Azw football 082813 web by AZ Weekly

Many college coaches believe players make the most significant improvements of their careers in the transition from their freshman to sophomore seasons. As Rich Rodriguez enters his second season at Arizona, the plan is for the Wildcat program to progress similarly with a year of stability now that expectations are firmly in place. In Rodriguez’s first season, the Wildcats took some outsiders by surprise with an 8-5 campaign that was capped by a thrilling last-minute victory over Nevada at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. To those close to the program, however, the initial success was a byproduct of a winning blueprint that Rodriguez has used to amass 128 career victories. By and large, Arizona won its eight games a year ago with a record-setting offense that gained more than 6,000 yards for the first time in school history. The unit was led by one of the nation’s leaders in total offense (quarterback Matt Scott), a consensus AllAmerican running back (Ka’Deem Carey) and an All-Pac-12 receiver (Austin Hill).

The candidates to win the quarterback job are senior B.J. Denker, junior college transfer Jesse Scroggins, redshirt freshman Javelle Allen and incoming true freshman Anu Solomon. Denker saw limited time as the backup a year ago but did engineer the Wildcats to a 56-31 homecoming victory over Colorado last November in his only start. Whoever calls the signals will have the benefit of working behind an experienced offensive line, even if four key contributors were lost to graduation a year ago. Senior Chris Putton is as versatile of a player as you will find with knowledge to play any position on the line. He boasts 19 career starts and will team with bookend tackles FabbiansEbbele and Mickey Baucus who have a combined 50 starts between them.

The impetus behind the offensive surge was Rodriguez’s trademark no-huddle offense that stresses tempo not just on game day but in every facet of the program. The Wildcats ran 1,082 plays a year ago – fourthmost in the nation – and recorded 381 first downs. Both were new school records. The explosive offense led the Wildcats to impressive regular-season victories over No. 18 Oklahoma State (59-38) and No. 10 USC (39-36) in Tucson. Those marquee wins, Rodriguez explained, gave the Arizona program relevancy on the national stage. High-scoring affairs and nail-biters proved to be the typical recipe for Wildcat football games a year ago, and perhaps no game illustrated that fact better than the bowl victory over the Wolf Pack. Arizona trailed 48-35 with 1:48 left in the game. After a touchdown, a successful onside kick recovery and another touchdown, the Wildcats escaped with an improbable one-point victory that set an optimistic tone for the offseason.

OFFENSE Arizona again figures to lean on its offense to carry much of the load in 2013. The talent and experience are in place for similar, if not better, numbers than a year ago. But there are some holes to fill.

Behind the line will be one nation’s top backfields. Ka’Deem Carey returns for his junior season looking to improve upon his school record and nation’s best 1,929 rushing yards a season ago. A physical runner with tremendous balance and vision, Carey is a mismatch for almost any defense with his ability to also catch the ball out of the backfield.

On the outside, it was a case of good news, bad news for the Wildcats this spring. The good news was that senior Terrence Miller was granted a fifth year of eligibility by the NCAA after filing a medical hardship waiver due to significant missed time over multiple seasons. Miller offers necessary leadership qualities and a 6-foot-4, sure-handed frame that will help ease in a new starting quarterback. Unfortunately, All-America candidate Austin Hill was lost indefinitely with an ACL injury in the final days of spring ball. Taking the place of Hill will likely be sophomore David Richards, a big, rangy target at 6-foot-4. As a redshirt freshman, Richards hauled in 29 passes and scored three touchdowns mostly as a backup. His future is bright and he could put up big numbers as a more prominent target in the offense. Two speedy, elusive players emerged last season. Sophomore Johnny Jackson caught 25 passes and junior Garic Wharton, a former sprinter, caught 19 – most of which were in the season’s final games. DEFENSE Make no mistake, the numbers were not pretty a year ago. A new coaching staff, a new scheme, lack of depth and injuries snowballed into a season that statistically ranked as one of the worst in school history. Coordinator Jeff Casteel’s fortunes may be turning, however. This year his unit has more depth and experience, but most importantly, knowledge of his 3-3-5 system that frequently morphs into a 3-4 or a 4-3 depending on opposing personnel and formation.

Jake Fischer

By Blair Willis

Thanks to the late heroics in Albuquerque, Rodriguez’s initial squad finished with eight wins, which matched the most singleseason victories for an Arizona team since 1998. But perhaps more importantly, the Wildcats went 5-2 over their final seven games to hint that bigger and better things might be on the horizon. Now with state-of-the-art facilities, have the Wildcats positioned to go from an occasional challenger to a perennial contender in the Pac-12 Conference.

Ka’Deem Carey

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Anchoring the defense will be senior middle linebacker Jake Fischer, who led the club with 119 tackles in his first season back from ACL surgery. He will team with Marquis Flowers, who successfully made the conversion from safety to linebacker last fall en route to a 100-tackle season of his own. The Wildcats were overmatched at the third linebacker position where redshirt freshman walk-on Sir Thomas Jackson started 12

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games and true freshmen C.J. Dozier and Dakota Conwell were relied up as backups. Further complicating matters, promising sophomore Hank Hobson was riddled with injuries much of the year. While the growing pains were rough at times a year ago, they should pay dividends for the trio this season with a year of experience under their belts. The secondary will return nearly its entire personnel, including veteran cornerbacks Shaquille Richardson, Jonathan McKnight and Derrick Rainey, who combined for 26 starts a year ago. At the three safety positions, Jared Tevis, Tra’Mayne Bondurant and Jourdon Grandon combined for 33 starts. Up front, Arizona returns most of its key contributors and will trot out a much stronger unit physically after a full offseason in strength coach Chris Allen’s program. A sturdier presence in the run game and an improved pass-rush are key areas for development.

Senior nose tackles Tevin Hood and Sione Tuihalamaka give the Wildcats a stout starting place. The two played almost all of the snaps on the interior last season and will again be asked to do so. On the outside, juniors Dan Pettinato, Reggie Gilbert and Kirifi Taula have combined for 25 career starts, while senior Justin Washington has 18 of his own. Redshirt freshmen Kyle Kelley and Dwight Melvin have added strength and will contend in their first seasons of active duty. Expect Casteel and his defensive staff to give a hard look at several incoming freshman as they look to beef up the defense and get the best athletes on the field. SPECIAL TEAMS Arizona will be looking to bolster its special teams after a steady but not spectacular season a year ago. Rodriguez and new special teams coach Charlie Ragle, an operations assistant on staff last season, see special teams as a game-changing area. The only punter on the roster in the spring was Drew Riggleman, who did show a stronger and more consistent leg. Competition is expected to arrive in the fall. At placekicker, senior Jake Smith returns from an ACL injury sustained last fall that kept him out all of last season. He was competing with Bonano for the starting job last year and figures to be a top option now that he has returned healthy. Sophomore Casey Skowron, who joined the team as the backup after Smith’s injury a year ago, also will compete.

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SPEAK OF THE SUN DEVIL By Jeff Haugen

ARMED WITH SPEED, STRENGTH AND EXPERIENCE, HIGH-POWERED ARIZONA STATE SQUAD HELL BENT ON MAKING A STATEMENT AND SETTING THE PAC-12 A BLAZE

so far. DJ Foster is a guy that has really stuck out to me. He’s really, really gotten faster and has been very explosive in practice. And then we’ve got Marion (Grice) and five new wide-outs that I think are going to be tremendous players for us.

A new season of College Football is once again upon us. Talks of our own passionfueled in state rivalry will soon be at full volume with opinions, debates, bold predictions and feisty chatter. Both schools as always will come out fighting. In the meantime however, Devils and Cats are in their respective separate corners facing tough schedules ahead. Truth be told however, the verdict is in – ASU football is projected to do big things in 2013.

Tyler Sulka, he’s competing well and moved into being the starting right tackle right now and he’s doing a great job at competing. Offensive line has been solid as well, so I’m very, very excited about our ability to score points. The number one thing in camp and preparing for the season has been remembering to take care of the football. That was our number one goal last year and we didn’t do a very good job with that. We’ve got to do a much better job taking care of the football. We’re a lot faster, bigger and stronger so I’m very excited about that.

A loaded roster of returning starters have the 2013 Sun Devils cool and calm with plenty of talent, experience and swagger. On paper, ASU certainly looks well prepared to win games and put mega points on the board in impressive fashion. Looking equally good in camp this off season, the experts are weighing in as well with strong projections and words of enthusiastic praise. With high marks in every category, the Sun Devils look to be firing on all cylinders come the season opener. And people are talking. With a 2013 roster tailor made for Coach Todd Graham’s style of play, there’s plenty to look forward to in the land of Sun Devil football. Equipped with a hard-hitting, attack-minded defense and confident, senior-led offense showcasing break out track star speed, the Sun Devils will no doubt be a force in their conference. With the buzz of excitement among media and fans at Arizona State’s media day higher than the norm, a humble Coach Graham fielded all questions with a business-minded demeanor, yet clearly excited to lead his troops into a new season of high scoring, hard-hitting action. And fittingly so, at the helm of a quick scheme fast-paced offense and a no-nonsense defense that racked up more than 9 tackles for loss per game, most in the country last season, a team coming within just 2 points of the Pac-12 South Crown. Following is a summary overview of Coach Graham’s media day remarks regarding both the state of the program for 2013 and key players on both sides of the ball this season. Coach Todd Graham / Media Day 2013 “Like I said before we’re very excited about this season and how tremendously hard our guys are working. I’ve been very pleased, there have been many bright spots in camp

Defensively Chris Young has been a guy that’s really stood out to me. He’s really, really growing and getting better. All of the guys are faster and stronger – and again obviously Will (Sutton). I believe he is a lot better than he was last year. He’s bigger at 305 pounds. As you watch practice he’s very, very explosive. He’s also been a great leader so he’s doing a great job in all areas. (Alden) Darby, (Osahon) Irabor and all of those guys are faster and stronger than before. We’ve got freshman guys like Marcus Ball; he’s been a stand out and so has James Johnson. Marcus Hardison up front is looking good. Probably the biggest thing I think should be impacted is our team speed and how it affects the special teams. Place-kicker Zane (Gonzales) has been outstanding. We’ve got some work to do in the punt game, that’s an area of concern. We haven’t done quite as well as I thought we’ve been doing right now but that’s part of getting better. We’re very excited about this team and our focus right now is Camp Tontozona. We’re going to really focus on the relationships that are needed for building this team. After that, beating Sacramento State in the first week is our next focus.” On the state of the program in a ranking of 1-10: “I think we are completely different than a year ago, I think we’re very solid. If you look at what our guys are doing in the classroom, incoming freshman have over a 3.0. I can’t tell you one newcomer that we’ve brought here that I’ve been disappointed with in the first four days of practice. I couldn’t say the same thing last year. So I think our coaches did a good job of recruiting and getting the right guys. Obviously we’ve got a lot of moving parts with new incoming freshman

as well as the incoming guys from junior college that factor into the two deep. Last year I would have said we were around a five or six and right now I think we’re probably around seven or eight. Just being honest with you, but we still have a lot of work to do.”

time to really develop as a team. We will start early in the morning and finish late at night working on football, but I’m not going to say what kind of football.”

On Evan Finkenberg and Osahon Irabor not being on pre-season watch lists:

“He has to get better against the run. I’ve challenged him; he’s a tremendous athlete who is very explosive. And he has taken pride in doing that. He’s stronger and faster, we’re working on him being a leader. He’s a guy that always does his job and he has to step up and be a leader. I’m expecting him to be a lot better.”

“I don’t understand that because I think (Evan) Finkenberg is as good as there is out there. He is definitely the leader of our offensive line and a guy that is probably projected to be a guard at the next level. I really don’t know how that stuff works, preseason picks and pre-season watch lists. The key to all of those lists is being on them at the end of the year. I wasn’t surprised with any of the other eight guys that were on there but I was surprised that our two guys weren’t. I think they’re pretty liberal with how many people they put on those things.” On removing two-a-days from Camp T schedule: “Well we may do two-a-days. I’ll be honest with you I can’t wait to go. Last year we kind of had a campfire, the kids kind of got around the campfire, it’s not something we planned. Guys went down after practice to the creek where Pat Tillman used to jump off the ledge there. Obviously we climbed Mount Kush and all that, but we want to have time for team building stuff. We have a lot of newcomers and a lot of really quality freshman. You’re going to have that every year, but this year a whole bunch of those guys factor into our two deep. We’re in camp right now and I hear “Hey number 17 you’re supposed to do this.” We really need to kind of learn each other’s names and get to know each other. Our veterans are very, very close. Our fourteen players that are on our leadership council are very, very close. And that’s not to say that we won’t practice in the evenings. We’ve got 29 practice opportunities but we may only take 25. Last night we were supposed to come back to meet, but I kind of get a feel for the guys because I coach, I don’t just walk around, I coach, keeping them mentally motivated because it gets to be a wear on you. But I want

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On what he’s looking for out of Carl Bradford:

On a battle for the second corner position: “I think we’ve got three guys right now that have really separated from the others. Obviously Osahon (Irabor) and then Lloyd (Carrington) have been very, very impressive. Like I said the other day I think he’s a guy that has really developed. And then Robert Nelson has done very well. We will play three corners. And then (Rashad) Wadood has really had a solid four days at practice. Marlon Pollard is another guy that has been a bright spot in that group. We’re really a lot deeper at corner. We’re young at safety with Alden Darby and we’re trying to develop another free safety so I feel good about the cornerback position. I think three guys are up there and I think (Rashad) Wadood is closing on being the fourth.” On the goal for the 2013 team: “Our one main goal is to win a national championship. We are willing to prove that we are the team to do it.”

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1 2012 Rec ord: 13-1 (7-1, SEC) Head Coac h: Nick Saban; seventh season Depart ures: G Chance Warmack, OL Barrett Jones, OT D.J. Fluker, CB Dee Milliner Key Players: QB AJ McCarron, RB T.J. Yeldon, WR Amari Cooper, LB C.J. Mosley Season previ ew: If there is such thing as a perfect team the 2013 Alabama Crimson Tide may be just that. Coming off back-to-back BCS titles and returning 14 starters, Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide will contend for their third straight national championship. The only area for concern is on the offensive line, which lost three of the nation’s best linemen. QB AJ McCarron is back under center as already one of the most accomplished players in Alabama’s rich history. McCarron threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns last season all while only throwing three interceptions. RB T.J. Yeldon will get the majority of carries after rushing for 1,108 yards last season. WR Amari Cooper is ready for a breakout season in 2013. LB C.J. Mosley may be the best in the country at his position and will lead an outstanding defense. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “We’re in the midst of a dynasty, having won three national titles in the last four years. … In my opinion, they should be the favorite to win the national championship again this year.”

