32 Burning NFL Questions: NFC
Mike DeMarco
Love of Sports Corresppondent
With the NFL season kicking off tonight (woo hoo!), we’re taking a look at the biggest burning question each team around the league is dealing with coming into Week 1’s action.
You can see my AFC Burning Questions RIGHT HERE.
Today, I’ll focus on the NFC, as there’s no more Brett Favre or Michael Strahan and new coaches everywhere you look.
Each team’s predicted record is in parentheses.
NFC EAST
DALLAS COWBOYS (13-3)
Burning Question: Do the Cowboys finally have the team to win a Super Bowl?
Mike’s Take: Personally, I think Dallas has the best team in the NFL on paper. Both their offensive and defensive lines can control the line of scrimmage and dominate a game. They have a very good secondary with Adam (don’t call me Pacman) Jones playing the nickel back. They have an exceptional offense with stars I don’t need to mention. So, what’s been the problem? The simple answer is that games are played on a field, not on paper. Having said that, I think this is the year the Cowboys should re-introduce themselves to the Super Bowl. The talent is there, the coaching is there ... this team has NO MORE EXCUSES!
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-6)
Burning Question: Will Donovan McNabb reinvent himself?
Mike’s Take: After the drafting of quarterback Kevin Kolb in 2006, many Eagle pundits had McNabb’s days numbered. Not so fast. Is Kolb anywhere near the quarterback McNabb is? Yes, I’m very aware of all the injury problems McNabb’s had over the years, and maybe there is some underlying frustration in the front office, but when healthy, he’s one of the game’s best quarterbacks PERIOD. He is healthy for the first time in a long time entering this season, and that bodes very well. If he manages to stay healthy all season, then it’ll be a very good one for Philadelphia, and all of this McNabb-to-the-Bears talk will simmer down. With the team’s improvements on defense, look for Philly to make the playoffs as a wild card.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (8-8)
Burning Question: Can the Redskins compete after NOT throwing gobs of money at players during free agency?
Mike’s Take: For once, I think owner Daniel Snyder got it right. To win in the NFL nowadays you must develop premiere players within your own organization, and after spending 100’s of millions on free agent flops over the years, he’s finally wised up. Washington didn’t sign one big name during the free agent period and stuck with the status quo. The Skins selected nine players in the draft, the most under Snyder’s regime. So, with Joe Gibbs retiring and Jim Zorn taking over as new head coach, look for the Redskins to take a couple of seasons to get everything in place. The development of QB Jason Campbell is essential for this team to get to the next level, but Zorn’s a former quarterback himself and had great success as the quarterbacks coach in Seattle, so he just might be the guy to get Campbell playing at the level Washington needs. Will they be competitive? I have no doubt they will be in time, but the postseason might be stretching things.
NEW YORK GIANTS (6-10)
Burning Question: Can the Giants repeat?
Mike’s Take: Can you hear me laughing from where you are? I mean, as ridiculous as I thought it was that the G-Men won the Super Bowl last year, it would be downright ludicrous to think they have a shot at repeating. This team went on a run that was out of this world in last year’s playoffs. All four teams they beat should’ve beat them. All four! Now they enter this season having lost Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to a season ending injury. That’s both their starting defensive ends. The reason they were so successful last postseason is they were able to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This in turn covered up an absolutely horrid secondary. That secondary will now be exposed for what it truly is ... BAD! There’s no one to pick up the pass rushing duties left behind, and Justin Tuck is best when he moves inside ... he isn’t your typical end. Eli Manning, in my mind, is still not an elite quarterback. I don’t give a hoot if he has a ring, he’s still not elite. In order for the Giants to have a prayer this season, he’ll have to carry this team, which is something he didn’t have to do last season. I don’t think he can.
NFC NORTH
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-5)
Burning Question: Can Tarvaris Jackson carry this team to the postseason?
Mike’s Take: Aside from the quarterback spot, I feel the Vikings have one of the most complete teams in football. Both lines were absolutely dominant at times last season, and the Vikings were one of the league’s best teams down the stretch. Everything’s in place for this team to make a run this season, but it all comes down to the play of Jackson. Though he was steady last season, he was nowhere near brilliant, and he doesn’t have to be for the Vikings to win - think along the lines of Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer. The Vikings have a huge running game with Adrian Peterson and that monster line of theirs. They’re also excellent at stopping the run and have added the NFL sack leader from a year ago in Jared Allen. Would that strike fear into you? My knees are quaking!
GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-6)
Burning Question: You know what’s coming ... Can Aaron Rodgers keep the Pack at a winning level of play?
Mike’s Take: Well, we all know Rodgers is not Favre. No one is, and no one ever will be, so let’s try and stop all those comparisons. The question is whether he can play well enough to keep the Packers winning? I have Green Bay second for a couple reasons: First, I think Minnesota’s the better overall team; and second, although I think Rodgers is more than capable, he isn’t quite at the level where he’ll win you games by himself. Green Bay has a great nucleus of talent, and they bring back the same team that made it to the NFC Championship last year. So, as long as Rodgers doesn’t lay an egg, there’s no reason this team shouldn’t be in the playoffs again. Let’s not forget, when Rodgers was drafted he was a first round pick touted to go in the Top 5, but fell because team needs were not in the quarterback spot. He can play, and as long the team around him stays solid, we’ll see the Green and Gold in January.
CHICAGO BEARS (6-10)
Burning Question: Can Kyle Orton do what Rex Grossman couldn’t?
Mike’s Take: I hate having all these quarterback questions, but these are the main issues for these teams, and for Chicago it has been for years. They should be much more successful than they’ve been, but the fact is they’ve been let down by poor play at the position for years. Grossman’s had his chance, and I think Chicago’s made the right move by giving the reins to Orton. Aside from having a much better arm, Orton seems to read defenses better and seems less prone to turnovers and injuries which plagued Grossman over the years. Though I really don’t like anything the Bears offer on offense, they can still be very competitive because of great defense and exceptional special teams. I think we’ll see another strong performance from the Bears D, but their shortcomings at the skill positions on offence will once again be the team’s downfall. I agree that defense wins championships, but there are too many teams in the league that have a good defense, along with offense. That leaves Chicago on the outside looking in.
DETROIT LIONS (3-13)
Burning Question: What has to happen for the Lions to win?
Mike’s Take: Well, Lion fans, brace yourselves. It’s going to be another long year. I really don’t know where to begin. This team’s been so bad for so long you’d think they’d become competitive with all those early draft selections. But guess what? They’ve done poorly in that department as well. So, they enter another season having changed their offensive philosophy. I mean, wasn’t Mike Martz’s system perfect for all the first round wideouts the Lions had? Well, yes, until you consider the fact Detroit had the worst offensive line in football, and poor Jon Kitna couldn’t stay upright long enough to make throws. So, the Lions plan is to run the ball more this season. Well you need a good line to do that, too! Bottom line is this is a team that needs to blow it all up, starting in the front office and GM Matt Millen, who’s taken this team and buried it in the doldrums of the NFL. The Detroit Lions are now on the clock.
NFC SOUTH
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-4)
Burning Question: Can the Saints rebound and become an elite team again? Or was 2006 a mirage?
Mike’s Take: Make no mistake about this team, they’re good. Real good. After starting last season off 0-4, the Saints dug themselves too deep a hole. Their struggles resonated on defense where they were porous as can be. They couldn’t stop anyone. On offense, they can score with anyone, and this year just might be the highest scoring team in the league after adding yet another weapon in terms of tight end Jeremy Shockey. He’ll love playing in New Orleans, and he’ll love Brees, who loves a good receiving tight end. Just ask Antonio Gates. The Saints did all they could to shore up that sieve of a defense, starting up the middle with the selection of defensive tackle Sedric Ellis out of USC. Many scouts had him as the No. 1 player at his position, so he’s an automatic upgrade. The Saints also acquired linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the Jets. The defensive Rookie of the Year back in 2004 was out of place in New York in a 3-4 scheme, but will be back to his old form playing in the 4-3. Those additions alone improve their defense greatly. Look for the Saints to compete for the NFC title.
CAROLINA PANTHERS: (10-6)
Burning Question: Will the Panthers get back to what made them successful?
Mike’s Take: During Carolina’s run to the Super Bowl a few years back, the team had an identity. Play good defense, run the football. That identity had sort of gone by the wayside the past few years, albeit because of injuries or just lack of personnel. The pieces seem to be back in place for coach John Fox. By drafting stud running back Jonathan Stewart in the first round, they let the league know they’ll be a run-first team, even with Steve Smith on the team. Combined with DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers have a formidable duo toting the rock this season, taking pressure of quarterback Jake Delhomme, who’s coming off Tommy John surgery on his throwing arm. If he can manage the game, and is defensive end Julius Peppers can find his old form, there’s no reason why Carolina can’t make the postseason. But if the team gets stuck in their stagnant ways of the past couple seasons, then Fox just might find himself looking for work come January. I believe in the former. Panthers make the playoffs as a wild card.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-10)
Burning Question: Can Jeff Garcia do it one more time?
Mike’s Take: Yet another quarterback question. But hey, when your team has six quarterbacks in camp and still tries to trade for Brett Favre, well I guess the position is a question for them, too. Tampa Bay’s one of those teams I have a tough time gauging. One year they win the division, the following year they finish last. The same team! Coach Jon Gruden is fantastic and gets the most out of his players, and that’s why I think he likes Garcia, because he too can get the most out of his teammates. For this season, I think Garcia can once again give it a valiant effort, but the Bucs just lack to much on offense. They’re ancient at wideout, and I’m not sold on Earnest Graham as my starting running back. Tampa will have a competitive D, as they always do, but this team lacks playmakers all over the field. Gruden has me wondering why in the world he continues to go with a 37-year-old quarterback, unless he thinks he can win now. I don’t see what he does, and once Garcia’s done, Gruden will regret releasing Chris Simms, who once was tabbed as the QB the future for this team. Look for a long year in Tampa.
ATLANTA FALCONS (2-14)
Burning Question: Can Matt Ryan keep the Falcons competitive as a rookie?
