The Top Five: Best Fanbases in the NFL

In the most recent Top Five segment done by NFL Network, Jamie Dukes was given the task of counting down the top five fanbases.

He said the teams were chosen based on home field advantage, memorabilia sales, how well they travel, and a couple other factors.

His top five went like this:

5. New England Patriots
4. New York Giants
3. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Now, while I don’t have a problem with the Giants, Packers, or Steelers being on here, the fact that the Patriots and Cowboys are on here is insane.

How in the world can you put two franchises on this list with perhaps the most front-running fanbases in not only the league, but in all of sports?

How many Patriots fans, outside of New England, were there up until around 2001? Four, five, six at the very most, and that’s being generous.

The New England Patriots were an afterthought on the national level. No one cared about the Patriots, again outside of New England, until they started winning Super Bowls.

Teams like the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have been more loyal while their teams were losing than Patriots and Cowboys fans were when they were winning.

So right away, those two teams get knocked off because they’re nothing but a pack of front-runners and closet fans while the team is losing.

Pittsburgh is nearly as guilty of this, but there are quite a few people in Pittsburgh and around the country only now putting on their Hines Ward jersey and letting out a resounding “Woo!”

Individually, great fans. As a group, however, not so much.

So who does deserve to get on this list? Well, it’s pretty hard to leave out the wonderful fans of Philadelphia.

How can they leave out the only city that threw snowballs at Santa Claus? Not only that, we also threw batteries at J.D. Drew.

We’re the most knowledgeable, meanest, and most loyal fanbase in the country. Hands down, no questions asked, it’s the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. Not even an argument.

Want the proof?

Had Dukes given that top five in the Linc, I’d bet my last dollar that he’d be at the bottom of the steps.

You know, after someone “accidentally” tripped him.

Then someone “accidentally” threw beer on him, threw out a few choice words not suitable for this website (we’re child-friendly), and “accidentally” kicked him once or twice or 19 times.

Want the real top five fanbases? Well, here we go. Sit back because you’re in for a treat.

 

5. Oakland Raiders Fans

No one has stuck by their team through more nonsense and losing over the past 10 years (that is, barring any Lions fans that are left).

No matter how the season is going, you can bet that there will be a sea of black when Oakland is in town. 2-14? No problem—let’s put on spikey shoulder pads and scare the bejesus out of some Broncos fans.

 

4. New York Giants Fans

Dukes got this one right. We may hate them almost as much as the Cowboys, but their fans are loyal and are always there to cheer their team on while the Eagles whip them in the playoffs year after year.

Plus, they’re starting to come around to Eli Manning and may actually be in favor of keeping him around for the next 10 years. Go for it—we’d love to continue to whup him.

 

3. Chicago Bears Fans

One of the original NFL franchises, they’ve been selling out and selling jerseys before it was cool to own one and wear it backwards like Nelly.

Bears fans are a crazy bunch, and even through the years of mediocrity after losing in the Super Bowl, they’ve stuck by their team and never shy away from a good debate. The team isn’t all that good, but ask a Bears fan, and they’ll have you convinced that they’ll win the Super Bowl for the next five years.

 

2. Green Bay Packers Fans

The Packers may have the smallest media market in the league (I’m not sure, I don’t have access to the dollar figure or a census, so what, sue me) but still have one of the biggest fanbases.

Not only that, but they also have some of the best names in football: Brett Favre, Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, and the like. Notice I left out Reggie White—that’s because he’s ours, dammit. Anyway, perhaps it’s because they have a stake in the team; I’m not exactly sure. All I know is these people are everywhere.

 

1. Philadelphia Eagles Fans

This is an absolute no-brainer. Even for fans of other teams, this is obvious. Along with the reasons I stated before, the Eagles also have one of the longest waiting lists for season tickets (over 100,000), are consistently in the top 5-10 in merchandise sales, and have a following all over the country.

Most Eagles fans are spoiled now, but I remember the 3-13 years, and even then there wasn’t a single Eagles fan hiding that he/she was in fact a fan. They’ll show you their tattoo and the Bobby Hoying jersey still hanging in their closet.

Oh, and the finger that fell off when they went to the Vet in December in -9 degree weather just to see Hoying throw 35 interceptions and lose 216-7 to the Cowboys.

Steelers? Patriots? Cowboys? Please. Nothing compared to Philly.

 

Also Check Out Two Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best Wide Receivers in the NFL

A lot of folks will claim that wide receiver is the most overrated position on the field. Not just the players, but the position itself.

They say this because of the success that was had before the wide receiver was even a position on the depth chart. Which, of course, is true.

However in today’s NFL, the wide receiver is just as vital to a team’s success as any other position on the field. Want proof? Ask a guy like Donovan McNabb about his receivers during his career, then ask guys like Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner.

Vast difference in the caliber of talent, and a difference in the rings. A combined two rings between Manning and Warner, and none for McNabb.

Receivers today must be fast. It’s part of the job description now-a-days with cornerbacks getting more and more athletic each year. Guys like Jerry Rice and Cris Carter got away with only decent speed because of their phenomenal route-running.

Today, that may not work so well.

Just ask these guys.

 

5. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)

85 games started, 509 games started, 7,348 yards, 14.4 YPR, 43 TDs, 42 carries, 273 yards, 2 TDs, 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

At only 5’9 and 185 pounds, Smith has effectively destroyed the idea that a receiver must be 6’2 in order to be successful.

His speed and leaping ability make him one of the trickiest receivers to cover. Most corners will have a size advantage, but once he leaves his feet his can make himself seven feet tall without really trying.

Even in what was a run-first offense for the Panthers this past season, Smith was able to gain over 1,400 yards on only 78 receptions, an incredible 18.2 yards per reception.

However with only eight, seven, and six touchdowns over the past three years respectively, he doesn’t get into the endzone quite enough to be any higher on this list.

