I don’t know what “best franchise” even means. How does a team that hasn’t won a championship since 1960 come in a half a point behind us?

if you rank the best franchises you have to go off recent history nad only two teams have as great of run lately as the pats and steelers but the eagles (or eagealeas, eagles if you hear the fans try to spell it after games on the NFL Network games). The rankings were a joke I don’t think the man actually knows football and has a mancrush on tom brady so he put the pats at #1

Ok Schein, if ranking ALL organizations, you have to rank teams against all others. So the point system is screwed up (should be 32 available points for each category). So on that note, we’ll just assume you omitted the Lions and Browns as football teams. I’ll keep my rankings within your parameters…er…maybe.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Owner: 30
You’re right! The Rooney’s ARE execptional. The best of the NFL by the way. I don’t care how much you may love Bob Kraft, Kraft does not deserve to be placed on the same level as any of the Rooney family.

Front Office: 30
They’ve put together staff, sought out new additions to make the team better, and were able to keep the players that truely matter and make a difference in place. Also, who has been more consistant over the past 5 years? Sure the Patriots have been to 2 championships, but only the Steelers have won 2.

Head Coach: 29
Belichick is the best head coah in football…right now. Let Tomlin get another season under his belt and we’ll re-address this next off-season. I will make an argument for Ken Whisenhunt in the 2nd position for ‘08-’09, what he did with the Cards last year was very reminiscent of Cowher in 2005, maybe I would’ve put him at 2 if he won.

Coaching Staff: 27
Dick LeBeau is the Best Defensive Coordinator in football history. Arians and Anderson letting Ben air it out last year really showed us how great of a weapon he really is. The offensive line still is still weak since we lost Grimm, but along with a trophy comes confidence, we’ll see where they can take us this year.

Quarterback: 28
Ben is a top 4 quarterback? Try top 3: #1. Brady (as much as I hate the guy), #2 P. Manning (some could make the argument that this is really Ben’s spot), #3 Roethlisberger (I dare you to put someone else before Ben)

Offense: 25
We may not score a lot of points, but, with all of our weapons, we’re top 5 easy. Strengthen that O-Line and we could move up to the 1 or 2 spot this season.

Defense: 30
Hands down there is no better team, there has never been a better team, and there will never be a better team…EVER, when it comes to the complete history of the Steelers D. And last year was the greatest since the late 70’s.

Intangibles: 30
Best…Fans…Period! When I can go to the Steelers/Bengals matchup in Cincy every year and it be consistantly lopsided 70% SteelerNation, 30% Dey Smell (or whatever they call themselves), that shows you just how important fans are to a team (how long has it been since we’ve lost in Cincy?). It’s almost like a home game for us wherever we go.

Final Score: 229

Here’s where that “maybe” comes into play, I may have done my rankings a little differently than Schein. Because using my method the Patriots would get a final score of 209. Still second, but a much wider gap.

I think I was pretty fair when ranking the Steelers against other franchises in the NFL. When you boil it all down the you see a team with the menatlity and consistancy of the 4 time Champs of the late 70’s. While I know it’s much more difficult for a team to repeat title wins in the “modern era”, I believe we can do it. With the schedule, the confidence, and the 60 minute men in place, we are on the right path.

An enitre Nation can’t be wrong.