NFL 100: 20-11

The Athletic is counting down their 100 best players in the history of the National Football League. The NFL 100. Their most recent reveals are the players ranked 20-11. 

  20. Bruce Smith

  19. Ronnie Lott

  18. Dan Marino

  17. Ray Lewis

  16. Deacon Jones

  15. John Elway

  14. Joe Greene

  13. Don Hutson

  12. Anthony Munoz

  11. Otto Graham

  

How’d you like to have Joe Greene, Ray Lewis, and Ronnie Lott through the middle of your defense? That’d be a fun defense. 

I thought that Don Hutson might make his appearance in the Top 10. Few players have ever been so far ahead of their time. 

A lot of people consider Anthony Munoz the best offensive lineman in league history. In that sense it fits that he’s #12. For me, the best offensive lineman in league history is Jim Parker. He popped up at #42. John Hannah (#25) was the only offensive lineman between Parker and Munoz. 

Pre-Super Bowl Era Tracker:

Steve Van Buren

Jim Otto

Mike Ditka

Fran Tarkenton

Elroy Hirsch

Lenny Moore

Willie Davis

Willie Brown

Bobby Layne

Buck Buchanan

Bulldog Turner

Mel Hein

Leo Nomellini

John Mackey

Paul Warfield

Bobby Bell

Marion Motley

Joe Schmidt

Raymond Berry

Ray Nitschke

Bart Starr

Herb Adderley

Lance Alworth

Chuck Bednarik

Gale Sayers

Dick “Night Train” Lane

Sid Luckman

Jim Parker

Forrest Gregg

Gino Marchetti

Bronko Nagurski

Bob Lilly

Merlin Olsen

Sammy Baugh

Deacon Jones

Don Hutson

Otto Graham

Of the 90 players revealed so far, 37 played at least a portion of their career before the first Super Bowl. That’s pretty good. Most lists like this have such a recency bias that they’re meaningless. 

A recap of the previously revealed players:

100-21:

100. Derrick Brooks

  99. Dermontti Dawson

  98. Steve Van Buren

  97. Jim Otto 

  96. Mike Ditka

  95. Fran Tarkenton

  94. Elroy Hirsch

  93. Mike Singletary

  92. Lenny Moore

  91. Willie Davis

  90. Willie Brown

  89. Bobby Layne

  88. Darrell Green

  87. Champ Bailey

  86. Buck Buchanan

  85. Bulldog Turner

  84. Mel Hein

  83. Leo Nomellini

  82. Kellen Winslow

  81. John Mackey

  80. Willie Lanier

  79. Mike Haynes

  78. Roger Staubach

  77. Ted Hendricks

  76. Art Shell

  75. Paul Warfield

  74. Bobby Bell

  73. Marion Motley

  72. Adrian Peterson

  71. Mel Blount

  70. Marshall Faulk

  69. Terry Bradshaw

  68. Charles Woodson

  67. Gene Upshaw

  66. Earl Campbell

  65. Joe Schmidt

  64. Walter Jones

  63. Raymond Berry

  62. Ray Nitshke  

  61. Bart Starr

  60. Jonathan Ogden

  59. Junior Seau

  58. Herb Adderley

  57. Mike Webster

  56. Rob Gronkowski

  55. Lance Alworth

  54. Chuck Bednarik

  53. Gale Sayers

  52. Jack Ham

  51. LaDanian Tomlinson

  50. Dick “Night Train” Lane

  49. Steve Young

  48. Sid Luckman

  47. Randy White

  46. Tony Gonzalez

  45. Larry Allen

  44. Bruce Matthews

  43. Drew Brees

  42. Jim Parker

  41. O.J. Simpson

  40. Eric Dickerson

  39. Ed Reed

  38. Randy Moss

  37. Jack Lambert

  36. Forrest Gregg

  35. J.J. Watt

  34. Gino Marchetti

  33. Bronko Nagurski

  32. Alan Page

  31. Bob Lilly

  30. Merlin Olsen

  29. Emmitt Smith

  28. Deion Sanders

  27. Barry Sanders

  26. Rod Woodson

  25. John Hannah

  24. Aaron Donald

  23. Sammy Baugh

  22. Brett Favre

  21. Aaron Rodgers

NFL’s Top 100 Players: 10-1

The countdown of the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2021 came to an end yesterday with the NFL’s Top 10 Players of 2021. We’ve known the players that populate the Top 10 for a week. We didn’t know the order. Now we do.

10. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

  9. T.J. Watt, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers

  8. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals

  7. Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  6. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

  5. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

  4. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

  3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

  2. Aaron Donald, DT, Los Angeles Rams

  1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

There it is. The Top 10 Players of 2021. 

If there’s a surprise among the Top 10, it’s probably Travis Kelce at #5. But that’s just a knee-jerk thought. With more thought, I see his impact on defenses. They are basically defenseless against much of what he can do. He settles into open spots and his quarterback always know where those are. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are as close to an unstoppable duo as there is the league. They are where Tom Brady and a healthy Rob Gronkowski were about a decade ago. 

It’s interesting to see the top two quarterbacks paired with his top pass-catcher in the Top 10.

Personally, I’d have Aaron Donald as the #1 player but it’s not my list. It’s the player’s list. 

Now the 2021 NFL season can start. It’s still nearly two weeks away. 

A Final Guess At The Minnesota Vikings 53-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings three-game preseason should be put somewhere behind us immediately. The real games are two weeks from today. Two weeks. It’s strange to have a “bye” week before the start of the regular season. It feels so close but it’s still two weeks. Anyway, there’s work to be done. The Vikings roster has to be reduced to 53 players by Tuesday. Here’s a final guess at the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster. 

Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster

Offense (24 Players)

Quarterbacks (2)
  8 Kirk Cousins

11 Kellon Mond

Out:

  3 Jake Browning

14 Nate Stanley

If I hadn’t made up my mind before the Chiefs game, it didn’t take long for me to settle on Kellen Mond as the lone backup. I was hoping for more consistency through the preseason games from Jake Browning. I hoped that he’d grab the QB2 role and allow Mond to develop in the relative peace of QB3. Hopefully, Kirk Cousins continues his remarkable durability. If anything were to happen to Cousins I now prefer Mond as the backup and perhaps Browning as a security blanket on the practice squad. 

Running Backs (4)

33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison

31 Ameer Abdullah

26 Kene Nwangwu

Out:

36 A.J. Rose

20 Ito Smith

Among the supposed offensive playmakers, A.J. Rose was probably the standout of the preseason. The Vikings offense scored two touchdowns in three preseason games. Rose scored both. It isn’t right for him to be on the outside of the 53-man roster. Hopefully, the Vikings can keep him on the practice squad. There were many disappointing aspects to the preseason. Perhaps the most disappointing was not seeing fourth-round rookie Kene Nwangwu. He was injured early in the first preseason game and put on the shelf. Hopefully he’s cleared to play soon. I can’t wait to see his speed in the offense. 

Fullbacks (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Out:

34 Jake Bargas

Receivers (5)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson
17 K.J. Osborn

89 Dede Westbrook

15 Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Out:

12 Chad Beebe

85 Dan Chisena

13 Blake Proehl

16 Whop Philyor

87 Myron Mitchell

Injured/Reserve:

81 Olabisi Johnson

From what I’ve seen, read, and heard the top five receivers are clear. The question is whether the Vikings keep six. If there’s six, I think that Dan Chisena makes it over Chad Beebe. 

Tight Ends (3)
84 Irv Smith Jr.
83 Tyler Conklin

40 Zach Robinson

Out:

86 Brandon Dillon

82 Shane Zylstra

If this is the tight end group, it starts and stops with Irv Smith Jr. and Tyler Conklin. Zach Robinson might be too raw to make the roster but he might be too talented to put on the practice squad. Conklin needs to get and stay healthy for three tight ends to work. 

