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Sporting News Today’s Albert Breer wrote a piece in this morning’s edition ranking the top 40 wide receivers in the National Football League. The rankings were put together by a team of NFL Scouts.
Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans came in first in the poll. He’s had an outstanding season, and leads the league in receptions (67) and yards (900), while scoring 3 touchdowns. Completing the top five in the poll are Brandon Marshall of the Broncos, Carolina’s Steve Smith, Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald and Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis.
In case you’re wondering, Cardinal Anquan Boldin was #8 on the list–also behind Terrell Owens of Dallas and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson. Wait…what?
T.O. has obviously had a great career, but is on the downside. At age 34, his production has dropped off dramatically. He doesn’t rank in the top 40 in the league in catches or yards this season. A lot of that can be pointed to the Cowboys’ quarterback problems, but even watching T.O. at this point indicates a drop-off.
On the other hand, Calvin Johnson of the Lions ranks that high based solely on potential. He’s a physical specimen, at 6 foot 5 and 240 pounds, and averages nearly 20 yards per catch. He has also played in a situation with much quarterback unrest, and produced, but the bottom line is he has 87 career catches, and 10 touchdowns.
Monday night, Anquan Boldin showed the nation that he is one of, if not the top receiver in the game. He’s a wrecking ball after the catch, is now involved in the running game, and has a nose for the end zone. He has ten touchdown receptions this season despite missing two full games. Nobody else in the league has more than 6.
I admit, during the preseason, when Boldin was rather vocal about his desire for a new deal, and possibly a trade, I suggested that the Cardinals should shop him around and see what they could get. I was wrong. Anquan Boldin doesn’t strike me as a player who is showcasing himself to 31 other teams with his play this season. He’s just a player with greater desire to succeed more than the 11 defensive players on the field at any given time.
He’s a special player, and I highly doubt that there’s seven better than him at his position in the league.
November 12th, 2008 1:55 PM
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No. There is not better receiver in the game today. The guy has a broken face, take no painkillers and just puts on a display. He is amazing after the catch as well and I would say a very nice blocker.
I was amazed at the game he played Monday Night and I do not even think he was at his best. And bottom line, he is consistent. Top 3 no question and I have a hard time taking him out of first.
are it really appropriate to use “is” before a plural?
I don’t know if you can really rank receivers in the NFL because they all provide something different. Do you want speed? Hands? Jump-ball ability? Strength and blocking? All-purpose play? For every criterion there’s a different pecking order.