June 20th, 2007 
Jim Dubenetzky 
Posted in Below are the excerpts from the list of top 50 players in the NFL, found here on cbs.sportsline.com:
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers: He’s a sensational all-round weapon. If he plays long enough, he might break all the rushing records.
—LT is the highest ranking RB on the list. The only players ranked ahead of him are:
1. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
2. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
The RB’s listed behind LT are:
20. Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City
21. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
29. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
8. Shawne Merriman, LB, San Diego Chargers: Getting 17 sacks in 12 games is dominance. He comes off the edge with force. Is the sack record possible? You bet.
—Merriman is the highest ranking LB on the list. He ranked ahead of:
10. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears
32. Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens
47. Keith Bulluck, LB, Tennessee Titans
49. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Dallas Cowboys
23. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers: He is such a valuable weapon in the middle of the field that he helps offset the fact the Chargers don’t have a go-to receiver.
—Gates is the highest ranked tight end on this list, as he should be. The only other TE listed is Tony Gonzalez at 46.
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.
—Jamal Williams should definitely be ranked higher than #50. There are 4 DT’s ranked ahead of Williams:
13. John Henderson, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
18. Kevin Williams, DT, Minnesota Vikings
28. Tommie Harris, DT, Chicago Bears
48. Marcus Stroud, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars
DE Luis Castillo received mention by being one of the payers who “just missed” making it in the Top 50.
