Hot topics
Peyton Refueled
Peyton Manning’s window for capturing his second Super Bowl championship is closing rapidly, so Broncos GM John Elway stole CB Aqib Talib from the Patriots, and added DE DeMarcus Ware and SS T.J. Ward, and replaced WR Eric Decker with Emmanuel Sanders.
Michael Vick
He has been the good soldier, but it’s clear he believes he can be the five-star general again. If Geno Smith falters, Jets coach Rex Ryan, who cannot afford missing the playoffs for a fourth straight season, won’t hesitate unleashing Vick, who has won over the room with his leadership, charisma and team-first attitude.
Eli Manning
27 interceptions in 2013, a new offensive coordinator (Ben McAdoo) in 2014. And first-round draft pick WR Odell Beckham to replace Hakeem Nicks. And an upgraded offensive line to keep him upright. He vowed he is not in decline. No excuses now.
RG-Knee
Redskins QB Robert Griffin III should be closer to the phenom who electrified the NFL as a rookie, especially with WR DeSean Jackson on board, and we know he will have a better relationship with new coach Jay Gruden than he did with Mike Shanahan. It’s on him to grow into the leader the franchise needs at a time when owner Daniel Snyder is coming under more fire for refusing to change the club’s nickname.
Michael Sam
All eyes will be on the quest of the NFL’s first openly-gay player to make history. It won’t be easy — he is a converted outside linebacker who lacks speed and explosiveness, so he will need to make his mark on special teams. The practice squad would seem to be a decent bet.
Tony Romo
Owner/GM Jerry Jones will be having Johnny Football nightmares should QB Tony Romo be hampered or incapacitated in any way by his back surgery.
There will be more pressure than ever on America’s Quarterback with Ware gone and MLB Sean Lee disabled on defense. Scott Linehan replaces Bill Callahan, who replaced Jason Garrett last season, as the offensive playcaller. Can you say 8-8 for the fourth consecutive year? Can you say 136-136 since 1997?
The hot seat
Garrett is at the top of the list every year. Ryan has missed the playoffs three straight years, and a reminder here that Jets GM John Idzik inherited him. Joe Philbin, with Bullygate behind him, needs to make the playoffs in his third season in Miami. Raiders GM Reggie Mckenzie has gotten coach Dennis Allen, QB Matt Schaub and RB Maurice Jones-Drew on offense, and DEs Justin Tuck and LaMarr Woodley and first-round draft pick OLB Khalil Mack on defense. Mike Pettine might remember he got the Browns job only because Rob Chudzinski was one-and-done (and Jim Harbaugh rejected overtures from ownership and management).
The new seat
There are seven new head coaches — Gruden (Redskins), Pettine (Browns), Lovie Smith (Buccaneers), Jim Caldwell (Lions), Mike Zimmer (Vikings), Ken Whisenhunt (Titans) and Bill O’Brien (Texans). Caldwell (Colts) and Smith (Bears) are not rookies. It’s anyone’s guess who will have the most success.
Questions
Are Nick Foles and Chip Kelly one-year wonders?
Foles can’t possibly duplicate his 27-2 TD-INT ratio, and defensive coordinators have had an offseason to study Kelly’s high-octane attack. On the other hand, RB LeSean McCoy hasn’t gone anywhere, and Kelly, who considered Jackson replaceable, has imported more players who fit his system.
Can Teddy Bridgewater save Adrian Peterson?
All Day is 29 all of a sudden, and the absence of a legitimate quarterback has derailed his Super Bowl dreams. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner intends on getting more involved in the passing game, but how quickly he is able to develop rookie QB Bridgewater will tell the ultimate tale.
Can Blake Bortles save the Jaguars?
Drafting Blaine Gabbert in the first round set the franchise back three years. GM David Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley desperately need to be right on Bortles, their Chosen One over Johnny Box Office and Bridgewater. Londoners don’t care to watch another bloke at quarterback.
Will this be Tom Coughlin’s last year?
The two-time Super Bowl coach of the New York Football Giants seems to need a team as much as he needs oxygen. If he wins a third Super Bowl, he could decide to ride off into the sunset. If he misses the playoffs again at age 68, will he decide to step aside should John Mara decide to nudge him in the direction of full-time grandfatherhood?
Quarterbacks on the hot seat
Andy Dalton (Bengals) needs to win a playoff game. Jake Locker (Titans) gets a last chance to show he can be a franchise QB. Sam Bradford (Rams) has to stay healthy and take the next step. Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins) has to take the next step and get to the playoffs. Geno Smith has Vick salivating over another chance. Hoyer (Browns) has to hold off Johnny Cleveland.
Will Cam Newton have to carry the Panthers back to the playoffs?
He may have a playoff defense, but he lost his top four receivers from a year ago, including Steve Smith (Ravens), which means 6-foot-5, 240-pound rookie Kelvin Benjamin better be the new go-to guy. And LT Jordan Gross’ retirement doesn’t help.
Don’t sleep on…
Aaron Rodgers
If Julius Peppers can help Clay Matthews rush the passer, Rodgers can do the rest with WR Randall Cobb healthy and RB Eddie Lacy providing balance.
Drew Brees
Saints coach Sean Payton got him a new toy in first-round draft pick WR Brandin Cooks, and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan got a bluechip ballhawk in FS Jairus Byrd.
Andrew Luck
He’s made the playoffs in his first two seasons, and the division is a cake walk. And if WR Hakeem Nicks can stay healthy and Reggie Wayne can make it back from a torn ACL at age 35, maybe the Broncos-Patriots AFC Championship Game won’t be a fait accompli.