This list is a bit confusing. It’s essentially a pre-season ranking going into 2012 voted on by the players. The NFL Network makes it very clear that this is not a Top 100 of 2011 list because they have the stats to rank that. The question is criteria: Are players supposed to be ranked on their overall careers or on their previous season? It’s the top 100 players in the NFL right now, but how “right now” is defined is a bit hazy. Either way, it’s great discussion as always. Checkout players #50 – 41
50. Peyton Manning
Last year Manning was ranked the #2 best player going into the 2011 season. And of course, he didn’t play at all last year. To drop him all the way to #50 seems like a bit much. It depends on when the players voted because they may have done so after he was cleared healthy by the doctors.
49. Maurkice Pouncey
That boy is a straight dog in the middle of that line. He’s a typical Steeler football player. We love to focus on his athleticism and his mean streak, but don’t sleep on this kids smarts. Playing center means your the quarterback of the offensive line and responsible for all the blitz protections.
48. Devin Hester
A playing legend. Imagine if the Bears just let him develop at CB. Not sure how good he’d be, but he’d still be returning kicks instead of just punts and making double his impact on special teams.
47. Mike Wallace
He’s just as dangerous as DeSean Jackson…we just don’t talk about him like we should.
46. Champ Bailey
I’m still trying to figure out what fountain of youth Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson are drinking from…
45. Vonta Leach
Headhunter galore…but better than Peyton Manning? Nope.
44. Jason Babin
Perseverance and Persistence pays off. It also goes to show that most players need the right coaching to be successful.
43. Vernon Davis
He had his best season last year and completed dominated. The question now is can he do it consistently.
42. Jason Peters
Awesome athlete at left tackle. If the Eagles line had five of him, Vick would never get touched and the Eagles would win a Super Bowl. It’s a shame that he may miss all of 2012 with an Achilles injury.
41. Matthew Stafford
Finally stayed healthy for a year and balled out. Better than Peyton though? Naw cuz.
That’s all I got,
Ricky Writer