Positional Rankings: Offense

Quarterback:
1. Patriots – Tom Brady is having the greatest season in the history of the position, and he’s got 3 rings to prove that this season is no fluke.

1A. Colts – Peyton Manning had the second greatest season in the history of the position, and after getting his first ring last year, he’s out to prove that it wasn’t a fluke.

3. Packers – I was going to put them a spot lower, but the Packers are the only team on this list with something close to a competent back up. So although I would put Hasselbeck ahead of Favre, it’s close enough that Rodgers’ presence puts the Packers on top. And so…

4. Seahawks – With the demise of Shaun Alexander’s career, Matt Hasselbeck is the only person keeping Seattle afloat, and he’s done a masterful job of it at that. While Hasslebeck was mediocre against the AFC (220 ypg, 7 TD, 6 INT in 4 games), he was dominant against the NFC (257 ypg, 21 TD, 6 INT in 12 games) and there’s no reason to believe that these trends will not continue.

5. Cowboys – Tony Romo is Favre-esque in his ability to make something from nothing. He leads from the front, and can make some great plays under pressure. He is however susceptible to an occasional awful game.

6. Steelers – Ben Roethlisberger is the best of the “game manager” type quarterbacks. He is tough to sack, takes care of the ball and can even make a play or two with his feet.

7. Jaguars – David Gerrard is another quality “game manager.” Only throwing 3 INTs in 328 attempts over 13 games is more than impressive. That he threw for 18 touchdowns and over 2500 yards isn’t too shabby either.

8. Buccaneers – Jeff Garcia doesn’t have a big arm, but he is deadly accurate and can still make the occasional play when things break down. Durability is an issue, and Garcia’s backups won’t win any playoff games, so if Garcia can’t go, the Bucs drop to the bottom of this list.

9. Redskins – This feels high considering Todd Collins is a career backup in his 13th year, but considering the rest of the guys available, this was the only possible place to put the Skins. Collins, like Garcia is incredibly accurate in the short to mid range passing game, but doesn’t have much of a deep game. Jason Campbell has all the tools, but is injured and often inaccurate. His game management is also questionable.

10. Chargers – Philip Rivers has taken a step back this year despite having one of the best quarterback coaches in the NFL coaching him. Still, he has all the tools and can make every throw.

11. Giants – Eli Manning had the game of his life, indeed the game everyone in the Giants organization hoped to see from him regularly, against the Patriots. Yet he still managed to throw a his only interception at a crucial point of the game. He may be a above average QB who sporadically gets his team to the playoffs for the next decade, but he’ll never join his brother and Brady anywhere near the top of this list.

12. Titans – Neither Vince Young nor Kerry Collins inspires a lot of confidence in the playoffs. Young is inaccurate in his sophomore season, and hasn’t shown the ability to carry his team to victory through pure magic as he seemed to be able to do as a rookie. Collins is an accurate passer, but no longer has the tools to be a legit threat to a defense that can get to the quarterback with any regularity.


Wide Receiver & Tight End:
1. Patriots – Randy Moss and Wes Welker lead a group that can’t be stopped for 60 minutes. If Marvin Harrison is healthy this would at least be close, but with his status up in the air, the Pats win this one easily.

2. Cowboys - This would be the Colts position if Harrison were healthy, and I know you’re thinking that T.O. isn’t healthy and Terry Glenn has been out almost the entire year. But Jason Witten is a BEAST, and Patrick Crayton has come along nicely. T.O. will be back in two weeks, and Glenn will get plenty of reps in the meantime to get back in sync with Romo.

3. Colts – Reggie Wayne has some serious skills, but everyone around him has been hurt. Harrison has been out most of the year, Clark has been bothered by different ailments throughout the year, and even the rookie Gonzalez is questionable having missed 3 games in the second half of the season, and largely ineffective in two others.

4. Packers – Donald Driver is one of the more underrated wide outs in the league. Greg Jennings has shown big play ability, and Donald Lee and James Jones can keep a drive alive.

5. Seahawks – If these guys could stay healthy, they’d be a lot higher on this list. Like maybe even second. But they haven’t been healthy, and as a result, Seattle’s top four receivers have 22 touchdowns between them. Or, 1 less than Randy Moss has by himself.

6. Steelers – Hines Ward and Heath Miller keep a lot of drives alive with great routes and tireless blocking. Santonio Holmes is a big play threat, but durability issues remain, and his value is diminished with the loss of a play action threat due to Willie Parker’s injury.

7. Giants – Jeremy Shockey’s loss knocks the G-men down 2 spots. Plaxico Burress is a tough and extremely gifted athlete who can change a game. Amani Toomer is usually a reliable vet, but drops a few too many passes.

8. Redskins – Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El are nice complimentary receivers who can come up with a big play, but neither is a true #1, nor is either an elite possession receiver. However, they are the best among the remaining group of uninspiring receivers.

9. Chargers – Antonio Gates is the best TE in the game. Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson are talented, but are after thoughts in the San Diego passing game.

10. Buccaneers – Joey Galloway is a serious deep threat…and that’s about all they’ve got going on. Neither Ike Hilliard nor Michael Clayton is more than a 4th receiver for the top 5 teams on this list.

11. Jaguars – A lot of talent here, but only Reggie Williams has even started to tap into that to become a playmaking threat.

