32 Problems

Sup, yo... I feel an introduction is in order, however, at the same time, I'm rather tired, so all of you whom have actually stumbled onto our blog, I ask you to click on my profile, "Miamification," towards the lower right to see all that you would want to know. While you're at it, I suggest you also check my colleague, "Pink Floyd." You may also be wondering, "What's with the Electric Pink font?" Well I see it as unique and giving my posts that Miami-vibe... It contrasts nicely with the black background as well.

Now that, that is the way, I must say, football season has "begun," and it wasn't a second too soon. With several teams opening training camp today (my Redskins included!), there are a fair share of looming problems around the league, which I will discuss and order based on my own personal power rankings. Imagine Mike Silver's 32 questions combined with Jay-Z's 99 Problems:



...And voila! My column. Being that this is only training camp, I don't see how I can update this without being present at all 32 camps, so don't look for an update until a week or two into preseason. Without further ado:

32-St. Louis Rams: In '08, everyone was worried there would be no one to throw the ball. In '09, there's no one to throw OR catch.

31-Oakland Raiders: When every position on your team besides punter and corner are up in the air, there is a dire problem, that not even Michael Vick would solve.

30-Cleveland Browns: Loads of key losses + Tension in the locker room + Mangenius = AFC North Cellar... Home sweet home.

29-Denver Broncos: When you are a purely offensive team, you do not dismantle the offense by dealing the centerpiece(s (if Brandon Marshall is dealt)).

28-Detroit Lions: Kevin Smith says the Lions will make the playoffs, the O-Line begs to differ.

27-Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A tight end made of glass certainly does not compensate for the uncertainty at the quarterback position.

26-Kansas City Chiefs: While vastly improved, there aren't enough play-makers to make the offense dynamic enough to contend. Matt Cassell is nothing more than a band-aid to this franchise. (Sorry, Matt!)

25-Seattle Seahawks: Houshmandzadeh is nice, but Alexander's ground game is what made the 'hawks a perennial powerhouse.

24-Buffalo Bills: Trent Edwards and either of the running backs need to truly step up for these guys to compete, otherwise, it's .500... again....

23-Dallas Cowboys: With Jessica Simpson out of the picture, I moved the 'Boys up a bit... with TO out of the picture, I moved them right back down.

22-Jacksonville Jaguars: David Garrard was the leader of the fearsome '07 Jags; this year, he's the reason I have them locked in at 22. Michael Vick moves them up 10 spots.

21-Cincinnati Bengals: IF Palmer can come back and IF Coles can come back and IF OchoCinco can come back, these just might be your AFC North Champions.

20-New York Jets: These guys show almost every indication of being this year's Ravens of '08. The absence of Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed is why they won't be.

19-San Francisco 49ers: Quarterback problems seem to be a common theme, and it continues here, however if Hill or Smith can step up, the Niners WILL be your NFC West champions.

18-Tennessee Titans: The AFC South centers can let out a sigh of relief (As the NFC East's gag) now that Haynesworth has moved on. Without such a disruptive force on the line, the defensive production will dramatically fall. The Kerry Collins-Nate Washington connection won't be enough to overtake Houston or Indianapolis.

17-New York Giants: With Burress last year, the G-Men were 9-1, without, they were 4-3 (They lost Toomer too, don't forget). The latter record closely resembles what to expect this year. None of the wide receivers left on the roster would be starting for any other team in the NFL.

16-San Diego Chargers: A lock for the AFC West again, but how far they make it into the playoffs relies on the running game.

15-Miami Dolphins: Despite the league catching onto the wildcat, this is still the most underrated team in the NFL, but without a deep threat (that Ted Ginn Jr. is supposed to be), opposing defenses can know what to expect.

14-Baltimore Ravens: Last year's cinderella story won't be able to repeat without a #1 wide receiver for the sophomore qb. Whether or not they address that remains to be seen... The loss of the defensive coordinator hurts too.

13-Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler has got to be thrilled to have a running game and a hall of famer left tackle... but devastated to have no receivers.

12-Indianapolis Colts: The loss of Marvin Harrison is the best thing that could've happened to Indy. Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark is one of the best corps in the game, as is the man under center. They have done it without a running game before, but Houston is looming.

11-Houston Texans: Matt Schaub is a pro-bowl caliber player when healthy; he just never is. If he can be, the Texans have an outstanding running game, receivers, and defense that will carry them to the AFC South crown.

10-Washington Redskins: The boys from Ol' DC had all the makings of a playoff team in '08... until week 9. Durability concerns along the line, running game and receivers hinder the potential, but for the first time in his career, Jason Campbell has been in the same system in back to back years: but will there be an offense around him to function properly?

9-Carolina Panthers: With a halfway decent QB, this team would have superbowl written all over it. Too bad they have Jake Delhomme.

8-Arizona Cardinals: The same questions from last year's training camp are here today: how much longer can Kurt Warner keep going? Will Anquan Boldin be around? What's with the running game? There's too much talent not to like though.

7-Green Bay Packers: If Grant can rebound, you may be looking at your NFC champions, but the defensive line is still a little shaky, despite the addition of BJ Raji.

6-Philadelphia Eagles: The birds could be moved to the top or bottom, because their season rides entirely on chance. An injury to either Westbrook or McNabb decimates any and all hope they may have.

5-Minnesota Vikings: Sage Rosenfels very closely resembles Favre, the best running back in today's game is still there, and the purple people-eater is still largely in tact (pending Williams-Wall suspensions). The Vikings figure to continue their trend in '09 of being a powerhouse of late.

4-Pittsburgh Steelers: They didn't do much to upgrade their weakest point (O-Line), so Big Ben figures to be on his back a lot again in '09. The loss of one of his best options (Nate Washington) down the stretch doesn't help.

3-New Orleans Saints: It's hard to find flaws in these final 3 teams, but if New Orleans has one, it's their 7th worst defense in PPG (being trumped by the Seahawks, Raiders and 49'ers)

2-Atlanta Falcons: Again, with the defense, but Atlanta has almost better everything than the Saints do. Matt Ryan's ceiling is higher than the Georgia Dome with the pieces he has around him.

1-New England Patriots: I defy you to find a flaw. Superman in a wheelchair is ages better than Matt Cassel. They added a great runner in Fred Taylor, who should just push this team over the top.