of Johnson at wide receiver will only make both quarterback Jake Delhomme and Smith better, if Smith could get any better, that is. What most people forget about Johnson is that although he isn’t a speedster, he goes over the middle for tough catches and is an excellent blocker. The offensive line got stronger with Hartwig and Mike Wahle will return as the only o-lineman to make it to a Pro Bowl for Carolina last year. The defense is solid and is full of playmakers. The cornerback duet of Chris Gamble and Ken Lucas is one of the best in the league and Mike Minter is a leader in the locker room and stout against the run. The defensive line is excellent with Julius Peppers, Mike Rucker, Kemoeatu and Kris Jenkins returning from two season-ending injuries. The linebacker unit might become a concern, however, as Morgan will have two new players next to him. Adams and 2005 first-round selection Thomas Davis will have to play at the level Witherspoon and Short did last year in order for this team to advance through the playoffs. When healthy, this is a dominant team and certainly tops in the NFC. The Panthers could be Super Bowl bound this year, but they find injuries to stop their progress virtually every year. Until they prove that they can overcome the injury bug, doubt will still remain, but nobody is going to think twice about placing Carolina in Miami come February.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Panthers.com

3. Indianapolis Colts

Key Additions:
The Colts provided possibly the weakest splash in free agency this offseason, but they did get a kicker that has victimized opposing teams for a long time now, including Indianapolis. Adam Vinatieri was signed from rival New England to replace Mike Vanderjagt, who was excellent in the regular season but wore out his welcome in Indianapolis. Vinatieri is clutch, which is about the last thing Vanderjagt ever was for the Colts.

Key Losses:
On the flip side, the Colts were harassed in the offseason with players jetting out of Indy, including three starters from last year’s team. Edgerrin James is a hard-nosed runner and is excellent out of the backfield. It doesn’t matter who James’ replacement will be; they won’t fill James’ shoes in Indy. Larry Tripplett and David Thornton were important starters in a consistent defense last year and both losses will be felt as much as James’ departure will be. Mike Vanderjagt joined Dallas.

Player on the Hot Seat: Peyton Manning, QB
For as good a player as Peyton Manning has been throughout his collegiate and professional career, he has never won a championship. Sure, Manning has broken records, has kept his team competitive every season (save his rookie campaign), and is the face of the Colts. But if he can’t get this franchise over the hump, the critics who praise the likes of Tom Brady will continue to desecrate an otherwise incredible career that Manning has put together. This season will be his toughest test in trying to keep the Colts’ explosive offense on task, since he’ll be doing it without Edge, but Manning still has all of his prolific wide outs to help make the task a little less daunting.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Will the Colts ever stop underachieving in the playoffs?
That point is hard to argue for when this team has lost key starters on both sides of the ball and stayed relatively quiet during free agency. Rookie RB Joseph Addai runs better between the tackles than most people think and can get to the outside in a hurry with his great speed. The job isn’t his yet, however, as Dominic Rhodes will get his chance after being James’ caddy for so many years. Gilbert Gardner could be a surprise as Thornton’s replacement, but he’ll have to prove himself on the field and, better yet, just stay on the field, considering his injury history. At the corner position, the Colts don’t have a No. 1 guy that can take away the opposing team’s top receiver. The biggest question mark will always be Manning, however, and it’s hard to believe that this is the Colts’ year after so many promising seasons have ended so prematurely for this squad.

‘06 Outlook:
Enough of the doubts; it must be said that the Colts are still a very good football team. They’re well coached by Tony Dungy and have players in place that are just as smart as they are talented. Manning might throw for 40-plus touchdowns this year and the combination of Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison is the best in football. Offensive tackle Tarik Glenn earned a well-deserved Pro Bowl spot last year and Jeff Saturday is still one of the premier centers in the NFL. Dwight Freeney is a monster to deal with on Sundays, and Corey Simon and Montae Reagor are good enough to control the loss of Tripplett. Cato June and Gary Brackett are solid and so is the safety position with Bob Sanders and Mike Doss patrolling no man’s land for the Colts defense. On top of its personnel, Indianapolis can beat every team in its division, twice in some cases. Plus, they won’t have much stress facing bottom-dwellers like Buffalo and the Jets in the AFC East this year. The Colts should win their division and head to the playoffs as one of the top two seeds again this season, but after that, well, let’s just say that nobody should be surprised if Indy dumps another opportunity come January.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Colts.com

