As NFL fans we are glued to the NFL Top 100 Players of 2012 list, over here in the UK the NFL UK Podcast put together their top ten players list, so I decided it a go, with a slight twist.
There has been much talk of who is over and under rated, much talk about players rated highly just because of the respect they command from other NFL players. The likes of Peyton Manning, Brain Urlacher, Ray Lewis and many other veterans placed high or even in the list because what they have previously achieved.
This list will focus more NFL teams MVP’s.
The players who were behind the team’s success or show promise to help the team improve from last seasons, it isn’t for praising Tom Brady for being a great player and stand-up guy.
10. Tim Tebow
As much as I despise this man for his terrible throwing and over the top Jesus preaching he was tremendously valuable to the Denver Broncos last season. There is no doubt looking at his statistics he shouldn’t even be considered inside the top 50, throwing for just 1,729 yards for 12 TD’s and 6 INTS. However taking a team from 1-4 to the playoffs and a victory over the Pittsburgh is quite a feat for anyone who, when he took the reins of the offense, had to pressure to get that far. Now Tebow is in New York after a trade, thanks to Peyton Manning, I think we could possibly see this again.
9. Shady McCoy
Part of the Dream Team, McCoy was the only silver lining of Philadelphia’s disappointing season. Other than rushing for 1,309 yards and averaging nearly 5 yards a carry it was McCoy’s explosive plays not only made him one of the best and exciting running backs in 2011 but he kept the Eagles in the game for the best part of the game. It would be safe to assume McCoy played a major role in the Eagles grace saving 8-8 finish.
8. Maurice Jones-Drew
Like I said before, this isn’t a list of best successful players. Sometimes it’s about giving the down and out franchise a silver lining a mention. This year’s NFL rushing leader, rushed for 1,606 yards, Maurice Jones-Drew is always fun to watch and there is no denying his talent. This man is the only Jaguar 90% of us would watch and the only reason we would believe they could win a game. Doesn’t get enough praise for what he has done for the franchise, not winning but giving them a star player.
7. Larry Fitzgerald
While everyone looking the Cardinals team last year was glued to the Kevin Kolb situation. While Kolb was busy flaming out, the Cardinals only shining light was breaking down DB’s and Safety’s. While Fitzgerald does get his props he still deserves a place on list this, the Cardinals MVP since Kurt Warner retired in 2010.
6 Reggie Bush
Ok this maybe a stretch but I didn’t think that Reggie Bush was the glimmer of hope in Miami’s less than stellar 6-10 season. When Bush was drafted there was so much hype around him, but it never got off the ground and he fizzled out in New Orleans. Then in his first season in Miami, Bush found his grove and rushed for over a thousand yards for the first time in his career. Miami haven’t been a tem to watch for quite some time, but now they have a RB who is showing talent to be the best in the league he, in my view, was the Dolphins 2011 MVP.
5. Matthew Strafford/Calvin ‘MegaTron’ Johnston
After being drafted 1st overall in the 2009 Draft things didn’t go quite what Strafford wanted, plagued by shoulder injuries from his rookie year 2011 was his first injury free season and he proved exactly why he was drafted 1st. Turning the Lions from perennial losers to winners, they made first playoff appearance since 1999. Strafford has proven that when he was a healthy seasons he ranks among the top QB’s in the league.
However he had help form one of the best receivers in the NFL today in Megatron. When Strafford and Megatron he accounted for just over 1,600 of Stafford’s 5,038 passing yards. And well we all know just how good Megatron is, making catches that most wide receivers can only dream of making, running routes that make DB’s dread and picking catches out of the sky. These guys, along with the D have made a lot of people forget about the many losing season Detroit suffered in recent years.
4. Andy Dalton/AJ Green
Just like the Lions tag team, Andy and AJ played a massive part in the Bengals success last year, but they rank higher simply because they achieved this success in a year nothing was expected off the team; their rookie seasons.
When Carson Palmer refused to play for the Bengals again it forced Andy Dalton to step when many thought he wasn’t ready.
The rookies, in my opinion, didn’t get the recognition they deserved, hooking up for over 1000 yards and a 9-7 record. Quite a feat and giving the Bengals organisation and fans that they are an football team of the future.
3. Alex Smith
After a disappointing 2011 campaign many though Smith’s days with 49ers were numbered, yet 2012 showed the side of Alex Smith that many thought they would see after being selected 1st overall in the 2005 Draft. Smith led the 49ers to one stop short of the big time, a level many thought would only happen if Smith left the 49ers. Smith done everything right last season passing for 3,144 yards for 17 TD’s, taking control of the team, it’s well known he was the player who organised team workouts during the lockout last off season.
Smith as put the league on notice for next season and most importantly giving the teams and fans confidence in a team that certainly has the talent to go the distance. Sadly the only reason Alex and the 49ers never advanced to the Superbowl was down to Kyle Williams’ mistake.
2.Eli Manning
I believe in Eli. Last off season Eli proclaimed himself an elite QB and the NFL world laughed at him. As an Eagles fan I laughed too, but its true what they say ‘He who laughs last laughs longer.’ And I bet Eli is still laughing, if not smiling. 4,933 passing yards is not the most important stat, what he done this year proves he is vital to the Giants. Let’s all think back to last offseason when every NFL analyst pegged the division to go like this 1st- Eagles 2nd Cowboys 3rd Redskins and 4thGaints.
But as we all know Eli and the Giants went on to win the division, then the Superbowl, and it was all because of Eli. Obviously Eli didn’t win it all by himself but he was the driving force behind the run. It takes a lot of guts to say your elite when no one else thinks so, and it says a lot about you and your character when you win the big one in the same season. Realistically, who wouldn’t want him their team?
1. Cam Newton
When you write about a player like Cam Newton, you don’t know where to start, do you mention the skill he possess, the speed, athleticism, raw power. Or do you mention the excitement he has generated in Carolina. But one thing is for sure, Cam is the Panthers saviour and this is why he is the top of this list. Not many NFL player’s possess the talent Cam does, or hold the records he does. In his rookie year Newton racked up 9 rookie records from most passing yards in a season to most passing as rushing TD’s by a rookie.
Along with these feats he holds 6 NFL record, including fast player to throw for 1,000 yards (3 games.) It is scary to think this is his rookie year, just getting used to the speed of the NFL, but one thing is certain, out if all the players in the league today, Cam Newton would be on every teams wish list.
-Gerard Gillen
