I hate Power Rankings. Generally, I pay no attention to them. I think they are meaningless, especially four months before the season even starts.
That said, it's the dead of the off-season and ESPN yesterday released its first NFL Power Rankings for this season. At least it gives us something to discuss.
The Giants are 17th in this ranking out of the 32 teams in the league. That ranking doesn't bug me, after all the Giants were 8-8 last year and pretty much in the middle of the pack, right where this ranking puts them.
What bugs me is that the Eagles are 8th and the Cowboys 9th. With apologies to the nice fellas over at Bleeding Green Nation and Blogging The Boys there is no way Philadelphia and Dallas are that much better than the Giants.
Look at the Cowboys. They went 9-7 last season and what, exactly, have they done to get that much better? Maybe I missed something, but the biggest thing they did was replace Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells with multiple-time failure Wade Phillips. That makes them better? I don't think so.
As for the Eagles, they had no first-round pick and used their second pick on a developmental quarterback. They brought in Takeo Spikes and Ian Scott to help their defense, but have they really separated themselves from the Giants? I don't think so.
It's my belief that many experts are underestimating the Giants. Don't forget, they played the toughest schedule in the league last season.
Also, while their off-season has not been splashy I do believe there is a good chance they have improved in a lot of need areas.
Only time will tell, of course, but my gut feeling is the Giants will be better than many people think this season.
Your thoughts?
Touring the Nation
• Briggs to skip Bears mini-camp. Windy City Gridiron
• Shorten the draft. Please. Pride of Detroit
• Defending Tarvaris Jackson. Daily Norseman