NFL's Positional Best

[TheDiplomat]

Inspired by the NFC's Best Thread, I wanted to expand opinions to the NFL. So this thread is ranking everyone’s best in terms of Leagues best QB, RB, WR, TE, DE, LB, CB, and S. Disclaimer: I'm taking into account when each player is healthy. I also am not using 2005-2006 stats only either. Here is my list:

QB

1. Tom Brady

2. Peyton Manning

3. Carson Palmer

4. Brett Favre

5. Jake Delhomme

I would say the top 2 is indisputable. The rest well........intuition. Moving on.

RB

1. Ladanian Tomlinson

2. Shaun Alexander

3. Edgerrin James

4. Clinton Portis

5. Tiki Barber

Top 3 are undisputable to me. Our boy Clinton coming in at #4, and Tiki finishing out the top 5. For some strange reason I like Tiki, go figure.

WR

1. Randy Moss

2. Terrell Owens

3. Marvin Harrison

4. Torry Holt

5. Steve Smith

You’ve got to love Santana, but he didn't make the top 5. Too many great WR's. Chad Johnson and Steve Smith were a toss up for #5, but Steve Smith just does so darn much with his size and weight. Also the Arizona twins, Bolding and Fitzgerald were considered.

TE

1. Tony Gonzalez

2. Antonio Gates

3. Todd Heap

4. Jeremy Shockey

5. Chris Cooley

Am I a homer for putting Cooley at #5? NOOOO WAY. Jason Witten was considered, but I think Cooley excels in blocking and catching.

DE

1. Julius Peppers

2. Dwight Freeney

3. Simeon Rice

4. Jason Taylor

5. John Abraham

Sooooo tough to choose Peppers over Freeney. But other than being a beast rushing the passer, Peppers has a knack for the ball. Also got a chance to play a little WR (I understand Harrison, Wayne, and Stokely dang sure aren't coming off the field for Freeney LOL)

LB (OLB & ILB)

1. Ray Lewis

2. Derrick Brooks

3. Jonathan Vilma

4. Julian Peterson

5. Marcus Washington

Ray's field awareness and strength is amazing. Keith Bullock actually made my initial list at #5, but Washington is just too good. :applause:

CB

1. Champ Bailey

2. Rhonde Barber

3. Ty Law

4. DeAngelo Hall

5. Antoine Winfield

Still a fan of Champ, and he is still a beast 99% of the team. The other 1% of the time he belongs to Jerry Porter and Amani Toomer, lol. Rhonde is a beast to be so small. Ty "I still don’t belong to a team" Law is a great CB. Maybe one of the GOAT's.

S

1. Ed Reed

2. Troy Polomalu

3. Sean Taylor

4. Brian Dawkins

5. Roy Williams

No dispute here. I'm sure everyone has these players in their top 5 Safety's in some order or another.

Well Skin fans. Let me see your top 5 in each position. This should be interesting.

And you guys can copy and paste this layout to make things easier.

QB

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

RB

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

WR

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

TE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

DE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

LB (ILB & OLB)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CB

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

S

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

[CPstretch]

you gotta put joey porter on there for LBs

[Mr. Grundle]

I'll bite...but I hold the right to go back and change my picks because I just threw this together.

QB

1. Tom Brady

2. Peyton Manning

3. Carson Palmer

4. Donovan McNabb

5. Ben Rothlisberger

RB

1. Ladanian Tomlinson

2. Shaun Alexander

3. Tiki Barber

4. Edgerrin James

5. Larry Johnson

WR

1. Randy Moss

2. Terrell Owens

3. Steve Smith

4. Marvin Harrison

5. Chad Johnson

TE

1. Antonio Gates

2. Tony Gonzalez

3. Alge Crumpler

4. Todd Heap

5. Jeremy Shockey

DE

1. Dwight Freeney

2. Julius Peppers

3. Simeon Rice

4. Jason Taylor

5. Osi Umenyiora

LB (ILB & OLB)

