The most recent changes are coming for the NFC North. The Bears added Minnesota running back Chester Taylor to add on to a developing running game and another target for Jay Cutler.

Packer Ryan Pickett had his contract restructured to a deal that is now worth $28 million dollars and he is slated to earn $10 million in 2010 if there isn’t a lockout. General manager Ted Thompson told the AP that, “We feel like Ryan’s a good player. We feel like he’s a good teammate, a good leader of that group. I personally like him quite a bit.”

There also were some ground-breaking moves in the AFC with the release/trade of both Browns quarterbacks, Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn. After the Browns released Derek Anderson and signed former Panthers’ QB Jake Delhomme, they were left no room for Quinn who had a 67.9 passer rating last year.  In a separate move, they shipped Quinn to Denver.

Thomas Jones was released after having a career year with over 1200 yards rushing and over 10 TDs. It was, statistically, one of his best years as a New York Jet; the front office felt like they had a promising feature back in Shone Greene. Jones has been signed by the Chiefs as a complement to RB Jamaal Charles.

Brian Westbrook was also let go after having a couple seasons hobbled with injuries that slowed down his production. The Eagles are moving forward with RB LeSean McCoy, who is basically a younger Westbrook. Also, Hank Baskett returned to the Eagles; he played for the Colts last season (and dropped some onside kick in the Super Bowl.  You might have heard about it.)

Michael Vick also won the Ed Block Courage Award, he told the AP, “It shows I’m making strides,” Vick said. “I’m trying to do the right thing.” He will probably stay with the Eagles this season.

1. Pittsburg Steelers:

Steelers fans should be happy with their team on top after winning Super Bowl XLIII. The 6-time Super Bowl winning Steelers have an enormous amount of talent on offense and defense. With Ben Roethlisberger under center, Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall sharing ball-carrying duties, expect an explosive offense coming out of steel town.

The defense can stop any team at any time, period. The defense is stacked with last season’s defensive player of the year, James Harrison. Harrison had 16 sacks last season and will be holding down the D-line. Head Coach Mike Tomlin decided that Florida State standout Lawrence Timmons will join an already talented LB corps that includes LaMarr Woodley and James Farrior. In the Steelers’ secondary, the do-it-all safety Troy Polamalu can be the game changer at anytime on defense.

2. New England Patriots:

The Patriots went 11-5 with a quarterback who hadn’t started a game since high school; let’s see how they do with a healthy Tom Brady calling the plays. The running game does leave a lot to be desired, but the Patriots do have three Pro-Bowl receivers in Wes Welker, Randy Moss and Joey Galloway. There is no doubt that the offensive line can give Brady time to hit is open receiver, so Brady will put up big numbers. The big question is, now that Tom Brady is in football condition,can he lead the Patriots to another 16-0 season and win it all?

The Patriots defense has a ton of veterans and one LB sensation, Jerod Mayo. Mayo recorded 100 tackles last season and this year his numbers should go up. The Patriots acquired Derrick Burgess from Oakland in the off season. He should help with a deteriorating defensive line.

3. Indianapolis Colts:

With so many changes in the Colts offense this off-season, it leaves a big question mark on where the Colts stand offensively. They have two great receivers with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, but Manning’s No.1 target is no longer with the team. The Colts cut one of the best receivers of all time because he did not want to take a pay cut when they released long-time All-Pro receiver Marvin Harrison this off season. Also, the running game for the Colts has come to a screeching halt since Joseph Addai seems to have lost a step in his game and there is a lack of depth behind Addai, and most of the starters on the Colts offense also lack good back-ups.

The Colt’s biggest problem on defense is the same as the offense: lack of depth. Yes, the Colts have all shutdown guys on defense, but if Dwight Freeney, and Bob Sanders cannot stay healthy for the season, we might see the Colts have an early exit out of the post season this year.

4. San Diego Chargers:

Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers should be happy with his new lucrative contract extension. They have all the pieces on offense and Rivers does throw a catchable ball. This team is on the verge of being Super Bowl contenders. LaDanian Tomlinson is the feature back. It is hard for coaches to plan against him because of what he can do at anytime on the field. If it’s not Tomlinson, then it will be Darren Sproles who shocked everybody when he took over for LT and ran all over the Colts to a 23-17 win in the first round of the playoffs. Antonio Gates is the sure-hands on the team and he should move the chains.

On defense, the Chargers get back Shawne Merriman from a season-ending injury last year. The Chargers cornerbacks have hands like receivers and this defense did keep the Chargers’ playoff hopes alive last year. A well disciplined defense gives the Charger the edge when the game comes down to the final two minutes of a game.

