Pete Prisco, football writer on CBS Sportsline, is convinced. After taking plenty of flak from New Englanders last season about ranking Peyton Manning as the best player in the NFL, Prisco is changing course and putting Tom Brady at the number-one position this year on his list of the top 50 players in the league. Prisco writes:

It's close, but coming off Brady's sensational, record-setting season, coupled with Manning being forced to play without his top receiver for most of last year, Brady has to take over as king of the NFL. ... The great thing is we expect Manning and Brady to do it again in 2008. Why not? Brady has his entire offense back, a coach who lets him throw it around at will, and another year's experience on his résumé. Manning expects to have Harrison back, and third receiver Anthony Gonzalez isn't a rookie anymore.

Other Patriots in Prisco's top 50:

-Randy Moss, number 4.
-Richard Seymour, number 30.
-Vince Wilfork, number 41.
-Wes Welker, number 48.

Just departed cornerback Asante Samuel also cracks the Prisco 50, at number 37.