[macrojack]

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking about the way all these changes will affect the Power Rankings once next season gets under way. Would anyone care to offer projections as to who will be up from last year, and who will be down?

Obviously, the Broncos are feeling very optimistic about their most recent upgrades. TB might have better results with a new coach and a very active free agent recruiting.

NO is likely to drop off precipitously, of course. Not only are they without their head coach but they are going to have significant defensive suspensions. There is even talk of Brees jumping ship.

The Bears are loading up and could be effective on offense for a change. Unless their defense has finally gotten too old, they have Super Bowl potential. Their new backup, Jason Campbell, might well be better than the starter.

SF and GB and NYG all are returning at full strength.

What's your prognosis? And who could be this year's sleeper?

[jackman]

The Bears are loading up and could be effective on offense for a change. Unless their defense has finally gotten too old, they have Super Bowl potential. Their new backup, Jason Campbell, might well be better than the starter.

You literally know nothing about football.  Cutler is better than Jason Campbell will ever be, and Campbell is in his rightful position as back-up.  Hopefully, Jay will stay healthy and we will never have to find out how good or bad Campbell really is. 

Maybe you should stick to what you do best, hateful bitter rants about Tebow.  Let it go.  He's gone now and the Broncos have a truly great QB.  The addition of Manning has given me mixed feelings.  IMO, Manning is the greatest QB to ever live, yet I hate Elway and the Broncos.  How can I root for a great QB while hoping his team loses?  This sucks.

[soundbitten1]

The Bills might be a sleeper, they signed some top free agents. The Niners added some strength at receiver, if  QB Smith continues to improve they will be tough. The Giants lost Manningham and Jacobs, time will tell if this will hurt them.

[soundbitten1]

I saw Campbell play a lot when he was with the Redskins, he wasn't bad and sometimes put up some good numbers with them. The one thing that stood out though was he always seemed to fail miserably in the clutch.

[macrojack]

Jason Campbell is unproven, it's true. But he has done pretty well playing for terrible organizations so far. He may have landed with another one. This year we'll find out just how detrimental Angelo was.

And I will tell you for a fact, if Campbell had not gotten hurt, Tebow would certainly not have made the playoffs. He has Carson Palmer to thank for that. Likewise, If Cutler had faced the Broncos rather than Caleb Haney, that would have meant a season ending loss for the Bronkies.

Jackman - You might want to lay off the word "literally" until you can demonstrate better reading comprehension. I have stated repeatedly ( mostly for your sake) that I DO NOT HATE TEBOW. I did watch every game he played and I promise you I know the Broncos far better than you do. And if you put your mind to it you might recall that I watched Cutler just as carefully when he was in Denver. He showed promise but he bungled a lot.
It was a pretty hot and cold showing.

[S Clark]

Bears and superbowl potential used in the same sentence...

[jimdgoulding]

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking about the way all these changes will affect the Power Rankings once next season gets under way. Would anyone care to offer projections as to who will be up from last year, and who will be down?

Obviously, the Broncos are feeling very optimistic about their most recent upgrades. TB might have better results with a new coach and a very active free agent recruiting.

NO is likely to drop off precipitously, of course. Not only are they without their head coach but they are going to have significant defensive suspensions. There is even talk of Brees jumping ship.

The Bears are loading up and could be effective on offense for a change. Unless their defense has finally gotten too old, they have Super Bowl potential. Their new backup, Jason Campbell, might well be better than the starter.

SF and GB and NYG all are returning at full strength.

What's your prognosis? And who could be this year's sleeper?

Dallas?  Houston?

[S Clark]

Dallas has improved their secondary, but the free agents signed for the O line don't exactly inspire confidence.  Until they find a way to improve center, guard, and D end play, I'm not convinced they can go deep in the playoffs.
Don't have enough knowledge of Houston to address their chances.

[DS-21]

The Bears are loading up and could be effective on offense for a change. Unless their defense has finally gotten too old, they have Super Bowl potential. Their new backup, Jason Campbell, might well be better than the starter.

Jason Campbell is not better than Cutler. No way, no how. He's too timid, and quick with the check down. (Consider how much more electric the Redskins' offense in the St. Joe II era was with Campbell's backup, Todd Collins, in the game, as opposed to Cap'n Checkdown. And Collins was solidly in the backup QB category by talent.)

Campbell is, I think, a top-tier NFL backup. Better than, say, Sexy Rexy. I'm not a big fan of Jay Cutler the man (I'm good friends with one of his exes from Vandy...) but he's every bit the legitimate NFL starter.

Dallas has improved their secondary, *** I'm not convinced they can go deep in the playoffs.
***

The NFL doesn't have consolation prize playoffs, last I checked. The 'pokes are going to be last in the Beast this year. The Jints will still be good. The Iggles will cohere better this year, I think, and much as I hate to write it...as long as dog-killer stays upright they should win the division. While I wish it were otherwise, the Skins are going to be weak as RG3/Luck learns to play the game. But as long as the secondary stays reasonably healthy, they have a lot more talent top to bottom and better coaching than the 'pokes do.

[jimdgoulding]

Dallas has improved their secondary, but the free agents signed for the O line don't exactly inspire confidence.  Until they find a way to improve center, guard, and D end play, I'm not convinced they can go deep in the playoffs.
Don't have enough knowledge of Houston to address their chances.

I'm singling out those two cause Dallas had their game with NYG won but gave it up on a miscue.  I still don't know what to make of Rob Ryan.  His defense is pretty awful.  Houston plays GOOD defense and has a very good running game.  Of course, they must again along with their starting QB for the season.     

[macrojack]

I don't know Houston well either but two of their best defenders, DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams are gone to free agency. That said, I believe neither player was playing due to injury during their playoff run this year. The Colts are still weak, the Titans are improving but probably can't challenge Houston. That leaves Jacksonville, which is what the Texans will do. And don't forget that Houston too their division last year with the third string QB.
They'll be in the postseason mix again in 2012.

Dallas needs to realize they can't compete against teams that have a good GM.