 

4. Randy Moss (New England Patriots)

164 games started, 843 receptions, 13,201 yards, 15.7 YPR, 135 TDs, 25 carries, 159 yards, 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

Moss came into the league and immediately lit it up.

1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns earned him rookie of the year honors, beating out the great Peyton Manning.

Those numbers of course came off the arm of the great Randall Cunningham. When Cunningham stepped out of the light, he was replaced with Daunte Culpepper who, let’s not forget, was very good during his time in Minnesota.

He produced very well in Minnesota, but was unheard of in Oakland, so much so that many people figured his career was over. That was, until the Patriots came calling.

Then, with Tom Brady throwing him the ball, broke Jerry Rice’s single-season touchdown record* on the way to helping the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

The point is, Moss only produces when he has a great quarterback throwing to him. Now most will say that the case is the same for any wide receiver. Not true, as I would reference you to Herman Moore.

Moore went to four consecutive Pro Bowls and three consecutive All-Pro teams with the likes of Scott Mitchell and Dave Kreig throwing to him. Also, to stick with the Lions theme, let’s not forget Calvin Johnson (foreshadowing alert).

That being said, when Moss is on, he’s one of the best in the game.

*Rice set his record in 1987, a strike-shortened 12-game season. He had 22 touchdown receptions in those 12 games. Moss had 23 in 16 games.

 

3. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)

26 games started, 126 receptions, 2,087 yards, 16.6 YPR, 16 TDs, 7 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD

It’s unbelievable to think that this kid missed the Pro Bowl last year.

In only his second season as a starter, Johnson was able to haul in 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Did I mention that he played on the winless Detroit Lions team?

Through the entire mess that was the record-setting 2008 Detroit Lions, Calvin Johnson was not only a bright-spot of the team, but of the entire league.

Yes, they had to throw a lot because they were always (and I mean always) down almost immediately, but they still needed someone to catch the ducks that the carousel of quarterbacks were throwing wildly into the air.

He was always there to bring it down, and probably saved Dan Orlovsky’s career by making him look a whole lot better to the Texans than what he actually is.

It’s pretty safe to say that this kid is going to do some spectacular things before his time is over.

 

2. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)

76 games started, 426 receptions, 5,975 yards, 14 YPR, 46 TDs, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Up until last year, Fitzgerald may have been the most underrated player in the game, but that is no longer the case.

He put on a show for everyone with his record-setting postseason, showing the country that he can carry a team at the receiver position.

His leaping ability, and his overall ability to get the ball at its highest point is unmatched by any receiver currently in the league, and perhaps ever in the league. Not to mention the fact that he’s superb at running after the catch and making guys miss in open space.

The combination of size (6’3 225), speed, leaping ability, agility, and football intelligence make him incredibly dangerous, and a headache for defensive coordinators and defenders alike.

Expect to see this guy in the Pro Bowl year after year after year after year after…

 

1. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans)

86 games started, 486 receptions, 6,379 yards, 13.1 YPR, 33 TDs, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

While Larry Fitzgerald has Anquan Boldin to take some pressure off of him, Andre Johnson has always only had average guys across from him.

Guys like Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are fine receivers, but they’re not Boldin, and they don’t scare a defense like Boldin will.

Also, while Matt Schaub is a good quarterback, he’s no Kurt Warner. Not to mention the fact that Johnson has never had Schaub for an entire season and performed at a high level even with first-round bust David Carr throwing the passes.

Apart from 2007 where he missed seven games, Johnson has been able to stay healthy and play at a consistently high level, even without a consistent quarterback.

Johnson is great at catching the ball in traffic, as well as going up and getting the ball at its highest point. In terms of pure strength, he may be the most powerful receiver, which is why he’s so good at tearing the ball away from defenders.

Look for this guy to explode this year. Probably somewhere around 110 catches, 1,500 yards, and around 15 touchdowns.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best Wide Receivers in the NFL

A lot of folks will claim that wide receiver is the most overrated position on the field. Not just the players, but the position itself.

They say this because of the success that was had before the wide receiver was even a position on the depth chart. Which, of course, is true.

However in today’s NFL, the wide receiver is just as vital to a team’s success as any other position on the field. Want proof? Ask a guy like Donovan McNabb about his receivers during his career, then ask guys like Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner.

Vast difference in the caliber of talent, and a difference in the rings. A combined two rings between Manning and Warner, and none for McNabb.

Receivers today must be fast. It’s part of the job description now-a-days with cornerbacks getting more and more athletic each year. Guys like Jerry Rice and Cris Carter got away with only decent speed because of their phenomenal route-running.

Today, that may not work so well.

Just ask these guys.

 

5. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)

85 games started, 509 games started, 7,348 yards, 14.4 YPR, 43 TDs, 42 carries, 273 yards, 2 TDs, 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

At only 5’9 and 185 pounds, Smith has effectively destroyed the idea that a receiver must be 6’2 in order to be successful.

His speed and leaping ability make him one of the trickiest receivers to cover. Most corners will have a size advantage, but once he leaves his feet his can make himself seven feet tall without really trying.

Even in what was a run-first offense for the Panthers this past season, Smith was able to gain over 1,400 yards on only 78 receptions, an incredible 18.2 yards per reception.

However with only eight, seven, and six touchdowns over the past three years respectively, he doesn’t get into the endzone quite enough to be any higher on this list.

 

4. Randy Moss (New England Patriots)

164 games started, 843 receptions, 13,201 yards, 15.7 YPR, 135 TDs, 25 carries, 159 yards, 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

Moss came into the league and immediately lit it up.

1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns earned him rookie of the year honors, beating out the great Peyton Manning.

Those numbers of course came off the arm of the great Randall Cunningham. When Cunningham stepped out of the light, he was replaced with Daunte Culpepper who, let’s not forget, was very good during his time in Minnesota.

