The NFL's 50 Most Impactful Players

*Footnote: This is the 50 most impactful and influential Players, not the best. Though their play on the field was taken into account when ranking them one through fifty.

I can tell I'm probably going to get heavy criticism on this one, especially considering that there are some good teams on here without an impact player listed in the top 50. Oh well. I busted my butt oPublish Postn this, and while I don't expect anyone to read all of it in one sitting, I do think I did an excellent job, not in highlighting x player is good, but in how they change the game for the players around them. So without further ado, my biggest work yet.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, HalfBack, SDG
As stated previously, this is a list of players that are most influential to their teams, and the league as well. You can't get more influential than being the leagues Most Valuable Player. It kinda comes with the territory. Tomlinson does it all. He runs through people, he catches passes in the flat, he can make a defender miss, he can pick up a blitzing LineBacker, and he can get his yards no matter how many people he sees on the D-Line or in the box. But that alone cannot define why Tomlinson is so darn influential. Tomlinson is the Chargers offense, despite what the numbers Philip Rivers posted. Tomlinson has been playing at an elite level over the past 5 or so years and has no true flaws at the Halfback position. Tomlinson draws Safeties into the box, forces teams to throw curveballs at the Chargers on defense, and makes Defensive Coordinators think twice before going exclusively man coverage with no Safety help, because of his pass catching and throwing abilities. He does the aforementioned despite the Chargers lack of a legitimate Wide Receiver.

2. Tom Brady, QuarterBack, NWE
Last year, before the season started I said that you should expect to see the Patriots in it because of Tom Brady. More specifically because Brady spreads the ball to his Wideouts, Tight Ends, and Halfbacks. A year later, I think I was correct, you be the judge. Brady's influence on the game is huge. Don't believe me? Look at the hardware.
Tom Brady is a winner. He is poised and under control for the most part in the post-season, and that's about as influential as it gets. However, his influence transcends far beyond his leadership. His influence is also in his decision making. His decision making is the catalyst for the Patriots offense working. He spreads the ball for the success of the team, rather than the success of the offense, and never for the success of himself. If you want to know Brady's influence, look no further than him turning an average Patriots team into a team that has never had a losing season while he's been at the helm.

3. Peyton Manning, QuarterBack, IND
Peyton Manning may be more influential than Tom Brady, however Brady's post-season influence is what has knotted him the edge above Manning in these standings. I don't even think I need a paragraph to explain Peyton Manning's influence. Manning can take a team with a monotonous and average Defense and overshadow it to 10+ victories a season with his understanding of the game alone. There is no better student of the game, and his impact comes with more than just production. His influence is seen every time he steps to the Line-of-Scrimmage and audibles, or even doesn't. His influence is seen with every pass he places precision and touch on. Manning need only look at a Defensive Back for them to think the ball it coming their way. Additionally, Manning's leadership is rivaled only by Brady's in that when his team is in the game, you will rarely see Manning out of it. You will, however see him thanking every player around him, including the 4th WR that did nothing more than run 2 yards, making players want to play for him. However, Manning's largest and most influential aspect may be that he just doesn't turn the ball over much.

4. Drew Brees, QuarterBack, NWO
Four years ago, I said that Drew Brees will be out of the NFL within 3 years. I said he showed no signs of the brilliance of an elite QB, let alone a good one, and you can believe that I didn't feel he had shown signs of being one of the four most influential players in the NFL. Needless to say, I was wrong. Brees has taken two seperate teams to the Playoffs, and is one made Field Goal away from appearing in the Divisional Round twice. Yes he had Tomlinson, the league's most influential player for two of his three great seasons, but Drew Brees was responsible for the emergence of Antonio Gates, and can be attributed to helping develop LDT's abilities in the flat. Brees has a natural nack for the deep ball and makes team's Safeties play back, and also has a Manningesque quality about him in that he develops bonds on on-field understanding with his favorite targets. Like these other Quarterbacks, Brees is also a vocal leader that leads his team in numerous ways, and he's media friendly as well. Brees, like Manning, also makes a large impact in that he turns the ball over rarely since he has emerged.

5. Champ Bailey, CornerBack, DEN
A Cornerback? How is it that a Cornerback that has never won a DPOTY award so high? Simply put, if Champ Bailey was as dominant as he is at the CornerBack position at another position, he'd be a Hall-of-Fame lock. That's the best way to phrase it. People seem to be mistaken in the notion that Champ Bailey isn't thrown at as much as other number one CornerBacks, but that's just incorrect. Sure, he has a few less charted attempts in his direction, however, it doesn't change the fact that Bailey blankets his receivers, and never offers up more than four touchdowns a season when healthy. That number may not seem as influential as I'm making it out to be, but given how often Bailey is left on an Island with no Safety help over the top it makes the number much more impressive. You can measure Bailey's influence in that the Bronco's defense is built around him. Finding a Safety with excellent Blitzing abilities because he isn't required to help his corner out. Finding depth on the D-Line so that they can get pressure on QBs. Few, if any, Corners in NFL history have been the focal point of a defensive unit. Vert few touchdowns through the air, and a few yards through the air is what you can expect of Bailey.

6. Steven Jackson, HalfBack, STL
41. Wondering what that number means? That is the percentage of offensive snaps that the Rams took in which Steven Jackson finished the play with the ball in his hands. To put that in perspective, future Hall-of-Famer Torry "Big Game" Holt ended up with the ball in hands in 8% of the Ram's offensive snaps. Alongside that 41% of the offensive touches, Jackson outpoored 2334 of the Ram's 5751 offensive Yards. For those of you who don't feel like doing the math that is 40% of the Ram's offenive yardage. To put that in comparison, League MVP LaDainian Tomlinson put up 9 more total yards than Jackson behind the league's best Fullback and a better offensive line. Additionally, those 9 more yards were the result of Tomlinson's 20 passing yards. Jackson is the center of an offense that involves future Hall-of-Famers, and is only in his third season in the NFL. However, what may be most impressive about Steven Jackson's production is that he was responsible for 16 of the Rams 39 touchdowns. Once again, for those who don't like math, that is 41% of the TDs of a top 10 offensive team. Keep in mind all of this production came behind a makeshift O-Line who's star player was Adam Timmerman and his 4 False Start penalties. If you cannot see the influence of Jackson's play than I don't know what to say.

7. Carson Palmer, QuarterBack, CIN
It pains me to say this, but Carson Palmer is indeep an impact Quarterback. Yes, he has had a top 5 Offensive Line since entering the leauge. Yes, he's had the NFL's 2nd best 1-2 punch at the Wide Receiver position, and the league's best slot receiver in Henry. And yes, he's had a top 10 Halfback in Rudi Johnson to take some of the pressure off. However, what isn't negated is that this team was being built for Palmer, even before he got there, and Lewis added the final touches. However, where most QB's would've folded, Palmer stepped up to the call and performed. He leads his team on and off the field. What I dislike, Carson's insistent need to say the Bengals were better than a team they lost to is influential to his teamates. Don't believe me? Look how TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson have embraced that attitude. However, Carson Palmer influence can also be seen in that, though he's only started 3 seasons, he calls the shots for the offense. He decides when they go to no huddle. He decides the adjustments that they make. He decides when Chad Johnson will get the ball. Additionally, like the other Quarterbacks listed, Palmer doesn't turn the ball over, at least through the air. When he does throw an Interception, it's usually the result of an missthrow, as 7 of his 13 2006-07 Interceptions were such.

