Post by James on Aug 9, 2017 2:20:55 GMT -6
NFL Preseason Power Rankings by Elliot Harrison. I understand it's just preseason before these guys have a chance to prove themselves. But look at where the Viking are compared to some of these teams like the Bucs, or the Dolphins. We never get respect.
...
Rest at the link above.
1
PATRIOTS
News story that slipped under the radar: Tom Brady turned 40. And while we're at it, enough with the avocado ice cream insults. The same folks who make fun of Brady all the time probably have never won anything in their life, and are standing in line for their double blast caramel macchiato at Starbucks while they are tweeting about Brady's healthy choices. What's really important? Gronk's health, Brandin Cooks' assimilation to the offense and Stanley Morgan getting into the Hall of Fame discussion.
RANK
2
FALCONS
Not budging on the Falcons. People want me to drop them because of two reasons: 1) The Super Bowl hangover, which, if you heard Aqib Talib's comments last week, is real. And 2) Steve Sarkisian taking over the offensive command from Kyle Shanahan. Again, fair. Atlanta also added pieces to the front seven in free agency and has more young talent than any of the elite teams. Like Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, De'Vondre Campbell, Taylor Gabriel and Tevin Coleman, to name a few.
RANK
3
PACKERS
If you play fantasy or opine on the occasional mutterings from head coach Mike McCarthy, then you probably think Ty Montgomery is going to put Marshall Faulk to shame this year. Tap the brakes, turbo. Don't sleep on rookie Jamaal Williams, who's already getting some first-team reps. In truth, though, with so much focus on Montgomery's acclimation to the offense, too little attention has been paid to the secondary. That's the group that killed this team in Washington and nearly lost a massive lead in Dallas. Injuries, inexperience and a few deep balls were all to blame. With one more year under the collective belt, and the ascending play of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the whole team should benefit. Gonna miss Micah Hyde, the human Swiss Army knife, though.
RANK
4
RAIDERS
Hearing bigly things about Marshawn Lynch at Raiders camp, while Oakland can make a case against any of the teams immediately below. Much like Atlanta, there are league observers who wonder about the shift in offensive philosophy, post-Bill Musgrave. The other side of the ball has been problematic for Jack Del Rio, save for an abysmal playoff game at NRG Stadium. Still, you don't want to overreact to an unwatchable postseason game in Houston. The Texans did that with Brian Hoyer, then spent Derek Carr-type money on Brock Osweiler. We saw how that worked out. One last thought: Mario Edwards Jr. being healthy could loom large for this team, albeit under the radar.
RANK
5
STEELERS
Steelers fans are far too classy to admit this ... but ... tell me they aren't happy that there's suspension talk swirling around a star running back -- and it's not Le'Veon Bell. Word. Maybe Pittsburgh still doesn't win the AFC championship, even with a healthy Bell. OK, but I feel people miss what a spectacular season he put together. The dude averaged -- AVERAGED -- more than 150 yards per game. The defense still carries a few concerns. Once thought to be a key figure for the future, third-year player Senquez Golson got hurt. Again. You work so hard to reach a lifetime goal, then can't enjoy or build on it when you get there. It sucks royally.
RANK
6
GIANTS
Yes. Giants over Cowboys. For now. The right side of the offensive line is a concern, as is the running game. Well, the Seahawks don't prioritize their offensive line. The Cowboys' defense -- namely those who aren't suspended or in trouble with the law -- can't compete with either team. All three are more set at quarterback than the Chiefs. Therein lies the explanation for New York at sixth. The air game could be an air raid, if Eli Manning plays like he did in 2014 and '15, rather than last year's so-so campaign. Weapons? Many.
RANK
7
SEAHAWKS
Amidst the Jay Cutler headshots, Zeke Elliott non-news stories and Hall of Fame speech timers, a small NFL trade was missed. Not shocking. The Seahawks acquired D.J. Alexander, a special teams ace in K.C. who will help Pete Carroll keep the Seahawks' M.O.: Give Seattle's opponents flat nothing on the special teams front, then, with said opponents dealing with oft-poor field position, trot a defense out there that has allowed fewer than two touchdowns and a field goal per game over the last five years. It works, apparently. And if Big Ed runs the clock ...
