The final article in our 3 part preseason power rankings covering the final teams 21-32. A lot of these teams deserve better. Some are transitioning, some are building a brand new roster, and others are trying to collect pieces for a competitive roster. I truly believe each team deserves recognition for the improvements they?ve made, which is why I probably wrote too much and spent too much time on this. Please enjoy.
21. Green Bay Packers
Another underrated team on my list, and honestly they really should be higher in the 17-20 range. I think the Packers have enough to be a surprise contender for a wildcard seat, but the division and the competition around them puts them in a tough spot. I really like what they did with the team in this offseason. Surrounded QB Jake Delhomme with experienced vets, who aren?t the fastest, but can really help with moving the ball. WRs Muhsin Muhammed and Derrick Mason join the roster that includes WR Laveranues Coles, three vets that can help balance the still growing Jake Delhomme. Clinton Portis and Cedric Benson packed their bags for Miami and Tampa Bay and Adrian Peterson is the young rookie to join the backfield. Portis wasn?t a game changer for them last year, so I don?t think parting with Portis will be that much of a change for the Packers. On defense the loss of CB Mike McKenzie may be felt, but Rookie CB Aaron Ross and Veteran CB David Macklin will step up. On the front 7, DT William Joseph joins the team from Seattle. All in all I do think this is a competitive roster and could make a push for 2nd in the division. Watch out Detroit!
22. New York Giants
I look at the Giants roster and I see a lot of resilience. To have this kind of offensive roster and fight for 9 wins is really impressive and I?m ashamed with my ranking at 22 because if they can perform at 9 wins then they deserve more credit. I like their roster in most areas, HB Tiki Barber is still the right choice for their backfield, a diverse WR roster with some speed, reliable TE, strong Defensive Ends, a great MLB in Zach Thomas, and a strong DB roster. I see weaknesses in their linebackers and defensive tackle, and their WRs could be a little more to be desired, but they showed last season what they can achieve with an almost identical roster. The weakness is the division got harder, and Dallas might not be as easy to defeat, which makes their schedule outside the division that much more critical. I predict the Giants will trade some losses in the division because of the confidence in Romeo to find success in game planning and understanding this roster.
23. Denver Broncos
The Jim Sorgi experiment is over and the Big Ben Era is here! After a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, the Denver Broncos have a new leader on offense and the value of Matt Jones has greatly improved! I still think there are pieces to fill on the broncos roster, I do think they took a major step forward this offseason. I won?t be surprised if they?re competing for first in the division. Another talented player to join the Broncos was Stanford Routt. I think he will play well in Denver after Deltha O?Neal was traded to Denver. The combination of Pacman Jones and Routt will be a strong duo to pass against.
24. Houston Texans
Texas has built the wall, and it may be one of the best offensive lines in SFL. The Texans spent this offseason by adding OG Alan Franca, OT Orlando Pace, OT Walter Jones and joins both C Dusty Zeigler and OG Jason Fabini. Together they will be creating running lanes for HB LT and protecting QB David Carr. If Carr can?t succeed this year, he shouldn?t be starting and GM Wade Pearce has given him the ultimate chance. He?s surrounded by WRs Donald Driver, David Terrell, and Larry Fitzgerald. And this might be the best chance for HB LeDainian Tomlinson to return to form with another 1K season. On defense, DT Warren Sapp, MLB Al Wilson, DE Kyle Vander Bosch, and a number of rising players. I do worry about having a strong CB2, but I do think that Donald Strickland will match up with the top WRs in the division. The timing is uncertain for Carr with the introduction of Drew Bledsoe and Donovan McNabb in the division within the last two years, but the Texan roster may surprise this season. On paper I think the Texans have the potential to be strong competitors this season.
