jchocolate82
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Not that it mattes all that much, but here goes:
OFFENSE
QB: Tom Brady (Patriots) — Yes, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre are both playing exceptional football right now, but Brady's statistics are unbelievable. He has thrown 30 touchdowns with only two interceptions, and if he's making any mistakes they are obvious only to himself and Bill Belichick. Brady finally has some receiving weapons and he's been excelling from the shotgun and spread formation.
RB: Adrian Peterson (Vikings) — The usual names are LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson, but this rookie from Oklahoma is leading the NFL in rushing yards while actually sharing the position initially with Chester Taylor. Just think how much damage Peterson would have done with Taylor's 49 carries and if the Vikings had any passing game.
RB: Brian Westbrook (Eagles) — I skipped the fullback position because Westbrook is too good to be left off any team, plus he has as many touchdowns as Peterson (five). Peterson has 927 yards from scrimmage while Westbrook is right behind with 881 yards, but 345 of those as a receiver. Westbrook continues to be the best dual-threat running back in the NFL. Plus, Westbrook never fumbles.
WR: Randy Moss (Patriots) — His best years were in Minnesota, but he's on pace for a career year and with 11 touchdown receptions has a legitimate shot at Jerry Rice's record of 22 receiving touchdowns in a season. Based on eight games, Moss has been quite a steal, considering the Raiders only got a fourth-round pick for him. He's 30 and doesn't seem to have lost a step.
WR: Braylon Edwards (Browns) — He may not have the reception totals of some other receivers, but his 18.1 average per catch leads all starters, plus he's become a human highlight film with nine touchdown receptions. Edwards has tremendous athletic ability and, yes, he's helped by Kellen Winslow II being such a factor in the middle of the field.
TE: Antonio Gates (Chargers) — Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez are also playing at a high level, but Gates has been doing it without a serious wide receiver threat (Gonzalez, too). Gates has 46 catches, 18 of them converting first downs. He also has five touchdowns and, basically, plays like a receiver despite weighing 260 pounds.
OT: Walter Jones (Seahawks) — This giant of a man has started 160 games and counting and he has passed Jonathan Ogden as the most consistent performer in the league at his position. Technique-wise, there is no one better right now.
OT: Matt Light (Patriots) — Three different personnel men that I spoke with mentioned three other New England offensive linemen, but when you're throwing as much as Brady is you have to mention his blind-side protector. Center Dan Koppen and guard Logan Mankins are also playing at a very high level.
OG: Shawn Andrews (Eagles) — Philadelphia has gotten pretty old at offensive tackle, but Andrews continues to be a gigantic road grader inside. He's also very good in pass protection. No one stuffs defensive tackles like Andrews.
OG: Chris Snee (Giants) — One of the strengths of the Giants is their offensive line. Snee is very competitive and a fighter. Center Shaun O'Hara has been solid, and left tackle David Diehl has surprised many with his transition from guard. Kris Dielman of the Chargers came in a close second here.
C: Andre Gurode (Cowboys) — Ever since the incident with Albert Haynesworth, when he took a head stomping, Gurode has developed into a force in the middle of the Dallas offensive line, probably the most complete unit in the NFC besides being the biggest.
DEFENSE
DE: Jared Allen (Chiefs) — Some would argue that he's just a pass rusher (eight sacks in five starts due to a two-game suspension), but two personnel men in the AFC West say he plays the run as well as anybody in a four-man line. Two players with exceptional motors — Indy's Dwight Freeney and Kyle Vanden Bosch of Tennessee — are also very worthy of recognition.
DT: Kevin Williams (Vikings) — There isn't a more athletic interior tackle than this guy and he proved it by returning an interception 54 yards for a touchdown. He and Pat Williams form the toughest set of defensive tackles in the NFL.
DT: Albert Haynesworth (Titans) — Like Allen, Haynesworth is in his contract year and definitely playing like it. And like Allen, he may not be the best person around but he's had a phenomenal season thus far. When he blew past two Atlanta blockers to nail Byron Leftwich a couple weeks ago, he reminded me of Reggie White's explosiveness.
DE: Aaron Kampman (Packers) — He could take a couple weeks off and still be a lock for another Pro Bowl. Kampman already has eight sacks and is one of the game's most complete defensive ends. Has super strong hands, which he displayed Monday night by holding off a blocker while grabbing Denver quarterback Jay Cutler with his free hand.
ILB: Barrett Ruud (Bucs) — OK, this guy isn't the most athletically gifted player on my defense, but all the former Nebraska player does is make tackles. He was named Defensive Player of the Month for September and he leads the league with 78 tackles. A great team player.