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2 2012 Rec ord: 12-0 (8-0, Big Ten) Head C oac h: Urban Meyer; second season Depart ures: TE Jake Stoneburner, DT Johnathan Hankins, DL John Simon Key Players: QB Braxton Miller, RB Carlos Hyde, LB Ryan Shazier, CB Bradley Roby, CB Corey Brown Season previ ew: It’s simple – the Ohio State Buckeyes are back. Coming off an undefeated 2012 season and now free and clear of all postseason sanctions, coach Meyer has the Buckeyes primed for a run at the BCS title. Returning is QB Miller, who threw for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for an Ohio State quarterback record 1, 271 yards and 13 more scores. His offensive line is all back and ready to repeat as one of the best in the nation. The Buckeyes’ top five rushers also return, giving Meyer plenty of play-calling options. LB Ryan Shazier (and his 116 tackles) returns to lead an elite defense that boasts one of the best secondaries in the country. The defensive line will have to replace all four starters from a year ago, but with the wealth of talent on the roster Meyer should have no problem filling the holes. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “The schedule is very favorable for them. I think this is a team that should have realistic expectations of competing for a national championship.”

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2013 NCAA PREVIEW 4 2012 Rec ord: 12-2 (8-1, Pac-12) Head C oac h: David Shaw; third season Depart ures: RB Stepfan Taylor, TE Levine Toilolo, TE Zach Ertz, C Sam Schwartzstein, LB Chase Thomas Key Players: QB Kevin Hogan, RB Anthony Wilkerson, RB Tyler Gaffney, G David Yankey Season previ ew: The Stanford Cardinal are shaping into one of college football’s most consistent programs, and the 2013 campaign should be no different as Stanford once again looks to compete for a national championship. Gone to the NFL are the school’s all-time leading rusher, Stepfan Taylor, and the tight end combination of Toilolo and Ertz. QB Kevin Hogan is constantly improving but losing two NFL-caliber tight ends will be difficult to overcome, so look for the focus to remain on grinding games out. RB Tyler Gaffney returns this year after playing minor league baseball in 2012. He along with Anthony Wilkerson, Remound Wright and Barry Sanders will all battle for time in the backfield. The defensive front seven will again be one of the best in the country as the line averages 285 pounds and the linebackers average 250 pounds. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This is a team that I think should be favored right now to win the Pac-12 Conference. They’re now looking to take the next step. … This could be the year they take that next step and raise a national championship.”

Cardinal KEVIN HOGAN 10

2012 Rec ord: 12-1 (8-1, Pac-12) Head Coac h: Mark Helfrich; first season Depart ures: RB Kenjon Barner, LB Michael Clay, LB Kiko Alonso, DE Dion Jordan, DE Isaac Remington Key Players: QB Marcus Mariota, RB De’Anthony Thomas, RB Byron Marshall Season previ ew: The Oregon Ducks’ uniforms are not the only thing flashy about their team. Their offense is undoubtedly one of the most explosive in the country. With the ability to score on any given play, opposing defenses will be hard-pressed to stop the big plays. The Ducks will have the challenge of replacing head coach Chip Kelly but former offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich should keep up the Ducks’ tradition. QB Marcus Mariota is a dual threat, throwing for 2,677 yards and a Pac-12 record 32 touchdowns while rushing for 752 yards and an additional five touchdowns in 2012. Last season, the Ducks averaged 315 yards per game rushing and look for more of the same this year with De’Anthony Thomas and Byron Marshall coming back. The defense will once again be strong but will have to replace several all-conference players up front. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This is a team that’s been to four-straight BCS bowl games, and they’re looking, obviously, to get back into the national title game.”

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5 2012 Rec ord: 12-2 (7-1, SEC) Head Coac h: Mark Richt; thirteenth season Depart ures: LB Jarvis Jones, LB Alec Ogletree, CB Sanders Commings, CB Branden Smith, S Bacarri Rambo Key Players: QB Aaron Murray, RB Todd Gurley, WR Malcolm Mitchell, RB Keith Marshall Season previ ew: Anytime a team returns the offensive firepower that the 2013 Georgia Bulldogs do, you can expect to see them contend for a national championship. QB Aaron Murray, who threw for 3,893 yards and 36 touchdowns last season, leads an offense that returns nine other starters. The backfield tandem of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall will once again look to dominate. Gurley broke Herschel Walker’s record for rushing touchdowns by a freshman with 17. Gurley and Marshall ran for a combined 2,144 yards in 2012. The Bulldogs will be tested early in the season with their first two games at Clemson and at home against South Carolina. If the Bulldogs are to have any chance at a national title, they will need to, at worse, split these two games. The defense will be the only question for Mark Richt, who will have to replace several players who departed for the NFL. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This could be potentially the best offense in college football. … The question mark will be on defense, where they lost a lot of NFL draft picks. But there’s so much good, young talent on that side of the football.”

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2012 Rec ord: 11-2 (6-2, SEC) Head Coac h: Kevin Sumlin, second season Depart ures: OT Luke Joeckel, DE Damontre Moore, DT Spencer Nealy, LB Jonathan Stewart Key Players: QB Johnny Manziel, WR Mike Evans, OT Jake Matthews, LB Steven Jenkins Season previ ew: The 2012 season for the Texas A&M Aggies can be summed up using one name: “Johnny Football.” QB Johnny Manziel was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. Manziel was responsible for 5,116 total yards (3,706 passing and 1,410 rushing) and 47 touchdowns, and was clearly the best multi-option player in college football. Although Manziel’s season was one for the record books, he did not do it alone. The offensive line was one of the best in the country with Joeckel and Matthews leading the way. Joeckel is now in the NFL but Matthews has put the league on hold, returning for his senior season. Back is also WR Mike Evans and what could be the deepest group of running backs in the nation ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “What can Johnny Manziel do for an encore? … I think the big question mark for this team is on defense, where they lost seven of their top 10 tacklers.”

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7 2012 Rec ord: 11-2 (6-2, SEC) Head Coac h: Steve Spurrier; ninth season Departures: RB Marcus Lattimore, WR Ace Sanders, C T.J. Johnson Key Players: DE Jadeveon Clowney, WR Bruce Ellington, QB Connor Shaw, QB Dylan Thompson, DE Chaz Sutton Season previ ew: The Gamecocks possess what could be the most dominant physical presence in all of college football: DE Jadeveon Clowney. After a big 2012 season Clowney, who many view as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, will undoubtedly garner a lot of attention from opposing offensive linemen, so look for DE Chaz Sutton to have a huge year. Last season, the Gamecocks led the SEC in sacks; you can expect to see much of the same this season. The biggest shoes to fill are those of Lattimore, the oft-injured back who was the heart and soul of the team on and off the field. Mike Davis will get the majority of carries out of the gate with Brandon Wilds backing him up. Coach Spurrier has two quarterbacks he can choose from: Dylan Thompson and Connor Shaw, whose frequent injuries opened the door for Thompson. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “I think the defense, once again, will be the identity of South Carolina as you’re watching them play in the SEC.”

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8 2012 Rec ord: 11-2 (7-1, ACC) Head Coac h: Dabo Swinney; sixth season Depart ures: RB Andre Ellington, C Dalton Freeman, DE Malliciah Goodman, WR DeAndre Hopkins Key Players: QB Tajh Boyd, WR Sammy Watkins, LB Stephone Anthony, RB Roderick McDowell Season previ ew: Coach Dabo Swinney has the Clemson Tigers primed and ready for another big season in 2013. Finishing last season with a win over LSU in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Tigers confidence is at an all time high. With star QB Tajh Boyd putting off the NFL and returning to Death Valley for another year, the offense has lofty expectations. Boyd will be the ACC’s top quarterback after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns, and rushing for 514 yards with another 10 touchdowns in 2012. Gone is one of Boyd’s favorite targets, DeAndre Hopkins, but returning is big-play receiver Sammy Watkins, who is looking to return to his freshman form when he caught 82 passes. Look for the Tigers defense, led by DE Victor Beasley, to continue to improve after a strong and promising finish to last season. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “They really have a chance to make a big statement the first game of the year, at home against Georgia, to determine whether or not this not only an ACC championship-caliber team, but a national championship-caliber team.”

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Cardinals

2012 Rec ord: 11-2 (5-2, Big East) Head Coac h: Charlie Strong; fourth season Depart ures: CB Adrian Bushell, C Mario Benavides, OT Alex Kupper Key Players: QB Teddy Bridgewater, S Calvin Pryor, S Hakeem Smith, WR DeVante Parker Season previ ew: Coming off a huge victory over third-ranked Florida in the Sugar Bowl, expectations are at an all-time high for the Louisville Cardinals. Returning is Heisman Trophy candidate QB Teddy Bridgewater to lead a powerful, deep offense that returns three of last season’s four top pass catchers. Head coach Charlie Strong, one of the most talented coaches in the country, is back for his fourth season. The offensive line will have holes to fill after it allowed 2.4 sacks per game in 2012. On defense, All-Big East safeties Calvin Pryor and Hakeem Smith will be called upon to lead after the departure of CB Adrian Bushell. Louisville’s schedule is favorably light with the only resistance coming from within the Big East. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “(They have) a very favorable schedule. … Louisville is a team that at the end of the year could be undefeated and looking to make an appearance in the national championship game.”

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2012 Rec ord: 11-2 (7-1, SEC) Head Coac h: Will Muschamp; third season Depart ures: RB Mike Gillislee, DT Shariff Floyd, DT Omar Hunter, LB Jon Bostic, S Matt Elam Key Players: QB Jeff Driskel, RB Matt Jones, DE Ronald Powell, CB Loucheiz Purifoy Season previ ew: Most teams would need a few years to replace all the players the Florida Gators lost to the NFL from last year’s 11-2 team. But then again, most teams aren’t the Florida Gators. Coach Will Muschamp returns QB Jeff Driskel to solidify the offense, and the defense should be one of the best in the country. The “D” will be relied upon to carry the team while the offense tries to find its way. Sophomore RB Matt Jones will handle the rushing load with backup Mack Brown getting a few carries here and there. The Gators will look to grind out games, relying on a steady dose of rushing and opportunistic passing. With an improving offensive line and a deep core of receivers, watch for the Gators to develop a more consistent passing game as the season progresses. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “Defensively again, they’re going to be great. … I think this offense needs to be more balanced. They have be able to find more explosive plays in the passing game.”

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WEEK 2 (Sat urday Sept. 7) • Notre Dame at Michigan (TBA; 8 p.m.) • South Caroli na at Georgia (ESPN; 4: 30 p.m.) WEEK 3 (Sat urday, Sept. 14) • Alabama at Texas A &M (CBS; 3: 30 p.m.) • Tennessee at Oregon (TBA; 3: 30 p.m.)

WEEK 4 (Sat urday, Sept. 21) • Michigan State at Notre Dame (NBC; 3: 30 p.m.) • Tennessee at Fl orida (CBS; 3: 30 p.m.)

WEEK 5 (Sat urday, Sept. 28) • Oklahoma at Notre Dame (NBC; 3: 30 p.m.) • Wisc onsi n at Ohi o State (TBA; 8 p.m.)

WEEK 9 (Sat urday, Oct. 26) • UCLA at Oregon (TBA) • Texas at TCU • Penn State at Ohi o State (TBA; 8 p.m.)

WEEK 6 (Sat urday Oct. 5) • TCU at Oklahoma (TBA) • Kansas State at Oklahoma State (TBA) • Ohi o State at Northwestern (TBA; 8 p.m.)

WEEK 10 (Sat urday, Nov. 2) • Georgia vs. Fl orida (Jacksonville, Fla.) (CBS; 3: 30 p.m.) • Michigan at Michigan State (TBA) • Miami at Fl orida State (TBA) • North Caroli na at North Caroli na State (TBA)

WEEK 7 (Sat urday, Oct. 12) • Oklahoma vs. Texas (Dallas) (TBA) • Fl orida at LSU (TBA)

WEEK 11 (Thursday, Nov. 7) • Oregon at Stanf ord (ESPN, 9 p.m.) (Sat urday, Nov. 9) • LSU at Alabama (CBS; 8 p.m.) • Nebraska at Michigan (TBA)

WEEK 8 (Sat urday, Oct. 19) • Fl orida State at Clemson (TBA) • UCLA at Stanf ord (TBA) • TCU at Oklahoma State (TBA) • USC at Notre Dame (NBC; 7: 30 p.m. )

• Oklahoma State at Texas (TBA) • Fl orida at South Caroli na (TBA) WEEK 13 (Sat urday, Nov. 23) • Oklahoma at Kansas State (TBA) • Texas A &M at LSU (TBA)

WEEK 14 (Sat urday, Nov. 30) • Ohi o State at Michigan (TBA) • Alabama at Auburn (TBA) • Notre Dame at Stanf ord (Fox Sp orts 1; TBA) • Fl orida State at Fl orida (TBA) • Georgia at Georgia T ec h (TBA) • Clemson at South Caroli na (TBA) WEEK 15 (Thursday, Dec. 5) • Louisville at Cinci nnati (TBA; 7: 30 p.m.) (Sat urday, Dec. 7) • Oklahoma at Oklahoma State (TBA) • Texas at Bayl or (TBA) (Sat urday, Dec. 14) • Army vs. Navy (CBS, 3 p.m.)

WEEK 12 (Sat urday, Nov. 16) • Georgia at Auburn (TBA) • Stanf ord at USC (TBA) • Michigan at Northwestern (TBA)

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August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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Fighting Irish TOMMY REES

2012 Rec ord: 12-1 Head Coac h: Brian Kelly; fourth season Depart ures: QB Everett Golson, LB Manti Te’o, TE Tyler Eifert, S Zeke Motta, RB Theo Riddick Key Players: LB Prince Shembo, DE Stephon Tuitt, DT Louis Nix, QB Tommy Rees Season previ ew: Since the Manti Te’o “girlfriend” story became a public obsession, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have been mired in highs and lows. The 2012 season ended on a low note with the Irish getting blown out by Alabama in the National Championship game, 42-14. Finishing the season 12-1 will be viewed by many as a success, but to the Notre Dame faithful the loss was devastating. The 2013 season was looking promising with a strong defense returning along with a more than capable offense – that is, until starting QB Golson left school amid academic issues. The loss leaves the offense in peril, as inconsistent senior Tommy Rees is the leading candidate to start the season under center. If there is a saving grace, it will be the defense, though replacing the on- and off-field leadership of Te’o will be a challenge. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “It’s going to be a very daunting schedule again for the Fighting Irish, but a lot of people are very curious to see how they rebound without what was planned to be their starting quarterback.”

Seminoles LAMARCUS JOYNER

Tigers ZACH METTENBERGER 16

2012 Rec ord: 12-2 (7-1, ACC) Head Coac h: Jimbo Fisher; fourth season Depart ures: QB EJ Manuel, DE Bjoern Werner, DE Cornellius Carradine, CB Xavier Rhodes, OT Menelik Watson Key Players: DE Mario Edwards, RB Devonta Freeman, WR Rashad Greene, QB Jameis Winston Season previ ew: With the loss of seven allconference players from last season, Jimbo Fisher will have to incorporate new talent fast. Quarterback EJ Manuel leaves the biggest cleats to fill as he was the 16th pick in the NFL draft. Jameis Winston looks to be the top contender to replace Manuel after Clint Trickett transferred. Winston was 12 of 15 for 205 yards in the Seminoles spring game. Whomever wins the quarterback battle will be surrounded by plenty of talent as running backs Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. make a formidable onetwo punch. Also returning are five players who caught 20 passes or more. The defensive unit should be one of the best in the country again this season with the focus shifting to the back seven. Look for S Lamarcus Joyner to fill the void left by All-ACC CB Xavier Rhodes. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This team lost 11 draft picks, the most of any team last year in the NFL Draft. But so much young talent all over the board. … So the expectations will be high again in Tallahassee, and they should be.”

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

AZWeeklyMagazine.com

2012 Rec ord: 10-3 (6-2, SEC) Head Coac h: Les Miles; ninth season Depart ures: LB Kevin Minter, CB Tharold Simon, S Eric Reid Key Players: QB Zach Mettenberger, RB Jeremy Hill, WR Jarvis Landry Season previ ew: With head coach Les Miles at the helm, LSU has been one of the most successful programs in college football. Since 2010 the Tigers amassed a 34-6 record, a model of consistency. Coming into the 2013 season, coach Miles will have more questions than usual to answer. Talent is one thing the Tigers will always have - that is never a question. Losing eight starters on defense is the biggest worry for LSU. The defensive line will have to replace six players from last season. QB Zach Mettenberger and the offense should benefit from the experience of new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who comes to Baton Rouge from the Baltimore Ravens. Mettenberger, who threw for 2,609 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012, should also benefit from one of the SEC’s leading rushing attacks. Jeremy Hill is the Tigers leading returning rusher, accumulating 755 yards last season. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This offense needs to be more balanced to give them a better shot. But this again will be one of the more physical football teams.”

Cowboys CLINT CHELF

We Have All NFL & NCAA Games! 2012 Rec ord: 8-5 (5-4, Big -12) Head Coac h: Mike Gundy; ninth season Depart ures: K Quinn Sharp, LB Alex Elkins, OL Lane Taylor Key Players: WR Josh Stewart, DT Calvin Barnett Season previ ew: The 2013 Oklahoma State Cowboys return a plethora of talent that could have them poised to make a run at the Big 12 title. Last season the Cowboys had three different quarterbacks see substantial field time and all performed well. Although coach Gundy won’t name a starter this early all indications are pointing toward Clint Chelf who started the final five games last season and threw for 1,588 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Cowboys are stocked at wide receiver, returning leading pass catcher and All-Big 12 selection Josh Stewart, who – working with three different quarterbacks last season -- was able to catch 101 passes for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns. The biggest test for the Cowboys may be in replacing one of the best kickers in the nation, Quinn Sharp, who was the Big-12 special teams player of the year last season. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “They’re going to score a lot of points, as they always do. … Oklahoma State is a team I think a lot of people have picked to win (the Big -12). They’ll be a lot of fun to watch.”

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2012 Rec ord: 9-4 (5-4, Big-12) Head Coac h: Mack Brown; 16th season Depart ures: S Kenny Vaccaro, DE Alex Okafor, DT Brandon Moore Key Players: QB David Ash, RB Johnathan Gray, WR Jaxon Shipley, WR Mike Davis Season previ ew: The 2013 Texas Longhorns look to continue the upward trend since hitting rock bottom in 2010, when they finished 5-7. Coach Mack Brown faces pressure from Longhorn nation as anything less than a national title is deemed a failure. QB David Ash is back for his junior season where he looks to build upon his strong finish to 2012. Ash is talented, throwing for 2,699 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, but is also very inconsistent. It’s this inconsistency that drives fans crazy. The Longhorns have unquestionably one of the best offensive lines in the country, composed of three experienced seniors. The running back stable is a deep and talented group who all saw game action last year. The CALL 1-877-COX-VALUE Longhorn defense will look to regroup after a disappointing 2012. They return nine starters, but will have to replace DE Alex 1-877-COX-VALUE | COX.COM Okafor and DT Brandon Moore. COX SOLUTIONS STORE® ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: Online and mobile device access varies by programming network and requires subscription. Available to residential customers in Cox service areas. 50% off NFL RedZone offer expires 9/30/13 and is available to “Texas, I think, should be the favorite to Cox-serviceable areas who subscribe to a minimum of Advanced TV and Internet Preferred service and newly subscribe to NFL RedZone. Cox Advanced TV with Sports and Information Pak and ESPN GamePlan are Actual number of games may vary by market. NFL Network and NFL RedZone available online and on select tablets only and not available on mobile phones, NFL RedZone requires Sports and In win the Big -12 title this year. … I think (thecount. RedZone season subscription. Sports package subscriptions automatically continue from year to year at a special renewal rate, unless the auto-renewal option is not accepted at the time of purchase, or the package of the next Online season calling your local Cox Center. NFLtoNetwork NFL inRedZone online, and on select iPad, and Android tablets. Minimum of C andbymobile device access varies by Communications programming networkCustomer and requiresSupport subscription. Available residential and customers Cox serviceprogramming areas. 50% off NFLavailable RedZone offer expires 9/30/13 and is available defense) will be dominant once again.” WatchESPN. ESPN pro football programming available online and on select iPad and other tablets. Other restrictions may apply.© 2013 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. to new or existing customers in Cox-serviceable areas who subscribe to a minimum of Advanced TV and Internet Preferred service and newly subscribe to NFL RedZone. NFL Network and NFL RedZone available

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August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2012 Rec ord: 10-3 (8-1, Big-12) Head Coac h: Bob Stoops; 15th season Depart ures: QB Landry Jones Key Players: CB Cortez Johnson, RB Damien Williams, WR Jalen Saunders, QB Blake Bell, C Gabe Ikard, CB Aaron Colvin Season previ ew: Going into 2013 Bob Stoops faces his most uncertain year at the quarterback position. Gone is QB Landry Jones and his program record 39 wins. The leading candidate to step in under center is Blake Bell. Bell has seen a substantial amount of game action, but mostly as a runner in the “Belldozer” package. Bell has more rushing touchdown (24) than pass attempts (20) in his career. The offensive line is the most experienced group, returning four starters including first-team All Big-12 C Gabe Ikard. The defense, which was suspect at times, returns only four starters. The defensive line will be the weak link with not much depth to speak of. DB Aaron Colvin will be the leader in the secondary as he is one of the best in the country. His tackling ability and pass defense skill will be heavily relied on in shutting down the opponents’ best receivers. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “A lot of talent, a lot of explosive playmaking ability on offense. … They have to be better against the run if this defense is to realize its fullest potential. The expectation is this should be at least a 10-win season and at least competing for a Big-12 title.”

Sooners

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August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2012 Rec ord: 8-5 (6-2, Big-Ten) Head Coac h: Brady Hoke; third season Depart ures: QB Denard Robinson, WR Roy Roundtree, G Patrick Omameh, S Jordan Kovacs Key Players: QB Devin Gardner, RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, WR Jeremy Gallon, LB Jake Ryan Season previ ew: The 2013 season may be head coach Brady Hokes’ biggest challenge thus far at Michigan. He has the program going in the right direction but he will have a lot to replace from last season. Versatile QB Denard Robinson is gone, leaving Devin Gardner to take all the snaps. Gardner filled in capably for the injured Robinson in the final five games of 2012, throwing for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns, and is a better fit for the NFL-style offense the Wolverines will be running in 2013. The offensive line will also look a lot different this season with three new starters; tackles Taylor Lewan and Michael Schofield will need to take a big step forward this season. Hoke will have several options in the backfield, where he is waiting for a standout to emerge. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “The style of play on offense is going to be what’s fun to watch because I think this is finally the style of play that Brady Hoke envisioned when he took over the team.”

JASON ANKRAH

2012 Rec ord: 10-4 (7-1, Big-Ten) Head Coac h: Bo Pelini, sixth season Depart ures: C Justin Jackson, G Seung Hoon Choi, DE Eric Martin, S Daimion Stafford, K Brett Maher Key Players: DE Jason Ankrah, QB Taylor Martinez, RB Ameer Abdullah, WR Kenny Bell Season previ ew: Veteran leadership is always looked upon favorably in college football. The Cornhuskers have just that in senior QB Taylor Martinez. Martinez returns as one of college football’s top quarterbacks. Coming off a season in which he threw for 2,871 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes, Martinez will be called on to carry the offensive load. Also returning is RB Ameer Abdullah, who rushed for 1,137 yards on 226 carries, and WR Kenny Bell, who caught 50 passes for 863 yards and eight touchdowns. Although the Huskers have potentially one of the country’s top offenses, the defense is another story entirely. After allowing 115 points in their two postseason games in 2012, the Cornhuskers return just four starters. But with the amount of talent on the roster, the defense could find its stride if it jells. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “I think for Nebraska to take the next step and in fact win a conference title … I think Taylor Martinez has to take his game to the next level.”

Broncos JOE SOUTHWICK

2012 Rec ord: 11-2 (7-1, Mountain West) Head Coac h: Chris Peterson; eighth season Depart ures: CB Jamar Taylor, CB Jerrell Gavins, G Brenel Myers, RB D.J. Harper Key Players: QB Joe Southwick, WR Matt Miller, WR Kirby Moore, DE Demarcus Lawrence Jr. Season previ ew: Head coach Chris Peterson is constantly shooting for perfection. In his seven seasons leading the Broncos, he has amassed an outstanding 84-8 record. This season should see the Broncos finish with double digit victories but not without having to replace several key players. Six starters on offense and six on defense will have to be replaced. The defense will have to fill the holes left by two departed All-MWC cornerbacks and two All-MWC linebackers. There are plenty of able bodies waiting to step in and attempt to plug the holes left. On offense running backs Jay Ajayi and Derrick Thomas will carry the load and look to take some pressure off QB Joe Southwick. Southwick is coming off a solid 2012 campaign, but the loss of his biggest offensive weapon in D.J. Harper may factor in a decline of numbers. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “Boise St. is kind of the Cinderella team every year, that a lot of people kind of view as the dark horse and the BCS buster. … They have a huge game on the road against Washington in Week 1 that I think sets the tone for them this season.”

Horned Frogs CASEY PACHALL

2012 Rec ord: 7-6 (4-5, Big-12) Head Coac h: Gary Patterson; 13th season Depart ures: RB Matthew Tucker, OL Blaize Foltz, WR Skye Dawson, OL James Fry Key Players: QB Trevone Boykin, QB Casey Pachall, CB Jason Verrett, DE Devonte Fields Season previ ew: Entering their second year in the super competitive Big 12, TCU will look to improve on an uncharacteristic 4-5 conference record. Head coach Gary Patterson will lean heavily on a defensive unit that returns all but one starter. Leading it will be All-American CB Jason Verrett, whose tackling and pass defending ability will have opposing quarterbacks looking away from his side of the field this season. QB Casey Pachall is back from a season-long suspension relating to off-field issues, but he has serious competition from Trevone Boykin. Boykin stepped in last year with a very respectable season, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Each quarterback has different skill sets, so look for one or the other to get the bulk of playing time rather than a quarterback-bycommittee approach. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This could be the best defense in the Big-12. I think a lot of eyes are on the quarterback position. … I think if Casey Pachall is back under center, a stabilizing factor for this team, I think they’re ready to make a push for a Big-12 title.”

21 2012 Rec ord: 9-5 (6-3, Pac-12) Head Coac h: Jim Mora; second season Depart ures: RB Johnathan Franklin, WR Jerry Johnson, DE Datone Jones Key Players: QB Brett Hundley, OT Xavier Su’aFilo, LB Anthony Barr, WR Shaquelle Evans Season previ ew: Head coach Jim Mora knows how to win. Losing their final three games of the season in 2012 made for a long offseason for the Bruins. Leading the way this season will be sophomore QB Brett Hundley, who had a breakout first season under center, throwing for 3,745 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for 355 yards and nine touchdowns. Hundley and the offense will have to deal with the loss of running back Johnathan Franklin, who moved on to the NFL. The offensive line may be the biggest question for the Bruins, allowing 52 sacks a season ago. Leading the defense is 6-foot-4-inch, 245-pound LB Anthony Barr. Barr had 13.5 sacks and 74 tackles in 2012 while still learning the position. Barr, who switched from fullback, was an NFL prospect linebacker before the season was over. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This is a team that has only 12 starters returning, so there’s not a lot of experience. … But with offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone and a dark horse Heisman candidate in Brett Hundley, I think this is a team that yet again will compete for a Pac-12 title.”

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Wildcats

VENRIC MARK

23 2012 Rec ord: 10-3 (5-3, Big Ten) Head Coac h: Pat Fitzgerald; eighth season Depart ures: G Brian Mulroe, OT Patrick Ward Key Players: QB Kain Colter, QB Trevor Siemian, RB Venric Mark, LB Damien Proby Season previ ew: Expectations have never been higher for Pat Fitzgerald and the Wildcats as they come off a 10-3 season and beat Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. The bowl victory is their first since 1949. Although they will have to replace three starters from the offensive line, they return their quarterback combination of Kain Colter and Trevor Siemian. RB Venric Mark, who ran for nearly 1,400 yards last year, is also back to balance an explosive offense. All Big-Ten defensive lineman Tyler Scott will anchor a defensive line and will look to improve on his nine sacks in 2012, while LBs Damien Proby and Chi Chi Ariguzo will be called upon to step into more important roles this season. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “Northwestern, I think, is going to be a surprise team in the Big-10. … November is the month to watch, when they play when they play Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State in consecutive weeks.”

24 2012 Rec ord: 7-6 (5-4, Pac-12) Head Coac h: Lane Kiffin; fourth season. Depart ures: QB Matt Barkley, OL Khaled Holmes, RB Curtis McNeal, WR Robert Woods, CB Nickell Robey Key Players: WR Marqise Lee, DE Morgan Breslin, RB Silas Redd, LB Hayes Pullard Season previ ew: The quarterback position at USC is one of the most high profile in the country. Going into the 2013 campaign, there is an open competition for head coach Lane Kiffen. When Barkley went down for the final two games last season, Max Wittek filled in capably, throwing for 388 yards and three touchdowns. Wittek is the early favorite, but sophomore Cody Kessler and true freshman Max Browne will push him for the starting gig. Whomever wins the battle will have the luxury of 2012 Biletnikoff Award winner Marqise Lee to throw to. Lee is the best receiver in the country and will look to improve on his 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. Only time will tell how the loss of Barkley will affect Lee’s numbers. Returning in the backfield is running back Silas Redd, who rushed for 905 yards and scored nine touchdowns. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “The biggest question, without a doubt, is going to be the quarterback position. And defense – they have a new coordinator, Clancy Pendergast, who comes from Cal.”

Badgers

JAMES WHITE

2012 Rec ord: 8-6 (4-4, Big Ten) Head Coac h: Gary Andersen; first season Depart ures: RB Montee Ball, C Travis Frederick, OT Ricky Wagner, CB Marcus Cromartie, CB Devin Smith Key Players: RB James White, WR Jared Abbrederis, LB Chris Borland Season previ ew: The departure of head coach Bret Bielema to Arkansas will be a huge loss for the Badgers as they look to rebound from an un-Badgerlike 8-6 season. Gary Anderson takes over a program that returns six starters each on offense and defense. With all that talent returning, they will look to fill the void left by Doak Walker Award winner Montee Ball’s departure for the NFL. James White will be relied on to carry the running load after his impressive 806 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “This will be an interesting team to watch, just with respect to the new scheme, because it’s a very veteran team; they have 23 seniors on this team. It’ll be fun to watch under firstyear head coach Gary Anderson.”

