THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996 TAG: 9609010258
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BOB MOLINARO
LENGTH: 69 lines
On the rim of another season, it is time once again to get re-acquainted with the National Football League.
In Dallas, you can't tell the players without an X-ray or probation report. In Miami, the history of Don Shula has given way to the histrionics of Jimmy Johnson.
Meanwhile, Bill Walsh is back in San Francisco, Gus Frerotte is back at quarterback in Washington, the NFL is back in Baltimore, and Super Bowl Fever has returned to Green Bay.
As always, it is the job of the columnist to study the tendencies, step up into the pocket and find his targets deep downfield.
NFC East: Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington, New York Giants, Arizona.
Addition by subtraction explains the departure of Randall Cunningham from the Eagles. If Rodney Peete stays healthy, coach Ray Rhodes can be content to play smash-mouth football while turning over games to an improved defense.
The Cowboys have met the enemy and it is them, but when Michael Irvin returns to play catch with Troy Aikman, not even Hard Copy can keep Dallas from the playoffs.
As dicey as the Redskins' quarterback situation looks, the Giants' is worse. Buddy Ryan is gone from Arizona, but most of the problems remain.
NFC Central: Green Bay, Chicago Detroit, Tampa Bay, Minnesota.
This is Brett Favre's best chance to join Steve Young, Dan Marino, John Elway and Aikman in the pantheon of active NFL quarterbacks. Reggie White is a household name on defense, but an improved secondary will be just as important to the Packers' success.
The Bears aren't much but, then, after the Pack, neither is this division. The Lions have Barry Sanders and Herman Moore and a penchant for underachieving. The Bucs play in Houlihan Stadium. Enough said. Inexplicably, the Vikings are sticking with almost-40 Warren Moon, who apparently has a stranglehold on the quarterback job.
NFC West: San Francisco, Atlanta, New Orleans, Carolina, St. Louis.
The league still hasn't figured out a way to stop Steve Young-to-Jerry Rice. Throw in a tougher defense, and hardly anyone will notice that the 49ers still don't have a running game.
Jeff George gives the city of Atlanta one more great starting pitcher, but the Falcons defense is strictly bush league. Though Jim Mora has coached the Saints to 91 victories in 10 years, he may not make it through this season. For the Panthers, it is never too late to start playing like an expansion team. The Rams' troubles started the day they drafted Lawrence Phillips.
AFC East: Buffalo, New England, Indianapolis, Miami, New York Jets.
As it turns out, the Bills' old men weren't dead, they were just napping. Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith and 71-year-old Sunshine Boy Marv Levy are ready for another championship fling.
The Patriots still show more potential than polish. When they dissed Ted Marchibroda, the Colts invited bad karma. The Dolphins are chum. The Jets resemble a punch line.
AFC Central: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Houston, Jacksonville.
Can the Steelers overcome the loss of Neil O'Donnell? Gladly. Marchibroda will make a difference for the Ravens. Vinny Testaverde better enjoy his honeymoon, though. Baltimore once screamed for Johnny Unitas' crew-cut scalp.
The Bengals continue to be coached by the wrong Shula, the lame-duck Oilers will play before family and friends, and the Jaguars are the third-best team in Florida behind the Seminoles and Gators.
AFC West: Kansas City, Oakland, Denver, San Diego, Seattle.
The Chiefs are dull, but in the habit of reaching the playoffs. The Raiders' forgiving schedule may be their biggest asset. The Broncos, as always, wish for defense. San Diego's Super Bowl hangover lasts another year, and the Seahawks are a pigeon.
Finally, after all the races and playoffs have been decided, the 49ers will defeat the Bills in the Super Bowl.
Says so right here. by CNB