Breaking Down The NFC: From Beast To Least

As the 2009 NFL season approaches, fans are eager to see who is ready to contribute towards their favorite teams goal of winning the championship.

One thing is certain about training camp and preseason, a team can have their entire outlook changed drastically over this time.

Injuries are an obvious factor, one that stays in a teams game plan until they are done playing that year. Another is the progression of the already known commodities on each team. Many mature in mind—as well as body—as they learn the game. Some end up being tagged "over the hill" as well.

Then there is the exciting factor of the new members of a team, especially the rookies. Whether a player is drafted by the team or not, every season sees at least one newcomer have a significant impact on their teams fortunes.


Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia were less than two minutes from a Super Bowl appearance last year. Some may say they took the league by surprise, others say they just were doing what was expected.

Head coach Andy Reid has smartly drafted on his area of expertise, offensive line, the last few years. The foundation appears to be set for many more years ahead.

Donovan McNabb had an up and down season at quarterback in 2008, he may be at the apex of his peak as a football player right now. The Eagles seem to think so, considering they gave him a lot more money and weapons for the upcoming season.

There are two big questions ahead for the Eagles that may end up costing them a chance at the franchise getting their first championship since 1960.

The defense is very talented and has interchangeable parts. The only thing that may be missing is their leader. Defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson was the "mad scientist" who concocted schemes that confounded and confused opponents. He died recently, so it remains to be seen how the team will react with his absence.

The other question for Philadelphia is the same as last season. The running game may have cost the Eagles their chance at the Super Bowl in the 2008 season.

Brian Westbrook is the only proven running back on the team, and he is heading into his twilight years as an NFL player. Westbrook, not a big back, has gotten more out of his abilities than most running backs have in Eagles history.

All things must end, and we might be seeing his swan song as a featured back. He has battled injuries the past few years, and may best be served as a pass catching type mainly.

If it is, in fact, Westbrook's time to no longer be "the guy," the Eagles need rookie LeSean McCoy to step up immediately. McCoy, being a rookie and a small back himself, is not a known commodity right now. Though he was successful in college, that does not always translate at the professional level.

With both men not being the type who can get it done on the fourth-and-one type of plays, the Eagles still have to find their short yardage guy. There are no players on the roster now who fill the role. The best option may be a journeyman named Kyle Eckel.

Getting the job done in short yardage is critical to winning games. It shows superiority in the trenches, which is a must in the NFC East. One can expect the Eagles to roll up yards in the air, but the length of their season may be determined by the effectiveness of their ground attack.


New York Giants

The Giants step into 2009 just one season removed as the defending champions. Many of those key performers are still on the roster, thus making the Jints a force to be reckoned with.

The main force the Giants employ is their offensive line. It is one of the best in the league, and none of the components are considered old yet. If they all stay healthy, this unit has a few more years left together. Still, the team has smartly stocked the roster with youngsters to learn from the veterans.

The media loves to point out the loss of wide receiver Plaxico Burress, but the bigger loss to the unit may be the departure of Amani Toomer. Toomer was a consistent weapon the Giants could rely on, while Burress was the explosive—but maddeningly inconsistent—headcase the team never knew what to expect of. The team will now employ a group of young and unproven receivers, and this could be the downfall of their upcoming season.

The defense, as always it seems, will be solid. They are deep, versatile, and smart. Trying to exploit them with a balanced attack is not easy. The only real weakness might be at safety, and that is a weakness most teams would love to have.

The running game is led by Brandon Jacobs, but this will be the first year of his pro career where he is the only consistent threat on his team. Ahmad Bradshaw had been used sporadically up until now, so he may have a chance to show he can handle an increased role.

Then there is a group of Danny Ware, Andre Brown, Allen Patrick, and Dwayne Wright. Ware might be the leading candidate of this group, and could end up being the guy to spell Jacobs. Brown is a versatile back with little mileage on him, mainly because he was injury prone in college. Wright has talent, but has yet to realize it. Whoever emerges from this group could push the G-Men back into a Super Bowl.

