The Top Five NFL Players Who Already Get the Credit They Deserve

With so many Bleacher Report articles about players that don't get credit even though it is due, I decided to give credit where it is already given, and make sure these guys stay in the spotlight that they worked so hard to get in.

So I picked out five guys who spent last season making spectacular plays, and headlines, but staying out of trouble while doing it.

No matter how good you are, however, if you have had any controversy surrounding your personal life, you don't get to be on this list.

Another problem would be if you had multiple problems in the past, so many that you can't overshadow them with your on-the-field play this season. (Sorry Terrell Owens and NFL-New_England_Patriots-Randy_Moss_Why_the_Giants_Will_Lose_the_Super_Bowl-280108">Randy Moss)

So on with the list (in no particular order)...

Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

Even though he had an off season by his standards, he still had his third-straight 1,000-yard season. He complimented that with seven touchdowns and was a bright spot on an average Carolina Panthers team that went 7-9.

His speed makes him a threat whenever he is on the field, and what he lacks in size, he makes up for with his pure athleticism.

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

He's the squeaky-clean quarterback for the undefeated, soon-to-be Super Bowl Champion, New England Patriots. He set records for touchdown passes in a season with 50, against only eight interceptions, had 4,806 yards passing, and had a 117.2 passer rating.

He has been repeatedly shown in the tabloids, and is dating mega-hottie Gisele Bundchen.

Men hate him and want to be him all at the same time. He is currently the biggest superstar in sports and he looks like he is going to stay there for a while.

Brian Urlacher, MLB, Chicago Bears

He one of the best middle linebackers in NFL history. His name has been thrown in with the greats like Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary. He finished the season with 123 tackles, five interceptions, and five sacks.

And no matter what his stats are, he makes his presence felt when he is on the field. If you look at players who made a difference in a game, you have to be looking at Brian Urlacher.

Any way you look at it, he is one of those defensive players you just have to gameplan for, and he makes everybody else around him better. Just imagine where Lance Briggs and Hunter Hillenmeyer would be now if he hadn't been in Chicago.

Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts

After setting the record for touchdowns in a season record just a few seasons ago (which was broken this season by Brady, see above), he is continuing his stellar play.

But you don't have to watch football to know who Peyton Manning is, just turn on a TV. He is on just about every commercial known to man. The man has helped me through countless times with his "Priceless Pep Talks."

Unfortunately, his commercial success has revealed to everybody how he is such a good quarterback. Apparently, he has a small child in a football uniform telling him who to pass to just as he is about to get sacked. (Check it out)

LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers

Last year's MVP had a slow start to the season. But after he got the rust off, he was back to his Pro Bowler self. He ended the season with 1,474 yards rushing, 15 rushing touchdowns, 4.2 yards-per-carry, 475 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns.

But this all-star running back can do more that just run. He is 8-for-11 with seven career touchdown passes and a 154.4 QB rating.

For years, he was the only good thing on the formerly awful San Diego Chargers. But he has helped revitalize this team, and make them one of the premier contenders in the NFL.