Post Free Agency (Preseason) 2011 NFL Power Rankings

I’m going to unveil my final preseason power rankings and maybe I’ll save this page and see how well I did at the end of the season. I’ll use these power rankings to write up my next mock draft.

Before you read my power rankings I’ll say this I have a personal philosophy that I think works out well in most situations. In the NBA talent matters the most, in the N.F.L., its half the battle. Rookie Quarterbacks don’t perform well most of the time unless the team is ideally built to play a ground and pound style of football (think the Jets, Ravens, and Falcons. Not surprisingly all three teams have great running games) so rookie quarterbacks lose a lot of games. Coaches who everyone knows are going to be fired after the season (think John Fox last season) cause teams to give less then their all (think Tony Sparano this year).

32. Cincinnati Bengals

Losing Jonathan Joseph and the official retirement of Carson Palmer (I thought he might come back and play) are vaulting the Bengals all the way to the top of the leader board for Andrew Luck. “Lucky” him. The Bengals have a pretty good core on defense and have the ability to be a decent team this year. Although I like the way the team has started to draft recently, a rookie starting Quarterback can always be trouble and they have not improved since last year when they only won a few games.

31. San Fran 49ers

I thought they had a pretty terrible free agency. They lost their nose tackle (Franklin), they lost an under-appreciated linebacker (Lawson), their starting center (David Baas), and they are still going into the season with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick is very talented, but he’s a long ways away. This could be a rough season for the 49ers.

30. Cleveland Browns

I’ve been impressed with Colt McCoy and this team is heading in the right direction, with that being said, however, the Browns will struggle this year. I’m not sure Hillis will have the same kind of year he had last year. On top of that, they are still looking for a number one WR, but the biggest reason I think they will struggle this year is because of all the transition this team has gone through. This team was built to play a certain style of football under Eric Mangini, and that is a complete opposite to what the Browns are going to be doing now. They have a lack of talent in the secondary, and they don’t have enough personnel to play an effective 43 defense yet, in my opinion. I like what the team is doing, but I think this is a case of taking one step back before they take two steps forward.

29. Miami Dolphins

Before free agency I had the Dolphins ranked as the worst team in the league. And Dolphins fans killed me. I’ve backed off that a little bit because I think Reggie Bush can make that kind of difference, but I still think they’re going to be trouble. To me in a sport that is as emotionally charged as football, trying but failing to exile your coach doesn’t bode well for a team. And then Chad Henne seems to get worse by the day. I just forsee a bad year for the Dolphins this season. Hopefully I’m wrong and they’ll challenge the Jets and Patriots in the A.F.C. East and make that an interesting race.

28. Washington Redskins

No, I don’t have faith in John Beck or anything, however I think this team can have a very, very plus defense this year. While I think ultimately it’d be beneficial for the Redskins to win the Luck sweepstakes, I don’t think they are the worst team in the league. I think their talent overall (albeit overpaid at many positions) has enough to sneak out more wins then people are predicting for the Redskins right now.

27. Denver Broncos

There’s a lot of drama surrounding the quarterback situation, though it seems apparent the team will start the season with Orton as their man. They lost Ty Warren for the season so I’m seriously worried about their depth at the defensive line position. They weren’t able to secure a big time running back to improve their running game and will rely on a renewed Knoshown Moreno and Willis McGahee and I’m still not convinced Brandon Lloyd is the real deal. There are some things to like about this team, but if they sour on Orton through the season and end the season with Tebow there could be some bumps along the road in this season.

26. Carolina Panthers

Jimmy Clausen has looked pretty good in preseason and should start the season as a starter in my opinion. If Clausen is the starter it gives Cam Newton time to develop, plus if Clausen starts the season and plays well it gives the Panthers a lot more in terms of trade value. The Panthers looked impressive in their first preseason game vs the New York Giants playing with a lot of intensity. This is a pretty young team that is hungry. I don’t think they’re in a great position because of the division they play in and the fact that they will play a rookie or second year quarterback, but this team is building for the future and doing a decent job. They also have a pretty easy schedule outside of their division. I don’t care if everyone think it’s too high for the Panthers, I think the development of a lot of young players and a pretty good offensive line I think they can be not terrible.

25. Buffalo Bills

They might be less than the 25th most talented team on paper, but the Bills always play hard and that’s not something you can say about every team. They have a solid offense and I think their defense is worlds better than it was last year. Shawne Merriman has shown a little pep in his step which could give the Bills their first legitimate pass rusher in ages. The addition of Marcell Dareus, Kevlin Sheppard, Nick Barnett the health of Dwan Edwards and the continued improvement of Torrel Troup and Alex Carrington makes the run defense much, much better than it was last year. The offense showed last year that with Chan Gailey they’ll score points. I think they’ll be picking around 7-10 next year, like they usually are.

24.Tennessee Titans

Maybe they can be better than this, but they lost Stephen Tulloch and until Chris Johnson reports to the team they have lost him as well. Those are two pretty big losses. If Matt Hasselbeck stays healthy they could possibly be in playoff competition in December, but it’s more likely that at some point Jake Locker takes over the starting quarterback job and could struggle then. The Titans have some good pieces, but they aren’t going to compete this year without some big breaks.

23. Jacksonville Jaguars

Unlike the Vikings with Christian Ponder, I expect Blaine Gabber to play this year. The Jaguars have a solid reliable quarterback with David Garrard, but I think it’ll be like when the Giants drafted Eli Manning were in playoff contention later in the season, but decided to star Manning anyway and watched the season and playoffs slip away, but gained valuable experience for Eli.

22. Minnesota Vikings

This team has a lot of talent outside of the QB position, but they are in a terrible position because they play in a good division. The Bears were pretty good last year (but will probably take a step back this year), but the QB position is shaky and that makes a huge difference. Donvoan Mcnabb could have a huge bounce back season, and if he does this team will be much higher come seasons end.

21. Arizona Cardinals

I think Kolb can be a pretty good player for the Cardinals, but there are still plenty of questions abound. Do they have a good enough offensive line to allow him to play effectively? Can they rush the passer? Do they have a running back who can stay healthy and contribute? Arrow is pointing up and they play in a weak division that makes a big difference.

20. Oakland Raiders

Until their qb situation is finally resolved and I believe they’ll have a coach who will last more then a short time, I can’t put the Oakland Raiders much higher than around 20th best in the league.They have much better talent then the media often says they do, but their still a bit short of playoff caliber. If they show consistence, or can learn to play the league the same way they play their division they could win the A.F.C. West.

19. Seattle Seahawks

They might not be the 19th best team in the league, but they are the second best team in their division which gives them a leg up on the teams behind them. The other plus for them is that they play in a pretty terrible division. I think their run game will be improved, I think they will also have more more continuity than last year. I also think another year with Pete Carroll is a good thing. Is this high? Perhaps, but maybe I’m crazy like a fox.

18. Dallas Cowboys

They are still behind the Giants and Eagles, I think in the N.F.C. East. Are their offensive line woes cured? I’m not sold. Tyron Smith looks excellent early, but there is still a ways go to. Is their secondary better than it was last year? I also don’t know. The talent is there and Jason Garrett did well as the interim coach last year. But getting a coaching job with a pretty good team gives you an advantage when there’s no prior tape on the team. It’ll be tougher for Garrett to produce those results again this year.

17. Kansas City Chiefs

They have a great run game, but I think Matt Cassel had his career year last year and don’t expect the same kind of results. Also, on paper, the Chiefs have a much more difficult schedule this year. I think the Chiefs have a pretty solid front office and have improved in their drafting abilities and this year they’ll fight for the playoffs again, but this time be a bit short.

16. New York Giants

The Giants have a lot of moving pieces on the offensive line, but their depth is much better than it was last year. They lost some players at positions like TE (Boss), Full back, OL in free agency. They have lost cornerbacks due to injuries (Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson, Prince Amukamara), but they still have a very good quarterback, they still have good running backs and a great defensive line. They’ll compete for the playoffs this year.

