Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley
Now that we've had a free agency period and a draft, releasing the ESPN.com Power Rankings is the next logical step. I've spent the morning analyzing the rankings through several different formulas. Here are a few of my findings:
- I know a Super Bowl title doesn't always translate into a high ESPN.com ranking, but the Giants were playing like an elite team at the end of last season. Yes, we're unsure about Michael Strahan and some departures at linebacker, but New York is still stacked at all the skill positions on offense and I for one don't think the return of Jeremy Shockey is a negative. Six is too low for this team.
- Pat Yasinskas coming out in favor of the Saints may have influenced the voters in a big way. If you watched them play last season -- and I did in person four times -- a No. 11 ranking seems too high. I think the addition Sedrick Ellis and reinforcements at linebacker will immediately make this a better team, but there are still too many questions on offense. I'm hearing rumblings that the Saints think a bulked up Reggie Bush can carry the ball 20 times per game. That sounds like a bad idea to me. You have to hope Sean Payton has a better plan than that.
- The Ravens were a tough team to watch in '07, but I think No. 22 is too low for them. The under-the-radar Fabian Washington trade and the drafting of quarterback Joe Flacco makes them a better team. Did they reach on Flacco? Not if they truly think he's their franchise quarterback and couldn't afford to let him get away. And plus, they'd already held up the Jaguars for half their draft.
- I think Mike Martz will help pump life into the 49ers' offense. And with one of the most talented young linebacking corps in football, the defense is poised to have a nice season. Quarterback Alex Smith will be the key. If Martz can do for him what he's done for quarterbacks such as Kurt Warner, Marc Bulger and Jon Kitna, the 49ers have a chance to be a middle-of-the-pack team. And having the most underrated offensive line coach in football, George Warhop, doesn't hurt their cause.
