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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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.

Can’t really say this one is much of a shock, but a report from ProFootballTalk.com today says that Pats safety Rodney Harrison has been deemed the “NFL’s Dirtiest Player” by head coaches around the league.  The story says that ESPN.com spoke to 17 NFL coaches, and 11 of them singled out Harrison as the not-so-nicest player that is downright dirty.

Harrison getting this “award” is not a shock whatsoever, as he well known for his hard play that sometimes dirty tactics that have made him one of the most disliked players in the league.  Harrison has the second most personal fouls in the league since 2001.  Cowboys safety Roy Williams got two votes for league’s dirtiest player, and Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, Steelers receiver Hines Ward, Titans center Kevin Mawae and Bears center Olin Kreutz each got one vote states the report.

When it comes to cheap shots, Harrison is at the top, along with players like the Cards Adrian Wilson, Saints DE Will Smith, and the players mentioned above, like Pierce, Williams, and Ward.  Let’s just say that none of these guys will be getting free trips to Disney World for their sometimes underhanded play or cheap shots.

Former Raiders OL Barry Sims is still looking for work, and there are a few teams that he will be talking to in the next few days. The Sacramento Bee is reporting that the nine-year vet talked to the Niners yesterday, and will work out for New England tomorrow, Baltimore on Thursday, and then meet with the Rams on Friday.

The 33-year-old was released by the Raiders back on February 29th. He tied for the most false starts of any linemen in the league last season, but nevertheless will find work somewhere in 2008. He started 119 games at left tackle during his nine-year career with the Raiders, including all 16 games last season.

“At 33 years old and knowing you got a couple of years left, you want to go to a place where they are going up and not down,” said Sims’ agent, Ken Vierra, about the interest in the Ravens. The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Sims almost signed with the Panthers back in March.

Despite being charged with drug possession, the Pats say that offensive lineman Nicholas Kaczur is going nowhere.  The team did not comment on any disciplinary action it might take against Kaczur, saying only that it was an internal matter and they would be dealing with it from there.

The lineman was arrested back on April 27th in the state of New York after police said a small amount of OxyContin was found in his truck following a traffic stop.  The lineman then turned around and helped feds catch the man who was allegedly supplying him with the drug.

The supplier was 35-year-old Daniel Ekasala of Saugus.  He’s free on bail after pleading not guilty to charges, including possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute.  Kaczur is a four-year pro that was drafted in the third round by the Pats back in 2005.

NFL Gridiron Gab has spent the past few weeks breaking down the divisions with our “Offseason Overviews.” We went through all 32 teams, and today we highlight the AFC East. Click below to read the Offseason Overview of your AFC East team:

New England Patriots - Can the Pats put the Super Bowl Loss Behind Them?

Miami Dolphins - Nowhere to Go But Up for Dolphins

New York Jets - Jets Hoping Busy Offseason Pays Off in 08

Buffalo Bills - Bills Still Have a Ways to Go

The Pats are still waiting to hear if linebacker Junior Seau is going to return for the 2008 season. Seau is undecided according to the Boston Globe. Speaking after a practice, coach Bill Belichick said “I’d say it would probably be closer to training camp than mini-camp,” about Seau reaching a decision.

Last season the 39-year-old played in 16 games for the Pats, racking up 73 tackles, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions. 2008 would be his 19th year in the league, the first 13 with the Chargers, three with the Dolphins, and the last two with New England. The desire to win a ring is still there for Seau, so I would expect him to return for one more run in 2008.

Former Steeler now Dolphins LB Joey Porter has always been known to speak his mind, and today Porter took his voice to NFL Live on ESPN, and took some shots at the Patriots, a team that beat Porters Steelers in two AFC title games when he was with the black and gold.  ESPN emailed some of the transcript of what Porter said to ProFootballTalk.com.

“They cheated.  There should be an asterisk on it, just because Marion Jones, she get caught, they take the gold medals back.  Obviously, they got caught.  If it wasn’t that bad, why would you destroy the evidence?  If you have nothing to hide why would you destroy it? . . .  Why destroy something that don’t have to be destroyed?  Let everybody see what was on the tape.  Why you going to destroy it so fast?

I think it must have been that bad to where they didn’t want anybody else to see it.  They had to be that bad – to destroy it, so nobody else could see it.  If it wasn’t helping nobody, why did you do it?  If Tom Brady wasn’t getting help out of it, then why would you do it every week?  And everyone wants to wonder how these guys just went from zero to 60 overnight.  That’ll do it for you.”

Porter has not been afraid at any point and time to speak his mind.  If you remember back when the Steelers topped the Colts in the playoffs in 2005, Porter claimed the refs tried to “cheat” to try and allow the Colts to win when they blew an obvious interception by the Steelers Troy Polamalu that almost allowed Indy to tie the game.  Now the LB is back in rare form taking shots at the “Spygate” saga.

