NEW YORK (AP) – Ballot and comments from AP Pro 32 panel voter Bob Glauber of Newsday.
BOB GLAUBER (Newsday)
1. New York Giants – No questions this year about whether Eli is elite. After winning second Super Bowl MVP, Manning appears ready for another big year.
2. New England – Bill Belichick loaded up on defense in offseason to give Tom Brady some much needed help on other side of ball.
3. Green Bay – After nearly perfect season in 2011, things didn’t end way Aaron Rodgers wanted. And he’s still steamed about that playoff loss to Giants. Rematch, anyone?
4. Baltimore – No contract problems for Ray Rice equals good news for Ravens. Now they have to hope Defensive Player of Year Terrell Suggs can get back in time from Achilles tendon injury.
5. San Francisco – Overachievers in 2011? In your face, says Jim Harbaugh. OK, coach. We’re buying.
6. Pittsburgh – Rashard Mendenhall’s knee injury key blow to running game, but Ben Roethlisberger and stout defense are good enough to carry Pittsburgh back to playoffs.
7. Detroit – More away from the field offseason woes for Lions, but Jim Schwartz believes he has team that’s ready to compete with Green Bay as NFC North’s top dog.
8. Philadelphia – Michael Vick sees dynasty in his team’s future. We see wild-card run, early playoff exit, and potential shakeup at coach and quarterback.
9. New Orleans – Can’t remember more tumultuous offseason for any franchise. Now Saints attempt to put bounty scandal behind them, task made easier with Drew Brees’ long-term contract extension.
10. Houston – AFC South is Texans’ for the taking again, and Matt Schaub’s return from foot injury makes them solid favorites.
11. Dallas – Dallas hopes recurring problems with Dez Bryant don’t stand in way of resurgence in NFC East, but it’s awfully crowded at top of division.
12. Chicago – New coordinator Mike Tice adds his meat-and-potatoes style to offense that lost its way with Mike Martz’s go-for-broke style that left Jay Cutler bruised and battered.
13. Atlanta – Great regular season team that fizzles in playoffs. Matt Ryan hopes story line is different in `12.
14. Kansas City – KC fans booed Matt Cassel at recent team function, but we get sense there’ll be more cheers with bounce-back season we see for Chiefs.
15. Denver – Most-watched comeback in recent memory is upon us. If Peyton Manning is anywhere close to old self, Denver will be one interesting – and successful – team.
16. New York Jets: – Boom or bust for Mark Sanchez. Boom means Tim Tebow stays in shadows. Bust? Well, get ready for New York-sized circus.
17. San Diego – Philip Rivers says he’s ready for big comeback after last year’s interception-riddled season.
18. Carolina – Sophomore slump for Cam Newton? He’s about to find out. Would help this kid if his defense plays the run even moderately better.
19. Cincinnati – Andy Dalton was terrific in leading Cincy to playoffs as rookie. Tough act to follow, especially in loaded division.
20. Oakland – New GM Reggie McKenzie has brought new attitude. Let’s see if it finally translates into winning season.
21. Tennessee – Matt Hasselbeck’s last stand? Jake Locker is closing in on starting job.
22. Seattle – Matt Flynn will have to earn starting job, but if he can’t beat out Tarvaris Jackson, then Seattle’s problems are bigger than we thought.
23. Tampa Bay – Rookie coach Greg Schiano has hands full in Year 1. Young team means plenty of growing pains, but payoff could be promising down road.
24. Buffalo – Buffalo opened the vault for Mario Williams, but New England still owns AFC East.
25. Arizona – Plenty of talented players on this roster, except at most important position. Kevin Kolb? John Skelton? Uh-oh.
26. Washington – RGIII will be fun to watch. But remember, he’s still a rookie, and he’ll need time to figure things out.
27. Indianapolis – Ditto for Luck.
28. Minnesota – We weren’t sold on Christian Ponder coming into last year’s draft. No change in 2012.
29. Jacksonville – Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne? Either way, it looks like another long year in Jacksonville.
30. St. Louis – It was time to go for Brian Schottenheimer in New York. But we see more positive impact on Sam Bradford. That and Jeff Fisher’s arrival signal new beginning for franchise.
31. Cleveland – It’s tough when your last quality quarterback played in `80s. Bernie Kosar, where have you gone?
32. Miami – Only question is when Ryan Tannehill takes over as starter. There’s no question Miami will struggle before and after he plays.
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