1. Jonathan Vilma

2. Brian Urlacher

3. Ray Lewis

4. Zach Thomas

5. Keith Bulluck

CB

1. Champ Bailey

2. Nate Clements

3. Ty Law

4. Rhonde Barber

5. D'Angelo Hall

S

1. Ed Reed

2. Troy Polomalu

3. Sean Taylor

4. Bob Saunders

5. Adrian Wilson

[Donita35]

Threads like these are so debatable but you must be high to put Tom Brady over Peyton Manning. That is insane. If that is insane, I think it is down tight RUDE to put Owens (or any other receiver) over Harrison, that is ridiculous, especially considering Harrison's size (which you mentioned in reference to Steve Smith). No way dude...A grave injustice. :doh:

[swaroopm]

QB

1. Peyton Manning

2. Carson Palmer

3. Tom Brady

4. Matt Hasselback

5. Trent Green

Manning is a great player. Palmer sure has proved any doubters wrong. I'm not a big Brady fan but it's hard to argue with the results. I left off McNabb, though he is still pretty good despite his limitations. Favre is an all-time great but he's on the decline, and Delhomme is effective but limited. I'd take Brunell over either of them.

RB

1. LaDainian Tomlinson

2. Edgerrin James

3. Larry Johnson

4. Shaun Alexander

5. Clinton Portis :logo:

Tomlinson is incredible and I think James is underappreciated. I'm not so high on Tiki Barber, though he does put up the numbers. We'll see how Shaun Alexander fares without LG Hutchinson. You know times are changing when this list doesn't include Marshall Faulk, Priest Holmes, Jamal Lewis, or Curtis Martin. I also left off Barber, Deuce McAllister, LaMont Jordan, Willis McGahee, Rudi Johnson, and Corey Dillon...there sure are a lot of good RBs these days.

WR

1. Marvin Harrison

2. Torry Holt

3. Chad Johnson

4. Terrell Owens

5. Randy Moss

Randy Moss and Owens get all the hype, but Harrison and Holt quietly put up great numbers year in and year out. Harrison's numbers (thus far in his career) rival Jerry Rice...Jerry Rice! I didn't include Santana Moss but I think you can make a good case for him.

TE

1. Antonio Gates

2. Tony Gonzalez

3. Alge Crumpler

4. Todd Heap

5. Jeremy Shockey

No way Crumpler should be left off this list, unless you don't consider him a TE.

DE

1. Julius Peppers

2. Dwight Freeney

3. Simeon Rice

4. Jason Taylor

5. John Abraham

It's tough to argue about DEs, though there are a number of other guys that could be added to the discussion, including the Giants guys.

LB (OLB & ILB)

1. Brian Urlacher

2. Derrick Brooks

3. Marcus Washington :logo:

4. Nick Barnett

5. Keith Bulluck

Ray Lewis was flat-out incredible in his prime, but he's not as good as he once was. I realize #3 may seem high for Washington but I'm entirely impressed by his level of play. I think Barnett and Bulluck get overlooked because of their teams, but they are both really solid. Two other guys to think about are Karlos Dansby and Shawne Merriman.

CB

1. Champ Bailey

2. Ronde Barber

3. Al Harris

4. DeAngelo Hall

5. Antoine Winfield

He used to suck, but Al Harris has become a solid player in Green Bay. If Woodson can do anything, they could have a solid secondary - Ahmad Carroll is bad but he can probably be a serviceable nickel CB.

S

1. Ed Reed

2. Troy Polamalu

3. Sean Taylor :logo:

4. Brian Dawkins

5. Rodney Harrison

Roy Williams is overrated. Rodney Harrison is old, but he is still fairly effective when healthy.

[swaroopm]

Threads like these are so debatable but you must be high to put Tom Brady over Peyton Manning. That is insane. If that is insane, I think it is down tight RUDE to put Owens (or any other receiver) over Harrison, that is ridiculous, especially considering Harrison's size (which you mentioned in reference to Steve Smith). No way dude...A grave injustice. :doh:

I agree on both counts, though I don't feel as strongly as Donita35 about either one.

