[Mile High Mania]

Youth can be over-rated, but not with this collection of phenoms in the making...

Crested Butte-Holes (26)

QB
Matt Schaub, QB (28)
Trent Edwards, QB (25)

The only true area with question marks and it's really dependent upon Schaub's ability to stay healthy, only starting in 11 games in each of the last 2 seasons. The offense has the weapons and Schaub has the talent to be on par with any QB you want to rank from #4-#10 overall in the NFL. Edwards is trending up and they've added TO at the right time for him, he's a solid backup.

WR/TE
Anquan Boldin, WR (28)
TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR (31)
Roy Williams, WR (27)
Greg Olsen, TE (24)

The production from this foursome is limitless... 3 top WRs in offenses that love to sling the football. Boldin = stud. TJ Housh is finally "the man" and is no longer hindered by OchoCinco and he'll have huge production. Williams has a lot to prove for the price they paid, but if you think Romo is going to be a top performer... Roy will have to be as well for Romo to do anything. And Olsen, solid young player and will leap in production with Cutler.

RB
Peyton Hillis, FB (23)
Brandon Jacobs, RB (27)
Kevin Smith, RB (22)
*(also includes Norwood, listed primarily as the KR)

Wonderful options here with two clear #1 RBs that will carry the rock 15-22 times a game. Jacobs is a stud, Smith has a wonderful outlook with a new offense and Stafford at QB in the near future. There will be a learning curve in the new offense, but there's little holding him back. Hillis at FB is solid and in the new offense, expect big things. Norwood is just a bonus right now - great dual threat as a backup to MT.

OL
Marcus McNeil, LT (25)
Robert Gallery, LG (28)
Olin Kreutz, C (32)
Chris Kuper, RG (26)

This is still a work in progress, but Kreutz is the anchor at C and the Guards are top notch. McNeil is young and recovering from an injury, but he's going to solid at LT for years.

ST
Mason Crosby, K (24)
Jerious Norwood*, KR/RB (25)

Two solid players - Crosby is a top 3-4 kicker already and Norwood racks up KR yards, he needs to add in scores this year and he'll be amazing.

Offense/ST Avg Age = 26.3 years

DL
Julius Peppers, DE/OLB (29)
Ray Edwards, LDE (24)
Kevin Williams, DT (28)
Darryl Tapp, RDE (24)

Peppers is the 'name' and a great one to have along with Williams plugging the middle. Add in Edwards and Tapp, and this is going to be an extremely formidable DL.

LB
Kirk Morrison, ILB (27)
Zach Diles, OLB/SLB (24)
Curtis Lofton, MLB (23)

Great value when I picked up Morrison late, he's a top 10 type of player with Diles and Lofton. Both of those guys are very young and not many know them by name, but look at their production - especially Diles. Diles missed half the season in 2008 and still finished #2 in tackles. Sure, there's an injury risk with him, but nothing more than an age risk is for an older guy and all reports have him well on track for 2009.

DB
Richard Marshall, CB (24)
Charles Tillman, CB (28)
Gibril Wilson, S (27)
Roman Harper, S (26)

I simply love the DBs - all are very proven at their positions and will be a great complement to the DL. Look at their numbers over the past 2 seasons and you'll fall in love with these players.

Again, it's ok to be jealous... I know it's a bitter pill to swallow by admitting the Butte-Holes are a team poised for greatness now and in the long-term. And, like I said... if the voters go on "names" and it becomes a popularity contest, then I don't expect to win... but that's ok. I know the truth.

But, if you disagree... certainly let me know, I'd love to understand where I'm wrong in juding this team's talent.