MY top 10 players of 2011...

Recently the NFL Network ran some drawn out list of the top 100 players of 2011 as voted on by the players. It was a bit confusing because it was suppose to be the players you think will have the biggest impact in the upcoming season... if there is one. But, it's hard not to consider their whole body of work. I think they also wanted to have a variety of positions represented in the top 20. They didn't want a bunch of QB's up there.

My top 10 will have a bunch of QB's, because you can't convince me that Asomugha, Ngata or Peppers have more of an impact on a game than Rivers, Vick or Roethlisberger. It may be boring, but the top 5 or 6 QB's in this league are the center of the universe when it comes to winning. Everything revolves around them.

I have the 2 best game changing pass rushers, one MLB (QB of the defense), the best CB in the game and a gaggle of QB's.

SO, here it is....

10.) Dwight Freeny (#15 by players/ #25 by fans) - He is probably one of only 3 or 4 defensive players that could take over a post season game and advance his team to the next round... almost single handedly. A double team is not a solution.

9.) Mike Vick (#20 players/#11 fans)- IF HE STAYS HEALTHY, his team wins at least 11 games... because of him. Thats enough to land him in my top 10.

8.) Ben Roethlisberger (#41 players/ #35 fans)- He may be a filthy drunk rapist, and he may also be an awfully lucky bastard for landing on that team, but he has made some of the most clutch plays of the past 6 or 7 years.

7.) Clay Mathews (#19 players/ #5 fans)- This guy is like some-sort-of Madden fantasy player that you can create and make everything a 99. His energy fuels both the defense and offense. May be the best Mathews the NFL has ever seen, and thats saying a lot!!!

6.) Ray Lewis (#4 players/ #4 fans)- He picked up right where Singletary left off as the ultimate leader of a generation of Linebackers. He is the definition of what a MLB should be. He's smart, hits hard, reads and reacts, makes sure every defender is in the exact perfect spot, and most importantly, he still strikes fear in the hearts of his opponents... after over 15 years in the league. He will hit the wall soon, but I believe he still has enough gas in the tank to make a run in 2011.

5.) Philip Rivers (#26 players/ #24 fans)- Very underrated. His GM has held the team hostage by alienating his top WR and blindside body guard... and like a good soldier he kept his mouth shut and played his ass off. The Chargers didn't have enough talent to compete at a high level, but Rivers gave is all every week. He is a bit Marino-esc with his on-field tantrums, but he is an elite QB.

4.) Aaron Rodgers (#11 players/ #2 fans)- The crown prince of the NFL. Everyone loves Aaron. He is the real deal, and he proved it on the biggest stage. He may be #1 on my 2012 list.

3.) Darrelle Revis(#8 players/ #14 fans)- Homer pick? Whatever. The reason I place him here is because most teams have one dominate game changing WR, if they are lucky. #24 will shut down anyone. That devastates any offense or game plan. If we ever win the big game it will be because of him. He may never even have a ball thrown his way on that magical Sunday, but he will be the reason we win the Superbowl. May be the best corner ever... when it's all said and done.

2.) Tom Brady (#1 players/ #3 fans)- His ego is so big it actually makes him a great QB. However, much of his career, including his 3 Superbowl winning seasons were tarnished when it was discovered he and his team were videotaping other teams defensive signals so they would know what their opponents were running before the play started. Thats a bit of an advantage. NFL Network mistakenly left that out when anointing him as the #1 player on their list.

1.) Peyton Manning (#2 players/ #1 fans)- Greatest QB ever. No one plays like him. He has brought the most important position on the field to a completely different level. Only active player I will be telling my great grand kids about. Legend. GOAT. MVP. Champion.

Brees is not on this list. For the record he is my #11. He is amazing, but he is small and I think his Cinderella story is coming to an end. His team is the 3rd best in it's division... in 2011... IMHO.

Some of the young signal callers in this league will eventually bump the guys in our top 10. But this is my group for this season.