Pro Football Weekly Player Rankings

Looking at the Rankings their isn't too much to gripe about besides maybe Igor getting left off the DE list and Columbo not getting in but all in all it seems pretty accurate for right now. Felix and Tashard both made the top veteran prospects for any who were wondering.

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pretty good

I 100% on qb. Witen should be 1, i don’t see how hes not. But I think Roy will be around 15 or so at wr. The list loses legitimacy imo with gurode and andrews at the top of their center and guard rankins. Andrews hasn’t been healthy/great in over 2 years, and gurode makes so many comically (for other teams’ fans) dumb ass plays that its a joke to have him at 1. Snee, Davis and Herrmans are properly ranked though. I guess i mostly agree with their tackle rankings. But injury aside, Flo has outplayed Peters the last 2 years. And columbo absolutely deserves to be there. He has shut down so many elite players at RT.

Defensively…their wrong on mikell. He is a legit player, much moreso than hamlin. At corner, WAYYY too much credit for Hall. I’d take both jenkins and scandrick over hall. I’m fine with their defensive line rankings, after igor got benched last year he needs to earn his stripes again. I think bradie should be a little higher, he played damn well over the last 3 months last year.

by foyesboys on Jun 2, 2009 10:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There are lots of people that go to church on Sundays to get in touch with God. Personally, my church is on Sunday as well, it just happens to involve watching the Dallas Cowboys.

by Cowboyfan729 on Jun 2, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

clearly Witten should be #1

Easily better than any TE in the game and the QB rankings look dead on.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 2, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonzalez...

Still better than Witten.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Jun 2, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has had a better career so far

but there is no way I would take him over Witten

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on Jun 2, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Witten

Still better than anybody in a green jersey

by mutombo4life on Jun 2, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could name a few.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Jun 2, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no you can't

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 3, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it

No eagle TE could ever compare to Witten. All that brotherly love must be clouding your brain.

by mutombo4life on Jun 3, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Way

There is no way that Gonzales is currently better than Witten. His blocking skills are nowhere near those of Witten and Witten’s recieving skills come close to equaling Gonzalez’s. Also, there is a lot to be said for Witten’s toughness (I would think you as an Eagles fan would appreciate that) and work ethic as it relates to showing younger guys how to act. In no universe would I currently trade Witten for Gonzalez.

There are lots of people that go to church on Sundays to get in touch with God. Personally, my church is on Sunday as well, it just happens to involve watching the Dallas Cowboys.

by Cowboyfan729 on Jun 2, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well said

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 2, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here, here governor!

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 2, 2009 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no way..Witten is a superior blocker

and as receivers, Gonzo isn’t better by much.

Witten is clearly the best overall TE in the game…not even close.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 2, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you get tired of losing debates to me?

Witten is a GREAT TE. He’s great. No argument there. He’s just not as good as Gonzalez. Let’s go back as far as 2004 (the first year Witten started putting up big numbers…

Witten

2004 – 87 catches, 980 yards, 6 TD
2005 – 66 catches, 757 yards, 6 TD
2006 – 64 catches, 754 yards, 1 TD
2007 – 96 catches, 1,145 yards, 7 TD
2008 – 81 catches, 952 yards, 4 TD

Gonzalez

2004 – 102 catches, 1,258 yards, 7 TD
2005 – 78 catches, 905 yards, 2 TD
2006 – 73 catches, 900 yards, 5 TD
2007 – 99 catches, 1,172 yards, 5 TD
2008 – 96 catches, 1,058 yards, 10 TD

As you can see, Jason Witten has never had more catches or yards in a season than Tony Gonzalez. Not once.

As far as the blocking comment goes, Tony Gonzalez is widely regarded as a good blocking TE. I’m not sure where you’re getting the perception that Witten’s a superior blocker – It just seems like a lazy argument that really can’t be backed up by anything tangible.

Again… Witten is great. If I’m building a franchise, do I take 27-year-old Witten over a 33-year-old Gonzalez? Definitely. But right now… 2009… Tony Gonzalez is STILL the best TE in the league. Sorry, he just is.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Jun 2, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you're using statistics

from the last 5 years. 3 years ago, Gonzalez was better than witten. Why not just use the last 2? because they wouldn’t support your claim, despite them being the only relevant ones.

by foyesboys on Jun 3, 2009 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i take this post back

i somehow switched their statistics in my head.

