A TEAM TO WATCH

Many of them might not be the best players in the NFL -- or the most famous -- but these are the guys I want in my foxhole. They are good teammates who have exhibited special qualities that enhance their value beyond their physical abilities.

OFFENSE

* Quarterback -- Peyton Manning, Colts. Forget, for a moment, he is one of the best quarterbacks you will ever see. He is a model of professionalism and the best leader in sports. I want everyone in the foxhole to emulate this guy.

* Running back -- Jerome Bettis, Steelers. He brings joy to the mundane. Is there another back who makes you smile while watching a 3-yard run? Though he is fifth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list, Bettis accepted his role as a backup -- and still rushed for 941 yards -- for the betterment of the team.

* Fullback -- Nick Goings, Panthers. He brings the underdog mentality to the foxhole. He really is a fullback, but he was Carolina’s sixth choice at halfback after Stephen Davis, DeShaun Foster, Rod Smart, Brad Hoover and Joey Harris were injured. Goings had five 100-yard rushing games in eight starts.

* Wide receiver -- Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers. With the Panthers missing Steve Smith, Muhammad responded with the finest season of his nine-year career despite getting more attention from defenses. If a defensive back doesn’t keep his eyes on him, Muhammad will knock his helmet sideways.

* Wide receiver -- Hines Ward, Steelers. You have to love a receiver who plays more physically than a lot of the defenders he goes against.

* Tight end -- Eric Johnson, 49ers. As smart as he is tough, the Yale grad came back this year from a shattered collarbone only to dislocate his thumb and tear ligaments in the joint. Johnson played the first part of the season in a cast, but that didn’t prevent him from reaching over his head to catch a touchdown pass against Atlanta. Johnson also has been playing with a broken rib since mid-October.

* Tackle -- Marc Colombo, Bears. This is a vote for indomitable spirit. He struggled for two years to strengthen his knee after dislocating his kneecap and finally got back on the field late in the season.

* Guard -- Mike Wahle, Packers. A former Navy Midshipman, he is familiar with the foxhole mentality.

* Center -- Jerry Fontenot, Bengals. Adaptability is a critical trait. After being released by the Saints on the final cutdown, Fontenot agreed to join the Bengals. Hurricane Ivan did not make his journey to Cincinnati an easy one, however. Fontenot, 38, embarked on a Planes, Trains and Automobiles-type odyssey that lasted nearly two days. He began learning the Bengals’ offense on a Thursday afternoon and started the second game of the season three days later despite being totally unfamiliar with their schemes and terminology.

* Guard -- Brian Waters, Chiefs. This self-made player was a tight end, fullback and defensive end in college and was passed over in the draft. He has become a Pro Bowl player mostly because he’s the nastiest son of a gun you’d ever want to see across the line of scrimmage.

* Tackle -- Ray Brown, Redskins. The 42-year-old Pilates advocate has survived for 17 NFL seasons, in part because he’s the kind of guy you want on your side.

DEFENSE

* End -- Reggie White, in memoriam. In addition to being the best defensive end ever, he was a man with the conviction to speak his mind even when he knew what he was saying would not be popular.

* Tackle -- Chris Hoke, Steelers. He probably was the 53rd man on the Steelers’ roster for three years running, but when Casey Hampton was injured this season, Hoke stepped up big. He personifies the blue-collar work ethic with quiet toughness and dedication.

* End -- Patrick Kerney, Falcons. Anybody who plays with his energy and passion has a place in my foxhole.

* Outside linebacker -- Mark Fields, Panthers. Hodgkin’s disease couldn’t defeat him. What can?

* Inside linebacker -- Tedy Bruschi, Patriots. Nobody blends intelligence and aggressiveness quite like Bruschi. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played.

* Inside linebacker -- Donnie Edwards, Chargers. He has been at his best when he has been needed most, coming up with five interceptions in the five games before the regular-season finale. You can count on Edwards in the clutch.

* Outside linebacker -- Derrick Brooks, Buccaneers. Never underestimate character. This is a player who does the right things, on and off the field.

* Safety -- John Lynch, Broncos. There aren’t many professional athletes who deserve to be role models. Lynch does. And pound for pound, he still might be the hardest hitter in football.

* Safety -- Rodney Harrison, Patriots. This football assassin will make the enemy think twice about sniffing around the foxhole.

* Cornerback -- Antoine Winfield, Vikings. He’s 5-9, 180, but plays like he’s 6-2, 210, because of the size of his heart. Winfield is the best tackler the Vikings have had in years.

* Cornerback -- Troy Brown, Patriots. It takes sacrifice and courage to try a new position in your 12th season. Brown, a receiver by trade, showed plenty of both when he stepped in on defense.