Purple People Eaters Look to Take a Wide-Open Division in Transition

With the start of NFL training camps, Between the Uprights will bring you a team-by-team breakdown of all 32 clubs vying for the Lombardi Trophy on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay. We will start with the NFC East and work our way around the league.

The NFC North will be a very different looking division from only a year ago when the Green Bay Packers led the way with a 13-3 record. The 2007 Minnesota Vikings may have finished second at .500, but added the league’s sack leader and hope that quarterback Tarvaris Jackson will take the next step and lead the team to the playoffs, which they have missed since 200.

A strong backfield will go a long way in making that a reality, and adding wide receiver Bernard Berrian will make their offense well-rounded. On the other side of the ball, the Williamses and Jared Allen form a formidable group, which may be able to dominate the division. (more…)

Big Blue Looks to Avoid Super Bowl Hangover

With the start of NFL training camps, Between the Uprights will bring you a team-by-team breakdown of all 32 clubs vying for the Lombardi Trophy on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay. We will start with the NFC East and work our way around the league.

This time, they won’t be able to sneak up on anyone. The Patriots are still shaking their heads that the Giants were able to defeat them in Super Bowl XLII. No one saw that coming, even the Giants themselves.

The team did fine in the post-Tiki Barber era, and will have to become acclimated with losing another steady veteran with the retirement of Michael Strahan. Both may have been controversial, but brought it to the field every Sunday. Strahan will be more difficult to replace than Barber was.

Eli Manning won the respect that he longed for, and may have gained the confidence to put him in the upper echelons of NFL quarterbacks. The offense will be similar to last year’s, the only major difference being tight end Jeremy Shockey’s absence. With the team surviving the stretch run with rookie Kevin Boss, general manager Jerry Reese felt comfortable moving the Pro Bowler to New Orleans in exchange for draft choices. (more…)

America’s Team Should Expect More Games from Pacman

With the start of NFL training camps, Between the Uprights will bring you a team-by-team breakdown of all 32 clubs vying for the Lombardi Trophy on February 1, 2009 in Tampa Bay. We will start with the NFC East and work our way around the league.

Coming off a 13-3 season and a division championship, the Dallas Cowboys spent the offseason wondering what could have been following a tough playoff loss in Big D versus the eventual-Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The tears from T.O. may become a familiar sight with the addition of Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones, the much-maligned cornerback late of the Tennessee Titans, who was reinstated by the league following a one-year suspension.

Is he talented? No question, but his off-the-field problems outweigh any good he may do between the white lines. With T.O and ‘don’t call me Pacman’ Jones around, it may be a race to see who could cause more commotion once the hugs and kisses and non-pressure of the preseason ceases. (more…)