I think this next year will be a better comparison – Romo isn’t going to lean on Roy like he leaned on TO, so Witten will probably get more opportunites. Gonzalez has been the only legit receiver on his team for years which certainly helps his stats.

And though we can’t accurately analyze it, you can’t just ignore blocking. Witten is widely regarded as one of the best blocking TEs in the league.

by foyesboys on Jun 3, 2009 1:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have backed you up in the past Dawk, but you're wrong here

Where your stats are misleading is in the stage of the players career. A more accurate look would be to compare the last 5 seasons for Witten vs the same 5 seasons for Gonzalez. You cannot accurately compare a guy in the prime of his career (TG) to a guy just coming into the league (JW). I’m throwing out the rookie seasons for both, however those numbers are almost identical.

Witten

2004 – 87 catches, 980 yards, 6 TD
2005 – 66 catches, 757 yards, 6 TD
2006 – 64 catches, 754 yards, 1 TD
2007 – 96 catches, 1145 yards, 7 TD
2008 – 81 catches, 952 yards, 4 TD
TOTAL – 394 catches, 4588 yards, 24 TD
5 Pro Bowls and 1 first team All Pro during this time.

Gonzalez

1998 – 59 catches, 621 yards, 2 TD
1999 – 76 catches, 849 yards, 11 TD
2000 – 93 catches, 1203 yards, 9 TD
2001 – 73 catches, 917 yards, 6 TD
2002 – 63 catches, 773 yards, 7 TD
TOTAL – 364 catches, 4363 yards, 35
4 Pro Bowls and 3 first team All Pro during this time.

Witten has outperformed Gonzalez during the same period in their career in both catches and yards. Gonzo has a sizable lead in TDs.

Another point I would make is that Gonzalez led his team in catches in 3 of those 5 years. The two years he didnt lead his team, he was 2nd to FB Kimble Anders and to HB Priest Holmes. So, he was still the primary receiving threat downfield. The other leading receivers on those teams were (this is not a joke): Derrick Alexander, 31 y/o Andre Rison, Joe Horn, Sylvester Morris, Eddie Kennison and someone named Kevin Lockett.

Witten, on the other hand played on teams that featured:
2004: Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn
2005: Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn
2006: Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn
2007: Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton
2008: Terrell Owens and Roy Williams
Everyone on this list (Owens, Keyshawn, Glenn, Roy Williams) is a Pro Bowl receiver with the exception of Patrick Crayton in 2007, hence Witten’s monster season that year. He was featured more because Crayton is average at best. The point is, Witten is not the featured guy in the offense like Gonzo is. So, Gonzo is going to get many more opportunities than a guy like Witten who is competing for balls with Pro Bowl calibre players. The fact that Witten still puts up similar or better numbers in this environment just proves that he is Gonzalez’s equal from a receiving point of view. During this point in their career, at least, which is all we can accurately compare at this time.

Now, as of their blocking, you couldnt be more wrong. Jason Witten is the best blocking TE in the game (besides a few blocking specialists who dont run pass patterns.) Gonzalez is a fine blocking TE, maybe even a good one. But Witten is the best. And that’s an opinion shared by most football experts.

by TCBinNYC on Jun 3, 2009 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

poor Dawk is always wrong

but it’s not his fault, he’s an Eagles fan, what do you expect. LOL

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 3, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please

Dawk is one of the better bloggers from Eagles side, and he knows his stuff. Sure he has a slight Eagles bias, much like almost all of the bloggers here have a Dallas one. Doesn’t mean he should be blindly insulted however.

by Zach22 on Jun 3, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he thinks Gonzo is better than Witten

then he clearly doesn’t know his stuff. And I am in some kind of bizzaro world where Cowboys fans are defending Eagles fans against other Cowboys fans…simply incredible.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 3, 2009 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good research...

