Kurt Warner Retires: The Time Has Come For Leinart

Today the 12 year career of Kurt Warner came to an end. I can't say I'm surprised, but I will say a few things about Warner.

First things first, any debate over whether or not Warner is a Hall of Famer is irrational. Though Warner only had (being generous) six good seasons, five of those seasons resulted in a playoff berth, four of those seasons ended with a Pro Bowl, three of those seasons ended with a Super Bowl berth, two included MVP awards, and one ended with a Super Bowl victory and game MVP award. In other words, when Warner was good he was great.

For his career, his numbers compare well to Troy Aikman's, Jim Kelly's, and Terry Bradshaw's; all Hall of Famers.

To sum things up for Warner, before 2007 he wasn't going to be a Hall of Famer. After 2008 he looked like he was going to be one. Now after 2009, Kurt Warner is definitely a Hall of Famer, and he's one of the rare instances where a players talent may not have been astonishing, but his will and positive attitude helped him achieve the highest level of success there is to achieve in professional football.

I will make one last comment about Warner, and it is a thought to chew on in your head. How much did having Orlando Pace, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Marshall Faulk, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin help Warner get to the Hall of Fame? All were All Pro talents without Warner. Warner was never an All Pro talent without them. I'm not saying Warner doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame, because he does. I'm just wondering if Kerry Collins, Drew Bledsoe, or Vinny Testaverde could have put up the same numbers in the same systems with the same results.

Anyway, the real story in Warner's retirement now becomes Matt Leinart. This past season Leinart had to fill in for Warner a few times and looked "alright," but for the most part his career has been a disaster. And while his draft day partners Vince Young, Reggie Bush, and Jay Cutler haven't exactly been excellent, compared to Leinart they've been Hall of Famers.

Part of the problem for Leinart is that the Cardinals quarterback job has never been "his." In 2006, Leinart's rookie year, he started on the bench but performed well in some instances. Leinart entered 2007 looking to take the next step, but lost his job midway through the season never to regain it. From 2007 to 2009 Kurt Warner revitalized a Cardinals franchise that had been dead for decades, leading the franchise to it's first Super Bowl, and in turn keeping Leinart on the bench.

Now Leinart enters 2010 as the probable candidate to take over the Cardinals quarterback job, and in all reality the franchise has no choice. The Cardinals have invested too much money over the past four seasons in Leinart to not find out if they already have their future quarterback. If the Cardinals can satisfy Boldin's needs, Leinart will inherit the most explosive offense in the NFL in a division that doesn't look to be more difficult in 2010 than it was in 2009.

In other words things are looking good for Matt Leinart.

2010 is actually a big year for all of those 2006 to 2007 quarterbacks. Vince Young and Jay Cutler need to prove themselves in Tennessee and Chicago, a failure in 2010 could lead to a new team in 2011 for either. Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell of the 2007 draft need to prove themselves in 2010 or both will be unemployed come 2011. But nobody has the pressure that Leinart has entering 2010, after all, Leinart is inheriting the undeniable best team of the bunch.

Anything short of a division title next year and Matt Leinart's tenure as the QB in Arizona becomes unsuccessful. The pressure is on for Leinart, the Cardinals coaching staff, and the Cardinals franchise in general to get back to the elite level of the NFC next year.

And that, at the end of the day, is why Kurt Warner was a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Ed Reed Shouldn't Retire, Tomlinson and Warner Should

Retired

Earlier in the week Junior Seau called it quits to his twenty year career. The Trojan-Charger-Dolphin-Patriot will absolutely get into the Hall of Fame, though his inability to play for a championship team will likely keep him out of the discussion for "greatest defensive players of all-time," though he would have at best been a second-teamer, anyway.

Will Retire

Kurt Warner has hinted all season that this may be his last. His contract has one more year on it, but I'm not sure Warner has another year in him. He's taken some brutal hits this year, and though the Cardinals will still have a shot to go to, and win the Super Bowl in 2010, it's hard to imagine Warner, who has already made his money, will come back and play. After all, this is a guy who can probably go to whatever network he wants after he retires.

Won't Retire

Ed Reed's announcement that he's 50/50 on returning for a ninth season comes as a surprise, and sounds like a poor decision for Reed and the future of his family. Certainly Reed has made his money, and his health should be of the paramount importance to him; Personally, if he retired today, I'd vote him into the Hall of Fame. But the reality is, some people may not. Another two years and he'd guarantee himself a spot in the Hall, and therefore his appearance and autograph fees go through the roof. Having worked in the sports memorabilia business as a job in college, I learned that signing an "HOF" next to your name can drive your signing rates (which are usually healthy to begin with) through the roof. Ultimately, I believe that Reed will return to the Ravens in 2010.

Should Retire

LaDanian Tomlinson poses the most intriguing debate. At age 31 in 2010, Tomlinson will clearly be past his rushing prime, and he's got a lot of miles on him. At his Edge is when Edgerrin James, a very comparable runner, started to slow down. Both Tomlinson and James had superior pass blocking skills, which adds a little bit of a dent into a backs health. Tomlinson had the worst season of his career (for the second year in a row) and once again disappeared in the playoffs. Tomlinson's days with the Chargers are almost definitely over, they need to draft a running back, and I couldn't imagine few teams needing the past-his-prime, over-paid Complainian Tomlinson. Normally the Patriots are the go-to destination for veteran offensive players, but I can't see Belichick doing a favor for a player who once called him classless.

Please Retire

One way or another Brett Favre has to end his career this season. Whether it's hoisting the Lombardi trophy, losing in the conference championship, or watching Peyton Manning hoist the Lombardi trophy has yet to be determined. Either way Favre won't be able to have a 2010 like he has a 2009. His numbers are safe and they have no baring on whether or not people consider him the greatest of all time. If Favre can get ring number two this year, his "greatest of all time" debate can rightfully begin, and he would also definitely retire. Favre was in the league when Elway had his swan song, and Brett would love nothing more than having a similar moment. Either way it's time for this great to retire and embrace that part of his life.

No One Cares

I suppose it's worth mentioning that Edgerrin James will probably officially call it quits sometime this Spring. It's not like he had a choice; Edge was cut by the Seahawks midseason, and the Colts decided to ride out second year running back Mike Hart (and give him James' #32) instead of resigning Edge for a one year, feel good deal. I think it's written in stone that James will retire. Hopefully the Colts do something nice for him.

Will Favre, Reed, James, Tomlinson, and Seau join each other in Canton in 2014? Chances are, no. But they'll all get in eventually.

