The Colts Are Still the Team To Beat, but the AFC South Is Anyone’s Race

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The Indianapolis Colts still hold the pole position in the AFC South, but the other three teams in the race have the capability of taking the checkered flag.

It won’t be sleek new aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, or revolutionary suspension which makes the difference, however: like an Indy-car race, the 2009 NFL campaign will depend on who has the best driver, and the best pit crew.

A year ago, the Tennessee Titans posted a 13-3 record to edge Indianapolis out for the title after five straight division titles for the Colts. The Titans are the only other team to have won the division since expansion in 2002.

The 2009 season, however, could be the year the league’s toughest division gets even tougher.

No one expects the Jacksonville Jaguars to fold up shop in mid-season the way they did in 2008.

Despite a quarterback brouhaha brewing, the Titans remain a force to reckon with because of their defense.

And many pundits expect 2009 to be the breakout year for the Houston Texans.

Here is a quick rundown of what the division’s four teams did in the off-season, and their pluses and minuses entering summer camp next month:

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Jim Campbell takes over as head coach of the Colts following the retirement of sure-fire Hall of Famer Tony Dungy, and he’s got his work cut out for him.

Several members of Dungy’s staff followed their mentor into retirement as well, which didn’t sit well with some members of the team.

So long as QB Peyton Manning is healthy, of course, the Colts would be considered the team to beat in the division, even if all the other roster spots were filled with the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Manning has magic: he’s proven it time and time again, and until another quarterback steps up and proves his mojo is better, three-time league MVP Manning remains the King.

Manning hasn’t been happy in the off-season, however, saying in a published report he’s unhappy about communication with the team’s front office.

Colts owner Robert Irsay told the Associated Press that retired offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd, Manning’s brain-trust, will return to the team in an as-yet-to-be-determined role to make Manning happy.

More ominous for Colts fans is the fact that Manning won’t have Marvin Harrison to play with any more.

The 37-year-old Harrison, who with Manning formed the most productive aerial duo in NFL history, was released by the team Feb. 24 in a move to save the team his $13 million salary, and many expect he will announce his retirement.

Indianapolis also has some lingering injury issues to worry about to RB Joseph Addai and kicker Adam Vinatieri.

 

TENNESSEE TITANS

Quarterback Vince Young isn’t a happy man.

Young told a Baltimore radio station if he can’t win back his starting job, he’d just as soon move on to another team. Young suffered a knee injury in the 2008 season opener and Kerry Collins stepped in to lead the Titans to a 13-3 mark.

Head coach Jeff Fisher has said Young will get his chance to earn the job back, but Fisher is known as a very conservative sort who doesn’t like to tinker with success.

One area he doesn’t have to tinker with too much is the Titans’ running game—Charles Johnson and LenDale White.

The productive duo attached the moniker “Smash and Dash” to themselves after teaming for more than 300 rushing yards in a win over the Chiefs last season and combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing and 24 TDs.

Fisher isn’t impressed with their self-nickname, however, adding his own tongue-inh-cheek suggestion to the Associated Press:  “Dumb and Dumber.”

Another area Fisher doesn’t have to tinker with is on defense: Tennessee has arguably the best defensive backfield in football, and even with the loss of premier DT Albert Haynesworth, who signed with the Redskins in the off-season, the Titans look solid.

 

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

No one would have anticipated the Jaguars’ collapse in 2008; the team began the season as one of the favorites in the division and in some quarters were expected to reach the Super Bowl.

Then a string of injuries first slowed, then stopped, the Jags in their tracks. The team lost six of its last seven games to finish 5-11.

Coach Jack Del Rio enters a hot-seat season with quite possibly still the league’s best running game and a solid run defense—but a weak passing game and a suspect pass defense.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew is now the workhorse for the Jags following the release of steady Fred Taylor, and Jacksonville is looking to rookie Rashad Jennings to step into Taylor’s shoes as a platoon runner.

The Jags picked up WR Torry Holt in the off-season, giving QB David Garrard a worthy target for the first time in a couple of years.

Jacksonville lost safeties Gerald Sensabaugh and Pierson Prioleau, leading tackler Mike Peterson and sack man Paul Spicer.