8. Marvin Harrison, Wide Receiver, IND
There's a reason the Colts are the Super Bowl Champions. It's because they're the only team with two players in the top ten. Marvin Harrison may not have the best numbers of all Wide Receivers, but he clearly stands above the rest of them. Marvin Harrison is the only Wide Receiver that can make an impact before the snap of the ball. It's well known that Marvin and Peyton have some sort of psudeo-psychic connection where they can both dissect the defenses coverage with a simple look and know how the other will react to this. This is what makes Marvin Harrison so impactful. Not to mention that Harrison also makes an impact with his picture perfect route running, when he doesn't have to help Manning out by breaking it, by allowing Reggie Wayne to see Man Coverage from no. 2 Corners. However, Harrison still has an impact in the run game as well, selling the fly route for Addai's off-tackle hand-offs and draw plays. Additionally, let's not forget his direct statistical impact. Harrison catches roughly 2 out of every 3 passes in his direction, and takes nearly half of them for first downs. Harrison may not be the flashiest or statistically best WR but his impact is unrivaled and makes him the league's best.

9. Brian Dawkins, Free Safety, PHI
"Zone Coverage, Man Coverage, In-Box Play, Blitzing, Run Support, Tackling, and Hart Hitting. These are the six things that are required of a Hybrid Safety in today's NFL. It's almost fitting that the NFL's first "official" Hybrid Safety is the only one in the NFL that does all of these with no problem." That's taken from my analysis of the League's 10 best Safeties, on which you will find Dawkins' name first. Brian Dawkins has not only impacted the way that the Eagles play defense, but he's impacted the way that the Steelers, Cardinals, and to a lesser extent, the Titans play defense. He introduced the concept of the modern day hybrid roaming Safety when he was teamed up with Defensive Coordinator, Jim Johnson. He's the face of his defense. Where the other 10 faces on defense are at the end of a play is pre-determined by Brian Dawkins' position on the field when the ball is snapped. But Dawkins' impact is seen in more than just this. Dawkins covers the ground of players missed assignments while still managing to cover his, in the same plays. Dawkins' is also an emotional leader in the locker room. When heads were down when McNabb went down early and for long, both times, Dawkins was the face of the team, letting players know they can still, not only win the division, but take a shot at the Super Bowl.

10. Julius Peppers, Defensive End, CAR
An impact against the run, as well as the ability to speed rush the Quarterback and have it result in errant throws is what you can expect from most elite Defensive Ends. But Julius Peppers brings more to the table than that. Julius Peppers brings the coverage skills of an elite Outside Linebacker as well. Peppers can knock a pass down at the line, but even more versatile, Peppers can drop back into zone coverage with ease and cover the flats with no problem, sticking with Wide Receivers and frusterating them on shorter routes. However, Peppers, despite what many may think is a bigger guy than other quick Defensive Tackles, and unlike the others can bullrush an opposing Tackle or Guard on pure strength alone. With such a legitimate mix of power and finesse ability to use to get to the QuarterBack, as well as the ability to play both sides on the Defensive Line, Peppers presents nightmares for opposing Quarterbacks in more than one way. When a Lineman has the talented ability to pass rush with easw, most teams throw screens at them. However, Peppers takes away the screen with his ability to get to the flats quickly. He alters the short gameplan of opposing team all while seeming to just be getting started.

11. Steve L. Smith, Wide Receiver, CAR
Four years ago one week before the SuperBowl I bet my "friend" Pat that the Panthers would win, mainly out of spite for the Patriots, but partially because if the Panthers won I would win 500+ Dollars based on a pull from the end of the previous season . Anyway, my main reasoning was because the Panthers Wide Receivers were physical and both were top Wideouts. Since that time Steve Smith has broken a leg, rehabed, and gone on to win a triple crown. After this feat, Steve Smith was heralded by many analysts as the Wide Receiver that broke games open more than any other Wideout. What's biggest about Smith winning the triple crown is that he didn't even recieve a tremendous amount of balls, getting 3 more throws in his direction than the average for elite Wideouts. What's even more impressive is that Smith gained a lot of those receptions and the resulting yardage after on screen passes, a good portion of which he didn't have a prime blocker on. Because of this, Smith's impact is made in the impression he leaves on a defensive back before the snap. Will he take a screen and try and go for extra yardage or will he run a post route where he'll have the inside advantage against me and the Safety? The Corners that Smith faces are faced with this delima every time they line up against him. But he's more than just speed. Despite what others think, Smith is a physical Wide Receiver that will joke for position with the equally small Corners in the league, and that's why he wins his jump balls.

12. Jason Taylor, Defensive End, MIA
Defensive Player of the Year is often equivilated to being the Defensive Most Valuable Player. Jason Taylor is the Dolphins defense, even with Zach Thomas there. The first and most foremost of his impacts, in case you didn't notice last year, is his ability to singlehandedly take games over and win them. Not forcing fumbles or just getting interceptions, but doing these things and proceeding to take the ball into the endzone himself. Taylor takes away nearly 100 yards of offense a year from offenses. While that may not seem big it's taking away nearly ten first downs in the backfield alone. But Taylor does more than just disrupt teams in the backfield. He essentially plays as a rover. He doesn't always put his hand in the dirt, and will perform the role of a LineBacker, dropping into coverage, taking away screen passes and anything in the flat, like Peppers, altering the short game of opposing offenses. Additionally, no starting HalfBack in the league can pick up a Jason Taylor blitz. But Taylor's biggest influence on his team is his "never-say-die" attitude. The Dolphins could be down two touchdowns with 3 minutes to go in the fourth and he won't give up. 8.5 of his plays behind the LOS, 7 of his Passes Defensed and both of his Interceptions have come when trailing late in the game.

13. Donovan McNabb, QuarterBack, PHI
Donovan McNabb is, perhaps, the most influential QuarterBack in the NFL when he isn't injured. In the four seasons in which he completed the regular season McNabb was responsible for 75%, 74%, 71% and 72% of the Eagles offense respectively. Oh those four years, 2000, 01', 03' and 04' McNabb only had a legitimate Wide Receiver threat in 2004, yet in in three of them he lead his team to, at worst, the Conference Finals. McNabb forces defenses to respect his ability to run and make plays while being mobile, but also respect any Wide Receiver, regardless of tier, that may line up for the Eagles because McNabb will eventually find them. Additionally, since arriving in Philadelphia in 1999, despite the coaching staff remaining the same, McNabb has been subject to three different offensive gameplans. However, this has not changed the fact that since 2000 McNabb has been the head of an offense that has always been a top 12 scoring offense. However, McNabb's impact is also seen in his leadership. During the Terrell Owens' debacle, McNabb took the high ground, setting a prescedent for his teamates. When McNabb went down, most of his teamates were downtrotten, as if their season was over. A lot of players don't have that impact on a team.

