Are you ready for Football?

The NFL is back and I take a look at some major story lines and ask some major questions that you should be looking at as we enter the upcoming season. Respond to the questions in the comments

The Philly "Dream Team": The Eagles had the biggest offseason that I can remember but are they turning into the Heat? With the signing of the top free agent Nnamdi Asomugha along with picking up Dominque Rodgers Cromartie from the Cardinals the Eagles now have arguable the best secondary in the league. Steve Smith, Vince Young, Ronnie Brown, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin are also headed to Philly. Can they top the Packers?

McNabb looks to bounce back in Minnesota
after a season to forget for the Redskins

Out of the System: Quarterbacks Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Kevin Kolb, and Tavaris Jackson are all off on new teams and looking to thrive. McNabb struggled last year out of the Philly system but can he become a star in Minnesota? Hasselbeck, Kolb, and Jackson have been in the same systems their entire careers, can they succeed in a new one?

The Pack: The Packers are back and favorites to win repeat but no one has done it since the Patriot's back in the early 2000's. They get players like Jermichael Finley and Ryan Grant back and look to be better than ever but will that translate to another championship in Green Bay or will there be a Super Bowl hangover?

New York: The Giants and the Jets have been hit hard in the off season. Eli Manning lost several weapons from his offense when Kevin Boss went to Oakland and Steve Smith went to NFC East rival Philly. The Jets on the other hand lost two of their top three receivers in Baylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery while Shaun Ellis headed to the Pat's and wildcat threat Brad Smith went to the Bills. Will the Meadowlands produce two playoff teams this season?

Calvin Johnson aka Megatron has been one of
the leagues best receivers since he was drafted

80 yard drives: With the new rule that moved the kickoff spot up five yards we will likely be seeing most of the drives starting on the 20 yard line. That doesn't help teams like the Browns or the Bears with superstars in the return game.

Lions: The Lions made huge strides towards a winning season last year and it only looks to get better with Matt Stafford back from injury. the Lions finished with four straight wins and a 6-10 season. Can Megatron,
Stafford, and Ndamukong Suh lead the Lions to their first playoff birth since 1999?

Cam Newton: The Heisman winner and #1 overall pick is in a battle for the starting job with 2nd year play Jimmy Clausen. Will the Heisman winner be the one leading the Panthers come September 11th and how will he do?

Cutler during the Bears NFC finals
loss to the Packers 

Buc's to the Playoffs: A young Buc's team lead by Josh Freeman surprised everyone last season by posting a 10-6 season. Despite the 10 win season they failed to make the playoffs. Freeman is back along with targets Mike Williams, Kellen Winslow, and Arrelious Benn and LeGarrette Blount in the backfield. Is this young team poised for the playoffs?

Tony Romo: Romo was out for 10 games last season and the Cowboys failed to make another postseason while Wade Phillips was fired and Josh McDaniels put in charge. Can the Cowboys get back to the postseason with their franchise quarterback back in the line up and Rob Ryan leading the defense?

Cutler bounce back: After ending the season in the worst way possible Jay Cutler comes back to the field in 2011. Cutler will once again be under heavy scrutiny by the die hard Bears fans but will he thrive under all that pressure or will he crumble?

Most Underrated Player in the NFL?

The Eagles have had one of the biggest offseason's in NFL history with the signing of Nnamdi Asomugha, Douglas Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin, Cullen Jenkins, Ronnie Brown, and Vince Young. All of those stars added to a roster with Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Asante Samuel, LeSean McCoy and your bound to forget about some key players on the roster. The Eagles boost one of the most underrated players in the league and is bound to have another breakout year with all this talent around him.

Philadelphia Eagles Defensive End Trent Cole was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft back in 2005 and was a solid player for a mediocre team, Cincinnati, back in college. Cole came to the Eagles and has thrived year in and year out but has yet to gain the real recognition that the likes of Justin Tuck, Dwight Freeney, Mario Williams, Jared Allen and others. Yes many, if not all Eagles fans and all die hard NFL fans know his name but with casual viewers his name always slips by.

Over the last four season Cole has averaged 11 sacks and 67 tackles a season and has been ranked in the top 10 twice in his career and top 20 two more times. Cole, 28, is bound to have a breakout season with teams unable to double him with Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin now on the line. Lock down corners Asante Samuel, Doglas Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha will give him more time to get to the quarterback. By the end of this season the Eagles star shouldn't be underrated any more.