Angry Pope
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Here are the top 50 players in the NFL according to Prisco...take it for what it is worth....
Top 50 players: Fleeting moments of glory
May 30, 2006
By Pete Prisco
The NFL is a cruel business for its players. I've always believed that, which is why players should enjoy it while they can. It goes so fast, their time in the spotlight limited, the big-money years coming and going, replaced by the reality that it's over.
That becomes even more evident to me each summer when I sit down to do the CBS SportsLine.com list of the Top 50 players in the league, which is something I've been doing the past six years.
It's amazing to see the change from one year to the next. Players rise, players fall. Age impacts some, their spot taken by somebody with the vigor of youth. The injured get discarded like a worn-out pair of socks, their perch among the game's elite no longer in their grasp.
Two years ago, the No. 3 player on our list was Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair. The No. 4 player was Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes.
Want to know where they are on this year's top 50? Scan it all you want. You won't find them.
Injuries and age have sent those two falling like Tom Cruise's popularity. McNair, who might play for the Baltimore Ravens this year, can still get it done, but he isn't as good as he was in 2004, when he was coming off a co-MVP season.
In 2003, Holmes ran for 1,420 yards and scored 27 touchdowns, earning him the high ranking in our 2004 Top 50. Since then, he has played in a total of 15 games because of injuries and has rushed for 1,343 yards the past two seasons. There's talk he might be forced to retire because of a neck injury.
That's so cruel. That's the NFL.
The flip side is the emergence of young stars, players who have found their way into the top 10, a guy like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.
When we did the rankings in June 2004, Palmer was coming off a rookie season in which he didn't take one snap. There was no way he could be ranked anywhere close to the top 50.
Two years later, he's the fifth-ranked player in the league, despite suffering a serious knee injury last January.
That's how quickly thinks change.
One thing that hasn't changed is the top-rated player. For the third consecutive year, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning tops the list. Manning had another outstanding season in 2005, leading the Colts to best record in the league before they choked away their chance to win a Super Bowl.
Manning remains the game's best player, on his way to becoming perhaps the game's greatest passer. He is certainly on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The reason he tops this list is simple. It's because he's the answer to this question:
If there was an open draft of all NFL players, who would be the first player taken?
Manning would top most lists.
So he stays at the top here, followed closely for the second consecutive year by New England quarterback Tom Brady. They are a strong 1-2, where great quarterbacks should be. Palmer is right behind them, even with the major knee surgery. He's making progress in his rehab and might be there for the season opener. If not, his return shouldn't be long after that.
As for Holmes and McNair, their futures remain cloudy. McNair will play somewhere this season, even if his skills have eroded. Holmes might not play at all. His career might be over.
That's why neither can be found in this Top 50, only two years from being among the top five.
When they say the NFL chews you up and spits you out, they aren't kidding. The rise can be slow -- McNair and Holmes are proof of that -- but the fall is usually swift.
Fame is fleeting. The NFL reminds of us of that every year, especially when it's time to rate the game's best.
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: A lot of people will argue with this choice, but his remains the most important position. When he finally does win a Super Bowl, he will finally get his due.
2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: He had an amazing season in 2005, carrying and offense without a running attack. He is right up there with Manning, just a smidge under him in the ratings.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: This is the game's best back and he's an MVP candidate every season. He will be forced to do more now that Drew Brees is gone. Here's hoping they don't beat him up.
4. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos: There is no better cover corner in the league. He can take away the other team's best receiver. Don't believe the nonsense that he isn't the best at his position. And his position has a premium value to it.
5. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: He's coming off knee surgery, which is a concern, but he has made big strides in his recovery. He had an amazing season in 2005 and we can expect many more.
6. Walter Jones, T, Seahawks: He is the game's best offensive lineman, which is high praise. He dominates his opponents and plays light on his feet.
7. Randy Moss, WR, Raiders: He didn't have the type of season many expected in Oakland in 2005, but he is still the league's most explosive receiver. Just ask the opposing defensive backs.
8. Brian Urlacher, LB, Bears: After years of battling the overrated label, he finally played as well as advertised in 2005. He was the leader of that good Bears defense.
9. Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: He talks a big game, but you have to love the fact he backs it up. This kid is good for the NFL, and he's a great player.
10. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens: Has he slipped some? Maybe a little, but he's still among the best middle linebackers in the game. He only played six games last season. Watch how well he plays now that the Ravens are back playing the 4-3.
11. Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts: He's getting a bit up in years, but he's still a heck of a receiver. He remains Manning's go-to guy.
12. Richard Seymour, DE, Patriots: He missed time with injuries last season, and it showed up in a big way in the New England defense. He can dominate the line of scrimmage when he's on the field.
13. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers: He started slow last season, but came on strong. He remains one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
14. Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs: They used the word bust to describe him a year ago, and now he's a legitimate star. It's funny how things change in a year.
15. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys: Despite his off-field issues, he's still among the top offensive threats in the game. I'd take him on my offense any day of the week.
16. Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts: He has a unique ability to disrupt a game. The speed he has off the corner is what makes him so special. His special plays are what have him this high up.
17. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: He made big strides in his second season, and we can expect more this season. He's just behind Carson Palmer on the quarterback pecking order for third place.
18. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: He looked much more comfortable in the Redskins offense last season than he did in 2004. Portis is one of the league's most explosive backs.
cont'd....
