NFL Power Rankings: Pre-Season Extravaganza Preview Edition

We have Josh Wetmore with the first installment of a three part preview of the NFL. Expect the second and final installments later this week. In the meantime enjoy some analysis from a pure football nut. No seriously, I have a feeling he is watching game film as we speak.

The Wanna Be Contenders

Cardinals
When a team spends all off-season figuring out who their starting quarterback is and the winner is Derek Anderson, you know there’s a problem. No Antrel Rolle, no Bryant McFadden, no Bertrand Berry and no Carlos Dansby on defense makes the impending lack of offense an even bigger problem. Larry Fitzgerald is still there, though.

Panthers
The Panthers might actually be good in a year or two. They have two great running backs, a pro bowl receiver, and a couple good linebackers. That being said there isn’t much else there. If Jimmy Clausen or Matt Moore can develop into a good NFL passer they have a decent team, but don’t expect that to happen this season.

Broncos
The Broncos could have been as high as a contender if it weren’t for an atrocious off-season. They were forced to trade stud receiver Brandon Marshall and lost 2009 sack leader Elvis Dumervil, receiver Brandon Stokley and running back LenDale White for the season.
(Forgetting Brandon Marshall will be the theme in Denver this season.)


Chiefs
The Chiefs have some talent just not enough. Jamaal Charles would be a star if he were with a better team and Brandon Flowers and Eric Berry make a promising young secondary. That’s where the good news ends. Matt Cassel isn’t that great of a quarterback and the group of receivers needs some help as well.

Lions
Wait hold on, the Lions are at the bottom of a set of power rankings? Yep, but maybe they should be higher. Matt Stafford has a lot of promise as a quarterback and Jahvid Best, Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Tony Scheffler, and Brandon Pettigrew make a good offense if the line can block. The defense will still suck, though.

Raiders
The only thing keeping this dysfunctional franchise this high is the amazing fact that they have some talented players on the roster. If all of their physically gifted first round draft picks pan out they would be a Super Bowl contender. At the very least they have some potential. If only Al Davis knew potential doesn’t win championships.


(I'm no Raider fan, but that gave me chills.)

Seahawks
Can Pete Carroll coach in the NFL? Is Matt Hassebeck washed up? Who is their running back? Is Mike Williams really a No. 2 receiver? Does Seattle even have a defensive line? The questions are scary and even if they are all answered in a positive way Seattle still isn’t that good. The good news? Charlie Whitehurst led the NFL in pre-season passing yards. (Ed note: Not enough Nirvana references.)

The Contenders, For the Worst Record
Buccaneers
This team might start two rookie wide receivers in 2010 paired with a second year quarterback. The Raiders tried something like that last year and well that didn’t turn out to well. On the other hand their lack of talent on defense makes their offense look wonderful.

Bills
Once again the Bills have great running backs, no quarterback and Lee Evans. Is there a player who deserves a new team more than Evans? Probably not. The defense actually has some good players and will keep the Bills in some games. Their offense will take them right back out of those games, though.

(Poor poor Jim Kelly.)

Browns
First of all it’s the Browns. Beyond that their quarterback turned the ball over 2o (18 ints, 2 fumbles) times in 11 games for the Panthers in 2009 and their promising rookie running back Montario Hardesty just went down for the season. They have a decent offense, but if no one can run, throw, or catch it doesn’t really matter.



Jaguars
Wow it seems like so long time ago when the Jags beat the Steelers in the playoffs. Maurice Jones-Drew might be good enough to keep the Jags somewhat competitive, but he’s about all they have. Aaron Kampman should be able to put some pressure on the opposing passers but good luck naming two more players on their defense.

(The worst two teams are also dealing with on-going stadium issues and LA football fans are licking their lips.)

Rams
Well congratulations St. Louis you have a work horse running back who is about to breakdown and a promising young quarterback who might have more broken bones than touchdowns at the end of the season. Na’il Diggs is still in the NFL? And how is Ronald Bartell your starting cornerback? OUCH.


Check us out later in the week for the rest of Wetmore's NFL Pre-Season Extravaganza Preview Edition. Enjoy your Labor Day! (I'm definitely spending the day playing Madden, just saying.)

(images from AP images)