Back To Football!

Now that we’ve (unwillingly) said good-bye to basketball season and the excitement of the Finals, it’s time to get back to the One True Sport. That’s right, folks! We have officially entered the NFL off-season, and there’s only 71 days left! A quick disclaimer about this football season: yes, I know about Aaron Hernandez. I’m very disappointed and deeply saddened for him and his family. However, I prefer not to comment on his situation. I will, in fact, be sporting his jersey all season long because I believe in forgiveness. One mistake does not erase a man. Now, back to the story. For the third year, NFL Network is counting down a list of the top 100 players in the league, a list they allowed the players to create. Tonight, they will finish off the list by revealing the top 10, but before that happens I’m going to make my own top 10 with the players we know will be on that list. Let’s get started.

10) Von Miller- Some of you might be asking, “Miller at 10?? Are you kidding??” but trust me, there’s no way he goes above the other players on this list. Which isn’t to say he doesn’t belong here. Von Miller is young, talented, and quickly becoming one of the NFL’s biggest names. The 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year refused to experience a sophomore slump and his 18.5 sacks in 2012 were third in the NFL. Miller’s defensive efforts helped the Broncos win the AFC West for a second year in a row, something we should probably get used to. Unfortunately, he couldn’t Rahim Moore play safety and Denver’s playoff hopes were cut short. I expect they’ll be back this season.

9) Peyton Manning- Yes, the 2012 Comeback Player of the Year will follow his young co-star at number nine. Now, before you get all riled up, hear me out. Yes, Peyton came back with a vengeance and had one of his best seasons (his 68.6 completion % was 2^nd best of his career), but it wasn’t always so pretty. Early in the season, against Atlanta for example, Manning would throw himself and the Broncos and then try to mount a late comeback, only to come up short. And it was not an isolated incident. However, some may call this nitpicking seeing as how Denver won every game starting with their Week 6 comeback against the Chargers. Obviously, Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, nobody is denying that, but he relies on help from his friends like Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker. Want proof of Peyton’s mortality? He is 9-11 in the playoffs, going 0-1 in 2012. But don’t worry, with Wes Welker in tow, Manning should have an even better 2013. 

8) Aldon Smith- Surprise, surprise, another young pass-rusher. The first of two 49ers on this list, Smith has had a huge impact since entering the league. Smith has had 33.5 sacks since 2011, with 19.5 of those coming in 2012 (good for 2^nd in the league). Like Miller, he totally destroyed any possibility of a “sophomore slump”. Smith’s defensive prowess has made him a standout despite playing alongside guys like Patrick Willis, Justin Smith, Navarro Bowman, and Donte Whitner. Primarily a situational player in his rookie season, Aldon’s 14 sacks helped San Francisco reach the NFC Championship, which they lost on a very unlucky break. In 2012, he was a huge contributor in their Super Bowl run, a game that another unfortunate break (terrible officiating) took from them. Strahan’s sack record is on notice in 2013. 

7) J.J. Watt- This was hard to do. I mean, really, Watt deserves to be high on any list. The problem is, so does everyone else here. And of course, a little bit of bias goes into every list, right? But seriously, Watt’s abilities are borderline terrifying. In 2012 alone, he recorded 20.5 sacks (1^st in the NFL), was named Defensive Player of the Year, made the All-Pro first team, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. J.J. is a big reason that Houston went from never having won a playoff game to a consistent playoff contender. And can we just acknowledge that there are three members of the 2011 draft class on this list? ’89 was a good year. Watt will be moving up this list as his career progresses, you can count on that. 

6) Arian Foster- we’ve got another pair of teammates as Arian Foster comes in at number six. Some would say that Watt is actually better than Foster, but its not like Arian and I graduated from the same high school and I’ve met the guy. Foster is a unique player, and a unique member of this list, being the only undrafted player featured in it. The world first took notice of Foster in 2010, and in 2012 he produced his best numbers since that season. In 2012 Foster led the league in rushing attempts as well as rushing/receiving touchdowns and made it to the Pro Bowl. Foster is also known for being a vegan and voicing his often-controversial opinions on all sorts of topics. If he can keep it up, the Texans will be able to beat the Bengals in the playoffs every year.  

5) Aaron Rodgers- Yes, Rodgers is fifth. Why? Because this is my list, mostly. I respect him as a player, but does Rodgers come off as cocky to anyone else? I’ll put a humble star over a self-proclaimed superstar any day. Now, that isn’t to say Rodgers landed here because I dislike him, I just wanted to make my point. Crap, I forgot what I was going to say about him. There sure do seem to be a lot of Green Bay guys defecting to the Vikings, don’t there? Rodgers did throw 39 touchdowns in 2012, though. 

4) Patrick Willis- Patrick, Patrick, Patrick. I would have loved to place him number one, but I do still want to be realistic. Willis is a great player, he took Ray Lewis’ mantle before Lewis even gave it up, and undoubtedly the league’s best linebacker. Alongside Navarro Bowman, he wreaks havoc week in and week out. Willis has been to the Pro Bowl in all of his six NFL seasons and been named All-Pro first team in five of those seasons. Also, when he tackles people nearby mountains explode. Needless to say, his power level is over 9,000. 

3) Calvin Johnson- Megatron can barely be defined by human words. Every letter I type is failing to do him justice. Watch his ridiculous feats instead.

2) Adrian Peterson- Now, I know you think I’m crazy and that there’s no possible way I can justify AP not topping this list. But I can! And my justification is…that’s my perspective. See, completely rational and well thought-out. One thing I will say about Peterson: his comeback last season was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen in sports. When a super-saiyan gets hurt, he gets stronger during the healing process. Is Adrian Peterson an alien warrior? I don’t know, I’m just making observations. 

1) Tom Brady- Lucky for you, you’re reading the blog of a Patriots fan. Why does that make you lucky? Because you get to enjoy completely factual, un-biased information on a regular basis. And the fact is, Tom Brady is the greatest quarterback to ever live. He is the best player of every NFL season, and will be even when he is no longer playing. He will earn MVP awards while taking his kids to play at the park (the park within his gigantic property, of course). But, hey, don’t take my word for it. Just watch him work.

I can’t imagine that any of you don’t agree with my take on this, but if so the comment section is always open to you. I welcome the discussion. Til’ next time!