September 3, 2007 Table Of Contents
Inside Cover
By Adam Duerson
SI Fantasy Plus
By Adam Duerson
Should Top QBs Be Taken Higher?
By David Sabino
Who Is Ready to Join the Elite?
Gamesmanship rules at a poker star's fantasy auction
By Adam Duerson
By Peter King
SI Players: LIFE ON AND OFF THE FIELD
An ex-college star's soul-baring memoir sets the standard for this season's football lit
The Fall and Rise of Michael Vick
Redemption isn't possible, it's inevitable
By Charlie Leerhsen
As told to Joe Lemire
By Joe Lemire
Who will be the NFL's next highlight hero?
By Peter King
Thousands of at bats, but just a single grand slam
MARINERS DH
A linebacker talks about the town he loves
A new documentary shows both sides of the Man in Black
The CBS analyst takes over Don Imus's slot on WFAN-New York on Sept. 4
What to watch and watch for
By Sarah Kwak
Inside
By Tim Layden
By Albert Chen
2007 NFL Preview
How do you assign value to players and then rank the best from 1 to 500? That was the big idea of SI's Peter King, who nearly came to regret it. Who else would lose sleep over No. 324?
By Peter King
Andre Johnson over Marvin Harrison? Marc Bulger ahead of Donovan McNabb? A tackle in the top 10? SI's 1-to-500 ranking of the NFL's best is filled with surprises
By Peter King
Quarterback, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
By Peter King
Linebacker, BALTIMORE RAVENS
By Tim Layden
Returner-Receiver, CHICAGO BEARS
Long Snapper, DENVER BRONCOS
By Peter King
By Adam Duerson
This perennial powerhouse became even more formidable by making the off-season's splashiest personnel catches
Anything goes in the land of the Mangenius--but what's really needed is a Houdini to pull off more of that '06 magic
By Peter King
They've brought in rookies and veterans to fortify the right spots, but it likely won't be enough in a talent-heavy division
By Peter King
A somewhat, ahem, looser atmosphere under Cam Cameron will extend to the field, where versatility will be the watchword
They insist they've made the mental adjustments needed for a Super Bowl run, but there's still the matter of that porous D
By Peter King
The defense is playing at a historically high level, but postseason hopes hinge on whether the attack can keep up
By Tim Layden
The Cowher era is over, and a new staff is opening up the game plan. Big Ben, for one, hopes to really tick with a freer hand
By Peter King
On the strength of a superb draft and some savvy off-season pickups, the future is . . . later. But at least things are looking up
By Peter King
The reigning champs are masters at finding replacement parts--and now they'll be put to the test like never before
By Peter King
Though he's without last year's leading rusher and top two receivers, Vince Young will keep this team in the playoff hunt
In the eternal pursuit of the Colts, the defense will do its part and the run game should be solid--and it still won't be enough
By Tim Layden
A year after passing on Vince Young and Reggie Bush, these expansionists start fresh with a new QB and No. 1 back
By Tim Layden
Don't mess it up is the mission of new coach Norv Turner--he'll leave it to his roster of All-Pros to get these Bolts to the Bowl
An off-season of heartache has taught these players that they've got to seize the day--and hold on to their leads
By Peter King
Can a blend of veteran experience and youthful promise give this club something other than a Jekyll-and-Hyde identity?
By Peter King
Excellence may be out of the question for now, but an infusion of optimism hints at a commitment to competence, at least
A rejuvenated quarterback and a retooled linebacker corps have this aging team primed for a run at the Super Bowl
By Ben Reiter
The sideline decibel level is way down, but can this mellowed-out bunch of Boys at last make some postseason noise?
By Ben Reiter
It's a make-or-break year for the coach and quarterback, and the team's alltime best runner is gone. No pressure, though
By Ben Reiter
Two new playmakers will shore up a horrid defense while a raw young quarterback continues to find his way
By Ben Reiter
The reigning NFC champs think they've made the tweaks they needed to take that last step--but it really all falls to Rex
By Peter King
A beefy D and last year's big finish have the Green and Gold thinking it can challenge in the Black and Blue division
By Peter King
They stop the run like no one else--now the offense, with a second-year QB and a rookie running back, must improve
By Peter King
The Marinelli makeover is starting to pay off, not necessarily in Super Bowl dreams but in a winning mood in the Motor City
Laissez les bons temps rouler! A year after taking its hometown on an enchanting playoff run, this team will go even further
By Mark Beech
More, more, more is the message on the offensive side of the ball, where the ample talent is just waiting to be tapped
By Tim Layden
The quarterback carousel has taken another spin, a fitting symbol for a club that seems to be going around in circles
By Tim Layden
Can a season end before it's even begun? The best plan for these birds may be to get through this year and start fresh in '08
By Tim Layden
Front-office moves and good news on the medical front point to better things--possibly even a return to Super Bowl form
By Peter King
This .500 club is counting on its ultraproductive back and newly anointed franchise QB to carry it out of the doldrums
A playoff berth may remain out of reach for the moment, but it's also tantalizing for a team that's improving steadily
The hot pick of last season will benefit from reduced expectations--and an infusion of "Steeler mentality"
Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly