Picks and pans - The Fans Speak Out

I'm shocked that you didn't even pick the New England Patriots to reach the postseason this season [September 20021. C'mon, guys! You might remember that the Patriots won the Super Bowl last season. You also might note that their roster is pretty much the same as it was in 2001, with players like quarterback Tom Brady, running back Antowain Smith, wide receiver Troy Brown, cornerback Ty Law, safety Lawyer Milloy, and kicker Adam Vinatieri. The Patriots may not win the Super Bowl for a second straight time, but there is no reason to believe that they won't at least get back to the playoffs.

James Cantrell
Via e-mail

It was gutsy of FOOTBALL DIGEST to say that the Patriots--the defending Super Bowl champions--won't get back to the playoffs this season. I agree with you that they will take a step backward. Let's fact it: The Patriots played way over their heads last season. It would be insane to expect them to get that lucky again. And like you said, the AFC East will be such a tough division this year, they're not going to get any breaks. I love your magazine. Keep up the great work. By the way, can you tell me the last Super Bowl winner to miss the playoffs the next season?

Dave Smythe
Albany, N.Y.

The Denver Broncos. After winning their second consecutive Super Bowl in i998, the Broncos went 6-10 the next season, finishing last in the AFC West and, of course, missing the playoffs.

You made the right move by putting the San Francisco 49ers' Terrell Owens on the cover of your season preview issue. But I think you should have taken it one step further and picked the Niners to go all the way instead of the St Louis Rams. Yes, the Rams will be formidable, but so will the 49ers. They have an awesome offense that features Garrison Hearst, Owens, and Jeff Garcia, and their defense doesn't get the credit it deserves. Some of San Francisco's young defenders--like Andre Carter, Julian Peterson, Ahmed Plummer, and John Engelberger--are on file verge of stardom. I think this is the season that everything will come together for the 49ers.

Lance Davis
Bakersfield, Calif.

Kudos for picking the Cleveland Browns to make to the postseason. As you said in your season preview, the Browns are one of the darkhorse teams, much like the Patriots were last season. They have a hard-nosed defense, a much-improved offense, and one of the best coaches in the game. That is a winning formula. It's taken awhile, but the Browns are finally back.

Jeffrey Stopa
Broadview Heights, Ohio

Watch out for the Kansas City Chiefs this season. They haven't received much publicity, but neither did the Patriots before last season started. Trent Green will play much better at quarterback, Johnnie Morton will be a Pro Bowl wide receiver, and the defense will get better. This team is ready to make a Super Bowl run under Dick Vermeil. He did it in Philadelphia and St. Louis. Now he's about to do it in K.C. Go Chiefs!

Nicholas Kennedy
Via e-mail

Although I think the Pittsburgh Steelers will be good this year, I don't think they will make it to the Super Bowl like you said in your preview. With Bill Cowher as their coach, the Steelers never have been a great playoff team. Plus, Kordell Stewart chokes in big games. Look at what happened to him last season in the AFC Championship Game. The Steelers are a good regular-season team, but they aren't built for the Super Bowl. Please print Cowher's postseason record with the Steelers.