WHO'S HOT, WHO'S NOT
-By The Director
last updated 7/24/04

TEAM - #1 DRAFT PICK -
THE DIRECTOR'S QUICK TAKE FOR 2004

SAN DIEGO - Philip Rivers, QB, N.C. State -
'YOUR BEST BEST 'AGAINST' ALL SEASON'
KEY 2003 TREND - 1-5 SU VERSUS AFC WEST
Closing out 2003 losing by an average of 5 points in its last 5 games, and a motivation to get invitation to Los Angeles' latest stadium, the house cleaning continued this off-season with the abandonment of Boston, who averaged 12.6 yards per catch when he felt like playing. Even with the addition of Dyson (2 catches for 15 yards in 2003), Brees, 67.5 rating on only 5.92 yards per game will again hope that Tomlinson, who piled up an amazing 1.645 rushing and 725 passing yards, will be able to carry this team on his back; even he isn't sure who his other receivers are, or will be. While an attempt was made to shore up a defense that allowed 27.6 points on 20.3 first downs on 20.3 first downs per game. The arrival of Godfrey (58 tackles) and Foley, only 31 tackles in 13 games, spells 's-w-i-s-s c-h-e-e-s-e' for AFC West offenses who averaged 139.6 rushing yards per game in 2003. Remember: There is always next year.

OAKLAND RAIDERS- Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa -
'AFC WEST THIRD'
KEY 2003 TREND - 0-8 SU AWAY
The Raider faithful has to be cheering the arrival of Norv Turner. Having closed the season 1-4 ATS, outscored by 13 points, on only 225.4 offensive yards, the arrival of anybody would be a welcome site. With Collins (70.7 rating on a 2.6% touchdown percentage, one of the lowest in the NFC) arriving, one of the most 'methodical' pocket quarterbacks still standing in the NFL, the real question is 'can one of these veterans (if Gannon remains on the sidelines) recapture their Super Bowl form?' Gannon producing only only 5.66 ypa on a 2.7% touchdown percentage, on of the lowest in the AFC. The other question is 'will the addition of Zeroue, who only averaged 3.3 yard per carry in 2003, or Hambrick, one of the NFC's top 2003 producers with 972 yards, be able to slash for more yards than Wheatley, or attack in the short pass game better than Garner, both of whom averaged more than 4.3 yard per carry? The receiving corps of Brown and Rice surely aren't getting' any younger. Playin' to the mantra that defense sells tickets, the addition of Sapp (5 sacks & 40 tackles), and Washington to turn around a defense that allowed 156.9 rushing yards for 23.7 points per game in 2003. However, the loss of both Barton and Romanowski, and the gain the Buchanon along side Woodson, the holes in the middle of the field and short gains may still prove to the achilles heel that sinks the black & silver for yet another rebuilding year.

ARIZONA CARDINALS - Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Texas -
'CINDERELLA STORY'
KEY 2003 TREND - 0-8 SU AWAY
Having escaped the role of 'scapegoat' in Minnesota, Green will make a Parcells-like turnaround in Zona. With McCown's arrival (70.3 rating) in Week 17, the power receiving trio of Boldin (1,377 yards in 2003), Fitzgerald, and Johnson, and the abandonment of Smith as the marquee in favor of the talented Shipp (36 yards per game on 228 carries), the offense will hit its stride. Key to success will be Zona's commitment to upgrading their defense with the addition of Macklin and Berry(11.5 sacks), which make immdiate impact on the 32nd ranked defense, that sacrificed 28.3 points on 20.4 first downs per game. The Cards will be surprising folks, and not just at home.

