NFL Teams Set for Decline

The Atlanta Falcons, a franchise still in free fall, are an easy one to peg as a plunger. An almost sure wager to win the top draft pick again next year. Perhaps the Rams can replace them on the bottom rung, but the Falcons seem destined for futility in the near future.

A rookie quarterback that is set to be savaged behind a horrible offensive line, no established wide receivers, no running back, and an old, ravaged defense. Never did the actions of one key player, Mike Vick, so suddenly sink a franchise. 

Their hopes are pinned entirely on Matt Ryan. But if Ryan's start is an unlucky one, the Falcons' wings will be clipped for a decade. Bad, expensive, high draft pick busts at quarterback haunt teams for years.

Which leads us to the San Francisco Forty-Niners and Alex Smith, who looks like a big bust behind an offensive offensive-line. A listless quarterback leading a listless offense leads a leaky vessel to the bottom of the sea; and a coach to the unemployment line.

Another team with a bad offensive line and a fragile, aging quarterback is the St Louis Rams. Scott Linehan pulled the last lever of a failing coach when he dumped his assistants to buy himself another year. For the first time in a decade, the wide receivers are a weak spot. The Lambs are a team heading for a major rebuilding and possible relocation to Los Angeles.

Windows of opportunities slam shut quickly in the NFL, and the Chicago Bears' might slam shut with a hurricane force crash. And when Da Bears' window slams, it usually stays shut for a decade, or two, or three.

The defense is still able, but showed signs of fading against the run late in games last year. The offense is a mess. Back to back first-round failures Cade McNown and Rex Grossman have left the Bears in their usual dismal position at the most important position. And no one is in sight to help.

By the time the team develops a capable quarterback, the great defense will be just a memory. Not to mention the utter lack of quality at the other skill positions, and Texas-sized burstless bust Cedric Benson still slowly taking the pigskin up the field, 1.9 yards at a time.

Herman Edwards' dream is to win every game 10-9 on a last minute field goal after a long, time-consuming drive. Despite a good draft, Herm has just about consumed all his time in Kansas City.

His best defensive player, Jared Allen, is a Minnesota Viking. His tailback, Larry Johnson, is an oft-injured prima donna player, and his quarterback is sub-par. Adios Herm, the Chiefs are scalped.

Hording high-priced, old, offensive lineman, and overweight, overpriced defensive lineman, is the sign of a coach under siege. The New York Jets have a feeling of desperation lingering round them, and they lack a quarterback to frighten any defense.

The Jets' defense has holes in the backfield, and the Jets' offensive backs can't find holes in the line. When Bill Belichick saw Eric Mangini on The Sopranos, he should have known he was a rat. So should have Tony. Gang Green is slime green. Again.

Time treats everyone like a fool, the late Warren Zevon sang, and Al Davis is no exception. The Oakland Raiders' owner dislikes his head coach, but likes dropping dough on injured free agents and dreaming of past glories. The Raiders are just a mess of a team. Al has lost his mojo, and spending big bucks on such injured long shots as Javon Walker, Tommy Kelly, and DeAngelo Hall makes me question his football mind. 

How bout a team which needs a major bloodletting? The Baltimore Ravens are an old team filled with high-priced veterans who have to go. By the time a young quarterback develops, if ever, the veterans will be totally spent. Why not unload now?

Bye bye Ray Lewis and Jon Ogden. Trade Chris McAlister, Todd Heap, and if they can land two, high draft-picks, even Ed Reed to the New England Patriots, who covet the hard-hitting safety. Fill the roster with younger, cheaper players, and pray their Delaware Blue Hen develops. 

That's eight who won't skate or have an easy escape. Not to mention the usual losing suspects, the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, two franchises on the brink of either a coach-firing failure or an extension of the current suffering.

With the NFL's labor contract expiring, look for these two famously cheap franchises, along with the Bidwells' perennially pitiful Arizona Cardinals, to cut costs.

To some owners, the possibility of an uncapped year is a dream of a frenzied New York Yankee-like free-agent buying spree. To others, uncapped means no cap basement either, so watch some teams stash their dollars, and future contracts away. Slashing to save.

Developing a quality quarterback, and the luck not to be sunk by draft busts or busted players, are the single biggest difference between winners and losers in the NFL. That, and some franchises are doomed by their ownership to swim in the stagnant pool of lower mediocrity.