[TheDiplomat]

Threads like these are so debatable but you must be high to put Tom Brady over Peyton Manning. That is insane. If that is insane, I think it is down tight RUDE to put Owens (or any other receiver) over Harrison, that is ridiculous, especially considering Harrison's size (which you mentioned in reference to Steve Smith). No way dude...A grave injustice. :doh:

LOL>You're right, highly debatable. Tom Brady is #1 on my list because of many factors. The Patriots are in a harder divison. He has 3 rings with less talent on offense than Manning has. Of course the Patriots have always had a better defense than the Colts until this year, but I think it evens out. By the way, the Defense wins championships argument is a little overrated to me. I also believe Tom Brady is a better leader than Manning. But it's just my personal opinion, because like you said, it is debatable.

EDIT: I thought the Colts had a better defense in 05-06, but were one spot behind the Patriots.

[skinsn24]

Gotta Put LJ in the top 5 rbs after what he did last year

[O-11]

Pretty good list except for QB. No way Favre and Delhomme are in the top five right now, in my opinion. I can understand the Favre decision some but Delhomme would barely crack my top 10 (if he did at all). I really don't understand why he gets as much respect. He's an intense competitor and has a huge passion for the game but he is incredibly inconsistent. I'm not saying that he's bad, I am, however, saying that he gets too much respect. That Carolina D has been known to put as many points on the board as the offense; mix that in with Dan Henning, who has alot of Gibbsesque qualities about him, and the Panthers are good offensively. Here in the part of Carolina where I live, there is a good portion of the fan base ready to find a new QB. It's a running joke with my friends and I about how Delhomme has perfected the no look pass.....(and I don't mean an intentional no look pass).

But the rest of your list looks great.

[terpfan]

Hurray rankings!

QB

1. Tom Brady

2. Peyton Manning

3. Carson Palmer

4. Matt Hasselbeck

5. Jake Delhomme

Notes: After the top 2 this is a bit ambiguous, especially with Carson's injury problems. But all 5 of these guys have proven themselves to be winners. Delhomme rounds out the list because of his success in the playoffs and because he's is my boy. McNabb also deserves consideration.

RB

1. LaDainian Tomlinson

2. Shaun Alexander

3. Clinton Portis

4. Edgerrin James

5. Tiki Barber

Notes: Shaun Alexander may be too high because of the situation he has been in, but he has consistently proven he can put up some of the best numbers in the NFL so he gets the benefit of the doubt. James is great, but may be slowing down. Same with Tiki. Tomlinson is the only guy I would trade for Portis straight up.

WR

1. Chad Johnson

2. Torry Holt

3. Randy Moss

4. Steve Smith

5. Marvin Harrison

Notes: The top WRs are really close in my opinion. This top 5 is really in no particular order. Its tough to leave the Zona WRs off the list, but their numbers may have been inflated by playing in a pass happy offense. TO gets left off the list because of his age and character issues. He would be on there if we were judging talent alone, but I'm ranking on value to the team.

TE

1. Antonio Gates

2. Tony Gonzalez

3. Jeremy Shockey

4. Todd Heap

5. Alge Crumpler

Notes: Gates is easily the #1. Gonzalez holds onto #2 for now, but Hepa and Shockey are pushing him. After the top 4 gets a bit hazier. Witten and Cooley are knocking on the door.

DE

1. Julius Peppers

2. Dwight Freeney

3. Osi Umenyiora

4. Jason Taylor

5. Michael Strahan

Notes: Peppers and Freeney are the elites, but Osi probably should be considered in that category as well. Taylor and Strahan are nearing the end of their careers but still solid. Honorable mention to Rice, but he's also old and not much of a teammate from what I hear.

LB (ILB & OLB)

1. Jonathan Vilma

2. Keith Bullock

3. Brian Urlacher

4. Ray Lewis

5. Donnie Edwards

Notes: Ray Lewis still has to prove to me he has something left. I think the three young studs have passed him at this point. Donnie Edwards is extremely underrated, and has been an elite OLB for years now. Derrick Brooks, Marcus Washington, and Zach Thomas just miss.

CB

1. Champ Bailey

2. Pat Surtain

3. Ty Law

4. Ronde Barber

5. Deangelo Hall

Notes: Champ has played well in Denver for the most part, and Surtain didnt miss a beat after leaving for KC. Law is old but still extremely productive. Barber and Hall round out the top 5. Honorable mention for the Vikes Antoine Winfield and the Bills Nate Clements. Also Chris McAlister, even though he fell off a bit last season.

