I was on the Bill Simmons podcast the other day, and Bill had a great idea for a column, which in my world means I’m going to follow his instructions. When it comes to Simmons, I’m like Uncle Junior of the “The Sopranos” talking to Dr. Kennedy, his cancer doctor. Uncle Junior says, “When he says sign, I sign. When he says take a crap on the Queen Mary, an hour later they are hosing it down with disinfectant.” Bill has an idea for a column and I’m writing it. But first, I want to set the stage.
Yes, Tom Brady will be on the list.
What I’m going to do is grade the AFC and NFC to determine how many blue-chip players are currently on roster. And the definition of blue chip is the same one I used when I was grading pro players in the NFL. Here it is:
Player has abilities that can create mismatches vs. most opponents in the league. Is a featured player on the team and has impact on the outcome of the game. Not one player can take him out of the game. Each week he has a consistent level of performance. Plays at a championship level performance. He rates in the top ten at his position in the league.
Now, the other area of this report that needs to be addressed is the value of the quarterbacks as they relate to the head coach. To me, playoff teams in large part are about the quality of the head coach and the quality of the quarterback. That’s why one of the reasons I don’t love the Vikings this season is marginal quarterbacking and marginal coaching in a division that has gotten better in terms of quarterbacking.
So this report will have the blue-chip players along with a rating of the quarterbacks and head coaches. In addition, it will include an explanation of why some players are not blue chip and why others made the list.
Tomorrow in the Tavern: AFC East and North.
Love hearing you on Bill's podcast. Hope you do the weekly show with him like last year.
Jets blue chippers:
Revis
Jenkins
Mangold
and Leon if viewed outside of position
Packers blue chippers:
Jennings
Kampman
Woodson
Potential blue chippers
Collins
Raji
Rodgers
Quality coaching and QB. Enough to make the playoffs.
If we're talking blue chip players, then surely some recognition has to go to Walter Jones of the Seahawks. The guy has been a dominant force on the line for a long time (although he may be on his last legs this season, tragically).
Loved hearing you on Simmon's Podcast last week and last year. Unlike most radio host and personalities, you know such much more about each team and the game in general than almost anyone I have come across. It's a real pleasure to read your columns everyday and listen to your podcast with Bill.
I have a hard time believing every team has a blue chip player. Some will obviously have more than one, but I don't think every team has a player that is a blue chipper. Wes Welker is a great player, but I would say Moss is a Blue Chip player and Welker isn't.
chargers:
LT
Rivers
Gates
McNeil (maybe)
Merriman
Jamal Williams
Cromartie (when merriman is healthy)
sproles (as a returner)
Chargers blue-chippers :
Offense :
Philip Rivers, Antonio Gates, LaDainian Tomlinson, Kris Dielman
Defense : Shawne Merriman, Jamal Williams
And you can make a case for Quentin Jammer who is vastly underrated in the NFL.
Vikings Blue Chippers
Adrian Peterson
Jared Allen
Kevin Williams
Steve Hutchinson
Maybe Winfield
Maybe E.J. Henderson
Browns:
Crennel
Savage
Couch
Kellen Winslow, Jr
Shaun Rogers
Brady Quinn
Patriots Blue Chippers:
The entire roster
| powered by TheSeats.com |
Fox’s future in Carolina is tied...
Both have problems, but playoff...
Raiders QB lacks motivation and...
The best defense is sometimes...
Bills new coach must embrace the...
Aug 10, 2009
06:37 PM
Awesome Idea. I really look forward to reading these.