Overrated and Underrated by Position, NFL Style

This blog post is brought to you by Matt Aaron, who underratedly makes up words.

The following post explains the most overrated and underrated players in the NFL at each position. Since offensive lineman rarely get credit as it is, I have skipped over them. For all you curious readers out there, my overrated offensive lineman is Matt Light and my underrated lineman is Joe Thomas who might be the best in the league already.

Quarterback position

Underrated: Josh Freeman

The 22 year old Kansas State QB has already cemented a reputation that he is a winner. He was victorious in his first career start in November last year against the Packers and has his team is in serious contention in 2010. Most impressive are the amount of come from behind wins this kid on his resume already. Strong arm, understands the game and decent legs when he needs them, equals a lot of legit comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger. I fully expect the Buccaneers to make the playoffs in 2010, out of a torturous NFC South division and Josh Freeman is the reason why.

Honorable Mention: Eli Manning. It’s difficult to call a guy, who is one of the highest paid players in the game, underrated, but Eli is never mentioned amongst the best. He is starting to look like his big brother pre-snap with his authoritative playcalling and he wins big games. He turns the ball over too much early in games, but tends to turn heads late in games. He steps it up when it matters.

Overrated: Tony Romo

This blog thing is fun already. I think I could develop a website on why Romo is vastly overrated. Some of the hate garnered towards Romo is unfair as he seems like a nice guy and some of it is unfair in this aspect. Romo performs so well in September through November that it makes his annual late season struggles magnify that much more. It’s all about the big games and big moments with blogster Matt Aaron and Romo simply struggles when the lights are brightest. He has a 16-15 record against the NFC East, included in those loses was a shellacking at the hands of the Eagles to close the 2008 season to prevent the Boys a playoff berth. Speaking of playoffs, Romo has been outperformed in three of his four playoff games by opposing team’s quarterbacks. Without even including the numbing fumble snap against the Seahawks, Romo’s statistics are not impressive whatsoever.

1-3 record 59% 208 yards per game and an 80.8 passer rating

If you look deeper into the games, Romo’s divisional round play is absolutely horrific as he is posting a 65.4 passer rating in 2 career games.

But he did date Carrie Underwood so maybe I am just bitter.

Honorable Mention: Brett Favre, love him or hate, nobody throws more arrant passes......wait for it..... just ask Jen Sterger.

Runningback position

Underrated: Jamaal Charles

I must admit that I do not see too many Chiefs games, but I enjoy watching J. Charles more than sorority girls love listening to Lil Wayne or adding unnecessary letters on the end of words because it’s cuteeeeee. The yards per carry speak for itself. In three seasons, Charles is averaging an NFL best 5.8 YPC. He has breakaway speed with the smarts to always pick the correct gap to hit. Todd Halley and the Chiefs coaching staff have limited his carries to this point of his career, but he is ready to explode in the second half of the 2010 season and it will lead into next year as well.

Honorable Mention: Thomas Jones, welcome to the Chiefs show here at the underrated running back show, but I bet you cannot name too many running backs that have gained over 1000 yards each of the last five seasons. Thomas Jones is one.

Overrated: LaDanian Tomlinson

This is more of a career characteristic that I’m giving LT, more than just this season. First of all, I must give credit for Tomlinson, because as most people, I thought he was absolutely done heading into 2010. Credit him for his career resurgence and credit him for battling hard with some horrific Charger squads at the beginning of his career. With that being said, LT developed a reputation for disappearing in big moments, specifically the playoffs. His career 3.41 yards per carry in 7 games is pathetic. January 14^th, 2008 sticks out more than any other game, when LT hurt his leg and sat on the bench for the remainder of the blood battle with the Indianapolis Colts. This is the same game where Phillip Rivers nearly broke his leg in two and battled it out. Rivers also played the following week against the Patriots while LT spent most the game on the bench, by himself. Regular season accomplishments mean absolutely nothing if you disappear faster than Houdini in the playoffs.

Honorable Mention: Ray Rice, who is a good all-around back and may develop into a great one, but Marshall Faulk comparisons are ludicrous.

Wide Receiver

Underrated: DeSean Action Jackson

This one is definitely going to need some explanation. When debating top 5 or even top 10 wide receivers in the league, Jackson is rarely mentioned. Why not? He is one of the most unique wideouts in the game today. A deep threat that consistently has a significant impact on the game. At 23 years old, he already has amassed 22 total touchdowns, over 2,600 receiving yards while averaging a ridiculous 17.6 yards per catch. Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy both have Jackson to thank for their impressive 2010 season statistics, because nobody stretches the field, in today’s game, the way that DeSean does.

