FOX's pre-camp power rankings

[Sect309Fan]

While I don't agree with #4 and #5 (neither team will make the playoffs this year, guarenteed), the Titans at #6 is fair. I also like the last comment. :lol

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/powerRankings?GT1=39002

SUMMER STRENGTH: QB Kerry Collins' play-action fakes should fake more guys out than David Blaine, thanks to a bone-crushing offensive line and dynamic duo at RB with Lendale White and Chris Johnson, whatever their nicknames are these days.

[TTP77]

I like what Schwartz and the Lions have done this offseason via draft, free agency and trade. I just have a hard time believing they'll come in last again but I don't know who will fill that slot. The Browns maybe? I also think the Donks are going to struggle big time this year.

[TitansFan23]

I like what Schwartz and the Lions have done this offseason via draft, free agency and trade. I just have a hard time believing they'll come in last again but I don't know who will fill that slot. The Browns maybe? I also think the Donks are going to struggle big time this year.

The Chiefs...

[TTP77]

Oh, but they have the great Matt Cassel now. ;)

[Mike McFan]

Have no great complaints either. But seems like everyone was high on Philly last year as well.
And i've been following the Falcons since the early 70's. To think that team will ever accomplish anything is , well:crazy.

[t1tan5]

I think they overrated the Cards. Yeah they made the SB, but it was by an amazing streak and not consistent solid play throughout the season. We should definitely be rated higher than them.

[hooktool]

While I don't agree with #4 and #5 (neither team will make the playoffs this year, guarenteed), the Titans at #6 is fair. I also like the last comment. :lol

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/powerRankings?GT1=39002

SUMMER STRENGTH: QB Kerry Collins' play-action fakes should fake more guys out than David Blaine, thanks to a bone-crushing offensive line and dynamic duo at RB with Lendale White and Chris Johnson, whatever their nicknames are these days.


That's funny. What do people think about the Pats and Tom Brady? It seems everyone thinks his knee is going to be good as new, but he had a rough time with it after the surgery, and no matter how good it is, there's a mental aspect to it.

John

[Sect309Fan]

That's funny. What do people think about the Pats and Tom Brady? It seems everyone thinks his knee is going to be good as new, but he had a rough time with it after the surgery, and no matter how good it is, there's a mental aspect to it.

John

I think the Pats will win their division this year, but I seriously doubt they end up with the best record. Playing the AFC East, AFC South, and NFC South is pretty brutal. (Pittsburgh has the easiest road to the #1 seed).

Brady should be fine. He doens't move around much anyway, and as long as he can plant and throw, he should be good.

[gnarl]

I actually don't really have a bone to pick with the rankings. and as far as who is going to come in dead last...I just can't help but to think oakland

[TTP77]

I almost picked Oakland too but they look to have a good running game and if Jamarcus sucks then I think Garcia will do fine. Defense is still probably an issue.

[shadowboxin']

I think this is the first one I've seen where the Bears aren't top 10.

And I gotta disagree on the Falcons. I think they'll make the playoffs this year (yes I know the patterns). They'll have a bit of competition with everyone on the Saints defense healed up and the Panthers being the frontrunners, but I think they'll pull out at least a WC berth.

[GoPats]

That's funny. What do people think about the Pats and Tom Brady? It seems everyone thinks his knee is going to be good as new, but he had a rough time with it after the surgery, and no matter how good it is, there's a mental aspect to it.

John

By all accounts Brady is feeling and looking good. The complications after the surgery were actually not quite as serious as they were reported to be at the time.

I have very little doubt about the Pats offense. I think they'll be as explosive as they were in '07. Adding Taylor helps (he's not carrying the ball 20 times a game here, and knows that) and I think they'll be able to put up points with anyone.

The question marks are really on defense. You're looking at probably three of the four starters in the secondary being new, a little uncertainty around Vrabel's spot and who'll fill it, and there's not a lot of depth at LB.

