2011 NFL Lockout: 5 Teams Hurt Most and 5 Prepared for Continued Lockout

2011 NFL Lockout: Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos Among Teams Most Hurt; Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots Still OK With Continued Lockout

First off, let me be clear: No one wins from the NFL's current lockout. Monday's news about the continued stay granted by the 8th district court is just another chapter is a saga that hurts everyone. 

But there are teams that will be hurt more by the continued lockout, and some teams won't miss much. 

Let's breakdown the five teams that are the hurt the most and five that should still be in good shape following the NFL's extended lockout.

Hurt: Minnesota Vikings

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Interim head coach Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the bench while playing the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 20-13. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Gett

The Vikings got a head start in the coaching department by bringing back interim head coach Leslie Frazier, but this is a team that isn't benefiting from a work stoppage. 

Minnesota has some big holes on their roster, and the lack of a free agent market could limit what they bring in for help. 

They also have a rookie quarterback in Christian Ponder who won't be getting reps in offseason programs, and their best backup—second year player Joe Webb—is in the same situation. Both are are project quarterbacks at this point who need the time in camp.

Frazier should keep some continuity for the Vikings defense, however.

OK: Indianapolis Colts

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts talks with head coach Jim Caldwell against the New York Jets during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Ind

The Colts might be one of the more lockout-proof teams (if there is such a thing) in the NFL. 

Their quarterback-coach combination of Peyton Manning and Jim Caldwell will keep the offense in sync, and the Colts aren't a team that likes to spend big money on free agents.

Also, nothing has changed schematically for Indianapolis in a long time. 

No matter how long this lockout lasts, the Colts should remain relatively unscathed.

Hurt: Tennessee Titans

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Jake Locker #10 of the Washington Huskies in action against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Titans are in a really tough spot with this lockout. 

Not only do they have a new head coach in Mike Munchak, but Tennessee also has two new coordinators. 

Chris Palmer is taking over an offense that will likely have an inexperienced quarterback taking snaps, and Jerry Gray has to help a defense that gave up the seventh most yards in 2010. 

The longer the lockout lasts, the more likely Tennessee is to be picking in the top ten again next season.

OK: New England Patriots

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots talks with head coach Bill Belichick before playing against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the g

The Patriots could use this time to keep developing their young defense, but the rest of the roster is set for a team that went 14-2 in 2010. 

Tom Brady is coming off one of the more impressive years by a passer in history, and Bill Belichick will find a way to get the necessary things done once the lockout is lifted. 

And in the end, it's hard not to assume that the Patriots will be able to weather through the lockout without major damage.

Hurt: Cleveland Browns

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BEREA, OH - MAY 01: Colt McCoy #12 of the Cleveland Browns gets ready to throw a pass during rookie mini camp at the Cleveland Browns Training and Administrative Complex on May 1, 2010 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Much like the Titans, the Browns have to be concerned about the state of their franchise following the lockout. 

New coach Pat Shumur already had a late start in taking control of the team, and second year quarterback Colt McCoy won't get a chance to learn the Browns new offensive scheme. 

Add in the fact that Cleveland is switching to a 4-3 defense, and you have some major issues.

The Browns should have a better roster for 2011, but it likely won't show with all the changes that had to happen before the lockout.

OK: Pittsburgh Steelers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks to Ben Roethlisberger #7 as they play the New York Jets in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers wo

The Steelers are another team that focuses on building their roster through the draft, eliminating any ramifications from no free agent period. 

Pittsburgh also has a steady relationship between their quarterback and head coach. The teams that come out of the lockout in decent shape will all possess that kind of leadership atop their franchise.

And don't forget—the Super Bowl hangover can have a big effect on certain teams. With an extended period off, the Steelers could be refreshed and refocused for a return trip in 2011.

Hurt: Carolina Panthers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell poses for a photo with Carolina Panthers #1 overall pick Cam Newton from Auburn during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty

If you haven't noticed by now, there's a glaring trend for teams that are going to be hurt by the lockout. 

The Panthers will be heading into 2011 with a new coach in Ron Rivera, but it's the offensive side of the ball that is most worrisome. 

New offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has to turn around an offense that ranked last in both points and yards, and his shiny new offensive weapon—No. 1 overall pick Cameron Newton—is losing valuable time.

If Newton can't start right away because of the lockout, the Panthers are going to feature another horrific offense in 2011 and will likely be a team that should be in the running for a top pick in 2012.

OK: Green Bay Packers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: (L-R) Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 and head coach Mike McCarthy of the Green Bay Packers talk on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atla

The Super Bowl champs are still in a good position regardless of when the NFL's labor situation is sorted out.

The Packers have arguably the most talented roster in the league, and GM Ted Thompson rarely ventures into free agency to snag a player. 

Not being able to find a few undrafted free agents is an unfortunate side effect, but Green Bay should have all they need on their current roster. 

In fact, the longer the lockout goes, the better the chance the Packers could have at repeating. No one is cheering for that to happen, but Green Bay is in solid shape with the lockout.

Hurt: Denver Broncos

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ENGLEWOOD, CO - APRIL 29: Von Miller of the Denver Broncos is presented to the media for the first time with vice president of football operations John Elway at Dove Valley on April 29, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. Miller, a projected outside linebacker

The Broncos and Browns are in very identical situations with the lockout. 

Denver has a new coach (John Fox) with a second year quarterback that needs all the time to get better (Tim Tebow) and a defense that will be undergoing a switch (3-4 to 4-3).

That's not the way new vice president of football operations John Elway wanted to start his reign in Denver. 

Having a veteran coach in Fox will help, but the Broncos are in trouble if this lockout continues on its current path.

OK: Baltimore Ravens

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: (L-R) Ed Reed #20 and Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens warm up against the New England Patriots during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Ro

The Ravens are a team that could possibly use an extended break from football. 

Their defense is a solid group, but leaders Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are growing older and might be warranted a second wind with the lockout lasting deep into summer.

Baltimore also has a solidified group on offense, even though coordinator Cam Cameron and quarterback Joe Flacco have had their differences. 

Overall, this is a veteran group that shouldn't get too far off track.