I can always appreciate good research. Well done. Witten’s and Gonzo’s 2nd through 6th seasons are very similar (30 more catches and about 200 more yards for Witten, 9 more TD’s for Gonzo). It’s very close. However, I wasn’t commenting on who will ultimately have the better career. I was merely saying that right now, in 2009, throwing out age, potential, etc… Gonzalez is the better tight end. He won’t be for long, but for right now he is currently better.

As far as the “surrounding cast” point goes, one could make an argument both ways… You could say that since Gonzalez didn’t play with good receivers, he was the focus of the offense. I could use that same concept to counter that since the receivers he played with weren’t good, defenses would key on Gonzalez, yet he still performed. I could also make the argument that since there were so many other weapons around Witten, he saw a lot more favorable matchups. I think it’s just fair to throw out both your side of that argument as well as my counter-argument.

Now… the blocking… I’m pulling this from Scouts Inc…

Tony G…

He doesn’t have great bulk or power as an inline blocker, but understands angles and leverage. He is quick off the line of scrimmage to engage defenders and works his hands and feet to maintain body position. His leadership on and off the field shouldn’t be underestimated.

Witten…

As a blocker, he comes off the ball with good initial quickness and pad level. He can be stacked initially by defenders with good hand use, but he gives good effort to recover and finish. He has good overall quickness to seal with enough strength to create short movement.

Now just to compare them to a player with great blocking skills (and I know you prefaced your “best blocking TE” comment by excluding specialized blocking TE’s), Brandon Manumaleuna…

Manumaleuna isn’t much of a receiving threat, but he is a very solid blocker. He is a short player, but has rare bulk and power for the tight end position. He can act as an extra offensive lineman in both running and passing situations. He consistently gets low out of his stance and can seal the edge against most defensive ends in the league. As a pass-protector, he uses his hands well for a tight end, bends his knees and also possesses a low center of gravity, which makes pushing him backwards quite difficult.

The point here is Witten is good blocker, not “great.” As is Tony Gonzalez. They both received mixed reviews. The difference between the 2 players in this aspect, if any, is extremely minimal. I’m not discounting the importance of blocking by any means, but let’s just do ourselves the favor of throwing it out of the discussion.

Look, if Witten were an Eagle, I’d be all fired up about his skills, too.

But for now Witten just isn’t better… yet.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Jun 3, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

While Gonzalez is really, really good, Witten is fast becoming a Cowboys' icon.

Is it because he annoys your guys that you can’t admit he’s the best TE in football? He’s simply: Mr. First Down!

And if Gonzo is so good, why wouldn’t the Chefs keep him? Dallas would never trade JWitt.

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 3, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know how many times I have to say it...

Jason Witten is a GREAT TE. I’m taking nothing away from him whatsoever.

Gonzalez, however, is the best TE in the history of the game, and still very much playing like it. Witten isn’t as good as him… yet.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Jun 3, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

absolutely not true

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 3, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the "yet" dude.

I gotta tell you, that I’m not just biased towards Witt because I’m a Dallas fan. Gonzalez has been one guy that has knocked me outta fantasy playoffs—twice!!

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 3, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

I was in 3 leagues last year, and I obviously had Tony Gonzalez rated much higher than the other people in my leagues, because I drafted him in all 3 of them (fairly late, too – mostly around the 6th-7th round). I think it was mainly because they were afraid of the prospect of Brodie Croyle throwing to him. Needless to say, it worked out nicely.

by Bye, Dawk :( on Jun 3, 2009 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I grabbed Witten in all 3 I was in.

Maybe I am biased! he, he.

I just remember Gonzo scoring like 30 towards the end of the year leading me to get knocked out from playoff contention by like a point.

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 3, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Witten is a superior blocker and the best TE in the NFL

and I’ve never lost an argument to you because you’re always wrong, lol ;)

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 3, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way.....Witten is the best TE in the league....

