It is time...time for the 3rd and Long NFL preview and my team win total prediction versus Vegas'. The season kicks off Thursday night and my team previews will get you prepared for the next six months.Here's the AFC...
Read, absorb and thank me later.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
2007 Record: 7-9
Notable Additions: DT Marcus Stroud, LB Kawika Mitchell
Notable Losses: TE Michael Gaines, WR Peerless Price, RB Anthony Thomas
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Leodis McKelvin, CB Troy
(2) James Hardy, WR Indiana
(3) Chris Ellis, LB Virginia Tech
(4) Reggie Corner, CB Akron
(4) Derek Fine, TE Kansas
(5) Alvin Bowen, LB Iowa State
(6) Xavier Omon, RB Northwest Missouri State
(7) Demetrius Bell, OT Northwestern State
(7) Steve Johnson, WR Kentucky
(7) Kennard Cox, CB Pittsburgh
Vegas total: 7 ½
The Bills were a deceiving 7-9 last year and should have 8-8 if not for an improbable comeback by the Cowboys on a Monday night in October. Assuming health, Trent Edwards will get nod at quarterback over J.P. Losman. I don’t think Marshawn Lynch will suffer from the dreading “sophomore jinx” as long he continues to play skee-ball and frequent Applebee’s. Their defense is slightly underrated and should be better with the addition of Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell. They’re just not quite good enough to make the playoffs in the AFC.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 8-8 (Over)
Miami Dolphins
2007 Record: 1-15
Notable Additions: QB Chad Pennington, LB Reggie Torbor, LB Akin Ayodele, DT Jason Ferguson, TE Anthony Fasano
Notable Losses: DE Jason Taylor, LB Zach Thomas, WR Marty Booker, RB Lorenzo Booker
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Jake Long, OT Michigan
(2) Phillip Merling, DE Clemson
(2) Chad Henne, QB Michigan
(3) Kendall Langford, DE Hampton
(4) Shawn Murphy, OT Utah State
(6) Jalen Parmele, RB Toledo
(6) Donald Thomas, G Connecticut
(6) Lex Hilliard, RB Montana
(7) Lionel Dotson, DE Arizona
Vegas total: 5 ½
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say the Dolphins will more double last year’s win total. Actually, I think they will quadruple it. The Jets acquired Brett Favre forcing them to release Chad Pennington. Pennington was quickly reunited Bill Parcells. (Just a friendly reminder; Tony Sporano is indeed the head coach, not Big Bill.) Pennington has been named the Week 1 starter beating out John Beck and one of the McCown brothers. Our favorite pot smoking running back, Ricky Williams, has risen to #1 on the depth chart. Ronnie Brown will probably buy him some mary jane in an effort to regain the starting job. Needless to say, they will suck, just not as bad as last year.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 4-12 (Under)
New England Patriots
2007 Record: 16-0
Notable Additions: RB LaMont Jordan, CB Deltha O’Neal
Notable Losses: CB Asante Samuel, CB Randall Gay, WR Donte’ Stallworth, LB Rosevelt Colvin, CB Eugene Wilson
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Jerod Mayo, LB Tennessee
(2) Terrence Wheatley, CB Colorado
(3) Shawn Crable, LB Michigan
(3) Kevin O’Connell, QB San Diego State
(4) Jonathan Wilhite, CB Auburn
(5) Matt Slater, WR UCLA
(6) Bo Ruud, LB Nebraska
Vegas total: 12 ½
If I’m not mistaken, the Patriots went 16-0 during the regular season last year. The Super Bowl runner-up has historically struggled the following year, but I don’t see this happening to the fightin’ Belicheats. I will never predict a team to go 16-0 because it’s usually unrealistic in the NFL. Having said that, the Pats will probably be the best team in the league again this year. Tom Brady + Randy Moss = Lots of wins
3rd and Long Projected Record: 13-3 (Over)
New York Jets
2007 Record: 4-12
Notable Additions: QB Brett Favre, DT Kris Jenkins, G Alan Faneca, G Damien Woody, LB Calvin Pace, FB Tony Richardson, TE Bubba Franks, RB Jesse Chatman
Notable Losses: QB Chad Pennington, WR Justin McCareins, LB Jonathan Vilma, CB Andre Dyson, DT Dewayne Robertson
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Vernon Gholston, DE Ohio State
(1) Dustin Keller, TE Purdue
(4) Dwight Lowery, CB San Jose State
(5) Erik Ainge, QB Tennessee
(6) Marcus Henry, WR Kansas
(7) Nate Garner, OT Arkansas
Vegas total: 8
