SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #7 Von Miller

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #7 Von Miller

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by | Aug 29, 2019 | Featured, NFL

7. Von Miller

Team: Denver Broncos

Position: OLB

Experience: 8 Years

Born and raised in Texas, the four star recruit stayed local and took his talents to Texas A&M University. He stayed all four years at college, piling up plenty of accolades on the way. Miller took a huge jump in his Junior year, as he totaled 17.0 sacks compared to the 3.5 his Sophomore season. His sacks declined his Senior year, racking up only 10, but his overall impact on the game was felt even more. This was large in part to his switch from DE to LB, allowing him to cover more of the field on every play. He ended his senior year as a consensus All-American, as well as the winner of the Dick Butkus Award. 

All of Miller’s hype led him to be the #2 overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2011 draft. Miller was the highest drafted Linebacker since LaVar Arrington in 2000. Miller also became the Aggie’s highest draft pick since 1992, when Quentin Coryatt went second overall. It didn’t take Miller long to get acclimated to the NFL game, as he made the Pro-Bowl in his rookie season. Miller has been a model of consistency throughout his NFL tenure, missing only 8 games in his 8 year career, 7 of which came in 2013 when he tore his ACL. 

Miller has endured quite a roller coaster ride of a career from a franchise standpoint. In his earlier years with the club, they were contending for championships with Peyton Manning under center. They even reached the pinnacle with the thrashing of the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Von Miller was named Super Bowl MVP and his legacy was cemented for years to come.

Even during the Franchise’s down years (post 2015), Miller has still been a tremendous leader and presence on the field. Discounting 2013 when he tore his ACL, Miller has never had a season with less than 10.0 sacks. Miller actually has the 2nd most sacks off all active players, trailing only Terrell Suggs. He made his first First Team All-Pro in 2012, following it up with two more in 2015 and 2016. Even in down years for the Franchise, Miller’s play helps the Broncos defense remain formidable. 

Although the Broncos may be stuck in the mud due to curious personnel acquisitions by management, Von Miller is certainly here to stay. Expect at least another 3-4 years of elite level production from Miller, unless he suffers a gruesome injury. His tenacity and passion combined with his worldly athletic ability make him nearly impossible to track down as an Offensive Linemen. Miller comes in at number 7 on the NFL SneakerReporter Top 30 Countdown. NFL ranked him as #10 heading into 2019, who got it right? Leave a comment down below!

Aug 29, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #8 Andrew Luck

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #8 Andrew Luck

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by | Aug 28, 2019 | Featured, NFL

8. Andrew Luck

Team: Indianapolis Colts

Position: QB

Experience: 7 Years

Andrew Luck was a sure thing. Coming out of Stanford he was clearly head and shoulders above his peers. This is why the Indianapolis Colts let go of future Hall of Fame quarterback, and up to that point “Mr. Colt”, Peyton Manning so that they could hand the reigns of the franchise over the Luck immediately. His talent was evident right away but the supporting players around him didn’t match his level to help the Colts produce wins immediately. Still, the team felt that they had their franchise quarterback locked in for the next decade-plus.

Then, on Saturday August 24, news leaked that Luck—who had missed the bulk of minicamp and training camp this offseason with lingering ankle and calf issues—was going to retire from the NFL. Everyone was shocked. It didn’t make sense that a 29-year-old All-Pro quarterback would decide to walk away from the game in his prime. Especially with the changes to how the game is officiated and how quarterbacks are more protected now than ever. However, Luck is gone for now and all we can do is look back on his career instead of looking ahead as we’ve done for the previous selections on the SneakerReporter Top 30.

In his seven seasons Luck easily cemented his status as one of the elite players at his position. His numbers were among the top tier year-in and year-out. He made the Pro Bowl the first three seasons of his NFL career. In 2014 he eclipsed Peyton Manning’s single-season record for passing yards by throwing for 4,761 yards. It was very evident that he would have written his name in numerous record books had his career continued past 2018. During his time with the team there weren’t many players elsewhere that were better.

Injuries were ultimately the downfall of his short-lived career. In 2016 he suffered a shoulder injury on his throwing arm that eventually forced him to sit out for the entirety of the 2017 year. He followed that up by winning AP Comeback Player of the Year in what would end up being his final season in the league. Earlier we alluded to the ankle and calf injury that kept him sidelined to begin this summer. The daunting task—both physically and mentally—of another prolonged rehabilitation made Luck decide that it was time for him to call it quits and hang up the jersey.