He produced very well in Minnesota, but was unheard of in Oakland, so much so that many people figured his career was over. That was, until the Patriots came calling.

Then, with Tom Brady throwing him the ball, broke Jerry Rice’s single-season touchdown record* on the way to helping the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

The point is, Moss only produces when he has a great quarterback throwing to him. Now most will say that the case is the same for any wide receiver. Not true, as I would reference you to Herman Moore.

Moore went to four consecutive Pro Bowls and three consecutive All-Pro teams with the likes of Scott Mitchell and Dave Kreig throwing to him. Also, to stick with the Lions theme, let’s not forget Calvin Johnson (foreshadowing alert).

That being said, when Moss is on, he’s one of the best in the game.

*Rice set his record in 1987, a strike-shortened 12-game season. He had 22 touchdown receptions in those 12 games. Moss had 23 in 16 games.

 

3. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)

26 games started, 126 receptions, 2,087 yards, 16.6 YPR, 16 TDs, 7 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD

It’s unbelievable to think that this kid missed the Pro Bowl last year.

In only his second season as a starter, Johnson was able to haul in 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Did I mention that he played on the winless Detroit Lions team?

Through the entire mess that was the record-setting 2008 Detroit Lions, Calvin Johnson was not only a bright-spot of the team, but of the entire league.

Yes, they had to throw a lot because they were always (and I mean always) down almost immediately, but they still needed someone to catch the ducks that the carousel of quarterbacks were throwing wildly into the air.

He was always there to bring it down, and probably saved Dan Orlovsky’s career by making him look a whole lot better to the Texans than what he actually is.

It’s pretty safe to say that this kid is going to do some spectacular things before his time is over.

 

2. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)

76 games started, 426 receptions, 5,975 yards, 14 YPR, 46 TDs, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Up until last year, Fitzgerald may have been the most underrated player in the game, but that is no longer the case.

He put on a show for everyone with his record-setting postseason, showing the country that he can carry a team at the receiver position.

His leaping ability, and his overall ability to get the ball at its highest point is unmatched by any receiver currently in the league, and perhaps ever in the league. Not to mention the fact that he’s superb at running after the catch and making guys miss in open space.

The combination of size (6’3 225), speed, leaping ability, agility, and football intelligence make him incredibly dangerous, and a headache for defensive coordinators and defenders alike.

Expect to see this guy in the Pro Bowl year after year after year after year after…

 

1. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans)

86 games started, 486 receptions, 6,379 yards, 13.1 YPR, 33 TDs, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

While Larry Fitzgerald has Anquan Boldin to take some pressure off of him, Andre Johnson has always only had average guys across from him.

Guys like Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are fine receivers, but they’re not Boldin, and they don’t scare a defense like Boldin will.

Also, while Matt Schaub is a good quarterback, he’s no Kurt Warner. Not to mention the fact that Johnson has never had Schaub for an entire season and performed at a high level even with first-round bust David Carr throwing the passes.

Apart from 2007 where he missed seven games, Johnson has been able to stay healthy and play at a consistently high level, even without a consistent quarterback.

Johnson is great at catching the ball in traffic, as well as going up and getting the ball at its highest point. In terms of pure strength, he may be the most powerful receiver, which is why he’s so good at tearing the ball away from defenders.

Look for this guy to explode this year. Probably somewhere around 110 catches, 1,500 yards, and around 15 touchdowns.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Tight Ends in the NFL

Originally, tight ends were really just additional linemen.

They were there to block, mainly because throwing the ball was not nearly as common even 30 years ago as it is today.

Today, tight ends are expected to have perhaps the best skill-set of any position on the field. They are expected to be able to block like a tackle, but catch like a wide receiver. Since the decline of the H-back, they are the true utility players on offense.

Let’s also not forget that many of them are expected to play an H-back type of role from time to time.

To be the best at the tight end position, one must have natural size. Most are in the 6’3″ to 6’6″ range and between 230 to 250 pounds. That’s not exactly an easy body type to find. Then, if you do find someone like that, they also must have the natural ability to block and catch the football.

It goes without saying, good tight ends are tough to come by.

The respective teams of these players, however, have tested the odds and hit the jackpot.

 

5. Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins)

73 games started, 314 receptions, 3,457 yards, 11 YPR, 28 TDs, two-time Pro Bowler

Originally, this spot was for Owen Daniels. However, after looking at the numbers and some film a second time, I decided to go with Cooley.

Cooley has averaged around seven touchdowns a season, where Daniels has averaged around four. Daniels brought in 70 receptions last year, a great number for a tight end. However, Cooley racked up 83 receptions.

The only stat that Daniels had over Cooley was that Daniels had two touchdowns last year, where Cooley only had one.

However, looking at the entire career, Cooley has played in much more of a run-first type of offense where Daniels has had a wide-open passing attack, which gives him more of an opportunity.

Cooley also plays the H-back position on occasion, and plays it well. Daniels is not asked to do that, so the advantage has to go to Cooley.

Overall, Cooley is a very complete tight end with natural ball-catching ability. He’s a very good blocker and a good route-runner. He’s also now made back-to-back Pro Bowls, and if the Redskins can decide on how to deal with the quarterback position, he will more than likely be headed to more.

 

4. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts)

79 games started, 256 receptions, 3,082 yards, 12 YPR, 31 TDs

Playing in the same conference as Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez has prevented Dallas Clark from gaining the recognition to get a Pro Bowl nod.

Because those guys always get in, he gets snubbed. Even after having 58 receptions and 11 touchdowns in 2007, Clark still could not find his way into the Pro Bowl.

Even last year, 77 receptions and six touchdowns should have earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl, but again no dice.

With Gonzalez out of the conference, I expect Clark to make his first Pro Bowl about four years too late, but better late than never.

He is Peyton Manning’s go-to guy above Reggie Wayne. Even when Marvin Harrison was in Indy, Clark was Manning’s go-to guy.

