Polamalu Unseats Tebow Atop NFLShop.com Jersey Sales List

Steelers S Troy Polamalu "sold the most jerseys" from April through the end of the regular season on NFLShop.com, according to Darren Rovell of CNBC.com. It marks the first time that a defensive player "has led the league in jersey sales" since Bears LB Brian Urlacher in '06. Polamalu and Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, who ranked No. 9, were the "only non-quarterbacks in the top 12." Broncos QB Tim Tebow, who had ranked No. 1 since being drafted but only started two games this season, "was knocked out of the top spot to finish third." Saints QB Drew Brees ranked No. 2. Rovell noted since the NFL "started compiling jersey sales stats for the 2001 season, a rookie has never finished the season as the best seller" (CNBC.com, 1/6).

SCORE ONE FOR PEYTON: The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Jared Diamond reports The Nielsen Co. and E-Poll Market Research's "N-Score," which "measures the endorsement potential of athletes," found that Peyton Manning "dominates" Tom Brady in marketability. Nielsen to determine the scores "administered surveys to 1,100 Americans above the age of 13," and the results are "based on the public's awareness of the athletes and on a series of questions pertaining to their appeal and attributes." The N-Score also "shows the public's response to controversy." Eagles QB Michael Vick's rating "peaked at 60 in September 2005, but plummeted to 5 in January 2008, shortly after he was sent to prison." Vick's score "has since climbed to 16 nationally and 72 in the Philadelphia market." Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger "has seen a similar rise since his suspension from football, up to 22 from a 6 in May" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 1/7).