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About face Life much better for some of NFL's former doormats
Last year the Patriots, Bengals, Browns, Chargers, Bears and 49ers had a combined record of 9-41 at this point in the season. Today the same teams are 30-20. What's different this season? Tom Brady has done a wonderful job stepping in for the injured Drew Bledsoe, but remember last season the Patriots' leading rusher was the slightly built Kevin Faulk with 570 yards. Big, powerful Antowain Smith already has 574 yards and could still make it to the magical 1,000 mark. The Bengals staff swore that if they had a legit QB under center they could turn things around quickly. They finished last season ranked 25th in third-down conversions; now they're sixth with Jon Kitna at the controls. And the defense has pulled itself together, too, moving up from 22nd to 14th. The Browns got themselves a new head coach and a new attitude. But they also finally got themselves a good running back. James Jackson is within 100 yards of the last year's top rusher, Travis Prentice's 512-yard season total, with eight games left. No one thought the Chargers would ever have a 1-15 season again, but with five wins already and seven to go, they should finish with a winning record. It's not as if Doug Flutie and LaDanian Tomlinson are doing it with mirrors. The Bears had a 1,000-yard back last year and the defense finished 16th in the league. The play at quarterback has been the biggest change, specifically on third down. Cade McNown and company ended up 29th in that department in 2000. Right now Chicago is ranked 12th in that area and stays alive in every game. The 49ers' improved defense has helped to change their fortunes. The 29th-ranked unit in 2000 sits in the 18th spot right now and when you add that to a potent offense, that's a tough combination to stop. Life for the fans of these six teams last year was miserable to say the least. But now there's great hope in all these towns. The league wanted parity. There are no Yankees dynasties in the NFL anymore. Pat Kirwan, who spent 12 years as a pro football coach, scout and personnel administrator, is an NFL analyst for CNN/Sports Illustrated and a regular contributor to CNNSI.com.
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