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Packers QB
Brett Favre
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We defined the most complete player at each position with the use of the scouts’
handbook, selecting the player who best represented what scouts look for at that position.
For instance, when it comes to tight ends, the scouts look for a player who has the power
and strength to block in-line and the ability to go over the middle and catch the ball in
heavy traffic while being hit as soon as the ball arrives. Scouts also want tight ends to
have the agility to block downfield and run pass routes; the hand-eye coordination and
flexibility to adjust to the ball like a wide receiver; the speed to get deep; the
strength, balance and run skills to gain yardage after the catch; and the awareness and
football smarts to read coverages and find the soft spots in a zone defense.
Being the most complete player often coincides with being the best player at the
position, but that is not always the case. Deion Sanders is the best cornerback because of
his superior pass-coverage skills, but he is not the most complete because of the way he
tackles and plays the run. Shannon Sharpe may have been the best tight end in the NFL
during his best years, but he never was the most complete because of his sub-par in-line
blocking. Randy Moss may have been an All-Pro receiver last year, but he was far from the
most complete.
What follows is our team of complete players, as selected with tremendous input from
scouts, general managers, player personnel and pro personnel directors and some coaches.
QB Brett Favre / Packers
He has the size, arm strength, mobility, awareness and all the other physical skills,
but he also has all the intangibles and is one of the toughest players and best leaders
the game has ever seen. Similar to John Elway, but better — if that is possible
— because of the way he was coached in his early years in the NFL.
FB Charles Way / Giants
Gets very high marks for his blocking and high grades for his pass catching and is the
type of runner who can get the tough, inside yardage. However, he may be down a little bit
from where he was a couple of years ago.
RB Terrell Davis / Broncos
Makes the team despite his season-ending knee injury suffered in Week Four. Runs with
the power of a big back and the agility of a small back. Has great vision, finds the
cutback lanes quickly, breaks a lot of tackles and can also make the defender miss. Much
better playing speed than stopwatch speed, which lets him get outside and make big plays.
Also is a tackle breaker who gains a lot of yards after contact. Very good in
short-yardage and goal-line situations. A fine receiver and an above-average blocker.
Rarely fumbles and has been a heavy-duty workhorse who rarely, if ever, has a run for
negative yardage. Always finishes his runs, and runs with very good body lean.
TE Ken Dilger / Colts
Dilger is not the biggest, fastest, smartest or best pass-catching tight end, and he
does not rate at the top of any list. However, he is a good receiver, a good blocker and a
good runner after the catch, and he is above average at reading defenses and knowing how
to beat zone coverages. In short, he is the most complete tight end in the game.
WR Jerry Rice / 49ers
There is no clear-cut choice, and Rice no longer is the deep threat he once was.
However, he still does all the little things — blocks, catches in traffic and makes
something happen after the catch. He also is one of the best at running through the ball
and has the ability to make tough catches look easy.
WR Yancey Thigpen / Titans
Not that fast but has deceptive speed, runs good routes, makes great catches, runs well
after the catch, blocks and is fearless in traffic.
C Dermontti Dawson / Steelers
He still can make all the blocks, is as quick as a cat and has great explosiveness,
which enables him to compensate for his lack of great size.
OG Larry Allen / Cowboys
Ask a coach what he wants in a guard, and he’ll likely just say, "Larry
Allen." The physical prototype of an NFL guard, Allen is well over 300 pounds yet
moves like a smaller man. He has great explosive strength, is as tough as shoe leather and
works to finish his blocks.
OG Ruben Brown / Bills
Physically, he is all there, and he does have a mean streak. But concentration lapses
still get him in trouble and keep his overall rating down.
OT Tony Boselli / Jaguars
Not the athlete that Jonathan Ogden or Walter Jones is, but is close in the athletic
area. Has the great intangibles and work ethic to go with tremendous size and physicality.
OT Jonathan Ogden / Ravens
In terms of ability, he is the closest thing to Anthony Munoz. Ogden is also as smart
as a whip. However, he tends to take some downs off and does not always work to complete
his blocks. One scout called Ogden the most athletic king-sized offensive lineman he has
seen in close to 30 years in and around the game.
DE Michael Strahan / Giants
Plays the run, rushes the passer, pursues and chases and can hold the point. Is
relentless and a little nasty.
DE Kevin Carter / Rams
Carter is not the meanest or nastiest player around, but he is tough. He never misses a
game with injury and can do everything coaches want a defensive end to do. Carter has
played with more tenacity and technique the past two years. He is also very smart.
DT Bryant Young / 49ers
Excellent vs. the run and equally effective as a pass rusher. Has superb techniques,
uses his hands well and understands leverage. Is a student of the game, a great worker and
a terrific competitor.
DT Travis Hall / Falcons
An overachiever with a tremendous work ethic and superb football skills. Hall is a
self-made player who has gone from a late-round pick to the first player opponents must
account for when they face the Falcons’ defense. He plays the run, can keep blockers
off the linebackers and still gets a lot of pressure on the quarterback. Watch his angles
to the ball and watch how hard he goes on every down, and you will know why he is special.
SLB Mo Lewis / Jets
He can control the tight end and play the run at the point or outside. Is a fine pass
rusher who can still cover downfield.
MLB Levon Kirkland / Steelers
Looks like a stand-up nose tackle. Is one of the few inside ’backers who can take
on a big man and also has a feel for pass coverage, very good hands and ball skills.
However, he is too heavy, which may cost him a step of speed.
WLB Chad Brown / Seahawks
A tremendous pass rusher who can cover and has great speed in pursuit.
CB Shawn Springs / Seahawks
Covers, makes plays on the ball and is a solid run defender and tackler most of the
time.
CB Charles Woodson / Raiders
Still needs to perfect his technique, but he excels in almost all types of coverage. Is
a big-play maker who has tremendous range and closing speed.
S LeRoy Butler / Packers
Converted corner who can play near the line like a linebacker. Has a sixth sense and
knows just when to blitz.
S Reggie Tongue / Chiefs
A big corner with the toughness to play inside and the speed to cover half the field in
two-deep coverage. Only negative is he is not a real ballhawk.
PK Jason Elam / Broncos
Has a big leg, comes through in the clutch and handles kickoffs.
P Craig Hentrich / Titans
Can kick for distance or direct his kicks, runs and throws well, handles bad snaps and
is a kickoff man. |
