Find out why Brady is not No. 1 on this list.


Unlike the rest of the positions, on offense and defense, the position of quarterback has stayed relatively the same since the NFL's inception.

While it's gotten harder to read defenses because they've become increasingly complicated as the years go by, they are still expected to be the leader of their team and always put them in a position to win.

They are the glory-hogs of the NFL. A quarterback is usually the face of your franchise, and your money-maker. It's hard to win without one, and having a good one just makes winning that much easier.

In order to be a franchise quarterback, that player must be able to gain the trust, respect, and confidence of his team. He must have the stats, of course, to back up his play, and winning a Super Bowl or two doesn't exactly hurt either.

While I expect this to be by far the most controversial list, and perhaps the one with the most interchangeable parts, I feel confident that based on the criteria mentioned above that these men are the top five quarterbacks in the NFL today.



5. Philip Rivers (San Diego Chargers)

48 games started, 33-15, 890-1428, 62.3%, 10,697 yards, 78 TDs-36 INTs, 92.9 QB Rating, 1-time Pro Bowler

Of all the Pro Bowl snubs I've encountered, this may be the absolute worst.

34 touchdowns to only 11 interceptions, and this kid can't even receive a nod to the Pro Bowl? It's outrageous to think that anyone was more deserving.

While Rivers originally entered the NFL with the label of "immature," he has since been able to rip that sticker right off his chest.

Playing in the AFC Championship game with a torn ACL was one of the single greatest acts of selflessness and toughness that I think I have ever seen on the football field. He knew that he was counted on to lead his team, and he wasn't going to let anything stop him.

On top of the obvious toughness he throws one of the prettiest balls in the entire league. He can throw long, he can throw short, he can hit the intermediate route, he can put the ball on a rope, or he can give it just the right arc to land safely in his receivers hands.

He's an unreal talent, and I'd be extremely shocked if he doesn't win San Diego a Super Bowl before he's done.



4. Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)

106 games started, 55-51, 2,334-3,650, 63.9%, 26,258 yards, 168 TDs-99 INTs, 89.4 QB Rating, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

The first thing most are thinking seeing Brees at No. 4 is, why so low?

First off, what has he won? Yes, he had a couple winning seasons in San Diego, but he didn't get them anywhere. He's also never won more than 10 games in New Orleans, and only has one winning season in the three years he's been there.

While that's not all his fault, he does bare some of the responsibility.

For all the yards and the touchdowns, he throws far too many interceptions. In fact, since taking over as a starter in 2002, he averages 14 interceptions per year. A number that would be much higher were it not for 2004, a year in which he only threw seven interceptions.

2004 is also the only time in his career where he has not thrown double-digits interceptions.

Brees is a great talent, and could one day even hold the NFL's record for passing yards. The man is an absolute machine and maybe the most accurate quarterback in the league.

However, his lack of playoff success keeps him out of the top three.



3. Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia Eagles)

128 games started, 82-45-1, 2,534-4,303, 59%, 29,320 yards, 194 TDs-90 INTs, 85.9 QB Rating, 5-time Pro Bowler

McNabb is, not may be, the most overly scrutinized quarterback in the NFL today, and perhaps in the history of this great league.

While he's not a touchdown machine, and probably not the most accurate of quarterbacks, he is the least intercepted of any quarterback in the history of the NFL.

Not only that, but he was also the first quarterback to throw over 30 touchdowns, and less than 10 interceptions (31 touchdowns to eight interceptions, to be exact). Add on the fact that he's one of only six quarterbacks in league history to have over 25,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards, and you've got a special guy.

At the moment, McNabb sits at 29,320 passing yards, and 3,109 rushing yards. This year, or next year at the very latest, he will become only the fourth quarterback in NFL history to pass for over 30,000 yards, and rush for over 3,500 joining Fran Tarkenton, Steve Young, and the late Steve McNair.

He has led his team to five NFC Championship games, winning one of them, and coming within three points of preventing the New England Patriots from becoming a dynasty.

Say what you will about Donovan McNabb, but the man not only has the stats of Hall-of-Famer, he has the wins of a Hall-of-Famer.

For those who will say he's injured too often, I reference you to Steve Young who only ever played three complete seasons. He also had a career record a 94-49. Similar, wouldn't you say?



2. Tom Brady (New England Patriots)

111 games started, 87-24, 2,301-3,653, 63%, 26,446 yards, 197 TDs-86 INTs, 92.9 QB Rating, 4-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Tom Brady has the rings and his stats are good enough, so why only second?

Brady, while a great quarterback, benefits from playing in a great system. Matt Cassel gave that away when he stepped in and performed the way that he did.

However, that being said, Brady runs that system like no one else could. Well, besides our No. 1 guy (guess who that might be).

He is cool under pressure, he has a very accurate ball, and really knows when to put the extra zip needed on the ball, or when to throw a nice lob. He's great at reading defenses and anticipating where his guys are going to be, which gives him an edge.

Like McNabb, Brady has had very little around him for his entire career. That is, up until 2007, and we all saw what happened then.

He's a great quarterback, probably in the top 10 of all time, but the guy ahead of him definitely is as well.



1. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)

176 games started, 117-59, 3,839-5,960, 64.4%, 45,628 yards, 333 TDs-165 INTs, 94.7 QB Rating, 9-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

Not only does Manning have an incredible arm, intelligence, and even good pocket mobility, but he also is one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Since coming a league and becoming a started in 1998, he has not missed a single game. 176 straight starts for Manning.

How can he stay so healthy? He doesn't take hits when he doesn't have to. Many times you will see quarterbacks holding onto the ball too long, and while they make the throw, they will take a nasty hit at the end.

Manning doesn't do that.

He's very good at getting the ball out of his hands quickly; Mainly because he has already dissected the defense and knows exactly what is going on.

Manning also doubles as the team's offensive coordinator. Even while Tom Moore was there, all he did was call in concepts. From there, Manning would diagnose the defense, and call a play.

All of those times you think he's calling an audible, he's really only just then calling the play.

Were Manning in a system like Brady has, he probably would have three or four rings by now, if not five or six already, he could be that dominating.

Since his rookie year, he's never thrown less than 3,700 yards or less than 26 touchdowns. He's up and down everything that you could possibly want in a quarterback, and now that he's got that ring, there's no doubt.
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"Get closer and I'll bust your freakin' nose, tough guy."


In the most recent Top Five segment done by NFL Network, Jamie Dukes was given the task of counting down the top five fanbases.

He says that the teams were chosen based on home-field advantage, memorabilia sales, how well they travel, and a couple other factors.

His top five went like this:

5. New England Patriots
4. New York Giants
3. Dallas Cowboys
2. Green Bay Packers
1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Now, while I don't have a problem with the Giants, Packers, or Steelers being on here, the fact that the Patriots and Cowboys are on here is insane.

How in the world can you put two franchises on this list with perhaps the most front-running fanbases in not only the league, but in all of sports.

How many Patriots fans, outside of New England, were there up until around 2001? Four, five, six at the very most, and that's being generous.

The New England Patriots were an afterthought on the national level. No one cared about the Patriots, again outside of New England, until they started winning Super Bowl.

Teams like the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs have been more loyal while their teams were losing than Patriots and Cowboys fans were when they were winning.

So right away, those two teams get knocked off because they're nothing but a pack of front-runners and closet fans while the team is losing.

So who does deserve to get on this list? Well, it's pretty hard to leave out you, the wonderful fans of Philadelphia.

How can they leave out the only city that threw snowball at Santa Clause? Not only that, we threw batteries at J.D. Drew.

We're the most knowledgeable, meanest, and most loyal fanbase in the country. Hands down, no questions asked it's the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles. Not even an argument.

Want the proof?

Had Jamie Dukes given that top five in the Linc, I'd bet my last dollar that he's be at the bottom of the steps.

You know, after some "accidentally" tripped him.

Then someone "accidentally" threw beer on him, threw out a few choice words not suitable for this website (we're child-friendly), and "accidentally" kicked him once or twice or 19 times.

Want the real top five fanbases? Well here we go. Sit back because you're in for a treat.

5. Oakland Raiders

No one has stuck by their team through more nonsense and losing over the past 10 years (that is, barring any Lions fans that are left).

No matter how the season is going, you can bet that there will be a sea of black when Oakland is in town. 2-14? No problem, let's put on spikey shoulder pads and scare the bejesus out of some Broncos fans.