Thing is... the D in 2007 wasn't as good as it looked. It's much easier to play defense in the NFL when you have a 21-point lead at halftime. If they can be solid, the Patriots will be right back in the mix of things. I have no rational cause, but I just feel like this is going to be a big year for them. Brady missed a year of his prime, and he's hungry.

[titan122]

I just love that everyone and their dogs pet thinks that since brady returns the patriots have a walk in the park to the super bowl. They will score 60 points on any team to set foot on the field against them.

tom brady and bilichek make me wish that the phins or the jets or even the bills win their division and leave the pats out in the dark again.

[PBV]

I'm cool with the Steelers at 1 because they won the SB, but otherwise I don't believe they will be as good. I think we are hands down the strongest team. I believe Da Bears at 20 is "ratarded", I see them as potential top 5, definitely top 10. The Falcons and Eagles should be tough to beat. I think the Colts, Pats, and Texans are true wild cards. They definitely have a bite to them, but I'm not convinced that they will dominate.

[TitansGiantsBears]

I have an issue with the Eagles, Falcons, and Cards ranked as high as they are. I would put the Giants, Panthers, Chargers, or Colts up there above any of them. The NFL media continues its yearly love-fest for Donovan McNabb. The guy has never won a ring. He choked in the biggest game of his life. He's looked downright average at times without a dominant receiver. And yet every year, some "guru" will pick the Eagles very high. I'm sure some preseason rag will pick them as NFC champs.

For my money, it looks like this...

1. Pittsburgh Steelers- The champs are always #1 in my book until someone takes it away from them. After last year's brutal schedule they have a comparative cakewalk this year. How much of a distraction will the rape allegations be for Big Ben though?

2. New York Giants - The Giants are loaded on both lines and in the backfield. Their quarterback already has one ring and should be hitting the prime of his career. It is HIS team now. A brutal-as-usual NFC East challenge awaits though.

3. Carolina Panthers - My only concern with the Panthers is their QB, but they're built a lot like the Titans. Delhomme isn't one to light it up, but he does a decent job protecting the ball and not losing games. He also has much better tools to work with in Smith, Muhammad, and Jarrett than Collins does in Tennesee.

4. New England Patriots - I don't see the Patriots stepping in and reverting to 2007 offensively even with the return of Brady. Their own division is much tougher than it was in 2007 when the Bills, Jets, and Dolphins combined for only 12 wins. What I do see is enough improvement over last year to make a difference that will vault them just ahead of the rest of the division. They could have won this division last year if Cassell had gotten comfortable sooner. At the end of the season they were the best team in the division. I see the Jets giving them the most competition for the top spot.

5. Indianapolis Colts - The Colts have to be angry. The Titans pulled a Jacob to their Esau and stole the divisional crown which they believe is their birthright. The team started horribly, finished strong, and then were embarrassed in the playoffs by a San Diego team that finished 8-8 and rallied to win the weakest division in football. I don't expect to see the Colts sitting at 3-4 again after the first seven weeks of the season are in the rearview mirror.

6. San Diego Chargers - The Chargers have perhaps the deepest roster in the NFL. They are loaded at every position, but the product on the field often resembles a stick horse in the Kentucky Derby. The franchise could teach the hens at the Dixie Egg Company a thing or two about laying. So what's the problem? It starts at the Head Coaching position, where they hired Norv Turner away from a touring cast of the Wizard of Oz where he won rave reviews as the Scarecrow. Still the talent should propel the team back to 11 or 12 wins.

7. Tennessee Titans - Watching the Titans season unfold last year was like watching the old game show "To Tell the Truth". At the end of the season I was left asking, "Would the real Tennessee Titans please stand up?" Was it the team that roared out of the gate to an NFL-best 10-0 record or was it the one who floundered to a 1-3 finish? I believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Numbers 8-12 are as follows.

8. Chicago Bears
9. Minnesota Vikings
10. Baltimore Ravens
11. Philadelphia Eagles
12. New York Jets

I see the Jets as a darkhorse team this year. I also see the Jags and Texans making the AFC South a dogfight. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them wins the division.