Two Weeks Notice

Last night there wasn't a single sporting event of any real importance played. Oh sure, you had the WNBA and triple-A All-Star games, but that was it. Even ESPN chose last night to hold their annual ESPY Awards, primarily because of the widespread availability of so many athletes. (Its a good thing Manny Ramirez wasn't nominated, isn't it?)

We won't have many more nights like July 12th, though. In just two weeks, all 32 NFL teams will have opened their training camps for the 2006 season of the National Football League.

The signs of this shift are already apparent. On July 18th, EA Sports will release NCAA 2007, which to me, always indicates that football season is getting closer. Watch the BottomLine on ESPN broadcasts and you'll see the reporting of teams signing their choices from April's draft. Even NFL writers are going through their own version of training camp, publishing articles like John Clayton's 53-man dream team, which leads to a colleague within the same news organization critiquing the fictional roster. We've seen ESPN's "Ultimate Depth Charts", the various sports news outlets ranking the top QBs, RBs and popcorn vendors for all 32 teams.

So with that said, I figured that I'd better get myself into writing shape for the 2006 season. And what better way to do that than to unveil my very first "Power Rankings" as we inch closer to the 2006 NFL season!

I will only be ranking how I see the Top 5 teams in NFL. Beyond that, the teams will be categorized in terms of their chances of making the playoffs.

The Elite

#1. Seattle Seahawks - Despite losing All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson and WR Joe Jurevicius, the 2006 Seahawks may be a far better group than the 2005 team that represented the NFC in Super Bowl XL.

The front office used the money earmarked for Hutchinson on Julian Peterson, who many "experts" believe, when healthy, is the best outside linebacker in the entire NFL. Seattle also added local product WR Nate Burelson to the WR corps, and added Tom Ashworth, a versatile veteran offensive lineman with Super Bowl experience, for depth at the offensive line spot.

Playing 10 games against the weak NFC West and NFC North should equate to another division crown for the Seahawks, as well as homefield advantage in January.

#2. Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis was the best team throughout much of the 2005 season, and despite being relatively inactive during free agency, the Colts did manage to improve themselves as they head into 2006.

Despite being outplayed by Pittsburgh for much of the divisional playoff game, the Colts had a chance to tie the game in the waning moments. Unfortunately, Mike Vanderjagt delivered one of the worst kicks in his idiot life, and the Colts season ended. If the Colts are in a similar position in 2006, they'll be turning their fate over to the most clutch kicker of this generation, and perhaps of all-time, Adam Vinatieri.

The Colts defense is very good, and didn't suffer any casualties in the off-season. Offensively, the Colts should be just as good as they always are, even without "The Edge". I loved the selection of Joseph Addai from LSU, and he could unseat projected starter Dominic Rhodes by the end of October.

#3. New England Patriots - As each day passed in free agency, I kept trying to figure just what, if anything, the Patriots were planning on doing. Vinatieri left for a conference rival. David Givens was allowed to mosey to Tennessee. Even Willie McGinest, a defensive stalwart for the Patriots for 11 seasons, was allowed to move on. The only free agent of any significance the Patriots signed was Reche Caldwell, and he's a #3 WR at best.

Then I remembered something: New England has the league's best overall QB (Brady) and best head coach (Belichick), and last year's team was much better than a 10-6 record and earlier than usual playoff exit. Injuries to key players (Rodney Harrison, Richard Seymour, Corey Dillon, Tedy Bruschi, Dan Koppen, Matt Light) slowed this team down to a 10-6 finish. I repeat, they were slowed down to a 10-6 finish.

This year, all those guys, with the possible exception of Rodney Harrison, are 100% healthy. They could have Ty Law back at CB, and while I think he's washed up and not worth an 8-figure bonus, New England might view that as a bargain for the psychological lift he'll give the secondary. New England drafted very well, picking up two impact skill-position players (RB Laurence Maroney, WR Chad Jackson) who won't be expected to start and can be eased into their NFL career.

New England also plays in the same division as the NY Jets and Buffalo Bills, two teams not headed for the playoffs, and the Miami Dolphins, everyone's sexy pick to make a run at the Pats crown. The thing about the Dolphins is nobody knows if Duante Culpepper will be ready to start the season (leaving Joey Harrington as the starter) and what will be the fallout from Zach Thomas' sister filing for a divorce with Thomas' teammate, Jason Taylor?

#4. Carolina Panthers - Pundits tend to overlook just how good the Carolina Panthers have been under John Fox. I mean, if this team doesn't lose Kris Jenkins and Steve Smith in 2004, they make the playoffs. If they managed to hang onto Mushin Muhammed in 2005, they could've made another Super Bowl appearance.

This team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. There's no denying that, and I'm not at all surprised to see them land at the very top of other football writers' "Power Rankings". But I do have some problems with this team.

For starters, I'm not sure about the running backs. Nick Goings has never demonstrated the durability necessary to be "the guy" at this level, and DeAngelo Williams, though very talented, is an unproven commodity. I question whether or not Drew Carter or Keary Colbert can step up and make plays in the passing game, since every team is going to bracket Steve Smith all game long, and I really question why Keyshawn Johnson, the black Ricky Proehl, is viewed as being "the answer" to the problems in the passing game.

