2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

We’re just days away from the 2010 NFL season opener, which means there’s no better time to make playoff and Super Bowl predictions when no team has even taken a snap yet.

Who doesn’t love being illogical?

Click the links above if you want to read detailed previews for all 32 teams. In this article, you’ll get more prediction and less gab, although seriously, don’t shortchange me here – go check out the individual previews.

All right, I’ve already wasted enough time – let’s get nasty.

AFC East:

1. Patriots
2. Dolphins
3. Jets
4. Bills

Now that Darrelle Revis is back at practice for the Jets, I admit that a small part of me wants to flip the Dolphins and Jets. But I’m going to trust my gut and say that everybody’s chic pick in the NFL this year will take a step back because of Mark Sanchez. And while I have the Pats finishing first, their lack of a pass rush is a massive concern and I wouldn’t be shocked if they fizzled in the postseason again like last year (or miss the postseason altogether, for that matter). The Dolphins are my sleeper to make the postseason thanks to the additions of Brandon Marshall and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, while the Bills are rebuilding from the top down and it’s going to take awhile.

AFC North:

1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns

Although they have some major issues in their secondary, the Ravens are largely the same team that went into Foxboro last year and destroyed the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs. With Joe Flacco heading into his third year (plus the addition of Anqaun Boldin), I love Baltimore's potenital. The Bengals are going to challenge for first place again after winning the division last year and while I don’t think the Steelers are going to make much noise, I wouldn’t count them out either. The Browns are rebuilding the right way and will surprise people with their defensive play, but they don’t have nearly enough playmakers on offense to be competitive on a weekly basis.

AFC South:

1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Titans
4. Jaguars

The Colts are once again the class of the division, but the Texans and Titans will give them four tough games this season. Tennessee is closer to Houston than people think in terms of competing for a Wild Card spot, although both teams have major question marks on defense. The Jags aren’t pitiful like most projected fourth-place finishers are, but they lack an identity.

AFC West:

1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders

If the Broncos had Elivs Dumervil (torn pec/out for the year) and more playmakers on offense, I would have seriously considered moving them to the top of the division. But they’re going to struggle generating a pass-rush and they have little to no explosion on offense. I think best case scenario they finish no better then 8-8. That means San Diego returns to the top of the heap and while they’re clearly the best in the division, they have a ton of question marks thanks to some decisions made by GM A.J. Smith this offseason. The Chiefs and Raiders could be improved and I wouldn’t doubt either of them could finishing second, but they’re a little further away from competing then people think.

AFC Playoff Teams:

1. Ravens
2. Colts
3. Patriots
4. Chargers
5. Bengals
6. Dolphins

I’m taking a big risk assuming Baltimore’s secondary is going to hold up, although I’m enticed by this team’s Super Bowl chances this season. The Bengals aren’t flashy, but between them and the Jets I think New York is the team to disappoint after making the playoffs last season. As I wrote above in the AFC East prediction paragraph, Miami is my sleeper in the AFC.

NFC East:

1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins

The Cowboys have the most talent in the division, which is why they should come out on top once again. However, this team loves to get in its own way, so fans shouldn’t be making Super Bowl plans quite yet. Obviously, the biggest question in Philadelphia is whether or not Kevin Kolb can replace Donovan McNabb. If he can, the Eagles have one of the deepest teams in football and could easily make a return trip to the postseason. The Giants thankfully booted defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and replaced him with Perry Fewell, but to assume all of their problems will just disappear is naïve. The Redskins will be more competitive with Donovan McNabb and Mike Shanahan leading the way, but offensive line, running back and wide receiver trouble will hold them back again this year.

NFC North:

1. Packers
2. Vikings
3. Bears
4. Lions

This may turn out to be the most competitive division in football, with three of the four teams competing for playoff berths down the stretch. The Packers are the most complete team in the division, although now that Lord Favre is back in Minnesota, the Vikings are going to be powerful once again. But because of their secondary, Green Bay has the edge as long as their O-line can hold up. The Bears seem to be a lot of people’s sleeper team, but their offensive line and secondary scares me, as does the prospect of Jay Cutler throwing 60 interceptions in Mike Martz’s offense. The Lions are improving, but the lack of overall talent keeps them down again.

NFC South:

1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Buccaneers

Consistency leads me to choose the Saints over the Falcons again this year, but there’s no doubt Atlanta can match up with their biggest division rival. The key is whether or not the Falcons’ secondary has improved with the addition of Dunta Robinson and if their ever-improving pass rush can build off of an impressive showing this preseason. The battle between the Saints and Falcons for first place in the South could be one the most exciting aspects of the 2010 season. At the bottom of the division, the Panthers and Buccaneers are relying on inexperienced starters on both sides of the ball and while they’ll give teams some trouble, they won’t be able to compete for 16 games.

NFC West:

1. 49ers
2. Cardinals
3. Seahawks
4. Rams

Ugh. This is the worst division in football and if the 49ers can’t take advantage of it now, then they probably never will. (Okay, so that’s an exaggeration, but you get my drift.) Mike Singletary’s squad is the team to beat in the West, even though they have questions at quarterback and along the offensive line. I think the Cardinals could surprise if Derek Anderson can revert back to 2008 when he almost led the Browns to the playoffs, although they still have problems on the line and D.A. was atrocious in his final year in Cleveland. The Seahawks are a mystery team and could very well compete in Pete Carroll’s first year, but they have issues at receiver, along the offensive line and in the secondary. The Rams are awful, but an improving offense (save for the receiver position) led by rookie Sam Bradford offers hope for the future.

NFC Playoff Teams:

1. Saints
2. Packers
3. Cowboys
4. 49ers
5. Falcons
6. Eagles

It’s going to be interesting to see how the Saints play with a target on their back, especially when they have a couple of big questions left to be answered on defense (i.e. run defense, outside linebacker, free safety). But with Drew Brees and Sean Payton in charge of the offense, New Orleans will once again be lethal offensively. The Packers are more complete from top to bottom (albeit, their two tackles have to stay healthy for that statement to carry any validity) as of right now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they own the top spot come playoff time. The obvious omission here is the Vikings, whom like the Jets in the AFC, I see disappointing in 2010.

Wild Card Playoff Predictions:

Patriots OVER Dolphins
Bengals OVER Chargers

Eagles OVER 49ers
Falcons OVER Cowboys

Divisional Playoff Predictions:

Colts OVER Patriots
Ravens OVER Bengals

Falcons OVER Saints
Packers OVER Eagles

Championship Predictions:

Ravens OVER Colts
Packers OVER Falcons

Super Bowl Prediction:

Packers OVER Ravens

(My cohort here at The Scores Report and huge Green Bay fan John Paulsen just spit his White Russian all over his computer screen reading that projection or wet himself…or both.)

Again, I’m taking a big leap of faith that the Ravens’ secondary can overachieve and that the Packers’ offensive line won’t be held together by duct tape by Week 8, but these are my predictions and I’m sticking with them.

What are yours?

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

For over a decade, the Colts have been the models for consistency in the NFL. But will things change that the Texans and Titans are strong? Can guys like Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson of Houston, and Vince Young and Chris Johnson of Tennessee help their respective teams overcome Peyton and the Colts?

We'll find out soon.

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the AFC South this season. Be sure to check out the link entitled "2010 Question Mark" under each team's preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad's hopes in 2010. (If no link is provided, check back because one will be before the start of the season.)

1. Colts

What to Like: First Name: Peyton. Last Name: Manning. As long as Peyton Manning is still playing football, the Colts are going to be contenders – I don’t care if he has to use a walker to get out to the field. The Colts retain a top 3 offense led by Manning, who has a slew of playmakers at his disposal in Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Joseph Addai, Anthony Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. The offensive line isn’t the best running blocking unit in the game (or the best in pass protection, for that matter), but it plays well collectively and Manning masks any weaknesses. Defensively, the Colts own two of the best pass-rushing ends in the NFL in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Gary Brackett and Clint Session are solid from their linebacker positions and the return of Bob Sanders (if he can stay healthy) will dramatically help the run defense.
What Not to Like: The defensive tackle position is a huge concern. Daniel Muir and Antonio Johnson are weak as the starters and rookie Fili Moala failed to impress as a rookie. Their play is masked thanks to the ends, but the interior of the Colts’ line is soft and could become a problem come playoff time. At cornerback, Kelvin Hayden struggled with injuries but the bottom line is that quarterbacks were able to complete 65.8 percent of passes on him last season. There’s no excuse for that. On the other side, Jerraud Powers is expected to start but he had surgery to repair his foot in February and missed the final two preseason games.
Keep Your Eye On: Philip Wheeler
The 25-year-old out of Georgia Tech has the physical ability to start at the outside linebacker position – now he just has to prove he can stay there. He enters his first full season as a starter and coaches have already remarked how much he’s improved in his defensive reads. He’ll have the fortune of playing alongside quality veterans like Sessions and Brackett.
The Final Word: Another 10-plus win season is on the horizon for the Colts, who only play five playoff teams from a year ago. The interior of the defensive line, cornerback and special teams are this team’s greatest weaknesses, but the Colts have remained the most consistent team in the NFL for over a decade. They know how to win and with Manning under center, they’re going to challenge for the AFC title once again. That said, they will get pushed by the Titans and Texans in the division.

Indianapolis Colts 2010 Question Mark: Defensive Tackle

2. Texans

What to Like: The passing game will once again be explosive and this is a top 10 unit with Matt Schaub under center. He was outstanding last season and as long as he stays healthy, he certainly has enough weapons in the offense to tear up the stat sheet once again. Speaking of those weapons, Andre Johnson is the best wide receiver in the game and it was great to see the team reward him with a contract extension this offseason. If Owen Daniels is fully recovered from knee surgery, then he’ll return as one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the league. If he doesn’t, then Schaub still has Kevin Walters, Jacoby Jones and David Anderson in the passing game. The Texans also have two young backs in Arian Foster and Steve Slaton to help keep the offense balanced. Defensively, this team has a solid young core in Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye, DeMeco Ryans and Zavier Adibi, as well as two playmaking corners in Glover Quin and rookie Kareem Jackson.
What Not to Like: The offensive line still has issues, especially at left tackle in third-year player Duane Brown. He was horrendous as a rookie and while he was very good at the start of ’09, he regressed and is now facing a pivotal third year. Staying on that side of the ball, Daniels’ health is still a major concern. I know he’s expected to be ready by Week 1, but he underwent massive reconstructive surgery on his knee and usually players need a year and a half to recover before they’re effective again. He’s a great player and easy to root for, so I hope he bounces back but questions still remain. Defensively, Quin and Jackson are intriguing young talents but it’s usually never wise to pin so much on a young corner (not that the Texans had a choice after Dunta Robinson signed with the Falcons). The interior of the defensive line is also a concern, especially considering how easy offensive linemen pushed around Okoye and Shaun Cody last season.
Keep Your Eye On: Kareem Jackson
After losing Robinson in free agency, the Texans knew they had to address their cornerback position through the draft. That’s why they targeted Jackson at the No. 20 overall pick and after a great spring and summer, he’ll start on the right side. As I mentioned above, you shouldn’t expect too much out of a rookie too soon, but it’s hard not to love Jackson’s potential. He was a playmaker at Alabama and while he’ll get tested right away in Week 1, it’ll be fun to see how he reacts. He certainly has the talent.
The Final Word: Are the Texans knocking on the door of a playoff berth? Absolutely. Will it be this season? Ehhhh…I don’t think so. I know that’s tough for the Houston faithful to read (not that my opinion will damper their excitement), but I just don’t have enough faith in their defense. Opponents are going to find ways to move the ball through the air and if the Texans are down late in the game, teams are going to be able to wear down that defensive line too. That said, this offense will once again be explosive and if the Texans can score early and often, then the defense does have enough playmakers to be aggressive and force turnovers. But when I look at the rest of the AFC, I don’t see the Texans earning a Wild Card spot and I don’t see them overtaking the Colts in the division. Maybe next year…(cue Houston fans throwing up).

Houston Texans 2010 Question Mark: Cornerback

3. Titans

What to Like: After losing their first six games last season, the Titans rattled off five in a row and won eight of their final 10 games to finish a respectable 8-8 on the year. Most of that was do in large part to the play of Vince Young, who replaced an ultra-brutal Kerry Collins as the starter heading into the team’s Week 7 bye. Thanks to the backfield of Young and dynamic playmaker Chris Johnson, the Titans should have a top 15 offense. Nate Washington and Justin Gage aren’t going to keep defensive backs up at night, but they’re certainly serviceable and Kenny Britt proved last year that he could be a playmaker in the passing game. The offensive line is solid both in run blocking and pass protection, so this offense should move the chains plenty in 2010. Defensively, Tony Brown has made people forget about Albert Haynesworth with his outstanding overall play (especially as a pass rusher). The linebacker corps is also above average, with veterans Will Witherspoon and Stephen Tulloch accompanying youngster Rennie Curran.
What Not to Like: Johnson is a phenomenal player, but I wonder if he’s going to eventually wear down after heavy workloads in his first two seasons. The other question about the offense is whether Young will regress after impressing last season. Don’t forget that he nearly quit football two years ago because he couldn’t handle the expectations and pressures of being a starting quarterback in the NFL. As mentioned above, the offensive line certainly isn’t a weakness but tackle Michael Roos struggled with edge rushers last year, which isn’t good considering he plays in the same division as Dwight Freeney and Mario Williams. The other tackle, David Stewart, is also coming off a rough 2009 and will need to pick up his game as well. Defensively, the team’s biggest weakness is the secondary. Michael Griffin regressed mightily after a solid effort in ’08 and the entire unit failed to make plays last year.
Keep Your Eye On: Kenny Britt
This might seem like an odd choice considering Jeff Fisher recently threatened to deactivate him on game days if he doesn’t start focusing, but keep in mind that Britt is only 21-years old and is going to have some majority issues being that young. Plus, this kid made some plays last year that had most people believing that he can be a No. 1 at some point soon. If he can get out of Fisher’s doghouse, then the sky is the limit.
The Final Word: I was pretty close to putting the Titans second and the Texans third, but Tennessee’s defense scares me. The front seven is pretty good, but the pass defense is a major question mark and like I briefly mentioned above, who knows if Young will soar or once again fail to live up to expectations. That said, this team will be competitive and I wouldn’t be shocked if they headed into the second half with playoff aspirations. If they had a couple of more playmakers on defense, I may have been more inclined to give them the second spot.

