<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Byrne's training camp power rankingsBy Connor J. Byrne on July 25, 2006 04:28 AMPermalink | Comments (30) | RSSThe NFL's 32 organizations are all pouring into training camp at some point in the next week, which makes now a good time to take a look at where the teams rank.1.) Seattle Seahawks - Had it not been for some questionable officiating in Super Bowl XL, Seattle would be the current champions. Sometimes, however, that's just the way it is. Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander and the team's underrated defense will lead it back to prominence in 2006. The Seahawks have unfinished business entering the season, which isn't good news for the rest of the NFC.2.) Carolina Panthers - The addition of receiver Keyshawn Johnson and rookie runner DeAngelo Williams will be enough to put the Panthers' offense over the top. The return of former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is certainly worth paying attention to, as well.3.) Indianapolis Colts - Plenty of banter has gone back and forth this offseason centering on the idea that the Colts' chances have ended because four-time Pro Bowl runner Edgerrin James departed. Rest assured, they're still a force to be reckoned with. Indy's usurping of kicker Adam Vinatieri from its archrival, the New England Patriots , could finally put the Colts over the top in the AFC.4.) Washington Redskins - The team's lack of size at the receiver position is a concern, but the Redskins are one of the class teams in the NFC. The already-excellent defense has improved with the additions of rookie Rocky McIntosh, as well as veterans Andre Carter and Adam Archuleta. Whether or not the 'Skins succeed in 2006 rests on the left arm of quarterback Mark Brunell, who must continue his pace from last season.5.) Denver Broncos - Although an earlier power ranking questioned the Broncos' chances of making the postseason this year, they are, indeed, a top-level team. Signalcaller Jake Plummer now has something to prove, since the team spent a first-rounder on Jay Cutler, and that's good for the Broncos. Adding former Pro Bowl wideout Javon Walker will be a substantial help to Denver's offense. Third-year runner Tatum Bell must prove he can carry the load, as veteran bruiser Mike Anderson was released.6.) Pittsburgh Steelers - The defending champions' offseason has certainly been one to forget. Pittsburgh lost running back Jerome Bettis to retirement and Super Bowl hero Antwaan Randle El to free agency. The team also saw quarterback Ben Roethlisberger nearly die in a motorcycle accident. They also watched rookie receiver Santonio Holmes constantly get into trouble with the law. The Steelers are still a playoff-caliber team, but envisioning them repeating as champs is quite difficult.7.) New England Patriots - The losses of Vinatieri, linebacker Willie McGinest and receiver David Givens will all hurt the Patriots' chances this season. Out of respect for quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, this decade's dynasty has earned top seven merit. They are likely still the best team in the AFC East.8.) Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs would have been lower had they not signed arguably the league's best cornerback, Ty Law, on Sunday. Putting him next to fellow veteran Patrick Surtain should mean big things for the Chiefs' secondary, which has struggled mightily in recent years. Look for quarterback Trent Green, runner Larry Johnson and tight end Tony Gonzalez to continue as one of the finest big threes in football. However, the loss of head coach Dick Vermeil will hurt, as his successor, Herm Edwards, is completely out of the 69-year-old's league.9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quarterback Chris Simms and tailback Cadillac Williams make up one of the NFL's top young tandems. If third-year receiver Michael Clayton can recover from a dreadful 2005, there's no reason the defending NFC South champs can't return to the playoffs. As always, coordinator Monte Kiffin's defense will be top-tier.10.) New York Giants - It's only natural to believe third-year quarterback Eli Manning will turn into a star this year, but he still has plenty of strides to make. If he can continue to get along with No. 1 wideout Plaxico Burress, Manning should at least match his 24 touchdown passes from last season. Now that they've added Sam Madison and Will Demps, the Giants' secondary doesn't appear to be an issue anymore.11.) Baltimore Ravens - The addition of quarterback Steve McNair finally gives head coach Brian Billick a legitimate performer under center, and signing veteran back Mike Anderson to spell Jamal Lewis should do wonders for the running game, too. The main