One thing is clear. The Giants will be in the running for the playoffs come towards the seasons end, barring a major rash of injuries. The length of their run will be determined in the depth and balance of their offensive attack.


Dallas Cowboys

Trying to rebuild while being competitive is not easy. Especially when you are a team that tries to pass itself off as championship caliber each year that passes. Dallas have been caught in this mire, and hope this is the year they back the hype with results.

Addition by subtraction appears to be the overlying theme for 2009. When the Cowboys dumped future Hall Of Famer, and member of the Headcase Hall Of Fame, Terrell Owens, they basically handed the keys of the passing game to Jason Witten and Roy Williams.

Both are capable of doing the job, and hopefully offensive coordinator Jason Garrett will start to use the wondrous receiving skills of running back Felix Jones to add that explosive dimension the team has lacked for several seasons.

The Cowboys main weakness, however, has been in the trenches the last few years. Though they did address this on the defensive side, by acquiring defensive end Igor Olshansky, the offensive line remains the same for now. Dallas did pick up some youngster's to develop, but none are expected to help this year.

The inconsistency of the blocking not only affects the passing game, but it has hindered the running game. Dallas must rely on a strong running attack to be contenders, and Marion Barber is being counted on being the feature back. Tashard Choice is an intriguing prospect, and he could end up taking a lot of pressure off of Barber. Jones is electric, but is best employed if used in increments on the ground.

The Cowboys are expecting their linebackers and defensive backs to be stellar this year. Led by All Pro linebacker DeMarcus Ware, they have added All-Pro Keith Brooking to help an assorted group of linebackers. Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Spencer are former first round draft picks who have yet to substantiate their selections. If they realize their abilities, Dallas could end up having one of the better linebacking units in the NFC.

There are many talented cornerbacks of the Cowboys roster, but safety still is a huge concern. Gerald Sensabaugh is being counted on being the consistent and complete strong safety the team has not had since Darren Woodson retired. He is probably not the guy for the job.

Wide receiver Roy Williams is the face of the receiving corp, but there is some concern about the rest of the group. A group that seems full of guys that are not considered starting material, for the most part. Patrick Crayton needs to really step up his game, or the team might find itself turning to weaker players. Then there is hope that Isaiah Stanback, a former college quarterback, is ready to show why the Cowboys drafted him in 2007. If he emerges, it could be a critical wrinkle to the Cowboys offensive attack.

No one will ignore Dallas this year. The media won't let that happen. The talent is there as well, but it will be interesting to see if the Cowboys can start holding their own at the line of scrimmage. If this happens, they are capable of getting to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1995.


Washington Redskins

The Redskins still appear to be a team in flux. They enter their second season with Jim Zorn as the head coach, and are a roster dominated by players selected by previous head coach, and Hall Of Famer, Joe Gibbs.

The mess of the front office continues, led by owner Dan Snyder and his stooge Vinny Cerrato. The Redskins may have cost themselves their future quarterback by trying to acquire other players to fill his position.

Jason Campbell got off to an excellent start in 2008, despite playing in his fifth offensive system in five years. He set a team record of passing attempts without an interception. Things began to fall apart for him as the season progressed, and it was no coincidence that the Redskins offensive line was bereft with injuries during this time.

Campbell wasn't the only player whose production significantly decreased with the offensive lines woes. Running back Clinton Portis soon followed with an injury of his own, and his backup, Ladell Betts, also had his own injury issues. The Redskins lack of running attack exposed their weakness through the air. Even with All Pro tight end Chris Cooley as the main weapon.

Santana Moss is the teams main wide receiver, but he is known as a player who can make the tough catch and drop the easy ones. His inconsistency has cost Washington chances at wins. The second receiver, Antwaan Randall El, is best utilized as a third receiver in the slot. The rest of the group is an unknown commodity, though Devin Thomas did show some promise in his 2008 rookie campaign.