The Jets will be much better in 2008. In case you didn’t hear, Brett Favre decided he still wanted to play and was swiftly and seemingly under the radar traded to the Jets. Seriously though, Favre is a huge addition to this team. He will open up the field which will make Thomas Jones’ life much easier. The addition of Tony Richardson gives Jones a proven fullback to run behind. Richardson made the Pro Bowl last year blocking for Adrian Peterson. They beefed up the offense line with the additions of Alan Faneca and Damien Woody and also added NT Kris Jenkins to anchor the interior of the defensive line. Calvin Pace immediately fills the hole at linebacker left by All-Pro Jonathan Vilma. Wow. I just channeled my inner Ron Jaworski.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 10-6 (Over)
AFC West
Denver Broncos
2007 Record: 7-9
Notable Additions: WR Darrell Jackson, WR Keary Colbert, RB Michael Pittman, LB Niko Koutouvides, LB Boss Bailey, S Marlon McCree, C Casey Wiegmann
Notable Losses: K Jason Elam, S John Lynch, RB Travis Henry, RB Mike Bell, WR Rod Smith, WR Javon Walker, C Chris Myers
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Ryan Clady, OT Boise State
(2) Eddie Royal, WR Virginia Tech
(4) Kory Lichtensteiger, C Bowling Green
(4) Jack Williams, CB Kent State
(5) Ryan Torain, RB Arizona State
(5) Carlton Powell, DT Virginia Tech
(6) Spencer Larson, LB Arizona
(7) Josh Barrett, SS Arizona State
(7) Peyton Hillis, FB Arkansas
Vegas total: 7 ½
The Broncos picked a good time to get rid of Javon Walker. He supposedly had to be talked out of retirement after being grossly overpaid by the Raiders. Father of many, Travis Henry, was also not retained along with long-time Broncos kicker Jason Elam, safety John Lynch. This team is focused on youth and I think that their 2008 record will reflect that.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 7-9 (Under)
Kansas City Chiefs
2007 Record: 4-12
Notable Additions: WR Devard Darling, LB Demorrio Williams, FB Oliver Hoyte, K Nick Novak
Notable Losses: DE Jared Allen, WR Eddie Kennison, WR Samie Parker, WR Eddie Drummond, CB Ty Law
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Glenn Dorsey, OT LSU
(1) Branden Albert, OG Virginia Tech
(2) Brandon Flowers, CB Virginia Tech
(3) Jamaal Charles, RB Texas
(3) Brad Cottam, TE Tennessee
(3) DaJuan Morgan, SS North Carolina State
(4) William Franklin, WR Missouri
(5) Brandon Carr, CB Grand Valley State
(6) Barry Richardson, OT Clemson
(6) Kevin Johnson, WR Utah State
(7) Brian Johnston, DE Gardner-Webb
(7) Mike Merritt, TE Central Florida
Vegas total: 5 ½
The Chiefs #1 prospect is definitely Brodie Croyle’s wife. Having that said, the Chiefs’ 2007 campaign was a disaster. They traded their best player, DE Jared Allen, to the Vikings for 37 draft picks. I think Larry Johnson will bounce back after an “injury” plagued season last year. The Chiefs are far too inexperienced to win many games in the NFL.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 4-12 (Under)
Oakland Raiders
2007 Record: 4-12
Notable Additions: CB DeAngelo Hall, WR Javon Walker, WR Drew Carter, S Gibril Wilson, T Kwame Harris, WR Ashley Lelie
Notable Losses: RB LaMont Jordan, RB Dominic Rhodes, WR Jerry Porter, DT Warren Sapp
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
(4) Tyvon Branch, CB Connecticut
(4) Arman Shields, WR Richmond
(6) Trevor Scott, DE Buffalo
(7) Chaz Schilens, WR San Diego State
Vegas total: 6
Jamarcus Russell should be better this year mainly because he actually participated in training camp. He has skills and they won’t look nearly as raw as they did last year. The Raiders will play running back by committee with Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Justin Fargas. I’m pretty sure Al Davis is older than those three running backs and Jamarcus…combined. I also think Davis is becoming senile with all the money he spent on WR Javon Walker and CB DeAngelo Hall. They’ll be better, but that’s not saying much.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 6-10 (Push)
San Diego Chargers
2007 Record: 11-5
Notable Additions: LB Derek Smith
Notable Losses: RB Michael Turner, CB Drayton Florence, FB Lorenzo Neal, WR Eric Parker
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Antoine Cason, CB Arizona
(3) Jacob Hester, FB LSU
(5) Marcus Thomas, RB UTEP
(6) DeJuan Tribble, CB Boston College
(7) Corey Clark, OT Texas A&M
Vegas total: 10 ½
Even though I don’t like Phillip Rivers, he really stepped it up late last year after a rough start. Look for him to emerge as the Chargers’ vocal leader. LT is a stud, enough said. Shawne Merriman is an idiot if he doesn’t have the surgery that four different doctors recommended and decides to play in 2008. Antonio Cromartie had a spectacular 2007 season, just ask Peyton Manning. They will be in the hunt. Super Bowl?
