While the lockout has continued, NFL Network had original programming unveiling the Top 100 Players of today. It was similar to NFL’s Top 100, the naming of the greatest players of all time with introductions and tributes from one person discussing the player being shown on the screen. I haven’t seen this version yet, but since it’s produced by NFL Films, I’m sure it’s of high quality. The top 10 will be revealed on Sunday following a discussion program hosted by Fang’s Bites fave Lindsay Soto. It all begins Sunday night at 8 Eastern time. Here’s the press release from NFL Network.
NFL PLAYERS HAVE SPOKEN –The Top 100: Players of 2011 Unveils Top 10
Four Hours Dedicated to Naming the Top NFL Players of Today, as Determined by the Players Sunday, July 3 Beginning at 7:00 PM ET with‘The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Top 10 Preview’
Final Top 10 Players Unveiled in Extended Two-Hour NFL Films-Produced Special at 8:00 PM ET
Vikings RB Adrian Peterson Visits NFL Network and Weighs In on Top 10 During Live ‘Reactions’ Show at 10:00 PM ET
Encore of Previous Nine ‘Top 100’ Episodes Begins at 10:00 AM ET on Sunday
Complete List of Players Ranked #100-11 on NFL.comAfter nine weeks, we are down to the top 10. Who will be ranked number one?
The 10 greatest NFL players of 2011, as determined by current players, will be unveiled Sunday, July 3 at 8:00 PM ET in a two-hour series finale of The Top 100: Players of 2011.
Prior to the conclusion of the series, a special The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Top 10 Preview airs at 7:00 PM ET featuring host Lindsay Soto and analysts Brian Baldinger and Solomon Wilcots, which leads into the two-hour finale unveiling five players in each hour. For the special final episode, multiple presenters will be featured for the top 10, giving their thoughts on why each deserves a spot among the top 10 current players in the NFL.
The two key questions remaining are “Who are the Top 10?” and “Who is #1?” Following are some notes and quotes from NFL Films President Steve Sabol on the Top 10 players.
- “It’s the internal that makes him so good and what he has in his guts isn’t nearly so elegant. It’s a taste, not just for winning, but for perfection.” – NFL Films president Steve Sabol on the player ranked No. 1 on the list by his peers
- The average age of the final 10 players is 31. The youngest player checks in at 25, while the oldest player recently celebrated his 36th birthday in May.
- “Every Sunday it looks as if he got a copy of the test before walking into the classroom while everyone came in cold. His preparation is legendary and his feel for the game is unsurpassed.” – Steve Sabol on the second-ranked player on The Top 100: Players of 2011
- The final 10 players are equally split between offense and defense.
- “He is an impact player…alters the game. Everyone is aware of his presence when the game is on the line.” – Steve Sabol
- Since 1997, players in the top 10 have accumulated 65 Pro Bowl honors, eight Super Bowl titles and five Super Bowl MVP awards.
- “He has ‘disruption ability.’ He has the capacity to create a moment of pure wonder.” – Steve Sabol
Among the presenters featured in the two-hour series finale are previously ranked players Patrick Willis (No. 23), Jonathan Vilma (No. 37), Terrell Suggs (No. 40), Ben Roethlisberger (No. 41) and Terrell Owens (No. 91), as well as head coaches Rex Ryan, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, John Harbaugh, Leslie Frazier and Jack Del Rio.
Immediately following the series finale of The Top 100: Players of 2011, the final episode of The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Reactions airs live at 10:00 PM ET. Vikings RB and four-time Pro Bowler Adrian Peterson will be live in-studio, joining Soto, Baldinger and Wilcots with their final thoughts on the entire list and the top 10 players.
The voice of the fan has been a large part of The Top 100 series, with viewer comments posted on Facebook and Twitter and fan video rants being featured on Reactions. During The Top 100: Players of 2011 – Top 10 Preview show, the Top 10 Players of 2011, as voted by the fans via NFL.com, will be revealed. With nearly 20 million votes cast online in eight weeks, viewers will be able to see how the voice of the fan and the voice of the player compare.
Produced by NFL Films, The Top 100: Players of 2011 on NFL Network gave current players the opportunity to vote for the top 100 playmakers today, counting down from 100 to 1. Each player on the countdown is saluted by an individual close to the subject, from a coach to a rival on the field.
