2012 NFL Draft May See Colts Gamble On Robert Griffin III Over Andrew Luck

Change is once again a headline in the NFL. General managers and head coaches have been coming and going for decades, so the year 2012 isn't any different.

The Indianapolis Colts have a new general manager in Ryan Grigson, a former NFL and CFL tight end who rose quickly through the ranks of the Philadelphia Eagles front office the past few years. His hiring now has some wondering if he will fire incumbent head coach Jim Caldwell and which player the Colts will use the first pick of the 2012 NFL Draft on.

With the surprise firing of Bill Polian as general manager, out went the assumption the Colts would select quarterback Andrew Luck. Grigson, who also worked for the Arena Football League and Canadian Football League, will be bringing a new philosophy to Indianapolis.

Some pundits wonder if quarterback Peyton Manning, who has given the franchise a championship and 11 Pro Bowls since he joined the team in 1998, will be back next season. It seems like a ridiculous question to many, considering Manning has led the team to two Super Bowl appearances and has won four NFL MVP awards. Yet his 2011 season was lost due to a lingering neck injury that still has some observers concerned to whether or not it will ever fully heal.

The bottom line of the Colts financial situation is often brought up as a reason the team may part ways with Manning, who had just signed a contract worth $90 million over five years before the 2011 season began. If the Colts were to draft a quarterback with their first pick, they might have to pay over $20 million to sign the player. Cam Newton, the first pick of the 2011 draft, received $22 million for four years.

But there are now no guarantees if the Colts stay with the soon-to-be 36 year old Manning and not even draft a quarterback on a team with many holes that were seen as the team finished this year with a 2-14 record. There is no guarantee now that Luck, who is similar to Manning in many ways, will not be passed up on favor of Robert Griffin III.

Assuming Indianapolis drafts one of these quarterbacks, the remaining player will not wait too long to find a suitor. Many are thinking the Cleveland Browns will look to replace second-year pro Colt McCoy by using the fourth overall pick. The Washington Redskins, who sit sixth in the draft order, desperately need a quarterback and could possibly try to work a trade with either the Minnesota Vikings or Saint Louis Rams to grab Griffin or Luck.

Griffin, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, is as hot a commodity as Luck. While Luck is fairly mobile, Griffin has world class speed. Both quarterbacks possess excellent arm strength, but Griffin throws one of the most beautiful deep balls in all of football right now.

Grigson is knowledgeable to a game where the field is wide open to constant scoring opportunities, as his AFL and CFL experience show. Defense has become a thing of the past in the NFL today, so the electric Griffin might light up the scoreboard with the help of rules heavily slanted to that side of the football.

Passing is king now in the NFL, and Newton showed a running quarterback with a big arm can set records while exploiting rules where a quarterback is not allowed to be hit too high, too low or too hard. Rules Griffin can easily excel in as long as he stays healthy.



Indianapolis isn't the only team in flux this year. The Jacksonville Jaguars have already hired their new head coach after tabbing Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey for the job.

Mularkey had played nine seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers as a tight end known for his blocking abilities. He got into coaching soon after and worked his way up to becoming head coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2004.

Buffalo went to the playoffs in his first year, the last time the franchise has accomplished that feat since. After is disappointing second season, the Bills brought back Hall of Famer Marv Levy as general manager. Mularkey resigned after he and Levy failed to agree in the direction of the team, so he took a job with the Miami Dolphins for two seasons before being hired by Atlanta in 2008.

His offenses tend to work best when well balanced. This was true in Atlanta, where he helped quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Michael Turner, tight end Tony Gonzales and wide receiver Roddy White get to the Pro Bowl. He had balance in his first year with the Bills, led by quarterback Drew Bledsoe, running back Willis McGahee along with wide receivers Lee Evans and Eric Moulds.

Mularkey is certainly isn't perfect. A big reason for his failure in Buffalo was because he chose to release Bledsoe and go with J.P. Losman at quarterback. His struggles during his first year in Miami saw him demoted to coaching the tight ends the following season. For all of the success Mularkey has attained thus far, his teams are just 2-5 in the playoffs with him serving as head coach or offensive coordinator.



It was a given Jack Del Rio wasn't going into 2012 as head coach of the Jaguars, especially after he cut his starting quarterback to play a rookie who obviously would have been better off learning on the sidelines a year or more. Del Rio went 68-71 in his nine seasons, but his time was tarnished by former owner Wayne Weaver telling reporters he regretted firing Tom Coughlin as head coach in 2002.

Jacksonville has a new owner now, but it remains to see if he is loyal as Weaver was to Del Rio. The Jaguars need improvement in many areas, so rebuilding may take time.

Gene Smith remains general manager of the team, taking over for NFL legend James Harris in 2009. Harris, the first black player to start a NFL season at quarterback and the first black quarterback to go to the Pro Bowl or be named Pro Bowl MVP, joined the Detroit Lions.

With Maurice Jones-Drew, Mularkey has a All-Pro halfback in the prime of his career. The defense is underrated and still young. It may not take as long as expected, given a few fortunate breaks, but the Jaguars fans are hoping more from a franchise that has had seven winning seasons since it joined the league in 1995.


While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a head coach and the Saint Louis Rams need a general manager, the Oakland Raiders have recently filled one of their open positions by hiring Reggie McKenzie as general manager.

With gridiron icon Al Davis having died back in October of last year, the team had to suddenly replace a man who had been running the team since 1962. Davis has more than a legacy that won three Super Bowls, he had a wealth of knowledge, insight and experience that is irreplaceable. His son, who now owns the team, knew he had a lot work cut out for him the day he took the reins of the Silver and Black.

This is not the Reggie McKenzie who was a Pro Bowl guard that blocked for Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson and was a part of the "Electric Company". This McKenzie played linebacker for four seasons with the Raiders in the late 1980's. After sitting out of the league for four seasons, he suited up for two games with the San Francisco 49ers in 1992.

He spent the last 18 seasons as the Director of Football Operations for the Green Bay Packers. His twin brother, Raleigh, was a guard on the famous offensive line of the Washington Redskins called the "Hogs". He won two Super Bowls and is one of the 70 Greatest Redskins.

McKenzie's first move was to rebuild a team that lost four of their final five games in 2011 and hasn't been to the playoffs since 2002. Hue Jackson, the head coach who was recently fired despite just one season on the job, told reporters that McKenzie “basically wants to gut the place.”

The Raiders are not only now looking for a head coach, they may leave Oakland again for Los Angeles. They did this back in 1982 and stayed there until 1994 before returning to Oakland.


The person many are starting to think will be head coach of the Raiders next year is Winston Moss. Moss is a former linebacker who played for the Raiders in the early 1990's. He has been a linebackers coach of the Packers since 2006, so McKenzie is very familiar with him.

It will be strange and interesting to see how the Raiders do without Al Davis, just as it was when he was there. Whether or not they will achieve any semblance of the excellence Davis did remains to be seen.






OK, 7thStoneFromTheSun is still missing. I got another blank postcard, this time from Kazakhstan, so I guess he is still on the run from owing markers to people you don't want to know. I went 2-2 in his place last week, acing Saturday's games and failing the next day.


New Orleans Saints @ San Francisco 49ers

Two teams that are the polar opposites of each other. While the Saints are a dome team who lights up a scoreboard like a video game, the 49ers resemble an old school team who grinds opponents into submission with a sound running game and suffocating defense.

If this game were in New Orleans, I'd pick the Saints all the way. While the weather is expected to be mild in San Francisco on Sunday, it will be played outdoors and possibly benefit the Niners with more than just the home field advantage of having nearly 70,000 screaming fans cheering for them. The Saints have never won a playoff game on the road.

The Saints rolled up 626 yards last week, led by quarterback Drew Brees throwing for 466 yards and three touchdowns. While the Detroit Lions got repeatedly gashed in the air, New Orleans kept them off balance by averaging almost five yards on 36 carries.

San Francisco's defense was the second best in points allowed this year, as well as fourth best in total yards given up. Five players from this unit were named to either a Pro Bowl or selected First Team All-Pro. Middle linebacker Patrick Willis is possibly the best in the NFL at his position.

Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore is the 49ers best offensive weapon, but they have also gotten a solid season from quarterback Alex Smith. Much maligned since being the first overall selection of the 2005 draft, Smith has had the best season of his career in 2011.

Tight end Vernon Davis and wide receiver Michael Crabtree are his main targets, but Smith has been so efficient that he threw just five interceptions all year. The 49ers ranked first in the NFL this season in the all important giveaway/ takeaway ratio.

Pro Bowl cornerback Carlos Rogers and defensive end Ray McDonald gave San Francisco the best seasons of their career this season. While Rogers had a career high six interceptions this year, McDonald set career best marks with 5.5 sacks and 38 tackles.

Rookie Aldon Smith led the team with 14 sacks, but Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Smith and linebacker Ahmad Brooks pitched in with a combined 14.5 sacks as well. Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Golden also gave the Niners the best year of his career this season.

Golden and strong safety Donte` Whitner may hold the key to a 49ers victory. Both were very important to the team this year, finishing third and fourth in tackles respectively. Brees loves to throw to Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, so the duo will be tested often.

Willis and Navarro Bowman are tackling machines who piled up 234 tackles this year, so New Orleans may find it difficult to run the ball effectively. Brees will have to be sharp this weekend and find an extra target to help win the game.

With Rogers most likely shadowing Marques Colston, Brees will have to pick on cornerback Tarell Brown by going to Devery Henderson or Robert Meachum. Lance Moore is expecting to play despite a tender hamstring, so San Francisco defensive backs like Tramaine Brock, Chris Culliver, Madieu Williams and Shawntae Spencer will need to be sharp.

It will be a challenge to stop the Saints electric offense, especially since inclement weather will not be there to help. Gore needs to be special against a run defense than ranked 12th in yards allowed this season.

But Smith also needs to play excellent. The Saints pass defense ranked 30th in yards allowed, but try to cover up this area by frequent blitzes. Roman Harper, an excellent strong safety, will need to shut Davis down so Smith gets uncomfortable by having less options.

I am not convinced yet that there is a team in the NFL who can keep the Saints from scoring. The rules of the game today totally help this unit blow up the gridiron with insane statistics weekly. They have lit up defenses all year, which includes stout units like the Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears and Tennessee Titans.

