• BE Home
• Sports Channel
• NFL Home
• Entertainment Channel
• Movies
• TV
• Music
• Fitness
• Vices
• Videos
• Humor
• Models

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

Artwork by Brian Smith, © 2008 Bullz-Eye.com

09/01/2008

The 2007 NFL season was an amazing ride.

The New England Patriots went 16-0, only to play upset victims to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The Packers, Browns and Bucs were all pleasant surprises. The Saints, Rams and 49ers all crashed and burned despite soaring optimism entering the season.

So what can fans expect in 2008? Parity, unpredictability and plenty more surprises, we imagine.

Even though they might have secondary issues and Tom Brady is walking around with a slight limp, the Patriots are once again stacked and ready to compete for another Super Bowl. The Chargers, Colts and Jaguars are also Super Bowl contenders, while the Steelers and Browns should jockey for position in the AFC North all season. Can Vince Young lead the Titans back to the postseason? What about Brett Favre now that he’s donning a different shade of green in New York?

In the NFC, the Cowboys look like the class of the conference, but watch for the Saints to have a huge bounce back year and possibly become a title contender. The Giants lost a ton of talent, but it’s hard to count the Super Bowl champs out before they get the chance to defend their title. The Seahawks, Eagles and Redskins all have enough talent to contend in a weak NFC, while the Rams might surprise now that Marc Bulger and Orlando Pace are healthy again and Steven Jackson ended his holdout.

While it would be easier to predict the weather, we gave it our best shot again this year and listed projections for each team. We used the same format as we did in 2007, placing all 32 teams in five different tiers: Super Bowl Contenders, Playoff Bound, Heading Forward (teams that should improve in ’08), Heading Backward (teams that will take a step back in ’08) and Spinning Their Wheels (teams that will roughly stay the same). For each team, we take a look at one key offseason addition and loss while also throwing out a question mark that may keep each team from reaching their ultimate goal. Finally, we tie it all together by providing an outlook.

The MLB Playoffs will be starting soon and we love baseball as much as the next guy, but nothing beats the start of another NFL season. Dig in.

