FanHouse Dannyclark

To recap: the Cowboys' shiny, new, $1.3 billion stadium has the world's largest HD television too close to the playing surface, Party Pass holders have an exquisite view of, well, other Party Pass holders (but not much else), the concrete and steel behemoth is architecturally uninspiring, and Jerry Jones likes to pick his nose. Oh, and the Cowboys' lost in the first-ever home game in their new digs.

Otherwise, everything went off without a hitch, right? Eh, maybe not.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Who would have thought a year ago that the perception of Eli Manning would have changed so drastically? That's what happens when you win a Super Bowl. But can you really expect Manning to be as precise as he was during that improbable championship run? Either the light finally went on for Manning, or he simply found a zone. Or a combination of the two. Last year was a step forward, for sure, but I expect Eli Manning v.2008 to resemble something in between the lows and highs of the two Eli Mannings circa 2007. Still, that's good enough to win games. What isn't good enough to win games is David Carr, the team's new backup, so Manning better stay upright for all 16. Heat Index: 7

Running back: The Giants found out exactly how critical depth at running back is, and they also found out that they luckily have it. Great contributions came from Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward, and Reuben Droughns. Danny Ware will likely take Droughns' place this year, but the team is still set in the backfield. Jacobs' combination of speed and power is pretty unstoppable, and while punishing backs don't typically have long shelf lives, Jacobs is in his prime now if he stays healthy this year. Heat Index: 8

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting (via PFT) that the New York Giants have signed free agent outside linebacker Danny Clark, formerly of the Houston Texans, to a two-year, $4 million contract.

Clark, who started eight games for the Texans last year, will turn 31 in May and doesn't appear to have a lot left in the tank. He's also not a great fit for Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who likes to generate a pass rush from every position on defense. Clark has just five sacks in eight NFL seasons. But Clark should be able to, at the very least, provide depth at linebacker and help out on special teams.

Clark should also be a solid locker room presence, and he's a favorite of Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, who drafted Clark in Jacksonville in 2000. After playing four seasons with the Jaguars, Clark played two years in Oakland, where he started 31 games, and then one season in New Orleans before signing with the Texans in 2007.

Jared Zabransky, third string Texans quarterback and EA Sports NCAA Football coverboy is having his NFL debut tonight in Tampa Bay. He will be playing three quarters and Gary Kubiak says:

"Sage won't play very long. I think you'll see him for a couple of series, a quarter at the most. I want to look at Zabransky and see if he has a future with this team....I put some pressure on him, but that's good. That's the only way you find out about guys like this, giving them an opportunity. He's going against a good defensive team, a (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin defense, in a visiting stadium.

I'm interested to see how he handles himself. Our decision is simple: Do we think he has a chance someday to be a player in this league? And if he does, we have to find a way to keep him on this team."

Check out the above YouTube to see an interview about Zabransky and why the Texans were interested in him.