RANK
8
COWBOYS
Cowboys fans anxiously await an Ezekiel Elliott ruling to come down, one way or another. And the secondary is still a concern, with Blaine Gabbert burning a couple of starters and Anthony Brown burning a hamstring -- all of which plays second fiddle to Jerry Jones' deserved enshrinement. Although I was in Canton this weekend, I didn't go to his now-famous celebration bash, complete with Jerryism napkins and Justin Timberlake. (I heard J.T. opened with "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.") Jones was entertaining in his speech and received much respect from all the Hall of Famers who made the trip. Most important to Dallas fans, by a mile: J.J. gave credit where credit was due -- to the other J.J. Hats off, Jimmy Johnson.
RANK
9
CHIEFS
We haven't visited the Chiefs in the Power Rankings since the ouster of GM John Dorsey. And while that might not affect their current standing here too much, it is fair to ponder the direction of the operation, considering the success Kansas City has enjoyed over the last few years. One opposing front office exec told the Kansas City Star that he was "shocked" by the divorce, saying Dorsey had built the "top-to-bottom best roster in the league."
Moving along ... After spending the week in Canton and talking to a number of senior voters, I can tell you that more former Chiefs came up than alums of any other franchise. The list of serious candidates we discussed included Johnny Robinson, Otis Taylor and Deron Cherry. Robinson is the only player to lead both the AFL and NFL in interceptions. It's bull#%$* more former K.C. stars are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Among modern era candidates, Albert Lewis receives no love -- but he was a top-shelf player for a looooong time.
RANK
10
BUCCANEERS
Tampa-ites ... Tampa Bay-ans ... (
) ... are pumped for this year's edition. If only it was 1982 again, and you could order Doug Williams PJs from the Sears catalogue. The creamsicle unis might be gone, but the Bucs do have a franchise quarterback. Coupled with an ascending defense sprinkled with young playmakers (SEE: Alexander, Kwon), Tampa Bay should challenge for the NFC South crown. The worry was, is and remains running back. Thinking Doug Martin will emerge once again, but I can't crawl inside Dirk Koetter's head, either. Jacquizz?
PATRIOTS
News story that slipped under the radar: Tom Brady turned 40. And while we're at it, enough with the avocado ice cream insults. The same folks who make fun of Brady all the time probably have never won anything in their life, and are standing in line for their double blast caramel macchiato at Starbucks while they are tweeting about Brady's healthy choices. What's really important? Gronk's health, Brandin Cooks' assimilation to the offense and Stanley Morgan getting into the Hall of Fame discussion.
RANK
2
FALCONS
Not budging on the Falcons. People want me to drop them because of two reasons: 1) The Super Bowl hangover, which, if you heard Aqib Talib's comments last week, is real. And 2) Steve Sarkisian taking over the offensive command from Kyle Shanahan. Again, fair. Atlanta also added pieces to the front seven in free agency and has more young talent than any of the elite teams. Like Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, De'Vondre Campbell, Taylor Gabriel and Tevin Coleman, to name a few.
RANK
3
PACKERS
If you play fantasy or opine on the occasional mutterings from head coach Mike McCarthy, then you probably think Ty Montgomery is going to put Marshall Faulk to shame this year. Tap the brakes, turbo. Don't sleep on rookie Jamaal Williams, who's already getting some first-team reps. In truth, though, with so much focus on Montgomery's acclimation to the offense, too little attention has been paid to the secondary. That's the group that killed this team in Washington and nearly lost a massive lead in Dallas. Injuries, inexperience and a few deep balls were all to blame. With one more year under the collective belt, and the ascending play of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, the whole team should benefit. Gonna miss Micah Hyde, the human Swiss Army knife, though.
RANK
4
RAIDERS
Hearing bigly things about Marshawn Lynch at Raiders camp, while Oakland can make a case against any of the teams immediately below. Much like Atlanta, there are league observers who wonder about the shift in offensive philosophy, post-Bill Musgrave. The other side of the ball has been problematic for Jack Del Rio, save for an abysmal playoff game at NRG Stadium. Still, you don't want to overreact to an unwatchable postseason game in Houston. The Texans did that with Brian Hoyer, then spent Derek Carr-type money on Brock Osweiler. We saw how that worked out. One last thought: Mario Edwards Jr. being healthy could loom large for this team, albeit under the radar.
RANK
5
STEELERS
Steelers fans are far too classy to admit this ... but ... tell me they aren't happy that there's suspension talk swirling around a star running back -- and it's not Le'Veon Bell. Word. Maybe Pittsburgh still doesn't win the AFC championship, even with a healthy Bell. OK, but I feel people miss what a spectacular season he put together. The dude averaged -- AVERAGED -- more than 150 yards per game. The defense still carries a few concerns. Once thought to be a key figure for the future, third-year player Senquez Golson got hurt. Again. You work so hard to reach a lifetime goal, then can't enjoy or build on it when you get there. It sucks royally.
