Super Bowl 44 Players Ranked

Throwing Gas On the Fire

BEST PLAYER ON THE PLANET

1. QB Peyton Manning -- Colts
He is the best quarterback in the NFL. An elite player with excellent physical tools. No quarterback works harder than he in terms of preparation, and that is why he is the most feared passer in the game.


ELITE PLAYERS


2. QB Drew Brees -- Saints
In just about every game Brees plays in, he would be the No. 1 player on the field. Finding negatives on this stud quarterback is incredibly difficult. If he wins Sunday, even fewer NFL players should be ranked ahead of him. It is already an incredibly short list.


3. WR Reggie Wayne -- Colts
He is an elite receiver. He does not have elite speed but is an excellent route-runner. He shows the ability to separate at all levels. He has excellent hands and is a big-time playmaker.


4. DE Dwight Freeney -- Colts
When healthy, he is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. He shows excellent first-step quickness and speed off the snap. He shows a burst to finish. The Saints will have to give Jermon Bushrod help on Freeney.


5. TE Dallas Clark -- Colts
He is one of the best pass-catching tight ends in the NFL. He shows excellent versatility, in that the Colts can align him all over the field. He will often be Manning's first look versus the Saints' blitz pressure.


6. DE Robert Mathis -- Colts
Like Freeney, Mathis is an excellent pass-rusher. He is explosive off the snap and shows very good closing speed. The Saints will try to run at him because if he has a weakness, it is defending runs directly at him.


7. S Darren Sharper -- Saints
Not only did Sharper come to New Orleans and nearly win defensive player of the year, but maybe just as important, he also provided an invaluable veteran presence to a team that had been unable to get to the next level. He might just end up in the Hall of Fame someday.