NFL's Top 100

NFL Network is continuing their annual countdown of the Top 100 Players in the league. The 2014 version kicked off at the conclusion of the recent draft. Each week they reveal a block of ten players until they reach #1. This evening is the release of players #51-60. It's really quite exciting.

Any list like this is going to generate debate. That's why NFL Network airs the Top 100 in the gap between the draft and the start of training camps. Supposedly we have the time for it now. The network even has a "reaction show" immediately following the release of each block of ten players. That show is not quite as exciting as the show that precedes it. NFL Network's Top 100 is unique in that it is voted on by the players. Fans have these lists. The media has these lists. The players don't usually get together to vote on the best. If they do, I've never heard about it. For the past few years, the players have been brought together to vote on the best of their exclusive group. It's pretty interesting to see how they see things. Actually, the best parts of these shows are the clips of players talking about each other. Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay made his debut on the list this year. I didn't know a lot about Clay other than the fact that he makes a lot of appearances on the weekly highlight shows during the season. It was great to hear Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly tell me his experiences with Clay. I can't get insight like that in some media-generated article. That players are saying things that I want to hear.

While I can't really get too upset with any of the rankings. NFL players know best what it's like to play against other NFL players. Still, I was fairly stunned to see Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles pop up at #70. Especially when proven quarterbacks like Tony Romo and Matthew Stafford were ranked below Foles. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has limited experience as well. He was #81. Kaepernick has at least started one complete NFL season. He's taken his team to the Super Bowl once and was a completed pass away from doing it twice. Foles might have put up a bunch of fancy stats in a fistful of games but he should be a full time starter for a full season before he's included on any Top 100 list. I also don't understand how Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake remains so underrated. Coming in at #66 on the Top 100 list is a nice rating but he's one of the best five or six pass rushers in the league. Pass rushers that skilled are usually higher on any list of the best of the best.

This Top 100 stuff is fun stuff. #51-60 is tonight.