Matt Previews the NFL season: the Saints in the playoffs?
By Matt G.

I’m going to talk about the teams to watch and that I think will go to the playoffs. First, let’s start with the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Dan Reeves always wanted a good running game, he never got his wish until 1998 when Jamal Anderson ran for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns. I think their running game will be great this year. Their passing won’t be that explosive, but a little better with the addition of Chris Calloway from the Giants. Their defense will be awesome again. I think the Falcons will go to the playoffs and be a Super Bowl contender.

The Broncos: Describing the Broncos running game is easy - Terrell Davis! Their running game will be great again. On the other hand, their passing game is an unknown because John Elway has retired and they now have to rely on Bubby Brister. Their defense is also hard to analyze because they’ve lost key players such as, Steve Atwater to the Jets, Keith Burns to the Bears and Darrien Gordon to the Raiders. In conclusion, I think the Broncos could definitely be a playoff contender, but I don’t think that Bubby Brister can take them to the Super Bowl.

The Jaguars: The Jaguars running game will be awesome with Fred Traylor and James Stewart putting up numbers. Their passing game will be above average with Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith and their defense will be great, with the addition of Carnell Lake. I think the Jaguars will be in the Super Bowl. They are the only great team in the AFC that kept a nucleus of good players from last season.

The Vikings: The Viking’s passing game will be very explosive! That’s because it depends on Randy Moss, Chris Carter and Jake Reed as receivers and Dante Culpepper, Randall Cunningham and Jeff George as the quarterbacks. Their defense will be good even though they lost Derrick Alexander and Jerry Ball to the Browns, Dixon Edwards to free agency and Corey Fuller to the Browns. I think the Vikings should go to the Super Bowl.

The Jets: The New York Jets will be good this year because Curtis Martin will give them a good running game. Their passing game will be tough with Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet. The Jets defense should be o.k. and keep them a playoff contender.

The Saints: The coach of the Saints used his whole draft for one person, Ricky Williams. Yes, Mike Ditka took a big gamble but I think Mike Dikta made the right choice. Mike Dikta now has a good running game; and the Saints’ passing game will also be above average because they do have pretty good receivers, and have they have Eddie Kennsion. They are o.k. at quarterback, too - Billy Joe Toliver threw for 1,427 yards in just a little over half a season. I think the Saints will go marching into the PLAYOFFS!

The Washington Redskins: This team has a great defense, but an offense that is falling apart. Their running game is bad now after the loss of Terry Allen to free agency. Their passing game looks like it’s in trouble too, though they have acquired Brad Johnson and Rodney Peete. They will put up yards but I don’t know about their running game. The Redskins are going to make the playoffs because of their great defense.

The Seahawks: This is the team that is good in every area. Their running game is good with Ricky Watters and their passing is good too, because it has Joey Galloway and Sean Dawkins. They have a better than average quarterback in Jon Kitna. I think the Seahawks will go the playoffs because Mike Homgren is their coach and he can teach this team to win.

Now everybody is wondering what I think about the Bears, and the new expansio team, the Browns. If you are rooting for the Bears to go to the playoffs just because they have Cade McNown - you’re wrong. A quarterback can’t take a team to the Super Bowl all by himself. The Bears don’t have an offensive line. Defenses are going to sack McNown. He’s just a rookie and although he may play inspired football, he won’t be able to make up for the points his "no pressure" defense will be giving up.

As for the Browns, they’re going to be better than the Bears this year because they’ve gotten a number of veterans, but it will take time before the Browns make the playoffs.

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Bears go with new coach and new quarterback
By Amar P.

As the new NFL season starts, the Chicago bears have made some big changes. First, they hired a new coach, Dick Jauron, to replace Dave Wannstedt. Linebacker Sean Harris was re-signed to a three-year contract, and former Washington Redskins defensive end, Jamal Duff signed a one-year deal.

The franchise decision to release veteran quarterback, Erik Kramer in favor of Shane Matthews and first round draft pick, Cade McNown put the Bears’ quarterback responsibilities in the hands of two inexperienced players. It is the assistant coach John Shoop’s job to have someone ready for opening day. Shoop has commented that he was not worried about his new QBs’ ability to make the plays.

Shane Matthews pulled ahead of Jim Miller in the battle for the second quarterback spot by completing 10 of 11 passes for 162 yards and directing two touchdown drives during a preseason game.

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