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Pre-training camp power rankings
SI ^ | 7-15-07 | Peter King

Posted on 07/16/2007 10:26:25 AM PDT by Dysart

It's time. Eight days until the first full squad (Pittsburgh) reports. Sixty days until opening night (New Orleans-Indianapolis). From the sounds of my Sirius satellite radio -- which somehow found programming every day of my vacation for the NFL Channel (how do you do it, Bob Papa?) -- all of you are ready, and have been ready for weeks.

Not much has changed since the draft, though. With a couple of exceptions, there has been little movement in how I thought the teams stacked up since April. Here goes:

1. Indianapolis: If the Colts are to win the title again, and I think they enter the season with a good chance to go back-to-back, they may need Tony Dungy and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks to have the best coaching years of their career. Gone: starting corners Nick Harper and Jason David, former starting safety Mike Doss, starting weakside linebacker and 2006 leading tackler Cato June and in-the-rotation defensive lineman Montae Reagor. Interesting schedule. Indy could easily start 5-0 (New Orleans, at Tennessee, at Houston, Denver, Tampa Bay) and struggle after the Week 6 bye. How about this punching-bag four-pack: at Jacksonville, at Carolina, New England, at San Diego -- in the span of 21 days. The Colts will have to outscore teams all year, and I believe they will.

(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: nfl; preseason; rankings
I'll place The Pats and Chargers ahead of the Colts. Followed by the Ravens,Cowboys,and Bears and Aints.

Cleveland, Minn, and the Bucs will compete for next year's top pick. (Of course, Dallas holds Cleveland's 1st pick in 2008.)

1 posted on 07/16/2007 10:26:26 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: Dysart

GO PATS!!!!


2 posted on 07/16/2007 10:27:54 AM PDT by Clam Digger
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To: Clam Digger

Team sure looks impressive on paper,huh?


3 posted on 07/16/2007 10:29:38 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: Dysart

Yes, retaining some key players and signing good additions. The Brady era has been very good to New England.


4 posted on 07/16/2007 10:31:26 AM PDT by Clam Digger
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To: Clam Digger

AFC is loaded this year. I would put Pats, Indy, SD and even Denver ahead of anyone in the NFC and Baltimore right in the next tier.


5 posted on 07/16/2007 10:43:46 AM PDT by Steelerfan
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To: Steelerfan

Anyone could win the NFC this year.


6 posted on 07/16/2007 10:45:21 AM PDT by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
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To: dfwgator

If you made me pick right now I would guess NO (too much has happened in Chicago over the offseason, even though their schedule almost guarantees them a playoff spot) but I agree. NFC East and West seem totally wide open.


7 posted on 07/16/2007 10:57:22 AM PDT by Steelerfan
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To: Dysart
I like reading and listening to Peter King about all things football. He seems to be connected, without sounding like a PR guy for the NFL. That being said, he really needs to stick to sports. His endorsement of Mikey Moore's latest crapumentary was out of place and ruined the rest of the article for me.

...oh and GO PATS!

8 posted on 07/16/2007 11:03:47 AM PDT by danno3150
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To: Dysart

Ouch, Washington Redskins at 24... I guess setting the bar low will help me from being disappointed.


9 posted on 07/16/2007 11:17:42 AM PDT by the_devils_advocate_666
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To: dfwgator

I’m betting USC’s college team would beat most of the NFL this year.


10 posted on 07/16/2007 11:24:26 AM PDT by edcoil (Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
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To: Dysart; mainepatsfan

Relevant to your interests...


11 posted on 07/16/2007 11:25:44 AM PDT by BJClinton (Thompson/DeLay 2008)
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To: the_devils_advocate_666
Alternatively, preseason rankings are notoriously inaccurate...just thrown out there for banter. And just for kicks I searched King’s predictions in 2006, but no luck. I do recall firmly that he had the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.
12 posted on 07/16/2007 11:38:34 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: Dysart

All right he has the Bengals at 17 that means a good year for them.


13 posted on 07/16/2007 11:55:51 AM PDT by CONSERVE
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