Analysis: After a drop in play in 2007, Hutchinson regained the top spot at the position last season.
1. Alan Faneca, Jets Comment: He has long been the best guard in the AFC (since Will Shields retired anyway). His contribution to the development of Nick Mangold has been excellent. He hasn't lost a step now that he is a little long in the tooth either. Every big run seemed to have a Faneca block at a pivotal point.
Analysis: Most don't pay enough attention to this athletic, strong guard. He should be in Pro Bowls.
2. Steve Hutchinson, Browns Comment: This guy got some big recognition when he signed that huge deal in Minnesota. The Vikings don't regret it one bit. Their running game is strong whether it is Peterson, Taylor or Jackson running the ball. He and Bryant McKinnie are a mean duo on the left side in Minnesota.
Analysis: He's much more than the son-in-law of coach Tom Coughlin. He's a mauler in the run game.
3. Chris Snee, Saints Comment: The Giants have one of the better lines in football and Snee could very well be the best player on it. Whether it is in pass protection or run blocking, Snee is solid all day and all season.
Analysis: He's a huge guard who envelopes his opponent. There's a chance he could play tackle this year.
4. Brian Waters, Chiefs Comment: Often overlooked in his career because he played on the same line as Willie Roaf and Will Shields, Waters has quietly been one of the best offensive linemen of the decade. He has probably been the best player on the roster in Kansas City over the last 7 years.
Analysis:He emerged as a Pro Bowl player last year on one of the better lines in the league. Plays with a mean streak.
5. Kris Dielman, Chargers Comment: Part of a very good line in San Diego, Dielman has been one of the big reasons the Chargers have one of the most potent offenses in football. This is another guy who pass blocks as well as he run blocks. LT and Philip Rivers are big fans of this fella.
Analysis: Athletic guard who is coming off his best season. He's a perfect Ravens lineman: powerful and tough.
6. Logan Mankins, Patriots Comment: For my money, this is the best offensive linemen in New England and one of the best players they have drafted this decade. He is a vicious run blocker that has an old school mean streak. There isn't a team in football that wouldn't love to have this guy on their roster.
Analysis: He's the Patriots best lineman, even if he didn't play up to his usual standards last season.
7. Leonard Davis, Cowboys Comment: Once considered a bust as a tackle, Davis has blossomed into one of the best run blocking guards in the game. His uppern body strength leaves a lot of defenders on the ground. Didn't quite have the speed to protect the corner as a tackle but his power gets the job done at guard.
Analysis: He's made the shift from tackle to guard without any troubles. He wasn't quick enough for tackle, but he's plenty quick inside.
8. Shawn Andrews, Eagles Comment: This guy was higher on the list until a big injury last year. There have been rumors of depression, but the Eagles are hoping that playing next to his brother Stacy will help get him back in form for 2009.
Analysis: Might be the best run blocker of the group. He just needs to improve in pass protection.
9. Eric Steinbach, Browns Comment: There is finally a respectable line in Cleveland, and Steinbach is part of the reason. He and Joe Thomas should anchor this line for the next few years and if someone can handle the ball at QB, this team could have a pretty good offense this season.
Analysis: Doesn't get the attention Joseph gets, but he's not far behind.
10. Justin Blalock, Falcons Comment: This is kinda my best of the unheralded players. Blalock is a very good young guard who is a big piece to the new offense in Atlanta. I predict he will be seeing Pro Bowls very soon.
It was already rediculous that Prisco decided not to put Clinton Portis on his top 10 running backs list. But it is absolutely inexplicable for London Fletcher to not be on his top 10 ILB list. I believe that London Fletcher has the most tackles of anybody in the league since 2003, and his numbers have yet to drop off. He is a top ILB in the league, and I really don't understand
...(more)
Rothlisberger doesn't even warrant a top 10 place in your rankings? he has only won two superbowls and did it last year with the worst offensive line ever by a super bowl champion.
Yes Manning wins... in the regular season... but he is the king of the "one and done" in the playoffs, which happened again last year. Give the 2008 MVP to Warner, who was brilliant in the playoffs... and move Manning down to 4th on your list, with Brady, Warner, and Brees all moving up... and possibly Rivers too...
Tom Brady is still the best qb in the nfl. (PERIOD). I understand Peyton was the league's mvp last season, and I do believe that he deserved to be. However, Tom has proved since 2001 that their is nobody better. He did it without any star receivers, and now that he finally has them, he is showing the type of stats that he can put up on a yearly basis.
The Guru is back. Thanks to the over 115 people who responded to my last post, just 24 hours ago. I appreciate all comments, good and bad. Most people "get it". Most people see that Andre Johnson is all "potential" who has yet to put up an outstanding season. Herm Edwards said "You play to win the games". And you win the games by scoring more points t
...(more)
Prisco, you've got no credibility! How can you possibly leave Aaron Rodgers off your top-10 quarterback list? He throws for 4000 yards and almost 30 tds in '08 and you think Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger are going to out-perform him? Taking any bets, Pete? Rodgers has to be the most under-respected player in the NFL, mostly because he inherited the job amidst all this Favre mania, which
...(more)
For once I actually agree with Mr. Prisco on the majority of this list. P. Manning, Brady and Brees are exactly as I would have started out the top three and for once Prisco puts aside his love of Brady.
With this said I feel that Big Ben is much too high on this list. Yes, He has two rings, but he also plays for one of the most dominate teams in the NFL on defense every year. Why do
...(more)
I guess Jay Cutler is out of the Top 10 because he doesn't have any good wide receivers, right? I am not comparing Cutler to Favre. But I guess guys like Robert Brooks, Antonio Freeman and Donald Driver all would have had the same type of careers no matter who their QB's were. Point: QB's make the WR, not the other way around. But this is another thoug
...(more)
I smell a Browns/Ravens fan here. I guess Super Bowls don't matter in your rankings? Big Ben not even in the top ten? And losers/underacheivers like McNabb and Palmer (not to mention Cutler???) are in there. Incredible. Do you realize the Steelers couldn't even RUN the ball last year, and they STILL won the Super Bowl!!! Whose arm took them there? It sure as hell wasn't Romo, McNabb, Plamer, or Cu
...(more)
How can you not include Matt Cassell in the top 10 after what...
Ha, I can't even complete the sentence. Of course Cassell doesn't deserve the top 10, as a Chiefs fan, I am not all that sure about him anyways. I don't think he can excel at the same level as last year with the talent the Chiefs currently have.
Good list, I would still have Brady at least at
...(more)
Okay, its time to face the facts about everyone's darling, Drew Brees. He's a short QB with a slightly better than average arm. Most of his deep throws are don the middle of the field. His gaudy numbers are in part due to the type of offense this team runs. I think that he's a bit overrated, not a bad QB but there are definately guys I'd take before him. Notice how he never wins big games. I've se
...(more)
You've gotta be kidding me. Rodgers has started 1 year. ONE FREAKING YEAR !!!! Ahead of a 2 time SB winner ? Who is this clown ? Palmer ? C'mon. And for those of you who say he plays with a #1 D. Well, did yinz watch the SB ? Anybody on D throwing those last Q passes ? No That was Ben. Doing what he did 6 times last year. Leading the last drive to win it. Just ask any Ravens fan.
