Last week, Vikings coach Brad Childress called Adrian Peterson the best player in the NFL today. Voters to a recent Sporting News poll don't agree with Childress but they still think very highly of the Pro Bowl running back.

Peterson finished third in the magazine's annual ranking of the 100 greatest players in the league, placing behind Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning and New England quarterback Tom Brady. Peterson received only three first-place votes; Manning got 35 and Brady got 50. Arizona receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who attended Holy Angels High School, was fourth (three first-place votes) and San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson rounded out the top five.

The Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers both placed seven players in the top 100. Among the Vikings selections were guard Steve Hutchinson (No. 14); defensive end Jared Allen (No. 21); defensive tackle Kevin Williams (No. 30); nose tackle Pat Williams (No. 47); quarterback Brett Favre (No. 51); and cornerback Antoine Winfield (No. 76).

The list was voted on by a panel of 106 Hall of Famers, major award winners, executives, coaches and other football experts, according to a release issued by The Sporting News. Voters included former Vikings Randall McDaniel, Alan Page, Paul Krause and Fran Tarkenton.