The State Of The New York Football Giants

The State Of The New York Football Giants
11.8.09
M.D. Wright

If you think we're going to win the division or make the playoffs (especially if we don't beat Atlanta, which will be the team looking for the last wild card slot most likely)...

...nah, we're done. If we somehow win the division, it will be because we have the Skins and a Vikings team that will be resting their starters late. I honestly think it will take 11 wins to win the division and with the way we play, we won't even win 10.

I'm going to tell you why. When teams slump, they have answers to fix it. Usually, it's because 1-3 guys are hurt for a few weeks, maybe one is out for the season. Maybe it's because of schematics.

However, that's not the issue here. ... Read More

Cris Carter or one of those guys on ESPN made a great point (which is rare) there are problems that the Giants have that WON'T GET FIXED THIS YEAR.

1. We REALLY miss Kenny Phillips more than Giants haters, casual fans and even some Giants fans figured we would. I knew we would miss him ENORMOUSLY.

2. Our offensive line scheme has been atrocious in the running game. We're getting manhandled like the Falcons offensive line. We, on numerous occasions, have been unable to convert 3rd and 1s with a 265-lb running back. Our linemen are getting pushed around and manhandled in both the running AND passing game. Out of everything, that's the ONE thing that possibly COULD be fixed.

3. The defensive line can't get consistent pressure. We get there, but don't get the sack. We get there, and maybe strip the ball -- but don't get the recovery (that has happened a half dozen times this season by my count and each time we DIDN'T get the recovery, the team went down and scored DEAR GOD). We get there, as we did with Rivers today, and hang all over him and he still makes a throw to a WIDE OPEN player, which leads to my other point:

4. Our linebackers are ridiculously flawed. Clark can't cover downfield. I like him as a person, he's a good dude, and he has a good skill set, but he's good in run support. I have seen him on far too many occasions trailing plays downfield and out of position to make a play on his man. We are a SIEVE across the middle of the field. Pierce is a fatass and can't run anymore. It's outrageous how he is still starting. We definitely need to be eyeing a Mike in the draft or free agency. Boley, with all his speed, CAN'T stay healthy.

5. The cumulative effect of the defensive issues in the front seven leads to our already severely depleted secondary who can't cover for SHIT to be compromised further. Evidenced again by the final drive of the game when the Chargers went RIGHT DOWN THE FIELD with no resistance whatsoever. Even guys like Corey Webster, who is a Top 5 CB are being made to look foolish because they can't get to the QB when they blitz up front.

We're not getting Phillips back this year, obviously (and what confounds me more and more every time we get beat deep -- which is a half dozen times a game -- is the fact that he was able to play. His knee was arthritic, but they forced him to go on IR; he had played two GREAT games so obviously he was fine with playing through the pain). Canty just finally played today, but was a non-factor. Same with Boley. Whenever Ross DOES come back (who stays out almost 3 months with a hamstring unless it's torn? I've never seen that before) he's going to be rusty. We can't stop anyone when we need to.

We can't convert short yardage. We can't protect Eli and our special teams has me AGHAST on both sides of it every week. Hixon is WORTHLESS to this team. He doesn't run routes properly, nor does he make adjustments with the ball in mid-air. He doesn't do anything in the return game. We just have terrible decision-makers outside of Coughlin. Gilbride has caused several coronaries and strokes by some Giants fans I'm sure, since 2005. Every week he finds a new way to hold this team back and cost us games when we lose (all but maybe 5 or 6 losses since 2006 can be attributed to Gilbride's awful play-calling which leaves 10-20 points on the field on the average every game). Bill Sheridan can't decide when to blitz and when to fall back and play zone. Every week he gets outcoached. We really miss Spags, and I was one of the few people who was saying he was going to regret taking that job. The Rams aren't going anywhere in the next 3-4 years. By then, he'll be fired and be looking to be someone ELSE'S Defensive Coordinator. He should've stayed here, worked his magnificent scheme and succeeded Coughlin once he burns out and gets sick and tired of boneheaded players (112 yards in penalties today???) because I know I'd probably have a stroke and die on the field if I was coaching this team right now.

People & Dependability

People & Dependability
M.D. Wright
11.8.09

What is WITH people nowadays? There was a time that one's word was their bond. Growing up, the older people did what they said they were going to do, when they said they were going to do. That's the way I grew up as well. I know better than to expect EVERYONE to be the same, but dear god with the erosion of morals, standards and other societal institutions that were previously long-standing, it appears that accountability, responsibility, reliability and dependability have gone out the window with them.

