Espn Power Rankings And Season Previews

[dpatrickguy]

[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/7389/week-1-power-rankings-afc-north"]Power Rankings for AFC North[/url]


[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/team?team=bal"]Team Preview[/url]

[Ed_Reed20]

Good stuff. I think the analysis was fair and made sense. However, people are really overrating the loss of Ryan and definitely Bart and Leonhard. Losing Rex will hurt a bit but the core players are still there and Mattison knows what he's doing. Bart and Jim were good players and it's debatable as to whether the team makes the AFC 'chip without Leonhard but both of them have been replaced with arguably better players.

It's weird to see Ray not among the top rated player.

[William Murderface]

Nothing new here. Hard to really get to in depth when they only give a sentence on why the picked where they were going to finish.

I think they should be a little higher than number 10 in the league overall and 6th in the AFC espeically after going to the championship game and only getting better and healthier during the off-season, but everyone is entitled to an opinion

[Pitts200]

It's funny how all the "experts" are talking about the Ravens falling off because they lost RR and a few other defensive players.

Why has no one been talking about the Colts & Co. and how the loss of Dungy can effect their entire season. To me it seems like a change in the head coach is much more significant than just the change of a defensive coordinator.

[J-man]

10. Reasonable knowing how much we don't get mentioned. When we beat the Viks, it will change.

[SaVaGe]

They bash the ravens because they are idiots...

1. Ravens defense is aging
(Steelers don't face this yet are 1 year older on average)
2. Ravens won't perform on defense with the loss of RR,Scott and Leonard who sorry but were products of the system
(Colts lose entire offensive coaching staff but no drop off expected for colts offense which also lacks a run game?)

[PuRock]

If I just listened to the talking heads all day, I'd think that Rex Ryan could run for president.

(NOTE: MAJOR SARCASM) When Rex Ryan decides to take up a venture, it succeeds! and when he leaves it fails. He was the almighty in the Ravens organization and he single handily got us to the AFC game. Man the Ravens are in trouble this year, without this guy. What? They lost Bart Scott too! Jeez they're in trouble.

Rex Ryan is sort of like Ghandi. But with Violence.

All kidding aside, when Rex Ryan was here, it was great. Now that he's not, so what? We promote from within at defense, and we did so again. What's in the culture that going to change? Nothing.

NOTE TO TALKING HEADS: Learn about Research.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Pitts200' date='08 September 2009 - 02:57 PM' timestamp='1252436233' post='230874']
It's funny how all the "experts" are talking about the Ravens falling off because they lost RR and a few other defensive players.

Why has no one been talking about the Colts & Co. and how the loss of Dungy can effect their entire season. To me it seems like a change in the head coach is much more significant than just the change of a defensive coordinator.
[/quote]

I agree. The Ravens have lost great defensive coodrdinators and very good players before but they were still among the best defenses in "down" years.

[MagicianCamille]

The Vikings and Falcons ranked ahead of us is an absolute joke.

Also, interesting how Paul says we'll finish first in the division and yet has the Steelers ranked #1 and us at #9.

Oh well, one of the funnest things about Power Rankings is watching us climb as all the flavor of the year teams fall. Last year was especially great for that.

[Alexir]

Rankings will change when we go into SD and smack them in the mouth.

[lowrider]

Not really surprised. But I don't really care what "experts" say. I've seen how our offensive line and our offense has worked over the offseason and their results in the preseason doesn't surprise me. I've seen how T Good and our young backers have stepped up and how they have improved. I've seen how Landry is hitting harder than ever. I've seen Gregg and our d line step up. Our corners are shaky and our receivers are shaky but other than that I can't think of any other weaknesses. And Flacco will make our receivers better and our d line will put pressure on the qb so they can't just rip open our secondary. Just wait. This year will be fun. Very fun. I can't wait to play the Steelers

[darklight1216]

[quote name='MagicianCamille' date='08 September 2009 - 04:50 PM' timestamp='1252443044' post='230944']
The Vikings and Falcons ranked ahead of us is an absolute joke.

Also, interesting how Paul says we'll finish first in the division and yet has the Steelers ranked #1 and us at #9.