14. Ray Lewis, Inside LineBacker, BAL
Super Bowl MVP and two time Defensive Player Of The Year. Heck, just look at his statistics. Unlike other LineBackers, that shall rename nameless, Lewis does it all. He does more than just tackle. He anchors an elite defense every year with his ability to get to the QuarterBack, force fumbles, recover them, get interceptions and defend against the pass. While his age may be catching up with him it doesn't stop him from being the unquestioned leader on a team filled with defensive superstars. Lewis is the glue that holds them together. After all, under the Lewis regime their rush defense has always been a top 10 one. The defense as a whole has fallen outside of the top ten once since 1999. Coincidentally, or not, it was a season in which he missed 11 games. Ray Lewis' influence is on the entire team. Without a defense Baltimore has never had much of a face, and without Ray Lewis, Baltimore hasn't had much of a defense. What is perhaps most interesting about Lewis is that in between the years 2001 and 2006 he had no legitimate space eating Defensive Tackles and yet was still a force to be reckoned with.

15. Larry Johnson, HalfBack, KC
LJ's influence on his team can be summed up with one number, and I'm sure you know what it is. 416. That is the number of carries that Larry Johnson took from behind the Line-of-Scrimmage last year. Not to mention the 41 Receptions that he contributed as well. Johnson touched the ball on 45% of Kansas City's offensive balls. 41% of their offensive plays were carries by him. I'm sure that you can imagine the impact that this has on defenses, as they brought Strong Safeties further into the box to provide an 8th man to stop Johnson. In a division where 3 of the 4 teams, including the Chiefs, pride themselves on their CornerBack play, the presence of Larry Johnson makes those teams worry about what's going on around the Line-of-Scrimmage, rather than what's going on down the field. 1/4th of Johnson's rushes came against 5-Man Fronts. That's ridiculously high. But Johnson's influence transcends far beyond how he effects the defense. Johnson also puts the points on the Board for the Chiefs. While the Chiefs line has been deteriorating over the past few years Johnson still managed to go for 19 Touchdowns, which accounted for an insane 54% of the Chiefs Touchdowns.

16. Brian Westbrook, HalfBack, PHI
I live in Philadelphia, so unfortunately for me, by default, I get to see the Eagles more than any other team. However, one player that I have found interesting ever since his Rookie year has been Eagles Halfback Brian Westbrook. Westbrook's impact was immediately seen in his second season as he was featured as a part of the "three-headed-monster" Halfback attack that the Eagles used predominately. While significantly splitting carries with two other Halfbacks, Duce Staley and Correll Buckhalter, Westbrook managed to stand out with his shifty moves and ability to recieve, both of which he used to score. Putting up 11 TDs from scrimmage while splitting carries with two other HalfBacks should speak volumes to how influential he is. Splitting those carries, Westbrook was responsible for 18% of the offensive yardage outpoor and 28% of the scoring output. But since that time Westbrook has emerged as the premier HalfBack for the Eagles and he's proven why he's so influential. On an offense that put up over 6,000 total yards Westbrook was responsible for 30% of the offensive yardage. He was also responsible for 25% of the scoring produced for the Eagles. As much hype as Jeff Garcia got last season, Westbrook was the one who truly brought the Eagles offense to the Playoffs, in that the entire gameplan revolved around him, as defenses had to pick their poison by playing shallow zones to cover Westbrook or playing deep to take away Stallworth and Brown's long balls. Westbrook alters the way the defense plays.

17. Shaun Alexander, HalfBack, SEA
28 Touchdowns in a season. A League's Most Valuable Player award as a result. That's explination enough in itself to me, but I have a tendency to type long explinations. A healthy Alexander has an immense influence on the Seattle Seahawks team. How many times have the Seahawks gone to a Super Bowl? Once, and it was on the strong legs of Alexander. Despite only carrying the ball for 37% of the offensive plays for the Hawks in 2005, Alexander lead the league in rushing, and was vastly responsible for Matt Hasselbeck's great season. Compare Hasselbeck's numbers in Alexanders MVP year to his regular ones, and you'll see the impact. Not to mention the impact that Alexander had on the defense, running the clock with his ability to keep the chains moving, with an absolutely ridiculous 107 first downs. That defense really wasn't as talented as it finished, however Alexander being able to keep the defense fresh and energized resulted in their ability to get sacks and stop opponents on 3-and-outs. It's clear that the Seahawks were a different team this year with an injured Alexander.

18. Torry Holt, Wide Receiver, STL
You want to know Torry Holt's impact on the NFL? It's measured in more than just his record-setting 6 straight seasons with 1,300 yards recieving. It's in the number of balls he has thrown in his direction throughout the year. Excluding 2004, Holt is a lock for around 170 targets a season. That's a little over 20 more than the average no. 1 Wide Receiver. Because of the high-pace offense that Holt has been in throughout his career Holt is the one receiver that you can never leave alone to a Safety, because he will get passes in his direction regardless the coverage. Holt alters the gameplan of the defense, resulting in Cover 2 Shells. However, Holt's biggest impact from his high number of targets is perhaps the impact he's had on impact player number six, Steven Jackson. Teams know that even though Jackson is a gamebreaker, they cannot take Holt easily, so he creates opportunities in the flat through his picture perfect and crisp route running. There is a reason that the majority of Jackson's receptions came on the same side that Torry Holt was lined up on. Additionally, Isaac Bruce is up there in age, yet continues to eclipse 1,000 yards year in and year out. But then of course, there is Holt's actual impact statistically as well.

19.Chad Johnson, Wide Reciever, CIN
Chad Johnson isn't as influential as the three Wide Outs listed before him, but it's not as if he doesn't have an impact. Chad Johnson may be the closest Wide Reciever to Marvin Harrison in terms of the aforementioned ability to communicate with his Quarterback, thus changing the game. He also has great, though not perfect, route running that allows him to divert Safety Coverage to his direction. However, Chad's largest effect may be seen in his ability to think alongside Carson Palmer when the Bengals run the no-huddle. Johnson applies the aforementioned skills of route running and communication to create diversions for Wide Receivers TJ Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry who both have the ability to beat any Cornerback in the NFL. Johnson also makes an impact in selling his routes on plays that involve play action excellently, that eventually makes teams respect Rudi Johnson. While he's not the best blocker Johnson also gets involved in the run game and mixes it up in a divison where the Corners are good at coming up to stop the run. However, Johnson's biggest influence on the Bengals may be his rather large mouth and love for the game that he uses to motivate his teamates.

20. Donnie Edwards, Inside LineBacker, KC
I know I'm going to catch flack for this, but I don't care. Donnie Edwards may not have been the best or actual most influential player on the Chargers, but what he did over the past four or five years is incomparable. Edwards has registered an astounding 25 turnovers, which is seconded only to Champ Bailey. Once again, for my readers who don't like math, that's a ridiculously unrivaled 5 forced turnovers a season. I wager that most people here understand such an impact. But even still, though tackles are unofficial Edwards has racked up better numbers than two of the LineBackers who's clubs are known to raise their tackle numbers. This influence may be the biggest one of all for all defensive players, but Edwards presents an influence in other ways. At 34 years of age and 12 years in the NFL, Edwards has an incredible understanding of the game that he has passed on to his former Chargers LineBackers teamates. There's a reason that it seems anybody can emerge from the Charger's LineBacking Corp and seem to produce. Because they have Donnie Edwards, not only to teach them, but to cover for lost ground. Not only does Edwards present an option for all offensive players to fear, but he presents a mentor and leadership influence as well as the fact that he will always be on the field. Despite 12 years in the league, he's never missed a game as a full time starter.