Thoughts Heading In To Week 12

Kerry Rhodes

I'm in New York right now so I've heard a lot of hoopla about head coach Rex Ryan's benching of safety Kerry Rhodes. This comes after an offseason where Ryan compared Rhodes to future hall of famer Ed Reed. So far this season Rhodes has underachieved (a lot like his fellow Louisville Cardinals of the 00's) picking up zero interceptions through 10 games.

To make matters worse Rhodes got burnt not only by Wes Welker on Sunday (which isn't dishonorable), but also by Laurence Maroney (which is pretty dishonorable).

Personally, I feel as though Rhodes will bounce back and start in 2010, but Rex Ryan's stock keeps falling, and falling, and falling, to the point where he may not have a job after 2010 if Mark Sanchez doesn't take a huge step forward.

Landon Johnson

It's been that kind of year for the Carolina Panthers. After serving the Panthers valiantly in two starts since an injury to standout linebacker Thomas Davis, linebacker Landon Johnson was placed on the IR on Tuesday. This leaves James Anderson as the starter at weak side Linebacker in Carolina.

Whether the Panthers manage a 7-9 or 8-8 record or not (which they probably will) doesn't matter to me. After this season the Panthers need to do whatever it takes to clear house and start over with the new decade. It won't even be too hard to contend in 2010 with a new batch of faces. Most importantly the team needs to finally develop a young complementary receiver to Steve Smith (it's pathetic that Moosh is still asked to be that guy) and they need to find a Quarterback who raise that passing games level play.

As mentioned by Sebastian, a follower of Funk Football, Jason Campbell may be the right guy for that job. John Fox should probably take 2010 off and resurface in 2011. Maybe in the NCAA.

Matt Leinart

In case you were wondering, Kurt Warner plans to play this Sunday, despite being sidelined mid game last week due to a concussion. You have to wonder how much of this has to do with Warner's actual comfort playing this week, and how much has to do with the Cardinals lack of trust in backup quarterback Matt Leinart.

I have no intention to dissect any of Leinart's other two extend appearances in 2009, or from 2006-2008, because it wouldn't be fair. What we can look at are Leinart's numbers last week. Against St. Louis last week I'm sure you heard (from ESPN or some talk Radio show) that Leinart look pretty tentative at times, and made some really high and bad throws. While Leinart was in the Rams also managed to make it a game with the Cardinals.

To be fair to Leinart he was 10 of 14 for 74 yards, 0/0 TD to INT on Sunday. He also hasn't been the focus of a game plan going into a game since 2007, so there's a reason he may not be totally in sync with Boldin and Fitzgerald.

I'm not defending Leinart, but I'm also not going to slam him like everyone else is going to. 10 of 14 and minimal mistakes in relief is all you could ask for from a backup entering a game the coaches didn't plan on him playing in.

50 Active NFL Players Going To The Hall of Fame

I set out to make a list of 20 active players headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That list of 20 turned into a list of 40. From 40 it turned into 50.

Now I know not all 50 will make it to the Hall of Fame. At least ten of them are projections. I'd guess though, gun-to-my-head, that at least 40 of the 50 will make it into the Hall of Fame.

So please, debate. Am I way off? Am I spot on? Write back. Let me know.

Here's the list:

50 Active NFL Players Headed for the Hall of Fame

In No Particular Order

Peyton Manning, Quarterback - He's going to do damage to the NFL record books. He's been the fastest player to every major statistical record, he's likely to retire with the most MVP awards of all time, and he already has a Super Bowl ring and a Super Bowl MVP. He's a 9 time Pro Bowler in 11 professional season, and has 4 first team All Pro bids. He's 33 years old and will pass Warren Moon for 4th all time in passing yards at the end of this season. He'll pass Elway early in 2010. The question for Peyton isn't where his stats will be, it's will he win any more Super Bowls?

Brett Favre, Quarterback - He's going to retire the statistical leader in every major quarterbacking category in the NFL. Not to mention he won a Super Bowl and 3 MVP awards. Not only is Brett Favre going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer, but he's probably going to be on every major list of greatest players of all time.

Troy Polamalu, Safety - Players like Polamalu get into the Hall of Fame all the time. He's the face of a defense that has already won two Super Bowls. From 2004 to 2008 he went to five straight Pro Bowls, and like Ray Lewis and Jason Taylor, he's been one of the faces of the NFL this decade.

Junior Seau, Linebacker - The funny thing is that Seau should probably be getting inducted in the Hall of Fame this year. Needless to say, he's played in two Super Bowl's and was one of the most prolific linebackers of the 1990's (and 2000's I suppose). When he (finally) retires he'll get in first ballot.

Hines Ward, Wide Receiver - As far as Wide Receivers go, Hines Ward isn't exactly one of the greatest ever. To be fair, Ward couldn't shine Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Don Maynard, Steve Largeant, Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne, or Terrell Owens' shoes. What Ward does have is a lot of respect around the league (despite being deemed a "dirty" player) and two Super Bowl rings, including one Super Bowl MVP. Ward also has over 10,000 career receiving yards, four Pro Bowls, and will likely play his entire career in Pittsburgh; a franchise that has a nonstop shuttle from the playing field to Canton.

Ray Lewis, Linebacker - His criminal allegations should prevent him from getting in first ballot, but it won't. Ray Lewis will enter Canton five years after he retires, and will rightfully be considered one of the greatest players ever to play the game. He has two defensive player of the year awards (a rarity) and a Super Bowl MVP (an even greater rarity for a defensive player). He's an icon of 00's.

Tom Brady, Quarterback - A no brainer for the Hall of Fame. He has three Super Bowl rings, an MVP, the single season touchdown mark, and an incredible winning percentage. His career numbers will easily be Hall of Fame numbers, and who knows, he may even get another ring between now and his retirement.

Tony Gonzalez, Tight End - The most prolific TE of all time. He may not be the best tight end to ever play the game, but his numbers year in and year out, at a position where most players have short careers is astounding. He has over 11,000 yards receiving and is a 10 time Pro Bowler, 5 time first team All Pro. He'll get in first ballot.

LaDanian Tomlinson, Running Back - The defining tailback of the 00's, LT will go in first ballot. Whether he wins a ring or not doesn't matter; just ask Barry Sanders, O.J Simpson, etc. His numbers are great. He won't come close to Emmitt's record like he said he would, but he's going to join Emmitt in the Hall.

Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver - He's going to retire in the top 5 all time in receiving yards, and top three all time in receiving touchdowns. His reputation will prevent him from being first ballot, and maybe even second ballot, but the only question surrounding whether or not Owens is a Hall of Famer is what team does he go in as? I suppose the 49ers will claim him.

Kurt Warner, Quarterback - Super Bowl MVP, 2x NFL MVP, 3x NFC Champion QB, 2x first team All Pro, 4x Pro Bowler, career passer rating 93.6. It'll be hard to keep him out.