Washington has pinned their hopes of defensive improvement on the broad shoulders of defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth was given a huge contract of $100,000,000 to play with the team, and he is expected to provide the run stopping ability the team sorely needs.

The real question will be the back seven of the defense. The teams depth at linebacker is dreadfully thin. Other than middle linebacker London Fletcher and weakside linebacker Rocky McIntosh, the team has no proven players they know can be relied on.

Washington has three veteran cornerbacks in Fred Smoot, Carlos Rogers, and DeAngelo Hall. Depth was still needed, and they drafted a potential future starter in Kevin Barnes this year. Safety was considered a concern last season, yet rookie Chris Horton was excellent at strong safety. If he can avoid the proverbial sophomore jinx, the team has a versatile and experienced backup in Reed Doughty to lean on for quality depth.

The kicking game has also been a mess in Washington for several years. They wasted a draft pick on a punter last year, and ended up cutting him a few weeks into the year. Their placekicker, Shaun Suisham, was one of the worst in the league in 2008. They have brought in journeyman Dave Rayner to push Suisham, and brought in veteran Hunter Smith to handle the punting duties.

Washington heads into the season with as many questions as they had last year. Will the veterans be able to make Zorn's West Coast offense work? Will they finally stay healthy for a complete season? If injuries occur, will the depth be able to provide quality play? Will the Redskins crawl out of the NFC East cellar? Of course all this gets answered after kickoff, but few pundits are answering "yes" to any of those questions

Minnesota Vikings

Whether the Vikes had attained the services of Brett Favre or not, their season will be all about their play in the trenches.

They have a very solid defensive line versus the run, and their back seven has the ability to be very good if they stay healthy. The loss of MLB E.J. Henderson hurt Minni last season, just as they were attempting to make a run into the playoffs.

The Vikings offensive attack is predicated on being powerful in the rushing attack. Adrian Peterson leads the way, and is the face of the franchise right now. His primary reserve is Chester Taylor, a 1,000 yard back himself.

The Vikings will have to hope second year center John Sullivan is ready, after losing long time veteran Matt Birk to free agency. If Sullivan isn't ready, Ryan Cook may get the call.

Whoever is going to be the Vikings signal caller, it would behoove that person to keep from turning the ball over much. Favre has averaged over 27 turnovers a season in his career, so he may not be the best option.

After handing the ball off 30+ times a game to Peterson and Taylor, Minnesota's quarterback will have a few toys to play with. Bernard Berrian is a speedy wide receiver who can be a game changer. Sydney Rice is a big receiver who spent most of last year hurt. Bobby Wade is a steady slot type who can be relied on in third down plays.

Then there are the two men who could add an explosive element to the Vikings passing attack. Percy Harvin is their 2009 first round draft pick, and he is the kind of player who can take a screen pass or reverse to the end zone at any time. Jaymar Johnson is a speedy player who is working hard to earn a roster spot this year.

If Harvin and/ or Johnson can stretch the opponents defensive seams, it will open thing up for tight end Visanthe Shiancoe over the middle. The danger of the running game will also increase.

The Vikings have the talent to win their division. If they continue to win in the trenches, this chance increases. Whether it is Favre, Sage Rosenfels, or Tavaris Jackson at quarterback.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers proved to all critics last year that he was the right man for the quarterback job. He also proved critics to be right in their questioning his ability to lay all 16 games, missing time because of injury.

Injuries were really the theme of the Packers 2008 season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Packers spent games with just four or five of the starters, who won the jobs out of training camp, on the field.

Green Bay also went through growing pains as General Manager Ted Thompson continues to rebuild the team while remaining competitive.

The Packers will shift to the 3-4 defense this year, and the spotlight will be on their 2009 first round draft pick B.J. Raji. Raji is the only pure NT on the team, and the success of the 3-4 depends on that position most.

Green Bay have a very talented group of defensive players in the back eight. If they can stay healthy, the team's fortunes will be bright this season.

