2006 NFL Preview: teams 11-20
09/03/2006
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Teams 11-20 |
11. Cincinnati Bengals
Key Additions:
Most of the Bengals’ offseason moves were made in effort to improve their run defense. Behemoth DT Sam Adams will take some pressure off Cincinnati’s linebacker unit and give some beef to the defensive line as a whole. Former Super Bowl MVP Dexter Jackson is also good against the run and will upgrade the safety position this year for the Bengals. Quarterbacks Anthony Wright and Doug Johnson will provide insurance in case starter Carson Palmer isn’t fully recovered from the horrific injury he suffered against Pittsburgh in the playoffs last year.
Key Losses:
The reason the Bengals had to go out and get some extra help at quarterback was because Jon Kitna signed with Detroit in the offseason. Kitna was a serviceable backup and had starter’s experience. S Kim Herring, DE Duane Clemons and LB Nate Webster were all lost on the defensive side of the ball.
Player on the Hot Seat: Carson Palmer, QB
Carson Palmer and his 32 touchdowns last year were simply amazing. He is the real deal and he is the answer Cincinnati has been looking for at its quarterback position. Palmer’s knee injury was initially thought of as potentially career-ending but now, following an impressive preseason debut against Green Bay, it appears a near certainty that he’ll be ready for the opener against Kansas City. That’s a big turn of events, even though nobody can be sure how his knee is going to hold up for a full season. Therefore, even if it’s not warranted, Palmer is on the hot seat because of what he means to his team, franchise and fans. Everything starts with Palmer in the Bengals offense and he’s got all the tools to be one of the all-time greats, but only time will tell if he’ll be the same player he was pre-injury.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Will all of the offseason distractions bury the Bengals?
When a team has a guy get arrested four times in a six-month span like wide receiver Chris Henry was, that doesn’t bode too well for your organization. Henry is a fine player and one that fits extremely well into the explosive Bengals offense, which is why he wasn’t cut despite his off-field issues. A less talented player would’ve been booted unceremoniously. Linebacker Odell Thurman and guard Eric Steinbach also faced legal issues this offseason. Thurman will serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Matthias Askew, Frostee Rucker and A.J. Nicholson round out the five Bengals who were in some sort of league trouble this past offseason. None of these guys may keep the Bengals from reaching the playoffs, but at what point do head coach Marvin Lewis and the rest of the Bengals brass start to judge players on their character and not just their talent?
‘06 Outlook:
If Palmer is healthy, watch out because the Bengals will be just as explosive as they were last year on offense. Rudi Johnson is a tough runner and will continue to get the ball a ton in ’06, just like he’s been given the rock in the past two season. Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh form a lethal duo for Palmer (as C.J. would be more than happy to tell you) and the offensive line is one of, if not the best, unit in the league. Levi Jones, Willie Anderson, Rich Braham, Steinbach and Bobbie Williams bring a nice balance of young and veteran talent to the o-line and although there are pending contract issues coming up after this season, Cincinnati is stacked up front. The defense is filled with playmakers, but there are questions surrounding the unit as a whole. Will they be able to stop the run this year? Can they get as many turnovers as they did last year? Can David Pollack stay healthy and will Justin Smith ever live up to the No. 4 overall pick selection from 2001? Will Thurman start again when he returns from his suspension? The core group is pretty good and Lewis has one of the best defensive minds in football, but they’ll have to be even more opportunistic than they were last year if Wright has to play a couple games in relief of Palmer. This team is a possible playoff contender again, but they come with a lot more question marks than they did last year. Cincinnati plays Kansas City, Pittsburgh, New England and Tampa Bay in four of its first five games, so they need Palmer to be ready from day one; otherwise, they may have to scramble for a Wild Card late in the year. If Palmer is solid, the Bengals have the talent and potential to go very deep into the postseason.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Bengals.com
12. Chicago Bears
Key Additions:
With starting quarterback Rex Grossman only having seven career starts under his belt because of injury issues, the Bears went out and got a quality backup in Brian Griese. Griese is 39-33 in 72 career starts and his 16,344 career passing yards and 84.4 career passer rating add much needed insurance if Grossman plays the trend and goes down again. The only other additions Chicago made in the offseason involved adding depth to its secondary with the signings of Ricky Manning and Dante Wesley, both formerly of the Carolina Panthers.
Key Losses:
Jerry Azumah essentially was forced out of the league at age 28 because of hip arthritis and a neck injury that required surgery last summer. The Bears also lost safety Mike Green to Seattle and parted ways with QB Jeff Blake and WR Eddie Berlin.
Player on the Hot Seat: Rex Grossman, QB
He’s shown signs of being a competent NFL quarterback but Rex Grossman needs to avoid the injury bug that’s thus far derailed his career. He has suffered a fractured finger, torn ACL and fractured ankle in just three seasons and as mentioned above, Grossman has only started seven games in those three season. This year he won’t have the luxury of having his starting job warmed by the likes of Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Jonathan Quinn or Kyle Orton. Griese has won in this league and with the Bears defense being no joke, the organization is ready to win now. Grossman has the support, motivation and, for now anyway, the health to tackle another season. No excuses for Grossman this year: get it done or watch Griese get it done.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Did the Bears add enough in the offseason?
