Monday, August 17, 1998
Preseason determines Super Bowl champions
COLUMN: Representative from AFC will probably be Pittsburgh or
Denver
The road to Super Bowl XXXIII has begun, as teams are well into
their preseason schedules and are adding last-minute touches to
their rosters.
Thirty teams will eventually get trimmed down to one. No labor
disputes. No home-run races. Just pure gut and determination,
jam-packed into 60 minutes of exhaustion on the gridiron. Football
is truly America’s game.
Here’s a preview of what to expect this upcoming season from the
AFC. Wagers should not be made on these predictions, however,
profits and other earnings could be divided equally with the UCLA
Daily Bruin Sports Department. (Just kidding.)
AFC East
The Buffalo Bills trudge on, after the end of the Marv Levy-Jim
Kelly era, looking to return to the Super bowl. Maybe they will win
this time. One out of five isn’t bad. Then again, they signed Doug
Flutie from the Canadian Football League to back up Rob Johnson. It
looks like Bruce Smith will have to carry the load and burden again
for the Bills and their always persistent defense to gain respect
in the already crowded New York football population. Expected
record: 6-10.
The Indianapolis Colts are rebuilding, which is always a sign
for a terrible record. But they drafted quarterback Peyton Manning
out of Tennessee. With a healthy Marshall Faulk and Marvin
Harrison, the Colts’ defense could help make this team better and
quicker than general manager Bill Polian expected. Expected record:
6-10.
The Miami Dolphins are running out of time for quarterback Dan
Marino. The man who holds many of the NFL’s passing records is as
immobile as ever. A newly rebuilt offensive line, the departure of
Lawrence Phillips and the addition on defense of Brock Marion from
Dallas will provide a last stand for Marino, a lock for the Hall of
Fame. But it would be even easier with a ring, as the Dolphins will
only wade in the shallow end of the NFL pool this year. Expected
record: 8-8.
The New York Jets’ new uniforms, replicas of the 1968 Broadway
Joe Namath variety, will not make as much of an impact as expected.
But the reunion of Curtis Martin from New England with former coach
Bill Parcells should be key. With Vinny Testaverde in the Big Apple
after Neil O’Donnell’s release, Keyshawn Johnson should have no
reason to complain and should soar to the division title. Expected
record: 11-5.
The New England Patriots under Pete Carroll have been
inconsistent, to put it mildly. With the loss of a running attack
in Curtis Martin, Sam Gash and Keith Byars, the fate of the team
lies in their stone-cold defense, led by Ted Johnson and the arm of
Drew Bledsoe. Without modest production from both, the Patriots
would fare better in the Battles of Lexington and Concord than an
NFL regular season game. Expected record: 9-7
AFC Central
The Cincinnati Bengals need to start the way they finished in
1997. Winning six of eight down the stretch, Jeff Blake must step
up (with Paul Justin and Neil O’Donnell backing him up and ready to
take hold of these cats). With AFC Rookie of the Year Corey Dillon
and Ki-Jana Carter leading the running game, the defense holds the
key to the playoffs and the unleashing of the Bengals against the
AFC elite. Expected record: 8-8
The Jacksonville Jaguars should be back on track after getting
Mark Brunell back from injuries. The loss of Natrone Means to San
Diego will mean added pressure on James Stewart and draftee Fred
Taylor out of Florida, as well as Brunell. The defense, led by
Kevin Hardy, must be as good as last year in order for the Jaguars
to be the big cats of the AFC Central litterbox. Expected record:
11-5.
The Tennessee Oilers have struck it rich, as they have finally
got a team that can actually win the division. The offense, led by
Steve McNair and Eddie George, will open up the passing game with
newly acquired receiver Yancey Thigpen from Pittsburgh. The defense
is young and unknown and has to have a year to establish an
identity. The oldest member of last years’ defensive line was 26,
pretty close to their defensive ranking (22). Expected record:
10-6.
The Baltimore Ravens signed many big-name free agents who did
not play well in 1997, including Jim Harbaugh and Errict Rhett.
Peter Boulware will be a bright spot on defense, and UCLA alum
Jonathan Odgen should be his counterpart on the offensive line. At
least the Ravens will lose in their own building this year.
Coach Ted Marchibroda will be chanting, "Nevermore!" from the
anguish he will endure from these Ravens this season. Expected
record: 4-12.
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense should have nothing to worry
about, as they continue to be near the top of the NFL ranks year
after year. With Jerome "The Bus" Bettis taking defensive lines to
school, Kordell Stewart will have time to throw blazing passes that
tear off the hands of would-be receivers, like that commercial he
did during the off-season. Expected record: 13-3.
AFC West
The Denver Broncos, the defending world champions, should not be
considered a Cinderella team to win the Super bowl this year. In
fact, they are probably the favorite, after regaining the services
of John Elway for another year. The offensive line will miss the
retired Gary Zimmerman, but the offense provided by Terrell Davis
and Shannon Sharpe will help an aging but superb defense. Look for
Coach Mike Shanahan to take these Broncos on another joy ride,
unfortunately not down an L.A freeway anytime soon. Expected
record: 13-3.
The San Diego Chargers have turned over a new Leaf – as in
quarterback Ryan – to lead the offense. If first impressions are
important, then slate this guy in for a Pro Bowl pretty soon. He
looks poised, confident and prepared for the NFL.
With Natrone Means back in the backfield for San Diego, Aaron
Taylor from Green Bay on the offensive line and Junior Seau leading
a no-name defense, the Chargers could return to the Super Bowl
within two or three years. Expected record: 8-8.
The Kansas City Chiefs are wondering why they cannot win in the
playoffs. They had better keep searching, with the loss of a
running attack from Greg Hill and Marcus Allen. Elvis Grbac will be
ineffective in the beginning – but the defense, led by Derrick
Thomas, should keep the team respectable. Expected record: 11-5
The Oakland Raiders still have Al Davis. Expected record:
5-11.
The Seattle Seahawks hope to make the playoffs under the wing of
41-year-old Warren Moon. Although the man can play, he is not going
to a Super Bowl. With the running game of Ricky Watters, their
defense must compensate for them to have a good year. And Joey
Galloway is Seattle’s answer to the question, "Who’s the
second-best receiver behind Jerry Rice?" Expected record: 7-9.
Cadman is an assistant sports editor. He thinks Ken Griffey Jr.
is still baseball’s best ambassador, and that no one will break
Maris’ record. Next week, Cadman will turn his brilliant football
mind toward the NFC. Responses and comments should be e-mailed to
[email protected].