Key Addition: Jerod Mayo, LB The Pats didn’t make a ton of moves this offseason (not that they had to after going 16-0 last season), but adding Mayo in the draft was significant. Inside linebacker is a weak area, which means the hard-hitting Mayo has a chance to make an immediate impact this season. Key Loss: Asante Samuel, CB The Patriots are known for plugging any player into their defensive scheme and finding success. But cornerback is a huge area of concern this year after New England lost the former Pro Bowler Samuel and his counterpart, Randall Gay (FA/Saints). Question Mark: Will the secondary be a major weakness? Safeties Rodney Harrison and James Sanders are hurt, corner Ellis Hobbs is coming off two offseason surgeries and neither Fernando Bryant nor Jason Webster are quality starters. While Hobbs is underrated when healthy and second year safety Brandon Merriweather looked good in camp, the Pats’ secondary looks vulnerable on paper. The team signed veteran John Lynch in the offseason but he didn't survive final cuts. Outlook: There’s no doubt the Patriots are once again the team to beat in 2008, but they have some major question marks. QB Tom Brady dealt with an ankle injury in preseason, the secondary looks like a weakness and don’t forget that the Giants gave the rest of the NFL a blueprint on how to beat the Pats’ offensive line in the Super Bowl. They’re still going to win 10-plus games in a weak division and make the playoffs, but this New England team looks ripe for the taking, especially considering they collectively struggled during the preseason. Of course, if Brady is completely healthy, there’s not much that can stop him from connecting with WR Randy Moss on a weekly basis like he did last year. RB Laurence Maroney is a prime candidate to have a bounce back year after rushing for only 835 yards last season, too.	Key Addition: Adam Jones, CB Yes he’s a headache and yes he hasn’t played since 2006, but so far Adam “Don’t call me Pacman” Jones has impressed in Dallas. If he keeps his head on straight (which is a major “if”), Jones gives the Cowboys a major boost in the return game and in their secondary. Key Loss: Julius Jones, RB Even though the loss was largely negated when Dallas drafted Felix Jones in the first round of the draft, Julius Jones still gave the Cowboys’ backfield a nice 1-2 punch along with Marion Barber III. Julius has demonstrated excellent athleticism and quickness over the years, even though his production dipped significantly in 2007. Question Mark: Will Wade Phillips be run out of town if he doesn’t produce a Super Bowl? It’s no secret owner Jerry Jones is infatuated with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and that Phillips is just keeping the seat warm at head coach. So if the stacked Cowboys yet again underachieve in the postseason, will this be Phillips' last year in Dallas? It might not be fair, but a Super Bowl might be the only way Phillips keeps his job after the season. Outlook: Without a doubt, the Cowboys are the team to beat in the NFC. They have the most talent on both sides of the ball and there doesn’t seem to be an apparent weakness anywhere on their roster. With QB Tony Romo, WR Terrell Owens, RB Barber, TE Jason Witten and a solid offensive line, Garrett’s offense will once again be difficult to stop. And the defense, led by LB DeMarcus Ware, CB Terence Newman and hard-hitting safety Roy Williams, is stacked with outstanding talent. But can this team get over the playoff hump? Or will they once again underachieve when the pressure is at its greatest? 2008 appears to be now or never for the Cowboys and anything less than a Super Bowl appearance would be a great disappointment.
Key Addition: Derek Smith, LB Adding the 12-year vet Smith in the offseason was huge after incumbent starter Stephen Cooper was suspended for the first four games of the regular season. While he’s lost a step over the years, Smith still has the quickness to give the Chargers’ defense a boost in pass coverage. Key Loss: Michael Turner, RB Jacob Hester and Darren Sproles appear to be fine backups to starter LaDainian Tomlinson, but it’s hard to replace a player like Turner, who averaged 5.5 yards per carry in four years for the Chargers. Turner often finished opposing defenses off in the fourth after LT wore them down in previous quarters. Question Mark: How will Shawne Merriman's injury affect the defense? It was discovered in late August that Merriman could miss the entire 2008 season with two torn ligaments in his knee. But against several doctor's orders, Merriman decided he will play this season. He's one of the best edge rushers in the league, but is he healthy? And what if he gets hurt again? His career could be in jeopardy. Outlook: Outside of Merriman’s injuries, what’s not to like about the Chargers in 2008? They have the best player in the league in Tomlinson, a quarterback in Philip Rivers who doesn’t make mistakes and one of the best all-around defenses in the league. Wide receiver will once again be a weakness, but with Antonio Gates at tight end, Rivers has already proven he doesn’t necessarily need another weapon in the passing game. And who knows, maybe Chris Chambers, Craig Davis or the underachieving Vincent Jackson will have big years. Defensively, CB Antonio Cromartie emerged as a playmaker last year and the Chargers are stacked along the defensive line. But this team has also shown flashes of immaturity in crunch time situations in the past, and that’s when head coach Norv Turner needs to step up and keep this team focused.	Key Addition: Dominic Rhodes, RB As usual, the Colts didn’t make a huge splash in free agency, but Rhodes was a significant piece to the 2006 Super Bowl team and will give the team depth behind starter Joseph Addai. Rhodes will have to fend off Kenton Keith and rookie Mike Hart for carries, however. Key Loss: Jake Scott, OG Scott is a quality player and never missed a start for the Colts in four years. He’s not overpowering, but losing him to a division rival (Titans) hurts. Question Mark: Will Peyton Manning be ready for Week 1? After having an infected bursa sac near his left knee removed in mid July, Manning missed all of the Colts’ preseason and most of their practices this summer. The team doesn’t want to rush him onto the field too soon, but backup Jim Sorgi hasn’t started one regular season game in his career and the entire offense revolves around Manning’s amazing intelligence, talent and work ethic. Outlook: Obviously Manning’s knee is the Colts’ biggest question mark heading into 2008 (as well as losing center Jeff Saturday for six weeks due to a knee injury), although at press time he was expected to be cleared for the first game of the season. Looks like folks in Indy can breathe a little easie. This team is still loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and will once again be a favorite in the AFC. Assuming Manning does in fact play in Week 1, the offense won’t have any issues scoring points and expect another huge year from receiver Reggie Wayne. When Manning and the offense are clicking, the Colts can score at will and bury teams early in games. The defense is undersized, but also incredibly quick in pursuit and as long as he’s healthy, safety Bob Sanders is Indy’s rock against the run. Expect Jacksonville to compete with the Colts all year for the AFC South crown, but if history is any indication, Indianapolis will once again make a trip to the postseason. Can they put another Super Bowl run together? Not without a healthy Manning.
Key Addition: Jerry Porter, WR Even though he had surgery on his hamstring this offseason, Porter finally gives the Jaguars a legit No. 1 receiver. His attitude was questioned at times in Oakland, but he’s a powerful, explosive receiver with solid playmaking potential if he can stay focused. Key Loss: Marcus Stroud, DT Stroud had issues staying healthy in Jacksonville, but it wasn’t long ago that he and John Henderson formed one of the best defensive tackle tandems in the league. Losing massive Grady Jackson also hurts the interior of Jacksonville’s defensive line. Question Mark: Can David Garrard repeat his 2007 production? Garrard was one of the better stories in the NFL last year, compiling a 102.2 QB rating and an 18-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Was 2007 a prelude to things to come or is Garrard a one-year wonder? With the addition of Porter, an outstanding running game and solid offensive line, it’s hard to imagine Garrard taking a step back in 2008. Outlook: Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor give Jacksonville one of the best rushing attacks in the league and if Garrard plays as well as he did last year, there’s no doubt this team will compete for a Super Bowl. The offensive line is also a strength and can often wear down smaller defensive lines in the second half. Division rival Indianapolis will once again be a huge challenge, but the Jags have done a tremendous job adding talent to their secondary to help combat the Colts’ explosive passing attack. Plus, they have the horses up front to wear down a smaller Indianapolis defensive line in the fourth quarter. This team is talented, physical and can win the war in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They’re also well coached and often do the little things in order to succeed. It’s hard to find any weaknesses on this team and thus, the Jaguars are legitimate contenders this year. Now it all comes down to execution.	Key Addition: Jonathan Vilma, LB The Saints bolstered their offense with the addition of TE Jeremy Shockey, but if he can stay healthy, Vilma arguably was New Orleans’ biggest acquisition this offseason. The athletic and versatile Vilma can potentially be the presence in the middle that the Saints have sorely needed at linebacker. Key Loss: Jeff Faine, C Not only did the Saints lose their leader along the offensive line, but they also lost a tough, athletic player to a division rival in Tampa Bay. Question Mark: Did the Saints finally shore up the corner position opposite Mike McKenzie? Since acquiring him from Green Bay in 2004, McKenzie has been a rock at the left corner position for New Orleans. But the opposite corner spot has been a revolving door for years, the latest failure being former Colt Jason David. This offseason, the Saints acquired Randall Gay, who has battled injuries in the past but was very productive last year in New England. He doesn’t have unworldly playmaking ability, but Gay does have good size and speed. Outlook: 2008 marks one of the first seasons QB Drew Brees isn’t coming off of surgery, which should only spell good things for him as Week 1 approaches. He’s completely healthy and surrounded by marquee talent in Shockey, RB Reggie Bush and wide receivers Marques Colston and Devery Henderson. Not to mention, head coach Sean Payton has one of the best innovative offensive minds in the league and will no doubt use the plethora of talent at his disposal. The Saints also have one of the more underrated offensive lines in the league, led by tackle Jammal Brown. The defense has improved dramatically with the additions of Vilma and Gay, as well as rookie DT Sedrick Ellis, who adds to New Orleans’ already excellent pass rush. After a down year in 2007, the Saints should be considered the favorites to win the NFC South and maybe to represent the conference in the Super Bowl.