San Francisco has the superior special teams unit, thanks to Pro Bowl kicker David Akers and Pro Bowl punter Andy Lee. If they can control field position, this area could make the difference in the end.

San Francisco has not given up more than 27 points this season and 11 or less points seven times. The Saints have scored over 40 points seven times in 2011, an area the 49ers have reached just once.

This is Roger Goodell's NFL, so offense is king and the quarterback is the golden child. The old adage that defense wins championships will be put to the test, but the cards are stacked against it.

Saints 27 49ers 20








Denver Broncos @ New England Patriots

The NFL is clearly now on board with Tim Tebow. The Broncos quarterback silenced a ton of critics by recently winning his eighth of 12 starts this year, which included an upset overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week.

He isn't going to complete even half of his passes, but his legs and savvy seem to be enough to get the job done. The Denver defense has been the overlooked hero of this magical run, producing the only three Pro Bowl players on the team this year, as they seem to always stop the opponent at the most crucial moments.

Denver shouldn't be here. They went 8-8 and were minus 12 in the giveaway/ takeaway ratio this season, while giving up 81 more points than they scored.

The Patriots are the opposite. Even though their defense is somehow sending two members to the Pro Bowl, it is one of the worst units in the league in yards allowed.

These two teams met a month ago, where Tebow ran for 93 yards and two scores while actually completing half of his passing attempts. New England won 41-23, but the 393 Denver gained that week was just 19 yards short of their season high mark.

Tom Brady is the difference in this game. The Patriots quarterback, who will finish his career inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, just had possibly the best season of his illustrious career by throwing for a career best 5,235 yards.

He is one of four Pro Bowlers on offense, which includes tight end Ron Gronkowski and wide receiver Wes Welker. Brady also throws the ball to a plethora of weapons, which also includes tight end Aaron Hernandez and wide receiver Deion Branch.

The Patriots use five different players to run the football, but the passing game is what got them a 13-3 record this season. Denver ranked 18th in passing yards allowed this season, as well as 24th in points given up.

While Tebow has showed magic this year, Brady has done so most of his 12 seasons. Denver should be very proud of their team because no one expected anything that happened this year to transpire, but all dreams must end eventually.

Patriots 45 Denver 16







Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens

If you like defense, then watch every play of this battle. Baltimore finished the 2011 season with the third best defense in both points and yards allowed. Houston was second in yards allowed and fourth in points given up.

These two teams met earlier in the season in Baltimore, where the Ravens walked away with a 29-14 win behind five field goals and solid games by quarterback Joe Flacco and halfback Ray Rice. Despite having two turnovers to none by Houston, the Ravens gained 109 more yards that contest.

It is well documented how the Texans continued to win this year despite several key injuries. But the replacements fill in well and the defense has been special all season.

Houston beat a Cincinnati Bengals team last week, another team with a good defense, 31-10 despite gaining just 40 more yards and garnering two less first downs. Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates did not hurt the team and played decently, which was helped greatly by the return of wide receiver Andre Johnson.

Halfback Arian Foster gashed the Bengals for 153 yards and two touchdowns, but the Pro Bowler has been accomplishing feats like this all season. Foster and backup Ben Tate piled up a combined 2,166 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground this year.

When Baltimore beat Houston earlier this season, the duo was limited to 90 on 24 carries because quarterback Matt Schaub hoisted the football 37 times that game. Yates won't be asked to do this, so the Texans running backs will get a lot more work this weekend.

The Ravens ranked second in run defense this season. Three of the four Pro Bowlers on this until play along the front seven of a smothering defense that gave up 14 or less points eight times in 2011. Houston has accomplished that feat 10 times so far this year.

While Houston's defense unbelievably produced just one Pro Bowlers this year in cornerback Johnathan Joseph, it is a young team with just one starter 30 years old. They have somehow gone this year without the press they deserve, but the turnaround from their miserable 2010 season is nothing short of spectacular.

Baltimore will need all of their offensive weapons clicking against this unit, yet tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson could be the key as they go up against Texans safeties Danieal Manning and Glover Quinn. The young tight ends combined for 94 receptions this season.

Rice is the backbone of the offense, having led the team in both rushing and receiving this year. His reserve, Ricky Williams, needs to be effective when called upon because Baltimore relies so heavily on Rice's abilities.

Baltimore obviously has the advantage in postseason experience here, since it will be just the second playoff game ever in Texans history. I picked the Ravens to go to the Super Bowl before the season began, so there is no reason to recant now.

Ravens 21 Texans 13









New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers

Few expected the Giants to get this far after their roster was destroyed by injuries before the season got started, but they have won the big games when called upon. Some are trying to compare this team to the 2007 squad that won a Super Bowl, but they couldn't be more wrong in this comparison.

Not only is quarterback Eli Manning a lot better now, the defense and running game carried the team to a title in 2007 and are nowhere near as good this year. New York finished ninth in scoring and eighth in yards gained this season, something they ranked 14th and 16th respectively in 2007.

The running game ranked fourth best in 2007, but it is now the worst in the league. The defense, which ranked eighth in rushing yards allowed and 11th in passing yards given up in 2007, now ranks 19th and 29th respectively. There is no comparison between the two squads

Green Bay, the defending champions, dominated the NFL with a 15-1 record this year. They had the top scoring offense and ranked third in yards gained. The defense ranked last in both passing and total yards given away, but that stems from opponents chucking the ball all game while desperately trying to attempt a comeback.

Pro Bowl quarterback Aaron Rodgers had 10 teammates end the season with receptions in double figures. Rogers also found 10 different players in the end zone. Halfbacks Ryan Grant and James Starks followed Pro Bowl fullback John Kuhn to gain 1,137 combined yards, but the Packers leaned on the 4,643 yards and 45 touchdowns via Rodgers arm.

Seven Packers are going to the Pro Bowl this year and their plus 28 in the giveaway/ takeaway ratio was the second best in the NFL this year. Not are they a veteran team that knows how to win it all, Green Bay is a lot healthier this season compared to 2010.

It will be a high scoring affair Sunday, a game where a lot of yards are rolled up. Green Bay has the better defense, running game and quarterback, but their huge advantage at tight end and special teams could make the difference.

These two teams met just over a month ago in New York, where the Packers won 38-35 on a late field goal. Both offenses rolled up 896 total yards, as Green Bay totaled just two yards than the Giants. Rodgers and Manning had similar games, but the Packers defense made the difference thanks to a touchdown off an interception by Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews.

This game could very well follow that pattern, but the home field advantage for Green Bay could provide the difference. The tundra of Lambeau Field will be frozen, as temperatures are expected to not go higher than 27 degrees Sunday.

Packers 38 Giants 28

NFL 2011 Week 4 Predictions and Power Rankings

Detroit Lions @ Dallas Cowboys

You have to admire the Cowboys victory last week, considering they are so banged up along their roster. Still, kicking six field goals will not get it done against Detroit.

Lions 27 Cowboys 20







New Orleans Saints @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Saints cannot stop the run and the Jaguars best player is halfback Maurice Jones-Drew. Yet, in case you haven't noticed, Drew Brees is on fire.

Saints 30 Jaguars 16





Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns

Chris Johnson has only 98 yards on 48 carries, showing why training camp is so important. But that Titans defense has carried the club, ranking first in the NFL in yards allowed and second in points given up.

Cleveland isn't doing much offensively yet, but their pass defense is ranked third best in the NFL in passing yards allowed. If Johnson stinks again, the Browns will have an advantage.

Titans 20 Browns 17





Buffalo Bills @ Cincinnati Bengals

Who here predicted the Buffalo Bills would start the season 3-0? How about 4-0?

Bills 24 Bengals 20






Washington Redskins @ Saint Louis Rams

The Rams will be happy to have star halfback Steven Jackson back in this must-win game against the Redskins. Washington has given up 252 yards on 41 carries to Ahmad Bradshaw, Beanie Wells and Felix Jones the previous three weeks.

That fact, and the fact opponents can always rely on Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman to make several key boneheaded plays each week, might be enough to get Saint Louis their first win this season.

Rams 20 Redskins 17








San Francisco 49ers @ Philadelphia Eagles

Frank Gore has struggled to just 148 yards on 59 carries so far. This hurts because the 49ers have one of the NFL's worst starting quarterbacks in Alex Smith. If Gore cannot produce against a beat up Eagles squad that is 30th in run defense, they have no shot.

The Niners are dead last amongst all NFL teams in yards gained, so the Eagles star-studded secondary might have to swipe a few of Smith's mistakes and carry their team to victory.

Eagles 23 49ers 20






Minnesota Vikings @ Kansas City Chiefs

This might be interesting only in the fact that it could be the last time Donovan McNabb starts in his career. The Vikings cannot continue to sit back and watch him play poorly, or the season will soon be lost.

Vikings 27 Chiefs 17






Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans

Houston's defense looked like it was back in 2010 last week by coughing up 40 points after having given up just 20 total the previous two weeks. The offense, led by halfback Ben Tate, already has 90 points scored.

Pittsburgh isn't scoring yet, getting just 54 points so far, but the defense has given up just 55 in three weeks. Their 2-1 record has been aided by playing two lousy teams the past few weeks.

This is a statement game for both. Houston needs to show they are the cream of the AFC South crop, as many have predicted they will be this season. Pittsburgh needs to prove they are still strong Super Bowl contenders, as well as disprove the recent whispers they are an aging team in many important areas.

Houston needs to generate a pass rush against a beat up Steelers offensive line. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips may have a few special blitz packages drawn up for outside linebacker Mario Williams, especially since Houston has quite a few defenders dinged up with injuries.

The vaunted Steelers run defense has yet to play well, so they need to step up the week. Not only will they have Tate to deal with, 2010 rushing champion Arian Foster will see his first action this year. So it comes down to if experience Pittsburgh has will prevail over the inexperienced Texans.

Texans 24 Steelers 21






Carolina Panthers @ Chicago Bears

Carolina does not run the ball, just relying on Cam Newton to pass practically every play. This lack of offensive balance should play nicely into the Bears wily defense.

Bears 30 Panthers 24








Atlanta Falcons @ Seattle Seahawks

Disappointing is how you could term both of these 1-2 teams. Neither have yet to play as many expected, but the Seahawks offensive woes will be the difference here.

