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Making The Calls: The NFL's Best And Worst Of '07

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By Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2007

SEATTLE - Although the end of the NFL season is almost five months away, you can spot the finish line in the distance if you squint hard enough.

Can't wait that long? Here's how things will unfold by the time two teams and one Vince Lombardi Trophy depart University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on the evening of Feb. 3:

NO-BRAINER CALL: The hometown Cardinals won't be playing in the league's showcase event.

MVP: This honor hasn't gone to a defensive player since Giants LB Lawrence Taylor was terrorizing offensive coordinators in 1986. Quarterbacks (10) and running backs (five) have won the past 15 MVPs and that trend should continue in '07. Tom Brady, still smarting about New England's AFC Championship Game meltdown, will earn his first MVP trophy, winning over chronic malcontent Randy Moss in the process.

RUSHING CHAMPION: This is the year Steven Jackson of the Rams moves into the front ranks with LaDainian Tomlinson as the league's most complete back. Coach Scott Linehan is learning Marc Bulger doesn't have to throw 37 times per game for St. Louis to win. Jackson, who averaged a healthy 4.4 yards per carry, might run for 1,800 yards.

BEST FREE-AGENT ACQUISITION: After eight distinguished seasons in Atlanta, DE Patrick Kerney will provide Seattle the kind of leadership - on and off the field - every franchise craves.

WORST FREE-AGENT ACQUISITION: The Chiefs quickly will discover journeyman OT Damion McIntosh, signed from Miami, won't make KC fans forget about Willie Roaf.

BEST TRADE: Step aside, Mr. Moss, and make way for Brady's new go-to receiver, Wes Welker. Any receiver who can catch 67 passes with Joey Harrington flinging the football should flourish with Brady under center.

BEST ROOKIE COACH: Mike Tomlin won't return the Steelers to the Super Bowl, but he will return them to playoff contention. The former Bucs secondary coach is ready for the job at hand, and players quickly have learned Tomlin means business. 'Mike will do great things,' Bucs CB Brian Kelly said. 'He demands respect, but not in a way that belittles you as a man.'

BEST COORDINATOR: The Cardinals have run out of excuses for their pathetic ground game. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt talked Russ Grimm into joining him from Pittsburgh to inject some attitude on an underachieving offensive line. Here's a safe assertion: Arizona won't average an NFL-low 3.2 yards per rush with Grimm stalking the sidelines.

BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Don't be surprised if San Diego OLB Shawne Merriman avoids injury and suspension and flirts with the hallowed 20-sack mark. He registered 17 takedowns in 12 games last season and the Chargers need Merriman to mature into a leader following the free-agent defection of LB Donnie Edwards to Kansas City.

COMEBACK PLAYER: The last time Shaun Alexander was healthy, he was named league MVP in 2005 and the Seahawks were NFC champions. A broken foot limited him to 896 yards last fall and Coach Mike Holmgren says Alexander is in terrific shape and highly motivated. He's also running behind incomparable LT Walter Jones.

BEST ROOKIE: The Bills won't make the playoffs in the rugged AFC, but LB Paul Posluszny will create a buzz in a blue-collar town starving for new blood around which to rally. The former Penn State standout has instincts you can't teach, and he's still hacked off he wasn't drafted in the first round.

FIRST COACH FIRED: With four of their first six games at home, the Browns need to be at least 3-3 by the bye for Romeo Crennel to survive. Treated to only one winning season since the NFL returned to Cleveland in 1999, Browns fans understandably have little patience with an endless rebuilding program.

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