(Just so you know, Joey Harrington has replaced Brad Johnson as my official Dorky-looking Marginal QB Whom I Will Irrationally Defend. Fair warning.)
Carolina Panthers 25/1
The team strong spot is the D-line and they should excel for another year. Beyond that, the Panthers are middle of the pack. Yes, I know Steve Smith is unreal, but he's all alone once again. Unless Lovie Smith is coaching the opponent for every game, he can count on being double and triple teamed.
Still, if the Panther O-line stays healthy, at least David Carr may actually get sometime in the upright position, and they could be hanging around at the end of the season.
Chicago Bears 14/1
All the talent in the world on defense and a solid O-line put the Bears in the upper echelon of the NFC again, despite Rex Grossman. Of course, the big thing they had last year was their special teams. It is rare for special teams to make or break a team, but it happens. Can they repeat the performance? If they don't, the Bears may end crashed and abandoned like Lance Briggs' Lamborghini.
Observation: The Bears, the returning NFC champs and the consensus team to beat, are 14/1 to win the Super Bowl.
Dallas Cowboys 20/1
The 'Boys have a receiving corps that is second to none. They no longer have Bill Parcells, which some will see as a plus, but last year's late season crash-and-burn haunts them. It wasn't just Tony Romo's easily observable downslide to humiliation. By the end of the season, a strong performing defense had become among the worst in the league.
The defense is probably fixable. There's a ton of talent and new coach Wade Phillips just came off a stellar turn as Chargers defensive coordinator. But what about Romo? Overpaying for Leonard Davis helps, but the O-line is still merely above average on balance.
What remains is to wonder whether the 'Boys pick up where they left off last season or if they can revert to their first half performance and keep it up all year. My guess is they keep it together and go deep in the playoffs. Which is good, because columns about T.O. write themselves.
Article comments
1 - The Haze
Is Michael Strahan's act that transparent or is it just me? Bet money on this: real soon the NFL shortens or does away/ modify the preseason. not so as to lose money now,thank you very much, but to insure the safety of our product to bring you the fan the full enjoyment that you so richly deserve.Oh yeah,don't forget that dumbass pro bowl. now there's a game that we would miss,huh? too much money involved now though. tell me how many people can toss 500,000 dollars out the window because they don't feel like working? God, I love America!
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
"All Calvin Johnson is going to learn this year is how to tell when he can quit on his route by the sound of the fan's boos."
If he does it that way, he'll never leave from his set position on the line of scrimmage.
3 - david mazzotta
Haze, I think I see what you're getting at. It amazes me that no one in the press takes a deeper look at this. Older, "wiser" players are always finding ways to cruise during the pre-season. I am completely convinced that T.O. does this all the time. And though they don't say so, I'm sure the coaches are cool with it.
Push the philosophy to it's limit and you get Roger Clemens signing contracts for half the year so he can keep playing well into middle age.
4 - alessandro Nicolo
"Have I mentioned you shouldn't be betting on futures?"
You bet. Just penny stocks and options. Duh.
The Iggles give me the giggles. They will hunt and kill the inefficient and the weak - like the Cowgirls. Giggle.
5 - The Haze
To a certain degree David,I see their(older players)point,to an extent. The "way" the game is played today is different than how it was "back in the day"(remember when it was a game?),everything is so f**king skilled that it kills me sometimes,but yet,it is. On the other hand though,what was gained in skill and art form,disguised as entertainment,a certain degree of character and loyalty was just shucked out the proverbial window in the name of....what?,money? I don't know. It seems sometimes that sports individuals thrive on adulation like a junkie thrives for his next hit. and don't forget,"and the crowd goes wild!" The fans of sports in this country has changed more than the athletes themselves!! I swear the violent tendencies of the sports base in this country has reached new lows.Their lust for more,more,more is comical at times but yet,under the surface there is a fine line that is being trampled under foot. This behavior + time is gaining ground on the way we as a society functions. I fear the future looks bleak.Where have you gone?
6 - themurph544
Hey David, it's week 7, where are you?? I enjoy your column ever week and always hate waiting until week 6 to read it... are you throwing in the towel this year?
7 - david mazzotta
Not throwing in the towel. First set of picks should come roughly Wednesday-ish. In few weeks you'll be sick of me. ;-)
8 - Diesel
[URL=][/URL]