The Vibe Rankings: Taking a reading of each team's mojo factor as NFL training camps open
Don Banks
FEATURED NFL COLUMNIST
Sunday July 29, 2018
And now for something completely different, as the old Monty Python catchphrase goes.
We're calling them the Vibe Rankings - an up-to-the-minute reading of each team's mojo factor as NFL training camps spring to life. Don't think of them as another version of our NFL Power Rankings per se, but more like an attempt to divine and quantify how each team is entering camp in terms of a sense of momentum, focus and drive. Combined, of course, with some reasonable expectation of following through and riding those positive vibes to success.
Without further build-up, the tea leaves, please. As always, a reminder, this is my reading of the late-July mojo of each team. Your results may vary...
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Unless Carson Wentz's rehab from knee surgery hits a speed bump this preseason - and he's not on PUP to start camp - what's not to like about the position the Eagles find themselves as they begin defending their Super Bowl title? And even then, Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles is there to again save the day. One quibble? It'd be nice if Philadelphia could stop the backward-looking running commentary on the Patriots, the guys they vanquished in Minneapolis. Let it go. Your victory speaks for itself, but you keep interrupting it.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are good, they know they're good (and keep telling us), and now it's a matter of proving they know how to handle success and follow up on their trip to the NFL's final four last season. The best development was that both of Jacksonville's lines improved this offseason, and other than the recent one-game league personal-conduct policy suspension of defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., there have been few hiccups of note in Coughlin-land.
3. Los Angeles Rams
The elephant in the Rams locker room is of course the matter of when All-World defensive tackle Aaron Donald will finally get his long-awaited contract extension? But logic says it has to be coming soon, before he misses another entire preseason, right? With running back Todd Gurley and new receiver Brandin Cooks extended recently, the only blip in the Rams' full-bore win-now mode is executing a new deal with the game's most dominating defender. Everything else in L.A. features nothing but arrows pointing up.
4. Green Bay Packers
Tony Romo may be on to something in picking the Packers as his Super Bowl sleeper. It's entirely possible that no NFC team improved as much as Green Bay did, with Aaron Rodgers' return to health being buttressed by tight end Jimmy Graham's acquisition, Mike Pettine's hiring as defensive coordinator, and the additions of defensive tackle Muhammad Wilkerson and a pair of highly drafted young cornerbacks. Let the Eagles, Vikings, Rams, Saints and 49ers get all the hype. Rather stealthily, the Pack might be back.
5. New England Patriots
After a drama-filled offseason that was as baffling as it was unprecedented in New England, the Patriots remain the favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, because how can they not be? But still, if we're talking strictly mojo factor, we're in unchartered territory in Foxboro, and alas, that is not fake news. With Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski both in camp and working, no worst-case scenarios unfolded. But the Julian Edelman four-game suspension is a buzz kill, and the new contract that reportedly was heading Gronk's way has yet to materialize. Stay tuned, as they say.
And last but not least at number 32 in the league......
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs made some well-received and respected personnel moves this offseason, and real improvement seemed within reach. But all anyone's talking about now is Jameis Winston and his weak act. Whatever the opposite of quality mojo is, the Bucs and Winston personify it.
For the complete list of all 32 teams......
https://www.patriots.com/news/the-vibe-rankings-taking-a-reading-of-each-team-s-mojo-factor-as-nfl-training-ca
