ESPN's Bill Williamson Ranks AFCW's Top 40 Players

[keg in kc]

I think Flowers is rated lower that he should be, but the fact remains that he was outperformed by the Chiefs ahead of him on the list last year, even if it was the result of injuries. Assuming he's healthy for all of 2011, he'll end up in the top 5-10 if the same list is made in 12 months.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think Flowers is rated lower that he should be, but the fact remains that he was outperformed by the Chiefs ahead of him on the list last year, even if it was the result of injuries.

No, he wasn't...

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Rausch

No, he wasn't...

Yes, he was.

We can keep doing this all day if you want.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Yes, he was.

We can keep doing this all day if you want.

Based on numbers (sacks, INT's, etc.) or production?

Passes defensed, times thrown at, etc?...

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Based on numbers (sacks, INT's, etc.) or production?

Passes defensed, times thrown at, etc?...

Well, I was joking about going all day, but if you want an answer, I'd say that it's based on watching the games last season. His injuries clearly hobbled him. Carr appeared to be a better corner for most of the season, particularly in the second half of the year, which is why his complete absence from the list is curious. Flowers was not I thought, for the majority of the year, what he was the first couple of games. I don't disagree that he can be James Hasty, but the fact remains that once he got hurt, he just wasn't the same. Although I thought he was still very good.

And I don't think he's playing above his ability at all. He's exactly the player I thought he would be when they drafted him. Maybe in a perfect world he's an inch taller, but I think that's overblown. The guy's a football player. He was at Tech and he is here.

[Reaper16]

Originally Posted by Rausch

No, he wasn't...

Let me get this straight: you're claiming that Jamaal Charles did NOT have a better season than Brandon Flowers?

[Rain Man]

There must be more to Eric Weddle than meets the eye.

[Rain Man]

Other than the guards and Thomas Jones, our guys are all young, too. That's really nice.

[Reaper16]

Thomas Jones was one of the NFL's very worst running backs last season. But he's better than Brandon Carr, who is a legit top-20 cornerback in the NFL?

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Thomas Jones was one of the NFL's very worst running backs last season. But he's better than Brandon Carr, who is a legit top-20 cornerback in the NFL?

I'm not sure he's better then Jackie Battle right now.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Thomas Jones was one of the NFL's very worst running backs last season. But he's better than Brandon Carr, who is a legit top-20 cornerback in the NFL?

It's the Bicep Effect. In any pickup game in any sport, the guy with big biceps will get picked earlier than he warrants.

[JohnnyV13]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

It's the Bicep Effect. In any pickup game in any sport, the guy with big biceps will get picked earlier than he warrants.

You see this truth in the great sport of poon chasing.

[Psyko Tek]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Thomas Jones was one of the NFL's very worst running backs last season. But he's better than Brandon Carr, who is a legit top-20 cornerback in the NFL?

yes I think he is
and I think flowers was rated to low
on KC teams he would be one followed by berry at 2 and jcharles at 3
(|I have a defensive bias)

[beach tribe]

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Thomas Jones was one of the NFL's very worst running backs last season. But he's better than Brandon Carr, who is a legit top-20 cornerback in the NFL?

TJ ALWAYS gets his ass kissed by the media. I just don't get it. He was absolutely HORRIBLE the last 8 games of the season. Worst performer on our team IMO.

[Ebolapox]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcwest/post...n-the-afc-west


1. Philip Rivers, San Diego: He is an elite player at the most important position on the field.
2. Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland: There’s a reason he’ll be the top prize in free agency.
3. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City: One of the NFL’s most dynamic young players.
4. Antonio Gates, San Diego: He should end up in Canton.
5. Tamba Hali, Kansas City: One of the NFL’s best defensive players.
6. Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City: He is a game-changing talent.
7.Richard Seymour, Oakland: Respected veteran changed Oakland’s defense.
8. Vincent Jackson, San Diego: Expect a strong rebound in 2011.
9. Ryan Clady, Denver: One of the game's premier left tackles.
10. Champ Bailey, Denver: Even at 33, he is special.
11. Eric Berry, Kansas City: He should be the game’s best safety soon.
12. Nick Hardwick, San Diego: An anchor to a strong offensive line.
13. Darren McFadden, Oakland: He is developing into a star.
=> 14. Matt Cassel, Kansas City: Cassel has to continue to make strides.
15. Zach Miller, Oakland: He can make Oakland’s offense special.
16. Derrick Johnson, Kansas City: He is a serious playmaker.
17. Quentin Jammer, San Diego: Solid veteran is an anchor to a good defense.
18. Kris Dielman, San Diego: A steady hand on the Chargers’ line.
19. D.J. Williams, Denver: He is a tackling machine.
20. Marcus McNeill, San Diego: He’s an upper-echelon left tackle.
21. Shaun Phillips, San Diego: He is one of the division’s best pass-rushers.
22. Brandon Flowers, Kansas City: One of the game’s best young cornerbacks.
23. Eric Weddle, San Diego: A hard-nosed playmaker at safety.
24. Glenn Dorsey, Kansas City: He came on strong in 2010.
25. Tommy Kelly, Oakland: Massive defensive tackle had a big season in 2010.
26. Elvis Dumervil, Denver: If Dumervil bounces back from sitting out in 2010, he should be ranked higher next year.
27. Rolando McClain, Oakland: McClain has a chance to be one of the division’s better linebackers.
28. Brandon Lloyd, Denver: Lloyd came out of nowhere for a special 2010.
29. Shane Lechler, Oakland: The game’s best kicking specialist.
30. Ryan Lilja, Kansas City: A gritty, tough veteran guard.
31. Malcom Floyd, San Diego: He can make the spectacular catch look easy.
32. Brian Waters, Kansas City: A great veteran presence on a good line.
33. Jason Campbell, Oakland: Oakland will be depending on Campbell a lot this season.
34. Kamerion Wimbley, Oakland: He can get sacks in bunches.
35. Tony Moeaki, Kansas City: Second-year tight end is a player to watch.
36. Lamarr Houston, Oakland: He has a chance to be special.
37. Antonio Garay, San Diego: He had a strong 2010 season at 31.
38. Ryan Mathews, San Diego: He showed flashes as a rookie.
39. Michael Bush, Oakland: He and McFadden form a nice tandem.
40. Thomas Jones, Kansas City: He can still help the Chiefs at 33.

my objective analysis (trying to remove homerism from the picture) of the chiefs on the list (and the ones NOT on the list)

ranked too low: brandon flowers and brandon carr (criminal that he's not on the list).

ranked too high: matt cassel (though he could go higher if he has another good year) and thomas jones (shouldn't BE on the list).

the rest are about right, really.

guys from other teams that I question... champ bailey, antonio gates (he's freaking injured too much to be that high), nick hardwick/kris dielman/marcus mcneill (all three are good, but not top 20 good), quentin jammer (way too high--solid doesn't=top 20), ryan clady (he's coming off of injury--be interesting to see if he comes back as good as when he was healthy), ryan mathews (what did he REALLY show as a rookie?!?)

there are others, but those are the only ones that pop out to me.