Key Addition: Jared Allen, DE When the Vikings acquired Allen from Kansas City this offseason, they added one of the premier young pass rushers in the league and a player that can wreak havoc on opposing teams’ quarterbacks. He’s fast, instinctive and plays at a high intensity at all times. Key Loss: Tony Richardson, FB His skills have definitely diminished over time, but Richardson is still a solid blocker and special teams contributor. His veteran leadership will be missed in the locker room. Question Mark: Can Tarvaris Jackson lead this team to the postseason? Long before Jackson hurt his knee in preseason, questions surfaced about whether or not he had what it took to lead a team to the playoffs. There’s no question he has enough physical skill, but opposing defenses have often forced him into making poor decisions, which have led to turnovers. He certainly has enough talent around him to succeed, but he must take the next step in his development for the Vikings to go anywhere this season. Outlook: There are two reasons why the Vikings are everyone’s chic-pick in 2008 and neither have to do with dynamic second year running back Adrian Peterson. Reason No. 1: Their offensive line. Reason No. 2: Their defensive line. Teams that can win in the trenches usually win on the scoreboard and the Vikings will be able to win in the trenches this year on both sides of the ball. Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie form one of the best left-sides in all of football and surely will open up holes for Peterson again this year. Minnesota had the best run defense in the league last year, although the worst pass defense. Former Bengal S Madieu Williams should serve as an upgrade in the secondary. As previously mentioned, if Jackson can stay healthy and make enough plays in the passing game, Minnesota is going to make some noise this year in the NFC. Adding a potent deep threat in Bernard Berrian also helps.
Key Addition: Justin Hartwig, C The Steelers lost one of their best offensive linemen in team history when Jeff Hartings retired before the 2007 season. While Hartwig isn’t the player Hartings was, he gives Pittsburgh an experienced, tough player at the heart of their offensive line. Key Loss: Alan Faneca, G Even though they didn’t want to overspend for an aging offensive guard, the Steelers lost a huge piece of their line when Faneca bolted for the Jets this offseason. It’s going to be hard to replace a five-time Pro Bowler, especially with a former sixth-round pick in Chris Kemoeatu, who is expected to fill the void left by Faneca. Question Mark: How much of a weakness is the offensive line? Since 2006, only the Lions' Jon Kitna has been sacked more times than Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger. After losing Hartings in 2007 and now Faneca in 2008, the Steelers once-dominant offensive line appears to now be a major concern. Kemoeatu is inexperienced, Hartwig was largely ineffective in Carolina and Max Starks isn’t the player he once was. Could their offensive line woes bury the Steelers’ postseason chances? Outlook: With how well Big Ben recovered last year coming off an injury- marred 2006 campaign, one would think that the Steelers are primed for yet another postseason run. But the offensive line is a major question mark and RB Willie Parker is coming off knee surgery last year. (Although the team did draft Rashard Mendenhall in the first round as insurance.) The defense will once again be a strong suit and Mike Tomlin did a solid job in his first year as a head coach. The offense has more than enough talent to light up the scoreboard like it did last year, but the line has to gel quickly or the Steelers might be a prime candidate to take a step back in 2008. On the flip side, if the offensive line overachieves, there’s no doubt Pittsburgh is a playoff contender in the AFC and they are one of the toughest teams to beat at home late in the year.	Key Addition: Shaun Rogers, DT Although he was often criticized for being lazy and unmotivated in Detroit, there’s no doubt Rogers is one of the most talented defensive tackles in the NFL. Early reports out of Cleveland suggest he’s been focused, determined and nothing short of a team player. Key Loss: Leigh Bodden, CB Bodden was part of the deal that brought Rogers from Detroit and while he under performed last year in Cleveland, he still could turn out to be a nice player if he develops. Question Mark: Is a quarterback controversy brewing in Cleveland? Derek Anderson was one of the best surprises in 2007, but the Browns didn’t trade back into the first round last year for Brady Quinn to ride the bench forever. There seems to be a notion that if Anderson struggles early, head coach Romeo Crennel will feel the pressure to play the youngster Quinn. Outlook: After upgrading the defensive line with the additions of Rogers and underrated end Corey Williams, there’s no doubt the Browns are for real, despite a lackluster preseason. Adding Joe Thomas and Eric Steinbach to their offensive line made all the difference for the Browns’ offense last year, so maybe the addition of Rogers and Williams will have the same type of effect on defense. Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski turned the offense into an explosive unit last year and he’ll have the same weapons at his disposal including Anderson, RB Jamal Lewis, WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow Jr. The key for this team will be whether or not the defense has improved. The line is arguably now a strength and the rest of the unit is stacked with young talent including S Sean Jones, LB Kamerion Wimbley and CB’s Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright. But will Rogers be as effective playing nose in a 3-4? Will the young secondary need another year to develop? There are questions abound, but the Browns are certainly one of the favorites to contend for a playoff spot in the AFC.
Key Addition: Julius Jones, RB Jones will be given the daunting task of replacing Shaun Alexander in the Seahawks’ backfield, along with Maurice Morris, former Lion T.J. Duckett and rookie Justin Forsett. Jones rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Cowboys in 2006 and is blessed with above average speed and quickness, but he did take a step back last year. Key Loss: Shaun Alexander, RB There’s no question Alexander was largely ineffective the past two years while battling various injuries, which included a broken bone in his foot. But it’s never easy to replace a player that was as productive as Alexander before injuries took their toll. Question Mark: What can the Seahawks expect from their backfield? None of Seattle’s backs (Morris, Jones, Forsett) have ever carried a full rushing load on their own, so it’s expected that head coach Mike Holmgren will use a committee at the position this year. How will that effective the Seahawks’ offense after years of Alexander holding down the position by himself? Holmgren’s offense is predicated on timing and rhythm, so will a committee at running back work or will it hold the Hawks back in 2008? Outlook: With QB Matt Hasselbeck and a relatively solid offensive line back for another year, the offense should again score plenty of points, as long as the running back-by-committee situation doesn’t become an issue, that is. And with a defense that features LB’s Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson, DE Patrick Kerney, CB Marcus Trufant and S Deon Grant, this team can compete with anybody in the NFC. But will the supposedly improved Rams and Cardinals challenge the Hawks for the division? Will Holmgren’s pending retirement be a distraction? Are Deion Branch, Bobby Engram and Nate Burelson enough at wide receiver? There’s no question the Hawks are a playoff contender again this year, but this team doesn’t seem as dominant as it once was.	Key Addition: Asante Samuel, CB The Eagles acquired the prized free agent of the offseason after signing Samuel to a six-year, $57.14 million contract in late February. Reports state that he’s fully recovered from a hamstring injury that kept him out of most training camp practices and he should be ready to play Week 1. Key Loss: Takeo Spikes, LB The Eagles needed more reliability in their linebacker corps so the team decided to part with Spikes in the offseason. Spikes hasn’t been able to stay healthy the past couple of years and his production has suffered because of it. Chris Gocong is expected to start at the strong side, while Omar Gaither is the projected weak-side starter. Question Mark: Can Donovan McNabb stay healthy? Once again, the most pressing issue concerning the Eagles entering a new season is whether or not McNabb can stay healthy. It’s easier to predict winning lotto numbers than it is to project if McNabb will stay upright. But if he does, Philly is once again a legit playoff contender. Outlook: If McNabb can stay on the field, the Eagles have one of the more talented rosters in the NFC. RB Brian Westbrook is vastly underrated and the offensive line is above average. The wide receiver position is once again an issue, especially with Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown battling injuries, but maybe rookie DeSean Jackson can step up and emerge as a playmaker. Either way, McNabb will continue to spread the ball around to multiple receivers and Westbrook will once again play a big role in the passing game. The defense improves with the addition of Samuel, but can he be productive outside of Bill Belichick’s defensive scheme? The rest of the defense is talented, although also inexperienced and will need time to gel. If McNabb stays healthy, it’s hard to believe Philly won’t at least compete for a Wild Card spot. If he goes down, then so will the team’s postseason chances, as well.

Key Addition: Jason Taylor, DE For a team that has struggled in the pass-rush department over the past two seasons, adding a player like Taylor was huge. He’s no spring chicken at 33, but Taylor still has the quickness and athleticism to get to the QB on a consistent basis and will only make his line mates better. Key Loss: Joe Gibbs, head coach This isn’t meant to be a knock against new head coach Jim Zorn, but Gibbs held the Skins together last year through midseason troubles on the field, as well as heartbreak off it when safety Sean Taylor was tragically murdered in late November. The Redskins making the postseason last year had a lot to do with Gibbs’ leadership as a head coach. Question Mark: How will Jason Campbell do in a new offense? Before an injury kept him from competing in the playoffs, Campbell’s development at quarterback was going swimmingly. With the hire of Zorn, the third-year QB has been forced to learn a new offensive system, which thus far he’s looked comfortable in. Can Campbell grasp the offense and lead the Redskins to another playoff berth? Or will he need a year to master the new system? Outlook: It’s hard to imagine the Redskins not competing for the playoffs again this year with virtually the same team returning from last season. (And actually at least on paper, they got better with the addition of Taylor.) The offensive line is solid, the defensive line was upgraded and the Skins can run the ball thanks to the 1-2 punch of Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. But whenever a new head coach is hired, there’s always a period of transition and players must buy into the system. If this team were in the AFC, they wouldn’t be a playoff contender. But given the Giants’ offseason losses, the Skins could definitely contend in a weak NFC as long as Campbell grasps the new offense and Taylor’s injury isn’t too serious.

