Analysis: As a rookie in 2008 he didn't give up a sack. That's amazing. He's that good.
1. Walter Jones, Seahawks Comment: He's getting a little older, but he's made nine Pro Bowls (1999, and every year since 2001) and been named an All-Pro seven times. He blocked for former league MVP Shaun Alexander, and he's done a great job of keeping Matt Hasselbeck healthy.
Analysis: He doesn't get the due he deserves, but he's one of the best. Forms half of the best tackle tandem with David Stewart.
2. Joe Thomas, Browns Comment: The guy was outstanding at Wisconsin and made an immediate impact in the NFL. Derek Anderson had a great year, and Thomas was the runner up for Rookie of the Year, being the only player other than Adrian Peterson to get votes. He's a bit weaker in the run game, but he's still capable.
Analysis: He had trouble with speed rushers as a rookie, but improved as the season went along. Also did a nice job blocking for the run.
3. Jammal Brown, Saints Comment: I'm a lot higher on this guy than a lot of people, but I think it's justified. In three years in New Orleans, Drew Brees has thrown a total of 1,841 passes. In this time, he's taken 47 sacks for a loss of 306 yards. That can't be described as anything less than outstanding.
Analysis: In his second season he continued to play at a high level, although not as well as he did as a rookie in 2007.
4. Jason Peters, Eagles Comment: The guy is huge and strong. That's enough to be a good tackle in the NFL. Between 2006 and 2007, he only allowed eight sacks. In addition, Marshawn Lynch has posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons to start his career. We'll see how he does with McNabb and one of the league's top backs.
Analysis: Having played both the right and left side, he settled in nicely on the left side last season. Excels in pass protection.
5. Ryan Clady, Broncos Comment: I feel a bit guilty for putting a guy that's only played one season in the NFL on the list, but the guy got off to a good start. In 2008, he was only starting offensive lineman who gave up less than one sack. Clady finished the year being credited with allowing only half a sack, and he was penalized a total of three games.
Analysis: He didn't play as well last season for the Bills following a holdout, but he remains one of the NFL's best. A new home and a new contract should rejuvenate him.
6. Orlando Pace, Bears Comment: He has made seven Pro Bowls and named All-Pro five times. He helped Marshall Faulk become the Offensive Player of the Year three consecutive times and protected Kurt Warner's blindside, allowing him to be named MVP twice. I'd like to put him higher, but he's played a total of 23 games in the past three years, including only one in 2007.
Analysis: He teams with left guard Steve Hutchinson to form one of the best sides of any line. He is a big man who can be dominating when he wants to be.
7. Flozell Adams, Cowboys Comment: He's getting a bit older, going into his 12th season, but he continues to perform. Marion Barber has emerged as one of the league's better backs, and Tony Romo has had some great years. Adams was elected to five Pro Bowls since 2003, missing only in 2005, when he missed ten games.
Analysis: He isn't what he was a few years ago when he topped this list, but he remains a very good player.
8. Chris Samuels, Redskins Comment: After winning the Outland Trophy in 1999, he was selected third overall by the Redskins in the 2000 Draft. All he's done since then is make six Pro Bowls, including four consecutive (2005 - 2008) and helped Clinton Portis rush for 1,200 yards in four of five seasons and set the Redskins single season rushing record (1,516 yards in 2005).
Analysis: This left tackle plays with a mean streak. He is very good in the Saints pass-oriented offense.
9. Michael Roos, Titans Comment: I had to do a bit of research to compile this list, and his name came up. For those who don't know, he's a starting tackle for Tennessee, who posted the league's best record last year. As a whole, the Titans only gave up twelve sacks on the season. Rookie RB Chris Johnson and second year man LenDale White rushed for close to 140 yards per game last year. You don't do that without great play by your offensive line.
Analysis: This huge left tackle is a big reason why Philip Rivers played so well last season. He keeps him clean.
10. Bryant McKinnie, Vikings Comment: He was selected seventh overall out of Miami by the Vikings in 2002, and he's only missed four games after being named the full-time starter. This is another guy whose name might not be well known, but I'll sum it up with one line. The man blocks for Adrian Peterson, and he's the best tackle the Vikings have.
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
