birdz4i Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 My linkIt is blue-chip/red-chip time here at NFL.com, which means ranking the top players and head coaches in the NFL.In last year's blue-chip/red-chip column, I broke it down by team. This year I'm breaking it down by positions because it keeps the number of players on the list to the select few who meet the criteria for the grading system.With a great deal of help from NFL Network colleague Brian Baldinger, we built a blue-chip/red-chip board. The goal was to get a top 10 at each position. But at some spots, like wide receiver and cornerback, we went more than 10. At others, like center, we went less. The end result is the top 73 players on offense and the top 75 on defense. Baldinger provided great insight and was a tremendous help, but I take full responsibility for the final product.***Definition of a blue-chip player » Player demonstrates rare abilities and can create mismatches that have an obvious impact on the game» Is a premier player in the league and a weapon on the field» Combines competitiveness and skill to have a consistent championship-level performance» Rates in the top five at his position in the leagueDefinition of a red-chip player » 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» Player can't be taken out of the game in one-on-one matchup» Has a consistent level of performance each week» Plays at a championship-level performance» Rates in the top 10 at his position in the league***Before you rip the rankings, make sure to read the above definitions and make sure the player you feel has been slighted fits the description. Not everyone can make the list, so there are going to be some good -- but not great -- players who fall short. In a separate column before the season, I will rank all the teams, using a point-based system, to come up with my blue-chip/red-chip power rankings. So let's get started with the defense (click here for the offense). Also note that the players are listed in order, starting with the best player at each position.DEFENSIVE ENDSBlue Chips Julius Peppers, BearsDwight Freeney, ColtsJared Allen, VikingsTrent Cole, EaglesMario Williams, TexansRed Chips John Abraham, FalconsJustin Tuck, GiantsJustin Smith, 49ersWill Smith, SaintsRobert Mathis, ColtsNotes » This was a hard position to handle as some ends are playing linebacker, and some linebackers play end. All the players here are true ends playing with their hand on the ground on every down (Mario Williams may be standing up now, but based on last year his hand was down all the time).» I left off Osi Umenyiora because these other players are better and can play both the run and pass.DEFENSIVE TACKLESBlue Chips Haloti Ngata, RavensNdamukong Suh, LionsVince Wilfork, PatriotsKevin Williams, VikingsB.J. Raji, PackersRed Chips Casey Hampton, SteelersRichard Seymour, RaidersKyle Williams, BillsDarnell Dockett, CardinalsJay Ratliff, CowboysNotes » In this group, I combined both nose tackles and defensive tackles.» Ratliff was borderline making the red-chip list based solely on his relatively average play last season. But in the past few years, he was dominating and therefore his career play won him the final spot.INSIDE LINEBACKERSBlue Chips Patrick Willis, 49ersJon Beason, PanthersJerod Mayo, PatriotsCurtis Lofton, FalconsLawrence Timmons, SteelersRed Chips Ray Lewis, RavensBrian Urlacher, BearsJonathan Vilma, SaintsDavid Harris, JetsBarrett Ruud, TitansNotes » To qualify here, the linebacker must be able to play all three downs and impact the game.» Lewis and Urlacher are near the end of their careers, but both still play on all three downs and both still impact their team. They just no longer do it at a blue-chip level.OUTSIDE LINEBACKERSBlue Chips DeMarcus Ware, CowboysClay Matthews, PackersJames Harrison, SteelersLaMarr Woodley, SteelersTerrell Suggs, RavensRed Chips Cameron Wake, DolphinsLance Briggs, BearsTamba Hali, ChiefsBrian Orakpo, RedskinsShaun Phillips, ChargersNotes » This position is mostly pure linebackers, with the exception of Suggs, who also plays some defensive end.» The Raiders' Kamerion Wimbley and the Broncos' Elvis Dumervil were the biggest omissions. Neither are truly linebackers and are more rushers, and are thus hard to categorize.CORNERBACKSBlue Chips Darrelle Revis, JetsNnamdi Asomugha, EaglesCharles Woodson, PackersAqib Talib, BuccaneersDevin McCourty, PatriotsRed Chips Leon Hall, BengalsAntonio Cromartie, JetsAsante Samuel, EaglesBrandon Flowers, ChiefsTramon Williams, PackersBrent Grimes, FalconsJohnathan Joseph, TexansVontae Davis, DolphinsQuentin Jammer, ChargersCharles Tillman, BearsNotes » Since I went 15 deep on wide receivers, I felt it only fair to do the same with the guys charged with stopping them.» It's important to note that some of the red-chip players, like Tillman and Flowers, are scheme-specific, but still outstanding in their roles.SAFETIESBlue Chips Troy Polamalu, SteelersEd Reed, RavensAdrian Wilson, CardinalsAntrel Rolle, GiantsEric Berry, ChiefsRed Chips Nick Collins, PackersEarl Thomas, SeahawksO.J. Atogwe, RamsEric Weddle, ChargesLaRon Landry, RedskinsNotes » The top two players here were easy to pick. Berry might be moving into that group if he has another season like his rookie year.HEAD COACHESBlue Chips Bill Belichick, PatriotsMike Tomlin, SteelersSean Payton, SaintsRex Ryan, JetsAndy Reid, EaglesRed Chips Mike McCarthy, PackersMike Smith, FalconsLovie Smith, BearsTom Coughlin, GiantsJohn Harbaugh, RavensNotes » When ranking the coaches, I also took under consideration the total staff breakdown, as some coordinators are extremely valuable.» The Redskins' Mike Shanahan would have appeared on this list in the past, but the last few years his teams have taken a step back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pzummo Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I still feel like William Moore is snubbed league wide. The guy was 2nd in INT's amongst SS's, behind only Troy Polamalu. He was also 4th in PD's. And he was first in return yards off of INT's. Not to mention he can lay the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdz4i Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 I still feel like William Moore is snubbed league wide. The guy was 2nd in INT's amongst SS's, behind only Troy Polamalu. He was also 4th in PD's. And he was first in return yards off of INT's. Not to mention he can lay the wood.i agree, i believe with another solid season he probably make the list. personally i think they could switch lofton and abe. he still seems to be a dominant force, while lofton is good in run d he struggles in pass coverage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmite Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Jared Allen is always overrated in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k-train Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 (edited) I still feel like William Moore is snubbed league wide. The guy was 2nd in INT's amongst SS's, behind only Troy Polamalu. He was also 4th in PD's. And he was first in return yards off of INT's. Not to mention he can lay the wood.Babs gets snubbed all the time, too. He is easily a Red Chip DT.I think giving Lofton a Blue Chip rating is a bit ambitious. He's a very solid Red Chip MLB in my opinion, but he's not really enough of a playmaker to be called a Blue Chip LB.I have a VERY hard time with calling Devin McCourty a Blue Chip CB after just one season. Edited August 25, 2011 by k-train Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmite Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I still feel like William Moore is snubbed league wide. The guy was 2nd in INT's amongst SS's, behind only Troy Polamalu. He was also 4th in PD's. And he was first in return yards off of INT's. Not to mention he can lay the wood.Yeah, Babineaux was snubbed here too I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butudontseeme™ Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 This list is as bad as the offensive one. No wonder Lombardi isn't running a FO anymore, he can't evaluate talent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Dre Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Yeah, Babineaux was snubbed here too I think.Babs is easily one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clark Kent™ Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I love Lofton, but I think it is arguable that he was listed blue chip. And thats absolutely insane that Babs was not selected for either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butudontseeme™ Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Babs is easily one of the most underrated players in the NFL.Yep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m cooper 22 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I guarantee, the intelligent people and other GMs around the league, do not underestimate/underrate Babineaux Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borat Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Moore was easily a "red-chip" guy last year, and I am confident he will make the jump to the "blue" zone this season. However, I really think Lofton is more of a "red" type of guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominatethesouth Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 John Abraham is a top 5 DE, probably top 3. Lombardi is straight up stupid. Jared Allen doesn't compare to Abraham, but Freeney does compare with him. Anyone to stupid to realize that shouldn't even be allowed to write an article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.