Though the Packers have a decent running game, led by Ryan Grant, their offensive successes will come mainly via the passing attack. Rodgers has two veteran wide receivers in Donald Driver and Greg Jennings that he can depend on every time.

Jordy Nelson showed promise as a rookie last season, and the Packers hope James Jones can stay healthy and realize his potential. Donald Lee is also being counted on to produce more than he did in the 2008 season at tight end.

The Packers have all the tools to be explosive on both sides of the ball. They are also better than many teams along the line of scrimmage. The injury bug has a habit of wearing at least one teams jersey more than others each year, and Packer fans may tell you that was their teams turn last season.


Chicago Bears

The big NFL news in Chicago the last few months was Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo mortgaging the near future to Denver, and pinning all of the city and franchises hopes on quarterback Jay Cutler.

Cutler is being counted on to be the best Bears quarterback since Hall Of Famer Sid Luckman. A tall order, but one the Bears feel Cutler can fulfill. His strong arm will get tested in the Windy City, and Da Bears fans will hope Cutler won't be pining away for the thin air of Denver.

Cutler won't have to do it all alone on offense. He will have the services of running back Matt Forte, a youngster coming off a stellar 2008 rookie campaign. Forte was perhaps too important to the Bears offense last year, a formula that has shortened the careers of many players.

Chicago will need wide receivers to step up and help Cutler. Whether it is Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox, or Juaquin Iglesias. They know they have two solid tight ends in Greg Olson and Desmond Clark, but stretching the field will be paramount to the teams success.

The offensive line is a mix of veterans, curious projects, and unproven players. If Chris Williams, their 2008 first round draft pick, is healthy, he will need to show why he was drafted so high. If the blockers don't gel, the season and careers of Cutler and Forte could be on the line.

Defensively, the Bears are expected to be good at the least. Though the secondary let the team down last year, they are hoping rookies Al Afalava and D.J. Moore can improve the team. Another player to watch is Zackary Bowman, an oft-injured player with all the tools required to be special.

If the Bears receiving corp can step up as a whole, it may enable the Bears to return Hester to full time return duties. Some think his increased role on offense hampered his return game last season. If Hester can even show a glimpse of the player he was a few seasons ago as a returner, it could win the Bears a game or more.

This year will be big for Cutler to prove he was worth two first round draft picks. If he can, the QB starved city of Chicago could truly have their first great quarterback since Luckman. If he can't, he will just be tossed onto a pretty high pile of past disappointments, and possibly hurt the franchise for several years.

For a veteran team like the Bears, anything less than the playoffs in 2009 will be a failure.


Detroit Lions

Martin Mayhew and Matt Millen actually have many things in common. Both played in the NFL. Both played defense. Both played on teams that won a Super Bowl. Both were teammates on the 1991 Washington Redskins that won Super Bowl XXVI.

Lions fans hope that is where the similarities end.

Mayhew's first act as Lions GM was to trade one of Millen's first round draft picks, wide receiver Roy Williams, to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2009 first round draft pick that turned out to be tight end Brandon Pettigrew.

When you are a team coming off a winless season, it can easily be said you need help everywhere. Yet, the Lions actually do have several talented players on the roster leftover from 2008. Factor that in with a fairly sturdy 2009 draft, and the foundation seems perhaps more sturdy than first imagined.

Matthew Stafford was the first player chosen in the 2009 draft, and the quarterback has already been given a guaranteed $41.7 million without even have taken a NFL snap. Though it may be wise to sit and develop him, as veteran Duante Culpepper plays this season, it is hard to imagine that kind of cash just riding the bench all year.

The Lions have one superior weapon in wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Whoever is tossing the ball for Detroit will have fun throwing it in Johnson's direction several times a game. Johnson is the type of player who can catch the ball with three or four guys drapes all over him.

If veteran Dennis Northcutt or rookie Derrick Williams can bookend him decently, it will make the Lions even more dangerous. Factor in Pettigrew and the running back tandem of Maurice Morris and Kevin Smith, and Detroit have the ability to be productive on offense.

