ESPN analyst Joe Theismann addresses five hot topics to watch for in 2003:

1. Quarterback Depth
In today's NFL it's rare to see a quarterback complete a full season without being out at some point due to injury. This season, two key young talents, Mike Vick and Chad Pennington, have already been sidelined.

Their replacements are the more experienced Doug Johnson and Vinny Testaverde, respectively. Certainly there's something to be said for experience, right?

Homeward Bound?

Jake Plummer has found a new home in Denver. In terms of proving himself on a personal level, this is a huge year for Plummer. Teamwise, he has the opportunity to be a difference-maker for the Broncos. Plummer has always been an average completion quarterback who's thrown a lot of interceptions. Certainly, some of that can be attributed to playing catch-up, come-from-behind ball with the Cardinals, but he's in a new situation now. In Denver, Plummer's got the tools and the players around him to succeed. He'll either be the hero or the goat. After watching his performance in the Monday night matchup against the Colts, where he fumbled two snaps from center and his first pass was nearly intercepted, Mike Shanahan has reason to be concerned. If Plummer's inaccuracy continues, Shanahan will be reaching for his bottle of Advil.

Go back to last season: Chris Weinke didn't work out in Carolina, so the Panthers looked to veteran Rodney Peete. And in 2001, after Tom Brady took over for Drew Bledsoe in New England, Brady was injured in the AFC championship game against Pittsburgh. Bledsoe came in and threw a decisive touchdown pass that helped get New England to the Super Bowl.

Heck, in 1998 we saw Randall Cunningham practically come out of retirement and become the league's MVP. So, it's not necessarily the beginning of the end for the Falcons and Jets.

But whether it's a seasoned veteran stepping in for a young gun or vice-versa, one thing is certain: the era of quarterback depth has arrived.

Philadelphia is stacked with three quality quarterbacks: Donovan McNabb, Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley, all of whom played roles in getting the Eagles to the NFC championship game last season. Third-stringer Feeley certainly proved that, given a chance, he can be a heckuva good football player -- and in the right situation, a star. When I spoke with head coach Andy Reid, I was shocked to discover that no one had approached him about acquiring Feeley.

On the flip side, Miami learned the importance of a quality backup the hard way. When Jay Fiedler was injured in the midst of a playoff run, the Dolphins tried their luck and lost with backup Ray Lucas. Coach Dave Wannstedt quickly learned that to win a championship, you better have two quarterbacks. And when he had the chance, he grabbed Brian Griese.

Despite having talented, young quarterback David Carr, the Houston Texans selected Dave Ragone in the third round and Drew Henson in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL draft. While the selections left many people wondering, I thought it was a great move. There's opportunity for all three quarterbacks to flourish, and if that's the situation, it also gives them the ability to trade.

2. New Dogs, Old Tricks

	Gannon

On the surface, the Oakland Raiders appear to be an aging squad. But if you look closely, you'll see that they're readying themselves for a future youth movement.

This year's draft picks consisted of cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Tyler Brayton, wide receiver Teyo Johnson, outside linebacker Sam Williams, wide receiver Doug Gabriel and running back Justin Fargas. Combined with recent draft picks cornerback Phillip Buchanon, offensive tackle Langston Walker and S Derrick Gibson, the Raiders have an emerging young nucleus.

The problem with youth is that they're not yet battle tested -- at least not enough to carry Super Bowl hopes. So, this will most likely be the last year the Raiders play at an elite level in the near future.

Certainly the biggest question is how long Rich Gannon will continue to play. Gannon has thrown for at least 3,400 yards and 24 touchdowns every season he's been in Oakland. This year, they'll need similar production.

Watch out for Charles Woodson on the defensive side of the ball, he's in a contract year, so expect great things out of him.

Also, if Pro Bowler Barret Robbins can ready himself and be the same nasty, son-of-a-gun, he was last season, he'll be a big asset to Oakland. The Raiders had the No. 1 offense in the NFL last year, and you can't take the center out of a barrel and not expect it to drain a little.

