2009 NFL Preview: Denver Broncos

By JFein

Our last one! The Denver Broncos also underwent a lot of change in the off-season, bringing in 2 former staples of the Eagles in Brian Dawkins and Corell Buckhalter, firing Mike Shanahan, hiring Josh McDaniels, and trading Jay Cutler for Kyle "Neckbeard The Pirate" Orton. So without further ado, here is the last of the 2009 NFL Previews!

New Coach: As mentioned earlier, the Denver Broncos have a new coach in Josh McDaniels. I always felt that Shanahan was a popular figure there, but it seems like things unraveled greatly over the past few months and it's good riddance to him and Cutler, who in a sense, represented the Shanahan era. I'm curious to see what McDaniels can bring to the table especially seeing as talent-wise, the Broncos and McDaniels don't have much to work with.

New QB I honestly can't believe that the Broncos think that Neckbeard The Pirate is the answer to their Jay Cutler's. Actually, I can't even believe that Kyle Orton is still in the NFL let alone starting somewhere. And unless some great epiphany occurs within him this year, expect to see epic suck at that position for Denver.

Brandon Marshall It fugures that the team's most talented player is also their biggest troublemaker. And is it just me or is suspending him for the last 2 pre-season games more of a reward than it is a punishment. After all, generally mostly bad things and injuries can come from pre-season games.

B-Dawk: B-Dawk is now a Bronco. If he is still healthy and playing Week 16, you can expect a plethora of emotions and mixed reactions at Lincoln Financial Field that Sunday.

Throw-Ups: This is what the Broncos are giving us for their AFL throwbacks.

I am nauseous.

Video: There really is nothing like the love between a man and his beard....



He's your QB now, Denver!

Prediction: 4-12, 3rd Place AFC West. They'd be last, but if I were doing the Raiders prediction, I would have had them at 2-14. Al Davis deserves that. Seahawks fans are quite excited about these possibilities for the Broncos this year and I don't blame them. They have their draft pick and even though it is hard to say for sure this far in advance, this draft class looks like it is going to be completely loaded with talent at the top.

For all 32 previews, click here.

2009 NFL Preview: Kansas City Chiefs

By 49er16:

Out of all the teams in the NFL, the Kansas City Chiefs underwent the most change in the offseason.

It started with the firing of longtime GM Carl Peterson. It will be the first time in 20 years the Chiefs go into a season without Peterson. The Chiefs then went out and hired long time Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli. Pioli was actually seen as the biggest free agent in the NFL last season. Pioli has learned the tricks of the trade from Bill Belichick and from his father-in-law Bill Parcells. Pioli filtered with the Cleveland Browns before he excepted the Chiefs offer.

The Chiefs also fired Herm Edwards during the off season and hired hot headed Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Haley will forever be remembered as the guy who stood up to both Terrell Owens and Anquan Bolden while standing on the sideline. And with the firing of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey last week, Haley will test his offensive playcalling skills as a head coach.

Other Offseason Moves: The Chiefs also made two huge off season moves which pertains to their offense. The Chiefs traded longtime Tight End Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta. Gonzalez was the face of the franchise for 10 years and will be extremely hard to replace. Especially for new quarterback Matt Cassel.

Cassel came out of nowhere last year while with New England replacing the injured Tom Brady. Cassel almost lead the Patriots to the playoffs, despite not starting a game since high school. In the off season Pioli traded for Cassel then proceeded to give his new quarterback a $60 million dollar contract. Both Pioli and Cassel have a lot riding on this move. Cassel must prove that he is worth the money and that his numbers weren't a product of the New England system. Pioli must prove with this move that he can live outside of Bilchick's and Parcells' shadow.

Shotty Offensive Line: Kansas City is solid on the left side of their offensive line on the left side. Brian Waters is a Pro Bowler and Branden Albert should improve in his second year. It's the right side that is held together with duct tape and bailing wire. Right now Mike Goff and Damion McIntosh are penciled in to start on the right side. And throughout the preseason neither one did a spectacular job. Cassel will need better protection from the right side this season to succeed.

Receivers: With Gonzalez's departure also goes one-third of all of Kansas City's receptions. Brad Cottam will have the first crack at replacing Gonzalez. Cottam has great hands and is a steady blocker. Also more will be expected from third-year receiver Dwayne Bowe.

Bowe showed improvement in his second season last year with the Chiefs. Bowe was benched earlier in the preseason to hopefully motivate him. The plan seemed to work as Bowe had a strong ending to his preseason. The Chiefs also brought in veteran Bobby Engram to be the part time slot receiver. Devard Darling, Mark Bradley, and Terrance Copper round out the rest of the receivers.

Who's the Pass Rusher?: Since trading Jarred Allen the Chiefs haven't had a reliable pass rusher. The Chiefs last year only had a total of 10 sacks. Tamba Hali struggled last season without Allen only recording three sacks. A move to linebacker should help Hali improve his pass rush skills. Also first round pick Tyson Jackson is looked at as the perfect building block for the 3-4 defense. Jackson is viewed as the player on the line who will be able to get pressure on the quarterback. Also look for former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel to also get pressure on the quarterback.

Schedule: No one did Kansas City any favors with their schedule. In the first three weeks they have to travel to both Baltimore and Philadelphia and then play back-to-back home games against the Giants and Dallas before they finally have their bye week. Then after the bye week their toughest road game is at San Diego but Pittsburgh does come to town. The Chiefs have one of the toughest schedules in the league.

Video: Derrick Thomas was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Thomas was tragically killed from injuries from a car wreck. Thomas though was one of the best pass rushers of all-time.



Prediction: 5-11, 2nd AFC West. They are good enough to be the second best team in the AFC. But that's not saying much. There is just to much rebuilding for this team to compete for a playoff spot this season. A patchwork offensive line, lack of pass rush, and a week receiving corps. Expect Jason Whitlock to have a big year ripping Pioli and Haley a new one this season for the Kansas City Star.

P.S. from me: Only one more to go! I promise you it that the Denver Broncos' preview will be up before 8:00 ET tonight and with that one, we would have previewed all 32 NFL teams. Missed yours? Click on the "2009 NFL Preview" tag at the bottom of the post and scroll through until you find the one your team.

2009 NFL Preview: San Diego Chargers

By JFein:

Last year, the San Diego Chargers were as low as they could possibly be. The Broncos magic number was one with 3 weeks left in the season. All they needed to do was win one game or the Chargers lose one and the AFC West was theirs.........

Only that did not happen. Denver lost their last 3 and San Diego won their last 3 which included a Week 17 massacre of the Broncos to steal the AFC West, much to my pleasure and S2N's chagrin. This year, I don't see the AFC West being much competition and while the Chargers might not be a great team, they runaway with the West easily.

Philip Rivers: Philip Rivers is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, in my opinion. He has come into his own in a big way in the past few years and he definitley has to be considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. He has a great arm and is great at finding his receivers, no matter who they are. All this needs to make the playoffs this year is for this guy to stay healthy.

