Indy and Green Bay head the list, while Miami cracks the top five. Matt Bowen
I’m not big on predictions before camp starts. Too much to find out throughout the month of August before we can begin to lay out the post-season lineup and the matchup we will see in Dallas at the Super Bowl. But, I still have a list of clubs I am looking at heading into practice. Ten teams that I view as players in the 2010 season. Let’s check them out…
1. Indianapolis Colts
ICONIndy's Peyton Manning.
Maybe too easy to put the Colts in the No. 1 slot, but when we actually look at their personnel on both sides of the ball—and how they game plan—they are primed for another run. The way Peyton Manning runs his one-back system on offense paired with speed and athletic ability of their Tampa 2 defense still sells. My top club heading into the preseason.
2. Green Bay Packers
Time start talking about QB Aaron Rodgers as an “elite player” in this league. Playmakers at every skill position on offense, and a defense that has had an entire offseason to self-scout what they need to correct in the second year of Dom Capers’ pressure system. Lots of talent for the Pack.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas is loaded when we break down their roster on both sides of the ball, but it is their depth at running back that enables them to make a run late in the season. Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice give the Cowboys fresh legs in November and December. Add that to a defense that has the best front-seven in football.
4. Miami Dolphins
I am high on the Dolphins because they will evolve as an offense in 2010. Expect QB Chad Henne to be better with the football and expect him to make plays in scoring opportunities. Plus, WR Brandon Marshall changes the way defenses will prepare for Miami. Best running game in the AFC and a defense that has young talent. My pick to surprise this season.
5. New Orleans Saints
The Saints will score points on offense and they will still push the envelope from a scheme perspective with Drew Brees and Sean Payton. On defense, expect the same pressure scheme from Gregg Williams, but keep an eye on FS Darren Sharper. His health is key—as the FS needs to create turnovers for this unit to have the same success as we saw in ’09.
6. Minnesota Vikings
ICONFavre is still the player to watch in Minnesota.
Hard not to talk about Brett Favre when we discuss the Vikings. We should expect him back at some point next month, but is the production still there? Favre was the reason we saw the quick development from WRs Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin, and his numbers put him in the MVP talk last year. The defense and Adrian Peterson will allow them to compete every Sunday, but Favre needs to play at a high level if we are going to talk Super Bowl for the Vikes.
7. Baltimore Ravens
Thought the Anquan Boldin trade was the biggest move made this offseason. More options, more creativity and more chances to spread the field. Multiple opportunities for QB Joe Flacco and the same running game that can wear down opponents. The big issue in Baltimore? Ed Reed’s injury. That defense will take a hit without him on the field—no matter who steps in.
8. New England Patriots
Still tough because of Tom Brady, and still hard to prepare for because they use so many different personnel groupings on both sides of the ball. Game plan nightmare whenever the Pats are on the schedule. Randy Moss is still the No.1 deep threat in the league, and Julian Edelman showed he can produce in this offense. The secondary is a question mark from my point of view--and will be tested--but this defense is good enough to get to the playoffs.
9. Cincinnati Bengals
With or without T.O., this offense will win games because they can run the football. QB Carson Palmer has some more weapons to work with, but let's not forget about Mike Zimmer’s defense. The most underrated unit in the NFL gets DE Antwan Odom back and has two top-level corners in Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. This team should make a run at Baltimore.
10. New York Giants
Can the Giants play defense in 2010? That is the question for New York, because the overall talent is there. With new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, this unit will play faster on tape and should be able to play coverage with a front-four rush that can get to the QB. Eli Manning and the offense will do enough to win, but Fewell’s defense makes them a contender. I see value in Big Blue this season.
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About time a NFL writer isn't jumping all over the Jets bandwagon.
The packers have playmakers at every position on the offense...? You are being generous to Mr Grant.
Go PHINS! finally getting some love!
Green Bay is the class of the NFC North and whoever said that Ryan Grant isn't a player doesn't know football. Tough for me to say as a Bear fan, but at least I am realistic here.
Doesn't mean Cutler won't bring us a wild card spot....
Matt,
I love the fact you left the Jets out, I feel like I'm on an island (with Paul from above) in my belief that the Jets are severely overrated. Can you explain why you believe so as well?
