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A hot topic of discussion among fans of the NFL is ranking players at their respective positions. I've decided (Due to intense boredom on an especially long plane flight) to give it a go combining all the players into one pool and ranking from there. It's really difficult to compare the play of a Quarterback to that of a Safety, etc. so cut a little bit of slack here. ;) Remember how select a group of guys this is, so don't freak out if your favorite player didn't make the cut. Here it goes... :sheep:
Mangold has been a Godsend for the Jets ever since he entered the league, part 1 of 2 in the Jets' fantastic job in the 2006 draft shoring up their Offensive Line (2 was D'Brickashaw Ferguson). He's been the centerpiece of a line that, year in and year out, has had one of the league's best rushing attacks, and without out a doubt made life on rookie QB Mark Sanchez exponentially more easy, not only in pass protection, but also with his poise, leadership, and understanding of the Jets offense. Mangold to me is the best Center in football, a premier player in the league who we'll be hearing about for quite a while.
The deterioration of the Patriots pass rush and defense as a whole after Seymour’s trade to Oakland should be a testament in itself to the impact Seymour had on that squad. He’s able to play any position on either a 3 or 4 man front, and make offensive lineman look fucking stupid at any one of those positions. When he’s on, Seymour is an overpowering presence both at pushing the pocket, but also shedding blocks on his way to making awesome plays in the running game. Seymour is the single most versatile defensive lineman in the NFL in my humble opinion, and to me, that title has to earn him a spot in this list.
I’m interested to see the reaction to this choice, because I think Evans is probably the least known in my countdown. He’s coming off a season you had to see to believe. One in which all his hard work, training, and amazing talent came together to produce a final product that has earned him the title of best Guard in the league from many scouts and NFL personnel (I personally would like to see him repeat before giving him the title). He’s got great size and strength that allow him to drive much heavier counterparts on the defensive line directly backwards as if they were nothing more than practice dummies, and do a fantastic job in the second level. Seriously, I understand doubting this pick at first, but I highly advise watching some tape of him before passing judgment. You will literally be amazed.
Jackson does it all. Catching, blocking, running, juking, going straight through people, whatever. He can do anything, and do it with the best of 'em. I think he gets overlooked a bit both because he plays in the shithole of all shitholes, and because his great seasons are consistently marred by injuries, (something that sadly kept him out of my top 25) and his incredibly tough running style... you'd be hard pressed to find a guy who lays big hits on defenders more consistently than Jackson, who it seems is taking the paint off defenders' helmets on the reg. He's got speed to go with it, and the package he brings to the table leads to fantastic production when he has the ball in his hands. Obviously his accomplishments are especially impressive when you consider the line he's forced to be running behind. Put S-Jax in Philly, New York, San Diego, etc. and he's an MVP candidate every season in my opinion.
If we're talking about best MIKE's in the NFL, Beason is definitely in the conversation. He does everything you want your middle linebacker to do, whether it be tackle, cover, or lead, and he does it with the best of them. His sideline-to-sideline speed is what dazzles you when you see him in a game; it's definitely up there with the best in the business. 138+ tackles every season since he came into the league shows you how good his instincts are... he's just one of those guys who seems to be in on every single play. Should be a perennial pro bowler for many years to come.
Please follow... and let the flaming begin.
Top 5 Who Missed the Cut -
Nick Mangold - C - New York Jets
Mangold has been a Godsend for the Jets ever since he entered the league, part 1 of 2 in the Jets' fantastic job in the 2006 draft shoring up their Offensive Line (2 was D'Brickashaw Ferguson). He's been the centerpiece of a line that, year in and year out, has had one of the league's best rushing attacks, and without out a doubt made life on rookie QB Mark Sanchez exponentially more easy, not only in pass protection, but also with his poise, leadership, and understanding of the Jets offense. Mangold to me is the best Center in football, a premier player in the league who we'll be hearing about for quite a while.
Richard Seymour - DL - Oakland Raiders
The deterioration of the Patriots pass rush and defense as a whole after Seymour’s trade to Oakland should be a testament in itself to the impact Seymour had on that squad. He’s able to play any position on either a 3 or 4 man front, and make offensive lineman look fucking stupid at any one of those positions. When he’s on, Seymour is an overpowering presence both at pushing the pocket, but also shedding blocks on his way to making awesome plays in the running game. Seymour is the single most versatile defensive lineman in the NFL in my humble opinion, and to me, that title has to earn him a spot in this list.
Jahri Evans - G - New Orleans Saints
I’m interested to see the reaction to this choice, because I think Evans is probably the least known in my countdown. He’s coming off a season you had to see to believe. One in which all his hard work, training, and amazing talent came together to produce a final product that has earned him the title of best Guard in the league from many scouts and NFL personnel (I personally would like to see him repeat before giving him the title). He’s got great size and strength that allow him to drive much heavier counterparts on the defensive line directly backwards as if they were nothing more than practice dummies, and do a fantastic job in the second level. Seriously, I understand doubting this pick at first, but I highly advise watching some tape of him before passing judgment. You will literally be amazed.
Steven Jackson - RB - St. Louis Rams
Jackson does it all. Catching, blocking, running, juking, going straight through people, whatever. He can do anything, and do it with the best of 'em. I think he gets overlooked a bit both because he plays in the shithole of all shitholes, and because his great seasons are consistently marred by injuries, (something that sadly kept him out of my top 25) and his incredibly tough running style... you'd be hard pressed to find a guy who lays big hits on defenders more consistently than Jackson, who it seems is taking the paint off defenders' helmets on the reg. He's got speed to go with it, and the package he brings to the table leads to fantastic production when he has the ball in his hands. Obviously his accomplishments are especially impressive when you consider the line he's forced to be running behind. Put S-Jax in Philly, New York, San Diego, etc. and he's an MVP candidate every season in my opinion.
Jon Beason - MLB - Carolina Panthers
If we're talking about best MIKE's in the NFL, Beason is definitely in the conversation. He does everything you want your middle linebacker to do, whether it be tackle, cover, or lead, and he does it with the best of them. His sideline-to-sideline speed is what dazzles you when you see him in a game; it's definitely up there with the best in the business. 138+ tackles every season since he came into the league shows you how good his instincts are... he's just one of those guys who seems to be in on every single play. Should be a perennial pro bowler for many years to come.
Please follow... and let the flaming begin.
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