Offensive Tackles (4)
75 Brian O'Neill

71 Christian Darrisaw
69 Rashod Hill

64 Blake Brandel

The top three are easy. I think that Blake Brandel has worked his way onto the roster. I also like him as security until Christian Darrisaw is 100% healthy.

Offensive Guards (3)

72 Ezra Cleveland

74 Oli Udoh

51 Wyatt Davis

Out:

78 Dakota Dozier

68 Kyle Hinton

73 Dru Samia

Mason Cole can help with guard depth. 

Centers (2)

56 Garrett Bradbury

52 Mason Cole

Out

63 Cohl Cabral

Defense (26 Players)

Defensive Ends (5)
99 Danielle Hunter

98 D.J. Wonnum

58 Everson Griffen

91 Stephen Weatherly

93 Patrick Jones II

Out:

90 Jalyn Holmes

50 Hercules Mata’afa

79 Kenny Willekes

It sure is nice to have Everson Griffen back. I’d like to see the Vikings to find a way to keep Hercules Mata’afa or Kenny Willekes. Maybe at the expense of one of the defensive tackles. 

Defensive Tackles (5)

94 Dalvin Tomlinson

97 Michael Pierce

  9 Sheldon Richardson
96 Armon Watts
92 James Lynch

Out:

62 Zeandae Johnson

The biggest question with the defensive tackles is whether the Vikings keep four or five. The cuts on the defensive line will be very difficult. 

Linebackers (6)
55 Anthony Barr

54 Eric Kendricks
59 Nick Vigil

45 Troy Dye

48 Blake Lynch

41 Chazz Surratt

Out:

57 Ryan Connelly

47 Tuf Borland

Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, and Chazz Suarratt might the only roster locks at linebacker. 

Cornerbacks (6)

  7 Patrick Peterson

21 Bashaud Breeland

24 Mackensie Alexander

27 Cameron Dantzler

38 Harrison Hand

29 Kris Boyd

Out:

  5 Tye Smith

39 Parry Nickerson

37 Dylan Mabin

I was feeling really good about the Vikings corners until I watched Tyreek Hill zip past Bashaud Breeland. They’ll be fine. I like this group. Camron Dantzler has to regain the confidence that he had at the end of his rookie season. 

Safeties (4)

22 Harrison Smith
23 Xavier Woods

43 Camryn Bynum

44 Josh Metellus

Out:

46 Myles Dorn

35 Luther Kirk

The backup safeties were a weak spot throughout the three preseason games. Let’s just hope that Harrison Smith and Xavier Woods aren’t out at all, let alone at the same time. I have high career hopes for Camryn Bynum. He’ll get there. 

Special Teams (3 Players)

Kicker

 1 Greg Joseph

Punter

 2 Britton Colquitt

 

Long Snapper

42 Andrew DePaola

It’s probably been since the Ryan Longwell-Chris Kluwe-Cullen Loeffeler days that anything’s been set with the Vikings specialists. It’d sure be nice to get back to that sort of security. The bar is now so low for Vikings kickers. 

Minnesota Vikings Preseason Game #3 Recap: Kansas City Chiefs

The Minnesota Vikings dropped their final preseason game to the Kansas City Chiefs. 28-25. 

Compared to the first two preseason games, the Vikings showed some life in the third preseason game. Finally. Most of that life came in the second half when it was backups vs backups. The offense finally scored a touchdown. That’s a good thing. The offense even scored a second touchdown. That’s an even better thing. Those were the Vikings first two offensive touchdowns of the preseason. Both came in the second half of the final preseason game.

The Vikings offense had a nice first drive that bogged down inside the Chiefs 10-yard line. They had to settle for a field goal. This was an offense without Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. Kirk Cousins was on the field. Of his top weapons, only Irv Smith Jr. was on the field with him. 

After that first drive, the offense did nothing, or worse, until the third quarter. 

Patrick Mahomes had his way with a Vikings defense that didn’t have Danielle Hunter, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Patrick Peterson, and Harrison Smith. Despite the absence of the defensive leaders, it’d still be nice to have see better tackling, better communication. Especially against Mahomes. It was too easy for him. 

The defensive backups did an ok job against the Chiefs backups. That ok job allowed the Vikings to come back from a 21-3 deficit. 

Rookie quarterback Kellen Mond got out of a few difficult situations. Third-and-longs, fourth downs. His mistakes put him in a few of those situations. It may have been a little sloppy game but stat-wise, Mond put together a respectable-looking game.

16/23, 196 yards.

An interception on his third play was a blemish. 

Throughout the offseason workouts, training camp, and preseason, I’ve had the Vikings keeping three quarterbacks.

Kirk Cousins

Jake Browning

Kellen Mond

Mond doing something and Jake Browning doing about nothing might lead the Vikings to keep only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

Kirk Cousins

Kellen Mond

As for the preseason as a whole, this hasn’t been a very good one for the Vikings.

Broncos-terrible

Colts-offense terrible/defense fine

Chiefs-mixed, 28-25 looks ok

I’m not sure what you can take from the Minnesota Vikings 2021 Preseason. Very little went right. How could it? The offense runs through Dalvin Cook. He didn’t take a snap. Alexander Mattison is RB2. He only took a handful of snaps. Justin Jefferson didn’t play. Adam Thielen played fewer snaps than Mattison. How could the Vikings offense possibly look like the offense that we want to see if the playmakers never played? Still, you want to see something positive. The only offensive positives were the two touchdown drives that Mond led when it was backups vs backups against the Chiefs. The defense? There was never more than a few starters on the field at the same time. It’s tough to see what we want to see when the players that we want to see aren’t on the field. 

Great preseason play has never been a guarantee of anything. That little blanket is often hauled out after poor preseason play. The only games that matter are those that haven’t been played. I believe that the Minnesota Vikings will be fine when all of the starters are actually playing together. My biggest concern right now isn’t the poor preseason play. It’s the Week 1 availability, or early season availability, of Anthony Barr, Christian Darrisaw, and Tyler Conklin. The sooner that all of the best players are on the football field the better. 

Minnesota Vikings 79-Man Roster

The biggest change to the Minnesota Vikings roster since the last preseason game was a big change. Defensive end Everson Griffen returned to the team. For most of the past decade, he was the emotional leader of the defense. His return strengthens a defensive line group that was already a team strength. The only change since the roster was cut to 80 players was the release of offensive tackle Evin Ksiezarczyk. That lone move dropped the roster count to 79 players. 

Here’s the Minnesota Vikings 79-Man Roster in advance of their final preseason game. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (40 Players)

Quarterbacks (4)

  8 Kirk Cousins

  3 Jake Browning

11 Kellen Mond

14 Nate Stanley

Running Backs (6)

33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison

31 Ameer Abdullah

26 Kene Nwangwu

36 A.J. Rose

20 Ito Smith

Fullbacks (2)

30 C.J. Ham

34 Jake Bargas

Receivers (9)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson

89 DeDe Westbrook

17 KJ Osborn

15 Ihmir Smith-Marsette 
12 Chad Beebe

85 Dan Chisena

16 Whop Philyor

87 Myron Mitchell

Tight Ends (5)
84 Irv Smith Jr.
83 Tyler Conklin

40 Zach Robinson

86 Brandon Dillon

82 Shane Zylstra

Offensive Tackles (4)
75 Brian O'Neill

71 Christian Darrisaw
69 Rashod Hill

64 Blake Brandel

Guards (8)

72 Ezra Cleveland

74 Oli Udoh

51 Wyatt Davis

52 Mason Cole

78 Dakota Dozier

73 Dru Samia

68 Kyle Hinton

65 Zack Bailey 

Centers (2)

56 Garrett Bradbury

63 Cohl Cabral

Defense (36 Players)

Defensive Ends (8)
99 Danielle Hunter

98 D.J. Wonnum

91 Stephen Weatherly

58 Everson Griffen

93 Patrick Jones II

90 Jalyn Holmes

50 Hercules Mata’afa

79 Kenny Willekes

Defensive Tackles (6)

94 Dalvin Tomlinson

97 Michael Pierce

  9 Sheldon Richardson
96 Armon Watts
92 James Lynch

62 Zeandae Johnson

Linebackers (8)
55 Anthony Barr

54 Eric Kendricks
59 Nick Vigil

45 Troy Dye

41 Chazz Surratt

57 Ryan Connelly

48 Blake Lynch 

47 Tuf Borland

Cornerbacks (8)

  7 Patrick Peterson

24 Mackensie Alexander

21 Bashaud Breeland

27 Cameron Dantzler

29 Kris Boyd

38 Harrison Hand

39 Parry Nickerson

  5 Tye Smith

Safeties (6)

22 Harrison Smith
23 Xavier Woods

43 Camryn Bynum

44 Josh Metellus

46 Myles Dorn

35 Luther Kirk

Special Teams (3 Players)

Kicker

  1 Greg Joseph

Punter
 2 Britton Colquitt

Long Snapper
42 Andrew DePaola

***

Reserve/Non-Football Injury

76 Jaylen Twyman

Reserve/Injured

81 Olabisi Johnson

95 Janarius Robinson

Reserve/Retired

32 Cameron Smith

That Was Then. This Is Now

The 2020 Minnesota Vikings defense wasn’t good. The offseason-long questioning by local and national talking heads as to what went wrong with Mike Zimmer’s defense was always puzzling. The answer was simple. Injuries and an opt-out. The defense that was on the field in 2020 wasn’t the defense that was supposed to be on the field. It was ripped apart before and throughout the season. Practice squad players and street free agents weren’t supposed to be a season-long source for the front seven. Rookie cornerbacks were expected to get significant playing time. They weren’t supposed to be nearly season-long starters. Scattered injuries should be expected on a team. It’s football. It’s usually an edge rusher here, a linebacker, there, a defensive back or three. Players dropped from the Vikings defense front to back and side to side. Only the safeties stood from start to finish. What happened to the Vikings 2020 defense? Open those eyes. I suppose that the talking heads need to ask these offseason questions even if the answers are so obvious. It’s tiresome. 

The struggles of the 2020 Minnesota Vikings defense can easily be explained by the defensive line that started most of the season. 

LE	Jalyn Holmes
DT	Shemar Stephen
NT	Jaleel Johnson
RE	Ifeadi Odenigbo

The high hopes for the 2021 Minnesota Vikings defense can be seen in the expected defensive line. A line that hopefully starts the entirety of the season. 

LE	Danielle Hunter
DT	Dalvin Tomlinson
NT	Michael Pierce
RE	D.J. Wonnum

The first defensive line looks like it fronts a scout team. The second defensive line looks like a Vikings defensive line. The difference between the two defensive lines is enormous. The interior pairing of Dalvin Tomlinson and Michael Pierce might be the Vikings players that I’m most excited to see this season. In terms of offense-wrecking experience, D.J. Wonnum is the exception. He wrecked the comeback hopes of Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers as a rookie last season. That sack was the team’s defensive highlight of the season. One could argue that it was the only defensive highlight of the season. The athletic, raw potential is there for Wonnum to be a difference-maker. His progression should be assisted by the talented players that surround him. The Minnesota return of Everson Griffen, Sheldon Richardson, and Stephen Weatherly boosts the expectations for the defensive line. The second-team defensive line that the Vikings can put on the field is impressive.

LE	Stephen Weatherly
DT	Sheldon Richardson
NT	Armon Watts
RE	Everson Griffen

That group is probably better than any that the Vikings were able to put on the field last season. What a difference a tiresome offseason can make.

Cliff Branch, Dick Vermeil Named Pro Football Hall Of Fame Finalists

Yesterday, former Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders Cliff Branch was selected as the Senior Finalist. Former Philadelphia Eagles/St. Louis Rams/Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil was selected as the Coach Finalist. Each is a giant step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. 

For most of his 14-year career, Cliff Branch was one of the most feared receivers in the NFL. To put him in today’s term he was a Tyreek Hill-like deep threat. He stretched and scared the defense no matter where the Raiders offense snapped the ball. His stat-line from his 1976 All-Pro season is ridiculous.

46 catches

1111 yards

12 TDs

24.2 yards/catch

This was a year before receivers could run routes without being assaulted.  

Branch was a frightening receiver. The constant vertical threat that he posed opened the field for the Hall of Fame careers of Fred Biletnikoff and Dave Casper. Marcus Allen even benefited from a very veteran Branch on the field. 

Branch still has to make it through a final vote. If he does it’ll make for a nice two-year Hall of Fame run for the Raiders and their fans. Tom Flores finally got through this year. Branch next year? Which “snubbed” player will Raiders Nation bitch about next? Todd Christensen? 

Dick Vermeil had an interesting head coaching career. Perhaps the standout aspect of that career was that it didn’t take long for him to turn his teams into contenders. It took him two years to guide UCLA to their first conference championship in ten years. He only had two years as a college head coach because a sad Philadelphia Eagles team grabbed him. Three years later the Eagles were winners. It took him five years to get the Eagles to a Super Bowl. Citing stress and burnout, he left coaching two years after that title appearance. He couldn’t leave the game entirely as he started a 15-year run in the broadcast booth. Just when it looked like he’d settled into a John Madden-like career progression, he returned to coaching. Vermeil was successful as a head coach in his 40s. He was more successful as a head coach in his 60s. He turned a struggling St. Louis Rams into champions. He nearly did the same with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

In his call with Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker, Dick Vermeil questioned whether he belonged in Canton. Former Detroit Lions/Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Buddy Parker was my choice for Coach Finalist. He’s been waiting so long. Vermeil does belong. 

When the Hall announces the Senior and Coach finalists there’s an initial feeling that they’ve made it to the Hall. They haven’t. Cliff Branch and Dick Vermeil still must receive 80% voting support by the entire 49-member Selection Committee when they meet in advance of Super Bowl LVI. This is still a huge step. The finalists selected by the Senior and Coach Committees usually sail through the voting process. 

The Contributor Finalist will be selected August 31. 

A Busy Day In Eagan

The Minnesota Vikings were busy yesterday. The big news was the return of defensive end Everson Griffen. He was at the team’s facilities last week for a chat and a tryout. The chat may have been more important than the tryout. Griffen and the team’s decision-makers had some things to discuss and it wasn’t the particulars of a contract. Some might say that he burned a few bridges over the past 18 months. Everything seems to be okay between player and team as Griffen has officially returned to the Vikings. He even went through a practice and a media interrogation. 

While the signing of Everson Griffen might’ve been the most noteworthy transaction yesterday it wasn’t the only transaction. The Vikings had to reduce the roster from 85 to 80 players by this afternoon. They completed that task a day early. The roster-trimming kinda got started last week when linebacker Cameron Smith decided that his body has had enough. He announced that he’s retiring from football. That move was made official yesterday when the Vikings placed him on the Reserve/Retired list. Smith’s difficult decision became an unforeseen part of the roster-trimming process. The rest of the moves were of the more traditional variety. On Sunday the following players were waived.

Dylan Mabin, CB

Warren Jackson, WR

Yesterday the following players were waived.

Christian Elliss, LB

Danny Etling, QB

Injuries forced two more moves. 

Defensive end Janarius Robinson was placed on the Reserve/Injured list. 

Defensive tackle Jordan Scott was waived with an injury designation. 

Perhaps Robinson landing on injured reserve was part of the reason for bringing back Griffen. 

The Vikings also signed running back Ito Smith. While he had some nice moments in Atlanta, the signing of Smith is a little puzzling. I suspect that he was a numbers addition. The final preseason game is Friday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Dalvin Cook probably won’t play. Alexander Morrison may not play. Rookie Kene Nwangau is hurt. Ameer Abdullah and AJ Rose are the only other backs on the roster. Maybe Smith was added to lighten the load that Abullah and especially Rose might be getting on Friday. Rose had 25 carries in the first preseason game. That’s a lot of carries for a preseason game. 