Edgerrin James, Running Back - He has the yardage, the touchdowns, the awards, two rushing titles, and he was part of one of the more visible teams of his era (that always helps). The only thing that hurts his chances of getting in is Joseph Addai, but odds are five years from now people will let that go.

Kevin Mawae, Center - The Seahawks wish they never let this guy go. Mawae is a seven time (and counting) Pro Bowler and three time All Pro. He's also the most identifiable center of his generation, and has started well over 200 games.

Adam Vinatieri, Kicker - The greatest kicker in league history. Though his leg strength is nowhere near elite, his kickoffs were always average, and he only went to two Pro Bowls, his four Super Bowls, and countless clutch kicks (Tuck rule game, SB XXXVI, SB XXXVIII, 2006 AFC Div Playoffs etc. etc. etc.) will send him into an exclusive group of kickers viewed as Canton worthy.

Randy Moss, Wide Receiver - It was obvious since his rookie season in 1998 that Randy Moss was Canton bound. Forget about his off the field issues, and the two years in Oakland, Moss has the numbers to retire today and easily find his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He has led the NFL in receiving touchdowns four times (including a single season record 23), and is a four time All Pro. He currently ranks second all time in receiving touchdowns.

Jason Taylor, Defensive End - The former defensive player of the year, six time Pro Bowler, and three time All Pro, leads all active players with 126 sacks. He's also been one of the most visible players of his generation and that will enhance his Hall of Fame odds. He won't need much enhancement though, he's getting in.

Ed Reed, Safety - He may not have been on the World Champion 2000 Ravens, but his addition to the Ravens in 2002 is what kept the defense elite for the remainder of the decade. He's a five time Pro Bowler, 4 time All Pro, and has also been a successful kick returner. He's got a lot of mileage left in his tank, and there's no doubt he's going to be one of many University of Miami players to enter the Hall of Fame from this generation.

Walter Jones, Tackle - Jones is a nine time Pro Bowler, four time All Pro, and was the best player on the 2005 NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks team. Chances are, whenever he retires, he'll be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He may not be the most well known player in the NFL, but he's absolutely regarded as one of the best.

Torry Holt, Wide Receiver - Holt was part of the "Greatest Show on Turf," and though Isaac Bruce, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, and Orlando Pace may take some of the shine away from Holt, it's hard to deny that Holt wasn't equally as important as those four players. He's been to seven Pro Bowls, was selected to one All Pro team, and has already caught for over 13,000 yards. He's likely to finish his career top 5 in yards; and his Super Bowl ring certainly helps his chances.

Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver - He only has four Pro Bowl selections, but that means nothing when it comes to Isaac Bruce. Not only did he play for the 1999 Rams, who arguably had the most explosive offense of all time, but he currently ranks as number two all time in receiving yards. He's going to the Hall of Fame.

Jeff Saturday, Center - The icon of Peyton Manning's offensive line, Saturday has become one of the most marketable and recognizable offensive lineman of all time. He will (likely) play the remainder of his career with Peyton, and chances are Peyton will be giving a speech in Canton 5 to 7 years after Saturday retires.

Brian Urlacher, Linebacker - Say what you will about Urlacher, he's far too much of an icon not to make it to the hall. He'll have the Pro Bowls, he has a defensive player of the year award, he'll have the All Pros, and he lead a defense to a Super Bowl. He's one of the most recognizable players of the decade, too. And that helps.

Ty Law, Cornerback - Ty Law was instrumental on helping the Patriots win three Super Bowls, and he played for them in four. Law has also been a part of five Pro Bowls, has two All Pro teams to his name, and has recorded over 50 interceptions in his career. The fact that he's been a journeyman since 2004 doesn't matter.

Dwight Freeney, Defensive End - Freeney is bound to retire with great sack numbers (likely over 120), not to mention at least one Super Bowl ring. He was one of the most visible defensive players of his generation, and the amount of double coverage he demanded his entire career will definitely be examined when his numbers are. He currently has four Pro Bowls and two All Pro selections, and those numbers are likely to grow.

Ben Roethlisberger, Quarterback - His game may not be the most beautiful in the history of the league, but Big Ben is Canton Bound. He already has two Super Bowl rings, and his career record as a starter is great. He won't shine in the Hall of Fame with beautiful numbers, but if he keeps up this pace, he may have his own section in the hall.

Jamal Lewis, Running Back - Despite having seven 1,000 yard seasons, Lewis only has one Pro Bowl and one All Pro appearance. In 2003 he rushed for over 2,000 yards, one of only five running backs in that club (OJ, Dickerson, Barry Sanders are in the Hall, Terrell Davis had too short of a career to make it, but should get in one day in my opinion). Help Lewis is the fact that he's going to enter Hall of Fame yardage status, he has a Super Bowl ring, he has an AP Offensive Player of the Year award, and he has the 2,000 yard season. Hurting Lewis? He spent 2001 in jail.

Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver - Playing your entire career with Peyton Manning helps. Wayne is bound for his fourth Pro Bowl this season, already has one Super Bowl, has performed tremendously in big games, and will probably retire with numbers that will make Marvin Harrison envious.

Orlando Pace, Tackle - The NFL loves it when guys like Orlando Pace make it to the Hall of Fame. The #1 overall pick in the 1997 draft, Pace helped the Rams turnaround a franchise that once lay dead at the bottom of a ferocious NFC. With Pace blocking the blind side, Kurt Warner won two MVP awards, Marshall Faulk won one MVP award, and Steven Jackson and Marc Bulger became Pro Bowlers. There's no denying who the best player mentioned in this paragraph is; Orlando Pace.

Adrian Peterson, Running Back - He's only been in the NFL three seasons so naturally this is all projection. As a rookie, Peterson was a Pro Bowler and rushed for over 1,300 yards. In his second season Peterson won the league rushing title. In his third season, Peterson is again in the rushing title hunt. In a forthcoming era that will see fewer and fewer Running Backs see Canton enshrinement, Adrian Peterson looks to be the last of a dying breed. He only needs another three to four seasons like the ones he's had so far to get to Canton. Since 2007 he's been the best in the game. He'll probably be the best for a few more years.

Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver - Again, this is totally a projection, but at age 26 he already has 7,000 receiving yards, three Pro Bowls, and a playoff run that would make even Jerry Rice envious. Fitzgerald is also the best receiver to play the game since Jerry Rice (sorry Randy, Andre, Reggie, TO) and the media loves him. It's important to note that his numbers with Kurt Warner are considerably better than his numbers without. Warner maybe has one more season left in the NFL.

Donovan McNabb, Quarterback - In a way, it's sort of sad the way we look at Donovan now. In fifteen years everyone reading this blog right now will remember McNabb as a player in a lot of great games. "The good old days" we'll call them. 4th and 26, the scramble on Monday Night vs Dallas, five NFC championship games in one decade. He also evolved the game, and was the only "athletic quarterback" of his generation to truly pan out. McNabb is also (along with Peyton Manning) the only quarterback to start and close a decade as the opening day starter for the same team. Longevity like that, especially at the quarterback position, usually translates into a Hall of Fame induction.

Charles Woodson, Cornerback - His Heisman Trophy won't mean anything towards getting into the Hall of Fame, but it definitely adds to his lure. The five Pro Bowls (and counting) only add more fuel to Woodson's Hall of Fame campaign. His numbers don't necessarily look great, but for a cornerback that's usually a sign of greatness. Opposing quarterbacks rarely ever threw Woodson's way, especially during his days with the Raiders. He also forced a fumble in a certain 2001 playoff game that changed the game forever.

Julius Peppers, Defensive End - Players like Julius Peppers don't come around every often.
Versatile, athletic, and explosive, Peppers is 29 years old and already has over 77 sacks in his career. Like Dwight Freeney, Peppers sees a lot of double and triple coverage, which makes that number even more impressive.

Matt Light, Tackle - He doesn't have a ton of Pro Bowls, he only has one All Pro, but Light was the Left Tackle for a team that went to 4 Super Bowls, and for the bulk of a Hall of Fame QB's career. That will be enough to get him to Canton. If he doesn't get it, it will be because of Super Bowl XLII.

Champ Bailey, Cornerback - 8 Pro Bowls, 3 All Pros, not much more you can say. He's only 31 years old so he still has another three to four years left in his tank. After that, he should find a home in Canton. Question is, is he a Bronco or Redskin? I say a Bronco.

Fred Taylor, Running Back - Taylor has the career stats and longevity to make it to the Hall of Fame. Taylor's problem may be that he's never been an elite Running Back. He may not get in first ballot, but he'll get in eventually, especially as the length of running back careers shrink further.

Chad Ochocinco, Wide Receiver - Remember when he wore that stupid jacket opening day 2007? He's probably going to hit the 10,000 yard receiving mark this season, he has five Pro Bowls, he gets a lot of touchdowns, and at 31 he's still relatively young. Two or three more 1,000 yard seasons after this one will guarantee Ochocinco a spot in the Hall of Fame.

Eli Manning, Quarterback - Even with as much critique to his name as Eli Manning has, it'll still be hard to keep him out of the Hall of Fame when his playing career is done. He's easily on pace to join the exclusive 40,000 yard club, and he's already begun to develop a great winning percentage. He'll have the numbers, and he already has a ring from a game that will become legendary. A few more Pro Bowl seasons and he'll get in. Another ring and it's a sure thing.

Patrick Willis, Linebacker - Like Adrian Peterson, this is a projection, and like Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis has entered the NFL and immediately taken over as the best in the league at his position. He's a tackles machine, he makes the 49ers defense legitimate, and he'll probably be a Pro Bowl fixture for the next 7 years. He'll be a welcome addition to the Hall of Fame for a 49ers team that had a pretty bad 00's after dominating the 80's and 90's with Hall of Fame talent.

Steve Hutchinson, Guard - Ask Matt Hasselbeck how good this guy is. He's been to the Pro Bowl every year since 2003, and he's established himself as the best Left Guard in the NFL in that time span. With the Seahawks he helped make Shaun Alexander the leagues premiere rusher, with the Vikings he's helped make Adrian Peterson the leagues premiere rusher. Coincidences like that don't happen in professional football. Steve Hutchinson is a first ballot Hall of Famer.

Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver - Johnson is only 28 years old and already has over 7,000 career receiving yards. He's just beginning to hit his stride as an elite receiver, and already has been to 3 Pro Bowls and has 1 First Team All-Pro to his name. Those numbers should be 4 and 2 after this season.

Ronde Barber, Cornerback - His better known, twin brother Tiki Barber won't get into the Hall of Fame, but Ronde will. Perhaps because of the participation of the 2002 Bucs defense, one of the greatest units in NFL history, perhaps because of the 5 Pro Bowls, 3 All Pros, perhaps because of the 37 career interceptions (including a mesmerizing 10 in 2001), or perhaps because he plays defense and has scored 13 touchdowns thus far in his career. Ronde Barber is a Hall of Famer.

Olin Kreutz, Center - He hasn't been to the Pro Bowl since 2006, but the Bears offensive line has still been pretty good since then. From 2001 to 2006 he represented the Bears in the Pro Bowl every single season, and his presence of the offensive line is part of the reason that Shane Matthews, Jim Miller, Chris Chandler, Rex Grossman, and Kyle Orton were able to have success as Chicago's starting quarterback.

Brian Dawkins, Safety - When he retires, Brian Dawkins is going to go straight to Canton. seven Pro Bowls, 4 All Pros, the face of a defense that dominated the 00's in the NFC. Brian Dawkins deserves all the praise he gets as a professional football player, and despite what some believe (mostly NFC East fans) he was never overrated.

Tommie Harris, Defensive Tackle - He's only 26, but you can see where this career is headed. He has three Pro Bowls, that number is going to grow, and more importantly you can see the difference he makes when he's on the field. If he can play at this level for another six seasons, there's a good chance that Tommie Harris will be in the Hall of Fame.

Antonio Gates, Tight End - He may not be the best tight end of his generation, but he's definitely the second best. For a tight end, Gates is a yardage and scoring machine. He's changed the way the game is played at the TE position, and if he can put up good numbers for the next three seasons, he'll be a Hall of Famer.

Steven Jackson, Running Back - This is another projection, but Steven Jackson is only 26 years old and should be headed for his 2nd Pro Bowl on a team that asks him to do more than any one player should have to do. He's had five straight 1,000 yard seasons behind a banged up offensive line. He's going to finish 2009 near 6,700 to 7,000 yards and will have three seasons to get to 10,000 yards. If he does, then he'll be a Hall of Famer. He may have to leave St. Louis though.

Darren Sharper, Safety - It's hard to get into the Hall of Fame as a defensive player without a ton of accolades and media attention. Darren Sharper doesn't have any of that (although he may finally get it this season), but he leads all active players in interceptions, has been to four Pro Bowls, has one All Pro selection (will likely be two after this season) and ranks second all time in interceptions for touchdowns, and 9th all time in interceptions. If Sharper gets just five more interceptions it will be really difficult to keep him out of the Hall of Fame. He's 34 so he has maybe two more seasons to get there.

Jeff Feagles, Punter - It's really, really, hard to get into the Hall of Fame as a special teams player. Adam Vinatieri will get in because he had too many big kicks to ignore. It's even harder to get into the Hall of Fame when you're a punte, but Jeff Feagles career numbers are going to be hard to ignore. He currently has 70,000 punting yards, over 10,000 more than the person in second all time. He's a two time Pro Bowler, but I'm not sure how much going to the Pro Bowl matters for a Punter. I can't guarantee he's going to get a Hall of Fame look, but hopefully he does. He deserves a look.

Drew Brees, Quarterback - Doing a little projecting, it's hard to ignore the numbers that Brees is going to put up. He's only 30 years old, so he has at least another five seasons at this level of play, which should be good to easily put Brees over the 40,000 yard mark. Since 2005, Brees has played at a very high level, and his three Pro Bowls and one All Pro selection are likely to grow in the next five years as well. He will need to get his team to the playoffs, but he's very similar to Warren Moon in that his numbers are so good, that it's hard to blame him for any losses his team may have.

Top 10 Quarterbacks in the NFL Right Now

Right now is a great moment for NFL Quarterbacks. After a beginning of the decade that saw powerhouse defenses shake passing offenses down, and running backs take the steam away from QB's, the Quarterback has once again taken over as the flashiest batch of players in the NFL.

There's no doubt that a large part of the success of the leagues passing game right now has to do with the rule changes that came in the middle of the decade, but whether we agree with those or not, there are still a lot of talented QB's in the league right now; there's a reason the 00's have produced more first round QB's than any decade in league history.

This is a list of the ten best QB's in the NFL right now. It's not a power ranking of who did the best last week, or who has been doing the best this season, it's a list of who the ten best quarterbacks in the NFL are.

This list discounts no one. It's not like the NBA where we write off KG and Tim Duncan because they're older and supplant them with Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul in the Top 5. Kurt Warner and Brett Favre remain on this list, in great stature, because at this point in time they still win, perform, and show up more than the bulk of quarterbacks in the league.

Obviously Peyton Manning is number one, and the rest of the list mathematically sorts itself out after that.

Before I bore you, let me present you with the list;

The Ten Best Quarterbacks in the NFL

10. Carson Palmer - When healthy, Carson Palmer is a quarterbacking machine, and the only Pac-10 quarterback to develop this decade (sorry Matt Leinart, Kyle Boeller, Ryan Leaf, and Cade McNown). Although the Bengals have only been to the playoffs once since they drafted Palmer, he has proven leadership in what has probably been the most tumultuous locker room in league history (all the arrests). This season Palmer has the Bengals poised for another playoff run, and if things continue to work this way for Palmer he'll only be moving closer and close to elite status in the NFL.

09. Donovan McNabb - Although Donovan is dropping down the list faster than anyone, I don't think anyone should worry too much. Like Warner, McNabb has tools that can translate to any team in the NFL, and he can make any team in the NFL better, and that's what has made him so great. This decade only he and Tom Brady have been to five AFC Championship games, and only he has finished all five games (though I wouldn't exactly attribute health as a McNabb strong point). Just last year McNabb took the Eagles on a great run back to the NFC championship game that almost ended in a comeback equal to that of the 2006 AFC Championship game. Because he's been so good for so long people question how much McNabb has left in his tank, but the answer is a lot; barring another serious injury to his legs, McNabb will be a great QB in the league well into the next decade.

08. Philip Rivers - Although he's entering his late twenties, Rivers is still judged as a young quarterback and rightfully so. Although he's infamously a member of the same draft class as Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, he has been given time to grow while those two were asked to be champions immediately in their careers. Thus far, Rivers has been the most successful quarterback in Chargers history, and he could be on his way to supplanting Dan Fouts as the greatest Chargers QB of all time, but lets not get ahead of ourselves. At times he's displayed toughness, and he's shown the ability to go head to head with the top tier. The only issue with Rivers is that he may be too emotional. Whereas Eli and Roethlisberger always keep their heads on their shoulders, Rivers sometimes gets caught up in his own dilemma too much, sometimes leading to unnecessary fights and penalties. There is no doubt that Rivers has the tools to become a champion, it's just a matter of wrapping his head around the concept of adulthood in the NFL.

07. Eli Manning - Say what you want about Eli being a "one game wonder," but last I checked leading his team to the playoffs every year since 2005 would qualify Eli as a five year wonder. In that same time span only his brother Peyton Manning has lead his team to the playoffs each of those seasons (meaning Brady, Favre, Roethlisberger, and McNabb have not). Some would argue that Philip Rivers' numbers are better, or that McNabb has beaten Eli time and time again, but the difference between the three is that Eli is the one with a ring, and he got in a game in which not only did he orchestrate the greatest drive in NFL history (that's right Montana, Elway, and Peyton), but he also won the MVP of. It's easy to pick on Eli because he refused to be a Charger, he doesn't have the charisma of his older brother, and well, he's kind of the Owen Hart of the NFL; but at this point in his career, Eli is in elite company when it comes to 4th quarter aesthetic, and he currently sits just outside of being considered an elite QB in the league.

06. Brett Favre - You can't argue that Brett Favre is still a top 5 QB in the NFL, the proof is in the pudding here. Favre is about to bring his third different franchise to a winning record in three years (07 Packers, 08 Jets, 09 Vikings), a feat that no other QB in NFL history has ever done. What's even more impressive? Favre is doing it an age where Montana, Marino, Elway, Aikman, Young, and Kelly were already retired at. Some question as to whether or not he's stuck around so long to break all sorts of career records, but 2009 has proved that Favre has stuck around because he can still win. A Super Bowl win this year would shut up every member of the media that said he was washed up, and cement Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy's legacy's as goats.

05. Drew Brees - You have to wonder how much of his greatness stems from that chip on his shoulders? I mean, in San Diego he was good, a Pro Bowler even, but it wasn't until he came to New Orleans in 2006 that he became a 4,000 yards a season QB. In 2008 he even became a member of the ultra exclusive 5,000 yards a season club. The real issue with Brees, and it's not entirely his fault, is that in an eight year career he only has one playoff win, and only two playoff appearances. With all due respect that's pretty bad. If we're going to ridicule players like Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, and Philip Rivers for getting to the playoffs and losing, at some point we need to start looking at Brees, too. All signs point to 2009 as the year that everything is finally coming together for Brees though, his team is in great shape to make a playoff run, and Brees is likely to go to yet another Pro Bowl. I'm sure the QB from Purdue is hoping he'll be starting in the other Bowl game taking place in Miami though.

