Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Paul Spicer (DE); Darren Sharper (S); Jabari Greer (CB); Heath Evans (FB); Nick Leckey (C).

Offseason Losses: Mike McKenzie (CB); Deuce McAllister (RB); Josh Bullocks (S).

Player to Watch: Pierre Thomas, RB.
The Saints are a passing team first and foremost and considering he’ll share a workload with Reggie Bush, Thomas may not break the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season. But that doesn’t mean Thomas isn’t effective. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry last year and scored nine times on the ground. He was also proved to be a threat out of the backfield while hauling in 31 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns. A sprained MCL has put a damper on the start of Thomas’ season (he might miss the Saints’ opener), but once he’s healthy he could become a household name this season.

Team Strength: The Saints have one of the best offensive lines in the NFC, led by left tackle Jammal Brown and right guard Jahri Evans. Brown is a mauler in the run game and gets most of the credit for the team’s success on offensive line, but Evans is New Orleans’ best all-around lineman. He’s strong, athletic and excels as a run-blocker. The rest of the line is comprised of right tackle Jon Stinchcomb, center Jonathan Goodwin and left guard Carl Nicks. As a unit, the Saints gave up a NFC-low in sacks last season with 13, which was one of the reasons quarterback Drew Brees had so much success. (On top of the fact that Brees makes quick decisions from the pocket.)

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Tony Gonzalez (TE); Mike Peterson (LB); Brian Williams (CB); Tye Hill (CB); Brett Romberg (C).

Offseason Losses: Michael Boley (LB); Keith Brooking (LB); Domonique Foxworth (CB); Lawyer Milloy (S); Grady Jackson (DT).

Player to Watch: Tony Gonzalez, TE.
It was clear after the Falcons made their remarkable playoff run in 2008 that the only thing missing from their potent offense was a pass-catching tight end that young signal caller Matt Ryan could use to work the middle of the field. Enter future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. While he’ll be expected to block more in Atlanta than he did in KC, if the preseason was any indication of how Gonzo will perform in his new surroundings, he’ll see plenty of opportunities to make plays in the passing game. Ryan often looked (and found) Gonzo on third downs this preseason and the pair has already formed chemistry despite ‘09 being their first year together in the same offense.

Team Strength: The Falcons have one of the most complete offenses in the league and can burn defenses in a variety of ways. As long as the 376 carries he received in ’09 didn’t wear him out, Michael Turner will again be the backbone of Atlanta’s offense. Even after trading for Gonzalez and re-signing playmaker Roddy White to a lucrative contract extension, the Falcons will remain a run-first team and won’t concern themselves with the number of carries Turner receives. When “The Burner” does need a rest, highlight reel speedster Jerious Norwood is the perfect compliment to Turner’s bruising style. While a sophomore slump is a concern, Ryan poured in hours of work this offseason to try and improve his footwork. He will also be better at reading defenses now that he has a full year of starting experience under his belt and has two excellent weapons at his disposal in White and Gonzalez. Speaking of White, the fifth-year player has emerged as a top 5 receiver and will lead the Falcons in receptions barring injury. No. 2 wideout Michael Jenkins has developed into a solid run-blocker and gives Ryan a tall target on third downs and in the red zone, as does veteran Brian Finneran.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Jay Cutler (QB); Orlando Pace (OT); Kevin Shaffer (OT); Pisa Tinoisamoa (LB); Josh Bullocks (S); Frank Omiyale (OT).

Offseason Losses: Mike Brown (S); Terrence Metcalf (G); John St. Clair (OT); Fred Miller (OT); Rex Grossman (QB).