4. New York Giants

Dukes got this one right. We may hate them almost as much as the Cowboys, but their fans are loyal and are always there to cheer their team on while the Eagles whip them in the playoffs year after year.

Plus, they're starting to come around to Eli and may actually be in favor of keeping him around for the next 10 years. Go for it, we'd love to continue to whoop him.

3. Chicago Bears

One of the original NFL franchises, they've been selling out and selling jerseys before it was cool to own one and wear it backwards like Nelly.

Bears fans are a crazy bunch and even through the years of mediocrity after losing in the Super Bowl they've stuck by their team and never shy away from a good debate. Team isn't all that good, but ask a Bears fan and they'll have you convinced that they'll win the Super Bowl for the next five years.

2. Green Bay Packers

The Packers may have the smallest media market in the league (I'm not sure, I don't have access to the dollar figure or a census, so what, sue me) but still have one of the biggest fanbases.

Not only that, but they also have some of the best names in football. Brett Favre, Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, and the like. Notice I left out Reggie White, that's because he's ours, dammit. Anyway, perhaps it's because they have a stake in the team, I'm not exactly sure. All I know is these people are everywhere.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

This is an absolute no-brainer. Even for fans of other teams, this is obvious. Along with the reasons I stated before, the Eagles also have one of the longest waiting lists for season tickets (over 100,000), are consistently in the top 5-10 in merchandise sales, and have a following all over the country.

Most Eagles fans are spoiled now, but I remember the 3-13 years and even then there wasn't a single Eagles fan hiding that he/she was in fact a fan. They'll show you their tattoo and the Bobby Hoying jersey still hanging in their closet.

Oh, and the finger that fell off when they went to the Vet in December in -9 degree whether just to see Hoying throw 35 interceptions and lose 216-7 to the Cowboys.

Steelers? Patriots? Cowboys? Please. Nothing compared to Philly.
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Andre Johnson is somewhere on this list, but where? Oh, there!


A lot of folks will claim that wide receiver is the most overrated position on the field. Not just the players, but the position itself.

They say this because of the success that was had before the wide receiver was even a position on the depth chart. Which, of course, is true.

However in today's NFL, the wide receiver is just as vital to a team's success as any other position on the field. Want proof? Ask a guy like Donovan McNabb about his receivers during his career, then ask guys like Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner.

Vast difference in the caliber of talent, and a difference in the rings. A combined three rings between Manning and Warner, and none for McNabb.

Receivers today must be fast. It's part of the job description now-a-days with cornerbacks getting more and more athletic each year. Guys like Jerry Rice and Cris Carter got away with only decent speed because of their phenomenal route-running.

Today, that may not work so well.

Just ask these guys.



5. Steve Smith (Carolina Panthers)

85 games started, 509 games started, 7,348 yards, 14.4 YPR, 43 TDs, 42 carries, 273 yards, 2 TDs, 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

At only 5'9 and 185 pounds, Smith has effectively destroyed the idea that a receiver must be 6'2 in order to be successful.

His speed and leaping ability make him one of the trickiest receivers to cover. Most corners will have a size advantage, but once he leaves his feet his can make himself seven feet tall without really trying.

Even in what was a run-first offense for the Panthers this past season, Smith was able to gain over 1,400 yards on only 78 receptions, an incredible 18.2 yards per reception.

However with only eight, seven, and six touchdowns over the past three years respectively, he doesn't get into the endzone quite enough to be any higher on this list.



4. Randy Moss (New England Patriots)

164 games started, 843 receptions, 13,201 yards, 15.7 YPR, 135 TDs, 25 carries, 159 yards, 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

Moss came into the league and immediately lit it up.

1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns earned him rookie of the year honors, beating out the great Peyton Manning.

Those numbers of course came off the arm of the great Randall Cunningham. When Cunningham stepped out of the light, he was replaced with Daunte Culpepper who, let's not forget, was very good during his time in Minnesota.

He produced very well in Minnesota, but was unheard of in Oakland, so much so that many people figured his career was over. That was, until the Patriots came calling.

Then, with Tom Brady throwing him the ball, broke Jerry Rice's single-season touchdown record* on the way to helping the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

The point is, Moss only produces when he has a great quarterback throwing to him. Now most will say that the case is the same for any wide receiver. Not true, as I would reference you to Herman Moore.

Moore went to four consecutive Pro Bowls and three consecutive All-Pro teams with the likes of Scott Mitchell and Dave Kreig throwing to him. Also, to stick with the Lions theme, let's not forget Calvin Johnson (foreshadowing alert).

That being said, when Moss is on, he's one of the best in the game.

*Rice set his record in 1987, a strike-shortened 12-game season. He had 22 touchdown receptions in those 12 games. Moss had 23 in 16 games.



3. Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)

26 games started, 126 receptions, 2,087 yards, 16.6 YPR, 16 TDs, 7 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD

It's unbelievable to think that this kid missed the Pro Bowl last year.

In only his second season as a starter, Johnson was able to haul in 78 receptions for 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Did I mention that he played on the winless Detroit Lions team?

Through the entire mess that was the record-setting 2008 Detroit Lions, Calvin Johnson was not only a bright-spot of the team, but of the entire league.

Yes, they had to throw a lot because they were always (and I mean always) down almost immediately, but they still needed someone to catch the ducks that the carousel of quarterbacks were throwing wildly into the air.

He was always there to bring it down, and probably saved Dan Orlovsky's career by making him look a whole lot better to the Texans than what he actually is.

It's pretty safe to say that this kid is going to do some spectacular things before his time is over.



2. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)

76 games started, 426 receptions, 5,975 yards, 14 YPR, 46 TDs, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Up until last year, Fitzgerald may have been the most underrated player in the game, but that is no longer the case.

He put on a show for everyone with his record-setting postseason, showing the country that he can carry a team at the receiver position.

His leaping ability, and his overall ability to get the ball at its highest point is unmatched by any receiver currently in the league, and perhaps ever in the league. Not to mention the fact that he's superb at running after the catch and making guys miss in open space.

The combination of size (6'3 225), speed, leaping ability, agility, and football intelligence make him incredibly dangerous, and a headache for defensive coordinators and defenders alike.

Expect to see this guy in the Pro Bowl year after year after year after year after...



1. Andre Johnson (Houston Texans)

86 games started, 486 receptions, 6,379 yards, 13.1 YPR, 33 TDs, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

While Larry Fitzgerald has Anquan Boldin to take some pressure off of him, Andre Johnson has always only had average guys across from him.

Guys like Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones are fine receivers, but they're not Boldin, and they don't scare a defense like Boldin will.

Also, while Matt Schaub is a good quarterback, he's no Kurt Warner. Not to mention the fact that Johnson has never had Schaub for an entire season and performed at a high level even with first-round bust David Carr throwing the passes.

Apart from 2007 where he missed seven games, Johnson has been able to stay healthy and play at a consistently high level, even without a consistent quarterback.

Johnson is great at catching the ball in traffic, as well as going up and getting the ball at its highest point. In terms of pure strength, he may be the most powerful receiver, which is why he's so good at tearing the ball away from defenders.

Look for this guy to explode this year. Probably somewhere around 110 catches, 1,500 yards, and around 15 touchdowns.
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Witten continuing to run after having his helmet knocked off.


Originally, tight ends were really just a sixth lineman.

They were there to block, mainly because throwing the ball was not nearly as common even 30 years ago as it is today.

Today, tight ends are expected to have perhaps the best skill-set of any position on the field. They are expected to be able to block like a tackle, but catch like a wide receiver. Since the decline of the H-back, they are the true utility players on offense.

Let's also not forget to throw in that many of them are expected to play an H-back type of role from time to time.

To be the best at the tight end position one must have natural size. Most are in the 6'3"-6'6" range and between 230-250 pounds. That's not exactly an easy body type to find. Then, if you do find someone like that, they also must have the natural ability to block and catch the football.

It goes without saying, good tight ends are tough to come by.

The respective teams of these players, however, have tested the odds and hit the jackpot.



5. Chris Cooley (Washington Redskins)

73 games started, 314 receptions, 3,457 yards, 11 YPR, 28 TDs, 2-time Pro Bowler

Originally, this spot was going to go to Owen Daniels. However after looking at the numbers and some film a second time, I decided to go with Cooley.

Cooley has averaged around seven touchdowns a year, where Daniels has average around four. Daniels brought in 70 receptions last year, a great number for a tight end. However, Cooley racked up 83 receptions.