04. Kurt Warner - In 2006 his career looked over and Kurt Warner was going to go down as nothing more than an NFL trivial pursuit question. Then in 2007 he began a career resurgence that has been nothing short of spectacular. In 2008 Warner reminded us all why he was a 2 time MVP and former Super Bowl MVP when he lead the Arizona Cardinals all the way to Super Bowl XLIII. What Warner has done in turning the losing culture around in Arizona is worthy of all time great status, and it's the second time Warner has turned a franchise around in his career. If you really dissect it, what Kurt Warner has done in his career is nothing short of remarkable, and the way he still plays every single Sunday is absolutely astonishing.Warner is nowhere near a mobile QB, and he has some nagging injuries that you can tell still bother him, but if you need a quarterback for just one game, it'd be hard not to have him on a short list. He's a proven winner, and his arm strength is still in the elite level.

03. Ben Roethlisberger - I think we're still waiting for this guy to come down to Earth. Roethlisberger started his career with a 15-1 record as a rookie, won the Super Bowl in his second season, won the AFC North for a second time in his fourth season, and in his fifth season won his second Super Bowl. If you don't think that's great, then it's time to digest the fact that Roethlisberger has developed into a legitimate passer as well. Roethlisberger is following in the footsteps of Tom Brady in developing from elite game manager, into elite quarterback. He hasn't reached his prime yet either.

02. Tom Brady - He started his NFL career better than any quarterback in NFL history (though Big Ben is rapidly approaching him), and has since continued to help his team win. After suffering a season ending knee injury in 2008, his backup Matt Cassell still took the Patriots to an 11-5 record and put up better numbers than Brady put up in his first seven seasons as a starter raising the question as to how good Tom Brady really is? That's a dumb question because Brady is still a great player, and he's not far from being the best in the game. His 2007 season is without question the best single season performance any quarterback has ever had, and likely ever will have. Like Roethlisberger he's had the benefit of having a very good defense to guide him to championships, when he you need 40 yards to get a game winning field goal, there's no better QB in the NFL than Tom Brady.

01. Peyton Manning - The best Quarterback in the league, and he has a chance to become the greatest of all time. It's scary to think that those years of 2003-2005 were nowhere near his prime. This half of the decade he's silenced his critics about winning the big one, picked up a Super Bowl MVP to go with his three MVP awards, and has earned a reputation as a great "clutch" performer as well. Love him or hate him, we treat Peyton Manning the same way we treat all the greats; Ali, Jordan, Kobe, Gretzky, Tiger, A-Rod: we dissect every single move he makes, and every game he plays is his make or break moment. When his team loses we blame him, when his team wins then they should have won by more... Because they have Peyton Manning. A scary thought is that if Manning wins another Super Bowl this season, he will have equaled John Elway's entire 16 year career in only 11 seasons (50,000 passing yards, 2 Super Bowl championships... Manning will likely have 4 MVPs after this season to Elway's one). Manning has also replaced Elway as the guy whose hands you place the ball in when you're down by six and need 90 (or 28) yards for a score.

So there you have. A majority of the list was easy to create. Initially I wanted to put Brees at #5 but after writing up what Kurt Warner has done since 2007, you can't put Brees ahead of him. Although it's amazing that Brees has turned the culture around in New Orleans, it's even more astonishing that Warner has turned the culture around in Arizona. Also, as mentioned, Brees has only one playoff win since 2006 (and in his career), while Warner helped take the Cardinals to the Super Bowl.

Rivers versus Eli is tough because Rivers has better numbers, but Eli has a Super Bowl. Eli's ring is enough to put him ahead of Rivers at this point in his career, especially since they've each been to the same amount of Pro Bowls, and Eli has yet to miss the playoffs as a full time starter.

Rivers over McNabb was the toughest decision, but this was a list of who is the best NOW, not this decade. There is no doubt in my mind that Donovan McNabb is one of the five or six best quarterbacks of the 00's, and if I had a vote I'd put McNabb in the Hall of Fame when he retires, but right now, one game, i'd take #17 over #5.

Missing the list were Matt Hasselbeck and Matt Ryan who I'd put at numbers 11 and 12. At this point Hasselbeck is on his way down while Ryan is on his way up. Tony Romo needs to make a good playoff run before he can get consideration, while Vince Young needs to get some numbers to along with his commendable winning percentage. Joe Flacco would round out my top 15. Personally, I'm not the biggest Jay Cutler or Aaron Rodgers fan, in part because neither has been to the playoffs, and in part because I consider them "fantasy football players," meaning they put up good numbers, but where are the wins? Both inherited teams that hosted Championship games before they took over, neither team has been back to the playoffs since.

I hope you enjoy the list and I'd love to hear your feedback.

Why There's So Much More to Eli vs Brees Than Meets the Eye

It was the year 2004. The New England Patriots had just defeated the Carolina Panthers for the franchises second Super Bowl Championship*, Peyton Manning had just won his second MVP, everyone wondered whether or not Brett Favre would retire, and the San Diego Chargers were the owners of the #1 overall pick for the second time in four years.

Heading into the 2004 NFL draft, San Diego Chargers franchise were still stuck in a post Super Bowl XXIX hangover. The team made the playoffs in 1995, but were defeated at home by Jim Harbaugh and the Colts. The next several years would filled with futility.

In 1998, the franchise drafted Ryan Leaf #2 overall, one pick after Peyton Manning. Heading into the draft there was a lot of debate over who the Colts should take with the #1 overall pick; they selected Manning, the less physically gifted, but far more disciplined player. In the time since Manning would make the Colts a perennial playoff team, while Leaf was off the Chargers roster by 2001; the year the team selected Drew Brees with the #32 overall pick.

From 2001 to 2002 Brees showed signs of eventually developing into a great Quarterback. The Chargers looked like a team improving with each game, and in 2002 the team went 8-8, with Brees starting all 16 games.

2003 was a disaster however, and once again the Chargers landed the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft. With a starting record of 2-9 in 2003, Brees looked as though he'd never pan out to be a full time NFL starter. In 1998 the Chargers missed out on one Manning, in 2004 the franchise had an opportunity to make good and draft Peyton's brother, Eli.

And so they did. And just like that it seemed as though Eli Manning would pull the plug on Drew Brees' tenure as San Diego's QB.

But something happened that April afternoon; Eli, under the guidance of his father, former NFL/NCAA star QB Archie, decided he didn't want to play in San Diego. Eli had learned from his fathers mistake of what happens when you end up with a bad franchise. Archie spent his entire career with a New Orleans Saints team that never got close to good; and both Eli and Archie watched what happened to Brees to and Leaf. In 2004, San Diego was the place where good QB's went to die.

So Eli informed the Chargers that he wasn't going to sign, and the Chargers made a trade which sent Philip Rivers, who the Giants selected #4 overall, to the Chargers in exchange for Eli, and some draft picks.

