Buc the Trend: No Super Bowl champ has repeated since Denver in ‘97. But Tampa Bay has all the necessary defensive might. Its Monday-night opener at Philly’s new stadium should be an NFC championship preview.
Tuna Melt: Bill Parcells is back, facing his toughest rehab job yet with Dallas. The heat will be on when the Big –Tuna visits his former teams–Giants, Jets and Pats.
Shock to the System: Jeremy Shockey’s big mouth has gotten him in trouble. Again. But the Giants should be more concerned with his nightlife-loving. Until that takes its toll, he’s still an awesome weapon.
The Next Vick-tim? Superstar-in-waiting Michael Vick is out for at least six weeks. (Bet the over on that.) And the Jets’ Chad Pennington is out much longer. How amazing are Bret Favre’s 190 consecutive starts?
If a Running Back Falls in the Desert: After a lifetime in Dallas, rushing-record holder Emmitt Smith joins the league’s lost tribe, Arizona. At least we’ll all pay attention when he goes home to play the Cow-boys on Oct. 5.
Carry the Load: Which running back will carry his team to the playoffs? There’s Ricky Williams or do-it-all Marshall Faulk. But San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson–who rushed for 1,683 yards last season–may trounce them all.
Out of Nowhere: The season always kicks up a surprise bottom-dweller. Minnesota never had a chance last season, but it’s ready to fight back. How far will it go? Depends on whether Randy Moss has finally grown up.
