2002 NFL Preview

One Game away form the Super Bowl last year the Eagles have to be considered a serious contender, as the era of Donavan McNabb is now is full swing..

Rookie TE Jeremy Shockey maybe the only source of offense on a team with no star runner, a mediocre QB, and a poor offensive line. By season's end the fans will be calling for Coach Jim Fassell's head.

Arrogant Coach Steve Spurrier looked like a genius in College, now he's out to prove he can make it the NFL. However in the end it will be their superior defense that gets them to the post season.

You can write teh same thing every year: No team was born to lose more in the NFL then the Cardinals. This year will not be any different.

A solid defense will be held back by a team without a proven QB, and a jumbled offensive line. Look for Emmittt Smith to pass Walter Payton in November and then put out to pasture after the season.

New Coach Jon Gruden will revive the offense give the defense that extra hunger they were missing as the Buccaneers finally reach the promise landed after a cake walk schedule gives them Home Field.

Even with the loss of his main target QB Brett Favre will still rack up 4,000 yards and will lead the Packers to the playoffs.

When you go 2-14 there is only one place to go and that's up. Rookie QB Joey Harrington is going to be a star but he will experience rookie frustrations from time to time.

Things could not have gone worse for the Vikings who fought on the sidelines and dealt with tragedy. However, the road to recovery is a long journey.

The Bears were a great story last year winning the NFC Central. However, with extensive renovations going at Solider Field the Bears will play at Illinois University, and it will hurt them in the playoff chase.

The Offense will continue to fly, but the defense will take a step back, playing a tougher schedule the Rams will win the Division but will have to battle out to the end.

From playoffs to bust the Saints crashed down to earth fast, and things wont get any better with the loss of Ricky Williams, William Roaf, and La-Roi Glover.

Mike Vick is the QB now and nothing can stop him from stardom, but he can't do it alone and the Flacons will continue to struggle.

The Panthers can not possibly be as bad as last year 1-15 and ranked worst on defense and 30th on offense. A 5-11 record will be considered an accomplishment for team starting over.

Along with a young hungry defense the $9ers returned to the playoffs last year. Though they won't win as many games this year, the playoffs are with in reach along with the Division Title.

2 years removed from a Super Bowl the Ravens resemble an expansion team more then the Texans after losing 12 starters including 7 on defense to salary cap cutbacks.

RB Ricky Williams will give the Dolphins a viable offensive weapon, and will catapult them to the promise land.

Despite losing several key starter coach Herman Edwards will find away to get the Jets into the playoffs again, as QB Vinny Testaverde will have a good year now that he knows the offense.

Fluke: (Colloq.) A stroke of luck. Example: 2001 New England Patriots. Tom Brady will come back to earth and the Pats will come back to 10 losses.

Drew Bledsoe will help the Bills on the road to recovery, but the road from 3-13 to the playoffs is much longer then one player can handle.

In a battle of team's bouncing back from a disappointing season the Titans will take the division as RB Eddie George will make the All-Pro team and will battle for the rushing title.

Tony Dungy will improve the defense and will succeed just by leaving the offense alone, as the Colts get back to the playoffs.

Ravaged by the salary cap, holdouts and injuries to fragile RB Fred Taylor the Jaguars are in store for a very long season.

The Steelers have reason to worry about the health of RB Jerome Bettis. However, in a weak division it won't stop them from making the playoffs.

Losing their best player on Defense Jamir Miller to an Achilles injury in the preseason will be what keeps the Browns home in January.

Even with one of the best RB in the NFL Corey Dillon the Bengals have no shot at the playoffs, as they suffer their 12th straight losing season, even with NFL parity seeing teams go from last to first every

This is a make or break year for QB Bob Griese who will benefit by the return of TE Shannon Stewart, as the Broncos continue to overcome injuries at RB.

The loss of Coach Jon Gruden will be too much to overcome as the Raiders will struggle under a new system.

It will take at least a season for the Seahawks to get used to life in NFC, as they struggle with a tough schedule.

The Chargers are a year away from becoming a true playoff contender, as Marty Shcottenheimer will get the best out of a team that quit down the stretch last year.

RB Priest Holmes will have trouble repeating the season he had last year as the Chiefs take a step backwards..

With 5 former All-Pros and several players off the Ravens team that won the Super Bowl 2 years ago the Texans are not your typical expansion team.

Coach of the Year

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year

Offensive Player of the Year

NFL MVP

Dom Capers

Julius Peppers

Jeremy Shockey

Jason Taylor

Curtis Martin

Donovan McNabb

Houston Texans

Carolina Panthers

New York Giants

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Dave Campo-Dallas Cowboys
Tom Caughlin- Jacksonville Jaguars
Jim Fassell-New York Giants
Dave McGinnis-Arizona Cardinals
Marty Morhinweg-Detroit Lions
Dan Reeves-Atlanta Falcons

Coaches who will be looking for work after the season