NFL Preseason 2011: 5 Surprising NFC Storylines

This NFL preseason has presented us with a great many interesting storylines to start the season.

In the NFC, we have teams trying to figure out their quarterback situations, teams with uncertainties at various positions and teams that are just plain mysteries.

Here are five that you should watch for.

Cam Newton as the Panthers' Starter

It was surprising to many when Cam Newton was announced as the Panthers' starter.

While he was extremely talented in college, he was mostly viewed as a project and a guy who would take years to become the quarterback the Panthers would need him to be.

While at times he has looked shaky, Newton has done pretty well this preseason, well enough to be named starter.

Then again, who else was Carolina going to start?

Where Will David Garrard End Up?

Right about now you're thinking, "Look at this idiot! He doesn't even know what conference the Jags play in."

But I do. Garrard does not play for the Jags anymore, and he probably won't play for an AFC squad this season.

Most of the teams that seem to be willing to nab him are in the NFC and that's where he'll end up.

Who will want him? San Francisco after Alex Smith disappoints? Maybe Seattle after the Tarvaris Jackson experiment ends? Stay tuned.

Dallas?

That one word is really all I need to write for you to understand what I mean. Dallas.

But I suppose I'll expound.

I have no clue what to make of Dallas after watching them this preseason.

Will they be that same team that went 6-10? Will they win their division? Both of those outcomes seem fairly possible.

They have enough talent to do the latter, but have shown the mental makeup to do the former.

Such a weird team.

Can the Dream Team Live Up to the Hype?

A few weeks ago, Philly was the favorite according to just about everyone to win the Super Bowl.

Fast forward through this preseason and no one is as sure now.

Their Superman, Michael Vick, has looked dangerously like the Vick of old, making bad decisions about when to throw and where.

Will the Eagles big free-agent additions pay off? Will Michael Vick have the MVP season expected of him? Will Andy Reid ever smile?

I have no idea.

The "New" Additions of Green Bay

As I would hope you smart readers know, Green Bay won last year's Super Bowl.

They did it without many of their better players, most notably running back Ryan Grant and tight end Jermichael Finley.

The consensus has been that getting these guys back from injury will make the Pack Attack even better.

But will it? I mean, you won a Super Bowl without these guys. How valuable can they really be?