The key to all of that success will be the blocking. Detroit have many people in camp pushing for jobs. They have three veteran tackles in Jim Backus, Jon Jansen, and Ephraim Salaam. Gosder Cherilus had a erratic rookie campaign in 2008, so he might get moved to guard or sit and learn from the veterans if he cannot eradicate his mental errors.

The Lions do look good defensively on paper, as far as a foundation to work with. They have several young players who will have to learn and go through growing pains on the fly, especially on the defensive line.

They also got some sound veterans in linebacker Julian Peterson and Larry Foote, as well as cornerbacks Anthony Henry and Phillip Buchanon. These men could team up with OLB Ernie Sims and rookie FS Louis Delmas to be very competitive in the Black & Blue Division.

Lions fans are tired of the team's pleas to be patient, but that really is the only alternative for everyone involved right now. Time will tell if Mayhew and Millen are only similar as far as on the field success.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona were minutes away from winning their first Lombardi Trophy last season, and some are expecting them to have a chance again this year.

Last year was a magical run that saw QB Kurt Warner revive his career, while WR Larry Fitzgerald put his in the spotlight. Fitzgerald teams with Anquan Boldin to give the Cardinals the best WR duo in the NFL, and Steve Breaston is a spectacular third receiver who makes them even better.

A big reason for their playoff run in 2008 was the emergence of the offensive line. If they can improve even more, the offense will become more deadly. They will need to, because an injury to Warner could prove to be catastrophic. His backup, Matt Leinart, has been a huge flop. Warner will hope to remain healthy, while attempting to defy age. He appeared to be nearly out of the league until he resurrected his career last year.

The defense is led by defensive tackle Darnell Dockett and an above average secondary. Dockett is one of the more underrated players in the NFL. Arizona's defense won games last season, most notably a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on national television. If they can be as good as last year, the Cardinals will be in good shape.

The biggest issue will be the running game. Tim Hightower was a nice surprise in his 2008 rookie season, and he might have to carry the bulk of the workload this year. Arizona drafted a talented runner in Beanie Wells this year, but Wells has shown to be injury prone in college and even in his first professional training camp.

The pieces are in place for another Super Bowl run on paper. Injuries weren't a big factor last year for the Cardinals. If they can't avoid them again this year, their luck may run out.


Saint Louis Rams

It wasn't all that long ago the Rams offense was dubbed "The Greatest Show On Turf." They could pile up points in bunches over a short time. The Rams of today are anything but that.

This is a team built on winning in the trenches and controlling the clock. Led by a deep and talented offensive line, Steven Jackson could be primed for a big season rushing the football. The problem is if Jackson misses time, because there is a serious drop off in the depth chart.

The passing game is full of questions. Quarterback Marc Bulger has had injury issues the past few seasons, and TE Randy McMichael is trying to return from an injury that ended his 2008 season early. The wide receivers are very young, and are led by second year pro Donnie Avery.

The defense is led by an up and coming line that features two young and versatile studs in Adam Carriker and Chris Long. The unit, though not very deep, is god against the run and pass. They could allow MLB James Laurinaitis to become a star. Factor in OLB Chris Draft, CB Tye Hill, and FS Oshiomogho Atogwe, and the Rams defense is better than some may expect.

Another big weapon for the Rams is kicker Josh Brown. He is consistent and has a strong leg, the type you want when the game is on the line.

Every year, a team surprises NFL fans. This could be the year of the Rams.


San Francisco 49ers

The Niners have been stuck in middle for many years. They are never the worst team, but they often fall short with rosters full of players not fulfilling their potentials.

One player most spotlighted, in this regard, is quarterback Alex Smith. Smith spent last year injured, and might be getting his last shot to prove why he was the first player selected in the 2005 draft. If he can't, Shaun Hill will get the call. One player to watch is talented rookie Nate Davis.

