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2003 Preview: Gerry Dulac's NFL Forecast
Friday, August 29, 2003
1. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Coach: Andy Reid, 5th season (39-25).
2002 record: 12-4, 1st NFC East.
Top newcomers: FB Jon Ritchie, LB Mark Simoneau, LB Nate Wayne.
Key losses: DE Hugh Douglas, KR Brian Mitchell, LB Shawn Barber.
Outlook: The Eagles have been to the NFC championship game each of the past two seasons. Make it three in a row, even without Douglas.
Prediction: 1st NFC East.
THE AFC
THE NFC
SUPER BOWL XXXVIII
2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Coach: Jon Gruden, 2nd season (12-4).
2002 record: 12-4, 1st NFC South, Super Bowl champion.
Top newcomers: WR Jacquez Green, QB Jim Miller, LB Dwayne Rudd.
Key losses: S Dexter Jackson, QB Rob Johnson, G Jeff Christy.
Outlook: The defending Super Bowl champions had few defections, so core of their team remains intact.
Prediction: 1st NFC South.
3. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Coach: Dave Wannstedt, 4th season (31-17).
2002 record: 9-7, 3rd AFC East.
Top newcomers: QB Brian Griese, CB Terrell Buckley, S Sammy Knight, LB Junior Seau, DT Jeff Zgonina.
Key losses: WR Oronde Gadsden, LB Derrick Rodgers, WR Dedric Ward.
Outlook: The team has plugged some holes on defense with the addition of Knight and Seau. And Griese could be the QB to put them over the top.
Prediction: 1st AFC East.
4. STEELERS
Coach: Bill Cowher, 12th season (109-66).
2002 record: 10-5-1, 1st AFC North.
Top newcomers: TE Jay Riemersma, SS Troy Polamalu, OLB Alonzo Jackson, OT Todd Fordham.
Key losses: LT Wayne Gandy.
Outlook: The offense returns all of its skill people, which should allow Tommy Maddox to have another great year. But the defense has to prove it can stop the pass. Until then, keep your fingers crossed.
Prediction: 1st AFC North.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS
Coach: Jim Fassel, 7th season (54-41-1).
2002 record: 10-6, 2nd NFC East.
Top newcomers: CB Ray Green, RB Dorsey Levens, KR Brian Mitchell, DE Keith Washington.
Key losses: RB Sean Bennett, CB Jason Sehorn, OT Mike Rosenthal, G Jason Whittle.
Outlook: Their strong finish last season should carry over into this season, so long as they forget about blowing that 38-14 playoff lead in San Francisco.
Prediction: 2nd NFC East.
6. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Coach: Mike Sherman, 4th season (33-15).
2002 record: 12-4, 1st NFC North.
Top newcomers: CB Al Harris, C David Brandt, G Grey Ruegamer.
Key losses: WR Terry Glenn, DE Vonnie Holliday, DE Keith McKenzie, LB Nate Wayne.
Outlook: The Packers have enough offensive skills to easily win the worst division in the NFL. But they have to do more in the playoffs, and their defense doesn't let them.
Prediction: 1st NFC North.
7. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Coach: Bill Callahan, 2nd season (11-5).
2002 record: 11-5, 1st AFC West, AFC champions.
Top newcomers: DT Dana Stubblefield, KR Ronney Jenkins.
Key losses: DT Sam Adams, CB Tory James, WR James Jett, FB Jon Ritchie, DE Regan Upshaw.
Outlook: Sooner or later, this team has to show its age. Until that happens, don't discount the Raiders.
Prediction: 1st AFC West.
8. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Coach: Mike Martz, 4th season (31-17).
2002 record: 7-9, 2nd NFC West.
Top newcomers: TE Cam Cleeland, S Jason Sehorn, OT Kyle Turley, C Dave Wohlabaugh.
Key losses: CB Dre Bly, RB Trung Candidate, TE Ernie Cronwell, G Tom Nutten, WR Ricky Proehl.
Outlook: Warner has to stave off a QB controversy with Marc Bulger by staying healthy and returning to his former NFL MVP level. The loss of Bly hurts a suspect defense.