No, but who is going to stop them? Minnesota, Green Bay and Detroit all have new head coaches trying to establish themselves with their respective teams and the rest of the schedule is a joke from the outset. The Bears play the NFC West and AFC East this year as their non-divisional games and, save for New England, Seattle and Miami, the Bears defense can will the rest of the games on its own. Chicago didn’t add a playmaking tight end, its running back situation is a little unsettled with Thomas Jones begging for a new contract and Cedric Benson challenging for the job, and its wide receivers behind Muhsin Muhammad are all very promising, but nobody stands out right now. If the Bears were in the NFC East or NFC South, their lack of an offseason would be a bigger concern, but it won’t hold them back from winning another lackluster NFC North race.
‘06 Outlook:
Let’s start with why the Bears are who they are: their big D. Brian Urlacher is multi-talented to say the very least and excels in all phases of the game on defense. Fellow linebacker Lance Briggs has great range and plays the run well, while the defensive line is one of the best in football. Defensive end Adewale Ognleye is a talented pass rusher and Alex Brown is a sack machine on the other side. Tommie Harris is strong against the run and the secondary has improved with the additions of two Mannings: Ricky and second-round pick Danieal Manning. Mike Brown is a jarring hitter and Chris Harris is a ball-hawk at free safety. Pro Bowler Nathan Vasher showed why he’s a superior athlete when he returned a punt 100-plus yards for a touchdown against the 49ers last year, perhaps the best punt return in NFL history. The questions in the backfield are legit, considering neither Jones nor Benson has stood out this offseason and reports conflict as to who projects as this year’s full-time starter. The o-line is solid and if either Mark Bradley or Bernard Berrian can erupt to give Grossman another target, the offense will be upgraded dramatically from last year. This is the NFC North champion and given its schedule, Chicago might be the number-one ranked team in the NFC come the end of the year.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: ChicagoBears.com
13. Atlanta Falcons
| FOOTBALL MOVIES... ON THE QUARTERBACK SCALE Every new football movie is immediately placed under an intense microscope as fans look for reasons to either love it or hate it. So what better way to rate some of the best and worst football movies than to compare them to the most scrutinized position in football? |
 "Brian's Song"Joe Montana: The Greatest Tell your buddies that you cried during a movie and get mercilessly ridiculed. Tell them you cried during “Brian’s Song,” though, and you’ll likely hear, “Well, yeah, who hasn’t?” Considering “Brian’s Song” was released in 1971, there’s no arguing that you’ll find better game action in countless other football movies. But there’s only one film listed under the “Movies Guys Are Allowed to Cry During” Man Law, and that alone makes “Brian’s Song” worthy of this spot. Besides, just like there’s no general consensus on who ranks as the NFL’s greatest all-time quarterback, opinions on the best football movie tend to vary. For our money, though, it doesn’t get any better than Joe Montana and “Brian’s Song.” |
 "Rudy"Warren Moon: The Underdog When it comes to the time-honored, Hollywood tradition of adapting the true life sports drama, the inspirational tale of Notre Dame football hopeful Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger is perhaps the most overlooked; a fitting parallel to the actual events in the film. Not unlike Houston Oilers Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, the film is, quite literally, all about the little man who no one expected to succeed. And while Moon was far from being “five-foot nothin’, a hundred and nothin’ and having nearly a speck of athletic ability,” he may have been even more of an underdog than Rudy, after going undrafted and spending six years in the CFL before getting his shot with Houston. Start a list of the best underdog stories, factual or fictional, ever told, and “Rudy” and Moon would slot somewhere near the top. |
 "Remember the Titans"Jim Kelly: Not Quite Good Enough Hey, we like “Remember the Titans,” quite a bit, actually. But there’s something preventing it from achieving true greatness. Maybe it’s the sappy ending, though that obviously didn’t hurt “Brian’s Song” (helped it, in fact). Maybe it’s that annoying little girl who walks around yelling at the players throughout the entire movie. Or maybe it’s the fact that, as a Disney film, it’s missing an edge that most iconic sports movies almost always have. This is a story about a high school football team trying to overcome some serious racial tension after being forced by the state to desegregate, and yet the language is cleaner than a Barry Manilow album. Makes for a great family film, for sure, but just like Jim Kelly’s 0-4 record in the Super Bowl forever tarnishes his otherwise brilliant legacy, a lack of realism in “Titans” knocks it down a notch or two. |
 "The Longest Yard"Brett Favre: Time to Let Go “The Longest Yard” was certainly instrumental in paving the way for grittier, more serious sports movies, but like any member of the NFL, it isn’t going to play forever, which is a lesson most players don’t learn until it’s too late. Kind of like, um, a certain Green Bay QB that threw 29 picks last year. Many scoffed at the idea of Adam Sandler leading a “Longest Yard” remake, but when it wasn’t bogged down by overwhelming gayness, Sandler’s version is actually quite enjoyable, and it was frankly time for someone to stand up and admit that, as good as the original “Yard” may be, it wasn’t beyond reproach. Movies, like players, sometimes need to know when to hang ‘em up, especially when Canton already has a bust reserved for their arrival. (READ OUR REVIEWS) |
 "Any Given Sunday"Ryan Leaf: Don't Believe the Hype If “Remember the Titans” could pilfer some elements from “Any Given Sunday” and vice versa, you’d have two outstanding football films. As they stand, though, “Titans” is a little thin in the realism department while “Any Given Sunday” slops the stuff on with no apparent regard for the viewer. Oliver Stone may very well have created the grittiest sports movie of all time, but in doing so he fell short on the quality meter. Just like ESPN’s one-and-done drama “Playmakers,” “Any Given Sunday” tries way, way, way too hard to be in-your-face, and instead winds up being over-the-top. Players snorting coke off naked hookers? An eyeball popping out during a game? And don’t get us started on that shower scene. No football movie in history stirred up as much hype as “Any Given Sunday,” but just like the notorious Ryan Leaf, the film failed to live up to expectations. Still, perhaps it’s unfair to draw the Leaf comparison. How about Tim Couch instead? …Geez, that’s not much better, is it? |
 "Jerry Maguire"Tom Brady: Ladies' Choice Hear us out. Yeah, “Jerry Maguire” is a chick flick disguised as a football movie. Don’t worry; we weren’t fooled. But unless you’re boycotting Tom Cruise these days (and who could really blame you?), “Jerry Maguire” is one of the most tolerable chick flicks out there because of its football backdrop. There’s some good stuff early on about the life of a sports agent and the NFL Draft circus, plus Cuba Gooding’s performance makes “Jerry Maguire” a decent buddy movie as well. Sure, you wouldn’t sit around watching it with your friends but, if you’re forced to hand the remote over to your lady one night, you could do a lot worse than “Jerry Maguire.” In much the same way, if you’re going to force her to watch football, she won’t gripe nearly as much if she gets to stare at pretty boy Tom Brady for three hours. Compromise, fellas. |
Key Additions:
Atlanta made several key acquisitions in the offseason that should improve its squad this year, the most notable being the deal that netted the Falcons DE John Abraham for a first-round pick. Abraham is a three-time Pro Bowl player who is an explosive pass rusher. Atlanta had terrible performances from its safeties last year, so they acquired veteran strong safety Lawyer Milloy via free agency and traded for Browns’ free safety Chris Crocker. Sticking with the trade theme, the Falcons traded safety Bryan Scott to New Orleans for OT Wayne Gandy and just recently acquired former Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie to be the No. 3 wide out. DT Grady Jackson was signed immediately after the trade for Lelie to help the Falcons stop the run more consistently this year.
Key Losses:
The Falcons’ biggest loss was OT Kevin Shaffer, who bolted for Cleveland shortly after the free agency period began. T.J. Duckett being dealt to Washington in the three-team swap that brought Lelie to Atlanta is huge considering Warrick Dunn’s backup is now rookie Jerious Norwood. DE Brady Smith, who battled through injuries last year, will most likely retire. Atlanta cleaned house at its safety position by not re-signing Kevin McCadam, Keion Carpenter, Ronnie Heard, Antuan Edwards, and trading Bryan Scott. Kicker Todd Peterson wasn’t re-signed.
Player on the Hot Seat: Michael Vick, QB
There is no other player on the Falcons roster that fits this category more than Ron Mexio…er, Michael Vick. The elusive and often dazzling Vick has to step up his passing performance in order to take the Falcons to the next level this year. His completion rate has never topped 60%, but it doesn’t have to in order for Atlanta to make the playoffs. Vick keeps plays and drives alive by his feet, but kills series with overthrows or lasers that receivers cannot hang on to. New quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, who could be credited for the career revival of veteran Mark Burnell in Washington, has been working hard on Vick’s footwork and mechanics. Thus far in camp, Vick has seemed more poised and mature than ever, working with young wide outs Michael Jenkins and Roddy White before the Falcons even opened their doors for minicamp. More than any other team, however, Atlanta’s success this season will live or die on its quarterback’s left arm.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Can the Falcons’ defense stop the run?
With injuries sidelining key defensive players Smith and Ed Hartwell last year, the Falcons had to rely on rookies to fill holes. That left Atlanta vulnerable to the run and it was shredded by virtually every team’s back last season. The additions of Abraham, Milloy, Crocker and the return of Hartwell will aid the Falcons in rebuilding their run defense, but no move was bigger than landing mammoth tackle Jackson in late August. With the Falcons showing glimpses of ’05 in two preseason games, head coach Jim Mora pleaded with management to get him a run stuffer. GM Rich McKay answered the call for help with Jackson, who should keep offensive linemen off Hartwell and fellow linebackers Keith Brooking and Michael Boley. Is the run defense completely fixed? Who knows at this point, but at least Atlanta has the right players in position this year to answer that question.
