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Power Rankings: Colts still the kings
Peter Schrager
Special to FOXSports.com, Updated 24 minutes ago
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6897650
With the NFL's opening weekend still a good three months away, it may seem a bit premature to put out our first NFL Power Rankings of the 2007 season in June. Training camp, the preseason, and about 300 previews praising the 49ers as "This year's Saints" haven't even begun yet.
Then again, after an off-season packed with player movement, coaching changes, and more disciplinary issues than a fifth grade class — we might as well sort things out the best we possibly can. If the NFL season were to start today, here would be our NFL Power Rankings. Agree or disagree, let us know how you feel.
(You can find the rest of the rankings at the above hyperlink; too much info to put here frankly)
11. Philadelphia Eagles — Philadelphia lost two of their biggest offensive weapons from last year's squad with Jeff Garcia signing with Tampa Bay and Donte Stallworth going up to New England. But Donovan McNabb's healthy
and in comes Kevin Curtis as an underneath threat at receiver. Takeo Spikes still has some good football left in him and the Eagles picked up some potential contributors in the draft. They're the favorites in the NFC East this season, but did they improve from last year? Probably too close to call at this point.
14. Dallas Cowboys — Goodbye Tuna, hello Bum's kid. It's a new era in Dallas, and with word of a Super Bowl and a Cleveland first-round pick coming to town in the next few years, there's unbridled optimism about the future of Cowboys football. Tony Romo's dating an American Idol, T.O.'s been a model citizen, and the offensive line picked up some valuable new parts over the off-season. Could it really be all so, what's the word — tranquil — in Dallas ? It seems so. Of course, there's still some question marks at defensive back, and the starting receivers — Terry Glenn and T.O. — are both in their mid-30s. But all that considered, Dallas should still be in the hunt for a division crown this season, and, at the very least, another Wild Card spot.
19. New York Giants — As Tiki Barber provides holiday gift-giving tips in the mornings and insight on NBC football games on Sunday nights, the Giants will move on without him. The Brandon Jacobs/Reuben Droughns era has officially begun. What exactly that means, no one knows for sure. Big Blue got rid of several familiar names and faces in the off-season including LaVar Arrington, Carlos Emmons, Chad Morton, Tim Carter and Luke Petitgout. They did well enough in the draft by scooping up potential starters Aaron Ross and Steve Smith, but failed to address their offensive line woes until the sixth round. When it all comes down to it, though — this is Eli's season. Make-or-break time for Mr. Manning. After two straight first-round playoff exits, is this the year the Giants go one round deeper? I don't have a magic 8 ball — but all signs point to no.
25. Washington Commanders — I actually like the Commanders as a sleeper pick in the NFC this season. Sure, Clinton Portis needs to stop discussing dog fights with the media, and yes, the Commanders only had one pick the entire first day of the NFL Draft. But on the field, the Portis/Ladell Betts duo could very well form the best 1-2 rushing combo in the entire league. Al Saunders threw a lot at the Commanders in his first year as offensive coordinator, with a playbook rumored to be the size of a phone directory. Year 2 could be the breakout season where it all comes together. Then again, even if Jason Campbell develops into a star, Santana Moss returns to his 2005 form, and the rushing attack tears up the league — that defense is still a mess. Washington did bring in London Fletcher-Baker and LaRon Landry — two immediate starters — but failed to address a porous (that's generous) defensive line. That'll once again be the team's undoing. This is an 8- or 9-win team at best.
Special to FOXSports.com, Updated 24 minutes ago
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/6897650
With the NFL's opening weekend still a good three months away, it may seem a bit premature to put out our first NFL Power Rankings of the 2007 season in June. Training camp, the preseason, and about 300 previews praising the 49ers as "This year's Saints" haven't even begun yet.
Then again, after an off-season packed with player movement, coaching changes, and more disciplinary issues than a fifth grade class — we might as well sort things out the best we possibly can. If the NFL season were to start today, here would be our NFL Power Rankings. Agree or disagree, let us know how you feel.
(You can find the rest of the rankings at the above hyperlink; too much info to put here frankly)
11. Philadelphia Eagles — Philadelphia lost two of their biggest offensive weapons from last year's squad with Jeff Garcia signing with Tampa Bay and Donte Stallworth going up to New England. But Donovan McNabb's healthy
and in comes Kevin Curtis as an underneath threat at receiver. Takeo Spikes still has some good football left in him and the Eagles picked up some potential contributors in the draft. They're the favorites in the NFC East this season, but did they improve from last year? Probably too close to call at this point.
14. Dallas Cowboys — Goodbye Tuna, hello Bum's kid. It's a new era in Dallas, and with word of a Super Bowl and a Cleveland first-round pick coming to town in the next few years, there's unbridled optimism about the future of Cowboys football. Tony Romo's dating an American Idol, T.O.'s been a model citizen, and the offensive line picked up some valuable new parts over the off-season. Could it really be all so, what's the word — tranquil — in Dallas ? It seems so. Of course, there's still some question marks at defensive back, and the starting receivers — Terry Glenn and T.O. — are both in their mid-30s. But all that considered, Dallas should still be in the hunt for a division crown this season, and, at the very least, another Wild Card spot.
19. New York Giants — As Tiki Barber provides holiday gift-giving tips in the mornings and insight on NBC football games on Sunday nights, the Giants will move on without him. The Brandon Jacobs/Reuben Droughns era has officially begun. What exactly that means, no one knows for sure. Big Blue got rid of several familiar names and faces in the off-season including LaVar Arrington, Carlos Emmons, Chad Morton, Tim Carter and Luke Petitgout. They did well enough in the draft by scooping up potential starters Aaron Ross and Steve Smith, but failed to address their offensive line woes until the sixth round. When it all comes down to it, though — this is Eli's season. Make-or-break time for Mr. Manning. After two straight first-round playoff exits, is this the year the Giants go one round deeper? I don't have a magic 8 ball — but all signs point to no.
25. Washington Commanders — I actually like the Commanders as a sleeper pick in the NFC this season. Sure, Clinton Portis needs to stop discussing dog fights with the media, and yes, the Commanders only had one pick the entire first day of the NFL Draft. But on the field, the Portis/Ladell Betts duo could very well form the best 1-2 rushing combo in the entire league. Al Saunders threw a lot at the Commanders in his first year as offensive coordinator, with a playbook rumored to be the size of a phone directory. Year 2 could be the breakout season where it all comes together. Then again, even if Jason Campbell develops into a star, Santana Moss returns to his 2005 form, and the rushing attack tears up the league — that defense is still a mess. Washington did bring in London Fletcher-Baker and LaRon Landry — two immediate starters — but failed to address a porous (that's generous) defensive line. That'll once again be the team's undoing. This is an 8- or 9-win team at best.