21. Jamal Williams, Nose Tackle, SDG
Jamal Williams may not be the best pure Defensive Tackle in the NFL, but he actually eats up space like only he and Casey Hampton do. However, what he does that Hampton doesn't is take over games. Williams provides offenses with the problem of a Nose Tackle that does his first job, eat up space, amazingly well, however, is athletic enough to get into the backfield, move over to the flat, and blow up screen plays. The highlight of Williams' career and his prime example of his impact can be seen in his SNF game against the Steelers last season in which he took All-Pro Left Guard Alan Faneca, and Pro-Bowl Center Jeff Hartings out of play after play after play with relative ease. The Nose Tackle is the reason the 3-4 Defense succeeds and Williams is the reason that Chargers players look better than they actually are. Williams has helped Castillo and Olshansky look better than they actually are by giving them constant one-on-one opportunities. Williams eats up 2 blockers which frees up those Chargers Outside LineBackers off the edge for their sacks. Williams is the main reason that Donnie Edwards tackle numbers are so high and that he can get to the ball carrier to force turnovers. He is the center of the Chargers defense that has ranked amongst the top Run Ds every year of this decade.

22. Richard Seymour, Defensive End, NWE
Richard Seymour is the Jamal Williams of 3-4 Defensive Ends. Richard Seymour is the key to the Patriots Defense. Not Tedy Bruschi nor Rodney Harrison. It's Seymour. Seymour is a Defensive End that anchors down a run defense that is consistant. Seymour, when healthy, takes the opposing teams Left Guard and Tackle out of the play essentially rendering the opposing offense without one side of their line. This allows the Patriots, who really don't have as great a LineBacking Corp as they appear on paper, to use any LineBacker to eat up off-tackle and toss plays to the left as well as disrupt the QuarterBack. But what sets Seymour apart from other 3-4 Defensive Linemen is his ability to do more than just occupy space or push his man around. Seymour is a 3-4 D-Lineman that will move laterally and get to the flats to take away screen passes. And if he cannot take the pass away himself, he'll use his End instincts and occupy the blocker while the roaming LineBacker behind him can stop the screen pass in its tracks. But perhaps his biggest impact can be seen in his leadership amongst the front 7 and his post-season play, which is unrivaled by any 3-4 D-Lineman, on any team, at any D-Line position.

23. Jeff Saturday, Center, IND
As much as some may argue, Center is, quite possibly, the most influential spot on the offensive line. They start the play and have to immediately whip their head up and make contact and not get pushed back. Despite this default disadvantage and the fact that they're taking on the bigger Defensive Players up the middle, Centers handle this with no problem. Above all, Jeff Saturday does it with ease. He is the one staple points along the Colts offensive line over the past 6 or so seasons, and is one of the reasons they win. He may not be Manning, but he is easily one of the more important players on that productive offense. Saturday has been the only key and consistant member of that Offensive Line for years. He has given up a mere 4.75 Sacks over his career. In case you don't know, the Colts can't win the majority of their games if their offense doesn't get going, and it can't get going if Manning is on his butt. But not only does Saturday make sure Manning isn't touched so that he can get the ball off, but he throws his weight around so that the run game can effect the passing game. Running behind him, rookie Joseph Addai averaged 5.3 Yards Per Carry and lost yardage only once for a single yard. With James running behind Saturday he had the majority of his handoffs as well as put up good numbers, especially Touchdowns.

24. Troy Polamalu, Strong Safety, PIT
Pittsburgh's defense has been one of the better ones this decade. However, this year was easily their least productive, and it's clear why. Troy Polamalu, their star defensive player, was injured for all but 3 games, which hindered how their defense was run. Plain and simple, Troy Polamalu completely alters the way the Steelers defense can be run, and with it, how well the Steelers team as whole can play. Wherever Troy Polamalu lines up at the beginning of the play, like Dawkins, determines where the other 10 players on his defense will end up. However, that doesn't mean that Polamalu will do whatever his pre-snap indications show. Polamalu's pre-snap actions have been likened to being called the Defensive Peyton Manning, in that just as Manning makes audibles at the Line-of-Scrimmage, Polamalu toys with the offenses mind by giving them different pre-snap reads. Perhaps the best example of this can be seen in the 2005 Divisional Round Playoff game in which Polamalu and Manning were giving each other different pre-snap reads and gestures the majority of plays, and Manning was thrown off target for 3 quarters of the game. Not only does Polamalu disrupt offenses with his antics, but with his production, especially when he or another Steeler is blitzing, as well.

25. Ed Reed, Free Safety, BAL
Ed Reed's influence on other teams need not even be discussed. Ed Reed could possibly be the best zone coverage Safety in the NFL. Ed Reed, almost as if he's not even trying, takes away the deep passing lanes that a Quarterback could normally hit a Wide Receiver on. Ed Reed takes away any ideas of fly and deep post routes that an offensive coordinator might want to use. He limits the opposing teams to hitch/curl, short post, quick out, post corner and flag routes. Basically the short stuff. But he does more than just that. Ed Reed can compensate, almost all the time, for a gaff by a corner with his good recovery speed and eye around the field. Additionally, Ed Reed, as I'm sure you know, changes games with his return ability. Reed could easily play Wide Receiver with his ability to find space in the open field and take the ball for long distances with it in his hands. That, above all, might be how he alters and influences the game the most. But it's not all he has. If he can't get his hands on the ball, when an offensive player enters his zone he will try his damndest to make sure they don't. Additionally, of the elite Safeties, he's one of only two or three that play Special Teams and has a history of blocking kicks and returning them. Yet another way he changes the game.

26. Alan Faneca, Left Guard, PIT
Yes, I know on some forums I'll catch flack for this because they think for some reason that Hutchinson is the better Guard, but it doesn't change the fact that Faneca is easily more impactful, and thus influential. Perhaps no other team relies as much on one of their offensive Linemen as the Steelers do on Faneca. Over the past 6 years the Steelers have averaged an incredible 529 rushing attempts a year, and Faneca has been the central Lineman behind most of them. The premier blocker on the league's most run-first team, is the way I can best describe his impact. Willie Parker averaged 4.0 YPC behind the rest of the Steelers offensive line, while running behind Faneca he averaged 5 YPC. That's dominance no matter how you slice it, taking away a whole down that your Halfback needs to get a first down. Faneca is never beaten while blocking for a run, and is one of, if not, the only Guard in the NFL that can make multiple blocks each time he pulls to the opposite side of the field as the premier blocker.

27. DeMarcus Ware, Outside LineBacker, DAL
In only 2 years as a starter in the NFL, DeMarcus Ware has cemented himself as the best 3-4 Outside LineBacker in the NFL. Ware does it all for the Cowboys, and allows influential player number 28 to flourish as well. DeMarcus Ware is what many individuals THOUGHT Joey Porter was, but never actually became. The complete package for an outside LineBacker in the 3-4. Ware can and does line up at Inside LineBacker, both Outside LineBacker positions, and both 3-4 and 4-3 Defensive End on either side. This versatility leaves NFC East teams guessing where he is coming from on every down. But Ware isn't always coming at the Quarterback. Ware can easily drop back into coverage and run with a Tight End. I have no doubt in my mind that the reason Roy Williams' coverage numbers have improved is because he's had some help from Ware in splitting TE coverage duties. Ware, however, also provides his influence in providing turnovers. Ware has a natural eye for the ball and what he needs to do to free it from an opponent, whether it be a HalfBack or a QuarterBack. All these combine to make Ware the best and most influential 3-4 OLB in the NFL.