Oh well, one of the funnest things about Power Rankings is watching us climb as all the flavor of the year teams fall. Last year was especially great for that.
[/quote]
I didn't read the article, but that's a good catch. How are two teams who didn't as well as we did last year, didn't do as well in the pre-season and are not from New England rated higher than us?
Oh, he can't tell the difference between the numbers nine and one, that explains things. XD

[Rinbee]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='08 September 2009 - 02:38 PM' timestamp='1252435097' post='230864']
Good stuff. I think the analysis was fair and made sense. However, people are really overrating the loss of Ryan and definitely Bart and Leonhard. Losing Rex will hurt a bit but the core players are still there and Mattison knows what he's doing. Bart and Jim were good players and it's debatable as to whether the team makes the AFC 'chip without Leonhard but both of them have been replaced with arguably better players.

It's weird to see Ray not among the top rated player.
[/quote]


I have to wonder if our players do more to make DC's look good than the DC makes the defense look good? We've lost DCs to HC positions before and have not lost a step. I'm more curious to see if Rex follows in Buddy's footsteps -- great DC, so-so HC.

[Johnny Boy]

Did anyone catch Merrill Hodge on ESPN this morning? He put the Bengals in the wildcard?!?! Mind you, everywhere else Steelers and Ravens are 1, 2. Only a Steelers Alumnus would make such a dumb comment. I just wish this team would get the respect they deserve. They play hard, work hard and give 100%. Let's not forget the majority of last year's team in still in place.

I understand the Steelers get a #1 ranking....but let's be honest....Rex was not the end all be all. He didn't make the plays work.....they players did. Didn't the pundits same the same thing about AD when he left for the Patriots. What happened to him? Oh, that's right not a whole lot, and the Ravens D played well regardless. Bart Scott, thanks for being a good player. I hope you have all the success in NY. The bottom line is that players and coaches alike will come and go via retirement, trade, whatever. That's the nature of the game. To say that this squad will have a poor year because of A coach or A player is absurd. Someone ought to tell Hodge to take off the black and gold before he goes on the air and act like an unbiased reporter.

[Ravens Lover]

They really are to low I say top 5.

[dpatrickguy]

Colin Cowherd was saying on Sports Nation today that the Ravens should be ranked five in the shows online power rankings

[funky141]

[quote](Colts lose entire offensive coaching staff but no drop off expected for colts offense which also lacks a run game?)
[/quote] Colts only lost Dungy the rest of the staff is intact from a year ago. In saying I think the loss of B. Scott is bigger than Rex Ryan in my opinion. But I don't think there is much, if any drop off in talent the Ravens have on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens defense is still tops in the league for sure. The rankings are only a guide and should not be taken seriously.

[flynismo]

We're top 3. Pitts, NE cheaters and us. Everyone else has a nice view of our rears.

[flynismo]

[quote name='funky141' date='08 September 2009 - 08:48 PM' timestamp='1252457288' post='231043']
Colts only lost Dungy the rest of the staff is intact from a year ago. In saying I think the loss of B. Scott is bigger than Rex Ryan in my opinion. But I don't think there is much, if any drop off in talent the Ravens have on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens defense is still tops in the league for sure. The rankings are only a guide and should not be taken seriously.
[/quote]

I thought Moore's gone too?

[Corvus]

I was looking at those power rankings earlier and I am still utterly amazed that the Falcons are still ranked in the top 10 as they were when I looked at their initial rankings a month ago. They are really the only team in ESPN's top 10 I would argue against being in that group.


Don't get me wrong, I think Matt Ryan is a solid QB who is only going to continue getting better, in fact I think he will eventually be considered an "elite" QB in this league. I think their offense could potentially be even better than it was last year. Ryan is going to continue to progress as I said and he has excellent weapons in Roddy White, Tony G, and Michael Turner...But where is the defense? John beck and our 2nd and 3rd stringers marched 91 yards down the field for a TD against their STARTING defense last week. That unit has shown absolutely zero progression from last year in the preseason, which has gotta be disappointing for Mike Smith who is a defensive minded coach. I won't even go into the fact that the Falcons have one of the "toughest" schedules this year after enjoying one of the "easiest" schedules last year. Obviously these 4 panelists have not even watched the Falcons in the preseason but that's ESPN writers for you. A little surprising since I usually hold John Clayton in pretty high regard for always doing his homework.

I'm not even gonna start on us being ranked 10th despite already showing our defense is still just as good as always and our offense showing signs of potentially being a top 10-15 unit. We all know its the same old story when it comes to the media recognizing us so I'm not even putting anymore thought into their rankings.

[funky141]

[quote]I thought Moore's gone too[/quote]

Nope, came back mid August.

