1.
Peyton Manning - QB - Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning is the best player in football, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and quite possibly will be regarded as the greatest Quarterback in the history of the game when all is said and done. Anyone who has watched Manning play for a significant can name for you in a second what makes him so good. First and foremost, his intelligence and knowledge of the game of football is unparalleled in the sport. This allows him to be one step ahead of the defense when it counts – before the snap when making line adjustments or changing the play, and post-snap when making lightning quick reads and throws with dumbfounding efficiency and poise in the pocket or out. Manning is simply a notch above all the rest because not only is he an outstanding player on all fronts, but he makes everyone around him better as well; something that can be said for others in the league, but certainly not at the same level as on Peyton’s. With all that said, statistically there really is no debating this pick considering he’s already in the all time top 5 for virtually every significant Quarterback stat there is every single season and all-time.
Accomplishments –
10x Pro Bowler; 4 Time MVP; NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team; Fastest Player to reach 10,000 yards and 30,000 yards passing
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq7eH9tB5Ac"]YouTube- 2009 MVP Peyton Manning Highlights[/ame]
2.
Drew Brees - QB - New Orleans Saints
Since Brees arrived in New Orleans, he has been making a strong case to be included in the elite class of Quarterbacks with Manning and Brady, and this year he sealed it in many minds with flat-out AMAZING consistency in excellence, (109.6 QB Rating, 70.6 CMP%, 4400 yards) leading his Saints to a 13-0 start and the oft-elusive Super Bowl victory (In which he was the MVP). He’s an absolutely fantastic player who delivers the ball with lethal accuracy and velocity, yet one that is very easily caught by his receivers. The man is liable to rip apart a defense every single time he drops back, even when they’re 100% sure a pass play is coming. After a long road with some definite ups and downs, Brees has cemented his name in the class of the elite, and as the face of a city torn apart by tropical disaster. Something tells me Brees’ name will be cemented in Canton one day as well.
Accomplishments –
4 Time Pro Bowler; 4 Time Offensive POTY; Super Bowl XLIV MVP
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLmQe8bLIfY&feature=related"]YouTube- [NFL] 2009 - Best of Drew Brees[/ame]
3.
Patrick Willis - LB - San Francisco 49ers
Willis has been a monster from the moment he entered the public spotlight as a 4 star recruit at Ole Miss. He’s never been one to talk much, and because of this he isn’t talked about enough, but there is no doubt he is the premier Front 7 defender in the NFL, and very arguably the best overall defensive player (I wouldn’t be upset if you picked Revis over him). He’s been dubbed the next Ray Lewis and the similarity is evident right away when tape is compared of the two. Sheer ferocity, sideline-to-sideline speed, backbreaking hits, and unparalleled tackling define their games. Yes, that tackling which is often taken for granted by fans has become infectious in San Francisco since Willis’ arrival in 2006 with a ridiculous 174 tackles as a rookie, and has led to one of the league’s more stout run defenses. To go along with his elite tackling ability, Willis is also one of the better coverage linebackers in the NFL, showcasing very high aptitude at batting down passes in his short career. It’s scary to think that at 25, Willis may not have even reached his peak.
Accomplishments –
3 Time Pro Bowler; 2 Time All Pro; 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZiHzZgottA&feature=related"]YouTube- Patrick Willis Hits Brad Smith[/ame]
4.
Chris Johnson - RB - Tennessee Titans
A high spot for someone coming off their second season, I know, but how can you not put a guy in the top 5 who's coming off a 2000 yard season behind a line that really doesn't excel in run blocking? Johnson is a unique kind of back. He's got the kind of speed that makes world-class athletes look slow chasing after him and hesitant when trying to tackle him, the kind of moves that make defenders look foolish on a daily basis, and the swagger to go with it all. The only question is, can he keep it up, or has he peaked too soon?
5.
Darrelle Revis - CB - New York Jets
We knew he was great before, but the 2009 campaign sealed it. Revis shut down virtually everyone he matched up on, including such talents as Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, and Reggie Wayne... He had 23 pass deflections to lead the NFL, and QB's had a 32.3 QB Rating throwing at him. It really doesn't get much better than that. Revis essentially takes away his half of the field from the QB's options, which makes Ryan's blitz packages that much more effective; he allows safeties to play way further up to defend the run, and for doubles to be placed on the other receiver. Revis Island is a real, much to the chagrin of receivers around the league.
