Klein: Best Player at Each Position Going Into the 2009-2010 Season

There is a great debate for every position so why don't I settle them all now. I am going to give you the BEST player at every position on the field in the NFL going into this season. If any of these players that I list were to read this blog post they should feel very lucky that I chose them-haha. Well without further ado I will give you my All Pro team for this season:

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK
Manning, Peyton (IND)
This is a no-brainer in my mind but I am sure all you Saints fans beg to differ. Before I get to the statistics I am going to talk about his presence on the field. When Manning comes on the field everyone is automatically scared. This guy appeared in more Mastercard commercials than Drew Brees playoff appearances, doesn't that scare you a bit?! Well, if any of you Brees lovers hate me right now I am going to give you a reason to not. Manning has led the Colts to 31 4th quarter comebacks in his career. He is the guy you want on the field leading your 2 minute drill. Besides the fact that he has had Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark, he has still been able to form chemistry with players in short periods of time and THAT is what makes him a great quarterback. When Brees has HIS intelligence, HIS arm, a ring, and 3 MVP's then I'll think differently. Peyton is starting at QB on my team.

RUNNING BACK
Peterson, Adrian (MIN)
This is a shoe-in at the tailback position for multiple reasons. AGE, TALENT, and VERSATILITY. Peterson has carried the load for the Vikings for two years now and it doesn't look like he is slowing down. Injuries nagged him his rookie season but he still ended up with 1,000+ yards and 12 TD's...not to shabby to me! Last year, he carried an offense with no aerial attack and went 100+ yards in 10 of his 16 starts. This guy is the definition of playermaker and he looks like hes on his way to being the perennial #1 pick in fantasy drafts for years to come. Adrian will line up in the backfield.

FULLBACK
McClain, Le'Ron (BAL)
Any full back who can post up 902 yards and 10 TD's in a season while delivering punishing blows to clear a hole for his running backs deserves a spot on my list. McClain played a "running back-esque" role in 2009 and led the Ravens to the AFC Championship. The 2007 pick out of Alabama got no love when he was drafted in the 4th round of that years draft but I'm going to give him a little and make him the fullback on this roster. Le'ron will be clearing holes for Adrian.

WIDE RECEIVER
Fitzgerald, Larry (ARZ)
I really don't need to get into that many stats here because all you had to do was watch the Superbowl this past year. He has 127 yards and 2 touchdowns. If the Cards had won, he would have been Superbowl MVP. He passed the century mark in each of his four playoff games this year and grabbed 7 touchdowns. Those numbers are unheard of and that is why he is the best wide receiver in the NFL. Fitz is a 3-time Pro Bowler and this year in Honolulu he won the MVP award for once again being straight up unreal. This former Top-3 pick in the Draft has been consistent for 5 years in this league and consistency at the wide out position is the most important thing (ie: Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt). His 6'3" frame gives this All-Pro team what it needs to dominate. No. 11 is splitting out wide for this squad.

TIGHT END
Gonzalez, Tony (ATL)
Gonzalez screams consistency at the tight end position by putting up 900+ yards in 8 of his last 10 seasons. You need to keep in mind that he has played on a losing franchise, the KC Chiefs, that has only reached the playoffs twice since he has been on the team. Imagine what he is going to do with a quarterback like Matty "Ice" Ryan...can you said WR numbers? Gonzo has been a Pro Bowl selection every year from 1999-2008 and has posted 10,000+ yards in his career. This Falcon can block, catch, and run perfect routes and he has earned his spot on this team. Gonzalez will be in the slot in this offense.

OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Clady, Ryan (DEN)
This second-year Left Tackle for the Denver Broncos had the most impressive season ever for a rookie O-Lineman. When protecting the blind side for Jay Cutler in 2008 he only allowed 1 1/2 sacks on his diabetic quarterback. He must have really liked Jay because it is not so often that a guy starting from Day 1 on the Broncos' offensive line only gives up 1 real sack in 16 regular season games. Aside from this, he has the most upside. This guy just turned 22 and is already one of the best players in the league. Imagine what experience and hard work could do for this 6'6, 325 young gun from Boise State. Although he did not make the Pro Bowl his first year (votes go to vets) he still made the AP NFL All-Pro Second Team in 2008, which is basically saying he was the 2nd best LT in the NFL last year. Clady is the best Tackle going into 2009.

OFFENSIVE GUARD
Faneca, Alan (NYJ)
Every huge run that Neon-Leon Washington or Thomas Jones had in 2008 seemed to involve some pivotal block from Faneca on the play. This 8-time Pro Bowl selection and 5-time All Pro selection is clearly the best Guard in the NFL. He he been so involved in the maturation of the Jets left side of the line, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, and has given the Jets a real foundation in their running game. He paved the way for 2008 AFC Leading Rusher, Thomas Jones, and was a master at swinging out on passes in the flats to Washington and delivering a blow to a defender. Faneca also won Superbowl XL with the Steelers and anchored the best offensive line in the league that year. Big Al is head of the class when it comes to Guards.

