It’s almost time for a new NFL season and that means it’s time for a fresh start for me. We’re closing the drawer on The Lofton Files and penning a new chapter: Out and Up. Each week, I’ll tell you about the teams and players that I think are on the outs and which ones look like they’re trending up. For this week, let’s take a look at who I think will be Out and who will be moving on Up in the opening week of the 2014 season.
Out: Sam Bradford. We all know injuries are part of the game, but it’s still disappointing when a guy who has shown flashes of real talent gets shut down time and time again by injury. It could be a long season in St. Louis.
Up! Matt Cassel and the Minnesota Vikings. Call me crazy, but I think the Vikings are going to surprise some people this year and Cassel will be a big reason. He can make the throws and has a big weapon in Cordarrelle Patterson. I’m not saying the Vikes will be playing in January, but they won’t be 2-14 either.
Out: Eli Manning better get the ball out of his hands early in Detroit on Monday night. Dome + revveed up Motor City crowd + Ndamukong Suh = trouble!!
Up! Running backs. This a realty check: the running back position is not dead!! Keep an eye on Adrian Peterson against the sack-happy Rams. If Cassel gets anything going, which I believe is possible, then we all know that opens up running lanes for you know who.
Out: At second or third base, RGIII. The Washington Redskins have had a whole off season to teach their star quarterback how to slide, but we’ve seen no evidence of improvement during the preseason. How can such a great athlete look so bad at doing something the Little League All Stars make look so easy?
Up! Old school football. Raiders and the Jets will go ground and pound on Sunday. Of course, that might have a little something to do with those teams’ lack of the elite QB. Either way, bring on the three yards and a cloud of dust.
– James Lofton
Pro Football Hall of Famer James Lofton is the analyst for Westwood One’s coverage of Sunday Night Football. This weekend, he’ll also be pulling double duty as he sits alongside Kevin Harlan for Game Two of our special Monday Night Football doubleheader. That one takes place in Arizona between the Cardinals and the San Diego Chargers.
