Heading into the 2010 season, many of the usual suspects are at the top of the list of best teams.  One thing is certain: with a few exceptions, the league as a whole is more talented than it has been in years.  Lots of teams are being graded well, a testament to the ever-improving college programs that are turning out young talent.

It's no surprise then that the best grade from Scouts, Inc. is a whopping 96 overall, given to the Cleveland Browns.  The Browns have the best record in the NFL over the past four years, and despite cap issues, they're as strong as ever.  The team rates 96 on offense and defense, and 99 on special teams, thanks in large part to the decision by Browns head coach Brian Billick to put star HB Reggie Bush in as kick and punt return, a role he has not held since his days at USC.

The second best team in the league (according to Scouts, Inc.) is the Los Angeles Bandits (formerly the San Francisco 49ers).  The Bandits grade out at a 95 overall, including a 95 on offense, 94 on defense, and 99 on special teams.

Other top teams include the Raiders (92/91/92/95), Dolphins (93/93/92/94), Giants (92/92/92/94), Titans (92/93/90/89) and Lions (93/93/91/99).  Some teams to keep an eye on are the Ravens (91 overall), Packers, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Seahawks (all 90 overall).

The stinkers of the league are the Chargers (84/85/84/87), Eagles (84/85/83/85), Falcons (84/85/83/93), Bills (85, 84, 83, 84), and Jets (85/84/87/78), but hands down the worst team is St. Louis (82/84/82/83).

Looking at the top team in each conference, we turn first to Cleveland.  With Romeo Crennel taking a new job with Arizona, the Browns had to bring in a new staff.  They chose Brian Billick, former Ravens coach, who was an offensive coordinator last season.  If the preseason was any indication, Billick will be keeping things much as they were last season under Crennel.  The offense will involve a nice mix of Reggie Bush running every which way and long passes from Carson Palmer to his speedy wideouts Willie Harris and the Brown Brothers Dustin and Justin (a 2nd round pick out of South Carolina in this year's draft).  Billick has said he intends to make better use of the speed of TE Vernon Davis by running him on deep routes and getting the favorable matchup against linebackers (who can't run with him) and safeties (who can't tackle him).  Davis should see a return to the Pro Bowl, which he reached for the first time last year.

Defensively, expect to see a big year out of DE Erasmus James, who is in a contract season.  Outdoing his 14 sacks from last year would help him win a huge contract (likely with someone other than the cap-strapped Browns).  DT Patrick Turner should be solid next to Albert Haynesworth as he replaces Mike Patterson, who was traded to the Giants for Turner and picks.  With MLB Brian Urlacher out for five weeks with a high ankle sprain, the Browns will have to shield young Brian Davis in the middle as he fills in.  This may be the Browns chance to see if Davis has the talent to replace the aging Urlacher.  The corner position is extremely deep for the Browns with three players rated by Scouts, Inc. at 90 or better.  Jason David may find himself expendable with Matt Lott and Brandon Lane, both younger and faster, following him on the depth chart.

The weakness of this Browns team is its depth.  With serious cap issues, the Browns are carrying the league minimum number of players.  More than a couple injuries could leave them hurting badly.

In the NFC, the Bandits look to rebound from a tough playoff loss against the eventual Super Bowl champion Giants and go all the way this year.  If they are to do that, they will need to see some further maturation by QB Vince Young, who has yet to go a season with more TDs than INTs.  This preseason, however, he did that and compiled a 91.1 QB rating.  He doesn't have to be great, especially with his arms, but he needs to cut down on mistakes and rely on 2nd year HB T.J. Matthews to pound the rock up the middle.  Matthews will have to get used to a new lead blocker as FB Patrick Pass was let go and rookie Isaac Cleveland from Iowa will replace him.  WR Larry Fitzgerald is looking for a breakout year in his third season with the Bandits.  His numbers have suffered in his first two with Young's inconsistency.  As usual, the Bandit O-line will be rock solid, probably the best in the NFL.  Joey Harrison has won the starting job at RG over Ralph Francis, both of whom are just 24 and are rated as 92 by Scouts, Inc., and both are in the last year of their contracts.  One of them will not be coming back.

Defensively, new head Coach Bill Belichick has switched to a 3-4 to showcase two new MLBs, Nick Barnett (free agency) and Keyshawn Boren (trade with Oakland).  The Bandits have a couple of 30 year olds on the defensive ends, flanking young road grater NT Wayne Bush.  This will be Bush's first time at a nose tackle position, having worked as a DT in his first two pro seasons.  At 302 lbs with incredible strength, he should be able to take up at least two blockers on every play.  Stamina may be an issue, but backup DT Lee Cummings is a starter-caliber player, though he's no Bush.  The Bandits boast a couple of very good corners, but the drop off after that is significant.  They will be praying for no injuries at that position.

This team on paper seems to have no weakness.  It will be up to the seasoned head coach Bill Belichick to take them all the way.  Belichick came out of retirement for this opportunity, now the LA fans are itching to see if he will make the most of this talented team.