Jean-Paul Bergeaux - Saintsgab.com

Peyton Manning QB Indianapolis

There are three keys to winning. O-line, D-line and QB. If you get those three right, you have a solid team. Peyton Manning, therefore, is the one guy that makes a difference on the field. It is no secret that he is the offensive coach on the field, calls his own plays often and single handedly makes the Colts a top 5 team every year. Even at 32 Peyton has several good years left. He’s too smart to get hurt, he will age like a fine wine, getting better even as his physical skills start to fade.

John White - Catcrave.com

Tom Brady QB New England

There are a number of factors that would play a role in my decision making process. A franchise player should not only have the physical tools and the athletic ability to make plays consistently but should also be young enough to remain with the franchise for a number of years. Therefore, I’m ruling out the Peyton Mannings, Tom Bradys and LTs of the league. I want a guy who is this side of 30 - preferably no older than 28.

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Join Matt Loede in this latest edition of Gridiron Gabbin. In this edition Loede sits down with WTAM 1100 Browns beat reporter and Browns sideline reporter Andre Knott. The pair talk about the situation with Browns wide out Joe Jurevicius and his knee, the Brett Favre saga, the power rankings, and what player he would pick to start a franchise, and this one may surprise you.  Click below to hear this latest Gridiron Gabbin!

 

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Just a few days ago Kelly Holcomb called it quits, and now today another veteran QB has decided it’s over, as Trent Dilfer has stated that he’s retiring. Dilfer, who last was with the 49′ers, said that he make a formal announcement in the next few days. A recent injury to his Achilles suffered playing basketball clinched the decision for Dilfer, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens as their starting QB in 2000.

“I was going to retire anyway. This just gives clarity to the situation,” he told reporters on a conference call promoting the 19th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. “I think in the next few days there will be a formal announcement on all those things,” he stated. Dilfer declined to give reporters any idea of what he’s going to do now that his NFL career is over, but did do a nice job doing some media work during the playoffs two years ago on the NFL Network.

Dilfer played for five teams, starting his career with the Buccaneers as a first-round draft pick back in 1994, the 6th pick overall. He played six seasons with the Bucs before moving to the Ravens in 2000 for a Super Bowl run, then left the next year to play backup to Matt Hasslebeck in Seattle for four seasons. He had another starting job with the Browns in 2005, then left in a trade to play in 07 with the Niners.

The career of quarterback Kelly Holcomb is over, as the 13-year-pro announced that he is retiring. Last season Holcomb played for the Vikings, and appeared in three games, throwing two touchdowns and one pick in throwing for 515 yards. He started his career with the Colts, where he was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played in five games in 97, staring one.

His career really took off after the Colts released him in 2000 and he signed with the Browns. After a few years as a backup, he eventually took the role of starter away from former number one pick Tim Couch. He started a few games early in 2004, but then suffered a broken bone in his leg, and then the season went south and by the time he knew it, the team was headed for a bad season. He backed up Jeff Garcia his last season with the team.

From there he went to Buffalo, and played half the games the first season, and then last season didn’t play a game. He went to Philly in 2007, never played, and then was moved to the Vikings where he finished up his career. He will now become the game-day radio reporter for his alma-mater, Middle Tennessee State.

“It’s something I always wanted to do, radio and TV,” Holcomb said. “People ask me if I plan to coach, and I have no aspirations to do that right now. But I like looking at the game from the radio and TV angles. “I’ve done some of that with ESPN and Fox. I like it and I think I could be pretty good at it. I’m happy to do it with (MTSU).”

We’ve been mowing through the offseason with the best and worst, and to date covered each side of the offensive side of the ball, and have thrown out the five best defenses heading into training camp. Now we finish up our series with the five teams that we feel are going to have the worst defenses as training camp starts in the next few weeks:

1. Atlanta - The poor Falcons were not very good last season, and that fact will be the case again in 2008. In 07 they allowed 355.5 yards per game, and don’t forget they got rid of one of their best defensive players - CB DeAngelo Hall. They will count on 2nd round pick Curtis Lofton to play the MLB spot so Keith Brooking can move to his natural weak-side spot. SS Lawyer Milloy is winding down his career, and the team did next to nothing to improve the D-line. It’ll be a long season for the Birds.

2. Kansas City - In a full rebuild mode in KC, this unit is going to have its issues - again. They moved unhappy but sack happy Jared Allen, and hope that youth will be served on the line, and Glenn Dorsey will live up to the hype. We’ll see. In their 9-game losing streak last year, they allowed over 190 yards rushing in those games, and teams seemed to score in bunches. The starting secondary is old, and by the early to mid-part of the year there will be a lot of changes in this unit.

3. Detroit - The Lions allowed a whopping 377 yards per game last year, and they have plenty of question marks up and down the defense again this year. They traded Shaun Rogers, who underperformed to the Browns, and are counting on players like Cory Redding and pickup Chuck Darby to lead the D-line. They let LB’s Boss Bailey and Teddy Lehman go in free agency, and will have Ernie Sims, Jordan Dizon and Paris Lenon as the starters there. The secondary allowed passers to complete 70 percent of passes last year, a number they have to improve on in 08.

4. Miami - Sorry Fin Fans, the Dolphins D is going to be in a transition mode this season, and that means new coach Tony Sparano is going to have growing pains with this unit. There is talent here, as yougnsters Matt Roth and Quentin Moses should have time to develop on the line. They will miss the leadership of Zach Thomas, and the possibility of them moving Jason Taylor seems high still. The secondary has few playmakers, and the LB core needs more from mouthy Joey Porter and Channing Crowder, who needs to make more plays.

5. Cleveland - While the offense in Cleveland can score with the best of them, the defense still has work to do. This was an area the team looked to upgrade big time this offseason, which is why they traded for the Packers Corey Williams and Lions Shaun Rogers to help on the line. The secondary is a huge problem area, as they moved Leigh Bodden in the Rogers deal, and will need Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald to really step up. This unit can be better, but there’s still much to be concerned about here.

We gave you the positives of the defensive side of the ball the other day here on Gridiron Gab, and now it’s time to break down the best offenses of the league. There are plenty to choose from, but below are the teams we feel are going to light it up with high-powered offenses in 2008.

1. New England - This offense is simply sick. From a QB that threw for over 4800 yards and 50 touchdowns, to a wide out that caught 23 TD’s to another that had a league high 112 catches, the Pats are as unstoppable as they come. This is not to say that they need to tweak some things, like improving on the O-line as well as getting some more help from the running game. Overall though, it’s hard to think that the Pats will take much of a step back in 2008.

2. Indianapolis - If there is a team that can match New England from an explosion standpoint, it’s probably the Colts, who still employ Peyton Manning and a wealth of talent all over the offensive side of the ball. They averaged close to 360 yards per game, and Manning is still one of the top 2-3 QB’s in the game, if not the best. Look for an even better season for RB Joseph Addai, and for TE Dallas Clark to build on his best season of 2007 with a career high in catches, yards and TD’s.

3. Dallas - While it was their offense that in the end cost them against the Giants in the playoffs, there is not denying the talent that the Cowboys bring to the table on the offensive side of the ball. Tony Romo is telling people that his focus is on the team, and not bimbo blonde Jessica Simpson, which is good. Jason Witten is a stud at TE, Terrell Owens has 1-2 good years left, and the running game should have a solid 1-2 punch with Marion Barber and rookie Felix Jones.

4. San Diego - When healthy, this offense can match just about anyone points for points in the league. RB LaDainian Tomlinson is as good as they come, and Philip Rivers proved his toughness gutting it out in the AFC Title loss to the Pats. The WR core is a little on the weak side, but they do have a great TE in Antonio Gates to fill the void and get Rivers out of trouble on a lot of plays. Bottom line is the Chargers are another explosive team.

5. Cleveland - It’s a big year for the Browns, who are being counted on to make another serious run at the playoffs and this time finish the job. Derek Anderson combined with WR Braylon Edwards is a solid 1-2 punch, and combine that with TE Kellen Winslow, and the running of RB Jamal Lewis, the Browns can put up points. Last season they had games of point totals of 51, 41, 33, and three games where they scored 27, showing how good they are and can be.