Falcons 28 Seahawks 17








New York Giants @ Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Kolb has had sufficient time to break in with the Big Red. Now is his time to show why Arizona gave up so much to acquire him.

Cardinals 31 Giants 28






Denver Broncos @ Green Bay Packers

Is there any doubt who wins?

Packers 37 Broncos 20






New England Patriots @ Oakland Raiders
Game of the Week

Oakland has the best rushing attack in the NFL, and are ranked the sixth best in points made. Their defense, however, is near the bottom of the league in many categories.

New England has the best passing attack in the NFL, but they too have a defense ranked near the bottom of the NFL in many categories and they will not have the services of starting defensive end Albert Haynesworth this week. Both teams also share the surprising distinction of losing to the Buffalo Bills late in the game.

Both teams need to win to keep from falling in their division. While the Raiders do not play in nearly as talented a division as the Patriots, this game could mean a lot later in the season to both squads.

It comes down to if the Raiders can stop the pass or the Patriots stop the run. It also may come down to the final play.

Patriots 38 Raiders 35







Miami Dolphins @ San Diego Chargers

The Dolphins were great on defense but lousy on offense in 2010. Now those roles have reversed. San Diego can score, but their defense has been erratic.

This could be a high scoring affair, but the Bolts have the edge of experience for these types of games.

Chargers 34 Dolphins 31







New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens season has started pretty good, but not great. They rank 13th in the NFL in both yards gained and allowed. While their defense has given up the fewest points in the league, the offense ranks eighth in most points scored.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan knows this team well, having been the Ravens defensive coordinator just a few years ago. But his own vaunted defense is struggling much more than expected, ranking 31st in rushing yards allowed and 12th in points scored upon.

Ray Rice and Ricky Williams will need to have good games here. Both teams will keep it close until the final seconds.

Ravens 16 Jets 13




Indianapolis Colts @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It really doesn't matter if Curtis Painter or Whistler's Mother plays quarterback, the Colts just plain stink without Peyton Manning.

Buccaneers 27 Colts 10






Power Rankings

1. Green Bay Packers
2. Detroit Lions
3. Buffalo Bills
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Houston Texans
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. Tennessee Titans
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Oakland Raiders
10. New England Patriots
11. San Diego Chargers
12. New Orleans Saints
13. New York Jets
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. New York Giants
16. Dallas Cowboys
17. Philadelphia Eagles
18. Chicago Bears
19. Washington Redskins
20. San Francisco 49ers
21. Seattle Seahawks
22. Cleveland Browns
23. Carolina Panthers
24. Miami Dolphins
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Arizona Cardinals
27. Cincinnati Bengals
28. Minnesota Vikings
29. Saint Louis Rams
30. Denver Broncos
31. Indianapolis Colts
32. Kansas City Chiefs

NFL Predictions For Week One

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
Game of the Week

These two teams dislike each other, and this is the best rivalry in the NFL today. The Steelers are 18-12 in this series, and five of the last six were decided by three points or less.

I like the Ravens, but I think it will take a few more weeks until they hit their stride. The Steelers know each other right now, so familiarity will win.

Steelers 19 Ravens 17






Atlanta Falcons @ Chicago Bears


The Falcons balance on both sides of the ball will be hard to handle for their opponents this season. The Bears defense is excellent, but it remains to be seen if the offense has improved for their sub par 2010 performance.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has chucked 79 interceptions in 68 career games. It is the highest total in the NFL over that time. If Cutler continues to make errors, it will make it easier for Atlanta to win.

Falcons 23 Bears 17




Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns


The snoozer of week one of the NFL to some. Cincinnati has a chance at being the worst team in the AFC North this year, while the improving Browns really need a strong start to show their improvements.

Browns 31 Bengals 14







Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans


No Peyton Manning means no hope for the Colts. This is the Houston Texans time to win the AFC South, and they should use their running attack to destroy the Colts porous run defense.

Texans 37 Colts 20









Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars


These teams mirror each other in several ways. Both have new starting quarterbacks, though the Titans Matt Hasselbeck holds the edge here.

Running the ball well should decide this. Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew is ready to go after a full training camp under his belt, while Tennessee's Chris Johnson has only been at it about a week.

Jaguars 21 Titans 17








Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs


It seems the only way Buffalo wins here is by an excellent defensive effort and halfback Fred Jackson running wild. While the Bills defense should be improved from last year, the Chiefs plan to run the ball down their throats.

Chiefs 23 Bills 13









Philadelphia Eagles @ Saint Louis Rams


Philly needs to show why owner Jeff Lurie plunked down over $200 million this year. The Rams are a promising team who can run the ball well with a Pro Bowl halfback and one of the best offensive lines in football.

The Eagles defensive weakness is stopping the run, so this area will be exploited by the Rams. Yet Philadelphia gets wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Steve Smith back this week, and the Rams secondary is the weakness of the Saint Louis team.

Eagles 34 Rams 24









Detroit Lions @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers


If you love to watch young defensive lines with the ability to dominate, tune into this game. Both teams feature trench play from pretty deep defensive units, led by Detroit's Ndamukong Suh.

It comes down to the young quarterbacks on both teams. Matt Stafford may have Calvin Johnson to throw to, but the Lions quarterback has been brittle so far in his career. The Buccaneers Josh Freeman does not make many mistakes, and this could be the difference this week.

Buccaneers 14 Lions 10








Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals


Two new quarterbacks start here, but the Cardinals hold the edge. Kevin Kolb will enjoy throwing the football to Larry Fitzgerald and Todd Heap this season, something that should be seen in week one.

Cardinals 31 Panthers 17








Minnesota Vikings @ San Diego Chargers



Minnesota changed head coaches last year, but the Chargers hung onto theirs for some reason. That reason needs to be shown immediately.

While Minnesota's back seven in their defense is pretty good, they have questions along the defensive line. The Chargers offense is explosive, so a fast start is needed by them in order to show they are Super Bowl contenders.

Chargers 28 Vikings 24









Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers


Both teams have pretty lousy quarterbacks, so the run game will be big here. Both teams have nice receiving trios, but no one to get them the ball.

While special teams may decide things, this could be the week Frank Gore reminds fans of just how good he can be.

49ers 20 Seattle 17










New York Giants @ Washington Redskins



It is fitting New York will be represented in the nation's capitol on the tenth anniversary 9-11. Washington will need to run the ball and eat up the clock to keep the Giants excellent offense on the sideline.

The Giants severely depleted secondary will be tested soon, but it is doubtful this will come from Redskins quarterback Rex Grossman. His penchant for mistakes will probably make the difference.

Giants 27 Redskins 24








Dallas Cowboys @ New York Jets


This could get ugly fast, as Dallas can't stop the run and probably will not be able to run against the excellent Jets defense. Tony Romo may end up chucking over 50 passes in this one.

Jets 27 Cowboys 14








New England Patriots @ Miami Dolphins


Miami fully expects to have a better offense compared to last year as young quarterback Chad Henne matures into the player they hope for. But their rushing attack is still in question.

The Patriots, considered by some to be the best team in the AFC, only have to question of how many games they will win this year.

Patriots 23 Dolphins 16









Oakland Raiders @ Denver Broncos


Oakland loves to run the football, as they should with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush taking carries. But their defensive secondary in an unknown commodity when extra defensive backs are needed, and the run defense on both teams is nothing special.

Kyle Orton could light up the Raiders secondary for over 300 yards, but the amount of offensive plays the Broncos could have may be limited due to the Raiders ground game controlling the clock.

Raiders 20 Broncos 17

NFL 2011 Waiver Wire Raffle : Each Teams Needs Before Preseason Ends

Arizona Cardinals : Running Back


Gambling that oft-injured Beanie Wells will be able to carry the load at halfback could be a huge mistake. Arizona was banking on rookie Ryan Williams as his backup when they traded Tim Hightower a few weeks ago, but now Williams is lost for the season with a knee injury.

Larod Stephens-Howling and Alfonso Smith is what is left on the depth chart, not exactly what many NFL teams would want to play an entire season with. Stephens-Howling is a diminutive third down specialist, while Smith sat mostly on the Cardinals practice squad last year.

When Wells has been healthy, he has been a bit of a 2009 first round draft pick failure. He averaged just 3.4 yards per carry last year, and has started just twice in his career.

The Big Red needs at least one more running back in camp now, but they will have to wait until a quality back becomes available. Teams like the New Orleans Saints are loaded with experienced backs, so the Cards maybe should wait until the Saints start to trim their crowded backfield.






Atlanta Falcons : Wide Receiver


The Falcons are certainly set with their top three pass catchers, but depth beyond that is questionable and mostly unproven. Eric Weems is a Pro Bowl return specialist with 13 career receptions over three years, but Atlanta may prefer not to throw the tiny Weems too many passes to keep him healthy.

Kerry Meier, a fifth-round draft pick last year who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, might get the job. Yet the Falcons will rely on 2011 first round draft pick Julio Jones heavily, so there is a chance the Falcons would like one more veteran on the depth chart.

Roddy White is the top target in the passing attack for Atlanta, but the fourth receiver has an important role in the high powered Atlanta offense. Bran Finneran, who spent 11 seasons with the team until retiring after last year, caught 19 passes and three touchdowns in that role last season.

The New York Giants have 10 receivers with NFL experience in camp, so maybe the Falcons should keep an eye on the Jints when they start cutting players.







Baltimore Ravens : Defensive Back


Baltimore lost three key players to free agency, none bigger than strong safety Dawan Landry. Yet the other two, Josh Wilson and Fabian Washington, were starters at cornerback. Chris Carr is the only returning starter at cornerback.

Drafting Jimmy Smith in the first round helped, as will the return of veteran Domonique Foxworth. Foxworth missed 2010 because of an injury.

Getting steady veteran Bernard Pollard to compete with Tom Zbikowski at strong safety was a good move. Free safety is set with future Hall of Famer Ed Reed backed up by versatile Lardarius Webb and Haruki Nakamura.

Yet the looming question is if to continue with Cary Williams or look to get an upgrade. The 13 games he appeared last year was a career best for the third-year pro. 2010 practice squad member Danny Gorrer and 2011 fifth round draft pick Chykie Brown, the third Texas Longhorn cornerback drafted this year, are also vying for this key job.

