DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Top 10 Most Indispensable Players in the NFL

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&id=3498223

It's once again time to talk about the most indispensable players in the NFL. I did it in July 2007 -- on a whim no less -- and it created enough debate that it was worth bringing back for another year of discussion. After all, the same 10 players can't always be on the list. There are simply too many factors that change over the course of a year for that to happen.

In fact, there are only three players on the 2007 list that qualified to make this year's top 10. Why? Well, some of the players on the 2007 list wound up on teams that finished with losing records (like Chicago's Brian Urlacher). Others just didn't put up the kind of numbers that made them indispensable in the first place (like Carolina's Julius Peppers). And one fellow wound up in prison because he was dumb enough to operate a dogfighting ring with his pals (Atlanta's Michael Vick).

But that doesn't mean this list is any less interesting. It just means you will have more new names to argue about when you're deciding which players mean the most to their respective teams. So, as the 2008 training camps start, here are the most indispensable players in the NFL:


1. Tom Brady, QB, New England

This one shouldn't be a shocker. Brady produced one of the greatest seasons of any quarterback in league history during 2007. Along with claiming the league's Most Valuable Player award and setting several records (including his NFL mark of 50 touchdown passes in a season), he bonded with enigmatic wide receiver Randy Moss to form the most dangerous passing combo in years. To be honest, Brady would make this list every year it comes out. But he made it to the top this time after nearly leading the Patriots to perfection last season.


2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis

How good is Manning? Let's just say it's hard to imagine the Colts' making the playoffs last season if he wasn't the guy under center. This team was rocked with injuries throughout 2007, including one that led to the absence of Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison for most of the season. But that barely fazed Manning. He kept firing away and his team believed it could win, even with so many players bouncing in and out of the training room.


3. Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas

Say what you will about T.O. and his controversial history, but you have to admit this much: He's the key to that high-powered offense in Dallas. We saw that much when a high ankle sprain made him ineffective in an NFC divisional playoff loss to the New York Giants. When Owens is healthy, he makes life easier on tight end Jason Witten, wide receiver Patrick Crayton and quarterback Tony Romo. When he's off the field, the Cowboys' passing game isn't nearly as scary … and neither is the rest of that team.


4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota

It's been a long time since a rookie running back raced through the NFL like this guy. Along with setting a league record for most yards in a single game (296 against San Diego), Peterson energized a Vikings offense that wasn't offering much in the way of sizzle. Now the people around Minnesota are harboring Super Bowl hopes and they're probably thinking Peterson could gain 2,000 yards if he avoids the injuries that slowed him as a rookie. But you have to remember something else about this guy -- he's a star back without a strong passing game to ease the pressure on him. That alone makes him a member of this list.


5. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego

Like Brady and Manning, Gates is another holdover from last year's list. And as was the case in 2007, his inclusion has everything to do with his rare ability. Gates still means more to the Chargers than Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson because it's rare for a tight end to command the kind of attention Gates requires. You're talking about a guy who's been that team's leading receiver during four of his five NFL seasons and you can bet he'll do it again this season. Before his career took off in 2004, the Chargers were arguably the worst team in the league, one that featured Tomlinson. But they've been in the playoffs three times since 2004, with a passing game built around his talents.


6. Albert Haynesworth, DT, Tennessee

Haynesworth is the lone defender on this year's list because he had the biggest impact on his team in 2007. When he served a five-game suspension and played below his potential in 2006, the Titans' defense didn't intimidate too many opponents. When Haynesworth returned last season with obvious focus and determination, the Titans' pass rush and run defense started giving teams fits. The bottom line here: When this kid has his head right, the Titans' defense can make life hell for any offense.


7. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia

Westbrook is one of two players on this list ( Joe Thomas is the other) from a team that didn't make the 2007 playoffs, but nobody can question whether he belongs. For one thing, he's one of the best all-purpose backs in the NFL. For another, I can't think of another one of the Eagles who is as reliable and explosive as Westbrook. Two years ago he helped the Eagles to the playoffs while quarterback Donovan McNabb was injured and last season he compiled 2,104 yards from scrimmage (1,333 rushing and 771 receiving). The dude is tough.


8. Joe Thomas, LT, Cleveland

Thomas makes this list because you can't talk about indispensable players without mentioning at least one offensive lineman. And while there are bigger names at the position -- such as Seattle's Walter Jones and St. Louis' Orlando Pace -- no lineman meant more to his team's success last season than Thomas. His mere presence stabilized a Browns offensive line that had been historically lousy and he made Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson feel much better about what was happening on Anderson's blind side. It's rare for a rookie to have that much impact, and that's why Browns fans should be feeling good about that spot for the next 10 or so years.


9. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle

Yes, every quarterback is important to his team but Hasselbeck was extraordinary in 2007. The Seahawks couldn't rely on former Pro Bowl running back Shaun Alexander and they also faced multiple injuries to their receiving corps. How did Hasselbeck respond? By putting the Seahawks' offense on his shoulders and leading that team to the postseason. A performance like that deserves to be rewarded with a spot on this list.


10. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants

Talk about a guy who came of age in a relatively short time last season. Manning started 2007 with people wondering if he could become a more effective leader and he ended it with the Lombardi Trophy in his grasp. I've now stopped wondering whether he'll ever be the prolific passer that his brother is, primarily because it doesn't matter. He's showed the world he can win in his own way and it's hard to imagine another Giant who belongs on this list over him.

Wow... When was the last time we had a top 10 anything? Go Joe T!