Key Addition: Brett Favre, QB The Jets hope they've finally found the answer to their limitations at quarterback with the addition of one of the greatest signal callers in NFL history. But does he have enough left in the tank? Key Loss: Jonathan Vilma, LB Vilma didn’t fit well into Eric Mangini’s 3-4 defensive scheme and he battled injuries last year, but the Jets still lost an athletic playmaker in the middle of their defense. Question Mark: Will the offensive line play improve? It should. If not for acquiring Favre, the Jets' biggest move this offseason was signing former Steelers’ guard Alan Faneca. NY used two high draft picks on D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold in 2006, but both players took a step back in their second season after solid rookie campaigns. The team is hoping the addition of Faneca will lift Ferguson and Mangold’s performance and thus give RB Thomas Jones more running room than he had in 2007. Outlook: The Jets had two major flaws in 2007: Limitations at quarterback and a poor run defense. Favre is anything but limited and should make the Jets’ offense more dangerous. His risks don’t always pay off, but Favre is going to take chances downfield and that’s something this team has lacked for years with Chad Pennington under center. The Jets are hoping the addition of former Panthers’ defensive tackle Kris Jenkins will help bolster their run defense. Jenkins has struggled with weight issues in the past and his play has declined over the years, but he reported to camp nearly 30 pounds lighter than he was in Carolina and appears motivated. The Jets added Calvin Pace to a linebacker corps that already features productive youngster David Harris and they also drafted pass-rush specialist Vernon Gholston. Will Favre make the Jets a playoff contender? It’s a good possibility given the that this team looks better than the 2006 playoff squad (at least on paper).
Key Addition: Marcus Stroud, DT Only a few years ago, Stroud and former Jacksonville teammate John Henderson formed one of the best defensive tackle combos in the league. But ankle injuries hampered Stroud’s career and the Jags couldn’t be patient any longer. Stroud has been healthy so far in Buffalo and if that continues, the Bills will highly upgrade the interior of their defensive line.  Key Loss: Larry Tripplett, DT Tripplett became expandable when the Bills acquired Stroud, but at only 29, he’s still a solid pass rusher that could have contributed in the Bills’ defensive line rotation. Question Mark: Will the young offense come together? Running back Marshawn Lynch proved he was the real deal as a rookie, rushing for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns. Quarterback Trent Edwards also flashed potential and should have even more weapons at his disposal with the addition of rookie wide out James Hardy. Can these youngsters come together in time for the Bills to make a playoff push this year? Or will they need another year to develop? Outlook: While it’s probably unrealistic for the young Bills to make a legitimate playoff push this season, it’s certainly not out of the question either. If Edwards and Lynch continue to develop on offense, and the addition of Stroud improves the run defense, then Buffalo could challenge for a Wild Card spot. Having a healthy Paul Posluszny back in the middle of their defense is also big and the signing of free agent veteran outside backer Kawika Mitchell was a nice addition. If Ko Simpson can recover from ankle surgery, then the secondary looks like it could be a strength and Aaron Schobel is a solid pass rusher. As always, Buffalo will have one of the best special teams units in the league led by outstanding punter Brian Moorman. The Bills are probably still a year away, but they could wind up being one of the surprise teams in the AFC.	Key Addition: DeAngelo Hall, CB He’s got a big mouth, takes too many unnecessary risks and probably thinks he’s better than he is, but Hall is also one of the few shutdown corners in the NFL and is coming off his best season as a pro. Key Loss: Jerry Porter, WR Porter had a rocky couple of years in Oakland (although he record six touchdowns last year), but he also has the speed to stretch the field and is a playmaker when he gets the ball in his hands. Question Mark: Can the youngsters on offense produce this season? JaMarcus Russell showed bits and pieces of potential last year as a rookie, but rumors started to circulate in the offseason that he was overweight and out of shape. The Raiders are going to need Russell to be focused this year if they don’t want to be as brutal offensively as they were last year. Oakland selected Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick in April’s draft and while he’s explosive, pundits worry about his small legs and his durability running between the tackles. Outlook: The Raiders have added plenty of talent to both sides of the ball and should be markedly better this year than they were in 2007. Their success offensively is going to hinder on whether or not Russell can mature and if the offensive line has improved. McFadden will have help from Justin Fargas, which is good because he doesn’t have to carry the full rushing load as a rookie. The defense is where Oakland has upgraded the most. Hall and the underrated Nnamdi Asomugha form one of the better corner tandems in the league, and Gibril Wilson (who was outstanding with the Super Bowl Champion Giants in ’07) was signed in the offseason to bolster the safety position. With young potential on offense and an upgraded defense, the Raiders might compete in ’08. Realistically, however, this team will need another year or two before they’re making a playoff push.
Key Addition: Alex Gibbs, Offensive line coach Normally the addition of an offensive line coach isn’t big news, but Gibbs has been successful no matter where he’s gone. The former Denver and Atlanta OL coach brings his highly successful (and often controversial) zone-blocking scheme to Houston, the same system that helped the Broncos and Falcons lead the league in rushing multiple times this past decade. Key Loss: Von Hutchins, CB Even though he was injured in training camp and was placed on IR by the Falcons in late July, Hutchins was a versatile, steady DB for the Texans. Question Mark: Has the offensive line improved? The team drafted Duane Brown in the first round of April’s draft and even though he only played one year at left tackle in college, he’s expected to protect QB Matt Schaub’s blindside. Brown will be joined by underrated guard Chester Pitts and athletic center Chris Myers, but questions remain about who will play right guard after Fred Weary was placed on IR, and whether or not Eric Winston is better suited to play tackle or guard.  Outlook: Defensively, the Texans have complied some outstanding young talent. DE Mario Williams proved last year that he wasn’t a fluke, while DT Amobi Okoye produced six sacks in his first NFL season. DeMeco Ryans continues to be one of the best young linebackers in the league and if he can stay healthy, corner Dunta Robinson could be a future star. Offensively is where most of the questions arise for the Texans. Who will be their top rusher? Word is Ahman Green might not even be on the roster come September, which means the running game will be thrust upon Chris Taylor and rookie Steve Slaton. Can Schaub and dynamic receiver Andre Johnson stay healthy? Can the offensive line give Schaub enough time to throw? Does the offense have enough weapons? Houston is moving in the right direction, but questions still remain.	Key Addition: Bill Parcells, VP of Football Operations It might take him a year or two to get “his people” in place, but no matter where he’s gone, Parcells has won. The man knows football and if anyone can turn a sinking franchise around, it’s Parcells. Key Loss: Jason Taylor, DE The Dolphins did a nice job of getting compensation for a player that had was refusing to play for them this season, but they also lost their best defensive player. Question Mark: Will the quarterback play improve this year? Miami selected John Beck in the second round of the 2007 draft, but after a poor preseason showing, he could already be on his way out of Miami after Parcells drafted Chad Henne in April and also signed Chad Pennington, his former quarterback in New York. Pennington is penciled in as the starter at this point, but he’s only a stopgap until Henne develops. But will he develop? Henne failed to impress in camp and while he might be a slight upgrade this year, Pennington has always been limited as a passer. Outlook: The Dolphins won’t compete for a playoff berth this year, nor will they probably win more than four or five games. But Parcells has this team heading in the right direction, especially after drafting OT Jake Long with the first overall pick in this year’s draft. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are going to have to keep the offense balanced or Pennington will be exposed. Second year receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was excellent in the return game last season, but new offensive coordinator Dan Henning (formerly of the Panthers) needs to get him more involved in the offense than the previous regime did. Losing defensive leaders Taylor and LB Zach Thomas hurts, but the rebuilding process had to be started sooner than later. The bottom line is that Miami is going to struggle this year. But Parcells will continue to evaluate and add talent, and soon enough, the Dolphins will be back in contention.
Key Addition: Josh Brown, K A team never realizes how valuable a good kicker is until they don’t have one. Brown has been consistent and accurate throughout his career and his game should only improve with the opportunity to kick inside a dome. Key Loss: Isaac Bruce, WR In Torry Holt, Drew Bennett and Dante’ Hall, the Rams have more than enough weapons at wide receiver. But St. Louis will miss Bruce’s hard work and dedication to the franchise. Question Mark: What does new OC Al Saunders bring to the Rams? Saunders has one of the more creative offensive minds in the game. He likes to use multiple receiver sets and short to intermediate routes to move the ball down the field, which should suit the Rams’ personnel very well. The only problem is that the terminology takes time to master and therefore, the offense could struggle in its first year under their new offensive coordinator. Outlook: The Rams could be a playoff sleeper, but several things must fall into place. Perhaps the biggest thing will be whether or not Marc Bulger and the offensive line can stay healthy. Without Orlando Pace last year, the Rams’ offense fell apart and Steven Jackson had zero running room. The offense will also need to pick up Saunders’ new system and Jackson must show no-ill effects from missing so much camp time because of his holdout. Defensively, the Rams have built a quality line over the past two drafts, taking big-bodied Adam Carriker in 2007 and the pass-rush specialist Chris Long last April. With Long and Leonard Little at the end positions, St. Louis should have no problem getting to the quarterback, which should help a young, talented secondary, as well. On a whole, the defense is actually pretty solid, especially with Will Witherspoon anchoring the middle. But the offense struggled mightily last year after injuries began to mount. Again, if the offense comes together and can stay healthy, there’s no reason this team can’t compete in a weak NFC West.	Key Addition: Michael Turner, RB The Falcons signed the top free agent running back on the market in Turner, a tough back that can run between the tackles, as well as bounce it outside with his good speed. Teamed with speedster Jerious Norwood, Atlanta has a nice 1-2 punch in their backfield. Key Loss: DeAngelo Hall, CB The Falcons cleaned house after the 2007 season, parting with several veterans. But perhaps the biggest loss will be felt in their secondary, where Hall was shipped to Oakland for multiple draft picks. The flamboyant Hall takes a lot of unnecessary risks going for interceptions, but he is one of the few shutdown corners in the NFL and is coming off the best season of his career. Question Mark: Should the rookie Matt Ryan start? The success rate for quarterbacks that start their rookie year is extremely low and Atlanta has a lot of inexperienced players on the roster. The team runs a risk of ruining Ryan’s development if he struggles in his first year, but then again if he plays, he could learn and grow along with the rest of the young Falcons. Outlook: Sometimes a team has to take a step back in order to move forward and that fits the Falcons. By parting with so much veteran talent in the offseason, GM Thomas Dimitroff is re-building the Falcons from scratch. And while it’ll take time, Dimitroff cut his teeth in the New England Patriots organization over the past decade so he’s used to succeeding. Atlanta has a ton of young talent on offense in Ryan, Turner, Norwood, Roddy White and Laurent Robinson, as well as on defense in Michael Boley, Chris Houston and Curtis Lofton. But again, it will take time for Dimitroff and new head coach Mike Smith to build a winner. Expect the Falcons to suffer some growing pains this year, but they’ve rid themselves of the Michael Vick era and are now building towards the future.

