NFL Draft? Top Fantasy Picks next year (pre-draft)? Personnel Decisions? Top Free Agents? Will Favre come back? This final edition of Chutes ‘n’ Ladders is your blueprint for the 2008 offseason.
Brett Favre: Will he retire?
Short answer – hell no…
Long answer – You can expect the living legend to return for his 18th season after throwing for his most yardage since 1998 (4155 yards). He’s already completely rewritten the record books, but you can expect more excitement from No. 4. At age 38, he’s proved he still has a lot left in the tank. With the duel threats of Donald Driver and Greg Jennings at wide receiver and the emergence of a fantastic running game with Ryan Grant, the Packers should be a contender once again in 2008. The future Hall of Famer has started every single game since Sept. 27, 1992 so it would just be weird to see somebody else back there. He’s obviously still got a lot left and will go down as the best ever to play the quarterback position when he does decide to hang ‘em up.
Who will be the Browns starting QB next season?
Browns GM Phil Savage said last week that Derek Anderson will remain the team’s starting QB heading into 2008. After compiling a 10-6 season and barely missing the playoffs, it appears Brady Quinn will have to wait at least another year for his chance. At the tender age of 24, DA threw for an impressive 3787 yards and 29 TDs. With WR Braylon Edwards and TE Kellon Winslow and a strong ground game with RB Jamal Lewis, the Browns will be a team to be reckoned with next season. "Brady is a good team player," Savage said. "He wants to play, as well. But I think we'd have to play out next season and see which direction it goes. But I think Derek gets the first bite at the apple to show what he can do and see if he can build off this year." Quinn is going to be a decent field general, eventually, but he’s going to have to wait his turn – Anderson should be a No. 1 fantasy quarterback again in 2008.
Bears QB?
Brian Griese isn’t expected to be back in Chicago next season and Rex Grossman will be a free agent. Initially the Bears have said that they plan on re-signing Grossman, but… ahem… why?
He’s proved he’s not a winner. He can manage a decent game WHEN THE BEARS DEFENSE IS CLICKING. Last year, they were dinged up with numerous injuries and Sexy Rexy showed he’s not quite able to lead the team to victories himself. Kyle Orton has been more successful in that game-manager role and deserves a chance more than Grossman though. It’s a no-brainer that the Bears will either go after a strong free agent QB and/or select their field general of the future in this April’s draft. This time next season, it’s anybody’s guess who will behind center but odds are it won’t somebody that is currently on their roster.
Niners QB?
Alex Smith was taken No. 1 overall in the 2005 NFL draft and was expected to follow in the footsteps of the great QBs Joe Montana and Steve Young. That plan proved not to be as the third-year QB has tallied up a miserable 19-31 TD-INT ratio through three seasons. If anything, he’s proved he is not the answer for the proud franchise (see David Carr, HOU – CAR). You can expect the Niners to give Shaun Hill all the chances in the world to win the opening day job. In 32 games, Smith has thrown over 200 yards just six times and threw multiple TDs in an anemic three games. Smith went 11-19 as a starter, Hill is 2-0 and showed the brilliance the west coast offense can supply in his limited opportunity. He’s the answer. Expect Hill to start the 2008 campaign as the primary QB and not lose it. Consider him one of your bigger sleepers heading in next season.
Panthers QB?
David Carr proved last season that he has absolutely no heart. I can understand having some concern about succumbing to a life-changing injury that could alter you and your family for years afterwards, but Carr proved to me that he bottomline doesn’t care enough to do what it takes to win in this league. In my mind, he’s one of the biggest busts in the history of the league and should be cut right away. Matt Moore is decent… for a backup and Vinny Testaverde will (finally) hang ‘em at age 37.
This franchise wins and loses with the arm of Jake Delhomme. He looked tremendous after three weeks, throwing for 626 yards and a strong 8-1 TD-INT ratio, leading Carolina to a 2-1 record. However he went down with an elbow injury in Week 3 and missed the remainder of the year. All Pro wideout Steve Smith caught four TDs with Delhomme back there and would only grab three in the succeeding 13 contests with the other inferior QBs. If he can come back healthy, Carolina has a chance. If he doesn’t, expect another long season for the Panthers. It would be wise for them to invest in a youngster in the draft as well.
Falcons QB?
Joey Harrington? Nope.
Chris Redman? Come on now…
Byron Leftwich? Ding ding ding… This is the Falcons’ future if he can stay injury-free. He’s got the biggest upside and the best chance to lead Atlanta back into being a contender. With conservative (and selfish) coach Bobby Petrino out of town, you can expect an entirely difference image for the Dirty Birds in ’08; they need to revamp their personnel and playbook. Roddy White and Jerious Norwood are also the future of this cursed franchise. Joe Horn and Warrick Dunn are now over the hill, and should not be relied upon to play pivotal roles if this team wants to improve. With the residue of Michael Vick still smoking over Atlanta, a complete overhaul is needed and should be expected. Leftwich is a strong pocket quarterback, but needs more reliable offensive weapons if the Falcons are going to have any chance to succeed.
New Orleans RB situation:
Deuce McAllister: The 29-year-old bruiser tore his right ACL in 2005 and then tore his left ACL on Sept. 24, 2007. He was able to bounce back strong in 2006 by rushing for 1057 yards and scoring 10 TDs, but don’t expect such a strong comeback this time. The Saints backfield will be crowded next season with Bush and Thomas in the mix.
Reggie Bush: The former No. 2 selection proved he’s not quite ready to carry the whole load. He’s best used as a change-of-pace back and receiving threat in the backfield. He’s not a LaDainian Tomlinson-, Tiki Barber-, Thurman Thomas-type RB that can rush 20-25 times and also be the third-down back. He’s just not big enough or durable enough. He is, however, still a strong No. 2 RB because of the Saints pass-friendly attack.
Pierre Thomas - Coach Sean Payton will have some major decisions to make next year after Thomas’ amazing 105 yards rushing and 121 yards receiving in Week 17 against the Bears. That amazing performance opened some eyes. With his mammoth legs and never-stop running style, he’s got a serious chance to be the man in 2008. Watch out for this guy. With Deuce and Bush ahead (but recovering from season-ending injuries), Thomas seriously has a chance to be a stud in the Saints high-powered attack. A lot will unfold during the offseason and training camp, but Pierre looks like he could be a strong sleeper candidate.
New England Patriots: How long can they keep this up?
The mighty Pats look poised to run the table this season. Their next test will be San Diego next Sunday, followed by the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 against either the Packers or G-Men. With Tom Brady behind center, coach Bill Belichick at the helm, Randy Moss and Wes Welker running patterns and that stingy defense suffocating opposing offenses, New England is a dynasty that is here to stay. They escaped with victories against Baltimore, Philadelphia and the Giants this season, but it seems virtually impossible they could run the table back-to-back campaigns. It’s been a fun ride the past few months though – if they can win two more, they will go down in history as the greatest of all time.
Where will Chad Johnson end up?
Ocho Cinco hinted a trade demand last week and it seems logical that the Bengals will be rebuilding this offseason. “I was labeled selfish and a cancer, and it hurt,” he said. “Fingers were pointed at me this year. If the team and the organization wants to further itself, I think you need to get rid of the problem. It hurt me.” Carson Palmer and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are the building blocks, but Chad will likely be dangled as trade bait for some draft selections and/or prospects. Rudi might also be gone as Kenny Watson proved he’s capable of carrying the load. We saw what happened when Randy Moss went from the Raiders to the Patriots, so a change of scenery could also be beneficial for Chad. He needs a bigger media market; Cincinnati is a black hole for the fame he seeks. As to where he could end up, it would be purely speculation on my part but Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco and St. Louis would welcome his services.
Can Adrian Peterson be of a No. 1 selection in 2008 fantasy leagues?
