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2 Browns in top 100 NFL players
A list of the NFL’s top 100 players found its way into my e-mail in-box. A panel assembled by The Sporting News of more than 100 Hall of Famers, former executives and other “experts” ranks left tackle Joe Thomas No. 41 and defensive tackle Shaun Rogers No. 71.
While it’s wonderful that Thomas, in his third season, is behind only Walter Jones of the Seattle Seahawks at his position, my eyes were drawn to the No. 3 player considering he’ll be paying a visit to Cleveland Browns Stadium with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday to open the season.
Yes, that’s the same Adrian Peterson who could have been wearing an undecorated orange helmet had the Browns selected him instead of Thomas in the 2007 draft.
I know. The NFL is not exactly bursting with left tackles of Thomas’ caliber, and General Manager Phil Savage certainly wasn’t fired for taking him. But I thought Peterson should have been the choice. In fact, in the days leading up to the draft, we projected the Browns taking Peterson at No. 3 in the Dayton Daily News. That’s how much of a no-brainer I thought it was.
When Savage dropped a pre-draft hint that Thomas would be the pick, I tended to think he was just blowing smoke, especially given his familiarity with the Oklahoma personnel stemming from his scouting and eventual drafting of Brodney Pool (starting safety), Antonio Perkins (bust) and Travis Wilson (bust).
Peterson shockingly lasted until No. 7, where the Vikings shrewdly scooped him up. On Sunday, he’ll be the one doing a Jim Brown impersonation up and down the field.
And where are the Browns? They open the season with their running game in the hands of a 30-year-old Jamal Lewis, an injury-prone Jermone Harrison and a sixth-round draft choice (James Davis).
Think Eric Mangini wishes Savage would have drafted Peterson? I’m guessing he does.
The Bengals, by the way, were shut out of the top 100.
Here’s the list:
Top 10: Peyton Manning, QB, Colts; Tom Brady, QB, Patriots; Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings; Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals; LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers; Albert Haynesworth, DT, Redskins; Ed Reed, S, Ravens; Randy Moss, WR, Patriots; Troy Polamalu, S, Steelers; Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons.
Nos. 11-20: Ray Lewis, ILB, Ravens; Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers; Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts; Steve Hutchinson, G, Vikings; DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Cowboys; Julius Peppers, DE, Panthers; Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles; Drew Brees, QB, Saints; James Harrison, OLB, Steelers; Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Raiders.
Nos. 21-30: Jared Allen, DE, Vikings; Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles; Andre Johnson, WR, Texans; Steve Smith, WR, Panthers; Kurt Warner, QB, Cardinals; Champ Bailey, CB, Broncos; Shawne Merriman, OLB, Chargers; Osi Umenyiora, DE, Giants; Walter Jones, OT, Seahawks; Kevin Williams, DT, Vikings.
Nos. 31-40: Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals; Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers; Terrell Owens, WR, Bills; Alan Faneca, G, Jets; Patrick Willis, ILB, 49ers; Mario Williams, DE, Texans; Jeff Saturday, C, Colts; Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys; Brian Dawkins, S, Eagles; Matt Birk, C, Ravens.
Nos. 41-50: Joe Thomas, OT, Browns; Michael Turner, RB, Falcons; Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins; Bob Sanders, S, Colts; Terrell Suggs, OLB, Ravens; Justin Tuck, DE, Giants; Pat Williams, DT, Vikings; Joey Porter, OLB, Dolphins; Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts; Eli Manning, QB, Giants.
Nos. 51-60: Brett Favre, QB, Vikings; Asante Samuel, CB, Eagles; Chris Snee, G, Giants; Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers; Jordan Gross, OT, Panthers; Charles Woodson, CB, Packers; Lance Briggs, OLB, Bears; Tommie Harris, DT, Bears; Antonio Cromartie, CB, Chargers; Jammal Brown, OT, Saints.
Nos. 61-70: Brian Urlacher, MLB, Bears; Matt Light, OT, Patriots; Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons; James Farrior, ILB, Steelers; Vince Wilfork, NT, Patriots; Adrian Wilson, S, Cardinals; Lofa Tatupa, MLB, Seahawks; Jay Cutler, QB, Bears; Kris Jenkins, NT, Jets; Chris Johnson, RB, Titans.
Nos. 71-80: Shaun Rogers, NT, Browns; Julian Peterson, OLB, Lions; Kyle Vanden Bosch, DE, Titans; Trent Cole, DE, Eagles; Darnell Dockett, DT, Cardinals; Antoine Winfield, CB, Vikings; Willie Parker, RB, Steelers; Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos; Leonard Davis, G, Cowboys; Aaron Kampman, OLB, Packers.
Nos. 81-90: Jon Beason, MLB, Panthers; Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions; Kris Dielman, G, Chargers; Andre Gurode, C, Cowboys; Jay Ratliff, NT, Cowboys; DeMeco Ryans, MLB, Texans; Roddy White, WR, Falcons; Michael Vick, QB, Eagles; Michael Roos, OT, Titans; Cortland Finnegan, CB, Titans.
Nos. 91-100: Ryan Clady, OT, Broncos; Haloti Ngata, NT, Ravens; John Abraham, DE, Falcons; Casey Hampton, NT, Steelers; Logan Mankins, G, Patriots; Steven Jackson, RB, Rams; Richard Seymour, DE, Raiders; Darrelle Revis, CB, Jets; LaMarr Woodley, OLB, Steelers; Dallas Clark, TE, Colts.
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Comments
By BrownsBadBoy
September 9, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this
And just how long would peterson have lasted behind our horrible line? And how long will Thomas be a fixture at tackle compared to an injury-prone running back? Also, notice the vikings have 7 in the top 100 - yikesBy quantoid
September 9, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
Interesting piece - rich details. Savage should have been fired earlier - say back when he referred fans to a web page that said he is “a nice guy.”By Jack
September 10, 2009 11:56 AM | Link to this
Will have to disagree Sean. You can never pass on en elite left tackle, he will be playing for the Browns long after Peterson has retired from the NFL.By Jack
September 14, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
Same old same old. A QB who cant or is not willing to throw the ball downfield is not long for the starter’s job. At least after a few games, will not have to hear the cries for Quinn to start. Should have drafted Sanchez, traded Quinn and still could have got Mack or got Delmas to fill the saftey role.By wolfman
September 15, 2009 7:41 AM | Link to this
Does anyone see the Browns winning anything this season? Looking at their schedule, I only see 3 remote possibilities for “Mangenius.” No wonder what was once a dominating team is now the laughing stock of the NFL.By Jack
September 17, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
Well they do play the bungles twice, and they stink as well. Very tired of the Belichick tree. Football is supposed to be fun, every Belichick disiciple is the opposite and as is evident, only one guy can run the system, the “branches” have all been jokes…Romeo, Weiss, Mangini.By wolfman
September 18, 2009 7:22 AM | Link to this
I hear you Jack but after the lack of performance in the opener, I don’t see our beloved Brownies beating the Bungles either. I agree with your Belichick observations; The product of dictator style micro-management.By wolfman
September 21, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
For you conspiracy buffs, let’s take take a look at the big picture. Belichick was hired to demoralize the fans when Modelle wanted to move to Baltimore. Crennel, understudy of Belichick drives the team into a tailspin and now, “Mangenius” another Belichick minion comes in and looks to be continuing the slaughter. Coincidence? You make the call.