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 Welcome To The New Season NFC
by Rob Staton
22/5/2008
Welcome to the 2008 NFL season!
Ok, so we’ve now got about 110 days to go to the new season. Last time we had a look at how the AFC is shaping up after mini-camps, and now it’s the NFC. Once again we look at expectations, schedule difficulty and the now infamous best case / worst case scenarios.
(…Check Here For AFC Analysis…)
NFC EAST
 DALLAS COWBOYS
Another year and another ‘so close yet so far’ story in Dallas. But what’s the big story in Dallas heading into 2008? The Pacman Jones trade? Is it the potential Head Coach controversy between Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett? Has T.O. been shooting his mouth off? The answer is none of the above. It’s in fact whether Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson have split up. And they looked so cute at his birthday bash
08 Schedule Difficulty C-
Schedule Highlight The inter-division NFC East battles. The NFL’s best division?
Best Case: Simpson split 13-3
Worst Case: Romo proposal 10-6
NEW YORK GIANTS
Defending world champions and teams fell over themselves to ‘copy cat’ the Giants during the draft. Where do the champs go from here though? Winning the East would be a successful campaign but you don’t half feel there may be a bit of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ with the Giants in 2008. Can anything other than a repeat be deemed a success? At least Lawrence ‘he’s British you know’ Tynes is signed up to a long term deal.
08 Schedule Difficulty C+
Schedule Highlight Opening the new NFL season against the Skins.
Best Case: Big Blue12-4
Worst Case: Big Anti-Climax 8-8
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
New era, zero possibility of predicting what is going to happen to this team. Coach Jim Zorn is new to the job and much will depend on Jason Campbell’s ability to learn yet another new offense. The Skins lost in the playoffs because they couldn’t protect their own QB and they couldn’t rush the passer. None of these issues were sorted in free agency or the draft. At least they got TE Fred Davis if only he had a working alarm clock.
08 Schedule Difficulty C+
Schedule Highlight Zorn and the Skins head back to Qwest Field for a playoff rematch.
Best Case: D.C. Delight 10-6
Worst Case: Sad Skins 6-10
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The Eagles finished dead last in the NFC East in 2007. Bizarrely, their 8-8 record would have been enough for the playoffs in ’06. Could potentially be a Super Bowl dark horse if they get a good year from Donovan McNabb. They splashed out on Asante Samuel in free agency and made some nice moves in the draft. However, the big issue is surely whether or not those bright yellow jerseys will make another appearance next season. Man, they were sharp.
08 Schedule Difficulty C
Schedule Highlight Their first game against the Giants in November and ending the season at home against the Cowboys.
Best Case: Green and White Jerseys 12-4
Worst Case: Bright Yellow Jerseys 7-9
NFC NORTH
 GREEN BAY PACKERS
How weird is it going to be watching the Packers without Favre? It’ll be like Man Utd without Alex Ferguson, Coronation Street without Ken Barlow or the new Indiana Jones film without Harrison Ford. Fortunately, the Packers had a long term plan for this and Aaron Rodgers will dust off that helmet that’s been lying on the side for three years to come in as the starting QB. But wait! Is there a controversy in the distance? Drafting Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn means Rodgers might not have long to impress.
08 Schedule Difficulty B-
Schedule Highlight Monday Night Football on opening week against the Vikings.
Best Case: Who needs a Hall of Fame QB? 10-6
Worst Case: Come back Brett! 6-10
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Big expectations in Minnesota this year. After watching Adrian Peterson run over everyone last year, the Vikings made a blockbuster trade to get Jared Allen and signed Bernard Berrien in free agency. First pick in the draft Tyrell Johnson completes an impressive addition list. However, the Vikings success will all depend on the play of their Quarter Back. Tavaris Jackson needs to step up for the team to reach its potential. Drafting John David Booty shows the Vikings won’t hesitate to make a change.
08 Schedule Difficulty B
Schedule Highlight Monday Night Football on opening weekend, but then taking on the Colts in week 2.
Best Case: Viking Invasion 11-5
Worst Case: Maybe we should give Favre a call? 8-8
DETROIT LIONS
Another year and another season with Matt Millen still clinging to his job as GM. The man is like the Scarlet Pimpernel or something. Another disappointing year and the ‘Fire Millen’ group may finally get their wish. Mike Martz rides off into the sunset but the pass happy offense might still be prominent in Detroit with the Lions playmakers mainly in the passing game. Will Jon Kitna make another 10 win prediction? Oh, he already has. Good luck with that.
08 Schedule Difficulty B+
Schedule Highlight Their second game against Green Bay should indicate just how good this team will or won’t be.
Best Case: Lions Roar 10-6
Worst Case: Lions Poor 5-11
CHICAGO BEARS
Even in the UK you could hear the collective sigh of relief from Chicago fans when the 2007 season ended. Finally it was time to sort things out and get a proper Quarter Back. But wait! Rex has signed a new deal! Contingency plan surely? Oh no! He’s going to be the starter! Now they’ve lost all of their receivers! At least they drafted a finesse left tackle to try and give him plenty of time to throw to, well, nobody. We should probably start saying prayers for Rex.