28. Terrence Newman, CornerBack, DAL
Two(or Three depending on how you see it). That number in iteself tells us why Terrence Newman disserves to be on this list. Two touchdowns allowed over a 38 game span. I don't think anybody can knock the influence of something as powerful as this. Individuals knock Newman because of the way that he is used in that when the Cowboys go to a Nickel Set, at times he'll be placed on the slot Wide Receiver. However, this makes Newman more valuable than the other elite CornerBacks not named Champ Bailey. Newman covers the little guy, that makes his living as a Receiver based on his speed, and shuts him down on third downs. But he shuts the Wide Receiver that has all the intangibles to be a future hall of famer down on 1st and 2nd down as well. This value is immeasurable, and forces Defenses to go at other corners. You wan't to know how influential Newman's play is? As good of a corner as Anthony Henry is, he was targeted 110 times because teams were shying away from Newman. Additionally, the way that Newman can be used allows for Roy Williams to develop with his coverage skills, as evidenced by his numbers last year, because he rarely, if ever, has to cover slot Wide Receivers. Additionally, Newman adds his influence on the team with the ability to return punts as well.

29. Brian Urlacher, Middle LineBacker, CHI
The League's best North-South LineBacker is how you can describe Brian Urlacher's influence on, not only his team, but the game of Football. Nobody can blow up a run play like Mr. Urlacher. He takes the run away from opposing offenses leaving them one-dimensional and forcing them to go to the pass. He even has the numbers to prove this, as he puts up Stuff numbers(9 last year) that even some Defensive Tackles don't get. However, Urlacher is also the best blitzing Middle LineBacker in the NFL when given the chance to. This is evidenced by his high sack totals before Lovie Smith installed the Cover 2 Defense in Chicago. Urlacher is great at making plays within 5 yards of the Line-of-Scrimmage, and this is where he makes his impact and changes what the opposing offense, and thus the Bears Defense, can do. **However, I know that I'm going to get flack for having him so low, so hear me out as to why he's here. He's the only player I'll do this for. Urlacher was voted the 2nd most overrated player in the NFL amongst a panel of 361 NFL Players. Urlachers run metrics, as previously stated, are amazing, however his pass metrics aren't as good as his lockerroom mate, Briggs's. Yes, he's the unquestioned leader of the Bears Defense, but I've never seen him pull the defense aside and pump them up. And aside from a few plays in the Arizona game that I expected him to make Brian Urlacher has never really impressed me when I watched him. Additionally, except for Edwards, if any of these guys goes down their team changes their gameplan. I don't see that happening with Urlacher. That is why he's so low on this list. *Please type Number 30 instead of 29 if you're going to complain about Urlacher's spot. That way I know you actually read it, rather than just looked at his rank.* **

30. Chad Clifton, Left Tackle, GNB
You may be thinking, "who in the hell is this?" Or for those of you who do know who he is, you might be thinking "why is he the first tackle listed on this list?" Plain and simple, many individuals consider the Left Tackle position to be the most important position on the offensive line, though I disagree. But there is no denying that Left Tackles have to protect their QuarterBacks blind spot, and Left Tackles give up more sacks than any other Lineman position. However, despite this notion, when other "elite" Left Tackles like Walter Jones, Jonathan Ogden, and Orlando Pace have had multiple 7+ sacks allowed seasons, Chad Clifton has given up a mere 18.5 sacks over 95 Career games started. That number is ridiculously low for a Left Tackle. Now let's take into mind the Quarterback that he has been blocking for his entire career, Brett Favre, who has averaged 553 passing attempts a season over that regime, and it's pretty clear that Chad Clifton may very well be the best Left Tackle in the NFL, and would be head and shoulders above the competition if he could stat healthy. Not to mention that he is rarely flagged for holding. When your QuarterBack throws it up more than any other QuarterBack, and you're his left Tackle and only allowing only 1 sack per every 209 dropbacks, and I don't think your influence on the team can be argued.

31. Mike Peterson, Middle LineBacker, JAX
This guy is a pure beast that was robbed of the Defensive Player Of The Year Award in 2005. Yes, he plays behind the best Defensive Tackle combo in the NFL in years, but he doesn't use it as an excuse to take plays off, or just make tackles. Peterson plays all over the field, going North to South and East to West. Only in 2002 an 2004 have his tackle numbers not been evenly distributed all over the field. However, what makes Peterson so influential is that without him the Jaguars not only don't have a defensive leader, but without him they only have Rashean Mathis to generate turnovers. Additionally, without him the Jaguars have nobody that can get them off the field on 3rd down. I'm sure you know how important getting off the field on 3rd down is to the overall success of a team. But above all what Peterson brings to the team is the ability to cover, hit hard, wrap up, and make plays. While various members of the Jaguars defense contain these various attributes, Peterson is the only individual on the team with all of these wrapped up into one nifty little package. He changes the way offenses have to come at the Jaguars.

32. Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver, DAL
Love him or hate him, Terrell Owens does indeed have a positive effect on his team, whichever team it'll be that'll accept him for "x" year. Owens, for the most part, may not have the effect that Johnson and the others have in the area of diversion for the number two Wide Receiver, however, Owens does help do something in the area of diversion. Owen's ability to run short routes perfectly influences the opposing Cornerbacks and help defense to play up close to the line of scrimmage. This allows the Tight Ends of whichever respective team he is on, to run nice out and post routes that leave them singled up on a slower Linebacker that was naturally caught out of position. Additionally, Owens adds a dimension that none of the aforementioned Wide Receivers adds to the game that influences the rest of the offense. Owens gets down and dirty in the run game blocking CornerBacks, LineBackers and whoever gets in his way in an attempt to help his halfbacks. Julius Jones had his least amount of stuffs running to the outside right, as well as a healthy 4.4 Yards Per Carry. But Owens' clear cut influence on the rest of the team is his abilities after the catch. Owens will always see help defense rolled slightly in his direction because very few defenders in the NFL can tackle him in the open field alone. This shifts the defense to his direction allowing for plays going in the opposite direction to take effect.

33. Adrian Wilson, Strong Safety, ARI
It is possible that it wouldn't be too far of a stretch to say that Adrian Wilson is the Cardinals defense. That is to say that without Wilson the Cardinals couldn't run the defense they run. The Cardinals have immense talent in their front seven, but unfortunately for them, it all isn't actualized. Bertrand Berry is one of the few, but unfortunately for him and the organization he cannot manage to stay healthy, and that effects the pressure the Cards like to bring. Luckily for them they have the best blitzing Safety in the NFL in Wilson who makes up for the other players inability to get to the Quarterback. But he does more than that. His coverage abilities take Tight Ends, regardless of their tier out of the game and his box play makes Halfback scared to collide with him. When Wilson comes to the Line-of-Scrimmage the QuarterBack knows where he is, and watches him above all else. He toys with opposing QuarterBacks mind's and gives, what is at this moment, an average Cardinals defense a fighting chance on every down.