Trojans

MARQISE LEE

Beavers BRANDIN COOKS

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2012 Rec ord: 9-4 (6-3, Pac-12) Head Coac h: Mike Riley; 13th season Depart ures: DL Andrew Aeumalo, DT Castro Masaniai, CB Jordan Poyer, WR Markus Wheaton Key Players: WR Brandin Cooks, DE Scott Crichton, QB Sean Mannion, QB Cody Vaz Season previ ew: 2012 was a tale of two different seasons for the Beavers. After a 6-0 start and finding themselves ranked as high as No. 7, they finished the season losing four out of seven, culminating with a loss to Texas in the Alamo Bowl. Coach Riley returns 16 starters and will look to build off a successful 2012 campaign. Quarterbacks Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz will be in a battle to see who will start on Week 1 against Eastern Washington. The defense will have to replace CB Poyer, who finished his career as one of the top defensive backs in school history. Three of the four defensive line starters are gone, leaving big holes to be filled by several candidates. DE Crichton returns, which should help stabilize the line until each position is figured out. ESPN analyst Jesse Pal mer’s take: “They have a great opportunity to begin the season 7-0, but they’ll face a brutal stretch of games beginning Oct. 26 vs. Stanford, which ultimately will determine whether or not this team can challenge for the Pac-12 title.”

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2013 NFL PREVIEW 2012 Record: 11-4-1, first place, NFC West; 2-1 in postseason, lost to Wk 1 - GB Sept. 8 (FOX) Ravens in Super Bowl Wk 2 - at SEA Sept. 15 Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh, third season (NBC) Additions: WR Anquan Boldin, DE Glenn Dorsey, QB Colt McCoy, CB Wk 3 - IND Sept. 22 (CBS) Nnamdi Asomugha, K Phil Dawson, WR Marlon Moore, S Craig Dahl, G Adam Snyder Wk 4 - at STL Sept. 26 (NFL) Departures: QB Alex Smith, NT Isaac Sopoaga, WR Ted Ginn Jr., Wk 5 - HOU Oct. 6 (NBC) WR Randy Moss, TE Delanie Walker, S Dashon Goldson, DT Ricky JeanWk 6 - ARI Oct. 13 (FOX) Francois, K David Akers Wk 7 - at TEN Oct. 20 (FOX) Key Draft Picks: FS Eric Reid (1), DE Cornellius Carradine (2), Wk 8 - at JAX Oct. 27 (FOX) TE Vance McDonald (2), DE/LB Corey Lemonier (3), WR Quinton Patton (4), RB Marcus Lattimore (4), DE Quinton Wk 9 - Bye Dial (5) Wk 10 - CAR Nov. 10 (FOX) Season preview: A favorable midseason Wk 11 - at NO Nov. 17 quarterback switch propelled the 49ers all the way to (FOX) Super Bowl XLVII last season, and now that Alex Smith is gone to Kansas City, it’s unequivocally Colin Kaepernick’s Wk 12 - at WAS Nov. 25 team – for better or for worse. In 2013, he gets a (ESPN) major target in free agent signee Boldin, who was Wk 13 - STL Dec. 1 last seen catching six passes for 104 yards and (FOX) a touchdown for the Ravens against the Niners Wk 14 - SEA Dec. 8 last February. And the addition of fourth-rounder (FOX) Lattimore should be a welcome addition to the running game. The defense, which struggled Wk 15 - at TB Dec. 15 after DT Justin Smith went down midway through (FOX) 2012, loses two key cogs in Pro Bowler Goldson Wk 16 - ATL Dec. 23 and Sopoaga, but gains youthful talent in Reid and (ESPN) Lemonier. The Niners should have no trouble making Wk 17 - at ARI Dec. the postseason again in 2013 – assuming Kaepernick continues 29 (FOX) to progress – but whether they can return to the title game remains to be seen. *Check local listings; Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I still think subject to change. Colin they’re the favorite to win the division, but that other team up Kaepernick north, boy, Seattle – I really like them.”

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2012 Record: 11-5, second place, NFC West; 1-1 in postseason, lost to Falcons in divisional playoff Head Coach: Pete Carroll, fourth season Additions: WR Percy Harvin, DE Michael Bennett, QB Brady Quinn, K Ryan Longwell, DE Cliff Avril, CB Antoine Winfield Departures: RB Leon Washington, OT Alex Barron, QB Matt Flynn, DT Alan Branch, WR Deon Butler, CB Marcus Trufant, DE Jason Jones Key Draft Picks: RB Christine Michael (2), DT Jordan Hill (3), WR Chris Harper (4), DT Jesse Williams (5), CB Tharold Simon (5), TE Luke Wilson (5) Season preview: One of last season’s most pleasant surprises was the emergence of rookie QB Russell Wilson, a player previously considered too short (at 5 feet 11 inches) to be a legitimate NFL starter. Now, with a year under Wilson’s belt and the addition of playmaking WR Harvin, to go with holdover WRs Sidney Rice and Golden Tate and Pro Bowl runner Marshawn Lynch, the Hawks attack should be doubly dangerous. And the defense is arguably the best in the game, allowing an NFL-low 15.3 points per game in 2012. The roster is deep and the draft merely added more spare parts to the mix, most notably Michael, who will give Lynch a much-needed breather. This team got stronger on both sides of the ball this offseason and with its Super Bowl-caliber cast, could be playing at the Meadowlands come February. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I like their team. I just think they’re solid. I think the quarterback is going to get better. Percy Harvin helps them.” Russell

Wilson

Wk 1 - at CAR Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - SF Sept. 15 (NBC) Wk 3 - JAX Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - at HOU Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at IND Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - TEN Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - at ARI Oct. 17 (NFL) Wk 8 - at STL Oct. 28 (ESPN) Wk 9 - TB Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - at ATL Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - MIN Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - Bye Wk 13 - NO Dec. 2 (ESPN) Wk 14 - at SF Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - at NYG Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - ARI Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - STL Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 7-8-1, third place, NFC West Head Coach: Jeff Fisher, second season Additions: OT Jake Long, TE Jared Cook Departures: RB Steven Jackson, WR Danny Amendola, CB Bradley Fletcher, WR Steve Smith, S Craig Dahl, WR Brandon Gibson Key Draft Picks: WR Tavon Austin (1), LB Alec Ogletree (1), FS T.J. McDonald (3), WR Stedman Bailey (3), G Barrett Jones (4), CB Brandon McGee (5), RB Zac Stacy (5) Season preview: After finishing the 2012 season at 7-8-1, the Rams came into the offseason with many needs, chief among them the offensive line, which allowed 35 sacks to QB Sam Bradford. Toward that end, the team signed free agent Long and drafted Jones. After losing WR Amendola, Bradford got a pair of weapons through the draft in West Virginia teammates Austin and Bailey and via free agency in TE Cook. Jackson’s departure will likely be felt the most, but the Rams feel they can make up for his production by a committee of runners including Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead and Zac Stacy. The defense is solid, adding draftees Ogletree and McDonald to an impressive group led by DE Chris Long and CB Janoris Jenkins. The Rams are better than their 2012 record indicates and might contend for a playoff berth if they weren’t in such a tough division. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I like the way they play defense. … The Rams are not a lay-up. It’s not like you’re going, ‘Oh, it’s the Rams.’ No, you’re going, ‘Uh-oh, can we beat them at Sam home?’ ” Bradford

Wk 1 - ARI Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - at ATL Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at DAL Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - SF Sept. 26 (NFL) Wk 5 - JAX Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - at HOU Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - at CAR Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - SEA Oct. 28 (ESPN) Wk 9 - TEN Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - at IND Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - Bye Wk 12 - CHI Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - at SF Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - at ARI Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - NO Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - TB Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - at SEA Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 5-11, last place, NFC West Head Coach: Bruce Arians, first season Additions: QB Carson Palmer, RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB Karlos Dansby, QB Drew Stanton, DE Matt Shaughnessy, CB Antoine Cason, CB Javier Arenas, DE Frostee Tucker, LB Jasper Brinkley Departures: RB Beanie Wells, CB William Gay, CB Greg Toler, LB Quentin Groves, FS Kerry Rhodes, LB Stewart Bradley, QB Kevin Kolb, S Adrian Wilson, QB John Skelton, G Adam Snyder Key Draft Picks: G Jonathan Cooper (1), LB Kevin Minter (2), CB Tyrann Mathieu (3), DE Alex Okafor (4), G Earl Watford (4), RB Stepfan Taylor (5) Season preview: It’s hard to muster much optimism for a team that started 2012 with four straight wins, then won only one more the rest of the way. But the Cardinals do have reason to believe things will get better in 2013. For one, the quarterback position should be solidified with veteran Palmer taking the reins from last year’s failed Kolb/Skelton tandem. And the offensive line, which was absolutely horrid last year in giving up a league-high 58 sacks, should see significant improvement with rookies Cooper and Watford getting starting nods. The defense, which kept them in games while the offense struggled, should be solid again in 2013. New head coach Arians contends this team is too talented to be a rebuilding club, and if WR Larry Fitzgerald can develop a rapport with Palmer, the Cards might be fun to watch. But are they a playoff team? Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I think they’ll win more than five games. They’re not going to win the division. I think the division’s too Larry strong, but I think they’re a lot better.”

Fitzgerald

Wk 1 - at STL Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - DET Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at NO Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at TB Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - CAR Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at SF Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - SEA Oct. 17 (NFL) Wk 8 - ATL Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - Bye Wk 10 - HOU Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - at JAX Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - IND Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - at PHI Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - STL Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - at TEN Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at SEA Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - SF Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2013 NFL PREVIEW NFC SOUTH 2012 Record: 13-3, first place, NFC South; 1-1 in postseason, lost to 49ers in NFC Championship Head Coach: Mike Smith; sixth season Additions: RB Steven Jackson, DE Osi Umenyiora Departures: RB Michael Turner, DE John Abraham, CB Dunta Robinson, T Tyson Clabo Key Draft Picks: CB Desmond Trufant (1), CB Robert Alford (2), DE Malliciah Goodman (4), TE Levine Toilolo (4), DE Stansly Maponga (5) Season preview: The Falcons came within 35 yards of making the Super Bowl last season and with much of the team’s core returning, they’re capable of making a similar run this year. One key player not returning is Turner, with veteran Jackson replacing him after signing a three-year contract in the offseason. With the passing attack – QB Matt Ryan and top WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones – intact, expect another big year from the offense. On the other side of the ball, 10-year veteran Umenyiora and firstround pick Trufant join a defense that ranked fifth in the league in 2012. It’ll likely be a tougher road to the top of the division with the Saints expected to bounce back from a down year, but the Falcons may be the cream of the crop in the South again in 2013. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I still think they’re the team to beat. … I think they’ve done enough things where they’ve improved their defense. Can they rush the quarterback? That’s going to be critical with a young Matt secondary.” Ryan

2012 Record: 7-9, second place (tie), NFC South Head Coach: Ron Rivera; third season Additions: CB Drayton Florence, CB D.J. Moore, S Mike Mitchell, WR Ted Ginn, LB Chase Blackburn, WR Domenik Hixon Departures: DT Ron Edwards, CB Chris Gamble, LB James Anderson Key Draft Picks: DT Star Lotulelei (1), DT Kawann Short (2), G Edmund Kugbila (4), LB A.J. Klein (5) Season preview: The Panthers have steadily improved over the past few years, going from two wins in 2010 to six in 2011 and seven last year. If they continue on the upward trajectory, they’ll hit the .500 mark (or better) this year. QB Cam Newton returns for his third NFL season, along with veteran WR Steve Smith and RB tandem of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Newcomers to the team for 2013 include Ginn and Hixon, who may provide some needed depth for a receiving core that has dropped off quickly after Smith in recent years, and Blackburn, who is coming off the best season of his career with 98 tackles as a member of the Giants. The Panthers hope draft picks Lotulelei and Short will solidify the middle of its defensive line, which has been a problem for the team for several years. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “If Cam Newton can get off to a good Cam start, they’ll be competitive. I don’t know if Newton they’re good enough to win the division.”

Wk 1 - at NO Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - STL Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at MIA Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - NE Sept. 29 (NBC) Wk 5 - NYJ Oct. 7 (ESPN) Wk 6 - Bye Wk 7 - TB Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - at ARI Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - at CAR Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - SEA Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - at TB Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - NO Nov. 21 (NFL) Wk 13 - at BUF Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - at GB Dec. 8 (NBC) Wk 15 - WAS Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at SF Dec. 23 (ESPN) Wk 17 - CAR Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 7-9, second place (tie), NFC South Wk 1 - ATL Sept. 8 (FOX) Head Coach: Sean Payton; seventh season Wk 2 - at TB Sept. 15 (FOX) Additions: CB Keenan Lewis, TE Benjamin Watson, DE Kenyon Wk 3 - ARI Sept. 22 (FOX) Coleman, QB Luke McCown, S Jim Leonhard, CB Chris Carr, QB Seneca Wallace Wk 4 - MIA Sept. 30 (ESPN) Departures: TE David Thomas, CB Johnny Patrick, RB Chris Ivory Wk 5 - at CHI Oct. 6 (FOX) Key Draft Picks: S Kenny Vaccaro (1), OT Terron Armstead (3), DT Wk 6 - at NE Oct. 13 (FOX) John Jenkins (3), WR Kenny Stills (5) Wk 7 - Bye Season preview: With a 7-9 record in 2012, the Wk 8 - BUF Oct. 27 (CBS) Saints had their first losing record since 2007, but that can partially be chalked up to a tumultuous Wk 9 - NYJ Nov. 3 (FOX) offseason that resulted from the Bountygate Wk 10 - DAL Nov. 10 (NBC) controversy. Bountygate led to the season-long Wk 11 - SF Nov. 17 (FOX) suspension of Payton and six-game suspension for interim head coach Joe Vitt. With Payton back at Wk 12 - at ATL Nov. 21 the helm, the team may bounce back and improve (NFL) upon last year’s disappointing season. Putting points Wk 13 - at SEA Dec. 2 on the board shouldn’t be a problem with QB (ESPN) Drew Brees, WR Marques Colston and TE Jimmy Graham leading the offense but, Wk 14 - CAR Dec. 8 unfortunately, scoring may not be hard (FOX) for their opponents, either, as only the Wk 15 - at STL Dec. 15 Titans allowed more points last year than (FOX) the Saints. The additions of four-year veteran Lewis and rookie Vaccaro may Wk 16 - at CAR Dec. help shore up a secondary that struggled 22 (FOX) last year. If the defense improves, so does the Wk 17 - TB Dec. team’s hope for making the playoffs. 29 (FOX) Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: *Check local “Sean Payton, obviously, was truly missed last year. listings; subject to With him coming back, I think they become more balanced. change. … Defensively, they’re going to try to go to a 3-4. I don’t know Drew if they have all of the parts.”

Brees

Wk 1 - SEA Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - at BUF Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - NYG Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - Bye Wk 5 - at ARI Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at MIN Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - STL Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - at TB Oct. 24 (NFL) Wk 9 - ATL Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - at SF Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - NE Nov. 18 (ESPN) Wk 12 - at MIA Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - TB Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - at NO Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - NYJ Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - NO Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - at ATL Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 7-9, second place (tie), NFC South Head Coach: Greg Schiano; second season Additions: CB Darrelle Revis, S Dashon Goldson, TE Zach Miller, WR Kevin Ogletree, OT Gabe Carimi Departures: WR Arrelious Benn, RB LeGarrette Blount, CB Ronde Barber, LB Quincy Black Key Draft Picks: CB Johnthan Banks (2), QB Mike Glennon (3), DT Akeem Spence (4), DE William Gholston (4), DE Steven Means (5) Season preview: The Bucs had a busy offseason by making four trades, the biggest being with the Jets in which they acquired Revis in exchange for a first round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional pick next year. The six-year veteran was limited to just two games in 2012 after tearing his ACL, but he was one of the best at his position in the years prior. The team hopes Revis can help a secondary that ranked last in the league in passing defense last year. The defense, of course, will be without Barber, who retired following a 16-year career with the team. Offensively, QB Josh Freeman takes the field for his fourth full season as a starter, coming off his best season in terms of passing yards (4,065) and touchdowns (27), and RB Doug Martin looks for another good year after rushing for 1,454 yards as a rookie. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “This a team that can compete in the division. Josh I don’t know if they win it. I think they’ll be Freeman better than maybe nine wins.”

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Wk 1 - at NYJ Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - NO Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at NE Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - ARI Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - Bye Wk 6 - PHI Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - at ATL Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - CAR Oct. 24 (NFL) Wk 9 - at SEA Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - MIA Nov. 11 (ESPN) Wk 11 - ATL Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - at DET Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - at CAR Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - BUF Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - SF Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at STL Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - at NO Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

Don’t cuss. Don’t argue with the officials. And don’t lose the game. John Heisman

You can learn more character on the two yard line than anywhere else in life. Paul Dietzel

I guess I’ll retire someday if I live that long. Bobby Bowden I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game. Bear Bryant

Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat him as what he could be, and he will become what he should be. Jimmy Johnson

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2013 NFL PREVIEW 2012 Record: 11-5, first place, NFC North; 1-1 in postseason, lost to 49ers in divisional playoffs Head Coach: Mike McCarthy; eighth season Additions: K Giorgio Tavecchio, TE Matthew Mulligan, DT Johnny Jolly Departures: WR Greg Jennings, WR Donald Driver, CB Charles Woodson, LB Desmond Bishop, C Jeff Saturday, RB Cedric Benson, RB Ryan Grant Key Draft Picks: DE Datone Jones (1), RB Eddie Lacy (2), OT David Bakhtiari (4), G J.C. Tretter (4), RB Johnathan Franklin (4) Season preview: Imagine if Green Bay had a star running back to ease the pressure on all-world QB Aaron Rodgers, who still cranked out 4,295 yards and 39 TD passes last season? The Packers’ leading rusher, Alex Green, gained 464 yards, and Rodgers was second with 259, so with two of their top four draft picks, the Pack chose Lacy and Franklin and are expecting both to make major contributions. That should make Rodgers even more dangerous as he targets the talented wideout duo of Randall Cobb and James Jones. Addressing the defense became a priority after Green Bay gave up 579 total yards in the playoff loss to the 49ers. Top overall pick Datone Jones should start immediately at defensive end and help the Pack contain the outside rush. He’ll also combine with sack-happy Pro Bowl LB Clay Matthews to make life miserable for opposing QBs, and LB Nick Perry returns from injury to start opposite Matthews. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “This team is going to be in the hunt to win the division because of Aaron Rodgers. … He’s an elite quarterback, the No. 1 quarterback in the league in Aaron my opinion.”

Rodgers

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

Wk 1 - at SF Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - WAS Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at CIN Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - Bye Wk 5 - DET Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at BAL Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - CLE Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - at MIN Oct. 27 (NBC) Wk 9 - CHI Nov. 4 (ESPN) Wk 10 - PHI Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - at NYG Nov. 17 (NBC) Wk 12 - MIN Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - at DET Nov. 28 (FOX) Wk 14 - ATL Dec. 8 (NBC) Wk 15 - at DAL Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - PIT Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at CHI Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2012 Record: 10-6, second place, NFC North; 0-1 in postseason, lost to Packers in wild-card round Head Coach: Leslie Frazier; fourth season Additions: QB Matt Cassel, WR Greg Jennings, LB Desmond Bishop Departures: WR Percy Harvin, CB Antoine Winfield, LB Jasper Brinkley, P Chris Kluwe, WR Michael Jenkins Key Draft Picks: DT Sharrif Floyd (1), CB Xavier Rhodes (1), WR Cordarrelle Patterson (1), LB Gerald Hodges (4), P Jeff Locke (5) Season preview: Anything seems possible when your best player is Adrian Peterson, who won NFL MVP honors after rushing for 2,097 yards, just eight yards short of Eric Dickerson’s single-season record. AP willed the Vikings to the playoffs last season, one otherwise marked by inconsistent play from QB Christian Ponder. Entering his third season, Ponder needs to shed the question-mark label for Minnesota to improve. The veteran Cassel waits in the wings … for now. The receiving corps is revamped, but is it better? Harvin was traded, Jennings signed, and the Vikes used one of three first-rounders on the raw but talented Patterson. Their top pick, Floyd, represented great value at No. 23 overall, and he should rotate at defensive tackle with veteran Kevin Williams before taking over full time in 2014. Bishop arrives from Green Bay to, in the least, add great depth at linebacker, a unit anchored by team leader Chad Greenway. In the secondary, Rhodes is slated to start at CB opposite Chris Cook. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “Christian Ponder has to play better at quarterback. That’s what it’s going to boil down to. … Because people Adrian are going to stack the box to stop Adrian.” Peterson

Wk 1 - at DET Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - at CHI Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - CLE Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - PIT Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - Bye Wk 6 - CAR Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - at NYG Oct. 21 (ESPN) Wk 8 - GB Oct. 27 (NBC) Wk 9 - at DAL Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - WAS Nov. 7 (NFL) Wk 11 - at SEA Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - at GB Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - CHI Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - at BAL Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - PHI Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at CIN Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - DET Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 10-6, third place, NFC North Head Coach: Marc Trestman; first season Additions: LB James Anderson, TE Martellus Bennett, T Jermon Bushrod, LB D.J. Williams, G Matt Slauson, DT Sedrick Ellis Departures: LB Brian Urlacher, QB Jason Campbell, G Lance Louis, LB Nick Roach, DE Israel Idonije, OT Gabe Carimi, TE Kellen Davis Key Draft Picks: G Kyle Long (1), LB Jon Bostic (2), LB Khaseem Greene (4), T Jordan Mills Season preview: Despite 10 wins, the Bears missed the playoffs, which ended the nine-year coaching reign of Lovie Smith. Trestman takes over, arriving with a sophisticated offensive playbook that may spell the beginning of the end for QB Jay Cutler. How well Cutler, in the last year of his contract, picks up Trestman’s West Coast scheme will determine the fate of the 2013 Bears, as well as Cutler’s in Chicago. He’ll work behind a revamped offensive line that includes LT Bushrod and guards Slauson and top pick Long. Bennett is an upgrade at tight end and should open up more room for top receiver Brandon Marshall. Defensively, the Bears are still solid, even as they enter their first season since 1999 without Urlacher manning the middle. New starters Anderson and Williams replace Urlacher and Roach, joining holdover Lance Briggs, and a lockdown secondary features Pro Bowl cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “The key is Cutler. … It’s almost like he forces things, and that’s where Trestman is going to have to come in and make this guy understand he’s going to have a little more poise and not try to be the Jay gunslinger.” Cutler

Wk 1 - CIN Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - MIN Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at PIT Sept. 22 (NBC) Wk 4 - at DET Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - NO Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - NYG Oct. 10 (NFL) Wk 7 - at WAS Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - Bye Wk 9 - at GB Nov. 4 (ESPN) Wk 10 - DET Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - BAL Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - at STL Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - at MIN Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - DAL Dec. 9 (ESPN) Wk 15 - at CLE Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at PHI Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - GB Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 4-12, last place, NFC North Head Coach: Jim Schwartz; fifth season Additions: RB Reggie Bush, S Glover Quin, DE Israel Idonije, DE Jason Jones, K David Akers Departures: K Jason Hanson, OT Jeff Backus, OT Gosder Cherilus, G Stephen Peterman, DE Cliff Avril, LB Justin Durant, DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, P Nick Harris, KR/PR Stefan Logan Key Draft Picks: DE Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah (1), CB Darius Slay (2), G Larry Warford (3), DE Devin Taylor (4), P Sam Martin (5) Season preview: It’s likely a make-or-break year in the Motor City, where in four seasons Schwartz has compiled a 22-42 record and made the playoffs once. There’s enough talent on the roster to at least compete for a wild card spot, but the offense needs more balance and the defense has to improve. With Matthew Stafford at the helm, the Lions attempted an NFL-record 740 passes last season, and his favorite target, WR Calvin Johnson, caught 122 of them for an NFL single-season record of 1,964 yards. Bush presents yet another intriguing pass-catching option, and he should also help a rushing offense that finished 23rd in the NFL. On defense, first-round pick Ansah adds raw skills to a line that, with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley inside, could be one of the league’s best. Not so for a maligned secondary, thus CB Slay was picked 36th overall and former Texan Quin signed to start at safety. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “This is a team that has some potential. But Matthew if you have to throw it 700 times, you’re Stafford not going to win a lot of football games.”

Wk 1 - MIN Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - at ARI Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at WAS Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - CHI Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at GB Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at CLE Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - CIN Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - DAL Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - Bye Wk 10 - at CHI Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - at PIT Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - TB Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - GB Nov. 28 (FOX) Wk 14 - at PHI Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - BAL Dec. 16 (ESPN) Wk 16 - NYG Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - at MIN Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2013 NFL PREVIEW Denver at N.Y. Giants (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) San Francisco at Seattle (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 3

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Kansas City at Philadelphia (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.) Eli Manning

WEEK 1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Baltimore at Denver (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

New England at Buffalo (CBS, 10 a.m.) Tennessee at Pittsburgh (CBS, 10 a.m.) Atlanta at New Orleans (Fox, 10 a.m.) Tampa Bay at N.Y. Jets (Fox, 10 a.m.) Kansas City at Jacksonville (CBS, 10 a.m.) Seattle at Carolina (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cincinnati at Chicago (CBS, 10 a.m.) Miami at Cleveland (CBS, 10 a.m.) Minnesota at Detroit (Fox, 10 a.m.) Oakland at Indianapolis (CBS, 10 a.m.) Green Bay at San Francisco (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Arizona at St. Louis (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) N.Y. Giants at Dallas (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Philadelphia at Washington (ESPN, 4:10 p.m.) Houston at San Diego (ESPN, 7:20 p.m.)

WEEK 2

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

N.Y. Jets at New England (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

St. Louis at Atlanta (Fox, 10 a.m.) San Diego at Philadelphia (CBS, 10 a.m.) Dallas at Kansas City (Fox, 10 a.m.) Miami at Indianapolis (CBS, 10 a.m.) Tennessee at Houston (CBS, 10 a.m.) Washington at Green Bay (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cleveland at Baltimore (CBS, 10 a.m.) Carolina at Buffalo (Fox, 10 a.m.) Minnesota at Chicago (Fox, 10 a.m.) New Orleans at Tampa Bay (Fox, 1:05 p.m.) Detroit at Arizona (Fox, 1:05 p.m.) Jacksonville at Oakland (CBS, 1:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Houston at Baltimore (CBS, 10 a.m.) N.Y. Giants at Carolina (Fox, 10 a.m.) Detroit at Washington (Fox, 10 a.m.) San Diego at Tennessee (CBS, 10 a.m.) Arizona at New Orleans (Fox, 10 a.m.) Tampa Bay at New England (Fox, 10 a.m.) Green Bay at Cincinnati (Fox, 10 a.m.) St. Louis at Dallas (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cleveland at Minnesota (CBS, 10 a.m.) Atlanta at Miami (Fox, 1:05 p.m.) Bufalo at N.Y. Jets (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) Indianapolis at San Francisco (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) Jacksonville at Seattle (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) Chicago at Pittsburgh (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Oakland at Denver (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 4

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

San Francisco at St. Louis (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Baltimore at Buffalo (CBS, 10 a.m.) Arizona at Tampa Bay (Fox, 10 a.m.) Pittsburgh at Minnesota (CBS, 10 a.m.) N.Y. Giants at Kansas City (Fox, 10 a.m.) Indianapolis at Jacksonville (CBS, 10 a.m.) Seattle at Houston (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cincinnati at Cleveland (CBS, 10 a.m.) Chicago at Detroit (Fox, 10 a.m.) N.Y. Jets at Tennessee (CBS, 1:05 p.m.) Washington at Oakland (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Philadelphia at Denver (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Dallas at San Diego (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) New England at Atlanta (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

Miami at New Orleans (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 5

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3

Buffalo at Cleveland (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6

New England at Cincinnati (CBS, 10 a.m.)

SAVE OVER

Minnesota at N.Y. Giants (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 8

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

Carolina at Tampa Bay (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27

San Francisco at Jacksonville (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cleveland at Kansas City (CBS, 10 a.m.) Miami at New England (CBS, 10 a.m.) Buffalo at New Orleans (CBS, 10 a.m.) Dallas at Detroit (Fox, 10 a.m.) N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia (Fox, 10 a.m.) Pittsburgh at Oakland (CBS, 1:05 p.m.) N.Y. Jets at Cincinnati (CBS, 1:05 p.m.) Atlanta at Arizona (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Washington at Denver (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Green Bay at Minnesota (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

N.Y. Jets at Atlanta (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 6

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10

N.Y. Giants at Chicago (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13

Green Bay at Baltimore (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cincinnati at Buffalo (CBS, 10 a.m.) Detroit at Cleveland (Fox, 10 a.m.) St. Louis at Houston (Fox, 10 a.m.) Carolina at Minnesota (Fox, 10 a.m.) Oakland at Kansas City (CBS, 10 a.m.) Pittsburgh at N.Y. Jets (CBS, 10 a.m.) Philadelphia at Tampa Bay (Fox, 10 a.m.) Jacksonville at Denver (CBS, 1:05 p.m.) Tennessee at Seattle (CBS, 1:05 p.m.) New Orleans at New England (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Arizona at San Francisco (Fox, 1:25 p.m.) Washington at Dallas (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28

Seattle at St. Louis (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 9

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31

Cincinnati at Miami (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Atlanta at Carolina (Fox, 11 a.m.) Minnesota at Dallas (Fox, 11 a.m.) New Orleans at N.Y. Jets (Fox, 11 a.m.) Tennessee at St. Louis (CBS, 11 a.m.) Kansas City at Buffalo (CBS, 11 a.m.) San Diego at Washington (CBS, 11 a.m.) Philadelphia at Oakland (Fox, 2:05 p.m.) Tampa Bay at Seattle (Fox, 2:05 p.m.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 14

Indianapolis at San Diego (ESPN, 5:40 p.m.)

