(AP) - In the first week of the 2003 season, the NFL already has some critical games on its schedule.
No, not Arizona at Detroit, although that could be for the first pick in the 2004 draft. But Raiders-Titans, Bucs-Eagles, Rams-Giants and Patriots-Bills may turn out to be big in December. And there's considerable interest in Bill Parcells' debut in Dallas against an Atlanta team wounded by Michael Vick's broken leg.
It will be like that every week, as almost absolute parity overtakes the NFL. More than half the teams have a shot at the Super Bowl - nine different teams have made it to the last five title games, with only the Rams there twice.
"The system we have nurtures tremendous competition around the entire league," commissioner Paul Tagliabue says. "It makes every season unpredictable, exciting and a lot of fun for our fans."
CommishSpeak, but true, although it also could be argued the system fosters mediocrity - 14 of the 32 teams finished last season between 9-7 and 7-9, and it could be more this year.
Some people and things to watch in 2003, including the schedule, a random factor that could decide who ends up in Houston on Feb. 1:
-Kyle Boller, the 19th overall pick in last April's draft, will start at quarterback for Baltimore and could turn into the next Jeremy Shockey, who as a rookie last season was the major reason the New York Giants made the playoffs. Boller is said to have a brash side, although the league probably prefers he not be as brash as the Giants' tight end.
Shockey, in one of many magazine pieces about him this summer, referred to Parcells as "the homo."
- Kelly Holcomb, who could be the next Trent Green or Kurt Warner. A career nobody who at 30 managed to beat out Tim Couch for the Browns' starting quarterback job, Holcomb makes the first overall pick in the 1999 draft expendable. The Browns can't afford a $6.2 million backup for long, and Dallas, Carolina, Oakland and several other teams will be in the market for a QB after this season.
- Doug Johnson, who has a chance to make himself what most of Steve Spurrier's ex-Florida quarterbacks are not - a success - during the four or more weeks he fills in for Vick.
"Doug could start for any team in this league," Atlanta safety Keon Carpenter says in a major overstatement. Still, Johnson has a chance to make (or lose) a lot of money while he starts for a team expected to be a contender. He'll never beat out Vick, but he will go elsewhere and perhaps start.
- Don't expect immediate miracles this year from either Parcells or the Bengals' Marvin Lewis, two of the five new coaches.
But Parcells has brought instant credibility to a franchise that has been 5-11 in each of the past three seasons. "I'm not the star, I'm the coach," he says.
Wrong. Other than a few young comers (safety Roy Williams, for one), Tuna's the big fish in Irving.
Lewis has more power in Cincinnati than any coach in two decades. But there are no quick solutions for a team that has been 55-137 since their last playoff appearance in 1990.
- After just one season in Washington, there are indications Steve Spurrier is not made for the NFL, especially when his boss is the meddling Dan Snyder. A month ago, Spurrier brought back Danny Wuerffel, one of his many ex-Florida standbys, to back up Patrick Ramsey at quarterback. Last week, Wuerffel was released, a call that apparently was Snyder's.
Like Parcells' Cowboys, Spurrier's Redskins appear far behind the Eagles and Giants in the NFC East. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him jump back to college after the season.
- The NFL may not be for Spurrier, but it's worked for 13 active NFL head coaches who have on their resume a trip to the Super Bowl.
Seven have won the title game: Parcells (twice with the Giants); Mike Shanahan, Denver (twice); Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay; Mike Holmgren, now with Seattle, who won in Green Bay; Brian Billick, Baltimore; Dick Vermeil, Kansas City (with St. Louis); and Bill Belichick, New England.
Losers: Dan Reeves (three times with Denver, once with Atlanta); Jeff Fisher, Tennessee; Jim Fassel, Giants; Mike Martz, St. Louis; Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh; Bill Callahan, Oakland.
- When the NFL went to eight four-team divisions a year ago, 14 of each team's 16 games were set in stone through the end of the decade. It can have a major impact on who wins the Super Bowl.
This year's example involves the Eagles and Giants on one hand and the Rams on the other. The Rams seem to have a decided edge that could give them Home Dome advantage in the playoffs.
In addition to the six games in the NFC East, New York and Philadelphia must play eight games against the NFC South and AFC East, two of the NFL's best divisions a year ago. The Rams play the NFC and AFC North, both mediocre to weak.
Of course, teams change drastically from season to season. But on paper, the Rams have a decidedly easier schedule than Philly or New York - their final eight games are against teams that finished a combined 43-85 last season.
"Heck, you never know who will be tough when you play them," Martz replied when the subject was brought up recently. He was smiling broadly when he said that.
After a 7-9 season, maybe the gods are on his side this year.
That's the way the modern NFL works.
-
DIRTY DOZEN
The top six and bottom six teams entering the season. Last season's record, including playoffs, in parentheses:
1. Tampa Bay (15-4). Defending champions. No. 1 until they're knocked off.
2. Oakland (13-6). AFC champions, so ditto. But can the old guys keep it up?
3. St. Louis (7-9). As long as Warner and Faulk stay healthy ...
4. New England (9-7). Loading up to get back to the top.
5. Tennessee (12-6). Serious run this year, cap problems next season.
6. (tie) Philadelphia (13-5), New York Giants (10-7). Eagles have McNabb; Giants' only real weakness is right side of OL.
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27. Cincinnati (2-14). Lewis moves them up, but not way up.
28. Dallas (5-11) Ditto for Tuna
29. Jacksonville (6-10) Trying to build and contend at the same time. Can't be done.
30. Houston (4-12). Still an expansion team.
31. Detroit (3-13) Seriously bad, even with Mooch on board.
32. Arizona (5-11) Poor Emmitt.
http://canada.com/sports/story.html?id=9C125603-9B97-4632-8150-DBB73DE8CF87
No, not Arizona at Detroit, although that could be for the first pick in the 2004 draft. But Raiders-Titans, Bucs-Eagles, Rams-Giants and Patriots-Bills may turn out to be big in December. And there's considerable interest in Bill Parcells' debut in Dallas against an Atlanta team wounded by Michael Vick's broken leg.
