AFC 1-5:
1. New England Patriots: This isn't a biased choice. This team went 11-5 with a guy who hadn't started a game since high school and now have the best player in the league back. Welker and Moss have now had two full seasons to learn the offense, and their performances in their 1st years within the offense says enough. Veteran Joey Galloway adds another long-ball element that will complement Moss well. He had a down year last year (from 1,000 yards a season before) but it was on the fucking Bucs. Look for TE Alex Smith to have a breakout season. The Pats also bolstered the O'line by drafting four offensive linemen, two of whom could make an immediate impact. The signing of veteran Fred Taylor is perfect for a running back corps in need of guidance. Faulk and Morris should remain on the roster.
Rookie Brandon Tate adds a promising dimension to the special teams unit after the departure of return-man Ellis Hobbs. The D'line is still one of the best in the league and Wilfork's contract issues are less worrisome with the drafting of Ron Brace. An already strong (but aging) linebacking corps of Thomas, Bruschi, and Mayo will only get better with the acquisition of Paris Lenon, who had more tackles than Ernie Sims last year on the God-awful Lions. At least Lenon got plenty of action being on that defense last season. The secondary is the only concern for me, but the mix of Merriweather and some fresh draft prospects could be the answer along with the guidance of veteran Shawn Springs and Belichick's defensive schemes.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: Returning Super Bowl champs have to be high on your list. Losing Larry Foote and some of the secondary will hurt only slightly; this team's defense is still terrifying. Harrison, Farrior, Timmons, and Woodley resemble the Steel Curtain of lore. They even have Donovan Woods. DONOVAN WOODS! They also have solid cornerbacks and one of the best safeties in the league in Polamalu. The offense is pretty much the same. Roethlisberger has clearly proven himself as a capable passer and the receiving corps is excellent. Ward signed a fresh contract, Holmes showed what he can do in last season's Super Bowl, and they have three promising receivers vying for the third spot. I think Sweed will win it and have a pretty solid season. Heath Miller is legit at TE. Fast Willie Parker had a down year but a healthy, nasty Rashard Meandenhall is going to significantly bolster the RB corps. They do need to address the O'line but it shouldn't be a problem. This team hasn't changed much and that's a good thing--they didn't need to. They will clearly be a contender in 2009.
3. San Diego Chargers: As much as I hate the Chargers, I have to say I think they are going to have a great season. Firstly, they play in one of the shittiest divisions in the league, especially now that (as Larry noted) McDaniels is ruining what Shanahan built. They do actually face some pretty tough opponents out of the division, though. Philip Rivers is somehow one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and they kept both Tomlinson and Sproles. The receiving corps could still use some work; Jackson and Chambers are not a legit 1-2 punch. Buster Davis could have a breakout season though after an injury last year and they still have Antonio Gates. They also boast one of the best offensive lines in the league, highlighted by Marcus McNeill and Kris Dielman. The defense is strong, too. A healthy Shawn Merriman is never good for opponents, and the selection of LB Larry English with the 16th pick will add depth to the LB unit. I like the secondary, especially with Antonio Cromartie, arguably the most athletic player in the league, still back there. Plus the D-Line retains Castillo and Williams. Watch for 4th round pick DT Vaughn Martin from Western Ontario--this guy could end up being a stud. I really think this team is legit. Don't forget their late playoff run and 11 point loss to the Super Bowl champs.
4. Tennesee Titans: I'm still not sure about this team. The Kerry Collins storyline is cool and all those people that always come out of the woodwork to root for the old guys when they do well late in their careers love it. I can't stand those people. Root for someone their whole career, will you? Anyway, this team is still a serious threat. Defensively, I think people are getting their panties in way too big of a twist about the Haynesworth loss. Yes, he's amazing and was a key piece of that D'line, but don't forget about team captain Kyle Vanden Bosch, who had 12 sacks in 2007 and managed 4.5 last year in 10 games. They also addressed the D'line in the draft. They linebacking corps is primarily unproven youngsters but that shouldn't be anything Keith Bulluck can't fix. I think their secondary is the best in the league with Hope, Finnegan, Griffin and Harper (just imagine if Pac-man had worked out). Will Donnie Nickey start another fight in training camp this year? Offensively, they're set. Johnson and White (don't ever let me refer to them as Thunder and Lightning) might be the best tandem in the league and they run behind a good line. I love watching Johnson.
They also finally addressed the receiving corps, which has always needed work, when they drafted Kenny Britt with their 1st round pick and signed Nate Washington, who I think will do far better here than in Pittsburgh. Justin Gage should have an excellent season. Bo Scaife and Alge "The Butt" Crumpler actually form a formidable TE duo, and Rob Bironas might be the best kicker in the NFL. Fischer is one of the best coaches in the league and you have to credit the organization for sticking with him, just as the Steelers stuck with Cowher all those years and were rewarded. Gotta like this team's chances and their decision to rock the old oilers uni's for a few games. Classic.
5. Indianapolis Colts: This team is probably going to drop in my final rankings, because the more I hear, the less I like their chances. They lost Dungy and a ton of his staff, which is going to make for some bumps along the road. They did, however, astutely put one of their own, former assistant coach Jim Caldwell, at the helm because he knows their complex system. But Peyton is coming off an injury and Marvin Harrison is gone, so Reggie Wayne's numbers should drop some, even though Gonzalez and Clark are both very viable passing options. Still, it's a serious loss. Addai had a down year and his injuries are cause for concern, which you have to question even more with the 1st round selection of Donald Brown. I've also never been a real believer in this team's defense and I am even less so now that Ron Meeks is gone. Yeah, Sanders is amazing but Freeney is overrated (although he did have a good season last year), their linebackers suck, and Marlin Jackson isn't what he was supposed to be. Plus, Vinatieri can't boot it like he used to. I think this team is crumbling but I still view them as an elite AFC team (although that division is all of a sudden pretty sick).
That's it for now, I'll follow up with 5-10 in a few days or so.
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