NFL: Ranking the Top 10 Organizations in the League

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10. Tennessee Titans: I don't think you can say enough about the job Jeff Fisher has done in his tenure as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. He took over in 1995, and since then the team has gone 128-102. In my opinion, he is just a title away from greatness.

The Vince Young saga was an absolute disgrace, but you could tell part of the run the Titans made last year was Jeff Fisher coaching. In his years, the Titans have been in contention pretty consistently, and have won 10 games six times, which is remarkable considering this is indeed the NFL, where the word "consistency" loses its meaning.

That's why teams who you can bet contend every year like the Pats, Steelers, and Colts are so unique.

And you know they draft well. The Titans have pulled off some magical draft picks. Drafting Chris Johnson and Michael Griffin back to back was nothing short of miraculous. Johnson was fantastic as a rookie, and Griffin is one of the best safeties in the NFL, and was a ballhawk last year.

Pacman Jones and Vince Young were terrible picks, but the Titans also have picked Michael Roos, who is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, DT Albert Haynesworth (2002, first round), Keith Bulluck (2000, first round), Jevon Kearse (1999, first round), Samari Rolle (1998, second round), and even the late Steve McNair (1995, first round).

Let's not forget Derrick Mason, who was drafted by Tennessee in the fourth round in 1997 and is one of the most productive receivers in the game.

9. San Diego Chargers: People underrate the job the Chargers have done over the years, but they really shouldn't.

Yes, they did draft Ryan Leaf. But over the last 10 years, they have done a tremendous job and appear to have the AFC West locked up for many years to come.

In 2001, they laid the foundation, drafting both QB Drew Brees (Purdue) and RB LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU) back to back. They continued to pull off good drafts and do to this day, selecting Quentin Jammer and Ben Leber early in 2002, Drayton Florence and Mike Scifres in 2003, and 2004 was a gem of a draft class.

They took Eli Manning, which translated to Rivers, and also took Igor Olshansky, who was a good DT until leaving last offseason.

They also got Nate Kaeding, Nick Hardwick, Shaun Phillips, and Ryan Bingham. I think it's one of the more underrated draft classes in the last decade. And who can forget the last four years, when they have gotten countless good football players, including Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Cromartie, Marcus McNeill, and even Eric Weddle?

Since 2004, the "Bolts" are 54-26, and while some of that can be attributed to the weak division they play in, a lot is also a credit to the class of that organization.

8. Dallas Cowboys: The five Super Bowls speak for themselves.

True, the Dallas Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996, but that's not to say they aren't a great organization. In fact, during that period, they are 105-103, and in the last five years, are 46-34.

I don't see this drought lasting too much longer. They have the pieces in place. They have a quarterback, a dangerous run game, a scary offensive line, and a solid defense. They have what it takes. Jerry Jones is a fantastic owner, and not so much as a GM, but I like what I see in this Cowboys organization. People still heckle Jones as a GM for trading draft picks for Roy Williams, but they are still good drafters.

In the last few years, they have made some good decisions in the draft room. Felix Jones was great as a rookie until he was hurt, and Tashard Choice really came on as the year progressed.

The 2005 draft was underrated for the Boys. They took DeMarcus Ware first, who, in four years, has 53-1/2 sacks. Let's not forget Kevin Burnett, Marion Barber, Chris Canty, and Jay Ratliff. And in 2003, they took Jason Witten, Terrence Newman, and Bradie James. Say what you will about the Roy Williams trade and the $1.15 billion stadium. This team wins—and the right way, at that.

7. Green Bay Packers: The days of Brett Favre are long gone, and if I'm a Packers fan, I'm not too sad about it. They have a brilliant organization.

Since 2001, they are 75-53, and while that has a lot to do with Brett Favre's presence, they have the looks of a great team now. Aaron Rodgers is an elite quarterback, and proved that last year. Ted Thompson and the Packers definitely handled that situation perfectly, opting for the future in Rodgers.

It's very hard to evaluate drafts so prematurely, but it's pretty obvious the 2009 Packers draft class was a good one, as they got two solid prospects in the first round. Not only did they get that, they added to their defense—something they needed to do.

You can't question the drafting. James Jones, Aaron Rouse, and Mason Crosby figure to play prominent roles in the future and both Rouse and Crosby were starters last year. Throughout the last few years, they have been inconsistent. But you can't criticize what they get when they're on.

Since 2001, they've gotten some good players like Javon Walker, Najeh Davenport, Nick Barnett, Nick Collins, Brady Poppinga, A.J. Hawk, and even Jermichael Finley, who has truly emerged during the preseason. Let's not forget Greg Jennings, drafting Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in the 2000 draft in the fifth round, and finding a diamond in the rough in 1999 when they picked Donald Driver in round seven.

6. Baltimore Ravens: Most great NFL players don't make great front office executives, but Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is a rare exception.

For 13 years, he was a great tight end for the Cleveland Browns, catching 662 passes for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. His average season consisted of 51 catches, 614 yards, and four touchdowns.

In 1999, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1996, when the Browns moved to Baltimore, he became the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, and his first draft picks rate as one of the best draft classes in NFL history, as he took both Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in the first round.

In franchise history, the Ravens are 107-100-1, with one Super Bowl victory. Like every team, the Ravens are off from time to time, but always regroup with drafting. They have taken Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Terrell Suggs, Peter Boulware, Chris McAlister, Todd Heap, Haloti Ngata, Sam Koch, and of course, Ed Reed. Not a bad core of players in just 13 years of franchise existence.

The Ravens always draft well, and more recently, found their franchise quarterback when they selected Joe Flacco in 2008. This franchise has a bright future—and present.

5. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts changed the direction of the franchise in the 1998 draft. They had a choice to make. They could either take Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, who threw for 3,637 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions as a senior at Washington State, or they could take Peyton Manning, who threw for 3,819 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions for the Tennessee Vols.

They decided to take Manning, who in 12 years with Indy, has 9 Pro Bowls, 3 MVPs, and one Super Bowl ring.

On the other hand, Leaf is considered the biggest bust in NFL history, as he threw 14 touchdowns and 35 interceptions and is currently in jail. Good decision, Indy.

But it's not just this. Over the last decade or so, the Colts have done a good job in pretty much every draft, as they have taken some very good players like Joseph Addai, Anthony Gonzalez, Antoine Bethea, Kelvin Hayden, Bob Sanders, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Cato June, Dwight Freeney, Ryan Diem, and of course, Jeff Saturday.

Since 2000, when Peyton really got settled in, the Colts are ridiculously consistent, with a 101-43 record, good for an almost unbelievable .701 winning percentage. You have to respect the way the organization does things.

4. New York Giants: Another underrated organization. The Giants are excellent drafters, handle cap well, and are a very-well respected team throughout the NFL.

Of course, we all remember the Eli Manning-for-Philip Rivers swap during the 2004 draft, and it's debatable who got the edge there. Eli has won a ring, but individually, Rivers has clearly had the superior career. That 2007 magical run the Giants had was fun to watch.

They beat some teams many thought of as clearly superior, like the 18-0 Patriots, along with Brett Favre's Packers, who won 13 games that year. Eli grew up during the playoffs, making much smarter decisions.

The Giants definitely draft well. They go by the "best player available" philosophy, which most smart teams use. And since 2000, the results speak for themselves. In 2000, they added Cornelius Griffin and Dhani Jones, both guys who panned out, just not with New York.

In 2001, they added Jeremy Shockey, who was certainly a good tight end there from 2001 to 2007. They even got Osi Umenyiora, David Diehl, and William Joseph the next year, certainly an impressive draft. Others since 2002 include Chris Snee, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Brandon Jacobs, Mathias Kiwanuka, Aaron Ross, Jay Alford, and Kevin Boss.

3. Philadelphia Eagles: The way Joe Banner, Jeffrey Lurie, and the Philadelphia Eagles handle cap astonishes me. They are able to sign big name guys every offseason like Jason Peters, Asante Samuel, and Stacey Andrews, but still have plenty of cap room to make sure their core of players stay happy.

And nobody can question the way they draft. For every bust like Jerome McDougle (1st round, 2003), there's a Donovan McNabb, Shawn Andrews, Mike Patterson, Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson, Tra Thomas, Trent Cole, or a Stewart Bradley.

Every owner likes comfort. They like to have stability at both head coach and quarterback. They want to have guys they feel can produce year in and year out, but can also do it for a while. The Eagles have gotten that in Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.

Reid has been head coach for ten years and has a 97-62-1 record, and in my opinion, is just a Super Bowl victory away from Hall of Fame consideration. McNabb is also that. He's been an Eagle for 10 years, and the numbers speak for themselves: 29,320 passing yards, 194 touchdowns, 90 interceptions, 3,109 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs, along with an 82-45-1 starter's record. Need I say more?

2. Pittsburgh Steelers: It's easy to hate the Steelers. However, I can't do it.

They have the six Super Bowl rings, had a dynasty during the 1970's, and have two Super Bowls in the last five seasons. But they win the right way. They are a class organization. They draft brilliantly, chase guys who can play, but also have character, and have respectful players and coaches.

You can hate them, but you almost have to have respect for them. In the 1974 draft, they got John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, and Jack Lambert—four Hall of Famers in a single draft.

They haven't had a draft so impressive since, but they've still been solid. Since 1998, they've added guys like Hines Ward, Alan Faneca, DeShea Townsend, Joey Porter, Aaron Smith, Marvel Smith, Casey Hampton, Larry Foote, Kendal Simmons, Brett Keisel, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes, Lawrence Timmons, and LaMarr Woodley.

And who can forget them picking up James Harrison on the waiver wire as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State and turning him into a 2008 NFL defensive player of the year?

1. New England Patriots: It's hard to put anyone above the Steelers, but if anyone is a better organization than them, it's Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots.

Like the Steelers, many people despise the Pats, but also like the Steelers, it's for no real good reason. They win too much. That about wraps up those fans' justifications.

The Patriots win, but not like the Yankees, they win the right way. They build from within. If you look around the Pats' depth chart, almost everyone is homegrown. Except Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the Pats have a roster of players they drafted.

Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick. The whole offensive line is homegrown, and eight of the 11 defensive starters were drafted.

That's phenomenal. The Patriots have the wins for the right reason. They don't buy everybody much like the Washington Redskins do.

In fact, it's quite the opposite for the Pats. It seems they are firmly against using the free agent market to win games. It's understandable that people hate the Pats. They win too much.

But you have to respect how the organization works. They win the right way, and it shows it's not just because of Tom Brady, as after losing him in the first game last year, they still managed to go 11-5, with Matt Cassel—who hadn't started since high school. It was a credit to the coaching, especially Belichick, and the depth of the team. So they are my No. 1 organization.

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