4. Seattle Seahawks

Key Additions:
Julian Peterson joined the ‘Hawks from the 49ers and will give Seattle one of the best linebacker units in the NFC. Thus far in camp, Peterson is where he was two seasons ago before tearing his Achilles tendon. While trying to take a little sting out of losing Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota, the Seahawks acquired restricted free agent WR Nate Burleson from the Vikings. Offensive tackle Tom Ashworth comes over from New England and DT Russell Davis will give Seattle depth along its d-line. Mike Green won’t start at safety, but will be a nice backup for Michael Boulware.

Key Losses:
The loss of Steve Hutchinson was huge, because along with tackle Walter Jones, they gave Seattle the best left side of an offensive line in all of football. Cornerback Andre Dyson signed with the Jets in the offseason and starting safety Marquand Manuel left for Green Bay. Wide receiver and locker-room leader Joe Jurevicius signed with Cleveland and LB Jamie Sharper was released.

Player on the Hot Seat: Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack, OG
Not to linger on the loss of Hutchinson even more, but Pork Chop Womack will have to team up well with Jones so that reigning MVP Shaun Alexander can continue to run throw gaping holes on the left side of Seattle’s line. What was nice about the Jones-Hutchinson team was that they rarely had to speak verbally in order to know what the other was doing. It has been said that Womack doesn’t have the best work ethic, which has led to injuries. If the Seahawks expect to get back to the Super Bowl, Womack has got to step up his game or somebody like Ashworth might be counted on to start.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Will the curse of the NFC Champion sink the Seahawks too?
Since the inception of the new division formats in 2002, the NFC representative in the Super Bowl has failed to even make the playoffs the following year. The Buccaneers were the first to implode after defeating Oakland in the ’02 Super Bowl, then fellow NFC South rival Carolina succumbed to injuries that kept them out of the 2004 playoffs. The latest victims were the Eagles, who had made the NFC Championship game the previous four seasons. Another curse that has set its sights on Seattle is the “Madden Cover Jinx,” which has been known to doom the player featured on the cover of John Madden’s EA Sports video game. Who is on the cover of Madden ’07? None other than Shaun Alexander. Of course, the Seahawks are a much better team than to self-destruct like the three teams before them…right? Unfortunately for the Seahawks, that very statement has been uttered before.

‘06 Outlook:
Barring any cruses, Seattle should win its division easily and sit atop the NFC once again this year. Much like the Bears, the Seahawks aren’t going to face that stiff of competition, at least in their own division. The Cardinals might give Seattle a run for its money, but the Seahawks are too good to miss the playoffs this year. Even with Hutchinson gone, the offensive line is still very good and Alexander is going to run for 1,400-plus yards no matter who is in front of him. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck showed mastery of the West Coast offense last year and even has more tools in his receiving corps this year with the addition of Burleson to go along with Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram and Peter Warrick. No player had a bigger impact as a rookie last year than middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Tatupu became quite a leader both on and off the field and gives Seattle a middle linebacker for years to come. The secondary is well balanced with Boulware, Kelly Herndon, Kelly Jennings and Marcus Trufant patrolling the air. Trufant and Jennings might each have a Pro Bowl selection on the horizon and if Ken Hamlin can return to form after an off-field injury suffered last year, the unit will be even better than a season ago. Head coach Mike Holmgren knows how to run his offense and command respect from his team, and he will have this team playing hard again come January.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Seahawks.com

5. New England Patriots

Key Additions:
Reche Caldwell was a bit of a disappointment for four seasons in San Diego, but this could be another player that fits well into the Patriots system. Eric Warfield and Tebucky Jones, meanwhile, will add depth to the secondary. The recent acquisition of former Raiders WR Doug Gabriel should also improve New England's shaky receiver corps.

Key Losses:
Not that the Patriots didn’t want to re-sign PK Adam Vinatieri, it’s just that they rarely pay top dollar on free agents. There is no question Vinatieri will be missed and the fact that he went to the Colts must burn New England fans deep. Long-time defender Willie McGinest and wide receiver David Givens are the other big names heading out of New England this season. The cornerback position took a hit in the depth department with the lossed of Tyrone Poole and Duane Starks. Tight end Christian Fauria, OT Tom Ashworth and wide receiver Tim Dwight all left via free agency as well.

Player on the Hot Seat: Corey Dillion, RB
Rookie Laurence Maroney is charging hard for Corey Dillion’s job this year and the former back from the University of Minnesota might just take it with his big-play potential. Dillion was one of the best offseason additions a few years ago and finally brought something to the New England backfield that had always been missing, even during the start of its Super Bowl run. Dillion has been plagued by injuries, however, and hasn’t shown the burst that he used to have while in Cincinnati. Throw in age and Dillion’s NFL days are are numbered.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Has the pass defense improved from last year?
New England finished 31st against the pass in 2005 and most of it was due to the fact that they lost their leader, Rodney Harrison, to a season-ending injury early in the year. Harrison is back, but who knows if this unit has actually improved. Ellis Hobbs was a nice addition to the lineup last year as a rookie and even added three interceptions, but Asante Samuel is probably a better fit as a No. 3 corner, so the Patriots really don’t’ have a true No. 1 at corner. Safety Eugene Wilson must bounce back after a struggling ’05 season without Harrison. If Harrison can return to health, Wilson can bounce back from a bad season, and Samuel and Hobbs can overachieve again 2006, New England will be fine. Unfortunately, that sure sounds like a lot to ask for.

‘06 Outlook:
Anyone brave enough to call the Patriots dead go ahead and do it, but this team is still the favorite in the AFC East. How could they not be after being successful last season even when injuries plagued their roster like Dennis Miller used to plague Monday Night Football? Tom Brady is still the best at what he does, and that is orchestrating Bill Belichick’s genius game plans. Brady can place the football anywhere on the field and can lead a team with less than two minutes like no other QB in the league. Dillion is aging, but he won’t have to do it all with the hard-running rookie Laurence Maroney taking snaps for him. The offensive line is underrated and they do their job just about as well as Brady does his. Yes the receivers are suspect, especially with Deion Branch still holding out, but Caldwell will only be a stopgap until rookie Chad Jackson is ready to emerge and Ben Watson could arrive as an elite tight end this season. The secondary has a lot riding on them this year, but the 3-4 scheme that Belichick puts together comes equipped with a great front seven. Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour and Vince Wilfork are all studs on a solid Patriots defense. The Patriots don’t have the best talent or even the best team, but they’re not going away. They have the grit and savvy to bounce back from any hurdle thrown at them better than any other team in the NFL.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Patriots.com

6. San Diego Chargers

Key Additions:
Former Carolina Panthers safety Marlon McCree is the defensive backstop that the Chargers have been looking to add for years. McCree is just reaching his potential in his sixth season and will lend a hand to a talented, but often underachieving, secondary. Everybody else signed was more for depth, such as tight ends Brandon Manumaleuna and Aaron Shea. Former first-round wide out Rashaun Woods hopes a change of scenery will help rejuvenate his career.

Key Losses:
How does a team lose a young Pro Bowl quarterback who’s shown he can win in the NFL without getting any compensation? He had a former first-round draft pick aching to play behind him, that’s how. Drew Brees moved to New Orleans this offseason while Philip Rivers will finally get his chance in San Diego. Disappointment Reche Caldwell is now gone and so are cornerbacks Sammy Davis and Jamar Fletcher. San Diego lost LB Ben Leber and offensive lineman Bob Hallen as well.

