Well Since the Rams destroyed the league last year, and came out of no where to do it, the idea of "sleeper teams" have made many people more excited about the possibility of it happening again. I know it definitely makes the year much more enticing for me to look forward too. First I'll get to the obvious ones.
1) Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens actually shouldn't be considered as a sleeper since they have been loaded with talent this offseason, ranging from Banks at QB to Jermaine Lewis as well as Ismail at WR and Jamal lewis, a real find in my opinion, at tailback. The biggest however was shannon Sharpe, who plays more like a 3rd or 4th reciever. The rest of the league will be back on thier heels if Banks can produce as well as he's expected.
2)Arizona Cardinals. It may seem like a stretch but in a division with the Giants, Philly, Dallas, and Washington it seems more than possible that arizona, with rookie running back Thomas Jones (whom I predict to produce more than most other rookie RB except perhaps lewis and maybe dayne) could really show up this year. Plummer really needs to show the world what he's made of and I think last year was a huge frustration for him, and the fact that their running game was nearly non existent didn't help him any.
3)NY Giants.
This is a real stretch to me since the year depends on how Kerry Collins performs, and that in itself is a huge IF. He has never once in his career passed the 2800 mark in passing yds, and never had more than 14 TD's in a season. It seems like everyone thinks he has the ability, as he shows great touch and strength in practice. He also has the tools in Toomer and Hilliard and expects to have a good running game with the great Dayne. And hey, wasn't last year the first year Beuerlein had a breakout year? Believe me, if Collins can get his act together the giants could rock the boat...
4)Seattle Seahawks.
What? Is that what you said when you saw that? Well ya Seattle did make the playoffs last year but it seems to me that everyone has written them off with the loss of Galloway. Well not me. Holmgren as we all know, has a way with QB's and kitna has talent. Watters is aging and mark my words, he wont be starting by week 11. Shaun Alexander should take over that role, and the emergence of Derrick Mayes was a surprise to everyone including me. Another key point here is the aquisition of Reggie tongue, a hard hitting, run stuffing strong safety from Kansas City who had 77 tackles last year. Their defense is surely sound, but yet again the QB is the key, as well as finding another WR to complement Mayes.
5)Green Bay Packers
Yep thats right, GB. Favre has a good thumb, Levens should be healthy, and getting Franks is really gonna help this team. Favre loves the TE as a release valve while opposing defenses won't be allowed to double freeman as much, even more so now that Schroeder has emerged as an offensive threat.
6)Chicago Bears
With a newly revived running attack with Enis, and a darn good WR in Robinson, the bears could make a move. McNown showed last year that he has talent and hes only going to get better. Hopefully the defense can step up here.
Feel free to email me with any of your thoughts on this topic, or any of your choice at bowm4503@students.sou.edu