I'm still the same reliable and dependable person that I've always been. Unless there are extenuating circumstances that arise and prevent me from doing what I said I would do -- and, if I gave a timeframe with which to do it -- WHEN I said I would do it, I get it done. Why is that so hard nowadays?

Discuss.

NFL Week 9 Bettor's Guide

NFL Week 9 Bettor's Guide
M.D. Wright
11.7.09

Another Hit 'n' Run edition this week and last week made for ANOTHER awful week pickin' 'em. But oh well, I'm too busy to care.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Stadium
Jacksonville, Florida

Over/Under: 41.5
JAX: -6.5
KC: +220
JAX: -260

Ugly game. Who even knows what will happen. The Jaguars are BEYOND Schizo. The Chiefs play 3/4 of games, not 60 minutes. I'd say take the under if anything and keep it moving. Not a game to wager on and the stakes aren't even high enough to earn.

Pick:
Kansas City 17
Jacksonville 27

FINAL
------------------

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Paul Brown Stadium
Cincinnati, Ohio

Over/Under: 44.5
CIN: +3
BAL: -140
CIN: +120

Tough call here. I WILL say that I think it will come down to a last second FG, like it always seems to with these two teams. I dunno, the Ravens' losses have all come last-minute. The Bengals are FOR REAL, though. And I really think they can run on the Ravens, whose defense isn't what it was in 2000. Flacco is going to lob a few lovely deep passes to Clayton and Mason but I like the Bengals at home by a smidge. PUSH and take the OVER.

Pick:
Baltimore 24
Cincinnati 27

FINAL - OT
----------------------

Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana

Over/Under: 49.5
IND: -8.5
HOU: +310
IND: -380

Indy, giving 8.5 to a very good offense? I dunno about that one. If you ask me, you can't go wrong with picking Houston to cover and maybe even winning straight up. That +310 is a good payout. Bob Sanders is out for the year for the Colts on defense. Andre Johnson should play, and while the Texans will miss the severely underrated Owen Daniel, I think they will be able to move the ball with ease using Steve Slaton and Schaub through the air. I won't go so far as to say the Texans will WIN, because it is indeed in Indianapolis, but they do play the Colts tough every time they play...

Pick:
Houston 31
Indianapolis 35

FINAL
-------------------

Washington Redskins vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Georgia Dome
Atlanta, Georgia

Over/Under: 41
ATL: -8.5
WSH: +350
ATL: -450

Not even wasting my time writing about this BS.

Pick:
Washington 9
Atlanta 28

FINAL
----------------

Green Bay Packers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida

Over/Under: 43.5
TB: +9.5
GB: -500
TB: +400

The Bay Of Pigs. And it's gonna stink like a pig sty. This Tampa Bay team looks like a Club Team at a university with no football team.

Pick:
Green Bay 38
Tampa Bay 10

FINAL
--------------------

Arizona Cardinals vs. Chicago Bears
Soldier Field
Chicago, Illinois

Over/Under: 44.5
CHI: -3
ARZ: +120
CHI: -140

Why are the Cards getting points here? The Bears are a train wreck and their fans know it. The Bears know it. The Cards know it. DAVID ABERNATHY KNOWS IT. Kurt had his one "DEAR GOD, ARE YOU KIDDING ME, WARNER???" game last week and everyone thinks the Cards are set to implode. No. They're going to EXPLODE on these horrid Chicago Bears.

Pick:
Arizona 37
Chicago 20

FINAL
-----------------

Miami Dolphins vs. New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, Massachusetts

Over/Under: 46.5
NE: -10.5
MIA: +450
NE: -600

Good numbers there. The Fins will give the Pats fits with that Wildcat. And Brady WILL be Going Down more than Mary Blige. -10.5 is too high. The Pats aren't going to be marching up and down the field on this VERY GOOD DEFENSE. And Chad Henne is no bum, either. I hate the Patriots, so I'm picking the Fins to win ha.

Pick:
Miami 31
New England 27

FINAL
-----------------

Carolina Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints
The Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana

Over/Under: 51.5
NO: -13
CAR: +500
NO: -700

DEAR GOD DO THE SAINTS PLAY EVERY GAME AT HOME SHEESH?

The woeful Panthers have no shot. They only even won last week because of a nightmare by Kurt Warner, reminiscent of the one Jake Delhomme had against the Cardinals the previous game between the two teams. Dumb Jake from earlier this season comes back tomorrow.

Pick:
New Orleans 49
Carolina 10

FINAL
-----------------

Detroit Lions vs. Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field
Seattle, Washington

Over/Under: 42
SEA: -10
DET: +425
SEA: -550

You know it's bad when an AWFUL team GIVES 10 points.

Picks:
Detroit 20
Seattle 24

FINAL
----------------

Tennessee Titans vs. San Francisco 49ers
Candlestick Park
San Francisco, California

Over/Under: 40.5
SF: -4
TEN: +170
SF: -200

You'd THINK this would be the game where the 49ers wake up and realize the NFC West is still tangible for them.

Pick:
Tennessee 13
San Francisco 34

FINAL
----------------

San Diego Chargers vs. New York Football Giants
Giants Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey

Over/Under: 48
NYG: -4.5
SD: +200
NYG: -240

Chargers are traveling east, and ranked at the bottom of the league stopping the run AND pass. The Giants will get back on track -- given that it will be 65 degrees tomorrow, Eli won't be tormented by the winds that ripped through New York City this past week. The Giants will establish the run game and look to get their WRs started early against a perplexing Charger defense featuring two of the best CBs in the NFL. Oh well.

Pick:
San Diego 26
NY Giants 31

FINAL
--------------

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Lincoln Financial Field
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
***SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***

Over/Under: 50
PHI: -3
DAL: +120
PHI: -140

A couple of scenarios here. The winner retains first place by themselves in the NFC East. Another thing: if Romo has another consistent Four-Quarter game, you have to begin taking Dallas seriously. THAT'S A BIG IF, however.

The Iggles' defense cannot stop Austin and Witten -- along with the best running game in the NFC. As good as the Iggles' offense is, it isn't consistent. Most of their points come on big plays on special teams and through the passing game. This isn't 1977 and this isn't the Oakland Raiders and John Madden. This is Clock-Management-Bumbling Andy Reid and a one-dimensional Iggle running game.

Pick:
Dallas 34
Philadelphia 31

FINAL
-----------------

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos
InVesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Denver, Colorado
***MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL***

Over/Under: 40
DEN: +3
PIT: -140
DEN: +120

Why do they keep putting the Steelers on in Prime Time? I know, I know, they "won" the Super Bowl last year but dear GOD they are boring to watch. Orton finally got exposed by a smart defense last week. The Steelers will do the same, but this game won't be watchable. Just follow the scores on NFL Mobile ha. Big Ben HAH. Big RAPIST will throw a back-breaking INT that will seal the game for Denver.

Pick:
Pittsburgh 17
Denver 20

FINAL
---------------

NFL Week 9 Powre Rankings

NFL Week 9 Powre Rankings
M.D. Wright
11.4.09

Hit 'n' Run version this week -- I'm VERY busy with training at work for the next week and a half, but you already know who the best teams in the NFL are, who the worst are, and who are just jockeying for last wild cards and draft positioning erstwhile.

1. Indianapolis Colts.
Again, P. Manning > Brees. PERIOD.

2. New Orleans Saints.
They do it all, score better than anyone, play defense just as well as anyone and that will matter later in the season.

3. Minnesota Vikings.
Won't call the Pittsburgh game a fluke, because their coach gets in his own way or else they'd go 15-1 easily.

4. Cincinnati Bengals.
When teams show you who they are... BE-LIEVE THEM.

5. Dallas Cowboys.
They've done what they were supposed to the past three games. I'm convinced they are good. Stay out of the spotlight and you can win games ROMO.

6. New England Patriots.
Real test coming up against New Orleans. I honestly don't think they're up to it, but hey, if they win that game, the rest of the NFL will be on notice.

7. Philadelphia Eagles.
Cannot forgive them for losing to the Raiders unless they win the Super Bowl.

8. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ditto with them and their losses.

9. Denver Broncos.
KYLE ORTON = EXPOSED.

10. Baltimore Ravens.
Better than their 4-3 record. Lost all three games in the last possession. That's EXTREMELY hard to do.

11. Arizona Cardinals.
Stunk up the joint royally after losing to an abysmal Panther team.

12. Houston Texans.
People better recognize: I KNOW FOOTBALL. I said this team would win 11 or 12 games and they're on pace to do just that not including the first three games.

