I don't know if Buffalo is actually ready for a TO but I'm going out on a limb by posting 5 1/2 games as the over & under total for the Bills to seriously think of pushing Owens over Niagara Falls. New Tampa Bay Buccaneer skipper Raheem Morris will have big gaps on the defensive line and at quarterback that will not be filled against an elite schedule this coming season. The Texans' success will rely heavily on the linebacking crew. LB coach Johnny Holland will look for USC rookie SLB Brian Cushing to heal his left knee and become the impact player needed to provide stability in the heart of the Texan "D". I think Jack Del Rio will return the Jaguars to a good run defense this year after a lackluster performance (13th in 2008). A big reason has to be DT Derek Landri who has literally "beefed up" going from 265 up to 297 to help him with the pressure coming from double-teams. The Titans will utilize RB Chris Johnson a little more in goal-line situations after LenDale White's dropping of 30+ pounds. Will Jim Caldwell compliment Peyton Manning as well as Dungy did in the past? Whomever new Browns head coach Eric Mangini picks as his starting quarterback (probable Quinn), the first few games will be crucial in eliminating any controversy as soon as possible. Expect the Ravens' Willis McGahee & Ray Rice to be the most explosive tandem at running back this season. The highlight of Chad Ochocinco (Loco's) season for Cincinnati will be his place-kick of the winning extra-point in beating New England 7-6 in the preseason. Interesting enough, the Steelers signed Canadian Football Leaguer Stefan Logan as a kickoff return specialist & he proceeded to return a 45 & a 60 yarder against Washington. Mike Tomlin will see to it that complacency won't become a factor like in prior years. I have that feeling Tom Brady will find a way to utlize rookie wideout Julian Edelman similarly to the way he uses Wes Welker out of the slot. Getting Joey Galloway and Randy Moss to execute precision routes will make New England a tough out if the defense holds firm. How quickly New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez learns the system is pivotal to Rex Ryan's hopes to getting over .500. Will Buffalo OC Turk Schonert's use of the no-huddle offense lead to better success with Trent Edwards this season? Does Tony Sparano care that the Dolphins brought in the Williams' sisters, Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan Jimmy Buffett to boost sales? We'll see how much when the Dolphins have their opponents backed up by the goal line this year. The success of the Chargers will loom largely on cornerbacks Antonio Cason and Antonio Cromartie creating turnovers like San Diego did a few years back. I'm not too sure if Kyle Orton can effectively get the ball zipped in to Royal, Stokley, Gaffney & Marshall when feeling the heat in Denver. The lone bright spot may be at RB for Oakland. It's imperative for rookie DE Glenn Dorsey and rookie head coach Todd Haley to mesh quickly at Kansas City. In the tough no below .500 team NFC East, Dallas will have holes to fill in the defensive secondary. It looks apparent that a better-focused Tony Romo must step it up in a make-it or break-it kind of a season or Jerry Jones may pack the QB's bags and ship his butt to Buffalo with TO. With the loss of Burress & now Toomer over the past 2 seasons for the Giants, Nicks & Co. better learn fast to contribute enough with veterans Hixon, Smith & Manningham for Eli Manning not to look too much like scrambling Fran Tarkenton of old. The Eagles' offense under OC Marty Mornhinweg looks the most diversified in years. It will be very intriguing to see how many different ways Michael Vick will line up inside the Eagles' playbook. LeSean McCoy & Jeremy Maclin are two speedsters who should make DeSean Jackson even more dangerous than last season. Inconsistent QB's & lack of defensive pressure will allow the Redskins to again finish on the bottom of this division. It's interesting if rookie Chase Daniel or Colt Brennan survive as QB #3 on the depth chart. Head coach Mike Smith's Falcons will have an effective offense once again if they can get better balance from RB's Michael Turner & Jerious Norwood. The Panthers may not be able to recover completely after losing 345-pound NT Maake Kemoeatu to a torn right Achilles tendon. Carolina DC Ron Meeks will be forced to use first-year man Nick Hayden & rookie Corvey Irvin to fill a big void. MLB Jon Beason remains the catalyst to hold it all together. DC Gregg Williams' aggressive approach should give the Saints a boost but Bush & Co. will determine how successful Drew Brees can be with the passing game by providing balance. Can Kurt Warner continue the success after a Super Bowl appearance year or will he get complacent? Mike Singletary will have a herculean task to accomplish at quarterback & wide receiver this season at San Francisco. Steve Spagnuolo's Rams & Jim Mora's Seahawks will manually shift around offensive personnel to achieve a mediocre at best continuity. The Lions are on pace to achieve a lower winning percentage than the expansion Buccaneers did their first two seasons. It all may rest on the arm of Matthew Stafford. Will Favre be a help or hindurance in the Vikings' chances to rule the NFC North? Minnesota better establish the run early using 6'8" rookie RT Phil Loadholt opening holes for RB Adrian Peterson. I think Aaron Rodgers will show why he was chosen over Brett Favre when he leads the Pack (who's back) through a heated divisional race to the wire. New DC Coordinator Dom Capers' implement of a flexible 3-4 scheme should pay dividends for Green Bay. Jay Cutler's addition to the Bears should make this a 3-team division. Brian Urlacher looks like he's ready to take the Bears back to the playoffs combining with Matt Forte giving Chicago a jolt on offense. A sharper perspective will continue throughout the season. See You At The Window, Mike Handzelek
 

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