Honorable Mention: Hakeem Nicks ‘elodeon’ will be what all the kids are talking about in a year or two.

Overrated: Marques Colston

This one is difficult, as Colston has certainly worked hard from being nearly Mr. Irrelevant to a 1,000 yard receiver in the NFL. The Saints offense, similar to the Colts can plug in wideouts and Drew Brees’ numbers will not diminish. Colston is relatively slow for NFL standards, but does make up for it with incredible hands. He is replaceable in an incredible Saints’ system.

Honorable Mention: Chad Ocho my Johnson. Also has great hands, but has given Carson Palmer more headaches than a Kimo von Oelhoffen trading card.    

Defensive Line

Underrated: Cullen Jenkins

The curse of being an end in a 3-4 defense. You simply do not the credit that you deserve. Jenkins has been a solid staple in the Packers defense since he was drafted in 2004. He also is very capable of getting to the QB himself and not just plugging holes for his linebackers, 26 career sacks is not too shabby.

Honorable Mention: Justin Smith. Only if Patrick Willis was playing like, well… Patrick Willis this season, the 49ers might not be struggling the way they are. Smith is a power defensive lineman who makes gigantic plays in the pass rush game and the opposing team’s rushing attack.

Overrated: Dwight Freeney

This is a no brainer. The most overrated Colt since Marvin Harrison decided to be a gangster in Philadelphia again. Don’t get me wrong, he is one of the best in the game at sacking the quarterback and his spin move is as deadly as Peyton Manning’s forehead. The only problem is with Dwight is that he puts himself out of position way too much. He constantly runs up field attempting to set up the guard with his spin move, but it often opens a GIGANTIC hole for the opposing teams running attack. He is a big reason why the Colts have struggled against the run for the past few seasons. I also find it startling that such a defensive force only has 3 career forced fumbles. Please do not mention Dwight as one of the best defensive linemen in the game, because it is untrue. If you want factual proof, watch Julius Peppers at work and compare his dominance to Freeney, there is absolutely no comparison.

Honorable Mention: Mario Williams, above average, but not dominate like a number 1 overall draft choice needs to be. Texans will live with 11 sacks a season, but expected top 3 numbers.

Linebackers

Underrated: Jon Beason

He is not flashy or sexy, but he gets the job done. At 25 years old, he is one of the best and consistent players on the defensive side of the ball. The Panthers middle linebacker averages 140 tackles a season and with the departure of Peppers, he is most definitely the heart and soul of the struggling Panthers franchise. As he enters his prime, he reminds many of another “U” middle linebacker who has a Super Bowl MVP on his resume and a Canton induction in his future.

Honorable Mention: Barrett Ruud. Talk about huge shoes to feel in Tampa Bay after the eventual retirement of Derrick Brooks, but Ruud produces on a weekly basis.

Overrated: Joey Porter

Similar to Tomlinson, this is also more of a career distinction. Porter has always been a perfect example of glancing at a box score and thinking he had a good game. Joey made a career (and many millions) of making one big play a game (usually a sack) and having people think he played well. He was never good against the run and obviously could not be used in coverage. 2 tackles and 1 sack during a game do not equal all pro status. He also is probably the biggest reason (player wise) why the Steelers missed the playoffs during the 2006 season. Inexcusable personal foul penalties, disappearing in the second half and unnecessary media attention are just a few reasons why Porter was anything but productive. I will close with this, in 2005 (Steelers Super Bowl season) and 2008 (his 2^nd season with the Dolphins) Joey Porter played an all-around game and was one of the best linebackers in the game during those seasons.

Honorable Mention: Brian Urlacher, who has splash play syndrome as well and has been surrounded by an excellent defensive cast most of his career.

Secondary

Underrated: Oshiomogho Atogwe

No I didn’t fall asleep on my keyboard, that is his name and I suggest you take 15 minutes to learn how to pronounce it, because he is one of the best safeties in the game today. The St. Louis Rams defense has been horrific in the last few seasons, but Atogwe has been unswerving with a sense of swag for six seasons now. A sure tackler who has the capability of making a big interception, also a player who has forced 15 fumbles in his career. He definitely should be a household name….but then again, Bob Sanders is a lot easier to pronounce.

Honorable Mention: Tyvon Branch of the Raiders, who leads a talented Raiders secondary from his safety position and quickly is entering his prime.

Overrated: Michael Griffin
The Tennessee Titans former 1^st round pick has yet to expand into that elite safety role. He will get you 70 tackles a season with a lot of devastating hits, but he struggles in coverage. Certainly benefits from Chris Hope who does the dirty work in the secondary.

Honorable Mention: DeAngelo Hall, though he is the best receiver Jay Cutler has ever had in the NFL.