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Power Rankings (cont.)

Posted: Wednesday November 9, 2005 11:39AM; Updated: Wednesday November 9, 2005 12:09PM
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NFL Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
21 21
Miami Dolphins (3-5)
Nick Saban is turning to a heavy ground game. But his coordinator, Scott Linehan, has a case of the cutes, calling all sorts of gimmicky stuff against the Falcons, none of which worked. OK, Linehan, what do you have to say for yourself? A noise like an oyster is what he has to say. Saban does not allow the press to speak to his assistants. What I say is that there is a day of reckoning coming, a Dies Irae, for these head coaches, if not in this world, then in the next one. Beware!
22 32
Minnesota Vikings (3-5)
Even after a victory, Antoine Winfield, the tough little cornerback, had some heavy criticism for the scheme. Winfield backs up his words -- his terrific play against the Lions Sunday won him a game ball. And what he said was that things are inconsistent and illogical. They were supposed to double the Panthers' Steve Smith, and then they decided not to and he had a career day. Adjustments during the game are not timely. "It's like we go out there blind," Winfield said. "Nothing happens on the sideline."
23 22
Detroit Lions (3-5)
Scouts say that no position defies draft logic the way wideout does. Here's what the Lions' three first rounders, who were supposed to form an unstoppable blitzkrieg of an offense, have been doing. Charles Rogers -- out four games for abusing the substances and inactive against the Vikings because of a poor week of practice. Mike Williams, four catches, 43 yards, and when he came out early with a bad ankle, Roy Williams, nursing a sore quad, was not inserted in his place because he was leery of going from split end to flanker. So he sat for the rest of the day. The entire wideout corps has two TDs. The team's leading receiver is Scottie Vines, a free agent, cut in September, re-signed at the end of the month.
24 30
Cleveland Browns (3-5)
Reuben Droughns is on pace for nearly 1,300 yards. Why is this significant? Because the Browns have not had a 1,000 yard rusher in 19 years, since Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack both accomplished it in 1985. Well, cheer up, boys. The NFL itself went 14 years without a 1,000-yard rusher, until Beattie Feathers did it in 1934, a record I regard as highly dubious. I think some punt and kick returns were mixed in.
25 23
Tennessee Titans (2-7)
Starting wideouts hurt. Against Cleveland, five dropped passes by what was left. It's McNair, the tight ends and Chris Brown against the world.
26 24
Arizona Cardinals (2-6)
Kurt Warner's flopperoo against the Seahawks leads us to believe that it might be time for ... yes, The Return of Navarre, starring Gilbert Roland and Alfonso Bedoya. Last year John Navarre made his one start in Detroit, threw four picks, and returned to the shadows. This Sunday the Cardinals play in ... you got it, Detroit.
27 25
Baltimore Ravens (2-6)
An inadvertent whistle cost the Ravens a TD in a crucial part of the Bengals game when Will Demps scooped up a fumble and raced 58 yards for the score, only to have it wiped out. "It was an error," referee Jeff Triplette said. "By rule, there's nothing else we can do." And who is Jeff Triplette? Only the ref who nearly blinded Ravens' tackle Orlando Brown in one eye by hitting him in the face with a beanbag. OK, this is a cheap shot. I know there's really no connection, but I just don't like Triplette anyway, and that whiny, old-womanish way he has of working a game.
28 26
New York Jets (2-6)
The run defense last year was ranked fifth, but now they're 30th. No one can figure out why? How about No. 95, who plays nose tackle for the Cowboys, Jason Ferguson? Oh yes, I see where the Sporting News picked DT Dewayne Robertson on its mid-season All-AFC team. These guys watch the games, or just talk to people?
29 27
New Orleans Saints (2-7)
Owner Ton Benson, as reported, did not attend the Bears game in Baton Rouge. What I want to know is, did he at least watch it on TV? My spy reports that he did not. At the time he was watching Bonanza reruns.
30 28
San Francisco 49ers (2-6)
My God, but their injury-ridden troops played hard against the Giants. Tough to make it without offensive tackles, though. Did you ever notice how the bad teams seem to get hit harder by injuries? Or maybe the order should be reversed. Coaches will tell you that when players are trying to cover for others less experienced or talented, they wind up in unfamiliar positions and are more susceptible to getting hurt.
31 29
Houston Texans (1-7)
This is what happens to the unfortunate of this world. Jaguars game tied late. Jags fumble on the Houston 17. It's wiped because of defensive holding. Jacksonville scores on the next play. Goodnight Irene. Jobs hang in the balance, careers, perceptions of success or failure. It's not fair. There should be no winners or losers. Everything should be a tie, in life as well as on the gridiron.
32 31
Green Bay Packers (1-7)
Despite this record, they still can put forth the amazing statistic of having scored more points than they have given up, 168-159. In the advanced mathematics department at MIT they call this the Statistical Variable Syndrome for Reversible Numericals.

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