Mike’s Take: Let’s face facts here; this is a rebuilding year in Atlanta. I know it, you know it, coaches and owners know it, too. Basically what it comes down to is can Ryan keep the team consistent in his rookie season? Truth is, I like the direction the Falcons are going, and by giving him the reins as a rookie enables him to grow with the team through what will be a horrible year. They have talent on offense, and if RB Michael Turner is what he advertised in San Diego than the Falcons will be decent on offense. Defensively, Atlanta’s a mess, and that’s why I feel they’ll do so poorly. They’ll trail in many games, and when you trail in games you become one dimensional offensively, and that’s where Ryan will gain invaluable experience. The bottom line is simple: the Falcons are slowly grooming a team from within, and after having a coach quit on them and the whole Michael Vick saga, they deserve a mulligan. But only for this year.
NFC WEST
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-5)
Burning Question: Can Julius Jones replace Shaun Alexander?
Mike’s Take: Simply put, Alexander wasn’t all that productive his last couple seasons in the Pacific Northwest, and a true indicator of that might be the fact he still remains unsigned. In essence, Jones might be an upgrade, just on the sheer fact that he’s many years younger. Seattle will be in the mix again this year, because they have a very good defense, excellent coaching and very good quarterback play under Matt Hasselbeck. But the one thing that’s lacked since their Super Bowl appearance a few seasons ago is a dominating running game. I chalk that up to two things: Alexander got old real quick. And secondly, the loss of Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson to Minnesota really lessened the strength of the line. Seattle will again win the West again, as they’re easily the best team in the division. If Jones, teamed with T.J. Duckett, can be a dynamo for this team, Seattle will push deep into January.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-7)
Burning Question: Will Arizona finally push for a postseason berth?
Mike’s Take: Year after year, the Cardinals seem to be everybody’s chic pic. But year after year, Arizona seems to come up short of expectations. Personally, I don’t think they’re coming up that short. Fact is, the pieces aren’t yet there for them to make a serious run. Can they make the playoffs? Absolutely! Question is, will they? On offense, they’re loaded. They boast one of the game’s most dangerous duos at the wideout spot with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. Edgerrin James will be running behind a much improved line, and they’ll have good quarterback play in Kurt Warner. Arizona had huge hopes when they selected Matt Leinart in the first round in 2005, but for some reason he’s had trouble adapting to the pro game. His play’s forced the team to go with Warner, who’s been outstanding during his tenure in Arizona. With him at the helm, the team’s as good as anyone offensively. On defense, the Cards are still growing and are getting better, but will they play well enough to take pressure off the offense? I think they make a late run and will actually be in wild card contention going into Week 17. Whether they squeak in remains a mystery.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-9)
Burning Question: Can Mike Martz’s system work in the Bay?
Mike’s Take: Martz has been successful everywhere he’s gone, including stops in St. Louis and Detroit. His offense lit the league up back in 1999 when the Rams shocked the NFL with their Greatest Show on Turf, and he carried that same philosophy with him to Detroit. He’ll now try his luck with an offense that was one of the most anemic in football last season. The 49ers are still struggling with the fact that former first overall pick Alex Smith hasn’t played well and seems destined for the bust tag. Martz and head coach Mike Nolan think so poorly of Smith’s play they’ve brought in former Lions third stringer, and NFL Europe castoff, J.T O’Sullivan to be the starter. WHAT? They feel O’Sullivan knows his system best and gives the team the best chance to win now. On offense, there are weapons in place. The running game’s in wonderful hands with Frank Gore, who’ll be a weapon Martz didn’t have in Detroit. Tight end Vernon Davis is another exceptional athlete who’s been underutilized and will be of great value. On defense, they boast one of the league’s youngest units, but they’re loaded with good talent, led by tackling machines Patrick Willis and Manny Lawson at linebacker. So, why can’t this team make the postseason? Simply put, I’m in no way sold on O’Sullivan or any other quarterback on this roster. Until they get solid play from that spot, they’ll continue to be mediocre.
ST. LOUIS RAMS (5-11)
Burning Question: Can the Rams offense regain their old form?
Mike’s Take: First off, the personnel and coaches are different from the good old days when the Rams used to light up opposing teams. The Rams are using their third offensive coordinator in four seasons. Al Saunders has had very good success in Kansas City, but nearly not as much in his last stop in Washington. The one thing St. Louis provides Saunders is running back Steven Jackson, who should thrive. The problem with the Rams is the offensive line, which was so bad last season you would’ve thought quarterback Marc Bulger was a weeble after getting knocked around so much. Yes, they had injuries on the line, but even with all starters back in place I’m not sold. On defense, the Rams just might have one of the better D-Lines in football, but they have absolutely nothing in their back seven. They won’t stop the pass at all, and they’ll be scored on plenty. My problem is that if they’re constantly getting scored on, they’ll become one dimensional offensively and once again put the ball in Bulger’s hands, where opposing defenses will be ready to just tee it up on him. The drafting of Chris Long is a start, but the Rams need a secondary ... bad.
--32 Burning NFL Questions - AFC
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