SPECIALSPT 09-06-06 EZ EE H9 CMYK ngton PostThe Washington Post Wednesday, September R 6, 2006 H9 30 2 28 4 26 6 24 8 22 10 20 12 18 16 14 THE CARETAKER SUPERSTAR QB CLUTCH TWO-MINUTE TEAM HARD-HITTING TEAM PASS-RUSHING PASS-RUSHING RUN-STUFFING PLUS-MINUS GAME-BREAKING BOWLING BALL THE EVERYTHING DIVA POSSESSION QUARTERBACK WHO FLAMES OUT KICKER DRILL MASTERS CHEMISTRY SECONDARY DEPTH DEFENSIVE ENDS LINEBACKERS LINEBACKERS DEFENSE RUNNING BACK RUNNING BACK BACK RECEIVA RECEIVER QB Jake CB Ken Lucas Ranked second DeShaun Welcome No dissension Julius Peppers Dan Morgan Delhomme can is as good as in league in Foster is that Keyshawn here. is a beast. attacks all day. get it done. they come. takeaways. when healthy. Johnson. Richard Unheralded Just wait till Could be Corey Dillon Deion Branch, No worries It’s always Seymour Kevin Faulk can players seem Tedy Bruschi Ditto. Laurence fits bill where art with Brady. there. excels in do it all. to fill in well. is back. Moroney. just fine. thou? playoffs. It’ll be tested Tough to Remember Hines Ward Troy Polamalu Clark Haggans, Few dare to » this season hang on to Parker’s isn’t a diva, It’s (Heath) can deliver Joey Porter, run vs. Steel with no Bettis, ball against 75-yard TD in but he’s a great Miller Time. knockout hits. etc., are fierce. Curtain. Randle El. these guys. Super Bowl? receiva. Bob Sanders Not a diva, Who’s this new Best Dwight Freeney Gary Brackett, Finished with Dominic » hits much but Marvin guy named quick-strike is almost Cato June are plus-12 ratio Rhodes has bigger than Harrison is Vinatieri? team around. unblockable. 1-2 punch. last season. shown flashes. his size. Mr. Consistency. Marcus Trufant, Grant Wistrom Shaun Ratio of Shaun Shaun Bobby Engram Michael and Bryce Alexander, Love that Lofa. plus-10 Alexander, Alexander, is a true » Boulware are Fisher are anyone? This is last season. anyone? anyone? professional. sure tacklers. talented. getting tedious. Marcus Taylor can Randle El and Sean Taylor is Andre Carter It’s Clinton T.J. Duckett Washington go the TE Chris Cooley among league’s is an Portis if weighs 254 comes off a distance after can handle hardest hitters. improvement. healthy. pounds. Pro Bowl. interceptions. duties. Javon Walker John Lynch Ratio was Tatum Bell Jason Elam is Especially in All three got his wish; delivers plus-20 last has shown he consistent. the backfield. are solid. he’s out of jarring hits. season. can be the guy. » Green Bay. Shayne Defensive David Pollack is Brian Simmons Rudi Johnson Have you seen Graham has backfield an emerging is underrated has all the Chad Johnson’s become a has few star. in the middle. tools. mohawk? force. weaknesses. DeMarcus Drew Bledsoe Plenty on » Roy Williams Marcus Spears Ware is a Julius Jones still can fling it defense, spotty T.O. scares WRs. is developing. ’tweener who has potential. deep, though. on offense. wreaks havoc. LaVar Arrington Michael Strahan Antonio Pierce Brandon Plaxico once Amani Toomer has both is future is disciplined in Jacobs — called still can Redskins Hall of Famer. the middle. 264 pounds. Plexiglass. contribute. games circled. Others Continued MINNESOTA VIKINGS Superstar quarterback who flames out: Brad Johnson has Super Bowl know-how. Team chemistry: Players bonded after boat party. Ease of schedule: Opponents' win per- TOYOTA SUVS centage was .457 last season. ST. LOUIS RAMS Clock is ticking: Offense remains lethal. Everything back: Steven Jackson is complete package. Diva receiva: Future HOF Torry Holt underrated. ARE EPA GREEN BAY PACKERS EDOM. 4 Veteran leader: Brett Favre didn't come back to lose. Team chemistry: Better with Javon ESTIMATED Walker gone. Ease of schedule: Opponents' win per- centage .449 last season. OVER NEW ORLEANS SAINTS The smart quarterback: Drew Brees 2200 efficient if healthy. Young talent: Reggie Bush is enough. Ooooh! factor: City as a whole deserves good news. OAKLAND RAIDERS MPG HIGHWAY! Everything back: It's LaMont, you dummy! Diva receiva: Jerry Porter thinks he's No. 1. Randy Moss is. Fanity insanity: Welcome to the Black Hole. TENNESSEE TITANS Young talent: Will Vince Young get his chance this season? 44RUNNERRUNNER Coverage secondary: S Chris Hope a great addition. Bowling ball: LenDale White could be goal-line specialist. DETROIT LIONS Innovative coordinator: Mike Martz EPA ESTIMATED designing offense. Diva receiva: Roy Williams has to stay injury-free. MPG Ease of schedule: Opponents' win per- * centage was .473 last season HWY CLEVELAND BROWNS 2211 Superstar head coach: Romeo Crennel is Belichick disciple. Diva receiva: Kellen Winslow or Braylon Edwards. Take your pick. Fanity insanity: The Dog Pound. BUFFALO BILLS Veteran leader: Marv Levy back in fold. FFJJ C CRUISERRUISER Pass-rushing LBs: Takeo Spikes back from injury. Fanity insanity: Was more robust dur- ing the 1990s. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS Innovative coordinators: EPA ESTIMATED Norv Turner respected league wide. Young talent: TE Vernon Davis is a specimen. Game-breaking back: Frank Gore steps MPG into that role. * HWY HOUSTON TEXANS 2211 Possession receiver: Eric Moulds is good locker room presence. Lack of injuries: At least QB David Carr CYL AUTO, 4RUNNER V6 AUTO #8664, AND 2007 FJ CRUISER 5 SPEED AUTO #4704. ACTUAL MILEAGE WILL VARY. can withstand punishment. Pass-rushing defensive ends: Mario Williams better be good. NEW YORK JETS The smart quarterback: Season rests OU DON’T HAVE TO on Chad Pennington's shoulders. Possession receiver: Laveranues Coles makes tough catches. Ease of schedule: Opponents’ win per- UV FOR GREAT MPG! centage was .465 last season. .