September 6, 2004 Table Of Contents
NFL Preview 2004
Dennis Green is in a hurry to win, but with an untested quarterback and a 35-year-old running back, progress will be slower than he expects
Will they still be smiling in January?
Tough-as-nails Donovan McNabb finally has a big-play receiver, but the Eagles' title hopes could rest on whether he can keep Terrell Owens happy
By Peter King
Every team wants them, and every coach cherishes the ones he's got. They deliver hits that change a game's momentum and withstand blows that keep drives alive. In the following pages, behold the NFL's toughest.
HOW IS HE SO GOOD ON A TEAM SO BAD?
Tough-minded LADAINIAN TOMLINSON is the league's highest-paid running back, but he doesn't get his props because he plays for the woeful Chargers
DID I REALLY SAY WHAT I JUST SAID?
Tough-talking MATT HASSELBECK may be best known for a bold prediction gone awry, but he has also emerged as one of the game's top quarterbacks
By Josh Elliott
When it comes to players with grit, here's the lineup Paul Zimmerman wants on his side--22 lunch-pailers who play hurt and never take a down off. You won't find situational pass rushers here or wide receivers who won't block or cornerbacks who don't hit. Just a bunch of guys taking pride in doing the dirty work
The Super Bowl champs aren't standing pat--they've added youngsters to an aging defense and a marquee running back to the mix on offense
The defense has a whole new look, with an aggressive coordinator and a handful of rookies who are being counted on to contribute immediately
New coach Mike Mularkey has some tricks up his sleeve for an offense that has a couple of new weapons, but first he has to straighten out the line
A shocking retirement and a season-ending injury turn a perennial playoff contender into an also-ran with more questions than answers
The education of quarterback Kyle Boller continues, with a run at another Super Bowl hinging on whether he can master the position
As running back Rudi Johnson and quarterback Carson Palmer move front and center, hopes are high for ending a 14-year playoff drought
The architect of the old Blitzburgh defense returns to energize a faltering unit, but lacking playmakers the team will struggle to make the playoffs
Getting released by the 49ers could turn out to be the best thing for Jeff Garcia and his new team, which needed a leader at quarterback
A pair of franchise cornerstones are gone, but nobody's pushing the panic button--not with league co-MVP Steve McNair running the show
By Josh Elliott
There's a youth movement afoot in the secondary as Tony Dungy tinkers with a unit that learned a lesson from the Patriots last year
By Josh Elliott
Comfortable as a drop-back passer and slimmed down, Byron Leftwich looks to pick up where he left off last year for this dark-horse contender
By Josh Elliott
Tired of being labeled with the E word, the newest franchise only wants to see expansion in the win column--and a revamped defense is the key
By Josh Elliott
The old defensive coordinator has been succeeded by the old head coach, but will that be enough to fix a unit that was embarrassing a year ago?
By Peter King
One way or another the Trade, like the Drive, will go down in team history. The onus is on Champ Bailey to make it a happy memory
By Peter King
In a major renovation project, the dilapidated defense has been turned over to a former Pats assistant and a crew of veteran free-agent pickups
By Peter King
Who knows what the future holds for this team? Until a pass rusher is found and a quarterback is developed, there's no end in sight to the losing
By Peter King
Two understudies move into starting roles in the secondary, having to cover for departed veterans in the glare of a run at the Super Bowl
With the return of Joe Gibbs and the trade for an elite running back, the franchise looks to its former offense to recapture its former glory
A couple of stopgap veterans and a rookie are called on to toughen up and add depth to a line that was more offensive than effective last season
Vinny Testaverde throwing to Keyshawn Johnson? Sounds like 1998 in N.Y., but it's 2004 in Big D as some old Jets try to rev up a sluggish offense
With the addition of a hard-hitting corner, the secondary takes the lead in trying to turn a weak defense that blew a playoff berth into a strength
With time running out on the league's best quarterback-running back combo, it may be now or never for Brett Favre, Ahman Green & Co.
By Peter King
Quarterback Joey Harrington has been surrounded with talented, young skill players, but it will be at least a year before this team makes a jump
By Peter King
New coach Lovie Smith delivers an aggressive, opportunistic defensive scheme that should make star linebacker Brian Urlacher even better
A team that thrives on its great chemistry gets a big boost when its catalyst--and best linebacker--returns after beating Hodgkin's
After a frustrating first season with the team, Peerless Price welcomes the return to health of Michael Vick and a new pass-happy offense
After three seasons of underachieving, the players say they've buckled down and eliminated the distractions that kept them out of the playoffs
By Josh Elliott
Coach Jon Gruden got rid of some old headaches but may have created a few more by putting together an offense that won't get better with age
By Josh Elliott
The pieces are in place for a title run, but there's a catch: A talented trio of wide receivers can't let the opportunity slip through their fingers
He has a swagger that comes with the starting quarterback job and a huge new contract. But can Marc Bulger get the offense cranked up again?
By M.S.
The price of cost-cutting: After shedding six offensive starters, the former powerhouse hangs its hopes on a still-developing defense
PLAYER VALUE RANKING
Air and Space
By Steve Rushin
2004 Olympics
The vaunted 4x100 relay teams both came up short for the first time in Olympic history, but the U.S. still reached the top of the medal heap
By Tim Layden
U.S. boxing is bruised, but Andre Ward punched a golden ticket
By Don Yaeger
Saving her best for last, Dawn Staley showed the U.S. women, on and off the court, the way to a third straight gold
There's more to U.S. men's basketball's bronze medal finish than a better class of opponents. But will changes be made?
Cael Sanderson added Olympic gold to his remarkable résumé
By E.M. Swift
In a fitting tribute to Mia Hamm and four other veterans, the U.S. women's soccer team showed its pluck with an overtime rally
By Grant Wahl
Running ahead of schedule, China made a move on the Olympic powers in Athens. As host in 2008, it expects to dominate
By S.L. Price
BASEBALL
Everybody said Atlanta's run was over, at long last. But look who's back in control of the National League East
By Albert Chen
Thanks to Leo Mazzone, the Braves' Jaret Wright has made a remarkable turnaround. Here are four other former underachievers enjoying career years thanks to some magic from their pitching coaches
The Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly
Departments
Move over, Venus and Serena. The next generation of African-American stars is surging through the junior ranks
By JON WERTHEIM
Face Facts
The Science of the Brief Encounter
Kobe Bryant's sexual-assault trial is sure to have its He-Said-She-Said moments. But the story told by blood stains, body fluids and other physical evidence may decide his fate
By Bill Scheft
WHAT TO WATCH AND WATCH FOR
By Julia MorrILL
By Nancy Ramsey
By Tom Verducci