| Rank | Team |
Comment |
| 1 |  | The depth on
the Chargers is tremendous all around. Even at running back, they've
once again managed to keep Michael Turner on the roster, just in case
anything happens to LaDainian Tomlinson. The only position that was
potentially weak last year was at wide receiver, but Vincent Jackson
flourished and the team hopes that rookie Craig Davis can make a
contribution by the end of the year. |
| 2 |  | The Colts
had problems defensively last season until the playoffs, where Bob
Sanders brought things together once again. I'd like to say that
Sanders' presence will carry over to this season, but after losing Nick
Harper, Cato June, Jason David, Mike Doss, and Montae Reagor, the
Colts' defense isn't too promising at this point. Fortunately, Peyton
Manning will still have the offense in compensating form, especially
with the addition of Anthony Gonzalez. |
| 3 |  | The Saints
made a splash in the NFC last season, and this year they're ready to
take control of it. Reggie Bush will be entering his second season,
looking to make more of a contribution as a fundamentally sound running
back while still incorporating all of the flashiness that made him such
a hot commodity in last year's draft class. Veteran receiver Joe Horn |
| 4 |
 | For years
now, I have bragged about Tom Brady's ability to get tremendous
production from receivers that really weren't too prolific. This year,
Brady will have Donte Stallworth and Randy Moss. On the defensive side
of the ball, Adalius Thomas will look to energize the defense just like
he did in Baltimore. Those three additions alone will make things
difficult for the Patriots to lose their streak of AFC East victories. |
| 5 |  | For the
Bears, I still believe that Rex Grossman is a liability to this team's
chances of winning. The defense somehow carried this team to 13 wins
last season, and if they want to accomplish that again, they may need
to work even harder. Grossman does have an additional rookie tight end
as a rookie this year, but the team's playmaker from a year ago, Thomas
Jones, is no longer available. Can Cedric Benson pick up the slack in
the starting role he's been waiting for? |
| 6 |  | The Ravens
will miss Adalius Thomas, but if there's one thing the Ravens can do,
it's playing intimidating defense on a weekly basis, regardless of who
is out there. On the offensive side, the team finally let go of Jamal
Lewis, and replaced him with Willis McGahee. McGahee did well in
Buffalo, but now he has an opportunity to re-establish the Ravens as a
solid running team. |
| 7 |  | Despite the
tragic loss of Darrent Williams last year, the Broncos are ready to put
together a football season ago. Dre Bly makes for a tremendous addition
to compliment Champ Bailey, and defensive lineman Jarvis Moss is step
one towards replacing the failed attempt at a "Browns line" from last
season. Offensively, the running back mess from a year ago should be
put to rest, as Travis Henry is ready to continue the revitalization of
his career. |
| 8 |  | It really is
a shame that if Donovan McNabb gets injured again this year, his career
with the Eagles may be over. One disappoint note is the fact that the
team could not retain Donte Stallworth, a man that McNabb had chemistry
with last year. Barring injuries, Philadelphia is a fundamentally sound
team under Andy Reid and have a grasp on the NFC East. |
| 9 |  | Once again,
Dallas' season will be in the fate of the hands of their quarterback -
Tony Romo. As soon as Romo replaced Drew Bledsoe last year, everyone
was excited to see him play. Then, as the season continued on, Romo's
hot streak began to fade, eventually closing with his muffed hold of a
snap on a field goal attempt in the postseason. Without Bill Parcells
coaching Terrell Owens this year, will Dallas make the same impact they
did at times last season?l |
| 10 |
 | The Jets
were booked as the worst team in football prior to last season, but
Eric Mangini willed his club into the postseason, even giving the
Patriots a scare for awhile. The Jets may not have made any
earth-shattering moves in the offseason, but they did what was
necessary to improve on the little things that wins football games.
Thomas Jones solidifies the running back situation, while rookie
Darrelle Revis will be counted on to guard the Patriots' receivers. |
| 11 |  | The Seahawks
are playing in a division that could really be a mess this year, due to
the fact that every single team could be in contention until the final
week of the season. The Seahawks are still the favorites though after
some upgrades on defense, as long as Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun
Alexander can stay healthy. |
| 12 |
 | In order for
the Rams to be better this year, their run defense must improve
dramatically. I'm not sure if Adam Carriker can be the difference, but
he's definitely a step in the right direction. |
| 13 |  | A year
removed from surgery, Carson Palmer and the Bengals' offense should be
ready to put up numbers against any defense they go up against.
Unfortunately, their defense may very well be worst than the Colts. The
difference is, they won't be able to compensate as well as the Colts
can. |
| 14 |
 | It's amazing
how much talent this team as able to acquire in the offseason, between
free agents Nate Clements, Tully Banta-Cain, Darrell Jackson, and
rookies Patrick Willis and Joe Staley. All five of those men are
better than average starters in the NFL, or are at least bound to be.