N.Y. GIANTS - Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi -

WASHINGTON - Sean Taylor, FS, Miami(Fla.)-

CLEVELAND - Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami(Fla.)-

DETROIT - Roy Williams, WR, Texas -

ATLANTA - DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virgina Tech-

JACKSONVILLE - Reggie Williams, WR, Washington-

HOUSTON - Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina-

PITTSBURGH STEELERS - Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami(Ohio) -
'.500 IF THEIR LUCKY'
KEY 2003 TREND - 2-6 SU AWAY
Instead showing Cowher the door, the Steelers will work again to try his failed offensive strategy that produced only 18.8 points per game on 93.6 rushing yards per game (one of the NFL's worst). The failed rushing attack was the first domino in hindering Maddox (75.3 rating), who managed only a 57.4% completion percentage and 3.3% interception percentage. With no additions to the receiving crew, Cowher is gambling that the ticket to victory is Staley, who will be hungry to get more than the 6 attempts and 28.9 yards he had per game with Philly; Bettis, who averaged 3.3 yard per carry for 50.7 yards per game will also be back as well. With ward (1163 receiving yards), and Burress (14.3 yard per carry) chewing up real estate, the hope is that Staley can somehow get them in the end zone this year. One must wonder what the problem is here (COWHER!) with a defense that allowed only 20.4 points on only 16.9 first downs on 190.5 passing yards? With the traditional musical chairs at linebacker, Farrior (141 tackles) will again be expected to be the difference. Is Detroits' Kirschke really going to scare opposing quarterbacks, who will immediately take advantage of the Washington (60 tackles) and Alexander (85 tackles) departure at cornerback and free safety, and somehow halt the big play?

N.Y. JETS - Jonathan Virba, ILB, Miami(FL.)-

BUFFALO - Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin-

CHICAGO BEARS - Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma-
'NFC CELLAR'
KEY 2003 TREND(S) - 1-7 SU AWAY - 0-3 SU ON TURF
Although Lovie Smith is a welcome site for Bears Fans, the free agency market seemed to lend itself to 2005... not 2004. The addition of key offensive lineman like John Tait(Chiefs), and defensive rookies like Terry Johnson(Washington), who will hope to better the 21.6 points per game allowed in 2003, will do little to assist the sputtering Bears offense that lost Dez White, and left the Bears with only the A-Train(4.2 yards per carry for 1024 yards) and Booker(13.8 yards per catch) to try to proplel Grossman (74.8 rating on only a 2.8% TD pct.) across into the end zone; an offense that averaged only 17.7 points on 163.6 yards passing per game. Away from home, and its weakening division, this team will struggle all year.

TAMPA BAY - Michael Clayton, WR, LSU-
'JUST MAY BE IN SUPER BOWL FORM AGAIN'
KEY TREND IN 2003 - 2-4 SU VERSUS AFC SOUTH
Follwing 2002, at this time last year as Gruden worked the talk show circuit, people were calling this guy a 'genius' - his highlights were everywhere. Now he is a question mark. How important was Sapp to Rice's success (15 sacks, 50 tackles)? We are going to find out. Most important in the offensive equation will be the veteran running game which should give Johnson, who still managed an 81.5 rating on a 4.6% touchdown pct., the power of the play-action back; reducing his 3.7 interception pct. which was often times a result of playing from behind. Knowing Gruden's offense will be a key ingredient in Garner's arrival for Oakland; his 4.6 yard per carry will be a welcome site as will the return of Alsott to punch in at the end zone. White's quickness will add the unpredictable spark that is 'Gruden'. Abandoning Johnson's attitude (73.4 yards per game), and adding Galloway (19.8 yard per catch) to an already potent corps of McCardell, Jurevicious, and Clayton, the Bucs will turn up the 18.8 points per game this year. Behind Barber's powerful secondary that allowed only 169.9 passing yards per game, the Bucs elasticity in the run defense shouldn't allow many more than the 16.5 points in 2003 to put up plenty of wins in the win column, including the anticipated return to Oakland.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas -
'NFC TITLE RUN'
KEY 2003 TREND - 7-1 SU AWAY
Having closed the 2003 season outscoring opponents by 10 points, the key additions of Owens (13.8 yards per catch for 1102 yards) to receiving corps will bolster the high-powered and balanced running attack of Buchalter (4.3 yard per carry for 442 yards) and Westbrook (5.2 yard per carry). The only question here will be how slow will the legendary McNabb, 79.6 rating on 2.3% interception percentage (5.0 yards per rush through the 2003 regular season), will start and finish. The addtion of Kearse (9.5 sacks, 42 tackles) and Jhones (93 tackles) on defense should add the cement to slow opposing rushing attacks which averaged 129.8 yards per game, sacrificing 20.3 points on 20.4 first downs per game in 2003.

DENVER BRONCOS - D.J. Williams, OLB, Miami(Fl.) -
'8 & 8 AT BEST'
KEY TREND IN 2003 - 5-1 SU VERSUS AFC WEST
Entering the season of the 2003 whoopin' in Indy, and having averaged 23.8 points on 164.3 rushing yards per game, the loss of Portis, the AFC's #2 rusher with 122.4 yards per game on 5.5 yards per carry will hinder Plummer and the offense. Combined this with the loss emotional leader Sharpe (13.8 yards per carry), and McCaffrey (10.8 yards per carry), and you've got a serious uphill climb. Even more challenging is the loss of DL, and leader, Bertrand Berry, which should ease up a defense that only allowed 277 yards per game. The mile high hopes now lay in Plummer, and a tandem attack of Griffin and Hearst. Slim hopes at best.

