NFL Power Poll
July Power Poll: Pre Training Camp Edition
The 2010 NFL football season is about to kick off at the end of this month with training camps opening for all 32 teams. Things are about to get much more exciting in the land of the NFL now that training camp is coming and it will be interesting to see what happens as the summer progresses. Will some of the top players in the draft make it into training camp on time? Who is going to hold out and miss time? All of the answers we need are coming soon as training camp is almost here.
It’s time to take another look at where teams rank. This time we will take a look at where they rank as they head into training camp. This is the last of our monthly polls as we will start looking at the rankings weekly from the first week of the preseason game slate on.
1. Indianapolis Colts-(LM 1) The Colts take over the top spot in the poll this month because they look like the most prepared and well put together team in the NFL. As long as contract holdout problems don’t come (any more than there could possibly be) then this team should be well on their way to getting to another AFC Championship. However, there are teams in the AFC (Baltimore and New York included) that could overcome the Colts. Will this be the last year that they reign in the AFC?
2. New Orleans Saints-(LM 1) The Saints remained basically unchanged heading into the 2010 season and could see a repeat of their success once again. Teams will be gunning for the Saints this season which will make it tough for them to win this season but as long as they keep healthy and quarterback Drew Brees is able to complete a lot of passes, this team could represent the NFC again in the Super Bowl.
3. Minnesota Vikings-(LM 3) With Brett Favre at the helm, this team is easily the third best team in the NFL and could end up winning it all if everything turns out right for them. The Vikings do need to get Favre back to make this all work however and as of this writing he is still undecided about his course of action. Their defense should be at least a little better in 2010 with some of the draftees they got but unless they have the quarterback position taken care of this team won’t be going to another championship game anytime soon.
4. Baltimore Ravens-(LM 4) The Ravens have amassed a lot of talent this offseason and after being close to winning it all in 2009 they are poised to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl in 2010. Health will be a key and as long as key players can stay healthy (such as quarterback Joe Flacco and wide receiver Anquan Boldin) this team could end up being the best in the AFC.
5. Green Bay Packers-(LM 5) The Packers still have questions on the offensive line but if they can get those problems taken care of and remain healthy then this is another NFC team that could be hard to beat when it’s all said and done. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is one of the best in the NFL and their defense was deadly at times last season. They will definitely be an interesting team to watch this season.
6. New York Jets-(LW 6) The Jets got close to the Super Bowl last season thanks to an opportunistic defense and a running game that just didn’t quit. Imagine what they could have done with an experienced quarterback. Mark Sanchez will have a year of experience under his belt and if he can adjust and stay healthy then it’s not out of the question to think that the Jets could play in the AFC Championship game again and quite possibly reach the Super Bowl.
7. San Diego Chargers-(LM 7) San Diego is in a bit of a rebuilding phase now with a new running back and problems at the wide receiver position (as we head into the season). Wide receiver Vincent Jackson will be suspended for the first part of the season and there could be other issues with holdouts. They will be starting a rookie running back as well so things could start off a little slow for the Chargers but they should be able to pick up steam as the season moves forward and make the playoffs once again.
8. Dallas Cowboys-(LM 8) The Cowboys are easily one of the most talented teams in the NFL but they couldn’t’ crack the playoff win column until last season. Will this finally be the year that the Cowboys either get into the NFC Championship game and make the Super Bowl? If they don’t what will happen to head coach Wade Phillips? Would he be on his way out of Dallas?
9. Atlanta Falcons-(LW 10) The Falcons are coming back with a healthy Matt Ryan and Michael Turner and as long as these two can stay healthy than this team could go places in 2010. The defense was retooled a little bit this offseason and should be much better as well. Their pass rush was lacking in 2009 so if they can get that working and working on a consistent basis then this team could threaten the Saints for the lead in the NFC South.
10. New England Patriots-(LM 9) it’s difficult to say this but the New England Patriots could be on a bit of a decline in 2010 thanks to all of the young talent that they have on their squad and the learning curve that comes from having to play in the NFL. Look for this to be a bit of a down year for New England but with some more experience and additional talent, this team should be competitive once again in 2011.
11. Houston Texans-(LM 11) The Texans are a team that will be one of the most interesting to watch this coming season. They got close to making the playoffs last season thanks to a bevy of offensive talent (like quarterback Matt Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson) and now with their defense improving, this could be the team that comes close toppling the Colts in their division. It will be interesting to see how their two games this year play out.
12. Miami Dolphins-(LM 14) The Dolphins move up a little bit thanks to some of the offseason moves that they have made and their strong drafting and hopes are high that this team will be able to contend for a playoff spot in 2010. Their division is going to be tough though with the Jets improving and the Patriots always playing at a high level but if they can win a few divisional games and keep on improving, they could reach the playoffs as a wild card this year.
13. New York Giants-(LM 13) The Giants have brought in defensive coordinator Perry Fewell (formerly of the Buffalo Bills) to help retool a defense that fell off big last season. Hopes are high that they can turn things around and get back to winning but there may be much more work to do than some might think. It will be interesting to see how the Giants turn things around and attempt to win in one of the toughest divisions in football.
14. Tennessee Titans-(LM 12) The Titans are going to take a step backwards this year, particularly on defense where they have lost a key player (Kyle Vandenbosch) and may not have anyone to replace him just yet. Their quarterback, Vince Young, may be in a little bit of trouble with the NFL commissioner depending on how things shake out with some of the legal problems that he has appeared to have gotten himself into. It could end up being another down year for Tennessee.
15. Chicago Bears-(LM 16) The Bears could be building a monster over in Chicago thanks to the new offense being installed by offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The defense, with some offseason enhancements, could be a tough one and as long as everyone does their job and no one important gets hurt, this team could see a turn around in 2010.
16. San Francisco 49ers-(LM 17) San Francisco could rise to the top of the NFC West if the Cardinals have as many problems as several people predict now that quarterback Kurt Warner is retired. However, this team will only go as far as their quarterback, Alex Smith will take them and after being drafted as the number one draft pick overall a few seasons ago, it’s time for him to finally step up and show that he was worth that pick.
17. Cincinnati Bengals-(LM 15) The Bengals may end up starting the season without star running back Cedric Benson. Benson landed himself in hot water this offseason and may face a suspension from the league thus missing some games. Hopefully the Bengals have a good backup plan. The rise of the Ravens may also keep the Bengals from winning the division again this year but it’s possible they could earn a wild card before it’s all said and done.
18. Denver Broncos-(LM 18) Denver had a busy offseason in gains and losses and hopes are high that they will be able to put together all of the pieces to their big puzzle and get something out of it (this season). Losing Brandon Marshall will hurt them much more than they thought that it would and they may soon realize that spending a first round pick on Tim Tebow wasn’t a smart idea. Hopefully they will be able to get things going right and get back to winning again.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers-(LM 19) The Steelers will have a difficult start to the 2010 season with their quarterback on the shelf for four games. Hopefully they won’t lose all four of those games and even splitting them would be great. Their defense needs to stay healthy this season for them to have any kind chance at winning but during Roethlisberger’s absence, the offense has to play its best football in order to keep them competitive.
20. Philadelphia Eagles-(LM 20) Will the Eagles go from a playoff team to a potential basement team in their first year without long time starting quarterback Donavan McNabb at the helm. Granted, new quarterback Kevin Kolb has performed well in two starts but he has a lot of learning to do and could struggle at the outset. It’s probably going to be a down year for the Eagles in 2010.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars-(LM 21) The Jaguars need to put fans in the stands and one great way to do that is to win games. The problem is they really didn’t do enough during the offseason to go out and get some talent to help them win. They really stretched on taking Alualu with their first round pick and don’t have a great set of wide receivers to catch the ball. If the Jaguars fail to do much this season then it could be a new coaching staff and a new city in the not too distant future.