6.
Andre Johnson - WR - Houston Texans
This past season absolutely cemented Johnson as either 1 or 1a. with Larry Fitzgerald in the receiver rankings. No matter what measures a defense takes to keep this guy covered, whether it be foul play, penalties, triple coverage, over the top help, jam him at the line, etc. the guy continues to make amazing plays in bunches, and the stats are there to prove it. He led the league in yards (again), and has a ridiculous 216 catches for 3,144 yards and 17 touchdowns in the last two years. He's a man among boys on the field and is absolutely impossible to cover. This is a very subjective argument, but after last season, I would take Andre Johnson over everyone else to be my #1 WR.
7.
Larry Fitzgerald - WR - Arizona Cardinals
His performance in the Super Bowl is what I think sold the country on him being one of the game’s best receivers. To come up that big when it matters the most is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen. However that’s not all he has going for him, as he's put up fantastic numbers consistently in his last three years. What's even more astonishing is how he put together those numbers with great players like Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston stealing catches from him. The man can go up and get any ball over anybody in the NFL, has some of the best hands the game has ever seen, and can play the deep threat role and the possession role with the same level of excellence. An absolutely amazing player, and many peoples' choice for best receiver in the game.
8.
Troy Polamalu - SS - Pittsburgh Steelers
Polamalu is the best safety in the NFL. Not only is he a great ball-hawk, he’s a huge hitter, and he seems to be in on every play. His importance was taken for granted I think by Steeler fans when he was an immovable object at SS, but when he was unable to play, the reality of the matter hit the team hard. DPOY candidate year in and year out, and is arguably the best player on his side of the ball.
9.
Tom Brady - QB - New England Patriots
Brady has been one of the best Quarterbacks in the NFL for a long time, and while he’s coming off a ‘down year’ (No one seems to be considering the fact that he was coming off a major knee surgery) he’s still one of the best in the business. I don’t think his play regressed all that much, I think his year looks worse than it is because the team results were not nearly as good as they usually were in New England. He’s still one of the best leaders in the game and his physical attributes haven’t worsened in the slightest. Brady is still a top 3 Quarterback and an elite player in the game.
10.
Haloti Ngata - DL - Baltimore Ravens
Ngata is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and possibly the most important member of an excellent Ravens defense (Which says a lot). He is a massive and incredibly strong. Ngata also has rare athletic ability, quickness and closing burst for such a huge force in the middle of the defensive line. He is extremely versatile and can shoot gaps while holding the point and absorbing double teams. He can also effectively line up in many spots along the defensive line. Ngata can be a force rushing the passer, but he could stand to develop a wider variety of moves. His effort also has been somewhat of an issue here and there, but that problem has progressively improved as he has matured. Ngata is an elite player.
11.
Ed Reed - FS - Baltimore Ravens
Everyone knows how much of an impact this guy has on the game playing Centerfield for Baltimore. No one makes a QB think twice about throwing it into the secondary than Reed; he's got fantastic anticipation, speed, and hands, which leads to a lot of interceptions which would be completions or harmless incompletions with most other safeties in the game. He is ranked inside the top 5 in NFL history when it comes to interception return yardage (1,255 yards) and has the 5th most return touchdown's of any active player in the NFL...
...and when you intercept Peyton Manning twice in the same drive in the playoffs, you've earned your spot.
12.
James Harrison - OLB - Pittsburgh Steelers
The former defensive player of the year is one of the scariest people on the field every Sunday. His pursuit of the ball carrier is ferocious and damn near unstoppable, which is evidenced by his big time sack numbers and very high tendency to force fumbles with crushing hits. His play against the run is what puts him over DeMarcus Ware for me. Harrison needs to improve his skills in coverage, but when he does, we'll be witnesses to something special.
13.
