Updated May 4
Which is the most-improved team heading into the 2009 NFL season?
Hint: It's a trick question.
Think. It's really easy. It's the New England Patriots. For one reason: Tom Brady is back.
|
|
| Even the Dalai Lama thinks the Patriots are No. 1 right now. (AP) |
OK, so it was a trick question. Let me ask another: Other than the Patriots, which is the most-improved team?
• Dalai Lama ... Patriots fan?
Hint: It's a team in green.
Yep, the Philadelphia Eagles. I love what they've done in the past three months. They've added key veterans like left tackle Jason Peters, right tackle Stacy Andrews and corner Ellis Hobbs and added speed to their offense in draft picks Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy.
The Eagles are loaded. And let's not forget that they were a team that played in the NFC Championship Game last season, losing to the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals were a surprise team to many last season. But they were on my radar for a couple of years as a possible playoff contender.
Two teams fall into that category as we sit here in May, non-playoff teams that I think have a chance for a playoff push.
One is the Houston Texans and the other is the Cincinnati Bengals. The Texans have stockpiled a lot of talent while the Bengals get back Carson Palmer. When he's healthy, he's one of the best.
When he was at his best, carrying the Bengals, the defense wasn't any good. Now the defense is improved and he's back.
Could the Texans or Bengals be this year's Cardinals?
It's early, but they're on my radar.
The next batch of CBSSports.com Power Rankings will come just before camps open in July. There probably won't be much change, but you never know.
Heck, Brett Favre might be back playing. That's bound to drop down any team he joins.
Here are the post-draft Power Rankings:
