Top 5 AFC North by Position - Skill Positions

[ravensdan]

Since we are in the "dead zone" right now, I thought it would be interesting to revisit one of the age-old offseason topics.  Who are the best players by position in the division.  Some could spark some interesting debate.  here are my choices for skill positions.  Post yours and put whatever reasoning you want for disagreement.

 

QB -

1. Joe Flacco - No doubt at this point.  It is only between he and Ben and Joe is in his physical prime as well as sill level prime right now.

2. Ben Roethlesberger - Durability is his biggest concern.

3. Andy Dalton - Could be his make it or break it year.  So far he has been sligtly above average.

4. Brandon Weeden - Well he is one of 32 NFL starters

5. Jason Campbell - Has put together some decent strings of games in the past.  More proven than any of the other backups in the division.

 

RB -

1. Ray Rice - One of the top 3 at his position in the league.  The best all purpose back maybe ever.

2. Trent Richardson - I hesitate to put him this high because of his durability concerns.  He is out until June with another injury now.

3. Bernard Pierce - Could be starting for probably a dozen NFL teams right now.

4. Leveon bell - Yes he is a rookie, but he should prove to be better than anything the Steelers have had in quite some time. 

5. Ben Jarvis Green Ellis - The Law firm is tough but not a game changer in anyway.  He will split time with Bernard who will probably pass him up this year.

 

WR -

1. AJ Green - In the conversation as the best all around receiver in the league, if he had a better QB throwing to him.

2. Antonio Brown - He was hindered some last year because his QB could not stay on the field and it seemed like Wallace wasn't even trying on the other side, but he is smart and can be a game changer at times.

3. Torrey smith - Made alot of improvement last year to become more of an all around threat, but still needs to develop other routes in his game to make the next step.

4. Josh Gordon - Came out of no where to become the most sure handed receiver the Browns had.  Using the supplemental draft pick on him was probably one of the best moves this lowley franchise has made in years. 

5. Emmanuel Sanders - This was a very tough selection.  He has probably shown the most potential of any of the remaining recievers.  He just has to play smarter football.  He has made a wide range of boneheaded plays in his short career.  This is his make or break contract year to put it all together. 

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Since we are in the "dead zone" right now, I thought it would be interesting to revisit one of the age-old offseason topics. Who are the best players by position in the division. Some could spark some interesting debate. here are my choices for skill positions. Post yours and put whatever reasoning you want for disagreement.

QB -
1. Joe Flacco - No doubt at this point. It is only between he and Ben and Joe is in his physical prime as well as sill level prime right now.
2. Ben Roethlesberger - Durability is his biggest concern.
3. Andy Dalton - Could be his make it or break it year. So far he has been sligtly above average.
4. Brandon Weeden - Well he is one of 32 NFL starters
5. Jason Campbell - Has put together some decent strings of games in the past. More proven than any of the other backups in the division.

RB -
1. Ray Rice - One of the top 3 at his position in the league. The best all purpose back maybe ever.
2. Trent Richardson - I hesitate to put him this high because of his durability concerns. He is out until June with another injury now.
3. Bernard Pierce - Could be starting for probably a dozen NFL teams right now.
4. Leveon bell - Yes he is a rookie, but he should prove to be better than anything the Steelers have had in quite some time.
5. Ben Jarvis Green Ellis - The Law firm is tough but not a game changer in anyway. He will split time with Bernard who will probably pass him up this year.

WR -
1. AJ Green - In the conversation as the best all around receiver in the league, if he had a better QB throwing to him.
2. Antonio Brown - He was hindered some last year because his QB could not stay on the field and it seemed like Wallace wasn't even trying on the other side, but he is smart and can be a game changer at times.
3. Torrey smith - Made alot of improvement last year to become more of an all around threat, but still needs to develop other routes in his game to make the next step.
4. Josh Gordon - Came out of no where to become the most sure handed receiver the Browns had. Using the supplemental draft pick on him was probably one of the best moves this lowley franchise has made in years.
5. Emmanuel Sanders - This was a very tough selection. He has probably shown the most potential of any of the remaining recievers. He just has to play smarter football. He has made a wide range of boneheaded plays in his short career. This is his make or break contract year to put it all together.

Torrey should be ahead of Antonio IMO, otherwise not bad.

[Alexir]

Joe had a great postseason but 4 games doesn't crown him the best QB in the division. I think we need ONE more year before we can do that. Remember, a lot of people were disappointed in our season before playoffs started and a lot of people were worried we would overpay Flacco because he wasn't exactly playing great.