Gonzo’s numbers were inflated due to being on a bad team with no receivers for a long time….

by Boyzfan94 on Jun 2, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doubt it, he's old

and the Cowboys are better than the overrated Falcons for sure. Y’all probably are too

by Burt88 on Jun 2, 2009 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not in blocking

Witten is a better blocker but yes, gonzalez is still a tad bit, just a tad, a hair better reciever than witten. I think witten is a bit more physical than gonzalez

by CowboysFanatic on Jun 4, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts:

As I read the responses, my feelings almost exactly mirror foyesboyes. That’s one smart dude.
QB ranking are right on, in my opinion.
Witten is 2nd to no one. I guess they have Gonzalez there?
Gurode as the best Center in the NFL is a joke. He should barely crack the top 10.
The Sporting News ranked Olshansky as the 11th best DE in the NFL. Cant believe he doesnt make the list at all here.
Ratliff is probably a little low here at #10, but then again tackles in a 4-3 will put up better numbers.
The most glaring mis-ranking (besides Gurode) is putting Mikell at 21st. If that’s the case, can we please offer Ken Hamlin for him straight-up?

by TCBinNYC on Jun 2, 2009 12:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

haha thanks

give us mikell for hamlin and we’d be golden. Hes not a playmaker but hes a very solid, reliable player.

by foyesboys on Jun 2, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why the hate for Hamlin

just a year ago he went to the pro bowl, and this year, he missed Training camp and had to deal w/ Watkins/Davis most of the year at SS

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on Jun 2, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Hamlin > Mikell

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 2, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since when is...

Ken Hamlin: 16gms 74 tackles 53 solo 1 sack 2 passes deflected 1 int
better than…
Quintin Mikell: 16 gms 93 tackles 68 solo 2 sacks 9 passes deflected 3 ints (2nd Team All-Pro)

Whoever thinks Hamlet is better than Mikell. Get your head straight.

Taking Route 36 will bring you to Touchdown,PHI

by Route36 on Jun 3, 2009 2:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hamlet...

There is someone who needs to get their head straight

by aussie_cowboy on Jun 3, 2009 3:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soooooooo, Hamlin had a bad year and Mikell had a good year?

Big F’ing deal! Our team has had an overachieving year, too—in ‘07. Don’t get too excited about last year. Could be your guys’ turn to implode.

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 3, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not really

Mikell played the same way the year before when he had just 11 starts. Last year was his first full year starting. He is the real deal. Jim Johnson’s defense never implodes. Even if he is not on the sideline, its his defense.

Taking Route 36 will bring you to Touchdown,PHI

by Route36 on Jun 3, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's gonna be playing next to Sean Jones this year, though.

While Jones isn’t all that bad, is perhaps Mikell’s rise some of the reasoning for letting Dawk leave?

At least now you have 2 young safeties for Brian Stewart to coach up down.

Is it too early to ask what round I should aim for Felix in my fantasy football league?

by Aaron Novinger on Jun 3, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha ha

Taking Route 36 will bring you to Touchdown,PHI

by Route36 on Jun 3, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no hate

just that that ranking is ridiculous. Mikell was an all pro, with good reason.

by foyesboys on Jun 3, 2009 12:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gurode is listed as a good center because he is the best run blocking center in the NFL

no other center can match his power. That’s not a joke – would love to see an end to the mistaken snaps of course, but there is a reason some people love Gurode

by AustonianAggie on Jun 2, 2009 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Ratliff could get more Tackles

but few DTs ever reach 8 sacks

by AustonianAggie on Jun 2, 2009 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

plus he plays NT in the 3-4

DTs in the 4-3 rack up tackles because of the scheme.

by CowboysFanatic on Jun 4, 2009 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Bad

This list is not that bad, but like everyone else I think Hall is way too high for CB’s (just like Gurode is too high for centers) and that Witten and Ratliff are too low.

I also would say that there is no way Webster is the #7 in the league and Rogers is #16. Webster isn’t bad, but #7 is too high for him based off the fact that I don’t think he possesses the elite cover skills of a top corner. As for Rogers, he is aguy who has never shown me enough considering he was never trusted enough to cover T.O.

Still though, the list is prettty good compared to some of the lists I have seen.

There are lots of people that go to church on Sundays to get in touch with God. Personally, my church is on Sunday as well, it just happens to involve watching the Dallas Cowboys.

by Cowboyfan729 on Jun 2, 2009 3:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

webster

is a damn good cb. I’ve watched many giants games living in ny, and he is a great cover corner in this league, and doesn’t have the added health problems newman has.

by foyesboys on Jun 3, 2009 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs