Team capsules, listed in order of predicted finish.
By Times Staff
Published September 12, 2004
EAST
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2003 RECORD: 12-4.
2003 FINISH: First, lost to the Panthers in the NFC Championship game.
ADDITIONS: QB Jeff Blake; LB Dhani Jones; LB Jeremiah Trotter; DE Jevon Kearse; DE Hugh Douglas; RB Dorsey Levens; WR Terrell Owens; OT Shawn Andrews (r).
DEPARTURES: DE Marco Coleman; LB Carlos Emmons; QB A.J. Feeley; RB Duce Staley; CB Bobby Taylor; WR James Thrash; CB Troy Vincent; OL John Welbourn; DE Brandon Whiting.
THE WORD: QB Donovan McNabb finally has a Pro Bowl target in Owens, and Kearse is the perfect rush end for defensive coordinator Jim Johnson's complicated blitz packages. The late addition of Douglas gives Philadelphia possibly the best line in the conference. The running game is a concern as Staley is in Pittsburgh and Correll Buckhalter is out for the season. But Levens and Brian Westbrook should be able to move the chains enough. Besides, the best running back they have is McNabb ... and he's healthy.
2. Dallas Cowboys
2003 RECORD: 10-6.
2003 FINISH: Second, lost to the Panthers in the Wild Card round.
ADDITIONS: QB Vinny Testaverde; WR Keyshawn Johnson; QB Drew Henson; RB Eddie George; DE Marcellus Wiley; RB Julius Jones (r).
DEPARTURES: CB Mario Edwards; QB Quincy Carter; DL Ebenezer Ekuban; WR Joey Galloway; RB Troy Hambrick; P Toby Gowin.
THE WORD: So much for Bill Parcells' youth movement. Testaverde will be asked to get Keyshawn the damn ball as much as possible, but the true workhorse is expected to be George and his aging legs. The defense, which allowed the fewest points (260) in the NFC last season, is only strengthened by Wiley and has a genuine superstar in S Roy Williams.
3. Washington Redskins
2003 RECORD: 5-11.
2003 FINISH: Third.
ADDITIONS: B Mike Barrow; QB Mark Brunell; DE Phillip Daniels; DT Cornelius Griffin; CB Walt Harris; TE Brian Kozlowski; RB Clinton Portis; TE Walter Rasby; C Cory Raymer; CB Shawn Springs; WR James Thrash; P Tom Tupa; LB Marcus Washington; SS Sean Taylor (r).
DEPARTURES: LB Jessie Armstead; LB Jeremiah Trotter; CB Champ Bailey; P Bryan Barker; RB Trung Canidate; TE Byron Chamberlain; DT Martin Chase; DT Lionel Dalton; TE Zeron Flemister; DT Bernard Halsey; FB Bryan Johnson; WR Patrick Johnson; OG Larry Moore; DT Darrell Russell; DE Bruce Smith; S David Terrell.
THE WORD: Joe Gibbs tries where Steve Spurrier failed. He'll rely on Portis, who could win a rushing title if Brunell can set up the run with the pass the way he did in Jacksonville. On defense, the loss of Bailey stings, but Taylor showed plenty of big-play ability in the preseason and Springs could be due for a renaissance season.
4. New York Giants.
2003 RECORD: 4-12.
2003 FINISH: Fourth.
ADDITIONS: S Brent Alexander; DE Lorenzo Bromell; CB Terry Cousin; OL Ed Ellis; LB Carlos Emmons; LB Barrett Green; DT Norman Hand; C Shaun O'Hara; OL Jason Whittle; OT Barry Stokes; QB Kurt Warner; QB Eli Manning (r).
DEPARTURES: LB Mike Barrow; OL Chris Bober; CB Ralph Brown; CB Ike Charlton; QB Kerry Collins; DT Cornelius Griffin; LB Dhani Jones; DT Keith Hamilton; DE Kenny Holmes; RB Dorsey Levens; LB Brandon Short.
