THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 1, 1994 TAG: 9408280173
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: R5 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Football Preview: Pro Football '94
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 127 lines
NFC EAST
Dallas: The Cowboys lost a bunch, but still have Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Troy Aikman, powerful offensive and defensive lines. There might be a team or two that's stronger, just not in this division.
Philadelphia: Randall Cunningham's back. The defense has compensated for the loss of Seth Joyner and Clyde Simmons by adding William Fuller, Burt Grossman, Greg Townsend and Bill Romanowski. Could be a huge surprise.
Arizona: How 'bout these linebackers: Seth Joyner, Wilbur Marshall, Eric Hill and Jamir Miller? Buddy Ryan takes what Joe Bugel was forced to leave behind and guides it to the next level.
New York: The Giants lost more talent than some teams had. Without LT, Phil Simms, half the offensive line and most of the secondary, coach Dan Reeves finds himself rebuilding what looked pretty strong.
Washington: The Redskins showed the rest of the league how quickly a playoff team can fall apart. The climb back will take a few years, less if QB Heath Shuler is a fast learner.
NFC CENTRAL
Green Bay: The Packers added help for DE Reggie White in Sean Jones and Steve McMichael. And they added speedy RB Reggie Cobb. But the playoffs hinge on QB Brett Favre, who's 24 and should come into his own. Too erratic last season, he turns into a beauty.
Detroit: The Lions' offense chewed up 400 yards and 25 first downs in a playoff loss to Green Bay's second-ranked defense last season. And it improved by adding QB Scott Mitchell, rookie WR John Morton and veteran WR Anthony Carter. The DL and LBs have great potential, but the secondary is too soft to win a division.
Minnesota: Warren Moon is the latest geriatric QB to work for Dennis Green. Other than Cris Carter, the receivers are unproven. The trade of Chris Doleman weakens the defensive front. Healthy running backs could move the Vikes to the head of the pack.
Chicago: The Bears considered 15 other QBs before signing free-agent Erik Kramer. He's reliable, but will need more offensive help than his teammates can provide. Defense is rock-solid.
Tampa Bay: Trent Dilfer and Errict Rhett give Bucs hope for the future. But for the moment, it's QB Craig Erickson and RB Vince Workman who'll carry the load. Next season, Jimmy Johnson will appreciate the talent Sam Wyche left him.
NFC WEST
San Francisco: The offense remains among NFL's most potent and the defense has been upgraded radically with Ken Norton, Richard Dent and No. 1 pick Bryant Young. If Dallas topples, 49ers should be supplying the push.
Atlanta: June Jones and Jeff George have been awaiting each other forever. The new coach and the new quarterback don't have the same firepower as Jerry Glanville last season, but don't underestimate the peace that Jones brings.
New Orleans: Can QB Jim Everett regain his confidence? If so, the Saints are better on offense than in a long time. If not, the defense better be improved over last season for the Saints to vie for the playoffs.
Los Angeles: An improving team, though there are still plenty of holes to fill. Jerome Bettis leads a stable of top-notch backs, but every other position is average.
AFC EAST
Buffalo: As long as Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed and Bruce Smith play at or near their prime, the Bills won't be anyone's pushovers. But what could keep this club from continuing its remarkable string of Super Bowl appearances is a secondary with more questions than answers.
Miami: QB Dan Marino's Achilles' tendon is close enough to 100 percent that the Fish shouldn't flop down the stretch like last season. The return of John Offerdahl should boost a defense that is better than average, except on the line.
New England: Bill Parcells knows how to build a team and this one is on the verge of something big. Terrific offensive line, blossoming quarterback, a snowplow at running back in Marion Butts, young pass-rushing studs in Chris Slade and Willie McGinest, about eight bonafide secondary types and a consistent kicker in Matt Bahr. The Pats go over .500 this year.
Indianapolis: Jim Harbaugh played with awful receivers in Chicago; he should feel right at home. RB Marshall Faulk is odds-on favorite for rookie of the year and should make bruising FB Roosevelt Potts more effective. Colts can attack the QB and feature a vast array of talent that needs seasoning.
New York: New Jets coach Pete Carroll plays basketball to work out his frustrations. He'll be Dr. J by midseason. QB Boomer Esiason threw only two TD passes over the final seven games and the terrific talents of Johnny Johnson and Adrian ``Yo'' Murrell don't make up for the dearth of WRs. There's a sprinkling of good players on defense, but the water's too deep for these guys to swim.
AFC CENTRAL
Pittsburgh: The Steelers are above average everywhere but at WR, and they gained ground there by drafting Charles Johnson of Colorado. The questions: Can QB Neil O'Donnell's arm remain healthy? Is RB Barry Foster all the way back from ankle surgery? Can they get a pass rush from somewhere other than linebacker? If the answers are yes, Three Rivers will be hoppin'.
Cleveland: Lots of ifs. If QB Vinny Testaverde can finally develop as predicted, and stay healthy . . . if Mark Rypien has anything left after his shabby release by Washington . . . if first-round pick Derrick Alexander can bolster Michael Jackson and the WRs . . . if they can find a couple of LBs to replace Mike Johnson and Clay Matthews . . . if their punting and kicking improve . . . the Browns will make noise in the division.
Houston: Took mega-hits on defense that probably will cost this club an eighth consecutive playoff berth. Cody Carlson replaces one of the best QBs in football in Warren Moon. If he's good, the Oilers will gush on offense.
Cincinnati: The two best improvements came on the sidelines in the hiring of Larry Peccatiello as defensive coordinator and Bruce Coslet as offensive overseer. Top pick Big Daddy Dan Wilkinson should make Pec's job easier, not to mention the switch to a 4-3 scheme. This is David Klingler's make-or-break year at QB.
AFC WEST
Los Angeles: The offense is sooooo good with QB Jeff Hostetler and the fastest receivers in NFL history. The defense is underrated, led by a secondary so good that nifty Albert Lewis can't win a starting spot after coming over from K.C.
Denver: Raider clones. But the Broncos don't have the defense to stay with their rivals from L.A. If healthy, John Elway has his biggest pro season yet.
Kansas City: Some people thought last season was their year. Joe Montana is 38 and ever-brittle, there's no star among the receivers and the aging offensive line is average. Neil Smith and Derrick Thomas are the best pass-rushing tandem, but there are too many holes.
Seattle: Cortez Kennedy and Sam Adams will terrorize opposing QBs for years, and Rick Mirer is on the path to stardom. But this was a big reclamation project Tom Flores took on, and he's inched the Seahawks just past average.
San Diego: Lost too much in free agency to be taken seriously. QB Stan Humphries is erratic, there are question marks at WR and on the offensive line. Defense, led by Junior Seau, could be better than expected. Division too tough. by CNB