Top 50 players: Fleeting moments of glory
May 30, 2006
By Pete Prisco
The NFL is a cruel business for its players. I've always believed that, which is why players should enjoy it while they can. It goes so fast, their time in the spotlight limited, the big-money years coming and going, replaced by the reality that it's over.
That becomes even more evident to me each summer when I sit down to do the CBS SportsLine.com list of the Top 50 players in the league, which is something I've been doing the past six years.
It's amazing to see the change from one year to the next. Players rise, players fall. Age impacts some, their spot taken by somebody with the vigor of youth. The injured get discarded like a worn-out pair of socks, their perch among the game's elite no longer in their grasp.
Two years ago, the No. 3 player on our list was Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair. The No. 4 player was Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes.
Want to know where they are on this year's top 50? Scan it all you want. You won't find them.
Injuries and age have sent those two falling like Tom Cruise's popularity. McNair, who might play for the Baltimore Ravens this year, can still get it done, but he isn't as good as he was in 2004, when he was coming off a co-MVP season.
In 2003, Holmes ran for 1,420 yards and scored 27 touchdowns, earning him the high ranking in our 2004 Top 50. Since then, he has played in a total of 15 games because of injuries and has rushed for 1,343 yards the past two seasons. There's talk he might be forced to retire because of a neck injury.
That's so cruel. That's the NFL.
The flip side is the emergence of young stars, players who have found their way into the top 10, a guy like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer.
When we did the rankings in June 2004, Palmer was coming off a rookie season in which he didn't take one snap. There was no way he could be ranked anywhere close to the top 50.
Two years later, he's the fifth-ranked player in the league, despite suffering a serious knee injury last January.
That's how quickly thinks change.
One thing that hasn't changed is the top-rated player. For the third consecutive year, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning tops the list. Manning had another outstanding season in 2005, leading the Colts to best record in the league before they choked away their chance to win a Super Bowl.
Manning remains the game's best player, on his way to becoming perhaps the game's greatest passer. He is certainly on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The reason he tops this list is simple. It's because he's the answer to this question:
If there was an open draft of all NFL players, who would be the first player taken?
Manning would top most lists.
So he stays at the top here, followed closely for the second consecutive year by New England quarterback Tom Brady. They are a strong 1-2, where great quarterbacks should be. Palmer is right behind them, even with the major knee surgery. He's making progress in his rehab and might be there for the season opener. If not, his return shouldn't be long after that.
As for Holmes and McNair, their futures remain cloudy. McNair will play somewhere this season, even if his skills have eroded. Holmes might not play at all. His career might be over.
That's why neither can be found in this Top 50, only two years from being among the top five.
When they say the NFL chews you up and spits you out, they aren't kidding. The rise can be slow -- McNair and Holmes are proof of that -- but the fall is usually swift.
Fame is fleeting. The NFL reminds of us of that every year, especially when it's time to rate the game's best.
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: A lot of people will argue with this choice, but his remains the most important position. When he finally does win a Super Bowl, he will finally get his due.
2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: He had an amazing season in 2005, carrying and offense without a running attack. He is right up there with Manning, just a smidge under him in the ratings.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: This is the game's best back and he's an MVP candidate every season. He will be forced to do more now that Drew Brees is gone. Here's hoping they don't beat him up.
4. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos: There is no better cover corner in the league. He can take away the other team's best receiver. Don't believe the nonsense that he isn't the best at his position. And his position has a premium value to it.
5. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: He's coming off knee surgery, which is a concern, but he has made big strides in his recovery. He had an amazing season in 2005 and we can expect many more.
6. Walter Jones, T, Seahawks: He is the game's best offensive lineman, which is high praise. He dominates his opponents and plays light on his feet.
7. Randy Moss, WR, Raiders: He didn't have the type of season many expected in Oakland in 2005, but he is still the league's most explosive receiver. Just ask the opposing defensive backs.
8. Brian Urlacher, LB, Bears: After years of battling the overrated label, he finally played as well as advertised in 2005. He was the leader of that good Bears defense.
9. Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: He talks a big game, but you have to love the fact he backs it up. This kid is good for the NFL, and he's a great player.
10. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens: Has he slipped some? Maybe a little, but he's still among the best middle linebackers in the game. He only played six games last season. Watch how well he plays now that the Ravens are back playing the 4-3.
11. Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts: He's getting a bit up in years, but he's still a heck of a receiver. He remains Manning's go-to guy.
12. Richard Seymour, DE, Patriots: He missed time with injuries last season, and it showed up in a big way in the New England defense. He can dominate the line of scrimmage when he's on the field.
13. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers: He started slow last season, but came on strong. He remains one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
14. Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs: They used the word bust to describe him a year ago, and now he's a legitimate star. It's funny how things change in a year.
15. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys: Despite his off-field issues, he's still among the top offensive threats in the game. I'd take him on my offense any day of the week.
16. Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts: He has a unique ability to disrupt a game. The speed he has off the corner is what makes him so special. His special plays are what have him this high up.
17. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: He made big strides in his second season, and we can expect more this season. He's just behind Carson Palmer on the quarterback pecking order for third place.
18. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: He looked much more comfortable in the Redskins offense last season than he did in 2004. Portis is one of the league's most explosive backs.
cont'd....
