The NFL EDGE:
    2002 SEASON PREVIEW

Before looking at who will be good in the AFC lets start with who won't. Recall Last Year at this time I told you that the Ravens wouldn't repeat. I will say the same thing this Year. The New England Patriots will not repeat, nor even make it to the Championship. Like the NY Giants from a year earlier, the Pats were healthy and got hot down the stretch. Brady is the real thing, but they will have too many gunning for them this year.

So lets start our tour in the East.

The Miami Dolphins are going into September looking mighty once again, will Ricky help keep them way come december is the question. The Bills will be improved - but 6 wins for them is a 100% improvement. The NY Jets despite all the talk to the contrary are not grounded yet, and I love what Herman Edwards brings to the table. If the Fish fall its NY's div.

In the North, sort of the old central.

There has been much talk this offseason about the Ohio teams. While the Browns shocked a few folks last year, I dont see much of an improvment there. Cincy, folks say is loaded with talent, but the glue on that team is Corey Dillon, better hope nothing happens to him. Even so I am not sold on the QB or the coach to see them even at .500. Baltimore has serious problems and could be one of the worst teams in the NFL this year, so that leaves Pittsburgh whom I dont think will be as good as last year, but will win this division by default.

In the South

Tennessee appears to be playing well, we need to see if they can improve on thier secondary play to see if they can be considered legit. IndianapolisWill certainly try to fill the void if Tenn. cant do it. Adding Tony Dungy and drafting lots of Defense are steps in the right direction, if things pan out this could be this years conference winner - IF things PAN OUT. Jacksonville has regressed and will stuggle to go over .500. Houston will suck (see Big D Previews the Houston Texans).

The Wild Wild West Is basically wide open. Sure I know about the Raiders, but they are OLD, and losing Gruden will not help. Old teams tend to pile up injuries -- keep that in mind in November when most of this team could be in street clothes. Who will step up. Kansas City was my undoing last year, but I have tons of respect for Vermeil. If he can get better play from Trent Green the Chiefs can make some noise. Denver can likewise grab this if they get a good year from Griese. San Diego, should not be a factor. On second thought after looking at these teams - the Raiders might STILL be the class of this Div. - IF they can all stay healthy.

For any Discussion on the NFC we need to start in the West
Home of arguabley the best NFC team of the past few years the RAMS they should be back with a fury, but as I mentioned earlier - how would you like their chances without Warner and Faulk. Who else do we like in the West, San Fran is the obvious choice, but I am not so sure. Despite all the ascertaions to the contrary there is still some tension in that locker room I think, throw in some early losses and this could spiral out of control. Arizona, well dont laugh, finally freed from their shackles in the NFC East cellar, the Cards have a pretty mean offensive line and don't underestimate the effect of not having to travel to the east coast for every road game. That could spell an extra couple of wins this year. The Cards could be one of the surprises this year. I am still not sold on Jake Plummer enough yet to go that far out on a limb. Seattle could also be a darkhorse, with Holmgren and Watters, and Alexander but losing Dilfer will hurt and like Arizona I am not sold enough on Hasselbeck as a NFL QB, yet.

The NFC North, or Norris as ESPN's Chris Berman will assuredly call it is another murky mess.

Sure the BEARS were an improved team last year, and still have as solid a Defense as anyone. They upgraded getting QB Chris Chandler although I wonder when the last time he played and did not receive a concussion was? As long as Brett Farve wears a Packer Jersey, never mind who else is on that team, they have to be considered contenders. The Vikes will still have Culpepper and Moss to electrify crowds, but as I was yelling all season "you cant live with your QB as your leading rusher!", you all saw how the Vikes finished up the season. Detroit, was one play shy from winning in 9 games, with any luck at all last year they could have been 9-7 Imagine that, well while I dont see that happeining this year, they will ruin a few peoples parlays this season thats for sure.

The NFC South

See what I wrote above about the Cardinals, well that applies double to Tampa who not only had to deal with the flight but bone chilling cold midwestern weather. The undoing of many a Florida team at any level. This new division is tailor made for the Bucs this year. Throw in Jon Gruden, and winning the south is almost a certainty. Making the playoffs is only half the battle, Dungy was able to do that. Well depending on who is in what shape come december, this may be the team. The rest of the South, Atlanta, and New Orleans are tough scrappy squads who will win some games, but at this point are just not in the category of Tampa. Carolina has even more rebuilding to do, and they still have Wenke at QB, Nuff said.

Finally we come to The NFC EAST