NFC

Coughlin Firmly In Charge

Head Coach—Tom Coughlin
Offensive Coordinator—Kevin Gilbride
Defensive Coordinator—Bill Sheridan

Offensive Assistants: Jerald Ingram (running backs), Chris Palmer (quarterbacks), Pat Flaherty (offensive line), Jack Bicknell, Jr. (asst. offensive line), Mike Pope (tight ends), Mike Sullivan (wide receivers), and Sean Ryan (quality control)

Defensive Assistants: Mike Waufle (defensive line), Jim Herrmann (linebackers), Pete Giunta (cornerbacks), David Merritt (safeties), and Al Holcomb (quality control)

Special Teams: Tom Quinn and Thomas McGaughey

Strength and Conditioning: Jerry Palmieri and Markus Paul

Tom Coughlin—Head Coach (Sixth Year)

Down-to-Earth and genuine, Coughlin almost lost his job after the 2006 season. He had always been known as a disciplinarian and his rigid tactics and unbending rules caused a rift in the locker room. His style was a 180-degree turn from his predecessor, the flexible and lenient Jim Fassel.

Players felt he was taking the regimentation a tad too far.

With his contract due to expire at the end of the coming season, ownership extended Coughlin for a year in January of 2007, so he would not be a "lame-duck" coach. With that extension came requests that he loosen up on the players.

He did.

The rest is history.

As a coach, Coughlin was treading water after three seasons. He was 25-23 with two playoff losses and the team was stuck in neutral. Then Jerry Reese took over as GM and began bringing the young talent that would help turn his team into a serious contender.

This season, Coach Coughlin has another crop of young studs to deal with. They will get the full treatment, and he will turn them into professionals.

Analysis: Coughlin tends to wear his heart on his sleeve, but since the Giants won a championship, that's now seen as a positive. He's outlasted the stubborn veterans who staged a mini-mutiny a few years back and currently has more security and control than ever.

Coughlin has built a solid staff of veteran coaches that adds to the success of the team. He rarely hires coaches with little or no experience. The Giants are pleased they stuck with Coughlin because he has become an excellent game coach—his strategy is usually right on and his ability to adjust in-game is up there with the best.

Offense

Coach Coughlin's stamp is all over this group.

He likes to surround himself with familiar faces. OC Kevin Gilbride held the same job under Coughlin in Jacksonville, and so did RB coach Jerald Ingram. WR coach Mike Sullivan and QB coach Chris Palmer were also on Coughlin's staff with the Jaguars.

Jack Bicknell, Jr. was a player at BC when Coughlin was the QB coach there under Bicknell's father. TE coach Mike Pope coached with Coughlin in both New England and under Bill Parcells with the Giants.

Only OL coach Pat Flaherty and Quality Control coach Sean Ryan did not have prior working experience either next to or under Tom Coughlin.

That hasn't put them at a disadvantage, though.

This group understands what it needs to do to win ballgames. The major challenge has been having to go from a veteran team to a young team without losing any productivity.

Analysis: This year, that challenge gets even greater.

The Giants will be asking their rookie receivers to step up and attempt to help reestablish the passing game.

That will not be easy to do.

The running game and the offensive line are staples on this team and both are amongst the leagues' best. QB Eli Manning still remains an enigma—one game on, one game off. He needs to become more consistent. If he does, the Giants will be at the top of the standings again.

Defense

The Giants like to choose defensive coaches that have a history of sticking to basics and regimentation. DC Bill Sheridan coached at Army, Michigan, and Notre Dame before joining the Giants in 2005.

LB coach Jim Herrmann actually had Sheridan on his staff at Michigan in the early part of the decade. Herrmann played and coached at Michigan for a quarter-century and began his career under the great Bo Schembechler.

CB coach Pete Giunta coached at Penn State and was the Rams' DC when they won Super Bowl XXXIV. Safeties coach David Merritt is a former NFL linebacker who once coached defense at VMI.

Al Holcomb is a former phys ed teacher that toiled in the NCAA Division II coaching ranks before being hired by Coughlin last year to become the defensive quality control coach. Finally, DL coach Mike Waufle has been coaching defensive lines in both the collegiate and professional ranks for nearly 30 years.

Analysis: When the DL rotation gets cooking under Waufle...it's practically unstoppable.

Last year, the rotation took a hit when Michael Strahan retired and Osi Umenyiora missed the entire year with a knee injury. This year, they are stacked again with bodies. They will bring the pressure big time, which will alleviate the stress on the back seven.

The linebackers are going to shock people.

Herrmann loves the possibilities of having Michael Boley and Clint Sintim flanking captain Anotnio Pierce.

Look out.

The secondary has benefited from three top draft choices—Corey Webster, Aaron Ross, and Kenny Phillips. Giunta and Merritt work well together and this group has the potential to become great, not just good.

