Post by MGB01 on Dec 10, 2010 16:47:04 GMT -5
1. Washington
2010: 10-4, 1st AC East; beat KC 33-20 in AC Championship, beat SF 31-17 in X-Bowl X
The champions were able to bring back all their FAs (minus Dashon Goldson) and should be in good shape as they look to become the league's first repeat champ since LV in 2005-2006. But three of the last four champions have missed
the playoffs the next year.
QUESTIONS: What do the Glory do about their logjam at RB, do they figure it's time to trade Marion Barber after
Brandon Jackson and LeGarrette Blount both had success in the postseason? What about former first-round pick Phillip Merling, plagued by legal troubles and injuries in 2010?
2. Kansas City
2010: 10-4, 1st AC South; beat DAL 27-20 in first round, lost to WAS 33-20 in AC Championship
As usual, the Monarchs are the #1 team the last five years when it comes to making noise, no different this offseason: Mike Williams and LenDale White are out (don't expect any Christmas cards from Pete Carroll), while Santonio Holmes and Dashon Goldson are in.
QUESTIONS: Anthony Calvillo signed on for one more year, but will he make it through? With Colt Brennan facing a long recovery after an offseason auto accident, do the Monarchs draft an heir apparent or White's replacement in the first round? Will last year's #1 overall Sergio Kindle, who suffered a horrible head injury in the DET game, recover? Will Justin Tuck get 20 sacks after notching 18 in 2010?
3. Pittsburgh
2010: 9-5, t-1st NC North; beat DET 27-24(OT) in first round, lost to SF 17-13 in NC Championship
The Maulers were able to outwrest BIR and keep Chad Jackson in the fold coming off a career year where he led the league in receiving and have been shopping former first-round pick Limas Sweed, who missed the 2010 season with a torn achilles. The Maulers added Marcus McCauley and Darnell Bing to a secondary that was a little soft.
QUESTIONS: Will Jonathan Dwyer be able to run like he did in the playoffs with Joseph Addai now gone? If the Maulers can't unload Sweed, do they then try to trade either Pierre Garcon, who emerged in Sweed's absence, or Josh Morgan? Which Tyler Palko does PIT get in '11, the one of 2008 and 2010, or the one of 2009?
4. San Francisco
2010: 10-4, 1st NC West; beat PIT 17-13 in NC Championship, lost to WAS 31-17 in X-Bowl X
It was no coincidence the Demons', and third-year QB Nate Davis, amazing second-half runs began once the Demons were able to clean up their O-line mess. Davis went from 27 sacks the first half of the year to just five over the Demons' final seven regular season games. The relative lack of postseason activity, in which the Demons were reportedly trying to acquire either Phillip Merling or Cameron Wake, results in their slippage.
QUESTIONS: Danny Amendola had a breakout year in 2010, will underutilized Ben Obomanu get a shot to do the same in 2011 or will the Demons, who have been in talks with the Hitmen about reacquiring Reggie Brown, look elsewhere? Will the Demons sign Jamaal Charles to a long-term deal before the season? What does the team do with veteran OL Rob Murphy, who was displeased about his benching in 2010? Is the team comfortable with young players like Manase Hopoi and Worrell Williams at key spots in place of veterans the team chose not to re-sign in the hopes of landing Merling and/or Wake?
5. Detroit
2010: 9-5, t-1st NC North; lost to PIT 27-24(OT) in first round
Like DAL, the Mustangs are gunning for the division title, especially the way they played PIT to which some thought they were the better team, rallying from a 21-3 deficit and taking a 31-24 lead late in one matchup and then jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first round game. The Mustangs got the Vincent Jackson mess resolved, getting a couple of high draft picks for him, and locked up Kevin Boss.
QUESTIONS: With a number of potential free agents, including QB Matt Kegel and RB Kevin Smith, is this all or nothing for the Mustangs? Will Smith be healthy in 2011? Is Frantz Joseph the answer at MLB or do they slide Wesley Woodyard (or perhaps a returning Donald Butler) over? Will SS Ernest Shazor be able to move beyond his disappointment of only being able to land a one-year/850K deal?
6. Dallas
2010: 8-6, 2nd AC South; lost to KC 27-20 in first round
Despite the loss of Santonio Holmes to KC -- the Lonestars had already prepared for his departure with the pick of Jordan Shipley last year -- the Lonestars have made clear that 2011 is a the year they challenge KC for the AC South. Jared Zabransky turned an outstanding 2010 season into a nice new deal.
QUESTIONS: How much of a gamble will replacing Selvin Young with Michael Bush, not to mention replacing both OTs,
turn out to be? After unsuccessful attempts to land Fred Bennett, do the Lonestars make a push for a remaining veteran CB (Brian Williams) or look to the draft?
7. Carolina
2010: 8-6, 2nd AC East
While they were unsuccessful in landing Gabe Watson they get points for sneaking in Steve Breaston, as well as retaining Manny Lawson. Maybe the Colonels will have better luck keeping guys healthy this year. Kevin O'Connell would sure appreciate it.
QUESTIONS: So who replaces Sean Locklear at left tackle? All signs indicate that's where the Colonels will go in the draft as the few remaining tackles in FA (including Locklear) all come with question marks. But if the Colonels go there, aren't they then shorting themselves at DT, where Grady Jackson turns 38 in January?
8. Las Vegas
2010: 8-6, 2nd NC West
Another offseason in the desert of big-name departures, this time Nate Burleson/Tommy Kelly (NFL), Eric Winston (ORL), and Jason David (SA) being the departures. But as usual, the Outlaws should come through fine as they make their money come draft time anyway. They also landed Brandon Mebane.
QUESTIONS: Is "the other" Mike Williams ready to become a starter after a 33-catch rookie year in 2010? With Burleson's departure, do they move Dexter McCluster over to WR? Do they move Chris Denman over to left tackle to replace Winston? Will Bruce Johnson, who played pretty well in place of David in 2010 while he was hurt, become the #2 CB?
9. New York
2010: 7-7, 3rd NC North
Needless to say, 2011 is a huge year for the Hitmen, coming off their first non-playoff season since 2006. Chad Henne looked to have taken a step back after successful years in 2008 and 2009. So to help, the Hitmen were the ones to pull the trigger and make the deal for Vincent Jackson, giving them a gamebreaking WR to go with Henne and defending rushing champ Ray Rice
QUESTIONS: With Jackson in the fold will the Hitmen turn around say adios to Reggie Brown, who led the team with 65 catches but clearly was somewhat of a disappointment as he failed to adequately replace all-XFL veteran Emmett Johnson? Will the Hitmen go into payroll-slashing mode after shelling out to retain all-XFL center Nick Mangold, and if so who (with a hefty 2011 price tag) will it be?
10. San Antonio
2010: 7-7, 3rd AC South
No doubt about it, if Chase Clement is to repeat his unbelievable 2010, it'll definitely be a harder task without DeAngelo Williams. That leaves the Stampede with Darius Walker, who went from starter in SF to short-yardage back.
QUESTIONS: What do the Stamps do with '10 first-rounder Myron Lewis after failing to land Fred Bennett, go ahead with the move to FS or keep him at CB? If the former, do they really believe Jason David is anything more than a nickel back at this point? Can they actually beat somebody outside the AC South in '11 after running up a 5-1 division mark (including sweeps of KC and DAL) in '10?
11. Seattle
2010: 7-7, 3rd NC West
Jon Gruden turned down the University of Miami, but the Reign might not be out of the woods yet as the NFL is sure to come calling in the next few months. Former CHI Enforcer head coach and current Reign DC Mark Criner could have his next gig as soon as that happens, the Reign have all but declared him Gruden's successor.
QUESTIONS: Will Marshawn Lynch be able to rekindle his career in the Northwest now that he's been reunited with his college backfield mate and close friend Justin Forsett? Will 2008 second-round pick Red Bryant be able to cut it as a starter now with the departure of Brandon Mebane? Could the Reign win the NFC West?
12. Memphis
2010: 6-8, 4th AC South
It might not be what it was when Don Matthews took the team to consecutive playoff appearances in 2006-07, but the Maniax have been competitive since an 0-5 start in 2009, going 9-12, including several close losses to the likes of KC, DAL, and CAR among others. James Lofton is convinced the Maniax are ready to close the gap even further after reaching .500 at the 12-game mark before losing to WAS and DAL in their last two. Losing Steve Breaston was a step back, but almost completely erased with the signing of DeAngelo Williams.
QUESTIONS: Is this the year Graham Harrell displaces Bart Hendricks as the starter? Can the OL stay healthy after all five starters missed at least two games each? Is 2009 top overall pick Michael Johnson on the verge of breaking through or will he join a list of Maniax high draft pick/defensive busts?
13. Birmingham
2010: 5-9, 3rd AC East
Russ Grimm was eager to get back into coaching after the Bulls-cum-Maulers didn't renew his contract for their move north last fall. He almost made the biggest noise of all (which would have shot the Bolts up at least six spots in these rankings) by almost getting former pupil and hometown boy Chad Jackson, off a record year, in the fold for 2011. But alas, almost, which is why the Bolts settled on Anthony Gonzalez, a good WR but too injury-prone and not nearly the dynamic of Jackson, to replace the underperforming Sinorice Moss.