Look for big things from Dallas Clark, even playing in the toughest division in football, the AFC South.

 

3. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)

85 games started, 429 receptions, 4,935 yards, 11.5 YPR, 25 TDs, five-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro

As far as toughness goes, there may not be a tight end in the league tougher than Jason Witten.

He brings back visions of Mike Ditka and Mark Bavaro because of the hard-nosed way he plays the game.

The most famous example would have to be during a night game against the Eagles in which he was hit by two Eagles, bounced off the hit, but lost his helmet. He continued to run down the field, nearly scoring before finally being brought down.

That, my friends, takes guts.

On top of the toughness he’s a very good blocker. He is probably the best blocker on this list, but while he can catch very well, he does not have the pass-catching ability of the other guys.

Witten will be a focal point of the Cowboys’ offense this season with the departure of Terrell Owens, so don’t be surprised to see his receptions in the triple digits, and his touchdowns in double digits.

 

2. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers)

89 games started, 400 receptions, 5,066 yards, 12.7 YPR, 51 TDs, five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro

Antonio Gates is the best tight end to ever play for the San Diego Chargers. And yes, that includes Hall-of-Famer Kellen Winslow.

His basketball background allows him to use his body to shield away a defender and make the tough grab. Whether it’s a linebacker, safety, or corner, he beats every single one of them.

Even while nursing a nagging injury last season, he was able to haul in 60 receptions, eight touchdowns, and make the Pro Bowl. With numbers like that, the AFC West does not want to see this guy healthy.

For that matter, neither does the rest of the league.

Of all the offensive weapons that the Chargers possess, Gates is probably the best of the bunch.

 

1. Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons)

174 games started, 916 receptions, 10,940 yards, 11.9 YPR, 76 TDs, 10-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro

This is a fairly obvious pick, but the right one.

Gonzalez is the best tight end to ever play the game, and is still the best doing it. Nearly 100 receptions, over 1,000 yards, and 10 touchdowns certainly warrant a first-place spot on this list.

He already holds the record for receptions, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. Each year that he plays he is only adding on to records that will never be broken.

He will most likely go over 1,000 receptions for his career, which is an incredible feat for a wide receiver, much less a tight end.

He’s already reached double-digit Pro Bowls, but that was all in the AFC. I’m sure he’d love to wear a blue jersey for the NFC this year, and he most likely will do just that.

He wants to win a Super Bowl before his career is over, and him being on the field gives the Falcons a much better chance to win their first, and his first.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

Can Donovan McNabb Finish His Career in John Elway Fashion?

We’re all aware of the brilliant fashion in which John Elway was able to end his career.

After having to deal with the questions of whether he could win the big games, Elway finally silenced his critics by winning back-to-back Super Bowls to cap off his Hall of Fame career.

Elway had a stigma surrounding him since day one that perhaps he was just your typical soft quarterback. He refused to play for the Baltimore Colts, who had the first overall selection in the 1983 draft and needed a quarterback. Elway was the obvious choice, and everyone knew it.

He was so adamant that he would never play for the Baltimore Colts, and even went so far as to look into pursuing a professional baseball career with the New York Yankees by meeting with George Steinbrenner.

Well, the Colts called Elway on what they thought was a bluff and drafted him with their first overall selection. After it was made clear that Elway was not bluffing and would not play for them, they decided to give up on Elway and traded him to the Denver Broncos.

While Elway was forced to deal with the questions and was criticized for his childish act, it was nothing compared to what Donovan McNabb endures in Philadelphia.

The anti-McNabb speech has certainly slowed as of late, but it still roars whenever being discussed by the ignorant minority.

Unfortunately for the well-educated and knowledgeable fans of Philadephia, the ignorant minority just happens to be the ones holding the microphones.

Yes, McNabb has never won a Super Bowl for Philadelphia, but neither has anyone else. However, for some reason Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham are not hated in Philadelphia, but rather they are revered.

What can McNabb do to earn that same kind of respect 10 years after his time in the City of Brotherly Love is over?

Well that’s simple. He must do exactly what John Elway did to forever earn the respect of the people in Denver, and that’s win at least one Super Bowl.

 

Why McNabb Might Finish His Career in the Same Fashion

McNabb and Elway are fairly similar in the way they play(ed) the game.

Like Elway, McNabb is a very mobile quarterback who has a knack for making a play outside of the pocket. He also has a way of making everyone around him play on a much higher level.

It is that kind of pure leadership that could have McNabb hoisting a Lombardi trophy sometime in the near future.

With a slew of new talent coming in during this off-season, the Eagles, on paper, are the best they’ve been since their runner-up Super Bowl season of 2004.

The rookies in Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, and Cornelius Ingram are all busting at the seams with potential and playmaking ability, and the newcomers add youth and arguably more talent to the team than they’ve ever seen.

The key to McNabb being able to copy what Elway did in his final two years will rest on the running game.

In the Super Bowls Elway lost, he lost mainly because all the pressure was put on him. He didn’t have much of a running attack to lean on, and as a result felt as though he had to do a whole lot more than he should have, which always leads to mistakes.

McNabb suffers from the same thing, but unlike Elway it’s not a lack of talent as much as it is an unwillingness on the part of the play-caller to use the talent, and actually run the ball.

If Reid will commit to the run, and the rookies perform at even half the level that they’re expected to, McNabb should be able to get the elusive Lombardi Trophy that the entire city craves.

 

Why McNabb Might Not Finish His Career in the Same Fashion

Again, it all goes back to the running game.

If Reid will run the ball and take the pressure off of McNabb, the chances of Philadelphia finally getting a Super Bowl victory go up exponentially. If he doesn’t, there is still a chance that McNabb could do it, but it becomes much less likely.

Also, Elway became much more willing to run at the end of his career, while McNabb seems to be holding back because he’s afraid of earning the title “running quarterback.”