Special Teams

Tom Quinn and Thomas McGaughey are back running the show. Last year, the Giants sent three special teamers to the Pro Bowl: punter Jeff Feagles, kicker John Carney, and long snapper Zak DeOssie.

This year, Carney is out and Lawrence Tynes is back in.

The Giants will see how much Ahmad Bradshaw and Domenik Hixon are needed on the offense before deciding on whether to switch them out of their returner roles. The Giants are one club that actually makes out on the new wedge rule. They normally don't run many kicks back for big yardage, and they usually defend the kickoff fairly well.

Analysis: The Tynes for Carney switch makes everyone uneasy, but Tynes has a long-term deal with four years left, so live with it.

The coaches would prefer that Hixon continue his returner role. That would happen only if the rookie wideouts unseat him in the starting lineup.

Strength and Conditioning

Jerry Palmieri is another guy who has been following Coughlin around. From BC to Jacksonville to the Giants, Palmieri has been keeping players in top physical form.

He was awarded the NFL's S&C Coach of the Year in 2007.

His assistant, Markus Paul, is a former DB for the Chicago Bears and has worked in an S&C capacity for the Jets, Patriots, and Saints before joining the Giants in 2007.

Analysis: The Giants just recently moved into a brand new training complex just west of Giants Stadium. The 199,000 square-foot complex contains all of the modern amenities for proper training, including a 7500 square-foot weight room and four full practice fields: three grass and one FieldTurf.

Quick Question: What is the job of an NFL quality control coach?

A quality control coach helps break down tape of the opponents, monitors his team's tendencies so that measures can be taken to make his team less predictable, and helps keep the players on script during practices.

He is available to the head coach for whatever else needs to be done during practice or in preparation for the upcoming opponent.

Thanks to Steve Corkran of the Contra-Costa Times.

"Encore!" is the cry from the Atlanta Falcons faithful entering the 2009 season.

With a team that blew lackluster predictions out of the water last year, the team has the ATL thinking Super Bowl for the first time since the Dirty Bird was socially acceptable.

And who can blame the revived fan base that hasn’t had anything to cheer for since the collapse of the Braves' front office? Unlike usual fan expectations, which set the bar at an unreachable height, Atlanta fans may have a shot at satisfying their cravings this season.

Some would say Super Bowl or bust this season, especially considering the Falcons play in the NFC. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the NFC has improved drastically from a year ago. The Eagles and Cardinals, who squared off for last season's conference crown, will be back and ready, but oh, how the tides elsewhere have turned.

As usual, the NFC East is busting at the seams with ability. Jerry Jones’ talent-laden, yet underachieving Cowboys are always bound to be in the playoff hunt.

Eli Manning has the champs of two years ago ready to go, despite Plaxico issues. After all, the Giants should have the scariest defensive front in all of football along with the semi-truck sized Brandon Jacobs in the backfield.

Who knows if Jeremy Maclin will pan out, but if Donovan McNabb is happy the Eagles can beat almost anyone.

Last and usually least, but not for a lack of forking out millions upon millions of dollars courtesy of Daniel Snyder, the Washington Redskins could go .500—despite Jason Campbell’s feelings being hurt by trade talks with Jay Cutler.

The NFC North jumped exponentially in conference strength when Cutler signed with Chicago. Blind men in the streets had been screaming for any average quarterback to fit into the championship-caliber team for years, and finally Da Bears granted them their  modest wish.

The Packers are a wild card whose fate depends heavily on defense; will the stout side of two years ago show up, or will their porous efforts from last year continue?

Minnesota, well, obviously this is probably the team that will get the most media coverage over the next three months depending on what that ol’ rocket-armed Mississippi man decides to do. A Super Bowl or a losing record could be on their horizon, but I would like to think playoffs are in their future—what with a top-five defense and the most talented running back in the league.

The Cardinals are the only team out West that should pose much of a threat, no matter what happens with Anquan Boldin, because Seattle won’t win on the road.

This brings us to the understated, yet very good NFC south. The Buccaneers are a mess and are already out of the picture; but as for the other three teams, it’s going to be a dog fight.

The Saints are obviously going to put up points, but their defense may actually stop some teams this year. It's possible they could get a few wins without Drew Brees needing to throw four touchdowns.

The defending division champs are going to be formidable again in Carolina. Having re-signed their level-headed Bayou signal caller to lead a two-headed monster backfield, the Panthers are ready for a return to the playoffs. Throw in the greatest 5'9" receiver of all time, and you've got an offense that should stack up to an already strong defense.

The Falcons bring back the essentials of their Cinderella story from a year ago. While Matty Ice took most of the headlines, the running game was the real key to their successful offensive season.

Roddy White has shown he can be a go-to receiver, but this year he’ll have a bit of help. That little bit of help has come in the form of, arguably the greatest receiving tight end in NFL history, Tony Gonzalez. With his receiving threat in the middle, it’s going to stretch the field, spread out the linebackers, giving Michael Turner even more room to do his bowling-ball impression down the field.

