Michael Lombardi, veteran NFL personnel guru and NFL.com senior analyst, shares his picks for the smartest players in the league this year

An offensive player lining up for the defense. A cornerback sees the game with one eye looking in toward the rest of the field. But Reed sees it out of both eyes, and he covers ground like Willie Mays blanketed center field.

He played hoops at Kent State, and his basketball mind has served him well. He knows how to position himself once the ball is in the air—like a great NBA rebounder—and set up defenders with his timing and his route running.

Constantly knocked for his lack of size (he's just five feet ten), but he has what I call "crib" talent: He had the smarts and instincts to be a Pro Bowler from the moment his momma plucked him out of his crib.

Exceptional at reading defenses and making quick decisions. And he can master all the pass-protection schemes—so he stays on the field for third-and-long.

Some players watch tape; good players study it. An offensive lineman has to know the guy he's up against. Being analytical in his weekly preparation is how Roos, the best player on a very good O-line, handles Colts pass rusher delu Dwight Freeney twice each season.

Like a crafty lefty in baseball. Unheralded coming out of Samford University but made an impact right away, because he's the best line-split reader in the NFL: He watches how a wideout lines up and figures out the route he's gonna run.

Undrafted out of tiny Monmouth University, he improves each year because of his rare ability to concentrate. Runs crafty routes, deadly after the catch.

Under six feet tall and not that fast—but still a dominating pass rusher. He's like a bor who doesn't have a great punch but still knocks guys out because he knows how to set up his opponent. Also, he can think on the move, get his brain to quickly tell his feet what to do. That's very hard, even for NFL athletes.

Peyton Manning is too obvious, so let's start with Schaub. He doesn't have a big arm or fast feet, so he has used his timing and intelligence to become a 4,000-yard passer.

There's a wonderful old clip of Bill Parcells, back when he was coaching the New York Giants, where he shouts that his team is too dumb to be any good. Parcells has always been ahead of the curve. Football is a game of grit and power, but with each season it's becoming more like chess played on grass. Winning teams depend on smart players who can grasp complex systems, stay focused through a long season, and cope with nagging injuries. (Yes, playing through pain has a mental component: It's all about concentration.) So think of what follows as the flip side to those classic all-Madden teams stacked with smashmouth grunts.

Photo: Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images QB Matt Schaub, Houston Texans Peyton Manning is too obvious, so let's start with Schaub. He doesn't have a big arm or fast feet, so he has used his timing and intelligence to become a 4,000-yard passer.

Photo: AP Photo/Kevin Terrell DE Elvis Dumervil, Denver Broncos Under six feet tall and not that fast—but still a dominating pass rusher. He's like a bor who doesn't have a great punch but still knocks guys out because he knows how to set up his opponent. Also, he can think on the move, get his brain to quickly tell his feet what to do. That's very hard, even for NFL athletes.

Photo: Paul Jasienski/Getty Images WR Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys Undrafted out of tiny Monmouth University, he improves each year because of his rare ability to concentrate. Runs crafty routes, deadly after the catch.

Photo: Tom Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images CB Cortland Finnegan, Tennessee Titans Like a crafty lefty in baseball. Unheralded coming out of Samford University but made an impact right away, because he's the best line-split reader in the NFL: He watches how a wideout lines up and figures out the route he's gonna run.

Photo: AP Photo/Kevin Terrell OT Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans Some players watch tape; good players study it. An offensive lineman has to know the guy he's up against. Being analytical in his weekly preparation is how Roos, the best player on a very good O-line, handles Colts pass rusher delu Dwight Freeney twice each season.

Photo: Brad Schloss/Icon SMI RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens Exceptional at reading defenses and making quick decisions. And he can master all the pass-protection schemes—so he stays on the field for third-and-long.

Photo: Larry French/Getty Images LB London Fletcher, Washington Redskins Constantly knocked for his lack of size (he's just five feet ten), but he has what I call "crib" talent: He had the smarts and instincts to be a Pro Bowler from the moment his momma plucked him out of his crib.

Photo: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers He played hoops at Kent State, and his basketball mind has served him well. He knows how to position himself once the ball is in the air—like a great NBA rebounder—and set up defenders with his timing and his route running.