Who are your Top 5 players on Offense and Defense in the NFL?

Offense
1. Drew Brees/QB/Saints - led the league in O despite not havin a ground game or great WR's,reason i gave him #1
2. Kurt Warner/QB/Cardinals
3. Tom Brady/QB/Patriots
4. Adrian Peterson/RB/Vikings
5. Larry Fitzgerald/WR/Cardinals

While Drew Brees is a great QB and definitely among the top 5 over the past few years, I don't know how you can rank him #1 just because of this factor (your repeated argument of him not having a ground game or great WRs). Interestingly enough, you have Tom Brady at #3 and I would argue that his 2006 season would put him above Brees in "performing under adversity"

In 2006 Brady had whatever was left of Corey Dillon as his running game, and two nobodies by the name of Reche Caldwell and Doug Gabriel as his wideouts (I believe he threw more to his tight ends). Yet Brady's numbers were 319/516, 61.8% compl, 3529yds, 24td, 12ints; taking his team to the playoffs.

While not taking anything away from Brees, in 2008 he did have a good line that protected him (giving up only 13 sacks). His receivers are not pro bowlers, but I wouldn't call them terrible (Colston: 47c/760yds/5td in 11 games; Moore: 79c/928yds/10tds; Henderson: 32c/793yds/3tds)

While you are correct in pointing out that the Saints had no running game (ranked at the bottom of the league in yards and ypg), I would say that having a defense ranked at the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed, caused greater adversity towards Brees.

offense:

QB/PEYTON
RB/PORTIS
WR/FITZ (MOSS)
TE/COOLEY
K/VANDERJACK(COLTS#4)

DEFENSE

DT/HAYNESWORTH
S/REED
?/MARIO WILLIAMS
DT/UMEMYIORA(WHEN HEALTHY)
DB/D.HALL

I did it based on a few variables.
Brady has been away for a yr and we dont know how he will come back, if he comes back the way he left then yes, he is towards the top.
I didnt have Peyton because this will be his 1st yr without OC Moore and Harrison is gone so we dont really know how the drop off will be. if any.
Warner had a great yr but he also has one of the best young wr corps in the league.I still have him towards the top but i had to give the nod to Brees who has made the Saints respectable.

And Brees doesnt have a Moss,Wayne or Fitzgerald to throw to. so i took that into consideration also.his wr's arent terrible but he also doesnt have a gamebreaker like those listed.

Offense
1. Brady
2. Manning
3. Brees
4. Fitzgerald
5. Peterson

Defense

1. Ware
2. Haynesworth
3. Troy Pa
4. Ed Reed
5. Asomugha

Rivers is a Beast but not an elite QB just yet. Also when healthy L.T or Westbrook are up there!

True but Westbrook is gettin up there in age. lots of miles on those tires.same for LT.

I did it based on a few variables.
Brady has been away for a yr and we dont know how he will come back, if he comes back the way he left then yes, he is towards the top.
I didnt have Peyton because this will be his 1st yr without OC Moore and Harrison is gone so we dont really know how the drop off will be. if any.
Warner had a great yr but he also has one of the best young wr corps in the league.I still have him towards the top but i had to give the nod to Brees who has made the Saints respectable.

Good point about Brady, although I get the sense that when ppl made their list they are considering the past couple of years and not just last year. I would also put Brees with Warner and Peyton as good QBs with teams that don't have much of a defense. I think if the Saints defense improves (along with their running game), they should be a contender.

And Brees doesnt have a Moss,Wayne or Fitzgerald to throw to. so i took that into consideration also.his wr's arent terrible but he also doesnt have a gamebreaker like those listed.

I think you should give Colston some credit though, he has had back to back 1000 yd seasons in his first two years, and put up some good numbers last year even though he played 11 games.

PS: A quick tip, use the "quote" button so we know who you are replying to.

Offense ( in no particular order)
1. L Tomilson
2. T. Brady
3. A. Peterson
4. A. Johnson
5. Fitzgerald

Defense
1. Ed Reed
2. A. Haynesworth
3. T. Polamalu
4. B. Sanders
5. D. Ware

Special Teams
1. D. Hester

I thought about 'who would I pay money to see' to come up with my list.

Offense:
1. A. Peterson
2. P. Manning
3. L. Fitzgerald
4. A. Johnson
5. M. Turner

Defense:
1. N. Asimough (Butchered his name. CB from the Raiders.)
2. M. Williams (DE from the Texans)
3. J. Peppers (DE Carolina)
4. D. Dockett
5. P. Willis

Special Teams:
J. Cribbs