Due to the success of the Steelers and Ravens in recent years, many people would concur that the AFC North is the best division in football. Being an avid follower of the AFC North since its formation in 2002, I have made a list of the division's top 15 players for the 2011 season.
Here are some other solid players who failed to make the cut-AKA "Honorable Mentions."
Joe Flacco-QB Baltimore Ravens
Cedric Benson-RB Cincinnati Bengals
Hines Ward-WR Pittsburgh Steelers (Yes, this one killed me)
Mohamed Massaquoi-WR Cleveland Browns
Benjamin Watson-TE Cleveland Browns
Heath Miller-TE Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Oher-OL Baltimore Ravens
Willie Colon-OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Kemoeatu-OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Steinbach-OL Cleveland Browns
Aaron Smith-DE Pittsburgh Steelers
Carlos Dunlap-DE Cincinnati Bengals
Casey Hampton-DT Pittsburgh Steelers
James Farrior-ILB Pittsburgh Steelers
Lawrence Timmons-ILB Pittsburgh Steelers
Leon Hall-CB Cincinnati Bengals
Ike Taylor-CB Pittsburgh Steelers
Joe Haden-CB Cleveland Browns
Ryan Clark-FS Pittsburgh Steelers
#15 Rashard Mendenhall-RB Pittsburgh Steelers
His comments regarding the death of Usama Bin Laden sure didn't help him in the popularity contest, but hey, that's life. Needless to say, this guy is one hell of a football player. After his rookie season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, Mendenhall has shown potential to become one of the leagues top running backs. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in two consecutive seasons, and has scored 21 touchdowns.
#14 Peyton Hillis-RB Cleveland Browns
You have to give it to this guy. He played two seasons in Denver where he was held to only 81 total carries for 397 yards. Last year, he walked into the Browns training camp as the #2 running back on the depth chart behind Jerome Harrison. Hillis became the featured back early on in the season after rushing for 144 yards, and 1 touchdown against the Ravens in week 3. He finished the year with 270 carries, 1,177 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He will be featured on the cover of Madden 2012.
#13 Mike Wallace-WR Pittsburgh Steelers
A year ago today, not many people outside of the Steel City were familiar with Mike Wallace. At least not the football player. His solid rookie season was enough to set a spark off in Pittsburgh, but last season, he set a spark off around the league. He had 60 catches for 1,257 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Wallace is quite possibly the fastest player in the NFL. According to a CBS interview with Mike Tomiln, Wallace is the fastest player "in pads" that he has ever coached.
#12 Joe Thomas-OL Cleveland Browns
A lot of people may criticize me because of how low I have this guy ranked. BUT according to several players around the league, (including James Harrison), Thomas is the biggest "holder" in the NFL. Having that said, he has started all 64 games of his career at tackle for the Browns, never missing a start. Not to mention the fact that he has made the pro-bowl all four years he has been in the league, including all-pro selections the last two. Thomas also hosts an "outdoorsman" show on Sports Time Ohio. Just an old fashion country boy.
#11 Ray Lewis-ILB Baltimore Ravens
Sure, its possible that if I were doing an all-time AFC North list, Ray-Ray could easily crack the top 3. But as of 2011, Lewis just isn't the player he used to be. Let's face it, over the last couple of years Lewis' pro-bowls have come because of who he is, not the seasons he's had. Yet, he's still an excellent leader, and has the ability to deliver the big hit at any given time.
#10 Lamarr Woodley-OLB Pittsburgh Steelers
Woodley's ability was questioned by many during the 2007 NFL Draft. Coming off of a stellar career at Michigan, Woodley entered the draft as a 6'1 defensive end. Of course he was undersized for a defensive linemen, but my God could he get after that quarterback. The Steelers brand new coaching staff saw this, picked him up in the 3rd round and gave him a shot at the outside linebacker position. He has had double digit sacks over the last three seasons and shows no signs of slowing down.
#9 Ray Rice-RB Baltimore Ravens
Rice has definitely been a surprise to me. When he first came into the league back in 08', I remember telling myself that there would never be two Maurice Jones-Drew type players in the league at one time. Well I was wrong about that. Over the past three seasons, Rice has rushed for almost 3,000 yards, scored 12 touchdowns and has only fumbled 4 times, including zero last season. He's also grabbed 174 receptions, along with 2 touchdowns. He had more receptions than Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, Derrick Mason, and Deion Branch last season... As a running back. I guess you could say this guy's a duel threat.
