With NFL Training Camps just a few weeks away, we’ll soon be learning more about most of the teams.

These are four questions that I’m hoping to learn more about. Because they’re interesting, and because they’ll likely affect my NFL predictions.


Will the Bengals receivers stay looking strong?
Coles, Ochocinco and Henry are all looking good so far. I’ve previously had digs are all three of these guys, but the early signs are that they are all in the mood and shape to make plays. Give a healthy Carson Palmer these three to throw to, include Andre Caldwell, and the chances are that good things will happen with this team.

Last year the Bengals averaged only 150 passing yards a game (a rank of 30th) but were straight last in points per game. Of course, they were pretty poor running the ball too, and there are many small issues to address, but willing and able receivers are a big positive. They remain in a tough division, but could easily do more than just play spoiler to the Ravens and Steelers.

Who will be the Lions starting QB
We’ve talked about this one before, but it’s still interesting.

Which one will it be come week 1?

Which one will it be come week 1?

As ever this time of year, there are a number of teams who have decisions to make (the Jets, Browns, possibly the Vikings) and some that do-but-don’t-really (the Dolphins, the Chiefs).

The financial commitment shown to Stafford means he’s the undoubted future of the team, and he’ll play a part this season. However, there is always the desire to protect a rookie QB; to let them grow into the role, to learn the system and the intangibles that are necessary to lead a team. But he’s come straight into the team and impressed his coaches and teammates immediately. He could be ready to go from week 1.

From there, it looks like an easy decision. However Culpepper is doing his best to make the decision tough: He’s impressing too, he’s lost weight, is looking fit, mobile and motivated, and wants to play.

Whoever starts is in the unique position that they cannot possibly do any worse than last year, however I’m sure they’re both setting their targets a little higher than 1 or 2 wins.

Will Seattle be able to reclaim the NFC West?

One of the new Seahawks

TJ Houshmandzadeh, one of the new Seahawks

Last year for the Seahawks was awful by any standard, but atrocious for them. Looking for their fifth divisional title, things started badly and got worse. Injuries to Matt Hasselbeck affected the team across the season. Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye were all largely ineffectual.
Other injuries, such as the nine games Patrick Kerney missed, hurt them elsewhere. This was a team on the back foot for most of the year.

Whether the team was harmed by all knowing it was Holgrem’s last year as coach cannot be said for sure, but Jim Mora has come in and made sweeping changes across the staff. New coordinators on both sides of the ball, new coaches all over the place. This is a team that knows it needs to make changes, and is addressing that aggressively. The playing staff too have seen a high turnover.

My First Look at the NFC West had the Seahawks taking 1st place back. I may have been a bit optimistic on their behalf, but I still see them as this year’s turnaround team. This team will compete in the division, but it’ll be closer than I’ve made it sound in that article.

How strong is that sense of unity coming out of Dallas?
As a Redskins fan, I always worry about the strength in the NFC East. Last year – Washington aside – Dallas were the weakest link, with many things seeming to go wrong come the end of the season. The week 17 44-6 blowout against the Eagles is not only a surprising score, it’s a completely embarrassing one for them. The playoffs beckoned for the winner of that game, yet the whole team seemed to quit.

The departure of Terrell Owens is both a blessing and a curse (much like his arrival is), and it’s widely known and accepted that he’s a difficult but brilliant player. His leaving will change the shape of the offense – they lack a genuine deep threat now, but that’s not a bad thing. It may well be the case that him not being in the locker room will improve morale, and that could be a trade-off worth taking.

The whole team has suffered an horrific scare already, when their practice facility collapsed around and on them. Whilst the paralysis suffered by scouting assistant Rich Behm and the other injuries incurred cannot be forgotten or lessened, even then there were clear signs that the team was working together.

Going into their new stadium (which is very impressive) and with a unity that was missing last year, this team could be a real danger. Not just in the East, but in the NFC as a whole. Of course, they could self-destruct as readily as they have the last two seasons. A big part of me hopes so, a little part… not so much.