“Anybody that I know that lost to them in big games, they are very upset about it. . . . It’s something that’s not harped on, but the slap on the wrist really didn’t fit the crime.  I don’t think the $500,000 fine was really big enough after you made multi-millions and billions off of winning those championships.  That’s a fine that he probably didn’t have to pay anyway.  [Owner Bob] Kraft probably paid that fine, so it’s not like it really hurt.  He goes on to be this great coach for cheating.  He went from a good coach, now he’s a great, great coach, and he got caught cheating.  I don’t understand that.  I lost two of those championship games. If you’re gonna tell me that happened, there’s no way I can look at it and feel like I didn’t get cheated.”

It’s too bad that Porter can’t back up his words on a good team, as he will probably spend the season getting torched by the likes of Tom Brady and co. playing for a Dolphins team that will be lucky to win five games.  Till then, he’ll keep talking, but that’s about it.

Franchise Player: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

• WR Troy Brown played just one game in his 15th season after starting the year on PUP. He may retire, but if he doesn’t the team told him that he’s not in its plans moving forward.

• S Mel Mitchell played in 10 games and is a core special teams-type guy. He might choose to go elsewhere as New England only has room for so many one-dimensional special teamers.

• CB Chad Scott didn’t make it through training camp and has been hurt often. He’s a solid veteran backup and could be back with the team in the market for corner depth.

• LB Junior Seau was expected to get his first Super Bowl ring and retire. The Giants messed that little story up. He was healthy all year and made plays. If he doesn’t retire after his 18th season, the only place he’ll be playing is in New England.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

• LB Eric Alexander is a decent though injury prone special teamer although he’s yet to show anything on defense, other than of course his still inexplicable start in the 2006 AFC title loss in Indianapolis.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

• WR Sam Aiken: UFA Bills; $1.555M/2 yrs, $225,000 SB/$40,000 WO; 2008 cap: $757,500.

• CB Fernando Bryant: FA Lions; $776,000/1 yr, $20,000 SB/$20,000 WO; 2008 cap: $491,000.

• LB Victor Hobson: UFA Jets; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $485,000.

• P Scott Player: FA; terms unknown.

• TE Marcus Pollard: UFA Seahawks; terms unknown.

• CB Lewis Sanders: FA Falcons; $770,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: $491,000.

• CB Jason Webster: UFA Bills; $800,000/1 yr, $130,000 guaranteed/$70,000 WO.

• S Tank Williams: UFA Vikings; $645,000/1 yr, $40,000 WO; 2008 cap: $491,000.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

• T Wesley Britt: ERFA; terms unknown.

• LB Tedy Bruschi: Potential UFA; $4.1M/2 yrs, $1.2M SB; 2008 cap: $1.6M.

• WR Jabar Gaffney: UFA; $1.281M/1 yr, $500,000 SB/$75,000 WO.

• LB Larry Izzo: Potential UFA; $870,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB; 2008 cap: 485,000.

• WR Randy Moss: UFA; $27M/3 yrs, $12M SB/$3M base guarantee; 2008 cap: $6M.

• LS Lonie Paxton: UFA; $880,000/1 yr, $150,000 SB.

• S Ray Ventrone: ERFA; $370,000/1 yr.

• WR Kelley Washington: UFA; $1.855M/2 yrs, $450,000 SB; 2008: $830,000.

• LB Pierre Woods: ERFA; terms unknown.

• DL Mike Wright: RFA; terms unknown (tendered at $1.47M).

PLAYERS LOST

• TE Kyle Brady (released/failed physical).

• LB Rosevelt Colvin (released/failed physical).

• CB Randall Gay: UFA Saints; $12M/4 yrs, $3.75M SB.

• DL Rashad Moore: Not tendered as RFA/Falcons; terms unknown.

• CB Asante Samuel: UFA Eagles; $59.475M/6 yrs, $6M SB/$7M RB 08-09.

• WR Donte Stallworth: UFA Browns; $35M/7 yrs, $10M guaranteed.

• DB Eugene Wilson: UFA Buccaneers; $1.8M/1 yr, $500,000 guaranteed.

The Pats did very little wrong in 2007 - that is until February 3rd rolled around and a trip sunny Glendale, Arizona turned their bright season into a dark nightmare. It was that night that the Pats, on the verge of history, blew a late 14-10 lead in SuperBowl XLII to the Giants as they scored late to steal a 17-14 victory, ending what was a perfect 18-0 season. How the Pats will respond to that loss in 2007 may be one of the biggest question marks heading into the 08 season. The team really didn’t have to do all that much in the offseason, that is other than tweak a defense that was worn down late in the biggest game of the year. They also lost CB Asante Samuel in free agency, which was totally expected. They did make sure they got their biggest offensive weapon outside of Tom Brady back, that being WR Randy Moss.

The team brought in CB’s Fernando Bryant, Lewis Sanders and Jason Webster to help with depth. They gave LB Victor Hobson a one-year deal, and safety Tank Williams comes aboard from Minnesota. On offense, it was a record setting year across the board, so just making sure Moss came back was the key in that regard. The draft was used to work on defense, grabbing LB Jerod Mayo with their first pick, CB Terrence Wheatley in round two, and OLB Shawn Crable in round three. Getting younger on D was a key, and for what they had, they did a solid job in that. While questions remain about this squad, the bottom line is they are still in the top three in the league, and for good reason.

Offseason Grade to Date: B