Following an exciting first round, we break down the favorite picks, most pleasant and biggest surprises, most under-appreciated pick, worst move and more.
Peyton Manning, Mario Williams, Mike Wallace and Carl Nicks headline an intriguing free agent class that can shift the balance of power this offseason.
The Eagles seemingly came out of nowhere to sign Nnamdi Asomugha as they eye a trip to the Super Bowl.
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This season features as many as 20 teams who believe they have legitimate chances to make deep playoff runs. A quick check of the bombardment of preseason tabloids shows 11 different teams making the AFC or NFC Championship games, the vaunted final four that qualifies as a successful season. With those kind of expectations and optimism comes a more intense pressure to excel, and these six individuals are facing the highest heat on the public frying pans.
1. Daunte Culpepper, Vikings QB. The Vikes are loaded and poised for a Super Bowl run. The O-line is top notch, the stable of runners is deep and versatile, the wideouts are talented and anxious to make fans forget about that Moss guy. The leaky defense got major upgrades at corner and an improved pass rush. All the pieces are there, and it?s squarely on Culpepper to deliver. Anything less than a close NFC Championship game loss will be a major disappointment in the Twin Cities. Can Culpepper lead a team without the defining persona of Randy Moss, not to mention his unparalleled skills? The Vikings are banking on it; it?s up to Daunte to take his game up to superstar level and deliver on the promise he?s shown.
2. Eric Mangini, Patriots Defensive Coordinator. The Pats are renowned for plugging holes and producing a defensive sum greater than the parts under former D guru Romeo Crennel, who left for the challenge of rebuilding the Browns. In steps Mangini, the former defensive backs coach who successfully worked in a WR at corner. Replacing the leadership and ability of Ted Johnson and Tedy Bruschi is a major burden, and it?s up to Mangini to work in newcomers Chad Brown and Monty Beisel and hope that Roosevelt Colvin is more recovered from his devastating hip injury. The D-line is still excellent and the secondary looks deeper, though heavily dependant on aging vets. Can Mangini keep the cohesion and precision forged by Crennel without the linebacking heart, and maintain a championship caliber D?
3. Rex Grossman, Bears QB. The Bears had the worst offense in the NFL in 2004, and nearly everyone in Chicago places the blame on the injury to Rex Grossman in Week 3 as the culprit. Never mind the inconsistent line, the utterly pathetic lack of skill at WR, and the inability of RB Thomas Jones to gain yards after contact. No, the overzealous media and agonized fans have lumped all the offensive ineptitude on the horrific play of Grossman?s replacements,. The Bears signed a proven playmaking WR in Mushin Muhammad, drafted stud RB Cedric Benson, and the injury-plagued D looks great. Grossman faces the weight of the Second City on his fragile body, not to mention the legacy of inadequate QB play for the Bears for decades. The team is banking on Grossman to take the team back to the playoffs, and still has no NFL-caliber backup. If Grossman stumbles or struggles it?s going to be another very long season in Chicago.
4. Bill Parcells, Cowboys Head Coach. The Tuna proclaimed this team as his most talented Cowboys unit, with old friend Drew Bledsoe back at QB and the speed on D to finally embrace the 3-4 scheme. The defense was dreadful last season, unable to pressure the QB or stop big plays. Owner Jerry Jones stepped up and signed significant upgrades in the secondary and the team drafted great potential impact ends. But there are lots of holes and potential pitfalls on this unit. The offensive line is very old and very thin, Bledsoe is as immobile as they come, the receiving corps is led by aging problem-children Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn, and the iffy linebacking corps must adjust to a radically different style of play. Parcells is in the Hall of Fame because he won in similar circumstances, but that was a long time ago. This team should contend for a Wild Card, but it could also struggle to match last season?s 6 wins. The difference between those outcomes is squarely on Parcells.
5. Keary Colbert, Panthers WR. Colbert?s impressive rookie campaign convinced the Panthers to let go of star Mushin Muhammad. The team was decimated by injuries last season and is convinced a return to the Super Bowl form of 2003 is possible with good health. For that to happen it will need Colbert to produce numbers at least as good as Muhammad?s 16 TD and 74 first down-producing catches. Having Steve Smith on the other side means Colbert will draw the weaker coverage, and Jake Delhomme is a good enough QB to exploit matchups. It?s up to Colbert to raise his inconsistent hands and blocking for the Panthers? offense to excel. The Panther D is as good as any in football, but the offense must keep them rested and give them leads to protect. The backfield is strong and deep, the line questionable but capable, and Smith is a proven stud. Colbert is the difference between the offense being merely adequate or being very good.
6. Kyle Boller, Ravens QB. It?s the same old story in Baltimore: excellent defense stocked with playmakers, great game-breaking running back, and superior special teams, but a highly suspect passing offense. The Ravens have been dead last in passing yards for two straight years and haven?t been higher than 26th in receptions for first downs since 2001. A healthy Todd Heap and the signing of Derrick Mason gives Boller weapons to work with, and new offensive coordinator Jim Fassel has succeeded in the past with far less skill. With the D getting a bit long in the tooth, the time is now for a Super Bowl run. It?s up to Boller to prove he?s the man to take them there. For a core unit that won a Super Bowl with Trent Dilfer at QB, if Boller is even an average NFL starter this team could challenge for a Super Bowl berth.
