Yes, Steelers are on top.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Power Rankings: Steelers top of the heap, of courseUpdated, Feb. 15There are 30 weeks until the NFL opens its 2006 season, which is a long, long time spent watching junk sports. We haven't even had the league's combine, let alone the draft.Free agency is still a few weeks away, and maybe more if it is postponed for labor issues.We have no idea where T.O. will bring his insufferable ways, whether Shaun Alexander will be back in Seattle or where Edgerrin James will finish out his career.With so much uncertainty, it's time for another batch of the CBS SportsLine.com Power Rankings.Why? The boss asked for them. So have many of you.These rankings are done with a look back at 2005, but with a slight look forward to 2006. The look ahead is tenuous at best. Teams will be making free-agency moves that can change positioning. The draft could impact as well.Retirements, such as Brett Favre's, will be felt, too.So don't hold me to these rankings come December. This is just the start, one of many that will take us to the end of the 2006 season.I know one lesson learned from a year ago: No Oakland Raiders praising.To refresh: They were near the top of the rankings when the season started -- as well as being a really stupid Super Bowl pick. They flopped, fired their coach and now will turn back to re-tread Art Shell to try and bring back the glory.Shell has a big job in front of him. For that reason, the Raiders open the 2006 Rankings in the 30th spot, ahead of only New Orleans and San Francisco.The Steelers get the obvious nod for the top spot. They are the Super Bowl champs and they've got the best roster.It is a youth-packed group that has a 23-year-old quarterback who hasn't come close to playing his best football. In terms of free agents, they have a couple of key ones (Chris Hope and Antwaan Randle El) but this is a team that always seems to have replacements. And the staff is one of the best.The Steelers made a magical run as a sixth seed to win a Super Bowl, but they were better than that. If Ben Roethlisberger hadn't been injured, they could have been a 13-3 team. That's coming off a 15-1 season in 2004.The Indianapolis Colts, the favorites in Vegas heading into next season, are in the second spot. They have cap issues and must find a replacement for James while improving their offensive line, but they still have Peyton Manning and that passing game. They won't be going anywhere.The first five teams in the rankings all come from the AFC. That says something about the balance of power in the league.Looking for an early surprise? How about the Miami Dolphins? Nick Saban willed his team to 9-7 last year. If they make a few good moves in the offseason, the playoffs are definitely possible. The staff, with Saban, Mike Mularkey and Dom Capers, is among the best in football.So here they are, the first CBS SportsLine.com Power Rankings of 2006. They'll be updated a few weeks into free agency and again after the draft. Then we'll have a pre-training camp set and then the first real ones of 2006 the week before the regular season begins.POWER RANKINGSCurrent Team Previous 1 Pittsburgh Steelers 6Their Super run was no fluke. They do have some key free agents, but this is a team that knows how to find replacements. They have to stay at the top. 2 Indianapolis Colts 1They have to realize they choked away their best Super Bowl chance. Now they have to deal with letting Edgerrin James walk. 3 New England Patriots 5With Bill Belichick and Tom Brady around, they will always be serious Super Bowl contenders. They could use a big-play receiver. 4 Denver Broncos 3If they bring in Terrell Owens, they will be strong Super candidates. They clearly lack a down-the-field threat. That was apparent in the loss to the Steelers. But can they put up with him? 5 Jacksonville Jaguars 4They need to shore up the offensive line. If they do that and Byron Leftwich can get protection, they have a chance to displace the Colts. 6 Seattle Seahawks 2Do they re-sign Shaun Alexander or not? They still have a soft division, so repeating as NFC champs isn't a stretch. 7 Carolina Panthers 12They have to find a way to run the ball better and they have to get another threat to go with Steve Smith. The defense isn't a concern. 8 Miami Dolphins 16They have some quarterback worries, but Nick Saban and his quality staff have this team headed in the right direction. They could make a playoff push even if Gus Frerotte is still the quarterback. 9 New York Giants 10Eli Manning has to be more consistent and the defense has to be better, especially in the secondary. They will be favored to win the division again. 10 Philadelphia Eagles 27After a dreadful 2005 season, the Eagles will bounce back. They will have a healthy Donovan McNabb, which makes them a contender again. They do need to get more playmakers. 11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7Now that Chris Simms is settled in as the quarterback, they will be better on offense. The line does have to get better to help that become a reality. 12 Cincinnati Bengals 9They might be higher if we knew for sure when Carson Palmer would be back. It could be into October. And it's not like the defense will carry this team. 13 Chicago Bears 8The defense will again make this a playoff-caliber team, but the offense has to get better -- especially in the passing game. 14 San Diego Chargers 17There are questions about Drew Brees' shoulder after surgery and that has this team in an unsettled state. At least the schedule won't be as demanding. 15 Kansas City Chiefs 14They have a new coach in Herman Edwards, so maybe that will help turn this into a playoff team. There's been a lot of good football gone to waste the past few seasons. 16 Washington Redskins 11They had a heck of a year in 2005, but don't you get the feeling it will be a struggle to repeat that? Spending money on assistants doesn't overcome a talent issue. 