THE WORD: Tom Coughlin joins the group of not-so-young coaches in the division and may have the most difficult job. Warner-Manning is a soap opera fit for the New York tabloids, RB Tiki Barber fumbles too much and TE Jeremy Shockey (foot) still isn't completely healthy. The worst news is Coughlin didn't improve the personnel on defense much, and we're talking about a unit that allowed 387 points last year. Whittle adds much-needed depth to the line.
SOUTH
1. Carolina Panthers
2003 RECORD: 11-5.
2003 FINISH: First, lost to Patriots in the Super Bowl.
ADDITIONS: LB Brandon Short; LB Jessie Armstead; CB Artrell Hawkins; DB Chris Gamble (r).
DEPARTURES: CB Terry Cousin; G Kevin Donnalley; WR Kevin Dyson; LB Greg Favors; S Deon Grant; CB Reggie Howard; G Jeno James; OL Todd Steussie; TE Jermaine Wiggins.
THE WORD: Not much personnel movement for the defending NFC champions. Obviously, like any other quick, successful reclamation projects, the Panthers face a much tougher schedule the second time around. The same formula, however, applies. QB Jake Delhomme will be asked not to lose; RB Stephen Davis (1,444 yards and eight touchdowns in 2003) will be the workhorse; and Kris Jenkins and the defensive line will take another step toward becoming the best in the league.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
2003 RECORD: 7-9.
2003 FINISH: Third.
ADDITIONS: LB Keith Burns; OL Derrick Deese; CB Mario Edwards; WR Joey Galloway; RB Charlie Garner; LB Ian Gold; TE Dave Moore; OL Matt O'Dwyer; OL Todd Steussie; OL Matt Stinchcomb; WR Tim Brown; WR Bill Schroeder; QB Brian Griese; WR Michael Clayton (r).
DEPARTURES: T Cornell Green; WR Keyshawn Johnson; RB Thomas Jones; QB Shaun King; SS John Lynch; LB Dwayne Rudd; DT Warren Sapp; RB Aaron Stecker; LB Nate Webster; WR Karl Williams; TE Todd Yoder.
THE WORD: Certainly there are questions about how the new pieces mesh into the established system. But the fact that Garner and Brown know Gruden so well cannot be ignored. And if Brown, Galloway and Clayton can spread the wealth, everyone will forget about Keenan McCardell and Keyshawn for that matter. Lynch and Sapp will be missed but the talent on defense still compares with the top units in the conference.
3. New Orleans Saints.
2003 RECORD: 8-8.
2003 FINISH: Second.
ADDITIONS: CB Jason Craft; G Jamar Nesbit; RB Aaron Stecker; DT Brian Young; DE Will Smith (r).
DEPARTURES: CB Dale Carter; RB James Fenderson; RB Fred McAfee; TE Walter Rasby; FB Terrelle Smith.
THE WORD: QB Aaron Brooks is among the more inconsistent starters in the league, but with just Todd Bouman behind him, his job is safe. The Saints scored just 340 points last season, a year after recording a franchise-high 432. If they can fall somewhere in between those two numbers this season, they should be okay. RB Deuce McAllister and WR Joe Horn are still among the best at what they do, providing the latter can stay away from cell phones.
4. Atlanta Falcons.
2003 RECORD: 5-11.
2003 FINISH: Fourth.
ADDITIONS: CB Aaron Beasley; C Eric Beverly; DT Rod Coleman; QB Ty Detmer; LB Jamie Duncan; RB James Fenderson; G Steve Herndon; LB Eric Johnson; CB Jason Webster; WR Dez White; CB DeAngelo Hall (r); WR Michael Jenkins (r).
DEPARTURES: CB Juran Bolden; QB Doug Johnson; CB Ray Buchanan; G Travis Claridge; TE Brian Kozlowski; LB Sam Rogers.
THE WORD: Jim Mora Jr. took it easy on Michael Vick in the preseason and rightfully so. The game's most electrifying quarterback is healthy once again and set to pull the Falcons out of the basement. The only problem is, who is with him? Atlanta's version of Thunder and Lightning, RBs Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett, is inconsistent at best. And WR Peerless Price (838 yards, 3 TDs last season) struggled in his first season with the club. Perhaps White, a former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket, can have a breakthrough season in his college town. He had 583 yards and three touchdowns in his final season in Chicago.