S

1. Ed Reed

2. Troy Polamalu

3. Sean Taylor

4. Brian Dawkins

5. Adrian Wilson

Notes: Reed and Polamalu are the elite. Adrian Wilson is the best player no one has heard of. Dawkins is still going strong but will probably be off the list soon. Sean Taylor may not have the stats yet, but I wouldnt trade him for anyone outside the top 2. I just dont trust Roy Williams, but he gets an honorable mention, as does Bob Sanders of the Colts.

[Billy Bullocks]

Inspired by the NFC's Best Thread, I wanted to expand opinions to the NFL. So this thread is ranking everyone’s best in terms of Leagues best QB, RB, WR, TE, DE, LB, CB, and S. Disclaimer: I'm taking into account when each player is healthy. I also am not using 2005-2006 stats only either. Here is my list:

QB

1. Tom Brady

2. Peyton Manning

3. Carson Palmer

4. Brett Favre

5. Jake Delhomme

I would say the top 2 is indisputable. The rest well........intuition. Moving on.

RB

1. Ladanian Tomlinson

2. Shaun Alexander

3. Edgerrin James

4. Clinton Portis

5. Tiki Barber

Top 3 are undisputable to me. Our boy Clinton coming in at #4, and Tiki finishing out the top 5. For some strange reason I like Tiki, go figure.

WR

1. Randy Moss

2. Terrell Owens

3. Marvin Harrison

4. Torry Holt

5. Steve Smith

You’ve got to love Santana, but he didn't make the top 5. Too many great WR's. Chad Johnson and Steve Smith were a toss up for #5, but Steve Smith just does so darn much with his size and weight. Also the Arizona twins, Bolding and Fitzgerald were considered.

TE

1. Tony Gonzalez

2. Antonio Gates

3. Todd Heap

4. Jeremy Shockey

5. Chris Cooley

Am I a homer for putting Cooley at #5? NOOOO WAY. Jason Witten was considered, but I think Cooley excels in blocking and catching.

DE

1. Julius Peppers

2. Dwight Freeney

3. Simeon Rice

4. Jason Taylor

5. John Abraham

Sooooo tough to choose Peppers over Freeney. But other than being a beast rushing the passer, Peppers has a knack for the ball. Also got a chance to play a little WR (I understand Harrison, Wayne, and Stokely dang sure aren't coming off the field for Freeney LOL)

LB (OLB & ILB)

1. Ray Lewis

2. Derrick Brooks

3. Jonathan Vilma

4. Julian Peterson

5. Marcus Washington

Ray's field awareness and strength is amazing. Keith Bullock actually made my initial list at #5, but Washington is just too good. :applause:

CB

1. Champ Bailey

2. Rhonde Barber

3. Ty Law

4. DeAngelo Hall

5. Antoine Winfield

Still a fan of Champ, and he is still a beast 99% of the team. The other 1% of the time he belongs to Jerry Porter and Amani Toomer, lol. Rhonde is a beast to be so small. Ty "I still don’t belong to a team" Law is a great CB. Maybe one of the GOAT's.

S

1. Ed Reed

2. Troy Polomalu

3. Sean Taylor

4. Brian Dawkins

5. Roy Williams

No dispute here. I'm sure everyone has these players in their top 5 Safety's in some order or another.

Well Skin fans. Let me see your top 5 in each position. This should be interesting.

And you guys can copy and paste this layout to make things easier.

As a Cowboys fan I gotta almsot agree on most of it. I like how you kept this as objective as possible. I dunno if Washington and Vilma should be in the top 5 above Urlacher and Porter.

Witten and Cooley, well I guess that comes down to what team you root for, I think...I'll go with Witten. Personally I tink Newman is better than Hall as well.

[LT Smash]

i didnt feel like making a list of my own, so id rather criticize yours. lewis doesnt make the top 5 anymore, and law is gettin old.

