Fifty Sense

by Christopher Gates on Jun 21, 2007 10:17 AM CDT in News

A little while back, CBS Sportsline's Pete Prisco put out his list of the Top 50 players in the NFL. Two of the beloved Vikings made the list.

18. Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings: Playing next to Pat Williams, he's a big reason why the Vikings led the NFL in run defense.

35. Steve Hutchinson, G, Minnesota Vikings: Some scouts say he didn't play as well with the Vikings as he did with Seattle, but he remains among the top at his position.

The only DT listed above K-Dub was Jacksonville's John Henderson, and the only guard listed ahead of Hutch was Philadelphia's Shawn Andrews. Andrews is rated at #31, 4 spots above Hutchinson, so they're not saying he's significantly better, but Hutch is still one of the top 2-3 guards in the NFL.

If you look at #93's ranking at DT, however, you have to go all the way down to #28 to find another DT at all, never mind another NFC DT. So, Prisco's saying that Kevin Williams is pretty clearly the best DT in the NFC, which he is. I can't think of a convincing argument against him.

Actually, I take that back. I can think of a couple questions that could be raised.

Is Kevin Williams the best DT on his own team?
Is Kevin Williams the best DT named Williams on his own team?

In my somewhat biased (and quite correct) opinion, there isn't a team in the league that boasts a pair of defensive tackles as good as the law firm of Williams and Williams. Jacksonville's DTs are very good, but I don't think they're as good as #93 and #94. However, you could very easily ask "Which Williams is better?" And, quite frankly, the answer to that question is the same as the answer to the question of "Who is the best defensive tackle in the NFC?"

And the best part? There really isn't a wrong answer.

Prisco seems to have overlooked Phat Pat on his list of the Top 50 players in the league. He didn't even manage to put him on the "just missed" list. He did throw in this comment on another player.

50. Jamal Williams, DT, San Diego Chargers: He's the best run-stuffing nose tackle in the league. He makes it tough to run on the Chargers.

Hey, uh. . .Pete? No. . .no he's not.

The Chargers gave up nearly a yard and a half more per carry than the Vikings did. 4.2 yards/carry does not mean you're tough to run on. It means you're tied for 19th in the league in terms of yards/carry. Last time I checked, being 19th in a 32-team league in a category means that you're below average.

2.8 yards/carry, on the other hand, means you're tough to run on. Pat Williams was a part of that. So, again, he's not the best run-stuffing nose tackle in the league.

And, again, he's not even the best run-stuffing nose tackle in the league with the last name of Williams.

So, while I'm happy that the two Vikings that are on the list made it on there, it should have been three, because Pat Williams should have been on there as well. You could make an argument that he should have even been ranked higher than Kevin Williams.

Man, it almost seems unfair to have the two best defensive tackles in the conference (and, arguably, the top 2 in the league) on the same team. But, that's the luxury we have. I think we can live with that.

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Comments

kind of agree

But sometimes its best take the purple lenses off.Until the Vikes win a SB none of the greats will be noticed.There will always be a team 1 step ahead of the Purple.Our best chances was with Denny,Moss, Pep, just Maybe and this is an extreme Maybe.
That T.j. and crew can do something this year.

Brad is a very good Q.B. in the right setting at least he of all the Viking squad last year sports a little bling.
I believe this year can and will be differant then last on one variable.Chilly now realizes that unless he listens to his players and coaches, they will call him Jockstrap.
With the Win holdout I believe our def will be able to play def there way,a little open and more in your face.
Only prob I have ATM is Chilly holds the Offensive plays,If and a big IF is can Chilly let the Offense fly.
If not then a boring season, but just think if for once let the players play there game.
MMM maybe Vikes in SB EH.

by speedlod on Jun 21, 2007 11:50 PM CDT reply actions

Did you just use Brad Johnson and the words

'very good' in the same sentence and kept a straight face?
Johnson is about 5 years removed from being a 'good' QB. I don't think he ever was a very good one.

VikeGuru is a doofus!!

by Unclebillybonz on Jun 22, 2007 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Nose tackle

neither of your Williams are nose tackles.

by Skin Patrol @ Daily Norseman on Jun 22, 2007 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

Lindy's Pre-Season Mag

Has Pat Williams listed as a nose, too. Only the 4th best one at that, which is still pretty laughable.

The Daily Norseman - With 100% less Chad than the rest of SBNation!

by Christopher Gates on Jun 22, 2007 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Pat Williams MVP

I only watched two entire Minnesota games, both games against the Packers, and Pat Williams destroyed the Packers. The Packers young center and guards (Wells, Spitz, Colledge) played well last season, but Pat destroyed them in both games. The Packers ran for 47 and 46 yards during the two games. Minnesota had by far the best run defense I watched all season and I thought it was all built off Pat's dominance in the middle. He always seemed to hold the point or usually get into the backfield, and it broke down the entire blocking scheme. He doesn't provide much pass rush, but his run defense was so good last season I would rank him ahead of Kevin and the best nose tackle in the NFL.

by Brandon @ Daily Norseman on Jun 22, 2007 11:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Prisco, You Ignorant Slut

Prisco is a moron in an "expert's" clothing. He's got Sean Taylor as the 2nd best safety in the league. Taylor is a guy that led all safeties in TD's allowed in 2004 and 2006 (he's only been in the league 3 years). And in 2006, he also led the league in 19 missed tackles. His nearest competitor was Cato June, with 13 missed tackles. Then he has DeAngelo Hall ranked as the 2nd best CB in the league which may be more laughable than his Taylor ranking.

by Yakuza Rich on Jun 23, 2007 5:43 PM CDT reply actions