NFL 2011 Power Rankings: Are the Philadelphia Eagles All Hype or All-Pro?

Now that the preseason has started it is time for my first power rankings of the year.

With almost all significant moves having been made, the hazy blur that is the 2011 NFL season is slowly coming into focus.

Here are my power rankings for the 2011 NFL season:

1. New Orleans Saints

They may have done it quietly, but the New Orleans Saints had the best offseason this year. They addressed their holes without losing any key contributors. This team has no obvious weaknesses and good depth. At the end of the year, that's the type of team that wins the Super Bowl.

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers are returning almost all of their pieces, but I'm worried about two things mostly. They did no offseason work together before training camp, and of course, the Super Bowl hangover. There is also the turnover in the roster/motivation question marks to consider.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

The cornerbacks may still be a major issue, but the offense is loaded with talent that should more than make up for the worst case scenario on defense. The worst case scenario for a DIck LeBeau led defense tends to be better than 70 percent of the league still.

4. New England Patriots

The Patriots' additions this offseason have been curious, but they have definitely improved their team. Shaun Ellis will turn into a huge addition and become a key contributor defensively. Expect a lot of their young talent from last year to step up to improve what wasn't actually a very good defense last year. Chad Ochocinco isn't exactly what the offense was looking for, but he should be an upgrade.

5. San Diego Chargers

This was the best team in football last year, except for the special teams play. Scariest thing about that is Philip Rivers will have better weapons this season. The Chargers really need Larry English to get healthy rather than have Travis LaBoy starting across from Shaun Philips. However, when that's the biggest issue, you know you have a brilliant defense.

6. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles may have brought in big name additions, but they will struggle against the run this season. Teams will run a lot on them too in order to keep that offense sidelined. Who's playing linebacker, Casey Matthews? JaMar Chaney? Come on. The defensive line will be stellar, but it will need to not miss a beat in all season if they are to win it all. This may be the best passing defense in what is a passing league, but there are plenty of elite running games still in play.

7. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts' biggest problem last season was their lack of health. Improved tackle play on offense should allow Manning to flourish once again. Who knows; maybe Austin Collie will survive this year too. Defensively, there are quite a few issues, but there always are in Indy.

8. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs made some great additions in the offseason. Matt Cassel now has all the weapons he needs with LeRon McClain, Steve Breaston and Jonathan Baldwin arriving. Jared Gaither would be my favorite for comeback player of the year, but I doubt a tackle will ever win that. The defense got a pass rusher in Justin Houston to complement Tamba Hali as well as Kelly Gregg to replenish the defensive line.

9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

How can you not like this team? The Bucs finally added a pass rush to aid their talented secondary, while Josh Freeman probably could've found a way to win with the winless Lions team from a few years ago. Expect a huge year from Freeman. While many are touting him as the next big thing, most are overlooking that he's already a pretty big deal.

10. Atlanta Falcons

Most of you probably think I'm insane to have the Falcons this low. I think it's a stretch to have them this high. That offense has no pace and is way too rigid. Julio Jones does not make that offense elite, and the defense isn't really going to call Ray Edwards a respectable pass rusher to complement John Abraham, are they?

11. Miami Dolphins

If this team had a half decent quarterback, it'd be top five. Ahem...hello Kyle Orton....The offense has so much talent. The offensive line is full of maulers. Daniel Thomas and Reggie Bush will be a dynamic duo while the receivers were already good. Mike Nolan made Denver's defense look good, and with the talent Miami has, they'll be one of the best in the whole league.

12. Houston Texans

I'm not buying the defensive transition until I see it. Mario Williams at OLB? I don't know about that so much. However, the offense should be as stellar as always, and the defense was so bad last year it can't get much worse. Foster shouldn't have as big a year, but with Ben Tate returning, they figure to be as balanced as ever.

13. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens' addition of Lee Evans should help Joe Flacco....I say should, but it probably won't. The reason it won't is because the Ravens' offensive line is in a terrible state. Oniel Cousins was a disaster at right tackle in their opening preseason game, while Matt Birk and Marshal Yanda are injured. That withstanding, the whole line looks like having a down year. Expect the Ravens to run a lot next year, but they can't continue to rely on that ancient defense.

14. Chicago Bears

The Bears have gotten worse since last year not better. Olsen is gone, and Roy Williams isn't the receiver they needed. Their first round draft pick, Gabe Carimi, is a specialist run blocker, so he doesn't solve their pass protection problems. Even if Carimi was Anthony Munoz, the whole group would still find a way to get Cutler killed. If the defense finally realizes how old it really is, they drop to the 20s.

15. Detroit Lions

That nasty defensive line really needed to get Cliff Avril back, and they did. The secondary is still a major worry, but it has improved, while Stephen Tulloch helps the linebacking group immensely. A healthy Matthew Stafford may be a lot to ask for, but with him, they could have one of the best offenses in the league. Heck Calvin Johnson alone has made it look average the past few years.

16. New York Jets

The Jets are in T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Has anyone noticed how bad that offense is right now? Plaxico over Braylon? seriously? Mason over Cotchery? Tomlinson with another year on the tires. Sanchez needs to be elite this year for them to be a respectable offense—I'm not holding my breath. Defensively, the front seven lacks a playmaker or pass rushing threat, they should be a solid unit but not elite by any means.