Player on the Hot Seat: Philip Rivers, QB
Speaking of Philip Rivers, he doesn’t have giant shoes to fill, but he will have to produce after the Chargers let Brees escape. Rivers, just like Brees, will have plenty of potent weapons behind him in the game’s best running back and one of its best tight ends. LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates will ease the transition time for Rivers while he finally gets a chance to show why he was one of the top quarterbacks in the 2004 draft. The time is now for Rivers, and with the ever-changing NFL, he may never have this much help again.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Did the secondary improve?
Former fifth-overall corner Quentin Jammer is quick, talented and certainly has all the potential to be a No. 1 cover-man in the NFL. So, why isn’t he? Word has it is that Jammer sometimes has trouble grasping the Chargers’ cover schemes and often tries to keep plays in front of him so he doesn’t blow assignments. A player as talented as Jammer should be further along in his career than he is. Drayton Florence will battle Antonio Cromartie for the starting corner position opposite Jammer and both have a shot to win the job. Florence has experience, but Cromartie is the real deal and should be a starter in the NFL very soon. McCree gives this unit better safety play, even by himself. Will the other safety, Bhawoh Jue, led the team in interceptions again this year? The Chargers hope not, since Jue had only three in 2005.

‘06 Outlook:
Why not the Chargers? They have explosive tools on offense in LaDainian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates and Rivers, the latter of which has incredible arm strength and the leadership skills needed to succeed in the NFL. The receivers are decent at best, but you can’t argue with Keenan McCardell’s production and Eric Parker’s relentless style of play. On defense, Shawne Merriman is the complete package and makes everybody around him better, a scary thought considering he’s surrounded by playmakers Donnie Edwards, Steve Foley and Randall Godfrey. Luis Castillo was solid as a rookie and might be the breakout player of the year for San Diego, and Jamal Williams was a Pro Bowler. Unless Rivers is a complete disaster, the Chargers should compete with Denver for the AFC West, but they’ll at least be in the thick of the Wild Card race all season.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Chargers.com

7. Denver Broncos

Key Additions:
The Broncos traded for former Green Bay wide receiver Javon Walker on draft day in April. Although he is coming off season-ending surgery to repair the ACL he tore in Week 1 last year, Walker proved to be a nice target for Packers’ quarterback Brett Favre in 2004. Walker will join fellow wide out Rod Smith in what should be a solid duo for QB Jake Plummer. For the second time in two seasons, Denver raided the Cleveland Browns’ defensive line and scooped up DE Kenard Lang. Lang follows in the footsteps of former defensive linemen Courtney Brown, Gerard Warren and Ekuban Ebenezer, who bolted Cleveland after the ’04 season. LB Nate Webster joins a stacked Broncos’ linebacker unit.

Key Losses:
The Broncos used a lot of blitzing to get to opponents’ quarterbacks last year and although they had success, they struggled getting pressure using just their front-four down linemen. DE Trevor Pryce, arguably the squad’s best pass rusher, was cut in the offseason and signed with Baltimore. Pryce is getting older, now 31, but still gave the Broncos’ their best option to get to the quarterback. Mike Anderson, Denver’s leading rusher last year, was allowed to walk (also to Baltimore), while TE Jeb Putzier was released for salary cap reasons. Meanwhile, fourteen-year veteran defensive end Marco Coleman decided to retire in the offseason, and wide receiver Ashley Lelie’s wish of being traded became a reality in late August when he was dealt to Atlanta.

Player on the Hot Seat: Jake Plummer, QB
Talk about getting a raw deal. Plummer leads the Broncos to the AFC Championship Game last year only to be dogged by fans all offseason and watch the team draft his replacement in April. Plummer had 18 touchdowns in ‘06 and only threw seven interceptions to lead Denver to a 13-3 regular season record. His play was mostly aided by head coach Mike Shanahan’s methodical offense, however, which didn’t put Plummer at risk to make too many mistakes. With the selection of former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler with the 11th overall pick, Plummer faces a huge challenge this year in not only getting the Broncos back into the playoffs, but also hunting down a Super Bowl title. Cutler has the physical tools to run Denver’s offense and fans are itching to be reminded of the days of John Elway. If Plummer feels the pressure and struggles, Shanahan won’t hesitate to see what his rookie can do.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Who will carry the football for the Broncos this year?
Somehow they always do it. Somehow they always find a way. Like no other team in the NFL, the Broncos have found unbelievable success plugging random running backs in their system and having them produce every year. Denver is still using the zone-blocking scheme implemented by former offensive line coach Alex Gibbs. In the scheme, the running back is supposed to take one cut and get up field while the offensive line protects the backside so that the runner can spring loose. Anderson rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year and added 12 touchdowns, but he’s now serving as Jamal Lewis insurance for the Ravens, which leaves the Broncos with another wide-open competition in the backfield. Tatum Bell is a big-play back with explosive speed, but Shanahan feels that he wears down after 15 carries and doesn’t seem willing to commit to Tatum as his starter. After years of playing behind Tiki Barber in New York, Ron Dayne might get his chance to start this year after he re-energized his career last season in Denver’s scheme. So far in training camp, however, another Bell is boasting the starting running back title. Undrafted rookie free agent Mike Bell, out of the University of Arizona, has stepped up with a tough running style that seems to have the coaching staff drooling, though he needs to work on hanging on to the ball. Any way the Broncos go with their ball carriers seems to always work out, so look for all three runners to contribute this year.

