NFL: The 1 Player Who Best Exemplifies All 32 NFL Teams
The NFL is full of star players and every team has their fair share of elite players, but each team has one player that best exemplifies what each team is all about.
For some teams, that player may exemplify his team's recent struggles, but many of the players on this list are a major part of their team's success or are a reason for hope in the future.
Nearly every position is represented in this article, but quarterback is represented the most, and for good reason since it is the league's most important position.
The players who were chosen are not necessarily the best players on their teams, as many of them are not, but they are the players who have had a large impact on their team's success or struggles.
Dallas Cowboys: Felix Jones
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The Dallas Cowboys underachieved mightily last season, finishing with a disappointing record of just 6-10. Many things went wrong last season for the Cowboys, most notably the season-ending injury to quarterback Tony Romo in week seven.
Running back Felix Jones was one of many underachievers on last season's team, running for just 4.3 yards per carry and finishing with more fumbles (two) than touchdowns (one).
The Cowboys offensive line was part of the reason that Jones struggled, but he deserves some of the blame as well and that is the reason he is the pick to represent the entire franchise.
New York Giants: Justin Tuck
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The New York Giants wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks last season, recording 46 sacks on the year.
Defensive ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora were the main sack artists, leading the team with 11.5 each, but Tuck best represents the Giants' relentless play on defense with his nine tackles for loss to go along with all of his sacks.
Tuck also recorded 76 total tackles on the season and forced six fumbles.
Philadelphia Eagles: DeSean Jackson
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The Eagles have speed all over on their offense, but DeSean Jackson is the guy who makes their offense go.
Michael Vick is a big-time talent at quarterback, but without Jackson the Eagles offense would not be the same. Backup quarterback Kevin Kolb was effective while Vick was injured, but the Eagles would be in a lot of trouble if they lost Jackson for any extended period of time.
Jackson is a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
Philadelphia should be one of the top teams in the NFC this season and Jackson is a huge reason why.
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Washington Redskins: Albert Haynesworth
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The Redskins had a very dysfunctional 2010 season with players such as Donovan McNabb and Haynesworth being benched, while the Skins struggled to a 6-10 record.
Haynesworth was just another in a long line of high priced acquisitions gone wrong for owner Daniel Snyder.
I expect the Redskins to eventually get headed back on the right track but for now they will have to rid themselves of the dysfunction and players like Haynesworth.
Buffalo Bills: Paul Posluszny
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The Buffalo Bills 4-12 record last season is a bit misleading because they played better than their record indicates.
Buffalo was probably the hardest playing team in the league, and even though they didn't have the same level of talent on their roster as many other teams, they were competitive in a lot of contests last season.
Posluszny was a tackling machine for the Bills last season, recording 151 total tackles and two sacks. Just like his team, Posluszny plays with a lot of effort every time he takes the field.
New York Jets: Mark Sanchez
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At this point in his career, Mark Sanchez is not a great NFL quarterback, but he is good enough to win football games for the Jets.
The Jets have a solid defense led by outspoken coach Rex Ryan and Sanchez is a good fit with Ryan due to his outgoing personality.
I expect Sanchez to continue improving in 2011, and if the Jets are to take the next step towards a Super Bowl title, the play of their young quarterback will be a big factor.
Miami Dolphins: Jake Long
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The Dolphins have been a very average team as of late, finishing 7-9 in each of the last two seasons, but they had a solid draft and it's obvious that they are trying to build a solid running team.
Left tackle Jake Long is one of the team's best players, if not their best player, and he will be instrumental in the team's playoff chances moving forward.
With the additions of center Mike Pouncey and running back Daniel Thomas in the draft, the Dolphins appear to be concentrating on upgrading their running game and working to become a more physical team.
Jake Long embodies the direction the Dolphins are trying to move in for the 2011 season with his ability to dominate in the trenches.
New England Patriots: Tom Brady
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The New England Patriots are a team in every sense of the word and they pride themselves on being better prepared than their opponents.
Quarterback Tom Brady is the Pats' leader and an extension of the team's mastermind coach, Bill Belichick.
Brady, who was a sixth-round draft pick, is a prime example of the Pats ability to find and cultivate talent at any point in the draft.
Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald
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The Cards quarterback play was atrocious last season even with All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald running routes.
