R
repeatlife
Guest
I just thought we'd try a little something different around here for a change. It seems as if homerism is at an all time high around here as of late and not just in the football forum either. I am guilty of it myself at times, so I figured we should honor some guys that don't play for the teams that we are fans of and give props to some guys to whom we normally wouldn't.
I'll start. I am a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan (the joke's on me) so I cannot list any players who have ever played for the Bucs, past or present.
I'll list mine by position:
QB- Brett Favre. I don't care about the media hype or about the "retirements" or any of that drama. The fact is the dude can still play football and is a winner. He may be a gunslinger, but he has won more games than any other person to ever play his position and wins are the most important stat of all in football.
RB- Brian Westbrook. His versatility is what intrigues me about him the most. He may not be able to destroy teams running between the tackles like many of his peers, but he can do everything else at a very high level. He is also the most exciting back in the passing game since Marshall Faulk.
WR- Andre Johnson. He may in fact be the best wide receiver in the game depending on your criteria, but he also happens to be my favorite. He has never had a good quarterback for a full season until this year and yet he has led the league in receptions and yards several times. This guy can play.
TE- Todd Heap. Compared to the other "receiving" style tight ends over the past decade, I think Heap was the best blocker and team player. I have seen this guy make catches that other top tier tight ends couldn't make either. He may be slowing down now, but 5-6 years ago I wouldn't have chosen anyone over him.
OL- Jeff Saturday. Everyone knows Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to ever lace them up and one of the most cerebral signal callers ever. He calls so many audibles and makes different line calls that you'd have to be a sharp guy to follow his lead. Saturday has been doing it for 10+ years now.
DL- Jared Allen. A lot of people hate him and think he is a dirty player, but I love his intensity. It seems like his motor is running in 5th gear at all times. I can't think of a better edge rusher in the league right now and I just love to watch him sack opposing quarterbacks all day long.
MLB- Ray Lewis. Like him or not, I have never seen a more complete defensive player in my lifetime. The heart and soul of one of the best defenses of all time and a true gamer and leader in every sense of the word.
OLB- DeMarcus Ware. This guy is an absolute beast. He had one of the best pass rushing seasons of all time last year and even though his numbers may be down he is still a force to be reckoned with. He is also not bad at all when dropping into coverage compared to other 3-4 linebackers that specialize in rushing the passer.
CB- Nnamdi Asomugha. This guy is simply the best in the world at what he does. He pretty much had the greatest single season at his position in NFL history last year by allowing a measly 9 receptions for 144 yards the entire year. The true definition of a shutdown corner if there ever was one.
S- Ed Reed. It was a very close call for me between Reed and Brian Dawkins, but I just have to choose Reed. If you looked up the word "ballhawk" in the dictionary there should be a picture of Reed there. Some of the plays this guy has made over the years made my jaw literally drop. A true game changer.
RET- Josh Cribbs. This guy has singlehandedly won his team a few games solely on his prowess as a kick returner and punt returner. I may not like the team he plays for (at all) but it is a joy to watch this guy play every Sunday. They need to pony up the dough to keep this guy long term though. Losing him would hurt tremendously.
K/P- Shane Lechler. As a former punter myself, it just amazes me when I see what this guy can do game in and game out, year in and year out. Most people overlook punters, but this guy is just on another planet as far as talent and production are concerned. Imagine if he actually played on a good team!
Feel free to contribute, guys! This could be a fun thread and one of few on the forum with almost zero chance and homerism coming into play.
I'll start. I am a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan (the joke's on me) so I cannot list any players who have ever played for the Bucs, past or present.
I'll list mine by position:
QB- Brett Favre. I don't care about the media hype or about the "retirements" or any of that drama. The fact is the dude can still play football and is a winner. He may be a gunslinger, but he has won more games than any other person to ever play his position and wins are the most important stat of all in football.
RB- Brian Westbrook. His versatility is what intrigues me about him the most. He may not be able to destroy teams running between the tackles like many of his peers, but he can do everything else at a very high level. He is also the most exciting back in the passing game since Marshall Faulk.
WR- Andre Johnson. He may in fact be the best wide receiver in the game depending on your criteria, but he also happens to be my favorite. He has never had a good quarterback for a full season until this year and yet he has led the league in receptions and yards several times. This guy can play.
TE- Todd Heap. Compared to the other "receiving" style tight ends over the past decade, I think Heap was the best blocker and team player. I have seen this guy make catches that other top tier tight ends couldn't make either. He may be slowing down now, but 5-6 years ago I wouldn't have chosen anyone over him.
OL- Jeff Saturday. Everyone knows Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to ever lace them up and one of the most cerebral signal callers ever. He calls so many audibles and makes different line calls that you'd have to be a sharp guy to follow his lead. Saturday has been doing it for 10+ years now.
DL- Jared Allen. A lot of people hate him and think he is a dirty player, but I love his intensity. It seems like his motor is running in 5th gear at all times. I can't think of a better edge rusher in the league right now and I just love to watch him sack opposing quarterbacks all day long.
MLB- Ray Lewis. Like him or not, I have never seen a more complete defensive player in my lifetime. The heart and soul of one of the best defenses of all time and a true gamer and leader in every sense of the word.
OLB- DeMarcus Ware. This guy is an absolute beast. He had one of the best pass rushing seasons of all time last year and even though his numbers may be down he is still a force to be reckoned with. He is also not bad at all when dropping into coverage compared to other 3-4 linebackers that specialize in rushing the passer.
CB- Nnamdi Asomugha. This guy is simply the best in the world at what he does. He pretty much had the greatest single season at his position in NFL history last year by allowing a measly 9 receptions for 144 yards the entire year. The true definition of a shutdown corner if there ever was one.
S- Ed Reed. It was a very close call for me between Reed and Brian Dawkins, but I just have to choose Reed. If you looked up the word "ballhawk" in the dictionary there should be a picture of Reed there. Some of the plays this guy has made over the years made my jaw literally drop. A true game changer.
RET- Josh Cribbs. This guy has singlehandedly won his team a few games solely on his prowess as a kick returner and punt returner. I may not like the team he plays for (at all) but it is a joy to watch this guy play every Sunday. They need to pony up the dough to keep this guy long term though. Losing him would hurt tremendously.
K/P- Shane Lechler. As a former punter myself, it just amazes me when I see what this guy can do game in and game out, year in and year out. Most people overlook punters, but this guy is just on another planet as far as talent and production are concerned. Imagine if he actually played on a good team!
Feel free to contribute, guys! This could be a fun thread and one of few on the forum with almost zero chance and homerism coming into play.