Baltimore carried five cornerbacks last year, and all were needed in a pass-happy NFL. Brown might have an edge on the job, but getting a proven veteran to add depth would not be a bad move either.






Buffalo Bills : Wide Receiver


Trading top receiver Lee Evans was a move for the future, but he will be missed this year. If you look at the group of receivers in the Bills camp now, it is hard to be impressed.

Steve Johnson, who caught 82 of his 94 career receptions in 2010, broke out last year. The fourth-year pro is now the primary receiver who is expected to have Roscoe Parrish as his bookend.

Questions begin after the starters. Brad Smith is a former college quarterback who is versatile enough to line up at receiver or running back. Yet he has always been a complimentary player instead of relied upon heavily.

Buster Davis never lived up to expectations with the San Diego Chargers for four years after the Bolts wasted a first round pick on him. Phil Hubbard is a fourth-year pro with one career catch whose career highlight is getting in trouble with the law a few weeks ago. Felton Huggins has been with the Bills practice squad since 2007.

David Nelson is a tall receiver who had some impact last year after making the team as an undrafted free agent rookie. Donald Jones, also undrafted last year, had five starts and 18 receptions for the Bills. Marcus Easley, drafted in the fourth round last year, spent 2010 on injured reserve.

Local product Naaman Roosevelt, yet another undrafted rookie, had nine catches and a start. Kamar Aiken is an undrafted rookie the Bills signed this year. He is a big kid who was last seen sending veteran Denver Broncos safety David Bruton to the hospital after Bruton attemped to tackle him after a catch.

Not exactly an inspiring group of receivers, on paper, that will put fear into opponents. Buffalo was 28th in scoring last year, and they will be hard pressed not to duplicate that feat in 2011.

This team should take a long look at the waiver wire, because gambling that the current corps can carry the team to victory in 2011 could end up being a huge mistake.






Carolina Panthers : Defensive End


Carolina has eight defensive tackles in camp and six defensive ends. Depth behind projected starters Charles Johnson, who had 11.5 sacks and 62 tackles last year, and 2011 first round pick Everette Brown is questionable.

Greg Hardy is good enough to challenge Brown for the staring job. In limited play during his 2010 rookie year, he got 30 tackles, three sacks, and a safety.

Eric Norwood, an undersized player drafted in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, gave Carolina three tackles last year. He is the only other veteran defensive end in camp behind the starters.

The Panthers had a difficult time trying to stop the run last year. Their starting safeties had to come up often to help and combined for 163 tackles last year. They drafted defensive tackle Terrell McClain in the third round of the 2011 draft to help out inside.

The team has pass rushers at defensive end, but checking the waiver wire for a veteran who is good at stopping the run would help.






Chicago Bears : Blockers


The 2011 free agent signing of Chris Spencer was a good move, but the Bears first preseason game showed that the offensive line could still be an issue like last year. Quarterback Jay Cutler's few plays were of him running for his life whenever he wanted to pass.

Robert Garza has been a Bear since 2005, and the team knows they can rely on him. After that, there are a lot of unknowns in the unit.

J'Marcus Webb was a 2010 seventh-round selection who ended up being a starter at left tackle because 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams had to move to guard after not panning out at the position. 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi is expected to start at right tackle.

Besides the versatile Edwin Williams, depth has questions. Lance Louis has been with the Bears since 2009 and has four starts in 16 games in his career. Frank Omiyale has been in the league since 2005, yet has appeared in just 43 games.

The rest of the group consists of practice squad players and undrafted free agents. Chicago should see if any serviceable offensive linemen get released to improve the overall quality of depth on this unit.

Injuries often happen in the trenches, making reserves key players here. Chris Williams has already missed 10 games in his three years, further making it necessary for the Bears to look at the waiver wire intently.







Cincinnati Bengals : Defensive Line


Losing starting quarterback Carson Palmer this year is a tough, but necessary, move for the Bengals. The team looked so out of kilter in their preseason games, pundits are already predicting a miserable season for the team.

Their defensive line is full of players sought after out of college, yet quite a few haven't done well in the pros. Players like Jason Shirley and Victor Adeyanju are mid-round draft picks who have spent the bulk of their careers on practice squads.

Frostee Rucker has given Cincinnati only 61 tackles since being a third-round selection in 2006. Clinton McDonald, a seventh-round pick in 2009, has two career tackles. Jonathan Fanene has given the Bengals just 79 tackles since being drafted in 2005.

Geno Atkins is slated to start at defensive tackle and had just 16 tackles during his 2010 rookie year. Pat Sims is challenging Atkins for the job, but Sims has not exactly been stout against the run always. Domata Peko is the other projected starter at defensive tackle

Defensive end might be the best area along the Bengals defensive line. Michael Johnson's starting job might be in jeopardy this year after Carlos Dunlap had 9.5 sacks in 12 games during his 2010 rookie year. Robert Geathers, who has started in five of his last six years, is the nephew of former pass rushing great Jumpy Geathers.

The inside, besides Peko, is a question mark for a team that was 26th in points allowed in 2010. Depth at every position is certainly an issue, in terms of proven quality guys.

As the Bengals move into 2011 without offensive stars Palmer and Chad Ochocinco for the first time since 2003. The defense needs to pick up the slack, but the questions all along the defensive line may prevent that. The Bengals need to be active when the waiver wire becomes filled with free agents.








Cleveland Browns : Quarterback


Colt McCoy has Cleveland exited because he is a very promising quarterback capable of leading the Browns far one day. His backup is veteran Seneca Wallace, who has starters experience.

Yet that is as far as it goes. Undrafted rookie Troy Weatherhead and journeyman Jarrett Brown are not the answer as the third quarterback.

While Brown fans prefer Wallace doesn't even play, because that would mean McCoy was healthy all year, history has shown many teams requiring the services three or more quarterbacks in a season. The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers both used four quarterbacks last season, and several teams saw three quarterbacks in action.

There will be serviceable quarterbacks cut during training camp. Players better than Brown or Weatherhead. Cleveland needs to recognize history and upgrade this situation as soon as possible.







Dallas Cowboys : Trench Help


When you look on both sides of the Cowboys trenches, it is hard to be impressed. This has been the weakness of the team for a few years and it appears it will be yet again in 2011.

Dallas did draft 20-year old rookie Tyron Smith in the first round this year to start at right tackle, and the Cowboys have hopes for him. Phil Costa, who made the team as an undrafted free agent rookie last year, is slated to start at left guard with only four career NFL games on his resume.

Left tackle Doug Free, center Andre Gurode, and guard Kyle Kosier return as starters for an offensive line that had their running backs ground out just 1,443 yards and eight scores last season.

The reserves consist of undrafted free agent rookies, 2011 fourth round choice David Arkin, journeymen Montrae Holland and Jeremy Parnell, and Sam Young, who appeared in just two games during his 2010 rookie year.

It doesn't get a lot better on the other side of the ball for Dallas either. Besides nose tackle Jay Ratliff and defensive end Igor Olshansky, there defensive line is riddled with questions.

Marcus Spears is expected to start at defensive end, but he has not given Dallas much since they used a first-round pick on him in 2005. The reserves are even more questionable.

Jouneyman Kenyon Coleman returns to Dallas since leaving them after the 2006 season. He is the only known commodity on the Cowboys bench for the defensive line.

Clifton Geathers is the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Robert Geathers. Dallas is his fourth team since being drafted last year. He is battling Jason Hatcher, who has been on the Cowboys bench since 2006, for the right to back up Olishansky.

Nose tackle is even worse. Sean Lissemore, Josh Brent, and Jimmy Sadler-McQueen are all fairly inexperienced players trying to back up Ratliff. This area could be an issue if Ratliff gets hurt, though he has hasn't missed a game in each of his last three Pro Bowl seasons.

Dallas will get pushed around again if they do not get better players along the line. This will force them to rely too heavily on the pass like last year. There will be NFL-caliber linemen cut in training camp, so getting these types in a Cowboys uniform would most likely represent an upgrade that their respective positions.








Denver Broncos : Defensive Tackle



While ESPN and all non-journalists huddle around the locker of third-string quarterback Tim Tebow, Denver has more important issues to address.

The Broncos were excited when they signed free agent defensive tackle Ty Warren this year, but that recently changed because Warren suffered a triceps injury and many think he will not play this season.

Marcus Thomas, who lost his starting job in 2008, will now be challenging journeyman Kevin Vickerson now to start next to Broderick Bunkley on a team that ranked last in points allowed last year. Denver was also second to last in run defense in 2010.

Vickerson played well at times last season, so he is expected by many to start. After that, the interior of the Broncos defense is a huge question.

Journeyman DeMario Pressley joins former defensive end Ryan McBean with undrafted rookie free agents Mitch Unrein and Ronnell Brown as the only defensive tackles left on the roster.

Denver has a lot of pass rushing defensive ends not known for being stout against the run, so the run stopping abilities from the defensive tackle position becomes even more important. The Broncos definitely need more proven players at this position, so watching the waiver wire may be their best option right now.








Detroit Lions : Running Back


Losing 2011 second-round pick Mikel LeShore hurts an up and coming team some think has what it takes to reach the playoffs this season. Detroit lost seven games in 2010 by eight or less points, an experience that typically matures teams and makes them better the following season.

LeShore was expected to be the "Mr. Inside" to Jahvid Best's "Mr. Outside." Best had a nice rookie season in 2010 when healthy, which wasn't very frequent. It became quickly apparent that Best is best used in passing downs with 10 to 15 carries a game.

Now with the loss of the back expected to pick up the slack, Detroit is scrambling for a replacement. Maurice Morris is a 10-year back whose best days are long behind him, which can also be said for journeyman Mike Bell.

Aaron Brown and Jerome Harrison are like Best, small backs best used in the passing attack. All that is left in camp is Ian Johnson, who has bounced around on several practice squads since entering the NFL in 2009.

All that is out there now is guys like Lendale White, Clinton Portis, Tiki Barber, Brian Westbrook, and Laurence Maroney. White is a back who specializes in carries between the tackles, so he may be an upgrade over Morris and Bell.

