Where did Adrian Peterson rank according to TSN Top 100 players?
The Sporting News came out with the 100 best players in the NFL. Lists seem to be the way the Sporting News gets attention. They came out with the 50 best coaches in sports just a month and a half ago and the top 100 college football teams just recently
Anyway, here is the article…
Before I get into individual players, here is an overall breakdown of the list.
-They had 12 QB’s, most by any position
-Seven Vikings and Seven Steelers. The difference in the teams is the disparity of talent on Minnesota and the depth of Pittsburgh
List Analysis- On the whole, I thought they were fairly accurate in their rankings, but as in every list, there are going to be some comments. Here are mine…
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts
2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
3. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
4. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
No problems here. I would put AP at one and slot Manning and Brady down one, but this order is fine.
12. Ben Roethlisberger
Really? Big Ben is the 12th best player in the NFL? I highly doubt that, at this time of the NFL anyway.
Not only that, but this list puts him 3rd among QB’s and better than: Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb. This is a reach and I think TSN has overvalued his Superbowl victories.
24. Andre Johnson
This is a bit low for Andre and confirms my thought that the NFL thinks of him as a step lower than Fitz, but in reality they are on the same level. Johnson’s athleticism, size and speed are at an elite level. He missed seven games in 2007, but has missed only three games in his other five years. He has played on some crap Texans teams and still puts up big number, including leading the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. I’d be fine with Andre in the 8-15 range, 24 is too low for this game changer.
50. Eli Manning
Eli’s numbers aren’t that great in New York and nor will they be any time in the near future. The Giants are a run heavy offense that doesn’t ask their QB to do that much. Similar to Roethlisberger, Manning’s personal impact on a game isn’t nearly as large as this list makes it out to be. I’m not saying the best QB’s are ranked by passing yards or completion percentage, but try to isolate their abilities and not rely so much on the personal around them when evaluating them. Eli is an above average QB in the NFL, and is in no way a better player than: 54. Phillip Rivers, 57. Lance Briggs, 59. Antonio Cromartie or 68. Jay Cutler. Eli is overvalued based on his outstanding offensive line and run game.
58. Tommie Harris
This is more about reputation than actual ability. Tommie Harris effectiveness has dropped off in the past two years; the Bears defense has declined while maintaining the same defensive corps over the past four years. I would have accepted this in 2006, but not today, defensive and offensive linemen seem to get more praise than any other position based on reputation.
88. Michael Vick
This is a joke. Let me first point out by saying Aaron Rodgers did not make this list and Michael Vick did. That is nothing else that needs to be said.
Players Underrated:
24. Andre Johnson- see above
35. Patrick Willis- led the league in tackles his rookie season, 2007, and had 114 in his second season
36. Mario Williams-Averaged 10 sacks a season and hasn’t missed a game in his 3 years in NFL
49. Reggie Wayne- Still an elite receiver who has been the model of consistency that is often not given due credit because people assert Manning as reason for success
54. Phillip Rivers- behind #49 Brett Favre
59. Antonio Cromartie- One of the best, if not best shut down corners in NFL. He is better than Champ Bailey (26th), who lives more on reputation than actual performance.
65. Vince Wilfork- the anchor in the NE defense, without him, they wouldn’t be SB contenders
68. Jay Cutler- Set Broncos single season pass yds at age 25 that was last year.
82. Calvin Johnson-Seriously, 82?
86. DeMeco Ryans- An elite MLB who gets lost in the shuffle playing in Houston, possibly better than Urlacher (61), right now
87. Roddy White- Has two, 1000+ receiving seasons in his four years in NFL. Hasn’t missed a game and has blazing speed
96. Stephen Jackson- An elite running back who has battled with some injuries, when healthy a top 30 player in the NFL, if not higher.
Players Overrated:
10. Tony Gonzalez.- If you are going to put a Tight End that high, which you shouldn’t, it should be Gates or Witten. Gonzalez is 33 and his best days are behind him
12. Big Ben- see above
39. Brian Dawkins-Similar to Gonzalez, his best days are way behind him, and if he is this good, why would the Eagles let him walk in a year the could win the SB?
50. Eli Manning- see above
51. Brett Favre- This is one of the best jokes on the list
58. Tommie Harris- see above
77. Willie Parker-TSN loves the Steelers, Parker was a great back who got overworked and his value now is quite small. RB’s after him…Frank Gore (not listed), Steve Slaton (not listed), Stephen Jackson (96th).
Best Players Offensive Players Not Listed:
Aaron Rodgers
Tony Romo
Maurice Jones-Drew
Frank Gore
Steve Slaton
Matt Forte
DeAngelo Williams
Brandon Jacobs
Greg Jennings
#1 by alberto on September 11, 2009 - 3:42 pm
“39. Brian Dawkins-Similar to Gonzalez, his best days are way behind him, and if he is this good, why would the Eagles cut him in a year the could win the SB?”
Easy. They didn’t.
But, hey, writing a post in 5 minutes with generalized fact-free opinions is a great approach.
ps- It’s called free agency.