player to keep an eye on is middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who will run wild once again with defensive linemen Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata in front of him.12.) Chicago Bears - Whether from Brian Griese or Rex Grossman, the Bears had better get some decent production from their quarterback position. Defensively, Ron Rivera's unit should be near the top of the league once again. In a weak NFC North, Chicago remains the cream of the crop.13.) Cincinnati Bengals - It's amazing how badly 2006 has gone for the defending AFC North champs. Since January 8, quarterback Carson Palmer has torn knee ligaments, receiver Chris Henry, defensive end Frostee Rucker and defensive tackle Matthias Askew have all had issues with the police, and stud middle linebacker Odell Thurman has been suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season for a failed drug test. Ultimately, such distractions will come back to hurt head coach Marvin Lewis' Bengals and they could miss out on the postseason in '06.14.) Jacksonville Jaguars - After winning 12 games last year the Jaguars are back, and it's with their starting quarterback, Byron Leftwich, healthy. In his last two seasons, the 26-year-old has heaved an impressive 30 touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions in 25 starts. Look for the 28th overall pick, tight end Marcedes Lewis, to be a big-time aid in the passing game.15.) Dallas Cowboys - If the Cowboys had any of the other NFC East starting quarterbacks on their roster, they'd be far higher on this list. Unfortunately, Drew Bledsoe has proven time and again that he isn't a player capable of taking a team to the promised land. He'll keep Terrell Owens' attitude in check, but that isn't going to be enough. Dallas went 9-7 last year, and that sounds about right for this year, too.16.) Atlanta Falcons - Much like the Cowboys, the Falcons' quarterback simply isn't good enough. Michael Vick is a great running threat and an outstanding athlete, but his numbers in the passing game prove that he isn't a capable thrower. If the Falcons want to return to the playoffs, it will have to come thanks to their defensive line, led by Patrick Kerney, John Abraham and Rod Coleman. And to those who think the addition of safety Lawyer Milloy will put Atlanta's defense over the top, it won't. The 32-year-old is just another washed up veteran who can neither cover nor tackle at this point in his career. Don't believe me? Ask Buffalo.17.) Miami Dolphins - Plenty of Dolphins fans all but have their Super Bowl tickets ready, but not so fast. If and when Joey Harrington is playing for the soon-to-be injured Daunte Culpepper in Week Six or Seven, those fans will be scrambling to eBay to sell their tickets. As for second-year head coach Nick Saban, let's wait a little while before he's anointed the next Bill Belichick. However, if Culpepper can stay healthy it will be a different story altogether.18.) Philadelphia Eagles - Now that Terrell Owens is gone, quarterback Donovan McNabb will gradually begin to earn back the respect that he lost during the soap opera between the passer and his top target last year. If head coach Andy Reid actually decides to call a handoff for a change, the Eagles could compete for a wild card playoff spot.19.) San Diego Chargers - Letting Drew Brees walk away in free agency will prove to be general manager A.J. Smith's worst move in San Diego. Like many others, yours truly is not sold on first-year starter Philip Rivers. The team's fans are lucky they have the privilege of watching running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and linebacker Shawne Merriman on a weekly basis because it could be a disappointing year otherwise.20.) Cleveland Browns - Don't underestimate the importance of the Browns having their first and second-round picks, linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson, ready to suit up for the whole of training camp. Both players have signed and will improve this summer by learning from Willie McGinest, a 12-year veteran who was signed in March. Expect head coach Romeo Crennel to improve upon his 6-10 mark from last year, when the Browns showed plenty of heart but had trouble finishing off opponents. Unfortunately, quarterback Charlie Frye will experience plenty of growing pains, and that will keep Cleveland out of postseason contention.21.) Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings' major coup is being given the opportunity to play in a putrid NFC North division, but do they really have enough talent to make a playoff run? Quarterback Brad Johnson is a question, as is the rest of the offense - except for the line. The defense isn't necessarily above-average, and first-year head coach Brad Childress will have to be granted patience from the Vikings' fans, since he'll be learning on the job.22.) Arizona Cardinals - Last season, the Cardinals' biggest problem was their complete lack of anything that resembled a running game. With the addition of Edgerrin James, that's no longer an issue. Still, questions are flying about quarterback Kurt Warner, and the offensive line and secondary. Those three elements are the keys to success for Arizona in '06.23.) New Orleans Saints - Now that they're back in the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints will draw plenty of inspiration from their eager fan base. And expect quarterback Drew Brees to be one of the NFC's best quarterbacks, while making the Chargers pay for letting him go in the process. As long as No. 2 overall pick Reggie Bush reports to most of camp, there's no reason to believe that this team won't vastly improve in '06.24.) Oakland Raiders - The rehiring of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Art Shell to become the team's head coach was a brilliant move by owner Al Davis, who wanted to instill toughness and pride back into the Raiders. Receiver Randy Moss caught heat for a sub-par performance by his standards in '05, but keep in mind he was battling injuries and still managed to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau. Assuming Aaron Brooks wins the starting quarterback job, he'll need to keep Moss and the remainder of Oakland's weapons happy. Rob Ryan's defense, led by second-year linebacker Kirk Morrison and rookie safety Michael Huff, should be much improved, too.25.) St. Louis Rams - St. Louis' offense still has plenty of weapons, but Scott Linehan is a green head coach and the defense still subpar. At the moment, it appears the Rams are a third place team in the NFC West. The team's first-round pick, cornerback Tye Hill, will need to step up in a big way.26.) Green Bay Packers - Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk will improve the defense, as will cornerback Charles Woodson. In the end, success will rest on the right arm of Brett Favre, who threw a career-worst 29 interceptions last season. If he can resemble the Favre of old, the Packers will compete in the NFC North. At the same time, however, hiring Mike McCarthy to succeed Mike Sherman as the head coach was an incredibly questionable decision by general manager Ted Thompson.27.) Detroit Lions - New head coach Rod Marinelli is trying to install a hard-nosed, smash-mouth approach in Detroit, which means 33-year-old quarterback Jon Kitna will need to play reasonably well and running backs Kevin Jones, Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun will be asked to shoulder the offensive load. On defense 9th overall pick Ernie Sims will complete a promising young linebacking trio with Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey.28.) Buffalo Bills - J.P. Losman must win the starting quarterback job over Kelly Holcomb and Craig Nall in training camp and preseason. If not, his short career in Buffalo will basically be over. Beyond that, the Bills could be in the sweepstakes for Notre Dame signal-caller Brady Quinn or Michigan State's Drew Stanton in next April's draft. In the event that the Bills get some good play from the quarterback position, there's no reason to believe they won't be a decent competitor in the somewhat shaky AFC East.29.) Houston Texans - Watch for fifth-year quarterback David Carr to finally emerge into the player the Texans thought they were drafting No. 1 overall in 2002. With solid wideouts Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds, Carr should experience at least a slight breakout. For the Texans' ground attack, it all comes down to Domanick Davis' health. If the former 1,000-yard rusher can't stay healthy, it could be a long year for Houston's offense. The defense appears to be improved, with No. 1 pick Mario Williams ready to bring his physically imposing game to the pros.30.) Tennessee Titans - Head coach Jeff Fisher will keep the Titans competitive with Billy Volek at the helm for a few weeks, but he'll realize No. 3 overall pick Vince Young needs to get some experience eventually. A player to watch is second-round running back LenDale White, who is out to quell his many detractors as a rookie.31.) New York Jets - Rookie head coach Eric Mangini may eventually find that his best bet at quarterback is second-round pick Kellen Clemens, rather than veterans Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey. Either way, it will be a long year in New York, since the organization lacks significant offensive threats, and has plenty of defensive holes.32.) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers are certainly hoping to improve from their 4-12 record in '05, but they remain the frontrunners for the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft. Second-year quarterback Alex Smith is still a big "if", as is the running game, offensive line, defensive line and secondary. San Francisco fans must stay patient with head coach Mike Nolan, who's working hard to build a future playoff contender.--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com- Did you know that we crank out fresh, original football content from Monday to Friday? Get more on the NFL at RealFootball365.com</div>http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/article...ings250706.html
