As teams approach the start of training camp, NFL reporter Jeff Legwold offers a division-by-division look at what you need to know.
AFC preview
WEST
Best additions
DT Jamal Williams, Broncos: Denver needs him to be healthy for its defense to be better than in 2009.
S Eric Berry, Chiefs: He should be an impact player immediately in a defense desperately needing one.
LB Rolando McClain, Raiders: Some scouts worry he’s just a two-down player, but the Raiders need all the help they can get.
Biggest losses
WR Brandon Marshall, Broncos: His substantial off-field baggage and legacy of three 100-catch seasons are now in Miami.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers: Former San Diego mainstay saw injuries increase and playing time decrease; now he’s with the Jets.
CB Antonio Cromartie, Chargers: He’s also hoping to push the Jets over the top.
The favorite
Chargers: They still have the best quarterback in the division in Philip Rivers.
Division breakdown
The Chargers’ reign is threatened by age, infighting and a Drug Enforcement Administration investigation that includes doctors associated with the team as well as with the Padres. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson, a Northern Colorado graduate, will miss the first three games because of a league-mandated suspension. The Chiefs are younger and faster, but they need a huge year from QB Matt Cassel to get into the mix. The Broncos will need to be more physical on defense and find some pop on offense. The Raiders hope QB Jason Campbell can help them restore their reputation.
EAST
Best additions
WR Brandon Marshall, Dolphins: His hip problems are a concern, but if he recovers, he should be productive.
LB Karlos Dansby, Dolphins: He’s expected to be a quality fit in the team’s 3-4 defense.
RB C.J. Spiller, Bills: He is a dynamic player with elite speed and receiving skills and is elusive with the ball.
Biggest losses
TE Ben Watson, Patriots: His departure is why New England grabbed two tight ends in the first four rounds of the draft.
G Alan Faneca, Jets: The nine-time Pro Bowl selection got caught up in New York’s spending spree and was released.
The favorite
Jets: They have the postseason pedigree in that they finished No. 1 in rushing and on defense in 2009, but their biggest hurdle in holding off Tom Brady and Co. will be chemistry after their mix-and-match free-agency approach.
Division breakdown
The last time the Patriots didn’t finish at least tied for the division title was in 2002. However, they continue to lose more impact players than they acquire, especially on defense, where they still haven’t replaced the likes of Ty Law, Asante Samuel, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi. This is the high-spending Jets’ chance. If QB Mark Sanchez can take the second-year leap and coach Rex Ryan can develop cohesiveness, it will be their year.
NORTH
Best additions
WR Anquan Boldin, Ravens: Gives QB Joe Flacco a reliable, productive and proven playmaker.
QB Jake Delhomme, Browns: Veteran doesn’t have too much time left, but if he cuts down on his turnovers, he still can move an offense.
QB Byron Leftwich, Steelers: An nice insurance policy to cover Ben Roethlisberger’s six-game suspension to open the season.
Biggest losses
DT Justin Bannan, Ravens: The Ravens couldn’t afford to lose any bulk up front in a run-heavy division.
DE/OLB Kamerion Wimbley, Browns: Cleveland traded its defensive player who never quite lived up to his first-round draft status.
RB Willie Parker, Steelers: He gave an offense leaning more toward the passing game what little big-play pop it had in the running game.
The favorite
Ravens: They have the most stability, had the best approach in the draft and a have franchise QB in the making in Joe Flacco. The defense has some gray hair, but Baltimore bolstered some spots with quality backups.
Division breakdown
The Ravens have to like their chances. The key will be Flacco continuing to refine his play in the scoring zone. The Bengals have lapsed into off-field troubles with some offseason arrests to go with signing the troubled Pacman Jones. The Browns are rebuilding continuously, and the Steelers are facing Roethlisberger’s suspension to go with a defense that could start as many as seven players at least 30 years old.
SOUTH
Best additions
K Neil Rackers, Texans: Veteran signed to compete with Kris Brown, who missed 11 field-goal attempts last season.
LB Kirk Morrison, Jaguars: The Raiders traded him after drafting Rolando McClain, and Morrison should be an impact guy on the inside.
Biggest losses
CB Dunta Robinson, Texans: Houston will miss his ball skills in the secondary.
DT John Henderson, Jaguars: They released him, hoping they have timed it right in their belief he is sliding.
DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, Titans: The Titans elected not to pay the veteran, who has a high-motor play that will be missed.
The favorite
Colts: If it’s the AFC South, it must be the Colts — Indy has six division titles and Tennessee two since the eight-division format began in 2002. The Colts have Peyton Manning at QB and enough weapons around him on offense.
Division breakdown
The Titans’ ability to get into the mix will hinge on their ability to appease RB Chris Johnson’s desire for a new contract. He has skipped the team’s offseason work. The sides continue to try to work out a compromise.
The Texans led the league in passing in 2009, but the run game was 30th, which kept them out of the playoffs and became the focal point of their offseason. The Jaguars continue to hope the investment they made in QB David Garrard will bear playoff fruit, but in the end, this is the Colts’ show as long as Manning is on the field.
NFC preview
EAST
Best additions
WR Dez Bryant, Cowboys: The rookie scared off some teams with his attitude, but Dallas needs him to be a draft gem if it wishes to play in a hometown Super Bowl.
S Antrel Rolle, Giants: He received $15 million in guaranteed money because of hopes he can be an impact player in the secondary.
QB Donovan McNabb, Redskins: One team’s gain can be . . .
Biggest losses
QB Donovan McNabb, Eagles: . . . Another team’s roll of the dice. Philly is banking it traded its longtime starter at the right time on his career curve.
LB Bobby Carpenter, Cowboys: This former first-rounder was traded to the Rams after never reaching expectations.
T Chris Samuels, Redskins: Injuries ended his career, and he leaves a large space on the roster to fill.
The favorite
Cowboys: They have the most talent in the division, and there’s the carrot of the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
Division breakdown
Three teams in this division — the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys — finished among the league’s top 11 in passing last season, but it is Mike Shanahan’s Redskins who could make the biggest jump in that department, as McNabb runs the team’s West Coast offense.The Eagles have taken the biggest risk, trading McNabb inside the division in an effort to get younger, but Dallas QB Tony Romo is under the biggest microscope. He carries the immense expectations of a football-mad city.
NORTH
Best additions
DE Julius Peppers, Bears: Chicago took the gamble of $42 million of guaranteed money that Peppers still can dominate on the edge.
RB Chester Taylor, Bears: Runner/receiver should be a nice fit in Mike Martz’s offense.
Biggest losses
DE Aaron Kampman, Packers: Got lost in the shuffle and struggled when the Packers moved to a 3-4 look in 2009. So, the team has dabbled with 300-pound lineman Cullen Jenkins standing up in the pass rush at times this offseason.
CB Lito Sheppard, Eagles: Former Eagles starter could help a defense hoping for big things in Minnesota.
The favorite
Vikings or Bears: If Brett Favre comes back, the Vikings are the front-runners. But history shows strong-armed, confident QBs flourish in Martz’s offense, so the Bears just might be in the mix if Jay Cutler can master the playbook.
Division breakdown
The Vikings have the championship profile — tough up front on both sides of the ball to go with quality balance on offense. They also have the league’s biggest question mark in terms of Favre’s return. Minnesota basically has bet it all that Favre eventually will show up to its training camp. The Packers, who have won at least 11 games in two of the past three seasons, will make it a race either way. The Bears have to make a push to be in the playoff mix or head coach Lovie Smith likely doesn’t survive.
SOUTH
Best additions
CB Dunta Robinson, Falcons: Atlanta made a big free-agent splash to repair one of the roster’s weak spots.
DE Alex Brown, Saints: He should show improvement in Gregg Williams’ aggressive scheme.
Biggest losses
DE Julius Peppers, Panthers: Carolina believed he was on the way down the slope, but he still topped 10 sacks in six of his eight seasons.
T Jammal Brown, Saints: Was the starter at LT for the Saints before missing 2009 with hip and hernia surgeries.
WR Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers: Bryant has a career 15.3 yards per catch average in his eight seasons to go with two 1,000-yard seasons.
The favorite
Saints: They kept things together and have the league’s most dangerous balance on offense, having finished fourth in passing and sixth in rushing in 2009.
Division breakdown
This is certainly the Saints’ show and the division’s other three teams don’t appear to have nearly enough firepower to keep up. The Falcons, with Matt Ryan continuing his development at QB, have the best chance to make a push, but Atlanta needs far more out of its defense. The Falcons surrendered at least 390 yards six times last season, including both meetings with New Orleans.
WEST
Best additions
G Alan Faneca, Cardinals: He already has moved into the starting lineup and should be top shelf under line coach Russ Grimm.
QB Sam Bradford, Rams: Rookie looks and sounds like a franchise QB for a team that desperately needs someone to fill that job.
RB Leon Washington, Seahawks: Runner/returner gives Seattle offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates some options.
Biggest losses
QB Kurt Warner, Cardinals: He fueled the team’s drive to the Super Bowl, and his supreme accuracy and big-game aggressiveness will be missed as he begins his retirement.
T Tony Pashos, 49ers: He is a productive player who has started 55 games during his career for Jacksonville, Baltimore and San Francisco.
The favorite
Cardinals: Go with the Cardinals, but the heat is on Matt Leinart to show he’s ready to be an NFL starter — both on and off the field.
Division breakdown
The Cardinals still have plenty of pieces in place, though they took some hits on defense in the offseason. The key will be Leinart, who threw three interceptions and no TDs in limited duty last season. He has yet to show he can move an offense consistently or make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. The 49ers are a try-hard bunch that could make a push in this division, but it’s now or never for QB Alex Smith. He rallied down the stretch with 12 TD passes in the last seven games in 2009. Pete Carroll will need his defense to be more than ornamental in Seattle to get in the mix of contenders in his first year on the job.