QUESTIONS: So who gets first crack at replacing LaMarr Woodley; Curtis Johnson, a small-school gem who was outstanding in a reserve role in 2008-09 but was largely invisible (and hurt) in 2010? Chris McCoy, a sixth-round pick last spring? Or is it yet to come? Not that Woodley was the only big-name FA to, um, bolt in the offseason, who will take over for Fred Bennett?
14. Chicago
2010: 2-12, 4th NC North
Give the Enforcers this much: they replaced 3/5 of their OL, converted to a 3-4 defense that fits Rex Ryan's (so to speak) schemes, and were players in free agency. If Jimmy Clausen continues to perform as well as he did in his rookie campaign, the Enforcers should at least be three wins better right there.
QUESTIONS: That aside, are the two new OTs (Doug Free and Jonathan Scott) really that much to write home about? What does Marico Portis have left? Does that shift Max Unger, a disappointment in 2010, over to right guard? Is Cedric Griffin, who could miss his second straight season from the same ACL/MCL tear he suffered in training camp, done? Think the Enforcers would like to have that Perrish Cox pick back?
15. Orlando
2010: 4-10, 4th AC East
The Rage went into the free agency period looking to make the biggest splash of all, instead they wound up with just Gabe Watson and whiffed on trying to bring a legit #1 target home for Andre Woodson in 2011. They did unload Marshawn Lynch.
QUESTIONS: Wasn't signing Joseph Addai kind of a waste if they expect Rashad Jennings to carry the load in '11? Finding no takers for Drew Stanton, will they just release him outright? With Marcus McCauley gone, are they expecting Clevan Thomas (32 in April) to turn back the clock to 2005?
16. Los Angeles
2010: 1-13, 4th NC West
The Xtreme made tremendous strides to erase the huge skidmark of the worst season in their ten-year history by signing LaMarr Woodley, somehow getting Maurice Jones-Drew to stay put, and trading for Mike X. Williams. Unfortunately for Brian Billick's charges, the task to get the Xtreme back to playoff contention is, at best, a strenuous exercise.
QUESTIONS: Would the Xtreme do the unthinkable and make the play for Jake Locker? And would the Xtreme start shedding salary (Aubrayo Franklin, Demorrio Williams) to do so?
2010: 10-4, 1st AC East; beat KC 33-20 in AC Championship, beat SF 31-17 in X-Bowl X
The champions were able to bring back all their FAs (minus Dashon Goldson) and should be in good shape as they look to become the league's first repeat champ since LV in 2005-2006. But three of the last four champions have missed
the playoffs the next year.
QUESTIONS: What do the Glory do about their logjam at RB, do they figure it's time to trade Marion Barber after
Brandon Jackson and LeGarrette Blount both had success in the postseason? What about former first-round pick Phillip Merling, plagued by legal troubles and injuries in 2010?
2. Kansas City
2010: 10-4, 1st AC South; beat DAL 27-20 in first round, lost to WAS 33-20 in AC Championship
As usual, the Monarchs are the #1 team the last five years when it comes to making noise, no different this offseason: Mike Williams and LenDale White are out (don't expect any Christmas cards from Pete Carroll), while Santonio Holmes and Dashon Goldson are in.
QUESTIONS: Anthony Calvillo signed on for one more year, but will he make it through? With Colt Brennan facing a long recovery after an offseason auto accident, do the Monarchs draft an heir apparent or White's replacement in the first round? Will last year's #1 overall Sergio Kindle, who suffered a horrible head injury in the DET game, recover? Will Justin Tuck get 20 sacks after notching 18 in 2010?
3. Pittsburgh
2010: 9-5, t-1st NC North; beat DET 27-24(OT) in first round, lost to SF 17-13 in NC Championship
The Maulers were able to outwrest BIR and keep Chad Jackson in the fold coming off a career year where he led the league in receiving and have been shopping former first-round pick Limas Sweed, who missed the 2010 season with a torn achilles. The Maulers added Marcus McCauley and Darnell Bing to a secondary that was a little soft.
QUESTIONS: Will Jonathan Dwyer be able to run like he did in the playoffs with Joseph Addai now gone? If the Maulers can't unload Sweed, do they then try to trade either Pierre Garcon, who emerged in Sweed's absence, or Josh Morgan? Which Tyler Palko does PIT get in '11, the one of 2008 and 2010, or the one of 2009?
