NFL's Top 100 Players: Warren Sapp and Others Who Were Left Off the List

The NFL Network has finished its list of the top 100 players in NFL history, with Jerry Rice claiming the top spot in the network's rank as well as the fan voting.

Along with these lists comes the anger of fans, and even players, over who was snubbed. 

A few players immediately come to mind such as Warren Sapp and Junior Seau. Both were defensive stalwarts, and were all-pros nearly their entire careers.

When you look at the fan ranks of the top players, the older legends suffer quite a bit. This is understandable since many people from ages 10-30 do not know much about great quarterbacks Otto Graham and Sammy Baugh.

These older stars must not be forgotten.

Now I will reveal the players who deserved to be ranked as one of the 100 greatest players in NFL history, but were left out in NFL Network's list.

Warren Sapp

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 30: Warren Sapp #99 of the Oakland Raiders reacts on the field during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on December 30, 2007 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

As I mentioned in the previous slide, Warren Sapp is a definite top 100 player in NFL history. 

Sapp played 13 seasons, the first nine with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which were his most productive years. He spent his last four with the Oakland Raiders.

For his career, Sapp recorded 96.4 sacks and 438 tackles. 

As a defensive tackle, Sapp recorded great sack totals for many seasons with Tampa Bay, and was part of some of the best defensive units in NFL history.

In 2002, the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl over the Oakland Raiders, with their great defense as their strength led by Sapp.

Sapp was a nightmare for offensive linemen, and his consistent play over a decade makes him a top 100 player.

Junior Seau

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 10: Junior Seau #55 of the New England Patriots looks on against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2010 AFC wild-card playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Ravens won 33-14. (Photo by Elsa

Junior Seau was one of the best linebackers of the last 20 years, and he played 20 NFL seasons (13 with San Diego, four with New England, three with Miami).

Seau's longevity makes him a solid candidate to be a top 100 player because until his 14th season, his all pro production was apparent each year.

Seau recorded 1524 tackles and 56.5 sacks for his career, and was selected to 12 consecutive pro bowls.

The only stain on Seau's brilliant career is his lack of a championship ring. He came close in 2007, when the Patriots lost in the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

A lack of a championship ring is no excuse to leave Seau off the top 100 list because football is a team game, and there is no questioning Seau's contribution.

Zach Thomas

Allen Kee/Getty Images

Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas (54) in action against the New York Jets at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Florida on December 18, 2005. Miami defeated New York 24-20. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)

Zach Thomas is one of the best players in the history of the Miami Dolphins, and is definitely one of the top 100 best of all time.

Thomas was a seven time pro bowler, and played 12 seasons with the Dolphins, before finishing his career in Dallas where he spent one season.

Thomas recorded 1106 tackles, and 20.5 sacks in his career, and started at least 14 games in 10 of his 13 seasons.

He was a great leader on defense, and had great defensive awareness.

He did not enjoy team success with the Dolphins; never fortunate enough to win a Super Bowl. 

Zach Thomas was an amazing player, and deserved to be a top 100 player of all time.

Derrick Thomas

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

28 Nov 1999: Derrick Thomas #58 of the Kansas City Chiefs is ready on the field during the game against the Oakland Raiders at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Chiefs defeated the Raiders 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Al

Derrick Thomas' omission from the NFL Network's best 100 players ever is a disgrace.

Thomas was a seven time pro bowler, and recorded 604 tackles and an astounding 126.5 sacks during his 11 year career.

Thomas was inducted to the pro football hall of fame in 2009, after being eligible since 2005.

Thomas was an epic defensive player, and recorded at least ten sacks seven times in his 11 NFL seasons, and had an incredible 20 sacks in 1990.

Derrick Thomas was one of the best linebackers ever, and his absence from the NFL network's top 100 players ever is disturbing.

Cris Carter

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

28 Oct 2001: Cris Carter #80 of the Minnesota Vikings gets ready to move at the snap during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers defeated the Vikings 41-14.Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/Alls

Cris Carter is one of the top 10 receivers ever to play football, but the NFL Network still decided to leave the eight time pro bowler off their top 100 list.

Carter played 15 NFL seasons, the first 12 with the Minnesota Vikings, and is now an NFL analyst for ESPN.

Carter caught 1101 passes, and 130 of them were touchdowns. He ranks fourth all time in receiving touchdowns, and third all time in receptions.

His 13,899 receiving yards is good for 8th all time.

How can a guy that is in the top 10 in every important receiving category be left off the top 100 players ever?

Cris Carter is a top 30 player of all time, but his omission from the NFL Network's ranking is an embarrassment to the league.

Cris Carter didn't win a championship, but he also never played with a prolific quarterback, making his historic accomplishments even more impressive.

Thurman Thomas

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

CANTON, OH - AUGUST 05: Thurman Thomas listens to commentary during a Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival Enshrinees Roundtable on August 5, 2007 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Thurman Thomas was one of the best players on the Buffalo Bills teams of the late 1980's and early 1990's who played in four consecutive Super Bowls, but did not win any of them.

Thomas is a member of the pro football hall of fame, and was selected to five pro bowls.

Thomas ran for 12,074 yards which ranks 14th all time, and his 65 touchdowns are good for 65th all time.

Thomas' repertoire was not purely running focused, he was a great receiver too.

He caught 472 passes for 4,458 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career, making him a dual threat on every play.

Thomas compiled 1,800 total yards from scrimmage four consecutive times from 1989 through 1992, the seasons where the Bills were an elite NFL franchise.

Thomas was a great running back, but his receiving abilities made him one of the most dynamic backs ever.

Review

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Former member of the San Francisco 49ers Jerry Rice has his number retired at halftime against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed

Overall the list was put together well, with the few snubs I pointed out in this slideshow.

For those of you who would like to see the entire list, use the following link:

http://top100.nfl.com/

It is hard to compare players in a league that has been in play for over 75 years. Like baseball, the game of football has changed so much since the era of the great depression.

Did your favorite player make the list, or was he left out?

And why is Tom Brady not ahead of Peyton Manning?

This is a great top 100 list, but there are several areas for debate.