The Biggest Workhorse on Every NFL Roster

They come ready to play every week. Win or lose, they give everything they have not only during game day, but on the practice fields.

They study game tape and practice just as hard for battle.

Yes, they are warriors, men in a field of men who outshine their opponents and teammates to be the best they can be.

In the NFL, you must practice hard to play hard to win.

It really is that simple.

And when the game is over or the last whistle is blown during practice, they are still preparing for the game because the game is what makes them so good.

Washington Redskins: Roy Helu

Injuries have made him a star.

With all that is going on in Washington, Helu brings his lunch pail to work and gives the team a much-needed offensive boost when there has been very little to cheer about this season in the nation's capital.

Tennessee Titans: Matt Hasselbeck

From the first game of the season, we saw the signing of Hasselbeck was a great thing for the Titans.

He was signed to play and bring along a young team under a rookie head coach.

Hasselbeck may be one of the best offseason signings in the entire NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronde Barber

For so many years, Barber has been the leader of the defense and the secondary for the Bucs.

Now in his advanced age with the team, he still shows he can bring it day in and day out.

Seattle Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch

If there's a more unsung runner in the NFL, I would sure like to know who it is.

Lynch uses his strength and power to run over, around and through defenders.

We're still talking about how he ran over eight Saints in the playoffs last season.

St. Louis Rams: Chris Long

He has played harder this season and really stepped his game up.

While the Rams cannot seem to get it right on offense because of poor play and injuries, Long has made sure his presence is felt on the defensive side of the ball.

San Francisco 49ers: Aldon Smith

When he was chosen with the seventh pick in the draft, we all looked confused.

Then his play set us straight.

Smith is a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and has helped the 49ers become one of the better run-stopping units in the NFL.

San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers

You got to see his intensity and his work ethic Monday night.

There's no quit in Rivers.

He had a three-touchdown game without throwing an interception against the Jaguars.

Rivers has had a lackluster season but proved he's still working hard in the game and on the sideline to get his team to the playoffs.

Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden

Until he was injured, McFadden was being mentioned in MVP circles.

Since his injury, the team has been on a teeter-totter.

McFadden runs and catches passes and proves he can be the difference maker the Raiders thought he could be out of Arkansas.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Hines Ward

He may be the toughest receiver in the league even at his age.

Ward may not be the best receiver on the Steelers' roster right now, but he's the guy who comes everyday and works hard.

He has set the tone for the entire team in practice and on the field.

Philadelphia Eagles: LeSean McCoy

He runs with the ball.

He catches the ball.

He may be one of the most underrated players in the league.

And he leads the NFC in rushing on a very bad team.

New York Jets: D'Brickashaw Ferguson

Ferguson had to grow into his role on the Jets offensive line.

He practiced and worked hard to get where he is.

The Jets' running game benefits from his hard work and blocking.

New York Giants: Chris Snee

He may not get accolades like other linemen, but Snee is solid.

He plays both guard and center for the Giants and has been a big part of the running game for Tom Coughlin since he became the team's head coach.

New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees

You know how great a person he is when the lockout was in full swing, and Brees paid for practice time for his teammates and helped guide younger players about how to handle the situation.

If there's a better leader on any team right now, I sure would like to know his name.

Brees does everything well and with precision.

And the Saints reap the benefits.

New England Patriots: Rob Gronkowski

The Gronk is making a huge name for himself as a tight end and cult hero in the NFL.

He's arguably the best at his position.

Gronkowski has become one of Tom Brady's leading targets with Wes Welker, allowing the Patriots high-powered air attack to keep right on moving.

Minnesota Vikings: Jared Allen

How can you not put him on this list?

Allen has been one of the leaders on defense for the Vikings since he got there from Minnesota.

He also has amassed huge sack numbers and tackles this season.

The Vikings may have a 2-10 record, but it's not because of Allen's play this season.

Miami Dolphins: Cameron Wake

Since coming over to the Dolphins from the Canadian Football League, Wake has been a beast.

He has helped Miami's pass rush and run defense.

And he always seems to find the quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs: Tamba Hali

The best player on the Chiefs defense.

He's a tackle and sack machine.

The team may have played an up-and-down season, but Hali is consistently great.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Daryl Smith

You thought we would see Maurice Jones-Drew here, didn't you?

Smith is the all-time leading tackler on the Jags defense and plays each game with great intensity.

He and Paul Posluszny and Clint Session for a very good threesome for the Jags.

Indianapolis Colts: Pat Angerer

On a team with little to be happy about, the play of Pat Angerer has been a pleasant surprise.

He's amongst the league leaders in tackles and has been a real force in the Colts defense, if that's possible.

The Colts have another young defensive player they can groom for the future.

Houston Texans: Connor Barwin

He never stops during the game.

Barwin himself had four sacks against the Jaguars two weeks ago.

He's a linebacker/end everyone will have to keep on the radar for years to come.

Green Bay Packers: Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews is the best linebacker in the NFL.

He plays with such an intensity we have not seen since the days of Lawrence Taylor and Mike Singletary.

He has a chance to be the best ever.

Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson

This team has such potential to be one of the best in the league.

Johnson has the potential to be the best receiver if he isn't already.

Size, speed and agility cannot be matched by many.

Everyone in the league knows it.

Denver Broncos: Brian Dawkins

Even after 16 seasons, Dawkins still plays like he is a rookie.

He and Champ Bailey may be elder statesmen on the team, but Dawkins provides leadership in the locker room, on the field and in practice.

Dallas Cowboys: DeMarcus Ware

He's a beast. Offensive linemen know where he's at, all times, on the field.

And he still gets to the quarterback.

One of these days, Ware will win a defensive MVP award for his work and determination.

Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas

When the Browns drafted Thomas in the first round, they basically drafted the best player on their team.

Thomas is big, powerful and can move defensive linemen out of the way.

He helps to keep Colt McCoy's jersey clean. Thomas needs more help from his teammates on the line.

Cincinnati Bengals: Mike Zimmer

While the offense has made it possible for this team to reach the postseason, Mike Zimmer has made the defense one of the best.

Zimmer has taken parts of the puzzle and made them fit so there is a run-stuffing, pass-rushing unit that can compete with any team in the NFL.

Chicago Bears: Brian Urlacher

He still is as mean as ever on the field.

The Bears have had some outstanding linebackers over the years.

Urlacher just makes the list that much better.

He's a tackling machine.

Carolina Panthers: Steve Smith

Smith has become a better receiver this year because of Cam Newton, and he has helped to make Newton a good football player.

Smith just does what he needs to do to help his team.

Carolina is one of the up-and-coming teams in the next few years.

Buffalo Bills: Fred Jackson

He just brings his lunch with him every day, works hard, shuts up and plays football.

Every coach probably wishes they had a player like him on their team.

Baltimore Ravens: Haloti Ngata

He's such a big part of the Ravens defense.

While Ray Lewis and others may get the heavy coverage on camera, Ngata is the driving force behind the run defense for the Ravens.

Atlanta Falcons: Tony Gonzalez

The future Hall of Fame tight end just keeps at it.

If this is his last season in the NFL, then Gonzalez will leave the league as he came into it, fierce, competitive and always in the right place at the right time for a great catch and highlight.

Arizona Cardinals: Larry Fitzgerald

He's one of the 10 best receivers in the league.

He got to be that way by giving us and his teammates everything he has on the field.

Fitzgerald needs more of a supporting cast in the desert, but he continues to be the workhorse of his team.