The only stat that Daniels had over Cooley was that Daniels had two touchdowns last year, where Cooley only had one.

However, looking at the entire career, Cooley has played in much more of a run-first type of offense where Daniels has had a wide-open passing attack, which gives him more of an opportunity.

Cooley also plays the H-back position on occasion, and plays it well. Daniels is not asked to do that, so the advantage has to go to Cooley.

Overall, Cooley is a very complete tight end with good natural ball-catching ability. He's a very good blocker and a good route-runner. He's also now made back-to-back Pro Bowls and if the Redskins can decide on how to deal with the quarterback position, he will more than likely be headed to more.



4. Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts)

79 games started, 256 receptions, 3,082 yards, 12 YPR, 31 TDs

Playing in the same conference as Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez has not been good to Dallas Clark as far as gaining the recognition to get a Pro Bowl nod goes.

Because those guys would always get in, he would get snubbed. Even after having 58 receptions and 11 touchdowns in 2007, Clark still could not find his way into the Pro Bowl.

Even last year with 77 receptions and six touchdowns should have earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl, but again no dice.

With Gonzalez out of the conference, I expect Clark to make his first Pro Bowl about four years too late, but better late than never.

He is Peyton Manning's go-to guy. Even above Reggie Wayne or when Marvin Harrison was in Indy, Clark was still Manning's go-to guy.

Look for big things out of Dallas Clark, even playing in the toughest division in football, the AFC South.



3. Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)

85 games started, 429 receptions, 4,935 yards, 11.5 YPR, 25 TDs, 5-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

As far as toughness goes, there may not be a tight end in the league tougher than Jason Witten.

He brings back visions of Mike Ditka and Mark Bavaro because of the hard-nosed way in which he plays the game.

The most famous example would have to be during a night game against the Eagles in which he was hit by two Eagles, bounced off the hit, but lost his helmet. He continued to run down the field, nearly scoring before finally being brought down.

That, my friends, takes guts.

On top of the toughness he's a very good blocker. He is probably the best blocker on this list but, while he can catch very well, does not have the pass-catching ability of the other guys.

Witten will be a focal point of the Cowboys offense this season with the departure of Terrell Owens, so don't be surprised to see his receptions in the triple-digits, and his touchdowns in double-digits.



2. Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers)

89 games started, 400 receptions, 5,066 yards, 12.7 YPR, 51 TDs, 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro

Antonio Gates is the best tight end to ever play for the San Diego Chargers. And yes, that includes Hall-of-Famer Kellen Winslow.

His basketball background makes him great at being able to use his body to shield away a defender and make the tough grab. Whether it's a linebacker, safety, or corner he beats every single one of them.

Even while nursing a nagging injury last season he was able to haul in 60 receptions, eight touchdowns, and make the Pro Bowl. With numbers like that, the AFC West does not want to see this guy healthy.

For that matter, neither does the rest of the league.

Of all the offensive weapons that the Chargers possess, Gates is probably the best of the bunch.



1. Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons)

174 games started, 916 receptions, 10,940 yards, 11.9 YPR, 76 TDs, 10-time Pro Bowler and 5-time All-Pro

This is a fairly obvious pick, but the right one.

Gonzalez is the best tight end to ever play the game, and is still the best doing it. Nearly 100 receptions, over 1,000 yards, and 10 touchdowns certainly warrant a first place spot on this list.

He already holds the record for receptions, yards, and touchdowns by a tight end. Each year that he plays is only adding on to records that will never be broken.

He will most likely go over 1,000 receptions for his career, which is an incredible feat even for a wide receiver, much less a tight end.

He's already reached double-digit Pro Bowls, but that was all in the AFC. I'm sure he'd love to wear a blue jersey for the NFC this year, and most likely will do just that.

He wants to win a Super Bowl before his career is over, and him being on the field gives the Falcons a much better chance to win their first, and his first.
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Brian Westbrook jukes out Redskins LB London Fletcher.


The running back position is in the midst of a huge shift.

No longer can one guy carry the entire load of an offense's running game throughout a 16-game season. The defenses have gotten too big and fast, and the pounding that one guy takes can effectively end his career.

Larry Johnson, for instance, has not been heard from since the season in which he carried the ball over 400 times. The beating that he took during that season is still creeping up on him and severely limiting his effectiveness.

Still, even with running back tandems becoming more and more popular, there are certain guys who stand out from the crowd by doing it better than everyone else.

I'm a master of brilliant segues.



5. Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles)

78 games started, 5,721 rushing yards, 36 TDs, 4.6 YPC, 401 receptions, 3,609 receiving yards, 9 YPR, 28 TDs, 9,330 scrimmage yards, 64 total TDs, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Westbrook is considered by some as the ultimate weapon.

He can hurt you on the ground, he can hurt you in the passing game, and let's not forget that he's one of the best pass-blocking backs in the game. He's all-around a great running back.

In fact, over the past few years, he's the only player with 4,000 yards rushing and 3,000 yards receiving.

The knock on Westbrook is his health. He's never played in more than 15 games during a season and really does not take that much of a beating.

He's not an up-the-middle kind of runner, and is extremely elusive which allows him to prevent taking the big hit, yet he's always hurt. It could speak to a guy's work ethic, but everyone in Philadelphia swears that he's one of the hardest working guys on the team, so maybe it's just bad luck.

Either way, the thing that I see from Westbrook that has him this low is that his vision in between the tackles doesn't seem to be all that great. A lot of times you'll see him run into a pile when there's a perfect lane just one cut-move to his right or left.

In space, he may be the best back in the league, however he's not real great at "moving in a phone booth," as they say.



4. LaDainian Tomlinson (San Diego Chargers)

127 games started, 11,760 rushing yards, 126 TDs, 4.4 YPC, 510 receptions, 3,801 yards, 7.5 YPR, 15 TDs, 15,561 scrimmage yards, 141 total touchdowns, 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro

Personally, I don't understand all of the criticism that L.T. has received over the past several months.

If you look at his body of work, he's astounding. He's missed one game, which was back in 2004, and has never rushed for less than 1,000 yards in any year since coming into the league eight years ago. He's also never had less than 10 rushing touchdowns in a season, as well as never less than 300 receiving yards.

Even last year, the year that everyone says was so terrible, was a decent year for any running back.

1,110 yards rushing, 11 TDs, 52 receptions, 426 yards, and a touchdown. The only bad part about last season was his 3.8 YPC, which admittedly is not very good, but it's also not bad considering he played through the entire season with nagging injuries.

If L.T. can put up those kind of numbers while playing hurt, coming back healthy this season should scare any defense unlucky enough to face him.



3. Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons)

17 games started, 2,956 rushing yards, 23 TDs, 4.9 YPC, 17 receptions, 112 receiving yards, 6.6 YPR, 3,068 scrimmage yards, 23 total touchdowns, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Michael "The Burner" Turner, as they call him, finally got a shot to get out from underneath the shadow of the great LaDainian Tomlinson and show the league what he can do.

Apparently, he can do a whole lot.

In his first season as a starter, Turner was able to rack up almost 1,700 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while earning a Pro Bowl nod and being selected to the All-Pro team.

He's not much of a receiver out of the backfield, which is why the falcons have Jerious Norwood, which is fine because he makes up for it on the ground.

Just like Adrian Peterson (expect to see that name again) he can plow a guy over or run away from a defensive back. His speed is unbelievable for a guy who is closing in on 240 pounds, the size of most fullbacks.

Look for Turner to continue his success and become a mainstay in discussions like this, and in the Pro Bowl/All-Pro clubs.



2. DeAngelo Williams (Carolina Panthers)

18 games started, 2,733 rushing yards, 23 TDs, 5.1 YPC, 78 receptions, 609 receiving yards, 7.8 YPR, 4 TDs, 3,342 scrimmage yards, 27 total touchdowns

If there ever was a Pro Bowl snub, this guy is it.

Coming off a year in which he ran for over 1,500 yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns on the ground, DeAngelo Williams missed the Pro Bowl.

By the way, last season was his first as a full-time starter.

Williams showed the speed, quickness, agility, and vision needed to be a running back in today's NFL. He could make even the best of corners and safeties look foolish in the open field, while also using his 5'8 210-pound frame to barrel over the biggest linebackers.

He and Jonathan Stewart combined for perhaps the best running back tandem in the league, but a lot of Stewart's success could be attributed to the scare that this guy put into opposing defenses.

