Dan Pompei

Every year, some teams exceed expectations and surprise even those who are paying close attention.

Last year, it was the Browns who wore the Cinderella slippers. This year, the most logical candidates are the Cardinals, Rams and Bills. Here is a look at each team.

Rams
This is a team that could benefit from playing in the NFC West. The Rams also should be a healthier team in 2008. Last year their starters lost 71 games to injury. Their offensive line was particularly decimated. Only six Rams started all 16 games, an indication of how injury took its toll.

In a Chicago Tribune survey of how each team fared in offseason veteran acquisitions and departures, the Rams did well, finishing tied for fifth place in the league. The survey was based on the color-coded ratings of one team and assigned points for each color. Points were given to teams for additions and subtracted for losses. The Rams didn't lose any player with a "red" rating, which indicates a solid starter. They added a "red plus" player in kicker Josh Brown and a "red" player in guard Jacob Bell, among others.

The perception in St. Louis is Scott Linehan needs to win to survive, so the Rams will be doing everything possible to win now. However, it might take awhile for the offense to come around in the first year of Al Saunders' new offense.

Cardinals
This team often is picked as a "surprise" team and never ends up being one, so I feel like I'm taking on a bit of a sucker bet here. But the facts reflect well on the Cardinals' chances.

First of all, they are in the second year of coach Ken Whisenhunt's program. That means his systems and philosophy have had time to take root and should begin to bear fruit.

The roster is more talented than their recent records have indicated, and the Cardinals helped their defense in the offseason by adding Clark Haggans and Travis LaBoy, among others.

The key for this team is if Matt Leinart can find consistency in his third NFL season. He should be able to, given his ability and the fact that he has a solid running game to offset his passing and probably the best two-wide receiver combination in football to throw to in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Bolden.

According to a study by Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News, the Cardinals starters lost 75 games to injury last season, third most in the NFL. They finished with an NFL-high seven starters on injured reserve. Chances are they will stay healthier this season and be a contender in the wide-open NFC West.

Bills

Special feature Fantasy Fix team previews The latest fantasy breakdowns from Gregg Rosenthal and Tiffany Simons.

They might not be able to overtake the Patriots in the AFC East, but they could win a wildcard spot. Of course, they are going to need quarterback Trent Edwards to step up and establish himself as a solid NFL starter. But if Edwards can do that, everything else could be in place for the Bills to rattle the AFC.

The Bills tied the Rams for the fifth best offseason in the NFL in the Tribune survey. Like the Rams, they lost no player with a red rating or higher. They added defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who was a "red," and linebacker Kawika Mitchell, a "red minus."

And the Bills starters lost an NFL high 89 games to injury. They probably won't lead the league in that category two years in a row.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Deciding to retire is player’s hardest choice PFT: LT might be close to signing with Jets PFT: Childress says A.P. and L.T. would be ‘1 and 1A’ PFT: Cop took photos with Big Ben before investigating Roethlisberger's lawyer hires private investigator Grio: Goodell should drop hammer on Roethlisberger PFT: Saints willing to keep Bush for $8 million PFT: Redskins reach agreement with Larry Johnson PFT: Packers throwback jersey goes way, way back PFT: Raiders reportedly could make run at T.O. NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: