St. Louis Rams
After an assortment of offseason moves geared toward upgrading a defense that allowed 471 points last year - the seventh worst in league history - the St. Louis Rams are once again thinking Super Bowl. The Rams dominated the NFL two years ago but lost in the first round of the playoffs last season. The new "D" could feature eight new starters, including defensive end Damione Lewis, the Rams first round pick, and recent pickups in linebacker Mark Fields, safety Kim Herring and cornerback Aeneas Williams.
While the Rams' defense still remains a question mark, there is no doubt about the squad's offense. Quarterback Kurt Warner leads the high-octane attack with a supporting corps that includes running back Marshall Faulk and wide receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Az-Hakim.
If the Ram's defense can click, a return trip to the Super Bowl is a strong possibility for this talented team.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints represent the Rams' stiffest competition for the division title. The franchise, which has been a joke for much of its existence, finally came of age last year, made the playoffs, and shocked the NFL by ousting the Rams in the opening round. With Aaron Brooks guiding the offense and a healthy Ricky Williams backed up by rookie Duece McAllister in the backfield, the team should have no problem scoring. Add in wide receivers Albert Connell and Joe Horn and you have a formidable offense.The Saints' defense is more of a question mark. While the squad sports one of the league's best defensive lines, New Orleans is weak at linebacker and secondary. Nevertheless, if the defense can hold up, expect the Saints to make noise in the playoffs.
San Francisco 49ers
After years of dominating the NFL with Joe Montana and Steve Young throwing touchdown passes to Jerry Rice, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves in unfamiliar waters - rebuilding. Though Rice departed from the cash-strapped 'Niners and was signed by Bay Area rivals, the Oakland Raiders, all hope is not lost, and San Francisco is already on its way back up. With Jeff Garcia (4,278 passing yards last season) following in the line of great quarterbacks, and Terrell Owens emerging as a dominant receiver, the offense looks like the 49ers prototype of the past.Still, the team will need another receiver, perhaps J.J. Stokes, to emerge along with running back Garrison Hurst, who is returning after a 32-month hiatus due to an ankle injury. Historically known for their offense, the 49ers have a solid young defense and have added defensive end Andre Carter and defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield to the mix.
While the 49ers won't make the playoffs this year, they will be exciting to watch and have laid the groundwork for a possible postseason run next year.
Atlanta Falcons
Since losing in the 1998 Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons have compiled a record of 9-23. Despite the addition of number one draft pick Michael Vick, the rookie QB from Virginia Tech, Atlanta fans will see much of the same this season. Chris Chandler remains the team's starting quarterback, while Jamal Anderson will have the responsibility of carrying the football. Wide receivers Shawn Jefferson, Terance Mathis and Tony Martin are decent but unspectacular.On the other side of the ball, the Falcons defense could be the team's strength. Travis Hall and Ed Jasper are solid defensive tackles, and linebacker Keith Brooking has superstar potential.
This team will be sub par, but the Vick era is on the horizon, and the exciting youngster could gain control of the Atlanta offense by the end of the season.
Carolina Panthers
The only things the Carolina Panthers have going for them are coach George Seifort, who won two Super Bowls in San Francisco, and backup quarterback Chris Weinke, who won the Heisman Trophy last year and will make his NFL debut at 29. After cutting QB Steve Beuerlein, Jeff Lewis has been entrusted with the starting role, even though he has never started an NFL game. In fact, the Panthers are the first team in modern football history to go into a season without a quarterback who's started an NFL game. Richard Huntley and Tim Biakabutuka are the running backs, but the tandem is far from dangerous.Safety Mike Minter provides leadership to a young defense, which may start as many as six players who are 24 or younger. But, with so many players yet to prove themselves, the biggest news in Carolina could be whether or not Seifort makes it through the end of the season as head coach.
