Plus, the offensive line is stronger and deeper with Orlando Pace and Kevin Shaffer coming to town. And a healthy Chris Williams would be a huge bonus.

Big picture, it's more than enough when you have a budding star in Forte at running back and a defense that will be improved in all facets with the most disruptive defensive lineman in football, Mr. Tommie Harris, healthy.

Chicago could be in the mix for a Super Bowl fueled by its passing attack. Imagine that.

2. Big Chief

Perhaps one of the more fascinating and underreported stories of the entire offseason and how it relates to the 2009 campaign is the commitment and focus of Chiefs running back Larry Johnson.

Johnson has been plagued by drama since he was drafted by Kansas City, from Dick Vermeil telling him to take the diapers off, to a contract holdout, to random, distracting rants in the media, to major conduct issues off the field. And you can argue it is a legit upset that the new regime in Kansas City kept him around.

Well, not really when you think about it.

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Scott Pioli has a long history in New England of dealing with "problem children" and maximizing their talent — from Corey Dillon to Randy Moss.

Johnson has kept his mouth shut and worked hard this offseason, showing up to put in the necessary work. The talent is there. Johnson was as physical and dominant a running back as there was in the NFL in 2005 and 2006, warranting a new deal. But then he seemingly became disinterested.

Johnson realizes this is his last chance; last chance in Kansas City, last chance to make big money, last chance to be trusted. New coach Todd Haley won't hesitate to pound him 25 times a game.

I think we are looking at a humbled Larry Johnson who will get back to his physical, dominant style with a bone-crushing 1,400 yards.

3. Sleepless in Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks will go 6-10.

The Seattle Seahawks will win 12 games.

I've heard both statements this offseason, but I am not buying into either.

Seattle has way too many question marks to win the NFC West. Walter Jones isn't 100 percent healthy, and that can affect the sustained health of Matt Hasselbeck. The running attack with Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett scares nobody. The offensive line hasn't been the same since Steve Hutchinson walked out the door. I loved the T.J. Houshmandzadeh pick-up, but can Nate Burleson stay upright? Deion Branch will never live up to his contract. While I believe the linebackers will bounce back from a dismal 2008, the secondary play left much to be desired and needs help from the pass rush.

And then there's Jim Mora taking over for Mike Holmgren.

Plus, San Fran is better and St. Louis, while still wretched, actually has a head coach for the first time since Dick Vermeil retired (hey, two Dick Vermeil references in one June column). And it's Arizona's division.

The Seahawks have 8-8 written all over them.

4. Eli deserves big money

Is Eli Manning the best player in the NFL? Not even close. Eli isn't even a top-five quarterback. But when Eli becomes the highest-paid player in the game, I'll stand up and applaud Jerry Reese.

Playing in New York is a different animal. Either you can hack it or you can't. Either you've done it or it's a major hypothetical. The Giants know what they have in Eli: a close-to-great quarterback who most importantly played brilliantly en route to an unpredictable Super Bowl championship. Tiki rips his leadership? Bad play-calling? Shockey and Plaxico drama? Eli shrugs it off in the media capital of the world.

Is Philip Rivers a better player? Maybe. I wouldn't rip you for making the case. But you don't know how Rivers or anyone else would fare in New York.

You know that Eli, even when his throws are errant, can lead his team to the Super Bowl. And when you are a main reason why the New York Giants are in the mix for the Super Bowl every year, you get paid accordingly. In the big city, that could mean being on top of the salary chart.

5. Catch it

Steve Smith is the new No. 1 target for Manning in the passing attack.

I asked Smith on Sirius NFL Radio how to judge a successful season for the third year receiver. "One thousand receiving yards," he replied. I buy it. And I think he'll get it.

But while Smith gushed about second-year receiver Mario Manningham dedicating himself this offseason (working hard, picking the brains of veteran teammates, studying film), I have zero expectations for Manningham and don't think he'll do anything for the Giants now or ever.

The Bengals would be better off without Chad Johnson. (Rob Loud / Getty Images)

6. Chad stunts Bengals mania

I did a recent video hit on the Bengals defense. Watch it if you missed it. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is special. Roy Williams and Tank Johnson were major pick-ups. Keith Rivers is healthy. Rey Maualuga is going to be a stud.

With a healthy Carson Palmer, I want to scream that the Bengals are the surprise team in football.

Except they still foolishly employ Chad Johnson (I won't play the game and call him whatever he changed his name to).

See Chad Johnson challenged my radio co-host Solomon Wilcots to a fight and then threatened Mike Golic with fisticuffs. All because they speak to the truth about Chad having a miserable season last year. All because they reference his drops in big spots in 2007. All because Chad seems more interested in hype than helping team chemistry for Marvin Lewis.

Cincy should've traded this sideshow act when it had the chance. It's why the Bengals won't win, even when things are moving in that direction.

7. Stafford gets it

You know, I was against the Lions' pick of a quarterback with the top overall pick, but I am impressed with the early happenings.

From what I am hearing, nobody in Detroit is working harder than Matthew Stafford.

From what Stafford is telling me, he knows there is an uphill road to climb and the rookie embraces the challenge.

And both sentences prove one thing that is music to the ears of Lions fans: he's no Joey Harrington.

Harrington didn't put the time in. Harrington was dubbed "Joey Blue Skies" for always painting a rosy picture even when it was obvious things were a mess.

Stafford is embracing Jim Schwartz and Scott Linehan and soaking up advice from veteran teammates.

I asked Stafford what would make this a successful season for him. The answer? Growth.

I love it.

8. Jennings deserved it, Grant did not

Greg Jennings reportedly rightly got his new deal with the Packers, giving the talented receiver $27 million in new money in a three-year contract extension. Jennings is a very good player with a knack for the big moment and big plays. He's going to be a star. Ted Thompson got this right.

But Thompson will end up kicking himself after last year's rare mistake with the four-year, $30 million deal he gave RB Ryan Grant.

We ranted about it at the time, but the saga involving "you know who" overshadowed the awful Grant deal, rewarding a player for being a one-year wonder.

Lo and behold, last season Grant had as many touchdowns as fumbles and slumped to a disappointing 3.86 yards per carry. Sure, there were issues on the offensive line, but Grant is a legit wild-card. Aaron Rodgers needs balance. The defense, which struggled big time last year, needs a blow and Grant must control the clock and move the chains.

Prediction: Jennings becomes a star, and Grant never comes close to matching his pay stub and proves to be a disappointment.

9. Pack it in

As we predicted, Roger Goodell did the right thing by suspending Donte' Stallworth indefinitely.

Book it — Stallworth and Mike Vick won't see a playing field in 2009. Goodell cited "public confidence" in suspending Stallworth. Remember that when Vick's turn comes.

Plaxico Burress will be suspended for 4-8 games.

Roger Goodell gets it. He understands the image of the league and I applaud him for it.

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