Oh yeah, it's all about the rankings, right? In what is sure to become a popular idea, we're going to rank the NFL teams as they progress through training camp. Sure, you can say we're pulling this out of thin air, but so what. We are nothing if not on the cutting edge.

August 2, 2006 - NFL Rankings - Training Camp Edition

Rank	Team	Reasons Why
1		Don't laugh. The New York Giants last year showed how far they have come with coach Tom Coughlin. With the added weapons and new attitudes, they will dominate the NFL this year.
2		Usually a team suffers s Super Bowl letdown, but the Steelers won't. They've added to their core, plus they have young players on defense coming into their own. Also, don't forget the Ben factor. The team will rally around him.
3		Oh, I like the Kansas City Chiefs this year. New coach, new players and a new attitude. They have a pretty easy division, so can they improve their defense? I think so.
4		All Simms, all the time. Last year's gutty playoff performance earned him the respect of his teammates, which is critical in a Gruden led team. Simms comes into his own this year driving a Cadillac into the playoffs.
5		I can't stand Peyton, so the loss of the Edge was good news. Still, they have the talent to rise to the top again. They have vanquished those pesky Patriots, right?
6		Speaking of Patriots, something is wrong with Tom Brady. He missed three practices in a row. What happened? No one is saying and no one knows, which is much like the Patriots on offense. No one knows which team will show up.
7		Marvin Lewis was lauded on his disciplinarian approach to coaching, but what happened? The Bengals have become the Benjails. Last year's meltdown of Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer's injury are a concern, but have no doubt they have the talent and experience to win.
8		Lovie, Lovie, Lovie ... God love ya. Listen, you almost proved last year all it takes is defense. Too bad your team didn't really address the quarterback issue in the off season. You deserve better. Still, the defense will keep you in the playoff hunt.
9		What? The Cardinals in a top 10? No, it doesn't have to do with the man love for Kurt Warner, but more for their new stadium and the Edge. Did you know that football teams moving into new stadiums make the playoffs that year 85% of the time?
10		Quarterback, quarterback. Can anyone finish the poem? The Broncos had a gift of a schedule last year, so let's see how they do this year. I am sure that global warming will somehow be blamed for their performance this year.
11		Arrington is gone. This has to be the year the Redskins are considered a success. I mean seriously, how much more money can Daniel Snyder make off this team before they have success? Anyone?
12		I just don't know about the Jaguars. They have the talent, but they are aging. I think the Jack MagicTM might be wearing off. He can't go back to the axe, so what is next?
13		Now this is a team that will suffer a Super Bowl letdown. The Seahawks were gifted into the big game last year, but this year we're going to see them plummet to earth. Mark my words, the Arizona Cardinals will beat them both times they play them.
14		I am still confused. What the heck is Saban doing in Miami? I look at their players and think, "Yeah, these guys will rock." Then I look at the decisions Saban and the management have made and think, "Yeah, somehow they're going to mess this up."
15		I have a soft spot in my heart for Cleveland. Last year I covered them on almost a daily basis, which lead to an unnatural affinity for Charlie Batch. Man, I sure hope Romeo has learned how to handle the offense in the off season.
16		MIKE MARTZ! ENOUGH SAID.
17		After a complete meltdown last year, the Raiders are going to surprise some people this year. Art Shell's going to have the team ready to move forward now that some of the more, um, experience players are gone.
18		I can't stand the next two teams ...
19		... but you cannot deny their talent.
20		Hometown team. Linehan is a mini-Martz, and it will rear it's ugly head by the third game. Luckily, he was smart enough to hire Haslett to handle the defense. This means the Rams won't be the doormats they were last year.
21		Dumping Drew Brees was the biggest mistake this team has made since drafting Phillip Rivers. Oh. LDT will win most of their games by himself.
22		Andy Reid is going to wish wide receivers were banished from the game. Maybe McNabb can pass to himself? Seriously, the Eagles are going to be pitiful this year.
23		Buffalo took three steps back and only two forward in the off season. I think this team is going to be worse in offense, defense and special teams, but hey, it might snow during a home game. Football in the snow is cool.
24		The Houston Texans, being ranked 24th here, will actually show improvement this year. Don't ask me how, but I just know my third favorite team in the NFL has to get better, right?
25		The media seems to think something is cooking in San Francisco this year. Yeah, I know what it is. Hobo Stew. What a horrible group of players.
26		Ok, here's the punchline to a joke: Vince Young. I don't know the joke yet, but I know it's going to be a punch line. I'm thinking his NFL career is five years, tops.
27		George Steinbrenner, oh I mean Jerry Jones, is working hard to turn this team around. Parcells graciously agreed to have TO jon the team. That will be his downfall. That and the fact they don't really have a quarterback or running back or ....
28		New owner. Same old Vikings.
29		Brett, you should have retired. Don't think for a minute your performance last year was an abberation. It's going to happen again. Thanks for bringing the rest of the team down with you.
30		Steve McNair. Hahahahaha. Steve McNair. Hahahaha. I can't quit laughing. McNair will be out of the lineup with an injury by the fourth game.
31		"Oh my god, we lost so many games last year because of Katrina." No, you lost so many games because you sucked. It's going to continue.
32		The worst run football organization in the NFL.

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