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New England will be tough to beat

Did the Panthers make the right move by cutting Keyshawn Johnson? Should Michael Vick be punished? Our experts tackle those questions and more in our weekly Burning Questions.

1. Was the decision to cut Keyshawn a good one for the Panthers?

Eric Allen: I'm not sure I totally agree with this decision because he's essentially being replaced by a rookie (Dwayne Jarrett) who will have to learn the offense and get a comfort level with quarterback Jake Delhomme. Also, Johnson was more than willing to mentor Jarrett and teach him how to be a professional in this game. That's the type of leadership teams should be seeking. This is an interesting decision for a team that needs to realize its window is closing to win a Super Bowl.

Joe Theismann: I can't say that I agree with cutting a veteran receiver like Keyshawn, but I do understand why the Panthers probably felt it was a good idea to do it. Wide receiver is not an extremely difficult position for a rookie to come in and learn, and I'm sure the Panthers will lean on Steve Smith to provide the mentorship that Johnson promised to provide on national TV.

2. Which team is the preseason favorite after draft day?

Allen: New England further solidified its spectacular offseason with the trade for Moss. Tom Brady has to be ecstatic with the addition of Moss to a receiving corps that had already added Donte' Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Wes Welker.

This offense has the potential to break records with second-year back Laurence Maroney in the backfield. That said, the San Francisco 49ers should also be commended for their fantastic draft, highlighted by the selection of Patrick Willis, who could be an impact player from Day One.

Theismann: Going into the draft, I felt the Patriots had done enough to be viewed as the favorite to win the Super Bowl, but after the draft-day trade for Randy Moss, I think you can pencil in the Pats for the Super Bowl. Moss is going to thrive in New England, and I doubt we'll see the moping and controversial comments that were a staple of his existence in Oakland. He wants to play for a winner, as evidenced by his willingness to tear up his contract and sign essentially a one-year deal with New England. Moss has been misunderstood for most of his career, but he has a passion for football that will become clear every Sunday of the coming season.

3. Should Michael Vick be punished for the alleged dogfighting ring that was uncovered at a house he owns?

Allen: It's tough to punish a player when no charges have been filed, but Vick has had such a bad offseason in terms of getting in trouble that it might be a good move for the commissioner to sit him for a game. A suspension would make the rest of the league know that this isn't a superstar system, where the best players are able to escape punishment. These fines and suspensions have to be meted out equally, or the system will be irreparably harmed.

Theismann: I think the NFL finds itself in a precarious position due to the harsh penalty it imposed on Pacman Jones, with no charges being filed. If the league doesn't give Vick at least a one- or two-game suspension, some could say the system is weighted towards protecting superstar players. Vick has had a tumultuous offseason, and while his words following his meeting with commissioner Goodell were nice to hear, they probably have to be followed by a suspension of some kind.

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