34. Adalius Thomas, Outside LineBacker, NWE
Adalius Thomas not only changes what the opposing team can do on offense, but he drastically changes what the Defense he's on can do. Adalius Thomas can do all that is required of a LineBacker and perform the duties of a Defensive Lineman or a Safety. Thomas provides the options to either blitz, play zone coverage, work sideline to sideline, play man coverage on a tight end of a receiver, and can do all of it with ease. I'm pretty sure that you understand how this is influential to a defense. However, Thomas provides a physical impact as well. Thomas is a hard hitter that imposes his will on anybody willing to come within his area, and can manage to lay the wood on a Quarterback when he gets close to them. Adalius Thomas can and does line up at all the positions that Ware lines up at, and more. Thomas even will line up in the slot and take on a Wide Receiver and run with him to the best of his abilities. Adalius Thomas influences his team by changing the methods that his Defensive Coordinator and Head Coach are able to employ. He provides hundreds of new looks that his team can use.

35. Shawne Merriman, Outside LineBacker, SDG
While Shawne Merriman isn't the most important or even the second most important player on the Chargers, he's certainly the most well known on defense. If you play QuarterBack in the NFL and are playing the Chargers better believe that you know where Shawne Merriman is at pre-snap. Shawne Merriman combines an excellent mix of bullrush abilities with finesse moves to create what might very well be the best blitzing LineBacker since the great Lawrence Taylor. Merriman lines as both the Left and Right Outside LineBacker, and even though everyone knows where he is, he still manages to get past the Line-of-Scrimmage untouched at times to get to the QuarterBack or the HalfBack. However, Merriman's biggest influence may be that he forced the opposing team to resort to short and intermediate length throws to the Tight End because in just a few seconds Merriman can make a play. Merriman makes an astounding 81% of his plays within five yards of the Line of Scrimmage. However, what's most impressive is that Merriman gives his team the feel of a blitz when the playcall isn't even as such. Oh his 17 sacks, only 5 came on actual called blitzes. Merriman may be the most influential player in the NFL on Defense before 5 yards are gained.

36. Kris Dielman, Left Guard, SDG
The main reason LaDainian Tomlinson was praised early in his career, was not simply because he could do it all, but because he could do it all with a lackluster O-Line that most HalfBacks would fail behind. Well it's no secret that the reason LDT set the rushing record was because he finally got that offensive line he had been missing, and it was lead by Kris Dielman. In 29 Career Starts Dielman has given up a mere 3.5 Sacks, but perhaps what is more impressive is that LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 4.9 Yards Per Carry running behind Dielman, and perhaps even more impressive 11 of his rushing touchdowns. That is completely dominating in not only the passing game, but in the run game as well. Dielman may very well not have a flaw in his game. With such reliability, it's pretty clear that this man influences the entire Chargers offense, just by lining up to play, as his young QuarterBack knows that he wont let individuals touch him, and his future Hall-of-Fame HalfBack knows that if he runs behind him he will take him to the promiseland. Dielman was rewarded with a 6 years at $39 million dollar contract, however, maybe he would've been more rewarded with an MVP vote for his influence on the Chargers.

37. Shaun Rogers, Defensive Tackle, DET
This is a big boy. Essentially a 3-4 Nose Tackle playing Defensive Tackle in the 4-3, Shaun Rogers does everything that Jamal Williams, Casey Hampton, and Richard Seymour do. However, while he's not as effective overall in his game, his impact at the line is possibly bigger than theirs. Rogers, because he works in a 4-3, eats up two gaps, which frees the rest of the defensive line up for one-on-one play, rather than just one other player. However, even while eating up double teams Rogers manages to make plays, and even manages to push multiple blockers into the backfield. Rogers is responsible for making sure that the run is taken away from Detroit opponents, and he does it the best that he can. However, unlike the other four big Defensive Linemen mentioned Rogers has a gear that let's him get to the QuarterBack, and while he doesn't get there often he puts pressure on the QuarterBack.

38. Brett Favre, QuarterBack, GNB
I'm not going to lie. On the first run of this list, when it was "50 Best NFL Players" he didn't make it. On the second run of this list with the same criteria as this one he didn't make it. Then I really thought about it. This man is the Packers. However, what really made me realize how he effects the game is when I was looking at Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton for consideration on the list. Favre throws the ball an average of 553 times a season. As you can imagine this extremely high numbers makes teams back up, not only their secondaries, but their LineBackers as well. If I asked you who Vernon Morency and Noah Herron were, most individuals couldn't tell me who they were. However, because Favre has the back seven of many teams backing up with ease, these two ran a combined 133 times 584 yards. Because Favre has such an impact the Packers felt that they could let go of Ahman Green for virtually unproven talent because they have Brett Favre to give them space. But let's not forget what Brett Favre does without any Wide Receivers other than Donald Driver. Brett Favre's Receivers after Driver were Greg Jennings, Robert Ferguson, Chris Francies, Carlyle Holiday, Ruvell Martin and Koren Robinson. Exactly, nothing special, and yet Favre makes it work. Not only does Brett Favre make defenses respect the fact that he can fling it deep for a touchdown with ease, but he can use a set of Wide Receivers, barring Driver, that are comparable to Mike Vick's.

39. Shawn Andrews, Right Guard, PHI
Big Haus as I like to call him is impressive. You want to know why Brian Westbrook finally emerged for his first thousand yard season? This guy is the answer. Westbrook ran for four of his 7 rushing touchdowns behind Andrews, and caught the majority of his screen passes behind him. The Eagles have run the screen at an elite level since 2002, and when asking Andrews to continue this task, as it's a vital part of the Eagles offense, he fulfilled this role with ease. But Andrews does more than just get out in front of Westbrook and plow him to the majority of the Eagles offense from someone other than the McNabb. Andrews protects the aforementioned, and does it well. In his 33 career regular season starts Andrews has allowed a mere 4.75 sacks. Keep in mind that the Eagles have the reputation as an almost pass-exclusive team, and yet Andrews still manages to give up only 1 sack every 252 drop backs. These numbers are pure domination. Culminated with the fact that the guy has only played two seasons because he spent his first on Injured Reserve and has already recieved Pro Bowl honors twice, and an All-Pro Bid, and not only is he influential to the success of McNabb and Westbrook, but he'll be influential to whomever the Eagles starters are years down the line.

40. Keith Bulluck, Outside LineBacker, TEN
Keith Bulluck was called the league's most underrated LineBacker in 2002, and again in 2003, and here today, in 2007, that notion still remains correct. Keith Bulluck remains the longest tenured defensive starter on the Titans roster, as well as the second longest tenured Titan on the roster period. He's been the unquestioned leader of that defense for years. Bulluck has excellent sideline to sideline range like many of the aforementioned LineBackers, and can create a play whether it be against the pass or the rush. However, what Bulluck brings to the plate that makes him one of the 50 most influential players in the NFL is his leadership. On a team in which most of the defensive starters, barring Albert Haynesworth, have spent less than 3 years with the team, Buluck teaches these young players just how exactly the system is run, not just through explination, but through showing as well. In addition to all of these rather unknown and young players, Bulluck covers up for the tremendous amount of mistakes that these players make, and does it with ease as if it's the way that the play should've happened. Keith Bulluck is the real "eraser" of the NFL. As Vince Young lead the offense to be in contention in games down the season, Keith Bulluck, alongside Chris Hope, lead the defense to be in contention in those same games.