RANK
6
GIANTS
Yes. Giants over Cowboys. For now. The right side of the offensive line is a concern, as is the running game. Well, the Seahawks don't prioritize their offensive line. The Cowboys' defense -- namely those who aren't suspended or in trouble with the law -- can't compete with either team. All three are more set at quarterback than the Chiefs. Therein lies the explanation for New York at sixth. The air game could be an air raid, if Eli Manning plays like he did in 2014 and '15, rather than last year's so-so campaign. Weapons? Many.
RANK
7
SEAHAWKS
Amidst the Jay Cutler headshots, Zeke Elliott non-news stories and Hall of Fame speech timers, a small NFL trade was missed. Not shocking. The Seahawks acquired D.J. Alexander, a special teams ace in K.C. who will help Pete Carroll keep the Seahawks' M.O.: Give Seattle's opponents flat nothing on the special teams front, then, with said opponents dealing with oft-poor field position, trot a defense out there that has allowed fewer than two touchdowns and a field goal per game over the last five years. It works, apparently. And if Big Ed runs the clock ...
RANK
8
COWBOYS
Cowboys fans anxiously await an Ezekiel Elliott ruling to come down, one way or another. And the secondary is still a concern, with Blaine Gabbert burning a couple of starters and Anthony Brown burning a hamstring -- all of which plays second fiddle to Jerry Jones' deserved enshrinement. Although I was in Canton this weekend, I didn't go to his now-famous celebration bash, complete with Jerryism napkins and Justin Timberlake. (I heard J.T. opened with "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.") Jones was entertaining in his speech and received much respect from all the Hall of Famers who made the trip. Most important to Dallas fans, by a mile: J.J. gave credit where credit was due -- to the other J.J. Hats off, Jimmy Johnson.
RANK
9
CHIEFS
We haven't visited the Chiefs in the Power Rankings since the ouster of GM John Dorsey. And while that might not affect their current standing here too much, it is fair to ponder the direction of the operation, considering the success Kansas City has enjoyed over the last few years. One opposing front office exec told the Kansas City Star that he was "shocked" by the divorce, saying Dorsey had built the "top-to-bottom best roster in the league."
Moving along ... After spending the week in Canton and talking to a number of senior voters, I can tell you that more former Chiefs came up than alums of any other franchise. The list of serious candidates we discussed included Johnny Robinson, Otis Taylor and Deron Cherry. Robinson is the only player to lead both the AFL and NFL in interceptions. It's bull#%$* more former K.C. stars are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Among modern era candidates, Albert Lewis receives no love -- but he was a top-shelf player for a looooong time.
RANK
10
BUCCANEERS
Tampa-ites ... Tampa Bay-ans ... (
) ... are pumped for this year's edition. If only it was 1982 again, and you could order Doug Williams PJs from the Sears catalogue. The creamsicle unis might be gone, but the Bucs do have a franchise quarterback. Coupled with an ascending defense sprinkled with young playmakers (SEE: Alexander, Kwon), Tampa Bay should challenge for the NFC South crown. The worry was, is and remains running back. Thinking Doug Martin will emerge once again, but I can't crawl inside Dirk Koetter's head, either. Jacquizz?...
RANK
18
VIKINGS
The Vikes win the unrankable award for this preseason exercise. Are they "10 wins" good? Do they suck? Will Sam Bradford attempt a pass farther than 5 yards beyond his center's helmet? Will Teddy Bridgewater make it back this year? Heck, will he ever play for Minnesota again? Will Laquon Treadwell catch more than one pass from either QB? We've got questions; nobody has answers. Now, that defense still owns the personnel to be top-five in points allowed. Can't wait to see what Danielle Hunter produces this season.
18
VIKINGS
The Vikes win the unrankable award for this preseason exercise. Are they "10 wins" good? Do they suck? Will Sam Bradford attempt a pass farther than 5 yards beyond his center's helmet? Will Teddy Bridgewater make it back this year? Heck, will he ever play for Minnesota again? Will Laquon Treadwell catch more than one pass from either QB? We've got questions; nobody has answers. Now, that defense still owns the personnel to be top-five in points allowed. Can't wait to see what Danielle Hunter produces this season.
Rest at the link above.
... and neither is this Chris guy.