Finding the best player at each position in the NFL

[broadwayjoe]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2007-best-series.htm

USA TODAY wants you to decide who's the best player at each position in the NFL. Scroll through our photo galleries of the nominees by position and cast your vote for the NFL's cream of the crop.

This looks pretty interesting and I look forward to see what the SPorts nation thinks.

 

[stinkypete]

I hate to defend a Colts player, but where is Dallas Clark in the vote for best TE?

 

[Aqua4Ever04]

I still don't understand how dillusional people are that they think Peppers is as good as or better then Taylor. I also laughed when I saw Porter and Ray Lewis ahead of Zach Thomas.

 

[Remix 6]

I hate to defend a Colts player, but where is Dallas Clark in the vote for best TE?

he does nothing during regular season

 

[sieglo]

I still don't understand how dillusional people are that they think Peppers is as good as or better then Taylor. I also laughed when I saw Porter and Ray Lewis ahead of Zach Thomas.

And I laughed when I read this post.

Is there an emoticon for "blatant homerism"?

 

[DaBruinz]

he does nothing during regular season

I didn't realize that 30 receptions and 4 TDs was nothing for the regular season. Granted, its not Tony Gonzalez numbers, but you seem to forget that Clark has Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to contend with. Not to mention that Clark missed 4 games this season.

Clark is much better than you give him credit for.

 

[Remix 6]

I still don't understand how dillusional people are that they think Peppers is as good as or better then Taylor. I also laughed when I saw Porter and Ray Lewis ahead of Zach Thomas.

its not all about stats kid. Ray Lewis still plays at a very high level..103 tackles, 5 sacks 2 INTs and the leader of 1 of the best defenses. Id take Ray anyday(now or 5 years ago) over any LB..including Urlacher right now

 

[zippo59]

I didn't realize that 30 receptions and 4 TDs was nothing for the regular season. Granted, its not Tony Gonzalez numbers, but you seem to forget that Clark has Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to contend with. Not to mention that Clark missed 4 games this season.

Clark is much better than you give him credit for.

There solid numbers for tight end but they are not good enough to put him among the absolute best in the league, which is what this poll is about.

 

[Remix 6]

I didn't realize that 30 receptions and 4 TDs was nothing for the regular season. Granted, its not Tony Gonzalez numbers, but you seem to forget that Clark has Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to contend with. Not to mention that Clark missed 4 games this season.

Clark is much better than you give him credit for.

367 yards 4 TDs doesnt cut it for a TE.

gates: 924 yards on 71 catches 9 TDs(3 seasons in a row with over 900 yards)
gonz: 73 catches, 900 yards 5 TDs (4 seasons in a row with over 900)
heap: 73 catches 765 yards 6 TDs
winslow: 89 catches 875 yards 3 TDs
witten: 64 catches 754 yards with 1 TD (down year imo)
crumpler: 56 catches 780 yards 8 TDs

oh and just for show: Watson: 49 catches 643 yards

your comments about him having to contend with wayne-harrison..its not always like that. just because theres better players on the team or your the #1 target..doesnt mean you will/wont see the ball as much. a QB throws to whos open..and theres no way anyone doubled Clark with Wayne-Harrison outside.

Watson should have a big year..contending with Stallworth-Moss. it opens more up for him(as should have for Clark)

im not taking away how good Clark is..hes a good player. He does what hes asked but as a top TE..nope.

 

[bronk37]

I was going to pick J Peppers for DE but I had to go with J Taylor but both of them are freakishly athletic and make game changing plays. I think about 29% of the people voted for either of the two.

 

[bradybunch]

I voted

Tomlinson
Urlacher
Pace
Peppers
Gates
Brady

 

[Remix 6]

I voted

Tomlinson
Urlacher
Pace
Peppers
Gates
Brady

i voted

Tomlinson
Lewis
Jones
Peppers
Gates
Brady

 

[bradybunch]

remix

If i didnt take Urlacher i would have picked Lewis

and the same for Pace and jones

 

[dhamz]

its not all about stats kid. Ray Lewis still plays at a very high level..103 tackles, 5 sacks 2 INTs and the leader of 1 of the best defenses. Id take Ray anyday(now or 5 years ago) over any LB..including Urlacher right now

About 80 of those 103 tackles probably came during home games where the Ravens credit Lewis with tackles on every running play even though all he usually does is fall on the pile and then get up and dance. Stuff like that is why the NFL doesn't recognize tackles as an official stat. I think it was Dr Z who reviewed the film of a 20 tackle Lewis game a couple years ago and found something like 3 legit tackles.

He was once great - possibly as good as their ever was but those days are long gone. Now he is in Michael Vick/Brett Favre territory as an overrated player.

 

[WhiZa]

Why are there no Safeties or Cornerbacks?

 

[Remix 6]

About 80 of those 103 tackles probably came during home games where the Ravens credit Lewis with tackles on every running play even though all he usually does is fall on the pile and then get up and dance. Stuff like that is why the NFL doesn't recognize tackles as an official stat. I think it was Dr Z who reviewed the film of a 20 tackle Lewis game a couple years ago and found something like 3 legit tackles.

He was once great - possibly as good as their ever was but those days are long gone. Now he is in Michael Vick/Brett Favre territory as an overrated player.

not at all. i watch Ray play and hes legit..hes still the leader..hes still as fast as a lot of LBs and he still is an X Factor imo.

 

[dryheat44]

not at all. i watch Ray play and hes legit..hes still the leader..hes still as fast as a lot of LBs and he still is an X Factor imo.

You must have a soft spot for Hurricanes, eh?

I think Lewis and Urlacher are both overrated personally, but at this stage of their careers, I don't think there's an NFL personnel man alive who would prefer Ray-Ray.

Right now, what Lewis has going for him is his amazing instincts and coverage skills. His coverage has always been underrated, and it will probably keep him in the league for several more years. But IMO, his speed has declined, as has his toughness. He seems less willing to fight through blocks and get into collisions.

And his dancing sucks.

 

[dryheat44]

My All-Pro team, based on recent performance:

QB Manning - I'm as big a Brady fan as anybody, but there's no doubt that last year Manning was better. Good enough in my eyes to knock Brady down to 1b.

RB Tomlinson - Should be a no-brainer, right?

FB Neal - Hard to separate Tomlinson's performance from his FB, so I won't try. But I won't need a fullback much, because I'm going with a three-wide set.

WRs Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald. With all due respect to the "Moss, Harrison, Owens" answer that's been automatic for about a decade now, None of them are truly elite anymore.

TE Antonio Gates. He's still a nightmare to cover. For two TE sets, I'll take Dan Graham, for his blocking/receiving prowess.

C: Kreutz
G: Logan Mankins, Brian Waters
T: Walter Jones, Orlando Pace

NT: Jamal Williams
3-4 DEs: Richard Seymour, Aaron Smith
4-3 DEs: Julius Peppers, Jason Taylor
4-3 DTs: Marcus Stroud, Pat Williams
4-3 OLBs: Keith Bulluck, Julian Peterson
MLB: Vilma
3-4 OLBs: Merriman, Vrabel
3-4 ILBs: Farrior, Bruschi - I'm trying not to project 4-3 players into the 3-4.
CBs: Clements, Bailey
S: Reed, Dawkins

 

[desi-patsfan]

My All-Pro team, based on recent performance:

QB Manning - I'm as big a Brady fan as anybody, but there's no doubt that last year Manning was better. Good enough in my eyes to knock Brady down to 1b.

RB Tomlinson - Should be a no-brainer, right?

FB Neal - Hard to separate Tomlinson's performance from his FB, so I won't try. But I won't need a fullback much, because I'm going with a three-wide set.

WRs Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald. With all due respect to the "Moss, Harrison, Owens" answer that's been automatic for about a decade now, None of them are truly elite anymore.

TE Antonio Gates. He's still a nightmare to cover. For two TE sets, I'll take Dan Graham, for his blocking/receiving prowess.

C: Kreutz
G: Logan Mankins, Brian Waters
T: Walter Jones, Orlando Pace

NT: Jamal Williams
3-4 DEs: Richard Seymour, Aaron Smith
4-3 DEs: Julius Peppers, Jason Taylor
4-3 DTs: Marcus Stroud, Pat Williams
4-3 OLBs: Keith Bulluck, Julian Peterson
MLB: Vilma
3-4 OLBs: Merriman, Vrabel
3-4 ILBs: Farrior, Bruschi - I'm trying not to project 4-3 players into the 3-4.
CBs: Clements, Bailey
S: Reed, Dawkins

I can't believe you didn't put Thomas, Chambers, Trent Green, Ronnie Brown, and of course the greatest of them all, Ted Ginn Jr.