41. Steve Hutchinson, Left Guard, MIN
Hutchinson may be the most overhyped Lineman in the NFL, but it doesn't change the fact that, for the most part, he disserved a good portion of the hype surrounding his record breaking contract. In his final season as a Seahawk he anchored Walter Jones and gave up 1.25 sacks throughout the season. Not to mention Shaun Alexander managed 4.4 YPC on his side and ran for 14 touchdowns on the left side, 8 of which came behind Hutchinson. What may have been most impressive was his 0 penalties, whether it be holding, false start, or roughness, he just didn't commit penalties. However, Hutchinson took, for the most part, his game to Minnesota and added his effect as well. Chester Taylor became a league Starter and leader behind Hutchinson last season, running for 417 yards and 4.4 YPC behind him, as well as two touchdowns. Once again Hutchinson did the unthinkable, helping his team out more than any other Offensive Lineman by not getting a penalty. That is how Hutch alters the game around him. He's a good pass blocker, but his effect is felt against the run, pushing forward, and in his discipline. Steve sets a prescedent to his fellow Linemen on how to block and leave your hands where they should be, all while protecting the Vikings young QuarterBack and helping their rushing attack.

42. Casey Hampton, Nose Tackle, PIT
Ever since Casey Hampton has arrived in Steeltown and become the anchor that holds down the run defense the Steelers have finished first in rush defense three times, third two times, and out of the top 10 once. You can bet that this can be attributed to Casey Hampton, who could be the best pure Nose Tackle in the NFL. Hampton doesn't go and cover the flats, or knock passes down, or even sack the QuarterBack like his key competition, Jamal Williams, but he isn't asked to. What Casey Hampton does is east up both A Gaps, requiring double, and sometimes triple teams, freeing up his teamates for single teams and allowing Clark Haggans and former teamate Joey Porter to face single teams. Hampton is the most effective defensive Linemen in the league at forcing the run to bounce to the outside filtering the tackles at the line to teamates Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. Additionally, though not as agile or athletic as Jamal Williams or Richard Seymour, Casey Hampton has excellent play recognition that makes up for this by allowing him to read screens and help his teamates get in position to make the tackle. However, Hampton's best ability might be that he can completely take a Fullback out of the play. Hampton's effect can be seen in LDT's numbers against the Steelers, with 3.63 YPC and 3 Touchdowns over 3 games.

43. Derrick Burgess, Defensive End, OAK
Throughout the Summer, in any conversation that I had in regards to CornerBacks, Raiders CornerBack Nnamdi Asomugha was always mentioned as an elite Corner. Moreover, every conversation in regards to how the secondaries stack up to one another had the Raiders placed within the top five. Well, with no dissrespect to an obviously talented young man in Asomugha, there's a reason that Raiders secondary looks so good. Derrick Burgess helps them out immensely providing them with a pass rush that calls for rushed throws and quick passes. Asomugha had three of his interceptions come on on a blitz or when the QuarterBack was under pressure, and three more came on statistically deamed poor throws. Cornermate Fabian Washington, had 2 of his interceptions on blitzes/QB pressures, and his other two came on statistically deamed poor throws. Now I wonder who brought about the pressures and poor throws? Moreover, look at the improved play of Warren Sapp who many felt was robbed of a Pro Bowl berth. Warren Sapp's play improved because teams were more worried about locating Derrick Burgess rather than finding a player that many felt was over the hill. While the Raiders were the worst team in the NFL easily last season, it doesn't change the fact that they were in contention in some of their games because of Derrick Burgess and the way he elevated the play of his teamates.

44. Jonas Jennings, Left Tackle, SNF
Over the summer another hot topic, like that of Nnamdi Asomugha, was 2nd year HalfBack, Frank Gore who posted an astounding 5.4 YPC on his way to a 1,600 yard rushing season. As Gore and 2nd year QuarterBack Alex Smith began to emerge, one player was helping them vastly while never being mentioned in none of these conversations. Jonas Jennings gave up one sack all season at the Left Tackle position with a 2nd year Quarterback starting for his team. That alone should probably have him higher on this list. What's best about analyzing Jennings is that his play in San Fransisco is basically a giant "screw you" to all the Bills fans who said they could care less when he left. Ironically enough, when going to SNF Jennings became the left tackle for the successor of Willis McGahee, a player Bills fans felt Jennings didn't help. However, let's look at Frank Gore's numbers on Jenning's side. Gore averaged 5.7 YPC on the left side of the line, but perhaps an even bigger influence is represented in the fact that on off-tackle handoffs to the left Frank Gore averaged 12.2 YPC. Thats an increase of nearly 7 more yards than his average carries. In fact, Gore averaged less than five yards on every other aspect of running that wasn't behind Jennings. Thats a huge impact giving the HalfBack almost an entire yard more, and protecting your young QuarterBack from harm. As I type this I think that Jennings could possibly be rewarded with a higher position.

45. Asante Samuel, CornerBack, NWE
I know what some people are thinking. Samuel had one good season right? Well thats an incorrect assumption. Samuel has been a consistent stalwart in a fluctuating Patriots secondary ever since he has entered the league. I've been smitten with Samuel ever since I witnessed him pick off Chad Pennington in his 3rd game of his career and house it for a touchdown. Samuel gives up a low amount of yards per attempt and has an excellent set of hands and possesses the ability to return an interception for a touchdown. However, Samuel's most influential aspect may be his health and stability. In a Patriots' secondary that has seen Corners from Randall Gay to Chad Scott and Ray Mickens start, the Patriots have always been able to count on Asante Samuel to start and contribute to a secondary that can't seem to keep a starter, regardless of position. However, Samuel's impact can also be measured like most Patriots'. In the post-season. Asante Samuel, despite only having 4 years in the league, has 3 post-season interceptions that he have returned for touchdowns. This is tied for an NFL record. I'd say that's pretty influential.

46. Dre Bly, CornerBack, DEN
I know I'll probably catch flack for this one, but I truly don't care. Dre Bly plays at the level of other great No. 1 Corners even when placed in a Cover 2 System that hampers his natural abilities. Dre Bly is a great man coverage Corner, and may even be better than Champ Bailey at that aspect. Dre Bly saw an insane amount of time on an island as the Lions' number one CornerBack, that was rivaled by no other corner except for Ike Taylor. However, Taylor did it for one slightly above average year. Bly did it consistently, and managed to cover well. While the Lions had no legitimate threat in their back seven, Bly made their secondary be respected somewhat. He took away one side of the field, though not as legitimately as Bailey. However, what Bly's best trait may very well be is his play on 3rd down. Almost as if he doesn't want to be looked at as a scapegoat Bly makes stops on 3rd down. Bly, however, also has the tendency to compensate for his teamates and help them fix their assignments and fixes their gafs by making saving tackles. I'm sure you can see the influence of being in man coverage more than any other CornerBack in the NFL yet still making 3rd down stops while compensating for one's teamates gaffs..