@cwhiety- Like Atlanta heading into camp. Anxious to see what Turner looks like this season. But want to see what they can do in the secondary. Not sold yet. Lots of eyes on Dunta Robinson. FA pickup that has to produce.
@Aaron- Not down on the Jets. Have a top 5 defense, but want to see what the running game can do outside of Shonn Greene. If LT and McKnight are players, then we are looking at a team that can challenge to win AFC East. Sanchez still needs a top tier running game as he continues to develop in the NFL.
since ryan grant came to the packers and became the starter in 07, only ONE back has rushed for more yards-adrian peterson. grant has surpassed 1000 yards in all three of his seasons in GB, and was the 7th or 8th best back in the league last year. oh yeah, he had the same YPC avg. as the great AP too.
1200 yds and 11 rushing touchdowns doesn't qaulify you as a playmaker anymore?
Not much to argue against, except for the Dolphins at four and the Giants at 10. Especially the G-men. I just don't see it.
Grant isn't flashy or overly graceful but he makes plenty of plays. He's also tough as nails and rarely fumbles, right Vikes fans?
I'm not a Jets fan, but am a Rex Ryan fan. While the Jets don't have the pre-camp looks of a playoff team, who thought that they did last year? Shonn Greene was a beast at Iowa and I think will really blossom this year. Sanchez showed treamendous poise as a rookie QB starting in the playoffs. Who does that? They don't have the pieces to make a picture out of the puzzle, but I think that Rex Ryan and his staff provide enough filler to make them a contending team once again. Put more simply, I believe that they weren't a one-year-wonder team but a team on the rise. The sum of the pieces will eventually catch up with the sum of the whole.
I think the Dolphins are a little overrated right now. Brandon Marshall was a big pickup at wideout, but their other receivers and tight ends don't scare anybody. They have a good running game, but Ronnie Brown is coming off a season-ending Lisfranc fracture, and Ricky Williams isn't getting any younger. And Chad Henne needs to show he can produce over a full season. On defense, Miami is solid, but I don't see many impact players, other than Karlos Dansby. The Dolphins can contend for the Wild Card, but I don't see them as Super Bowl-caliber yet.
Also agree with cwhitey that the Falcons look very strong going into the season. Should be some great games when they battle the Saints for NFC South supremacy this year.
The most knowlegeable writer on the site doesn't see the Jets as a top ten team. I tend to agree. They lost a lot and the replacements are at best question marks. Let's face it, they were lucky last year down the stretch. Reality hits this season.
What about the Chargers though? They have issues with the holdouts, but they upgraded at RB and Rivers is clearly in the top tier of QBs. I rank them above the Giants.
Sean
I'm a realistic die hard Dolphin fan and I believe the above list is a little off. Dolphins that high c'mon. I don't think they will be there either, but with that being said, they have the talent and if everything falls right, theres no reason thay can't. The defense would be the only thing holding them back. I believe Henne will be another Rogers, it'll take time before eveyone buys into him.
You obviously aren't a Dolphins fan living in GB. So you didn't watch every game like I did or the rest of the Dolphin fans. This Dolphin team did really well without having a true number one WR on there team. With the addition of Brandon these guys will have less heat appiled and be able to thrive. Just so you know Devon Bess (no more double teams) was one of the best 3rd down wr in the league and Camarillo didn't drop a pass all year. Brian Hartline was in the top of the league with YAC averages with the little playing time he had. So as a Dolphin fan we know what we have and after this year everyone else will too. Don't underestimate what you do not know. If your a GB fan like I guessing you are by your tag name, you would underdstand what it feels like as a fan to have you your WR underated. Since you have one of the best combo in the league that never gets any love. Here's to seeing you in the SB. (lol)
If I were a Dolphins fan my biggest concern would be defending the run. They don't have any real nose tackle and from what I've read, Dansby can be run on pretty easily. They have the potential to be a dynamic offense, but the defense will need to step up.
Dolphins4life,
Yes, I've been a die-hard Packers fan for over 25 years, and you're right, I didn't watch every single Dolphins game last year, but looking at the team from afar (on this site, ESPN, Pro Football Weekly, talk radio, etc) I felt that their receiving group kept them from being more than an average team last season. Adding Marshall will open things up more for those young wideouts (Camarillo is a solid possession WR, and Bess is a good young player), so they will be better this year. I'm just not sure that those guys are good enough to be a Super Bowl-contending team, especially in the tough AFC East. The key is Henne...how much will he improve in year 2? I think he can be a good QB in time, in fact the Packers should have chosen him instead of Brian Brohm in the 2nd round of 2008. But I'm not sure he's a playoff QB this season.
