by Adam Schein

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The Giants lose Osi Umenyiora for the season. It's the type of injury that makes you want to cancel the preseason all together.

Who knows when Shawne Merriman will play again?

Tom Brady hasn't played a down.

In addition to the injuries, there's the monotony of these games that don't count.

A rule to live by...

Never, ever pay attention to a final score. Wins and losses mean nothing. 'Games' are decided by tomato cans. The Colts never win. That hasn't hurt them EVER.

And whatever you do, never watch the fourth preseason game. It's a showcase for the arena league.

But you can pay attention to some players, some trends and obviously the injuries that can shape a season.

I beg you to have perspective. JT O'Sullivan isn't Joe Montana. Kyle Orton isn't Sid Luckman. Aaron Rodgers is Aaron Rodgers, not Brett Favre or Don Majkowski.

Here's a friendly guide for every single NFL team featuring a nugget or two to separate fact from fiction on the zaniness of preseason football.

Dallas: Felix Jones is not better than Marion Barber III. Jones isn't taking playing time away from Barber, who will get at least 20 carries a game and make the Pro Bowl again. What is Jones? The rookie is a better version of Julius Jones, who will hit the home run with his speed.

Terrence Newman, Pac Man Jones (I won't call him Adam — it's an insult), Mike Jenkins and Anthony Henry will form a deep, talented cornerback position. Don't get too nervous with Jenkins' struggles and Newman's injury.

New York Giants: Osi's injury is a killer. Mathias Kiwanuka must move back to end. I think Justin Tuck is going to be a star.

You know I loved the 'addition by subtraction' quotient for the Giants on the Jeremy Shockey deal. But the receivers have looked bad (with the exception of Dominic Hixon) and the top four receivers have been hurt. That's nerve-wracking.

Philadelphia: I am concerned about the linebacker depth, but I really think Stewart Bradley, Chris Gocong and Omar Gaither will carry over their play into the regular season and shock people with how good they can be.

Washington: Caller Jim in Charlotte to my Sirius NFL Radio show, "Adam, should Colt Brennan be our starter?" My response, "What is this, amateur hour?" Brennan's been great. But let's not succumb to 'Bradlee Van Pelt disease' where you overrate your third-string quarterback.

If Jason Taylor can't play Week 1 versus the Giants, that could spoil a potential 'upset special.'

Chicago: Sadly, I think the offensive line is going to be that bad all year. I am not worried about how the defense looked in the Niners game.

Detroit: I tend to reserve the usual 'rebuilding since 1957' yuks for Detroit. I'll save that for my season preview. Instead, I'll tell you that Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly will make a major, positive difference in the defensive backfield.

Green Bay: I'm just staying consistent. Nothing I've seen, positive or negative, has made me change my mind on my statement the day Brett Favre retired; Aaron Rodgers is going to be solid and the Packers are winning 10 games.

Minnesota: Look out for Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian and Aundrae Allison this year.

Matt Ryan looks ready to make an impact as the Falcons starter. (John Bazemore / Associated Press)

Atlanta: Without question, you start Matt Ryan on opening day. This is an excellent move by the Falcons, naming him before the fourth preseason game. The franchise needs a makeover. Ryan has the chops for this. Without question, even with a leaky offensive line, Michael Turner is going to be that good. Without question, this is a rebuilding team that will win three games.

Carolina: Jake Delhomme looks the part. Still, color me very concerned on his durability for 16 games. The Jonathan Stewart/DeAngelo Williams combination we saw versus Washington? I am buying in. You know I've been saying for a while Stewart is going to be a stud.

New Orleans: Like many Americans, I suffer from Saints-itis. It's a disease formed by falling in love with the Saints in the preseason. I'm at in again. David Patten has made Robert Meachem grow up, and he is going to have a big year opposite Marques Colston. However, Jason David still scares the daylights out of me. That won't go away.

Tampa: One of the strangest teams to figure out this year. Before the preseason started I thought they would go 8-8. I still do.

Arizona: I thought Matt Leinart would play better. It's become a no-brainer to start Kurt Warner.

San Fransisco: OK, so I was dead wrong on the Niners quarterback situation. I was on record saying that JT O'Sullivan isn't a top 60 quarterback in this league. But he turned out to be No. 1 in San Francisco. Perhaps that says more about Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. O'Sullivan knew Mike Martz's offense. It proved to be a plus. But I remain very skeptical on what type of player he will be.

For the sake of fairness, Martz ran the ball in the preseason. Now let's see him do it with Frank Gore in the regular season.

St. Louis: The Rams offensive line looks awful. So does the defense. That won't change when it counts.

Seattle: I am not exactly sure how Charlie Frye will keep his job, even if Matt Hasselbeck is less than 100 percent. The young receivers have stepped up, and that means Seneca Wallace can concentrate on being a quarterback — for now.

Justin Forcett is having a great preseason and training camp. I think he's going to make the Seahawks and make plays this season.

Buffalo: Leodis McKelvin is turning heads at corner and as a returner. That will carry over.

Miami: Ricky Williams' excellent offseason continued into the preseason. He's focused and back. But let's not make him the primary ball carrier in Miami. Ronnie Brown was having a special season last year before he got hurt. The big nugget for Brown this year is 16, as in games. Williams' presence will help Brown get there.

Ricky Williams will be a key part of a promising Dolphins ground game. (Phil Coale / Associated Press)

New England: If Matt Cassel's the answer I'd love to know the question. Tom Brady's backup looks wretched. Matt Gutierrez looks OK. Brady better never get hurt seriously.

New York Jets: I've been very pleasantly surprised how quickly Brett Favre has picked up the offense. Jerricho Cotchery is going to blossom into a star this season. Don't be surprised when Chansi Stuckey becomes the third receiver and when Dwight Lowery starts at cornerback, carrying over their August success into September.

Calvin Pace looks great. Vernon Gholston looks out of sorts. Don't get carried away with Brett Ratliff. Kellen Clemens will be the No. 2.

Baltimore: Troy Smith should clearly be the starting quarterback. Joe Flacco has talent but is very raw. Ray Rice will add toughness and speed until Willis McGahee gets back.

Cleveland: Everyone slow down. Yes, I watched the third preseason game. No, assuming Derek Anderson is healthy, Brady Quinn is not the quarterback.

The offensive line has seen better days, but that left side is too good. The secondary is a flat out mess.

Cincinnati: Look for the Bengals offensive line to bounce back after resembling a turnstile last year.

Pittsburgh: I'm not as worried as most when it comes to the Steelers offensive line. I am very worried about the special teams play.

Houston: Don't get out of whack on Steve Slaton's expectations as a rookie back. But wherever Alex Gibbs coaches an offensive line, a run game follows. The Texans are going to surprise a lot of people this year.

Indianapolis: There is a serious lack of depth at defensive tackle. Otherwise, I feel great about this Colts defense.

Maybe this is being naïve, but I am not worried about the health of Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney and Marvin Harrison.

Jacksonville: I like to call the Jags "America's team" since they have finished last in the dopey Harris Interactive Poll for popularity for four straight years. I'm starting to wonder if "My Jags," an en vogue playoff pick, will falter.

I'm violating some of my own rules, but when you were already worried about a receiving core and then both Jerry Porter and Reggie Williams get hurt, I become skeptical.

Tennessee: The Titans third preseason game was pathetic. That's not my word choice. That comes from the players and coaches after the game.

I never count out a Jeff Fisher-coached team. But I don't like their chances in the AFC South with the lack of receivers and defensive backs.

Denver: So far, so good for Matt Prater replacing Jason Elam. Now let's see what the kicker can do when the lights go on.

Kansas City: I just don't trust Brodie Croyle.

Oakland: I cannot stress enough how much I love all three backs with the Raiders. The presence of Darren McFadden, Justin Fargas and Michael Bush will all aid the growth of JaMarcus Russell.

San Diego: Look, if Merriman doesn't play this year, I still think the Chargers win the division. Shaun Phillips is a better player. Luis Castillo, Jamal Williams (who just got back to practice after knee injuries) and Igor Olshansky are studs. Eric Weddle is a star in the making.