It’s been a very long, extremely dry summer for lots of folks all
across the Midwest and much of the United States. And much like that moisture
drought, it’s been a long time since this blog has seen any kind of significant
activity. That’s my fault. We’re here to fix that.
I’m cranking it back up starting today as the NFL season is close enough
that us diehard fans can begin to taste it. All team training camps are in full
swing, and the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton takes place this Sunday. That’s
right football junkies … the best time of the year is almost here.
With that, I thought I’d kick it all off with a pre-season ranking
of all 32 NFL teams. Some of this is based on other experts so-called opinion,
some research and some gut. Let me know where you think I’ve got it right but
especially where you think I really dropped the ball (pun intended).
- Green Bay – Top to bottom, still the best talent.
- New England – Brady and Gronk hard to stop.
- NY Giants – Defending champs have to be near the top.
- Baltimore – Always play tough defense. Can Flacco and the O deliver?
- Pittsburgh – Big Ben is hurt. Wallace holding out. Haley’s a wild card.
- San Francisco – Not sure they can repeat 13-3 with Alex Smith.
- Houston – Texans lost key pieces, but play in a weak division.
- New Orleans – Despite everything, they’re still dangerous.
- Detroit – Lots of firepower and off-field issues.
- Atlanta – Good team still trying to prove it is great.
- Philadelphia – Vick says dynasty. Let’s see it on the field.
- Chicago – Cutler. Forte. Marshall. And a good D.
- Dallas – Sooner or later, they have to live up to the hype … right?
- Kansas City – The ACL trio returns. Solid D. It’s all on Cassel.
- Buffalo – Great offseason, but can they compete in AFC East.
- Denver – Everybody love Peyton, but he needs more tools.
- Cincinnati – Great young core. Insanely tough division.
- San Diego – Promise big every year. It’s do-or-get-fired time.
- Carolina – Big dreams in PantherLand after Cam’s rookie year.
- NY Jets – Their mouths outpace their talent this year.
- Tennessee – Steady team. Big decision on the QB.
- Seattle – Pete believes. No one else is sure. Pick a QB, please.
- Washington – RGIII has the town by the tail. But can he win?
- Arizona – Solid by not spectacular anywhere.
- Tampa Bay – Lots of moves to improve the roster. And a new coach.
- St. Louis – Fisher is the new sheriff in town. Sam has to rebound.
- Oakland – Reggie has some work to do in the post-Al era.
- Miami – Philbin takes over. Still need a QB.
- Jacksonville – MJD and Blackmon holding out. Khan can’t like that.
- Cleveland – New owner. New QB. New RB. Big hill to climb.
- Indianapolis – His name is Luck, and he’ll need it this season.
- Minnesota – AP is still recovering. Is Ponder the guy?
With
the NFL, that’s the end of the dry spell. Poet and didn’t know it. Let me know
what you think.
Thanks
for reading.
Steve