The woes at quarterback also cost their skilled players a chance to excel. They rely on RB Frank Gore and his surgically repaired knees to carry the team much too often. The blocking has been so sub-par, they have wasted the immense talents of TE Vernon Davis so far. Davis is an amazing athlete who works best in the slot, but he is forced to stay in and help block, squandering his abilities.

Michael Crabtree was drafted this year to provide another weapon, but a wide receiver can only excel if the quarterback can get him the ball. Crabtree's ego, however, may say otherwise.

The defense may be the best in the division, led by tackling machine Patrick Willis. They got even better with the acquisition of Dre Bly. This is the unit that gives the 49ers the best chance at winning.

Mike Singletary was a hard nosed player who achieved his potential, and inspired his teammates to fulfill theirs. It is a lot different trying to convey passion from the sideline rather than in the huddle, so it will be interesting to see what Singletary does with his roster.

Getting guys like Smith, Crabtree, and Vern Davis to realize their collective potential could get the Niners out of the perpetual muddle, and into the playoffs.


Seattle Seahawks

Seattle are trying to remain competitive while turning over their roster. The hardest thing to do is expect to win your division in the process.

With the impending retirements of future Hall Of Fame OT Walter Jones and QB Matt Hasselbeck on the horizon, there appears to be no solid contingency plan in place.

Seattle rely on their passing game. Hasselbeck is dealing with a chronic back problem, so his playing a full season is crucial to their success.

The offense is veteran and savvy. They got better by acquiring TJ Houshmanzadeh, who should team up with TE John Carlson to give Seattle two solid possession type threats. If Nate Burleson or rookie Deon Butler can get deep, it will open many options up. Deion Branch also needs to show why he was given a big contract several seasons ago.

The running game scares no one, and is led by two veterans who haven't excelled in years. Julius Jones and TJ Duckett are the guys Seattle is gambling on, and these are a risk few would take.

The defense is solid, and led by a deep linebacking unit. Julian Peterson was sent packing so first round draft choice Aaron Curry could start. The secondary is veteran, and is boosted by the return of CB Ken Lucas. Lucas had spent the last four years in Carolina. The defensive line rotates players constantly, except for DE Patrick Kerney.

The special teams are a unit worth watching. Seattle needs to decide if they will keep Orlindo Mare or Brandon Coutu at kicker, or carry both on the roster. Also, they have a battle between Josh Wilson, Justin Forsett, and Devin Moore for the return duties.

Seattle should be in a lot of games this year, mainly because of their defense. If they can get some semblance of a running game to balance the offense, then guys like Jones and Hasselbeck can try to get one last NFC West crown.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have been a bit of a mystery the last two seasons. They show promise and talent, but have fallen well short of proving their worth in the NFL.

Drew Brees 2008 season was special, and New Orleans will be beyond blessed if the quarterback comes even close to matching it in 2009.

The running game has held the Saints back. The blockers have done well in pass defense, but need to step it up in the rushing attack.

Reggie Bush has done fairly well receiving the ball, but has shown that he is not the cowbell the team needs, so far. He is a back who usually goes down on first contact, and has rarely shown why the Saints drafted him so high in the first place.

The key to the season may rest on the shoulders of Pierre Thomas. Thomas has shown glimpses of being special, but has yet been given the duties to display that promise more than a few times. If he gets the Saints 1,000 yards this season, the team will be hard to defeat in their division.

New Orleans has shown they can toss the ball around the field as good as anyone in the league. They did this in 2008 with their top receiver injured for the majority of the season, and their tight end having his own issues.

With Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey at full health, it could open up things even more for Robert Meachem, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson. Rookie Adrian Arrington will also push for a roster spot on a deep group.

The Saints other weakness has been defense. They took one step in the right direction by acquiring Jonathan Vilma, a tackling machine who mans their MLB slot. This year they added veteran SS Darren Sharper and DE Paul Spicer, along with CB Malcolm Jenkins, their 2009 first round draft pick.