Player to Watch: Jay Cutler, QB.
If any other player were listed here, Bear fans would petition to have this site taken down (and they might anyway since Da Bears aren’t No. 1 in these rankings). Cutler is the reason why the fine folks in Chicago are talking Super Bowl and why other media publications are predicting the Bears to win the NFC North this season. The strong-armed Cutler complained his way out of Denver this offseason and now has the task of winning with what some pundits deem a putrid receiving corps. But what those same pundits fail to grasp is that tight end Greg Olsen is a solid option in the passing game and Cutler should work well with former Vandy teammate Earl Bennett (whose next catch in the NFL will also be his first). Running back Matt Forte is a great receiving option out of the backfield and returner-turned-receiver Devin Hester can stretch a defense with his speed. But the Bears’ success this season rests squarely on Cutler’s shoulders.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Brett Favre (QB); Glenn Holt (WR/released in preseason); Karl Paymah (CB).

Offseason Losses: Matt Birk (C); Napoleon Harris (LB); Darren Sharper (S); Kenechi Udeze (DE); Robert Ferguson (WR); Marcus Johnson (OT).

Player to Watch: Brett Favre, QB.
Who else? Head coach Brad Childress didn’t mind shoving quarterbacks Sage Rosenfels and Tarvaris Jackson to the backburner in order to acquire the 39-year-old Favre, who the Vikings hope is the missing ingredient for a Super Bowl run. Before an arm injury derailed his production, Favre was playing at a MVP-like level last year for the Jets. When he finally made up his mind to sign with Minnesota in mid August, he managed to avoid all of training camp. Not that he needed the extra reps. Favre is already well-versed in Childress’s West Coast Offense and shouldn’t have any trouble leading the Vikings in Week 1 despite missing all of camp. But the key to his and Minnesota’s success is for Brett to stay healthy for an entire season. If he can’t, all the trouble Childress went through this summer in trying to sign Favre would have gone to waste.

Team Strength: Led by Adrian Peterson and a dominating left side of the offensive line, the Vikings will have success running the football this year. Favre brings another element to the passing game, so defenses won’t be able to stack the box in hopes of containing Peterson and even if they do, AP proved last year that he could still gain positive yards. Tackle Bryant “Mount” McKinie and guard Steve Hutchinson form the best left side in football and will once again be leaned on to pave the way for AP and backup Chester Taylor. Minnesota does have some question marks along the offensive line, most notably at center where John Sullivan takes over for All-Pro Matt Birk (who signed with Baltimore in the offseason), and at right tackle where rookie Phil Loadholt will get a chance to start in his first year. But Loadholt is a mauler and should provide an upgrade over last year’s shaky rotation of Ryan Cook and Artis Hicks, and Sullivan has potential.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Kevin Kaesviharn (S/cut in preseason).

Offseason Losses: D.J. Hackett (WR); Ken Lucas (CB); Jeremy Bridges (G); Geoff Hangartner (C).

Player to Watch: Julius Peppers, DE.
Peppers had a rather tumultuous offseason. In March, he stated that he wouldn’t re-sign with the Panthers and was seeking a team that would employ him as an outside linebacker. But Carolina put a stop to that notion by placing the franchise tag on the former first round pick and then proceeded (and failed) to sign him to a long-term extension. Now Peppers is playing on a one-year deal despite not wanting to be in Carolina, although he insists that there’s no bad blood between him and the organization. It’ll be interesting to see if Peppers’ attitude changes if the Panthers take a nosedive after winning the division last year.

Team Strength: The Panthers finished third in the league in rushing last year and will once again feature one of the best ground attacks in football this season. Led by DeAngelo Williams, who had a breakout campaign in 2008 while totaling 20 touchdowns, and former first round pick Jonathan Stewart, Carolina will rely on the run to open things up for quarterback Jake Delhomme and the passing game. Williams is an outstanding downhill runner and when healthy, Stewart can tire out a defense with his bruising running style. Both runners are perfect fits for the zone-blocking scheme that Carolina uses. Left tackle Jordan Gross is one of the best run-blockers in the league, while left guard Travelle Wharton is technically sound and benefits from playing alongside Gross. Center Ryan Kalil and right tackle Jeff Otah continue to develop on what is quickly becoming one of the better offensive lines in the NFL. Stewart and right guard Keydrick Vincent’s health are the only question marks.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Bryant McFadden (CB); Anthony Becht (TE); Jason Wright (RB).