Detroit might have to wait until the final cuts to see what is out there, because it is doubtful the current backs in their camp offer much relief for Best.







Green Bay Packers : Defensive End


It is hard to pick a position on a defending champion that is bringing back nearly everyone after winning it all with seemingly half the roster injured.

Losing Cullen Jenkins to free agency hurt, considering the Packers haven't really replaced him. They did draft Lawrence Guy in the seventh round of this years draft, as well as invite free agents Chris Donaldson and Elisha Joseph to camp.

Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson might be fine with the current group of defensive linemen and do nothing. But it is a group that, other than B.J. Raji and Ryan Pickett, is comprised of young unproven players like Mike Neal, C.J. Wilson, and Jay Ross along with veteran journeyman Howard Green.









Houston Texans : Wide Receiver


After Andre Johnson, one of the best in the game, there is a big drop in talent at wide receiver for Houston. This will make the tight end a very key member of the passing attack.

Kevin Walter is a nice possession type who works best in the slot, he and Jacoby Jones both caught 51 passes in 2010. Yet both combined to average just over 11 yards per reception. While both are solid, they are best as complimentary players as opposed to starters.

Journeyman Devard Darling has six NFL years under his belt, but spent last year in the UFL. He has the ability to stretch the field, but consistency has always been his issue. The same can be said for Paul Williams, who also didn't play last year after four years with the Tennessee Titans.

Dorin Dickerson is a former collegiate tight end who was drafted in the seventh round last season. He spent 2010 on the practice squad as he makes the transition to wide receiver. The rest of the wide receivers unit is practice squad types and undrafted free agents.

There may not be superstar quality to hit the NFL waiver wire in the coming days, but there could be players who represent an upgrade over what the Texans have on their roster right now. Getting a solid receiver to bookend Johnson would help the team a lot.






Indianapolis Colts : Defensive Linemen


The Colts signed free agents Tommie Harris, Tyler Brayton, and Jammal Anderson to help their porous defensive line. They also selected defensive tackle Drake Nevis in the third round on the 2011 draft.

The returns have been less than promising so far in preseason. The run defense has given up 384 yards, 19 first downs, and three touchdowns in their first two games. This is cause for concern, even the casual fan tries to write it off as "just preseason."

The Colts seem to go as far as quarterback Peyton Manning takes them, but Manning will have difficulty if opponents run down his teams throats and control the clock each week. As great as the future Hall of Famer is, time of possession control typically wins games in the NFL.

Getting better players to stop the run is needed by Indianapolis. They have two undersized pass rushing defensive ends in Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, yet neither is exactly stout against the run.

Colts general manager Bill Polian will need to watch the waiver wire and hope a run stuffing defensive lineman becomes available. If not, the Colts will suffer much of 2011 with their current group.








Jacksonville Jaguars : Linebacker


The Jags plunked down $45 million on oft-injured free agent middle linebacker Paul Posluszny, a tackling machine when healthy. They also signed Clint Session, who has played all 16 games just once in his four years.

Daryl Smith, drafted by the Jags in the second round of the 2004 draft, has the most tackles in team history. He has played every linebacker position for Jacksonville and seems to get better yearly. Smith is expected to start with Posluszny and Session.

After that, the questions begin with this unit. Important questions considering two of the starters have histories of not finishing seasons because of injury.

Russell Allen made the Jacksonville roster in 2009 as an undrafted rookie. He has nine starts, so the Jaguars feel comfortable with him backing up Posluszny.

Gerris Wilkerson is a veteran outside linebacker entering his sixth year. He earned a Super Bowl ring in 2007 and brings a winners attitude to the team.

He will compete with a pair of undrafted players who made the Jags roster last year in Jacob Cutera and Kyle Bosworth, the nephew of former NFL player Brian "The Boz" Bosworth, for the backup position.

Slade Norris has minimal NFL experience, having spent most of his two years in the NFL on practice squads. Aaron Morgan is the third undrafted linebacker who earned a spot on the Jacksonville roster last season. Promising Scott Lutrus and Michael Lockley are a pair of undrafted rookies also trying to make the team.

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio played 12 years in the NFL as a linebacker. Mark Duffner, a former head coach of the University of Maryland, is his linebackers coach. The pair, along with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, know what they are doing.

Yet a group of undrafted and unproven players backing up starters known to get hurt frequently does not look good on paper at least. Perhaps grabbing a linebacker or two, with sound NFL experience, off the waiver wire would help upgrade the Jacksonville linebackers unit.







Kansas City Chiefs : Quarterback


The story of Chiefs starting quarterback Matt Cassel is like straight from a movie. A career backup in college. he made the New England Patriots team in 2005 after being drafted in the seventh round. He got to back up future Hall of Famer Tom Brady with the Patriots as he learned his craft.

All of his schooling came to fruition in 2008, when he was thrust onto the field after Brady was hurt in the first game. Cassel won 10 games that year, forcing New England to place a franchise tag on him.

He was then traded to the Chiefs, and Cassel has won 14 games in his two seasons with the young and improving Chiefs. While he has yet to get hurt, the backups on Kansas City are far from being considered excellent.

Tyler Palko is fighting 2011 fifth-round draft pick Ricky Stanzi for the right to back Cassel up. Palko has just a little more experience, having bounced around on six different professional football teams since 2007.

Yet neither are what experts would consider ready to lead the team if Cassel goes down to injury. Kansas City may want to check that waiver wire for veteran quarterbacks cut in the next few weeks, if there will be any in a league that has very few good ones at the position despite all the rules that try to help the quarterback succeed.







Miami Dolphins : Wide Receiver


Miami has Brandon Marshall, who has had a drama-filled career in the NFL, and Davone Bess as their starting wide receivers. Third-year pro Brian Hartline, who started 12 games last year, also had a decent season in 2010.

It is an uncertain group after them. Journeymen like Patrick Carter and John Matthews are fighting second-year undrafted players like Roberto Wallace and Marlon Moore for roster spots.

Julius Pruitt is a practice squad player who also wants a job, as does undrafted free agent rookie Phillip Livas. Speedy Clyde Gates, who the Dolphins selected in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, is also in the mix.

The top three receivers are set in Miami, but the inexperience that follows has to be cause for concern. Miami want to snag a veteran off the waiver wire just in case one of their starters gets hurt.








Minnesota Vikings : Defensive Tackle


Losing run stuffer Pat Williams to retirement forced Minnesota to draft Christian Ballard. The Vikings have a huge contingent of players in camp after losing several key players from last season.

Not only did they bring in eight defensive ends, Minnesota has seven defensive tackles in camp. The only defensive tackle that is a known commodity is Pro Bowler Kevin Williams.

Letroy Guion was drafted by the Vikings in 2008, but it took until last year for him to contribute. Fred Evans has been a Viking five years and has 34 tackles. Minnesota is the seventh team Remi Ayodele has been on since 2006, but he did win a Super Bowl ring with the New Orleans Saints in 2009 and has been a starter the last two years after bouncing around the NFL.

Tremaine Johnson has spent the last two years on the Vikings practice squad. Colby Whitlock is an undrafted free agent rookie trying to stick.

Losing a Pro Bowler who clogged the middle of the defence since 2005 hurts, and getting a player with any semblance of those abilities is a daunting task. Ballard was a bit of a steal in the fourth round, since some draft pundits had him gone in the second round.

Ayodele is capable of starting for the Vikings, but it would not be a bad idea looking at the waiver wire for a proven veteran to flesh out the rotation on the depth chart.







New England Patriots : Outside Linebacker


It is hard to point out any kind of weakness on a team as loaded with talent as the Patriots, yet the outside linebacker position has typically been the spot of New England in many of the 11 years Bill Belichick has been their head coach.

Jermaine Cunningham was a second-round pick last year who collected just 34 tackles in his rookie year. After playing in just eight games in his first three years for two teams in the NFL, Rob Ninkovich has played in 31 for the Patriots since 2009. He started 10 games last year and is expected to start again this season.

The reserves are a potpourri of unknowns. Dane Fletcher gave the Pats a pair of sacks in the 13 games he appeared in during his 2010 rookie year after making the team as a undrafted free agent.

Eight-year veteran Niko Koutouvides is hoping to add quality depth, as is 2011 sixth-round draft pick Markell Carter. It is a young group that will be mentored by defensive coordinator, and former NFL linebacker, Pepper Johnson, Patrick Graham, and Belichick.

While Belichick may add a veteran to this unit from the waiver wire, he may be content with what he has now on his roster.






New Orleans Saints : Defensive Line


After watching the Houston Texans gain near 150 yards on the ground, while averaging about 10 yards per carry in the first half, the Saints newly acquired defensive linemen looked like last years group.

Aubrayo Franklin, Shaun Rogers, and Turk McBride were brought in as free agents, as was 2011 first-round draft pick Cameron Jordan. The Saints are hoping the performance against the Texans was a one time thing.

Journeymen Mitch King and Tom Johnson join unproven players like Junior Galette to try to help out. Fifth-year pro Jeff Charleston had the best year of his career in 2010 with the Saints.

Veteran defensive ends Alex Brown and Will Smith start, and the pair combined for 77 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season. Not exactly superb numbers from a pair that should be in their prime right now.

New Orleans has allowed 344 yards and three scores at an average of over 5.5 yards per carry during the preseason so far. Getting better is a must, and it may take getting a few guys off the waiver wire for them to do so.







New York Giants : Tight End


You'd think that losing Terrell Thomas, Brian Witherspoon, and Bruce Johnson for the year would have the G-Men looking for cornerbacks. You may be correct but the team has depth there. Aaron Ross and Corey Webster have starting experience.

Joe Burnett has NFL experience, and Brian Jackson has been on practice squads since 2009. Factor in 2011 top pick Prince Amukamara, the Jints look decent here if he returns soon from a foot injury.

But losing starting tight end Kevin Boss to free agency might hurt. Journeymen Daniel Coats and Bear Pascoe are known mostly for their blocking. Jake Ballard spent his 2010 rookie year on the practice squad as an undrafted free agent.

This possibly leaves the pass catching onus on Travis Beckum, who was a third-round selection by the Giants in 2009. Beckum has just 21 receptions so far in his career.

