Editor: How do you feel about some PR next week? Me (thinking): Public
Relations? Did I do something wrong? Is he drafting a letter for me to sign and
awkwardly read in the HR department? Maybe I'll pull an Al Davis and read it off
an overhead projector, Lane-Gate style. Editor: So, you're doing the Power
Rankings. Oh yeah, and we're gonna need you to work on Sunday. OK, great. Try to
get the article in early, too. Weekend = destroyed. Social life = same. What
about you all out there? Harrison: Divisional threats Elliot Harrison runs
through the league to find potential challengers to last season's eight division
champions. More ... Another June weekend devoid of football -- for most of us,
anyway -- left a lot of people watching the Stanley Cup Finals. This after the
Miami Heat won another NBA title. I was overjoyed for LeBron, except not at all.
Despite everything going on in the sports world, there's still plenty of NFL
noise, especially with every team closing out minicamp and entering summer
hibernation with a bunch of questions. Yep, Michael Crabtree could be gone for
the year, Ben Roethlisberger had the ole arthroscopic treatment, and Aaron
Hernandez is just plain under the public microscope. Who knows how the Patriots
will be affected by all of this, but the general uncertainty in New England
called for a drop in these rankings. Of course, that's not the only notable
development below -- there's plenty of movement, starting at the very top. Hit
us up with your thoughts: @Harrison_NFL is the place. NOTE: The following
pecking order reflects changes from the May 2 Power Rankings, which were
compiled just after the 2013 NFL Draft. RANK1SEAHAWKS1 Following Michael
Crabtree's injury, the Seattle Seahawks leapfrog their NFC West rivals into the
No. 1 spot. I'm already on record endorsing Seattle's Super Bowl potential. In
other news -- sorta -- saw Golden Tate saying he would give 49ers head coach Jim
Harbaugh The Sean Lee treatment. If he really wanted to make his statement
forceful, Tate should have said he'd give Harbaugh the Sam Shields treatment.
RANK249ERS1 The Crabtree injury leaves those who feel the 49ers are the best
team in football in a pickle. The jury is out on A.J. Jenkins, who knows when
Mario Manningham will be ready, and Vernon Davis might play wide receiver.
Great, a 250-pound wideout. This is where
Barcelona
2013/2014 4 FABREGAS Home Shirts still having Delanie Walker on the roster
to play tight end would be nice. And here you see that one spot in the universe
where injuries meet salary cap, and it ain't pretty. RANK3BRONCOS It will be
interesting to see how this new middle of the defensive line -- free-agent
acquisition Terrance Knighton and rookie Sylvester Williams -- makes its
presence felt in 2013. On another note, I'm guessing all of us strutted into
work a little lighter after seeing Willis McGahee talk of being the Week 1
starter ... two days before getting released. I might have engaged in some
corporate boot-licking myself after that deal. I'm not above it. RANK4FALCONS
The Atlanta Falcons will sign Richard Seymour around the time the new Star Wars
movie comes out, when J.J. Abrams transforms the cocky, charismatic Han Solo
into an introverted CPA. Surprised more people aren't ticked about what Abrams
did to Spock's character. Equally surprised Seymour isn't in Atlanta. What a
nice career he's had, and what an appropriate addition he'd be to the Falcons'
4-3. RANK5PACKERS1 Oh, Greg Jennings and Aaron Rodgers -- such funny guys. But
when Jennings says he'd take Brett Favre over Rodgers -- even if it's all in
good fun -- this predictably sparks the tired debate over who is the better
Green Bay Packers quarterback. My question to Packers fans: Is either the
greatest Green Bay QB of all time? Bart Starr went 9-1 in the postseason,
people, winning five NFL championship games and two Super Bowls.
