Slaton told us on Sirius NFL Radio that the group is confident, backing up a statement owner Bob McNair made to us recently that he expects this team to be playoff-bound. Take a leap of faith this year.

Finally, the Texans will win 10 games.

Or they'll have a new coach and quarterback.

2. McNabb's raise

I can't listen to the Oliver Stone-like conspiracy theories about Donovan McNabb's raise from the Eagles for the next two seasons. Some small-minded folks argue that Andy Reid and company were reluctant to give him an extension?

As Herm Edwards once said, "HELLO??" With the unknown quotient attached to these CBA talks, it would've been illogical to give McNabb a new deal. Now McNabb, still a top-10 quarterback in the league, gets a significant pay bump and is primed to lead the Eagles to another playoff appearance.

3. Young's act is old

Is Charlie Batch on television shows? Is Damon Huard doing sitdowns? Well, since the answer is no, Vince Young shouldn't either.

Vince Young is a backup. Heck, with Patrick Ramsey's knowledge of Mike Heimerdinger's system, he might be a third-stringer. Young quit on his team last year. It's Kerry Collins' club.

Young needs to stop talking. About anything.

I don't believe he will ever start another game in Tennessee. And this curious and counterproductive media tour doesn't help the cause or prove he gets it.

4. Romo's Choice

I think the most overrated topic among football fans and analysts is the receiver corps in Dallas.

Roy Williams is a "1." He proved it in Detroit.

Jason Witten will catch at least 75 balls.

What needs to happen is Jason Garrett must start running the ball more.

The powerful Marion Barber, the speedy Felix Jones and the consistent Tashard Choice must all get touches.

Jones is the biggest playmaking threat on the team and needs 10 touches a game. And Choice needs to spell Barber in the second and third quarters to keep the closer fresh for the final frame, and for all 16 games.

5. A Jets' holdout?

Leon Washington is one of my favorite players in the NFL. But I think it's crazy for him to suggest that he would even consider a training-camp holdout if he doesn't get Maurice Jones-Drew money. Washington is an excellent third-down back and return specialist. I voted him first-team all-pro for special teams last year.

And I've argued for years that the home-run hitting weapon should have a bigger role in the offense. But he isn't Maurice Jones-Drew.

6. Progress for Smith

Scot McCloughan's voice became even more animated during a conversation on Sirius NFL Radio when the 49ers general manager started talking about the growth of Alex Smith as a quarterback and leader.

Both McCloughan and head coach Mike Singletary loved how Smith called out veteran Isaac Bruce for not being around the team. It was a major sign of growth and leadership.

And McCloughan tells us that Smith, who's coming off of a major shoulder injury, is showing great zip on his passes.

For a star-crossed former No. 1 overall pick locked in a quarterback battle with the cagey Shaun Hill, this is major progress.

7. Athletic prowess

Byron Leftwich is locked in a duel with mobile quarterbacks Luke McCown and first-round pick Josh Freeman.

So the veteran wanted to clear up a myth surrounding his play when he joined us on Sirius NFL Radio last week.

Leftwich quipped, "Adam, as I always tell you, I am not the least athletic quarterback in the NFL, just the least athletic black quarterback."

I'll pass that along.

Leftwich is giddy about Kellen Winslow Jr. ("I knew he was talented but I had no idea he was this good") and Antonio Bryant and loves his new offensive line and offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski.

And he learned so much "about what a championship team should look like from Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Heath Miller and Troy Polamalu" during his year in Pittsburgh.

It will be the first upset of the season if anyone other than Leftwich starts on opening day. And a major disappointment for Tampa, too.

8. Garcia vs. Russell

Veteran safety Keith Davis joined the Oakland Raiders this offseason. Davis has a great reputation around the league for his work ethic as a defensive back and special teams ace and as a legit "Bill Parcells guy."

The pressure is on Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell, even from his own teammates. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

We asked him on Monday on Sirius NFL Radio, if the Raiders needed to win a game tomorrow, should they start Jeff Garcia or JaMarcus Russell.

Davis said, "Me, just being in this league for the seven years I have been in it and just being around those guys, me, personally, I think Garcia is better prepared to get us that win right now. Now, that's no knock against JaMarcus at all because who knows what's going to happen down the road? I think JaMarcus has a great opportunity to be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. But, right now, if I had to play right now, I would take Jeff Garcia because I know what he's going to bring to the table and I've watched him bring it to the table.

"Now, being around you asking this question, we're into the season, about a month from now, two months from now when we get into the season, my answer may be different. But if I had to play right now, I would take Jeff Garcia. I just know what he's done and I've been around him. That's no knock against JaMarcus at all."

Keep in mind Oakland opens the season with all three AFC West foes. It's going to be interesting to see if Russell steps up as a leader in the interim. If he doesn't, Tom Cable might just agree with Davis. And while Russell oozes talent, it would be tough to argue.

9. Denver's decision

Warning — I am actually going to write something positive about the Denver Broncos and coach Josh McDaniels.

I applaud him for naming Kyle Orton his starting quarterback and not faking a quarterback competition between Orton and Chris Simms.

When you have two guys splitting the reps with the first team when you know the ultimate conclusion, it does nothing for a new quarterback trying to establish a rapport with his offensive line and receivers.

Now Orton can establish leadership in the locker room and on the practice field.

Good job by McDaniels. You know, with the exception of trading away his franchise quarterback, a move that set Denver back years.

Now if they can only make Brandon Marshall happy ...

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Adam Schein has joined the Twitter craze. Follow him and get the latest updates on his work at FOXSports.com, SNY, and Sirius NFL Radio at www.twitter.com/AdamSchein.