Eli manning is on the list?!?! Replace him with LT and that list would make more sense. Im proud of our boy Joe!

Only one I don't agree with and that's Hasslebach for Seattle... I question TO for Dallas also.. The rest seem fine to me..

Joe getting some props!!!!

Very nice!!!!

That's not necessarily a good thing... that just means we're an injury away from mediocre.

As soon as I saw Hasselbeck and Eli on this list and no Tomlinson, I pretty much wrote this whole list off, even if Thomas is on there.

Heck, I'm surprised the Hester love-fest didn't rear its ugly head.

Ryan Pontbriand should be on this list

I disagree. I'm a Seahawks season ticket holder because I live too far to go to all the Browns games and I need my football. What the writer said is 100% true. If it weren't for Hasselbeck, the Seahawks would have been a top 10 draft pick last year. Injurires killed them (Alexander, Branch, Hackett, a couple OL) and he was the sole guy on offense that could be effective. If anything he deserved to be higher in my mind.

Won't argue with you on T.O. though. While he might "deserve" to be on the list, #3, no way.

I would go with Tony Romeo over T.O. Without Romeo, the cowboys would be a .500 team or below. I agree with hassleback. I couldn't see seneca wallace duplicating what matt's done with that team. I would also put Bob Sanders in there. without him the colts defense is average at best.

This list is a joke outside of Brady and Manning and maybe we will/maybe we won't know about Favre this year. On good teams, it's a hard call on what is truly the centerpiece of the whole.

There's not a lot of gleaming faces of franchises out there.

Quarterback is an easy choice for indispensible part, but there's a dearth of godlike QBs these days. Maybe it's the media trend of breaking down the pedestals. Or maybe it's the fickle nature of fandom/humanity.

Tho, no doubt, I couldn't think of any replacement for anybody on the list. I call shenanigans on this list and any like it. This is the best reporting we can get the week training camps start opening across the country?

T_

Wait... Gates over Tomlinson.... What?

I would say a franchise QB, and Left tackle are the centerpiece to any team. I don't think that is too hard to figure out. look what happened to the rams last year when pace went down. sure they other injuries, but none bigger than him. it also depends if their backup is any good. with manning and brady they have garbage back-ups. that makes them even more indispensable. same with Romeo, I can't even remember who their backup is?? I wouldn't put peterson on the list either. taylor is a good back, and the vikes had a strong running game before AD.

I do was wondering about Gates but on NFL today podcast the author of the article pointed out that Gates meant more to the offense as LT was on the team for three years before Gates with ZERO playoff appearances. Since Gates they are 3 for 5. Don't agree with him but that was his logic...

I think that reasoning is horribly flawed. If had been Gates in there before LT, it still would have been the same way.

I don't know, maybe the dude thinks that Gates is the only real receiving threat on the Chargers, although they do have Chambers now don't they?

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8. Joe Thomas, LT, Cleveland

Thomas makes this list because you can't talk about indispensable players without mentioning at least one offensive lineman. And while there are bigger names at the position -- such as Seattle's Walter Jones and St. Louis' Orlando Pace -- no lineman meant more to his team's success last season than Thomas. His mere presence stabilized a Browns offensive line that had been historically lousy and he made Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson feel much better about what was happening on Anderson's blind side. It's rare for a rookie to have that much impact, and that's why Browns fans should be feeling good about that spot for the next 10 or so years.

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...Still would rather have Thomas over Manning or Brady

Well, I didn't say that Hassleback wasn't valuable,, and for the seahawks, sure he was. But overall, I don't think he's any more valuable than say DA was to the Browns!

I'm not trying to knock hassleback, just don't think he belongs on that list.

I agree with you, I don't grasp the Hassleback choice. I would put Carson Palmer on that list before Hassleback if the position had to be QB, but there are some Defensive players that should have made that list. Champ Bailey could have made that list.

For awhile The Chargers have revolved around a three person spectrum...LT, Gates, and Rivers. Gates stretches the field for that whole team. He's dangerous in that he is their most sure handed receiver. If Gates goes down, the D stacks the box the rest of the game and dares them to pass.

Yes, God help us if someone has a "reality check".

We hate reality!

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Yes, God help us if someone has a "reality check".

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Reality check....were Indians fans...common...the playoffs are around the corner...we love October....

I dunno. I think Chambers helped out a decent bit with the receiving...although I agree that Gates is by far the most valuable receiving threat on that team.

? Well I think it is inacurate and.

First of all didn't Joe Thomas play in game 1 last year where Charlie Frye played poorly.

Nobody is more of a necessary player to the Cleveland Browns than Derek Anderson thats the bottom line, thats the bottom line the top line any line in between. The Browns will go as far as Derek Anderson takes them this year and thats all their is to it. Their are other offensive linemen out there, but at the snap of the ball one player is going to have it in his hands almost every play of offense, and what happens next is up to him.

Thats what I think.

Now are they F'n gonna be ready for the cowboys or what, dang it these are all playoff games.

Ok, all of you taking the side of Gates over LT, you need to remember one thing:

LT can run, pass, and catch Baby!

In all seriousness, he should be on the list but this list is flawed because every team has at least one player that is indispensable. (Ok, maybe not the Raiders or Miami, LMAO)

You could almost make a case for Winslow, I mean our offense is completely different when he's not in the game and so much better when he's on the field.

As good as DA played, I'm not sure I'd anoint him as indispensable just yet, I thinnk Quinn could come in and play very well.

Also, David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew were very valuable to the Jags.