Top storylines heading into camp

by John Czarnecki

Updated: July 16, 2008, 2:44 PM EST 1717 comments

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Well, at least we finally heard Favre's explanation of his retirement. He wants to play and what's wrong with that? I've written a million times it is the toughest decision in professional sports and once you're done, it's over. Favre surely didn't perform like he was "over" last season.

But like everything else, we are left reading between the lines, attempting to find the real truth from every coach and player statements and long-held perceptions. We are entering the best time of summer — the opening of NFL training camps and these are my best storylines heading into the season.

With Peyton Manning missing the entire preseason, does this mean either Jacksonville or Tennessee has a legitimate chance at winning the AFC South?

If ever there was a quarterback who needed a bit of a rest, it is Peyton. He is a workaholic and is chasing Favre's ridiculous consecutive games record. Granted, this wrecks the Hall of Fame game because Peyton won't be taking four to six snaps in the exhibition opener, but if ever there was a quarterback that could perform in a coma it is Peyton. I mean, he is as reliable as a robot out there. However, being a rhythm passer, Peyton may look a little rusty in the season opener against the Bears. Fortunately for the Colts, the Bears probably won't score more than 10 points. If the Jags are going to finally win the South in the Manning era, their biggest chance will come when they get a shot at a still-rusty Manning in Week 3.

Is Wade Phillips the next Marty Schottenheimer?

Will Wade Phillips go the way of Marty Schottenheimer? (Chris McGrath / Getty Images)

You know, win 12 or 13 games and then get fired. Wade knows the drill from experience because he was coordinating Schottenheimer's defense in San Diego a couple seasons ago. There isn't as much internal pressure on Wade as there was with Marty in San Diego. Jerry Jones laughs and talks with Wade all the time, whereas A.J. Smith avoided Marty in every hallway. But with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett earning more than $3 million and all this money tied up in Tony Romo, T.O. and so many offensive players, the football world suspects Garrett will be the head coach in 2009 even if Wade wins a playoff game.

If the Packers really don't want Favre, where will they trade him?

I really don't think Favre will show up in Green Bay for training camp unless GM Ted Thompson loses his mind. Favre practicing behind Aaron Rodgers would become as big a circus as Terrell Owens doing push-ups in his driveway. Do Thompson and the Packers really want a daily distraction? I think not. In the end, Tampa Bay makes the most sense for Favre because Jon Gruden loves him and actually worked with him years ago in Green Bay. I think Favre would like Baltimore, too, and Carolina makes some sense. Too bad Drew Brees is in New Orleans, because Favre and Sean Payton could make some magic happen, too.

Why are the Giants still not getting any respect?

This will be a summer-long issue, because even though Eli Manning has a Super Bowl MVP award many believe Tony Romo possesses more quarterback charisma in the rugged NFC East. The Cowboys may have the best NFC team on paper, but the games are still played outdoors on a field and not in a draft room. Even with Michael Strahan retired and major distraction Jeremy Shockey hanging around, the Giants still have a very good offensive line, a bevy of backs and a respectable defense. Tom Coughlin had the last laugh last season and now he can preach the no-respect line all season. There will be no letdown with the Giants. Now, the Jets are another story.

Will Oakland's Lane Kiffin be the first coach to be fired this season?

Kiffin is the odds-on favorite because, frankly, he doesn't give a damn. He seems to be playing out his days while owner Al Davis stockpiles offensive coaches. Davis recently added Paul Hackett, a known passing guru, to go with James Lofton (a guy who has never called a play) and offensive coordinator holdover Greg Knapp. Season ticket sales are down, meaning that fans continue to take a wait-and-see attitude. Knapp is supposed to go work with Jimmy Mora in Seattle next season, but he's really the most qualified guy on the staff to replace Kiffin should the Raiders get off to a slow start despite a very easy schedule.

Having blown a perfect season, will Bill Belichick and the Patriots sleepwalk through the regular season?

Well, this coaching staff was in a funk for a while and the Patriots were in the wrong secondary coverage when Plaxico Burress beat them in Arizona, but Tom Brady won't allow this team to remain in the dumps after spending the offseason with Gisele. Yes, the Pats have four West Coast road games, plus another visit to Indy, but they also should go 6-0 in the AFC East, meaning they just have to find five other wins to ensure themselves another playoff spot.

Is this the last hurrah for John Fox in Carolina?

Well, Scott Linehan is more of a lame-duck coach than Fox and who really knows where Marvin Lewis stands with Bengals owner Mike Brown. But there is genuine pressure in Carolina, considering unemployed Bill Cowher lives in the state. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson wants a playoff team and Fox could deliver if Jake Delhomme stays healthy or if Favre joins the team. The thing about Cowher is that Richardson doesn't seem to be the type of owner to sign an $8 million check to one coach while handing $15 million in walk-away money to Fox.

How serious are these ownership situations in Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Jacksonville?

For the small-market franchises, it's a mess out there. The Steelers have family issues which could lead to Dan Rooney losing the franchise (how sad is that prospect?). The Steelers are one of the most popular teams in America — their fans travel everywhere — but Dan will need major outside financial help to settle with his brothers and secure majority ownership. Wayne Weaver's payroll is skyrocketing, a sure sign that he wants to sell, while Chip and Lucy, Georgia Frontiere's son and daughter, respectively, need to sell the Rams in order to deal with the hefty inheritance tax. The other issue is that league-wide ownership wants out of the current deal with the players, meaning there could be a lockout in 2011.

Can Tarvaris Jackson really lead the Vikings to the NFC North championship?

People forget that Jackson was 8-4 as a starter last season and that Adrian Peterson figures to be much improved, too. Bernard Berrian gives Jackson a reliable deep threat, something he didn't have last season. On defense, the Vikings are really scary with Jared Allen joining their fierce front four. Basically, Jackson doesn't have to screw it up, much like what Rex Grossman did two years ago when he took the Bears to the Super Bowl.

Will Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren enjoy his farewell tour this season?

I think he will. He gets to see New York and Miami and spends Thanksgiving in Dallas, where Jerry Jones will surely host a nice dinner party. It's hard to believe Holmgren could be in his last season, but speculation persists that he could very well end up in San Francisco as Mike Nolan's boss or becoming someone's GM/coach.