The NFL's Top-10 Stories for '08-'09

The last season will be always remembered for the Patriots’ path to the perfection, and the biggest upset ever when the Giants held them off on the Super Bowl, voiding them to complete the perfect season.

The offseason has been quite interesting, and the upcoming season is expected to be even better than the previous one. Let’s take a look to the top 10 stories that you need to follow.

10) Are the Browns as good as some analysts think?

There is a lot of expectation around the Cleveland Browns. The entire NFL is expecting greatness from this young team, and some risky analyst put them as real contenders at this point.

They were able to win 10 games in 2007 with Derek Anderson's arm. He made the Pro Bowl and built an outstanding chemistry with Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. No one knew what Anderson can do. This year, no one will be surprised, and all the teams will be prepared.

For this reason, he will have to take a step forward in order to get the job done. Last year, he struggled a little at the end of the season. He will have to play as solid as in the first part of 2007 and be better in the clutch. He will have more weapons around him, while Donte Stallworth should be a remarkable second option.

Defensively, they have to play better than in 2007 if they want to make the playoffs. They have made good moves, adding Shaun Rodgers and Corey Williams. Both will provide them with strength in the trenches and will make the linebackers’ job easier.

In my opinion, the Browns are a little overrated at this point. We have to wait until October to rate this team.

9) Will the NFC close the gap with the AFC?

A representative of the NFC finally clinched the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but in the previous five or six years, the AFC has been tougher than the NFC.

In my opinion, this trend will continue in 2008. The overall level of the American Football Conference is better. We have settled contenders, such as the Patriots, the Colts, the Chargers, and even the Jaguars. On the other hand, there are only a couple of real contenders in the NFC: the Giants and the Cowboys.

The overall level is also better at the AFC, with emerging teams such as the Browns, the Steelers, and the Titans. Only the Vikings and the Packers look to come off the edge in the NFC.

8) What can Aaron Rodgers bring to the table?

For the first time since 1991, a man not called Brett Favre will start as the Green Bay Packers' quarterback. Aaron Rodgers will make his regular-season debut Sept. 8, when the Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings.

In my opinion, Rodgers has less pressure on his shoulders than three months ago. The Favre issue has definitely positioned the fans at his side.

Rodgers has spent three years behind Favre, learning the job, and he should be ready for the challenge of being the Packers' leading man.

He will also count on a nice supporting cast, with a talented group of receivers. Donald Driver is a perennial productive player, Greg Jennings could establish himself as one of the league's elite, and James Jones is a smart third option.

I think Rodgers will be able to deliver the ball well between these three guys. He can also use his legs to buy time or get yards. In my opinion, he will surprise many fans, leading the Packers to another postseason appearance.

7) Is Peyton Manning’s knee ready?

The state of Indianapolis is worried about Peyton’s knee. Manning underwent surgery  on July 14 to have an infected bursa sac removed from his left knee and has been on the physically-unable-to-perform list the entire preseason. Manning missed a part of the Colts’ training camp and only got light work in practice last week.

There is no need to say that the Colts are a poor team without Manning, and his recovery is a state matter. He will be at the Colts' season opener Sept. 7, when they take on the Chicago Bears in a Super Bowl XLI revival.

He will be, but there are doubts on how the Colts’ offense will work. As I said, he has missed several part of the training camp, and perhaps he is not in rhythm.

6) Which rookie will have the biggest impact?

It is always tough to predict what a rookie is going to offer in his first year playing Sunday’s football. Many things determine his success; the team, the battle for the roster spot, and many other things.

According to this, I think that some players will have a big impact from the first day. Jake Long will be the leader of the Miami Dolphins' rebuilding. He is a big and talented guy, and he has everything to success in this League.

Glenn Dorsey will also provide fight in the trenches from the first day at Kansas City. He is a monster in the middle and will need double teams from the very first game. In skill positions, we should take look to Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers) and Chris Johnson (Titans).

5) Will the Cowboys finally take the final step?

They have to.

The Dallas Cowboys have all that is needed to be a championship team. They have an outstanding quarterback, one of the best wide receivers ever to play the game, a top-echelon tight end, and a smart defense.

They had this last year, too, but they have also improved the team this offseason. They have added Adam Jones and Tank Johnson.

The Cowboys must win their first playoff game since 1996 and advance to the Super Bowl. In my opinion, it’s their year. They have the talent, the experience, and the poise.

4) Do the Patriots have a shot to be perfect again?

The Patriots missed a lifetime opportunity, losing against the Giants in Super Bowl XLII. Their march to the perfect season looked unstoppable throughout the year, but they struggled at the most important moment of the season.

This year, almost the entire team is back. They suffered a severe loss in Asante Samuel, but I’m sure that Bill Belichick will find the way to the success. Nevertheless, the perfection train is a once-in-a-lifetime one.

In my opinion, they are the main contenders for winning the title, but repeating their dominance is absolutely impossible.

3) Will Adrian Peterson set the single-season rushing yards record?

Adrian Peterson was the sensation of 2007 season. He was named Pepsi Rookie of the Year, and he broke the single-game rushing record. He had 296 yards on the ground, with three touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers. He carried the whole weight of the Vikings’ offense, while he had almost no help from the passing game.

The Vikings air game was the 28th in the NFL in 2007.

This year, reports are saying that Tarvaris Jackson is improving day-by-day. The front office has provided him a new deep threat in Bernard Berrian, and Sidney Rice is expected to have a breakout year. This will take pressure off Peterson’s shoulders, and opponent's defenses will have to focus less on him.

The only remaining issue is his health. Peterson has had injury problems since his sophomore year at Oklahoma. If he stays healthy this season, I’m sure that he will have a shot to set the single-season rushing record.

2) Can Favre lead the Jets to rebound from a 4-12 season?

Unless you have been in a bunker for the last two months, you should know that Brett Favre is back; and he is back with the New York Jets. After the problems with the Packers’ front office, Favre was finally traded to the Big Apple.

The Jets are coming from a disgusting season, with a quarterback dilemma included. Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington—who's been traded to the Dolphins—shared the job in 2007. This season, Favre is expected to play from the Week One.

Favre has brought the momentum back to the Jets, and he has looked well in his first two preseason contests with the Jets. He will have veteran Laveranues Coles, a rising go-to guy in Jerrico Cotchery and many other weapons around him.

If the defense plays smart, the running game supports, and they have a fast start, Favre could lead them to a postseason spot.

1) Can New York repeat as champs?

I have always said that a championship team deserves all the credit before the start of the season, but I also have to be realistic, and realize that back-to-back titles will be almost impossible.

They have had several losses. Gibril Wilson moved away, Osi Umenyiora is done for the season after their third preseason game, and Michael Strahan is retired (the Giants’ front office is trying to bring him back after Osi’s injury).

Last year, they came alive while entering the postseason. Eli Manning showed his best level of play of his career, Plaxico Burress shined, and the D's performance was outstanding.

This year, Manning has to play as consistent as in the postseason, and Steve Spagnuolo has to bring something new to the table. During the offseason, the NFL coaches have been watching tapes of this defense, and I am sure that they have found its faults. For this reason, it will be harder for the Giants to dominate from the defense.

If they can take care of all of this, they will have a shot, but don’t expect it. A slump year is more probable.

Other notable stories: Is JaMarcus Russell the guy in Oakland? Will Jay Cutler overcome his diabetes problems?