Offseason Losses: Edgerrin James (RB); Eric Green (CB); Terrelle Smith (FB); J.J. Arrington (RB).

Player to Watch: Chris “Beanie” Wells, RB.
The Cardinals hope that Wells, who was the team’s first round pick this year, can solve their running woes. Despite their Super Bowl appearance last year, Arizona finished dead last in rushing and are leaning on Wells to stabilize the running back position. After stating that Tim Hightower would be his starter for most of the summer, head coach Ken Whisenhunt has since softened his stance and is now open to Wells being his No. 1 back. But the Ohio State product has to stay healthy, which is one thing he’s had trouble with. Wells sprained his ankle in preseason and admits that he still isn’t completely healthy yet. When he is 100%, “Beanie” is a 240-pound bulldozer with 4.5 speed. He’s athletic, tough and dangerous when he gains some momentum. But again, he must stay healthy.

Team Strength: The Cards will once again have one of the more explosive passing attacks in the league, assuming of course that quarterback Kurt Warner has protection and can avoid turnovers. Arizona’s passing attack relies heavily on its wideouts, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston. The trio comprises the best receiving corps in the NFL and will keep defensive coordinators sleepless come Saturday night. The Cards will again rely on the shotgun formation to help Warner read defenses and get the ball out of his hands quickly. The Cardinals promoted receivers coach Mike Miller to passing game coordinator and hope that he can fill the shoes of Todd Haley, who was hired as head coach of the Chiefs this offseason.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Gibril Wilson (S); Jason Taylor (DE); Jake Grove (C).

Offseason Losses: Andre’ Goodman (CB); Vonnie Holliday (DE); Renaldo Hill (CB); John Beck (QB).

Player to Watch: Ted Ginn Jr., WR.
Ginn will be under the microscope this season as he enters his third year. Many receivers don’t blossom until their third season and the Dolphins are hoping the same can be said for Ginn, who has looked rather subpar in his first two years after being selected with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft. Ginn has incredible speed and was a playmaker at Ohio State, but he’s had trouble getting off the line in the pros as defensive backs have had success jamming him and not allowing him to get into his routes. This has made him invisible on the field at times and has limited his production. Once he gets the ball in his hands he’s a threat to take it to the house. But getting the ball in his hands is the problem. After a lackluster preseason, the pressure is on Ginn to produce in ’09.

Team Strength: Thanks to a plethora of capable backs and the addition of the Wildcat formation, the Dolphins will once again have solid running game in 2009. Ronnie Brown has completely recovered from his 2007 ACL surgery and should rack up plenty of yards as he enters a contract year. Although there are concerns that he’s losing a step after an unimpressive preseason, backup Ricky Williams gained 659 yards last season and is serviceable. The same thing can be said for third stringer Patrick Cobbs, who should see more touches this season. Throw in playmaking rookie Pat White (who will cut his teeth in different offensive packages, including the Wildcat) and the Dolphins’ running game can burn opponents in a variety of ways.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Antonio Smith (DE); Eugene Wilson (S); Cato June (LB/out for the season); Deltha O’Neal (CB); Shaun Cody (DT); Rex Grossman (QB).

Offseason Losses: Sage Rosenfels (QB); Bryan Pittman (C); C.C. Brown (S); Will Demps (DB); Anthony Weaver (DT); Ephraim Salaam (OT).

Player to Watch: Steve Slaton, RB.
After amassing 1,282 rushing yards on 268 carries, 377 passing yards on 50 receptions and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie, all eyes are on Slaton this season. He’ll give up short-yardage and goal line carries to Chris Brown, but Slaton is going to be on the field plenty for the Texans this year. The shifty sophomore gives Houston something it has been missing from its backfield since the team entered the league: An explosive playmaker that can score every time he gets his hands on the ball. As long as the extra weight he put on in the offseason doesn’t slow him down, Slaton should avoid a sophomore slump and help open things up for Matt Schaub and the passing game.