Del Rio, whose forte has always been defense, will be looking for solutions when training camp opens. The addition of Holt will give the Jags a two-dimensional attack they’ve lacked, and if the defense gets reorganized, the Jags could return to prominence in a big hurry.

 

HOUSTON TEXANS

The key personnel losses by the Colts and Jaguars have a lot of experts saying this will be the Texans’ year—and there is a lot of evidence to back that claim.

The Texans had the league’s third-best offense overall in 2008, and their biggest challenge will be avoiding turnovers and getting into the end zone—two factors that killed them in 2008.

QB Matt Schaub and his receiving corps, including Pro Bowlers Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels, are entering their third season together.

Coach Gary Kubiak now has sophomore running back Steve Slaton to keep opponents guessing. Figure Houston will score some points.

Houston may have found the ringer in the 2009 draft in linebacker Brian Cushing, who has impressed not only the Texans coaching staff but a lot of outsiders as well.

The defensive line, led by Mario Williams, has made vast improvement over how it began last season—when the Texans couldn’t stop the run—and second-round draft pick Connor Barwin could give the Texans two guys on the edge to make opposing quarterbacks nervous.

The biggest question for Houston will be whether or not the Texans have found the right combination of defensive backs.

Venerable Nick Ferguson was picked up as a free agent at one safety, and the Texans drafted a couple of talented youngsters in Quin Glover and Brice McClain to add to perennial All-Pro Dunta Robinson and steady performer Jacques Reeves at the corners.

The whimsical adage holds that old age and treachery overcome youth and stamina every time. The Texans may prove that wrong in 2009.

2010 Seahawks Roster??

Now the 2009 NFL season hasn’t even started yet, but this off-season can’t go by any slower. So why not take a jab at what the Seattle Seahawks could look like in 2010.

 

Quarterbacks

Yes, Matt Hasselbeck is in his mid 30s, but in today’s NFL it is not unlikely that a QB plays into his late 30’s, such as Brett Favre or Kurt Warner has.

Now I’m not saying Matt will be a starting QB in this league until he his 38, but with all the receiving talent around him, it is plausible to say he will make the Pro Bowl in 2009, and continue through 2010 and beyond to be a great player.

Starter: Matt Hasselbeck

 

Running Backs

With Greg Knapp as our OC, we must have a top 10 rushing offense, right? Wrong. In Atlanta he had Warrick Dunn and Michael Vick, and in Oakland he had McFadden, Fargas, and Michael Bush.

We have Julius Jones, TJ Duckett, and Justin Forsett. Ugh, I think I just barfed. Greg had WAY more talent at his last few stops.

That is why I predict Seattle will spend one of it’s 2010 NFL draft pics on a runner. We need more explosiveness in our running game, which is why we will draft 4.3 burner CJ Spiller out of Clemson.

With him in our offense, we will finally have that explosive player Knapp will need, though I still believe Knapp will use his multi-back philosophy and keep Jones and Duckett, but discard the slow Forsett.

Starters: CJ Spiller, Julius Jones, TJ Duckett

 

Wide Receivers

I think it’s safe to say that our group of receivers will not suffer the same fate as last year. But I’m very curious to see how they perform after their terrible injuries. TJ Houshmandzadeh is quite durable and should be great for the next couple of years.

But I see either Deion Branch or Nate Burleson under performing, as we let one of them go. I’ll vouch for Deion Branch as getting let go, because the man just can’t stay healthy. Nate will then play alongside TJ, as good ol’ Deon Butler moves to the slot. 

Starters:TJ Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deon Butler in the slot.

 

Tight End

Uh, John Carlson? Nuff said.

Starter: John Carlson

 

Offensive Line

Walter Jones is one of the best tackles to ever play the game, but even legends die out. With all the wear and tear he has endured over the years, I’m assuming he retires after this season.

That leaves Sean Locklear to play the Left OT spot. I believe he knows how to play there, but I’m just not sure if he has the physical tools.

Ray Willis gave up 1.5 sacks last year in 10 starts on the right side, so he should do fine. Now I’m praying Chris Spencer plays well in the center, and he should considering he is in his contract year.

