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.

A few days ago we threw out what we felt were going to be the five worst offenses in the NFL coming into 2008. Now on the positive side, we’re back to give you the other side of the ball - the defenses, and what five teams are going to have have top notch and the best defenses entering the season.

1. San Diego - The Chargers have a great blend of speed and power, and their three main parts of their defense - D-line, linebackers, and secondary all have playmakers. Shawne Merriman is a beast among linebackers, Antonio Cromartie is one of the most exciting corners in the league, and Jamal Williams, Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky make up a solid front three. This team is going to be tough to move on in 2008.

2. New York Giants - The defending Super Bowl champs return with a solid defense that should again make life tough on QB’s in 08. Even losing Michael Strahan, they still have a solid front line with Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, LB core led by Mathias Kiwanuka, and good enough secondary to get the job done. The safety position has a few question marks, but overall this team is all about pressure, as their 53 sacks a year ago proved.

3. Dallas - Getting Adam “don’t call me Pacman” Jones will help a secondary that needs a boost, now the only question is will be eligible to play this year. Adding Zach Thomas brings some leadership to the defense as well as a guy that can still play. The LB tandem of Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Ware will give QB’s nightmares, and should result in turnovers and hurried throws that will play right in the hands of the secondary.

4. Pittsburgh - After DE Aaron Smith went down last season, the Steelers D was never the same. They get him back in 2008, and the team should be able to regain its early season form of 07. Dick LeBeau is a master at confusing QB’s, and with young studs at linebacker like Pro Bowler James Harrison and 2nd year player LaMarr Woodley, he will have two players that can make a QB’s day very long. The secondary has it’s issues, but if Troy Polamalu is back to 100 percent, the unit can make strides under coach Mike Tomlin.

5. Minnesota - Love what this team did in the offseason, snatching sack crazy Jared Allen from the Chiefs. His play, along with that of Kevin and Pat Williams will make offenses have some sleepless nights. E.J. Henderson is solid at MLB, and Chad Greenway and Ben Leber also had good seasons a year ago. The signing of Madieu Williams gives the secondary another weapon as well, and he’s better than Dwight Smith, who he replaces.

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.

It looks as if there are still a number of teams that have an interest in Dolphins unhappy DE Jason Taylor.  The drama between Taylor and the Dolphins is out of control, and a meeting between he and the team was scrapped, basically just admitting that there is no repairing the damage that has already been done between the new Dolphin brass and the former Defensive Player of the Year.

NFL.com’s Adam Schefter is reporting that no less than five teams appear to be in the running to try and acquire Taylor’s services.  They are: New Orleans, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Dallas and San Diego.  The Chargers rumor has been out there for awhile, and they have denied that report.  Miami, with Bill Parcells doing the talking, and his old team the Cowboys, have already made a deal this offseason right before the draft.

As far as Philly, Tampa Bay and New Orleans go, it likely would be what team would be willing to give up the most.  Is Taylor worth a first round draft pick at this point in his career?  Probably not, and no team is going to give Miami that knowing the situation between Taylor and the team.  If Miami can convince a team to give up a 2nd or 3rd round pick, they would come out winners in this saga.

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 West.  Click below to read the Offseason Overview of your AFC West team:

Oakland Raiders: Russell and Raiders Should Be Better in 08

Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Building From the Ground Up

San Diego Chargers: Health a Key for a Big Chargers Season

Denver Broncos: Broncos Look to Regain Playoff Form

The Chargers are in the loop when it comes to putting out feelers about Dolphins unhappy linebacker Jason Taylor. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Chargers have called Miami about Taylor, and while no deal is imminent, there is interest to adding a helper to Pro Bowl pass rusher Shawne Merriman.

Of course the Chargers are denying the story, but could use a player like Taylor who would reek havoc on opposing teams like the Pats and Colts. Salguero adds that the Chargers are familiar with Taylor due to the fact that former Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller joined that team as an assistant to general manager A.J. Smith about three weeks ago.

So what would San Diego be willing to give up for Taylor. Salguero says that if the Chargers offer at least a third-round pick, he thinks Bill Parcells would take it at this point. I think he’s right.

Franchise Player: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)

• RB Tyronne Gross (not tendered as ERFA).

