They do need QB Jackson to step up his game though to help take the burden off of Peterson. Hopefully their drafting of DB Tyrell Johnson will improve on the 32nd ranked pass defense, if not, the playoffs just might elude the Vikings again this season.Detroit Lions – What is Jon Kitna’s prediction this year for the Lions? If he’s smart, he won’t say how many wins this time around. Matt Milen didn’t draft a wide receiver until the 5th round this year, yay! Lions won’t be in the playoffs this year though, sorry.Chicago Bears – 12 drafts picks, not one quarter back picked. Chargers had Michael Turner, you need a running back and no trade was made The Falcons have Turner now. Then Cedric Benson forgot that the Bears drafted a running back early in the second round and decides that he can drink and drive on land and water It’s going to be a long cold winter in Chicago.

Oh yea, Urlacher is mad too.NFC South:Tampa Bay – Maybe Tampa will win the division again, maybe they won’t. This is another team that should be good, but, is just only o.k. Lucky for them the Saints had some jinx show itself and that Carolina kept getting quarterbacks hurt. I don’t see much improvement from last year unless their draft picks can make an instant impact.Carolina Panthers – It was nice seeing an 80s quarterback play in 2007. Vinnie did an alright job, but, the Panthers problems were beyond him being able to help. This isn’t a bad team over all, they need a solid, consistent leader though or they won’t make the playoffs this year either.New Orleans Saints – Dang, what happened guys? The thought of having to perform to the level you did the season before get to you? DrewBrees was doing all he could to keep the team from missing the playoffs, it’s just too bad the Saints defense didn’t feel the same.

Step it up on defense this year and I don’t see why the Saints should not be in the playoffs.Atlanta Falcons – Well, they got Michael Turner which was a good move. They drafted QB Matt Ryan in the 1st round and then drafted OT Sam Baker also in the 1st round I think Baker is going to help before we see Ryan helping. This is not the Falcons year, though I think they will show some improvement as long as their head coach doesn’t decided to abandon them again.NFC East:Eagles – Will he stay or will he go? I say keep McNabb, he’s a good quarterback, but, needs to stay healthy. He stays healthy all of 2007, it’s the Eagles in the playoffs and not the Redskins. Time will tell though on their draft picks, nobody really sticks out as animmediate impact player.Redskins – I’m sorry, but I feel that they fell backwards into the playoffs last year.

Great end to a tragic season for the ‘Skins, but I’m not sure rookie coach Jim Zorn will send this team to the next level. If Jason Campbell can come out firing, they just might sneak back into the playoffs this season.Dallas Cowboys – Romo is married, T.O. is still there, Pacman Jones is now there and they have a not so intimidating schedule for 2008. They should be fine this year barring any injuries or strip club incidents.New York Giants – Is Tiki Barber still kicking himself? The champs will not be champs again this season They will be good, they play with fire and I like that.

If Eli doesn’t go back to the Old Eli, they should go deep in the playoffs again, but, I just don’t think they will get to the big one. Strahan is gone now, which should not be a huge overall loss. They have a good defensive front, so that will minimize the impact of Strahan’s retirement.That’s it for my NFC assessment. Next weeks Football Friday, I will give my predictions for thecoming 2008 season.Thanks for reading. . Coming off what has been one of the best season’s in recent times for Everton, and Moyes most successful one since being at the helm, the Toffees must now show their credibility and strength in the transfer market to truly earn their place among the top English clubs. In Everton’s run for fourth in the league, only to lose out in the last month of the season, it became more apparent than ever that the squad lacks the depth to compete with the top four. This aside, it will take a signing of significant notability to really stamp their mark in the league.Moyes has been no stranger to big money purchases, breaking the club transfer record several seasons in succession, first with Andrew Johnson for £8.6 million two summers ago, and then Yakubu for £11.25 million last summer. However, his skill at picking players from lower leagues, and seeing them develop over several seasons has also benefited Everton in the long run. It will be nosurprise to see both big names and up and coming stars linked with Everton this summer. Heading OutHaving already lost Lee Carsley to Birmingham on a free, an experienced player has left acrucial role in the squad, which will be one of Moyes’ top priorities to address this summer.Steffan Wessels was also released on a free leaving Tim Howard head and shoulders above any other goalkeepers in the squad.