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Top: Sam Bradford (left), Dan Williams.

Bottom: Earl Thomas (left), Taylor Mays.

The NFC West is generally regarded as the weakest division in the NFL, and the retirement of Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner weakens it even further. The Cardinals have been the class team of the division but are now clearly just one of the pack. The addition of a couple of impact rookies to the roster could catapault any of the other teams to the top of the division. The St. Louis Rams, buried at the bottom of the division in recent years, drafted the player likely to have the most impact for his team, if not this season then in the next few years. That would be QB Sam Bradford, the top choice in the entire draft. Bradford looks like a keeper in his early outings, and may be starting sooner than expected. The Rams also drafted a major weapon who should develop along with Bradford in receiver Mardy Gilyard, who should be on the field making plays this year. Any team that has had as little success as the Rams is always looking to upgrade its’ roster, and another building block for the franchise is offensive lineman Rodger Saffold, who should be a starter on opening day. The Cardinals not only lost Warner but also some other major pieces in free agency, WR Anquan Boldin and LB Karlos Dansby being the biggest losses. The Cards already had enough depth at the receiver position to offset Boldin’s loss, and rookie Daryl Washington will get a great opportunity to play with Dansby gone. Top draft pick Dan Williams is expected to step in and help bolster the defensive line also. Pete Carroll’s new regime in Seattle starts this season and there will be major contributions expected from 3 big name rookies – Russell Okung on the offensive line, Earl Thomas at safety and Golden Tate as a downfield weapon for QB Matt Hasselback. Any time a new coach takes over there are always massive opportunities for new players to establish themselves and oust veterans on the roster. The best team in this division, on paper at least, has to be the San Francisco 49ers. They have improved steadily since Mike Singletary took over as coach and the only question with them now is whether they can handle the pressure now that there are expectations on them to succeed. The Niners could possibly have 2 rookies starting on their offensive line in Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati, and backup RB Glenn Coffee’s sudden retirement opens up an opportunity for rookie RB Anthony Dixon. The most intriguing Niner rookie is safety Taylor Mays, whose ball skills are supposedly lacking but who has the physical presence of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. His style of play is right up coach Singletary’s alley and may get him significant playing time as the season progresses.

Top: Pat Angerer (left), Kareem Jackson.

Bottom: Derrick Morgan (left), Tyson Alualu.

Sizing up the AFC South each year is pretty easy. It goes something like this – The Indianapolis Colts will win 12 games and lock up the division title with a couple games left, and one other team will play well enough to contend for a wild card. Oh, and the Houston Texans will be somewhere around the .500 mark. Are there any rookies in this division who could have a big enough impact to shake up the mix in this division? Probably not, but I do think there’s a chance both Tennessee, based on their strong finish last year, and the Texans, who have steadily progressed each year, could give the Colts a run for their money. On the other hand, the Colts have a way of finding players in the draft every year that help their cause also. They drafted 2 players who will help shore up the defense, which is strong when healthy but has struggled with injuries the last couple of seasons. Linebacker Pat Angerer should be a starting linebacker at some point this year, and at the very least will help the Colts on special teams. Top pick Jerry Hughes will see plenty of playing time spelling both Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis on the defensive line, and both Freeney and Mathis have had injuries in the recent past, so Hughes could be a bigger factor. Tennessee lost Kyle Vanden Bosch to free agency, leaving a large hole in their defensive line, and drafted Derrick Morgan to try and fill that hole. Morgan is expected to be a big factor on defense, once he overcomes the nagging injuries that have slowed his progress in training camp. The passing game dominates NFL play so much these days that almost every team brings in rookie reinforcements for their secondary every season. The Titans are no exception to the rule, with rookie Alterraun Verner battling for a starting job at cornerback. The same situation exists in Houston, where Kareem Jackson will likely step into the lineup at cornerback replacing departed free agent Dunta Robinson. RB Ben Tate was drafted by the Texans to help their running game, but suffered a season-ending injury. The Jacksonville Jaguars have a history of finding stud run-stuffing defensive linemen like Marcus Stroud, John Henderson and recently Terrence Knighton, and drafted what they think will be an instant starter at DT in Tyson Alualu. The pick opened some eyes on draft day since it seemed to come out of left field, but you can’t argue with the Jags’ track record of finding players to man their defensive line.

Top: Gerald McCoy (left), Jimmy Clausen.

Bottom: Patrick Robinson (left), Sean Weatherspoon.

The New Orleans Saints shocked all the experts last season by winning the Super Bowl, but aren’t getting much love this season as far as their chances of repeating. There is a suspicion that they may be vulnerable on defense and won’t be able to count on getting turnovers at the rate they did last year. The Saints top draft pick, defensive back Patrick Robinson, will have a say in that as he surely will see lots of playing time, especially in nickel formations. The Saints also have added to their already potent offense with tackle Charles Brown and running back Chris Ivory, a diamond in the rough from Tiffin College. The Atlanta Falcons are considered the team within the NFC South that can challenge the Saints. Their defense will be a big key in accomplishing that, and rookie LB Sean Weatherspoon will eventually be a big part of that defense. The defensive secondary seems to be where rookies are able to find significant playing time in the NFL these days, and the Falcons’ 5th round choice, CB Dominique Franks, may be playing his way onto the field on passing downs. The Carolina Panthers drafted the biggest name rookie within the division in QB Jimmy Clausen, but it’s uncertain how much immediate impact he will have. Brandon LaFell has a chance to start opposite Steve Smith at wide receiver for the Panthers, and LB Eric Norwood could see playing time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are loaded with potential impact rookies, starting with 2 behemoths who are being counted on to shore up the defensive line, Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy and Brian Price out of UCLA. The Bucs may also wind up with 2 rookie starters at wide receiver in Aurrelious Benn and Mike Williams. With young QB Josh Freeman taking control of the offense last season, it may be a wise decision to start the rookies and let them all grow up together.

Top: Jermaine Gresham (left), Montario Hardesty.

Bottom: Maurkice Pouncey (left), Terrence Cody.

In the NFL, you know a divison is strong when experts are picking a team that just won the Super Bowl two years ago to finish third out of four teams. Such is the case with the AFC North. The Cincinnati Bengals shocked everybody last season by sweeping the other 3 teams and winning the division title. Although I personally doubt they will repeat that success, the Bengals had a strong draft and have added some potential weapons with this year’s rookie class. One player who is sure to have an impact is tight end Jermaine Gresham, a stud out of Oklahoma who was injured in his senior year but is going to be a great pro if he’s healthy. He will be a key target for QB Carson Palmer eventually this season. Other potential receiver help for Cinci (remember they already have Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens) came in the form of Jordan Shipley, Colt McCoy’s favorite target at Texas, and Dez Briscoe, an underrated player who should make the roster. The Bengals added defensive help in defensive linemen Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins and DB Brandon Ghee. If nothing else, the Bengals’ draft list includes the most players with name recognition. Of course, that doesn’t always translate into production on the field. The Baltimore Ravens are a chic pick to win the division this year, based mostly on their convincing playoff win over New England last season and the rapid development of QB Joe Flacco and RB Ray Rice. The Ravens don’t have a lot of help coming from this season’s rookie class however, especially with Sergio Kindle out for the season following an accident. The Ravens do have possibly the largest rookie to take the field this year in defensive lineman Terrence Cody, a space-eater in the middle who could contribute if he can get in football shape. The Steelers are looking to rebound from a disappointing season and will have to do it without former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and for at least a quarter of the season without QB Ben Roethlisberger. They are looking to return to their old identity of a rugged run-first offensive team that pounds the ball, and may wind up trying to do it with 2 rookies starting on the offensive line, with Maurkice Pouncey, either at guard or center, being one of them. The Cleveland Browns are entering a new era under Mike Holmgren, and a lot of people feel that at some point this season the keys to the offense will be turned over to rookie QB Colt McCoy. But the most impressive rookie on the Browns’ roster may be RB Montario Hardesty. The feeling is he will get lots of action, sharing the running game load with Jerome Harrison. The biggest question with him is whether or not he can stay healthy. The Browns also drafted some immediate help for their secondary in cornerback Joe Haden, sure to be in the starting lineup, and safety T.J. Ward.

Top: Toby Gerhart (left), Ndamokong Suh.

Bottom: Jahvid Best (left), Bryan Bulaga.

When looking for impact rookies in the NFC North, just like in most of the other divisions, it pays to start at the bottom. The Detroit Lions have been an NFL punchline for a few years now, but they have done an outstanding job of parlaying that losing into stocking their team with players who will be stars when the team turns it around, which may be as early as this season. The Lions had 2 first round draft picks this year and both should be impact players. Ndamukong Suh will be plugged into the defensive line and hopefully be an anchor there for a decade. Jahvid Best, the other 1st rounder, will certainly see plenty of action at running back and give the Lions an exciting playmaker for the running game, complementing what Drew Stafford and Calvin Johnson do for the passing game. The Minnesota Vikings came within a Brett Favre interception of going to the Super Bowl, but lost a tremendous weapon when backup RB Chester Taylor left in free agency. Taylor’s departure should open up an opportunity for rookie Toby Gerhart, from Stanford, to get extensive playing time. Taylor was a big factor in the passing game and did a great job of spelling Adrian Peterson and will be missed. Gerhart is a different type of back, but his bruising style will add a tougher edge to the Vikes’ offense. Everson Griffen, a big defensive end from USC, fell into the Vikings’ lap in the 4th round and could be a factor later in the year after he gains some experience. The Green Bay Packers should get immediate results from their top rookie, offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga. Bulaga, a left tackle in college, is being plugged into the starting lineup at left guard and will be an improvement to the Packs’ line in both the running and passing games. Undrafted free agent Sam Shields appears to be playing his way into a spot as the extra cornerback in the nickel defense with the Pack. Late round draft pick James Starks, a running back, would have been a possibility to add some spark to Green Bay’s already potent offensive attack but nagging injuries throughout camp have hampered his chances. The Chicago Bears had no early picks in the draft this past season, due to trades, and went into the free agent market, grabbing Taylor and stud DE Julius Peppers, but won’t get much help from their rookie class.

Top: C.J. Spiller (left), Kyle Wilson.

Bottom: Jared Odrick.

Three of the four teams in the AFC East are considered strong playoff contenders with veteran rosters. So looking for impact rookies in this division starts with the Buffalo Bills, the one team that’s an afterthought when the experts try to handicap the division. C.J. Spiller was the Bills’ top draft choice  and is considered a can’t-miss prospect, but the Bills were already deep at running back with Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. Spiller, however, supplies the Bills with the playmaking ability that their offense has been lacking, and he’ll surely get lots of opportunities on the field.  Torrell Troup, the Bills’ 2nd round pick, also has a good chance to make an impact this year. He’s a high-motor nose tackle prospect and the Bills are switching to a 3-4 defense this year, so he may work his way onto the field also. The Bills have been hampered by injuries at RB and wide receiver in training camp, and that has given 2 undrafted free agents a shot at making an impact.  Joique Bell, a Division II running back from Wayne State, has made the most of his opportunity with both Lynch and Jackson hurt, and  David Nelson has a shot at getting significant playing time at receiver. The New York Jets have already proclaimed themselves the conference favorite to get to the Super Bowl, but if their all-world cornerback, Darrelle Revis, continues his holdout then rookie Kyle Wilson, a highly-regarded corner who was being penciled in to be a nickel corner, could find himself in the starting lineup on opening day. Even if Revis signs, he has missed all of training camp and may not be ready to play at the outset of the regular season. Vladimir Ducasse, another Jet draft pick, is slated to man the starting guard spot that Allen Faneca played last season, and those will be some big shoes to fill.  New England has added their usual great crop of rookies to the roster this season, and in my opinion defense is where the rookies will have the most impact. He wasn’t drafted high, but linebacker  Brandon Spikes is a guy who, despite a bad combine showing, is a football player to the core and will be a leader on the Pats’ defense in short order. Devin McCourty will also likely be on the field, at least as a nickel cornerback, right from the start of the season. Jared Odrick, from Penn State, and  Koa Misi, from Utah, will be impact defensive players in Miami this season also. With Joey Porter gone and injuries striking the Dolphins hard on the defensive line, Odrick and Misi will get plenty of playing time and be expected to help add some pass rush.

Top: Dez Bryant (left), Nate Allen.

Bottom: Jason Pierre-Paul.

The NFC East figures to be one of pro football’s most competitive divisions in 2010. Donovan McNabb going from the Eagles to the Redskins will only enhance that competition. So which rookies will have an impact on altering the balance of power in what should be a hotly contested division race? Easily the most hyped rookie in the division has been Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys, and the talented wide receiver from Oklahoma State will make Dallas’ receiving corps better. However, since the Cowboys already have a strong corps of wideouts and a top notch tight end, I doubt that Bryant will have as much impact as other rookies in the division. For instance, the Washington Redskins’ top draft pick, offensive tackle Trent Williams, is being penciled in to start at the all-important left tackle spot, where he will be responsible for protecting McNabb’s blind side. That’s a big responsibility for a rookie, but Williams is being touted as one of those players who you plug in at that spot and not worry about for the next 10 years or so. Williams will have a big impact, positive or negative, on the fate of the ‘Skins season. Another rookie being thrust into the limelight is Eagles’ safety Nate Allen. Allen was forced into the starting lineup due to injuries and will be on the field on opening day. The Eagles finished 26th in the league in pass defense last season, giving up 26 touchdown passes, so the defensive secondary will be under scrutiny this year. In New York, the feel-good story of training camp has been the emergence of home-town unheralded receiver Victor Cruz, who probably made the Giants’ roster with a tremendous showing in a Monday night preseason game with the Jets that opened the NY teams’ new stadium. But the Giants’ problem last year was defense. They completely caved in at the end of the year, giving up over 40 points per game in 3 of  their last 4 contests, and brought in Perry Fewell from Buffalo as the new defensive coordinator. The Giants had hoped rookie DB Chad Allen would help shore up their secondary but he was involved in a car accident that could be career-threatening. New York went for defense in the early rounds of the draft, and with the way the team played last season, defensive linemen Jason Pierre-Paul, a quick defensive end being counted on to help the pass rush, and Linval Joseph, a stud tackle, should get extensive playing time and become huge factors in determining whether the season goes north or south. Also, 4th round pick Phillip Dillard is expected to eventually replace the departed Antonio Pierce at linebacker.

Like everybody else, I have had my fill of the Brett Favre drama, with ESPN tracking the plane he took to Florida to get his ankle checked, and the trip by his Viking teammates down to Mississippi to try to convince him to come back. If it wasn’t the same thing that he has done for the last 4 or 5 seasons, I might be interested. But as far as I’m concerned, there never was any doubt that he was coming back and playing this year. I don’t understand all the flack Favre has gotten, at least this season, for waffling on his decision to play or not. He deserves criticism for past years, but this year he is coming off ankle surgery and in my mind even if he was in camp he would be watching from the sidelines anyway, so why not just let him stay home and recuperate the ankle in his home surroundings. Whether he’s a diva or not, Favre is a fun player to watch, a throwback to past years when quarterbacks were actually football players. In today’s game the quarterbacks slide when they are about to encounter any contact, are allowed to throw the ball away when they are in danger of being hit, run away to the sideline after they throw interceptions so they won’t get hurt, just like the punters do (and punters are criticized non-stop for not being “real” football players) and have all kinds of rules in the books to protect them, yet there are more QBs hurt in today’s game than ever. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that all the coddling of the quarterbacks hasn’t really translated into protecting them, but made the injury problem worse. But anyway, back to Favre – he has that old gunslinger mentality that you just don’t find in many of today’s robot QBs who are programmed to follow some coach’s conservative system and “manage the game”. He actually loves the game and I’m thrilled he’ll be playing again this year.  His presence makes the game better and certainly makes his team better, although I personally don’t think he’ll be able to match the great season he put together last year. Welcome back, Brett, and good luck pursuing another Super Bowl title!