Part 1, The offseason in the NFL: What your team needs to do to win it all in 2012

The Glorious NFL as we know it.
Courtesy of HeadBlitz

The offseason in the NFL is awesome. There are so many stories and so much anticipation leading up the combine and the draft, and then when the OTA's start rolling around in the summer, excitement once again hits an all-time high. The best thing about the NFL, unlike other sports, is that each season, every team feels like it has a shot to win it all. A team's offseason could mean the difference between missing the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl.

So without further ado, here is my list of every NFL team (listed in alphabetical order and split up into two posts due to the sheer size of each post), and what they need to address this offseason to be successful in this coming 2012 season:

Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals had a lackluster season at 8-8, missing the playoffs and failing to win their division. The Cardinals still have playmakers on offense and defense (namely Larry Fitzgerald, Beanie Wells, Adrian Wilson, Patrick Peterson), and are only a win or two away from making the playoffs next season. The biggest issue with the Cards is that they need to figure out how to make Kevin Kolb tick in their offense. Kolb was the big offseason acquisition from the Eagles, but he had a very disappointing and injury-filled first season in Arizona. 9 TD's and 8 INT's in 9 games played just isn't good enough. Backup QB John Skelton played well enough down the stretch to put a little heat on Kolb heading into the offseason. Kolb has plenty of talent though, and if he can get it going, watch out for the Cardinals next season. Look for them to go after an offensive lineman in the draft this Spring to help give Kolb some more time in the pocket.   

Atlanta Falcons: It's hard to call a 10-6 season a disappointment, but for the Falcons you can't help but feel like they severely underachieved. Yes, they made the playoffs, but they got embarrassed in the playoffs, failing to score an offensive point in a loss to the eventual NFC champion Giants. Matt Ryan had a very solid season statistically, but he needs to step his game up when it matters most--the postseason. The Falcons rank near the top 10 in both offense and defense, but what I think this team is lacking the most is that killer instinct in critical games. The performance against the Giants in the playoffs spoke volumes. A team with as talented a roster as the Falcons' roster needs to play better than that. This team should be a playoff team next season. With Roddy White, Julio Jones (who is a bonafide playmaker), and the ageless Tony Gonzalez, this team is set on offense. Michael Turner has lost a step though, and while he is still very productive, don't be surprised if they draft a running back at some point in the draft. They could also use a big playmaker in the defensive backfield. Not having a 1st round pick this year is going to hurt. 

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens had a great season in 2011 and were maybe one made FG away from being in this year's Super Bowl. This team has plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball, but they need to start thinking about the future--Ray Lewis is 36 and Ed Reed is 33. There aren't too many areas in which they need to improve, but look for them to target Lewis' replacement at middle linebacker. Lewis and Reed will be great for the next couple of years, but beyond that it's anyone's guess. Regardless, with the emergence of Torrey Smith along with the Ray Rice running attack and that great defense, look for the Ravens to compete for a championship again next season. 

Buffalo Bills: Life must be tough for Bills fans. The Bills got off to such a promising start this past season, starting the season at 5-2... only to lose their next 7 games, in classic Bills style. The Bills signed (maybe prematurely) QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a giant 6 year/ 59M contract in the middle of the season, only to see him fail to have a QB rating higher than 70 for the final 3 months of the season. The Bills have plenty that they need to address, namely if they want to stick with Fitzpatrick at QB, or cut their losses now and move on. They have offensive weapons in Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson, and CJ Spiller, but they lack playmakers on defense. Look for them to address their defense this off-season. This team isn't hopeless, and showed a lot of promise--if they can just play more consistently on offense and improve their defense, they should be in a position to compete in the tough AFC East next fall. 

Can Cam and the Panthers contend in 2012?
Courtesy of The Cover Two

Carolina Panthers: Cam, Cam, Cam. After all the criticism and doubt regarding Cam Newton's first overall pick status, it looks like we can all agree the Panthers made the right move. He had arguably the most impressive offensive season for a rookie in history. He is a bonafide superstar, and a player the Panthers can build their franchise around for the next decade. That being said, the Panthers were horrendous on defense, ranking 28th overall last season. They have no playmakers on defense save for Jon Beason (who missed the entire 2011 season with injury) and Charles Johnson. This team needs to draft a playmaker in the defensive backfield, and a pass-rusher to line up opposite of Johnson. They could also use a receiver opposite of Steve Smith, who at 32 is still a baller, but who would benefit substantially from receiving less double coverage. If they can address those needs, this can be a very dangerous team. I wouldn't be surprised to see Cam Newton in the playoffs in 2012. 

Chicago Bears: The Bears showed a lot of promise last year before Jay Cutler's injury ended their playoff hopes. Presuming Cutler and stud running back Matt Forte come back healthy next season, this team should be competitive in the suddenly powerful NFC North. Let me say this: they NEED to pay Forte. He played last season on a laughably low salary, and is one of the most versatile weapons in the game. It was tragic to see him get hurt late in the season after playing so well, for so little. The defense, while getting up there in age, can still keep this team in games. They could also use a ball-hawking safety to patrol the defensive backfield. They also need a true number one wideout--Roy Williams and Devin Hester just aren't getting it done. Look for them to draft playmakers in this year's draft, both at receiver and in the secondary. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Watch out for the Bengals. Andy Dalton and AJ Green is going to be an explosive QB-WR tandem for years. They made the playoffs this past season, and with some more experience and maybe a few more playmakers on defense, mainly on the defensive line, this team could make a serious playoff run. Coach Marvin Lewis, one of the most respected in the league, will have high expectations to live up to next season. If they fail to make the playoffs, don't be surprised if he is replaced.
  
Cleveland Browns: What don't the Browns need? This team just can't catch a break. Colt McCoy no longer looks like the guy at QB, Peyton Hillis no longer looks like the guy at RB, and they have no other playmakers to speak of on offense. This team needs to decide how to move forward with McCoy, and whether or not they want to they want to rebuild the team. Again. One option is taking Robert Griffin III in this year's draft, and that would surely be a step in the right direction. Regardless, this team will be nowhere near the playoffs in 2012, and probably won't be for years to come. Sad stuff for Browns fans, and for the citizens of Cleveland in general. I won't be moving there anytime soon.   

Dallas Cowboys: I hate the Cowboys. They will never win another Super Bowl. That being said, if they want to pretend to be contenders, they need to focus on their porous defense. Their secondary hasn't been good in years, so look for them to draft a defensive back in the first round and maybe target another in free agency. They are set on offense with the weapons they have in Demarco Murray, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, and Dez Bryant. People will hype the Cowboys as usual, but they will probably disappoint, also as usual. 

Enough said.

Denver Broncos: Oh Oh, Tim Tebow. This team surprised us all this year, with Tebow at the helm, by making the playoffs (in an incredibly weak division), and by shocking the Steelers in the first round. This team needs a lot of help though. Willis McGahee had a rejuvenation this season in the option offense, but he just turned 30, and we all know what happens to running backs after 30. They need a playmaker in both the backfield to replace McGahee, and at wideout to play opposite of Demaryius Thomas. The defense, which kept them in games for that 6 game winning streak, still has playmakers in Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil, but they just lost their coordinator to the Raiders, meaning they could possibly recede next reason. I don't see them making the playoffs next year, simply because I see the other teams in their division improving, and because I don't see Tebow having the same kind of magic he did this season. But you never know with Tebow; time will tell. 

Detroit Lions: For all Lions fans, this season must have felt better than sex. They made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Finally their woes seemed to be cured, and Matthew Stafford's arm continues to be one of the most impressive in the league. This team has swagger and a knack for the late game comeback, which is definitely a good thing--they just need to make sure Suh keeps himself in line along with the rest of the defense. That being said, they need to improve on defense. Suh wasn't as dominant as the year before, and 2011 1st round pick Nick Fairley was nowhere to be found. They need more help in the defensive backfield if this is to become a dominant defense. Lastly, they need to address their situation at running back. Their passing offense is superb, but they need a consistent running back (Jahvid Best and Kevin Williams are practically made of glass) to go along with Stafford and Megatron. People will be looking at the Lions as a potential Super Bowl sleeper, but unless they address these issues, they won't be a serious title contender, let alone the best team in their division. 

Green Bay Packers: The Packers are a great team, no doubt about it, but I don't think it comes as a surprise to anyone to say that their defense is holding them back. This was the worst defense, yardage wise, in the league..and they still almost went undefeated. Aaron Rodgers is unstoppable. Their offense needs practically no help, save for a true stud at running back, and with Jermichael Finley coming back, they should continue to be among the most dynamic offensive teams in the league. They have great players of defense (Clay Matthews, B.J. Raji, Charles Woodson), and I know that they lived by the "bend, don't break"mentality, but they need to shore up that unit in a lot of ways. Look for them to take a defensive tackle or linebacker in the draft, along with a running back and a safety. The Packers, with an improved defense, will once again be the favorites to win it all in 2012. 

Houston Texans: **See Detroit Lions for fan feelings about 2011 season. ** The Texans, more than any other team, really got screwed by injuries in 2011. They were rolling, and appeared to be one of the favorites in the AFC heading into the playoffs, when they lost Matt Schaub, and then subsequently Matt Leinart. They were left with T.J. Yates at quarterback to lead this talented team into the playoffs. Their defense is phenomenal--truly one of the league's best, Wade Phillips has worked wonders. In 2011, they need to keep Schaub healthy, and they need to make sure Andre Johnson returns to his pre-injury form. Arian Foster is a beast and I couldn't be happier that he finally got paid. Look for the Texans to add a receiver in the draft to play opposite of Johnson. With the Colts in rebuilding mode, I expect them to win the AFC South and be a factor in the playoffs in 2012. 

Is this the new face of the NFL?
Courtesy of the Orlando Sentinel

Indianapolis Colts: Bye-Bye, Peyton. With the recent news of Peyton Manning's departure, the Colts are officially in rebuilding mode. With all likelihood they will be taking star QB Andrew Luck with the 1st pick in the draft and they will try to essentially repeat the same process as when they took Peyton 1st overall in 1998 (They went 3-13 in '98, and then 13-3 in '99, and would dominate for the next decade). This won't be a good team in 2012, but they could be in 2013 and beyond. Andrew Luck is phenomenal, and with improvements on defense and in the aging offensive line, this team will be back on track in no time. 14 years of Peyton Manning straight to Andrew Luck--is this not the luckiest franchise in football?
 
Jacksonville Jaguars: Blaine Gabbert isn't good. For Jaguars fans (are there actually any?), this is a hard-to-swallow truth. I thought that they reached for him in last years draft at pick no. 10, but to be fair, he does have some talent, it just worried me watching him operate in the pocket. This seems like a hopeless franchise in a hopeless place. Maurice Jones-Drew is an absolute baller and deserves to be playing for a contender. Their defense is actually pretty damn good, coming in at 6th overall last season, but they can never seem to get the help they need on the other side of the ball. If Gabbert can drastically improve his play, and if they can get him some real weapons on the outside, this team could surprise some 
people. But otherwise, it will be another mediocre, sub-.500 finish for the Jags.




Check back soon as I'll review the rest of the teams in Part 2!




Follow Love Boat Sports on Twitter @loveboatsports


Follow El Fuser on Twitter @amsr519


Be sure to like us on Facebook!