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Reaction: Banks' Top Five Packers' Brett Farve deserves more respect, users cryPosted: Thursday July 19, 2001 9:44 PMSports Illustrated's Don Banks ranked the top five head coaches and players at each position. We wanted to know what you thought of Banks' rankings. Keep reading for a sample of your responses. Give me a break. Brian Griese ahead of Brett Favre? Please, get real. Although age may be creeping up on him, no other quarterback listed does more with less, or knows how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat better than Favre. With the game on the line, no quarterback listed has what it takes to get it done in crunch time. These are the reasons why you win three consecutive MVPs. The man has the heart of a gladiator and the skill to carve you up like a surgeon. Now that he has some healthy bodies surrounding him, a young threat on the verge of a breakout year at running back (Ahman Green) and a capable, disciplined coach, they should be a lock for the playoffs this year.
What is up with "Left Out -- Brett Favre"? How quickly we forget that this guy is a three-time MVP. If I am not mistaken, he's the only player with the distinction of winning three consecutive MVP awards. The fact is that he is still well within the top five. Surround Brett with the level of receiving talent that surrounds your top five quarterbacks and I am guessing you would have a different opinion.
How is Brett Favre even near your list of the top five quarterbacks in the NFL? He hasn't been good since 1998. His team hasn't even made it to the playoffs in the past two years. Lately, he struggles to throw as many touchdowns as interceptions. There are many better quarterbacks in the NFL. What about Pro Bowl starter Rich Gannon? What about Steve McNair, Jeff Blake, Aaron Brooks, Kerry Collins and Steve Beuerlein? They're all better than Favre.
Ever heard of the best safety in the league, Rodney Harrison? Which other defensive back can rack up half a dozen interceptions, half a dozen sacks and be among the league leaders in tackles? He deserves more props.
I agree with most of your selections, however, the one I do not agree with is at running back. There is no way, at this point in his career, that Emmitt Smith is better than Corey Dillon is.
Don, what's up with all the Denver love!? Brian Griese over Brett Farve? That might make sense in a couple of years when Farve is likely to decline due to age. But amazing statistics aside, Griese hasn't played a (good) full season yet and hasn't even played in a playoff game. All Farve did was lead a talent-depleted team no one expected much from to a 9-7 record and near playoff berth. And he showed no real signs of slowing down. Come down from your Rocky Mountain High and let Griese earn his spot in the top 5 first. And also, Ed McCaffrey over Terrell Owens? You gave penance to Randy Moss in your rankings, are you holding a double standard against Terrell for his antics? Ed McCaffrey should definitely be held in high regard for getting the most out of his skills and being a warrior and definitely had an amazing season last year. But, as far as big play ability, potential, and overall receiver ability, I'd think nine out of 10 football people would take Terrell over Ed in a heartbeat! And actually, I think most would take Easy Ed and Terrell over your No. 4 choice, Eric Moulds! Otherwise, great job! I'm sure it's not easy being a columnist.
I agree with many selections, but leaving Jimmy Smith off of the list of receivers has to be one of the most idiotic things I have seen in a long time. Smith has been the most productive receiver in the NFL over the last few years, leading in yards and receptions. Not to have him in the top five is ridiculous. Also, two other slighted Jaguars, Tony Bosselli, who dominated last year playing on one and a half legs, and Fred Taylor, who is as explosive as any back on the list and a better runner than Faulk.
I'm in agreement with Patrick Surtain as one of the top defensive backs, but he's not even the best corner his the team. I think you forgot to mention Sam Madison on that list. Plus, Charles Woodson is not the next Deion. Give me a break! P.S.: Olindo Mare is the first- or second-most accurate kicker of all time, plus he had a very good season last year. Was that another oversight?
Jeff Garcia is the best unknown quarterback in the league. Just because his last name isn't Montana or Young he's dismissed ever so easily. What did the stats tell you last year? He's a top flight quarterback and deserves some respect.
Most of your picks are right on the money but, to leave out the 49ers Terrell Owens as a top five receiver is a major oversight. Now about quarterback I would switch Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner I am not saying Kurt is not good I just don't think he is the best after all with those players he has on that offense its hard not to look good.
Dubious, dubious choices! Emmitt Smith over Stephen Davis and Terrell Davis? Ed McCaffrey over Tim Brown, Rod Smith, Tory Holt, and Keyshawn Johnson? Patrick Surtain over Sam Madison, Shawn Springs, and Eric Allen? Trevor Pryce over Bryant Young? Kyle Turley over Orlando Pace? Brian Urlacher over Jesse Armstead? Brian Griese over Jeff Garcia and Steve McNair? Have you gone mad?
These are the most ridiculous rankings I have ever seen. Don Banks has a clear anti-Tenessee bias that stretches back to their 2000 Super Bowl run. He picked them to lose every game they played in the playoffs and was wrong every time. How can you leave Jevon Kearse off the list of best linemen? He is a rising star who is going to redefine the game. He'll have 18+ sacks this year now that the opposing offense has to worry about Kevin Carter at the other end. Also, while Faulk had a great year, Eddie George is clearly the best running back in the league. Faulk plays on an offense where the field is so spread out he either faces a defensive back he overpowers or a linebacker who can't match his speed. George lines up against tough defenses who know he is going to get 25+ carries and grinds out solid gain after solid gain. And finally, not including Jeff Fisher as one of the top coaches is absolutely ridiculous. Give them a good placekicker and this is a team that loses one game all year (Week 1 at Buffalo where the missed many basic plays) and cruises to a Super Bowl title. Mr. Banks, a professional journalist is supposed to be impartial and objective. You are clearly neither.
Hey what happened to Terrell Owens on your list of wide receivers? He had more receiving yards than Harrison, Moulds, Moss and McCaffrey. Not to mention his toughness in both run after the catch and downfield blocking. Oh yeah, and his 13 touchdowns last year. He definitely deserves a place on the list.
You've got me laughing. Once one of those five quaterbacks ranked ahead of Favre takes his team to a couple of Super Bowls, wins three straight division crowns and MVPs, throws for 30+ touchdowns three straight seasons and doesn't miss a single start for nine straight seasons -- all before he's 32, and does so without an Isaac Bruce or a Randy Moss or a Terrell Davis, maybe then you can start to make a case. But for now, thanks for the laugh. I needed that.
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