Ryan Clady - LT - Denver Broncos
Clady is, in my mind, the best pure pass blocker in the NFL. We haven't seen any this good since Ogden. He has protected the blindside of both Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton extremely well over his two years in the NFL, and his 0 sacks allowed (In '08) from the blindside tackle position is simply incredible. He has some of the best intangibles I've ever seen out of a offensive tackle, including incredible footwork and hand skills, and is one of the surest bets in the league to slow down or even stop the best pass rushers in the league. His football IQ is also through the roof, as seems to be able to read the defense's blitz schemes very well, and a leader on that line. The best at what he does, and the type of player (the elite blindside blocker) that every team dreams of having.
14.
Adrian Peterson - RB - Minnesota Vikings
Although he's no longer at the top of the RB totem pole after Chris Johnson's recent display of excellence, Peterson remains in the top 3. What's keeping him from joining the elite class of NFL players? Continued fumble issues, inconsistency, and mediocre blocking ability. That said, he's obviously one of the most exciting players in the league, combining crushing hits and great moves to be a truly dominant and overpowering force at times. I think his reckless style will catch up to him eventually, but he seems well on his way to a very fruitful career.
15.
DeMarcus Ware - OLB - Dallas Cowboys
Ah, the first and only Cowboy on the list. Like Freeney, Ware is on here for no other reason besides how well he rushes the passer. After getting off to a rocky start in 2009 following an amazing 20 sack season in '08, this guy went ballistic, making huge plays in huge situations (Sealed the win against the Saints, etc.) This guy causes huge amounts of trouble for OC's every week, and the problem is compounded by the fact that by double or triple-teaming Ware, Ratliff, Spencer, James, and others are given a much better opportunity to get in the backfield. 56.5 sacks in the past 4 seasons. This guy will go down as one of the greats at this pace, barring injuries of course.
16.
Kevin Williams - DT - Minnesota Vikings
The second and last representative of the fantastic Minnesota D-Line... Williams is without a doubt the league’s greatest UT. He pushes the pocket probably better than anyone else in the league, and commands double and triple teams on a line on which are also Pat Williams and Jared Allen, two fabulous players in their own right... that’s got to tell you something when NFL Offensive Coordinators consider him a bigger threat than those two. He puts up around 10 sacks a year (Which is quite good for a DT) but that number would undoubtedly balloon if there wasn’t such amazing talent around him stealing sacks that would be his on a worse line. He also possesses the rare ability to split multiple blockers to wreak havoc in the backfield in the running game. Kevin Williams does it all.
17.
Charles Woodson - CB - Green Bay Packers
DPOY always bumps you up a couple spots. I know Woodson is regarded by some as the best Cornerback in the league after taking home Defensive Player of the Year honors, but what I’m looking for in a #1 corner is lockdown coverage on a consistent basis before route-jumping, picking, and returning at the cost of being beat some of the time, and to me Revis is a better bet on that basis. In my synopsis of Nnamdi I already did most of the explaining for Woodson over him. I respect greatly what Woodson does and how vital he is to the Packers defense, and whole-heartedly endorse him as one of the league’s premier defensive players year in and year out.
18.
Jared Allen - DE - Minnesota Vikings
Allen backs up his cockiness with his play, and that in itself is a very, very tall order. Hardly anyone in the game gets to the Quarterback as much or as often as this guy (44.5 sacks in his last three seasons), but the thing that makes him so special is that even when he’s having an off day, the fact that the QB knows he’ll be coming for his life on every down off the edge has a profound impact on the game. I think the fact that he isn’t afraid to make a fool of his victims after the play also adds to the intimidation factor. Great personality, great player, the type of guy fans come to see to be entertained by. Football needs more Jared Allens.
19.
Jeff Saturday - C - Indianapolis Colts
Saturday is the veteran leader of the line that protects the greatest signal caller in the game today. The way Saturday executes the line calls in such a complicated scheme (With constant changing of plays and whatnot) is amazing, and there are few in the league who would be able to pull it off. A great guy and player, an absolutely integral part of the Colts offense.
20.
