NFL: The Top-50 Players

Writers and admirers of the NFL often like to list their thoughts on the best players in the NFL today. It isn't common that you don't see a list of some sort, breaking down the best players, overall, or by position.

Many think they have the key to the door that unlocks many answers, but are batted down in mid-air. As I was sitting here tonight, I realized I had never done a breakdown of the top players, nor have I ever given my opinion.

Well, tonight, that changes. Here is my list of the "Top 50 Players in the NFL".

1. Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots: I feel Brady really proved himself last season. Breaking a variety of records is one thing. Another thing, is winning the big game, something that eluded the Patriots last season.

You have to think they’ll come back hungrier than ever, with Brady leading that pack. I don’t care how old these guys may be, it’ll be another year of smash-mouth football, something rarely seen.

2. LaDainian Tomlinson, Running Back, San Diego Chargers: People felt that LT had an off year last year, like he wasn’t himself. These people are either just realizing that Tomlinson may just be human, or feel he isn’t human, he is a superman, and they demand 1,800 yards on the ground every year. The scary thing is, he still carried for 1,474 yards on 33 less carries. Through the air? 475 yards, only 33-yards less than last year's total.

3. Peyton Manning, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts: Is it really right to label Manning as a choker, for the second time, because he couldn’t beat the Chargers? Another guy who may have had a “down” year, but it was still exceptional.

If Marvin Harrison is able to return to full strength on the field, the Colts are a good bet for another division title, and possibly another Super Bowl appearance. The AFC really is turning into a juggernaut.

4. Champ Bailey, Cornerback, Denver Broncos: How is it that three of the top four players had so-called “down years”, but still fill up more than half of the top-five players? I think you have to look past stats, and look towards the impact they make, in some cases.

It’s spot on for Champ Bailey, in this case. Bailey is still the best cover corner in the NFL, and he still doesn’t get the respect I believe he deserves. Age may become a problem, though.

5. Randy Moss, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots: A year ago today, Randy Moss probably wouldn’t have cracked the top-50. His reputation looks to have been restored, and so has his love for the game. You can’t deny those 23 touchdowns either, can you?

6. Bob Sanders, Safety, Indianapolis Colts: Well, six players down, and we have yet to see an NFC player. Why is that? You really can’t be sure, especially when the casual fan looks at it, and then sees that an NFC team won the Super Bowl.

Well, anything can happen, I guess, and it looks like it has here. When Bob Sanders isn’t injured, he is arguably the best defensive player in the NFL, evident by his DPOY in ‘07.

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