[dpatrickguy]

these are despicable

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/12175294

[Corvus]

[quote name='dpatrickguy' date='08 September 2009 - 09:11 PM' timestamp='1252458680' post='231071']
these are despicable

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/12175294
[/quote]

HAHAHA! I've never like Prisco. One of the first things he says in that is "most importantly, don't put much stock on the preseason" than turns around and puts Green Bay in his top 10. The same Green Bay who were a dismal 6-10 last year but have been OUTSTANDING in the preseason. Give me a break pal, you just went against your own rule.

ps. I happen to agree though, i think Green Bay will easily win their division, not the point though...

[mhead66]

[quote name='dpatrickguy' date='08 September 2009 - 09:11 PM' timestamp='1252458680' post='231071']
these are despicable

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/12175294
[/quote]
Agreed. The Ravens finished 11-5 with a killer schedule, beat the 13-3 Titans, and made it to the Championship Game.

The 9-7 Cardinals, who were 3-7 outside their pitiful division, are ranked higher.
The 6-10 GB Packers, losers of 4 of their last 5, are ranked higher.
The 8-8 Chargers, who squeaked into the playoffs, are ranked higher.
The 8-8 Saints, who finished last in their division, are ranked higher.

The Ravens have the 4th easiest schedule, and are ranked beneath these teams.

Ridiculous.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='mhead66' date='08 September 2009 - 09:49 PM' timestamp='1252460943' post='231083']
Agreed. The Ravens finished 11-5 with a killer schedule, beat the 13-3 Titans, and made it to the Championship Game.

The 9-7 Cardinals, who were 3-7 outside their pitiful division, are ranked higher.
The 6-10 GB Packers, losers of 4 of their last 5, are ranked higher.
The 8-8 Chargers, who squeaked into the playoffs, are ranked higher.
The 8-8 Saints, who finished last in their division, are ranked higher.

The Ravens have the 4th easiest schedule, and are ranked beneath these teams.

Ridiculous.
[/quote]
Ehh, I can see the Chargers. Unlike us... and every other team in the league, they have a cakewalk to the playoffs. There doesn't seem to be anyone who can stop them. I'm pretty sure that if they have a losing season this year, they can still take their division.
The Ravens will have to work for a shot at the post-season.

[mhead66]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='08 September 2009 - 10:03 PM' timestamp='1252461826' post='231085']
Ehh, I can see the Chargers. Unlike us... and every other team in the league, they have a cakewalk to the playoffs. There doesn't seem to be anyone who can stop them. I'm pretty sure that if they have a losing season this year, they can still take their division.
The Ravens will have to work for a shot at the post-season.
[/quote]
Agree, that they may clinch by Halloween. Oakland, Denver and KC will be fighting for the #1 pick. But, outside of Rivers, I don't think they are a better team than the Ravens, which is what a Power Poll is about. The Ravens have a much harder road to the playoffs, but they're better than the Chargers, IMO.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='mhead66' date='08 September 2009 - 10:07 PM' timestamp='1252462053' post='231087']
Agree, that they may clinch by Halloween. Oakland, Denver and KC will be fighting for the #1 pick. But, outside of Rivers, I don't think they are a better team than the Ravens, which is what a Power Poll is about. The Ravens have a much harder road to the playoffs, but they're better than the Chargers, IMO.
[/quote]
I think the Broncos are going to have that dubious honor. That is my power ranking.

I don't know, the SD game is one of the games that I think is a wildcard in our schedule.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='flynismo' date='08 September 2009 - 08:57 PM' timestamp='1252457822' post='231053']
I thought Moore's gone too?
[/quote]

Tom Moore is technically only a "consultant" but can still call plays...

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='Pitts200' date='08 September 2009 - 02:57 PM' timestamp='1252436233' post='230874']
It's funny how all the "experts" are talking about the Ravens falling off because they lost RR and a few other defensive players.

Why has no one been talking about the Colts & Co. and how the loss of Dungy can effect their entire season. To me it seems like a change in the head coach is much more significant than just the change of a defensive coordinator.
[/quote]
Shucks, The Patriots lost just about their entire dynamic Defense. They arent the same team at all. Teddy wont be there next year. But, the so-called "Experts" are still puttin them on cloud 9. Its crazy!!

[YYZ66]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='09 September 2009 - 12:23 AM' timestamp='1252466618' post='231122']
Shucks, The Patriots lost just about their entire dynamic Defense. They arent the same team at all. Teddy wont be there next year. But, the so-called "Experts" are still puttin them on cloud 9. Its crazy!!
[/quote]

I'm tired of hearing about the Patriots too. I don't think they're gonna be all that good on defense either. Sure, the offense will put up a lot of points, but can the defense stop anyone? Guess we'll find out soon!