Spring Break
NFL power rankings
Matt Simon
Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Sports
5) Chicago Bears- The NFC's best team has a very strong defense, but has an offense surrounded by question marks. If QB Rex Grossman can find some consistency in his play this season then expect the Bears to dominate the NFC again in 2007. Grossman will have more targets to throw to in '07 in the Bears' first round draft selection Greg Olson and dynamic return specialist Devin Hester, both from the University of Miami. Olsen is a big, pass-catching tight end who can be a young quarterback's best friend, and Hester has been moved to offense after a spectacular rookie season.
6) Philadelphia Eagles- Donavan McNabb's health will play a huge role in how well this team performs in 2007. Last year, with McNabb injured and Jeff Garcia at the helm, the Eagles won the NFC East title and made it to the second round of the playoffs. This led many fanatical Philadelphia fans to call for McNabb's outs as starting QB. The fact is McNabb, before his injury, was playing as well as he ever had, putting together an MVP-like season. The Eagles let Garcia leave to explore free agency, but kept pressure on McNabb by drafting Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb with their first pick in the '07 draft. The Eagles defense is a well-rounded unit that is known for its attacking style, blitzing from different angles to keep opposing offenses off balance.
7) New Orleans Saints- Drew Brees' helped turn around the Saints organization in 2006. A perfect fit for coach Sean Peyton's schemes, Brees threw 26 touchdowns and quarterbacked the top offense in the NFL last year. Joe Horn, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and ECU alum Terrance Copper performed well for Brees at receiver.
The exciting Reggie Bush also flourished as a receiver out of the backfield, posting an NFL record 88 receptions for 742 yards. The Saints aren't going to sneak up on anybody this year, so we'll have to see how everyone's favorite underdogs are going to handle playing with a target on their back in '07.
6) Philadelphia Eagles- Donavan McNabb's health will play a huge role in how well this team performs in 2007. Last year, with McNabb injured and Jeff Garcia at the helm, the Eagles won the NFC East title and made it to the second round of the playoffs. This led many fanatical Philadelphia fans to call for McNabb's outs as starting QB. The fact is McNabb, before his injury, was playing as well as he ever had, putting together an MVP-like season. The Eagles let Garcia leave to explore free agency, but kept pressure on McNabb by drafting Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb with their first pick in the '07 draft. The Eagles defense is a well-rounded unit that is known for its attacking style, blitzing from different angles to keep opposing offenses off balance.
7) New Orleans Saints- Drew Brees' helped turn around the Saints organization in 2006. A perfect fit for coach Sean Peyton's schemes, Brees threw 26 touchdowns and quarterbacked the top offense in the NFL last year. Joe Horn, Marques Colston, Devery Henderson and ECU alum Terrance Copper performed well for Brees at receiver.
The exciting Reggie Bush also flourished as a receiver out of the backfield, posting an NFL record 88 receptions for 742 yards. The Saints aren't going to sneak up on anybody this year, so we'll have to see how everyone's favorite underdogs are going to handle playing with a target on their back in '07.
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