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Aug. 28--Toughest coaching jobsWade Phillips, Dallas. How do you know it's a tough coaching job? When you go 13-3 and rumors still swirl that you won't be back as coach. Phillips, right, is back, but offensive coordinator and former Cowboys QB Jason Garrett turned down head coaching jobs elsewhere to ensure he will one day soon succeed Phillips.
Jim Zorn, Washington. Has to follow a legend in Joe Gibbs and wasn't the big name Redskins fans are used to after Gibbs and Steve Spurrier. The Redskins franchise seemed to embrace Gibbs for his past accomplishments, even during four average seasons (9-7, 5-11, 10-6, 6-10). Zorn won't get the same treatment.
Mike Smith, Atlanta. The franchise is in disarray a year removed from the Michael Vick saga and after a 4-12 season. Smith has a lot of work to do.
Super Selections Patriots. Especially for those who hate them, it's possible to point to last February's Super Bowl loss to the Giants as the Pats' last stand. The reality is the Patriots still went 16-0 last season, still have the best QB (Tom Brady) and WR (Randy Moss, above) in the league and have a hilariously easy schedule (features Chiefs, 49ers, Rams, Raiders, Cardinals and Dolphins twice).
Cowboys. Nothing much has changed since last year's 13-3 record, aside from a mass exodus of their second-tier talent to Miami. The addition of Adam Jones and first-round pick Mike Jenkins should solidify the secondary. It's a secondary that may need solidifying after S Roy Williams told teammates he felt uncomfortable in the defensive scheme.
Don't count 'em outJaguars. For the next few seasons, the Jaguars and the Colts could turn into Ali-Liston; one youthful entity on the upswing putting to rest an old, established, once-great foe. Jacksonville is young. Top WR Reggie Williams, right, is 25, top CB Rashean Mathis is 28, S Reggie Nelson is coming off a productive rookie season, and while young RB Maurice Jones-Drew is ready to take Fred Taylor's job, he doesn't need to. Taylor, 32, gained 1,202 yards last year. They better keep QB David Garrard healthy, though -- his backup is former Dolphin Cleo Lemon.
Giants. Luck personified held up the Lombardi Trophy last year. Still, the Giants had plenty of talent to go along with good fortune and put themselves in position to end New England's perfect season. The only major personnel change is the retirement of future Hall of Fame DE Michael Strahan, but the Giants still enjoy the talents of DE Osi Umenyiora, who had 13 sacks last season. The defense will be bolstered by first-round pick Kenny Phillips, of UM.
Packers. Here's the question about 2008: Was last season's 13-3 record because of Brett Favre or despite him? Remember, Favre was mediocre for two seasons (38 TDs, 47 INTs in '05 and '06 combined) leading up to last year. Yes, Favre had a strong 2007, but did he find the fountain of youth or did GM Ted Thompson find better teammates?
Prime-time playersVikings RB Adrian Peterson, below, gained 100 yards in six of the first nine weeks of his NFL career, including 224 yards in Week 6 against the Bears and 296 in Week 9 against a good Chargers team. He faded down the stretch (nothing above 78 yards in his final four games), but fans saw enough to know he is close to superstardom.
Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr. finally had a breakout season last year. He eclipsed 1,000 yards for the first time in his career (1,106) and quietly had more than 100 more yards than gold-standard TE Antonio Gates. At just 25, he hasn't even entered his prime.
49ers LB Patrick Willis compiled 174 tackles, 33 more than anyone else in the league last year, and this season will become the face of a previously dormant franchise and possibly the best linebacker in the NFL.
Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie spent last season accumulating interesting and amazing statistics. He scored a 109-yard touchdown, the longest play in NFL history. He scored two touchdowns in one game against Houston, and in another game he picked off Peyton Manning three times. At 24, Cromartie is destined to become one of the best cornerbacks in the game.