After the dust of the busy day cleared, the Vikings had moved seven players off of the roster and two players onto the roster. The roster is now at 80 players. 

Next Tuesday is the big cutdown to 53 players. 

Welcome Back Everson Griffen!

NFL’s Top 100 Players: 40-11

The countdown of the NFL’s Top 100 Players continued yesterday on NFL Network. For the past decade, this has been the countdown of the players by the players. They do the voting. Here are the players ranked 40-11. 

  40. Bradley Chubb, Edge, Denver Broncos

  39. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

  38. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Baltimore Ravens

  37. Darius Leonard, LB, Indianapolis Colts

  36. David Bakhtiari, OT, Green Bay Packers

  35. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

  34. Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs

  33. Quenton Nelson, OG, Indianapolis Colts

  32. Joey Bosa, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers

  31. Jamal Adams, S, Seattle Seahawks

  30. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

  29. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons (now Tennessee Titans)

  28. Devin White, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  27. DeForest Buckner, DT, Indianapolis Colts 

  26. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

  25. Bobby Wagner, LB, Seattle Seahawks

  24. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens 

  23. Khalil Mack, Edge, Chicago Bears

  22. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

  21. Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers 

  20. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

  19. Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals

  18. Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans

  17. Xavien Howard, CB, Miami Dolphins

  16. Myles Garrett, Edge, Cleveland Browns

  15. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

  14. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

  13. Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars 

  12. Russell Wilson, WR, Seattle Seahawks 

  11. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills 

Both Chubbs make the list. Bradley Chubb (#40) and Nick Chubb (#26). Bradley is one of the better young edge rushers in the league. Nick is one of the best backs in the league. 

#20 is too low for Dalvin Cook. He was #21 on last year’s list. His 2020 season should’ve pushed him up more than a single spot. Derek Henry is the only back that deserved a ranking higher than Cook. 

Alvin Kamara at #14? Is this ranking because of that ridiculous Christmas Day game? He scored six touchdowns against a Vikings defense stripped down by injuries. Remember when the NFL played four preseason games? The Vikings defense that Christmas Day looked like a defense pulled from a fourth preseason game. Mostly street free agents and practice squad wannabes. It would’ve been a surprise if Kamara didn’t score six touchdowns. Especially since the Saints clearly wanted him to do so. That game was a joke and Kamara’s record should carry an asterisk. 

Most talking heads considered Stefon Diggs’ 2020 season a breakout season. It wasn’t a breakout to anyone that paid attention to his play in Minnesota. He was the same receiver last season that he’s been for the past several seasons. He’s been one of the best receivers in the league for a while and this shouldn’t have been his first appearance in the Top 20. 

For a process that once took a few months to complete it’s a little strange to see the NFL’s Top 100 completed in a couple weeks. 

Only ten players remain. Seeing the players that have been revealed it isn’t difficult to figure out the Top 10 Players of 2021. 

Tom Brady

Patrick Mahomes

Aaron Rodgers

Josh Allen

Derek Henry

Davante Adams

DeAndre Hopkins

Travis Kelce

T.J. Watt

Aaron Donald

I’d have Aaron Donald #1 but a quarterback will probably take it. 

  

Minnesota Vikings Preseason Game #2 Recap: Indianapolis Colts

The Minnesota Vikings dropped a nail-biter to the Indianapolis Colts in preseason game #2. 12-10.

The Vikings were bad on offense, defense, and special teams in the first preseason game. Really bad. The defense was better against the Colts. Much better. The defense gave up no touchdowns. The defense even scored a touchdown. Through two preseason games the Vikings offense has yet to do that. The defense had a couple interceptions. They were stout against the run. The special teams was better. They had some nice returns. There was a long field goal (49 yards). Another long field goal (51 yards) was missed. The Vikings make that field goal and they win the game. That’s what the math says. 

The offense wasn’t good. 

227 total yards

156 yards passing

The biggest problem was probably this:

17 completions 

34 attempts

That would’ve been terrific in 1955. In today’s NFL, that’s terrible. Three Vikings quarterbacks built those passing statistics. 

Jake Browning

6/15 82 yards

Kellen Mond

6/12 61 yards

Kirk Cousins

5/7 23 yards

Browning’s final two possessions of the first half were the only moments of something that might be considered offensive rhythm. He had some nice connections with Chad Beebe and K.J. Osborn. That got a field goal and a Hail Mary opportunity. Three offensive points. An offensive explosion! Other than that, all three quarterbacks seemed to have no control over their throws. High, wide, low. Anywhere but the intended destination. 

It’s only preseason. 

I have faith in the Vikings defense. It may take a long time before I’m ever comfortable with a Vikings kicker but I have optimism for the Vikings special teams. Then there’s the offense 

Through two preseason games, the Vikings offense has fans and talking heads scratching their collective heads. The play of the quarterbacks last night has even caused rumblings of the need to acquire a veteran backup. I don’t get it. The quarterbacks have to play better. There’s no question about that. Cousins has a three-possession preseason sampling. It wasn’t good. It was also without Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and for the most part Adam Thielen. Irv Smith Jr. had a token appearance. Tyler Conklin has missed much more game and practice time than he’s seen. The Vikings have a different offense when their top playmakers are on the field. That talent hasn’t been on the field for either preseason game. Cousins is a different quarterback when the offense is complete. Every quarterback is a better quarterback with better offensive talent. That includes Browning and Mond. The hope is that Cousins plays 17 regular season games. That was the hope when Sean Mannion was the backup. That veteran quarterback provided no comfort. I’m probably more comfortable with Browning or Mond and a full compliment of playmakers than I ever was with Mannion. The Vikings will have issues if Cousins misses games. The last-minute addition of some veteran slappy won’t change that. 

It’s only preseason. There’s one more preseason game. At Kansas City on Friday. 

Minnesota Vikings 84-Man Roster

The Minnesota Vikings trimmed their roster by five players since the first preseason game. After that sad showing, a few players were probably fortunate that the cutdown only called for five players. In the cut from 90 to 85 players, the following players were let go.

Jordan Brailford, DE

Turner Bernard, LS

Blake Proehl, WR

Riley Patterson, K

Amari Henderson, CB

Proehl and Patterson were released with injury designations. Both went unclaimed on waivers and could be added to the Vikings injured reserve. 

The Vikings roster was at 85 players. 

Then linebacker Cameron Smith announced his retirement. He had missed the entire 2020 season as he recovered from open hear surgery. You don’t see that on a football injury report very often. It was remarkable for Smith to even return to football activities less than a year after such an invasive and serious surgery. After suffering a concussion in last Saturday’s preseason game, Smith decided that it was time to get on to the next stage of his life. His body has been through enough. Smith doing what’s best for him is a good thing. The Vikings no longer having a player on the roster from USC is also a good thing.

The Vikings roster is now at 84 players. 

Another five players have to be trimmed from the roster by Tuesday. That makes tonight’s game against the Indianapolis Colts a very important opportunity for several players. 

Here’s the Minnesota Vikings 84-Man Roster in advance of their second preseason game. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (40 Players)

Quarterbacks (5)

  8 Kirk Cousins

  3 Jake Browning

11 Kellen Mond

14 Nate Stanley

  6 Danny Etling

Running Backs (5)

33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison

31 Ameer Abdullah

26 Kene Nwangwu

36 A.J. Rose

Fullbacks (2)

30 C.J. Ham

34 Jake Bargas

Receivers (8)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson

89 DeDe Westbrook

17 KJ Osborn

15 Ihmir Smith-Marsette 
12 Chad Beebe

85 Dan Chisena

16 Whop Philyor

20 Warren Jackson

Tight Ends (5)
84 Irv Smith Jr.
83 Tyler Conklin

40 Zach Robinson

86 Brandon Dillon

82 Shane Zylstra

Offensive Tackles (5)
75 Brian O'Neill

71 Christian Darrisaw
69 Rashod Hill

64 Blake Brandel

61 Evin Ksiezarczyk 

Guards (8)

72 Ezra Cleveland

74 Oli Udoh

51 Wyatt Davis

52 Mason Cole

78 Dakota Dozier

73 Dru Samia

68 Kyle Hinton

65 Zack Bailey 

Centers (2)

56 Garrett Bradbury

63 Cohl Cabral

Defense (39 Players)

Defensive Ends (8)
99 Danielle Hunter

98 D.J. Wonnum

91 Stephen Weatherly

93 Patrick Jones II

95 Janarius Robinson

90 Jalyn Holmes

50 Hercules Mata’afa

79 Kenny Willekes

Defensive Tackles (7)

94 Dalvin Tomlinson

97 Michael Pierce

9? Sheldon Richardson
96 Armon Watts
92 James Lynch

62 Zeandae Johnson

66 Jordan Scott

Linebackers (9)
55 Anthony Barr

54 Eric Kendricks
59 Nick Vigil

45 Troy Dye

41 Chazz Surratt

57 Ryan Connelly

48 Blake Lynch 

47 Tuf Borland

49 Christian Elliss

Cornerbacks (9)

  7 Patrick Peterson

24 Mackensie Alexander

21 Bashaud Breeland

27 Cameron Dantzler

29 Kris Boyd

38 Harrison Hand

37 Dylan Mabin

39 Parry Nickerson

  5 Tye Smith

Safeties (6)

22 Harrison Smith
23 Xavier Woods

43 Camryn Bynum

44 Josh Metellus

46 Myles Dorn

35 Luther Kirk

Special Teams (3 Players)

Kicker

  1 Greg Joseph

Punter
 2 Britton Colquitt

Long Snapper
42 Andrew DePaola

***

NFI/Reserve

76 Jaylen Twyman

Injured/Reserve

81 Olabisi Johnson

The Athletic’s Preseason All-America Team

While passing the days until the Minnesota Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts in Preseason Game #2, I turned my attention to some college football. Preseason rankings, Bruce Feldman’s terrific freaks list, that sort of fun stuff. The Athletic recently released their preseason All-America Team. 

First Team

Offense

Quarterback

Sam Howell, North Carolina

Running Backs

Breece Hall, Iowa State

Bijan Robinson, Texas

Receivers

Chris Olave, Ohio State

Drake London, USC

Tight End

Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

Offensive Line

Kenyon Green, Texas A&M

Darian Kinnard, Kentucky

Evan Neal, Alabama

Jamaree Salyer, Georgia

Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Defense

Defensive Ends

Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M

Defensive Tackles

Bryan Bresee, Clemson

Jordan Davis, Georgia

Linebackers

Will Anderson, Alabama 

Mike Rose, Iowa State

Devin Loyd, Utah

Cornerbacks

Derek Singletary, LSU

Sauce Gardner, Cincinnati

Safeties

Brandon Joseph, Northwestern

Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

Specialists

Kicker

Cade York, LSU

Punter

Tory Taylor, Iowa

All-Purpopse

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Second Team

Offense

Quarterback

Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma

Running Backs

Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

Receivers

Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Tight End

Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

Offensive Line

Thayer Mumford, Ohio State

Ikem Ekwonu, NC State

O’Cyrus Torrence, Louisiana

Alec Lindstrom, Boston College

Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame

Defense

Defensive Ends

George Karlaftis, Purdue

Myjai, Sanders, Cincinnati

Defensive Tackles

Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma

Haskell Garrett, Ohio State

Linebackers

Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma

Duke Jackson, USC 

Micah McFadden, Indiana

Cornerbacks

Trent McDuffie, Washington

Kaiir Elam, Florida

Safeties

Bubba Bolden, Miami

Greg Eisworth, Iowa State

Specialists

Kicker

Jake Oldroyd, BYU

Punter

Lou Hadley, Miami

All-Purpopse

Jerrion Ealy, Mississippi

***

The big schools are well represented. Each year, the talent distribution in college football becomes more concentrated at the very top. 

All-Americans by College

4: Ohio State, Iowa State

3: Notre Dame, Texas A&M, Oklahoma

2: USC, Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, LSU, Cincinnati, Miami

All-Americans by Conference

12: SEC

10: Big 10

  9: Big 12

  6: ACC

  5: Pac-12

  4: Independents

  2: American, Sun Belt

It’s a bit of a surprise to see Alabama with only two first team players. Clemson only has one. Both programs are always overflowing with talent. 

Iowa State has three players on the first team. The Cyclones are #7 in the AP Preseason poll. Matt Campbell has created a strong program. NFL teams will come calling until he stops saying “no.” 

Cincinnati corner Sauce Gardner has one of the best names in college football. 

Speaking of names. Tyler Linderbaum has be an offensive lineman from Iowa. Or Wisconsin. 

Speaking of Wisconsin offensive lineman. I’m surprised that there isn’t a Badger offensive lineman on either the first or second team. 

NFL 100: 30-21

The Athletic is counting down their 100 best players in the history of the National Football League. The NFL 100. Their most recent reveals are the players ranked 30-21. 

  30. Merlin Olsen

  29. Emmitt Smith

  28. Deion Sanders

  27. Barry Sanders

  26. Rod Woodson

  25. John Hannah

  24. Aaron Donald

  23. Sammy Baugh

  22. Brett Favre

  21. Aaron Rodgers

It’s sweet that the Athletic kept both of the Sanders together. They were drafted together. Now, they are ranked together. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see both ranked much higher. Rod Woodson too. 

While Adrian Peterson is technically still active, The two Aarons, Donald and Rodgers, are the first players that are currently on a team to appear on the NFL 100. I expect another quarterback to join them. 

Sammy Baugh should be higher than #23. The write-up in the Athletic suggested that Baugh might’ve made the Hall of Fame at any one of the three positions that he played. Quarterback, safety, punter. That sounds like a player that should be much higher than #23. He definitely should be ahead of Brett Favre. 

Sportswriter Dan Daly was on top of this Favre over Baugh injustice. He tweeted this little comparison between the excellent quarterbacks from two different eras:

Baugh 2 NFL titles, Favre 1 NFL title

Baugh 5 NFL title games, Favre 2 NFL title games

Baugh established an NFL franchise, Favre revived one

But here’s the key:

Baugh: dead

Favre: alive

So naturally, Favre is ranked 22nd on the Athletic’s all-time list and Baugh’s 23rd. 

(Never mind all of Baugh’s INTs as a defensive player and his record-setting punting.)

In my opinion, and Daly’s opinion, there’s zero reason for Favre to be ranked higher than Baugh. I’m not sure if I’d have Favre in the top half of a Top 100 list. I’d certainly have Baugh higher than #23. 

Pre-Super Bowl Era Tracker:

Steve Van Buren

Jim Otto

Mike Ditka

Fran Tarkenton

Elroy Hirsch

Lenny Moore

Willie Davis

Willie Brown

Bobby Layne

Buck Buchanan

Bulldog Turner

Mel Hein

Leo Nomellini

John Mackey

Paul Warfield

Bobby Bell

Marion Motley

Joe Schmidt

Raymond Berry

Ray Nitschke

Bart Starr

Herb Adderley

Lance Alworth

Chuck Bednarik

Gale Sayers

Dick “Night Train” Lane

Sid Luckman

Jim Parker

Forrest Gregg

Gino Marchetti

Bronko Nagurski

Bob Lilly

Merlin Olsen

Sammy Baugh

Of the 80 players revealed so far, 34 played at least a portion of their career before the first Super Bowl. That’s nice representation. Most lists like this have such a recency bias that they’re meaningless. 

