LADN: NFC overview

[bubba9497]

http://www2.dailynews.com/sports/ci_2988682

NFC overview

By Matthew Kredell, Staff Writer

NFC EAST

The Eagles have been making headlines all offseason - just not of the positive variety. Receiver Terrell Owens has had public battles with quarterback Donovan McNabb, coach Andy Reid and team management.

Philadelphia didn't make any impact free-agent signings and, although the core of last year's Super Bowl runner-up team remains in place, it's possible the window of opportunity for the Eagles to win a championship has closed after four years as contenders.

If Philadelphia falters, this could be the year the Cowboys make their move. Coach Bill Parcells overhauled the team's defense in the offseason and switched to his favored 3-4 style of play with four linebackers and three down linemen. It remains to be seen how all the new defensive players - including CB Aaron Glenn, S Izell Reese, DL Jason Ferguson and first-round picks LB Demarcus Ware and DL Marcus Spears - play together.

Meanwhile, the Redskins and Giants are improved but will need to make some big leaps to reach the playoffs. Washington coach Joe Gibbs proved he remembered how to coach defense in his first year back in the NFL. The Redskins' offense, however, was anemic and Gibbs is trying to tweak the running plays to fit more into the strengths of talented back Clinton Portis.

In New York, quarterback Eli Manning needs to start playing more like his brother, Peyton, for the Giants to stand a chance.

TOP 5 IMPORTS

Drew Bledsoe, QB, Cowboys

Parcells once again reunites with a former player on the downside of his career. Can he help Bledsoe resurrect what has been a maddening three-year stretch?

Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants

Manning will welcome the young, big (6-foot-5) target over the aging WR corps he had to work with last year. However, Burress was inconsistent in Pittsburgh and is two years removed from his best season.

Santana Moss, WR, Redskins

After failing to reach his potential in Washington, Laveranues Coles was sent to the Jets for the equally disappointing Moss. The diminutive return specialist must develop more as a receiver if the Redskins hope to improve this year.

Marco Rivera, OL, Cowboys

Acquiring the All-Pro guard is part of a concerted effort to improve the running game.

Antonio Pierce, LB, Giants

New York snatched the middle linebacker from division rival Washington after he had a big season with 110 tackles.

TOP ROOKIE

Mike Patterson, DT, Eagles

The former USC standout should make an immediate impact on one of the league's best defenses as a player who can get in the backfield and stop the run. He had a sack in Philadelphia's first exhibition game.

NUMBER

1972

The last year a team that lost the Super Bowl the previous season came back to win the championship, when the Miami Dolphins did it in their fabled perfect season. A bad omen for Philadelphia.

SAVE THIS DATE

Oct. 9: Philadelphia at Dallas

The division's best rivalry will be especially heated this year with the teams battling for the division title. Philadelphia's last division loss came at Dallas two years ago.

BEST BET TO REACH SUPER BOWL

Philadelphia finally made it to the big game last year after losing in the NFC Championship three straight years. Even with the bickering between offensive stars McNabb and Owens, the Eagles can make it back to the Super Bowl if their defense remains stout.

DIVISION'S BEST PLAYER

Terrell Owens, WR, Eagles

He might also be the division's most disruptive player, but that doesn't change the impact T.O. has on the field. It's no coincidence McNabb completed better than 60 percent of his passes and passed for more than 30 TDs last season, Owens' first in Philadelphia.

NEXT BIG SUPERSTAR

Julius Jones, RB, Cowboys

An underachiever at Notre Dame and a surprising second-round pick by Dallas in 2004, Jones made Parcells look like a genius in his rookie season, rushing for 819 yards in seven starts. Despite suffering some injuries last season, Jones looked like the workhorse back Parcells covets.

PROJECTED FINISH

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2. Dallas Cowboys

3. Washington Redskins

4. New York Giants

NFC NORTH

How does a team get rid of its best player and get better? No, it's not because Randy Moss was a cancer in the locker room. Minnesota finally upgraded its defense the right way, adding better players on the line, at linebacker and in the secondary.

Even without Moss, Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper will be able to provide enough offense. He won't need to put up the 40 points he's used to in order to win.

While the Vikings improved their defense, Green Bay didn't make a single impact move during the offseason, other than drafting Brett Favre's heir apparent in Aaron Rodgers. That won't help them this year, and Favre will need to have a vintage season, perhaps his last, if the Packers are to win the division again.

TOP 5 IMPORTS

Fred Smoot, CB, Vikings

Minnesota shelled out $34 million over six years to lure the promising young cornerback away from Washington. Smoot, who likes to compare himself to a young Deion Sanders, has 16 interceptions in his four-year career.

Darren Sharper, FS, Vikings

Sharper is the biggest acquisition in Minnesota's defensive rebuilding. A two-time Pro Bowler who the Vikings stole from division rival Green Bay, he had 72 tackles and four interceptions last season.