Drexel Perry - Total Titans

Cowboys vs Redskins

Just as the Cowboys and the Indians battled each other in Western movies, the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins have had their share of violent skirmishes on the gridiron.

Highlights of one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries include head-to-head battles in two NFC Championship Games, with the Redskins winning both of those contests (1972, 1982). In 1989, a shocking 13-3 victory over the Redskins gave the Cowboys their only win in Jimmy Johnson’s forgettable 1-15 debut as an NFL head coach.

Toss the W-L records out of the window, because you can expect a full-fledged war each time two of the NFL’s flagship franchises face off during their bi-annual NFC East grudge matches.

Brian Miller - Phinphanatic.com

An AFC East Point Of View

Breaking down rivalries in the AFC East is no easy task. Ask a Bills fan..he says Miami, ask a Pats fan and he says Miami, ask a Jets fan and he will throw bottles and batteries…at Miami. Ask a Miami fan
and the answer is not so clear.

While the Dolphins and Patriots have had some memorable games, the Bills and Jets would probably fall into a more “bitter” rivalry. In the 1990’s the Bills and Dolphins rekindled a dwindled rivalry with
epic games between Dan Marino and Jim Kelly. Despite the Bills and the Bryan Cox 2 finger salutes to the Bills crowd, it is the Jets that make Miami fans and players’ blood boil. A long history that dates
back to the Don Shula led Colts losing in Super Bowl III, the Dolphins and Jets have had some amazing and memorable games. From ultra high-scoring affairs to a fake spike, from a Monday night miracle
comeback to a rain soaked playoff game. If you want rivalry. Bitter hold no bar rivalry, you don’t have to look any further than north on interstate 95.

The NFL has had some great rivalries over the years. The 49ers vs. Cowboys during the 1990s was awesome. The Colts and Patriots in recent years has been the best in the NFL. The historical rivalries that include Packers vs. Bears and Steelers vs. Browns are steeped in tradition. But there is one rivalry that stands far above the others.

A Media Member Who Has Covered the NFL for Over 13 Years

The Raiders vs. Anybody

True, this rivalry isn’t what it used to be because the Raiders are just so bad. Still, no team draws as much ire and vitriol like the Raiders. Maybe it’s the fans – because it isn’t about what they have done on the field in recent years – but teams still enjoy beating the Raiders. A lot. Especially the teams AFC West opponents. And really, that doesn’t seem like it will die down in the near future.

Matt Loede - NFLGridironGab

Pittsburgh vs Cleveland

Being in Cleveland the rivals of the Browns over the years include the Bengals and Ravens, but no rivalry is quite as heated as the one against the city about 90 miles away - Pittsburgh. The Steelers and Browns have had some fierce battles over the years, and despite the fact that the Steelers have owned the series since the Browns return since 1999, this one continues to be a good one, and in 2008 it should only get better.

Things are not looking so hot when it comes to Browns WR Joe Jurevicius being ready to go for training camp July 23rd in Berea, Ohio.  The Browns second WR had further surgery on his knee Monday to clean it out.  It’s the second such knee surgery that he’s had this offseason, and reports say that the wide receiver has had ongoing swelling and discomfort in his knee.

The procedure for the receiver was done at the Cleveland Clinic. The Browns web site stated that no determination has been made on Joe’s status for training camp.  It was just at the last camp that Jurevicius was near mad that there were reports he wouldn’t be ready for camp, and it was in interviews with the media that he insisted he would be ready for camp.

Last season Jurevicius caught 50 passes for 614 yards and three touchdowns.  While he right now is the second WR in Cleveland, he knows his time is coming to be a backup, as the team went out and gave a big deal to WR Donte Stallworth, who will likely take Jurevicius’ place as the teams # 2 WR as long as he’s out of the lineup.

Despite catching 48 passes last season for 659 yards in 14 games in 2006, the Chargers have wide out Eric Parker on the trading block. The Union-Tribune is reporting that the team has fielded calls from a few teams about Parker’s services. The paper says that Parker will for sure be either traded or released by the start of training camp next month.

