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I’ve got my personnel evaluator’s hat on, and this week I am ranking each NFL
team in terms of its combined skill-position talent. This is how I rank the NFL’s top
10 teams in skill-position talent:
1. Minnesota Vikings — Their
receivers grade out through the roof with Randy Moss providing the big-play element, Cris
Carter doing all the dirty work and great depth in place. Quarterback and running back are
pretty darned good as well, thanks to the revival of Randall Cunningham and the exciting
play of Robert Smith (when healthy).
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2. Denver Broncos — How scary is it
that John Elway can retire and the Broncos still rate this high? Terrell Davis and Howard
Griffith team to give the Broncos the highest grade possible at running back. The
receivers are of very high quality in spectacular TE Shannon Sharpe and underrated
WR’s Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey. Bubby Brister is no Elway, but he showed last season
that he could get the job done in the Broncos’ high-flying offense as long as he is
surrounded by such an embarrassment of riches.
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3. Green Bay Packers — Brett
Favre is the best player in football, regardless of position. Antonio Freeman is the best
wide receiver in the game. Mark Chmura is one of the five best tight ends in the NFL, and
Dorsey Levens is one of the game’s top 10-12 running backs. The No. 2 WR spot is the
one weak link at the moment.
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4. Jacksonville Jaguars —
Running back and quarterback are very strong with Fred Taylor and Mark Brunell likely
providing star power for many years to come. Both probably will still get better before
they are done playing, too. Jimmy Smith is a very good player and one of the top 10
players in the game at wide receiver. Keenan McCardell is a very solid sidekick to Smith.
Kyle Brady has what it takes to be a high-caliber tight end, but I think his reputation is
a bit inflated. He’s a solid player but not a star.
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5. Buffalo Bills — They are very good
across the board. At quarterback, Doug Flutie is an exciting player with great
intangibles, while Rob Johnson provides great depth. Johnson could start for a number of
teams in the league. Eric Moulds has emerged as a star at wide receiver. Sam Gash is a
great complementary player at fullback. Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed aren’t what
they once were, but they are still guys who can make some plays.
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6. San Francisco 49ers — If
Garrison Hearst were healthy, the 49ers would rank No. 1 on this list. The wide receivers
(Terrell Owens, Jerry Rice and J.J. Stokes) are second only to those playing in Minnesota.
If there can be such a thing, QB Steve Young is an underrated superstar. It’s truly
amazing what he’s accomplished after taking over for Joe Montana. Running back is a
problem. I’m not willing to jump on the Lawrence Phillips bandwagon just because he
gained some yards in NFL Europe. Charlie Garner can be effective for a while, but I
don’t think he can come up big over a 16-game season.
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7. New York Jets — Very solid
everywhere. Keyshawn Johnson and Wayne Chrebet are perfect complements. Johnson is about
to earn a reputation as a big-in-the-clutch superstar — if he hasn’t already. I
agree that Curtis Martin is an elite running back, but I tend to grade him a little lower
than NFL insiders do. His average per carry is what bothers me just a bit about him. Vinny
Testaverde was sensational last year. Now we have to find out if it was a fluke or if the
light bulb has finally gone on for real. I tend to like TE Eric Green a little bit more
than most do.
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8. Dallas Cowboys — Only Favre and
Young are better quarterbacks than Troy Aikman. Emmitt Smith isn’t what he once was,
but, that said, he’s still a very capable back. This will be an interesting year for
WR Michael Irvin. He’s no longer the dominating playmaker of old, but don’t
underestimate what he can accomplish because he understands all the tricks of the trade.
How effective Raghib Ismail can be opposite Irvin will go a long way toward determining
how effective the Cowboys’ offense will be this year.
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9. Indianapolis Colts — Peyton
Manning is the real deal. There may be a bit of a backlash by the media toward him this
season. After all, Manning threw a ton of interceptions last year. Even if he cuts down
some on these interceptions, his total still might be high, which will result in everyone
talking about a sophomore jinx. Don’t believe it. It won’t be a jinx. It will be
a part of a natural (and predictable) growing process. Manning is going to be a big-time
star in the NFL. I predict that this is the year WR Marvin Harrison becomes a star in the
eyes of NFL experts. RB Edgerrin James should fit in nicely in this offense.
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10. Atlanta Falcons — Jamal
Anderson is a big-time stud at running back. Enough with the criticism of Chris Chandler.
He is a quality NFL starter. The departure of Tony Martin at wide receiver really hurts,
but Terance Mathis is still around to provide a capable threat. O.J. Santiago and Reggie
Kelly should be an excellent 1-2 punch at tight end.
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Next: The middle of the pack in skill-position
talent |
