In the September 13 issue of Sporting News Magazine the publication lists the NFL’s top 100 players as selected by a 99 man panel including 25 Hall of Famers. The Vikings, with seven selections, have more players than any franchise, followed by the Ravens and Steelers at six each.
Running back Adrian Peterson is the highest rated Viking at No. 5, followed by defensive end Jared Allen No. 10, quarterback Brett Favre No. 15, offensive guard Steve Hutchinson No. 23, defensive tackle Kevin Williams No. 29, and wide receivers Sidney Rice No. 71 and Percy Harvin No. 93.
Williams’ No. 29 ranking surprised his defensive line teammate Jimmy Kennedy. “They’re robbing Kevin,” Kennedy said about the All-Pro who some analysts consider the best defensive tackle in pro football. “If Jared is 10, Kevin gotta be eight.”
Kennedy admires Allen, too, a player who has a reputation for sacking the quarterback. “He’s relentless, man,” Kennedy told Sports Headliners. “He goes out there and people always talk about him versus the pass. He’s stellar versus the run as well. Night in, night out, he comes ready to play and he’s going to leave it on the field.”
Williams has played in five Pro Bowls, Allen three. Williams is 30 years old, Allen 28. The two of them, along with defensive tackle Pat Williams and defensive end Ray Edwards form perhaps the NFL’s best defensive line.
Sporting News ranked quarterback Peyton Manning of the Colts as the No. 1 player, followed by Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Titans running back Chris Johnson and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.