Hurtling into Week 1 of a new NFL season, there might be no greater thrill for the football fan than to be prepared with the lowdown on the hottest storylines, names and trends. Certainly, you don't want to be caught spouting last year's conventional wisdom as you make this season's picks in the weekly office pool (for recreational purposes only, mind you).
| Page 2's Hot 'n' Not list for NFL season |
| Category |
|
Hot |
|
Not |
| XFL-to-NFL success story |
|
Tommy Maddox |
|
"He Hate Me" |
| Barstool debate |
|
What to do about the refs |
|
'00 Ravens defense versus '85 Bears |
| Front-office guru |
|
Ex-TV guy |
|
Ultra-rich guy |
| Reason to follow the season |
|
Your fantasy league |
|
Inherent drama |
| Rallying cry |
|
"Who needs an offense?!" |
|
"We get no respect." |
| "Whatever happened to ...?" |
|
Jake Plummer |
|
Rick Mirer |
| Reason to get cut |
|
Not telegenic enough |
|
Salary-cap considerations |
| Reason for a coach to start a cornerback |
|
Because I want to show how powerful I am |
|
Because he's a beloved vet |
| Cool nickname |
|
Snoop (Marvin Minnis) |
|
Booger (Anthony McFarland) |
| Dud |
|
Ryan Leaf as a free agent |
|
Ryan Leaf as a Buc |
| Team's season-crushing injury |
|
Torn ACL to star RB |
|
Concussion to star QB |
| Brewing-controversy backup QB |
|
Mike McMahon |
|
Joe Germaine |
| Jersey to be seen in |
|
Donovan McNabb |
|
Keyshawn Johnson |
| Access to team |
|
"All-" |
|
"No-" |
| Super Bowl teams |
|
Expected |
|
Surprises |
| QB's role |
|
Ride the defense's work |
|
Air it out |
| Raiders receiver who matters |
|
Tim Brown |
|
Jerry Rice |
| Position |
|
Roving linebacker |
|
All-purpose running back |
| Sexy pick to be champ |
|
Philadelphia |
|
Tennessee |
| Rookie named Michael |
|
Bennett |
|
Vick |
| MVP bandwagon |
|
Brian Griese |
|
Randy Moss |
| Two words about a notable coach |
|
Jon Gruden: Babyfaced assassin |
|
Dick Vermeil: Tarnished legacy |
| Complaint about a stadium |
|
Unbearable turf |
|
Snowballs |
| Oddity |
|
29-year-old rookie starting QB |
|
Super-sized quarterbacks |
| Fantasy-junkie sleeper |
|
Aaron Brooks |
|
Matt Hasselbeck |
| Novel way to use your first-round fantasy pick |
|
Marvin Harrison |
|
Fred Taylor |
| Complaint in Cleveland |
|
"What will we do without Courtney Brown?" |
|
"Why are we drafting for defense ... again?" |
| Aging signal-caller |
|
Doug Flutie |
|
Kent Graham |
| Mike Shanahan's biggest problem |
|
How to manage PR of starting Anderson over less-talented Davis |
|
Pulling yet another 1,000-yard RB out of thin air |
| Go-to esoteric Dennis Miller reference |
|
Anything Shakespeare |
|
Anything related to Mexico |
| Subject of QB scrutiny |
|
Brad Johnson |
|
Jon Kitna |
| Record fans want to see broken |
|
TDs in a season |
|
Payton's career rushing yards |
