Sports Illustrated Top 50 NFL Players List

[Rain Man]

First off, I'm scared to death that this is a repost, but I did a search for Patrick Willis, who I figure is one of the more obscure players on this list, and I don't see any threads that look like reposts. May god have mercy on my mortal soul if it's already been posted.

Anyway, someone at Sports Illustrated listed their judgment of the top 50 players in the NFL in the latest issue. I don't see it on their official site, but some dude typed them all in here and it matches my memory, so I'll copy it.

http://community.comcast.net/comcastportal/board/message?board.id=NFL&message.id=94543

The cool thing is that Jared Allen is rated as one of the ten best players in the league. The only bad part about that is that the Chiefs could choose to keep either the 9th-best player in the league or Carl Peterson, and they chose to keep Carl Peterson. So Allen is a Viking, and we have three rookies. Great move, and that's why our Lombardi trophy is seven presidents old.

Anyway, no Chiefs on the list, not even Tony Gonzalez, and the Vikings have five people in the top 25. I hate Carl Peterson.

1. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots (2)
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts (1)
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers (3)
4. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots (246)
5. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings (243)
6. Drew Brees, QB, Saints (8)
7. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals (9)
8. Mario Williams, DE, Texans (220)
9. Jared Allen, DE, Vikings (203)
10. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams (30)
11. Joe Thomas, T, Browns (170)
12. Walter Jones, T, Seahawks (10)
13. Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings (14)
14. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers (4)
15. DeMarcus Ware, LB, Cowboys (62)
16. Shawne Merriman, LB, Chargers (11)
17. Steve Hutchinson, G, Vikings (23)
18. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (85)
19. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys (137)
20. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos (6)
21. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks (20)
22. Tommie Harris, DT, Bears (25)
23. Osi Umenyiora, DE, Giants (93)
24. Patrick Kerney, DE, Seahawks (162)
25. Antoine Winfield, CB, Vikings (31)
26. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles (96)
27. Brian Urlacher, LB, Bears (7)
28. Eli Manning, QB, Giants (127)
29. Justin Tuck, DE, Giants (489)
30. Luis Castillo, DL, Chargers (116)
31. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers (38)
32. Aaron Kampman, DE, Packers (16)
33. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals (58)
34. Devin Hester, WR-KR, Bears (69)
35. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers (15)
36. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts (68)
37. Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts (13)
38. Julian Peterson, LB, Seahawks (78)
39. Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns (318)
40. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots (126)
41. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys (76)
42. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions (63)
43. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys (103)
44. Terrell Suggs, LB, Ravens (56)
45. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders (45)
46. Ed Reed, S, Ravens (12)
47. Jason Peters, T, Bills (39)
48. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos (91)
49. Bob Sanders, S, Colts (196)
50. Patrick Willis, LB, 49ers (253)

[Huffman83]

Look at it this way. Allen is only on that last because of his opportunity w/ KC.

It's also just a popularity list right there. (Isn't it always?)

[DaKCMan AP]

Jay Cutler? Really?

[DaKCMan AP]

Calvin Johnson ahead of Dwayne Bowe (I don't think either should be on the list)??

[jspchief]

Jason Witten is a better TE than Gonzo?

Jay Cutler? lol

Justin Tuck?

[DaKCMan AP]

7. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals (9)
10. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams (30)
16. Shawne "roidman" Merriman, LB, Chargers (11)
18. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (85)
19. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys (137)
21. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks (20)
24. Patrick Kerney, DE, Seahawks (162)
25. Antoine Winfield, CB, Vikings (31)
26. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles (96)
28. Eli Manning, QB, Giants (127)
29. Justin Tuck, DE, Giants (489)
30. Luis Castillo, DL, Chargers (116)
31. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers (38)
32. Aaron Kampman, DE, Packers (16)
34. Devin Hester, WR-KR, Bears (69)
36. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts (68)
38. Julian Peterson, LB, Seahawks (78)
39. Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns (318)
40. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots (126)
41. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys (76)
42. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions (63)
44. Terrell Suggs, LB, Ravens (56)
45. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders (45)
47. Jason Peters, T, Bills (39)
48. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos (91)


These people do not belong on the list, IMO.

[BigRock]

The cool thing is that Jared Allen is rated as one of the ten best players in the league. The only bad part about that is that the Chiefs could choose to keep either the 9th-best player in the league or Carl Peterson, and they chose to keep Carl Peterson. So Allen is a Viking, and we have three rookies. Great move, and that's why our Lombardi trophy is seven presidents old.

What if the 3 rookies are on this list in 2 or 3 years?

[Nightfyre]

These people do not belong on the list, IMO.

you don't think
7. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals (9)
10. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams (30)
16. Shawne "roidman" Merriman, LB, Chargers (11)
18. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (85)
19. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys (137)
26. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles (96)
38. Julian Peterson, LB, Seahawks (78)

belong on the list? I'll have what he's smokin'.

[Rain Man]

What if the 3 rookies are on this list in 2 or 3 years?

Then I will toast Carl Peterson from my yacht in Bora Bora after having won the Powerball.

[Phobia]

Some random idiot intern compiled that list. I couldn't even finish it.

[Rain Man]

Joe Thomas particularly surprised me. #11 after his rookie season? That would make him one of the biggest impact players ever. Similarly, I want to see Peterson do it for more than one year before I call him a top-ten guy.

[DaKCMan AP]

you don't think
7. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals (9)
10. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams (30)
16. Shawne "roidman" Merriman, LB, Chargers (11)
18. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers (85)
19. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys (137)
26. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles (96)
38. Julian Peterson, LB, Seahawks (78)

belong on the list? I'll have what he's smokin'.

Nope. QBs are overrepresented on the list. There are not 10 QBs in the top 50 players in the league. Julian Peterson was great with San Fran, then he got hurt and hasn't been 'as great'. I'm biased, but there are many LBs I'd take before Merriman.

[Nightfyre]

Nope. QBs are overrepresented on the list. There are not 10 QBs in the top 50 players in the league. Julian Peterson was great with San Fran, then he got hurt and hasn't been 'as great'. I'm biased, but there are many LBs I'd take before Merriman.

Carson Palmer is easily a top 5 QB. I'd put him above Brees even.

[Pablo]

Carson Palmer is easily a top 5 QB. I'd put him above Brees even.It goes Manning/Brady/Palmer in my book. And although I don't know if he is worthy of #7, but he is definitely Top 15-20. Definitely.

[Chiefnj2]

Dustin Colquitt should be up there.

[CosmicPal]

It's about time we lay to rest that Antonio Gates is the greatest TE since sliced bread. The guy is over-rated and only catches more TD's because quite frankly, the Chargers have no other WRs. Here are the stats from the last five years alone, because quite frankly, that is when this over-blown stud of a fuggen TE started playing. Included are TG's stats to compare.

Antonio Gates

2007 San Diego Chargers 75 984 9
2006 San Diego Chargers 71 924 9
2005 San Diego Chargers 89 1,101 10
2004 San Diego Chargers 81 964 13
2003 San Diego Chargers 24 389 2

Tony Gonzalez

2007 Kansas City Chiefs 99 1,172 5
2006 Kansas City Chiefs 73 900 5
2005 Kansas City Chiefs 78 905 2
2004 Kansas City Chiefs 102 1,258 7
2003 Kansas City Chiefs 71 916 10

As you can see, only in 2005 did Antonio Gates beat TG in all categories.

[CosmicPal]

8. Mario Williams, DE, Texans (220)
9. Jared Allen, DE, Vikings (203)


How in Gawd's name is Mario Williams ahead of Jared Allen? :shake:

[Smed1065]

http://scosoft.com/h/i/741ccad5.gif

[CosmicPal]

While we're at it, let's compare the grossly over-rated Steven Jackson to Larry Johnson, shall we?

Steven Jackson

2007 St. Louis Rams 1,002 YDs 5 TDs
2006 St. Louis Rams 1,528 13
2005 St. Louis Rams 1,046 8
2004 St. Louis Rams 673 4

Larry Johnson

2007 Kansas City Chiefs 559 3
2006 Kansas City Chiefs 1,789 17
2005 Kansas City Chiefs 1,750 20
2004 Kansas City Chiefs 581 9

Okay, so they are about equal. But, if you're going to elevate Antonio Gates status because of the amount of TDs he gets, then you would need to apply the same principal to Larry Johnson in this case. Johnson far outshines Jackson in the number of TDs over the past four years.

[Hammock Parties]

I thought i read that Roidman had a career ending injury? after i read it on the ticker on the bottom of espnews i didnt see or hear of it anywhere else

[Smed1065]

I thought i read that Roidman had a career ending injury? after i read it on the ticker on the bottom of espnews i didnt see or hear of it anywhere else

Probably would not be if he did not try to play with both injuries this year.

Probably if he plays this year with both.....

[Sure-Oz]

What a shit list, i think i need to apply to SI to give them credibility, i could come up with a better list than this shit

[Mecca]

Jason Witten is every bit as good as Gonzalez is...had Dallas needed to win their last game of the season last year he'd have broken Gonzalez receptions in a season record.

[XXXshogunXXX]

It's about time we lay to rest that Antonio Gates is the greatest TE since sliced bread. The guy is over-rated and only catches more TD's because quite frankly, the Chargers have no other WRs. Here are the stats from the last five years alone, because quite frankly, that is when this over-blown stud of a fuggen TE started playing. Included are TG's stats to compare.

Antonio Gates

2007 San Diego Chargers 75 984 9
2006 San Diego Chargers 71 924 9
2005 San Diego Chargers 89 1,101 10
2004 San Diego Chargers 81 964 13
2003 San Diego Chargers 24 389 2

Tony Gonzalez

2007 Kansas City Chiefs 99 1,172 5
2006 Kansas City Chiefs 73 900 5
2005 Kansas City Chiefs 78 905 2
2004 Kansas City Chiefs 102 1,258 7
2003 Kansas City Chiefs 71 916 10

As you can see, only in 2005 did Antonio Gates beat TG in all categories.

are you serious... those comparison numbers just made Gates look better. And you included Gate's rookie year as a UDFA, he started 5 games in. Compare that to Gonzalez first few years..no comparison, Gates blows him out.

1997 368Yds 2 TD
1998 621 2
1999 849 11

thats funny how he's overrated because he only catches TDs (TDs are important) and the Chargers dont have WRs. I was thinking it was his ability to get open for those TDs, against DBs like Champ, someone who repeatedly frustrated Gonzo. What's Heap's and Shockey's excuse for their lack of Gate's production.

[Phobia]

Jason Witten is every bit as good as Gonzalez is...had Dallas needed to win their last game of the season last year he'd have broken Gonzalez receptions in a season record.

Had I simply been recruited to play college football I'd easily own every TE record on the books.

[Quesadilla Joe]

Jay Cutler? Really?

I didn't think he was high enough. He should have been above Philip Rivers. Actually Philip Rivers shouldn't be on this list at all IMO.

[ChiefJustice]

Dustin Colquitt should be up there.


Dammit,someone had to say it.:thumb:

['Hamas' Jenkins]

There are some stupid motherf*cking choices on that list. No matter how good your third end is, he isn't a franchise player. That list is basically saying Justin Tuck is a franchise player. Piss off, SI.

[orange]

Then I will toast Carl Peterson from my yacht in Bora Bora after having won the Powerball.

...over the Lombardi Trophy CP will have brought home.

[beach tribe]

Ridiculous list. Horrible.

[The Bad Guy]

No how, no way Carson Palmer is the 7th best player in the NFL.

He's not even the 5th best QB in the league.

Justin Tuck on this list when he's been a backup? Hasselbeck 21st?

This list is the suck.

[ohiobronco2]

No how, no way Carson Palmer is the 7th best player in the NFL.
He's not even the 5th best QB in the league.

Justin Tuck on this list when he's been a backup? Hasselbeck 21st?

This list is the suck.

He went to USC. He must be the greatest.

[Mecca]

He went to USC. He must be the greatest.

LOL, depends on what the list is going for, if it means right now this very second he's to high. But if you were saying players to build your team around he'd be very high on that list.

[PhillyChiefFan]

Adrian Peterson had one good year, a hellova year but still, I don't think that puts him above tried and true backs like Brian Westbrook.

And Eli Manning...really?? Two years ago he was barely treading water and now because his DEFENSE basically won the super bowl he is 28th?!?!? If Tyree hadn't caught that ball he wouldn't be on that list.

[PhillyChiefFan]

While we're at it, let's compare the grossly over-rated Steven Jackson to Larry Johnson, shall we?

Steven Jackson

2007 St. Louis Rams 1,002 YDs 5 TDs
2006 St. Louis Rams 1,528 13
2005 St. Louis Rams 1,046 8
2004 St. Louis Rams 673 4

Larry Johnson

2007 Kansas City Chiefs 559 3
2006 Kansas City Chiefs 1,789 17
2005 Kansas City Chiefs 1,750 20
2004 Kansas City Chiefs 581 9

Okay, so they are about equal. But, if you're going to elevate Antonio Gates status because of the amount of TDs he gets, then you would need to apply the same principal to Larry Johnson in this case. Johnson far outshines Jackson in the number of TDs over the past four years.

The Media hates the Chiefs, I'm not suprised

[Sure-Oz]

Jason Witten is every bit as good as Gonzalez is...had Dallas needed to win their last game of the season last year he'd have broken Gonzalez receptions in a season record.
He's vastly under-rated imo, hell of a fantasy player for me last year.