Team Strength: Thanks to ends Mario Williams and Antonio Smith, as well as tackle Amobi Okoye and 17-year coaching vet Bill Kollar, defensive line should be a strength this season for the Texans. But it’s hard to talk about this team without focusing on its offensive skill position players. Schaub could shine in head coach Gary Kubiak’s offense, but he has to stay healthy. If he can, he has a plethora of weapons at his disposal, most notably Slaton, Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson and tight end Owen Daniels. Slaton is a home run threat every time he gets his hands on the ball and Johnson is one of the best playmakers in the game. When they’re both healthy, Schaub and Johnson make an excellent pair and have developed good chemistry with one another. Daniels is upset about his contract, but he hasn’t let the situation become a distraction and he could once again post Pro Bowl numbers this season. As long as the line continues to improve, the offense has enough weapons to get the Texans to the playoffs.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: Albert Haynesworth (DT); Derrick Dockery (G); Jeremy Bridges (G).

Offseason Losses: Jason Taylor (DE); Pete Kendall (G); Demetric Evans (DE); Ethan Albright (C).

Player to Watch: Albert Haynesworth, DT.
The Redskins paid a hefty price ($100 million over seven years, including $41 million in guarantees to be exact) for Haynesworth, who was the biggest catch on the free agent market this offseason. Haynesworth is a massive (figuratively and literally) upgrade over Kedric Golston and Anthony Montgomery, who split time last year next to Cornelius Griffin. Haynesworth is a ferocious pass-rusher who constantly demands double-teams and who is a beast against the run. He’ll free up fellow Griffin and Andre Carter to make plays because they’ll see a significant amount of one-on-one matchups. The former Titan might take the Skins’ defense to another level this season.

Team Strength: Washington’s secondary stands to be a strength in 2009. While the team overpaid for his services, corner DeAngelo Hall is solid when he’s not in man-to-man. He’s at his best when he plays in space and can react to the ball, which is what Washington will allow him to do. As long as he stays motivated, the Redskins will cash in on Hall’s terrific athleticism. On the other side, Carlos Rogers continues to battle a calf injury and was benched after the team rushed him back from ACL surgery last season, but he’s an instinctive player when healthy. At safety, Landry is a flat out playmaker and while he still is learning how to read offenses, he’s always going at full tilt and is a missile against the run and in coverage. While some expected Horton to be pushed by Reed Doughty, head coach Jim Zorn anointed Horton the starter at strong safety back in OTAs. He might not be the most athletic player on the field, but he’s incredibly smart and always gets the most out of his abilities.

Read the rest of this entry »

Check out all of our 2009 NFL team previews.

Offseason Additions: T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR); Egerrin James (RB); Ken Lucas (CB); Bryan Pittman (C); Justin Griffith (FB); Colin Cole (DT).

Offseason Losses: Julian Peterson (LB); Leonard Weaver (FB); Bobby Engram (WR); Rocky Bernard (DT); Maurice Morris (RB).

Player to Watch: Aaron Curry, LB.
Curry was the most talented defensive player in the 2009 draft and the Hawks were fortunate that he slipped to them with the fourth pick because he could have gone No. 1 overall. Curry will start at strong-side linebacker and will also see action at defensive end. He’s a gifted, versatile athlete that can play multiple positions and once he learns the nuances of the pro game, he could excel as a pass rusher. He will also have an impact in pass coverage while blanketing tight ends with his excellent speed.

Team Strength: While their pass defense is a concern entering the season, the Seahawks’ run defense is not. Veteran middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu has excellent sideline-to-sideline speed, is tenacious and excels at shedding blocks. Tatupu will be aided by the re-signing of Leroy Hill, who is undersized but also a gifted playmaker. Julian Peterson won’t be easy to replace, but Curry is certainly up to the task – even as a rookie. What Curry brings to the field in terms of pass rushing ability and athleticism should more than make up for the trade of Peterson. As long as Curry doesn’t turn out to be a bust, this is an outstanding linebacker trio.

Read the rest of this entry »