2008 Woodie Awards
NFL Preview
Issue date: 9/7/06 Section: Sports
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Kansas City Chiefs
2005 record: 10-6, second in the AFC West.
Key additions: Head coach Herman Edwards, DE Tamba Hali, CB Ty Law, LT Kyle Turley, RB Michael Bennett, S Bernard Pollard, S Jarrad Page.
Key losses: LT Willie Roaf, FB Tony Richardson, Offensive coordinator Al Saunders
Notes: The Chiefs go into the season neding to imporve the 30th ranked defense from a season ago. enter Herman Edwards and the vaunted Cover-2. With the addition of Ty Law to the secondary, Edwards has a big time corner that knows the system and should take some pressure off of Patrick Surtain. The big question is whether the front four, especially the middle of the line can open holes for the atheltic linebacking core.
Offensively the Chiefs are a year older, but should yield promising results. Much of the success is based on Larry Johnson, who could feel the effects of Richardson's departure to Minnesota. The loss of roaf will hurt, but Turley has proven he can play in this league and should be an adequate replacement.
Much will be told by week three, after two games against playoof teams, Cincinnati at home and Denver on the road. If the Chiefs can start 2-0, a divison title and home playoff game is possible.
Our prediction: 11-5, second in the AFC West, wild card.
St. Louis Rams
2005 record: 6-10, second in NFC West.
Key additions: Head coach Scott Linehan, LB Will Witherspoon, DT La'Roi Glover, S Corey Chavous, QB Gus Frerotte
Key losses: Head coach Mike Martz, S Adam Archuleta, DT Ryan Pickett.
Notes: With the firing of Mike Martz at the end of the 2005 season, the Dick Vermeil era has officially ended in Missouri, and I don't think anyone will lose sleep over it. While head coach Scott linehan has a good handle on the offensive side of the ball, he is a defensive guy, something the Rams need desperately. The departure of Aruchuleta will hurt an already weak secondary, but the additons of Witherspoon and Glover up front will help with their ability to get to the quarterback.
Offensively the Rams return many weapons, but the results should be notceably different. With Stephen Jackson, the Rams have a back ready to break out and join the upper eschelon of runners in the NFL. the new grind-iy-out style will force teams to play eight in the box, allowing the trio of Torry Holt, Kevin Curtis, and an aging Isaac Bruce to roam free. This will be a bonus for the very accurate Marc Bulger.
The transition will be rough for at least a year or so, so don;t expect great things this season, The Rams can still score, but a weak secondary will yield a lot of points and the team plays a lot of pass happy offenses this season.
Our prediction: 6-10, third in NFC West.
2005 record: 10-6, second in the AFC West.
Key additions: Head coach Herman Edwards, DE Tamba Hali, CB Ty Law, LT Kyle Turley, RB Michael Bennett, S Bernard Pollard, S Jarrad Page.
Key losses: LT Willie Roaf, FB Tony Richardson, Offensive coordinator Al Saunders
Notes: The Chiefs go into the season neding to imporve the 30th ranked defense from a season ago. enter Herman Edwards and the vaunted Cover-2. With the addition of Ty Law to the secondary, Edwards has a big time corner that knows the system and should take some pressure off of Patrick Surtain. The big question is whether the front four, especially the middle of the line can open holes for the atheltic linebacking core.
Offensively the Chiefs are a year older, but should yield promising results. Much of the success is based on Larry Johnson, who could feel the effects of Richardson's departure to Minnesota. The loss of roaf will hurt, but Turley has proven he can play in this league and should be an adequate replacement.
Much will be told by week three, after two games against playoof teams, Cincinnati at home and Denver on the road. If the Chiefs can start 2-0, a divison title and home playoff game is possible.
Our prediction: 11-5, second in the AFC West, wild card.
St. Louis Rams
2005 record: 6-10, second in NFC West.
Key additions: Head coach Scott Linehan, LB Will Witherspoon, DT La'Roi Glover, S Corey Chavous, QB Gus Frerotte
Key losses: Head coach Mike Martz, S Adam Archuleta, DT Ryan Pickett.
Notes: With the firing of Mike Martz at the end of the 2005 season, the Dick Vermeil era has officially ended in Missouri, and I don't think anyone will lose sleep over it. While head coach Scott linehan has a good handle on the offensive side of the ball, he is a defensive guy, something the Rams need desperately. The departure of Aruchuleta will hurt an already weak secondary, but the additons of Witherspoon and Glover up front will help with their ability to get to the quarterback.
Offensively the Rams return many weapons, but the results should be notceably different. With Stephen Jackson, the Rams have a back ready to break out and join the upper eschelon of runners in the NFL. the new grind-iy-out style will force teams to play eight in the box, allowing the trio of Torry Holt, Kevin Curtis, and an aging Isaac Bruce to roam free. This will be a bonus for the very accurate Marc Bulger.
The transition will be rough for at least a year or so, so don;t expect great things this season, The Rams can still score, but a weak secondary will yield a lot of points and the team plays a lot of pass happy offenses this season.
Our prediction: 6-10, third in NFC West.
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