BAMAPHIN 22
FinHeaven Elite
Analysis made by SI's Peter King:
Kansas City Chiefs
Raise your hands: How many of you picked the Chiefs to win the AFC West? To go to the Super Bowl? To win it all? Thought so. The Chiefs ranked 32nd and 29th in the last two years in NFL team defense, and they made one substantive change this year -- at defensive coordinator. As I said in August, Gunther Cunningham can't put on the pads, boys.
Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler
Just watch the Atlanta Falcons play. Watch how, when Mike Vick goes back to pass, if he doesn't flee the pocket he always looks for his security blanket. Crumpler's the most complete tight end in an increasingly tight-end-mad league -- a tough blocker when he needs to be, fast, soft-handed, a three-down player. The Falcons have a terrific young player at a position they'll use prominently as long as Vick's there.
The continuing self-promotion of great players
Yes, this makes me seem like I'm 74, not 47. But Terrell Owens grabbing a naked Nicollette Sheridan on a Monday night lead-in, Chad Johnson yakking so much on the field that his own teammates consider it a distraction, player after playing doing look-at-me stuff after the simple act of making a first down. ... Guys, we're just not impressed with the crappola anymore.
Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning
A predictable choice, sure -- but the true meaning of the MVP award is determining how many fewer wins a team would have if said player weren't there. Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi. Sorgi, Manning. Hmmm. Get the point? When a guy averages more than 3.5 touchdown passes a game, the numbers, and value, are going to be downright ridiculous.
The ascent of Drew Brees
Week after week, Brees was still humble, even with the unproven Philip Rivers hanging over his shoulder. Even when the Chargers were 10-3, a playoff lock, and Brees was the AFC's second-best quarterback. Before the Chargers traveled to the inept Browns in Week 15, Brees did what he always does: came in on Monday to get a two-day head start on reviewing film and the gameplan. "It’s Victory Monday," he said, "but I like to be pretty prepared when I come in on Wednesday, having watched a lot of film and getting an idea for what I think the game plan is going to be and who we’ll try to attack."
The comeback of Buffalo running back Willis McGahee
Everyone who saw the gruesome knee injury McGahee suffered in the college football national championship game two years ago likely thought he might never be able to come back as a great player. Halfway through the 2004 season, he was the centerpiece of the Buffalo offense, the one player teams had to find an antidote for or lose. He's strong, quick and fast -- and the scary thing, according to teammates, is that he won't be completely recovered from his injury until 2005.
The fate of young quarterbacks league-wide
Will Eli Manning be the stud the Giants thought him last April, or the dud he played like as a rookie? Will Philip Rivers get a chance to play -- in San Diego or elsewhere? Will the woebegone 49ers lure Heisman winner Matt Leinart out of school and into the first slot of the NFL draft? Stay tuned. It's going to be an interesting year for the passers.
Kansas City Chiefs
Raise your hands: How many of you picked the Chiefs to win the AFC West? To go to the Super Bowl? To win it all? Thought so. The Chiefs ranked 32nd and 29th in the last two years in NFL team defense, and they made one substantive change this year -- at defensive coordinator. As I said in August, Gunther Cunningham can't put on the pads, boys.
Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler
Just watch the Atlanta Falcons play. Watch how, when Mike Vick goes back to pass, if he doesn't flee the pocket he always looks for his security blanket. Crumpler's the most complete tight end in an increasingly tight-end-mad league -- a tough blocker when he needs to be, fast, soft-handed, a three-down player. The Falcons have a terrific young player at a position they'll use prominently as long as Vick's there.
The continuing self-promotion of great players
Yes, this makes me seem like I'm 74, not 47. But Terrell Owens grabbing a naked Nicollette Sheridan on a Monday night lead-in, Chad Johnson yakking so much on the field that his own teammates consider it a distraction, player after playing doing look-at-me stuff after the simple act of making a first down. ... Guys, we're just not impressed with the crappola anymore.
Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning
A predictable choice, sure -- but the true meaning of the MVP award is determining how many fewer wins a team would have if said player weren't there. Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi. Sorgi, Manning. Hmmm. Get the point? When a guy averages more than 3.5 touchdown passes a game, the numbers, and value, are going to be downright ridiculous.
The ascent of Drew Brees
Week after week, Brees was still humble, even with the unproven Philip Rivers hanging over his shoulder. Even when the Chargers were 10-3, a playoff lock, and Brees was the AFC's second-best quarterback. Before the Chargers traveled to the inept Browns in Week 15, Brees did what he always does: came in on Monday to get a two-day head start on reviewing film and the gameplan. "It’s Victory Monday," he said, "but I like to be pretty prepared when I come in on Wednesday, having watched a lot of film and getting an idea for what I think the game plan is going to be and who we’ll try to attack."
The comeback of Buffalo running back Willis McGahee
Everyone who saw the gruesome knee injury McGahee suffered in the college football national championship game two years ago likely thought he might never be able to come back as a great player. Halfway through the 2004 season, he was the centerpiece of the Buffalo offense, the one player teams had to find an antidote for or lose. He's strong, quick and fast -- and the scary thing, according to teammates, is that he won't be completely recovered from his injury until 2005.
The fate of young quarterbacks league-wide
Will Eli Manning be the stud the Giants thought him last April, or the dud he played like as a rookie? Will Philip Rivers get a chance to play -- in San Diego or elsewhere? Will the woebegone 49ers lure Heisman winner Matt Leinart out of school and into the first slot of the NFL draft? Stay tuned. It's going to be an interesting year for the passers.