17 Dallas Cowboys 13Middle of the road is about what we expect from this group. They’ll be competitive, but not in a Super way. 18 Minnesota Vikings 15This team might be ready to move up if Daunte Culpepper can bounce back from ACL injury. Brad Childress is the right guy for the job. 19 St. Louis Rams 24New coach Scott Linehan will keep the offense rolling, and Jim Haslett will improve the defense, although he needs some talent help. 20 Baltimore Ravens 19Brian Billick received a one-year reprieve, now he needs to get Kyle Boller to come through for him. If not, he'll be looking for work. They also have to settle on a running back. 21 Arizona Cardinals 21There are some good young players on this team, but until the offensive line gets better, it won't matter. They also have to re-sign Kurt Warner. 22 Atlanta Falcons 18This might seem low. But until the offense shows it can pass the ball with some success, this is where they belong. That means it's all on Mike Vick. 23 Buffalo Bills 20It's all on J.P. Losman. If he makes strides, they will push for a wild-card spot. If he doesn't, it's going to be a long first year for Dick Jauron. 24 Green Bay Packers 26Will Brett Favre come back? If he does, this is where the Packers stay. If he doesn't, down they go. 25 Houston Texans 32They have locked up David Carr, which was the right move. Now they take Reggie Bush with the first pick and the offense suddenly has an explosive player to go with Andre Johnson. 26 Tennessee Titans 25This is a young team that will be better, but how much better? If a handful of players make the leap, the Titans could get to .500. 27 Cleveland Browns 22They will show some improvement in Romeo Crennel's second season, but they have a long way to go. Patience is needed. 28 New York Jets 23Eric Mangini takes over a team with major cap woes, a quarterback with throwing-shoulder issues and a running back nearing the end. Good luck, Eric. 29 Detroit Lions 30Rod Marinelli will bring discipline to the team. Mike Martz will liven up the offense. But who will throw the passes? That's why they're way down here. 30 Oakland Raiders 28Art Shell returns, but he inherits a team with a lot of issues. Just win, baby? How about Just .500, baby? 31 New Orleans Saints 31They have a new coach in Sean Payton and they will have a new quarterback, and it could be rookie Matt Leinart. That will mean a year of struggles as they return to New Orleans. 32 San Francisco 49ers 29This is still a young team, and they don't make big leaps in a year. Mike Nolan will have this team competitive, but there's not enough talent yet to win more than four games.</div>http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9233607
7 is about right for the Panthers..I'd say whether they resign Witherspoon or not is a big concern on D, but other than that all the other questions are on offense.I think the Jags might be a bit high at 5.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shutdown Corner @ Feb 17 2006, 09:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>7 is about right for the Panthers..I'd say whether they resign Witherspoon or not is a big concern on D, but other than that all the other questions are on offense.I think the Jags might be a bit high at 5.</div>Yeah, and one of the biggest things people forget is that the Panthers are going to get Kris Jenkins back at DT. Adding a #2 WR or TE (only really need to fix one of them, both is an added bonus), addressing the RB position, and addressing that LB hole Witherspoon would make and Carolina will be a scary team.
Vikings have tons of cap and Wilf so I dont think 18 is fair. We're going to be much higher this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>4 Denver Broncos 3If they bring in Terrell Owens, they will be strong Super candidates. They clearly lack a down-the-field threat. That was apparent in the loss to the Steelers. But can they put up with him?</div>We get TO, and we win the Super Bowl. Bookmakrk this thread, I don't care, I'm confident that's the missing piece, that deep threat. He'll keep his cool, as long as he just keeps his eyes on the prize. We're sitting pretty.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (thepowerofX @ Feb 18 2006, 08:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think that is a pretty good ranking right there. Only thing wrong is probably the redskins.</div>word.. :glare: ESPN--switch us with the JAGUARS
i think the chargers should be in the top 10 as well but you cant really argue with the way we finished and also if we have an unproven qb starting. but IMHO i think with the cap room we have we will make it to at least the second round of the playoffs. if marty changes his playoffs gameplan we make it to the afc ship.
Bears yes, but with Palmer's iffy injury they aren't guarenteed to be that great of a team next year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jeefunk @ Feb 19 2006, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>No way in hell we're ranked below the Texans.</div>That could change if they get Reggie Bush
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>20 Baltimore Ravens 19Brian Billick received a one-year reprieve, now he needs to get Kyle Boller to come through for him. If not, he'll be looking for work. They also have to settle on a running back.</div>Hm, sounds good. Our defence is still strong and will have to come back from an under achieving season last year. Boller played better after his injury but if we can bring in Culpepper then throw us up in that list.
Culpepper would definately help get a passing game started with Heap, Mason and Clayton, I donno if Boller could do that. You guys would be fine w/o Jamal, so you should definitely cross your fingers that you get Pepper, cuz yeah your D is very solid and if your offense started clicken you could have a very good team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Feb 19 2006, 06:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>That could change if they get Reggie Bush</div>Doesn't matter who's back there, they got no line. All their coaching moves will help them, but not that much. We have a lot of young guys (rookies & second year guys) who got another year under their belts. If everyone keeps their head screwed on straight this off-season, we'll be better.
