What’s a Monday morning without a chance to hear Dave Dameshek vent about Sunday night’s episode of “Top 100 Players of 2011” on NFL Network? For a moment, you can hear him soften his stance on return specialist Devin Hester. But only for a moment. And, of course, when comparing anyone in the 31-40 range who was featured Sunday night, none of them deserves to be higher than Ben Roethlisberger, Dameshek says. Give a listen to the bonus podcast.

Here’s what else is on tap Monday:

• More reaction from Sunday’s Top 100 show: Former Rams great Marshall Faulk is up in arms that current Rams running back Steven Jackson isn’t higher than No. 38.

• And speaking of opinions from Faulk, the NFL analyst also weighed in on the debate over which running back is No. 1 — Adrian Peterson or Chris Johnson. Want to know Faulk’s pick? You’ll have to click to find out.

• OK, here’s a hint: Faulk’s choice for best RB in the NFL is currently the runaway leader in the NFL.com Poll. Check out the home page and cast your vote if you want to see those results.

• Not only did Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork made an appearance on Sunday night’s episode of the Top 100 — he also showed up on the Top 100 Reactions show.

• Ravens RB Ray Rice checked in at No. 56 on the Top 100. Not sure if his key fumble in last season’s playoff loss to the Steelers held him back, but Rice says he’s put that behind him and is ready for a big 2011 season.

• As the lockout drags on, players continue to organize workouts. NFL Network went behind the scenes at some recent players-only gathering to see what goes on.

• Despite all the talk of veteran receiver Steve Smith leaving Carolina, NFL.com’s Steve Wyche doesn’t think it’s a fait accompli, and he said so in a recent NFL.com chat.

• You probably saw by now that the “Miracle at New Meadowlands” was named the top game of 2010 in the recently completed NFL.com series. Of course, that was one man’s opinion, so we asked our panel of experts to chime in and pick their best games of last season — and the results were varied.

• A little switcheroo this week in the chat schedule: NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan moves to Tuesday this week, and today’s live chat features NFL.com personnel guru Gil Brandt. Gil joins the chat room at 1 p.m. ET, and you can submit a question now.

Posted in: Around The Web  | comments  |