cbs power rankings

[AGrizzlyBaer]

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8441273

they have us at 23!!!!!! man... i dont know what they are thinking...

[skyline]

Haha, I'm not surprised.

What makes me laugh, though, is not that they put them as low as 23...it's that they actually dropped them in the rankings from last year. If they wanted to keep them at the same spot, then ok...but to drop them 4 places? What morons

[BengalNation1281]

Hmmmm...the Raiders are at #13 but the Bengals are at #23.

He talks about how much fun it will be to watch Oakland, a team with alot of offensive possibilities but severe defensive deficiencies, but puts the Bengals at #23 for the exact same reason, only our defense is improved but unproven and not FREAKING ABYSMAL.

Prisco can eat it.

When Oakland is 6-10 and the Bengals are in the playoffs, I am sure that he will change his mind. And deny that he ever made this list.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Baltimore at #4? And he's "really high" on them? Must be one of Jamal's clients....

[HoosierCat]

they have us at 23!!!!!! man... i dont know what they are thinking...

They're thinking the Bengals haven't done very much in the offseason...and they'd be right. That isn't to say that things like resigning Rudi and TJ haven't been good moves, but in the end they have been status quo moves. The Bengals are going to have to demonstrate that all their happy talk about in-house improvements and hotshot rookies is something more than just so much hot air. And they won't get that chance until preseason at earliest...so you're going to see things like this. Personally, I agree that 23 is pretty harsh, but I wouldn't rank them higher than the mid-teens myself. They still have a lot to prove. :player:

[BengalNation1281]

I wouldn't have put us higher than maybe 15 or 16, but 23? That's freakin' crazy talk!

Oh, well...how much stock should we really put in a list that comes out four months before the preseason starts?

[bengalindian]

What I think is funny is that he said "Can J.P. Losman be this year's Ben Roethilsberger?" Two things; he can't, because Roethlisberger was a rookie, and the there isn't a Big Ben story just every year. I think the more appropriate thing is that the Bills will be the Bengals of last year. A developing quarterback at the helm, and an average season. (Hopefully, that includes a loss to the Bengals )

[AGrizzlyBaer]

losman is just a cocky sob

[DontPushMe]

they have us at 23!!!!!! man... i dont know what they are thinking...

They're thinking the Bengals haven't done very much in the offseason...and they'd be right. That isn't to say that things like resigning Rudi and TJ haven't been good moves, but in the end they have been status quo moves. The Bengals are going to have to demonstrate that all their happy talk about in-house improvements and hotshot rookies is something more than just so much hot air. And they won't get that chance until preseason at earliest...so you're going to see things like this. Personally, I agree that 23 is pretty harsh, but I wouldn't rank them higher than the mid-teens myself. They still have a lot to prove. :player:

bingo. We walked in place this offseason. Every team had a draft, the difference is, the teams ahead of us went out and signed free agents that would help their team. We failed to do that like every other year.

As for the rank of 23th, the thing you have to remember is this guy is giving an unbias opinion (for the most part), while everyone on here has a bias. With that said i still think we should be 19th. I cant see why we wouldnt be better then the Giants, Cardnals, Cowboys, or Rams this year. Still though, something you need to remember, we havent made the playoffs or had a winning season in 15 years, all the teams ahead of us have, so untill we prove otherwise, our rank will probly always seem a little bit 'low'.

[HairOnFire]

I wish I cared where Prisco ranked teams. In fact, I wish I could get mad at every slight I hear, read or imagined....including those offered simply to sell newspapers. Yup, if I could do that I'm sure life would be more fun. More fizzy. And last, I wish more people wore hats because they look so cool when I watch old movies. As it is, if you wear a fedora these days you're just asking for trouble or making a rap video.

Sure, I know...people wear ballcaps all the time. Some even wear them backwards. But it's not the same. No style. No fizz.

Mark my words, until I see the streets full of dames wearing pillbox hats I'm certain we've lost our way as a people and a nation.