‘06 Outlook:
This team on paper is better than the 2004 club that went to the NFC Championship game. Warrick Dunn shows no signs of slowing down at age 31 and the team has owned the best rushing offense the past two years. The offensive line doesn’t house any name players, but certainly fits very well into the zone-blocking scheme implemented by former Broncos’ o-line coach Alex Gibbs. The team has a couple of nice backup players in QB Matt Schaub and rookie RB Jerious Norwood, who may be young but has several gears when running the ball. Michael Jenkins and Roddy White are primed for breakout seasons and join an already elite Alge Crumpler in the passing game, but losing 6-5 Brian Finneran to a season-ending knee injury early in training camp is bigger than people think. If Lelie can put Denver behind him, he may love working with Vick on deep routes. On defense, DeAngelo Hall showed that he could cover an opponent’s No. 1 receiver last year in earning his first Pro Bowl trip in only his second NFL season. Rookie Jimmy Williams will likely be the starter at some point during the year and that would give Atlanta two young and talented corners. Being able to stop the run will be the Falcons’ main concern, however, along with the performance of Vick in the passing game, of course. The NFC South is extremely competitive, but if the Falcons can stop the run and use their pass-pressure late in games, this team could earn a Wild Card spot come December. They must show more grit when things don’t go their way, however, unlike last season when they started 6-2, but finished 2-6.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: AtlantaFalcons.com
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Key Additions:
Perhaps the biggest acquisition made by the Jaguars this offseason was acquiring cornerback Brian Williams from the Vikings. Although his footwork has left something to be desired and Jacksonville had to pay a hefty ransom to acquire his services, Williams is a nice fit opposite Rashean Mathis. The Jags also went out and added depth to their offensive line by acquiring former first-round tackles Stockar McDougle and Mike Williams, though Williams was recently put on the IR and will spend the season on the Jacksonville sidelines. Nick Greisen will battle Clint Ingram for the vacant outside linebacker spot, once held by Akin Ayodele.
Key Losses:
Losing Akin Ayodele hurt, but no player had a bigger impact on the team than long-time veteran receiver Jimmy Smith. Smith retired in the offseason and will leave behind a career that featured 862 receptions, which was good for seventh all-time. Jacksonville also lost some linebacker depth when Greg Favors and Jamie Winborn left via free agency. Kenny Wright, who started all 16 games at cornerback for the Jags last year, signed with Washington.
Player on the Hot Seat: Reggie Williams, WR
Reggie Williams was selected in the first round of the 2004 draft to be the new Jimmy Smith, but in two seasons, he hasn’t shown the desire or concentration to be a No. 1 receiver. Williams has caught 27 and 35 passes and lost his job to Ernest Wilford after suffering a concussion last year. That’s troubling news for the Jaguars, because they have experience problems at their receiver position already, with Wilford and second-year player Matt Jones competing with Williams. Wilford is probably the best of the bunch. He has a big frame and is aggressive when the ball is in the air, but isn’t the fastest player in the world. Jones is big and fast, but he’s slowed by an ankle injury now and is still learning the nuances of the position since playing quarterback in college. That’s why the team needs Williams to step up to big boy’s table and perform like Jacksonville had hoped when it spent a number-one draft pick on him. The word ‘bust’ is warming up if Williams can’t produce this year.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Was the 12-4 record a fluke last year or are the Jags for real?
Jacksonville won eight of its final nine games last year, but none of the wins came against a team that made the playoffs. Quarterback Byron Leftwich also missed five games in ’05 and continues to battle injuries that impede an otherwise promising career. Running back Fred Taylor is a fast, bruising back that is excellent when healthy, but like Leftwich, he has to stay injury free. Unfortunately, Jacksonville’s security blanket for Fragile Fred, Greg Jones, recently tore his ACL and will miss the entire season, leaving a gaping hole in their backfield. Last year’s team got away with injury problems because they didn’t face stiff competition. They were waxed 28-3 by New England in the opening round of the playoffs, and 26-18 in a home loss to the Colts in Week 14 of the regular season. They’ll have to prove that they can hang with the top of the AFC in order to prove doubters wrong. What better way to do that than to play your first four games of ’06 against Dallas, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis and Washington? All were playoff teams last year except Dallas, who was on the verge.
‘06 Outlook:
The strength of this team is far and away its defense. Jacksonville hosts a solid group on D, with the face of the unit being middle linebacker Mike Peterson. Peterson has led the team in tackles the last three seasons and has a high motor every play, but a sprained MCL could keep him out of early regular-season action. Pro Bowler Marcus Stroud and Pro Bowl-worthy John Henderson eat up a lot of space on the d-line and keep Peterson free to make plays all game long. The secondary is vastly underrated with the return of veteran safety Donovin Darius. Rashean Mathis could have a Pro Bowl year at corner and Deon Grant hasn’t missed a game in two seasons. The offensive side of the ball is where all the questions arise. Leftwich and Taylor have to stay healthy, because although the Jags have good depth, these two guys are the key instruments in making this offense sing, especially after the loss of Jones. The offensive line is definitely good enough to win, but the receivers are raw and a bit slower than any other team’s wide outs. The Jags will probably have a tougher back half of the season this year, so they must start quickly or 2005 will seem like a distance memory.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Jaguars.com
15. Washington Redskins
Key Additions:
The Redskins made a flurry of moves this offseason on both sides of the ball. Wide receiver Antwaan Randle El was added from the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers along with fellow wide out Brandon Lloyd from San Francisco. Safety Adam Archuleta was given a big contract to come over from the Rams while DE Andre Carter was plucked from the 49ers. Kenny Wright was signed from Jacksonville to help the depth at cornerback and TE Christian Fauria will start in two tight end sets with Chris Cooley. Just recently, Washington traded for former Atlanta Falcons bruising tailback T.J. Duckett to add depth (and insurance) behind a banged up Clinton Portis.
