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Mike Tripplett

The New Orleans Saints made their debut on ESPN’s #NFLRank list of the top 100 offensive and defensive players in the league. Receiver Marques Colston came in at No. 73 and guard Ben Grubbs at No. 76.

I’m a little disappointed that some of the Saints’ younger, up-and-coming defensive players weren’t represented on the list (more on that later this week). But I was glad to see Colston and Grubbs got the proper respect from a panel of 90 voters throughout ESPN’s community of analysts -- considering both are pretty under-the-radar guys.

Grubbs, 30, just made his second trip to the Pro Bowl in the past three years, and he did it with two different teams (the Saints and Baltimore Ravens). So his recognition wasn’t a surprise. Like the rest of the Saints’ offensive line, Grubbs was inconsistent early in the season last year. But he finished very strong, especially during the playoffs. And the 6-foot-3, 310-pounder has shown great versatility with the power to run block and the athleticism needed to pass protect and get out in front of screen passes in New Orleans’ pass-heavy offense.

Colston, meanwhile, might have the best overall career of any current NFL player who has never been to a Pro Bowl. The 31-year-old has consistently produced as a top-10 or top-20 caliber receiver for eight straight years, breaking franchise records with 607 receptions, 8,337 yards and 63 touchdowns.

As the ESPN poll pointed out, only Larry Fitzgerald (69) and Calvin Johnson (66) have more touchdown receptions during that span.

And as I’ve written a couple times this summer, don’t rule out another one of those 1,100-yard, eight-touchdown type of seasons from Colston again now that he’s feeling healthier than he has in a couple years.
Marques Colston, Ben Grubbs land on ESPN's top 100 - ESPN

foreverfan

ESPN hires stupid employees so it doesn't matter.

dizzle88

NFL network are no better, I mean deion sanders, Michael Irvin, warren sapp etc

The only guy I really respect on that show was Terrell Davis and they cut his air time hours and put him on that NFL AM show

Halo

You totally read my mind while I was reading this article.

Are Ed Werder, Chris Mortensen, Matt Millen.... etc (I digress).... are they part of the "panel of 90 voters throughout ESPN’s community of analysts"???

Then that explains why this top 100 list SUCKS!

TheOak

Being fair to Tripplett, I follow his work, from NOLA to ESPN, he generally has some quality content. Only exception being filler articles in the off season, but they all generate those.

Now the ESPN analysts are dip****z.

Halo

Yeah I like Tripplett too and I know what you're talking about with filler articles - his sensationalized doom and gloom junk he posts on ESPN when there's nothing else to report. Then again, that's the hallmark of ESPN.

Jack Vegas

It's not a top 100 list yet, they still have 60 to go. I actually enjoyed looking at it. I don't know how Triplett can be "disappointed" when he hasn't seen the first 60. I would expect at the very least, Jordan-Lewis-Byrd and probably Vacarro on the defensive side, Brees, Graham, Evans on offense.

TheOak

From the way that portion read, you and I haven't seen the remaining 60 but he has.

saintfan

well he's tons better than Pat Yastinkus on the NFL South Blog, but his being there at ESPN is akin to watching Aretha Franklin compete on American Idol.

billyt81

Graham and Brees are both possible NFL MVP candidates and Cooks will probably outplay Colston this year. Is anyone on D a definite top 100? You'd have to say Cam Jordan is? Keenan Lewis, Kenny Vaccarro, Jairus Byrd other possibles on D.