4. Jaguars

What to Like: Although his knee has scared most of the people in the Jacksonville area over the last couple of weeks, running back Maurice Jones-Drew returns as the team’s best overall player. And even though he’s well known, he still doesn’t get the credit he deserves as an all-around player and one of the most gifted backs in the game today. He benefits from having a solid run-blocking unit, led by guard Uche Nwaneri and left tackle Eugene Monroe. I realize that David Garrard isn’t the flashiest quarterback and he’s not going to set the world on fire with his play, but the guy is efficient. He’s good under pressure, he can keep the chains moving if he has time to throw and he’s a good complement to MJD. If the front office spent more time getting him some pass protection or more weapons to throw to and less time trying to dump him, then maybe the offense wouldn’t be so ineffective. Defensively, I love the addition of underrated middle linebacker Kirk Morrison, who has been one of the most productive defenders the last couple of seasons (but who has largely been forgotten playing on a bad Oakland team). And speaking of underrated – how good has outside linebacker Daryl Smith been over the years? I love this team’s linebacker corps of Morrison, Smith and Justin Durant.
What Not to Like: The pass protection last year was brutal for Garrard, which is one of the reasons why I don’t get why the front office and coaching staff is always trying to replace him. For as good as Monroe was as a run-blocker, he struggled keeping Garrard upright and fellow youngster Eben Britton was just as bad. Defensively, the Jags finally gave up on former first round pick Reggie Nelson, but that doesn’t mean they have a good replacement for him. Sean Considine struggled with injuries last year and Anthony Smith has done nothing to prove that he should be the full-time starter at free safety.
Keep Your Eye On: Mike Sims-Walker
The 25-year-old out of Central Florida has developed into Garrard’s go-to guy and should be in store for a solid season if the O-line can give the quarterback time to throw. The problem is that he has struggled with injuries in the past and suffered from a shoulder problem before the Jags’ final preseason game. That said, he caught passes of 35, 22 and 7 yards from Garrard in that final exhibition game, so there should be nothing to worry about. Sims-Walker could hit the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his young career if everything breaks right this season.
The Final Word: As with most teams projected to finish in last place in their division, the Jags lack overall talent. The offense could use another playmaker in the passing game and the O-line will dramatically have to improve its pass protection so Garrard isn’t running for his life every down. The defense’s strength resides at linebacker, but guys like Considine, Smith and rookie DT Tyson Alualu have to make big impacts if this team wants to contend this year. When I look at the Jags, I see a team without an identity and this could be Jack Del Rio’s final year in Jacksonville if the team under whelms again.

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

One of the best battles in the NFL this year will reside in the NFC South, where the defending Super Bowl champion Saints will be tested by an improved Falcons team coming off back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

As for the rest of the South, the Panthers are in transition now that Matt Moore is under center, but they’re still going to be competitive on weekly basis and the Bucs should be improved as well. (Although I don’t see them getting out of the division cellar anytime soon.)

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC South in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season. (If the links aren’t available now for some teams, check back because they will be before the season starts.)

1. Saints

What to Like: It’s hard to start a sentence about what’s to like about the Saints without first mentioning their offense. The dynamics between Sean Payton and Drew Brees are exceptional. Payton knows exactly how to attack an opponents’ weakness and Brees knows how to execute what Payton is trying to do. While the defense was certainly a surprise last year, the relationship between Payton and Brees was the main reason the Saints lifted the Lombardi Trophy last year. Of course, it never hurts to have playmakers like Marques Colston, Reggie Bush, Jeremy Shockey and Robert Meachem in the offense, either. Nor does having outstanding guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks, and tackle Jon Stinchcomb along the O-line either. Defensively, Gregg Williams was a miracle worker in his first season as defensive coordinator and was fortunate to have guys like Darren Sharper, Jonathan Vilma, Will Smith and Tracy Porter play opportunistic football. The addition of Alex Brown will also fix a major hole at the end spot opposite Smith in terms of pass rushing.
What Not to Like: This team is weak up the middle on defense. After coming off a promising rookie campaign, Sedrick Ellis struggled last year due to injuries and Remi Ayodele (who was brought in to be a run-stuffer) was highly ineffective and doesn’t offer anything in the pass-rush department. Vilma, who is an outstanding cover middle linebacker, struggled at times against the run last year and the same could be said for Scott Shanle. Former first round pick Malcolm Jenkins (who is a converted corner) takes over for Sharper at free safety and while he has the tools to be good, he’s never played the position before. Offensively, there are very few weaknesses but if I had to pick one it would be left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who struggled badly last season. Cowboys’ OLB DeMarcus Ware (who makes most tackles look bad) exposed him on national television last season and there are some concerns that he can protect Brees’ blindside.
Keep Your Eye On: Pierre Thomas
I didn’t even mention the running game in the “What to Like” section, so here it goes. One of the main reasons Payton’s offense and the Saints’ passing game is so efficient is because of the team’s ability to run the football. Now that Mike Bell is gone, Thomas should have even more opportunities than he received last season to be the rock in New Orleans’ backfield. Reggie Bush will still get his touches, but I don’t think a 1,000-plus yard season out of Thomas is out of the question – especially now that he’s fully healthy heading into Week 1 (he wasn’t at the start of 2009).
The Final Word: The Saints certainly don’t come without their weaknesses, but this is still the team to beat in the NFC South. Their offense will once again rank near the top of the league by year’s end (barring injuries, of course) and Williams proved to be an outstanding game-planner last season. The run defense is a concern, as is Bushrod at left tackle. But Brees and company are going to light up the scoreboard again this year and even if the defense takes a step back, I don’t see the Saints relinquishing the division crown quite yet.

New Orleans Saints 2009 Question Mark: Interior Defense

2. Falcons

What to Like: Matt Ryan is heading into his third year as the starter of Mike Mularkey’s offense, so the training wheels have long been off and now he’s expected to make definitive strides in the passing game. He’s coming off a poor preseason, but Mularkey also kept things vanilla. The good news for Ryan and is that Michael Turner looks like the 2008 version of himself again. He came into camp in great shape and looked almost untackable (untackable? It’s fine.) in preseason. When he needs a breather, the Falcons have great depth in Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood, and fullback Ovie Mughelli doesn’t get enough recognition for what he brings to the field either. In the passing game, Tony Gonzalez will return as Ryan’s safety blanket in the middle of the field, while Roddy White will once again be counted on as the go-to guy. Now After missing all of 2009 with a knee injury, third-year player Harry Douglas is someone to keep an eye on and will certainly be a mismatch in the slot. Defensively, the Falcons’ biggest weakness was pass defense, so they broke the bank to add cornerback Dunta Robinson this offseason. While Robinson has had problems with consistency and injuries, there’s no doubt he provides a much-needed upgrade in the secondary. At safety, Thomas DeCoud is coming off a breakout year and Erick Coleman had a nice preseason. Up front, John Abraham saw his sack numbers drop dramatically last year, but he still provided a decent rush, even if he didn’t always get to the quarterback. The highly underrated Jonathan Babineaux will join him, as will ’09 first round pick Peria Jerry (whose healthy again) and up-and-comer Kroy Biermann. At linebacker, Curtis Lofton is the rock of the defense and will eventually be flanked by playmaking outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who was the team’s first round pick this year.
What Not to Like: The secondary is still a concern, even with the addition of Robinson, who missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. Brent Grimes played well down the stretch last season, but despite being a fantastic playmaker he’s small and can get beaten by more physical receivers. 2009 third round pick Christopher Owens is starting to come into his own, but it still remains to be seen if he can be a full-time starter or if his place is in nickel packages. Up front, Jamaal Anderson has been a fine run defender since entering the league as a top 10 pick, but his pass-rushing ability remains non-existent and he’s going to lose playing time to Biermann, Chauncey Davis and another up-and-comer in Lawrence Sidbury. Either way, the Falcons love to rotate their defensive linemen to keep them fresh, so Anderson better make the most of his opportunities. On offense, the line is underrated on a whole, but left tackle Sam Baker can’t seem to stay healthy and Justin Blalock has to greatly improve his run blocking.
Keep Your Eye On: Kroy Biermann
You might be looking at the second coming of Kyle Vanden Bosch. The former 5th round pick out of Montana is coming off a five-sack season and a monster effort this preseason. He has a relentless motor and while he’s considered an edge rusher, he’s strong enough to take on bigger tackles in the running game. This is the Falcons future at right defensive end.
The Final Word: The Falcons are close – real close – to catching the Saints in the division. New Olreans’ biggest weakness defensively is stopping the run, which just so happens to be the Falcons greatest strength offensively (uh, running the ball – not stopping the run). Defensively, the secondary is still a concern, but the Cowboys laid out the blue print to how to slow Drew Brees and he Saints last year: you have to pressure him – relentlessly. With more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons now have the weapons to pressure Brees. So why did I still go with the Saints to finish in first? One word: Consistency. I know what I’m going to get out of the Saints every week – I don’t with the Falcons. That said, Atlanta almost beat New Orleans twice last season (one time with Chris Redman starting), so I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Falcons finish first. The bottom line is that this is a legit playoff contender and they might be even more than that. Now all they have to do is stay healthy and execute.

Atlanta Falcons 2010 Question Mark: Pass Defense

3. Panthers

What to Like: While he may have gotten the Panthers to their first Super Bowl, Jake Delhomme was a disaster last year and could no longer be counted on as the starter. While there are plenty of question marks surrounding Matt Moore, at least he’ll have Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to help take the pressure off him in the offense. Thanks to Stewart, Williams and offensive linemen Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil (who is coming off a solid 2009 campaign), the Panthers’ running game should once again be a dominating force. Defensively, Jon Beason returns as the unit’s best playmaker and will be joined at linebacker by Dan Connor, whom the team has high hopes for. In fact, the defense on a whole is filled with youth and athleticism.
What Not to Like: The Panthers are only going to go as far as Moore takes them. The running game is exceptional, but if Moore can’t keep defenses honest then they’re just going to load the box and take away Stewart and Williams as best they can. Moore is going to have to beat teams with his arm and it remains to be seen if he can do that on a consistent basis. Outside of Steve Smith (who needs to stop playing flag football in his down time), the passing game is devoid of playmakers. Dwayne Jarrett, Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards certainly have enough talent to make plays, but the former hasn’t lived up to expectations and the latter two are still rookies. While the run blocking has always been good, pass protection is a concern, as is the play of offensive guard Mackenzy Bernadeau (who seemed to regress down the stretch last year). Defensively, the loss of outside linebacker Thomas Davis (season ending injury) was crushing and now the Panthers will rely on former third round pick James Anderson (who only has 83 career tackles) to fill the void. Obviously losing Julius Peppers will also be a major loss in terms of pass rush. In the secondary, the team traded Chris Harris back to the Bears and will now move Charles Godfrey over to strong safety and insert Sherrod Martin at free. Godfrey made very few big plays last year, while Martin couldn’t beat out late-round rookie Captain Munnerlyn for the nickel back spot. The run defense wasn’t good last year and the front office did very little to rectify the situation this offseason.
Keep Your Eye On: Brandon LaFell
This one may take awhile because Jarrett is expected to start opposite Steve Smith at receiver, but LaFell had a great spring and he may eventually emerge as another playmaking in the Panthers’ offense. He’s great size (6’3”, 209 pounds) and has a knack for making big catches.
The Final Word: This team has been the model for inconsistency under head coach John Fox over the years and I don’t see that changing now. If Moore can overachieve in his first year as a starter, then the Panthers’ offense is going to be pretty good. But defensively, the loss of Davis and Peppers will be too much and the secondary could get torched with Godfrey and Martin at the safety positions. It’s not bad when a team has to rely on its running game and defense to win games, but the Carolina D isn’t as good as it’s been in years past. I think Fox gets too much credit for being a motivator and doesn’t receive enough criticism for his overall game plans. Obviously execution comes into play there, but this is a mediocre team and I don’t think the front office did enough in the offseason to address needs.

4. Buccaneers

What to Like: The linebacker corps for this team is really good. Barrett Ruud isn’t the best “Mike” linebacker in the league, but he’s solid in coverage and that means Raheem Morris doesn’t have to take him off the field in passing situations. Geno Hayes is coming off a breakout campaign and is one of the Bucs’ top run defenders, while Quincy Black his mostly used as a two-down linebacker but he’s very good in coverage. Up front, the sky is the limit for rookie defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, whom the Bucs drafted with the third overall pick this April. Stylez G White returns as Tampa’s best pass rusher after producing 6.5 sacks last season. Offensively, the team is crazy about rookie receiver Mike Williams, who along with tight end Kellen Winslow will be second-year quarterback Josh Freeman’s go-to guys in the offense this season. Carnell Williams returns as the team’s leading back and should top the 1,000-yard mark if he can stay healthy.
What Not to Like: After being viewed as the team’s strength entering the 2009 season, the offensive line took a major step back last season. Every player underachieved last year, which makes you wonder how Donald Penn could complain about his contract situation for most of the offseason. At receiver, expectations are high for Williams but rookies are hit and miss as starters and the rest of the receiving unit is shaky at best. Freeman flashed some signs last year but on a whole he struggled and doesn’t have enough talent around him to take the pressure off. Defensively, cornerback could be a huge issue, especially as Ronde Barber continues to decline.
Keep Your Eye On: Mike Williams
This entire offseason, people in Tampa have raved about Williams. He made plays no matter who was under center this preseason and cemented his status as the team’s No. 1 receiver – even though he’s only a rookie. He dropped to the fourth round of April’s draft because of concerns about his character, but he’s a dynamic red-zone playmaker and a true vertical threat. The Bucs look to have found a gem in the mid rounds.
The Final Word: There’s no question this is an improved team, but the passing offense will hold them back, as will the inexperience on both sides of the ball. The defense came into its own last year when Morris took over the playcalling, but unless the offense can prove that it can move the ball on a consistent basis, then they’re going to be on the field a lot. It would take a massive improvement by Freeman and a major bounce back year from the offensive line for this team to contend in 2010.

On paper, the AFC West is definitely one of the weaker divisions in football. The Chargers remain the team to beat, while the Broncos are just trying to make it to their opener without losing another starter to injury.

But the West usually produces a surprise or two along the way (i.e. Denver last year), so don’t count out the Broncos, Raiders or Chiefs before the season starts. All three of those teams come with some glaring weaknesses, but it’s not like the Chargers are the picture of perfection.

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the AFC West in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season. (If the links aren’t available now for some teams, check back because they will be before the season starts.)

1. Chargers

What to Like: After finishing fifth in the league in passing yards per game (271.1) in 2009, the Chargers should once again be explosive through the air. Losing Vincent Jackson is a major blow, but adding a pass-catching back like Ryan Mathews in the draft was a nice coup. Philip Rivers returns after compiling a 104.4 QB rating last season and developing into one of the best signal callers in the game. Again, the loss of Jackson hurts, but Malcolm Floyd is ready for a breakout campaign, Antonio Gates returns as one of the top pass-catching tight ends in the NFL and the team recently acquired Patrick Crayton from the Cowboys. Brandyn Dombrowski has also looked good filling in for Marcus McNeill, who continues to holdout while seeking a new contract. Defensively, free safety Eric Weddle is coming off a great ’09 season, while Shaun Phillips and Stephen Cooper remain steady at their linebacker positions.
What Not to Like: Is there anybody left that GM A.J. Smith hasn’t pissed off? This team managed to lose its top wideout and is close to watching its best offensive tackle (McNeill) holdout well into the season. Defensively, Shawne Merriman is back but who knows how productive he’ll be after a poor showing in ’09, while Larry English failed to impress last season as well (albeit as a rookie). The defensive line lost their top run-stuffer when Jamal Williams was released and Luis Castillo has been living off his reputation for the last two years. The entire defensive line, in fact, is arguably this team's biggest weakness. The secondary, outside of Weddle, has a ton of question marks as well.
Keep Your Eye On: Malcolm Floyd
The 28-year-old out of Wyoming will finally have his opportunity to shine now that Jackson is gone (or rather, not playing). He’s been Rivers’ favorite target so far this offseason after finishing fourth in the league last year in yards-per-catch average. If he can build off the nine-catch, 140-yard performance he had in Week 17 last year (while Jackson was out), then Floyd could be another dangerous weapon in the Chargers’ arsenal.
The Final Word: If there were another team in this division that I thought had a remote chance of overtaking the Chargers, I would probably have them winning the division. But because the West is so weak this year, the Bolts should have no problems winning 10-plus games and claiming the division again, even though they have a several weaknesses heading into the new season. Whether or not they advance in the playoffs is another story. The key is Rivers, who is an exceptional talent that has proven he can carry this team during the regular season. But the playoffs are a different animal – he’s going to need help and while Mathews looks like he has all the tools to make him a solid young player, relying on a rookie is always a dangerous proposition. Defensively, this team has way too many question marks and unless guys like Merriman or English step up, I think they’re going to struggle at every level this year. A division crown looks to be on the horizon, but so does another one-and-done showing in the postseason.

San Diego Chargers 2010 NFL Question Mark: Defensive Line

2. Broncos

What to Like: Say what you will about Kyle Orton, but the guy looked great in preseason and has a full year of Josh McDaniels’ system under his belt. He may not be the flashiest quarterback in the league, but he’s efficient and that’s what McDaniels’ offense calls for. He’ll also have a set of good possession receivers in Jabar Gaffney and Eddie Royal to throw to, plus a dangerous pass-catcher out of the backfield in second-year player Knowshon Moreno. Defensively, the additions of Jamal Williams (one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league over the past decade) and Justin Bannan gives Denver a massive upgrade along the D-line and the secondary boasts two players that are still at the top of their game in corner Champ Bailey and safety Brian Dawkins.
What Not to Like: The pass rush took an enormous hit when outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (who led the league in sacks last season) was lost for the year when he tore a pectoral muscle earlier this offseason. It doesn’t matter how good the secondary is if the quarterback knows he has all day to find a receiver. The pass-rush affects every level of the defense and without one, a team is asking for trouble. Offensively, the Broncos got rid of off-field headache Brandon Marshall but they also traded away their best playmaker. If this offseason is any indication, rookie Demaryius Thomas isn’t going to make much of an impact, which means Gaffney and Royal will be counted on to make a couple of big plays in the passing game. Can they do that? The interior of the offensive line will need to step up their performance after struggling last year, especially with tackle Ryan Clady missing most of the offseason due to an injury.
Keep Your Eye On: Knowshon Moreno
If this kid can stay healthy he’s going to be the Broncos’ best playmaker. All eyes are on rookie Tim Tebow this season (even though he’s a backup and will probably only be used in special packages barring an injury to Orton), but Moreno has the best opportunity to make the biggest impact in both the running and passing games.
The Final Word: I would love to move either the Chiefs or Raiders up to this spot – I’m dying to, in fact. But the bottom line is that even without Dumervil and Marshall, the Broncos are still a better overall team. Yeah they’re going to struggle, but if Orton plays as well as he did in the preseason and Moreno can stay healthy, the offense should be better than people think. But without a true playmaker at wideout (save for Thomas, who still has plenty of time to turn around a slow start if he can get healthy) and a pass rush on defense, this team isn’t going anywhere. They’ll be lucky to win eight games again.

Denver Broncos 2010 Question Mark: Pass Rush

3. Chiefs

What to Like: Even though Matt Cassel failed to impress last season in his first year with the Chiefs, Charlie Weis was hired as the team’s new playcaller and we all know Weis’ track record for success (uh, in the NFL). Cassel also has a couple of solid pieces around him in running backs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones, as well as receivers Dwayne Bowe (who hopefully doesn’t get held back by Cassel), Chris Chambers and rookie Dexter McCluster. Defensively, the secondary is by far the strength of the unit. Thanks to Brandon Carr, Brandon Flowers and 2010 first round pick Eric Berry, the Chiefs have the makings of a great young defensive backfield. Tamba Hali has also transitioned well from being a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker and could be the next Elvis Dumervil.
What Not to Like: Cassel must improve his fundamentals (namely his throwing motion) and decision-making if the Chiefs are ever going to see a return on their 2009 investment (i.e. a second round pick and $63 million). Unfortunately, Cassel isn’t expected to have much help up front, as Brandon Albert continues to struggle at left tackle (and why shouldn’t he seeing how he was a guard in college?) and Ryan O’Callaghan can’t stop edge rushers. Defensively, Tyson Jackson was a massive disappointment as a rookie last year and Glenn Dorsey (who isn’t a fit in the 3-4) continues on his path to bustville. At linebacker, former first round pick Derrick Johnson can’t get out of Todd Haley’s doghouse and is being pushed by Demorrio Williams at inside linebacker. Jovan Belcher looks to have the upper hand on Corey Mays, but he hasn’t won a starting job yet either. It’s never a good sign when a team hasn’t named its starting inside linebackers heading into a new season.
Keep Your Eye on: Dexter McCluster
I don’t know what kind of opportunities he’ll have in Weis’ offense, but McCluster is lighting in a bottle. At 5’8” and 170 pounds, there’s some concern that he won’t be able to stand up to the pounding playing in the NFL, but there’s no doubt that the rookie is explosive when he gets the ball in his hands. Hopefully he’ll get a chance to show what he can do in the Chiefs’ offense this year and he could be dangerous in the slot.
The Final Word: The West is weak but I don’t think KC is quite ready to take advantage yet. There are a slew of young players that need to prove themselves this year, starting with Cassel. Haley hired Weis specifically to transform Cassel into a quality starting quarterback and so far there haven’t been many signs that point to him breaking out. If he struggles this season, the Chiefs may be looking for another quarterback in 2011. Defensively, unless guys like Jackson, Dorsey and Johnson stop under performing, then we’re not going to see how good this young secondary can be. Just going off potential, this team could finish as high as second in the division. But we can’t go off potential in the NFL, now can we?

4. Raiders

What to Like: The Raiders are starting to build some consistency on the defensive side of the ball and shouldn’t be as bad as people think. Richard Seymour, Tommy Kelly and Matt Shaughnessy are coming off good 2009 campaigns, while long-time Jaguar John Henderson was signed this offseason to provide depth at the tackle position. The team also added former first round pick Kamerion Wimbley (who has largely been a disappointment so far in his career, but could benefit from a change of scenery – albeit in Oakland) in a trade with the Browns and selected promising middle linebacker Rolando McClain in the first round of April’s draft. In the secondary, Nnamdi Asomugha will keep quarterback’s up at night and Chris Johnson held his own after struggling early in ‘09. Michael Huff will probably never live up to his draft status, but at least he proved to be a productive piece on Oakland’s defense last season. Offensively, the unit is littered with potential (Darren McFadden, Michael Bush, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Chaz Schilens, Zach Miller, Louis Murphy) and finally got a player in Jason Campbell that will provide some consistency at the quarterback position.
What Not to Like: The offensive line is still a mess. Robert Galley has made a nice transition from tackle to guard, but he struggles staying healthy and there’s little to no depth behind him. Mario Henderson was one of the worst tackles in football last year and there are questions at nearly every other position. As mentioned above, the Raiders have plenty of talent at the skill positions, but they either under perform (Heyward-Bey) or can’t stay healthy (McFadden, Bush, Schilens). Murphy is a player to watch for this season, but he has to improve on the seven drops he had from a year ago. Defensively, this team needs a better nickel back then Stanford Routt and could use another pass rusher as well. If Wimbley fails to produce, then the secondary could be left in coverage for a long time.
Keep Your Eye On: Darren McFadden
The time is now for McFadden. Bush is expected to miss at least a quarter of the season after having thumb surgery, which means McFadden will have every opportunity to shine in Oakland’s offense. His line won’t do him any favors, but if he can stay healthy then he’s going to be Campbell’s best friend in 2010.
The Final Word: I contemplated putting the Raiders above the Chiefs, but in the end it’s a wash. They’re both going to struggle this year, so don’t get caught up in who I predicted third and who I predicted fourth. Adding Campbell was a great move by Al Davis (actually, dumping JaMarcus Russell was a great move – getting a competent quarterback in Campbell to run the offense was just smart), but he’s going to be reminded of his days in Washington thanks to Oakland’s O-line. That said, I love what the Raiders did this offseason and I applaud Davis for finally making some intelligent decisions. With only four playoff teams on this year’s schedule and the opportunity to play the rest of the AFC West, this team could win six games this year. But obviously I still think it’s going to be a losing season in Oakland.

While it's counterpart in the AFC is likely in store for a rough year as well, the NFC West is by far the worst division in football. The Cardinals are going through a major transition year, the Rams will be rebuilding for a couple of years and nobody quite knows what to make of Pete Carroll's Seahawks.

That leaves the 49ers, who don't come without their weaknesses but is definitely the team to beat this year in the West. Now it's just up to Mike Singletary's squad to execute.

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC West in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

1. 49ers

What to Like: As you would expect from a Mike Singletary-led team, the 49ers can play a little defense. They finished a very average 15th in total defense last season, but stats don’t tell the whole story. The Niners finished sixth against the run last year by allowing just 97 yards per game, largely due to the play of inside linebacker Patrick Willis, who led the league in tackles. Takeo Spikes continues to be a steady veteran presence and nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin is highly underrated. Staying on that side of the ball, Justin Smith may not put up flashy numbers, but he’s easily one of the best 3-4 ends in the league. Offensively, the Niners have a solid core in Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and second-year player Michael Crabtree. With more consistency at quarterback, this won’t be the dreadful unit it was at times last season.
What Not to Like: The offensive line is still a concern, although removing Adam Snyder from the starting right guard spot is a plus. There are high hopes for Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis, but it’s usually not wise to rely on one rookie lineman, nevertheless two rookie linemen. There have also been mixed reviews on Alex Smith this offseason. Some think he’s ready to turn the corner, while others believe he’ll probably be just as inconsistent as ever. OC Jimmy Raye will try to balance the pass more with the run this year, which is a good thing because the team’s strengths is at running back. But Smith still has to step up and make plays when opponents successfully take away the run. Defensively, this is a unit that gave up 229.4 yards per game through the air last season, which means it needs better production out of Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer and especially, free safety Dashon Goldson (who struggled in coverage last season).
Keep Your Eye On: The two rookie O-linemen
Iupati and Davis might be the difference between this team challenging for a division title and it failing to deliver on high expectations. Both players are excellent prospects but they’re going to have to grow up in a hurry because this team expects to compete this season.
The Final Word: If the Niners played in a more competitive division I’d be saying something along the lines of, “Improving team, but will probably come up just short of making the postseason.” But since they’ll be able to feast on the trash that is the NFC West, there’s little to no excuse for San Fran to win a division title this year. I’m not completely sold on Smith turning a new leaf, but there’s enough talent on both sides of the ball for this team to produce a 9-7 or 10-6 record. I don’t foresee them advancing in the playoffs unless a couple of players overachieve, but I still think this is a solid football team and you know they’re going to compete every week under Singletary. Plus, don’t forget that the year the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl, they were highly average in the regular season, only to turn it on during the playoffs. I’m not saying…I’m just saying.

San Francisco 49ers 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

2. Cardinals

What to Like: Although he won’t have Anquan Boldin lining up opposite him any more in the offense, Larry Fitzgerald remains the Cards’ biggest playmaker. Assuming Derek Anderson can get him the ball, he’ll once again have plenty of opportunities to make things happen in the passing game. In the backfield, the Cards have a future stud in Beanie Wells, although Tim Hightower is still going to get looks early in the season. Steve Breaston also gets to show what he can do in a full-time role now that Boldin is in Baltimore. Defensively, I love the addition of free safety Kerry Rhodes, who was a miscast in Rex Ryan’s defense but who once again showed superb tackling with the Jets last season. He’ll line up next to the most underrated strong safety in the game in Adrian Wilson. The Cards also have two young, talented corners in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and the improving Greg Toler. Up front, the duo of Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett at defensive end is excellent.
What Not to Like: One of the many things that Kurt Warner did well was mask the offensive line’s poor pass protection over the years. Warner knew how to get the ball out of his hands quickly – Anderson doesn’t, which obviously could be a huge problem if the O-line continues to struggle in pass protection. Speaking of Anderson, he has all the tools to be a strong leader but he hasn’t done anything since 2007 when he almost led the Browns to the playoffs. He was brutal last season, compiling a TD-to-INT ratio of 3:10. Defensively, the loss of linebacker Karlos Dansby was massive. As I wrote in the Dolphins preview, he’s the best all-around linebacker in the game in that he can play the run and hang with tight ends and backs in coverage. Pass rush will also be a major concern, even though the team added Joey Porter. He has consistently put up good sack numbers over the years, but he doesn’t provide enough pressure on a play-to-play basis to say that pass rush won’t be a problem.
Keep Your Eye On: Beanie Wells
I don’t care if he’s currently listed behind Tim Hightower on the depth chart: Beanie Wells will be the full-time starter at some point very early in the season. While he got off to a slow start last year because of an injury, Wells turned it on down the stretch and proved that he could be a playmaker out of the backfield. Hightower is still listed as the starter because he’s much better than Wells in blitz pick up (something young players tend to struggle with), but there’s no doubt that the Cardinals’ running game is more explosive when Beanie is in the game. He is their future.
The Final Word: If Anderson can rekindle the magic he had in ’07, then the Cardinals will compete with the 49ers for the division crown. But given how bad he has looked over the past two seasons, Arizona fans shouldn’t count on him being the answer. And if he struggles, does this team have enough trust in Matt Leinart to get the job done? Will he even make the roster? Thanks to Fitzgerald, Wells and Breaston, the Cards have plenty of playmakers on the offensive side of the ball to be dangerous. But the O-line didn’t play well in preseason and pass protection will be an issue. I think their defense will be on the field a lot and considering the lack of a pass rush will be a concern, I’m not sold on this team returning to the playoffs.