25. Atlanta Falcons
In what will be his first full season GM Nic St. Marie and the Atlanta Falcons had one of the biggest hills to climb to get them ready for the 2007 season. Only the 2nd team from the NFC South to make this list, I feel like the Falcons are prepared to make a fight for first in the division. The biggest move this season was winning the contract for Tyrone Calico. Easily the biggest name to his Free Agency, the Ex-Jaguar is now in Atlanta with a huge 5-year contract worth $80M. Calico will be the cornerstone for the Falcons offense. I can see the Falcons being a bizarro version of the Saints, where the saints have strong defense and offensive running, the falcons have invested in an arial attack with pieces to build on defense. A rebuilt offense with QB B.J. Symons, from the Jets, surrounded by WR Tyron Calico, WR Koren Robinson, and WR Joe Jurevicius. All three tall receivers that can catch a ball well. A rebuilt offensive line includes OT Tra Thomas, OG Jon Runyan, and OT Fiozell Adams, should help protect their growing Quarterback and create running lanes for HB T.J. Duckett. Oh defense the loss of MLB Keith Brooking and LE Patrick Kerney will be felt. In their place MLB Buster Davis and DE Ty Warren will fill in. I can see LB being a real weakness for this team without additional help, which could be a sore spot vs divisional running team like the Saints. The biggest addition to the defense was CB Mike McKenzie, which I think is a fantastic addition vs the lower AWR QBs in the division. McKenzie could be the difference maker on this team. I have questions on how the defense will perform, but the rebuilt offense gives me hope they will stay competitive.
26. Kansas City Chiefs
After a big trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Priest Holmes is no longer a Chief and the 5th year QB Byron Leftwich will be the center piece of this year?s Kansas City team. In a year with very little change to their roster, the Chiefs will look to build off momentum last year. LB Takeo Spikes joins the roster from Miami, CB Carlos Rodgers got a big contract extension, and DT Anthony Davis joins the defensive line from Buffalo. All solid moves to help take the next step forward for this roster. The biggest opportunity for the chiefs is the climate of the division. The San Diego Chargers are still in transition with a new QB and the Denver Broncos are still assembling their roster. I like the Chief?s roster combination of TJ Houshmanzadeh and Darrell Jackson, I think they will have success this year, but I have questions about HB Tatum Bell and their backfield, which may put them in tough 3rd down situations. The landscape of the Chiefs roster looks like they can be competitive with both the Broncos and the Raiders and has the potential to trade losses to either.
27. Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are growing through the draft. An offseason that saw 9 players leave, and 1 veteran and 8 rookies join the roster, the Ravens are even-steven and a roster shift toward a younger team. Building on the success of last year, the Ravens continue to arm themselves with skilled players. Rookies WR Dwayne Jarrett and QB Tyler Thigpen were the top prospects in this draft including the draft gem (Thigpen) in this year?s draft. This is a solid roster poised for success as they continue to add experience and build progression points. The Ravens defense is going to give teams trouble, FS Ed Reed, MLB Ray Lewis, CB Chris Alister, and DE Aladius Thomas lead the team and will give the young offense opportunity each week. The offense with feature either QB Charlie Frye or Tyler Thigpen, WR Mike Williams, WR Dwayne Jarrett, and HB Jamall Lewis. The Ravens may be asking more from their HB to balance the youth of the arial attack. The division will pose a challenge, but I predict the Ravens will find continues grow and may surprise with their success.
28. Chicago Bears
The Bears are the team leading the SFL with brightest young players in the division, with a whopping 23 rostered prospects, which is a feature for the team. Brent has been playing the long game for a few seasons now and find success with a number of great drafts. On paper this looks like a great roster with a lot of players with really valuable skills. The drop in AWR has been a mismatch in the division vs teams like the Vikings and Packers who value veteran talent. We saw success of this kind of roster in Arizona only 2 seasons ago, so there is evidence that the Bears could find success. QB Alex Smith is entering his 3rd year and looking to take the step forward. Surrounded by WRs Vincent Jackson, Peerless Price, and Miles Austin, this is a growing roster, but unique skills can make the difference on this offense. ROTY Cedric Cobbs is the perfect RB for this team and will continue to be the feature each week. I am curious how well their offensive line will perform, but Brent has had experience with over-performing linemen (see LT Marc Colombo). On defense CB Corey Graham is the top rookie to join their roster, that includes Al Harris, Ken Lucas, and Corey Webster. LBs Barrett Rudd and Carlos Dansby will continue to lead the team in tackles, and DE Justin Tuck will look to build on last years success of 9 QB Sacks. I really like the direction of the Chicago Bears roster and they have a lot of potential. Each game is another opportunity for progression points and slowly reaching that next step forward.
29. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers turned over a new stone last season after trading QB Chad Pennington and QB Kerry Collins. The future was unclear on who would lead the team in 2007. For GM Anthony Cepparulo it all came together in the draft. After selecting QB Brady Quinn with the 3rd overall pick, then trading QB Charlie Whitehurst for a first round pick then selecting WR Jacoby Jones in the later first round, they got an elite WR and the top QB prospect in one night. Looking at the landscape of the Chargers roster there?s serious potential for success. Offseason additions include MLB Jamie Shaper, C Mark Birk, CBs Tory James and Fred Thomas, and HB Thomas Jones will join the San Diego defense. On offense rookie QB Brady Quinn with pair with WRs David Boston, last years rookie star Corey Rodgers, rookie Jacoby Jones and veteran Travis Taylor. A decent depth of WRs to surround your young QB. And HBs Brain Westbrook and Thomas Jones to fill the backfield. The Chargers outlook is promising this season. I?m sure Quinn will need time to develop, but we?re only a few seasons removed when Big Ben Rothlesberger made his debut with a 9-win season.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are working hard to transition their team.The addition is HB Priest Holmes to the Steelers roster from Kansas City. Holmes will be asked to carry this offense that includes QB Vince Young and WR LaTarance Dunbar. This roster also includes new OGs Chris Naeole and Brain Waters, WR Kayshawn Johnson, and HB Kevin Jones. On defense LB James Harrison, MLB Larry Foote, and DT Vince Wilfork will lead the team. I expect the Steelers will have some trouble with their defensive backs this season with CB Blue Adams being the top talent, but one look at the Falcons?s roster of past can show some hope. On offense QB Vince Young will lead the team, with WR LaTarence Dunbar, WR Keyshawn Johnson, and HB Priest Holmes. Dunbar is exceptional talent and I expect he will shine as the top WR this season. I am really curious on Vince Young?s success as he will be the only scrambling QB other than Lion?s QB Mike Vick and the various Panthers QBs. This rosters has a lot of diversity, ranging from WRs with a ton of speed and little awareness, to vets with high awareness, but lack speed. I predict this will be a challenging year, but the roster is built with intention and there is intent to add skilled players.I expect the roster will continue to change next season, but im excited to see who will remain as cornerstone players to build on.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This will be an important year for the Buccaneers as they look to get themselves out of the basement as seats are starting to get warm. The Bucs need 6 wins to avoid the hot seat. The biggest opportunity is their cap salary and will be a missed opportunity if they can?t find a way to spend the rest of the remaining 22M left on the table. DE Marcellus Wiley was the biggest name to join the Bucs roster after a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. Also some nice additions of HB Cedric Benson from Green Bay, and FS Jerome Woods from the Vikings. Those players all add value to this roster. The Bucs had first pick in the this years draft and OT Joe Thomas was selected at 1.1. The biggest upside is that Thomas will begin his first season at 90 OVR an awesome start for a rookie. The Bucs Defensive line gets me excited for their defense. DE Simon Rice, DT John Thurston and DE Marcellus Wiley will be important to stop the run first offenses of their divisional rivals, but CB Greg Brooks as their top corner makes me afraid. The Bucs will likely have to look for other DB weapons to remain competitive.On offense, QB Marc Bulger WR Dez White, and HBs Ronnie Brown and Cedric Benson are the best looking weapons. This is an incomplete roster at the moment, but I?m curious how this roster might add talent before kickoff because I do think there is opportunity and room in their salary. The defensive line, FS, Offensive line and QB give me hope there is opportunity to grow and remain competitive in their division.
32. Carolina Panthers
With the retirement of QB Mark Brunnell, the Panthers were prepared to move on last season after trading the QB Brian Griese from the Houston Texans. Then Griese was traded to the Cardinals, and the offense will be led by either Bruce Gradkowski, rookie Troy Smith, or Jay Cutler, all three of them scrambling QBs coincidently, with Troy Smith having the potential of Balanced, since he?s a rookie. The biggest additions for the Panthers come from C Barret Robbins previously from San Diego, DE Chris Kelsay previously from Arizona. And HB Marshawn Lynch selected in the first round of the draft and HB Kenny Irons with their second pick. I?m assuming Marshawn will get the start at HB, but I suppose Irons might get to play since they valued him with a 2nd round pick. I think the Panthers offense will have some challenges, but WR Drew Bennett and WR Marcus Stovall will remain the top offensive weapons and continue to develop. On defense DE Julius Peppers and MLB Courtney Watson will emerge as top defenders, but the Panthers may have challenges with their pass defense. I think this year will be an opportunity to see who will make the roster for next year and see which pieces will develop into cornerstone players to build on. There is a start of something new in Carolina and each game will help with experience and continued growth.
This is going to finish my power rankings. I ask who, which team do you think I ranked too low? Which team here do you think has the power to surprise? I wish the best of luck to each team.
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