In a few years, expect Williams to draw comparisons to guys like L.T. and Brian Westbrook in their early days, if he isn't already.



1. Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)

24 games started, 3,101 rushing yards, 22 TDs, 5.2 YPC, 40 receptions, 393 receiving yards, 9.8 YPR, 1 TD, 3,494 scrimmage yards, 23 total touchdowns, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

This pick is a no-brainer, and I'm not sure that there's a journalist out there willing to stake his/her reputation on not putting this guy as number one.

He's an absolutely unbelievable talent. He can become a power runner if that's what you need, or he can run away from you in the open field and make the entire defensive secondary look like high school kids.

He's already drawing comparisons to guys like Earl Campbell and Jim Brown, and deserves every one of them.

He's a nightmare for defenses and is already setting records in the NFL. For instance, in his rookie season he broke Jamal Lewis' mark of 295 rushing yards in a single game by rushing for 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers.

Yes, in his rookie season.

This kid is only getting better, and while he does have some things to work on, he should have no problem being remembered as one of the greats when his time is up.

Which, unfortunately for the rest of the league, isn't for quite some time.
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Unfortunately, fan-favorite Brian Dawkins is a bit past his prime.


Safeties usually don't get the respect they deserve because they're looked at as 'tweeners. They're corners who are too slow or don't have the cover skills, or they're linebackers who just aren't big enough to play around the line of scrimmage.

To quote the great Vince Vaughn, I call erroneous on both counts.

Even Rod Woodson, arguably the best corner and best safety to ever play the game, has said that the difference between playing corner and safety is drastic.

He says that the angle in which you're defending the guy has a huge role to play in the difference. As a corner, you're just following the receiver and playing off of his movements, but as a safety you're reading the quarterback and following his eyes.

These are the guys who maybe are too slow to play corner, and maybe they are too small to play linebacker, but they're just fast enough and just big enough to play safety, and play it well.



5. Michael Griffin (Tennessee Titans)

26 games started, 1 sacks, 10 INTs, 1 TD, 18 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 88 tackles

Griffin is not a guy who is going to "Wow" you. He's going to go out, do his job, and do it well. He makes the interceptions, but they're not the flashy go up with one hand and tap your toes on the sideline kind of interceptions. Usually, they just come from being in the right place at the right time.

In addition to his coverage skills, he also plays the run very well. At 6'0 and 200 pounds, he's able to take the hits from the linemen, fullbacks, and the bigger running backs.

Griffin only has two years under his belt and is looking at nothing but upside. He was snubbed from the Pro Bowl last year, but don't expect the voters to make the same mistake twice.



4. Nick Collins (Green Bay Packers)

61 games started, 11 INTs, 4 TDs, 42 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, 231 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

After a few years of solid but unspectacular play, Nick Collins had his coming out party last year, and on a bad defensive team.

He made his first Pro Bowl last season after racking up seven interceptions with three of them returned for touchdowns.

With Dom Capers at the helm, Collins should only get better as the defense around him gets better. Look for him to develop into a poor man's Ed Reed.

And really, how bad is that?



3. Adrian Wilson (Arizona Cardinals)

100 games started, 18.5 sacks, 18 INTs, 4 TDs, 59 passes defended, 13 forced fumbles, 495 tackles, 2-time Pro Bowler

Wilson was thrown into the limelight last season with the Cardinals making their way into their very first Super Bowl, and like Larry Fitzgerald, the country is starting to take notice of Adrian Wilson.

Wilson, to me, is like a younger Brian Dawkins. He's great around the line of scrimmage, but can cover and play the ball. Dawkins would be on here himself, if we were making this list two years ago.

He's also great coming off the edge, even racking up eight sacks in one year. To put that into perspective, a pass-rush specialist, Dwight Freeney, had only 10.5 sacks last season.

Now that Wilson has gained some exposure, look for him to add on to his Pro Bowl numbers in the near future.



2. Troy Polamalu (Pittsburgh Steelers)

72 games started, 7 sacks, 17 INTs, 2 TDs, 61 passes defended, 7 forced fumbles, 327 tackles, 5-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

What is there to say about Troy Polamalu?

The man will punish you at the line of scrimmage, pick you off in the middle of the field, or take it upon himself to put one of his other guys into position to make the play if he can't.

He is an absolute monster.

Polamalu understands the game and understands how it has to be played. He's not a "look at me" kind of player, but we find ourselves dazzled by his play anyway.

And that hair? Magnificent.



1. Ed Reed (Baltimore Ravens)

105 games started, 5 sacks, 43 INTs, 7 TDs, 91 passes defended, 6 forced fumbles, 342 tackles, 1 safety, 5-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

Reed is about a half-notch above Polamalu because when you look at them on tape, Polamalu is probably better in run support, but Reed is better in pass coverage. So as far as pure skill, they're about the same player.

What gives Reed the advantage is that he's so much better in pass coverage than perhaps any safety to ever play the game. On top of that, he's clutch. He'll come up with the big interception when his team needs it.

His play will take over games, like in the playoffs against Miami one could argue that he single-handedly won that game for Baltimore.

While Polamalu may find his way into Canton, Reed is almost assured to have a bust next to guys like Ronnie Lott and, eventually, Brian Dawkins.
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Sorry, Asante, you're not number one.


The term "shut-down corner" has been thrown around a lot as of late. Unfortunately, there is really no such thing as a shut-down corner in the NFL today.

The last guys who could have been considered as such were Rod Woodson and Deion Sanders. While the NFL still has some great corners, a shut-down corner does not exist.

The loss of the shut-down corner is not due to a drop off in talent, but a change in scheme over the past decade. A corner who is relied on to absolutely shut down his man on every play really does not exist any longer.

The sophistication of offenses has resulted in teams playing a lot more zone coverage, and a corner cannot be a shut-down guy in the zone.

These guys come as close to a shut-down corner as the NFL has to offer.



Honorable Mention: Darrelle Revis (New York Jets)

32 games started, 1 sack, 8 INTs, 1 TD, 33 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 119 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Revis is a young guy who's starting to get some whispers around the league because of his fantastic play.

Only two years in the league and he's already earned himself a Pro Bowl selection, racked up eight interceptions, and scored his first touchdown.

He's got great size for a corner these days at 6'0 and 205 pounds, which allows him to stay with nearly any receiver in the game today. He's also not afraid to hit, as evidenced by his 119 tackles over the past two seasons.

With a guy like Rex Ryan calling the shots in New York, we could see Revis go from relative unknown to All-Pro.



5. Antonio Cromartie (San Diego Chargers)

23 games started, 12 INTs, 3 TDs, 32 passes defended, 119 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Were it not for the injury bug catching up to Cromartie last season, he may find himself a few spots higher on this list.

In 2007, Cromartie was hands down the very best corner in the game. His ten interceptions was the most in the game, and his cover skills and long arms surprised opposing quarterbacks.

Even last season, while playing through a hip injury, Cromartie snagged two interceptions while returning one for a touchdown.

If Cromartie can stay healthy in 2009, look for him to snag between six and eight interceptions while making his way back to the Pro Bowl.



4. Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers)

149 games started, 9.5 sacks, 36 INTs, 7 TDs, 82 passes defended, 18 forced fumbles, 549 tackles, 5-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Woodson had a wonderful start to his career, earning four Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod in his second season in the NFL.

The next seven seasons, however, were not nearly as good.

He did not make it to the Pro Bowl in any of those years, even though he most certainly deserved it in a couple of them. Playing for a bad Oakland team saw him get swept under the rug and overlooked when that time came around.

He finally got out of Oakland after the 2005 season, and got a fresh start in Green Bay where he already has more interceptions in his three years there than he did during his eight years in Oakland (17 in Oakland, 19 in Green Bay).

With his first Pro Bowl nod in seven years coming last season, Woodson looks like he's getting better with age, rather than worse. He's a prime candidate to move to safety and be a Pro Bowler there in a couple years when his speed begins to leave him.



3. Champ Bailey (Denver Broncos)

150 games started, 2 sacks, 43 INTs, 4 TDs, 124 passes defended, 5 forced fumbles, 601 tackles, 8-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro

It was tough to put Champ Bailey this low on the list, but last season was not a good one, and he may be starting to show his age.

He's only 30, but after not missing a game for the first six years of his career, he started missing a game or two here and there, now last season he missed seven games and did not appear to have the same speed or agility that he possessed in the past.

Still one of the best in the game, but only one interception is not going to get it done. On top of only one interception, for the first time in his career we actually saw receivers getting behind Bailey.

Perhaps it was just the injury, in fact, we all hope it was just the injury. Bailey has been the best corner this decade and has been incredible to watch, but he gets beaten out by two young guys.

So is the life of an NFL player.



2. Asante Samuel (Philadelphia Eagles)

68 games started, 26 INTs, 4 TDs, 101 passes defended, 4 forced fumbles, 242 tackles, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Not everyone was as sold on Samuel as the Eagles were when he entered free agency a year ago. However, those teams are probably kicking themselves right now.

After being passed up for the Pro Bowl in 2006 after recording 10 interceptions, Samuel has been to two consecutively and even earned an All-Pro nod in 2007.

Many analysts and other experts claimed that his success came from the system in New England and that transitioning to Philadelphia would exploit him.

Four regular season interceptions, and two playoff interceptions (to go along with one touchdown in the regular season and one in the playoffs) later, and he's silenced the critics.

The scary thing is, he said that he was just getting comfortable in the system. Another training camp under his belt and he'll be even better than last season. Look for another Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro nod for Asante Samuel.



1. Nnamdi Asomugha (Oakland Raiders)

69 games started, 2 sacks, 10 INTs, 1 TD, 52 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, 225 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

While the stats don't look great, any real football fan understands why Asomugha is tops on this list.

While it's not an officially kept stat, I've found that Asomugha was only thrown at between 25 and 31 times during the entire 2008 season, with only about 10 completions allowed during that same time span.

After his eight interception season in 2006, teams figured out that it was better to just throw to the other side of the field rather than test Asomugha anymore.

Even with only about 30 passes thrown his way, he still came away with an interception and nine passes defended.

Asomugha is about as close as they come to a shut-down corner, and maybe as close as we'll ever see again.
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Patrick Willis reads the offense, ready to make a play.


Inside linebackers in the 3-4 are fairly similar to the MIKE linebacker in a 4-3, except they may be asked to drop into pass coverage and blitz a little more often. They also may deal with guards more than a MIKE linebacker because unlike the MIKE, they are lined up directly in front of the guards.

There is a certain skill that goes to play inside linebacker in the 3-4 rather than playing MIKE, as Jonathan Vilma found out when the Jets made the transition around him.

With the 3-4 now being run by about half the league, the position is in greater demand and gaining exposure around the league.

These are the guys who every 3-4 wishes they could have.



5. Jerod Mayo (New England Patriots)

16 games started, 1 forced fumble, 98 tackles, 2008 Defensive Rookie of the Year

Mayo only has one season under his belt, but what a fine season it was.

Bill Belichick doesn't usually use rookies in his linebacking corps because it's difficult for them to transition into his complex system, and it's much easier for him to find a veteran guy who can come in and do it right immediately.

In Mayo's case, he didn't need to wait. Mayo came in day one and made an impact on that defense. He became a leader by example, and instantly gained the respect of all the veterans around him.

The defensive rookie of the year will almost certainly have countless Pro Bowl appearances in his bright future.



4. Bradie James (Dallas Cowboys)

66 games started, 13.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 328 tackles

It took James a little while to gain the starting spot, but three years into his career he took the spot and has not let go of it.

2008 was by far his best season as he racked up eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and 80 solo tackles. In fact, looking at it now, he just may have been snubbed for the Pro Bowl.

He's a guy who is steadily getting better as the years go on, and should find himself in a few Pro Bowls before all is said and done. Maybe won't ever be considered that "great" player, but is a very good linebacker who may always be just a little underrated.



3. Bart Scott (New York Jets)

58 games started, 16 sacks, 3 INTs, 4 forced fumbles, 315 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Scott just recently got his big free agent deal coming to New York from Baltimore, where he was overshadowed by Ray Lewis and didn't receive all the attention that he deserved.

The bottom line is that Scott is a playmaker. He's great on shedding blockers and making the key tackle when it matters. He hasn't had a lot of sacks though, barring his 9.5 sack season in '06 when he made his only Pro Bowl.

Scott will be a main focus in Rex Ryan transitioning his defense from Baltimore to the Jets, where he recently became the new head coach.

Scott could very well hold Ryan's future in New York on his shoulders based on how effectively he's able to run Ryan's defense without Ray Lewis by his side.



2. Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers)

32 games started, 5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 246 tackles, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Give Willis two or three years and not only will he be the best 3-4 inside linebacker, but the best linebacker in the game, regardless of defensive scheme. Give him a few years after that, and people will be talking about him in the same breath as Mike Singletary (his current coach) and Ray Lewis.

Willis is big, strong, fast, smart, and everything else you could ever want from a linebacker. In his first two seasons he's earned Pro Bowl honors and earned All-Pro honors in his rookie season, not to mention being named defensive rookie of the year.

Were it not for the next guy on this list, he already would be the best in the league.



1. Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens)

177 games started, 33.5 sacks, 28 INTs, 12 forced fumbles, 3 TDs, 1,255 tackles, 1 safety, 10-time Pro Bowler and 6-time All-Pro

Ray Lewis might be the very best linebacker to ever play, so he was the obvious choice for the number one spot. Even if he has lost a half-step over the past couple of seasons, it's not enough to bump him out of this spot.

He's the absolute bar for inside linebackers, and any linebackers in general.

There's not much you can say about a guy who does everything right and already has his ticket to the Hall of Fame punched five years after his retirement.

He's the greatest linebacker in the history of the NFL, so of course he's the best playing at the moment.
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Lofa Tatupu is the unquestioned leader of the Seahawks defense.


The middle linebacker has undergone somewhat of a tranformation over the past decade or so in that they're no longer the unquestioned leader of a defense.

Back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's the middle linebacker was the quarterback of the defense. He was that guy who played middle linebacker partly because of his size, but mostly because he was the smartest guy on that side of the ball and a natural leader.

That's not to say that the middle linebackers today aren't smart or natural leaders, but teams don't necessarily rely on them to quarterback the defense any longer.

The Eagles, for example, used Brian Dawkins a lot to make defensive calls on the field. This was even before the young Stewart Bradley took over the spot. Jeremiah Trotter made his fair share of calls, but Dawkins was the unquestioned leader.

The position is evolving, but these guys are having no problem evolving with it.

5. Stewart Bradley (Philadelphia Eagles)

17 games started, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 forced fumble, 100 tackles

Bradley was originally drafted as a SAM linebacker out of Nebraska, but just looking at his 6'4 255 pound frame it's easy to peg him as a prototypical middle linebacker.

While Bradley hasn't been doing it very long, he did do it very well last year while leading the Eagles defense to a top-three ranking in his first season as a starter.

There's no doubt that Bradley is the future of the Eagles defense, and not much doubt that he'll continue to do lead them well. He's big, fast, strong, and most importantly of all he's extremely intelligent. There's certainly something to be said of a second-year man digesting Jim Johnson's defense so quickly.

He earned some recognition last year, getting a couple second-team All-Pro nods from quite a few writers. Look for him to get some recognition where it counts and have an invite to the Pro Bowl.

4. Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears)

135 games started, 37.5 sacks, 17 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 813 tackles, 6-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro

What he lacks in the category of forced fumbles he makes up for with his number of interceptions. Of course, he has more of an opportunity than most middle linebackers because he plays in a Tampa 2 scheme, but regardless it's an impressive number.

Urlacher made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four years in the league, and earned All-Pro honors in his second and third season. After a down year in 2004, a year in which he only played nine games due to injury, he reclaimed his elite status by earning back-to-back Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in '05 and '06.

Only in '06 and '08 did he not account for at least one sack, and '03 and '05 were the only seasons in which he did not have an interception.

Urlacher may be slowing down, but he's still one of the best.

3. Jon Beason (Carolina Panthers)

32 games started, 4 INTs, 216 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Jon Beast-on as he's affectionately dubbed, brings back memories of the old-school, hard-nosed middle linebackers of the past. When I look at Beason, I see the old films of Dick Butkis.

He's a guy who will plow you over, get up and let you know that he's the best you'll ever see. That's the kind of mentality that makes great middle linebackers.

Beason earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in only his second season in the league, and he was absolutely deserving.

The man is a missile who has the disadvantage of being human. If he ever gets a cut, I want someone checking to make sure he's not some sort of cyborg.

