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| Matt Ryan and the Falcons have the Lombardi Trophy in their sights at the beginning of training camp 2013. |
Atlanta Falcons
(2012 record: 13-3)
Q: How could the Falcons NOT win the Super Bowl?
The Falcons were literally inches away from going to the big game in the 2012 NFC championship. Even though they lost a few key defensive backs in Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes, they more than filled any holes in the offeseason by drafting two underrated cornerbacks in Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford and snagging coveted free agents Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora. The perfected passing attack is by far the strongest in the NFL.
A: Based purely on the talent of the roster, this team could own the best offense in NFL history. Minor coaching mistakes made by one of the top coaching staffs in the league seem to be the only factors holding Atlanta from a championship. Or another dynamic offense(see the next two teams).
Carolina Panthers
(2012 record: 7-9)
Q: Can Cam Newton win Carolina into the 2013 playoffs?
As I wrote in a previous article, the 2012 Carolina Panthers started 3-9 and ended with a four game winning streak. The struggles of that season are over. Even though the team had a quiet offseason minus a few shifts on the defensive line and the retirement of veteran cornerback Chris Gamble, it still improved in leadership and experience. Cam Newton led the team last season in rushing yards(741) and rushing touchdowns(8), while accounting for nearly 80% of its total offensive yards.
A: It's possible. With the fresh start of a new season, Carolina will continue to fight to the top in one of the toughest divisions in the league.
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| Drew Brees is elated to have his head coach back, as he insists they are "on a mission." |
New Orleans Saints
(2012 record: 7-9)
Q: Can the Saints return to their 2009 form with the return of head coach Sean Payton?
The various punishments for the Saints bounty scandal are officially over. They ended with a compensatory draft pick that was taken away from the team. Now, all the players and coaches must forget about a dark mark on their history and focus on winning.
A: Most likely. An overall disappointing 2012 season, despite ranking 1st in passing offense and 2nd in overall offense, will be mostly forgotten as the duo of a seemingly ageless Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton pilot a youthful new roster into its future.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(2012 record: 7-9)
Q: Will Darrelle Revis lead a new-look Buccaneers defense?
I know many Tampa Bay fans are worried about how Josh Freeman will perform in his 5th season in the league, but the defense has been too inconsistent over the past few years to be overlooked as the primary concern. The Bucs front office used previous drafts to rebuild, attaining the skills of college stars Gerald McCoy, Da'Quan Bowers, Adrian Clayborn, and Mark Barron. Working out a deal to get Revis to lead this squad is a resourceful idea.
A: Definitely. Revis would bring both his strong leadership and insane talent to a "youngry" defensive squad looking to challenge the other strong teams in the division.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers
(2012 record: 11-4-1)
Q: How will Colin Kaepernick do with a full season?
Three years removed from finishing a measly 6-10 in what was at the time the worst division in the NFL, the 49ers now boast a very formidable defense, a crushing run game(I've gloated in past articles about how much I love Frank Gore), and a young, tenacious quarterback. Colin Kaepernick had an impressive 1,814 passing yards and 415 rushing yards in just seven starts in 2012. That's a respectable 259 passing yards/game and 59 rushing yards/game. He will have to keep up that production this season if he wants to contend with the new, vicious NFC West.
A: Very well. Even coming out of Nevada I was a fan of Kaepernick, and his ability at the professional level will continue.
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| Linebackers Patrick Willis and Navorro Bowman could end their careers as the greatest 3-4 linebacker duo in league history. |
Seattle Seahawks
(2012 record: 11-5)
Q: Can Percy Harvin contribute when he comes back from his injury?
The Seahawks put the doubters to rest this past season as they dominated top opponents like the Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots. As my 2012 break-out team, they made it to the NFC Divisional round before losing to the Atlanta Falcons. They are similar in style to their rival Niners, but this off-season added a playmaker that could have turned the tide. That player will be out until at least November now, and the Seahawks will have to work without him for most of the season.
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| Sam Bradford is all smiles as he mentors his two new receivers. |
A: Easily. As long as he remains healthy when he returns, Harvin will help surge Seattle into the championship-caliber team the 12th man has been eager to see.
St. Louis Rams
(2012 record: 7-8-1)
Q: Will Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey give Sam Bradford a solid receiving corps.?
A clever meme going around the digital football community over the past few months has shown Sam Bradford smiling and looking to the heavens, with the text below him reading "THANK YOU!". This of course is referring to the Rams drafting of former West Virginia receiving partners Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey. Both are shifty, slot-molded receivers who have the speed to change the momentum of a game.
A: Yes. Along with the rest of St. Louis' draft, this duo gives Bradford, who had a less-than-solid 2012 quarterback rating of 82.6, a much needed confidence booster and new options for the offense.
Arizona Cardinals
(2012 record: 5-11)
Q: Can the Cardinals hold on in the NFC West?
Carson Palmer is entering his 11th season at the age of 33, and will be playing for his third team in four years. As much as Arizona would like for him to be their franchise quarterback, he won't last forever. He certainly isn't Kurt Warner, and will only have one truly reliable target in Larry Fitzgerald. The rest of the team is still very mistake-prone and lost a forceful veteran leader to free agency in safety Adrian Wilson.
A: Not this season. While the Cardinals brass had a positive draft, it doesn't make up for the fact that this team needs to rethink the most important position in football if they want to be considered successful.
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