Ominous injuries
Trent Dilfer
Seahawks’ hopes already on hold.
Jamir Miller
Browns will miss big playmaker.
Takeo Spikes
Bengals’ breakthrough depends on defense.
Tony Boselli
Top Texan pick looks like damaged goods.
Raghib Ismail
Cowboys were counting on deep threat.
Too old
Doug Flutie: Still nice to have around behind Drew Brees.
Vinny Testaverde: He’ll turn 39 in November and fade.
Bruce Smith: Hanging around just for sacks.
Darrell Green: Still fastest 42-year-old cornerback ever.
Morten Andersen: Somebody said he’s still alive and kicking.
Welcome back
Trace Armstrong, Raiders
A Super Bowl season would be nice.
Edgerrin James, Colts
Too young, too good, too soon to get hurt.
Marcus Robinson, BEARS
Just give him a healthy chance.
On the spot
Jevon Kearse, Titans
Talent must translate into production.
Michael Vick, Falcons
His ball now, maybe too soon.
Courtney Brown, Browns
Must rebound and stay healthy.
Fred Taylor, Jaguars
Never has survived a full season.
Top-selling jerseys
%% # PLAYER
1. Brian Urlacher
2. Eddie George
3. Jerry Rice
4. Charles Woodson
5. Marshall Faulk
6. Michael Vick
7. Kurt Warner
8. Warren Sapp
9. Donovan McNabb
10. Ray Lewis
11. Emmitt Smith
12. Tim Brown
13. Zach Thomas
14. Brett Favre
15. Edgerrin James
%%
Top 10 games
Dallas at Houston, Sept. 8
Debut for Texans, new rivalry
Pittsburgh at New England, Sept. 9
AFC title rematch; preview too?
Philadelphia at Washington, Sept. 16
Spurrier’s first national Monday night stage
St. Louis at San Francisco, Oct. 6
Niners try to break losing streak
Green Bay at BEARS, Oct. 7
Big Monday night challenge
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, Oct. 20
Will Gruden make a difference?
Oakland at Denver,
Nov. 11 Chicago coaches Callahan vs. Shanahan
Buffalo at New England, Dec. 8
Bledsoe returns
BEARS at Miami, Dec. 9
Wannstedt’s first game against old team
Tennessee at Houston, Dec. 29
Owner Bud Adams goes back to Houston
Best moves
Ricky Williams to Dolphins
Now all the pieces are in place.
Terry Glenn to Packers
Rejuvenation or relapse, worth the risk.
Joe Johnson to Packers
No risk here; defense instantly better.
Steve Spurrier to Redskins
Fun ‘N Gun finds spot in No Fun League.
Jon Gruden to Buccaneers
All they needed was Chuckie scowl.
Chris Chandler to BEARS
This guy can get hot and win.
Drew Bledsoe to Bills
He’s wanted again, so he wants to win.
Worst moves
Az-Zahir Hakim to Lions: Unreliable with ball in St. Louis.
Warrick Dunn to Falcons: Big contract for little man.
Cade McNown to 49ers: Time to quit picking on this guy.
Derrick Alexander to Vikings: D’Wayne Bates is beating him out.
Missed
Bruce Matthews
From NFL straight to AARP
Dennis Green
Pretty soon he’ll be fishing for a job, not a living.
LeRoy Butler
Who is left to tell it like it is?
Jim Mora
Playoffs? Postgame interviews won’t be the same.
Terrell Davis
Gone for three years but not forgotten.
Rookies to watch
Joey Harrington, Lions
They’ve got to give him the ball.
Antwaan Randle El, Steelers
He’ll get the ball and do wonders.
DeShaun Foster, Panthers
They need a star and may have one.
Jeremy Shockey, Giants
Already on way to Gotham legend.
Mike Williams, Bills
Arms take up most of TV screen.
William Green, Browns
If healthy he should make the difference.
Dwight Freeney, Colts
Bears may wish he would have lasted.
David Carr, Texans
Looks like a star if he stays upright.
Rookie poll on Rookie of Year
%% PLAYER VOTES
1. Joey Harrington, Lions 14 votes
2. Julius Peppers, Panthers 11 votes
3. DavidCarr, Texans 10 votes
4. William Green, Browns 8 votes
5. Roy Williams, Cowboys 8 votes
Rookie poll on greatest ever
PLAYER VOTES
1. Walter Payton 94 votes
2. Jerry Rice 28 votes
3. Joe Montana 23 votes
4. Lawrence Taylor 17 votes
5. Jim Brown 14 votes
%%
Rating the schedules
Toughest schedule
Buffalo (opponents’ winning percentage .546; 9 games vs. playoff teams)
Easiest schedule
Houston (opponents’ winning percentage .441; 3 games vs. playoff teams)
Bears schedule
25th (opponents’ winning percentage .477; 8 games vs. playoff teams)
Best feuds
Michael Strahan and Tiki Barber
Giants’ locker room too small for both.
Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson
Room for only one Bucs bigmouth.
Michael Strahan and Warren Sapp
Sacks liven up discussion.
Steve Spurrier and all other coaches
Keep an eye on postgame handshakes.
