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Friday, September 03, 1999 By Gerry Dulac, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
How they'll stack up this season:
1. NEW YORK JETS
Coach: Bill Parcells
Last season: 12-4, 1st place AFC East
Outlook: Everywhere he goes, Bill Parcells lands in the Super Bowl. So it is with the Jets, a team that has acquired the necessary veteran leadership to take it another step farther. Vinny is back, and so is Keyshawn Johnson and Curtis Martin. And Parcells has constructed another outstanding linebacking crew.
2.MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Coach: Dennis Green
Last season: 15-1, 1st NFC Central
Outlook: It looked like nobody could stop the Vikings last year, and hardly anyone did. But the Falcons did when it counted most, winning in overtime in the Metrodome in the NFC title game. Minnesota's veterans still have a small window of opportunity, but they better capitalize now.
3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Coach: Tom Coughlin
Last season: 11-5, 1st AFC Central
Outlook: The Jaguars have brought in the right people to solidify their questionable defense, including defensive coordinator Dom Capers. They added another ex-Steeler to the secondary -- safety Carnell Lake. That should be enough to get them to the AFC title game.
4. DENVER BRONCOS
Coach: Mike Shanahan
Last season: 14-2, 1st AFC West, Super Bowl champion
Outlook: John Elway did not have to put up gaudy passing numbers in 1998, but that doesn't mean the Broncos won't miss him. The Steelers discovered in 1996 that replacing their starting quarterback with a veteran backup isn't a prerequisite for duplicating success. Bubby Brister? C'mon.
5. SAN FRANCISCO 49ers
Coach: Steve Mariucci
Last season: 12-4, 2nd NFC West
Outlook: Any team with Steve Young and Jerry Rice hasto be taken seriously. But the losses on the defensive line, and the injury to Bryant Young, have taken their toll. The 49ers can still contend, but, like an aging prizefighter, they cannot win it all.
6. MIAMI DOLPHINS
Coach: Jimmy Johnson
Last season: 10-6, T2nd AFC East
Outlook: As he did in Dallas, Johnson has quietly built a team based on speed. particularly on defense. And he has continually tried to upgrade the running game to bail out quarterback Dan Marino, who is running out of chances at the Super Bowl. This is likely his last chance.
7. ATLANTA FALCONS
Coach: Dan Reeves
Last season: 14-2, 1st NFC West, NFC Champion
Outlook: Nobody believed it last year when the Falcons came back from a 6-8 season in 1997 and won the division. But getting to the Super Bowl? The Falcons will have a more difficult time this year because they won't have the benefit of that cake schedule they got in '98. The secondary is better, but they will be lucky to go 12-4.
8. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Coach: Vince Tobin
Last season: 9-7, 2nd NFC East
Outlook: If there's a surprise team in the NFC, it's the Cardinals. They have an explosive offense with quarterback Jake Plummer and they have young talented players on defense such as SimeonRice and Andre Wadsworth. Eric Swann's health, though, is a concern to defensive line.
9. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Coach: Bill Cowher
Last season: 7-9, 3rd AFC Central
Outlook: The fate of the team appears to rest on the strong shoulders of quarterback Kordell Stewart and how he fits in with Kevin Gilbride's new passing offense. The defense looks better than last year, and the Steelers might need it to stay in a few more games.
10. DALLAS COWBOYS
Coach: Chan Gailey
Last season: 10-6, 1st NFC East
Outlook: The preseason not withstanding, the Cowboys think they have assembled some of their best talent since the Super Bowl days. Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and a running back tandem of Emmitt Smith and Chris Warren are reasons for the continued optimism. But the defense has some question marks with the early-season availability of cornerback Deion Sanders and defensive tackle Leon Lett.
11. GREEN BAY PACKERS
Coach: Ray Rhodes
Last season: 11-5, 2nd NFC Central
Mike Holmgren is gone, and another 49ers disciple, Ray Rhodes is in. But he inherits an offense that features QB Brett Favre and healthy running back Dorsey Levens, who missed nine games last season with a broken leg. The receivers still can go deep, including Antonio Freeman, but the defense will miss the leadership of All-Pro defensive end Reggie White.
12. OAKLAND RAIDERS
Coach: Jon Gruden
Last season: 8-8, 2nd AFC West
Outlook: The Raiders haven't been to the playoffs since 1993 and haven't had a winning record since '94. This is their last chance to do something before the end of what has been a down decade for the Pride and Poise boys. But you can't have too much hope when you bring in Rich Gannon to be your quarterback. Apparently, the Raiders, like everyone else, could only take Jeff George for so long.
13. BUFFALO BILLS
Coach: Wade Phillips
Last season: 10-6, 2nd AFC East
Outlook: The Bills are counting on more miracles from quarterback Doug Flutie, and it could happen. The Bills have tried to build some depth, and they have some good young players like WR Eric Moulds and RB Antowain Smith. And don't forget that guy at defensive end -- Bruce Smith, who at 36 can still make big plays.
14. TENNESSEE TITANS
Coach: Jeff Fisher
Last season: 8-8, 2nd AFC Central
Outlook: This could be a decisive season for Fisher, who begins his seventh seaon with the Oilers/Titans. He has had three consecutive 8-8 finishes, and another will land him in the unemployment line. They have a young talented quarterback in Steve McNair, but they have to find a way to keep running back Eddie George from tiring out toward the end of the season.
15. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Coach: Tony Dungy
Last season: 8-8, 3rd NFC Central
Outlook: Last year was a disappointment for the Bucs, who expected so much more after a 10-6 season that featured a playoff berth in 1997. The man on the proverbial hot seat is quarterback Trent Dilfer, who needs to rebound from a poor season. The Bucs' front seven on defense is fast and good, but the secondary is still suspect. But they can't keep bailing out the offense.
16. NEW YORK GIANTS
Coach: Jim Fassel
Last season: 6-8, 3rd NFC East
Outlook: The Giants could benefit from an easy schedule, much like they did in 1997 when they went 10-5-1 and won the division title. Last year's disappointing showing was much the fault of the offense, which finally settled on quarterback Kent Graham, won won five of the last six games. The defense, led by former Pitt assistant John Fox, is strong.
17. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Coach: Pete Carroll
Last season: 9-7, 4th AFC East
Outlook: Carroll is playing in what might be the NFL's toughest division, which is going to make it more difficult for the Pats to reach the playoffs. They already suffered one big loss when middle linebacker Ted Johnson was injured in the preseason and lost for the season. Drew Bledsoe, Terry Glenn and Ben Coates provide enough offense, but it might not be enough in the NFC East.
18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Coach: Mike Holmgren
Last season: 8-8, 3rd AFC West
Outlook: After turning around Green Bay, Holmgren goes to the great northwest to try to perform a similar turnaround. One difference: He doesn't have Brett Favre. His quarterback is Jon Kitna. Also, his top receiver, Joey Galloway, has been a holdout. But, in the watered-down AFC West, he could get up to second place.
19. WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Coach: Norv Turner
Last season: 6-10, 4th NFC East
Outlook: The Redskins have a new owner, Daniel Snyder, who will not tolerate another losing season from Turner. The former Dallas offensive coordinator savedhis job by winning six of the final nine games last year. He's brought in a new quarterback, Brad Johnson from the Vikings, to run the offense. And the defense has a strong front line with the addition of DE Marco Coleman to go with last year's big-money acquisitions -- Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield.
20. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Coach: Gunther Cunningham
Last season: 7-9, 4th AFC West
Outlook: Marty Schottenheimer resigned after last year's embarrassing showing in which the Chiefs were as undisciplined as they were ineffective. Cunningham, the team's defensive coordinator, need to instill a new attitude and rely on his talented defense to get the Chiefs back to the playoffs. That will be hard for a team that hasn't had a running game since Christian Okoye.
21. BALTIMORE RAVENS
Coach: Brian Billick
Last season: 6-10, 4th AFC Central
Outlook: The Ravens have some of the best young talent on defense, including DE Michael McCrary, LB Peter Boulware, ILB Ray Lewis and rookie No. 1, CB Chris McAlister. But Billick, an offensive whiz with the Vikings, does not have as much to work with on offense. Not when he has to choose a quarterback from Tony Banks and Scott Mitchell.
22. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Coach: Mike Riley
Last season: 5-11, 5th AFC West
Outlook: The Chargers keep making one goof after another, and it all seemed to start with the drafting of QB Ryan Leaf with the No. 1 pick in 1998. Leaf is the reason Kevin Gilbride is now the Steelers' offensive coordinator. Riley does not seem to be the answer. His two-year record at Oregon was 8-14, hardly the stuff of Rockne-esque legend.
23. DETROIT LIONS
Coach: Bobby Ross
Last season: 5-11, 5th NFC Central
Outlook: Ross's insistence on using a power running game is the reason Barry Sanders retired .... at least for now.He may have a short tenure in detroit if things get much worse. He has already alienated a lot of his players with his sideline and practice tantrums. And what is Charlie Batch going to do now that defenses don't have to worry about stopping No. 20?
24. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Coach: Andy Reid
Last season: 3-13, 5th NFC East
Outlook: You think the Philly fans are hard on their new coach now? Wait till the end of the year. Reid, an organizational freak, was brought in to sort out the mess made by Rhodes. His first chore will be to develop the talents of rookie quarterback Donovan McNabb, the team's No. 1 draft choice. His rise will coincide with the Eagles, who are destined for the division basement again.
25. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Coach: Jim Mora
Last season: 3-13, 5th AFC East
Outlook: The prospects in Indy are much brigther, even if the Colts do play in the dark and gloomy RCA Dome. Last year's rookie sensation, quarterback Peyton Manning, gets a new backfield mate -- running back Edgerrin James, the team's No. 1 pick. The Colts will need both after back-to-back 13-loss seasons.
26. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Coach: Mike Ditka
Last season: 6-10, 3rd NFC West
Outlook: The Saints traded all their draft choices to take Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams, which would have been a good move for a team that was only one or two players away from reaching the Super Bowl. The Saints are not that. They are, however, the only NFL team with two quarterbacks named Billy Joe (Hobert and Tolliver).
27. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Coach: George Seifert
Last season: 4-12, T4th NFc West
Outlook: Dom Capers was fired just two years after taking his team to the NFC Championship game, which should tell you something about NFL job security. Seifert was brought in from the television set to work the same magic he did in San Francisco. It will take a while, though, to replace all the aging veterans on the Panthers roster.
28. CINCINNATI BENGALS
Coach: Bruce Coslet
Last season: 3-13, 5th AFC Central
Outlook: Nothing ever seems to change in Cincinnati. The Bengals are right back where they started -- pinning their offense on quarterback Jeff Blake, who lost his job last year to Neil O'Donnell. He'll have to endure until rookie No. 1, quarterback Akili Smith, is ready to play. That could be a while after his prolonger training-camp holdout.
29. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Coach: Dick Vermeil
Last season: 4-12, T4th NFC West
Outlook: Vermeil promised he would take it easier on his team in training camp because they always seem to fade late in the season. But don't be looking for any fast starts from the Rams, either. Their new quarterback is Trent Green and he has a new running back, Marshall Faulk. But the linebackers and secondary are still terrible.
30. CLEVELAND BROWNS
Coach: Chris Palmer
Last season: 1st season
Outlook: The expansion year will be a difficult transition for the Browns' hard-core fans, but there is hope with quarterback Tim Couch and wide receiver Kevin Johnson. Couch will be brought along slowly by Palmer so the No. 1 overall pick won't get shell-shocked. But the Browns do get an easy schedule and they have good people in the front office who know how to win. It's going to take a couple years.
31. CHICAGO BEARS
Coach: Dick Jauron
Last season:
Outlook: The Bears are still years away. They are hoping the solution at quarterback is rookie Cade McNown, though they seem to be the only NFL team to think he's the answer. And they need second-year running back Curtis Enis to stay healthy and be the explosive player he was at Penn State on that national championship-contending team of 1994. But the defense is just too yielding to be a factor.
NFL WINNERS
AFC East -- New York Jets
AFC Central -- Jacksonville Jaguars
AFC West -- Denver Broncos
Wild card teams: Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, Steelers
AFC champion: Jets
NFC East -- Arizona Cardinals
NFC Central -- Minnesota Vikings
NFC West -- San Francisco 49ers
Wild-card teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
NFC champion: Vikings
Super Bowl champion: Jets
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