Arizona Cardinals 2010 Question Mark: Quarterback

3. Seahawks

What to Like: Nobody knows if Pete Carroll will pan out but the good news is that he’s not Jim Mora, who struggles to make in-game adjustments and whose teams are usually unprepared. Carroll has won in this league before and was obviously very successful at USC, so it’s just a matter of if the players will respond to his style. Even though the Hawks finished 24th in total defense last year, the unit has a couple of nice playmakers, starting with defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who returns from an injury-riddled 2009 season. If young players like Aaron Curry and Earl Thomas can make an impact from Week 1, this defense will definitely be improved. Offensively, adding Leon Washington to a backfield that also features sleeper Justin Forsett was a good move by the front office and rookie receiver Golden Tate will turn some heads once he gets his hands on the ball.
What Not to Like: Seattle’s biggest concern heading into the draft was offensive tackle and they did well by selecting massive Oklahoma State product Russell Okung. But Okung suffered a high ankle sprain a couple of weeks ago and now it appears that Mansfield Wrotto will start the season at left tackle, which is a grave concern. Matt Hasselbeck has always been an underrated quarterback, but does he have one more year left in him? He better, because Charlie Whitehurst has done nothing to prove that he deserves a look as the starting gig. After signing him to a five-year $40 million contract just last year, the Hawks already want to dump T.J. Houshmandzadeh, whose skills are eroding. Whether they trade him, release him or he stays on the roster, the massive free agent flop won’t make much of an impact this season. Defensively, unless Curry can figure things out in a hurry, the pass rush will likely be an issue all year. Marcus Trufant is also coming off a poor ‘09 campaign and even though the team is high on Thomas, it’s always a little uneasy to trust a rookie at any position.
Keep Your Eye On: Justin Forsett
Why the Seahawks continue to play Julius Jones when Forsett is clearly the more explosive player is beyond me. Although with that being said, Forsett needs to prove that he can take the pounding too. He has the speed and agility to be a major weapon in Seattle’s offense, but he needs someone (Washington preferably) to split carries with because he’s not a full-time player. Still, Forsett has a ton of talent and could put himself on the map if he doesn’t wear down throughout the year.
The Final Word: It would be easy to suggest that since the Seahawks have improved in some areas that they’re going to contend. But even playing in a weak NFC West I think this team is going to struggle to win more than six or seven games. Carroll has already put his stamp on this franchise and that’s a good thing. But again, he has to get the players to buy into his system or else this experiment will fail before it even gets off the ground. This is a team that couldn’t stay healthy last year and they sunk. Assuming everyone stays relatively injury-free, they could be a surprise contender. But even then, I think the Hawks have too many holes.

Seattle Seahawks 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

4. Rams

What to Like: When healthy, Steven Jackson is the star of this team and a player that can be relied on to produce every week. The offensive line, while not quite there yet, is improving and if Jason Smith can make strides in his second year this unit might even become a strength. Thus far, the team has to love what it has seen out of No. 1 overall pick Sam Bradford, even though expectations should be tempered. Laurent Robinson has breakout candidate written all over him, but he has to stay healthy – something he hasn’t been able to do so far as a pro. Defensively, the strength of the unit is at linebacker and is held together by second year player James Laurinaitis, who was outstanding as a rookie last season. A lot is also expected out of former No. 2 overall pick Chris Long, who is heading into his third year (which is when the game usually starts to click for defensive linemen).
What Not to Like: Bradford played well in preseason but he’s only a rookie and he’s going to need time to mature. Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan succeeded in their first years, but they also had more talent around them. Robinson and fellow receiver Danny Amendola could potentially turn out to be a nice duo, but the receiving corps is incredibly weak as a whole. Defensively, Ron Bartell was handed a nice contract last offseason and then he struggled mightily in coverage. That’s not good considering the other side will be manned by Kevin Dockery, who was brutal with the Giants last year. Craig Dahl and O.J. Atogwe are fine safeties, but Atogwe can be hit or miss.
Keep Your Eye On: Mardy Gilyard
Even though he has failed to make an impression thus far, Gilyard has a ton of talent and could be an explosive player in this league. Donnie Avery was lost to a season-ending injury, so Gilyard will have opportunities to shine if he can play catch up (he missed OTAs due to Cincinnati’s late graduation). If he does, he could provide the spark that the Rams desperately need on offense.
The Final Word: The Rams are improving but they have a long way to go. As is the case with the Lions, they just don’t have enough overall talent to be competitive on a weekly basis. If the O-line plays up to its potential and Bradford plays well as a rookie, then this team won’t be completely inept like it was last year. But still, expecting too much too soon out of a rookie quarterback is a mistake. He’s going to turn heads at times and he’s going to make dumb decisions as well. That’s just what rookies do. Hopefully in due time the Rams can start competing again but as of right now, you’re probably looking at the worst team in the league for the second straight year.

St. Louis Rams 2010 Question Marks: Receiver and Secondary

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

The NFC North will challenge the NFC East this year for being the toughest division in the conference. Three of the four teams are legit playoff contenders, while the Lions only continue to improve as a whole.

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC North in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

1. Packers

What to Like: Given how well he played last year, Aaron Rodgers should be considered a MVP candidate this season. The fact that he was able to throw for 4,434 yards and compile a 103.2 QB rating despite constantly being under pressure is rather amazing. Just think about what he could accomplish this year if the O-line gave him even a fraction of a second more time to throw. Rodgers will lead a passing attack that racked up 261.3 yards per game last season, which was good for seventh in the NFL. He also has an assortment of weapons to throw to, namely receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, as well as rising talent Jermichael Finley. In the backfield, Ryan Grant continues to be underrated and is coming off a 1,253-yard, 11-touchdown season. Defensively, Dom Capers was a miracle worker in his first year, as Green Bay led the NFC in total defense despite switching to the 3-4 (most first-year 3-4 teams struggle). Rookie Clay Matthews turned out to be a phenomenal pass-rusher and Nick Barnett was outstanding in the middle, both against the run and in coverage. Despite his age, Charles Woodson (33) continues to play at an elite level.
What Not to Like: The offensive line was a disaster at times last year, save for the play of right guard Josh Sitton. If Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher can make it through an entire season without suffering injuries, this will be a much-improved unit and then Rodgers won’t have to spend most Sunday afternoons running for his life. But both tackles are in their 30s and injuries always seem to be an issue. At left guard, Daryn Colledge struggled, although it’s only fair to point out that he was out of position subbing at tackle. While Tramon Williams is more than capable of handling the starting corner position opposite Woodson, losing Al Harris (knee surgery) was a huge blow to Green Bay’s depth at secondary. The concern is that given Harris’ age (35) and the nature of his injury, he may never play again. The other potential issue on defense is whether or not B.J. Raji can handle playing nose tackle after a lackluster 2009 season as a 3-4 end. All good 3-4 teams have a stout nose tackle to eat up space and if Raji isn’t up for the task, it will certainly have an effect on the linebackers.
Keep Your Eye On: Jermichael Finley
Finley put himself on the map last season by catching 55 passes for 676 yards and five touchdowns in just 13 games. He finished the year by hauling in six passes for 159 yards in Green Bay’s loss to the Cardinals in the first round of the playoffs, leading to high expectations this year. If he can stay focused (which is the biggest concern with this youngster), he could put up fantastic numbers in the Packers’ explosive passing attack this season.
The Final Word: Expectations are high for the Packers this year, as well they should be. If the offensive line can stay healthy then this is the team to beat in the NFC North. The great thing is that Ted Thompson spent his first round draft pick on tackle/guard Bryan Bulaga, meaning Green Bay now has depth in case injuries do start to mount. Rodgers is the real deal and could lead the Pack deep into the playoffs if his O-line doesn’t get him killed first. Defensively, there are some concerns but Capers will make up for them by being aggressive. If the Packers can win the division and force opponents to come to Green Bay come January, then this will be a legitimate Super Bowl contender this season. The pieces are in place for this team to make a serious run.

Green Bay Packers 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

2. Vikings

What to Like: After a playing a rousing game of “Who can be more annoying?” with head coach Brad Childress, Lord Favre has decided to return for another year. (As if anyone had any doubts.) That’s good news given that a) Favre led the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game last season and b) he’s a significantly better option at quarterback than Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels. Adrian Peterson will once again join Favre in Minnesota’s backfield and as long as the fourth year back can cut down on the fumbles, he’ll punish opposing defenses on a weekly basis. Assuming migraines don’t hamper him like they did in training camp, Percy Harvin should continue to produce as one of the team’s top playmakers. He was highly impressive as a rookie last year and he’ll get even more opportunities to make plays now that Sidney Rice (hip surgery) will miss at least the first six weeks of the season. Defensively, the strength of the unit remains the front four thanks to massive DTs Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, as well as outstanding pass-rushers Jared Allen and Ray Edwards. E.J. Henderson returns in the middle after missing the team’s final four regular season games and all of the playoffs due to an injury.
What Not to Like: Although the man has never missed a game in his professional career, injuries are always a concern with the 192-year-old Favre. It remains to be seen if his surgically repaired ankle will hold up for an entire season so that he can lead the Vikings back into the playoffs. As previously mentioned, fumbles are a concern with AP, as is the O-line’s ability to open up running lanes, believe it or not. Steve Hutchinson struggled mightily in the running game, presumably because of lingering back and shoulder issues, as did Bryant McKinnie, who also dealt with plantar facilities in his feet. Phil Loadholt was a nice surprise, but even he had problems in the run-blocking department, as did center John Sullivan. Defensively, the secondary is a huge question mark, especially when you consider Cedric Griffin is likely to miss a lot of time due to the ACL injury he suffered in last year’s NFC title game. Lito Sheppard is coming off a decent year with the Jets, but he’s inconsistent and it remains to be seen whether rookie Chris Cook (who has impressed this offseason) and/or Asher Allen can be starters. Safeties Madieu Williams and Tyrell Johnson only add to the coverage concerns.
Keep Your Eye On: Percy Harvin
While the receiving corps shouldn’t be a concern this season, not having Rice will be. Rice really came into his own last season with Favre’s help and now that he’ll be out for most the year that means Harvin will be counted on even more than he was last year. Again, if migraines don’t slow him down, Harvin could be in store for a huge 2010.
The Final Word: I’m going with my gut here and predicting a major step back for the Vikings this season. There seems to be a different feel to this team this year, even with the return of Favre. I don’t think he’ll capture the magic he did last year and the defense (save for the line) could struggle because of its secondary. That said, this is still a winning team – I just don’t know how far they’ll go in the playoffs, or if they’ll even make the postseason. They play eight (count ‘em – eight!) playoff teams from a year ago and I have little to no faith in Childress over the course of an entire season. I think the Vikes come up short this year.

Minnesota Vikings 2010 Question Mark: Secondary

3. Bears

What to Like: Adding a skilled pass-rusher like Julius Peppers was a major coup for the Bears, who paid dearly for his services. Even though he has a tendency to take plays off, he has the ability to make the rest of the defense better around him and don’t forget he’s so athletic that new DC Rod Marinelli can use him in coverage to free up a linebacker to rush. I’ve never bought into the idea that Brian Urlacher (who missed virtually the entire 2009 season because of a wrist injury) was/is overrated. He’s not a dominant run-stuffer, but you saw what happened to Chicago’s defense last year when Nick Roach and Jamar Williams were manning the middle. One guy who will love having Urlacher back in the middle is Lance Briggs, whose play fell off a cliff last year because of Urlacher’s absence. Offensively, the hiring of Mike Martz will turn out to be a boom or bust decision for this team. Jay Cutler could wind up leading the league in passing touchdowns or set a new record for interceptions thrown in a single season. The good thing is that he’ll be throwing to a couple of receivers on the rise in Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu.
What Not to Like: For the second straight offseason, GM Jerry Angelo failed to upgrade the offensive line. Right guard Lance Louis may be an intriguing player, but he’s inexperienced and he’ll be playing next to a guy in Frank Omiyale that can’t seem to cut down on the penalties and mental errors. The Bears better hope that center Olin Kreutz can play as well as he did last year, and that third-year player Chris Williams can build off his decent second-half performance, or else Cutler will see a ton of pressure again this year. Defensively, whether it’s because of injuries, lack of focus and/or motivation, Tommie Harris hasn’t played well in two years. And if he doesn’t snap out of it, then the Bears are going to be thin on talent up the middle. The secondary is also a massive concern, as Charles Tillman was highly inconsistent last year and who knows what the team can expect out of other corner Zackary Bowman. Chris Harris was a good add this offseason, but the bottom line is that the entire unit has to play better or else the addition of Peppers and the re-addition of Urlacher will mean nothing.
Keep Your Eye On: Johnny Knox
Knox is the perfect fit at receiver in Martz’s offense and is already drawing comparisons to Torry Holt in terms of his route running. Whether or not he’ll become the playmaker Holt was is uncertain, but considering how good he has looked this offseason, there’s a good chance Knox will shine.
The Final Word: If the offensive line can’t open any holes for Matt Forte (who struggled last year in his sophomore season) and Chester Taylor, then the offense will become too one-dimensional and the passing game could suffer. Of course, thanks to Martz the offense will probably be one-dimensional anyway. One of the biggest complaints about Martz is that he’s too quick to ditch the running game and because he often uses three and four-receiver sets, that leaves one less blocker in to protect the quarterback. That doesn’t bode well for Cutler, who had a habit of chucking passes into coverage last season just to avoid taking sacks. Defensively, obviously Peppers and Urlacher are going to help, but the secondary is a massive concern. How will Marinelli fair in his first year as a defensive coordinator? Is Lovie Smith the answer at head coach? A lot of people love the Bears to make the playoffs this year and potentially be a sleeper in the NFC, but I see this team being no better than 8-8 with their O-line and defensive backfield concerns.

Chicago Bears 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

4. Lions

What to Like: Believe it or not, the offensive line became one of the Lions’ strengths in 2009. Before suffering a season-ending injury, right guard Stephen Peterman was playing great football and even Jeff Backus played more consistently. Center Dominic Railoa was solid as usual and there were signs that former first round pick Gosder Cherilus was starting to get it. Adding Rob Sims will only make this unit better, which is great news for young quarterback Matthew Stafford. And speaking of the young signal caller, he should make strides in his second year and he’ll have a couple of new weapons to throw to in Nate Burleson and Bryant Johnson, although Calvin Johnson will still receive the bulk of Stafford’s looks in the passing game. The defensive tackle issue has also been addressed thanks to Ndamukong Suh, who has already proved in preseason that he’s going to be one hell of a player. Bringing in Corey Williams and Kyle Vanden Bosch were solid moves to improve the defensive line, which is easily the strength of the defense. (Aside from free safety Louis Delmas, who is a rising star.)
What Not to Like: The secondary is a major concern for this team. Chris Houston (trade/Falcons) has all the athletic talent in the world, but he can’t seem to put it all together. He usually puts himself in position to make plays and then just can’t, as evidenced of the 66% of passes that were completed on him last season. On the other side, the Rams had an opportunity to re-sign restricted free agent Jonathan Wade on the cheap and decided to let him walk. Now the Lions are counting on him as a starter, which is troubling to say the least. The addition of C.C. Brown only compounds the team’s pass defense issues. And does this team have enough overall talent at linebacker?
Keep Your Eye On: Ndamukong Suh
I know you were already going to keep your eye on Suh, but I’ll remind you in case he gets lost in the shuffle of another losing season in Detroit. Most defensive tackles don’t make an impact until their third years, but Suh has the makings of something special. He’s a physical specimen at 6’4” and 307 pounds, one that can be a force against the run as well as a pass rusher. He’s going to beat slower offensive linemen at the snap and create a ton of havoc in opponents’ backfields. I can’t wait to see what this kid does on Sundays.
The Final Word: There’s no question that GM Martin Mayhew and head coach Jim Schwartz have this team moving in the right direction, but it’s still going to take some time. Mayhew knew when he took over last year that it would take a couple of years before he could field a roster that could compete and that hasn’t changed. The roster is still devoid of overall talent, even though players like Johnson, Stafford, Suh and Delmas have Detroit fans excited for the future. The Lions are the Ly-Downs no longer and will certainly give teams trouble this year, but a fourth place finish is probably on the horizon yet again.

Detroit Lions 2010 Question Mark: Pass Defense

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

The AFC North is chockfull of good storylines this year, from Big Ben’s suspension to two rising offensive stars in Baltimore to the new receiving duo of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens in Cincinnati.

Oh, and Mike Holmgren is now in charge of a Browns team that is sure to be improved.

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the AFC North in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

1. Ravens

What to Like: Ray Rice is knocking on the door of superstardom and as long as Cam Cameron doesn’t get cute and start limiting his running back’s chances, then I think Rice could produce MVP-type numbers this year. He can do it all: run between the tackles, run outside, be a big-time factor in the passing game – everything. Staying on the offensive side of the ball, Joe Flacco is in store for big things heading into his third season. He made great strides in his development last year and the front office finally went out and got him a No. 1 target in Anquan Boldin. While Boldin can’t stretch the field like he did earlier in this career, he’s a consistent playmaker and will be a great weapon on third downs. On the other side, veteran Derrick Mason continues to be a consistent, steady presence for Flacco. Defensively, Ray Lewis once again anchors a defense that allowed only 300.5 yards per game last season. That was good for third in the NFL and if Terrell Suggs can get back to being the dominant player he was not too long ago, then the Ravens’ D shouldn’t take a step back.
What Not to Like: Suggs has to step up or there will be serious concerns about the pass rush. Trevor Pryce was okay in that department last year, but not great. The team added Corey Redding in the offseason, but he has proven to be a pretty average player over the years. The bigger problem for this team is in the secondary, where Ed Reed isn’t healthy and the secondary was dealt a huge blow when Domonique Foxworth went down for the season with a knee injury in camp. Fabian Washington didn’t play particularly well last season and if the Ravens can’t drum up a pass rush, Chris Carr will likely struggle playing on an island. He’s more suited to play as a nickel, so there are serious concerns about the makeup of this defensive backfield heading into the season.
Keep Your Eye On: Tom Zbikowski
If you notice, the only name I didn’t mention from the list of problems the Ravens will potentially have in their secondary is Tom Zbikowski. That’s because he’s the most underrated player on the Ravens’ defense and arguably the toughest outside of Lewis. With Reed out, the youngster from Notre Dame will be counted on once again this year to make a major contribution.
The Final Word: The lack of a pass rush and the secondary outside of Zbikowski is worrisome, but this is practically the same team that went into Foxboro last year and gave the Patriots the beating of a lifetime on their home turf. Plus, the offense is improved with the acquisition of Boldin and I think Flacco is in store for a huge season. He’s starting to see the entire field and now has two full years of starting experience under his belt. He also has a running back in Rice that he can lean on in case he starts to struggle in the passing game. This is the team to beat in the North this year and I wouldn’t be completely shocked if the Ravens showed up in Dallas come February.

Baltimore Ravens 2010 Question Mark: Secondary

2. Bengals

What to Like: While Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, Carson Palmer and Cedric Benson receive all of the attention, but it’s the Bengals’ offensive line that drives this team’s success on that side of the ball. Right guard Bobbie Williams is a stud, as is left tackle Andrew Whitworth. Collectively, the Bengals must cut down on the penalties but this is one of the better offensive lines in the AFC. The running game behind Benson will once again be the focal point of the offense, but adding T.O. and rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham was huge for the passing game. Defensively, the starting cornerback tandem of Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph may very well be the best in the league. The front seven also has loads of potential, namely at linebacker thanks to Keith Rivers and Rey Maualuga.
What Not to Like: While the defense has steadily improved since 2008, there are still plenty of questions at every level. The safety tandem of Chris Crocker and Roy Williams is more than serviceable, but the duo is a liability in deep coverage (or in Williams’ case, coverage in general). Aside from Antwan Odom (who has been hampered by injuries the last two years), this team is going to have some issues getting to the quarterback too. Robert Geathers is coming off a bad year and ’09 second round pick Michael Johnson didn’t show anything when he had opportunities. Hopefully the addition of Carlos Dunlap (2010 second round pick) will help, but pass rush will be an area of concern for the Bengals throughout the season. The defensive tackle position is a potential weakness too, where Tank Johnson is a poor run defender and Domata Peko missed some time last year due to injuries. (He also wasn’t as stout as he usually is against the run.)
Keep Your Eye On: Jermaine Gresham
The rookie tight end was reportedly having some trouble picking up the Bengals’ offense earlier this offseason, but he seems to be catching on now. The Oklahoma product is a very good athlete and could make an impact in the Bengals’ passing game right away.
The Final Word: I don’t fall into the mindset that Ochocinco and T.O. are going to destroy this team from the inside out and I don’t think they’re going to be the key to this team making the playoffs either. The key is getting more production out of Palmer. We have yet to see the return of the player that posted a 101.1 QB rating in 2005 (whether that be because of his knee, lack of weapons around him or what have you). He was certainly steady last year while posting 21 touchdowns and 3,094 yards, but he’s going to determine whether or not this team becomes more lethal in the passing game. Defensively, I love the corners and linebackers, but the lack of a pass-rush scares me, as do Crocker and Williams in deep coverage. This is a very good football team and they’ll be in contention all season, but they’re not going to sneak up on anybody this year like they did in ’09.

Cincinnati Bengals 2010 Question Mark: Safety

3. Steelers

What to Like: As usual, the Steelers’ defense is once again loaded and should finish among the top 5 in the league. Even as good as Troy Polamalu (when healthy) is, the key to Pittsburgh’s defense is that all 11 guys know their assignments and rely on each other as a collective unit. Dick LeBeau is also a mastermind at creating havoc and disguising where his defense sends pressure. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison form the best pass-rushing duo in the game and the entire front seven is chockfull of guys that can play the run. Offensively, if his O-line can open up some holes, Rashard Mendenhall is more than capable of carrying this unit until Ben Roethlisberger comes back from suspension. Hines Ward is as consistent as they come at receiver, as is Heath Miller from his tight end position. Watch for Mike Wallace to have a big impact in the deep game now that Santonio Holmes is in New York.
What Not to Like: Besides the fact that they won’t have their starting quarterback for the first 3-6 weeks, the Steelers still have major issues on their offensive line. Picking up Flozell Adams to replace the injured Willie Colon was big for the run game, but speed rushers were able to beat him on a routine basis last year when he was pass protecting. On a whole, this was an incredibly average unit last year in pass protection and well below average in run blocking. If they can’t run the ball (especially in the games that Big Ben is out), this team is in trouble. Defensively, the main issue is the health of Polamalu, who chose not to have surgery on the knee that limited him last year. For as good as the Steelers’ defense is, he’s still the straw that stirs the drink.
Keep Your Eye On: Maurkice Pouncey
One thing I didn’t mention when I was shredding the Steelers’ offensive line up above was the addition of Pouncey. The rookie has major talent and could develop into the best center in the game in due time. He’s only a rookie so he’ll make his fair share of mistakes, but Pittsburgh’s future at center is already here.
The Final Word: As of this writing, we still don’t know if Big Ben will be suspended for six, four or three games. If I were to make a guess, I would say that Roger Goodell will reduce the suspension to four games, which means the Steelers will hope for a split over those first four weeks. If Byron Leftwich and/or Dennis Dixon can produce two wins, then the Steelers would be in good shape for Roethlisberger’s return. That said, I still have major concerns about this team’s running game (because of the O-line, not Mendenhall), as well as its ability to stay healthy at key positions. For as good as the defense usually is, Pittsburgh needs Polamalu to play in order for the unit to be elite. I also question whether or not the corners are good enough to get this team back into the postseason. The Steelers take on seven playoff teams from a year ago, and that doesn’t include facing a strong Atlanta squad without Big Ben in the opener. Even though the same pieces are there from the Super Bowl squad two years ago, I just don’t see this team beating out Baltimore or even Cincinnati in the division without getting more balanced on offense. Plus, let’s keep in mind that Roethlisberger will probably need to shake the rust off once he returns. It’s not a guarantee that he’s going to be back to playing at a top level right away.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Question Mark: Quarterback

4. Browns

What to Like: Joe Thomas is one of the top pass protectors in the game and is accompanied by steady veteran Eric Steinbach and rising star Alex Mack on a solid offensive line. In the backfield, the tandem of Jerome Harrison and rookie Montario Hardesty (when he’s healthy again) will be fun to watch and will likely anchor the Browns’ offense this season. Josh Cribbs will once again make a few highlight reel plays in the return game, as well as provide a spark out of the Wildcat formation. Defensively, Matt Roth was incredibly productive as a pass-rusher last year and has really found himself in Cleveland after a couple of lackluster years in Miami. The defensive line will also be a strength thanks to Shaun Rogers and surprising former seventh rounder Ahyta Rubin, who has developed into a solid run-stuffer. The secondary is bolstered by underrated free safety Abram Elam, but the cornerbacks should be very good as well. Sheldon Brown was acquired from the Eagles in the offseason and Eric Wright’s stock continues to rise. Throw in rookies T.J. Ward and Joe Haden and the Browns have the makings of a very good defensive backfield.
What Not to Like: I didn’t like the Jake Delhomme signing this offseason and chances are, I won’t like it in the regular season either. When teams can generate pressure on him, he folds like a top-heavy Jenga tower and he routinely makes poor decisions in the passing game. He also has a set of talented, but inexperienced receivers in Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie to throw to. Unless Delhomme finds more consistency and both Massaquoi and Robiskie make major strides in their development, then Cleveland will be home to the league’s worst passing attack in 2010.
Keep Your Eye On: Montario Hardesty
Harrison will start in Week 1 because Hardesty hasn’t gotten enough reps in preseason (due to an injury), but the rookie out of Tennessee is being viewed as the Browns’ future at running back. The problem is that he has a history of knee injuries, so he’ll need to stay healthy if he’s going to have an impact as a rookie. But if he does, this physical back is likely to impress.
The Final Word: Best-case scenario for the Browns is Delhomme doesn’t turn the ball over, the young receivers blossom into playmakers and this team wins by running the ball and playing good defense. The D has plenty of playmakers and could be a solid overall unit, but if they’re left on the field too long then they’re going to wear down (like any defense would). I fear that the passing game is going to be so bad that teams will take away the run and force Delhomme to beat them vertically. If he could be relegated to a game manager, he’d probably be fine. But given the experience at receiver, opponents will likely force him to make plays and if that happens, it’s going to be another long year in Cleveland.

Cleveland Browns 2010 Question Mark: Passing Game

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

Much like its counterpart in the AFC, the NFC East is extremely difficult to predict this year. Three of the top four teams are legitimate playoff contenders and the Redskins have improved after going 4-12 last season.

It’s going to be a battle in this division this year, much like it is every season.

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the NFC East in 2010. Be sure to check out the link entitled “2010 Question Mark” under each team’s preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad’s hopes this season.

1. Cowboys

What to Like: The ‘Boys already had quite the offensive core in Tony Romo, Miles Austin, Marion Barber, Jason Witten and Felix Jones. But then they had Dez Bryant fall to them in the first round last April, which gives the offense yet another playmaker that defenses have to deal with every Sunday. After finishing sixth last year in total offense and 14th in scoring, I don’t see any reason why Dallas shouldn’t light up the scoreboard again this season. Defensively, DeMarcus Ware returns as a pass-rushing terror from his outside linebacker position and the unit is littered with underrated players like Jay Ratliff and Igor Olshansky.
What Not to Like: The biggest two question marks surround the free safety and left tackle positions. Alan Ball is an intriguing prospect, but he’s only a rookie and no matter how well he plays, he’s going to make some mistakes. At left tackle, the ‘Boys dumped long-time veteran Flozell Adams and replaced him with the inexperienced Doug Free, who played well on the right side last year but he has never been counted on to protect a quarterback’s blindside. The good thing is that if Free struggles, the team added Alex Barron this offseason as insurance. The other concern when it comes to the Cowboys is that they have a habit of fading down the stretch, with last year being the exception. I put that on coaching more than anything and with Wade Phillips (good coach, but he doesn’t come without his criticisms) still roaming the sidelines in Dallas, that means a late-season free fall isn’t out of the question.
Keep Your Eye On: Dez Bryant, WR
The Cowboys' first round pick has already turned heads this offseason (both for his play on the field and his decision not to carry Roy Williams' shoulder pads after practice) and if he can recover from an ankle injury that has sidelined him for the preseason, he's going to have opportunities to make plays out of the team's three receiver set.
The Final Word: This is the most talented team in the division and they're pretty deep at most positions. The problem is that the Cowboys usually get in their own way down the stretch and late season collapses are nothing new to this franchise. That said, they got the playoff monkey off their back last year by advancing to the second round and as long as Phillips can keep this squad motivated, the ‘Boys should win the East for the second straight year. Their offense will be tough to stop and their defense will put pressure on the quarterback. The talent is there, now let's see if the execution follows.

Dallas Cowboys 2010 Question Mark: Free Safety

2. Eagles

What to Like: Obviously the biggest question surrounding this team is whether or not Kevin Kolb can replace Donovan McNabb at quarterback. In the limited snaps he took last year, Kolb proved that he could run Andy Reid’s offense, so let's see if he can do it on a weekly basis now. One thing's for sure, he has plenty of playmakers at his disposal in the offense thanks to running back LeSean McCoy, receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, as well as tight end Brent Celek. Jason Peters and Winston Justice return to make the tackle position one of the team's strengths. Defensively, Philly is absolutely stacked on the defensive line. Trent Cole gets more attention for his pass-rushing ability but he’s equally as good, if not better, against the run. Brodrick Bunkley is also well adept at shutting down the run and has emerged as the Eagles' best interior lineman. Throw in Victor Abiamiri (when healthy) and rookie Brandon Graham and this unit is chockfull of playmakers. In the back seven, Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell are studs, rookie Nate Allen has loads of potential and I love the addition of Ernie Sims (trade/Lions), as long as he can stay healthy. Don’t forget that MLB Stewart Bradley returns from an ACL injury that wiped out his entire 2009 season.
What Not to Like: The depth in the secondary is a concern and although there has been nothing but rave reviews about Allen thus far, he’s still a rookie and has yet to be tested. The bigger issue is at cornerback, where Ellis Hobbs will step in for Sheldon Brown across from Samuel. Hobbs finished last season on injured reserve after suffering a serious neck injury and hasn’t exactly set the world on fire with his play dating back to his days in New England. If he were to go down with another injury, Joselio Hansen, Macho Harris or Dimitri Patterson would be thrust into a starting role despite none of them proving that they could be full-time players.
Keep Your Eye On: Nate Allen
Talk about a future playmaker. Allen is going to make his fair share of mistakes as a first-year starter, but Philly fans will probably have visions of Brian Dawkins dancing through their heads this season while watching the rook. His potential is limitless and there’s little question that he’s going to be a ballhawk for the Eagles’ defense this season.
The Final Word: This is by far a boom or bust team. There’s plenty of reason to believe that the Eagles will finish third behind the Cowboys and Giants in the division, but I love their talent on both sides of the ball and you know they’re going to be aggressive defensively. They also have a favorable schedule, even though they made the playoffs last season. They only play five playoff teams from 2009, compared to the seven that the Giants will face. I put their chances of making the playoffs just above 50%, but I think Philly surprises doubters this year and finishes second in the East. Of course, I’m banking on the fact that Kolb can run the offense and won’t be a complete disaster in his first year as a starter.

Philadelphia Eagles 2010 Question Mark: Secondary Depth

3. Giants

What to Like: This won’t be the same defense that finished 30th last year in points allowed per game (26.7). Gone is defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and his highly ineffective schemes and in is Perry Fewell, who brings an attacking style of play to the Big Apple. Under Fewell, the Giants should get back to using their strength on defense, which is getting after the quarterback. This team has no shortage of pass-rushers in Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka, Osi Umenyiora, Michael Boley, Clint Sintim and rookie Jason Pierre-Paul, and Fewell will find ways to use them all. Offensively, the Giants averaged 366 yards per game through the air last year, but they’d like to remain balanced with running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. After compiling a 93.1 QB rating last season, Eli Manning returns again as the rock of the offense and he’ll have plenty of help in the passing game thanks to receivers Steve Smith, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, as well as underrated tight end Kevin Boss.
What Not to Like: There’s no other way to put it: the defense has to be better this year – dramatically better. This team gave up 427 points last season, including 41 or more in three of their last four games. They allowed the most points in franchise history since 1967 and even though this is only Fewell’s first year in New York, he’s excepted to produce right away. The biggest question I have is whether or not Jonathan Goff can play the “Mike” linebacker in Fewell’s scheme. This isn't to say that Goff isn't a good player because he is. He can be a force against the run but he struggles in coverage, which is something he’ll be asked to do in Fewell’s defense. Can he turn and run with a back or tight end in coverage? We’ll find out soon because opponents are going to test him. The Giants also have some injury concerns at the moment, most notably at strong safety with Kenny Phillips and outside linebacker with Keith Bulluck. As of right now, it sounds like both of them are healthy, but we’ll see what happens once they start going full force in regular season games. The Giants could really use a healthy Phillips (a rising star) for a full season.
Keep Your Eye On: Osi Umenyiora
I list Umenyiora here because he’s an interesting study right now more than anything. Three years ago he was one of the major keys to the Giants beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl. Then an injury wiped out his entire 2008 season and last year he struggled mightily getting back onto the field and publicly voiced his displeasure with Sheridan’s defense (not that anyone blamed him). For a short period of time during the offseason, it looked like the Giants might trade him but he’s back and now the question is whether or not he can be the player he was in 2007.
The Final Word: Look, I get it. There are less questions about the Giants than there are about the Eagles, so I don’t blame NY fans for being upset that I have their beloved “Big Blue” finishing third in the division. But this team has a rough road ahead of it and they have plenty of questions themselves. Can Fewell fix the defense? Can Umenyiora and Jacobs (3.7 YPC average last season) bounce back? Is Goff the right fight for Fewell’s scheme? This team has got to get back to forcing turnovers again too, which is something it struggled with last year. The G-Men play seven playoff teams from 2009 and seeing as how they play in the toughest division in football, I don’t see them making the playoffs this year. There seems to be something missing, even if the defense dramatically improves from a year ago.

New York Giants 2010 Question Mark: Middle Linebacker

4. Redskins

What to Like: It’s not a matter of “if,” it’s “when” Mike Shanahan will whip this team into shape. While it wasn’t entirely his fault, Jim Zorn was a disaster as a head coach and in Shanahan, the Redskins get back a sense of stability and control. While I’ve always felt that Jason Campbell kind of got a bad rap in Washington, there’s no doubt that even at this point in his career, Donovan McNabb has better skill sets. He’s also better handling pressure than Campbell, and will look to get the ball out of his hands quickly if he feels a rush. The addition of massive left tackle Trent Williams via the first round of the draft was a huge boost for the O-line, as was the acquisition of former Saint Jammal Brown. Defensively, this team can really bring it off the edge thanks to second-year player Brian Orakpo and steady veteran Andre Carter. If Albert Haynesworth ever gets his head out of his ass, this defense will be pretty good at every level. The secondary features a couple of playmakers in strong safety LaRon Landry and DeAngelo Hall, even though the latter believes he’s much better than he really is.
What Not to Like: There’s major concern that Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme isn’t a fit for the current players the Skins employ on the offensive line. Williams has a ton of potential, but he’s only a rookie and has limited experience on the left side. Brown is a massive upgrade over Stephon Heyer, but he’s more of a pass blocker than a mauler in the run game. The same goes for left guard Derrick Dockery. If the new pieces on the O-line take a while to gel, that could spell trouble for McNabb, Clinton Portis and the rest of the offense. Speaking of Portis, he played in only eight games last year because of injury and unless Larry Johnson and Willie Parker find the fountain of youth, there isn’t a whole lot of talent behind him. McNabb won’t have a No.1 receiver at his disposal either, although he’s used to that coming from Philadelphia.
Keep Your Eye On: Albert Haynesworth
Haynesworth's relationship with Shanahan will continue to be a story to follow well into the regular season. Once you think the two have reached common ground, Haynesworth does or says something to tear it all down. There’s no doubt he makes the Skins’ defense better when he’s healthy and motivated, but if he’s worried more about everything outside of just the game of football, then he’ll be useless. Not to mention, we still don’t know if he’s a good fit for the 3-4. (Even he thinks he isn't, which is one of the main reasons he threw a major temper-tantrum this offseason.)
The Final Word: There are some pundits that think the Skins are going to magically transform from a 4-12 team to a playoff contender overnight because of Shanahan and McNabb. But the fact of the matter is that the O-line is still a major question mark and the defense is switching to a 3-4. Quite frankly, I don’t think this team has enough playmakers on offense or overall depth to contend all season. They may play well early on, but I’m willing to bet the Skins fade over the course of the year and then settle into last place in the East again. That said, this is an improved and improving squad from top to bottom.

Washington Redskins 2010 Question Marks: Offensive Line, Running Back, Receiver

2010 NFL Division Previews & Predictions: AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West | 2010 Question Marks Series

The AFC East is arguably the most difficult division to predict because the Patriots, Jets and Dolphins all have enough talent to claim the top spot but all three also have huge question marks that could hold them back.

The Bills, on the other hand…not so hard to predict. (Sorry Buffalo fans.)

Here’s how I see things shaking out in the AFC East this season. Be sure to check out the link entitled "2010 Question Mark" under each team's preview, which is a breakdown of one or two potential weaknesses that could derail that squad's hopes in 2010.

1. Patriots

What to Like: Wes Welker is apparently healthy, which is a great sign for Tom Brady and the rest of the Pats’ offense. Although they failed to recapture the magic they had in 2007, the offense ranked third in the NFL in yards per game, sixth in total points and eighth in third down percentage. Along with Welker and Randy Moss, Brady will also have talented rookie tight end Aaron Hernandez to throw to in the passing game and Julian Edelman proved when filling in for Welker last season that he can be productive as well.
What Not to Like: It appears that the pass rush, or lack thereof, will be a massive concern all season. It was a concern heading into the offseason, it’s been a concern thus far in preseason and it’s going to remain a concern unless guys step up. Granted, Tully Banta-Cain is coming off a career year and rookie Jermaine Cunningham has potential, but Derrick Burgess needs to stay motivated and be productive. If he doesn’t and Banta-Cain can’t put up the numbers he did last year then Bill Belichick’s defense could suffer at every level. There’s also the very real concern that starting left guard Logan Mankins will skip the entire season because of a contract despite, meaning promising but inexperienced tackle Sebastian Vollmer will be inserted into the starting lineup.
Keep an Eye On: Darius Butler
In five starts last season, Butler had three inceptions and although he was inconsistent in coverage and needs to cut down on penalties, he could blossom into a star this season. He has already become a leader in the locker room.
The Final Word: Even though the offense stalled in the second half of some games last season, it will still be tough to stop this team a weekly basis. Plus, after struggling to a 2-6 record on the road last season, the Pats will face only two 2009 playoff teams away from Foxboro this year. In fact, six of the 2009 playoff teams they face this year will have to come to New England, which is obviously a major advantage. I think given the problems that the rest of the teams have in the division, the Pats will once again come out on top, although this is far from a Super Bowl team in my eyes.

New England Patriots 2010 Question Mark: Pass Rush

2. Dolphins

What to Like: After finishing 22nd in the league in total defense last season, the Fish completely revamped that side of the ball this offseason. I love the hire of new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who transformed the Broncos into a top 10 defense last year, as well as the signing of free agent Karlos Dansby, who is the most well rounded linebacker in the league. Assuming Vontae Davis can keep his head on straight, I also love the cornerback tandem of him and Sean Smith – Miami’s top two draft picks from a year ago. Of course, we can’t talk about Miami’s offseason without mentioning Brandon Marshall, who finally gives this team the offensive playmaker that they have coveted for years. As long as he stays out of trouble, he will make Chad Henne better and the running game (which will be the focal point of the offense once again) will benefit from his presence as well.
What Not to Like: The offensive line has looked rough this preseason and while it’s only preseason, their play is still a concern. This offense can’t survive without its running game and the interior of Miami’s O-line looks weak. Rookie John Jerry has a future in this league, but he better make strides if he wants to hold down the starting right guard spot. Richie Incognito and Joe Berger won’t be long for starting spots either if they can’t pick up their play. Outside of that, Marshall has been plagued by drops and I wonder if he’s starting to feel the pressure of living up to his new contract and the expectations that have been thrust upon him in Miami. Defensively, Chris Clemons has looked great this offseason but he’s inexperienced at the free safety position and there’s growing concern that the undisclosed injury that has kept linebacker Channing Crowder out could be more serious than originally believed.
Keep an Eye On: Karlos Dansby
Keep an eye on the Dolphins’ best defender? Wow, thanks. No, I mean really watch him. Dansby is one of the most underrated linebackers in the game; he can cover, he can be a force against the run and he can be an effective pass-rusher. You just don’t find all three of those traits in linebackers.
The Final Word: I think Miami’s problems will get ironed out early during the season, which is why I have them finishing second in the division. The offensive line should be fine once it gels and Marshall will shine once the season starts. The bigger concern is that the Dolphins will play eight straight games against teams that were .500 or better in 2009 after they travel to Buffalo in the opener. So while I like this team, I think they’ll miss the postseason by a game or two.

Miami Dolphins 2010 Question Mark: Offensive Line

3. Jets

What to Like: Even without Darrelle Revis (contract holdout), the Jets’ defense could resemble an impenetrable force again this season. They led the NFL in total defense last year, gave up the fewest amount of points and for as good as the Cowboys were, no team came close to matching the Jets’ defensive effort in 2009. Rex Ryan puts together some of the best defensive game plans in the league and nobody outside of Bill Belichick makes adjustments on the fly better than he can. Players also love playing for him, which means more than you think. The Jets aren’t going to lay down in any game and that’s a testament to Ryan and his coaching staff’s ability to lead. The offseason acquisitions of Antonio Cromartie and Santonio Holmes also shore up potential weaknesses and now quarterback Mark Sanchez has plenty of weapons to throw to in the passing game. Running back Shonn Greene is also a budding star.
What Not to Like: To say that Revis played at an elite level last year wouldn’t be enough. He was so good that had he won the MVP award, it would have been hard to argue that he didn’t deserve it. With that in mind, what if he doesn’t play this season? What kind of an effect would his absence have on Ryan’s defense? We’re talking about stripping the most vital piece off the best defense in the league last year. Cromartie and first round pick Kyle Wilson have enough talent to hold down the starting cornerback positions, but quarterbacks aren’t going to be afraid to attack a rookie early and often. Offensively, I still have a ton of questions about Sanchez and his ability to win a game on his own. I know he has more weapons this year and Greene should be very good, but the Jets didn’t open things up at all last year with Sanchez under center. They basically asked him not to lose games and when he did have to step up and make a play or two (outside of the AFC title game), he was largely a disaster. He’s also going into his second year when a lot of quarterbacks tend to struggle because defensive coordinators have an entire library of film to pick apart their weaknesses. If he can’t adjust and make strides in his development, this team’s in trouble.
Keep an Eye On: Shonn Greene
As previously mentioned, Greene is a budding star and should become the focal point of the Jets’ offense in due time. LaDainian Tomlinson will eat into his carries a little, but Greene will still have plenty of opportunities to display his talents.
The Final Word: I think it’s poor practice to back a team that emerges as a chic pick in the offseason. That’s not a very analytical way of trying to predict a team’s success, I know, but chic picks rarely pan out (see the Chargers last season and even Ole’ Miss at the college level). And when you factor in the Revis holdout and the questions surrounding Sanchez, I see plenty of reason to think that the Jets will take a major step back in 2010. Let’s not forget that this team needed major luck (the Colts deciding to rest their starters; the Bengals laying down in the finale) down the stretch just to make the playoffs last year. Ryan even thought they were done after an ugly home loss to Atlanta late in the season. Granted, the Jets took those opportunities and ran with them all the way into the AFC title game, but I doubt they’ll catch those breaks two years in a row. This team obviously has more than enough talent to prove me wrong and hey, if Revis winds up playing then all the better. But something tells me the J.E.T.S. are in store for a major letdown.

New York Jets 2010 Question Mark: Quarterback

4. Bills

What to Like: There’s no doubt that the Bills are moving in the right direction now that Buddy Nix is their new general manager. Whether or not Chan Gailey was the best choice as the team’s new head coach remains to be seen, but at least he has experience and has won on some level (he went 44-32 as head coach of Georgia Tech from 2002-2007). The team also found a potential star in running back C.J. Spiller in the first round of April’s draft. The former Clemson Tiger is an explosive weapon and if he stays healthy, he will contribute both as a runner and a pass-catcher. Defensively, the Bills have a great tandem at safety in Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd, as well as a solid Terrence McGee at corner and Paul Posluszny (when healthy) at inside linebacker.
What Not to Like: This team has major weaknesses on both sides of the ball, starting with quarterback and offensive line. Trent Edwards has the physical tools to be a starter in this league, but he hasn’t played with any confidence in over a year and a half. He looks to check down way too often in his progressions and is gun shy behind an inexperienced offensive line. The Bills have a deep stable of running backs, but they’re thin at receiver and Spiller has a history of injuries. Defensively, the secondary is the strength of the unit but pass-rush could be a major concern and there’s going to be an adjustment period under new defensive coordinator George Edwards, who is installing the 3-4.
Keep an Eye On: C.J. Spiller
When healthy, Spiller is a dynamic playmaker. Buffalo fans are going to enjoy watching him in the offense and he’s a threat to take it to the end zone every time he gets his hands on the ball.
The Final Word: Oh, boy. Although this team is heading in the right direction, it’s going to be a couple of years before they start competing. They just don’t have the talent to match up with opponents on a weekly basis and I highly doubt even the Buffalo contingent believes that Edwards is the answer at quarterback. Spiller will be exciting to watch, but unless the offensive line matures in a hurry, the offense will have a tough time moving the chains. It’s good to see that the Bills are fixing things from the top down, but again, it’s going to take some time.

Buffalo Bills 2010 Question Marks: Quarterback, Offensive Line

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the issues the Dolphins have had on their O-line thus far in preseason.

Had I wrote this piece before the preseason started, I would have written it about the Dolphins’ free safety position. But considering how good Chris Clemons has looked this offseason, it would be a reach to say that safety will be a big issue for Miami in 2010. (Especially when the ultra-productive Yeremiah Bell remains the starter at strong safety.)

After watching their first three preseason games, the biggest question the Dolphins’ faithful should have is what happened to the offensive line? Once considered a strength because of how well the team could run the ball, Miami’s O-line has be incredibly suspect thus far.

Jake Long and Vernon Carey remain entrenched at the tackle positions, while Richie Incognito and John Jerry are the projected starters at left and right guard, respectively. Joe Berger is slated to start at center after beating out Jake Grove this offseason.

The biggest problem is at the two guard positions, where Incognito and Jerry haven’t been good in pass protection or run blocking. Both are getting shoved backwards at the snap, which is troubling considering the Dolphins signed Incognito this offseason because of his power and drive in the running game.

The rookie Jerry has largely been a pleasant surprise, holding off Nate Garner, Cory Procter and Donald Thomas for the starting right guard spot. But despite his size (6’5”, 332 pounds) and strength, he has gotten pushed around at times this preseason. It’s fair to note that he is switching positions after playing tackle at Ole' Miss, but given that the Dolphins expect him to start, he needs to continue to make strides so the run game doesn't suffer.

At center, Berger is a fine spot starter and is versatile to play multiple positions along the line, but it remains to be seen if he can be an effective full-time starter. And considering he beat out Grove with minimal effort this offseason says nothing for Grove’s ability to reclaim the starting job, even after the Dolphins signed him to a $30 million contract in 2009.

The tackle positions are less of a concern, although Long still needs to improve his pass protection because he has problems with speed rushers. Carey is coming off a great ’09 campaign, although it’s worth nothing that his play dipped towards the end of the year while he was dealing with knee and back injuries.

Granted, some will point out that it’s only preseason and they're right. These kinds of problems have a way of ironing themselves out during the season and given how good the Dolphins’ O-line has been over the last two years, maybe there’s nothing to worry about.

But here are the Dolphins’ rushing yards per game this preseason: 50, 83 and 46, with that last figure coming when the starting unit played the entire first half and some of the third quarter.

Again, maybe the O-line will pick up its play once the games start counting for real. But seeing as how the Dolphins have only averaged 60 yards per game on the ground this preseason, that’s a trouble sign – especially when you consider how vital the running game is to Miami’s success.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the huge issues the Lions still have in their secondary.

A year ago, it was easy to spot the Lions’ biggest weakness, as their offensive line was an absolute mess. But after a productive 2009 campaign and a couple of offseason additions, Detroit’s O-line is no longer an issue.

Now the concern shifts to a secondary that received an offseason makeover, but remains the Lions’ biggest question mark after a dismal performance in 2009.

Last year, Detroit finished dead last in passing yards allowed, yielding 265.6 yards per game. The poor play of the defensive backfield contributed to the defensive unit giving up 30.9 points per content and over 6,000 total yards.

To address the issue, the Lions traded for former second round pick Chris Houston, whom Atlanta had given up on after signing big-money free agent Dunta Robinson. Houston has an impressive skill set and enough talent to make him a No. 1 corner, but he has yet to put it all together for an entire season.

The biggest issue with the former Arkansas product is that he always seems to put himself in position to make the play, but rarely does. He has great speed and is a physical corner, but he’s at his worst when the ball is in the air. He fell out of favor last season in Atlanta because he had major trouble locating the ball when it was in the air and making a play on it. In fact, 66% of the passes thrown his way were completed, which is a staggering number to say the least. That said, if he ever lives up to his potential he’s going to be a solid player.

The Lions also brought back Dre’ Bly, who spent two years in Denver and one in San Francisco after Detroit dealt him in 2007. At 33, he’s no longer a Pro Bowler but he’s certainly serviceable in limited time. The fact that the Lions aren’t counting on him to be a starter is a plus.

The starting corner opposite Houston will be Jonathan Wade, whom the Rams let walk despite him being a low-cost option as a restricted free agent. The fact that a bad Rams team didn’t want him is troubling considering he’s going to be a starter in Detroit.

Compounding the concerns about Houston and Wade is strong safety C.C. Brown, who comes over from New York after one brutal year with the Giants. Over the years, Brown has earned the name “Can’t Cover,” so even though he’ll be playing alongside rising star Louis Delmas, the Lions are still in a heap of trouble.

One would think that Detroit’s pass defense couldn’t get worse than it was last year, especially after making so many additions this offseason. But it appears as though the Lions have only added quantity to their defensive backfield – not quality.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the major issues the Browns could have with their passing game this season.

Usually teams have enough skill players to make an offense work, but their line holds them back.

The Browns have the opposite problem.

Joe Thomas is one of the top pass blocking left tackles in the game and will once again anchor a solid Cleveland offensive line. While he needs to improve his pass protection, young center Alex Mack is a budding star and Eric Steinbach completes a pretty dominating left side.

Unfortunately, not even a good offensive line will save the Browns from what should be one of the worst passing games in the NFL.

I’ve never been a fan of Jake Delhomme and while he may be fooling Cleveland fans with his “veteran presence” act right now, the guy was atrocious last year. He doesn’t handle pressure well, he forces passes into coverage and even when he does have time he still turns the ball over.

Granted, he was a consistent performer in 2008 before his disaster in the playoffs against the Cardinals that year. So if he can recapture some of that magic then maybe the Browns will be okay, but 1) I wouldn’t bet on it and 2) that means other players will have to step up around him.

Mohamed Massaquoi obviously has a ton of talent, which he displayed in big games against the Bengals and Lions last year. There’s a chance this could be his breakout season, but that would require Delhomme being able to get him the ball. While he certainly has a ton of potential, Massaquoi is being counted on as the Browns’ No. 1 receiver and he only amassed 624 yards last season.

On the other side is Brian Robiskie, whom I think has a nice future as a possession receiver. But he looked incredibly lost last year as a rookie (which I realize isn’t uncommon) and needs to make strides in his development if he wants to remain a starter.

Behind Massaquoi and Robiskie are Joshua Cribbs and Chansi Stuckey. Obviously Cribbs is explosive in the return game and he’s a highlight reel waiting to happen if he can get into open space. But he was arguably the least productive Brown as a receiver last year. Stuckey is fine as a No. 3 or No. 4, although don’t expect the light to turn on for him at this point in his career.

The good news is that the receiving corps does have potential (I’m intrigued by this Carlton Mitchell kid, too) and the running game should be strong. Adding Ben Watson at tight end should also help in the passing game, although it looks like Evan Moore is going looks at the position as well.

If Delhomme can be more consistent and cut down on all of the mistakes, the Browns’ passing game might be okay. And if Massaquoi can develop into a true No. 1 receiver over the course of the year, that should help Delhomme. And if Robiskie makes strides and if Cribbs carries over his play on special teams to receiver, the Browns will be in good shape.

You can see where I’m going with this. If, if, if, if…

I don’t have a ton of faith that all of this will come together – especially Delhomme transforming back into the quarterback he used to be. Thus, I think the Browns’ passing game (among other things) will hold them back in 2010.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the woeful Rams and their concerns at receiver and in the defensive backfield.

When a team earns the right to select at the top of the draft, it’s easy to spot its holes.

And the Rams have a lot of holes.

Outside of running back Steven Jackson and a linebacker corps led by second-year player James Laurinaitis, the Rams have issues at nearly every position. The hope is that young players like Sam Bradford, Rodger Saffold, Jason Smith and Chris Long will step up in due time, but it’s going to be a while before guys like Bradford are ready to make major contributions.

The receiver and defensive backfield are currently the team’s two biggest weaknesses heading into the new year. Wideout was already a concern before Donnie Avery went down to a season ending injury and now that they won't even have him, the Rams have an even bigger hole at the position.

I’ve been very high on Laurent Robinson since he came into the league as a third round pick of the Falcons in 2007. But despite flashing his potential on occasion, he’s been a dud due to injuries. He caught 13 passes for 167 yards and one touchdown in his first four games last year, then suffered an injury that shelved him for the rest of the season. With Avery out, he has the opportunity to be the No. 1 guy but can he stay healthy for 16 games? He hasn’t yet.

Filling in for Avery at the spot opposite Robinson will be Danny Amendola, an undrafted second-year player out of Texas Tech. He did catch 43 passes for 326 yards and one touchdown last year and could be a potential sleeper in 2010, but it remains to be seen if he can be a full-time starter. The same goes for Brandon Gibson and Keenan Burton, two other receivers further down St. Louis’ depth chart.

Perhaps the most intriguing option is rookie Mardy Gilyard, who was a tremendous playmaker at Cincinnati, but someone who has yet to make an immediate impact. He certainly has the talent to be good at this level, but it looks like the Rams will have to bring him along slowly after he failed to impress in camp.

Switching to the defensive side of the ball, Ron Bartell was given a $25 million deal before last offseason and he repaid the Rams by regressing in coverage. He gave up 783 yards and allowed 63.4 percent of passes to be completed on him last year, which included five touchdowns. And he’s supposed to be the team’s best corner.

Bradley Fletcher (knee surgery) was expected to win the starting job opposite Bartell, but he couldn’t beat out Kevin Dockery in camp or preseason. That isn’t good considering Dockery is coming off a miserable year with the Giants and is now expected to start.

The situation appears to be a little better at safety where Craig Dahl and O.J. Atogwe will return, but for as skilled as Atogwe is at forcing turnovers his overall play leaves something to be desired.

All in all, the Rams will struggle again this season. They just don’t have the talent to match up with opponents on week-to-week and both of these positions will hold them back in 2010.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the trio of issues the Redskins could face this season.

I always thought Jason Campbell got kind of a bad rap, although there’s no question that Donovan McNabb has better physical tools – even at this point in his career. Thanks to first round pick Trent Williams and former Saint Jammal Brown, the tackle positions got a much needed makeover in our nation’s capital as well.

So generally speaking, the Washington Redskins are an improved football team.

But it seems as though some pundits are going a tad overboard when predicting this team’s success this year. While they have made several upgrades on that side of the ball, the offense still has plenty of question marks as well.

Let’s start with the offensive line. Williams is a tremendous prospect, but he’s still a rookie and far from a guarantee. He also doesn’t have a ton of experience on the left side, which is where he’s expected to anchor this Washington O-line.

Brown is a massive upgrade over Stephon Heyer, but that’s like saying an authentic slice of New York pizza is an upgrade over Dominos. Heyer was one of the worst offensive linemen in all of football last year, so a broomstick cemented in a bucket would have been an upgrade.

That said, Brown is more of a pass blocker than he is a mauler in the run game and the same could be said for Derrick Dockery, who will start at left guard. Both need to become better run blockers for this team to succeed over the course of the season.

Artis Hicks is versatile in that he can play a couple of spots on the O-line, but it remains to be seen if he can be effective as a full-time starter. At center, Casey Rabach is a seasoned veteran but at 32 he may be in store for a decline.

The fact that run blocking might be an issue compounds the concerns that the Skins could have in their backfield this year. Clinton Portis was only able to play in eight games last year and just returned to practice after dealing with an ankle injury. He hasn’t quite hit the dreaded age of 30 for running backs, but at 29 he appears to be in decline as well.

Larry Johnson, Ryan Torain and Willie Parker are currently listed behind Portis on the depth chart, but there have been reports recently that have stated that both LJ and “Fast Willie” could be cut before the season. And considering their lack of production last year, nobody could blame the Skins if they decided to give the younger back Torain a shot instead of keeping two aging veterans in Johnson and Parker.

The Skins have less of a concern at receiver, although seeing as how 38-year-old Joey Galloway is being tabbed the starter opposite Santana Moss, the team isn’t exactly set at that position either. Chances are Devin Thomas or Anthony Armstrong will push Galloway out of the starting role at some point, but even then the Skins don’t have a true No. 1 wideout on their roster.

I like the additions Washington made in the offseason, but this team isn’t going to go from 4-12 to a playoff contender overnight. Not with the questions that still surround the offensive line, running back and receiver positions.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing whether or not inexperience could derail the Texans' playoff hopes.

As we head into a new season, you get the sense that the Houston Texans are on the verge of making their first playoff appearance in franchise history. They have a great core on offense featuring Andre Johnson, Matt Schaub and Owen Daniels (when healthy), as well as several young defensive playmakers in Amobi Okoye, Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans.

But unfortunately, the Texans still have plenty of question marks at the cornerback position, enough to make you wonder if this team will once again come up short in their bid to make the postseason.

Their top corner left via free agency this offseason when Dunta Robinson signed with the Falcons. Some pundits will point out that Robinson struggled last year – and he did, recording zero interceptions despite playing the full 16-game slate.

But I asked both Daniels and wide receiver David Anderson this offseason about what Robinson brought to their team and they both essentially said the same thing: Toughness. Despite being 5’10” and 182 pounds, Robinson often played like a middle linebacker in that he never shied away from contract and loved coming up to make a big hit.

With Robinson now in Hotlanta, the projected starters in Houston are Glover Quin and first rounder Kareem Jackson.

Quin started as a rookie last year so he does have some experience. He has the size and athletic ability to hold down one side of the field for Houston, but he needs to trust his instincts more in order to make plays. That will come with more experience, but for now he struggles when in zone coverage and he needs to read a route, break on the ball and make a play.

After Robinson left, the Texans knew they had to address the cornerback position, which is why they took Jackson in the first round of April’s draft. He’s arguably the most athletic cornerback on the roster and is blessed with outstanding speed and agility. At some point very soon in his career, he could make people forget about Robinson.

So then what’s the problem?

The problem is that Jackson doesn’t have any game experience yet. It doesn’t matter if the kid can run a 4.3 and stay stride for stride with any receiver in the league because experienced route running and body control will win out every time. And considering the Texans usually have problems with the Colts twice a year (the same Colts team that can beat you with Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Anthony Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie), that’s a problem.

The other issue is that the depth behind the starters is thin. Brice McCain is technically still battling Jackson for the starting right cornerback position, so at least the team views him as a potential starter. But quarterbacks aren’t going to lose sleep at night if they have to compete against Jacques Reeves, Fred Bennett or Antwaun Molden.

There’s no doubt that the tandem of Quin and Jackson could be good in time – very good, in fact. But as of right now, neither of them have enough experience for anyone to say that cornerback won’t be an issue for Houston at some point this season.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be breaking down the Bengals' safeties and why they could become a liability for the team this season.

Special teams is arguably the Bengals’ biggest weakness heading into the 2010 season, but I’ve avoided talking about kickers to this point and I’m not going to start now.

Pass protection, pass rush and quite frankly, even Carson Palmer are question marks for Cincinnati heading into the season. But the safety position may be the biggest concern the Bengals have in 2010.

Granted, this isn’t a huge issue because starters Roy Williams and Chris Crocker have loads of experience and Crocker has played very well in Cincinnati despite lackluster tenures in Cleveland and Atlanta earlier in his career. But both of these players have glaring weaknesses that can be exposed by opponents.

We’ll start with Williams, because his weakness is more widely known. The man is a force against the run but couldn’t cover his bed in new sheets. He has also played in just seven games the past two seasons because of nagging injuries. His backup, 25-year-old Chinedum Ndukwe, has failed to impress in his first couple of years despite having the opportunity to see live action when Williams was out.

As previously noted, Crocker has been a good Bengal over the years but he was assisted off the field in the first quarter of the Hall of Fame game earlier this month with a right ankle injury. He dealt with ankle issues late in the year in 2009 and had arthroscopic surgery on one of them in February so obviously that’s a concern.

But even when he is healthy, he can be a liability in deep coverage. That’s not to say he can’t cover because he can, but teams have been able to beat him deep throughout his career, especially when he winds up in one-on-one situations. He either can get into position to make a play and doesn’t, or is trailing the receiver because he gets caught anticipating when the quarterback will release the ball.

The good news is that Williams is now healthy and is reportedly in great shape. He took up boxing and sand workout regimes this offseason and was also fitted with a custom-made carbon fiber pad for the forearm he injured last season. Even if he can’t cover, as long as he can stay healthy he’s going to be a valuable commodity against the run.

That said, the team is thin at the position behind Williams and Crocker. The Bengals signed free agent Gibril Wilson to a one-year deal this offseason, but then had to place him on injured reserve with a torn left ACL and MCL suffered in preseason. The hope is that Ndukwe shows improvement, because as of right now he’s the team’s third best option.

I wouldn’t deem safety a glaring weakness for the Bengals because truth be told, they don’t have a glaring weakness. But this is a position that could become an issue if Williams and Crocker can’t stay healthy, or if the front seven can’t generate a decent pass rush so the pair isn’t left in coverage too long. It’s hard not to like the Bengals’ chances of making the playoffs again this season, but this is one area to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Merry preseason, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the lack of depth the Eagles have in their secondary.

Truth be told, the Eagles are in pretty good shape entering the season. The question on everyone’s mind is whether or not Kevin Kolb can replace Donovan McNabb, but I wouldn’t necessarily deem the quarterback position a weakness.

Nor would I say secondary is a weakness either. I like the starting four of Asante Samuel, Ellis Hobbs, Quintin Mikell and highly intriguing rookie Nate Allen. But after trading Sheldon Brown to the Browns in the offseason, the depth behind those players is now where the concern lies.

Hobbs, who keep in mind is coming off neck surgery, is expected to return kickoffs once the regular season starts. If he were to go down with an injury, it would leave the Eagles with Macho Harris, Joselio Hanson or fourth-round pick Trevard Lindley at the cornerback position opposite Samuel. And none of them have proven that they can be starters at this level. (Although to be fair, Lindley is only a rookie.)

And what if Allen struggles as a first-year starter? All indications are that he’s a stud in the making, but the regular season hasn’t started yet and thus, he hasn’t officially been tested. After losing his job to Harris last season and battling injuries throughout the year, can the Eagles get by with Quintin Demps if Allen can’t produce as a rookie?

Of course, most of this is hypothetical, which is why I’ll reiterate that I don’t think the Eagles have any predominant weaknesses. Again, I think their starters are solid and Allen has a legitimate chance of winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award if he can live up to expectations.

That said, this is still a thin secondary and Andy Reid better hope that this unit can stay healthy throughout the year. An injury to a starter could derail Philly’s chances of returning to the postseason.

Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the Cardinals massive issues at the quarterback position.

The Cardinals have a couple of weakness that could be discussed, including offensive tackle, cornerback and inside linebacker. But none of them will impact their chances this season like the quarterback position will.

Gone is Kurt Warner, as well as the high-powered offense that the Cards have been able to run the past couple of years. The team traded Anquan Boldin to the Ravens during the offseason because quite frankly, they didn’t need him. (It’s also noteworthy that they felt as though he couldn’t stretch the field anymore.) The team knew the offense would focus more on the running game and less on the pass and thus, they could get by with the combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston at wideout.

The look of the offense was changing and former first round pick Matt Leinart was going to usher in a new era.

But after giving him all the first-team reps this offseason and two starts in preseason, there’s growing speculation that Leinart won’t even make the final roster – nevertheless emerge as the regular season starter.

Reports have surfaced that there isn’t a lot of confidence in the locker room that Leinart can be the team’s long-term quarterback. Some have coined him “Captain Checkdown,” in reference to the way he looks to checkdown early in his progression instead of going through all of his reads and throwing downfield. While he has completed over 70% of his passes in preseason, he has failed to move the offense, which is why Derek Anderson is now the favorite to start.

Anderson has better footwork and arm strength than Leinart, and at this point he has a better command of the huddle. His teammates seemingly have more trust in him as well, which is why Leinart could be on his way out.

But Anderson also hasn’t done anything since the first 10 weeks of the 2007 season when he nearly led the Browns to a playoff berth. Heading into Week 11 of that year, he had thrown 20 touchdowns to just nine interceptions. But in those last seven games, he finished with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

The main concern about Anderson is that 1) he isn’t accurate and 2) he commits too many turnovers. At times, he has too much trust in his arm and tries to fit passes into windows that just aren’t there. He’s also incredibly streaky and is a terrible improviser.

Further down the depth chart are two intriguing youngsters in Max Hall and John Skelton. Hall has been impressive so far in preseason, completing 7 of 15 passes for 101 yards, a touchdown and just one interception. He also has good command of the offense and a quick release.

Skelton, a small school product out of Fordham, was impressive in his last preseason outing as well. He finished 5 for 6 for 84 yards and a touchdown and was thought to be in a battle with Hall for the No. 3 job, but if Leinart is let go then both rookies could wind up on the 53-man roster.

But they’re just that – rookies. No matter how impressive they may be in preseason, it’s a different animal when the games start counting. Maybe the Cards have found a gem in one of them, but as of right now neither of them can be counted on to lead Arizona this season.

And really, when it comes down to it, none of the quarterbacks on the current roster instills much confidence. Even the staunchest of supporters have to question whether Leinart or Anderson have the talent to lead the team back to the playoffs – especially considering neither of them has ever accomplished the feat.

That said, maybe Anderson will surprise or one of the rookies will come out of nowhere to lead the offense. This team still has Fitzgerald, Breaston and Beanie Wells, plus an aggressive, attacking defense that has the capability to set the offense up in good position.

I just wouldn’t bet on the Cardinals catching lightening in a bottle this year.

Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the Vikings' secondary concerns.

There’s growing sentiment that the offensive line is the Vikings’ biggest question mark heading into the 2010 season and for good reason. Neither Steve Hutchinson nor Bryant McKinnie played well last year and some pundits believe that Phil Loadholt looks the part, but has a long way to go to be consistently productive.

But keep in mind that Hutchinson has dealt with back issues for the last couple of years and also had a shoulder injury that limited him last season. McKinnie had his own injury concerns (he played with plantar fasciitis for most of the year) and that was only Loadholt’s first year. Considering the Vikings added two new starters to the O-line, it makes sense that they struggled a bit – especially in run blocking.

Hutchinson and McKinnie are reportedly healthy and if both Loadholt and center John Sullivan make strides in their development, the offensive line should be fine. Their secondary on the other hand…

It seems like the Vikings have had the same issues in their secondary for about a decade now. Even in 1998 when they went 15-1 and lost in the NFC Championship Game their biggest weakness was arguably their secondary and despite their best efforts over the years, they can never seem to get the right mix of players back there.

Cornerback Antoine Winfield remains the team’s most vital piece in the defensive backfield, but a broken foot hampered him during the second half of 2009. He says the foot is fully recovered and the Vikings better hope it is, because they lack depth behind him.

On the other side, there’s no timetable for Cedric Griffin’s return from a torn ACL. It stands to reason that it’s going to be a while before he returns to the field and that means Lito Sheppard or impressive rookie Chris Cook will start on the right side.

Sheppard is injury prone himself and is highly inconsistent in coverage. His skills have been declining for some time now, which is why Cook is getting a long look as the starter. A physical and athletic player out of Virginia, Cook could be the upgrade that the Vikings’ secondary has been longing for.

But while cornerback is less of a problem now than at the start of training camp, the safety position still remains a huge issue.

Tyrell Johnson and Jamarca Sanford are currently battling it out to see who will start Week 1 at strong safety. Both players are effective against the run, but struggle in deep coverage (which, truth be told, can describe most strong safeties in the league). The Vikings would love it if Johnson (a former second round pick) won the job, but he struggled with missed tackles last season and was also slowed by a concussion.

At free safety is the veteran Madieu Williams, who is solid in coverage but can’t seem to stay healthy. He’s a true centerfielder in every sense of the word, but nagging injuries always crop up to derail his season.

Of course, no matter who starts in the secondary, the entire unit will be helped by the outstanding pass-rush that the Vikings’ front four generates. The team’s woes in the secondary are usually masked by the effectiveness of the defensive line and assuming Jared Allen and company are at the top of their game, they will be again this year.

But while the Vikings are an obvious playoff contender, this isn’t a team that can sustain one or two injuries on defense and have it not cause a domino effect throughout the rest of the unit. Like all teams, Minnesota has to stay healthy.

Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the issues the Chargers could have up front on defense.

Thanks to GM A.J. Smith’s ongoing battle with the disgruntled Vincent Jackson, one could argue that receiver will be the Chargers’ biggest weakness heading into the new season. But even without Jackson, quarterback Philip Rivers will have plenty of targets to throw to in tight end Antonio Gates, wideout Malcom Floyd and up-and-comer Legedu Naanee.

With that in mind, the Bolts’ biggest issue still lies on the defensive side of the ball.

In 2009, the Chargers ranked 20th in the league against the run, allowing 117.6 yards per game. After Smith failed to address the defensive line this offseason, run defense could once again be the team’s Achilles heel.

Luis Castillo is still considered the team’s best defensive lineman, but he finished last year with career-lows in sacks (one) and tackles (25). He also underwent offseason shoulder surgery and has missed 15 starts over the past four seasons.

At the other end spot is Jacques Cesaire, who only remains the starter because the team has nobody better behind him. He was fine as a third defensive end behind Castillo and Igor Olashansky (now with the Cowboys), but struggles as an every down starter. He doesn’t have great size, he lacks power and he wears down throughout the course of games, which are three attributes that no 3-4 defensive end (or any defensive end for that matter) should have.

After the team released Jamal Williams in March, Antonio Garay is expected to start at nose tackle for the Chargers this season. Truth be told, the team would probably rather have rookie Cam Thomas start, but defensive tackles rarely make an impact until their third year and Thomas is incredibly raw. For now, the 30-year-old journeyman Garay will do, but he won’t make anyone forget about Williams anytime soon.

If Castillo can stay healthy and get back to the player that he was when he first entered the league, then the Chargers might be able to get by with what they have. But considering he doesn’t have a lot of talent around him and can’t seem to stay healthy, the Bolts could be in trouble.

For a team that is expected to win the AFC West and go deep into the players, defensive line is a major hole for the Bolts.

Merry training camp season, everyone. It’s been a long offseason, but football is finally gearing up again and to celebrate I’m rolling out a new series on TSR entitled “2010 NFL Question Marks,” where I discuss one or two of the biggest concerns that teams have heading into the new season. Granted, some teams have more issues than others, but I’ll primarily be focusing on the biggest problem areas. Today I’ll be discussing the Giants and their potential issue at middle linebacker.

Despite the signing of former Titan Keith Bulluck in July, the Giants’ biggest hole remains at the middle linebacker position.

While highly productive for many years in Tennessee, Bulluck is 33-years-old and is seven months removed from ACL surgery. The Giants are bringing him along slowly in practice and while he’s the favorite to start at some point this season, it may not be by Week 1.

Even if Bulluck claims the starting job by the start of the regular season, the question still remains whether or not he’s a good fit for the position. Remember, he has played on the weak side his entire career and new offensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s scheme requires the middle linebacker to be active in coverage. Even if Bulluck’s knee feels as good as he says it does, can he really hang with LeSean McCoy, Felix Jones and Jason Witten in coverage? That's one of the reasons why the Giants parted ways with Antonio Pierce - because he was too slow.

The Giants arguably had a better game plan in place when they were allowing Jonathan Goff and Phillip Dillard compete for the starting position before signing Bulluck. Goff opened training camp as the starter after turning heads in OTAs earlier this year while Dillard, a fourth round pick out of Nebraska, plays hard and was highly productive with the Cornhuskers last season.

But while Goff could be a force against the run, he’s unlikely to be an every down player because he struggles in coverage. Dillard would appear to have the most upside of anyone on the depth chart, but he benefited from playing in front of Ndamukong Suh at Nebraska. He too is better against the run than in coverage, which is something that Fewell will have to account for with all of his ‘backers.

I’m a huge fan of outside linebacker Michael Boley, who should play better than he did last year now that he’s healthy and not dealing with the off-field distractions (you know, like suspensions and battery charges) that haunted him last year. I’m also high on second-year player Clint Sintim, as evidence of this post.

But middle linebacker could potentially be a liability for the Giants because of what Fewell demands out of the position. If Bulluck, Goff and/or Dillard can’t prove that they can cover in this scheme, then this problem could brew all season.