13. San Diego Chargers.
Can they put two straight games together against the Giants this week coming off a bye?

14. New York Giants.
Smarting going into the Charger game and then a bye. Should be able to run the ball with ease against this unit -- and pass as well. However, Rivers will be able to pass all day as well. The Giants need to right their ship during the bye because they look worse than the Washington Redskins right now.

15. Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Rodgers doing his best 2002 David Carr Impersonation.

16. Atlanta Falcons.
FRAUDS. And they will catch a serious beatdown in a couple of weeks to prove it.

17. New York Jets.
Got their slump out of the way early rather than late. I think they'll be fine the rest of the way with the best rushing attack in the AFC.

18. Chicago Bears.
PLEASE.

19. San Francisco 49ers.
Not sure what's up with them lately.

20. Miami Dolphins.
A 3-4 team, which wins when I NEED them to lose and loses when I need them to win. Furthermore why I hate them...

21. Jacksonville Jaguars.
......................

22. Carolina Panthers.
Despite 2 wins lately,

...................................................

23. Buffalo Bills.
What is that SMELL???

24. Seattle Seahawks.
The Seabags have been overrated for a decade, who really saw them being any better than 2-5 at the halfway point?

25. Washington Redskins.
HA.

26. Oakland Raiders.
I see so much potential there, but they have clueless coaches who spend more time beating on each other and their wives.

27. Kansas City Chiefs.
I'm still waiting for them to finally turn the corner with all that talent they have.

28. Tennessee Titans.
So they finally "won" a game against the SCHIZOPHRENIC Jaguars.

29. Detroit Lions.
DEAR GOD.

30. St. Louis Rams.
Steven Jackson and run for cover.

31. Cleveland Browns.
............................................................................ (all season)

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
INCOMPLETE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD.

Worst 5 Coaches In The NBA

Worst 5 Coaches In The NBA
M.D. Wright
11.2.09

1. LAWRENCE FRANK. New Jersey Nets.



Why does he still have this job? He only had any success because of Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin -- and they're both LONG GONE. He shows me no skills as a coach whatsoever.

2. MIKE D'ANTONI. New York Knicks.



Still thinks you can run and gun (and play ZERO defense) and win in the NBA. As if Don Nelson and George Karl haven't spent 30 years proving otherwise... And he's not even as good as those two.

3. MIKE DUNLEAVY. Los Angeles Clippers.



Gets to avoid the #1 spot because he was... well, on the bench when the Lakers went to the '91 NBA Finals when Jordan got his first ring.

4. GEORGE KARL. Denver Nuggets.



That Coaching Fraternity is something, right? Tell me going to Carolina isn't still paying dividends for him. Choking like Tony Romo in every big moment certainly isn't the reason he's still coaching an actual NBA Title contender this year.

5. MIKE BROWN. Cleveland Cavaliers.



The Cavs have 4 plays. Five, if you consider that O'Neal and Ilgauskas do the same high low with James -- the same play. He's somehow always looking befuddled as if they have a playbook that rivals Tom Crean's?

Dishonorable Mention: Michael Curry, Don Nelson, Scott Skiles, Vinny Del Negro.

Top 5 Coaches In The NBA

Top 5 Coaches In The NBA
M.D. Wright
11.2.09

No subjectivity here, results matter -- regardless of the players on the team. Good coaching is good coaching.

1. PHIL JACKSON. Los Angeles Lakers.



10 Titles. Best motivator in the game. Best players in the league or not, he keeps them focused so that they do not lose focus of the prize at hand.

2. GREGG POPOVICH. San Antonio Spurs.



He has done it at every level. He has coached, he has served as the Spurs' GM and helped build some of their best teams both as GM (in the past) and coach over the past 15 seasons. He'd be #1 on this list if not for Phil Jackson having the most World Championships ever. The model of consistency and perennially winning 55-60 games.

3. STAN VAN GUNDY. Orlando Magic.



SVG, as we call him, is a better coach than his brother Jeff Van Gundy (referred to as JVG by us online). Shaquille O'Neal tried his best to smear Van Gundy's name, but SVG proved his worth in the 2009 NBA Playoffs. He guided his team to the NBA Finals and should've had an opportunity to do it previously in 2006 before his frontrunning President/GM pushed him out of the door (due to O'Neal's rants).

4. NATE MCMILLAN. Portland TrailBlazers.



Nate is so underrated. He was built to coach, however. I watched his entire career as a player in Seattle and he was a floor general if there ever was one. That has transferred to the coaching seat. He has shaped this team in his own image and they play like those old Seattle teams did in the 80s and early 90s.