A recap of the previously revealed players:

100-31:

100. Derrick Brooks

  99. Dermontti Dawson

  98. Steve Van Buren

  97. Jim Otto 

  96. Mike Ditka

  95. Fran Tarkenton

  94. Elroy Hirsch

  93. Mike Singletary

  92. Lenny Moore

  91. Willie Davis

  90. Willie Brown

  89. Bobby Layne

  88. Darrell Green

  87. Champ Bailey

  86. Buck Buchanan

  85. Bulldog Turner

  84. Mel Hein

  83. Leo Nomellini

  82. Kellen Winslow

  81. John Mackey

  80. Willie Lanier

  79. Mike Haynes

  78. Roger Staubach

  77. Ted Hendricks

  76. Art Shell

  75. Paul Warfield

  74. Bobby Bell

  73. Marion Motley

  72. Adrian Peterson

  71. Mel Blount

  70. Marshall Faulk

  69. Terry Bradshaw

  68. Charles Woodson

  67. Gene Upshaw

  66. Earl Campbell

  65. Joe Schmidt

  64. Walter Jones

  63. Raymond Berry

  62. Ray Nitshke  

  61. Bart Starr

  60. Jonathan Ogden

  59. Junior Seau

  58. Herb Adderley

  57. Mike Webster

  56. Rob Gronkowski

  55. Lance Alworth

  54. Chuck Bednarik

  53. Gale Sayers

  52. Jack Ham

  51. LaDanian Tomlinson

  50. Dick “Night Train” Lane

  49. Steve Young

  48. Sid Luckman

  47. Randy White

  46. Tony Gonzalez

  45. Larry Allen

  44. Bruce Matthews

  43. Drew Brees

  42. Jim Parker

  41. O.J. Simpson

  40. Eric Dickerson

  39. Ed Reed

  38. Randy Moss

  37. Jack Lambert

  36. Forrest Gregg

  35. J.J. Watt

  34. Gino Marchetti

  33. Bronko Nagurski

  32. Alan Page

  31. Bob Lilly

First Minnesota Vikings Cuts

This year, the NFL has returned to serial cuts as the path to reduce rosters from 90 to 53 players. There are three cut-down deadlines. 

8/17: rosters reduced to 85 players

8/24: rosters reduced to 80 players

8/31: rosters reduced to 53 players

What’s the point of the first two cuts? Creeping from 90 to 80 players over a couple cuts feels pointless. It still leaves a final massive cut of 27 players. I suppose that each of the 90-man rosters across the league has 5-10 players that are clearly not going to make the roster. With this cut-down schedule, teams are now forced to whittle away at those players. 

Anyway, the Minnesota Vikings had to whittle five players from their 90-man roster. They started that task over the weekend with the release of two players.

Jordan Brailford, DE

Turner Bernard, LS

Injuries were the reason for the two Monday releases. 

Blake Proehl, WR

Riley Patterson, K

On cut-down day #1, the Vikings released one more player. 

Amari Henderson, CB

The Vikings roster is now at 85 players. 

An outcome of the first cuts is that the kicking specialists are now set.

Kicker: Greg Joseph

Punter: Britton Colquitt

Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola

While Joseph and Colquitt may be the only players on the roster doing their respective jobs, I don’t think that either should be too secure in their jobs. Colquitt didn’t punt well in the first preseason game. As for Joseph, it will take a very long stretch (years) of stellar kicking for anyone to trust a Vikings kicker. 

The Vikings roster might be in for a little tweaking in advance of the next five-player cut-down. An old friend is coming in for a tryout. The Vikings are apparently looking for a pass rushing boost as Everson Griffen will be at the TCO Performance Center today. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022

It’s not long after the enshrinement of a Pro Football Hall of Fame Class for talk to start on the next Class. In this case, one week. My trigger was seeing a list of the first-year eligible players. That got me thinking about the possible members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. 

First-year Eligibles

Tony Romo

Steve Smith

Andre Johnson

Anquan Boldin

Robert Mathis

DeMarcus Ware

Vince Wilfork

Chad Greenway

Mario Williams

DeMarcus Ware tops the list. He should make it through. Then there’s Steve Smith. He had a Hall of Fame career. Was it a first-ballot career? Was it the sort of career that moves him to the front of the receiver queue? Reggie Wayne, Torry Holt, and Hines Ward have been waiting. In my opinion, Smith had a better pass-catching career than those three. Over the past couple decades the voters have shown a reckless eagerness to rush players into the Hall. Calvin Johnson made it in his first year this past year. If he and Smith came up together, I’d put Smith’s career ahead of his. I think that Smith did more to make his team better. If I were to guess what the voters will do, Smith’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer. If it was up to me, despite his being right there with Larry Fitzgerald as my favorite non-Vikings receivers of recent decades, Smith waits. Making it in the first year has to mean more than it currently does. 

When thinking about the next Hall of Fame Class a good place to start is with the players that didn’t quite make it in the last Class. 

2021 Finalists:

Jared Allen

Ronde Barber

Tony Boselli

LeRoy Butler

Torry Holt

Clay Matthews

Sam Mills

Richard Seymour

Zach Thomas

Reggie Wayne

2022 has to be the year for Tony Boselli. I’ve said that for a few years. I’d like to see Jared Allen in Canton next summer but I think that he waits another year. If he’d received the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year that went to Terrell Suggs, I think that Allen might make it in his first year of eligibility. Hitting 22 sacks usually gets that sort of award. It’s amazing how the whims of voters for a season award might impact the whims of voters for a career honor. While I’d like to see Allen make it, I think that Boselli, LeRoy Butler, and Richard Seymour are more deserving of a 2022 Canton call. 

I also like Hines Ward in the Class of 2022. I hate setting positional quotas for a Hall of Fame Class. That nonsense drove me nuts during the five years that Cris Carter waited. A receiver must be a part of this Class. Perhaps I’m being influenced by Troy Palomalu speaking of him but I like Ward over Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt in this Class. “I’m not like any other receiver.” Ward was a different sort of receiver. He might not have the stats of the other great receivers of this century but he did some things that they never did. Things that they never thought to do. Things that don’t fill a stat sheet. 

As for modern players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022, I have:

DeMarcus Ware

Tony Boselli

LeRoy Butler

Richard Seymour

Hines Ward

For the Class of 2022, the Hall is going with a senior player, a coach, and a contributor. The day that they get back to more than one senior candidate will be a great day. Today isn’t that day. It’s one person in each of the three categories. 

Senior:

I’m guessing that the senior committee will tap another player from the 1970s. There’s still work to be done on the early decades of the NFL. That takes some work. That takes some research. The voters appear to prefer picking a player that they saw, that they remember. Until they finally get in, I’m sticking with players like Lavvie Dilweg, Verne Lewellen, and Al Wistert. 

Coach:

It’s Buddy Parker for me. 

Contributor:

I’ve seen Bucko Kilroy and Art McNally mentioned. Good choices. I like the idea of founding fathers Ralph Hay, Leo Lyons, and Carl Storck being honored for the work that they did in creating and building the league. The current owners just make money. Those owners fought just to stay afloat. Making a dollar was a dream. It would’ve been more appropriate if one or more of Hay, Lyons, or Storck were part of the Centennial Class. That didn’t happen. 

At present, my Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 looks something like this.

DeMarcus Ware

Tony Boselli

LeRoy Butler

Richard Seymour

Hines Ward

Lavvie Dilweg

Buddy Parker

Ralph Hay

The actual Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will probably look something like this.

DeMarcus Ware

Steve Smith

Anquan Boldin 

Andre Johnson

Tony Romo

Cliff Branch

Buddy Parker

Art McNally

That’s a load of receivers and a good quarterback but the voters sure like those first-ballot guys. 