Key Addition: Alge Crumpler, TE Chronic knee problems and age have caught up to Crump, but he’s still one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the league and should give QB Vince Young a nice red zone weapon. Crumpler’s leadership is also invaluable, as well. Key Loss: Antwan Odom, DE Odom isn’t a dominant force on the defensive line, but he did record a career-high eight sacks in 2007. He works well in a rotation and the Titans will miss his ability to get to the quarterback. Question Mark: Can Vince Young take the next step? Most people would consider leading a team to the playoffs as a pretty big step, but truth is Young didn’t make much progress as a passer in 2007. Some would say he still relies too much on his feet and natural ability to make plays, instead of good fundamentals and sound decision-making. Winning is the most important thing, but Jeff Fisher and the Titans would like to see Young develop more as a passer and become the dual threat some expect him to be. Outlook: Young’s playmaking ability on offense and a stingy defense will once again keep Tennessee in contention all season. But in order for this team to take another step forward, Young’s skills as a passer have to develop and he needs another weapon to throw to. Crumpler was a solid addition at tight end, but Justin Gage and Justin McCareins are limited. The offensive line isn’t spectacular, but it should open up decent running lanes for rookie back Chris Johnson, who will also be counted on in the passing game. The defense is stacked with talent, including DT Albert Haynesworth, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, LB Keith Bulluck and S Michael Griffin. This team actually could fit into two tiers – Spinning Their Wheels and Playoff Bound. The postseason is once again a possibility, but don’t be surprised if this team takes a step back as defensive coordinators continue to figure out how to limit Young.	Key Addition: Clark Haggans, LB Haggans’ skills have declined, but he gives the Cards an experienced pass rusher in their 3-4 scheme. He’ll also give Arizona a boost against the run. Key Loss: Calvin Pace, LB Pace is below average in pass coverage, but that’s not his game. He excels against the run, is an effective pass rusher and fills the lane well. His full potential probably hasn’t been reached yet, either. Question Mark: Is Matt Leinart a bust? The Cardinals announced that veteran Kurt Warner would be the starter for Week 1 and not Leinart, the former top 10 pick. A three-interception performance in the team’s third preseason game sunk Leinart’s chances of starting Week 1 and it appears that he has regressed in his third season. Warner couldn’t hang on to the job two years ago, however, so Leinart needs to be ready for when he gets another opportunity. Outlook: Same story, different year for Arizona. With a slew of young talent, many expect the Cardinals to compete this year, but how often is that said about this team in the preseason? Leinart’s development is a question mark, and so is Anquan Boldin’s situation with the team. Arizona denied Boldin’s request to be traded in the offseason in hopes they can re-sign him, but the wide out is unhappy and as of press time, the situation is unresolved. Also, can Edgerrin James produce another 1,200-yard season or will his production dip? Defensively, the Cards secondary looks like a strength with the return of underrated Adrian Wilson and the addition of first round pick Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (as well as Antrel Rolle’s move to free safety), but the unit always seems to under perform on Sundays. This talented team now has direction under second year coach Ken Whisenhunt and is once again on the cusp of making a playoff push, but execution has never been the Cards strong suit. And how much can be expected from Warner at this point?
Key Addition: Travelle Wharton, OL With the selection of tackle Jeff Otah in last April’s draft, Wharton will start at left guard for the Panthers. The versatile Wharton should be a good fit for Carolina’s zone-blocking scheme due to his athleticism and quickness.  Key Loss: Dan Morgan, LB Even though he couldn’t stay on the field because of health concerns, Morgan was a sound leader and when he did play, a ferocious hitter that could play sideline-to-sideline. Question Mark: Can Jake Delhomme stay healthy? Even though he made a fair amount of mistakes in clutch situations in 2006, Delhomme was having an excellent start to 2007 before an injury forced him to miss virtually the entire season. After watching Matt Moore and Vinny Testeverde struggle last year, it’s clear the Panthers’ offense revolves around the play of Delhomme. If nothing else, if Delhomme can stay healthy he’ll keep Carolina competitive all season.  Outlook: For the third consecutive season, the Panthers are a bit of a mystery. Are they a sleeper Super Bowl contender as some suggest or are they just an average 8-8 team? If Delhomme can stay healthy, DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart form a nice 1-2 punch in the Panthers’ backfield, while the explosive Steve Smith (although suspended two games for punching teammate Ken Lucas in training camp) can score whenever he has the ball in his hands. Retaining OT Jeff Gross and adding both Wharton and Otah should help the offensive line as well, so all the pieces seem to be in place for the offense to be decent in ’08. With talent like DE Julius Peppers, LBs Jon Beason and Thomas Davis, as well as an underrated secondary, the defense also looks solid, although they did underachieve a bit last year. If injuries don’t sink them, John Fox is going to keep the Panthers competitive. But it remains to be seen if this is a playoff contender or just an average team posing as a possible sleeper.	Key Addition: Keith Rivers, LB The rookie will likely start Week 1 as the Bengals’ weak-side 'backer and there’s a good chance he could lead the team in tackles by the end of the year. Rivers is strong, athletic and should dramatically upgrade Cincy’s LB corps. Key Loss: Madieu Williams, S Williams isn’t coming off the best season, but nobody played well on the Bengals’ defense in 2007. Regardless, his leadership and versatility will be missed in Cincy’s secondary. Question Mark: Has the defense improved? The addition of Rivers was big, but losing Williams and Smith will hurt, even though neither had very productive 2007 seasons. The additions of corners Jonathan Joseph and Leon Hall, as well as Rivers and lineman Domata Peko in the past couple drafts have paid off to this point. But while the Bengals have slowly upgraded their defense, it’s going to take time for everything to come together on the field. Outlook: With the return of Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and an above average offensive line, the Bengals should score points again this season. But there are some major question marks, including who will start at running back. The job appears to have fallen on Chris Perry, although veteran Rudi Johnson (assuming he doesn't get traded) and Kenny Watson will likely get carries as well. Another question facing the Bengals’ offense this year is the health of Chad Johnson. “Ocho Cinco” suffered a shoulder injury in preseason and will play with a partially torn labrum. An awkward fall or a big hit could end his season. As previously mentioned, the defense has been upgraded through the draft over the past couple years, but the Bengals are still void of talent on that side of the ball. It’s hard to believe that with the Steelers and emerging Browns in the same division, as well as the Patriots, Colts, Jaguars and Chargers all playing in the AFC that Cincy will make a postseason run this year.
Key Addition: Boss Bailey, LB Even though he missed all of the preseason due to a high ankle sprain, Bailey is expected to be the Broncos’ starter at strong-side linebacker at some point this season. Injuries sidetracked his career in Detroit, but Bailey is highly athletic and can be a productive player if he can stay on the field. Key Loss: Jason Elam, K It’ll be strange to see another kicker besides Elam trot onto the field for kickoffs and field goals. Denver will now rely on the inexperienced Matt Prater at kicker. Question Mark: Will Brandon Marshall be a distraction? Marshall is suspended for the first three games of the season for violating NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s Personal Conduct Policy. Marshall has great size, athleticism and play making ability, but his head never seems to be screwed on tight. Any more altercations and he may become a bigger distraction than he’s already been, plus QB Jay Cutler might be without his No. 1 weapon in the passing game. Outlook: As with most teams in this tier, the Broncos are a bit of a mystery. They certainly have enough talent to compete on a weekly basis, but questions surround them as they head into the season. Cutler has flashed potential, but now must play more consistent in his third season. The running game has never been an issue and probably won’t be again this year, but youngster Selvin Young has never carried a full NFL rushing load. Defensively, Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly form one of the best cornerback tandems in the league, but the front seven had trouble generating a decent pass rush last year and the secondary paid the price. The corners are solid, but the safety position seems to be a question mark and both Bailey and DT Dewayne Robertson have to stay healthy if the front seven expects to be productive. Are the Broncos a playoff contender? They might be, but a lot seemingly has to fall into place for Denver to make a run.	Key Addition: Jeff Faine, C Faine isn’t the most physically dominant lineman in the league, but that’s not a requirement for the center position, anyway. But he is athletic, aggressive and intelligent and should provide Tampa with an upgrade at the position. Key Loss: Brian Kelly, CB With the selection of Aqib Talib in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Kelly became expandable. Nevertheless, he was a solid contributor and is a decent corner in the Cover 2 scheme. Question Mark: Will Jeff Garcia be on a short leash this season? Garcia led the Bucs to the playoffs last year and then promptly lost his mind and demanded a new contract. The team didn’t budge, however, and the 38-year old then had to wait to see if Brett Favre would take his position. After Favre was traded to New York, Garcia once again became entrenched as the Bucs’ starting quarterback. With Chris Simms, Luke McCown, Brian Griese, Ronald McDonald, Frosty the Snowman and Rumpelstiltskin ready to go behind him, Garcia (who is in the second year of a 2-year deal) might be replaced if he falters early in the season. Outlook: The Bucs practically return the same team that went to the playoffs last season, but they’re not going to be able to sneak up on anyone this year. Garcia doesn’t make many mistakes, while WR Joey Galloway can still outrun most corners in the league and the line also improved with the addition of Faine. The team also has a surplus of backs led by Earnest Graham, veteran Warrick Dunn and once healthy, Cadillac Williams. The defense will once again make or break Tampa’s playoff chances. Longtime veterans Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber return for another year of duty, and will be joined by underrated LBs Cato June and Barrett Ruud. The secondary also fosters some emerging talent in Talib, Tarnard Jackson and Sabby Piscitelli. Are the playoffs a possibility? Absolutely. But the Saints look like the class of the division.