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Jul 26 2006, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Byrne's training camp power rankingsBy Connor J. Byrne on July 25, 2006 04:28 AMPermalink | Comments (30) | RSSThe NFL's 32 organizations are all pouring into training camp at some point in the next week, which makes now a good time to take a look at where the teams rank.1.) Seattle Seahawks - Had it not been for some questionable officiating in Super Bowl XL, Seattle would be the current champions. Sometimes, however, that's just the way it is. Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander and the team's underrated defense will lead it back to prominence in 2006. The Seahawks have unfinished business entering the season, which isn't good news for the rest of the NFC.2.) Carolina Panthers - The addition of receiver Keyshawn Johnson and rookie runner DeAngelo Williams will be enough to put the Panthers' offense over the top. The return of former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is certainly worth paying attention to, as well.3.) Indianapolis Colts - Plenty of banter has gone back and forth this offseason centering on the idea that the Colts' chances have ended because four-time Pro Bowl runner Edgerrin James departed. Rest assured, they're still a force to be reckoned with. Indy's usurping of kicker Adam Vinatieri from its archrival, the New England Patriots , could finally put the Colts over the top in the AFC.4.) Washington Redskins - The team's lack of size at the receiver position is a concern, but the Redskins are one of the class teams in the NFC. The already-excellent defense has improved with the additions of rookie Rocky McIntosh, as well as veterans Andre Carter and Adam Archuleta. Whether or not the 'Skins succeed in 2006 rests on the left arm of quarterback Mark Brunell, who must continue his pace from last season.5.) Denver Broncos - Although an earlier power ranking questioned the Broncos' chances of making the postseason this year, they are, indeed, a top-level team. Signalcaller Jake Plummer now has something to prove, since the team spent a first-rounder on Jay Cutler, and that's good for the Broncos. Adding former Pro Bowl wideout Javon Walker will be a substantial help to Denver's offense. Third-year runner Tatum Bell must prove he can carry the load, as veteran bruiser Mike Anderson was released.6.) Pittsburgh Steelers - The defending champions' offseason has certainly been one to forget. Pittsburgh lost running back Jerome Bettis to retirement and Super Bowl hero Antwaan Randle El to free agency. The team also saw quarterback Ben Roethlisberger nearly die in a motorcycle accident. They also watched rookie receiver Santonio Holmes constantly get into trouble with the law. The Steelers are still a playoff-caliber team, but envisioning them repeating as champs is quite difficult.7.) New England Patriots - The losses of Vinatieri, linebacker Willie McGinest and receiver David Givens will all hurt the Patriots' chances this season. Out of respect for quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, this decade's dynasty has earned top seven merit. They are likely still the best team in the AFC East.8.) Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs would have been lower had they not signed arguably the league's best cornerback, Ty Law, on Sunday. Putting him next to fellow veteran Patrick Surtain should mean big things for the Chiefs' secondary, which has struggled mightily in recent years. Look for quarterback Trent Green, runner Larry Johnson and tight end Tony Gonzalez to continue as one of the finest big threes in football. However, the loss of head coach Dick Vermeil will hurt, as his successor, Herm Edwards, is completely out of the 69-year-old's league.9.