ESPN.com's Power Poll
	The rankings are determined by a poll of ESPN.com's NFL staff -- senior writers John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli and editor Peter Lawrence-Riddell. Click here to send in comments on the first rankings of 2003.

The regular season is more than four months away. But as any NFL fan knows, there's virtually no offseason anymore. From the moment the 2001 season ended, teams have been busy building toward 2002.

With the draft finished and free agency basically over until June 1, we decided it was time to see how the NFL's 32 teams stack up.

Something immediately apparent is that the Patriots still have some work to do to convince the prognosticators that they can repeat their Super Bowl run. Pats fans have never been afraid to voice their displeasure with Power Rankings, and they probably won't be happy with what they read below (although maybe not as mad as Redskins fans). But remember, it's only the offseason.

Since it is the time of year when optimism is rampant, we've listed why each team should be optimistic heading into 2002. However, it wouldn't be any fun if we listed only the positives, so we've included reasons to be pessimistic for each team, too.

Team	ESPN.com says
	Tampa Bay Bucs Optimistic: Core of Super Bowl team returns intact. Pessimistic: There's nowhere to go but down.
2. Raiders	Optimistic: Team only seems to get better with age. Pessimistic: But that age has to catch up to them at some point.
3. Eagles	Optimistic: They still have Donovan McNabb and he'll keep them near the top of the NFC. Pessimistic: Hugh Douglas' production won't be replaced by a rookie or anyone else on their roster right now.
4. Steelers	Optimistic: While Baltimore, Cincinnati and Cleveland are improving, the Steelers are still the class of the AFC North. Pessimistic: Anyone want to wager on Tommy Maddox having the same success in 2003 he had in 2002?
5. Titans	Optimistic: Steve McNair just seems to win and 2003 should be no different. Pessimistic: Eddie George isn't getting any younger -- 3.4 and 3.0 yards per carry the last two years is not good.
6. Patriots	Optimistic: Offseason additions should improve defense. Pessimistic: Running game is still a big question mark.
7. Falcons	Optimistic: Two words: Michael Vick Pessimistic: But can he follow up 2002 with a step forward?
8. Dolphins	Optimistic: Ricky Williams was everything the Dolphins hoped for and should be just as good in 2003. Pessimistic: Until the Dolphins find a way to win late in the season, who cares?
9. Packers	Optimistic: Brett Favre is coming back, which is all Packers fans need to hear. Pessimistic: Will talk of Favre's future be a distraction?
10. Saints	Optimistic: With Deuce and Brooks, offense should continue to improve. Pessimistic: They'll still find a way to stumble down the stretch.
11. Jets	Optimistic: Chad Pennington emerged as a star last season and should continue to improve. Pessimistic: But will his lack of arm strength catch up to him?
12. Chiefs	Optimistic: If defense can improve a little, they'll be dangerous. Pessimistic: Priest Holmes' health status sure doesn't sound good.
13. Colts	Optimistic: With Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison and a healthier Edgerrin James, Colts offense should be explosive. Pessimistic: We're still waiting to see Manning win a playoff game.
14. 49ers	Optimistic: Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens will keep the 49ers in contention. Pessimistic: Tai Streets came on last year, but this team is still too reliant on Owens.
15t. Bills	Optimistic: Offseason additions on defense should help one of the league's most porous defenses. Pessimistic: Despite the improvements, they're still probably the No. 4 team in their division.
15t. Rams	Optimistic: The Rams still have the talent and with health should return to top form. Pessimistic: Kurt Warner might never return to the level of an elite QB.
17. Broncos	Optimistic: Mike Shanahan will turn Jake Plummer into an above-average NFL QB. Pessimistic: Plummer is what he is and not even Shanahan can change that.
18. Giants	Optimistic: Jeremy Shockey should continue to get better, meaning the whole offense will be better. Pessimistic: Still not sure they have enough to stay with the Eagles.
19. Vikings	Optimistic: Won last three games and enter 2003 believing they've turned a corner. Pessimistic: Defense is still not close to being playoff-caliber.
20. Seahawks	Optimistic: Matt Hasselbeck emerged as No. 1 QB and Koren Robinson emerged as No. 1 WR. Pessimistic: Defense is still shaky and counting on Hasselbeck might be risky.
21. Browns	Optimistic: After making the playoffs last season, 2003 should bring even better things. Pessimistic: The Browns were lucky to make the playoffs last year and actually took a step back with offseason losses.
22t. Browns	Optimistic: With a healthy Ray Lewis expected back, defense should be better than average. Pessimistic: It won't matter how good the defense is if the offense can't find the end zone.
22t. Redskins	Optimistic: Offseason additions -- especially Laveranues Coles -- will make 'Skins better. Pessimistic: Can second-year QB Patrick Ramsey avoid Steve Spurrier's quick hook.
24. Chargers	Optimistic: Addition of David Boston gives Drew Brees much needed weapon. Pessimistic: He might have been old, but the Chargers will miss Junior Seau.
25. Panthers	Optimistic: Team took a big step forward in John Fox's first season. Pessimistic: Despite some additions, offense is still far from being on a playoff level.
26t. Bears	Optimistic: Anthony Thomas is apparently in great shape. Pessimistic: Kordell Stewart is not the answer at QB in Chicago.
26t. Bengals	Optimistic: Marvin Lewis seems to have things on the right track. Pessimistic: It's too easy to say, but Mike Brown is still in charge and they're still the Bengals.
28. Cowboys	Optimistic: The day he walked in the door, Bill Parcells made the Cowboys a better. Pessimistic: They have three years to win, because that's about as long as Parcells will be around for.
29. Jaguars	Optimistic: Suprisingly active in free agency, Hugh Douglas and Mike Peterson will help on defense. Pessimistic: Mark Brunell might not have enough left in the tank for another playoff run.
30. Lions	Optimistic: Steve Mariucci should be good for at least a few wins. Pessimistic: A two-game improvement would still make Detroit just 5-11.
31. Texans	Optimistic: More weapons and experience should make David Carr happy. Pessimistic: They're still going to struggle to score points.
32. Cardinals	Optimistic: At leasy Emmitt Smith will sell more tickets. Pessimistic: Losses of Jake Plummer and David Boston would be hard for a good team to overcome -- and this team wasn't good.

Peter Lawrence-Riddell is an NFL editor for ESPN.com.