DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Tony Grossi's annual rankings

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/01/josh_cribbs_joe_thomas_were_th.html
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After one coaching change, a general manager hiring and firing, a 1-11 start and a 4-0 finish, the Browns ended their 2009 season with 29 players of 63 total who were on the regular roster or injury list from the previous year.

Most of the best players on our annual player rankings were holdovers that adapted to the new schemes and philosophies of first-year coach Eric Mangini. In fact, four of our top five, eight of our top 10, and 16 of our top 20 preceded Mangini to the Browns. Of those players, five had higher rankings this season than last year.

The Mangini pickups who cracked our top 20 were linebacker David Bowens (fifth on our list), linebacker Matt Roth (ninth), center Alex Mack (11th) and tight end Evan Moore (18th).

The biggest chunk of players who arrived this year was in the group of rankings 21 to 30.

What it all means is open to interpretation. But our guess is that the most significant changes made under new President Mike Holmgren will be at general manager and other possible personnel positions.

The rankings are purely subjective and based on unscientific and amateurish opinion of which players contributed the most based on playing time and role. With a few exceptions, players not active for eight games or more were not ranked but listed at the end.

How Tony Grossi ranks the 2009 Browns

1. KR-PR-WR Josh Cribbs: Spiritual leader, dynamic force, team's most popular player, and one of league's best pure footballers.

2. LT Joe Thomas: A stalwart tackle who's 3-for-3 in Pro Bowl selections.

3. NT Shaun Rogers: Limited to 11 games; the revelation of his absence was that his quickness creates -- rather than closes -- running lanes.

4. LB Kamerion Wimbley: Quiet, improving as an overall linebacker, and indestructible.

5. LB David Bowens: A true pro and warrior who might have had the finest of his 11 NFL seasons.

6. DE Robaire Smith: Deserved league comeback player-of-year consideration.

7. FB Lawrence Vickers: Just an awesome force in the run and return games.

8. RB Jerome Harrison: A remarkable three-game finish elevates his status in 2010.

9. LB Matt Roth: Crammed in a lot of plays in six games; a keeper.

10. LG Eric Steinbach: Rose to Mangini's challenge and re-established himself as a top-notch lineman no matter his weight.

11. C Alex Mack: Eventful rookie year ended on good note; could be a fixture for years.

12. PK Phil Dawson: Calf injury cost him five games; was 5-of-7 from 40 yards and more.

13. P Dave Zastudil: Was having Pro Bowl-like year through eight games until knee injury.

14. LS Ryan Pontbriand: Still one of league's most dependable long snappers.

15. FS Brodney Pool: Was leading team with four INTs before concussion in 11th game.

16. CB Eric Wright: Showed definite improvement in coverage and tackling.

17. S-CB Mike Adams: Valuable DB and special teamer who is underrated by most.

18. TE Evan Moore: Displayed best hands on team in five-game stint; re-sign him now.

19. RB Jamal Lewis: Hit the 30-year-old wall hard; concussion symptoms ended his career.

20. NT Ahtyba Rubin: Might prove to be one of Phil Savage's best value draft picks.

21. DE Kenyon Coleman: Solid pro, but had better years with the Jets.

22. LB Jason Trusnik: Solid special teamer proved he can contribute on defense.

23. DL C.J. Mosley: Made some plays in 12 games before ankle injury.

24. WR Mohamed Massaquoi: A mostly up-and-some down year; two 100-yard receiving games and an 18.5-yard average.

25. OL Floyd Womack: Was the best right tackle on the team.

26. QB Brady Quinn: Did a lot of things well, but accuracy has to improve for him to turn the corner.

27. DE Corey Williams: Truly belongs in a four-man line.

28. S Abram Elam: Looked in camp like he'd be a much bigger force.

29. OL Hank Fraley: Defied odds of staying on and then contributed more than anyone expected as a backup lineman and personal tutor to Mack.

30. LB Eric Barton: Finished seventh in tackles despite missing eight games with neck injury.

31. LB Marcus Benard: Had 3 1/2 sacks in six games, including two in win over Steelers.

32. QB Derek Anderson: Never looked comfortable in the Mangini system; needs fresh start.

33. WR-S Mike Furrey: One of NFL's rare two-way players, he actually looked better at safety.

34. LB Kaluka Maiava: Surprise contributor on defense in his first year.

35. LB Blake Costanzo: Leading tackler on special teams; they don't call him "Psycho" for nothing.

36. WR Chansi Stuckey: Nineteen catches in 11 games; 17 came in four games.

37. RB Chris Jennings: TD run in win over Pittsburgh was team's first by a back.

38. DL Brian Schaefering: Another breakout performer in the Pittsburgh game.

39. OG Rex Hadnot: Didn't have a great year, perhaps due to camp knee injury.

40. TE Michael Gaines: Looked like the best tight end, until Moore came along.

41. S Nick Sorensen: Second-leading tackler on special teams.

42. WR Brian Robiskie: When he played, he looked OK. Why he didn't play remains a mystery.

43. TE Robert Royal: Mangini's first free agent signee had 11 catches and almost as many drops.

44. CB Brandon McDonald: Should be reinvented as a nickel back covering slot receivers.

45. S Ray Ventrone: Solid special teams core player.

46. S Hank Poteat: That P.I. on the Hail Mary in Detroit? I mean, wow.

47. LT John St. Clair: You can't hide a player at right tackle.

47. LB Alex Hall: Fell off the map; might simply be too stiff and tall to play OLB.

48. CB Gerard Lawson: Failed to make some headway in his second season.

49. P Reggie Hodges: As replacement punters go, at least he didn't whiff any.

The following players either were on injured reserve for longer than nine games or did not see enough playing time to be ranked. They are listed alphabetically:

NR: WR Jake Allen: Appeared in one game after claimed from Green Bay.

NR: LB Titus Brown: Spent 15 weeks on practice squad.

NR: RB James Davis: Training camp phenom whose rookie season was wasted by "opportunity period" injury.

NR: TE Greg Estandia: Four catches in seven games after claimed from Jacksonville.

NR: CB Coye Francies: Sixth-round pick who was inactive for 10 games.

NR: LB Arnold Harrison: Ex-Steeler, not to be confused with James Harrison.

NR: TE Steve Heiden: Felt personal pressure to rush himself back after off-season knee surgery; might retire.

NR: LB D'Qwell Jackson: Averaged almost 10 tackles over six games until injury robbed him of needed experience in Mangini defense.

NR: QB Brett Ratliff: No. 3 passer who assisted in the Gatorade dunking of Mangini.

NR: DL Derreck Robinson: Appeared in two games after Dec. 7 signing.

NR: CB Ramzee Robinson: Appeared in three games after being claimed from Eagles.

NR: OT Ryan Tucker: Probably has played his last down but hasn't filed retirement papers.

NR: LB David Veikune: Second-round pick tried to learn two positions and wound up learning neither well enough to play.

NR: OL Billy Yates: Active for six games after Sept. 16 signing.

I would rather see a list of our best Browns going forward which would mean taking players like Lewis and Pool off of the list and move up players with more upside like D'Qwell, Roth, Vickers, Mack, Wright, and Rubin.

I would like to see a list of Tony Grossi's Top 20 favorite Italian dishes. It would have about as much importance and relevance as this.

Joe never gets any love. I'll take the best LT in the league over the best KR any day and twice on Sunday.

i think Grossi sums it all up when he describes his list as unscientific and amateurish opinion

IMO, Vickers should move up to 5 or 6. One of the best and most underrated FBs in the NFL IMO.

Great lead blocker.

Just so people don't think that Tony's completely loopy .......

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2010/01/hey_tony_tony_grossi_answers_y_64.html

Hey, Tony: What do you think of Randy Cross's statement during the Browns game (vs. the Raiders) that to fix the Browns one thing they need to do is to stop listening to the fans and the media about what is going on about the team? -- Andrew Burck, South Charleston, W.Va.

Hey, Andrew: I didn't hear his statement. If that's what he said, I agree.

Jerome Harrison should be in the top two offensive players on the list.

Grossi must have had a slow day and been snowed in.

1. KR-PR-WR Josh Cribbs: Spiritual leader, dynamic force, team's most popular player, and one of league's best pure footballers.

Translation: PAY THE MAN!! Look at the other top 4. All of them get paid, and yes Bowens should get taken care of too.