2. Lofa Tatupu (Seattle Seahawks)

63 games started, 6.5 sacks, 9 INTs, 6 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 331 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Perhaps the most underrated player in the NFL today, Lofa Tatupu has been doing his job very well without much recognition over here towards the Atlantic.

2008 was a down year for Tatupu, as it was the first year that he did not make the Pro Bowl since his rookie season in 2005. That's right, Tatupu earned Pro Bowl honors in the first three years of his career, and even earned All-Pro honors in 2007.

He has a nose for the ball, as evidenced by his nine career interceptions, and even while undersized at only 6'0 and 240 pounds, he's one of the best tacklers in the game.

Fun fact: Almost half of his career interceptions (4-of-9) have come against the Philadelphia Eagles.

1. DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans)

48 games started, 6.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 311 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Ryans won defensive rookie of the year honors in 2006, and then his first Pro Bowl trip the year after (after being snubbed in his rookie season).

Ryans is a throwback middle linebacker in that he plays with a mean-streak that the league has not seen since Mike Singletary took his last snaps.

He's a tackling machine and obviously understands the game very well. He's rarely caught out of position, and once he's got his hands around you, there is no getting out.

At 6'1 and 235 pounds he's not the biggest guy, but one hit in the early-goings of a game and you'll never forget him. He might be pound-for-pound the most powerful middle linebacker in the league and is only getting better.

By the time he's done, we'll be talking about an All-Pro type of guy, and perhaps one of the best to ever buckle a chinstrap.
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Shawne Merriman is deadly off the edge.


An outside linebacker in the 3-4 has a lot of the same responsibilities as a defensive end in the 4-3.

They must be quick, fast, agile, intelligent, and able to secure the edge.

Just like a defensive end in the 4-3, outside linebackers in the 3-4 will make their money in sacks, and just overall pressure on the quarterback. The 3-4 is set up to confuse the offensive linemen, allowing the linebackers to come in clean.

However, just like a defensive end, they must also be able to play and stop the run. That reason, among others, is why you will not see a guy like Jerry Porter on this list. He is purely a pass-rush specialist and is no longer expected to play the run.

These guys are the most well-rounded, and obviously the best at what they do.



5. LaMarr Woodley (Pittsburgh Steelers)

15 games started, 15.5 sacks, 1 INT, 3 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 55 tackles

This might be a few too years early for Woodley, but given what he showed last year, he deserves to be on this list.

As it stands, he has more sacks than games started. Either way, that's impressive.

He's an astounding athlete with the ability to stop on a dime, and leave you some change while he's at it. He disrupts backfields and will scare a quarterback, and the offensive coordinator while he's at it.

This kid has future defensive player of the year written all over him.

4. Terrell Suggs (Baltimore Ravens)

80 games started, 53 sacks, 5 INT, 15 forced fumbles, 2 TD, 263 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler

Suggs is versatile enough to play standing up, or with his hand on the ground and not miss a beat.

He's probably the only guy on this list who could be thrown into a 4-3 to play defensive end and not have any trouble.

In fact, he challenged the NFL to be classified as a defensive end when he was franchised (because they make more than linebackers) because he played more than 50 percent of his snaps with his hand on the ground.

He's phenomenal at stopping the run, and at rushing the passer. He's coming off of a Pro Bowl year and will look to carry that momentum into an ever better 2009 season.

3. James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers)
39 games started, 28.5 sacks, 3 INT, 14 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 222 tackles, 2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

There are probably countless enraged Steelers fans reading this, but let me explain.

While Harrison has been great over the past two seasons, he has only done it for these past two seasons, after four years of mediocrity, and that's being nice.

His ranking is not really as much of a knock on him as it is a testament to the two guys ahead of him.

Yes, Harrison was the defensive player of the year last season (and probably should have been the Super Bowl MVP), but the guys ahead of him have been doing it longer, and in my opinion, one was passed over for defensive player of the year.

Is the suspense killing you yet?
2. Shawne Merriman (San Diego Chargers)

38 games started, 39.5 sacks, 1 INT, 8 forced fumbles, 147 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

In three seasons, Merriman has already placed himself among the elite in the league, and perhaps of all time if he keeps this pace going.

Like Woodley, he has more sacks than games started, but has done it two years longer than Woodley.

He was the defensive rookie of the year back in 2005, and should have won defensive player of the year in 2006, but was passed up because of politics. By politics, I mean a crying Jason Taylor that Merriman shouldn't win it because he was suspended four games for performance enhancers.

He was suspended for four games, and still finished the season with 17 sacks. Had it not been for missing those four games, he would probably have broken Michael Strahan's single-season sack record.

Merriman is a once-in-a-generation athlete.

1. DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys)
64 games started, 53.5 sacks, 1 INT, 18 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 235 tackles, 3-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Last season, Ware had 20 sacks. That alone should have been enough to earn him defensive player of the year, but add on the six forced fumbles and in my mind, it's not even a competition.

Ware came in as a starter since day one, and has not missed a game since. 64 consecutive starts, or four full years, has put him as the very best outside linebacker in the game today. That includes any 4-3 linebacker.

Even when the Dallas defense would struggle, this guy always came through. He's an incredible athlete, and even at 6'4 and 245 pounds, is probably the fastest guy on this list, and maybe at the entire position.

He currently has a streak of three consecutive Pro Bowls, and two consecutive selections to the All-Pro team. Something tells me that this streak won't be ending any time soon.
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Julian Peterson sacks Rams QB Marc Bulger.


Being an outside linebacker in the 4-3 no longer has the same kind of glamour that it once had, and it never really had all that much.

As an outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, you must be intelligent. Only guys with the best football intelligence can succeed here. This is due to the fact that outside linebackers are asked to do a lot for a defense.

They are usually the last guy keeping the play from turning into a huge gain. If a running back goes to the outside and beats the outside linebacker, it's at least a 15 yard gain because the corners have their backs turned and the safeties play that deep.

Same thing in the passing game. If a running back catches the ball in the flats, then beats the linebacker, even the biggest of running backs can turn that into an easy first down.

These are the guys who don't allow that to happen.


5. Thomas Davis (Carolina Panthers)

47 games started, 9.5 sacks, 1 INT, 8 forced fumbles, 268 tackles

Davis came into the league as a safety/linebacker hybrid. He played safety in college, but was built more like a linebacker at 6'1 and 235 pounds. The Panthers drafted him 14th overall, and stuck him in at linebacker.

After starting in only one game during his rookie season, he took over the starting spot in 2006 and has not relinquished it. In his three seasons as a starter, he's averaging about 80 tackles and around three sacks per season.

He's shown to be one of the more athletic linebackers in the league, and perhaps the best blitzer of all the 4-3 outside linebackers.

It's rare to find a guy who can come up to the line and play linebacker on most of the snaps, but could also go back 10 yards and play safety without missing a beat. His history as a safety also makes him one of the better linebackers in pass coverage.

4. Derrick Brooks (Free Agent, Previously with Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

221 games started, 13.5 sacks, 25 INTs, 24 forced fumbles, 7 TDs, 1,301, 11-time Pro Bowler and 5-time All-Pro

Even only a couple years ago, Brooks would have probably been an easy number one candidate for this list. However with no team and his best years behind him, he's no longer a viable option for "best in the league."

While he may not be the best in the league any longer, he certainly is still one of the best. I, for one, can not believe that he still has not found a team. This is a guy who has more Pro Bowl selections than some guys have in total years played.

He's a five-time All-Pro and was the league's defensive MVP in 2002, the year that the Bucs went to and won the Super Bowl.

While it's clear that he has slowed down, there is no reason why this guy won't be able to find a team for 2009. He's no longer a three-down player, but he is a great leader and teacher, which should be enough to see him latch on and show everyone that he's not done yet.

3. Julian Peterson (Detroit Lions)

119 games started, 46 sacks, 8 INTs, 16 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 495 tackles, 5-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

If Thomas Davis is the best blitzing 4-3 outside linebacker in the league, it's because he took that title away from Julian Peterson.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more athletic guy at the position, and a guy who rarely gets talked about.

Even playing on some sub-par teams in San Francisco and Seattle, he's managed a handful of Pro Bowl appearances and has even been named an All-Pro once in 2003.

He won't make a ton of tackles, but he will change the pace of a game when his team needs it. He's a good leader on the field and understands his job.

The Lions got themselves a fine player, and may have stolen something away from the Seahawks.

2. Keith Bulluck (Tennessee Titans)

114 games started, 18 sacks, 16 INTs, 15 forced fumbles, 5 TDs, 689 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

The fact that Keith Bulluck has only been invited to one Pro Bowl is nothing short of a crime.

The problem is that the people voting for the Pro Bowl only see the flashy stats, like sacks. Sacks, interceptions, and touchdowns are what earn Pro Bowl trips. Things like leadership, reliability, and intelligence cannot be measured, and therefore are not rewarded with things like Pro Bowls.

Bulluck has started 112 consecutive games, a streak that goes back to the '02 season.

He is the heart and soul of that Titans defense and without him it would look drastically different. He doesn't get nearly the respect he deserves, except from people who really understand and follow football.

Ask a casual fan about Keith Bulluck, and there won't be much of a response.

1. Lance Briggs (Chicago Bears)

91 games started, 6 sacks, 9 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, 4 TDs, 537 tackles, 4-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Briggs was a guy who broke out almost right away. He was a third-round pick without real high expectations, but he came out in only his second season and started all 16 games while racking up over 100 tackles.

Since then, Briggs earned All-Pro honors in 2005, along with a Pro Bowl selection, and has been to the Pro Bowl every year since then.

He's a guy who has a lot of range and a nose for the ball, made evident by his nine career interceptions. While that may not sound like a whole lot, it's a high number for an outside linebacker.

Some question whether or not he can play without Brian Urlacher next to him, but given his nice long extension he signed not too long ago, we probably won't know for at least a few years.

Until then, he'll remain the best outside linebacker in the league.
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Aaron Smith ready to make a tackle on an Oakland running back.


The 3-4 defensive end is an odd breed.

They're basically just more athletic 4-3 defensive tackles. They must be big, strong, and able to hold at the point of attack. However in the same play, they're expected to be quick and athletic enough to make sure no one gets out around them.

With a couple teams switching to the 3-4 every couple years or so, it's a position that's in much higher demand and should see a real boom over the next 5-10 years, that is until the 3-4 fades out in obscurity again.

Let's not forget that the 3-4 is just a fad coming back around.

Anyway, it's certainly relevant enough in today's NFL to recognize the men who do it best.


Honorable Mention: Glenn Dorsey (Kansas City Chiefs)

16 games started, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 32 tackles

No, Glenn Dorsey has not yet taken a single snap from the defensive end position. Yes, all of those stats are from playing defensive tackle in the 4-3. No, I don't think I'm crazy.

Call it a hunch, but I believe Glenn Dorsey will be one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the game. He translates so well and it seems to be the position he's built to play.

At 6'2 and 316 pounds, Dorsey will need to lose five or 10 pounds, and he's a little short, but he's so athletic for a man his size. Not to mention the sheer brute strength that he brings to his game.

Watch out for Glenn Dorsey, he's going to turn some heads.

5. Darnell Dockett (Arizona Cardinals)

79 games started, 19 sacks, 3 INT, 6 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 173 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

At 6'4 and 295 pounds, Dockett is the perfect size to take over the defensive end spot in the newly implimented 3-4 defense that will be run in the desert this year.

Like Dorsey, Dockett has not played the position yet, but all signs point to him finding great success in it.

Dockett found success as a defensive tackle in the 4-3, even tying Reggie White's Super Bowl record with three sacks in a losing effort to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past year.

While playing 3-4 defensive end is not exactly the same, it is close enough for me to prophecize without hesitation that Dockett will do just fine.

4. Luis Castillo (San Diego Chargers)

48 games started, 14.5 sacks, 2 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 116 tackles

Castillo is big, he's physical, he's athletic, and he knows how to get into the backfield and disrupt a play.

Unfortunately, he's never healthy long enough to show what he can really do.

Over the past three years, he's missed a total of 13 games, nearly an entire season's worth. Even last year he played in 15 games, but he was banged up throughout the year and the entire defense had a bad season.

If Castillo can find a way to stay healthy, he could be the best in the game. He's still young (26), so there's still time to turn it around and show the league, and everyone else, that he is the best.

However until then, all we have to go on is flashes of talent in between visits to the sideline and to the trainer.

3. Ty Warren (New England Patriots)

80 games started, 19.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 221 tackles, 1 safety

Because of Vince Wilfork and Richard Seymour (expect to see his name again), Warren goes fairly unnoticed. But let's be honest, most 3-4 defensive ends do.

Most think that he's just another Bill Belichik guy who outside of New England probably wouldn't perform as well, and therefore gets overlooked.

However at 6'5 and 300 pounds, Warren is very athletic and, like most Belichik players, extremely football-smart.

Since his rookie year he's always had at least one sack, and has reached 7.5 in '06. Also since his rookie year, he's only missed four games.

He's big, strong, athletic, smart, and maybe most importantly of all he's reliable.

2. Aaron Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers)

137 games started, 42 sacks, 1 INT, 7 forced fumbles, 316 tackles, 1-time Pro Bowler

Whenever I see lists similar to this, Aaron Smith is somehow lost in the shuffle.

What some people outside of Pittsburgh don't realize is that this guy has been a catalyst to the Steelers defensive success for the past 10 years.

He's very good at shutting down the edge, and even getting some pressure on the quarterback when he has to. Since taking over the starting job in 2000, he has not had less than two sacks in a season, and even reached eight sacks twice (once in '01 and again in '04).

Also since 2001, he's only missed five games total. All of his games missed came in 2007 when he suffered an injury.

He's not a flashy guy by any means, but he gets the job done and even in his older age continues to get it done.

1. Richard Seymour (New England Patriots)

105 games started, 39 sacks, 2 INTs, 3 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 227 tackles, 5-time Pro Bowler and 3-time All-Pro

This was a pretty obvious and easy choice, considering that Seymour will most likely find his way to the Hall of Fame someday.

Seymour is the prototype for defensive ends in the 3-4, and at 6'6, 310 pounds, why wouldn't he be?

From '02-'06, Seymour made the Pro Bowl every year, while making the All-Pro team from '03-'05. That kind of streak of excellence has not been seen from a 3-4 defensive end, or most any other player for that matter.

Don't start thinking that Seymour is in the downward part of his career either. Last season, in 15 games, he recorded eight sacks. Also, he'll only be turning 30 this year.

Seymour will be the guy that all aspiring 3-4 defensive ends will watch. He will be the example for generations to come.
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Mario Williams is the new "Freak."


Defensive ends are quickly becoming the highest-paid players in the NFL, especially on defense. In fact, up until Haynesworth's recent monster deal, Dwight Freeney was the highest paid defensive player in the league at nearly $12 million per year.

The position has seen a transition over the years. No longer are the ends big and fast like a Reggie White or a Bruce Smith. Today, those guys would probably be playing defensive end in the 3-4.

Guys like Julius Peppers, Osi Umenyiora, and Freeney have become the prototypes.

Why is this? Perhaps because there's a direct correlation between sacks and dollars. Sacks, interceptions, and touchdowns are what lead to extra zeros in the new contract.

Teams will overlook an end's poor performance in the running game if the speed and agility is there to get to the quarterback on third down.

That's the job description of these guys, and they do it best.

5c. Trent Cole (Philadelphia Eagles)

53 games started, 34.5 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD, 8 forced fumbles, 189 tackles, *1-time Pro Bowler
Trent Cole is still a young guy, so the stats may not look as great as they will for most of these guys, but he has certainly shown that he is just as dominating as any defensive end in the league.

He seems to suffer from the lack of respect that the Eagles' left ends receive as far as blockers, but he still manages to get those tough sacks and tackles when they matter most.

He also plays the run better than most defensive ends. He's good at holding the point of attack when he must and making that stop, or forcing the running back to the inside for the big guys in the middle to do their work.

He's got a whole lot of unrealized potential still and once the Eagles find an end that offenses will respect, Cole will be a perennial Pro Bowler.

5b. Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts)
89 games started, 70.5 sacks, 34 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 203 tackles, 1 safety, *4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Dwight Freeney could very well be the best pure pass-rusher in the NFL.

His patented spin move has made him a sensation in Indianapolis and all around the NFL. He's still a guy who must always be accounted for, or he will make you pay when it counts most.

So for all the stats and the praise, why so low?

Putting aside the fact that he is weak against the run, Freeney seems to have lost a step over the past few seasons. Following season of 16 and 11 sacks, he followed that up with seasons of 5.5 and 3.5 sacks. This past year he did reach double-digits again with 10.5, but he doesn't seem to be the same player.

The problem with speed rushers is that once the speed is gone, so is their game. Freeney, like other speed guys, have relied on one move throughout their entire career, but have had success because of their speed.

Jevon Kearse is a good example. Now that the speed is gone, he's not even thought of when a list like this comes up. A one-trick pony will become exposed at some point in the NFL, and Freeney may be reaching that point.
5a. Osi Umenyiora (New York Giants)
51 games started, 41.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 2 TD, 167 tackles, *2-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Umenyiora's speed and agility is a reminder of Dwight Freeney, but unlike Freeney, Umenyiora is willing to play the run.

His injury last year may have a substantial affect on his game because he relies so heavily on his speed, but he may be able to push through it because he is such a craftsman.

Umenyiora will benefit from having a great defensive line around him, and some pretty decent linebackers behind him, so he should be just fine.

The fact is that the Giants are a completely different defense with him in the game. Mathias Kiwanuka filled in admirably last season but Umenyiora will put a scare into offenses that no one else on that team can bring.

He said he could have been able to come back last year, his spot in the league will be determined by whether or not he can come back this year and perform the way he has.

4. John Abraham (Atlanta Falcons)

103 games started, 84 sacks, 31 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 302 tackles, *3-time Pro Bowler and 1-time All-Pro

Last season, Abraham got the biggest Pro Bowl snub of either conference. His 16.5 sacks should have been plenty to get him into the Pro Bowl, but somehow he was overlooked and left sitting at home.

At the age of 30, Abraham had the best season of his career with the rejuvenated Falcons, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.

He's great rushing the passer, but can also secure the outside against the run. He's a smart player and obviously understands the game of football. He uses his intelligence to make up for perhaps a small loss in physical ability due to age.

Again, if there is a loss, it's minute.

Look for Abraham to make the Pro Bowl this coming year.
3. Julius Peppers (Carolina Panthers)

106 games started, 70.5 sacks, 4 INT, 25 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 279 tackles, *4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Peppers is one of the most, if not the most, gifted athlete to ever play in the NFL.

When it comes to pure football ability, he's really not that great. His technique and the way he plays the game is not quite textbook, but he's so much more athletic than anyone he faces that it doesn't matter.

He's said recently that he would like to play outside linebacker in a 3-4, but with all the success he has had and will have in the 4-3, why in the world would he want to change?

If Peppers is smart, he'll sign a contract long enough that it ensures he'll retire a Panther and give up on playing a new position eight years into his career.

2. Mario Williams (Houston Texans)

48 games started, 30.5 sacks, 7 forced fumbles, 1 TD, 122 tackles, *1-time Pro Bowler

The debate of "Mario Williams or Reggie Bush" seems to have been settled.

Charley Casserly was all but ran out of Houston after failing to draft the flavor of the month in Reggie Bush, but over the past three years, it would appear that he's been proven right and Texans fans are quietly praising his name.

Let's also not forget that in the round after Williams, Casserly drafted DeMeco Ryans, who has also turned out to be one of the better linebackers in the game.

Williams is a rare combination of size and speed at 6'6 and 290 pounds. His first step off the ball is one of the quickest in the league, then he has the power to manhandle guys 30 and 40 pounds heavier than him.

Only three years in the league has him near the top, give him time and he may show that he's not only top five in the league now, but perhaps ever.

He has that kind of talent.

1. Jared Allen (Minnesota Vikings)

71 games started, 57.5 sacks, 1 INT, 17 forced fumbles, 240 tackles, 2 safeties, *2-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

While I believe that Williams will eventually overtake Allen for this spot, their is no debating that over the past two years Jared Allen has been by far the very best in the league.

In his past two seasons (his last with the Chiefs and his first with the Vikings), Allen has 30 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 safeties, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro team over those two years.

If he can control his off the field drinking problems he may be able to fend off Mario Williams and keep his top spot for a little while longer, because as it stands now he is the hands down choice for best defensive end in the league.
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Kris Jenkins sacks quarterback Trent Edwards.


While philosophies may differ, the most usual job description of the 3-4 nose tackle is to simply be a space-eater.

The nose tackle will usually be the biggest guy on the field, and more often than not he's not doing anything real flashy. Yes, they will have the occasional sack or big tackle in the backfield, but for the most part they are there to eat up the double-team and keep the linebackers clean so they can make those big plays.

Finding that combination of athleticism to make that sack and go along with that mammoth size is extremely rare. Most of the time you'll have one or the other, but finding both size and the athleticism needed is no easy feat.

Fortunately for the employers of these guys, they've found it.


5. Kris Jenkins - New York Jets

95 games started, 24 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 209 tackles, *4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

Jenkins has only been a nose tackle for one year, but during that year he was phenomenal.

He started all 16 games for the Jets last year after being traded from the Panthers, where he played as a 4-3 defensive tackle. In his first season with the Jets, he earned Pro Bowl honors for his astounding play.

The only question for Jenkins is whether or not he can repeat his success.

He found success as a 4-3 defensive tackle playing only one gap, but in the zero technique he may not be able to have such sustained success.

4. Casey Hampton - Pittsburgh Steelers

106 games started, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 150 tackles, *4-time Pro Bowler

Hampton isn't a sack machine, but he doesn't need to be.

He does his job better than most, which is shown by the Steelers fantastic run defense over the past several years.

He's big, he's strong, and he has a mean streak when he has to. Offensive lineman have a nightmare day with this guy because he may have the strongest upper-body in the entire league. Not just of linemen, but the entire league.

The only knock on Hampton is his conditioning. There are points in games where he will get washed because he's winded, which comes from his poor offseason conditioning. There have been a couple of instances where he has been fined and reprimanded by the team for coming into training camp in poor shape.

3. Vince Wilfork - New England Patriots

67 games started, 7.5 sacks, 188 tackles, *1-time Pro Bowler

While the stats don't exactly scream "Look at me, I'm great!," his play on the field does.

The linebackers in Belichik's system get all of the credit for being so good and so smart and everything else. The reality of the situation is that those guys would be nowhere were it not for the big guy up front keeping them clean.

Over the past two seasons, he has not missed a game and has played at a Pro Bowl level. However because he plays in Belichik's system, he often gets overlooked come Pro Bowl selection time. Especially with some bigger names like Shaun Rogers and Kris Jenkins.

Wilfork is a huge mass who is incredibly tough to move. On the goal line and in short yardage situations there isn't an offense in the league who would dare try and take the ball up the middle.

With Wilfork there, it's futile.

2. Shaun Rogers - Cleveland Browns

112 games started, 33.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 forced fumbles, 2 TDs, 317 tackles, *3-time Pro Bowler

Like Jenkins, Rogers has only been a nose tackle for one season with his new team after spending seven years as a 4-3 defensive tackle in Detroit.

While playing with such poor teams as Detroit and this past year with Cleveland, he has still been able to rack up over 30 sacks with little talent around him. This speaks to how purely dominating he is on the line, and how athletic he can be.

Rogers however, like Hampton, is unable to stay on the field for very long before needing to come off to catch his breath. His conditioning has always been called into question, and is what led to his trade out of Detroit.

Still, that doesn't take away from the fact that when he is on the field he consistently dominates and is a keystone of that defense.

1. Jamal Williams - San Diego Chargers

121 games started, 13 sacks, 1 INT, 1 TD, 4 forced fumbles, 311 tackles, *3-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro

To put it quite simply, Jamal Williams is a beast.

He is bigger and stronger than any center in the league, and it shows.

Last season on a Monday night game he threw a center backwards to make a stop on the goal line. That's the kind of play he makes week in and week out, he's absolutely unstoppable.

Now as he gets older his production will obviously drop off. However, until that time he is without question the best nose tackle in the league.

He's not flashy, and a lot of people aren't going to know his name because he plays out west, but the man can simply dominate and change the entire flow of a game with just one play.

Without him, the Chargers would not be able to run their 3-4. He's so important that if they do not find a replacement for him in the coming years, upon his retirement the entire scheme will have to change.

Perhaps it's the "East coast bias" or simply the fact that overall the Chargers defense was not very good last year, but Williams is a guy who gets lost in the shuffle.

I can guarantee that not a single offensive coordinator in the league forgets him for a second during the week leading up to the time they'll have to face him.
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