Running Back: Ladainian Tomlinson is now 30. Uh oh. The good news for the Chargers is is that they tagged Darren Sproles for one more year. Sproles is the man (and incidentally is now the favorite player of my 5'1", 50-some year old female Psych professor). The guy is fast. The guy is explosive. The guy is going to get one hell of a gig next year in a place other than San Diego. Which brings me back to LT. They say that once a RB reaches 30, he is past his prime. LT has certainly shown signs of that the past 2 years. Can he re-claim his greatness this year or will the trend of suckiness continue?

Shawne Merriman vs. Tila Tequila: Um......okaay....this story came out of nowhere. Look, Merriman claims his innocence and I for one am not going to categorize him in that role until he is proven guilty. This whole story just seems bizarre. Oh, and it appears that assuming some phantom injury does not pop up, as is frequently the case with Merriman, he will play Week 1.

Video: Super Chargers!



Prediction: 10-6, 1st Place AFC West. I don't expect great things from the Chargers and as much as I like them, I'm not even sure they will be able to make it past the wildcard round. A lot of that will depend on how well LT does. Oh yea, need I forget, Norv Turner coaches this team. They'll find away to lose that 1st playoff game.

2009 NFL Preview: Seattle Seahawks

By JFein:

Ah, Seattle. Home to great coffee, great music, and great people such as this guy. Okay, maybe that guy not so much, but you get my point. Anyway, coming off of an injury plagued season where everything possible went wrong, the Seahawks made several big off-season acquisitions and are poised to make a run and re-claim the title of NFC West championsh.

"PLAYOFFS?!?", Jr. Jim Mora, Jr. is the new coach of the Seattle Seahawks and I would certainly consider that a good thing. The downfall of Atlanta under his watch came because the team relied so heavily on Mike Vick talent wise that when he went to prison, the team did not have a leg stand on. Vince Lombardi would not have been able to make the playoffs with that team. I thought that he did well with what he had to work with and now he has a lot to work with in Seattle so all should be right in the world with Mora, Jr. as the coach of that team.

Wide Receivers: A constant problem of the Seahawks is that they don't have the WRs. Well this year they did something about it by signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh. And even though he was 2nd fiddle to Chad Ochocinco in Cincinnati, do not estimate the effect that a good possession receiver can have on a team. Combine that with Nate Burleson and Deion Branch, and you have a pretty fearsome trio of wideouts that could give a lot of teams some fits, especially in the NFC West where defense in the secondary is nnot exactly a strong suit.

Running Backs: Over the off-season, the Seahawks made a surprising move by signing Edgerrin James. I think that this is actually a good move despite the fact that James' career all but seemingly died in Arizona because he did not have the offensive line to support him. I mean look at it. No Cardinal runnign back was able to get any consistent offense on that team, not just James. While he is getting older, I would not be surprised if James has one more strong year, especially considering he has a superior offensive line in Seattle and a superior starting running back in Julius Jones as compared to Arizona.

The Seahawks cut Brian Russell: And Mookie is giddy! "HOLY CRAP!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!! I’d never thought he would leave. His performances on the field are so bad and Ruskell wouldn’t pull the trigger. Until today. I wish Russell the best by tackling his teammates and using his grit and sheer determination to almost make a play elsewhere. This team just improved tenfold. [...] Lawyer Milloy signed with the Seahawks earlier today. This day totally rocks. I can’t contain my excitement!!!" And now Russell is a Jaguar. At least my pick for the Jaguars to end up in last place in the AFC South won't be changing anytime soon....

Video: Best. Seahawks win. Ever



And now for a video of the play taken live at the stadium with someone looking like the Burger King coming onto the field at the end.



Prediction: 10-6, 1st place NFC West. While I have gone back and forth on this and I think it will come down to the last week, the Cardinals lost too many people both on the field and in the coaching staff to win the division, let alone be dominant in it. The Seahawks are the best team in the NFC West and they might just be a darkhorse to do some serious post-season damage.

2009 NFL Preview: St. Louis Rams

By 49er16:

Remember when the Rams where "The Greatest Show on Turf"? Well those days are long gone. No more Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, Orlando Pace, Issac Bruce, Dick Vermeil, Mike Martz, and now Torry Holt is gone.

The Rams went out and hired Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo had a chance to be the Redskins coach last season but chose to stay in New York. Now he's made his way to a grease fire in St. Louis. Think he will regret that decision much?

Remember the Predator?: Steven Jackson at one time was one of the best running backs in the league. Before Brandon Jacobs and LenDale White, Jackson was the both of those guys two years ago. But injuries have derailed his career.

Jackson has missed five games in the past two season due to injuries. The Rams suffered when he was hurt. They are a completely different team with Jackson playing. He takes pressure off of Marc Bulger. Well Jackson is healthy this season and has a sledgehammer in front of him. The Rams signed fullback Mike Karney to be Jackson's lead blocker. If Jackson can stay healthy this season, the Rams should be vastly improved.

Who are the Receivers?: This unit will be green since the Rams released Torry Holt in the spring. Donnie Avery had a nice rookie year, but an hip injury hurt his production. Another rookie from last year Kennan Burton was also hobbled last season by an knee injury. So the Rams have two young receivers with injury problems already? Enjoy your season Marc Bulger.

Line Problems: The defensive line could be a big problem for the Rams. Adam Carriker is lost for the season and Leonard Little is past his prime. Last year's top pick Chris Long struggled in his first season only picking up four sacks. Long should have a better season though now that the Rams are switching from the 3-4 defense to the 4-3 defense. Also there isn't much depth at defensive tackle. The Rams line will have a long year.

Schedule: Their schedule is favorable to a rebuilding team like the Rams. Indianapolis, Green Bay, and New Orleans all travel to St. Louis. Their toughest road games are against Chicago and Tennessee. The perfect schedule for a rebuilding team.

Video: The Rams didn't have much to celebrate last year, but this beatdown they gave the Cowboys is worth celebrating.



Prediction: 4-12, 4th NFC West. Even with a favorable schedule, there just isn't enough there for the Rams to compete. Green receivers, a weak defensive line, and injuries will hurt this team in the long run. I do expect this team to improve from last season though under new coach Steve Spagnuolo.

2009 NFL Preview: Arizona Cardinals

By 49er16:

We have seven previews left before the start of the season. And frankly, I'm tired of doing these. So the NFC West and AFC West will get a little short change. But who really cares? There are only about three teams out west that will be a damn this season, so let's get this thing going.

More of the same: Even though the Cardinals reached the Super Bowl last season and there is a renewed interest in the team, the owner is still a complete idiot. Bill Bidwell didn't want to give Kurt Warner a raise, so Warner went to the 49ers for a deal. The thing is though, Warner didn't want to leave. He wants to play for Arizona, but because Bidwell is so cheap he almost chased away his franchise quarterback.

And like what happens always to Bidwell, the move blew up in his face. Warner talked with the 49ers thus driving up his price. So Bidwell had to give more money to Warner to get him resigned. The more that changes, the more that stays the same.

A running game?: Any team with Kurt Warner doesn't need to run the ball, but it would be nice. And that is exactly what Arizona thought when they used this year's first round draft choice to take running back Chris Wells. Wells and Tim Hightower are expected to run the ball more this season to take pressure off of the passing game.

The Line: The offensive line was the big reason why Arizona had the year they had. They are unheralded but efficient enough to give Warner enough time to make his throws. They allowed the 2nd fewest sacks per game in the league behind Tennessee. Levi Brown has improved in his three seasons in the league and Mike Gandy gives the line the veteran presence they need.

Departures: Like every Super Bowl team, there was a lot of departures in Arizona. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley accepted the Kansas City job. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast followed Haley to Kansas City. Arizona will miss Haley's play calling and intensity on the sidelines. Also veteran defensive lineman Antonio Smith also left. His departure will hurt this team more than Haley's.

Smith anchored the defensive line that was vastly improved last season. Smith was a disruptive force on the line and was one of the locker room leaders. Smith will be the most missed in Arizona.

Schedule: Arizona isn't helped out by an early bye week. Arizona will play San Francisco, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis before their bye week. Most teams prefer their bye in the middle of the season. And early bye though hurts a team. If a team needs to rest and recover from early season injuries, but have already had their bye week, that doesn't help. Other than that though, Arizona's schedule is pretty soft. Their toughest road game is at New York against the Giants and at Tennessee. The rest of their toughest opponents have to travel to the desert.

Video: This is still an amazing play from an amazing Super Bowl.



Prediction: 8-8, 2nd NFC West. This is still the Seahawks division. And with Seattle recovering from last year's injuries and an improved receiving corps, it will once again become their division. Warner is just too inconsistent. He has a great year then he has a bad year. Plus loses on the defense will hurt this team in the long run.

2009 NFL Preview: Jacksonville Jaguars

By JFein:

The Jacksonville Jaguars were a team expected to make a run to the Super Bowl last year. Last year was going to be there year to win it all. Eh.....that did not pan out. At all. Instead they placed last in the AFC South and most have them going nowhere special this year. Including myself. Below are essentially the reasons why this year is NOT the year for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

New Uniforms: This biggest story this off-season for the Jacksonville Jaguars is the debut of their new uniforms this year. Yippee! Wahoo! Who is just as excited as I am? In case you have not been paying attention to the Jaguars in pre-season games (and unless your team is like the Eagles and you played the Jags, why would you be?) and have not seen them and/or noticed them, well, here ya go! (credit: Wikipedia)

Quarterback: David Garrard is the starting QB for the Jags. And while last year was not exactly a roaring success, you can't say that Byron Leftwioch would have fared any better had the Jags gone with him instead. The bottom line is is that Jacksonville needs help at quarterback and Garrard, Todd Bouman, and Todd Boeckman are not the answer to that problem. Wait, what? Todd Boeckman? The Todd Boeckman from Ohio State? The Jags actually signed him? HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Backs And Receivers: It must be said: Maurice Jones-Drew is a beast. It must also be said, that aside from an aging, out of prim Torry Holt, the Jags have no one at the skill positions. Just look at their depth chart: Troy Williamson is on it. Whenever you see him on a depth chart, you can bet your bottom dollar that that depth chart is not a very good one at that position. They did get did address the offensive line well in the draft, which may be an upgrade, but I don't think it'll make a big enough impact to elevate Garrard and his team out of the pits of the AFC South. The Jags also need someone to back up Jones-Drew. Seriously, Alvin Pearman? Not to keep piling on them, but this team has epic fail written all over it.

Schedule Aside from having 6 difficult games in the AFC South, the Jaguars also play against all 4 AFC East teams. They do get a lucky break though in that their other 6 games are the NFC West teams, Cleveland, and Kansas City.

Video: Work out with MJD!



Prediction: 7-9, 4th place AFC South. If there is one thing that the Jags are consistent on, it is not performing as expected to. 2 years ago they were an afterthought in everything and they made a decent run in the playoffs, bowing out to New England in the divisional playoff round. Last year they were a lot of people's choice to win Super Bowl XLIII, and they bombed big time. This year, they are the low point in a division that is ranked really highly this year. They will exceed expectations this year, but that will not be enough to get them out of last place in the AFC South.

2009 NFL Preview: Houston Texans

By 49er16:

It seems like analysts have talked about the Houston Texans as a sleeper team for 15 years and they have still never made the playoffs. And once again I will ask, are the Houston Texans a sleeper team?

The talent is there for Houston. They have a top-5 receiver, a young and dangerous defense, and a steady quarterback. There is just too much talent for the Texans not compete for the division title. If they don't make the playoffs, head coach Gary Kubiak could be out of a job by the end of the season.

Quarterback: Injuries have derailed Matt Schuab's tenure as the Texans starting quarterback. Schuab has missed five games in the last two years. And to make things worse, the Texans back quarterbacks are the greatness in Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman. Of course Sage Rosenfels wasn't much better last season.

Offense: If Schuab stays healthy and the offensive line continues their improvement, then Houston could have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league. Johnson lead the league last year in receptions and receiving yards. Also Kevin Walter emerged as a reliable number two receiver. Tight End Owen Daniels earned a pro bowl trip last season. Steve Slaton emerged as the number one running back. Their offensive success will all depend on Schuab's health.

Remember When?: Remember when everyone made fun of the Texans for drafting Mario Williams in front of Vince Young and Reggie Bush? Yeah, how has that whole thing worked out? Williams earned his first pro bowl trip while compiling 12 sacks last season. And how did Young and Bush do last season?

Defense: The defense should be vastly improved this season under new coordinator Frank Bush. Bush plans to make the defense more aggressive. Health though is a question right now. First round pick Brian Cushing and Jacques Reeves have both been hurt so far in training camp. If the Texans can get healthy, they should be improved on defense.

Schedule: The Texans have one of the easier early schedules in the league, which is a good thing for a team trying to recover from training camp injuries. And besides their usual road trips to Tennessee and Indianapolis and a trip to Miami, Houston doesn't have a tough road schedule. All their tough games are at home.

Video: Texans receiver David Anderson does his best Ron Jaworski impression.



Prediction: 9-7, 3rd AFC South. I don't trust Matt Schuab's ability to stay healthy for the entire season. And with Orlovsky and Grossman as the backup, the Texans will struggle on offense. Also the defense has already been hit by injuries. The secondary also lacks depth and has been hit by injuries. The Texans will have a winning record, but they won't be playoff bound.

2009 NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts

By JFein:

The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a season where even though they made the playoffs, they started out real slow and ended on a real low note as Darren Sproles ran on them. And ran on them. And ran on them. And ran all over them. Couple that with the retirement of the great Tony Dungy and the aging Peyton Manning, and you have to wonder has the window closed on this team. They did not win the division last year, Tennessee made sure it was not even close, and their division is very competitive. So can the Colts pull it together for one last final one, or has the window indeed closed? Here are some of the keys for the Colts this year.

The Poorer Manning: It's official: Eli has a richer contract than big brother, and better QB, Peyton does. But Peyton is also the older quarterback and at this point, is Peyton the same QB he was a few years ago? I think he is, but he certainly has his doubters. There are other reasons why the window might have closed on the Colts, though.

New Coach: We knew it would happen sometime, but the great Tony Dungy has finally decided to retire. Always a class act, it's good to see that Dungy walked out of Indianapolis with a Super Bowl ring, especially after being screwed out of one in Tampa Bay. Enough of the past though, there is a new coach, and his name is Jim Caldwell. He was an assistant and QB coach under Dungy. I frequently wondered if Manning knows more about his position than his coach. Regardless, Manning is used to working with him, which is a good thing, but how will the rest of the team adapt? This is his first head coaching job in the NFL and he'll be put to the test this season in the AFC South.

Backs and Receivers: For the running backs, the Colts got a key draft pick in Donald Brown. For all the talk about Matthew Stafford, the potential of Michael Crabtree, Darius Heyward-Bay, and Mark Sanchez, Donald Brown very well could be a darkhorse to win Rookie of the Year this year, especially if Joseph Addai does not produce as the Colts would like him too. As far as WR goes, the Colts have gone down hill greatly. The once 3-headed monster of Harrison-Wayne-Stokley has lost 2 of its heads. Only Reggie Wayne remains. But there is good news, Austin Collie has been looking good in the pre-season and Anthony Gonzalez has been emerging in the past few years. It's a different look to the Colts, and while they won't be as effective as Harrison and Stokely were for the Colts, this could be a force to reckon with.

Defense: The Colts defense boasts one of the stars of the league, Dwight Freeney. I won't waste time talking about how great and unique he is. Just ask King Dunlap. The Colts boast one of the best front 4s in the nation, but once you get past the front 4, then some leaks become present. It's great if Manning can put up 35 points in a game, but what good is it if the secondary gives up 38? The Colts have some holes in defense this year and if they don't patch them up, this could be a long year.

Video: Peyton Manning is so great with kids!



Prediction: 9-7, 3rd place AFC South. This won't be the Colts year. They may be good, but the Titans should win the division and I suspect the Texans to come in 2nd. The Colts, to me, seem to have too many pieces out of place and not enough solid depth at the WR position to give Manning the support he has used to. Only a major trade deadling upgrade can save this team from missing the playoffs for the first time in quite a while.

2009 NFL Preview: Tennessee Titans

By 49er16:

Whoa! The Tennessee Titans had themselves quite a year. The Titans started last season with Vince Young at quarterback, then Young went MIA, leading the way for Kerry Collins to resurrect his career.

Collins lead the team to a 13-3 record and the number one seed in the playoffs. But once again the Titans were "one and done" as they lost a home playoff game to the Baltimore Ravens. This year the Titans head into the season looking to go deeper in the playoffs with Collins leading the way. It will depend though on how good Collins will be a quarterback. He's never had back-to-back great seasons.

Kerry Collins: Collins has his best chance at putting together solid back-to-back seasons for the first time in his career. Tennessee returns the dynamic running duo of LenDale White and Chris Johnson. Also Collins will finally have some depth at receiver. The Titans drafted Kenny Britt and signed Nate Washington to go along with Justin Gage and tight end Alge Crumpler. The offensive line should also be solid enough to give Collins enough time to make throws. This could be Collins best season yet.

The Defense: Even though the Titans lost defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to the Lions, they should have no problem replacing him with Chuck Cecil. Cecil has been with the organization since 2001, so the transition should be smooth. The Titans defense should be loaded this year even with the loss of Albert Haynesworth. The defense also returns their secondary from last year that saw three players selected to the Pro Bowl.

Depth: There is one thing that Tennessee does have a lot of, depth. Even if Collins gets hurt or plays poorly, they can replace him with Vince Young who has lead the Titans to the playoffs before. The Titans are also deep at running back, offensive line, and tight end. Their only concerns for depth is in the secondary. So injury replacements shouldn't be a big concern in Nashville this season.

The Draft: Tennessee used the draft the way teams should use the draft. Tennessee drafted for need and picked up players that can add more depth to their team. The Titans needed a receiver and drafted a receiver in Kenny Britt. The Titans needed defensive line help and drafted Sen'Derrick Marks. The Titans also added depth where they needed the most in the secondary. The Titans drafted two conerbacks and one safety in the draft. While the Titans draft wasn't spectacular, they addressed their needs.

Schedule: Tennessee has one of the toughest schedules in the league. In the Titans first six games, they face three playoff teams. In those six games they have to travel to Pittsburgh and New England. After their bye week though, Tennessee has one of the easiest schedules with their only tough road game Indianapolis.

Video: White and Johnson tribute



Prediction, 13-3, 1st AFC South: There is just too much for Tennessee to not win this division. The Titans have an easy end of the season schedule which will help them overcome any early season injuries. There is the loaded defense. There is the spectacular running attack of White and Johnson. And there is an improved receiving corps. Barring an epic collapse from Collins or injuries to the secondary, Tennessee should make the playoffs.

Uniforms: Oh yeah, the Titans will honor their past by wearing old Houston Oilers uniforms this season.

2009 NFL Preview: New Orleans Saints

Here are our previous installments.

By JFein:

I have good news and bad news to report. The good news is is that 49er16 is currently on an airplane flying to Philadelphia. The bad news is is that 49er16 is currently on an airplane flying to Philadelphia (wow, that joke is so much more funnier with voice and tone involved). Anyway, I'm therefore doing the NFL preview for today.

Today is the New Orleans Saints day to get looked at. They come in this season after falling short of the playoffs last year. Passing yard wise, Drew Brees had one of the best seasons that a QB ever had, but as mentioned above they failed to make the playoffs that year. Brees is good, hell, he's very good, but the Saints as a whole are not and that is going to drag this team down.

Breesy Like Sunday Afternoon Let's face facts: Drew Brees is a beast. Drew Brees was 15 yards away from breaking Dan Marino's all time record for passing yards in a season, a record that for the longest time no one thought would ever be close to being touched. And to be 15 yards away from it definitley says something about the talent of Drew Brees. If this team does not make the playoffs, chances are it's not Brees' fault. This guy can throw and play quarterback.

Reggie "Oh Please Dear God Don't Call Me George" Bush: I'll say it here and to some it's obvious and to some it might be utter blasphemy. Reggie Bush is not a starting running back. As a change of pace to someone like now ex-Saint Deuce McAllister, yeah, he's really good, but not as an every down starting running back. It just does not seem to work, and really for reasons that I can't explain. Maybe it's the fact that there was so much hype surrounding him out of college that he was the next huge name running back and now it turns out he only transitioned to the pros as an average back that there is disppointment and we are seeing disappointment in hype than anything else, but Reggie Bush, to me, at least, does not work as a starting back in the NFL. It also does not help him and the Saints that he is injured a lot.

Who Are The Saints' Receivers Again?: Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem, Lance More, Adrian Arrington, D'Juan Woods. Yeah. Further proof of the talent of Drew Brees.

Shock Value: Jeremy Shockey is a New Orleans Saint. Wait, what's that you say? When did that happen? Well, it happened last year. Only injuries caused him to have career lows in several statistics and his memory was greatly erased from the minds of several people. Shockey is going to have to become a bigtime threat if the Saints are going to accomphish anything this year.

Defense: One of the big off-season moves for the Saints this year was the signing of Jonathan Vilma. While I don't watch too many Jets games, from what I've seen, Vilma's got the right tools and his being in New Orleans will only improve that defense, a defense that is by no means a bad defense. They have some very credible names on that roster and Vilma should improve that as well.

Video: I still get jacked up and scream "YEAH!" after watching this hit.



Prediction: 9-7, 2nd NFC South. The Saints, I believe, could make a legit run at the playoffs this year. But just like last year, there is a chance that it could fizzle into nothing. Do they have what it takes to be a playoff team? Absolutely. Will they be able to put those pieces together? Well, we'll just have to see.

2009 NFL Preview: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By 49er16:

Tampa Bay under went some serious changes in the offseason. The Buccaneers front office waited for a while, until they finally fired Jon Gruden and General Manager Bruce Allen. This came after longtime defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin left to coach with his son at Tennessee. The Buccaneers lifted 32-year-old Raheem Morris to head coach.

Morris' name had come up for other head coaching jobs around the league and many people said that Morris would likely become a head coach in the next year or two. But the Buccaneers didn't want to see Morris leave, so they fired Gruden and elevated him to head coach.

That isn't the only place where Tampa Bay has made changes. They let go veteran players like Derrick Brooks, Kevin Carter, and Warrick Dunn. They also let go Jeff Garcia and drafted Josh Freeman. A lot of change will affect this season for the Buccaneers. I really don't expect much from them this season.

Coaching Staff: Morris was smart and brought in a veteran coaching staff to support him. He brought in veteran coach Jim Bates to run the defense. Bates will likely move away from the Cover-2 scheme that Tampa has used since Tony Dungy arrived in the mid-90's.

Morris also brought in Jeff Jagodzinski to run the offense. Jagodzinski if you remember, was the guy who was fired from Boston College for interviewing for the New York Jets job. Jagodzinski will use a more run-oriented offense, moving away from the pass-happy attack that Gruden favored.

Who's the Quarterback?: Tampa Bay drafted Freeman to be the future quarterback. Right now though, Freeman is too green to start right away. That's one of the reasons why Tampa Bay brought in Byron Leftwich to compete for the starting job. Leftwich will compete with Luke McCown right now for the starters job. McCown is known to make some poor decisions under center, but he has some impressive athleticism. Leftwich has the arm to be the starter, but he isn't athletic at all. Who will be the starting quarterback by week one will be any one's guess.

Running Attack: The Buccaneer's could have one of the best backfield's in the NFL this season. Ernest Graham returns from an ankle injury. Graham is one of the best inside rusher's in the league who has the knack to break off long runs. The Buccaneers also picked up Derrick Ward from the Giants. Ward rushed for over a 1,000 yards last season and is a reliable receiving option. Also Cadillac Williams will also return this season. Williams has been hampered by knee injuries ever since winning the rookie of the year in 2005. If everyone can stay healthy, then the Bucs should have one of the best backfield's in the NFL.

Questions on Defense?: This is the first time in about 15 years that the Buccaneers have more questions on defense than offense. The defense will have to get used to a new coordinator in Jim Bates. Monte Kiffin left for Tennessee in the offseason, so Tampa Bay will be without their defensive leader for the first time in about 15 years. They will also have to get used to a new defensive scheme. Bates will move the defense away from the Tampa-2 into a heavy blitz scheme that will focus on press coverage. Tampa Bay will also have to replace five starters including veteran linebacker Derrick Brooks. They will struggle this year on defense.

Schedule: Their schedule is brutal this year. They have to travel to Buffalo, Philadelphia, Seattle, and London to face New England. Not exactly a schedule that favors a first time coach looking for a quarterback while the defense rebuilds.

Video: Since Tampa Bay is using their throwback uniforms this season, lets celebrate the early years of Tampa Bay. That's when they were really bad.



Prediction: 5-11, 4th NFC South. There is just too many factors that are not in the Buccaneers favor. New coach, new coordinator's, new quarterback, new schemes, tough schedule, and a rebuilding defense. The more I think about it, the Buccaneers could compete with the Raiders for the worst record in the NFL this season.

Uniforms: Oh yeah, the Buccaneers will play a game in their old uniforms. I still don't know what's worse, the color or the pirate on the helmet.

2009 NFL Preview: Atlanta Falcons

By JFein:

Last year, the Atlanta Falcons were a big surprise team, qualifying for the playoffs when nobody thought that they had a chance only to be surprised themselves in the first round of the playoffs when they lost to the future NFC Champion, Arizona Cardinals. This year, the Falcons look to repeat as NFC South champions and make a return trip to the post-season. and if you ask me, I say they have a darn good chance of that happening.

The Return of Matty Ice: Matt Ryan is returning for his 2nd NFL year and 2nd year as the QB for the Atlanta Falcons. Essentially the replacement for Michael Vick, Matt Ryan showed his stuff last year and went from being booed at the draft by Falcon fans to being one of the faces of the franchise that everyone loved in Hot-lanta. This year, assuming he stays away from injury, it is thought that he can only be better than last year. But at the same time, one has to beware of the sophomore slump....

Michael Turner The Burner: Michael Turner has been exactly that for the Falcons, putting up career numbers last season. And while we are talking about a different situation, for the Falcons sake, they are certainly hopeful that he does not come down with Ryan Grant Syndrome. But like I said, it was a different situation and he showed what he can do in San Diego, so we should not be surprised that he did so well last year for the Dirty Birds.

Falcon Wideouts: Troy Bergeron of the Georgia Force is an Atlanta Falcon? Holy cow. Onto the more meaningful receivers for this team, while they do not have one huge name, last year they were really solid as a unit, from Roddy White to Michael Jenkins to Brian Finneran. The Falcons are a dangerous team all around offensively, and with a defense that can get the job done, this team can be tough to beat.

Schedule: Even though they have a rather easy division, the Atlanta Falcons are not getting cut any breaks by playing both the NFC East and AFC East this year, as well as the improved Bears and 49ers. Oh, and you might want to mark the date on December 6. Michael Vick returns to the Georgia Dome.

Video: Matt Ryan highlights to the song "Leave The Memories Alone" by Fuel



Prediction: 11-5, 1st place NFC South. 49er16 and I disagree on this one. Even at 11-5, I think that this race is even going to be close. Jake Delhomme is way too much of a hindrance for the Panthers (I don't even have them in 2nd), the Saints are too one dimensional with Brees (not to mention Reggie Bush is pretty much a bust), and the Bucs, well, they'll completely suck this year.

2009 NFL Preview: Carolina Panthers

By 49er16:

The Carolina Panthers seem to be at a crossroads. Despite the fact the Panthers had the 2nd best record in the NFC last year, they were embarrassed at home in the playoffs against the Arizona Cardinals. Jake Delhomme was especially embarrassed by the Cardinals defense.

So here we are today. The Panthers will have to look at this season as their barometer for their future. John Fox is back for his eighth season as the head coach. Delhomme is back for 10th season. Steve Smith and Julius Peppers are also both back. So the talent is there for the Panthers. And that's how they look at the situation. The Panthers spent a lot of money in the off season to keep their players and they also traded away their 2010 first round pick to San Francisco to make this team competitive. But if everything falls apart during the season, I think there will be some drastic changes made in 2010 for the Panthers.

Coaching Staff: After last year's debacle against the Cardinals in the playoffs, John Fox and defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac parted ways. In comes former Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. Fox has also made the point that he will be more involved with the defense this season. The offense will probably not change from it's ground-and-pound attack.

What About Julius Peppers?: Peppers bitch and complained that he wanted to be traded from away in the off season. Unlike the Denver Broncos, the Panthers didn't give in to his demands and eventually placed the franchise tag on him. Since all of this happened, Peppers has struggled early in the pre season. And then he angered a lot of people by saying the pre season doesn't mean anything. Needless to say, he's unhappy playing for the Panthers and could become a distraction as the season moves on.

Can Delhomme recover?: Delhomme completely fell apart against the Cardinals in the playoffs last season. Delhomme committed six turnovers in the game. So can he recover from that game? He should be able to because he is a veteran who has been down before. Plus the Panthers showed faith in him by giving him a contract extension.

The Best Offense in the League?: The Panthers actually have a shot at being one of the best offenses in the league this season, despite Delhomme's implosion in the playoffs. The Panthers return all 11 starters on offense, including all-world receiver Steve Smith. Also the running tandem of Jonathon Stewart and DeAngelo Williams will continue to improve. The Panthers averaged 25.9 points a game last season, and they could have a greater average this season.

Breaking Tradition?: It's been a tradition for a long time for NFL teams to hold their training camps in small towns at small colleges. I remember when the 49ers used to hold their training camp at a Junior College that I used to attend in Rocklin, California. But that tradition has started to change over the years. More and more teams are starting to hold their training camps at their regular facilities. And the Panthers could be next.

For 15 years the Panthers have held their training camp at Wofford College in South Carolina. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson is a graduate of that school and was very prideful that the Panthers represented both Carolina's. But that might all come to a change. Their contract with Wofford has expired and with the recent economic troubles, the Panthers might leave Wofford. I personally think it's sad that NFL teams are leaving the small towns and holding their training camp at their regular facilities.

Schedule: Well the Panthers get three early tests before their bye week. They play Philadelphia at home then travel to Atlanta and Dallas for the opening of Taj MaJerry. And their schedule doesn't get easier. They have to play AFC East teams including a trip to New England. And they have to play NFC East teams which means a late trip to New York. The Panthers definitely have one of the tougher schedules in the league.

Video: Steve Smith is one of my favorite NFL players. And this video is evidence as to why.



Prediction, 11-5, 1st NFC South: Thankfully for them Tampa Bay is rebuilding, New Orleans is inconsistent, and Atlanta is still playing with a young quarterback. They could realistically go 5-1 against division opponents. It won't matter if Delhomme is inconsistent or that they have a tough schedule, they are playing in one of the weaker divisions this season.

2009 NFL Preview: Cleveland Browns

By 49er16:

Well the Cleveland Browns dumped a former New England defensive coordinator in favor of another former New England defensive coordinator. The Browns fired Romeo Crennel and their GM Phil Savage after the Browns fell apart last season after starting out with huge expectations. In comes Eric Mangini who the New York Jets fired because his team fell apart after starting the season with huge expectations.

It still baffles my mind that the Browns hired Mangini after firing a coach who is just like Mangini. Both Crennel and Mangini were the Patriots defensive coordinator's. Both have the same type of personality. And both had the same type of coaching record. The hiring to me just made no sense at all, but it's the Browns. There hoping Mangini can find the success he had with New York in his first season, when he lead the Jets to the playoffs. Needless to say Cleveland is once again starting over.

Coaching Staff: Besides Mangini being named the new head coach, there is an entire new coaching staff. The defense will remain the same, but with Rob Ryan leading. Ryan was Oakland's defensive coordinator the past two seasons, and was the main culprit as to why Lane Kiffin was fired. Ryan will continue to run the 3-4 defense that Mangini prefers and his main goal for the defense is to stop the run and don't give up big plays.

The Browns will employ a west coast offense that wants to stretch the field. The Browns can't go anywhere but up on offense after going six straight games last season with a touchdown.

Quarterback Battle: Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn have continued to battle for the starting quarterback spot. Obviously the Browns want Quinn to win the starting job after spending money and time developing him. Anderson though is a better deep passer and he might fit the offensive philosophy better than Quinn. That is when Quinn isn't giving the defense the offensive hand signals. As of this moment, neither one has been named the starter.

Receiving depth: One of the area's the Browns will not have much depth in, is at receiver. With Sgt. Winslow in Tampa and Donte Stallworth suspended, Braylon Edwards is the only threat the Browns have at this moment at receiver. Edwards struggled mightily last season. He lead the league in drop passes. The Browns will try and use Joshua Cribbs at receiver, but that experiment has failed before.

An Improved Offensive Line: The Browns did improve their offensive line in the off season. They drafted Alex Mack and signed John St. Clair and Floyd Womack to give the team depth on the line. The Browns will need a strong offensive line to take pressure off of the quarterback and to open up lanes for old man Jamal Lewis.

Schedule: The Browns caught a break with their schedule. Their toughest road games are divisional games and they only have to play four playoff teams. Their toughest opponents have to travel to the dog pound this season. Plus they also catch a break in the fact that they play AFC West and NFC North opponents. Mangini caught a huge break in the scheduling department for his first season in Cleveland.

Video: Here's a video of the great and depressing history of the Cleveland Browns.



Prediction: 8-8, 3rd AFC North. The quarterback battle and the lack of depth at receiver will hurt this team in the long run. Their schedule will help them out finish the season off with a respectable record, but their division is too tough for them to reach the playoffs.

2009 NFL Preview: Cincinnati Bengals

By JFein:

The Cincinnati Bengals are quite an enigma. They have a really good QB, one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and yet, no one is thinking that this team has a chance in hell of coming close to competing in the AFC North. And even though they are my 3rd favorite NFL team (Eagles #1, Chargers #2), I agree with those critics. So without further ado, here is your 2009 NFL Preview of the Cincinnati Bengals!

Heeeerrrrrre's Carson: Carson Palmer used to be one of the best QBs in the NFL. But then he played a playoff game against Pittsburgh. Since then, his entire career has gone straight down hill. Whether it's his inconsistency, the Bengals as a team relying too much on the pass due to a lack of running game, or injuries, since that ill-fated home playoff game, it seems like everything has unraveled for the Bengals and Palmer and if one of those problems was not present, you can be sure that another one of them was. It also does not help that the Bengals have no defense whatsoever to rely on when Palmer is struggling or injured, but that's another story.

Chad OchoCinco: Next to T.O., perhaps the most controversial wide receiver is none other than Chad OchoCinco (seriously, which is it? Ochocinco, OchoCinco, or Ocho Cinco?) of the Cincinnati Bengals. Make no mistake about it, the man is talented, but his ego is just way too big for him to ever be a great receiver. The constant unnecessary celebration penalties that he gets is enough to bury a team for when you kickoff at your own 15 yard line, the opposing team gets great field position and is more likely than not to come away with points on the following drive especially taking into the fact of the Bengals defense (more on that below). And just as an aside, "ocho cinco" does not mean "eighty-five" but rather "eight five". Eighty-five in Spanish is "ochenta y cinco". You can thank online translators for that one....

The Bengals defense: Oy ve. What good is it when you're offense scores 45 points only to see the defense give up 48 points. That is the Bengals defense in a nutshell. You have to give credit where credit is due, though. They did try to remedy that by drafting Ray Maualuga out of USC. And they also now have Roy Williams the Safety. But will that be enough for the Bengals? To be frank, I would be shocked if it was. Then again, anything is an improvement over what they had.

Schedule: While the Bengals are one of the 13 lucky ones to play the Detroit Lions this year, the rest of their schedule is not so glamorous, including back-to-back-to-back games against Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Baltimore Weeks 3-5 with the latter 2 being on the road. They have some winnable games this year, but the division that they compete in is way too much for them. If they were in a weaker division, I'd give them a fighters chance at possibly making the playoffs, but not in one of the best divisions in football. No way.

Video: A look at the Bengals rookies this year with Disturbed in the background.



Prediction 6-10, 4th place AFC North. I said it before, if their division was different, then maybe, just maybe, they would have an outside chance of making it this year. But 2 games against the Ravens, Steelers, and Browns is just too much for this team. I only say the Browns because let's just say that the style of games that they play absolutely works against the Bengals defense.

2009 NFL Preview: Baltimore Ravens

By 49er16:

They had quite a year in Baltimore. A new coach and a new quarterback and the Ravens were right back in the AFC Championship Game. Now can they do it again?

The Ravens though have been inconsistent throughout the years. One year they make the playoffs, the next they are mediocre. It was one of the biggest reasons why the Ravens let go former coach Brian Billick. The Ravens though finally have a franchise quarterback in Joe Flacco and a no-nonsense coach in John Harbaugh. One of the steps the Ravens have to take is beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. Half of the Ravens six loses came against the Steelers. This season will be the barometer for the futures of both Harbaugh and Flacco.

Thorn In The Ravens Side: Three of the Ravens six loses last season came at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

- A three-point loss in Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football.

- In week 14 the referee's stole a victory from the Ravens. The refs ruled that Santonio Holmes crossed the goal line for a touchdown with 43 seconds left.

- Then the Ravens were crushed by the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Flacco struggled in the game throwing three interceptions and no touchdowns.

So you can see why the Ravens would be focused on the Steelers. The biggest thing the Ravens have to do is put more pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. Terrell Suggs, Trevor Pryce, and the returning Kelly Gregg must put more pressure on Roethlisberger. During Training Camp the Ravens defense has been working on ways to put more pressure on quarterbacks for the upcoming season.

The Rex Ryan Factor: Ryan was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens for the past four years. He continued the success of the Ravens defense and even added a more aggressive schemes. Well Ryan left for the head coaching job with the New York Jets and he hasn't mind throwing jabs towards the Ravens since his departure. Let's just say, Ryan thought he was more deserving of the Ravens head coaching job then Harbaugh. The Ravens play the Jets in a pre season game on Monday.

"I throw it out there because I'm just being real. Of course, I alwaysthink it's BS. I always thought I was the right guy for the job. ...Hey, I want (the Ravens) to know my guys are playing like Jets.We're to be taken seriously. Our guys are going to play hard....

He also doesn't like the fact that the Ravens gave the jersey number 99 to a rookie in Pual Kruger.

"I'm disappointed they gave his jersey to some rookie who hasn'tproven sh--, excuse my language," said Ryan.

Bitter at all? If the Ravens have proven anything at all, is that the defensive coordinator doesn't matter. Marvin Lewis, Mike Nolan, and Ryan have all been the Ravens defensive coordinator's and they have all left for head coaching positions. And guess what? The Ravens defense has continued their success. And I'm sure they will continue their success with new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison.

Rushing Attack: One of the biggest reasons the Ravens were a success last year is because of the running backs. The Le'Ron McClain, Ray Rice, and Willis McGahee trio were fourth in the league last year in rushing, and they helped Flacco transition into the starting quarterback position. The biggest mystery surrounding this team though is McGahee. Injuries last season derailed his performance and it also seems like he is in Harbaugh's dog house. The Ravens need a big year out of McGahee if they want to look for continued improvement.

Schedule: From the look on paper, the Ravens seem to have a easy schedule. They play eight games against AFC West and NFC North opponents. But then you see where they have to travel. They have to go to San Diego, New England, Pittsburgh, Green Bay, and Minnesota. Those are five potential games the Ravens could possibly lose.

Video: Remember the name!



Prediction: 11-5, 2nd AFC North. The Ravens will once again make the playoffs. Their running attack and defense can carry this team. Joe Flacco will continue to improve with a new and improved offensive line in front of him. But I don't think this team is better than Pittsburgh.

2009 NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

By JFein:

After a thrilling win in Super Bowl XLIII, the Pittsburgh Steelers are not only the 1st NFL team to win 6 Super Bowls, but they are hoping to be the first team since the New England Patriots to repeat as champions. Something that is a whole lot easier said than done. Now before you discredit anything I say because I'm an Eagles fan, I do have a great deal of respect for the Pittsburgh Steelers and what they have been able to accomplish this decade at first with Coach Cowher and now Mike Tomlin all with Ben Roethlisberger at QB. That was a thrilling Super Bowl and a great win for the Steelers, but the keyword there is "was". This is a new year, a new season, and everyone is starting from scratch at 0-0 and the Steelers are no different (face it, this kind of insight is quite hard to come by). That being said, the Pittsburgh Steelers might just be one of the favorites to win the AFC and make it back to Florida and the Super Bowl. Here's a look at some of the keys to this season for the Steelers.

Willie Parker: Ben Roethlisberger may be the quarterback of the Steelers, but Willie Parker is the engine that gets it going. When he does well, the Steelers do well, but when he does not have a good game, chances are the Steelers as a whole are not having a good game as well. If Willie Parker stays healthy through the year and is as productive as he has been in past years, I have a hard time visualizing this team NOT making the AFC Championship game again.

The Steel Curtain: Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense was the best in the NFL. This year, they retain the core group of that defense and even added to it by drafting Ziggy Hood in the 1st round of the draft. As a franchise as a whole, the Pittsburgh Steelers have always been known for their defense (except for a few years in the early 2000s with Tommy Maddox as QB). This era of Steelers is no different. And this year will be no different.

Big Ben Roethlisberger: Some Super Bowl teams would not have gotten there if it was not for superb QB play. Just look at the Colts in Super Bowl XLI and the Patriots in every Super Bowl they made this decade. And that's just naming the recent ones. And then there are the teams that all they need is an average passer to get the job done. Just look at the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV. The Steelers under Roethlisberger are one of those teams. Despite leading a Super Bowl team, Big Ben only completed 59.9% of his passes last season. And while that is certainly not piss poor, you would expect different from a QB who has won 2 Super Bowls in 5 seasons. The trait that makes Big Ben special is his leadership ability, but perhaps more importantly, his performance in the clutch. All you need to do is watch the game-winning drive of Super Bowl XLIII for an example of that.

Video: Aspeaking of Super Bowl XLIII




Prediction: 13-3, 1st place AFC North. Bottom line: this is the team to beat in the AFC.

2009 NFL Preview: Detroit Lions

By 49er16:

The 2008 Detroit Lions made a lot of people happy, sad, and depressed. If you ever listen to the Jim Rome Show, you will know it has been Jim's dream to see a team run the tables backwards. And that is exactly what happened. The Lions went 0-16 last season to become the first team in history to go 0-16. And the Lions want their fans to relive that experience.

The Ford Family finally made the right decision and dumped Matt Millen as their general manager and then they dumped Rod Marinelli as their head coach. In related news, the Detroit News finally dumped Rob Parker after this awkward question he asked Marinelli. It was that kind of season in Detroit.

But like the other NFL teams, the Lions get to start all over again. This year though their is an entire new coaching staff and a new quarterback and a new beginning for the Detroit Lions. But there has been a new beginning in Detroit since the team traded Bobby Layne. The Lions though keep plugging away and maybe this is their year.

Coaching Staff: I remember hearing a long time ago that offensive or defensive line coaches don't make great head coaches. And guess what Rod Marinelli was? Yep he was a defensive line coach. He's a great line coach, but he lacked the vision to be a great head coach and it showed in Detroit. Well he's out and Jim Schwartz is in.

Schwartz comes from Tennessee where he was the defensive coordinator for the past ten years. It's not known yet if he has the vision to be a head coach, but that hasn't stopped him from bringing in a great coaching staff. One of the complaints about Marinelli was his coaching staff, specifically his choice for defensive coordinator his son-in-law. Schwartz though seems to be different and he brought in a top coaching staff. Schwartz brought in Scott Linehan as the offensive coordinator. While Linehan was a disaster as the Rams head coach, but he was an accomplished offensive coordinator before. He also brought in Gunther Cunningham to run the defense. Cunningham brings experience and intensity to the Lions defense. Schwartz has definitely impressed with his coaching hirings.

Who will Quarterback?: Right now Daunte Culpepper will most likely be the starting quarterback at the beginning of the season. Culpepper has lost weight and he reunites with his former offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Culpepper's best years in Minnesota was when Linehan was the offensive coordinator. So while they look to recapture their past glory, the team can ease Matthew Stafford into the starting lineup.

Will Jeff Backus Ever Step up?: Backus was drafted out of Michigan in the first round of the 2001 draft. While Backus has played every game and rarely complains. But he has been a below-average left tackle who has never came close to a Pro Bowl. Backus signed a long-term deal in 2006(thanks Millen) but he has never played up to the contract. The Lions will need him to step up to protect Culpepper's and Stafford's blindside. But he hasn't been able to step up in eight years and probably won't step up this season.

The Draft: You'd would think the Lions would use the draft to improve their offensive and defensive line's. Instead the Lions drafted a quarterback, tight end, and safety with the first three picks. The Lions eventually drafted a defensive and offensive lineman, but in a draft with depth at those positions and Detroit needing help in that area of the field, they swung and missed at the opportunity. You could tell Matt Millen doesn't work in Detroit anymore, by the Lions not choosing a receiver in the first round.

Schedule: The Lions drew an easy schedule, the only problem though is the Lions don't play an easy game until week eight. They play Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and Green Bay in the first eight weeks. By the end of the season Detroit has to play in San Francisco, Cincinnati, and Baltimore. So the schedule might not be as easy as they thought.

Video: Here's a tribute to the 0-16 Lions.



Prediction: 4-12, 4th NFC North. While I do expect the Lions to improve, I don't see them winning more than four games. Their schedule is tougher than expected and they have to break in a new coaching staff and eventually a new quarterback. The Lions will improve, but there is no where to go but up from a 0-16 record.

2009 NFL Preview: Chicago Bears

By 49er16:

The Bears had an hell of an off season. They dumped the neck beard and pickup the whiner. The Bears did give up a lot though to pick up Cutler. They gave up the neck beard and two number one draft picks. So the Bears front office is on their hands and knees praying the move doesn't backfire.

The Bears have the easiest NFL schedule and finally have their best quarterback in many years. Also they return their great defense, Matt Forte at running back, and Devin Hester is improving at receiver. The Bears have all the pieces together and it's up to Cutler to take the Bears to the next level.

Previous Year: The Bears had the same look that they have had in the past five years. Crappy offense + great defense and special teams = NFC North title. But in 08, the defense became old and the special teams were hurt from Hester doubling as a receiver. The Bears need more from their front four who struggled throughout the last year. And specifically they need more from Alex Brown who had only six sacks and that lead the team.

Off season Moves: Besides trading for Cutler, the Bears improved their offensive line to protect Cutler. The Bears also paid the corpse of Orlando Pace to protect Cutler's blindside. The Bears also signed Frank Omiyale and Kevin Shaffer to improve the line. The Bears in the off season decided to not resign safety Mike Brown. Despite being constantly injured, Brown is a great leader for the defense and he will be missed.

Coaching: The Bears have struggled considerably since relieving defensive coordinator Ron Rivera from the position. Head coach Lovie Smith has vowed to be more involved in the defense in the season. The Bears also brought in Rod Marinelli to help the defensive line. Marinelli may have been a disaster as the Lions head coach, but he is considered to be one of the best defensive line coaches in the league. And the Bears defensive line definitely needs help.

Hester!: Last year the Bears finally wised up, and moved Devin Hester to wide receiver. Hester was already the best returner in the league and it was only a matter of time before he transitioned to receiver. Hester last season had 51 catches, 665 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Hester is still trying to learn the position and it's well known that he still drops a lot of balls. Right now he is penciled in as a starter, and Hester must improve his skills to give Cutler a weapon.

Cutler's Mouth: The Bears may have finally got their star quarterback, but his loud mouth comes with him. When the Broncos drafted him, he said that he as a better arm than John Elway. Then there's his little showdown between Phillip Rivers, a quarterback who has actually been to the playoffs. Well I guess Cutler's mouth is starting to run wild all over Chicago. And Cutler didn't mine chiming in on an interception he threw and blaming Devin Hester for not breaking it up.

"Devin is more of a go-get it guy, he is not really a back shoulder orjump up and get it [guy],'' Cutler said. "You learn from it. Wemade some mistakes. It's the first preseason game. Luckilyenough, we have some time to correct them and keep going."

If the Bears don't make the playoffs, they might regret trading for Cutler.

Schedule: Like I said at the top, the Bears have the easiest schedule in all of football. They play the AFC North and the NFC West for eight games. The Bears will not have a better look at the playoffs, then they do with this schedule. And their tough games against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are both at home.

Video: Da' Bears never gets old



Blog of Choice: I would go to Windy City Gridiron for all my Bears news.

Prediction 12-4: 1st NFC North. With the rest of the NFC North rebuilding and the easy schedule, it's the Bears year to make the playoffs. All their toughest games are at home and they still return a great defense. And with the addition of Cutler and a rebuilt offensive line, the Bears should actually be one of the best teams to watch this season.