If McNabb wants to win a Super Bowl, he’ll have to use his legs to his advantage. Instead of looking at his ability to run as a negative, he needs to look at it as just another weapon at his disposal.

There are of course always questions with the rookies. They could be great, or they could all be flops, in which case McNabb’s Super Bowl hopes are in trouble.

Then there’s the line. Most people are taking the line for granted because of all the talent, but the fact is that for a line to be successful, it needs a lot more than talent.

Linemen need a chance to get together and jell as a unit. If that doesn’t happen, you could have the five best linemen to ever play the game, but not have a great line.

Stacy Andrews being injured is going to hurt this process a great deal, and if he misses camp, the line will be far behind schedule by the time Week 1 rolls around.

Linemen are creatures of habit, and if they don’t get used to each other, the Eagles will be looking at a tough couple of weeks to start the season.

 

What Will Happen in the Next Two Years for McNabb and the Eagles

With McNabb having the final two years of his contract re-worked, it appears as though he’s guaranteed at least that long, if not longer.

If he wins a Super Bowl in that time span, I believe he will get a new deal to keep him here for maybe an extra three years through 2013.

While there’s always a chance the rookies won’t work out, it seems very unlikely given the incredible talent with this group. I see a few of these guys eventually turning into starters, and perhaps even Pro Bowl guys.

Most of the league expects that the Eagles will be contenders over these next two years, and could possibly go all the way. They certainly have the talent, that’s not the issue, it’s just a question of whether or not they can put it all together.

If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on a Super Bowl victory and perhaps an MVP nod for McNabb. He’s a dangerous man when he feels he has something to prove, as was shown in the last six weeks of the 2008 season after his benching.

And if McNabb can win at least one Lombardi before his time is out, he’ll be a lock to wear that gold jacket and have a bust next to Elway’s in Canton.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best Safeties in the NFL

Safeties usually don’t get the respect they deserve because they’re looked at as ‘tweeners.’ They’re either corners who are too slow and don’t have the cover skills or they’re linebackers who just aren’t big enough to play around the line of scrimmage.

To quote the great Vince Vaughn, I call “erroneous” on both counts.

Even Rod Woodson, arguably the best corner and best safety to ever play the game, has said that the difference between playing corner and safety is drastic.

He says that the angle in which you’re defending the guy has a huge role to play in the difference. As a corner, you’re just following the receiver and playing off of his movements, but as a safety you’re reading the quarterback and following his eyes.

These are the guys who maybe are too slow to play corner and maybe too small to play linebacker. But they’re just fast enough and just big enough to play safety and play it well.

 

5. Michael Griffin (Tennessee Titans)

26 games started, one sack, 10 INTs, one TD, 18 passes defended, two forced fumbles, 88 tackles

Griffin is not a guy who is going to “wow” you. He’s going to go out, do his job, and do it well.

He makes the interceptions, but they’re not the flashy ‘go up with one hand and tap your toes on the sideline’ kind of interceptions. Usually, they just come from being in the right place at the right time.

In addition to his coverage skills, he also plays the run very well. At 6’0″ and 200 pounds, he’s able to take the hits from the linemen, fullbacks, and the bigger running backs.

Griffin only has two years under his belt and is looking at nothing but upside. He was snubbed from the Pro-Bowl last year, but don’t expect the voters to make the same mistake twice.

 

4. Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers)

61 games started, 11 INTs, four TDs, 42 passes defended, five forced fumbles, 231 tackles, one-time Pro-Bowler

After a few years of solid but unspectacular play, Nick Collins had his coming-out party last year, and on a bad defensive team.

He made his first Pro-Bowl last season after racking up seven interceptions with three of them returned for touchdowns.

With Dom Capers at the helm, Collins should only get better as the defense around him gets better. Look for him to develop into a poor man’s Ed Reed. And really, how bad is that?

 

3. Adrian Wilson (Arizona Cardinals)

100 games started, 18.5 sacks, 18 INTs, four TDs, 59 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles, 495 tackles, two-time Pro-Bowler

Wilson was thrown into the limelight last season with the Cardinals making their way into their very first Super Bowl. Like his teammate Larry Fitzgerald, the country is starting to take notice of Adrian Wilson.

Wilson, to me, is like a younger Brian Dawkins. He’s great around the line of scrimmage, but can cover and play the ball. Dawkins would be on here if we were making this list two years ago.

He’s also great coming off the edge, even racking up eight sacks in one year. To put that into perspective, a pass-rush specialist, Dwight Freeney, had only 10.5 sacks last season.

Now that Wilson has gained some exposure, look for him to add on to his Pro-Bowl numbers in the near future.

 

2. Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers)

72 games started, seven sacks, 17 INTs, two TDs, 61 passes defended, seven forced fumbles, 327 tackles, five-time Pro-Bowler and two-time All-Pro

What is there to say about Troy Polamalu?

The man will punish you at the line of scrimmage, pick you off in the middle of the field, or take it upon himself to put one of his other guys into position to make the play if he can’t.

He is an absolute monster. Polamalu understands the game and understands how it has to be played. He’s not a “look at me” kind of player, but we find ourselves dazzled by his play anyway.

And that hair? Magnificent.

 

1. Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)

105 games started, five sacks, 43 INTs, seven TDs, 91 passes defended, six forced fumbles, 342 tackles, one safety, five-time Pro-Bowler and four-time All-Pro

Reed is about a half-notch above Polamalu because when you look at them on tape, Polamalu is probably better in run support, but Reed is better in pass coverage. So as far as pure skill, they’re about the same player.

What gives Reed the advantage is that he’s so much better in pass coverage than perhaps any safety to ever play the game. On top of that, he’s clutch. He’ll come up with the big interception when his team needs it.

His play will take over games, like in the playoffs against Miami, one could argue that he single-handedly won that game for Baltimore.

