Preview capsules by division for the 2011 NFL season, in order of finish last season:
NFC NORTH
CHICAGO BEARS (11-5)
New faces: WR Roy Williams, RB Marion Barber, DL Vernon Gholston, WR Sam Hurd, DT Amobi Okoye, P Adam Podlesh, OL Chris Spencer, TE Matt Spaeth, OL Gabe Carimi.
Key losses: C Olin Kreutz, TE Greg Olsen, P Brad Maynard, DT Tommie Harris, S Danieal Manning.
Strengths: Defense. With Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, Bears have solid core. Return game still figures to be strength even with kickoffs moved to 35. Devin Hester remains threat any time he touches ball. Manning is gone, but Bears still deep on returns with Johnny Knox helping out.
Weaknesses: Offensive line. Even if six-time Pro Bowler Kreutz had re-signed, line would still be question mark. Bears allowed league-high 56 sacks, with Jay Cutler taking all but four. For now, Roberto Garza moves from RG to C, with newcomer Spencer a backup.
Expectations: For all OL problems line last year, Bears still reached NFC title game. The way Cutler was getting knocked around early made deep playoff run unlikely. Now? If line comes together, Bears will likely be in good shape. Help could come if Roy Williams rediscovers form that made him Pro Bowl receiver when Mike Martz was his offensive coordinator in Detroit.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-6)
New faces: OL Derek Sherrod, WR/RS Randall Cobb, RB/RS Alex Green.
Key losses: DE Cullen Jenkins, LG Daryn Colledge, LB Nick Barnett, LB Brandon Chillar, LB Brady Poppinga, RT Mark Tauscher.
Strengths: Super Bowl champs bring back majority of team. Offense, led by QB Aaron Rodgers, could be even more dangerous with TE Jermichael Finley and RB Ryan Grant returning from injuries. Defense fully comfortable with Dom Capers’ scheme.
Weaknesses: Packers have had some trouble with pass protection early in preseason as they look for replacement for Colledge at LG. Sherrod got first crack but veteran T.J. Lang could win job.
Expectations: Packers know it’s difficult for Super Bowl champions to repeat but believe they can. If complacency creeps in, Packers can remind themselves they barely made playoffs before dominant run to Super Bowl.
DETROIT LIONS (6-10)
New faces: LB Stephen Tulloch, LB Justin Durant, CB Eric Wright, DT Nick Fairley, WR Titus Young.
Key losses: LB Julian Peterson, DE Turk McBride, RB Kevin Smith.
Strengths: Defensive line. All-Pro Ndamukong Suh (2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year), Corey Williams, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Cliff Avril powerful enough last season to hide some of the team’s lackluster back seven. Solidat wide receiver with Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson.
Weaknesses: Secondary. Wright added, though he gave up many big plays in Cleveland and was slowed in training camp by groin injury. Same ailment, potentially nagging one, slowed other starting CB Chris Houston in August. S Louis Delmas makes big hits, but can’t seem to stay healthy. S Amari Spievey might’ve been replaced if team could’ve addressed all needs in shortened offseason.
Expectations: Respectability. Detroit hasn’t had winning record since 2000 and hasn’t made playoffs since 1999. If a lot goes well - particularly health at QB and CB - droughts could end. Lions had impressive end of 2010 season, beating Green Bay, Chicago and Tampa Bay while each was competing for playoff positioning, and Minnesota despite QB Matthew Stafford being injured (right shoulder). Stafford is back, seemingly healthy, after playing three games last season.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-10)
New faces: Coach Leslie Frazier, QB Donovan McNabb, QB Christian Ponder, WR Michael Jenkins, DT Remi Ayodele, TE Kyle Rudolph, LT Charlie Johnson.
Key losses: QB Brett Favre, DE Ray Edwards, LB Ben Leber, DT Pat Williams, WR Sidney Rice, LT Bryant McKinnie.
Strengths: Dynamic playmakers. With RB Adrian Peterson, WR Percy Harvin, DE Jared Allen and LB Chad Greenway, Vikings have talented group at skill positions. Kicking game solid with Ryan Longwell and punter Chris Kluwe.
Weaknesses: Age. CB Antoine Winfield, DT Kevin Williams, LG Steve Hutchinson and McNabb are in twilight of careers. OL is significant concern with departure of mainstay McKinnie, who showed up to training camp overweight, and uncertainty of RG Anthony Herrera, coming off reconstructive knee surgery. Johnson has had rough preseason in McKinnie’s place. McNabb has played 16 games only once in last seven years. Can line protect him and open holes for Peterson? Secondary also uncertain with CB Cedric Griffin coming off second torn ACL, one on each knee, in last two years. Unproven safeties Husain Abdullah, Jamarca Sanford, Tyrell Johnson, Mistral Raymond competing for two starting spots.
Expectations: Frazier and Vikings have fresh start without Favre and fired coach Brad Childress. Division should be tough, and winning record will be difficult.
NFC SOUTH
ATLANTA FALCONS (13-3)
New faces: WR Julio Jones, DE Ray Edwards.
Key losses: OG Harvey Dahl, WR Michael Jenkins.
Strengths: Loaded with offensive stars - QB Matt Ryan, WR Roddy White, RB Michael Turner and TE Tony Gonzalez, all Pro Bowlers. Adding first-round pick Jones gives them deep threat they lacked last season. Falcons ranked next-to-last in passing plays covering at least 20 yards, and Jones has speed and size to fix problem.
Weaknesses: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers carved up Falcons in 48-21 postseason rout, exposing defense that didn’t bring much pressure outside of DE John Abraham. That should change with signing of Edwards - 16 1/2 sacks past two years with Vikings. Atlanta ranked 20th in league with 31 sacks in 2010, and Abraham had 13.
Expectations: Super Bowl or bust. Falcons didn’t mortgage much of future acquiring Jones without expecting him to pay immediate dividends. Early schedule brutal: four of first five games against NFC playoff teams, and other against Tampa Bay, which nearly got in. Falcons likely playoff bound for third time in four years if they come out of tough stretch at least 3-2.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5)
New faces: RB Darren Sproles, RB Mark Ingram, C Olin Kreutz, DT Shaun Rogers, DT Aubrayo Franklin, DE Cameron Jordan.
Key losses: RB Reggie Bush, C Jonathan Goodwin, S Darren Sharper, DT Remi Ayodele.
Strengths: Running game deep with speedy, versatile Sproles and young, powerful Ingram joining Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. QB Drew Brees has main receivers returning to proven passing game. Saints also strong in pass coverage last season and should be again with all starting DBs back: Jabari Greer, Tracy Porter, Roman Harper and Malcolm Jenkins.
Weaknesses: Saints hoped they addressed run defense and pass rush with drafting of Jordan and free-agent signings of Rogers and Franklin. Kick and punt coverage other areas to improve.
Expectations: Saints riddled with injuries at key positions last season yet won 11 games and made playoffs. Only 18 months since their Super Bowl triumph, with most key players back and healthy, and with new additions meant to improve depth, Saints expect to be among NFC’s elite.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-6)
New faces: DE Adrian Clayborn, DE Da’Quan Bowers, LB Mason Foster, P Michael Koenen.
Key losses: LB Barrett Ruud, RB Cadillac Williams, DE Stylez G. White.
Strengths: Third-year QB Josh Freeman’s development in first year as full-time starter was key to Bucs going from three wins in 2009 to 10 last season. He completed 61.4 percent for 3,451 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. Bucs have done nice job surrounding 23-year-old QB with skill players, including WRs Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn, RB LeGarrette Blount and TE Kellen Winslow. Re-signing free agents Davin Joseph and Jeremy Trueblood preserved continuity on improving offensive line.
Weaknesses: Inconsistent pass rush produced just 26 sacks, not good in NFC South, where you’re chasing teams led by Matt Ryan and Drew Brees. Used top two picks in past two drafts to rebuild defensive line - tackles Gerald McCoy and Brian Price in 2010 and ends Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers - and needs unit to grow up fast.
Expectations: Coach Raheem Morris raised eyebrows when he declared at beginning of last season that NFL’s least experienced team was embarking on “race to 10” wins. Turns out he was right, although it wasn’t enough to earn first playoff berth since 2007. League’s youngest coach is aiming higher in 2011.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-14)
New faces: Coach Ron Rivera, QB Cam Newton, TE Greg Olsen, WR Legedu Naanee, PK Olindo Mare.
Key losses: PK John Kasay.
Strengths: New coach, but Panthers have core players back from last season, including WR Steve Smith, RB DeAngelo Williams and LBs Thomas Davis and James Anderson. Addition of Olsen in trade with Bears, could be plus. No. 1 overall pick Newton expected to battle for starting job with Jimmy Clausen.
Weaknesses: Team had worst record in league in 2010, and new coaching staff didn’t have minicamps and OTAs to install new schemes because of lockout. Panthers last in league in scoring and total offense in 2010. DT Ron Edwards, acquired from the Chiefs, out for season with torn triceps.
Expectations: Should improve off two-win season, and might surprise a few teams if they get some consistent play Newton or Clausen.
NFC EAST
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-6)
New faces: CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DE Jason Babin, QB Vince Young, DT Cullen Jenkins, WR Steve Smith, RB Ronnie Brown, WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, TE Donald Lee, OL Ryan Harris, DT Anthony Hargrove, OL Evan Mathis, DT Derek Landri, DE Chris Wilson, S Jarrad Page.
Key losses: K David Akers, QB Kevin Kolb, LB Stewart Bradley, S Quintin Mikell, P Sav Rocca.
Strengths: Eagles have solid core of skill players, including Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek. They have star-studded secondary that features three Pro Bowl cornerbacks: Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel. Defensive line has improved with addition of Babin and Jenkins to go with Trent Cole and Mike Patterson.
Weaknesses: Linebacking corps inexperienced, especially starting MLB Casey Matthews. Safeties also young and unproven. Eagles have rookies at kicker and punter. Patterson had convulsions during camp, but expected back for season. So is Maclin, who also was ill during preseason.
Expectations: Super Bowl. After spending freely in free agency and loading up on big-name acquisitions, management made goals clear. Eagles have nine playoff appearances, six division titles and reached five NFC championship games in past 12 years. Still looking for first championship since 1960.
NEW YORK GIANTS (10-6)
New faces: C David Baas, P Steve Weatherford, DT Marvin Austin.
Key losses: WR Steve Smith, TE Kevin Boss, C Shaun O’Hara, G Rich Seubert, DT Barry Cofield, LB Chase Blackburn, CB Terrell Thomas (season-ending knee injury in preseason game).
Strengths: Defensive line has chance to be as good as 2007 with rush from DEs Justin Tuck, second-year pro Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora when he comes back from knee surgery. Despite losing Boss and Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham - combined 20 TD catches in 2010 - provide big-time targets for Eli Manning.
Weaknesses: Without Boss, no tight end who can block and catch. Offensive line questionable with decisions to save money and cut O’Hara and Seubert. Baas need time to jell with line anchored by G Chris Snee. Special teams shaky past two years, although Weatherford might stabilize punting if he beats out Matt Dodge. Loss of leading tackler Thomas (torn ACL) big blow to Big Blue.
Expectations: Return to playoffs after two-year absence. Giants have enough talent to do it and save coach Tom Coughlin’s job, but only if coordinator Perry Fewell’s defense plays well, offensive line comes together and team cuts down on turnovers.
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-10)
New faces: Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, S Abram Elam, RT Tyron Smith, DE Kenyon Coleman, RB DeMarco Murray.
Key losses: RB Marion Barber, WR Roy Williams, RG Leonard Davis, RT Marc Colombo.
Strengths: Passing game (WRs Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten, healthy QB Tony Romo) and LB DeMarcus Ware (NFL sacks leader in 2010, 2008).
Weaknesses: Defense returns most of players from unit that allowed most points in franchise history. Offensive line in flux, with no more than two starters returning to same spots.