Mike Nolan obviously knows what he's doing in the NFL, something you
can't say about many coaches. |
| 15 |  | After the
Packers lost Ahman Green in the offseason and were not able to add
someone like Randy Moss, it would seem illogical that the Packers would
contend. However, the Packers have made a commitment to improving
defensively, while the offense showed potential at the end of last
season. Look for Brett Favre to be pleased with how often he gets an
opportunity at driving this team due to the defense's ability to stop
opposing teams. |
| 16 |
 | Byron
Leftwich, David Garrard, or Daunte Culpepper? Jack Del Rio can't
seem to include quarterbacks in his competition that can throw the ball
accurately on a regular basis, and that's always going to remain a
problem. The Jaguars' biggest addition offensively is former Browns
receiver Dennis Northcutt. Northcutt is a good option at receiver, but
I don't seem him turning the entire receiving group around himself. |
| 17 |
 | After Steve
Smith's amazing season two years ago, it seemed like
Keyshawn Johnson made no difference for Jake Delhomme last season. I've
always been a Delhomme fan, but if he can't improve the productivity on
offense with a weapon like Smith, his job in Carolina will be in
jeopardy. |
| 18 |
 | Granted,
I do not condone the actions of Pacman Jones whatsoever. With that
said, if Jones were still available to the Titans, I probably would've
ranked this unit several spaces higher. Jones set the tone defensively
last year as much as Vince Young set it offensively, and that makes his
absence significant. |
| 19 |  | How many
times has everyone stated that the Cardinals are a sleeper
team, only to see them finish as the doormat in the NFC West once
again? Levi Brown will try to anchor the offensive line, as much as the
team may have wanted Joe Thomas instead. Matt Leinart has a year under
his belt already and should capitalize on the amount of weapons
available to him. |
| 20 |  | It'd be nice
to say that the Bills could take a step forward this season, but
they've lost two of their biggest contributors in Nate Clements and
Willis McGahee. It'll likely take awhile for Marshawn Lynch to make an
impact in a tough division too, especially behind an offensive line
that's not overly impressive. |
| 21 |  | Am I really
supposed to believe that the subtraction of Pro Bowl running back Tiki
Barber, combined with an offseason to cool off, will be the only thing
the Giants needed to play well under Tom Coughlin again? I highly doubt
it, and it'll be a shame if this team is in shambles by the time they
play Miami overseas. |
| 22 |  | Ben
Roethlisberger may have only needed some time to recover from injury
last year, but the decisions that he's made in certain games are
mental, not physical. I think there will be a significant time of
adjustment needed for Pittsburgh under head coach Mike Tomlin,
something that Steelers fans will not be pleased with. |
| 23 |  | Calvin
Johnson would have been a better pickup for the Buccaneers than Gaines
Adams, as they desperately needed an offensive playmaker. Quarterback
Jeff Garcia should be perfect for Gruden's system though, and will at
least add an offensive presence of some sort on a weekly basis. |
| 24 |
 | The
Chiefs made the postseason last year, but once again, they're playing
in a tough division without receivers to make them a complete threat
offensively. Does anyone besides Chiefs fans believe that Brodie Croyle
will actually make that much of a difference in his first season as a
starter? Every quarterback needs time to adjust to the NFL, and that'll
create some frustrating moments for guys like Larry Johnson. |
| 25 |
 | The Redskins
made the right move by getting Jason Campbell some valuable starts last
year. Joe Gibbs will be pleased with the two additions of LaRon Landry
and London-Fletcher, both of whom can form the identity of the defense. |
| 26 |  | Trent Green
will be better at quarterback than Joey Harrington and Daunte Culpepper
were, but how much can he really do behind a porous offensive line? Ted
Ginn Jr. is supposed to be the "X-factor", which could be exciting if
it actually works. |
| 27 |  | I've seen
many people peg the Browns as the worst team in football. Let me get
this straight: After adding Jamal Lewis, Eric Steinbach, Joe Thomas,
and Eric Wright, the Browns will actually be worse this year? Let me
add to the mix: Gary Baxter and LeCharles Bentley will probably be back
with the club early on in the season. Besides the 49ers, the Browns
made one of the biggest splashes in the offseason. Brady Quinn won't
see serious playing time until 2008. |
| 28 |
 | The Detroit
Lions are the wildcard in football this year after the addition of
Calvin Johnson. I really like the fact that Jon Kitna is still the
team's starting quarterback, but I refuse to rank the Lions higher
until they actually go through a season and live up to their hype. |
| 29 |  | Adrian
Peterson and Chester Taylor will keep the Vikings in football games,
but I just don't see Tarvaris Jackson as a quality NFL starter.
Granted, I really haven't given the guy a chance, but that's where I
stand with him at this point. |
| 30 |
 | The last
team a franchise made an overhaul at quarterback and running back, they
made the NFC Championship (the Saints). Can Matt Schuab and Ahman Green
erase years of misery for Texans fans? Not this year, because Schuab is
basically entering his first year at quarterback. |
| 31 |
 | If the
Raiders start off the season with Josh McCown at quarterback, it'll do
nothing but annoy fans around the league. JaMarcus Russell needs to be
inserted into the offense as soon as possible. Unfortunately, his
weapons are limited on offense, which should be a mess again this year.
The defense, on the other hand, will actually give Russell the
opportunity to pull some Vince Youngs. |
| 32 |
 | Goodbye
Michael Vick, and enter Joey Harrington. The Falcons season may be over
before it started. |