While Polamalu may find his way into Canton, Reed is almost assured to have a bust next to guys like Ronnie Lott and, eventually, Brian Dawkins.

 

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best Cornerbacks in the NFL

The term “shut-down corner” has been thrown around a lot as of late. Unfortunately, there is really no such thing as a shut-down corner in the NFL today.

The last guys who could have been considered as such were Rod Woodson and Deion Sanders. While the NFL still has some great corners, a shut-down corner does not exist.

The loss of the shut-down corner is not due to a drop off in talent, but a change in scheme over the past decade. A corner who is relied on to absolutely shut down his man on every play really does not exist any longer.

The sophistication of offenses has resulted in teams playing a lot more zone coverage, and a corner cannot be a shut-down guy in the zone.

These guys come as close to a shut-down corner as the NFL has to offer.

 

Honorable Mention: Darrelle Revis (New York Jets)

32 games started, 1 sack, 8 INTs, 1 TD, 33 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 119 tackles, one-time Pro Bowler

Revis is a young guy who’s starting to get some whispers around the league because of his fantastic play.

Only two years in the league and he’s already earned himself a Pro Bowl selection, racked up eight interceptions, and scored his first touchdown.

He’s got great size for a corner these days—standing at 6′ and 205 pounds allows him to stay with nearly any receiver in the game today. He’s also not afraid to hit, as evidenced by his 119 tackles over the past two seasons.

With a guy like Rex Ryan calling the shots in New York, we could see Revis go from relative unknown to All Pro.

 

5. Antonio Cromartie (San Diego Chargers)

23 games started, 12 INTs, 3 TDs, 32 passes defended, 119 tackles, one-time Pro Bowler, and one-time All-Pro

Were it not for the injury bug catching up to Cromartie last season, he may find himself a few spots higher on this list.

In 2007, Cromartie was hands down the very best corner in the game. His ten interceptions were the most in the game, and his cover skills and long arms surprised opposing quarterbacks.

Even last season, while playing through a hip injury, Cromartie snagged two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown.

If Cromartie can stay healthy in 2009, look for him to snag between six and eight interceptions while making his way back to the Pro Bowl.

 

4. Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers)

149 games started, 9.5 sacks, 36 INTs, 7 TDs, 82 passes defended, 18 forced fumbles, 549 tackles, five-time Pro Bowler, and one-time All-Pro

Woodson had a wonderful start to his career, earning four Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod in his second season in the NFL.

The next seven seasons, however, were not nearly as good.

He did not make it to the Pro Bowl in any of those years, even though he most certainly deserved it in a couple of them. Playing for a bad Oakland team saw him get swept under the rug and overlooked when that time came around.

He finally got out of Oakland after the 2005 season, and got a fresh start in Green Bay where he already has more interceptions in his three years there than he did during his eight years in Oakland (17 in Oakland, 19 in Green Bay).

With his first Pro Bowl nod in seven years coming last season, Woodson looks like he’s getting better with age, rather than worse. He’s a prime candidate to move to safety and be a Pro Bowler there in a couple years when his speed begins to leave him.

 

3. Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos)

150 games started, 2 sacks, 43 INTs, 4 TDs, 124 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, 601 tackles, eight-time Pro Bowler, and three-time All-Pro

It was tough to put Champ Bailey this low on the list, but last season was not a good one, and he may be starting to show his age.

He’s only 30, but after not missing a game for the first six years of his career, he started missing a game or two here and there. Last season he missed seven games and did not appear to have the same speed or agility that he possessed in the past.

Still one of the best in the game, but only one interception is not going to get it done. On top of only one interception, for the first time in his career we actually saw receivers getting behind Bailey.

Perhaps it was just the injury, in fact, we all hope it was just the injury. Bailey has been the best corner this decade and has been incredible to watch, but he gets beaten out by two young guys.

So is the life of an NFL player.

 

2. Asante Samuel (Philadelphia Eagles)

68 games started, 26 INTs, 4 TDs, 101 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 242 tackles, two-time Pro Bowler, and one-time All-Pro

Not everyone was as sold on Samuel as the Eagles were when he entered free agency a year ago. However, those teams are probably kicking themselves right now.

After being passed up for the Pro Bowl in 2006 after recording 10 interceptions, Samuel has been to two consecutively and even earned an All-Pro nod in 2007.

Many analysts and other experts claimed that his success came from the system in New England and that transitioning to Philadelphia would exploit him.

Four regular season interceptions, and two playoff interceptions (to go along with one touchdown in the regular season and one in the playoffs) later, and he’s silenced the critics.

The scary thing is, he said that he was just getting comfortable in the system. Another training camp under his belt and he’ll be even better than last season. Look for another Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro nod for Asante Samuel.

 

1. Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland Raiders)

69 games started, 2 sacks, 10 INTs, 1 TD, 52 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 225 tackles, one-time Pro Bowler, and one-time All-Pro

While the stats don’t look great, any real football fan understands why Asomugha is tops on this list.

While it’s not an officially kept stat, I’ve found that Asomugha was only thrown at between 25 and 31 times during the entire 2008 season, with only about 10 completions allowed during that same time span.

After his eight interception season in 2006, teams figured out that it was better to just throw to the other side of the field rather than test Asomugha anymore.

Even with only about 30 passes thrown his way, he still came away with an interception and nine passes defended.

Asomugha is about as close as they come to a shut-down corner, and may be as close as we’ll ever see again.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best 3-4 Inside Linebackers in the NFL

Inside linebackers in the 3-4 are fairly similar to the MIKE linebacker in a 4-3, except they may be asked to drop into pass coverage and blitz a little more often. They also may deal with guards more than a MIKE linebacker, because unlike the MIKE, they are lined up directly in front of the guards.

There is a certain skill that goes to play inside linebacker in the 3-4 rather than playing MIKE, as Jonathan Vilma found out when the Jets made the transition around him.