‘06 Outlook:
Part of the reason Denver had so much success last year was that its conservative style on offense never really put the Broncos in much harm. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer had to use a lot of complicated blitz schemes to get pressure on the opposing quarterback and may have to do that again this year. The run defense is excellent and the Broncos linebacker trio of Al Wilson, D.J. Williams and Ian Gold form one of the best units in the league. The secondary has a good mix of young and veteran players led by Pro Bowlers Champ Bailey and John Lynch, who play the run well and are tough to beat through the air. The offense will once again rely on one of the league’s best rushing attacks, but the focus will fall on Plummer again. Rod Smith, Walker and rookie tight end Tony Scheffler give Plummer all the tools he needs to succeed in the passing game. No team wants a quarterback controversy, because it messes with team chemistry and offense cohesion. However, if Plummer can’t lead this team from behind (see last year’s AFC title game against the Steelers), the team might be forced to try their hand with Jay Cutler. The Broncos, certainly a playoff-caliber team, should get pressure from San Diego to repeat as AFC West Champs.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Broncos.com

8. Dallas Cowboys

Key Additions:
Nobody should be listed in this category before the ever-talented and highly combustible force that is Terrell Owens. Owens stays in the same NFC East division where he destroyed the Philadelphia Eagles and now will either explode or triumph under head coach Bill Parcells and owner Jerry Jones. Linebackers Akin Ayodele and Rocky Boiman came over from Jacksonville and Tennessee, respectively, and should contribute heavily on the defense. Dallas finally spent decent money on a kicker as well, wooing veteran Mike Vanderjagt from Indianapolis. Guard Kyle Kosier was signed to replace longtime Pro Bowler Larry Allen on the offensive line.

Key Losses:
The biggest loss was probably DT La’Roi Glover, who left for St. Louis and was the team’s best nose tackle last season as well as an influential figure in the locker room. Larry Allen signed with San Francisco and LB Scott Fujita left for New Orleans. Offensive tackle Torrin Tucker signed with Tampa Bay and WR Keyshawn Johnson went to Carolina to complement Steve Smith.

Player on the Hot Seat: Drew Bledsoe, QB
Drew Bledsoe has never had trouble expressing his opinions and feelings in a huddle or on a sideline and won’t think twice about acting the same around Owens. Bledsoe has to be this team’s leader, though, and he can’t engage in battles with Owens if the ‘Boys are to make it to the playoffs. Running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber will both be used in the backfield so Bledsoe will have to keep the offense in rhythm in order for Parcells to run his offense. The offensive line might not be good enough either, if Bledsoe continues to hold the ball too long and make poor decisions at inopportune times. At the end of the season, everybody will either look back at a Bledsoe masterpiece or a complete and utter disaster.

Question Mark facing the ’06 Season: When will it happen?
It’s going to happen; it’s only a matter of time. Owens or Bill Parcells, or both, will implode this season and the Cowboys will pay for it. Owens is an undeniable playmaker and when he’s on the field, he makes his team much, much better. He opens up the running game, he opens up options in the passing game, and he is a marvel to watch when he gets up against a DB who can’t cover him. But he is also a cancer and will infect the clubhouse at some point during the season; you just have to play the odds on this one. Although, with the Eagles heading back to normalcy, Owens may stay focused long enough to burn his ex-mates and franchise. But with rumors circulating that Parcells has already had to force T.O. to practice after Owens tweaked his hamstring early in training camp, this clash of egos should be fun to watch. Unless you’re a Dallas fan.