San Diego didn't have the guy they wanted, but they had a solid QB they thought they could develop, and after the draft they decided they were going to give Rivers time to develop, and let Brees continue to play out his contract.

On the other side of the country were the New York Giants. In 2000 the team went to the Super Bowl with QB Kerry Collins. Since 2000 Collins was a solid, though sometimes erratic QB in Jim Fassel's offense. After a disappointing 2003 season, in which Collins missed the final 3 games of the season, the Giants cut ties with both Collins and Fassel. Collins would end up in Oakland for the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

In June, about six weeks after acquiring Manning, the Giants signed Kurt Warner to a deal. Warner was the league MVP in 1999 and 2001, as well as the Super Bowl MVP in 1999. The Giants figured that the supposed "declining" Warner could serve as the transitional QB to Manning.

Under Warner, the Giants would start the season 4-1, before winning only one of their following 3. At 5-4, it seemed as though Warner was truly declining, and the Giants decided to give up on pursuing .500 and a potential playoff opportunity and figured to let Eli develop instead. The Giants would win only one game in seven tries under Eli, but the torch had officially been passed. Warner signed with the Arizona Cardinals, the final team he started against in 2004, for the 2005 season.

(Note: In 2003 Warner's last game as a starter was against the Giants who he started for the following season in 04. Weird right?)

Meanwhile in San Diego, Drew Brees had developed in a pro QB. With Rivers holding a clipboard, Brees took the Chargers back to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years in 2004. Although they were one and done to the New York Jets, the future was looking bright in SD.

Enter: 2005.

In Arizona, Kurt Warner truly looked finished, as he and the Cardinals would go a putrid 5-11; topped only by Kerry Collins and 4-11, Raiders. In 2006 the Cardinals drafted Matt Leinart to take over for Warner, and Collins headed to Tennessee where he was set to keep the seat warm until Vince Young was ready to steer ship.

In New York, things were looking good. Though the Giants were one and done, Eli had lead the team to an 11-5 record and an NFC East title.

2005 was good for San Diego, but not great. The Chargers would go 9-7, but Brees would earn a spot in the Pro Bowl. Due an injury in the last game of the season, Brees missed the Pro Bowl, and the same injury likely caused the Chargers to decide to let Brees go and hand the keys over to Philip Rivers.

In 2006 both Warner and Collins would due their duty and start the season, then hand the starting job over to Leinart and Young. Leinart looked promising, and Young would go on to win the Rookie of the Year award.

Brees, who had signed with New Orleans for 6 years/60 million (SD offered a 5 years/50 million incentive laden deal) took the Saints to the deepest they'd ever gone in the playoffs.

Rivers and the Chargers won 14 games, though they lost in the divisional round to the Patriots. The same playoffs where Peyton Manning would go on to win the Super Bowl.

Eli and the Giants went back to the playoffs, but like Rivers, were one and done.

In 2007, Warner had a comeback year. Leinart failed to progress as a sophomore, and Warner started 11 games and passed for over 3,000 yards for the first time in six seasons.

Kerry Collins spent most of 2007 on the bench.

Drew Brees and the Saints came down to earth, but more because of the Saints defense than Brees' play.

Philip Rivers and the Chargers made it into the playoffs and in the first round defeated Vince Young's Titans raising questions about Young's ability to play QB at the pro level. In the following round the Chargers would defeat Peyton Manning's Colts. The Chargers would end their season as victory number 18 in the Patriots recording breaking 18-0 run, a run that ended with Eli Manning.

In 2007 pressure began to build for Eli. The New York media began to critique his leadership and ability to win the big game. All of that ended when Eli lead the Giants on a miracle run, which included a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

The effects of the 2004 NFL Draft came into full form in 2008.

In 2008, Warner and Collins won back their starting jobs. Warner beat out Leinart in training camp, Collins took over after a Vince Young meltdown following week 1. Warner would lead the Cardinals to their first Division championship since moving the Arizona, and Collins would lead the Titans to the best record in the NFL.

Eli and the Giants kept their Super Bowl momentum going, earning the team home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Rivers would lead the league in passer rating, as the Chargers would win the AFC West with an 8-8 record.

And Drew Brees would challenge almost every major passing record as the QB for the Saints.

Warner, Collins, Eli, and Rivers all played in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. Only Warner would advance.

Warner would lose in the Super Bowl to another QB from the 2004 draft, Ben Roethlisberger, who the Pittsburgh Steelers took in the first round, after Eli and Rivers were off the board. Rumor has it however, that if the Giants couldn't get Eli, they were going to select Roethlisberger, who they valued over Rivers.

Instead the New York Giants landed Eli Manning and a Super Bowl XLII victory. The Chargers landed Philip Rivers and have been a contender ever since. The Cardinals landed Kurt Warner who helped turn the franchise from the league's worst franchise into one of it's most feared. The Titans landed Kerry Collins who gave the team it's best single season run of the decade. The Saints landed Drew Brees who, like Warner, helped ressurect a fledgling franchise. And the Steelers landed Ben Roethlisberger, who rewarded the team with two Super Bowl rings since 2004.

All because Eli Manning didn't want to play for the Chargers.

So when you watch Eli vs Brees this weekend, think about how these two are linked. Think about How Brees' awful 2003 season has shaped the NFL since. Think about all the names mentioned in this entry.

One thing is for sure though, things worked out pretty well for all six franchises.

St. Louis Rams... Your Decade is Over

This season, whenever I believe a team is eliminated from the playoffs, thus making their season (and decade) over, I will write their obituary.

Today I present to you the St. Louis Rams of the 00's.

The Rams spend the first nine years of the 1990's floating somewhere in between the words horrible and obscure. Things got so bad for the Rams that after the 1994 season the team moved from Los Angeles to St. Louis.

Then a funny thing happened; In the 1998 offseason the team pulled of a trade with the Indianapolis Colts which sent Marshall Faulk to the Rams. The team also used it's first round pick, #6 overall, to select wide receiver Torry Holt to complement Isaac Bruce. With former #1 overall pick Orlando Pace anchoring a solid offensive line, and Trent Green under center, the Rams looked like they were in shape to win about 8 games in 1999. But Green got hurt before the season could start and Kurt Warner, a little known QB from the Arena League, took over at QB.

The 1999 Rams would go on to a 13-3 record en route to the franchises first Super Bowl championship, and just like that the Rams would enter the 00's as the leagues best team, and enter the next three seasons as the Las Vegas odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Although the team was now lead by Mike Martz, the 1999 team's offensive coordinator, for the Ram, the 2000 season began just where the 1999 season ended. Lead by Kurt Warner and a red hot Marshall Faulk, the team began the season with six straight wins before Kurt Warner went down in a Week 8 contest with the Chiefs.

