10 Most Feared NFL Players

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 30, 2006

10 Most Feared NFL Players

Rodney Harrison

As he struggles to return from reconstructive knee surgery, Harrison still strikes fear into the hearts of pass-catchers because of his penchant for vicious hits. If he can catch them, he'll do his best to take them out.

Jason Short

Affectionately known as Full Throttle, Short is so recklessly aggressive on kick coverage that offensive and defensive players alike stop to behold his violent collisions. Nominally a defensive end, the 254-pounder has no apparent regard for his -- or anyone else's -- physical well-being.

Lorenzo Neal

One of the more underappreciated players of his era, Neal is the Humvee who recklessly clears the road so that San Diego's Lamborghini, LaDainian Tomlinson, can go from zero to 60 in three seconds.

Keith Brooking

A polite, reasonable man off the field, this dude is just plain crazy between the lines. He feels cheated if he's not bruised and battered after a game.

Roy Williams

For all the talk about how Dallas' secondary patrolman is overrated, you don't hear any wideouts or tight ends joining the chorus. When the ball comes over the middle and this heavy hitter is nearby, the best move is to duck.

Anquan Boldin

"I'm a grown-ass man," the 6-1 220-pounder is fond of telling defenders after bludgeoning them on the backside of running plays. A Hines Ward-type who plays with a palatable anger, Boldin is one of the league's best wideouts.

Keith Bulluck

A self-professed "tyrant," Bulluck swarms to the ball like all Titans defenders and makes people pay along the way. He'll run all the way across the field to smack somebody.

Ray Lewis

If someone were capable of shutting him up, it would have been done long ago. At 31, he still exudes passion and punishment from every pore.

Olin Kreutz

No sane human wants to tangle with this man, on or off the field. Not only is he nasty, he also goes home to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl most Februarys -- and with good reason.

Joey Porter

Porter speaks loudly and levies the big stick. The first time Tom Brady saw him across the line, the young quarterback nearly started shaking.

10 Most Feared NFL Players