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» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s James Walker



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.



Despite a 1-7 start, the most dangerous open-field player in the AFC North remains Cleveland Browns return specialist Joshua Cribbs.

	Tom Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images
	Joshua Cribbs’ stiff-arm has become one of his signature moves.

Cribbs is tied with Percy Harvin of the Minnesota Vikings for the NFL lead in kickoff return yards with 860, which includes a 98-yard return for a touchdown. Cribbs also has 295 yards and a touchdown on punt returns this year, in addition to his many duties on coverage teams, receiver and part-time quarterback in Cleveland’s Wildcat package.



The Browns cannot get the ball in Cribbs’ hands enough, because he is the most dynamic and versatile player the team has. As an undrafted player out of Kent State, Cribbs has a mixture of fearlessness and old-school toughness that is hard to find.



There are several qualities that make Cribbs very dangerous in the open field. He has great vision for a kick returner, and he’s big enough to break through arm tackles and fast enough to pull away from defenders. Cribbs also has a unique ability to remain at top speed while stiff-arming would-be tacklers. Many of his biggest returns have come as a result of this move.



Other players who just missed the cut in the AFC North include Steelers receiver Santonio Holmes, who was last season’s Super Bowl MVP after catching the game-winning touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Holmes led the NFL in yards per catch two years ago among players with 25 receptions or more. He continues to make big plays but needs to work on his consistency.



Baltimore Ravens tailback Ray Rice also was in consideration. The second-year tailback is among the league leaders in all-purpose yards and is a star in the making.

» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Mike Sando



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.



Rams running back Steven Jackson on Sunday plowed through several Detroit Lions and barreled over umpire Bill Schuster during a bruising 17-yard run.

	Scott Rovak/US Presswire
	Steven Jackson is difficult to bring down in the open field.

“I’m not a guy who can stop on a dime — I’m just going to be flat-out honest with you,” Jackson told 101ESPN St. Louis. “If I’m going in one direction and you’re in the way, I’m sorry.”



The statement could apply to quite a few linebackers and defensive backs, and probably some defensive linemen, too. The 6-foot-2, 236-pound Jackson combines uncommon size — he’s an inch taller and 20 pounds heavier than Adrian Peterson — with the speed, moves and heart to make him the NFC West’s most dangerous player in the open field.



One play after that 17-yard run against the Lions, Jackson outran a linebacker and a safety for the winning 25-yard touchdown.



“He is a big back that can move like a smaller back — he makes people miss,” Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said.



Jackson isn’t the only NFC West player defenses fear in the open field. Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin attackers defenders with a ferocity that might be unique among current players at the position (with the exception of the Steelers’ Hines Ward). Niners running back Frank Gore is another tough matchup in the open field. He runs hard and has deceptive power. But no player in the division consistently punishes and defeats tacklers as effectively at Jackson, who seems to be running harder more consistently this season.



Jackson has an NFL-leading 25 rushes of at least 10 yards this season. No one else has more than 22. Only five have more than 15.



“I know people don’t like to tackle him,” Spagnuolo said. “I remember defending and playing against him and there were murmurs always on the film that guys really didn’t want to go in there and tackle him -– the guys we were coaching in the meetings.”

» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Tim Graham



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.



Perhaps the most scintillating anticipatory moment on an NFL field occurs each time the crowd realizes there’s no quarterback between the center and Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown.

	Marc Serota/Getty Images
	Running back Ronnie Brown is a versatile threat in the Dolphins’ backfield.

What’s he going to do? Run it? Throw it? Hand it off? The only thing Brown can’t do when he takes a direct snap in the Wildcat offense is pass it to himself, but you better believe he can catch.



Regardless of the formation, Brown is nasty.



“He’s the best back in the league,” New York Jets coach Rex Ryan said recently. “This guy can run anything. If you want to play I-formation or any scheme, this guy would be a great back. The fact that he’s back there in the Wildcat, he’s a special player back there.”



New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss is another AFC East player who qualifies as dangerous, but we went with Brown because he doesn’t rely on a quarterback’s help to exact damage.



Brown’s rushing yardage and receptions are tempered by the presence of Ricky Williams in the Dolphins’ backfield. Each of them could run for 1,000 yards this year.