[skins84]

QB

1.Manning (the best)

2.Brady (Can't deny the rings)

3.Palmer (could one day take mannings spot)

4.Hasselback (you saw what he did to us)

5.Culpepper (when healthy)

RB

1.Tomlinson

2.Alexander

3.Edge

4.Portis :logo:

5.L. Johnson

WR (this is a toss up 1-5)

1. Moss (hasn't been 100% for last 2 years)

2. T.O. (T.O)

3. C. Johnson (nobody can guard this man)

4. Harrison (defines professional)

5. S. Smith (big time player)

TE (All these guys have great size, speed and hands)

1. Gates

2. Gonzalez

3. Heap

4. Shockey

5. Crumpler

DE (all are complete DE's, stoppin run and pass)

1. Rice

2. Freeney (except freeney but is the best pass rusher in the league)

3. Peppers

4. Strahan

5. Abraham

LB (ILB & OLB)

1. Lewis (veteran leader, still making plays)

2. Brooks (see Lewis)

3. Urlacher ( will be the best in a yr. or two)

4. Porter (playmaker)

5. Washington :logo: ( u know why)

CB

1. Champ (the best)

2. Hall (backs up the talk)

3. Barber (veteran who knows his position)

4. Mcallister (great athlete)

5. Clements Could be 3rd in a couple years)

S

1. Reed (def. Mvp 2 yrs. ago)

2. Polamalu (playmaker)

3. Taylor :logo: (Will be the best in a couple yrs.)

4. Dawkins (veteran who the younger safeties looked up too)

5. A. Wilson (up and coming, and yes he's better than Roy Williams)

[FightForOldDC21]

good idea man

[Farbod21]

QB

1. Brady

2. Manning

3. Palmer

4. Green

5. Brees

RB

1. Tomlinson

2. Portis

3. Johnson

4. Alexander

5. Barber

WR

1. R Moss

2. TO

3. Holt

4. S Smith

5. S Moss

TE

1. Gates

2. Gonzo

3. Cooley

4. Shockey

5. Witten

DE

1. Freeny

2. Peppers

3. Merriman

4. Rice

5. Strahan

LB (ILB & OLB)

1. Urlacher

2. Vilma

3. Porter

4. Lewis

5. Washington

CB

1. Hall

2. Chump

3. Clements

4. Springs

5. Law

S

1. Reed

2. Taylor

3. A Wilson

4. Sharper

5. Polamalu

[VAsBeachBoy]

Not making my own on the time I have I will also criticize mainly one area. Your LB crop is absolutely terrible. Ray Lewis WAS one of the best LBers to play *with a huge DT tandem in front of him. His probowl earning days are over. Brooks isn't as good as Urlacher or Porter who didnt even make your list and should have. Peterson is still all potential untill he produces big numbers with seattle but he is def' at number 6. Where the hell is Al wilson.

So lets try again..

1.Marcus Washington

2. Rocky McIntosh

3. Lemar Marshall

4. Brian Urlacher

5. Jonathan Vilma

Ok no seriously...

1. Brian Urlacher

2. Jonathan Vilma

3. Joey Porter

4. Al Wilson

5. Keith Bulluck

6a. Derrick Brooks

6b. Julian Peterson

6c. Donnie Edwards

6d. Ray Lewis

6e. Zach Thomas

[Skins4481]

I think you gotta be on crack to thing Manning is anywhere near the QB Tom Brady is. Manning will NEVER win the big one. I'm sorry but you can put up all the stats in the world but when you fold under pressure, you're not great. Tom Brady is clearly the best QB in the league. He is being compared to Joe Montana(whom most people think is the best QB of all time) while Manning is being compared to Marino(who is the greatest loser of all time).

[swaroopm]

I think you gotta be on crack to thing Manning is anywhere near the QB Tom Brady is. Manning will NEVER win the big one. I'm sorry but you can put up all the stats in the world but when you fold under pressure, you're not great. Tom Brady is clearly the best QB in the league. He is being compared to Joe Montana(whom most people think is the best QB of all time) while Manning is being compared to Marino(who is the greatest loser of all time).