3rd and Long Projected Record: 12-4 (Over)
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
2007 Record: 5-11
Notable Additions: CB Fabian Washington, CB Frank Walker, LB Brendon Ayanbadejo, FB Lorenzo Neal
Notable Losses: QB Steve McNair, T Jonathan Ogden, CB B.J. Sams
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Joe Flacco, QB Delaware
(2) Ray Rice, RB Rutgers
(3) Tavares Gooden, OLB Miami (FL)
(3) Tom Zbikowski, FS Notre Dame
(3) Oniel Cousins, DT UTEP
(4) Marcus Smith, WR New Mexico
(4) David Hale, OT Weber State
(6) Haruki Nakamura, FS Cincinnati
(7) Justin Harper, WR Virginia Tech
(7) Allen Patrick, RB Oklahoma
Vegas total: 6
Looks like another down year for the Ravens. The quarterback situation is below average at best. Can they win many games with Joe Flacco? What about Troy Smith? Kyle Boller? Their once stellar defense is on the decline and showing its age. Add to that a pretty difficult schedule (@ Indy, @ Dallas, @ NY Giants, Jacksonville) and this season could get ugly.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 4-12 (Under)
Cincinnati Bengals
2007 Record: 7-9
Notable Additions: DE Antwan Odom, TE Ben Utecht
Notable Losses: RB Rudi Johnson, DE Justin Smith, C Alex Stepanovich, RB Kenny Irons, CB Deltha O’Neal
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Keith Rivers, LB USC
(2) Jerome Simpson, WR Coastal Carolina
(3) Pat Sims, DT Auburn
(3) Andre Caldwell, WR Florida
(4) Anthony Collins, OT Kansas
(5) Jason Shirley, DT Fresno State
(6) Corey Lynch, S Appalachian State
(6) Matt Sherry, TE Villanova
(7) Angelo Craig, DE Cincinnati
(7) Mario Urrutia, WR Louisville
Vegas total: 7 ½
Who really cares about Bengals personnel? My favorite Bengals story is about Chad Johnson…I mean Chad Ocho Cinco. Yes, it’s true. The wide receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson had his name legally changed to Chad Ocho Cinco to be able to wear “Ocho Cinco” on the back of his jersey and avoid getting fined. For those who care, the Bengals cut RB Rudi Johnson and re-signed WR Chris Henry.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 7-9 (Under)
Cleveland Browns
2007 Record: 10-6
Notable Additions: WR Donte’ Stallworth, DT Corey Williams, DT Shaun Rogers
Notable Losses: C LeCharles Bentley
Draft Picks (Round):
(4) Beau Bell, LB UNLV
(4) Martin Rucker, TE Missouri
(6) Ahtyba Rubin, DT Iowa State
(6) Paul Hubbard, WR Wisconsin
(7) Alex Hall, LB St. Augustine’s (N.C.)