Prediction: 1st NFC West.
9. BUFFALO BILLS
Coach: Gregg Williams, 3rd season (11-21).
2002 record: 8-8, 4th AFC East.
Top newcomers: LB Takeo Spikes, DT Sam Adams, RB Olandis Gary, FB Sam Gash, DE Keith Mckenzie, LB Jeff Posey.
Key losses: FB Larry Centers, WR Peerless Price, TE Jay Riemersma.
Outlook: The Bills will miss Price, but they've added lots of talent, especially where they need it most -- on defense. Could be the surprise team of 2003.
Prediction: 2nd AFC East.
10. ATLANTA FALCONS
Coach: Dan Reeves, 7th season (46-49-1).
2002 record: 9-6-1, 2nd NFC South.
Top newcomers: S Cory Hall, WR MarTay Jenkins, WR Peerless Price.
Key losses: None.
Outlook: They got receiving help for QB Michael Vick, and now he's out till October. Plus, division is tougher than a Denny's pork chop.
Prediction: 2nd NFC South.
11. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Coach: Jim Haslett, 4th season (26-22).
2002 record: 9-7, 3rd NFC South.
Top newcomers: CB Ashley Ambrose, TE Ernie Cronwell, OT Wayne Gandy, S Tebucky Jones, LB Derrick Rodgers.
Key losses: DT Norman Hand, S Sammy Knight, OT Kyle Turley, CB Ken Irvin.
Outlook: Haslett and the Saints have faded worse than denim jeans the past two years. If only they could move the playoffs to October.
Prediction: 3rd place, NFC South.
12. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Coach: Dick Vermeil, 3rd season (14-18).
2002 record: 8-8, 4th AFC West.
Top newcomers: LB Shawn Barber, DE Vonnie Holliday, CB Dexter McCleon.
Key losses: DE Duane Clemons.
Outlook: Vermeil took the 1978 Eagles to the playoffs in his third season and the 1999 Rams to the Super Bowl in his third season. This is his third season in K.C.
Prediction: 2nd AFC West.
13. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Coach: Bill Belichick, 4th season (25-23).
2002 record: 9-7, 2nd AFC East.
Top newcomers: SS Rodney Harrison, CB Tyrone Poole, WR Dedric Ward, LB Roosevelt Colvin.
Key losses: CB Terrell Buckley, TE Cam Cleeland, FB Marc Edwards, WR Donald Hayes, S Tebucky Jones, G Grey Ruegamer.
Outlook: The Patriots are playing in the league's toughest division, and they may have to sneak up on people like they did in 2001.
Prediction: 3rd AFC East.
14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Coach: Tony Dungy, 2nd season (10-6).
2002 record: 10-6, 2nd AFC South.
Top newcomers: WR Brandon Stokely, S Rich Coady.
Key losses: WR Qadry Ismail, LB Mike Peterson.
Outlook: The Colts' problem is not offense. Their defense has to come together under Dungy, though they didn't add a lot of personnel.
Prediction: 1st AFC South.
15. TENNESSEE TITANS
Coach: Jeff Fisher, 10th season (76-58).
2002 record: 11-5, 1st AFC South.
Top newcomers: None.
Key losses: WR Kevin Dyson, DT John Thornton, CB Donald Mitchell.
Outlook: Steve McNair, Eddie George and Jevon Kearse often are injured. Otherwise, they rock in the Music City.
Prediction: 2nd AFC South.
16. NEW YORK JETS
Coach: Herman Edwards, 3rd season (19-13).
2002 record: 9-7, 1st AFC East.
Top newcomers: CB Tyrone Carter, WR Curtis Conway.
Key losses: WR Laveranues Coles, RB Richie Anderson, KR Chad Morton.
Outlook: Too many losses on offense and the injury to Chad Pennington puts too much pressure on the aging Vinny Testaverde.
Prediction: 4th AFC East.
17. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Coach: Steve Spurrier, 2nd season (7-9).
2002 record: 7-9, 3rd NFC East.
Top newcomers: RB Trung Candidate, WR Laveranues Coles, K John Hall, WR Patrick Johnson, QB Rob Johnson, CB Alex Molden, KR Chad Morton, G Randy Thomas, DT Brandon Noble.
Key losses: RB Stephen Davis, DT Darryl Gardener, QB Shane Matthews.
Outlook: Didn't even have a search warrant when they raided the Jets. Should be better but not good enough to catch Eagles and Giants.
Prediction: 3rd NFC East.
18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Coach: Mike Holmgren, 5th season (31-33).
2002 record: 7-9, 3rd NFC West.
Top newcomers: DT Norman Hand, DE Chike Okeafor, OT Michael Thompson.
Key losses: P Jeff Feagles, K Rian Lindell.
Outlook: The good news for the Seahawks is the NFC West appears to be rapidly deteriorating. But their offense needs help from the defense.
Prediction: 2nd NFC West.
19. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Coach: Dennis Erickson, 1st season.
2002 record: 10-6, 1st NFC West.
Top newcomers: DT Travis Kirschke.
Key losses: QB Cade McNown, DT Dana Stubblefield, DE Chike Okeafor.
Outlook: The 49ers lost their coach, Steve Mariucci, and the defense has a lot of holes with very little depth. They need the Rams to implode again to win the division.
Prediction: 3rd NFC West.
20. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Coach: Brian Billick, 5th season (37-27).
2002 record: 7-9, 3rd AFC North.
Top newcomers: OT Orlando Brown, CB Corey Fuller, WR Marcus Robinson.
Key losses: FB Sam Gash, QB Jeff Blake, DE Michael McCrary, WR Brandon Stokely, CB James Trapp.
Outlook: Billick did a wonderful job winning seven games with a depleted roster. If QB Chris Redman develops, and with MLB Ray Lewis returning, the Ravens could be troublesome for the Steelers.
Prediction: 2nd AFC North.
21. DENVER BRONCOS
Coach: Mike Shanahan, 9th season (81-47).
2002 record: 9-7, 2nd AFC West.
Top newcomers: QB Jake Plummer, DT Daryl Gardener.
Key losses: OT Blake Brockenmeyer, RB Olandis Gary, DE Kavika Pittman, CB Tyrone Poole, QB Brian Griese, DE Keith Washington.
Outlook: The Broncos lost too many key players and have too many youngsters to replace them. Plummer, though, should flourish in Shanahan's system.
Prediction: 3rd AFC West.
22. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Coach: Marty Schottenheimer, 2nd season (8-8).
2002 record: 8-8, 3rd AFC West.
Top newcomers: WR David Boston, FB Lorenzo Neal.
Key losses: WR Curtis Conway, SS Rodney Harrison, CB Alex Molden, LB Junior Seau.
Outlook: The Chargers faded after a fast start in 2002 and have a tough December schedule this year. Boston will help offense; the loss of Seau will hurt defense.
Prediction: 4th AFC West.
23. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Coach: Butch Davis, 3rd season (16-16).
2002 record: 9-7, 2nd AFC North.
Top newcomers: LB Barry Gardner.
Key losses: TE Mark Campbell, CB Corey Fuller, LB Earl Holmes, LB Dwayne Rudd, C Dave Wohlabaugh.
Outlook: After a surprising charge to the playoffs, the Browns took a step backward by ravaging their defense. And they did little to improve their offensive line.
Prediction: 3rd AFC North.
24. CHICAGO BEARS
Coach: Dick Jauron, 5th season (28-36).
2002 record: 4-12, 3rd NFC North.
Top newcomers: QB Kordell Stewart, TE Desmond Clark .
Key losses: LB Roosevelt Colvin, RB Leon Johnson, DT Christian Peter, WR Marcus Robinson.
Outlook: The Bears were a huge disappointment in '02, but the addition of Stewart and rookie Rex Grossman should help at QB.
Prediction: 2nd NFC North.
25. DALLAS COWBOYS
Coach: Bill Parcells, 1st season.