Key Losses:
LaVar Arrington was an afterthought for much of the 2005 season and will suit up for division rival New York this year. Matt Bowen signed with Buffalo after Archuleta was brought over and Walt Harris inked a deal with San Francisco. DT Brandon Noble retired in the offseason and the team also decided to part ways with punter Tom Tupa.
Player on the Hot Seat: Mark Brunell, QB
With all the weapons he has at his disposal and a new scheme orchestrated by offensive mastermind Al Saunders, Mark Brunell better be at the top of his game. Brunell could easily be pinpointed as the weak link on an offense that features Clinton Portis, Santana Moss, Randle El, Lloyd and Cooley. The offensive line will be fine if they stay upright, so it all falls on Brunell to get this offensive scheme in rhythm and not be too predictable. Brunell started to fade down the stretch last year and with young gun Jason Campbell waiting in the wings, the expectations for Brunell haven’t been this high since his early days in Jacksonville. With a playmaking defense and good weapons, the Redskins are counting on Brunell to win now.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Will the offense mesh in Saunders’ system?
It’s all good and fine to pay a lot of money to bring in a mind like Al Saunders to run your offense, but the players still have to execute. If they can, Washington can build off the momentum it had last year and advance deep into the playoffs, but it’s going to take core players like Brunell to learn the system quickly so he can evenly distribute the ball throughout the offense. If the offense jells, this team certainly has enough to be a Super Bowl contender, but is Brunell a Super Bowl quarterback?
‘06 Outlook:
Washington should have a top-five defense by year’s end and with the additions of Carter and Archuleta to an already stout unit, the Redskins are primed for even bigger things in ’06. Carlos Rogers, Shawn Springs and Sean Taylor head a secondary that is going to be hard to throw against and almost impossible to run against. Linebackers Lemar Marshall, who has been moved around a lot since college, and rookie Rocky McIntosh should be nice complements to former Pro Bowler Marcus Washington. Led by Phillip Daniels and Cornelius Griffin, the defensive line should team up well with the linebackers to form a solid front seven. The offensive questions surrounding Brunell have been discussed, but the shoulder injury suffered by Clinton Portis has not. There is no timetable right now for his return and missing a couple games could have been detrimental to the Redskins’ chances of returning to the playoffs if the team didn’t go out and trade for Duckett. Now, this team is right back on track to make a run at the division. How quickly Duckett, Brunell, Portis, Santana Moss and the rest of the offense picks up Saunders’ scheme will dictate how far the ‘Skins go this year.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Redskins.com
16. Miami Dolphins
Key Additions:
The Dolphins went out and claimed the rights to veteran QB Daunte Culpepper this offseason, and finally believe they have their man under center. Will Allen will replace last year’s top cornerback Sam Madison while CB Andre’ Goodman and S Renaldo Hill will join Allen in a remade secondary. Fullback Fred Beasley is an experienced blocker and QB Joey Harrington will be Culpepper’s backup. OT L.J. Shelton fell out of favor in Cleveland, but will be a starter in Miami’s front five. Tackle Dan Wilkinson was also signed to add depth and beef to the interior defensive line.
Key Losses:
Sam Madison was already mentioned, but several other big names followed him out the door. Of those names, LB Junior Seau, Gus Frerotte, Lance Shulters and David Boston are the biggest, although none of them lit a fire in Miami last year. CB Reggie Howard and S Tebucky Jones were ushered out in the secondary cleaning.
Player on the Hot Seat: Daunte Culpepper, QB
It’s no secret that the Dolphins have desperately needed a quarterback since Dan Marino retired. It’s also no surprise that Culpepper ran himself out of Minnesota after trying to re-work a new contract and then demanding a trade once his bullying failed. Frerotte did an admiral job last year as the Dolphins finished 9-7 under new head coach Nick Saban, but Culpepper is a big, mobile QB with a live arm and good pocket presence. Culpepper must rebound from a knee injury that almost cost him his career in order to be the saving grace in Miami. The Dolphins are playoff ready, but they need Culpepper to return to 2004 status or at least have glimpses of his last Pro Bowl year. Last year was a disaster for Culpepper and that was before he got injured. So far in training camp, Culpepper seems to be bouncing back remarkably, but once the real game action starts, how will he handle game speed again?
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: How will the revamped secondary perform?
Allen is younger and probably plays better at this point in his career than Madison, so the drop off at left corner shouldn’t be a significant one. However, Travis Daniels was the best corner for the team last year, but he was a rookie and doesn’t have out-of-this-world quickness. Rookie first-round draft pick Jason Allen gives the unit more speed, but this is yet another player in this group that is inexperienced. Renaldo Hill comes over from the Raiders and will line up at strong safety next to Jason Allen. That’s a ton of turnover for a defense that was atrocious last year, sporting a nasty 37% success rate on third-and-four or more. This could be the makings of a star-studded future group, but if they can’t live up to expectations this season, teams will tear the Fish apart through the air.
‘06 Outlook:
The Dolphins are close, real close. They’re coming off six-straight wins to wrap up the 2005 season and Nick Saban has this team thinking playoffs. They finally have a big, playmaking quarterback in Culpepper and plenty of weapons on offense for him to succeed. Wide receivers Chris Chambers and Marty Booker, tight end Randy McMichael and second-year back Ronnie Brown are the class of the offense. Miami’s offensive line doesn’t boast any household names, but they dramatically improved last year under line coach Hudson Houck. The unit gave up 53 sacks in ’04, but cut that number in half last year to 26. The defensive strength is in their front seven, with big time playmakers Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas, Kevin Carter and Vonnie Holliday all returning. Throw in second-year LB Channing Crowder, who was perhaps the steal of the ’05 draft, and you have a unit that can match up against top AFC offenses like the Colts and Patriots. However, there are still big question marks for this team and ones that will make or break their season. Culpepper has to stay healthy and rebound from last year and the secondary has to jell and develop into a dependable unit, but once again the Dolphins are bordering on the postseason.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: MiamiDolphins.com
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Additions:
Jamie Winborn will add depth and experience to an already solid linebacker unit. Winborn will add a solid dimension to the special teams group as well. Other additions like OG Toniu Fonoti and OT Torrin Tucker were added for depth, while Jerald Sowell will try to make up for the loss of veteran Jameel Cook.
Key Losses:
Jameel Cook will stand to be the biggest loss for the Bucs, because he was versatile more than anything else. Soon, Tampa Bay will have to make a decision on the fullback position since Sowell isn’t a long-term solution and this will probably be Mike Alstott’s final year. Safety Dexter Jackson signed with Cincinnati, but the move will give Tampa a better look at the hard-hitting Will Allen, who is in his third year season out of Ohio State. Former starter Brian Griese left via free agency to Chicago.
Player on the Hot Seat: Chris Simms, QB
The Bucs are fortunate enough to be in a position where they have a solid group of proven veterans and good, young depth to back up their core group of performers. However, if one guy needs to prove himself for a full season, it’s Chris Simms. The young gunslinger signed a one-year contract in the offseason after leading Tampa to a 6-4 mark last year in relief of former starter Griese, who suffered a season-ending injury. Griese is gone now and the job is all Simms’, who struggled mightily in his first two starts last season until he rallied to lead the Bucs to an NFC South title. If Simms wants to remain a fixture in Tampa and sign a long-term contract, he’ll have to perform for a full season.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: How will the Bucs receivers produce in ’06?
No veteran wide receiver had a bigger season last year than Joey Galloway. The surge that Galloway had last season overshadowed the awful second-year slump that Michael Clayton had. Clayton was a stud as a rookie in ’04, but floundered in an injury plagued ’05 and failed to get into the end zone even once. Clayton is reportedly leaner and healthy again, so he should prove that the ’05 season was just a fluke. Much like the fullback position, the Bucs will have to get younger at the wide receiver position. Ike Hilliard is a serviceable third receiver, but coaches hope that third-round selection Maurice Stovall out of Notre Dame will produce right away and be a big target for Simms this season. Can Galloway duplicate his fantastic 2005 season? Will Clayton bounce back or will his second-year slump spill over into year three?
‘06 Outlook:
Tampa Bay is an interesting team that is hard to figure out. Two years ago they struggled and finished dead last in the NFC South. Last year, with rookie Carnell “Cadillac” Williams having one of the best rookie season in NFL history, the Bucs went from the cellar to the penthouse in the division. If Williams can avoid Clayton’s sophomore slump, the Bucs have enough offensive weapons to compete for the division again. Defensively, Tampa is as stout as ever and no addition was bigger than former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Chris Hovan was last year. Hovan gave the Bucs the inside run defense that was lacking even during their Super Bowl run in 2002. Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles, Simeon Rice and Booger McFarland give Tampa an excellent front seven. Veterans Brian Kelly and Ronde Barber make a tough cornerback tandem, but their safety production will come into question early if they struggle without Jackson. Another thing to watch for is how the loss of defensive line coach Rod Marinelli affects the team. Marinelli is a highly regarded coach who demanded a lot from his players. Simms has to be the leader he was after his first two games last season or else the Bucs will sink. The defense is in the top five, if not the best in the league, but offensively Tampa may crumble if the young players being counted on heavily don’t live up to expectations.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: Buccaneers.com
18. Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions:
With the recent acquisition of Saints wide out Donte’ Stallworth, the Eagles get a guy coming off a career season and someone who can really stretch a defense with his speed. Philadelphia also plucked Saints’ defensive lineman Darren Howard in hopes that the 29-year-old veteran will improve the Eagles’ ability to pressure the quarterback. Jabar Gaffney was signed from Houston and QB Jeff Garcia will be Donovan McNabb’s new backup. Linebacker Shawn Barber joins the team from Kansas City for his second career stint with Philly.
Key Losses:
Adios T.O.! Philadelphia gets rid of the spill, but not the stain as Terrell Owens signed with Dallas this offseason and will now see the Eagles twice a year. OLB Keith Adams signed with Carolina and DE N.D. Kalu signed with Houston. Backup QB Mike McMahon signed with Minnesota and DT Hollis Thomas left via free agency to New Orleans. Tight end Chad Lewis will not return as well and LB Mark Simoneau swapped teams with Stallworth.
Player on the Hot Seat: Donovan McNabb, QB
For as much as Donovan McNabb is one of the league’s classiest players, he has had to endure a lot over the past year and half. The many battles with Owens and a sports hernia destroyed a 2005 season in which the Eagles didn’t make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. This is McNabb’s team again, however, and it’s time for him to take control. McNabb can do it, he’s certainly shown it before, but is he completely healed both mentality and physically? He’s been through a lot, but his toughness could certainly echo loud for the rest of the Eagles’ team that desperately needs to regain its focus after the T.O. era.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Where’s the D?
For the first time in quite a while, the Eagles’ defense was thrashed last year. With a poor offensive performance setting a bad example, the defense crumbled in ’05. The linebacker unit could be a disaster again this season, save for Jeremiah Trotter in the middle. Dhani Jones played poorly last year even though he registered 100-plus tackles and Barber is 31 and has missed most of the last two seasons with knee injuries. The defensive line had trouble creating anything of a pass rush last season and even though the addition of Howard was flashy, he and Jevon Kearse might be a tad overrated. The secondary is great, like always. Brian Dawkins is a hunter and even at 32, he’s one of the best safeties in the league. Dawkins, Sheldon Brown, Michael Lewis and Lito Sheppard are the class of the defense. The secondary can’t win games by themselves, though.
‘06 Outlook:
Philadelphia comes into this season as a true mystery. With the addition of Stallworth, Owens’ production isn’t replaced, but it certainly fills arguably the biggest hole the Eagles had on offense. Another huge concern on offense is that Brian Westbrook has never played a full 16-game season and his backup, Correll Buckhalter, has missed three of the last five full seasons. Plus, Westbrook is obviously not trusted by head coach Andy Reid with the full running load, considering the shifty back only averages 11.7 carries a game. L.J. Smith is a stud tight end, however, and guard Shawn Andrews is a mauler on a very solid offensive line that also features Tra’ Thomas and Jon Runyan. The defense has been covered and will continue to be a question mark entering the season. It’d be foolish to count out a team like the Eagles, who have proved time and time again they are playoff worthy, but eventually the better NFC East teams will probably wear Philly down and cause the team to miss the playoffs for the second-straight year.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: PhiladelphiaEagles.com
19. Kansas City Chiefs
Key Additions:
Not a lot of noise was made out of Chiefs camp this offseason, except for winning the Ty Law sweepstakes in late July. Law led the NFL in interceptions last year and will play opposite another steady veteran in Patrick Surtain. Lenny Walls was signed away from Denver, but with the addition of Law, Walls will probably be used more in nickel situations. Another former Bronco, Quentin Griffin, was signed and will compete with Michael Bennett and possibly Priest Holmes for the back up running back position, if Holmes returns at all, that is. Back after a couple years away from the game, former Rams OT Kyle Turley will also be pushed into a starting role.
Key Losses:
Tony Richardson and Willie Roaf were by far KC’s biggest losses. Richardson was not only the lead blocker for Larry Johnson last year, but was also key on short-yardage plays and was a good pass blocker as well. Roaf was Kansas City’s best lineman, but he suddenly decided to retire before camp opened. Cornerback Eric Warfield was released, as were Dexter McCleon and Jerome Woods. Shawn Barber went to Philadelphia while wide receivers Marc Boerigter and Chris Horn moved on to Green Bay and New Orleans, respectively.
Player on the Hot Seat: Trent Green, QB
Trent Green has had many productive seasons as the leader of the Chiefs’ offense, but he’s 36 now and doesn’t have Dick Vermeil as a security blanket anymore. Vermeil traded for Green in 2001 and stuck with him through a 24-interception first year to guide what has been one of the league’s best offenses over the past four seasons. A new coaching regime is in town, however, and who knows how long new head coach Herm Edwards will stay with Green. Former OC Al Saunders is now in Washington, bringing more uncertainty to the offense? The time for Green to turn this Kansas City team back into a playoff contender is now. Although he doesn’t have the best tools around him at wide receiver and on his offensive line, he’ll still be counted on heavily to make this offense work again for another season.
Question Mark facing the ‘06 Season: Is the offensive line in bad shape?
The loss of Roaf hurts, because the guy they’ll likely replace him with is Turley. Turley hasn’t played football in two years and has a bad back, not the type of guy you want to replace a former Pro Bowl tackle. The real mess is on the other side of the line however, as Kevin Sampson and Jordan Black will compete for the right tackle position. Both guys have starter’s potential, but Sampson lost his job last year to John Welbourn (who retired in the offseason rather than face a six-game suspension for violating the team’s steroid abuse policy) and Black didn’t raise any eyebrows last year when he got to play for Roaf. Will Shields, Brian Walters and center Casey Wiegmann all have to stay healthy and if one of these interior linemen goes down, this unit is in bad shape.
