Top 10 NFL Preseason Storylines

It's hard to believe, but we are just a week away from watching one of the most intense, pulse-pounding, and life-altering four-week spectacles in all of the world:

Preseason football.

Not convinced? Ask a fifth-round pick's opinion of it, and chances are you will hear the same description.

If the prelude to America's sport fails to grab your attention, take a look at these 10 storylines, grab a cold one, flip on NFL Network or your local station affiliate, and prepare to be entranced.

10. Jets Golden Boy or Clemens' Time?

A new head coach, a running-back battle, and a search for wide receivers all pale in comparison in New York to the decision that is sure to be made by the time the preseason ends:

Who will lead the Jets under center?

Jets fans cheered (finally) the pick of Mark Sanchez out of USC, but which former top-Trojan QB will he emulate—Carson Palmer or Matt Leinart?

Meanwhile, the grizzled veteran on the depth chart reamins Kellen Clemens, a quarterback with a higher number in touchdown-interception difference than total touchdowns in his career (5-11).

The decision made will swing the team to two very different sides. A choice of Clemens indicates Rex Ryan wants to win now and wants Sanchez to sit and learn. Picking Sanchez shows the Jets are in a wait-and-see mode.

Game to watch:
St. Louis Rams @ New York Jets, Aug. 14, 7:00 pm—NFL Network

9. Forever Young or Times Are a Changin'?

Sure, whether the Titans can replace Albert Haynesworth and stay on top of the league's defensive statistics is a hot story. But who wants to pay attention to how the defensive tackles perform?

Throw in a former Rookie of the Year quarterback, benched for the likes of Kerry Collins, with a history of apparent emotional problems, and you have yourself a much sexier lead.

Vince Young seemed to have the Titans back on track when drafted out of Texas, but his career took a much unexpected spiral downward. In the midst of a dominating 2008 regular season, Young got injured and came back only to be told to watch Collins lead his team.

All signs would point to Collins being the main man in Week One, but after a poor showing in Tennessee's only playoff game, could a strong preseason propel Young back into the starting spot?

Game to watch:
Buffalo Bills @ Tennessee Titans, Aug. 9, 8:00 pm—NBC

8. So Many Choices, So Little Talent?

It seems like every year, there is one team that has a large, tight competition for the quarterback position—then it turns out it really didn't matter who won. The Oakland Raiders with JaMarcus Russel and Jeff Garcia are certainly a prime example.

However, the Bucs have not two, but three mediocre quarterbacks competing for the same spot—Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, and Josh Freeman.

Leftwich has never eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark in his career, McCown has started seven total games in five years, and the first-round pick of Freeman is quickly being thought of as a bust selection.

The decision will undoubtedly be based off of preseason performance, but will any of the quarterbacks turn Tampa Bay into a legitimate contender?

Game to watch:
Miami Dolphins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Aug. 27, 8:00 pm—FOX

7. How Much Did Addition By Subtraction Work?

When eccentric wide receiver Terrell Owens was released, the thought was that the loss of his attitude would outweigh the loss of his talents. This upcoming preseason, the left-over product will have a supreme battle for spots.

Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, and Miles Austin all set out to prove they are the top-three targets for Tony Romo in any particular order, while Tony Romo himself looks to find his new favorite wideout.

Also to look for this preseason is 4th and Long champion Jesse Holly. Picked by Michael Irvin to compete in Dallas' training camp, Holly is the longest shot at the WR position this summer.

Could Cowboys fans be calling for a return of Owens and possibly a call-up of Andrew Hawkins by preseason's end?

Game to watch:
Tennessee Titans @ Dallas Cowboys, Aug. 21, 8:00 pm—FOX

6. With the Keys to Cassel, Where Will Chiefs Go?

Filling in for Tom Brady, Matt Cassel came out form the ghosts of high school's past to lead the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record. Now he's a rich man on a poorer team, and this preseason will be the NFL fan's first look at Cassel on his own team.

This time around, Cassel doesn't have Randy Moss or Wes Welker. He doesn't have an offensive line built with the help of Scott Pioli (yet). He doesn't even have Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez.

How will Cassel respond and perform? Chances are Chiefs fans may not like what they see. The good news is, Patriots fans were praying Brady didn't get hurt after seeing Cassel last preseason.

