TSN's offensive ratings

Sporting News, The, Sept 2, 1996

WIDE RECEIVERS

THE BEST: Jerry Rice (39), 49ers. If the record book listed "big plays," he would own that category, too. Arguably the best receiver ever, he has great hands and runs well after the catch. Rice is one of the best-conditioned athletes in the league, and he works hard to remain the best.

2. Michael Irvin (21). Cowboys. A great talent on the field, he has sullied his image off it; his drug-related suspension has left Dallas without his services for the first five games. A big-game receiver, he dominates any defender who can't match him in size.

3. Herman Moore (18), Lions. A good combination of size and speed, with great leaping ability. He has caught 25 touchdown passes in the past two seasons.

FALLING: Andre Rison, Jaguars. His best years were in Atlanta's run-and-shoot. Has lost some speed.

FUTURE STAR: Joey Galloway, Seahawks. A big-play receiver who caught 67 passes as a rookie and doubles as a punt returner.

TACKLES

THE BEST: William Roaf (30), Saints. A superb blocker on running and passing plays. Hasn't missed an offensive snap in his three seasons.

2. Erik Williams (12), Cowboys. A powerful lineman with superb technique and a mean streak. Had an off season in '95 because of injuries.

3. Richmond Web (11), Dolphins. Solid and steady, with great feet and athletic ability. Was expected to be the next Anthony. Munoz but hasn't quite reached that level. "Jimmy Johnson will do wonders for his career."

FALLING: Gary Zimmerman, Broncos. Because of injuries, he's no longer as effective as he once was.

FUTURE STAR: Tony Boselli, Jaguars. Has all the size and talent to be a great lineman for a long time if he stays healthy. Big and powerful, he's a force in the running game and his long arms make him a formidable pass blocker.

RUNNING BACKS

THE BEST: Emmitt Smith (36), Cowboys. A great I-formation tailback whose strength and power wear down defenses. His best performance always seems to surface when it's needed most. Knows how to score in the red zone and is excellent at picking up blitzes.

2. Barry Sanders (31), Lions. He gets more yards "on his own" than any back in the NFL. Defenses must have a special structure and preparation to deal with his unique cutback skills and quickness.

3. Chris Warren (6), Seahawks. The best back you've hardly heard of. He has gone over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons and scored 37 TDs (16) last season) during that span.

FALLING: Thurman Thomas, Bills. Has lost speed and quickness.

FUTURE STAR: Curtis Martin, Patriots. A great natural runner who gained 1,487 yards and scored 14 touchdowns as a rookie. A similar season in '96 and he could move on to the list of the best."

QUARTERBACKS

The Best: Troy Aikman (38), Cowboys. The most complete quarterback playing today. "He is the glue that ties some strange parts together in Dallas and makes it work."

2. Steve Young (21), 49ers. Remarkable speed, quickness and escape ability. The 49ers, system fits his game. Slipped a bit in '95 look for him to make a big comeback.

3. Brett Favre (20), Packers. Came of age last season, when he led the league in passing yards and touchdowns "What Bobby Layne was to the '50s, he is to the '90s - both on and off the field." After Favre's rehabilitation for an addiction to pain-killers, everyone will be watching how he responds to injuries.

FALLING: Warren Moon, Vikings and Jim Kelly, Bills. Time has caught up with these aging stars. Moon will be 40 in November; Kelly, 36, has lost some arm strength.

FUTURE STAR: Mark Brunell, Jaguars. This mobile lefthander, entering his third season, has the makeup to be another Steve Young.

GUARDS

THE BEST: Larry Allen (23), Cowboys. "He can pull and maul you in space or bulldoze you at the line of scrimmage." The 330-pound Allen is strong enough to dominate at the point of attack, and his quickness is such that chased down I Darion Gonner on an interception return.

2. Randall McDaniel (14), Vikings. A Pro Bowl selection each of the past seven seasons and one of the NFL's most athletic linemen. He didn't miss an assignment last year according to Keith Rowen, his position coach.

3. Steve Wisniewski (11), Raiders. A good technician with a nasty attitude.

FALLING: Bruce Matthews, Oilers. Still productive, but not as dominating as he was two or three years ago.

FUTURE STAR: Ruban Brown, Bills. An O-lineman with a D-linemans temperament. Was well-versed in techniques when he came into the NFL out of Pitt.

TIGHT ENDS

THE BEST: Ben Coates (40), Patriots. A modern-day John Mackey, only faster. Combines the skills of a receiver and blocker - a rare hybrid at the position today. Hindered by an ankle problem in '95 but still managed to catch A passes.

2. Jackie Harris (17), Buccaneers. A superb receiver and good blocker who is almost as good as Coates. Had his best season for Tampa Bay in '95 (62 receptions for 751 yards).

3. Mark Chmura (6), Packers. Blossomed into an effective receiver last season with 54 catches and seven TDs. Has average blocking skills.

FALLING: Eric Green. Has fallen so far, he's out of the league for now. Asked if there's a chance some team might pick him up in an emergency, one personnel director said, "If Jimmy Johnson can't get it out of him, there's no hope."