17. Dallas Cowboys

I just can't trust that secondary. A healthy Tony Romo could move this team close to the playoffs, but with the Giants and Eagles around, I expect them to be closer to the bottom of their division. Rob Ryan really needs to work a miracle with the defense.

18. St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford has plenty of weapons, and the defense looks to have improved also. They should make the playoffs but probably wouldn't if they were in any other division. The receiving corp should be very good this year, with Sims-Walker, Amendola and Avery returning. It's looking like a poor man's 2007 Patriots offense under Josh McDaniels.

19. New York Giants

This team was fifth on this list before the lockout ended. Nobody has lost more since then. Eli Manning got a lot of flack last year, but a lot of his picks were tipped passes or throws he had to force into tight windows. Who knows what to expect from that offensive line, while the loss of Steve Smith and Kevin Boss significantly hurts the passing game. Ahmad Bradshaw can't be trusted to hold onto the football. Defensively, they are stacked!

20. Oakland Raiders

Jared Veldheer and Daniel Loper will be important pieces for Darren McFadden. Both impressed last year but are by no means proven. The offense needs the receivers to finally establish themselves, while Kevin Boss will have to prove he's better than Zach Miller. Defensively, the Raiders will need to deal with the loss of Nnamdi Asomugha.

21. Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks have a brilliant offense except for the quarterback position. Unfortunately, that is a major problem for obvious reasons and hinders any expected production. Lofa Tatupu was released from the defense while they still lack a significant pass rush.

22. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers are in a similar position to the Seahawks in that they have a talented offense that is hindered by its poor quarterback play. Alex Smith showed nothing to be encouraged during the team's first preseason game by going 2-for-7. Defensively, they will need to overcome the loss of Aubrayo Franklin while hoping Aldon Smith can make an impact off the edge.

23. Cleveland Browns

The Browns are relying on a couple of rookies to help their defense in Jabaal Sheard and Phil Taylor. The Browns are a talented team, as they have reaped those rewards from losing seasons in the draft, but the lack of a go-to-guy offensively and the chance to a new system—which should benefit McCoy long term—will hurt them this year. Playing in the AFC North will all but destroy their playoff chances.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars essentially gave up on the David Garrard era by trading up for Blaine Gabbert in the draft. Not all teams that draft a quarterback are giving up on the incumbent, but the Jaguars have plenty of weaknesses elsewhere that should have been addressed if they were hoping to compete in the short term. Jack Del Rio needs to win now to save his job; however, he does not have all the pieces to do that.

25. Arizona Cardinals

In my mind, Kevin Kolb is essentially a rookie. Much like a Cam Newton or Jake Locker—should he see the field—Kolb will face a tough year this year. He is better equipped than the real rookies but not by that much. The offense is hurting behind Larry Fitzgerald at receiver, but Todd Heap should be a big help. Defensively, Adrian Wilson could be hampered by a serious injury while Patrick Peterson will be looked to from day one.

26. Carolina Panthers

The Panthers should have an effective offense for the coming year. The additions of Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen will give Cam Newton a huge edge over his fellow rookies. Newton has the two things a young signal caller needs, reliable tight ends and a very strong running game. Defensively, the Panthers are hurt by the season ending injury to Ron Edwards, and it will be interesting to see how Charles Johnson reacts to his big deal.

27. Tennessee Titans

Matt Hasselbeck should be a good fit in Tennessee. Keeping Jake Locker sidelined is the right thing for this franchise in both the short term and long term. Chris Johnson may miss a week or two, but should eventually be re-signed to a satisfactory deal. The Titans defense won't have changed much since last year, but Akeem Ayers is one to watch out for, while Barrett Ruud won't be an adequate replacement for Stephen Tulloch.

28. Washington Redskins

The Redskins had a lot to do in free agency, and did a lot of good. The receiving corp looks solid with decent depth, while Tim Hightower should be a big addition to the backfield. Barry Cofield brings a renewed strength to the defensive line, while Josh Wilson is a solid addition in the secondary. This team drastically needs a quarterback however.

29. Buffalo Bills

The Bills really needed to upgrade their offensive tackle position but instead improved the defensive line. Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus should be a disruptive duo, but most of the roster still needs an overhaul. The Lee Evans trade should allow a lot of the team's young talent at the position an opportunity to flourish.

30. Denver Broncos

The Broncos have talent, but they really need to sort out who they want to start at quarterback. The flip flopping between Orton and Tebow is going to disrupt the chemistry of the whole team. Defensively Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller will terrorize opposing signal callers. The Broncos are this low as a result of many wasted Josh McDaniels draft picks.

31. Minnesota Vikings

I really like Donovan McNabb. The Redskins were a horrible situation to be in last year. The Vikings are potentially worse. Despite having the best running back in the league, they counter that with the worst offensive line. Phil Loadholt and Charlie Johnson will get McNabb killed, and possibly then Christian Ponder. Defensively Pat Williams will be a major miss, while the team's secondary hasn't improved since last year.

32. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals should trade Carson Palmer because letting him retire is hurting an already hurt franchise. Offensively, the receiver position has improved, but with Bruce Gradkowski or Andy Dalton throwing passes, they won't get many opportunities to show off. The loss of Johnathan Joseph will hurt a lot, while the front seven doesn't even look like being average.

Serial tweeting about NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Soccer and Rugby     @Cianaf

I also write for Irish Central and Fantasy Football Life.