47. Will Smith, Defensive End, NWO
Everything that Drew Brees is to the NWO offense is what Will Smith is to the Saints defense. The Saints defense doesn't have any super stars, and features a CornerBack that gave up 11 touchdowns on his own. However, their inspiring force is Will Smith, and I'm not talking about the rapper. Smith manages to disrupt Left Tackles and Gaurds with relative ease and push them into the backfield, disrupting opposing team's run and passing sequences. However, Smith is not just some pass rusher, though he is immensely great at it. Smith blows players off the line and dissects plays, and when his body size permits him to he will not only read the play, but finish it before it ever has a chance of getting off the ground. Smith plays with immense intensity that may be unrivaled, and I've never seen him give up on a play. He works his way inside and outside to make plays on the runner, and gets his hands up to disrupt the pass. However, what might be most influential about Smith is the devistation that his sacks wreak. If Smith doesn't force a fumble on the sack you can be darn sure that the play went backwords for around seven or eight yards. With one play alone Smith can manage to double the yardage that a team has to go with a sack. Frusteration at it's best.

48. Michael Vick, QuarterBack, ATL
Whether you think he's a good QuarterBack or not, you cannot deny the fact that Michael Vick is a game changer. When he's in the lineup for the Falcons their attitude changes from a team that goes out simply to compete to a team that expects to win, no matter what they have to do to achieve this mean. No better example of this can be seen than when Vick returned from injury and single handedly won the game with a goal line lunge that no other QuarterBack could've made. As his knee lay a literal inch from the ground Vick extended his body and bought an extra second in mid-air which resulted in a score. Michael gives defensive coordinator's fits. Making a LineBacker or Lineman a spy seems easy on paper, but it takes away a player that can make an impact against the HalfBacks and passes to the flat. Additionally, it isn't fact that the player can actually keep up with Vick's speed in the open field. But perhaps Vick's biggest influence is his athleticism and how it can make the Falcon's unique. The Falcons ran a variation of the option throughout the season and experienced success with it. The Option, though dominant in College Football has never had success in the NFL in recent years because the QBs hasn't been athletic enough to dodge the more athletic LineBackers. Well Vick changed that and ran the option with success, emphasizing his impact that he can have on an offense. However, people forget that Vick is a QuarterBack, and occasionally will have flashes of brilliance in the passing game as well. Just look at his two week string against the AFC North and you'll see how dangerous Vick is as an overall threat. That's the mark that Michael Vick leaves on the field.

49. DeAngelo Hall, CornerBack, ATL
Yes, I know. DeAngelo Hall isn't one of the better corners in the NFL. But Dre Bly isn't the 3rd best Corner in the NFL is he? It's not best? It's most influential, some of which happen to be the best. DeAngelo Hall has never been to high on my list of players as I've always considered him overrated. It would seem last year verified that when he gave up 917 yards through the air and 6 touchdowns on 58 completions. However, what drew some of my interest and eventually allowed me to place him on this list is the fact that despite giving up so many yards, and 1 touchdown too many, in my opinion, Hall still managed to prevent an amazingly interesting 48% of the plays in his direction. Even without all the data you can see that DeAngelo Hall's problem isn't neccesarily that he's just a speedster with an inability to cover. He just gives up the big play with ease. Hall has the intangibles to cover short routes and does them with ease. In between 1 and 10 yards Hall is actually golden, and takes the other teams Wide Receiver out of the play. The perfect counter given the types of Wide Receivers one finds in the south. However, Hall still presents interesting metrics as well, such as that only 1 out of his 4 interceptions came on a statistically deamed poor throw. Hall is actually making breaks on these balls, or being near the receiver when the ball is slightly over or underthrown. Hall presents the opponent with a danger that can take away the short game of Wide Receivers while still taking some deep passes away. As bad as he was last season, Hall only gave up 6 Touchdowns. While far from a "shutdown" CornerBack, Hall has shown some prowess to be considered an impact corner.

50. Chris Samuels. Left Tackle, WAS
Where do I start? Samuels is in a division that is stacked with Defensive End and Outside LineBacker talent that all manage to get to the QuarterBack. Despite this, Samuels allowes a mere 5 sacks per season, and has only had two seasons in which he's allowed more than five sacks. Keep in mind this is at the Left Tackle position! But Samuels also makes an impact in the run game as well. Samuels may not be the best run blocking Left Tackle, and may not elevate his HalfBacks play by .5 yards or such like the other mentioned tackles, but he knows how to block and finish his play by leading his HalfBack to the promise land. However, what may be best about Samuel's game is his ability to get out front of Clinton Portis/Ladell Betts/Chris Cooley and lead them, not only for yards, but once again for touchdowns. He's one of the few linemen in the league that you can say is directly responsible for a good portion of his team's redzone touchdowns.


Just missed:
Mark Tauscher, RT, GNB - 0 Sacks allowed, and only one season with more than 4 sacks allowed in that same Green Bay offense as Clifton

Charles Grant, DE, NWO - Everything I said about Will Smith can be applied to Grant. He's a great Defensive End that has an impact on the Saints Defense.

Kevin Williams, DT, MIN - He anchors the league's no. 1 Run Defense. He's a good DT that might even disserve Rogers space given that he's garunteed to be on the field this season barring injury

Chris Snee, G, NYG - 5 Sacks allowed, 5 Holding Penalties, and a good portion of Tiki Barber's yards. Enough said.

Chad Pennington, QB, NYJ - This man makes the difference for the Jets. Without him under center they're a 4-12 team. With him they're a contender. No he doesn't win the games himself, but he lets them do things that their average at best backups can't do.

Marcus Stroud, DT, JAX - This man can take the best Centers out of their game, and do it with ease. Combined with John Henderson he is a speedback's nightmare.

Larry Allen, LG, SNF - A dominant force that has lost a step but still has an influence. Helped Frank Gore become the leagues biggest out of nowhere Halfback last season.

Chris Hope, SS, TEN - A Coverage Safety that takes away the deep ball almost as good as Ed Reed does, and helped the Titans defense help Young in their comebacks.

Kerry Rhodes, FS, NYJ - A Free Safety that not only takes away passing options down the field, but takes away passing options in the flat as well.

Lee Evans, WR, BUF - The only thing that the city of Buffalo has going for it in terms of football. The reason Losman is emerging is because of him.

Kellen Winslow, TE, CLE - Makes such a difference on that Browns offense. Gives the young QBs a reliable target while allowing Braylon Edwards to get downfield.

Donald Driver, WR, GNB - Favre has no skill positioned talent around him other than Driver. Driver is responsible for a good portion of Favre's success as of late.

Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, CLE - Has all the intangibles that DeMarcus Ware has, just doesn't have the same talent around him.

Lofa Tatupu, ILB, SEA - This youngman has displayed immense leadership and understanding of the game that not only bring a young edge but a physical and intellectual edge as well.

Tommie Harris, DT, CHI - A Top guy against the run that clearly aids Urlacher's North-South style of play.

# By Position: QB: 7, HB: 5, WR: 4, OL: 9, DL: 8, LB: 8, CB: 5, S: 4