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

• OT L.J. Shelton: FA Dolphins; terms unknown.

• LB Derek Smith: FA 49ers; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

• OT Jeromey Clary: ERFA; terms unknown.

• WR Malcom Floyd: ERFA; terms unknown.

• CB Cletis Gordon: ERFA; terms unknown.

• CB Steve Gregory: ERFA; terms unknown.

• LB Marques Harris: RFA; tendered at $1.47M; terms unknown.

• DT Brandon McKinney: ERFA; terms unknown.

• G Scott Mruczkowski: Potential RFA; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

• QB Billy Volek: UFA; $9M/3 yrs, $3M SB.

PLAYERS LOST

• CB Drayton Florence: UFA Jaguars; $36M/6 yrs, $12M SB.

• S Marlon McCree (released).

• FB Lorenzo Neal (released).

• OT Shane Olivea (released).

• K Dave Rayner: Not tendered as RFA/Dolphins; terms unknown.

• RB Michael Turner: UFA Falcons; $34.5M/6 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

Many people pegged the Chargers as the AFC Super Bowl team last season, and while they did make it to the AFC Title game, they clearly did not play as well as many thought they would. An 11-5 record did not come easy, and by the time the playoffs rolled around, they were hit hard by the injury bug that in the title game forced them to go with a one legged QB, a hurt franchise back, and a TE that was well below 100 percent. The team vows to learn from the mistakes of 2007, and feel that if they are healthy for the whole year, are as good as any team in the league. It will be hard to bet against them with the talent they have.

The team did little on the free agent market, and other than releasing players such as S Marlon McCree, FB Lorenzo Neal and OT Shan Olivea, the biggest loss will be backup RB Michael Turner. They did acquire OT L.J. Shelton from Miami, and LB Derek Smith who was released from the 49′ers. If the big three of Phillip Rivers, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates are close to 100 percent, there is no reason the Chargers are not a 10-12 win team. They do need to be more focused in tight spots, and should start the season fast with home games vs the Panthers, at Denver and vs the Jets at home.

Offseason Grade to Date: B

In this special edition of Gridiron Gabbin, Site Editor Matt Loede is joined by Fred Dean, soon to be member of the Pro Football Hall of the Fame. This fierce pass rusher was a man among boys during his 10-year career, playing in 141 games, putting up 93 sacks. The pair talk about Fred’s career, his time in San Diego, getting traded to the Niners, where he was when he got the call to get into the Hall, and his relationship with the late Bill Walsh. Click below to hear this special Gridiron Gabbin.

 

 Standard Podcast [12:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (184)

It’s been a given the past few seasons that running back LaDainain Tomlinson will not see the ball at all in the preseason.  That may change come 2008.  Tomlinson said to the San Diego Union-Tribune “It may be good for me to play in one preseason game.”  It’s been the Chargers take that they don’t want their best player to risk getting hurt in the preseason, but it also may be a deal where they want him to get at last a little game action before opening day.

L.T. said that RB’s coach Ollie Wilson spoke to him about playing a bit in the preseason, and that skipping it may cost him getting off to a fast start.  Last season L.T. put up fewer than three yards a carry in their first games.  “Who knows? Maybe I might get a chance to run a little bit in the preseason,” Tomlinson said.

His knee is close to being healed, and that may be another factor in getting him out there early, to test the knee and see if the team should be concerned about the start of the season.  Training camp will go a long way in showing if Tomlinson is ready to go or not, as well as maybe the thought of seeing the field come the preseason.

The NFL suspended Chargers linebacker Stephen Cooper for the first four games of the regular season without pay Tuesday for violating the league’s policy on steroids and related substances. Cooper will begin his suspension on August 30th and will be eligible to return on September 29th. He will, however, be able to play in all preseason games. Cooper said in a statement that he has accepted the ban for his use of a stimulant that was recently added to the NFL’s list of prohibited substances and that the stimulant was not used before any game or with the intent to enhance performance. The 28-year-old recorded 16 tackles, one sack and one interception while playing in all 16 games with the Bolts last season. Cooper hasn’t missed a single game over his five-year career with San Diego, and has racked up 258 tackles, seven sacks and three picks over 80 contests.