Pats still on top until another QB steps up
Miami making charge while New England slipping, but East won't change
Doug Mills / AP fileThe loss of clutch kicker Adam Vinatieri will be hard for the Patriots to overcome, NBCSports.com contributor Don Pierson says.
Q: The Detroit Lions have the same promise every year, "We are ready for the playoffs." What are their chances realistically?
--Dave Jones, Port Clinton, Ohio
A: In the NFC North, their chances are better than they would be in most divisions. But that's the best thing they have going for them. New coach Rod Marinelli is an inspired choice and his decision to make Mike Martz his offensive coordinator is even more inspired. However, this is such a needy team, especially in terms of discipline and experience, that it's unrealistic to expect much in the first year of the new regime. New coach, new coordinator, new quarterback, new offense, new defense. It's too much.
Q: How do you think the Eagles will rebound this season? They have many needs on the offensive side of the ball. First, they need a standout wideout, next they need a big fellow to run between tackles, and finally they need some vigor and youth on the offensive line. Where do you think they need help the most? How do you think they will rebound?
--Joe, Arlington, Va.
A: You've got them pretty well pegged. They were disappointed to be outbid for guard-center LeCharles Bentley in free agency. He would have been a great addition to a line that definitely needs retooling. That might be a more important area than receiver, especially if they lose free-agent tackle Jon Runyan. Adding free-agent receiver Jabar Gaffney is not be the answer. He wasn't an adequate No. 2 receiver in Houston. They are hoping for big improvement from second-year man Reggie Brown and for injured Todd Pinkney to rebound. A big running back doesn't seem to be a priority for Andy Reid, although he would like to replace the promise of Correll Buckhalter, whose injury problems have robbed his career. They are still counting on little Brian Westbrook to recover from injury and on even littler second-year prospect Ryan Moats to develop. I think they will rebound as a team, assuming Donovan McNabb is healthy, but the NFC East is no longer the pushover it was when they ruled the division for four years. I hope you have a ticket for that game against Terrell Owens and the Cowboys.
Q: Um, Don? Did the Bears really go into hibernation this winter? Please don't tell me they have that "all the pieces are together" line going again. I haven't heard or seen anything from them. So much for Antwaan Randle El. Were they even in the running or trying?
--Paul Walchli, Lake in the Hills, Ill.
A: You've been paying attention for too long. Signing quarterback Brian Griese was a good move. If healthy, his numbers are better than any of the quarterbacks who have changed teams except for Daunte Culpepper and Drew Brees. Griese will give the team its most reliable backup help in years. They gave Randle El a shot, but said from the start they were determined not to "overpay" him, which can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. I have sensed a complacency about their roster that is a bit disconcerting. First, they believed they were better than they were during their 11-5 season, preferring to ignore how their defense was gashed on the ground by Pittsburgh and in the air by Carolina late in the season and in the playoffs. Secondly, they are relying a whole lot on what they call their "redshirt freshmen," the rookies who didn't play much their first year: running back Cedric Benson and receivers Mark Bradley and Airese Currie. Plus, they keep believing that Rex Grossman is the answer at quarterback, even though all he has done is provoke questions. Maybe Griese will change their minds. By default, they should win the NFC North, but that's sort of like winning an ugly contest.
Q: After seeing the upgrades the Cleveland Browns have made through free agency do you think they will be in a position to contend for a wild-card spot in the AFC?
--Matt King, Cleveland, Ohio
A: Love the upgrades, still doubt the immediate effect. They still play in a tough division in a tough conference and will have an uphill fight. Too much still depends on the rapid development of second-year quarterback Charlie Frye. Center-guard LeCharles Bentley, left tackle Kevin Shaffer and receiver Joe Jurevicius are wonderful upgrades, but the offense is still relying on top draft choices Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards coming off injuries. Romeo Crennel's defense was a sorry 30th against the run, and I don't think Ted Washington and Willie McGinest can do a whole lot by themselves to change that just because they did three years ago in New England. Punter Dave Zastudil will improve field position. I think Cincinnati is going to fall back a bit in the division, but even if the Browns get competitive with the Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, they have to beat the Steelers. With so many good AFC teams, a wild-card spot still seems out of reach for this season.
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