Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Pro32 ballot from Kaufman

AP Pro32-Kaufman Ballot

NEW YORK (AP) - Ballot and comments from AP Pro 32 panel voter Ira Kaufman of Tampa Tribune:

IRA KAUFMAN (Tampa Tribune)

  1. New England Patriots - As long as Belichick and Brady are around, 12 wins and legitimate Super Bowl aspirations will follow.
  1. Green Bay Packers - Perhaps shifting Charles Woodson to safety can energize a secondary that was burned repeatedly last fall.
  1. Houston Texans - With weak schedule and strong roster, there's no reason Texans shouldn't contend for AFC's No. 1 playoff seed.
  1. San Francisco 49ers - When you can run and play defense like Jim Harbaugh's marauders, expectations should run rampant from San Jose to Sausalito.
  1. New York Giants - Five prime-time games and a killer closing slate will test resolve of Super Bowl champs.
  1. Pittsburgh Steelers - Yes, they are getting a little creaky on defense, but Ben Roethlisberger is 80-33 and you simply can't run on these guys.
  1. Baltimore Ravens - Ray Lewis & Co. have every intention of making Peyton Manning's Denver debut Sunday evening a Rocky Mountain Low.
  1. Dallas Cowboys - Jerry Jones may have faith in Jason Garrett, but Dallas fans will be clamoring for Jon Gruden if Cowboys fade once again in December.
  1. Denver Broncos - John Fox proved in Carolina he knows how to win with smart QB and punishing ground game. He's about to prove it again.
  1. Atlanta Falcons - Coming off impressive preseason, Matt Ryan needs to recapture his form as one of league's premier young QBs.
  1. Philadelphia Eagles - Looks like a determined group eager to atone for a sorry season, but Michael Vick is a PUP list waiting to happen.
  1. Chicago Bears - Jay Cutler has some shiny new weapons scattered in Windy City as Chicago takes aim on Green Bay in NFC North.
  1. Cincinnati Bengals - One more playoff season in Queen City and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden will be hot coaching candidate in 2013.
  1. Tennessee Titans - Chris Johnson back to old tricks in backfield and Tennessee's defense is better than advertised.
  1. Detroit Lions - Jim Schwartz can only hope Lions show more discipline on fall Sundays than they do off field.
  1. New York Jets - Rex Ryan still yapping, but it won't be long before one of NFL's better defenses is giving a moribund attack the silent treatment.
  1. San Diego Chargers - Memo to Turner: How can you be an NFL head coach for 221 regular-season games and still have so much to prove?
  1. Carolina Panthers - Defense will be significantly improved, easing burden on Cam Newton.
  1. New Orleans Saints - Road games vs. Packers, Broncos and Giants won't help cause as Drew Brees tries to hold things together in Crescent City.
  1. Seattle Seahawks - Tucked away in upper left corner of NFL map, Pete Carroll quietly building a winner.
  1. Washington Redskins - Reunited with Raheem Morris, talented safety Tanard Jackson did it again - third drug-related suspension.
  1. Kansas City Chiefs - Despite boasting very talented athletes, KC will be undermined by draft reaches and erratic play under center.
  1. Buffalo Bills - Made some dramatic strides on offense in 2011. This year, it's the defense's turn to rise.
  1. Arizona Cardinals - John Skelton gets opportunity to bloom in desert while talented defensive front should provide some heat.
  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Rookie RB Doug Martin and WR Vincent Jackson will play prominent roles for offense that looks promising on paper.
  1. Oakland Raiders - Same old, same old. Pride & Poise gang will spring a few upsets along way and beat themselves in other games before settling in at corner of 6th and 10th.
  1. St. Louis Rams - With Jeff Fisher calling shots, Rams will be fundamentally sound and excel on special teams.
  1. Minnesota Vikings - Lost eight games by six points or less last season; Vikes will win share of close ones if Adrian Peterson returns to greatness.
  1. Indianapolis Colts - Besides all that raw talent, Andrew Luck has perfect demeanor to grow with this football team.
  1. Miami Dolphins - Poor little rich owner Stephen Ross ... he craves a winner desperately, but has no idea how to make it happen.
  1. Cleveland Browns - Hasn't posted winning mark on road since 2002 and this offense isn't exactly brimming with playmakers.
  1. Jacksonville Jaguars - If Jags avoid home blackouts this fall, entire marketing department should earn two-week vacation to Hawaii.

