My Antonio Gates Blog

Here are the 10 best players in the NFL ... the difference makers, the guys who can make the great play and turn a game around in an instant (sorry, Terrell, you're too flaky to make this list) ...

1 (tie). Tom Brady, QB, Patriots, and Peyton Manning, QB, Colts ... Both teams would be in the cellar without these guys ... Brady, 31, Manning, 32, both in their primes.

3. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots ... What a joke, the talk last year that he had "slowed down" ... how about 98 receptions, 23 TDs???

4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings ... Fast, flashy, explosive (5.6 yards per attempt).

5. Jared Allen, DE, Vikings ... Best pass-rusher in league ... 15.5 sacks last year, could have even more this year alongside better DTs.

6. Demarcus Ware, OLB, Cowboys ... 14 sacks, always has to be accounted for.

7. Devin Hester, KR, Bears ... Can score in blink of an eye ... six return TDs last year ... destroys opponents' kicking plans.

8. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Chargers ... League's best DB ... 10 interceptions in breakout last season.

9. Jason Taylor, DE, Redskins ... What a blunder by Dolphins to trade him ... spin moves improved by TV dancing?

10. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers ... In Manning-Brady class when on ... ponderous when not ... must be quicker, more decisive.

COULD MAKE LIST: Shawn Merriman, OLB, Chargers (Lawrence Taylor play-alike but bum knee doesn't bode well), Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles (will fat new contract spur or relax him?), Shaun Rogers, DT, Browns (beast if motivated), Richard Seymour, DT, Patriots (if healthy), Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts (can he come back?), Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles (does he have one more great season in him?), Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints (has ideal guy in Drew Brees to throw to him).

YOUNG GUYS EMERGING: Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns (spectacular but must hold on to ball), Andre Johnson, WR, Texans (60 receptions in injury-plagued year), Ted Ginn, WR, Dolphins (explosive in college, why not NFL?), Gaines Adams, DE, Bucs (could replace Sapp, Brooks as next great player on Tampa Bay defense), Patrick Willis, MLB, 49ers (6-1, 240 and fast).

ONCE GREAT, GOING DOWNHILL: Ray Lewis, Ravens (all of a sudden, he's 33 and slowing down), Brian Urlacher, Bears (too beat up ... an old 30), LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers (best back of 21st century but has turned 29 ... too many carries by now), Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers (hard to move when you're 260 pounds and your big toe hurts), Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts (36 and hobbling), Brett Favre, QB, Jets (last season a fluke).

Gerry Storch is editor and administrator of http://www.ourblook.com, a political discussion/media analysis website that fills the gap between a blog and a book. In his journalism days, he was sports editor of Gannett News Service.