NORTH
1. Minnesota Vikings.
2003 RECORD: 9-7.
2003 FINISH: Second.
ADDITIONS: P Darren Bennett; S Tyrone Carter; DT Steve Martin; WR Marcus Robinson; TE Jermaine Wiggins; CB Antoine Winfield; DE Kenechi Udeze (r).
DEPARTURES: WR D'Wayne Bates; LB Greg Biekert; S Jack Brewer; LB Henri Crockett; TE Hunter Goodwin; DT Fred Robbins; FB Charles Stackhouse; CB Denard Walker.
THE WORD: QB Daunte Culpepper, WR Randy Moss and RB Michael Bennett should form the NFC'sbest offense. Bennett will miss today's game but should be back next week. Regardless, Moe Williams is an able backup and should be able to carry the load should Bennett remain out. Remember this team was a play away from winning the division title. It all collapsed in the final minute against the Cardinals, and the Packers stole the crown. Won't happen this year. Udeze, who led the nation in sacks last year at USC, fills a big hole on the defensive line. P Darren Bennett, one of the league's best for 10 years, is an underrated asset.
2. Green Bay Packers.
2003 RECORD: 10-6.
2003 FINISH: First, lost to Eagles in Divisional round.
ADDITIONS: S Mark Roman; DB Ahmad Carroll (r).
DEPARTURES: P Josh Bidwell; DT Gilbert Brown; CB Antuan Edwards; DE Joe Johnson; OT Marcus Spriggs; TE Wesley Walls; CB Bryant Westbrook.
THE WORD: Status quo on offense with QB Brett Favre, RB Ahman Green and WRs Donald Driver and Javon Walker. The unit posted 442 points last year and should injury hit Favre for a change, veteran Doug Pederson will be ready. They thought Tim Couch would fill that role, but his awful preseason led to his release. The Packers gave the Eagles a heck of a run in Philadelphia with the NFC title game on the line, but the defense is a step slower this season. Carroll could be great someday, but how much impact do rookie defensive backs usually have?
3. Chicago Bears.
2003 RECORD: 7-9.
2003 FINISH: Third.
ADDITIONS: OG Ruben Brown; FB Bryan Johnson; RB Thomas Jones; QB Jonathan Quinn; OT John Tait, DE Adewale Ogunleye; DT Tommie Harris (r).
DEPARTURES: QB Chris Chandler; DE Phillip Daniels; LB Warrick Holdman; FB Stanley Pritchett; QB Kordell Stewart; DT Keith Traylor; C Chris Villarial; WR Dez White; WR Marty Booker.
THE WORD: It's QB Rex Grossman's team once and for all. But how much help will the former Gator have? Bucs fans know not to rely on Jones for a full season. And the receiving corps is weakened by the loss of Booker and White. Defensively, Lovie Smith has good balance. Harris and Ogunleye could be the next great playmakers on a unit that already has plenty -- LB Brian Urlacher, DE Alex Brown and S Mike Brown. But it comes back to the running game, or lack thereof.
4. Detroit Lions.
2003 RECORD: 5-11.
2003 FINISH: Fourth.
ADDITIONS: CB Fernando Bryant; G David Loverne; S Brock Marion; QB Rick Mirer; WR Tai Streets; C Damien Woody; WR Roy Williams (r); RB Kevin Jones (r).
DEPARTURES: C Eric Beverly; QB Ty Detmer; DT Luther Elliss; LB Barrett Green; CB Corey Harris; WR Bill Schroeder; CB Otis Smith; RB James Stewart.
THE WORD: The offense looks like a college All-America team with QB Joey Harrington (Oregon), WR Charles Rogers (Michigan State) and the rookies, Jones (Virginia Tech) and Williams (Texas). They should be able to eclipse last season's division low of 270 points. But the defense, which allowed a division-high 379, took a step backward. Elliss and Green were among the unit's best players and they simply were not replaced. Steve Mariucci has injected new life into the franchise and with several young players and a still new stadium, there is upside. But for now, plan on seeing the Lions in the spotlight only on Thanksgiving.