MLB: E.J. Henderson (Vikings) — He has lost weight and running wild behind the line of scrimmage. He can cover a back and also has 45 solo tackles and two forced fumbles. His play has shocked Minnesota's coaching staff.
OLB: DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys) — Mike Vrabel of the Patriots and Lance Briggs of the Bears are right behind Ware, who has benefited greatly with the arrival of Coach Wade Phillips. Ware can rush the passer like Shawne Merriman, but he's better in coverage and also a better tackler.
CB: Leigh Bodden (Browns) — A very physical cornerback who goes against some of the best receivers in the AFC and consistently holds his own. His interception last week saved Cleveland's win over the Rams. Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha is right behind Bodden.
CB: Rashean Mathis (Jaguars) — Everyone talks about how physical Jacksonville's front four is on defense, but this fifth-year player may be the most complete cornerback in the league. Mathis has also been a good influence on rookie safety Reggie Nelson.
FS: Ed Reed (Ravens) — A former Defensive Player of the Year, nobody plays centerfield in a secondary like Reed. Baltimore still has a lot of very good defensive players, but Reed remains the best. He has 31 career interceptions and counting.
SS: Bob Sanders (Colts) — When the Colts stunk on defense last season, it was because they missed this mighty little big man. The Patriots know how talented he is and you can bet on Sunday they will attempt to neutralize him as much as possible. Most say Manning is this team's MVP, but this year it's Sanders.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Nick Folk (Cowboys) — Two other worthy kickers are Houston's Kris Brown and Rob Bironas, who just made eight field goals in a game. But Folk deserves special recognition for kicking a game-winning 53-yarder against Buffalo twice while his best kick was the super high-bouncing on-side kick that put him in position to kick the game winner.
Punter: Shane Lechler (Raiders) — This guy is really special; almost as good as Ray Guy used to be. He's averaging 49.5 yards a punt with a 43.4-yard net.
Punt Returner: Roscoe Parrish (Bills) — He is tied for the team receiving lead with 22 catches while averaging 21 yards per return with a touchdown.
Kick Returner: Devin Hester (Bears) — Yes, he could have been named to both, considering he has three returns for touchdowns this season. Chicago would be lost without him.
OFFENSE
QB: Tom Brady (Patriots) — Yes, Peyton Manning and Brett Favre are both playing exceptional football right now, but Brady's statistics are unbelievable. He has thrown 30 touchdowns with only two interceptions, and if he's making any mistakes they are obvious only to himself and Bill Belichick. Brady finally has some receiving weapons and he's been excelling from the shotgun and spread formation.
RB: Adrian Peterson (Vikings) — The usual names are LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson, but this rookie from Oklahoma is leading the NFL in rushing yards while actually sharing the position initially with Chester Taylor. Just think how much damage Peterson would have done with Taylor's 49 carries and if the Vikings had any passing game.
RB: Brian Westbrook (Eagles) — I skipped the fullback position because Westbrook is too good to be left off any team, plus he has as many touchdowns as Peterson (five). Peterson has 927 yards from scrimmage while Westbrook is right behind with 881 yards, but 345 of those as a receiver. Westbrook continues to be the best dual-threat running back in the NFL. Plus, Westbrook never fumbles.
WR: Randy Moss (Patriots) — His best years were in Minnesota, but he's on pace for a career year and with 11 touchdown receptions has a legitimate shot at Jerry Rice's record of 22 receiving touchdowns in a season. Based on eight games, Moss has been quite a steal, considering the Raiders only got a fourth-round pick for him. He's 30 and doesn't seem to have lost a step.
WR: Braylon Edwards (Browns) — He may not have the reception totals of some other receivers, but his 18.1 average per catch leads all starters, plus he's become a human highlight film with nine touchdown receptions. Edwards has tremendous athletic ability and, yes, he's helped by Kellen Winslow II being such a factor in the middle of the field.
TE: Antonio Gates (Chargers) — Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez are also playing at a high level, but Gates has been doing it without a serious wide receiver threat (Gonzalez, too). Gates has 46 catches, 18 of them converting first downs. He also has five touchdowns and, basically, plays like a receiver despite weighing 260 pounds.
OT: Walter Jones (Seahawks) — This giant of a man has started 160 games and counting and he has passed Jonathan Ogden as the most consistent performer in the league at his position. Technique-wise, there is no one better right now.
OT: Matt Light (Patriots) — Three different personnel men that I spoke with mentioned three other New England offensive linemen, but when you're throwing as much as Brady is you have to mention his blind-side protector. Center Dan Koppen and guard Logan Mankins are also playing at a very high level.
OG: Shawn Andrews (Eagles) — Philadelphia has gotten pretty old at offensive tackle, but Andrews continues to be a gigantic road grader inside. He's also very good in pass protection. No one stuffs defensive tackles like Andrews.
OG: Chris Snee (Giants) — One of the strengths of the Giants is their offensive line. Snee is very competitive and a fighter. Center Shaun O'Hara has been solid, and left tackle David Diehl has surprised many with his transition from guard. Kris Dielman of the Chargers came in a close second here.
C: Andre Gurode (Cowboys) — Ever since the incident with Albert Haynesworth, when he took a head stomping, Gurode has developed into a force in the middle of the Dallas offensive line, probably the most complete unit in the NFC besides being the biggest.
DEFENSE
DE: Jared Allen (Chiefs) — Some would argue that he's just a pass rusher (eight sacks in five starts due to a two-game suspension), but two personnel men in the AFC West say he plays the run as well as anybody in a four-man line. Two players with exceptional motors — Indy's Dwight Freeney and Kyle Vanden Bosch of Tennessee — are also very worthy of recognition.
DT: Kevin Williams (Vikings) — There isn't a more athletic interior tackle than this guy and he proved it by returning an interception 54 yards for a touchdown. He and Pat Williams form the toughest set of defensive tackles in the NFL.
DT: Albert Haynesworth (Titans) — Like Allen, Haynesworth is in his contract year and definitely playing like it. And like Allen, he may not be the best person around but he's had a phenomenal season thus far. When he blew past two Atlanta blockers to nail Byron Leftwich a couple weeks ago, he reminded me of Reggie White's explosiveness.
DE: Aaron Kampman (Packers) — He could take a couple weeks off and still be a lock for another Pro Bowl. Kampman already has eight sacks and is one of the game's most complete defensive ends. Has super strong hands, which he displayed Monday night by holding off a blocker while grabbing Denver quarterback Jay Cutler with his free hand.
ILB: Barrett Ruud (Bucs) — OK, this guy isn't the most athletically gifted player on my defense, but all the former Nebraska player does is make tackles. He was named Defensive Player of the Month for September and he leads the league with 78 tackles. A great team player.
MLB: E.J. Henderson (Vikings) — He has lost weight and running wild behind the line of scrimmage. He can cover a back and also has 45 solo tackles and two forced fumbles. His play has shocked Minnesota's coaching staff.
OLB: DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys) — Mike Vrabel of the Patriots and Lance Briggs of the Bears are right behind Ware, who has benefited greatly with the arrival of Coach Wade Phillips. Ware can rush the passer like Shawne Merriman, but he's better in coverage and also a better tackler.
CB: Leigh Bodden (Browns) — A very physical cornerback who goes against some of the best receivers in the AFC and consistently holds his own. His interception last week saved Cleveland's win over the Rams. Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha is right behind Bodden.
CB: Rashean Mathis (Jaguars) — Everyone talks about how physical Jacksonville's front four is on defense, but this fifth-year player may be the most complete cornerback in the league. Mathis has also been a good influence on rookie safety Reggie Nelson.
FS: Ed Reed (Ravens) — A former Defensive Player of the Year, nobody plays centerfield in a secondary like Reed. Baltimore still has a lot of very good defensive players, but Reed remains the best. He has 31 career interceptions and counting.
SS: Bob Sanders (Colts) — When the Colts stunk on defense last season, it was because they missed this mighty little big man. The Patriots know how talented he is and you can bet on Sunday they will attempt to neutralize him as much as possible. Most say Manning is this team's MVP, but this year it's Sanders.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK: Nick Folk (Cowboys) — Two other worthy kickers are Houston's Kris Brown and Rob Bironas, who just made eight field goals in a game. But Folk deserves special recognition for kicking a game-winning 53-yarder against Buffalo twice while his best kick was the super high-bouncing on-side kick that put him in position to kick the game winner.
Punter: Shane Lechler (Raiders) — This guy is really special; almost as good as Ray Guy used to be. He's averaging 49.5 yards a punt with a 43.4-yard net.
Punt Returner: Roscoe Parrish (Bills) — He is tied for the team receiving lead with 22 catches while averaging 21 yards per return with a touchdown.
Kick Returner: Devin Hester (Bears) — Yes, he could have been named to both, considering he has three returns for touchdowns this season. Chicago would be lost without him.
