Prisco rates his top 50 for 2005 & it's pure...

[rajncajn]

...crap.

 

Clinton Portis rated as the #11 overall & Shawn Alexander not even rated? Maybe it's homerism, but I'd take Deuce over Portis any day of the week.Top 50 players: Can't deny titled Brady anymore

 

1. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: He had an amazing season in 2004, solidifying his spot here at the top. Now he has to win a Super Bowl.

 

2. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: Three Super Bowl rings in four years makes for a special quarterback.

 

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Doesn't get the credit he deserves playing in San Diego, but he's the best back in the game.

 

4. Randy Moss, WR, Raiders: Love him or hate him, he's a player. Moss is the best deep threat in the game today. Oakland fans will love him.

 

5. Ray Lewis, LB, Ravens: Yeah, yeah. We hear all that talk about how Lewis has regressed some. Watch out in 2005. Now that he's back in the middle of the 4-3, he will look like the Lewis of three years ago.

 

6. Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts: Just a tad behind Moss on the receiver list, Harrison is on his way to the Hall of Fame. He does it with so much ease.

 

7. Ed Reed, S, Ravens: Reed has made a huge jump up our list. He's arguably the best defensive player in the game today.

 

8. Terrell Owens, WR, Eagles: He talks a good game, but he backs it up. Owens proved in the Super Bowl what kind of player he is, a point even his haters can't argue.

 

9. Daunte Culpepper, QB, Vikings: He had a monster year in 2004, but it will be interesting to see what he does now without Moss.

 

10. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles: McNabb has improved greatly as a pocket passer. Maybe Owens had a lot to do with that.

 

11. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Despite playing behind a bad offensive line in a system that didn't feature his best talents (cutback running), Portis had a good first season with the Redskins.

 

12. Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos: It's chic to rip on Bailey when seeing him get beat for a touchdown. Well, he's in man coverage a lot more than most corners. He's going to get beat. I'd still take him over any other corner in the game.

 

13. Walter Jones, T, Seahawks: An outstanding pass protector who plays like a man much lighter than 300 pounds. Now that he has a long-term deal that will have him in training camp for the first time in a few years, he will be even better.

 

14. Richard Seymour, DE, Patriots: He can play end or tackle for the Patriots. He has the power to hold up against the run and the quickness to get pressure.

 

15. Michael Vick, QB, Falcons: He has to improve his passing to make a jump up this list. He's still electrifying. But he has to throw it better.

 

16. Chris McAlister, CB, Ravens: The Ravens did the wise thing and locked him up to a long-term deal that will keep him around for a while. Teaming with Samari Rolle will give Baltimore the best corner tandem in the game.

 

17. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs: Even as he gets to the end of his career, Gonzalez is still the best pass-receiving tight end in the league.

 

18. Marcus Stroud, DT, Jaguars: Stroud was plagued some by injuries last year, but when he was healthy he was good enough to go to the Pro Bowl.

 

19. Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens: He had some off-field and injury concerns last season, but he's still a big-time runner. Might be even better now if the Ravens open things up a bit.

 

20. Priest Holmes, RB, Chiefs: Injuries have started to erode his career, but he's still one of the best when healthy. How much is he a product of the Chiefs' offensive line and system?

 

21. Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: He always said he'd be one of the NFL's best, and he is. We love the way he plays the game.

 

22. Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts: He might not be great against the run, but Freeney's speed off the edge makes him special.

 

23. Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers: Peppers can make plays that other ends can only dream about. He's an amazing athlete for a man his size.

 

24. Torry Holt, WR, Rams: Holt continues to play at a high level, even though he's getting up in years. Holt is still one of the most feared receivers in the league.

 

25. Jonathan Ogden, T, Ravens: Ogden remains a premium left tackle, although he isn't as good as he was a few years ago. He has so much athleticism for the position. Said to lack a mean streak, though.

 

26. Ahman Green, RB, Packers: He is a fantasy player's delight. The one knock on him is that he fumbles too much.

 

27. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers: Gates emerged last season as a go-to guy for Drew Brees. He is an athletic tight end who can't be covered one-on-one.

 

28. Kris Jenkins, DT, Panthers: He was knocked out by injuries last season and recently admitted a drinking problem, but Jenkins is a star when he's on the field. He does have to lose some weight.

 

29. Derrick Brooks, LB, Bucs: Age is starting to become a factor, but he is still one of the best outside backers in the game. A class act, too.

 

30. Shaun Rogers, DT, Lions: Here's a player who got in shape and then got good. Rogers is now a force in the middle of the Lions line.

 

31. Brian Dawkins, S, Eagles: Continues to be a force in the back of the Eagles defense. Dawkins might be on his way to the Hall of Fame.

 

32. Brett Favre, QB, Packers: He can still make magical plays, but he can look ordinary now too. Favre is falling down the list, although we still hold him in high regard.

 

33. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Giants: The only thing holding him back is injuries. He and Eli Manning will be special together this season.

 

34. Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings: Has quietly become a dominant player in the middle of the Minnesota defense. With Pat Williams now next to him, he will be even better.

 

35. Todd Heap, TE, Ravens: Injuries slowed him last year, but he's back healthy again and should be even better under new coordinator Jim Fassel.

 

36. Orlando Pace, T, Rams: If not for Pace, the Rams line would have been awful last year. He still plays a high level.

 

37. Steve McNair, QB, Titans: It would be easy to leave him off this list based on last season, but he's a year removed from a co-MVP and he is still a force when he's healthy.

 

38. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: We put him in the top 50 last year, and that opened some eyes. Are there any doubters now?

 

39. Willie Roaf, T, Chiefs: The old man can still play. Roaf is a force at left tackle on the league's best line.

 

40. Simeon Rice, DE, Bucs: One of only two men with 100 sacks in his career still playing (Michael Strahan is the other). Rice can still come off the edge with a burst.

 

41. Jason Taylor, DE, Dolphins: Once just a pass rusher, he is now a well-rounded end. But where does he play in Miami's new 3-4 scheme?

 

42. John Henderson, DT, Jaguars: Big John played better than Stroud in the second half of the 2004 season. He is a force against the run.

 

43. Samari Rolle, CB, Ravens: He's going to be missed in a big way in Tennessee. The Ravens will love him.

 

44. Patrick Surtain, CB, Chiefs: He excelled for the Dolphins playing a lot of man coverage, something we love. How will he fit in for the Chiefs?

 

45. Al Wilson, LB, Broncos: Wilson is a tenacious force in the middle of the Denver defense. If he had bigger people in front of him, he'd be even better.

 

46. Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints: He was slowed by an ankle injury last season, but expect him to bounce back with a huge season in 2005. He will be higher up this list next summer.

 

47. Brian Urlacher, LB, Bears: Has never been as good as the hype, but he's still a good player and can be a very good player.

 

48. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers: I left him off this list last season and heard it from the Steelers fans. That won't happen this year.

 

49. Takeo Spikes, LB, Bills: A playmaking star in a very good defense, Spikes has proved to be a heck of a steal for the Bills.

 

50.Charles Woodson, CB, Raiders: Here's a player fans and the media love to knock, but he's still an outstanding cover corner. How do we know? Ask the scouts.

 

[AtomicCEO]

I don't think he was talking about fantasy points... was he?

[Hugh-mongus]

I don't think he was talking about fantasy points... was he?

 

836012[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

I believe you are correct, sir.

[1stimer]

No brownies ... looks about right ... from that angle anyway.

[Big Red]

5 Ravens (all drafted by the Ravens) in the top 25, 6 total.

 

That looks right to me.

[Clubfoothead]

Probably the worst list ever.

[BOO]

5 Ravens (all drafted by the Ravens) in the top 25, 6 total.

 

That looks right to me.

 

 

Bandwagoner...

[1stimer]

5 Ravens (all drafted by the Ravens) in the top 25, 6 total.

 

That looks right to me.

 

836091[/snapback]

 

 

 

With all that, you'd think they would be able to win more ...

[major-tom]

...crap.

 

Clinton Portis rated as the #11 overall & Shawn Alexander not even rated? Maybe it's homerism, but I'd take Deuce over Portis any day of the week.Top 50 players: Can't deny titled Brady anymore

 

836002[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Only 6 RB's on the list. Alexander was a big oversight IMO. Picking the top 50 players is not the easiest thing, but Prisco did a piss poor job. Guess he has a reputation to uphold.

[Swiss Cheezhead]

Wow -- that IS abysmal. Kevin Williams, Brian Dawkins, and Julius Peppers are all way too low. Also, Ward has never played for one of my fantasy teams, but he is a DAMM good football player. He does everything you want a wide receiver to do with 100% effort all the time.

[Rovers]

Prisco is Eric Karabell light. They are both tools.

[Shotgun Messiahs]

Gonzo ahead of Gates............. Puuuuuhhhhhlease

[godtomsatan]

Who's this guy?

[Big Red]

With all that, you'd think they would be able to win more ...

 

836165[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

During the offseason, Ravens football scientist discovered what they call "The Wide Receiver". They hope it adds a new level of play to their "Offense".

[rajncajn]

During the offseason, Ravens football scientist discovered what they call "The Wide Receiver".  They hope it adds a new level of play to their "Offense".

 

836921[/snapback]

 

 

 

Now if they could only get one of those quarterback dealies...then they'd be good!

[Swiss Cheezhead]

Now if they could only get one of those quarterback dealies...then they'd be good!

 

836936[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

 

Next to Kyle Boller, Aaron Brooks looks like Brett Favre.

[Big Red]

 

Next to Kyle Boller, Aaron Brooks looks like Brett Favre.

 

836940[/snapback]

 

 

 

 

Next to Vinny Testeverde, Eric Zeier, Jim Harbaugh, Scott Mitchell, Stoney Case, Tony Banks, Chris Redman, Elvis Grbac, Jeff Blake and Anthony Wright, Kyle Boller isn't half bad.

 

Wonder how many people realize that Trent Dilfer and Randall Cunningham are the only QBs that have started a game for the Ravens missing from this list.

 

This is Boller's last year of no competition. If he falls down with this team, he'll be out, Wright will be in and next year will be open compeition all over again.

Edited June 10, 2005 by Big Red