Taking a quizzical look around the league: how well do you know your NFL offseason?

Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005 by Vinnie Iyer

To make the grade on this test, think "D" and you'll get an "A."

The best offseason veteran quarterback acquisition was:

(A) Kurt Warner

(B) Drew Bledsoe

(C) Trent Dilfer

(D) Gus Frerotte

The Super Bowl days of Warner, Bledsoe and Dilfer are long gone; each is more of a stopgap caretaker at this point in his career. Frerotte, who has less wear and came at a cheaper price, still has plenty of arm strength and can inject more life into Miami's deep passing game than A.J. Feeley can.

The team that will benefit most from a defensive scheme switch will be the:

(A) Dolphins (4-3 to 3-4)

(B) Browns (4-3 to 3-4)

(C) 49ers (4-3 to 3-4)

(D) Ravens (3-4 to 4-3)

The Ravens' defensive personnel are the league's most dominant, and the move to the 4-3 will accentuate the skills of two of their top players. As a 4-3 end, former outside linebacker Terrell Suggs will be able to focus on what he does best: rushing the passer. Back in the middle, Ray Lewis will have more freedom to roam sideline to sideline and blow up plays.

The most improved team in the NFC will be the:

(A) Vikings

(B) Lions

(C) Giants

(D) Panthers

With many key players coming back from injuries, the Panthers will more closely resemble their '03 NFC championship team than '04's 7-9 version. On offense, Muhsin Muhammad is gone, but Steve Smith will fill his big-play void. They should have a healthier, more productive running game with left guard Mike Wahle upgrading the line. Defensively, the return of Pro Bowl tackle Kris Jenkins will restore their front four to elite status.

The most improved team in the AFC will be the:

(A) Raiders

(B) Jaguars

(C) Bengals

(D) Jets

Randy Moss will make the Raiders' offense exciting, but their defense is far from formidable. The Jaguars, with a strong defense and a young roster, still are trying to put together a consistent offense. The Bengals can score points, but they lack experience. The Jets, armed with last year's solid wild-card playoff appearance, Herman Edwards' coaching, improved balance and a better kicker, will challenge the Patriots and Colts for the AFC title.

Despite going into the season without Charlie Weis, Romeo Crennel, Tedy Bruschi and Ty Law, the Patriots remain the team to beat because of:

(A) Bill Belichick

(B) Tom Brady

(C) Corey Dillon

(D) Their entire coaching staff and roster.

There's no extra credit on this gimme. Until another team matches their elite combination of clutch play and teamwork, the Patriots have to be considered the champs.

The second-year wide receiver who will have the biggest impact on his team is:

(A) Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals

(B) Retie Williams, Jaguars

(C) Roy Williams, Lions

(D) Samie Parker, Chiefs

None of the talented sophomore wideouts plays in a more established offense than Parker, whose blinding speed and good hands will give Trent Green a new downfield threat with fresh legs.

The rookie running back in the best position to succeed is:

(A) Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

(B) Cedric Benson, Bears

(C) Carnell Williams, Buccaneers

(D) J.J. Arrington, Cardinals

Brown won't get much help from a shaky line, and Benson and Williams likely will split time with Thomas Jones and Michael Pittman to start the season. Arrington has a clear path to the Cardinals' feature back job. In addition to being boosted by a bulky line, Arrington will benefit from the presence of Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin in the passing game. They will allow Arrington to see favorable fronts.

The veteran running back in the best position for a big bounce-back season is:

(A) Clinton Portis

(B) Jamal Lewis

(C) Ahman Green

(D) Deuce McAllister

McAllister was a big reason for the Saints' four-game winning streak at the end of last season, as he averaged 28 carries and 110 yards during that stretch. He is far removed from an early 2004 ankle injury, and with his improved dedication to offseason training, he should come back stronger and rejuvenated.

The 2004 NFC division winners most likely to miss the playoffs are the:

(A) Eagles

(B) Falcons

(C) Seahawks

(D) Packers

All those NFC birds should do it again, but Green Bay has had its heyday with Brett Favre, and now it's trying to piece together a decent defense just to stay competitive in a suddenly loaded NFC North. The Packers will need to win a lot of shootouts to finish above .500.

The 2004 AFC division winners most likely to miss the playoffs are the:

(A) Patriots

(B) Colts

(C) Chargers

(D) Steelers

New England and Indianapolis will remain the class of the AFC. Pittsburgh didn't do much to upgrade, and considering the Ravens and Bengals will be improved on both sides of the ball, the Steelers face a difficult fight to make the playoffs.

INSIDE DISH

Cowboys coach Bill Parcells and Greg Ellis engaged in a heated discussion during the team's veteran minicamp about Ellis' switch from left end in a 4-3 defense to right end in a 3-4. Ellis, who weighs 270, isn't happy he'll be matched against 330-pound left tackles on a regular basis. Despite his misgivings, Ellis says he'll do his best to adjust to the position. * Getting a third-round pick from the Titans for disgruntled RB Travis Henry will give the Bills flexibility in next year's draft. That extra first-day selection could allow Buffalo to make a trade and move up in the first or second round. * Falcons defensive coordinator Ed Donatell says FS Bryan Scott is recovering quickly from shoulder surgery in March. Scott was expected to miss all of the preseason and be sidelined until the opener against the Eagles, but Donatell has indicated Scott will participate in several noncontact drills in camp. That's good news for the Falcons, who lack depth at both safety positions. * Although the major quarterback battle in Detroit is between incumbent Joey Harrington and free-agent addition Jeff Garcia, Lions coaches have been impressed by rookie Dan Orlovsky in offseason workouts. Orlovsky comes from a program (Connecticut) in which the quarterback constantly was in motion, and the Lions like his ability to throw on the run. Orlovsky has no chance to win the No. 2 job this year, but he definitely is in the team's long-term plans. * Cardinals management has taken a "What, me worry?" stance in negotiations to extend the contract of WR Anquan Boldin. The club had hoped to resolve the situation before training camp; now, it's talking about getting it done before the season opens. Despite the club's outward calm, there's little reason to think much progress has been made. * RG Adam Timmerman has been a rock on the Rams' line the past six years, but the organization is concerned he might be near the end of the line. Timmerman will turn 34 in August and finished last season with foot, knee and shoulder injuries. The Rams may have drafted Claude Terrell in April with the idea he could develop into an eventual replacement for Timmerman. * Don't read a lot into reports of a strained relationship between Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and coach Brian Billick. Both men are strong-willed and competitive, and occasionally they bump heads. They have animated and vocal conversations at times, but those discussions always are geared toward what they believe is best for the team. And they have a great moderator in general manager Ozzie Newsome.--TSN correspondents