Bill Williamson

No team is a sure-fire playoff contender in the NFL. Yes, the Patriots, Colts, Chargers and Seahawks shouldn't have many problems, but anyone can stumble.

So what are the big questions facing teams entering the 2007 season? We have the answers for all 32 teams.

AFC EAST

New England Patriots
Will the Patriots’ new approach work?
Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft are clearly tired of not winning the Super Bowl. It’s been a whole two seasons and the Patriots are fed up. So they changed their philosophy and spent big money for the first time in the Belichick era, most notably grabbing pass rushing stud Adalius Thomas. The team also revamped the passing game by trading for Randy Moss and Wes Welker and signing Donte’ Stallworth. New England finally realized they need more than just Belichick’s brain and Tom Brady’s savvy. The shopping spree will work for this team as it marries system players with higher profile names.

Can Randy Moss mix with this team?
Yes. First off, Moss will never be a perfect employee or teammate. But he is not a pariah, either. In Oakland, Moss’ biggest problem was a lack of productivity, not anything off the field. He's only 30 and now in his 10^th season. He wants to win. He can live in Belichick’s world. Plus, Moss will be appreciated by his new teammates. He's a unique weapon Brady has never had before. This may not be a real long marriage, but it doesn’t have to be. It may be just long enough to produce a couple of rings.

Is Laurence Maroney ready to be the Man?

Al Behrman / AP Laurence Maroney

He better be. A lot will be expected of the 2006 first-round pick. With Corey Dillon no longer in New England, Maroney is expected to carry a huge load this season. However, Maroney has a right shoulder problem that required offseason surgery. The team thinks he’ll be ready. If not, the Patriots' running game will be a hodge–podge. This kid has skills and he will be needed. If not, even with all of the added receiving help, Brady could have his hands full.

Is Adalius Thomas worth the money?
The linebacker signed for five years and will receive $35 million, $20 million of it guaranteed. That is way of out character for the Patriots, but they think Thomas is worth it. And if the Patriots didn’t think so, many other teams would have jumped on Thomas, the prize of the 2007 free agency crop. Thomas has 38.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles in seven NFL seasons. He is a dynamic playmaker and finally gives New England a replacement for Willie McGinest.

New York Jets
Is Eric Mangini this good?
In a word, yes. The Jets were expected to be awful in 2006, but Mangini made them a playoff team. By season's end, this team was seen of the NFL's most disciplined. It was no coincidence. It’s because of the coach. At just 35, Mangini proved he is a chip off the Bill Belichick block. Mangini’s good coaching pedigree and fast success makes this a slam dunk. This coach is for real. Expect big things.

Is Thomas Jones the answer?
This was a great move by the Jets. For all of New York’s success last season, the team still lacked a reliable running game. Dealt for a third round pick, Jones gives the Jets a premier back. He rumbled for 2,545 yards the past two years for the Bears. He is the type of runner that can close out games and he fits perfectly in the Jets’ system. This will is a big move.

How good can Chad Pennington be?

Rick Stewart / Getty Images Chad Pennington

Pennington had always been an underrated quarterback prior to his rotator cuff injuries. But in 2006, Pennington not only came back from the injuries — which many expected to be career threatening — but he was his typical self. Pennington, who won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, completed 64.5 of his passes, which was the third time he completed at least 64 percent. So, with his injuries clearly behind him, there is no reason to think Pennington won’t be a reliable, accurate if not underappreciated quarterback. 

What can reasonably be expected from this team?
The Jets aren’t going to surprise anyone this season. Last year, the Jets shocked opponents all the way through the playoffs. Not so in 2007. Teams will be prepared. That will be Mangini’s greatest challenge. Last preseason, Mangini instilled a winning attitude. This year, he needs to tell his team not to get over confident. Mangini is extremely organized and is fully dedicated to his team, which was clearly evident last year. While the Jets won’t be the surprise story of the season, they still have a chance to be on the radar for a long time.

Miami Dolphins
Is Trent Green healthy enough to be The Man?
He better be. But when quarterbacks are out for an extended period of time with head injuries, there always has to be concerns. Green must be wary that the concussion doesn't impact his career. Plus, at 37, the Dolphins have to be concerned about Green’s future. That’s why the team picked BYU’s John Beck in the second round. Beck is a player the Dolphins valued more than Brady Quinn and they think he can be a star. But for now, Green has to be the answer. It could be a week-to-week concern.

Can Jason Taylor repeat 2006?

J. Pat Carter / AP file Jason Taylor

Taylor is an outstanding player, perhaps on his way to the Hall of Fame. But it will be difficult for anyone to outdo what Taylor accomplished last season, his 10th. Taylor, who’ll be 33 in September, had 13.5 sacks, nine forced fumbles and two touchdowns and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. A repeat performance and all of those explosive plays is a lot to ask, but Taylor takes care of himself and will still dominate at times. Player of the Year? Maybe not, but certainly one of the Dolphins' best.

Is Cam Cameron ready to be a head man?
One thing is for sure: Cameron has his hands full. He is the only NFL coach not to have an offensive coordinator. Sure, many NFL coaches run the show on either side of the ball but every team has coordinators. Cameron doesn’t. The biggest issue can be time. Coordinators can run meetings and design agendas even if they don't call the plays. For a first-year NFL coach, Cameron may be spreading himself too thin.

How quickly will Ted Ginn help the cause?
There is pressure on Ginn to deliver immediately. Even though the Dolphins weren’t into Brady Quinn, Dolphin Nation was — and Ginn's selection was memorably booed by fans at the team’s draft party. Plus, on a team with little offensive firepower, the former Ohio State star is one of the few available sparks. The problem is, Ginn may not be 100 percent healthy because of a foot injury he suffered in the BCS title game. When Ginn is healthy, expect him to be a stellar return man. He's not Devin Hester, but he may be the next best thing. As far as a receiver, the skeptics think the smallish Ginn will have trouble of past cornerbacks. Overall, Ginn will have his moments but don’t expect the same star who ruled the college game.

Buffalo Bills
Is J.P. Losman ready to be a consistent quarterback?

Rick Stewart / Getty Images J.P. Losman

It’s now or never for Losman. The former first-round pick actually gave the good people of Buffalo some hope by finishing 2006 strong. Losman was one of the league's better quarterbacks last season, throwing for 3,051 yards and 19 touchdowns. The fourth-year pro still has plenty to work on beginning with accuracy and field leadership, but he did show improvement. As the Bills go into this year, Losman — who has been accused of being disinterested at times — is ready to be a consistent quarterback. The kid has ability. He just has to continue the improvements.

Can Marshawn Lynch help right away?
No choice. He is the guy in Buffalo. The Bills jumped on Lynch with the No. 12 pick because, well, they had no other options once they traded Willis McGahee to Baltimore. Some worry that the Bills over-drafted the California star out of necessity. Perhaps, but that’s what the draft all about. Lynch may not be Walter Payton, but he’s a tough, rugged runner who will be a big part of this offense. The marriage should work.

Is Dick Jauron on the hot seat?
Only if the Bills fall apart completely and, of course, a lot of that will have to do with Losman. If Losman keeps improving — which Jauron deserves some credit for — the Bills could improve on their 7-9 record. However, if Losman falls apart and the Bills regress to 4-12, everybody will likely go, starting with Jauron.

Is this team worth keeping an eye on?
Nope. Buffalo is just OK. There’s just nothing to get excited about. Losman is fair, Lynch is a rookie and there are no other superstars. Like their coach, the Bills are just there and that will likely be the case throughout the season.

Answers to NFL’s burning questions Click on a division for more information AFC: East  |  North  | South | West NFC: East | North | South | West

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