Despite averaging 17.1 carries through seven games, though, Brown has 518 yards. His seven rushing touchdowns are tied for fourth in the NFL.



He went to his first Pro Bowl last year, but certainly would have gone the season before had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 7. At the time he went down, he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He had 39 receptions in just seven games.



Brown has lost only one fumble since 2006.



“He believes that when he has the ball in his hands he has the responsibility to make something positive happen with it,” Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. “I think that is what the elite backs do. Those guys are not worried about how many carries they get. They are worried about what happens when they make these carries.”

» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.



Percy Harvin had just turned 21 when he arrived at Minnesota’s training camp this summer. He played only three years of college football at Florida, but Vikings coaches had no qualms about handing him the fullest plate imaginable for a rookie receiver.

	Scott Boehm/Getty Images
	Rookie Percy Harvin (12) has proven to be Brett Favre’s go-to guy on third down.

Harvin was handed duties as a kickoff returner. He was told to learn all three receiver positions, given a role as a spread-style tailback and also became the Vikings’ primary Wildcat quarterback. Harvin never blinked, however, and his diverse talent has made him one of the top new playmakers in the NFL.



He’s the NFL’s leading kickoff returner with a 30.7-yard average, including two touchdowns. He’s also caught three touchdown passes from new quarterback Brett Favre and ranks second among Vikings receivers with 28 receptions.



Overall, Harvin is averaging 158.5 all-purpose yards per game.



“He can get up to speed,” coach Brad Childress said. “He runs with a running back mentality. He’s got ‘A’ instincts. … He’s developed a great relationship with Brett. He’s learned this offense, and what he can do, and the flexibility that he has.”



From the first day Harvin stepped on the Vikings’ practice field, he demonstrated the speed and upfield mentality that makes him a scoring threat every time he touches the ball. But in watching the Vikings play this year, one development has stood out to me: Harvin has become Favre’s most trusted receiver on third down.



Harvin ranks first on the Vikings, and No. 4 overall in the NFL, with 15 receptions on third down. He’s converted 13 of them (87 percent) into first downs. He’s put himself in that position at 21 years and six months.



Imagine what he will do at 22.

Brian Westbrook (concussion) has been medically cleared to return to game action.

» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.

	Jason Bridge/US Presswire
	Opponents have little hope of catching Chargers’ running back Darren Sproles in open space.

Darren Sproles is simply a terror.



All 5-foot-6-inch, 181 pounds of him.



Yes, he may not look like much on a football field, but the diminutive Sproles can drop opponents to their knees and cause opposing coaches to go back to the drawing board.



Sproles is one of the best players in the open field in the NFL.



“We want to get Darren in space,” San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers said.”He’s pretty hard to stop in space.”



Nearly every game he plays, Sproles inflicts major damage in the open field. He is ultra fast, shifty and he jukes would-be tacklers like none other. Sproles can change directions in a flash and because of his size he is difficult to see when he has a lead blocker.



Sproles can beat opponents in so many ways. He is effective as a rusher, receiver and on kick and punt returns. He has touchdowns running, receiving and on a punt return this season. He also has a 66-yard kick return.



Just get Sproles the ball and enjoy the show.



There are some solid players in this division who are also difficult to stop. Denver receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal are monsters with the ball in their hands for different reasons. The large, strong Marshall is nearly impossible to bring down.



Royal has defense-splitting speed. When healthy, Oakland running back Darren McFadden has potential to be an open-space terror, but Sproles is a special case.



Get Sproles in the open field, and you’re going to get six points.

» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.



Chris Johnson wants to race Usain Bolt and he’s not kidding around when he says he thinks he’d beat the 100-meter Olympic gold medalist.

	Don McPeak/US Presswire
	Titans running back Chris Johnson has nine plays of 30 yards or longer this season.

In the AFC South, Texans receiver Andre Johnson, Colts receiver Reggie Wayne and Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew are all feared skill guys, opponents don’t want running with the ball in their hands. But no one ranks as a bigger threat than Johnson, the Titans’ second-year running back who may be the league’s fastest player.



He leads the NFL in rushing yards (824) and is among the top-50 rushers in the league. His 6.9-yard average is tops among backs with at least 40 carries. He leads the AFC in yards from scrimmage with 961 — an average of 7 yards a touch.



“I don’t think any team has got too many guys that can catch him,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said before New England crushed Tennessee 59-0. “He’s absolutely a threat to go all the way anytime he’s got the ball. Just look at the Houston game. We’re talking about big time here now. This is as good as we’ve seen and as good as I’ve seen in quite a while.



“This Chris Johnson, go to the Houston game, he can go 90 yards on a draw play, third-and-10, third-and-20. He just takes it to the house. You can’t give this guy any space at all. … He’s a terrific back. He’s got speed. He’s got quickness. He makes people miss. He breaks a lot of tackles. He’s as good a back as I’ve seen in a long time.”



Johnson absorbs his share of no gains or carries for a loss, but they are part of the trade-off for his home-run potential. The Titans have 12 plays of 30 yards or longer this season. Nine them are from Johnson — runs of 91, 89, 57, 52, 48, 40, 32, and 30 yards and a 69-yard catch. Those have produced five of the Titans’ 12 touchdowns.



Many a team finishes with the Titans and laments a failure to tackle Johnson when they had a chance. Jacksonville safety Brian Russell was a victim Sunday when the Titans got their first win. Johnson bounced off Russell en route to the end zone.



“Their guy, he’s got some juice,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. “We know that. You’ve got to keep him hemmed in, you’ve got to tackle him. You have to get population to the ball.”

» NFC: D. Jackson (PHI) | S. Jackson (STL) | P. Harvin (MIN) | D. Williams (CAR)
» AFC: R. Brown (MIA) | D. Sproles (SD) | J. Cribbs (CLE) | C. Johnson (TEN)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Pat Yasinskas



A look at the players opposing teams hate to see with the ball in their hands in the open field.



There is no player in the NFC South opposing defenses hate seeing in the open field more than Carolina running back DeAngelo Williams. He has a combination of speed and elusiveness that makes him especially dangerous.

	Kim Klement/US Presswire
	DeAngelo Williams has rushed for 399 yards in the Panthers’ past three games.

Williams has become an all-around back and has shown he can run between the tackles. But he’s at his best in the open field and has a history of breaking off long runs, including a career-best 77-yard touchdown this year. Much like last year, Williams started the season rather quietly, but that was due mostly to the rest of the offense struggling in the passing game.



But Williams seems to have hit his stride in recent weeks. He’s run for 399 yards in the past three games and had 158 rushing yards in Sunday’s win against Arizona. The Panthers also are trying to make Williams more of a factor in the passing game this year.



Williams already has 18 catches, after having only 22 a year ago. The Panthers use Williams in a backfield tandem with Jonathan Stewart and that’s a nice combination. Both are complete backs, but Stewart is at his best in the power games while Williams is most dangerous when he’s out in the open.



Williams was selected as the division’s most dangerous player in the open field after consideration was given to teammate Steve Smith, Atlanta receiver Roddy White, Atlanta running back Michael Turner and New Orleans receivers Marques Colston and Devery Henderson.



Williams was the clear winner. Smith, who would have been the obvious choice in a lot of recent years, is having a relatively quiet season. Same for White and Turner. Colston is big and can break tackles, but he’s much more of a red zone threat than an open-field threat. Henderson might be the division’s best deep receiver, but isn’t especially dangerous in the open field.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -The man charged with shooting a Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman has taken the stand in his own defense and denied being involved in the attack.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Matt Mosley



Because of the famous draft-day trade in 2004, Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will always be compared. Manning has the Super Bowl ring, but Rivers has put up better numbers. And don’t forget that Ben Roethlisberger was also in that ’04 first round.



With that in mind, our friends from ESPN’s Stats & Information put together a nice statistical breakdown of how the three quarterbacks have performed this season. Obviously, Manning’s in a bad place right now but his numbers aren’t as bad as you might imagine. Look how lethal Roethlisberger is on play-action passes. He’s nearly flawless, while Rivers and Manning have been pretty pedestrian. For the play-action game to work, you need to make a commitment to the running game. That’s something the Steelers and Giants haven’t always done this season.

Manning was on a roll with the deep ball through the first five games, but that part of his game has fallen off the map in recent weeks. His dropoff coincides with his foot injury, although he’s refused to use that as an excuse. To me, it just looks like he’s playing poorly right now.