London Fletcher - MLB - Washington
Near the top of both the tackle rankings, and the "Most underrated player" rankings year in and year out, Fletcher is one of the most steady and consistent producers the NFL has to offer with great instincts, toughness, and technique. Tackling is what he's known for, but he's also one of the best pass defenders at the LB position in the NFL. His anticipation allows him to read routes quickly and make a jump on the ball even though he may not be the fastest guy on the field. Fletcher is a great guy to have on defense, a true field general who is fundamentally proficient in all aspects of the game.
21.
Joe Thomas - LT - Cleveland Browns
Browns fans have to thank God for Thomas... he along with Jerome Harrison provide any kind of promise or future for the piss poor Cleveland offense. The good news is having a young LT you can count on is one of the vital initial steps to bringing a shitty franchise out of limbo, and Thomas has already established himself as one of the NFL’s marquis Left Tackles. His blocking has been sound on both fronts since he entered the league, but this past season he took it to another level and had the best season of any LT in the league (Unless you’re counting Sebastian Vollmer who had limited time). With another year of 2009 caliber he’ll have to be considered the best in the business, but at this point I still put Clady over him since I believe he’s more versatile in the sense that he could be a monster in multiple offenses and schemes.
22.
Nnamdi Asomugha - CB - Oakland Raiders
Yes, Nnamdi is the first CB so far. Yes, Charles Woodson and Darrelle Revis are in here somewhere. Why, you might ask, is Asomugha below them? Well, I would reply, Nnamdi plays in a scheme in which he plays on the same side all the time, covering a specific zone on a given play (In most cases) and can oftentimes be seen on the opposite side of the field as the opposing team's #1 Wide Receiver. This allows the other team to throw away from him to their best guy and to other parts of the field. Odd choice for the Raiders, I agree, but it is how it is. In contrast, Woodson and Revis are usually on an island matched with the other team's premier threat, and for that, I've got to give them credit. Add that to the fact that Asomugha's play dropped off a good amount from his unreal 2008 campaign, (I had him #1 then despite the scheme and whatnot) which would be expected of anyone. I have him at 2a. right now among CB's, amazing athlete, highly feared by any Quarterback.
23.
Dwight Freeney - DE - Indianapolis Colts
Freeney is on the list for exactly one reason – rushing the passer. There is no 4-3 DE better off the edge than this guy, who is the most prolific speed rusher in the game right now. He won’t overpower anyone or put anyone on their ass (By force anyway), but one faulty bit of footwork from an LT and Freeney will be around him and into the backfield in a flash with that fantastic spin move of his. As I implied earlier, he’s not great against the run by any means but he’s an absolute game changer against the pass and because of that, fits perfectly into the Colts’ Cover 2.
24.
Philip Rivers - QB - San Diego Chargers
Aside from the fact that he’s a complete and utter bitchy prick, Rivers is exactly what an organization hopes for when drafting for their franchise QB. His way of gaining his teammates’ respect is very abrasive and causes opposing fans to dislike him deeply, but his fellow Chargers love him for it (for the most part). He’s got very good accuracy and an absolute cannon for an arm despite that highly unorthodox throwing motion, and has put up fantastic stats each of the past 3 seasons despite a running attack that leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve got to give him props for that. One day he may be in the top 2, or maybe be recognized as the league’s best, but for me he’s got to A. Change his persona and emulate Manning, etc. with class, and B. Lead his team to a Super Bowl victory or two. 1st and 2nd round losses just don’t cut it. Overall a really good player who’s definitely secured a spot in the top 25 with excellence these past two seasons; MVP type numbers in each of the two.
25.
Maurice Jones-Drew - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones-Drew is the only player I’ve ever remotely liked at UCLA, and I have to say he’s grown on me even more since he entered the NFL. Since coming into the league, MJD has produced well in all areas of the game (Blocking, receiving, running) but has always been held back from being placed in the top 5 because of doubts with regards to his stamina and whether he truly had it in him to be an every down back. With Fred Taylor leaving Jacksonville to try and resurrect his career with the Patriots, Jones-Drew was given his long-anticipated shot along with an enormous 6-year extension before the season that was called premature by many. As we all now know, he rose above the pressure of the dollars beautifully and put together a fantastic year as one of the lone bright spots in a dreary Jaguars season. His versatility more than anything else is reason to keep one eye on this guy as his career progresses, because he still hasn’t peaked.
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:
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