We don't have to wait until the Super Bowl to see how good you guys are; we'll see you at Lambeau in week 6! Should be a good one.
P.S. Yes I'm biased, but I would think most knowledgeable NFL fans wouldn't underestimate our wideouts. Jennings and Driver are two Pro Bowl-caliber WRs, although age could begin to catch up to Driver this year. And watch out for Jermichael Finley, who's an emerging force at TE, he's been compared to Antonio Gates. Add Jordy Nelson and James Jones and it's a pretty formidable group.
Matt wrote:
". . . but Favre needs to play at a high level if we are going to talk Super Bowl for the Vikes."
Isn't this obvious?
Fins are top 10, but not top 5. Pats will win AFC East this year, but the Fins will be a WC team (and either the Jets, Bengals, or Texans will get the other WC spot). Ravens, Colts, and chargers will win their divisions. Out of tradition, the Steelers could get a WC spot of one of the others falters.
Sean in GB, clearly you are getting your Fins WR picture from all the so called "experts" who have no clue as to how good Davone Bess is in the slot. Do you realize he was being double covered last year? I do not understand how, after NOT DROPPING ONE PASS last year, people still think Greg Camarillo is a crappy reciever! He is their clutch reciever, that's all. I can think of two games (Jets at Miami and Pats at Miami) that the Fins would have lost had Camarillo not gotten those 3rd or 4th down clutch passes. Then you have Hartline, who, while being drafted in the same round (4th) as Austin Collie last year, gets no love because he doesn't have Peyton throwing to him. IMHO, the Fins have the best YOUNG corps or WRs in the NFL. Camarillo and BMarsh are the oldest WRs on the team. Patrick Turner, a 3rd rounder last year, will be lucky to get a roster spot.
Now their TEs need to step up (wink, wink, Anthony Fasano!).
The other reason they are not top 5 is because half their players on D will be different from last year (which ain't a bad thing!). Randy Starks become NT. Rookies Jared Odrick (DE) and Koa Misi (SOLB) will likely be starters, as well as Cam Wake (WOLB) and Chris Clemons (FS), two second year players. and then of course, there is Dansby.
thing is there are too many question marks here to rank them top 5. Plus, they do have a pretty tough scedule and are in a very tough division.
D.L.,
Actually, I'm getting my information from Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald, in this year's Sporting News Preview Magazine. He compares Bess to Wes Welker as a slot receiver. And I think Camarillo is an underrated player too. So maybe my saying the Dolphins WRs "don't scare anybody" was a little too harsh; I'm just not sure they're good enough to win the division or go deep in the playoffs, but the addition of Marshall will make the whole unit better. So I guess we'll see.
"and a defense that has had an entire offseason to self-scout what they need to correct in the second year of Dom Capers’ pressure system"...please is that all you need to be a great defence is to self scout? This D was awful against big name QB's and have really done nothing to get better(losing Jolly will hurt). The offence looks great and who knows amybe they can copy the Saints game plan and get to ther Super Bowl..but that defence gets no pressure on QB's and can't cover...not happening
You are right, Henne is the key for the offense. If he doesn't have sophmore (junior) slump, our offense will be very potent if everyone can stay healthy. (R.B)
I think the biggest transition for us wasn't Dansby or Marshall, but Nolan. look what he did for Denver. If he can get anything out of our that he did them before numbnuts pulled in his reigns will will definately be a playoff contender. It all falls on our young defense. Like I stated above I think the Dolphins aren't top 5 but if all goes well they could be. Well best of luck and see you in week 6. Later!
Hate to make this the All Dolphins, all the time post, but I have to say that I am pretty happy someone is noticing our potential. I agree with the other Phans that we probably don't deserve a top five just yet, but feel that it isn't out of the realm of possibility this year. Our biggest hurdle to being there is the fact that our first half is BRUTAL, and we see at least two late season, cold weather games, in the division to boot. Nolan will bring the young D around, and we will steal games from teams that put too much emphasis on stopping Marshall. Kory Sheets will surprise as a KR, and an all purpose back. I think he might beat out Coaches' fave Patrick Cobbs, who is still recovering from injury last season.
