If someone asked you to name the best players in the NFL over the past 25 years, who would make your list? If you're a sarcastic a-hole like me, Aaron Brooks would be tops. But let's say you took the question seriously and dug deep down inside to find the cream of the crop of the NFL since 1982. Tough to narrow down, isn't it?
Well, the folks at USA Today stepped up to the plate to select their top 25 over the past 25 years. While the names may not surprise, some of the rankings are sure to cause a stir. Check it out:
#25 Eric Dickerson, (RB)
#24 Steve Young, (QB)
#23 Terry Bradshaw, (QB)
#22 Rod Woodson, (CB, Safety)
#21 LaDainian Tomlinson. (RB)
#20 Troy Aikman, (QB)
#19 Marshall Faulk, (RB)
#18 Ray Lewis, (LB)
#17 Mike Singletary, (T)
#16 Deion Sanders, (CB)
#15 Bruce Smith, (DE)
#14 Brett Favre, (QB)
#13 Anthony Munoz, (OL)
#12 Peyton Manning, (QB)
#11 Dan Marino, (QB)
#10 Barry Sanders, (RB)
#9 Tom Brady, (QB)
#8 Ronnie Lott, (CB)
#7 Emmitt Smith, (RB)
#6 John Elway, (QB)
#5 Reggie White, (DE)
#4 Lawrence Taylor, (LB)
#3 Walter Payton, (HB)
#2 Jerry Rice, (WR)
#1 ?????
We know, we know...it's the biggest cliffhanger since The Sopranos series finale. But the #1 has yet to be determined. Who do you think it should be? Furthermore, is this list truly an accurate representation of the league's greats over the past 25 years? What about names like Drew Bledsoe? Yeah, he never got the ring, but you must admit he was a relentless opponent. What about Michael Irvin or Jim Kelly or even Randall Cunningham. Should they have a spot in the top 25? And what about any player to ever wear a Saints jersey? (Alright, alright...so maybe we took it too far.)
What we do know for certain is that this list could most certainly have as many fans as it does foes. It'll be interesting to see who gets the top slot. Joe Montana...Joe Theisman...perhaps even 9 time pro-bowler Warren Moon. Who can be certain? What we can tell you is that 25 years from now, names like Reggie Bush, Drew Brees, and Deuce McAllister will be all up in this piece. All that's left to debate is who gets top billing.
A Lott of Rice in this Brady Bunch
Countdown to Camp
For most of us, going to camp signals the start of summertime fun. For NFL players, it's just the opposite. The start of training camp means the party's over, back to work, no more sleeping in late. For some it means no more time spent making the Madden versions of themselves do things they could never accomplish in real life. (That means you Rex Grossman!) For others it means less time to prepare for the next court date.. (The dog-days of summer indeed #7.)
So just what makes camp so kick-ass and worth all the coverage it's getting in the media? For one, it's a chance for us NFL junkies to finally get our fix. We get to see if our draft picks are living up to their potentials, if the old fogeys on the team will get to keep their jobs as starters, and whether our teams made the right offseason moves. And just like the true NFL coaches and GMs, we're sizing up the best picks for our fantasy football squads.
As we prepare for the unoffical start of the NFL season, there are many questions left to ponder.
1) Is it 'game over' for Pacman?
-The Titans cornerback wants in on camp but he's still on suspension for his many, many, many legal troubles. And NFL commissioner Roger Goodell never ruled camp or preseason games off limits.
2) Will this season be Daunte's inferno?
-QB Daunte Culpepper is like the kid in class no one wants on their kickball team. You can't help but feel sorry for him, but you're still not pickin' him!
3) Will Ginn wear the fin?
-#9 draft pick Ted Ginn Jr. has yet to sign with the Miami Dolphins. The kick returner/receiver is expected to report to camp on Sunday.
4) Is the Saints' season "tanked?"
-Rumors are swirling that troubled former bears Defensive Tackle "Tank" Johnson could sign with New Orleans or the Buffalo Bills. Johnson is known for having as many arrests on his stat sheet as he does tackles.
5) Is one infamous falcon preparing for life as a jail-bird?
-While the Falcons are hinting QB Michael Vick will get to take part in camp regardless of his indictment on dog fighting charges, there's no telling what Falcons GM Arthur Blank could decide to do to salvage the team's season before it begins. Many believe Vick will do little more than serve as a distraction. While others can't help but break out in cold sweats at the thought of Joey Harrington leading the Falcons' offense.
Oh yes my friends, this should be the most interesting round of "How I Spent My Summer" book reports since Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan's last lunch date. Stay tuned...
"Ookie" Indicted: Day 2
You've heard the rumors, you've harassed every Falcons fan in your Rolodex, now click here to read the indictment of Michael Vick in black and white.
Don't feel like it? Let the chicks sum it up:
-First of all, Vick is referred to in the indictment as "Ookie." That's right, Ookie.
-"Ookie", "Q", "P Funk" and "T" are accused of buying the dogs, setting up the kennel, hosting the fights, & sponsoring dogs used in the fights
-Poorly performing dogs were allegedly executed in a way that would make the writers of those "Saw" movies squeamish.
-Female dogs were allegedly subjected to a "rape stand." (We won't describe what that is but we suggest you grab a barf bag before looking it up.)
-The feds site 4 cooperating witnesses as the sources of much of their information.
So what does it all mean? Nothing some say. "He's innocent until proven guilty." Sure he is...
Regardless of Vick's guilt or innocence, the court of public opinion has already tried him and sent the jury home. Sports talk stations got lit up with calls from people urging the NFL to suspended Vick for the entire season. The Humane Society wants endorsers like Nike to kick Vick to the curb. And the PETA peeps are rethinking their position on fur and considering a new coat line made out of 100% Ookie.
Down in the "dirty dirty," some Falcons fans are already erecting statues in backup QB Joey Harrington's honor or pleading for the team to sign Dante Culpepper...quick. Other fans and loyal Vick supporters say nothing should happen unless there's an actual "conVICKtion."
To state the obvious, millions of dollars and the fate of an entire franchise are at stake. Which means no decisions should be made one way or another without reviewing all the facts. But if what's good for the Pacman is good for the Ookie, Vick will no doubt be suspended. (You'll recall the league suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for the entire 2007 season because of repeated arrests and suspected criminal activity.)
As for what's next, Vick's first court appearance is set for July 26, just in time for the start of Falcons training camp. Legal experts suspect the QB and his lawyers may try to work out a plea agreement to avoid a lengthy courtroom ordeal. And Falcons owner Arthur Blank could announce before week's end how he plans to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, we Chicks wonder how many personalized jerseys with "Ookie" on the back will slip through the cracks before the league catches on.
