NFL Power Rankings: Saints Rank 5th Among Experts

by Dave Cariello on May 10, 2011 6:00 AM CDT

The "experts" - and I'm not using that term sarcastically, that's literally the title they've given themselves - over at NFL.com have put together their post-draft NFL power rankings. For those not familiar, the NFL.com team of experts consists of Gil Brandt, Pat Kirwan, Jason LaCanfora, Vic Carucci, Steve Wyche, Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis, all of whom ranked each NFL team in the league according to strength.

The Saints' average rank among all seven experts is 5.29 or 5th out of 32 teams overall if we round it out. Not bad I suppose. Vic Carucci ranked the Saints ninth, lower than any of his other colleagues. The smart one of the bunch is apparently Steve Wyche, however, who actually ranked the Saints first overall and was the only one who didn't have the Packers at the top of his list. Damn, it's starting to feel like 2009 again.

You can rank each team yourself and submit it to be included with other fans power rankings. The fan consensus right now, which has the Saints ranked 4th overall, isn't too far off from the experts. I'm sure that might change a bit after this post however.

What do you think about the rankings? Make the jump to see my personal NFL power rankings because, hey, I can be an expert too.

CSC NFL Power Rankings

Rank	Team
1	Packers
2	Patriots
3	Saints
4	Steelers
5	Ravens
6	Jets
7	Falcons
8	Colts
9	Giants
10	Buccaneers
11	Eagles
12	Cowboys
13	Rams
14	Lions
15	Chargers
16	Bears
17	Chiefs
18	Texans
19	Jaguars
20	Dolphins
21	Raiders
22	Vikings
23	49ers
24	Seahawks
25	Titans
26	Browns
27	Broncos
28	Redskins
29	Bengals
30	Bills
31	Cardinals
32	Panthers

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Comments

I don’t mid being a bit of an underdog…not that 5th is really that much of an underdog anyway, and it’s pre-pre-season* power ranking…can’t expect too much i guess

*Season may not actually happen.

Security in this office park is a joke. Last year, I came to work with my spud gun in a duffel bag. I sat at my desk all day, with a rifle that shoots potatoes at 60 pounds per square inch. Can you imagine if I was deranged?

by GRlZZ on May 10, 2011 6:06 AM CDT reply actions

The bigger news is that four of the “experts” put the Falcons ahead of the Saints…so they apparently think last year’s standings represent a permanent changing of the guard in the NFC South.

All this means is that we get to witness the “experts” made fools of by season’s end…like clockwork.

It was good while it lasted.

by MtnExile on May 10, 2011 6:11 AM CDT reply actions

I think they put fatlanta so high because of the huge gamble they are making on Jones. I mean he could be a big a bust as Ricky…..

by Saintsfan75 on May 10, 2011 6:16 AM CDT reply actions

Highly doubtful, at least in terms of potential negative impact. No one WR is ever going to carry as high a percentage of an offense, as a featured RB. To illustrate, the most receptions in a season ever is 143 by Marvin Harrison in 2002. Chris Ivory had 138 touches this past season and that’s splitting reps with five other backs. Not saying Jones will be worth what they gave up to get him, just that you can’t rightly compare him (or any WR) to a featured RB.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on May 10, 2011 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Or Jones could break Randy Moss’s rookie receiving TD record, with the mediocre middle of the pack Matt Ryan throwing to him.

I said, "You know they refused Jesus1000, too"
He said, "You’re not Him."

by stujo4 on May 10, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Steve Wyche for President!

by GRlZZ on May 10, 2011 6:21 AM CDT reply actions

oh and Vic Carucci for Devil!

by GRlZZ on May 10, 2011 6:23 AM CDT up reply actions

Fox has us 2nd (after the Packers)... but talking of "experts"...

This is not directly related to the Rankings but tells you how some of the national media at times HAS NO CLUE….

This is from a John Clayton’s Q/A with fans @ ESPN, yesterday, on the Saints RB’s

Q: With the Saints taking RB Mark Ingram, does this mean that P.J. Hill will be sent packing? Do you think he will land with another team?
A: Hill is not in a position in which he has to be released. He can come to camp and compete for a job

Hmmm John….. P.J was waived on Febraury……

Bring the metal....

by bondcrash on May 10, 2011 7:57 AM CDT reply actions

Preseason rankings always seem to echo success of the season prior, yet year end standings rarely do.

"I was not on the boat in question" -Darren Sharper

by coldpizza on May 10, 2011 8:07 AM CDT reply actions

Kickoff Classic

Can’t wait to get our hands on the Pack.

Rob Ferrara

by RobF2010 on May 10, 2011 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

Depends on front 7 of defense

Saints have Super Bowl quality offense, IMO even more so than Packers. They have a relatively favorable schedule with no cold weather games. They have an emerging star in Malcolm Jenkins, and a bona fide top flight MLB in Vilma. They have excellent corners with good depth at that position.

If Cameron Jordan is as good as advertised, and they get Casillas to play like he has shown, I think the Saints could and should have an excellent year.

Ingram is going to be a beast, as is Jimmy Graham.

But don’t forget, Atlanta and Tampa Bay are also very good teams, so it won’t be a cakewalk.

by BenDerDonDat on May 10, 2011 1:29 PM CDT reply actions

seeing Ingram and Graham in the same sentence

Has me drooling over the halfback pass gadget play from Mark to Jimmy for a TD!!!!!

We can call it the “In-Graham Special” – whaddaya think?

Win Now...
WINGRAMANIA

by Hans Petersen on May 10, 2011 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions

groan.

Can I rec AND flag this? It’s funny but just soooo baaaaad….

by FriarBob on May 11, 2011 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Atlanta is SOOOOOO last year....

The only team I believe the Saints need to watch out for is Tampa Bay. They’re quitely building a SB caliber team and QB Freeman is gaining the confidence he needs to be competitive in the playoffs. When they got rid of their veterans a couple of yrs ago, you knew it was only a matter of time the youngsters they got to replace them would shine and based on the way they played us and Atlanta towards the end of this last season AND the last 2 drafts, I would say that they’re due to cash in. NOT saying they’re better than US/Saints but definitely need to keep an eye on them

by fshabazz on May 10, 2011 3:15 PM CDT reply actions

Saints can play.

Good balancing act is critical for the Saints this season. All teams are getting smarter. Saints need to use running backs more effectively this time.

by Jesus1 on May 11, 2011 2:12 AM CDT reply actions