’06 Outlook:
A large part of this team’s success this season will depend on the offensive line, not just Owens’ ability to shut his mouth and play. Parcells wants to run the football and for a team that only averaged 3.6-yards per carry last year, the Cowboys have a lot of questions on their o-line. Koiser is obviously no Larry Allen and even though Dallas picked up Fabini this offseason, he hasn’t unseated starter Rob Petitti. When former Pro Bowler Flozell Adams was hurt last year, the line fell apart. Marco Rivera is steady, but Al Johnson is just okay at center, so questions remain if Parcells has the horses up front do to what he wants to do in the running game. The defense is young, very talented, and stacked at linebacker. Parcells will have trouble getting all of his linebackers playing time, but playing the 3-4 will ensure his strongest unit is on the field more often than not. The secondary is equally as stacked with Roy Williams, Terence Newman and Anthony Henry all playing key roles, but the free safety position is a bit up in the air right now. The line took a hit when Marcus Spears tore a meniscus recently in training camp and will likely miss the start of the season. Regardless of all of these questions and even the problem that is T.O., it’s hard to believe a team as talented as Dallas won’t make the playoffs in ’06.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: DallasCowboys.com

9. New York Giants

Key Additions:
Not one member of the Giants’ starting linebacker core from the humiliating ’05 playoff loss to Carolina is listed as a projected starter. So, LaVar Arrington was added to start on the strong side next to fellow former Redskin Antonio Pierce. Sam Madison will take over the vacant cornerback spot left by Will Allen and former Baltimore Ravens safety Will Demps will be the new free safety. Though an argument can certainly be made for Arrington, Demps is probably the biggest free-agent acquisition for the Giants this past offseason.

Key Losses:
Perhaps the biggest area of weakness for the Giants heading into the ’06 season is at defensive tackle. Joseph William is inconsistent at times and Damane Duckett didn’t get much playing time last year so, which is why the loss of Kendrick Clancy is huge. Clancy was a difference-maker while New York jumped from 28th against the run in 2004 to 12th in 2005. Will Allen flew south to Miami, but other than that, New York didn’t have too many significant losses.

Player on the Hot Seat: LaVar Arrington, OLB.
It’s time for Arrington to produce again. The situation in Washington last year was downright strange and a player with his talent should not be used only in situational packages. Arrington needs to back up his talk about being a new man and get back to playing to the potential that made him a first-round pick back in 2000. The Giants have more than enough pass rushers, which Arrington is mostly known for, so the club will need the veteran to step up against the run this year. Arrington has a lot to prove and what better way to do it than facing his former team twice a year?

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Will the defense mesh?
It was no secret that the Giants wanted to upgrade a defensive unit that ranked 24th overall last year. The additions of Arrington, Madison and Demps make New York’s defensive unit better, at least on paper. However, the defensive tackle position is a huge question mark and who knows if Madison, who is now playing in his 11th season, will be an upgrade over Allen. Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora will continue to play at a high level, but how fast the offseason additions at linebacker and secondary come together will be the true test of where this defense stands.            

‘06 Outlook:
The Giants will score points again like they did last year. Eli Manning should continue to improve and having offensive playmakers like Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey should only speed up the process. The addition of second-round pick Sinorice Moss, who is small but lightning quick, adds yet another dimension to this offense. On defense, the Giants should have a marked improvement in their secondary and linebacker corps, but the biggest worry will be at the defensive tackle position. Another huge concern for New York is that they opens against Indianapolis at home, travel to division rival Philadelphia, then to Seattle, and back home against Washington after a bye week. Three of those four teams made the playoffs last year, with Seattle reaching the Super Bowl. If the Giants can make it through the first half of the season, their back half is less daunting, but regardless, they look to have one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. A repeat NFC East crown will be tough, but the Giants are certainly good enough to handle the slew of competition within their division and, at the very, least contend for a Wild Card.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Giants.com

