NFL Mad Men: The League's 10 Angriest Players

The NFL is full of mad men. 

Everyone who plays football, whether they admit it or not, plays with at least a little bit of anger.  It's what drives players to hit harder, run faster, throw farther, and go the extra mile to make a play.

But there are certainly players who are angrier than normal.  There are players who make you wonder who wronged them so horribly.  There are players who you have to wonder if they have a few screws loose.

After a week in which there were several flagrant, bone-rattling, unnecessarily angry hits, it may be worth while to take a look at players who it's best to avoid on the football field.  Here are the top 10 angriest players in the NFL.

10. Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 10: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts passes the football against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Angry might not be the best way to describe Manning's play.  Cold is probably a better word.

Manning plays the game with a ruthless precision, which makes him appear angry on the field.

And after games, you won't find a guy who is more critical of himself than Manning.

Plus, with the weight of an entire team on his shoulders every single week, maybe he is starting to get a little bitter and angry about that.

9. Dez Bryant

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass for a touchdown as Lito Sheppard #29 of the Minnesota Vikings misses the tackle during the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapo

Bryant, a rookie, has already cracked this list despite only playing in five games.

He brings an anger to the Dallas Cowboys that shows both on and off the field.

Remember the incident during training camp where he refused to carry Roy Williams' pads?  That probably had more to do with anger than anyone in the organization would admit to.

Then there's his play on the field.  I've never seen a wide receiver who enjoys running through defenders more than Bryant.  He never shies away from a collision.

8. Patrick Willis

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49er tackles Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Patrick Willis is the best young linebacker in the NFL.  No one embodies his coach's spirit more than Willis does for Mike Singletary.

Singletary is the perfect coach for Willis at this stage of his career, as the two play a very similar style of football.

No linebacker can cover sideline-to-sideline better than Willis.

Also, there aren't many who can hit as hard as he can.  Just ask Reggie Bush.

7. Tom Brady

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Tom Brady is the angriest quarterback in the NFL.  He plays as if he has a giant chip on his shoulder.

You have to wonder why he's so angry when his life is so awesome.  He has three Super Bowl rings, a supermodel wife, and now, a rich contract extension.  So, why the anger?

Apparently, he's still upset about being a sixth-round draft pick.  Seriously Tom?  You should probably have let that one go after Super Bowl ring No. 1.

This season, maybe he's driven by the anger of everyone making fun of his haircut?  It's a theory anyway.

6. LaDanian Tomlinson

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 11: LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets runs the ball against the Minnesota Vikings at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 11, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets won 29-20. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Ima

Before this season, Tomlinson wouldn't have made this list.

But, now that he's out of San Diego and playing with the New York Jets, LT looks angry.

And he is.  He's out to prove he's still got some fuel left in the tank and that he's not washed up.

He has me convinced.

5. Jared Allen

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings encourages the crowd during the first half of the game against the Miami Dolphins on September 19, 2010 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squir

Don't be fooled by Allen's fun personality off the field.  Between the sidelines, he's all business, all the time.

Allen's motor is unparalleled in the NFL.  The guy never takes a play off.  Never.

He's always ripping, swimming, and powering his way to the quarterback.  And when he gets there, it's not pleasant for the unlucky QB.

4. Brian Urlacher

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Linebacker Brian Urlacher #54 of the Chicago Bears lines up against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images)

When healthy, Urlacher is one of the fiercest competitors in the NFL.  He will do anything to help his team win a football game.

In addition to playing angry, he's also a fearless leader.  The Chicago Bears' defense just isn't the same without him in the lineup.

With him, they are a formidable unit that no one wants to face.

3. Adrian Peterson

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MINNEAPOLIS - OCTOBER 17: Running back Adrian Peterson #29 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated C

Adrian Peterson has a violent running style.  He crashes into defenders, throws violent stiff arms and runs through people rather than around them.

And he does it well, as he has been the most consistent running back in the NFL the past few years.

If the Vikings are fighting for a playoff spot towards the end of the season, watch out for AP, because he will be playing with an intensity we haven't seen from anyone.

2. Ray Lewis

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts before a game with the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Everyone knows Ray Lewis plays angry.  He's been doing it for 15 years now.

Lewis is a guy no one wants to run into.  He does a lot of talking, but he also does a lot of backing up what his mouth is saying.

He's one of the most talented linebackers ever to play in the NFL.  He's so good at what he does that he doesn't need to play angry.

But he does, and that makes him even better.  And much scarier.

1. James Harrison

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Look at that stare.  You don't want to be across the line of scrimmage from that stare.  You want to do everything you possibly can to get as far away from that stare as humanly possible.

His latest victim was Mohamed Massaquoi of the Cleveland Browns.  Harrison delivered a viscous, unnecessary, flagrant hit to the defenseless receiver this week, knocking him out for the rest of the game, maybe more.

If I were NFL commissioner, I'd fine Harrison a hefty amount, say $50K.  Then, I'd make him sit out just as long as Massaquoi has to sit out after suffering his concussion.  Taking away playing time is the only way to get these players to tone it down a bit.

Harrison seems to toy with the passionate-crazy line.  Sometimes, he plays with a lot of heart while staying within the rules.  Sometimes, you have to wonder if he has a few screws loose.