Expectations: After seeing Super Bowl hopes fizzle with 1-7 start last season, nobody is even talking playoffs. But they did go 5-3 over second half, when Jason Garrett took over as coach. He heads into first full season in charge intent on laying foundation for doing things his way. Big question mark is defense, and whether Ryan’s aggressive, unpredictable scheme can revive club’s 2009 form.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (6-10)
New faces: NT Barry Cofield, DE Stephen Bowen, G Chris Chester, CB Josh Wilson, WR Jabar Gaffney, RB Tim Hightower, S Oshiomogho Atogwe, LB Ryan Kerrigan, WR Donte’ Stallworth, DE Jarvis Jenkins, P Sav Rocca.
Key losses: QB Donovan McNabb, DL Albert Haynesworth, RB Clinton Portis, C Casey Rabach, CB Carlos Rogers, DL Andre Carter, G Derrick Dockery, DE Phillip Daniels.
Strengths: See long list of names above? That’s coach Mike Shanahan molding roster more to his liking in second year, getting rid of vets who were unproductive, high drama or getting old. Should be more disciplined and less of a circus, and defense should be substantially better with addition of Cofield and other players better suited to 3-4 alignment.
Weaknesses: Shanahan taking leap of faith with strong public votes of confidence in quarterbacks John Beck or Rex Grossman. If neither comes through, it will (again) be very long season. Division titles aren’t won off discipline alone, and Redskins’ overall talent pool still lags behind NFC East rivals.
Expectations: If Beck or Grossman can be merely adequate, Redskins will be better. That may not be reflected in won-loss record in tough NFC East. It would be symbolic victory to avoid fourth consecutive last-place finish.
NFC WEST
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-9)
New faces: QB Tarvaris Jackson, WR Sidney Rice, OL Robert Gallery, OL James Carpenter, OL John Moffitt, TE Zach Miller, DL Alan Branch, DL Jimmy Wilkerson.
Key losses: QB Matt Hasselbeck, OL Sean Locklear, OL Chris Spencer, LB Lofa Tatupu, SS Lawyer Milloy, FS Jordan Babineaux.
Strengths: Receivers, defensive line, linebackers. Run defense should be better thanks to additions of Wilkerson and Branch. Enough talent around Jackson in Williams, Rice and Miller, so if the QB can avoid mistakes that occurred when he was with Vikings, offense could be strong.
Weaknesses: Quarterback if Jackson struggles, offensive line inexperience, defensive leadership. Risk was asking defensive captain Lofa Tatupu to take pay cut. He didn’t and LB was released, although David Hawthorne is younger and healthier. Secondary is major question with starting safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor in their second seasons.
Expectations: Coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider took major gamble by cutting Hasselbeck after decade in Seattle and going with Jackson, who is familiar with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell from their time in Minnesota. Fixing last year’s woeful run game is responsibility of new assistant head coach Tom Cable. Having RB Marshawn Lynch for entire season should help. Seahawks became first division champs with losing record last season. Even with upgrades, there are enough questions and a tougher schedule where seven wins might be best in Carroll’s second season.
ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-9)
New faces: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, WR Mike Sims-Walker, G Harvey Dahl, RB Cadillac Williams, RB Jerious Norwood, S Quintin Mikell, LB Ben Leber, LB Brady Poppinga, LB Zac Diles, DT Justin Bannan, CB Al Harris.
Key losses: Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, S Oshiomogho Atogwe, LB Larry Grant, LB David Vobora, WR Mark Clayton, TE Daniel Fells, FB Mike Karney, DT Clifton Ryan.
Strengths: Backfield. QB Sam Bradford was NFL Offensive Rookie of Year and emerged as leader organizing informal offseason workouts. RB Steven Jackson comes off sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season and still on top of his game. Williams and Norwood provide quality backups for first time. MLB James Laurinaitis has led team in tackles both of his seasons and Leber and Poppinga beef up talent pool on outside. PK Josh Brown, who hit 60-yard field goal in preseason, and P Donnie Jones are among best at positions.
Weaknesses: Despite upgrades at wide receiver, Rams still lack true No. 1. Secondary might be bit thin. Tight end unproven, although second-round pick Lance Kendricks has been impressive.
Expectations: Six-win improvement last year had Rams in contention until final week in weak NFC West. It was huge leap coming off dismal three-year stretch in which they totaled six wins. They appear poised to post franchise’s first winning season since 2003, last of big years under coach Mike Martz and Greates