When I factor those offensive question marks, as well as my concerns about this team remaining healthy after 10 games against the NFC South and NFC East (toughest two divisions in the league), I can't reasonably project the Panthers to take the NFC.

They're still a damn good team, though.

#5. Denver Broncos - A year ago, I would've been surprised if the Broncos finished above .500. They ended up hosting the AFC Championship game. Whoops!

I'm still not sold on any team that has Jake "I Drive a Honda Element" Plummer calling the signals. Sorry Broncos fans, I just can't do it. I don't like that Mike Anderson is gone, but I'm willing to give Tatum Bell and Ron Dayne a shot. I liked the acquisition of Javon Walker, and I thought that Denver did a very good job in the NFL Draft.

I also like Denver because I view the AFC West as being a two-horse race (KC is the only other playoff-caliber team in the division) and Denver has a better defense than Kansas City.

A Glaring Omission?

I'm sure you're wondering where the defending Super Bowl champions are, so allow me to explain why I don't think they're a Top 5 team heading into 2006. I assure you it has nothing to do with a.) my being a fan of the Seattle Seahawks or b.) my bitterness over what transpired in Super Bowl XL.

#1. I'm not even sure if the Steelers are the best team in their division, nevermind the entire AFC. If Carson Palmer comes back at 100%, the Bengals will repeat as AFC North champs.

#2. They allowed Antwan Randle-El to leave via free agency, and replaced him with an unproven turd (Santonio Holmes). Big mistake. Randle-El is a rare athlete, and gave the Steelers a diverse weapon. Holmes gives the team's a rookie that's averaged one arrest per month since turning pro.

#3. "The Bus" has retired. He was their leader, and now he's rolled off into the sunset. Willie Parker is a good back who had a fine season and Super Bowl, but even the most devout Steelers has to wonder if Parker is more Timmy Smith, than he is Emmitt Smith.

#4. How can I put a team in the Top 5 when their star QB is head-butting Chrylsers at 35mph?

The Playoff Caliber Teams

AFC
Miami Dolphins - Technically, they could get in as a Wild Card. If, and only if, Culpepper is 100% and Ronnie Brown has a monster sophomore season.
Pittsburgh Steelers - The defense is good enough to get them into the party. Hey, "Drink Like a Champion", right?
Cincinnati Bengals - It all hinges on whether or not Carson Palmer can come back.
Baltimore Ravens - In all honesty, they could win the AFC North with a healthy Steve McNair. Then again, has that ever happened?
Jacksonville Jaguars - Jacksonville probably the #6 team. Great defense, emerging offense and 4 games against Houston and Tennessee each year.
Kansas City Chiefs - Larry Johnson has 2,000 rushing yards written all over him. Same could be said about the Chiefs run defense.

NFC
New York Giants - Improved secondary and linebacking corps. This team will only go as far as Eli Manning can take them.
Dallas Cowboys - Am I the only one who thinks Terrell Owens and Bill Parcells would make an excellent buddy cop tandem? "Tonight on FOX: T.O. & the Tuna"
Philadelphia Eagles - Health, both physical and mental, should be improved in '06.
Washington Redskins - Solid defense, even without Lavar Arrington. Does Brunell last another full season, though?
Chicago Bears - Dominating defense, pitiful offense. That's probably enough to win the NFC North again.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - I'm convinced that nobody remembers that Tampa Bay, not Carolina, won the NFC South last year.
Atlanta Falcons - You have to like the addition of John Abraham. Maybe with the long-term security, he'll actually take the skirt off and play in a playoff game.

Teams Thinking About Winning This Year...Maybe

AFC
Buffalo Bills - With a 85-year old GM leading the rebuilding effort, you'd better at least think about winning this year.(Ok, they really belong in the group below)
San Diego Chargers - They have a good defense (I think), and the most talented running back in the NFL (I know), but is Philip Rivers ready to lead this team to the playoffs? (I doubt it)

NFC
Minnesota Vikings - My apologies to Sean Salisbury, but one left guard doesn't make up for the lack of proven talent at the skill positions. If they weren't in the NFC North, they'd be ranked much lower.
Green Bay Packers - All the running backs are back in the fold, as is Brett Favre. Problem is, who is he going to throw the ball to?
Arizona Cardinals - Great skill position players, absolutely no offensive line. If they merged with the Vikings, they'd be an elite team.
St. Louis Rams - With Mike Martz out of the picture, maybe the Rams will actually run the ball now that they've improved the offensive line. Defensively they're too much of a mess to make a serious run.

The Brady Quinn (?) Sweepstakes

Below are the teams who have virtually no shot at the post-season:

San Francisco 49ers - Worst team in football. Period.
New York Jets - Bad, but you can at least see where they're heading
Tennessee Titans - Same as the Jets, but nowhere near ready to tackle the Colts or Jaguars.
Houston Texans - Getting rid of Capers was a good start, and I actually liked (or at least understood) the selection of Mario Williams over Reggie Bush.
Detroit Lions - Be honest. You were just happy they didn't draft a WR in the 1st round.
New Orleans Saints - Reggie Bush should at least be entertaining during their upcoming 5-11 season.
Oakland Raiders - Liked the addition of Art Shell. The addition of Aaron Brooks? Not so much.
Cleveland Browns - The best of the worst. Under Crennel, the Browns will be in the playoffs by 2008.