 

People give analysts crap for praising Kap over 10 starts but we are basically saying 4 games made him better than Ben? I disagree. If you want, you can put it as a tie but I can't justify putting Flacco over Ben.

[Free Agent]

Definitely would put Torrey over Brown.

[Guest nflfan123]

Joe had a great postseason but 4 games doesn't crown him the best QB in the division. I think we need ONE more year before we can do that. Remember, a lot of people were disappointed in our season before playoffs started and a lot of people were worried we would overpay Flacco because he wasn't exactly playing great.

 

People give analysts crap for praising Kap over 10 starts but we are basically saying 4 games made him better than Ben? I disagree. If you want, you can put it as a tie but I can't justify putting Flacco over Ben.

Well said, but a lot of people blame Cam Cameron for Flacco's early struggles.

[ravensdan]

Definitely would put Torrey over Brown.

 

 

What would you base that on?  Brown has been the more well-rounded receiver up to this point.  Torrey has yet to develop as an all around threat.  while I think he can this year, it's hard to put him there now as he has not yet done that.  Also Brown provides kick return skills as well... if that should be included? 

[Guest nflfan123]

I think Campbell has a shot of winning the starting job for Cleveland

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Joe had a great postseason but 4 games doesn't crown him the best QB in the division. I think we need ONE more year before we can do that. Remember, a lot of people were disappointed in our season before playoffs started and a lot of people were worried we would overpay Flacco because he wasn't exactly playing great.

People give analysts crap for praising Kap over 10 starts but we are basically saying 4 games made him better than Ben? I disagree. If you want, you can put it as a tie but I can't justify putting Flacco over Ben.

I'd justify it by saying Joe has won a playoff game every season, has taken us to the championship game 3 times, exceled when Cam left, and has no durability issues like Big Ben. Doesn't matter how good you are if you only play 10 games a season.

[Free Agent]

What would you base that on?  Brown has been the more well-rounded receiver up to this point.  Torrey has yet to develop as an all around threat.  while I think he can this year, it's hard to put him there now as he has not yet done that.  Also Brown provides kick return skills as well... if that should be included? 

 

Maybe, but Torrey has shown the ability to take over games. Take for instance the Pats game in the regular season, or the Broncos game, Torrey was practically unstoppable. Plus Torrey's fantastic deep speed gives him a definite advantage. They're both very good WRs, but I'd put Torrey over Brown.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

What would you base that on? Brown has been the more well-rounded receiver up to this point. Torrey has yet to develop as an all around threat. while I think he can this year, it's hard to put him there now as he has not yet done that. Also Brown provides kick return skills as well... if that should be included?

Torrey is a phenomenal returner, we just don't use him that way. Also Torrey is definitely well rounded in his game with the exception of being an exceptional deep threat. He was just utilized poorly prior to Caldwell and this season it should be obvious he is the number 2 receiver in the division behind AJ.

[BMORElegacy]

Why no tight end?

[Guest nflfan123]

Why no tight end?

TE:

1) Heath Miller

2) Pitta

3) Gresham

4) Eifert

5) Jordan Cameron

[ravensdan]

Why no tight end?

I was just going to put that in another post with Oline... so it is not so much in one post...

[ravensdan]

I think Campbell has a shot of winning the starting job for Cleveland

 

 

I agree that is a strong possibility.

[berad]

Remember when Peyton Hillis was the next big thing?

It's been impressive that Rice has been the premier RB in the division for years

[Dudeman]

I think the debate here mostly centers around Flacco and Rothlisberger on the QB battle.  On the regular season production and Super Bowl rings the nod has to go to Rothlisberger but I think if these two players were the same age then Flacco would be on top. 

 

The next great debate is on the second best receiver in the divison.  I think the nod goes to Torrey Smith but Antonio Brown has given us fits on numerous occassions.  Obviously AJ Green is a great player, but he hasn't really broken out against the other teams in our division either so is it a matter of time or does he just fail to come up big in big moments?

 

The other dark horse debate has to be Pitta vs Heath Miller.  Miller has been very under-rated for a long time and he is more well rounded than Pitta.  But I see Pitta having career numbers like Dallas Clark, and in Caldwell's offense I'd see that role expanding more going forward.

 

Good debate!

 

Oh and as an after-thought.  I'd put Jacoby Jones ahead of Emmanuel Sanders.  Sanders has been somewhat of a disappointment, and was drafted ahead of Antonio Brown

[Geving]

Remember when Peyton Hillis was the next big thing?

It's been impressive that Rice has been the premier RB in the division for years

Madden curse?

[berad]

Madden curse?

Over-hyped and inflated ego

[Alexir]

Well said, but a lot of people blame Cam Cameron for Flacco's early struggles.

 

Ben didn't have issues with offensive coordinators? He just took the reigns where in my opinion I think Flacco never fully lurched them out of Cam's hands.

[Guest nflfan123]

Ben didn't have issues with offensive coordinators? He just took the reigns where in my opinion I think Flacco never fully lurched them out of Cam's hands.

True, I think Flacco is more talented than Big Ben however

[Alexir]

I'd justify it by saying Joe has won a playoff game every season, has taken us to the championship game 3 times, exceled when Cam left, and has no durability issues like Big Ben. Doesn't matter how good you are if you only play 10 games a season.

 

Well Ben played in 3 super bowls to Joe's one, won 2, and even 13 games threw more touchdowns than Joe...

 

If Joe can play like he did in the post season, He is obviously the best in the Division. But I said the same thing last year the way he played in the AFC CG and he came out flat...I am hoping he proves me wrong!

[Alexir]

True, I think Flacco is more talented than Big Ben however

 

Absolutely. 

 

Ben's escapability is insane but Flacco has the better arm.

[codizzle]

Over-hyped and inflated ego

Ah the power of media concerning both sides of your statement

[SecretAgentMan]

Well Ben played in 3 super bowls to Joe's one, won 2, and even 13 games threw more touchdowns than Joe...

 

If Joe can play like he did in the post season, He is obviously the best in the Division. But I said the same thing last year the way he played in the AFC CG and he came out flat...I am hoping he proves me wrong!

To be fair... Flacco might also have two rings if Evans does not drop that damn ball.

This should have been his second SB

[The Oakland Cathedral]

Well Ben played in 3 super bowls to Joe's one, won 2, and even 13 games threw more touchdowns than Joe...

If Joe can play like he did in the post season, He is obviously the best in the Division. But I said the same thing last year the way he played in the AFC CG and he came out flat...I am hoping he proves me wrong!

Fair enough but Ben has also missed the playoffs 3 times during his tenure. Something Joe has yet to do.

[Cville-Raven]

What would you base that on? Brown has been the more well-rounded receiver up to this point. Torrey has yet to develop as an all around threat. while I think he can this year, it's hard to put him there now as he has not yet done that. Also Brown provides kick return skills as well... if that should be included?

If Torrey was actually allowed to return he would have a TD or two. How many TDs does Brown have compared to Smith in the two years that Smith has been playing. Only thing Brown has on Smith is receptions and that will probably change after this season.

[flynismo]

Joe had a great postseason but 4 games doesn't crown him the best QB in the division. I think we need ONE more year before we can do that. Remember, a lot of people were disappointed in our season before playoffs started and a lot of people were worried we would overpay Flacco because he wasn't exactly playing great.
 
People give analysts crap for praising Kap over 10 starts but we are basically saying 4 games made him better than Ben? I disagree. If you want, you can put it as a tie but I can't justify putting Flacco over Ben.

I think that it was plain as day that Cam Cameron was suffocating Flacco, and it is no coincidence that after Cameron left, Flacco destroyed everyone in his path. I cant justify putting Ben over Flacco. In the here and now, Flacco is king of the division

[flynismo]

Well Ben played in 3 super bowls to Joe's one, won 2

He won those two because his WR and defense carried him. On the flip side, I'm not sure we win the SB with any other QB. Only one of their opponents hung more than the 34 points than we did on SF all of last year.

[Alexir]

He won those two because his WR and defense carried him. On the flip side, I'm not sure we win the SB with any other QB. Only one of their opponents hung more than the 34 points than we did on SF all of last year.

Purple shades McGee .

Ben won Super Bowls because of defense and receivers ? Sound familiar?!

[Alexir]

I think that it was plain as day that Cam Cameron was suffocating Flacco, and it is no coincidence that after Cameron left, Flacco destroyed everyone in his path. I cant justify putting Ben over Flacco. In the here and now, Flacco is king of the division

The play book didn't change, Caldwall gave Flacco his pair where joe should of taken them from cam in the first place