#8 Maurkice Pouncey-C Pittsburgh Steelers
Yes, this guy is "that good." Pouncey's rookie year was expected to be solid, but it turned out to be bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. Not too many centers receive all-pro honors as a rookie. Unfortunately for Pouncey, he was injured during the AFC Championship game versus the Jets. He was inactive for the Super Bowl. You can't help but to think, "What if?"
#7 Anquan Boldin-WR Baltimore Ravens
Many would argue this one, and I do not blame those who do. But even after a sub-par performance last season, you have to remember that this guy was playing on a new team that hardly passes the ball. It's still Anquan Boldin. Look for Boldin to improve statistically this year as he enters his second season as a Raven.
#6 James Harrison-OLB Pittsburgh Steelers
I can still remember watching Harrison during the 2004 season. It seemed like he had made every single special teams tackle back then. He wasn't an official starter for the Steel Curtain until 2007, when he recorded 8.5 sacks and earned his first trip to the pro-bowl. He has been back ever since. By the end of 2008, just his second year as a starter, he had already won his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Over the last four years, he has recorded 45 sacks, 25 forced fumbles, and 4 interceptions. Yeah, he's pretty good.
#5 Haloti Ngata-DT Baltimore Ravens
The first time I saw this guy on TV, I remember thinking how massive he looked. When I saw him in person, just this past year during the Steelers-Ravens divisional playoff game, I thought that 6'4, 330 was understating his size. I have never seen an offensive line have as much trouble with one single player than they do with Haloti Ngata. With last season being his best to date, (63 tackles, 5.5 sacks), he took yet another step in becoming one of the leagues elite players. At age 27, Ngata is in his prime and in my opinion, the best defensive tackle in all of football.
#4 Ed Reed-FS Baltimore Ravens
No, I am not placing Ed Reed at #1. Although there are several solid arguments as to why Reed is the best pass covering defensive back of all-time, he has always had trouble playing the run. Not to mention the fact that he's aging quickly, and that injuries have become a huge factor in his career, almost forcing him to retire last off-season. So there you have it. My explanation as to why Ed Reed isn't higher on my list. I don't feel the need to explain why he is "as high" as he is. Maybe you should just check the numbers for that one.
#3 Ben Roethlisberger-QB Pittsburgh Steelers
Finally, right? There's not a doubt in my mind that Big Ben will be a hall of famer once his career comes to an end. At 29-years of age, Ben has already won two Super Bowls, appeared in three, and made plays that nobody even knew were possible. A lot of people like to compare Ben to guys like John Elway, or even Steve Young. But I like to think of #7 as a "Ben Roethlisberger type player." There is nobody like him. He's just one of those players.
#2 Terrell Suggs-OLB Baltimore Ravens
Surprised? Well, if you are, you haven't seen enough of this guy. Suggs is without doubt the most underrated linebacker in the NFL. The thing is, his numbers don't show it. Since coming into the league in 2003, Suggs has amassed 68.5 sacks. Pretty solid statistics, but nothing overwhelming. However, you must remember that Suggs is an outside linebacker playing in a 4-3 defense. Typically those guys don't have too many sacks. However since the departure of former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, (not in anyway saying that Ryan didn't do an excellent job), Suggs has been pass rushing as an outside defensive end much more than he used to. After battling several injuries in 2009, Suggs came back strong in 2010, recording 53 tackles, 11 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. I absolutely hate him when he's playing the Steelers, but my God is he good...
#1 Troy Polamalu-SS Pittsburgh Steelers
Do I even have to explain? The 2010 defensive MVP is not only the best player in the AFC North, but possibly the best in the entire league. Of course his statistics, highlights, and awards expose his elite level of play, but I think that the most telling stat is the Steelers 2009 record without him; 5-6. Keep in mind, that was the defending Super Bowl champions.
Written by Alex Muchnok
Talking about life, sports, politics, and everything else imaginable.
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