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With the economy in the condition that it is in, I thought maybe I can apply a stock market concept into evaluating the NFL. Each team is listed, by division, in the order of team strength with a short summary of the good, bad and verdict of each team so far this off-season (pre-draft). Then the ???Analyst' (aka ME) rate each team based on how each team finished the 2008 regular season and what they have accomplished so far this off-season to improve their team. Then I advise you (the public) whether you should ???invest' in that team. Keep in mind that I am comparing each individual team against themselves, not to other teams in the same division. In other words, a team with a poor record in 2008 that have made moves to improve this coming season (like the Rams), would have a ???Buy' rating. Likewise, a team that did well in 2008, but is unlikely to repeat (like the Titans) would receive a ???Stay away' rating. If a team has not done enough to improve or hurt their 2008 record (like the Vikings), they would receive a ???Wait and See' rating.  So if I give a 2-14 team a ???Hot Commodity' rating, that DOES NOT mean I expect them to been in the playoffs. I just like what they have done so far this off-season.

AFC EAST

New England Patriots- 2008 record: 11-5 (missed playoffs)

The Good: QB Tom Brady back from injury. Signed RB Fred Taylor, CB Shawn Springs, and OLB Tully Banta-Cain.

The Bad: Lost offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (Broncos), LB Larry Izzo (Jets).

The verdict: The Patriots have lost several coordinators over the last few years, and it has had little affect on their win-lose record. They won 11 without Brady (after winning all 16 the year prior with Brady). Taylor gives this team the threat of a run.

The Analyst says: Hot commodity.

 Miami Dolphins- 2008 record: 11-5 (divisional champs)

The Good: QB Chad Pennington lasted the entire 2008 season and played very well. RB Ronnie Brown played close to the caliber of a first round pick. Found a hidden gem in WR Davone Bess. Signed C Jack Grove. Bill Parcells is still running the show.

The Bad: For now, nothing.

The verdict: They will be hard press to repeat as divisional champs, especially with Tom Brady back behind center in New England, but it is not impossible.

The Analyst says: Wait and see.

New York Jets- 2008 record: 9-7 (missed playoffs)

The Good: New head coach Rex Ryan. Signed ILB Bart Scott and LB Larry Izzo. Kept several key free agents (FB Tony Richardson, K Jay Feely, G Brandon Moore). No more Brett Favre drama.

The Bad: No more Brett Farve. The QB depth chart (Erik Ainge, Kellen Clemens, Brett Ratliff). Lost WR Laveranues Coles (Bengals) and ILB Eric Barton (Browns).

The verdict: This team will not be in the news quite as much with the departure of Favre, which is good because this may be a rebuilding year. If Rex Ryan can rebuild the defense first, that should keep them competitive for now.

The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!

Buffalo Bills- 2008 record: 7-9 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Signed WR Terrell Owens.

The Bad: Signed WR T.O.

The verdict: The signing of T.O. shows desperation. This will be Dick Juaron's final season coaching the Bills. T.O. could not behave on winning teams, so wait until the Bills are out of playoff contention by mid-season. Bring your popcorn!!!

The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!

 

AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh Steelers- 2008 record: 12-4 (Super Bowl Champs)

The Good: Most of the starters from the Super Bowl Championship are still with the team.

The Bad: Possible Super Bowl hang-over? Weak offensive line (still).

The verdict: The Steelers' offensive line is their Achilles' heel, yet they still won the Super Bowl. Despite playing a relatively tough schedule yearly, they usually win their division.

The Analyst says: Hot Commodity.

Baltimore Ravens- 2008 record: 11-5 (lost AFC championship game)

The Good: Finally found their QB (Joe Flacco). Decent stable of running backs. Defense still very good. Signed C Matt Birk, KR/CB Chris Carr.

The Bad: Jets raided Ravens (Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan, LB Bart Scott, SS Jim Leonhard). Question marks at cornerback.

The verdict: The defense was stout before Ryan got there and will continue to be stout after he is gone. Assuming QB Joe Flacco and Head Coach Jon Harbaugh continue to develop, this team will be competitive. But last season's success will be tough to match. The Analyst says: Wait and See.

Cincinnati Bengals- 2008 record: 4-11-1 (missed playoffs)

The Good: QB Carson Palmer should be healthy for training camp. Ocho Cinco (Chad Johnson) has been low key of late. Cedric Benson looking like a keeper. Signed WR Laveranues Coles.

The Bad: Lost WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Seahawk) and OT Stacey Andrews (Eagles).

The verdict: The defense is improving, but it wasn't like they could get any worse. Palmer is back, but they were not doing too well before his injury. I doubt they will lose more games this coming season, but buyers beware!!!

The Analyst says: Wait and See.

Cleveland Browns- 2008 record: 4-12 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Head Coach Romeo Crennel is gone. Signed ILB Eric Barton.

The Bad: New Head Coach is Eric Mangini. Lost TE Kellen Winslow (Bucs). Unsettled at QB (Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson). Number one WR (Braylon Edwards) could not catch a cold. Number two WR (Donte Stallworth) recently charged in vehicle death.

The verdict: Going from one failed Belichick assistant to another is mind-boggling. But with the Steelers and Ravens in their division, does it really matter???

The Analyst says Stay Away!!!

 

AFC SOUTH

Indianapolis Colts- 2008 record: 12-4 (lost wild card)

The Good: Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks gone. Offense still intact. Pro Bowl pass-rushers (Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis).

The Bad: Lost Head Coach Tony Dungy (retire) and WR Marvin Harrison (released). Uncertainty about defensive scheme.

The verdict: The Colts have been the most consistent team this decade (only team to qualify for playoffs every year). Can new coach Jim Caldwell keep it going? The Analyst says: Wait and See.

Houston Texans- 2008 record 8-8 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Young, talented nucleus on both sides of the ball. RB Steve Slaton is the real deal. Signed DT Shaun Cody.

The Bad: Last year's backup QB Sage Rosenfel is replaced by Dan Orlovsky (Lions), especially with Schaub's health history. Lots of unsigned free agents to address.

The Verdict: This is a very solid team who will eventually break into the playoffs. Will it be this season?

The Analyst says: Wait and See.

Tennessee Titans- 2008 record: 13-3 (lost divisional round)

The Good: RB Chris Johnson is a franchise back. CB Cortland Finnegan has become what Adam ???Pacman' Jones wasn't.

The Bad: Lost DT Albert Haynesworth (Redskins) and KR/CB Chris Carr (Ravens). QB Kerry Collins is short term option. QB Vince Young's mental state.

The Verdict: The Titans surprised everyone by going 13-3 and winning the Colts' dominated AFC South. The lost of Haynesworth alone will add a few more loses next season.

The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!

Jacksonville Jaguars- 2008 record: 5-11 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Signed OT Tra Thomas.

The Bad: Lost a lot of players (RB Fred Taylor, OT Kahliff Barnes, DE Paul Spicer, etc). Recently emerging WR Matt Jones in doubt due to drug habit.

The verdict: The running game struggled last year due to offensive line injury, and now they are down to just RB Maurice Jones-Drew. Who will QB David Garrard throw to? The Analyst: Wait and See.

 

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers- 2008 record: 8-8 (Divisional Champs)

The Good: QB Philip Rivers is on the verge of being elite. OLB Shawne Merriman should be back from injury.

The Bad: What will become of RB LaDainian Tomlinson? One first day pick (1^st round, 16^th pick). Is Head Coach Norv Turner holding this team back?

The Verdict: The 2008 performance of Rivers has greatly reduced the urgency of the RB situation. That and the division they are in.

The Analyst says: Hot Commodity.

Kansas City Chiefs- 2008 record: 2-14 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Hired GM Scott Pioli (Patriots), Head Coach Todd Haley (Cardinals) and Defensive Coordinator Clancy Pendergast (Cardinals).

The Bad: Year three of rebuilding. RB Larry Johnson is unhappy (again).

The Verdict: Pioli and new Head Coach Todd Haley have a handful with this roster. But even they can do better than 2-14 this season, right?

The Analyst says: Hot Commodity.

Oakland Raiders- 2008 record: 5-11 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Resigned CB Nnamdi Asomugha.

The Bad: Al Davis still runs (down) this team.

The Verdict: Do not know what to make of this team. They are in a weak division, so at least they have that going for them.

The Analyst says: Wait and See.

Denver Broncos- 2008 record: 8-8 (missed playoffs)

The Good: Signed RB Correll Buckhalter (Eagles), FS Brian Dawkins (Eagles), DT Darrell Reid (Colts). Two first-round picks the next two years.

The Bad: New Head Coach Josh McDaniels' ???people skills'.

The Verdict: After a monumental collapse last season, leading to the firing of long time Head Coach Mike Shanahan, and the ensuing soap opera between the new coach and QB, I cannot see this season going well.

The Analyst says: Stay Away!!!