5. DOC RIVERS. Boston Celtics.



Doc was overrated to me before a couple of years ago, honestly. But he has learned how to settle on a rotation and gets the most out of what he has with the massive talent that he has at his disposal. Outcoached Phil Jackson in the 2008 NBA Finals -- which is worth noting.

Honorable Mention: Rick Carlisle, Eddie Jordan, Jerry Sloan.

Top 5 General Managers In The NFL

Top 5 General Managers In The NFL
M.D. Wright
11.1.09

A subjective list to be sure, and a lot of GMs have moved to other teams of late. However, this list is more reflective of the past few years.

1. BILL POLIAN. Indianapolis Colts.



He's the best in the game by far. He's been doing it for seemingly forever, and draft after draft consists of shrewd moves that continually to surround QB Peyton Manning with weapons during his 12 year career.

2. JERRY REESE. New York Football Giants.



Assumed the reigns from Ernie Accorsi in 2006 and hit the ground running. He's had nothing but great drafts, a couple of shrewd trades (including getting a 2nd and 5th Round picks from New Orleans for Jeremy Shockey). Most of the playmakers on the current Giants squad are Reese draft picks, free agent signees and trades.

3. SCOTT PIOLI. Kansas City Chiefs.



Pioli looked like a genius in New England. Secretly, people think it was all Belichick. However, Pioli has made moves that are going to set Kansas City up to be successful in the long run once they turn the corner late this year and next year.

4. JOE BANNER. Philadelphia Eagles.



THE ABSOLUTE BEST CAPOLOGIST IN THE NFL. He has worked the salary cap for the Iggles for years and they are one of the best run franchises in the league as a result. Shrewd trades and making the most out of perennially low draft positioning should be noted.

5. MIKE TANNENBAUM. New York Jets.



Mikey T. gets a lot of flack for the Mangini and Favre mess and probably deservedly so for the most part, but he's made some excellent picks which have returned the Jets to relevance. Also fleecing the Browns not once (picks for Shonn Greene) but TWICE (backups and low pick for Braylon Edwards) in the same year has to count for something.

Honorable Mention: Ozzie Newsome, Jerry Angelo, AJ Smith (the only guy who can be on both the best AND worst list).

Worst 5 Owners In The NFL

Worst 5 Owners In The NFL
M.D. Wright
11.1.09

Worst is 1 on this list. It needs no explanation, just names, teams, pictures and typical MDW conjecture.

1. AL DAVIS. Oakland Raiders.



He's still stuck in the 70s. I feel bad for Raider fans. SOMETIMES.

2. DENISE DEBARTOLO YORK & JOHN YORK. San Francisco 49ers.



She only inherited the team because her brother was in the clink. He doesn't know anything about football.

3. RANDY LERNER. Cleveland Browns.



What is his plan for owning this team? They haven't improved one iota since re-entering the NFL in 1999.

4. MIKE BROWN. Cincinnati Bengals.



They were terrible for years and now have a decent team in 2009 after running "Oz" for a few years. Even with their current success this season, they've had decades of questionable moves under the Brown family in general.

5. DANIEL SNYDER. Washington Redskins.



In a way, he doesn't belong here, because he actually wants to win -- spends the money to bring in the players he thinks can help the team win; just minus the results. This is 10 years in for Snyder and the Redskins look WORSE than they did when he bought the team. Something's wrong with that whole scenario given what respect I've had for Snyder for not being a cheapskate (I will say giving $100M to a DEFENSIVE TACKLE -- whose impact is limited -- was a questionable move, however).

Dishonorable Mention: Tom Benson - New Orleans Saints, Paul Allen - Seattle Seahawks.

Top 5 Team Owners In The NFL

Top 5 Team Owners In The NFL
M.D. Wright
11.1.09

This is a subjective list. Winning, paying players what is necessary to win and putting your team in great environments both from a practice facility and game stadium perspective counts for a lot here. Meddling, poor choices in GMs, coaches (if the team's owner makes that move himself) detract from candidacy for this list.

1. JERRY JONES. Dallas Cowboys.



Like him or not, he built the greatest sports arena ever this year. He has a state of the art practice facility and has been willing to spend money (however misguided at times) to ensure that his team was always the most talented on the field and in the best position to win. They haven't in years, but that's not reflective upon Jones.

2. JOHN MARA & STEVE TISCH. New York Football Giants.



Mara and Tisch continue the legacy of consistency, class and character that their fathers, also co-owners of the team, built for decades prior. They have one of the best GMs in the league and set an example for other owners to follow.

3. DAN ROONEY. Pittsburgh Steelers.



The Steelers have had three coaches. IN FORTY YEARS. That's consistency. They have always done the same thing from ownership down to the field. The owners were pioneers in integrating the league. The coaches -- Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, Mike Tomlin -- all ascribe to the same game philosophy: swarming Steel Curtain defense, steady QB play and a pound-it-out running game. And they've done it better than anyone since 1970.

4. JEFF LURIE. Philadelphia Eagles.



Since Lurie purchased the team, the Eagles have done nothing but win NFC East titles and NFC Championships -- even appearing in a Super Bowl in 2004. They probably manage the salary cap better than anyone in the NFL.

5. BOB KRAFT. New England Patriots.



The Patriots virtually dominated the NFL landscape in the 2000s, but being caught for cheating detracts from too much credit being given for simply being great.

Honorable Mention: Jim Irsay - Indianapolis Colts, The Residents of Green Bay, Wisconsin - Green Bay Packers, Woody Johnson - New York Jets.

Top 5 Point Guards In The NBA (2009-2010 Edition)

Top 5 Point Guards In The NBA (2009-2010 Edition)
M.D. Wright
11.1.09

It's the number one guy and everyone else. But for the sake of the list, I have to put five guys here and a few honorable mentions without naming half the players in the league ha.

1. CHRIS PAUL.



It's this guy, any everyone else. He does it all dynamically. Reminds me a lot of 1980s Isiah Thomas (and for those who only know him for ruining the CBA, Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks -- that's actually a HIGH COMPLIMENT).

2. RAJON RONDO.



It baffles me why Boston doesn't jump at the opportunity to extend this guy before waiting last minute (as they have, as of Nov. 1, 2009). He is so versatile. His "J" will come. He has excellent command of the ball and of the game in general. He is still learning when to score and when to just dish it, but he's been the reason why the Celtics have been so consistently good these past 2+ years -- not their "superstars" (two of whom are at that point of no return physically and age-wise; but don't tell that to C's fans).

3. TONY PARKER.



He disgusts me, but this is his 8th season of leading this Spurs team. There's something to be said about that, especially with an aging lineup that can't just go out and outscore anyone. There's something to be said about your point guard in a situation like that; serving as a calming and steadying influence.

4. DERON WILLIAMS.



He has the build and court vision that it takes to be a potentially great point guard. He can score at will and shoot it from deep. He shoots a good percentage at the line and doesn't do anything that costs his team. That's what you want in a point guard.

5. DEVIN HARRIS.



He's all the Nets have. There has to be something said for that.

Honorable Mention: Derrick Rose (developing a "J"), Jose Calderon, Rodney Stuckey, Gilbert Arenas.

Top 5 Middle Linebackers In The NFL (2009 Edition)

Top 5 Middle Linebackers In The NFL (2009 Edition)
M.D. Wright
11.1.09

The Quarterback of the defense. The glamour/spotlight of all the defenders -- and the one with the most responsibility. The Top 5 of this bunch includes some of the best athletes in ALL of sports. They have to be able to run, cover sideline to sideline, stop the run, get downfield and tackle adroitly.

1. PATRICK WILLIS.



Best LB in the league from the "Mike". Meets every criteria mentioned above and an absolute joy to watch if you love defense or played defense in your day.

2. DEMECO RYANS.



Too bad he's on a somewhat porous Texans defense and isn't on national TV at all (the Texans have only been featured in prime time once in his career). But I've watched him many games make play after play. And not those El Cheapo games with 20 tackles when your team gets blown out and you're trailing TEs and WRs downfield. But making plays at the line of scrimmage, stops for loss and getting downfield in coverage. I love it.

3. JON BEASON.



Jon Beason plays the game like absolutely hates everyone on the offensive side of the ball.

4. RAY LEWIS.



STILL LITERALLY KNOCKING DUDES' HEADS OFF AFTER 14 SEASONS.

5. JONATHAN VILMA.



The Saints scheme doesn't center around him making all the plays like it did when he was with the Jets, but he still covers tons of ground out there. The unquestioned leader on the Saints defense that includes secondary maven Darren Sharper.

Honorable Mention: Stephen Tulloch, London Fletcher, Barrett Ruud, EJ Henderson, Antonio Pierce.