The Falcons main foe is going to be, simply, their schedule. The first half of the season brings only two opponents that won’t be in the playoff hunt: San Francisco and Washington. Their schedule softens the last three weeks of the season against the Jets, Bucs, and Bills; but if they’re not careful, too much damage may have been done by then.

I don’t expect the Falcons to buckle under the pressure of a difficult schedule; instead they'll take Herm Edwards' advice and simply play to win the game.  

One year of mediocre defense is not welcome in New York. Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin wasted no time preparing the elements for a descent drive that may just end back at the coming Super Bowl.

Indeed, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, and Dave Tollefson should put on a rush that will be profitable for the Giants and an all day headache for the opposing teams.

Tollefson is the weak link among the ends but his play last year looked promising.

Having Umenyiora back will free up Kiwanuka and Tuck to just be themselves and get the job done. Still don’t expect Kiwanuka stats to fall. I have a feeling he enjoyed taking out all those sacks.

As for Strahan, he is and will be missed for a few more years to come. Yet the Giants appear to be at near 90 percent of what they were at defensive end.

Now if first year Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan can get his D Line and secondary to come together be more competitive the Giants will be looking back no more.

The Giants already appear more formidable with Chris Canty, Barry Coffield, and Rocky Bernard shoring up the tackle position.

Linebacker will be better for wear this season as well—weak side linebacker Michael Boley and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce will do well. The weak link in this unit is strong side linebacker.

The rookie Clint Sintim may enjoy some serious playtime here with Chase Blackburn getting sufficient backup to Pierce, and the weak side.

In reality the Giants are still thin at linebacker—even though they have sufficient players to fill the roles. There is no doubt that next year the Giants will be looking not only to complete the DL but to give the unit a true depth.

The Giants need one solid all everything linebacker that can step in and plug the hole whenever called upon to do so. The biggest hurt comes in the secondary.

Measures were made when the Giants picked up CC Brown to push Kenny Phillips and Michael Johnson—both appear needing the push.

The two corners have Corey Webster and Aaron Ross—Ross needs to improve or young Terrell Thomas may push for his starting corner.

Well the table is set the question is will there be Super Bowl play from these individuals. Weak play and sloppy tackling needs to give way to aggressive physical hits and better solo and team tackling.

The Giants have addressed some key issues will it be enough? Once again look for New York to finish the task in next years draft. Until then this will be a much better team than last seasons.

Giants should have little trouble dominating their conference rivals. We have our eyes on them and that will be another story.

The Chicago Bears finished 9-7 and came up just short in their pursuit of a NFC North division title in 2008. A team many saw winning the division, they lost on the road at Minnesota in a crucial NFC North division game.

To finish the season out, they had a Week 17 road loss to the AFC South Houston Texans on the road that would have given them at least a chance at the playoffs.

But losing a 34-14 matchup against the division rival Minnesota Vikings seemed to be a final stab in the Chicago Bears' morale and a shot at the NFC North title.

This was a game that included a fourth down goal line stand and an NFL record-tying 99-yard touchdown pass caught by, none other than, former Bear WR Bernard Berrian.

The Bears have accepted their failures and are looking to the 2009 season.

Leading them will be newly acquired QB Jay Cutler, a former Denver Bronco who was traded after conflicting issues with new head coach and former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Chicago hopes Jay Cutler will be that franchise quarterback that has been missing for nearly six decades.

Note: 23 QB's have started for the Chicago Bears since Jim McMahon (the last great QB for Chicago) in the mid 1980's.

Another big key player is second year running back Matt Forte, who shocked every one in his rookie season by rushing for 1,238 yards and eight touchdowns—an explosive weapon in the running game yet versatile in the passing game.

The Chicago Bears know all too well that they will need a much healthier, younger defense in 2009 to compete in the North. The Bears defense was plagued with injuries while veteran age caught up with many.

The Bears allowed 334.7 yards a game (21st) and 241.2 pass yards a game (30th) in a defense that seemed too slow.

Let's take a closer look at the Chicago Bears:

Key Losses

QB Kyle Orton

Draft Picks

2009 First Round Draft pick

2010 First Round Draft Pick

2009 Third Round Draft Pick

Key Additions

QB Jay Cutler, acquired through trade with the Denver Broncos

T Orlando Pace, signed a three-year contract

T Kevin Shaffer, signed a three-year contract

RB Kevin Jones, re-signed to a two-year contract

2009 NFL Draft Picks

Round Three, Pick 68—DE San Jose St. Jarron Gilbert

Round Three, Pick 99—WR Oklahoma Juaquin Iglesias

Round Four, Pick 105—DE Texas Henry Melton

Round Four, Pick 119—CB Vanderbilt D.J. Moore

Round Five, Pick 140—WR Abilene Christian Johnny Knox

Round Five, Pick 154—LB-Ohio St. Marcus Freeman

Round Six, Pick 190—S Oregon St. Al Afalava

Round Seven, Pick 246—G San Diego St. Lance Louis

Round Seven, Pick 251—WR Pittsburgh Derek Kinder

2009 NFL Schedule

Week One: Sept. 13—Bears @ the Green Bay Packers*

Week Two: Sept. 20—the Pittsburgh Steelers @ Bears

Week Three: Sept. 27—Bears @ the Seattle Seahawks

Week Four: Oct. 4—the Detroit Lions @ Bears*

Week Five: BYE

Week Six: Oct. 18—Bears @ the Atlanta Falcons

Week Seven: Oct. 25—Bears @ the Cincinnati Bengals

Week Eight: Nov. 1—the Cleavland Browns @ Bears

Week Nine: Nov. 8—the Arizona Cardinals @ Bears

Week 10: Nov. 12—Bears @ the San Fransisco 49ers

Week 11: Nov. 22—the Philadelphia Eagles @ Bears

Week 12: Nov. 29—Bears @ the Minnesota Vikings*

Week 13: Dec. 6—the St. Louis Rams @ Bears

Week 14: Dec. 13—the Green Bay Packers @ Bears*

Week 15: Dec. 20—Bears @ the Baltimore Ravens

Week 16: Dec. 28—the Minnesota Vikings @ Bears*

Week 17: Jan 3—Bears @ the Detroit Lions*

Overall, the Chicago Bears are hoping newly-acquired QB Jay Cutler can be the leader on offense while opening a chance at the NFC North title.

The Chicago Bears still have issues on the offensive line, in the WR position, and in the defense that they must solve before the regular season begins.

With many road games at the start, the Bears will be looking to get some wins on the board as they get into the latter part of the schedule with games against division opponents the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.

If the Bears are to be successful in 2009, they will need running back Matt Forte to have a spectacular sophomore year with young players stepping up and filling crucial holes.

The only things that might hinder the Chicago Bears in 2009 will be their lack of talent at WR, key offensive line issues, and an aging defense that is slowing down.

However, the addition of young gunslinger Jay Cutler has made this offense a lot more potent heading into training camp.

If success is to be achieved this year, it will come from the QB position and how well the offensive line can hold.

When I read that one of the article possibilities for the NFL correspondent job was to write about what turned me into a fan of my team, I had to chuckle more than just a little.

I am a fan of the Green Bay Packers. There is nothing ordinary about that. In fact, to be a fan of the Packers is one of the greatest honors in all of sport.

It is hard to explain to a non-Packer fan just what it's like to follow the team. Actually, it's just as hard for people to understand what being a Packer fan means if you haven't lived in Green Bay.

Luckily, I was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and have been witness to something so unique in sports that I begin to get choked up thinking about all the memories I have.

To grow up in Green Bay is to be a Packer fan. You don't become a fan, you are born one. If you look at a photo album of anyone that has grown up in Green Bay, you will see countless pictures of Packer shirts, jerseys, and if you were lucky, a Packer birthday cake.

Knowledge of the Packers is passed down from generation to generation as much as a particular family's history would be. 

The Packers are as much a part of the community as any team in any sport. Green Bay is a city of a little over 100,000 people. Lambeau Field seats right around 70,000. It's pretty easy to do the math on that one.

Sundays during the fall and winter are spent doing one thing, watch the Packers. The city literally shuts down during home games.

Streets are empty and stores have minimal customer patronage. That's no exaggeration. You could realistically walk down Main Street in Green Bay on a Sunday in the fall and not see any cars or people walking the street. Everyone is inside, usually with a group, watching the Packers.

Don't make the mistake that the love for the Packers comes from their recent history of success or solely from a certain quarterback that is likely to play for the Minnesota Vikings this year.

The real love for the Packers is built from the foundation of a history unlike any in football. Everyone knows Brett Favre, Reggie White, and Mike Holmgren.

To Packer fans, those are only the latest in a long line of great players that have made the franchise what it is today. Bart Starr, Don Hutson, Vince Lombardi, and Curly Lambeau are the legends that are synonymous with greatness in Green Bay.

All you need to do for confirmation of the importance of the Packers is to look around the city. Lambeau Field's address is 1265 Lombardi Avenue. There are also streets named after Favre, Holmgren, Hutson, White, Starr, and Tony Canadeo. The Main Street Bridge has also been christened Ray Nitschke Bridge as well.

Sure, I can put the Packers' stars of past and present up against any team and the Packers will likely come out ahead hands down. Both knowledgeable and novice football fans can name all those players.

What makes the relationship between fans and players so special is how we as fans remember those who aren't household names around the country. While most football fans may not know the names of Jeff Query, Eddie Lee Ivory, or Burnell Dent, Green Bay fans can still give you great memories about each player.

Green Bay is pro football and pro football is Green Bay. Although it is my hometown, I have to be honest when I say; football is all Green Bay has.

Without the Packers, Green Bay would basically be West Jordan, Utah. Have you ever heard of West Jordan? Neither had I until I read that the cities have basically the same population.

A big city like Chicago or New York is barely phased by a win or a loss. The city of Green Bay lives and dies with a win or loss.

Mondays after a win will see everyone in a good mood, while a loss results in short tempers and a general feeling that the city should just shut down until Tuesday. This isn't just a small sector of people either. This is every person at every place of employment throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

Oral history is becoming a lost art when it comes to preserving the past. In Green Bay, that will never die. You are taught growing up to appreciate the past, enjoy the present, and look forward to the future.

Packer fans are as much a part of the team as anyone that has ever suited up for the team. That's where the love affair for the team comes into play.

We share in their successes and failures more than any fan in sport. We see them in the malls and local restaurants. We know them and they know us.

Do Packer fans see the world through green and gold color glasses? Without a doubt, absolutely. Residents of Green Bay wouldn't have it any other way.

On March 4, the Cowboys cut two starters. Receiver Terrell Owens and safety Roy Williams have since been replaced, but nobody can logically say that Dallas has improved at these positions.

Roy Williams (safety) will be replaced by Gerald Sensabaugh (pictured above), who had the best year of his career in 2008, recording 70 tackles and four interceptions. Sensabaugh played the first four years of his career in Jacksonville, but  didn't make a major impact until last year. Roy Williams (safety) was injured for the majority of last year, but in 2007 he posted 92 tackles and two picks. His most notable contribution was his intimidating, bone rattling hits.

The Cowboys are apparently confident that Sensabaugh will continue to improve. They had a chance to take Missouri's William Moore with their first pick of the draft. They opted to pass on Moore, probably because of the inconsistency of his performance his senior year.

Terrell Owens' replacement has been here since 2008, when the Cowboys invested this years first, third, and sixth round draft picks, along with next years seventh, in Roy Williams (Wide Receiver). Roy Williams didn't make much of an impact last year, but he wasn't accustomed to the Dallas offense. With Jason Garrett designing this years offense with Williams in mind, he should be much more successful.

The question is, who will start opposite Williams? Barring a trade or free-agent signing, it will be either Patrick Crayton or Miles Austin. Crayton has been great at times, but sloppy at others. Austin has performed well when given opportunities, but has very little experience under his belt. It is possible that neither is a suitable No. 2 receiver.

There is a chance that Dallas is still looking for a No. 2 receiver. Marvin Harrison and Amani Toomer are still available. If Dallas feels that one of them could be an improvement over Crayton or Austin, they might pull the trigger. Anquan Boldin wants a new home and Cleveland is still interested in trading Braylon Edwards, but its unthinkable that the Cowboys would be willing to spend the money and draft picks required to bring in a player of that caliber.

The Minnesota Vikings (10-6) last year, enter 2009 with high optimism and a young talented team. Not to mention surprising many by winning the NFC North division in 2008.

Of course as with all teams, the Minnesota Vikings will find defending their title won't be easy this year. Not to mention the key issue revolving the quarterback position, which is still a toss up.

The Vikings tried to answer this problem by trading a fourth round pick during this year's free agency, adding former Houston Texans backup QB, Sage Rosenfels.

However Sage comes with nine years of backup experience on three other teams (the Miami Dolphins, The Washington Redskins, and The Houston Texans). The other key issues the Vikings hope to solve before the regular season starts (Sept. 10), is the center position in their offensive line and right tackle in that line.

Lets take a closer look at the Minnesota Vikings:

Free Agent Signings

Key Losses 

Center - Matt Birk - signed with the Baltimore Ravens

Defensive Back - Darren Sharper - signed with the New Orleans Saints

Key Additions

Quarterback - Sage Rosenfels - signed a two year contract

Defensive Back - Cedric Griffin - signed a three year contract extension

Tight End - Jim Kleinsasser - re-signed to a three year contract extension

Fullback - Naufahu Tahi - re-signed to one year (Matched Offer sheet)

Defensive End - Otis Grigsby - re-signed to one year contract

Nose Tackle - Fred Evans - re-signed to one year contract

Defensive Back - Benny Sapp - re-signed to one year contract

Special Teams/Wide Receiver - Glenn Holt - signed as a unrestricted free agent from the Cincinnati Bengals

2009 NFL Draft picks

Round One - Pick No. 22 - Florida WR - Percy Harvin

Round Two - Pick No. 54 - Oklahoma OL - Phil Loadholt

Round Three - Pick No. 86 - Georgia CB - Asher Allen

Round Five - Pick No. 150 - South Carolina - ILB Jasper Brinkley

Round Seven - Pick No. 231 - Mississippi FS - Jamarca Sanford

2009 NFL schedule

Week 1--Sept. 13--Vikings @ Cleavland Browns

Week 2--Sept. 20--Vikings @ Detroit Lions*

Week 3--Sept. 27--San Fransisco 49ers @ Vikings

Week 4--Oct. 5--Green Bay Packers @ Vikings*

Week 5--Oct. 11--Vikings @ St. Louis Rams

Week 6--Oct. 18--Vikings @ Baltimore Ravens

Week 7--Oct. 25--Vikings @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 8--Nov. 1--Vikings @ Green Bay Packers*