It will be like that every week, as almost absolute parity overtakes the NFL. More than half the teams have a shot at the Super Bowl - nine different teams have made it to the last five title games, with only the Rams there twice.
"The system we have nurtures tremendous competition around the entire league," commissioner Paul Tagliabue says. "It makes every season unpredictable, exciting and a lot of fun for our fans."
CommishSpeak, but true, although it also could be argued the system fosters mediocrity - 14 of the 32 teams finished last season between 9-7 and 7-9, and it could be more this year.
Some people and things to watch in 2003, including the schedule, a random factor that could decide who ends up in Houston on Feb. 1:
-Kyle Boller, the 19th overall pick in last April's draft, will start at quarterback for Baltimore and could turn into the next Jeremy Shockey, who as a rookie last season was the major reason the New York Giants made the playoffs. Boller is said to have a brash side, although the league probably prefers he not be as brash as the Giants' tight end.
Shockey, in one of many magazine pieces about him this summer, referred to Parcells as "the homo."
- Kelly Holcomb, who could be the next Trent Green or Kurt Warner. A career nobody who at 30 managed to beat out Tim Couch for the Browns' starting quarterback job, Holcomb makes the first overall pick in the 1999 draft expendable. The Browns can't afford a $6.2 million backup for long, and Dallas, Carolina, Oakland and several other teams will be in the market for a QB after this season.
- Doug Johnson, who has a chance to make himself what most of Steve Spurrier's ex-Florida quarterbacks are not - a success - during the four or more weeks he fills in for Vick.
"Doug could start for any team in this league," Atlanta safety Keon Carpenter says in a major overstatement. Still, Johnson has a chance to make (or lose) a lot of money while he starts for a team expected to be a contender. He'll never beat out Vick, but he will go elsewhere and perhaps start.
- Don't expect immediate miracles this year from either Parcells or the Bengals' Marvin Lewis, two of the five new coaches.
But Parcells has brought instant credibility to a franchise that has been 5-11 in each of the past three seasons. "I'm not the star, I'm the coach," he says.
Wrong. Other than a few young comers (safety Roy Williams, for one), Tuna's the big fish in Irving.
Lewis has more power in Cincinnati than any coach in two decades. But there are no quick solutions for a team that has been 55-137 since their last playoff appearance in 1990.
- After just one season in Washington, there are indications Steve Spurrier is not made for the NFL, especially when his boss is the meddling Dan Snyder. A month ago, Spurrier brought back Danny Wuerffel, one of his many ex-Florida standbys, to back up Patrick Ramsey at quarterback. Last week, Wuerffel was released, a call that apparently was Snyder's.
Like Parcells' Cowboys, Spurrier's Redskins appear far behind the Eagles and Giants in the NFC East. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him jump back to college after the season.
- The NFL may not be for Spurrier, but it's worked for 13 active NFL head coaches who have on their resume a trip to the Super Bowl.
Seven have won the title game: Parcells (twice with the Giants); Mike Shanahan, Denver (twice); Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay; Mike Holmgren, now with Seattle, who won in Green Bay; Brian Billick, Baltimore; Dick Vermeil, Kansas City (with St. Louis); and Bill Belichick, New England.
Losers: Dan Reeves (three times with Denver, once with Atlanta); Jeff Fisher, Tennessee; Jim Fassel, Giants; Mike Martz, St. Louis; Bill Cowher, Pittsburgh; Bill Callahan, Oakland.
- When the NFL went to eight four-team divisions a year ago, 14 of each team's 16 games were set in stone through the end of the decade. It can have a major impact on who wins the Super Bowl.
This year's example involves the Eagles and Giants on one hand and the Rams on the other. The Rams seem to have a decided edge that could give them Home Dome advantage in the playoffs.
In addition to the six games in the NFC East, New York and Philadelphia must play eight games against the NFC South and AFC East, two of the NFL's best divisions a year ago. The Rams play the NFC and AFC North, both mediocre to weak.
Of course, teams change drastically from season to season. But on paper, the Rams have a decidedly easier schedule than Philly or New York - their final eight games are against teams that finished a combined 43-85 last season.
"Heck, you never know who will be tough when you play them," Martz replied when the subject was brought up recently. He was smiling broadly when he said that.
After a 7-9 season, maybe the gods are on his side this year.
That's the way the modern NFL works.
-
DIRTY DOZEN
The top six and bottom six teams entering the season. Last season's record, including playoffs, in parentheses:
1. Tampa Bay (15-4). Defending champions. No. 1 until they're knocked off.
2. Oakland (13-6). AFC champions, so ditto. But can the old guys keep it up?
3. St. Louis (7-9). As long as Warner and Faulk stay healthy ...
4. New England (9-7). Loading up to get back to the top.
5. Tennessee (12-6). Serious run this year, cap problems next season.
6. (tie) Philadelphia (13-5), New York Giants (10-7). Eagles have McNabb; Giants' only real weakness is right side of OL.
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27. Cincinnati (2-14). Lewis moves them up, but not way up.
28. Dallas (5-11) Ditto for Tuna
29. Jacksonville (6-10) Trying to build and contend at the same time. Can't be done.
30. Houston (4-12). Still an expansion team.
31. Detroit (3-13) Seriously bad, even with Mooch on board.
32. Arizona (5-11) Poor Emmitt.
http://canada.com/sports/story.html?id=9C125603-9B97-4632-8150-DBB73DE8CF87