While the Giants are filled with excellent wide receivers on their roster, getting a tight end who can do even half the job Boss once did would help. New York thought they had that when they signed free agent Ben Patrick, but Patrick suddenly retired five days after joining the team.

Getting an upgrade for tight end or conerback off the waiver wire might be the way to go.







New York Jets : Wide Receiver


Getting free agents Plaxico Burress and Derrick Mason were good moves, even if both are 34 and 37-years old respectively. Their experience should mesh well with Santonio Holmes in the receivers corps.

Yet there are questions after this trio. Third-year pro Patrick Turner has two career receptions, and fifth-year veteran Logan Payne has three.

The rest are rookies. Scotty McKnight was a seventh-round pick this year, and Jeremy Kerley was selected in the fifth round. Undrafted free agents Courtney Smith, Dan DePalma, and Michael Campbell are also trying to make the team.

If any of the veteran trio gets injured, the Jets could be in trouble if they decide to go with the unproven youngsters. Claiming a proven veteran off the waiver wire may be a wise move.








Oakland Raiders : Wide Receiver


The Raiders have a young group at wide receiver, so inconsistency has been prevalent with this group. Darrius Heyward-Bay has just 35 career receptions since being the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft.

Louis Murphy, picked in the fourth round of the same draft, has 75 receptions. Chaz Schilens was drafted in 2008 and has 49 career catches. Shaun Bodiford, who has bounced around the league since 2006, has one career reception.

Derek Hagan has 64 receptions since joining the NFL in 2006. Chad Jackson, who also entered the league in 2006, has 14 career receptions. Nick Miller, now entering his third season with the Raiders, has three career receptions.

Jacoby Ford electrified the NFL in his 2010 rookie season by setting a Raiders team record with three touchdowns off kickoff returns. He also found time to catch 25 balls at an impressive 18.8 yards per catch average.

Raider wide receivers gave the team just 112 receptions in 2010, three less than both Andre Johnson and Roddy White had by themselves last year. This unit needs to step up in 2011 if Oakland wants to seriously compete for the AFC West title.

It is very rare a team gets a player off the waiver wire who can contribute a Pro Bowl performance with their new team, but Oakland could settle for a savvy veteran who knows how to get open running crisp routes. Newly hired offensive coordinator Al Saunders will have his hands full if the Raiders decide to go another season with a group of youngsters trying to learn on the fly.








Philadelphia Eagles : Linebacker


Vince Young put a target on the Eagles early by dubbing them the "Dream Team." The rest of the NFL had already seen the team load up their roster with top free agents, so Young's words provide them nothing but inspiration.

Yet this stacked team still has areas of concern. None are bigger than linebacker. The three linebackers Philadelphia plans to start has 132 career tackles combined.

Moise Fokou is the graybeard of the starters, having been selected in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. Jamar Cheney, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2010 draft, will bookend him at outside linebacker.

The starting middle linebacker with be rookie Casey Matthews, who comes from one of the NFL's most famous families. His grandfather Clay Matthew Sr. played offensive tackle in the 1950's. His dad, Clay Jr,, played 19 years as an NFL linebacker. His older brother, Clay Matthews III, is a Pro Bowl linebacker for the world champion Green Bay Packers.

If that wasn't enough legacy, his uncle is Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. His cousin, Kevin Matthews, is being coached by Bruce as a center for the Tennessee Titans.

At 6'1" 231, Casey Matthews is not the prototypical size to play middle linebacker. Yet he has more than his expert family to learn from. Linebackers coach Mike Caldwell played 11 years in the NFL as a linebacker.

After this young trio, the backups are even more questionable. Akeem Jordan has been with the team since 2007 and has 178 career tackles. Rashad Jeanty has been in the NFL since 2006 and has 214 career tackles.

Keenan Clayton was drafted in the fourth round last year and had 11 tackles in the seven games he played in. Greg Lloyd Jr., the son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Greg Lloyd Sr., was picked in the seventh round of the 2011 draft. Brian Rolle was selected in the sixth round of this years draft.

This young unit is unknown by everyone but the Eagles coaching staff. The team may go with these kids, but it wouldn't be a bad move to snag any veteran linebackers who finds their way on the waiver wire.









Pittsburgh Steelers : Tight End


The Steelers are loaded with talent, so picking the tight end position in need of depth upgrade is reaching.

Heath Miller is the starter, as he has been his entire six seasons since drafted by Steelers in 2005. Veteran John Gilmore has played since 2002 because he is an excellent blocker.

After those two, Pittsburgh basically has H-Backs. David Johnson is used as a blocking fullback, as is Jamie McCoy. These two are vying to become the starting fullback.

Undrafted free agents Miguel Chavis, Vaughn Charlton, and Weslye Saunders are all trying to make the team. Saunders is an intriguing prospect.

He was rated a first-round talent by some with his 6'5" 267 frame and soft hands, then was told he would be ineligible for the draft because he violated team rules in college and did not play in 2010 after lying to the NCAA. He was reinstated later on, but went undrafted.

Yet Pittsburgh may want to take a look at any veteran tight ends on the waiver wire to add more quality depth.







Saint Louis Rams : Defensive Tackle
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The young Rams are just about everyone's list as the next surprising team to make the playoffs in 2011. They have built a strong team in their rebuilding process over that last few years, and are just lacking in experience in some areas.

The one area that could use more proven bodies is at defensive tackle. Fred Robbins and Justin Bannon are a pair of wily veterans who should start this year. Darell Scott, entering his third year with the team, will try to back them up.

Gary Gibson, who started last year but gave the team just 18 tackles, returns. Daniel Muir has been in the NFL since 2007 and has 23 career tackles. Jermelle Cudjo had 13 tackles as an undrafted rookie last year.

Undrafted rookie John Henderson is the other defensive tackle in camp. Looking at the depth chart at this position, it is hard to get excited past the starters. The Rams may want to consider upgrading here by checking the waiver wire in the weeks to come.








San Diego Chargers : Running Back


Ryan Mathews had a tough 2010 rookie season, missing four games because of injury. The Bolts turned to fullback Mike Tolbert to carry the load, and he responded by leading the team in rushing and scoring 11 times.

San Diego lost Darren Sproles to free agency, so their best pass catching back left on the roster now may be Tolbert. Jacob Hester has given next to nothing since the Chargers reached on him in the third round of the 2008 draft.

Curtis Brinkley made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2009, but wasn't able to play until the next year after being shot by unknown assailants. He has just two career carries. Frank Summers was signed as a free agent, and he is a lot like Tolbert and Hester in that fullback who can play some halfback mold.


Jordan Todman slid to the sixth round of the 2011 draft, but the diminutive back is leading the team in rushing and receiving this preseason. Shawnbry McNeil, Dean Rogers, Brandon Sullivan, and Isaac Odim are all free agents trying to make the team.

If Mathews has another season interrupted by injuries this year, Tolbert will be the main rushing weapon. Yet there doesn't seem to be much behind him if he gets hurt. San Diego might want to watch the waiver wire to improve the quality of their reserves.









San Francisco 49ers : Defensive End


Signing veteran journeyman Josh McCown just barely took quarterback off this list here, but this is a weak position for the team because their starter is inconsistent and their rookie project will take several years to be ready.

After starting defensive end Justin Smith, who has made the Pro Bowl the last two seasons, the other end position has opened up. Isaac Sopoaga moves back to nose tackle to replace the departed Aubrayo Franklin after playing defensive end for the past three years.

Ray McDonald, who has mostly been a reserve since the Niners used a third-round pick on him in 2007, is expected to start. Will Tukuafu, Demarcus Dobbs, and Brian Bulke are all undrafted and unproven.

To say San Francisco is dreadfully thin at defensive end is a kind understatement. This team really needs to scour the waiver wire to upgrade the depth at this position.







Seattle Seahawks : Middle Linebacker


David Hawthorne moves back to middle linebacker after playing on the outside last year. The fourth-year pro, who made the team as an undrafted rookie, had 116 tackles and four interceptions playing in the middle during the 2009 season.

If he gets hurt, Seattle has two unknowns behind him. Rookie K.J. Wright, who was drafted in the fourth round, and Michael Johnson, who tried out for the team last year, are trying to backup Hawthorne.

It may be a good move for Seattle to get a proven player behind Hawthorne. Since Seattle was 21st in rushing yards allowed last season, this would be smart in case one of their better defenders season is cut short by injury.









Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Running Back


Losing reserve halfback Cadillac Williams may hurt more than expected. LeGarrette Blount resurrected his career last season by gaining 1,007 yards at a five yards per carry average. Earnest Graham, who was the teams feature back in 2007, has become a blocking fullback.

After those two, the questions begin. Kregg Lumpkin, who has been in the NFL since 2008, has two career carries. Allen Bradford was drafted in the sixth round this season and leads the Bucs in rushing this preseason. Yet he and Blount are averaging just two yards per carry so far.

Tampa Bay is gambling Blount is not a one-year wonder. If he is, there could be problems unless the Buccaneers grab a proven running back off the waiver wire to back him up.







Tennessee Titans : Outside Linebacker



Signing underrated free agent middle linebacker Barrett Ruud helps fill the huge hole the departed Stephen Tulloch left. But the outside linebackers of the Titans are a mix of experience and unknown youth.

Will Witherspoon enters his 11th season in the league. He is solid at every linebacker position, and has been a consistent tackler wherever he has played. He will have Akeem Ayers, the Titans second-round pick this year, bookending him.

Gerald McRath, Tim Shaw, Patrick Bailey, Rennie Curran, John Stokes, and Jonathan Cornell vie for the reserve jobs. McRath has started 12 games since being drafted in 2009 by Tennessee.

Shaw is on his fourth team since 2007 and is mostly a special teams contributor. Bailey has also contributed mainly on special teams since he joined the NFL in 2008, and has a Super Bowl ring. Curran was drafted in the third round by Tennessee last year, and collected just seven tackles all season.

Ayers is a raw prospect who left college a year early to join the NFL. McRath is a good backup for him in case the youngster isn't ready to start. Yet the rest of the reserves are an unknown commodity.

Tennessee may decide to go with Curran an the other main backup, but it isn't a bad idea to see if the waiver wire can produce more quality depth.






Washington Redskins : Inside Linebacker


London Fletcher appears ageless, but the 36-year old will have to retire eventually. Rocky McIntosh starts next to him, but some critics feel he is a better fit as an outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense.