By 2010, Max Unger should have cracked the starting line-up at what I’m guessing will be the Left Guard spot, while Mike Wahle is moved to the Right side, but they could easily play the opposite positions.

Rob Sims is the worst player on our current line, and most likely won’t be resigned after this season.

Starters From left to right: Sean Locklear, Max Unger, Chris Spencer, Mike Wahle, Ray Willis

 

Defensive Ends

Now Patrick Kerney is still one of the best in the game when he is healthy, and hopefully will have a good season this year that will carry on into the next season.

The spot opposite Kerney, however, is of a greater mystery. Darryl Tapp or Lawrence Jackson, that is the question.

The pressure is on Darryl Tapp because he is in his contract year, and might get the starting job out of training camp.

But Lawrence Jackson will likely show a lot of production this year, because DE’s often to well in their second year.

Mario Williams had 4.5 sacks in his first year, but next year he had 14. I think Lawrence Jackson will supplant Darryl Tapp as the starting end by next year, but this is a really close battle.

Starters: Patrick Kerney & Lawrence Jackson (but just barely)

 

Defensive Tackles

Brandon Mebane will further his development this season, and hopefully will make the Pro Bowl. Colin Cole should thrive in his role, as he stuffs the line, while Brandon is in the position to create some sacks/fumbles.

Starters: Brandon Mebane & Colin Cole

 

Linebackers

Lofa Tatupu, Aaron Curry, and Leroy Hill make up the best young linebacker corps in the NFL. They should thrive together for years.

Starters: Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill

 

Cornerbacks

Marcus Trufant is a fantastic player, and while he had only one interception, the ball was just not thrown his way, as Quarterbacks often took advantage of the weaker side.

The Seahawks brought in Ken Lucas to play with the taller receivers of the NFC West (cough, cough, Larry Fitzgerald), but Josh Wilson will get his chance.

Ken is only signed for one year, and Josh will benefit from another year to develop as he starts in 2010. He really improved down the stretch last year, and should only continue to improve.

Starters: Marcus Trufant & Josh Wilson

 

Safeties

Deon Grant is not one of the elite safeties of the NFL, but he is a good one, as well as a leader. Brian Russell on the other hand, ugh. He sucks.

Which is why I predict Seattle will use its pick from Denver to select either Eric Berry out of Tennessee or Taylor Mays out of USC.

Eric Berry is a ballhawk in the mold of Ed Reed, while Taylor Mays is a hard-hitter in the mold of the late Sean Taylor, but faster.

I’d personally like to see Eric Berry, not because he clearly has better ball skills than Taylor Mays (Berry had 7, while Mays had 0) but Berry hits quite hard as well despite being only 210.

Starters: Deon Grant & Eric Berry

Please feel free to comment my predictions and send me feedback, thanks!

Panthers Sign Two Draft Picks

As reported by Panthers beat reporter Steve Reed of carolinagrowl.com:

The Carolina Panthers signed two of their fourth-round draft picks, running back Mike Goodson of Texas A&M and fullback Tony Fiammetta, the team announced Friday.

So far Carolina has signed three of its seven draft picks, defensive back Captain Munnerlyn from the University of South Carolina being the first signee.

Mike Goodson played in 36 games with 14 starts and twice led Texas A&M in rushing before entering the NFL Draft following his junior season. He compiled 1,964 career rushing yards on 374 carries for an average of 5.3 yards per attempt and 13 touchdowns. Also a capable receiver, Goodson registered 90 catches for 860 yards and seven touchdowns.

In his junior season, Goodson started in seven-of-10 games, finishing first with the Aggies with 406 yards and five touchdowns on 94 attempts. Part of a three-back attack in 2007, Goodson put up 711 yards and four touchdowns on 153 carries.

Goodson earned honorable All Big 12 recognition as a freshman in 2006 after ranking first on the team with a career-best 847 yards on four touchdowns on 127 attempts despite starting just one game.

At Syracuse, Tony Fiammetta played in 45 games with 18 starts at fullback with the Orangemen. He finished his career with 16 rushes for 89 yards and 28 receptions for 202 yards and a touchdown.

He made his reputation, however, as a fierce blocker, making 108 knockdown blocks during his junior and senior seasons. Fiammetta also served as a team captain his senior season when he started 10-of-11 games and notched seven touchdown-resulting blocks to go along with 66 yards rushing on five carries and 16 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown.

