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(By Gerry Wang)


NFC CENTRAL

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1.) Minnesota Vikings - This is a no-brainer here. The Vikings return with much of their starters, as well as a healthy Robert Smith. Randy Moss should follow up his Offensive Rookie of the Year season with another excellent season, but the return of Jake Reed may be an obstacle. What a nice obstacle to have. This is the best 3 WR set in the league, providing everyone is at full strength. Randall Cunningham makes himself look good by heaving up jumpballs and letting his star receivers haul it down. What a luxury. There shouldn't be anyone in the Vikings' way of the Super Bowl. There are only a handful of teams in the NFC that could beat Minnesota, and only one is in their division-- Tampa Bay.

Players to watch:
-> Randy Moss - Will he have that dreaded sophomore jinx? I doubt it. But the Vikings haven't clicked yet, in the preseason. Then again, those games don't count.
-> Robert Smith - He's what opened up Minnesota's passing game. Always a threat to get 100 yards a game, he's back and healthy. Were he healthy for last year's NFC Championship game versus the Falcons, they woulda went on to win the Super Bowl.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Jeff George - If Randall Cunningham proves last season's success was a fluke, George will readily step in and take the reigns. He needs talent surrounding him to succeed. Or else he turns into a little bitch.

Predicted record: 13-3
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2.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tampa Bay looks so good on paper. They have a great head coach, a double-bladed lightsabre in RB tandem Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott, a speedy young defense w/ future Hall of Famers Warren Sapp and Hardy Nickerson...... so why do they always tank? I think it's because of injuries. Their receiving corps was wiped out last year. This year they're all back. This is Tampa Bay's year to shine. If they can somehow beat the Vikings twice, they'll be a dark horse for the Super Bowl. High dubious that they'll succeed, but hey, they're also a dynasty in the making. Just watch. Tampa Bay vs. Jacksonville Super Bowls in year to come.

Players to watch:
-> Warren Sapp - I love watching him terrorize and pancake opposing QBs. The look of fear in their eyes before they're manhandled is hilarious. Remember when he single-handedly took down both Steve Young AND Jerry Rice? Stud.
-> Warrick Dunn - I loved him in Florida State, but was afraid he'd suck in the pros. What he needs to do is get bigger and improve his durability.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Eric Zeier & Shaun King - Both these guys are QB. Get the feeling Trent Dilfer better break out of his funk soon or else?

Predicted record: 11-5
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3.) Green Bay Packers - Although they are going through a head coach transition, Ray Rhodes ain't exactly a newbie wet behind the ears. He's a defensive-minded leader, but it's the offense that may do the Packers in. Robert Brooks retired, and Antonio Freeman was a long holdout. Then they trade away Derrick Mayes. Dorsey Levens is coming back from a season-ended injury. Will he regain his old form. The early indication is that Green Bay is looking fine. I think they were undefeated in the preseason. But just wait till opposing defense start stifling the Packers' offense. Then they're screwed.

Players to watch:
-> Brett Favre - He's currently the best QB in the league. Regardless of how shitty his receivers are, Brett posts up the numbers year after year.
-> Vonnie Holliday - 2nd year player expected to fill the shoes of the retired Reggie White. Those are some big fat shoes to fill.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Desmond Howard - He left the Packers to join the Raiders, then was cut. Now he's back, and they desperately need him to single-handedly turn momentum around in games.

Predicted record: 9-7
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4.) Chicago Bears - I'm really looking forward to tuning into Bears highlights so I could see if Cade McNown, my fellow Bruin, makes it big in the pros. I saw him on campus all the time. He ain't big, but he's scrappy, and can heave a ball w/ the best of em. Too bad he's the backup. But the rest of the Bears is probably scrappy as well. They have year after year of dismal results. But for once, I can say things are looking up. The have a franchise QB, a solid RB in Curtis Enis, and a couple unknown but talented receivers in Bobby Engram and Curtis Conway.

Players to watch:
-> Curtis Enis - He's coming back from a season-ending injury as well. Can he perform well? So far in the preseason, the prognosis is yes.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Chris Canty - This guy went both ways in college, but was cut by the Patriots and quickly snatched up by the Bears. Should do well since he has something to prove now.
-> Cade McNown - Hopefully he is the answer to the Bears' prayers. But I've heard he's gotten into conflicts w/ teammates already. But don't worry. It's just that competitive drive. Once, in the middle of a college game, he excused himself to go vomit due to the flu and returned to lead UCLA to victory.

Predicted record: 6-10
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5.) Detroit Lions - Man oh man, they will FEEL the loss of Barry Sanders. I think Barry was a bastard for ditching his team. Even if he had a problem w/ the management, he still coulda played because of loyalty to his teammates. Now new starter Charlie Batch is in deep shit. He'll have to rely on a running game consisting of Ron Rivers and Greg Hill. Wow. How formidable. Look for Herman Moore's numbers to be hurt as well. Detroit better start rebuilding, or start sucking Barry Sanders' cock and plead w/ him to return.

Players to watch:
-> Robert Porcher - He's a tremendous talent at the LB position. I never even noticed him before, but whenever I watched a Lions highlight, he was mauling the rusher.

Significant offseason pickups:
-> Chris Claiborne - He's a franchise draft pick. Winner of the Best Linebacker award in college, Claiborne will be expected to step in and contribute. And he will.

Predicted record: 3-13
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NFC CENTRAL RECAP
Minnesota Vikings (13-3)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5)
Green Bay Packers (9-7)
Chicago Bears (6-10)
Detroit Lions (3-13)

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