(((Heavy Sigh)))

[bengalboomer7]

Your right, just try going out in public in a fedora!

[kingwilly]

More shocking that the Oakland ranking is Baltimore. GIVE ME A BREAK...

Let me revise this to what I thing it should be:

1 New England Patriots - Until they prove otherwise, they are the champs.

2 Indianapolis Colts - Improve the D and they could challenge

3 Pittsburgh Steelers - The class of the NFL is in the AFC. Big Ben falls to earth to win only 11 games.

4 Atlanta Falcons - Mr. Mexico, Your Valtrex prescription is ready, would you like a consult? Joking aside should be in the mix for SB.

5 Jacksonville Jaguars - This, to me, is a very dangerous team.

6 San Diego Chargers - Only got better. Class of the West.

7 Philadelphia Eagles - TO is a headache, may sit, wil hurt team. Probably slip this year outside the top 10.

8 Minnesota Vikings - D will be better...running game is key.

9 Carolina Panthers - won't falter early.

10 Kansas City - Decent squad that requires a D to get over the hump.

11 Denver Broncos - With all the turds on the team, the 3 drafted CB's and no Rueben Droughns, no way any higher. They fall steadily. Outside looking in.

12 Cincinnati Bengals - O has the guns. D will earn another 2 wins it couldn't from last year. Playoffs baby!Move up through year as D proves itself2

13 Baltimore Ravens - If the WR's get a groove with Boller (hahahaha) could be a good team. Probably not. D will keep them above .500 like last year

14 New Orleans Saints - Talented but poor leadership. guarded optimism here.

15 New York Jets - status Quo. Lower if Pennington comes up lame.

16 Buffalo Bills - Could be a nice year but Losman will have trouble early.

17 Seattle Seahawks - Holmgren starts typing his resume. Nother late season collapse

18 Arizona Cardinals - Good impriovement. Fight for division, 8-8 may win it.

19 Green Bay Packers - Like the Eagles, their decline is a year further along.

20 Oakland Raiders - Last time I checked, Collins was still the QB. Last time I checked, he sucks.

21 St. Louis Rams - Who's starts on D? I couldn't think of any either.

22 Dallas Cowboys - Bledsoe continues his "Tour of Diminished Skills" at Dallas.

23 New York Giants - Eli will look alot like Daivd Carr this year..oh and the team will go 6-10.

From here down, does it matter? In no specific order...

Chicago Bears

Houston Texans

Tennessee Titans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Redskins

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins

Cleveland Browns

[derekshank]

Okay okay, before we all get all hot and bothered, (with the apparent exception of HairOnFire), we need to look at who we believe Prisco should legitimately believe the Bengals will be better than. He isn't a Bengals fan, so he is looking at defense that is resting its hopes to be better on Bryan Robinson, and a couple rookies, and an offense that is basically the same. So just take a look at Prisco’s picks.

1. Patriots -We can't expect Prisco to rate us higher than them

2. Colts - Or them

3. Eagles - Or them

4. Ravens - Like it or not, their offense got a lot better with the addition of Mason

5. Steelers - I think the magic is over for Big Ben, but they did go 15-1

6. Falcons - other than the Eagles, the class of the NFC

7. Jags - I think this is his first real stretch, but the unbiased observer will still have them above Cincy

8. Chargers - they were 12-4 last year, and almost beat the Jets in the playoffs. Gotta give them the benefit of the doubt

9. Broncos - Now that their defense is the Cleveland Browns, I think this is the first team you can make a case for the Bengals over.

10. Vikings - Without Moss they are weak, but most believe they had a spectacular draft. Anyway, they were only 8-8 last year, so it's a toss up.

11. Panthers - With all their injury problems last year, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

12. Saints - flat out, the Bengals are better than them

13. Oakland - I don't care about Randy Moss, their problem last year was defense, and they only won 5 games. The Bengals are better.

14. Jets - they were 10-6 in a strong division, and now they have Nugent. Signs point to them being good.

15. Bills - A toss up. They were real hot last year at the end, but Losman will have even more growing pains than Palmer did last year.

16. Cheifs - based on their defensive upgrades, you have to give the edge to K.C.

17. Seahawks - really underacheived last year. Might do so again with an unhappy Alexander. I'd give the Bengals the edge.

18. Packers - holes on defense, and that o-line will make no holes for Ahman, and Favre - Bengals are head and shoulders better. A joke pick

19. Rams - They are overrated every year. Why should this year be any different. Still, they have a better track record than cincy, so give them the edge.

20. Cardinals - a ton of good improvements this offseason, but they were 6-10. I think the Bengals should be ranked higher.

21. Dallas - who knows with Parcells at the helm? Bledsoe is better than Vinny, I'll let this one slide Prisco.

22. Giants - Another joke pick. No way they are better than Cincy.

So the Bengals at 23, I think the unbiased observer should have them 5-6 slots higher, but that is far from outrageous. Prico even said "The Cincinnati Bengals are 23rd, and they are the chic pick by some to be a playoff team. Can they be higher than that come December? Of course they can. That's why it's so tricky"

So do I disagree? Yes, but I'm a Bengals fan. The fact is that to the outsider, there hasn't been the big free-agent signing like the Ravens had to make them lots better. We'll just have to hope that the year under Palmer's belt, and the new Def. coordinator will be enough make up for it, and prove the Prisco's of the world wrong.

[vman1186]

Prisco sucks.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Okay okay, before we all get all hot and bothered, (with the apparent exception of HairOnFire), we need to look at who we believe Prisco should legitimately believe the Bengals will be better than. He isn't a Bengals fan, so he is looking at defense that is resting its hopes to be better on Bryan Robinson, and a couple rookies, and an offense that is basically the same. So just take a look at Prisco’s picks.

1. Patriots -We can't expect Prisco to rate us higher than them

2. Colts - Or them

3. Eagles - Or them

#'s 1 through 3: Agreed, except the Colts are not better than the Eagles with T.O. If he sit's maybe.

4. Ravens - Like it or not, their offense got a lot better with the addition of Mason

5. Steelers - I think the magic is over for Big Ben, but they did go 15-1

6. Falcons - other than the Eagles, the class of the NFC

7. Jags - I think this is his first real stretch, but the unbiased observer will still have them above Cincy.

No way. Not even at #14Ravens, much less at #4. And above the Steelers? I agree their "O" got potentially better with the recieving help, but throwing the ball...

...they still have Kyle:

Falcons and Jags seem right.

8. Chargers - they were 12-4 last year, and almost beat the Jets in the playoffs. Gotta give them the benefit of the doubt

9. Broncos - Now that their defense is the Cleveland Browns, I think this is the first team you can make a case for the Bengals over.

10. Vikings - Without Moss they are weak, but most believe they had a spectacular draft. Anyway, they were only 8-8 last year, so it's a toss up.

11. Panthers - With all their injury problems last year, you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

12. Saints - flat out, the Bengals are better than them

13. Oakland - I don't care about Randy Moss, their problem last year was defense, and they only won 5 games. The Bengals are better.

#8: Agree

#9: You're right again. Donkeys are at least 5 spots too high here.

#10: As you said it's a hard one to tell about.

#11: Carolina may be a tad high here, but close.

#12: What were the factors they considered in this mind scrambler!?!

#13: Probably the same ones they used putting Oakland(!?!?!) here? Oakland ranks with Dallas at best.

14. Jets - they were 10-6 in a strong division, and now they have Nugent. Signs point to them being good.

15. Bills - A toss up. They were real hot last year at the end, but Losman will have even more growing pains than Palmer did last year.

16. Cheifs - based on their defensive upgrades, you have to give the edge to K.C.

17. Seahawks - really underacheived last year. Might do so again with an unhappy Alexander. I'd give the Bengals the edge.

18. Packers - holes on defense, and that o-line will make no holes for Ahman, and Favre - Bengals are head and shoulders better. A joke pick

19. Rams - They are overrated every year. Why should this year be any different. Still, they have a better track record than cincy, so give them the edge.

20. Cardinals - a ton of good improvements this offseason, but they were 6-10. I think the Bengals should be ranked higher.

21. Dallas - who knows with Parcells at the helm? Bledsoe is better than Vinny, I'll let this one slide Prisco.

22. Giants - Another joke pick. No way they are better than Cincy.

In the #14-#16 range is where I'd begin to seriously place the Bengals. I consider these 3 teams placed here pretty accurate, although I'd bring Arizona in too with the Bengals in this range.

#17 Seahawks might be a tad low. I don't think Shawn is really all that unhappy.

THIS is unhappy:

The rest below here? Who knows...who cares? Although I wouldn't be too shocked to see the Texans, or even Miami try to crawl out of this abyss!

[LesterLyles]

What a travesty that list was? Bengals lower than last year? Based on what? Ravens on #4. Why are they such media darlings? Don't get me started on my Jets...14 is an insult!

[WillisXPress]

losman is just a cocky sob

Dude, thats just a rumor.

He a confident kid, but I listen to every interview with the guy and he says all the right things.

He's been quoted as saying that he knows he needs to earn respect in this league and that he feels he has the game to do it.

Also his attitude is not unfounded, he's been at One Bills Drive 6 days a week working out with a few teammates, and studyinga film and playbooks with Sam Wyche.

Quote from Lawyer Milloy:

"J.P. was saying all the right things and seemed so eager to learn and get better and get out there and help the team. That's exactly how Brady was. I gave J.P. the same advice I gave Tom. I told him to do everything you can to prepare yourself for success when your opportunity comes."

The 24-year-old Losman has taken Milloy's advice to heart. Since the Bills jettisoned veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe three months ago, Losman has been putting in six days a week, studying film, lifting weights, running stadium steps, throwing passes and memorizing the playbook.

"I'm not saying he is going to become the next Tom Brady," Milloy says. "But his eagerness to learn and his work ethic are similar. Let me just say that if he doesn't succeed, it won't be because of lack of effort."

And From Eric Moulds:

"Although he's just a second-year guy, you can see he's taken charge of the situation," says veteran Bills receiver Eric Moulds. "He's putting guys in the right positions, making the right reads and calling the right audibles. You don't expect someone that young to take command of the huddle the way he has. You expect those things to happen over time, but he already has established himself as a leader."

JP gets a bad rap, too bad you guys don't play him at the begining of the year. He should be hitting on all cylinders come DEC.

[LesterLyles]

losman is just a cocky sob

Dude, thats just a rumor.

He a confident kid, but I listen to every interview with the guy and he says all the right things.

He's been quoted as saying that he knows he needs to earn respect in this league and that he feels he has the game to do it.

Also his attitude is not unfounded, he's been at One Bills Drive 6 days a week working out with a few teammates, and studyinga film and playbooks with Sam Wyche.

Quote from Lawyer Milloy:

"J.P. was saying all the right things and seemed so eager to learn and get better and get out there and help the team. That's exactly how Brady was. I gave J.P. the same advice I gave Tom. I told him to do everything you can to prepare yourself for success when your opportunity comes."

The 24-year-old Losman has taken Milloy's advice to heart. Since the Bills jettisoned veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe three months ago, Losman has been putting in six days a week, studying film, lifting weights, running stadium steps, throwing passes and memorizing the playbook.

"I'm not saying he is going to become the next Tom Brady," Milloy says. "But his eagerness to learn and his work ethic are similar. Let me just say that if he doesn't succeed, it won't be because of lack of effort."

And From Eric Moulds:

"Although he's just a second-year guy, you can see he's taken charge of the situation," says veteran Bills receiver Eric Moulds. "He's putting guys in the right positions, making the right reads and calling the right audibles. You don't expect someone that young to take command of the huddle the way he has. You expect those things to happen over time, but he already has established himself as a leader."

JP gets a bad rap, too bad you guys don't play him at the begining of the year. He should be hitting on all cylinders come DEC.

How much Bils crap do we have to hear year in and year out....too much as far as I'm concearned. They are a media darling that has done absolutely nothing in 6 years.

[BengalNation1281]

losman is just a cocky sob

Dude, thats just a rumor.

He a confident kid, but I listen to every interview with the guy and he says all the right things.

He's been quoted as saying that he knows he needs to earn respect in this league and that he feels he has the game to do it.

Also his attitude is not unfounded, he's been at One Bills Drive 6 days a week working out with a few teammates, and studyinga film and playbooks with Sam Wyche.

Quote from Lawyer Milloy:

"J.P. was saying all the right things and seemed so eager to learn and get better and get out there and help the team. That's exactly how Brady was. I gave J.P. the same advice I gave Tom. I told him to do everything you can to prepare yourself for success when your opportunity comes."

The 24-year-old Losman has taken Milloy's advice to heart. Since the Bills jettisoned veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe three months ago, Losman has been putting in six days a week, studying film, lifting weights, running stadium steps, throwing passes and memorizing the playbook.

"I'm not saying he is going to become the next Tom Brady," Milloy says. "But his eagerness to learn and his work ethic are similar. Let me just say that if he doesn't succeed, it won't be because of lack of effort."

And From Eric Moulds:

"Although he's just a second-year guy, you can see he's taken charge of the situation," says veteran Bills receiver Eric Moulds. "He's putting guys in the right positions, making the right reads and calling the right audibles. You don't expect someone that young to take command of the huddle the way he has. You expect those things to happen over time, but he already has established himself as a leader."

JP gets a bad rap, too bad you guys don't play him at the begining of the year. He should be hitting on all cylinders come DEC.

How much Bils crap do we have to hear year in and year out....too much as far as I'm concearned. They are a media darling that has done absolutely nothing in 6 years.

We, as Bengals fans, should consider ourselves lucky that we only play them once a year and only have the AFC in common with them.

Lester, I am sure as a Jets fan it is a lot worse for you than it is for us. Being in the same division, playing them twice a year, actually having to care about how well or how badly they do...that must be painful.

I'm just glad that the flood of Bills fans on this board died down and the ones who stuck around dropped the constant "Bills Rule Bengals Suck" diatribes and became engaged in some pretty good, open-minded football conversation. I am waiting for about December 10 or so for the rest to come back...damn crazy Bills fans.

[LesterLyles]

losman is just a cocky sob

Dude, thats just a rumor.

He a confident kid, but I listen to every interview with the guy and he says all the right things.

He's been quoted as saying that he knows he needs to earn respect in this league and that he feels he has the game to do it.

Also his attitude is not unfounded, he's been at One Bills Drive 6 days a week working out with a few teammates, and studyinga film and playbooks with Sam Wyche.

Quote from Lawyer Milloy:

"J.P. was saying all the right things and seemed so eager to learn and get better and get out there and help the team. That's exactly how Brady was. I gave J.P. the same advice I gave Tom. I told him to do everything you can to prepare yourself for success when your opportunity comes."

The 24-year-old Losman has taken Milloy's advice to heart. Since the Bills jettisoned veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe three months ago, Losman has been putting in six days a week, studying film, lifting weights, running stadium steps, throwing passes and memorizing the playbook.

"I'm not saying he is going to become the next Tom Brady," Milloy says. "But his eagerness to learn and his work ethic are similar. Let me just say that if he doesn't succeed, it won't be because of lack of effort."

And From Eric Moulds:

"Although he's just a second-year guy, you can see he's taken charge of the situation," says veteran Bills receiver Eric Moulds. "He's putting guys in the right positions, making the right reads and calling the right audibles. You don't expect someone that young to take command of the huddle the way he has. You expect those things to happen over time, but he already has established himself as a leader."

JP gets a bad rap, too bad you guys don't play him at the begining of the year. He should be hitting on all cylinders come DEC.

How much Bils crap do we have to hear year in and year out....too much as far as I'm concearned. They are a media darling that has done absolutely nothing in 6 years.

We, as Bengals fans, should consider ourselves lucky that we only play them once a year and only have the AFC in common with them.

Lester, I am sure as a Jets fan it is a lot worse for you than it is for us. Being in the same division, playing them twice a year, actually having to care about how well or how badly they do...that must be painful.

I'm just glad that the flood of Bills fans on this board died down and the ones who stuck around dropped the constant "Bills Rule Bengals Suck" diatribes and became engaged in some pretty good, open-minded football conversation. I am waiting for about December 10 or so for the rest to come back...damn crazy Bills fans.

We all hate rival fans (all of them) si I actually don't dislike their fans anymore than NE or Fish fans but what really irks me are perennial overhyped teams in the NFL. The Ravens fit into this as do KC, Minny and Buffalo certainly does as well. Year in and year out, guys like Peter King pick the Bills as a sleeper consistently picked ahead of the Jets b/f the season. You always hear "watch out for the Bills" from ESPN and during Jets - Bills week, I feel like the Jets are going to face Lombardi's Packers. What have they done to warrant this besides spend some big $$ in free agency over theyears? Nothing!! They haven't been to the Playoffs in 6 years. The Jets have been a consistent winning team albeit unspectacular and they seem to be overlooked year in and year out. Again, I point to the Ravens as well. #4 in the poer rankings. Are you friggin kidding me? I think Cincy finishes ahead of them to be quite honest!

I think the media has certain "likable" franchises that are consistently picked to win and Baltimore and Buffalo are two of them.

[OrganizedKonfusion]

Hi, ravens fan here.

Personally I think you guys were under-ranked big time in this poll but if I were you guys I wouldn't be to worried about it because if anything it will serve as a motivation factor. I actually kind of wish the ravens were ranked lower because we always seem to do well when expectations are low.

And as far as the ravens being the darlings of the media, that's krap. We've made too many courtroom appearances to even be remotely considered the "darlings" of the media.

I have a meeting to go to I'll be back later.

p.s. Don't be surprised to Pitt, Baltimore, and Cincinatti ranked in the top 12 by week 15 ( and that's where it matters most right )

[BengalszoneBilly]

Hi, ravens fan here.

Personally I think you guys were under-ranked big time in this poll but if I were you guys I wouldn't be to worried about it because if anything it will serve as a motivation factor. I actually kind of wish the ravens were ranked lower because we always seem to do well when expectations are low.

And as far as the ravens being the darlings of the media, that's krap. We've made too many courtroom appearances to even be remotely considered the "darlings" of the media.

I have a meeting to go to I'll be back later.

p.s. Don't be surprised to Pitt, Baltimore, and Cincinatti ranked in the top 12 by week 15 ( and that's where it matters most right )

Wow! Besides "Arizona" and "Jam31" we seldom see Ravens fans here. Welcome. Yes, of course every team ranked in the bottom half thinks they've been hosed, and all in the top half think they of course belong there.

I would rate your Ravens in the top half of the league, but #4? Kyle Boller would have to develop consistancy the has not yet been demonstrated in his play so far. Maybe a new bunch of good guys to throw to will help. We shall see.

I think your right about Pittsburgh/Baltimore/Cincinnati all being top half of the league. Maybe not top 12, but that's splitting hairs. Wanna take odds on where Cleveland ends up?

[Kirkendall]

Word is Prisco used a Dan Rather source. Stay tuned.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Word is Prisco used a Dan Rather source. Stay tuned.

I still think he used a Raven's source... he was high on them....

[LesterLyles]

The legal issues are independent of the NFL medial. Those players were in the cort room b/c they broke the law. The botom line is they are predicted as SB conteneders every year, they live on prime time (3X on Sunday night last year) and always get too many guys in the Pro Bowl (I know media doesn't vote but they tend to overhype Ravens players). JMHO.