2002 record: 5-11, 4th NFC East.
Top newcomers: FB Richie Anderson, TE Dan Campbell, WR Terry Glenn, CB Donald Mitchell.
Key losses: LB Kevin Hardy, LB Brandon Noble, RB Emmitt Smith.
Outlook: Parcells will make the Cowboys better, but he needs at least another year before they become a force in the NFC East again.
Prediction: 4th NFC East.
26. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Coach: Dave McGinnis, 4th season (13-28).
2002 record: 5-11, 4th NFC West.
Top newcomers: QB Jeff Blake, RB Emmitt Smith, FS Dexter Jackson, C Frank Garcia, LB James Darling.
Key losses: QB Jake Plummer, WR David Boston, WR Frank Sanders, WR MarTay Jenkins.
Outlook: Too many losses on offense, particularly Boston, won't be offset by the addition of Blake and Smith, whose best years are behind them.
Prediction: 4th NFC West.
27. MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Coach: Mike Tice, 3rd season (6-11).
2002 record: 6-10, 2nd NFC North.
Top newcomers: LB Chris Clairborne, QB Gus Frerotte, CB Ken Irvin, OT Mike Rosenthal.
Key losses: K Doug Brien, CB Tyrone Carter, LB Antonio Wilson.
Outlook: Good news is they play in a weak division. Bad news is Vikings are still not good enough to challenge Packers, especially on defense.
Prediction: 3rd NFC North.
28. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Coach: Jack Del Rio, 1st season.
2002 record: 6-10, 3rd AFC South.
Top newcomers: DE Hugh Douglas, FB Marc Edwards, WR Donald Hayes, WR/KR Jermaine Lewis, LB Mike Peterson, CB James Trapp.
Key losses: WR Patrick Johnson, TE Pete Mitchell, LB Wali Rainer, WR Bobby Shaw, C John Wade, OT Zach Wiegert.
Outlook: A lot of new personnel should help, especially Douglas and Peterson on defense. Del Rio should help restore the fire.
Prediction: 3rd AFC South.
29. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Coach: John Fox, 2nd season (7-9).
2002 record: 7-9, 4th NFC South.
Top newcomers: RB Stephen Davis, WR Kevin Dyson, DE Kavika Pittman, WR Ricky Proehl.
Key losses: LB Hannibal Navies, DT Sean Gilbert, G Jamar Nesbit.
Outlook: One of the worst offenses in the league should be better with new players Davis, Dyson and Proehl. And the defense is pretty good, especially in a tough division.
Prediction: 4th NFC South.
30. DETROIT LIONS
Coach: Steve Mariucci, 1st season.
2002 record: 3-13, 4th NFC North.
Top newcomers: CB Dre Bly, WR Shawn Jefferson, LB Earl Holmes, LB Wali Rainer.
Key losses: LB Chris Claiborne, WR Jacquez Green.
Outlook: Mariucci will help QB Joey Harrington's development and Bly will help Lions' defense. Weak division should help them win games.
Prediction: 4th NFC North.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Coach: Marvin Lewis, 1st season.
2002 record: 2-14, 4th AFC North.
Top newcomers: LB Kevin Hardy, CB Tory James, DT John Thornton.
Key losses: DE Vaughn Booker, S Cory Hall, FB Lorenzo Neal, LB Takeo Spikes.
Outlook: Lewis will toughen the Bengals' defense, even without Spikes, but he has to build the offense around RB Corey Dillon.
Prediction: 4th AFC North.
32. HOUSTON TEXANS
Coach: Dom Capers, 2nd season (4-12).
2002 record: 4-12, 4th AFC South.
Top newcomers: LB Patrick Chukwurah, LB Charlie Clemons, RB Stacey Mack, OT Greg Randall.
Key losses: OLB Jeff Posey, KR Jermaine Lewis, OT Ryan Young, LB Keith Mitchell.
Outlook: Texans had enough to deprive Steelers of a first-round playoff bye. QB David Carr will be better, but he needs rookie WR Andre Johnson to help immediately.
Prediction: 4th AFC South.
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