Your comments piqued my curiosity, so I decided to check out the numbers. I looked at Roethlisberger's career production. It turns out that Roethlisberger's 2007 season was unquestionably an aberration. Except for that year, he has never thrown more than 18 TD passes in a season. I did a quick Q test and his 32-TD performance is statistically an outlier, and it's not even close (Qcalc = .933 >>> Qcrit = .710).

For his career, Roethlisberger has averaged 238/381 (62.4%) for 2885 yards (7.9 ypc), 20 TDs, 14 INTs, and a 89.4 QB RTG.

If we were to leave out the 2007 season (which, judging by the results of the Q test, we could justifiably do), his numbers would be even lower.

Yes, he has 2 Super Bowl rings, but I don't see how he can be given the lion's share of the credit. I think he's like a little boy sitting on a skateboard holding onto a rope tied to his daddy's bike.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

Come on, is it really necessary to throw around the "douchebag" epithet? Calling people names like this takes so little thought that it drives me nuts. Either state that you disagree and move on or tell us why you disagree with this list.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:

You're relying on a calculator to make your decision for you which is not how football is determined unless we're talking fantasy football.

"porky88" wrote:

Chad Johnson over Greg Jennings?

Roddy White and Terrell Owens that high.

Shaun Phillips is also way to high.

I just realized Greg Jennings isn't on the list.

This list is terrible. I heard about it on the radio, but didn't think it was that bad.

Not saying it should be full of Packers. At most I see maybe four in the top 100, but the receiver rankings are full of it and not to sure about LT that high ahead of Turner too.

"porky88" wrote:

10. Ed Reed, S, Baltimore Ravens: Perhaps no defensive player can impact a football game quite like Reed. On top of the frequent interceptions (he led the league in both 2004 and 2008), he can take them back to the house for scores. Reed's five interceptions in five career postseason games prove he gets it done in big games, too.

9. Julius Peppers, DE, Carolina Panthers: One of the best defensive ends in the game, Peppers was the force behind the Panthers' magical '08 season. Still playing his very best, he's one of the rare defensive players that can singlehandedly will a team to victory. With a new defensive coordinator, Carolina needs him in camp sooner rather than later. That deal needs to get done.

8. Jared Allen, DE, Minnesota Vikings: An absolute beast and arguably the NFL's best pass-rushing defensive end since Michael Strahan, Allen made an already strong Minnesota defense even stronger in '08. A nightmare for offensive tackles and an inspired leader in the locker room, he's emerged from a career riddled with off-the-field mishaps to become one of the league's very best players.

7. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints: Is No. 7 overall a little high for a player who hasn't played in a postseason game in two years? Perhaps. But there's no doubting Brees' skills, leadership and ability. Brees is a top-five quarterback in the league, and with some defense just a little tiny bit the Saints could be a top-five team in this league.

6. DeMarcus Ware, DE/LB, Dallas Cowboys: A three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Ware is only getting better with every passing year. The loss of free-agent DE Chris Canty could hurt, but the addition of former Falcons LB Keith Brooking may actually free up Ware even more.

5. Purple Jesus, RB, Minnesota Vikings: A.D. had an incredible sophomore season, tossing the Vikings on his back down the stretch and carrying them to an NFC North title. There's no player in the league who has greater big-play potential, and he brings that big-play potential 25 times a game. Hands down the best running back in the league, he will be in the MVP conversation over the next decade of his career.

4. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the league. When it's all said and done, he might end up being the best wide receiver to ever step on a football field. Yeah, I wrote it. If '08 was his breakout campaign and the Super Bowl his "Hello, America" game, I can only imagine what he has in store for us in '09. Gifted with superhuman hands, an uncanny skill set and leadership qualities of a field general, Fitzgerald is the single-most valuable non-quarterback heading into the 2009 NFL season.

3. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Say what you want about the strength of the Super Bowl champions' defense, but Big Ben is unquestionably the true leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers. With two Super Bowl rings and three AFC championship game starts in just five NFL seasons, he's one of the top three quarterbacks in the league. Win another one and he could be No. 1 on this list next year. Kick and scream all you want about it Roethlisberger's the real deal.

2. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: Without Brady in '08, the Patriots had an impressive 11-5 season, just missing the playoffs by a nutty tiebreaker scenario. The '08 season was a testament to Bill Belichick, backup quarterback Matt Cassel and offensive guru Josh McDaniels. Two of the three won't be back in '09. But Brady will be. That fact, alone, makes the Patriots the no-brainer favorite in the loaded AFC East.

1. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts: Though not the best in a statistical sense, Manning's '08 campaign was arguably the most impressive season of his decorated 11-year career. Working behind a makeshift offensive line with injuries scattered across the depth chart at just about every position for much of the year Manning led the Colts to the playoffs and another 12-win season after an uninspiring start to the season.

With other quarterbacks, you'd be worried by the departure of a head coach, starting wide receiver and several key offensive assistants. Not Manning. He's the ultimate franchise player. Give me anyone in the league to build a team around and I'm still taking Manning ... yes, even (over) Tom Terrific.