Two questions. Patrick Willis has been eligible for two years. 1) How is he not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? 2) How has he not even made it to the finalist stage? A lot of players have received mysterious Hall of Fame treatment. Duke Slater, Fritz Pollard, Benny Friedman, Al Wistert, Alex Karras. Willis has received mysterious Hall of Fame treatment. It makes no sense and needs to change. Willis is one of the best linebackers of my lifetime. He was the best linebacker of his generation. If he’s finally treated properly and makes it to the finalist stage, he’s part of my Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022. 

NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2021: 100-41

Top 100 lists are everywhere. The Top 100 Players of 2021 returned to NFL Network on Sunday. This particular Top 100 has been around since 2011. It’s become an offseason staple and has been dropped a few different ways in recent years. Initially, it kicked off after the draft and was a weekly event. Recently, it’s had a more hurried drop. The players ranked 100-41 were revealed in six one-hour episodes on Sunday. The countdown continues next Sunday over three hours with the players ranked 40-11. The two-hour finale will be on August 28 revealing the Top 10 players. This is a fun list. It’s fun because the players vote on it and the players talk about it. The commentary provided with each reveal is the best part of each episode. Ike Taylor was an early star with his riotous peer review. Mike Daniels was another favorite. Now, players like Za’Darius Smith and Chris Godwin are frequent contributors. Where players rank is secondary to what the players have to say about each other. It’s fun. Football is fun. Here are the players ranked 100-41 on the NFL’s Top 100 Players of 2021.

100. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

  99. Brandon Graham, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles

  98. Brandon Scherff, OG, Washington Football Team

  97. Kyle Juszczyk, FB, San Francisco 49ers

  96. Cole Beasley, WR, Buffalo Bills

  95. Tre’Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills

  94. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns

  93. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions

  92. Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles 

  91. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans (now New York Jets)

  90. Jessie Bates III, S, Cincinnati Bengals

  89. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  88. Shaquil Barrett, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  87. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears

  86. Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints

  85. Zack Martin, OG, Dallas Cowboys

  84. Leonard Williams, DL, New York Giants

  83. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Tennessee Titans

  82. Garrett Bolles, OT, Denver Broncos

  81. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  80. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings

  79. Terron Armstead, OT, New Orleans Saints 

  78. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans 

  77. Quandre Diggs, S, Seattle Seahawks

  76. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks 

  75. Laremy Tunsil, OT, Houston Texans 

  74. James Bradberry, CB, New York Giants

  73. Trey Hendrickson, Edge, New Orleans Saints (now Cincinnati Bengals)

  72. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

  71. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns 

  70. Eric Kendricks, LB, Minnesota Vikings

  69. Ryan Kelly, C, Indianapolis Colts 

  68. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders 

  67. K.J. Wright, LB, Seattle Seahawks (now free agent)

  66. J.J. Watt, Edge, Houston Texans (now Arizona Cardinals)

  65. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons

  64. Damario Davis, LB, New Orleans Saints

  63. Fletcher Cox, DT, Philadelphia Eagles 

  62. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans

  61. Chase Young, Edge, Washington Football Team 

  60. Corey Linsey, C, Green Bay Packers (now Los Angeles Chargers)

  59. Jason Pierre-Paul, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  58. Tyrann Mathieu, S, Kansas City Chiefs 

  57. Cameron Heyward, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers 

  56. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers 

  55. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers 

  54. Grady Jarrett, DT, Atlanta Falcons

  53. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings 

  52. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Pittsburgh Steelers 

  51. Za’Darius Smith, Edge, Green Bay Packers 

  50. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers 

  49. J.C. Jackson, CB, New England Patriots 

  48. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  47. Stephon Gilmore, CB, New England Patriots 

  46. Cameron Jordan, Edge, New Orleans Saints 

  45. Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos 

  44. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers 

  43. Lavonte David, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  42. Trent Williams, OT, San Francisco 49ers 

  41. Jaire Alexander, CB, Green Bay Packers 

***

Some Top 100 Thoughts:

Three Vikings make the NFL’s Top 100 (so far):

Adam Thielen

Eric Kendricks

Justin Jefferson

All deserving. The particular rankings matter little. If Kirk Cousins had made the list, I would’ve thought he’d already make his appearance. Higher than #40 feels a little rich for him. Harrison Smith should appear next week. Danielle Hunter would surely be in the Top 30 if he’d played last season. Maybe he still makes it. Dalvin Cook is Top 20. 

Five rookies make the NFL’s Top 100:

James Robinson

Tristan Wirfs

Chase Young

Justin Herbert

Justin Jefferson

It’s interesting to see Justin Jefferson rate a bit higher than Justin Herbert. The Rookie of the Year voting saw it the other way. 

Jefferson is the highest ranked rookie in the NFL’s Top 100. He’s also the youngest player on the list. 

A fullback! Kyle Juszczyk is more an offensive tool than a player at a particular position. He’s so much more than a fullback. 

Cole Beasley is simply a tool. 

It’s great to see Jessie Bates III finally get some attention outside of Cincinnati.

It wasn’t that long ago the Garrett Bolles was considered a bust. Now he’s got a big contract and ranking of #82 on this list. What a difference Mike Munchack made. 

It’s strange to see a current free agent on the list. I can’t believe that a team hasn’t signed linebacker K.J. Wright.

When healthy, Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle are Top 20 players. Injured, they are #44 and #50. 

#40-11 are revealed next Sunday. 

Minnesota Vikings Preseason Game #1 Recap: Denver Broncos

Football’s back! That’s the good news. The play of the Minnesota Vikings in Preseason Game #1 is the bad news. The Denver Broncos won 33-6. It really wasn’t that close.

The Vikings didn’t dress their top 30 players. None of the expected offensive or defensive starters played. That’s still no reason for the team to play like they did. Offense, defense, special teams. All of it was pretty bad.

Stupid penalties

-The Vikings opened the Broncos scoring when Dakota Dozier was called for holding in the end zone. 

-On at least three occasions procedural penalties gifted the Broncos first downs. 

-Holding and personal foul penalties put an already struggling offense well behind the chains on a couple of occasions.

Too damn many missed tackles

-It was often the third or fourth defender that finally brought Broncos runners down. 

Receivers running free

-There were many yards of separation between receiver and defender on the Broncos first two touchdowns.

Jake Browning telegraphed a pick-6 to rookie Patrick Surtain II

-The Broncos defense might as well have known the play at the snap with the jump that Surtain had on the throw. There was nearly 12 minutes left in the second quarter and the game was essentially over at 23-3.

With all of the starters and most of the veterans sitting out the game, those that played looked a little dazed by the NFL stage from start to finish. Maybe they were stunned by the presence of fans. Who knows? The Vikings players on the field didn’t look like a team ready to play an actual football game. 

Any positives? Not many.

Rookie running back A.J. Rose filled the stat sheet. He was the only offensive player to fill the stat sheet. He showed some nice balance as he tip-toed his way to 100 yards on 25 carries. His one catch for 18 yards also paced the team in receiving yardage. 

One of the players I most looked forward to seeing was rookie running back Kene Nwangwu. He was injured early in the game (opening kickoff?) and didn’t return. That gave Rose the opportunity for extra work. I believe that I saw Nwangwu standing on the sideline later in the game. I hope that his not returning was more precautionary than a serious injury. 

Rookie quarterback Kellen Mond played over half the game. His stats weren’t great. 6/16 for 53 yards. Five carries for 25 yards. Despite being present for only three practices due to COVID-stupidity, he didn’t look overwhelmed. He should’ve had a touchdown on a pass that Whop Philyor couldn’t keep. Mond didn’t make any glaring mistakes. The offense moved the ball when he was leading it. His best play might’ve been the incomplete pass that he threw seconds before the end of the half. With six seconds on the clock at the Broncos six-yard line, the Vikings kept the offense on the field rather than kick a field goal. It’d be easy for a young quarterback, especially a young quarterback with only three training camp practices, to get caught up in the chaos of NFL action and not be mindful of the ticking clock. He got rid of the ball without forcing something or letting the clock tick to zero. The Vikings got their field goal. That made it 26-6 rather than 26-3. Actually, the best thing that Mond did was not make mistakes by forcing something that wasn’t there. In a game that never went well for the Vikings, a rookie quarterback didn’t make things worse. Mond was one of the few players that didn’t make things worse. 