Napoleon Harris, LB, Vikings

The swap of Randy Moss for the pick that turned out to be Troy Williamson isn't going to look good, at least for now. That's where Harris comes in. He was the other player involved in that deal, the one who will be counted on now to improve Minnesota's dismal defense immediately.

Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Bears

The Bears had the worst passing offense in the NFL in 2004. While that might not change because of quarterback deficiencies, Muhammad, who had 93 catches and 16 TDs with Carolina, is a significant upgrade over any receiver Chicago had last year.

Kenoy Kennedy, SS, Lions

Former Bronco was added to strengthen Detroit's defensive backfield. Entering his sixth year, Kennedy had 69 tackles, two sacks and an interception last season.

TOP ROOKIE

Cedric Benson, RB, Bears

Chicago loves big running backs who can pound the ball up the middle and perfectly complement the team's strong defense. Benson is that type of runner, although he likely won't start to begin the season because of a holdout that lasted late into camp.

NUMBER

2

The number of teams in the NFL, out of 23, that have never reached the Super Bowl despite being around since its inception in 1967. Detroit is one of the two, along with the Cardinals.

SAVE THIS DATE

Nov. 21: Minnesota at Green Bay

Last year, Minnesota twice lost to Green Bay by identical 34-31 scores, costing the Vikings the division title. The NFC North title again will come down to these two, and this second meeting between the teams will be the key game.

BEST BET TO REACH SUPER BOWL

Don't be fooled into thinking Minnesota is a worse team without Randy Moss. Sure, Culpepper is going to need to carry the offense more without the talented receiver. However, the Vikings' vast defensive improvement will more than make up for the loss of Moss. With the addition of Smoot, Sharper, Harris, DL Pat Williams and LB Sam Cowart, Minnesota hasn't had a defense like this since the Purple People Eaters.

DIVISION'S BEST PLAYER

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings

No need to worry about how Culpepper will play without Moss. Just look back at last year, in the three games Moss missed with injury. Against Green Bay, Culpepper threw for 363 yards and four TDs without Moss. Culpepper is a gutsy player who will do whatever it takes, with his arm or legs, to keep Minnesota's offense going.

NEXT BIG SUPERSTAR

Roy Williams, WR, Detroit

Now that Moss is out of the division, Williams may be the most-talented player in the NFC North. Anyone who has seen video of Williams' one-handed grab from summer practice floating around the Internet knows the second-year receiver is scary good. Whether Detroit has someone to get him the ball on a consistent basis remains to be seen.

PROJECTED FINISH

1. Minnesota Vikings

2. Green Bay Packers

3. Detroit Lions

4. Chicago Bears

NFC SOUTH

A year removed from playing in the Super Bowl, Carolina found itself out of the playoffs last year. Injuries to Pro Bowl DT Kris Jenkins, receiver Steve Smith and its top three running backs on the depth chart doomed the team from the beginning.

Healthy and coming off a strong finish, the Panthers could regain their 2003 form. The injuries and early struggles of last year could help Carolina as QB Jake Delhomme went from a cautious passer to one who was counted on to toss the ball around frequently.

The Falcons were the surprise of the season last year, reversing a 5-11 record to 11-5 in Jim Mora's first year. Mora has proved to be a great defensive mind, but the Falcons won't be able to take the next step unless Michael Vick and the passing game make huge strides.

TOP 5 IMPORTS

Rod Gardner, WR, Panthers

Obtained cheaply in trade from the Redskins, Gardner will be counted on to be the big possession receiver replacing the departed Muhsin Muhammad.

Ken Lucas, CB, Panthers

Needing to improve their secondary play, the Panthers signed free-agent Lucas, who had six interceptions with Seattle last year.

Dwight Smith, FS, Saints

New Orleans upgraded their safety position and weakened divisional foe Tampa Bay by signing Smith, who had three interceptions last year for the Bucs.

Jermane Mayberry, OL, Saints

One of the key players in protecting Donovan McNabb at Philadelphia, the 2002 Pro Bowl lineman now has Aaron Brooks' back.

Thomas Davis, LB, Panthers

The first-round draft choice out of Georgia will be counted on to start right away. A safety in college, he was moved to linebacker because of injuries at the position.

TOP ROOKIE

Carnell Williams, RB, Tampa Bay

The Buccaneers haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Warrick Dunn in 2000. Enter Williams, the fifth-overall pick out of Auburn. Coach Jon Gruden fell in love with Williams while coaching the Senior Bowl and hopes the player nicknamed "Cadillac" can be more dependable than previous models.

NUMBER

5

The past six teams to finish as Super Bowl runner-up have missed the playoffs the following season, with Carolina continuing the trend last year.

SAVE THIS DATE

Jan. 1: Carolina at Atlanta

Last year's game in Atlanta was electrifying with Michael Vick tying the game on fourth down with less than two minutes remaining on a 12-yard run before the Falcons won in overtime. This game, in the final week of the season, will have a hard time matching last year's in excitement but should be much more relevant to the division race.

BEST BET TO REACH SUPER BOWL

Carolina's 7-9 record last season does nothing to indicate upcoming Super Bowl contention. However, a closer look reveals the Panthers, hampered by injuries, began the season 1-7. Carolina learned to overcome the missing players and finished 6-2 with players like unknown RB Nick Goings carrying the load. If healthy, the Panthers have the coaching and talent on both sides of the ball to go all the way.

DIVISION'S BEST PLAYER

Joe Horn, WR, Saints

Horn's name rarely gets mentioned among the top receivers in the league, but he consistently is among the best at his position. He has more than 1,250 yards receiving in four of the past five seasons. Last year, at age 32, was his best with 94 catches for 1,399 yards and 11 TDs.

NEXT BIG SUPERSTAR

DeShaun Foster, RB, Panthers

Whoever starts at running back in Carolina will put up big numbers. That could be the former UCLA standout, if he can stay on the field and off the training table. If not, second-round pick Eric Shelton of Louisville could fill the role.

PROJECTED FINISH

1. Carolina Panthers

2. Atlanta Falcons

3. New Orleans Saints

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC WEST

St. Louis wins this division by default.

It's not that the Rams are a bad team. Their offense remains one of the toughest to stop in the league, yet the defense still is full of holes. But the other teams are so bad that the Rams won't be challenged.

Seattle overhauled its defense again and could give the Rams a run if everything falls into place. But the same was said last year. The team just can't seem to gel consistently, and this could be coach Mike Holmgren's final season.

Arizona is a popular pick to make the playoffs but isn't likely to go anywhere with a rookie running back - J.J. Arrington - and an aged quarterback - Kurt Warner - who hasn't thrown more than six TDs since 2001.

TOP 5 IMPORTS

Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals

It's difficult to know what you're getting with Warner. He's obviously not the same player who led the Rams to two Super Bowls, but he's better than anything Arizona had last year.

Jamie Sharper, LB, Seahawks

A key starter on the Baltimore Ravens team that won the Super Bowl in 2000, Sharper had at least 135 tackles each of the past three seasons with Houston.

Chris Claiborne, LB, Rams

The former USC standout has yet to live up to his potential in six seasons in the NFL. Of course, he doesn't have to be that good to be an improvement for the Rams.

Andre Dyson, CB, Seahawks

Seattle got one of the top defensive free agents in Dyson, who had six interceptions last season. In four years with the Titans, Dyson returned three of his 16 interceptions for touchdowns.

Chike Okeafor, DE, Cardinals

Arizona upgraded its pass rush by snatching Okeafor away from divisional foe Seattle. Okeafor had 16.5 sacks the past two years combined.

TOP ROOKIE

J.J. Arrington, RB, Cardinals

The former College of the Canyons standout was underappreciated for his performance at Cal last year, but Arizona recognized him with a second-round selection. He will be counted on to start right away for a Cardinals team that has lacked a running game for years.

NUMBER

25-39

The combined record of NFC West teams last year, worst in the NFL. This season should be much of the same.

SAVE THIS DATE

Dec. 18: Philadelphia at St. Louis

Last year's meeting, a 20-7 victory by St. Louis, lacked excitement because the Eagles had already clinched home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs and benched most of their starters. This year's game is also late in the season. Here's hoping it matters.

BEST BET TO REACH SUPER BOWL

The Rams are a dangerous team that can win any game with QB Marc Bulger, WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce and RBs Marshall Faulk and Steven Jackson. But, if defense wins Super Bowls, St. Louis isn't going to be there.

DIVISION'S BEST PLAYER

Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks

Alexander gets no respect. After scoring at least 16 TDs the past four seasons, he couldn't get more than a one-year contract out of the Seahawks. When he was one yard short of the rushing title last season, Holmgren decided to do a quarterback sneak from the 1. No matter the slight, Alexander still produces.

NEXT BIG SUPERSTAR

Steven Jackson, RB, Rams

The Rams announced the second-year pro will assume the lead running-back duties from superstar Marshall Faulk this year. Jackson could put up big numbers in the St. Louis offense, although Faulk will still be around to take away catches and third-down duties.

PROJECTED FINISH

1. St. Louis Rams

2. Seattle Seahawks

3. Arizona Cardinals

4. San Francisco 49ers

[Spaceman Spiff]

Gibbs proved he knew how to coach a defense last year, eh? What a hack this guy is.

At least he picked the Giants to finish below us.

And not that I put much stock into season previews, but wtf is up with all the Dallas love? They had some good draft picks and have only slightly upgraded at qb with Bledsoe. I'd fear them if this was like 6 years ago, but whatever...