Trent Green was given the keys to the Rams machine and the opportunity to win back the job Kurt Warner had stolen in style. Unfortunately for Green the Rams would win just two games under him, and Kurt Warner would finish the season as starter.

The brightest spot of the 2000 Rams season was the incredible play of Marshall Faulk, who in the first year of the decade achieved what I consider to be the finest single season performance of the decade, maybe ever. Faulk obtained 2,189 yards from scrimmage, 26 total touchdowns, and a well deserved league MVP award.

The 2000 Rams would head into the playoffs as the most dangerous road team in the NFC, but due to a shakey defense would lose to the New Orleans Saints 31 to 28. Mike Martz and his high powered offense would enter the offseason looking to fix up the defense before the window of opportunity closed.

The 2001 Rams would use three first round picks on their defense, drafting Ryan Pickett, Damione Lewis, and Adam Archuleta. The acquisition of Aeneas Williams, and the rapid development of rookie Tommy Polley, would help the 2001 establish themselves as a legitimate defensive contender.

With a chip on their shoulders, the 2001 Rams would open the regular season with six straight wins again, before losing to the Saints. This time, it was Marshall Faulk who would get injured, and this time it was Kurt Warner who would pick up the slack. The Rams would go on to win eight of their next nine games, and pick up a first round bye with a 14-2 record.

In 2001, with two less games than the year before, Marshall Faulk picked up 2,147 total yards, only 42 less yards than the season before. Faulk would also pick up 21 touchdowns; but it war Warner who would be the leagues MVP, passing for 4,830 yards, 36 touchdowns, and and a QB rating of 101.4. Under Warner's leadership, the 2001 Ram's offense became known as "The Greatest Show on Turf."

The Rams would enter the 2001 playoffs as the odds on favorites to win the Super Bowl, and they'd get their relatively easily dominating the Green Bay Packers before winning a close win with the Eagles. For the second time in three years the Rams would be back in the Super Bowl and people were beginning to use the word "dynasty."

Super Bowl XXXVI featured the heavily favored Rams against the underdog New England Patriots. We all know now about the result of the game, we know about the spygate scandal, and we know that Tom Brady and the New England Patriots defeated the St. Louis Rams on a legendary field goal by Adam Vinatieri.

Time will tell what the impact of Spygate will have on our recollections of Super Bowl XXXVI. Personally, I'd like to with hold judgement and proclaim the Patriots the fair winners of that game, although I have a suspicion that some time in our lifetime we're going to find out a lot more, and we'll consider the 1999-2001 Rams the dynasty that never was.

Fueled by the anger of the XXXVI upset, the Rams entered 2002 the favorites to go back to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for the Rams, that anger lead to an 0-5 start. Kurt Warner looked horrible, Marshall Faulk was good but not great, and something needed to be done. That something occurred when Marc Bulger took over for Warner, who was ailing with an injury.

Bulger would help the Rams to a 6-1 record, before he too would get hurt. Despite the 0-5 start, the Rams would finish 2002 7-9, but they'd fall short of the playoffs. The team entered 2003 with a lot of questions, including how much longer would it be Marshall and Kurt's team?

The answer to that question would be "not much longer." Kurt Warner would start week 1 in a loss to the Giants, his next start would be week 1 of the following season in a Giants jersey. Bulger picked up the slack for Warner and lead the Rams to a 12-4 record, and a first round bye.

The 2003 playoffs began with a lot of people predicting a Rams Patriots rematch. That rematch would never occur as the Rams were one and done in the playoffs, suffering a loss to the Carolina Panther in overtime. Marc Bulger would throw for 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Nevertheless the team entered 2004 confident that Bulger was their guy, and Kurt Warner signed with the New York Giants.

Nobody knew it, but 2004 would be the beginning of the decline of Mike Martz and the Rams. With an 8-8 record the team would win the Wild Card. The Rams would also go on to upset the division winning Seahawks in the first round of the playoffs before getting lit up by Michael Vick and the Falcons in the divisional round. Before the season the team had drafted young running back Steven Jackson to take over, and by the end of the season it became evident that they'd be waiving goodbye to Marshall Faulk very soon.

Faulk would come back to the Rams in 2005, but his role was very limited; as were the number of wins the team would get. Five games into the season Mike Martz was fired and the Rams would end 2005 with a 6-10 record. Marc Bulger got hurt, as did Isaac Bruce; Marshall Faulk retired, and the Rams entered 2006 with a handful of questions.

Scott Linehan would take over as the Rams head coach in 2006, but things didn't get too much better. The Rams lost the division to a mediocre Seahawks team. Marc Bulger stayed healthy and made it to the Pro Bowl, but with an 8-8 record, and lots of aging players on both sides of the ball, things were questionable going into 2007.

And in 2007, questionable turned into awful. Once again Marc Bulger couldn't stay healthy, and the Rams won only 3 games in a pathetic division. Just like that, the Rams decade of relevance was over.

The Rams stuck with Marc Bulger in 2008, and though he miraculously started 15 games, it didn't help much. The team won only 2 games all year, dispite a 1,000 yard in 11 games, season from Steven Jackson. After the season the team would part ways with Torry Holt and Orlando Pace. The only two remaining players from "The Greatest Show on Turf."

But if there's a rockbottom for the Rams, they still haven't hit it. 2009 looks to be just as bad as 2007 and 2008, and 1999-2001 seems like it's a lot further away than it really is. The team will probably have a top five draft pick and will probably give up on Marc Bulger and acquire a Quarterback to lead this team into the 2010's.

The Rams are in a rebuilding phase. There's a lot of talk of them moving back to LA. The team is in bad financial shape, and the most newsworthy they've been since 2003 has come through the denial of Rush Limbaugh to own a small percentage of the team.

But at least there was 2000 to 2004, the first five years of the decade in which the Rams were relevant. Where Faulk and Warner won back to back MVP's. When Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce made opposing defenses wet their pants. When Orlando Pace dominated guys like Michael Strahan, Simeon Rice, and Bryant Young.

It's going to be hard to forget those Ram teams, especially when those five aforementioned players represent "The Greatest Show on Turf" with metal busts in Canton.

MVP of the Decade: Torry Holt

Notable Players: Marshall Faulk, Orlando Pace, Aeneas Williams, Adam Archuleta, Kurt Warner, Steven Jackson, Isaac Bruce, Adam Timmerman, Jeff Wilkins, Leonard Little, Grant Wistrom, Az-Zahir Hakim, Donnie Avery, Will Witherspoon, Chris Long

Throwback Jersey That Will Be Cool in 15 Years: 2000 Marshall Faulk (2001 XXXVI will have the Patch... but who needs it.)