Week 9-- BYE

Week 10--Nov. 15--Detroit Lions @ Vikings*

Week 11--Nov. 22--Seattle Seahawks @ Vikings

Week 12--Nov. 29--Chicago Bears @ Vikings*

Week 13--Dec. 6--Vikings @ Arizona Cardinals

Week 14--Dec. 13--Cincinnati Bengals @ Vikings

Week 15--Dec. 20--Vikings @ Carolina Panthers

Week 16--Dec. 28--Vikings @ Chicago Bears*

Week 17-- Jan. 3--New York Giants @ Vikings

                   *=Division opponent

Looking to 2009

The Minnesota Vikings have an easier schedule this year, but with tough away games against defenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, the Minnesota coaching staff will have their hands full. The Vikings also have to be aware of their division rivals who are bolstering their rosters this offseason.

With the NFC North rivals focusing on their key issues, the Vikings will find it quite a bit harder to defend their title in the "Black and Blue" division. Success this season will depend solely on the quarterback position, and how well they perform on the field.

Of course this depending on who the starter is coming out of training camp (Tarvaris Jackson, Sage Rosenfels). The Vikings hope to continue their success on defense with their dangerous pass rushing core and more outstanding play from NFL's best running back Adrian Peterson.

Key Note

The Vikings could bring a new element to their play calling this year with the addition of the elusive and explosive rookie WR Percy Harvin—a player known for playing WR and RB at Florida.

If you had to pick four NFC teams that you think are going to have the best chance to be in the playoffs most of the next five years or so, who would they be?

OK for the most part the AFC has been same old same old. New England, Pittsburgh, Indy, San Diego (yeah I know Miami, Baltimore, and Tennessee are on the rise, but that isn't what we're talking about). 

In my opinion, the NFC is about to start sprouting some teams that will be regular playoff/Super Bowl contenders to be the NFC's answer to the dominant teams that have ruled the AFC for most of the past five years.

Who are the teams that are about take hold of the NFL's National Football Conference?  I'll place them in no particular order and we'll see how they rank in three to five years.

Atlanta

This team is young but look at how good they are already. Atlanta has great young receiving threats with Roddy White and Michael Jenkins, plus young upstart Harry Douglas (who not only plays a great spot in receiving but is turning into a dynamic punt returner). 

Add in a fantastic and growing running game in Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood and this Falcon's team is starting to look pretty promising. Oh yeah, there is that Rookie of the Year, Matt Ryan running the whole offensive show on the field. 

Matt Ryan is showing no signs of slowing down. Regardless of position, the NFL has seen nearly endless examples of sophomore slumps. This kid is determined and focused beyond anything I have seen in a QB since Peyton Manning's early days in Indianapolis. 

Speaking of Indianapolis, Atlanta is looking a lot like the Indy of recent years, which is the goal of Atlanta owner Arthur Blank. Mr. Blank has idolized what Indianapolis and New England have produced over the last decade or so, and appears to be achieving similar success through the guidance of Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith.

Indianapolis and New England were laughable franchises in the early '90s and are now premier examples of NFL success. It looks as though another, once embarrassed franchise is following in their footsteps.

Let's not forget about the kicking game with Jason Elam, then throw in the addition of Tony Gonzalez and this Atlanta team is offensively amazing. The defense is average and slowly improving.  However, with an offense like Atlanta is going to be fielding, you could field an average defense and still expect to make the playoffs every year.

Expect Atlanta to be in the playoff picture for quite a while.

Philadelphia

Yes Philly has had some rough spots. Last year in fact, it looked as though the wheels where finally falling off but they pulled it together as they often do and made an impressive run at the end. 

Philadelphia had one of the best drafts this year. Only time will tell, but it would appear that picking up WR Jeremy Maclin (out of Missouri), RB LeSean McCoy (out of Pittsburgh), and fifth round steal TE Cornelius Ingram (out of Florida) was perfect draft science.

Yes Donovan McNabb is aging (as humans do), but there are still plenty of successful years ahead. Similar to how Matt Ryan has benefited from experienced players around him in Atlanta, Philadelphia's new rookies will benefit from experienced leaders in Donovan McNabb, Brian Westbrook, and DeSean Jackson.

Beyond the quickly improving offense, the defense ranked third in the 2008 regular season for total yards allowed. If Philadelphia can get beyond their occasional midseason slumps, they can be a dangerous force in the NFC.