With the 3-4 now being run by about half the league, the position is in greater demand and gaining exposure around the league.

These are the guys who every 3-4 wishes they could have.

 

5. Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots)

16 games started, 1 forced fumble, 98 tackles, 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year

Mayo only has one season under his belt, but what a fine season it was.

Bill Belichick doesn’t usually use rookies in his linebacking corps because it’s difficult for them to transition into his complex system, and it’s much easier for him to find a veteran guy who can come in and do it right immediately.

In Mayo’s case, he didn’t need to wait. Mayo came in on day one and made an impact on that defense. He became a leader by example, and instantly gained the respect of all the veterans around him.

The defensive rookie of the year will almost certainly have countless Pro Bowl appearances in his bright future.

 

4. Bradie James (Dallas Cowboys)

66 games started, 13.5 sacks, 1 interception, 6 forced fumbles, 1 touchdown, 328 tackles

It took James a little while to gain the starting job, but three years into his career, he took the spot and has not let go of it.

Last season was by far his best yet, as he racked up eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and 80 solo tackles.

In fact, looking at it now, he just may have been snubbed for the Pro Bowl.

He’s a guy who is steadily getting better as the years go on, and he should find himself in a few Pro Bowls before all is said and done.

Maybe he won’t ever be considered that “great” player, but he is a very good linebacker who may always be just a little underrated.

 

3. Bart Scott (New York Jets)

58 games started, 16 sacks, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, 315 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Scott just recently got his big free agent deal coming to New York from Baltimore, where he was overshadowed by Ray Lewis and didn’t receive all the attention that he deserved.

The bottom line is that Scott is a playmaker. He’s great on shedding blockers and making the key tackle when it matters. He hasn’t had a lot of sacks though, barring his 9.5 sack season in 2006 when he made his only Pro Bowl.

Scott will be a main focus in Rex Ryan transitioning his defense from Baltimore to the Jets, where he recently became the new head coach.

Scott could very well hold Ryan’s future in New York on his shoulders based on how effectively he’s able to run Ryan’s defense without Ray Lewis by his side.

 

2. Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)

32 games started, 5 sacks, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, 1 touchdown, 246 tackles, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Give Willis two or three years, and not only will he be the best 3-4 inside linebacker, but the best linebacker in the game, regardless of defensive scheme.

Give him a few years after that, and people will be talking about him in the same breath as Mike Singletary (his current coach) and Ray Lewis.

Willis is big, strong, fast, smart, and everything else you could ever want from a linebacker. In his first two seasons, he’s earned Pro Bowl honors, including earned All-Pro honors in his rookie season. Not to mention, he was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Were it not for the next guy on this list, he already would be the best in the league.

 

1. Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens)

177 games started, 33.5 sacks, 28 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, 3 touchdowns, 1,255 tackles, 1 safety, 10-time Pro Bowler and 6-time All-Pro

Ray Lewis might be the very best linebacker to ever play, so he was the obvious choice for the No. 1 spot. Even if he has lost a half-step over the past couple of seasons, it’s not enough to bump him out of this spot.

He’s the absolute bar for inside linebackers, and any linebackers in general.

There’s not much you can say about a guy who does everything right and already has his ticket to the Hall of Fame punched five years after his retirement.

He’s the greatest linebacker in the history of the NFL, and still the best playing at the moment.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best 4-3 Middle Linebackers in the NFL

The middle linebacker has undergone somewhat of a transformation over the past decade or so in that they’re no longer the unquestioned leader of a defense.

Back in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s the middle linebacker was the quarterback of the defense. He was that guy who played middle linebacker partly because of his size, but mostly because he was the smartest guy on that side of the ball and a natural leader.

That’s not to say that the middle linebackers today aren’t smart or natural leaders, but teams don’t necessarily rely on them to quarterback the defense any longer.

The Eagles, for example, used Brian Dawkins a lot to make defensive calls on the field. This was even before the young Stewart Bradley took over the spot. Jeremiah Trotter made his fair share of calls, but Dawkins was the unquestioned leader.

The position is evolving, but these guys are having no problem evolving with it.

 

5. Stewart Bradley (Philadelphia Eagles)

17 games started, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 100 tackles

Bradley was originally drafted as a SAM linebacker out of Nebraska, but just looking at his 6’4 255 pound frame it’s easy to peg him as a prototypical middle linebacker.

While Bradley hasn’t been doing it very long, he did do it very well last year while leading the Eagles defense to a top-three ranking in his first season as a starter.

There’s no doubt that Bradley is the future of the Eagles defense, and not much doubt that he’ll continue to do lead them well. He’s big, fast, strong, and most importantly of all he’s extremely intelligent. There’s certainly something to be said of a second-year man digesting Jim Johnson’s defense so quickly.

He earned some recognition last year, getting a couple second-team All-Pro nods from quite a few writers. Look for him to get some recognition where it counts and have an invite to the Pro Bowl.

 

4. Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)

135 games started, 37.5 sacks, 17 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 813 tackles, 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

What he lacks in the category of forced fumbles he makes up for with his number of interceptions. Of course, he has more of an opportunity than most middle linebackers because he plays in a Tampa 2 scheme, but regardless it’s an impressive number.

Urlacher made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four years in the league, and earned All-Pro honors in his second and third season. After a down year in 2004, a year in which he only played nine games due to injury, he reclaimed his elite status by earning back-to-back Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in ’05 and ’06.

Only in ’06 and ’08 did he not account for at least one sack, and ’03 and ’05 were the only seasons in which he did not have an interception.

Urlacher may be slowing down, but he’s still one of the best.

 

3. Jon Beason (Carolina Panthers)

32 games started, 4 INTs, 216 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Jon Beast-on as he’s affectionately dubbed, brings back memories of the old-school, hard-nosed middle linebackers of the past. When I look at Beason, I see the old films of Dick Butkis.

