Adam Jones has been working hard in his first Cowboys’ training camp and his first NFL camp in over a year. He’s been insistent on going up against only Owens and Crayton because he wants to show what he has against the team’s two best receivers.

It’s a good thing the Cowboys’ have so much depth at CB this year since the team’s first injury has brought down the NFC East’s best CB Terrance Newman. For some reason, without him, the position just doesn’t seem as deep as it did the day...

cowboys_junkie

With the opening week of the 2008 NFL season fast approaching I think it only makes sense to delve into who I see as the top 5 contenders and explain why each one belongs where they do. So let's start with #5.

5. Pittsburgh Steelers - While the Steelers offseason was less than super successful, smashmouth football gets higher marks from me than flash and finesse. The loss of Alan Faneca, maybe the best guard in football, to the Jets is a pretty big loss. Rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall (1st) and rookie WR Limas Sweed (2nd) give star QB Ben Rothlisberger (yes, he's a star you haters), two more weapons to add to his offensive arsenal which still has the likes of Willie Parker, Hines Ward and Heath Miller. A strong defense year in and year out sneaks the Steelers into the top 5.
PREDICTION:11-5

4. Cowboys - Well, I guess finesse get props from me, if it's real pretty; and Romo to T.O. all year long certainly is. Tony Romo had a stellar regular season last year before dropping that infamous snap which sent him home early. Marion Barber truly is a beast and 1st round running back Felix Jones is already an upgrade over Julius Jones without having notched one NFL game under his belt. Adam Jones, formerly known as "Pac-man" through all his trials and tribulations is a monster talent who is fully capable of being a legitimate #1 corner. A huge signing. Now just keep him out of the strip clubs. Career Dolphin Zach Thomas also adds a little toughness to a Dallas defense who was less than intimidating in 2007.
PREDICTION: 12-4

3. Chargers - I'm a Patriots fan. I hate the Chargers, but even I am gonna give my favorite whipping boy Philip Rivers major props for the way he played in the playoffs last year. I thought they had no chance of beating the Colts and a gutsy performance against my beloved Patriots when LT decided to take the game off earned him some respect from me (I'm sure he's thrilled). While the Chargers didn't make any major additions to the roster they still have the best RB in football and a QB who is coming off of one of his best performances. The loss of back up running back Michael Turner should cause the Chargers some concern as LT has already proven that his tolerance for pain isn't legendary.
Prediction: 12-4

2. Colts - Colts over the Chargers. No doubt in my mind. I think last year's win by the Chargers over the Colts was more of an abberation than a foreshadowing. Reggie Wayne's numbers should be out of this world as he has firmly overtaken 'Marvelous' Marvin who has taken a back seat to the younger stud. The Colt's major offensive loss after their Superbowl victory was backup running back Dominic Rhodes has found his way back to Indy. While this may not seem like a big deal, the combination backfield has been a popular trend as of late and the Colts were missing that last year. Number two tight end Ben Utecht was signed by the Bengals over the offseason so look for Dallas Clark to have a career year. The Colts defense is, and has been overrated for years and that will be their achilles heel when they go up against my power ranking's #1 team...
Prediction 12-4

1. Patriots - Don't even think about calling me a homer. As long as Tom Brady has WRs better than Reche Caldwell and a 40 year old Troy Brown as his top two, the Patriots offense is going to be unstoppable. When you have the league's best overall WR and the league's best slot WR you have an offensive juggernaut. An aging linebacking core is definitely a concern on defense as well as the loss of star CB Asante Samuel and his backup Randall Gay. The Patriots have tried to patch up those holes with 1st round pick Jerod Mayo and Victor Hobson at linebacker while bringing in two corners as well, Terrence Wheatley with their 2nd round pick and snatching up Fernando Bryant from Detroit through free agency. Last year's #2 CB Ellis Hobbs as well as 2007 1st round pick Brandon Meriweather will be asked to take a larger role in the team's defense. While I'm not convinced that they're ready for the challenge, Bill Belichick has proven year in and year out that the defensive scheme is more about team defense than individual performances. Look for the Patriots to avenge their SB loss in 2007 with a 4th ring in 8 years.
Prediction: 13-3

Agree? Disagree? How do your top 5 stack up?

BRING IT.

-Ben...

Below is my list of the top 10 Football coaches of all time.

1. George Halas-Chicago Bears-1920-’29, 1933-’42, 1945-’54, 1958-’67; 315-148-31, .669 winning %; NFL league co-founder

2. Vince Lombardi-Green Bay Packers/Washington Redskins; GBP 1959-’67, WR 1969; 96-34-6, .740 winning %; 6 title games, 2 SB’s

3. Tom Landry-Dallas Cowboys 1960-’88; 250-162-6, .601 winning %; 15 conference title games, 5 SB’s 2-3.

4. Paul Brown-Cleveland...

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