3. Tuna Time
The Dallas Cowboys, in their first season under the direction of head coach Bill Parcells, are a work in progress. There are still a lot of question marks, most notably on the offensive side of the ball, with uncertainties at the running back and quarterback positions.

While it may seem like Parcells is in charge of football operations, I can't help but think Jerry Jones has been a bigger influence then perceived. Considering Parcells' experience and accolades, I'm surprised he would buy into the notion that Chad Hutchinson or Quincy Carter has the ability to lead his team, especially when there was opportunity to acquire other quarterbacks like Brian Griese or A.J. Feeley.

Keeping Hutchinson and Carter, without adding another option, is most likely a Jones decision -- one that may come back and hurt the Cowboys.

Defensively, the Cowboys are fairly solid, although losing Pepe Zellner and Brandon Noble didn't help them. Meanwhile, rookie cornerback Terence Newman will be undergoing growing pains while gaining experience.

Overall, the Cowboys are young enough that if they get on a roll, they could be dangerous. The downside of youth is that if things go badly early on, it will take every bit of magic Parcells has to keep them competitive.

In a tough NFC East, I don't see them beating the New York Giants or the Eagles, and if the Washington Redskins don't get their act together, I can see them splitting -- that's five losses right there.

Provided things fall into place, the Cowboys should be capable of winning eight games, but my best guess would be six wins this season.

4. Emmitt In Arizona
It wasn't that long ago that everyone had Emmitt Smith washed up because of his rushing totals the past two seasons. But the problem wasn't entirely with Smith, it was with the Dallas offensive line.

	Smith

In Arizona, Smith isn't behind a much better line than he was his last few years in Dallas. I would be shocked if Smith added to his 11 1,000 yard seasons this year.

At 34, Smith will still be a solid back. Age doesn't really matter to guys like him and Jerry Rice and Rich Gannon who've taken such great care of their bodies.

This will be a good move in the locker room for the Cardinals, where Smith will set a strong example for the younger players. But it's not going to be enough to improve their on-field play for two reasons.

First, teams need more than just one strong character guy in the locker room, in fact they need several to set a good example for the results to start showing up on the field.

Second, once the season begins, it boils down to production on the field and there aren't enough players surrounding Smith.

In recent memory, the Cardinals have lost fullback Larry Centers, running backs Thomas Jones and Michael Pittman, wide receivers David Boston and MarTay Jenkins, quarterback Jake Plummer, defensive end Simeon Rice and cornerback Kwamie Lassiter. That's eight starters gone from this team in the past three seasons.

Because of those reasons, Smith won't have the same influence on the Cards that Marcus Allen and Joe Montana had on the Kansas City Chiefs or Rice has had on the Raiders. Sadly, his situation will be more like Johnny Unitas going to San Diego or Joe Namath going to the Rams.

5. Preseason Pains
The preseason is a joke. St. Louis Rams' coach Mike Martz has the right idea … don't play your starters during preseason. It's ludicrous to take the chance of risking your players' health for games that mean nothing.

	Fans would rather watch their favorite team playing for something in January, than watch a meaningless game in August.

If I were a coach I'd have my starters play two or three series a game to minimize the risk of injury while still allowing them the chance to play in game situations at game speed.

As it is now, players spend too much time on football during the offseason. With the proliferation of mini-camps and workout camps, players' legs are dead by the time the playoffs come around.

Don't get me wrong, the NFL is the best league in the world, but changes should be made to the offseason schedule. Preseason should be only three games and training camp should start at the beginning of August.

Rookies could come in for a week, then veterans and then they could play football. Then you'd have a five-week training camp and preseason and the outcome would be better football later in the season -- when it counts.

Fans would rather watch their favorite team playing for something in January, than watch a meaningless game in August.

A game analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann won a Super Bowl and a league MVP award. He contributes regularly to ESPN.com.