He’s a guy who will plow you over, get up and let you know that he’s the best you’ll ever see. That’s the kind of mentality that makes great middle linebackers.

Beason earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in only his second season in the league, and he was absolutely deserving.

The man is a missile who has the disadvantage of being human. If he ever gets a cut, I want someone checking to make sure he’s not some sort of cyborg.

 

2. Lofa Tatupu (Seattle Seahawks)

63 games started, 6.5 sacks, 9 INTs, 6 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 331 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Perhaps the most underrated player in the NFL today, Lofa Tatupu has been doing his job very well without much recognition over here towards the Atlantic.

2008 was a down year for Tatupu, as it was the first year that he did not make the Pro Bowl since his rookie season in 2005. That’s right, Tatupu earned Pro Bowl honors in the first three years of his career, and even earned All-Pro honors in 2007.

He has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by his nine career interceptions, and even while undersized at only 6’0 and 240 pounds, he’s one of the best tacklers in the game.

Fun fact: Almost half of his career interceptions (4-of-9) have come against the Philadelphia Eagles.

 

1. DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)

48 games started, 6.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 311 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Ryans won defensive rookie of the year honors in 2006, and then his first Pro Bowl trip the year after (after being snubbed in his rookie season).

Ryans is a throwback middle linebacker in that he plays with a mean-streak that the league has not seen since Mike Singletary took his last snaps.

He’s a tackling machine and obviously understands the game very well. He’s rarely caught out of position, and once he’s got his hands around you, there is no getting out.

At 6’1 and 235 pounds he’s not the biggest guy, but one hit in the early-goings of a game and you’ll never forget him. He might be pound-for-pound the most powerful middle linebacker in the league and is only getting better.

By the time he’s done, we’ll be talking about an All-Pro type of guy, and perhaps one of the best to ever buckle a chinstrap.

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

The Top Five: Best 3-4 Outside Linebackers in the NFL

An outside linebacker in the 3-4 has a lot of the same responsibilities as a defensive end in the 4-3.

They must be quick, fast, agile, intelligent, and able to secure the edge.

Just like a defensive end in the 4-3, outside linebackers in the 3-4 will make their money in sacks, and just overall pressure on the quarterback. The 3-4 is set up to confuse the offensive linemen, allowing the linebackers to come in clean.

However, just like a defensive end, they must also be able to play and stop the run. That reason, among others, is why you will not see a guy like Jerry Porter on this list. He is purely a pass-rush specialist and is no longer expected to play the run.

These guys are the most well-rounded, and obviously the best at what they do.

 

5. LaMarr Woodley (Pittsburgh Steelers)

15 games started, 15.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 55 tackles

This might be a few too years early for Woodley, but given what he showed last year, he deserves to be on this list.

As it stands, he has more sacks than games started. Either way, he is  impressive.

He’s an astounding athlete with the ability to stop on a dime, and leave you some change while he’s at it. He disrupts backfields and will scare a quarterback, and the offensive coordinator while he’s at it.

This kid has future defensive player of the year written all over him.

4. Terrell Suggs (Baltimore Ravens)

80 games started, 53 sacks, 5 INT, 15 forced fumbles, 2 TD, 263 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler

Suggs is versatile enough to play standing up, or with his hand on the ground and not miss a beat.

He’s probably the only guy on this list who could be thrown into a 4-3 to play defensive end and not have any trouble.

In fact, he challenged the NFL to be classified as a defensive end when he was franchised, because they make more than linebackers, because he played more than 50 percent of his snaps with his hand on the ground.

He’s phenomenal at stopping the run, and at rushing the passer. He’s coming off of a Pro Bowl year and will look to carry that momentum into an ever better 2009 season.

3. James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers)

39 games started, 28.5 sacks, 3 INT, 14 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 222 tackles, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

There are probably countless enraged Steelers’ fans reading this, but let me explain.

While Harrison has been great over the past two seasons, he has only done it for these past two seasons, after four years of mediocrity, and that’s being nice.

His ranking is not really as much of a knock on him as it is a testament to the two guys ahead of him.

Yes, Harrison was the defensive player of the year last season (and probably should have been the Super Bowl MVP), but the guys ahead of him have been doing it longer, and in my opinion, one was passed over for defensive player of the year.

Is the suspense killing you yet?

2. Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers)

38 games started, 39.5 sacks, 1 INT, 8 forced fumbles, 147 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

In three seasons, Merriman has already placed himself among the elite in the league, and perhaps of all time if he keeps this pace going.

Like Woodley, he has more sacks than games started, but has done it two years longer than Woodley.

He was the defensive rookie of the year back in 2005, and should have won defensive player of the year in 2006, but was passed up because of politics. By politics, I mean a crying Jason Taylor that Merriman shouldn’t win it because he was suspended four games for performance enhancers.

He was suspended for four games, and still finished the season with 17 sacks. Had it not been for missing those four games, he would probably have broken Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record.

Merriman is a once-in-a-generation athlete.

1. DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys)

64 games started, 53.5 sacks, 1 INT, 18 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 235 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Last season, Ware had 20 sacks. That alone should have been enough to earn him defensive player of the year, but add on the six forced fumbles and in my mind, it’s not even a competition.

Ware came in as a starter since day one, and has not missed a game since. Sixty four consecutive starts, or four full years, has put him as the very best outside linebacker in the game today. That includes any 4-3 linebacker.

Even when the Dallas defense would struggle, this guy always came through. He’s an incredible athlete, and even at 6’4′ and 245 pounds, is probably the fastest guy on this list, and maybe at the entire position.

He currently has a streak of three consecutive Pro Bowls, and two consecutive selections to the All-Pro team. Something tells me that this streak won’t be ending any time soon.

 

Also Check Out 2 Minutes to Midnight Green!

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010