Seminolechief's 2006 NFL Contenders
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by user Seminolechief
AFC EAST
New England Patriots: Brady has looked solid even without Deion Branch. Look for Ben Watson to play an increased role in the offense. Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney have played well, so don't expect Tom Brady to have to throw for 4,000 yards. New England should win the AFC East this season. Richard Seymour leads a strong line with Bruschi, Colvin, Vrabel, Gardner and Banta-Cain the starters at linebacker. Rodney Harrison will be back, but when and how effective will be known soon, but the Pats are confident with Artrell Hawkins and Eugene Wilson leading a young secondary. Key Player: Tom Brady
Miami Dolphins: Daunte Culpepper was a huge aquisition, that allow Miami a chance to win the division. The first game against the Steelers should be a good challenge for Miami. Ronnie Brown will get all of the carries with Chris Chambers, and Randy McMichael the prime targets. Miami's defense is good enough to keep them in games, but won't win any awards. Key Player: Ronnie Brown.
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers: More questions than answers this early in the season. First, how effective will Ben Roethlisberger be? Second will Duce Staley replace Jerome Bettis, and last will the recieving core struggle without Antwaan Randle-El? You can't doubt Pittsburgh at all otherwise. Key Player: Troy Polamalu
Cincinnati Bengals: Carson Palmer will lead Chad Johnson, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh to another great season. Rudi Johnson is a sure bet for 1,000 yards and 15 TD's. The ball hawking secondary was helped with the additions of Dexter Jackson, and Jonathan Joseph. Sam Adams provides a run stuffer that was sorely missing last season. Overall, Cincinnatti benefits from Pittsburgh's brutal schedule, and should win the North. Key Player: Rudi Johnson
Baltimore Ravens: As long as Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis can stay healthy the defense should become top 5 caliber again. Haloti Ngata eats up linemen, and should allow Lewis to become a playmaker again. Steve McNair provides the solid #1 QB that Baltimore has never had. Baltimore is a real wild card that could turn some heads by beating a Bengal or Steeler team early in 2006. Key Player: Ed Reed
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning will be relied on more than any other year by Edgerrin James moving to the desert. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison are a formidable duo that cause problems for any defense. Dominic Rhodes, and Joseph Addai will be spiltting time for most of the season. Without Edgerrin James, how effective will the running game be? Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders highlight the NFL's most overrated defense that faded late last season, and couldn't stop the run against Pittsburgh. If Corey Simon is healthy he provides a huge lift. Key Player: Joseph Addai
Jacksonville Jaguars: Byron Leftwich has been given big athletic targets in Matt Jones, and Marcedes Lewis in the last 2 drafts. Leftwich needs to step up and lead the Jaguars to another 13-3 season or David Garrard will be playing very fast. Fred Taylor will get injured, but is Greg Jones ready or is LaBrandon Toefield who they resigned the replacement? If not than is Maurice Drew, I have no clue what Jacksonville plans to do. On defense the Jaguars don't allow teams to run with Henderson, and Stroud stuffing the run. Key Player: Matt Jones
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos: Jake Plummer shouldn't look over his shoulder because Jay Cutler has turned out to be just what scouts said he was, a QB with the intelligence, and skills to lead a pro offense. Mike Bell will probably start, and after watching Shannahan line up 1,000 yard rushers each year, I have no gripes about Bell starting. Javon Walker was a big move that will have a huge impact by allowing Plummer a home run threat. Rod Smith should be nothing more than an afterthought now. The Browns castoffs have been reborn in the Rockies, and Champ Bailey is still the best in the NFL. It won't be hard to win the west if the Broncos remain injury free on defense. Key Player: Javon Walker
Kansas City Chiefs: My biggest concern is the aging offensive line and the rebuilding of the defense. Willie Roaf's retirement will pay dividends if Kyle Turley who was going to play TE can't compete at LT. Larry Johnson will remain a great RB, but if he wears down KC has problems at WR. Trent Green will rely on Tony Gonzalez alot this season. The defense is average at best, and hasn't shown much in the pre-season. Herm Edwards could be answering lots of questions if the Chiefs struggle early. Trendy pick that is fading fast. Key Player: Larry Johnson
San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers has been impressive, and with weapons like Tomlinson and Gates the Chargers could be a force. Keenan McCardell is the #1 target with Eric Parker and Kassim Osgood as supporting cast. Defensive Rookie of the Year Shawn Merriman and the defense which added Marlon McCree and 1st round pick Antonio Cromartie are on the rise. Like Baltimore, San Diego could knock off some contenders and make a run at the division title. Key Player: Philip Rivers
NFC EAST
New York Giants: Eli Manning and Tiki Barber have looked good, but the defense has been the biggest improvement with LaVar Arrington and Mathias Kiwanuka making an immediate impact. New York appears to have the talent to win the highly competitive east. They may be a year or two away from the Super Bowl.
