UPDATE! supplies you with everything you need to know about the most important AFC storylines out there. Pay attention. This is where off-season speculation and conjecture end, and football begins:
CAN LT REPEAT?
There's no arguing that LaDainian Tomlinson was an all-around fantasy monster last season. He rushed for 1,815 yards and scored an NFL-record 31 total touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers. It was, perhaps, the greatest single-season accomplishment of all-time. But while he led his team to an NFL best 14-2 record, he failed to carry his team when it matters — the playoffs. The Chargers suffered an embarrassing first-round defeat, albeit to Tom Brady & Co., and now enter into 2007 with several pressing questions. Can new coach Norv Turner, with a sub-.500 record in the NFL, lead the Chargers to the Super Bowl? And how will the team's defense (League leaders in sacks in 2006) hold up without Wade Philips running the show? How will L.T. fare outside of the departed Cam Cameron's offensive scheme? Don't worry, L.T. is still tops in the League. But all these coaching changes must have some effect, right? Tomlinson will get his carries, but after a career year there's bound to be some fantasy letdown.
IS SCHAUB THE ANSWER?
After serving three seasons of backup duty to Michael Vick in Atlanta, Matt Schaub landed a starting role in Houston. But is he the answer? Schaub has just two career NFL starts to his credit and will be leading an offense that ranked 27th in points last season. The Houston Texans added veteran running back Ahman Green to the mix, which should provide the team with offensive balance; and Schaub does have the benefit of playing with Andre Johnson, who led the League with 103 receptions in 2006. The Texans went 7-9 last season and appear poised to turn a corner in their seven-year existence. Whether or not Schaub can be the quarterback to lead them forward will be a big reason why.
THE BRADY QUINN HYPE MACHINE
There's been a lot of hype surrounding Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn. First, he slipped to 22nd in the draft, causing many to question his talent. Then, there was the contract holdout that briefly kept him out of training camp. So what does the future hold in store for the former Notre Dame standout? Will he be the next Joe Montana or Rick Mirer? It's unknown whether or not Quinn will take the starting job from Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson to start the season. But the Browns didn't draft Quinn to sit on the bench for long. The real question is can he live up to the hype? The Browns ranked 31st in total offense last season; Quinn will be expected to turn that number around quickly.
NEW IN NEW ENGLAND
The New England Patriots' off-season offensive overhaul is common knowledge to fans. But did they add enough to their defense to carry to them to the Super Bowl? Linebacker Adalius Thomas was a huge upgrade to their rapidly aging front seven, but pressing questions surround their secondary. Asante Samuel made good on his threat to sit out training camp and is only returning to the lineup now. If he is slow adjusting after missing the preseason, then pass defense might be a problem for the Patriots. Cornerback Ellis Hobbs and safeties Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson all have health concerns. And should lingering injuries pose a problem, the secondary becomes a big issue. All of a sudden, the Patriots' heralded defense looks a little suspect.
JAY CUTLER = JOHN ELWAY?
The Denver Broncos rode Jay Cutler's high-powered sling-shot arm the final five games of last season and liked what they saw. With Jake Plummer's release, Cutler will be asked to lead a Broncos team that added power back Travis Henry and Jarvis Moss to an already accomplished offense. Cutler's gunslinger mentality could mean a lot of big yards for the Broncos receivers; it could also mean a lot of interceptions and blown plays. The biggest stumbling block might be the schedule: Mike Shanahan's team faces a daunting road stint — six of the final nine games are played away from home. And for a young quarterback and a team that has faded down the stretch of late, this can't be good news.
Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.
CAN LT REPEAT?
There's no arguing that LaDainian Tomlinson was an all-around fantasy monster last season. He rushed for 1,815 yards and scored an NFL-record 31 total touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers. It was, perhaps, the greatest single-season accomplishment of all-time. But while he led his team to an NFL best 14-2 record, he failed to carry his team when it matters — the playoffs. The Chargers suffered an embarrassing first-round defeat, albeit to Tom Brady & Co., and now enter into 2007 with several pressing questions. Can new coach Norv Turner, with a sub-.500 record in the NFL, lead the Chargers to the Super Bowl? And how will the team's defense (League leaders in sacks in 2006) hold up without Wade Philips running the show? How will L.T. fare outside of the departed Cam Cameron's offensive scheme? Don't worry, L.T. is still tops in the League. But all these coaching changes must have some effect, right? Tomlinson will get his carries, but after a career year there's bound to be some fantasy letdown.
IS SCHAUB THE ANSWER?
After serving three seasons of backup duty to Michael Vick in Atlanta, Matt Schaub landed a starting role in Houston. But is he the answer? Schaub has just two career NFL starts to his credit and will be leading an offense that ranked 27th in points last season. The Houston Texans added veteran running back Ahman Green to the mix, which should provide the team with offensive balance; and Schaub does have the benefit of playing with Andre Johnson, who led the League with 103 receptions in 2006. The Texans went 7-9 last season and appear poised to turn a corner in their seven-year existence. Whether or not Schaub can be the quarterback to lead them forward will be a big reason why.
THE BRADY QUINN HYPE MACHINE
There's been a lot of hype surrounding Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Brady Quinn. First, he slipped to 22nd in the draft, causing many to question his talent. Then, there was the contract holdout that briefly kept him out of training camp. So what does the future hold in store for the former Notre Dame standout? Will he be the next Joe Montana or Rick Mirer? It's unknown whether or not Quinn will take the starting job from Charlie Frye or Derek Anderson to start the season. But the Browns didn't draft Quinn to sit on the bench for long. The real question is can he live up to the hype? The Browns ranked 31st in total offense last season; Quinn will be expected to turn that number around quickly.
NEW IN NEW ENGLAND
The New England Patriots' off-season offensive overhaul is common knowledge to fans. But did they add enough to their defense to carry to them to the Super Bowl? Linebacker Adalius Thomas was a huge upgrade to their rapidly aging front seven, but pressing questions surround their secondary. Asante Samuel made good on his threat to sit out training camp and is only returning to the lineup now. If he is slow adjusting after missing the preseason, then pass defense might be a problem for the Patriots. Cornerback Ellis Hobbs and safeties Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson all have health concerns. And should lingering injuries pose a problem, the secondary becomes a big issue. All of a sudden, the Patriots' heralded defense looks a little suspect.
JAY CUTLER = JOHN ELWAY?
The Denver Broncos rode Jay Cutler's high-powered sling-shot arm the final five games of last season and liked what they saw. With Jake Plummer's release, Cutler will be asked to lead a Broncos team that added power back Travis Henry and Jarvis Moss to an already accomplished offense. Cutler's gunslinger mentality could mean a lot of big yards for the Broncos receivers; it could also mean a lot of interceptions and blown plays. The biggest stumbling block might be the schedule: Mike Shanahan's team faces a daunting road stint — six of the final nine games are played away from home. And for a young quarterback and a team that has faded down the stretch of late, this can't be good news.
Lamberti is UPDATE! Editor in Chief.
PHOTO BY Bob Levey / ICON SMI
Matt Schaub looks to turn around the Texans' fortunes in 2007.