Ten burning questions for the NFL season
TSN.ca Staff
9/3/2007 3:54:37 AM
The preseason is over, the rosters are set and we're all ready for some meaningful games. Like Thomas Boswell's book says Life Begins on Opening Day.
After almost two months of camp the boys are finally ready and so are you. Because it's not just players that need to get into game shape, fans do too. Preparing for your fantasy league draft was like your training camp. You spent the last month or so scouring the internet, studying depth charts and debating with friends.
Now you're ready, you have your fantasy team picked and you're feeling good, but you still have questions. So does everybody, here are our Top 10 burning questions for the upcoming 2007 NFL season.
Can the Colts overcome their defensive losses?
The defending Super Bowl champions lost six significant players from their defence this offseason. Three starters and two top backups were lured away by free agency and one starter decided to retire. Gone are linebacker Cato June (Tampa Bay), cornerbacks Nick Harper (Tennessee) and Jason David (New Orleans), who signed an offer sheet that Indy declined to match. The Colts also lost starting left tackle Tarik Glenn, who decided to go out on top, retiring after ten seasons, as well as safety Mike Doss (Minnesota) and Montae Reagor (Philadelphia). It's going to be tough, but I'm sure they'll win more than they'll lose.
How will Randy Moss work out in New England?
Although he has been slowed by a hamstring injury, Moss seems to be fitting right in nicely at Patriots camp. The addition of Moss gives Tom Brady a genuine No. 1 receiver and a long-ball threat. Brady and the Patriots are notorious for spreading the ball around, so it will be interesting to see how Moss reacts when he isn't the go-to guy. The Patriot way worked for Corey Dillon and now that Randy Moss is 30, it just might work for him.
How will Eli Manning do in his fourth season?
After a lacklustre 8-8 season and an early exit from the playoffs, the Giants brought in Kevin Gilbride as their new offensive coordinator and Chris Palmer as the new quarterbacks coach. The hope is that these guys can help Eli make better decisions and improve on his balance and rhythm. While Manning's numbers weren't awful last year (3,244 yards, 24 TDs), he needs to reduce his interceptions (18) and sacks (25). Another issue for Manning and the Giants is dealing with the loss of running back Tiki Barber, who retired after ten seasons. Brandon Jacobs is set to start and needs to produce right away to take some of the heat off Eli.
Can Vince Young get better or will he suffer a sophomore slump?
The reigning Rookie of the Year has set expectations high, but he'll need to start throwing the ball better and not just winning games with his feet. The loss of running back Travis Henry and his two top receivers from 2006, Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade, won't make it any easy.
Which third-year receiver is set to have a break-out year?
The third year for receivers is traditionally the year they break out. Many receivers describe it as finally feeling adjusted. Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Steve Smith, Jerry Rice, Javon Walker and Lee Evans (last year) all had break-out years in their third season. This year's possibilities include Vincent Jackson (San Diego), Mark Clayton (Baltimore), D.J. Hackett (Seattle), Reggie Brown (Philadelphia) or maybe Braylon Edwards (Cleveland).
Which head coaches could be on the hot seat?
Another mediocre season could cost Romeo Crennel (Cleveland), Joe Gibbs (Washington), Brian Billick (Baltimore) or Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville).
Which new QB will have the biggest impact?
There's Matt Schaub (Houston), Joey Harrington (Atlanta), Trent Green (Miami) , Jeff Garcia (Tampa Bay), Jason Campbell (Washington), Tavaris Jackson (Minnesota), Damon Huard (Kansas City), Jay Cutler (Denver) and someone other than Brady Quinn (Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson) in Cleveland. Looking at the list of nine, I'll put my money's on . Cutler.
How long will it take Terrell Owens to start acting up?
It's going to be entertaining to see how long new Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and wide receiver Terrell Owens remain buddies. Last year former head coach Bill Parcells had to deal with tardiness, a sore hamstring, a broken finger, a suicide attempt - er accidental overdose and too many dropped passes. 'The player', as Parcells referred to Owens, was too much for the Tuna and he retired after the season. If the over/under is set at eight, I'm taking the under.
Which first year coach will struggle the most?
At first, the obvious choice would be the Raiders 32-year-old coach Lane Kiffin, who is lacking in the experience department. But upon further review we'll give the nod to Falcons new boss Bobby Petrino. Life after Michael Vick could be tough.
Which team will best use the two-back system?
New Orleans' Deuce McAllister- Reggie Bush, Dallas' Marion Barber- Julius Jones, Minnesota's new combo of Chester Taylor-Adrian Peterson and Denver's Mike Bell- Travis Henry are all candidates.
