Remember The 90's?: Re-Living Greatness

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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Philadelphia Eagles
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Randall Cunningham (99)
HB: Anthony Toney (88)
FB: Keith Byars (92)
WR: Fred Barnett (90)
WR: Calvin Williams (90)
WR: Robert Clark (85)
TE: Keith Jackson (96)
LT: Matt Darwin (86)
LG: Mike Schad (85)
C: David Alexander (93)
RG: Jay Leeuwenburg (75)
RT: Ron Heller (95)
LE: Reggie White (99)
RE: Mike Golic (91)
DT: Clyde Simmons (99)
DT: Jerome Brown (84)
LOLB: Byron Evans (91)
MLB: Bryce Paup (85)
MLB: Bryan Hager (77)
ROLB: Seth Joyner (99)
CB: Izell Jenkins (86)
CB: Ben Smith (83)
CB: Merton Hanks (81)
FS: Wes Hopkins (99)
SS: Andre Waters (96)
K: Roger Ruzek (86)
P: Jeff Feagles (82)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 10-6, Playoff Birth

Projected 1991 Outcome: The Philadelphia Eagles are just 1 year removed from being Super Bowl Champions in 1990 and last year they struggled to get into the playoffs by 1 game over the Giants and Cowboys in their tough division. This year the Eagles had to make some drastic changes and it will interesting to see if it was for better or for worse.

The Eagles unfortunately lost two big names on their defense. The largest impact is probably the loss of Eric Allen, who is widely considered a top 5 corner in the league. Unfortunately Eric Allen's contract demands were too large for the Eagles and they were forced to release him (despite him staying in R.L. for awhile longer). This immediately makes an impact on the Eagles pass defense. With the other big loss being middle linebacker Jesse Small leaving. However Small's loss isn't as bad as they were grooming Bryce Paup to overtake him in the near future anyway and Hager makes a solid #2 MLB as well.

The biggest additions to the Eagles were on offense as they added wide receiver Robert Clark, the #2 in Detroit, who will now play 3rd fiddle here in Philadelphia with the incentive of catching balls from Cunningham. With Williams & Barnett, the addition of Clark makes the Eagles piece together one of the better receiving corps in the league thanks to the rapid development that Barnett and Williams have achieved. The final big addition on offense was former 1,000 yard runner Curt Warner. Warner will make a solid backup to Anthony Toney and split time overtaking Heath Sherman's spot.

The draft was good to the Eagles but they had to take players they weren't expecting to take until they released Eric Allen. At the cornerback spot they took three picks in Dale Carter, Mark McMillian, and Hoskins. Carter and McMillian both have great potential and it'll be interesting to see how far they can develop. A surprise late pick was strong safety Dana Hall, who the Eagles couldn't pass up his value. However Hall will likely not see playing time as he'll be riding the bench behind Andre Waters and last years rookie Marty Carter.

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to have a make or break year this season in their division. With the rise of the Cowboys and Giants, along with the unpredictable Redskins, the Eagles losses are going to be magnified. With their secondary no longer as good, and leadership being tossed around with the loss of Small the Eagles are going to have a tough fight to stay atop their division. If the Eagles are lucky the addition of Clark will improve their passing game to a point where it won't be noticeable that their defense has faltered slightly. Either way the team is filled with veteran players and young up comers that have all tasted victory and will be eager to get another ring on their fingers.

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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Atlanta Falcons
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Chris Miller (83)/Wade Wilson (81)
HB: Steve Broussard (88)
FB: Keith Jones (85)
WR: Andre Rison (90)
WR: Michael Haynes (82)
WR: Carl Pickens (79)
TE: Clarance Kay (81)
LT: Mike Kenn (82)
LG: Bill Fralic (91)
C: Jamie Dukes (82)
RG: Chris Gambol (76)
RT: Chris Hinton (92)
LE: Mike Gann (89)
RE: Marckus Koch (80)
DT: Tory Epps (79)
DT: Jim Wahler (79)
LOLB: Darion Conner (86)
MLB: Jessie Tuggle (99)
MLB: Tim Green (82)
ROLB: Michael Reid (83)
CB: Deion Sanders (99)
CB: Michael Turner (85)
CB: Charles Dimry (84)
FS: Brian Jordan (91)
SS: Stoney Case (91)
K: Jason Hanson (86)
P: Scott Fulhage (86)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 7-9, No Playoffs

Projected 1991 Outcome: The Atlanta Falcons struggled through a quarterback controversy last year that ended up seeing Brett Favre shipped of to New York as they made their choice to go with Chris Miller. However that controversy may have been enough of a distraction to cause the Falcons a few games. The Falcons fell just short of the Buccaneers' 9-7 record and missed out on the playoffs.

The Falcons have had a great offseason in that they have released excess weight on the team, as well as key players, however they have managed to find comparable, if not, better replacements for all those key players as well. With Brett Favre gone the Falcons picked up Wade Wilson as insurance behind Chris Miller from the Vikings. The Falcons then let go tight end Pete Holohan for ex-Bronco Clarance Kay who will substitute in perfectly. Meanwhile the teams 3rd and 4th string wide receivers, Floyd Dixon and Shawn Collins went for greener pastures in other franchises depth charts, but the Falcons nabbed young rookie Carl Pickens in the draft who is expected to play just as well, if not better, than either receiver. The Falcons also released starting right end Aundray Bruce who ended up signing with the 49ers, however once again the Falcons managed to acquire a perfect replacement in Markus Koch. Jim Wahler was added to the team as an improvement over the original plan for Blaise Winter to start at the #2 defensive tackle spot. Finally, despite a solid 25 of 32 field goal rookie season for drafted kicker, John Kasay, the Falcons could not pass up the opportunity to draft an even better kicker this year in Jason Hanson. Hanson has too great of a leg for the Falcons to pass on and as a result Kasay will be riding the bench this season. It'll be interesting to see if the Falcons keep Kasay on the roster for the year or not, as Kasay still has 3 years left on his contract with the Falcons. However the biggest improvement for the Falcons was their cornerbacks.

While the Falcons may already have one of the top 3 cornerbacks in the league in Deion Sanders they made vast improvements to the rest of their cornerback roster. Last year Lewis Billups played second fiddle and was very good at it but after Billups there was a large drop off in talent. This season Billups was released and they used that money to acquire both, ex-Cardinal Michael Turner, and Charles Dimry. These two talented corners have been #1's at some point in their careers and it'll be interesting to see how well they do defensively. With them rounding it out and Bobby Butler still on the team the Falcons corners are set.

Overall the Falcons should expect to improve upon last years sub 500 season and potentially challenge for a playoff spot this year. With Chris Miller being given the franchises vote of confidence, and improvements made on special teams, defensively, as well as to Miller's passing options there is no reason for the Falcons to not perform better this season.

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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San Francisco 49ers
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Joe Montana (97)
HB: Brent Fullwood (82)
FB: Tom Rathman (97)
WR: Jerry Rice (98)
WR: John Taylor (91)
WR: Shawn Jefferson (73)
TE: Brent Jones (93)
LT: Steve Wallace (88)
LG: Guy McIntyre (93)
C: Jesse Sapolu (92)
RG: Harris Barton (96)
RT: Tom Ackerman (83)
LE: Pierce Holt (90)
RE: Aundray Bruce (82)
DT: Michael Carter (86)
DT: Andy Harmon (72)
LOLB: Ed McDaniel (79)
MLB: Jesse Small (91)
MLB: Dwight Hollier (72)
ROLB: Bill Romanowski (93)
CB: Lewis Billups (88)
CB: Don Griffin (84)
CB: Vestee Jackson (83)
FS: Kip Corrington (78)
SS: Marquez Pope (75)
K: Mike Cofer (87)
P: Ralf Mojsiejenko (89)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 10-6, Super Bowl Winners

Projected 1991 Outcome: Last year couldn't have gone any better for the 49ers as they added another lombardi trophy to their shrine. The San Francisco 49ers snuck in as a wild card team into the playoffs behind the 11-5 Rams, and then they demolished the competition on their way to the Super Bowl where they pulled out a victory over the Los Angeles Raiders. However this upcoming season is going to be the toughest yet for the 49ers as they continue to loose key players.

Many people around the NFL believed that hte 49ers chances of winning another Super Bowl were slim when they released Roger Craig to the Buccaneers. Well the 49ers proved them wrong this season, but now those same critics are starting to grow in number, as the 49ers let go of two key players on their defensive squad. Ronnie Lott has decided to leave the 49ers after resigning a 1 year deal last off-season and as a result will decimate the 49ers defense. Instead mediocre free safety Kip Corrington will attempt to replace his rather large shoes. The other defensive loss that the 49ers are suffering is right outside linebacker Charles Haley. Haley was a monster on the team and a sack machine. He led the 49ers in tackles with 119 and sacks with 13, more than double the closest competitor, Ronnie Lott (6). With 19 of the teams 37 sacks means that more than half, 50%, of their sacking power is now lost. If you think the 49ers aren't going to feel this loss next season then you have another thing coming. If it's any consolation the 49ers attempted to at least patch the linebacker hole as they focused purely on that position in the draft. If you were a linebacker chances are you were taken by the 49ers this year.

The 49ers snagged linebackers left in right and landed some solid talent that may prove to be useful in the future. While all of them will most likely be unable to compare to Charles Haley they will at least be serviceable starters. Ed McDaniel gets the starting spot and will attempt to make a career with the team meanwhile Steve Grant has great potential and almost beat out McDaniel for the starting spot. Finally Andre Powell has the ability to be a decent special teams player but will most likely see limited playing time. The 49ers also lost middle linebacker Matt Millen and upgraded to ex-Eagle linebacker Jesse Small. However their backup Keena Turner retired leaving a hole in the 2nd spot that they filled with rookie Dwight Hollier. Romanowski is the only remaining player of the 49ers linebacking corps from last season, including backups. This huge changeup is going to quake the defense. The 49ers added a slight improvement in Aundray Bruce who barely gets the nod of veteran Kevin Fagan. Meanwhile the 2nd defensive tackle will be Andy Harmon. The 49ers hole at safety though was left unanswered. Kip Corrington was signed to replace Lott but he is certainly the worst starting free safety in the league at this point. Meanwhile Marquez Pope isn't much better, he is at least a rookie and could show improvement over the season as he attempts to replace underrated veteran Dave Waymer at the strong spot.

This season is going to be a tough year for the 49ers. The Super Bowl teams of the past are now crumbling as Roger Craig, Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley, Matt Millen, Keena Turner, Dave Waymer, and even Yancey Thigpen who played an important role at the #3 spot last season as a rookie, are all gone. The 49ers have done their best to plug in other players but it appears the decimated safety backfield of the 49ers might be easy pickings for opposing quarterbacks. Of course only time will tell but it's a long shot that the 49ers will come close to repeating this season.

[Woy]

Eric Dickerson got picked up by the Dolphins? Interesting.

Still amazing man, keep it up.

[young2rice]

Yeah they nabbed him for a one year deal. It'll be interesting to see how they can capitalize on it. In real life he went to the Raiders for one year in 1992, and then the Falcons in 1993 before retiring.

So that means that he will be released by the Dolphins after this season, but of course they'll have a chance like all teams to sign him to his next 1 year deal the following off-season.

Eitherway this may be Dan Marino's best chance to get a virtual Super Bowl ring that he could never achieve in real life as Marino's passing attack, the Marx brothers at wide receiver, and Eric Dickerson in the backfield the Dolphins offense should be smoking this season. I expect as usual the Buffalo Bills will be the team to beat in their division and it'll be an interesting battle, as I don't think the Jets or Patriots are good enough yet to get out of the bottom two of that division.

[young2rice]

Alright to speed things up, for the sake of time, and my urge to get the season started, I will be skipping over the 'explanation'. Process of the Seasons in Preview because that takes the majority of the time to write. This way I can get this going and hopefully build some steam.

[packersfan4eva]

this is very interesting, i enjoy reading it. keep it up

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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New York Giants
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Brett Favre (86)
HB: Rodney Hampton (86)
FB: Tommy Vardell (77)
WR: Stephen Baker (84)
WR: Michael Barber (79)
WR: Tony Jones (78)
TE: Howard Cross (77)
LT: Jumbo Elliott (92)
LG: Eric Moore (84)
C: Bill Oates (90)
RG: William Roberts (84)
RT: Doug Riesemberg (87)
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LE: Eric Dorsey (87)
RE: Leonard Marshall (98)
DT: Keith Millard (92)
DT: Erik Howard (84)
LOLB: Carl Banks (91)
MLB: Steve Deossie (92)
MLB: Pepper Johnson (91)
ROLB: Lawrence Taylor (99)
CB: Sam Seale (90)
CB: Mark Collins (87)
CB: Troy Vincent (80)
FS: Vince Newsome (89)
SS: Greg Jackson (90)
K: Jim Breech (88)
P: Sean Landeta (99)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 9-7, No Playoffs

Projected 1992 Outcome: With Brett Favre as the new Giants QB he's exepcting big things in New York. However the Giants lost their top receiver in Mark Ingram. As a result it'll be tough for Favre to make an immediate impact as the team will have to rely heavily on Rodney Hampton.

The kicking game is one of the areas with massive improvement as the Giants went from Matt Bahr to Jim Breech. Meanwhile the defense stayed mostly the same with the additions of Pro Bowler Defensive Tackle Keith Millard, and cornerback Sam Seale to add depth to the defense.

The Giants did more good than harm, but lost some veterans like fullback Maurice Carthon, and tight end Mark Bavaro, if they can retaliate with solid play from their young replacements the Giants can easily get +1 win this season and end up taking the division, entering the playoffs.

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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New York Jets
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Ken O'Brien (82)
HB: Blair Thomas (86)
FB: Brad Baxter (89)
WR: Al Toon (92)
WR: Terance Mathis (88)
WR: Rob Moore (83)
TE: Mark Boyer (86)
LT: John Fina (77)
LG: Matthew Haight (82)
C: Jim Sweeney (94)
RG: David Cadigan (84)
RT: Jeff Criswell (84)
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LE: Marvin Washington (89)
RE: Jeff Lageman (88)
DT: David Byrd (91)
DT: Scott Mersereau (82)
LOLB: Mo Lewis (83)
MLB: Kyle Clifton (92)
MLB: Ray McDonald (77)
ROLB: Joe Kelly (81)
CB: Cedric Mack (87)
CB: James Hasty (85)
CB: Leroy Irvin (84)
FS: Erik McMillan (92)
SS: Brian Washington (91)
K: Fuad Reveiz (84)
P: Chris Gardocki (82)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 8-8, No Playoffs

Projected 1992 Outcome: The Jets are slowly improving as a team as they rise to .500 in 1991. However unfortunately for them the rest of their division is either improving or already elite. With the Bills and Dolphins (with the addition of Eric Dickerson) still in the division the Jets will be hard pressed to make the playoffs. Not to mention a young Patriots team as well.

The Jets didn't add too many players to their team either. The Jets entire offense for the most part will return in 1992 to continue to gel. Meanwhile the only big additions were Cedric Mack (87 Ovr) and Leroy Irvin (84 Ovr) to the defensive backfield. Their addition along with James Hasty should give the Jets much needed stability at the corner position.

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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Detroit Lions
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Dave Krieg (90)
HB: Barry Sanders (99)
FB: Sammy Winder (86)
WR: Webster Slaughter (90)
WR: Richard Johnson (90)
WR: Willie Green (81)
TE: Kerry Cash (75)
LT: Lomas Brown (93)
LG: Eric Andolsek (86)
C: Kevin Glover (89)
RG: Brian Blados (91)
RT: Tom Ricketts (88)
LE: Skip McClendon (85)
RE: Kevin Ferguson (85)
DT: Jerry Ball (90)
DT: Lawrence Peete (76)
LOLB: George Jamison (86)
MLB: Chris Spielman (99)
MLB: Dennis Gibson (90)
ROLB: Michael Cofer (91)
CB: Bruce McNorton (90)
CB: Ray Crockett (86)
CB: Darryl Lewis (78)
FS: Bennie Blades (95)
SS: William White (93)
K: Scott Norwood (89)
P: Jim Arnold (92)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 11-5, Division Title

Projected 1992 Outcome: The Lions have improved greatly with the addition of Barry Sanders to their team since 1990. Sanders has single handedly dominated the run game and put the Lions on the map despite struggles from other team members. However with this years improvements the Lions are making a case for one of the best offenses in the league.

With the additions of Seattle Seahawk quarterback, Dave Kreig, and Cleveland Brown wide receiver, Webster Slaughter, the Detroit Lions just got a booster shot in their passing attack. With Krieg slinging the ball the Lions now have a dominate passer and a top notch #1 receiver alongside Richard Johnson (90 Ovr). This will open the offense up and allow the Lions to rely less on Barry Sanders. Not to mention the improvement on the right side of the line with the addition of Bengal, Brain Blados (91 Ovr) and Tom Ricketts (88 Ovr) the Lions offense looks stacked.

On the defensive side rookies Marco Coleman (80 ovr) and ex-Bengal Skip McClendon (85 Ovr) will help bolster the defensive line, meanwhile most starters at linebacker, corner, and safety will return for the following season. The only position that will take a slight dip for the Lions this year is their kicking game as Eddie Murray, one of the league's best kickers will spend his final years away from Detroit, and the Lions replaced him with ex-Bill Scott Norwood. Who is certainly a solid kicker, but not on Murray's level.

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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Houston Oilers
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Warren Moon (99)
HB: Bo Jackson (94)
FB: Allen Pinkett (86)
WR: Haywood Jeffries (92)
WR: Ernest Givins (88)
WR: Yancy Thigpen (82)
TE: Curtis Duncan (85) (4th WR)
LT: Dan Steinkuhler (92)
LG: Mike Munchak (98)
C: Jay Pennison (96)
RG: Bruce Matthews (99)
RT: Doug Williams (96)
LE: William Fuller (89)
RE: Sean Jones (95)
DT: Ray Childress (93)
DT: Doug Smith (81)
LOLB: Al Smith (92)
MLB: Johnny Meads (87)
MLB: Scott Kozak (80)
ROLB: Lamar Lathon (82)
CB: Richard Johnson (95)
CB: Stan Petry (85)
CB: Patrick Allen (83)
FS: Bubba McDowell (91)
SS: Terry Kinard (86)
K: Norm Johnson (92)
P: Greg Montgomery (95)

Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 15-1, Division Round Loss

Projected 1992 Outcome: Last year with the addition of Bo Jackson to the Oilers everybody and their grandma was picking Houston to go to the big-game and win, after loosing the previous season in the final seconds to the Eagles without much of a run game. They certainly proved those people right during the regular season as they went 15-1 almost achieving the first undefeated season since the Dolphins. However a close game in the playoffs saw them fall to the surprise Los Angeles Raiders and their playoff push in their division round playoff game. The Raiders barely beat them in an epic shoot-out that will go down as one of the greatest games of all time 51 to 48.

Many might think this would tear apart a team but it is only fueling the Oilers even more. With two seasons of Super Bowl victory just out of their grasp their hoping to keep the window open long enough to get through. A Super Bowl loss, a best-team record season with a divisional round loss, and now this upcoming season outcome will determine the Oilers place in history.

The good news for the Oilers is that, even if it may seem impossible, they got even better in the off season and dropped some fat on their already lean roster. Every single starter for the Oilers on offense and defense is returning with two upgrades. The Oilers signed Yancy Thigpen to a contract to replace Tony Jones at the 3rd wide receiver spot. He flourished in his rookie year with the 49ers and is will hopefully continue that progression in Houston. The Oilers also added ex-Chief, Robb Thomas who will be the team's 4th WR giving them incomparable depth at the position. With the 2nd starter addition being made 1/2 way through the regular season last year in cornerback Stan Petry giving them more flexibility at the cornerback position.

There is no doubt that the Oilers only have one thing in mind, the Lombardi trophy. This year could very well be the season they get it if last years gelling between the Moon and Jackson is any indication. However it is the NFL and you can never know when a team like the Billy Joe Tolliver led Raiders will upset you and ruin your hope.

[G-men]

holy fuck the giants got brett favre :beer:

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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Green Bay Packers
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Don Majkowski (85)
HB: Keith Woodside (80)/Leonard Russell (79)
FB: Darrell Thompson (87)
WR: Sterling Sharpe (90)
WR: Perry Kemp (89
WR: Louis Lipps (84)
TE: Ed West (89)
LT: Leon Searcy (77)
LG: Keith Uecker (84)
C: Jesse Campen (88)
RG: Billy Ard (86)
RT: Ken Ruettgers (92)
LE: Matt Brock (86)
RE: Rueben Brown (83)
DT: Tony Casillas (91)
DT: Shawn Patterson (81)
LOLB: Anthony Bell (91)
MLB: Brian Noble (94)
MLB: Johnny Holland (88)
ROLB: Tony Bennett (79)
CB: Eric Allen (99)
CB: Jerry Holmes (88)
CB: Leroy Butler (88)
FS: Mark Murphy (93)
SS: Chuck Cecil (91)
K: Chris Jacke (89)
P: Bryan Wagner (92)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 7-9, No Playoffs

Projected 1992 Outcome: After overachieving in 1990 the Packers were brought back to reality in 1991 as they struggled to a 7-9 record that saw them tied for last in their division with the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers went through numerous key changes in the offseason that will dictate how this season progresses.

The only major offensive change was the addition of Louis Lipps to play the 3rd receiver behind Sharpe and Kemp which will give Majkowski plenty of solid targets in the passing game. But it was the defense that had some interesting changes.

With the release of Scott Stephen it marked the second year in a row that the Packers essentially cut their best linebacker. Things worked out without Tim Harris as Holland filled in nicely but this year the Packers went another route by drafting two capable linebackers in George Koonce (77 Ovr) and Eddie Robinson (77 Ovr). These two outside linebackers are highly touted coming out of college and both have the skill to be starters in the NFL. They may not be at Stephen's level quite yet but they have the potential and the move to free up the cap space may end up benefiting the Packers in the long run anyway. Another huge addition was the adding of Eric Allen, arguably mentioned among the best cornerbacks in the league. Allen was a salary cap casualty for Philadelphia and the Packers took advantage as he'll be the team's new number one. With the loss of Cris Dishman it appeared the Packers would dip in their secondary but Allen's late acquisition was a surprise that Packers fans will love.

[Woy]

Great stuff Y2R.

[young2rice]

1992 Season In Preview
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New England Patriots
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1992 Starters (Change from prev.season in Italics)
QB: Steve Beuerlein (83)
HB: John Stephens (86)
FB: Kevin Turner (79)
WR: Irving Fryar (92)
WR: Hart Lee Dykes (88)
WR: Ernie Mills (73)
TE: Marv Cook (87)
LT: Bob Whitfield (81)
LG: Randy Dixon (86)
C: Doug Douglas (83)
RG: Eugene Chung (76)
RT: Bruce Armstrong (87)
LE: Brent Williams (90)
RE: Rod Saddler (83)
DT: Terry Goad (84)
DT: Tim Johnson (79)
LOLB: Andre Tippett (88)
MLB: Eugene Marve (90)
MLB: Matt Millen (83)
ROLB: Vincent Brown (91)
CB: Ronnie Lippett (93)
CB: Maurice Hurst (90)
CB: Rod McSwain (84)
FS: Fred Marion (99)
SS: Roland James (88)
K: Ken Willis (81)
P: Dan Stryzinski (86)


Additions (* = Rookie)
Releases/Retirements (* = Retired)
Previous Season Outcome: 8-8, No Playoffs

Projected 1992 Outcome: After overachieving in 1990 the Patriots once again had a decent season that saw them go .500 proving it wasn't a complete fluke. But at the same time New England's entire division did well with the Bills at 13-3, the Dolphins at 10-6, and the Jets at 8-8 over the Patriots, coming in last at 8-8 as well. The Patriots are putting the pieces together but have had some issues with players that are causing strife.

The entire Johnny Rembert holdout fiasco is over as the Patriots let him go, however going along with him is fellow MLB Ed Reynolds as well. The Patriots defense was known for its solid linebacker corps but unfortunately their talent pool takes a dip thanks to the loss of these two players. The Patriots found solid replacements in veterans Eugene Marve, and Matt Millen, but they aren't nearly as good as the previous combo and will have a hard time living up to their performances.

The emergence of Hart Lee Dykes as a threat beside Irving Fryar has really helped improve Steve Beuerlein's performance as he had 3,023 yards and 19 td's with 19 int's last season. He will once again get the starting nod and hopefully continue to improve along with young HB John Stephens.

The Patriots have some great talent that just needs the experience to push them over the edge. This might be a rough year for the team defensively as they've had a change over on numerous postions and let some of their depth go with the release of safety Terry Hoage, linebackers Rembert, Reynolds, and Williams, as well as defensive linemen Garin Veris and Fred DeRiggi. Hopefully though the stop-gaps of Brad Edwards, Eugene Marve, Matt Millen, Mark Brown, and Rod Saddler with Tim Johnson will be enough to respectively replace those positions.