CENTER
Saturday, Jeff (IND)
This guy has been with Peyton Manning through thick and thin and he deserves this honor. Saturday has won a Superbowl and has been a 3-time Pro Bowl selection. He has been the heart and soul of the Colts offensive line for years and has protected the best QB in the game. One of the reasons why Peyton is so good is because of the amount of time he has in the pocket. Saturday allows this to happen by taking on some of the best Nose Tackles in the AFC (ie:Kris Jenkins, Shaun Rogers, Vince Wilfork, etc). Saturday's ability to keep an O-line in tact with communication and signals makes him the best in the league.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE END
Williams, Mario (HOU)
Since coming into the league three years ago, Williams has put up monster stats to back up his #1 overall pick status. Back in 2006 Texans' fans were already making jerseys with #25 on them even weeks before the draft with the thought that their new GM, Rick Smith, would make the so called "safe pick" and take USC's Reggie Bush. BUT, he did not. He made a much better pick and took NC State's Mario Williams. Williams was selected to his first Pro Bowl this past season and was also selected as a 1st team All Pro. This freak of nature put up 26 sacks in the past two seasons and has shown that he runs the show at Reliant Stadium down in the Lone star state. His 4.65 40-speed and 6'7", 300 pound frame has come together to make him the best DE in the NFL going into this season.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Haynesworth, Albert (WAS)
Big Fat Albert just edged out my boy Kris Jenkins on this one (he was a very close 2nd haha). Regardless, after receiving a fat paycheck from the 'Skins this off season, 100 Mil, he has to keep up his production. Since reconfiguring Dallas Cowboys' Andre Gurode in 2006, he has shown that he can consistently stop the run and create a pass rush that most NFL centers cannot contain. After the 2006 incident has has not failed to make the AP All Pro team or the Pro Bowl. The fact that he plays with such anger and agression makes him a better player and I like that. A defensive line needs to have a player like him in the middle to be a playmaker to get the team riled up. His 24 career sacks is very impressive at the NT position and last year his 3 forced fumbles really highlighted his breakout season. Alby is going to run the show on a weak Redskins D-line.

LINEBACKER
Harrison, James (PIT)
You may remember Mr. Harrison as the guy who had the longest touchdown in Superbowl history. Yup, a linebacker had the longest touchdown in SB history! He went the distance with a Kurt Warner pass for 100 yards and led the Steelers to their 6th ring. In 2008, he has 101 tackles, 16 sacks, and 7 forced fumbles. Those aren't numbers that come around every so often from a player. Harrison came onto the scene in 2007 and won the DPOY (Defensive Player Of the Year) Award in 2008. The guy has 2 rings, has been to the Pro Bowl twice, has been a two time All Pro selection as one of the best linebackers in the league. Going into 2009 he is the best linebacker and is leading the NFL's most feared defense.

CORNERBACK
Asomugha, Nnamdi (OAK)
Nnamdi is the most UNDERRATED player in the NFL. He doesn't put up the statistics you want as a fantasy owner nor does he have that big play potential but there is one thing he is and that is a shutdown corner. Yeah I know he only had 1 interception this year and 1 the year before but interceptions are not what spells out a superb cornerback. Here is a stat for you: Asomugha only had the ball thrown his way 10 TIMES during last season. He held WR Steve Smith to 1 rec, 9 yards. He held WR Brandon Marshall to 4 receptions. He held Dwayne Bowe to 2 rec, 27 yards. That is a shutdown corner. When he lined up against big name receivers he showed that he wouldn't let up a touchdown and no more than 4 receptions. Nnamdi shall be underrated no more!

SAFETY
Polamalu, Troy (PIT)
This was the hardest decision of them all. Do I pick Troy? Do I pick Ed? Polamalu and Reed were dead even in talent but there was one thing that set them apart. Polamalu has two rings while Reed has zero. The one thing I like about Troy's game is that he plays like a linebacker...a lot like Ronnie Lott. The integrity and passion he has when he goes out on the field really reminds me of him. Polamalu has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times (2004-2008), has been selected to the 1st tream All Pro team (2005-2006), he received the "Joe Greene Great Performance Award" back in 2003 (one of the most prestigious awards a Steeler can win), and most importantly he has two rings on his hand. Polamalu's big play style on the field makes him one of the biggest threats on defense in the NFL.

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER
Vinatieri, Adam (IND)
I know last year he was 20/25 for field goals but if there is anyone who is clutch in this league it is Vinatieri. With his game winning kicks to send games into OT and win Superbowls he tops the list. In the 2001 playoffs, during a blizzard against the Oakland Raiders, Vinatieri kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game 13-13 and send it into OT. The Patriots then won the game on another field goal of 23 yards by Vinatieri to send them to the AFC Championship. In Super Bowl XXXVI Adam kicked a 48-yard field goal on the final play to give the New England Patriots their first Super Bowl victory. Two years later, and in an almost identical situation, he kicked a 41-yard field goal with 4 seconds left in Super Bowl XXXVIII to win the Patriots another ring. With these two winning kicks he is the only player ever to be the deciding factor in two Super Bowls. Mr. Clutch has shown that a resume like this can go a long way when it comes to being a great kicker. Vinatieri is still the BEST kicker in the game today.

PUNTER
Lechler, Shane (OAK)
See the great thing about Shane is that the Raiders only had to burn a 5th round pick on this special teamer rather than a 1st rounder (Sebastian Janikowski, 2000 Draft). Not only has Lechler been the best pick of the Oakland Raiders in the last 9 years (which is kind of sad) he has also been the best punter in the league the past 9 years. Since he was drafted in 2000, Lechler has been selected to the All Pro team every year except 2005 and 2006. He is one of the only players in the league to have been selected to more All Pro teams than Pro Bowl teams (6x All Pro and 4x Pro Bowl). He set the record for best average per punt in a career (46.8), which is the best record you can set as a Punter. There is a reason why he is the highest paid Punter in the league with a $12 million contract.

KICK/PUNT RETURNER
Hester, Devin (CHI)
Hester is without a question the selection at this position for a few solid reasons. Firstly, he has the fastest game speed in the league. His 40 is very solid 4.27 (one of the best in the league) but when he is on the field and has the ball in his hands, no one has speed like him. After interviewing Hester the other day for my internship he really convinced me that he was the best at what he does (no I don't mean him as a wide out). His record setting 6 touchdown returns in a single season and touchdown return to open Super Bowl XLI is enough for him to land this gig on Klein's All Pro team.

Thanks for reading,
Wills