Posted on June 26, 2017, by Travis Pulver
At this time of year, just about the only time, there is news about an NFL player it is because he’s been arrested or injured playing basketball or slipping at the pool. While everyone is taking one last vacation before training camp, there just isn’t anything of substance to be discussed.
The NFL Network knows this better than anyone. So, to help fill the void they created the Top 100 Players in the NFL list. Monday night, they announced who finished in the top ten. The guy who was chosen No. 1 by his peers should come as no surprise.
Via @sportingnews
It was New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
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In past years, the results have generated some controversy. Some players have gotten upset because they felt disrespected by where they landed on the list. But in doing so, they forget one very important thing. The list is based off the perceived value players hold in the eyes of other players—their opinion.
Opinions are not something that is right or wrong—they are just one person’s perception. The NFL Network’s Top 100 list is a compilation of those perceptions. So, it can’t be wrong.
It’s certainly not hard to see why Brady was voted No. 1. He only led the Patriots on the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. But if that wasn’t enough to convince players of his value, his stats should do the trick. Despite missing four games to the most ridiculous suspension in NFL history, he finished the season with 3,554 passing yards (No. 20), 28 touchdown passes (tied for No. 7), and just two interceptions.
Most importantly, he led the team to victory in 11 of 12 games last season. Not bad for a 39-year old, right?
Brady becomes the first player to be named No. 1 in multiple seasons. He landed on top of the inaugural list in 2011. Since then he has never finished outside of the top five (4th, 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd).
He’ll be 40 before the 2017 regular season starts. Brett Favre’s 2009 season with the Minnesota Vikings currently stands as the best by a quarterback in his 40s (4202 yards, 33 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 68.36 completion percentage).
With the talent the Patriots have stockpiled throughout the offseason, it is not hard to imagine Brady surpassing Favre’s numbers. Should that happen, he’ll likely be named No. 1 again next season.
The full top ten is as follows (NFL):
10. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons (not ranked)
9. Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 41)
8. Odell Beckham, Jr., WR, New York Giants (No. 10)
7. Ezekiel Elliot, RB, Dallas Cowboys (not ranked)
6. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers (No. 6)
5. Khalil Mack, LB, Oakland Raiders (No. 13)
4. Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 4)
3. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons (No. 8)
2. Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos (No. 15)
1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (No. 1)