Generally don't have a problem w/Bowen's ten players for next year category; however, how about taking this to the next Level Matt - how about a DIRTY DOZEN, the 12 teams that don't have crappola to play for before we even get out of the gates, and then the midlings - the others, the middle of the roaders & as much as wanted Bowen to put the Donkeys into the top ten, understand - too many questions - so will start off the middle of the roaders with my Donkeys - going to have to get a full season from Orton to make the playoffs realistically, as much as desire to see Tebow starting, just don't see him taking a team to the playoffs his rookie season, is it possible - sure - does Orton have a better chance at winning at this point, probably - other issues, Ryan Clady, best LT in the biz needs to show he can handle the slide & kickouts required to take on speed rushers, and that the bull rush won't be an issue as well w/that knee - as talented as the youth is on the Donkeys, do they have 2 rookie WR that can combine to match Marshall's production (Thomas & Decker), if so, then great - if not then maybe a significant problem, as well as getting Royal into the offense as he did a Devin Hester last year and disappeared - do the Donkeys have one CB too old too start, Bailey should be good to go one more year - Goodman we'll see, and if not then what rookie or second year player in Alphonso Smith is ready to start on the other side...the Dline looks good w/new 300lb plus players - yet their age also has to be a concern, the LB corps should be a strength particularly with Doom signed and second year player Ayers ready to break out - lastly, the running game will be a comittee deal w/McDaniels, and doesn't require a bell-cow back, yet one wonders if they've got enough physicality to run in the lanes this year, as last year they just did not...
Eh, one more biggie for the Donkeys as far as question marks - the O-line has been basically replaced from the NFL league premier zone blocking unit, to now being the power stack that the Pats employ - two more new O-lineman will join the unit this year, center Walton from Baylor and guard Beadles from Utah, a major transition particularly when needing to create a power running game from the scheme McDaniels employs generally...
Manning is still the man, especially when you consider that most of the COlts offense is predicated on only two formations. They simply do what they do so well through reps that the team finds itself in position to win. Familiarity paired with execution, quite a winning formula for the Colts. Everyone knows their job and does it.
Credit due in abundance to the Saints for what they did in outlasting the Colts. My expectation is for the Saints to do more on offense, work the extra plays and players in, so the focus of everyone gunning for top dog creates opportunity for the other great cast members.
Everyone else is aiming for them.
OMG, I'm actually agreeing with a pundit sorta kinda. I see six teams as being fundamentally equal. All six follow the NFL trend of super offenses. An "elite" QB with multiple talented targets. When one of these QB's is hot, there is no defense in the NFL that can stop them. Not yet, anyway. Colts, Saints, Vikings, Cowboys and Packers. Ravens and Chargers are knocking on the gate. Miami, I expect will be the most improved team. Respectfully, NYG's have too many problems to fix and Eli Manning is not an "elite" QB. Defenses will play even less a role in '10, and personally, I hate that thought.
I do believe my Chargers went 4-1 against half of the teams you rate better than them. I presume you already know what I think of your list so I'll just leaveit at that.
MachosMenos,
Problem is your team can't win in the playoffs. That's why they're ranked where they are. End of story... Sorry man it's just reality. As soon as Rivers can get that monkey off his back, that's probably where they'll continue to be. Best of luck this year!
Sheesh51-
Actually, Bowen is right on about the the Packers' D. There are, after all, reasons he was an accomplished player in the league and now makes up 1/4th of the best football website out there, while you are sitting in front of your computer reading him.
I was saying last offseason how adding Dom Capers was bigger than any single player we could have brought in. A bad 2008 defense turned into a top 5 defense in just one year, with a couple of rookies being the only additions to the group. A bigger improvement than we fans could have dreamed about.
An offseason of studying film of how his players worked out in the brand new scheme will allow Capers to make significant improvements to the defense. He didn't really know what he had last year, but now he does.
I like(d) Jolly, but barring a major injury, I don't think the line (ranked #1 last year) will regress much. Pickett-Raji-Jenkins is as about a good front three as you're gonna find, and TT now looks like a genius for drafting Neal in the second round.