The Redskins are using converted defensive ends as outside linebackers, so the middle linebackers ability to tackle sideline to sideline becomes even more crucial. The people who back up the starters here are questionable.

Perry Riley was drafted in the fourth round last year, and it appears he is being groomed to one day take over for Fletcher. Keyaron Fox and Horatio Blades are mostly noted for their special teams contributions. Evan McBride is an undrafted free agent rookie trying to make the team.

If an experienced middle linebacker hits the waiver wire, the Redskins should seriously consider signing him. Fletcher and McIntosh rarely get hurt, but having an emergency backup plan isn't a bad idea in case Riley isn't up to the job just yet.

NFL 2011 Free Agent Signing Review Of Every Team

Now that the majority of signings have been done in the 2011 NFL free agent pool, let us review what has transpired.



Arizona Cardinals


Arizona was busy during the offseason by shedding former players and adding new ones. Kevin Kolb is now the starting quarterback, and many critics think he has a lot of potential to be very good.

Todd Heap is a savvy tight end who is Pro Bowl worthy when healthy. Chansi Stuckey is a veteran receiver who has a chance to add depth to an already quality receivers corp.

Vonnie Holliday and Nick Eason are veteran defensive linemen who add depth. Floyd Womack and Daryn Colledge are a pair of veteran guards who could start this year.

Jeff King is a blocking tight end who was an solid signing. Stewart Bradley was an up and coming middle linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles until injuries derailed his progress. If healthy, he could be a solid signing.

Richard Marshall is being counted on to replace Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie at cornerback. Rodgers-Cromartie was traded for Kolb.

If Kolb steps in right away firing bullets, Arizona's offense could be as potent as it was under Kurt Warner a few years ago. They upgraded themselves in several areas, so do not be shocked if the Cardinals win the NFC West this year.





Atlanta Falcons


Ray Edwards was brought in to give the Falcons a pair of good pass rushing defensive ends. Ken Parrish appears to be the favorite to win the punting job so far.

It is obvious Atlanta likes their team. It has a good mix of veterans and youngsters who appear primed to duplicate their 2010 successes at the least. They kept the offensive line largely in tact by signing two of the three starters that were free agents.

With the NFC South now stronger than it has been in years. Atlanta will have to stay remarkably healthy to repeat as the champions of their division. The depth is good, making this a possible scenario.






Baltimore Ravens


Ozzie Newsome is one of the best general managers in the NFL, so it is hard to question why the team remained pretty inactive during the free agent frenzy. They lost a ton of players, including many starters, but they decided to stand pat with what they have.

James Hardy is a wide receiver trying to get his career finally going after a few miserable years in Buffalo. Hunter Cantwell is untested, but now the main backup to Joe Flacco at quarterback.

The Ravens are trying to rebuild an aging team while maintaining a squad that can compete in the AFC North. They have a few future Hall of Famers on defense to teach the youngsters, so it may be business as usual for the Ravens when it comes to winning often.







Buffalo Bills


Tyler Thigpen was brought in to be a backup quarterback. Brad Smith is a former college quarterback who can play running back or wide receiver.

Nick Barnett is expected to start at middle linebacker. Lionel Dotson will try to add depth at the defensive line. Drayton Florence re-signed and should be back starting at cornerback.

Buffalo is young, but they did lose their starting strong safety and middle linebacker to free agency. While they will try to continue being a balanced team on offense, they lost a lot of tackles this offseason and the defense will now play under a magnifying glass.








Carolina Panthers


Derek Anderson will be the veteran backup quarterback behind Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen. Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olson are a pair of veteran tight ends who aren't great blockers, but are Pro Bowl caliber receivers.

Legedu Naanee has a good shot at starting at wide receiver. Omar Gaither adds depth at linebacker and Ron Edwards does the same at defensive tackle.

Sean Considine and Kevin Payne are veteran defensive backs trying to add depth. Kendric Burney was surprisingly undrafted, but the rookie cornerback could be a sleeper player worth watching. Ben Hartsock will try to be the blocking tight end the Panthers need.

With a new era with Newton as the top pick, along with a new coaching staff, the Panthers are surrounding their prized rookie with veterans who can help him progress. Since getting a wide receiver to compliment Steve Smith has often been an issue, Olsen and Shockey both might get a lot of balls thrown their way in 2011.





Chicago Bears


Chris Spencer will be the first Bears starting center since 1998 not named Olin Kruetz. Amobi Okoye will try to add depth at defensive tackle,while Vernon Gholston tries to shed his label of being a draft bust.

Marion Barber, Roy Williams, and Sam Hurd are all former Dallas Cowboys players. Chicago hopes Barber has enough tread left on his tires to be an effective reserve halfback. Williams and Hurd will try to upgrade the wide receivers unit.

Adam Podlesh is a strong-legged punter, while Matt Spaeth is a blocking tight end hoping to add depth in jumbo packages.

The Bears were a win away from a Super Bowl last year, so they didn't add a lot to an already solid defense. They hope the ex-Cowboys will play well enough for the team to make another strong run at the Super Bowl.






Cincinnati Bengals


Cedric Benson being re-signed was critical for a team with questions at quarterback. Carson Palmer's reluctance to play with the Bengals has the team wondering what to do next at the position.

Bruce Gradkowsi was recently signed, and the veteran may start as rookie Andy Dalton sits on the bench and develops as the future starting quarterback.

Trading Chad Ochocinco means the team loses a productive receiver and a drama queen who causes headaches and division amongst their players.

Nate Clements is a veteran cornerback who is expected to start. Linebackers Manny Lawson, Brandon Johnson, and Thomas Howard will at least add depth.

Donte Whitner is expected to start at strong safety, while veteran Gibril Wilson hopes to back him up. Max Jean-Gilles might get a starting job at guard.

The Bengals smartly refuse to let a player hold them hostage, yet Carson's little brother Jordan was brought back to try to win the starting quarterback job. If they can get the older Palmer in uniform, the Bengals will be better off in 2011.







Cleveland Browns


John Greco is a backup offensive lineman who might help. Brandon Jackson is a pass receiving halfback who hopes to help. Ramzee Robinson will try to add depth to a secondary that lost one of their starting cornerbacks to free agency.

The Browns are rebuilding through the draft. This youth movement will take time, but positive signs were seen in 2010.







Dallas Cowboys


Abram Elam is the only free agent Dallas has signed so far. He isn't much of a ball hawk, but he does well in run defense. He is a tough-minded player who has had three of his siblings shot to death.

Dallas decided to shed older players while building through the draft this year. It is a patient approach not seen from owner Jerry Jones in years, so it will be interesting to see what the final results are in 2011.






Denver Broncos


Brodrick Bunkley, Ty Warren, Derrick Harvey, and Jeremy Jarmon are all defensive linemen who were brought in to shore up a suspect run defense. Bunkley and Warren are expected to start.

Dante Rosario and Daniel Fells are good blocking tight ends who have some pass receiving ability. Rosario played last year under new Broncos head coach John Fox.

Willis McGahee is a veteran halfback expected to provide a key reserve role. David Anderson is a sure handed wide receiver who hopes to help.

Denver is under new management and there are many more changes expected. From the quarterback position especially. It might take some time for Fox to right this ship, but the talent is there.









Detroit Lions


Stephen Tulloch is a tackling machine who will help at linebacker. If Justin Durant can stay healthy and play to his abilities, the Lions will be very happy.

Eric Wright has a ton of ability at cornerback, but his 2010 season was bereft by injury. A fresh start was needed, so Detroit hopes he reverts back to being a solid player. Eric Coleman is a veteran safety who adds quality depth.

Rashied Davies and Maurice Stovall are veteran wide receivers who hope they can help.

Detroit are a lot of pundits sleeper team in 2011. If quarterback Matt Stafford can finally stay healthy, they could be a dangerous team. The defense was solid mostly last year, as eight of their losses in 2010 were eights points or less.








Green Bay Packers


The Pack has no free agent acquisitions, choosing to rely on their draft picks and players who helped them win Super Bowl XLV last season.

A.J. Hawk, Mason Crosby, James Jones, John Kuhn, Spencer Havner, Charlie Peprah, and Brett Swain were all re-signed by the team.






Houston Texans


Johnathan Joseph, Danieal Manning, and Quintin Demps were brought in to help a defensive secondary that was lousy in 2010. Wade Phillips, now the defensive coordinator, has long been known for making bad defenses excellent.

T.J. Yates is an undrafted free agent rookie quarterback who has the ability to supplant Matt Leinart as the primary reserve. Lawrence Vickers is an excellent blocking fullback, while Brad Maynard is a veteran punter now on just his third team since 1997.

Attacking the secondary was needed, so give the Texans credit for doing so. Joseph is the best player of the three signed, but the entire trio should help this year. The signing of Phillips was huge, because he has long been considered one of the best defensive minds in the NFL.

If the defense responds to Phillips system right away, Houston's explosive offense could get this team finally to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.







Indianapolis Colts


Tommie Harris and Jamaal Anderson are veteran defensive linemen who hope to finally play like many have hoped for. Harris has not been the same since he got injured in 2007, while Anderson has yet to do much in his career.

Ernie Sims has a lot of ability as a linebacker, but he has not always been stout versus the run. Al Afalava is a strong safety with starters experience. Dan Orlovsky and Nate Davis vie to backup Peyton Manning at quarterback.







Jacksonville Jaguars
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Jacksonville got busy as soon as the players lockout ended. Paul Posluzny was brought in to start at middle linebacker, and the Jags are hoping he can finally stay healthy.

Dawan Landry, Drew Coleman, Courtney Greene, Tyrone Brackenridge, William Middleton, and David Jones are veteran defensive backs who have a good chance of helping the team. The underrated Landry should start at strong safety right away.

Jason Hill is a veteran wide receiver hoping to replace Mike Sims-Walker. Matt Turk is a veteran punter on his ninth team since 1993. Clint Session is a veteran linebacker hoping to add depth. Jason Spitz is a veteran guard who should add quality depth as well.

Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio is a former middle linebacker. He knew the back seven of his defense needed help, so he addressed it head on. Del Rio hopes the unit will be stout enough to allow the Jaguars win the AFC South this year.