Vegas total: 8
I’m not sold on the Browns. I just have a feeling that last could have been a fluke. They made an effort to improve the defense this offseason by signing DTs Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, but it won’t be enough. A tough schedule will show who the “real” Browns are.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 7-9 (Under)
Pittsburgh Steelers
2007 Record: 10-6
Notable Additions: C Justin Hartwig, RB Mewelde Moore, P Paul Ernster
Notable Losses: WR Cedrick Wilson, RB Najeh Davenport, LB Clark Haggans
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Rashard Mendenhall, RB Illinois
(2) Limas Sweed, WR Texas
(3) Bruce Davis, DE UCLA
(4) Tony Hills, OT Texas
(5) Dennis Dixon, QB Oregon
(6) Mike Humpal, LB Iowa
(6) Ryan Mundy, S West Virginia
Vegas total: 9
I always like the Steelers. I love the way their defense plays and I really like the offensive philosophy brought in by Mike Tomlin. Big Ben will be borderline great in 2008 (I rhymed). The running back will be good with a healthy Willie Parker and rookie Rashard Mendenhall. Watch out for LB James Harrison. He’s my pick for Defensive Player of the Year.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 10-6 (Over)
AFC South
Houston Texans
2007 Record: 8-8
Notable Additions: RB Chris Brown, RB Mike Bell, C Chris Myers, CB Jacques Reeves
Notable Losses: TE Jeb Putzier, CB Von Hutchins, C Mike Flanagan
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Duane Brown, OT Virginia Tech
(3) Antwaun Molden, CB Eastern Kentucky
(3) Steve Slaton, RB West Virginia
(4) Xavier Adibi, LB Virginia Tech
(5) Frank Okam, DT Texas
(6) Dominique Barber, S Minnesota
(7) Alex Brink, QB Washington State
Vegas total: 7 ½
The Texans were average last year and don’t see this changing in 2008. If Matt Schaub can’t stay healthy, he might lose his job. Backup QB Sage Rosenfels played very good in Schaub’s absence. WR Andre Johnson is one of the most underrated players in the league. A young defensive core gives them a solid base to build from. The bad news is they play in the stacked AFC South.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 8-8 (Over)
Indianapolis Colts
2007 Record: 13-3
Notable Additions: RB Dominic Rhodes
Notable Losses: TE Ben Utecht, DT Anthony McFarland, LB Rob Morris, TE Bryan Fletcher, G Jake Scott, LB Rocky Boiman
Draft Picks (Round):
(2) Mike Pollak, C Arizona State
(3) Philip Wheeler, LB Georgia Tech
(4) Jacob Tamme, TE Kentucky
(5) Marcus Howard, LB Georgia
(6) Tom Santi, TE Virginia
(6) Steve Justice, C Wake Forest
(6) Mike Hart, RB Michigan
(6) Pierre Garcon, WR Mount Union
(7) Jamey Richard, C Buffalo
Vegas total: 11
Don’t worry, Peyton will be fine. His knee wasn’t injured, it was infected. He knows that offense better than anybody. He may look rusty for a couple of series, but he’ll be okay. This is pretty much the same team as last year, but I don’t see the same regular season success mainly because of the more difficult schedule. If you have Peyton Manning, you’ll be pretty good.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 11-5 (Push)
Jacksonville Jaguars
2007 Record: 11-5
Notable Additions: WR Jerry Porter, CB Drayton Florence, QB Cleo Lemon
Notable Losses: WR Ernest Wilford, S Sammy Knight, QB Quinn Gray
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Derrick Harvey, DE Florida
(2) Quentin Groves, LB Auburn
(5) Thomas Williams, LB USC
(5) Trae Williams, CB South Florida
(7) Chauncey Washington, RB USC
Vegas total: 10
Last year, QB David Garrard proved that Jack Del Rio made the right call choosing him over Byron Leftwich as the starter. With a great defense and running game and an improving passing game, the Jaguars will make the playoffs again in 2008. I’m not sure if it will be as a wild card or AFC South champion, but they will definitely give the Colts a run for their money.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 11-5 (Over)
Tennessee Titans
2007 Record: 10-6
Notable Additions: TE Alge Crumpler, DE Jevon Kearse, WR Justin McCareins, G Jake Scott, WR Roydell Williams
Notable Losses: CB Adam Jones, RB Chris Brown, WR David Givens, TE Ben Troupe, DE Travis LaBoy
Draft Picks (Round):
(1) Chris Johnson, RB East Carolina
(2) Jason Jones, DT Eastern Michigan
(3) Craig Stevens, TE California
(4) William Hayes, DE Winston Salem
(4) Lavelle Hawkins, WR California
(4) Stanford Keglar, LB Purdue
(7) Cary Williams, CB Washburn
Vegas total: 8
Sorry Titans fans, no playoffs this year. You cannot make it through a season with a one-dimensional offense. Vince Young needs to improve his passing before they make the playoffs again. Keep an eye on rookie RB Chris Johnson. He is extremely fast and explosive.
3rd and Long Projected Record: 8-8 (Push)
That's a wrap on the AFC. Check back tomorrow for the NFC preview.
-3rd and Long
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