2003 Season Predictions

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Yikes! Somehow, amid all the preparations for the season, our preseason predictions never made it into our article lineup (who’s the editor here, anyway?).

Buried by sleepers and cheat sheets, they remained undiscovered until now, when they were uncovered by fearless archaeologists (insert Indiana Jones theme music here)… Well, something like that, at any rate.

Here, at long last, are the lost Cafe predictions for this season.

 
Super Bowl Champion

Dan: They say nobody repeats in the NFL in this age of parity, but Tampa Bay may be the exception to the rule. The Bucs’ defense will once again give the rest of the league fits, and their offense will do just enough to take them back to the big game.

cwebb: Oakland. Experience is a huge factor come playoff time, and the Raiders have learned their lessons from their 2002 campaign. Knowing that this will probably be the last opportunity for Gannon, Rice and Brown to return to the Super Bowl will provide all the motivation this team needs.

Arlo: Miami. Sammy Knight may well be the final piece in the championship puzzle. Playing in the AFC East won’t make their task easy, but if they can stay healthy and shake off their road jitters, the Dolphins will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Most Improved Team

Dan: St. Louis. If the Rams’ key offensive players remain injury-free, they will cruise into the playoffs and have a chance to go all the way. This is a team with a lot to prove.

cwebb: Chicago. Better health and a new, mobile signal-caller will help the Bears shake off last season’s disaster.

Arlo: If the Lions had a slightly easier schedule, they would be the call here; as it is, look for the talented Seahawks to finish over the .500 mark.

Offensive MVP

Dan: Donovan McNabb. He is the key to the Eagles’ success, and simply the best all-around player at his position.

cwebb: Marshall Faulk. With better health and Warner back, he’ll once again be a TD-machine and beat out Priest Holmes for this award.

Arlo: There seem to be more candidates (not Canidates) for this award then ever, but if Priest Holmes can play fourteen or more games again, he’ll repeat as the most devastating offensive force in the game.

Defensive MVP

Dan: Brian Urlacher is the easy choice here. The Bears might not win too may games this year, but without Urlacher, they’d be nowhere at all.

cwebb: There’s no stopping Brian Urlacher. Whatever the record for Defensive MVP Awards is, he’ll break it before he’s done.

Arlo: Brian Urlacher. Whether or not he finishes with the best numbers, no player – on either side of the line of scrimmage – means more to his team.

Offensive Rookie of the Year

Dan: Charles Rogers. I’m not entirely sure that he really is the the most talented rookie by as wide a margin as we’ve been hearing, but he is simply in the best situation to
succeed.

cwebb: Charles Rogers is talented and on a better team than Andre Johnson. Look for him to be very productive.

Arlo: Charles Rogers might be the favorite here, but I have a hunch that a quarterback will wind up as this year’s top rookie when all is said and done. If Byron Leftwich receives the opportunity to start, he could wind up as the winner.

Defensive Rookie of the Year

Dan: Terrell Suggs is a welcome addition to an improving
Ravens defense, and he will show his dominance soon.

cwebb: Marcus Trufant. There are lots of solid young defenders entering the league this year; Trufant will be among the best.

Arlo: Time to choose a longshot: in spite of tough competition, Boss Bailey will prove he was chosen far too late in this year’s draft.

Comeback of the Year

Dan: Kurt Warner. He had a horrible season last
year, filled with injuries and frustration. If he can stay healthy, he should once again be a star.

cwebb: Ray Lewis. After playing in only five games in 2002, Lewis will go back to terrorizing opposing offenses this season.

Arlo: DeShaun Foster. He may not become a fantasy factor, but after missing all of last season, it’ll be good to see him on the field.

Biggest Bust

Dan: Jake Plummer. He was never consistent while with
the Cardinals, and I don’t see any reason why this should change now that he is in Denver.

cwebb: As a Bears fan, I’ll go against common sense (read: Kordell Stewart) in this category and pick Jeff Garcia, whose back may wind up bothering him more than expected.

Arlo: Curtis Martin. His days as one of the most consistent backs in the game are drawing to a close.

What We’d Like to See Most

Dan: Parity. The end of last year’s regular season was very fun to watch, with a lot teams still in the playoff race. Hopefully this trend will continue this year, with every team being able to win against any other on any given Sunday.

cwebb: No major injuries this year. Plus, the Bears going deep into the playoffs (ok, the chances for that are slim).

Arlo: I think all fantasy owners would like to see less running back by committee approaches, and no more last-minute scratches from the starting lineup.

 
We weren’t the only ones looking into crystal balls prior to the season. Check out the Predictions Forum for foresight from Cafe visitors!