The debacle in Buffalo wasn't all the quarterback's fault, but he contributed to it by failing to even approach the impact he had on the Bills last season. He has to improve his ability to get rid of the ball in 2004 because he's certainly not escaping pass-rushers any better than he ever has.
underrated
Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints
Besides rushing for 100 yards or more nine games in a row -- which tied Walter Payton and Fred Taylor for third on the all-time consecutive 100-yard game list -- the running back got little acclaim for becoming as good an all-around player as there is in football. Yes, as good as Priest Holmes.
annoying
The Oakland Raiders
Easy. The constant carping from overrated players like Charles Woodson made this a nails-on-the-chalkboard season for Oakland. The Raiders spent more time criticizing their coach and his methods than they did in serious pursuit of a trip to the playoffs. Hey fellas: Coaches get ticked off when their players stink. You're big boys now. Grow up.
breakthrough performance of 2003
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis
He didn't just change a team from losers to competitors, he changed the mentality of a franchise. As long as Lewis holds sway over that locker room -- and we recommend that he does for at least a decade -- this team will play a role in who makes the playoffs in the AFC.
uplifting
Brock Forsey, Chicago Bears
Always considered too small, the 6-foot, 203-pound Bears rookie running back completed a long and winding road to the NFL with a 134-yard rushing game against Arizona on Nov. 30. He walked on at Boise State, near his hometown of Meridian, Idaho, then worked his way into a starting job there. Chicago took a sixth-round flyer on him, and he worked and worked -- and finally hit the big time as he led the Bears to an unlikely rout of the Cards.
mvp
Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Sweeping two regular-season matchups against fellow MVP candidate Steve
McNair's Titans helped Manning's case, as did his tremendous play in the
Colts' biggest games - such as the incredible comeback win he engineered
against Tampa Bay on Monday night back in early October.
storyline to follow in 2004
The entrance into the NFL of another Manning
Eli Manning could be the league's top pick in April -- and the Chargers could be enamored enough to take the Ole Miss quarterback No. 1 overall if they select first. He should be the same kind of charismatic leader his brother Peyton has been. Now we'll see if he can be the same productive player.