Fitzgerald might as well be running the Cardinals organization because he has made it clear that the team needs to find a new signal-caller or he will be leaving Arizona in a timely manner.
The Cards didn't address the position through the draft, so I expect them to make a trade for Eagles backup Kevin Kolb. That will keep Fitzgerald happy for now but I don't see Kolb enjoying that great of success after he leaves the Eagles passer friendly offense.
San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis
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The San Francisco 49ers have some work to do at the quarterback position, but there is little doubt that they have the right player in the middle of their defense in Patrick Willis.
Willis is an absolute beast and he has already established himself as one of the top defenders in the game at the age of just 26.
The Niners had the sixth-best run defense in the league last season and I could definitely see them taking another step forward this year with Willis leading the charge.
Seattle Seahawks: Lofa Tatupu
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Tatupu was the Seahawks second-round choice out of USC in 2005 despite being given a fifth-round grade by many analysts. Tatupu has been a very productive player during his time in Seattle, and just like his team last season, you could say he has overachieved.
Tatupu has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, but he had a bit of a down year last season and I wouldn't be surprised if he continues to struggle this year, just like I expect his team to struggle even more this season.
St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford
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Just like their franchise quarterback, Sam Bradford, the Rams are an up-and-coming entity.
St. Louis just missed out on the playoffs last season after their week 17 loss to the Seahawks, but I expect them to make the playoffs this season as Bradford continues to improve after his impressive rookie season.
Denver Broncos: Tim Tebow
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The Broncos are another team who I believe has their best football ahead of them. Denver had a solid draft as they selected a lot of good football players who should be able to provide immediate help this season.
Quarterback Tim Tebow is a good football player in his own right and I think he also has a lot of good football ahead of him.
Even though Denver will likely bring up the rear in the AFC West for the second straight year, I expect both Tebow and the Broncos to show improvement this season
Kansas City Chiefs: Jamaal Charles
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The Chiefs made quite the turnaround last season, going from worst to first in the span of just one year, and a major reason why was the upgrade in team speed.
Rookies like Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, and Javier Arenas helped spearhead the turnaround at Arrowhead by improving the Chiefs overall speed as a team.
No player on the team is faster than running back Jamaal Charles, who was a huge reason why the Chiefs were the NFL's best rushing team last season. Charles will prove this season that he is the league's best running back once and for all.
San Diego Chargers: Vincent Jackson
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San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson held out for the majority of last season and did not record his first catch until week 14.
Jackson failed to show up until late in the season, and I could say the same thing about the Chargers.
San Diego began the season 2-5 and despite a late push to make the playoffs, they were unable to overcome their slow start. I expect Jackson and the Chargers to both be ready for the start of the 2011 season, whenever that is.
Oakland Raiders: Richard Seymour
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I could have picked any number of Al Davis' Madden All Stars to represent the Raiders, but instead of choosing one of the 30 players who ran a sub 4.4 for Oakland (OK, maybe not, but I'm sure that's a close estimate), I decided to go with defensive end Richard Seymour.
Seymour has been a big-time addition for the Raiders since coming over from New England, and he is the leader of a very strong and stingy Oakland defensive line.
The Raiders are looking to return to their glory days and if they can get more of their players to work as hard as Seymour, then they should be in good shape for the future.
Chicago Bears: Brian Urlacher
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Urlacher did not have his best season as a Bear last year, but he still had a very productive 2010 campaign especially after missing nearly all of the 2009 season.
The Bears pride themselves on tough defense and Urlacher is arguably the team's best and most consistent defenders.
Urlacher isn't getting any younger, but even at age 32 he isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh
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Calvin Johnson is an absolute beast at receiver for the Lions, but Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is the player who has created the most buzz recently in the motor city.
Suh is a terror in the middle of the Lions defensive line and after recording 10 sacks last season, he appears poised to be one of the best defensive tackles in the league for years to come.
Now that the Lions have Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley and Suh, they look to be building an unstoppable force in the middle of their defense.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers
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The Packers underachieved during the regular season, going 10-6, but when the season was on the line, they came through in a big way.
Green Bay's Super Bowl run was largely on the arm of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who showed that he is one of the league's top passers during the playoffs.
Rodgers was named Super Bowl MVP and I expect him to be even better in 2011 now that he has Randall Cobb in the mix at receiver.
Minnesota Vikings: Sidney Rice
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The Vikings had a very disappointing 2010 season after entering the year with plenty of optimism and high hopes.
Receiver Sidney Rice was injured for a large chunk of the season, as he didn't play until week 11, and when he did finally get on the field he didn't make the kind of impact that Vikings fans are accustomed to seeing.
Rice caught just 17 passes in the team's final seven games, and he could find himself playing for a different team once the lockout ends. I think Rice will ultimately be back in Minnesota this season, but just like his team's future, his is clouded in uncertainty.
Baltimore Ravens: Ray Lewis
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Ed Reed is a stud and Joe Flacco has shown great improvement, but there is one player that stands above the rest when you think of the Ravens, and that player is Ray Lewis.
Lewis will continue to be the field general in Baltimore until he hangs them up for good.
Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green
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The Bengals are once again trying to steer their franchise in a new direction, but somehow Marvin Lewis is still at the helm.
Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco will likely be gone from the Bengals sideline this season as they are replaced with A.J. Green and Andy Dalton.
Green has the best chance to be the team's biggest star in the future as Bengals fans are hoping for some consistent production from their team in the future.
Cleveland Browns: Peyton Hillis
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Hillis isn't just the face of the Browns, but he's now also the face of all of football.
Hillis will be the man on the cover for Madden 2012, and now the question is, can he avoid the curse?
Pittsburgh Steelers: James Farrior
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Farrior is the unquestioned leader of the Steelers defense, so while guys like James Harrison and Troy Polamalu may receive more individual accolades, the 36-year-old is the choice here.
Farrior is a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, and he is the player who carries the most weight in the Pittsburgh locker room.
The Steelers are a hard-nosed team and Farrior is a hard-nosed football player.
Atlanta Falcons: Brent Grimes
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A lot of people expected the Falcons to breakout last season and they did just that by going 13-3 in the regular season before falling to the Packers in the playoffs.
Falcons corner Brent Grimes also had a breakout season for Atlanta last year, showing off his big-time hops while picking off five passes and recording 87 tackles, the second-highest number on the team.
Grimes made a name for himself last season and I would expect him to only get better this year as the Falcons look to progress deeper into the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton
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For better or worse, Cam Newton is now the most recognizable face in the Panthers organization.
I expect Newton to struggle mightily in his rookie season as he adjusts to NFL defenses and passing the ball much more than he did in college.
Newton is a great athlete but he will have a lot working against him in Carolina and I don't see him beating the odds.
New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees
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Brees is the guy who makes the Saints offense go and without him there is no way that the Saints would have won the Super Bowl two seasons ago.
Brees has been a fixture in the New Orleans community during his time with the Saints and he has already organized workouts for his team during the lockout.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josh Freeman
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Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman looks like he will be a big-time player in the league for years to come, especially with his ability to make plays late in games.
Freeman already has many comeback victories for the Bucs and he has shown the type of resiliency that his coach Raheem Morris preaches.
Morris and Freeman both appear to be the real deal, but Tampa Bay will need to beat more good teams this season if they want to prove they are for real.
Houston Texans: Andre Johnson
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Andre Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league, but offense has never been a problem for the Texans.
Houston had the league's worst secondary by a wide margin last season, but spent a large portion of their draft upgrading their defense.
The Texans are a trendy pick to make the playoffs at the beginning of every year, but now that they have upgraded their defense, they might actually make it happen this season. Either way, Johnson is going to put up big numbers while the Texans offense lights up the scoreboard.
Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning
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Can you imagine the Colts without Peyton Manning?
Neither can I.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Jones-Drew
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Based on the Jags upcoming schedule, I think they are in for a rough season. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew will have to will the team to victory with his legs but he can only do so much.
Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert will likely step on the field by the end of the year and work with Jones-Drew to get the team moving in the right direction for the future.
Jones-Drew is a hard runner and one of the top backs in the league, but he needs more help around him to get his team to the playoffs.
Tennessee Titans: Jake Locker
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Chris Johnson is one of the best running backs in the league, but I expect rookie quarterback Jake Locker to make the Titans his team in just his first season.
Locker struggled with accuracy issues at UW, but the potential is definitely there and he is quite possibly the toughest and hardest working player coming into the league this season.
The Titans will be happy to have Locker at the helm, and I expect him to be much more successful than many analysts believe he will be.
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