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BRONCOS - Can Bubby Brister take the Broncos to immortality?
With all due respect to John Elway, he is not the reason the Broncos have won the last two Super Bowls. With his retirement he will not be the reason if they win an unprecedented third in a row. This is a very real possibility as Mike Shanahan has the Broncos humming on all cylinders, after replacing a thirty-seven year old spark plug with a thrirty-six year old spark plug. The engine that makes this offense go is 2000 yard rusher Terrell Davis. All Bubby Brister has to do is keep the defense honest with the odd play action pass, pick up the occasional third down, and above all else, DON'T TURN THE BALL OVER! Bubby has proved to be a very capable caretaker and should keep the Broncos on course for their appointment with Destiny. Perhaps the only times fans will truly miss Elway are when the Broncos find themselves behind by ten points or more, or need as score in the final minutes, but this team won't find itself in that position often. The real worry will be what happens if Brister gets hurt?
CHARGERS - Which ex-Bear will emerge to lead this team, and where?
Jim Harbaugh and Erik Kramer will duke it out to see who gets to keep the position warm for Ryan Leaf while he's on the mend. As much of a bust as he was last year, he represents a substantial investment and still has a world of potential once he gets his head screwed on right. I have said he has a much higher upside than Peyton Manning, and I stand by that. He is more likely to bring home a championship than the man drafted one spot ahead of him, but there's a lot of polishing and growing up to be accomplished before that happens. In the meantime, these two ex-Bears will vie for the right to lead this team. Harbaugh has the advantage in time served, but Kramer is a better pure passer. Harbaugh has greater mobility and ability to improvise, but he needs to be able to play his game, and I'm not convinced he has the supporting cast. Kramer brings a steady hand that will compliment what everyone else does, because they have a pretty good idea of what he's going to do once the ball is snapped. He probably is a better fit and smoother transition to Leaf next year, but the problem is going to be keeping him upright. Because of his early start and ability to avoid the rush, Harbaugh will probably win the right to pilot this team, but with a great defense and poor offensive support, he's going to flying on one wing.
CHIEFS - Montana, Marcus, Marty... What's left?
Well you could look on the bright side and say at least if anyone but Derrick Thomas gets hurt, there won't be that much of a drop-off in talent when they put his replacement in. All kidding aside, this team is in trouble. There aren't a lot of household names on the roster and two of those are as well known for what they've done off the field as on. Kansas City is staring some lean times in the face, and that may have contributed more than a little to Marty Schottenheimer's decision to step down as head coach. In the new era of modern free agency, that could change a lot in one year, but this season may be over before it even starts.
RAIDERS - Same as every year... Can Al Davis keep from undermining his coaching staff?
No... next question... Well, to be fair, John Gruden did a lot better with the Raiders than I would have anticipated last year, but his west coast offense is in direct conflict with Al Davis' stubborn commitment to the deep vertical passing game. If defenses come up in anticipation of the short pass, look for Davis to begin interfering. That might be successful right after the switch, but in the end, it will be their demise.
SEAHAWKS - Can Mike Holmgren shake this team's image as perennial bridesmaids?
But for a blown call by a referee at a critical point in a game, and the season Mike Holmgren might still be locked in a power struggle with Ron Wolf. Then again, you can always argue the Seahawks had plenty of other chances in that game and all last season to make that call just a footnote in a playoff season. Good teams find a ways to win; bad teams find reasons why they don't. Never-the-less the point remains that coming off an 8-8 season, there are worse situations Mike Holmgren could walk into. Just a push in the right direction could get this team over the hump. Paul Allen has some of the deepest pockets in the NFL and does not want a repeat performance of last year's roller coaster season. He has spent the money, but can he really buy success on the field? Maybe not ultimate victory, but it sure looks like he bought himself a playoff spot. |