Key Addition: Matt Forte, RB Cedric Benson proved to be a colossal bust on the field and a headache off it, so the Bears hope the rookie Forte can finally solve their rushing woes. Forte has good size, speed and quickness. Key Loss: Bernard Berrian, WR While he wasn’t always consistent, Berrian gave the Bears a solid deep threat and certainly is a better playmaker than Marty Booker, Rashied Davis and Brandon Lloyd. Question Mark: How bad will the offense be? Kyle Orton has a stronger arm and makes fewer mistakes than Rex Grossman, but he doesn’t have a ton of weapons in the passing game outside of Devin Hester and Forte will be counted on to carry the rushing load as a rookie. While Forte has flashed excellent potential, Hester gives the team a deep threat and Orton is an upgrade over Grossman, the line has issues. (More on that below.) Outlook: The team was able to keep its linebacker corps in tact by extending Brian Urlacher’s contract, which is huge because he plays the most important position in the “Tampa 2” defense. Lance Briggs, Tommie Harris, Charles Tillman, Nathan Vasher, Mike Brown and Adewale Ogunleye all return to make up one of the best defenses in the NFC. But Harris and Brown must stay healthy and the team has to get better production out of its strong safety position. Obviously the offense will make or break the Bears’ postseason chances. The line is a huge question mark, especially on the left side where John St. Clair is expected to replace the injured Williams, and inexperienced Josh Beekman will start at guard after Terrence Metcalf underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in August. Still, Orton has the potential to surprise and Hester is such a dynamic weapon in the return game that the Bears could again count on their defense and special teams to carry them into the postseason. Stranger things have happened (i.e. Rex Grossman leading the team to the Super Bowl just two years ago).

Key Addition: Kenny Phillips, S NY was fortunate to land Phillips in the first round of the 2008 draft. Before struggling in his final season at Miami, Phillips was highly regarded as the best safety prospect in the nation. Word is that he’s been the most impressive player in camp and has a great chance to start as a rookie. Key Loss: Michael Strahan, DE The Giants parted ways with TE Jeremy Shockey (trade/Saints) and S Gibril Wilson (FA/Raiders), but the loss of Strahan will hurt the most. Strahan was one of the most productive defensive ends in NFL history and his fiery leadership will be missed both on and off the field. Question Mark: Did the Giants lose too much talent in the offseason? Shockey, Wilson and Strahan are all gone and Plaxico Burress has spent most of the offseason complaining about his contract. While it’s hard to replace players that helped you win a Super Bowl, the Giants have done a nice job building depth behind their starters and thus can avoid having a drop off like most expect. But the loss of DE Osi Umenyiora to season-ending knee surgery was a huge blow, and their attempt to lure Strahan out of retirement failed. Outlook: The x-factor this year is QB Eli Manning. He was phenomenal in the playoffs and Super Bowl last year and if he continues to develop, than skies the limit. But if he digresses at all, NY will probably plummet with him. Burress, RB Brandon Jacobs and an underrated offensive line will be there to make sure Manning doesn’t take a step back in ’08. Retaining defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was huge for the Giants’ playoff hopes. His schemes flustered Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay, respectively, in last year’s playoffs. But the loss of Umenyiora is a killer. The Giants were so effective defensively last year because they were able to put pressure on the quarterback and now they’re without Strahan and Umenyiora.
Key Addition: Brandon Chillar, LB Chillar was brought in to challenge incumbent strong-side starter Brady Poppinga, but Poppinga has held him off and will likely start Week 1. Regardless, Chaillar gives Green Bay depth in their linebacker corps. Key Loss: Brett Favre, QB It’ll be hard for the Green Bay faithful to see Favre in another shade of green this fall, but the team felt it was necessary to move on and concentrate on the future. Still, this franchise lost their ultimate legend. Question Mark: Is Aaron Rodgers ready? The Packers committed to Rodgers this offseason and will probably sink or swim this year with him under center. His development has been rocky in the past, but after struggling early on, he played fairly well this preseason. He also stepped in and played well for one half against Dallas last year, so maybe Rodgers is ready to put this team on his shoulders. Outlook: Everything will revolve around Rodgers’ development. Up to this point, he has flashed a little potential, but he’ll have to deal with the pressures of having to replace a legend like Favre all season. The Packers faithful can take comfort in the fact that the defense is solid, led by DE Aaron Kampman, LB A.J. Hawk and one of the NFL’s best cornerback tandems in Charles Woodson and Al Harris. The defense will keep Green Bay in most games, but Rodgers is going to have to step up. It’ll help if the offensive line can perform better than they did in the postseason last year, as well as the preseason this year. The receiving corps is solid, led by the veteran Donald Driver and an emerging star Greg Jennings, but RB Ryan Grant must prove he’s not a one-year wonder. Several things are going to have to come together this year for the Packers to make the postseason, but if Rodgers can step up and overachieve, the playoffs certainly aren’t out of the question.	Key Addition: Kevin Smith, RB With Mike Martz now in San Francisco, the Lions want to focus on running the football again and being more balanced offensively. The rookie Smith has looked excellent in preseason and could be a sleeper candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Key Loss: Shaun Rogers, DT Rogers was lazy and often unmotivated while in Detroit, but there’s no doubt he’s one of the best DT's in the league when he wants to be. The Lions got tired of trying to motivate Rogers so they sent him to Cleveland for CB Leigh Bodden and a draft pick, but they’ll miss his presence on the interior of the line. Question Mark: How bad is the secondary? On paper, Detroit’s defensive backfield looks like it could easily be the worst in the NFL. But veteran cornerbacks Brian Kelly and Travis Fisher have actually looked decent this offseason. Gerald Alexander, Daniel Bullocks and veteran Dwight Smith will compete at both safety spots. But regardless of how well the secondary has looked in the preseason, the front seven is a tremendous weakness and the entire defense might be in for a long year. Outlook: It’s amazing how far the Lions have fallen since starting 2007 6-2. Detroit looked like a serious playoff contender, but crashed in the second half and then lost their offensive coordinator (Martz) and best defender (Rogers) in the same offseason. How will Jon Kitna do without Martz? The Lions are set at receiver with Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, but the offensive line looks like a major weakness and will depend on a rookie to carry the rushing load. Outside of LB Ernie Sims and the vastly underrated DE Dewayne White, the defense looks brutal. Head coach Rod Marinelli has done a nice job rebuilding the culture in Detroit, but his roster is void of talent. A lot of overachieving will have to take place for this team to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Key Addition: Joe Flacco, QB Although he’s struggled to pick up the nuances of the pro game up to this point, the Ravens hope they found their quarterback of the future in the rookie Flacco. While he didn’t play in many big games in college, Flacco has the size and arm strength scouts covet in an NFL quarterback. Key Loss: Jonathan Ogden, OT With Ogden’s retirement, Baltimore lost an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, a nine-time All-Pro selection and one of their top leaders. Question Mark: Who will protect the quarterback’s blindside? The retirement of Ogden left the Ravens with a gapping hole at left tackle. Jared Gaither, a 2008 fifth round pick out of Maryland, is expected to start at left tackle this year, but he was carted off the field in a July training camp practice with an ankle injury. Gaither might not be ready to go Week 1, which would leave the team with former Raiders’ o-linemen Chad Slaughter to protect the quarterback’s blindside. In other words, yikes. Outlook: Troy Smith is expected to be Baltimore’s Week 1 starter at quarterback and while he played well down the stretch last season, his offensive line looks suspect. RB Willis McGahee was a nice addition to the backfield last year, but he had a “clean up” procedure done to his knee and at press time, he was still unable to jog, which means rookie Ray Rice should get the start in Week 1. Baltimore is still stacked defensively, led by LB/DE Terrell Suggs, underrated LB Bart Scott, all-pro S Ed Reed and CB Chris McAlister. But if the offense can’t move the ball, it won’t matter how good the defense is because they’ll be on the field entirely too much. If McGahee recovers quickly, Smith continues to develop and the offensive line overachieves, then the Ravens can rely on their defense to win games. But that’s a lot of “ifs” and the more likely scenario is that this team struggles again in ’08.	Key Addition: Branden Albert, OT The Chiefs offensive line was dismal in 2007, so they used the second of their two first round picks on Albert, a highly productive player from Virginia. Albert played guard in college, but scouts became enamored with him as the draft drew closer and KC is excited about the youngster’s potential to play tackle.. Key Loss: Jared Allen, DE While the Chiefs did strengthen their offensive line by drafting Albert with the first round pick they received from Minnesota in exchange for Allen, they also lost their best young defensive player and someone that has wrecked absolute havoc in opposing teams’ backfields for the past five seasons. Question Mark: Is Larry Johnson healthy? Johnson broke his foot last October, but showed no ill effects from the injury in preseason. Johnson was successfully able to cut and dart on his foot and most of all, appeared fresh. As long as the offensive line doesn’t perform as poorly as it did last season, LJ should have no problem bouncing back in ’08. Outlook: Losing Allen was a huge blow in more ways than one. Not only do the Chiefs lose his production, but also Tamba Hali had to move to the weak side of the defensive line and he struggled with the transition in preseason. Kansas City drafted Glenn Dorsey to help fill the pass-rushing void left by Allen’s departure, but a sprained knee slowed him in preseason and will likely limit his early season production. Offensively, Johnson looks healthy but the quarterback position is a major concern where Brodie Croyle is expected to be the Week 1 starter. Croyle struggled last year behind a suspect offensive line, which looks like it could be a weakness again this season, even with the addition of Albert. Head coach Herman Edwards is an excellent motivator and this team does have a smattering of young talent, but the Chiefs are a long shot to compete for the playoffs this season.

Key Addition: J.T. O’Sullivan, QB O’Sullivan followed Mike Martz to San Francisco from Detroit and was named the Week 1 starter in preseason. O’Sullivan doesn’t have a lot of starting experience, but he’s more familiar with Martz’s offense than former first overall pick Alex Smith, so he gets the nod under center. Key Loss: Justin Smiley, G Smiley was never a dominant force on the 49ers’ offensive line, but he was a quality veteran starter and had above-average skill. He gets the most out of his talent and he’s technically sound. Question Mark: Can O’Sullivan lead the 49ers? This is O’Sullivan’s second year in Martz’s system, which made Kurt Warner into a Super Bowl winner and Jon Kitna into a 4,000-yard passer. Can Martz turn another journeyman quarterback into a winner? O’Sullivan looked pretty good in preseason and benefits from having quality weapons around him in RB Frank Gore and TE Vernon Davis, so he could wind up being one of the NFL’s surprise performers in 2008. Outlook: Optimism was incredibly high last year after the Niners had one of the better offseasons of any team in the NFL. But reality set in and San Fran turned in another dreadful season. There’s not much optimism this year, but that’s not to say the 49ers don’t have a chance in a weak NFC West. O’Sullivan isn’t the ideal starter a team wants under center, but he knows the system and if Martz can utilize Gore like he did Marshall Faulk in St. Louis, San Fran could surprise this year. The defense has a ton of young talent in CB Nate Clements, LB Manny Lawson and LB Patrick Willis. They also gave their pass rush a boost by signing former Bengals’ DE Justin Smith, although he has under performed in years past. There’s a lot to like about the 49ers this year, but they’re going to lose a lot battles in the trenches and it’s hard to fathom O’Sullivan being a playoff quarterback.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS