OFFENSE
Quarterback: Brett Favre is the league's best, period, and there's not much else to say. He's making a bid for his fourth consecutive Most Valuable Player award (he shared the honor last year with Detroit's Barry Sanders), having completed 70.8 percent of his passes while throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions. Doug Pederson, who has thrown no passes in two years as a Packer, has the thankless job of being Favre's backup.
Running back: Coach Mike Holmgren will decide today, at the earliest, on a replacement for Dorsey Levens, who broke a bone in his right leg and sprained his right ankle last week. It probably will be former Ohio State Buckeye Raymont Harris, who gained 1,033 yards in 13 games last year with Chicago, though Travis Jervey probably will receive some action. Harris was inactive for the first two games while continuing to recover from corrective surgery for a broken left leg.
Wide receiver - tight end: Antonio Freeman and Robert Brooks aren't often heralded as a top receiving tandem, but they should be. Freeman's 21 touchdown catches in 1996-97 were the second-most in the NFL, and he has three more already this year. Brooks recovered from an injured right knee in 1996 to amass 60 catches and 1,010 yards receiving last year. Starting tight end Mark Chmura's two Pro Bowl trips reflect his all-around excellence.
Offensive line: Last year, left tackle Ross Verba was the first rookie left tackle ever to start the Super Bowl. Left guard Marco Rivera is in his first year of starting, replacing the departed Aaron Taylor. Center Frank Winters was a Pro Bowler two years ago. Guard Adam Timmerman and tackle Earl Dotson man the right side.
|
DEFENSE
Defensive line: Some observers think that left end Reggie White, tackle Santana Dotson and nose tackle Gilbert Brown deserve to be considered as one of the elite groups in football history. White, entering his 14th season, had three sacks last week against Tampa Bay. First-round draft choice Vonnie Holliday, the right end, has fit in nicely with this group. Pass-rushing end Keith McKenzie already has three sacks.
Linebackers: Left outside linebacker George Koonce appears to have recovered from the knee injury that sidelined him through most of the 1997 season. Middleman Bernardo Harris was the team's leading tackler last year in his first season as a starter. Right outside linebacker Brian Williams has started 34 consecutive regular-season games. Among the backups is Lamont Hollinquest, who spent about 15 minutes on the Bengals' roster at the end of the 1994 season and never played for Cincinnati.
Secondary: Cornerbacks Craig Newsome and Tyrone Williams are known for aggressive coverage. Williams had an interception in last week's 23-15 victory over Tampa Bay. Consensus All-Pro strong safety LeRoy Butler, who had 9 1/2 sacks in 1996-97 and 31 career interceptions, has come to define his position. Darren Sharper is in his first year as a starter, replacing veteran Eugene Robinson. Mike Prior is a capable backup.
Special teams: Jervey went to the Pro Bowl for his kick coverage last year. Roell Preston, averaging 42.2 yards per kickoff return, could earn that status this season. Former Pro Bowl punter Sean Landeta joins his fourth team. Kicker Ryan Longwell is 4-for-4 on field goals, though none of his attempts has been longer than 38 yards.
|
O'Donnell passing with flying colors