NFL Expert Rankings?

So NFL.com has a fan rankings page set up for people to rank the 32 teams as they see fit.  My #1-5: Patriots (duh), Saints, Colts, Cowboys, Jets.  It is much too early for this.

I'm telling you this here because, once you hit submit, a video pops up and they list the consensus top 10 among NFL Network 'experts'.  From 10 to 1:  Ravens, Steelers (what!!!), Jets, Eagles, Chargers (stretch), Vikings, Cowboys, Packers, Saints, Colts.  I overlooked the Pack, they deserve to be up there.  Anyways, after reading through the list, they spend a couple minutes talking about the Pats not even being on the list!  Jamie Dukes argues about how ridiculous that is for a bit, then he releases his own personal top ten, with the Pats at number 9!

It has been like nine years since the Patriots have had expectations this low.  And I think that is awesome.  I cannot wait for football season, we get to be the underdogs again!  Huzzah!

Some Quick Hitting Links

A couple interesting sports stories for this gorgeous Thursday.  It's been a while since I posted, so some of this ain't earthshattering, but, hey, it caught my eye.

• Wes Welker is practicing at the Patriots' OTAs, if you haven't heard.  There's video on the ESPN of him running some high knees drills and cutting at probably 60-70%,  This is all way ahead of schedule, only four months removed from his surgery.  I don't wanna jinx him, but I don't see the Pats putting him on the PUP to start the season, thus having him eligible to come back prior to week six.  I want him there week two vs the Jets (remember last year at the Jets without him?  Gross.)  Wonder what Rex is gonna devour pregame to prepare for the contest.

• I don't claim to be a hockey expert, but I did discuss the idea that the Bruins and the Oilers could possibly trade the top two picks with some of my friends.  We need a winger, they need a center, and (although they are close according to scouts) LW Taylor Hall should go number one over C Tyler Seguin, and Hall should become the face of the Bruins.  Hey, at least they are talkin' about it, although I'd only give up one additional pick, no Ricky Williams deal necessary.

• I was watching the Red Sox yesterday (Ortizzle with another game-changing blast), but I switched over to the ESPN (I keep saying 'the ESPN' like Bobby Boucher's dad (we'll be famous, like Tiger Woods and his daddy)) to see the last couple outs of Galarraga's perfect game that never was.  That was a bang-bang play, and the fact that he almost missed tagging the bag, and while almost dropping the ball outta his glove influenced the first base ump into blowing the call.  But please, can we get instant replay for things like this??  Like in football, it would have to be visually conclusive (much easier in baseball, btw) to get overturned.  The baseball purists should all have died after the steroid era anyways, so it's time to take baseball into the 21st century, people.  Even Curt Shilling stopped playing World of Warcraft to put in his two cents on this.

• Celtics-Lakers tonight.  I'll be watching while I work at the hotel, but here's my prediction:  Celtics 93 - Lakers 86.  Take it to the bank!