Game to watch:
Kansas City Chiefs @ St. Louis Rams, Sep. 3, 8:00 pm—Not a national broadcast

5. Turning Point or Another Miss?

With the No. 1 overall pick, the Detroit Lions selected Matthew Stafford out of Georgia.

Is the previously mentioned sentence going to live forever in Lions lore as a godsend, or will it bring back memories of Andre Ware and Charles Rogers?

The Lions fully expect Stafford to be the future of the team, and new head coach Jim Schwartz seems content with the veteran presence of Daunte Culpepper behind center.

Should a team that went 0-16 the previous year really be concerned with winning now? How Stafford performs in the preseason may be the deciding factor in Detroit's plans for this fall.

Game to watch:
Atlanta Falcons @ Detroit Lions, Aug. 15, 4:00 pm—NFL Network

4. Who Will Be the Top Dawg in Cleveland?

When a new coach comes in as Eric Mangini is to Cleveland, said coach usually has to make a season-changing decision during the preseason—who is his guy?

The Browns have Derek Anderson, the Cinderella story on the depth chart, and Brady Quinn, the first-round heart-throb, to choose between yet again. The difference is that this year is probably Quinn's last chance to prove he can get the job done.

Anderson came off a 29 TD season in 2007 to only play 10 injury-plagued games in 2008. His experience and relationship with Braylon Edwards may trump Quinn's expectations heading into Week One.

The Browns signed Bret Ratliff from the Jets during the offfseason, so expect the loser of this QB battle to be traded to a quarterback-needy team.

Game to watch:
Detroit Lions @ Cleveland Browns, Aug. 22, 7:30 pm—Not a national broadcast

3. Mile High Problems or a Change For the Better?

Probably the biggest story during the offseason, new Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels has something to prove during this preseason.

After trading away Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler and getting Kyle Orton in return, McDaniels has to showcase his new front-runner before the season starts so the warrant for his head and be taken down in Denver.

Challenging Orton for the top spot is former Titan and Buc Chris Simms, a once promising quarterback who got shafted by his appendix. In terms of mobility, Simms fits the mold of Matt Cassel—the same Matt Cassel that drove Cutler mad and out of Colorado.

The 2009 preseason comes down to one question for Denver—should the new coach go with the proven starter in Orton or the better project in Simms?

Game to watch:
Chicago Bears @ Denver Broncos, Aug. 30, 8:00 pm—NBC

2. With Favre 2.0 Gone, Who Takes the Reins?

Now that the dust as settled and there will be no future Hall of Famer looking for revenge in his old division, the Vikings have a quarterback battle from within.

Minnesota traded with the Houston Texans for Sage Rosenfels, and Tarvaris Jackson is the incumbent at the position. While neither player raises eyebrows from first sight, the fight for this position could play a huge part in what NFL broadcasters will talk about for the next five months.

If neither shows what it takes in the preseason, are there any guarantees head coach Brad Childress doesn't get on the phone asking Brett Favre if he is really ready to hang them up.

After all, with a few disappointing endings to promising seasons, Childress may be on his last thread in Minnesota, and a legitimate quarterback is considered to be the only piece missing.

Does either quarterback prove that they are the man for the job, or will Viking fans be left pining for Favre?

Game to watch:
Minnesota Vikings @ Houston Texans, Aug. 31, 8:00 pm—ESPN

1. How Is the Knee, Head, Arm, and Ring Finger?

He's healed, recharged, married, and expecting. Oh, and he's back.

Tom Brady returns to the Patriots with higher expectations than any quarterback has ever had to return to. The Patriots are considered Super Bowl favorites with Brady, but without him, they are put in the middle of the road.

All signs point to his knee being fine, but questions do remain. Will his uncanny football smarts return? Will his arm tire out after missing a whole year?

Watching Brady in the preseason will be the most intriguing, because he is not your typical star when it comes to August action.

In previous years, Brady has pleaded with head coach Bill Belichick to allow him to play the entire first half of preseason games.

If he was not granted permission then, will he be given the chance now to shake off the rust despite having a questionable knee?

Game to watch:
New England Patriots @ Washington Redskins, Aug. 28, 8:00 pm—CBS