Chelsea
2013/2014 4 DAVID LUIZ Away Shirts RANK6RAVENS3 When we last supplied these
rankings, the Baltimore Ravens were devoid of a left tackle. Then the club
re-upped Bryant Mckinnie. Considering what a Statue of Liberty Joe Flacco is
back there, that's a big signing. And now John Harbaugh says Elvis Dumervil is
emerging as a leader. How do you not love GM Ozzie Newsome? Picking up the guys
he needs when he needs them -- without overpaying. RANK7TEXANS The Houston
Texans stand pat. It's safe to say we're all wondering when Ed Reed will be
ready to play. But the thought here is that the development of first-round pick
DeAndre Hopkins is more important to this football team than the Reed's
recovery. Hopkins will start Week 1. While we're at it, Darryl Sharpton's
ability -- or inability -- to take a step forward will have an impact on the
season. If he does, a linebacking crew of Brooks Reed, Brian Cushing, Whitney
Mercilus and Sharpton has a shot at being something special. RANK8PATRIOTS3
Obviously, the Aaron Hernandez situation looms large for the New England
Patriots, especially with Rob Gronkowski's health status. The club hopes Danny
Amendola can stay in the lineup, but that's been a problem in his career.
Interesting that New England fans took serious exception to your friendly writer
suggesting, last time around in this space, that the Patriots lack star power
outside of Tom Brady. It's not there when Gronk is hurt, and the defense's most
well-known player is a 31-year-old nose tackle. Ironically, Logan Mankins' name
wasn't even mentioned in a bevy of angry tweets sent my way by Pats fans -- he's
probably the team's best player besides Brady. While the feeling here is that
New England could have used an impact guy from the 2013 NFL Draft, you have to
give the club credit for always managing personnel losses (Lawyer Milloy, Ty Law
and Richard Seymour, to name a few) and making the postseason every year.
RANK9BENGALS1 Andre Smith got his money. Thus begins the nervous hand-wringing
over Smith's motivation -- or lack thereof. Skipping out on the club's minicamp,
Smith received some hefty fines. Cincinnati Bengals fans really shouldn't worry
about Smith, though. The fines are nothing his three-year, $18 million contract
won't cover. He'll still be able to pay his On Demand charges. RANK10REDSKINS1
With each passing practice video of Robert Griffin III that hits the tube,
confidence grows that he will be 100 percent ready and productive by Week 1,
with no ill effects from that surgically repaired knee. Meanwhile, judging from
pictures of the QB in his skin-tight workout shirts, RGIII really needs to start
working out. No muscle tone whatsoever on that guy. RANK11VIKINGS1 Cordarrelle
Patterson has impressed a few folks at Minnesota Vikings practice. Vikes fans
are salivating over the prospect of Patterson starting Week 1, alongside prized
free-agent acquisition Greg Jennings and big tight end Kyle Rudolph. Not trying
to be a Negative Nancy here, but he's running around in shorts with a helmet on
-- contact not included. So let's refrain from sounding the big Gjallarhorn
quite yet. RANK12COLTS2 Picking up Ahmad Bradshaw was enough to give the
Indianapolis Colts a slight bump over the Chicago Bears. While Chicago
demolished Indy last year, let's not forget that it was Andrew Luck's first NFL
game. If healthy, Bradshaw gives Chuck Pagano a quality two-down back (at
least), making Vick Ballard a strong backup, as opposed to a so-so starter.
RANK13BEARS Since we last addressed the Bears, Brian Urlacher called it quits.
And the club's top pick in 2011 ( Gabe Carimi) was traded to the Bucs. As if
Bears fans needed to be reminded further of former GM Jerry Angelo's legacy of
top draft choices ... Of his eight first-round picks, only one played like it in
Chicago: Tommie Harris (2004). Marc Colombo (2002), Cedric Benson (2005) and
Greg Olsen (2007) all played better with other teams. Former defensive end
Michael Haynes (2003) and offensive tackle Chris Williams (2008) didn't exactly
make it rain like Richard Dent and Jim Covert in Chicago, either. And then there
was the team's second first-rounder in 2003, Rex Grossman ... Whew boy, what a
pantheon of Bears greats drafted high in the Angelo era. RANK14DOLPHINS1 Still
high on the Miami Dolphins, but 14 is as high as we go on potential. The Fins
are certainly a threat to the Patriots in the East, but a bunch of free-agent
signees frolicking around in gym shorts and a 2012 record of 7-9 is not enough
to leapfrog the Colts or Bears in these rankings. Heard some good things about a
returnee, though. Armon Binns is practicing well and making a play for the slot,
potentially giving this team an inside complement to Mike Wallace and Brian
Hartline. RANK15RAMS1 While some would push the 7-9 New Orleans Saints over the
7-8-1 St. Louis Rams -- especially with Sean Payton back in the Big Easy --
losing pass rusher Victor Butler to an ACL injury really hurts Rob Ryan's
defense. The Dallas Cowboys, despite having a better record than both last
season at 8-8, also have some injury concerns with Tony Romo's cyst and DeMarcus
Ware's shoulder. Meanwhile, keep an eye on Rams rookie RB Zac Stacy, a
fifth-round pick out of Vanderbilt who might give the offense an inside running
presence -- a la the departed Steven Jackson. RANK16COWBOYS2 The Cowboys are
ailing, as mentioned just above, but they still should be a bigger divisional
threat to the reigning champion Redskins than the Giants. The defense is the key
to that equation, not Tony Romo. While the lightning-rod quarterback did have
his miscues with the division on the line in Week 17, how many times did he and
the Cowboys' sixth-ranked offense bail out Rob Ryan's injury-plagued unit last
year? RANK17GIANTS7 The hits just keep on coming. Jason Pierre-Paul could miss
significant time after having surgery on his back. Then there's the lingering
Victor Cruz situation. These fiscal matters usually take care of themselves. But
while Cruz was training with the New York Islanders' director of sports
performance, one wonders if Hakeem Nicks was also there replacing the voltage
regulator on the Isles' zamboni, because he sure as heck wasn't at Giants OTAs.