4. San Francisco
2010: 10-4, 1st NC West; beat PIT 17-13 in NC Championship, lost to WAS 31-17 in X-Bowl X
It was no coincidence the Demons', and third-year QB Nate Davis, amazing second-half runs began once the Demons were able to clean up their O-line mess. Davis went from 27 sacks the first half of the year to just five over the Demons' final seven regular season games. The relative lack of postseason activity, in which the Demons were reportedly trying to acquire either Phillip Merling or Cameron Wake, results in their slippage.
QUESTIONS: Danny Amendola had a breakout year in 2010, will underutilized Ben Obomanu get a shot to do the same in 2011 or will the Demons, who have been in talks with the Hitmen about reacquiring Reggie Brown, look elsewhere? Will the Demons sign Jamaal Charles to a long-term deal before the season? What does the team do with veteran OL Rob Murphy, who was displeased about his benching in 2010? Is the team comfortable with young players like Manase Hopoi and Worrell Williams at key spots in place of veterans the team chose not to re-sign in the hopes of landing Merling and/or Wake?
5. Detroit
2010: 9-5, t-1st NC North; lost to PIT 27-24(OT) in first round
Like DAL, the Mustangs are gunning for the division title, especially the way they played PIT to which some thought they were the better team, rallying from a 21-3 deficit and taking a 31-24 lead late in one matchup and then jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first round game. The Mustangs got the Vincent Jackson mess resolved, getting a couple of high draft picks for him, and locked up Kevin Boss.
QUESTIONS: With a number of potential free agents, including QB Matt Kegel and RB Kevin Smith, is this all or nothing for the Mustangs? Will Smith be healthy in 2011? Is Frantz Joseph the answer at MLB or do they slide Wesley Woodyard (or perhaps a returning Donald Butler) over? Will SS Ernest Shazor be able to move beyond his disappointment of only being able to land a one-year/850K deal?
6. Dallas
2010: 8-6, 2nd AC South; lost to KC 27-20 in first round
Despite the loss of Santonio Holmes to KC -- the Lonestars had already prepared for his departure with the pick of Jordan Shipley last year -- the Lonestars have made clear that 2011 is a the year they challenge KC for the AC South. Jared Zabransky turned an outstanding 2010 season into a nice new deal.
QUESTIONS: How much of a gamble will replacing Selvin Young with Michael Bush, not to mention replacing both OTs,
turn out to be? After unsuccessful attempts to land Fred Bennett, do the Lonestars make a push for a remaining veteran CB (Brian Williams) or look to the draft?
7. Carolina
2010: 8-6, 2nd AC East
While they were unsuccessful in landing Gabe Watson they get points for sneaking in Steve Breaston, as well as retaining Manny Lawson. Maybe the Colonels will have better luck keeping guys healthy this year. Kevin O'Connell would sure appreciate it.
QUESTIONS: So who replaces Sean Locklear at left tackle? All signs indicate that's where the Colonels will go in the draft as the few remaining tackles in FA (including Locklear) all come with question marks. But if the Colonels go there, aren't they then shorting themselves at DT, where Grady Jackson turns 38 in January?
8. Las Vegas
2010: 8-6, 2nd NC West
Another offseason in the desert of big-name departures, this time Nate Burleson/Tommy Kelly (NFL), Eric Winston (ORL), and Jason David (SA) being the departures. But as usual, the Outlaws should come through fine as they make their money come draft time anyway. They also landed Brandon Mebane.
QUESTIONS: Is "the other" Mike Williams ready to become a starter after a 33-catch rookie year in 2010? With Burleson's departure, do they move Dexter McCluster over to WR? Do they move Chris Denman over to left tackle to replace Winston? Will Bruce Johnson, who played pretty well in place of David in 2010 while he was hurt, become the #2 CB?
9. New York
2010: 7-7, 3rd NC North
Needless to say, 2011 is a huge year for the Hitmen, coming off their first non-playoff season since 2006. Chad Henne looked to have taken a step back after successful years in 2008 and 2009. So to help, the Hitmen were the ones to pull the trigger and make the deal for Vincent Jackson, giving them a gamebreaking WR to go with Henne and defending rushing champ Ray Rice
QUESTIONS: With Jackson in the fold will the Hitmen turn around say adios to Reggie Brown, who led the team with 65 catches but clearly was somewhat of a disappointment as he failed to adequately replace all-XFL veteran Emmett Johnson? Will the Hitmen go into payroll-slashing mode after shelling out to retain all-XFL center Nick Mangold, and if so who (with a hefty 2011 price tag) will it be?
10. San Antonio
2010: 7-7, 3rd AC South
No doubt about it, if Chase Clement is to repeat his unbelievable 2010, it'll definitely be a harder task without DeAngelo Williams. That leaves the Stampede with Darius Walker, who went from starter in SF to short-yardage back.