1. Seattle Seahawks.
2003 RECORD: 10-6.
2003 FINISH: Second, lost to Packers in Wild Card round.
ADDITIONS: QB Brock Huard; CB Bobby Taylor; DE Grant Wistrom; DT Marcus Tubbs (r).
DEPARTURES: DT Chad Eaton; LB Randall Godfrey; DT Norman Hand; DE Lamar King; DT John Randle; CB Shawn Springs; S Reggie Tongue; CB Willie Williams.
THE WORD: A popular pick for the Super Bowl, Seattle has it all on offense with QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander and WRs Koren Robinson and Darrell Jackson. This team was an interception away from advancing to the Divisional round. Perhaps this is the year ... finally ... that Mike Holmgren pulls it all together in the Pacific Northwest. Taylor and Wistrom add some name power to the defense. But one has to think the secondary may need some adjustment time, what with the loss of three quality players in Springs, Tongue and Williams. The club still needs to learn how to win consistently on the road.
2. St. Louis Rams.
2003 RECORD: 12-4.
2003 FINISH: First, lost to Panthers in Divisional round.
ADDITIONS: QB Chris Chandler; OT Greg Randall; OG Chris Dishman; RB Steven Jackson (r).
DEPARTURES: LB Jamie Duncan; S Kim Herring; G David Loverne; OL John St. Clair; QB Kurt Warner; DE Grant Wistrom; DT Brian Young.
THE WORD: QB Marc Bulger takes control of the greatest show on turf and should be able to maintain the levels Rams fans have grown aaccustomed to: 400-plus points, 10-plus wins. But the division title may be a stretch at this point. RB Marshall Faulk now has some depth behind him with Jackson (Oregon State), perhaps the best back in the draft. The suspect defense, however, is weakened by the loss of Herring and Wistrom. The secondary, with Adam Archuleta and the aging Aeneas Williams, is overrated at best.
3. Arizona Cardinals.
2003 RECORD: 4-12.
2003 FINISH: Fourth.
ADDITIONS: FB Obafemi Ayanbadejo; DE Bertrand Berry; QB Shaun King; CB David Macklin; WR Karl Williams; WR Larry Fitzgerald (r); LB Karlos Dansby (r); DT Darnell Dockett (r).
DEPARTURES: CB David Barrett; QB Jeff Blake; G Chris Dishman; K Tim Duncan; K Bill Gramatica.
THE WORD: QB Josh McCown showed promise last season and once his WRs -- Anquan Boldin, Bryant Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald -- are healthy, Dennis Green may have quite an offense. RB Emmitt Smith will struggle early behind a shaky line and he'll probably accumulate too many carries with the injury to Marcel Shipp. Ayanbadejo can steal some carries and could be a decent goal-line back for Green. Dockett (Florida State) and Dansby (Auburn) will be impact players, but not this season.
4. San Francisco 49ers.
2003 RECORD: 7-9.
2003 FINISH: Third.
ADDITIONS: WR Curtis Conway; G Scott Rehberg; DE Brandon Whiting; WR Rashaun Woods (r).
DEPARTURES: WR Terrell Owens; OT Derrick Deese; QB Jeff Garcia; RB Garrison Hearst; DE Sean Moran; G Ron Stone; WR Tai Streets; TE Jed Weaver; CB Jason Webster; K Jeff Chandler.
THE WORD: The departure list alone is laced with Pro Bowl players and is enough to predict doom and gloom. Add to the misery that quarterbacks Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey are the least experienced tandem in the league and it could be a tough climb back to the top for Dennis Erickson. The DEs -- John Engelberger and Andre Carter -- are very good as are LBs Julian Peterson and Derek Smith. But it just seems like they'll be on the field far too long this season to have much of an impact. Running back Kevan Barlow finally escapes the shadow of Hearst and will attempt to become a true workhorse back. He is coming off his first 1,000-yard season.