RANK18STEELERS1 Ben Roethlisberger looks to be OK after having that procedure on
his knee. Like him or not, any fan has to admit Big Ben is tough. Sometimes
that's not the best thing, as Roethlisberger can say he's fine when he's not all
the way ready. The Pittsburgh Steelers should let him sit often during training
camp. After all, how much is camp going to do for a 10th-year veteran with two
Super Bowl rings? Give rookie Landry Jones a longer look. RANK19SAINTS2 Victor
Butler might not be a household name, but the New Orleans Saints certainly were
relying on his presence in 2013. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan brought
Butler over from Dallas to give the weak New Orleans pass rush a shot in the
arm. Now that's over. Will Smith really has to tear it up this season for the
defense to play anywhere close to the offense. RANK20BUCCANEERS There's been a
lot of talk about Josh Freeman hitting the open market in 2014. Part of the
issue with Freeman -- specifically how premium of player he is (and what kind of
premium the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are willing to pay) -- is not his issue at all.
With RGIII, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck lighting the football world on fire,
expectations for all young QBs have shot through the roof. Freeman has been
viable, throwing 27 touchdown passes last season. Freeman's main issue -- and
what fans are waiting for -- is taking that
Barcelona
2013/2014 5 PUYOL Third Shirts step forward from decent starter to
franchise-esque player. If Freeman finishes the 2013 season strong, there will
be pressure to throw a lot of money in that direction. Hmm. RANK21CHARGERS1 Hate
that Melvin Ingram went down, but love the Dwight Freeney signing. He might not
be Dwight Freeney circa 2009, but he'll bring an attitude and a presence that
the San Diego Chargers' defense dearly needed. Remember Sean Jones signing in
Green Bay, or Neil Smith in Denver? Guys who can provide leadership and eight
sacks off the edge make a difference. The thinking here is that people are way
too down on San Diego. RANK22PANTHERS1 Jonathan Stewart's injured ankles are a
bit bothersome. With DeAngelo Williams recently turning 30, and the Carolina
Panthers expected to half-junk the read-option, the club needs a classic running
game on some level. As mentioned often, Cam Newton should not be the No. 1
rushing option. New offensive coordinator Mike Shula told the Charlotte Observer
he wants his quarterback to be able to play fast, but that doesn't necessarily
mean with the football tucked under his arm. RANK23EAGLES All anyone wants to
talk about is quarterback. What about that defense? Let's see, there's a new
coordinator (Billy Davis), a new scheme (3-4), a new nose tackle ( Isaac
Sopoaga), a new OLB/pass rusher ( Connor Barwin) and a whole new secondary (
Cary Williams, Patrick Chung, Kenny Phillips and Bradley Fletcher). And we're
not even counting Bradley Cooper. Just saw Silver Linings Playbook. That's
easily better than either of the last two Hangover movies, and I didn't even
bother seeing Hangover III. RANK24BROWNS The Cleveland Browns went about
practice sessions a bit differently under Rob Chudzinski and Norv Turner.
