fabolouspaul
01-27-2005, 12:31 PM
http://proxy.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1974947
The following list of the NFL's top 50 players is based on two factors, with each counting as half of the equation. The first is how well the individual played in 2004, and the second is his value to his team. With these components in mind, we polled a panel of NFL insiders to name the league's "Super 50" in '04. All comments were made on the condition of anonymity.
1. QB Peyton Manning, Colts
"The best passing quarterback in the game. A pure passer who has been Marino-like in many of his last 45 games or so and keeps Indianapolis in position to make a real run at a championship."
2. QB Donovan McNabb, Eagles
"The prototype modern-day NFL quarterback. His pocket presence, accuracy and arm strength have all improved." ... "The big things were losing weight and adding (Terrell) Owens. He was so stiff and muscle-bound because he had to run and took a lot of shots. With Owens, he moved to the pocket."
3. WR Terrell Owens, Eagles
"Only disrupted cornerbacks and didn't rock the boat. Proved that his skills, if a concerted effort is made to feed him the ball, can match almost anyone in the game. When you drop the ball on his hands in man coverage, it's all over." ... "The best playmaking receiver the Eagles have ever had."
4. QB Daunte Culpepper, Vikings
"There was a time, not even two years ago, when Culpepper couldn't get out of his own way. He was a bull in a china closet. The maturation process has accelerated and he's become a top-five quarterback."
5. RB Curtis Martin, Jets
"Reminds of Walter Payton upon contact -- never loses that 'one-more-yard' mentality. The Hall of Fame debate was put to rest." ... "Driven team player. Durability and consistency kept the Jets afloat."
6. QB Drew Brees, Chargers
"Many times, competition breeds confidence in your own abilities. The guy is so tough mentally and physically. It was just a matter of his confidence building and growing to the point where his physical talent could take over." ... "Is it possible for John Butler to be the GM of the Year or whatever? Butler put the nucleus together, trusted Brees had a skill level of a first-rounder."
7. QB Tom Brady, Patriots
"Writing his way into NFL history books as the greatest big-game quarterback of all time." ... "Consistently rewards Bill Belichick for trusting (Brady) with the ball in his hands. Not big, strong or fast, but has ice water in his veins, intangibles, ingenuity and ... youth, meaning he could get a few more rings. The winning percentage (80 percent) says it all."
8. RB Corey Dillon, Patriots
"Gave the Patriots even more than Stephen Davis (gave) the Panthers last season." ... "Has the lower-body strength of a fullback."
9. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
"Undefeated rookie season was more a reflection of his psyche, maturity and focus than ability. A 15- or 16-0 rookie season won't be his greatest achievement." ... "His ceiling is as high or higher than Michael Vick or (Byron) Leftwich or some of your other young quarterbacks. He's incredibly confident. Half the battle is learning how to win, right? Ben's physical skills were never the question. As long as he doesn't fall apart mentally, the sky is the limit."
10. RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
"Even without duplicating his career year, nobody means more to his team. His impact is every bit as profound even at (3.9) yards a pop. Gritted his teeth and played with a strained groin for nine or 10 games."
11. FS Ed Reed, Ravens
"An extra cornerback who thinks like a quarterback on defense. There isn't a player in the league as smooth with the ball in the open field."
12. WR Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
"With nowhere else to turn, the Panthers jumped on his back and he carried them from the depths to the brink of the playoffs." ... "Not as natural or as gifted as (most) No. 1 receivers and he had a lot to play for, sure, but that was some statement." ... "Bigger, stronger, more physical and powerful than every cornerback in the league."
13. DE Dwight Freeney, Colts
"Has shark-on-steak speed and is the most explosive second-effort player I've seen since Lawrence Taylor."
14. QB Brett Favre, Packers
"There was a five-game stretch where he threw the ball better than anyone. Overall, his best season since 2001." ... "What he's done is unfathomable. His leadership and toughness -- and I was around Bruce Matthews quite a bit -- are immeasurable."
15. ILB James Farrior, Steelers
"He was the best linebacker I saw this year."
16. OT Willie Roaf, Chiefs
"Has the muscle and mentality to ace any defensive end around if he stays focused." ... "The entire offense -- Priest Holmes and Trent Green -- is twice as good because of Roaf and those guards."
17. QB Michael Vick, Falcons
"Has a gear few runners have. As a passer, mechanically, he's off and his delivery can be awkward if he's not set. He has a gun and can beat you with his arm, but his feet and wheels make him what he is: an all-the-way threat who can also throw. You don't know what he's going to do against a great defense. We just haven't seen it enough."
18. RB Tiki Barber, Giants
"Getting to 1,500 yards behind that line, with Eli (Manning) in the backfield, isn't easy to quantify. If the Giants were in the hunt, if you omit Peyton Manning, Tiki would be the MVP."
19. TE Antonio Gates, Chargers
"You don't see a tight end doubled very often, but what choices are you left with? He dominated like few tight ends ever have and killed teams that covered (him with a) linebacker."
20. OG Alan Faneca, Steelers
"Sets the tone for the offense with his (street fighter's) approach."
21. WR Marvin Harrison, Colts
"The Jerry Rice of his generation."
22. RB Edgerrin James, Colts
"There was a theory: Marshall Faulk made the Rams' offense. In many ways, Edgerrin is doing that without all of the attention." ... "He's not as fast as he was as a rookie, nowhere near. But, you know what? He's a better running back today."
23. RB Shaun Alexander, Seahawks
"Huge season in a contract year. There were a few bumps in the road in there, but I wonder why he didn't touch the ball more." ... "Has more tough runs than tough yards. I saw more (Mack Strong) in short-yardage, but Alexander got the ball at the 1-yard line."
24. DL Richard Seymour, Patriots
"Versatile technician with the savvy of a 10-year veteran and tons of natural ability."
25. RB Willis McGahee, Bills
"An incredible season for a player whose strength was supposed to be speed. If he gets a step (back), who is better?"
26. TE Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
"Drops aside, the best deep-threat tight end I've seen. By the time he's done, he might have the best numbers of any player to play his position. I suppose it could work against him that he's not asked to block."
27. OT Walter Jones, Seahawks
"Grades out with the best ... even with a quarterback who won't stay in the pocket."
28. RB Jerome Bettis, Steelers
"It was 'the Bus' and not the rookie (Ben Roethlisberger) who carried the Steelers in November and December."
29. CB Shawn Springs, Redskins
"Blue-chip cornerback played with a chip on his shoulder and fit perfectly in Washington."
30. SS Rodney Harrison, Patriots
"Not the fastest or strongest, but maybe the smartest. His emotions are contagious."
31. WR Javon Walker, Packers
"He's gone from a cash-and-carry, shadow-scared rookie to a reliable three-down wide receiver who can go over the middle and doesn't drop the ball."
32. DE Julius Peppers, Panthers
"One of the most improved players over the last two years." ... "If you've watched him, he learned a lot in the Super Bowl. The big thing is being less dependent on upfield, outside speed moves. He'll stick and steer on running plays; it's just another way to use his rare athleticism."
33. DT Kevin Williams, Vikings
"Not the strongest or most powerful but a defensive tackle with great quickness and DE speed. Not many guards can handle him on passing downs."
34. WR Torry Holt, Rams
"A numbers-to-sideline guy who adjusts to a thrown ball very well and seems to come up with clutch catches in bushels." ... "He's doing a lot of what Marvin Harrison has done for so long. Not easy to stop because he eats the (CB) cushion in a heartbeat."
35. NT Jamal Williams, Chargers
"More active and agile than Ted Washington and just as effective vs. the run." ... "It's a shame he's not going to the Pro Bowl."
36. RB Brian Westbrook, Eagles
"A Terry Metcalf-type who can dominate a game without you noticing." ... "Did as much with 250 touches as anyone."
37. CB Nate Clements, Bills
"Prototype cornerback finally seems comfortable in man coverage. Extremely competitive and versatile playmaker with toughness. He was very consistent all season. There wasn't one cornerback who didn't get beat, but Clements kept the damage minimal."
Honorable mention
DT, Sam Adams, Bills; CB, Ronde Barber, Buccaneers; DE, Bertrand Berry, Cardinals; WLB, Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers; CB, Sheldon Brown, Eagles; ILB, Tedy Bruschi, Patriots; DT, Rod Coleman, Falcons; CB, Al Harris, Packers; C, Jeff Hartings, Steelers; WR, Joe Horn, Saints; CB, Tory James, Bengals; RB, Rudi Johnson, Bengals; RB, Kevin Jones, Lions; SS, Troy Polamalu, Steelers; OT, Marvel Smith, Steelers; LB, Takeo Spikes, Bills; DT, Marcus Stroud, Jaguars; WR, Reggie Wayne, Colts.
