rodjmaw

I like that they rank the saints in the top 10, but I can't see how the packers and dolphins are ranked higher. Packers only made the playoffs cuz they're in a weak division. Dolphins didn't make the playoffs either, and I think their offense is overrated even with Ricky Williams. I hope the saints prove me right and be #1 come playoffs

http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrank/offseason.html

pakowitz

hey rod, read my topic \"espn.com\'s offseason power poll\" lol im sure ull enjoy it

JOESAM2002

I read it Pak. The sad thing is until we quit losing the last 3 or 4 games of every year it\'s true.

FWtex

My opinion ... a 3rd grader could have come up with that list. There did not look to be any thought put into the list other than going off last years finish.

I don\'t think the Bucs will win their playoff game this year and raiders will not be in contention. Age will catch up to them this year. I really don\'t know who will be the big winner this year because 15 teams looks fairly even. I do think Miami and Buffalo will be much improved this year and finish higher than this guy projected.

In the NFC south the title is up for grabs. Tampa does not have talent on anyone. If they play error free ball they will win but it will take ERROR FREE ball. I look for minnesota to be a surprise team this year.

I will not go so far as to predict the superbowl teams but I do think the NFC south and AFC East will be represented.

pakowitz

how can u say no thought went into it and that the list was made by going off last years finish? looking at it, 3 of the top 10 teams didnt make the playoffs.... the giants who did are at #18, the 49ers who did are at #14, the jets who did at #11, the colts who did at #13... we are at #10 despite missing the playoffs and losing the last 3 games.. the pats who missed the playoffs are at #6 and the dolphins who missed are at #8

come on tex... u should take a longer look at things before u start yapping away

I Live In Beastmode!

BlackandBlue

...and this wouldn\'t be a big suprise to me, as they have the talent, they were just caught in an off year, which tends to happen sometimes when you have a coaching change. My suprise team this year would be the Lions. Young team, with talent on both sides of the ball. I\'d be suprised if they didn\'t break .500 this coming year.

iceshack149

Minnesota still has defensive issues, but they should do better than last year. What did they win, five games?

Tex is right about the afc east.
Miami should come out on top, assuming Feidler stays healthy. He should understand Norv Turners offense a little more this year. I don\'t think that he\'s worth the contract that the Dolphins signed him for. If they pick up Griese, they should run with him.

Buffalo had a monster off-season. They beefed up their defense but wasted the first round of their draft. How silly was that? Travis Henry had a terrific year ,fumbled a bit, but a great year none the less. They have Olandis Gary- a back that just a couple of years ago had over 1,000 yards rushing. And now a first rounder that won\'t even start this year because he snapped three major ligaments in his knee and may be a problem throughout his career.

The Patties also improved their defense. In retrospect to the draft, I\'m thrilled that we got Sullivan just because the Patriots wanted him too. Billechick is just as smug as Billick so I like when they don\'t get their way. (Sorry patman)

I didn\'t think that the Jets were very impressive at the beginning of last year so I\'m leary to speculate, but I doubt that they\'ve done enough to make the play-offs this year. Herman Edwards is a motivator though. He knows how to get his players to perform at their highest level. Something I wish that Haslett could do better at.

Tex is also right about the nfc south. All those teams have made good moves to improve an already solid division.

Man, I\'m pumped for this season. The Saints look good, fellas. I think we all agree that they may be one super free agent away from a really good defense. I hope that there will be one come June 1.

"...it's good to have friends, no matter where they are."--JOESAM2002

lumm0x

One super defensive player and a coordinator that can adjust to offenses would be the right step.

iceshack149

You\'re right there lummox. Maybe the super defensive \"player\" could be a defensive coordinator.

[Edited on 8/5/2003 by iceshack149]

truck

It\'s unfair to criticize pre-season, pre-training camp power polls. WHo the hell knows who will be good yet? At least a team or two will have soem devastating injury in the summer and slip and one or two others will emerge. Picking the Miami-NE-BUff-NY division is impossible, Minus the Jets (who still got Robertson- according to Kiper may have had highest grade of ANY player), all the teams in that division improved.
I\'m not so sure the Raiders and Bucs will fade. I said Oakland would last year- oops. Now they bring back the same team plus two fist round players. Don\'t forget Phil Buchanon (hurt for second half of the year) was becoming Deon-esque prior to his injury and Napoleon Harris (other 02 1st rounder) and DOug Jolley (02 2nd rounder) came on big time at the end of last season. As for the Bucs, they won w/o their 2nd best defensive player (next to brooks)- LSU\'s own Booger mCFarland - for a god part of last season (I think he was still out when they won the SUper Bowl as well). Now, they get him back healthy, a contract year Sapp, FA DeWayne Rudd, a better back up QB. If Pittman somehow gets comfortable in this system and does what Gruden thought he would last year this team is as good as any.
As for the Saints, I DO NOT like the 10 spot. I want them to be 22-32. Expect nothing and you will be surprised. Every year they look good to me they screw up and every year they look bad they overachieve and surprise me. Plus. this team has no proven lb, a rookie and a fattie in the middle and dale carter as our marquee corner. I think the Saints have a good shot at the playoffs and I love their moves this ofseason but 10 seems a little high.