You're a GM of an NFL Team. The League decides to start from scratch and throws everyone into a pool and your team has the #1 pick. What position do you build around and who do you take with the pick? (Assume all existing contracts are void)

Ladainian Tomlinson - I dont think there is a better Running back in the league, and this is the position I would build a team around if I were a G.M.

From there, I would pick out a couple solid defensive linemen.

PEYTON MANNING if I can talk him into a 10 year 10-12 million contract. If not a stud DE like Dwight Freeney. Running backs and recievers are a dime a dozen. A left tackle like Walter Jones would be a decent pick as well.

whew...this is a very tough question.

If I am a GM, and am trying to build a team, AND fill the seats, I agree with Mojo. You take LT, and then the next pick is a YOUNG GOOD QB.

If however I am trying to win, and win long term....then you take the rb, and build the lines for winning. Stud OT's are hard to find, and can make or break an offense for a team.

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Expert on nothing, opinionated on everything...

Notice a trend here? we are all disagreeing Cant wait to see everyone elses responce to this scenario.

Trade the #1 pick for later 1st and additional early round picks.

I can see that as a good plan, but what position would be most important to you, and who would you target for your first pick, hoping that he fell to you?

Does it have to be a current player? If not, I'd select Franco Harris. He could do everything necessary with a football.
Current players -- I'd take Peyton Manning. He has the ability to get the ball to anyone, but is only as good as his receivers. If they can get open the ball will be there for them to catch. Second choice would be Tom Brady -- he just wins games, especially big ones.

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"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..." John Lennon

Catman- out of your two selections, I would take Brady. Manning will put up the numbers, but Brady puts up the wins when it really matters. And I have no doubt Brady could put up huge TD numbers with Wayne and Harrison.

LOL!!!! TOM BRADY? Are you kidding me? I am so sick of the hype on this guy. You will see why he's truely an average, maybe just above average at best in "05". New England won because of defense.......defense is what picked off Manning in the championship game in 03, and defense is what held Manning and company to 3 points this year in the playoffs. There is at least 5-10 QB's better than Brady. The only thing they ask him to do is not make mistakes. Place him in a high percentage completion offense, surround him with a good line, and good recievers. He throws for 200 yards 2 tds. Defense holds their own, and they win the game. Just like what Baltimore asked of Dilfer when they won the Super Bowl.

So Ironmind, do you build your team around a defensive player? Who? A DL, LB, CB?

IMO, you have to take either the best RB or the best QB. Taking a DE, while Freeney is amazing, is not what you want to build your team around, only having one choice here. I would go with Peyton Manning, and just make sure I got a defense that won't let anyone scor more than 3 TDs in a game...

I'm glad that I haven't heard the answer that I expected from someone and that is to choose Mike Vick. I agree with what most of you have said, either a QB or a RB. I, of course, like the selection of LaDanian Tomlinson at RB and would have to agree with taking Peyton Manning at the QB position.

Hah, funny you say that...

First I'd take Julius Peppers. Is it any wonder that the franchise number for DE's is higher than both QB's and RB's? If he wasn't there, Vick. If Vick aint that good, how are the Falcons winning games. IMO, he is more valuable to his team than any player in the league.

That may be true but if you put Manning or another top QB on the Falcons, HE would be the most valuable player to his team. The Falcons are all about defense.
I like the Julius Peppers pick though as a solid second choice because I think he would still be around come the second round.

I would also go LT2 for #1 overall pick to build a team around. Manning has his plusses, but there is just something hinky about the guy that makes me shy away from him. What with the shoving match with Wayne last year, and with what Edge is rumored to be saying about his character and leadership, I would go with the stud RB in the league.

As for DE, the best one out there is Richard Seymour. Hands down. He has best overall athleticism and play making ability, and he forces offenses to plan around him. Sure, he doesn't get the attention he deserves, but that's because the Patriot's D is so great he gets lost in the mix. And he's young.

As far as O-Lineman, even mediocre players can be made a dominating force. Just look at the Colts line this past year. Great/good players, yes. But certainly no outstanding stars on that line. It's all about the coaching.

Maybe we are asking the wrong question. Maybe we should be asking which coach we choose to build a team around? Currently, I think that would have to be Bill Belichick. Is he a band wagon selection? Maybe, but he definitely knows his coaching.