Knowshon Moreno, Donovan McNabb, Mike Shanahan and David Garrard enter pivotal seasons where they will be scrutinized if they do not perform at a high level.
The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
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Super Bowl XLII is in the books, and the game between the Cardinals and Steelers is an instant classic, one of the most entertaining, competitive big games ever played. Coming on the heels of another great contest the prior year, the NFL has elevated its product to levels that other sports can?t even dream about. But just like the Giants and Patriots from last year to this, getting back to #44 will surely be an uphill struggle for both Arizona and Pittsburgh.
The Steelers won ?one for the other thumb? with a textbook blend of aggressive defense and opportunistic offense. They also find themselves in a somewhat rare situation for Super Bowl participants--they have very few meaningful free agents, and most of the key components are already locked up long-term. Just three players who do much of anything for Pittsburgh are set to hit free agency: CB Bryant McFadden, G Chris Kemoeatu, and WR Nate Washington. Keeping McFadden would be a good idea because he fits the defense well, but his talent and production levels are certainly not irreplaceable. The other two are adequate role players who will undoubtedly excessively inflate their own value thanks to their rings and command bigger paydays, and more playing time, elsewhere.
Despite having almost everyone of importance back in 2009, it still won?t be easy for Pittsburgh. After all, the AFC had an 11-win team (the Patriots) miss the playoffs. The Ravens will still be a major challenge, and the Browns and Bengals both cannot be any worse. With the serious problems along the offensive line, both talent and depth, keeping Ben Roethlisberger upright and effective for 16 games is no given. The running backs would like more help getting more than a year downfield before getting hit by multiple defenders too, and the offensive imbalance that prevailed in 2008 is not a long-term plan for success. In addition, there is the inevitable afterglow effect. I suspect it will impact these Steelers less than most teams, but now that the mountain has been climbed, will everyone really spend all spring and summer focused on the next climb? Or will all the hometown hero events, the touring with the ring, the inevitable contract squabbles that plague every Super Bowl team, will all that keep the focus a little fuzzy? The margin for error and lapse is almost imperceptible in today?s NFL, and if the top 40 guys on that roster aren?t all pulling together from training camp, next season isn?t likely to have as happy an ending.
It?s starkly different in Arizona, where a franchise that has never tasted success faces some serious roster upheaval. Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, Edge James, Karlos Dansby, Antonio Smith, Bert Berry, and Leonard Pope are all at least halfway out the door, and Adrian Wilson and Darnell Dockett both want more lucrative new deals. Certainly some will be kept (my early guess: Dansby and Warner will be back, perhaps Pope too), but when everyone has their hands out, many are sure to return empty handed and unhappy. Boldin is already that way, having demanded a trade for over a year, and nobody in the know expects the great wideout to soften his stance. Unlike Pittsburgh, the Cardinals could face a major roster overhaul immediately following their Super Bowl appearance. Consider they might have new starters at QB, RB, one WR, TE, DE, and ILB, and all but the TE are above-average players, most Pro Bowlers.
The NFC West is weak, but the Cards cannot expect their divisional brethren to perform as badly as in 2008. The 49ers showed signs of life late, the Seahawks will be healthier, and the Rams, okay the Rams might very well stink again, but repeating their divisional dominance will not be easy for Arizona. The long-running downfall of the Super Bowl loser is hard to overlook and overcome. Seven of the last Super Bowl losers have failed to even make the playoffs the next season, and these Cardinals certainly look like a worthy candidate to keep this inglorious string running.
The lesson here for the fans of these teams is to enjoy the good times while they last. Cards fans should know that already, what with the dearth of good times, but Steelers fans need to embrace this Super Bowl victory as if it?s the last one they?ll get.
