UpdatedSep 8, 2011 12:22 AM ETWhile the St. Louis Rams have their sights set on making theplayoffs for the first time since 2004, the Philadelphia Eagleshave their eyes on a much bigger prize.With a roster full of marquee talent, the Eagles begin theirquest for the franchise's first Super Bowl title Sunday against theRams at the Edward Jones Dome.Paced by the re-emergence of quarterback Michael Vick,Philadelphia finished 10-6 to win the NFC East and make theplayoffs for the third consecutive season in 2010. However, theEagles' postseason stay was short-lived after losing 21-16 at hometo eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay in the wild-cardround.Since coach Andy Reid arrived in 1999, the Eagles have made nineplayoff appearances, won six division titles and played in five NFCchampionship games, but they've only reached one Super Bowl.Motivated to take the next step, the Eagles signed cornerbackNnamdi Asomugha, the prize of the 2011 free-agent class. He'll teamwith veteran corner Asante Samuel and newcomer DominiqueRodgers-Cromartie, who was acquired in the trade with Arizona forquarterback Kevin Kolb.Philadelphia also signed defensive end Jason Babin and defensivetackle Cullen Jenkins, and added depth on offense by bringing informer New York Giants receiver Steve Smith, running back RonnieBrown and quarterback Vince Young.With those new faces added to a roster that already includedVick, versatile receiver DeSean Jackson and running back LeSeanMcCoy, anything less than a Super Bowl title will be a majordisappointment in Philadelphia."Our expectations are to win a championship and I'd be lying ifI told you anything else," Vick said. "It's all about the team andwhat we're trying to accomplish. We want to win it all."In 12 games in 2010, Vick set career highs for passing yards(3,018) and touchdowns (21) to earn comeback player of the yearhonors. He also scored nine rushing TDs to lead an offense thataveraged an NFC-high 389.4 yards."Experience is the best teacher like I've always said and wehave to go out this week and show improvement," said Vick, who hasnot faced St. Louis since 2004. "So, you can't dwell on the past,can't dwell on what happened last year. It's all about movingforward."Vick won't need to do it alone.McCoy rushed for 1,080 yards and seven TDs, and also led theteam with 78 receptions in his second season. Jackson caught 47passes for 1,056 yards with six touchdowns in 14 games and remainsone of the league's top kick returners."We know we have a lot of talented guys," said receiver JeremyMaclin, who set career highs with 70 receptions for 964 yards and10 TDs in 2010. "We know if we do what we're capable of and play toour abilities, then we can achieve what we want to achieve. But wehave to go out there and do it."The Eagles, however, could receive a test right out of the gateagainst a St. Louis club that completed a six-win improvement tofinish 7-9 last year. Despite a losing mark, the Rams only missedwinning the weak NFC West because of a tiebreaker after falling16-6 at Seattle in Week 17."Obviously, everyone's talking about Philly," quarterback SamBradford said. "They deserve it. If we could come out and get a winagainst a team like that I think it would give guys on the team alot of confidence."With Bradford running the innovative system of new offensivecoordinator and former Denver head coach Josh McDaniels, the Ramsbelieve they will again contend for a playoff spot. The formerOklahoma star set NFL rookie records for completions (354),attempts (590) and passing yards (3,512) last year, becoming one ofonly three rookies in NFL history to pass for 3,000 yards.He'll again hand the ball off to veteran Steven Jackson, who iscoming off his sixth straight 1,000-yard season - the NFL's longestactive streak.The Rams signed guard Harvey Dahl, receiver Mike Sims-Walker andbackup running back Cadillac Williams. They also anticipate animmediate impact from rookie tight end Lance Kendricks."We have the potential to be a very good offense," Bradfordsaid. "I think it could turn into a special year. It's just amatter of everyone doing their job and being great on Sunday."Defensively, the Rams added veteran safety and former EagleQuintin Mikell and linebacker Ben Leber to a unit that ranked 12thin the NFL in 2010, allowing 20.5 points per game."Confidence level is high," defensive end Chris Long said afterthe Rams recorded their first undefeated preseason since 1979.Philadelphia has won three of the last four games against theRams, including the most recent 38-3 at home Sept. 7, 2008. TheEagles also won 17-16 in their last trip to St. Louis on Dec. 18,2005.

 
  Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu keeping contract talks quiet
  UpdatedSep 8, 2011 12:18 AM ETPITTSBURGH (AP)Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu wants to remain in black and gold the remainder of his career.  Award tourWho's gonna take home some hardware this season? Adam Schein is here with his predictions for all the major honors.How much green it will take, and how quickly he'll start to see it, is still up in the air.Polamalu said Wednesday contract talks with the Steelers are between his agent, Marvin Demoff, and the team. The 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is in the final season of a five-year deal that will pay him about $6.4 million this season.The perennial Pro Bowler has said he'd love to stay, but limited salary cap space could be an obstacle to getting a deal done before the season.Either way, it's unlikely Polamalu would leave considering his fondness for the team, and the city, and the organization's habit of keeping homegrown stars.The Steelers have already signed linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley to lengthy extensions and return all 11 defensive starters from a unit that led the league in points against a year ago.Woodley said last month it's only natural that Polamalu is next in line to get a new contract, but the soft-spoken safety would rather not do his negotiating in public.''I'll leave all contract discussions between the Steelers and my agent,'' Polamalu said. ''It's just better that way, so that things don't get misconstrued.''The 30-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, finishing with seven interceptions, 64 combined tackles and a sack. Yet he was slowed by an Achilles injury late in the season and admits he wasn't 100 percent during the playoffs or the 31-25 loss to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.  Making the gradeNow that the preseason is behind us, Alex Marvez is playing teacher and handing out marks.He's paced himself during training camp, though he showed flashes of brilliance in a preseason win over Philadelphia three weeks ago, intercepting Michael Vick and going on a freewheeling return that included a fake pitch and an abrupt ending after Vick drilled Polamalu in the knees.The Steelers rarely negotiate during the season, but would likely give Polamalu the franchise tag next year while it works on a new deal for him, a tactic they used this spring before re-signing Woodley.If the talks are weighing on him, it doesn't show. He's too concerned with Sunday's opener against the Baltimore Ravens. Polamalu demurred when asked who's the best safety in the league, himself or Baltimore star Ed Reed.''I've always considered Ed Reed to be the best safety in the NFL and perhaps ever,'' Polamalu said. ''So, we can clear that up right away. But the truth about it is that defenses always come down to how the secondary plays. So, whatever defense plays best in this game, usually comes out with the win.''The Steelers should be at full strength as both Ike Taylor (broken left thumb) and Bryant McFadden (hamstring) practiced on Wednesday. Yet it's clear Polamalu is the defense's biggest playmaker, his instincts have a habit of bringing him in contact with the ball with stunning regularity.Taylor has been so impressed during camp he felt the need to declare ''Troy's back.'' Actually, Taylor said, he never went anywhere in the first place.''Sure, he missed a couple games,'' Taylor said, ''but the games he was in there, he had like seven picks in six games.''So, Troy is Troy.''

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