It just depends how you look at it. I prefer Manning to Brady because I feel like Manning turns playing QB into an art form. I'm impressed by all the little things he does to manage the game and the offense. I don't think it's entirely fair to compare them by the Super Bowl wins because their coaches and teammates had something to do with that as well. However, I do see your point, since I think Manning has struggled in the big games at times because he tries to do too much, whereas Brady seems to stay poised under pressure and get the job done. (Of course, Brady didn't look as good this past season when his team wasn't as good, did he? And we'll see how he looks this year when his #2 receiver is...Reche Caldwell?) Obviously the poise is why Brady reminds people of Montana. I don't think it's really accurate to refer to Manning or Marino as a "loser" - after all, both of them have won a whole lot of games, just not the big one (yet). You want to see loser, look up Jeff George.

[SkinsTerps26]

As a Cowboys fan I gotta almsot agree on most of it. I like how you kept this as objective as possible. I dunno if Washington and Vilma should be in the top 5 above Urlacher and Porter.

Witten and Cooley, well I guess that comes down to what team you root for, I think...I'll go with Witten. Personally I tink Newman is better than Hall as well.

I agree with Urlacher and Porter in that list. However Newman doesn't not belong in a top 5 list. PERIOD

[Thirtyfive2seven]

I think you gotta be on crack to thing Manning is anywhere near the QB Tom Brady is. Manning will NEVER win the big one. I'm sorry but you can put up all the stats in the world but when you fold under pressure, you're not great. Tom Brady is clearly the best QB in the league. He is being compared to Joe Montana(whom most people think is the best QB of all time) while Manning is being compared to Marino(who is the greatest loser of all time).

I will say this: Defense wins championships. I don't think the Colts have a great defense especially when you compare it to what the Patriots had over the past 5 seasons. Last year they weren't all that great, but they had plenty of starters injured. If the Colts had a defense like the Pats, then I think they could have won a few rings in there as well. You can't really put the blame solely on Peyton... can you?

Tom Brady would be higher on my list too btw Just for different reasoning

[RiggoReincarnated]

Not making my own on the time I have I will also criticize mainly one area. Your LB crop is absolutely terrible. Ray Lewis WAS one of the best LBers to play *with a huge DT tandem in front of him. His probowl earning days are over. Brooks isn't as good as Urlacher or Porter who didnt even make your list and should have. Peterson is still all potential untill he produces big numbers with seattle but he is def' at number 6. Where the hell is Al wilson.

So lets try again..

1.Marcus Washington

2. Rocky McIntosh

3. Lemar Marshall

4. Brian Urlacher

5. Jonathan Vilma

Ok no seriously...

1. Brian Urlacher

2. Jonathan Vilma

3. Joey Porter

4. Al Wilson

5. Keith Bulluck

6a. Derrick Brooks

6b. Julian Peterson

6c. Donnie Edwards

6d. Ray Lewis

6e. Zach Thomas

Urlacher? He doesn't have any speed, he just makes alot of tackles with plays run straight at him.

[Skins4481]

It just depends how you look at it. I prefer Manning to Brady because I feel like Manning turns playing QB into an art form. I'm impressed by all the little things he does to manage the game and the offense. I don't think it's entirely fair to compare them by the Super Bowl wins because their coaches and teammates had something to do with that as well. However, I do see your point, since I think Manning has struggled in the big games at times because he tries to do too much, whereas Brady seems to stay poised under pressure and get the job done. (Of course, Brady didn't look as good this past season when his team wasn't as good, did he? And we'll see how he looks this year when his #2 receiver is...Reche Caldwell?) Obviously the poise is why Brady reminds people of Montana. I don't think it's really accurate to refer to Manning or Marino as a "loser" - after all, both of them have won a whole lot of games, just not the big one (yet). You want to see loser, look up Jeff George.

Dude, Peyton Manning has equal if not more talent around him. Last year Manning had Edgerring James(Top 5 RB), Stokley, Harrison and Wayne(Best trio in the league). On defense their is the likes of Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders.

When Tom Brady was winning 3 SBs out of 4 he had the likes of Kevin Faulk for 2 and Dillon for only one, Deion Branch, David Givens and David Patten. Which combo would you rather have?

Manning is the best season QB in the league no doubt. But when its playoff time(when it really counts), this guy folds like a lawn chair!:laugh:

[WeownU]

I agree with Urlacher and Porter in that list. However Newman doesn't not belong in a top 5 list. PERIOD

Pure Craziness. Here are Newmans stats for last year.

Started 16 games, and gave up a total of

320 yards

0 TD's

4 INT's

Not only should be be on that list. You could make a case that he should be #1 on that list.

[WeownU]

Urlacher? He doesn't have any speed, he just makes alot of tackles with plays run straight at him.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I don't even know how to respond to that except to laugh.

[ldsdbomber]

You must be joking that Brady is better than Manning. He does a great job in a better and more conservative system. Brady isn't even in the same league head to head as a QB as Manning, and Palmer is also a much better passer than Brady.

Portis should be higher also - LT is good, and Larry Johnson could rise quickly. Alexander is a product of a monster offensive line, Barber is underrated but also enjoys a big OL, James is probably the best in terms of hitting those 5-10 yd runs (ie his average isnt so much swelled by the huge 40 and 50+ runs like the others)

Steve Smith should be higher, where is Santana Moss?

Ray Lewis is nowhere near the best LB any more

Inspired by the NFC's Best Thread, I wanted to expand opinions to the NFL. So this thread is ranking everyone’s best in terms of Leagues best QB, RB, WR, TE, DE, LB, CB, and S. Disclaimer: I'm taking into account when each player is healthy. I also am not using 2005-2006 stats only either. Here is my list:

QB

1. Tom Brady

2. Peyton Manning

3. Carson Palmer

4. Brett Favre

5. Jake Delhomme

I would say the top 2 is indisputable. The rest well........intuition. Moving on.

RB

1. Ladanian Tomlinson

2. Shaun Alexander

3. Edgerrin James

4. Clinton Portis

5. Tiki Barber

Top 3 are undisputable to me. Our boy Clinton coming in at #4, and Tiki finishing out the top 5. For some strange reason I like Tiki, go figure.

WR

1. Randy Moss

2. Terrell Owens

3. Marvin Harrison

4. Torry Holt

5. Steve Smith

You’ve got to love Santana, but he didn't make the top 5. Too many great WR's. Chad Johnson and Steve Smith were a toss up for #5, but Steve Smith just does so darn much with his size and weight. Also the Arizona twins, Bolding and Fitzgerald were considered.

TE

1. Tony Gonzalez

2. Antonio Gates

3. Todd Heap

4. Jeremy Shockey

5. Chris Cooley

Am I a homer for putting Cooley at #5? NOOOO WAY. Jason Witten was considered, but I think Cooley excels in blocking and catching.

DE

1. Julius Peppers

2. Dwight Freeney

3. Simeon Rice

4. Jason Taylor

5. John Abraham

Sooooo tough to choose Peppers over Freeney. But other than being a beast rushing the passer, Peppers has a knack for the ball. Also got a chance to play a little WR (I understand Harrison, Wayne, and Stokely dang sure aren't coming off the field for Freeney LOL)

LB (OLB & ILB)

1. Ray Lewis

2. Derrick Brooks

3. Jonathan Vilma

4. Julian Peterson

5. Marcus Washington

Ray's field awareness and strength is amazing. Keith Bullock actually made my initial list at #5, but Washington is just too good. :applause:

CB

1. Champ Bailey

2. Rhonde Barber

3. Ty Law

4. DeAngelo Hall

5. Antoine Winfield

Still a fan of Champ, and he is still a beast 99% of the team. The other 1% of the time he belongs to Jerry Porter and Amani Toomer, lol. Rhonde is a beast to be so small. Ty "I still don’t belong to a team" Law is a great CB. Maybe one of the GOAT's.

S

1. Ed Reed

2. Troy Polomalu

3. Sean Taylor

4. Brian Dawkins

5. Roy Williams

No dispute here. I'm sure everyone has these players in their top 5 Safety's in some order or another.

Well Skin fans. Let me see your top 5 in each position. This should be interesting.

And you guys can copy and paste this layout to make things easier.

QB

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

RB

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

WR

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

TE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

DE

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

LB (ILB & OLB)

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CB

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

S

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.