22. Carolina Panthers-(LM 23) The Panthers may not be in too bad of shape heading into next season but their quarterback issues could be what keeps them out of the playoffs in 2010. It’s going to be a big competition and right now it’s kind of difficult to project the winner so stay tuned to this training camp battle. The Panthers will also hope that someone will be able to step up and take over for Julius Peppers as well. Perhaps Everette Brown will be able to do that.
23. Arizona Cardinals-(LM 24) The Cardinals have a quarterback problem heading into the new season thanks to the retiring of Kurt Warner. It’s now between former Cleveland Brown Derek Anderson and long time backup Matt Leinart. Who has the edge? Right now it’s tough to tell but both of these guys aren’t the “best choice” so it could be a long and tough year on offense for the Cardinals. Couple that with the loss of two starters on defense and things may not be the same in Arizona this coming season.
24. Seattle Seahawks-(LM 22) The Seahawks are a good bet to be much better in 2011 than they will be in 2010. There is a new head coach and too many new pieces to put in place for this team to be much more than a rebuilding team in 2010. With a couple more acquisitions the Seahawks could rise back into prominence in the NFC West and end up being a playoff team next season. They have a lot talent but just need a year to put it all together.
25. Detroit Lions-(LM 25) You heard it here first, the Lions will be better in 2010. They should have all of their players back and healthy (remember that quarterback Matthew Stafford and tight end Brandon Pettigrew ended their seasons hurt in 2009) which will be great for making some progress in 2010. Don’t forget about their drafting of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh who could end up being the best rookie prospect in the NFC North this season. He’s going to be very dominate in a hurry.
26. Washington Redskins-(LM 27) The Redskins acquisition of Donavan McNabb makes them instantly better but just how much better will they be in 2011. Keep in mind that they have some new players and a new head coach so things are bound to start out a little rocky. The problems with defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth will also weigh heavily on this team and until that is resolved, some of the issues on defense will continue to cause trouble.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-(LM 26) The Bucs are poised to start moving their way back up the ladder in their division but they still have a ways to go before they get things right and ready to make a run at the division. This team needs to get their defense put together as well as stay healthy at running back (or find some guys that will end up staying healthy for them at the position) as well as give second year quarterback Josh Freeman some additional time to learn. Look for them to be much better next season.
28. Oakland Raiders-(LM 29) The more you look at Raiders the more you realize that this team has finally gotten some pieces put into place to help make themselves better. Not only was their draft good but they also got quarterback Jason Campbell, a guy that could help them turn things around in 2010. Look for him to win the starting job and for the Raiders to get back on track this season and move towards a playoff berth in 2011.
29. Kansas City Chiefs-(LM 30) The Chiefs defense is looking pretty good heading into the 2010 season so if their offense can keep up its end the bargain the Chiefs just might be able to start making that long climb out of the cellar. They need solid play from their quarterback (Matt Cassell) and if they can’t get that then they might need to make a switch. It will be interesting to see what happens but this team is definitely on their way up.
30. Cleveland Browns-(LM 31) The Browns being a new season with new players at the quarterback position and the hopes that they can finally dig themselves out of the hole that they have been in and start winning some games. The quarterback position may be a position of contention however as the Browns are relying on noted turnover artist Jake Delhomme to carry them through the season. The Browns may find themselves changing quarterbacks often this season however until they can find the kind of consistency that they have been looking for at the position for several seasons.
31. Buffalo Bills-(LM 28) Speaking of quarterbacks, the Bills have problems at the quarterback position themselves heading into the 2010 season. With no proven veteran (or starter) on the squad, things could get ugly in a hurry for Buffalo and their new head coach Chan Gailey. The Bills defense should be as good or perhaps even a little better next season and their secondary, which was one of the best in the NFL in 2009.
32. St. Louis Rams-(LM 32) The Rams continue to sit at the bottom of our poll and will probably remain there for quite some time. There are still a lot of holes to fill on this team and they won’t get everything taken care of this season so they will have to look to next season in order to get things right and get on the winning track. Things will get much better in 2011.