Missed the playoffs? Santa's here
Posted: Thursday December 24, 1998 10:25 AM
For Tampa Bay, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and New Orleans, this year's playoff
hopes look to be "close but no cigar." Sure, Tampa Bay is still alive with
enough help from their friends. But a little Christmas magic or off-season
help could turn each of these four teams into strong playoff contenders for
1999.
The Tampa Bay Bucs suffered from early-season moving pains. Their new
stadium wasn't ready for opening day and road losses to Minnesota and Green
Bay in Weeks 1 and 2 put the Bucs in a hole they couldn't climb out of.
Many experts (not I) picked the Bucs to win the NFC Central, and even
bolder predictions had the Bucs playing in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Trent Dilfer was the key to the Bucs' new rite of passage. The Bucs brought
in receivers Bert
Emanuel and Jacquez
Green, but the new toys broke early and the Bucs passing offense
fizzled. Tony Dungy will always put a defense good enough to win games on
the field. Dilfer still needs to show he can be a more accurate downfield
passer before the Bucs plan any trips to the Super Bowl.
See how easy it is? Give me that luxury box income and I'll fill your
Christmas stockings. The Oilers badly need a player who can give them
double-digit sacks. The Oilers are one prime-time pass rusher away from the
promised land (aka the playoffs). The prime for big-time running backs can
pass quickly, and Eddie
George would be more effective wearing teams down in the fourth quarter
than watching the Oilers play catch up. Air McNair showed his toughness by
playing with a toe injury that would sideline the almighty Deion for the
last five weeks of the regular season. A healthy Yancey Thigpen, along with
a more mature Kevin
Dyson and the unheralded Frank Wycheck, should be
able to put points on the board and take pressure off kicker Al Del Greco.
Will the real Kordell
Stewart stand up and stop crying! The last two weeks have been
miserable for the player formerly known as Slash. Tom Donahoe and Bill
Cowher both realize this year's draft is stocked with QBs. UCLA's Cade
McNown may still be availabe when the Steelers step up to the podium. The
Steelers have been great at drafting talent that is ready to play, but have
never had to play a rookie at the QB position. The Steelers need help in a
hurry. Bill Cowher must decide -- can he repair his quarterback problems
or does he have to release Kordell Stewart, because his teammates have lost
confidence in him.
We all thought Iron Mike needed to have his head examined when he jumped on
the Kerry Collins
bandwagon. If Ditka can get Collins to play they way he did in '96, then
we can cancel the labotomy. Ditka wants receivers who will block, and I
want to be young again! Look for Ditka to try to raid the 49ers' stable of
deep threats. The best way to strenghten your own team is to weaken your
divisional opponents. At the very least, you can drive up the salary cap
number for the other team. Tailback Kevin Faulk from LSU would be a nice
stocking stuffer for Ditka's backfield.
Well, it's the night before Christmas and all the little head coaches and
general managers who've been more naughty than nice are filling out their
Christmas list.
But just ask the Jets and Falcons -- there really is a Santa Claus.
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