What will the NFL's biggest off-season story be?

Alex Herbst

I think the biggest headline heading into this offseason will be where quarterbacks other than Andrew Luck will land. Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be in the running for a new QB under new Head Coach Greg Schiano. The Washington Redskins have two mediocre quarterbacks at best right now, with Rex Grossman and John Beck, and the Seattle Seahawks hasn't seen their investment pay off in Tarvaris Jackson pay-off. Also, questions continue to swirl as to if the Jacksonville Jaguars will be patient enough to let Blaine Gabbert develop. Then, you also have to look at the backup plans for some teams that could need a new quarterback as soon as midseason, either because of poor performances or injuries. For those, I would look at the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Carolina Panthers. This could be a great opportunity for players like Landry Jones from Oklahoma or Robert Griffin III from Baylor to learn from some pretty strong quarterbacks like Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, and Matt Stafford. It would also be the perfect opportunity for free agent pickups, like former Green Bay Packers backup Matt Flynn. Flynn impressed me in his performance at the end of the season when the Packers decided to sit Aaron Rodgers for the playoffs, and I'd bet he turned some heads in some team offices as well.

Super Bowl XLVII prediction:  Baltimore Ravens over Philadelphia Eagles. 

Chris Burbank

All right, I know this is going to get me in some hot water with all you Patriots fans this soon after the Super Bowl, but I think that one of the biggest things that the Pats need to do is to bring back Wes Welker for next season.

Before people start to talk smack, let me at least lay out my reasons as to why keeping him is one of the more important offseason moves that they can make. First, he led the AFC in both receptions (122) and yards (1,569) last season. Also, let us not forgot he came back last year only months after suffering a torn ACL and played hard. So, we know that the dude is legit.

But, I really think that you need to look past that, and see Welker for what he brings to the team. First, the bond he and Tom Brady show is definitely a, (for lack of a better word), "Bromance". Their bond is defiantly seen on the field as well. Last season saw Welker post career high numbers in almost every category.  You also saw Tom Brady throw to Welker more then any other one of his receivers. Also, the person next on the list for receiving yards is Deion Branch at 702; A complete 867 yards fewer then Welker.

All I can say is that regardless how he played during the Super Bowl, you can't deny that he was one of the main reasons the team was there to begin with.

Super Bowl XLVII prediction: New England Patriots over San Francisco 49ers

Andrew Stephens

The latest off-season NFL story to break through the walls is Randy Moss wants too play in ball once again. On Mon., Feb. 13^th 2012 which is Moss's birthday, he celebrated with a big statement: "Your boy is going to come back here and play some football, so I'm really excited. I had some things I had to adjust in my life." My first thought after hearing this, BRING HIM BACK TO NEW ENGLAND. In 07', Moss played like a God. The Pats got him for a fourth round draft pick, and in return we got the best regular season ever for a wide receiver.  Give Brady his Mercedes back; He needs a deep threat. I love Chad Ochocinco, but some players just click with Brady, and some don't. I know he had behavior issues in 2010 with the Pats, but this guy seems to go in cycles. A couple of years in Oakland, he played awful, had off field issues. He came to New England with new energy, a new attitude, and sets Gillette Stadium on fire. Brady goes down for the whole season (due to a knew injury) the next year, and they miss the playoffs. The next year, he still reeled in 13 TDs, but the team just played off.  Moss seems to be refreshed; He's a freak athlete and I believe he can produce another magical year. Brady even said in the beginning of the season he'd love to have him again. Get it done hoodie; bring Randy back. Regardless, my hometown team will be back in the dance again.

Super Bowl XLVII prediction: New England Patriots over New Orleans Saints

Eric Brill

The biggest story going into the off-season is going to be where different wide receivers are going to go in free agency. There are a ton of big names out there that are going to be free agents (that is if their teams don't resign them before another team has the chance to) such as Dwayne Bowe, Wes Welker, Mario Manningham, Steve Johnson, Brandon Lloyd and Marques Colston. Of these receivers, I see Welker with the best chance to resign with their 2011 team (the Patriots), but beyond that anyone's guess is as good as mine. I can see the Patriots going out, and trying to get Brandon Lloyd (who I think is in the top five in the NFL in terms of having the best hands), and Lloyd would be a GREAT asset for quarterback Tom Brady. The one receiver I am intrigue to see as to where he will go is Marques Colston. The former Hofstra product has been a force in New Orleans, and I think he would be making a big mistake if he went to another team that had a subpar quarterback (say a team like the Washington Redskins). If I was Colston, I might go to a team like the St. Louis Rams (this offense is a lot better then thought to be, and I think they will get Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon in the draft, what a combo that would be!) and see what kind of magic he can make with Sam Bradford. Needless to say though, this will be the most intriguing story in the NFL off-season

Super Bowl XLVII prediction: New Orleans Saints over Houston Texans  

Jacob Gagnon

For the past month, ESPN has taken a break from the coverage of Tim Tebow's every move to broadcast the shadow looming over Peyton Manning's relationship with the Indianapolis Colts. While that item of news may be covered substantially more, the more interesting story is Randy Moss's return to professional football. Few receivers will be hungrier for glory this season than Moss, who will use this venture back into the NFL as a crusade for a spot into the NFL Hall of Fame. Peyton Manning already has his legacy set in stone, Moss does not (or at least not the legacy he wants) There are few things in sports more dangerous than a talented athlete with something to prove. Whichever team takes a chance on Moss will be rewarded. In regards to the Super Bowl, New England won't stop competing in Super Bowls for the next decade until Terrific Tom Brady and Bill Belichick snag one more title. Their next opponent? Drew record-breaking Brees and the New Orleans Saints. It is a dream Super Bowl matchup for even the most casual football fan. Who wouldn't want to see a pair of offensive powerhouses with franchise quarterbacks (Brady, Brees), young, massive, touchdown-hungry tight ends (Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham) and head coaches that, at times, appear to be geniuses (Belichick, Sean Payton) battle it out? Green Bay will excel in the regular season and flame out in the playoffs. The Giants will do the opposite, but fall short to the Saints. My heart will choose the Patriots (again) but my mind will fear the Saints. 

Super Bowl XLVII prediction: New England Patriots over New Orleans Saints