September 7, 2009 Table Of Contents
Inside Cover Description
LEADING OFF
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
The start of the FedEx Cup playoffs proved that what happened at Hazeltine did not stay there
By Rick Lipsey
The forecast for this winter? A flurry of trades that could include some of the biggest stars in the game
By Jon Heyman
By Joe Sheehan
None were among the top 70 picks in April, but these opportunistic rookies deserve a spot on your draft board
By David Sabino
A breakaway threat who might score on any play, Cal's Jahvid Best could juke his way into the Heisman race
By Albert Chen
NFL PREVIEW
They're among the greatest athletes in sports—and often the loudest. As Offenses become ever more reliant on their skills, the NFL's new stars are dominating the air and the airwaves. Welcome to the receivers revolution
By Tim Layden
Already among the elite receivers, Larry Fitzgerald went stratospheric in the 2008 playoffs. A snapshot look at one of the NFL's most compelling figures
By Jim Trotter
HARDEST, RISKIEST, TOUGHEST, GREATEST Job in Sports
That would be quarterback in the NFL, of course. So what does it take to make it? SI gathered five of the league's elite young players at the position, opened up the notebook and let them tell us
By Peter King
SI.com's Monday Morning Quarterback columnist called on five NFL experts to evaluate the league's passers in critical categories
By Peter King
He directed the most prolific offense in NFL history two years ago. Now Tom Brady is back, and the outlook is Super
By Ben Reiter
A fad, or the future? This season will tell whether the Wildcat, which sparked the Fins' playoff run, is here to stay
The Rex Ryan era begins—and it's no surprise that the tone will be set by a swarming, stifling, run-stopping defense
There's a new star in town, but the reality is that one man—even one with his own TV show—can't turn things around
By Ben Reiter
If continuity is the key to the defending champions' success, then '09 is looking like another good year
By Peter King
A new coordinator won't mess with their defensive style. Will his new tactics get them past the Steelers?
By Peter King
Branded a bust in Chicago, tailback Cedric Benson is one of several castoffs being counted on to help a woeful team change its stripes
By Ben Reiter
It'll take a Mangenius to fix all the mistakes by the lake—and the floundering franchise hopes it has one in its new coach
By Ben Reiter
With the core players hitting their prime, this bunch is (finally) ready to reach the top in a daunting division
By Damon Hack
What do you do when the second-leading receiver in NFL history is gone? Indy turned to its bench instead of the draft
By Peter King
The defense's new boss knows all about smashmouth. But can hard hitting make up for a massive loss up front?
By Don Banks
After an off-season housecleaning, Jack Del Rio's underachievers are restoring their toughness and direction
By Damon Hack
With Shawne Merriman pumping electricity back into the defense, the prospects are looking sunnier for the Bolts
By Peter King
The rush is on to shape an LSU-dominated front seven into a unit that pressures the other team, for a change
By Lee Jenkins
The big shake-up came at QB, but if the defense can't keep the score down, it won't matter who's throwing the ball
By Jim Trotter
Structure and discipline? With this team? Those are the watchwords for a new staff that's going back to basics
By Jim Trotter
The already formidable running game will carry an even greater load, and that includes backs catching more passes
By Adam Duerson
You-know-who has left town, and now Big D looks to homegrown wideout Roy Williams to make some noise
The defense took some big hits, but a high-scoring offense that got younger and better can crank it up one more notch
An already stout defense got a whole lot better in the off-season—but is that where the help was needed most?
By Adam Duerson
A cannon-armed new quarterback has raised the stakes, and now it's up to the wide receivers to raise their game
By Lee Jenkins
Brett Favre adds a new dimension to the offense—it's called a passing game—and juices the postseason prospects
By Lee Jenkins
If the No. 1 back regains his form and the reconfigured defense comes together, the Pack will have a playoff shot
By Lee Jenkins
New season, new coach, new players, new outlook. Time to turn the page on the past and start fresh
By Peter King
Youth is served in the remaking of the defense, but a knowledgeable veteran will be central to its success
After earning the top seed last season, they sank to the depths in the playoffs. Now depth is their biggest concern
By Damon Hack
Don't expect much? Fine—this bunch is glad to sneak up on teams with their dynamic offense and a rejuvenated D
By Damon Hack
A new coach schooled in Tampa's defensive tradition will try to restore some of that swashbuckling swagger
By Damon Hack
Given a fresh start thanks to a coaching change, Julius Jones plans to energize an offense that counts heavily on the run
By Jim Trotter
They're rethinking the defense—fewer risks, more consistency—so that the offense doesn't have to do it all
By Jim Trotter
The franchise once led by Joe Montana and Steve Young needs one of its two unspectacular passers to take charge
Attempting a ground-up renovation, a rookie coach hopes his cornerstone will be a raw and respectful rookie tackle
By Peter King
Point After
By Phil Taylor
Departments
Sex testing an athlete isn't nearly as simple as it sounds
A slugging California crew continues the U.S.'s dominance in Williamsport
After a disastrous stint with the Lions, Matt Millen returns to the broadcast booth, site of his best work
Solo circumnavigators keep getting younger
What smart fans should do this week
The Dodgers fan stars in Extract, in theaters on Friday
As told to Sarah Kwak
By Dan Patrick
A teen athlete keeps beating the odds