15. Chicago Bears

This team went to the conference championship game last year behind a good defense and pretty good play at the quarterback position. But I don’t expect the same results this year.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucnaeers are Youngry (young and hungry). I did not like the selection of Josh Freeman in the first round. Wow, was I wrong. The Buccaneers have an exciting young team, but they are still a bit behind the Falcons and Saints. The N.F.C. East has long been the best division in football (every team has been the playoffs in the division in the past decade multiple times), but the N.F.C. South is about to take that mantle over. The Buccaneers are a plus team, they are just stuck in a tough divison.

13. Baltimore Ravens

I think Joe Flacco is pretty good, not great. I think the Ravens are great in the draft and I think the defense and offense is solid. Still, I think they aren’t as good as the Steelers, Jets, or Texans, which they will need to be if they are going to make the playoffs. This year the Ravens might get the title of best team not in the playoffs.

12. Houston Texans

I hope they make the playoffs. I’m still a bit skeptical, but on paper they’ve gotten a lot better. Their draft was excellent, one of the best. The addition of Jonathan Joseph and the continued improvement of Kareem Jackson give the Texans viable players in the secondary. Brooks Reed early on looks like he can be a pretty good pass rusher and the offense is plus.

11. Detroit Lions

Sure, why not. I was going to put the Buccaneers here,but it’s hard for three teams to make the playoffs, I think so I’ll give the Lions a shot at the playoffs. They have looked very good when Matthew Stafford is healthy. If he stays healthy, this team could make a little noise.

10. New York Jets

If I think the Patriots will win the division (which I do), but that the Jets will still be the favorite for a wild card spot they have to be a top 10 team. I think this team is less talented than they were last year

9. New Orleans Saints

The best non-division winner remaining. Drew Brees is a top quarterback and they have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line has to move around some pieces and they have to replace Reggie Bush (which Darren Sproles seems ideal for), but they should be in Superbowl contention all year long.

8. St.Louis Rams

no, they are not the 8th best team in the N.F.L., but they head into the season in the 8th best position in the league. They are the favorites to win their division, they have one of the easiest roads to the playoffs in the league. That gives them a lot of power heading into the season. And power rankings, to me, are all about where you will finish and not whether or not you’re the most talented team.

7. Indianapolis Colts

I’m just going to give them the benefit of the doubt until they give me a reason not to. Peyton Manning will play the whole season and he’ll win at least 10 games. That’s just what Peyton Manning does, I also think this is a team that should stay healthier this year at the skill positions and overall is just a more talented team.

6. Atlanta Falcons

A plus running game a young franchise quarterback that keeps improving and an improved defense. Watching the Falcons in preseason, I think their linebacker corps is going to step it up this year. Sean Weatherspoon could be in for a very good year in his second season. The Falcons are killer at home and will probably win 7 or 8 games at home, if they do that they likely only need to win 3 or 4 road games to win the division.

5. San Diego Chargers

#1 in offense last year, #1 in defense last year and they play in a weak division. The Chargers have a real legitimate shot at the Superbowl this year. They aren’t getting much publicity, but I think they are in store for a big season.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

I’m not a fan of Big Ben and think if he was a quarterback on another team that didn’t have a top 3 to top 5 defense routinely (and if you look at stats you’ll see the two years they missed the playoffs the Steelers defense wasn’t top 5. The only two years of his career), but there’s no question he can win with this Steelers team. And the Steelers still have that excellent defense. They’ll be one of the favorites to win the Superbowl near the end of the season, and likely will have a bye in the first week of playoffs.

3. New England Patriots

14-2 last year with a young defense just learning the ropes should be even better this year. And Tom Brady. That’s all you need to know.

2.Philadelphia Eagles

On paper this team is excellent. They have a good QB, a good RB, very good WR, an abundance off talent in the secondary and at the defensive line and a plus coach (who just happens to do some crazy things on game day). I think their linebackers are bad to awful, and I’m not convinced the offensive line is much improved, but the paper champions can hold my number two spot right now.

1. Green Bay Packers

Until the Champs are knocked off they are number one. Its really hard to repeat, but the lockout could actually help the Packers avoid the Superbowl hangover because they had a lengthy delay from the day they win the Superbowl until real football activities started.

This is harder than it looks to take into consideration everything surrounding the teams. I didn’t just throw everything together willy nilly but I can see why people might. Let me know how much of an idiot I am, or for once how much sense I’m making.

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