Jeff Risdon - Football Analysis

The Panthers are a lot closer to the preseason Super Bowl pick of last summer than it is to being 8-8 (or worse) again. Don?t forget the Panthers swept the Saints last year and went 5-1 in the NFC South, but went 0-4 vs. the NFC East. They get the weaker NFC West this year, as well as replacing the powerful AFC North with the inferior AFC South. Read more »

This is the best overall team the Lions have fielded in at least 6 years, but it?s awful hard to overcome such a culture of losing, negativity, and ineptness. Their games should be entertaining, as they should be able to score but also not be able to sop most other teams from scoring either. Read more »

This season's team is much more like the Titans that were the worst team in the NFL over the first 8 weeks of 2006 than the team that rallied to win 6 of its last 7. With an anemic running game, an undeveloped WR corps and his own accuracy issues, Vince Young can only do so much. Read more »

Training camp is now open, and pretty much every day for the next couple of weeks you?re going to see a move or two that raises an eyebrow. A few early ones might seem normal on face value, but here?s what they really mean? Read more »

Last year the Jets suffered very few injuries, very little adversity, and got a lot of unexpectedly bright performances from their lesser stars. Even though they look better on paper this year and I greatly respect their coaching staff, it?s very difficult for me to believe that everything will come up roses once again. Read more »

It?s a good thing their offense can light it up, because the defense is undersized and underwhelming. Expect a lot of 35-27 games, and the Colts will win a lot more of them than they lose. They should comfortably win the weak AFC South, but the drive to win every game at all costs probably won?t be so strong now that they?ve won the ultimate prize. Read more »

In the last 4 seasons the Ravens have won 10,9,6, and 13 games. If you ignore the volatility of the last two seasons, you have a team with the talent and track record of a 9 or 10 win team. They've lost of talent in the off-season and also face a difficult schedule. Read more »

The Saints return 21 starters from a unit that shocked the world and made it one step short of the Super Bowl. QB Drew Brees is as accurate as they come, and the offense gelled around his leadership and moxie. The RB pairing of Deuce McAlister and Reggie Bush is quite potent and allows the Saints to sport all sorts of formations and packages that create match-up problems for defenses. Read more »

The starters have enough talent to make a quick turnaround. Last year the Skins set an NFL record for their inability to force turnovers, and the defense was 30th in QB pressures. The two quickest ways to turn losses into wins are to improve those two areas, and Washington has enough ability to dramatically improve in both areas. Read more »

The late-season improvement the Bills showed was largely the product of their younger players making strides and coming together as a team. Read more »

The Rams have as much talent as any team in the league at the offensive skill positions. QB Marc Bulger is very accurate and can make all the throws. He showed improved leadership and better decision making last year and is entering the age when most QBs hit their prime. RB Steven Jackson is coming off a season where he posted the 5th highest total yards in NFL history. Read more »

While it?s hard to ignore the dire straits and debilitating health problems of so many retired players, there is more than meets the eye. Read more »

It appears Al Davis finally accepted that his Raiders needed an overhaul, not another facelift. They were very active, moving several picks and slots around to pick the players they wanted. It starts with JaMarcus Russell and his legendary arm strength. Read more »

Laron Landry is the 2007 Draft version of AJ Hawk, a defensive stalwart that you won?t find one critic who doesn?t believe he won?t be a very good player right away. His drafting allows Sean Taylor to play more in the box and bolster the run defense, which suits his skill set much better. Read more »

The Dolphins 2007 draft is going to be talked about for a long time, and probably not in the light that the guys making the picks would prefer. They defied all conventional wisdom by taking Ted Ginn at #9 overall. Read more »

I believe Jeff Fisher is the best coach in the NFL, but he?s not a miracle worker, and it will be miraculous if more than half these guys work out. They put off urgent needs at CB, DL, and OL in favor of risky choices at positions of lesser need. Read more »

When you?re as close to the Super Bowl as these Ravens are, and almost all your starters are returning, it?s hard to find glaring weaknesses. Ben Grubbs and Marshall Yanda fill the biggest need, which is youth and physicality up front. Read more »

The Niners did some dealing and came away with a draft class that could have significant short-term and long-term impact on an improving team. Patrick Willis is a faster version of reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Demeco Ryans. Read more »

Troy Smith is a low-cost developmental project with very high upside. What more can you ask for a 5th round draft choice for a team with a legit shot at a Super Bowl right now? Read more »

Very good value picks on the first day; filled their primary needs with NFL-ready talents. Second day picks all have needed athleticism, though they bypassed chances to get needed help at safety and tackle. A draft class that could look better, and be more helpful, now than 3 years from now. Read more »