NEW ORLEANS - Will Smith, DE, Ohio State-

MIAMI - Vernon Carey, G, Miami(Fl.)-

MINNESOTA - Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC-
'NFC NO, NORTH MAYBE'
KEY TREND IN 2003 - 1-4 SU ON GRASS
My outlook before last week's Preseason game versus Arizona was much different. Having read about Moss' (14.7 yards for 1632 yards) weight and foot problems in the camp publications, I felt Culpepper, the NFL's #1 rated quarterback, 96.4 rating, may not have the tools to repeat his 5.5% touchdown percentage, and 7.66 average gain; his offense averaging 393.4 yards per game in 2004. Enter Robinson, 14.5 yards per catch for 6 touchdowns in 2003. As the dual threat, with Moe Williams and Bennent (down on the leaderboard due to playing only 12 games) back in the backfield (4.3 average per catch for 745 yards), and Kleinsasser back at tight end, only a psychologist is need to figure where the self destruction, and ultimate demise took place. The real pressure now lies in Claiborne's hands. With the addition of Carter (88 tackles) in the secondary, it will be up to the defense headed by Russell and Chivous to slow opposition attacks that averaged 22.1 points on 117.4 rushing yards per game. Having weathered the storm, there is little reason to believe they can't conquer a failing division.

NEW ENGLAND - Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami(Fl.)

BUFFALO - J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas -
'NFC TITLE RUN'
KEY TREND IN 2003 - 8-0 SU AT HOME
Holmgren's sound bites may not build to a crescendo, but his team surely has. Having gone 4-1 ATS in his last 5 games for the second straight season in a row, Holmgren seems to only need bring along a witch doctor to beat down the 2003 Road curse to compete for an NFC title. Averaging 25.3 points per game on Hasselbeck's arm (88.8 rating on a 7.49 yard per gain and 5.1% touchdown percentage), amazing accuracy at only 1.5% interception percentage, the threat of Alexander's 4.4 yard per carry, and 14 touchdowns will again open up the field for one of the most talented receiving crews in Jackson (16.7 yard per carry), Robinson (13.8 yard per catch), and Engram (12.3 yard per catch)(just for starters). The real difference will be 'the fire' and leadership on defense that Wistrom (7.5 sackes and 49 tackles) will bring. Although Okeafor (8 sacks) and Brown (86 tackles) made a formidable wall, Wistrom will be a key if Rhodes is to slow opposing quarterbacks, and allow Taylor, who will try to replace the very big shoes left behind by Shawn Springs (43 tackles), to blanket receivers that were the primary hammer in 20.4 opposition points per game in 2003.

ST. LOUIS - Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon State

GREEN BAY - Ahmad Carroll, CB, Arkansas

CINCINNATI - Chris Perry, RB, Michigan

HOUSTON - Jason Babin, DE, Western Michigan

CAROLINA - Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State -
'NFC TITLE RUN'
KEY TREND IN 2003 - 5-1 SU VERSUS NFC SOUTH
Was it a fluke? Or if Carolina's kick-off doesn't trickle out-of-bounds are we writing about the Super Bowl Champs at this minute. With the return of one of the most dominent defensive lines, anchored by Mike Rucker (12 sacks and 46 tackles), Jenkins (5 sacks and 45 tackles), and Peppers (7 sacks), there is little reason wy this defense can not improve on the 19 points and 295.3 yards allowed per game. With the powerful addition of Armstead, look for Minter (96 tackles) and newly arrived Shaw (64 tackles with Oakland) to make the mark. Having learned hard lessons in 2003, look for Fox to exploit more of a balanced rushing attack between Davis (4.5 yards per rush for 103.1 yards per game) and Foster, which will allow Delhomme to Smith, and Delhomme to Muhammed (15.5 yards per catch) to put up enough points for an NFC title run.

ATLANTA - Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State

DETROIT - Kevin Jones, RB, Virgina Tech

SAN FRANCISCO - Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma State

NEW ENGLAND - Ben Watson, TE, Georgia