by Jay Glazer

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A mere 45 straight days and about 25 teams later, I'm exhausted. Oh, the brutality of it all. But after seeing the majority of the league, I'm primed to make a few predictions, most of which, if my past history proves true, will be completely off the mark. However, I know you guys love these little preview/prediction pieces from the so-called-experts, so who am I to jilt ya?

The following are my predictions for the 2008 NFL season. Littered among them are a few of the highlights of my Glaze Across America training camp tour, which I would have reported on more frequently if I wasn't asked to spend every waking moment following the Favre, Strahan, Merriman, etc., scoopage trail. With that said, the envelopes please:

Biggest under-the-radar offseason move

Seattle RB Julius Jones

In Jones, Seattle now has a running back that will A) block, B) catch passes, and C) run downhill, which will all allow them to open up their offensive attack. While Shaun Alexander was productive racking up yards in his MVP year, he was reluctant to partake in full running-back duties. Jones' arrival will allow Mike Holmgren's offense to utilize the running back fully, which should have a major, major impact. Having a guy with Jones' talents who simply lines up and runs downhill is HUGE for this team.

Best line of my training camp tour

One elderly gentleman blurting out to another elderly gentleman in the bathroom at the Copper Kettle in River Falls, Wisconsin, home of the best Cheese Curds I've ever eaten:

"I swear Bob, this damn Flomax isn't doing a thing!"

After hearing that, I damn near peed myself. Pun intended.

Breakout Player of the Year

Lions WR Calvin Johnson

Said one NFC cornerback: "Once that kid knows exactly what he's doing out there, there's going to be nothing we can really do to stop him. He's that good." Johnson is described as LeBron James in pads and coaches say he does nothing but work his butt off and answer everything with a "Yes, sir" or "No, sir." In other words, he's a coach's dream come true but a DB's worst nightmare.

Super Sophomore

Bucs defensive end Gaines Adams

His teammates insist he's got the pass rush skills of Simeon Rice but the run-stopping skills that Greg Spires used to have. They believe he'll be the next great Tampa force, and I'm inclined to believe them. Buffalo's Marshawn Lynch also garners some attention here.

Biggest improvement from a guy who's already a star

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben is all grown up now. Big Ben is clearly a much better leader now. He seems to have grown into the role, and the players I've talked to insist he's a totally different guy than he was in the past. That should equate into having better presence and showing even more talent. I expect him to have a monster year.

Best sign on the road

Somewhere in Louisiana near the Saints complex: "We Be Open." And I be keep driving.

Not as bad as people predict

Giants QB Eli Manning

The football world just loves to hate on this guy. The kid can play, plain and simple. He'll never be a vocal leader, but they don't need him to be. They just need him to keep cool under pressure the way he did in last year's postseason. A now-confident Eli has what it takes to follow his brother to the Pro Bowl.

Vince Young needs to figure it out soon. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

Now or Never

Titans QB Vince Young

This is the year he needs to mature both on the field and in the locker room. He has to step up and be the man of this offense. New coordinator Mike Heimerdinger will have his hands full but if the two of them connect Young can finally show the consistency the Titans sorely need.

Rookie of the Year

Patriots LB Jerod Mayo

Darren McFadden is too easy of a selection here, so I tried to find more of a sleeper. I also love Chiefs tackle Branden Albert, but Kansas City will struggle too much for him to get recognition. As long as Mayo can figure out the weekly Belichick masterpieces, physically he has the tools.

Best college campus for camp

Concordia College in Mequon, Wisconsin

To say the least, I was stunned by the home the Rams have found for camp. Located just outside of Milwaukee, the place is stunning. It's situated on Lake Michigan and the players and coaches stay in dorm rooms with balconies that show incredible views overlooking the lake. Throw in the live music they have right down this long row of steps that leads to the water, and I have to ask, why didn't they find this place ages ago?

In addition to the campus, they've got a hidden gem of a hotel to stay at three miles from campus. There is actually a Best Western in town — yes, a Best Western — that had an unbelievable room. My room was actually a duplex — full staircase leading up to the bedroom. My room wasn't even the best one there. They had a log cabin type of suite with a full fledge Jacuzzi. They also had a huge pool that began next to the lobby and connected underwater to the pool outside. This wasn't your run-of-the-mill Best Western. Gotta tell ya, I love Mequon, Wisconsin.

Ultimate hotseat

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb

Good advice: Don't get in Marion's way. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)

As Donovan goes, so do the Birds. His future and perhaps Andy Reid's hangs on McNabb's ability to stay healthy. If he goes down early and the Eagles struggle again, I can't see Reid wanting to stick around. Plus, the patience with McNabb will run thin and the rumor mill will be brutal. However, if he shines, Philly has a legitimate playoff shot and Reid will have a legitimate shot at Coach of the Year.

Offensive Player of the Year

Cowboys RB Marion Barber III

He's no longer a role player and those questions about whether he can shoulder the load will be answered. Tiki Barber and Brian Westbrook each proved that you don't have to be 6-1, 230 to carry the load and Barber could be pound-for-pound one of the baddest dudes in the game. I can see him leading the conference in rushing.

Honorable mention: Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson.

Greatest stop on my tour

I went to the Westin Diplomat for Dolphins camp and it just so happened there was a ... how do I say this ... adult entertainment convention at the hotel. Umm, never actually made it over to see the Dolphins. I didn't see a whole lot of football, but man did I see a whole bunch of other stuff. It was worth the stop ... I mean, er, um ... I was totally appalled by proceedings at this well-run establishment. I'm trying to watch football here, people!

Defensive Player of the Year

Panthers DE Julius Peppers

After a horrific year last season, Peppers rented a hotel room in Arizona starting in February where he began two-a-day workouts at Athletes Performance Institute ... for the rest of the offseason! Who does that? Guys who are out to prove that the previous season was nothing more than an aberration. Peppers is playing for a new deal, has moved to the right side and is playing for something to prove. Poor, poor left tackles.

Honorable mention: Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware, Minnesota's Jared Allen.

MVP

Cowboys QB Tony Romo

Romo told me during camp that he has adjusted his pocket style based upon how Tom Brady does it. He insists it'll give him more time to find his secondary reads while minimizing pressure a bit more. He has all the weapons, a strong defense and a team that should roll this year.

Honorable mention: Patriots' Tom Brady.