The Saints hope Jenkins can team up with Tracy Porter to give them the CB tandem the franchise has sought most of their existence in the league. If the duo is, then veteran Randall Gay's versatility to play FS comes in handy for quality depth.

The kicking game is also something to pay attention to. Garrett Hartley took over the job in the tenth game of 2008, and the rookie was perfect the rest of the way. If he can come close to that again will help, but it remains to be seen if he will. Rookie Thomas Morstead is expected to win the punting job, though Glenn Pakulak is the incumbent who was also a rookie in 2008, and didn't play until the tenth game of the season.

The Saints still have a few "ifs" going into 2009, though perhaps a few less than the 2008 season. Regardless, it is better to have those "ifs" than to be the "Aints".


Carolina Panthers

Carolina's big off season news has been regarding the future of star DE Julius Peppers. Peppers is a man who grew up and was schooled in North Carolina. Peppers is still on the roster, so the fans can focus on an excellent draft class coming into 2009.

The Panthers are about winning the battle in the trenches, and they really helped themselves on both sides of the ball. Tony Fiametti is a FB who could supplant long time starter Brad Hoover this year. Whoever gets the call, they will lead block for a potentially explosive threesome at running back.

Carolina already have a dynamic duo in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but they may have stolen a gem in speedster Mike Goodson from the draft. Goodson can develop into a game changing pass catcher and return specialist, if he realizes his potential.

The passing game revolves around WR Steve Smith. If the ultra productive star can get some help, the Panthers get much more dangerous. Dwayne Jarrett has been a huge bust so far, and the team hopes that he or another guy can push 36 year old Muhsin Muhammed for playing time. They haven't got much production from the TE spot, so this need intensifies.

The blocking was sturdy in 2008, and they have gotten tougher with monstrous G Duke Robinson. He could be the steal of the Panthers draft, and might team up with RT Jeff Otah to give the Panthers a couple of men who make pancakes all day on Sunday.

If Peppers does indeed leave this season, rookie Everette Brown will have to step up faster. Brown is an undersized pass rush specialist who could excel if he has Peppers to bookend him.

The inside defense has been sporadic, but Carolina have Jon Beason at MLB cleaning up the mistakes. The LB unit is not deep, so an injury could be disastrous for the team.

The Panthers did get better at safety in the draft, an area in need, when they selected Sherrod Martin. Martin is a FS type with CB skills, but is very raw. Head Coach John Fox and Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks will be busy trying to get him, and fellow rookies Brown and DT Corey Irvin, ready to contribute right away.

Opponents know Carolina plan to mash the running game down their throats, as well as throw to Steve Smith several times each game. The only shot they have at beating the Panthers is to expose the weaknesses Carolina have on defense and the passing attack. This can be hard to do if Carolina controls the clock, which is their best strategy.


Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons shocked the NFL in 2008. Many thought the team would have trouble winning five games, but they ended up winning eleven. It was done with a rookie coach, a rookie quarterback, and a running back being counted on as the primary ball carrier for the first time in his five year career.

The Falcons, liking the potential they saw, then went out and acquired future Hall Of Fame TE Tony Gonzales. Gonzales will not only open up things for WR's like Roddy White, Harry Douglas, and Michael Jenkins, but he will provide QB Matt Ryan with a security blanket better than most young Falcons passers have had in the teams history.

The only offensive questions left are; if RB Michael Turner can hold up and come close to last years production, where he virtually carried the team on his back, or if Ryan will succumb to the all too well known sophomore jinx.

Defense was the main concern before 2008, but the Falcons still found a way to win. DE John Abraham had a spectacular season, and Atlanta hopes he and his bookend, Jamaal Anderson, can do even more as a tandem this year. The Falcons DT's scared nobody last year, so they went out and drafted two this year. Peria Jerry was the teams first selection, and he will be given the chance to start day one.

