New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Power rankings offseason.. Saints 13th

POWER RANKINGS
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1 New England Patriots -
There is no way this team can be anywhere but in this top spot. Losing two coordinators won't stop the Patriots from being the 2005 favorite.

2 Indianapolis Colts -
The main goal of the offseason will be to improve the defense. They have to add more players on that side of the ball somehow.

3 Philadelphia Eagles -
They took the next step, but now it's time to take the biggest step. The running game has to get better.

4 Pittsburgh Steelers -
They will again be a factor in the AFC, but there has to be some concern about the way Ben Roethlisberger played late in the season.

5 Baltimore Ravens -
This is a team that should make a major leap forward. If they somehow get Randy Moss, it could be a Super leap.

6 Atlanta Falcons -
That was a heck of a first year for coach Jim Mora, but the passing game has to improve if this is going to be a Super Bowl team.

7 San Diego Chargers -
They made a big move this year, but was it a fluke or can it be sustained? That's a big question.

8 New York Jets -
The uncertainty surrounding Chad Pennington's rotator cuff problems make it tough to gauge this team for 2005. That's a serious injury. They will be lower if he can't go for some time.

9 Seattle Seahawks -
Their offseason will be filled with lots of work with so many pending free agents, including Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander.

10 Jacksonville Jaguars -
They have a few holes to fill, but they will push the Colts for the division title next year.

11 Denver Broncos -
Mike Shanahan has not won a playoff game since John Elway retired. So is the heat on?

12 Green Bay Packers -
This ranking is based on Brett Favre returning. If he doesn't, they will be in the bottom 10.

13 New Orleans Saints -
They came on strong in the last four weeks, saving coach Jim Haslett's job. Now they need to find a way to carry it over to 2005.

14 Buffalo Bills -
They have a lot of the pieces in place, so it all could be on rookie passer J.P. Losman, who is expected to take over as the starter.

15 Carolina Panthers -
They fought through a ton of injuries in 2004 and almost made the playoffs, so they have to feel good going into 2005.

16 Minnesota Vikings -
They have the Randy Moss issue to resolve. If he is traded, what will that do to this team?

17 Kansas City Chiefs -
The offense again played at a high level in 2004, but it's time for the defense to do something in 2005 in what should be Dick Vermeil's last year.

18 Houston Texans -
It's time for this team to take the next step and compete for a playoff spot. It's year four of the five-year plan.

19 Cincinnati Bengals -
Carson Palmer has the offense in good hands, so now it's time for the defense to show some improvement.

20 Tennessee Titans -
This is a franchise moving in the wrong direction, proof the salary cap is a crippler if you don't manage it right.

21 St. Louis Rams -
Does anybody get the feeling they are ready to push for a Super Bowl? Didn't think so. Could 2005 be the end for Mike Martz?

22 Washington Redskins -
It's time for Patrick Ramsey to step up and show he's the guy the Redskins thought he was when they used a first-round pick on him.

23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers -
Jon Gruden is taking a lot of heat in Tampa, and some of his personnel decisions warrant it. But he's too good a coach for this team to stay down for long.

24 Detroit Lions -
Is Joey Harrington good enough to take this young team to the next level? We really don't know, but it's doubtful.

25 Oakland Raiders -
That defense has to get better if the Raiders are to compete for a playoff spot in 2005.

26 Dallas Cowboys -
They have two first-round picks, which will help, but who will be the quarterback?

27 Arizona Cardinals -
Dennis Green gets a lot of respect as a coach, but if he really thinks Josh McCown is the answer at quarterback he's mistaken.

28 Chicago Bears -
They will get Rex Grossman back at quarterback, but is that enough to move the Bears to a playoff-caliber team? Doubtful.

29 New York Giants -
Eli Manning showed enough as a rookie to give this franchise hope. Now he has to get some help at other positions.

30 Miami Dolphins -
The Dolphins are two or three years away. Nick Saban is the right man for the job, even if the way he goes about things can grate on people.

31 Cleveland Browns -
Can Romeo Crennel bring the New England magic to Cleveland? It will take time.

32 San Francisco 49ers -
New coach Mike Nolan has loads of work to do. At least he has the No. 1 pick to get it started.

Wow... 13th?! Ahead of Carolina? I'm pretty shocked.