Mike Leach is the 1,000th Best Player in the NFL

Here’s looking at you, Leach. Photo Courtesy

I just came across this article, where Sports Illustrated’s Peter King ranks his Top 500 players in the NFL. Yeah, I know, another list that in the end means nothing, but if you haven’t been able to tell by my almost-weekly Top 10s, I love lists. They’re fun to debate and spark a discussion like nothing else.

Champ Bailey comes in at 6th (3rd defensive player)… Vince Young comes in at a ridiculous 41… the next Bronco is Javon Walker at 80 (disappointed, but not surprised, he didn’t put Nalen or Lepsis higher, who fall at 294 and 182, respectively), and Jay Cutler falls between Young and Leinart at 91.

As a fun “side project,” if you will, King ranked Broncos tight end (ahem long snapper) Mike Leach at a symbolic 1,000, citing the importance of the position and Leach’s true dominance at his craft. He devoted an entire page on a short little biography on Leach, starting with the sub-headline “How does a tight end who’s never caught an NFL pass last seven seasons? By becoming the master of football’s overlooked art”.

Though officially listed as a tight end, Leach has never caught a pass as a pro and has been on the field for only 13 plays with the offense in his time in Denver. Instead, he runs on and off virtually unnoticed and handles the pressure with ease. Says Leach, “I’ve just never let the moment get to me.” Not even against Oakland in the snow three seasons ago, when Raiders tackle Warren Sapp tried to ice him. “I was clearing the snow away from the spot where I was going to snap,’ ” Leach says, “and he kept kicking the snow back on the spot. I was just kidding around, but I said something like, ‘Don’t make me come over there and kick your ass.’ ”

As usual, the snap was made and the kick was good.

I don’t remember coming across this story ever before – who knew Leach was such a tough SOB! I like it!