Kris Boyd had a nice pass defense against Jerry Jeudy on fourth-and-goal. That was on the Broncos first drive and was probably the Vikings lone defensive highlight until late in the game. 

It was at the end of the game against the Broncos reserves but I liked what I saw of rookie defensive ends Patrick Jones II and Janarius Robinson. Each registered identical stats of three tackles and a tackle for loss. Jones seemed to play all of his snaps in the Broncos backfield. If he isn’t already, I hope that this game puts Jones in the rotation with Stephen Weatherly and D.J. Wonnum for snaps opposite Danielle Hunter.

In my opinion, Jones edged Rose for player of the game. There weren’t many contenders. 

The game wasn’t great but it was great to see the Minnesota Vikings back in US Bank Stadium. With fans. 

Vikings Preseason Game #1 Preview: Denver Broncos

The Minnesota Vikings season is here. Kinda. The Minnesota Vikings Preseason is here. A lot of people bellyache about the preseason. Actually, they applaud the arrival of the preseason. As soon as they see the first snap and training-wheels level of play they start bellyaching. People still watch it. Many more people watched last week’s Hall of Fame game than that regular season baseball game played in a cornfield. I enjoy the preseason. I even enjoy the fourth quarter of a preseason game. Football is fun. 

The Vikings host the Denver Broncos today in Preseason Game #1. The two teams practiced together this week. It looked fun. They might’ve developed a familiarity with each other but I doubt that shows much on the field today. It’s a preseason game. It’s going to be sloppy. It’s going to be fun. Here are a few things that I’d like to see in the Vikings first preseason game. 

1. NO INJURIES

2. Offensive line progress. I’m one of the few that still believes that Christian Darrisaw will be ready for Week 1. I don’t think that the line that we briefly see today will be THE line. Still, I’d like to see offensive line progress. 

3. Of the rookies, I’m most looking forward to seeing running back Kene Nwangwu and receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Both feel like secret weapons on offense and in the return game. I hope to see the speed of Nwangwu and the explosiveness of Smith-Marsette.

4. Will we see rookie quarterback Kellen Mond? I suspect that the time that he missed to COVID-stupidity will keep him out of the game. 

5. I’ve waited a year to see Michael Pierce in action. I can’t wait to see that. I can’t wait to see him paired with Dalvin Tomlinson. 

6. I can’t wait to see Patrick Peterson and Bashaud Breeland in purple and Mackensie Alexander back in purple. It’s a remade cornerback room. The depth of the position is ridiculous. The rotation is going to be fun. 

7. I’m looking forward to seeing young pass rushers D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II, and Janarius Robinson. The positional experimentation with Wonnum is going to be fun in a game situation. 

8. I hope to see zero missed placekicks. 

9. I just want to see Vikings football. Even preseason Vikings football. Football is fun. 

10. NO INJURIES!

Vikings Football Is Back!!!

Minnesota Vikings Unofficial Depth Chart

In advance of the first weekend of preseason games, teams released their first unofficial depth charts. The release shouldn’t be taken too seriously for a couple of reasons. 1) The start of the season is still a month away. 2) Some slappy on the staff probably slapped the depth chart together. Despite coming straight from the team it’s called unofficial for a reason. Still, this depth chart release is a fun step in the march to the start of a new season. Here’s a look at the first unofficial depth chart of the Minnesota Vikings. 

Minnesota Vikings Unofficial Depth Chart

Offense (43 Players)

Quarterback

Starter: 

Kirk Cousins

Backups: 

Jake Browning

Nate Stanley

Kellen Mond

Danny Etling

Kellen Mond will be on the 53-man roster. 

Running Back

Starter:

Dalvin Cook

Backups:

Alexander Mattison

Ameer Abdullah

Kene Nwangwu

A.J. Rose

Fullback

Starter:

C.J. Ham

Backup:

Jake Bargas

Wide Receiver

Starters:

Adam Thielen

Justin Jefferson

Backups:

K.J. Osborn

Chad Beebe

Dede Westbrook

Ihmir Smith-Marsette 

Blake Proehl

Dan Chisena

Whop Philyor

Myron Mitchell

Warren Jackson

Ihmir Smith-Marsette is only moving up the depth chart. 

Tight End

Starter:

Irv Smith Jr.

Backups:

Tyler Conklin

Brandon Dillon

Zach Davidson

Shane Zylstra

Offensive Tackles

Starters:

Rashod Hill (LT)

Brian O’Neill (RT)

Backups:

Christian Darrisaw (LT)

Blake Brandel (RT)

Evin Ksiezarczyk (LT)

Zack Bailey (RT)

I might now be the only person that still believes Christian Darrisaw will be the starting left tackle in Week 1. 

Guards

Starters:

Ezra Cleveland (LG)

Oli Udoh (RT)

Backups:

Dru Samia (LG)

Dakota Dozier (RG)

Kyle Hinton (LG)

Wyatt Davis (RG)

Center

Starter:

Garrett Bradbury

Backups:

Mason Cole

Cohl Cabral

Defense (42 Players)

Defensive Ends

Starters:

Danielle Hunter (LE)

Stephen Weatherly (RE)

Backups:

Jalyn Holmes (LE)

D.J. Wonnum (RE)

Hercules Mata’afa (LE)

Kenny Willekes (RE)

Jordan Brailford (LE)

Patrick Jones II (RE)

Janarius Robinson (LE)

I don’t buy that rookies Patrick Jones and Janarius Robinson are at the bottom of the depth chart. 

Defensive Tackles

Starters:

Michael Pierce (NT)

Dalvin Tomlinson (DT)

Backups:

Armon Watts (NT)

Sheldon Richardson (DT)

James Lynch (NT)

Zeandae Johnson (DT)

Jordan Scott (NT)

Lining James Lynch over the center will be the exception rather than the norm. 

Linebackers

Starters:

Anthony Barr (SLB)

Eric Kendricks (MLB)

Nick Vigil (WLB)

Backups:

Blake Lynch (SLB)

Troy Dye (MLB)

Cameron Smith (WLB)

Ryan Connelly (SLB)

Tuf Borland (MLB)

Chazz Surratt (WLB)

Christian Elliss (SLB)

Cornerbacks 

Starters:

Patrick Peterson

Bashaud Breeland

Backups:

Mackensie Alexander

Cameron Dantzler

Harrison Hand

Kris Boyd

Dylan Mabin

Tye Smith

Parry Nickerson

Amari Henderson

Safeties

Starters:

Harrison Smith

Xavier Woods

Backups:

Myles Dorn

Camryn Bynum

Josh Metellus

Luther Kirk

Of the 11 projected starters on defense, only three played for the Vikings last year. Anthony Barr played a game and a half. Eric Kendricks missed the final five games. Harrison Smith is the only projected starter that played the entirety of the 2020 season. It’s a remarkable roster churn that doesn’t really feel like a roster churn. That’s due to the familiarity with some of the players on the roster now that weren’t on the field last season. Danielle Hunter returns from injury. Michael Pierce returns from an opt-out. Stephen Weatherly, Mackensie Alexander, and Sheldon Richardson return from sabbaticals with other teams. 

Special Teams

Kicker

Starter: 

Greg Joseph

Backup:

Riley Patterson

Punter/Holder

Starter:

Britton Colquitt

Long Snapper

Starter:

Andrew DePaola

Backup:

Turner Bernard

Kick Returner

Starter:

Ameer Abdullah

Backup:

Kene Nwangwu

Punt Returner

Starter:

Ameer Abdullah

Backups:

K.J. Osborn

Chad Beebe

Ihmir Smith-Marsette