MartyBall4Buffalo Posted June 8, 2005 Share Posted June 8, 2005 1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: He had an amazing season in 2004, solidifying his spot here at the top. Now he has to win a Super Bowl. 2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: Three Super Bowl rings in four years makes for a special quarterback. 3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Doesn't get the credit he deserves playing in San Diego, but he's the best back in the game. 4. Randy Moss, WR, Raiders: Love him or hate him, he's a player. Moss is the best deep threat in the game today. Oakland fans will love him. 5. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens: Yeah, yeah. We hear all that talk about how Lewis has regressed some. Watch out in 2005. Now that he's back in the middle of the 4-3, he will look like the Lewis of three years ago. 6. Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts: Just a tad behind Moss on the receiver list, Harrison is on his way to the Hall of Fame. He does it with so much ease. 7. Ed Reed, S, Ravens: Reed has made a huge jump up our list. He's arguably the best defensive player in the game today. 8. Terrell Owens, WR, Eagles: He talks a good game, but he backs it up. Owens proved in the Super Bowl what kind of player he is, a point even his haters can't argue. 9. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings: He had a monster year in 2004, but it will be interesting to see what he does now without Moss. 10. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: McNabb has improved greatly as a pocket passer. Maybe Owens had a lot to do with that. 11. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Despite playing behind a bad offensive line in a system that didn't feature his best talents (cutback running), Portis had a good first season with the Redskins. 12. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos: It's chic to rip on Bailey when seeing him get beat for a touchdown. Well, he's in man coverage a lot more than most corners. He's going to get beat. I'd still take him over any other corner in the game. 13. Walter Jones, T, Seahawks: An outstanding pass protector who plays like a man much lighter than 300 pounds. Now that he has a long-term deal that will have him in training camp for the first time in a few years, he will be even better. 14. Richard Seymour, DE, Patriots: He can play end or tackle for the Patriots. He has the power to hold up against the run and the quickness to get pressure. 15. Michael Vick, QB, Falcons: He has to improve his passing to make a jump up this list. He's still electrifying. But he has to throw it better. 16. Chris McAlister, CB, Ravens: The Ravens did the wise thing and locked him up to a long-term deal that will keep him around for a while. Teaming with Samari Rolle will give Baltimore the best corner tandem in the game. 17. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs: Even as he gets to the end of his career, Gonzalez is still the best pass-receiving tight end in the league. 18. Marcus Stroud, DT, Jaguars: Stroud was plagued some by injuries last year, but when he was healthy he was good enough to go to the Pro Bowl. 19. Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens: He had some off-field and injury concerns last season, but he's still a big-time runner. Might be even better now if the Ravens open things up a bit. 20. Priest Holmes, RB, Chiefs: Injuries have started to erode his career, but he's still one of the best when healthy. How much is he a product of the Chiefs' offensive line and system? 21. Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: He always said he'd be one of the NFL's best, and he is. We love the way he plays the game. 22. Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts: He might not be great against the run, but Freeney's speed off the edge makes him special. 23. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers: Peppers can make plays that other ends can only dream about. He's an amazing athlete for a man his size. 24. Torry Holt, WR, Rams: Holt continues to play at a high level, even though he's getting up in years. Holt is still one of the most feared receivers in the league. 25. Jonathan Ogden, T, Ravens: Ogden remains a premium left tackle, although he isn't as good as he was a few years ago. He has so much athleticism for the position. Said to lack a mean streak, though. 26. Ahman Green, RB, Packers: He is a fantasy player's delight. The one knock on him is that he fumbles too much. 27. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers: Gates emerged last season as a go-to guy for Drew Brees. He is an athletic tight end who can't be covered one-on-one. 28. Kris Jenkins, DT, Panthers: He was knocked out by injuries last season and recently admitted a drinking problem, but Jenkins is a star when he's on the field. He does have to lose some weight. 29. Derrick Brooks, LB, Bucs: Age is starting to become a factor, but he is still one of the best outside backers in the game. A class act, too. 30. Shaun Rogers, DT, Lions: Here's a player who got in shape and then got good. Rogers is now a force in the middle of the Lions line. 31. Brian Dawkins, S, Eagles: Continues to be a force in the back of the Eagles defense. Dawkins might be on his way to the Hall of Fame. 32. Brett Favre, QB, Packers: He can still make magical plays, but he can look ordinary now too. Favre is falling down the list, although we still hold him in high regard. 33. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Giants: The only thing holding him back is injuries. He and Eli Manning will be special together this season. 34. Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings: Has quietly become a dominant player in the middle of the Minnesota defense. With Pat Williams now next to him, he will be even better 35. Todd Heap, TE, Ravens: Injuries slowed him last year, but he's back healthy again and should be even better under new coordinator Jim Fassel 36. Orlando Pace, T, Rams: If not for Pace, the Rams line would have been awful last year. He still plays a high level. 37. Steve McNair, QB, Titans: It would be easy to leave him off this list based on last season, but he's a year removed from a co-MVP and he is still a force when he's healthy. 38. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: We put him in the top 50 last year, and that opened some eyes. Are there any doubters now? 39. Willie Roaf, T, Chiefs: The old man can still play. Roaf is a force at left tackle on the league's best line. 40. Simeon Rice, DE, Bucs: One of only two men with 100 sacks in his career still playing (Michael Strahan is the other). Rice can still come off the edge with a burst. 41. Jason Taylor, DE, Dolphins: Once just a pass rusher, he is now a well-rounded end. But where does he play in Miami's new 3-4 scheme? 42. John Henderson, DT, Jaguars: Big John played better than Stroud in the second half of the 2004 season. He is a force against the run. 43. Samari Rolle, CB, Ravens: He's going to be missed in a big way in Tennessee. The Ravens will love him. 44. Patrick Surtain, CB, Chiefs: He excelled for the Dolphins playing a lot of man coverage, something we love. How will he fit in for the Chiefs? 45. Al Wilson, LB, Broncos: Wilson is a tenacious force in the middle of the Denver defense. If he had bigger people in front of him, he'd be even better. 46. Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints: He was slowed by an ankle injury last season, but expect him to bounce back with a huge season in 2005. He will be higher up this list next summer. 47. Brian Urlacher, LB, Bears: Has never been as good as the hype, but he's still a good player and can be a very good player. 48. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers: I left him off this list last season and heard it from the Steelers fans. That won't happen this year. 49. Takeo Spikes, LB, Bills: A playmaking star in a very good defense, Spikes has proved to be a heck of a steal for the Bills. 50.Charles Woodson, CB, Raiders: Here's a player fans and the media love to knock, but he's still an outstanding cover corner. How do we know? Ask the scouts. http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/8545074/4 Why the hell are portis bailey and mike vick on this list at all especially in the top 20? Ray Lewis should also be outside of the top 20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justnzane Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I can understand portis and bailey being on the list, but not vick. Spikes worse than Urlacher and Al Wilson??? urlacher is overrated, and i don't understand shockey being on that list either as i can think of 40 players better than him (that are listed behind him or not listed) and probably two or three more at his position alone (Especially Alge Crumpler) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Campy Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I can understand portis and bailey being on the list, but not vick. Spikes worse than Urlacher and Al Wilson??? 354047[/snapback] These lists are just looking to be ripped, aren't they? Will someone explain to me how a "play making star on a very strong defense" is rated two spots behind a player who "has never been as good as the hype" but is "still a good player"????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mile High Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Ray Lewis outside of the top 20....? Sorry I'd have to disagree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PromoTheRobot Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Win 3 Super Bowls and you are #2? What do you have to do to impress Pete Prisco? Sorry...until Peyton Manning has some jewelry, he ain't #1 in my book. PTR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mile High Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Win 3 Super Bowls and you are #2? What do you have to do to impress Pete Prisco? Sorry...until Peyton Manning has some jewelry, he ain't #1 in my book. PTR 354061[/snapback] Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minotaur Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Win 3 Super Bowls and you are #2? What do you have to do to impress Pete Prisco? Sorry...until Peyton Manning has some jewelry, he ain't #1 in my book. PTR 354061[/snapback] So are you saying Trent Dilfer is better than Dan Marino was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 So are you saying Trent Dilfer is better than Dan Marino was? 354227[/snapback] I think his point was Manning and BRady went head-to-head 3 times in the last 2 years and the score is 3-0 in favor of Brady....I can't see how Brady is not ahead of Manning.. Brady might not have the fancy 4000 yards 40TD fancy passing, but those don't measure you as a true team player....not to mention Manning taking 15% of the teams salary cap, there by ensuring that his team will always have a sh------- defense.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan Trapped in Pats Land Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Win 3 Super Bowls and you are #2? What do you have to do to impress Pete Prisco? Sorry...until Peyton Manning has some jewelry, he ain't #1 in my book. PTR 354061[/snapback] By the way, Ray Lewis is a shell of his former self. I never thought he was as good as the hype, and I agreed with Corey Dillon when he said Spikes was a better all around linebacker. But Lewis isn't the sideline to sideline gamechanger he once was. Still a good player but not top 5. The next big game Peyton Manning wins will be the 1st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkwwjd Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Win 3 Super Bowls and you are #2? What do you have to do to impress Pete Prisco? Sorry...until Peyton Manning has some jewelry, he ain't #1 in my book. PTR 354061[/snapback] right ... cuz ... Manning lost the games, just like Bledsoe, and RJ, and ... I don't disagree with the point that Brady should be higher than Manning, but saying that he can't be #1 until he has a SB ring? Sorry, Brady is a top notch player (as much as I hate to say that), but he did not win the SB by himself or with himself as the top player, no matter what the popularity contest that is the MVP award says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slothrop Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Spikes worse than Urlacher and Al Wilson??? 354047[/snapback] Al Wilson plays football and writes about it for the Buffalo News? Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidbuff Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I can't billieve tha SHOCKEY, VICK, and many others is rated a greated player that SPIKES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbillsfan Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I can understand portis and bailey being on the list, but not vick. Spikes worse than Urlacher and Al Wilson??? urlacher is overrated, and i don't understand shockey being on that list either as i can think of 40 players better than him (that are listed behind him or not listed) and probably two or three more at his position alone (Especially Alge Crumpler) 354047[/snapback] If you polled players in the league, Vick would definitely be in the top 50, probably top 10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 Looking over /dev/null's Top 50 People Whose Opinion Matters To Me nope, don't see Prisco's name on that list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scribo Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 OK. So none of us agree with this list. So what Bills were unjustly left off? Because.... 48. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers: I left him off this list last season and heard it from the Steelers fans. That won't happen this year. Let him hear it. I think Takeo should have been at least 15 spots higher. And I would have liked to see McGahee make it, but I understand why he didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkady Renko Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I think his point was Manning and BRady went head-to-head 3 timesin the last 2 years and the score is 3-0 in favor of Brady....I can't see how Brady is not ahead of Manning.. Brady might not have the fancy 4000 yards 40TD fancy passing, but those don't measure you as a true team player....not to mention Manning taking 15% of the teams salary cap, there by ensuring that his team will always have a sh------- defense.... 354233[/snapback] That's probably why Mark Rypien and Jeff Hostetler won Super Bowls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkady Renko Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 not to mention Manningtaking 15% of the teams salary cap, there by ensuring that his team will always have a sh------- defense.... 354233[/snapback] Actually, when people looked into to Brady's deal it was not that impressive a sacrifice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye Eric Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 7 Ravens on the list. Only 2 Patriots... Hmm.... Which is the "dynasty" team again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drnykterstein Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 i hate these lists. not even worth reading, yet we are still drawn to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrader Posted June 9, 2005 Share Posted June 9, 2005 I think his point was Manning and BRady went head-to-head 3 timesin the last 2 years and the score is 3-0 in favor of Brady....I can't see how Brady is not ahead of Manning.. I hate it when this argument comes up. Last time I checked, there are 10 other guys on the field at the same time as the QB, not to mention the other 11 guys out there when the team doesn't have the ball. Crazy thought, but those guys influence the outcome of the game too. Of all the mainstream team sports here in the US, I'd have to say football is the biggest team sport. I know I phrased that poorly, but what I'm saying is that an idividual performance will have a greater impact in baseball, hockey or basketball than it does in football. I believe that Manning is the better quarterback. Brady plays on a better team with a better system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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