And even if we have the occasional defensive collapse where we give up around 40 points, Rodgers is good enough to put up around 45. Finley is going to be HUGE!
Only a casual fan overlooks the significance of coaching in the NFL.
Sheesh51-
Actually, Bowen is right on about the the Packers' D. There are, after all, reasons he was an accomplished player in the league and now makes up 1/4th of the best football website out there, while you are sitting in front of your computer reading him.
I was saying last offseason how adding Dom Capers was bigger than any single player we could have brought in. A bad 2008 defense turned into a top 5 defense in just one year, with a couple of rookies being the only additions to the group. A bigger improvement than we fans could have dreamed about.
An offseason of studying film of how his players worked out in the brand new scheme will allow Capers to make significant improvements to the defense. He didn't really know what he had last year, but now he does.
I like(d) Jolly, but barring a major injury, I don't think the line (ranked #1 last year) will regress much. Pickett-Raji-Jenkins is as about a good front three as you're gonna find, and TT now looks like a genius for drafting Neal in the second round.
And even if we have the occasional defensive collapse where we give up around 40 points, Rodgers is good enough to put up around 45. Finley is going to be HUGE!
Only a casual fan overlooks the significance of coaching in the NFL.
Sheesh51-
Actually, Bowen is right on about the the Packers' D. There are, after all, reasons he was an accomplished player in the league and now makes up 1/4th of the best football website out there, while you are sitting in front of your computer reading him.
I was saying last offseason how adding Dom Capers was bigger than any single player we could have brought in. A bad 2008 defense turned into a top 5 defense in just one year, with a couple of rookies being the only additions to the group. A bigger improvement than we fans could have dreamed about.
An offseason of studying film of how his players worked out in the brand new scheme will allow Capers to make significant improvements to the defense. He didn't really know what he had last year, but now he does.
I like(d) Jolly, but barring a major injury, I don't think the line (ranked #1 last year) will regress much. Pickett-Raji-Jenkins is as about a good front three as you're gonna find, and TT now looks like a genius for drafting Neal in the second round.
And even if we have the occasional defensive collapse where we give up around 40 points, Rodgers is good enough to put up around 45. Finley is going to be HUGE!
Only a casual fan overlooks the significance of coaching in the NFL.
This is an extremely fair ranking.... some others have dead seriously ranked the Jets No. 1.
All-in-all ... not a bad listing. For the most part, many will usually think of a List like this and extrapolate from last year's Playoff Group.
In that regard, yes...the JETS deserve some spot. After all, the Packers only made it to the 1st round. What's more, the JETS also made the playoffs sans Gunslinger. Whereas the previous year, it was an all-but-forgotten conclusion on opening day... that never happened.
I agree with those that say the PACK deserve to be in the Top 5. I would actually hold them at #4.
As for the Colts being at the top - I suppose someone has to be.
Why it's not the Saints, for Matt Bowen - only he knows the real truth. They did just win the SuperBowl, and with a talented team like they have - coaching included - one wonders why no one is talking repeat (??) If it was just about any other Team in the League (including the Packers) this would certainly be the case. After all, has New Orleans lost any of their Star Players? Did everyone grab the Money-Bus and skip town? I haven't heard any such news... Maybe someone would like to correct me?
I would list the Saints at #1, with the Colts at #2
Do the JETS deserve to be number 3? No - I think how they even got in, was a fluke.
So, that leaves Minnesota at #3 ... only as long as Favre is their QB - otherwise, go away.
You can't put Arizona in here - Kurt Warner retired - if he was still around ? Then, yea.....
So that brings us either Sand Diego or Green Bay - homer choice is the Packers.
Add to that, the fact that SD's QB can't seem to get past the first round of any Playoff scenario
Based on talent alone .... Matt's listing is fairly dead on. What we all can't predict.. is the injury bug ruining a Team's chances.
I'll wait to see how it looks after Week 9
Breaking down the slant route...
Why the rest of the NFL needs...
Chalkboard breakdown of the 9...
Breaking down my game notes from...
What I am looking for in the Giants-Patriots...
Jul 27, 2010
08:16 AM
Matt,
I must have missed it, but I didn't see the Falcons in the top 10. Where do you have them rated? Without injury, the Falcons contend for the NFC South and have the talent on offense to go deep in the playoffs. The defense will be under heavy scutiny...as they should be.