“If this is happening, I will get involved,” Parker’s agent Jack Bechta said. “I will start taking the lead. With the relationship I have with the front office and the respect Eric has garnered, I’m sure they’ll let us participate in the process.” Bechta said that he had just learned that the team is looking to move Parker somewhere else.

Parker is somewhat damaged goods, as he missed all of last season after undergoing toe surgery in October of 2007. One team that the article has pointed out has shown interest is Cleveland, who may be looking for someone to step in if receiver Joe Jurevicius’ off season knee injury is worse than what even he is leading on to.

In six seasons with the Chargers, Parker has played in 62 games, catching 187 passes for 2586 and 11 touchdowns. His best season was 2005 when he pulled in 57 catches for 725 yards and three scores.

The start of training camp is about a month away for most teams, and today we’re going to take a look at 6 AFC teams, three of which are in our opinion getting a little too much hype already, and three that we feel are on the verge of sliding under the radar a bit.  Send your comments to us using the “comments” section, or to me directly at matt@nflgridirongab.com

Under the Radar:

Houston Texans - The issue with the Texans is they are in a stacked division, meaning the chances of them making it to the playoffs remain slim.  With that though, they are making a push to have their first winning season in 2008.  They looked to address the RB slot with adding Chris Brown and rookie Steve Slaton, but the line is still a bit of a question mark.  While the secondary needs some work, Mario Williams on the line is going to have a monster year and will get looks as the defensive player of the year.  Why hasn’t this team added free agent LB Roosvelt Colvin?

Too Much Hype:

New York Jets - The Jets were the most active team in free agency right off the bat, making the biggest O-line signing with bringing in guard Alan Faneca from Pittsburgh.  They also added TE Bubba Franks, S Artrell Hawkins, DT Kris Jekins, LB Calvin Pace, T/G Damien Woody, and CB Andre Woolfolk.  With all that said, this team still has issues at the QB spot, with Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens both not ready to lead this team to the promise land. They also need to shore up the D-line, and hope that draft pick Vernon Gholston in the first round will do that.  Overall, most teams that nab that many free agents and make that many changes take 1-2 years to get it all meshed, and that’s how we feel as well.

Under the Radar:

Oakland Raiders - I like the offseason moves of the Raiders, and think that as long as Al Davis and Lane Kiffin can play nice, this team is on its way to being a .500 or better squad.  The defense was a sore spot, and they added CB DeAngelo Hall, CB Duane Starks, FS Gibril Wilson, and more to make it better.  The running game could be fun to watch, with rookie Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush all looking to get touches.  Javon Walker wants to prove his worth again, and JaMarcus Russell should have a more productive 2nd season.  Don’t overlook this Oakland squad.

Too Much Hype:

Cleveland Browns - Five games under the lights will show the league just how good this team is.  They have holes in the secondary, and they think the D-line will be better with Corey Williams and Shaun Rogers, but to me Rogers is a big question mark.  Derek Anderson will be the starting QB, but the fan base is clammering for Brady Quinn, and early problems for Anderson vs the Cowboys, Steelers and Raevns could create a controversary.  WR Donte Stallworth is also being counted on, and this is a guy that’s been on four teams in four years.

Under the Radar:

Buffalo Bills - Forget about the Marshawn Lynch issues, this team will have that taken care of by Sepetmber.  The Bills were 30th in offense, and 31st in defense, yet had a shot to make the playoffs with three weeks left in the season.  2nd year QB Trent Edwards will be better, and the teams O-line is solid, and will get a deal done with tackle Jason Peters.  The defense under Dick Jauron should also improve, and their schedule is easier than last year with only one trip to the west coast.  Look for the Bills to be a slepper.

Too Much Hype:

Miami Dolphins - 1-15 a year ago, the Fins have been in the headlines a lot with the moves by Bill Parcells and company, and the Jason Taylor saga hanging over this teams head.  The Dolphins are still a long ways away from being good, and coach Tony Sparano and the gang are going to struggle.  QB is an issue with Josh McCown and John Beck expected to each take snaps, and rookie Chad Henne eventually maybe being the best of the bunch.  Having a healthy Ronnie Brown and giving him the ball a bunch is going to be the best way for this team to get 3-4 wins this season.