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NFL Power Rankings: Pre-training camp edition

By Lyle Graversen

Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy prior to a press conference at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Vince Lombardi Trophy prior to a press conference at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex ryan answers questions from media during minicamp at Jets Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2014; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex ryan answers questions from media during minicamp at Jets Atlantic Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

20. New York Jets

Poor Geno Smith, when QBs make the jump from college to the pros the one benefit they have when facing much superior defenses is that they are supposed to have much improved skill position players around them too. That wasn’t really the case with the Jets last season. I’m one of the few that thinks Smith can be the answer at QB for NY, but he needs more weapons. Chris Johnson, Eric Decker, and Jace Amaro are a good start, but I think their offense is still one more year away from taking off. I don’t think Michael Vick is the answer either.

19. Detroit Lions

I won’t beat around the bush here, I HATED the decision to hire Jim Caldwell as their head coach. Caldwell seems to try and follow Tony Dungy‘s soft spoken style of leadership. That works when you are universally respected and I don’t think that’s the case with Caldwell. Putting a coach like that in charge of a team with a reputation of “behavioral issues” sounds like a recipe for disaster to me. I do like the additions of Golden Tate and rookie Eric Ebron on offense so they should score a lot of points. I’m just not sure they have the defense or the leadership or discipline to compete with the Packers and Bears in their division.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a good solid football team. The problem is that because of salary cap restrictions they weren’t able to completely overhaul their aging defense like they probably needed to. The additions of Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt will help but I think they’ll regret the decision not to upgrade at CB. It may take a career season from Big Ben and his playmakers to get this team back in the playoffs.

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