Analysis: Even at this age he continues to put up huge numbers. Now that he's in an offense with a good quarterback, they might be better.
1. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Comment: He's coming off one of his best seasons. With a Pro Bowl QB throwing to him, expect more of the same out of this vetren TE. Could possibly reach double digits touchdowns this season. Could also be the best run blocking TE in league.
Analysis: He's a great threat in the middle of the field and has improved as a blocker. Tony Romo loves him.
2. Jason Witten, Cowboys Comment: No T.O. No Problem, Jason should see an increase in stats with his loss, even though he still has Roy Williams catching passes on the other side. Very good run blocker and pass blocker as well. One of the toughest TE's in the league.
Analysis: He wasn't the same last season as injuries bothered him. If he's healthy, he's right near the top of this list.
3. Antonio Gates, Chargers Comment: Would be higher if he wasn't coming off a toe injury last season. They can ruin a career. He still had a solid season even though it was his worst statistical season since his rookie year. Along with his good hands, he can block well also.
Analysis: This pass-catching tight end is a real threat in the middle of the field. He helps take pressure off Andre Johnson in the passing game.
4. Chris Cooley, Redskins Comment: Good TE, just not properly utilized in the redzone in Washington. He would be in the class above if he was. Should see an increase in TD's this year, if his QB doesn't fade at the end of the year.
Analysis: Now that he's out of Cleveland and healthy he should revert to his 2007 numbers. He's one of the best threats down the field of this group.
5. Heath Miller, Steelers Comment: Great blocking TE. Solid hands as well. Acts as a security blanket for Roethlisberger. Has ability to have a handful of scores this year.
Analysis: He can line up tight or flex wide. Peyton Manning loves him in the passing game.
6. Owen Daniels, Houston Comment: Very underrated player having to share the ball with Steve Slaton and Andre Johnson, but he has big ability to score. Good blocker and good hands. If he could score more, he would move up this list more. He should have a good campaign.
Analysis: He's a good blocker and a capable receiver. He's not flashy, but he gets it done.
7. Dallas Clark, Colts Comment: Excellent hands, average blocking skills. He is a favorite target of Manning's. If his blocking skills increase at all, he would jump to #4 on my list. Hasn't played a 16 game season yet, but plays tough and hurt a lot. Had a solid season last year.
Analysis: As an H-back he is a versatile pass-catching threat. He isn't a great blocker.
8. Bo Scaife, Titans Comment: Very underrated player since he doesn't seem to find the endzone, but is a very athletic TE. Decent hands and solid blocking skills. Should be a very important player for the Titans next year.
Analysis: As JaMarcus Russell gets better, so will Miller. He has a real chance to move up this list.
9. Kevin Boss, Giants Comment: Emerged as a very solid TE when New York traded Shockey last year. Would be higher if he was thrown to more and should be now that Burress is no longer on the team. He should have a solid season for the G-Men. Hopefully he can block better this year as well.
Analysis: He might not really be a tight end -- more an H-back -- but the Titans love him in their passing game.
10. Zach Miller, Raiders Comment: Good young tight end. The potential is amazing for this kid. He just needs a QB who can get him the ball. He could have a breakout year if Russell improves as well as he should. Blocking should get better this year as well. Expect an average year of 500 yards with about 50 catches and five TDs.
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.
