From T.O. to Eli to the greatest thing to hit Seattle since Starbucks, a closer look at what's on my mind.
By ROGER MILLS
Published September 12, 2004
Chances are my top 10 questions as we prepare for today's season's opener resemble yours. Take a glance:
Q: Will Terrell Owens lift the Eagles to the promised land?
A: It's hard to imagine a player with his big-play potential paired with a quarterback of Donovan McNabb's pedigree isn't going to make a splash. Some might say Owens' antics are obnoxious, but they usually come after a 30-yard touchdown reception. In Philadelphia, such behavior will be worshiped if the ball is in the end zone. And face it, the one shortcoming the Eagles have had the past three seasons -- all ending with losses in the NFC Championship Game --has been consistent play at the receiver spot. Philly fans might remember a certain 76ers basketball team that needed a center badly, acquired a guy named Moses Malone and promptly won an NBA championship. It has worked in the past. It can work again.
Q: Can Joe Gibbs bring back Washington's glory days?
A: He's going to kill you with discipline and his famous "counter trey" play, which should thrive as long as running back Clinton Portis gets his touches. Gibbs didn't come on board with the cupboard bare. Portis is Portis. Quarterback Mark Brunell has just enough left in the tank to make it work. And the defense does not have Champ Bailey, but it still has LaVar Arrington. As long as Gibbs can find an ability to communicate with players, the Redskins will be a step ahead of where Steve Spurrier left them.
Q: When will Eli Manning start earning his money with the Giants?
A: It might take some time before New York is in the Super Bowl, but all indications are Manning could be in the mix by the middle of the season. When you're paying a guy the gross national product of a small country, you're going to be inclined to play him sooner rather than later. Manning was solid in the preseason, although losing to Kurt Warner for the starting job, and will get his chance. In the end, it will come down to how well the Giants can run the ball and keep the down-and-distance situation manageable for the young millionaire.
Q: Can the Colts finally make it to the Super Bowl?
A: You have to wonder if coach Tony Dungy is beginning to hear the same whispers of doubt in Indianapolis he heard in his final seasons in Tampa Bay. Fair or not, the knocking on the door scenario isn't going to buy him all the time in the world. The Colts were manhandled by the Patriots in an AFC Championship Game they could have won (had an official bothered to throw one flag, just one flag, for pass interference). With pass interference being a new point of emphasis, the Colts' passing game should be even more difficult to handle.
Q: Now that he's in silver and black, does Warren Sapp have anything left?
A: It's not in anyone's best interest to doubt Sapp. Now statistically, Sapp's numbers have been on a decline in recent years. But when you talk to players around the league, they tell you he still remains the most destructive tackle in the game. His former position coach, Rod Marinelli, recently said the game never has seen such a combination of strength, speed and smarts at that position. And then there is the little fact of motivation. Discarded by the Bucs, Sapp's a perfect fit in Raider Nation, where those who are forgotten get a chance to be remembered again. Don't expect 15 sacks, but expect the Raiders defense to be better with Sapp.
Q: The Chiefs' offense has been the envy of the league. But can they finally play enough defense to be serious contenders?
A: They were porous on defense last year, and yet the Chiefs traded out of the first round in the draft, thereby whiffing on several potential impact defensive players. While that reasoning remains a mystery, coach Dick Vermeil brought back former coach Gunther Cunningham as the defensive coordinator. Want a description of pressure? Vermeil described Cunningham as "my No. 1 draft choice." Gutsy move. The bottom line is Kansas City needed defensive players, and they didn't address the issue in free agency or the draft.
Q: For a list of legends, is this the final chapter?
A: Although Packers quarterback Brett Favre has talked about retirement, he is the most likely candidate among a list of future Hall of Famers who will play past this season. At least he appears to be in the best shape. As for Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Junior Seau and Tim Brown, this is likely it. For others such as Drew Bledsoe, Eddie George, Troy Vincent, Rich Gannon and Jerome Bettis, their better statistical days are behind them. In a league notorious for dispatching older players in favor of young studs, expect 2004 to be a large retirement party.
Q: Surely, the Patriots can't do it again, can they?
A: Why not? They return virtually the same team. They still have Tom Brady at quarterback. They improved the running game with the acquisition of Corey Dillon. They added two key defensive tackles in veteran Keith Traylor and rookie Vince Wilfork to replace the departed Ted Washington. They kept Ty Law on the roster despite his efforts to get off of it. Oh, and Bill Belichick, who many believe is among the best coaches in the league, hasn't changed his address. Don't say the Patriots are back. They never left.
Q: Is the buzz over the Seahawks legit?
A: No doubt. As long as you have a running back such as Shaun Alexander (1,730 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns) and a quarterback such as Matt Hasselbeck (26 touchdowns, 3,841 yards), you should be able to score with anyone. But where the Seahawks really improved their stock from last season's playoff team was on defense. The addition of cornerback Bobby Taylor, defensive end Grant Wistrom and the drafting of defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs and safety Michael Boulware will make a difference. The loss of linebacker Chad Brown to a broken leg will hurt but not enough to keep the Seahawks from ruling that division.
Q: Can Michael Vick take his game to a new level in Atlanta?
A: The arrival of coach Jim Mora and new offensive coordinator Gregg Knapp, both with ties to the West Coast offense, should set the table for the game's most exciting player. Vick must learn pocket patience and come to terms that it's sometimes okay to throw the ball away or, at the very least, slide. Steady improvements on defense will help, but the Falcons must figure out what to do with running backs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett. Remember, they were 3-2 when Vick played last season.