Of Note: The Panthers waived long snapper Patrick MacDonald and defensive tackle Babatunde Oshinowo. Both players were signed as free agents during the offseason in January.

From Pampered Prima Donna To Grizzled Veteran: Larry Johnson

Larry Johnson should not be lacking motivation this year.  The Chiefs running back appears to have, at least for the moment, avoided the chopping block that is now under the hands of Scott Pioli.

For weeks, it was speculated that Johnson would be either traded or released following a grievance filed by the Chiefs over Johnson’s contract secondary to a suspension last season.

This saga followed an offseason verbal request from Johnson requesting a trade or release from the Chiefs.

It seemed as if a divorce was inevitable.  Still, Johnson remains and has been surprisingly cooperative heading in to this season.

Johnson’s six-year tenure in Kansas City has been tumultuous to say the least. 

From taking off the diapers to play for Head Coach Dick Vermeil, to being green with envy over Priest Holmes, Johnson has done little to endear himself to the Chiefs faithful. 

The past two seasons for Johnson have been frustrating for him I’m sure, and disappointing for the Chiefs and their fans.

Johnson played in only eight contests in 2007, finishing the year on injured reserve because of a right foot injury.  He finished the season with only 559 yards, three touchdowns, and a 3.5 ypc average.

In 2008, LJ played in 12 games, being inactive for three games and suspended another.  He rushed for 874 yards, five touchdowns and a 4.5 ypc average.  At times, Johnson appeared to be back, at times he was pouting on the sidelines.

To make matters worse, Johnson has repeatedly found trouble off the field, spending too much time in night clubs, and alienating teammates and fans.

The Chiefs are hoping Larry and his immaturity’s are a thing of the past.   Johnson has been present at offseason workouts and camps and appears to have his heart, and hopefully his head, in the right place heading in to 2009.  That could mean a return to elite status for the former pro-bowler.

The Chiefs need LJ to contribute on the field and produce wins instead of providing more headaches for the front office.

In the consecutive seasons of 2005-2006, Johnson rushed for more than 1700 yards, had 17 and 20 rushing touchdowns respectively, and averaged nearly five yards a carry.

While 30 years old, and plenty of NFL carries to boot, I for one think LJ still has some gas in the tank.  I don’t particularly care for the person, but I’m hoping I like the football player wearing No. 27 this season. 

It’s time for Larry Johnson to grow up and learns what it truly means to be a man.  I’ve admired his knowledge and respect for the history of the NFL.  Now, it’s time he participates in the great history of the Chiefs, and forgets about his own personal agenda.

The Chiefs have an improved offensive line, a new coaching staff, a new quarterback and an improved, though still unimpressive receiving unit.  Now the Chiefs need a productive running game through Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Kolby Smith.

While being far from a fan favorite, one thing is sure, the Chiefs desperately need Johnson to be successful.  If Johnson comes close to 250 carries, 1200 yards, and 10 touchdowns, the Chiefs will stay in contention in the AFC West.

If Johnson decides to put the pampers back on, the Chiefs will not only have a disgruntled running back, they’ll have the dubious distinction of back to back seasons with fewer than six wins.

Who’s the Best Trendsetter: Michael Jordan or Deion Sanders?

Deion Sanders and Michael Jordan starred in the ‘90s but many of the trends they set are still around today.

Their styles have influenced today’s players and even trickled down to little leagues.

Fans and players alike try to emulate these stars, but here’s your chance to decide who left the biggest and best mark on his league.

Seattle Seahawks: Five Predictions For the 2009 Season

As we approach the start of the 2009 campaign, one cannot help but throw out some predictions for the season.  Here is my attempt to predict who could have a career year and who could surprise us all.

 

Matt Hasselbeck will throw for over 4,000 yards and 25+ touchdowns

 

In his illustrious career, this is the one thing Matt Hasselbeck has never accomplished.  He came close in 2007 when he passed for 3,966 yards and 28 TD’s. 

 

This season the Seahawks really shored up the WR core this season with additions of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and third round pick Deon Butler. 

 

Deion Branch and Nate Burleson should also be back from their respective injuries and look for them to have monster years.

 

Hasselbeck could enjoy a career year with these newly acquired WR’s.  I predict Hasselbeck throws for at least 4,000 yards and 25 TD’s.

 

 

Julius Jones will rush for less than 1,200 yards

 

I really like Julius Jones, I think he will fit well into the zone blocking scheme.  However, I just don’t see him rushing for that many yards this season.

 

The Seahawks do not have a daunting schedule, however they do face seven teams who finished better than they did in rushing defense last season:  Minnesota, Chicago, Tennessee, Dallas, Jacksonville, San Francisco, and Arizona.

 

With Jones sharing the load with T.J. Duckett and possible Justin Forsett, I cannot see him rushing for over 1,200 yards this season.  It really depends on how well the offensive line develops this season.

 

 

The Seahawks defense will be in the top five in sacks

 

The Seahawks made it a point to upgrade the defensive line this offseason, trading Julian Peterson to Detroit for Cory Redding and signing free agent Colin Cole.

 

The Seahawks were 10th last season with 35 sacks, but were missing Patrick Kerney for most of last season.  Kerney lead the team in 2007 with 14.5 sacks.

 

With Kerney coming back from shoulder surgery, the emergence of Lawrence Jackson, and consistent play from Darryl Tapp the Seahawks could have a dominating pass rush in 2009.

 

 

Only one Seahawk wide receiver will have double-digit touchdowns.

 

I do not know which receiver will have 10 or more touchdowns, but I predict only one will have more than nine. 

 

When Matt Hasselbeck is at his best, he is usually spreading the ball all over the field, giving every receiver a chance to get involved in the game.   Against the New York Giants in 2006, Hasselbeck threw for five touchdowns to four different receivers.

 

In 2007, he threw for four touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals to four different receivers.  If Hasselbeck is on his game everyone will get involved. 

 

 

Max Unger will replace someone on the offensive line four games into the season.

 

Max Unger could be the X-factor for the Seahawks this season.  The former center from the University of Oregon gives the Seahawks a versatile option on the offensive line.

 

At 6’ 5” and 300 pounds, Unger is a big body with a tenacious attitude that could bring toughness to the offensive line in ’09.  He led an Oregon rushing attack that was one of the best in the nation in 2007.

 

Both Chris Spencer and Mike Wahle better impress in the first four games this season.  The Seahawks will not hesitate to plug in Unger.

Gerald Alexander Jacksonville Jaguars: How He Fits In the Secondary

The reports are out that the Jaguars have dealt wide receiver Dennis Northcutt to the Lions for strong safety Gerald Alexander.

The news on Northcutt is no surprise. The Jags had been seeking to trade him this week, and if they couldn’t find a partner, he was reportedly going to be released.

The real news here, especially for Jacksonville fans, is the incoming and not the outgoing.

Just a few weeks ago, the safety position may have been the thinnest on the roster. The team had little depth behind starters Reggie Nelson and Sean Considine, two players who are short on experience themselves.

Since, the team has re-signed free safety Marlon McCree and now added Alexander, a second-round pick of the Lions in 2007.

McCree should back up Nelson, while Alexander, if fully healthy, could create competition for current No. 1 strong safety Considine.

Alexander, 24, suffered a fractured vertebrae last October and missed the rest of the season. He had played in the first five games, starting once.

He had started 16 games as a rookie out of Boise State in 2007, registering 81 total tackles and two interceptions.

Overall, the minor trade is a good one for the Jags given their distaste for Northcutt was made public. Jaguar fans must be pleased that they got somebody halfway decent in return, especially at a need position like strong safety.

Running Back Blurb Breakdown: DeAngelo Williams

 

DeAngelo Williams

Running Back Blurb Breakdown: Maurice Jones-Drew

One of the most divisive backs in fantasy right now, Maurice Jones-Drew is a fantastic athlete whose strength and speed belies his size.

But questions still plague him.

He’s never carried the rock as the featured back, not even in college. As tough as he is, will he wear down if the Jags do use him as the bell cow? Or conversely, will they spell him a bunch with Greg Jones and Rashard Jennings?

MJD should put up nice numbers, especially in a PPR league, but he’s going as the second—in some cases FIRST—running back off the board in some drafts.

I haven’t even gotten to the revamped offensive line, though I think it will be healthy and capable this season. But they’ll be rolling out a pair of rookies and, while some of that could be merely from lack of depth, they really collapsed fast in 2008.

In their defense, you can’t have what they went through happen and not collapse. Once Richard Collier was shot and paralyzed, the fact they even pulled it together when they did is pretty gutty.

The passing attack appears to also be a big question mark at first glance. But Tory Holt alone is better than anyone on the roster last year, save the departed Matt Jones. The two draft picks of Jake Dillard and Mike Thomas have looked good enough in tees and shorts to allow Dennis Northcutt to be traded.

Still, Garrard seemed to plateau last season and if he cannot get a little more going on, MJD might start finding his running lanes clogged.

While I think Jones-Drew has the talent, there are many questions I have about him. Too many to take him earlier than where he is at five.

Will 2009 Finally Be The Eagles’ Time To Shine?

It’s the plight of every Eagles’ fan: so close, yet so far away.

For much of the decade the Philadelphia Eagles have dominated the NFC East and to a large extent, the conference in general. Yet, at the end of the day, they have nothing to show for it.

Last season may have been the most frustrating of all the Eagles shortcomings in recent years.

The back-to-back home losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers in the NFC Championship Game certainly ranks right up there, but after defeating the New York Giants on the road it certainly looked as if lady luck was finally on the side of the Eagles.

Seriously, how many people thought the Arizona Cardinals were actually going to the Super Bowl? It had to be the Eagles year, right? Sadly, it was not to be.

For whatever reason, the Eagles can’t seem to get over that proverbial hump. It’s odd because on the surface the Eagles appear to have all the ingredients of a championship team.

Philadelphia is a great sports city with a rabid, devout fan-base.

The Eagles have one of the NFL’s best owners in Jeffrey Lurie, who has built a top notch football operations department around him to help run the team.

Despite some recent criticism from Eagles fans, how many coaches out there are better than Andy Reid?

Reid hasn’t been able to win the big one yet but guys like Tom Landry, Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy used to have the same moniker attached to them until they finally won a Super Bowl.

Then there is Donovan McNabb. No athlete in my lifetime has received more unfair criticism, both from his own fan base and from others, than McNabb.

I never felt that McNabb was in the elite class of Tom Brady or Peyton Manning because he has always struggled with his accuracy on those short-to-intermediate throws across the middle.

But after Brady, Manning and maybe one or two other guys throughout the years, who would you rather have playing quarterback for your team besides McNabb?

I hear some Eagles fans saying it’s time for a change at quarterback. A change to who?

Have you seen the quarterback play in the NFL these days? So other than the two or three elite quarterbacks in the NFL, I don’t know who you would take over McNabb.

Then you toss in one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. Actually, I think Jim Johnson may be one of the best defensive coordinators of all-time.

We are always hearing about Dick LeBeau in Pittsburgh but I believe he gets more recognition only because the Steelers have won Super Bowls recently.

When you look at the schemes Johnson has put together to stop some of the best offenses in the NFL since coming to Philadelphia in 1999. His success is remarkable. He truly is one of the great defensive minds to ever walk the sidelines.

Johnson will obviously be missed while he is recovering from melanoma but if he fights the disease the same way he coaches, the cancer doesn’t stand a chance.

So it’s almost inconceivable that the Eagles haven’t won a Super Bowl title. They have virtually every piece of the puzzle needed to do so.

A great owner that doesn’t meddle, one of the smartest football operation departments and scouting staffs in the league, an elite head coach, a potential future Hall of Fame quarterback and a nasty defense created by a mad scientist.

But for some reason, when it comes to a big game, the Eagles have yet to put it all together. When the defense plays well, the offense underachieves. When the offense plays well, the defense can’t make a crucial stop.

Even Andy Reid, one of the most aggressive play callers in the NFL, seems to approach big games much more conservatively for some reason.

But with a new season comes new hope and because the Eagles are one of the best franchises in the NFL, they have put themselves in position to make another Super Bowl run.

First I want to talk about the draft because I’m so excited about one particular player. I love college football. I haven’t missed a day of college football in 20 years. I watch it religiously from noon until the Hawaii game is over with, so draft day in the NFL is like Christmas for me.

In my opinion, the Eagles, Patriots and Ravens are the three best drafting teams in the league. Watching these three teams work the draft board and pick players is a pleasure and this year was no different.

I think Philadelphia got by far and away the biggest steal in the draft and his name is LeSean McCoy.

People who don’t watch a lot of college football may look at some of McCoy’s numbers and not be blown away (YPC). That’s a big mistake.

McCoy played with some of the worst college quarterbacks in the country. Bob Stull and Pat Bostick would have trouble starting at good 1-AA schools.

I watched games last year where opponents had nine men in the box to stop McCoy. Plus, it’s not like Pitt made any adjustments, seeing that Dave Wannstedt is arguably the worst coach in all of college football.

Still, McCoy was able to rack up yards and touchdowns even with defenses totally committing to stopping him. This guy is the real deal and he was the best back in this year’s draft.

Oh, and McCoy’s biggest strength is that he’s a tremendous goal line runner. He almost always bounces off the first defender and gets that extra yard, kind of like the Cowboys’ Marion Barber.

McCoy was the nation’s second-leading scorer last season. See where I’m going with this Eagle fans?

Brian Westbrook is one of the best pound-for-pound players in the NFL but the Eagles do so many different things with him. It allows for another back to be a factor in Philly’s offense. Look at what Correll Buckhalter was able to do. McCoy is going to be a flat-out stud with the Eagles.

Then you look at what else the Eagles did on draft day. They brought in a spectacular offensive weapon in Jeremy Maclin.

I love hearing the criticism about this guy. Philadelphia drafted him at No. 19. Are you telling me a player with Maclin’s talent and upside isn’t a smart pick at 19? Sure he is and that’s why the Eagles are a great drafting team.

Then selecting Florida tight end Cornelius Ingram in the fifth round was pure genius in my opinion. Once Ingram is 100 percent healthy, you are talking about a second-round talent, according to most scouts.

That’s how you draft. It’s called value and the Eagles may have gotten themselves a future stud tight end in Round 5.

Also, don’t sleep on sixth-round pick Brandon Gibson. I watch a lot of Pac 10 football and this guy fell off the map last year because Washington State was so pitiful but Gibson can play. Keep a close eye on him this preseason. Gibson may surprise people.

It’s the same story every year when you go over the Eagles’ draft. That’s why they are always in contention.

Now look at the Cowboys’ draft in comparison. It’s nothing but a bunch of reaches and players that will be out of the NFL in a couple of years. That’s not my opinion, it’s a fact.

Go back and look at Dallas’ last twelve drafts under Jerry Jones and see how many of those players lasted five years in the league. It’s comical. That explains why the Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game in over a decade.

Of course, I didn’t even mention the acquisition of left tackle Jason Peters, which is a huge upgrade on the Eagles offensive line.

Peters’ play did fall off a bit last year but when you have a chance to get a left tackle of his caliber and bring him into your system, you have to take it.

There just aren’t that many quality left tackles in the NFL and now the Eagles have one. Trading for Peters was a no-brainer.

One final reason that makes the Eagles contenders year in and year out is they make the tough decisions.

When I worked for the Patriots I heard a phrase over and over again, “Football decisions.” No team does a better job of making tough football decisions than New England. Bill Belichick makes personnel decisions with his head, not his heart.

Everyone associated with the Eagles loved Brian Dawkins. Just like everyone associated with the Broncos loved John Lynch. It’s a nightmare for any organization to have to part ways with those kind of players.

Dawkins is still a leader and he does have a year or two left in his tank. However, he has lost a step and I believe the Eagles made the right decision in letting him go. It was a tough decision but speaking purely in football terms, the right one.

So as we enter the upcoming NFL season, the Eagles are set for another run at that elusive Super Bowl title. Philly fans have experienced a lot of heartache in recent years but there is still hope.

Because of the way the Eagles have set up their team for prolonged success, they are once again expected to be major contenders for the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Philadelphia has all the pieces in place. Now if everything comes together at the right moment, it could finally be the Eagles and their fans time to shine in 2009.

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