Key Player: Eli Manning
Washington Redskins: I loved the off season acquisitions of Lloyd, Randle-El, Adam Archuleta, and Andre Carter. I now have serious doubts about the Redskins being competitive in the NFLs most highly contested division. Mark Brunell may not be able to stay healthy, and do you expect Jason Campbell to lead the offense. Clinton Portis has been banged up, and I have more doubts that he will be able to stay healthy with the amount of carries he receives each year. The defense will be impressive again and will keep Washington in many close games but can they move the ball on offense?
Key Player: T.J. Duckett
Dallas Cowboys: They loaded up in the off season, and should be right there with the Giants. Drew Bledsoe and Terrell Owens should be very effective, and more importantly open up the field for Jason Witten. Marion Barber and Julius Jones should be able to move the ball well enough for defenses to respect them. The defense with Roy Williams, and DeMarcus Ware looks solid, and top 10 caliber.
Key Player: Terrell Owens
Philadelphia Eagles: I thought Philly would win 3 games all season, but McNabb and Westbrook have been very good so far. The defense hasn’t been shabby either. Philly could quietly win 9 or ten games and sneak in as a Wild Card that could pose problems for a division winner.
Key Player: Brian Westbrook
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears: Using their draft to work on defense was strange, but if they do improve it will be tough to score at Soldier Field. Rex Grossman may not last long if he starts off badly. Greise will be waiting patiently. Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson is a battle to watch unfold. Also watch for Bernard Berrian or Mark Bradley to break out this year.
Key Player: Cedric Benson
NFC SOUTH
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa wins close games, and always manages to beat Carolina once, so they may get in as a Wild Card. Chris Simms needs to prove he can become a big game player, and Carnell Williams needs to stay healthy, and avoid a sophomore slump. The Buc’s defense will once again be one of the top in the NFL.
Key Player: Chris Simms
Carolina Panthers: By adding Keyshawn Johnson and DeAngelo Williams Carolina solved the 2 issues that led to their downfall. 1) A dependable possession receiver 2) Depth at RB when Foster is out. Jake Delhomme will rely on Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson who complement each other perfectly. DeShaun Foster has developed into a quality starter, with DeAngelo Williams the 1A starter if Foster needs time to recover from constant injury. The line with Wahle, Gross, Hartwig, Wharton, and Mathis will open up huge holes. Carolina has the best defense in the NFL when Kris Jenkins is healthy. Maake Kemoeatu, Mike Rucker, and [[[Julius Peppers]] solidify the best line in the NFL. Ken Lucas, Mike Minter, Chris Gamble, and Shaun Williams are at their best right now. Carolina has assembled all the right pieces to the puzzle through 5 solid drafts, and big free agents. This is the year the Panthers realize their huge potential.
Key Player: Steve Smith
NFC WEST
Seattle Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck has thrived in Seattle, and with Jackson, Burleson, and Engram the Seahawks should be great in the air. MVP Shaun Alexander will be relied on to continue his performance in the red zone. Leading the NFL in sacks last season was impressive, and by adding Kelly Jennings in the draft, and getting Ken Hamlin back Seattle should play well in the defensive backfield. If they can beat Arizona they should win the division.
Key Player: Walter Jones/Ken Hamlin
Arizona Cardinals: When Kurt Warnerplayed 2 complete seasons, he was MVP both times. Arizona acquired T Brandon Gorin to help the line, and keep Warner healty. Larry Fitzgerald has become one of the best in the NFL in just 2 seasons. With Anquan Boldin, and Bryant Johnson complementing Fitzgerald, Arizona has the best receivers in the NFL. Edgerrin James should provide a red zone threat, as well as a running game. If Leonard Davis and Gorin play solid, James will do okay. The defense of Clancy Pendergast’s wants to avoid blitzing, but they can’t stop the run if they don’t. Arizona has the talent to make a Wild Card this season, but also win a Super Bowl with Leinart in the future.
Key Player: Matt Leinart
Date
Sat 08/26/06, 6:21 am EST