10. Baltimore Ravens

Key Additions:
When the Ravens acquired QB Steve McNair from Tennessee, they added a winner and a strong veteran presence to their huddle. McNair can groom one-time starter Kyle Boller for as long as he wants to play and that will only make Boller a more-rounded player. Former Denver Broncos’ running back Mike Anderson was signed as a backup to Jamal Lewis, but if Lewis struggles again like he did last year, a running back controversy may brew. Anderson led the Broncos last season with 1,014 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. Defensive end Trevor Pryce was signed from the Broncos as well, and he is explosive off the ball, which should only help Terrell Suggs get more pressure on the quarterback this year. Cornerback Corey Ivy is a special teams gunner, but may be asked to step up and be the nickel back for Baltimore this year.

Key Losses:
Will Demps was often overlooked because he played next to standout safety Ed Reed. Demps signed with the Giants in the offseason and Baltimore will miss his play opposite Reed. After Demps, the Ravens lost depth more than anything. Backup quarterback Anthony Wright joined Cincinnati, cornerbacks Deion Sanders and Dale Carter are gone and backup tailback Chester Taylor cashed in on a new contract and a starting roll in Minnesota. Baltimore released offensive tackle Orlando Brown due to salary cap reasons.

Player on the Hot Seat: Jamal Lewis, RB
Jamal Lewis was dreadful last year, and that’s putting it nicely. He rushed for a career-low 906 yards and only contributed three touchdowns (another career low). Granted, the passing game didn’t help and the offensive line was awful too, but this used to be a guy who hit the line of scrimmage and the defense had to use three guys just to bring him down. Lewis was slower to the point of attack last season and rarely good after initial contact (which was evident by yet another career low: an ugly 3.4 yards/carry average). Whether it was because of his offensive teammates, his slowly recovering ankle problems or law issues, Lewis has got to step up for the Ravens this year or the newly signed Anderson will be the starter by midseason.

Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Where’s the depth?
The Ravens ‘starters are athletic and mostly experienced. The same thing can’t be said for who’ll be backing them up, however. The secondary is where most of the depth issues lie and Baltimore still isn’t settled on a safety to complement Ed Reed. Rookie fifth-round pick Dawan Laundry from Georgia Tech and recently acquired Gerome Sapp are competing for the other safety spot. If neither of the two steps up, the Ravens are actually considering going with four down linemen, four linebackers, and three defensive backs in order to get their best 11 guys on the field. Starting cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister are solid, but Ivy is the only experienced player behind them and if any combination of Rolle, McAlister or Reed falls to injury, this unit is in deep trouble. Depth issues are apparent on the offensive side of the ball as well. Wide receivers Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton and tight end Todd Heap give the Ravens a solid group of pass-catchers, but behind them are rookie Demetrius Williams, Devard Darling and Clarence Moore, all of whom are either very raw, very inexperienced, or both.

‘06 Outlook:
This team is one of many who look to bounce back big from a disappointing ’05 campaign. The Ravens certainly have the talent to do so and now they finally have an experienced quarterback in McNair. Questions still remain, however, about depth and, like every other team, about health. The defense will certainly be the strong suit again this year with some of the most individually talented players in the league. MLB Ray Lewis is said to have more spring in his step in camp this year and has mended fences since spending the offseason complaining about management and his contract. There might not be a better safety in the NFL than Reed, but he missed six games last year due to an ankle injury, and who will play beside him? The additions of Pryce and rookie Haloti Ngata should free up Lewis and Terrell Suggs to use their athleticism in make plays, but Ngata needs seasoning and Pryce is playing in a new system, so they’ll all need time to jell as a unit. Although offensively they are better with McNair, will Jamal Lewis return back to any kind of form after a terrible 2005? The offense line should improve, but once again, this was a unit that didn’t open any holes for the running game last year and could struggle again. This team has too much talent not to be competitive again in the AFC North and, with Cincinnati facing an uphill battle with Carson Palmer’s injury, the Ravens might surprise people with a Wild Card.

Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: BaltimoreRavens.com

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