QUESTIONS: What do the Stamps do with '10 first-rounder Myron Lewis after failing to land Fred Bennett, go ahead with the move to FS or keep him at CB? If the former, do they really believe Jason David is anything more than a nickel back at this point? Can they actually beat somebody outside the AC South in '11 after running up a 5-1 division mark (including sweeps of KC and DAL) in '10?
11. Seattle
2010: 7-7, 3rd NC West
Jon Gruden turned down the University of Miami, but the Reign might not be out of the woods yet as the NFL is sure to come calling in the next few months. Former CHI Enforcer head coach and current Reign DC Mark Criner could have his next gig as soon as that happens, the Reign have all but declared him Gruden's successor.
QUESTIONS: Will Marshawn Lynch be able to rekindle his career in the Northwest now that he's been reunited with his college backfield mate and close friend Justin Forsett? Will 2008 second-round pick Red Bryant be able to cut it as a starter now with the departure of Brandon Mebane? Could the Reign win the NFC West?
12. Memphis
2010: 6-8, 4th AC South
It might not be what it was when Don Matthews took the team to consecutive playoff appearances in 2006-07, but the Maniax have been competitive since an 0-5 start in 2009, going 9-12, including several close losses to the likes of KC, DAL, and CAR among others. James Lofton is convinced the Maniax are ready to close the gap even further after reaching .500 at the 12-game mark before losing to WAS and DAL in their last two. Losing Steve Breaston was a step back, but almost completely erased with the signing of DeAngelo Williams.
QUESTIONS: Is this the year Graham Harrell displaces Bart Hendricks as the starter? Can the OL stay healthy after all five starters missed at least two games each? Is 2009 top overall pick Michael Johnson on the verge of breaking through or will he join a list of Maniax high draft pick/defensive busts?
13. Birmingham
2010: 5-9, 3rd AC East
Russ Grimm was eager to get back into coaching after the Bulls-cum-Maulers didn't renew his contract for their move north last fall. He almost made the biggest noise of all (which would have shot the Bolts up at least six spots in these rankings) by almost getting former pupil and hometown boy Chad Jackson, off a record year, in the fold for 2011. But alas, almost, which is why the Bolts settled on Anthony Gonzalez, a good WR but too injury-prone and not nearly the dynamic of Jackson, to replace the underperforming Sinorice Moss.
QUESTIONS: So who gets first crack at replacing LaMarr Woodley; Curtis Johnson, a small-school gem who was outstanding in a reserve role in 2008-09 but was largely invisible (and hurt) in 2010? Chris McCoy, a sixth-round pick last spring? Or is it yet to come? Not that Woodley was the only big-name FA to, um, bolt in the offseason, who will take over for Fred Bennett?
14. Chicago
2010: 2-12, 4th NC North
Give the Enforcers this much: they replaced 3/5 of their OL, converted to a 3-4 defense that fits Rex Ryan's (so to speak) schemes, and were players in free agency. If Jimmy Clausen continues to perform as well as he did in his rookie campaign, the Enforcers should at least be three wins better right there.
QUESTIONS: That aside, are the two new OTs (Doug Free and Jonathan Scott) really that much to write home about? What does Marico Portis have left? Does that shift Max Unger, a disappointment in 2010, over to right guard? Is Cedric Griffin, who could miss his second straight season from the same ACL/MCL tear he suffered in training camp, done? Think the Enforcers would like to have that Perrish Cox pick back?
15. Orlando
2010: 4-10, 4th AC East
The Rage went into the free agency period looking to make the biggest splash of all, instead they wound up with just Gabe Watson and whiffed on trying to bring a legit #1 target home for Andre Woodson in 2011. They did unload Marshawn Lynch.
QUESTIONS: Wasn't signing Joseph Addai kind of a waste if they expect Rashad Jennings to carry the load in '11? Finding no takers for Drew Stanton, will they just release him outright? With Marcus McCauley gone, are they expecting Clevan Thomas (32 in April) to turn back the clock to 2005?
16. Los Angeles
2010: 1-13, 4th NC West
The Xtreme made tremendous strides to erase the huge skidmark of the worst season in their ten-year history by signing LaMarr Woodley, somehow getting Maurice Jones-Drew to stay put, and trading for Mike X. Williams. Unfortunately for Brian Billick's charges, the task to get the Xtreme back to playoff contention is, at best, a strenuous exercise.
QUESTIONS: Would the Xtreme do the unthinkable and make the play for Jake Locker? And would the Xtreme start shedding salary (Aubrayo Franklin, Demorrio Williams) to do so?