Linebacker is a big concern. Keith Brooking has left town, so Atlanta don't have much after Curtis Lofton and veteran Mike Peterson. Lofton was solid in his rookie campaign last year, but Peterson is an unknown. He had a falling out in Jacksonville last season, and his production noticeably slipped. He is also moving from MLB to SLB for the 2009 year, a position he hasn't played since 2002 for the Indianapolis Colts. He also hasn't played a full season since 2005.

Perhaps Atlanta will be watching the waiver wire, since they have yet to show interest in free agents like Derrick Brooks. Brooks would be a good fit in Atlanta, and provide leadership, but the team might not be able to afford him after sinking so much cash into Ryan's huge salary.

Another area to watch is the extremely young secondary. Starting free safety Erik Coleman is the graybeard of the group at 27 years old, and entering his sixth season. The next oldest player, cornerback Von Hutchins, is entering his fifth year. Mistakes are a big possibility for the unit.

Most doubt the Falcons will even come close to their 2008 success, but that is the way they want it. Doubt them, overlook them, and disregard them. Just like 2008. It worked fine for them then, so who is to say it will not again?


Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay went 9-7 last year, which would have been good enough to win the NFC West. It was only good enough to finish third in their division, so it cost Jon Gruden his job as coach.

Now Tampa Bay are moving away from all past philosophies. No longer will they employ a West Coast offense, nor the Tampa-2 defense. They will try to line up man to man and beat down their opponents.

One reason is the Buccaneers have a young and excellent offensive line. No starter is older than 27, and they also have good depth. Starting LG Arron Sears may be suffering from post-concussion effects, and may not be ready to play any time soon.

The team has yet to decide whether Brian Leftwich or Luke McCown will start at quarterback, or if 2009 first round draft pick Josh Freeman is in the mix yet. Regardless, the QB will have a few weapons to work with.

Tampa picked up TE Kellen Winslow Jr. and RB Derrick Ward, as well as raised the salaries of Winslow and WR Antonio Bryant. This spending spree was big news, because the Buccaneers are dead last in salary spending the past five years. In contrast, the Dallas Cowboys have spent $117.8 million more than them over this time.

Winslow and Jerramy Stevens should give the Bucs a nice duo TE threat, especially in the jumbo packages they plan to run. Winslow's ability to line up in the slot will give other teams issues. That, with a running game led by Earnest Graham and Ward, spells all the makings for a good ball control offense.

The defense is the question. They will be moving 2008 starting SS Jermaine Phillips into the WLB slot, as well as hoping 34 year old CB Ronde Barber can cover man-to-man. There isn't much depth in the secondary, and the pair of safeties lined up to start are guys who take bad angles and get burned often.

If Barber struggles, and the safeties don't get over in time, the possibility of big pass plays by opponents are even more likely.

The defensive line is in transition as well. They did draft two big men in DT Roy Miller and DE Kyle Moore this year, but they will need an improved pass rush from Gaines Adams and Stylez G. White. The pair combined for just 11.5 sacks last year. Now that the team has moved away from ex-defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's gap penetration schemes to lining up head to head on opponents, this pass rush need becomes even more magnified.

Another battle worth watching is the kicker position. Matt Bryant is coming off a career year, which he dedicated to his three month old son who had passed away a few weeks into the season. He scored a career best 131 points, and kicked three game winning field goals. He will have to battle for his job against Mike Nugent, a four year veteran who was a second round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2005.

The Buccaneers have mostly been decent on defense since they drafted Hall Of Fame DE Lee Roy Selmon in 1976. This will be the first season in a long time the Bucs will come in appearing so possibly shaky.

These issues could be hidden if the offense plays up to their potential and controls the clock. If they underachieve, an issue many of the key players they are counting on have done at one time or another in their career, the defense could be exposed early and often.

Tampa Bay goes into 2009 as a bit of an enigma who are capable of winning their division, or ending up in last place. If they struggle, you may see the rookie QB Freeman playing before the Bucs initially had planned to break him in.