In the end, even though we didn’t get as long of a career out of Luck as we are accustomed to he still made his mark on the Colts and the NFL. Instead of harping on what we will be missing it’s best to reflect on the seven years that we were able to watch one of the premier players in the league’s history. Luck earned his spot on this list even though he will ultimately not play a single down this season.

Aug 28, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #9 Julio Jones

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #9 Julio Jones

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by | Aug 27, 2019 | Featured, NFL

9. Julio Jones

Position: WR

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Experience: 8 Years

Julio Jones has been one of the leagues top receivers for the last decade, as he burst onto the scene during his 2011 rookie campaign. The 6’3” 220 lb. wide out has always been a freak of nature, as his nickname in high school was “Waffle House” — because he was always open. The freak took his talents to Alabama for collegiate ball, and Jones certainly balled out. Jones had three terrific seasons on the Crimson Tide. His best year came in his last season as a junior, as he totaled 78 catches for 1133 yards and 7 TDs. 

Entering the league in 2011, Jones wasn’t the primary option on his team to start. He joined the Atlanta Falcons offense who already had the talented Roddy White, a first round pick by the Falcons in 2005. The two quickly formed one of the leagues top duos at the position, and Jones fell just short of the 1000 yard barrier at 954 in his rookie season. He did this on only 54 receptions, putting him at 17.8 yards/reception, the highest mark of his career. 

Jones continued to impress into his sophomore season, as he reached nearly 1200 yards and 10 TDs. If Jones had any negatives to his game it would be his lack of TDs on a per/year basis, as the 10 in his 2nd year is still his highest total to this date. Most analysts can chalk this up to bad luck, being tackled inside the 5, or the Falcons inability to target one of the best jump ball receivers in the red zone. 

Jones suffered his only major injury in 2013, and he was only able to start and play in 5 games that season. Jones fractured his foot in a Monday night battle against the Jets which sidelined him the remaining 11 games of the year. After this injury, Jones has remained remarkably healthy, playing in 14 or more games in every other year of his career. Jones made his first Pro-Bowl in 2012, and has been elected to five more since then. Jones received his first All-Pro honors in 2015, during perhaps his best statistical season. He led the league in receptions, yards, and yards/game. He totaled a monstrous 136 grabs for 1871 yards! 

Julio has been one of the best offensive skill players since he was drafted 6th overall to the Atlanta Falcons in 2011. The dude is just a generational type of athlete. Jones has always been near the top of the league in yards and yards/game. The only thing left for Jones to accomplish would be the elusive 2000 receiving yards. Jones is undoubtedly on his way to a Hall of Fame career, the only question is how many years can he keep putting up video game numbers?

Aug 27, 2019 No Comments
SneakerRepoerter NFL Top 30: #10 Drew Brees

SneakerRepoerter NFL Top 30: #10 Drew Brees

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by | Aug 26, 2019 | Featured, NFL

10. Drew Brees

Team: New Orleans Saints

Position: QB

Experience: 18 Years

Over the last few years the NFL has become a pass-first league. With more and more teams turning to the air the importance of having an elite quarterback has become a more pressing need. In New Orleans, they have had their man at the spot cemented for quite some time. When they signed Drew Brees in 2006 not many could’ve predicted he would be one of the top QBs in the entire league over the next 12 years. With Brees, the Saints have helped bring about the offensive revolution that the NFL has undergone of late.

He began his career with the then-named San Diego Chargers and in his five years there he never once cracked 4,000 yards passing in a season. During his first season with New Orleans he capped out at 4,418 yards. Brees has only thrown for less than 4,000 yards once (last season) and has gone over 5,000 yards five different times. Despite his lack of height—he’s listed at six feet even—he has managed to develop into one of the greatest passers in the history of the sport. Not only does he lead all active players in total passing yards but his career marks of 74,437 yards and 6,586 completions are both records.

At first, a lot of the success or failures of the team landed squarely on the shoulders of their quarterback. In recent years, the additions of running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas have lessened the load. They also have made the offense in the Bayou even more electric. Both are playmakers capable of turning a simple pass into an explosive touchdown. With opposing defenses focused so much on them it makes it easier on Brees to decipher looks and coverages before the snap. With the amount of All-Pro talent this team has they will definitely be a contender for Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.

As we all know (and saw) the chance at possibly winning one last year was snatched away from the team when a pass interference penalty went uncalled as the team was driving to take the lead in the NFC Championship. However, New Orleans must not get caught up on harping on what could’ve been. If they focus on the present they will be much more likely to duplicate their run from a year ago. Heartbreak has been a theme of the Saints recent playoff appearances. Their last-second loss to the Minnesota Vikings came in 2017.

If there’s anyone with the skill, moxie, charisma, and leadership to steer this team back to the mountaintop it’s Brees. He has already brought one Super Bowl trophy to Louisiana and the team is primed to make a run at number two once more. He’s also attempting to fight off Father Time a little longer. He will turn 41 in mid-January but he has yet to show any signs of slowing down or losing his touch. New Orleans took a gamble on Brees in free agency 13 years ago and it has surely paid off for both parties.

Aug 26, 2019 No Comments
BREAKING NEWS: Colts QB Andrew Luck Informs Team He’s Retiring

BREAKING NEWS: Colts QB Andrew Luck Informs Team He’s Retiring

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by | Aug 25, 2019 | Featured, NFL, uncategorised

 In the midst of Week 3 NFL Preseason, a.k.a. “Dress Rehearsals”, a bombshell broke when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Indianapolis Colts franchise quarterback, Andrew Luck has told the team that he plans on retiring. 

The news came as a shock to everyone. With Luck nursing a tricky ankle/calf injury, the team initially planned on revealing their decision on the status of the quarterback Monday. That news came a couple days early.

Luck had admitted that his recovery from shoulder surgery a few years ago made him miserable. Last season was a breath of fresh air but this offseason saw another prolonged stint of rehab and recovery.

The thought was too much and the quarterback decided to hang up his jersey instead.

The 29-year-old will finish his career with the final stat totals of: 86 games played, 23,671 passing yardS, 171 touchdowns, four Pro Bowls, and four playoff victories.

A press conference is scheduled for tomorrow where Luck will make his decision official.

Aug 25, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #11 Tom Brady

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #11 Tom Brady

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by | Aug 24, 2019 | Featured, NFL

11. Tom Brady

Team: New England Patriots

Position: QB

Experience: 19 Years

It doesn’t feel right to have the Greatest Quarterback of all time ranked 11th on any list, but Tom Brady is at that point in his career. He can still win games by making crucial throws in the 4th quarter, but his days of compiling tons of yards and touchdowns are past him. Throughout the Patriots playoff run in 2018, Brady proved that he still has what it takes to get the job done. He threw for over 300 yards per game over the three game playoff run, including some incredibly clutch 4th quarter throws vs the Chiefs and Rams. 

As Brady just eclipsed 42 years of age, it is really remarkable that he is able to maintain his high level of play. Having mastermind Bill Belicheck as your Head Coach doesn’t hurt either, as he has significantly altered the offensive scheme as Brady ages. The last few years have seen the Patriots drastically cut down on their First Down Passing plays, electing to run the ball as much as possible. New England also invested in their offensive line, as Brady needs to be protected at all costs. PFF has the Patriots ranked as the 6th best offensive line unit in the NFL.

As long as the O-Line can protect Brady and keep him off the ground, there is no reason to believe he won’t continue his high level of play. He might not have as much power on his throws, but Brady is too competitive to let his play deteriorate. All this man knows is winning, as he is easily the most accomplished player in the history of the league. Brady has his own way of doing things, and because of his TB12 diet and ultra focus on nutrition, he is able to last longer than other QBs similar to himself. 

Brady’s Hall of Fame career is one of the greatest achievements in all of sports. The man is a six-time Super Bowl Champion, four-time Super Bowl MVP and three-time League MVP. Joe Montana is the only QB with accolades anywhere near Brady. His sustained excellence and dominance throughout the AFC East shouldn’t go unnoticed as well. Since replacing Drew Bledsoe and becoming the starter in week 2 of 2001, Brady and the Patriots have won all but two of the AFC East titles. One of these losses came in 2008, when Brady was injured for the whole season.

Brady’s supremacy paired with one of the greatest coaches ever is a tandem that won’t be matched for years. With Brady playing well into his 40s, he is creating a new wave of health and sustainability that every young QB will be paying attention to. Nobody knows how long Brady will be able to continue playing at this level, but if you were to only learn one thing from this article it would be to never doubt Tom Brady, the 199th overall pick in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft. 

Aug 24, 2019 No Comments