5. Tennessee Titans:

It seems like the Titans were more efficient without Vince Young. With Kerry Collins taking over play calling duties for Young, the Titans escalated to the top of the AFC East. Collins gave the Titans what they needed in someone who could put the ball in the hands of an inexperienced WR corps. Their biggest plays came from their dual running attack, Chris Johnson and LenDale White combining for 24 TD’s in ’08.

The Titans’ defensive line is stacked even with the loss of Albert Haynesworth. They still have two capable Pro Bowlers in Kyle Vanden Bosh and Jevon Kearse. Also veteran Keith Bulluck and rising star Cortland Finnegan should provide the Titans with a good interior and disrupt deep balls down the side line.

The Elite 5 of the NFC and Why?

1. Philadelphia Eagles:
There are a lot of positives for the Eagles right now. They made a steal when they signed Michael Vick for close to nothing, and now they have two fantastic playmakers leading the Eagles offense. Donovan McNabb will probably run the traditional offense with some Wildcat and Vick will be an unpredictable force when he lines up under center. If Brian Westbrook can stay healthy this season, we could see a lot of catches out of the backfield. DeSean Jackson does have the potential to be a true No.1 receiver, also keep an eye out for their 1^st round pick out of Missouri, Jeremy Maclin. He is raw and always seen in Michael Crabtree’s shadow, but he can still make the catches that Crabtree can.

Personnel-wise, the defense has not changed much so expect similar numbers this season. As always, Brian Dawkins holds down the secondary. The Eagles’ secondary might be a little shaky with CB Ellis Hobbs in the lineup (he cost New England’s perfect season on a botched coverage). Other than that we should see plenty of 3^rd down stops and defensive scores despite Jim Johnson’s exit.

2. New York Giants:

Let’s see how well Eli Manning does without his stat boosting receiver Plaxico Burress. The Giants did invest in a receiver in this year’s draft. They choose Hakeem Nicks in the 1^st round to try to fill in the spaces that Burress left when he was suspended from the league. There should be no problem with the running game since they had two 1,000 yard rushers last season with Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs running the ball.

The defense should perform up to par. Antonio Pierce and Osi Umenyiora are what make this Giants defense tick. Antonio Pierce can tackle from sideline-to-sideline and stuff the run. Umenyiora is coming off a season ending injury last year, but it shouldn’t slow him down this year.

3. Atlanta Falcons:

Like the Eagles, there are lots of positives for this team. They have added a new weapon to their offense by signing Tony Gonzalez, the all time leading TE for receiving yards; he will contribute to the passing attack. Michael Turner proved that he can be a force at running back. He made his previous team eat his dust (or more like his shoulder pads) and rushed for 120 yards when the Atlanta traveled to foreign territory and beat the Chargers 22-16.

The defense does have plenty of pieces to make them a good defense. John Abraham is a dominant force up front and the Falcons have speed and finesse on all sides of the field.

4. Minnesota Vikings:

Brett Farve sure has brought a lot of unnecessary buzz to the Vikings as the Farve Saga continues. He does give Vikings a chance of consistency at QB. Their running game is just perfect. Both Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor can do big things. Add on to that the fact that the Vikings have one of the best offensive lines in the league, and they’re going to pound the ball, despite Farve. We should see how Percy Harvin develops in this offense as he will be taking the snaps in the Wildcat formation.

The defense looks good with the Williams-Williams and Jared Allen attack. Madieu Williams is one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league. The other Williams, Kevin, pushes the O-linemen back to where the running back sets his feet, and Jared Allen will bruise you every play if you get in his way. Allen is usually fined every year for huge hits on players that he pursues; it won’t be any different this year.

5. Arizona Cardinals:

No doubt that this team would be ranked higher, but the regular season wins need to increase. If they could transfer their explosive offense into wins, I wouldn’t put it past this team to make the Super Bowl again. The passing game couldn’t get any better with 3 WR’s that caught more than 1,000 yards each (Steve Breaston, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald). Fitzgerald is one the top receivers in the league and the ball sticks to his hands when he catches it. I believe that this team is the “Dark Horse” of the NFC yet again.

On defense, most of their playmakers are the ones in the secondary. Adrian Wilson and Dominique Rogers-Cromartie are going to be the ones who are going to save this defense from mediocrity. If they don’t make the play on defense we might see a trend with the Cardinals winning only eight games a season.