*** Edit due to article being in it's entirety.***
The following list of the NFL's top 50 players is based on two factors, with each counting as half of the equation. The first is how well the individual played in 2004, and the second is his value to his team. With these components in mind, we polled a panel of NFL insiders to name the league's "Super 50" in '04. All comments were made on the condition of anonymity.
1. QB Peyton Manning, Colts
"The best passing quarterback in the game. A pure passer who has been Marino-like in many of his last 45 games or so and keeps Indianapolis in position to make a real run at a championship."
2. QB Donovan McNabb, Eagles
"The prototype modern-day NFL quarterback. His pocket presence, accuracy and arm strength have all improved." ... "The big things were losing weight and adding (Terrell) Owens. He was so stiff and muscle-bound because he had to run and took a lot of shots. With Owens, he moved to the pocket."
3. WR Terrell Owens, Eagles
"Only disrupted cornerbacks and didn't rock the boat. Proved that his skills, if a concerted effort is made to feed him the ball, can match almost anyone in the game. When you drop the ball on his hands in man coverage, it's all over." ... "The best playmaking receiver the Eagles have ever had."
4. QB Daunte Culpepper, Vikings
"There was a time, not even two years ago, when Culpepper couldn't get out of his own way. He was a bull in a china closet. The maturation process has accelerated and he's become a top-five quarterback."
5. RB Curtis Martin, Jets
"Reminds of Walter Payton upon contact -- never loses that 'one-more-yard' mentality. The Hall of Fame debate was put to rest." ... "Driven team player. Durability and consistency kept the Jets afloat."
6. QB Drew Brees, Chargers
"Many times, competition breeds confidence in your own abilities. The guy is so tough mentally and physically. It was just a matter of his confidence building and growing to the point where his physical talent could take over." ... "Is it possible for John Butler to be the GM of the Year or whatever? Butler put the nucleus together, trusted Brees had a skill level of a first-rounder."
7. QB Tom Brady, Patriots
"Writing his way into NFL history books as the greatest big-game quarterback of all time." ... "Consistently rewards Bill Belichick for trusting (Brady) with the ball in his hands. Not big, strong or fast, but has ice water in his veins, intangibles, ingenuity and ... youth, meaning he could get a few more rings. The winning percentage (80 percent) says it all."
8. RB Corey Dillon, Patriots
"Gave the Patriots even more than Stephen Davis (gave) the Panthers last season." ... "Has the lower-body strength of a fullback."
9. QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
"Undefeated rookie season was more a reflection of his psyche, maturity and focus than ability. A 15- or 16-0 rookie season won't be his greatest achievement." ... "His ceiling is as high or higher than Michael Vick or (Byron) Leftwich or some of your other young quarterbacks. He's incredibly confident. Half the battle is learning how to win, right? Ben's physical skills were never the question. As long as he doesn't fall apart mentally, the sky is the limit."
10. RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
"Even without duplicating his career year, nobody means more to his team. His impact is every bit as profound even at (3.9) yards a pop. Gritted his teeth and played with a strained groin for nine or 10 games."
11. FS Ed Reed, Ravens
"An extra cornerback who thinks like a quarterback on defense. There isn't a player in the league as smooth with the ball in the open field."
12. WR Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
"With nowhere else to turn, the Panthers jumped on his back and he carried them from the depths to the brink of the playoffs." ... "Not as natural or as gifted as (most) No. 1 receivers and he had a lot to play for, sure, but that was some statement." ... "Bigger, stronger, more physical and powerful than every cornerback in the league."
13. DE Dwight Freeney, Colts
"Has shark-on-steak speed and is the most explosive second-effort player I've seen since Lawrence Taylor."
14. QB Brett Favre, Packers
"There was a five-game stretch where he threw the ball better than anyone. Overall, his best season since 2001." ... "What he's done is unfathomable. His leadership and toughness -- and I was around Bruce Matthews quite a bit -- are immeasurable."
15. ILB James Farrior, Steelers
"He was the best linebacker I saw this year."
16. OT Willie Roaf, Chiefs
"Has the muscle and mentality to ace any defensive end around if he stays focused." ... "The entire offense -- Priest Holmes and Trent Green -- is twice as good because of Roaf and those guards."
17. QB Michael Vick, Falcons
"Has a gear few runners have. As a passer, mechanically, he's off and his delivery can be awkward if he's not set. He has a gun and can beat you with his arm, but his feet and wheels make him what he is: an all-the-way threat who can also throw. You don't know what he's going to do against a great defense. We just haven't seen it enough."