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Quarterback Chris Simms and tailback Cadillac Williams make up one of the NFL's top young tandems. If third-year receiver Michael Clayton can recover from a dreadful 2005, there's no reason the defending NFC South champs can't return to the playoffs. As always, coordinator Monte Kiffin's defense will be top-tier.10.) New York Giants - It's only natural to believe third-year quarterback Eli Manning will turn into a star this year, but he still has plenty of strides to make. If he can continue to get along with No. 1 wideout Plaxico Burress, Manning should at least match his 24 touchdown passes from last season. Now that they've added Sam Madison and Will Demps, the Giants' secondary doesn't appear to be an issue anymore.11.) Baltimore Ravens - The addition of quarterback Steve McNair finally gives head coach Brian Billick a legitimate performer under center, and signing veteran back Mike Anderson to spell Jamal Lewis should do wonders for the running game, too. The main player to keep an eye on is middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who will run wild once again with defensive linemen Trevor Pryce and Haloti Ngata in front of him.12.) Chicago Bears - Whether from Brian Griese or Rex Grossman, the Bears had better get some decent production from their quarterback position. Defensively, Ron Rivera's unit should be near the top of the league once again. In a weak NFC North, Chicago remains the cream of the crop.13.) Cincinnati Bengals - It's amazing how badly 2006 has gone for the defending AFC North champs. Since January 8, quarterback Carson Palmer has torn knee ligaments, receiver Chris Henry, defensive end Frostee Rucker and defensive tackle Matthias Askew have all had issues with the police, and stud middle linebacker Odell Thurman has been suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season for a failed drug test. Ultimately, such distractions will come back to hurt head coach Marvin Lewis' Bengals and they could miss out on the postseason in '06.14.) Jacksonville Jaguars - After winning 12 games last year the Jaguars are back, and it's with their starting quarterback, Byron Leftwich, healthy. In his last two seasons, the 26-year-old has heaved an impressive 30 touchdowns compared to 15 interceptions in 25 starts. Look for the 28th overall pick, tight end Marcedes Lewis, to be a big-time aid in the passing game.15.) Dallas Cowboys - If the Cowboys had any of the other NFC East starting quarterbacks on their roster, they'd be far higher on this list. Unfortunately, Drew Bledsoe has proven time and again that he isn't a player capable of taking a team to the promised land. He'll keep Terrell Owens' attitude in check, but that isn't going to be enough. Dallas went 9-7 last year, and that sounds about right for this year, too.16.) Atlanta Falcons - Much like the Cowboys, the Falcons' quarterback simply isn't good enough. Michael Vick is a great running threat and an outstanding athlete, but his numbers in the passing game prove that he isn't a capable thrower. If the Falcons want to return to the playoffs, it will have to come thanks to their defensive line, led by Patrick Kerney, John Abraham and Rod Coleman. And to those who think the addition of safety Lawyer Milloy will put Atlanta's defense over the top, it won't. The 32-year-old is just another washed up veteran who can neither cover nor tackle at this point in his career. Don't believe me? Ask Buffalo.17.) Miami Dolphins - Plenty of Dolphins fans all but have their Super Bowl tickets ready, but not so fast. If and when Joey Harrington is playing for the soon-to-be injured Daunte Culpepper in Week Six or Seven, those fans will be scrambling to eBay to sell their tickets. As for second-year head coach Nick Saban, let's wait a little while before he's anointed the next Bill Belichick. However, if Culpepper can stay healthy it will be a different story altogether.18.) Philadelphia Eagles - Now that Terrell Owens is gone, quarterback Donovan McNabb will gradually begin to earn back the respect that he lost during the soap opera between the passer and his top target last year. If head coach Andy Reid actually decides to call a handoff for a change, the Eagles could compete for a wild card playoff spot.19.) San Diego Chargers - Letting Drew Brees walk away in free agency will prove to be general manager A.J. Smith's worst move in San Diego. Like many others, yours truly is not sold on first-year starter Philip Rivers. The team's fans are lucky they have the privilege of watching running back LaDainian Tomlinson, tight end Antonio Gates and linebacker Shawne Merriman on a weekly basis because it could be a disappointing year otherwise.20.) Cleveland Browns - Don't underestimate the importance of the Browns having their first and second-round picks, linebackers Kamerion Wimbley and D'Qwell Jackson, ready to suit up for the whole of training camp. Both players have signed and will improve this summer by learning from Willie McGinest, a 12-year veteran who was signed in March. Expect head coach Romeo Crennel to improve upon his 6-10 mark from last year, when the Browns showed plenty of heart but had trouble finishing off opponents. Unfortunately, quarterback Charlie Frye will experience plenty of growing pains, and that will keep Cleveland out of postseason contention.21.) Minnesota Vikings - The Vikings' major coup is being given the opportunity to play in a putrid NFC North division, but do they really have enough talent to make a playoff run? Quarterback Brad Johnson is a question, as is the rest of the offense - except for the line. The defense isn't necessarily above-average, and first-year head coach Brad Childress will have to be granted patience from the Vikings' fans, since he'll be learning on the job.22.) Arizona Cardinals - Last season, the Cardinals' biggest problem was their complete lack of anything that resembled a running game. With the addition of Edgerrin James, that's no longer an issue. Still, questions are flying about quarterback Kurt Warner, and the offensive line and secondary. Those three elements are the keys to success for Arizona in '06.23.) New Orleans Saints - Now that they're back in the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints will draw plenty of inspiration from their eager fan base. And expect quarterback Drew Brees to be one of the NFC's best quarterbacks, while making the Chargers pay for letting him go in the process. As long as No. 2 overall pick Reggie Bush reports to most of camp, there's no reason to believe that this team won't vastly improve in '06.24.) Oakland Raiders - The rehiring of Hall of Fame offensive lineman Art Shell to become the team's head coach was a brilliant move by owner Al Davis, who wanted to instill toughness and pride back into the Raiders. Receiver Randy Moss caught heat for a sub-par performance by his standards in '05, but keep in mind he was battling injuries and still managed to surpass the 1,000-yard plateau. Assuming Aaron Brooks wins the starting quarterback job, he'll need to keep Moss and the remainder of Oakland's weapons happy. Rob Ryan's defense, led by second-year linebacker Kirk Morrison and rookie safety Michael Huff, should be much improved, too.25.) St. Louis Rams - St. Louis' offense still has plenty of weapons, but Scott Linehan is a green head coach and the defense still subpar. At the moment, it appears the Rams are a third place team in the NFC West. The team's first-round pick, cornerback Tye Hill, will need to step up in a big way.26.) Green Bay Packers - Rookie linebacker A.J. Hawk will improve the defense, as will cornerback Charles Woodson. In the end, success will rest on the right arm of Brett Favre, who threw a career-worst 29 interceptions last season. If he can resemble the Favre of old, the Packers will compete in the NFC North. At the same time, however, hiring Mike McCarthy to succeed Mike Sherman as the head coach was an incredibly questionable decision by general manager Ted Thompson.27.) Detroit Lions - New head coach Rod Marinelli is trying to install a hard-nosed, smash-mouth approach in Detroit, which means 33-year-old quarterback Jon Kitna will need to play reasonably well and running backs Kevin Jones, Shawn Bryson and Brian Calhoun will be asked to shoulder the offensive load. On defense 9th overall pick Ernie Sims will complete a promising young linebacking trio with Teddy Lehman and Boss Bailey.28.) Buffalo Bills - J.P. Losman must win the starting quarterback job over Kelly Holcomb and Craig Nall in training camp and preseason. If not, his short career in Buffalo will basically be over. Beyond that, the Bills could be in the sweepstakes for Notre Dame signal-caller Brady Quinn or Michigan State's Drew Stanton in next April's draft. In the event that the Bills get some good play from the quarterback position, there's no reason to believe they won't be a decent competitor in the somewhat shaky AFC East.29.) Houston Texans - Watch for fifth-year quarterback David Carr to finally emerge into the player the Texans thought they were drafting No. 1 overall in 2002. With solid wideouts Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds, Carr should experience at least a slight breakout. For the Texans' ground attack, it all comes down to Domanick Davis' health. If the former 1,000-yard rusher can't stay healthy, it could be a long year for Houston's offense. The defense appears to be improved, with No. 1 pick Mario Williams ready to bring his physically imposing game to the pros.30.) Tennessee Titans - Head coach Jeff Fisher will keep the Titans competitive with Billy Volek at the helm for a few weeks, but he'll realize No. 3 overall pick Vince Young needs to get some experience eventually. A player to watch is second-round running back LenDale White, who is out to quell his many detractors as a rookie.31.) New York Jets - Rookie head coach Eric Mangini may eventually find that his best bet at quarterback is second-round pick Kellen Clemens, rather than veterans Chad Pennington and Patrick Ramsey. Either way, it will be a long year in New York, since the organization lacks significant offensive threats, and has plenty of defensive holes.32.) San Francisco 49ers - The 49ers are certainly hoping to improve from their 4-12 record in '05, but they remain the frontrunners for the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft. Second-year quarterback Alex Smith is still a big "if", as is the running game, offensive line, defensive line and secondary. San Francisco fans must stay patient with head coach Mike Nolan, who's working hard to build a future playoff contender.--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com- Did you know that we crank out fresh, original football content from Monday to Friday? Get more on the NFL at RealFootball365.com</div>http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/article...ings250706.html</div>Blah, blah, blah, everybody keep complaining... OH SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!! Seattle would still lose if it wasn't for that poor officiating, face it, their just whiners lol
Everyone says the same thing about the Rams. They just copy/paste it on each thing about the Rams. "They still have a great offense but they have a new coach and La'Roi Glover, Will Witherspoon, Corey Chavous, and Tye Hill aren't upgrades on defense. They are downgrades to the stellar defense they already had." It's annoying.
Yeah I agree, that must be annoying... especially when you get Glover, one of the best to ever play DT; Witherspoon, great LB; Chavous, good in coverage (unlike AA); Hill, future pro-bowler...
Brooksie the guy didn't say one thing about your free agents with what he had to say about your team, and for Tye Hill all he said was he was going to have to play at the potential the Rams saw in him, no less.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Jul 27 2006, 07:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Brooksie the guy didn't say one thing about your free agents with what he had to say about your team, and for Tye Hill all he said was he was going to have to play at the potential the Rams saw in him, no less.</div>He said the defense still sucks. He said nothing about us getting it better. He only said 2 sentences about the team, and I wouldn't say Tye Hill needs to play great this year. We need Travis Fisher/Fakhir Brown to step up more than Hill.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>1.) Seattle Seahawks - Had it not been for some questionable officiating in Super Bowl XL, Seattle would be the current champions.</div> That's all I needed to know to know the validity of this article. Not only is it not something a real journalist would say, but it's also writen in an obviously unbiased manner, another thing a serious journalist wouldn't do.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Jul 28 2006, 01:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Browns are way too high. They have no QB. They should swap with the Lions or Texans, maybe Jets.</div>Not to mention they just lost Bentley
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JHair @ Jul 27 2006, 01:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah I disagree with #1, I guess you could swap the Shehawks with the Panthers.</div>YEAH! That's true, this Panthers team might be the greatest in their franchise history. Their team is well balanced, if they still had Will Witherspoon, this team would be even better.
Once again I think the Ravens are ranked too low in something. McNair2Mason was great in Tennessee, and now they got Clayton and Moore, also Heap. And good run blocking FBs in Ricard and Mughelli and even Anderson rotating in and out with FBs and Lewis. McNair was a huge additition. Their offense is great, and we know they have one of the best defenses.
You know the Skins beat the Broncos in Week 5. And there's no way they're winning the AFC. Hell, there's a good chance the Chiefs are taking the division. KC improved their defense with 2 new starters and, well, make that 6 new starters... they're healthy now.
I don't know why everyone suddenly thinks the Ravens are Superbowl contenders. Yes, McNair is still a Top 10 NFL QB, but the general perception of him is that he still has the ability to take over games like he used to. Its not happening, and judging that Ray Lewis has had injury problems the last two years, their offensive line is quetionable at best, and Brian Billick is on the hot seat, don't expect these guys to win 10+ games