Kansas City Chiefs


Steve Breaston is a solid wide receiver and return specialist. Leonard Pope is a tight end who specializes in run blocking. Le'Ron McClain is a versatile fullback who can carry the load if asked.

The Chiefs hit on a few key areas this offseason, which also shows how confident they are in their roster. They fully expect to win the AFC West while they continue to rebuild a young team that has a lot of upside.








Miami Dolphins


Marc Columbo is a offensive tackle who should help. Reggie Bush is a good receiver and punt returner, but not a halfback who can carry the ball more than a few times per game.

Kevin Burnett and Jason Taylor are a pair of veteran linebackers hoping to add depth. Taylor returns to a Dolphins franchise where he was named to six Pro Bowls as a defensive end, as well as the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and two AFC Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Matt Moore, Kevin O'Connell, and Pat Devlin will try to backup Chad Henne at quarterback.

Miami is now without Bill Parcells calling the shots, so the direction of the team has yet to be seen. It appears rookie halfback Daniel Thomas will now be the cowbell, with Ronnie Brown and possibly Ricky Williams gone.

The defense might have to carry the team this year, especially if Henne plays as poorly as he did in 2010.








Minnesota Vikings


Charlie Johnson should now start at left offensive tackle. Michael Jenkins could start at wide receiver after the Vikings lost Sidney Rice to free agency.

Donovan McNabb is expected to start at quarterback. Despite a terrible 2010 season, McNabb has stated he is years away from thinking of retiring.

If he can play like the five-time Pro Bowler he once was, the Vikings have enough explosive players on the roster to compete for a NFC North title.








New England Patriots


The Pats wisely brought back Pro Bowl offensive linemen Matt Light and Logan Mankins after Stephen Neal retired.

They gambled on defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and wide receiver Chad Ochocinco. Haynesworth is known as the guy who called himself a slave after signing a $100 million contract.

Ochocinco is a blowhard who craves attention. Office pools are being drawn up to bet on how soon he gets on Tom Brady's nerves with his antics.

If the two malignants play to their abilities, the rich in talent Patriots will be even more wealthy. Many pundits had already picked them to win their division before these signing. Signings that possibly get them to a Super Bowl.








New York Giants


Rocky Bernard is expected to add quality depth at defensive tackle, let alone possibly start. Veteran Stacey Andrews was brought back to provide a quality backup for an aging offensive line.

Michael Clayton will try to help a group of young and exciting wide receivers. Ben Patrick is a good receiver who should add depth at tight end.

The team is slowly sprucing off their aging parts while remaining competitive. General manager Jerry Reese is one of the best in the NFL, so the Jints winning ways should continue this year.






New York Jets


Plaxico Burress is a huge gamble. The Jets are hoping he has lost nothing after a two-year stint in jail. If he does, the Jets brass will look like geniuses. If he fails, with many critics questioning his staying in New York, it could be a debacle.

DuJuan Morgan and Ellis Lankster will try to add depth in the secondary. The Jets may not be done signing defensive players after having lost a few to free agency.

The last two years have seen the Jets a game away from reaching the Super Bowl. That is the dream the team obviously feels it can realize by keeping so many players from last seasons roster.








New Orleans Saints


Olin Kruetz is a veteran center who adds depth. George Foster and Alex Barron are offensive tackles a former first-round picks trying to revive their careers. Trumaine McBride and Fabian Washington are veteran cornerbacks who add depth.

Kory Hall should get some starts at fullback. Will Herring adds veteran depth at linebacker. Aubrayo Franklin, Turk McBride and Shaun Rogers are defensive tackles who will try to help the defensive line rotation.

Darren Sproles replaces Reggie Bush as the third-down running back. Sproles also may get plugged in as a return specialist on special teams, an area he has experience in.

The Saints didn't have to add much to their potent offense, but they smartly attacked the weaknesses on defense. Now better prepared to stop the run, New Orleans has high hopes of returning to the Super Bowl.









Oakland Raiders


Kevin Boss was brought in to fill the hole at tight end. Justin Smiley, Stephon Heyer, Seth Wand, and Roy Schuening will try to help the Raiders much maligned offensive line.

Darryl Blacktock, is trying to revive a once promising career, something the Raiders have often had success in doing. Trent Edwards has started in his career, so he adds quality depth at quarterback.

Oakland can run the ball well, and they hope the influx of new blockers will allow them to mash their opponents. Their young receivers need to step up this year to add balance, but their drams of winning the AFC West this year may rest on a defense that lost the best cornerback in football to free agency.







Phladelphia Eagles


Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will team up with Asante Samuel to give the Eagles the best cornerback unit in that franchises long history. Asomugha, the top free agent of 2011, is the jewel signing for the team.


Jason Babin, Anthony Hargrove, Derek Landri, and Cullen Jenkins were all brought in to shore up the run defense, an area that has been a shortcoming of the Eagles for years. If Jenkins can stay healthy, and Babin plays like last year, the Eagles pass rush could create havoc all year.

Johnnie Lee Higgins, who is very good on special teams, and Donald Lee are veterans who will try to make an explosive Philadelphia passing attack a little deadlier. Vince Young is expected to spend this year on the bench watching and learning.

Ronnie Brown is a oft-injured halfback who the Eagles hope can stay healthy enough to handle a few carries as a reserve. Veteran Jarrad Page will try to win the starting job at strong safety.

The Eagles had the best offseason in the NFL, one that could propel the franchise in winning their first title since 1960. Not only did they attack their weaknesses, they made strong areas even better and have good depth as well. Expectations should be high for this team in 2011.









Pittsburgh Steelers


The Steelers have eschewed signing players in the free agent market, preferring to sign their own guys. Lamarr Woodley, fresh off a six-year deal worth $61.5 million , Johnathan Scott, Willie Colon, Ike Taylor, and Shaun Suisham were all brought back.






Saint Louis Rams



Mike Sims-Walker was an excellent signing who should enjoy instantly becoming the top receiver of the Rams. Harvey Diehl is a Pro Bowl guard whose nasty streak now gives Saint Louis one of the best offensive lines in the NFC.

Al Harris and Quintin Mikell are veteran defensive backs who will add depth at the least. Brady Poppinga could find himself starting at outside linebacker this season, while Justin Bannan will add depth at defensive tackle.

Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood will back up Steven Jackson. Both are excellent receivers, but Williams should get more carries because Norwood has had a problem staying healthy.

This team has been growing up fast as they rebuild with excellent drafts. Head coach Steve Spagnuolo added many quality pieces to a team that almost won their division last year and could be a sleeper team in 2011







San Diego Chargers


Laurent Robinson will try to help add depth. Frank Summers is a fullback who is best at blocking and receiving. Takeo Spikes, Travis LeBoy, and Bob Sanders are veterans hoping to help a defense that was very good in 2010.

If Sanders can finally stay healthy and play like he once did, the Chargers have the capability of having one of the best secondaries in football. LeBoy is there to tr to bring a pass rush off the edge the team hasn't consistently had in a few years.

The Bolts did not splurge heavily in the 2011 free agent pool, but that is because they had one of the top offenses and defenses of the NFL last year. They are getting long in the tooth, so now is the time for them to win it all.








San Francisco 49ers



Braylon Edwards needs to show he is a top receiver now, because he has yet to consistently reach his potential. If he does, he could help Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree become a formidable unit. David Akers was an excellent signing and has been a steady kicker most of his career.

Carlos Rogers and Madieu Williams are veterans that could start at cornerback and free safety respectively. Blake Costanzo and Antwan Applewhite are veteran linebackers who add depth and excel on special teams.

Quarterback is still the primary puzzle for the Niners, but new head coach Jim Harbaugh seems to be ready to go with a promising rookie in Colin Kaepernick and 2005 first-round pick Alex Smith. This is despite the fact Smith has done little in his career thus far.









Seattle Seahawks


Kelly Jennings is needed to provide cornerback depth. Zach Miller and John Carlson gives Seattle one of the best tight end duos in the NFL. Veteran kicker Jeff Reed had a rough 2010, but Seattle hopes he reverts to his old form.

Jimmy Wilkerson, Jay Alford, and Alan Branch will add depth to the defensive line rotation. Tavaris Jackson might start at quarterback and have a familiar face to throw to in Sidney Rice. Robert Gallery is a solid guard that helps a Seahawks team that lost a few starters to free agency.

While a young team still, Seattle smartly added many solid veterans to their 2011 roster. They expect to win their division again with these additions.








Tampa Bay Buccaneers


Michael Koenin signed a six-year deal worth $19.5 million, a whopping amount for a average punter. Yet what Koenin does do well is kick the ball off.

He has 106 touchbacks in the last six seasons, which is a tremendous help to any defense. With the kickoff moving back to the 35-yard line, the Bucs expect Koenen to sail a large amount of kickoffs through the opponents endzones.







Tennessee Titans


Matt Hasselbeck might start in 2011 as rookie Jake Locker learns. Daniel Graham is a veteran tight end who is excellent run blocking.

Barrett Ruud was a needed signing to help at middle linebacker. Shaun Smith will try to add depth at defensive line. Frank Walker and Jordan Babineaux are veteran defensive backs who add quality depth.

With a new coaching staff, the Titans are in flux. They are a good running team with an excellent offensive line, but the franchise is on the cusp of rebuilding behind Locker in the years ahead.






Washington Redskins


Redskins fans are undoubtedly happy to have a real general manager after the dismal Vinny Cerrato Era. Bruce Allen is building through the draft, yet adding good pieces to the roster without asking owner Dan Snyder to overpay.

Donte` Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney are veteran receivers the team hopes add depth to a team that plans to throw often. Kellen Clemens is a quarterback with starters experience, but he may spend this year at third string if John Beck plays as head coach Mike Shanahan hopes.

Josh Wilson and Oshiomogho Atogwe are expected to start at cornerback and free safety respectively. Tim Hightower has a very good chance at starting at halfback because he is a solid receiver and excels in the power running game. Barry Cofield and Stephen Bowen are being counted on helping Washington shore up a porous run defense.

Allen could still get middle linebacker help, because 2010 starter Rocky McIntosh is still unsigned. Even with Jammal Brown re-signed, the Redskins still might bring in a few blockers to camp.