WEEK 7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

Seattle at Arizona (NFLN, 5:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

Tamp Bay at Atlanta (Fox, 10 a.m.) Chicago at Washington (Fox, 10 a.m.) Dallas at Philadelphia (Fox, 10 a.m.) New England at N.Y. Jets (CBS, 10 a.m.) Buffalo at Miami (CBS, 10 a.m.) St. Louis at Carolina (Fox, 10 a.m.) Cincinnati at Detroit (CBS, 10 a.m.) San Diego at Jacksonville (CBS, 10 a.m.) Houston at Kansas City (CBS, 10 a.m.) San Francisco at Tennessee (Fox, 1:05 p.m.) Cleveland at Green Bay (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) Baltimore at Pittsburgh (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) Denver at Indianaplois (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

920

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21

Detroit at Green Bay (Fox, 10 a.m.) Seattle at Indianapolis (Fox, 10 a.m.) Baltimore at Miami (CBS, 10 a.m.) New Orleans at Chicago (Fox, 10 a.m.) Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants (Fox, 10 a.m.) Kansas City at Tennessee (CBS, 10 a.m.) Jacksonville at St. Louis (CBS, 1:05 p.m.) Carolina at Arizona (Fox, 1:05 p.m.) Denver at Dallas (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) San Diego at Oakland (CBS, 1:25 p.m.) Houston at San Francisco (NBC, 5:30 p.m.)

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Detroit at Pittsburgh (Fox, 11 a.m.) Washington at Philadelphia (Fox, 11 a.m.) San Diego at Miami (CBS, 11 a.m.) Baltimore at Chicago (CBS, 11 a.m.) Cleveland at Cincinnati (CBS, 11 a.m.) Oakland at Houston (CBS, 11 a.m.) Arizona at Jacksonville (Fox, 11 a.m.) Kansas City at Denver (CBS, 2:05 p.m.) Minnesota at Seattle (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) San Francisco at New Orleans (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) Green Bay at N.Y. Giants (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18

New England at Carolina (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 12

Cam Newton

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21

Baltimore at Cleveland (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) Pittsburgh at New England (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) Indianapolis at Houston (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Chicago at Green Bay (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 10

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Washington at Minnesota (NFLN, 6:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Philadelphia at Green Bay (Fox, 11 a.m.) Jacksonville at Tennessee (CBS, 11 a.m.) Buffalo at PIttsburgh (CBS, 11 a.m.) Oakland at N.Y. Giants (CBS, 11 a.m.) St. Louis at Indianapolis (Fox, 11 a.m.) Seattle at Atlanta (Fox, 11 a.m.) Cincinnati at Baltimore (CBS, 11 a.m.) Detroit at Chicago (Fox, 11 a.m.) Carolina at San Francisco (Fox, 2:05 p.m.) Houston at Arizona (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) Denver at San Diego (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) Dallas at New Orleans (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Miami at Tampa Bay (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Indianapolis at Tennessee (NFLN, 6:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

N.Y. Jets at Buffalo (CBS, 11 a.m.) Atlanta at Tampa Bay (Fox, 11 a.m.)

New Orleans at Atlanta (NFLN, 6:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Tampa Bay at Detroit (Fox, 11 a.m.) Minnesota at Green Bay (Fox, 11 a.m.) Jacksonville at Houston (CBS, 11 a.m.) San Diego at Kansas City (CBS, 11 a.m.) Carolina at Miami (Fox, 11 a.m.) Pittsburgh at Cleveland (CBS, 11 a.m.) Chicago at St. Louis (Fox, 11 a.m.) N.Y. Jets at Baltimore (CBS, 11 a.m.) Tennessee at Oakland (CBS, 2:05 p.m.) Indianapolis at Arizona (CBS, 2:05 p.m.) Dallas at N.Y. Giants (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) Denver at New England (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25

San Francisco at Washington (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 13

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28

Green Bay at Detroit (Fox, 10:30 a.m.) Oakland at Dallas (CBS, 2:30 p.m.) Pittsburgh at Baltimore (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

Denver at Kansas City (CBS, 11 a.m.) Tennessee at Indianapolis (CBS, 11 a.m.) Jacksonville at Cleveland (CBS, 11 a.m.) Tampa Bay at Carolina (Fox, 11 a.m.) Chicago at Minnesota (Fox, 11 a.m.) Arizona at Philadelphia (Fox, 11 a.m.) Miami at N.Y. Jets (CBS, 11 a.m.) Atlanta at Buffalo (Fox, 2:05 p.m.) St. Louis at San Francisco (Fox, 2:05 p.m.) New England at Houston (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) Cincinnati at San Diego (CBS, 2:25 p.m.)

N.Y. Giants at Washington (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2

New Orleans at Seattle (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 14

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5

Houston at Jacksonville (NFLN, 6:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8

Indianapolis at Cincinnati (CBS, 11 a.m.) Cleveland at New England (CBS, 11 a.m.) Oakland at N.Y. Jets (CBS, 11 a.m.) Carolina at New Orleans (Fox, 11 a.m.) Detroit at Philadelphia (Fox, 11 a.m.) Miami at Pittsburgh (CBS, 11 a.m.) Buffalo at Tampa Bay (CBS, 11 a.m.) Kansas City at Washington (CBS, 11 a.m.) Minnesota at Baltimore (Fox, 11 a.m.) Tennessee at Denver (CBS, 2:05 p.m.) St. Louis at Arizona (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) N.Y. Giants at San Diego (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) Seattle at San Francisco (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) Atlanta at Green Bay (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9

Dallas at Chicago (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 15

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12

San Diego at Denver (NFLN, 6:25 p.m.)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15

Washington at Atlanta (Fox, 11 a.m.) Arizona at Tennessee (Fox, 11 a.m.) San Francisco at Tampa Bay (Fox, 11 a.m.) New Orleans at St. Louis (Fox, 11 a.m.) Seattle at N.Y. Giants (Fox, 11 a.m.) Chicago at Cleveland (Fox, 11 a.m.) Houston at Indianapolis (CBS, 11 a.m.) Buffalo at Jacksonville (CBS, 11 a.m.) New England at Miami (CBS, 11 a.m.) Philadelphia at Minnesota (Fox, 11 a.m.) Kansas City at Oakland (CBS, 2:05 p.m.) N.Y. Jets at Carolina (CBS, 2:05 p.m.) Green Bay at Dallas (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (NBC, 6:30 p.m.)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23

Atlanta at San Francisco (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 17

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

Carolina at Atlanta (Fox, 11 a.m.) Green Bay at Chicago (Fox, 11 a.m.) Houston at Tennessee (CBS, 11 a.m.) Cleveland at Pittsburgh (CBS, 11 a.m.) Washington at N.Y. Giants (Fox, 11 a.m.) Baltimore at Cincinnati (CBS, 11 a.m.) Philadelphia at Dallas (Fox, 11 a.m.) Jacksonville at Indianapolis (CBS, 11 a.m.) N.Y. Jets at Miami (CBS, 11 a.m.) Detroit at Minnesota (Fox, 11 a.m.) Buffalo at New England (CBS, 11 a.m.) Tampa Bay at New Orleans (Fox, 11 a.m.) Denver at Oakland (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) San Francisco at Arizona (Fox, 2:25 p.m.) Kansas City at San Diego (CBS, 2:25 p.m.) St. Louis at Seattle (Fox, 2:25 p.m.)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16

Baltimore at Detroit (ESPN, 6:40 p.m.)

WEEK 16

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

Miami at Buffalo (CBS, 11 a.m.) New Orleans at Carolina (Fox, 11 a.m.) Dallas at Washington (Fox, 11 a.m.) Tampa Bay at St. Louis (Fox, 11 a.m.)

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2013 NFL PREVIEW 2012 Record: 10-6, first place, NFC East; 0-1 in postseason, lost to Seahawks in wild card game Head Coach: Mike Shanahan, fourth season Additions: OT Tony Pashos, OT Jeremy Trueblood, CB E.J. Biggers, DE Darryl Tapp Departures: CB DeAngelo Hall Key Draft Picks: CB David Amerson (2), TE Jordan Reed (3), SS Phillip Thomas (4), RB Chris Thompson (5), DE Brandon Jenkins (5) Season preview: The rookies ruled last year, as QB Robert Griffin III and RB Alfred Morris propelled the Redskins to the NFC East title. All eyes are on Griffin’s recovery from knee surgery and just when he can return to play. According to the QB, he will be ready on the first day of training camp. Of course, Shanahan may have a different opinion. However, the coach is confident that Morris can duplicate his franchise record of more than 1,600 rushing yards. Defensively, the team welcomes the return of LB Brian Orakpo, DE Adam Carriker and S Brandon Meriweather from injuries. Luckily for the Redskins, they retained most of their 2012 roster, as well as the coaching staff. The talent is certainly there for the team to duplicate its success from last year. If the dynamic duo of Griffin III and Morris find success in their sophomore seasons, look for the Skins to be a top contender once again in the tight NFC East. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “Robert Griffin’s the key – a dual threat. But I think if … you’re going to ask (him) to run the ball 120 times a year, he’s going to have a short career; it’s going to Robert be about five years.”

Wk 1 - PHI Sept. 9 (ESPN) Wk 2 - at GB Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - DET Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at OAK Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - Bye Wk 6 - at DAL Oct. 13 (NBC) Wk 7 - CHI Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - at DEN Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - SD Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - at MIN Nov. 7 (NFL) Wk 11 - at PHI Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - SF Nov. 25 (ESPN) Wk 13 - NYG Dec. 1 (NBC) Wk 14 - KC Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at ATL Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - DAL Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - at NYG Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

Griffin III

2012 Record: 9-7, second place, NFC East Head Coach: Tom Coughlin, 10th season Additions: LB Dan Connor, LB Aaron Curry, LB Kyle Bosworth, WR Keith Carlos, TE Brandon Myers Departures: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DE Osi Umenyiora, LB Chase Blackburn, LB Michael Boley, DE Chris Canty Key Draft Picks: OT Justin Pugh (1), DT Johnathan Hankins (2), DE Damontre Moore (3), QB Ryan Nassib (4), S Cooper Taylor (5) Season preview: Due to a lack of consistency, the Giants missed the playoffs in 2012, finishing a disappointing 9-7. This year, they look to solve that problem with some new players in key positions. Offensively, the team has high hopes for 2nd-year player David Wilson, who takes over as RB for Bradshaw. He joins RB Andre Brown, recovering from last year’s broken leg. The Giants would love to have two 1,000-yard rushers to complement QB Eli Manning and his group of talented receivers. Offensively, the Giants should score 30 points per game. The real question is the team’s defense, which last year was unable to stop the run and had problems in the secondary. CB Terrell Thomas returns after missing the last two seasons, and Mathias Kiwanuka prepares to play DE for Jason Pierre-Paul, who’s recovering from back surgery. A newly revamped linebacker squad will pose some challenges as well. If the team can put it together defensively, look for the G-Men to win the division in a close race. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “They’re still in it to compete in the division. They won nine games (in 2012), and I think if you win 10 you’ve got a shot to win this division.”

Wk 1 - at DAL Sept. 8 (NBC) Wk 2 - DEN Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at CAR Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at KC Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - PHI Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at CHI Oct. 10 (NFL) Wk 7 - MIN Oct. 21 (ESPN) Wk 8 - at PHI Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - Bye Wk 10 - OAK Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - GB Nov. 17 (NBC) Wk 12 - DAL Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - at WAS Dec. 1 (NBC) Wk 14 - at SD Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - SEA Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at DET Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - WAS Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

Eli Manning

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August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2012 Record: 8-8, third place, NFC East Head Coach: Jason Garrett, fourth season Additions: S Will Allen, TE Dante Rosario, DE Anthony Hargrove, LB Justin Durant Departures: LB Dan Connor, WR Anthony Armstrong, S Gerald Sensabaugh Key Draft Picks: C Travis Frederick (1), TE Gavin Escobar (2), WR Terrance Williams (3), SS J.J. Wilcox (3), CB B.W. Webb (4), RB Joseph Randle (5) Season preview: For the second year in a row, the Cowboys missed the playoffs by losing a win-and-in game. The team finished 31st in rushing, putting added pressure on QB Tony Romo to throw the ball, and he was inconsistent with 19 interceptions. The Cowboys will need better protection from their offensive line and a more balanced attack to be competitive. Defensively, the Cowboys need to improve, ranking 24th in points allowed last year. LB DeMarcus Ware recovers from shoulder surgery, and S Barry Church returns from a season-ending injury. Questions still remain at the safety position, with several players competing for starting jobs. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin hopes to bring it all together, taking over for Rob Ryan. Expect the offense of the Boys to carry them into the post-season, as 9-7 may be enough to qualify in the East. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I just think there’s so much pressure on (Tony Romo), and when you ask him to go back and throw that many times, they’re going to be 8-8. If they can run it … they’ve got a chance to compete Tony to win the division.”

Wk 1 - NYG Sept. 8 (NBC) Wk 2 - at KC Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - STL Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at at SD Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - DEN Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - WAS Oct. 13 (NBC) Wk 7 - at PHI Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - at DET Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - MIN Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - at NO Nov. 10 (NBC) Wk 11 - Bye Wk 12 - at NYG Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - OAK Nov. 28 (CBS) Wk 14 - at CHI Dec. 9 (ESPN) Wk 15 - GB Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at WAS Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - PHI Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2012 Record: 4-12, last place, NFC East Head Coach: Chip Kelly, first season Additions: RB Felix Jones, TE Evan Moore, OT Allen Barbre, LB Chris McCoy, OT Ed Wang, LB Emmanuel Acho Departures: QB Trent Edwards, OT Demetress Bell, DT Cullen Jenkins, DT Mike Patterson, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, LB Ryan Rau, LB Marcus Dowtin Key Draft Picks: OT Lane Johnson (1), TE Zach Ertz (2), DT Bennie Logan (3), QB Matt Barkley (4), SS Earl Wolff (5) Season preview: Why did the seemingly talented Eagles finish in last place in 2012? When you only average 17.5 points per game, you’re in trouble in the NFC East. Head coach Andy Reid was replaced by Kelly, whose up-tempo style of play is cause for excitement in Philly. One interesting tidbit: QB Michael Vick is not the guaranteed starter for the season opener. He faces training-camp competition from Nick Foles, Dennis Dixon, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne. The high-scoring potential is certainly there, with RB LeSean McCoy utilizing a talented offensive line, and the triple threat of WRs DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant going deep. You just know the Eagles will be better this year, but in an always competitive division, this could be a four-way horse race for one playoff spot. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I think they’re still a year away. If they’re 8-8, I think that’s Michael a pretty good year for them.” Vick

Wk 1 - at WAS Sept. 9 (ESPN) Wk 2 - at SD Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - KC Sept. 19 (NFL) Wk 4 - at DEN Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at NYG Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at TB Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - DAL Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - NYG Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - at OAK Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - at GB Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - WAS Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - Bye Wk 13 - ARI Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - DET Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - at MIN Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - CHI Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - at DAL Dec. 29 (FOX) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2013 NFL PREVIEW 2012 Record: 13-3, first place, AFC West; 0-1 in postseason, lost to Ravens in divisional playoff Head Coach: John Fox, third season Additions: WR Wes Welker, G Louis Vasquez, CB Dominque RodgersCromartie, DT Terrance Knighton, LB Stewart Bradley, LB Shaun Phillips Departures: LB D.J. Williams, LB Elvis Dumervil, CB Tracy Porter, S Jim Leonhard, QB Caleb Hanie Key Draft Picks: DT Sylvester Williams (1), RB Montee Ball (2), CB Kayvon Webster (3), DE Quanterus Smith (5), WR Tavarres King (5) Season preview: A year after coming to the Broncos as a 36-year-old returning from a careerthreatening neck injury, Peyton Manning is the toast of Denver, having led the team to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the West. Now with deep threat Welker in the fold, they’re thinking Super Bowl. The offensive line may be a problem, however, as G Chris Kuper, C J.D. Walton and OT Ryan Clady are all coming back from injury. Their health is essential to the offense’s success. The defense will have a different look without Dumervil and Williams, and will go with a committee of Robert Ayers, rookie Quanterus Smith and Phillips to fill the void at linebacker. A solid pass defense should get even better with the addition of Rodgers-Cromartie. The Broncos have taken steps to prevent another playoff disappointment. If Manning is still Manning, a Super Bowl could be a reality. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “They’re going to win 11-12 games. They’re the favorite to win the division. They’re going to be one of the Peyton favorites, maybe, to win the Super Bowl.”