Below are the player rankings (and presenters) which have been revealed to date. For an updated list and to see where the fans ranked each player, visit http://top100.nfl.com/
Player Team Presenter
100) Donovan McNabb Redskins Brian Westbrook
99) Chad Clifton Packers Jon Gruden
98) Darren McFadden Raiders Maurice Jones-Drew
97) Shaun Phillips Chargers Kirk Morrison
96) Nick Collins Packers Dom Capers
95) Jon Beason Panthers John Fox
94) Frank Gore 49ers Takeo Spikes
93) Eric Berry Chiefs Todd Haley
92) Lance Briggs Bears Mike Martz
91) Terrell Owens Bengals Brandon Marshall90) Joe Flacco Ravens John Harbaugh
89) Adrian Wilson Cardinals Ken Whisenhunt
88) Vernon Davis 49ers Takeo Spikes
87) Jordan Gross Panthers John Fox
86) Josh Freeman Buccaneers John Abraham
85) Jason Babin Titans Jim Washburn
84) Josh Cribbs Browns Pat Shurmur
83) Mike Williams Buccaneers Josh Freeman
82) LaMarr Woodley Steelers Damien Woody
81) BJ Raji Packers Shaun O’Hara80) Jared Allen Vikings Leslie Frazier
79) D’Brickashaw Ferguson Jets Brian Schottenheimer
78) Dallas Clark Colts Jon Gruden
77) Chris Snee Giants Shaun O’Hara
76) Santonio Holmes Jets Rex Ryan
75) Jay Ratliff Cowboys Tom Coughlin
74) Greg Jennings Packers Mike McCarthy
73) Trent Cole Eagles Andy Reid
72) Tony Romo Cowboys Jason Garrett
71) Mario Williams Texans Gary Kubiak70) Miles Austin Cowboys Jason Garrett
69) John Abraham Falcons Josh Freeman
68) Antrel Rolle Giants Calais Campbell
67) Brian Waters Chiefs Takeo Spikes
66) Richard Seymour Raiders Romeo Crennel
65) Vonta Leach Texans Kirk Morrison
64) Tamba Hali Chiefs Osi Umenyiora
63) Cameron Wake Dolphins Tony Sparano
62) Jerod Mayo Patriots Bill Belichick
61) Brandon Marshall Dolphins Jon Gruden60) Justin Tuck Giants Steve Spagnuolo
59) Jeff Saturday Colts Peyton Manning
58) Brandon Lloyd Broncos Brian Dawkins
57) Andre Gurode Cowboys Tony Sparano
56) Ray Rice Ravens Maurice Jones-Drew
55) Carl Nicks Saints Jonathan Vilma
54) Asante Samuel Eagles Juan Castillo
53) Marques Colston Saints Jon Gruden
52) Matt Ryan Falcons Jerry Glanville
51) Ndamukong Suh Lions Mike Tice50) Wes Welker Patriots Chan Gailey
49) Brian Urlacher Bears Lovie Smith
48) Champ Bailey Broncos Terrell Owens
47) Nick Mangold Jets Brian Schottenheimer
46) Tony Gonzalez Falcons Mike Tomlin
45) Dwayne Bowe Chiefs Todd Haley
44) Robert Mathis Colts Raheem Brock
43) Joe Thomas Browns Josh Cribbs
42) Michael Turner Falcons Adewale Ogunleye
41) Ben Roethlisberger Steelers Ken Whisenhunt40) Terrell Suggs Ravens John Harbaugh
39) Logan Mankins Patriots Bill Belichick
38) Steven Jackson Rams Steve Spagnuolo
37) Jonathan Vilma Saints Drew Brees
36) Jason Witten Cowboys Vernon Davis
35) Vince Wilfork Patriots Jonathan Vilma
34) Jahri Evans Saints Sean Payton
33) Jamaal Charles Chiefs Shaun Phillips
32) Devin Hester Bears Lovie Smith
31) Reggie Wayne Colts Brandon Marshall30) Maurice Jones-Drew Jaguars Montell Owens
29) DeSean Jackson Eagles Todd Herremans
28) Jake Long Dolphins Channing Crowder
27) Calvin Johnson Lions Jim Schwartz
26) Philip Rivers Chargers Norv Turner
25) Arian Foster Texans Vonta Leach
24) Roddy White Falcons Mike Smith
23) Patrick Willis 49ers Takeo Spikes
22) Antonio Gates Chargers Mike Tomlin
21) James Harrison Steelers Damien Woody20) Michael Vick Eagles Josh Freeman
19) Clay Matthews Packers Kevin Greene
18) Nnamdi Asomugha Raiders Brandon Lloyd
17) Haloti Ngata Ravens Maurice Jones-Drew
16) Charles Woodson Packers Dom Capers
15) Dwight Freeney Colts Matt Light
14) Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals Todd Haley
13) Chris Johnson Titans Kirk Morrison
12) DeMarcus Ware Cowboys Osi Umenyiora
11) Aaron Rodgers Packers Larry Fitzgerald
And that does it.
