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Top 100 2012 Episode 1 Recap

  • By Adam Rank NFL.com
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Intro: The first 10 of the Top 100 have been revealed, and once again we have to ask, just what are the players thinking? Is this a list based on 2011, looking ahead to 2012? In any event, here’s a look at the first wave and my take if they are too high, or too low.

Too Low: Chris Johnson

Understandably, Johnson struggled in 2011, but he's the 100th player? Johnson was No. 13 a year ago, and now 87 players have jumped ahead of him. This fall was far too great. Watch

Don McPeak/US Presswire

Just Right: Ryan Kalil

Kalil is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, so this just feels right. Centers can often be overlooked, but let's not understate his importance to Cam Newton's phenomenal transition from college to the pros. Watch

Bob Donnan/US Presswire

Too High: Willis McGahee

Again, this comes down to the rationale behind the voting, but I want to know how McGahee ranks ahead of Johnson. Go ask Peyton Manning if he would rather be playing with McGahee or Johnson. Seriously, go ask him. I'll wait. Watch

Chris Humphreys/US Presswire

Too High: Donald Penn

I don't want to be one of those guys who pretends he can evaluate offensive linemen from his living room. As Charlie Casserly said on the "Dave Dameshek Football Program," you can't do it. That being said, I would imagine there are better options.

Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire

Just Right: D'Qwell Jackson

It's good to see Jackson get some recognition for climbing back to be a force for the Browns after missing more than a year with pectoral issues. Watch

Kevin Terrell/Associated Press

Too High: Tim Tebow

If you're going to base this on the 2011 season, fine. I guess he deserves to be here. But what the players are telling you now is the backup quarterback for the New York Jets is far more valuable than Chris Johnson. That's what they are saying. Watch

Ben Liebenberg/NFL

Too Low: Marshawn Lynch

The only thing you can gather from this is the players don't believe Lynch can be a consistent performer after getting his contract. I might just believe them. But still, he should be higher on this list. Watch

Joe Nicholson/US Presswire

Too Indifferent: Cortland Finnegan

Sorry, I have to believe the rush to the bathroom during Finnegan's portion of the show had to rival the one during halftime of the Super Bowl. So yeah, players, whatever you say about Finnegan, I'll take your word for it (though you haven't done anything to earn that). Watch

Cary Edmondson/US Presswire

What the H! Way Too High: John Kuhn

The NFL has become a passing league, and the running back position has been devalued...so a fullback makes the list? And not only a fullback, but a fullback from a team that never runs the ball. Are you kidding me? And do you mean to tell me, if the NFL held a re-draft, that any team would take Kuhn over Chris Johnson or Marshawn Lynch? Really, where were all the fullbacks in the 2012 NFL draft? Oh that's right, there weren't any.

Jeff Hanisch/US Presswire

Too Low: Tony Romo

I'm torn on this one. Romo seems to be getting the Eli Manning treatment this year (Eli didn't make the list last year). I like to have my fun with Romo, but a quarterback with a passer rating at 102.5 doesn't crack the Top 90? Seems a bit strange. Watch

Jim O'Connor/US Presswire

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