‘06 Outlook:
Larry Johnson is primed and ready to go. He’s been waiting for this opportunity for years now and will probably run away with the chance like he did last year. Green, without a doubt, can still be the leading man in KC. Eddie Kennison is a solid veteran and everybody knows what Tony Gonzalez can do, but can Samie Parker turn his burner speed into a standout season? The line has been discussed and is one injury away from falling apart, but the Chiefs still house the same players at the skill positions that made KC the number-one offense in the league last year. As is the question each year, what about the Chiefs defense? Derrick Johnson was a stud first-year player in 2005 and the addition of Tamba Hali through the draft will make this unit a high-motored one if nothing else. Surtain and Law are good at the corners and Sammy Knight is stout against the run, but what about the pass coverage from the safety position? The Chiefs will win or lose again this year based on their defense and there rightfully is concern that they didn’t do enough in the offseason to compete with Denver for the AFC West crown. With the loss of Saunders on offense, Kansas City might take a step back from its 10-6 record of a year ago.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: KCChiefs.com
20. Arizona Cardinals
Key Additions:
Obviously the biggest addition this season, and possibly in the entire history of the franchise, was the signing of former Colts’ and five-time Pro Bowler Edgerrin James. James is a stud and even though he put up consistent numbers every year, he never seemed to get the recognition he deserved in Indianapolis. Often lost in the Colts’ offensive juggernaut, James finally gives the Cards a consistent rusher who is also an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield. DT Kendrick Clancy was lured away from the Giants and will start in the middle of an aggressive Arizona front seven. OG Milford Brown will be given a shot to start at the right guard position after seeing full-time action for Houston last season.
Key Losses:
The Cardinals did not lose much other than depth. Josh McCown was the biggest name perished, when he decided to compete for the starting quarterback role in Detroit. McCown showed promise last season while starter Kurt Warner was hampered with further injury problems, but with the drafting of former USC Trojan Matt Leinart, McCown’s days in Arizona were numbered. Russell Davis went to division rival Seattle, but he had an injured-plagued ’05 season. S Quentin Harris will be missed on special teams, but was not going to see the field, barring an injury, at the safety position.
Player on the Hot Seat: Edgerrin James, RB
This has nothing to do with James’ ability to perform or him facing stiff competition for the starting running back position. James sits on the hot seat this season because, for the first time in the history of the Arizona Cardinals, the struggling franchise finally has a face. James signed a four-year, $30 million deal with the Cardinals in March and will be the feature weapon on an offense dying to explode. James found nothing but success in his seven seasons with Indianapolis and the Cardinals’ organization has high hopes that his production will carry over to the desert heat of Arizona. If he struggles or fails, the Cardinals’ faithful will once again be stuck without a hero to lean on.
Question Mark facing the ’06 Season: Will the offensive line give James and Warner a chance to be successful?
Rookie Deuce Lutui, a product of Southern Cal, will be given the chance to start at left guard. He protected Leinart in college and could be a stalwart on the Cardinals’ o-line. He’s a bit heavy, however, and the learning curve for a rookie offensive lineman is a steep hill to climb. Brown will start at the other guard position, but has only started one season in his four-year career. Former first-round selection Leonard Davis will start at left tackle, but the time has come for him to justify Arizona using its second-overall pick in ’01 on the big guy. Oliver Ross will not see any competition for the second-straight year at right tackle, but a knee injury in training camp might sideline him for up to 10 weeks. If this unit cannot open up lanes for James and Warner, the rest of the potent weapons the Cardinals have on offense will certainly crash and burn.
’06 Outlook:
Talent-wise, the Cardinals are right there. Save for a suspect offensive line, James, Kurt Warner, and receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald give Arizona one of the scariest offensive skill sets in the NFC. If rookie tight end Leonard Pope is as solid as scouts think he is, the Cardinals may have one of the best offenses in the NFL, at least at the skill positions. Everything revolves around the offensive line, however, and that’s a scary thought that may relegate Arizona to mediocrity for yet another season. Warner hasn’t been healthy since 2001, so watch for Matt Leinart to get some reps, although head coach Dennis Green would much rather have him sit like he had Daunte Culpepper do his rookie season in Minnesota. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast has as many weapons on his side of the ball as the offense does and his aggressive scheme found a bit of success last year. Cornerback Antrel Rolle is set to become one of the league’s top defenders as he returns from an injury that resulted in a short rookie season. Ends Bertrand Berry and Chike Okeafor will anchor a group on the defensive line front that is a bit underrated. When Karlos Dansby is injury free and motivated, his talent is Pro Bowl worthy, although the rest of the linebacker core struggled last year. Another huge question mark for Arizona, however, is its depth, or lack thereof. Green is good at finding rookie free agent diamonds in the rough, but a couple of injuries to starters and this team is cooked. They have the talent to make a push for a Wild Card, but they still may be a year away with depth concerns and a weak offensive line.
Find a team schedule, depth chart and ’05 results at: AZCardinals.com
Teams 11-20 |