08 Schedule Difficulty B
Schedule Highlight Week 1 and the first team to visit the all new Lucas Oil Field Stadium. It’s just a shame for the Bears that the Colts have to be there too.
Best Case Yogi Bear 9-7
Worst Case Bungle 5-11
NFC SOUTH
 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The way he speaks, John Gruden reminds me of Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Does anyone know if he likes Pizza or carries a pair of nunchuks? Dude, he like totally signed a new contract this off season. Yeah man, he’d love to go back to the playoffs this year. The Buccs likely won’t be able to take the last few games off this time with both the Saints and Panthers improving. This could be a much more interesting division in 2008.
08 Schedule Difficulty B
Schedule Highlight Opening weekend at the Saints promises to be a real cracker.
Best Case Turtle Power 10-6
Worst Case Turtle Soup 6-10
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
It’s time for another ‘potential Los Angeles move’. Billionaire Edward Roski Jr. wants to move a team to L.A. ahead of building plans for a new 75,000 seater stadium and the Saints have been touted. After everything that has happened in New Orleans, surely this would simply be too much of a kick in the teeth? Let’s hope common sense prevails. On the field Drew Brees will hope to lead the team back to the playoffs and its make or break time for Reggie Bush.
08 Schedule Difficulty B
Schedule Highlight Taking on the Chargers at Wembley, should be a treat for the UK fans.
Best Case fleur-de-lis 10-6
Worst Case fleur-de-lose 7-9
CAROLINA PANTHERS
It’s make or break time for the Panthers. Well, it is for the coaching staff and GM. They put all their eggs in one basket during the draft and came out with two quality first round additions. Now it’s time to deliver. If Jake Delhomme can prove his fitness then this team could be one of the success stories of the 2008 season. Even then, Matt Moore showed he can play a bit in 2007. Either this team succeeds next season or heads roll.
08 Schedule Difficulty C+
Schedule Highlight They face a tough trip to San Diego on opening weekend but it’s a perfect chance to show off their new talent.
Best Case Playoff Panthers 11-5
Worst Case You’re Fired! 7-9
ATLANTA FALCONS
Its early days, but it looks pretty safe to say that the Matt Ryan era is going to be the polar opposite of the Michael Vick era. Ryan has already signed his $72m deal avoiding a lengthy hold out and looks well set to challenge for early starts in his rookie campaign. The signing of Michael Turner could prove to be a shrewd acquisition, but I think everyone expects this is a team in transition and experience will be the key in 2008. Anything else is a bonus.
08 Schedule Difficulty C+
Schedule Highlight Eagles away after their bye week, simply because at this point it looks like a good place for Matt Ryan to start his NFL career.
Best Case Ryan revolution 8-8
Worst Case It’s all about experience 4-12
NFC WEST
 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Its Mike Holmgren’s final year in Seattle and GM Tim Ruskell is already changing the furniture round. Shaun Alexander is gone ending an era at Qwest Field. They’ve also spent the off season reinventing the running game with a new line coach, guard and running backs. Regardless, it still seems like a stretch to predict anything other than a 5th consecutive division title in the NFC West and Holmy going out on a high.
08 Schedule Difficulty C+
Schedule Highlight Facing the Cowboys on Thanksgiving.
Best Case Happy Holmgren’s finale 11-5
Worst Case They’ll probably still win the division 9-7
ARIZONA CARDINALS
A new year but the same old questions. Is this when the Arizona Cardinals finally break through and win the division? It’s been asked so many times you begin to wonder if it’s ever actually going to happen. Matt Leinart, fresh from a winter of hot tubs and bikini’s, needs to prove he is the starter this year or he might find the hot tubs and bikini’s aren’t easily accessible any more. On a positive note, that’s a pretty good draft.
08 Schedule Difficulty B+
Schedule Highlight Ending the season at home to the Hawks, if they are going to challenge for the division title it will come down to this game.
Best Case NFC West Champs 10-6
Worst Case Same old Cards 7-9
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The biggest surprise about the Niners last year was that they actually won five games. Putting it mildly, they were terrible. What do you do when you can’t get you’re QB to perform? You go out and sign pass crazy offensive coordinator Mike Martz of course! Perhaps lower expectations will help the franchise rejuvenate itself in 2008? Mike Nolan needs some kind of positive response from his team, or he might be looking for a new job.
08 Schedule Difficulty B+
Schedule Highlight Considering they beat Arizona twice last year, maybe it’s a good thing they start off against them at home for the second consecutive season?
Best Case San Fran Surprise 8-8
Worst Case No hope Niners 3-13
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Whatever could go wrong for the Rams in 2007 did go wrong. If they have as little as 1% better fortune in 2008 they will have a successful campaign. The addition of Chris Long alone should provide some cause for optimism. They need Marc Bulger and Steven Jackson fit to maximise their potential. With little improvement to the O Line, keeping them on the field might be harder than it sounds.
08 Schedule Difficulty B
Schedule Highlight The game against Miami will be interesting, if only to see how the two worst ranked teams from 2007 have improved.
Best Case Greatest Show on Turf II electric boogaloo 10-6
Worst Case Box office flop 6-10
Check Here For AFC Analysis
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