Power Rankings – Post Free Agency Edition
Dec 30, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) pitches the ball out against the Carolina Panthers during second half of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Carolina Panthers defeated the New Orleans Saints 44-38. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Most free agents have signed and the draft is on the horizon so here is the up to date power rankings.
32. Oakland Raiders – They just traded Carson Palmer and now outside of McFadden are there any players on their roster with any talent? Al Davis would not approve of this but the Raiders are as close to rock bottom as you can possibly can get.
31. Jacksonville Jaguars – They put covers over seats to sellout games and yet they won’t do the P.R. thing to do and trade for local hero Tim Tebow. Is it safe to say the Gabbert equals Bust?
30. Buffalo Bills – Is Geno Smith going here in the draft? When was the last time that the Bills made the playoffs? C.J. Spiller should be ready for a huge season if he can stay healthy for 16 games.
29. Tennessee Titans – Ryan Fitzpatrick versus Jake Locker must get Titans fans excited…..NOT! How long will Kenny Britt stay healthy or out of trouble?
28. New York Jets – Mark Sanchez is not an elite quarterback, Shonn Greene is not an elite running back, the Jets aren’t an elite team no matter what blowhard Rex Ryan has to say and he has a lot to say.
27. Detroit Lions – When did they win last? September? This is just a fantasy football team that cannot win real games. This will be Jim Schwartz last season. Reggie Bush could have a big year in Motown.
26. Cleveland Browns – I like the aggressive move to get Paul Kruger, but they are still the Browns. They are still at least a year away from playoff contention.
25. Kansas City Chiefs – I really liked the Andy Reid hire, but then they traded for Alex Smith, one step forward five steps back.
24. Philadelphia Eagles – Chip Kelly will not be able to recruit for better talent then the other teams in the NFC East, it will be interesting to see if his system can work in the NFL or will he be just another Steve Spurrier.
23. Carolina Panthers – Which team is this? the one that was horrible in the first half of the season or the team that finished winning 5 of 6. They didn’t have any money for free agents so they will have to do some good work in the draft.
22. Minnesota Vikings – Losing Percy Harvin will be a bigger deal than picking up Greg Jennings. Christian Ponder will have to be more consistent so they don’t waste the great seasons of Adrian Peterson.
21. Arizona Cardinals – I like the Carson Palmer move for both real and fantasy football especially for Larry Fitzgerald. They will still need to have a strong draft from top to bottom.
20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – They are a young team but are they a team on the rise?
19. San Diego Chargers – Norv Turner is finally gone will this help or hurt Phillip Rivers who has not seemed himself for two straight seasons or maybe this is normal self.
18. Miami Dolphins – Will Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline become Clayton and Duper? Depends on Tanneyhill’s progress, but the loss of Bush has to hurt the offense some.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Goodbye Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenahall. It sure feels like the Steelers are in decline, they will need a good draft this year.
16. New York Giants – The only thing they have kept is Victor Cruz and they have lost all the rest. Eli will have to save Tom’s job again in December, but isn’t this how the Giants thrive?
15. Chicago Bears – Yes I really like all the offensive moves the Bears have made under Emery especially addressing the Left Tackle position, but I’m more concerned about an aging defense that will be under new leadership for the first time in years.
14. St Louis Rams – Adding Jared Cook could be a lot bigger than Jake Long, but these additions will give Jeff Fisher and a young team on the rise more pieces to play with to contend with the Seahawks and 49ers.
13. Baltimore Ravens – Do they have anyone left under contract besides Joe Flacco? Like the Bears losing Urlacher, having Ray Lewis retire will be their biggest obstacle which they will struggle with for more than a year to come.
12. Dallas Cowboys – Romo is locked up and they didn’t lose anyone so that should guarantee another up and down 8-8 season right?
11. Washington Redskins – RG3’s health will decide what this team does in 2013. Cousins is ok in a pinch but the dose always will need to be RG3!
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Very strong offensive nucleus that hasn’t lost anything in free agency. They will need to have another good draft.
9. Indianapolis Colts – Welcome LaRon Landry to the team. Last years inspirational story, how will the team play without a special cause in 2013? Was this just inspired football or a team on the rise with another young developing franchise quarterback.
8. Green Bay Packers – I know losing Charles Woodson will hurt them in their two matchup’s against the Bears and Jay Cutler, but losing Greg Jennings could be the move that hurts them long term especially if James Jones has his brick hands return in 2013.
7. Atlanta Falcons – Having Tony Gonzalez play one more season is the biggest signing they could have made. Stephen Jackson is the same as Michael Turner…Not much left in the tank.
6. Houston Texans – Does Ed Reed have anything left and can he be the piece that finally leads this team over the hump and into the Super Bowl promise land?
5. San Francisco 49ers – Losing Goldson will hurt. Will Kaepernick be a one hit wonder or will Harbaugh be able to get every last ounce of talent out of him and return to the Super Bowl. Under the radar Michael Crabtree after a slow start to his career is ready for a breakout season epecially after the solid 2012 season Crabtree had.
4. New England Patriots – The only player in the NFL that could replace Wes Welker was Amendola. The evil empire strikes back and should have another great year look for a lot of defensive draft picks this year.
3. Denver Broncos – Just what Peyton Manning needed he got. Wes Welker will make this receiving corp almost impossible to defend. The only problem is that Manning struggles outdoors in the playoffs so maybe they should just try to be a #4 seed and win out on the the road.
2. Seattle Seahawks – The most dynamic offense that continued to improve each week gets Percy Harvin….not fair! 4th rated defense gets Cliff Avril too should be an exciting shootout for first between Pete Carroll and Jim Harbaugh I mean the Seahawks and 49ers
1. New Orleans Saints – The biggest offseason move by any team wasn’t a signed contract, but the NFL reinstating Sean Payton. This team with its general back in charge will be a tough nut to crack all season long, Good luck NFC South!