Wk 1 - BAL Sept. 5 (NBC) Wk 2 - at NYG Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - OAK Sept. 23 (ESPN) Wk 4 - PHI Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at DAL Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - JAX Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - at IND Oct. 20 (NBC) Wk 8 - WAS Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - Bye Wk 10 - at SD Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - KC Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - at NE Nov. 24 (NBC) Wk 13 - at KC Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - TEN Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - SD Dec. 12 (NFL) Wk 16 - at HOU Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at OAK Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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Wk 1 - HOU Sept. 9 (ESPN) Wk 2 - at PHI Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at TEN Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - DAL Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at OAK Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - IND Oct. 14 (ESPN) Wk 7 - at JAX Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - Bye Wk 9 - at WAS Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - DEN Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - at MIA Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - at KC Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - CIN Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - NYG Dec. 8 (FOX) Wk 15 - at DEN Dec. 12 (NFL) Wk 16 - OAK Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - KC Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2012 Record: 7-9, second place, AFC West Head Coach: Mike McCoy, first season Additions: LB Dwight Freeney, DE Jarius Wynn, OT Max Starks, TE John Phillips, CB Derek Cox, OT King Dunlap, RB Danny Woodhead, WR Deon Butler, LB D.J. Smith Departures: LB Takeo Spikes, DT Vaughn Martin, S Atari Bigby, LB Shaun Phillips, CB Quentin Jammer, G Louis Vasquez, NT Aubrayo Franklin, CB Antoine Cason, LB Antwan Barnes Key Draft Picks: OT D.J. Fluker (1), LB Manti Te’o (2), WR Keenan Allen (3), CB Steve Williams (5) Season preview: The Chargers are in the midst of a decline that has taken them from being among the AFC’s elite teams to one on the verge of a rebuild, and as a result longtime head coach Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith were let go during the offseason. The offensive line was dreadful and in large part responsible for the diminished performances of QB Phil Rivers and the running backs, especially Clay Matthews. The addition of Fluker will help, but the cast of has-beens and neverweres surrounding him means any improvement will be modest at best. A talented receiver corps should help Rivers’ fortunes. On defense, the line is above average but the linebacker corps lacks depth. In the secondary, S Eric Weddle leads a young, talented unit. While the change in talent level is negligible, the regime change could produce improvement on the field. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “You look at them last year, they were 7-9. You know, they’ll go 7-9 again, maybe 8-8. … Phil (Rivers) turns it over in bundles.”

August 28th, 2013 - September 3rd, 2013

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2012 Record: 4-12, third place, AFC West Head Coach: Dennis Allen, second season Additions: QB Matt Flynn, S Charles Woodson, WR Josh Cribbs, OT Alex Barron, CB Tracy Porter, S Usama Young, DE Jason Hunter, DT Pat Sims, DT Vance Walker, S Reggie Smith, LB Kevin Burnett, LB Kaluka Maiava Departures: QB Carson Palmer, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, TE Brandon Myers, DT Desmond Bryant, DT Richard Seymour, DE Dave Tollefson, DT Tommy Kelly, DE Matt Shaughnessy, P Shane Lechler, LB Rolando McClain, S Michael Huff, LB Philip Wheeler Key Draft Picks: CB D.J. Hayden (1), OT Menelik Watson (2), LB Sio Moore (3), QB Tyler Wilson (4) Season preview: Carson Palmer had a great year; the rest of the Raiders, not so much. So naturally, they trade their lone bright spot to Arizona and acquire a quarterback, Flynn, with exactly two NFL starts on his resume. Confused yet? They also let two of Palmer’s favorite targets, HeywardBey and Myers, sign elsewhere. Hmmm. On the plus side, they brought in an offensive coordinator, Greg Olson, whose schemes should benefit Darren McFadden and the running game, one of the league’s worst in 2012, and the offensive line, with Watson and Barron, should be better. On defense, the line lost a lot of talent in Seymour, Tollefson, Bryant and Kelly, but the secondary undeniably improves with Woodson, Hayden, Porter and Young. The Raiders are bringing together a lot of new talent in a short period of time and some of the moves don’t seem to make sense (Palmer for Flynn?). It’s hard to see this team being much better than in 2012. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “Can McFadden stay healthy? If he can stay healthy, the Darren Raiders will be competitive.”

Wk 1 - at IND Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - JAX Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at DEN Sept. 23 (ESPN) Wk 4 - WAS Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - SD Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - at KC Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - Bye Wk 8 - PIT Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - PHI Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - at NYG Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - at HOU Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - TEN Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - at DAL Nov. 28 (CBS) Wk 14 - at NYJ Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - KCI Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - at SD Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - DEN Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2012 Record: 2-14, last place, AFC West Head Coach: Andy Reid, first season Additions: QB Alex Smith, RB Anthony Sherman, CB Dunta Robinson, WR Donnie Avery, CB Sean Smith, TE Anthony Fasano, DE Mike DeVito, OT Geoff Schwartz, LB Akeem Jordan, S Quintin Demps Departures: QB Brady Quinn, QB Matt Cassel, DE Glenn Dorsey, DE Ropati Pitoitua, CB Javier Arenas Key Draft Picks: OT Eric Fisher (1), TE Travis Kelce (3), RB Knile Davis (3), LB Nico Johnson (4), CB Sanders Commings (5) Season preview: Dreadful quarterback play and a deteriorating defense doomed the Chiefs to the worst record (with the Jaguars) in the NFL in 2012, and now new coach Andy Reid and his staff have their work cut out for them. The team signed ex-49er Smith to take the reins under center and brought in weapons Avery and Fasano to make his transition easier. His presence should ease the offense’s tendency toward turnovers (37 in 2012, thirdworst in the NFL). Lack of experience on the offensive line, especially at center, could prove problematic, however. The defense, which was reliable until last year’s dropoff, gets CBs Smith and Robinson added to the secondary and, with Pro Bowlers Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali and Eric Berry in tow, should return to being among the league’s better units. The Chiefs are undeniably better than the 2-14 squad of a year ago, but with so many new faces to integrate, it’s hard seeing them as being much better than an eight-win team. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “Their record doesn’t indicate the talent. I think this is maybe a legitimate playoff team, wild card team. … They turned the ball over way too many times last Jamaal year. Alex Smith won’t do that.” Charles

Wk 1 - at JAX Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - DAL Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at PHI Sept. 19 (NFL) Wk 4 - NYG Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at TEN Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - OAK Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - HOU Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - CLE Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - at BUF Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - Bye Wk 11 - at DEN Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - SD Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - DEN Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - at WAS Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at OAK Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - IND Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at SD Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2012 Record: 10-6, first place, AFC North; 4-0 in postseason, beat 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII Head Coach: John Harbaugh; sixth season Additions: LB Elvis Dumervil, DE Chris Canty, DE Marcus Spears, S Michael Huff Departures: LB Ray Lewis, S Ed Reed, WR Anquan Boldin, LB Dannell Ellerbe, S Bernard Pollard, LB Paul Kruger, C Matt Birk, FB Vonta Leach Key Draft Picks: S Matt Elam (1), LB Arthur Brown (2), DT Brandon Williams (3), DE/LB John Simon (4), FB Kyle Juszczyk (4) Season preview: The player personnel work never ends in the NFL, even – or should that be, especially – for the Super Bowl champions. After winning the title, the Ravens were left without team leaders Lewis, who retired, and Reed, who signed with the Texans, among many other defections. Amid cries of doom, GM Ozzie Newsome went to work in free agency and the draft, and the results quieted those cries and should propel the Ravens into title contenders again. Newsome’s first four draft picks were defensive players, including top pick Elam, who looks to join Huff as the new starting safeties. Second-round pick Brown should certainly help ease the losses of Lewis and Ellerbe, but the big addition at linebacker is the tough and relentless Dumervil, a gift free agent from the fax-flubbing Broncos. The Ravens’ offense remains in the excellent hands of Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco, RB Ray Rice, and receivers Dennis Pitta, Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “They got younger (and quicker). … I’m not saying they’ll win 12 games; I’m saying they’ll be right there with Joe Cincinnati, fighting.” Flacco

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2012 Record: 10-6, second place, AFC North; 0-1 in postseason, lost to Texans in wild-card round Head Coach: Marvin Lewis; 11th season Additions: LB James Harrison, QB John Skelton Departures: LB Manny Lawson, DT Pat Sims Key Draft Picks: TE Tyler Eifert (1), RB Giovani Bernard (2), DE Margus Hunt (2), S Shawn Williams (3), LB Sean Porter (4) Season preview: A roster full of young talent, two straight postseason appearances and a promising chance to win the franchise’s first playoff game in 22 years were the impetus behind the Bengals’ relatively quiet offseason. Outside of draft picks, the only major addition is a familiar foe, former Steelers hit man Harrison, who will have to adjust to playing in a 4-3 scheme. On draft day, the Bengals gave QB Andy Dalton another big target in Eifert, who joins Pro Bowler Jermaine Gresham to potentially form a potent two tight-end set. Second-rounder Bernard should see plenty of action as well, as a change-of-pace option to 1,000-yard rusher BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a pass catcher out of the backfield. The Bengals are solid on defense, led up front by Pro Bowl tackle Geno Atkins and DE Michael Johnson, plus stout cornerbacks. Questions remain at safety, which could open the door for third-rounder Williams to start. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “They’ve got a young team. … Offensively, they’ve got good players. (Andy Dalton) Andy has got to learn how to play good in big Dalton games.”

Wk 1 - at CHI Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - PIT Sept. 16 (ESPN) Wk 3 - GB Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at CLE Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - NE Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - at BUF Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - at DET Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - NYJ Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - at MIA Oct. 31 (NFL) Wk 10 - at BAL Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - CLE Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - Bye Wk 13 - at SD Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - IND Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at PIT Dec. 15 (NBC) Wk 16 - MIN Dec. 22 (FOX) Wk 17 - BAL Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 8-8, third place, AFC North Head Coach: Mike Tomlin, seventh season Additions: CB William Gay, QB Bruce Gradkowski, TE Matt Spaeth Departures: RB Rashard Mendenhall, LB James Harrison, WR Mike Wallace, NT Casey Hampton, OT Max Starks, G/T Willie Colon, CB Keenan Lewis, QB Charlie Batch Key Draft Picks: LB Jarvis Jones (1), RB Le’Veon Bell (2), WR Markus Wheaton (3), S Shamarko Thomas (4), QB Landry Jones (4) Season preview: Fans used to seeing the Steelers atop the AFC North should get a different view in 2013, as it appears the Black and Gold are in a state of transition. Sure, QB Ben Roethlisberger returns for his 11th campaign, but he’s a grizzled 31 who has started all 16 games just once in his career, and his top deep threat, Wallace, was among a plethora of key starters who left via free agency or were released. Secondrounder Bell should help ease the loss of Mendenhall and provide a spark to a rushing unit that was 26th in the league last season, while Wheaton and sixthround pick Justin Brown add depth to a receiver core now led on the outside by Antonio Brown. On defense, replacing Harrison is Jason Worilds, who will be counted on to improve the team’s sack total, as will top pick Jones, a pass-rushing specialist at linebacker. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “They’re going to be competitive. Are they good enough to win the division? I don’t Ben know that. … Because you’ve got a lot of Roethlisberger unknowns.”

Wk 1 - TEN Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - at CIN Sept. 16 (ESPN) Wk 3 - CHI Sept. 22 (NBC) Wk 4 - at MIN Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - Bye Wk 6 - at NYJ Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - BAL Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - at OAK Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - at NE Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - BUF Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - DET Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - at CLE Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - at BAL Nov. 28 (NBC) Wk 14 - MIA Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at CIN Dec. 15 (NBC) Wk 16 - at GB Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - CLE Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 5-11, last place, AFC North Head Coach: Rob Chudzinski; first season Additions: QB Jason Campbell, LB Paul Kruger, DT Desmond Bryant, WR Davone Bess, LB Quentin Groves, K Shayne Graham, WR David Nelson, TE Kellen Davis, CB Chris Owens, RB Dion Lewis Departures: QB Colt McCoy, WR/KR Josh Cribbs, K Phil Dawson, TE Ben Watson, S Usama Young, S Eric Hagg Key Draft Picks: LB Barkevious Mingo (1), CB Leon McFadden (3), S Jamoris Slaughter (6) Season preview: What does a 5-11, last-place finish in the AFC North turn into for the Browns? Another rebuilding effort, this one led by a rookie coach and GM for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2002. That futility likely continues this season, for despite some positive roster and coaching additions, the team’s biggest issue is at quarterback. Brandon Weeden’s so-so rookie season did nothing to convince the new regime he’s a long-term answer. The offense’s strength is on the line, anchored by perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. On defense, new coordinator Ray Horton brings a 3-4 alignment, which in part prompted the pricey free-agent addition of Kruger and the drafting of the speedy Mingo, who played defensive end at LSU but should line up at LB to take advantage of his rush skills. In the secondary, McFadden will push for playing time opposite the talented Joe Haden. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I think they’re going to be better. I think they’ll go 8-8. … I kind of like their defense; their defense is pretty Brandon good.” Weeden

Wk 1 - at MIA Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - at BAL Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at MIN Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - CIN Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - BUF Oct. 3 (NFL) Wk 6 - DET Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - at GB Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - at KC Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - BAL Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - Bye Wk 11 - at CIN Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - PIT Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - JAX Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - at NE Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - CHI Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at NYJ Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at PIT Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2013 NFL PREVIEW AFC SOUTH 2012 Record: 12-4, first place, AFC South; 1-1 in postseason, lost to Patriots in AFC divisional round Head Coach: Gary Kubiak; eighth season Additions: S Ed Reed, P Shane Lechler Departures: WR Kevin Walter Key Draft Picks: WR DeAndre Hopkins (1), S D.J. Swearinger (2), OT Brennan Williams (3), OLB Sam Montgomery (3), OLB Trevardo Williams (4) Season preview: Coming off consecutive division titles and what some consider disappointing postseason runs, the team hopes to improve upon its already strong defense with the offseason signing of nine-time Pro Bowler Reed, coming off a championship run in Baltimore, to provide veteran leadership for the likes of DE J.J. Watt, who came within a couple sacks of the singleseason record in 2012. The offense looks to be potent again with its core – QB Matt Schaub, RB Arian Foster and WR Andre Johnson – returning and Hopkins looking to replace Walter as a viable No. 2 receiver to complement six-time Pro Bowler Johnson. But a third straight early playoff exit may not be enough to satiate the fans in Houston, who are anxious for the city’s first Super Bowl appearance. The question is: Can Schaub have a Joe Flacco-type run and lead the team to the next level? Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I still think this is the team to beat in the division. … They’ve got to win critical games that they need win down the Matt stretch.” Schaub

2012 Record: 6-10, third place, AFC South Head Coach: Mike Munchak; third season Additions: WR Kevin Walter, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, S Bernard Pollard, RB Shonn Greene, TE Delanie Walker, G Chris Spencer, DT Sammie Hill Departures: QB Matt Hasselbeck, S Jordan Babineaux, TE Jared Cook Key Draft Picks: G Chance Warmack (1), WR Justin Hunter (2), CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (3), LB Zaviar Gooden (3), C Brian Schwenke (4), DE Lavar Edwards (5) Season preview: The Titans have been a middle-of-the-pack team in recent years, having won between six and nine games each of the past four seasons, and should remain that way in 2013. RB Chris Johnson, the team’s main offensive weapon, may have his workload reduced after the offseason signing of Greene, who should serve as a third-down and goal-line back to help keep Johnson fresh. Among the team’s other notable offseason signings are Walter and Walker, who should see more playing time than he did as the second tight end on the 49ers’ depth chart. Defensively, the team hopes veteran Pollard can help turn around a defense that ranked last in the league, giving up a franchise-worst 471 points, last year. But with the Texans and Colts in the division, it’s looking like a third-place finish, at best, for the Titans. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I don’t know if they win enough games to challenge in this division. They’re better than 6-10, but how much better I don’t know that. … Chris I think them and Indy battle for the No. 2 Johnson spot.”

Wk 1 - at SD Sept. 9 (ESPN) Wk 2 - TEN Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at BAL Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - SEA Sept. 29 (FOX) Wk 5 - at SF Oct. 6 (NBC) Wk 6 - STL Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - at KC Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - Bye Wk 9 - IND Nov. 3 (NBC) Wk 10 - at ARI Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - OAK Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - JAX Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - NE Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - at JAX Dec. 5 (NFL) Wk 15 - at IND Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - DEN Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at TEN Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

Wk 1 - at PIT Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - at HOU Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - SD Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - NYJ Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - KC Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - at SEA Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - SF Oct. 20 (FOX) Wk 8 - Bye Wk 9 - at STL Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - JAX Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - IND Nov. 14 (NFL) Wk 12 - at OAK Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - at IND Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - at DEN Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - ARI Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - at JAX Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - HOU Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 11-5, second place, AFC South; 0-1 in postseason, lost to Ravens in wild-card round Head Coach: Chuck Pagano; second season Additions: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, S LaRon Landry, QB Matt Hasselbeck, DT Aubrayo Franklin, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey Departures: S Tom Zbikowski, LB Dwight Freeney Key Draft Picks: OLB Bjoern Werner (1), G Hugh Thornton (3), C Khaled Holmes (4), DT Montori Hughes (5) Season preview: What a difference a quarterback can make. After going 2-14 in 2011, the drafting of QB Andrew Luck led to a nine-win improvement and an AFC wild-card berth last year. Luck will try to duplicate his successful rookie campaign thanks to an improved receiving core with the signing of HeywardBey who, when healthy, is a viable No. 3 receiver on the depth chart. The Bradshaw signing provides a veteran for the running game that was led by rookie RB Vick Ballard last year. It is believed Bradshaw has the edge to get the starting job to begin the season. On the defensive side, the loss of 11-year veteran Freeney paves the way for younger players to take the field, including first-round pick Werner, who defends well against the run. If Luck can avoid the dreaded – and likely mythical – sophomore slump, the Colts should be a playoff contender again this year. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I don’t know if they can win 11 games again. I just think last year was one of those years – lightning in a bottle. I think they take a little step back. If they’re 8-8, I think that’s a good year Andrew for them.” Luck

Wk 1 - OAK Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - MIA Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at SF Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - at JAX Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - SEA Oct. 6 (FOX) Wk 6 - at SD Oct. 14 (ESPN) Wk 7 - DEN Oct. 20 (NBC) Wk 8 - Bye Wk 9 - at HOU Nov. 3 (NBC) Wk 10 - STL Nov. 10 (FOX) Wk 11 - at TEN Nov. 14 (NFL) Wk 12 - at STL Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - TEN Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - at CIN Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - HOU Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - at KC Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - JAX Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 2-14, last place, AFC South Head Coach: Gus Bradley; first season Additions: LB Geno Hayes, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, CB Marcus Trufant, DT Kyle Love Departures: CB Dawan Landry, RB Montell Owens, WR Laurent Robinson Key Draft Picks: OT Luke Joeckel (1), S Johnathan Cyprien (2), CB Dwayne Gratz (3), WR Ace Sanders (4), RB Denard Robinson (5) Season preview: Following a two-win season last year the Jaguars fired their head coach for a second straight year, but the coaching situation may not be the team’s biggest problem. That might be its muddled quarterback situation, which should see Blaine Gabbert and veteran Chad Henne competing for the starting job. The offense should once again, pardon the pun, run through RB Maurice Jones-Drew, who is coming off a foot injury that limited him to just a handful of starts last year. Breakout WR Cecil Shorts III, who came on strong in the second half of 2012, will need to start strong this year in place of suspended WR Justin Blackmon, who will miss the first four games. The team focused on getting defensive help in the draft and free agency, but it will likely result in just a minimal improvement and another sub-.500 record. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I think they’re still in rebuilding mode. You can’t expect too much out of these guys. They don’t have a quarterback, first of all. … I think this team’s two years Maurice away.” Jones-Drew

Wk 1 - KC Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - at OAK Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - at SEA Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - IND Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - at STL Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - at DEN Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - SD Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - SF Oct. 27 (FOX) Wk 9 - Bye Wk 10 - at TEN Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - ARI Nov. 17 (FOX) Wk 12 - at HOU Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - at CLE Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - HOU Dec. 5 (CBS) Wk 15 - BUF Dec. 15 (FOX) Wk 16 - TEN Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at IND Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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The 2011 season set a college football fan attendance record of just under 50 million.

During a typical NFL game, the ball is only in play for roughly 11 minutes. Deion Sanders is the only person to ever hit a MLB home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week.

The Tiger and Eagle are the two most commonly used mascots in Division 1 football.

The Oklahoma Sooners hold the record for the longest winning streak in college football, lasting 47 games from 1954 until 1957. Football chains were integrated into the game in 1906.

Georgia Tech scored the most points ever in a game, beating Cumberland College 222-0 in 1916.

College footballs were originally given stripes to help the players see the ball better at night.

The BCS National Championship Coaches’ Trophy is worth $30,000.

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2013 NFL PREVIEW 2012 Record: 12-4, first place, AFC East; 1-1 in postseason, lost to Ravens in AFC Championship Head Coach: Bill Belichick; 14th season Additions: QB Tim Tebow, RB Leon Washington, RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Danny Amendola, WR Donald Jones, WR Michael Jenkins, WR Lavelle Hawkins, S Adrian Wilson, DT Tommy Kelly, OT Kevin Haslam, LB A.J. Edds Departures: TE Aaron Hernandez, WR Wes Welker, WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Deion Branch, RB Danny Woodhead, NT Myron Pryor, DT Kyle Love, G Donald Thomas, DT Brandon Deaderick, S Patrick Chung Key Draft Picks: OLB Jamie Collins (2), WR Aaron Dobson (2), CB Logan Ryan (3), S Duron Harmon (3), WR Josh Boyce (4) Season preview: The top team in the AFC East starts the 2013 season with more questions than seemingly ever before. Gone are offensive weapons Hernandez, Welker, Branch and Lloyd. The health of TE Rob Gronkowski is a concern, as he continues to recover from back surgery. And what role will QB Tebow play this year? QB Tom Brady needs to build a rapport with Amendola and the rest of his new receivers to keep the Pats a high-scoring threat. However, defense is still the team’s biggest question mark. New England gave up too many huge plays last year, ranking 29th against the pass. Despite these problems, the team still has the winning tandem of coach Belichick and his elite QB. One has to believe that the Pats will claim the top spot in the relatively weak East, but perhaps not as convincingly as in seasons past. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “They’re still good enough, I think, to win this division. Miami’s going to push them a little bit. … Tom Defensively, can they improve?”

Brady

Wk 1 - at BUF Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - NYJ Sept. 12 (NFL) Wk 3 - TB Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at ATL Sept. 29 (NBC) Wk 5 - at CIN Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - NO Oct. 13 (FOX) Wk 7 - at NYJ Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - MIA Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - PIT Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - Bye Wk 11 - at CAR Nov. 18 (ESPN) Wk 12 - DEN Nov. 24 (NBC) Wk 13 - at HOU Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - CLE Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at MIA Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - at BAL Dec. 22 (NBC) Wk 17 - BUF Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 7-9, second place, AFC East Head Coach: Joe Philbin; second season Additions: TE Dustin Keller, WR Mike Wallace, WR Brandon Gibson, WR Marvin McNutt, LB Philip Wheeler, DT Vaughn Martin, CB Brent Grimes, OT Tyson Clabo, FB Evan Rodriguez Departures: RB Reggie Bush, LB Karlos Dansby, LB Kevin Burnett Key Draft Picks: DE Dion Jordan (1), CB Jamar Taylor (2), G Dallas Thomas (3), CB Will Davis (3), LB Jelani Jenkins (4) Season preview: There are high expectations in Miami this year, but many questions to be answered as well. The team went on a spending spree, acquiring several free agents in the offseason. Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Jonas Gray, Mike Gillislee and Marcus Thigpen will all compete to replace Reggie Bush at RB. QB Ryan Tannehill had an exciting rookie year in 2012, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and breaking several records in the process. He’s the main reason fans and coaches are optimistic. Head coach Joe Philbin knows the team needs to accomplish two goals: score more points and get more turnovers. The latter would certainly help a defense that is expected to play strongly in 2013. Indeed, these Dolphins are better than they were a year ago. If all goes according to plan, expect Miami to go head-to-head with the Patriots for the division title. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I think they’re second in the division. They might win nine games. I like Ryan what they did in the draft.” Tannehill

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Wk 1 - at CLE Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - at IND Sept. 15 (CBS) Wk 3 - ATL Sept. 22 (FOX) Wk 4 - at NO Sept. 30 (ESPN) Wk 5 - BAL Oct. 6 (CBS) Wk 6 - Bye Wk 7 - BUF Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - at NE Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - CIN Oct. 31 (NFL) Wk 10 - at TB Nov. 11 (ESPN) Wk 11 - SD Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - CAR Nov. 24 (FOX) Wk 13 - at NYJ Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - at PIT Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - NE Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - at BUF Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - NYJ Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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2012 Record: 6-10, third place, AFC East Head Coach: Rex Ryan; fifth season Additions: TE Kellen Winslow Jr., WR Ben Obomanu, RB Mike Goodson, RB Chris Ivory, DT Junior Aumavae, G Willie Colon, NT Antonio Garay, LB Antwan Barnes, S Dawan Landry, P Ryan Quigley, G Stephen Peterman Departures: QB Tim Tebow, CB Darrelle Revis, S LaRon Landry, S Eric Smith, LB Bart Scott, DT Sione Po’uha Key Draft Picks: CB Dee Milliner (1), DL Sheldon Richardson (1), QB Geno Smith (2), G Brian Winters (3), G Oday Aboushi (5) Season preview: The Sanchez-Tebow debate is over. Get ready for the Sanchez-Smith debate. The starting QB job is up in the air, as the 2nd round pick tries to impress the coaches in training camp. Early opinions of the rookie are positive. Ranking 30th in total yards and passing yards last year, the Jets will certainly need to improve in order to contend. WR Santonio Holmes returns from a foot injury that sidelined him for most of 2012. Defensively, coach Ryan wants to return to the aggressive approach that led to success in 2009 and 2010. New York utilized the blitz 50 percent of the time in those years, creating chaos in the pocket. If the defense plays as expected and the Jets can solve their offensive woes, look for them to be a surprise contender in the East, and possibly a playoff team. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “I think Geno Smith, you’ve got to start the kid. And they’re definitely in a rebuilding mode; we all know that. But I think their defense Mark will keep them in games.” Sanchez

Wk 1 - TB Sept. 8 (FOX) Wk 2 - at NE Sept. 12 (NFL) Wk 3 - BUF Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - at TEN Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - at ATL Oct. 7 (ESPN) Wk 6 - PIT Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - NE Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - at CIN Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - NO Nov. 3 (FOX) Wk 10 - Bye Wk 11 - at BUF Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - at BAL Nov. 24 (CBS) Wk 13 - MIA Dec. 1 (CBS) Wk 14 - OAK Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at CAR Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - CLE Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at MIA Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

2012 Record: 6-10, last place, AFC East Head Coach: Doug Marrone; first season Additions: QB Kevin Kolb, LB Manny Lawson, LB Jerry Hughes, DT Alan Branch, OL Doug Legursky Departures: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB Tarvaris Jackson, DE Shawne Merriman, LB Nick Barnett, LB Kelvin Sheppard, LB Greg Lloyd, S George Wilson, DE Chris Kelsay Key Draft Picks: QB EJ Manuel (1), WR Robert Woods (2), LB Kiko Alonso (2), WR Marquise Goodwin (3), S Duke Williams (4) Season preview: The Bills enter training camp with many challenges to be met. The players must adjust to a brand-new system under first-year head coach Doug Marrone . Buffalo released QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, setting up a battle in training camp between veteran Kevin Kolb and first-round draft pick EJ Manuel. Kolb has been injured over the last few years, and is something of an uncertainty. Defensively, new coordinator Mike Pettine must fix the problems from last year (26th in points allowed and 31st in rushing yards). The Bills are a young team, and no one is saying they can put it all together in one year. RB C.J. Spiller can get only better, and if Manuel is indeed the future of the franchise, it will take time for the rookie to hone his skills. Buffalo will have to wait a few seasons before they can contend in the AFC East. Coach Herm Edwards’ (ESPN) take: “This is a team that has to improve on defense. Offensively, they’ll be able to hold their own. … They’ve got enough weapons to keep them in the game.” CJ

Spiller

Wk 1 - NE Sept. 8 (CBS) Wk 2 - CAR Sept. 15 (FOX) Wk 3 - at NYJ Sept. 22 (CBS) Wk 4 - BAL Sept. 29 (CBS) Wk 5 - at CLE Oct. 3 (NFL) Wk 6 - CIN Oct. 13 (CBS) Wk 7 - at MIA Oct. 20 (CBS) Wk 8 - at NO Oct. 27 (CBS) Wk 9 - KC Nov. 3 (CBS) Wk 10 - at PIT Nov. 10 (CBS) Wk 11 - NYJ Nov. 17 (CBS) Wk 12 - Bye Wk 13 - ATL Dec. 1 (FOX) Wk 14 - at TB Dec. 8 (CBS) Wk 15 - at JAX Dec. 15 (CBS) Wk 16 - MIA Dec. 22 (CBS) Wk 17 - at NE Dec. 29 (CBS) *Check local listings; subject to change.

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