The Fall Guys
The NFL season starts this week and certainly hopes are high in just about EVERY camp. Each team thinks it's improved. That's what the draft and the offseason are about, upgrading weak areas. But the bubble of optimism is going to be popped for many teams soon. Here's a look at some pro football teams that think they are better, but have serious concerns.
Browns: Cleveland was the darling of the NFL draft, getting offensive line help with Joe Thomas and QB Brady Quinn, both in the first round. Browns fans are a patient lot, as their team has had one winning record since returning to the league in 1999. The draft day excitement fed some serious hope for 2007.
Browns General Manager Phil Savage returned from the preseason finale in Chicago and likes what he sees. He compared his team to the Bears this week. "You can go down the list and there are some comparisons on both sides of the coin," Savage said. "The Bears were a Super Bowl team and we're perceived to be at the bottom of the barrel in the NFL, but I'm not sure there's that much difference."
I admire his confidence, but wouldn't agree. This team still has a lot of holes. The offensive line had nothing but bad luck in preseason. Browns center LeCharles Bentley was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, meaning he will have at least the first six weeks of the season. He was their big free agent signing a year ago but missed the entire season.
The offense has some skilled playmakers, but no quarterback play. Romeo Crennel's decision to flip a coin during preseason to decide which quarterback to play (Frye, Anderson or Quinn) spoke volumes. You rarely win in this league without above-average QB play. The addition of RB Jamal Lewis from the Ravens is also a concern. Running backs, more than any other position, wear down fast because of all the hits they take. The 28-year old Lewis has been a shell of the player that topped 2,000 yards back in 2002. He's averaged 3.4 and 3.6 yards per carry the last two seasons. Is he going to be better behind this offensive line?
The Browns have been focused on upgrading the offense the last two years, but what about defense? Cleveland was 25th against the run in 2006, 30th in 2005 and dead last in 2004. "I believe we'll take a step forward this year," added Savage. "I just truly believe that this team is going to win. There's no question in my mind of if we are going to win. It's when we are going to win." I'll help him out: 2010. Maybe.
Bengals: Who wouldn't want an offense with QB Carson Palmer and all this wideout speed? But you win with defense, especially up front, and the Bengals don't have it. I think the loss of second-round draft pick RB Kenny Irons for the season is a subtle blow, too. Irons was expected to provide depth behind Rudi Johnson this year. Michigan CB Leon Hall can help the secondary, but you need to stop the run first. And this division is brutal, battling the Steelers and Ravens.
Chiefs: Kansas City made the playoffs last season? Forget about that, it was a fluke. Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle at QB? The aging secondary lacks depth and heaven help this offense if something happens to RB Larry Johnson. He basically sat out preseason with an injury, as well. This team is in for a fall.
Jets: NY was a surprise team to make the playoffs last season, the first under coach Eric Mangini. However, there are concerns that this team could get off to a slow start. One was the trade two weeks ago of veteran Pete Kendall, a reliable leader on the offensive line. It was a messy contract situation and got ugly, with Kendall unhappy. He was dealt to Washington and now the Jets are searching for line help.
That has left the Jets half weak at left guard, where rookie sixth-round draft pick Jacob Bender from Division I-AA Nicholls State appears to be the starter, with not a lot of competent help behind him in Adrien Clarke. The offensive line played poorly in August, too.
Rookie CB Darrelle Revis sat out much of preseason arguing about money. He came to camp late and it's possible the layoff has stunted his development. See if teams pick on him in September. RB Thomas Jones was added to upgrade the ground game that ranked 20th in the NFL last season in rushing yards per game and 30th in yards per carry.
Jones, who ran for more than 2,500 yards the last two seasons with the Bears, pulled a calf muscle after the first preseason game and had a preseason body of work of eight carries for 27 yards. Jones sat out the final three preseason games and there are questions as to how healthy he is. All these things need to be scrutinized in September. Because no one wants to get off to a bad start, especially when expectations are higher.
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