Top 10 NFL Players Who Wear Number 10

At the beginning of each new year up until 2099 I will highlight the top 10 players who don the jersey number of the year.  So remember to keep checking back each year you’re still alive.

We’ve finally arrived at the year of the 10! 10 is the perfect score in competition. Its the number of commandments in the Bible, the atomic number of neon in science, and in life, it’s the number of days it takes to lose a guy. In football, the number 10 signifies a quarterback, kicker, and most recently, a receiver. Below are the top 10 number 10’s currently in the NFL. Take a look.

10. Olindo Mare – Mare connected on 92% of his field goal attempts in ‘09 for the Seahawks. He represented Dolphins in the pro bowl in 99 and has been one of the top kickoff kickers for 13 years.

9. Jabar Gaffney -  Gaffney became one of Orton’s favorite targets in Denver this season. He hauled in 54 grabs on the year including a 14 catch 213 yards performance in week 15.

8. Brady Quinn - The former Notre Dame star has shown signs of promise but has yet to put it together. Injuries and a lack of talent around him have all contributed to his slow start.

7. Marc Bulger – The Rams have been underwhelming of late, and Bulger’s mediocre season ended prematurely with a finger injury. But, over the course of the decade, Marc has been an excellent player with two pro bowl selections in ‘04 and ‘06.

6. Nate Kaeding – Currently the most accurate kicker in the history of the NFL, Kaeding is the only player who wears his age as his number.

5. Chad Pennington – Another #10 who lost his season, and possibly his career, to a shoulder injury, Pennington’s game management and pinpoint accuracy helped him finish as an MVP runner up in 2008. In 2006 he won the comeback player of the year award and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he comes back strong next season.

4. Santonio Holmes – The 2009 Super Bowl MVP racked up 79 catches for over 1200 yards in his 4th season with the Steelers, good for 7th in the league.

3. Vince Young – The Future Hall of Famer has certainly been playing like one. After regaining the starting job from Kerry Collins, Young went 8-2 and nearly took an 0-6 team to the playoffs.

2. Eli Manning -  When you play in the largest media market, you’re a former number 1 pick, and the brother of a living legend, you’ll always be the target of criticism. But Eli has performed. The former Super Bowl MVP finished in the top 10 in touchdowns and yards passing in 2009 and has plenty of room to improve.

1. DeSean Jackson - The most electric player in the NFL had 8 TDs over 50 yards in ‘09. It seems every time he has the ball in space, he’s going to score. This year, he’s the first player ever to make the pro bowl at two positions in the same year. (Kick returner and a receiver) That should really help his shaky confidence.