Jets come in at 21. Not terrible for being a 4-12 team. They ask the right question. One that has been beaten to death by this board. I do believe the Jets won't be the 20th best team at the end of the season. Its a realistic starting point. Much to prove. I don't think the Cards, Titans, or Skins will be as good as us this year. EDIT: Thank You to Junc for the link.
I don't get how everyone says our biggest need was to "answer the quarterback question". How exactly would we have done that? If we traded up and drafted Matt Ryan would that have answsered the question? No, because he would be sitting for much of 2008 and even if he did get in as a starter, he'd have the same year one growing pains that Peyton/Eli Manning and all other players experience. What than else would have answered the quarterback question? There were no legitimate free agents available. The most attractive one was probably Rex Grossman. The only option to "answer" the quarterback question would have been I guess, to trade for Tony Romo or Derek Anderson or some other guy who is a proven producer as a starter in the NFL. But how exactly would we have pulled that off? I just don't get what we could have done here. Someone enlighten me....
Its about who we have at the position on talent level alone. You make great points, but I think the experts wanted us to perhaps get someone in the draft who is a little more prestigious coming out of college. They have no faith in who we have, and honestly neither do I. They want us to have a bona fide starter- not these guys with a laundry list of questions behind them... I'm in that camp too, but being a huge fan of this team I deal with what we have at QB and hope for the best. To sum it up, they think Chad is over the hill and on the decline of his career and not worthy of starting, and Kellen is the biggest 3rd year QB question mark in the NFL. I would like this thread to NOT be about our QB problems please. Let's all just relax and not debate who is better for the starting job, we've beat that horse to death 5 times over.
I hear ya NDmick. But drafting a big name quarterback in this past draft, given QB development time in the NFL, should have no bearing on the 2008 power rankings, that's my only point. As for our QB situation, I agree not ideal, but with only about 7 plus starts and a HORRIBLE offensive line last year, it's tought to evaluate Clemens solely on 2007. If he looks really bad in training camp and (if he starts) the first 4 games of the seasont his year, than I'll agree we have a problem.
The NFC East is the most competitive division in the NFL. All four teams will be competiting for a playoff spot. The Skins just have a chance to score a lot of points if Jason Campbell performs well. Santana Moss and Antwan Randle El lining up inside and Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly lining up outside. That's a pretty nice group of receivers if the rookies pan out. Also, Chris Cooley and Clinton Portis always produce...if they're healthy.
I have this odd feeling they will take a step back with Zorn at the helm, as much as I like him, and they lost Greg Williams when they shouldn't have due to the loss of Sean Taylor- which I think will still hurt that team. And they do have to play their division opponents as well. I see them winning 6 games. Just a gut feeling. I blame it on Snyder if I'm right.
I can definitely see them taking a step back with Zorn, but they could also take a huge step forward with him as the HC as well. The Skins defense will definitely be worse without Greg Williams leading them. I just think it all depends on Jason Campbell's play at QB. If they can score points, they can beat the Giants and the Eagles. The Cowboys will be able to score with them... It's either Wild Card or 5 to 6 wins for Washington. (Snyder sucks)
NFC East? I'd be more worried about the AFC South. Colts, Jags, Titans and Texans? The Texans were 10-6, with their losses all coming against the Jags, Colts and Titans. The Titans lost some players so they're the question mark but the other three teams will be at least as good as last year, which is to say, better than almost everyone else in the league.
That spot is awesome! Basically moved up 8 spots before even taking a snap. Thats how good the offseason was for the Jets. Imagine some successful QB play. Wow!
...the Jags and the Colts are scary teams but the Texans are still a mediocre non-playoff team, that's getting better. They weren't 10-6, but Tennessee was. Houston finished 8-8, and they should stay around 6-10 and 8-8 next season, but they are getting there. Vince Young is key to the Titans' success, and I am not a believer. They had a horrible draft, and didn't get him any help at receiver. Bad move. Fisher is probably on his way out as HC.
Random thoughts on the list: The Browns as a top 10 team kind of says alot about this league right now. After the top tier teams the other teams could basically be moved around daily. The Saints have the potential to be sick. Their D suddenly looks a whole lot better now that it's got guys like Smith, Grant, Ellis, Vilma, McCray, Fujita, Morgan, and some OK young secondary talent.
The Browns are actually a damn good team though, especially if Derek Anderson proves he's the real deal again.
I really find no value in these power rankings at all. To me it's an attention plea from these "experts" to get all sorts of hate mail and messages from fanatics about their teams ranking. It's also a tool to get people to click their way to ESPN.com and maybe click an ad to get ESPN some extra $$$. Here's an example of the "experts" at work: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?week=0&season=2007 Preseason 2007 season: New York Jets @ 12 New York Giants @ 17 & Green Bay @ 24 (13-3!!). I'd rather spend my time reading about Britney's BMs.
I agree the AFC South is a pretty rough division but if you look at the NFC East, two years ago, both wildcard spots were taken by the NFC East and of course this past year, the Giants won the superbowl from the wildcard. The AFC South is strong but then again so is most of the AFC, because last year a 10-6 team didn't even get a chance into the playoffs. So looking at divisions alone, the NFC East is always competitive and if the Redskins can play to their potential, it will be another crazy year for that division.
i dont like anderson as a qb i dont think he can carry a team the only reason he did good last year was because of a good team around him and the only got better so he's just gonna look better but maybe they'll put quinn up on the trading block if anderson continues to look good :grin:
