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FALCONS - Can the "Dirty Birds" handle success?
It is considered to be a basic truth that getting to the top is far easier than staying there. Once you reveal yourself to be an NFL power, all the teams behind you get out their shopping lists and start going through your free agents. Assuming you get through that relatively unscathed (which the Falcons didn't), you can look forward to a season with a big Bullseye drawn on you until you drop below .500 or reach the playoffs, whichever comes first. Anyone who plays the Falcons must realize that getting to the brittle Chris Chandler is a priority. At this point, the less than impressive Danny Kanell is starting his first season as Atlanta's back-up. If they can overcome all the distractions that come with being defending NFC champs, and recover adequately from their free agent losses, Dan Reeves may be able to get them back to the playoffs, but don't expect them to be the first team to play in a Superbowl in their own stadium.
FORTY-NINERS - Can Jerry Rice accept a diminished role?
Jerry Rice is not the player he once was. He is no longer the "go to guy" is San Francisco's West Coast Offense. Entering his 15th NFL season, Father Time has proved to be the first one to catch up to Jerry Rice, but he is no longer alone. The moves and those incredibly soft hands are still there, but the burst, and raw speed have faded. He does not break coverage with the regularity he once did. He can still be productive, but he needs to accept his limitations and give up some playing time. If he can, he will leave the game as one of its immortals. If not, look for a less than graceful exit before the end of the 2000 season.
PANTHERS - How much will George Siefert's winning percentage fall in one season?
With the likes of Joe Montana and Steve Young, George Seifert took the team he inherited from Bill Walsh and rode it to the highest winning percentage of any coach in history. With the likes of Steve Beuerlein and Jeff Lewis, George Seifert takes the team he inherited from Dom Capers and appears to have his work cut out for him. Let me go out on a limb and say the Panthers will not win the Super Bowl this year. They will not have the highest winning percentage in the league. They will not win their division. However, do not be fooled by last year's record; there is considerable talent on this team. They will be competitive, and they may make the playoffs largely on Seifert's force of will, but that will only take them so far.
RAMS - How long before Dick Vermeil burns out again?
Since last season, Dick Vermeil has completely revamped his offensive backfield and lost one of his two best receivers. This is not a good indicator of stability for a Head Coach entering his third season. Last year, three of the Rams four wins came against the AFC East, a division they do not play this year. The fourth came against the Bears, a team they do not see until their fifteenth game. Three of their first five games are against Playoff teams, but only one of their remaining eleven opponents finished with a winning record. If they can learn from those first five games, and maybe even win one or two, they have a chance to clean up down the stretch. Don't expect them to. I see Vermeil doing color commentary next year.
SAINTS - How is Ricky Williams going to carry the offense through an eight-man front?
Historically, only two running backs have ever led their conference in rushing and won a Super Bowl; Emmitt Smith and Terrell Davis. It should be noted however, that the quarterbacks on those teams were Troy Aikman and John Elway (not exactly chopped liver). As Ricky Williams enters his rookie campaign, the man handing him the ball, picking up critical third downs and hopefully stretching the field is Billy Joe Hobert (no, I'm not kidding). Until Hobert proves he can complete the deep ball and keep defenses honest with play action, look for a lot of eight man fronts to dare him to beat them. If he can't, Ricky Williams is in for a very rough introduction to the NFL. |