The Vikings had the top rushing team in the NFL last season with the duel threat of All Day and Chester Taylor. Expect more Adrian and less Chester in 2008. This kid is the future of the league. With his breakaway speed, amazing vision and unorthodox power, this kid is capable of rushing for 2,000 yards if he can stay healthy. LaDainian Tomlinson is still the most reliable No. 1 pick option in the game, but Peterson has a bigger upside. These two players will likely be the No. 1 choice in the majority of leagues. Six in one, half dozen in the other – you can’t go wrong with either.
Quick hits: Can Larry Johnson bounce back? Hell ya, 1300 yards rushing, 15 TDs in 2008
Rudi Johnson? Doubt it. His days as a primary RB are in the rear view mirror.
Shaun Alexander? Alexander the Great is history.
Marvin Harrison? He’s too proud to stop his growing legacy. With six months to rehab and recover from his knee injury, you can expect an 80-catch, 1400-yard, 10-TD receiving campaign. Reggie Wayne is the top option for Indy now though, and Dallas Clark and Anthony Gonzalez will also post strong numbers in ’08.
Steve McNair? He’s a backup at best now. Don’t expect him to be the starter in Baltimore any more either.
Ronnie Brown? It typically takes players at least a couple years to get back to full speed after they tear an ACL. Brown was leading the league in total yards before going down against the Patriots, but he’ll be hard-pressed to reach the 1,000-yard mark in 2008.
Ricky Williams? Who knows – he might elect to smoke weed instead.
Matt Leinart? The USC product should bounce back strong. With Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin catching passes, the southpaw gunner is a candidate for 4,000 yards and 30 TDs.
Carnell Williams? This Cadillac is not going to be running as good next year. He tore his ACL, MCL and PCL last season, so this is of the career-threatening variety. Also, Earnest Graham has surpassed Williams as the Bucs primary back.
Other questions we’ll have to wait to find out:
Where will free agent RB Michael Turner end up?
Quarterbacks: Rex Grossman, Daunte Culpepper, Josh McCown and Quinn Gray
Running Backs: Marion Barber, Julius Jones, Jamal Lewis, Justin Fargas, Derrick Ward and Chris Brown
Wide Receivers: Randy Moss, Bernard Berrian, Patrick Crayton, Bryant Johnson, Drew Carter, Andre Davis, Justin Gage
Tight Ends: L.J. Smith, Eric Johnson, Marcus Pollard, Jermaine Wiggins, Ben Troupe
2008 NFL Draft:
First Round
1. Miami (1-15)
2. St. Louis (3-13)
3T. Atlanta (4-12)
3T. Kansas City (4-12)
3T. Oakland (4-12)
6. New York Jets (4-12)
7. New England (from San Francisco) (5-11)
8. Baltimore (5-11)
9. Cincinnati (7-9)
10. New Orleans (7-9)
11. Buffalo (7-9)
12. Denver (7-9)
13. Carolina (7-9)
14. Chicago (7-9)
15. Detroit (7-9)
16. Arizona (8-8)
17. Minnesota (8-8)
18. Houston (8-8)
19. Philadelphia (8-8)
Ranking of below teams subject to results of playoffs
20. Tampa Bay (9-7)
21. Washington (9-7)
22. Dallas (from Cleveland) (10-6)
23. Seattle (10-6)
24. Pittsburgh (10-6)
25. Tennessee (10-6)
26. New York Giants (10-6)
27. San Diego (11-5)
28. Jacksonville (11-5)
29. Green Bay (13-3)
30. San Francisco (from Indianapolis) (13-3)
31. Dallas (13-3)
32. New England (pick forfeited) (16-0)
Top Fantasy Players in Draft:
RB Darren McFadden, ARK
QB Matt Ryan BC
QB Brian Brohm BAL
QB Andre Woodson KEN
QB Malcolm Kelly OKL
WR Desean Jackson CAL
WR Limas Sweed TEX
RB Felix Jones ARK
RB Jonathan Stewart ORE
WR Mario Manningham MICH
WR Early Doucet LSU
RB Rashard Mendenhall, ILL
WR Adarius Bowman, OSU
RB Kevin Smith, UCF
WR James Hardy IND