Stuck In a Moment: The 10 Best Players on Bad Teams
At the midway point of the NFL season, I want to commend some of the guys who are excellent at their job, but the results just don’t show up in the win column. We won’t see these guys in the post-season because frankly, their (dis)respective teams are flat out terrible at playing football together. Whether it’s coaching, a Swiss cheese D, or an awful QB running the show, the fact remains, the below ballers will not have an opportunity to display their talents on the grand stage of the NFL Playoffs. These 10 guys are stuck in a moment, and they can’t get out of it. Just like these guys.
10. Ronky Brilliams – Dolphins
Ronky Brilliams, the Two-Headed Miami Monster, has plowed through everyone to combine for over 1,000 yards rushing in just 8 games. Both are deployed on the ground and through the air, but the rest of the offense can’t seem to keep up. Chad Pennington’s already weak shoulder fell off and Chad Henne stepped in only to have no one to throw to. This duo is fun to watch, but their AFC East title is slipping away fast.
9. Aqib Talib – Bucs
The youngster from Kansas is one of the few bright spots on the Bucs this season. He has five interceptions already, including three against Washington and one last week in the first Tampa win over the Pack.
8. Julius Peppers – Panthers
We’re not used to seeing Peppers on this list, but Jake Delhomme’s antics have cost the team several games. Julius continues to pull his weight with 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an interception return for a TD.
7. Jairus Byrd – Bills
Jairus Who? Jairus Byrd. You know. The guy who is leading the NFL in interceptions, that’s who. This Buffalo Bill has seven total and picked off the aforementioned Jake Delhomme and also took two from Matt Schaub. There are too many reasons to count to tell why Buffalo is bad.
6. Patrick Willis – Niners
This Niner is plagued by youth on both sides of the ball and a revolving door at Quarterback. At least there’s a proven leader at the Head Coaching helm in Mike Singletary. Willis is 3rd in the league in tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 picks, 2 forced fumbles, and a TD to boot.
5. Steven Jackson – Rams
For the longest time, Jackson battled injuries just to get on the field and show what he can do. Finally healthy this year, he’s 3rd in the league in rushing but has only found the end zone once for the ragged Rams.
4. Vernon Davis – Niners
I think the message got through to Vernon this year. He is tied for the NFL lead with 7 touchdown receptions, is tied for 4th in receptions and 5th in receiving yards by a tight end.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew – Jags
The Jags are not mathematically out of it yet, but they don’t seem right to me. MJD is among the leaders in yards per carry and total rushing yards. Fred Taylor’s gone, but so are the glory days.
2. DeAngelo Williams – Panthers
The clip above illustrates what Deangelo’s gone through this season. He runs tough all the time, is in the top 5 in the same categories as MJD and has carries taken by Jonathan Stewart. He’s too good and too deprived with Jake Delhomme throwing to the other team on a regular basis.
1. Chris Johnson – Titans
Chris has taken the starting role and run with it. Literally. Like for a long way. The leader at the half in rushing yards has to be wondering what the hell happened. This was a contender last year. Now the Titans are one of the worst teams in a league. I love Gus Johnson by the way.
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This post was mentioned on Digg by drcrackback: Steven Jackson is wasting away precious years of crazy talent in St. Louis. He’ll be 30 before we know it. Sad….
No Frank Gore?
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you should call this the Barry Sanders Award
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Vernon Davis at No. 4 is a joke. If you want a great TE on a bad team, look no further than Zach Miller on the Raiders. In nine fewer games than Davis, Miller has more catches, a better average and is a very solid blocker — not to mention he was drafted in the second round, which means he’s going to cost considerably less than Davis. If you want to point to a reason why the 49ers aren’t good, point at drafting combine wonders like Davis in the top 10 (shocking that Al Davis would take Miller, considering he’s just as guilty of falling in love with 40 times).
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The Titans are not a bad team,they have just had bad luck this year.
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Whoever made this list is 1. and idiot and 2. doesnt know football. “Ronky Brilliams” come on at least know the names of these players. Half these players are on teams that are a couple players away from being a contender. St louis is bad steven is the best player on a bad team. and how can you be a bad team with 2 great players. the NIners have Gore, Willis, Clements, Davis that would mean 4 players on a bad team that only have a losing record because of bad 2 minute drills. Whoever did this article needs to pay attention to football
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I would add Calvin Johnson. Granted, he hasn’t had a chance to prove himself in the NFL, but put him on a team with a good QB and protection for said QB, and he’s be one of the best.
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Where’s Josh Cribbs?
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Why isn’t Aaron Rodgers on this list? He’s in the top 5 for most passing stats, despite his team’s 4-4 record, and a league high 37 sacks allowed.
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What about Nnamdi Asomugha?
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Why isn’t calvin johnson on this? he should be number one
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CALVIN JOHNSON?????????
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The 10 Best Players on Bad Teams…
At the midway point of the NFL season, I want to commend some of the guys who are excellent at their job, but the results just don’t show up in the win column. We won’t see these guys in the post-season because frankly, their (dis)respecti…
[...] NFL’s 10 Best Players On Bad Teams. [Pigskin Docs] [...]
That is why the league needs to condense, so all the best players have a chance to play on very good teams
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We’re giving away over 2k in Nike E-Gift Certificates
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To people who can pick three teams or more to beat the spread. All are welcome as it is my company’s corporate blog http://www.kasplacement.wordpress.com; we were going to wait until week 13 to do it b/c the blog link isn’t up on the site yet, but if enough people reply by Saturday we’ll do it.
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nnamdi asomugha? the dude is one of the top corners in the league but is stuck on a raiders team with a insane owner
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It got them a division title. Which dolphins team were you watching?
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Not one Redskin is good enough for this list? Sigh…
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It got them a division title. Which dolphins team were you watching?
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Id say both corners Asomugha and Byrd because its hard enough being a great corner but when they both have a pick and 2 or 3 swatted balls at the end their down by 15 to 20 points and their team has given up 300 passing yards.
A running back can make a run like Gore, Jackson, and Johnson and win the game.
Patrick Willis can make every tackle all game
They just dont have to even let corners play at all on a bad team, throw it to your end or slot receiver let your no. 1 guy have 2 catches for 9 yards and give them a beating of their life.
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