Talking NFL

Onto Part 2 (Click here for part 1).  

So what was the other quarterback/coaching tandem that teams need to lookout for in 2007?  

That would be the dynamic duo of Andrew Walter and Lane Kiffin of the…

3)  Oakland Raiders

….just kidding.

3)  Denver Broncos
Shanahan & Cutler may sound more like a company that makes kitchen appliances, but it’s much more formidable in football terms.  The Jake Plummer experiment is finally over, and regardless where you stood on his benching in the stretch run, it means that Cutler comes into camp as the definitive starter with an 88.5 QB rating in his 5 starts to back him up.  You also know that the Broncos will have a solid run game to compliment him (even if you have no idea who’s going to get the bulk of the carries.  A quick fantasy football tip you probably figured out already - stay away from Denver running backs!  Treat them like strippers that look like this, and run!

What we don’t know is how the defense will pan out.  At the start of last season, the Broncos D was tougher to penetrate than the 2001 version of Britney Spears (Ms. “I want to wait to have sex until I’m married.”). They finished up as easy and messed up as the modern day version of the former Mrs. K-Fed.  With that, they are making significant off-season changes, one being to trade in much of that defensive line they acquired almost exclusively from cast-offs that the Cleveland Browns didn’t want (apparently that idea sounded just as bad as it really was).  Unfortunately, it’s going to be tough to get an impact player with only $7.6 million in cap room to play with.  

However, this is a front office that has proved very resourceful in getting the player they need with creative trades (Champ Bailey in ‘04 from the Redskins, Javon Walker last year from the Packers), so look for them to make a comparable move this year.  In addition, I think their division schedule is going to be very favorable to them this year (more on that later…).  I like the Broncos to get back in the post-season this year.  Or, as Bud Fox would say, “Blue Horseshoe LOVES the Denver Broncos”.

By the way, I realize that’s 2 consecutive postings with a Britney Spears shot, but come on - have you seen what’s happening to her?!  This could surpass “Matt Millen as GM” in terms of PR disasters.  Thank goodness that woman checked herself into rehab.  Her next stop should be a convent.

4)  San Francisco 49ers
The only team of the four that I’m profiling that hails from the NFC.  Given the current balance of power in the NFL, I thought that was appropriate.  Granted, the 49ers just lost offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and that will hurt.  But there’s still a great deal to like about the Niners…for instance:

- Show me the money!  San Francisco enters the free agency period with $37 million to spend.  As the Wendy’s dudes would whisper…”that’s 37 million junior cheeseburgers!”

- “The inconvenient truth”.  That’s the nickname for running back Frank Gore, according to Rich Eisen.  1,695 rushing yards from scrimmage, 5.4 yards per attempt average, 8 rushing TDs.  (On that note, I’m officially changing his nickname to ‘Frank the Tank’.  Any objections?  No?  Good.)

- Coach Mike Nolan.  Student of Dan Reeves.  Coming into his 3rd season after steady progress last year.  Plus he brought the suit back to the sidelines.  Old school, baby.

- Advantage to being an NFC Team?  Lots of NFC Opponents.  Arizona, St. Louis, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, the Washington Generals (you get the idea…)

- Tight End Vernon Davis.  Beast in the making.

Of course, this is all contingent on quarterback Alex ‘little hands’ Smith continuing his maturation process in his third year.  If not, well, you never saw me, and I never wrote this…

Bonus Team - Arizona Cardinals: I include them here because it looks like they may actually be heading in the right direction.  I loved the Ken Whisenhunt hiring - perfect for the Leinert, Boldin and Fitzgerald trio.  Plus, over $36 million in cap space and a cushy NFC schedule.  However, their draft history after the 1st round isn’t too solid (how’s that J.J. Arrington pick working out?), they’re on the verge of losing their only competent offensive lineman in Leonard Davis, and they’re probably going to need a full year to recover from the Dennis Green experiment.  So I think we’re looking at an 8-8 season with higher hopes for ‘08.  If you’re a long time Cardinals fan, that still not bad compared to what you’re used to (which is ONE winning season since they moved to Phoenix in ‘88…ouch!).

Up next, four teams that, as Han Solo would say, “I’ve got a bad feeling about this…“