Differently? OK, call it faster. Turner desires two things: 1) getting the play
called expeditiously, and more importantly, 2) training Brandon Weeden to get
the ball out of his hand quicker. Playing with a sense of urgency -- a trait
from Turner's tenure as Jimmy Johnson's offensive coordinator in Dallas.
RANK25LIONS The Louis Delmas health concerns have surfaced again. The Detroit
Lions expect the veteran safety to be the leader on defense -- a dicey
proposition considering his knees might not allow him to play a full slate of
games. Hopefully, this guy doesn't become anything close to a Bob Sanders 2.0 --
an impact safety who played 50 games ... and missed 78. RANK26CARDINALS
Interesting story coming out of Arizona Cardinals minicamp regarding wide
receiver Ryan Swope. The sixth-round pick out of Texas A&M is long on
ability ... and maybe a little short on luck. With Andre Roberts at the 2 and
Michael Floyd still developing, Swope has a real shot to make noise as a rookie.
Unfortunately, lingering concussion symptoms are preventing the kid from showing
what he can do. Now you know why the NFL is so strict on the helmet-to-helmet
stuff. To be perfectly clear, this writer is rooting for Swope -- be it
unprofessional or not. RANK27TITANS1 Tennessee has a new system under OC Dowell
Loggains (no relation to Kenny), who took over the offense last November. Sure
you are all familiar with Dowell Loggains, right? OK, this guy worked his way up
from an entry-level scouting assistant with the Cowboys in 2005 to
administrative assistant with the
Chelsea
2013/2014 Longsleeve Home Shirts Titans in 2006-07 ... then quality control
coach (2008-09), quarterbacks coach (2010-12) and now offensive coordinator in
Tennessee. So, for all you glorified interns, put your head down and work. Make
$%#& happen. RANK28JETS1 The passing game is still, well, up in the air with
Santonio Holmes still ailing from that Lisfranc injury. Per Wikipedia, This type
of injury is named after Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, a French surgeon and
gynecologist who first described the injury in 1815, after the War of the Sixth
Coalition. So you know, the War of the Sixth Coalition ultimately ruined
Napoleon, forcing him into exile on Elba -- which is exactly where Mark Sanchez
will be playing if he can't beat out Geno Smith. (Note to college kids: Don't
ever use Wikipedia as a reference. ... Well, unless your social life demands the
economized time.) RANK29BILLS If Doug Marrone and staff can teach, the Buffalo
Bills' offense could be set for years to come. Not many teams have this kind of
youth in the passing game, where Marrone could be leaning on EJ Manuel (23 years
old) under center, Robert Woods (21) at WR2, Marquise Goodwin (22) in the slot.
Oh, then there's Da'Rick Rogers, a 22-year-old with the raw ability to
contribute yesterday. Couple those guys with effective players in tight end
Scott Chandler and Stevie Johnson, and this offense could be sweet in 2014.
RANK30CHIEFS Can the Kansas City Chiefs give Denver a run for its money? That's
what many in this business seem to think, based on the arrivals of Alex Smith
and Andy Reid. What about the D? The unit that the Chiefs will probably have to
lean on finished 25th in points allowed at 26.6 per game. That's not to say
Kansas City can't make a move in the AFC West, but questions at corner, inside
linebacker, wide receiver and, yes, quarterback leave the 2013 underdog darlings
at 30. We'll reassess during training camp. RANK31JAGUARS1 Seems like the
Jacksonville Jaguars are always getting picked on by the media -- if not
outright ignored. So let's stay positive. Cecil Shorts III has enjoyed a strong
offseason in an effort to repeat an out-of-nowhere breakout in 2012. To
celebrate, we attached a short Shorts highlight. And here's another. You're
welcome, America. RANK32RAIDERS1 No offense intended, but these Oakland Raiders
feel like an expansion team. Get this: The Raiders likely will have 14 new
starters -- out of 22 -- when they play the Colts in Week 1. Oh, and a new
punter, too. Still, this is the right way for GM Reggie McKenzie to proceed
Real
Madrid 2013/2014 KAKA 8 Home Jersey White. Blow the thing up, get the dead
money off the books and start developing talent. That's what those Colts did in
2012. Get started with gettin' started. Follow Elliot Harrison on Twitter
@Harrison_NFL.
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