I was reading an online column by Sports Illustrated writer Bucky Brooks yesterday about the Top 25 receivers in the NFL (Link To Column) I recently picked on Mark Schlereth’s view on the Arizona Cardinals offense and now I have to defend the Cards again. Now It’s obvious I’m bias towards the Cardinals and their players but the rankings that Bucky Brooks gave Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald were just not right. Brooks had Anquan Boldin as the 9th best receiver in the league and Larry Fitzgerald as the 15th best. There are a lot of great receivers in the NFL and those two are probably not the top 2 in the league but I feel they should be a little higher and here is why…

Everyone knows Boldin and Fitzgerald are great, but I don’t think people realize how great they really are. Playing for the Cardinals they don’t get as much national attention as other top receivers in the league so it’s hard for people to see them. On top of that both Boldin and Fitz have great attitudes, they are not flashy and won’t get creative with endzone dances or look for media attention. They just play football period. Both Boldin and Fitzgerald are big guys and athletic but what seperates them from the rest of the NFL is their passion. These two define what football players are, Boldin will run over a linebacker to get to the endzone and pancake block a cornerback 40 yards away from the play just because he’s competitive. That stuff doesn’t make ESPN though, you have to dance or say something outrageous to make sportscenter. Put either of these guys say on the Patriots or Colts and they would be known as top 5 recievers in the league.

Now I don’t know where exactly I would rank them myself but I know they would both be atleast in my top 8. here is a look at the rankings given by Bucky Brooks…

1.Steve Smith
2.Chad Johnson
3.Roy Williams
4.Marvin Harrison
5.Terrell Owens
6.Andre Johnson
7.Donald Driver
8.Javon Walker
9.Anquan Boldin
10.Randy Moss
11.Reggie Wayne
12.Torry Holt
13.Lee Evans
14.Plaxico Burress
15.Larry Fitzgerald

Lets go down the list. Steve Smith is great, definetly has to be in the top 3, Chad Johnson top 5 for sure. Roy Williams is good but I would take both Boldin and Fitzgerald over him any day. Marvin Harrison is a great possession receiver in an amazing offense, I really like him but I would just have to take Boldin and Fitzgerald over him at this point in their careers. Terrell Owens is not even close for me. He is a great talent that is a cancer to every team he plays for. I wouldn’t have to think twice about that one. Andre Johnson was the only thing Houston had last year so his stats looked good. He is a good receiver but I don’t like his attitude and I don’t think he is as good as the Cardinals duo. Donald Driver and Javon Walker are good but not in my top 10. Randy Moss will fit nice with the Patriots but if I had to pick right now Fitzgerald would go ahead of Moss. Reggie Wayne, Lee Evans, Plaxico Burress all ahead of Fitzgerald! No way! Now Torry Holt is listed as the 12th best and I think he should be much higher. Holt would be in my top 5, but maybe Bucky Brooks doesn’t like the NFC West.

I know we have a long way to go but I feel confident saying both Boldin and Fitzgerald will be in the Hall of Fame someday. I think lots of people would agree with me on that statement. My point is two possible hall of famers in the prime of their career are ranked 9th and 15 in the league at their possision? It doesn’t make too much sense.

Original post by Eli Wahlstrom

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