12. Titans – When your top receiving threats are Roydell Williams, Justin Gage, and Bo Scaife… um you really need to upgrade. Oh and Williams is out at least for the first round, and Scaife is out for the playoffs. Ugh.


Running Back:
1. Chargers – It’s not close. LDT leads a talented stable of backs. Michael Turner, and Darren Sproles can break one any time they touch the ball.

2. Jaguars – Fred Taylor is having a great year, and Maurice Jones-Drew makes for a great change of pace back, and as Shawne Merriman can attest, a tough blocker.

3. Redskins - Clinton Portis is still one of the better backs in the NFL, and Ladell Betts is a strong between the tackles change of pace back. Mike Sellers is a versatile full back who is a very solid blocker and capable receiver out of the backfield.

4. Cowboys – Julius Jones is the starter, and Marion Barber is going to the Pro Bowl. Jones is the home run hitter and Barber is the punishing between the tackles brute.

5. Colts – Joseph Addai perfectly complements the Indy offensive scheme. He can run inside and outside, and is a quality receiver out of the backfield. Depth is a bit of an issue, but Addai has been durable so far.

6. Giants – No real thoroughbreds here, but Brandon Jacobs and Ruben Droughns are big backs who can punish the center of the defense. Ahmad Bradshaw shows enough burst to be an occasional change of pace back.

7. Patriots – I’ll say this for the Pat’s corps of backs, they are deep. Laurence Maroney seemingly leads a cast of thousands, and everyone contributes. Kevin Faulk is the primary change of pace and third down back and has over 600 yards out of the backfield this season. Heath Evans is primarily a full back, but will see some action in single back sets. Even Kyle Eckel has 33 carries and 2 TDs this season.

8. Titans – LenDale White and Chris Brown have been a competent 1-2 punch. Houston’s passing game really hurts this group though. The onus will be on White and Brown to perform if Tennessee is to prevail against San Diego.

9. Packers - Ryan Grant really turned the Packers ground game around down the stretch. Though this is still a pass first offense, the emergence of Grant as a legit threat really opens up Green Bay’s options. Brandon Jackson and Vernon Morency are both talented, and while none of these three would be your first choice as a running back, at least there isn’t a severe drop off from first to third string.

10. Steelers – This is the best of the rest. Najeh Davenport doesn’t scare you, but he’s a vet who’s proven himself to be competent. But without Willie Parker, Davenport will have to prove himself early if anyone is going to respect the play action. There is no depth to speak of either. If Davenport goes down, the remaining backs on the roster have a combined 21 yards rushing on the season.

11. Buccaneers – Earnest Graham has been a fair replacement since Cadillac Williams was lost for the season. He’s running for 4 yards per carry, and 49 catches on the season is nothing to scoff at. Michael Bennett and Michael Pittman provide depth.

12. Seahawks – Shaun Alexander’s career has fallen apart as fast as I’ve ever seen. Maurice Morris would ideally be more of a change of pace back, but with Alexander’s struggles he’s been shoved into a starting role.

Offensive Line:
1. Patriots - 3 Pro Bowlers, 2 Starters
2. Cowboys – Average size: 6’6” 329 lbs. These guys can plow the road. 3 more Pro Bowlers, and 2 more Starters
3. Colts – A group that is very strong up the middle led by Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, but which struggles against premier outside rushers.
4. Chargers – Pro Bowler Chris Dielman is the best of an above average group.
5. Jaguars – A very under rated group which keeps its’ quarterback on its feet, and opens gaping holes for its’ running backs.
6. Redskins – Pro Bowl backup Chris Samuels leads an under rated group.
7. Titans – This is a big line with solid play at both tackle positions and a veteran signal caller at center in Kevin Mawae.
8. Giants – A tough group that plays well together, but premier pass rushes will get to Manning
9. Packers – Chad Clifton leads a group playing as more than the sum of it’s very average parts.
10. Steelers – Alan Faneca is their best, but Mike Tomlin has led this team away from the run which is the strength of this group.
11. Buccaneers – A confident group playing with above average athleticism.
12. Seahawks – Not a lot to like other than perennial Pro Bowl starter Walter Jones

Coaching:
1. Patriots – Coach of the Year with 3 rings.
2. Colts – Last Year’s Coach of the Year and Super Bowl Champ.
3. Redskins – Hall of Fame coach with 3 rings with 3 different career backup QBs. Sound familiar? He also has one of the hottest teams in the league.
4. Seahawks – Three Super Bowl appearances and one ring.
5. Packers – The number two seed has Brett Favre, Donald Driver and…uh… hmm... a good coach.
6. Titans – Jeff Fischer has done another great job, but Norm Chow hasn’t gotten the most out of Vince Young.
7. Buccaneers – Gruden has a ring, but it’ll take a miracle to get another this year.
8. Jaguars – Jack Del Rio has gotten all you could hope for out of this team.
9. Cowboys – Wade Philips hasn’t gotten in the way of a team full of stars.
10. Steelers – Mike Tomlin has done a nice job. He’s won most of the games he was supposed to win and lost all the ones he was supposed to lose.
11. Giants – Tom Coughlin managed to not kill his team’s chemistry for a change.
12. Chargers – Ugh. Norv Turner. I think I just threw up in my mouth. My mom could coach this team to ten wins. The game plan would go something like this: give LDT the ball 25-28 times per game, and get the hell out of the way.

Defense and Special Teams tomorrow.