9/3/2007 3:54:37 AM
The preseason is over, the rosters are set and we're all ready for some meaningful games. Like Thomas Boswell's book says Life Begins on Opening Day.
After almost two months of camp the boys are finally ready and so are you. Because it's not just players that need to get into game shape, fans do too. Preparing for your fantasy league draft was like your training camp. You spent the last month or so scouring the internet, studying depth charts and debating with friends.
Now you're ready, you have your fantasy team picked and you're feeling good, but you still have questions. So does everybody, here are our Top 10 burning questions for the upcoming 2007 NFL season.
Can the Colts overcome their defensive losses?
The defending Super Bowl champions lost six significant players from their defence this offseason. Three starters and two top backups were lured away by free agency and one starter decided to retire. Gone are linebacker Cato June (Tampa Bay), cornerbacks Nick Harper (Tennessee) and Jason David (New Orleans), who signed an offer sheet that Indy declined to match. The Colts also lost starting left tackle Tarik Glenn, who decided to go out on top, retiring after ten seasons, as well as safety Mike Doss (Minnesota) and Montae Reagor (Philadelphia). It's going to be tough, but I'm sure they'll win more than they'll lose.
How will Randy Moss work out in New England?
Although he has been slowed by a hamstring injury, Moss seems to be fitting right in nicely at Patriots camp. The addition of Moss gives Tom Brady a genuine No. 1 receiver and a long-ball threat. Brady and the Patriots are notorious for spreading the ball around, so it will be interesting to see how Moss reacts when he isn't the go-to guy. The Patriot way worked for Corey Dillon and now that Randy Moss is 30, it just might work for him.
How will Eli Manning do in his fourth season?
After a lacklustre 8-8 season and an early exit from the playoffs, the Giants brought in Kevin Gilbride as their new offensive coordinator and Chris Palmer as the new quarterbacks coach. The hope is that these guys can help Eli make better decisions and improve on his balance and rhythm. While Manning's numbers weren't awful last year (3,244 yards, 24 TDs), he needs to reduce his interceptions (18) and sacks (25). Another issue for Manning and the Giants is dealing with the loss of running back Tiki Barber, who retired after ten seasons. Brandon Jacobs is set to start and needs to produce right away to take some of the heat off Eli.
Can Vince Young get better or will he suffer a sophomore slump?
The reigning Rookie of the Year has set expectations high, but he'll need to start throwing the ball better and not just winning games with his feet. The loss of running back Travis Henry and his two top receivers from 2006, Drew Bennett and Bobby Wade, won't make it any easy.
Which third-year receiver is set to have a break-out year?
The third year for receivers is traditionally the year they break out. Many receivers describe it as finally feeling adjusted. Chad Johnson, Roy Williams, Steve Smith, Jerry Rice, Javon Walker and Lee Evans (last year) all had break-out years in their third season. This year's possibilities include Vincent Jackson (San Diego), Mark Clayton (Baltimore), D.J. Hackett (Seattle), Reggie Brown (Philadelphia) or maybe Braylon Edwards (Cleveland).
Which head coaches could be on the hot seat?
Another mediocre season could cost Romeo Crennel (Cleveland), Joe Gibbs (Washington), Brian Billick (Baltimore) or Jack Del Rio (Jacksonville).
Which new QB will have the biggest impact?
There's Matt Schaub (Houston), Joey Harrington (Atlanta), Trent Green (Miami) , Jeff Garcia (Tampa Bay), Jason Campbell (Washington), Tavaris Jackson (Minnesota), Damon Huard (Kansas City), Jay Cutler (Denver) and someone other than Brady Quinn (Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson) in Cleveland. Looking at the list of nine, I'll put my money's on . Cutler.
How long will it take Terrell Owens to start acting up?
It's going to be entertaining to see how long new Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips and wide receiver Terrell Owens remain buddies. Last year former head coach Bill Parcells had to deal with tardiness, a sore hamstring, a broken finger, a suicide attempt - er accidental overdose and too many dropped passes. 'The player', as Parcells referred to Owens, was too much for the Tuna and he retired after the season. If the over/under is set at eight, I'm taking the under.
Which first year coach will struggle the most?
At first, the obvious choice would be the Raiders 32-year-old coach Lane Kiffin, who is lacking in the experience department. But upon further review we'll give the nod to Falcons new boss Bobby Petrino. Life after Michael Vick could be tough.
Which team will best use the two-back system?
New Orleans' Deuce McAllister- Reggie Bush, Dallas' Marion Barber- Julius Jones, Minnesota's new combo of Chester Taylor-Adrian Peterson and Denver's Mike Bell- Travis Henry are all candidates.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:41 AM
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