The Patriots will not repeat in 2005.  The departures of offensive and defensive coordinators Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel will hamper the rhythm of the 2005 team.  The Patriots are considered a dynasty (winning three Super Bowls in four years) but will begin to slip as did the Dallas Cowboys did after they duplicated the feat in the early 1990's.  New England will repeat as AFC East champions but Tom Brady will suffer his first playoff loss in the post season.

Ben's stellar rookie season was no fluke but he will not receive the fanfare he did in 2004.  Pittsburgh has always been a smash-mouth running team with a tenacious defense and they do not look to change (see failed 2003 season experiment as a passing team).  Ben lost Plexico Burress but did gain a solid tight end via the draft (Heath Miller) and Cedrick Wilson via free agency.  If the running game repeats last year's performance, Ben should have a solid sophomore season, if not he will be under the gun to ignite the passing game.

Most training camp and pre-season holdouts eventually return to their perspective teams before the start of the season.  Contracts in the NFL are not guaranteed like in baseball, therefore a player who was signed to a mid-level salary and played a pivotal role in leading their team to the playoffs; feels he has a right to have a new contract written.

Terrell Owens is a great example.  He will not hold out for the entire season but has a legitimate argument to a new contract with his role in leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004.  If Owens did hold out for the entire 2005 season, it could cost the Eagles the NFC East title and a playoff

berth; opening the door for another NFC East rival to win the division. 

Parcells and Bledsoe know each other very well from their New England days.  Parcells trusts Bledsoe and he will be more effective than Vinny Testaverde in Bill's offense.  Dallas will improve from their dismal 2004 season and will be in the running for a playoff berth.

I picked Detroit and Arizona as the teams to watch in 2004 and both teams were in position for a playoff run at the halfway point.  Then they fell flat on their face.

The surprise team of 2005 will be the 2002 Super Bowl champs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  They have stocked up on offensive threats and still have a solid defense.  It will all revolve around the enigmatic Brian Griese (the QB I once thought would take over where John Elway left off for the Broncos in 1999) and how well rookies Cadillac Williams and Alex Smith perform.