18. RB Tiki Barber, Giants
"Getting to 1,500 yards behind that line, with Eli (Manning) in the backfield, isn't easy to quantify. If the Giants were in the hunt, if you omit Peyton Manning, Tiki would be the MVP."
19. TE Antonio Gates, Chargers
"You don't see a tight end doubled very often, but what choices are you left with? He dominated like few tight ends ever have and killed teams that covered (him with a) linebacker."
20. OG Alan Faneca, Steelers
"Sets the tone for the offense with his (street fighter's) approach."
21. WR Marvin Harrison, Colts
"The Jerry Rice of his generation."
22. RB Edgerrin James, Colts
"There was a theory: Marshall Faulk made the Rams' offense. In many ways, Edgerrin is doing that without all of the attention." ... "He's not as fast as he was as a rookie, nowhere near. But, you know what? He's a better running back today."
23. RB Shaun Alexander, Seahawks
"Huge season in a contract year. There were a few bumps in the road in there, but I wonder why he didn't touch the ball more." ... "Has more tough runs than tough yards. I saw more (Mack Strong) in short-yardage, but Alexander got the ball at the 1-yard line."
24. DL Richard Seymour, Patriots
"Versatile technician with the savvy of a 10-year veteran and tons of natural ability."
25. RB Willis McGahee, Bills
"An incredible season for a player whose strength was supposed to be speed. If he gets a step (back), who is better?"
26. TE Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
"Drops aside, the best deep-threat tight end I've seen. By the time he's done, he might have the best numbers of any player to play his position. I suppose it could work against him that he's not asked to block."
27. OT Walter Jones, Seahawks
"Grades out with the best ... even with a quarterback who won't stay in the pocket."
28. RB Jerome Bettis, Steelers
"It was 'the Bus' and not the rookie (Ben Roethlisberger) who carried the Steelers in November and December."
29. CB Shawn Springs, Redskins
"Blue-chip cornerback played with a chip on his shoulder and fit perfectly in Washington."
30. SS Rodney Harrison, Patriots
"Not the fastest or strongest, but maybe the smartest. His emotions are contagious."
31. WR Javon Walker, Packers
"He's gone from a cash-and-carry, shadow-scared rookie to a reliable three-down wide receiver who can go over the middle and doesn't drop the ball."
32. DE Julius Peppers, Panthers
"One of the most improved players over the last two years." ... "If you've watched him, he learned a lot in the Super Bowl. The big thing is being less dependent on upfield, outside speed moves. He'll stick and steer on running plays; it's just another way to use his rare athleticism."
33. DT Kevin Williams, Vikings
"Not the strongest or most powerful but a defensive tackle with great quickness and DE speed. Not many guards can handle him on passing downs."
34. WR Torry Holt, Rams
"A numbers-to-sideline guy who adjusts to a thrown ball very well and seems to come up with clutch catches in bushels." ... "He's doing a lot of what Marvin Harrison has done for so long. Not easy to stop because he eats the (CB) cushion in a heartbeat."
35. NT Jamal Williams, Chargers
"More active and agile than Ted Washington and just as effective vs. the run." ... "It's a shame he's not going to the Pro Bowl."
36. RB Brian Westbrook, Eagles
"A Terry Metcalf-type who can dominate a game without you noticing." ... "Did as much with 250 touches as anyone."
37. CB Nate Clements, Bills
"Prototype cornerback finally seems comfortable in man coverage. Extremely competitive and versatile playmaker with toughness. He was very consistent all season. There wasn't one cornerback who didn't get beat, but Clements kept the damage minimal."
Honorable mention
DT, Sam Adams, Bills; CB, Ronde Barber, Buccaneers; DE, Bertrand Berry, Cardinals; WLB, Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers; CB, Sheldon Brown, Eagles; ILB, Tedy Bruschi, Patriots; DT, Rod Coleman, Falcons; CB, Al Harris, Packers; C, Jeff Hartings, Steelers; WR, Joe Horn, Saints; CB, Tory James, Bengals; RB, Rudi Johnson, Bengals; RB, Kevin Jones, Lions; SS, Troy Polamalu, Steelers; OT, Marvel Smith, Steelers; LB, Takeo Spikes, Bills; DT, Marcus Stroud, Jaguars; WR, Reggie Wayne, Colts.
*** Edit due to article being in it's entirety.***