Chicago

Head Coach Lovie Smith finally realized the Chicago Bears are more than just a defense.  Yes, a great deal was given up for new starting QB Jay Cutler but it had to be done to compete with what other teams were willing to offer for him.

The Chicago Bears are a blue collar kind of team.  A team with rough fans that enjoy seeing their defense pop opposing offenses in the mouth. However, it is time to build the other side of the ball.

You can tell that the Bears are anxious to provide Cutler with some fresh weapons with three wide receivers and a tight end picked up in the draft. The addition of Cutler will also help with running back Matt Forte's growth. 

Balance is the key. Chicago's great defense is going to be aging, but Bear's management should be able to keep the Bear's defense well stocked in the future. Yes, the Chicago defense fell off the wagon a little bit last year.

By no means do I predict Chicago to have a top five offense or a top-five defense, however a top 10 for each isn't a stretch in the years to come. That balance should serve them well in the coming years.

New York Giants

Hard to believe that coach Tom Coughlin was on the ropes and was predicted to lose his job in a somewhat disappointing season, just one year before winning the Super Bowl.  The Giants did not reach their repeat Super Bowl, but their 2008 season was not disappointing.

Now they have removed the Plax and brought in some new blood with Hakeem Nicks.  Hakeem fits the New York scheme and should produce well with Eli running the show.

New York is another prime example of a well balanced team. Their regular season defensive output was top five in the league followed by a total offense that finished number seven in the NFL. 

I did mention that this list of four teams was not in any particular order. Even though, I placed New York last in my list I'd have to say I like New York's chances of success over multiple seasons a great deal more than Chicago's.

Honorable Mentions

Lists such as these usually cause fans of other above average teams to wonder why they were left off.  Below are some teams that many may think are ready for a run for many years to come, but are a piece or more shy.

I'll quickly touch on why a few teams don't quite make me think they are ready to be regular contenders.

Arizona

The Quarterback position is huge. Actually it is often referred to as the most important position in all of sports.  Arizona might be good for a year or two but eventually will need to replace Kurt Warner and there is no telling how well that will go. 

They did have a great draft though, and made a good decision to cut Edgerrin James for Chris Wells.  Will Leinart have what it takes to take this team over in a couple of years?  I'm not so sure.

Carolina

Yes, Carolina had a good year in 2008. Age in key positions is going to start to send this team into a decline, especially with all of the young talent in the rest of the NFC South.

New Orleans

The defense doesn't show any signs of making games any easier on the Saint's offense.  Drew Brees will likely be playing catchup for a while as teams continue to score at will on New Orleans.

Dallas

They are doing some reorganizing, which is positive but that can take some time.  You can't pick a team to be the "next big thing" when they haven't won a playoff game for over ten years. Maybe this is the year they get it back together, but nothing lends me to think they're on their way to being spectacular.

Minnesota

Same reason as with Arizona.  Show me a reliable QB that will lead you for the next five-plus years and then maybe you can be consistently great. Sage Rosenfels is an improvement at the position.  How much?  We'll find out very soon.

Everyone else should know what the question marks are that leave people concerned for their chances to be a consistent Super Bowl contender.  Only time will tell.

New Orleans has seen their fair share of running backs since there inception into the league in 1967. This article will bring up the running backs who have made the biggest impact on the team.

Dalton Hilliard

Dalton Hilliard was drafted in the second round as the 31st from LSU. Hillard is a home grown product out of Patterson, Louisiana. He managed to play football in Louisiana for his whole career.

Hillard is third on the list of Saints' all time rushing yards. He rushed for 4164 yards. He had a total of 53 touchdowns. He also averaged 3.7 yards a carry.

His best season was 1982 when he rushed for a total of 1,262 yards. He also managed to have a very impressive 18 touchdowns that season.

He would not be able to repeat his success though. He was plagued with injury's for the remainder of his career.

He retired from professional football after the 1993 season. He is listed in the Saints' Hall Of Fame. 

If Hillard would of stayed healthy he might of become the Saints' all time leading rusher. He was a key part in there playoff runs in the late '80s and early '90s

His nephew Ike Hillard now plays for Tampa Bay.

George Rogers

George Rogers was the first Heisman trophy winner that New Orleans would select. He was selected with the highest honor as the number one draft pick.

In his rookie season he rushed for an amazing 1,647 yards which became a NFL rookie rushing record. That year he earned rookie of the year honors and was also selected to his first pro-bowl.

He earned another trip to the Pro-Bowl in 1982. He has been given credit for helping New Orleans come out of there perennial cellar.

Rogers while playing for The Saints rushed for 4,267 yards. He did this in only four seasons with New Orleans. Also in his career with the Saints he managed to avg 4.2 yards a carry. He also rushed for 27 touchdowns while playing for the team.

Grant it he only played for New Orleans from 1981-1984 he was the team's all-time leading rusher until another great running back joined the team, who will be mentioned later in this article.

He would leave New Orleans after the '84 season and would play three more seasons for the Redskins and would wind up winning a Super Bowl under coach Gibbs.

If New Orleans would have kept Rogers on the team the Saints might have won their first playoff game in 1987. Rogers is also listed in the Saints' Hall Of Fame.

Deuce McAllister

What a player he was for New Orleans. McAllister was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2001 draft. He was a college star at Ole Miss.

Deuce did not play that much in his rookie season for New Orleans since Ricky Williams was currently still with the team. In 2002 Deuce got his shot. Ricky Williams was traded to the Dolphins for numerous draft picks.

In 2002 Deuce rushed for over 1,000 yards. He would manage to do this for three years in a row. This would be a Saints first.

In 2003 Deuce managed to accumulate over 2,000 yards of total offense. He had 1,641 yards rushing and 516 yards receiving. This could honestly be the best year any Saints player ever had to this point.

In 2005 with hurricane Katrina devestating New Orleans, Deuce was there for his city. He really loved his team and his fans. He was against owner Tom Benson wanting to move the team away to San Antonio. You would see him helping out in anyway he could.

Unfortunately his off the field success that year did not translate to on the field success. Deuce fell to his first knee injury which ended his season. New Orleans would only manage to pull off a 3-13 season.

Deuce was looking forward to the 2006 season to prove himself once more to the team and fans he loved. In April the Saints selected a different type of running back. Reggie Bush was selected with the second overall pick in the draft after Houston passed him up.

The one,two punch of Deuce and Bush proved to be something to reckon with. New Orleans had one of a season. Deuce proved he could bounce back from his knee injury and helped lead New Orleans into having the number one ranked offense.

Even with having a second running back to split time with Deuce still rushed for over 1,000 yards.  He would help lead the Saints to the first ever NFC Championship game. Unfortunately as all Saints fans know they were defeated by the Bears.

After coming off the team's best ever finish, Deuce was ready for the 2007 season. 2007 wouldnt be so kind to McAllister though. He would fall to his second knee injury in just three years. He only played in three games that season.

Deuce never seemed to return to complete form in the 2008 season. He did tho break the record for all time touchdown scorer for the Saints that season. He is also the all-time leading rusher for the Saints. 

Deuce in his career rushed for 6,096 yards, 49 touchdowns and 4.3 yards a carry.

In 2009 Deuce was released from the team. He will always be remembered by fans as the best running back to play for this franchise. Deuce really did bleed black and gold for this team. New Orleans may never find another player with his type of heart.

My rankings would be McAllister, Rogers, Hilliard in that order.

Jim Zorn headlines the Washington Redskins coaching staff, directing the team as well as calling the offense while Greg Blache calls the shots on defense. Zorn made his coaching name as the Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach that helped Matt Hasselbeck achieve All-Pro status. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder originally hired Zorn to be the team’s offensive coordinator before appointing him head coach. Zorn brought the west coast philosophy to the east coast in what appeared to be the perfect fit for current quarterback Jason Campbell who had his best collegiate season operating out of a similar offense at Auburn University.

Zorn intertwined the west coast offense into a Washington offense that was best suited for the ground game. Leaning heavily on a massive offensive line and star running back Clinton Portis, Zorn tweaked a philosophy that traditionally, is a pass first, run second mentality. Zorn’s play-calling was at its peak early in the season when Washington was clicking on all cylinders as a team, outdeuling the likes of Jim Johnson and Wade Phillips as Washington took both games against Philadelphia and Dallas on the road. As the offense started to fizzle, Zorn’s play-calling and creativity took its share of criticism. For a first year head coach, Zorn learned a lot and the shortcomings the offense experienced late in the year should only benefit him and the offense next year.

For everything Zorn is to the offense, Blache is to the defense. For a unit that may not be as talented as some of the other top units in the league, Blatche squeezed the most production out of this group as he could get. Finishing fourth in the league in total defense, Washington was a formidable group on that side of the ball all season. Just like his previous stint with Chicago, Blatche prefers an in-your-face style with his corners pressing opposing wideouts and being physical with them at the line of scrimmage. He loves to involve his safeties in run support and isn’t opposed to bring pressure from any spot on the field when his front four aren’t generating enough push.

It will be interesting to see how Blache utilizes his new toys in Albert Haynesworth and rookie Brian Orakpo. Orakpo was a dynamite pass rusher at Texas and Haynesworth is one of those rare defensive line specimens that can double as a run stuffer and put heat on the quarterback as a pass rusher. Orakpo is also athletic enough to drop back in short zone coverage and play linebacker but his pass rush skills are enough to warrant every down use. Two chess pieces in Orakpo and Haynesworth should allow Blache to be even more aggressive next season.

The Redskins are in good hands with Zorn and Blache running their respective units. They’re both creative minds and utilize their talent well within their schemes. With a couple of additions and their players returning with a year of extra experience, both coordinators should be able to capitalize on successful seasons from last year.